WO2007078052A1

WO2007078052A1 - Apparatus and method for providing vibration stimulation according to the body condition of a user

Info

Publication number: WO2007078052A1
Application number: PCT/KR2006/004616
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yong-Gil Park; Hea-Kyung Kim
Original assignee: Dmbh Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2006-01-04
Filing date: 2006-11-06
Publication date: 2007-07-12

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for providing vibration stimulation according to body conditions of a user. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for measuring body compositions of a user and then providing vibration stimulation suitable for the body conditions according to the measured body compositions. The vibration stimulation apparatus according to the present invention comprises a frame; a pair of handles connected to the frame for a user to grip the handles by both hands; four conductive electrodes, two of which are installed to each of the handles to be spaced apart from each other; a vibration plate installed to the frame; a vibration generating means connected to the vibration plate; a data input means installed to the frame; and a controller. The controller receives body information of the user from the data input means, measures impedances of the user applied to the four conductive electrodes installed to the handles, calculates a body composition of the user using the measured impedances and the input body information, and controls the vibration generating means to generate vibration of a predetermined frequency according to the calculated body composition of the user.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING VIBRATION STIMULATION ACCORDING TO THE BODY CONDITION OF

A USER

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to an apparatus for providing vibration stimulation according to body conditions of a user. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for measuring body compositions of a user and then providing vibration stimulation suitable for the body conditions according to the measured body compositions. Background Art

[2] information of Related Document>

[3] International Patent Publication No. WO 2004/009173 A2 (published on January

29, 2004, hereinafter, referred to as a "cited reference 1")

[4] US Patent No. 5,720,296 (published on February 24, 1998, hereinafter, referred to as a "cited reference 2")

[5] Muscle of the human body is reflexively contracted when mechanical vibration stimulation is given thereto. A vibration stimulation device is to cause reflexive contraction on the muscle. The vibration stimulation device is used for enhancing physical strength of a user or for the purpose of recovery of the patient or particularly medical treatment such as improvement of bone density.

[6] The cited reference 1 discloses a vibration stimulation device having a pressure sensor provided. The vibration stimulation device proposed in the cited reference 1 measures a pressure applied to the vibration stimulation device by a user and then applies the vibration stimulation to the user when the measured pressure is within a predetermined range. In particular, the device measures force initially applied to a handle or a vibration plate of the vibration stimulation device, and then, applies the vibration stimulation to the user only when the force initially applied by the user to the vibration stimulation device is within a predetermined range. The vibration stimulation device proposed in the cited reference 1 is evaluated to solve the problem of lack of appropriateness for a user since the vibration stimulation device does not require any physical endeavor of the user.

[7] However, a vibration stimulation device suitable for a user should provide stimulation appropriate for the body conditions of the user. The body conditions of a user should be not determined based on the force (or, pressure) applied to the vibration stimulation device by the user at any instant, but is preferably determined based on the height, weight, obesity level, moisture ratio, muscular ratio and so on.

[8] In addition, when a user uses the conventional vibration stimulation device, it is set such that the user should check his/her own body conditions and then select the physical strength training conditions such as previously programmed vibration frequency, amplitude, vibration time and so on. Thus, when the user uses the conventional vibration stimulation device after selecting physical strength training conditions unsuitable for the body conditions such as his/her age, sex, weight, height and habitus, it may give stimulation to the muscle excessively or insufficiently for the training.

[9] Meanwhile, the cited reference 2 discloses an apparatus and method for analyzing body compositions such as muscular ratio and body fat for each body regions using a bioelectric impedance method. In particular, the cited reference 2 discloses a method and apparatus for measuring body compositions in a simple and accurate way using a so-called eight-electrode impedance method. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[10] The present invention is conceived to solve the problems of the conventional vibration stimulation device. An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for vibration stimulation, which can measure body conditions such as body compositions using a bioelectric impedance method and then provide vibration stimulation suitable for the measured body condition.

Technical Solution

[11] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vibration stimulation apparatus, comprising a frame; a pair of handles connected to the frame for a user to grip the handles by both hands; four conductive electrodes, two of which are installed to each of the handles to be spaced apart from each other; a vibration plate installed to the frame; a vibration generating means connected to the vibration plate; a data input means installed to the frame; and a controller for receiving body information of the user from the data input means, measuring impedances of the user applied to the four conductive electrodes installed to the handles, calculating a body composition of the user using the measured impedances and the input body information, and controlling the vibration generating means to generate vibration of a predetermined frequency according to the calculated body composition of the user.

