Patent Application
20070201727
The present invention relates to fitness equipment operating systems.
From their humble beginnings as free weights and bicycles mounted on wooden platforms, exercise equipment such as stationary bicycles, treadmills, elliptical fitness trainers, rowing machines, stair climbers, weight resistance machines, and the like have grown increasingly sophisticated. Not only has the mechanical aspects of these machines improved, with innovations such as adjustable platforms, variable resistance, and a wide range of exercising positions, but the microprocessing capabilities of these exercise devices has improved markedly. Thus, today's exercise equipment offers users a wide variety of different exercise patterns; not only patterns design to burn a specified number of calories or cover a specified distance, but also complex workout patterns such as interval workouts, course patterns, etc.
As the sophistication of the exercise equipment has increased, so also the sophistication of exercise science has improved. Today's sophisticated health club user typically cross-trains by using a plurality of exercise equipment rather than focusing on a single type of modality. In addition, today's sophisticated health club user will alter the volume or intensity of their exercise routines in a pattern referred to as periodization. Often today's exercise users are following an exercise program scientifically designed for maximum benefit over a period of time. The user's workout information is tracked over time by the user or a fitness facility where the user exercises, with adjustments made to the program based on feedback from the results of exercise routines. As a result, the user, the fitness trainer, and/or the health club are faced with the daunting task of gathering and organizing data across a wide range of products over long periods of time.
Some current exercise devices that attempt to track a user's workout data require a user to input a user identification code into the exercise device microprocessor, a time consuming act that is subject to user error and requires the health clubs to issue and track the identification codes. Other exercise devices that attempt to track a user's workout data require the user to carry a card, which can be easily lost or stolen and an inconvenience to the user who typically is dressed in light exercise clothing. Thus, it would be desirable to provide improved user identification in exercise equipment.
The present invention provides an operating system architecture for a fitness trainer. The operating system includes a display, a processor in communication with the display, a hardware circuit board in communication with the processor, memory in communication with the hardware circuit board and the processor, and a biometric capture mechanism in communication with the processor and the memory. The memory is capable of storing template biometric data with which biometric data captured by the biometric capture mechanism is compared.
According to a principal aspect of the invention, a fitness device includes a frame, first and second foot links, first and second foot supporting portions for receiving the feet of the user, a coupling, a guide, a display, a processor, memory and a biometric capture mechanism. The frame has a pivot axis defined thereon, and is configured to be supported on a floor. The first and second foot links each include a first portion and a second portion. The first and second foot support portions supported by the first and second foot links, respectively. The coupling is associated with the first portion of each foot link for coupling the first portion of each foot link to the pivot axis so that the first portion of each foot link travels in a closed path relative to the pivot axis. The guide is associated with the frame and operative to engage and direct the second portions of the foot links along preselected reciprocating paths of travel as the first portions of the respective foot links travel along their paths of travel, so that when the exercise device is in use the foot support portion moves along a generally elliptical path of travel. The display is in communication with the foot link, the processor is in communication with the display, the memory is in communication with the processor, and the biometric capture mechanism is in communication with the processor and the memory.
According to another principal aspect of the present invention, a system of identifying a user for a fitness trainer includes the steps of capturing a user biometric, extracting data from the biometric and storing the data as a template, and capturing a sample of the chosen biometric. The system further includes the steps of the user of the fitness equipment presenting a live biometric, and utilizing a matching algorithm to compare the live biometric with the stored templates, whereby, if a match is made, the user is granted access to operate the fitness trainer.
In another aspect in accordance with the principles of the present invention, the biometric capture mechanism is a hand biometric system. In another aspect in accordance with the principles of the present invention, the biometric capture mechanism is a face biometric system.
