DE20206086U1 - exerciser - Google Patents

Description

Description

The invention relates to a training device for the coordination and reaction ability as well as the motor skills of the human musculoskeletal system on the basis of sequences designed according to medical aspects.

It is used in the appropriate training of older people in particular, but also in the rehabilitation of convalescents of all ages, in the therapy of impairments of the human musculoskeletal system and in prophylaxis in this area.

Equipment for training reaction and coordination skills is already

&iacgr;&ogr;, whereby a variety of solutions are implemented. All devices have in common that they are generally used for psychodiagnosis or psychoanalysis and in particular the visual stimulus indication is used.

These are solution concepts that use a PC to create a dialogue between the screen and the test subject. One of the best-known solutions in this field is the analysis and diagnosis system from Schuhfried GmbH (Austria) - http://www.biofeedback.co.at/german/inhalt.htm. The system allows extensive psychoanalytic statements to be made about the person being examined. From reaction tests to talent and intelligence tests to training individual muscles, this device concept can be used for a wide range of indications and applications by recording physiological parameters and converting them into perceptible (optical and/or acoustic) signals.

Further solutions based on the principle of biofeedback are described in DE-OS 41 39 241 A1, EP 0 199 519 A2, DE-OS 195 08 735 A1 and DE-OS 197 06 042 A1.

However, training coordination and reaction skills in connection with the motor skills of the human musculoskeletal system on the basis of sequences designed according to medical aspects is not possible with these devices, since movement sequences are only based on the operation of the mouse.

and the client remains essentially motorically passive, while sensors record the relevant physiological parameters.

DE-OS 41 31 422 A1 relates to a device for gymnastic purposes on which a pressure force can be exerted by a person.

In the case of gymnastic devices, where force is to be applied without moving any part more strongly, the user is not aware of the strength of the pressure he is currently exerting. The solution is to improve such a device so that the person using the device immediately knows how much force he is exerting.

&iacgr;&ogr; This is achieved by providing a device for measuring and/or displaying the pressure exerted on the device by the human body, the measuring and/or display device emitting an acoustic and/or optical signal when a certain pressure is exceeded. Several pressure measuring devices (mechanical, electrical or with piezo crystal) can be arranged in the device. The pressures measured by the devices can be recorded and evaluated in a connected electrical device (calculator, small computer), using either an average of the values or the maximum value.

However, this solution is not suitable for training and treating the coordination and reaction skills as well as the motor skills of the human musculoskeletal system, as it is aimed at generating a specific pressure force in order to train specific muscles.

DE-OS 197 44 219 A1 also describes a training device connected to a computer and an output unit, which is intended to enable movement training in addition to muscle, anti-stress, cardiovascular and brain training.

However, because only fitness equipment such as bicycles, steppers, treadmills or the like are intended as training equipment for movement training, this solution is also not suitable for training and treating the coordination and reaction skills as well as the motor skills of the human musculoskeletal system, especially in older and/or physically impaired people.

DE 296 01 820 U1 presents a game device for training the human body, in particular for training the whole-body muscles, dexterity and reaction speed.

Since, as the name suggests, this is merely a toy that is used in the leisure sector, it is not suitable for therapeutic purposes under medical guidance and control.

DE-OS 101 10 277 A1 presents a device for training aids with light-emitting diodes, in which a circuit arrangement of light-emitting diodes is proposed, with each light-emitting diode being assigned a training interval.

Î During the respective training interval, the associated LED flashes and thus indicates the optimal training rhythm. Since this is only an orientation display that does not allow interaction or evaluation of parameters, this solution is also not suitable for training and therapy of the coordination and reaction ability as well as the motor skills of the human musculoskeletal system.

A training device for gymnastic and sports exercises according to DE-OS 39 31 218 A1 has exercise units equipped with sensors that register the exercise device being used and use optical or acoustic transducers to display the operation, the type of operation and the sequence of operations. This is intended to provide the exerciser with information about his performance and/or training success. In conjunction with exercise equipment installed in an exercise room, such as a trampoline, boxing machine, kicking machine, etc., it is possible to carry out fixed or individually programmable exercise programs together with a programmer connected to the exercise equipment and using the sensors and displays, to control the exercise sequences and to encourage the exerciser's motivation using acoustic or visual signals.

However, this solution requires a large number of exercise units with the corresponding space requirements and material and financial expenditure for training and treating coordination and reaction skills as well as the motor skills of the human musculoskeletal system. The effort required for recording and evaluating the activity of the exercise units

is also high due to the large number of sensors required (actuation, force, direction, etc.).

