US20220379163A1 - Treadmill with safety monitoring function and safety monitoring method for treadmil - Google Patents

Treadmill with safety monitoring function and safety monitoring method for treadmil Download PDF

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Publication number
US20220379163A1
US20220379163A1 US17/824,345 US202217824345A US2022379163A1 US 20220379163 A1 US20220379163 A1 US 20220379163A1 US 202217824345 A US202217824345 A US 202217824345A US 2022379163 A1 US2022379163 A1 US 2022379163A1
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Prior art keywords
runner
height
treadmill
safety monitoring
image
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US17/824,345
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Shih-Yu HSIAO
Ting-Yi Liao
Po-Hsuan Yang
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Rexon Industrial Corp Ltd
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Rexon Industrial Corp Ltd
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B22/00—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements
    • A63B22/02—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements with movable endless bands, e.g. treadmills
    • A63B22/0235—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements with movable endless bands, e.g. treadmills driven by a motor
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B22/00—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements
    • A63B22/02—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements with movable endless bands, e.g. treadmills
    • A63B22/0235—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements with movable endless bands, e.g. treadmills driven by a motor
    • A63B22/0242—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements with movable endless bands, e.g. treadmills driven by a motor with speed variation
    • A63B22/025—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements with movable endless bands, e.g. treadmills driven by a motor with speed variation electrically, e.g. D.C. motors with variable speed control
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B22/00—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements
    • A63B22/0015—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements with an adjustable movement path of the support elements
    • A63B22/0023—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements with an adjustable movement path of the support elements the inclination of the main axis of the movement path being adjustable, e.g. the inclination of an endless band
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
    • A63B71/0054—Features for injury prevention on an apparatus, e.g. shock absorbers
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B24/00—Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
    • A63B24/0087—Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load
    • A63B2024/0093—Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load the load of the exercise apparatus being controlled by performance parameters, e.g. distance or speed
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
    • A63B71/0054—Features for injury prevention on an apparatus, e.g. shock absorbers
    • A63B2071/0081—Stopping the operation of the apparatus
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2220/00—Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
    • A63B2220/18—Inclination, slope or curvature
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2220/00—Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
    • A63B2220/30—Speed
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2220/00—Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
    • A63B2220/62—Time or time measurement used for time reference, time stamp, master time or clock signal
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2220/00—Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
    • A63B2220/80—Special sensors, transducers or devices therefor
    • A63B2220/806—Video cameras
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2220/00—Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
    • A63B2220/80—Special sensors, transducers or devices therefor
    • A63B2220/807—Photo cameras
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2225/00—Miscellaneous features of sport apparatus, devices or equipment
    • A63B2225/72—Means preventing unauthorised use, e.g. by lowering a tennis net
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B2230/00—Measuring physiological parameters of the user
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B24/00—Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
    • A63B24/0087—Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load

Definitions

  • the present invention is related to an exercise equipment, and in particular, to a treadmill with a safety monitoring function and a safety monitoring method for a treadmill.
  • the home environment is relatively more complicated to ensure safe operation of the equipment. For example, in the event that a child at home activates the treadmill without adult supervision, or the treadmill is accidentally activated, injury may occur under such a situation.
  • an objective of the present invention is to provide a treadmill with a safety monitoring function capable of preventing accidental activation by a child.
  • Another objective of the present invention is to provide a safety monitoring method for a treadmill capable of preventing accidental activation by a child.
  • the present invention provides a treadmill with a safety monitoring function, allowing a runner to stand and run thereon.
  • the treadmill with a safety monitoring function comprises a running unit, a driving unit, a detection unit, and a control unit.
  • the running unit comprises a base, two side rails arranged spaced apart from each other and extending rearward from the base, a driving roller and a driven roller pivotally installed between the side rails, and a running belt arranged between the side rails and mounted on the driving roller and the driven roller and provided for the runner to stand and run thereon.
  • a front-rear direction is defined along an extension direction of each one of the side rails.
  • the driving unit is arranged on the base and is configured to drive the driving roller to rotate in order to drive the running belt to rotate around the driving roller and the driven roller, thereby allowing the runner to run forward along the front-rear direction on the running belt.
  • the detection unit comprises a camera.
  • the camera is arranged at a predefined height range on top of the running belt for photographing, and is configured to photograph an image of the runner.
  • the control unit is electrically connected to the driving unit and the detection unit for transmitting signals.
  • the control unit is able to analyze a height of the runner based on the image photographed by the camera. When the height of the runner is greater than a predefined height, the control unit controls the driving roller to be driven by the driving unit.
