Expert system for the interactive exchange of information between a user and a dedicated information system

• US 20030105390A1
• Filed: 08/19/2002
• Published: 06/05/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Technogym SpA
• Original Assignee: Technogym SpA
• Inventors: Alessandri, Nerio
• Application Number:
  US10/204,093
• Publication Number:
  US 20030105390A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/10 Athletes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2505/09 Rehabilitation or training
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1112 Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/22 Ergometry; Measuring muscular strength or the force of a muscular blow exercising apparatus A63B21/00 ; measuring of work or force in general G01L
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/222 combined with detection or measurement of physiological parameters, e.g. heart rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7264 Classification of physiological signals or data, e.g. using neural networks, statistical classifiers, expert systems or fuzzy systems neural networks per se G06N3/00; expert systems per se G06N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/20 for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems

Abstract

A system for the interactive exchange of information between a user (2) and an information system (3), comprises a memory storage device (4) in which is implemented said information system (3) dedicated to processing information pertaining to the achievement and maintenance of the person'"'"'s efficiency; a terminal (5) for communications between the user (2) and the information system (3), which is provided with at least a processing unit (6) and input means (98) and output means (96) connected to the processing unit (6) and operatively positioned between the latter and the user (2); the system further comprising information exchange means (99) positioned between the processing unit (6) and the memory storage device (4).

Claims

1. An expert system for the interactive exchange of information between a user (2) and an information system (3), characterised in that the information system (3) is dedicated to processing information relating to the achievement and maintenance of the person'"'"'s efficiency and in that it comprises a memory storage device (4) in which said information system (3) is implemented;

a portable communication terminal (5) between the user (2) and the information system (3), which is provided with at least a unit (6) for processing the information and input means (98) and output means (96) connected to the processing unit (6) and able to interact between it and the user (2);

the system further comprising means to exchange information (99) positioned between the processing unit (6) and the memory storage device (4).

2. An expert system as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that it comprises sensor means (97) to measure at least a parameter of state of the user (2) and transmit it to the processing unit (6).

3. An expert system as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the sensor means (97) are devised to measure a parameter of physiological state of the user (2).

4. An expert system as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that said sensor means (97) comprise a heart rate monitor (7) applied to the body of the user (2).

5. An expert system as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that said sensor means (97) are devised to measure a mechanical state of the user (2).

6. An expert system as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the sensor means (97) are devised to measure a parameter of instantaneous position of the user (2).

7. An expert system as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that the sensor means (97)

8. An expert system as claimed in one of the previous claims, characterised in that the communication terminal (5) is stationary.

9. An expert system as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that the terminal (5) comprises a personal computer (9).

10. An expert system as claimed in one of the claims from 1 to 9, characterised in that the terminal (5) is portable.

11. An expert system as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that said terminal (5) is a palm-top computer (10).

12. An expert system as claimed in claim 10, characterised in that the portable terminal (5) is a portable telephone (11).

13. An expert system as claimed in claim 12, characterised in that the portable telephone (11) is of the cellular type.

14. An expert system as claimed in one of the claims from 1 to 7 and from 10 to 12, characterised in that said terminal (5) can be worn by the user (2).

15. An expert system as claimed in claim 14, characterised in that said terminal (5) is associated to a belt.

16. An expert system as claimed in claim 15, characterised in that said terminal (5) can be worn on the wrist of the user (2).

17. An expert system as claimed in one of the previous claims, characterised in that the input means (98) positioned between the user (2) and the processing unit (6) are embodied by a keyboard (12).

18. An expert system as claimed in one of the previous claims, characterised in that the input means (98) positioned between the user (2) and the processing unit (6) are embodied by a graphic tablet (13).

19. An expert system as claimed in one of the previous claims, characterised in that the input means (98) positioned between the user (2) and the processing unit (6) are embodied by a scanner (14).

20. An expert system as claimed in one of the previous claims, characterised in that the input means (98) positioned between the user (2) and the processing unit (6) are embodied by an optical pen (15).

21. An expert system as claimed in one of the previous claims, characterised in that the input means (98) positioned between the user (2) and the processing unit (6) are embodied by a joystick (16).

