JP2000126334A - Exercising device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to perform exercise while visually or graphically recognizing the condition of exercise load applied to the user by changing the form or movement of a character displayed on a display based on user's in-vivo information who perform exercise and an exercise hystory thereof. SOLUTION: Then a user performs input of his/her age, sex, pulse number at a rest time for registration, a microcomputer obtains a target pulse number based on the registered data and display the same on a liquid crystal display 3. When the user operates a start button 4f, the microcomputer sets the target pulse number and implements a physical strength test program. After the program is implemented, a walking character X is displayed on the display 3 under the control of microcomputer 3, and a look of the character X changes according to a change in the user's pulse number detected based on a detection signal of a pulse number sensor.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to exercise equipment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, there are fixed indoor bicycles (so-called bicycle ergometers, exercise bikes, etc.), stepping machines, running machines, rowing machines, and the like. Are based on the premise that they have a means for measuring the pulse rate of the user.

On the other hand, as a device in which a user interacts with a person displayed on a display such as a liquid crystal display or a character of a popular animation while exercising, there is a portable pedestrian-type pedometer and the like. In these, the form or movement of the character changes depending on the number of steps of the user. Further, there has been provided a fixed bicycle in which the above-described character is displayed on a display of a controller and the movement of the character is changed by operating a button of the controller.

What is important in exercise equipment is the load on the user during exercise, and it is desirable that the pulse rate of the user be measured. As described above, the exercise equipment should be provided with means for measuring the pulse rate of the user. It is a premise.

[0005]

However, the above portable breeding pedometer does not measure the user's pulse rate.
In a fixed bicycle, although the pulse rate is measured, the value is not reflected in the form or movement of the character.

As described above, in a conventional device for displaying a character on a liquid crystal display, the pulse rate during exercise of the user is not reflected on the form and movement of the character, and the user does not exercise his / her exercise load. There is a problem that it is difficult to visually and graphically recognize the situation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to allow a character imitating a person or the like to appear on a display, and to change the form or movement of the character so that the user can change the form. It is an object of the present invention to provide an exercise apparatus that can exercise while visually perceiving and recognizing the state of an exercise load applied to oneself visually and diagrammatically, and can exercise happily by interacting with a character.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a display for displaying a character imitating a person, and a form of the character displayed on the display based on the biological information of the user performing the exercise and the exercise history of the user. And a controller having display control means for changing the movement and the movement.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the expression of the character displayed on the display is changed according to the pulse rate of the user.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the user's pulse rate is adjusted to the target pulse rate under the condition that the exercise program for exercising by presetting the user's target pulse rate is incorporated in the controller. The character shape displayed on the display is changed according to the number of days of exercise that has reached the pulse rate.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the speed of movement of the character is changed in real time in accordance with the speed of movement of the user.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the character is divided into a plurality of body parts, and the display of the character is performed by combining the display data for each part. I do.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, the exerciser comprises a bicycle ergometer, and the exercise speed is detected as a pedal rotation speed.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows an overall view of one embodiment of a recumbent type bicycle ergometer 2. In addition, as a bicycle ergometer, not only a recumbent type but a normal upright type may be used. In addition, other exercise equipment that is not a bicycle type may be used. .

As shown in FIG. 1, a controller 1 incorporated in the bicycle ergometer 2 of the present embodiment has a liquid crystal display 3 of a dot matrix type as a display on the upper front of a body 1a, and an operation section 4 on the lower front. Is provided. The liquid crystal display 3 displays a character X or the like imitating a person. Note that the liquid crystal display has various resolutions, but the liquid crystal display 3 used in the present embodiment has a resolution of 12 pixels.
8 × 128 pixels are used.

FIG. 3 shows a circuit configuration of the controller 1.

