U.S. patent application number 11/370753 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-13 for sensor arrays for exercise equipment and methods to operate the same.
Invention is credited to Robert Daniel Kohan, Alexandre Kirilov Menektchiev, Edward James Minzenberger.
Application Number | 20070213183 11/370753 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38055422 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070213183 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Menektchiev; Alexandre Kirilov ;
et al. |
September 13, 2007 |
Sensor arrays for exercise equipment and methods to operate the
same
Abstract
Sensor arrays for exercise equipment and methods to operate the
same are disclosed. An example method comprises receiving outputs
from an array of sensors each of which is configured to detect a
position of a portion of an exercise machine, and determining at
the exercise machine an exercise range of motion based on the
sensor outputs.
Inventors: |
Menektchiev; Alexandre Kirilov;
(Cary, IL) ; Kohan; Robert Daniel; (Naperville,
IL) ; Minzenberger; Edward James; (Elk Grove Village,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HANLEY, FLIGHT & ZIMMERMAN, LLC
150 S. WACKER DRIVE
SUITE 2100
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Family ID: |
38055422 |
Appl. No.: |
11/370753 |
Filed: |
March 8, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/94 ;
482/8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2220/34 20130101;
A63B 2220/833 20130101; A63B 24/00 20130101; A63B 2220/13 20130101;
A63B 21/0628 20151001; A63B 2220/17 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/094 ;
482/008 |
International
Class: |
A63B 71/00 20060101
A63B071/00; A63B 21/06 20060101 A63B021/06 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: receiving outputs from an array of sensors
each of which is configured to detect a position of a portion of an
exercise machine; and determining at the exercise machine an
exercise range of motion based on the sensor outputs.
2. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising displaying
the determined exercise range of motion at the exercise
machine.
3. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising determining
at least one of a weight lifted, a number of sets, or a number of
repetitions based on the sensor outputs.
4. A method as defined in claim 3, wherein determining the weight
lifted comprises: detecting a lowest deactivated sensor; and using
the lowest deactivated sensor to determine the weight lifted.
5. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein determining the exercise
range of motion comprises: detecting at least one of a highest
activated sensor or a highest activated group of sensors; and using
the at least one of the highest activated sensor or the highest
activated group of sensors to determine the range of motion.
6. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising: identifying
a user; obtaining an exercise program for the identified user from
a remote server; and displaying at least one element of the
exercise program and an exercise parameter determined based on the
sensor outputs on a display at the exercise machine.
7. A method as defined in claim 6, further comprising providing the
determined exercise parameter to the remote server.
8. A method as defined in claim 6, wherein the determined exercise
parameter is at least one of the exercise range of motion, a weight
lifted, a number of sets, or a number of repetitions.
9. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein each of the sensors of
the array of sensors provides a first output signal when a metal
object is proximate to the sensor and a second output signal when
the metal object is not proximate to the sensor.
10. A method as defined in claim 9, wherein the metal object is at
least one of weight plate, a movable member of the exercise machine
or a magnet.
11. An article of manufacture storing machine readable instructions
which, when executed, cause a machine to: receive outputs from an
array of sensors each of which is configured to detect a position
of a portion of an exercise machine; and determine at the exercise
machine an exercise range of motion based on the sensor
outputs.
12. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 11, wherein the
machine readable instructions, when executed, cause the machine to
display the exercise range of motion at the exercise machine.
13. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 11, wherein the
machine readable instructions, when executed, cause the machine to
determine at least one of a weight lifted, a number of sets, or a
number of repetitions based on the sensor outputs.
14. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 13, wherein the
machine readable instructions, when executed, cause the machine to:
detect a lowest deactivated sensor; and use the lowest deactivated
sensor to determine the weight lifted.
15. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 11, wherein the
machine readable instructions, when executed, cause the machine to:
detect at least one of a highest activated sensor or a highest
activated group of sensors; and use the at least one of the highest
activated sensor or the highest activated group of sensors to
determine the exercise range of motion.
16. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 11, wherein the
machine readable instructions, when executed, cause the machine to:
identifying a user; obtaining an exercise program for the
identified user from a remote server; and displaying at least one
element of the exercise program and an exercise parameter
determined based on the sensor output on a display at the exercise
machine.
17. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 16, wherein the
machine readable instructions, when executed, cause the machine to
provide the determined exercise parameter to the remote server.
18. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 16, wherein the
determined exercise parameter is at least one of the exercise range
of motion, a weight lifted, a number of sets, or a number of
repetitions.
19. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 11, wherein each
of the sensors of the array of sensors provides a first output
signal when a metal object is proximate to the sensor and a second
output signal when the metal object is not proximate to the
sensor.
20. An apparatus comprising: an exercise device; a sensor array to
provide sensor outputs, sensors of the sensor array to detect a
position of a portion of an exercise device; and a processor at the
exercise device to determine an exercise range of motion based on
the sensor array outputs.