22. An expert system as claimed in one of the previous claims, characterised in that the input means (98) positioned between the user (2) and the processing unit (6) are embodied by a track ball (17).

23. An expert system as claimed in one of the previous claims, characterised in that the input means (98) positioned between the user (2) and the processing unit (6) are embodied by a mouse (18).

24. An expert system as claimed in one of the previous claims, characterised in that the input means (98) positioned between the user (2) and the processing unit (6) are embodied by a touch screen (19).

25. An expert system as claimed in one of the previous claims, characterised in that the input means (98) positioned between the user (2) and the processing unit (6) are embodied by a magnetic reader (20).

26. An expert system as claimed in one of the previous claims, characterised in that the input means (98) positioned between the user (2) and the processing unit (6) are embodied by an optical reader (21).

27. An expert system as claimed in one of the previous claims, characterised in that the input means (98) positioned between the user (2) and the processing unit (6) are embodied by a video camera (22).

28. An expert system as claimed in one of the previous claims, characterised in that the input means (98) positioned between the user (2) and the processing unit (6) are embodied by a voice synthesiser (23).

29. An expert system as claimed in one of the previous claims, characterised in that the input means (98) positioned between the user (2) and the processing unit (6) are embodied by a CD-ROM reader (24).

30. An expert system as claimed in one of the previous claims, characterised in that the input means (98) positioned between the user (2) and the processing unit (6) are embodied by a DVD reader (25).

31. An expert system as claimed in one of the previous claims, characterised in that the input means (98) positioned between the user (2) and the processing unit (6) are embodied by a floppy disk reader (26).

32. An expert system as claimed in one of the previous claims, characterised in that the input means (98) positioned between the user (2) and the processing unit (6) are embodied by a modem (27).

33. An expert system as claimed in one of the previous claims, characterised in that the output means (96) positioned between the user (2) and the processing unit (6) are embodied by a monitor (28).

34. An expert system as claimed in one of the previous claims, characterised in that the output means (96) positioned between the user (2) and the processing unit (6) are embodied by a display (29).

35. An expert system as claimed in one of the previous claims, characterised in that the output means (96) positioned between the user (2) and the processing unit (6) are embodied by a printer (30).

36. An expert system as claimed in one of the previous claims, characterised in that the output means (96) positioned between the user (2) and the processing unit (6) are embodied by a plotter (31).

37. An expert system as claimed in one of the previous claims, characterised in that the output means (96) positioned between the user (2) and the processing unit (6) are embodied by an audio synthesiser (32).

38. An expert system as claimed in one of the previous claims, characterised in that the output means (96) positioned between the user (2) and the processing unit (6) are embodied by a master recording device (33).

39. An expert system as claimed in one of the previous claims, characterised in that the output mean (96) positioned between the user (2) and the processing unit (6) are embodied by a modem (27).

40. An expert system as claimed in one of the previous claims, characterised in that memory storage device (4) and the terminal (5) are connected by said means for exchanging information (99) locally.

41. An expert system as claimed in one of the claims from 1 to 39, characterised in that the memory storage device (4) and the terminal (5) are connected by said means for exchanging information (99) remotely.

42. An expert system as claimed in one of the previous claims, characterised in that the means for exchanging information (99), between the memory storage device (4) and the terminal (5), comprise a physical connection via cable.

43. An expert system as claimed in one of the previous claims, characterised in that the means for exchanging information (99) between the memory storage device (4) and the terminal (5) comprise a connection obtained in wireless mode.

44. An expert system as claimed in the claims from 40 to 43, characterised in that the memory storage device (4) is a server.

45. An expert system as claimed in claim 44, characterised in that the memory storage device (4) is an intranet server.

46. An expert system as claimed in one of the claims from 40 to 45, characterised in that the memory storage device (4) is an Internet server.

47. An expert system as claimed in one of the claims from 40 to 45, characterised in that the memory storage device (4) is a personal device.

