Exercise Device, System and Computer Program

Abstract

Certain embodiments of the invention provide an exercise device for limb exercises comprising: means for detecting a force applied to the apparatus; and means for sliding the exercise device along another surface separate of the exercise device. A system is also provided which comprises the exercise device with one or more sensors which are remote of the exercise device for sensing at least one of movement, acceleration or orientation. Furthermore, a computer program is provided for receiving, at a remote device, a signal transmitted from the exercise device and generating an output dependent upon the received signal.

1 . An exercise device for limb exercises comprising:
 means for detecting a force applied to the exercise device; and   means for sliding the exercise device along another surface separate of the exercise device, wherein the means for sliding comprises a part of an external housing of the exercise device.   
     
     
         2 . An exercise device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the means for sliding comprises a sliding surface and wherein the sliding surface comprises at least one of:
 a streamline shape,   a substantially convex cross-sectional shape,   a surface substantially devoid of protrusions,   a surface substantially devoid of recessions, and   a material having a low coefficient of friction with respect to said another surface.   
     
     
         3 . An exercise device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the means for detecting a force applied to the exercise device is configured to detect a force applied to a first side of the exercise device and wherein the means for sliding is located at a second side of the exercise device opposite to the first side. 
     
     
         4 . An exercise device as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising means for coupling the exercise device to a portion of a limb of a user. 
     
     
         5 . An exercise device as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the means for coupling comprises a surface of the exercise device and wherein the surface:
 comprises a substantially concave cross-sectional shape, and/or   is located at a first side of the exercise device which is opposite to a second side of the exercise device on which the means for sliding is provided.   
     
     
         6 . An exercise device as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising means for outputting a signal from the means for detecting a force. 
     
     
         7 . An exercise device as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the output means comprises means for transmitting the signal from the means for detecting a force to a remote device. 
     
     
         8 . An exercise device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the exercise device comprises one or more further sensors. 
     
     
         9 . An exercise device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the one or more further sensors are configured to measure at least one of: movement, acceleration or orientation. 
     
     
         10 . An exercise device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein, when in use and coupled to a heel of a leg of a user, the exercise device is configured:
 such that the exercise device is slidable along the separate surface to   facilitate a bending of the leg,   to detect a raising of the leg, or   to measure a degree of swinging of the leg.   
     
     
         11 . A system comprising:
 the exercise device as claimed in  claim 1 ; and   one or more further sensors, remote of the exercise device.   
     
     
         12 . A system as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the one or more further sensors are configured to be attachable to a limb of a user. 
     
     
         13 . A system as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the exercise device and the one or more further sensors are configured to transmit a signal a remote device. 
     
     
         14 . A computer program that, when performed by at least one processor of a device, causes the device to:
 receive a signal transmitted from an exercise device as claimed in previous  claim 1 , wherein the exercise device is remote of the device; and   generate an output dependent upon the received signal.