Therefore, the present invention is based on the technical problem of creating a cost-effective diagnostic training device that can be produced with simple means, while avoiding the disadvantages of the known technical solutions, with which the training and therapy of the motor skills with programmed movement sequences, the reaction speed and the coordination ability of the human musculoskeletal system, in particular the upper parts of the body such as the trunk, shoulder and the upper limbs (arm, hand

&iacgr;&ogr; and fingers) by means of different suitable movement patterns, whereby the specific movement patterns initiated by suitable stimuli should be medically evaluable, particularly with regard to accuracy and reaction time.

To solve this problem, the invention proposes a training device consisting of a display and actuation device, a programmable control and an evaluation unit with the following features:

A display designed as a display and actuation device is formed by light fields designed as a light source matrix, whereby each light source, which can be designed in different colors, is assigned a button, e.g. a mechanical stroke button.

For practical purposes, the extent of the light field lies within the range of action of the human extremities, so that all buttons assigned to the respective light sources are located within the range of action of the upper or lower limbs of the person being trained.

The light sources and the associated buttons are connected to a programmable control and an evaluation unit, which has measuring devices for coordination and time as well as an output device for visual and/or acoustic display of the measurement results, in such a way that a light source is switched on by the control according to the selected program and can be switched off by the training person by tactile actuation of the associated button.

Feedback regarding the actuation of the button both to the control unit, from which the next light source provided in the program is switched on, and to the evaluation unit, preferably a PC, which registers, evaluates and stores the accuracy and reaction time of the initiated actuation process and makes it available for output of the result.

The arrangement of the light field in a panel is an advantage, which enables it to be used as a mobile device that can be used both as a table and as a wall device.

Another advantage is the integration of the electronic, freely programmable &iacgr;&ogr; control into the panel, which allows for a complex design of the training device.

This is also helped by the integration of a display connected to the control system with corresponding operating elements into the panel, which can also be used to program the desired processes.

For training and therapy of motor skills with programmed movement sequences, reaction speed and coordination ability of the lower extremities, but also for fitness and leisure activities, the free design of the light source matrix in the form of light fields in a large-area arrangement in conjunction with blind fields is ideal, whereby the number and arrangement of the light fields can be individually designed. Here, as in all other embodiments, the blind fields serve to prevent the person being trained from adjusting to the program sequence in an undesirable way and to vary the movement sequences.

The fields can be arranged as wall or floor elements.

The display and actuation device is designed in such a way that in the middle of each field there is a circular arrangement of light sources around a button, which is covered by an elastic and transparent plastic part.

The electrical connections of the light fields equipped with the display and actuation device are realized via a flexible circuit board as back wiring.

In order to enable the fields to be connected in a freely configurable manner, contact between the fields is made via magnetic rubber.

The programmable control can additionally be connected to an assembly that generates acoustic components, whereby these acoustic components in conjunction with the respectively activated light sources form sound, visual and audiovisual stimulus patterns.

&iacgr;&ogr; Further advantageous details and features of the invention emerge not only from the claims and the features derived therefrom, individually and/or in combination, but also from the following embodiment.

Here we show:

Figure 1 - a schematic block diagram of the training device
Figure 2 - the view of a compact tabletop device
Figure 3 - hanging display and actuation device

Figure 4 - Hanging display and operating device for the leisure and fitness area

Figure 5 - schematic representation of the display and actuation device of a light field in side view and top view

Figure 6 - Mat-like display and actuation device with control unit

As shown in Figure 1, a light source matrix designed as a display and actuation device 4, a control and power supply device 2, a microprocessor with memory 3, an input device 5 with display 6 and keyboard 7 as well as a sound module 8 with loudspeaker 9 are arranged on a panel 1. An evaluation unit 10 is connected to the panel 1.

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which has outputs for connecting a monitor 11 and a printer 12.

The light fields Lf 1, Lf2 ... Lfn of the light source matrix are formed by light sources combined with the respective buttons Ta1, Ta2 ... Tan and are connected to the control and power supply 2 and the evaluation unit 10.

The microprocessor with memory 3 has connections to the control and power supply device 2, the input device 5, the sound module 8 and the evaluation unit 10.

&iacgr;&ogr; By means of input via the keyboard 7 of the input device 5, a program already stored in the microprocessor with memory 3 is selected, whereby the corresponding menus are shown in the display 6 of the input device 5.

After the program has been selected, it is started by entering the corresponding command into the input device 5. According to the program, the transistor Tr1 is switched on by the microprocessor 3, the light source of the light field Lf1 is supplied with voltage and a start signal that can be assigned to the light field LfI is reported to the evaluation unit 10, where a time measurement starts.

