U.S. patent application number 13/571331 was filed with the patent office on 2014-02-13 for interactive exercise equipment with exercise monitoring system.
This patent application is currently assigned to SHENZHEN GOOD FAMILY ENTERPRISE CO., LTD. The applicant listed for this patent is JiaXiang Zhang. Invention is credited to JiaXiang Zhang.
Application Number | 20140045656 13/571331 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50066633 |
Filed Date | 2014-02-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140045656 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zhang; JiaXiang |
February 13, 2014 |
Interactive Exercise Equipment with Exercise Monitoring System
Abstract
An exercise equipment includes an equipment body arranged for
providing an exercise tool, a power arrangement for power supply,
and an equipment control unit arranged for controlling a process of
operation of the equipment body. The equipment control unit
includes a central processing unit arranged for receiving a health
data of an user and a database unit. The central processing unit
includes an evaluation module analyzing the health data and
providing a health status, a feedback module providing an exercise
instruction based on the health status, and a communication module
communicating the exercise instruction to the equipment body and
the power arrangement such that the process of operation of the
equipment body follows the exercise instruction. The database unit
storing interlinking databases includes a health data database, a
health status database and an exercise instruction database.
Accordingly, the user can exercise conforming to the exercise
instruction through the equipment control unit on a real-time
basis.
Inventors: |
Zhang; JiaXiang; (Shenzhen,
CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Zhang; JiaXiang |
Shenzhen |
|
CN |
|
|
Assignee: |
SHENZHEN GOOD FAMILY ENTERPRISE
CO., LTD
Shenzhen
CN
|
Family ID: |
50066633 |
Appl. No.: |
13/571331 |
Filed: |
August 9, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 24/0062 20130101;
G16H 20/30 20180101; G16H 40/67 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/4 |
International
Class: |
A63B 24/00 20060101
A63B024/00 |
Claims
1. An exercise equipment, comprising: an equipment body arranged
for providing an exercise tool; and an equipment control unit
communicated with said equipment body and arranged for controlling
a process of operation of said equipment body, wherein said
equipment control unit comprises: a central processing unit,
arranged for receiving a health data of an user, comprising an
evaluation module analyzing the health data and providing a health
status based on the health data, a feedback module receiving the
health status and providing an exercise instruction based on the
health status, and a communication module receiving the exercise
instruction and communicating the exercise instruction to said
equipment body and said power arrangement in such a manner that the
process of operation of said equipment body follows the exercise
instruction; and a database unit storing a health data database, a
health status database and an exercise instruction database,
wherein said health data database, said health status database and
said exercise instruction database are interlinked in a preset
manner, thereby the user is capable of doing exercise conforming to
the exercise instruction through said equipment control unit
controlling the process of operation of said equipment body on a
real-time basis.
2. The exercise equipment, as recited in claim 1, further
comprising a communication unit provided on said equipment body
electrically connected to said communicating module of said
equipment control and communicating the exercise instruction to the
user on a real-time basis.
3. The exercise equipment, as recited in claim 2, wherein said
communication unit comprises a communication slot arranged for
receiving information and a communication module in the
communication slot such that the health data of a particular user
is able to be loaded into said equipment control unit through said
communication slot for processing through said communication
module.
4. The exercise equipment, as recited in claim 2, wherein said
communication unit further comprises a plurality of input member on
said communication unit arranged for providing a plurality of input
keys for data entry into the equipment control unit.
5. The exercise equipment, as recited in claim 3, wherein said
communication unit further comprises a plurality of input member on
said communication unit arranged for providing a plurality of input
keys for data entry into the equipment control unit.
6. The exercise equipment, as recited in claim 1, wherein said
equipment control unit is integrally provided inside said equipment
body.
7. The exercise equipment, as recited in claim 5, wherein said
equipment control unit is integrally provided inside said equipment
body.
8. The exercise equipment, as recited in claim 1, wherein said
equipment control unit is located in a remote location and
communicating with said equipment body through a network.
9. The exercise equipment, as recited in claim 7, wherein said
equipment control unit is located in a remote location and
communicating with said equipment body through a network.
10. The exercise equipment, as recited in claim 3, wherein said
communication unit comprises a display unit arranged for visually
displaying the exercise instruction to the user.
11. The exercise equipment, as recited in claim 1, wherein the
health data is obtained from a health monitoring apparatus which
comprises one or more sensor units and a sensor module for each
said sensor unit to generate and sending the corresponding health
data to the equipment control unit.
12. The exercise equipment, as recited in claim 11, wherein said
plurality of sensor units is selected from a group consisting of a
blood pressure sensor, a body temperature sensor, heart rate
sensor, body weight sensor, a balancing ability sensor, a bone
density sensor, and a hand-grip sensor, and the health data is
selected from a group consisting of a blood pressure, a body
temperature, a heart rate, a body weight, a balancing ability, a
bone density, and a hand-grip data.