[12] The vibration stimulation apparatus according to the present invention can measure a body composition of a user using the electrodes installed to the handles, and apply vibration stimulation of a predetermined frequency suitable for the measured body composition such as body fat, muscular amount and so on to the user. Thus, the vibration stimulation apparatus according to the present invention advantageously provides vibration stimulation suitable for body conditions of the user.

[13] A user inputs information such as age, sex, weight, height and so on to the data input means of the vibration stimulation apparatus before a body composition is measured. For a case where the user does not know his/her recent changed weight, a sensor for measuring the weight of the user is preferably installed to the vibration stimulation apparatus. The sensor for measuring the weight of the user is installed between the vibration plate and the frame to measure the weight of the user stepping on the vibration plate. The controller of the vibration stimulation apparatus calculates a body composition of the user using the measured impedances and an output value input from the sensor, and controls the vibration generating means to generate vibration of a predetermined frequency according to the calculated body composition of the user. As the vibration generating means, a well-known vibration motor, eccentric cam device, electromagnet, supersonic wave generator or the like may be used.

[14] For more accurate measurement of the body composition, it is preferred that electrodes for measuring impedances of a user be additionally installed to the vibration plate. As the electrodes additionally installed to the vibration plate, four electrodes are installed, two of which are respectively installed to the vibration plate at spaced positions on which each of both feet of the user is located. The controller measures impedances of the user applied to the four conductive electrodes installed to the handles and the four conductive electrodes installed to the vibration plate, calculates a body composition of the user using the measured impedances and the input body information, and controls the vibration generating means to generate vibration of a predetermined frequency according to the calculated body composition of the user.

[15] In addition, the vibration stimulation apparatus according to the present invention may further comprise a data display installed to the frame, and a memory for storing vibration stimulation information corresponding to the user information input from the data input means and the body composition, wherein the vibration stimulation information includes habitus information, a series of user postures information corresponding to the habitus information, and stimulation time and vibration frequency information for each posture; wherein the controller reads the vibration stimulation information corresponding to the calculated body composition of the user from the memory, sequentially displays the user postures on the data display, and at the same time controls the vibration generating means to generate vibration of a predetermined frequency for a predetermined time according to each displayed user posture.

[16] According to the present invention, it is possible to sequentially display a series of postures suitable for age, sex and body conditions of the user on the display to inform the user of the postures to be taken, and also to apply vibration of a frequency suitable for each posture to the user, which enables to apply optimal vibration stimulation to the user. Thus, the user need not select posture suitable for the user oneself and conditions for vibration stimulation.

[17] In addition, in the vibration stimulation apparatus according to the present invention, the vibration generating means includes a vibration motor fixedly installed to a lower portion of the vibration plate, a plurality of elastic members having one ends connected to the lower portion of the vibration plate, and an intermediate plate fixed to the other ends of the elastic members. The sensor for measuring the weight of the user stepping on the vibration plate is installed between the intermediate plate and the frame, thereby measuring the weight of the user. In case of generating vibration using the vibration motor, the vibration plate generates vertical vibration.

[18] In addition, the vibration stimulation apparatus according to the present invention can allow the vibration plate to make a seesaw movement to provide vibration stimulation to the user. The vibration generating means for providing vibration stimulation using the seesaw movement may include a motor installed to the frame, a driving shaft connected to the motor and rotatably installed, a driving pulley fixedly installed to the driving shaft, a driven shaft rotatably installed at a position spaced apart from and in parallel with the driving shaft, a belt wound around the driving pulley and the driven pulley, a pair of eccentric shafts extending from both ends of the driven shaft to be eccentric, and a pair of links respectively installed to the pair of eccentric shafts, the other ends of the pair of links being fixed to one end of the vibration plate.