The controller 1 uses a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) 5 to control the load of the pedal 2a of the bicycle ergometer 2, to control the display of the liquid crystal display 3, to control various arithmetic processes, and to perform arithmetic processes. A function for obtaining a pedal speed based on a detection signal from a rotation sensor 6 for detecting rotation of the pedal 2a of the bicycle ergometer 2, and a detection signal from a pulse sensor 7 for detecting a user's pulse (for example, a pulse sensor sandwiching an earlobe). A function of detecting the user's pulse rate (per minute); a display control function of controlling the display of the liquid crystal display 3 through the LCD display driver 8 to perform a character display 3a and a message display 3b;
Further, a load control function of controlling the amount of load applied to the pedal 2a by a pedal load generation unit 10 provided on the bicycle ergometer 2 through the pedal load control unit 9, and a clock unit 11
A function of performing time management and the like by a time signal from the apparatus, a function of generating a pace sound at a predetermined pitch from the pace sound generation unit 12, a control signal of the operation unit 4, and control and arithmetic processing based on the operation signal And a function of performing read / write processing on the memory 13, and these functions operate based on a preset program.

In the present embodiment, three exercise programs using the bicycle ergometer 2, that is, exercise programs for physical fitness test, obesity elimination, and physical fitness are preset, and these exercise programs are selected. When executed, the control operation according to the program is performed under the microcomputer 5. In all three exercise programs, the microcomputer 5 controls the load of the pedal 2a based on the pulse rate of the user. Therefore, it is assumed that the pulse sensor 7 is used as a means for measuring the pulse rate.

Selection buttons 4a to 4c for the user to select these exercise programs are provided on the operation unit 4. When the user presses the selection buttons 4a to 4c to select an exercise program corresponding to his / her exercise purpose. You can choose.

Data input such as the user's gender, age, pulse rate at rest, etc. is also performed by the "+" button of the operation unit 4 along the message display 3b displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 at the data input stage. 4d, "-" button 4e,
This can be performed by using the start button 4f. For example, when inputting a gender, the selection fields of “male” and “female” displayed on the liquid crystal display 4
d, selected by operating the "-" button 4e and registered by operating the start button 4f. When inputting the age, the pulse rate, or the like, the “+” button 4d or the “−” button 4e is added to the default value displayed on the liquid crystal display 4 in increments of “+1” or “−1”. If the start button 4f is operated when a predetermined numerical value is displayed by subtracting each time, the numerical value at that time is registered as an age or a pulse rate. Incidentally, when changing the exercise time and the like described later, the same operation can be performed.

In the above exercise program, the physical fitness test program is a program employed in a normal stationary bicycle. For example, the load of the pedal 2a is increased stepwise as the exercise time progresses, and the user's pulse is increased. Check for rising numbers.

The user's pulse rate is a so-called maximum pulse rate <
When a predetermined ratio (eg, 75%) to a maximum heart rate> (calculated by a formula such as 200-age) is reached, the exercise program ends, and at the same time, the user's maximum oxygen uptake is calculated. . This maximum oxygen intake is estimated and calculated from the heart rate response to the work load during the maximum exercise.

Based on this maximum oxygen uptake, the results of the user's physical fitness measurements are shown in several stages. The physical fitness test program of this embodiment assumes that the pedal 2a is pedaled for about 12 minutes.

In this physical fitness test program, when the selection button 12b is pressed, a character X shown in FIG. 4 performing a preparatory exercise is displayed on the liquid crystal display 3, and a message display 3 prompting the user to input data during the preparatory exercise is displayed.
b is displayed on the liquid crystal display 3, and the user follows his / her age, gender,
The resting pulse rate is input and registered. When the registration is completed, the microcomputer 5 obtains a target pulse rate based on the registered data, and displays the target pulse rate on the liquid crystal display 3. The user changes the target pulse rate by using the "+" button 4d and the "-" button 4e if the user wants to change the value while viewing the displayed value. When the user operates the start button 4f after confirming or changing the target pulse rate, the microcomputer 5 sets the target pulse rate and executes the physical fitness test program. When this physical strength test program is executed, the user is in an exercise state, and the character X in the walking state shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 3 under the control of the microcomputer 5 and based on the detection signal of the pulse sensor 7. The expression of the character X changes as shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C under the control of the microcomputer 5 according to the detected change in the pulse rate of the user. In other words, when the pulse rate is higher than the set target pulse rate by a predetermined number or more, the facial expression is a sweaty expression (a). If the target pulse rate is less than the predetermined number, the normal expression (c) is used. In addition, the microcomputer 5 controls the movement of the character X,
The speed is increased or decreased according to the pedal speed determined by the detection signal of the rotation sensor 6. At the end of the exercise, the facial expression of the character X is changed according to the result of the physical strength test. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the expression is changed to "Excellent" (a), "Slightly excellent" (b), "Normal" (c), "Slightly inferior" (d), and "Inferior" (e). By looking at the expression of X, the user can know the result of the physical fitness test.

