U.S. patent application number 13/191523 was filed with the patent office on 2012-02-09 for device method and system for exercising.
Invention is credited to Nony Kamm.
Application Number | 20120035020 13/191523 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45556550 |
Filed Date | 2012-02-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120035020 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kamm; Nony |
February 9, 2012 |
Device Method and System for Exercising
Abstract
The present invention is a device, system and method for
exercising. The elastic device possesses resilient qualities, such
that resistance occurs when pressure is applied by feet, knees,
arms or other limbs/body-parts. The elastic device, and/or a
computerized communication device to which the exercising device is
connected, may be structured to provide feedback when a certain
amount of pressure is applied, thus marking the end point of a
manipulation of the exercising device, the end point of a sub
step(s) of a manipulation and/or the end point of a set of
manipulations.
Inventors: |
Kamm; Nony; (Tel Aviv,
IL) |
Family ID: |
45556550 |
Appl. No.: |
13/191523 |
Filed: |
July 27, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61368273 |
Jul 28, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 24/0062 20130101;
A63B 2220/30 20130101; A63B 2230/06 20130101; A63B 23/085 20130101;
A63B 23/1254 20130101; A63B 2024/0068 20130101; A63B 21/28
20130101; A63B 2071/0655 20130101; A63B 2220/20 20130101; A63B
2225/50 20130101; A63B 23/0488 20130101; A63B 2225/20 20130101;
A63B 71/0622 20130101; A63B 2220/40 20130101; A63B 21/028 20130101;
G06F 3/0334 20130101; A63B 69/0053 20130101; A63B 2220/62
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/8 |
International
Class: |
A63B 71/00 20060101
A63B071/00 |
Claims
1. A device for exercising comprising: an elastic semi-sphere to
provide regressive resistance against a human organ manipulating
its shape, one or more manipulation sensors to measure levels of
manipulation related pressure applied to said elastic semi-sphere;
and a transmitter adapted to transmit information related to the
levels of manipulation related pressure.
2. The device according to claim 1 further adated to connect to a
substantially similar device and create a sphere shaped exercising
device.
3. The device according to claim 1 wherein the transmitter is
adapted to transmit the information when a threshold level of
pressure is measured by at least one of the one or more
manipulation sensors.
4. The device according to claim 3 further comprising: a
manipulation log to record the information related to the levels of
manipulation related pressure along time;
5. The device according to claim 4 further comprising: a decision
logic to determine the threshold level of pressure at least
partially based on information previously recorded to the
manipulation log.
6. The device according to claim 1 further comprising: a
manipulation log to record the information related to the levels of
manipulation related pressure along time; and a decision logic to
reference said manipulation log and to trigger a transmission when
a predetermined manipulation log scenario has been met;
7. The device according to claim 6 wherein the transmission
includes information related to the met log scenario.
8. The device according to claim 1 wherein the transmitter is
adapted to transmit the information periodically.
9. The device according to claim 1 wherein the manipulation sensor
is a load cell.
10. A system for exercising comprising: an exercising device
comprising: an elastic semi-sphere to provide regressive resistance
against a human organ manipulating its shape, one or more
manipulation sensors to measure the levels of manipulation related
pressure applied to said elastic semi-sphere, and a transmitter
adapted to transmit information related to the levels of
manipulation related pressure; and a computerized communication
device comprising: a receiver to receive the information related to
the levels of manipulation related pressure, a decision logic to
determine if the level of manipulation related pressure has met a
predetermined threshold, and one or more output means to alert when
the predetermined threshold is met.
11. The system according to claim 10 wherein the alert includes one
or more output types selected from a set including: visual,
auditory and tactile output types.
12. The system according to claim 11 wherein the output includes
verbal messages.
13. A device for exercising comprising: an elastic semi-sphere to
provide regressive resistance against a human organ manipulating
its shape; and a completion indication providing manipulation
sensor to sense and alert when the manipulation of the device has
reached a predetermined threshold.
14. The device according to claim 13 wherein the manipulation
completion sensor is a flexible arced leaf that snaps into an arc
shape which is substantially symmetrical to its original position,
when pushed at the outer center of the arc beyond a straight
position.
