Interactive Exercise Equipment with Exercise Monitoring System

Abstract

An exercise equipment includes an equipment body arranged for providing an exercise tool, a power arrangement for power supply, and an equipment control unit arranged for controlling a process of operation of the equipment body. The equipment control unit includes a central processing unit arranged for receiving a health data of an user and a database unit. The central processing unit includes an evaluation module analyzing the health data and providing a health status, a feedback module providing an exercise instruction based on the health status, and a communication module communicating the exercise instruction to the equipment body and the power arrangement such that the process of operation of the equipment body follows the exercise instruction. The database unit storing interlinking databases includes a health data database, a health status database and an exercise instruction database. Accordingly, the user can exercise conforming to the exercise instruction through the equipment control unit on a real-time basis.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to an exercise equipment, and more particularly to an interactive exercise equipment which includes an exercise monitoring system operated interactively with the exercise equipment and arranged for generating an exercise instruction in view of a health status of a human user, thereby the human object can follow the exercise instruction specifically provided by the exercise equipment and exercise effectively in a proper and safe manner.

2. Description of Related Arts

Exercise is important to health and wellness of a human object but it is even more important to have sufficient level of exercise in a proper and safe manner. In general, excessive exercise is harmful or inadequate exercise level is not effective. Also, body's conditions will have great impact on the level, duration or nature of the exercise which is suitable for a particular human object. Without proper health assessment or health data, the only way is to rely on one's own feelings, which may be wrong sometimes.

Fitness center or home based fitness equipment is common personal exercise tool. In some equipment, such as a runner (a running machine), it is possible to enter one's body weight and height, select a level or speed and calculate the calories burnt. However, the exercise equipment can never tell you when to stop to avoid excessive exercise. The exercise equipment also does not provide any information in relation to the mode or level of exercise. Accordingly, all these have to be selected and determined by the human object using the machine, or sometimes a personal trainer accompanying the human object using the machine. In fact, leaving the selection to the human object, whether it's the personal trainer or the one using the machine, is dangerous and may impose health hazards to the individual. In the absence of objective health data, monitoring cannot be achieved.

Sometimes, people start exercise after seeing a doctor and discovering a health situation. When the human object is sick, his judgment in relation to wellness and fitness for a particular exercise is tended to be unreliable. On one particular day, one may feel tired for some reasons but is in fact fit for exercise, or vice versa. In other words, real-time objective judgment is important for doing exercise in a proper and safe manner.

There are different kinds of body health testing equipment in the market. For example, there are testing equipments which measure health data such as blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, body weight, body height and etc, collect the health data and translate the health data to a visual display. However, they are not linked to the exercise equipment and do not have any direct and immediate effect on the exercise equipment. The health data is obtained in a particular location through the equipment and the health data is not available when the user starts doing exercise. In other words, the user cannot link the health data and the exercise equipment to produce a realistic and effective exercise plan.

In addition, the conventional testing equipment has further drawbacks as follows. First, there is lack of evaluation or automatically generated feedback available in response to the health data. In other words, interpretation of the health data or suggestion is not provided to a user after his or her health status is obtained. Second, there is lack of linkage between exercise instruction or suggestion and health data or health status. Based on the health status of a user, an exercise plan cannot be provided, even if appropriate and desirable. In other words, the user cannot make use of the health testing equipment to find out the type of exercise which is specifically suitable or appropriate for his or her health conditions. Third, there is lack of continuous monitoring of the health status of the user. In particular, the test or measurement runs on a one-time basis, the health status of the user over a period of time is not stored in the equipment and there is no way to compile or organized the health data automatically in a systematic manner. Fourth, there is lack of portability or mobility of the health data. The health data is obtained in a particular location through the health testing equipment and the health data is not available when the user goes to another place for exercise. If the user goes to different locations of a chain fitness centre, the health data cannot be retrieved in any way. In summary, the user cannot make use of the health data obtained through the health testing equipment in a practical and convenient way for self-helped health improvement.

