Computerized exercise monitoring system and method for monitoring a user's exercise performance

• US 4,907,795 A
• Filed: 02/03/1989
• Issued: 03/13/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fike Corporation
• Original Assignee: Fike Corporation
• Inventors: Shaw, Bon F., Bond, Gary M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cheng, Joe H.
• Application Number:
  US07/305,545
• Time in Patent Office: 403 Days
• Field of Search: 272/93, 272/117, 272/118, 272/125, 272/129-134, 272/DIG. 6, 273/1 GC, 273/1 GE, 273/1 GZ, 128/25 R
• US Class Current: 482/9
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0009 Computerised real time comparison with previous movements or motion sequences of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0628 for vertical array of weights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/17 Counting, e.g. counting periodical movements, revolutions or cycles, or including further data processing to determine distances or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/34 Angular speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• 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 24/0084 Exercising apparatus with means for competitions, e.g. virtual races
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/901 having computer circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/902 Employing specific graphic or video display

Abstract

An exercise monitoring system and method for comparing the present movement of the exercise machine caused by the physical exertion of a user with the user'"'"'s past movement of the exercise machine. The system includes an exercise monitoring main unit, an exercise monitoring screen, a portable personal memory module, an exercise machine monitoring device, and an exercise monitoring analyzer. The exercise machine monitoring device measures the movement of the exercise machine and provides data representative thereof. The portable personal memory provides data representative of the user'"'"'s past movement of the exercise machine. The exercise monitoring main unit compares the data and generates a pacing signal on the exercise monitoring screen for the user. The user follows the pacing signal to duplicate his previous performance. The exercise monitoring screen discipline the user'"'"'s present pace compared to his past pace. The display includes a row of red, yellow and green lights which indicate whether the user is exercising too slowly or too fast. The user can optionally update the portable personal memory with his present performance. The portable personal memory can be transported to provide training on various exercise machines.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring a user'"'"'s exercise performance on an exercise machine, said system comprising:

monitoring means for monitoring a user'"'"'s current exercise activity on the exercise machine and for providing monitor signals representative thereof;

memory means for storing data representative of exercise activity different from said current exercise activity on the exercise machine and for producing output signals representative thereof;

evaluating means operably coupled with said monitoring means and said memory means for receiving and evaluating said monitor signals and said output signals respectively and in response thereto for producing display signals representative of an evaluation of said monitor signals and said output signals with respect to one another;

display means for receiving said display signals and, in response thereto, for producing a display representative of said evaluation, said evaluation being thereby representative of said current exercise activity with respect to said different exercise activity;

said memory means further comprising a portable, replaceable memory module detachable from said system; and

means allowing replacement of said module by a different memory module associated with another user.

2. The system as set forth in claim 1, said different exercise activity including exercise activity of the user occuring prior to said current exercise activity.

3. The system as set forth in claim 2, said memory means being operable for storing data representative of said current exercise activity for evaluation with respect to some future exercise activity on the exercise machine.

4. A system for monitoring a user'"'"'s exercise performance on an exercise machine, said system comprising:

monitoring means for monitoring a user'"'"'s current exercise activity on the exercise machine and for providing monitor signals representative thereof;

memory means for storing data representative of exercise activity different from said current exercise activity on the exercise machine and for producing output signals representative thereof;

evaluating means operably coupled with said monitoring means and said memory means for receiving and evaluating said monitor signals and said output signals respectively and in response thereto for producing display signals representative of an evaluation of said monitor signals and said output signals with respect to one another; and

display means for receiving said display signals and, in response thereto, for producing a display representative of said evaluation, said evaluation being thereby representative of said current exercise activity with respect to said different exercise activity;

said evaluation being a percentage representative of said current exercise activity compared to said different exercise activity.

5. A method of monitoring a user'"'"'s exercise performance on an exercise machine comprising the steps of:

monitoring the user'"'"'s current exercise activity on the exercise machine and providing monitoring signals representative thereof;

providing memory means having data stored therein representative of exercise activity different from said current activity on the exercise machine and providing memory signals representative of said different exercise activity;

evaluating said monitoring signals and said memory signals in order to produce an evaluation of said current exercise activity with respect to said different exercise activity;

producing a digital numerical display representative of said evaluation; and

providing said memory means a replaceable, portable memory module replaceable by another memory module associated with another user.

6. The method as set forth in claim 5, further including the step of storing data representative of said current exercise activity in said memory means.

7. The method as set forth in claim 5, said evaluating step including the step of providing said evaluation as a percentage comparison of said current exercise activity with respect to said other exercise activity.

8. The method as set forth in claim 5, said display including a numerical digital display.