13. The exercise equipment, as recited in claim 9, wherein the
health data is obtained from a health monitoring apparatus which
comprises one or more sensor units and a sensor module for each
said sensor unit to generate and sending the corresponding health
data to the equipment control unit.
14. The exercise equipment, as recited in claim 13, wherein said
plurality of sensor units is selected from a group consisting of a
blood pressure sensor, a body temperature sensor, heart rate
sensor, body weight sensor, a balancing ability sensor, a bone
density sensor, and a hand-grip sensor, and the health data is
selected from a group consisting of a blood pressure, a body
temperature, a heart rate, a body weight, a balancing ability, a
bone density, and a hand-grip data.
15. The exercise equipment, as recited in claim 11, wherein the
health data from the health monitoring apparatus is automatically
transmitted to said equipment control unit.
16. The exercise equipment, as recited in claim 14, wherein the
health data from the health monitoring apparatus is automatically
transmitted to said equipment control unit.
17. The exercise equipment, as recited in claim 11, wherein the
exercise instruction includes a mode of the exercise and a duration
of the exercise.
18. The exercise equipment, as recited in claim 14, wherein the
exercise instruction includes a mode of the exercise and a duration
of the exercise.
19. An exercise monitoring method of an interactive exercise
equipment which includes an equipment body and an equipment control
unit, wherein the method comprises the steps of: (a) receiving a
set of health data of an user through said health monitoring
apparatus; (b) interactively and remotely providing an exercise
instruction to an equipment body of said exercise equipment through
said equipment control unit communicating with said health
monitoring apparatus; (c) interactively controlling a process of
operation of said equipment body; and (d) stopping said operation
of equipment body of said exercise equipment when an overriding
event is detected.
20. The method, as recited in claim 19, wherein said overriding
event includes when a process of operation of said equipment body
is not operated precisely according to said exercise instruction.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an exercise equipment, and
more particularly to an interactive exercise equipment which
includes an exercise monitoring system operated interactively with
the exercise equipment and arranged for generating an exercise
instruction in view of a health status of a human user, thereby the
human object can follow the exercise instruction specifically
provided by the exercise equipment and exercise effectively in a
proper and safe manner.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Arts
[0004] Exercise is important to health and wellness of a human
object but it is even more important to have sufficient level of
exercise in a proper and safe manner. In general, excessive
exercise is harmful or inadequate exercise level is not effective.
Also, body's conditions will have great impact on the level,
duration or nature of the exercise which is suitable for a
particular human object. Without proper health assessment or health
data, the only way is to rely on one's own feelings, which may be
wrong sometimes.
[0005] Fitness center or home based fitness equipment is common
personal exercise tool. In some equipment, such as a runner (a
running machine), it is possible to enter one's body weight and
height, select a level or speed and calculate the calories burnt.
However, the exercise equipment can never tell you when to stop to
avoid excessive exercise. The exercise equipment also does not
provide any information in relation to the mode or level of
exercise. Accordingly, all these have to be selected and determined
by the human object using the machine, or sometimes a personal
trainer accompanying the human object using the machine. In fact,
leaving the selection to the human object, whether it's the
personal trainer or the one using the machine, is dangerous and may
impose health hazards to the individual. In the absence of
objective health data, monitoring cannot be achieved.
[0006] Sometimes, people start exercise after seeing a doctor and
discovering a health situation. When the human object is sick, his
judgment in relation to wellness and fitness for a particular
exercise is tended to be unreliable. On one particular day, one may
feel tired for some reasons but is in fact fit for exercise, or
vice versa. In other words, real-time objective judgment is
important for doing exercise in a proper and safe manner.
[0007] There are different kinds of body health testing equipment
in the market. For example, there are testing equipments which
measure health data such as blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen
saturation, body weight, body height and etc, collect the health
data and translate the health data to a visual display. However,
they are not linked to the exercise equipment and do not have any
direct and immediate effect on the exercise equipment. The health
data is obtained in a particular location through the equipment and
the health data is not available when the user starts doing
exercise. In other words, the user cannot link the health data and
the exercise equipment to produce a realistic and effective
exercise plan.
[0008] In addition, the conventional testing equipment has further
drawbacks as follows. First, there is lack of evaluation or
automatically generated feedback available in response to the
health data. In other words, interpretation of the health data or
suggestion is not provided to a user after his or her health status
is obtained. Second, there is lack of linkage between exercise
instruction or suggestion and health data or health status. Based
on the health status of a user, an exercise plan cannot be
provided, even if appropriate and desirable. In other words, the
user cannot make use of the health testing equipment to find out
the type of exercise which is specifically suitable or appropriate
for his or her health conditions. Third, there is lack of
continuous monitoring of the health status of the user. In
particular, the test or measurement runs on a one-time basis, the
health status of the user over a period of time is not stored in
the equipment and there is no way to compile or organized the
health data automatically in a systematic manner. Fourth, there is
lack of portability or mobility of the health data. The health data
is obtained in a particular location through the health testing
equipment and the health data is not available when the user goes
to another place for exercise. If the user goes to different
locations of a chain fitness centre, the health data cannot be
retrieved in any way. In summary, the user cannot make use of the
health data obtained through the health testing equipment in a
practical and convenient way for self-helped health
improvement.
