Audible electronic exercise monitor

Abstract

An electronic activity monitor for monitoring the performance of an activity such as an exercise comprises an activity detector responsive to motion associated with the performance of the activity to output a corresponding signal, a processor for receiving the signal and determining a starting address at which a block of corresponding sound data is stored, a memory for storing sound data corresponding to a plurality of values associated with the monitored activity, the sound data preferably comprising data representing a voice representation of the values, and a speech generator for generating a naturally-sounding human voice or reproducing a pre-stored version of an actual human voice or other audible indicia in accordance with the sound data stored in the memory. The speech generator is controlled by the processor in response to the activity detector to provide a verbal representation of the user's performance of the activity. Motivational speech may also be generated to encourage correct and continued performance of the activity.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An exercise monitor for monitoring the performance of an exercise being performed on exercise equipment, comprising: a detector for detecting a function associated with the performance of successive exercise movements on the exercise equipment and outputting a corresponding signal; a processor for receiving the output signal of the detector and selecting, based upon the output signal, a block of sound data for generating a verbal phrase for providing a user with verbal encouragement to motivate the user to continue to perform the exercise on the exercise equipment; and a speech generator for generating a voice for corresponding to the selected block of sound data.  
     
     
         2 . An exercise monitor according to  claim 1 , wherein the detector comprises a mechanical switch for detecting movement of the user.  
     
     
         3 . An exercise monitor according to  claim 1 , wherein the processor further selects, based on the output signal of the detector, a block of sound data for providing the user with at least one of verbal instruction for performing an exercise using the exercise equipment, a verbal alarm indicating an incorrectly performed exercise or a dangerous health condition, and a verbal progress or status indication.  
     
     
         4 . An exercise monitor according to  claim 1 , further comprising a monitor for monitoring physiological condition of the user and outputting a corresponding signal to the processor; wherein the processor further selects, based on the output signal of the monitor, a block of sound data for providing the user with at least one of verbal instructions for performing an exercise using the exercise equipment, a verbal alarm indicating an incorrectly performed exercise or a dangerous health condition, and a verbal progress or status indication.  
     
     
         5 . An exercise monitor according to  claim 1 , wherein the detector, the processor and the speech generator are incorporated in a housing of the exercise equipment.  
     
     
         6 . An exercise monitor according to  claim 1 , further comprising a visual display for providing information indicative of performance of the exercise by the user.  
     
     
         7 . An exercise monitor according to  claim 1 , wherein the sound data includes data representative of a plurality of verbal encouragement phrases; and the processor selects one of the phrases based on the user's progress in performing the exercise so as to motivate the user to continue to perform the exercise.  
     
     
         8 . An exercise monitor according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of types of exercise equipment on which exercise is performed and monitored.  
     
     
         9 . An exercise monitor according to  claim 1 , wherein the detector is incorporated in a housing of the exercise equipment.  
     
     
         10 . An exercise monitor according to  claim 9 , wherein the processor and the speech generator are incorporated in a portable device.  
     
     
         11 . An exercise monitor according to  claim 1 , wherein the functions detected by the detector comprise repetitions of exercise movements and quantification of the exercise movements.  
     
     
         12 . An exercise monitor for monitoring the performance of an exercise being performed on exercise equipment, comprising: a detector for detecting a function associated with the performance of successive exercise movements on the exercise equipment and outputting a corresponding signal; a processor for receiving the output signal of the detector and selecting, based upon the output signal, a block of sound data for generating a verbal phrase for providing a user with verbal instructions for performing the exercise on the exercise equipment; and a speech generator for generating a voice for corresponding to the selected block of sound data.  
     
     
         13 . An exercise monitor for monitoring the performance of an exercise, comprising: a detector for detecting a function associated with the performance of successive exercise movements and outputting a corresponding signal; a processor for receiving the output signal of the motion detector and selecting, based upon the value thereof, a block of sound data for generating a verbal phrase for providing a user with verbal instructions for performing the exercise; and a speech generator for generating a voice for corresponding to the selected block of sound data.  
     
     
         14 . An exercise monitor according to  claim 13 , wherein the detector comprises an accelerometer for detecting movement of the user.  
     
     
         15 . An exercise monitor according to  claim 14 , wherein the detector function comprises at least one of walking, running, breathing, pulse rate and repetitive movement.  
     
     
         16 . An exercise monitor according to  claim 13 , further comprising a monitor for monitoring a physiological condition of the user and outputting a corresponding signal to the processor; wherein the processor further selects, based on the output signal of the monitor, a block of sound data for providing the user with at least one of verbal instructions for performing an exercise using the exercise device, a verbal alarm indicating an incorrectly performed exercise or a dangerous health condition, and a verbal progress or status indication.  
     
     
         17 . An exercise monitor according to  claim 13 , wherein the sound data includes data representing a monitored function of the exercise, the monitored function comprising at least one of distance, rate, speed and number of repetitions; and the processor selects at appropriate intervals sound data based on the monitored function and controls the speech generator to verbally announce the selected sound data.  
     
     
         18 . An exercise monitor according to  claim 17 , wherein the processor controls the speech generator to generate the selected verbal instructions between or in place of more successively generated verbal phrases corresponding to the monitored function.  
     
     
         19 . An exercise monitor according to  claim 13 , wherein the detector, the processor and the speech generator are incorporated in a housing of an exercise device.  
     
     
         20 . An exercise monitor according to  claim 13 , further comprising a visual display indicative of performance of the exercise by the user.  
     
     
         21 . An exercise monitor according to  claim 13 , wherein the sound data includes data representative of a plurality of verbal instructional phrases; and the processor selects one of the phrases based on the user's progress in performing the exercise so as to instruct the user how to continue to perform the exercise.