U.S. patent application number 11/962481 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-17 for exercise therapy device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Mitsubishi Electric Engineering Company, Limited. Invention is credited to Makoto Sakaue, Keizo Yoshida.
Application Number | 20080171635 11/962481 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39618227 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080171635 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yoshida; Keizo ; et
al. |
July 17, 2008 |
Exercise Therapy Device
Abstract
To provide an exercise therapy device capable of highly
motivating an exerciser to continue exercise therapy, the exercise
therapy device equipped with AV equipment and a rotation shaft
includes: a rotation speed detection unit; a display unit for
displaying menu items of contents and the content reproduced by the
AV equipment; a menu selection unit for sequentially displaying the
menu items of contents when the rotation shaft is rotating and,
when one of the menu items has been externally selected, confirming
the one of the menu items as a menu to be displayed by the AV
equipment; and a reproduction speed setting unit for setting a
constant or a variable speed. The AV equipment reproduces the
content at one of the predetermined constant speed or the variable
speed which is set when the rotation shaft is rotating, and stops
reproducing the content when the rotation shaft is stopped.
Inventors: |
Yoshida; Keizo; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Sakaue; Makoto; (Tokyo, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROTHWELL, FIGG, ERNST & MANBECK, P.C.
1425 K STREET, N.W., SUITE 800
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Assignee: |
Mitsubishi Electric Engineering
Company, Limited
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
39618227 |
Appl. No.: |
11/962481 |
Filed: |
December 21, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 71/0622 20130101;
A63B 71/0686 20130101; A63B 22/0605 20130101; A63B 24/0059
20130101; A63B 2220/30 20130101; A63B 2220/34 20130101; A63B
2024/0078 20130101; A63B 22/0235 20130101; A63B 2225/20
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/8 |
International
Class: |
A63B 24/00 20060101
A63B024/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 15, 2007 |
JP |
2007-005987 |
Aug 9, 2007 |
JP |
2007-208233 |
Claims
1. An exercise therapy device provided with AV equipment for
reproducing a content and a rotation shaft which rotates when
applied with torque of exercise, the exercise therapy device
comprising: rotation speed detection means for detecting a rotation
speed of the rotation shaft; display means for displaying menu
items of contents and displaying the content reproduced by the AV
equipment; menu selection means for sequentially displaying the
menu items of contents when the rotation shaft is rotating and,
when one of the menu items displayed on the display means has been
externally selected, confirming the one of the menu items as a menu
to be displayed by the AV equipment; and reproduction speed setting
means for setting to reproduce a content by the AV equipment at one
of a predetermined constant speed and a variable speed, wherein the
AV equipment reproduces the content at one of the predetermined
constant speed or the variable speed which is set when the rotation
shaft is rotating, and stops reproducing the content when the
rotation shaft is stopped.
2. An exercise therapy device according to claim 1, wherein the AV
equipment reproduces a content at a speed corresponding to the
rotation speed of the rotation shaft when the AV equipment is set
to reproduce the content at a variable speed.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an exercise therapy device
used by an athlete, an exerciser in postoperative recovery of
orthopedic surgery, an exerciser with cerebrovascular disorder, or
the like, for the purpose of exercise therapy.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] A conventional exercise therapy device includes a treadmill
as an example, which is provided with a driving device for driving
an endless belt for running of the treadmill, an operation panel
for selecting an operation speed of the driving device and image
information in a database to be output on a display device, and a
landscape display device for displaying images on the display
device through a control section for performing a process of
displaying and outputting images in conjugation with the operation
speed of the driving device.
[0005] When the treadmill has entered a running state in which the
endless belt for running which is driven by the driving device,
images are displayed on the display device through the operation of
the operation panel for selecting the operation speed of the
driving device and image information in the database to be output
to the display device and the control section for performing a
process of displaying and outputting images in conjunction with the
operation speed of the driving device, to thereby highly motivate
an exerciser to continue running so as to continue the
exercise.
[0006] As described above, the exerciser can watch images that the
exerciser likes, and therefore, it is an effective method for
ensuring a motivation of the exerciser to continue exercising (see,
for example, JP 2005-74211 A).
