U.S. patent application number 15/729099 was filed with the patent office on 2018-04-12 for exercise apparatus with sensors and methods thereof.
The applicant listed for this patent is INCLUDEFITNESS, INC.. Invention is credited to James Ryan Eder.
Application Number | 20180099184 15/729099 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 61830618 |
Filed Date | 2018-04-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180099184 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Eder; James Ryan |
April 12, 2018 |
EXERCISE APPARATUS WITH SENSORS AND METHODS THEREOF
Abstract
An exercise apparatus includes a resistance assembly, a flexible
member, and a sensor network. The sensor network includes sensors
that generate signals responsive to the amount of resistance
selected by a user of the exercise apparatus and the user's
interaction with the flexible member.
Inventors: |
Eder; James Ryan; (Columbus,
OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
INCLUDEFITNESS, INC. |
COLUMBUS |
OH |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
61830618 |
Appl. No.: |
15/729099 |
Filed: |
October 10, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62406053 |
Oct 10, 2016 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2220/805 20130101;
A63B 2071/0694 20130101; A63B 21/154 20130101; A63B 2209/00
20130101; A63B 2220/89 20130101; A63B 2225/50 20130101; A63B
21/4034 20151001; A63B 71/0622 20130101; A63B 2225/15 20130101;
A63B 2220/803 20130101; A63B 21/063 20151001; A63B 2220/833
20130101; A63B 2225/54 20130101; A63B 2220/52 20130101; A63B
23/03558 20130101; A63B 21/4035 20151001; A63B 24/0062
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 24/00 20060101
A63B024/00; A63B 21/062 20060101 A63B021/062; A63B 21/00 20060101
A63B021/00; A63B 71/06 20060101 A63B071/06; A63B 23/035 20060101
A63B023/035 |
Claims
1. An exercise apparatus, comprising: a resistance assembly,
wherein the resistance assembly has a user-selective resistance; a
flexible member coupled to the resistance assembly; an interaction
member coupled to the flexible member; a sensor network, wherein
the sensor network comprises: a controller; a first sensor in
electrical communication with the controller, the first sensor
configured to generate a first signal responsive to movement of the
flexible member; a second sensor in electrical communication with
the controller, the second sensor configured to generate a second
signal indicative of an amount of user-selected resistance; wherein
the controller, based on the first signal and the second signal, is
configured to determine quantified exercise data.
2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first sensor is
in electrical communication with the controller via any of a wired
communication coupling and a wireless communication coupling, and
the second sensor is in electrical communication with the
controller via any of a wired communication coupling and a wireless
communication coupling.
3. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is
local to the exercise apparatus.
4. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the resistance
assembly comprises a weight stack comprising a plurality of weight
plates and a locking pin.
5. The exercise apparatus of claim 4, wherein the second sensor is
a load cell, wherein the second signal generated by the load cell
is indicative of an amount weight plates resting on the load
cell.
6. The exercise apparatus of claim 4, wherein the second sensor is
an optical sensor, wherein the second signal generated by the
optical sensor is responsive to a visual inspection of an amount of
selected weight plates.
7. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a pulley,
wherein the flexible member is operatively coupled to the pulley,
and first sensor is positioned to sense rotation of the pulley.
8. The exercise apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first sensor is
any of an optical sensor and a magnetic sensor.
9. The exercise apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first signal
generated by the first sensor is indicative of a rotational
direction of the pulley.
10. The exercise apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first sensor is
an optical sensor, and wherein the flexible member comprises
graphical indicia trackable by the optical sensor.
11. The exercise apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first sensor is
an RFID reader, and wherein the flexible member comprises a
plurality of RFID tags trackable by the RFID reader.
12. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an
adjustable member; and a third sensor in electrical communication
with the controller, the third sensor configured to generate a
third signal responsive to a position of the adjustable member.
13. The exercise apparatus of claim 12, wherein the adjustable
member is any of a shuttle, a seat back, a seat bottom, a pin, a
lever, and a lap bars.
14. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the interaction
member is any of a handle, a bar, a lever, and a pedal.