In both the obesity elimination program and the physical strength building program, the target pulse rate during the exercise of pedaling the pedal 2a is set, and the load applied to the pedal 2a is automatically set so that the user's pulse rate stays near the target pulse rate. The microcomputer 5 adjusts. The difference between the two programs is the target pulse rate. Generally, the obesity relieving program is set lower than the physical fitness building program. For example, in the case of the obesity relieving program, it is about 75% of the maximum pulse rate, and in the case of the obesity resolving program, it is about 65%.

In order to achieve the purpose such as "I want to gain physical strength" or "I want to lose weight" by pedal movement, it is necessary to continue to some extent. 20 for one exercise
It is said that if you do this three times a week for three to three minutes a week for three to three minutes, there will be individual effects depending on the individual, but the effect will be apparent. It is desirable that the target pulse rate at the start of the program is set to “pulse rate at rest × 1.5”. For example, if the pulse rate at rest is 70, the initial target pulse rate is 10
5 beats. The final target pulse rate after 3 months of continuous exercise is (150-
Age), or (200-age) for a physical fitness program
Is appropriate, and the target pulse rate for each time is gradually increased so as to reach these target values. FIG. 8 shows a basic operation flowchart of the microcomputer 5 for the obesity elimination program and the physical fitness program.

Next, an example in which the user selects the obesity elimination program as the exercise program will be described.

First, the bicycle ergometer 2 is turned on,
When the selection button 4a of the obesity elimination program is pressed, a character X for an obesity elimination program as shown in FIG. 9 appears on the liquid crystal display 3, and the character X imitating this person starts a preparatory exercise. During the preparatory exercise, the stage becomes a data input stage for inputting the user's own age, gender, and resting pulse rate, and these age, sex, and resting pulse rate are input by operating the buttons of the operation unit 4 as described above. , Register them. These data are stored in the memory 13. This allows the microcomputer 5 to set the initial target pulse rate THR
i (resting pulse rate × 1.5) is obtained, the numerical value is displayed on the liquid crystal display 4, and the exercise time is displayed as a default value, for example, “20 minutes”.

If it is desired to change the target pulse rate or the exercise time, it can be changed freely by operating the "+" button 4d or the "-" button 4e.

When the display and the change of the target pulse rate and the exercise time are completed, the microcomputer 5 sets the final target pulse rate TH after three months.
The calculation of Rg and the increase Δ [Δ =
(THRg-THRi) / 3 quotient part]. Then, the character X appears on the liquid crystal display 3 again, and the preparation exercise is continued.

The user confirms or changes the target pulse rate and the exercise time, and if so, starts the start button 4f.
Press to start exercising. When the user presses the start button 4f, the obesity elimination program actually starts,
At the same time, the displayed character X starts walking. At this start time, first, a target pulse rate THRn (= THRi + nΔ) at the present time (n months later) is obtained, and exercise is performed based on the target pulse rate THRn.

The microcomputer 5 changes the facial expression of the character X based on the determination as to whether it is lower than, near, or higher than the target pulse rate THRn. That is, the microcomputer 5 changes the expression of the character X as shown in FIGS. 10A to 10C based on the user's pulse rate (per minute) counted by the detection signal of the pulse sensor 7. That is, when the target pulse rate is lower than the target pulse rate THRn, a normal expression (c) is displayed, when it is close to the target pulse rate, a slightly sweaty expression (b) is displayed. Is displayed.

