KR20110130913A

KR20110130913A - Exercise system and method using avatar

Info

Publication number: KR20110130913A
Application number: KR1020100050476A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 박우진
Original assignee: (주)이랜서
Priority date: 2010-05-28
Filing date: 2010-05-28
Publication date: 2011-12-06

Abstract

The present invention relates to an exercise system and method using an avatar, in an exercise system including an exercise device and a management terminal, the exercise device includes a display unit; A storage unit which stores a plurality of exercise course wallpapers; Communication unit for receiving the user exercise history information from the management terminal; And a 3D background image having a reproduction speed that matches the driving speed of the exercise device, using one of the plurality of exercise course wallpapers stored in the storage unit, and obtaining user exercise history information received through the communication unit. And a controller configured to obtain a 3D avatar image using a 3D avatar generated by using the 3D avatar image, and to combine the 3D background image and the 3D avatar image and display the 3D avatar image on a display unit. According to the present invention, the body shape of the 3D avatar is changed according to the user's exercise history, so that the user can check how much effect is obtained by exercising.

Description

Exercise system and method using avatar {EXERCISE SYSTEM AND METHOD USING AVATAR}

The present invention relates to an exercise system and method using an avatar, and more particularly, to an exercise system and method using an avatar in which the body shape of the avatar is changed according to the user's exercise history.

Treadmills are treadmills, which are called treadmills, and are widely used in homes and sports centers because they can produce walking or running effects in a narrow space by using a belt that rotates in an endless track. The treadmill can walk or run in the room at a moderate temperature even in winter, and can arbitrarily adjust the running speed, and the demand is increasing day by day.

In the case of walking or running using a treadmill, the user usually exercises while changing walking speed or running speed according to personal preference.

However, the conventional treadmill has a problem that it is difficult for the user to see how much effect has been obtained by the exercise. In addition, during exercise using a conventional treadmill, the user looks away from the gaze or the mirror or instrument panel to eliminate boredom, which is extremely limited both spatially and visually. Accordingly, the reality is that there is no help at all in encouraging and motivating the movement. That is, the conventional treadmill does not properly support the user's body rhythm management and exercise conditions, there is a problem that can not expect the maximum exercise effect that the user is satisfied.

An object of the present invention is to provide an exercise system and method using an avatar in which the body shape of the avatar is changed according to the exercise history of the user.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an exercise system using an avatar, the exercise system including an exercise device and a management terminal, wherein the exercise device comprises: a display unit; A storage unit which stores a plurality of exercise course wallpapers; A communication unit configured to receive user exercise history information from the management terminal; And a 3D background image having a reproduction speed that matches the driving speed of the exercise device by using one of the plurality of exercise course background images stored in the storage unit, and received through the communication unit. And a controller for acquiring a 3D avatar image using the 3D avatar generated using the user exercise history information, and combining the 3D background image and the 3D avatar image to display on the display unit.

An exercise method using an avatar according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an exercise method of an exercise system including an exercise device and a management terminal, the exercise device comprising: receiving user exercise history information from the management terminal; Acquiring, by the exercise device, a 3D background image having a reproduction speed that matches the driving speed of the exercise device by using one of the exercise course backgrounds of the plurality of exercise course backgrounds; Acquiring, by the exercise device, a 3D avatar image using the 3D avatar generated using the received user exercise history information; And displaying, by the exercise apparatus, a combination of the 3D background image and the 3D avatar image.

As described above, according to the present invention, the body shape of the 3D avatar is changed according to the user's exercise history, so that the user can check how much effect is obtained by exercising. That is, when the user intermittently exercises, the user is displayed as a 3D avatar having a fat body, so that the user can exercise harder, whereas when the user continuously exercises, the user is displayed as a 3D avatar having a muscular body, and the user You can make your sports more interesting and you can work harder.

