Method And Apparatus For Controlling The Load Parameters Of Training Device

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for controlling load parameters of an exercise machine as a function of the heart rate of an exercising person, wherein the heart rate of the exercising person is captured by a heart rate sensor, and wherein the exercise machine follows a pre-programmed exercise sequence on the basis of captured heart rate signals, said sequence having been selected in advance by the person on a control unit of the exercise machine. The invention further relates to a controller, a chest strap, and exercise equipment for performing the method.

[0002] Exercise equipment of the type indicated above are known and described, for example, in EP 0 650 695 B1. The exercise equipment known from said publication comprises an exercise machine and a heart rate monitor.

[0003] The exercise machine is a treadmill, suitable for varying load parameters as a function of the heart rate or pulse frequency of an exercising person during an exercise program. The exercise machine can alternatively particularly be a bicycle ergometer, or a different fitness machine, if variable load or resistance control is allowed. To this end, the exercise machine comprises a control unit implemented as a micro-processor controlled time measurement and load parameter control device, and is connected to a receiver suitable for receiving pulse signals corresponding to the pulse frequency of the exercising person.

[0004] The heart rate monitor is implemented as a chest strap that uses integrated skin electrodes to generate pulse signals that correspond to the heart rate. Alternatively, ear clips are particularly used to capture the heart rate. The heart rate sensor is connected to a transmitter that transfers the pulse signals corresponding to the heart rate to the exercise machine for controlling the load parameter.

[0005] During exercise, the exercising person wears the chest strap in order to capture the heart rate. The pulse signals generated by the skin electrodes and corresponding to the heart rate are transmitted by the transmitter on the chest strap to the receiving unit on the exercise machine. The exercise machine control unit varies the load parameter of the exercise machine based on the received pulse signals.

[0006] The exercising person can also select an exercise program from a number of exercise scenarios, limited by the manufacturer, using the exercise machine control unit. The exercising person can typically choose between at least one endurance program and one time-base interval program. If the exercising person selects the endurance program, for instance, at a desired heart frequency of 130 beats per minute during the program, then the control unit reduces the resistance or running speed of the belt if the heart rate of the exercising person rises above the selected heart rate of 130 beats per minute.

[0007] One problem of said exercise equipment is that the potential programs are limited to the manufacturer's prescribed number of predetermined training sequences. Individual exercise scenarios adapted to the current performance capability of the exercising person cannot be run.

[0008] Starting from said state of the art, the object of the present invention is to allow individual exercise programs using conventional exercise machines.

[0009] In order to achieve said object, the present invention proposes a method for controlling load parameters of an exercise machine of the type indicated above, wherein a controller modulates pulse signals corresponding to the heart rate as a function of the heart rate of an exercising person, wherein the heart rate of an exercising person is captured by a heart rate sensor, and transmits the modulated pulse signals to a receiver on the exercise machine, and wherein the exercise machine follows a preprogrammed exercise program on the basis of the received modulated pulse signals, said program having been selected in advance by the person using an exercise machine control unit.

[0010] A predetermined exercise sequence or exercise program can be, for example, an endurance program, wherein the exercising person selects a heart rate of 130 beats per minute, for example, at the exercise machine. The exercise machine will then vary the load parameter or the resistance of a bicycle ergometer, for example, such that said selected heart rate of 130 beats per minute is constantly maintained by the exercising person.

[0011] According to the invention, a controller is connected between the heart rate sensor and the exercise machine, in which individualized exercise plans for an exercising person are stored. The controller is implemented for superimposing the saved individualized exercise plans on the prescribed exercise sequences of the exercise machine. To this end, it converts the pulse signals captured by the heart rate sensor into modulated pulse signals deviating from the heart rate signals. The controller then forwards the modulated signals to the exercise machine. In other words, pulse signals deviating from the actual heart rate are simulated by the controller and forwarded to the exercise machine in order to control the load parameters thereof. If, in the example given, the exercise machine were to reduce the resistance of the bicycle ergometer for an increasing heart rate above the previously selected heart rate of 130 beats, in order to thereby reduce the heart rate of the exercising person, then the controller can simulate a constant or even falling heart rate to the exercise machine by means of the modulated pulse signals, in order to thus maintain or increase the load. Based on the modulated pulse signals, a conventional exercise machine can execute any exercise scenario in said manner, such as an interval program, an individually tuned strength endurance program, or a race on a track, if such an exercise program has been selected at the controller. It should be clear that the exercise machine can also alternatively be a treadmill, a rowing ergometer, or another fitness machine having controllable load parameters.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the pulse signals corresponding to the heart rate are transmitted in a first transmitting step from a transmitter connected to the heart rate sensor to the controller, and the modulated pulse signals are transmitted in a second transmitting step from the controller to an exercise machine receiver, or directly to the exercise machine control unit. Transmitting the modulated pulse signals to the exercise machine receiver enables the controller to be used flexibly and easily, without requiring interference with per se known exercise equipment comprising a heart rate monitor and a exercise machine of the type indicated above. The controller can thus be carried on the body of the exercising person, for example, and can establish the connection to its counterparts automatically or upon command. The potential that the modulated pulse signals can be transmitted directly to the exercise machine control unit means that the controller can be provided in or one the exercise machine, for example, for enhancing the exercise machine. The controller receiving unit can thereby be used for receiving the pulse signals without having to establish a connection between the controller and the exercise machine receiver.