  • the present invention provides a safety monitoring method for a treadmill, applicable to a treadmill and a runner standing on the treadmill.
  • the treadmill includes a running belt.
  • the safety monitoring method for a treadmill comprises an image photographing step and an activation analysis step.
  • the image photographing step is to obtain an image of a predefined height range on top of the running belt of the treadmill.
  • the activation analysis step is to analyze whether the image obtained at the image photographing step contains the runner, and to analyze whether a height of the runner is greater than a predefined height. If the height of the runner is greater than the predefined height, and a first monitoring output is generated.
  • the technical effects of the present invention are as follows.
  • the image photographed at the predefined height on top of the running belt the image may be analyzed to determine whether the image contains the runner, and to determine whether the height of the runner is greater than the predefined height. Accordingly, a determination standard may be applied for determining whether the driving roller can be driven by the driving unit to rotate, thereby preventing the hazard due to accidental activation by a child of insufficient height.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the treadmill with a safety monitoring function of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a right side view of the embodiment of the present invention and a runner
  • FIG. 3 is a system block diagram of the embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating an image photographing step and an activation analysis step of a safety monitoring method for a treadmill according to the embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 5 is another flow chart illustrating the image photographing step and a falling analysis step of the safety monitoring method for a treadmill.
  • FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating a change of the embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 showing a treadmill with a safety monitoring function according to an embodiment of the present invention, allowing a runner 9 to stand and run thereon.
  • the treadmill with a safety monitoring function comprises a running unit 1 , a driving unit 2 , a detection unit 3 , an input unit 4 and a control unit 5 .
  • the input unit 4 can be operated to input a command.
  • the command is related to an activation information.
  • the running unit 1 comprises a base 11 , two side rails 12 arranged spaced apart from each other and extending rearward from the base 11 , a driving roller 13 and a driven roller 14 pivotally installed between the side rails 12 , and a running belt 15 pivotally installed between the side rails 12 and mounted on the driving roller 13 and the driven roller 14 and provided for the runner 9 to stand thereon, two handrails 16 extended upward from the side rails 12 , and a front base 17 connected between the handrails 16 and located on top of a front end of the running belt 15 .
  • a front-rear direction X is defined along an extension direction of each one of the side rails 12 .
  • the driving roller 13 is located at the front side, and the driven roller 14 is located at the rear side.
  • the present invention is not limited to such configuration.
  • the driving unit 2 is arranged on the base 11 and is configured to drive the driving roller 13 to rotate in order to drive the running belt 15 to rotate around the driving roller 13 and the driven roller 14 , thereby allowing the runner 9 to run forward along the front-rear direction X on the running belt 15 .
  • the detection unit 3 comprises a camera 31 .
  • the camera 31 is arranged at a predefined height range above the running belt 15 for photographing, and is configured to photograph an image of the runner 9 .
  • the camera 31 is arranged on the front base 17 and is configured to photograph rearward in order to photograph the image of the runner 9 .
  • the predefined height range is between 140 cm and 190 cm; however, the present invention is not limited to such range.
  • the control unit 5 is electrically connected to the driving unit 2 , the input unit 4 and the detection unit 3 for transmitting signals.
  • the control unit 5 is able to analyze a height of the runner 9 based on the image photographed by the camera 31 .
  • the control unit 5 is able to analyze a head position of the runner 9 based on the image photographed by the camera 31 and to analyze the height of the runner 9 based on the head position of the runner 9 .
  • the control unit 5 controls the driving roller 13 to be driven by the driving unit 2 .
  • the predefined height range is 150 cm, however the present invention is not limited to such height.
  • the control unit 5 is configured to continuously analyze a change of the height of the runner 9 based on the image photographed by the camera, and to control the driving unit 2 and to control a rotational speed of the driving roller 13 when a maximum height change of the runner 9 within a predefined time is greater than a predefined height difference.
  • the predefined time is 5 seconds
  • the predefined height difference is 30 cm, however the present invention is not limited to such height.
  • the treadmill with a safety monitoring function can cooperate with a safety monitoring method for a treadmill to perform monitoring.
  • the safety monitoring method for a treadmill comprises an image photographing step S 1 , an activation analysis step S 2 and a falling analysis step S 3 .
  • the image photographing step S 1 is to obtain an image within the predefined height range on top of the running belt of the treadmill 15 .
