ITBO960148A1 - SYSTEM FOR PROGRAMMING WORKOUTS ON EQUIPMENT AND EXERCISE MACHINES AND RELATED METHOD - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

attached to a patent application for INDUSTRIAL INVENTION entitled: SYSTEM FOR PROGRAMMING TRAINING ON GYM EQUIPMENT AND MACHINES AND RELATIVE METHOD,

The present invention relates to a system for programming training on gymnastic equipment and machines.

In particular, the system in question can be advantageously used in sports-recreational structures such as, for example, gyms, fitness centers, sports clubs, rehabilitation centers, clinics and the like.

In these structures (which in the following to simplify the description we will call gyms) it is expected that users perform different series of gymnastic or rehabilitative exercises according to parameters relating to the type of training or rehabilitation, to the user's body, to his health conditions, to the objectives to be achieved, etc., these programs define, in practice, a daily routine protocol, which is often destined to vary over time and according to the results achieved by the athlete.

In practice, each user or athlete is assigned a specific program to be performed during the various training sessions. The various programs differ from each other in the number of exercises, as well as in the succession, repeatability, duration and intensity of the same.

To this end, in the gyms, after an examination of what are the characteristics of the athlete and the objectives that the same should achieve, the instructor prepares a "lineup" of exercises, specifying the methods of execution of the exercises themselves.

This ladder constitutes, in practice, the athlete's program and is materially supported by a table written on paper that the athlete must bring with him during the training session for the necessary consultations during the execution of the exercises.

The programs usually prepared relate to relatively long periods of attendance at the gym and, in any case, cannot be differentiated from time to time for obvious logistical reasons, so for each cycle the athlete performs substantially the same exercises.

The program is generally set as a sort of average between what the training must be in the initial part (in which the athlete is theoretically less trained) and what is the final result of each cycle.

For this reason, it is possible that in the initial phase the athlete performs a training harder than what he actually should carry out, while, on the contrary, in the final phase of each cycle the exercises are under dimensioned compared to the real condition of the athlete.

With programs of this type it is therefore not possible to have a constant correlation between the intensity of the training and the real conditions of the athlete: this is of fundamental importance, since training that is too intense, as well as too mild, may not be useful to the athlete and, in some cases, even cause negative consequences.

Currently, there are exercise machines capable of interacting with an athlete's feedback response relating to physiological parameters of the same (for example heart rate) in order to vary the intensity of a single exercise as a function of this response. In these machines, however, the subsequent uses are unrelated to the previous surveys.

Furthermore, there is no connection between exercises performed on different machines, in the sense that data relating to the execution of exercises on multiple machines cannot be compared.

At present, it is not possible to plan a series of exercises based on the athlete's real reactions to training, in relation to the work actually performed. .

The above is particularly true when compared to the plurality of machines and gymnastic equipment that an athlete must cover during a routine protocol, meaning by this the passage between the various stations defined by the cardiovascular machines (bike, treadmill, step) and by the isotonic ones ( bench, etc.). Generally, in the typical gym, these machines are all disconnected from each other, in the sense that there is no possibility of connecting, for example through an interactive data network, the various equipment so that they communicate in real time with each other and with a server unit. base that provides for the recording and processing of the exercises performed and for the examination of the position of the individual user. Attempts are known in this regard, using solutions common to the usual "network" connections between central unit-server and peripheral units-personal computers: in any case, with these attempts, a cable network connecting all the various machines had to be used. This solution turned out to be decidedly negative in consideration of the place of use (gyms, in fact) and the fact that the machines are distributed in the most disparate points of the gym. Not to mention the fact that this type of connection does not adapt well to the type of exercise machine and to the environment, due to the ease in losing the network connection, as the users of these systems are well aware of.