[0013] In an alternative embodiment of the method according to the invention, the controller receives the pulse signals corresponding to the heart rate directly from the heart rate sensor and transmits the modulated pulse signals to an exercise machine receiver via a transmitter connected to the controller. For example, the modulated pulse signals can be transmitted from the transmitter on the same chest strap on which the heart rate sensor is provided. Directly forwarding the pulse signals from the heart rate sensor to the controller makes it possible to integrate both components particularly in a per se known chest strap. The exercising person can thus use the chest strap during exercise for capturing the heart rate and for transmitting the modulated pulse signals without having to carry an additional device. In the same way, the controller can receive the pulse signals directly from the heart rate sensor of an ear clip, and can be integrated with the same in the ear clip.

[0014] In a second alternative embodiment, a transmitter connected to the heart rate sensor transmits pulse signals corresponding to the heart rate via an exercise machine receiver to the controller connected to the receiver in a first transmitting step, and the controller transmits the modulated pulse signals to the exercise machine control unit in a second transmitting step. This allows a conventional heart rate monitor, particularly a chest strap, to be used without changes to the construction. A transmitter connected to the heart rate sensor transmits the pulse signals corresponding to the heart rate to the exercise machine receiver in a per se known manner. The controller that modulates the pulse signals and transmits them to the exercise machine control unit is connected to the receiver. A conventional exercise machine can thus be expanded by simply installing the controller, allowing individualized programs.

[0015] In a preferred manner, at least one transmitting step can be performed wirelessly in the same manner. Analog transmitters and receivers distributed with typical exercise equipment can thus be used.

[0016] At least one transmitting step can further be performed wirelessly and digitally, particularly using Bluetooth technology. Primarily modern exercise machines can thus be used, particularly those having a Bluetooth interface. By using different transmission types in the two transmitting steps, it can further be prevented that the pulse signals from the transmitter connected to the heart rate sensor are transmitted directly to the exercise machine receiver.

[0017] It is also possible that at least one transmitting step takes place in encoded form, particularly if two transmitting steps are performed in analog, or two transmitting steps are performed in digital. Transmitting in encoded form can prevent direct transmission of the pulse signals from the transmitter connected to the heart rate sensor to the exercise machine receiver. This ensures that the pulse signals corresponding to the heart rate are transmitted to the controller and not to the exercise machine control unit.

[0018] Alternatively, at least one transmitting step can be performed using a connector cable. This allows older exercise machines, in particular, that do not have a radio receiver to be connected. It is furthermore conceivable to use a connector cable to connect the transmitter connected to the heart rate sensor to controller.

[0019] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the exercise programs can be loaded into the controller via a physical interface, and saved there. The exercise programs can thereby be adjusted or created on an external system, particularly a computer, and loaded into the controller by means of the physical interface. Exercise programs having other controllers of other exercising persons can further be exchanged via said interface. The interface can allow a wireless data transmission, such as a Bluetooth or infrared interface, or connections for USB, mini-USB, or firewire data cables.

[0020] A further object of the present invention is a controller for controlling load parameters of an exercise machine as a function of the heart rate of an exercising person, comprising a receiving unit designed for receiving pulse signals corresponding to the heart rate, comprising a modulation unit for modulating the pulse signals corresponding to the heart rate on the basis of saved exercise programs, and comprising a transmitting unit designed for transmitting the modulated pulse signals. It is particularly advantageous if the controller is used for implementing the above method.

[0021] In a refinement of the controller according to the invention, said controller comprises a display and/or an input device. The exercising person can thus select a suitable exercise plan from a plurality of individualized exercise programs by using the display and/or the input device. It further enables the exercising person to control the data exchange via the physical interface.

[0022] An object of the invention further relates to a chest strap having a heart rate sensor, a transmitter, and a controller of the type indicated above. The exercising person can thus use the chest strap during exercise for capturing the heart rate and for transmitting the modulated pulse signals without having to carry an additional device.