21. An apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein the processor is
to determine at least one of a weight lifted, a number of sets, or
a number of repetitions based on the sensor array outputs.
22. An apparatus as defined in claim 20, further comprising an
interface at the exercise device to identify a person.
23. An apparatus as defined in claim 20, further comprising a
network interface at the exercise device to obtain an exercise
routine for the identified person for the exercise machine from a
remote server.
24. An apparatus as defined in claim 20, further comprising a
network interface at the exercise device to provide an exercise
parameter determined from the sensor outputs to a remote
server.
25. An apparatus as defined in claim 24, wherein the determined
exercise parameter is at least one of the exercise range of motion,
a weight lifted, a number of sets, or a number of repetitions.
26. An apparatus as defined in claim 20, further comprising a
display at the exercise device to display the exercise range of
motion determined from the sensor array outputs.
27. An apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein the sensors
provide a first output signal when at least one of a metal object
or a magnet is proximate to the sensor and a second output signal
when the metal object or the magnet is not proximate to the
sensor.
28. An apparatus as defined in claim 20, further comprising: a
printed circuit board to hold the sensors; and a housing to hold
the printed circuit board, wherein the housing is mounted to the
exercise device to position the array of sensors relative to a
movement of a portion of the exercise device.
29. An apparatus as defined in claim 20, further comprising a
magnet mounted to a movable member of the exercise device, the
sensors to detect if the magnet is nearby.
Description
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] This disclosure relates generally to exercise equipment and,
more particularly, to sensor arrays for exercise equipment and
methods to operate the same.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Currently, exercise equipment and/or exercise machines rely
on a person who is exercising (i.e., an exerciser), an observer
and/or personal trainer to determine a weight used for an exercise
routine and to count repetitions and/or sets. Further, to record
the exercise parameters (e.g., weight, repetitions, sets, etc.) for
future reference, the exerciser typically utilizes, for example,
paper and pencil or relies on their memory. Such manual methods are
inherently prone to error both during the exercising and during the
recording. For example, the exerciser may record the incorrect
number of repetitions if they lost count while exercising.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an example exercise
machine.
[0004] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate example manners of implementing a
portion of the example exercise machine of FIG. 1.
[0005] FIG. 4 illustrates an example manner of implementing a
sensor array for an example exercise machine employing an elastic
resistive load.
[0006] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate an example operation of the
example sensor array of FIG. 3.
[0007] FIG. 6 illustrates an example manner of implementing the
example processor and display unit of FIG. 1.
[0008] FIG. 7 illustrates an example front panel for the example
processor and display unit of FIGS. 1 and/or 6.
[0009] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate flowcharts representative of
example processes which may be carried out to implement the example
processor and display unit of FIGS. 1 and/or 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] FIG. 1 depicts an example exercise machine 100 constructed
in accordance with the teachings of the invention. To facilitate
exercising, the example exercise machine 100 of FIG. 1 includes
handles 105 against which a person pushes and a stack of weights
110. The example stack of weights 110 of FIG. 1 includes any of a
variety of mechanisms such as, for example, a movable pin 112, to
select a number of weight plates from the stack of weights 110 for
the current exercise. In the illustrated example of FIG. 1, the
example movable pin 112 selects a portion of the example stack of
weights 110 to move upward in response to the person pushing
against the handles 105.
[0011] To detect movement of the selected portion of the stack of
weights 110, the example exercise machine 100 of FIG. 1 includes a
linear array of sensors 115. The example array of sensors 115 of
FIG. 1 includes a plurality of sensors, one of which is indicated
with reference numeral 120 in FIG. 1. In the illustrated example,
sensors of the example array of sensors 115 are positioned adjacent
and opposite the resting position of each weight plate, and at
equally spaced locations above the example stack of weights 110 up
to the highest travel position attainable by the top weight plate
of the example stack of weights 110. The example sensor array 115
is enclosed in, covered and/or attached to any variety of housing
and/or mounting bracket (not shown). In the example of FIG. 1, the
housing is the mechanical means by which the example sensor array
115 is held in place relative to the example stack of weights 110
and substantially conceals and/or obscures the example sensor array
115 from the exerciser.
[0012] The sensors of the example sensor array 115 of FIG. 1 (e.g.,
the example sensor 120) can be any variety of sensor capable to
detect the proximate presence of a metal weight plate such as, for
example, proximity sensors, Hall-Effect sensors and/or reed
switches. Additionally and/or alternatively, as discussed below in
connection with FIG. 3, each weight plate can have an attached
magnet positioned to activate magnetic sensors (e.g., the example
sensor 120) of the example array of sensors 115 as the weight plate
moves into a position aligned with one of the magnetic sensors.