Character X according to user's pulse rate
Of the character X, the movement of the foot of the character X is changed according to the speed at which the user pedals the pedal 2a.
That is, the microcomputer 5 determines whether the pedal speed of the user is slower, nearer, or faster than the target speed (preset as a default value) based on the detection signal of the rotation sensor 6, and displays based on the determination result. The movement of the character X being made is changed slowly, normally, and quickly.

As shown in the detailed flow chart of the processing operation of the microcomputer 5 corresponding to the obesity elimination program shown in FIG. 11, when the obesity elimination exercise for 20 minutes is completed, the cooling down mode is set to 1 minute, and when all the rowing is completed, One exercise ends. In this case, the goal is assumed to have been achieved once, and is counted as the goal achievement exercise day.

If the stop button 4g is pressed halfway during the 20-minute obesity exercise to end the exercise, the target has not been achieved, and the target achievement exercise day is not counted.

Thus, for example, the target pulse rate THRn
If the exercise possible date by the target reaches 30 days, the microcomputer 5 determines whether or not the target achievement exercise date by the target pulse rate THRn is 12 days or more, and if it is 12 days or more, the target of the month is achieved. Assuming that the target pulse rate has been set, a process of setting a target pulse rate for the next month is performed. If it is less than 12 days, it is determined that the target for the current month has not been achieved, and processing for setting the target pulse rate for the current month in the next month is performed. If the exercise-executable date has not reached 30 days, the target pulse rate for the current month is maintained.

Thus, the microcomputer 5 is programmed to determine whether the target pulse rate THRn increases every month and reaches the final target pulse rate. This is continued for three months, and once a month has passed, if the target for the current month has been achieved, the characters X in the target achievement zones (A) to (C) are displayed smoothly as shown in FIG. That is, the body type of the character X changes as shown in (a) to (c) corresponding to the goal achievement zones (A) to (C). If the goal is not achieved, the character X of the body type (d) corresponding to the zone (D) for which the goal has not been reached will be displayed.

The case of the obesity elimination program has been described above as an example. In the case of the physical fitness program, the change of the character X is as shown in FIGS.

That is, in the preparatory exercise before the start of the exercise, the character X performing the preparatory exercise shown in FIG. 13 is displayed. During the exercise, the character X during walking shown in FIG. 14 is displayed. As shown in (c), the expression of the character X changes according to the pulse rate of the user. That is, when the pulse rate is lower than the target pulse rate, an ordinary expression (c), when the target pulse rate is slightly sweaty (b), and when the pulse rate is higher than the target pulse rate, the expression is sweaty. (A). On the other hand, the movement of the foot of the character X during walking shown in FIG. 14 changes so as to be faster or slower according to the pedal speed detected by the rotation sensor 6.

As shown in FIG. 16, at the end of the exercise, the displayed body type of the character X changes according to the exercise result. In other words, when the target is achieved, the figure (a) (b) (c) corresponding to the target achievement zone (A) (B) (C)
Is displayed, and if the target cannot be achieved, the character X of the body type (d) corresponding to the target non-achieved zone (D) is displayed.

The above-mentioned physical fitness test is different from obesity elimination and physical fitness building, and is not in a form that lasts for three months.
The maximum oxygen intake is determined by one measurement, and the physical strength level is determined in five stages as described above according to the result, and the facial expression of the character X is changed as shown in FIG. 7 according to the stage. .

By the way, the form of each character X described above,
The structural expression of the movement is based on a method for enabling abundant expression patterns under the limitation of the memory capacity inside the microcomputer 5.

That is, in order to express the movement of the character X, for example, in the case of walking, FIG.
Several patterns are prepared as shown in (d), and these are repeatedly displayed in time.