15. An exercise apparatus, comprising: a weight stack comprising a
plurality of weight plates; a first flexible member coupled to the
weight stack; a first pulley operatively coupled to the first
flexible member; a first interaction member coupled to the first
flexible member; wherein movement of the first interaction member
away from the first pulley causes rotation of the first pulley in a
first direction and a selected portion of the weight stack to be
lifted from a remaining portion of the weight stack; a sensor
network, wherein the sensor network comprises: a controller; a
first sensor in electrical communication with the controller, the
first sensor configured to generate a first signal responsive to
rotational movement of the first pulley; a second sensor in
electrical communication with the controller, the second sensor
configured to generate a second signal responsive to a weight of
the weight stack; and wherein the controller, based on the first
signal and the second signal, is configured to determine quantified
exercise data.
16. The exercise apparatus of claim 15, further comprising: a
second flexible member; a second pulley operatively coupled to the
second flexible member; a second interaction member coupled to the
second flexible member; wherein movement of the second interaction
member away from the second pulley causes rotation of the second
pulley in a second direction; wherein the sensor network further
comprises: a third sensor in electrical communication with the
controller, the third sensor configured to generate a third signal
responsive to rotational movement of the second pulley.
17. The exercise apparatus of claim 16, wherein the second flexible
member is coupled to the weight stack.
18. The exercise apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a second
weight stack, wherein the second flexible member is coupled to the
second weight stack.
19. An exercise apparatus, comprising: a resistance assembly,
wherein the resistance assembly has a selective resistance; a
flexible member coupled to the resistance assembly; a sensor
network, wherein the sensor network comprises: a controller; a
first sensor in electrical communication with the controller, the
first sensor configured to generate a first signal responsive to
movement of the flexible member; a second sensor in electrical
communication with the controller, the second sensor configured to
generate a second signal indicative of an amount of selected
resistance; wherein the controller, based on the first signal and
the second signal, is configured to determine quantified exercise
data; and a graphical user display, wherein based on the quantified
exercise data, exercise event data is displayable on the graphical
user display.
20. The exercise apparatus of claim 19, further comprising an
identification module configured to receiving user indicia from a
user.
21. The exercise apparatus of claim 20, wherein the controller is
in communication with a data store, and wherein the quantified
exercise data is stored in the data store.
22. The exercise apparatus of claim 21, wherein the data store is
remote from the controller and is in communication with the
controller via networked communications.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 62/406,053, entitled EXERCISE APPARATUS WITH
SENSORS AND METHODS THEREOF, filed Oct. 10, 2016, which is
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Many pieces of exercise equipment, when utilized regularly,
are very useful for weight loss, for improving cardiovascular
stamina, and for strengthening various muscles. Some exercise
equipment can be used for rehabilitative or therapeutic
purposes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] It is believed that certain embodiments will be better
understood from the following description taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate
similar elements and in which:
[0004] FIG. 1 schematically depicts an example exercise apparatus
in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment.
[0005] FIG. 2 schematically depicts an example exercise apparatus
in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment.
[0006] FIG. 3 schematically depicts an example exercise apparatus
in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment.
[0007] FIG. 4 schematically depicts an example exercise apparatus
in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment.
[0008] FIG. 5 schematically depicts an example exercise apparatus
in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment.
[0009] FIG. 6 schematically depicts an example exercise apparatus
in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment.
[0010] FIG. 7 schematically depicts an example exercise apparatus
in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 8 depicts an example weight stack in three operational
states.
[0012] FIG. 9 is a chart depicting the signal generated by the load
cell shown in FIG. 8 over time.
