Interactive performance feedback for exercise equipment

Abstract

A method and device for providing performance feedback to a user during a session of using exercise equipment including measuring user input during the session using at least one sensor to gather sensor data, and transmitting the sensor data to a processing device. The sensor data is evaluated to determine at least one of a force metric, a frequency metric, and an accuracy metric. The at least one of the force metric, the frequency metric and the accuracy metric are compared to at least one predetermined performance goal. Audio feedback is provided to the user based on the comparison of the at least one of the force metric, the frequency metric, and the accuracy metric with the at least one predetermined performance goal, wherein the audio feedback includes varying a musical playback in at least one of speed, volume, and pitch.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of providing interactive performance feedback for a user during a session of using exercise equipment, the method comprising:
 measuring user input during the session using at least one sensor to gather sensor data;   transmitting the sensor data to a processing device;   evaluating the sensor data utilizing the processing device to determine at least one of a force metric, a frequency metric, and an accuracy metric;   comparing the at least one of the force metric, the frequency metric, and the accuracy metric to at least one predetermined performance goal; and   providing feedback to the user during the session based on the comparison of the at least one of the force metric, the frequency metric, and the accuracy metric with the at least one predetermined performance goal.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the sensor comprises an accelerometer that is mounted on a punching bag.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , including:
 determining at least one of stroke force, strike frequency, and strike accuracy utilizing data from the accelerometer.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , including:
 utilizing the processing device to determine the strike frequency for a series of successive predefined time periods; and including:   comparing the strike frequency to a predetermine strike frequency goal.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , including:
 causing an audio device to generate an audible feedback noise of a first type if the strike frequency is below the predetermine strike frequency goal.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , including:
 providing music having an initial tempo, and wherein:   the noise of the first type comprises music having a tempo that is slower than the initial tempo.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , including:
 providing music having a volume;   comparing the strike force to a predetermined strike force goal;   lowering the volume of the music if the strike force meets or exceeds the predetermined strike force goal.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the feedback comprises at least one of audio and visual feedback.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the exercise equipment is selected from a group consisting of free weights, stationary bikes, treadmills, rowing machines, stair steppers, and elliptical machines; and   the at least one sensor comprises an accelerometer.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the at least one sensor comprises an accelerometer configured to generate data from which a frequency metric can be determined.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the exercise equipment includes a movable member that moves in a repetitive manner defining a frequency in response to a force applied by a user of the exercise equipment; and   the at least one sensor comprises an accelerometer;   utilizing the processing device to determine a frequency of the movement of the movable member.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the movable member comprises a pair of pedals that are configured to move in response to forces applied thereto by a user's feet.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the accuracy metric comprises foot placement.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein:
 foot placement is measured utilizing at least one IR sensor.   
     
     
         15 . A system for providing interactive performance feedback, comprising:
 exercise equipment having a movable input member that is configured to move while a user applies a force to the movable input member;   at least one sensor operably connected to the movable input member to gather sensor data regarding user input to the movable input member;   at least one transmitter configured to transmit the sensor data to a processing device, wherein the processing device is configured to evaluate the sensor data and determine at least one of a force metric, a frequency metric, and an accuracy metric and then compare the at least one of the force metric, the frequency metric and the accuracy metric to a predetermined performance goal and provide feedback to a user based at least in part, on the comparison.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the sensor comprises an accelerometer mounted to the movable input member.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the movable input member comprises a punching bag.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the exercise equipment is configured to provide at least one of audio feedback and visual feedback to a user while the user is exercising utilizing the exercise equipment.   
     
     
         19 . An interactive performance feedback system for a punching bag, the system comprising:
 at least one transmitter;   a plurality of accelerometers configured to be affixed to a punching bag, wherein the plurality of accelerometers are operably coupled to the at least one transmitter and provide data to the at least one transmitter regarding motion of a punching bag;   a processing device operably coupled to the at least one transmitter to receive data from the accelerometers, wherein the processing device is configured to evaluate data from the accelerometers to determine at least one of a force metric, a frequency metric, and an accuracy metric, and wherein the processing device is configured to compare the at least one of the force metric, the frequency metric, and the accuracy metric to at least one predetermined performance goal; and   an audio device, wherein the audio device is controlled by the processing device to provide audio feedback which varies in at least one of speed, volume and pitch based, at least in part, on the comparison of the at least one of the force metric, the frequency metric and the accuracy metric to the at least one predetermined performance goal.   
     
     
         20 . The interactive performance feedback system of  claim 19 , wherein:
 the processing device is configured to cause the audio device to provide audio feedback while a user is striking the punching bag.