6078 results about "Physical exercise" patented technology

The present invention includes a handheld device and a main device, wherein the handheld device is held by an athlete and the main device is moved with the athlete. Through a measuring device acquiring a physiological condition of the athlete and a movement state of the handheld device and transmitting thereof to the main device, the main device can produce an exercise indication signal according thereto, so that the athlete can obtain an exercise direction and also can manage the physical condition during exercise.

The invention generally pertains to a hand-held computing device. More particularly, the invention pertains to a computing device that is capable of controlling the speed of the music so as to affect the mood and behavior of the user during an activity such as exercise. By way of example, the speed of the music can be controlled to match the pace of the activity (synching the speed of the music to the activity of the user) or alternatively it can be controlled to drive the pace of the activity (increasing or decreasing the speed of the music to encourage a greater or lower pace). One aspect of the invention relates to adjusting the tempo (or some other attribute) of the music being outputted from the computing device. By way of example, a songs tempo may be increased or decreased before or during playing. Another aspect of the invention relates to selecting music for outputting based on tempo (or some other attribute). For example, the computing device may only play songs having a particular tempo. Yet another aspect of the invention relates to both selecting music based on tempo and adjusting the tempo of the music.

Disclosed are a method for measuring quantity of exercise and an apparatus comprising an acceleration sensor for generating acceleration information by measuring the quantity of exercise according to user movement, sensor control unit for supplying power to the acceleration sensor and sampling the acceleration information generated from the acceleration sensor, a dynamic energy measurement unit for converting the sampled acceleration information into dynamic energy, comparing a local maximum value with a predetermined threshold value if an ascending gradient of the dynamic energy has the local maximum value exceeding a predetermined value and determining a user step if the local maximum value exceeds the predetermined threshold value, a calorie consumption measurement unit for calculating calorie consumption by analyzing an energy level of dynamic energy determined as a user step, a memory for storing information, and a display section for displaying information related to the number of steps and calorie consumption.

An exercise system includes a local system having an exercise apparatus and an associated local computer, where the local computer controls and monitors the operation and use, respectively, of the exercise apparatus. The system further includes a remote system having a remote computer, and a transmission medium preferably including the Internet that couples the local system to the remote system for data communication between the local system and the remote system. The remote system may receive local system data from the local system concerning the use of the exercise apparatus, and the local system may receive remote system data from the remote system concerning the operation of the exercise apparatus. The local computer preferably controls the operation of the exercise apparatus based upon a modifiable script stored in a read/write memory of the local computer, which can be updated by the remote system. A method for controlling an exercise apparatus includes running a modifiable script on a local computer to control the use and to monitor the operation of an exercise apparatus, and communicating with a remote system, preferably via the Internet, to provide the remote system with data concerning the use of the exercise apparatus. The script is stored in read/write memory of the local computer and remote system data received from the remote system may include at least a portion of a new script to be stored in the read/write memory of the local computer.

A system and method for managing a plurality of stock option accounts each for a plurality of participants. The system invokes a particular option plan defined in the system that governs the transaction choices available to each participants The governing option plans are defined by the sponsoring company in terms of grant, vest and expiration date for the option contracts, and are defined in the system via a database of option holding information for each participant and an axiomatic rule system defining the criteria under which a given participant can exercise given options under the particular plan. The system implements the plans for multiple client companies providing several distinct modes for option exercise by the participant. The system preferably also allows for disbursement of proceeds in a currency different than that in which the underlying security for the option is traded, real time execution of the option transaction, and/or simulating the outcomes of different manners in which the participant may exercise vested options and the resulting economic outcome (disbursement, taxes, transaction fees).

According to the present invention, current fitness indicators for a particular user are detected by a particular exercise machine monitoring device that monitors exercise performed by the particular user on a particular exercise machine. The current fitness indicators are transmitted in a particular transmittable data format to a universally accessible server system in accordance with a universal identifier associated with the particular user and stored at said universally accessible server system in accordance with the universal identifier as current fitness activity, such that real-time fitness activity for a user computed from fitness activity received from any of multiple diverse exercise machines over a period of time is monitored by a universally accessible server system according to a universal identifier for a particular user.