The object of the present invention is therefore to eliminate the drawbacks mentioned above with a system for programming training on gymnastic equipment and machines capable of providing a training or rehabilitation program capable of varying according to the results achieved, or based on the '' completion of the various series of exercises to be performed during the training sessions; the system object of the invention can be defined as a system of true centralized management of routine protocols and allows the "virtual connection" between all the machines in a gym and a central unit for programming the workouts to be carried out, and allows the memorization and any graphic display of the work already done. This connection has been defined virtual as it takes place without the use of network or line cables that would run dangerously for the entire gym: the various machines continue to be absolutely distinct and independent from each other.

The invention, as it is characterized by the claims, comprises a central unit, suitable for elaborating a training program to be performed on a plurality of gymnastic equipment and / or machines, in correspondence with which a plurality of stations are provided, suitable for allowing the '' setting the exercises on the corresponding tools and / or machines, as well as receiving a feedback response on the exercises performed.

The link between the central unit and the stations is allowed by means of a data storage medium consisting of a portable memory without contacts contained in a support capable of interacting with the central unit and with the individual stations with suitable bidirectional data transmission means. . The use of portable memory as a portable support for the training program can also determine different ways of accessing other activities related to the gym or sports center. For example, portable memory can be used as access control, as a means of payment, as a key for consulting libraries, for checking frequencies, etc.

The use of a contactless portable memory, known in the sector as SMART KEY, allows the absolute personalization of the storage medium with the consequent safety of adapting the machine to the characteristics of the exercises to be performed, automatically and in a short time.

The technical characteristics of the invention, according to the aforementioned purposes, are clearly verifiable from the content of the claims reported below and the advantages thereof will become more evident in the detailed description that follows, made with reference to the attached drawings, which represent a purely exemplary embodiment and non-limiting, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a diagram relating to an example of embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 illustrate some diagrams relating to possible graphic representations of the execution and setting of a training program according to the present invention.

In accordance with the attached figures, the system for programming training on gymnastic equipment and machines in question is of the type that can be used for training or rehabilitation based on the execution, through a plurality of gymnastic equipment and / or machines, of a series of exercises defining a personalized program referring to a subject.

In figure 1, where the various constituent elements of the system are not proportionate to each other for descriptive needs, these tools and exercise machines have been schematically represented by machines A for the execution of exercises comparable, respectively, to cycling, running, and climbing steps (technically called "bike", carpet or treadmill and "step"), as well as a classic bench A 'for lifting weights with a barbell. All these exercise machines are strictly disconnected from each other, that is, there is no type of reciprocal connection in the data network.

The system comprises a central unit M provided with first processing means MM and bidirectional data transfer DM; in practice, the central unit M has means that can be used at least for writing and reading data relating to the customized program, as well as for modifying the program itself.

The MM processing means can be constituted by a personal computer equipped with suitable software, capable of executing the programming of personalized workouts, obviously by the medical programmers who follow the activity of the gym. By programming we mean the definition of the different routine protocols that an athlete will have to face during a session and for each individual tool, for example, in the case of the bike, the protocol can be defined by a curve that develops on a plane Cartesian where time is measured by abscissa and by ordinate any variable linked to the work performed. The bidirectional data transfer means DM, combined with the processing means MM, consist of suitable devices for writing and reading a portable memory storage medium suitable for transferring data between machines or units not directly connected.

The portable memory is arranged on a portable support K and is suitable for storing the data relating to the customized program referred to above.

The system also comprises a plurality of stations S, arranged in correspondence with the plurality of gymnastic equipment and / or machines A, A1.

The stations S, similarly to the central unit, are provided with second processing means MS and bidirectional data transfer DS from and onto said portable support K, so as to receive, in input, the data present in the portable memory relating to the exercise to be carried out to define a programming of the tool and / or machine, and in order to transfer, at the output on the portable memory itself, at the end of the exercise, information relating to the exercises as actually performed, to then define a check on them.

The first means for processing and bidirectional data transfer DM of said central unit are then able to modify the customized program according to the information received on the execution of the exercises.