  • the activation analysis step S 2 is to analyze whether the image obtained at the image photographing step S 1 containing the runner 9 , and to analyze whether a height of the runner 9 is greater than the predefined height. If the height of the runner 9 is greater than the predefined height, a first monitoring output is generated.
  • the activation analysis step S 2 is to analyze whether the image obtained contains an object, and then to analyze whether a head portion of the object in the image can be identified. Next, the head position of the runner 9 is determined, following which the height of the runner 9 is determined based on the head position of the runner 9 .
  • the falling analysis step S 3 is to continuously analyze a height change of the runner 9 based on the image obtained in the image photographing step S 1 , and to generate a second monitoring output when a maximum height change of the runner 9 within the predefined time is greater than the predefined height difference.
  • the control unit 5 executes the image photographing step S 1 and the activation analysis step S 2 first.
  • the control unit 5 is able to control the driving roller 13 to be driven by the driving unit 2 (such as: allowing the driving unit 2 to be electrically conducted), thereby allowing the running belt 15 to rotate.
  • the control unit 5 When no first monitoring output is generated in the activation analysis step S 2 (meaning that the height of the runner 9 is not greater than the predefined height), the control unit 5 is able to control the driving roller 13 to prevent it from being driven by the driving unit 2 (such as preventing electrical conduction of the driving unit 2 ), such that even the runner 9 has inputted the command via the input unit 4 , the running belt 15 still cannot be driven to rotate. Accordingly, it is able to prevent accidental activation of the treadmill with a safety monitoring function by a child of insufficient height.
  • control unit 5 is able to execute the image photographing step S 1 and the falling analysis step S 3 .
  • the control unit 5 is able to control the driving unit 2 to control the rotational speed of the driving roller 13 , in order to reduce the rotational speed of the driving roller 13 and to stop it gradually, or allow the driving roller 13 to stop immediately, thereby preventing the runner 9 from being caught in the gap between the running belt 15 and one of the side rails 12 due to continuous movement of the running belt 15 .
  • the image photographed at the predefined height on top of the running belt 15 the image can be analyzed to determine whether the image contains the runner 9 , and to determine whether the height of the runner 9 is greater than the predefined height.
  • it can be used as a determination standard for determining whether the driving roller 13 can be driven by the driving unit 2 to rotate, thereby preventing the hazard due to accidental activation by a child of insufficient height.
  • the camera 31 is arranged at the front base 17 , and is configured to photograph rearward in order to photograph the image of the runner 9 .
  • the camera 31 can also be arranged at other locations, such as the arrangement on a wall 8 as shown in FIG. 6 , and as long as the camera 31 is able to photograph image of the predefined height on top of the running belt 15 for providing the image for analyzing whether the height of the runner 9 is greater than the predefined height in order to achieve the same purpose, such arrangement is considered acceptable and within the scope of the present invention.
  • the image photographed at the predefined height above the running belt 15 the image can be analyzed to determine whether the image contains the runner 9 , and to determine whether the height of the runner 9 is greater than the predefined height. Accordingly, it can be used a determination standard for determining whether the driving roller 13 can be driven by the driving unit 2 to rotate, thereby preventing the hazard due to accidental activation by a child of insufficient height. As a result, it is able to achieve the objectives of the present invention.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Cardiology (AREA)
  • Vascular Medicine (AREA)
  • Emergency Alarm Devices (AREA)
  • Measurement Of The Respiration, Hearing Ability, Form, And Blood Characteristics Of Living Organisms (AREA)
  • Image Processing (AREA)

Abstract

A treadmill with a safety warning function includes a miming unit, a driving unit, a detection unit and a control unit. The running unit includes a driving roller and a running belt provided for a runner to stand thereon. The detection unit includes a camera arranged at a predefined height range on top of the running belt for photographing images. The control unit determines a height of the runner based on the images photographed. The safety monitoring method for the treadmill includes obtaining an image above the running belt and determining whether the height of the runner is greater than the predefined height. By determining whether the height of the runner is greater than the predefined height, it is able to determine whether the driving roller can be driven by the driving unit to rotate, thereby preventing the hazard of accidental activation by a child of insufficient height.

Description

    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Technical Field
  • The present invention is related to an exercise equipment, and in particular, to a treadmill with a safety monitoring function and a safety monitoring method for a treadmill.
    • 2. Description of Related Art
  • As people value heath more seriously nowadays, a lot of people install a treadmill at their own homes, such that they are able to use the treadmill to perform exercise at home regardless of the outdoor weather condition.
