U.S. patent application number 14/642359 was filed with the patent office on 2015-09-10 for wireless sensor to provide parameters to a fitness tracking device.
The applicant listed for this patent is ICON Health & Fitness, Inc.. Invention is credited to Darren C. Ashby.
Application Number | 20150251055 14/642359 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54016362 |
Filed Date | 2015-09-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150251055 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ashby; Darren C. |
September 10, 2015 |
Wireless Sensor to Provide Parameters to a Fitness Tracking
Device
Abstract
A monitoring system includes a sensing unit removably attachable
to an exercise machine to record a number of repeated movements of
a component of the exercise machine over a time period and a
wireless transmitter to send the number and fitness information
based on the number toward a remote fitness tracking device.
Inventors: |
Ashby; Darren C.; (Richmond,
UT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ICON Health & Fitness, Inc. |
Logan |
UT |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54016362 |
Appl. No.: |
14/642359 |
Filed: |
March 9, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61950604 |
Mar 10, 2014 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09B 19/0038
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 24/00 20060101
A63B024/00 |
Claims
1. A monitoring system, comprising: a sensing unit removably
attachable to an exercise machine to record a number of repeated
movements of a treadbelt of the exercise machine over a time
period, the sensing unit comprising an attachment mechanism
attachable to an external surface of the exercise machine; memory
and a processor, wherein the memory comprises programmed
instructions to cause the processor to determine fitness
information based on the recorded number of repeated movements; and
a wireless transmitter to send the recorded number of repeated
movements to a remote fitness tracking device.
2. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the repeated movements
comprise reciprocating movements.
3. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the repeated movements
comprise rotational movements.
4. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the sensing unit
comprises an optical sensor to count at least one marking on the
treadbelt that pass through an optical view of the optical
sensor.
5. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the sensing unit
comprises a magnetic sensor to count a passage of a magnetic field
associated with the treadbelt.
6. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the fitness
information is selected from a group consisting of a distance, a
speed, and a calorie count.
7. The monitoring system of claim 10, wherein the programmed
instructions cause the processor to receive an input from a heart
rate monitor.
8. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the sensing unit is
programmed to take time discrete measurements where an intervening
time between measurement durations is at least twice as long as a
measurement duration.
10. The monitoring unit of claim 1, wherein the treadbelt comprises
a tread belt incorporated a running deck capable of supporting a
weight of a user; wherein the tread belt extends from a first
pulley to a second pulley incorporated into the running deck;
wherein the sensing unit includes an optical sensor that tracks the
number of times that a marking of the tread belt passes through an
optical field of the sensing unit; and wherein the monitoring unit
further comprises: a field containing a distance value associated
with the marking; a counter containing a number of times that the
marking passes through the optical field; a timer to record when
the marking is in the optical view; a processor and memory, where
the memory includes programmed instructions to cause the processor
to: cause the processor to determine the speed at which the tread
belt is moving based on timer information and the number of times
that the marking passes through the optical field; and send the
speed to the remote fitness tracking device.
11. The monitoring unit of claim 1, wherein the sensing unit is
programmed to take time discrete measurements of a number of
rotations of a tread belt over a time period where an intervening
time between measurement durations is at least twice as long as a
measurement duration, wherein the memory comprises programmed
instructions, which when accessed, cause the processor to determine
fitness information based on the time discrete measurements; and
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to provisional Patent
Application No. 61/950,604 titled "Wireless Sensor to Provide
Parameters to a Fitness Tracking Device" filed Mar. 10, 2014.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Aerobic exercise is a popular form of exercise that improves
one's cardiovascular health by reducing blood pressure and
providing other benefits to the human body. Aerobic exercise
generally involves low intensity physical exertion over a long
duration of time. Typically, the human body can adequately supply
enough oxygen to meet the body's demands at the intensity levels
involved with aerobic exercise. Popular forms of aerobic exercise
include running, jogging, swimming, and cycling among others
activities. In contrast, anaerobic exercise typically involves high
intensity exercises over a short duration of time. Popular forms of
anaerobic exercise include strength training and short distance
running.
[0003] Many choose to perform aerobic exercises indoors, such as in
a gym or their home. Often, a user will use an aerobic exercise
machine to have an aerobic workout indoors. One such type of
aerobic exercise machine is a treadmill, which is a machine that
has a running deck attached to a support frame. The running deck
can support the weight of a person using the machine. The running
deck incorporates a tread belt that is driven by a motor. A user
can run or walk in place on the tread belt by running or walking at
the tread belt's speed. The speed and other operations of the
treadmill are generally controlled through a control module that is
also attached to the support frame and within a convenient reach of
the user. The control module can include a display, buttons for
increasing or decreasing a speed of the tread belt, controls for
adjusting a tilt angle of the running deck, or other controls.
Other popular exercise machines that allow a user to perform
aerobic exercises indoors include elliptical exercise machines,
rowing machines, stepper machines, and stationary bikes to name a
few.
[0004] One type of treadmill is disclosed in U.S. Patent
Publication No. 2013/0274067 issued to Scott R. Watterson, et al.
In this reference, an exercise system includes a simulation system
simulating real-world terrain based on environmental and other
real-world conditions. Using topographical or other data, an actual
location can be simulated. The exercise system may include a speed,
incline or other mechanisms that can be adjusted based on changes
in simulated slope, and by amounts simulating actual air resistance
due to movement, wind, or both. The simulated speed of the person,
as well as speed and direction of simulated wind, are used to
determine a simulated air speed. Based on the simulated air speed,
the simulation system determines the simulated air resistance that
would affect the person under real-world conditions, and changes
reflective of the simulated air resistance are made to operating
parameters of the exercise system. Simulation may occur by causing
the user of the exercise system to expend about the same effort as
if performing the exercise in the real-world conditions. Another
type of treadmill is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,997,852 issued to
Scott R. Watterson, et al.
SUMMARY
[0005] In an preferred embodiment of the invention, a monitoring
system includes a sensing unit removably attachable to an exercise
machine to record a number of repeated movements of a component of
the exercise machine over a time period and a wireless transmitter
to send the recorded number of repeated movements to a remote
fitness tracking device.
[0006] One aspect of the invention that may be combined with one or
more other aspects herein, the component is a tread belt.
[0007] One aspect of the invention that may be combined with one or
more other aspects herein, the component is a crank shaft.
[0008] One aspect of the invention that may be combined with one or
more other aspects herein, the component is a pedal.
[0009] One aspect of the invention that may be combined with one or
more other aspects herein, the repeated movements are reciprocating
movements.
[0010] One aspect of the invention that may be combined with one or
more other aspects herein, the repeated movements are rotational
movements.
[0011] One aspect of the invention that may be combined with one or
more other aspects herein, the sensing unit comprises an optical
sensor to count markings on the component that pass through an
optical view of the optical sensor.
[0012] One aspect of the invention that may be combined with one or
more other aspects herein, the sensing unit comprises a magnetic
sensor to count a passage of a magnetic field associated with the
component.
[0013] One aspect of the invention that may be combined with one or
more other aspects herein, the sensing unit comprises an attachment
mechanism attachable to an external surface of the exercise
machine.