Obviously, it is not necessary that the second processing means MS presented of the stations S be able to process or reset the customized program, since it is sufficient that they are able to read the data from the portable medium K and to information relating to the exercise carried out.

The central unit M can possibly be arranged in an easily accessible place in the gymnasium and can take the form of a multimedia station, of the type usable, for example, in art centers, stations or airports and equipped, for example, with devices "touch screen" type interface with the user to facilitate consultation.

The various equipment or exercise machines A, A 'are not directly connected to the central unit M: in this way it is not necessary to make electrical or other connections and the machines can therefore be placed at any distance from the central unit, allowing the use of the system in gyms or multi-storey centers or in any case extending over large areas.

The connection between the central unit M and the tools and machines A, A ', made virtually by means of the portable support K, can be constituted by an electronic key K (for example equipped with a memory type E <2> PROM) which allows communication between central unit M and stations S.

The electronic key K can have a containment shell, that is a plastic coating suitable to make it waterproof. The combination of a programmable memory by magnetic induction with a waterproof coating allows on the one hand to program the memory without the need for contacts, on the other hand, it allows users to use the electronic key K with extreme comfort, even in unfavorable environmental conditions for other types of program media, such as the presence of moisture.

The S stations can present a video V for the visualization of the work to be performed and can be differentiated according to the machines or tools to which they are combined.

For example, the exercise machines that provide for electronic programming (such as bike, rotating carpet and step, marked with A in figure 1) can be combined with S stations directly connected to the control elements of the machine itself or the S stations can be part of the control parts of the machine. In this way, the machines are "set" directly with the data detected from the portable memory. In addition, automatic means for detecting the exercise completed can be provided to define a check on the work performed by providing, at the output, the aforementioned information that can be used by the central unit M.

The VA displays already provided on the machine can also be used to display the program as an alternative to the display V presented in the S station.

In figure 1 the stations S combined with the machines with electronic programming have been represented with a discontinuous line since they can be incorporated, as mentioned above, in the exercise machines themselves.

In correspondence with machines that do not provide for automatic programming, such as isotonic machines or free weights (in figure 1 represented by bench A '), the data relating to the work performed can be entered "manually" by the user via a keyboard T', or directly through the video V with touch screen mode.

At the central unit M, means are provided for manual data entry T, consisting for example of a keyboard. The keyboard T can be used by an instructor / doctor I to supply the first processing means MM (and, therefore, also the bidirectional data transfer means DM) with data concerning the athlete for the composition of the personalized program.

The remainder of this description will illustrate some possible ways of using the system in question.

The first time a person goes to the gym, or in the case of a cyclical review of what is currently done, after an interview with the instructor (possibly complete with a medical examination), the terms and objectives of the training are defined, that is, the routine protocols that the athlete will have to perform from day to day and on the different tools: these protocols are defined on the central unit M which will constitute the database of all the protocols of the entire gym. The individual routine protocols are divided, each into dedicated implement protocols related to the machine on which they are to be performed.

In subsequent training sessions, i.e. each time the athlete arrives in the gym for a training session, the portable support K is inserted into the reader defined by the first two-way data transfer means DM to receive instructions relating to the training of the day. .

Once on the machine, if this is of the automatic programming type, the user inserts the electronic key K in the appropriate reader located in the S station coupled to the machine and will find the machine automatically "set" to his needs and the only thing he has to do to do will perform slowdown. At the end of the training, station S will "download" on key K the information relating to the work as actually carried out, therefore with the variations (if any) with respect to what was assumed.

In the case of machines with manual programming (see bench A 'in figure 1) the user inserts the electronic key K in the reader of the station S and the video V will display the type of exercise, the series, the repetitions and the relative load. At the end, the athlete must confirm whether what has been done corresponds to the suggested training or specify the changes to have everything memorized in the electronic key K.