[0009] Health data is useful to determine the type and duration of
exercise desirable and suitable for a human user. However, the
health status of an individual will change over time and the health
data obtained from a one-time test may not be able to accurately
reflect the current health status of an individual. For example, if
an individual who relies on the health data at a particular time
and implements an exercise plan, his body's conditions will then
change over time based on his exercise level and body's reaction.
Without feedback data of the particular individual, the exercise
plan may no longer be fit or suitable for the particular
individual. In other words, an interactive health data of the
individual is required to closely and accurately monitor the health
status of the individual.
[0010] People always have the misconception that exercise is good
for health, irregardless of the level, duration or nature of the
exercise in view of one's personal health status. In general,
excessive exercise is harmful or inadequate exercise level is not
effective. There is no existing tool which is able to help a human
user to determine whether the correct type of exercise and the
correct exercise level are achieved. The only available method for
the individual is to rely on his or her own feelings, which is a
very poor, if not dangerous, control method and may impose health
hazards to the individual. In other words, no real-time monitoring
is available for the individual.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide an exercise
equipment which can generate an exercise instruction for guiding a
user to exercise in a proper and safe manner.
[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
exercise equipment with a exercise monitoring system which can
effectively monitor health data of an user on a real-time basis, so
as to determine a health status of the user so that the user can be
guided by the exercise equipment to exercise in a proper and safe
manner, and to provide reference health data for controlling the
exercise equipment.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
exercise equipment for promoting exercise through providing an
exercise instruction which is clear and convenience to obtain such
that a human object can be guided to do exercise in a proper and
safe manner.
[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
exercise equipment with a exercise monitoring system which can
effective avoid excess exercise through controlling the exercise
equipment to stop if an overriding event is detected.
[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
exercise equipment with a exercise monitoring system which includes
a health monitoring apparatus obtaining, storing and transmitting
the health data of an user of exercise equipments in order to
generating a health status and exercise instructions of the
exercise equipments in response to the health data at a particular
time.
[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
exercise equipment with a exercise monitoring system which includes
a health monitoring apparatus collecting, providing and
transmitting the health data of an user of an exercise equipment in
order to providing feedback information and suggestion regarding
what exercise level and intensive should the user to operate and
use the exercise equipment and what level or kind of exercise
trainer the user may use.
[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
exercise equipment with a exercise monitoring system which includes
a health monitoring apparatus obtaining, storing and transmitting
the health data of an user of exercise equipments in order to
generating referral information of what kinds of exercises device
is preferred for the user.
[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
exercise equipment with a exercise monitoring system which includes
a control module, a health monitoring apparatus for obtaining the
health data of a human object and communicating with the control
module, a health evaluation module communicating with the control
module arranged for analyzing the health data, and a feedback
module generating exercise instruction and information and a
communication module communicating with the control module and
transmitting the exercise instruction to a preset location such as
the health monitoring apparatus.
[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
exercise equipment with a exercise monitoring system which can
encourage a human user to implement a self-helped health
improvement program in a proper and safe manner through providing
an exercise instruction in response to his current health
condition.
[0020] Additional advantages and features of the invention will
become apparent from the description which follows, and may be
realized by means of the instrumentalities and combinations
particular point out in the appended claims.
[0021] In order to accomplish the object mentioned above, the
present invention provides an exercise equipment, comprising:
[0022] an equipment body arranged for providing an exercise tool;
[0023] a power arrangement for providing power supply to the
equipment body; and [0024] an equipment control unit communicated
with the equipment body and the power arrangement, arranged for
controlling a process of operation of the equipment body, wherein
the equipment control unit comprises: a central processing unit
arranged for receiving a health data of an object which comprises
an evaluation module analyzing the health data and providing a
health status based on the health data, a feedback module receiving
the health status and providing an exercise instruction based on
the health status, and a communication module receiving the
exercise instruction and communicating the exercise instruction to
the equipment body and the power arrangement in such a manner that
the process of operation of the equipment body follows the exercise
instruction; and to a database unit storing a health data database,
a health status database and an exercise instruction database,
wherein the health data database, the health status database and
the exercise instruction database are interlinked in a preset
manner, [0025] thereby an user is capable of doing exercise
conforming to the exercise instruction through the equipment
control unit controlling the process of operation of the equipment
body on a real-time basis.
[0026] Preferably, the exercise equipment further comprises a
communication unit provided on the equipment body electrically
connected to the communicating module of the equipment control and
communicating the exercise instruction to the user on a real-time
basis. For example, the exercise instruction includes a mode of the
exercise and a duration of the exercise.
