WO2006037846A1

WO2006037846A1 - Method and apparatus for controlling and guiding of fitness training

Info

Publication number: WO2006037846A1
Application number: PCT/FI2005/000426
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hannu RANTAPÄÄ
Original assignee: Embirial Oy
Priority date: 2004-10-06
Filing date: 2005-10-06
Publication date: 2006-04-13
Also published as: FIU20040365U0; EP1804929A1; FI6476U1

Abstract

The invention concerns a method and equipment for controlling and guiding of fitness training in a fitness training room provided with at least fitness training devices (3). The exercisers are provided with heart rate measuring means, such as heart rate bands (2), by means of which the exercisers' heart rate is measured during the fitness training performance. According to the invention, the measured heart rate information is passed substantially in real time and wirelessly to an electronics unit (7) provided in each fitness training device (3), from which unit the heart rate information is passed further to a system computer (11) controlling fitness training performances.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING AND GUIDING OF FITNESS TRAINING

The present invention relates to a method as defined in the preamble of claim 1 and to an equipment as defined in the preamble of claim 4 for controlling and guiding of fitness training.

The method and equipment of the invention, which are also referred to in the following by the common designation solution of the invention, are well suited for use as an aid in physical group training both for the improvement and measurement of fitness. The solution can just as well be used for the control, guiding and improvement of the fitness of an individual person, too.

Prior-art physical training equipment and group exercise aids have mainly consisted of passive training equipment, such as weights, staves, balls or equivalent. In the case of devices permitting the measurement of e.g. jumping force, the measurement has been implemented using complicated and expensive solutions, which, in addition to being expensive, involve problems in achieving sufficiently accurate and reliable measurement results. A further problem is that no indication has been obtained from mat equipment e.g. about the length of running steps. Similarly, control equipment has been connected via leads directly to e.g. exercise cycles, which means that the results obtained are bound to cycle- specific performances rather than the person' s own vital functions, such as e.g. heart rate or blood pressure.

The object of the present invention is to overcome the above- mentioned drawbacks and to achieve an easy-to-use, interactive and comprehensive solution for controlling and guiding fitness training, which solution can be used in versatile ways both as an aid in group exercise and for improving and monitoring the fitness of an individual person. A further object of the invention is to create a solution for a method and equipment that will permit very versatile performance of fitness training exercises and wherein the exerciser' s performance can be monitored by a computer program so that the exerciser will himself/herself see his/her performance characteristics as well as a possible prompt to make a change in his/her performance. It is likewise an object of the invention to achieve a solution for a method and equipment that will make it possible to compare the performances of all persons doing simultaneous exercises to each other or to make comparisons with earlier performances. It is further an object of the invention to achieve a solution for a method and equipment that can be used to implement access control and allow the use of e.g. a heart rate band like a magnetic card in access control to give a person permission to enter a fitness training room. The method of the invention is characterized by what is disclosed in the characterization part of claim 1. Correspondingly, the equipment of the invention is characterized by what is disclosed in the characterization part of claim 4. Other preferred embodiments of the invention are characterized by what is disclosed in the other claims.

The solution of the invention has the advantage that it enables interactive training, allowing the exerciser to change his/her manner or intensity of performing an exercise on the basis of instructions given by the fitness training equipment, thus providing a possibility to achieve an ideal fitness training performance. A further advantage of the solution of the invention is that it permits the measurement of e.g. jumping force in a simple and reliable manner via calculation of the length of time the exerciser remains clear of the mat after a jump. Another advantage is a possibility to measure the length of the exerciser's running steps. Likewise, the solution of the invention allows the measurement of e.g. the number and tempo of execution of push-up repetitions. Yet another advantage provided by a large display is that the solution of the invention can be easily used to arrange entertaining competitions related to fitness training, providing stimulation between ordinary fitness training exercises. A further advantage is personal identification of the exerciser, which allows e.g. the use of a heart rate band like an access control card as well as wireless monitoring of the exerciser's own functions.

