Free Weight Sensor Fusion for Automatic Exercise Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing free weight systems lack effective methods for automatic exercise monitoring, particularly in detecting installed weights and exercise repetitions, especially in retrofit systems without integrated sensors.
Innovation Solution
A system with sensors mounted on load-bearing members, equipped with accelerometers, gyroscopes, and optionally magnetometers, uses sub-1 GHz wireless communication to collect and process motion data, correcting acceleration data with gyroscope rotations and grouping sensors based on movement characteristics to track weights and repetitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If sensors are added to free weight systems for automatic monitoring, then exercise tracking capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the monitoring function into independent sensor modules, each attached to individual weights or weight plates. Each sensor unit operates autonomously to detect motion and calculate repetitions, then reports data to a central system. This segmentation allows automatic monitoring without requiring complex integrated sensors in the entire weight system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer that receives raw sensor data from multiple weight sensors, processes the information to determine exercise repetitions, and generates monitoring reports. This intermediary layer simplifies the overall system architecture by handling the complexity of data fusion and exercise pattern recognition centrally, rather than requiring complex logic in each sensor unit.
2Measurement precision
If sensors are mounted on individual weights, then weight detection accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses separate sensor units attached to individual weights or weight plates rather than integrating sensors into the base unit. This segmentation allows each sensor to independently detect the presence and movement of specific weights, improving measurement precision while using simple, low-cost sensor modules that can be manufactured separately and attached during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
Each sensor unit on a weight plate is self-contained and autonomously detects its own motion and calculates repetitions based on local acceleration data. This self-service capability eliminates the need for complex centralized control and reduces manufacturing costs by using simple, independent sensor units rather than expensive integrated systems.
3Measurement precision
If gyroscopes are used to correct acceleration data, then motion detection accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the functionality of accelerometers and gyroscopes into a single integrated sensor unit. By combining these sensors, the system achieves high motion detection accuracy through sensor fusion while reducing overall energy consumption compared to operating separate high-precision sensors. The merged unit processes data from both sensors to correct acceleration measurements and detect exercise repetitions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate and flexible monitoring of free weight exercises, allowing for easy configuration and precise tracking of weights and repetitions across various devices, enhancing user experience and data reporting.
Implementation Method 1
sensors and at least one further sensor each having a weight value associated therewith, wherein each sensor comprises an accelerometer
Implementation Method 2
each sensor comprises an accelerometer and a gyroscope
Implementation Method 3
wherein said sensor further comprises a magnetometer
Data Source
AI summary
A method for monitoring a free weight system with a load bearing member having a sensor mounted thereon. The load bearing member has additionally mounted thereon at least one weight, each having a further sensor mounted thereon, wherein said sensor comprises an accelerometer and a gyroscope and is associated with a weight value. The method includes receiving motion data sets from the sensor and the at least one further sensor; for each of the motion data set correcting acceleration data based on gyroscope data; based on the corrected acceleration data obtained as corrected motion data sets, identifying moving sensors; grouping, among the moving sensors, the sensor with at least one of the at least one further sensor based on the corrected acceleration data being concurrent among the respective corrected motion data sets.