U.S. patent application number 12/722995 was filed with the patent office on 2010-09-16 for method and apparatus for controlling physical exertion.
Invention is credited to Frederick LE PAGE, Gabriel MARECHAL.
Application Number | 20100234184 12/722995 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42731185 |
Filed Date | 2010-09-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100234184 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LE PAGE; Frederick ; et
al. |
September 16, 2010 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING PHYSICAL EXERTION
Abstract
The present relates to a method and an apparatus for controlling
physical exertion during exercise. For doing so, the method and
apparatus collect at least one physical parameter of a user over
time during an exercise session. The method and apparatus store the
collected at least one physical parameter over time. During another
exercise session, the method and apparatus measure the at least one
physical parameter of the user, compare the measured at least one
physical parameter with the collected at least one physical
parameter with respect to time to obtain a variance, and determine
a required adjustment in the another exercise session based on the
variance.
Inventors: |
LE PAGE; Frederick;
(Pierrefonds, CA) ; MARECHAL; Gabriel; (Carignan,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BCF LLP
1100 RENE'-LE'VESQUE BLVD. WEST, 25TH FLOOR
MONTREAL
QC
H3B-5C9
CA
|
Family ID: |
42731185 |
Appl. No.: |
12/722995 |
Filed: |
March 12, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61160299 |
Mar 14, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/8 ;
482/51 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2230/202 20130101;
A63B 2225/50 20130101; A61B 5/11 20130101; A61B 5/318 20210101;
A63B 71/0622 20130101; A63B 2024/0078 20130101; A63B 2225/20
20130101; A61B 5/16 20130101; A61B 5/021 20130101; A61B 5/1118
20130101; A63B 24/0087 20130101; A61B 5/0002 20130101; A63B 2230/65
20130101; G16H 20/30 20180101; A63B 22/0076 20130101; A61B 5/0833
20130101; A61B 5/14532 20130101; A63B 2220/13 20130101; A63B
2230/42 20130101; A61B 5/0836 20130101; A61B 5/01 20130101; A63B
2230/75 20130101; A63B 2230/30 20130101; A61B 5/369 20210101; A61B
2505/09 20130101; A63B 22/0605 20130101; A63B 2230/01 20130101;
A63B 24/0075 20130101; A63B 2230/433 20130101; A63B 2071/065
20130101; A63B 2230/70 20130101; A61B 5/4836 20130101; A61B 2503/10
20130101; A63B 2220/10 20130101; A63B 2230/06 20130101; A63B
22/0061 20130101; A63B 22/0664 20130101; A63B 22/02 20130101; A63B
2230/50 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/8 ;
482/51 |
International
Class: |
A63B 71/00 20060101
A63B071/00; A63B 22/00 20060101 A63B022/00 |
Claims
1. A method for controlling physical exertion during exercise, the
method comprising: collecting at least one physical parameter of a
user over time during an exercise session; storing the collected at
least one physical parameter over time; during another exercise
session: measuring the at least one physical parameter of the user;
comparing the measured at least one physical parameter with the
collected at least one physical parameter with respect to time to
obtain a variance; and determining a required adjustment in the
another exercise session based on the variance.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the required
adjustment in the another exercise session is further based on at
least one user's exercising objective.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising modifying at least one
operating parameter of an exercising apparatus based on the
required adjustment.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising informing the user of
the required adjustment.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein informing the user is performed
by means of at least one of the following: a voice message, an
audio message, a graphic message, a visual representation, a sound
signal, a light signal or physical stimuli like vibration.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one physical
parameter is one of the following: electro-encephalogram,
electrocardiogram, leg stride length and consistency, leg turnover
rate, speed, pace, METS (metabolic equivalent of task), oxygen
intake, CO.sub.2 released, perspiration rate, body temperature,
perceived effort, biorythm, heart rate, pupil's dimension, glucose
level, maximum air breathed out at a first second, lactic acid and
lactate level, motion/position capture data points, power output
(in Watts), weight variation, body fat in absolute (in kg) and
relative values (%), calories and blood pressure.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the exercise
session and the another exercise session is performed outside.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the exercise session is performed
on a first exercising apparatus and the another exercise session is
performed on a different exercising apparatus.
9. The method of claim 3, wherein the exercising apparatus is one
of the following: a treadmill, a step machine, an elliptical
exercise machine, a rowing machine, an exercise bicycle, a
cross-country skiing machine, a skating machine or any other
cardiovascular exercise machine.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the exercising session and the
another exercising session are one of the following: a running
program, a hiking program, a walking program, a biking program, a
swimming program, a skating program, a revolving stairs machine or
any combination thereof.