In the following, the invention will be described in detail with reference to an embodiment example and the attached drawings, wherein

Fig. 1 presents a simplified diagrammatic side view of a fitness training mat comprised in the apparatus of the invention,

Fig. 2 presents a simplified diagrammatic top view of a fitness training mat comprised in the apparatus of the invention, and

Fig. 3 presents a diagram of the equipment of the invention, showing its main components, and the connections between these components. One of the main components of the solution of the invention is a fitness training device 3, such as an exercise cycle 3c, e.g. a spinning cycle, a running mat 3d, a rowing device or an equivalent device, provided with suitable communication and processing means. As a fitness training device 3 implementing the invention, Fig. 1 and 2 present an active mat structure 3d functioning as a cushion structure, on which an exerciser 1 can perform various fitness training exercises, such as jumping, stationary running, pushing-up exercises, etc. The mat structure 3d comprises at least two superimposed layers 4 and 5 fastened together and consisting of an electrically conductive material at least partially compressible by the exerciser's weight. Placed between the conductive layers 4 and 5 are insulating pieces βa of mutually equal or unequal area and functioning as separate areas. Being compressible, the layers 4 and 5 as well as the insulating pieces βa are flexible and manufactured e.g. from foamed plastic or an equivalent material. On the surface of the upper layer 4 are squares βb aligned with the insulating pieces βa and corresponding to the position and size of the insulating pieces. The squares are so marked as to allow them to be clearly distinguished from each other, with either numbers or letters as illustrated in Fig. 2 or e.g. with different colors.

The mat structure additionally comprises an electronics unit functioning as an intelligent unit 7, such as a microcomputer or equivalent, which is connected to the conductive layers 4 and 5 of the mat structure 3d and to the insulating pieces βa e.g. via conductors 10. The electronics unit 7 is provided with measuring and detecting means 7a so that, when the mat structure is compressed due to the pressure produced by the exerciser, the electronics unit 7 detects the change in electrical conductivity or capacitance and receives data indicating the insulating piece βa in the area of which the change occurred. Thus, as the exerciser 1 touches the surface of the mat structure 3d in the area of one of the squares βb, the point touched is pressed downwards, causing the insulating layer 6a between the conductive layers 4 and 5 to be compressed at this point, producing a change in the dielectric level between the layers 4 and 5. This change is measured by the electronics unit 7, which, as stated above, measures the resistance or capacitance between the conductive layers 4 and 5. The electronics unit 7 is additionally provided with suitable processing means, such as at least computing and deducing means, which are used to analyze, based on the measurement results, the magnitude and location of the changes having occurred in the dielectric level and to deduce on the basis of the analysis at least the exerciser's speed of performance, attitude, position on the mat and changes relating to these, among other things. The same processing means are also used to process the information received from the heart rate band 2.

The electronics unit 7 is additionally provided with communication means 7b, which receive information from the fitness training mat 3d and the intelligent heart rate band 2 and transmit the received information further either directly as such or in an appropriately processed form to a data processing unit connected to the fitness training equipment. Information from the mat structure 3d is received in the manner described above via a wired connection by measuring the resistive or capacitive change occurring in the mat. Correspondingly, information from the heart rate band 2 is received by wireless means. The wireless communication connection from the heart rate band 2 to the electronics unit 7, indicated by arrow 8, works e.g. on a radio frequency principle and is digitally coded specifically for each heart rate band, so that a mat unit receives the information sent by the heart rate band of only one person. The electronics unit 7 sends the information received from the mat structure 3d and heart rate band 2 for further processing to the data processing unit connected to the equipment. This transmission connection, indicated by arrow 9, is implemented e.g. as an infrared connection, but it can also be implemented using radio-frequency technology, Bluetooth technology, a cable or in some other known manner.

Similarly, a unit corresponding to the electronics unit 7 of the mat structure 3d, including measuring and detecting means 7a and communication means 7b, is connected to the other fitness training devices, such as the exercise cycle 3c, rowing device and other corresponding devices, the measuring and detecting means 7a being fitted to measure the characteristic values of each fitness training device, measuring the performance, such as, in the case of the exercise cycle 3c, e.g. the treading speed and resistance. In these other fitness training devices, too, the communication means 7b are fitted to receive information from each device and the intelligent heart rate band 2 and to send the received information either directly as such or in an appropriately processed form further to the data processing unit connected to the fitness training equipment. A connection is set up e.g. either on the radio-frequency principle or on the infrared principle.

