A system for the computerised remote management of exercise machines and equipment

European Patent Application EP1068882

A system for the computerised remote management of exercise machines and equipment (2, 3, 4, 5), whereby differently personalised exercises for each individual are executed, comprises: a plurality of independent control stations (2a, 3a, 4a, 5a), associated to the exercise machines and/or equipment (2, 3, 4, 5); at least a unit (6) for processing information, located in a remote position relative to the control stations (2a, 3a, 4a, 5a); a telecommunication network (7) connecting the control stations (2a, 3a, 4a, 5a) with the aforementioned remote processing unit (6) allowing a bi-directional exchange of information between them; an electrical power line (8) supplying power to the control stations (2a, 3a, 4a, 5a) of the exercise machines and equipment (2, 3, 4, 5) and the processing unit (6). The telecommunication network (7) is physically supported by the electrical power line (8) and the information exchanged between the control stations (2a, 3a, 4a, 5a) and the processing unit (6) are routed on the electrical power line (8) in the form of conveyed waves.

Alessandri, Nerio (IT)

EP20000830490

01/17/2001

07/14/2000

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Technogym, Srl (IT)

A63B24/00; A63B24/00; A63B71/06; A63B71/06

A63B24/00; A63B71/06B

GB2311231A

1. A computerised system for the remote management of a plurality of exercise machines and equipment items (2, 3, 4, 5) whereby differently personalised exercises for each individual are performed, comprising a plurality of independent control stations (2a, 3a, 4a, 5a), associated to the exercise machines and/or equipment items (2, 3, 4, 5); at least a unit (6; 20) for processing information relating to the exercises located in a remote position relative to the control stations (2a, 3a, 4a, 5a); a telecommunication network (7; 7a) which connects the control stations (2a, 3a, 4a, 5a) with the remote processing unit (6; 20) allowing a bi-directional exchange of information between them; an electrical line (8; 8a) which supplies power to the control stations (2a, 3a, 4a, 5a) of the exercise machines and equipment items (2, 3, 4,5) and the processing unit (6; 20), characterised in that the telecommunication network (7; 7a) is physically supported by the electrical line (8); the information exchanged between the control stations (2a, 3a, 4a, 5a) and the processing unit (6; 20) being routed on the electrical line (8; 8a) in the form of conveyed waves.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that it comprises identifying means (9) to recognise the personal identify of the user and consequently to enable the exchange of information between the exercise machine or equipment item (2, 3, 4, 5) and the processing unit (6; 20).

3. A system as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that said identifying means (9) comprise a portable support in which the user's personal data are stored.

4. A system as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that at least one of the control stations (2a, 3a, 4a, 5a) comprises a data input device (10) whereby the user exchanges information with the processing unit (6; 20) for personalising the exercises.

5. A system as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that the data input device (10) allows the user to exchange with the processing unit (6; 20) information relating to the exercises actually performed on the exercise machine or equipment item (2, 3, 4, 5) associated to the related control station (2a, 3a, 4a, 5a).

6. A system as claimed in claim 4 or 5, characterised in that the exchange of information between the processing unit (6; 20) and the control station (2a, 3a, 4a, 5a) of the exercise machine or equipment item (2, 3, 4, 5) is subject to the insertion of a personal code identifying the user.

7. A system as claimed in one of the previous claims, characterised in that the managed information relate to a training program based on the repetitive execution, in series, of exercises by means of said plurality of exercise machines and equipment items (2, 3, 4, 5).

8. A system as claimed in one of the previous claims, characterised in that the processing unit (6; 20) exchanges with the control stations (2a, 3a, 4a, 5a) information relating to the setting and carrying out of a personalised training program for each individual user.

9. A system as claimed in one of the previous claims, characterised in that it comprises a plurality of gymnasiums (21), individually provided with a plurality of stations (2a, 3a, 4a, 5a) associated with respective exercise machines and/or equipment items (2, 3, 4, 5) and interconnected to a central processing unit (6) operating as a concentrator of information and in turn connected, by means of a telecommunication network (7a) integrated with an electrical network (8a), to a central, remote processing unit (20).

10. A system as claimed in one of the previous claims, characterised in that said control stations (2a, 3a, 4a, 5a) are locally associated with the exercise machines and/or equipment items (2, 3, 4, 5).

11. A system as claimed in one of the claims from 1 to 9, characterised in that said control stations (2a, 3a, 4a, 5a) are located in a remote position from the respective exercise machines and/or equipment items (2, 3, 4, 5).

