Feedback system for monitoring and measuring physical exercise related information

• US 7,192,387 B2
• Filed: 10/10/2001
• Issued: 03/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dintex Limited
• Original Assignee: Dintex Limited
• Inventors: Mendel, Israel
• Primary Examiner(s): Richman; Glenn E.
• Application Number:
  US10/415,592
• Publication Number:
  US 20040014567A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,987 Days
• Field of Search: 482 1- 9, 482900-902, 434/247, 359/629, 359/630, 733/790.1
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/068 kayaking, canoeing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/06 User-manipulated 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 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/19 Skiing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/24 Horse riding
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/26 Bob-sleigh
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0211 moving torso with immobilized lower limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1236 Push-ups in horizontal position, i.e. eccentric movement
• 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 69/0028 for running, jogging or speed-walking movable endless bands A63B22/02
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/06 for rowing or sculling
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/16 for cycling , i.e. arrangements on or for real bicycles
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/90 Ergometer with feedback to load or with feedback comparison

Abstract

A system for advising an exerciser about his physical activities, associated either with displacement of the exerciser itself or of an object displaced by the exerciser, or an object displaced simultaneously with the exerciser. The system comprises a first unit for monitoring the activities. This unit is not in physical contact with the exerciser or the object, displaced by the exerciser. The first unit is capable to collect raw data defining the activities either in terms of distance or acceleration. The first unit transmits the collected raw data in a wireless fashion to a second unit, which receives the transmitted raw data, processes it and calculates various parameters, defining the said physical activities, and represents the calculated parameters in a form recognizable by the exerciser. The system enables tracking, recording and updating the relevant information, provides improved feedback and thus helps to the exercising individual to improve his performances.

Claims

1. A system for advising an exerciser about his physical activities, associated an object displaced by the exerciser or an object displaced simultaneously with the exerciser, said system comprising a first unit monitoring the physical activities without being in physical contact with the exerciser or the said object, said first unit collecting raw data defining the physical activities either in terms of distance or acceleration, said first unit transmitting the collected raw data, said system further comprising a second unit positioned remote from said first unit, said second unit receiving the transmitted raw data from said first unit, processing the received raw data to calculate various parameters which define said physical activities, and representing the calculated parameters in a form recognizable by the exerciser.

2. The system as defined in claim 1, in which said first unit comprises:

a) means for generation of preferably ultrasonic waves and for transmitting pulses of modulated waves towards the object, displaced by the exerciser or displaced simultaneously with the exerciser and to sense pulses, associated with the waves, reflected by said object,

b) interface means, capable to activate said means for generation of ultrasonic waves, to measure the elapsed time between the transmitted and reflected pulse and to calculate value, corresponding either to distance to the monitored object or to acceleration thereof,

c) communication means capable to transmit the calculated value to the second unit.

3. The system as defined in claim 1, in which said second unit comprises:

a) electronic circuit, provided with appropriate computing means for processing said raw data and calculating the said parameters,

b) memory storage means for storing the calculated parameters,

c) announcing means for advising the exerciser about the calculated parameters,

d) link means for wireless communication with the first unit,

e) power supply means for energizing the components of the second unit.

4. The system as defined in claim 3, in which said announcing means comprises display for visual representation the calculated parameters.

5. The system as defined in claim 2, in which said means for generation of ultrasonic waves comprises an ultra-sonic transducer.

6. The system as defined in claim 2, in which said interface means comprises a micro-controller, capable to modulate frequency of transmitted ultra-sonic waves with pulses of about 1 millisecond.

7. The system as defined in claim 3, in which said computing means is selected from the group consisting of micro-controller or DSP chip.

8. The system as defined in claim 3, in which said memory storage means is selected from the group consisting of EEPROM or FLASH memory chip.

9. The system as defined in claim 3, in which said link means comprises a circuitry suitable for communication with the communication means of the first unit either in radio frequency or infrared frequency wavelength.

10. The system as defined in claim 3, in which said announcing means comprises loud speaker or a buzzer.

11. The system as defined in claim 1, in which said physical activities are associated with repetitious displacements of the object, displaced by the exerciser or with long distance displacements of the object displaced simultaneously with the exerciser.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the physical activity comprises a strength training exercise having repetitious movement of the object, and further wherein the parameter calculated by said second unit comprises a number of repetitions of the object.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein said first unit is housed in a portable enclosure and includes an ultrasonic sensor and a magnet to removably attach said portable enclosure to the object.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the object comprises a weight machine and said portable unit can be removably attached to leading bars of the weight machine, to a top of an upper weight plate, or to a metal housing of the weight machine.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein said second unit is housed in a portable enclosure and includes a magnet to removably attach said portable enclosure to the object.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the object comprises a weight machine and said portable unit can be positioned on a metal housing of the weight machine in front of the exerciser or a trainer for viewing and provides results of the exercise.