System for measuring and analyzing human movement

• US 20080204225A1
• Filed: 04/30/2007
• Published: 08/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: David Kitchen
• Original Assignee: David Kitchen
• Inventors: Kitchen, David
• Application Number:
  US11/796,965
• Publication Number:
  US 20080204225A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.22
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/072 Dumb-bells, bar-bells or the like , e.g. weight discs having an integral peripheral handle
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/078 Devices for bench press exercises , e.g. supports, guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/04 heartbeat characteristics, e.g. ECG, blood pressure modulations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/70 body fat
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/00 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising

Abstract

A system for recording force and motion data obtained from a user during an exercise workout or other physical movement is disclosed. The system also can interact with a web-portal mechanism.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring an exercise workout, comprising:

a plurality of motion-sensing devices strategically configured to be positioned upon an individual participating in the workout;

a data collection device, configured to be positioned near the individual and in wireless communication with the motion-sensing devices; and

a base computing device, in communication with both motion-sensing and data-collection devices, for coordinating, managing, and formatting collected data related to the workout.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

the data collection device is a cellphone.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the plurality of motion-sensing devices each contain an accelerometer.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

the plurality of motion sensing devices have one or more sensors embedded therein including a sensor which attaches to an area used for determining distance of movement of the individual, and one or more transmitters for forwarding data.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

sensors and transmitters configured to relay data to each other and also to the base computing device.

6. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

wireless communication links between the cellphone, motion sensing devices, and base computing device.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

the plurality of motion-sensing devices contain one or more load cell sensors, a heart rate monitor, and a distance calculating device located in a mechanism suitable for attachment to a human body.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the base computing device is further configured to provide data-analyzing capability that can determine what exercise a person is doing, by distinguishing between various exercises.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

advanced data-analyzing capability that can filter usable data from junk or aberrant data.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

the data collection device includes a microprocessor device worn by the user comprising a user-operable keypad and a display.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the microprocessor device further comprises a Universal Serial Bus port and a slot for optionally accepting a memory stick.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein all data input to the microprocessor device occurs manually.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein all data input to the microprocessor device occurs through an automated wireless link with the plurality of motion sensing devices.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein all data input to the microprocessor device occurs through the memory stick.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein:

the microprocessor device has internal storage.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein:

the microprocessor device operates in stand-alone mode comprising a basic workout log where all data input occurs manually.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein the microprocessor device further comprises a prompt for alerting the individual to lapses of time.

18. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

software running on the base computing device, wherein the software further comprises;

a graph feature for displaying historical workout data in graphic form in order to allow visual comparisons;

a history feature providing a record of previous saved workouts; and

a cardio feature for a user to track length, distance, intensity, heart rate, and calories burned.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising:

a microprocessor device responsive to the software, thereby enabling the user to transfer information from the microprocessor device to the base computing device and back.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the software further comprises templates which allow the user to build their own workout panels and user menus.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein the software further comprises a workout menu comprising:

a variety of workout components;

a listing of previous workouts; and

a function to save a new workout in the entry box.

22. The system of claim 18, wherein the software further comprises:

a zoom feature allowing a user to drill down to different levels of data.

23. The system of claim 18, wherein the software further comprises:

a feature for tracking of planned vs. actual performance.

24. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a subscription-based web portal responsive to the data accumulated by any of the a plurality of motion-sensing devices, data collection device, or base computing device.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the web portal further comprises:

a plurality of fitness services having varying subscription rates depending on utilization and specific features.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the fitness services further comprise:

access to personal trainers and other health advisors.

27. The system of claim 24, wherein the web portal further comprises:

storage space for a user'"'"'s individual workout data, so that the user who travels a lot could always have access to their workout data by connecting to the web.

28. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a gym environment having detectors or sensors in a wall or ceiling capable of interfacing with the plurality of motion-sensing devices, data collection device, and base computing device, wherein the gym environment can manage, customize, and store the collected data.

29. The system of claim 28, further comprising:

a card and a card-swipe mechanism at a check-in desk of the gym environment

30. The system of claim 24, further comprising:

a gym environment having detectors or sensors in a wall or ceiling capable of interfacing with the plurality of motion-sensing devices, data collection device, and base computing device, for managing, customizing, and storing the workout data, and sending and interfacing that data with a user'"'"'s personal area within the subscription-based web portal.

31. The system of claim 30, further comprising:

a card and a card-swipe mechanism at a check-in desk of the gym environment.

32. A method of monitoring and data-logging an exercise workout, comprising:

tracking movement of a user'"'"'s appendage;

calculating distance, force, and time of movement data based on that tracking;

transmitting the data to a recording device;

formatting the data to maximize value for the user, according to predetermined criteria set by the user; and

storing the data.

33. A software module for managing workout data, comprising:

a component for calculating a one repetition maximum comprising a screen interface for accepting user input needed for the calculating;

a component for calculating body fat comprising a screen interface for accepting user input needed for the calculating;

a workout history component comprising a screen interface for accepting user input needed for the calculating;

a lifts component comprising a screen interface for accepting user input needed for the calculating;

a plurality of template components for allowing a user to customize their own screen interfaces;

a workout component comprising a screen interface for accepting user input;

a calendar component;

a cardio component; and

a body measurement component comprising a screen interface for accepting user input.

34. A payment system for managing workout data, comprising:

tracking and recording data from a workout of a user;

charging a fee for access to the data;

allowing the user to communicate with a personal trainer, where the trainer has access to the data;

charging a fee for access to the personal trainer;

allowing the user to review past workout data;

charging a fee for access to the review;

enabling auto-upload of all workouts performed in any gym belonging to a predetermined group; and

charging a fee for the auto-upload.

35. A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps for monitoring a physical activity, said method steps comprising:

tracking movement of a user'"'"'s appendage;

calculating distance, force, and time of movement data based on that tracking;

transmitting the data to a recording device;

formatting the data to maximize value for the user, according to predetermined criteria set by the user; and

storing the data.