System for Measuring and Reporting Weight-Training Performance Metrics

Abstract

A system for measuring weight-lifting performance is described. The system comprises a collar that may be attached to a weight bar, wherein the collar comprises at least one motion sensor, at least one touch sensor, and a signal processor. The motion sensors comprise a barometric altimeter, a gyroscope, and/or an accelerometer that measure the motion of the weight bar during a lifting activity. Signals from the motion sensors are interpreted by the signal processor as physical activity data, which are then wirelessly transmitted to a multimedia device having a data processor. The data processor is configured to calculate performance metrics from the physical activity data and to display them to a user via a display on the multimedia device. Athletes may use the performance metric outputs from the data processor to monitor the form of their lifting exercises for training purposes, safety considerations, and self-improvement.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A system for measuring performance metrics, the system comprising:
 a collar configured to attach to a weight bar;   at least one motion sensor mounted to said collar;   at least one touch sensor mounted to said collar;   a signal processor configured to receive signals from said motion-sensor and derive physical activity data using said signals; and   a multimedia device, wherein the multimedia device comprises a data processor configured to receive physical activity data from said signal processor and determine performance metrics using said physical activity data.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said physical activity data comprises at least one of:
 the acceleration of a weight bar;   the orientation of a weight bar; and   the distance of a weight bar from the ground.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said performance metrics comprise at least one of:
 force exerted by a user lifting a weight bar; and   lift form while lifting a weight bar.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one motion-sensor comprises an accelerometer, and wherein the signal processor is configured to measure the acceleration of a weight bar using the signals from said accelerometer. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one motion-sensor comprises a gyroscope, and wherein the signal processor is configured to measure the orientation of a weight bar using the signals from said gyroscope. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one motion sensor further comprises a pressure sensor. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the pressure sensor comprises a barometric altimeter, and wherein the signal processor is configured to measure the distance of a weight bar from the ground using the signals from said barometric altimeter. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one touch sensor comprises a capacitive touch sensor. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein said at least one capacitive touch sensor is configured to sense contact between the collar and a weight bar. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the multimedia device comprises a display. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the multimedia device is a Smartphone, a computer, or a mobile tablet. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the multimedia device is configured to store said performance metrics or transmit them to a user. 
     
     
         13 . A system for measuring performance metrics, the system comprising:
 a collar configured to attach to a weight bar;   at least one motion sensor mounted to said collar;   a touch sensor mounted to said collar;   at least one light mounted to said collar;   a camera rig comprising at least two cameras configured to view said collar;   a signal processor configured to receive signals from said at least one motion-sensor and derive physical activity data using said signals;   an image processor configured to receive images of said at least one light from said at least two cameras and derive position data using said images;   a multimedia device, wherein the multimedia device comprises a data processor configured to receive physical activity data from said signal processor and position data from said image processor and to determine performance metrics using said physical activity data and said position data.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the light is an infrared light. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the at least two cameras are configured to view infrared light. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the at least two cameras are spaced an equal distance apart from each other. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein said performance metrics comprise the movement path of a weight bar.