The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
While an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Briefly described, the fitness device 10 includes a frame 12 that has a forward upright member 20, a forward end portion 16 and a rearward end portion 18. Preferably, the forward end portion 16 of the frame 12 can simply terminate at the end of a substantially horizontal, longitudinal central member 14, while the rearward end portion 18 can terminate at a relatively shorter transverse member. Ideally, but not essentially, the frame 12 can be composed of tubular members that can be relatively light in weight but that provide substantial strength and rigidity. The frame 12 also may be composed of solid members that provide the requisite strength and rigidity while maintaining a relatively lightweight.
The forward upright member 20 extends upwardly from the longitudinal central member 14 of the frame 12. Preferably, the upright member 20 can be slightly rearward curved; however, the forward member 20 may be configured at other upward angles. A relatively short, transversely oriented crossbar member 22 can be connected to the forward upright member 20. Left and right balance arms 24, 26 can depend downwardly from each end of the crossbar member 22 to engage the floor on each side of the longitudinal central member 14 near the forward end of the fitness device 10, thereby increasing stability. Ideally, but not essentially, these members can be composed of a material similar to that described above, and can be formed in quasi-circular tubular configurations.
Left and right axle mounts 30, 32 (seen in
The left and right ends of the transverse axle 34 rotatably engage left and right crank arm assemblies 40, 50. Left and right foot links 60, 70 each include a forward end 62, 72, a rearward end 64, 74, and a foot support portion 66, 76 there between. The foot support portions 66, 76 are positioned near the forward portion of the foot links 60, 70, and provide stable foot placement locations. The foot links 60, 70 are aligned in approximately parallel relationship with the longitudinal central member 14 of the frame 12. The rearward ends 64, 74 of the foot links 60, 70 engage the crank arm assemblies 40, 50 such that the foot support portion 66, 76 of the foot links travel in a generally arcuate or elliptical reciprocal path as the transverse axle 34 rotates. In some exemplary embodiments, the foot support portions 66, 76 can be configured to form toe straps and/or toe and heel cups (not shown) which aid in forward motion recovery at the end of a rearward or forward striding motion of a foot.
The forward ends 62, 72 of the foot links 60, 70 preferably are supported by rollers 68, 78, which engage guide tracks 42, 52 (best seen in
Preferably, the upper surface of the guide tracks 42, 52 can be shaped to contain two longitudinally extending, adjacent engagement grooves 44, 54 (seen in
The forward ends 62, 72 of the foot links 60, 70 can be operatively connected to engagement assemblies 100, 110, which in turn can be operatively connected to the coupling regions 86, 96 of left and right swing arm mechanisms 80, 90, respectively. Each swing arm mechanism 80, 90 contains a hand-gripping portion 82, 92, a pivot point 84, 94, and a coupling region 86, 96. The pivot points 84, 94 rotatably secure the swing arm mechanisms 80, 90 to each end of the crossbar member 22 of the frame 12. The coupling regions 86, 96 of the swing arm mechanisms 80, 90 rotatably connect to the engagement assemblies 100, 110, and turn to the foot support portions 66, 76 of the foot links 60, 70. Each engagement assembly 100, 110 includes an abutment arm 106, 116 and a curved attachment link 104, 114, which together prevent the derailment of the foot link rollers 68, 78 from the guide tracks 42, 52.
The hand-gripping portions 82, 92 of the swing arm mechanisms 80, 90 are grasped by the hands of the user, and allow upper body arm and shoulder exercising motions to be incorporated in conjunction with the reciprocal, elliptical exercising motion traced out by the feet of the user. The linking of the swing arm mechanisms 80, 90 to the foot links 60, 70, via the engagement assemblies 100, 110, and the rotational securement of the swing arm mechanisms 80, 90 to the forward upright member 20 of the frame 12 at the pivot points 84, 94, results in generally rearward, arcuate motion of a hand-gripping portion being correspondingly linked to a generally forward, arcuate motion of a respective foot support portion, and vice versa.