Moreover, optical sensors could alternatively or additionally be
used. Each of the sensors of the example sensor array 115 of FIG. 1
may provide one of two output signals. For example, at each time
instant, each sensor may be adapted to provide an active output
signal (e.g., a positive voltage signal) when a weight plate and/or
attached magnet is nearby or an inactive output signal (e.g., a
zero voltage signal) when no weight plate and/or attached magnet is
nearby. That is, each sensor is in an active state (i.e.,
activated) when a weight plate and/or magnet is nearby and in an
inactive state (i.e., deactivated) when a weight plate and/or
magnet is not nearby. Alternatively, each sensor may provide a
resistance that changes to indicate the presence or proximity of a
weight plate and/or magnet attached to a weight plate. For example,
each sensor may provide a characteristic increase or decrease in
resistance, an open/closed circuit, etc. in response to the
presence of a weight plate and/or its associated magnet. In
general, each sensor is in an active state (i.e., activated)
causing, for example, a positive voltage signal, a low resistance,
a closed circuit when a weight plate and/or magnet is nearby or in
an inactive state (i.e., deactivated) causing, for example, a zero
voltage signal, a high resistance, an open circuit when a weight
plate and/or its magnet is not nearby. Thus, the example sensor
array 115 of FIG. 1 provides a plurality of sensor array output
signals, one for each sensor of the example sensor array 115.
[0013] To determine and/or provide (e.g., display) exercise
information and/or exercise parameters, the example exercise
machine 100 of FIG. 1 includes a processor and display unit 125.
The example processor and display unit 125 of FIG. 1 processes the
plurality of sensor array output signals received from the example
sensor array 115 to determine and/or display exercise parameters
(e.g., selected weight, range of motion, repetitions, sets, etc.).
The example processor and display unit 125 of FIG. 1 displays the
exercise parameters on a display associated with and/or implemented
by the example processor and display unit 125. Methods for
determining exercise parameters based on the sensor array output
signals are discussed below in connection with FIGS. 3, 5A, 5B, 8
and 9.
[0014] The example processor and display unit 125 of FIG. 1
additionally includes any variety of means by which the exerciser
may be identified such as, for example, a keypad and/or a touch
screen keypad to enter an identification number, a radio frequency
identification (RFID) tag reader, a memory card reader, etc. Based
upon the identification of the exerciser, the example processor and
display unit 125 of FIG. 1 may obtain target exercise parameters
(e.g., a weight to be lifted, a target number of repetitions per
set, a target number of sets, etc.) from a remote exercise routine
server 130 via any variety of network interface such as, for
example, a wireless local area network (LAN) 132 as illustrated in
FIG. 1. The example processor and display unit 125 of FIG. 1
displays the target exercise parameters for viewing by the
exerciser and then, as the exerciser exercises, the processor and
display unit 125 displays the target exercise parameters versus
actual exercise parameters determined from the output signals of
the array of sensors 115 (i.e., sensor outputs signals). Upon
completion of exercising, the example processor and display unit
125 of FIG. 1 provides the actual exercise parameters to the remote
server 130 for later recall and/or analysis by the exerciser and/or
a personal trainer. An example implementation of the example
processor and display unit 125 of FIG. 1 is discussed below in
connection with FIG. 6. An example front panel for the example
processor and display unit 125 is discussed below in connection
with FIG. 7.
[0015] Exercise equipment networks and methods to operate the same
are discussed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/199,764 filed
on Aug. 8, 2005, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/247,416 filed
on Oct. 11, 2005, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/247,430
filed on Oct. 11, 2005. U.S. patent application Ser. Nos.
11/199,764, 11/247,416 and 11/247,430 are hereby incorporated by
reference in their entireties.
[0016] While FIG. 1 illustrates an example usage of the example
sensor array 115 for the example exercise machine 100 to determine
exercise parameters, it will be readily appreciated by persons of
ordinary skill in the art that a same, similar and/or different
sensor array may be utilized to detect exercise activity for other
types of exercise machines and/or exercise equipment. For example,
an example sensor array for an exercise machine employing an
elastic resistive load is illustrated in FIG. 4. Further, while the
example sensor array 115 of FIG. 1 is located in front of the
example weight stack 110, persons of ordinary skill in the art will
readily appreciate that the example sensor array 115 could
alternatively be located behind or on either side of the example
weight stack 110. Still further, one (i.e., linear), two (2) and/or
three (3) dimensional sensor arrays may be used. For example, a two
dimensional sensor array could be used to detect exercise motion
along an arc where the radius of the arc depends upon the arm
length of the exerciser.
[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates an example manner of implementing a
portion of the example exercise machine 100 of FIG. 1. Illustrated
in FIG. 2 is a portion 205 of the example weight stack 110 of FIG.
1 consisting of the top five (5) weight plates. Also illustrated is
a portion of an example sensor array 210. In the example portion
illustrated in FIG. 2, the example array of sensors 210 is
positioned to the side of the example weight stack 110.
