U.S. patent application number 17/498283 was filed with the patent office on 2022-09-29 for punching bag training system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Fit Science and Technology LLC. Invention is credited to Tao Bu, Wenxiang Jin, Weilong Li, Weidong Liu, Ricardo Murguia, Edwin Rivera, Chunbo Wang, Xuerui Zhang.
Application Number | 20220305363 17/498283 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005946230 |
Filed Date | 2022-09-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220305363 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rivera; Edwin ; et
al. |
September 29, 2022 |
Punching Bag Training System
Abstract
A punching bag training system has a monitoring device, a group
display, and training stations. Each training station has a station
computing device, a punching bag, a punching sensor, and a training
station identifier. The punching sensor has a punching sensor
transmitter. The punching sensor is configured to wirelessly
transmit punching sensor data utilizing the punching sensor
transmitter. The punching sensor data may contain punch count,
punch power, power punch, punch direction, and combinations
thereof. The station computing device is configured to receive the
punching sensor data.
Inventors: |
Rivera; Edwin; (Huntington
Station, NY) ; Murguia; Ricardo; (Oakbrook Terrace,
IL) ; Li; Weilong; (Oakbrook Terrace, IL) ;
Bu; Tao; (Nanjing, CN) ; Liu; Weidong;
(Nanjing, CN) ; Jin; Wenxiang; (Nanjing, CN)
; Zhang; Xuerui; (Nanjing, CN) ; Wang; Chunbo;
(Nanjing, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Fit Science and Technology LLC |
East Northport |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005946230 |
Appl. No.: |
17/498283 |
Filed: |
October 11, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
63165032 |
Mar 23, 2021 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2230/04 20130101;
A63B 2225/52 20130101; A63B 2225/10 20130101; A63B 24/0062
20130101; A63B 2220/836 20130101; A63B 69/32 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/32 20060101
A63B069/32; A63B 24/00 20060101 A63B024/00 |
Claims
1. A punching bag training system comprising: a monitoring device;
a group display; and, a plurality of training stations; wherein
each training station comprises: a station computing device; a
punching bag; a punching sensor comprising a punching sensor
transmitter, wherein the punching sensor is configured to
wirelessly transmit punching sensor data utilizing the punching
sensor transmitter; and, a training station identifier; wherein the
punching sensor data is selected from the group consisting of punch
count, punch power, power punch, punch direction, and combinations
thereof; and, wherein the station computing device is configured to
receive the punching sensor data.
2. The punching bag training system of claim 1, wherein the station
computing device is configured to pair with one or more heart
sensors located in proximity of the station computing device;
wherein the station computing device is configured to receive heart
sensor data from the one or more heart sensors; and, wherein the
heart sensor data is selected from the group consisting of heart
rate, maximum detected heart rate, average heart rate, total
calories, average calories, and combinations thereof.
3. The punching bag training system of claim 2, wherein the station
computing device is configured to detect the one or more heart
sensors located in proximity of the station computing device;
wherein the station computing device is configured to display the
one or more detected heart sensors; wherein the station computing
device is configured to receive an input selecting one of the one
or more detected heart sensors; and, wherein the station computing
device is configured to pair with the selected heart sensor.
4. The punching bag training system of claim 3, wherein the
monitoring device is configured to receive station training data
from the station computing device; and, wherein the station
training data comprises the punching sensor data, the heart sensor
data, and the training station identifier.
5. The punching bag training system of claim 4, wherein the
monitoring device is configured to display on the group display the
training station data from one or more of the plurality of training
stations; and, wherein the punching sensor data, the heart sensor
data, and the training station identifier for the station training
data are visually associated.
6. The punching bag training system of claim 3, wherein the station
computing device, the monitoring device, or a combination thereof
is configured to calculate exercise data for the training station,
based on the punching sensor data, heart sensor data, and the
training station identifier; and, wherein the exercise data is
selected from the group consisting of work rate, average power,
maximum power, intensity point, and combinations thereof.
7. The punching bag training system of claim 6, wherein the station
computing device is configured to display exercise data for the
training station.
8. The punching bag training system of claim 7, wherein the
monitoring device is configured to display on the group display,
the exercise data from the one or more of the plurality of training
stations; and, wherein the exercise data and the training station
identifier are visually associated.