[0027] Preferably, the communication unit comprises a communication
slot arranged for receiving a memory card such that the health data
of a particular object can be loaded into the equipment control
unit; a plurality of input member on the communication unit
arranged for providing a plurality of input keys for data entry
into the equipment control unit; and a display unit arranged for
visually displaying the exercise instruction to the object.
[0028] The equipment control unit is integrally provided inside the
equipment body or is located in a remote location and communicating
with the equipment body through a network.
[0029] The health data is obtained from a health monitoring
apparatus which comprises a plurality of sensor units and a sensor
module for each the sensor unit to generate and sending the
corresponding health data to the equipment control unit, wherein
the plurality of sensor units may comprise a blood pressure sensor,
a body temperature sensor, heart rate sensor, body weight sensor, a
balancing ability sensor, a bone density sensor and a hand-grip
sensor, and the health data may comprise a blood pressure, a body
temperature, a heart rate, a body weight, a balancing ability, a
bone density and a hand-grip data. The health data from the health
monitoring apparatus is automatically transmitted to the equipment
control unit.
[0030] In one aspect of the invention, the health monitoring
apparatus can be equipped with an exercise monitoring system
arranged for obtaining a set of health data of an user, wherein the
exercise monitoring system comprises a health control unit
interactively communicating with the health monitoring apparatus,
arranged for receiving the set of health data of the user,
analyzing the health data and generating an exercise instruction
for the user, wherein the health control unit is linked with a
plurality of health statuses, wherein each one of the health status
is arranged for reflecting one particular set of health data and is
correlated to one particular exercise instruction.
[0031] The health control unit comprises a central processing unit
receiving the set of health data; an evaluation module analyzing
the set of health data to provide the health status for the object;
a feedback module receiving the health status and providing the
exercise instruction; and a communication module receiving the
exercise instruction and communicating with the central processing
unit arranged for translating the exercise instruction to a
communication unit on a real-time basis.
[0032] Preferably, the health control unit and the monitoring
apparatus are located in two different locations and are remotely
communicating with each other. The communication unit is a display
unit incorporated into the health monitoring apparatus arranged for
visually displaying the exercise instruction to the user, or is a
standalone device remotely communicating with the health control
unit arranged for communicating the exercise instruction to the
user.
[0033] In particular, the exercise instruction of the feedback
module comprises a plurality of exercise items, and each of the
exercise items includes a name of the exercise and a duration of
the exercise. The health control unit further comprises an input
terminal connecting to the central processing unit. Thereby, the
user is capable of inputting a profile data and a preference data
into the health control unit and the feedback module is capable of
processing the health status together with the profile data and the
preference data before providing the exercise instruction.
[0034] Similarly, the health monitoring apparatus comprises a
plurality of sensor units and a sensor module for each the sensor
unit to generate and sending the corresponding health data to the
health control unit, wherein the plurality of sensor units may
comprise a blood pressure sensor, a body temperature sensor, heart
rate sensor, body weight sensor, a balancing ability sensor, a bone
density sensor and a hand-grip sensor, and the health data may
comprise a blood pressure, a body temperature, a heart rate, a body
weight, a balancing ability, a bone density and a hand-grip
data.
[0035] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the
present invention provides an exercise monitoring method which
employs a health monitoring apparatus and a health control unit,
comprising the steps of [0036] (a) generating a set of health data
of an user through the health monitoring apparatus; [0037] (b)
interactively and remotely communicating the health monitoring
apparatus with the health control unit which is linked with a
plurality of health statuses, wherein each one of the health status
is arranged for reflecting one particular set of health data and is
correlated to one particular exercise instruction; [0038] (c)
transmitting the set of health data of the user to the health
control unit; [0039] (d) analyzing the set of health data and
providing the health status for the user; [0040] (e) generating an
exercise instruction for the user; and [0041] (f) communicating the
exercise instruction to the user on a real-time basis.
[0042] Preferably, the method further comprises the steps of: (i)
inputting and creating a profile data for the user before step (a);
(ii) linking the profile data with the health data such that the
profile data and the health data are stored and retrievable by the
user after step (c); (iii) inputting and adding a preference data
to the profile data for the user after step (i); and (d')
processing the health status together with the profile data and the
preference data before the step (d).
[0043] In addition, after step (f), the method further comprises
the steps of: [0044] (g) feeding an exercise data of the user to
the health control unit; [0045] (h) analyzing the exercise data and
the health data together and generating a second exercise
instruction; [0046] (j) communicating the second exercise
instruction to the user on a real-time basis; [0047] (k) feeding a
second health data of the user to the health control unit; [0048]
(l) analyzing the second health data and the first health data
together and generating a second exercise instruction; and [0049]
(m) communicating the second exercise instruction to the user on a
real-time basis.
[0050] Still further objects and advantages will become apparent
from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.