[0014] One aspect of the invention that may be combined with one or
more other aspects herein, the monitoring unit includes memory and
a processor.
[0015] One aspect of the invention that may be combined with one or
more other aspects herein, where the memory comprises programmed
instructions to cause the processor to determine the fitness
information based on the number.
[0016] One aspect of the invention that may be combined with one or
more other aspects herein, the programmed instructions cause the
processor to receive an input from a heart rate monitor.
[0017] One aspect of the invention that may be combined with one or
more other aspects herein, the fitness information is selected from
a group consisting of a distance, a speed, and a calorie count.
[0018] One aspect of the invention that may be combined with one or
more other aspects herein, the sensing unit is programmed to take
time discrete measurements where an intervening time between
measurement durations is at least twice as long as a measurement
duration.
[0019] One aspect of the invention that may be combined with one or
more other aspects herein, a monitoring unit includes a sensing
unit removably attachable to an exercise machine to record of a
number of repeated movements of a component of the exercise machine
over a time period.
[0020] One aspect of the invention that may be combined with one or
more other aspects herein, the monitoring unit includes memory and
a processor.
[0021] One aspect of the invention that may be combined with one or
more other aspects herein, the memory comprises programmed
instructions to cause the processor to determine fitness
information based on the number.
[0022] One aspect of the invention that may be combined with one or
more other aspects herein, the fitness information is selected from
a group consisting of a distance, a speed, and a calorie count.
[0023] One aspect of the invention that may be combined with one or
more other aspects herein, the monitoring unit includes a wireless
transmitter to send the fitness information toward a remote fitness
tracking device.
[0024] One aspect of the invention that may be combined with one or
more other aspects herein, the component is a tread belt.
[0025] One aspect of the invention that may be combined with one or
more other aspects herein, the component is a crank shaft.
[0026] One aspect of the invention that may be combined with one or
more other aspects herein, the component is a pedal.
[0027] One aspect of the invention that may be combined with one or
more other aspects herein, the sensing unit is programmed to take
time discrete measurements where an intervening time between
measurement durations is at least twice as long as a measurement
duration.
[0028] One aspect of the invention that may be combined with one or
more other aspects herein, the programmed instructions cause the
processor to receive an input from a heart rate monitor.
[0029] One aspect of the invention that may be combined with one or
more other aspects herein, the component is a tread belt
incorporated a running deck capable of supporting a weight of a
user.
[0030] One aspect of the invention that may be combined with one or
more other aspects herein, the tread belt extends from a first
pulley to a second pulley incorporated into the running deck.
[0031] One aspect of the invention that may be combined with one or
more other aspects herein, the sensing unit includes an optical
sensor that tracks the number of times that a marking of the tread
belt passes through an optical field of the sensing unit.
[0032] One aspect of the invention that may be combined with one or
more other aspects herein, the monitoring unit further includes a
field containing a distance value associated with the marking.
[0033] One aspect of the invention that may be combined with one or
more other aspects herein, the monitoring unit further includes a
counter containing a number of times that the marking passes
through the optical field.
[0034] One aspect of the invention that may be combined with one or
more other aspects herein, the monitoring unit further includes a
timer to record when the marking is in the optical view.
[0035] One aspect of the invention that may be combined with one or
more other aspects herein, the monitoring unit further includes a
processor and memory.
[0036] One aspect of the invention that may be combined with one or
more other aspects herein, the memory comprises programmed
instructions to cause the processor to cause the processor to
determine the speed at which the tread belt is moving based on
timer information and the number of times that the marking passes
through the optical field.
[0037] One aspect of the invention that may be combined with one or
more other aspects herein, the memory comprises programmed
instructions to cause the processor to send the speed to the remote
fitness tracking device.
[0038] One aspect of the invention that may be combined with one or
more other aspects herein, the component is a crank arm of a crank
assembly attached to a flywheel.
[0039] One aspect of the invention that may be combined with one or
more other aspects herein, at least one foot pedal is attached to
the crank assembly, wherein the foot pedal travels along a
reciprocating path in response to a performance of an exercise on
the exercise machine.
[0040] One aspect of the invention that may be combined with one or
more other aspects herein, the sensing unit includes an optical
sensor that tracks the number of times that the crank arm passes
through an optical field of the sensing unit.
[0041] One aspect of the invention that may be combined with one or
more other aspects herein, the monitoring unit further includes a
field containing a distance value associated with the marking.
[0042] One aspect of the invention that may be combined with one or
more other aspects herein, a counter containing a number of times
that the crank arm passes through the optical field.
[0043] One aspect of the invention that may be combined with one or
more other aspects herein, a timer to record when the crank arm is
in the optical view.
[0044] One aspect of the invention that may be combined with one or
more other aspects herein, a processor and memory.
[0045] One aspect of the invention that may be combined with one or
more other aspects herein, the memory comprises programmed
instructions to cause the processor to cause the processor to
determine a speed value based on the number of times that the crank
arm passes through the optical field within a time period.
[0046] One aspect of the invention that may be combined with one or
more other aspects herein, the memory comprises programmed
instructions to cause the processor to send the speed value to the
remote fitness tracking device.
[0047] One aspect of the invention that may be combined with one or
more other aspects herein, a monitoring unit includes a sensing
unit programmed to take time discrete measurements of a number of
rotations of a tread belt over a time period where an intervening
time between measurement durations is at least twice as long as a
measurement duration.
[0048] One aspect of the invention that may be combined with one or
more other aspects herein, the monitoring unit includes memory and
a processor where the memory comprises programmed instructions to
cause the processor to determine fitness information based on the
time discrete measurements.
[0049] One aspect of the invention that may be combined with one or
more other aspects herein, the fitness information is selected from
a group consisting of a distance, a speed, and a calorie count.
[0050] One aspect of the invention that may be combined with one or
more other aspects herein, a wireless transmitter to send the
fitness information toward a remote fitness tracking device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0051] The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of
the present apparatus and are a part of the specification. The
illustrated embodiments are merely examples of the present
apparatus and do not limit the scope thereof.
[0052] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an example of a
sensing unit attached to an exercise machine in accordance with the
present disclosure.
[0053] FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of an example of a sensing
unit attached to an exercise machine in accordance with the present
disclosure.
[0054] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of an example of a sensing
unit attached to an exercise machine in accordance with the present
disclosure.
[0055] FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of an example of a sensing
unit attached to an exercise machine in accordance with the present
disclosure.
[0056] FIG. 5 illustrates a diagram of an example of a signal in
accordance with the present disclosure.
[0057] FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of an example of a
monitoring system in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0058] FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of an example of a sensing
unit attached to an exercise machine in accordance with the present
disclosure.
[0059] FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of an example of a sensing
unit attached to an exercise machine in accordance with the present
disclosure.
[0060] Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers
designate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0061] Some commercially available treadmills include fitness
monitoring features that track physiological parameters of the
user. For example, a heart rate monitor may be built into a handle
of the machine such that his or her heart rate is detected as the
user operates the machine. The heart rate information is displayed
to the user through a display of the treadmill's control module.