9. The punching bag training system of claim 8 further comprising:
a user profile; wherein the user profile comprises a username;
wherein the user profile is associated with a heart sensor
identifier; wherein the heart sensor data further comprises the
heart sensor identifier; wherein the monitoring device, station
computing device, or combinations thereof is configured to
associate a user profile with training station identifier based on
the heart sensor identifier; wherein the station computing device
at each of the plurality of training stations is configured to
display the username in visual association with the exercise data
for that training station; and, wherein the monitoring device is
configured to display on the group display, the username in visual
association with the exercise data from the one or more of the
plurality of training stations, wherein the exercise data and the
training station identifier for each of the one or more training
stations are visually associated.
10. The punching bag training system of claim 9 further comprising:
an instructor computing device; wherein the instructor computing
device is configured to associate a heart sensor identifier with a
user profile; wherein the instructor computing device is configured
to receive station training data from the one or more of the
plurality of training stations; wherein the instructor computing
device is configured to calculate exercise data for each of the
plurality of training stations, based on the punching sensor data,
heart sensor data, and the training station identifier; wherein the
instructor computing device is configured to display the username
in visual association with the exercise data from the one or more
of the plurality of training stations; and, wherein the exercise
data and the training station identifier for each of the one or
more of the plurality of training stations are visually associated.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application 63/165,032, filed Mar. 23, 2021, which is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM
LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX
[0003] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The invention relates generally to a system for monitoring
and managing the physical training of a group of individuals, and
more particularly to a system for monitoring and managing group
training with exercise equipment, such as punching bags.
[0005] Punching bags are routinely used for boxing training,
martial arts, fitness, stress relief, and various physical
exercises. Existing technologies allow users to monitor and track
their training with a variety of sensors, such as GPS,
accelerometers, pedometers, heart rate monitors, oximeters, and
others. Users may also monitor and track their workouts using
sensors in combination with the workout equipment. For example,
U.S. Pat. No. 10,589,159 discloses wireless impact sensors that may
be incorporated in a punching bag to detect the punch impact force
and other statistics during a punching bag workout. Such
technologies allow monitoring the performance of individual users.
The data from the various sensors utilized by each individual user
is specific to the user and generally the data are not available in
real time beyond the individual users.
[0006] Some existing systems, such as AccuroPT and AccuroLive by
NCI Technology, Inc. provide limited centralized tracking of the
heart rates of multiple users.
[0007] However, trainers, coaches, gym owners, group leaders,
instructors, physical therapists, rehabilitation professionals, and
others (for simplicity referred below as instructors), will benefit
from a comprehensive system to simultaneously monitor and track
multiple users training at multiple exercise equipment stations, by
monitoring and tracking a plurality of exercise indicators
associated with each user. Such a system could allow an instructor
to monitor exercise indicators through feedback from a variety of
sensors, such as body sensors, environmental sensors, and equipment
sensors, associated with a number of gym members, trainees,
athletes, patients, and other exercising individuals (for
simplicity, referred to as "users" below) who simultaneously are
using multiple punching bags.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] A system according to the present invention allows
instructors to monitor, track, and manage multiple users in a group
training environment (e.g., in a gym, camp, military facility,
rehabilitation center, and others). An embodiment of such a system
integrates exercise equipment, such as punching bags, with various
technologies, such as body and equipment sensors, networking, data
visualization, and others. In a preferred embodiment, the sensors
may include punching sensors that detect, collect, and/or transmit
data from strikes (or punches) on the punching bag and heart
sensors/monitors, usually worn by the user, that monitor heart
rate, and other heart characteristics. Other types of sensors may
also be used, including sensors located in or on the punching bag,
sensors that may be on the user's body or clothing, sensors located
externally to the punching bag and the users, and other sensors. In
a preferred embodiment, the monitoring and display technologies may
include smartphones, tablets, and large displays or monitors. By
using multiple sensors in the punching bag training system, and
displaying combined sensor information from multiple users, the
punching bag training system gives instructors a powerful tool for
monitoring users' exercise and performance.
[0009] In an embodiment of the present invention, a punching bag
training system comprises a monitoring device, a group display, and
a plurality of training stations. Each training station comprises a
station computing device, a punching bag, a punching sensor
comprising a punching sensor transmitter, and a training station
identifier. The punching sensor is configured to wirelessly
transmit punching sensor data utilizing the punching sensor
transmitter. The punching sensor data is selected from the group
consisting of punch count, punch power, power punch, punch
direction, and combinations thereof. The station computing device
is configured to receive the punching sensor data.
[0010] In another embodiment of the present invention, the station
computing device is configured to pair with one or more heart
sensors located in proximity of the station computing device. The
station computing device is configured to receive heart sensor data
from the one or more heart sensors. The heart sensor data is
selected from the group consisting of heart rate, maximum detected
heart rate, average heart rate, total calories, average calories,
and combinations thereof.