[0051] These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0052] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an interactive
exercise equipment according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0053] FIG. 2 is an exemplary illustration of the interactive
exercise equipment according to the above preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
[0054] FIG. 3 is another exemplary illustration of the interactive
exercise equipment according to the above preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
[0055] FIG. 4 is a flow chart of an exercise control process of the
interactive exercise equipment according to the above preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0056] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of the exercise
monitoring system according to the above preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
[0057] FIG. 6 is an exemplary illustration of the exercise
monitoring system according to the above preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
[0058] FIG. 7 is another exemplary illustration of the exercise
monitoring system according to the above preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
[0059] FIG. 8 is a flow chart of an exercise control process
according to an exemplary embodiment of the above preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0060] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4 of the drawings, an interactive
exercise equipment according to the preferred embodiments of the
present invention includes an equipment body 10, a power
arrangement 20 and an equipment control unit 30.
[0061] The equipment body 10 is arranged for providing an exercise
tool. The power arrangement 20 is arranged for providing power
supply to the equipment body 30. The equipment control unit 30 is
communicated with the equipment body 10 and the power arrangement
20, and is arranged for controlling a process of operation of the
equipment body 10.
[0062] The equipment control unit 30 comprises a central processing
unit 31 arranged for receiving a health data 50 of an user and a
database unit 80. In particular, the central processing unit 31 of
the equipment control unit 30 comprises an evaluation module 32
analyzing the health data 50 and providing a health status 60 based
on the health data 50, a feedback module 33 receiving the health
status 60 and providing an exercise instruction 70 based on the
health status 60, and a communication module 34 receiving the
exercise instruction 70 and communicating the exercise instruction
70 to the equipment body 10 and the power arrangement 20 in such a
manner that the process of operation of the equipment body 10
follows the exercise instruction 70.
[0063] The database unit 80 stores a health data database 81, a
health status database 82 and an exercise instruction database 83.
The health data database 81, the health status database 82 and the
exercise instruction database 83 are interlinked in, a preset
manner.
[0064] Accordingly, the user is capable of doing exercise
conforming to the exercise instruction 70 through the equipment
control unit 30 controlling the process of operation of the
equipment body 10 on a real-time basis. Preferably, the exercise
instruction 70 includes a mode of the exercise and a duration of
the exercise.
[0065] Preferably, the exercise equipment further comprises a
communication unit 40 provided on the equipment body 10
electrically connected to the communicating module 34 of the
equipment control unit 30 and communicating the exercise
instruction 70 to the object on a real-time basis.
[0066] The communication unit 40 may further comprise a
communication slot 41 and a communication module 42 positioned in
the communication slot 41 so that a memory card can be inserted
into the communication slot 41 to connect to the communication
module 42 for communicating with the communication unit 40. In
other words, the health data 50 and personal identification data of
a particular user can be loaded into the equipment control unit 30
through the communication unit 40 before user is ready to use the
equipment body 10. According to the preferred embodiment, the
communication slot 41 can be credit card like card slot adapted for
receiving and reading a health card of the user wherein the health
data and personal identification of the user are able to be saved
via a smart chip or magnetic strip provided on the health card.
Alternatively, the communication slot 41 can be embodied as a USB
slot adapted to be connected with a USB flash memory unit, a SD
card, or even mini-SD card which is embodied as the health card of
the user. The communication slot 41 can be simply a USB slot for
connecting with a device, such as an independent health monitoring
apparatus or any memory storage device, via USB cable. It is worth
mentioning that the communication module 42 of the communication
unit 40 can also be embodied as a module adapted for receiving data
from external device without providing the communication slot 41.
Under this configuration, the communication module 42 can be
wirelessly communicating with an external device, such as an
independent health monitoring apparatus or any memory storage
device, or other handheld device such as cellular phone, smart
phone, notebook, tablet, iPAD, or iPOD for receiving data.
[0067] It is preferred that when a user is ready to use the
equipment body 10, the user must insert his or her health card in
order to activate the equipment body 10 and the equipment control
unit 30 or otherwise the equipment body 10 will simply work and
function as a general exercise equipment. Once the user inserts his
or health card, such as the memory card, flash memory, SD card, and
etc., the equipment body 10 will recognize the user through the
personal information data of the user saved in the health card,
search for the health data previously saved in the database unit
80, or download health data from the health card of the user. It is
worth mentioning that all exercise information such as the date,
duration, previous instruction, and intensive of the exercise that
the user executed before with this equipment body 10 should be
recorded and saved in the database unit 80 for future use and
evaluation to generate exercise instruction for the present use of
the equipment body 10 by this particular user.
[0068] Preferably, the communication unit 40 further comprises a
plurality of input member 43 on the communication unit 40 arranged
for providing a plurality of input keys 431 for data entry into the
equipment control unit 30.