  • However, in comparison to gym, the home environment is relatively more complicated to ensure safe operation of the equipment. For example, in the event that a child at home activates the treadmill without adult supervision, or the treadmill is accidentally activated, injury may occur under such a situation.
    • BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • Accordingly, an objective of the present invention is to provide a treadmill with a safety monitoring function capable of preventing accidental activation by a child.
  • Another objective of the present invention is to provide a safety monitoring method for a treadmill capable of preventing accidental activation by a child.
  • To achieve the objectives, the present invention provides a treadmill with a safety monitoring function, allowing a runner to stand and run thereon. The treadmill with a safety monitoring function comprises a running unit, a driving unit, a detection unit, and a control unit.
  • The running unit comprises a base, two side rails arranged spaced apart from each other and extending rearward from the base, a driving roller and a driven roller pivotally installed between the side rails, and a running belt arranged between the side rails and mounted on the driving roller and the driven roller and provided for the runner to stand and run thereon. A front-rear direction is defined along an extension direction of each one of the side rails.
  • The driving unit is arranged on the base and is configured to drive the driving roller to rotate in order to drive the running belt to rotate around the driving roller and the driven roller, thereby allowing the runner to run forward along the front-rear direction on the running belt.
  • The detection unit comprises a camera. The camera is arranged at a predefined height range on top of the running belt for photographing, and is configured to photograph an image of the runner.
  • The control unit is electrically connected to the driving unit and the detection unit for transmitting signals. The control unit is able to analyze a height of the runner based on the image photographed by the camera. When the height of the runner is greater than a predefined height, the control unit controls the driving roller to be driven by the driving unit.
  • Accordingly, the present invention provides a safety monitoring method for a treadmill, applicable to a treadmill and a runner standing on the treadmill. The treadmill includes a running belt. The safety monitoring method for a treadmill comprises an image photographing step and an activation analysis step.
  • The image photographing step is to obtain an image of a predefined height range on top of the running belt of the treadmill.
  • The activation analysis step is to analyze whether the image obtained at the image photographing step contains the runner, and to analyze whether a height of the runner is greater than a predefined height. If the height of the runner is greater than the predefined height, and a first monitoring output is generated.
  • The technical effects of the present invention are as follows. Through the image photographed at the predefined height on top of the running belt, the image may be analyzed to determine whether the image contains the runner, and to determine whether the height of the runner is greater than the predefined height. Accordingly, a determination standard may be applied for determining whether the driving roller can be driven by the driving unit to rotate, thereby preventing the hazard due to accidental activation by a child of insufficient height.
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
  • Other features and technical effects of the present invention will be illustrated clearly in the accompanied drawings and the embodiments as follows:
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the treadmill with a safety monitoring function of the present invention;
  • FIG. 2 is a right side view of the embodiment of the present invention and a runner;
  • FIG. 3 is a system block diagram of the embodiment of the present invention;
  • FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating an image photographing step and an activation analysis step of a safety monitoring method for a treadmill according to the embodiment of the present invention;
  • FIG. 5 is another flow chart illustrating the image photographing step and a falling analysis step of the safety monitoring method for a treadmill; and
  • FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating a change of the embodiment of the present invention.
    •  DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  • Please refer to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 , showing a treadmill with a safety monitoring function according to an embodiment of the present invention, allowing a runner 9 to stand and run thereon. The treadmill with a safety monitoring function comprises a running unit 1, a driving unit 2, a detection unit 3, an input unit 4 and a control unit 5. The input unit 4 can be operated to input a command. The command is related to an activation information.
  • The running unit 1 comprises a base 11, two side rails 12 arranged spaced apart from each other and extending rearward from the base 11, a driving roller 13 and a driven roller 14 pivotally installed between the side rails 12, and a running belt 15 pivotally installed between the side rails 12 and mounted on the driving roller 13 and the driven roller 14 and provided for the runner 9 to stand thereon, two handrails 16 extended upward from the side rails 12, and a front base 17 connected between the handrails 16 and located on top of a front end of the running belt 15. A front-rear direction X is defined along an extension direction of each one of the side rails 12.
  • In this embodiment, the driving roller 13 is located at the front side, and the driven roller 14 is located at the rear side. However, the present invention is not limited to such configuration.
  • The driving unit 2 is arranged on the base 11 and is configured to drive the driving roller 13 to rotate in order to drive the running belt 15 to rotate around the driving roller 13 and the driven roller 14, thereby allowing the runner 9 to run forward along the front-rear direction X on the running belt 15.
