Aspects of the present invention relate to the field of exercise machines. More specifically, the invention relates to exercise machines including weight acquisition mechanisms.
Many commercially available residential and industrial exercise machines include computing systems which request entry of a user's weight. Often, the computing systems use the entered weight to control a resistance, speed, or inclination of the exercise machine. Moreover, the computing systems use the entered weight to configure exercise routines, recommend optimal or other exercise parameters, control user feedback, determine physiological parameters, or the like.
Thus, many exercise machines rely on a user-entered value of a user's weight to calculate exercise parameters, determine recommendations, configure routines or fitness programs, or the like. Moreover, some exercise machines rely on the user-entered value of the user's weight to configure parameters of the exercise machine. However, there are a variety of reasons why users may not enter accurate information about their weight. For example, users may not actually know their current weight, or misunderstand the purpose for entering their weight. For example, a user may enter a greater value for his or her weight because he or she believes the exercise machine will provide a more difficult or easier workout. Still other users may enter inaccurate information because they are self-conscious about their weight.
For whatever reason, use of inaccurate weight values can result in the exercise machine potentially recommending exercise parameters or configuring itself in manner not optimally suited for the user. Misconfiguration can result in diminished returns for the exercises performed, which can result in eventual discontinued use of the exercise machine.
Based on at least the foregoing, aspects of the present invention include an exercise machine having a straightforward, accurate, discreet weight measurement system. According to an embodiment, the weight measurement system communicates with a microprocessor to convey a signal representative of a value of a user's weight. The microprocessor then employs the value to, for example, recommend exercise parameters, provide user feedback, configure the exercise machine, or the like. According to an embodiment, the weight measurement system acquires the value during static operation of the exercise machine, such as before and after exercises are performed.
The weight measurement system preferably includes one or more load cells configured to output a signal indicative of a user's weight. The weight measurement system also includes a calibration process providing for substantially error free load cell replacement as well as accurate determination of the user's weight. In an embodiment employing two load cells, the weight measurement system outputs a signal representative of the user's weight regardless of whether the weight is equally distributed between the two load cells. For example, the two load cells may each be arranged in a Wheatstone Bridge configuration, which when wired in parallel, outputs a signal representative of the user's weight even during unequal distribution.
According to a footpad detection embodiment of the weight measurement system, the exercise machine includes non-slip platforms or footpads designed to receive the user's weight in a comfortable and safe manner. According to a deck detection embodiment of the weight measurement system, the exercise machine includes load cells attached to an exercise assembly in a manner supporting at least a portion of the weight of the assembly as well as the weight of the user.
A general architecture that implements the various features of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrate embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention. Throughout the drawings, reference numbers are re-used to indicate correspondence between referenced elements. In addition, the first digit of each reference number indicates the figure in which the element first appears.
Aspects of the invention include an exercise machine having a weight measurement system which outputs a signal indicative of a value of a user's current weight. A microprocessor energizes a weight measurement system and a user applies their weight thereto. The weight measurement system outputs a signal to the microprocessor, which uses calibration values to determine a value of the user's weight within an accepted error. The microprocessor then uses the determined value, as opposed to a user-entered weight value prone to be inaccurate, for computation and use in various programmatic and configuration functions of the exercise machine. In an embodiment, the microprocessor executes a calibration process to measure a zero weight output and a test weight output of the weight measurement system, and determine the calibration values.
In a footpad detection embodiment, a pair of non-slip substantially oval platforms or footpads mechanically connect to a pair of load cells so that when a user applies weight to the oval platforms by standing on the same, the load cells receive the weight. In a deck detection embodiment, a plurality of feet supporting the exercise machine mechanically connect to a pair of load cells so that when a user applies weight to the exercise machine by standing on, for example, an endless belt or a portion of the frame, the load cells receive the weight. The load cells are preferably electrically connected in parallel and each preferably form a full Wheatstone Bridge configuration. Such connectivity provides an output of an signal indicative of the user's current weight, even during unequal distribution of the same across the load cells.
To facilitate a complete understanding of the invention, the remainder of the detailed description describes the invention with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers are referenced with like numerals throughout.