[0011] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the
station computing device is configured to detect the one or more
heart sensors located in proximity of the station computing device.
The station computing device is configured to display the one or
more detected heart sensors. The station computing device is
configured to receive an input selecting one of the one or more
detected heart sensors. The station computing device is configured
to pair with the selected heart sensor.
[0012] In another embodiment of the present invention, the
monitoring device is configured to receive station training data
from the station computing device. The station training data
comprises the punching sensor data, the heart sensor data, and the
training station identifier.
[0013] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the
monitoring device is configured to display on the group display the
training station data from one or more of the plurality of training
stations. The punching sensor data, the heart sensor data, and the
training station identifier for the station training data are
visually associated.
[0014] In another embodiment of the present invention, the station
computing device, the monitoring device, or a combination thereof
is configured to calculate exercise data for the training station,
based on the punching sensor data, heart sensor data, and the
training station identifier. The exercise data is selected from the
group consisting of work rate, average power, maximum power,
intensity point, and combinations thereof.
[0015] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the
station computing device is configured to display exercise data for
the training station.
[0016] In another embodiment of the present invention, the
monitoring device is configured to display on the group display,
the exercise data from the one or more of the plurality of training
stations. The exercise data and the training station identifier are
visually associated.
[0017] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the
punching bag training system further comprises a user profile. The
user profile comprises a username. The user profile is associated
with a heart sensor identifier. The heart sensor data further
comprises the heart sensor identifier. The monitoring device,
station computing device, or combinations thereof is configured to
associate a user profile with training station identifier based on
the heart sensor identifier. The station computing device at each
of the plurality of training stations is configured to display the
username in visual association with the exercise data for that
training station. The monitoring device is configured to display on
the group display, the username in visual association with the
exercise data from the one or more of the plurality of training
stations, wherein the exercise data and the training station
identifier for each of the one or more training stations are
visually associated.
[0018] In another embodiment of the present invention, the punching
bag training system further comprises an instructor computing
device. The instructor computing device is configured to associate
a heart sensor identifier with a user profile. The instructor
computing device is configured to receive station training data
from the one or more of the plurality of training stations. The
instructor computing device is configured to calculate exercise
data for each of the plurality of training stations, based on the
punching sensor data, heart sensor data, and the training station
identifier. The instructor computing device is configured to
display the username in visual association with the exercise data
from the one or more of the plurality of training stations. The
exercise data and the training station identifier for each of the
one or more of the plurality of training stations are visually
associated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0019] The advantages and features of the present invention will be
better understood as the following description is read in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0020] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an embodiment of the
invention.
[0021] FIG. 2 is an illustration of an aspect of an embodiment of
the invention.
[0022] FIG. 3 is an illustration of an aspect of an embodiment of
the invention.
[0023] FIG. 4 is an illustration of an aspect of an embodiment of
the invention.
[0024] FIG. 5 is an illustration of an aspect of an embodiment of
the invention.
[0025] FIG. 6 is an illustration of an aspect of an embodiment of
the invention.
[0026] FIG. 7 is an illustration of an aspect of an embodiment of
the invention.
[0027] FIG. 8 is an illustration of an aspect of an embodiment of
the invention.
[0028] For clarity purposes, all reference numerals may not be
included in every Figure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] The Punching Bag Training System ("Training Monitoring
System" for short) 1 may monitor and track multiple training
stations and the users training at each training station. Data
streaming from sensors at the training stations may be displayed on
multiple screens, including centrally located large screens, where
instructors can monitor the group's activity as a unit, and each
user's activity individually. A user's information may be
represented on a portion of one or more of the screens, for example
as a "tile." Each tile can contain user training information, for
example, information coming from the exercise equipment sensors,
user worn sensors, environmental and proximity sensors, and others.
User information may include for example, information about the
user's activity, such as strikes on the punching bag, exertion,
power, intensity, heart rate levels, and others (depending on the
type of sensors used), as well as information about the user's
location such as geographic, or within a training facility, and
location conditions (e.g., temperature, humidity, etc.).