A monitoring system which collects patient physiological date is designed specifically for communication with a communication module which facilitates data transfer from the monitoring system to a remote site. The communication module has data input mechanisms to facilitate setting parameters of the monitoring system and/or the communication module. The communication module is provided with a modem member which is used to communicate with the remote site and an optional data exchange module which is designed to communicate the same information with a local computer system. The remote site may be a bulletin board system or internet site where the monitoring information can be stored by the patient using the monitoring system by patient identification or name and include monitoring readings, time and date stamp, conditions such as meal times, exercise times and therapy amounts and their associated date and time.

An exercise monitoring system which includes an electronic positioning device; a physiological monitor; and a display unit configured for displaying data provided by said electronic positioning device and said physiological monitor.

The present invention relates to systems and methods for monitoring and promoting behavioral modification with regard to an individual's health. In particular, the present invention provides a means for monitoring an individual's performance of health-promoting measures and, based on the member compliance to health-promoting measures, issuing tangible and/or intangible incentive products. In one embodiment, exercise/activity monitors are worn by members to verify their identity and to record and transmit member compliance in performing health-promoting measures (i.e., heart rate, type of exercise, exercise intensity and duration). All health-related information, including physical examination results and recorded participation in health-promoting measures, are used to determine appropriate incentives (i.e., subsidize membership fees for health club) to be rewarded to said member.

A computerized system for scheduling at least one daily activity of a user. One or more sensors are attached to the body of the user which monitor one or more physiological parameters of the body Physiological data is produced representative of the one or more physiological parameters during a time period. A processing unit attached to memory, is programmed for the scheduling of activities based on the physiological data and on previously stored values. The scheduled activities preferably include eating of a meal, exercise or rest of the user. Physiological parameters include skin temperature and/or heart rate. When the scheduled daily activity is eating of a meal, the processing unit is preferably programmed to recommend to the user to eat the meal during a portion of the time period when the skin temperature is rising or when the heart rate is falling.

A physical and mental health status monitor, analyze and follow up clothing system. Whose purpose is to monitor the user's body fat distribution, muscular activity and position changes to diagnose health status. Regularly giving suggestions to the user to achieve proper exercise and posture to reduce body fat and prevent muscular atrophy. While correcting the user's life style to promote better health, this system also works to reduce mental and emotional stress. Providing better healthcare and reducing the chance of disease. This system includes sensors, a close range monitoring system and long range monitoring stations, through the sensors it collects data for the monitoring system and monitoring stations to observe, analyze, diagnose and follow up on the user's physical and mental state. This system also allows the user and the long range monitoring stations to communicate with each other through the close range monitoring system.

An exercise machine that enables a user to perform a variety of repetitive exercises in reclined, sitting and standing positions. The machine permits a user to perform exercises not possible on a traditional Pilates Reformer machine. The machine includes a frame with parallel side rails formed of extrusions, with a carriage that is mounted for rolling movement along the frame. A plurality of tension springs are selectively detachable/attachable to the end of the frame, to allow the user to decrease/increase the tension on the carriage. Angularly adjustable crossbars are mounted at both the head and foot ends of the frame, as are stationary platforms for the user's feet and/or hands; in addition, a raised transverse bar is mounted at the head end of the rolling platform. The combination of platforms and bars enables the user to perform a variety of exercises in standing positions. The frame includes legs that raise the side rails above the floor. A barbell rack and storage tray are mounted between the rails so as to be positioned generally beneath the frame, and are accessible vertically through the open space between the rails when the rolling platform is retracted by the springs to the foot end of the assembly.

A system and method is implemented with use of a mobile communication device and at least one sensor configured to sense a parameter associated with a user's physiology. One or more parameters associated with the user's physiology are sensed, the sensed one or more parameters defining physiological data associated with the user. The physiological data is analyzed relative to training regimen data, the training regimen data comprising one or both of range limits and durations associated with an exercise regimen. The physiological data is transferred to the mobile communication device, and the mobile communication device provides the physiological data in a form suitable for integration into an avatar representative of the user.

An impact resistant wearable band assembly 10 which is particularly usefully and durable during physical exercise, fitness activities, sports, blood pressure measurements, and health care monitoring, can have a matrix, series or array of interlocking magnetic mechanisms 114 with matingly engageable portions 115 and 117 comprising magnets 116 and magnetically attractable portions 118 for detachably and magnetically securing end portions of a user friendly wearable band. In use, the versatile wearable band can be easily adjusted in a one handed movement from a locked position to a released position and vice versa. Advantageously, the wearable band assembly includes an electronic device 122 secured to an electronic device-supporting portion 120 of the wearable band.

