CONTACT PRESSURE SENSING APPARATUS FOR USE WITH EXERCISE EQUIPMENT SENSORS

• US 20080249421A1
• Filed: 04/04/2007
• Published: 10/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Life Fitness LLC
• Original Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
• Inventors: Twery, Sherwin
• Granted Patent: US 8,652,051 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/481
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6843 Monitoring or controlling sensor contact pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2060/464 Means for indicating or measuring the pressure on the grip
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/02 with movable endless bands , e.g. treadmills other training appliances for running on the spot A63B69/0028
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/56 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/80 Special sensors, transducers or devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/062 used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• 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: A63B 24/0062 Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance

Abstract

Contact pressure sensing apparatus for use with exercise equipment sensors are described. An example apparatus includes a sensor to detect a physiological condition of a user of an exercise device through physical contact with the user and a pressure sensor to detect a contact pressure applied by the user to the sensor.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use with an exercise device comprising:

a sensor to detect a physiological condition of a user of the exercise device through physical contact with the user; and

a pressure sensor to detect a contact pressure applied by the user to the sensor.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the physiological condition is a heart rate.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the sensor to detect the physiological condition comprises an electrode.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor is located between the sensor and a frame of the exercise device.

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a processor system coupled to the pressure sensor.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein the processor system is to cause the display of the physiological condition.

7. An apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein the processor system is to cause a change in an operation of the exercise machine based on the physiological condition.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein the processor system is to cause the display of information associated with the contact pressure.

9. An apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the processor system is to cause the display of the information associated with the contact pressure based on a threshold amount of pressure.

10. An apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein the processor system is to prompt the user to change the contact pressure.

11. A method for use with an exercise device comprising:

detecting a physiological condition of a user through physical contact with a sensor; and

detecting a contact pressure applied by the user to the sensor.

12. A method as defined in claim 11, wherein the physiological condition is a heart rate.

13. A method as defined in claim 11, wherein the sensor comprises an electrode.

14. A method as defined in claim 11, further comprising processing data associated with the physiological condition.

15. A method as defined in claim 11, further comprising processing data associated with the contact pressure.

16. A method as defined in claim 11, further comprising displaying information associated with the physiological condition.

17. A method as defined in claim 11, further comprising displaying information associated with the contact pressure.

18. A method as defined in claim 17, further comprising displaying the information associated with the contact pressure based on a threshold amount of pressure.

19. A method as defined in claim 11, further comprising prompting the user to change the contact pressure based on the detected contact pressure.

20. A method as defined in claim 11, further comprising changing an operation of the exercise machine based on the physiological condition.

21. An apparatus for use with an exercise device comprising:

a support frame to assist a user in an exercise; and

a pressure sensor, integral with the support frame, to measure a contact pressure applied by the user to the support frame.

22. An apparatus as defined in claim 21, further comprising a processor system to prompt the user to change the contact pressure.

23. An apparatus for use with an exercise device comprising:

means for detecting a physiological condition of a user of the exercise device through physical contact with the user; and

means for detecting a contact pressure applied by the user to the means for detecting the physiological condition of the user.