U.S. patent application number 11/803986 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-21 for training system, operation terminal and computer-readable recording medium storing training assist program.
Invention is credited to Toru Higuchi, Keiichi Matsubara, Hisashi Mori.
Application Number | 20080045384 11/803986 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38840514 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080045384 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Matsubara; Keiichi ; et
al. |
February 21, 2008 |
Training system, operation terminal and computer-readable recording
medium storing training assist program
Abstract
A training system including: a training equipment provided with
a movable portion for allowing an exerciser to perform an exercise;
and an operation terminal for transmitting operation information
for an action of the movable portion to the training equipment. The
training equipment includes: an equipment-side receiver for
receiving the operation information; and a driver for driving the
movable portion in accordance with the operation information. The
operation terminal includes: an input portion for allowing
operation information to be externally inputted; a terminal-side
transmitter for transmitting the operation information inputted in
the input portion to the training equipment; a terminal-side
display portion for displaying an image; and a terminal-side
display controller for allowing the terminal-side display portion
to display the operation information.
Inventors: |
Matsubara; Keiichi;
(Kakogawa-shi, JP) ; Higuchi; Toru; (Kobe-shi,
JP) ; Mori; Hisashi; (Kobe-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JORDAN AND HAMBURG LLP
122 EAST 42ND STREET
SUITE 4000
NEW YORK
NY
10168
US
|
Family ID: |
38840514 |
Appl. No.: |
11/803986 |
Filed: |
May 16, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 24/0075 20130101;
A63B 2024/0078 20130101; A63B 21/00181 20130101; A63B 71/0009
20130101; A63B 24/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/004 |
International
Class: |
A63B 24/00 20060101
A63B024/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 18, 2006 |
JP |
2006-138597 |
Claims
1. A training system comprising: a training equipment provided with
a movable portion for allowing an exerciser to perform an exercise;
and an operation terminal for transmitting operation information
for an action of the movable portion to the training equipment,
wherein the training equipment includes: an equipment-side receiver
for receiving the operation information; and a driver for driving
the movable portion in accordance with the operation information,
and the operation terminal includes: an input portion for allowing
operation information to be externally inputted; a terminal-side
transmitter for transmitting the operation information inputted in
the input portion to the training equipment; a terminal-side
display portion for displaying an image; and a terminal-side
display controller for allowing the terminal-side display portion
to display the operation information.
2. The training system according to claim 1, wherein the
transmission of operation information from the terminal-side
transmitter to the equipment-side receiver is performed in a
wireless short-distance communication.
3. The training system according to claim 2, wherein the operation
information includes at least one of a load applied to the movable
portion and the number of actions of the movable portion.
4. The training system according to claim 3, wherein the training
equipment includes: an equipment-side display portion for
displaying an image; and an equipment-side display controller for
allowing the equipment-side display to display the operation
information.
5. The training system according to claim 4, wherein: the training
equipment includes: a detector for detecting an action state of the
movable portion; and an equipment-side transmitter for transmitting
action information showing the action state detected by the
detector to the operation terminal, the operation terminal includes
a terminal-side receiver for receiving the action information, and
the terminal-side display controller allows the terminal-side
display portion to display the operation information.
6. The training system according to claim 5, wherein the training
equipment includes an information converter for converting the
action information detected by the detector to a visible form, and
the terminal-side display controller allows the terminal-side
display to display the converted action information.
7. The training system according to claim 6, wherein the training
equipment includes an evaluation acquirer for acquiring evaluation
information of an exercise, the equipment-side transmitter
transmits the acquired evaluation information to the operation
terminal, and the operation terminal includes a storage portion for
storing the evaluation information in correlation with the
exercise.
8. The training system according to claim 7, wherein the operation
terminal is operable to transmit and receive information
individually to and from a plurality of training equipments.
9. The training system according to claim 8, wherein the
terminal-side display controller allows the terminal-side display
to display action information transmitted from the plurality of
training equipments.
10. The training system according to claim 9, wherein the
terminal-side display controller divides a screen of the
terminal-side display into a plurality of sub-screens corresponding
to the plurality of training equipments respectively, and allows
each sub-screen to display action information transmitted from each
training equipment.
11. The training system according to claim 1, wherein the operation
information includes at least one of a load applied to the movable
portion and the number of actions of the movable portion.
12. The training system according to claim 1, wherein the training
equipment includes: an equipment-side display portion for
displaying an image; and an equipment-side display controller for
allowing the equipment-side display to display the operation
information.
13. The training system according to claim 1, wherein the training
equipment includes: a detector for detecting an action state of the
movable portion; and an equipment-side transmitter for transmitting
action information showing the action state detected by the
detector to the operation terminal, the operation terminal includes
a terminal-side receiver for receiving the action information, and
the terminal-side display controller allows the terminal-side
display portion to display the operation information.
14. The training system according to claim 1, wherein the training
equipment includes an evaluation acquirer for acquiring evaluation
information of an exercise, and the equipment-side transmitter
transmits the acquired evaluation information to the operation
terminal, and the operation terminal includes a storage portion for
storing the evaluation information in correlation with the
exercise.
15. The training system according to claim 1, wherein the operation
terminal is operable to transmit and receive information
individually to and from a plurality of training equipments.
16. An operation terminal for transmitting operation information to
a training equipment which includes a movable portion provided with
a driver for allowing an exerciser to perform exercise and an
equipment-side receiver for receiving the operation information for
an action of the movable portion, the operation terminal
comprising: an input portion for allowing operation information to
be externally inputted; a terminal-side transmitter for
transmitting the operation information inputted in the input
portion to the training equipment; a terminal-side display portion
for displaying an image; and a terminal-side display controller for
allowing the terminal-side display to display the operation
information, wherein the terminal-side display includes a
panel-type display unit, and the terminal-side display and the
input portion are integrated into one body which is portable.
17. A computer-readable recording medium for storing a training
assist program for an operation terminal which remotely controls a
training equipment having a movable portion by receiving operation
information for an action of the movable portion by an input
portion, and transmitting it via a communication portion, wherein
the training program allows the operation terminal to function as:
an operation information generator for generating operation
information in accordance with content inputted in the input
portion; a communication controller for transmitting the operation
information to the training equipment via the communication
portion; and a display controller for allowing a display portion to
display the operation information.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a technology for smoothly
assisting training of exercisers mainly including an aged person
and a person who needs assistance.
[0003] 2. Description of the Background Art
[0004] Conventionally, various training equipments are known which
are adapted to assist not only the muscular training for a normal
person but also the rehabilitation for an aged person, a person who
needs assistance, an injured or ailing patient, and the like.
Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 2004-8744 discloses a
rehabilitation assisting system for allowing a trainee to perform a
necessary rehabilitation exercise under guidance of a physical
therapist. In this system, a physical therapist forcibly moves arms
and the like of a trainee from a remote place by a remote
operation. Specifically, an arm-type machine is provided on the
side of the trainee, and an upper and lower limb exercise
simulating device so configured as to simulate the arm-type machine
is provided on the side of the physical therapist. The arm-type
machine provided on the side of the trainee reflects an action of
the physical therapist to forcibly guide exercise such as the
rehabilitation of the trainee. The system is provided with an upper
limb rehabilitation assisting equipment including an arms-type
machine for allowing a trainee to train his arms, a video camera
for recording an exercise state of a trainee and an image display
device for showing a recorded image to a trainee, and an upper and
lower limbs exercise simulation device provided on the side of an
operation guiding terminal for controlling driving of the arm-type
machine in accordance with an instruction given by a physical
therapist who is at a remote place. Further, the system includes a
communicator for transmitting instruction information of a physical
therapist to the upper limb rehabilitation assisting equipment via
a network.
[0005] The rehabilitation assisting system disclosed in Japanese
Patent Unexamined Publication 2004-8744 makes it possible to
remotely give an operation instruction. However, the upper and
lower limbs exercise simulation device so configured as to simulate
the arm-type machine should be provided on the side of a physical
therapist, thus causing the equipment to be large in size. Further,
a physical therapist needs to actually make actions with own upper
and lower limbs at a remote place. Thus, it is difficult for a
person who is not a skilled person such as a physical therapist to
operate the simulation device. Furthermore, the system requires one
physical therapist to deal with only one trainee. Thus, there is a
certain limit in performing an efficient instruction operation. In
addition, a physical therapist makes every action with his body to
give an instruction to the trainee. Thus, it has been a great
burden for a trainer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a training
assist technology which can solve the above-mentioned problems.