In addition, by combining the 3D background image and the 3D avatar image, the user can eliminate boredom when exercising, and make the user feel as if they are actually exercising outdoors, not indoors. Can be increased.

In addition, by displaying the other user's 3D avatar on the screen, the user can see not only his 3D avatar but also the other user's 3D avatar on one screen, so that the user can exercise while competing with other users, improving the efficiency of the exercise. And inspire exercise.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an exercise system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the exercise device shown in FIG. 1 in more detail.
3 and 4 are views showing an example of the exercise device according to an embodiment of the present invention, respectively.
5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of exercising using an avatar according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 and 7 are diagrams for explaining an example of the 3D avatar generated according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 and 9 are diagrams for describing another example of the 3D avatar generated according to an embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a block diagram illustrating an exercise system according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the present invention.

First, referring to Figure 1 will be described in detail with respect to the exercise system using the avatar (hereinafter referred to as "exercise system") according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an exercise system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The exercise system may include an exercise device 10 and a management terminal 20, which are connected to each other via a communication network 40. In addition, the exercise system may be connected to the user terminal 30 through the communication network 40.

The management terminal 20 may transmit the user body type information to the exercise device 10 through the communication network 40. Here, the user body type information may include user body information, user exercise history information, and the like. User body information includes height, weight, and the like. The user exercise history information may include a plurality of exercise histories, and each exercise history includes an exercise date, an exercise device type, and an exercise time.

The management terminal 20 may store user body type information for each registered user. For example, the management terminal 20 may store user body type information for each user by using information for identifying a user, such as a user ID and a social security number. In this case, the management terminal 20 may receive user identification information from the exercise device 10 and transmit the corresponding user body type information obtained using the received user identification information to the exercise device 10.

Here, user registration may be made by various methods. For example, in the first method, an administrator may directly register a user by operating the management terminal 20. In a second method, a user who is exercising using the exercise device 10 may directly register a user through the exercise device 10. In this case, the exercise device 10 may transmit the user body type information input from the user to the management terminal 20 through the communication network 40. In a third method, a user may register a user by accessing a web site provided by the management terminal 20 through a user terminal 30 installed in a house or the like.

The user terminal 30 is a communication terminal device used to register a user or check exercise history information. The user terminal 30 connects to the management terminal 20 through the communication network 40 to exchange various information.

The user terminal 30 may be a desktop computer as well as a laptop computer, a workstation, a palmtop computer, an ultra mobile personal computer, a tablet PC, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a web pad, a portable computer. It can be made of a terminal having a computing capability by mounting a microprocessor such as a telephone and the like.

The communication network 40 is not only a data network including a local area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, but also a telephone network and a local area network. And the like, and may be wired or wireless, and any communication scheme may be used.

The exercise device 10 is a device that assists a user to exercise. For example, it refers to an exercise device used indoors, such as a treadmill, a health cycle, and the like. The exercise device 10 may combine the 3D avatar generated with the user's exercise history and the 3D wallpaper and display the same on one screen. Here, the avatar refers to an animation character such as a picture, a picture, or a three-dimensional image used to represent or decorate oneself in an internet virtual space or a virtual reality game.

Then, with reference to Figures 2 to 4 will be described in more detail for each component included in the exercise device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the exercise device shown in FIG. 1 in more detail, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are views showing an example of the exercise device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the exercise device 10 may include a control unit 11, a communication unit 13, an input unit 15, a storage unit 17, and a display unit 19.

The communication unit 13 transmits and receives various signals, data, and the like with other devices. In more detail, the communication unit 13 may include a wireless internet module (not shown), a short range communication module (not shown), a wired communication module (not shown), and the like.

The wireless internet module accesses the wireless internet to acquire or transmit information. Here, the wireless Internet includes a WLAN (Wireless LAN), a Wibro (Wireless broadband), a Wimax (World interoperability for microwave access), and the like.