To use this fitness device 10, the user stands on the foot support portions 66, 76 and grasps the hand-gripping portions 82, 92. The user imparts a rearward stepping motion on one of the foot support portions and a forward stepping motion on the other foot support portion, thereby causing the transverse axle 34 to rotate in a clockwise direction (when viewed from the right side as shown in
The foot links 60, 70 are attached to the transverse axle 34 by the crank arm assemblies 40, 50 such that one foot support portion moves substantially forward as the other foot support portion moves substantially rearward. In this same fashion, one hand-gripping portion moves forward as the other hand-gripping portion moves rearward (e.g., when the left hand-gripping portion 82 moves forward, the left foot support portion 66 moves rearward, while the right foot support portion 76 moves forward and the right hand-gripping portion 92 moves rearward). Therefore, the user can begin movement of the entire foot link and swing arm mechanism linkage by moving any foot support portion or hand-gripping portion, or preferably by moving all of them together.
Again, while the example embodiment depicts a total body elliptical fitness cross-training device, the principles of the present invention apply to any other fitness devices, including but not limited to treadmills, stair climbers, stationary bikes, rowing machines, stair climbers, weight resistance machines and the like.
Preferably, a view screen 27 contained in electronic housing 28 is securely connected to the upper end of the forward upright member 20, at an orientation that can be easily viewable to a user of the fitness device 10. Referring to
Referring to
The T2 board can include a connector for loading and reading flash and EEPROM memory. The connector can be for example a JTAG connector available from JTAG Technologies Inc., 1006 Butterworth Court, Stevensville, Md. 21666 USA Multiple serial ports can be provided for: communications with the local processor; Communication Specification for Fitness Equipment (CSAFE) communications; and USB, wireless or other form of network interface.
Electronic devices may be incorporated into the fitness device 10 such as timers, odometers, speedometers, heart rate indicators, energy expenditure recorders, controls, etc. A speed sensor can be preferably provided. In one embodiment, the speed sensor can be based on zero crossing of one phase of a SPAM generator, 51 pulses per revolution or 2 strides. A resistance can be provided by brake. A heart rate interface can supports a Polar heart rate receiver available from Polar Electro Inc., 1111 Marcus Avenue, Suite M15, Lake Success, N.Y. 11042 USA.
A biometric user identification system in accordance with the principles of the present invention comprises a capture mechanism, a processing mechanism, and a storage mechanism. In one embodiment of a biometric sensor in accordance with the present invention, the processing mechanism comprises the microprocessor 34 and the storage mechanism comprises the memory 36. In one embodiment of a biometric sensor in accordance with the present invention, the capture mechanism comprises the biometric sensor 33. In one embodiment of a biometric sensor in accordance with the present invention, the biometric sensor comprises a fingerprint biometric system. In a further embodiment of the present invention, a capacitive fingerprint scanner can be utilized. The capacitive fingerprint scanner generates an image of the ridges and valleys that make up a fingerprint by use of an electrical current. Referring to
The sensor is connected to an integrator 44. The integrator comprises an inverting operational amplifier 46 as well as a number of transistors, resistors, and capacitors. The non-inverting terminal of operational amplifier 46 is connected to ground, and the inverting terminal is connected to a reference voltage supply and a feedback loop 43. The feedback loop 43, which is also connected to the operational amplifier 46 output, includes the two conductor plates 39.
The surface of the finger 36 acts as a third capacitor plate, separated by the insulating layers 41 in the cell structure and, in the case of the fingerprint valleys 40, a pocket of air 45. Varying the distance between the capacitor plates (by moving the finger 36 closer or farther away from the conductor plates 39) changes the total capacitance of the capacitor. Thus, the capacitor in a cell under a fingerprint ridge 38 will have a greater capacitance than the capacitor in a cell under a fingerprint valley 40.
To scan the finger, the microprocessor 34 first closes a reset switch 49 for each cell, which shorts the input and output of the operational amplifier 46 to “balance” the integrator 44. When the reset switch 49 is opened again, and the microprocessor applies a fixed charge to the integrator 44 and the various capacitors charge up. The capacitance of a capacitor 51 in the feed back loop affects the voltage at the input of the inverting operational amplifier 46, which affects the output of the inverting operational amplifier 46. Since the distance to the finger 36 alters capacitance, a finger ridge 38 will result in a different voltage output than a finger valley 40.