  • The detection unit 3 comprises a camera 31. The camera 31 is arranged at a predefined height range above the running belt 15 for photographing, and is configured to photograph an image of the runner 9. In this embodiment, the camera 31 is arranged on the front base 17 and is configured to photograph rearward in order to photograph the image of the runner 9. In this embodiment, the predefined height range is between 140 cm and 190 cm; however, the present invention is not limited to such range.
  • The control unit 5 is electrically connected to the driving unit 2, the input unit 4 and the detection unit 3 for transmitting signals.
  • The control unit 5 is able to analyze a height of the runner 9 based on the image photographed by the camera 31. In this embodiment, the control unit 5 is able to analyze a head position of the runner 9 based on the image photographed by the camera 31 and to analyze the height of the runner 9 based on the head position of the runner 9.
  • When the height of the runner 9 is greater than a predefined height, the control unit 5 controls the driving roller 13 to be driven by the driving unit 2. In addition, when the height of the runner 9 is not greater than the predefined height, it is able to control the driving roller 13 to prevent it from being driven by the driving unit 2. In this embodiment, the predefined height range is 150 cm, however the present invention is not limited to such height.
  • The control unit 5 is configured to continuously analyze a change of the height of the runner 9 based on the image photographed by the camera, and to control the driving unit 2 and to control a rotational speed of the driving roller 13 when a maximum height change of the runner 9 within a predefined time is greater than a predefined height difference. In this embodiment, the predefined time is 5 seconds, and the predefined height difference is 30 cm, however the present invention is not limited to such height.
  • Please refer to FIG. 1 , FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 , during the actual application, the treadmill with a safety monitoring function can cooperate with a safety monitoring method for a treadmill to perform monitoring. The safety monitoring method for a treadmill comprises an image photographing step S1, an activation analysis step S2 and a falling analysis step S3.
  • The image photographing step S1 is to obtain an image within the predefined height range on top of the running belt of the treadmill 15.
  • The activation analysis step S2 is to analyze whether the image obtained at the image photographing step S1 containing the runner 9, and to analyze whether a height of the runner 9 is greater than the predefined height. If the height of the runner 9 is greater than the predefined height, a first monitoring output is generated.
  • In this embodiment, the activation analysis step S2 is to analyze whether the image obtained contains an object, and then to analyze whether a head portion of the object in the image can be identified. Next, the head position of the runner 9 is determined, following which the height of the runner 9 is determined based on the head position of the runner 9.
  • The falling analysis step S3 is to continuously analyze a height change of the runner 9 based on the image obtained in the image photographing step S1, and to generate a second monitoring output when a maximum height change of the runner 9 within the predefined time is greater than the predefined height difference.
  • When the runner 9 uses the treadmill with a safety monitoring function and inputs the command via the input unit 4 such that the running belt 15 is expected to be activated for rotation, the control unit 5 executes the image photographing step S1 and the activation analysis step S2 first.
  • When the first monitoring output is generated in the activation analysis step S2 (meaning that the height of the runner 9 is greater than the predefined height), the control unit 5 is able to control the driving roller 13 to be driven by the driving unit 2 (such as: allowing the driving unit 2 to be electrically conducted), thereby allowing the running belt 15 to rotate.
  • When no first monitoring output is generated in the activation analysis step S2 (meaning that the height of the runner 9 is not greater than the predefined height), the control unit 5 is able to control the driving roller 13 to prevent it from being driven by the driving unit 2 (such as preventing electrical conduction of the driving unit 2), such that even the runner 9 has inputted the command via the input unit 4, the running belt 15 still cannot be driven to rotate. Accordingly, it is able to prevent accidental activation of the treadmill with a safety monitoring function by a child of insufficient height.
  • In addition, during the rotation of the running belt 15, the control unit 5 is able to execute the image photographing step S1 and the falling analysis step S3.
  • When the falling analysis step S3 generates the second monitoring output (meaning that the maximum height change of the runner 9 within the predefined time is greater than the predefined height difference), it means that the runner 9 might have fallen down. Accordingly, the control unit 5 is able to control the driving unit 2 to control the rotational speed of the driving roller 13, in order to reduce the rotational speed of the driving roller 13 and to stop it gradually, or allow the driving roller 13 to stop immediately, thereby preventing the runner 9 from being caught in the gap between the running belt 15 and one of the side rails 12 due to continuous movement of the running belt 15.