[0023] A further object of the present invention finally relates to exercise equipment for controlling load parameters of an exercise machine as a function of the heart rate of an exercising person, comprising a exercise machine and a heart rate sensor for capturing the heart rate of the exercising person, comprising an exercise machine and a heart rate sensor for capturing the heart rate of the exercising person, wherein the exercise machine comprises a receiver for receiving the heart rate and uses the controller in exercise equipment made of an exercise machine and a heart rate monitor comprising a controller of the type indicated above. It is particularly advantageous if the controller is provided in the exercise equipment comprising the exercise machine and the heart rate sensor.

[0028] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of exercise equipment 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The exercise equipment 1 comprises an exercise machine 2, a heart rate monitor 3, and a controller 4 connected between the exercise machine 2 and the heart rate 3.

[0029] The exercise machine 2 is a bicycle ergometer 5, suitable for varying load parameters as a function of the heart rate or pulse frequency of an exercising person during an exercise program. The exercise machine 2 can also alternatively particularly be a treadmill, a rowing ergometer 5a, or another fitness machine 5b having controllable load parameters. The exercise machine 2 comprises a control unit 6 implemented as a microprocessor-controlled time measurement and load parameter control device, controlling the load parameters of the exercise machine 2 as a function of the pulse frequency of the exercising person. Said control unit is connected to a receiver 7 of the exercise machine 2 suitable for receiving pulse signals corresponding to the pulse frequency of the exercising person.

[0030] The heart rate monitor 3 is shown here in the form of a chest strap. Said monitor is implemented in a per se known manner as an elastic electrode strap having a heart rate sensor 8. The heart rate sensor 8 comprises two skin electrodes 8a, 8b integrated in the chest strap, generating the pulse signals 9 corresponding to the heart rate on the basis of the captured R-impulse of the exercising person. A transmitter 10 is connected to the heart rate sensor 8, implemented as a radio transmitter having a short range, in order to transmit the pulse signals 9 corresponding to the heart rate. The chest strap 3 comprises a power supply, not shown in detail, typically provided in the form of a lithium button cell.

[0031] In the per se known exercise arrangement made of an exercise machine 2 and chest strap 3, the controller 4 is connected between the exercise machine 2 and the chest strap 3. The controller 4 is a portable device that can be carried on the body of an exercising person and comprises a power supply that is not further described. Said device comprises a receiving unit 11 designed as a complement to the transmitter 10 of the chest strap 3, in order to receive pulse signals 9 transmitted by the transmitter 10. A modulation unit 12 suitable for modulating the pulse signals 9 on the basis of exercise programs saved in a hardware memory 13 is connected to the receiving unit 11. The controller 4 further comprises an integrated physical interface 14 implemented as a Bluetooth interface in order to upload and download exercise programs to and from the hardware memory 13. An input device, not shown in further detail, and a display, not shown in further detail, are implemented such that the exercising person can select exercise programs, control the Bluetooth interface 14, and check the charge condition of the controller 4. A transmitting unit 15 is connected to the modulation unit 12 and implemented such that the pulse signals 16 modulated in the modulation unit 12 can be transmitted to the exercise machine 2 by radio. A connector, not shown in further detail, is implemented for enabling a power supply to charge the internal rechargeable battery. This can be a USB connector.

[0032] In order to exercise using the exercise equipment 1, an exercising person puts on the chest strap 3 in a known manner. During the exercise on the bicycle ergometer 5, the heart rate sensor 8 captures the heart rate of the exercising person and generates pulse signals 9 corresponding to the heart rate. Said signals are transmitted to the transmitter 10 and transmitted from there to the receiving unit 11 of the controller 4 via the radio interface. Said first transmitting step takes place in encrypted form in order to prevent direct transmission of the pulse signals 9 to the receiver 7 of the exercise machine 2. The received pulse signals 9 are fed to the modulation unit 12 and modulated there on the basis of an exercise program saved in the hardware memory 13.

[0033] The exercise programs are individualized exercise plans in digital form that can be adapted to the current performance capability of the exercising person and the desired exercise goals. The exercising person can thus select a suitable exercise plan from a plurality of individualized exercise programs by using the display and/or the input device, not described in further detail, of the controller 4. By means of a computer, the exercising person is also able to load prefabricated exercise programs for a particular performance range and a desired goal from a database on the Internet, or personal exercise programs created by means of a provided computer software, onto the controller 4 via the physical interface 14. It is also possible for the person to exchange exercise programs with other controllers of other exercising persons, particularly via the Bluetooth interface 14.