[0069] It is worth mentioning that the equipment control unit 30 is
integrally provided inside the equipment body 10. Accordingly, the
user can safely use the equipment body 10 to exercise and have a
clear and precise exercise instruction 70 provided to the equipment
body 10 through the equipment control unit 30. On the other hand,
the equipment control unit 30 can also be located in a remote
location and communicating with the equipment body 10 through a
network. In particular, the equipment control unit 30 is remotely
connected to the communication unit 40 in the equipment body 10 to
communicate with the equipment body 10.
[0070] Preferably, the communication unit 40 comprises a display
unit 44 arranged for visually displaying the exercise instruction
70 to the user.
[0071] Preferably, the health data 60 is obtained from a health
monitoring apparatus 90 which comprises a plurality of sensor units
91 and a sensor module 92 for each the sensor unit 91 to generate
and sending the corresponding health data 50 to the equipment
control unit 30. The plurality of sensor units 91 may comprise a
blood pressure sensor 911, a body temperature sensor 912, heart
rate sensor 913, body weight sensor 914, a balancing ability sensor
915, a bone density sensor 916 and a hand-grip sensor 917. The
health data 50 may include a blood pressure, a body temperature, a
heart rate, a body weight, a balancing ability, a bone density and
a hand-grip data of an user.
[0072] The health monitoring apparatus 90 is communicated with the
equipment control unit 30. Preferably, the health data 50 from the
health monitoring apparatus 90 is automatically transmitted to the
equipment control unit 30. Accordingly, the equipment body 10 can
directly connected to the health monitoring apparatus 90 for
obtaining the health date 50 of the user.
[0073] The health monitoring apparatus 90 can be a built in
apparatus in the interactive exercise equipment of the present
invention. It also can be an independent apparatus connected with
the equipment control unit 30 through the communication slot 41 and
communication module 42 by a USB cable or the like, or
alternatively, connected with the equipment control unit 30
wirelessly via WiFi, Bluetooth, and the like, so as to import
health data history as well as the most updated health data of the
user.
[0074] Referring to FIG. 4 of the drawings, an exercise monitoring
method of the interactive exercise equipment which includes an
equipment body, a power arrangement and an equipment control unit
according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is
illustration. In particular, the method comprises the following
steps: [0075] (a) receiving a set of health data of an user through
the health monitoring apparatus; [0076] (b) interactively and
remotely providing an exercise instruction to an equipment body of
the exercise equipment through the equipment control unit
communicating with the health monitoring apparatus; [0077] (c)
interactively controlling a process of operation of the equipment
body; and [0078] (d) stopping the operation of equipment body of
the exercise equipment when an overriding event is detected.
[0079] The overriding event includes when the process of operation
of the equipment body is not operated precisely according to the
exercise instruction. In other words, when an overriding event is
detected, the equipment body will be prevented from operating and
serves as a safety measure. For example, if the equipment body is a
running machine, any over-activity detected will be stopped by
cutting off the power supply to the running machine and the user is
prevented from using the running machine for exercise. For example,
if the health status of a user is undesirable for exercise, the
running machine will not be stopped.
[0080] The equipment body 10 of the interactive exercise equipment
can be any exercise or fitness machine or tool, such as treadmill,
stationary exercise bicycle, and etc., which can be controlled by
the equipment control unit 30 or by the user himself or herself as
usual exercise equipment according to the exercise instruction and
information to operate the equipment body 10 provided by an
independent health monitoring apparatus 90. In addition, the health
monitoring apparatus 90 of the present invention can be a health
monitoring system as embodied in the FIGS. 5 to 8 of the present
invention.
[0081] Referring to FIGS. 5 to 8 of the drawings, a health
monitoring system according to the preferred embodiments of the
present invention includes a health monitoring apparatus 110 and a
health control unit 130. The exercise monitoring system is used to
actively monitoring a health status 150 of a user at a particular
time. The health control unit 130 is interactively communicating
with the health monitoring apparatus 110, arranged for receiving
the set of health data 152 of the user via a web base health data
provider through internet, by connecting with an electronic memory
unit such as smart phone, PDA, tablet PC, notebook computer,
portable hard drive, SD card, or flash memory, or by manually
inputting by the user, analyzing the health data 152 and generating
an exercise instruction and information 154 for the user.
Accordingly, the user can follow the exercise instruction and
information 154 which includes, but not limited to, the suitable
type of exercise and/or the exercise equipment to be used, the
exercise level and intensive of the exercise and/or the exercise
equipment to be used, and/or duration of the exercise and/or the
exercise equipment to be used without subjective personal
determination. In addition, the exercise information 154 generated
could also provide information and suggestion regarding what level
or kind of exercise trainer the user may use.
[0082] In particular, the health control unit 130 is linked to a
database 1500 with a plurality of health statuses 150. Each one
particular health status 150 is reflective to one particular set of
health data 152 and is correlated to one particular exercise
instruction and information 154. The database 1500 can be locally
or remotely connected to the health control unit 130. Preferably,
the exercise instruction and information 154 is automatically
generated by the health control unit 30 in response to the health
data 152 received.