The short-range communication module transmits and receives various signals, data, and the like through short-range communication with another device. The short range communication module may communicate with other devices through a communication scheme such as Bluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra WideBand (UWB), ZigBee (ZigBee), and the like. .

The wired communication module transmits and receives various signals, data, and the like with other devices connected by wire. For example, the wired communication module may communicate with another device connected through a universal serial bus (USB) cable.

The storage unit 17 stores programs and data necessary for the operation of the exercise device 10, data generated by the operation, and the like. The programs and data necessary for the operation of the exercise apparatus 10 include an operating system (OS), an exercise course background screen, and the like. The data generated by the operation of the exercise device 10 includes a 3D background image, a 3D avatar image, user exercise information, and the like.

The storage unit 17 may be a storage medium embedded in the exercise device 10 or a removable storage medium. The storage medium may include a flash memory, a hard disk, a card type memory (eg, SD memory, XD memory, etc.), a random access memory (RAM), and a static random (SRAM). Access Memory (ROM), Read Only Memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM) magnetic memory, magnetic disk, optical disk, and the like.

The input unit 15 converts a physical input into a specific electrical signal from the outside of the exercise device 10. The input unit 15 may include a key input module that can be input by a user through a push operation, a microphone module that can receive a user's voice, sounds generated in the vicinity, and the like.

The display unit 19 outputs data that can be visually recognized. The display unit 19 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFTLCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), and a flexible display. The display module may include at least one display module (not shown) of the 3D display.

On the other hand, when the display module and the touch sensor for sensing the touch operation have a mutual layer structure, the display unit 19 may output data and simultaneously serve as the input unit 15.

Referring to FIG. 3, the display unit 19 may include a display module 19a mounted on the exercise device 10. Various data, images, and the like may be output through the display module 19a. For example, an exercise device manipulation menu, a 3D background image, a 3D avatar image, and the like may be output.

Referring to FIG. 4, the display unit 19 may include a projector 19b. The projector 19b can project various data, an image, and the like onto the screen SR. The user may check various information through the screen SR installed at the front of the exercise device 10.

Meanwhile, although the projector 19b is an independent device from the exercise device 10 and is connected to the exercise device 10 to transmit and receive various data, it is illustrated in FIG. 4, but the present invention is not limited thereto. 19a may be mounted in the exercise device 10. In addition, the projector 19b may be connected to the management terminal 20 through the communication network 40, and may project various data, images, and the like onto the screen SR under the control of the management terminal 20.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the controller 11 controls the overall operation of the exercise device 10. For example, the control and processing may be performed to change the driving speed of the exercise device 10 or to acquire and display a 3D background image and a 3D avatar image according to a user's manipulation.

Meanwhile, although the exercise device 10 and the management terminal 20 have been described as being independent devices from each other, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the devices 10 and 20 may be implemented in one embodiment.

Next, an exercise method (hereinafter, referred to as an "exercise method") using an avatar according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of exercising using an avatar according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The controller 11 of the exercise apparatus 10 may select one of a plurality of exercise course background images stored in the storage 17 when the operation of the exercise apparatus 10 is started by a user's manipulation. Here, the exercise course wallpaper refers to a 3D image obtained by photographing a trail, a hiking trail, a riverside, a beach, and the like. In this case, the controller 11 of the exercise device 10 may receive one of a plurality of exercise course background images from a user. In addition, the controller 11 of the exercise apparatus 10 may randomly select one of the plurality of exercise course background screens or select one in consideration of weather, date, and the like. For example, a beach road may be selected in hot weather, and a hiking trail may be selected in arbor day.

The controller 11 of the exercise device 10 may obtain a 3D background image by using the selected exercise course wallpaper (S110). That is, the controller 11 of the exercise device 10 may acquire a 3D background image having a reproduction speed that matches the driving speed of the exercise device 10 by using the selected exercise course background screen. For example, when the user is exercising on the treadmill, the user runs fast when the treadmill is driven at a high speed. Therefore, if the treadmill is driven at a high speed, the 3D background image is played faster, and when the treadmill is driven slowly. Since the user is running slowly, by slowing down the playback speed of the 3D background image to match the driving speed of the treadmill, the user may feel as if he is actually running outdoors, such as a riverside, rather than an indoor treadmill.