15. The device according to claim 13 wherein the manipulation
completion sensor is a rigid object positioned substantially at the
center of the base of the elastic semi-sphere and is felt through
the domed part of the semi-sphere when it is pushed towards the
base beyond a certain point.
16. The device according to claim 13 wherein the manipulation
completion sensor is in the form of at least one elongated slice
running from the top section of the exercising device to its bottom
section, wherein the at least one elongated slice is more flexible
than the rest of the device and is differently colored; and wherein
contraction of the device causes the at least one elongated slice
to stretch out more than the rest of the device causing it to
visually stick out.
17. The device according to claim 13 wherein the manipulation
completion sensor comprises: a load cell adapted to measure the
level of manipulation related pressure applied to the elastic
semi-sphere; and one or more output means to alert when the
manipulation related pressure has met a predetermined
threshold.
18. The device according to claim 17 wherein the alert includes one
or more output types selected from a set including: visual,
auditory and tactile output types.
19. The system according to claim 10 further comprising: one or
more additional exercising devices; one or more additional
computerized communication devices, wherein said computerized
communication device, and each of said additional computerized
communication devices, are capable of exchanging data over a
communication network; and wherein said exercising device or any of
said additional exercising devices transmits exercising performance
related data to one of said computerized communication devices, the
receiving computerized communication device transmits the data to
at least one other of said computerized communication devices and
the at least one other computerized communication device transmits
the data to at least one other of said exercising devices.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the fields of physical
wellness, exercise equipment and exercising methods. More
specifically, the present invention relates to a device, system and
method that may promote the exercising of limbs/body-parts to
improve muscle tone and blood circulation while providing user
performance feedback.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is necessary in the physical wellness field to provide
people who spend prolong hours in sitting positions with exercise
equipment. Applications include for example, exercise equipment for
travelers or office workers. To that end, the prior art, such as
U.S. Pat. No. 6,679,817, teaches a method and device of lower body
exercising device for use while sedentary for prolonged periods
during work or travel.
[0003] Although various devices, for example U.S. Pat. D471,637;
U.S. Pat. D577,441; U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,923; U.S. Pat. No.
6,217,488; U.S. Pat. No. 5,201,568; U.S. Pat. No. 5,5577,806; are
known, the known devices of the prior art fail to provide a compact
exercise device, stable for dynamic exercise of all limbs, while in
sitting positions; furthermore, a solution is often needed for an
integrated exercise system and computerized devices, providing
indication for completion of exercise manipulation, thus improving
the exercise experience.
[0004] When travelers are seated for long periods of time,
characterized as greater than 3-4 hours of travel time, there is
pooling of the blood in the deep veins of the lower limbs, due to
lack of body movement or restriction of venous flow, which results
in poor circulation and swelling of the legs. There is also an
increased risk for the development of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) or
the formation of blood clots, known as the "economy class syndrome"
that can result in stroke, which can cause brain damage or death if
left untreated.
[0005] A research study by a UK medical research group (see Scurr
et. al. 2001, Frequency and prevention of symptomless deep-vein
thrombosis in long-haul flights: a randomized trial The Lancet,
357, 1485-1489) reported that symptomless DVT might occur in as
many as 10% of long-haul travelers. They also concluded that it is
the prolonged, inactive sitting which is most likely to promote the
DVT and not the confined space, and that similar situation, such as
sitting at a desk or computer may also produce DVT.
[0006] Office workers can typically spend 20 hours or more per week
at their computers and are at risk to develop DVT or other related
vascular conditions, including stroke. Exercising the limbs while
sitting at a desk or in a plane seat can improve muscle tone and
blood circulation. Experts recommend that employees should exercise
for about 5 minutes for every 40 minutes of sitting. Travelers and
office employees would benefit from the capability to exercise
while sitting.