[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
training system which can give a trainer an instruction to a
training equipment used by an exerciser in an easy and precise
manner and confirm information regarding an action state of
the-training equipment in an easy manner at his hand.
[0008] Further, yet another object of the present invention is to
provide a training system which allows one trainer to deal with a
plurality of exercisers using training equipments.
[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, a training
system includes: a training equipment provided with a movable
portion for allowing an exerciser to perform an exercise; and an
operation terminal for transmitting operation information for an
action of the movable portion to the training equipment. The
training equipment includes: an equipment-side receiver for
receiving the operation information; and a driver for driving the
movable portion in accordance with the operation information. The
operation terminal includes: an input portion for allowing
operation information to be externally inputted; a terminal-side
transmitter for transmitting the operation information inputted in
the input portion to the training equipment; a terminal-side
display portion for displaying an image; and a terminal-side
display controller for allowing the terminal-side display portion
to display the operation information.
[0010] These and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the
following detailed description along with the accompanied
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing terminals constituting a
training system in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a training system in
which an operation terminal is communicable with each of machine
terminals disposed respectively to a plurality of training
equipments.
[0013] FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing a first training
equipment which is in a state where its foot plate is in a
horizontal posture. FIG. 3B is a perspective view showing the first
training equipment which is in a state where the foot plate is in a
vertical posture. FIG. 3C is a perspective view showing the first
training equipment in a state where an exerciser places his soles
in contact with the foot plate and extends his legs.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a
second training equipment.
[0015] FIG. 5A is a side view showing a configuration of a third
training equipment which is in a state where its arm portions are
at positions close to a seat portion at most. FIG. 5B is a side
view showing the third training equipment in a state where the arm
portions are at positions separated from the seat at most.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a control block diagram showing respective
configurations of the machine terminal and the training
equipment.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the
operation terminal.
[0018] FIG. 8 shows an example of a registration frame of the
operation terminal.
[0019] FIG. 9 shows an example of a frame for creating a training
menu.
[0020] FIG. 10 shows an example of a frame for confirming an
exercise state during a training.
[0021] FIG. 11 shows another example of the frame for confirming an
exercise state during a training, the frame being divided into
sub-frames in accordance with the number of training
equipments.
[0022] FIG. 12 shows a frame of a machine terminal for setting a
movable range.
[0023] FIG. 13 shows frames of the machine terminal displayed at
the time of measuring a physical fitness.
[0024] FIG. 14 shows steps of authenticating an exerciser.
[0025] FIG. 15 shows frames of the machine terminal showing another
method of personal authentication.
[0026] FIG. 16 shows frames of the machine terminal showing yet
another method of personal authentication.
[0027] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing steps of processing to be
performed by the machine terminal and the operation terminal during
a training.
[0028] FIG. 18 shows an example of the evaluation guidance frame
described in the flowchart above.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE
INVENTION
[0029] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention
will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a
schematic view showing terminals constituting a training system
according to an embodiment of the present invention. A training
system 1 includes an operation terminal 10 and a machine terminal
20. The machine terminal 20 disposed to a training equipment 30
which will be described hereinafter. The training system 1 is
expected to be used for allowing a trainer to give an advice to an
exerciser who uses a training equipment and deal with the exerciser
in an appropriate manner in a fitness club, a nursing-care
facility, an elder care facility and the like. The operation
terminal 10 is a portable-type computer which is capable of
communicating with the machine terminal 20 in a wireless or wired
short-distance communication. Specifically, the operation terminal
10 is possessed by a trainer or an operator and includes, like a
usual personal computer, a keyboard constituting a part of an input
portion for allowing an instruction to be inputted, a display
portion for displaying an image, a controller for processing
information, and a storage portion for storing a processing program
and various information. The operation terminal 10 can be made
smaller in overall size by adopting a display portion composed of a
panel-type display device integrated with a keyboard and the like
into one body which is portable. The machine terminal 20 is also
composed of a personal computer, and the internal configuration
thereof is similar to that of the operation terminal 10. As can be
referred to in FIG. 2, the machine terminal 20 is disposed to the
training equipment 30 and allows an exerciser who exercises with
the training equipment to perform an input operation.
[0030] FIG. 2 is a view showing the training system in which the
operation terminal 10 is communicable with the machine terminals
20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D disposed respectively to training equipments
30A, 30B, 30C, and 30D of four different types. Here, the training
equipments are of four different types, but the training equipments
may be of the same type. Further, the number of types of the
training equipments is not limited to four but may be the desired
number. Each of the machine terminals 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D
disposed respectively to the training equipments 30A, 30B, 30C, and
30D is provided with a predetermined identification information.
The identification information is written in a ROM 22 or a RAM 23
provided in each of the machine terminals 20A-20D, as can be
referred to in FIG. 6. In the present embodiment, a router 50 which
will be described hereinafter is provided between the operation
terminal 10 and the machine terminals 20A-20D so that information
can be transmitted and received individually with use of the
identification information in such a manner as will be described
hereinafter.
[0031] The operation terminal 10 and each machine terminal 20 are
individually communicable with each other with use of the
respective identification information. As will be described in
detail hereinafter, the training system has features that the
operation terminal 10 which is possessed by a trainer of a fitness
club and the like is operable to remotely transmit and set
information of a training menu such as a load and the number of
repetitions or reps to each of the training equipments 30A-30D, and
each of the training equipments 30A-30D is operable to transmit
information of an exercise state of an exerciser to the operation
terminal 10 possessed by the trainer. Such configuration of a
bidirectional communication allows a trainer to easily assist and
monitor an exerciser even if an exerciser is, for example, an aged
person or a person who needs assistance and cannot easily handle
the training equipments 30A-30D. Further, display portions are
provided to the training equipments 30A-30D and the operation
terminal 10, and information is displayed on both sides in a form
which can be easily understood. Accordingly, an exerciser can
easily understand a training menu which should be accomplished. On
the other hand, a trainer can understand an exercise state of each
exerciser precisely so that he can perform an appropriate
adjustment of a load for each of the training equipments 30A-30D
and give an advice to each exerciser. Such advantageous features
could not be seen in conventional training equipments and
systems.
[0032] FIGS. 3A through 3C are schematic views showing the training
equipment 30A. FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the training
equipment 30B. FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic views showing the
training equipment 30C. The training equipment 30A shown in FIG. 3
is an equipment which is named "leg-press machine." The training
equipment 30B shown in FIG. 4 is an equipment named "leg-extension
machine." The training equipment 30C shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B is an
equipment named "rowing machine." The training equipment 30D shown
in FIG. 2 is an equipment named "hip-abduction machine."
[0033] The training equipment 30A shown in FIGS. 3A through 3C
allow an exerciser to train his lower body by bending and
stretching legs while resisting against a predetermined exercise
load in a state of sitting on a seat. The training equipment 30A
includes a base portion 300A. The base portion 300A is provided
with a seat portion 301A, a foot plate portion 302A on which an
exerciser, who is shown with an imaginary line, sitting on the seat
portion 301A puts his feet, an unillustrated mechanical portion for
moving the seat portion 301A and the foot plate portion 302A, and a
controller for controlling driving of the mechanical portion. The
machine terminal 20A allows an exerciser to perform an input
operation for moving the seat portion 301A and the foot plate
portion 302A.
[0034] The seat portion 301A is guided along a guide rail portion
303A extending in forward and backward directions, and an
unillustrated servomotor allows the seat portion 301A to slide in
forward and backward directions to give a predetermined load to an
exerciser. FIG. 3A is a view showing a state where the foot plate
portion 302A is in a horizontal posture. The foot plate 302A can be
shifted between the postures shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B by an
unillustrated lifting motor. FIG. 3C shows a state where an
exerciser places his soles in contact with the foot plate portion
302A and extends his legs. An exerciser can train his lower body by
bending and extending his legs between the postures shown in FIGS.
3B and 3C to slide his body forward and backward while resisting
against a load given by the servomotor.