Health data is useful to determine the type and duration of exercise desirable and suitable for a human user. However, the health status of an individual will change over time and the health data obtained from a one-time test may not be able to accurately reflect the current health status of an individual. For example, if an individual who relies on the health data at a particular time and implements an exercise plan, his body's conditions will then change over time based on his exercise level and body's reaction. Without feedback data of the particular individual, the exercise plan may no longer be fit or suitable for the particular individual. In other words, an interactive health data of the individual is required to closely and accurately monitor the health status of the individual.

People always have the misconception that exercise is good for health, irregardless of the level, duration or nature of the exercise in view of one's personal health status. In general, excessive exercise is harmful or inadequate exercise level is not effective. There is no existing tool which is able to help a human user to determine whether the correct type of exercise and the correct exercise level are achieved. The only available method for the individual is to rely on his or her own feelings, which is a very poor, if not dangerous, control method and may impose health hazards to the individual. In other words, no real-time monitoring is available for the individual.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an exercise equipment which can generate an exercise instruction for guiding a user to exercise in a proper and safe manner.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an exercise equipment with a exercise monitoring system which can effectively monitor health data of an user on a real-time basis, so as to determine a health status of the user so that the user can be guided by the exercise equipment to exercise in a proper and safe manner, and to provide reference health data for controlling the exercise equipment.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an exercise equipment for promoting exercise through providing an exercise instruction which is clear and convenience to obtain such that a human object can be guided to do exercise in a proper and safe manner.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an exercise equipment with a exercise monitoring system which can effective avoid excess exercise through controlling the exercise equipment to stop if an overriding event is detected.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an exercise equipment with a exercise monitoring system which includes a health monitoring apparatus obtaining, storing and transmitting the health data of an user of exercise equipments in order to generating a health status and exercise instructions of the exercise equipments in response to the health data at a particular time.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an exercise equipment with a exercise monitoring system which includes a health monitoring apparatus collecting, providing and transmitting the health data of an user of an exercise equipment in order to providing feedback information and suggestion regarding what exercise level and intensive should the user to operate and use the exercise equipment and what level or kind of exercise trainer the user may use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an exercise equipment with a exercise monitoring system which includes a health monitoring apparatus obtaining, storing and transmitting the health data of an user of exercise equipments in order to generating referral information of what kinds of exercises device is preferred for the user.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an exercise equipment with a exercise monitoring system which includes a control module, a health monitoring apparatus for obtaining the health data of a human object and communicating with the control module, a health evaluation module communicating with the control module arranged for analyzing the health data, and a feedback module generating exercise instruction and information and a communication module communicating with the control module and transmitting the exercise instruction to a preset location such as the health monitoring apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an exercise equipment with a exercise monitoring system which can encourage a human user to implement a self-helped health improvement program in a proper and safe manner through providing an exercise instruction in response to his current health condition.

Additional advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows, and may be realized by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particular point out in the appended claims.

In order to accomplish the object mentioned above, the present invention provides an exercise equipment, comprising:

• • an equipment body arranged for providing an exercise tool;
  • a power arrangement for providing power supply to the equipment body; and
  • an equipment control unit communicated with the equipment body and the power arrangement, arranged for controlling a process of operation of the equipment body, wherein the equipment control unit comprises: a central processing unit arranged for receiving a health data of an object which comprises an evaluation module analyzing the health data and providing a health status based on the health data, a feedback module receiving the health status and providing an exercise instruction based on the health status, and a communication module receiving the exercise instruction and communicating the exercise instruction to the equipment body and the power arrangement in such a manner that the process of operation of the equipment body follows the exercise instruction; and to a database unit storing a health data database, a health status database and an exercise instruction database, wherein the health data database, the health status database and the exercise instruction database are interlinked in a preset manner,
  • thereby an user is capable of doing exercise conforming to the exercise instruction through the equipment control unit controlling the process of operation of the equipment body on a real-time basis.

Preferably, the exercise equipment further comprises a communication unit provided on the equipment body electrically connected to the communicating module of the equipment control and communicating the exercise instruction to the user on a real-time basis. For example, the exercise instruction includes a mode of the exercise and a duration of the exercise.