[0007] For travelers and office workers, exercising may be an
uncomfortable and unpleasant experience in a confined space and
often under social circumstances, and therefore it is often
avoided. In known psychological theory of pleasurable experiences,
two main components that accompanied the appearance of positive
experiences were clear goals and clear feedback. (see
Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1990). Flow, the psychology of optimal
experience. New York, N.Y.: HarperCollins Publishers). Following on
this theory, providing clear goals and feedback for users' actions
by means of tactile or electronic feedback to their actions, will
improve their experience and promote their motivation to
exercise.
[0008] To date, there are no satisfactory compact and light-weight
exercising devices that promote, by offering tactile and/or
electronic feedback, the exercise activity of travelers, office
workers and others who would benefit from exercising and improving
muscle tone and blood circulation, for example, while confined to a
seat. Particularly for travelers, compact devices are essential as
the confined space is normally unsuitable for exercising by means
of stretching devices. Thus, there remains a need in the art for an
improved exercise device and method.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention is a system, method and device for
exercising. The exercising device may be of a substantially
semi-spherical shape, made of an elastic and/or resilient material
(e.g. silicon, rubber and/or foam material). The exercising device
may accordingly possess elastic characteristics enabling a user to
perform resistance training by altering the shape of the device
using one or more body parts and/or one or more static bodies (e.g.
the ground, a wall) and/or one or more body parts of an additional
user (e.g. a training partner) and/or one or more additional,
substantially similar, exercising devices.
[0010] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the
exercising device may be in the form of a semi-spherical elastic
dome, an elastic material packed dome of a single material and/or a
multi layer structure having one or more outer layers made of
elastic materials and a core made from a different elastic material
or a similar elastic material having different strength and/or
elasticity characteristics (e.g. same foam like material having a
different air to solid-substance ratio).
[0011] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the
exercising device's elastic and/or resilient material may provide
regressive resistance, allowing the device to contract in reaction
to force/pressure being applied by the user. Reducing the applied
force on the exercising device may allow it to expand back to its
original shape, ready for the next manipulation.
[0012] According to some embodiments of the present invention the
exercising device may comprise a ribbed, toothed and/or jagged
bottom (i.e. base of semi-sphere) which may establish high traction
and stability characteristics, for example, when used on different
surfaces. The ribbed, toothed and/or jagged bottom may allow for
the connection of two exercising devices (e.g. a first device's
toothed bottom complements a second device's similarly toothed
bottom) to form a substantially sphere shaped exercising
device.
[0013] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the
exercising device may produce feedback relating to the exercise, in
the form of a tactile response that may be sensed by the user
and/or by triggering feedback-associated data transmission(s) to an
electronic/computerized device adapted to alert the device user.
Feedback may be provided when certain one or more
point(s)/state(s)/threshold(s) of device contraction are reached,
and may thus provide indication(s) of having completed the
exercising device's manipulation, having completed one or more
sub-step(s) of the manipulation, having completed a certain number
or form of manipulations under certain criteria (e.g. (x) complete
device manipulations within (y) seconds) and/or any combination or
derivation thereof.
[0014] According to some embodiments of the present invention,
threshold(s) may be dynamic, and may accordingly change based on
the user's performance (e.g. in each device contraction the user
reaches a level much higher than the set threshold leading the
device to raise the threshold); and/or based on a predetermined
scenario such as a training program that may also include a random
or pseudo-random, or user performance based, component(s).
Furthermore, according to some embodiments, device contraction data
may be logged and accumulated by the device and the threshold(s)
may be based on the accumulated contraction applied to the device
as part of a set including multiple contractions. It is made clear
that various additional, time, speed, distance, acceleration and/or
force based thresholds may be measured by the device and indicated
to the device user.
[0015] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the
exercising device may comprise: an electrical power source, a
control logic, one or more load cells adapted to measure and output
data associated with the load/pressure at one or more positions
within the device to the control logic and a transmitter for
transmitting data relating to the device's contraction (e.g. at
least partially based on the load cells' load/pressure readings) to
a computerized device (e.g. a smartphone, laptop or tablet
computer). The computerized device may use the data relating to the
device's contraction to indicate the completion of: a certain
manipulation, one or more manipulation sub-step(s) and/or a
combination of two or more manipulations. Furthermore, time domain
related factors may be combined into the exercising device's
contraction data as part of the requirements for triggering a
completion indication.