11. An apparatus for controlling physical exertion during exercise,
the apparatus comprising: a monitoring module for monitoring over
time at least one physical parameter of a user during an exercise
session, and for monitoring over time the at least one physical
parameter of the user during another exercise session; a memory for
storing the at least one physical condition over time; a processor
for comparing the measured at least one physical parameter during
the another exercise session with the measured at least one
physical parameter of the exercise session with respect to time and
for determining a variance, and for determining a required
adjustment in the another exercise session based on the
variance.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, 2 wherein the processor determines
the required adjustment also based on at least one user's
exercising objective.
13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein: the processor is adapted
for determining a required adjustment to an exercising apparatus on
which the another exercise session is performed by the user, and
the apparatus further comprises an output module for communicating
the required adjustment to the exercising apparatus.
14. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a communication
module for informing the user or other individuals of the required
adjustment.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the communication module
comprises at least one of the following: a speaker, a display, a
light or a vibration mechanism.
16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one physical
parameter is one of the following: electro-encephalogram,
electrocardiogram, leg stride length and consistency, leg turnover
rate, speed, pace, METS, oxygen intake, CO.sub.2 released,
perspiration rate, body temperature, perceived effort, biorythm,
HR, pupil's dimension, glucose level, maximum air breathed out at a
first second, lactic acid and lactate level, motion/position
capture data points, power output (in Watts), weight variation,
body fat in absolute (in kg) and relative values (%), calories or
blood pressure.
17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein at least one of the exercise
session and the another exercise session is performed outside.
18. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein: the exercise session is
performed on a first exercising apparatus and the another exercise
session is performed on a different exercising apparatus; and
wherein the exercising apparatus and the different exercising
apparatus are one of the following: a treadmill, a step machine, an
elliptical exercise machine, a rowing machine, an exercise bicycle,
a cross-country skiing machine, a skating machine or any other
cardiovascular exercise machine.
19. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein: the exercise session and
the another exercise session are both performed outside, and the
exercising session and the another exercising session are one of
the following: a running program, a hiking program, a walking
program, a biking program, a swimming program, a skating program or
any combination thereof.
20. An exercising machine comprising the apparatus of claim 12.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present relates to exercising, health and fitness, and
more particularly to a method and an apparatus for controlling
physical exertion.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Exercising is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. As
physical exercise has been promoted in the past twenty years, the
exercising industry has experienced an incredible booming. A large
number of exercising apparatuses have been designed, numerous
sports centers have been opened, and various types of training
programs have been developed. It is thus now possible to train at
home, at a gym, and outside.
[0003] Typically, people exercise to achieve one or several goals:
lose weight, improve energy level, have a better posture, improve
general health, improve physical performances, etc. It usually
takes a certain time and motivation to reach the desired goal. Many
people become discouraged because of the amount of time required to
reach the desired goal. Additionally, the exercise program
developed to reach their goal is sometimes not customized to their
specific needs, and as such, does not deliver targeted results.
[0004] Exercising is even more important for patients recovering
from accidents, injuries or illnesses. In such cases, their
physical efforts must be closely monitored and gradually adapted to
ensure safe recovery.
[0005] Athletes also require specific physical training. To reach
their maximum, athletes often have to combine various training
programs and work on various types of exercising apparatuses,
cross-training being an example. However, customizing and combining
such training programs is not simple, as each athlete reacts
differently to training.
[0006] There is thus a need for an apparatus and a method for
controlling physical exertion during performance of an
exercise.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] In the following description, the following drawings are
used to describe and exemplify the present apparatus and
method:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an apparatus for
controlling physical exertion;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a method for collecting at
least one physical parameter of a user over time during an exercise
session; and
[0010] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a method for controlling a
physical exertion.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] The present provides an apparatus and a method for
controlling physical exertion during exercise.
[0012] For doing so, the present apparatus and method design or
preset an exercise session to be performed by a user by adjusting
at least one physical parameter of the user over time, based on the
same at least one physical parameter collected over time during a
former exercise session performed by the user.
[0013] In a first aspect, the method comprises collecting at least
one physical parameter of a user over time during an exercise
session. Then, the method stores the collected at least one
physical parameter over time. During another exercise session, the
method measures the at least one physical parameter of the user,
and compares the measured at least one physical parameter with the
collected at least one physical parameter with respect to time to
obtain a variance. The method then determines a required adjustment
in the another exercise session based on the variance.
[0014] In another aspect, the apparatus comprises a monitoring
module, a memory and a processor. The monitoring module is adapted
for monitoring over time at least one physical parameter of a user
during an exercise session, and for monitoring over time the at
least one physical parameter of the user during another exercise
session. The memory is adapted for storing the at least one
physical condition over time. The processor compares the measured
at least one physical parameter during the another exercise session
with the measured at least one physical parameter of the exercise
session with respect to time to determine a variance, and
determines a required adjustment in the another exercise session
based on the variance.
