Exercise Machine Sensing Device

Abstract

An exercise-diligence-encouragement and coaching system, providing a small and widely configurable position-sensing device to existing weightlifting machines which provide resistance by leveraging the weight of a rack of vertically-stacked incremental weights. The position-sensing device communicates with a mobile device kept in view of a user of the weightlifting machine, to provide live instructions to the user and track progress of the user over time and tailor future exercises. Location of the device, type of sensor used, power source, and method of communication are all variable.

Description

[0001]This application claims priority to provisional patent application No. 61 / 948,015 filed on 4 Mar. 2014.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to fields of exercise equipment and exercise recording and monitoring equipment, devices for exercise planning, live instruction and feedback, coaching, analyzing, scheduling. It also relates to wireless communications, pulleys, linkages, selectable weights, strain measuring devices, optical sensors, magnetic sensors, distance sensors, networked devices, wired communications, and smart-connection-powered devices.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Exercise is most plainly beneficial to increasing strength and endurance, but its potentially greatest benefit is that it is key to health and mobility with aging. It also has more immediate benefits of lowering stress, and of a more speculative nature, fostering a sense of well-being and organization. While these benefits are well-recognized, avoidance and ineffective exercise ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a mobile application that encourages users to exercise regularly. It provides guidance and motivation through step-by-step instructions and a count of repetitions performed or remaining. The application can be used with various exercise machines without interrupting their regular use. It also allows users to track their performance and offers reminders to stay on track. The application uses displays that are built into the sensor device or stand, making it convenient for users to view the instructions while exercising. Overall, the application facilitates personal tracking of exercise routines and encourages users to take control of their health and well-being.

Problems solved by technology

While these benefits are well-recognized, avoidance and ineffective exercise persist, despite countless variations of equipment, training professionals, structured routines, and methods of monitoring progress.

Further, disorganized efforts to keep to a routine and poorly performed routines defeat the ability of an exercise routine to deliver its potential benefits

One notoriously neglected and poorly-executed form of exercise is weightlifting.

Despite a weightlifting routine's relative time efficiency and small quantity of motions compared to other exercises, it is generally impractical and unhealthy to attempt performing a broad range of weightlifting exercises at any one time.

Therefore, weightlifting routines have many potential modes of failure to provide their highest benefit.

A related problem is the convenience of implementing such tools in settings where weightlifting may occur.

However, home weightlifting exercises are generally limited to a only a few pieces of equipment, and usually do not warrant the very large expense and space commitment to have a range of equipment to facilitate a comprehensive regimen's broad range of exercises.

However, the great range of weightlifting exercise machines that are used in any individual's routine require many people sharing space to coordinate turns and attempt to be courteous to others by not consuming too much time on any particular machine.

Without a plan for using each machine, a weightlifter may select exercises at random, fail to do an optimal number of sets or fail to complete enough repetitions in sets.

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