[0013] FIGS. 10-12 schematically depict example exercise
apparatuses in accordance with varying embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Various non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure
will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the
principles of the structure, function, and use of systems,
apparatuses, devices, and methods disclosed. One or more examples
of these non-limiting embodiments are illustrated in the selected
examples disclosed and described in detail with reference made to
FIGS. 1-12 in the accompanying drawings. Those of ordinary skill in
the art will understand that systems, apparatuses, devices, and
methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings are non-limiting embodiments. The features
illustrated or described in connection with one non-limiting
embodiment may be combined with the features of other non-limiting
embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be
included within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0015] The systems, apparatuses, devices, and methods disclosed
herein are described in detail by way of examples and with
reference to the figures. The examples discussed herein are
examples only and are provided to assist in the explanation of the
apparatuses, devices, systems and methods described herein. None of
the features or components shown in the drawings or discussed below
should be taken as mandatory for any specific implementation of any
of these the apparatuses, devices, systems or methods unless
specifically designated as mandatory. For ease of reading and
clarity, certain components, modules, or methods may be described
solely in connection with a specific figure. In this disclosure,
any identification of specific techniques, arrangements, etc. are
either related to a specific example presented or are merely a
general description of such a technique, arrangement, etc.
Identifications of specific details or examples are not intended to
be, and should not be, construed as mandatory or limiting unless
specifically designated as such. Any failure to specifically
describe a combination or sub-combination of components should not
be understood as an indication that any combination or
sub-combination is not possible. It will be appreciated that
modifications to disclosed and described examples, arrangements,
configurations, components, elements, apparatuses, devices,
systems, methods, etc. can be made and may be desired for a
specific application. Also, for any methods described, regardless
of whether the method is described in conjunction with a flow
diagram, it should be understood that unless otherwise specified or
required by context, any explicit or implicit ordering of steps
performed in the execution of a method does not imply that those
steps must be performed in the order presented but instead may be
performed in a different order or in parallel.
[0016] Reference throughout the specification to "various
embodiments," "some embodiments," "one embodiment," "some example
embodiments," "one example embodiment," or "an embodiment" means
that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described
in connection with any embodiment is included in at least one
embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in various
embodiments," "in some embodiments," "in one embodiment," "some
example embodiments," "one example embodiment, or "in an
embodiment" in places throughout the specification are not
necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the
particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined
in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
[0017] Throughout this disclosure, references to components or
modules generally refer to items that logically can be grouped
together to perform a function or group of related functions. Like
reference numerals are generally intended to refer to the same or
similar components. Components and modules can be implemented in
software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. The
term "software" is used expansively to include not only executable
code, for example machine-executable or machine-interpretable
instructions, but also data structures, data stores and computing
instructions stored in any suitable electronic format, including
firmware, and embedded software. The terms "information" and "data"
are used expansively and includes a wide variety of electronic
information, including executable code; content such as text, video
data, and audio data, among others; and various codes or flags. The
terms "information," "data," and "content" are sometimes used
interchangeably when permitted by context. It should be noted that
although for clarity and to aid in understanding some examples
discussed herein might describe specific features or functions as
part of a specific component or module, or as occurring at a
specific layer of a computing device (for example, a hardware
layer, operating system layer, or application layer), those
features or functions may be implemented as part of a different
component or module or operated at a different layer of a
communication protocol stack. Those of ordinary skill in the art
will recognize that the systems, apparatuses, devices, and methods
described herein can be applied to, or easily modified for use
with, other types of equipment, can use other arrangements of
computing systems, and can use other protocols, or operate at other
layers in communication protocol stacks, than are described.
[0018] The systems, apparatuses, devices, and methods disclosed
herein generally relate to providing tracking of an individual's
interaction with an exercise apparatus using one or more sensors
incorporated therein. As used herein, the term exercise apparatuses
is to broadly include any type of exercise or fitness machine,
system, or device in which a user selects a resistance amount and
then interacts with one or more interaction members, such as a
handle, bar, lever, or pedals, to perform an exercise. The exercise
apparatuses described herein are not limited to any particular
style or type of apparatus and can include apparatuses that are
single-station or multi-station devices.
[0019] As is to be appreciated upon consideration of the present
disclosure, various aspects of an individual's interaction can be
tracked, such as, without limitation, an amount of
weight/resistance selected, a number of repetitions, a number of
sets, duration of repetition, duration of sets, duration of
workout, length of stroke, muscle group used, type of exercise, and
so forth. Based on the data collected from the individual's
interaction, various metrics can be captured by systems,
apparatuses, devices, and methods described herein, such as
calories burned, and so forth. The particular types of interactions
that can be tracked may vary based on the type and location of
sensors incorporated into the exercise apparatus.
