Abstract:
A universal system for monitoring activities and motions during exercise and controlling the resistance provided to a user of exercise equipment during the motions. The system having at least one sensor to detect at least one of physical parameter of the exercisers activity such as force, acceleration, and/or direction of user movements. The resistance mechanism provides an adjustable and variable resistance and a dampened response to an exerciser while the sensors monitor the forces and resulting movement of the user interface. The system provides an adjustable resistance system for exercising parts of the body having complex movements over a full range of motion such as the arms, legs, neck, wrist, ankle, and torso. The present invention is also adaptable to existing fitness equipment. The system can also provide effective resistance and damping over the range of motion in free space. The force exerted by the user on the user interface can be measured over the entire range of motion using force and position sensors.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is based on a provisional application No. 60/452,158 entitled Resistance Mechanism For Physical Fitness Equipment filed on Mar. 5, 2003 and this application is a continuation-in part of co-pending and commonly assigned patent application entitled Exercising Machine for Working Muscles the Support the Spine. Ser. No.  10 / 219 , 976  filed Aug. 15, 2002, and this application is a continuation in part of co-pending and commonly assigned patent application entitled Exercise Apparatus Having a User Interface Which Can Move Arcuately in Three Dimensions, Ser. No. 10/367,395 filed on Feb. 14, 2003. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    This invention relates to fitness and rehabilitation equipment for humans and more specifically to a universal monitoring system for fitness equipment that provides a wide range of measurement, control resistance and damping regarding user movements. The invention further relates to a monitoring system that can monitor forces occurring in three-dimensional motion and a resistance system that can provide a controlled and measurable resistance and damping to a user of exercise equipment.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Exercise and rehabilitation has become an important part of life for many. It has been proven that exercise can increase longevity, rehabilitate injuries, prevent injuries, improve athletic performance, and can improve the way of life for many. Most exercise equipment cannot measure or monitor range of motion, strength, flexibility and fatigue of the exerciser and record useful data. However, exercise data can be very valuable for exercisers or users, therapists and doctors. Additionally, current exercise apparatuses do not provide an effective multidirectional safely loaded movement wherein the forces and other physical properties can be controlled while performance is measured over a broad range of motion. There are many shortcomings in evaluating athletic movements and performance during non-traditional motions and movements and positions. Current exercise methods and apparatuses provide limited monitoring for the exerciser and do not have a way to measure force, distance, direction and acceleration provided by the exerciser over a full range of motion which is safely loaded. The deficiencies above are particularly prevalent in exercise equipment for body parts which have rotational movements (as opposed to hinge movements) such as the neck, wrist, lower back, shoulder, etc. Many joints such as the wrist and ankle bend, pronate and rotate and current exercise machines cannot detect the path or rotation of the users movements. Although humans can move most joints 360 degrees, certain areas or ranges of movement are weak and too much load at a particular location and in a particular direction can tear connective tissue such as muscles ligaments and tendons. Thus, controlling the resistance of the load, the acceleration and velocity of the user interface while detecting the amount and direction of the force during the exercise has here-to-fore been unachievable.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0004]    A universal system for monitoring activities and motions during exercise and controlling the resistance provided to a user of exercise equipment during the motions. The system having at least one sensor to detect at least one of physical parameter of the exercisers activity such as force, acceleration, and/or direction of user movements. The resistance mechanism provides an adjustable and variable resistance and a dampened response to an exerciser while the sensors monitor the forces and resulting movement of the user interface. The system provides an adjustable resistance system for exercising parts of the body having complex movements over a full range of motion such as the arms, legs, neck, wrist, ankle, and torso. The present invention is also adaptable to existing fitness equipment. The system can also provide effective resistance and damping over the range of motion in free space. The force exerted by the user on the user interface can be measured over the entire range of motion using force and position sensors.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0005]    [0005]FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an exercise apparatus for human use.  