[19] In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for providing vibration stimulation, comprising the steps of receiving body information of a user; measuring impedances of the user using at least four electrodes connected to both hands or both feet of the user; calculating a body composition of the user using the measured impedances and the body information of the user; selecting vibration stimulation information including habitus information corresponding to the calculated body composition, a user posture information set corresponding to the habitus information, and stimulate time and vibration frequency information for each user posture; and displaying the user posture information set on a data display of a vibration stimulation apparatus according to the selected vibration stimulation information, and at the same time, applying vibration stimulation of a predetermined frequency for a predetermined time according to each displayed user posture using the vibration stimulation apparatus.

[20] In addition, the step of receiving the body information of the user includes the step of receiving an output of a sensor installed to the vibration stimulation apparatus in order to measure the weight of the user. According to such a method, it is possible to apply vibration stimulation of a frequency suitable for body conditions such as age, sex, height, weight and body composition of the user. Brief Description of the Drawings

[21] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a vibration stimulation apparatus according to the present invention;

[22] FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1 ;

[23] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the vibration stimulation apparatus according to the present invention; [24] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating the principle of measuring bio impedance for the purpose of vibration stimulation according to the present invention; [25] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing vibration stimulation using the vibration stimulation apparatus according to the present invention; [26] FIG. 6 is a view showing the kinds of postures for stimulating the human body using the vibration stimulation apparatus according to the present invention; [27] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the vibration stimulation apparatus according to the present invention; and [28] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a vibration generator of the vibration stimulation apparatus shown in FIG. 7.

[29] [Explanation of Reference Numerals for Major Portions Shown in Drawings]

[30] 21 Vibration Motor 23 Vibration Plate

[31] 25 Spring 26 Intermediate Plate

[32] 30 Frame 33 Handle

[33] 35 Load Cell E 1 -E8 Conductive Electrode

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention [34] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [35] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a vibration stimulation apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the vibration stimulation apparatus according to the present invention. [36] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a vibration stimulation apparatus 100 according to this embodiment includes a frame 30 and a vibration plate 23. A pair of vibration motors

21, as a vibration generating means, are installed under the vibration plate 23. The frame 30 includes a base plate 31, and a post 32 extending from one side of the base plate 31. A pair of handles 33 are fixed to the post 32 which a user grips by hands.

Although not shown, a controller C for controlling the vibration stimulation apparatus

100 is installed inside the post 32. On the upper portion of the post 32, there are provided a display 16 for displaying messages provided to the user of the vibration stimulation apparatus 100 from the controller C and a data input means 15 for receiving information such as age, sex, height and weight, input by the user. In this embodiment, the data input means 15 has a plurality of buttons as shown in the figure, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, such buttons may be substituted with another kind of device such as touch-screen, which will be installed on the display 16.

[37] Referring to FIG. 2, a bottom plate 34 is installed under the base 31 so as to absorb vibration transmitted to the floor. The bottom plate 34 is made of an elastic material such as urethane foam or rubber. A load cell 35 for measuring weight of the user is installed on the base plate 31, and an intermediate plate 26 for transmitting the weight is installed on the load cell 35. Although not shown, the base plate 31 may be additionally provided with a guide means for guiding the intermediate plate 36 only in the vertical direction in order for the weight of a user to be accurately transmitted to the load cell 35. The vibration plate 23 is supported by elastic members, i.e., a plurality of springs 25, installed on the upper portion of the intermediate plate 26 and the lower portion of the vibration plate 23. A disk is eccentrically installed to an output shaft of each vibration motor 21 so that the vibration caused by the centrifugal force of the disk is applied when the output shaft rotates. The disks are symmetrically installed to the respective vibration motors so that when the pair of vibration motors 21 rotate in opposite directions, the horizontal component of the vibration may be offset. Thus, when the pair of vibration motors 21 rotate at the same time, the vibration plate 23 is vibrated in the vertical direction with the same frequency as the rotation frequency of the vibration motors 21.

[38] Referring to FIG. 1, conductive hand electrodes E5-E8 are installed to the pair of handles 33 at positions suitable for grip, and conductive foot electrodes E1-E4 are installed to the upper portion of the vibration plate 23 at positions on which both feet are located.

