Automated weightlifting spotting machine

Abstract

A weight training assistance apparatus which requires a user to overcome the force exerted by one or more weights comprising: one or more sensors for monitoring a user's activity by monitoring the position of an item indicative of the position of the weights during a weight training exercise; a processor in communication with said sensors; the processor enabled to dynamically compare the user's activity of the item during the exercise with a predetermined activity profile to determine a dynamic level of fatigue for the user; the processor further enabled to determine a response at a given moment based on the exercise undertaken, the current user activity and the determined dynamic level of fatigue; a load bearing device that is controllable by the processor, the load bearing device enabled to dynamically vary the magnitude of the net force exerted by the weight as determined by the response, the processor further enabled to maintain the magnitude of the force when the user's activity is within a predetermined limit of the predetermined activity profile.

1 - 40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . A weight training assistance apparatus which requires a user to overcome the force exerted by one or more weights comprising:
 one or more sensors for monitoring a user's activity by monitoring the position of an item indicative of the position of the weights during a weight training exercise;   a processor in communication with said sensors;   the processor enabled to dynamically compare the user's activity of the item during the exercise with a predetermined activity profile to determine a dynamic level of fatigue for the user;   the processor further enabled to determine a response at a given moment based on the exercise undertaken, the current user activity and the determined dynamic level of fatigue;   a load bearing device that is controllable by the processor, the load bearing device enabled to dynamically vary the magnitude of the net force exerted by the weight as determined by the response, the processor further enabled to maintain the magnitude of the force when the user's activity is within a predetermined limit of the predetermined activity profile.   
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the item indicative of the position of the weights are the weights used during the exercise. 
     
     
         43 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the dynamic comparison to determine user activity is a comparison of the position of the item. 
     
     
         44 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the processor is further enabled to determine a level of muscle fatigue based on the dynamic comparison of user activity and the predetermined profile and determines the response based on user activity, fatigue and failure. 
     
     
         45 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the predetermined activity profile is a user specific profile for the weight training activity undertaken by the user. 
     
     
         46 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the comparison is substantially a real-time comparison, and the determination of the response is in substantially real-time. 
     
     
         47 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the response to fatigue is one or more of the following:
 the load bearing device varying the magnitude of the net force exerted by the weight to zero;   the load bearing device varying the magnitude of the net force exerted by the weight wherein the net force exerted by the weight is reduced by an amount proportional to the level of fatigue detected.   
     
     
         48 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein where the load-bearing device is a motor, and where the apparatus further comprises a braking mechanism coupled to the cable and wherein the processor is enabled to control one or more of the speed, torque and braking of the motor. 
     
     
         49 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the processor is further enabled to compare of the user activity against one or more profiles, which form a pattern profile library to determine if the user activity is indicative of a particular pattern profile wherein the pattern profile library contains known incorrect lifting profiles thereby allowing the identification of incorrectly performed lifts. 
     
     
         50 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the one or more sensors are contactless sensors selected form the group of: infra-red, ultrasonic or laser based sensors. 
     
     
         51 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the level of assistance provided by said load bearing device varies according to a measure of the divergence between the predetermined activity profile and the actual user activity. 
     
     
         52 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , where the decision to engage the load bearing device is based on a comparison of the relative position, velocity or acceleration of the weight compared to an expected position based on a pre-determined model. 
     
     
         53 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , further comprising a form of writeable memory and where data regarding previous exercises performed on the apparatus is stored on the writeable memory and wherein the model is based on historic data of previous instances of the same or similar exercise, preferably by the same user. 
     
     
         54 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the processor is enabled to compare one of more of the following of a user's activity against the predetermined activity profile:
 full extension of the user during the exercise;   time between repetitions;   velocity of the weights.   
     
     
         55 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the processor is enabled to determine if the user has reached failure, where the comparison of the user's activity and predetermined profile is beyond a predetermined limit and further comprising a safety mechanism to bear the entire load wherein the safety mechanism is enabled by the processor in response to high level of fatigue or failure as determined by the processor. 
     
     
         56 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , wherein the apparatus further comprises one or more additional motors, said motors selectively engaged to provide different levels of lift to reduce the net force exerted. 
     
     
         57 . A method of self-spotting weightlifting the method which requires to overcome the force exerted by one or more weights comprising;
 attaching a load bearing means to one or more weights;   exercising with the weights attached to the load bearing means;   monitoring the position of an item indicative of the position of the weights through one or more sensors;   determining if a user requires help by comparing the position of the item to a pre-determined model;   selectively engaging the load bearing means to dynamically vary the magnitude of the force exerted by the weights in response to the determining step until such time that the user is determined to no longer require assistance; and   maintaining the magnitude of the net force exerted once the user is determined not to require further assistance.   
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 57 , further comprising the step of:
 determining a parameter associated with the item;   determining if the parameter was within a predetermined limit of the predetermined model, and in the event that the parameter is outside of the selectively engaging the load bearing means.   
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein the parameter associated with the item is one of: position, velocity, acceleration. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 57 , wherein the method further comprises storing information regarding completed exercises to a form of writeable memory.