SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RECORDING EXERCISE DATA

Abstract

A method includes engaging a signal transmission module with a signal detection module. The signal detection module is located in an exercise machine. The signal transmission module may be a device worn or carried on by a person who is going to perform an exercise on the exercise machine. Signals transmitted from the signal transmission module are detected by the signal detection module. The method also includes performing the exercise on the exercise machine. Exercise data is recorded by a measurement module. The measurement module is located in the exercise machine.

Description

I. FIELD

The present disclosure is generally related to a system and method for recording exercise data.

II. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

In modern society, a person is more and more conscious of her health. To improve or maintain health, the person may choose to go to a health club for a workout. The workout may include running on a treadmill and lifting weights on a weight station. To keep track of performance over time and determine exercise levels, the person desires to record and analyze exercise data. For example, the person, for each type of weightlifting exercise, wants to record amounts of weight lifted, number of liftings for each set repeated, numbers of sets performed, rest periods between sets, and specific settings such as seat heights and orientations adopted on adjustable machines. As another example, the person wants to collect exercise data, including heart rates, time, distances, speeds, and resistance levels when the person ran on a treadmill.

Recording the exercise data generally involves use of a handheld device equipped with specialized software programs, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA). The person may scroll through a menu of available exercises, identify her intended exercise, and enter performance information upon completion of the exercise. However, during exercise, the person needs to carry the hand-held device from one exercise machine (e.g., a weight station or treadmill) to another exercise machine. In addition, the person needs to manually input the information and exercise data.

III. SUMMARY

This disclosure presents particular embodiments of an exercise data recording system that is configurable to automatically identify (e.g., by a person's fingerprint, voice or by wearing a wristband containing a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag on a wrist) a person who is going to perform an exercise (e.g., weightlifting) on an exercise machine (e.g., a weightlifting station), record exercise data (e.g., amounts of weight the person lifted per set), and transmit the identification information associated with the person (e.g., ID No. of the person), information associated with the exercise machine (e.g., ID No. of the weightlifting station), and the exercise data to a server, a device (e.g., a smart phone), or both for storage, analysis, or both. Thus, the exercise data can be automatically recorded and uniquely tracked to the person without manually inputting the identification information of the person, the exercise data, or both.

In a particular embodiment, an exercise data recording system includes a signal transmission module (e.g., a RFID tag housed in a wristband). The signal transmission module may be a device worn or carried on by a person who is going to perform an exercise on an exercise machine, or a person herself who is going to perform an exercise on an exercise machine. The exercise data recording system also includes a signal detection module (e.g., a fingerprint scanner or a RFID reader contained in a ring attached to the exercise machine). When the person is in an exercise posture (e.g., holding a handle of a weightlifting station), the signal detection module detects signals associated with the person's identity (e.g., fingerprint, voice or ID No. of the person) transmitted from the signal transmission module. The exercise data recording system further includes a measurement module. The measurement module includes a signal receiving device which is configured to receive the signals transmitted from the signal detection module. The measurement module also includes a processor (e.g., a microcontroller) that is configured to record exercise data when the person performs the exercise. The measurement module further includes a storage which is configured to store information associated with the exercise machine, the signals received from the signal detection module, and the exercise data. The measurement module finally includes a communication device (e.g., a Wi-Fi device) that is configured to transmit the signals, the information associated with the exercise machine, and the exercise data to a server, a device, or both for storage, analysis, or both.

In another particular embodiment, a method of recording exercise data includes engaging a signal transmission module (e.g., a person or a RFID tag located within a wristband that is worn by a person who is going to exercise on an exercise machine, such as a weightlifting machine) with a signal detection module (e.g., a fingerprint scanner or a RFID reader located within a ring attached to the exercise machine). The signal detection module is located in an exercise machine (e.g., a handle of the weightlifting machine to which the person applies force during weightlifting). Signals transmitted from the signal transmission module are detected by the signal detection module. The signals represent identification information of the person so that exercise data collected by the exercise machine can be uniquely tracked to the person. The method also includes performing the exercise on the exercise machine. Exercise data is recorded by a measurement module of the exercise machine. The signals, the exercise data, and information associated with the exercise data can be stored in a storage of the exercise machine, transmitted to a server, a device, or both.

One particular advantage provided by at least one of the disclosed embodiments is that the signal transmission module is capable of transmitting the identification information associated with the person who exercises to the exercise machine. Thus, the exercise data can be uniquely tracked to the person without manually inputting her identification information.

Another particular advantage provided by at least one of the disclosed embodiments is that the identification information of the person and the exercise data are automatically recorded. Thus, inconvenience resulting from manually inputting the identification information and exercise data is avoided.

