Instrumented article of fitness and method of determining caloric requirements

{
  "publication_number": "US10238166B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Instrumented article of fitness and method of determining caloric requirements",
  "abstract": "Disclosed is a force measuring article of athletic equipment and method of monitoring caloric output during a physical exercise. Force transducers are positioned within the palm region of a lifting glove or sole portion of an athletic shoe for measuring force versus time data and storing the data for later retrieval and analysis. The force output for a given exercise is analyzed such that the user is able to monitor and gauge energy output during an activity without the use of a heart rate monitor or larger, external equipment. The data can be used to determine caloric output, from which the user can directly measure the energy required for a specific exercise and the necessary calories required to complete the exercise. The method involves gather this information and using it as means to further understand caloric output, and thus meter caloric intake and maintain a proper daily caloric balance.",
  "claims": [
    "1. An article of fitness for measuring caloric output, comprising: a glove including a force transducer and an accelerometer embedded therein; the force transducer configured to measure and collect force input data exerted onto a surface of the glove during a physical exercise; the accelerometer configured to measure and collect positional and acceleration data of the glove during the physical exercise; a computer memory embedded within the glove, the computer memory configured to store the collected force input data and positional and acceleration data; wherein the computer memory is operably connected to a data transfer device, the data transfer device configured to transfer the stored force input data and positional and acceleration data to a computer.",
    "2. The device of claim 1, wherein the computer is configured to calculate an anaerobic caloric requirement for the physical exercise using the transferred force input data and positional and acceleration data.",
    "3. The device of claim 1, wherein the force transducer comprises a piezoelectric force transducer.",
    "4. A method of determining caloric output of a given exercise and maintaining daily caloric balance, comprising the steps of: utilizing a glove comprising a force transducer and an accelerometer disposed in the glove; gathering force input data exerted onto a surface area of the glove during a physical exercise via the force transducer; gathering positional and acceleration data of the glove during the physical exercise via the accelerometer; storing the force input data and the positional and acceleration data on a computer memory embedded within the glove; transferring the gathered force input data and positional and acceleration data to a computer for analysis; calculating energy output during said exercise using the transferred force input data and positional and acceleration data; determining an anaerobic caloric requirement for the physical exercise using the calculated energy output.",
    "5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the steps of: using the caloric requirement to monitor daily caloric balance.",
    "6. The method of claim 4, further comprising calculating a daily caloric balance remaining for a user in light of the caloric requirement for the physical exercise, wherein the daily caloric balance comprises a number of calories a user is required to consume given the energy output of the user.",
    "7. An article of fitness for measuring caloric output, comprising: a glove including a force transducer and an accelerometer embedded therein; the force transducer configured to measure and collect force input data exerted onto a surface of the glove during a physical exercise; the accelerometer configured to measure and collect positional and acceleration data of the glove during the physical exercise; a computer memory embedded within the glove, the computer memory configured to store the collected force input data and positional and acceleration data; wherein the computer memory is operably connected to a data transfer device, the data transfer device configured to transfer the stored force input data and positional and acceleration data to a computer; the computer is configured to calculate an anaerobic caloric requirement for the physical exercise using the transferred force input data and positional and acceleration data."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "Field of the Invention\n\nThe present invention relates to instrumented lifting equipment and means for data acquisition during physical exercise. More specifically, the present invention pertains to an article of fitness that involves force measurements recorded by sensors imbedded within the article for calculating input on the human body, using the collected data to analyze the exercise and to determine caloric output based on recorded metrics.\n\nMany individuals are not aware of their daily caloric balance, which compares the energy of food taken into the body versus the energy expended over the course of the day. This balance is critical for maintaining a desired weight, remaining physically fit and maintaining overall good health. Calories taken in by food and beverages are utilized for bodily function and for operating muscles when the body transforms and expends that energy in the form of mechanical work. This work includes daily activities and extends to periods of exercise when higher caloric output levels are required. Those individuals looking to lose weight tend to expend more than they consume, while those looking to maintain a given weight will keep an even input/output balance. Those excess and under utilizing calories are typically stored as fat in the body, therefore proper balance and monitoring of caloric input versus output is necessary for a balanced lifestyle and healthy maintenance of weight.",
  "cpc": [
    "A43B 3/0015",
    "A43B 3/38",
    "A61B 2562/0252",
    "A61B 5/1118",
    "A61B 5/6825",
    "A61B 5/6829",
    "A63B 24/0003"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A43B 13/00",
    "A63B 24/00",
    "A43B 3/00",
    "A61B 5/00",
    "A61B 5/11"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Robert Rosenbaum"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2012-06-28",
  "publication_date": "2019-03-26",
  "grant_date": "2019-03-26",
  "priority_date": "2011-06-28",
  "application_number": "US-201213536876-A",
  "family_id": "47391221",
  "cited_by_count": 6,
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}