Preferably, the communication unit comprises a communication slot arranged for receiving a memory card such that the health data of a particular object can be loaded into the equipment control unit; a plurality of input member on the communication unit arranged for providing a plurality of input keys for data entry into the equipment control unit; and a display unit arranged for visually displaying the exercise instruction to the object.

The equipment control unit is integrally provided inside the equipment body or is located in a remote location and communicating with the equipment body through a network.

The health data is obtained from a health monitoring apparatus which comprises a plurality of sensor units and a sensor module for each the sensor unit to generate and sending the corresponding health data to the equipment control unit, wherein the plurality of sensor units may comprise a blood pressure sensor, a body temperature sensor, heart rate sensor, body weight sensor, a balancing ability sensor, a bone density sensor and a hand-grip sensor, and the health data may comprise a blood pressure, a body temperature, a heart rate, a body weight, a balancing ability, a bone density and a hand-grip data. The health data from the health monitoring apparatus is automatically transmitted to the equipment control unit.

In one aspect of the invention, the health monitoring apparatus can be equipped with an exercise monitoring system arranged for obtaining a set of health data of an user, wherein the exercise monitoring system comprises a health control unit interactively communicating with the health monitoring apparatus, arranged for receiving the set of health data of the user, analyzing the health data and generating an exercise instruction for the user, wherein the health control unit is linked with a plurality of health statuses, wherein each one of the health status is arranged for reflecting one particular set of health data and is correlated to one particular exercise instruction.

The health control unit comprises a central processing unit receiving the set of health data; an evaluation module analyzing the set of health data to provide the health status for the object; a feedback module receiving the health status and providing the exercise instruction; and a communication module receiving the exercise instruction and communicating with the central processing unit arranged for translating the exercise instruction to a communication unit on a real-time basis.

Preferably, the health control unit and the monitoring apparatus are located in two different locations and are remotely communicating with each other. The communication unit is a display unit incorporated into the health monitoring apparatus arranged for visually displaying the exercise instruction to the user, or is a standalone device remotely communicating with the health control unit arranged for communicating the exercise instruction to the user.

In particular, the exercise instruction of the feedback module comprises a plurality of exercise items, and each of the exercise items includes a name of the exercise and a duration of the exercise. The health control unit further comprises an input terminal connecting to the central processing unit. Thereby, the user is capable of inputting a profile data and a preference data into the health control unit and the feedback module is capable of processing the health status together with the profile data and the preference data before providing the exercise instruction.

Similarly, the health monitoring apparatus comprises a plurality of sensor units and a sensor module for each the sensor unit to generate and sending the corresponding health data to the health control unit, wherein the plurality of sensor units may comprise a blood pressure sensor, a body temperature sensor, heart rate sensor, body weight sensor, a balancing ability sensor, a bone density sensor and a hand-grip sensor, and the health data may comprise a blood pressure, a body temperature, a heart rate, a body weight, a balancing ability, a bone density and a hand-grip data.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the present invention provides an exercise monitoring method which employs a health monitoring apparatus and a health control unit, comprising the steps of

• • (a) generating a set of health data of an user through the health monitoring apparatus;
  • (b) interactively and remotely communicating the health monitoring apparatus with the health control unit which is linked with a plurality of health statuses, wherein each one of the health status is arranged for reflecting one particular set of health data and is correlated to one particular exercise instruction;
  • (c) transmitting the set of health data of the user to the health control unit;
  • (d) analyzing the set of health data and providing the health status for the user;
  • (e) generating an exercise instruction for the user; and
  • (f) communicating the exercise instruction to the user on a real-time basis.

Preferably, the method further comprises the steps of: (i) inputting and creating a profile data for the user before step (a); (ii) linking the profile data with the health data such that the profile data and the health data are stored and retrievable by the user after step (c); (iii) inputting and adding a preference data to the profile data for the user after step (i); and (d′) processing the health status together with the profile data and the preference data before the step (d).

In addition, after step (f), the method further comprises the steps of:

• • (g) feeding an exercise data of the user to the health control unit;
  • (h) analyzing the exercise data and the health data together and generating a second exercise instruction;
  • (j) communicating the second exercise instruction to the user on a real-time basis;
  • (k) feeding a second health data of the user to the health control unit;
  • (l) analyzing the second health data and the first health data together and generating a second exercise instruction; and
  • (m) communicating the second exercise instruction to the user on a real-time basis.

Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.

These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an interactive exercise equipment according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary illustration of the interactive exercise equipment according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is another exemplary illustration of the interactive exercise equipment according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of an exercise control process of the interactive exercise equipment according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of the exercise monitoring system according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary illustration of the exercise monitoring system according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is another exemplary illustration of the exercise monitoring system according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of an exercise control process according to an exemplary embodiment of the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4 of the drawings, an interactive exercise equipment according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention includes an equipment body 10, a power arrangement 20 and an equipment control unit 30.

The equipment body 10 is arranged for providing an exercise tool. The power arrangement 20 is arranged for providing power supply to the equipment body 30. The equipment control unit 30 is communicated with the equipment body 10 and the power arrangement 20, and is arranged for controlling a process of operation of the equipment body 10.

The equipment control unit 30 comprises a central processing unit 31 arranged for receiving a health data 50 of an user and a database unit 80. In particular, the central processing unit 31 of the equipment control unit 30 comprises an evaluation module 32 analyzing the health data 50 and providing a health status 60 based on the health data 50, a feedback module 33 receiving the health status 60 and providing an exercise instruction 70 based on the health status 60, and a communication module 34 receiving the exercise instruction 70 and communicating the exercise instruction 70 to the equipment body 10 and the power arrangement 20 in such a manner that the process of operation of the equipment body 10 follows the exercise instruction 70.

The database unit 80 stores a health data database 81, a health status database 82 and an exercise instruction database 83. The health data database 81, the health status database 82 and the exercise instruction database 83 are interlinked in, a preset manner.

Accordingly, the user is capable of doing exercise conforming to the exercise instruction 70 through the equipment control unit 30 controlling the process of operation of the equipment body 10 on a real-time basis. Preferably, the exercise instruction 70 includes a mode of the exercise and a duration of the exercise.

Preferably, the exercise equipment further comprises a communication unit 40 provided on the equipment body 10 electrically connected to the communicating module 34 of the equipment control unit 30 and communicating the exercise instruction 70 to the object on a real-time basis.

The communication unit 40 may further comprise a communication slot 41 and a communication module 42 positioned in the communication slot 41 so that a memory card can be inserted into the communication slot 41 to connect to the communication module 42 for communicating with the communication unit 40. In other words, the health data 50 and personal identification data of a particular user can be loaded into the equipment control unit 30 through the communication unit 40 before user is ready to use the equipment body 10. According to the preferred embodiment, the communication slot 41 can be credit card like card slot adapted for receiving and reading a health card of the user wherein the health data and personal identification of the user are able to be saved via a smart chip or magnetic strip provided on the health card. Alternatively, the communication slot 41 can be embodied as a USB slot adapted to be connected with a USB flash memory unit, a SD card, or even mini-SD card which is embodied as the health card of the user. The communication slot 41 can be simply a USB slot for connecting with a device, such as an independent health monitoring apparatus or any memory storage device, via USB cable. It is worth mentioning that the communication module 42 of the communication unit 40 can also be embodied as a module adapted for receiving data from external device without providing the communication slot 41. Under this configuration, the communication module 42 can be wirelessly communicating with an external device, such as an independent health monitoring apparatus or any memory storage device, or other handheld device such as cellular phone, smart phone, notebook, tablet, iPAD, or iPOD for receiving data.

It is preferred that when a user is ready to use the equipment body 10, the user must insert his or her health card in order to activate the equipment body 10 and the equipment control unit 30 or otherwise the equipment body 10 will simply work and function as a general exercise equipment. Once the user inserts his or health card, such as the memory card, flash memory, SD card, and etc., the equipment body 10 will recognize the user through the personal information data of the user saved in the health card, search for the health data previously saved in the database unit 80, or download health data from the health card of the user. It is worth mentioning that all exercise information such as the date, duration, previous instruction, and intensive of the exercise that the user executed before with this equipment body 10 should be recorded and saved in the database unit 80 for future use and evaluation to generate exercise instruction for the present use of the equipment body 10 by this particular user.