Other parameters that are displayed to the user include the
distance that the user has run, the speed at which the user in
currently running, and the incline at which the running deck is
currently set. Some of these treadmills use such information to
provide an estimation to the user about the number of calories that
the user has consumed during the workout. The number of calories
burned by the user can be helpful for users who are trying to lose
weight or achieve other types of fitness goals.
[0062] To further assist users with their fitness goals, internet
based fitness programs can be in communication with some
treadmills, stationary bikes, elliptical exercise machines, or
other types of exercise machines. These exercise machines can
convey calorie information to the fitness based programs where such
information is stored. The user can access their information
through the internet to track his or her progress, compare his or
her workout accomplishments with others belonging to the fitness
based programs, make future goals, perform other functions, or
combinations thereof.
[0063] However, many exercise machines located within existing gyms
and workout clubs do not include the ability to connect to the
internet or other online programs. For these gyms and clubs, the
cost of replacing their existing inventory for a new set of
exercise machines that have the capability of sending the calorie
information to the online fitness tracking program is prohibitive.
The principles described herein include a monitoring system with a
sensing unit that can be retrofitted to an existing treadmill or
other type of exercise machine to gather data that can be used to
calculate calorie information or other types of information.
[0064] For example, the sensing unit can include an optical sensor
that can track the number of times that the tread belt rotates over
time. The monitoring system can use the number of rotations to
determine the speed at which the user is running and the distance
that the user has already gone. The sensing unit can convey these
calculated results to a mobile device carried by the user, which
can retransmit such information to a fitness tracking device that,
at least in part, operates the fitness tracking program. In other
embodiments, the raw operating data of the exercise machine is
gathered by the sensing unit and transmitted to the mobile device
before the data is used to calculate fitness information. In such
an example, the mobile device may include an application that gives
the mobile device the capability of making such calculations. In
such an example, the mobile device may make at least some
calculations before sending the data to the fitness tracking
device. In other examples, the mobile device may send the raw
operating data to the fitness tracking device where the data is
used to calculate the fitness data.
[0065] Particularly, with reference to the figures, FIG. 1 depicts
an exercise machine 10, such as a treadmill. The exercise machine
10 includes a running deck 12 that can support the weight of a user
and that is attached to a frame 14. The running deck 12
incorporates a tread belt 16 that extends from a first pulley 18 to
a second pulley (not shown) at location 20. The underside of the
tread belt's mid-section is supported by a low friction surface
that allows the tread belt's underside to move without creating
significant drag. The tread belt 16 is moved by a motor that is
connected to the first pulley 18 and is disposed within a housing
24 formed in a front portion 26 of the running deck 12. As the
tread belt 16 moves, a user positioned on the tread belt 16 can
walk or run in place by keeping up with the tread belt's speed.
[0066] A control module 42 is also supported by the frame 14. In
the example of FIG. 1, a support member 30 positions a set of hand
holds near the control module 42 such that a user can support
himself or herself during exercise. The control module 42 allows
the user control at least one operating parameter of the exercise
machine 10. The control module 42 may include controls to adjust
the speed of the tread belt 16, adjust a volume of a speaker
integrated into the exercise machine 10, adjust an incline angle of
the running deck 12, select an exercise setting, control a timer,
change a view on the first control module's display 44, monitor the
user's health parameters, perform other tasks, or combinations
thereof. Buttons, levers, touch screens, voice commands, or other
mechanisms may be incorporated into the control panel and may be
used by the user to control at least some of the functions
mentioned above. The control module 42 can be used to control the
functions mentioned above. Information relating to these functions
may be presented to the user through the display 44. For example, a
calorie count, a timer, a distance, a selected program, another
type of information, or combinations thereof may be presented to
the user through the display 44.
[0067] A monitoring system 50 may be incorporated into the exercise
machine 10 to track repeated movements of a component of the
exercise machine 10. In the illustrated example, the component is
the tread belt 16, and the monitoring system count the number of
times that the tread belt 16 makes a complete revolution or a
partial revolution. This is accomplished with a sensing unit 52
that is attached to an external surface 54 of the exercise
machine's frame 14 or another structure or surface of the exercise
machine 10. In the illustrated example, the sensing unit 52 is
attached an underside of an arm. The attachment mechanism that
connects the sensing unit 52 to the exercise machine may be any
appropriate type of attachment mechanism. For example, a plate, a
rod, or another protrusion that may be used to connect the sensing
unit. Further, ropes, magnets, wires, bolt holes, or other types of
features that may assist in attaching the sensing unit to the
exercise machine may be used. Further, the sensing unit may be
adhered, glued, or otherwise connected to a location on the
exercise machine.
[0068] Also, in the example of FIG. 1, the sensing unit 52 includes
an optical sensor that can track the number of times that a marking
56 passes through an optical field of the sensing unit 52. For
example, the marking 56 may be incorporated into, adhered to, or
drawn on the tread belt 16 such that the marking 56 passes through
the sensing unit's optical field once every complete revolution. In
other examples, the tread belt 16 may incorporate multiple markings
that indicate a fractional revolution of the tread belt 16. The
monitoring system 50 may also have a field that contains a value of
the length of the tread belt 16. This length value can be combined
with the number of revolutions to determine the distance that the
user has already traveled during the workout.
[0069] Further, a timer may also track the moments when the
markings enter and/or exit the optical view. Thus, the monitoring
system 50 can determine how many revolutions have been made over a
known period of time to determine the speed at which the user is
running. In some examples, the marking 56 may have a known length,
and the speed of the tread belt 16 may be determined by measuring
the time that it takes for the marking to pass through the optical
field. Further, a space between markings may also be known, and the
time lapse between a first marking entering the optical field and a
second marking entering the optical field may be used to determine
the user's speed. While the optical sensor has been described with
reference to specific approaches for using markings to determine a
distance and/or speed, any appropriate approach for determining the
distance and/or speed with an optical sensor may be used in
accordance with the present disclosure.
[0070] Any appropriate type of markings may be used in accordance
with the principles described herein. For example, the marking may
be a line that is drawn onto the visible surface of the tread belt
16. In other examples, the marking is a logo, a symbol, a letter, a
number, another type of marking, or combinations thereof. The
markings may be attached with any appropriate mechanism. For
example, the marking may be adhered to the tread belt 16, drawn
onto the tread belt 16, printed onto the tread belt 16, deformed
into the tread belt 16, or otherwise attached to the tread belt 16.
In other examples, the marking may include an indentation, a
tattered thread, a tear in the tread belt's material, a scuff mark,
a chalk mark, or another type of feature of the tread belt that can
be tracked by the sensing unit 52. In some examples, the sensing
unit 52 identifies the moving tread belt of irregularities that can
be track without any modifications being made to the tread belt or
any other moving component of the exercise machine.
[0071] The values of the length and/or other tread belt parameters
may be stored in the sensing unit 52. In such cases, the sensing
unit 52 may calculate the distance and/or speed. In other examples,
such values are stored in other locations. In these examples, the
sensing unit 52 can retrieve these values or can send the collected
raw data on towards a fitness tracking device 58. In examples where
the sensing unit 52 contains the length and other values of the
tread belt 16, the values are sent with the collected raw data and
are processed elsewhere. The revolution information, timer
information, the calculated speed, calculated distance, length
value, and/or other information can be sent to a mobile device 60.
