Fitness Training System Energy Expenditure Calculation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Individuals face challenges in maintaining motivation for regular exercise, particularly with repetitive motions, and existing systems often fail to engage users by separating athletic activities from daily life, leading to decreased interest and participation.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that processes data from users performing athletic activities to estimate energy expenditure, such as calories burned, while monitoring form and type of exercise, using sensors and image-capturing devices to provide personalized feedback and motivation through virtual avatars and displays.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple sensor inputs and image-capturing devices are used to calculate energy expenditure, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy expenditure calculation accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the complex measurement task into multiple independent sensor components (accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, image-capturing devices) that each capture specific aspects of user activity. These segmented sensor inputs are then integrated through machine learning models to achieve precise energy expenditure calculation without requiring a single complex sensor system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs multiple sensors that serve universal purposes - the same sensor array can track various types of athletic activities (running, cycling, swimming) and perform multiple functions including motion detection, position tracking, and energy expenditure calculation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized equipment for each activity type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If personalized feedback and motivation features are implemented, then user engagement is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser engagementVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors user activity through multiple sensors and provides real-time feedback through virtual avatars and personalized messages. The feedback loop includes tracking form quality, comparing performance to goals, and delivering motivational content adapted to individual user responses. This creates an engaging experience where the system adapts to each user's needs and performance level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts feedback content, virtual avatar behavior, and motivational messages based on real-time sensor data and user performance. The virtual trainer modifies its instructions and encouragement according to the user's form quality, effort level, and progress toward goals, creating a personalized and adaptive interaction that enhances engagement without requiring manual configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2856368B1Fitness training system with energy expenditure calculation that uses multiple sensor inputs
Publication Date: 2021.05.19 NIKE INNOVATE CV
  • EP2856368B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2856368B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP2856368B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B

AI summary

Systems and methods for prompting a user to perform an exercise and monitoring the exercise are provided. Multiple independent sensors or sensor systems may be used to calculate energy expenditure. Various criteria may be used to manually or automatically select the independent sensor or sensor system or combination that will be used with the energy expenditure calculations.