The control unit 11 of the exercise device 10 may receive corresponding user body type information from the management terminal 20 (S120). As described above, the user body type information may include user body information, user exercise history information, and the like. The user's body information may include height, weight, and the like, and the user's exercise history information may include a plurality of exercise histories including an exercise date, an exercise device type, and an exercise time.

At this time, the controller 11 of the exercise device 10 may transmit the user identification information to the management terminal 20, and receive the user body shape information from the management terminal 20. The control unit 11 of the exercise device 10 may obtain user identification information using a user ID, a resident registration number, or the like input from the user.

On the other hand, the control unit 11 of the exercise device 10 may transmit the data acquired through the identification module (not shown) to the management terminal 20, and may receive the corresponding user body type information from the management terminal 20. have. Here, the data obtained through the identification module may include a user image acquired through a camera, finger fingerprint information, finger blood vessel pattern information, and the like. In this case, identification data such as a user image, finger fingerprint information, finger blood vessel pattern information, and the like should be registered at the time of user registration. The management terminal 20 compares the data received from the exercise device 10 with previously stored identification data to identify a user, and transmits user body type information stored corresponding to the identified user to the exercise device 10. Can transmit

Thereafter, the controller 11 of the exercise device 10 may generate a 3D avatar using the received user body type information (S130). That is, the controller 11 of the exercise device 10 may change the body shape of the 3D avatar based on the current date and the user exercise history information included in the user body shape information, and generate a 3D avatar whose body shape is changed. . For example, when the user is exercising continuously, the body shape of the 3D avatar may be changed to a muscular body, and when the user is exercising intermittently, the body shape of the 3D avatar may be changed to a fat body, a belly body, and the like.

The control unit 11 of the exercise device 10 may change the body shape of the 3D avatar according to the number of days calculated using the last exercise date acquired based on the current date and the received user body type information. For example, when a long period of time has passed, such as one month or two months from the last exercise date, the body shape of the 3D avatar may be changed to a fat body shape or a belly shape body.

In this case, when no information is included in the user exercise history information, the controller 11 of the exercise device 10 may determine the body shape of the 3D avatar using the user body information included in the user body shape information. For example, a 3D avatar having an average body shape may be generated when the height and weight of the user are similar to the average value by age group, and a 3D avatar having a fat body type when the weight is excessively large compared to the height. On the other hand, when no information is included in the user body information or when the user is not registered, the controller 11 of the exercise device 10 may generate a 3D avatar having an average body shape.

In addition, while the user is exercising, the control unit 11 of the exercise device 10 may change the body shape of the 3D avatar in real time according to the exercise time (30 minutes, 1 hour, etc.), the driving speed, and the like.

6 and 7, an example of a 3D avatar generated according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

6 and 7 are diagrams for explaining an example of the 3D avatar generated according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 6, it is assumed that the date LD which the user last exercised is 'January 1, 2010'.

If the date of the user's exercise (D1) is 'January 15, 2010', the 3D avatar is a 3D avatar having a normal body shape as shown in FIG. 7A, and the date of the user's exercise (D2). ) Is 'February 1, 2010', the 3D avatar is a 3D avatar having a slightly fat body as shown in (b) of FIG. 7, and the date (D3) when the user exercised again is 'March 2010'. 1D ', it can be seen that the 3D avatar is a 3D avatar having a much fat body as shown in (c) of FIG. 7.

In this way, it can be seen that the body shape of the 3D avatar changes according to the period size from the date of the user's last exercise to the date of starting the exercise again. Accordingly, the user may recognize that the user did not exercise hard through the body shape of the 3D avatar displayed on the screen, and may allow the user to exercise harder.