Fig. 3 presents a diagrammatic outline of the composition of the fitness training equipment of the invention. The figure shows gym equipment consisting of two fitness training mats 3a and 3b forming a mat structure, an exercise cycle 3c, such as a spinning cycle, provided with an electronics unit 7, all these devices being connected to a common system computer 11 serving as the data processing unit of the gym via a connection 9 as referred to above. Instead of or in addition to the aforesaid fitness training devices 3a-3c, it is also possible to use other fitness training devices mentioned above. The system computer 11 comprises at least a user interface, communication means for receiving the information sent from the electronics unit 7, means for storing and processing the information received and for transmitting either processed or unprocessed information further to an appropriate target, such as a display device, an external memory, etc.

Fitness training mat 3a is used by person A, fitness training mat 3b is used by person B, and the exercise cycle 3c is used by person C. The system computer 11 is connected as in prior art via connection 13 to a large display, such as a video display 12, provided in the gym. The video display may also consist of a video gun. The large size of the display 12 allows the persons on the fitness training devices 3a-3c to see information relating to their own performance on the display and to change their performance in accordance with prompts given on the display. Fig. 3 presents only two fitness training mats and one exercise cycle, and the display 12 shows the data for only three persons, but it is equally possible to have only one or more than two fitness training mats or other training devices and the information relating to all simultaneous users can be displayed on the display 12. The instructor can choose a suitable training tempo for the whole group and for each exerciser separately. In addition, it is also possible to set alarm limits as well as guidance for changing the landscape. For example, changing the stress corresponds to changing the landscape. For each exerciser, it is possible to create a separate landscape and a separate path to the display 12 in the training room.

The system computer 11 additionally comprises controlling elements, such as software that, via the video display 12, controls the fitness training taking place in the entire training room, watching the heart rate of each exerciser and e.g. synchronizing the training by means of music.

Group exercising is implemented by the equipment of the invention e.g. in the following manner: each exerciser is provided with a personal heart rate band 2 and the exercisers are asked to step by turns onto a fitness training mat 3a...3n or to mount an exercise cycle 3c...3m or some other corresponding fitness training device. Each fitness training device 3 is provided with appropriate means so that, as the exerciser assumes a position on the fitness training device 3, the device detects the exerciser and receives information sent by the person' s heart rate band 2 and registers the exerciser on the fitness training device 3 to the system computer 11. For example, in the case of a fitness training mat, as the person steps onto the fitness training mat 3a...3n, the electronics unit 7 of the fitness training mat detects a change in the dielectric level of the mat, receives the information sent by the person' s heart rate band 2 and registers the exerciser on the mat to the system computer 11.

After this, the system gives via the video display 12 instructions to each exerciser regarding the performance of the exercises. Such instructions may be e.g. prompts to decelerate or accelerate the tempo of performance, to move to a different point on the fitness training mat or to change the mode of performance. In addition, it is possible to show on the display 12 a figure jumping in tact with the exerciser's jumps, which figure may wear different expressions depending on the situation, e.g. a smiling expression when the exercise is correctly performed.

Each exerciser' s heart rate is measured by means of a heart rate band 2 and the heart rate information is passed substantially in real time from the heart rate band 2 via the electronics unit 7 to the system computer 11 and from there further to the video display 12 in the training room. Via the display, the exerciser can follow at least his/her own heart rate and the instructions given to direct his/her own performance.

By using squares βb marked with numbers, colors, designs or in similar ways, the exerciser's training performance can be easily monitored and controlled. The exerciser's training performance can be controlled either by voice or by an image presented on the display 12 or by a combination of these methods. The fitness training program on the system computer 11 comprises various instructions and commands, during which the exerciser jumps and moves on the fitness training mat 3a...3n in tact with the control. Throughout the performance, the exerciser' s heart rate is measured by the heart rate band 2 and shown continuously on the video display 12. In addition, the instructor can change the tempo of training as permitted by the heart rate situation of each exerciser. In the case of an exercise cycle it is possible to change e.g. the resistance. According to the invention, the heart rate band 2 is also provided with suitable means for access control. In this case, the heart rate band is used like a magnetic card or an equivalent access control means to permit access to the training room. Programmed in the heart rate band 2 is the required personal information about each exerciser, and when the exerciser is coming into the training room, the heart rate band 2 activates the lock so as to allow the exerciser to enter.