[0020] As described in more detail below, the systems, apparatuses,
devices, and methods can facilitate user recognition to aid in
tracking a user's interaction with the exercise apparatus. In some
embodiments, based on the recognition of the user, appropriate
information is pulled from a data store and provided to the user.
Data can include, for instance, a list of routines can be displayed
on a visual display at the exercise apparatus, either on a
networked connected client device or on the exercise apparatus
itself. In some embodiments, exercise data can be collected,
transmitted and stored to a profile of the user in a fitness
tracking computing system, which may be local or remote to the
exercise device. Based on a user profile, the individual's
interaction with the exercise device can then be tracked over
multiple interactions with the exercise device. Example fitness
tracking computing systems are described in U.S. Pat. No.
9,669,261, issued Jun. 6, 2017, and U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No.
2015/0335951, filed on May 20, 2015, the disclosures of which are
herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.
[0021] FIG. 1 schematically depicts an example exercise apparatus
100 in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment. The exercise
apparatus 100 has a resistance assembly 110 which has a selective
resistance. For instance, the resistance assembly 110 can include a
weight stack having a plurality of weight plates that can be
selected by a locking pin. The resistance assembly 110 is linked to
a flexible member 120 which extends to an interaction member (not
shown), such as a handle, bar, lever, etc. The flexible member 120
can be formed of nylon cable, although various other flexible
members including metal cables, ropes, cords, and chains of
suitable tensile strength are contemplated. The flexible member 120
operatively engages at least one pulley 140 which can be positioned
at any suitable position, such as within a housing of the exercise
apparatus 100 or outside the housing (i.e., proximate to an
interaction member). The configuration of the pulley 140 causes any
force that is transmitted through the flexible member 120 to be
directed toward upwardly lifting a predetermined number of weight
plates of a corresponding weight stack, or otherwise interacting
with the resistance device.
[0022] The exercise apparatus 100 also includes a sensor network
comprised of one or more sensors for tracking a user's interaction.
In the illustrated embodiment, a first sensor 160 is positioned
proximate to the pulley 140 and second sensor 170 is positioned
proximate to the resistance assembly 110. Referring to the first
sensor 160, any suitable sensor can be used that generates an
output based on rotational movement of the pulley 140. For
instance, in some configurations the first sensor 160 is an optical
sensor or a magnetic sensor. With regard to optical sensors, any
suitable sensing technique can be used, such as reflective optical
sensor or an interrupter sensor. Furthermore, the first sensor 160
(or another sensor associated therewith) can provide rotation
direction information, such as through an optical encoder. The
first sensor 160 can be in communication with a controller 130
through a communication coupling 161. The communication coupling
161 can be a wired or wireless.
[0023] Referring to the second sensor 170, any suitable sensor can
be used that generates an output based on the amount of resistance
selected by the user. For the purposes of illustration, the amount
of resistance will be described herein in terms of weight. It is to
be appreciated that other forms of resistance can be used, such as
pneumatic resistance, frictional resistance, and so forth, and the
second sensor 170 can be configured to generate a signal indicative
of the amount of resistance selected by the user. With reference to
embodiments using a weight stack, the second sensor 170 can be, for
example, a load cell positioned beneath the weight stack. As
portions of the weight stack are lifted off the stack, the load
cell generates a corresponding signal and provides it to the
controller 130 via a communication coupling 171. The communication
coupling 171 can be a wired or wireless. The second sensor 170 can
therefore generate a signal at a first level when the entire weight
stack is static based on the force of the entire weight stack
applied to the second sensor 170. When any number of plates are
lifted off the weight stack during an exercise, only the remaining
portion of the weight stack applies force to the second sensor 170.
The signal generated by the second sensor 170 will therefor vary
based on the weight of the plates that are lifted off the weight
stack and can be used to ascertain the amount of weight used for a
particular exercise. Additional example of load cell signaling is
provided below in FIGS. 8-9.