[39] Referring to FIG. 3, the controller C includes a microprocessor 14 for executing operation and controlling peripheral devices, an A/D converter 13 for converting a impedance measurement value and a weight measurement value of a user into digital data and then supplying them to the microprocessor 14, and an impedance measurer 11 for measuring impedance from the respective electrodes E1-E8 and supplying the impedance to the A/D converter 13. The electrodes E1-E8 are respectively connected to terminals of an electronic switch 10, and the electronic switch 10 is set to select an electric connection of each of the electrodes E1-E8 and the impedance measurer 11 according to the control of the microprocessor 14. Unexplained reference numerals 12 and 19 respectively designate amplifiers for interfacing the load cell 35 and the impedance measurer with the A/D converter, and unexplained reference numeral 20 designates a driving circuit for driving the vibration motor 21.

[40] In addition, a memory 18 stores a stimulation frequency for a habitus and stimulation and rest time for each stimulation point (or, posture) of the human body, as shown in the following table.

[41] [42] Table 1

[43] [44] Data in Table 1 shows a series of postures, stimulation time and stimulation frequency (strength), which should be taken by a user for each stimulation point according to a habitus. That is, the habitus is classified into fat, normal and muscular types; the stimulation point is classified into a case where the muscle of the arm is stimulated to be enhanced, a case where the muscle of the body is stimulated to be enhanced, and a case where the muscle of the leg is to be stimulated to be enhanced, in relation to the balance of the human body; and the time and frequency for proceeding the vibration stimulation are also classified according to postures.

[45] The stimulating postures Pl, Al, A2, A3 and so on are as shown in FIG. 6.

Referring to FIG. 6, Al, A2, A3 and the like are postures for stimulating the muscle of the arm region; Tl, T2, T3 and the like are postures for stimulating the muscle related to the body; and Ll, L2, L3 and the like are postures for stimulating the leg muscle. The user s habitus may be easily classified by those having ordinary skill in the art by using the measured body compositions and determining suitable criteria. For example, the clinical trial relating to the physical development level for each body region reveals that a person having more muscle shows a low impedance value and a person having more fat shows a great impedance value, so that it is possible to determine the habitus according to the physical development level of a user based on the distribution information obtained by clinical trial regarding the overall physical development level according to sex, age, weight, height and the like. In addition, a left and right balance of the human body of a user may be determined based on the comparison between impedance values of the left and right arms and legs. For example, as classified in Table 1, the habitus may be classified into fat (lack of muscle), normal and muscular types according to an amount of muscle. In addition, it is also possible to determine whether the human body is slightly unbalanced, severely unbalanced, or well balanced by comparing the impedance values of the left and right ratio and the upper and lower ratio.

[46] For example, as a result of the analysis for the body compositions, in case of a user who is generally overweight in lack of muscle and is poor in the lower body rather than the upper body as compared with a person with a similar weight and an average upper and lower body ratio, the leg is selected as the stimulation point and the fat is selected as the habitus according to Table 1. In this case, a series of the vibration stimulations are provided as follows. A PI posture of FIG. 6 is a preparatory posture at an initial stage, and the user takes the Pl posture and receives the vibration stimulation at 30 Hz for 30 seconds, and then rests for 45 seconds. Next, the user takes an Ll posture and receives the vibration stimulation at 30 Hz for 30 seconds, and then rests for 60 seconds. Thereafter, the user takes L2 and L3 postures sequentially and receives the vibration stimulation for 30 seconds respectively, and then rests for 60 seconds. The user takes the other postures and receives the vibration stimulation at a predetermined frequency for a predetermined time. Here, CDl and CD2 designate finishing vibration stimulation postures.

[47] In this embodiment, the data as in Table 1 stored in the memory and the information related to the postures shown in FIG. 6 are merely illustrative. The stimulation time and strength (frequency) of various values may be experimentally determined for various kinds of habitus and stimulation postures according to sex, age, weight, height and race of users. In addition, it is also possible that the history information of the human body changed along with continued vibration stimulation is recorded for each user and thus the information for controlling the vibration stimulation apparatus based on the history information is stored in the memory. In addition, the stimulation information in consideration of left and right balance of the human body and bone density may also be stored additionally in the memory.