Other aspects, advantages, and features of the present disclosure will become apparent after review of the entire application, including the following sections: Brief Description of the Drawings, Detailed Description, and the Claims.

IV. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a particular embodiment of an exercise data recording system;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a particular embodiment of a signal transmission module in the exercise data recording system;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a particular embodiment of a signal detection module in the exercise data recording system;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a particular embodiment of a signal transmission module that transmits signals to a signal detection module;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a particular embodiment of a measurement module in the exercise data recording system; and

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a particular embodiment of a method of recording exercise data.

V. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure relates generally to an exercise data recording system. The exercise data recording system is configurable to be coupled to a multitude of exercise machines (i.e., a weightlifting station and a treadmill) in a health club. Prior to preforming an exercise (i.e., in an exercise posture) on an exercise machine, the exercise machine may automatically detect identification information (e.g., ID No.) of a person who exercises. When the person exercises, the exercise machine may automatically record exercise data (e.g., amounts of weight lifted). The exercise data and identification information of the person may be sent to and stored in a server or a device (e.g., a smart phone), which may be tracked for analysis.

Referring to FIG. 1, a block diagram of a particular embodiment of an exercise data recording system is disclosed and generally designated 100. In FIG. 1, for purpose of illustration, the system 100 includes a multitude of signal transmission modules 101, which may be persons themselves 102 or devices worn or carried on by persons 102 who exercise in a health club 103, a multitude of exercise machines 104-109 (e.g., a weightlifting station 104, a treadmill 105, an exercise bike 106, an elliptical and cross trainer 107, a stepper 108, and a free weight 109), a terminal 110, and a server 111. Alternatively, the exercise machines 104-109 include multiple number and types of weightlifting stations 104, treadmills 105, exercise bikes 106, elliptical and cross trainers 107, steppers 108, and free weights 109. The system 100 may also, in the alternative, include multiple terminals 110. The exercise machines 104-109, the terminal 110, and the server 111 may be located in the health club 103. The signal transmission modules 101 and a first device 112 (e.g., a smart phone) may be coupled to the exercise machines 104-109. The server 111 may be coupled to the exercise machines 104-109. The server 111 may also be coupled to a second device (e.g., a terminal 110, a smart phone 113, or a lap top 114) via a wide area network 115. The first device 112 and the second device 113 may be a same device. The system 100 is capable of automatically identifying the persons 102, recording exercise data the persons 102 performed on the exercise machines 104-109, storing the exercise data on the server 111, and tracking the exercise data for analysis.

The signal transmission module 101 may be configured to transmit signals that may be detected by a signal detection module in an exercise machine (e.g., one of the exercise machines 104-109) when a person is going to exercise on the exercise machine. The signal detection module will be discussed in details in following figures and paragraphs. The signal transmission module 101 may be any device or person that may transmit signals to the signal detection module. As an example, the signal transmission module 101 includes a proximity integrated circuit card, such as a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag. The signal transmission modules 101 may be located within a container. Examples of the container include a wristband, a ring, a badge, a watch, a necklace, a device (e.g., a smart phone), another type of container, or any combination thereof. The container may be worn or carried on by the person who exercises. The signals may represent identification information (e.g., ID No.) uniquely associated with the person. It should be noted that the identification information of the person may also be obtained by using a smart phone to scan a barcode or a quick response (QR) code, or by the person's fingerprint or voice.

The signal detection module may be configured to detect the signals transmitted by the signal transmission module 101. The signal detection module may include a proximity coupling device, such as a RFID reader, or a fingerprint scanner. The signal detection module may also include a mechanism that may be configured to transmit the signals the signal detection module has detected to a signal receiving device of a measurement module that is also located in the exercise machine 104-109. The mechanism may be a short range communication device, such as a Bluetooth networking device, an ANT+ networking device, or a Cellular networking device. The signal detection module may be placed in the exercise machine 104-109 in any form. For example, the signal detection module is directly attached to the exercise machine 104-109. Alternatively, the signal detection module is located within a container (e.g., a ring) that is attached to the exercise machine 104-109. As another example, the signal detection module is located within the exercise machine 104-109, such as within the bar of the free weight 109. The signal detection module may be positioned in any location in the exercise machine so that, when the person is in an exercise posture, the signal detection module is capable of detecting the signals from the signal transmission module. For example, if the person is going to perform a weightlifting exercise on a weightlifting station 104, the person first needs to hold a handle to which the person will apply force. At that moment, the signal detection module will detect the signals transmitted from the signal transmission module 101. As a result, the weightlifting station 104 will identify the person and later record the exercise data under the person's name since the signals represent the identification information of the person. As another example, if the person is going to perform an exercise by using a free weight 109, the person would hold the bar of the free weight. The signal detection module located on the bar or within the bar will detect the signals transmitted from the signal transmission module 101.