[0016] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the
computerized device may provide information relating to a given
user's performance along time, his performance of various different
exercises and/or his performance in comparison to one or more
additional users. The computerized device may be further utilized
to provide user performance statistics, build custom fitted
training programs (e.g. based on a given user's, or group of
users', device contraction performance), adjust the levels of
contraction threshold(s) indicating completion of the exercising
device's manipulation and/or process the data relating to the
device's contraction in combination with data from additional user
monitoring device(s) (e.g. a user heart pulse meter).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly
pointed out and distinctly claimed in the following portion of the
description. The invention, however, both as to organization and
method of operation, together with objects, features, and
advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the
following description when read with the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0018] FIGS. 1A-1C show exemplary exercises performed using an
exercising device, in accordance with some embodiments of the
present invention;
[0019] FIGS. 2A-2C show exemplary structures of an exercising
device, in accordance with some embodiments of the present
invention;
[0020] FIGS. 3A-3D show the course of an exemplary exercise
performed using the exercising device, in accordance with some
embodiments of the present invention;
[0021] FIGS. 4A-4B show an exemplary exercising device comprising a
ribbed, toothed and/or jagged bottom and the connection of a couple
of such devices to each other, in accordance with some embodiments
of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 5 shows an exemplary exercising device adapted to
communicate with a computerized communication device, in accordance
with some embodiments of the present invention;
[0023] FIGS. 6A-6C show exemplary exercising devices adapted to
physically or electronically indicate of a completed exercising
device manipulation, or an exercise device adapted to cause a
computerized communication device to indicate of a completed
exercising device manipulation, in accordance with some embodiments
of the present invention;
[0024] FIGS. 7A-7B show exemplary engagement possibilities of a
manipulation completion sensor's switch or button, in accordance
with some embodiments of the present invention;
[0025] FIGS. 8A-8D show exemplary exercising devices and possible
positions for a manipulation completion sensor within these
devices, in accordance with some embodiments of the present
invention;
[0026] FIGS. 9A-9B show an exemplary exercising device made of a
dome and a material packed filing of a single material that may
further comprise one or more interchangeable material packed
filings, in accordance with some embodiments of the present
invention;
[0027] FIGS. 10A-10E show exemplary exercising devices wherein the
manipulation completion sensor is in the form of a rigid ball
positioned within the device, in accordance with some embodiments
of the present invention;
[0028] FIGS. 11A-11D show exemplary exercising devices wherein the
manipulation completion sensor is in the form of a rigid leaf rib
or platter positioned within the device, in accordance with some
embodiments of the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 12 shows exemplary communication technologies that may
be used for communication between an exercising device and a
computerized communication device, in accordance with some
embodiments of the present invention;
[0030] FIGS. 13A-13C show exemplary communication and decision
configurations between an exercising device completion sensor and a
computerized communication device, in accordance with some
embodiments of the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 14 shows exemplary inputs, outputs, responses and
actions that may be taken by a computerized communication device in
response to manipulation completion data received from an
exercising device, in accordance with some embodiments of the
present invention;
[0032] FIGS. 15A-15C show exemplary connection configurations
between exercising device(s) and computerized communication
devices, and between two or more computerized communication devices
to which exercising devices are connected, in accordance with some
embodiments of the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 16 shows exemplary steps of a method executed by a
system for exercising, in accordance with some embodiments of the
present invention; and
[0034] FIGS. 17A-17B show an exemplary exercising device wherein
the manipulation completion sensor is in the form of alternate
elongated slices of the outer shell of the exercising device that
are adapted to differently react to the exercising device's
manipulation, and to thus visually indicate progress or completion
of an exercise, in accordance with some embodiments of the present
invention.
[0035] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of
illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily
been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the
elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity.
Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be
repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous
elements.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0036] In the following detailed description, numerous specific
details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding
of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled
in the art that the present invention may be practiced without
these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods,
procedures, components and circuits have not been described in
detail so as not to obscure the present invention.