If the person being trained presses the button Ta1 assigned to the active light field LfI, the voltage supply to the light field LfI is interrupted by the microprocessor 3 processing a corresponding signal and this signal simultaneously ends the current time measurement in the evaluation unit 10, the result is evaluated, compared with medically relevant specifications and best values, saved and prepared for output via monitor or printer. At the same time, the microprocessor 3 controls the sound module 8 so that a sequence of tones confirming the success of the action is output via the loudspeaker 9.

According to the program, the transistor Tr2 is subsequently controlled by the microprocessor 3, the light source of the light field Lf2 is supplied with voltage and a start signal attributable to the light field Lf2 is reported to the evaluation unit 10, where another time measurement starts.

If the training person now presses the Ta2 button, the processes already described run in an analogous order until the end of the program is initiated by pressing the Tan button.

The evaluation unit 10 displays the overall result of the evaluation (shortest, average and longest reaction time as well as statements on the accuracy of the target determined on the basis of medical algorithms) on the monitor 11. The result is printed out and evaluated via the printer 12.

The compact table device, as shown in Figure 2, shows a particularly favorable combination of the elements of the training device for training and therapy of motor skills with programmed movement sequences, reaction speed and coordination ability of the upper limbs (arm, hand and fingers).

Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the display and actuation device 4 intended for hanging on the wall with an externally arranged control and power supply device 2 (not shown here) and evaluation unit 10. This embodiment is intended for training and therapy of motor skills with programmed movement sequences, reaction speed and coordination ability of the upper body parts such as the torso and shoulder as well as the upper limbs (arm, hand and fingers).

Another embodiment of the display and actuation device 4 intended for hanging on the wall with an externally arranged control and power supply device 2 (not shown here) and evaluation unit 10 is presented in Figure 4, whereby significantly more light fields Lf are arranged here. This embodiment can also be used as a target field for

Throwing games are used in fitness and leisure activities, whereby the buttons can also be triggered by throwing objects (e.g. bats, blunt arrows, etc.).

Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of a light field Lf of the display and actuation device 4 in side view and top view, which is designed in such a way that in the middle of each field there is a circular arrangement of light sources around a button Ta, which is covered by an elastic and transparent plastic part. Light-emitting diodes serve as light sources here. Such a design is particularly suitable for light fields Lf as wall or floor elements of display and actuation devices 4.

&iacgr;&ogr; suitable.

The embodiment of a mat-like display and actuation device 4 with external control and power supply device 3 shown in Figure 6 is intended for use on the floor and is used to train and treat motor skills with programmed movement sequences, reaction speed and coordination ability of the lower extremities.

Claims (12)

1. Training device, consisting of a display, a programmable control and an evaluation unit, characterized in that - the display of light fields (Lf) designed as a variable light source matrix, designed as a display and actuation device ( 4 ), - whose extent lies within the radius of action of the human extremities, - where each light source, - which can be designed in different colours, - a mechanical button (Ta) is assigned, that furthermore - the light sources (Lf) and buttons (Ta) with the programmable control and power supply device ( 3 ) - and the evaluation unit ( 10 ), which - Measuring devices for coordination and time, - comparison and evaluation devices, - storage facilities and - has an output device for visual and/or acoustic display of the measurement results, - are connected in circuitry. 2. Training device according to claim 1, characterized in that the luminous fields (Lf) are combined with blind fields. 3. Training device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the display and actuation device ( 4 ) is integrated in a panel ( 1 ). 4. Training device according to claim 3, characterized in that the electronic freely programmable control and power supply device ( 3 ) is contained in the panel ( 1 ). 5. Training device according to claim 4, characterized in that an input device ( 5 ) with display ( 6 ) and keyboard ( 7 ) connected to the control and power supply device ( 3 ) is arranged in the panel ( 1 ). 6. Training device according to claim 1, characterized in that luminous fields (Lf) are arranged in a large-area arrangement in connection with blind fields. 7. Training device according to claim 6, characterized in that the fields are arranged as floor elements. 8. Training device according to claim 7, characterized in that the fields are arranged as wall elements. 9. Training device according to claim 6, 7 or 8, characterized in that in the center of each light field (Lf) a circular arrangement of light sources is arranged around a button (Ta), the covering of which is effected by means of an elastic and transparent plastic part. 10. Training device according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the electrical connections are arranged on a flexible circuit board as back wiring. 11. Training device according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the contact between the fields is made via magnetic rubber. 12. Training device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the programmable control and power supply device ( 3 ) is additionally connected to an assembly generating acoustic components.