[0007] According to the conventional exercise therapy device,
backgrounds of the images to be displayed change at a lower speed
when the running speed is low, then the device produces an effect
of giving a sense of realism to the exerciser. However, the
exerciser cannot perform exercise while watching or listening to an
ordinary movie or music at a normal reproducing speed.
[0008] Accordingly, it is impossible to reproduce various contents
at a normal reproducing speed irrespective of whether the running
speed becomes slower or even faster.
[0009] Therefore, the images that the exerciser can watch during
exercise are limited, which makes it difficult to keep motivating
the exerciser.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
exercise therapy device capable of highly motivating an exerciser
to continue exercise therapy.
[0011] According to the present invention, there is provided an
exercise therapy device provided with AV equipment for reproducing
a content and a rotation shaft which rotates when applied with
torque of exercise, the exercise therapy device including: rotation
speed detection means for detecting a rotation speed of the
rotation shaft; display means for displaying menu items of contents
and displaying the content reproduced by the AV equipment; menu
selection means for sequentially displaying the menu items of
contents when the rotation shaft is rotating and, when one of the
menu items displayed on the display means has been externally
selected, confirming the one of the menu items as a menu to be
displayed by the AV equipment; and reproduction speed setting means
for setting to reproduce a content by the AV equipment at one of a
predetermined constant speed and a variable speed, in which the AV
equipment reproduces the content at one of the predetermined
constant speed or the variable speed which is set when the rotation
shaft is rotating, and stops reproducing the content when the
rotation shaft is stopped.
[0012] According to the exercise therapy device of the present
invention, the menu items for allowing the exerciser to select a
content that the exerciser wants to watch or listen to are
sequentially displayed on the display device only when the
exerciser is pedalling the pedals, to thereby produce an effect
that an exerciser is highly motivated to continue exercise therapy
by a desire to search for a content that the exerciser wants to
watch or listen to.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be
described in detail based on the following figures, wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an ergobike according
to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0015] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control device according to
the embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an ergobike according
to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block
diagram of a control device according to the embodiment of the
present invention.
[0017] An exercise therapy device according to the embodiment of
the present invention is described by taking an ergobike 1 as an
example thereof. However, the present invention can be applied to
any exercise therapy device as long as the exercise therapy device
is provided with a member which is driven at a speed varying with
exercise intensity, such as a pedalling speed of a pedal or a
running speed of a belt.
[0018] The ergobike 1 according to the embodiment of the present
invention includes a load device 5, a tachometer 6, AV equipment 7,
a display device 8, and a control device 9. The load device 5
includes a pedal rotating shaft 4 which is joined to pedals 3 to be
pedalled by an exerciser riding on a saddle 2 and applied with a
mechanical load in a reverse rotation direction thereof. The
tachometer 6 serves as a rotation detecting unit for detecting a
rotation speed of the pedal rotating shaft 4. The AV equipment 7
reproduces a content. The display device 8 serves as a display unit
for displaying the content reproduced by the AV equipment 7. The
control device 9 performs overall control of the ergobike 1.
[0019] The contents related to the present invention are divided
into two kinds. One of the two kinds includes a constant speed
content including a movie having a story or music having a rhythm,
which should be reproduced at a constant reproduction speed. The
other one includes a variable speed content including a sequence of
background images, which can be reproduced with comfort even if a
reproduction speed is varied.
[0020] The AV equipment 7 reproduces a content recorded in an AV
recording medium such as a DVD or a CD or a content downloaded
online through the Internet, and inputs the content as AV signals
into the display device 8.
[0021] Also, the AV equipment 7 reproduces a content at a constant
speed when a command to instruct constant speed reproduction is
input, and reproduces a content at a speed variable in accordance
with a rotation speed of the pedal rotating shaft 4 when a command
to instruct variable speed reproduction is input.
[0022] The display device 8 may include any kind of display such as
a liquid crystal display panel or a plasma display panel.