[0037] Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the
following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the
specification discussions utilizing terms such as "processing",
"computing", "calculating", "determining", or the like, refer to
the action and/or processes of a computer or computing system, or
similar electronic computing device, that manipulate and/or
transform data represented as physical, such as electronic,
quantities within the computing system's registers and/or memories
into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within
the computing system's memories, registers or other such
information storage, transmission or display devices.
[0038] Embodiments of the present invention may include apparatuses
for performing the operations herein. Such apparatus may be
specially constructed for the desired purposes, or it may comprise
a general-purpose computer selectively activated or reconfigured by
a computer program stored in the computer. Such a computer program
may be stored in a computer readable storage medium, such as, but
is not limited to, any type of disk including floppy disks, optical
disks, CD-ROMs, magnetic-optical disks, read-only memories (ROMs),
random access memories (RAMs) electrically programmable read-only
memories (EPROMs), electrically erasable and programmable read only
memories (EEPROMs), magnetic or optical cards, or any other type of
media suitable for storing electronic instructions, and capable of
being coupled to a computer system bus.
[0039] The processes and displays presented herein are not
inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus.
Various general-purpose systems may be used with programs in
accordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove convenient to
construct a more specialized apparatus to perform the desired
method. The desired structure for a variety of these systems will
appear from the description below. In addition, embodiments of the
present invention are not described with reference to any
particular programming language. It will be appreciated that a
variety of programming languages may be used to implement the
teachings of the inventions as described herein.
[0040] The present invention is a system, method and device for
exercising. The exercising device may be of a substantially
semi-spherical shape, made of an elastic and/or resilient material
(e.g. silicon, rubber and/or foam material). The exercising device
may accordingly possess elastic characteristics enabling a user to
perform resistance training by altering the shape of the device
using one or more body parts and/or one or more static bodies (e.g.
the ground, a wall) and/or one or more body parts of an additional
user (e.g. a training partner) and/or one or more additional,
substantially similar, exercising devices (FIGS. 1A-1C).
[0041] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the
exercising device may be in the form of a semi-spherical elastic
dome (FIG. 2A), an elastic material packed dome of a single
material (FIG. 2B) and/or a multi layer structure having one or
more outer layers made of elastic materials and a core made from a
different elastic material (FIG. 2C) or a similar elastic material
having different strength and/or elasticity characteristics (e.g.
same foam like material having a different air to solid-substance
ratio).
[0042] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the
exercising device's elastic and/or resilient material may provide
regressive resistance, allowing the device to contract in reaction
to force/pressure being applied by the user. Reducing the applied
force on the exercising device may allow it to expand back to its
original shape, ready for the next manipulation (FIGS. 3A-3D).
[0043] According to some embodiments of the present invention the
exercising device may comprise a ribbed, toothed and/or jagged
bottom (i.e. base of semi-sphere) which may establish high traction
and stability characteristics, for example, when used on different
surfaces (FIG. 4A). The ribbed, toothed and/or jagged bottom may
allow for the connection of two exercising devices (e.g. a first
device's toothed bottom complements a second device's similarly
toothed bottom) to form a substantially sphere shaped exercising
device.
[0044] According to some exemplary embodiments, two substantially
similar exercising devices may be placed in a position wherein the
toothed bottom of the first device faces the toothed bottom of the
second device and each tooth of the first device is adjacent to a
respective tooth of the second device. From this position either
one of the devices may be turned, around an imaginary axle running
from the top of its semispherical shape to the center of its
circular base, a distance equal to the width of a single tooth, to
a position in which each of the devices' teeth faces a gap between
two teeth of the other device (FIG. 4B); the two devices may then
be brought towards each other and connected in a position in which
each of a first device's teeth complements each of a second
device's gaps. According to some embodiments the teeth, and gaps,
of complementing/connectable exercising devices may be square,
rectangular, triangular or else wise shaped.