[0083] It is worth mentioning that the health control unit 130 can
also be accessed by a practitioner or exercise trainer and provided
override instruction to the health control unit 130. In other
words, the practitioner or exercise trainer can review the health
data 152 and select alternative exercise instruction and
information 154 for the user.
[0084] The health control unit 130 includes a central processing
unit 1310 receiving the set of health data 152; an evaluation
module 1311 analyzing the set of health data 152 to provide the
health status 150 for the user; a feedback module 1312 receiving
the health status 150 and providing the exercise instruction and
information 154; and a communication module 1313 receiving the
exercise instruction and information 154 and communicating with the
central processing unit 1310 arranged for translating the exercise
instruction and information 154 to a communication unit 133,
embodied as on a real-time basis.
[0085] In particular, a plurality of health indexes, such as blood
pressure, body temperature, heart rate, body weight and height,
balancing ability and bone density, are used for health assessment
in order to generate the exercise instruction and information 154.
Preferably, the health monitoring apparatus 110 comprises a
plurality of sensor units 112 and a sensor module 114 for each the
sensor unit 112 to generate and sending the corresponding health
data 152 to the health control unit 130. Preferably and in
particular, the plurality of sensor units 112 can be selected from
a group comprising, but not limited to, a blood pressure sensor
1121, a body temperature sensor 1122, a heart rate sensor 1123, a
body weight sensor 1124, a balancing ability sensor 1125, a bone
density sensor 1126, and a hand-grip sensor 1127. Then, the sensor
module 114 for each the sensor unit 112 can be selected from a
group comprising, but not limited to, a blood pressure sensor
module 1141, a body temperature sensor module 1142, a heart rate
sensor module 1143, a body weight sensor module 1144, a balancing
ability sensor module 1145, a bone density sensor module 1146, and
a hand-grip sensor module 1147 respectively. It is worth mentioning
that all the sensor modules 114 (1141-1147) can also be an
integrated module serving the same purpose.
[0086] Accordingly, the health data 152 is preferred to include a
blood pressure 1521, a body temperature 1522, a heart rate 1523, a
body weight 1524, a balancing ability 1525, a bone density 1526 and
a hand-grip data 1527. Therefore, the health data 152, which
contains data of different health indexes, can be used for
comprehensive health assessment, serving as a reliable basis for
the exercise instruction. The safety level of having an exercise
plan is therefore greatly increased.
[0087] The communication unit 133 is a display unit 133A
incorporated into the monitoring apparatus 110 arranged for
visually displaying the exercise instruction and information 154 to
the user. Alternately, the communication unit 133 is a standalone
device 133B remotely communicating with the health control unit 130
arranged for communicating the exercise instruction and information
154 to the user. It is worth mentioning that the communication unit
133 is not limited to providing visual display and it is possible
to provide the exercise instruction and information 154 in other
communication format such as an audio format. The visual or audio
display of the monitoring apparatus 110 can be installed to the
exercise equipment of the user so that the user may receive and
access the exercise instruction and information 154 during
exercise.
[0088] The generated exercise instruction and information 154 may
also include information regarding the suitable type of exercise
and/or the exercise equipment to be used, the exercise level and
intensive of the exercise and/or the exercise equipment to be used,
and/or duration of the exercise and/or the exercise equipment to be
used without subjective personal determination. In addition, the
exercise information 154 generated could also provide information
and suggestion regarding what level or kind of practitioner or
exercise trainer the user may use.
[0089] Preferably, the health control unit 130 and the monitoring
apparatus 110 are located in two different locations and are
remotely communicating with each other. For example, the health
data 152 can be sent from the monitoring apparatus 110 to a
remotely positioned health control unit 130 for data processing and
the exercise instruction and information 154 may be retrieved from
the display unit 133A of the monitoring apparatus 110 or from the
standalone device 133B. It is worth mentioning that the standalone
device 133B may be a handheld device, a PDA, a tablet, a cellular
phone, a smart phone, a notebook computer, or even exercise
equipment.
[0090] Preferably, the exercise instruction and information 154 of
the feedback module 1312 comprises a plurality of exercise items
1540, and each of the exercise items 1540 includes a name of the
exercise or the exercise equipment 1541 and a duration of the
exercise or the exercise equipment 1542. Accordingly, a human user
can follow the exercise items 1540 to implement his or her exercise
plan based on his or her own particular health status 150. The
human user is now clear about the type of exercise and the duration
of exercise which is effective and safe for his wellness. In other
words, the incentive of having exercise is greatly increase and the
probability of exercise becomes higher.
[0091] The generated exercise instruction and information 154 can
be electronic signals and transmitted to the control units of one
or more exercise equipments of the user in a wire or wireless
linking manner so as to control the exercise level, operation and
intensive of the exercise equipments with respect to the user's
current health data.