Preferably, the communication unit 40 further comprises a plurality of input member 43 on the communication unit 40 arranged for providing a plurality of input keys 431 for data entry into the equipment control unit 30.

It is worth mentioning that the equipment control unit 30 is integrally provided inside the equipment body 10. Accordingly, the user can safely use the equipment body 10 to exercise and have a clear and precise exercise instruction 70 provided to the equipment body 10 through the equipment control unit 30. On the other hand, the equipment control unit 30 can also be located in a remote location and communicating with the equipment body 10 through a network. In particular, the equipment control unit 30 is remotely connected to the communication unit 40 in the equipment body 10 to communicate with the equipment body 10.

Preferably, the communication unit 40 comprises a display unit 44 arranged for visually displaying the exercise instruction 70 to the user.

Preferably, the health data 60 is obtained from a health monitoring apparatus 90 which comprises a plurality of sensor units 91 and a sensor module 92 for each the sensor unit 91 to generate and sending the corresponding health data 50 to the equipment control unit 30. The plurality of sensor units 91 may comprise a blood pressure sensor 911, a body temperature sensor 912, heart rate sensor 913, body weight sensor 914, a balancing ability sensor 915, a bone density sensor 916 and a hand-grip sensor 917. The health data 50 may include a blood pressure, a body temperature, a heart rate, a body weight, a balancing ability, a bone density and a hand-grip data of an user.

The health monitoring apparatus 90 is communicated with the equipment control unit 30. Preferably, the health data 50 from the health monitoring apparatus 90 is automatically transmitted to the equipment control unit 30. Accordingly, the equipment body 10 can directly connected to the health monitoring apparatus 90 for obtaining the health date 50 of the user.

The health monitoring apparatus 90 can be a built in apparatus in the interactive exercise equipment of the present invention. It also can be an independent apparatus connected with the equipment control unit 30 through the communication slot 41 and communication module 42 by a USB cable or the like, or alternatively, connected with the equipment control unit 30 wirelessly via WiFi, Bluetooth, and the like, so as to import health data history as well as the most updated health data of the user.

Referring to FIG. 4 of the drawings, an exercise monitoring method of the interactive exercise equipment which includes an equipment body, a power arrangement and an equipment control unit according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustration. In particular, the method comprises the following steps:

• • (a) receiving a set of health data of an user through the health monitoring apparatus;
  • (b) interactively and remotely providing an exercise instruction to an equipment body of the exercise equipment through the equipment control unit communicating with the health monitoring apparatus;
  • (c) interactively controlling a process of operation of the equipment body; and
  • (d) stopping the operation of equipment body of the exercise equipment when an overriding event is detected.

The overriding event includes when the process of operation of the equipment body is not operated precisely according to the exercise instruction. In other words, when an overriding event is detected, the equipment body will be prevented from operating and serves as a safety measure. For example, if the equipment body is a running machine, any over-activity detected will be stopped by cutting off the power supply to the running machine and the user is prevented from using the running machine for exercise. For example, if the health status of a user is undesirable for exercise, the running machine will not be stopped.

The equipment body 10 of the interactive exercise equipment can be any exercise or fitness machine or tool, such as treadmill, stationary exercise bicycle, and etc., which can be controlled by the equipment control unit 30 or by the user himself or herself as usual exercise equipment according to the exercise instruction and information to operate the equipment body 10 provided by an independent health monitoring apparatus 90. In addition, the health monitoring apparatus 90 of the present invention can be a health monitoring system as embodied in the FIGS. 5 to 8 of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 5 to 8 of the drawings, a health monitoring system according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention includes a health monitoring apparatus 110 and a health control unit 130. The exercise monitoring system is used to actively monitoring a health status 150 of a user at a particular time. The health control unit 130 is interactively communicating with the health monitoring apparatus 110, arranged for receiving the set of health data 152 of the user via a web base health data provider through internet, by connecting with an electronic memory unit such as smart phone, PDA, tablet PC, notebook computer, portable hard drive, SD card, or flash memory, or by manually inputting by the user, analyzing the health data 152 and generating an exercise instruction and information 154 for the user. Accordingly, the user can follow the exercise instruction and information 154 which includes, but not limited to, the suitable type of exercise and/or the exercise equipment to be used, the exercise level and intensive of the exercise and/or the exercise equipment to be used, and/or duration of the exercise and/or the exercise equipment to be used without subjective personal determination. In addition, the exercise information 154 generated could also provide information and suggestion regarding what level or kind of exercise trainer the user may use.