[0018] As is conventional, in the illustrated example of FIGS. 1
and 2, the weight plates have substantially equal weights, and an
exercise weight is set by selecting a subset of the weight plates.
For example, if each weight plate weighs ten (10) pounds (lbs.),
selecting the top 3 weight plates result in an exercise weight of
thirty (30) lbs. Further, each weight plate is marked with the
cumulative weight of the weight plate itself summed with the weight
of the weight plates above it in the example weight stack 110. For
example, the third weight plate is marked "30" indicating that the
top three weight plates taken together result in an exercise weight
of 30 lbs.
[0019] To detect the nearby presence, absence or proximity of
weight plates, the example array of sensors 210 of FIG. 2 includes
one sensor positioned opposite each at rest weight plate (e.g., a
sensor 220 positioned opposite the weight plate marked "30"), and
additional sensors equally spaced above the at rest example weight
stack 110 (e.g., a sensor 225). The sensors of the example sensor
array 210 of FIG. 2 may be any variety of sensors capable to detect
a presence or absence of a nearby metal weight plate such as, for
example, proximity sensors, Hall-Effect sensors and/or reed
switches. Like FIG. 1, each sensor has an output (e.g., an output
230 of the example sensor 225) that may provide one of two output
signals. For example, at each time instant, each sensor may be
adapted to provide an active output signal (e.g., a positive
voltage signal) when a weight plate and/or attached magnet is
nearby or an inactive output signal (e.g., a zero voltage signal)
when no weight plate and/or attached magnet is nearby. That is,
each sensor is in an active state (i.e., activated) when a weight
plate and/or magnet is nearby and in an inactive state (i.e.,
deactivated) when a weight plate and/or magnet is not nearby.
Alternatively, each sensor may provide a resistance that changes to
indicate the presence or proximity of a weight plate and/or magnet
attached to a weight plate. For example, each sensor may provide a
characteristic increase or decrease in resistance, an open/closed
circuit, etc. in response to the presence of a weight plate and/or
its associated magnet. In general, each sensor is in an active
state (i.e., activated) causing, for example, a positive voltage
signal, a low resistance, a closed circuit when a weight plate
and/or magnet is nearby or in an inactive state (i.e., deactivated)
causing, for example, a zero voltage signal, a high resistance, an
open circuit when a weight plate and/or its magnet is not
nearby.
[0020] In the examples of FIGS. 1 and 2, the example sensors of the
sensor array are mounted to any variety of substrate 232 such as,
for example, a printed circuit board (PCB). The substrate 232 also
provides routing of the sensor output signals from the example
array of sensors 210 to the example processor and display unit 125
of FIG. 1. The substrate 232 is also used to mount the sensor array
210 to a housing 235 that mechanically holds the sensor array 210
in position and/or alignment relative to the example weight stack
110.
[0021] In the illustrated example of FIG. 2, the example movable
pin 112 selects a subset of the weight plates (e.g., the weight
plates marked "10", "20" and "30" in FIG. 2) of the example weight
stack 110 that move in response to a lifting force provided by a
cable 240. In the examples of FIGS. 1 and 2, the example cable 240
of FIG. 2 moves upwards in response to a force exerted against the
handles 105 of FIG. 1, lifting the weight plates selected with the
movable pin 112.
[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates another example manner of implementing a
portion of the example exercise machine 100 of FIG. 1. The example
portion illustrated in FIG. 3 is similar to the example portion
illustrated in FIG. 2 and, thus, the description of like portions
of FIG. 3 will not be repeated here. Instead, the interested reader
is referred back to the corresponding description of FIG. 2. To
facilitate this process, like elements have been numbered with like
reference numerals in FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0023] To facilitate detection of the weight plates of the example
weight stack 110 of FIG. 3, magnets are attached to each weight
plate as illustrated in FIG. 3 (e.g., a magnet 305 attached to the
weight plate marked "30"). To detect the presence, absence and/or
proximity of weight plates of the example weight stack 110 of FIG.
3 using the associated attached magnets (e.g., the example magnet
305), an example array of sensors 310 includes one sensor (e.g., a
sensor 320) positioned opposite each at rest weight plate magnet
(e.g., the example magnet 305), and additional sensors spaced
equally above the example weight stack 110 (e.g., a sensor 325).