[0035] The machine terminal 20A is disposed near an exerciser who
sits on the seat portion 301A. The machine terminal 20A includes a
casing having a predetermined shape. In the casing, there are
provided a display portion 24 composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal
Display), and a touch panel 25 composed of a transparent
pressure-sensitive sheet attached to a screen of the display
portion 24 so that inputs to various buttons displayed on the
display portion 24 are detected when an exerciser pushes the
display portion 24 with his finger. A slide position of the seat
portion 301A i.e. an exercise state is detected by a detector such
as an unillustrated rotary encoder. Further, the level of electric
current supplied to the servomotor for applying a brake to the same
is monitored to detect a load given to an exerciser.
[0036] The training equipment 30B shown in FIG. 4 includes a base
portion 300B. The base portion 300B is provided with a seat portion
301B, roller pad portions 302B for allowing a user, who is shown
with an imaginary line, sitting on the seat portion 301B to train
his legs, an unillustrated mechanical portion for moving the roller
pad portions 302B, an unillustrated load applying portion composed
of a servomotor for applying a load to the mechanical portion, and
a controller for controlling driving of the mechanical portion in
accordance with a detection signal transmitted from an
unillustrated detector for detecting an action of the mechanical
portion. The machine terminal 20B allows an exerciser to perform an
input operation to make the roller pad portion 302B act.
[0037] The roller pad portions 302B are disposed horizontally in a
lower portion of an arm 303B which is swung in a vertical plane
about its upper end as a supporting point. The roller pad portions
302B include a pair of roller pads which are spaced apart a
predetermined distance and arranged in parallel with each other. A
user who sits on the seat 301B places his feet between the pair of
roller pads and performs bending and stretching of legs to train
his legs. The machine terminal 20B has a basic configuration which
is the same as that of the machine terminal 20A.
[0038] The training equipment shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B includes a
base portion 300C. The base portion 300C is provided with a seat
portion 301C, arc-shaped arm portions 302C, an unillustrated
mechanical portion for moving the arm portions 302C, an
unillustrated load applying portion composed of a servomotor and
the like for applying a load to the swinging of the arm portions
302C via the mechanical portion, and a controller for controlling
driving of the mechanical portion in accordance with a detection
signal transmitted from an unillustrated detector for detecting an
action of the arm portions 302C. The machine terminal 20C allows an
exerciser to perform an input operation to make the arm portion
302C act. The machine terminal 20C has a basic configuration which
is the same as that of the machine terminal 20A.
[0039] FIG. 5A shows a state where the arm portions 302C are at
positions close to the seat portion 301C at most, and FIG. 5B shows
a state where the arm portions 302C are at positions separated from
the seat portion 301C at most. The arm portions 302C include a pair
of arms arranged in a horizontal direction and supported by a shaft
extending in a horizontal direction at a lower end portion of the
base portion 300C. An exerciser, who is shown with an imaginary
line, sitting on the seat portion 301C grips the arm portion 302C
and operates the same between the positions shown in FIGS. 5A and
5B to train muscles near upper arms.
[0040] The training equipment 30D shown in FIG. 2 has a
configuration similar to those shown in FIGS. 3A-5B except for its
exercise configuration. As can be understood by referring to FIG.
2, the exercise configuration of the training equipment 30D
includes a pair of opening and closing arm portions 302D provided
in a front portion of the seat portion 301D and arranged in a
horizontal direction. Each of the opening and closing arm portions
302D can be swung about a vertical shaft arranged in a lower
portion of the seat portion 301D. Each of the opening and closing
arm portions 302D is provided at its front end with leg holders
303D oriented to a substantially vertical direction. In a state of
sitting on the seat portion 301D, an exerciser places his each leg
between the leg holders 303D, and performs opening and closing
action to train his legs. Further, there is provided an
unillustrated mechanical portion for allowing the rotational arm
portions 302D to perform opening and closing action, and an
unillustrated load applying portion such as a servomotor for
applying a predetermined load to the mechanical portion is
provided. The amount of swinging action of the opening and closing
arm portions 302D is detected by an unillustrated detector such as
a rotary encoder. The machine terminal 20D allows an exerciser to
perform an input operation to make the rotational arm portion 302D
act. The machine terminal 20D has a basic configuration which is
similar to that of the machine terminal 20A.
[0041] FIG. 6 is a control block diagram showing the respective
configurations of the machine terminal 20 and the training
equipment 30. The machine terminals 20A,20B,20C,20D are
collectively described hereinafter as the machine terminal 20, and
the respective controllers of the training equipments 30A, 30B,
30C, and 30D are collectively described hereinafter as an
equipment-side controller 40.
[0042] The machine terminal 20 includes a ROM 22 for storing an
operation program and various image information (guide images,
diagrams, buttons, font data and the like), and a RAM 23 for
temporarily storing information which is under processing. The ROM
22 and the RAM 23 are connected to a machine terminal side
controller 21 composed of a computer and the like. Further, the
machine terminal side controller 21 is connected to a display
portion 24 composed of an LCD and the like, a touch panel 25
layered on a screen of the display portion 24, and a communication
unit 26 for performing a wireless or wired short-distance
communication with the operation terminal 10 described hereinafter.
The communication unit 26 includes a transmitter and a receiver. As
a medium for the wireless communication, an infrared ray, a radio
wave, a microwave and the like can be adopted.
[0043] Next, the machine terminal side controller 21 will be
described. The image display processing portion 211 allows the
display portion 24 to display various images and diagrams which are
used in a registration processing for personal information and the
like of an exerciser, a training setting processing and an action
confirming processing. Information such as exerciser information
and settings information are displayed in the diagram. A setting
button display processing portion 212 allows the display portion 24
to display various buttons along with respective contents of
operation. The contents of operation include various items which
can be set by an exerciser. An operation determining portion 213
correlates coordination information of a displayed button with
positional information of the touch panel 25 to determine a button
corresponding to a pressed position on the touch panel 25.
[0044] A training sequence setting processing portion 214 creates a
training sequence by arranging exercises of various kinds or a
training menu in a chronological order designated by a trainer or
an exerciser. The training menu may be inputted by a trainer
through the operation terminal 10, or it may be inputted by an
exerciser and a trainer through the touch panel 25. The training
menu is set in accordance with a kind of exercise and at least one
of a load and the number of repetitions for each exercise. In the
present embodiment, both a load and the number of repetitions for
each exercise are set.
[0045] The training repetition setting processing portion 215 sets
the number of repetitions of exercise which is inputted by a
trainer through the operation terminal 10 or instructed via the
touch panel 25. The number of training repetitions is counted as
one rep for each reciprocating action. The number of repetitions is
counted by an internal counter. In any form of exercise, such as a
form of allowing an exerciser to perform exercise in both ways of a
reciprocating action i.e. a form of applying a brake in both ways
of reciprocation, and a form of allowing an exerciser to perform
exercise in only one direction of reciprocation e.g. a form of
applying a brake at only one action during a pushing and pulling
exercise or an opening and closing exercise), one reciprocation
action is counted as one rep. It may take a form of counting one
reciprocating action as two repetitions in the form of applying a
brake in both reciprocating directions.
[0046] A setting changing processing portion 216 receives
information regarding a change in setting from the operation
terminal 10 via the communication unit 26, as will be described
herebelow, and changes a setting when a setting of training is
changed during a training.
[0047] An exercise information converting portion 217 converts the
exercise information acquired in an exercise state determining
portion 413, which will be described hereinafter, into visible
information. For example, the exercise information is converted to
a bar display or a value display. Specifically, in the case of
using a bar display portion or an exercise progress state display
area C2 to be described later with reference to FIG. 10, the
exercise information converting portion 217 converts the exercise
information into any one of the following first and second
forms.
[0048] In the first form, the bar display is performed so as to
reflect each action of the movable portion. Specifically, in
accordance with data of setting area information in a movable range
setting processing portion 411, a distance between the left and
right ends of the bar display portion is correlated with a movable
range of each exerciser. On the other hand, a colored bar stretches
from the left end of the bar display portion to display a current
position of the movable portion. In this form, for example, when
the movable portion is located at an initial position, the colored
bar is located at a point on the left end of the bar display
portion. In accordance with an action of the movable portion, the
bar stretches rightward. When the movable portion reaches the end
of the movable range, the bar also reaches the right end of the bar
display portion. Thereafter, when the movable portion is moved back
to the initial position, the bar having been reached the right end
is also contracted toward the left end of the bar display portion
in accordance the action of the movable portion. Thus, as will be
described hereinafter, even when a trainer stands in front of a
training equipment and cannot see an action of the movable portion
well or is orally giving an advice to one of a plurality of
exercisers, the trainer can easily confirm if other exerciser
performs exercise steadily by viewing an action of the bar.