In some instances, the mobile device 60 belongs to the user, such
as a smart phone, and includes a downloadable application that is
programmed to receive the information from the sensing unit 52.
Such an application can also be programmed to make calculations
that were not performed with the sensing unit 52. The mobile device
60 can send the calculated information, raw data, or other types of
information to the fitness tracking device 58.
[0072] The fitness tracking device 58 may be any appropriate type
of device that stores fitness information that can be accessed by
the user at a later time. In some examples, the mobile device 60
has such a storage capacity, and the mobile device 60 is the
fitness tracking device. In other examples, the fitness tracking
device is a remote device, such as a database, in communication
with either the mobile device 60 or the sensing unit 52 that stores
the calculated information and/or the raw information. Such a
fitness tracking device 58 can be accessible over the internet, and
a user can retrieve his or her fitness information after the
workout to track fitness progress, make fitness goals, compare
fitness results with others who are signed up with a fitness
tracking program, perform other functions, or combinations thereof.
An example of a program associated with a fitness tracking device
58 may include the iFit.RTM. program administered through ICON
Health and Fitness, Inc. with a place of business located in Logan,
Utah, U.S.A. Such a program is accessible over the internet at
www.ifit.com.
[0073] In some examples, the fitness tracking device 58 includes an
ability to perform calculations on the information received from
the sensing unit 52. For example, the distance and/or the speed may
be calculated at the fitness tracking device 58. Further, the
fitness tracking device 58 may include a library that associates
parameters with a user identifier to associate the user with the
appropriate received information. When the user signs up with the
fitness tracking program, the program may create a user profile.
Such a profile may contain information such as a user identifier, a
user height, a user weight, a user gender, passwords, user name,
connections to other users in the fitness tracking program, other
types of information, or combinations thereof. In response to
receiving the measurements taken by the sensing unit 52 and/or the
calculated data based on the measurements, the fitness tracking
program may make additional calculations based on the user's
identifier. For example, the fitness tracking program may use the
user's weight and/or height to calculate a number of calories
burned by the user during the workout.
[0074] The fitness tracking device 58 may also receive additional
types of information about the workout other than the operating
parameters of the exercise machine 10. For example, the fitness
tracking device 58 may receive heart rate information, oxygen
consumption information, blood pressure information, other types of
information, or combinations thereof to calculate additional
fitness parameters or refine the calorie count calculations.
[0075] The fitness tracking device 58 may obtain the user
identifier from the mobile device 60 or directly from the sensing
unit 52. In examples, where the user owns a mobile device 60 that
passes information from the sensing unit 52 to the fitness tracking
device 58, the user identifier may be stored in the mobile device
60. In such an example, the user identifier can be sent with the
information to the fitness tracking device 58 automatically. In
other examples, the user can input his or her user identifier in
the sensing unit 52, and the sensing unit 52 can send the user
identifier with the obtained information.
[0076] In some instances, the sensing unit 52 also has a selectable
identifier that automatically detects the identifier and allows the
fitness tracking device 58 to associate the sensing unit 52 with
the appropriate exercise machine. Machine parameters, such as the
length of the tread belt 16, the type of exercise machine 10, the
age of the exercise machine 10, unique characteristics of the
exercise machine 10, and other types of information about the
exercise machine 10 may be associated with the machine identifier.
In this manner, the fitness tracking device 58 and/or the mobile
device 60 are enabled to interpret the information received from
the sensing unit 52. For example, such an identifier may prevent
the mobile device 60 or the fitness tracking device 58 from trying
to interpret measurements obtained on an elliptical exercise
machine as though the information came from a treadmill or another
type of exercise machine 10. Accordingly to one embodiment, the
sensing unit 52 can detect the type of exercise machine based on
power inputs, exerted forces, vibration detection, and the
like.
[0077] Any type of wireless communication protocol may be used to
communicate between the sensing unit and the mobile device, between
the mobile device and the fitness tracking device, and/or the
sensing unit and the fitness tracking device. For example, the
wireless protocols may use a ZigBee protocol, a Z-Wave protocol, a
Bluetooth protocol, a Low Energy Bluetooth protocol, a Wi-Fi
protocol, a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) standard,
another standard, or combinations thereof. In a specific example, a
Wi-Fi protocol may be used to communicate between the mobile device
and the fitness tracking device, and an Low Energy Bluetooth
protocol may be used between the mobile device and the sensing
unit.
[0078] FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of an example sensing unit 52
attached to an exercise machine 10 in accordance with the present
disclosure. In this example, a section of the housing 24 of the
front portion 26 is removed for illustrative purposes to reveal a
motor 62 electrically connected with an electrically conductive
medium, such as a power cable 64. In this example, the electrically
conductive medium is arrange to provide power from a power source
66 that is also internal to the housing 24 to the motor 62. In
other examples, a cable may provide power from a source external to
the exercise machine 10. The sensing unit 52 can measure an
electrical property of the power cable 64 to determine the amount
of power that is supplied to the motor 62. The electrical property
can be transmitted from the sensing unit 52 to the mobile device 60
or directly to the fitness tracking device 58. The sensing unit 52
and/or the device to which the sensing unit 52 transfers the
obtained electrical property can calculate the speed at which the
motor 62 is moving the tread belt 16.
[0079] The sensing unit 52 may sense any appropriate type of
electrical or magnetic property. For example, the electrical
property may include a resistance, an impedance, a voltage, a
current, a magnetically induced electrical property, an electric
field, another type of electrical property, or combinations
thereof. In some examples, the sensing unit 52 includes an
ohmmeter, a voltmeter, an ammeter, a Hall effect sensor, another
type of sensor that can gather or derive an electrical property of
the power cable 64.
[0080] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of an example sensing unit 52
attached to an exercise machine 10 in accordance with the present
disclosure. In this example, the exercise machine 10 includes an
accelerometer 68 that is attached to a portion of the running deck
12. As the running deck 12 moves to position the running deck 12 at
a certain incline, the accelerometer 68 senses movement in at least
one direction, such as a vertical direction. This movement can be
used to derive the incline of the running deck 12. The raw data of
the accelerometer 68 can be processed locally at the sensing unit
52 to determine the incline. In other examples, the raw or
processed data may be sent to the mobile device 60 or the fitness
tracking device 58 to determine the incline.
[0081] FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of an example sensing unit 52
attached to an exercise machine 10 in accordance with the present
disclosure. In this example, the exercise machine 10 is an
elliptical machine. The exercise machine 10 includes a base 72 that
is attached to a frame 74. A lower portion of the frame 74 includes
a housing 78 that supports a first flywheel 80 and a second
flywheel (not shown). The flywheels are attached to one another
through a crank assembly 82. The crank assembly 82 includes a crank
arm 84 that is attached to a first shaft 86 that is connected to
the first flywheel 80 on a first end and attached to a second shaft
that is connected to the second flywheel.
[0082] The first shaft 86 is attached to an underside of a first
track 88 that supports a first foot pedal 90, and the second shaft
is attached to an underside of a second track 92 that supports a
second foot pedal 94. The crank assembly 82 is shaped such that the
first shaft 86 and the second shaft follow reciprocating paths.
