TRAINING APPARATUS

Abstract

The present invention discloses a training apparatus that will correct the movement of a trainee, and maintain the movement of the trainee in a way that provides a strong exercise effect. The position of a moving unit, which is moved by the trainee, is detected, and this detected position is compared with a reference position of the moving unit. If the difference between a reference position and the detected position exceeds a permissible range, then it is determined to be a deviation, which is reported to the trainee by, for example, a voice message, an image, or a character message. For example, voice data or character data is generated in order to output a message such as “work harder,” “too fast,” or “too slow.” Image data that indicates the deviation between the reference position and the detected position may also be generated.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of this original disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a training apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is one example (a front perspective view) of the training apparatus in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual explanatory diagram of personal data accumulated in the server in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 4A and 4B shows conceptual explanatory diagrams of reference signals that are generated by a reference signal generation unit 36a. FIG. 4A is a reference signal for a case of four beats and a range of motion of 80°-0°, and FIG. 4B is a reference signal for a case of three beats and a range of motion of 80°-20°.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are explanatory diagrams that show the reference signal and the detection signal. FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram for a case of detection signals that are behind and ahead of the reference signal. FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram for a case wherein the amplitude of the detection signal is smaller than the amplitude of the reference signal.

FIG. 6 is one example of an indication screen that is output by the indication unit 36b in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 7A to 7C respectively show a conceptual explanatory diagram of a rhythm counter, a conceptual explanatory diagram of a depth counter, and a conceptual explanatory diagram of a return counter.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram that shows changes in the reference signal.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart that shows one example of the flow of a main routine, which is executed by the calculation unit in FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart that shows one example of the flow of a seat position verification subroutine, which is executed by the calculation unit in FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart that shows one example of the flow of a deviation detection process, which is executed by the calculation unit in FIG. 1.

Claims

1. A training apparatus for exercise in which an electrical load generator applies a load to a moving unit that is capable of repetitive motion, the training apparatus comprising: a reference signal generating unit that generates a prescribed reference signal;an indicating unit that calculates the position of the moving unit, which performs repetitive motion, based on the reference signal from the reference signal generating unit, and generates indication data that indicates the calculated reference position;a position detecting unit that detects the position of the moving unit during the repetitive motion;a relative position monitoring unit that monitors the relative positional relationship between the reference position of the moving unit, which was calculated by the reference signal generating unit, and a detected position, which is the position of the moving unit detected by the position detecting unit, and detects a prescribed deviation between the reference position and the detected position of the moving unit; anda reporting unit that, if the relative position monitoring unit detects the prescribed deviation, reports the deviation based on that detected deviation.

2. A training apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the load generator is a motor;the reference signal generating unit outputs the reference signal based on the rotational angle and/or the rotational speed of the motor; andthe relative position monitoring unit monitors the relative positional relationship between the reference position and the detected position of the moving unit by comparing the reference signal with the motor rotational angle and/or rotational speed that correspond to the detected position of the moving unit.

3. A training apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the relative position monitoring unit determines whether the detected position of the moving unit is ahead of or behind the reference position of the moving unit; andthe reporting unit reports the determination result by unit of the relative position monitoring unit.

4. A training apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein the relative position monitoring unit detects a deviation between the detected position and the reference position at the end point of the forward path and/or the return path of the moving unit; andthe reporting unit indicates and reports a motion to the exerciser that will eliminate the deviation between the detected position and the reference position of the moving unit.

5. A training apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the relative position monitoring unit further monitors a time interval wherein a deviation does not occur; andif the time interval wherein a deviation that is being monitored by the relative position monitoring unit does not occur exceeds the prescribed time, then the reporting unit reports that the exercise is proper.

6. A training apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising: a deviation counting unit that counts the number of times the deviation detected by the relative position monitoring unit occurs;

7. A training apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising: a deviation counting unit that counts the number of times that the deviation detected by the relative position monitoring unit occurs;

8. A training apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising: an image displaying unit that displays an image based on the indication data generated by the indicating unit;

9. A training apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising: an image displaying unit that displays an image based on indication data generated by the indicating unit;