Specifically, a trainer can determined that there is no problem
when each of the bar displays corresponding to a plurality of
training equipments moves regularly. However, if an action of the
bar becomes dramatically slow or stops during the exercise, a
trainer can immediately find the abnormality so that he can deal
with an exerciser.
[0049] In the second form, a trainer can easily confirm a state of
performance or progress of an exerciser in one training menu. In
this form, a distance between the left and right end of the bar
display portion is correlated with the target training repetition
of an exerciser in accordance with data regarding the target
repetition of training e.g. the total number of reciprocating
action of the movable portion set by the training repetition
setting processing portion 215. On the other hand, a length of the
bar is determined in accordance with a ratio of the current
training repetition performed by an exerciser out of the target
repetition, and a state of progress is displayed with a colored bar
stretching from the left end in the bar display portion. According
to this form, in the case where a plurality of exercisers perform
the same exercise, and a state of performance of one exerciser is
delayed, a trainer can easily determine who the delayed exerciser
is and immediately check whether or not a load is excessive for the
exerciser or whether or not the exerciser is excessively
exhausted.
[0050] Referring back to FIG. 6, a training evaluating portion 218
allows the display portion 24 to display an evaluation reception
frame each time when an exercise is completed, and receives an
evaluation result inputted via the touch panel 25. A record
controller 219 stores information acquired from various setting
contents and exercise results in the RAM 23 as a history.
[0051] Here, each portion performs setting processing in accordance
with instructions inputted through the touch panel 25 of the
machine terminal 20. However, the setting processing is similarly
performed in accordance with similar instructions inputted through
the operation terminal 10 which will be described hereinafter.
[0052] A personal authentication processing portion 220 performs
authentication before a training is started to determine whether or
not an exerciser is a member. As will be described hereinafter, the
personal authentication processing portion 220 performs the
authentication processing by taking in personal information stored
in the operation terminal 10 in accordance with its need.
[0053] A communication controller 221 performs a processing of
transmitting predetermined data to the side of the operation
terminal 10 at a predetermined interval or at a necessary timing.
Further, the communication controller 221 discriminates information
received at the communication unit 26 and acquires information
assigned to the local device. A communication processing for
controlling the communication between the machine terminal side
controller 21 and the equipment-side controller 40 will be
described hereinafter in descriptions of a communication unit 16 of
FIG. 7.
[0054] Next, the equipment-side controller 40 for controlling
driving of the training equipment 30 will be described. A load
applying portion 51 supplies brake electric power for apply a load
to the mechanical portion 52 which drives the movable portion for
exercise of training equipment 30. The load applying portion 51
generates a brake signal which is transmitted to a servomotor and
the like in FIGS. 2-5B. The load applying portion 51 applies a load
to the movable portion against an action of an exerciser in one
direction. Also, the load applying portion 51 may apply a load
against an action of an exerciser in a reverse direction in
accordance with a kind of exercise. For example, in the case of the
training device shown in FIG. 4, the load applying portion 51 may
apply a load directed downward when an exerciser tries to lift up
his below knees, or it may apply a load directed upward when an
exerciser tries to lower his below knees. Further, the load
applying portion 51 may apply a load against reciprocating actions
which an exerciser makes i.e. every action which the exerciser
makes. Further to the transmission of such brake signals, the load
applying portion 51 may include a form of outputting an operation
signal for actively moving the movable portion to lead a training
of an exerciser i.e. a form of applying a negative load to the
movable portion. In some cases, a user may not be in a stage of
performing a sufficient training due to an injury of leg and the
like but need to maintain or revive exercise function, or a user
may need to extend the movable range of his legs which have lost
its flexibility due to aging. In such cases, the equipment may
automatically perform reciprocating actions so that a user can
allow an action of his legs and the like to rely on the action of
the equipment and perform only a bending and extending exercise. As
described above, the detector 53 is composed of a rotary encoder
and the like and adapted to detect an action state of the
mechanical portion 52 consecutively. Here, the action state
indicates operational positions.
[0055] The equipment-side controller 40 is composed of a computer
and the like and is connected to a ROM 41 and a RAM 42. The ROM 41
is stores an exercise control program and its content of setting in
correlation with a load level in a table format. The RAM 42
temporarily stores information which is under processing.
[0056] A movable range setting processing portion 411 performs
measurement and recording to set a range of action within which an
exerciser can make action without excessive effort, before the
training equipment is used. Specifically, a movable range is set,
for example, by a length which is within a range where an exerciser
can move the seat portion 301A, the roller pad portion 302B, the
arm portion 302C or the opening and closing arm portion 302D which
are movable portions of the respective training equipments
30A,30B,30C,30D without excessive effort in accordance with an
instruction displayed on the display portion 24.
[0057] A training load setting processing portion 412 is adapted to
set a level of brake electric power corresponding to a load which
is designated by a user via the touch panel 25 of the machine
terminal 20.
[0058] An action state determining portion 413 determines a
position of the movable portion and counts the repetitions of
exercise in accordance with a detection signal transmitted from a
detector 53 and setting range information set in the movable range
setting processing portion 411.
[0059] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the operation terminal 10.
The operation terminal 10 includes a controller 11 composed of a
computer and the like, a ROM 12 connected to the controller 11 for
storing an operation program and various image information (guide
images, diagrams, various buttons, font data and the like) and a
RAM 13 for temporarily storing information under processing.
[0060] The controller 11 reads out operation control program data
including image data for the training assisting control and the
training assisting control program data from the ROM 12, which is
internally provided in or externally attached to the controller 11
in a detachable manner, based on an operation system (OS) stored in
the ROM 12. A part or all of the image, control program data and
the like which are read out from the ROM 12 is temporarily stored
in the RAM 13. Since then, the controller 11 performs processings
by referring to the training assisting program data and various
data stored in the RAM 13 and exchanging information with the
machine terminal 20. In the present embodiment, the ROM 12 in which
the training assisting program data and various data are stored may
be internally provided, or the training assisting program data and
various data stored in an external recording medium may be written
or installed to the RAM 13 via a driver such as a hard disk drive,
an optical disk drive, a flexible disk drive, a silicon disk drive,
a cassette medium reader or the like which is selected in
accordance with a kind of the external recording medium provided.
In the latter form, a general personal computer having a
versatility may be used.
[0061] Further, the controller 11 is connected with a display
portion 14 composed of an LCD and the like, an input operating
portion 15 including a keyboard, mouse and the like, and a
communication unit 16 for performing a wireless or wired
short-distance communication with the machine terminal 20. The
input operating portion 15 may include, for example, a touch panel
and the like layered on the display portion 14.
[0062] The communication unit 16 includes a transmitter and a
receiver. As a medium for the wireless communication, an infrared
ray, a radio wave, a microwave and the like may be adopted. In the
case where a wireless communication is adopted in the communication
unit 16, it is preferable that the transmission distance of the
transmitter is a predetermined short distance within which a
trainer carrying the operation terminal 10 can observe an exerciser
who trains with the training equipment 30. For example, it is
preferable that the distance is set to be within several meters or
a dozen meters.
[0063] In the present embodiment, the operation terminal 10 and the
machine terminals 20A-20D are connected via so called LAN (Local
Area Network). Therefore, the communication unit 16 of the
operation terminal 10 assuredly transmits and receives information
to and from the communication units 26 of respective machine
terminals.
[0064] As shown in FIG. 2, a wired or wireless router (or hub) 50
is provided between the operation terminal 10 and the machine
terminals 20A-20D. The router 50 has four ports corresponding
respectively to identification data preset in the machine terminals
20A-20D. According to this configuration, information transmitted
from each of the communication units 26 of the machine terminals
20A-20D is transmitted to a corresponding port of the router 50.