A noninvasive light sensor for detecting heart beat signals has a circular support member engageable circumferentially with a body part of a person. Light emitters and light detectors are located around a circumference of the circular support member for respectively emitting light signals into different areas of tissue surrounding the body part, and detecting reflected light signals from the different areas of tissue surrounding the body part.

The present invention provides systems for and methods of playing a video game that includes providing a game character having a virtual appearance characteristic, receiving an input signal indicative of a user exercise performance level, and altering the virtual appearance characteristic in response to receiving the input signal. Numerous other aspects are disclosed.

An electronic device (10) comprising a location determining component (12), such as a global positioning system (“GPS”) device, a pedometer (14), and a computing device (16) is operable to determine a distance traveled by a user. The pedometer (14) is operable to sense a step taken by the user, and the location determining component (12), when accessible, is operable to determine a distance between two positions and supply such information to the computing device (16) for continuous calculation of an accurate step size of the user. When the location determining component (12) is inaccessible, the computing device (16) determines the distance traveled using the accurate step size information. In additional embodiments, a housing (132) is provided for storing a location determining component (112), a pedometer (114), and a computing device (116), and an accelerometer (242) is provided for also determining the step size of the user. A computing device (216) is then operable to calibrate the step size of the user as determined by the accelerometer (242).

The system allows training and qualification of a user performing a skill-related training exercise involving body motion in a workspace. A training environment is selected through a computer apparatus, and variables, parameters and controls of the training environment and the training exercise are adjusted. Use of an input device by the user is monitored. The 3D angles and spatial coordinates of reference points related to the input device are monitored through a detection device. A simulated 3D dynamic environment reflecting effects caused by actions performed by the user on objects is computed in real time as a function of the training environment selected. Images of the simulated 3D dynamic environment in real time are generated on a display device viewable by the user as a function of a computed organ of vision-object relation. Data indicative of the actions performed by the user and the effects of the actions are recorded and user qualification is set as a function of the recorded data.

A wellness apparatus, comprising: at least one support for a body portion of a user of the apparatus; at least one robotic actuator adapted to move the body portion; and a controller configured to control the actuator in accordance with needs of the user for physical exercise, the controller also adapted for assisting the user with primarily non-physical exercise activity.

An illustrative mobile computing device executing weight, nutrition, health, behavior and exercise application software serves as a simulated combination personal trainer and dietician/nutritionist for the user using comprehensive databases storing personalized health, nutrition and exercise information. A mobile computing device, such as a smartphone, executing such software monitors, tracks and/or adjusts caloric intake, energy expenditure taking into account nutritional information and behavioral factors. The mobile computing device receives food consumption, exercise-related, behavior and other input using speech input and the device's GPS subsystem to ease data entry burden on users and to promote continued long-term usage. The system rewards user goal achievement in an automatic, seamless manner, through, for example, downloading music, books, or other media. In illustrative implementations, the system assists users to make healthy food and exercise choices by using a comprehensive color code system to identify good choices, bad choices and those in between.

A device is disclosed that provides a portable, programmable, interactive apparatus that instructs, monitors, tracks, and provides feedback and motivational information to an individual in regards to managing their personal physical fitness information. One embodiment of the device comprises a housing configured to be carried by the user, a display for displaying information to the user, a memory for storing data relating to programs, workouts, exercises and user inputted data. The device further contains an interface operable by the user to select and input data, and a processor in communication with the display, the interface, and the memory operable to control the display and to control the storage and retrieval of data from the memory. The device enables a user to program and view their personalized programs, workout routines, video instructions, or nutrition plans, while at remote locations. The device may also be connected to external computers and connected to the Internet for downloading information such as personalized fitness and nutrition programs and for uploading and storing personal information such as user inputted data to an external computer or the Internet.

The invention relates to a system for monitoring a cumulative physiological state and for predicting a target state under physical exercise, which system includes means for measuring a variable depicting the intensity of the exercise and for registering it relative to time, the control unit consisting of a user-interface device, which includes an input device and output device. Software means calculate the current value of the said cumulative physiological variable while second software means calculate the value of a selected output variable, which output variable is one of the following three variables: target state, future intensity, or duration of future exercise, the two other variables being given as initial variables.

A method for providing cycling classes to remote users comprising providing information about available cycling classes that can be accessed via a digital communication network by a user at a remote location for display at the remote location, receiving from the user a selection of one of the available cycling classes for display at the remote location, and sending digital video and audio content comprising the selected cycling class from a server to a computer associated with a stationary bike at the remote location for display to the user on a display screen associated with the stationary bike. In various exemplary embodiments, the digital and audio content sent to the computer associated with the stationary bike is streamed for display to the user in substantially in real-time. In various exemplary embodiments, the digital and audio content sent to the computer associated with the stationary bike is archived content provided from a database.