In both cases, both for automatic and manual control machines, after the memorization of the work performed, the display V of the S station, in a possible form of operation, will be able to indicate to the person the next exercise to be performed, thus indicating the succession of machines. more appropriate to achieve.

At the end of the training session, the person goes to the central unit M to "download" the electronic key K and insert the feedback on the work performed in a memory, provided with the first processing means MM. The operation at the end may include a report from which the quality of the work performed can be immediately understood and thus an evaluation of the training session performed, accompanied or not by a vote or ranking of "good work".

With the data entered in the central unit, in addition to easily managing different tables for different training days, it is possible to check the workouts carried out by a user, enable time slots, types of exercises, analyze the frequency of users, etc.

The user interacts with the central unit via the electronic key K, as mentioned above, for the operations of loading data relating to training and downloading of data relating to the work performed, and possibly via a touch screen device.

Following the insertion of the electronic key M and / or the pressure of the finger on the VM screen (in the case of a "touch screen" device) with which the central unit M is equipped, a screen appears showing the main menu and which appears similar to what is shown in figure 2.

The main menu is divided into a series of icons 210, 220, 230, 240, 250 corresponding, in practice, to the various functions of the main program; by placing a finger on one of the icons that appear on the screen, the program allows you to enter the chosen environment, which is described below.

The last icon or box 250 of figure 2 relates to the programs that can be used exclusively by the instructors to set the workouts and enter data of various kinds.

One of the functions of the main program is the training load program (corresponding to box 210 in figure 2) which allows the training that the user will then go to perform to be loaded onto the electronic key K. The user makes use of this function every time, upon entering the gym, he decides to start his workout. While the K electronic key is being loaded, the training table and / or the user's situation with respect to the goal that has been proposed may appear on the screen.

The training table can be similar to what is illustrated in figure 3, where the name of the athlete appears in a sector 211 of the screen, while in two other sectors 212, 213 the different exercises of the training session and the methods of execution of the same.

The training table, as well as being displayed on the VM screen of the central unit M, can be printed by a printer P connected to it.

The user's situation can be displayed as illustrated in Figure 4, where a graph 214 is used, presenting the time as abscissa and the degree of training as the ordinate.

Graph 214 shows a line r which joins a first point 215 corresponding to the situation at the beginning of the training period with a second point 216 relating to the athlete's final goal, while a curve c superimposed on line r shows the trend over time of the values developed by the user.

Another function of the main program is training download. The user accesses this environment (corresponding to box 220 in figure 2) at the end of each training session; during this phase the training results, which have been stored by the S stations on the electronic key K, are downloaded to the console and a graph may appear on the VM video which allows you to immediately evaluate the quality of the work done.

The image could be similar to that of figure 5 and can be displayed with the command represented with 230 in figure 2, representing a display function of the training table.

In figure 5, where the athlete's name appears in the upper area 211 of the screen, the training table is displayed which is loaded on the electronic key K, and for each type of exercise in the table (two in the example) it is indicated whether this has already been performed (represented with 222) or not (represented with 221), and the next exercise to be performed can also be indicated. The training table can be viewed at any time and can also be printed by the user himself if he wishes.

Another function of the main menu relates to the display environment of the work performed (represented with box 240 in figure 2) and allows the visualization of the archived data and the image that appears is similar to that of figure 6.

The graph 214 at the top right is the same as in Figure 4 described previously to illustrate the approach of the objective to the user, with the relative reference line r and curve c to verify the work performed.

In box 211 in the upper left, the name and surname of the subject can be shown, as well as other data, such as, for example, the date of birth and weight. By pressing on this icon it is possible to enter a window for modifying the weight in case of weight variations.

Box 241 below is available for any communications to the user.

The remaining icons 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, can be used to view data relating to the various exercises performed or for various types of comparisons.

For example, in boxes 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, respectively, the total kilometers traveled on "bike", the total floors made on "step", the total kilometers run on the rotating carpet, the total kilograms lifted can be displayed on isotonic machines, the total kilocalories consumed.