Consequently, the first foot pedal 90 follows the path of the first
shaft 86, and the second foot pedal 94 follows the path of the
second shaft. As a user stands on the foot pedals 90, 94 for a
workout, the user's feet also follow the reciprocating paths of the
foot pedals 90, 94. In some examples, the first foot pedal 90 is
slideable along the length of the first track 88. Likewise, the
second foot pedal 94 is slideable along the length of the second
track 92. Thus, in some examples, the first foot pedal 90 and the
second foot pedal 94 are movable in multiple directions: down the
length of the tracks and with the reciprocating paths traveled by
the first shaft 86 and the second shaft.
[0083] The first foot pedal 90 is connected to a first arm support
96 through a first mechanical linkage 98, and the second foot pedal
94 is connected to a second arm support 100 through a second
mechanical linkage 102. The first arm support 96 is connected to
the frame 74 at a first arm pivot connection 104, and the second
arm support 100 is connected to the frame 74 at a second arm pivot
connection. In the example of FIG. 4, the first mechanical linkage
98 includes a first bottom section of the first arm support 96
being connected to a first far end of the first track 88 at a first
joint 112. Likewise, the second mechanical linkage 102 includes a
second bottom section of the second arm support 100 being connected
to a second far end of the second track 92 at a second joint
118.
[0084] A control module 120 is connected to the frame 74 and may
include multiple buttons, a display, a cooling vent, a speaker,
another device, or combinations thereof. The control module 120 can
include a resistance input mechanism that allows the user to
control how much resistance is applied to the movement of the foot
pedals and the arm supports. The control module 120 may also
provide the user with an ability to control other functions of the
exercise machine 10.
[0085] The sensing unit 52 may count the number of times that one
of the components of the exercise machine 10 moves into and out of
an optical field. For example, the sensing unit 52 may sense the
number of times that the crank arm 84 moves into and out of the
optical field. The sensing unit 52 may be positioned such that the
crank arm 84 moves into and out of the sensing unit's optical field
once a revolution. The revolution count may be used to determine a
distance traveled by the user, a speed of the user, a calorie count
of the user, another fitness parameter, or combinations thereof. In
other examples, the sensing unit 52 may sense the movement of the
arm supports, the tracks, the foot pedals, the mechanical linkages,
other components, or combinations thereof to determine the fitness
parameters of the user. Such information may be sent to a mobile
device 60 or directly to the fitness tracking device 58.
[0086] FIG. 5 illustrates a diagram of an example of a signal in
accordance with the present disclosure. In this example, the x-axis
122 represents time, and the y-axis 124 represents an electrical
current input. Line 126 represents the amount of current applied by
a motor 62 of the exercise machine 10. Such a measurement may be
taken off of a power cable 64 supplying electrical power to the
motor 62. The dash marks 128 represent the moment that the sensing
unit 52 measures the electrically property.
[0087] The sensing unit 52 may conserve energy by measuring the
electrical characteristic or another characteristics of an
operating parameter of the exercise machine 10 by measuring the
characteristics just during individual time discrete measurement
durations. Such measurement durations may be short and separated by
intervening time periods. The intervening time periods may be
longer than the measurement durations. In some cases, the
measurement durations are less than a second, or even less than a
microsecond. During such a short measurement duration, the sensing
unit 52 may gather enough data points to construct line 126 to
determine an operating parameter of the exercise machine to be used
to determine fitness information about the user's workout. In some
cases, the sensors of the sensing unit 52 are off for a majority of
the user's workout, turning on just long enough to get a sufficient
number of samples to make the fitness information calculations.
[0088] FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of an example monitoring
system 50 in accordance with the present disclosure. The monitoring
system 50 may include a combination of hardware and program
instructions for executing the functions of monitoring system 50.
In this example, the monitoring system 50 includes processing
resources 130 that are in communication with memory resources 132.
Processing resources 130 include at least one processor and other
resources used to process programmed instructions. The memory
resources 132 represent generally any memory capable of storing
data such as programmed instructions or data structures used by the
monitoring system 50. The programmed instructions shown stored in
the memory resources 132 include a marking counter 134, a timer
136, an electrical resistance determiner 138, a voltage determiner
140, a current determiner 142, a distance determiner 144, a speed
determiner 146, an incline determiner 148, and a calorie determiner
150. While this example is described with the above listed
programmed instructions in the memory resources 132, in other
examples, just a subset of these programmed instructions are
included in the memory resources 132.
[0089] The memory resources 132 include a computer readable storage
medium that contains computer readable program code to cause tasks
to be executed by the processing resources 130. The computer
readable storage medium may be a tangible and/or non-transitory
storage medium. The computer readable storage medium may be any
appropriate storage medium that is not a transmission storage
medium. A non-exhaustive list of computer readable storage medium
types includes non-volatile memory, volatile memory, random access
memory, write only memory, flash memory, electrically erasable
program read only memory, magnetic based memory, other types of
memory, or combinations thereof.
[0090] The marking counter 134 represents programmed instructions
that, when executed, cause the processing resources 130 to count
the number of times that the markings pass by the sensing unit 52.
An optical sensor 151 of the sensing unit 52 may be used to count
the number of passes made by the marking. Any appropriate type of
marking may be used. For example, the marking may be a color
difference, a deformation, an adhered object, a mechanical
component of the exercise machine 10, such as a crank arm 84 or
other component, or combinations thereof. The timer 136 represents
programmed instructions that, when executed, cause the processing
resources 130 to track the amount of time that it takes for the
marking to make a complete revolution. This may be accomplished by
associating a time stamp with each count. In other examples, the
timer 136 may track the time with a different mechanism.
[0091] The electrical resistance determiner 138 represents
programmed instructions that, when executed, cause the processing
resources 130 to determine the electrical resistance on a cable
associated with a mechanism that drives a motor 62 or another
device on the exercise machine 10. The electrical resistance may be
used to determine the speed and/distance that a user has achieved
during his or her workout. Likewise, the voltage determiner 140 and
the current determiner 142 respectively represents programmed
instructions that, when executed, cause the processing resources
130 to determine the voltage or the current associated with the
electrical cable providing power to the motor 62. In some examples,
just a subset of the electrical resistance determiner 138, the
voltage determiner 140, the current determiner 142 are incorporated
into the memory resources 132. Determining any of these electrical
properties may be based on measurements from a Hall effect sensor
152, an ohmmeter 154, a voltmeter, an ammeter, another type of
meter for measuring an electrical and/or magnetic property, or
combinations thereof.
[0092] The sensing unit 52 may send the operating parameters
towards to fitness tracking device by sending the operating
parameters directly to the fitness tracking device or to an
intermediary device, such as the mobile device 60. The measurements
about the exercise machine's operating parameters may be sent to
the mobile device 60 with a sensing unit transmitter 156. Likewise,
the information obtained and/or calculated by the mobile device 60
can be sent to the fitness tracking device 58 with a mobile
transmitter 158.