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.

The present invention provides a human engineered power and control system for artificial hearts or assist devices configured for ease of use, ruggedness, and high reliability. Battery powered systems of the prior art have required multiple cables and connectors that are subject to failure due to damage or wear. In the present invention, direct connection of the batteries to the control system eliminates multiple cables and connectors used with previous designs. A novel method of connecting batteries to the control system and exchanging batteries without interruption of power is provided in a compact user friendly configuration. The control system may provide periodic reductions in assist device flow to permit the natural ventricle to eject blood through the natural outflow valve, open the valve leaflets to prevent them from adhering together, and achieve sufficient washout to prevent thrombosis. Using either software based control or software independent electronic circuitry, the flow pumped by the artificial heart is reduced for a long enough period of time to permit at least a few beats of the natural heart to generate sufficient pressure to open the outflow valve. In a control system embodiment in which the patient manually adjusts the pump speed to incremental settings for rest and exercise conditions, a pulsatile flow mode is disclosed which provides approximately the same flow at a given incremental setting as the pump produces when running in a constant speed mode at the same setting. As the patient learns which speed setting is best for daily activities, the patient may use the same setting with either a pulsatile or constant pump speed mode.

A system and method of objectively testing the functional capacity of a patient over a range of motion and with a limited resistance are provided. A selected number of visual indicators are applied and maintained at selected points with respect to the patient. The patient is directed through a series of exercise movements. The patient's movements are captured on a video record. This video record is digitized. The motion of the indicators is tracked in the digitized video record. A patient data set is developed including performance parameters based, at least in part, on the position and the time of each indicator during the movements. The patient data set is compared to a base data set. If the patient's performance parameters fall within certain ranges, it can be determined that the patient is or is not exerting a true effort. The functional capacity of the patient is determined based, at least in part, on the comparison of the patient data set with the base data set.

An exercise system includes a plurality of exercise terminals, wherein a workout of an exerciser includes at least two exercises performed at one or more of the exercise terminals. Each exercise terminal includes a communication device for communicating to the exerciser information regarding an exercise of the workout subsequent to a current exercise in the workout.

A multi-function Pilates exercise apparatus featuring a foldable frame (200-203), a counterbalance mechanism (271), a wheeled base (90), a rotatable pulley riser with a flexible pulley mount (112), gear changing apparatus (FIG. 9) and adjustable footbar (471). The frame is designed to fold into an upright position and to be rolled to a desired location. The pulley assemblies may be rotated and positioned below the carriage rails. The gear changing apparatus permits the user to adjust the carriage position with a single handed operation. The exercise system includes a reformer, a pole apparatus, and mat mode including a long/short box.

Disclosed are methods and apparatus for conducting market research and developing product designs. The methods involve generating and presenting, typically electronically, generations of design alternatives to persons participating in the design, selection, or market research exercise. The participants transmit data indicative of their preferences among or between the presented design alternatives. Some of the data is used to conduct a conjoint analysis or non-convergent exercise to investigate the drivers of the preferences of the group or its members, and at least a portion are used to derive follow-on generations of design alternatives or proposals. The follow-on designs are preferably generated through the use of an evolutionary or genetic computer program, influenced by the participants' preferences. The process results in the generation of one or more preferred product forms and information permitting a better understanding of what attributes of the product influence the preferences of the test group members.

Accurate occurrences of pulsation per unit time, that is, a heart rate is measured with a burden on a subject person being reduced to be very small and without being susceptible to body vibrations accompanying exercise. A heart rate monitor is produced, in which a light-emitting element 11 and a light-receiving element 12 are fitted to a head of a human body, light from the light-emitting element 11 is reflected at or transmitted through a subcutaneous artery 4 and/or blood running in the subcutaneous artery, the reflected or transmitted light is detected at the light-receiving element 12, and by using a CPU 14, the pulsation of the subcutaneous artery 4 and/or a change in bloodstream running in the subcutaneous artery 4 is measured from a change in intensity of the light detected at the light-receiving element 12, a pulse rate of the change in the bloodstream per unit time is calculated from this measured value, and the calculated pulse rate of the change in the bloodstream per unit time is regarded as a heart rate.