Sensor for Fitness Equipment
An exercise machine has a rotating joint with an accelerometer mounted on the rotating joint. A microprocessor converts the signal from the accelerometer into a distance measurement based on the machine characteristics.
1 . An exercise machine, comprising:
a rotating joint;
an accelerometer mounted on the rotating joint; and,
a microprocessor for converting a signal from the accelerometer into a distance measurement based on the characteristics of the machine.
2 . The exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein the accelerometer is a three-axis accelerometer.
3 . The exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein the exercise machine is a hydraulic exercise machine.
4 . The exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein the exercise machine is a weight stack machine.
5 . The exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein the microprocessor converts the signal from the accelerometer into an angle.
6 . The exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein the microprocessor includes an output for the distance measurement.
7 . The exercise machine of claim 6 , wherein the distance measurement is an analog signal.
8 . The exercise machine of claim 6 , wherein the distance measurement is a digital signal.
9 . The exercise machine of claim 1 , further comprising a power source.
10 . The exercise machine of claim 9 , wherein the power source is 5V DC.
11 . The exercise machine of claim 1 , further comprising means for mounting the accelerometer onto the rotating joint.
12 . The exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein the mounting means comprises a hook and loop fastener.
13 . The exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein the mounting means comprises an adhesive.
14 . The exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein the accelerometer and the microprocessor are mounted on a printed circuit board.
15 . The exercise machine of claim 1 , further comprising an LED display.
16 . An exercise machine, comprising:
a rotating joint;
an accelerometer mounted on the rotating joint, the accelerometer producing a signal corresponding to the position of the rotating joint; and,
means for converting the accelerometer signal into a distance based on the characteristics of the machine.
17 . The exercise machine of claim 16 , wherein the accelerometer is a three-axis accelerometer.
18 . The exercise machine of claim 16 , wherein the exercise machine is a hydraulic machine.
19 . The exercise machine of claim 16 , wherein the exercise machine is a weight stack machine.
20 . The exercise machine of claim 16 , wherein the converting means converts the signal into an angle.