# US 2017/0282015 A1 · Interactive apparatus and methods for muscle strengthening > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0282015 A1 - Document ID: US20170282015A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/476,728 - Filed: 2017-03-31 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2016-04-04 - Assignees: Worldpro Group, LLC - Applicants: Worldpro Group, LLC - Inventors: Russel L. Wicks; Derk Hartland; Todd A. Putnam - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170282015A1 ## CPC - A63B 24/0087: {Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load} - A63B 21/00069: {Setting or adjusting the resistance level; Compensating for a preload prior to use, e.g. changing length of resistance or adjusting a valve} - A63B 21/00076: {on the fly, i.e. varying the resistance during exercise} - A63B 21/0058: {using motors} - A63B 21/0059: {using a frequency controlled AC motor} - A63B 21/022: {with springs acting at different parts of the stroke} - A63B 21/023: {Wound springs} - A63B 21/0428: {the ends moving relatively by linear reciprocation} - A63B 24/0062: {Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance} - A63B 24/0075: {Means for generating exercise programmes or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases} - A63B 69/0062: {Leg restraining devices} - A63B 71/0622: {Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user} - G05G 9/047: the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks {(for switches H01H25/04)} - A63B 21/154: {using special pulley-assemblies} - A63B 21/4033: {Handles, pedals, bars or platforms} - A63B 21/4035: {for operation by hand} - A63B 21/4043: {Free movement, i.e. the only restriction coming from the resistance (A63B21/00043, A63B21/072 take precedence)} - A63B 21/4047: {Pivoting movement (weight pivoting A63B21/0615)} - A63B 23/0405: {involving a bending of the knee and hip joints simultaneously (A63B23/0476 takes precedence)} - A63B 23/0482: {primarily by articulating the hip joints (A63B23/0211, A63B23/0405, A63B23/0476 take precedence)} - A63B 23/0488: {by spreading the legs} - A63B 23/1209: {Involving a bending of elbow and shoulder joints simultaneously} - A63B 23/1245: {Primarily by articulating the shoulder joint (A63B23/129 takes precedence)} - A63B 2024/0065: {Evaluating the fitness, e.g. fitness level or fitness index} - A63B 2024/0093: {the load of the exercise apparatus being controlled by performance parameters, e.g. distance or speed} - A63B 2024/0096: {using performance related parameters for controlling electronic or video games or avatars} - A63B 2071/0063: {Shock absorbers} - A63B 2071/0081: {Stopping the operation of the apparatus} - A63B 2071/0625: {Emitting sound, noise or music} - A63B 2071/065: {Visualisation of specific exercise parameters} - A63B 2071/0666: {worn on the head or face, e.g. combined with goggles or glasses} - A63B 2071/0694: {Visual indication, e.g. Indicia} - A63B 2220/10: Positions - A63B 2220/13: Relative positions - A63B 2220/17: Counting, e.g. counting periodical movements, revolutions or cycles, or including further data processing to determine distances or speed - A63B 2220/20: Distances or displacements - A63B 2220/30: Speed - A63B 2220/40: Acceleration - A63B 2220/51: Force - A63B 2220/54: Torque - A63B 2220/805: Optical or opto-electronic sensors - A63B 2225/09: Adjustable dimensions - A63B 2225/305: Remote servicing - A63B 2225/50: Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) - G05G: CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY ("Bowden" or like mechanisms F16C1/10; gearings or mechanisms not peculiar to this purpose F16H; speed changing or reversing mechanisms for gearings conveying rotary motion F16H59/00 - F16H63/00) ## Abstract An interactive exercise system with apparatus and methods to optimize muscle strength for rehabilitation, to improve or maintain fitness, and to enhance the performance of athletes. The system uses an electronically controlled linear actuator to generate resistance against the muscular force exerted by the user. The system includes sensors configured to detect acceleration, speed, velocity, position, direction of movement, duration, and the force applied by the user. A control system preferably continuously monitors the sensors, and instantaneously adjusts the adaptive actuator. This provides a proportional counterforce to the user force throughout the entire range-of-motion. A display panel allows the user to interact with the system in real-time. The objective of the user is to synchronize the exercise performance with a selected target goal, by correlating the user's movement relative to a position on a display panel. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An interactive exercise system to optimize muscle strength by dynamically controlling resistance based on the muscular force exerted by a user, the system comprising: a user engagement point where the user can apply a force upon or resist against; a movement arm connected to the user engagement point; a user sensor to measure the force applied by the user to the user engagement point and for producing a corresponding signal; an adaptive actuator including an electronically controlled motor, a linear drive mechanism, and an actuator sensor configured to detect at least one of acceleration; speed, velocity, position, direction of movement, and duration; a mechanical linkage coupling the movement arm to the adaptive actuator for generating resistance against the user engagement point; a user interface permitting the user to interact with the system including selection of operating modes and related parameters; a display for presenting a representation of the exercise being performed; and a control system including electrical architecture for processing data, the control system monitoring the user sensor and the actuator sensor and commanding the motor to adjust a desired position, torque, and velocity of the adaptive actuator. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The interactive exercise system of claim 1, wherein the adaptive actuator further includes a carriage assembly with springs to smooth motion and compensate for dynamic changes at the turnaround points of an exercise performance. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The interactive exercise system of claim 2, wherein the springs of the carriage assembly are “Belleville” springs. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The interactive exercise system of claim 1, further comprising a virtual coach that provides digital audio and visual coaching and encouragement to the user. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The interactive exercise system of claim 1, further comprising a tracking program and database that stores the user's performance data. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The interactive exercise system of claim 1, wherein the user sensor includes an optical encoder. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The interactive exercise system of claim 1, wherein the actuator sensor includes a digital feedback encoder. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The interactive exercise system of claim 7, wherein the digital feedback encoder is configured to measure the force applied by the user based on spring compression and to produce a corresponding signal. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The interactive exercise system of claim 1, further comprising a frame and a seat coupled to the frame and positioned for supporting the user. ### Claim 10 An interactive exercise system to optimize muscle strength by dynamically controlling resistance based on the muscular force exerted by a user, the system comprising: a user sensor to measure the force applied by the user to a user engagement point and for producing a corresponding signal; an adaptive actuator for generating resistance against the user, the adaptive actuator including an electronically controlled motor, a linear drive mechanism, an actuator sensor configured to detect at least one of acceleration, speed, velocity, position, direction of movement, and duration, and a carriage assembly with springs to smooth motion and compensate for dynamic changes at the turnaround points of an exercise performance, the actuator sensor being further configured to measure the force applied by the user to the user engagement point based on spring compression of the carriage assembly and to produce a corresponding signal; a user interface permitting the user to interact with the system including selection of operating modes and related parameters that define targets of the system which continuously change throughout the exercise performance; a display for presenting a representation of the exercise being performed; and a control system including electrical architecture for acquiring, processing, and transmitting data, the control system monitoring the user sensor and the actuator sensor and commanding the motor to adjust a desired acceleration, speed, velocity, position, direction of movement, duration, and torque of the adaptive actuator. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The interactive exercise system of claim 10, wherein the springs of the carriage assembly are “Belleville” springs. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The interactive exercise system of claim 10, further comprising a virtual coach that provides digital audio and visual coaching and encouragement to the user. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The interactive exercise system of claim 10, further comprising a tracking program and database that stores the user's performance data. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The interactive exercise system of claim 10, wherein the user sensor includes an optical encoder. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The interactive exercise system of claim 10, wherein the actuator sensor includes a digital feedback encoder. ### Claim 16 An interactive exercise system to optimize muscle strength by dynamically controlling resistance based on the muscular force exerted by a user, the system comprising: a user engagement point where the user can apply a force upon or resist against; a user sensor to measure the force applied by the user to the user engagement point and for producing a corresponding signal; an adaptive actuator including an electronically controlled motor, a linear drive mechanism, and an actuator sensor configured to detect at least one of acceleration, speed, velocity, position, direction of movement, and duration; a cable pulley mechanism coupling the user engagement point to the adaptive actuator for generating resistance against the user; a user interface permitting the user to interact with the system including selection of operating modes and related parameters; a display for presenting a representation of the exercise being performed; and a control system including electrical architecture for processing data, the control system monitoring the user sensor and the actuator sensor and commanding the motor to adjust a desired position, torque, and velocity of the adaptive actuator. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The interactive exercise system of claim 16, wherein the adaptive actuator further includes a carriage assembly with springs to smooth motion and compensate for dynamic changes at the turnaround points of an exercise performance, the springs of the carriage assembly are “Belleville” springs. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The interactive exercise system of claim 16, further comprising a virtual coach that provides digital audio and visual coaching and encouragement to the user. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The interactive exercise system of claim 16, further comprising a tracking program and database that stores the user's performance data. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The interactive exercise system of claim 16, wherein the user sensor includes an optical encoder, and the actuator sensor includes a digital feedback encoder, the digital feedback encoder is configured to measure the force applied by the user based on spring compression and to produce a corresponding signal.