The measurement module may include the signal receiving device, a measurement unit, a processor, a storage, and a communication device. The measurement module will be discussed in details in a following figure and paragraphs. The measurement module may be positioned in any location of the exercise machine 104-109. For example, in a free weight, the measurement module may be located within the bar. Alternatively, the measurement module may be attached to the bar. The components of the measurement module may be integrated into one device. Alternatively, the components of the measurement module may be a combination of separate devices and positioned in different locations of the exercise machine 104-109. For example, in a free weight 109, the measurement unit may be located in or on the weights while the processor, the storage, and the communication device may be located within or on the bar.

The signal receiving device may be configured to receive the signals detected and transmitted by the signal detection module. The signal receiving device may be a short range communication device, such as a Bluetooth networking device, an ANT+ networking device, or a Cellular networking device. The signals may represent identification information of the person who exercises. The signals may also represent information associated with the exercise machine 104-109. For example, in a free weight 109, the signal receiving device may receive data from the signal transmission module located within or on the weights. The data may represent amounts of weight.

It should be noted that the signal receiving device may also, in the alternative, be configured to directly receive the identification signals from the signal transmission module, such as a portable device (e.g., a smart phone with a Bluetooth device and a camera) that is carried on by the person during the exercise. For example, when the person is in the exercise posture, the signal receiving device may receive the signals from the smart phone carried on by the person, and the identification information of the person may thus be identified.

The measurement unit may be configured to measure primitive exercise data. The design of the measurement unit may accommodate to types of the exercise machines 104-109 and the primitive exercise data the measurement unit will measure. For example, in a weightlifting station 104, the measurement unit may include a load cell to measure amount of weights, an acceleration transducer to measure explosiveness, or both. As another example, in a free weight 109, the measurement unit may include an identification signal transmission unit that may be located on a weight plate and able to transmit data indicating amount of weight of the weight plate. As a further example, the measurement unit may include sensors to measure seat heights or orientation when the person exercises on an adjustable exercise machine. In an aerobic exercise, the measurement unit may include sensors to measure heart rates and distances the person has finished.

The processor may be configured to process the primitive exercise data, the signals the signal receiving device received from the signal detection module, and information associated with the exercise machine 104-109 (e.g., ID No. of the exercise machine). Processing the primitive exercise data may include producing derivative exercise data. For example, in a weightlifting station, the load cell may produce the primitive exercise data such as amounts of weight lifted. Based on the primitive exercise data, the processor may produce the derivative exercise data, such as numbers of liftings per set the person repeated, number of sets the person performed, and rest periods between the sets. As another example, in an aerobic exercise, the processor may produce time at which the person performed an item of the exercise, speeds, and resistance levels.

The processor may further be configured to send the exercise data (i.e., the primitive exercise data and the derivative exercise data), the signals, and the information associated with the exercise machine 104-109 to a communication device for transmission. The processors may include a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a central processing unit (CPU), hardware or software control logic, another type of device, or any combination thereof.

The storage may be configured to store the exercise data, the signals the signal receiving device received from the signal detection module, and the information associated with the exercise machine. The storage may include a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, or any combination thereof. The volatile memory may include a random access memory (RAM), such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) or a static random access memory (SRAM). The non-volatile memory may include a hard disk, a flash memory, a tape, a magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM), a read-only memory, a cache-base memory, a register-based memory, a tangible non-transitory memory, another type of memory, or any combination thereof. The storage may be a separate unit or integrated into the processor.

The communication device may be configured to transmit the exercise data, the signals the signal receiving device received from the signal detection module, and the information associated with the exercise machine 104-109 to a server 111, a device 112, or both. The communication device may include a local area wireless networking device, such as a Wi-Fi device.

It should be noted that two or more of the signal detection module, the signal receiving device, and the communication device may be integrated into one device. For example, in a free weight 109, the signal detection module and the signal receiving device may be integrated into one device.

The server 111 may be configured to receive the data (e.g., the exercise data, the identification information of the person, and the information associated with the exercise machine) from the communication device, store them in a storage, and perform services upon request. For example, the server 111 may provide services on a request directly from a device (e.g., a terminal 110 located in the health club 103, a smart phone 113 or a laptop 114) via a network 115. The request may include retrieving the exercise data or performing an analysis on the exercise data.

The devices 110, 113 and 114 may include a personal digital assistant (PDA), a communication device, a computing device, another type of device, or any combination thereof. The communication device may include a wireless telephone or a smart phone. The computing device may include a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a netbook computer, or a smartbook computer. The network 115 may be any network such as a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a public switched telephone network (PSTN), a wireless network, or any combination thereof.