[0030] In an embodiment of the present invention illustrated in
FIG. 1, a Training Monitoring System 1 may comprise a monitoring
device 2, a group display 200, and training stations 10. Each
training station 10 may comprise a station computing device 20, a
punching bag 11 and a punching sensor 12 associated with the
punching bag 11. Each training station 10 may have a station
identifier 33 and each punching sensor 12 may have a punching
sensor identifier 34. The punching sensor identifier 34 may be
associated with the station identifier 33. The punching sensor 12
may also be configured to wirelessly transmit punching sensor data
31 (is illustrated in FIG. 2 with a dashed arrow 31). Punching
sensor data 31 may include punch count, punch power, power punches,
punch direction, and combinations thereof. The station computing
device 20 may contain wireless or wired receiving and/or
transmitting device, exemplified in the Figures as transceiver 17
and can be configured to receive from the punching sensor 12
punching sensor data 31 and punching sensor identifier 34.
[0031] A transceiver 17 associated with station computing device 20
may be equipped with Bluetooth or other close range wireless (e.g.,
UWB (Ultrawideband), IrDA, induction Wireless, Wi-Fi, etc.)
technology that can detect when wireless devices, for example,
heart sensors 13, or other sensors, are within the wireless range
(i.e. in proximity) of the station computing device 20. When the
station computing device 20 detects wireless devices, such as heart
sensors 13, in its proximity (i.e., within its the wireless range),
the station computing device 20 may display a heart sensor device
list 19 permitting a user to select one heart sensor 13, by
utilizing a touch screen, click, keypad, mouse, voice command,
joystick, or another input method to select a heart sensor
identifier 21.
[0032] When one of the heart sensors 13, or another device,
detected to be in proximity of the station computing device 20 has
been selected, the station computing device 20 may pair with the
selected heart sensor 13. Alternatively, the station computing
device 20 may be configured to not display a list 19 of heart
sensors in proximity, and instead to automatically pair with one of
the devices detected to be in proximity selected based on various
factors, such as signal strength, device name or identifier, device
type, and others. Pairing, commonly used in reference to Bluetooth
communications, but also generally applicable to other wireless and
wired networking, refers to a process used in computer networking
that sets up an initial link or connection between computing
devices to allow communications between them.
[0033] In a preferred embodiment station computing device 20 is
configured to pair with a heart sensor 13, and to receive heart
sensor data 32 associated with the heart sensor identifier 21
including one or more of heart rate, maximum detected heart rate,
average heart rate, total calories, average calories, and others.
The station computing device 20 may be further configured to
calculate and display exercise data 36 associated with one or more
of training station identifier 33, punching sensor identifier 34,
and heart sensor identifier 21 based on the punching sensor data
31, heart sensor data 32, and a user profile 50. Exercise data 36
may include one or more of work rate, average power, maximum power,
intensity, and combinations thereof. Station computing device 20
may display data as "tile" 201 illustrated in FIG. 7. Station
computing device 20 may also be configured to display an
instructional exercise video that may be live-streamed or
pre-recorded. [35.] User profile 50 may include username 51, and
other user information 52, such as weight, gender, age, fitness
level, and others. Station computing device 20 may be configured to
associate user profile 50 with training station identifier 33,
punching sensor identifier 34, and/or with a heart sensor
identifier 21. Alternatively, station computing device 20 may be
configured to obtain an association between user profile 50 and a
training station identifier 33, punching sensor identifier 34,
and/or a heart sensor identifier 21.
[0034] The station computing devices 20 and monitoring device 2 may
be connected to a wireless or wired network and monitoring device 2
may be configured to receive station training data 35 from each
station computing device 20 and display the station training data
35 in visual association with the one or more of username 51,
station identifier 33, and heart sensor identifier 21. By way of
example, the station training data 35 may include punching sensor
data 31, heart sensor data 32, and exercise data 36. The monitoring
device 2 may also be configured to calculate exercise data 36 for
one or more training stations, based on the punching sensor data
31, and user profile 50. The monitoring device 2 may also be
connected to the group display 200 and may be configured to display
on group display 200 the exercise data 36.
[0035] In another embodiment of the present invention, a Training
Monitoring System 1 may comprise an instructor computing device 40
configured to associate a heart sensor identifier 21 with a user
profile. The instructor computing device 40 may be connected to a
wireless or wired network and may be configured to receive station
training data 35 and/or exercise data 36 from the station computing
devices 20 and to display training data 35 and/or exercise data 36
in association with one or more of the training station identifier
33, heart sensor identifier 21, and username 51. The instructor
computing device 40 may be configured to calculate exercise data 36
based on the punching sensor data 31, heart sensor data 32, and/or
information from the user profile 50.
[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is
implemented as a system for monitoring and tracking a group of
users training at multiple punching bag 11 training stations.
