Physical training machine operation system and method

• US 7,063,643 B2
• Filed: 03/08/2002
• Issued: 06/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Combi Wellness Corp. (Konami Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Combi Corporation (Matsuura Family)
• Inventors: Arai, Kazuhiko
• Primary Examiner(s): Richman, Glenn E.
• Application Number:
  US10/092,559
• Publication Number:
  US 20020128119A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,565 Days
• Field of Search: 482 1- 9, 482/51, 482/54, 482900-902
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0078 Exercise efforts programmed as a function of time
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/15 with identification means that can be read by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/00 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• 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: Y10S 482/90 Ergometer with feedback to load or with feedback comparison

Abstract

The physical training machine operation system of the present invention is adapted to inexpensively provide up-to-date exercise programs making use of results of medical science, exercise physiology and other sciences, specifically for individual users. A health promotion facility (10) is equipped with a plurality of training machines (12) connected to each other via a private network (11). Each training machine (12) is connected to an external network (22) via a private server (13). In a home (20), a training machine (21) connected to the external network (22) is installed, and a management server (31) connected to the external network (22) is installed in an operation business entity'"'"'s facility (30). The management server (31) holds different kinds of exercise programs to be used in the training machines (12, 21) to select a specific exercise program from the different kinds of exercise programs in response to a user'"'"'s request and supply the selected exercise program to the training machine (12, 21) through the external network (22) and the private network (11).

Claims

1. A physical training machine operation system comprising:

a physical training machine;

a server connected to said physical training machine via a network, said server holding a plurality of different kinds of exercise programs to be used-in said physical training machine; and

a registration device that registers a personal information datum of a user,

wherein said server selects a specific exercise program from said different kinds of exercise programs in accordance with the personal information datum registered by said registration device,

wherein said server selects a specific exercise program from said plurality of different kinds of exercise programs in response to a request of a user, to supply the specific exercise program from said server to said physical training machine, and said server updates the specific exercise program stored in said physical training machine so that said physical training machine always stores an up-to-date exercise program

wherein the personal information datum includes at least a health condition of the user prior to using the physical training machine, and

wherein the server limits an upper-limit load of the physical training machine based on the personal information datum registered by the registration device such that the user can safely use the physical training machine.

2. The physical training machine operation system according to claim 1, further comprising an input device that inputs an identification information datum of a user,

wherein said server extracts a specific personal information datum of a user from personal information data registered by said registration device with reference to the identification information datum the user inputted by said input device, and selects a specific exercise program from said different kinds of exercise programs in accordance with the extracted personal information datum of the user.

3. The physical training machine operation system according to claim 2, further comprising an identification information carrier that carries an identification information datum of a user,

wherein said input device reads out an identification information datum of a user from the identification information camer.

4. The physical training machine operation system according to claim 3, wherein said identification information carrier holds an accounting charge information datum together with an identification information datum of a user.

5. The physical training machine operation system according to claim 1, wherein a personal information datum registered by said registration device is managed on at least one of said physical training machine and said server.

6. The physical training machine operation system according to claim 1, wherein a result of use of said physical training machine by a user is managed on at least one of said physical training machine and said server as a personal information datum of the user.

7. The physical training machine operation system according to claim 1, wherein said server is connected to said physical training machine via the Internet.

8. The physical training machine operation system according to claim 5, wherein said server is connected to said physical training machine via the Internet.

9. The physical training machine operation system according to claim 6, wherein said server is connected to said physical training machine via the Internet.

10. A physical training machine operation method comprising the steps of:

storing a plurality of different kinds of exercise programs in a server;

selecting a specific exercise program from said plurality of different kinds of exercise programs stored in a server in response to a request of a user that uses said physical training machine;

supplying the selected exercise program from said server to said physical training machine via a network;

updating said selected exercise program stored in said physical training machine, so that said physical training machine always stores an up-to-date exercise program; and

registering a personal information datum of a user,

wherein, in said step of selecting, said specific exercise program is selected from said different kinds of exercise programs in accordance with the registered personal information datum of the user,

wherein the personal information datum includes at least a health condition of the user prior to using the physical training machine, and

wherein the server limits an upper-limit load of the physical training machine based on the personal information datum registered by the registration device such that the user can safely use the physical training machine.

11. A physical training machine operation system comprising:

a physical training machine;

a local server connected to said physical training machine via an internal network, said local server storing a plurality of different kinds of exercise programs to be used in said physical training machine;

a remote server connected to said local server via an external network, said remote server updating said plurality of different kinds of exercise programs stored in said local server, so that said local server always stores up-to-date exercise programs; and

a registration device that registers a personal information datum of a user,

wherein said local server selects a specific exercise program from said plurality of different kinds of exercise programs in response to a request of a user, so that the selected exercise program is supplied to said physical training machines,

wherein said local server selects a specific exercise program from said different kinds of exercise programs in accordance with the personal information datum registered by said registration device.

wherein the personal information datum includes at least a health condition of the user prior to using the physical training machine, and

wherein the local server limits a user an upper-limit load of the physical training machine based on the personal information datum registered by the registration device such that the user can safely use the physical training machine.

12. The physical training machine operation system according to claim 11, further comprising an input device that inputs an identification information datum of a user,

wherein said local server extracts a specific personal information datum of a user from personal information data registered by said registration device with reference to the identification information datum the user inputted by said input device, and selects a specific exercise program from said different kinds of exercise programs in accordance with the extracted personal information datum of the user.

13. The physical training machine operation system according to claim 12, further comprising an identification information carrier that carries an identification information datum of a user,

wherein said input device reads out an identification information datum of a user from the identification information camer.

14. The physical training machine operation system according to claim 13, wherein said identification information carrier holds an accounting charge information datum together with an identification information datum of a user.

15. The physical training machine operation system according to claim 11, wherein a personal information datum registered by said registration device is managed on at least one of said local server and said remote server.

16. The physical training machine operation system according to claim 11, wherein a result of use of said physical training machine by a user is managed on at least one of said local server and said remote server as a personal information datum of the user.

17. The physical training machine operation system according to claim 11, wherein said local server is connected to said physical training machine via a local area network, and said local server is connected to said remote server via the Internet.