[0093] The distance determiner 144 represents programmed
instructions that, when executed, cause the processing resources
130 to determine the distance that a user has achieved during the
workout. The speed determiner 146 represents programmed
instructions that, when executed, cause the processing resources
130 to determine the current speed of the user and/or other speeds
of the user achieved earlier in during the workout. The incline
determiner 148 represents programmed instructions that, when
executed, cause the processing resources 130 to determine the
incline of the running deck 12 or other component of the exercise
machine 10 that affects the difficulty of the workout. In some
examples, the incline is determined based on measurements from the
accelerometer 68. However, any appropriate mechanism for
determining the incline may be used.
[0094] The calorie determiner 150 represents programmed
instructions that, when executed, cause the processing resources
130 to determiner a calorie count based on the information
available. Such available information may be personal data that may
be part of an electronic profile of a fitness program, the fitness
tracking device 58, the mobile device 60, or stored in another
device or location. The calorie count may be based entirely on the
measurements obtained from the operating parameters of the exercise
machine 10. In alternative examples, the calorie count is based at
least in part on additional information obtained with those other
types of sensors. For example, a physiological sensing units 160
may be used to monitor a condition of the user. Such physiological
sensing units 160 may include an oxygen consumption monitor 162, a
blood pressure monitor 164, a heart rate monitor 166, another type
of monitor, or combinations thereof.
[0095] Further, the memory resources 132 may be part of an
installation package. In response to installing the installation
package, the programmed instructions of the memory resources 132
may be downloaded from the installation package's source, such as a
portable medium, a server, a remote network location, another
location, or combinations thereof. Portable memory media that are
compatible with the principles described herein include DVDs, CDs,
flash memory, portable disks, magnetic disks, optical disks, other
forms of portable memory, or combinations thereof. In other
examples, the program instructions are already installed. Here, the
memory resources 132 can include integrated memory such as a hard
drive, a solid state hard drive, or the like.
[0096] In some examples, the processing resources 130 and the
memory resources 132 are located within the sensing unit 52, the
mobile device 60, fitness tracking device 58. The memory resources
132 may be part of their main memory, caches, registers,
non-volatile memory, or elsewhere in their memory hierarchy.
Alternatively, the memory resources 132 may be in communication
with the processing resources 130 over a network. Further, the data
structures, such as the libraries, may be accessed from a remote
location over a network connection while the programmed
instructions are located locally. Thus, the monitoring system 50
may be implemented on the sensing unit 52; the mobile device 60;
the fitness tracking device 58; a user device; a phone; an
electronic tablet; a wearable computing device; a head mounted
device; a server; a collection of servers; a networked device; a
watch; a user interface in a car, truck, plane, boat, bus, another
type of automobile; or combinations thereof. Such an implementation
may occur through input mechanisms, such as push buttons, touch
screen buttons, voice commands, dials, levers, other types of input
mechanisms, or combinations thereof.
[0097] While the above embodiments have been described with
specific reference to treadmills, the principles described in the
present disclosure may be incorporated into any appropriate
exercise machine. For example, the sensing unit may be attached to
or positioned nearby elliptical exercise machines, rowing machines,
stepper machines, stationary bikes, self-propelling bikes,
stationary exercise machines, other types of exercise machines, or
combinations thereof.
[0098] FIG. 7 depicts an example of a sensing unit 700 attached to
a flywheel housing 702 of an exercise machine 703. A pedal 704
moves in a repeated movement defined by a crank arm 706. A magnet
708 is attached to the crank arm 706. As the crank arm 706 moves
past the sensing unit 700, the sensing unit 700 detects the
magnet's magnetic field. In response to detecting the magnetic
field, the sensing unit 700 increments the count.
[0099] FIG. 8 depicts a tread deck 800 with a tread belt 802
surrounding the tread deck 800. Markings 804 are depicted on the
tread belt 802, which can be detected by a sensing unit 806
attached to the treadmill 808.
[0100] Additionally, while the examples above have been described
with specific approaches for obtaining operating parameters of the
exercise machine, any appropriate type of approach may be used in
accordance with the principles described in the present disclosure.
For example, other types of sensors may be used, other than optical
sensors, to determine the number of revolutions of a crank arm,
tread belt, or other moving component. For example, a magnetic
source may be incorporated into the crank arm, tread belt, or other
moving component, and a magnetic sensor may count the number of
times that the magnetic source passes by. In yet other examples, a
sensor that determines an amount of friction between the running
deck and the tread belt may be used to determine a speed. In
further example, vibration sensors may be used to determine the
speed of the crank arm, tread belt, or other component.
Additionally, the incline may be determined with optical sensors,
acoustic sensors, distance sensors, magnetic sensors, other types
of sensors, or combinations thereof.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0101] In general, the invention disclosed herein may provide a
sensing unit that can be removably attached to an exercise machine.
Such a monitoring system can be used to record a number of repeated
movements of a component of the exercise machine over a time
period. Such repeated movements may include the number of times
that a tread belt rotates around a tread deck, the number of times
that a crank shaft rotates about an axle, the number of times that
a pedal moves in a circular motion, the number of times that a
pedal moves in a reciprocating movement, another type of movement
of any appropriate type of exercise machine component, or
combinations thereof. A wireless transmitter may send the number to
a remote fitness tracking device where the number is stored or
processed. In some examples, some fitness information is derived
from the number of repeated movements at the monitoring unit, and
such fitness information may be sent to the fitness tracking
device. In some instances, at least some of the fitness information
is determined at the fitness tracking device.
[0102] Such a system may provide users an opportunity to use an
online fitness tracking program without using an exercise machine
that was originally built to record fitness information or to
communicate with the fitness tracking devices that operate the
fitness tracking program. The sensing units can be attached to or
positioned nearby the exercise machine to record the exercise
machine's operating parameters.
[0103] A wireless transmitter may be used to communicate recorded
information to the fitness tracking device or to an intermediate
device, like a mobile device such as a phone, watch, or a wearable
computing device. In some cases, the sensing units may perform some
type of processing, such as data compression, prior to sending the
number and/or other types of data to the fitness tracking device.
In some examples, the sensing unit continuously sends the data to
the fitness tracking device. In other examples, the sensing unit
sends the data on a periodic basis. In yet other examples, the
sensing unit may send the data based on event triggers. For
example, an event that may trigger to the sensing unit to send the
information may include the conclusion of an exercise session. In
response to detecting that the exercise session is completed, the
sensing unit may send the number and any other information to the
fitness tracking device.
[0104] Any appropriate protocol may be used to send the information
to the fitness tracking device. In some examples, the sensing unit
may have a Bluetooth connection with a mobile device like a smart
phone, and the smart phone may have a Wi-Fi connection with the
fitness tracking device. In such an example, the information may be
sent from the sensing device to the smart phone, and then sent to
the fitness tracking device. In other examples, the sensing unit
may have a more direct connection to the fitness tracking device,
or the sensing unit may be in communication with another device
that is networked with the fitness tracking device.