In particular, the health control unit 130 is linked to a database 1500 with a plurality of health statuses 150. Each one particular health status 150 is reflective to one particular set of health data 152 and is correlated to one particular exercise instruction and information 154. The database 1500 can be locally or remotely connected to the health control unit 130. Preferably, the exercise instruction and information 154 is automatically generated by the health control unit 30 in response to the health data 152 received.

It is worth mentioning that the health control unit 130 can also be accessed by a practitioner or exercise trainer and provided override instruction to the health control unit 130. In other words, the practitioner or exercise trainer can review the health data 152 and select alternative exercise instruction and information 154 for the user.

The health control unit 130 includes a central processing unit 1310 receiving the set of health data 152; an evaluation module 1311 analyzing the set of health data 152 to provide the health status 150 for the user; a feedback module 1312 receiving the health status 150 and providing the exercise instruction and information 154; and a communication module 1313 receiving the exercise instruction and information 154 and communicating with the central processing unit 1310 arranged for translating the exercise instruction and information 154 to a communication unit 133, embodied as on a real-time basis.

In particular, a plurality of health indexes, such as blood pressure, body temperature, heart rate, body weight and height, balancing ability and bone density, are used for health assessment in order to generate the exercise instruction and information 154. Preferably, the health monitoring apparatus 110 comprises a plurality of sensor units 112 and a sensor module 114 for each the sensor unit 112 to generate and sending the corresponding health data 152 to the health control unit 130. Preferably and in particular, the plurality of sensor units 112 can be selected from a group comprising, but not limited to, a blood pressure sensor 1121, a body temperature sensor 1122, a heart rate sensor 1123, a body weight sensor 1124, a balancing ability sensor 1125, a bone density sensor 1126, and a hand-grip sensor 1127. Then, the sensor module 114 for each the sensor unit 112 can be selected from a group comprising, but not limited to, a blood pressure sensor module 1141, a body temperature sensor module 1142, a heart rate sensor module 1143, a body weight sensor module 1144, a balancing ability sensor module 1145, a bone density sensor module 1146, and a hand-grip sensor module 1147 respectively. It is worth mentioning that all the sensor modules 114 (1141-1147) can also be an integrated module serving the same purpose.

Accordingly, the health data 152 is preferred to include a blood pressure 1521, a body temperature 1522, a heart rate 1523, a body weight 1524, a balancing ability 1525, a bone density 1526 and a hand-grip data 1527. Therefore, the health data 152, which contains data of different health indexes, can be used for comprehensive health assessment, serving as a reliable basis for the exercise instruction. The safety level of having an exercise plan is therefore greatly increased.

The communication unit 133 is a display unit 133A incorporated into the monitoring apparatus 110 arranged for visually displaying the exercise instruction and information 154 to the user. Alternately, the communication unit 133 is a standalone device 133B remotely communicating with the health control unit 130 arranged for communicating the exercise instruction and information 154 to the user. It is worth mentioning that the communication unit 133 is not limited to providing visual display and it is possible to provide the exercise instruction and information 154 in other communication format such as an audio format. The visual or audio display of the monitoring apparatus 110 can be installed to the exercise equipment of the user so that the user may receive and access the exercise instruction and information 154 during exercise.

The generated exercise instruction and information 154 may also include information regarding the suitable type of exercise and/or the exercise equipment to be used, the exercise level and intensive of the exercise and/or the exercise equipment to be used, and/or duration of the exercise and/or the exercise equipment to be used without subjective personal determination. In addition, the exercise information 154 generated could also provide information and suggestion regarding what level or kind of practitioner or exercise trainer the user may use.