[0023] The control device 9 has a storage unit 21, a menu selection
unit 22, a reproduction speed setting unit 23, a pause unit 13, and
a display switching unit 14. The storage unit 21 stores a menu of
contents. The menu selection unit 22 displays the menu of contents
in conjunction with the rotation of the pedal rotating shaft 4 and
allows the exerciser to select a content from the menu of contents.
The reproduction speed setting unit 23 allows an exerciser to set a
reproduction speed of a content through an operation panel 11, with
respect to the content selected through the menu selection unit 22.
The pause unit 13 outputs a pause signal when the rotation of the
pedal rotating shaft 4 has stopped in the case where the constant
speed content has been selected. The display switching unit 14
transmits a display switching signal to the display device 8.
[0024] The control device 9 is formed of a computer including a
CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and an interface circuit.
[0025] The storage unit 21 stores a menu of contents including a
movie and a sequence of background images.
[0026] To select contents from the menu, the pedals 3 are pedalled
after a menu selection button (not shown) provided to the operation
panel 11 is pressed, whereby the items of the menu corresponding to
the selected contents are sequentially transmitted to the display
device 8. The display device 8, to which the items of the menu
corresponding to the selected contents are transmitted, updates the
menu items corresponding to the contents to be displayed.
[0027] To confirm the menu item, a confirmation button (not shown)
provided to the operation panel 11 is pressed when a desired menu
item is displayed on the display device 8.
[0028] To change the menu item, a menu cancel button (not shown)
provided to the operation panel 11 is pressed and then the menu
selection button is pressed again to start the menu selecting
operation from the beginning.
[0029] The reproduction speed setting unit 23 allows an exerciser
to set a reproduction speed of a content in accordance with the
content selected by the menu selection unit 22, through the
operation panel 11. When the constant speed content is selected,
the reproduction speed setting unit 23 instructs the AV equipment 7
to reproduce the content at a predetermined constant speed.
Alternatively, when the variable speed content is selected, the
reproduction speed setting unit 23 instructs the AV equipment 7 to
reproduce the content at a reproduction speed corresponding to the
rotation speed of the pedal rotating shaft 4.
[0030] For example, in a case where a movie is selected as the
content, the AV equipment 7 is instructed to reproduce the movie at
a predetermined constant speed. In a case where a sequence of
background images is selected, the AV equipment 7 is instructed to
reproduce the sequence of background images at a variable
speed.
[0031] The pause unit 13 operates when the constant speed content
is selected, in a manner that the pause unit 13 instructs the AV
equipment 7 to reproduce the content when the rotation speed of the
pedal rotating shaft 4 exceeds a predetermined value, and instructs
the AV equipment 7 to stop reproducing the content when the
rotation speed of the pedal rotating shaft 4 is equal to or lower
than the predetermined value. The predetermined value is set to
zero with which it is determined that the pedal rotating shaft 4 is
not rotating, but the predetermined value is not limited thereto
and may be set to an arbitrary value.
[0032] The display switching unit 14 instructs to turn on the power
to the display device 8 when the constant speed content is selected
and reproduction of the content is instructed, and instructs to
turn off the power to the display device 8 when it is instructed to
stop the reproduction of the content.
[0033] The display switching unit 14 also instructs to turn on the
power to the display device 8 when the variable speed content is
selected.
[0034] Next, an operation of the ergobike 1 according to the
embodiment of the present invention is described.
[0035] When an exerciser presses the menu selection button provided
to the operation panel 11 while pedalling the pedals 3, the menu
items of contents are sequentially displayed on the display device
8. The exerciser presses the confirmation button provided to the
operation panel 11 when the exerciser has found a menu item
corresponding to the content to watch or to listen to, to thereby
confirm the menu item.
[0036] Then, the exerciser presses a constant speed mode button
(not shown) or a variable speed mode button (not shown) provided to
the operation panel 11 to confirm a reproduction mode for the menu
item thus confirmed.
[0037] First, a description is given of an operation to be
performed when the constant speed content has been selected.
