Exercise Machine Sensing Device

Abstract

An exercise-diligence-encouragement and coaching system, providing a small and widely configurable position-sensing device to existing weightlifting machines which provide resistance by leveraging the weight of a rack of vertically-stacked incremental weights. The position-sensing device communicates with a mobile device kept in view of a user of the weightlifting machine, to provide live instructions to the user and track progress of the user over time and tailor future exercises. Location of the device, type of sensor used, power source, and method of communication are all variable.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A weightlifting training system, for use with a weightlifting machine, comprising:
 sensor means for detecting the parameters of a weightlifting exercise routine,   logic means for generating data from said parameters,   communication means for delivery of said data to a mobile device,   a dedicated program running on said mobile device, controlling and monitoring the function of said system, said program using said data to track a number of repetitions to be performed during said routine and coordinate steps of said exercise routine during performance of said routine, in real time, and   a display for providing instructions to a user of said weightlifting machine.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said dedicated program additionally uses said data to create a regimen of weightlifting exercise routines, schedule said routines, direct said routines, and coach a user as to performance of said routine, and tailor said regimen to said user. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said display is the screen of said mobile device. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor means are used to detect that a set of weights has been moved to a particular position by either absolute location means or relative proximity means. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said sensor means comprise a light emitter and light detector as absolute-location means. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein said sensor means locate said emitter and light detector in a single housing and comprises reflective tape positioned so as to reflect light emitted from said emitter onto said light detector when said set of weights has been moved to said particular position. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said sensor means comprises ultrasonic-distance sensors as relative proximity means. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said sensor means comprise electromagnetic sensors, such as a reed switch. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor means comprises accelerometer means for determining that a set of weights has slowed down or come to a stop, to detect the end of a weightlifting repetition. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor means comprise a weight-pin or other weight-retaining flange capable of sensing strain or weight, to detect the quantity of weight which is being lifted. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said communication means comprises a wired connection. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said wired connection is a cable that directly connects said system to said mobile device. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said wired connection connects at least one of said system or said mobile device to a local network. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein both of said system and said mobile device are connected to a local network. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said communication means comprises a wireless connection. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein said wireless connection connects said system to said mobile device by Bluetooth or another technology for conducting communication between two wireless devices. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein said wireless connection connects said system to a local network or a remote network by a wi-fi connection. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein said wireless connection connects said system and said mobile device by connecting both devices to a wi-fi connection of the same wi-fi network router. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said mobile device is retained in a docking stand that is capable of retaining said mobile device in a position that is in view of a user during use of a weightlifting machine, said docking stand also being capable of transmitting data into said mobile device. 
     
     
         20 . A weightlifting training system for use with a weightlifting machine, comprising:
 Sensor means for detecting the parameters of a weightlifting exercise routine,   wherein said sensor means are used to detect that a set of weights has been moved to a particular position by either absolute location means or relative proximity means,   wherein said sensor means comprise a light emitter and light detector as absolute location means, and retain said emitter and detector in a single housing, comprising reflective tape positioned so as to reflect light emitted from said emitter onto said light detector when said set of weights has been moved to said particular position,   wherein said sensor means and reflective tape may be positioned either on the weights or the frame of a weightlifting machine,   logic means for generating data from said parameters,   communication means for delivery of said data to a mobile device,   wherein said communication means comprise multiple alternative communication technologies to connect said system and said mobile device, including a directly-wired connection, a Bluetooth wireless connection, wireless communication via a common connection to a wi-fi network, as well as communication wherein either or both of said system and mobile device are connected to a network by a wired connection,   a dedicated program running on said mobile device,   said program using said data to track a number of repetitions to be performed during said routine and coordinate steps of said exercise routine during performance of said routine, in real time,   said program using said data to create a regimen of weightlifting exercise routines, schedule said routines, direct said routines, and coach a user as to performance of said routine, and tailor said regimen to said user, and   a docking stand that is capable of receiving and retaining said mobile device in a position in view of a user during use of a weightlifting machine, said docking stand capable of transmitting data into said mobile device.