The operation terminal 10 receives information from a corresponding
port of the router 50 so that it can acquire information accurately
from a respective machine terminal 20. Further, the operation
terminal 10 transmits information with predetermined identification
information of the respective machine terminals 20A-20D to the
router 50 so that the communication units 26 of the machine
terminals 20A-20D can receive the information transmitted from the
operation terminal 10.
[0065] Further, instead of setting ports, another configuration may
be adopted in which each of the operation terminal 10 and the
machine terminals 20A-20D transmits information with predetermined
identification information of the machine terminals 20A to 20D.
Each of the communication units 26 of the machine terminals 20A to
20D identifies the transmitted information, and the communication
unit 16 of the operation terminal 10 identifies which one of the
machine terminals 20A to 20D transmitted the information. Thus,
information can be exchanged accurately between the communication
unit 16 and each of the communication units 26.
[0066] Next, the controller 11 will be described. An image display
processing portion 111 allows the display portion 14 to display
various images and diagrams for a registration processing of
various information such as personal information inputted to the
input operating portion 15, a training setting processing and an
operation confirming processing. Regarding the diagram, stored
exerciser information and settings are displayed in a diagram. The
setting button display processing portion 112 allows the display
portion 14 to display various buttons along with contents of
operation for allowing a trainer to input settings. An operation
determining portion 113 determines input of operation corresponding
to a pressed key in the input operating portion 15. In the case
where a mouse and the like is used, input of operation
corresponding to a cursor position on the display portion 14 is
determined. Further, the operation determining portion 113
temporarily stores in the RAM 13 the determined content of
operation.
[0067] A setting changing processing portion 114 receives a change
of a training setting during the training. The personal
authentication processing portion 115 performs processing of
determining an exerciser based on information of the exerciser
inputted the machine terminal 20 and transmitted via the
communication unit 16. For example, the personal authentication
processing portion 115 receives information of an initial letter of
an exerciser and transmits names of alternate members included in
the registered members to the machine terminal 20, and determines
the name specified among the alternate members as a name of the
exerciser.
[0068] A communication controller 116 gives instruction to transmit
various information by sending the information along with
identification information for determining the machine terminals
20A to 20D at a predetermined interval or a necessary timing of a
given operation instruction, or by specifying each port of the
router 50. In other words, the communication controller 116 gives
instruction of transmitting various information by referring to
information such as identification information or port information
for specifying the machine terminal 20A-20D. Further, the
communication controller 116 identifies information received at the
communication unit 16 and extracts identification information to
determine which training equipment 30 transmitted the
identification information.
[0069] FIG. 8 is a view showing an example of a registration frame
of the operation terminal 10. As shown in FIG. 8, there are items
to be registered, such as a name, a membership number, a gender, a
date of birth, a password, a group, an address, and a contact
number. Further, there are items such as a height, a weight and a
blood pressure. Furthermore, taking in consideration of use by an
aged person, items such as a level of assistance needed and a
personal medical office are provided. Here, a sequential membership
number ".smallcircle..smallcircle." is given to a person named
".smallcircle..smallcircle..smallcircle.TARO" who belongs to the
group "A-1."
[0070] On the left hand side of the frame, grouping of registered
members is displayed. In the frame, names of registered members
whom a trainer, who is hereinafter referred to as a personnel A,
looks after are listed in correlation with membership numbers and
group names. For example, groups are classified as "A-1" and "A-2."
Here, the personnel A looks after three groups, and the number of
members who belong to each group is limited to about ten people.
The number of groups and the number of people who belong to each
group may be appropriately determined so as to be the number which
can be looked after by one personnel.
[0071] Further, the operation terminal 10 includes a calendar. An
age is automatically calculated by referring to a date of birth and
a calendar. Furthermore, a registration frame can be opened by
pressing, for example, a new registration button displayed in a
previous frame. On the other hand, by selecting a membership number
and the like to open a sub-frame, membership information displayed
on the sub-frame can be renewed in accordance with need. By pushing
or clicking a registration button TB with a mouse when input of all
items is completed, the registration processing is completed.
Further, when one name in an area which displays a name in the
frame showing the grouping is clicked, the frame is switched to the
registration frame for the member.
[0072] FIG. 9 shows one example of a frame for creating a training
menu. For example, by pressing a menu creating button in a previous
frame, the frame is switched to the present frame. In the present
frame, spaces for the number of training repetition performed,
information regarding a member, records of previous time,
evaluation or comment on the previous time given by a trainer with
respect to the training of the previous time and creation of a menu
for this time are displayed successively from the upper side on the
left half of the frame. Further, on the right half of the frame, a
history of training performed in the past is displayed
chronologically.
[0073] FIG. 9 shows a frame menu created in view of an exercise
performed by a person named
".quadrature..quadrature..quadrature.TARO" with the training
equipment 30A. In this case, a machine named "ROWING" is selected,
and a type of exercise such as a pushing exercise and a pushing and
pulling exercise in accordance with a kind of machine used are
prepared. The space for displaying a training history shows the
number of times, a date, a kind of machine used, a type of
exercise, a weight or load, the number of repetitions and Borg. The
Borg indicates an evaluation comment on the exercises given by the
exerciser ".quadrature..quadrature..quadrature.TARO." The "PUSHING"
shown in the type of exercise indicates an exercise of extending
legs against a load, and the "PULLING" indicates an exercise of
bending legs against a load. The weight is shown in a unit of kg
(kilogram). The weight is a load corresponding to a muscular
strength value for performing exercise for 10 times at a maximum
muscular strength. The maximum muscular strength is measured by an
unillustrated leg muscle measurement (1/10RM method). Measuring
this value allows each exerciser to perform an appropriate
exercise. The number of repetitions indicates the number of
repetitions of a predetermined action. An exerciser determines the
Borg by selecting a comment from a list of comments displayed on
the machine terminal 20, as will be described hereinafter, at each
time when one type of exercise is terminated. The determined
comment information is transmitted from the machine terminal 20A to
the operation terminal 10.
[0074] The menu of time is created by a trainer, or it is created
in accordance with a discussion between the trainer and an
exerciser. The space for the menu of this time includes items such
as an order of selected menu, a kind of machine used, a type of
exercise, a weight, and the number of repetitions. A plurality of
exercises are prepared as a default setting with reference to a
kind of machine used and a type of exercise. A trainer is allowed
to select exercises from these, and put marks * on his selections
to set a menu in the order. In this example, a plurality of "ROWING
PUSHING" are selected. The items such as a weight and the number of
repetitions can be appropriately changed after the selection of the
exercises. If the weight and repetition are changed at this time,
the changes to the items are reflected at the time of creating the
next training menu. Accordingly, a training menu can be created in
which a training history of an exerciser and a present physical
condition are sufficiently reflected.
[0075] FIG. 10 shows an example of a frame for confirming an
exercise state during a training. When a member who is provided
with a created menu starts exercise with the training equipment 30,
a machine terminal 20 of the training equipment 30 transmits
information indicating the start of exercise to the operation
terminal 10. When the operation terminal 10 receives the
information, its frame is switched to a control frame shown in FIG.
10. The frame includes, from its upper side, respective spaces for
personal information, contents of the last training, contents of
exercise performed at this time, control type or selected program
of exercise, monitoring of an exercise state, a list of present
setting, and a degree of progress or the number of times performed.
Further, on the right hand side of the frame, there are displayed a
pausing button for forcibly pausing an action of a training
machine, a start button for starting the next exercise menu and
operation buttons for lifting and lowering a seat. The "SEAT"
button may be adopted in a form provided with a configuration to
adjust the height of a seat portion of the training equipment 30
with a driver and a lifting or tilting mechanism.
[0076] Further, in the uppermost portion of the frame, there are
displayed "e MACHINE 1"-"e FOUR SUB-FRAMES" tabs. The tabs "e
MACHINE 1"-"e MACHINE 4" are assumed to be used in the training
management form shown in FIG. 2. By pressing the tab, the frame is
switched to a frame shown in FIG. 10 indicating an action state of
a training equipment 30 corresponding to the pressed tab. The tab
"e FOUR SUB-FRAMES" is a tab for selecting a mode to display
contents of the tabs "e MACHINE 1"-"e MACHINE 4" collectively in
one frame, which is depicted in detail in FIG. 11.