         [0006]    [0006]FIG. 2 depicts one embodiment of a universal user interface having sensors for monitoring parameters of an exercisers activity.  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 3 illustrates a resistance system for providing a controlled resistance and controlled damping which can respond to sensor inputs.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0008]    A universal system for monitoring and controlling parameters of exercise equipment and for providing user feedback regarding the exercisers movements. The system has at least one sensor to detect at least one of physical parameter of an exerciser&#39;s activity such as force, acceleration, direction, velocity, and movement of a portion of a user body. The sensors can be coupled to a user interface or to a resistance mechanism wherein the resistance mechanism provides an adjustable and variable resistance and damping to the exerciser while the sensors monitor user input such as forces and movement of the user interface.  
         [0009]    Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary exercise device  2  is depicted. Exercise device  2  can have a frame  4 , at least one user interface  6  connected to a resistance system  8  using a lead  10 . The exerciser grasps or pushes on a user interface  6  pulling the lead  10  and movement of the lead is impeded by the resistance system  8 . Lead  20 , can be a cord, a cable a band a rope a polymer or any flexible material. A rope made of Kevlar™ could be used. Lead  20  can be placed in and around pulleys  42  and fairleads to accommodate different orientations between the user interface  6  and the resistance system  8 . Resistance system  8  could be weights, elastic bands and/or springs (not shown) however, a hydraulic system is described below. Resistance system  8  can provide an adjustable and variable resistance and damping to an exercisers movements. The user interface  6  can contain sensors  12 - 18 . It is also possible to connect additional sensors  12 - 18  to the resistance system  8   
         [0010]    Referring briefly to FIG. 2, an exemplary user interface  6  is depicted. Sensors  12 - 18  are mounted within the user interface  6  to receive user input such as numeric input and sense changes in the orientation of the user interface  6  responsive to a users input. More particularly, changes in the orientation of the user interface could be distance traveled, rotation, direction moved, forces applied, fluidity of motion, acceleration, velocity, and path traveled. Time lapsed data can calculate work calorie burn fatigue rate and other parameters. User input could also be physical parameters of the exerciser such as heart rate, body temperature, grip strength, and other parameters.  
         [0011]    Referring back to FIG. 1 transmitter  58  is coupled to the at least one sensors  12 - 18  and is capable of transmitting sensor data to a receiver  62  which can plug into a port on computer  60 . Computer  60  can collect data, process data, display data real time and create web pages for transmission over the Internet (not shown) to other computers. Computer  60  can also analyze and compare a suggested exercise routine with a routine that is in process. The suggested exercise routine can be prescribed by a specialist such as a medical doctor, a physical therapist a trainer or a chiropractor. Sensors  12 - 18  can provide real time feedback regarding the quality of the movements based ion the suggested routine. Computer  60  can provide real time data and display suggested movements or motion for the user to perform or whether the exerciser is using proper form. Computer  60  can receive and process data and use various sensor data to provide useable data graphs, charts explanations and other info about the users routine to the medical professional who suggested the routine. More particularly the sensors  12 - 18  can determine the motion of the user and computer  60  can provide real time feedback and inform the user to change something about the way he/she is exercising or to stop work it the exerciser is over exerting himself or if harm may be imminent. Computer  60  can also compile data from many exercise or therapy secessions and analyze the data to determine if therapy, rehabilitation or exercise is improving a users performance. Computer  60  can receive sensor data and control the resistance provided by the resistance system  8  in accordance with the users ability. A safety feature can be built into the system wherein when a users grip on the user interface is relaxed the first and second valves on the resistance system close reducing the load to the user thus reducing the chance of injury.  