[0105] The sensing unit may include any appropriate type of sensor
for obtaining the measurements. For example, the sensing unit may
include an optical sensor that counts at least one marking on the
component as at least a portion of the component moves through an
optical view of the optical sensor. Each time that a marking is
identified as passing through the optical view, a counter may be
incremented up by one. The total number count within a period of
time may indicate a value of a fitness parameter. For example, in
situations where the markings are disposed along a treadmill belt
and spaced a foot apart, a number of 5,280 may correspond to the
user having traveled a distance of a mile. Continuing with the same
example, if the such a count is achieved within 15.0 minutes, the
monitoring device may determine that the user was traveling at an
average speed of 4.0 miles per hour. In some examples, the
monitoring unit may send just the count to the fitness tracking
device. In other examples, the monitoring unit may send the time
duration and the count to the fitness monitoring device. In yet
other examples, the monitoring unit may send the count, time
duration, and the calculated speed to the fitness monitoring
device. In some cases, the fitness tracking device may generate a
speed value or generate another value associated with another
fitness parameter based on the information sent to the fitness
tracking device.
[0106] In other examples, the sensing unit may include a magnetic
sensor. In such an example, the magnetic sensor may be attached to
a portion of the exercise machine where the magnetic sensor can
come into cyclical contact with a magnetic field that is indicative
of the repeated movements of a component of the exercise machine.
For example, a magnet may be attached to a crack arm of a
stationary bicycle or an elliptical exercise machine, and the
magnetic sensor of the sensing unit may be attached to a housing of
the exercise machine in a position that that the magnetic sensor is
proximate the magnet of the crank arm when the crank arm is at a
specific angular position. As a result, as the crank arm rotates,
the magnetic sensor detects the magnetic field of the sensor every
time that the crank arm approaches the angular position. Each time
the crank arm passes, a counter can increment another count.
[0107] In another example, one or more magnets may be attached to a
tread belt of a treadmill, and the magnetic sensor may be attached
to a housing or another portion of the treadmill in such a location
where the magnetic sensor can detect the presence of the magnet or
magnets as they pass by. Each time the magnetic field is detected,
the magnetic sensor can cause a counter to increment the count.
[0108] While the examples above have been described with reference
to specific types of sensors in the sensing unit, any appropriate
type of sensor may be used. For example, the sensors may detect
changes in electrical properties, changes in magnetic properties,
changes in optical properties, changes in other types of
properties, other types of changes or combinations thereof. In such
examples, the sensors may include ohmmeters, ammeters,
multi-meters, optical sensors, proximity sensors, distance sensors,
Hall effect sensors, magnetic sensors, other types of sensors, or
combinations thereof.
[0109] In some cases, the repeated movements are rotational
movements. Such movements involve a component rotating around a
fixed axle, such as the crank arm in a stationary bicycle or fixed
axles in an elliptical exercise machine. In other examples, the
rotational movements may involve movements where the rotation is
not based on movement around a fixed axle. For example, the
rotations of the treadmill belt or linkages in elliptical exercise
machines that are attached to the outer perimeter of a flywheel may
involve rotations where the repeated rotation is not circular or
the axle is moving. In yet other examples, the repeated movements
may be reciprocating movements where the movements include a back
and forth movement. For example, an elliptical exercise machine may
include a reciprocating movement that is counted with the sensing
unit. In other examples, a pedal of an exercise machine may have a
reciprocating movement, such as the reciprocating motion involved
in a stepper machine, a rowing machine, a cross country simulating
machine, other types of machines, or combinations thereof.
[0110] The principles described herein may include a portable
sensing unit that can be carried in the user's bag. Such a sensing
unit can give a user the freedom of using a wide selection of
exercise machines and still have his or her fitness information
automatically tracked when the sensing unit is attached to the
exercise machine. For example, the user can go to any gym whether
or not the gym's equipment has the capability of communicating with
the fitness program of the user's choice. Further, gym owners may
desire to give their customers the ability to participate in a
fitness tracking program without having the expense of replacing
their inventory. As a result, the gym owner can merely retrofit
their existing equipment with the sensing units.
[0111] The exercise machine may include a running deck that can
support the weight of a user. The running deck incorporates a tread
belt that extends from a first pulley to a second pulley. The
underside of the tread belt's mid-section is supported by a low
friction surface that allows the tread belt's underside to move
without creating significant drag. The tread belt may be moved by a
motor that is connected to the first pulley and is disposed within
a housing formed in a front portion of the running deck. As the
tread belt moves, a user positioned on the tread belt can walk or
run in place by keeping up with the tread belt's speed.
[0112] A monitoring system may be incorporated into the exercise
machine to track repeated movements of a component of the exercise
machine. In some cases, the component is the tread belt, and the
monitoring system count the number of times that the tread belt
makes a complete revolution or a partial revolution. This is
accomplished with a sensing unit that is attached to an external
surface of the exercise machine's frame or another structure or
surface of the exercise machine. The sensing unit may be attached
an underside of an arm. The attachment mechanism that connects the
sensing unit to the exercise machine may be any appropriate type of
attachment mechanism. For example, a plate, a rod, or another
protrusion that may be used to connect the sensing unit. Further,
ropes, magnets, wires, bolt holes, or other types of features that
may assist in attaching the sensing unit to the exercise machine
may be used. Further, the sensing unit may be adhered, glued, or
otherwise stuck to a location on the exercise machine.
[0113] Also, the sensing unit may include an optical sensor that
can track the number of times that a marking passes through an
optical field of the sensing unit. For example, the marking may be
incorporated into, adhered to, or drawn on the tread belt such that
the marking passes through the sensing unit's optical field once
every complete revolution. In other examples, the tread belt may
incorporate multiple markings that indicate a fractional revolution
of the tread belt. The monitoring system may also have a field that
contains a value of the length of the tread belt. This length value
can be combined with the number of revolutions to determine the
distance that the user has already traveled during the workout.
[0114] Further, a timer may also track the moments when the
markings enter and/or exit the optical view. Thus, the monitoring
unit can determine how many revolutions have been made over a known
period of time to determine the speed at which the user is running.
In some examples, the marking may have a known length, and the
speed of the tread belt may be determined by measuring the time
that it takes for the marking to pass through the optical field.
Further, a space between markings may also be known, and the time
lapse between a first marking entering the optical field and a
second marking entering the optical field may be used to determine
the user's speed. While the optical sensor has been described with
reference to specific approaches for using markings to determine a
distance and/or speed, any appropriate approach for determining the
distance and/or speed with an optical sensor may be used in
accordance with the present disclosure.
[0115] Any appropriate type of markings may be used in accordance
with the principles described herein. For example, the marking may
be a line that is drawn onto the visible surface of the tread belt.
In other examples, the marking is a logo, a symbol, a letter, a
number, another type of marking, or combinations thereof. The
markings may be attached with any appropriate mechanism. For
example, the marking may be adhered to the tread belt, drawn onto
the tread belt, printed onto the tread belt, deformed into the
tread belt, or otherwise attached to the tread belt. In other
examples, the marking may include an indentation, a tattered
thread, a tear in the tread belt's material, a scuff mark, a chalk
mark, or another type of feature of the tread belt that can be
tracked by the sensing unit. In some examples, the sensing unit
identifies the moving tread belt of irregularities that can be
track without any modifications being made to the tread belt or any
other moving component of the exercise machine.