Punching bags are widely used, for example for boxing practice or
for general exercise, and are well known in the sports and exercise
industry. Any type of free standing, suspended, or hanging punching
bag 11 can be used with the present invention, for example
water-filled (e.g., Aqua Training Bag.RTM.), sand-filled,
air-filled, or any other type of punching bag. It should be
understood that while the invention is described with respect to
punching bags, the present invention is applicable to other types
of exercise equipment capable of having sensors indicative of a
user's physical effort while using the equipment.
[0037] A Training Monitoring System 1, according to the preferred
embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of user
training stations 10, wherein each training station comprises a
punching bag 11. Punching bag 11 may be equipped with one or more
punching sensors 12 capable of sensing characteristics of the
strike (or punch) on the punching bag 11, such as impact force,
direction, speed, power, acceleration, location, strike area, or
others. For example, integrating several punching sensors 12 at
different locations in the punching bag 11 may result in each
punching sensor 12 sensing different and varying impact forces
which may be indicative of a punch directionality and/or impact
location. Punching sensors 12, may be various types of sensors such
as accelerometers, capacitive or inductive pressure sensors,
sensors mounted on the punching bag 11 surface and other types of
sensors that may be indicative of angle, speed, strike location,
and other characteristics of the punch on the punching bag 11.
[0038] Training Monitoring System 1 may also comprise one or more
heart sensors 13 that can monitor, for example, a user's heart
rate, heart rhythm, heartbeat amplitude, heart electric pulses,
EKG, blood pressure, and others. Training Monitoring System 1 may
also comprise other body sensors that may track the user's
movements and vitals, such as accelerometer, body temperature,
oxygen saturation, bio electric impedance, and others, as well as
non-body sensors, such as GPS/location, footwork tracking and/or
pressure sensing flooring or mat, environmental temperature, and
others. Each punching sensor 12, heart sensor 13, and other sensors
may have a sensor identifier, such as punching sensor identifier
34, and heart rate sensor identifier 21, which may be unique, or at
least may be different from all other sensor identifiers
simultaneously present in the Training Monitoring System 1 at one
time. Sensor identifiers 34, 21 maybe Bluetooth identifiers,
Bluetooth addresses, MAC addresses, network addresses, IP numbers,
RFIDs, serial numbers, device names and/or numbers, any hardcoded
or programmable IDs, and combinations of the foregoing. Punching
sensor 12, heart sensor 13, and other sensors may be remote sensors
using radio waves, and preferably Bluetooth enabled sensors.
[0039] Training Monitoring System 1 may also comprise one or more
sensor radio devices 16 capable of transmitting and/or receiving
data from and/or to various sensors. In some embodiments, Training
Monitoring System 1 may comprise a punching sensor transmitter 16a,
a heart sensor transmitter 16b, as well as other transmitters 16
associated with other sensors, used in a particular embodiment. In
some embodiments, one transmitter 16 can be used to transmit data
from several sensors.
[0040] Training Monitoring System 1 may also comprise one or more
additional transceivers 17 capable of receiving sensor data from
punching sensors 12, heart sensors 13, and other sensors.
Transceivers 17 may be configured to re-transmit all or portions of
the received sensor data 30. Transceivers 17 described herein may
utilize any known radio transmission methods, and protocols, such
as Bluetooth, near field communications (NFC), UWB (Ultrawideband),
IrDA, induction Wireless, Wi-Fi, LTE, GSM, and others.
[0041] Training Monitoring System 1 may also comprise a station
computing device 20, such as a tablet, smartphone, iPad, laptop,
computer, smart watch, embedded computing devices, or other types
of computing devices capable of performing the functions described
herein.
[0042] Sensor data comprises punching sensor data 31 from punching
sensors 12, heart sensor data 32 from the heart sensor 13, and
other sensor data from other sensors, utilized with the system.
Punching sensors 12 may be configured to detect and transmit
punching sensor data 31 (indicative of the characteristics of the
punch) to the station computing device 20. The punching sensor data
31 may be one or more of power punch, punch impact force, total
punch count, punch frequency, punch directionality, punch speed,
punch location, and combinations thereof. The heart sensor 13 may
be configured to transmit heart sensor data 32 to the station
computing device 20, including one or more of heart rate, maximum
detected heart rate, pulse amplitude, bold pressure, extra/skipped
heartbeats (e.g., extrasystoles), caloric rate, average calories,
total calories, and others. The station computing device 20 is
configured to receive sensor data 30, including for example,
punching sensor data 31, heart sensor data 32, other sensor data,
and combinations thereof, and may be configured to calculate for
example a work rate, average power, maximum power, intensity,
calories, and combinations thereof.