By pressing on the icon, a screen appears that shows the relative data in a graph similar to that of figure 7, foreseen, for example, in correspondence with "bike" workouts.

The graph of figure 7 shows, similarly to what is illustrated in figures 3, 4, 5, an upper zone 211 relating to the name of the athlete, while the display of the kilometers traveled during training is carried out in a lateral zone 248 with the subdivision of the kilometers in training periods and, alongside, with the graphic indication 249 of the kilometers traveled with respect to a known reference value (for example it could be a map of Italy with the kilometers traveled displayed with a line departing from a known location).

Box 247, relating to comparisons, graphically compares the user's performance with respect to the total of the gym and / or with respect to a certain reference group.

Obviously, as previously said, in this description only some of the possible ways of using the system in question have been illustrated, without limiting the other possible applications that can be obtained with changes to the software of the main program, or the possibilities offered through a menu. .

We defined the portable media K as a contactless data storage medium and in the simplest solution it was considered to be of the permanent memory type with electromagnetic activation (with high capacity in relation to the dimensions, for example 2 Kbytes); in an alternative solution, this could be constituted by an infrared ray transponder or other equivalent.

The system described above essentially defines a new methodology for managing the gym machines and equipment, which do not require a data network connection, but which are "virtually connected" to each other via the contactless programmable key K. This methodology can be summarized as follows:

a) creation of a customized program on a central unit (M) equipped with first data processing means (MM) for the definition of a series of routine protocols, each relating to a plurality of tool protocols related to the exercise to be performed on said equipment and / or exercise machines;

b) transfer of one of said routine protocols relating to said customized program onto a portable support (K) constituting a contactless data storage medium, provided with a portable memory suitable for data storage, by means of bidirectional transfer (DM ) provided in said central unit (M);

c) transfer, from said portable support (K), of one of said tool protocols to a station of a plurality of stations (S), independent of each other, or not connected by means of a data network, arranged in correspondence with one of said equipment and / or gymnastic machines (A, A '), each of said stations provided with second processing means (MS) and bidirectional data transfer (DS); said transfer taking place from said portable support (K) to said second processing means (MS), so as to receive, in input, the latter, the data present in said portable memory relating to the tool protocol related to the exercise to be performed in said machine, to define a programming of the relative tool and / or machine;

d) execution of the scheduled exercise by the user; e) transferring, on said portable memory (K), at the end of the operation and at the output from said second processing means (MS), of the data relating to the actual execution of said tool protocol related to the exercise to define a control on the same;

f) repetition of the aforementioned phases c), d), e) for each of the additional equipment and / or exercise machines, or for each of the additional related equipment protocols,

g) transfer from said portable support (K) of the data relating to the effective execution of all said related tool protocols, or of the entire routine protocol as actually performed, on said central unit (M) by means of said bidirectional transfer means (DM) ;

