Systems and methods for detecting if a treadmill user is running or walking

• US 10,617,331 B1
• Filed: 04/11/2018
• Issued: 04/14/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Life Fitness LLC
• Original Assignee: Life Fitness LLC
• Inventors: Solberg, James R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gibson, Randy W
• Assistant Examiner(s): Singer, David L
• Application Number:
  US15/950,581
• Time in Patent Office: 734 Days
• Field of Search: 482 54, 119700, 198324-325
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1123 Discriminating type of movement, e.g. walking or running A61B5/1116, A61B5/112 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4866 Evaluating metabolism A61B5/083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7253 characterised by using transforms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0068 Comparison to target or threshold, previous performance or not real time comparison to other individuals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0071 Distinction between different activities, movements, or kind of sports performed
• 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 2071/065 Visualisation of specific exercise parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0675 Input for modifying training controls during workout
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/025 electrically, e.g. D.C. motors with variable speed control
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/18 Inclination, slope or curvature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/20 Distances or displacements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/53 Force of an impact, e.g. blow or punch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/64 Frequency, e.g. of vibration oscillation
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/01 User's weight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/75 calorie expenditure
• 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 24/0087 : Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/901 : having computer circuitry

Abstract

A method for detecting whether a user is walking or running. The method includes detecting foot interactions of the user and outputting data from the foot interactions detected. The method includes calculating a cadence frequency based on the data from the foot interactions, and measuring a first signal amplitude detected at a first multiplier of the cadence frequency calculated and a second signal amplitude for the data from the foot interactions detected at a second multiplier of the cadence frequency using the data from the foot interactions. The method includes comparing the first signal amplitude and the second signal amplitude to determine a cadence factor, then comparing the cadence factor to a predetermined threshold. The method detects whether the user is walking or running is based upon the comparison of the cadence factor to the predetermined threshold.

Claims

1. A method for detecting whether a user is walking or running on a surface, the method including the steps of:

detecting foot interactions between a foot of the user and the surface and outputting data from the foot interactions detected;

calculating with a processing module a cadence frequency for the user based on the data from the foot interactions;

measuring with the processing module a first signal amplitude for the data from the foot interactions detected at a first multiplier of the cadence frequency calculated for the user;

measuring with the processing module a second signal amplitude for the data from the foot interactions detected at a second multiplier of the cadence frequency calculated for the user;

comparing with the processing module the first signal amplitude and the second signal amplitude to determine a cadence factor, and comparing the cadence factor to a predetermined threshold; and

detecting whether the user is walking or running based upon the comparison of the cadence factor to the predetermined threshold.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein a calorie expenditure for the user is calculated and displayed based on the data from the foot interactions, and wherein the calorie expenditure is based on one of a plurality of calorie profiles, further comprising selecting the one of the plurality of calorie profiles for the calorie expenditure based on the determination of whether the user is walking or running.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the surface is a belt of a treadmill, and wherein the calorie expenditure is displayed on the treadmill.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the one of the plurality of calorie profiles is combined with other factors to calculate the calorie expenditure.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein the treadmill is configured to perform a plurality of functions, further comprising modifying how the treadmill performs at least one of the plurality of functions based on the determination of whether the user is walking or running.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the at least one of the plurality of functions includes comparing the data from the foot interactions to a preselected training routine.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein an accelerometer is used to detect the foot interactions.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the surface is a belt of a treadmill, and wherein the accelerometer is coupled to a deck that supports the belt.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first multiplier is the cadence frequency, wherein the second multiplier is twice the cadence frequency, and wherein the first signal amplitude is divided by the second signal amplitude to determine the cadence factor.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the user is determined to be running when the cadence factor is greater than the predetermined threshold, and wherein the predetermined threshold is 1.0.

11. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a program for detecting whether a user is walking or running on a surface that when executed by a processing module is configured to perform the steps of:

receiving data from foot interactions detected by a sensor;

calculating a cadence frequency for the user based on the data from the foot interactions;

measuring a first signal amplitude for the data from the foot interactions detected at a first multiplier of the cadence frequency calculated for the user;

measuring a second signal amplitude for the data from the foot interactions detected at a second multiplier of the cadence frequency calculated for the user;

comparing the first signal amplitude and the second signal amplitude to determine a cadence factor, and comparing the cadence factor to a predetermined threshold; and

detecting whether the user is walking or running based upon the comparison of the cadence factor to the predetermined threshold.

12. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 11, further comprising calculating a calorie expenditure for the user based on the data from the foot interactions, wherein the calorie expenditure is based on one of a plurality of calorie profiles stored in the program, further comprising selecting the one of the plurality of calorie profiles for the calorie expenditure based on the determination of whether the user is walking or running.

13. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 12, wherein the surface is a belt of a treadmill, and further comprising displaying the calorie expenditure calculated on the treadmill.

14. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 13, wherein the one of the plurality of calorie profiles is combined with other factors to calculate the calorie expenditure.

15. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 13, wherein the program is further configured for the treadmill to perform a plurality of functions, further comprising modifying how the treadmill performs at least one of the plurality of functions based on the determination of whether the user is walking or running.

16. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 15, wherein the at least one of the plurality of functions includes comparing the data from the foot interactions to a preselected training routine.

17. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 11, wherein the sensor is an accelerometer, and wherein the accelerometer is coupled to a deck that supports the belt.

18. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 11, wherein the first multiplier is the cadence frequency, wherein the second multiplier is twice the cadence frequency, and wherein the first signal amplitude is divided by the second signal amplitude to determine the cadence factor.

19. The non-transitory computer readable medium according to claim 18, wherein the user is determined to be running when the cadence factor is greater than the predetermined threshold, and wherein the predetermined threshold is 1.0.

20. A system for detecting whether a user is walking or running on a surface, the system comprising:

a foot interaction sensor configured to detect foot interactions between a foot of the user and the surface, and configured to output data from the foot interactions detected;

a processing module in communication with the foot interaction sensor, wherein the processing module is configured to receive the data from the foot interaction sensor;

a memory module in communication with the processing module, wherein the memory module stores a program that is executable by the processing module, wherein the processing module by executing the program is configured to calculate a cadence frequency from the data received from the foot interaction sensor, to measure a first signal amplitude for the data detected at a first multiplier of the cadence frequency calculated, to measure a second signal amplitude for the data detected at a second multiplier at twice the cadence frequency calculated, and to compare the first signal amplitude and the second signal amplitude to determine a cadence factor;

wherein the program also stores a predetermined threshold, wherein the processing module is configured to compare the cadence factor to the predetermined threshold, and wherein the processing module determines whether the user is walking or running based upon the comparison of the cadence factor to the predetermined threshold.