[0024] The controller 130 can be configured with a profile for the
exercise apparatus 100 so that proper exercise tracking can be
performed. For example, the controller 130 can be configured to
interpret the signals received from the first and second sensors
160, 170 to convert the signals into quantified exercise data, such
as weight amount, number of repetitions, number of sets, stroke
distance, stroke speed, etc. The controller 140 can also be
configured with the ratio (i.e., 4:1, 2:1, 1:1, etc.) of the
exercise apparatus 100 so that movements of the pulley 140 and the
resistance assembly 110 can be properly correlated.
[0025] While FIG. 1 depicts an exercise apparatus 100 having two
sensors, any number of sensors may be used to provide the desired
optics into a user's interaction with the apparatus. FIG. 2
illustrates a non-limiting embodiment of an exercise apparatus 200,
the exercise apparatus 200 being similar to, or the same as in many
respects as, the exercise apparatus 200 illustrated in FIG. 1. For
example, the exercise apparatus 200 has a resistance assembly 210
with an associated sensor 270 that provides signaling to a
controller 230 via communication coupling 271. The exercise
apparatus 200 also has a pulley 240 for routing a flexible member
220, with the rotation of the pulley 240 being tracked by a sensor
260. The sensor 260 provides signaling to the controller 230 via
communication coupling 261. However, in this embodiment, the
exercise apparatus 200 has another flexible member 222 that is
coupled to the resistance assembly 210 and is routed through a
pulley 242. It is to be appreciated, that additional pulleys beyond
those shown in FIG. 2 may be utilized without departing from the
scope of the current disclosure. A sensor 262 is associated with
the pulley 242 that provides rotational information to the
controller 230 via a communication coupling 262. In some
configurations, a user's right arm may be used to apply force to
the flexible member 220 and a user's left arm may be used to apply
force to the flexible member 222. Such forces may be applied
concurrently or sequentially. In any event, the movement of the
pulley 240 associated with the right arm and the movement of the
pulley 242 associated with the left arm can be provided to the
controller 230. Using the information obtained from the sensors
240, 242, 270, the controller 230 can track the user's performance.
More specifically, based on the separate signals received from the
pulley 240 and the pulley 242, the user's performance of one arm
can be tracked independently of the user's performance of the other
arm.
[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates another non-limiting embodiment of an
exercise apparatus 300, the exercise apparatus 300 being similar
to, or the same as in many respects as, the exercise apparatus 200
illustrated in FIG. 2. For example, the exercise apparatus 300 has
a resistance assembly 310 with an associated sensor 370 that
provides signaling to a controller 330 via communication coupling
371. The exercise apparatus 300 also has pulleys 340, 342 for
routing flexible members 320, 322. The rotation of each of the
pulleys 340, 342 is tracked by sensors 360, 362, with signaling
provided to the controller 330 via communication couplings 361,
363. However, in this embodiment, the exercise apparatus 300 has
another resistance assembly 312. The resistance assembly 312 in the
illustrated embodiment is coupled to the flexible member 322.
Multiple resistance assemblies may be used, for example, in
multi-station exercise machines. A sensor 372 is associated with
the resistance assembly 312 that generates an output based on the
amount of resistance selected by the user. Similar to the
embodiments described above, the sensor 372 can be a load cell
positioned beneath a weight stack, such that as portions of the
weight stack are lifted off the stack, the load cell generates a
corresponding signal and provides it to the controller 330 via a
communication coupling 373. The communication coupling 373 can be a
wired or wireless.
[0027] Referring now to FIG. 4, an exercise apparatus 400 is
depicted having a resistance assembly 410 that includes a plurality
of weight plates. The exercise apparatus 400 is similar to, or the
same as in many respects as, the exercise apparatus 200 illustrated
in FIG. 2. For example, the exercise apparatus 400 has a sensor 470
associated with the resistance assembly 410 that provides signaling
to a controller 430 via communication coupling 471. The exercise
apparatus 400 also has pulleys 440, 442 for routing flexible
members 420, 422. The rotation of each of the pulleys 440, 442 is
tracked by sensors 460, 462, with signaling provided to the
controller 430 via communication couplings 461, 463. The exercise
apparatus 400 is shown in-use, with a first portion 410A of the
weight plates being lifted off the weight stack. As such, the
remaining portion 410B exerts a certain force on the sensor 470
which is provided to the controller 430 and can be correlated to a
particular weight. FIG. 4 also schematically depicts that the
controller 430 can be in networked communication with various
devices, which may be local devices and/or remote devices.