[0077] An exercise state monitoring space C1 is displayed in a form
of crossing the frame at a substantially central portion. The
action state monitoring space C1 displays an action state of a
movable portion based on action state information taken in real
time from the detector 53 via the exercise state determining
portion 413, the movable range setting processing portion 411 and
the exercise information converting portion 217. Opposite ends of
the exercise state monitoring space C1 corresponding respectively
to a start point and end point of an exercise. For example, the
left end corresponds to the start point, and the right end
corresponds to the end point. A bar mark C11 is reciprocated
between the start point and the end point in accordance with a
detection signal transmitted from the detector 53.
[0078] Further, an exercise progress state displaying space C2
visibly shows the ratio of repetitions performed with respect to
the predetermined repetitions for one exercise being 100%. For
example, it is shown with a bar display C21. The exercise progress
state displaying space C2 shows the ratio of performed repetitions
with respect to each exercise as a level of progress based on
information taken in from the detector 53 through the exercise
state determining portion 413 and an exercise information
converting portion 217. The level of progress may be the ratio of
performance with respect to a whole training menu. In such case, a
state of performance can be determined in a total view.
[0079] A present setting list displaying space C3 shows items
respectively showing a selected program, a load, repetition, and a
movable range or area of a movable portion. Each content is
displayed for confirmation. Contents of the selected program, load,
repetition and a movable range or area of a movable portion can be
changed by a trainer. An changing operation is transmitted to the
machine terminal 20 via the communication unit 16 by a setting
changing processing portion 114 after the contents are fixed. The
machine terminal 20 reflects changes of setting to an operation of
the training equipment 30. The selected program includes "PROGRAM"
in which an exercise is performed with contents in accordance with
a training menu, "SELF-TRAINING", "PUSHING", and "PULLING." The
"PROGRAM" is a mode in which an exercise is performed with contents
in accordance with a training menu. The "SELF-TRAINING" is an
operation mode in which an exerciser selects menu sequentially. The
"PUSHING" is a mode for making an exerciser exclusively perform
only an action of pushing or extending his legs. The "PULLING" is a
mode for making an exerciser exclusively perform only an action of
pulling or an action of bending his legs.
[0080] Further, a pausing button on the right hand space of the
frame allows the personnel A to give an instruction to forcibly
pause an exercise even during an exercise when he finds an
exerciser's degree of fatigue.
[0081] FIG. 11 is another example of a frame for confirming an
exercise state during training. The frame is divided into
sub-frames in accordance with the number of training equipments.
FIG. 11 shows a frame in the case of managing four training
machines, and one frame is divided into four sub-frames G1,G2,G3,G4
aligned horizontally and vertically. The sub-frames G1,G2,G3,G4
show the respective contents of exercises performed with training
machines.
[0082] In the uppermost portion of the frame shown in FIG. 11,
there are displayed tabs of "e MACHINE" for switching to each
frame. On the lower side of the tabs, there are displayed four
sub-frames G1-G4. Layout of each of the sub-frames G1-G4 is
substantially the same, and they are easily identified and compared
at one view. Each of the sub-frames G1-G4 includes spaces
respectively showing a type of exercise, personal information,
exercise progress state displaying space C2' which corresponds to
the exercise progress state displaying space C2 shown in FIG. 10, a
menu, a setting changing space on the right of the menu, and an
exercise state monitoring space C1' corresponding to the exercise
state monitoring space C1 shown in FIG. 10, sequentially from the
upper side. The space for changing settings adopts a form of tabs
so that it can be switched to frames for changing weight, positions
of seat and the number of times in accordance with a selected item.
Further, on the lower left portion, there is displayed a "STOP"
button for forcibly pausing the exercise.
[0083] A menu space C4 is composed of tabs. As "NEXT" button is
pressed, a display of the space is shifted to other items or items
in a lower layer sequentially. If a button for the number of
repetitions is pressed, the setting contents changing space C5 is
switched to the repetition changing frame. Regarding a weight and a
seat, the current setting is changed if corresponding buttons are
pressed. Then, the settings after being changed are stored as data
of a history and displayed on the frame. Further, the changed
contents are transmitted to the machine terminal 20 via the
communication unit 16.
[0084] As described above, information regarding an action state of
each training machine is transmitted to the operation terminal 10,
and the information is displayed on a respective sub-frame on one
frame of the display portion 14. Thus, a trainer can easily
understand an operation of each training equipment 30 visually at
one view and at real time. As a result, the present training system
can assist adequate progression of training. For example, there is
a case where training menus of four people or four equipments are
all varied, and there is also a case where only one person or
equipment completes training faster than others. Even in such
cases, a trainer visually confirms, for example, the exercise
progress state displaying space C2 or C2' of the display portion 14
of the operation terminal 10 and knows a progress state for each
training machine. Accordingly, a trainer can simulate in advance
how to proceed an over all training. For example, if a bar of one
machine comes close to the right end, a trainer can make a forecast
that a training will be soon terminated and think of preparing the
next menu for the exerciser or switch the exerciser with other
exerciser who is waiting. Alternatively, since a trainer can take a
look at an exercise progress state displaying space C2 or C2' to
determine if a load of exercise is excessive or an exerciser is
exhausted regarding a training equipment 30 whose progression of
training is very slow, immediate actions such as lowering the load
of the equipment or confirming a physical condition of the
exerciser. As a result, according to the present training system,
an instruction for progress of the training which is efficient and
appropriate for each exerciser can be given. Further, in the case
where operation information of each training equipment is not
collectively displayed on a frame of the operation terminal 10
unlike the present system, if one trainer tries to deal with a
plurality of exercisers, the trainer has to take a look around each
equipment or exerciser to confirm a progress state. Further, while
taking a look around each equipment, the trainer needs to pay
attention to check if there is a trouble occurred in other
equipment or exerciser. Thus, it is actually impossible for one
trainer to deal with a plurality of exerciser. In this point of
view, according to the present system, one trainer can deal with a
plurality of training equipments or exercisers as described above.
Thus, the present system provides an operator of a fitness club, a
nursing care facility and the like with a very useful effect of
suppressing the number of trainers to be small for merit on
costs.
[0085] FIG. 12 shows a frame of a machine terminal for setting a
movable range. The frame shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the
display portion 24 of the machine terminal 24 when a button for
setting a movable range is pressed. The example of the frame
reflects the case of the training equipment 30C. As shown in the
frame, a bar image extending horizontally and showing the maximum
movable range is displayed. On the lower side thereof, there are
displayed a guidance for measurement and an image of the training
equipment 30C. Here, the guidance includes the content, "Your
movable range will be set. Please perform the opening and closing
exercises slowly in an appropriate form for three times." During
the measuring operation, the movable range setting processing
portion 412 receives a result of detection transmitted from the
detector 53 and determines an appropriate movable area in
accordance with an moving range and a moving speed. The contents of
determination is made visible by changing a display form of a bar
image in a movable area portion. Further, information of the
determined movable range is transmitted to the operation terminal
10 via the communication unit 26 of the machine terminal 20,
renewed as new data and displayed as can be seen in FIG. 10.
[0086] FIG. 13 shows frames of the machine terminal displayed at
the time of measuring a physical fitness. The frames shown in FIG.
13 are measurement guide frames which are switched when a setting
button for measuring a physical fitness is pressed. At first, a
guidance "Select the exercise and lift for six times. The weight is
automatically set." is displayed in the frame (a), and as set
values, the times "6" and the weight "25.0 kg" are displayed. An
exerciser performs the exercise for six times in this state. In
accordance with the exercise state, the maximum muscular strength
is calculated with use of a predetermined arithmetic expression
based on a level of voltage induced by a servomotor, operation
speeds detected by the detector 53 from the first time to the sixth
time, and changes in the speed. The result is displayed in the
frame (b), and "28 kg" which is calculated as an optimum weight is
also displayed. Next, in the frame (c), it is asked whether or not
the obtained optimum weight data should be reflected in the next
training in a form of "YES" or "NO." If "YES" is selected, the
optimum weight measured at this time is transmitted to the
operation terminal 10 via the communication unit 26 and stored in
the personal information space.