The sensors of the example sensor array 310 of FIG. 3 may be any
variety of magnetic sensor capable to detect a presence or absence
of a nearby magnet (e.g., the magnet 305 attached to the weight
plate marked "30"). Like the examples of FIGS. 1 and 2, each sensor
has an output (e.g., an output 330 of the example sensor 325) that
may provide one of two output signals. For example, at each time
instant, each sensor may be adapted to provide an active output
signal (e.g., a positive voltage signal) when a weight plate and/or
attached magnet is nearby or an inactive output signal (e.g., a
zero voltage signal) when no weight plate and/or attached magnet is
nearby. That is, each sensor is in an active state (i.e.,
activated) when a weight plate and/or magnet is nearby and in an
inactive state (i.e., deactivated) when a weight plate and/or
magnet is not nearby. Alternatively, each sensor may provide a
resistance that changes to indicate the presence or proximity of a
weight plate and/or magnet attached to a weight plate. For example,
each sensor may provide a characteristic increase or decrease in
resistance, an open/closed circuit, etc. in response to the
presence of a weight plate and/or its associated magnet. In
general, each sensor is in an active state (i.e., activated)
causing, for example, a positive voltage signal, a low resistance,
a closed circuit when a weight plate and/or magnet is nearby or in
an inactive state (i.e., deactivated) causing, for example, a zero
voltage signal, a high resistance, an open circuit when a weight
plate and/or its magnet is not nearby.
[0024] FIG. 4 illustrates an example manner of implementing a
portion of an example exercise machine employing an elastic
resistive load. To provide the elastic resistive load, the example
of FIG. 4 includes one or more elastic members (e.g., elastic
members 405 and 410) attached at one end to a movable member 415
and at the other end to a fixed member of the exercise machine (not
shown). The example movable member 415 of FIG. 4 moves in response
to a lifting force provided by a cable 420. In the example of FIG.
4, the example cable 420 of FIG. 4 moves upwards in response to a
force exerted against, for example, the example handles 105 of FIG.
1. The example elastic members 405 and 410 of FIG. 4, as the
example movable member 415 moves upwards, apply an increasing
downward resistive force against the example movable member 415
and, thus, against the example handles 105. To create a resting
position for the example movable member 415, the example of FIG. 4
includes fixed members 425 and 430 upon which the example movable
member 415 rests.
[0025] To detect movement of the movable member 415, the example of
FIG. 4 includes a magnet 440 mounted to the example movable member
415 and a sensor array 445 of which a portion is illustrated in
FIG. 4. The example sensor array 445 of FIG. 4 includes one sensor
positioned opposite the at rest position of the movable member 415
created by the fixed members 425 and 430 (e.g., a sensor 450), and
additional sensors spaced equally above the sensor 450 (e.g., a
sensor 455). The sensors of the sensor array 445 may be any variety
of magnetic sensor capable to detect a presence or absence of the
example magnet 440 attached to example movable member 415. Like the
examples of FIGS. 1 and 2, each sensor has an output (e.g., an
output 460 of the example sensor 455) that may provide one of two
output signals. For example, at each time instant, each sensor may
be adapted to provide an active output signal (e.g., a positive
voltage signal) when a weight plate and/or attached magnet is
nearby or an inactive output signal (e.g., a zero voltage signal)
when no weight plate and/or attached magnet is nearby. That is,
each sensor is in an active state (i.e., activated) when a weight
plate and/or magnet is nearby and in an inactive state (i.e.,
deactivated) when a weight plate and/or magnet is not nearby.
Alternatively, each sensor may provide a resistance that changes to
indicate the presence or proximity of a weight plate and/or magnet
attached to a weight plate. For example, each sensor may provide a
characteristic increase or decrease in resistance, an open/closed
circuit, etc. in response to the presence of a weight plate and/or
its associated magnet. In general, each sensor is in an active
state (i.e., activated) causing, for example, a positive voltage
signal, a low resistance, a closed circuit when a weight plate
and/or magnet is nearby or in an inactive state (i.e., deactivated)
causing, for example, a zero voltage signal, a high resistance, an
open circuit when a weight plate and/or its magnet is not
nearby.
[0026] In the example of FIG. 4, the example sensors of the example
sensor array 445 are mounted to any variety of substrate 462 such
as, for example, a PCB. The substrate 462 provides routing of the
sensor output signals from the example array of sensors 445 to, for
example, the example processor and display unit 125 of FIG. 1. The
substrate 462 is also used to mount the sensor array 445 to a
housing 465 that mechanically holds the sensor array 445 in
position and/or alignment relative to the travel path of the
movable member 415.
[0027] FIGS. 3, 5A and 5B illustrate an example operation of the
example sensor array 115 of FIGS. 1 and 3. To facilitate
understanding of the example operation illustrated in FIGS. 3, 5A
and 5B, like elements of FIGS. 3, 5A and 5B have been identified
with identical reference numbers. FIG. 3 illustrates a resting
position of the example weight stack 110, that is, where the
selected weight plates (e.g., the weight plates marked "10", "20"
and "30") are resting against the unselected remainder of the
weight stack 110. In the resting position illustrated in FIG. 3,
the magnet 305 activates the example magnetic sensor 320 causing an
active (e.g., a positive voltage signal level) to be output by the
sensor 320 (i.e., the sensor 320 is activated).
[0028] Turning to FIG. 5A, when an exerciser causes the selected
weight plates to move upwards, the example magnetic sensor 320
becomes inactive (e.g., provides a substantially zero voltage
output signal) because the example magnet 305 is no longer adjacent
or proximate to the sensor 320. That is, the upwards movement of
the selected weight plates causes a gap or space 502 between the
selected weight plates and the remainder of the weight stack 110.