[0045] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the
exercising device may produce feedback relating to the exercise, in
the form of a tactile response that may be sensed by the user
and/or by triggering feedback-associated data transmission(s) to an
electronic/computerized device adapted to alert the device user.
Feedback may be provided when certain one or more
point(s)/state(s)/threshold(s) of device contraction are reached,
and may thus provide indication(s) of having completed the
exercising device's manipulation, having completed one or more
sub-step(s) of the manipulation, having completed a certain number
or form of manipulations under certain criteria (e.g. (x) complete
device manipulations within (y) seconds) and/or any combination or
derivation thereof.
[0046] According to some embodiments of the present invention,
threshold(s) may be dynamic, and may accordingly change based on
the user's performance (e.g. in each device contraction the user
reaches a level much higher than the set threshold leading the
device to raise the threshold); and/or based on a predetermined
scenario such as a training program that may also include a random
or pseudo-random, or user performance based, component(s).
Furthermore, according to some embodiments, device contraction data
may be logged and accumulated by the device and the threshold(s)
may be based on the accumulated contraction applied to the device
as part of a set including multiple contractions. It is made clear
that various additional, time, speed, distance, acceleration and/or
force based thresholds may be measured by the device and indicated
to the device user.
[0047] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the
exercising device may comprise: an electrical power source, a
control logic, one or more load cells adapted to measure and output
data associated with the load/pressure at one or more positions
within the device to the control logic and a transmitter for
transmitting data relating to the device's contraction (e.g. at
least partially based on the load cells' load/pressure readings) to
a computerized device (e.g. a smartphone, laptop or tablet
computer). The computerized device may comprise a data analysis
module/logic that may use the data relating to the device's
contraction to indicate the completion of: a certain manipulation,
one or more manipulation sub-step(s) and/or a combination of two or
more manipulations (FIG. 5). Furthermore, time domain related
factors may be combined into the exercising device's contraction
data as part of the requirements for triggering a completion
indication.
[0048] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the
computerized device may provide information relating to a given
user's performance along time, his performance of various different
exercises and/or his performance in comparison to one or more
additional users. The computerized device may be further utilized
to provide user performance statistics, build custom fitted
training programs (e.g. based on a given user's, or group of
users', device contraction performance), adjust the levels of
contraction threshold(s) indicating completion of the exercising
device's manipulation and/or process the data relating to the
device's contraction in combination with data from additional user
monitoring device(s) (e.g. a user heart pulse meter).
[0049] According to some embodiments of the present invention, an
indication of a completed exercising device manipulation may be
triggered by one or more manipulation completion sensor(s), in the
form of mechanical and/or electronic
load-cell(s)/switch(s)/sensor(s)/button(s), which are manipulated
as part of the exercising device's contraction. The indication may
be mechanically (FIG. 6A) or electronically (FIG. 6B) produced by
the exercising device or a component thereof (e.g. electronic
buzzer) and/or by an external communicated computerized device
(FIG. 6C). The indication may be of an auditory, visual and/or
tactile sensory type.
[0050] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a
manipulation completion load-cell(s)/switch(s)/sensor(s)/button(s))
may be connected to the internal surface of an outer layer of the
semi-spherical elastic dome of the exercising device (e.g.
substantially at the top of the dome). As the exercising device is
contracted, the distance between the manipulation completion sensor
and the base/bottom of the now contracted dome may be reduced. Upon
contact with, and/or pressure against, the base of the exercising
device's dome and/or the surface on which the base of the
exercising device's dome is positioned (FIG. 7A), or an additional
manipulation completion sensor of a second, substantially similar,
connected exercising device and/or the internal surface of a
second, substantially similar, connected exercising device (FIG.
7B); the manipulation completion sensor's switch or button may be
engaged.
[0051] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a
manipulation completion sensor may be connected to the internal
surface of an outer layer of the semi-spherical elastic dome of the
exercising device (e.g. substantially at the center of the bottom
of the dome) (FIG. 8A). As the exercising device is contracted, the
distance between the manipulation completion sensor and the upper
section of the now contracted dome may be reduced. Upon contact
with, and/or pressure against, the upper section of the exercising
device's dome; the manipulation completion sensor's switch or
button may be engaged.
