Sensor arrays for exercise equipment and methods to operate the same

Abstract

Sensor arrays for exercise equipment and methods to operate the same are disclosed. An example method comprises receiving outputs from an array of sensors each of which is configured to detect a position of a portion of an exercise machine, and determining at the exercise machine an exercise range of motion based on the sensor outputs.

1 . A method comprising: 
 receiving outputs from an array of sensors each of which is configured to detect a position of a portion of an exercise machine; and    determining at the exercise machine an exercise range of motion based on the sensor outputs.    
   
   
       2 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising displaying the determined exercise range of motion at the exercise machine.  
   
   
       3 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising determining at least one of a weight lifted, a number of sets, or a number of repetitions based on the sensor outputs.  
   
   
       4 . A method as defined in  claim 3 , wherein determining the weight lifted comprises: 
 detecting a lowest deactivated sensor; and    using the lowest deactivated sensor to determine the weight lifted.    
   
   
       5 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein determining the exercise range of motion comprises: 
 detecting at least one of a highest activated sensor or a highest activated group of sensors; and    using the at least one of the highest activated sensor or the highest activated group of sensors to determine the range of motion.    
   
   
       6 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 identifying a user;    obtaining an exercise program for the identified user from a remote server; and    displaying at least one element of the exercise program and an exercise parameter determined based on the sensor outputs on a display at the exercise machine.    
   
   
       7 . A method as defined in  claim 6 , further comprising providing the determined exercise parameter to the remote server.  
   
   
       8 . A method as defined in  claim 6 , wherein the determined exercise parameter is at least one of the exercise range of motion, a weight lifted, a number of sets, or a number of repetitions.  
   
   
       9 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein each of the sensors of the array of sensors provides a first output signal when a metal object is proximate to the sensor and a second output signal when the metal object is not proximate to the sensor.  
   
   
       10 . A method as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the metal object is at least one of weight plate, a movable member of the exercise machine or a magnet.  
   
   
       11 . An article of manufacture storing machine readable instructions which, when executed, cause a machine to: 
 receive outputs from an array of sensors each of which is configured to detect a position of a portion of an exercise machine; and    determine at the exercise machine an exercise range of motion based on the sensor outputs.    
   
   
       12 . An article of manufacture as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the machine readable instructions, when executed, cause the machine to display the exercise range of motion at the exercise machine.  
   
   
       13 . An article of manufacture as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the machine readable instructions, when executed, cause the machine to determine at least one of a weight lifted, a number of sets, or a number of repetitions based on the sensor outputs.  
   
   
       14 . An article of manufacture as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the machine readable instructions, when executed, cause the machine to: 
 detect a lowest deactivated sensor; and    use the lowest deactivated sensor to determine the weight lifted.    
   
   
       15 . An article of manufacture as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the machine readable instructions, when executed, cause the machine to: 
 detect at least one of a highest activated sensor or a highest activated group of sensors; and    use the at least one of the highest activated sensor or the highest activated group of sensors to determine the exercise range of motion.    
   
   
       16 . An article of manufacture as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the machine readable instructions, when executed, cause the machine to: 
 identifying a user;    obtaining an exercise program for the identified user from a remote server; and    displaying at least one element of the exercise program and an exercise parameter determined based on the sensor output on a display at the exercise machine.    
   
   
       17 . An article of manufacture as defined in  claim 16 , wherein the machine readable instructions, when executed, cause the machine to provide the determined exercise parameter to the remote server.  
   
   
       18 . An article of manufacture as defined in  claim 16 , wherein the determined exercise parameter is at least one of the exercise range of motion, a weight lifted, a number of sets, or a number of repetitions.  
   
   
       19 . An article of manufacture as defined in  claim 11 , wherein each of the sensors of the array of sensors provides a first output signal when a metal object is proximate to the sensor and a second output signal when the metal object is not proximate to the sensor.  
   
   
       20 . An apparatus comprising: 
 an exercise device;    a sensor array to provide sensor outputs, sensors of the sensor array to detect a position of a portion of an exercise device; and    a processor at the exercise device to determine an exercise range of motion based on the sensor array outputs.    
   
   
       21 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 20 , wherein the processor is to determine at least one of a weight lifted, a number of sets, or a number of repetitions based on the sensor array outputs.  
   
   
       22 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 20 , further comprising an interface at the exercise device to identify a person.  
   
   
       23 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 20 , further comprising a network interface at the exercise device to obtain an exercise routine for the identified person for the exercise machine from a remote server.  
   
   
       24 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 20 , further comprising a network interface at the exercise device to provide an exercise parameter determined from the sensor outputs to a remote server.  
   
   
       25 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 24 , wherein the determined exercise parameter is at least one of the exercise range of motion, a weight lifted, a number of sets, or a number of repetitions.  
   
   
       26 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 20 , further comprising a display at the exercise device to display the exercise range of motion determined from the sensor array outputs.  
   
   
       27 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 20 , wherein the sensors provide a first output signal when at least one of a metal object or a magnet is proximate to the sensor and a second output signal when the metal object or the magnet is not proximate to the sensor.  
   
   
       28 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 20 , further comprising: 
 a printed circuit board to hold the sensors; and    a housing to hold the printed circuit board, wherein the housing is mounted to the exercise device to position the array of sensors relative to a movement of a portion of the exercise device.    
   
   
       29 . An apparatus as defined in  claim 20 , further comprising a magnet mounted to a movable member of the exercise device, the sensors to detect if the magnet is nearby.