48. An expert system as claimed in claim 47, characterised in that the memory storage device (4) is a smart card.

49. An expert system as claimed in one of the previous claims, characterised in that the communication terminal (5) is provided with an interface (35) to interact with at least an exercise station (34) dedicated to the user (2).

50. An expert system as claimed in claim 59, characterised in that the exercise station (34) comprises a cardiovascular training machine.

51. An expert system as claimed in claim 59, characterised in that the interface (35) is devised to manage at least the functionalities for controlling the cardiovascular training machine.

52. An expert system as claimed in claim 50 and 51, characterised in that the interface (35) is devised to manage the training modes reproducible on the cardiovascular training machine.

53. An expert system as claimed in claim 49, characterised in that the exercise station (34) comprises a counterweight machine, the terminal (5) being able to provide the user (2) with instructions for conducting a training program on said counterweight machine.

54. An expert system as claimed in at least one of the claims from 49 to 53, characterised in that said interface 35 is embodied by an RS 232 card.

55. An expert system as claimed in at least one of the claims from 49 to 54, characterised in that said interface 35 is embodied by a USB card.

56. An expert system as claimed in one of the previous claims from 49 to 55, characterised in that said interface (35) can be embodied by a WinCE standard compatible card.

57. An expert system as claimed in one of the previous claims for 49 to 56, characterised in that said interface (35) can be embodied by an ADVANTECH 5820/I card.

58. An expert system as claimed in one of the previous claims, characterised in that it comprises feedback means for supervising the activities of the user (2) with the simultaneous assistance of said user (2) him/herself.

59. An expert system as claimed in claim 58, characterised in that said supervising means are devised to interact with the user (2) by means of at least one expressive graphic representation.

60. An expert system as claimed in claim 59, characterised in that said graphic representation is animated.

61. An expert system as claimed in one of the claims from 58 to 60, characterised in that said supervising means are devised to provide differentiated simultaneous assistance, in relation with the specifications of the user (2).

62. An expert system as claimed in one of the claims from 58 to 61, characterised in that said supervising means are devised to store the interaction modes of a specific user (2) and to adapt autonomously at each of his/her subsequent interactions with the terminal (5).

63. An expert system as claimed in one of the claims from 59 to 62, characterised in that said graphic representation is devised to compare the current performance of the user (2) with a reference performance.

64. An expert system as claimed in claim 63, characterised in that said reference performance is a previous performance provided by the user (2) him/herself.

65. An expert system as claimed in claim 63, characterised in that said reference performance is a simultaneous performance of at least a different user (2).

66. An expert system as claimed in the previous claims from 58 to 65, characterised in that it interacts with said exercise station (34) located in a public gym.

67. An expert system as claimed in one of the previous claims from 58 to 65, characterised in that it interacts with said exercise station (34) of a personal gym.

68. An expert system as claimed in any of the previous claims, characterised in that it is able to employ a communication protocol (UMTS) able to transmit video programs.

69. An expert system as claimed in one of the previous claims characterised in that it is able to employ a communication protocol (WAP) able to transmit wireless signals.

1-1. An expert system for the interactive exchange of information, comprising:

an information system (3) dedicated to processing information relating to the achievement and maintenance of the person'"'"'s efficiency;

a memory storage device (4) in which said information system (3) is implemented;

a portable communication terminal (5) between a user (2) and the information system (3), which is provided with at least a unit (6) for processing the information and input means (98) and output means (96) connected to the processing unit (6) and able to interact between it and the user (2);

means for exchanging information (99) positioned between the processing unit (6) and the memory storage device (4), to exchange information remotely;

sensor means (97) to measure at least a parameter of physiological state of the user (2) and transmit it to the processing unit (6) and to the information system (3);

characterized in that the sensor means (97) measures at least a parameter of mechanical state of the user (2) and transmit it to the processing unit (6) and to the information system (3), to perform computation to determine the energy expenditure of the user (2) and to enable the preparation of activity programs scientifically tailored for the user (2); and

in that the expert system comprises feedback means (95) for guiding the execution of the activity of the user (2) on the ground of said scientifically tailored activity programs. comprise a satellite-type absolute position indicator (8).