The exercise assembly 102 comprises mechanical mechanisms that interact with the user to provide the user with exercise. For example, in the embodiment of a treadmill, the exercise assembly 102 can include an endless belt extended over a support surface and rotated by a motor controlled by a controller board 112 in a fashion which allows a user standing thereon to walk, jog, run or the like. However, a skill artisan will recognize from the disclosure herein that other exercise assemblies may not include the controller board 112 and/or may provide exercise to the user without electronic drive components, such as, for example, a stationary bike, a climbing machine, a striding elliptical machine, or the like.
In one embodiment, the exercise assembly 102 provides output signals to the microprocessor 104 indicative of parameters of the assembly 102. For example, the output signals may include an indication of exercise speed, resistance, inclination, or the like. Moreover, the output signal may include physiological parameters such as heart rate or the like. According to one embodiment, the microprocessor 104 comprises a microcontroller such as those commercially available from Atmel Corporation under the name Atmel MegaAVL 103 microcontroller.
Users interface with and control the exercise machine 100 via preprogrammed commands, and/or the display 108, which includes a user input device 114 such as a keypad assembly. For example, the user may control the exercise machine 100 by direct input, such as speed control, incline control, change of preprogrammed exercise regimes or routine levels, or the like. In addition, the microprocessor 104 may control the exercise machine 100 via preprogrammed exercise routines generally comprising a series of speed and/or incline commands used to simulate various terrain conditions or exercise environments.
In one embodiment, the display 108 provides the user audio/visual feedback during program selection and operation of the exercise machine 100, including, for example, speed, incline, elapse workout time, distance traveled, distance or time remaining, calories burned, heart rate, other physiological parameters, graphical display indicating terrain profiles or workout intensity, or the like. In one embodiment, the display 108 and keypad assembly comprise a vacuum fluorescent display, an LED matrix display, and a plurality of seven segment numeric LED banks.
Although the exercise machine 100, the display 108, and the keypad assembly are disclosed with reference to their preferred embodiments, the disclosure is not intended to be limited thereby. Rather, a skilled artisan will recognize from the disclosure herein a wide number of alternatives for the exercise machine 100, the display 108, and the keypad assembly. For example, the exercise machine 100 may comprise virtually any apparatus configurable to provide exercise to a user, while the display 108 and keypad assembly may comprise a wide number of commercially available audio/visual feedback devices, user input devices, or the like, including commercially available computing devices such as laptops, personal digital assistants, digital tablets, or the like.
Once the microprocessor 104 receives the output from the weight measurement system 110, it calculates a value of the user's weight and, for example, stores the value in the memory 106. Moreover, the microprocessor 104 can also store the physiological parameters discussed in the foregoing, some of which are also calculated from the value of the user's weight.
In an embodiment, each of the load cells 202 and 204 comprise a device whose electrical properties, such as, for example, resistance, varies in proportion to the amount of strain in the device, such as, for example, a strain gauge. In one embodiment, the strain gauge responds to strain with a linear change in electrical resistance. When the resistances of the strain gauge are place in a Wheatstone bridge configuration, the bridge amplifies even small changes in the resistance due to changes in the strain on the gauge, such as added weight. In an embodiment, resistance values R1 and R4 decrease and R2 and R3 increase as the strain in the gauge increases (e.g., a load is applied), thereby increasing the output differential voltage. Moreover, the foregoing bridge configuration preferably includes a one kiloOhm (1 KΩ) bridge, a one milliAmp (1 mA) supply current, a one point five millivolt per Volt (1.5 mVN) output signal and a five volt (5 V) power source, although a skilled artisan will recognize from the disclosure herein other values can be used for the bridge configuration.
As shown in
Although the weight measurement system 110 is disclosed with reference to its preferred embodiment, the invention is not intended to be limited thereby. Rather, a skilled artisan will recognize from the disclosure herein a wide number of alternatives for acquiring a microprocessor-usable signal that can be processed to determine an accurate value of the user's weight. For example, the microprocessor 104 may accept and process an analog signal to determine a user's weight. Moreover, other convenient weighing devices which do not interfere with the user of the exercise assembly 102 can be employed to provide a signal usable to determine the user's weight.