Next, another example of the 3D avatar generated according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

8 and 9 are diagrams for describing another example of the 3D avatar generated according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 8, it is assumed that the user is exercising continuously for a long time (1 month, 2 months, 6 months, etc.).

When the user exercises on the first date D5 during the long exercise period of the user, the 3D avatar is a 3D avatar having a normal body shape as shown in FIG. 9A, but on the second date D6 The 3D avatar is changed to a 3D avatar having a muscular body as shown in FIG. 9B, and on the third date D7, the 3D avatar is a 3D having a muscular body as shown in FIG. 9C. It can be seen that it is changed to an avatar.

As such, when the user continuously exercises, the body shape of the 3D avatar changes to the muscular body shape over time, so that the user is more interested in the exercise through the body shape of the 3D avatar displayed on the screen, and works harder. can do.

Referring back to FIG. 5, the controller 11 of the exercise apparatus 10 may acquire a 3D avatar image using the generated 3D avatar (S140). That is, the controller 11 of the exercise apparatus 10 may obtain a 3D avatar image in which a gesture speed changes according to the driving speed of the exercise apparatus 10 using the generated 3D avatar. Here, the gesture is an action of walking or running while moving the legs and arms of the avatar back and forth. For example, when the user is exercising on the treadmill, the user runs fast when the treadmill is running fast, so if the 3D avatar is running fast, the gesture speed is changed rapidly, and when the treadmill is running slowly, the user Since you're running slowly, you can slow down your gestures to make your 3D avatar appear to run slowly.

Thereafter, the control unit 11 of the exercise device 10 may combine the 3D background image and the 3D avatar image and display the combined 3D background image on the display unit 19 (S150). Accordingly, the user can exercise while watching the 3D background and the 3D avatar displayed on one screen, thereby eliminating the boredom that the user feels during the exercise, and the body shape of the avatar changes according to the exercise period. May increase desire. In addition, the exercise course wallpaper may increase the user's satisfaction by making them feel like they are actually exercising outdoors, such as a riverside, rather than indoors where the treadmill is installed.

When the operation of the exercise device 10 is stopped by the user's operation, the control unit 11 of the exercise device 10 may transmit the user exercise information to the management terminal 20 (S160). Here, the user exercise information may include user identification information, exercise time information, driving speed information, exercise device type, and the like. Here, the exercise time information refers to a date, exercise time, etc., which the user exercised by operating the exercise device 10. The driving speed information refers to the driving speed of the exercising apparatus 10 which is changed during the exercise by the user operating the exercising apparatus 10. Then, the management terminal 20 may update the user body type information by using the user exercise information received from the exercise device 10.

Meanwhile, although step S110 has been described to be performed before step S120, the present invention is not limited thereto, and step S110 may be performed only before step S150.

Next, an exercise system according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 10.

10 is a block diagram illustrating an exercise system according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Since the exercise system according to the present embodiment is substantially the same as the exercise system according to the previous embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted and only the differences will be described.

In the exercise system according to the present embodiment, the plurality of exercise devices 10 are connected to the management terminal 20 through the communication network 40. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, one exercise device 10 of the plurality of exercise devices 10 is referred to as a first exercise device 10, and the other exercise device 10 is referred to as a second exercise device 10. The user using the first and second exercise devices 10 will be referred to as first and second users, respectively.

The first exercise device 10 may request the management terminal 20 for 3D avatar information of the second user who is using the second exercise device 10 according to the operation of the first user. That is, the first exercise device 10 may request 3D avatar information of the second user by transmitting user identification information of the second user to the management terminal 20.

Then, the management terminal 20 may receive 3D avatar information of the second user from the second exercise device 10 and transmit the received 3D avatar information of the second user to the first exercise device 10.