h) processing of said data relating to the actual execution of all said related implement protocols by said central unit (M) and possible modification of said customized program, or of said series of routine protocols, according to said information relating to the actual execution of said related protocols.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept. Furthermore, all the details can be replaced by technically equivalent elements.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS 1. System for programming training on gymnastic equipment and machines, usable for training or rehabilitation based on the execution, through a plurality of gymnastic equipment and / or machines, of a series of exercises defining a personalized program, or routine protocol, referred to a subject, characterized by the fact of understanding: - a central unit (M) equipped with first processing means (MM) of said customized program and bidirectional data transfer (DM), or means suitable at least for writing and reading data relating to said customized program, as well as for modifying the program same; - a portable support (K) constituting a contactless data storage medium, provided with a portable memory suitable for storing said data; - a plurality of stations (S), independent from each other, or not connected by data network, arranged in correspondence with said plurality of gymnastic equipment and / or machines (A, A '), provided with second processing means (MS) and bidirectional data transfer (DS) from and on said portable support (K), so as to receive, at the input, the data present in said portable memory relating to the exercise to be performed to define a programming of the tool and / or machine, and in such a way as to transfer, at the output on the portable memory itself, at the end of the exercise, information relating to the actual execution of said exercises in order to define a control on them; said first processing means (MM) and bidirectional data transfer (DM) of said central unit being adapted to modify said program according to said information relating to the actual execution of said exercises. 2. System for programming training on gymnastic equipment and machines according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of said gymnastic machines (A) is an electronically programmable machine, able to be controlled by means of said input data received from said second means for processing (MS) and bidirectional data transfer (DS), automatic means for detecting the completed exercise being provided, suitable for defining said control, providing, at the output, said information relating to the effective execution of said exercises. 3. System for programming training on gymnastic equipment and machines according to claim 1, characterized in that said contactless portable support (K) is provided with a memory of the erasable and processable reading type E <2> PROM. 4. System for programming training on gymnastic equipment and machines according to claim 1, characterized in that said contactless portable support (K) is constituted by a casing impermeable at least to liquids containing a memory programmable by magnetic induction. 5. System for programming training on gymnastic equipment and machines according to claim 1, characterized in that said central unit (M) is connected to manual data input means (T), suitable for supplying said first processing means ( MM) and bidirectional data transfer (DM) data concerning said subject for the composition of said personalized program. 6. System for programming training on gymnastic equipment and machines according to claim 1, characterized in that said plurality of stations (S), at least in correspondence with tools (A ') for manual execution of exercises, is provided with means of manual data entry (T), adapted to provide said second processing means (MM) and bidirectional data transfer (DM) with said information relating to the exercise performed. 7. Method for planning and executing workouts on gymnastic equipment and machines, usable for training or rehabilitation based on the execution, through a plurality of gymnastic equipment and / or machines, of a series of exercises defining a personalized program, or protocol of routine, referring to a subject, characterized by the fact of providing: a) realization of said customized program on a central unit (M) equipped with first data processing means (MM) for the definition of a series of routine protocols, each relating to a plurality of tool protocols related to the exercise to be performed on said equipment and / or exercise machines; b) transfer of one of said routine protocols relating to said customized program onto a portable support (K) constituting a contactless data storage medium, provided with a portable memory suitable for storing said data, by means of bidirectional transfer means (DM) provided in said central unit (M); c) transfer, from said portable support (K), of one of said tool protocols to a station of a plurality of stations (S), independent from each other, or not connected by means of a data network, arranged in correspondence with one of said equipment and / or gymnastic machines (A, A '), each of said stations provided with second processing means (MS) and bidirectional data transfer (DS); said transfer taking place from said portable support (K) to said second processing means (MS), so as to receive, in input, the latter, the data present in said portable memory relating to the tool protocol related to the exercise to be performed in said machine, to define a programming of the relative tool and / or machine; d) execution of the scheduled exercise by the user; e) transferring, on said portable memory (K), at the end of the operation and at the output from said second processing means (MS), of the data relating to the actual execution of said tool protocol related to the exercise to define a control on the same; f) repetition of the aforementioned phases c), d), e) for each of the additional equipment and / or exercise machines, or for each of the additional related equipment protocols; g) transfer from said portable support (K) of the data relating to the effective execution of all said related tool protocols, or of the entire routine protocol as actually performed, on said central unit (M) by means of said bidirectional transfer means (DM) ; h) processing of said data relating to the actual execution of all said related implement protocols by said central unit (M) and possible modification of said customized program, or of said series of routine protocols, according to said information relating to the actual execution of said related protocols. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that said contactless portable support (K) is provided with a memory of the erasable and processable reading type E <2> PROM. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that said contactless portable support (K) is constituted by a waterproof casing containing a memory programmable by magnetic induction. 10. System and method for programming training on gymnastic equipment and machines according to the preceding claims and according to what is described and illustrated with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings and for the aforementioned purposes.