In operation, when a person 102 is going to exercise on an exercise machine 104-109 (e.g., a weightlifting station 104) in a health club 103, the person 102 wears or carries on a signal transmission module 101. When the person 102 is in an exercise posture on one of the exercise machines 104-109, the signal transmission module 101 may transmit signals that may be detected by a signal detection module in the exercise machine 104-109. The signals may represent identification information (e.g., ID No.) uniquely associated with the person. For example, if the person performs a weightlifting exercise on a weightlifting station 104, the person 102 first needs to hold a handle. At that moment, the signal detection module may detect the signals transmitted from the signal transmission module 101. As a result, the exercise machine 104 may identify the person and track exercise data under the person's name since the signals represent the identification information of the person.

The signal detection module may transmit the signals the signal detection module has detected to a signal receiving device of a measurement module that is also located in the exercise machine 104-109. When the person starts to exercise, a measurement unit of the measurement module may measure the exercise data. For example, in a weightlifting exercise, the exercise data may include amounts of weight the person lifted, numbers of liftings per set the person repeated, number of sets he performed, rest periods between sets, explosiveness, and specific settings. The specific settings may include seat heights or orientation when the person exercised on an adjustable exercise machine. In an aerobic exercise, the exercise data may include heart rates, time at which the person performed an item of the exercise, distances the person has finished, speeds, and resistance levels.

A processor of the measurement module may process the exercise data, the signals the signal receiving device received from the signal detection module, and information associated with the exercise machine (e.g., ID No. of the exercise machine). The processor may also store them in a storage of the measurement module. The processor may further send them to a communication device of the measurement module for transmission. It should be noted that two or more of the signal detection module, the signal receiving device, and the communication device may be integrated into one device. For example, the signals transmitted by the signal transmission module may be directly detected by the integrated device that may in turn transmit the signals to a server 111 or another device 112 (e.g., a smart phone).

The server 111 may receive the data (e.g., the identification information of the person, the exercise data, and information associated with the exercise machine) from the communication device, store them in a storage, and provide services on a request directly from a device (e.g., a terminal 111, a smart phone 113 or a laptop 114) via a network 115. The request may include retrieving the exercise data or performing an analysis on the exercise data.

FIG. 1 thus illustrates an exercise data recording system 100 that includes a multitude of signal transmission modules 101 (e.g., a wristband containing a RFID tag), a multitude of exercise machines 104-109 (e.g., a weightlifting machine), a server 111, and a terminal 110. Each of the exercise machines 104-109 includes a signal detection module and a measurement module. The signal detection module and the measurement module may be integrated into one device. The measurement module may include a signal receiving device (e.g., a handle ring containing a RFID reader and a Bluetooth networking device), a measurement unit (e.g., a load cell, an acceleration transducer, or both), a processor (e.g., a microcontroller), a storage, and a communication device (e.g., a Wi-Fi device). The exercise data recording system 100 is capable of automatically identifying a person who exercises, recording exercise data on the exercise machines 104-109, storing the exercise data in a server 111, and retrieving for analysis. Accordingly, the exercise data recording system 100 is capable of automating data recording during an exercise without manually inputting the identification information, the exercise data, or both.

Referring to FIG. 2, a particular embodiment of a signal transmission module is disclosed and generally designated 200. In an illustrative embodiment, the signal transmission module 200 may be implemented in the exercise data recording system 100 of FIG. 1. The signal transmission module 200 may correspond to the signal transmission module 101 of FIG. 1. The signal transmission module 200 may be configured to transmit signals that may be detected by a signal detection module in an exercise machine (e.g., one of the exercise machines 104-108 of FIG. 1) when a person is in an exercise posture on the exercise machine 104-109. The signal transmission module 200 may be any device that may transmit the signals to the signal detection module. As an example, the signal transmission module 200 may include a proximity integrated circuit card, such as a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag 201. The signal transmission modules 200 may be located within a container. The container may be worn or carried on by the person. For example, the person wears a wristband 202 that houses a RFID tag on her wrist during her exercise. Other examples of the container may include a ring, a badge, a watch, a necklace, a smart phone, another device, or any combination thereof. The signals may represent identification information (e.g., ID No.) uniquely associated with the person.