Preferably, the health control unit 130 and the monitoring apparatus 110 are located in two different locations and are remotely communicating with each other. For example, the health data 152 can be sent from the monitoring apparatus 110 to a remotely positioned health control unit 130 for data processing and the exercise instruction and information 154 may be retrieved from the display unit 133A of the monitoring apparatus 110 or from the standalone device 133B. It is worth mentioning that the standalone device 133B may be a handheld device, a PDA, a tablet, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a notebook computer, or even exercise equipment.

Preferably, the exercise instruction and information 154 of the feedback module 1312 comprises a plurality of exercise items 1540, and each of the exercise items 1540 includes a name of the exercise or the exercise equipment 1541 and a duration of the exercise or the exercise equipment 1542. Accordingly, a human user can follow the exercise items 1540 to implement his or her exercise plan based on his or her own particular health status 150. The human user is now clear about the type of exercise and the duration of exercise which is effective and safe for his wellness. In other words, the incentive of having exercise is greatly increase and the probability of exercise becomes higher.

The generated exercise instruction and information 154 can be electronic signals and transmitted to the control units of one or more exercise equipments of the user in a wire or wireless linking manner so as to control the exercise level, operation and intensive of the exercise equipments with respect to the user's current health data.

The health control unit 130 further comprises an input terminal 134 connecting to the central processing unit 1310, thereby the user is capable of inputting a profile data 155 and a preference data 156 into the health control unit 130 and the feedback module 1312 is capable of processing the health status 150 together with the profile data 155 and the preference data 156 before providing the exercise instruction and information 154.

Referring to FIG. 8 of the drawings, an exercise monitoring method which employs the health monitoring apparatus and the health control unit according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIGS. 5-7 is illustrated. In particular, the method comprises the following steps:

• • (a) generating a set of health data of an user through the health monitoring apparatus;
  • (b) interactively and remotely communicating the health monitoring apparatus with the health control unit which is linked with a plurality of health statuses, wherein each one of the health status is arranged for reflecting one particular set of health data and is correlated to one particular exercise instruction;
  • (c) transmitting the set of health data of the user to the health control unit;
  • (d) analyzing the set of health data and providing the health status for the user;
  • (e) generating an exercise instruction and information for the user; and
  • (f) communicating the exercise instruction and information to the user, preferably on a real-time basis.

In particular, a plurality of health indexes, such as blood pressure, body temperature, heart rate, body weight and height, balancing ability and bone density, are used for health assessment in order to generate the exercise instruction and information 154.

Accordingly, the health data 152, which contains data of different health indexes, can be used for comprehensive health assessment, serving as a reliable basis for the exercise instruction and information. The safety level of having an exercise plan is therefore greatly increased.

Preferably, the method further comprises the steps of:

• • (i) inputting and creating a profile data 155 for the object before step (a); and
  • (ii) linking the profile data 155 with the health data 152 such that the profile data 155 and the health data 152 are stored and retrievable by the user after step (c).

In other words, the particular profile data 155 of an user is stored through the health control unit 130. When the user uses the health monitoring apparatus 110 over a period of time, the health data 152 for the particular user over the period the time will be evaluated together to provided the exercise instruction and information 154.

Preferably, the method further comprises the steps of (iii) inputting and adding a preference data 156 to the profile data 155 for the object after step (i); and (d′) processing the health status 150 together with the profile data 155 and the preference data 156 before the step (d).

For example, the preference data 156 may contain preferred type of exercise item or preferred duration of exercise, and the exercise instruction and information 154 is filtered and altered to fit the preference of the user.

Preferably, after step (f), the method is preferably to further comprise the steps of:

• • (g) feeding an exercise data of the user to the health control unit;
  • (h) analyzing the exercise data and the health data together and generating a second exercise instruction and information; and
  • (i) communicating the second exercise instruction and information to the user, preferably on a real-time basis.

Also, after the step (f), the method is preferred to further comprise the steps of:

• • (j) feeding a second health data of the user to the health control unit;
  • (k) analyzing the second health data and the first health data together and generating a second exercise instruction and information; and
  • (l) communicating the second exercise instruction and information to the user, preferably on a real-time basis.