[0043] Training Monitoring System 1 may comprise one or more user
profiles 50 preferably including user information 52 for each user,
such as weight, age, and gender, and may also include additional
fitness and medical information about a user such as height,
fitness activity level, sedentary or active lifestyle, profession,
body fat, BMI, chronic diseases, medical events, allergies, and
others, as well as personal information, such as name, contact
information, birth date and others. User profile 50 may have a user
ID 51, which could be a name, email, phone number, any sequence of
text and or numbers, or other id that is unique for each user
profile 50. FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary user profile 50 that
may be created by entering user information directly into the
Training Monitoring System 1 or by entering information remotely by
accessing the Training Monitoring System 1 via a local network, web
interface, or via the Internet. User profile 50 may be created, and
information about the user entered, using one or more of station
computing device 20, instructor computing device 40, a personal
computing device, or any other computing device.
[0044] In one embodiment, Training Monitoring System 1 may use
information in user profile 50 to determine an approximate Max HR
53, power threshold, metabolic rate, and others. Other user profile
50 information, if available, may be used to determine additional
data points applicable to a user, for example, maximum blood
pressure, maximum body temperature, and others.
[0045] A user profile 50 may be associated with one or more of a
punching sensor 12, a heart sensor 13, other sensors, and a station
computing device 20.
[0046] In one embodiment, a station computing device 20 may be
associated with a punching sensor 12, for example by pairing, and
with a user training station 10. User profile 50 may be associated
with a heart sensor 13 (or another body sensor worn by a user) by
programmatically associating the unique sensor identifier 21 for
the heart sensor 13 with user ID 51 of user profile 50. The
association of the user profile 50 with a sensor identifier 21 may
be stored into the Training Monitoring System 1, for example in a
database, or another data store. When heart sensor 13 is in range
of a transceiver 17 associated with the user training station 10,
sensor identifier 21 will be recognized and user profile 50
associated with sensor ID 17 will be associated with one or more of
punching sensor 20 and station computing device 20 located at that
user training 10. Similarly, when a user having a heart sensor 13
with a specific sensor identifier 21 approaches one of the training
stations 10 the station computing device 20 can be configured to
identify the sensor by its identifier 21, retrieve the user profile
50 associated with the heart sensor identifier 21, and associate
the user training station 10, and punching sensors 12, or other
sensors, at the training station 10 with the user profile 50.
Various methods to recognize heart sensor identifier 21 (and other
sensor identifiers) are possible, for example, using Bluetooth
Close Proximity process, NFC technology, RF readers/RFIDs, ANT+,
and others. The Station display may display the user ID of the
user. In some embodiments, the Training Monitoring System 1 may be
configured to require that the user perform some action, such as
click, tap, touch or similar, to confirm the User ID and claim the
Training Station.
[0047] In another embodiment, a heart sensor 13 not associated with
a user profile 50 may be present at a user training station 10.
Transceivers 17 and/or station computing device 20 at user training
station 10 may detect sensor identifier 21 of heart sensor 13, but
will not be able to retrieve an associated user profile 50. A user
may log in to user profile 50 using the station computing device 20
to retrieveuser profile 50 and enable the device 20 to associate
the retrieved user profile 50 with the heart sensor 13 with the
proximity detected sensor identifier 21, and with the user training
station 10, and punching sensors 12.
[0048] When a user profile 50 is associated with a heart sensor 13,
the user of user profile 50 may move from one training station to
the next and each training station that recognizes the user based
on the associated Sensor ID may load user profile 50.
Alternatively, the Training Monitoring System 1 may be configured
to automatically disassociate user profile 50 from heart sensor 13
and sensor identifier 21 if the sensor is not in proximity of the
station 10 for a certain period of time. A training station 10 may
also be configured to disconnect punching sensor 12 and station
computing device 20 from user profile 50 at the end pre-defined
training session.
[0049] Training Monitoring System 1 may further comprise an
instructor computing device 40, which can be any computing device
preferably with a display and input capability, such as tablets,
iPads, smart phones, personal computers, laptop computers, and the
like. Punching sensors 12 may be configured to transmit punching
sensor data 31 to the instructor computing device 40 via punching
transmitter 16a, heart sensors 13 may be configured to transmit
heart sensor data 32 to instructor computing device 40 using heart
sensor transmitter 16b. Other sensors, utilized in the Training
Monitoring System 1 may also be configured to transmit sensor data
to instructor computing device 40 using transmitter 16.