To speed up or slow down the movement of the character X according to the user's movement speed, the display speed of the character X is changed to realize the movement.
In this way, many change patterns are stored in ROM one by one.
, A large amount of memory capacity is required. In order to store under limited memory capacity,
For example, as shown in FIG. 18A, the face is divided into parts such as the face A, the torso and the upper and lower limbs B, or FIG.
As shown in Figure 3, when the face (a), torso, upper limb (b '), and lower limb (c) are divided into respective parts, and the data of the divided parts are registered in the ROM and displayed. If the display data of each part is combined and displayed simultaneously, a large number of change patterns can be displayed with a small capacity.

[0046]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a display that displays a character imitating a person, and the form and movement of the character displayed on the display are made based on the biological information of the user performing the exercise and the exercise history of the user. Since the controller with display control means is provided, the user can exercise while visually perceiving and recognizing the state of the exercise load applied to him / herself, and can enjoy exercise by interacting with the character. effective.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the expression of the character displayed on the display is changed according to the pulse rate of the user. There is an effect that the state can be known.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the user's pulse rate is adjusted to the target pulse rate under the condition that the exercise program for exercising by presetting the target pulse rate of the user is incorporated in the controller. Since the body type of the character displayed on the display is changed according to the number of days of the exercise that has reached the pulse rate, there is an effect that the user can know the result of the exercise by the change in the body shape of the character.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the speed of movement of the character is changed in real time in accordance with the speed of movement of the user. This has the effect of adjusting the exercise speed while watching the character.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the character is displayed by dividing the character into a plurality of body parts and combining the display data for each part to display the character. With such a memory capacity, there is an effect that the display change of the character can be abundantly expressed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the bicycle ergometer according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the exercise speed is detected as the number of revolutions of the pedal. Exercise equipment that can

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of the same.

FIG. 3 is a circuit configuration diagram of the above controller.

FIG. 4 is a display explanatory diagram of a character showing a preparation exercise of the above physical fitness test program.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing display of characters during exercise in the physical fitness test program according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a display explanatory diagram of a facial expression of a character during exercise in the physical fitness test program according to the above.

FIG. 7 is a display explanatory diagram of a facial expression of a character showing a physical strength test result at the end of exercise of the physical strength test program according to the above.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the microcomputer of the obesity elimination / physical strength building program.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing characters of the obesity elimination program of the above.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining display of characters during exercise in the obesity elimination program of the above.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the microcomputer of the above obesity elimination / physical strength building program.

FIG. 12 is a display explanatory diagram of a character showing a monthly body shape change in the obesity elimination program of the above.

FIG. 13 is a display explanatory diagram of a character showing a preparation exercise of the above physical strength building program.

FIG. 14 is a display explanatory diagram of a character during exercise in the physical fitness program according to the above.

FIG. 15 is a display explanatory diagram of a facial expression of a character during exercise in the above-mentioned physical fitness program.

FIG. 16 is a display explanatory diagram of a change in a character's body shape showing the exercise result at the end of the exercise of the above physical fitness program.

FIG. 17 is an example diagram of a change pattern of walking of a character used in the above.

FIG. 18 is an example diagram of a structured expression of a character used in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Controller 1a Body 3 Liquid crystal display 4 Operation part 4a-4c Selection button 4d "+" button 4e "-" button 4f Start button 4g Stop button X Character

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A display for displaying a character imitating a person, and display control means for changing the form and movement of the character displayed on the display based on biological information of the user performing the exercise and the exercise history of the user. Exercise equipment comprising a controller. 2. The exercise equipment according to claim 1, wherein the expression of the character displayed on the display is changed according to the pulse rate of the user. 3. An exercise program for exercising by setting a target pulse rate of the user in advance is incorporated in the controller, and the pulse rate of the user is displayed on the display based on the number of days of exercise in which the target pulse rate can be reached. The exercise equipment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the body shape of the character is changed. 4. The exercise equipment according to claim 1, wherein the movement speed of the character is changed in real time according to the movement speed of the user. 5. The exercise machine according to claim 1, wherein the character is divided into a plurality of body parts and the display of the character is performed by combining display data for each part. 6. The exercise machine according to claim 1, comprising a bicycle ergometer, wherein the exercise speed is detected as a rotation speed of a pedal.