Referring to FIG. 3, a particular embodiment of a signal detection module is disclosed and generally designated 300. In an illustrative embodiment, the signal detection module 300 may be implemented in the exercise data recording system 100 of FIG. 1. The signal detection module 300 may be configured to detect the signals transmitted by the signal transmission module (e.g., 101 of FIG. 1 and 200 of FIG. 2). The signal detection module 300 may include any device that is capable of detecting the signals. An example of the signal detection module 300 may include a proximity coupling device, such as a RFID reader 301. The signal detection module 300 may also include a mechanism 302 that may be configured to transmit the signals the signal detection module 300 has detected to a signal receiving device of a measurement module that is also located in the exercise machine 104-109 of FIG. 1. The mechanism 302 may be a short range wireless communication device, such as a Bluetooth device, an ANT+ device, or a Cellular device. The signal detection module 300 may be located in a container (e.g., a ring 303) that is attached to the exercise machine 104-109 of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 4, a particular embodiment of a signal transmission module that transmits signals to a signal detection module is disclosed and designated 400. In an illustrative embodiment, the signal transmission module 401 and the signal detection module 402 may be implemented in the exercise data recording system 100 of FIG. 1. In the weightlifting station 104 of FIG. 1, the signal detection module 402 may be located within a ring and attached to a handle 403 of the weightlifting station 104 of FIG. 1 as shown in FIG. 4. The handle 403 is a location to which the person applies force when the person performs a weightlifting exercise on the weightlifting station 104 of FIG. 1. The person may wear a wristband that houses the signal transmission module 401 on her wrist 404. When the person begins to perform weightlifting, the person may first hold the handle 403. At that moment, the signal transmission module 401 is within the coupling range of the signal detection module 402. As a result, the signal detection module 402 may detect the signals transmitted from the signal transmission module 401.

Referring to FIG. 5, a particular embodiment of a measurement module implemented in a weightlifting station (e.g., the weightlifting station 104 of FIG. 1) with different views 501-503 is disclosed and designated 500. In an illustrative embodiment, the measurement module 500 may be implemented in the exercise data recording system 100 of FIG. 1. The measurement module 500 may include the signal receiving device 504, a measurement unit 505, a processor 506, a storage 507, and a communication device 508. The signal receiving device 504 may be configured to receive the signals detected and transmitted by the signal detection module 300 of FIG. 3, and 402 of FIG. 4. The signal receiving device 504 may be a short range wireless communication device. The signal receiving device 504 may include any device that is capable of receiving the signals, such as a Bluetooth networking device, an ANT+ networking device, or a Cellular device. It should be noted that the signal receiving device 504 may also, in the alternative, be configured to directly receive the signals from a portable device 112 of FIG. 1 (e.g., a smart phone) that is carried on by the person 102 of FIG. 1 during the exercise.

The measurement unit 505 may be configured to measure exercise data. The design of the measurement unit 505 may accommodate to the type of each exercise machine and the exercise data the measurement unit 505 will measure. For example, in a weightlifting station 104 of FIG. 1, the measurement unit 505 may include a S-shape load cell 509, an acceleration transducer 510, or both. It is noted that the load cell 509 may be any shape and is not limited to the S-shape. In a weightlifting exercise, the exercise data may include amounts of weight the person lifted, numbers of liftings per set the person repeated, number of sets the person performed, rest periods between sets, explosiveness, and specific settings. The specific settings may include seat heights or orientation when the person exercises on an adjustable exercise machine. In an aerobic exercise, the exercise data may include heart rates, time at which the person performed an item of the exercise, distances the person has finished, speeds, and resistance levels.

The processor 506 may be configured to process the exercise data, the signals the signal receiving device 504 received from the signal detection module 300 of FIG. 3, and 402 of FIG. 4, and information associated with the exercise machine (e.g., ID No. of the exercise machine). The processor 506 may also be configured to store them in the storage 507. The processor may further be configured to send them to the communication device 508 for transmission. The processors 506 may include a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a central processing unit (CPU), hardware or software control logic, another type of device, or any combination thereof. The processor 506 may be coupled to the measurement unit 505 via a connection wire 511.

The storage 507 may be configured to store the exercise data, the signals the signal receiving device 504 received from the signal detection module 300 of FIG. 3 and 402 of FIG. 4, and the information associated with the exercise machine. The storage 507 may include a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, or any combination thereof. The volatile memory may include a random access memory (RAM), such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) or a static random access memory (SRAM). The non-volatile memory may include a hard disk, a flash memory, a tape, a magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM), a read-only memory, a cache-base memory, a register-based memory, a tangible non-transitory memory, another type of memory, or any combination thereof. The storage 507 may be a separate unit or integrated into the processor 506.

The communication device 507 may be configured to transmit the exercise data, the signals the signal receiving device 504 receives from the signal detection module 300 of FIG. 3 and 402 of FIG. 4, and the information associated with the exercise machine to a server 111 of FIG. 1, a device 112 of FIG. 1, or both. The communication device 507 may include a local area wireless networking device, such as a Wi-Fi device. It should be noted that two or more of the signal detection module 300 of FIG. 3 and 402 of FIG. 4, the signal receiving device 504, and the communication device 507 may be integrated into one device.