Thereafter, the first exercise device 10 includes a 3D avatar of the first user generated using the user body type information received from the management terminal 20 and 3D avatar information of the second user received from the management terminal 20. The 3D avatar image including all of the 3D avatars of the first and second users may be obtained by using the 3D avatar of the second user based on.

The first exercise device 10 may combine and display a 3D background image and a 3D avatar image. Accordingly, since the first user can simultaneously check not only his 3D avatar but also the 3D avatar of the second user on one screen, the first user can exercise while competing with the second user, thereby improving the efficiency of exercise. Can inspire exercise.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements of those skilled in the art using the basic concepts of the present invention defined in the following claims are also provided. It belongs to the scope of rights.

10: exercise device, 11: control unit,
13: communication unit, 15: input unit,
17: storage unit, 19: display unit,
20: management terminal, 30: user terminal,
40: communication network

Claims

In an exercise system comprising an exercise device and a management terminal,
The exercise device,
A display unit;
A storage unit which stores a plurality of exercise course wallpapers;
A communication unit configured to receive user exercise history information from the management terminal; And
Acquiring a 3D background image having a reproduction speed that matches the driving speed of the exercise device by using one of the plurality of exercise course background images stored in the storage unit, and receiving the received image through the communication unit. A control unit which obtains a 3D avatar image using a 3D avatar generated using user exercise history information, and combines the 3D background image and the 3D avatar image to display on the display unit.
Exercise system comprising a.

The method of claim 1,
The control unit,
And changing the body shape of the 3D avatar based on a current date and the received user exercise history information.

The method of claim 2,
The control unit,
And changing the body shape of the 3D avatar according to the number of days calculated based on the current date and the last workout date acquired based on the received user workout history information.

The method of claim 1,
The control unit,
Transmitting user exercise information including exercise time information and driving speed information to the management terminal through the communication unit,
The management terminal,
The exercise system, characterized in that for updating the user exercise history information by using the user exercise information received from the exercise device.

The method of claim 1,
The display unit,
An exercise system for projecting an image onto a screen.

The method of claim 1,
The exercise device is a plurality,
The communication unit,
Receiving 3D avatar information of another user from the management terminal,
The control unit,
And the 3D avatar image is obtained using the 3D avatar generated using the user exercise history information received through the communication unit and the 3D avatar of another user based on the 3D avatar information of the other user.

An exercise method of an exercise system including an exercise device and a management terminal,
Receiving, by the exercise device, user exercise history information from the management terminal;
Acquiring, by the exercise device, a 3D background image having a reproduction speed that matches the driving speed of the exercise device by using one of the exercise course backgrounds of the plurality of exercise course backgrounds;
Acquiring, by the exercise device, a 3D avatar image using the 3D avatar generated using the received user exercise history information; And
Displaying, by the exercise device, the 3D background image combined with the 3D avatar image
Exercise method comprising a.

The method of claim 7, wherein
The 3D avatar image acquisition step,
Changing the body shape of the 3D avatar based on a current date and the received user exercise history information; And
And obtaining the 3D avatar image by using the 3D avatar whose body shape is changed.

The method of claim 8,
The 3D avatar body shape change step,
And changing the body shape of the 3D avatar according to the number of days calculated based on a current workout date and a last workout date obtained based on the received user workout history information.

The method of claim 7, wherein
Transmitting, by the exercise device, user exercise information including exercise time information and driving speed information to the management terminal; And
And updating, by the management terminal, the user exercise history information by using the user exercise information received from the exercise device.

The method of claim 7, wherein
The display step,
And combining and displaying the 3D background image and the 3D avatar image through a projector for projecting an image onto a screen.

The method of claim 7, wherein
The exercise device is a plurality,
The 3D avatar image acquisition step,
Acquiring the 3D avatar image by using the 3D avatar generated based on the user exercise history information received through the communication unit and the 3D avatar based on 3D avatar information of another user received from the management terminal. Characterized by the exercise method.