Concentric control system for exercise apparatuses and method thereof

• US 20020042328A1
• Filed: 09/19/2001
• Published: 04/11/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: O2run Company Limited
• Original Assignee: O2run Company Limited
• Inventors: Yoo, Jae-Won
• Granted Patent: US 6,648,798 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0009 Computerised real time comparison with previous movements or motion sequences of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0068 Comparison to target or threshold, previous performance or not real time comparison to other individuals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/00 Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements force-resisting aspects A63B21/00; for particular parts of the body, e.g. to strengthen particular limbs or muscles A63B23/00; electric or electronic controls therefor A63B24/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/062 used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0006 Computerised comparison for qualitative assessment of motion sequences or the course of a movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/06 Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities

Abstract

Disclosed is a concentric control system for exercise apparatuses and a method thereof, and more particularly, to a concentric control system and method for exercise apparatuses that is capable of inputting data relevant to user'"'"'s exercise and based upon the exercise quantity taken by the user, controlling the exercise apparatuses. The concentric control system includes an exercise program storing unit in which an exercise program is stored in order to designate an adequate quantity of exercise at a time when a user uses a predetermined exercise apparatus, a comparing unit for receiving the exercise quantity of the user measured from the predetermined exercise apparatus during the exercise and comparing the received data with data on the exercise quantity of the user designated by the exercise program and a central processing unit for outputting a control signal controlling the electronic controllers of the exercise apparatuses, based upon the comparing result of the comparing unit.

Claims

1. A concentric control system for a plurality of exercise apparatuses that concentrically manages and controls the plurality of exercise apparatuses each having an electronic controller therein, said system comprising:

an exercise program storing unit in which an exercise program is stored in order to designate an adequate quantity of exercise at a time when a user uses a predetermined exercise apparatus;

a comparing unit for receiving the exercise quantity of the user measured from the predetermined exercise apparatus during the exercise and comparing the received data with data on the exercise quantity of the user designated by the exercise program; and

a central processing unit for outputting, if the exercise quantity of the user measured during the exercise is substantially smaller than that designated by the exercise program, a control signal such that the electronic controller of the predetermined exercise apparatus operates in order to increase the user'"'"'s exercise quantity and for outputting, if the exercise quantity measured during the exercise is substantially larger than that designated by the exercise program, another control signal such that the electronic controller of the predetermined exercise apparatus operates in order to decrease the user'"'"'s exercise quantity.

2. The concentric control system as defined in claim 1, wherein the exercise quantity of the user for the predetermined exercise apparatus is measured in proportional relation with the heart rate of the user.

3. The concentric control system as defined in claim 1, wherein said central processing unit outputs video data, such that the exercise quantity designated by the exercise program and the exercise quantity of the user measured during the exercise simultaneously display on the predetermined exercise apparatus.

4. The concentric control system as defined in claim 1, further comprising an exercise program processor that receives data relevant to exercise inputted by the user and based upon the input data, produces the exercise program adequate to the user.

5. The concentric control system as defined in claim 1, being connected with said plurality of exercise apparatuses through a mutual communication network.

6. The concentric control system as defined in claim 5, wherein the communication network is Internet.

7. The concentric control system as defined in claim 5, wherein the communication network is a local area network (LAN).

8. A concentric control method in which a concentric control system is connected with at least one or more exercise apparatuses each having an electronic controller therein through a mutual communication network for the purpose of controlling the at least one or more exercise apparatuses, said method comprising the steps of:

recognizing information on a user and a predetermined exercise apparatus used by the user when the user uses the predetermined exercise apparatus; and

extracting exercise quantity of the user designated from an exercise program previously stored that corresponds with the recognized information on the user and the predetermined exercise apparatus and comparing the extracted exercise quantity of the user with the exercise quantity of the user measured and transmitted from the predetermined exercise apparatus during exercise wherein when the exercise quantity of the user measured during the exercise is substantially smaller than that designated by the exercise program, outputting a control signal such that the electronic controller of the predetermined exercise apparatus operates in order to increase the user'"'"'s exercise quantity and if the exercise quantity of the user measured during the exercise is substantially larger than that designated by the exercise program, outputting another control signal such that the electronic controller of the predetermined exercise apparatus operates in order to decrease the user'"'"'s exercise quantity.

9. The concentric control method as defined in claim 8, further comprising the step of inputting data relevant to exercise inputted by the user and based upon the input data, producing an exercise program adequate to the user, said data comprising a user'"'"'s objective.

10. The concentric control method as defined in claim 8, wherein the communication network is Internet.

11. The concentric control system as defined in claim 8, wherein the communication network is a local area network (LAN).

12. The concentric control system as defined in claim 8, wherein the exercise quantity of the user for the predetermined exercise apparatus is measured in proportional relation with the heart rate of the user.

14. The exercise system of claim 13, said target heart rate being based on information in said first, second and third memories pertaining to said user.

15. The exercise system of claim 14, said information used to register a user comprises user'"'"'s objectives.

16. The exercise system of claim 14, said information used to register said user comprises a user'"'"'s height, a user'"'"'s weight, a user'"'"'s age, and a user'"'"'s blood pressure.

17. The exercise system of claim 14, wherein said intensity is adjusted by adjusting an angle of inclination in the case said exercise apparatus is a treadmill and adjusting a force of resistance when said exercise apparatus is a cycle.

18. The exercise system of claim 14, wherein said intensity is adjusted by adjusting a speed at which a user must exercise.

19. The method of claim 8, wherein said increasing and decreasing said exercise quantity during a course of an exercise is achieved by changing the angle of inclination on a treadmill when said user is using a treadmill as an exercise apparatus, changing the amount of resistance to pedal a cycle when a cycle is used as an exercise apparatus.

20. The method of claim 8, wherein said increasing and decreasing said exercise quantity during a course of an exercise to achieve a target heart rate is achieved by changing a speed required by a user to operate said exercise apparatus.

13. A computerized exercise system providing custom-made exercises for a user, said system comprising:

a control system, comprising;

a central processing unit for controlling the overall operation of said control system;

a first memory comprising information used to register and identify a user;

a second memory comprising custom-made exercises for a variety of exercise equipment for a user;

a third memory comprising an exercise history for a user;

a comparing unit comparing a target heart rate with an in-situ heart rate and adjusting an intensity of an exercise when said actual, in-situ heart rate deviates from said target heart rate;

an exercise apparatus, comprising;

an input part allowing a user to enter a user ID and a password to locate information on said user from said first, said second and said third memories of said control system;

a driving part used to adjust an intensity of an exercise based on deviations of a user'"'"'s heart rate from a target heart rate;

a measuring part measuring, in situ, a heart rate of a user during an exercise;

a monitor displaying heart rate deviations of said user from a target heart rate for the duration of said exercise; and

an internet providing a two-way communication link between said control system and said exercise apparatus.