[0034] In the second transmitting step, the modulated pulse signals 16 are transmitted by radio from the transmitting unit 15 to the receiver 7 of the exercise machine 2 in non-encrypted analog form. The exercising person can use the control unit 6 connected to the receiver 7 to select an exercise scenario from a limited number of saved exercise sequences. The exercise sequences of a control unit 6 typically comprise at least one endurance program. The exercising person can, for example, thereby select a heart rate of 130 beats per minute. The control unit 6 will then vary the load parameter or the resistance of a bicycle ergometer 5, for example, such that said selected heart rate of 130 beats per minute is constantly maintained by the exercising person. Said property is used by the controller 4, such that a modified or modulated heart rate 16 is provided to the control unit 6 in order to be able to actively control the variation of the load parameter or resistance of the bicycle ergometer 5. Each desired exercise program previously selected by the exercising person at the controller 4 can thereby be superimposed on the selected endurance program. If, for example, the control unit 6 were to reduce the resistance of the bicycle ergometer for an increasing heart rate above the previously selected heart rate of 130 beats, in order to thereby reduce the heart rate of the exercising person, then the controller 4 can simulate a constant, falling, or rising heart rate to the control unit 6 by means of the modulated pulse signals 16, if such is required according to the selected exercise program. Based on the modulated pulse signals 16, a conventional exercise machine can thus execute any exercise scenario, such as an interval program, an individually tuned strength endurance program, or a race on a track, if such an exercise program has been selected at the controller 4.

[0035] FIG. 2 shows exercise equipment 17 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The exercise equipment 17 comprises an exercise machine 2, a chest strap 3, and a controller 4 connected between the exercise machine 2 and the heart rate monitor 3, wherein the controller 4 is integrated in the chest strap 3 in comparison to the first embodiment of the present invention according to FIG. 1.

[0036] A heart rate sensor 8 of the chest strap 3 is directly connected to a receiving unit, not shown, of the controller 4. Similarly to the first embodiment of the present invention, the controller 4 is implemented such that it is suitable for modulating the pulse signals 9 corresponding to the heart rate on the basis of the exercise programs saved in the hardware memory. The controller 4 further comprises a physical interface implemented as a Bluetooth interface in order to upload and download exercise programs. An analog radio transmitter integrated in the chest strap 3 is connected to the controller 4 in order to wirelessly transmit modulated pulse signals 16 from the modulation unit of the controller 4 to the exercise machine 2.

[0037] The exercise machine 2 corresponds to the first embodiment of the present invention according to FIG. 1.

[0038] In order to operate the exercise equipment 17, an exercising person puts on the chest strap 3 in a known manner. During the exercise on the bicycle ergometer 5, the heart rate sensor 8 of the chest strap 3 captures the heart rate of the exercising person and generates pulse signals 9 corresponding to the heart rate. Said signals are modulated by the controller 4 connected to the heart rate sensor analogously to the first embodiment of the present invention. The modulated pulse signals 16 are then transmitted by radio by the analog transmitter of the chest strap 3 connected to the controller 4 to the exercise machine 2. The first wireless transmitting step is thus eliminated with respect to the exercise equipment 1 according to FIG. 1. The exercise machine 2 further behaves analogously to the first embodiment of the invention.

[0039] FIG. 3 shows exercise equipment 17 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The exercise equipment 17 comprises an exercise machine 2 and a heart rate monitor 3. The exercise machine 2 comprises a receiver 7, a control unit 6, and controller 4. The controller 4 is integrated in the exercise machine 2, wherein said controller is wired to the receiver 7 on the input side and to the control unit 6 on the output side.

[0040] Analogous to the first embodiment of the present invention, a heart rate monitor 3 in the form of a chest strap is implemented here. A transmitter 10 of the chest strap 3 is suitable for transmitting pulse signals 9 corresponding to the heart rate to the receiver 7 of the exercise machine. The receiver 7 is wired to the controller 4 in order to transmit the pulse signals 9 to the same. The modulation of the pulse signal 9 corresponds analogously to the first embodiment. The controller 4 is ultimately wired to the control unit 6 on the output side, in order to transmit the modulated pulse signals 16 directly to the control unit 6.

[0041] Alternatively, the transmitter 10 can be suitable for transmitting pulse signals 9 corresponding to the heart rate directly to the receiving unit 11 of the controller 4. A wired connection of the controller 4 to the receiver 7 on the input side can be eliminated. On the output side, the controller 4 is wired to the control unit 6.

[0042] In order to operate the exercise equipment 17, an exercising person puts on the chest strap 3 in a known manner. In contrast to the first embodiment of the present invention, the transmitter 10 transmits the pulse signals 9 corresponding to the heart rate directly to the receiver 7 of the exercise machine. The controller 4 wired to the receiver receives the pulse signals 9 corresponding to the heart rate and modulates said signals analogously to the first embodiment of the present invention. The controller 4 then transmits the modulated pulse signals 16 to the control unit 6 connected via a wired connection. The control unit 6 behaves analogously to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Alternatively, the transmitter 10 transmits pulse signals 9 corresponding to the heart rate directly to the receiving unit 11 of the controller 4.