Furthermore, the networked communications may utilized wired
communication protocols or wireless communication protocols. In the
illustrated embodiment, the controller 430 is shown to be in
communication with a client device 432. The client device 432 can
be for example, without limitation, a smart phone, a tablet
computer, a laptop, a wearable, and so forth. The controller 430 is
also shown to be in communication with a data store 436 through a
network 434. The network 434 can be an electronic communications
network and can include, but is not limited to, the Internet, LANs,
WANs, GPRS networks, other networks, or combinations thereof. The
network 434 can include wired, wireless, fiber optic, other
connections, or combinations thereof. In general, the network 434
can be any combination of connections and protocols that will
support communications between the controller 430 and the data
store 436. The data store 436 can store information associated with
the user's past interaction with the exercise apparatus 400.
[0028] FIG. 5 depicts another example exercise apparatus 500. The
exercise apparatus 500 is similar to, or the same as in many
respects as, the exercise apparatus 400 illustrated in FIG. 4. For
example, the exercise apparatus 500 has a sensor 570 associated
with the resistance assembly 510 that provides signaling to a
controller 530 via communication coupling 571. The exercise
apparatus 500 also has a pulley 540 for routing a flexible member
520. The rotation of the pulley 540 is tracked by a sensor 560,
with signaling provided to the controller 530 via communication
coupling 561. A client device 532 is shown in communication with
the controller 530. The exercise apparatus 500 also has a movable
member 580, which is movable between a first position (shown as
580A) and a second position (shown as 580B). While the movable
member 580 is schematically shown as an extension arm, it is to be
appreciated that the movable member 580 can be any of a variety of
movement components of an exercise apparatus. Non-limiting examples
of movable members include shuttles, seat backs, seat bottoms,
pins, levers, lap bars, etc. In some embodiments, a moveable member
may be included on another moveable member (such as a shuttle that
is configured to translate along a track of a movable extension arm
assembly). In any event, a sensor 562 can be associated with the
moveable member(s) 580 such that the position of the moveable
member(s) 580 can be provided to the controller 530 via a
communication coupling 563. Using the information from the sensor
562, the controller 530 can determined, for instance, a type of
exercise being performed on the exercise apparatus 500, as well as
other quantified exercise data. The type of sensor 562 can vary
based on the moveable member, but in some embodiments, the sensor
562 is a hall-effect sensor.
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 6, an example exercise apparatus 600
is depicting having a sensor 670 associated with the resistance
assembly 610 that provides signaling to a controller 630 via
communication coupling 671. The exercise apparatus 600 also has a
pulley 640 for routing a flexible member 620. The rotation of the
pulley 640 is tracked by a sensor 660, with signaling provided to
the controller 630 via communication coupling 661. A client device
632 is shown in communication with the controller 630. In this
embodiment, the exercise apparatus 600 has an identification module
639 that is used to receive identifying data from the user,
referred to as user indicia. The identification module 639 can
include, for example, a non-contacting sensor and a wireless
communication identification module. For example, when a user
approaches the exercise apparatus 600 the non-contacting sensor can
generate a signal instructing the wireless communication
identification module to transmit a polling signal. In some
embodiments the wireless communication identification module
comprises any of a radio frequency identifier (RFID) module, an
802.11 wireless module, a Bluetooth module, or combinations
thereof. Once user identifying information has been received by the
exercise apparatus 600, a user indicia message can be provided a
display 638, as illustrated in FIG. 6. Based on signals generated
by the one or more sensors, exercise data is provided to the
controller 630. Subsequent to a user exercising, or in
substantially real-time, one or more messages comprising exercise
event data can be displayed on the display 638 and/or transmitted
to the client device 632.