As shown in
An artisan will also recognize from the disclosure herein that the load cell 300 can comprise a wide variety of different shapes, widths, thickness, or the like, having a correspondingly wide variety of different cutout shapes designed to vary the sensitivity, or available deflection, in the load cell 300. According to an embodiment, the load cell 300 preferably comprises dimensions of about six inches by one inch by one and one-half inches (6.0×1.0×1.5) having through holes 302 measuring about 2×0.328 and through holes 304 measuring about 2×5/16-18 UNC-2B threaded to a depth of 0.75 inches. Moreover, as shown in
Although the load cell 300 is disclosed with reference to its preferred embodiment, the invention is not intended to be limited thereby. Rather, a skilled artisan will recognize from the disclosure herein a wide number of alternative structures for the load cell 300 or the configuration of the load cell 300. For example, the load cell 300 may comprise a base palter style load cell, preferably having dimensions of about six and one-half inches by one inch by one-half inch (6.5×1×0.5).
According to an embodiment, the zero weight calibration output from the A/D converter 208 preferably is less than about 500 A/D counts of the available 1024 A/D counts. More preferably, the zero weight calibration output from the A/D converter 208 ranges from about 100 to about 200 A/D counts. Even more preferably, the zero weight calibration output from the A/D converter 208 is about 120 A/D counts. The higher the zero weight A/D counts, the more probability for erratic readings due to lower resolution. Moreover, zero weight A/D counts higher than about 270 A/D units may indicate significant stress already on the load cell 300 indicating improper stressed mounting, binding, or other potential partial or complete failures.
The calibration process 500 proceeds to block 504, where the microprocessor 104 determines the output of the A/D converter 208, such as the A/D count, when a test weight is applied to the load cells 202 and 204. According to an embodiment, the test weight comprises increments of about 100 pounds. The corresponding test weight calibration output from the A/D converter 208 preferably is the zero weight calibration output plus (+) at least one (1) A/D count per pound weight of the test weight. According to one embodiment, the test weight calibration output corresponding to a 100 pound test weight is about 300 A/D units, whereas the test weight calibration output corresponding to a 200 pound test weight is about 420 A/D units.
The calibration process 500 proceeds to block 506, where the microprocessor 104 determines conversion values that can be used to calculate an accurate value of the user's weight from a given output from the A/D converter 208. According to one embodiment, the output changes linearly, therefore, the conversion values comprise a ratio. According to other embodiments, the conversion values may comprise a table, a formula or function, combinations of the same, or the like. In an embodiment, the microprocessor 104 uses the conversion values to calculate a user's weight in under 6 seconds.
After the microprocessor 104 executes the calibration process 500, the exercise machine 100 can accurately calculate the value of a user's weight. The calibration process 500 may be periodically run to ensure accurate and current conversion values are being used. For example, straightforward recalibration can ensure error free replacement, maintenance and the like of the load cells.
Although the foregoing invention has been described in terms of certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the disclosure herein. For example,
In the embodiment of
Additionally, other combinations, omissions, substitutions and modifications will be apparent to the skilled artisan in view of the disclosure herein, such as, for example, half bridge configurations tying two load cells together, RS232 capability on the output of the load cells, or the like. Accordingly, the present invention is not intended to be limited by the reaction of the preferred embodiments, but is to be defined by reference to the appended claims. Moreover, all publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.
The present application claims priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to and is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/479,448, filed Jun. 30, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,435,205, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/313,097, filed Dec. 5, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,070,542, entitled “Exercise Machine Including Weight Measurement System,” which claims priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/399,336, filed Jul. 26, 2002, entitled “Cooling System for Exercise Machine.” The present application incorporates the foregoing disclosures in their entirety herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60399336 | Jul 2002 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 11479448 | Jun 2006 | US |
Child | 12248861 | US | |
Parent | 10313097 | Dec 2002 | US |
Child | 11479448 | US |