It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the examples described above, but that it may be varied within the scope of the claims presented below. Thus, for example the mat structure of the invention may vary from the above description. However, the idea is that it is possible to detect from the mat structure at what instant, with what force and at which point on the mat the exerciser touches the mat structure, and that these items of information are transmitted in an appropriately processed or unprocessed form for further processing to a system computer comprised in the equipment. At the same time, the heart rate band data for the exerciser is combined with the aforesaid information and likewise transmitted to the system computer in the equipment for further processing.

It is additionally obvious to person skilled in the art that, besides using resistive or capacitive measurement data, the presence of an exerciser on the fitness training mat can be detected in other ways, too. It is further obvious to the skilled person that, besides heart rate, it is also possible to detect and monitor the exerciser's other vital functions, such as oxygen uptake, blood pressure, temperature, and so on. In this case, measuring devices measuring these functions are connected to the fitness training equipment. Moreover, it is possible to couple and connect to the equipment even other sensors and switches to detect and measure different information. Correspondingly, the electronics unit and the system computer contain separate measuring and control elements for these functions as well as software for processing and analyzing these items of information.

It is further obvious that the fitness training equipment of the invention can also be used in teaching activities. When the exercisers are e.g. children, the fitness training mat is provided with different letters and the software in the system computer is provided with a partition that presents a word or task on the video display and the children have to type the word or task or an answer to the task by stepping on the letters on the fitness training mat so that the word formed by such stepping appears on the video display. As the children's heart rate is measured at the same time, their performance can be measured in an entertaining way both physically and mentally.

Claims

1. A method for controlling and guiding of fitness training in a fitness training room provided with at least fitness training devices (3) , in which method the exercisers are provided with heart rate measuring means, such as heart rate bands (2), by means of which the exercisers' heart rate is measured during the fitness training performance, characterized in that the measured heart rate information is passed substantially in real time and wirelessly to an electronics unit (7) provided in each fitness training device

(3) , from which unit the heart rate information is passed further to a system computer (11) controlling fitness training performances.

2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the performance of each exerciser is controlled via a large display (12) in the training room on the basis of performance characteristics measured substantially in real time, by showing on the display to each exerciser the exerciser' s own performance characteristics as well as instructions for changing the fitness training performance.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the performance characteristics of substantially all exercisers in the training room who are connected to the system and the instructions for changing the fitness training performance are displayed on the display (12) substantially simultaneously.

4. An equipment for controlling and guiding of fitness training in a fitness training room provided with at least fitness training devices (3) , the exercisers using these devices being provided with heart rate measuring means, such as heart rate bands (2) , characterized in that each fitness training device (3) connected to the apparatus is provided with at least measuring and detecting means (7a) for measuring and detecting the exerciser's (1) performance, communication means (7b) for receiving heart rate data measured by the exerciser's heart rate band (2) and for further transmission of the information detected by the measuring and detecting means as well as the heart rate information measured by the exerciser's heart rate band (2), and display means (12) for showing at least the exerciser's

(1) heart rate to the exerciser.

5. An equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that the measuring and detecting means (7a) and the communication means (7b) are fitted in an intelligent unit (7), which is connected to receive measurement data from the fitness training device and heart rate data from the heart rate band (2) .

6. An equipment according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, in a fitness training device provided with a cushion structure (3d) , the measuring and detecting means (7a) have been fitted to measure and detect on the basis of changes occurring in the cushion structure (3d) at what instant, with what force and at which point on the cushion structure (3d) the exerciser (1) touches the cushion structure (3d) .

7. A fitness training equipment according to claim 4, 5 or 6, characterized in that the cushion structure (3d) is a mat- like structure comprising at least two superimposed layers (4 and 5) , the dielectric level between said layers being arranged to be changeable at the point where a pressure compressing the cushion structure is applied to the cushion structure (3d), and separate areas (βa) on the basis of which the magnitude and point of application of the compressing pressure applied to the cushion structure (3d) can be determined.

8. A fitness training equipment (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 4-7, characterized in that the fitness training equipment comprises at least a cushion structure (3d), an intelligent unit (7) connected to it and a video display (12), which have been fitted to mutually function in such manner that the intelligent unit (7) is fitted at least to receive measurement data from the cushion structure (3d) and heart rate data from the heart rate band (2) and to transmit said data to a system computer (11), which is further connected to the video display (12) for showing on the video display instruction and performance information for the exerciser.

9. A fitness training equipment (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 4-8, characterized in that the heart rate band (2) is provided with means for opening the lock of the door of the training room.