Weight Machine Sensor

Abstract

A weight machine sensor includes a force sensor, a position sensor, and a processor. The force sensor is programmed to output a force signal representing a force applied to a pulley-disposed on a cable incorporated into exercise equipment having a stack of weights. The position sensor is programmed to detect motion of the stack of weights and output a position signal representing the motion detected. The processor is programmed to receive the force signal and the rotation signal and determine, from the force signal and the position signal, exercise data including an amount of exercise resistance and a number of repetitions performed.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A weight machine sensor comprising:
 a force sensor programmed to output a force signal representing a force applied to a pulley disposed on a cable incorporated into exercise equipment;   at least one rotation sensor programmed to collect rotation data representing rotation of the pulley; and   a processor programmed to determine force data from the force signal and further determine position data from the rotation data, wherein the position data represents a position of a weight stack, and wherein the processor is programmed to determine an amount of exercise resistance based at least in part on the force data and a number of repetitions performed based at least in part on the rotation data.   
     
     
         22 . The weight machine sensor of  claim 21 , wherein the rotation data collected by the at least one rotation sensor represents at least one of a direction of rotation of the pulley and a magnitude of rotation of the pulley. 
     
     
         23 . The weight machine sensor of  claim 22 , wherein the processor is configured to compare rotation data output by the at least one rotation sensor and determine at least one of the direction of rotation of the pulley and magnitude of rotation of the pulley from the rotation data. 
     
     
         23 . The weight machine sensor of  claim 21 , wherein the rotation sensor includes an optical sensor configured to visually detect features of the pulley. 
     
     
         24 . The weight machine sensor of  claim 23 , wherein the rotation sensor includes a rotary encoder. 
     
     
         25 . The weight machine sensor of  claim 24 , further comprising a light source configured to illuminate the pulley, and wherein the rotary encoder is configured to output rotation data based at least in part on an observed pattern of light. 
     
     
         26 . The weight machine sensor of  claim 24 , wherein the pulley includes a plurality of slots and wherein the rotary encoder is configured to collect rotation data based at least in part on light shining through the plurality of slots as the pulley is rotated. 
     
     
         27 . The weight machine sensor of  claim 24 , wherein the pulley includes a plurality of protrusions and wherein the rotary encoder is configured to collect rotation data based at least in part on light reflected by the plurality of protrusions as the pulley is rotated. 
     
     
         28 . The weight machine sensor of  claim 21 , wherein the processor is programmed to determine a velocity of the weight stack based at least in part on the rotation data. 
     
     
         29 . The weight machine sensor of  claim 21 , wherein the processor is programmed to determine a range of motion of the weight stack. 
     
     
         30 . A weight machine sensor comprising:
 a force sensor programmed to output a force signal representing a force applied to a pulley disposed on a cable incorporated into exercise equipment having a weight stack;   at least one magnet disposed on the pulley;   at least one magnetic sensor configured to output rotation data representing rotation of the pulley, wherein the magnetic sensor is configured to detect rotation of the pulley based at least in part on a magnetic field generated by at least one magnet; and   a processor programmed to determine force data from the force signal and further determine position data from the rotation data, wherein the position data represents a position of the weight stack, and wherein the processor is programmed to determine an amount of exercise resistance based at least in part on the force data and a number of repetitions performed based at least in part on the rotation data.   
     
     
         31 . The weight machine sensor of  claim 30 , wherein the processor is programmed to determine a velocity of the weight stack based at least in part on the rotation data. 
     
     
         32 . The weight machine sensor of  claim 30 , wherein the processor is programmed to determine a range of motion of the weight stack. 
     
     
         33 . The weight machine sensor of  claim 30 , wherein the at least one magnetic sensor includes at least one Reed switch. 
     
     
         34 . The weight machine sensor of  claim 30 , wherein the at least one magnetic sensor includes at least one Hall Effect sensor. 
     
     
         35 . The weight machine sensor of  claim 30 , wherein the rotation data collected by the at least one magnetic sensor represents at least one of a direction of rotation of the pulley and a magnitude of rotation of the pulley. 
     
     
         36 . The weight machine sensor of  claim 35 , wherein the processor is configured to compare rotation data output by the at least one magnetic sensor and determine at least one of the direction of rotation of the pulley and the magnitude of rotation of the pulley from the rotation data.