[0052] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a
manipulation completion sensor may be positioned between an outer
layer and the core (FIG. 8B), or between two outer layers, of an
exercising device having one or more outer layers and a core (FIG.
8C); or within the packed material of an exercising device made of
a material packed dome (e.g. of a single material) (FIG. 8D). As
the exercising device is contracted, the pressure between the now
contracted outer layers or between an outer layer and the core or
the pressure of the packed dome's material may increase and the
manipulation completion sensor's switch or button may be
engaged.
[0053] According to some embodiments of the present invention, an
exercising device made of a dome and a material packed filing of a
single material (FIG. 9A) may further comprise one or more
interchangeable material packed filings. Various material packed
filings may offer different levels of device resistance, based on
either the material from which a given filling is made of or based
on the density of the material used (FIG. 9B).
[0054] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the
manipulation completion sensor may be in the form of a rigid ball,
or differently shaped element, positioned within the exercising
device. As the exercising device is contracted beyond a certain
point, the user may feel the rigid element pressing against a
relatively small area of the body part engaged in the training
activity, indicating a certain compression threshold has been met
(FIGS. 10A-10E).
[0055] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the
manipulation completion sensor may be a completion indication
providing manipulation sensor, for example, in the form of a rigid
leaf rib or platter, positioned within the exercising device and
connected to the internal sides/walls in at least two spots
substantially in its lower portion (FIG. 11A). The rigid
leaf/rib/platter may be at least slightly bent such that its
central part, under the top of the dome shaped device, is higher
than its side section(s) which are closer to the sides/walls (FIGS.
11B-11C). As the exercising device is contracted beyond a certain
point, the rigid leaf/rib/platter may bend. As the bending rigid
leaf/rib/platter passes beyond its flat/straight shape it may
buckle and snap into a position substantially symmetrical to its
initial position, where its central part, under the top of the dome
shaped device, is lower than its side section(s) which are closer
to the sides/walls (FIG. 11D). As the rigid leaf/rib/platter snaps,
it may produce a direct tactile output (e.g. snap sound/vibration)
indicating the manipulation completion.
[0056] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the
exercising device may comprise wireless transmission means, which
wireless transmission means may, for example, comprise a power
source, a radio transmitter/receiver, an antenna and a controller
adapted to receive manipulation completion indicating data from the
manipulation completion sensor. According to some embodiments, the
wireless transmission means may utilize any wireless communication
method, device or protocol, such as, but in no way limited to:
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Infra-red (IR), Sound wave based signaling or any
other form of wireless, and/or wired, communication known today or
to be devised in the future; to transmit manipulation related data
to one or more receiving computerized device (FIG. 12). According
to some embodiments, the exercising device may comprise an active
or passive Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag(s). Data
related to the manipulation of the exercising device may be
transmitted by an active RFID periodically or when a manipulation
threshold/scenario is met, alternatively, a computerized
communication device may periodically interrogate a passive RFID
tag(s) located on the exercising device for manipulation related
data.
[0057] According to some embodiments of the present invention, an
exercising device manipulation completion sensor, reaching a
certain threshold may, in response, initiate a transmission to the
computerized device. The meeting of a certain threshold may be
triggered directly by the effect of the device manipulation on the
manipulation completion sensor (FIG. 13A), or may alternatively be
triggered by a Data Analysis Module (may include a clock), adapted
to intermittently interrogate/receive manipulation related data
from the manipulation completion sensor and to decide when a
threshold is met, at least partially based on the received
manipulation related data. The Data Analysis Module may be in the
form of a software application, a hardware circuit and/or any
combination of software and hardware elements. Furthermore, it may
reside either in/on the exercising device itself (FIG. 13B) or
in/on the communicated computerized device(s) adapted to inform the
user of the manipulation completion/threshold meeting (FIG.
13C).