[0015] To facilitate reading of the present description, the
following terminology is being used:
[0016] exercise session: any exercise or succession of exercises
performed, comprising an exercise program, a physical effort, or an
improved exercise.
[0017] physical parameter: refers to any measurable physical and/or
physiological parameter or derivation thereof of a user which may
change during the course of an exercise session.
[0018] examples of physical parameters: electro-encephalogram,
electrocardiogram, leg stride length and consistency, leg turnover
rate, speed, pace, METS (metabolic equivalent of task), oxygen
intake, CO.sub.2 released, perspiration rate, body temperature,
perceived effort, biorythm, heart rate, pupil's dimension, glucose
level, maximum air breathed out at a first second, lactic acid and
lactate level, motion/position capture data points, power output
(in Watts), weight variation, body fat in absolute (in kg) and
relative values (%), calories and blood pressure.
[0019] Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which depicts an exemplary
apparatus for controlling physical exertion during exercise. The
apparatus 100 comprises a monitoring module 110, a memory 120, a
processor 130, a communication module 140, a user entry module 150
and an input/output module 160. The apparatus may further other
components not described herein. The apparatus 100 may consist of a
device carried on by a user performing an exercise session, may be
part of an exercising apparatus, or may be divided in
sub-components, some of which accompany the user, others are
affixed to the exercising apparatus, and others such as the memory
are centralized on a server or on the internet.
[0020] The monitoring module 110 may comprise one or several
specific physical parameters monitoring devices. Shown on FIG. 1
are a heart rate monitoring module, a calories burned monitoring
module and a blood pressure module. However, depending on the
physical exertion to be controlled, various specific physical
parameters monitoring devices may be combined. Any known physical
parameter monitoring device available for measuring any of the
examples of physical parameters provided may be used. Depending on
the use of the present apparatus, the monitoring module 110 may be
carried by the user, included with the other components of the
apparatus within a casing, or affixed to an exercising
apparatus.
[0021] The monitoring module 110 monitors over time at least one
physical parameter of the user during an exercise session by means
of its specific physical parameters monitoring devices.
Furthermore, the monitoring module 110 is also adapted for
monitoring over time the at least one physical parameter of the
user during another exercise session. Each of the specific physical
parameters monitoring devices of the monitoring module 110 may
monitor the physical parameter continuously, at a specific rate, or
randomly. When multiple physical parameters are concurrently
monitored, each of the multiple physical parameters may be
monitored with respect to time independently. The present
monitoring module 110 thus allows flexibility in the physical
parameters measured, and the rate at which the physical parameters
are monitored.
[0022] The memory 120 is adapted for storing the at least one
physical condition over time. For doing so, the memory records the
measured at least one physical parameter along with an indication
of time. The indication of time may comprise for example a
timestamp, an indication of the time the recording is performed, or
any other indication of time which provides meaningful information
as to when in the exercise session the at least one physical
condition was monitored. Various types of memories 120 may be used
for this purpose. Examples of memories that could be used include:
a USB flash (USB 2.0, Wireless USB, SuperSpeed . . . ), a memory
card (Compact Flash, Smart Media, MultiMedia Card, Secure Digital,
a Memory Stick, an xD memory, . . . ), a Random Access Memory, a
Read-Only Memory, etc. It could also be possible to store the at
least one physical condition over time on multiple memories
concurrently. The memory 120 receives the monitored physical
parameters and time indication either directly from the monitoring
module 110 or through the processor 130, electronically or
wirelessly.
[0023] The processor 130 is adapted for comparing measured physical
parameters with respect to time between a former exercise session
of the user, and a current exercise session performed by the user.
By comparing physical parameters of the user between a former
exercise session with a current undergoing exercise session, it is
possible to determine a variance in the physical exertion imposed
to the user.
[0024] The processor 130 is further adapted for determining a
required adjustment in the current undergoing exercise session
based on the variance. The processor may further take into
consideration one or several user's exercising objective. The
user's exercising objective may also be stored in the memory 120
and accessed by the processor 130 to determine the required
adjustment. For example, if the object is to increase
cardiovascular capacity, and the variance indicates that the heart
rate is lower than during the former exercise session, the
processor 130 may determine that an adjustment is required so as to
increase the heart rate, thereby reaching the exercising
objective.
[0025] The processor 130 is also capable of determining the
required adjustment further based also on a received or selected
training program to be performed or related to the former exercise
session.
[0026] The processor 130 further communicates with the
communication module 140. The communication module is adapted for
informing the user of the required adjustment. The communication
module 140 may comprise one or several of the following: speaker, a
display, a light or a vibration mechanism. The user may then
perform the adjustment, or manually change the operating parameters
of the exercise apparatus to correspond to the required
adjustment.