[0050] Instructor computing device 40 may be configured to receive
sensor data including, one or more of the punching sensor data 31,
heart sensor data 32, and other sensor data. The instructor
computing device 40 may also be configured to calculate a work
rate, an average power, a maximum power, an intensity point, an
overall calorie count, an average calorie count, an average heart
rate, and combinations thereof.
[0051] The instructor computing device 40 may also be configured to
associate a user profile 50 with one or more of a heart sensor
identifier 21, user training station 10 (by, e.g., using one or
more of punching sensor identifier 34, training station identifier
33 and/or heart sensor identifier 21), and station computing device
20. Instructor computing device 40 may also be configured to
dissociate a user profile 50 with sensor identifiers 21, user
training stations 10, or station computing devices 20.
[0052] FIG. 1. Illustrates an embodiment of the overall system and
equipment. The instructor computing device 40, for example, located
at the front desk, can be used to assign/associate heart sensors to
each user. A dedicated monitoring device 2 (any display capable
computing device, such as a tablet, smartphone, laptop, personal
computer, and similar) may be used to collect sensor data, for
example, punching sensor data 31, heart sensor data, other data
from sensors, including equipment, ambient, scales, and others. The
monitoring device 2 may display the sensor data and also may
provide it (e.g., stream it) to display on a large group display
200. Each training station 10 may have assigned a training station
tablet, such as a station computing device 20. Each training
station may also have a punching bag 11 and may also have a heart
sensor 13, such as an HR Monitor, associated with the training
station. Training station computing device 20 may be installed near
to the punching bag 11 so that a user training with the punching
bag 11 is able to observe the tablet 20 as illustrated in FIG.
2.
[0053] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary training station. A training
station may be located in a gym, training facility, home, and any
other location that can appropriately provide electrical power and
network connectivity for the proper operation of the training
station as part of the present training system.
[0054] A process for using an embodiment of a system according to
the present invention may comprise, for example, an instructor
pairing a punching sensor 12 and HR Monitor to each station
computing device 20; a user, for example a boxing trainee, creating
a user profile 50 before training at a training station 10, and the
user signing on at a training statin 10 using the station computing
device 20 to retrieve the user's profile and indicate to the
Training Monitoring System 1 the identity of the user at training
station 10. This exemplary process for using the training and
monitoring system 1 continues by the user training at training
station 10, for example by punching the bag 11, while the station
computing device 20 collects punching sensor data 31 and heart
sensor data 32 associated with the user and station computing
device 20 sends punching sensor data 31 and heart sensor data 32 to
another computing device, such as a server, which may retransmit
data 31 and 32 to various other network locations, such as
instructor computing device 40, monitoring device 2, group display
200, and other configured locations.
[0055] Each user may enter a user profile 50 information manually,
or profile information may be transmitted to the Training
Monitoring System 1 from a network location, smart device, or
others. User vital information (e.g., weight, lean mass, etc.) may
be detected by the appropriate sensors, such as scales, bioelectric
impedance detectors, and others. A user may sign-on a training
station, or a training station may be configured to automatically
sign-on a user based on biometric data, RF sensors carried by the
user, user's mobile device, and others.
[0056] An instructor can pull reports from a local server, and can
analyze data on group or individual user level.
[0057] FIG. 8 illustrates the display of a monitoring device 2
and/or a group display 200 in an embodiment of the present
invention. The group display can be any type of a display,
projector, or monitor, and can be located locally or remotely.
Several group displays may be positioned at different locations
(some local, some remote) allowing monitoring of the group or
individual users from multiple locations. For a gym or training
facility, the group display 200 may be a television, large enough
to be visible from different locations, preferably 70-inch or
larger. The group display 200 may be used as a leadership board
displaying users with leading scores based on sensor data. Group
display or leadership board will be used interchangeably here,
unless specifically noted otherwise.
[0058] Tiles 201 (also Illustrated in FIG. 7) for individual users
may be displayed on the leadership board. In general, group display
200, may display all users in the form of a tile. As illustrated in
FIG. 7, tile 201 may display various data about the user and the
user's workout, such as username 51, Station identifier 33, hear
sensor identifier 21 (not shown), punching sensor identifier 34
(not shown), as well as training station data 35 and exercise data
36, including one or more of punch strength (shown as "Power"),
total punch count (shown as "Total Punch"), number of power punches
(shown as "Power Punch"), average user punch strength over a period
of time (shown as "Avg Pwr"), maximum detected punch strength
(shown as "MAX Pwr"), Total calories (shown as "CAL"), Max Heart
Rate Percentage (shown as "MAX HR%"), heart rate (shown as "HR"),
Heart rate graph 204, Work Rate ((shown as "Wrk Rt"), Intensity
(shown as "INT."), and others.