12. A system as claimed in claim 11, characterised in that the control stations (2a, 3a, 4a, 5a) are connected to the local processing unit (6) of the gymnasium (21).

13. A system as claimed in claim 11, characterised in that the control stations (2a, 3a, 4a, 5a) are connected to the processing unit (20) which manages at least one said gymnasium (21) from a remote position.

The present invention relates to the field of exercises equipment and machines for personal training to enhance strength, maintain physical efficiency and well-being, achieving and/or restoring motion abilities, and in particular it concerns a computerised system for remotely controlling machines referring to a personalised training program advantageously usable in sporting and recreational facilities, such as gymnasiums, fitness centres, sporting clubs, rehabilitation centres, clinics and the like.

In these facilities (hereinafter defined as gymnasiums, for the sake of simplicity), users execute a training program based on the repetitive series execution, by means of a plurality of exercise machines and equipment, of physical or rehabilitative exercises differently personalised for each individual, i.e. studied according to a plurality of specific parameters relating to the type of training or rehabilitation, the user's physique, his/her health conditions, the objectives to be reached etc. In practice, these programs define a routine protocol (normally daily), which is often destined to change over time and according to the results progressively obtained from the person. In practice, each user or athlete is assigned a specific program to be executed during the various training sessions.

The various programs are mutually differentiated in the number of exercises, as well as their succession, their repetition, duration and intensity.

For this purpose in gymnasiums, after examining the athlete's characteristics and the objectives he/she should reach, the instructor prepares a sequence of exercises, specifying for each the related execution procedures.

The scheduling of the work program entails relatively long periods of gymnasium attendance, so that it becomes necessary constantly to verify the degree of correspondence between the planned program and the one actually executed by the user. Any deviations between the theoretical plan and the actual execution, which may be observed over time, must then be promptly reprocessed in order to make corrections to the planned program, suitable for the achievement of the individual's personal objectives during the time interval covered by the set schedule.

In this regard, from some patent documents in the name of the same Applicant, whereto reference can be made by way of example (see documents IT - 1.274.053 and IT - 1.285.622), a system for programming physical activity is known which allows the exchange of data relating to the current phases of the program between the exercise machine, or an item of exercise equipment provided with appropriate terminal, and a central control system which can be programmed according to each user.

The exercise machine, or the terminals associated to the exercise equipment that are not capable to be connected directly with the control system, are connected to the central control system through a portable medium (constituted by a programmable memory), whereby an information exchange is obtained between the central unit and the exercise machines or equipment which allows the personalised setting of the machine prior to the execution of the exercise by the user; the portable medium further allows the retroactive storage of the data relating to the exercise that was actually performed and the corresponding updating of the work program for the subsequent training session.

Alternatively to this "portable personal card" solution, other solutions are provided with use a connection by means of local telecommunication network physically embodied by a networks of cables suitable for data transmission.

An even more advanced embodiment of this system is known from patent application No. B097A000137, also in the name of the same Applicant. In this embodiment, a more complex information exchange is to take place between the exercise machine or equipment item and the central unit, aimed at finding, in order to program the exercise activity, data relating to collateral activities with respect to the execution of the exercises in itself and correlated, for instance, to the user's diet.

The aforementioned solutions fully achieve the general aims of managing an optimal training program, carefully personalised, and updated in real time according to the specific needs of each user. Nevertheless, they can be further improved in terms of the simplification of their physical structure.

As matters stand now, in the case of exercise machines able to be directly connected to the central unit (for instance, bike, treadmill, step, etc.), the initial setting or final feedback data are updated by means of a telecommunication network constituted by a physical system of cables which, together with the electrical power supply line to the machines, duplicates the wiring necessary for the physical construction of these systems.

If instead exercise equipment is used, i.e. isotonic machines (such as benches for lifting weights with a bar), the data relating to the program to be carried out and the data relating to the program actually completed are transmitted by the user to the central unit and vice versa from the central unit to the user by means of a terminal which, also in this case, comprises a portable means or a telecommunication network for the transmission of data and a line for supplying electrical power to the terminals.

The aim of the present invention is to simplify the computerised handling of information correlated or able to be correlated to the individual; to the exercises of interest to him/her; and more particularly to his/her personalised training program; all by means of a single connecting network between the exercise machines and the central unit.