The gap or space 502 adjacent to the sensor 320 causes the sensor
320 to become inactive (i.e., deactivated). Additionally, a
magnetic sensor 505 is activated by a magnet 507 attached to the
top weight plate (i.e., the weight plate marked "10"). In the
examples of FIGS. 1, 3 and 5A, the example processor and display
unit 125 of FIG. 1 uses the inactive output signal from the example
sensor 320 to determine that three (3) weight plates are moving
upward and, thus, in the illustrated examples, the exercise weight
is thirty (30) lbs.
[0029] Continuing with FIG. 5B, the exerciser causes the selected
weight plates to continuing moving upward. The further upwards
movement of the selected weight plates causes a larger space or gap
508 and, thus, the sensors between the example sensors 320 and 505,
inclusive, are all inactive, while additional magnetic sensors 510,
515 and 520 are activated by the magnets attached to the moving
weight plates. In the examples of FIGS. 1, 3 and 5B, the example
processor and display unit 125 of FIG. 1 uses the sensor array
output signals to determine a range of exercise motion by
determining the height to which the set of moving weight plates
travels. For example, the highest sensor activated by a moving
weight plate and/or a group of highest sensors activated by a group
of moving weight plates can be used to determine the range of
motion.
[0030] Alternatively or additionally, the example processor and
display unit 125 of FIG. 1 uses a direction of sensor activations
and deactivations to determine a direction of travel for the
selected weight plates. For example, as illustrated by FIGS. 5A and
5B, sensors located higher on the sensor array were activated while
lower sensors were deactivated indicating that the plates are
moving downward. After a highest position is reached (e.g., as
illustrated in FIG. 5B), the example processor and display unit 125
determines that sensors are being activated in the downwards
direction (e.g., the weight stack 110 is returning from the state
illustrated by FIG. 5B to the state illustrated in FIG. 5A) and,
thus, the plates are moving downward. Continuing in this fashion,
the example processor and display unit 125 of FIG. 1 counts
repetitions of the exercise pattern illustrated by FIGS. 3, 5A
and/or 5B.
[0031] Additionally, the example processor and display unit 125 of
FIG. 1 detects a period of time in the resting position illustrated
in FIG. 3 to determine a start of a new set of repetitions. The
period of time can be a preset, user selectable and/or configurable
time duration.
[0032] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an example manner of
implementing the example processor and display unit 125 of FIG. 1.
To determine exercise parameters based on sensor array outputs
signals, the example processor and display unit 125 of FIG. 6
includes a general purpose programmable processor 610. The example
processor 610 of FIG. 6 executes coded instructions 615 present in
a main memory (e.g., within a random access memory (RAM) 625 as
illustrated and/or within a read only memory (ROM) 620). The
example processor 610 may be any type of processing unit, such as a
microprocessor from the AMD.RTM., Sun.RTM. and/or Intel.RTM.
families of microprocessors. The example processor 610 may execute,
among other things, machine accessible instructions to perform the
example processes of FIGS. 8 and/or 9 to determine exercise
parameters from sensor array output signals.
[0033] The example processor 610 of FIG. 6 is in communication with
the example main memory (including the ROM 620 and the RAM 625) via
a bus 630. The example RAM 625 of FIG. 6 may be implemented by
dynamic random access memory (DRAM), Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM),
and/or any other type of RAM device, and the example ROM 620 of
FIG. 6 may be implemented by flash memory and/or any other desired
type of memory device. Access to the example memories 620 and 625
is typically controlled by a memory controller (not shown) in a
conventional manner.
[0034] To receive sensor outputs signals from a sensor array, the
example processor and display unit 125 of FIG. 1 includes any
variety of conventional interface circuitry such as, for example,
an external bus interface 635. For example, the external bus
interface 635 may provide one input signal path (e.g., a
semiconductor package pin) for each sensor of the sensor array.
Additionally or alternatively, the external bus interface 635 may
implement any variety of time multiplexed interface to receive
outputs signal from the sensor array via fewer input signals.
[0035] To display information for viewing by an exerciser or
personal trainer, the example processor and display unit 125 of
FIG. 6 includes any variety of display 640. An example display 640
is discussed below in connection with FIG. 7.
[0036] To allow an exerciser to be identified, the example
processor and display unit 125 of FIG. 6 includes any variety of
user identification interface 645. Example interfaces 645 include a
keypad, an RFID tag reader, a universal serial bus (USB) memory
interface, etc. For example, an exerciser may identify themselves
by passing an associated device containing an RFID tag (e.g., a
membership card) near an RFID tag reader 645. When the membership
card is detected and/or identified by the RFID tag reader 645, the
example RFID tag reader 645 of FIG. 6 provides to the example
processor 610, for example, the exerciser's identification number
(e.g., membership number) read and/or otherwise determined from the
membership card.