         [0012]    Referring to FIG. 2 user interface  6  is depicted is a straight rod shaped bar however, user interface  6  could take many forms, it could be a handle, a curved or bent bar, a flat padded surface, a curved or circular padded surface or any other piece capable of engaging a portion of the body. User interface  6  can move on a track such as one described in the co-pending applications or in free space. User interface  6  can be attached to any cable, pulley, chain, rope elastic band, flexible member based fitness machine by using an eyelet such as a clevis  3 . A user can enter data into the user interface  6  using keypad sensor  15 . Keypad sensor is coupled to microprocessor  11  and user data can be stored in microprocessor  11 . The user can also enter data regarding which body part he/she will be using to move the user interface  6  and what type of motion or what exercise is desired. User recognition can also be done through other means such as a scrolling device or a fingerprint, voice, or other recognition system the user either pushes, pulls or twists on the user interface  6  or any combination thereof and a resulting force is supplied via the lead  20  to the resistance system  8 .  
         [0013]    Strain sensor  12  could be a micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) based device, a capacitance based device or any other technology which can measure the deflection or strain on a component or pull on lead  10 . Strain sensor  12  could provide a very accurate measurement of the pulling or pushing force of the user on the user interface  6 . Pulleys  42  and the cornering or bending of lead  10  around pulleys  42  can add to the force required to move the user interface  6 . An accurate measurement of the force exerted by the user can be determined where lead  20  connects to user interface  6 .  
         [0014]    Sensor  14  may be a miniature motion based sensor such as an inertial measurement sensor or an angular rate sensor such as a gyro, a laser ring, a piezo or crystal-based sensor such as a thin film piezo-sensor, a global positioning sensor a MEMS gyro, a ring laser gyro, a fiber optic gyro, and accelerometer or a micro-machined vibrating beam sensor. Sensor  14  can measure movement or motion as well as torsion, acceleration and velocity of the user interface. The data can be sent to transmitter  11  and the data can then be sent to computer  60 . Using stored motion data the computer  60  can display the path of the user interface  6  and the forces exerted on the user interface  6 . A sensor such as an accelerometer could be utilized to measure the percentage of fast twitch and slow twitch muscle fibers utilized during an exercise. Correspondingly, computer  60  could suggest a routine for developing each type of muscle fiber or specific muscles. Sensors  16  and  17  can contact the exercisers skin and detect the users condition. Through skin of the user sensors  16  and  17  can detect human parameters such as body heat, pulse and grip strength.  
         [0015]    User input could be provided an data could be displayed in touch sensitive LCD  19  could receive user input and display data during exercise. Three dimensional force vectors and six degrees of measurements can be determined using the sensor data. Combining the sensor data in the user interface  6  with sensor data from the users body from ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging or X rays, complex nerve and muscle activity can be analyzed. The force vectors and muscle and nerve data can be utilized to provide data for diagnosing problems, or detecting injuries and to monitor recovery or responses to the therapy. Performance data can be stored by the computer  60  by processing position, force and velocity of a body part in complex motion and comparing the motion to a predetermined pattern. Computer  60  can provide real time instruction to the user such the user can correct the motions during the exercise to conform the desired motion. Sensor data can also be used to analyze current performance and suggest changes in motion, exercise routines or strength conditioning that can increase performance, mobility or flexibility, and reduce the possibility of injury, recovery from injury or surgery and to test maximum strength or acceleration, in any given position location or direction. Computer  50  can provide model training motions and feedback to the exerciser as to the motion to be used by the exerciser. It may be desirable for the exerciser to place a reference sensor  19  on his torso or at the base of a body appendage to be exercised to give computer  60  a reference position such that the relational motion of the body appendage can be determined. A motion switch  21  can be placed in the user interface  6  and the sensors can be off until motion switch  21  detects motion and powers up the sensors  12 - 18  and the transmitter  58 . Sensors  12 - 18  can record position, force, deformation and velocity in relation to the center of gravity, torso or joint of the user. The user interface  6  can be a “basket shape” such as that user interface found in the co-pending applications.  