In accordance with the invention, this aim is achieved by a computerised control system, conforming to the preamble to claim 1, wherein the telecommunication network for transmitting and exchanging information between the control stations relating to the individual exercise machines or associated to the exercise equipment is physically embodied by the same electrical power supply line, the information exchanged between the exercise machines and the central unit being exchanged in the form of conveyed waves.

The invention has numerous advantages: among them, that of not requiring the laying of telecommunication wiring inside the gymnasiums; of allowing the freest positioning of the exercise machines or equipment, and of the central unit or units, within the available spaces: positioning that can be varied at will also over time.

The electrical grid of the building housing the gymnasium allows to accomplish any type of local area connection between the various machines and the central unit: it is possible to provide "star" connections, in which all exercise machines or equipment items are connected to a single central unit; so-called "loop" connections or even mixed connections of the so-called "multi-star" type.

If also the electrical grid external to the building is used as a telecommunication network for transmitting data, and if the processing unit operates as a concentrator interposed between the exercise machines of the individual gymnasium and a "host computer" located in a remote position, it is possible to obtain, with great savings in terms of cost, an actual dedicated network, of the INTRANET type, for the centralised management of information correlated or able to be correlated to the physical exercises of interest to the users and in particular of the training programs of the users of the various gymnasiums distributed on a certain territory; the INTRANET network can also be further advanced to the point of interfacing with the INTERNET global network.

The technical characteristics of the invention, according to the aforesaid aims, can be clearly noted from the content of the claims set out below and its advantages shall become more readily apparent in the detailed description that follows, made with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show an embodiment provided purely by way of non limiting example, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of the invention illustrated by means of function blocks suitably connected to each other; Figure 2 is an embodiment variation of the invention which provides for the interconnection of the management system with a centralised programming unit, located in a remote position relative to the exercise machines whereto the user has access.

With reference to the drawings of the accompanying figures, the reference 1 globally indicates a computerised system for remotely managing a personal training program based on the repeated execution in series, by means of a plurality of variously combined exercise machines and/or equipment items 2, 3, 4, 5, of physical exercises differently selected and personalised for each specific user.

The management system 1 essentially comprises (see Figure 1), within a gymnasium 21, a plurality of control stations 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a; a central information processing unit 6; a telecommunication network 7 and an electrical line 8.

The mutually independent control stations 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a can be differently constructed according to the type of exercise machine and/or equipment item. In exercise machines provided for executing exercises similar respectively to bicycling, running and climbing steps (technically known as "bike"; "treadmill" and "step", i.e. provided with an automatic system for controlling and commanding the exercise machines) the control stations 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a are integrated in the conventional control panel of the machine itself, enabling the operative interfacing with the same organs overseeing its operation.

In exercise equipment items of a different type, such as isotonic machines (for instance of the kind comprising a classic bench for lifting weights with a bar), the control stations 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a though positioned in proximity to the item are physically detached therefrom.

The information processing unit 6 is embodied by a computer provided with software specialised, by way of non limiting indication, for training programs personalised as a function of a wide range of specific parameters for each user of the gymnasium 21. Said processing unit 6 (see Figure 1), while physically remaining inside the gymnasium 21, is centralised and remotely located relative to the control stations 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a of the various exercise machines or equipment items 2, 3, 4, 5.

The telecommunication network 7 connects the control stations 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a with the remote processing unit 6 allowing a bi-directional exchange of information between them, relating to the current execution of the training program.

The telecommunication network 7 is integrated and physically supported by the conventional electrical line 8 which supplies power both to the control stations 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a of the machines, and to those associated to the exercise equipment items.

Since the information exchanged between the control stations 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a and the processing unit 6 are routed on the electrical line 8 in the form of conveyed waves, no functional interference is created between the transmission of the electrical current and the transmission of the information.

The management system described above can be employed, for instance, for individual use inside a personal, home-based, single-user gymnasium 21.

If instead the gymnasium 21 is accessible to different individuals although belonging to the same family, or more in general it is accessible to a plurality of different users as occurs for instance with the patrons of fitness and wellness centres, sporting clubs, etc., the management system can advantageously be provided with identifying means 9 able to allow to recognise the personal identity of the various users and consequently to enable the exchange of information between the exercise machine or equipment item 2, 3, 4, 5 and the central processing unit 6.

In a first embodiment, the identifying means 9 comprise a portable support which, in its most elementary form, can be embodied by a conventional card provided with a magnetic band in which the user's identification data are stored: card which can be read by a card reader, associated with the control stations 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a, which in the specific case embodies the aforesaid identifying means.

