Apparatus for monitoring and displaying exertion data

• US 6,358,187 B1
• Filed: 05/19/1999
• Issued: 03/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Carl M. Smith
• Original Assignee: Carl M. Smith
• Inventors: Smith, Carl M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Richman, Glenn E.
• Application Number:
  US09/314,026
• Time in Patent Office: 1,035 Days
• Field of Search: 600/587, 600/595, 601/23, 601/33, 601/40, 482/1-9, 482/900-902
• US Class Current: 482/4
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/002 isometric or isokinetic, i.e. substantial force variation without substantial muscle motion or wherein the speed of the motion is independent of the force applied by the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/141 in the form of gloves

Abstract

An apparatus for monitoring and displaying information related to pressure exerted at a point of interest during an isometric exercise includes a fabric base, adapted to receive a body part. A sensor is attached to the fabric base and disposed at the point of interest during the isometric exercise, and measures a pressure magnitude at the point of interest and provides a pressure signal corresponding to the pressure magnitude. A monitor, which receives the pressure signal, processes the pressure signal to derive information that is meaningful to a user, and generates a display signal corresponding to the information derived from the pressure signal. A display device, attached to the fabric base, receives the display signal and provides a visual indication of the information to the user. The fabric base includes an opening for receiving a thumb. The sensor is attached to the fabric base on a first side of the opening, and the display device is attached to the fabric base on a second side of the opening.

Claims

1. An apparatus for monitoring and displaying exertion data, comprising:

a sensor that directly measures incident pressure at an interface between the sensor and an external object and provides a pressure signal corresponding to a magnitude of the incident pressure;

a monitor device that receives the pressure signal, processes the pressure signal according to processing instructions, and generates a display signal corresponding to the pressure signal; and

a display device that receives the display signal and provides visual information corresponding to the display signal.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes

a transducer against which the incident pressure is applied and which generates a voltage level proportionate to a magnitude of the incident pressure; and

a converter that receives the voltage level and converts the voltage level to the pressure signal.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the pressure signal is a digital signal.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the monitor device includes

a processor that receives the pressure signal, processes the pressure signal, and generates the display signal;

and

program memory, in which the processing instructions are stored and which provides the processing instructions to the processor to control processing of the pressure signal.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a signal bus, on which the pressure signal is provided from the sensor to the monitor device.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the monitor device includes

a processor that receives the pressure signal, processes the pressure signal, and generates pressure data and the display signal;

and

program memory, in which the processing instructions are stored and which provides the processing instructions to the processor to control processing of the pressure signal.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the monitor device further includes data memory, for storing the pressure data.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the pressure data includes data corresponding to an instantaneous pressure change at the sensor.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the monitor further includes a clock generator for providing a periodic output signal, and wherein the pressure data includes data corresponding to a duration of incident pressure at the sensor, measured by the output signal of the clock generator.

10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the monitor further includes a clock generator for providing a periodic output signal, and wherein the pressure data includes data corresponding to a duration that incident pressure at the sensor is maintained above a threshold pressure, measured by the output signal of the clock generator.

11. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the pressure data includes data corresponding to a number of repetitions that incident pressure at the sensor crosses a threshold pressure in a positive direction.

12. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the pressure data includes data corresponding to a peak pressure incident at the sensor.

13. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the monitor device further includes an audio output device, which provides an audible signal on actuation by the processor under the control of the processing instructions, when predetermined pressure data is generated.

14. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein

the pressure data includes a comparison result of first pressure data corresponding to a current pressure signal and second pressure data stored in the data memory;

and

wherein the monitor device further includes an audio output device, which provides an audible signal on actuation by the processor under the control of the processing instructions, when the pressure data includes a predetermined comparison result.

15. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the monitor device further comprises a switch which, when actuated, changes the processing instructions.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the switch is coupled to an address input of the program memory.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein actuation of the switch changes a program address of the program memory to a set value, causing interruption of processing of the pressure signal.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein actuation of the switch changes a program address of the program memory to a set value, causing a change in the display signal.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display device includes display elements to provide a visual indication of the display signal.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a fabric base, wherein the sensor, the monitor device, and the display device are attached to the fabric base.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the fabric base is formed in the shape of a glove that is adapted to receive a hand.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the fabric base is formed in the shape of a loop that is adapted to wrap around a body part.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, further including a fastener to secure the fabric base when the fabric base is wrapped around the body part.

24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the fabric base includes an opening for receiving a thumb.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the fabric base includes an elastic periphery adapted to provide a spring force such that the fabric base can grip a user'"'"'s hand.

26. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the sensor is disposed on a region of the fabric base such that, when the fabric base is wrapped around a hand, the sensor is located proximate to the palm of the hand.

27. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the sensor is disposed on a region of the fabric base such that, when the fabric base is wrapped around a hand and a thumb of the hand is placed through the opening, the sensor is located proximate to the palm of the hand.

28. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the display device is disposed on a region of the fabric base such that, when the fabric base is wrapped around a hand, the display device is located on the back portion of the hand.

29. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the display device is disposed on a region of the fabric base such that, when the fabric base is wrapped around a hand and a thumb of the hand is placed through the opening, the display device is located on the back portion of the hand.

30. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the display device is mounted on the monitor device.

31. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the sensor is disposed within the fabric base.

32. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the sensor is coupled to the monitor device by an electrically conductive wire.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the wire is disposed within the fabric base.

34. An apparatus for monitoring and displaying exertion data, comprising:

a pressure sensor;

a monitor device; and

a display device;

wherein the pressure sensor includes at least one detector that directly measures a change in pressure applied at an interface between an external object and the sensor, and a transducer that provides a pressure signal corresponding to a magnitude of the detected change in pressure applied at the sensor;

wherein the monitor device includes a microprocessor that receives the pressure signal and provides a display signal to the display device based on the pressure signal and in accordance with a program instruction, and a program memory for storing the program instruction; and

wherein the display device receives the display signal and provides a visual indication corresponding to the display signal.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, further including a fabric base, wherein the pressure sensor, the monitor device, and the display device are attached to the fabric base.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the fabric base is formed in the shape of a loop that is adapted to wrap around a hand, and wherein the fabric base includes an opening for receiving a thumb.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein

the sensor is disposed on a region of the fabric base such that, when the fabric base is wrapped around a hand and a thumb of the hand is placed through the opening, the sensor is located proximate to the palm of the hand; and

the display device is disposed on a region of the fabric base such that, when the fabric base is wrapped around a hand and a thumb of the hand is placed through the opening, the display device is located on the back portion of the hand.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the display device is mounted on the monitor device.

39. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the sensor is disposed within the fabric base.

40. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the sensor is coupled to the monitor device by an electrically conductive wire that is disposed within the fabric base.

41. An apparatus for monitoring and displaying information related to pressure exerted at a point of interest during an isometric exercise, comprising:

a fabric base, adapted to receive a body part;

a sensor attached to the fabric base and disposed at the point of interest during the isometric exercise, wherein the sensor measures a pressure magnitude at the point of interest and provides a pressure signal corresponding to the pressure magnitude;

a monitor, which receives the pressure signal, processes the pressure signal to derive information that is meaningful to a user, and generates a display signal corresponding to the information derived from the pressure signal; and

a display device, attached to the fabric base, that receives the display signal and provides a visual indication of the information to the user.

42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the fabric base includes an opening for receiving a thumb, wherein the sensor is attached to the fabric base on a first side of the opening, and the display device is attached to the fabric base on a second side of the opening.