[0037] To allow the example processor and display unit 125 to
interact with a remote server (e.g., the example exercise routine
server 130 of FIG. 1), the example processor and display unit 125
of FIG. 6 includes any variety of network interface 650 such as,
for example, a wireless LAN interface in accordance with, for
instance, the Institute of Electronics and Electrical Engineers
(IEEE) 802.11b, 802.11 g, 802.15.4 (a.k.a. ZigBee) etc. standards.
The example processor 610 of FIG. 6 uses the example network
interface 650 to obtain target exercise parameters for an
identified user and/or to provide exercise parameters determined
while the identified user exercises. Exercise equipment networks
and methods to operate the same are discussed in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/199,764 filed on Aug. 8, 2005, U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/247,416 filed on Oct. 11, 2005, and U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/247,430 filed on Oct. 11, 2005.
[0038] To allow the example processor and display unit 125 to
generate sounds, the example processor and display unit 125
includes any variety of speaker 655. The example processor 610 of
FIG. 6 can causes any variety of sounds such as, for example, the
current repetition count, to be produced by the example speaker 655
of FIG. 6 while a user is exercising.
[0039] Although an example processor and display unit 125 has been
illustrated in FIG. 6, processor and display units may be
implemented using any of a variety of other and/or additional
devices, components, circuits, modules, etc. Further, the devices,
components, circuits, modules, elements, etc. illustrated in FIG. 6
may be combined, re-arranged, eliminated and/or implemented in any
of a variety of ways. For simplicity and ease of understanding, the
following discussion references the example processor and display
unit 125 of FIG. 6, but any processor and display unit could be
used.
[0040] FIG. 7 illustrates an example front panel that may be used
to implement the example processor and display unit 125 of FIGS. 1
and/or 6. To identify an exerciser, the example front panel of FIG.
7 includes an RFID tag reader area 705, below which the example
RFID tag reader 645 of FIG. 6 is located. When the exerciser, for
example, passes their membership card over the RFID tag reader area
705, the example RFID tag reader 645 of FIG. 6 obtains the
exerciser's identification number and/or other information from the
membership card.
[0041] To display information for viewing by an exerciser, the
example front panel of FIG. 7 includes the example display 640 of
FIG. 6. If a user is identified by the example processor and
display unit 125, the example display 640 of FIG. 7 displays the
exerciser's name as indicated with reference numeral 710.
[0042] The example display 640 of FIG. 7 displays determined
exercise parameters as a user exercises such as, for example, a
range of motion display 715, a number of repetitions in the current
set 720, the weight being lifted 725, and/or the number of sets
730. Further, if the exerciser is identified by the example
processor and display unit 125, the example processor and display
unit 125 of FIG. 6 obtains from a server (e.g., the exercise
routine server 130 of FIG. 1) target exercise parameters for the
identified user. The example processor and display unit 125 of FIG.
6 displays the target exercise parameters for the exerciser.
Example target exercise parameters include a target number of
repetitions 720B, a target exercise weight 725B, and/or a target
number of sets 730B as illustrated in FIG. 7.
[0043] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate flowcharts representative of
example process that may be carried out to implement the example
processor and display unit 125 of FIGS. 1 and/or 6. The example
processes of FIGS. 8 and/or 9 may be executed by a processor, a
controller and/or any other suitable processing device. For
example, the example processes of FIGS. 8 and/or 9 may be embodied
in coded instructions stored on a tangible medium such as a flash
memory, or RAM associated with a processor (e.g., the example
processor 610 of FIG. 6). Alternatively, some or all of the example
flowcharts of FIGS. 8 and/or 9 may be implemented using an
application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable
logic device (PLD), a field programmable logic device (FPLD),
discrete logic, hardware, firmware, etc. Also, some or all of the
example flowcharts of FIGS. 8 and/or 9, the example processor 610,
the example interface 635, the example display 640, the example
user identifying interface 645 and/or the example network interface
650 may be implemented manually or as combinations of any of the
foregoing techniques, for example, a combination of firmware,
software and/or hardware. Further, although the example processes
of FIGS. 8 and 9 are described with reference to the flowcharts of
FIGS. 8 and 9, persons of ordinary skill in the art will readily
appreciate that many other methods of implementing the example
processor and display unit 125 of FIG. 1 may be employed. For
example, the order of execution of the blocks may be changed,
and/or some of the blocks described may be changed, eliminated,
sub-divided, or combined. Additionally, persons of ordinary skill
in the art will appreciate that the example processes of FIGS. 8
and/or 9 be carried out sequentially and/or carried out in parallel
by, for example, separate processing threads, processors, devices,
circuits, etc.