In this case, once the user has been recognised by the system 1, the dialog between the central processing unit 6 and the exercise machine or exercise equipment item 2, 3, 4, 5 is made possible. This dialog concerns in particular the transmission of the configuration parameters corresponding to the work schedule which the user is to carry out to the control station 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a of the exercise machine or equipment item 2, 3, 4, 5 and, at the end of the exercise, it will instead entail the transmission of the parameters relating to the activity actually completed from the control station 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a to the central processing unit 6.

The parameters are then stored in a memory position, reserved for the user inside a global memory device belonging to the central processing unit 6.

At each subsequent training session, the central processing unit 6 will then draw, from each user's personal memory location, the parameters relating to the work performed during his/her last session; it will process them to verify the degree of correspondence between the planned program and the activities actually performed and, according to such processing, it will then send to the exercise machine a new set of specific parameters for the configuration of the exercise machine or equipment item 2, 3, 4, 5 prior to the exercise, whereupon the operation of the system will always be repeated with the same logic.

Naturally, in the case of exercise machines provided with a command and control system the configuration of the machine may take place in automatic modes; conversely in the case of exercise equipment items in which this is not possible the user will receive the operating instructions directly on the station 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a which, for this purpose, will be provided with an output device, such as a video, a display or a printer.

In the case of exercise equipment items for which no direct connection is possible with the central processing unit 6, the control stations 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a further comprise an input device 10 which can be activated by the user. Through the input device that can be exemplified by way of non limiting indication by a keyboard, the user operates as an intermediary between the equipment item and the central processing unit 6 and, as such, it enters directly into the management system 1 the information relating to the program actually carried out and receives in return from the processing unit 6 the updated information on the procedures for executing the program still to be completed.

The availability of an input device 10 able to be activated by the user can be advantageous in terms of the further simplification of the recognition devices since one can immediately note that a further diversification of the management system 1 in regard to the user's identification and recognition can be obtained by directly typing an alphanumerical personal code or a password.

Subject to the reception and recognition of the code, the bi-directional exchange of information between the central processing unit 6 and the control station 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a of the exercise machine or equipment item 2, 3, 4, 5 will be activated.

Another embodiment of the identification card can lastly provide for locating also a local memory device (SMART KEY) on the user's personal card.

This local memory, serving as a data transit memory, does not make any modifications to the operating logic of the management system 1, but allows to reduce the workload of the memory of the central processing unit 6 because it allows to store the data relating to the work performed by each individual unit, at each session, directly on the local memory itself.

The invention described above, in addition to allowing fully to achieve the aims of simplifying the constructive realisation of the local systems for the computerised remote management of personalised training programs, also allows further developments in terms of the centralisation and globalisation of such systems, as well as the exchange of information of a general nature, even remotely connected to the user's physical exercises and work programs.

Figure 2 allows to observe that the integration of the telecommunication network 7 into the electrical line 8 performed inside the building that contains the gymnasium 21 can also be further generalised also at the level of a global, external network that electrically interconnects, in general, the various buildings of a community.

It is clear, in fact, that using the technique of transmitting information in the form of conveyed waves it is possible to connect a plurality of gymnasiums 21, variously located on a certain territory, more or less vast, with a remote central processing unit 20 which may be in turn situated in a location that is physically distant from those in which the exercise machines or equipment items 2, 3, 4, 5 are materially located.

Such a network connection, in which the central processing units 6 of the individual gymnasiums 21 serve in this case as concentrators that centralise the activity of multiple low-speed internal telecommunication lines 7 and transmit it on a single high-speed telecommunication line 7a, external and integrated on the external electrical line 8a, allows to realise a specialised network (INTRANET) for managing the training programs of a plurality of gymnasiums 21; network which an obviously interface also with other, differently specialised, Intranets and, more in general, with the Internet global network.

The invention thus conceived is suitable for evident industrial application; moreover, it can be subject to numerous modifications and variations, without thereby departing from the scope of the inventive concept. Furthermore, all components can be replaced by technically equivalent elements.

Some examples, provided by way of non limiting indication, of these variants, can pertain to the localisation of the control stations 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a when they specifically refer to exercise machines. These stations, in addition to the possibility of being integrated, as stated, in the control panel of the related machines 2, 3, 4, 5, can also be located in a unit that is remote from the machines themselves. This unit, not shown in the drawings, could be connected to the processing unit 6 of the individual gymnasium 21, or to the remote processing unit 20, which controls the local processing units 6 of a group of gymnasiums 21.