[48] FIG. 4 is a view for explaining that an impedance of each body region can be measured while the conductive electrodes E1-E8 are connected to both hands and both legs of the human body using the vibration stimulation apparatus shown in FIG. 3. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the conductive electrodes E1-E8 are composed of a right palm electrode E8 for being gripped by the right hand and brought into contact with the palm and fingers except the thumb, a right thumb electrode E7 for being brought into contact with only the right thumb, a left palm electrode E6 for being gripped by the left hand and brought into contact with the palm and fingers except the thumb, a left thumb electrode E5 for being brought into contact with only the left thumb, a right front sole electrode E4 for being brought into contact with the right front sole, a right rear sole electrode E3 for being brought into contact with the right rear sole, a left front sole electrode E2 for being brought into contact with the left front sole, and a left rear sole electrode El for being brought into contact with the left rear sole. Further, in order to measure an impedance of each body region through the corresponding electrode, it is assumed that a resistance from the wrist of the right arm of the human body to the right shoulder joint is R , a resistance from the wrist of the left arm to the left shoulder joint is R , a resistance from the ankle of the right leg to the right hip joint is

LA

R , a resistance from the ankle of the left leg to the left hip joint is R , a resistance of the body is R , a resistance from the palm to the wrist is Ra, a resistance from the thumb to the wrist is Rb, a resistance from the front sole to the ankle is Rc, and a resistance from the rear sole to the ankle is Rd. The cited reference 2 discloses a method for measuring an impedance of each body region, presumed as above, and then analyzing necessary body compositions such as total body water (TBW), fat free mass (FFM), a percentage body fat (%BF) and a ratio of intracellular water to extracellular water (ECW/ICW) of the human body based on the measured impedance values. Thus, the descriptions on the method for obtaining impedance and analyzing body com- positions will be omitted.

[49] Hereinafter, the operation of the vibration stimulation apparatus 100 of this embodiment will be explained in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 5.

[50] First, a user steps on the electrodes of the vibration plate 23 with bare feet or in light stockings, and then inputs the user information such as sex, age and height using the data input means 15. At this time, the weight data of the user is input to the controller C by the load cell 35 installed to the frame (Sl). Then, in a state where the user grips the electrodes E5-E8 of the handle 33 by the hands and locates the feet on the accurate positions of the electrodes E1-E4 of the vibration plate 23, the controller C causes electric current to flow to the respective electrodes in predetermined order to measure impedances of the respective body regions (S2). As a device used for inputting a signal for impedance measurement to the controller C, a button may be separately prepared on the data input means 15 or installed at a suitable position on the handle. Then, the microprocessor 14 calculates body compositions of the user using the input user information and the measured impedance of the respective body regions (S3). Detailed description related to the impedance measurement and body composition calculation is disclosed in the cited reference 2, so that the description will be omitted.

[51] Then, the habitus of the user is determined based on the age, sex, height, weight and measured body compositions of the user, and the physical stimulation information set for stimulating the human body stored in the memory is selected in consideration of the age, sex, height, weight and habitus of the user (S4). Although this embodiment is configured so that the stimulation information set stored in the memory is selected, it is also possible to generate a stimulation information set according to a predetermined program. The stimulation information set stored in the memory or generated by a program includes vibration stimulation time and frequency for each stimulation posture according to the user habitus or body balance. The information related to the stimulation posture may include image information to be displayed on the data display such as an LCD. Then, if a signal that the user wishes to performed the automatically selected (generated) physical stimulation information is input to the controller C (S5), the selected (generated) user posture information set is sequentially displayed on the data display 16, and at the same time, the vibration generating means 21 is controlled to apply the vibration stimulation of a predetermined frequency to the user for a predetermined time that is set for each displayed posture information (S6). For example, as a result of the analysis for the body compositions, in case of a user who is generally overweight in lack of muscle and is poor in the lower body rather than the upper body as compared with a person with a similar weight and an average upper and lower body ratio, the leg is selected as the stimulation point and the fat is selected as the habitus according to Table 1. In this case, a series of the vibration stimulations are provided as follows. The controller C displays the Pl posture of FIG. 6 on the display and controls the vibration plate to vibrate at 30 Hz for 30 seconds, and then stops the vibration for 45 seconds. Next, the controller C displays the Ll posture on the display and controls the vibration plate to vibrate at 30 Hz for 30 seconds, and then stops the vibration for 60 seconds. Thereafter, the controller C sequentially displays the L2 and L3 postures and controls the vibration plate to vibrate for 30 seconds, and then stops the vibration for 60 seconds, respectively. The other postures are displayed on the display for a predetermined time, and the vibration plate is controlled to vibrate at a predetermined frequency.