Referring to FIG. 6, a flow chart of a particular embodiment of a method of recording exercise data is disclosed and designated 600. The method 600 may be illustrated with reference to FIGS. 1-5.

At 601, the method 600 includes a multitude of signal transmission modules 101, 200 and 401 worn or carried on by persons 102 who exercise in a health club 103. The signal transmission module 101, 200, and 401 may be configured to transmit signals that may be detected by the signal detection module 300 and 402 in an exercise machine (e.g., one of the exercise machines 104-109) when a person who is going to exercise on the exercise machine 102. The signal transmission module 101, 200 and 401 may include any device that may transmit signals. As an example, the signal transmission module 101, 200 and 401 may include a proximity coupling device with a proximity integrated circuit card, such as a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag 201. The signal transmission module 101, 200 and 401 may be located within a container. As an example, the container is a ring 202 worn in a wrist of the person. Other examples of the container may include a wristband, a badge, a watch, a necklace, a smart phone, another device, or any combination thereof. The container may be worn or carried on by the person. The signals may represent identification information (e.g., ID No.) uniquely associated with the person.

Prior to initiating an exercise, the person will be in an exercise posture. For example, the person holds a handle 403 of a weightlifting station 104. As a result, the signal transmission module 101, 200, and 401 is coupling with the signal detection module 300 and 402. For example, the signal transmission module 401 is coupling with the signal detection module 402 attached to the handle 403. Accordingly, the signal detection module 300 and 402 may detect the signals from the signal transmission module 101, 200, and 401. The signal detection module 300 and 402 may include a proximity coupling device with a proximity integrated circuit card, such as a RFID reader 301. The signal detection module 300 and 402 may also include a mechanism 302 that may be configured to transmit the signals the signal detection module 300 and 402 has detected to a signal receiving device 504 of a measurement module 500 that is also located in the exercise machine 104-109. The mechanism 302 may be a short range wireless communication device, such as a Bluetooth device, an ANT+ device, or a Cellular device. The signal detection module 300 and 402 may be placed in the exercise machine 104-109 in any form. As an example, the signal detection module 300 and 402 may be directly attached to the exercise machine 104-109. As another example, the signal detection module 300 and 402 may be located in a container (e.g., a ring 303) that is attached to the exercise machine 104-109. The signal detection module 300 and 402 may be positioned in any location in the exercise machine so that, when the person 102 is in an exercise posture, the signal detection module 300 and 402 is capable of detecting the signals from the signal transmission module 101, 200, and 401.

The signal detection module 300 and 402 may transmit the signals the signal detection module 300 and 402 detects to the signal receiving device 504 of the measurement module 500. The signal receiving device 504 may be a short range wireless communication device, such as a Bluetooth networking device, an ANT+ networking device, or a Cellular device.

It should be noted that the signal receiving device 504 may be configured to receive the signals (i.e., the identification information) directly from a portable device (e.g., a smart phone) that is carried on by the person during exercise, rather than from the signal transmission module 101, 200, and 401. It should also be noted that the signal receiving device 504 and the signal detection module 300 and 402 may be integrated into one device. The signals may be stored in the storage 507 of the measurement module 500. The signals may also be, in the alternative, transmitted by the communication device 508 of the measurement module 500 to the server 111, the device 112, or both.

Moving to 602, once the person is in the exercise posture, the person may start to exercise. The measurement unit 505 of the measurement module 500 may automatically record exercise data. The design of the measurement unit 505 may accommodate to each of the exercise machines 104-108 and the exercise data the measurement unit 505 will measure. For example, in a weightlifting station, the measurement unit 505 may include the S-shape load cell 509, the acceleration transducer 510, or both, which are coupled to the processor 506 of the measurement module 500 via the connection wire 511. In a weightlifting exercise, the exercise data may include amounts of weight the person lifted, numbers of liftings per set the person repeated, number of sets the person performed, rest periods between sets, explosiveness, and specific settings. The specific settings may include seat heights or orientation when the person exercises on an adjustable exercise machine. In an aerobic exercise, the exercise data may include heart rates, time at which the person performed an item of the exercise, distances the person has finished, speeds, and resistance levels.

The exercise data may be processed by the processor 506 of the measurement module 500. The processor 506 may store the exercise data in the storage 507 of the measurement module 500, and send the exercise data to a communication device 508 of the measurement module 500 for transmission. The processor 506 may also send the information stored in the storage 507 associated with the exercise machine 104-109 to the communication device 508 for transmission.

