ADAPTIVE EXERCISE PROFILE APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF

• US 20120190502A1
• Filed: 01/21/2011
• Published: 07/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Alton Reich, David Paulus, James Shaw, Stelu Deaconu
• Original Assignee: Alton Reich, David Paulus, James Shaw, Stelu Deaconu
• Inventors: Paulus, David, Shaw, James, Reich, Alton, Deaconu, Stelu
• Application Number:
  US13/011,429
• Publication Number:
  US 20120190502A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/5
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0058 using motors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/156 the position of the pulleys being variable, e.g. for different exercises
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4033 Handles, pedals, bars or platforms
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/44 Angular acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/52 Weight, e.g. weight distribution
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/54 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/58 Measurement of force related parameters by electric or magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/15 with identification means that can be read by electronic means
• 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 2225/54 Transponders, e.g. RFID
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03516 For both arms together or both legs together; Aspects related to the co-ordination between right and left side limbs of a user
• 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

The invention comprises a method and/or an apparatus using computer configured exercise equipment and an electric motor. A computer-controlled robotic resistance system is used for training, diagnosis and/or therapy. The resistance system comprises: a subject interface, software control, a controller, an electric servo assist/resist motor, an actuator, and/or a subject sensor. The system overcomes the limitations of the existing robotic rehabilitation, weight training, and cardiovascular training systems by providing a training and/or rehabilitation system that adapts a resistance or force applied to a user interactive element in response to the user'"'"'s interaction with the training system, a physiological strength curve, and/or sensor feedback. For example, the system optionally provides for an automatic reconfiguration and/or adaptive load adjustment based upon real time measurement of a user'"'"'s interaction with the system or sensor based observation by the exercise system as it is operated by the subject.

Claims

1. An apparatus for operation by a user, comprising:

an exercise system, comprising;

a user interface element comprising a movable element configured for movement by the user while exercising;

an electric motor configured to supply a movement force to movement of said user interface element, said movement force configured to provide at least one of;

a resistive force against movement of said interface element by the user; and

an assistive force aiding movement of said interface element by the user; and

a controller electrically connected to said motor, said controller configured to control operation of said electric motor, said controller configured with at least one force profile.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said force profile, during a single direction of movement of a workout repetition, sequentially comprises:

an initial force;

an increasing force;

a peak force;

a decreasing force; and

a final force.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein during movement within a portion of a workout repetition said force profile comprises:

a step function force profile.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein during a portion of a workout repetition the force profile comprises at least one of:

at least five progressively increased resistance levels; and

at least five progressively decreased resistance levels.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein during a single rotational periodic movement of a workout repetition the force profile comprises at least one of:

at least two local maxima resistance levels; and

at least two local minima resistance levels.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the force profile approximates a human strength curve profile.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a sensor configured to provide a feedback sensor reading, said controller configured to use the feedback sensor reading in adjustment of the movement force applied by the electric motor.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the feedback sensor reading relates to at least one of:

relative position of said user interface element;

velocity of a movable component of said exercise system; and

acceleration of a translatable component of said exercise system.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, said sensor configured to generate said feedback sensor reading in response to interaction by the user.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, said controller configured to automatically adapt the movement force based upon an observation by said sensor of a mechanical element of said exercise system, said mechanical element not directly touched by the user.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, said sensor comprising:

an encoder configured to measure rotation of an element associated with said electric motor.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, said controller programmed to modify the movement force within a single repetition of movement of said user interface element.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, said electric motor configured to provide an isometric resistance to said user interface element, via a cable linked to said user interface element, for a period of at least three seconds during an exercise repetition.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said electric motor provides the resistive force to rotation of a cable spool, said cable spool linked to said electric motor.

15. A method of using an exercise system by a user, comprising the steps of:

a user moving an interface element of said exercise system;

supplying a movement force to movement of said interface element with an electric motor, said movement force configured to provide at least one of;

a resistive force against movement of said interface element by the user; and

an assistive force aiding movement of said interface element by the user; and

controlling operation of said electric motor with a controller electrically connected to said motor, said controller configured with at least one force profile.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein during a portion of a workout repetition the force profile comprises at least one of:

an increasing force to a peak force followed by a decreasing force;

a step function force profile;

at least five progressively increasing resistance levels;

at least five progressively decreasing resistance levels; and

a force profile approximating a human strength curve profile.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of:

using a sensor to provide a feedback sensor reading; and

said controller using the feedback sensor reading in adjustment of the movement force applied by said electric motor.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of:

generating a feedback signal with a sensor; and

using the feedback signal in control of the resistive force applied to movement of at least one of;

said interface element along an about linear path; and

said interface element, where said interface element comprises a rotatable element.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising steps of:

a wireless receiver receiving information about the user, said wireless receiver linked to said controller; and

said controller using the information in control of the electric motor.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of:

said controller using the movement force to control at least two separate user interface stations.