[52] If the user inputs a signal for manually controlling the vibration stimulation apparatus (S8), the vibration generator is controlled according to the stimulation information, which is input (selected) by the user through the data input means (S9). If all the selected vibration stimulations are performed (S7 and SlO), the controller C stops the vibration stimulation (SI l). As described above, the vibration stimulation apparatus of this embodiment may measure body compositions of a user and then provide vibration stimulations suitable for the body conditions of the user. Although the vibration stimulation apparatus of this embodiment is configured to measure body compositions using eight electrodes, it may also be modified to simply measure body compositions using four electrodes, two for each of the pair of handles, which is apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art.

[53] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the vibration stimulation apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a vibration generator of the vibration stimulation apparatus shown in FIG. 7.

[54] The vibration stimulation apparatus 200 of the present embodiment includes a frame 30 and a vibration plate 23. The frame 30 includes a base plate 31, and a post 32 extending from one side of the base plate 31. A pair of handles 33 are fixed to the post 32 which a user grips by hands. Although not shown, a controller C for controlling the vibration stimulation apparatus 200 is installed inside the post 32. On the upper portion of the post 32, there are provided a display 16 for displaying messages provided to the user of the vibration stimulation apparatus 200 from the controller C and a data input means 15 for receiving information such as age, sex, height and weight, input by the user. In this embodiment, the data input means 15 has a plurality of buttons as shown in the figure, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, such buttons may be substituted with another kind of device such as touch-screen, which will be installed on the display 16.

[55] The embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is different from that of FIG. 1 in that the vibration plate makes not a vertical movement but a seesaw movement. Referring to FIG. 8, a pair of brackets 40 are installed to the base plate 31, and a support shaft 41 is pivotally installed to the brackets 40. The center of the vibration plate 23 is fixed to a pair of fixing blocks 62 fixed to the support shaft 41 so that both ends of the vibration plate 23 seesaws with respect to the support shaft 41. In addition, one ends of a pair of links 48 are fixed to one end of the vibration plate 23 through fixing blocks 61 so as to transmit the power for rotation of the vibration plate.

[56] The vibration generator for making the vibration plate 23 to seesaw includes a motor 50 installed to the base plate 31, a driving shaft 51 connected to a rotary shaft of the motor 50, and a driven shaft 44 spaced apart from and installed in parallel with the driving shaft 51. A driving pulley 52 is fixedly installed to the driving shaft 51, and a driven pulley 54 is fixedly installed to the driven shaft 44. In addition, a belt 56 is wound around the driving pulley 52 and the driven pulley 54 to transmit the rotating force of the driving shaft 51 to the driven shaft 44. Eccentric shafts 46 having a rotating center line eccentric from that of the driven shaft 44 by a predetermined distance are formed to extend from both ends of the driven shaft 44. One ends of the links 48 are pivotally installed to the eccentric shafts 46, respectively. In addition, the fixing blocks 61 are pivotally installed to the other ends of the links 48, respectively, and fixed to a lower surface of a side end of the vibration plate 23. Thus, if the motor 50 rotates, the rotating force of the motor is transmitted in order of the driving shaft 51, the driving pulley 52, the belt 56, the driven pulley 54, the driven shaft 44 and the eccentric shaft 46, and the vibration plate 323 pivots by means of the links 48 fixed to the eccentric shafts 56, whereby both the ends of the vibration plate 323 are vertically moved. While the vibration stimulation apparatus shown in FIG. 1 can control amplitude and frequency of vibration to adjust the strength of vibration stimulation, the vibration stimulation apparatus of the present embodiment can adjust the strength of vibration stimulation only using the frequency change since its amplitude is fixed. Thus, the vibration modulation apparatus of the present embodiment allows the simple control as compared with that of FIG. 1. Industrial Applicability

[57] According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus and method for automatically providing vibration stimulation suitable for body conditions by measuring body compositions of a user. Thus, the present invention is convenient in use since a user may not select the vibration stimulation suitable for body conditions such as his/her own age, sex, weight, height and habitus. It can also be prevented to give stimulation to the muscle excessively or insufficiently for the training.