The processor 506 may include a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a central processing unit (CPU), hardware or software control logic, another type of device, or any combination thereof. The storage may include a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, or any combination thereof. The volatile memory may include a random access memory (RAM), such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) or a static random access memory (SRAM). The non-volatile memory may include a hard disk, a flash memory, a tape, a magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM), a read-only memory, a cache-base memory, a register-based memory, a tangible non-transitory memory, another type of memory, or any combination thereof. The storage may be a separate unit or integrated into the processor.

The communication device 508 may transmit the exercise data, the signals the signal receiving device received from the signal detection module 300 and 402, and the information associated with the exercise machine 104-108 to a server 111, a device 112, or both. The communication device 508 may include a local area wireless networking device, such as a Wi-Fi device. It should be noted that the signal receiving device 504 and the communication device 508 may be integrated into one device. It should also be noted that the signal detection module 300 and 402, the signal receiving device 504, and the communication device 508 may be integrated into one device.

In response to a request from the device 110, 113 or 114 via the network 115, the server 111 may retrieve the exercise data or perform an analysis on the exercise data. The device 113 or 114 may include a personal digital assistant (PDA), a communication device, a computing device, another type of device, or any combination thereof. The communication device may include a wireless telephone or a smart phone. The computing device may include a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a netbook computer, or a smartbook computer. The network 115 may be any network such as a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a public switched telephone network (PSTN), a wireless network, or any combination thereof.

The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable a person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosed embodiments. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope possible consistent with the principles and novel features as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

engaging a signal transmission module with a signal detection module, wherein the signal detection module is located in an exercise machine, wherein the signal transmission module may be a device worn or carried on by a person who is going to perform an exercise on the exercise machine, or a person who is going to perform an exercise on the exercise machine, and wherein signals transmitted from the signal transmission module are detected by the signal detection module; and

performing the exercise on the exercise machine,

wherein exercise data is recorded by a measurement module, and

wherein the measurement module is located in the exercise machine.

2. The method of claim 1,

wherein the measurement module comprises a measurement unit, a processor, a storage, a signal receiving device, and a first communication device,

wherein the signal detection module is configured to transmit the signals to the signal receiving device when the signal detection module detects the signals from the signal transmission module,

wherein the measurement unit is configured to measure the exercise data,

wherein the processor is configured to process the exercise data,

wherein the storage is configured to store the exercise data, the signals the signal receiving device receives from the signal detection module, and information associated with the exercise machine, and

wherein the first communication device is configured to transmit the signals the signal receiving device receives from the signal detection module, the information associated with the exercise machine, and the exercise data to a server, a device, or both.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the signal detection module and the signal receiving device comprise a short range communication device.

4. The method of claim 3,

wherein the signal detection module and the signal receiving device comprise a Bluetooth networking device, an ANT+ networking device, a Cellular networking device, another type of device, or any combination thereof,

wherein the first communication device comprises a Wi-Fi device, and

wherein the processor comprises a microcontroller.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein two or more of the signal detection module, the signal receiving device, and the first communication device are integrated into one device.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the measurement unit comprises a load cell, an acceleration transducer, or both.

7. The method of claim 2,

wherein the server is accessible to the first device for storage, analysis, or both,

wherein the first device comprises a personal digital assistant (PDA), a second communication device, a computing device, another type of device, or any combination thereof,

wherein the second communication device comprises a wireless telephone or a smart phone, and

wherein the computing device comprises a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a netbook computer, or a smartbook computer.

8. The method of claim 1,

wherein the exercise data comprise amounts of weight the person lifted, numbers of liftings per set the person repeated, number of sets he performed, rest periods between sets, explosiveness, specific settings, heart beat rates, time at which the person performed an item of the exercise, distances the person finished, speeds, resistance levels, another type of data, or any combination thereof, and

wherein the specific settings comprise seat heights or orientation when the person exercises on an adjustable exercise machine.

9. The method of claim 1,

wherein the signal transmission module is the person who is going to exercise or a device located within a wristband, a ring, a badge, a watch, a necklace, a container, a portable device, or any combination thereof, which may be worn or carried on by the person during the exercise, and

wherein the portable device comprises a wireless telephone or a smart phone.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal detection module and the signal transmission module identify the identity of a person who is going to exercise on an exercise machine.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the signals comprise identification information uniquely associated with the person.

12. The method of claim 1,

wherein the signal detection module is positioned in a location in the exercise machine so that the signal detection module is capable of detecting the signals transmitted by the signal transmission module when the person is in an exercise posture.

13. The method of claim 1,

wherein the signal detection module is located within a ring, and

wherein the ring is attached to the exercise machine.