[0038] When the constant speed content has been selected, the pause
unit 13 obtains the rotation speed of the pedal rotating shaft 4
from the tachometer 6 accordingly. The pause unit 13 judges that
the pedal rotating shaft 4 is stopped because the tachometer 6 is
not rotating, and instructs the AV equipment 7 to stop reproducing
the content. Also, when the pause unit 13 has instructed the AV
equipment 7 to stop reproducing the content, the display switching
unit 14 instructs to turn off the power to the display device 8
accordingly.
[0039] When the exerciser starts pedalling the pedals 3, the pedal
rotating shaft 4 rotates. The pause unit 13 obtains the rotation
speed of the pedal rotating shaft 4 from the tachometer 6, judges
that the pedal rotating shaft 4 is rotating based on the rotation
of the tachometer 6, and instructs the AV equipment 7 to reproduce
the content. When the pause unit 13 has instructed the AV equipment
7 to reproduce the content, the display switching unit 14 instructs
to turn on the power to the display device 8 accordingly. In this
manner, when the exerciser starts pedalling the pedals 3, the
content is reproduced at a constant speed to be displayed.
[0040] When the exerciser stop pedalling the pedals 3, the pause
unit 13 judges that the rotation of the pedal rotating shaft 4 has
stopped, and outputs a pause signal to the AV equipment 7. The AV
equipment 7 suspends the reproduction of the content according to
the pause signal. At the same time, the display switching unit 14
instructs to turn off the power to the display device 8, because
the pause unit 13 has instructed the AV equipment 7 to stop
reproducing the content. In this manner, when the exerciser has
stopped pedalling the pedals 3, a screen of the display device 8 is
turned off.
[0041] Next, a description is given of an operation to be performed
when the variable speed content has been selected.
[0042] When the variable speed content has been selected, the
reproduction speed setting unit 23 instructs the AV equipment 7 to
reproduce the content at a variable speed accordingly. Also, the
display switching unit 14 instructs to turn on the power to the
display device 8 because the variable speed content has been
selected. Further, the AV equipment 7 reproduces the variable speed
content thus selected because the reproduction at a variable speed
has been instructed. At this time, when the pedals 3 are not being
pedalled and thus the rotation speed is zero, a stationary image is
displayed on the display device 8. When the pedals 3 are started
being pedalled, various images are sequentially displayed on the
screen according to the rotation speed.
[0043] According to the ergobike 1 according to the embodiment of
the present invention, the menu items for allowing the exerciser to
select a content that the exerciser wants to watch or listen to are
sequentially displayed on the display device 8 only when the
exerciser is pedalling the pedals 3. Accordingly, the exerciser is
highly motivated to continue exercise therapy by a desire to search
for a content that the exerciser wants to watch or listen to.
[0044] Also, in the case where the constant speed content has been
selected, the content is not reproduced unless the pedals 3 are
pedalled. In the case where the content is a movie, for example, it
is possible to clearly set a goal to watch the content to the end
of the story. Accordingly, the exerciser is highly motivated to
continue exercise therapy by a desire to watch the content to the
end.
[0045] Further, in the case where the variable speed content has
been selected, the content is displayed as a stationary image
unless the pedals 3 are pedalled. In the case where the content
includes a sequence of landscape images, for example, it is
possible to clearly set a goal to watch an image of a destination
spot. Accordingly, the exerciser is highly motivated to continue
exercise therapy by a desire to watch the content to the end.
[0046] Also, when the variable speed content is being reproduced,
an image to be displayed on the screen changes in accordance with
the rotation speed of the pedal rotating shaft 4. When the pedals 3
are pedalled at a higher speed, an image to be displayed on the
screen quickly changes accordingly, which makes it real to the
exerciser that the exerciser is riding a bicycle.
[0047] According to the present invention, a movie recorded on an
ordinary DVD and music recorded on an ordinary CD are made
available and therefore the number of contents can be enormously
increased. Therefore, many exercisers can continue exercise while
enjoying a video image or music in which each of the exercisers is
interested.
[0048] Further, all the different genres of contents including a
movie provided on the Internet are made available as being
downloaded through the Internet, which allows exercisers to further
continue exercise while enjoying a video image or music in which
each of the exercisers is interested.
* * * * *