  • Accordingly, through the image photographed at the predefined height on top of the running belt 15, the image can be analyzed to determine whether the image contains the runner 9, and to determine whether the height of the runner 9 is greater than the predefined height. As a result, it can be used as a determination standard for determining whether the driving roller 13 can be driven by the driving unit 2 to rotate, thereby preventing the hazard due to accidental activation by a child of insufficient height.
  • It shall be noted that in this embodiment, the camera 31 is arranged at the front base 17, and is configured to photograph rearward in order to photograph the image of the runner 9. However, the present invention is not limited to such configuration only, In another embodiment, the camera 31 can also be arranged at other locations, such as the arrangement on a wall 8 as shown in FIG. 6 , and as long as the camera 31 is able to photograph image of the predefined height on top of the running belt 15 for providing the image for analyzing whether the height of the runner 9 is greater than the predefined height in order to achieve the same purpose, such arrangement is considered acceptable and within the scope of the present invention.
  • In view of the above, for the treadmill with a safety monitoring function and the safety monitoring method for a treadmill of the present invention, through the image photographed at the predefined height above the running belt 15, the image can be analyzed to determine whether the image contains the runner 9, and to determine whether the height of the runner 9 is greater than the predefined height. Accordingly, it can be used a determination standard for determining whether the driving roller 13 can be driven by the driving unit 2 to rotate, thereby preventing the hazard due to accidental activation by a child of insufficient height. As a result, it is able to achieve the objectives of the present invention.
  • It shall be understood that the above description is provided to illustrate the possible embodiments of the present invention only, and it shall not be treated as limitation to the implementation scope of the present invention. All mere and equivalent changes and modifications made based on the scope of the claims and the content of the specification of the present invention shall be considered to be within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims (7)

What is claimed is:
1. A treadmill with a safety monitoring function, capable of allowing a runner to stand thereon, the treadmill with a safety monitoring function comprising:
a running unit comprising a base, two side rails arranged spaced apart from each other and extending rearward from the base, a driving roller and a driven roller pivotally installed between the side rails, and a running belt arranged between the side rails and mounted on the driving roller and the driven roller and provided for the runner to stand thereon, a front-rear direction defined along an extension direction of each one of the side rails;
a driving unit arranged on the base and configured to drive the driving roller to rotate in order to drive the running belt to rotate around the driving roller and the driven roller, thereby allowing the runner to run forward along the front-rear direction on the running belt;
a detection unit comprising a camera, the camera arranged at a predefined height range above the running belt for photographing and configured to photograph an image of the runner; and
a control unit electrically connected to the driving unit and the detection unit for transmitting signals, the control unit configured to determine a height of the runner based on the image photographed by the camera, such that when the height of the runner is greater than a predefined height, the control unit controls the driving roller to be driven by the driving unit.
2. The treadmill with a safety monitoring function according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to determine a head position of the runner based on the image photographed by the camera and to determine the height of the runner based on the head position of the runner.
3. The treadmill with a safety monitoring function according to claim 2, wherein the control unit is configured to continuously analyze a change of the height of the runner based on the image photographed by the camera, and to control the driving unit and to control a rotational speed of the driving roller when a maximum height change of the runner within a predefined time is greater than a predefined height difference.
4. The treadmill with a safety monitoring function according to claim 1, wherein the running unit further comprises two handrails extending upward from the side rails, and a front base connected between the handrails and located on top of a front end of the running belt; and wherein the camera of the detection unit is arranged at the front base and configured to photograph rearward in order to photograph the image of the runner.
5. A safety monitoring method for a treadmill, applicable to a treadmill and a runner standing on the treadmill, and the treadmill having a running belt, the safety monitoring method for a treadmill comprising:
an image photographing step for obtaining an image of a predefined height range on top of the running belt of the treadmill; and
an activation analysis step for determining whether the image obtained at the image photographing step containing the runner, and determining whether a height of the runner is greater than a predefined height, and generating a first monitoring output when the height of the runner is greater than the predefined height.
6. The safety monitoring function for a treadmill according to claim 5, wherein the activation analysis step is to determine a head position of the runner first, and then determine the height of the runner based on the head position of the runner.
7. The safety monitoring function for a treadmill according to claim 6, further comprising a falling analysis step, the falling analysis step configured to continuously analyze a height change of the runner based on the image obtained in the image photographing step, and generating a second monitoring output when a maximum height change of the runner within a predefined time is greater than a predefined height difference.
US17/824,345 2021-05-25 2022-05-25 Treadmill with safety monitoring function and safety monitoring method for treadmil Pending US20220379163A1 (en)

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