[0027] Alternately or concurrently, when the undergoing exercise
session is performed on an exercise apparatus, the processor 130
may also be adapted for communicating the required adjustment by
means of the input/output module 160. The input/output module 160
may communicate with the exercise apparatus (not shown), by means
of a USB connection, a WiFi connection, an Ethernet or Internet
connection, Bluetooth, or any other type of connection either wired
or wireless. The input/output module 160 is thus adapted for
handling any required communication protocol, and specific protocol
of the exercise apparatus. Additionally, the input/output module
160 may be adapted for receiving information about the operating
parameters of the exercise apparatus, so that the processor 130 may
use the operating parameters when determining the required
adjustment. The input/output module 160 may further be adapted for
communicating with a website or any electronic address such as for
example internet address, SMS address, Blackberry messenger.
[0028] Additionally, the processor 130 stores the required
adjustment along with an indication of time in the memory 120.
[0029] The processor 130 also communicates with the user entry
module 150. The user entry module 150 may comprise one or several
different entry sub-modules allowing the user to enter information
during the exercise sessions. For example, the user entry module
150 may comprise specific buttons information regarding his/her
perceived effort, or information related to the moment pain occurs
(or sets in), or information related to the moment he/she attains
his/her second breath or information related to the moment he/she
gets into the "Zone", . . . . The user entry module 150 could also
be presented to the user as a graphical user interface on a display
such as a touch screen.
[0030] The apparatus 100 may be used with multiple types of various
exercising apparatuses, such as for example a treadmill, a step
machine, an elliptical exercise machine, a rowing machine, an
exercise bicycle, a cross-country skiing machine, a skating machine
or any other cardiovascular exercise machine.
[0031] Furthermore, the apparatus may be used for collecting
physical parameters and determining a variant for various types of
exercise sessions, such as a running program, a hiking program, a
walking program, a biking program, a swimming program, a skating
program or any combination thereof.
[0032] The apparatus 100 may be embodied as a portable device,
incorporated within exercising apparatuses, or a combination
thereof. Additionally, as many electronic devices comprises motion
detectors and different types of monitoring devices, the present
apparatus could be offered as a software to be installed on the
electronic devices, thereby using the monitoring modules, the
memory, the processor, the communication module, the user entry
module and the input/output module. In this particular aspect, the
apparatus could be implemented in the form of software installed on
a computer, a cell phone, a Personal Digital Assistant, a smart
phone, an iPod.TM., or any other similar electronic device. The
apparatus 100 may further be adapted for communicating through
internet to a website that provides training programs, offers
training advice, tracks monitored physical parameters, etc.
[0033] Because of its portability and flexibility, the apparatus
100 can be used for exercise sessions performed inside with or
without exercising apparatuses, or outside. As the apparatus
monitors the physical parameters of the user, the former exercise
session and the current exercise session may be performed on the
same exercise machine, on different exercise machines, one on an
exercising machine and the other performed without an exercise
machine, both performed outside, etc.
[0034] Reference is now concurrently made to FIGS. 2 and 3, which
respectively depict a block diagram of a method for collecting at
least one physical parameter of a user over time during an exercise
session, and a block diagram of a method for controlling a physical
exertion.
[0035] Upon actuation of the apparatus, the method starts with
collecting at least one physical parameter of a user undergoing an
exercise session. The physical parameter is collected over time,
along with an indication of time as previously described. The
collected physical parameters and time indication are stored 220 in
memory. Then, a verification 230 is made as to whether an entry is
received from the user. If an entry is received from the user, the
entry is stored 240 in memory with a corresponding time indication.
Concurrently, a verification is performed to determine whether the
exercise session is completed 250. If the exercise session is
completed, the apparatus is deactivated 260. Otherwise, if the
exercise session is not completed, the method continues to collect
the at least one physical parameter 210.
[0036] Then, when the apparatus is used subsequently during another
exercise session, the method continues in FIG. 3 with establishing
a connection with an exercising apparatus, when the apparatus is to
be used with an exercising apparatus. Additionally, connections may
also be established with web service, electronic addresses, or any
other desired remote device. The method continues with measuring
320 the at least one physical parameter of the user. Then, the
method compares 330 with respect to time the measured at least one
physical parameter with the formerly collected at least one
physical parameter to obtain a variance. The method determines 340
the required adjustment based on the variance and as previously
described. Optionally, the method may inform 350 the user of the
required adjustment. Then, if the current exercise session is
performed on an exercising apparatus, the method performs 360 the
adjustment by sending a corresponding command to the exercising
apparatus to modify an operating parameter of the exercising
apparatus. The method may further store the adjustment and a
corresponding time indication.
[0037] The present apparatus and method have been described by way
of preferred embodiments. It should be clear to those skilled in
the art that the described preferred embodiments are for exemplary
purposes only, and should not be interpreted to limit the scope of
the present apparatus and method. The scope of the present
apparatus and method should be defined by reference to the appended
claims, which clearly delimit the protection sought.
* * * * *