[0116] The values of the length and/or other tread belt parameters
may be stored in the sensing unit. In such cases, the sensing unit
may calculate the distance and/or speed. In other examples, such
values are stored in other locations. In these examples, the
sensing unit can retrieve these values or can send the collected
raw data on towards a fitness tracking device. In examples where
the sensing unit contains the length and other values of the tread
belt, the values are sent with the collected raw data and are
processed elsewhere. The revolution information, timer information,
the calculated speed, calculated distance, length value, and/or
other information can be sent to a mobile device. In some
instances, the mobile device belongs to the user, such as a smart
phone, and includes a downloadable application that is programmed
to receive the information from the sensing unit. Such an
application can also be programmed to make calculations that were
not performed with the sensing unit. The mobile device can send the
calculated information, raw data, or other types of information to
the fitness tracking device.
[0117] The fitness tracking device may be any appropriate type of
device that stores fitness information that can be accessed by the
user at a later time. In some examples, the mobile device has such
a storage capacity, and the mobile device is the fitness tracking
device. In other examples, the fitness tracking device is a remote
device, such as a database, in communication with either the mobile
device or the sensing unit that stores the calculated information
and/or the raw information. Such a fitness tracking device can be
accessible over the internet, and a user can retrieve his or her
fitness information after the workout to track fitness progress,
make fitness goals, compare fitness results with others who are
signed up with a fitness tracking program, perform other functions,
or combinations thereof.
[0118] In some examples, the fitness tracking device includes an
ability to perform calculations on the information received from
the sensing unit. For example, the distance and/or the speed may be
calculated at the fitness tracking device. Further, the fitness
tracking device may include a library that associates parameters
with a user identifier to associate the user with the appropriate
received information. When the user signs up with the fitness
tracking program, the program may create a user profile. Such a
profile may contain information such as a user identifier, a user
height, a user weight, a user gender, passwords, user name,
connections to other users in the fitness tracking program, other
types of information, or combinations thereof. In response to
receiving the measurements taken by the sensing unit and/or the
calculated data based on the measurements, the fitness tracking
program may make additional calculations based on the user's
identifier. For example, the fitness tracking program may use the
user's weight and/or height to calculate a number of calories
burned by the user during the workout.
[0119] The fitness tracking device may also receive additional
types of information about the workout other than the operating
parameters of the exercise machine. For example, the fitness
tracking device may receive heart rate information, oxygen
consumption information, blood pressure information, other types of
information, or combinations thereof to calculate additional
fitness parameters or refine the calorie count calculations.
[0120] The fitness tracking device may obtain the user identifier
from the mobile device or directly from the sensing unit. In
examples, where the user owns a mobile device that passes
information from the sensing unit to the fitness tracking device,
the user identifier may be stored in the mobile device. In such an
example, the user identifier can be sent with the information to
the fitness tracking device automatically. In other examples, the
user can input his or her user identifier in the sensing unit, and
the sensing unit can send the user identifier with the obtained
information.
[0121] In some instances, the sensing unit also has a selectable
identifier that automatically detects the identifier and allows the
fitness tracking device to associate the sensing unit with the
appropriate exercise machine. Machine parameters, such as the
length of the tread belt, the type of exercise machine, the age of
the exercise machine, unique characteristics of the exercise
machine, and other types of information about the exercise machine
may be associated with the machine identifier. In this manner, the
fitness tracking device and/or the mobile device are enabled to
interpret the information received from the sensing unit. For
example, such an identifier may prevent the mobile device or the
fitness tracking device from trying to interpret measurements
obtained on an elliptical exercise machine as though the
information came from a treadmill or another type of exercise
machine. Accordingly to one embodiment, the sensing unit can detect
the type of exercise machine based on power inputs, exerted forces,
vibration detection, and the like.
[0122] Any type of wireless communication protocol may be used to
communicate between the sensing unit and the mobile device, between
the mobile device and the fitness tracking device, and/or the
sensing unit and the fitness tracking device. For example, the
wireless protocols may use a ZigBee protocol, a Z-Wave protocol, a
Bluetooth protocol, a Low Energy Bluetooth protocol, a Wi-Fi
protocol, a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) standard,
another standard, or combinations thereof. In a specific example, a
Wi-Fi protocol may be used to communicate between the mobile device
and the fitness tracking device, and an Low Energy Bluetooth
protocol may be used between the mobile device and the sensing
unit.
[0123] In another example, the sensing unit is attached to an
exercise machine in accordance with the present disclosure. In this
example, the exercise machine is an elliptical machine. The
exercise machine includes a base that is attached to a frame. A
lower portion of the frame includes a housing that supports a first
flywheel and a second flywheel. The flywheels are attached to one
another through a crank assembly. The crank assembly includes a
crank arm that is attached to a first shaft that is connected to
the first flywheel on a first end and attached to a second shaft
that is connected to the second flywheel.
[0124] The first shaft is attached to an underside of a first track
that supports a first foot pedal, and the second shaft is attached
to an underside of a second track that supports a second foot
pedal. The crank assembly is shaped such that the first shaft and
the second shaft follow reciprocating paths. Consequently, the
first foot pedal follows the path of the first shaft, and the
second foot pedal follows the path of the second shaft. As a user
stands on the foot pedals for a workout, the user's feet also
follow the reciprocating paths of the foot pedals. In some
examples, the first foot pedal is slideable along the length of the
first track. Likewise, the second foot pedal is slideable along the
length of the second track. Thus, in some examples, the first foot
pedal and the second foot pedal are movable in multiple directions:
down the length of the tracks and with the reciprocating paths
traveled by the first shaft and the second shaft.
[0125] The first foot pedal is connected to a first arm support
through a first mechanical linkage, and the second foot pedal is
connected to a second arm support through a second mechanical
linkage. The first arm support is connected to the frame at a first
arm pivot connection, and the second arm support is connected to
the frame at a second arm pivot connection. The first mechanical
linkage may include a first bottom section of the first arm support
being connected to a first far end of the first track at a first
joint. Likewise, the second mechanical linkage includes a second
bottom section of the second arm support connected to a second far
end of the second track at a second joint.
[0126] A control module is connected to the frame and may include
multiple buttons, a display, a cooling vent, a speaker, another
device, or combinations thereof. The control module can include a
resistance input mechanism that allows the user to control how much
resistance is applied to the movement of the foot pedals and the
arm supports. The control module may also provide the user with an
ability to control other functions of the exercise machine.
[0127] The sensing unit may count the number of times that one of
the components of the exercise machine moves into and out of an
optical field. For example, the sensing unit may sense the number
of times that the crank arm moves into and out of the optical
field. The sensing unit may be positioned such that the crank arm
moves into and out of the sensing unit's optical field once a
revolution. The revolution count may be used to determine a
distance traveled by the user, a speed of the user, a calorie count
of the user, another fitness parameter, or combinations thereof. In
other examples, the sensing unit may sense the movement of the arm
supports, the tracks, the foot pedals, the mechanical linkages,
other components, or combinations thereof to determine the fitness
parameters of the user. Such information may be sent to a mobile
device or directly to the fitness tracking device.
[0128] The sensing unit may work with other types of sensors that
are already built into the exercise machines, such as heart rate
monitors or other types of sensors. Further, personal sensors worn
by the user may also be used together with the sensing unit. Any
appropriate data collected about the workout may be joined with the
operating parameters and used to determine the fitness data. Thus,
the sensing unit may operate in conjunction with other types of
sensors.
* * * * *
References