REMOTE ADAPTIVE MOTOR RESISTANCE TRAINING EXERCISE APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF

• US 20140194250A1
• Filed: 01/09/2013
• Published: 07/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Streamline Automation LLC
• Original Assignee: Alton Reich, James Shaw
• Inventors: Reich, Alton, Shaw, James
• Granted Patent: US 9,272,186 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/5
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0652 for cycling in a recumbent position
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0093 the load of the exercise apparatus being controlled by performance parameters, e.g. distance or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0096 using performance related parameters for controlling electronic or video games or avatars
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/063 Spoken or verbal instructions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/068 Input by voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0683 Input by handheld remote control
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00076 on the fly, i.e. varying the resistance during exercise
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00181 comprising additional means assisting the user to overcome part of the resisting force, i.e. assisted-active exercising
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0023 for isometric exercising, i.e. substantial force variation without substantial muscle motion
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0058 using motors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/078 Devices for bench press exercises , e.g. supports, guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/153 wound-up and unwound during exercise, e.g. from a reel
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4043 Free movement, i.e. the only restriction coming from the resistance A63B21/00043, A63B21/072 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0664 performing an elliptic movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 : Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/72 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 : Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• 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 2230/045 : used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/067 : used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/30 : blood pressure A63B2230/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03525 : Supports for both feet or both hands performing simultaneously the same movement, e.g. single pedal or single handle A63B21/0724 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1209 : Involving a bending of elbow and shoulder joints simultaneously
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0075 : Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0084 : Exercising apparatus with means for competitions, e.g. virtual races
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0087 : Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0009 : for handicapped persons
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8094 : Unusual game types, e.g. virtual cooking
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 : with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality

Abstract

The invention comprises a method and/or an apparatus using a computer configured exercise system equipped with an electric motor to provide physical resistance to user motion in conjunction with means for sharing exercise system related data and/or user performance data with a secondary user, such as a medical professional, a physical therapist, a trainer, a computer generated competitor, and/or a human competitor. For example, the exercise system is used with a remote trainer to enhance exercise performance, with a remote medical professional for rehabilitation, and/or with a competitor in a competition, such as in a power/weightlifting competition or in a video game. The exercise system is optionally configured with an intelligent software assistant and knowledge navigator functioning as a personal assistant application.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus configured for use with a primary user and to communicate with a remote secondary user, comprising:

an exercise system, comprising;

a primary user interface configured for interaction with the primary user;

an electric motor, said electric motor configured to provide a resistive force to said primary user interface;

a controller communicatively coupled with said electric motor, said controller configured to control the resistive force supplied by said electric motor as a function of time; and

means for communication with the secondary user, said means for communication communicatively coupled with said controller.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said exercise system further comprises:

a force transfer cable comprising a first end and a second end, said first end coupled to said electric motor, said second end coupled to said primary user interface, wherein the resistive force provided by said electric motor transfers through said force transfer cable to said primary user interface.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising:

a dynamic lock to motion of said force transfer cable to yield an isometric resistance force.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, said controller remotely configurable by said secondary user.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

means for storing exercise history of the primary user, said means for communication configured to transfer the exercise history to the remote secondary user.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an exercise sensor, said controller configured to dynamically adjust the resistive force supplied by said electric motor using output of said sensor.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a medical sensor, said means for communication configured to send output of said medical sensor to the secondary user.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

means for said exercise system to recognize proximity of the primary user, said means for said exercise system to recognize proximity of the primary user comprising a wireless signal.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a force adjustment button on said user interface, said button configured to relay a command for at least one of;

(1) an increase in the resistive force supplied by the electric motor and (2) a decrease in the resistive force supplied by the electric motor.

10. A method for a primary user exercising in communication with a remote secondary user, comprising the steps of:

the primary user using an exercise system, said exercise system comprising;

a primary user interface configured for interaction with the primary user;

an electric motor, said electric motor configured to provide a resistive force to said primary user interface;

a controller communicatively coupled with said electric motor, said controller configured to control the resistive force supplied by said electric motor as a function of time; and

means for communication with the secondary user, said means for communication communicatively coupled with said controller; and

communicating output of said exercise system with the remote secondary user.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of:

transferring via a flexible material the resistive force supplied by the electric motor to the primary user interface.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the secondary user comprises at least one of:

a physical therapist;

a coach;

a game or contest opponent; and

a trainer.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of:

the secondary user remotely configuring the controller with a program.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of:

the exercise system communicating historical use of the exercise system by the primary user to the remote secondary user.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of:

using a sensor to measure at least one of;

force applied by the primary user to the primary user interface;

a physiological measure of the primary user;

acceleration of the primary user interface; and

motion of the primary user interface.

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

using output of said sensor, said controller dynamically adjusting the resistive force supplied by said electric motor within a repetition of movement of the primary user interface.

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

using said electric motor to increase the resistive force when said sensor outputs data indicating positive acceleration of said primary user interface.

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

decreasing the resistive force supplied by said electric motor when output of said sensor indicates sticking point reduced motion of said primary user interface.

19. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of:

said controller dynamically adjusting, by at least twenty percent, the resistive force supplied by said electric motor during a repetition of movement of the primary user interface by the primary user.

20. The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of:

said controller dynamically adjusting the resistive force supplied by said electric motor to a first resistive force when the primary user interface moves in a first direction; and

said controller dynamically adjusting the resistive force supplied by said electric motor to a second resistive force when the user interface moves in a direction opposite said first direction, said first resistive force at least ten percent less than said second resistive force.

21. The method of claim 10, wherein said means for communication comprise at least one of:

use of an internet;

use of a cloud; and

use of a local area network.

22. The method of claim 10, wherein said controller dynamically maintains the resistive force supplied by said electric motor within twenty percent of an iso-inertial force as a function of time within one-half of a repetition by adjusting the resistive force as a function of monitored acceleration of said primary user interface.

23. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of:

storing energy generated by use of said exercise system into a battery.

24. The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of:

using said controller and output of a heart rate monitor to vary the resistive force supplied by said electric motor to maintain a heart rate of the primary user in a target range.

25. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of:

said exercise system responding to a verbal control command.