14. The method of claim 1,

wherein the exercise machine is a weightlifting station,

wherein the signal detection module is located on a handle of the weightlifting station, and

wherein the handle is a location to which the person applies force during a weightlifting exercise.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein engaging a signal transmission module with a signal detection module comprises the person holding the handle of the exercise machine so that the signal detection module is capable of detecting the signals from the signal transmission module.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein engaging a signal transmission module with a signal detection module comprises positioning the person in an exercise posture so that the signal detection module is capable of detecting the signals from the signal transmission module.

17. A method comprising:

holding a handle of a weightlifting station in a weightlifting posture so that a signal detection module is capable of detecting signals transmitted from a signal transmission module, wherein the signal transmission module may be a device worn or carried on by a person who is going to perform weightlifting on the weightlifting station, wherein the signal detection module is located in the weightlifting station, and wherein the signals correspond to identification information uniquely associated with the person; and

performing weightlifting on the weightlifting station, wherein exercise data is recorded by a measurement module, wherein the measurement module is located in the weightlifting station, wherein the identification information associated with the person, information associated with the weightlifting station, and the exercise data are transmitted to a server, a device, or both.

18. The method of claim 17,

wherein the measurement module comprises a measurement unit, a microcontroller, a storage, a signal receiving device, and a first communication device,

wherein the signal detection module is configured to transmit the signals to the signal receiving device when the signal detection module detects the signals from the signal transmission module,

wherein the measurement unit is configured to measure the exercise data,

wherein the microcontroller is configured to process the exercise data,

wherein the storage is configured to store the signals received by the signal receiving device, the information associated with the weightlifting station, and the exercise data, and

wherein the first communication device is configured to transmit the identification information associated with the person, the information associated with the weightlifting machine, and the exercise data to the server, the device, or both.

19. The method of claim 18,

wherein the measurement unit comprises a load cell, an acceleration transducer, or both,

wherein the signal detection module and the signal receiving device comprise a Bluetooth networking device, an ANT+ networking device, a Cellular networking device, or another type of short range wireless communication device, and

wherein the third communication device comprises a Wi-Fi device, or another type of long range wireless communication device.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein two or more of the signal detection module, the signal receiving device, and the first communication device are integrated into one device.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the signal transmission module is located within a wristband, a ring, a badge, a watch, a necklace, a container, a portable device, or any combination thereof, which may be a device worn or carried on by the person during weightlifting.

22. The method of claim 17,

wherein the signal detection module is located on the handle of the weightlifting station, and

wherein the handle is a location to which the person applies force during a weightlifting exercise.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein the signal transmission module comprises a proximity integrated circuit card, and wherein the signal detection module comprises a proximity coupling device.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the signal transmission module comprises a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag, and wherein the signal detection module comprises a radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader.

25. The method of claim 17,

wherein the exercise data comprise amounts of weight the person lifted, numbers of liftings per set the person repeated, numbers of sets he performed, rest periods between sets, explosiveness, and specific settings, another type of data, or any combination thereof, and

wherein the specific settings comprise seat heights or orientation when the person performed weightlifting on an adjustable weightlifting station.

26. An apparatus, comprising:

a signal transmission module configured to transmit signals,

wherein the signals comprise identification information uniquely associated with a person who wears or carries on the signal transmission module and is going to perform an exercise on an exercise machine,

wherein the signal detection module is positioned in a location in the exercise machine so that the signal detection module is capable of detecting the signals transmitted by the signal transmission module when the person engages the signal transmission module with the signal detection module,

wherein exercise data is recorded by a measurement module,

wherein the measurement module is located in the exercise machine, and

wherein the identification information associated with the person, the exercise data, and information associated with the exercise machine are transmitted to a server, a device, or both.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the signal transmission module is located within a wristband, a ring, a badge, a watch, a necklace, a container, a device, or any combination thereof, wherein the signal transmission module comprises a proximity integrated circuit card, and wherein the signal detection module comprises a proximity coupling device.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the signal transmission module comprises a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag, and wherein the signal detection module comprises a RFID reader.

29. An apparatus, comprising:

a measurement unit configured to measure exercise data during exercise on an exercise machine;

a signal receiving device configured to receive signals, wherein the signals represent identification information of an person who exercises on the exercise machine;

a processor configured to process the exercise data and the signals; and

a communication device configured to transmit the exercise data and the signals to a server, a device, or both,

wherein the measurement unit, the signal receiving device, the processor, and the communication device are located in the exercise machine.

30. The apparatus of claim 29,

wherein the exercise machine comprises a weightlifting station,

wherein the processor comprises a microcontroller, and

wherein the measurement unit comprises a load cell, an acceleration transducer, or both.

31. The apparatus of claim 29, further comprising:

a storage configured to store the identification information of the person, the exercise data, and information associated with the exercise machine.