[0087] FIG. 14 shows steps for authenticating an exerciser. A
personal authentication processing is performed when an exerciser
presses a personal authentication button. At first, as shown in the
frame (a), all of initial letters of sequences of fifty Japanese
alphabets e.g. "A" is displayed. The frame (a) guides operation of
determining an initial letter of a family name of an exerciser. The
frame (b) shows a state where the letter "MA" is pressed. In the
frame (c), remaining Japanese alphabets of the selected sequence
and optional marks such as a voiced sound mark are displayed. The
frame (d) shows the state where the letters "MU" is pressed. When
an initial letter of a family name is determined, the communication
controller 221 refers to the personal information space of the
operation terminal 10 via the communication unit 26, extracts
therefrom names of members whose family name has an initial letter
of "MU," and receives the list via the communication unit 26. The
frame (e) is a frame after receiving the list, and there are
displayed names of at least four members. Further, it shows the
state where an exerciser selects the name "MURAKI." Next, when an
"ENTER" button is pressed in the frame (e), the frame is shifted to
the frame (f). Then, it is asked to enter a password. Here, when an
exerciser enters a predetermined password e.g. four numbers via
numerical buttons, information of the family name and password are
transmitted to the operation terminal 10, as described above. Then,
existence or nonexistence of the selected member is checked, and
the result is replied back. The frame (g) is a frame showing the
replied result. If "YES" is pressed in this frame, information
indicating that an exerciser is determined is transmitted to the
operation terminal 10. In such a manner as described above, the
authentication processing of an exerciser is performed.
[0088] FIG. 15 shows frames of the machine terminal 20 showing
another method of personal authentication. The example shown in
FIG. 15 is a form of providing a transponder to an exerciser for
personal authentication. The transponder has a predetermined shape
such as a shape of watch. The transponder is of a well-known item
and includes therein with a storage portion for storing exerciser
authentication information and a transmitter for transmitting the
stored contents. An exerciser is provided with a transponder at a
reception corner when he enters a training facility. On the other
hand, an operator performs a processing of correlating the member
with exerciser information of the transponder, and stores the
information in a management server device and the like. Data stored
in the management server can be acquired at the operation terminal
10 through a local area network. In the above-described situation,
when an exerciser presses a personal authentication button on the
machine terminal 20 of the training equipment 30, the frame (a) is
displayed. This frame guides an operation to place a transponder
wound around an arm of the exerciser above a predetermined portion
of the machine terminal. In this embodiment, the machine terminal
20 is provided with a receiver at an appropriate portion on its
upper surface for receiving information from a transmitter of the
transmitter. The exerciser identifying information of the
transponder taken in at the machine terminal 20 is transmitted to
the operation terminal 10 via the communication unit 26. Here, a
search for an individual member is performed, and the individual
information is replied back to the machine terminal 20 via the
communication unit 26. The frame (b) is a frame showing member
information which has been replied back. If "YES" is pressed in
this frame, information notifying that an exerciser is determined
is transmitted to the operation terminal 10. In such a manner as
described above, personal authentication processing of an exerciser
is performed.
[0089] FIG. 16 shows frames of the machine terminal 20 showing yet
another method of personal authentication. In this embodiment, an
authentication technology using ID information and password is
adopted. Here, any of the ID information and password is of
numerics. The personal authentication processing is performed when
an exerciser presses a personal authentication button. At first, as
shown in the frame (a), a guiding words of "Please enter the ID
number (four numbers)." and numerical buttons of "0" to "9". The
frame (b) shows the state where the ID number is entered. The frame
(c) shows the state where the entering of ID number is completed
and the password is inputted. When entering of both the ID number
and password is completed, the inputted information is transmitted
to the operation terminal 10 via the communication unit 26. Here,
the search for an individual member is performed, and the
individual information is replied back to the machine terminal 20
via the communication unit 26. The frame (d) is a frame displaying
the replied member information. If "YES" is pressed in this frame,
information notifying that an exerciser is determined is
transmitted to the operation terminal 10. In such a manner as
described above, personal authentication of an exerciser is
performed.
[0090] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing processing steps of the
machine terminal and the operation terminal during a training.
[0091] When an exerciser pushes a personal authentication button of
the machine terminal 20 and inputs information necessary for a
personal authentication (step ST1), processings for reference is
performed in the operation terminal 10 (step S1). Next, a
predetermined training menu is displayed on the operation terminal
and machine terminal 20. Here, if a trainer inputs an instruction
to start training to the operation terminal 10 (step S3), the start
instruction signal is transmitted to the machine terminal 20, and
the instruction to start the training is transmitted to the
training equipment 30 (step ST3). Here, the start instruction is
performed on the side of the operation terminal 10. However, an
exerciser may start exercise by pressing a start button provided on
the side of the training equipment voluntarily.
[0092] On the screen of the display portion 14 of the operation
terminal 10, a control frame as shown in FIGS. 10 or 11 is
displayed (step S5). On the other hand, the detector 53 of the
training equipment 30 continuously detects an exercise state of the
movable portion, and the information of a result of detection and
various settings are generated as transferred data (step ST7). The
transferred data includes information such as machine data and
exercise data which are described above as training menu data, a
state of progress, a detection result, and a weight and times of
exercise.
[0093] On the other hand, existence and nonexistence of changes in
settings is determined on the side of the operation terminal 10
(step S7). If there is no change, step S9 is skipped. If there is a
change, the routine proceeds to step S9. In the step S9, if there
is a change or a change in setting is included in the data
transmitted from the machine terminal 20, a setting is rewritten or
renewed. Further, on the side of the operation terminal 10,
contents of changes is collected. The transferred data is generated
(step S11), and the data is transmitted to the machine terminal 20.
In the machine terminal 20, renewal of data and changing of display
is performed based on the transferred data (step ST9). Here, the
data transmission from the machine terminal 20 to the operation
terminal 10, and the data transmission from the operation terminal
10 to the machine terminal 20 may be performed at a timing in a
predetermined interval or in repetition. Additionally, the
operation terminal 10 may be so configured as to perform
transmission in response to a periodical data transmission received
from the machine terminal 20. Alternatively, the operation terminal
10 may be so configured as to transmit data to the machine terminal
20 only when a change in setting occurs.
[0094] Next, a determination of whether or not one exercise is
terminated is performed in the machine terminal 20 based on a set
repetition information (step ST11). If the exercise is terminated,
the routine loops back to step ST5, and the same processing is
repeatedly performed. On the other hand, if the one exercise is
terminated, a determination of whether or not all of the exercises
are terminated is performed based on contents of the training menu
(step ST13). If there is a remaining exercise, an evaluation (Borg)
frame is displayed (step ST15) to ask an exerciser to input an
evaluation. When an exerciser inputs an evaluation (YES in step
ST17), a content thereof is transmitted to the operation terminal
10 (step ST19). Next, a content of the next exercise is set (step
ST21), and the routine loops back to step ST3. Accordingly, the
same processing is repeatedly performed.
[0095] FIG. 18 shows an example of the evaluation guidance frame
described in step ST15 of FIG. 17. As shown in FIG. 18, a message
such as "Select a comment from the buttons below." to ask for a
comment on exercise. Further, as comments for the exercise, there
are displayed buttons such as "easy", "just right", "bit hard",
"hard", "the number of training equipments being monitored is hard"
and "could not perform for ten times."
[0096] Next, determination results made in the steps ST11, ST13 are
transmitted to the operation terminal 10. In the operation terminal
10, a determination of whether or not one exercise is terminated
based information transmitted from the machine terminal 20 (step
S13). If the exercise is not terminated, the routine loops back to
step S5. If the exercise is terminated, a determination of whether
or not all of the exercises are terminated (step S15). If all of
the exercise is not terminated, an evaluation transmitted from the
machine terminal 20 is displayed on a Borg space on the frame (step
S17). Next, a content of the next exercise is displayed on a screen
(step S19). On the other hand, if all of the exercise is
terminated, a termination frame is displayed (step S21) and then a
training history of this time is stored in the history space (step
S23). Then, the present routine is terminated.
[0097] On the side of the machine terminal 20, if all of the
exercise is terminated in step ST13, the routine proceeds to step
ST23 to display a termination frame (step ST23) and then the
routine is terminated.
[0098] Further, the following modifications can be adopted.