         [0016]    Referring to FIG. 3 a resistance system  8  is depicted. Resistance system  8  can be comprised of a cylinder  43 , first valve  34 , conduit  36  reservoir  38 , and other components such as gear reduction  40  and pulleys  42 . Cylinder  43  has a bore  32  formed by outer casing  43  which surrounds a piston  44  and an elastic member  25  for returning piston  44  to a rest position  
         [0017]    Check valve  37  and throttle valve  34  are coupled to the port  50  and to reservoir  38 . As the user interface  6  is moved from a rest position and lead  20  moves piston  44 , the fluid coming out of port  50  seats the check valve  37  or one way valve and fluid flows through the throttling valve  34 . An orifice in the throttling valve  34  can be adjusted to increase or decrease flow thus adjusting the resistance provided to the users movements via user interface  6 . As throttle valve  34  is adjustably closed it takes more force for the user to move the user interface  6 . When the exerciser has moved the user interface  6  from the rest position to the pinnacle of the motion and is returning towards the rest position, an elastic device such as spring  25  pulls the piston  44  (and the lead  20 ) back towards the fully retracted position or the rest position. When piston  44  moves from the pinnacle towards the rest position, a low pressure area is created in the chamber  32 , second valve  37  or check valve opens and fluid is pulled from overflow tank  38  into cylinder bore  32 . Damper valve  9  adjusts the damping or return speed of the user interface  6  in a controlled, damped manner. This can be particularly important in exercise involving portions of the body such as the neck where a snapping motion of a spring or banging and crashing of weights is undesirable. Sensor  13  and  14  can be coupled to resistance system  8  and to computer  50  and detect parameters such as fluid flow and pressure of the fluid and transmit data to computer  50 .  
         [0018]    Lead  20  may feed through a fairlead (not shown) and/or around a pulley  42  or series of pulleys  42  to provide the user with a “gear reduction” or mechanical advantage over the hydraulic system. This reduces the user force that needs to be exerted to overcome seal friction or to overcome static stiction forces. Concentric spools  40  can provide such gear reduction. Gear reduction allows the cylinder  43  to have a short stroke) and compact and a small movement of the user interface  6  moves a substantial amount of fluid without moving piston  44  a large distance. The resistance system  8  could also include a friction device or a brake mechanism that engages a brake (not shown). Damping can also be achieved when the rotational velocity of a sprocket becomes too high using a brake which is activated by centrifugal force. An added feature is to have a closed reservoir  38  and trap air in the reservoir  38  when piston  44  forces fluid into the reservoir  38  air compresses in reservoir  38  thus providing greater resistance to the users movements. An expandable air bladder (not shown) could also be used within reservoir to change the response of the resistance system  8 . Air bladders are well known art for providing pressure within tanks or reservoirs.  
         [0019]    The damping valve  9  can be effectively used to prevent injuries wherein when the exercise motion being performed places a joint in an awkward position the forces can be controlled reducing the exercisers vulnerability to injury. Free weights such as barbells do not work well for this application for they can become too heavy in certain positions and pull the user into an awkward position tearing muscles, tendons or ligaments causing injury. Specifically, irregular movements of a joint, or movement of body appendages to positions that are weak due to damaged tissue and other phenomena can be monitored using the present invention.  
         [0020]    First valve  34  can be equipped with first actuator  47  computer  60  can control the position of first valve  36  the control system can vary the load during exercise as the user becomes fatigued. The amount of resistance provided by the resistance system  8  could be varied by a switch on the user interface  6 , thus the user could vary the resistance using a simple push button on the handgrip of the user interface and the computer would change the position of the valves  34 . A control system run by computer  60  could provide a safety feature and control the resistance. A variable load can also eliminate the need to “drop the weights.” When a users force lessens the resulting force from the resistance system  8  can be lessened or removed.  
         [0021]    Resistance system  8  may use two chambers first chamber  46  and second chamber  48  for providing resistance. Both of these chambers will vary in size (exactly opposite) as the piston  44  moves within the bore  32 . Multiple cylinder ports can be used by the present invention to control resistance and damping to a users movement.  
         [0022]    The foregoing is a detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention. Various modifications and additions can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, this description is only meant to be taken by way of example and not to otherwise limit the scope of the invention.