[0059] Punch strength represents the punch strength in force per
area, for example, pound-force-per-square-inch (lbf/in2, of psi),
or kilogram-force-per-square-centimeter (kgf/cm2), kiloPascals
(kPa), and others. Power punch means that a user landed a punch
with a punch strength above the user's power threshold. A user's
power threshold is a threshold punch strength representative of the
average punch strength for a user based on the user's
characteristics, such as weight, gender, physical fitness, and
others. A power threshold may be associated with each user
information 52, for example based on a weight class, or based on
the user's age, weight, physical fitness level, gender, and other
factors. Several users in the same weight class, or with similar
characteristics, may be associated with the same power threshold.
Alternatively, an individualized power threshold may also be
determined for each user by recording the user's workouts over a
time and statistically deriving the power threshold for the user. A
Power punch counter represents the number of Power punches. Total
punch count represents all punches from the user including power
punches and non-power punches, e.g., punches under the power
threshold. Total calories represents the user's calories for the
workout over time.
[0060] Max Heart Rate Percentage (%) represents the percentage of
the user's current heart rate to the user's Maximum heart rate (Max
HR) 53. Max HR 53 preferably is based at least on a user's age and
is used to represent the user's heart capacity levels. There are
various methods for estimating a user's Max HR 53, including, for
example, a simple formula in which a user's Max HR 53 is determined
by subtracting the user's age from 220, which, as illustrated in
FIG. 4, would result in Max HR 53 of 186 (in 2021) for a user born
in 1987. The user's Max HR 53 may also be determined using other
more precise methods that are well known in the fitness and/or
medical community. Heart rate graph 204 is a dynamic graph
visualizing the heart rate in real time. The Heart rate graph 204
may be divided in color coded training zones 205, with each color
coded zone corresponding to a percentage range of the user's Max HR
53, for example Zone 1- 50%-60 % of Max HR 53, Zone 2- 60%-70% of
Max HR 53, Zone 3- 60-70% of Max HR 53, Zone 4- 70-80% of Max HR
53, and Zone 5- 90-100% of Max HR 53. The color code may be
mirrored (or linked to) the Max HR % display to indicate the
training zone 205 of the user's heart rate.
[0061] Work Rate is representative of the exercise effort of a user
over a period of time. For example, work rate may be expressed as a
sum of number of punches detected by punching sensor 12 over a
period of time (e.g., punches/min) wherein regular punches and
power punches may be weighted differently in the sum to determine
the work rate. In a simple example a work rate for a user may be
calculated by receiving one half (0.5) point for any strike that is
not a power punch, and one (1) point for every strike that is a
power punch (i.e. strikes with force above the user's power
threshold). The work rate may also be determined using more complex
formulae, for example, as the sum of the number of punches
multiplied by the power of each punch (punch strength), and
others.
[0062] Intensity (Int.) may be calculated based on at least the
user's data feeds from the punching sensor 12 and the heart sensor
13. For example Intensity for a particular user over a period of
time (seconds, minutes, hours, etc.) could be expressed as the sum
of the user's work rate (e.g., based on information from punching
sensor 12) and Heart rate Intensity (HR.int), as illustrated in the
following formula:
[0063] Intensity =Work Rate +HR.int
[0064] Heart rate Intensity (HR.int) may be calculated using a
formula based on "points" given to a user for each minute the user
spends in each training zone 205, for example, 1point for Zone 1, 2
points for Zone 2, 3 points for Zone 3, 4 points for Zone 4, and 5
points for Zone 5. As an example, a user may earn between 150 to
200 points in one hour workout, depending on the type of the type
of workout.
[0065] The Overall display area 202 in FIG. 8 may be provided to
display and capture the collective effort of the entire group of
users, and may display an overall calorie count (Total Cal.),
average calories (Avg. Cal.), average heart rate (Avg. HR), and
other cumulative or average group statistics based on sensor data
for the users in the group.
[0066] The group display (or Leader board) 200 may include a
leaders panel 203, that identifies leaders by username and user
Intensity ("Int."). The leaders may also be ranked on other
information about a user's workout, such as number of power
punches, total calories expended, and others.
[0067] While the invention has been described with reference to
exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in
the art that various changes, omissions, and/or additions may be
made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In
addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular
situation or material to the teachings of the invention without
departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that
the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments
disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this
invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments
falling within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, unless
specifically stated any use of the terms first, second, etc. do not
denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second,
etc. are used to distinguish one element from another.
* * * * *