[58] In addition, the vibration stimulation apparatus according to the present invention is configured to display a posture for vibration stimulation on a display and at the same time to provide the vibration stimulation for each posture at a predetermined frequency for a predetermined time. Thus, a user may easily receive a vibration stimulation set while looking at the posture displayed on the display and also taking the posture for vibration stimulation. [59] The embodiments of the present invention, which are illustrated above and shown in the drawings, should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined only by the descriptions of the appended claims, and those having ordinary skill in the art can change or modify the technical spirit of the invention into various ways. Thus, such changes and modifications will be included in the scope of the invention as long as they are apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

[1] A vibration stimulation apparatus, comprising: a frame; a pair of handles connected to the frame for a user to grip the handles by both hands; four conductive electrodes, two of which are installed to each of the handles to be spaced apart from each other; a vibration plate installed to the frame; a vibration generating means connected to the vibration plate; a data input means installed to the frame; and a controller for receiving body information of the user from the data input means, measuring impedances of the user applied to the four conductive electrodes installed to the handles, calculating a body composition of the user using the measured impedances and the input body information, and controlling the vibration generating means to generate vibration of a predetermined frequency according to the calculated body composition of the user.

[2] The vibration stimulation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor installed between the vibration plate and the frame to measure the weight of the user stepping on the vibration plate, wherein the controller calculates a body composition of the user using the measured impedances and an output value from the sensor, and controls the vibration generating means to generate vibration of a predetermined frequency according to the calculated body composition of the user.

[3] The vibration stimulation apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising four electrodes, two of which are respectively installed to the vibration plate at spaced positions on which each of both feet of the user is located, wherein the controller measures impedances of the user applied to the four conductive electrodes installed to the handles and the four conductive electrodes installed to the vibration plate, calculates a body composition of the user using the measured impedances and the input body information, and controls the vibration generating means to generate vibration of a predetermined frequency according to the calculated body composition of the user.

[4] The vibration stimulation apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a data display installed to the frame, and a memory for storing vibration stimulation information corresponding to the user information input from the data input means and the body composition, wherein the vibration stimulation information includes habitus information, a series of user postures information cor- responding to the habitus information, and stimulation time and vibration frequency information for each posture; wherein the controller reads the vibration stimulation information corresponding to the calculated body composition of the user from the memory, sequentially displays the user postures on the data display, and at the same time controls the vibration generating means to generate vibration of a predetermined frequency for a predetermined time according to each displayed user posture.

[5] The vibration stimulation apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the vibration generating means includes a vibration motor fixedly installed to a lower portion of the vibration plate, a plurality of elastic members having one ends connected to the lower portion of the vibration plate, and an intermediate plate fixed to the other ends of the elastic members; and the sensor for measuring the weight of the user stepping on the vibration plate is installed between the intermediate plate and the frame.

[6] The vibration stimulation apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the vibration plate is installed to pivot on the center of an upper surface of the frame; and the vibration generating means includes a motor installed to the frame, a driving shaft connected to the motor and rotatably installed, a driving pulley fixedly installed to the driving shaft, a driven shaft rotatably installed at a position spaced apart from and in parallel with the driving shaft, a belt wound around the driving pulley and the driven pulley, a pair of eccentric shafts extending from both ends of the driven shaft to be eccentric, and a pair of links respectively installed to the pair of eccentric shafts, the other ends of the pair of links being fixed to one end of the vibration plate.

[7] A method for providing vibration stimulation, comprising the steps of: receiving body information of a user; measuring impedances of the user using at least four electrodes connected to both hands or both feet of the user; calculating a body composition of the user using the measured impedances and the body information of the user; selecting vibration stimulation information including habitus information corresponding to the calculated body composition, a user posture information set corresponding to the habitus information, and stimulate time and vibration frequency information for each user posture; and displaying the user posture information set on a data display of a vibration stimulation apparatus according to the selected vibration stimulation information, and at the same time, applying vibration stimulation of a predetermined frequency for a predetermined time according to each displayed user posture using the vibration stimulation apparatus.

[8] The method according to claim 7, wherein the step of receiving the body information of the user includes the step of receiving an output of a sensor installed to the vibration stimulation apparatus in order to measure the weight of the user.