[0030] Referring now to FIG. 7, an example exercise apparatus 700
is depicted, the exercise apparatus 700 being similar to, or the
same as in many respects as, the exercise apparatus 300 illustrated
in FIG. 3. For example, the exercise apparatus 700 has a resistance
assemblies 710, 712 that are each associated with a respective
sensor 770, 772. The sensors 770, 772 provide signaling to a
controller 730 via communication couplings 771, 773. The exercise
apparatus 700 also has pulleys 740, 742 for routing flexible
members 720, 722. The rotation of each of the pulleys 740, 742 is
tracked by sensors 760, 762, with signaling provided to the
controller 730 via communication couplings 761, 763. However, in
this embodiment, additional sensors 790 are illustrated to depict
that the exercise apparatus 700 can simultaneously track a variety
of data, such as positions of multiple components. The additional
sensor 790 can each be placed at appropriate positions on the
exercise apparatus 700 to generate signaling for processing by the
controller 730 to determine quantified exercise data.
[0031] Referring now to FIG. 8. an example weight stack 810 of an
exercise apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure is
depicted in three different operational states. A load cell 870 is
positioned between the weight stack 810 and a frame (not shown) and
generates a signal based on the amount of force applied thereto, as
described above. State A depicts the weight stack 810 in a static
position, such as when no one is using the exercise apparatus or
the user is in the process of selecting a weight about. In State A,
the entire weight stack 810 exerts force upon the load cell 870.
State B depicts the weight stack 810 in an in-use position, with a
first portion of weight plates 810A lifted away from the second
portion of weight plates 810B. In State B, the second portion of
weight plates 810B is exerting force upon the load cell 870. State
C depicts the weight stack 810 in another in-use position, with a
first portion of weight plates 810A lifted away from the second
portion of weight plates 810B, such that the second portion of
weight plates 810B is exerting force upon the load cell 870. State
C has a larger number of weights in the first portion of weight
plates 810A than State B (i.e., the user is lifting more weight in
State C than State B).
[0032] FIG. 9 is a chart 900 depicting the signal generated by the
load cell 870 of FIG. 8 over time. The level of the signal is shown
to vary in response to the states of the weight stack 810. In
particular the signal level in zones 902 corresponds with State A,
the signal level in zone 904 corresponds with State B, and the
signal level in zone 906 corresponds with State C. A controller
interpreting the signals received from the load cell 870 can be
configured such that the signal level in zone 904 is indicative of
a certain selected weight and the signal level in zone 906 is
indicative of another certain selected weight.
[0033] Referring now to FIG. 10, an example exercise apparatus 1000
is depicted, the exercise apparatus 1000 being similar to, or the
same as in many respects as, the exercise apparatus 600 illustrated
in FIG. 6. For example, the exercise apparatus 1000 has a
resistance assembly 1010 that is associated with a sensor 1070. The
sensor 1070 provides signaling to a controller 1030 via
communication coupling 1071. The exercise apparatus 1000 also has a
flexible member 1020 that is coupled to the resistance assembly
1010. In this configuration, the movement of the resistance
assembly 1010 during an exercise is tracked by a sensor 1060, with
signaling provided to the controller 1030 via communication
coupling 1031. The sensor 1060 can be, for instance, an optical
sensor that transmits a beacon 1064 that is reflected off a portion
of the resistance assembly 1010, such as a reflector on a surface
1066. Using the data extrapolated from the reflected beacon, the
relative distance between the sensor 1060 and the surface 1066 can
be determined. Thus, the controller 1030 can use information from
collected by the sensor 1060 to determine the linear motion of the
flexible member 1020 during an exercise.
[0034] Referring now to FIG. 11, an example exercise apparatus 1100
is depicted, the exercise apparatus 1100 being similar to, or the
same as in many respects as, the exercise apparatus 1000
illustrated in FIG. 10. The exercise apparatus 1100 has a
resistance assembly 1110 that is associated with a sensor 1170. The
sensor 1170 provides signaling to a controller 1130 via
communication coupling 1171. The exercise apparatus 1100 also has a
flexible member 1120 that is coupled to the resistance assembly
1110. In this configuration, the motion of the flexible member 1120
is tracked by a sensor 1160, with signaling provided to the
controller 1130 via communication coupling 1131. The sensor 1160 is
an optical sensor, which is positioned proximate to the flexible
member 1120, such that motion of the flexible member 1120 can be
optically tracked. For instance, the flexible member 1120 can have
graphical indicia that are tracked by the sensor 1160 when they are
within the optical detection zone 1164. Based on the graphical
indicia, the controller 1130 can determine speed, distance
traveled, and in some cases, direction of travel.