[0099] (1) In the present embodiment, four sub-frames are shown in
FIG. 11. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In
this case, the number of monitored training equipments and
specification of the same may be determined based on a kind of
identification information or used ports set in the router 50, and
the number of sub-frames may be set in accordance with the
determination. Alternatively, the number of sub-frames may be
predetermined.
[0100] (2) In the present embodiment, machine terminal side
controller 21 of the machine terminal 20 and the equipment-side
controller 40 of the training equipment 30 are separated. However,
those may be integrated into one machine-side controller.
[0101] As described above, a training system comprises a training
equipment provided with a movable portion for allowing an exerciser
to perform an exercise; and an operation terminal for transmitting
operation information for an action of the movable portion to the
training equipment. The training equipment includes: an
equipment-side receiver for receiving the operation information;
and a driver for driving the movable portion in accordance with the
operation information. The operation terminal includes: an input
portion for allowing operation information to be externally
inputted; a terminal-side transmitter for transmitting the
operation information inputted in the input portion to the training
equipment; a terminal-side display portion for displaying an image;
and a terminal-side display controller for allowing the
terminal-side display portion to display the operation
information.
[0102] According to this configuration, the input portion of the
operation terminal allows operation information to be inputted, and
the inputted operation information is transmitted to the training
equipment. In the training equipment, the driver drives the movable
portion to act in accordance with the operation information.
Further, the operation information is displayed on the
terminal-side display portion. Thus, an operator such as a trainer
who operates the operation terminal can confirm the inputted
operation information through the display portion. Accordingly, an
operator may allow an exerciser to perform an accurate and
appropriate exercise. Thus, a trainer can give an instruction to a
training equipment which an exerciser uses in an easy and precise
manner, and easily confirm information related to operation state
of the training equipment at his hand.
[0103] It is preferable that the transmission of operation
information from the terminal-side transmitter to the
equipment-side receiver is performed in a wireless short-distance
communication.
[0104] According to this configuration, an operator can freely come
close to or stay apart from a training equipment. Thus, it is not
necessary for an operator to always stay near the training
equipment, and an operator may have more freedom in his work, such
as doing other easy works at the same time.
[0105] In the above-described configuration, it is preferable that
the operation information includes at least one of a load applied
to the movable portion and the number of actions of the movable
portion.
[0106] According to this configuration, setting of exercise load
and exercise times in accordance with a physical condition, a state
of body and a training state of an exerciser is made possible.
[0107] In the above-described configuration, it is preferable that
the training equipment includes: an equipment-side display portion
for displaying an image; and an equipment-side display controller
for allowing the equipment-side display to display the operation
information.
[0108] According to this configuration, an exerciser can confirm
which exercise should be done in accordance with information
displayed on the display portion of the training equipment.
Therefore, an exerciser can perform a training comfortably or with
a mental preparation for the training.
[0109] Further, in the above-described configuration, it is
preferable that the training equipment includes: a detector for
detecting an action state of the movable portion; and an
equipment-side transmitter for transmitting action information
showing the action state detected by the detector to the operation
terminal, the operation terminal includes a terminal-side receiver
for receiving the action information, and the terminal-side display
controller allows the terminal-side display portion to display the
operation information.
[0110] According to this configuration, transmission of information
is made possible between the training equipment and the operation
terminal. Thus, action information obtained in the training
equipment can be confirmed also on the side of the operation
terminal. Accordingly, more appropriate advice can be given to an
exerciser.
[0111] In the above-described configuration, it is preferable that
the training equipment includes an information converter for
converting the action information detected by the detector to a
visible form, and the terminal-side display controller allows the
terminal-side display to display the converted action
information.
[0112] According to this configuration, action state is converted
to a visible form and displayed on the terminal-side display
portion. Thus, an operator of the operation terminal can easily
understand an action state of an exerciser by confirming contents
displayed on the operation terminal. A vertical action, forward and
backward actions or horizontal action of the movable portion of the
training equipment is displayed on the operation terminal as a
reciprocating action of, for example, a gauge meter.
[0113] In the above-described configuration, it is preferable that
the training equipment includes an evaluation acquirer for
acquiring evaluation information of an exercise, the equipment-side
transmitter transmits the acquired evaluation information to the
operation terminal, and the operation terminal includes a storage
portion for storing the evaluation information in correlation with
the exercise.
[0114] According to this configuration, an evaluation of an
exerciser regarding exercise is stored in a storage portion. Thus,
an operator such as a trainer and the like can easily confirm
accuracy of operation information set by himself. Further, the
stored evaluation information can be utilized for preparation of
menu at the time of next training. Further, even in the case where
an exerciser has a handicap related to oral communication with
others, the exerciser can tell his fatigue and the like to an
operator by using the evaluation acquirer. Accordingly, an operator
can easily and expeditiously understand a degree of fatigue of an
exerciser, and take an appropriate action.
[0115] In the above-described configuration, it is preferable that
the operation terminal is operable to transmit and receive
information individually to and from a plurality of training
equipments.
[0116] According to this configuration, the operation terminal is
operable to transmit and receive information individually to and
from a plurality of training equipments. Accordingly, a plurality
of training equipments can be individually controlled. Thus, an
operator can understand exercise states of a plurality of
exercisers simultaneously, and it is made possible for a trainer to
make each exerciser perform an effective exercise, and give an
appropriate advice to an individual exerciser. Here, discrimination
or identification of a plurality of training equipments by the
operation terminal by way of providing a router having a plurality
of ports between the operation terminal and the plurality of
training equipments and setting a port of a router for each
training equipment, or by way of setting identification information
for each training equipment and transmitting information with the
identification and allowing the receiver side to determine the
identification information.
[0117] In the above-described configuration, it is preferable that
the terminal-side display controller allows the terminal-side
display to display action information transmitted from the
plurality of training equipments.
[0118] According to the above-described configuration, exercise
state information transmitted from a plurality of training
equipments are displayed on the terminal-side display portion.
Thus, an operator can visually understand exercise states of a
plurality of exercisers and give an appropriate advice to an
exerciser individually. Further, one operator can monitor and deal
with a plurality of exerciser, as described above. Accordingly, a
fitness club and a nursing-care facility adopting the present
system has a cost merit of suppressing the number of operator to be
low.
[0119] In the above-described configuration, it is preferable that
the terminal-side display controller divides a screen of the
terminal-side display into a plurality of sub-screens corresponding
to the plurality of training equipments respectively, and allows
each sub-screen to display action information transmitted from each
training equipment.
[0120] According to this configuration, an operator can understand
exercise states of a plurality of exercisers with one frame.
[0121] In the above-described configuration, it is preferable that
the terminal-side display includes a panel-type display unit, and
the terminal-side display and the input portion are integrated into
one body which is portable.
[0122] According to this configuration, the terminal-side display
portion is thin since it adopts a panel-type display unit including
a liquid crystal and a PDP device. Further, since the terminal-side
display portion and the input portion are integrated into one body,
an operator can possess the operation terminal. Accordingly, a
trainer is capable of moving to any place where he can understand
an exercise state of an exerciser and set ting a needed operation
information in accordance with inquiries with an exerciser.
[0123] Further, a computer-readable recording medium stores a
training assist program for an operation terminal which remotely
controls a training equipment having a movable portion by receiving
operation information for an action of the movable portion by an
input portion, and transmitting it via a communication portion. The
training assist program allows the operation terminal to function
as: an operation information generator for generating operation
information in accordance with content inputted in the input
portion; a communication controller for transmitting the operation
information to the training equipment via the communication
portion; and a display controller for allowing a display portion to
display the operation information.
[0124] According to this configuration, an operation information
generator creates operation information in accordance with content
inputted in the input portion, and a communication controller
transmits the operation information to the training equipment via
the communication portion. Further, the display controller allows a
display portion to display the operation information. Thus, an
operator such as a trainer who operates the operation terminal can
confirm an operation information which he inputted via the display
portion. Accordingly, the trainer can make an exerciser perform a
precise and appropriate exercise.
[0125] This application is based on patent application No.
2006-138597 filed in Japan, the contents of which are hereby
incorporated by references.
[0126] As this invention may be embodied in several forms without
departing from the spirit of essential characteristics thereof, the
present embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive,
since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims
rather than by the description preceding them, and all changes that
fall within metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalence of such
metes and bounds are therefore intended to embraced by the
claims.
* * * * *