[0044] The example process of FIG. 8 begins with a processor and
display unit (e.g., the example processor and display unit 125 of
FIGS. 1 and/or 6) waiting for an associated exercise machine (e.g.,
the example machine 100 of FIG. 1) to be activated (block 805).
Activation can occur in any variety of ways, such as, for example,
an exercise passing their membership card over an RFID tag reader
area (e.g., the example RFID tag reader area 705 of FIG. 7),
pressing a start button, selecting a weight, moving the handles
105, etc.
[0045] If the machine is activated (block 805), a processor (e.g.,
the example processor 610 of FIG. 6) determines, if possible, an
identity of the user from any identifying information (e.g., an
RFID tag in a membership card) (block 810). If the user is
identified (block 812), the processor obtains target exercise
parameters for the user from an exercise routine server (e.g., the
example server 130 of FIG. 1) (block 815) and then obtains
information regarding the identified user's next exercise set
(e.g., target number of repetitions) (block 820) and control
proceeds to block 824. If a user is not identified (block 812), the
processor displays a message such as, for example, "Workout will
not be tracked" on a display (e.g., the display 640 of FIG. 7) at
the exercise machine (block 822)
[0046] At block 824, the processor initializes the current number
of sets and/or repetitions completed to zero and displays current
exercise parameters (e.g., repetitions=0) and any target next set
exercise parameters (if any) on the display. The processor then
starts a count down timer (block 826). The duration of the count
down timer represents a maximum time period between exercise sets
and may be a preset, exerciser specific and/or user configurable
time period.
[0047] Based upon outputs of a sensor array, the processor
determines if any of the sensors corresponding to a resting
position of a weight plate or movable member is inactive (i.e.,
deactivated) (block 830). If a sensor corresponding to a resting
position (e.g., the sensor 320 of FIG. 5A) is deactivated by, for
example, an adjacent space or gap between a selected set of weight
plates and the remainder of the weight stack (block 830), the
processor determines the selected exercise weight based upon the
lowest inactive resting sensor (block 835). For example, the
processor can use a table lookup that correlates deactivated
resting sensors with exercise weights. The processor displays the
exercise weight on the display (block 840). The processor then
tracks movement of the exercise machine by, for example, carrying
out the example process of FIG. 9 (block 850). When exercising ends
and/or pauses (e.g., when the process of FIG. 9 returns), the
processor sends any determined exercise parameters for the set to
the server (block 855). If a user was identified (block 860),
control returns to block 815 obtain next set information for the
identified user. If a user was not identified (block 860), control
returns to block 824.
[0048] Returning to block 830, if a resting sensor has not become
deactivated, the processor determines if the countdown timer has
expired (block 865). If the countdown timer has not expired (block
865), control returns to block 830 to check if a resting sensor has
become inactive. If the countdown timer has expired (block 865),
the exercise session is ended.
[0049] The example process of FIG. 9 begins with a processor (e.g.,
the example processor 610 of FIG. 6) starting a set timer (block
902) and determining if a sensor has become activated as compared
to a previous time instant (block 905). If a sensor has not become
activated as compared to a previous time instant (block 905), the
processor determines if the set timer has expired (block 907). If
the set timer has not expired (block 907), control returns to block
905 to check if a sensor has become activated as compared to a
previous time instant. If the set timer has expired (block 907),
control returns from the example process of FIG. 9 to, for example,
the example process of FIG. 8.
[0050] Returning to block 905, if relative to a previous time
instant a sensor has been activated (e.g., the example sensor 507
of FIG. 5A), the processor displays the new exercise position on a
display (e.g., the example range of motion display 715 of FIG. 7)
(block 910). The processor then determines if the activated sensor
indicates the movement is upward or downward (block 915). If the
movement is upward (block 915), control returns to block 902 to
restart the set timer.
[0051] If the movement is downward (block 915), the processor
increments and displays the number of repetitions on the display
(e.g., the example repetitions display 720 of FIG. 7) (block 920).
The processor then waits for a sensor to be activated as compared
to a previous time instant (block 925). If relative to a previous
time instant a sensor has not been activated (block 925), the
processor continues waiting (block 925). If relative to a previous
time instant a sensor has been activated (block 925), the processor
displays the new exercise position on the display (block 930). The
processor then determines if the weight stack has returned to the
resting position (block 935). If the weight stack is not in the
resting position (block 935), control returns to block 925 to
determine if a sensor has been activated as compared to a previous
time instant. If the weight stack is in the resting position (block
935), the processor determines if the newly activated sensor
indicates the movement is upward or downward (block 940). If the
movement is downward (block 940), control returns to block 902 to
restart the set timer. If the movement is upward (block 940), the
processor displays the new exercise position on the display (block
945). Control then returns to block 902 to restart the set
timer.
[0052] Although certain example methods, apparatus and articles of
manufacture have been described herein, the scope of coverage of
this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent
covers all methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture fairly
falling within the scope of the appended claims either literally or
under the doctrine of equivalents.
* * * * *