[0092] The health control unit 130 further comprises an input
terminal 134 connecting to the central processing unit 1310,
thereby the user is capable of inputting a profile data 155 and a
preference data 156 into the health control unit 130 and the
feedback module 1312 is capable of processing the health status 150
together with the profile data 155 and the preference data 156
before providing the exercise instruction and information 154.
[0093] Referring to FIG. 8 of the drawings, an exercise monitoring
method which employs the health monitoring apparatus and the health
control unit according to the preferred embodiment of the present
invention as shown in FIGS. 5-7 is illustrated. In particular, the
method comprises the following steps: [0094] (a) generating a set
of health data of an user through the health monitoring apparatus;
[0095] (b) interactively and remotely communicating the health
monitoring apparatus with the health control unit which is linked
with a plurality of health statuses, wherein each one of the health
status is arranged for reflecting one particular set of health data
and is correlated to one particular exercise instruction; [0096]
(c) transmitting the set of health data of the user to the health
control unit; [0097] (d) analyzing the set of health data and
providing the health status for the user; [0098] (e) generating an
exercise instruction and information for the user; and [0099] (f)
communicating the exercise instruction and information to the user,
preferably on a real-time basis.
[0100] In particular, a plurality of health indexes, such as blood
pressure, body temperature, heart rate, body weight and height,
balancing ability and bone density, are used for health assessment
in order to generate the exercise instruction and information
154.
[0101] Accordingly, the health data 152, which contains data of
different health indexes, can be used for comprehensive health
assessment, serving as a reliable basis for the exercise
instruction and information. The safety level of having an exercise
plan is therefore greatly increased.
[0102] Preferably, the method further comprises the steps of:
[0103] (i) inputting and creating a profile data 155 for the object
before step (a); and [0104] (ii) linking the profile data 155 with
the health data 152 such that the profile data 155 and the health
data 152 are stored and retrievable by the user after step (c).
[0105] In other words, the particular profile data 155 of an user
is stored through the health control unit 130. When the user uses
the health monitoring apparatus 110 over a period of time, the
health data 152 for the particular user over the period the time
will be evaluated together to provided the exercise instruction and
information 154.
[0106] Preferably, the method further comprises the steps of (iii)
inputting and adding a preference data 156 to the profile data 155
for the object after step (i); and (d') processing the health
status 150 together with the profile data 155 and the preference
data 156 before the step (d).
[0107] For example, the preference data 156 may contain preferred
type of exercise item or preferred duration of exercise, and the
exercise instruction and information 154 is filtered and altered to
fit the preference of the user.
[0108] Preferably, after step (f), the method is preferably to
further comprise the steps of: [0109] (g) feeding an exercise data
of the user to the health control unit; [0110] (h) analyzing the
exercise data and the health data together and generating a second
exercise instruction and information; and [0111] (i) communicating
the second exercise instruction and information to the user,
preferably on a real-time basis.
[0112] Also, after the step (f), the method is preferred to further
comprise the steps of: [0113] (j) feeding a second health data of
the user to the health control unit; [0114] (k) analyzing the
second health data and the first health data together and
generating a second exercise instruction and information; and
[0115] (l) communicating the second exercise instruction and
information to the user, preferably on a real-time basis.
[0116] Preferably, the exercise instruction and information 154 of
the feedback module 1312 comprises a plurality of exercise items
1540, and each of the exercise items 1540 includes a name of the
exercise or the exercise equipment 1541, a duration of the exercise
or the exercise equipment 1542 and intensive of the exercise or the
exercise equipment, such as exercise level, operation and intensive
of the exercise equipment, 1543. Accordingly, the user can pick one
of the exercise items 1540 and follow the selected exercise item
1540 to implement his or her exercise plan based on his or her own
particular health status 150. The user is now clear about the type
of exercise or exercise equipment and the duration and intensive of
exercise or exercise equipment which is effective and safe for his
wellness. In other words, the incentive of having exercise is
greatly increase and the probability of exercise becomes higher.
For example, the exercise items 1540 may includes "swimming for 30
minutes"; "jogging for 25 minutes on a treadmill at a speed 5 miles
per hour"; "X-machine quick start for 25 minutes" (X refers to a
name of a gym equipment), and the like. Then the user may pick one
based on his preference. It is worth mentioning that the user
preference can also be entered into the health control unit 130 and
the display priority of the exercise items 1540 will be changed
based on the preference data 156.
[0117] As mentioned above, the method of the present invention may
further comprises a step of transmitting the exercise instruction
and information generated to an exercise equipment via electronic
signals in a wire or wireless linking manner for controlling the
exercise level, operation and intensive of the exercise equipment
with respect to the user's current health data.
[0118] One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment
of the present invention as shown in the drawings and described
above is exemplary only and not intended to be limiting.
[0119] It will thus be seen that the objects of the present
invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. It
embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of
illustrating the functional and structural principles of the
present invention and is subject to change without departure from
such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all
modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the
following claims.
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