[0035] Referring now to FIG. 12, an example exercise apparatus 1200
is depicted, the exercise apparatus 1200 being similar to, or the
same as in many respects as, the exercise apparatus 1100
illustrated in FIG. 11. The exercise apparatus 1200 has a
resistance assembly 1210 that is associated with a sensor 1270. The
sensor 1270 provides signaling to a controller 1230 via
communication coupling 1271. The exercise apparatus 1200 also has a
flexible member 1220 that is coupled to the resistance assembly
1210. In this configuration, the motion of the flexible member 1220
comprises a plurality of tags 1228 that are linearly spaced along a
length of the flexible member 1220. In some embodiments, the tags
1228 are RFID tags that are embedded into the flexible member 1220,
although this disclosure is not so limited. A sensor 1260, with
signaling provided to the controller 1230 via communication
coupling 1231, is positioned proximate to the flexible member 1220.
Tags 1228 with a tag detection zone 1164 can be detected by the
sensor 1264, such that motion of the flexible member 1120 can be
tracked as the tags 1228 sequentially pass by the sensor 1260
during movement of the flexible member 1220. In some embodiments,
the tags 1228 can each have a unique signature, such that the
controller 1230 can determine which direction the flexible member
1220 is moving, and which portion of the flexible member 1220 is
within the tag detection zone 1164, based on the signature of the
tag(s) within the tag detection zone 1164.
[0036] The systems, methods, and apparatuses described herein can
be used in combination with a wide variety of exercise apparatuses,
including cardio training exercise apparatuses and strength
training exercise apparatuses. Cardio training exercise apparatuses
can include, without limitation, stationary bikes, treadmills,
elliptical machines, stair climbers, rowing machines and the like.
Strength training exercise apparatuses can include, without
limitation, multi-station machines, circuit machines, home-gym
machines, universal machines, and the like.
[0037] It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of
the present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements
that are relevant for a clear understanding of the present
invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, other
elements. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize,
however, that these sorts of focused discussions would not
facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, and
therefore, a more detailed description of such elements is not
provided herein.
[0038] Any element expressed herein as a means for performing a
specified function is intended to encompass any way of performing
that function including, for example, a combination of elements
that performs that function. Furthermore the invention, as may be
defined by such means-plus-function claims, resides in the fact
that the functionalities provided by the various recited means are
combined and brought together in a manner as defined by the
appended claims. Therefore, any means that can provide such
functionalities may be considered equivalents to the means shown
herein. Moreover, the processes associated with the present
embodiments may be executed by programmable equipment, such as
computers. Software or other sets of instructions that may be
employed to cause programmable equipment to execute the processes
may be stored in any storage device, such as, for example, a
computer system (non-volatile) memory, an optical disk, magnetic
tape, or magnetic disk. Furthermore, some of the processes may be
programmed when the computer system is manufactured or via a
computer-readable memory medium.
[0039] It can also be appreciated that certain process aspects
described herein may be performed using instructions stored on a
computer-readable memory medium or media that direct a computer or
computer system to perform process steps. A computer-readable
medium may include, for example, memory devices such as diskettes,
compact discs of both read-only and read/write varieties, optical
disk drives, and hard disk drives. A non-transitory
computer-readable medium may also include memory storage that may
be physical, virtual, permanent, temporary, semi-permanent and/or
semi-temporary.
[0040] These and other embodiments of the systems and methods can
be used as would be recognized by those skilled in the art. The
above descriptions of various systems and methods are intended to
illustrate specific examples and describe certain ways of making
and using the systems disclosed and described here. These
descriptions are neither intended to be nor should be taken as an
exhaustive list of the possible ways in which these systems can be
made and used. A number of modifications, including substitutions
of systems between or among examples and variations among
combinations can be made. Those modifications and variations should
be apparent to those of ordinary skill in this area after having
read this disclosure.
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