The microprocessor 34 reads this voltage output and determines whether it is characteristic of a fingerprint ridge 38 or valley 40. By reading the cells in the sensor array, the microprocessor can put together an overall image of the fingerprint. The fingerprint of the user can then be compared to an image of users' fingerprint previously registered in the memory 36 of the device.
In an alternative embodiment, a biometric fingerprint identification device in accordance with the principles of the present invention can utilize an optical scanner. The optical scanner is a charge coupled device comprising an array of light-sensitive diodes called photosites. The charge coupled device generates an electrical signal in response to light photons. Each photosite records a pixel representing the light that hit a particular spot. Collectively, the light and dark pixels form an image of the scanned finger. Typically, an analog-to-digital converter processes the analog electrical signal to generate a digital representation of the fingerprint image.
In one embodiment, a biometric identification system with the brand name FingerChip™ biometrics sensor available from Atmel Corporation, 2325 Orchard Parkway, San Jose, Calif. 95131 USA can be utilized. The FingerChip™ biometrics sensor is a fingerprint sensor that uses thermal sensing technology that measures the temperature difference according to whether the finger skin touches the sensing area (for a fingerprint ridge) or not (for a fingerprint valley). The FingerChip™ biometrics sensor is made of a silicon die covered by a pyro-electric material, a material that is sensitive to temperature differences. The die itself is made of a matrix of adjacent pixels.
The temperature difference initially appearing at the pyro-electric layer contact is transformed into electrical charges due to the properties of the material. The electrical charges are then amplified and measured by the underlying silicon pixels, in order to create an accurate transcription of the fingerprint of a user.
Use of thermal technology operates well under drastic environmental conditions that can be found in the exercise environment, such as extreme temperatures, high humidity, and water (sweat) contamination. This thermal technology has a small dependence of distance between the finger and the sensor, allows complete encapsulation and protection of the sensor with a very robust coating, providing a very high resistance to shocks, abrasion, water or any other environmental stress.
The FingerChip™ biometrics sensor uses a sweeping procedure to acquire successive slices of the fingerprint, before reconstructing the complete fingerprint. This process reduces the required size of the silicon to manufacture a fingerprint sensor, which costs less and reduces latent prints naturally present on the surface of area sensors. Finally, the FingerChip™ biometrics sensor is self-cleaning since no latent print is left on the imaging surface.
Yet another example of such biometric fingerprint identification system is the EntréPad™ biometrics sensor available from AuthenTec, Inc., 709 South Harbor City Boulevard, Melbourne, Fla. 32901 USA. The EntréPad™ is a fingerprint sensor that uses radio frequency (RF) signals to detect the fingerprint ridges and valleys. The fingerprint sensor includes a sensing area. The RF electronic imaging works by reading the fingerprint pattern from the live, highly-conductive layer of skin that lies just beneath the dry outer surface layer of the skin, when the user's finger is placed on or near to the sensing area of the sensor.
While these example biometric fingerprint sensors utilize capacitive sensing, optical imaging, thermal sensing and radio frequency sensing, the present invention is directed at all biometric sensors such as for example infrared gauging, and mechanical force measurement.
In some applications or in some locations, the use of a fingerprint biometric identification system may not be desired. Thus, in an alternative embodiment the capture mechanism comprises an alternative biometric such as for example hand geometry. A biometric identification system based upon the geometry of the human hand is generally not as detailed as fingerprint identification systems, and, in some applications or uses, may be desired over a fingerprint identification system.
