Contact pressure sensing apparatus for use with exercise equipment sensors

• US 8,876,724 B2
• Filed: 01/08/2014
• Issued: 11/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Life Fitness LLC
• Original Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
• Inventors: Twery, Sherwin
• Primary Examiner(s): Kahelin, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRAN, THO Q
• Application Number:
  US14/150,466
• Publication Number:
  US 20140121061A1
• Time in Patent Office: 300 Days
• Field of Search: 600/520, 600/509, 600/481, 600/513, 600/507, 128/898
• 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. A method for use with an exercise device comprising:

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

detecting a contact pressure applied by the user to the sensor; and

calculating, via a processor an accuracy of a reading of the physiological condition based on a comparison of the detected contact pressure and a threshold amount of pressure associated with an ability of the sensor to detect the physiological condition.

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

3. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises an electrode.

4. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising processing data associated with the physiological condition.

5. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising processing data associated with the contact pressure.

6. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising displaying information associated with the physiological condition.

7. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising displaying information associated with the contact pressure.

8. A method as defined in claim 7, wherein the information includes a difference between the contact pressure and the threshold amount of pressure.

9. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising prompting the user to change the contact pressure based on the detected contact pressure.

10. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising changing an operation of the exercise machine based on the physiological condition.

11. A computer memory device comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause a machine to at least:

obtain a physiological condition of a user through physical contact with a sensor of an exercise apparatus;

obtain a contact pressure applied by the user to the sensor; and

calculate an accuracy of a reading of the physiological condition based on a comparison of the detected contact pressure and a threshold amount of pressure associated with an ability of the sensor to detect the physiological condition.

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

13. A computer memory device as defined in claim 11, wherein the sensor comprises an electrode.

14. A computer memory device as defined in claim 11, wherein the instructions when executed by the processor cause the machine to display information associated with the physiological condition.

15. A computer memory device as defined in claim 11, wherein the instructions when executed by the processor cause the machine to display information associated with the contact pressure.

16. A computer memory device as defined in claim 11, wherein the instructions when executed by the processor cause the machine to prompt the user to change the contact pressure based on the detected contact pressure.

17. A computer memory device as defined in claim 11, wherein the instructions when executed by the processer cause the machine to change an operation of the exercise apparatus based on the physiological condition.