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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         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.