[0058] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the
threshold for the exercising device's manipulation completion in
some embodiments where the manipulation completion sensor is
pressured against an additional manipulation completion sensor of a
second substantially similar symmetrically connected exercising
device, may be based on: either an `AND`, an `OR`, a `XOR` or any
other logical condition. For example--both sensors must be engaged
(AND), only one of the sensors must be engaged (OR), or at least
one of the sensors must be engaged (XOR)--for the completion
threshold to be met.
[0059] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the
computerized communication device may comprise a Data Analysis
Module that based on the transmitted manipulation related data
received by the device, and possibly by utilizing other
functionally associated components of the computerized
communication device, may: (1) log the type of completion
accomplished (e.g. a full manipulation of the device, a sub-step of
manipulation and which type of sub-step, a predefined number or
set/combination of manipulations) and the corresponding time read;
(2) indicate (e.g. make a sound, vibrate, display) the user of the
manipulation completion and possibly its type; (3) indicate (e.g.
make a sound, display) the user of the time period it took him to
complete the manipulation; and (4) use the transmitted manipulation
related data for statistical and/or performance improvement
purposes such as competitive games.
[0060] According to some embodiments, the Data Analysis Module may
be further adapted to receive and analyze additional data from
sources such as, but in no way limited to, biometric sensors (e.g.
a heart bit rate sensor, a blood pressure sensor), environmental
sensors (e.g. a thermometer, a humidity level sensor) and/or data
from other networked exercising devices or users thereof.
Furthermore, the Data Analysis Module may use networked resources
(e.g. a server, a database) to store and/or further analyze its
data (e.g. run its manipulation log and statistical module on a
remote server/database) and/or transfer data for output. (FIG.
14).
[0061] According to some embodiments of the present invention,
transmitted manipulation related data may be used for personal
statistical purposes; comparative (e.g. to other user(s))
statistical purposes; the building of custom (e.g. past performance
based) training programs and the management of training games such
as games interactively encouraging the user to perform better or
faster; `on-line` type games between two or more users wherein each
users' computerized device is connected to his own one or more
exercising device(s) on one end, and to other user(s)' computerized
devices on the other end (e.g. over a distributed data network);
and/or games wherein two or more exercise devices transmit
manipulation data to a single computerized device. One or more
given users may need (as part of a game), for example, to
accomplish similar exercising device manipulations or keep up with
the pace of manipulations of one or more other given users.
According to some embodiments, a given computerized communication
device may communicate with, or receive readings from, one or more
exercise devices (FIG. 15A); Two or more exercising devices'
manipulation data may be shared, and/or jointly used, by respective
computerized communication devices communicating with each other
over a distributed network (e.g. Internet, cellular) (FIG. 15B), a
peer-to-peer configuration (FIG. 15C) and/or any other network or
communication configuration known today or to be devised in the
future.
[0062] According to some exemplary embodiments of the present
invention, an exercising system may implement some or all of the
following exemplary steps: (1) Sense pressure applied to the sensor
unit of the exercising device, (2) Transmit sensor unit pressure
related data (e.g. sensor readouts) to a computerized communication
device, (3) Log the received sensor unit pressure data, (4) Receive
data from additional sources (e.g. biometric sensors, similar
networked exercising devices), (5) Process received data using a
data analysis module, and (6) Provide the user with exercising
feedback by outputting data analysis based alerts/notices (FIG.
16).
[0063] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a
manipulation completion sensor of an exercising device having one
or more outer layers and a core may comprise one or more areas
where the exercising device's outer layer is thinner and/or is made
of a more elastic material. According to one exemplary embodiment,
alternate elongated slices of the outer shell may be constructed of
a thinner material and may thus have higher elasticity
characteristics. As the exercising device is contracted these areas
may stretch further than other areas of the outer shell of a
`regular` thickness. Thinner areas may be differently colored or
designated, and as they may stretch further than other areas during
contraction, the now (after some contraction of the device) higher
ratio of thinner-area-color to regular-thickness-area-color may
visually indicate the user of his advancement through and/or
completion of the exercising device's manipulation (FIGS.
17A-17B).
[0064] While certain features of the invention have been
illustrated and described herein, many modifications,
substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those
skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the
appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and
changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.
* * * * *