Referring to
Referring to
One drawback of the use of fingerprint and hand biometric identification systems is that both require physical contact with the user. Thus, in an alternative embodiment the capture mechanism comprises an alternative biometric such as for example a biometric face identification or recognition system. Referring to
In a further alternative embodiment, the capture mechanism comprises a contact less palm vein authentication system. Palm vein patterns are unique with each individual and vein patterns do not change over the lifetime of a person. The palm vein recognition biometric can comprise a low-intensity infra-red light emitter and an optical sensor. Upon exposure to the low-intensity infra-red light, the veins just beneath the skin of the palm then emit a black reflection, giving a picture of the veins in the palm. A pattern is then extracted from this picture. Furthermore, palm vein pattern authentication includes minimal impact from such factors as injuries, skin chafing, and strong resistance to impact from changes in external environmental factors. The hand is suspended in the air over, or adjacent to, the reader for reading and authentication, thus it is unnecessary to touch surfaces that others have come into physical contact with.
As previously noted, in addition to a capture mechanism a biometric user identification system in accordance with the principles of the present invention comprises a processing mechanism and a storage mechanism. In an initial step, in order to verify the identity of a fitness device user, a sample of the chosen biometric is captured. Data is then extracted by the fitness device microcontroller and stored as a template in the fitness device flash memory or at a remote location.
A biometric user identification system in accordance with the principles of the present invention further comprises an authentication process. During the authentication process, the user of the fitness equipment presents their biometric to the capture mechanism. Utilizing a matching algorithm contained within the fitness equipment microprocessor or a remote microprocessor, the processing system compares the live biometric with the stored templates. If a match is made, the person is identified and granted access.
In an alterative embodiment, the fitness equipment can be in communication with a central processor such as a server at a health club or at a remote location that contains the matching algorithm biometric templates for identification. The central processor can include for example user information such as statistics on the user, the past workouts of the user, future planned workout regimes for the user, entertainment preferences, etc. Once the biometric has identified the user, the user information stored on the central processor can be provided to the fitness equipment and displayed on the view screen at the control of the user.
The biometric user identification systems of the present invention are configurable for use in a wide variety of different fitness equipment operating or control systems. Referring to
If the user selects a specific course 918, again, the user can bypass the biometric user identification system 921 or can use the biometric user identification system to identify themself to the system. If the user bypasses the biometric user identification system and simply continue the selected course program 923. In such case, the system accesses the selected course program 925, the workout 923 ensues, and upon conclusion of the workout, the system goes into an idle state 925.
If the user has used the biometric user identification system to identify themself to the system, the system utilizes the matching algorithm to compare the live biometric with the stored templates 927. If a match is made, the system queries the user as to whether the identified user is indeed the user. The user can then verify themselves as the correct user 928, the person is identified and granted access, and the system accesses the selected course program 925, the workout 923 ensues.
If the user has used the biometric user identification system to identify them self to the system, and a match is not made, the system instructs the user to repeat the biometric user identification process. In the event of continued lack of a match, the system allows a preselected number of retries such as for example four 930, upon which the user is given the option of registering with the system by providing a sample of the chosen biometric to be captured 932. In one embodiment, such user registration can be required to be done at a central location such as for example the front desk of an exercise facility. In another embodiment, user registration can be done at the exercise device itself. In this embodiment, the system prompts the user through the registration steps 934 and the biometric data is then extracted and stored as a template 936.
If the user has used the biometric user identification system to identify them self to the system, upon conclusion of the workout, the system can collect and store data from the workout with user information. If such capability is provided, the data can be sent for example to a remote location 941, a summary can be provided to the user 943 of the workout and perhaps prior workouts and guidelines for future workouts.
While the invention has been described with specific embodiments, other alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. As previously described, while the example embodiment depicts a total body elliptical fitness cross-training device, the principles of the present invention apply to any other fitness devices, including but not limited to treadmills, stair climbers, stationary bikes, rowing machines, stair climbers, weight resistance machines and the like. In addition, while the preferred biometrics described herein is fingerprinting, hand geometry and/or face recognition biometrics, additional biometrics such as, for example, voice, eye, etc. can be utilized. Accordingly, it will be intended to include all such alternatives, modifications and variations set forth within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
