External Sensor Interfacing for Legacy Exercise Machines
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exercise machines without built-in sensors or actuators cannot interface with simulation or game environments, nor can they share or record workout data, limiting user experience and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses readily available sensors to collect data from exercise machines, allowing for interfacing with gaming or simulation environments, and enabling measurement and control of resistance levels without direct electronic interfacing or external resistance devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If exercise machines are equipped with built-in sensors and actuators to interface with simulation environments, then user experience and functionality are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an external interfacing device as a mediator between the exercise machine and the simulation environment. This device includes sensors that attach to the machine's moving parts and a processor that calculates operational parameters, enabling interface capability without modifying the machine's core structure or electronics.
Solution Approach 2:
The interfacing system is divided into separate functional modules: attachment means that connect to the machine, sensors that measure physical quantities, and a processor that computes parameters. This segmentation allows the interface capability to be added independently of the machine's main system, reducing overall device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If wire-in interfaces are installed in existing exercise machines to enable data sharing and virtual workout experiences, then functionality is improved, but ease of operation and installation deteriorate due to requiring specialized skills
Solution Approach 1:
The external interfacing device serves as a mediator that connects to the exercise machine through simple mechanical attachments rather than requiring internal wiring. This approach maintains interface capability while dramatically simplifying installation to a level that ordinary users can perform without specialized electrical skills.
3Adaptability or versatility
If external friction devices or actuators are added to exercise machines to simulate terrain changes, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the exercise machine's own existing resistance mechanism and movement dynamics to provide simulation capability. By measuring the machine's natural operation with sensors and calculating equivalent terrain parameters, the system achieves adaptability without adding external friction devices or actuators, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture.
Data Source
AI summary
A system measures data output by a sensor collecting data from an exercise machine. Based on the signals received from the sensor, the system extracts information about the angular positions and angular velocities of moving components of the exercise machine, and the system estimates resistance settings and power outputs of the exercise machine. The results of these measurements and estimates are used to provide feedback to a user of the exercise machine, to record and share the workout data from using the exercise machine, and/or to control the behavior of a virtual object in a virtual environment.