Preferably, the exercise instruction and information 154 of the feedback module 1312 comprises a plurality of exercise items 1540, and each of the exercise items 1540 includes a name of the exercise or the exercise equipment 1541, a duration of the exercise or the exercise equipment 1542 and intensive of the exercise or the exercise equipment, such as exercise level, operation and intensive of the exercise equipment, 1543. Accordingly, the user can pick one of the exercise items 1540 and follow the selected exercise item 1540 to implement his or her exercise plan based on his or her own particular health status 150. The user is now clear about the type of exercise or exercise equipment and the duration and intensive of exercise or exercise equipment which is effective and safe for his wellness. In other words, the incentive of having exercise is greatly increase and the probability of exercise becomes higher. For example, the exercise items 1540 may includes “swimming for 30 minutes”; “jogging for 25 minutes on a treadmill at a speed 5 miles per hour”; “X-machine quick start for 25 minutes” (X refers to a name of a gym equipment), and the like. Then the user may pick one based on his preference. It is worth mentioning that the user preference can also be entered into the health control unit 130 and the display priority of the exercise items 1540 will be changed based on the preference data 156.

As mentioned above, the method of the present invention may further comprises a step of transmitting the exercise instruction and information generated to an exercise equipment via electronic signals in a wire or wireless linking manner for controlling the exercise level, operation and intensive of the exercise equipment with respect to the user's current health data.

One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of the present invention as shown in the drawings and described above is exemplary only and not intended to be limiting.

It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. It embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structural principles of the present invention and is subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. An exercise equipment, comprising:

an equipment body arranged for providing an exercise tool; and an equipment control unit communicated with said equipment body and arranged for controlling a process of operation of said equipment body, wherein said equipment control unit comprises:

a central processing unit, arranged for receiving a health data of an user, comprising an evaluation module analyzing the health data and providing a health status based on the health data, a feedback module receiving the health status and providing an exercise instruction based on the health status, and a communication module receiving the exercise instruction and communicating the exercise instruction to said equipment body and said power arrangement in such a manner that the process of operation of said equipment body follows the exercise instruction; and

a database unit storing a health data database, a health status database and an exercise instruction database, wherein said health data database, said health status database and said exercise instruction database are interlinked in a preset manner,

thereby the user is capable of doing exercise conforming to the exercise instruction through said equipment control unit controlling the process of operation of said equipment body on a real-time basis.

2. The exercise equipment, as recited in claim 1, further comprising a communication unit provided on said equipment body electrically connected to said communicating module of said equipment control and communicating the exercise instruction to the user on a real-time basis.

3. The exercise equipment, as recited in claim 2, wherein said communication unit comprises a communication slot arranged for receiving information and a communication module in the communication slot such that the health data of a particular user is able to be loaded into said equipment control unit through said communication slot for processing through said communication module.

4. The exercise equipment, as recited in claim 2, wherein said communication unit further comprises a plurality of input member on said communication unit arranged for providing a plurality of input keys for data entry into the equipment control unit.

5. The exercise equipment, as recited in claim 3, wherein said communication unit further comprises a plurality of input member on said communication unit arranged for providing a plurality of input keys for data entry into the equipment control unit.

6. The exercise equipment, as recited in claim 1, wherein said equipment control unit is integrally provided inside said equipment body.

7. The exercise equipment, as recited in claim 5, wherein said equipment control unit is integrally provided inside said equipment body.

8. The exercise equipment, as recited in claim 1, wherein said equipment control unit is located in a remote location and communicating with said equipment body through a network.

9. The exercise equipment, as recited in claim 7, wherein said equipment control unit is located in a remote location and communicating with said equipment body through a network.

10. The exercise equipment, as recited in claim 3, wherein said communication unit comprises a display unit arranged for visually displaying the exercise instruction to the user.

11. The exercise equipment, as recited in claim 1, wherein the health data is obtained from a health monitoring apparatus which comprises one or more sensor units and a sensor module for each said sensor unit to generate and sending the corresponding health data to the equipment control unit.

12. The exercise equipment, as recited in claim 11, wherein said plurality of sensor units is selected from a group consisting of a blood pressure sensor, a body temperature sensor, heart rate sensor, body weight sensor, a balancing ability sensor, a bone density sensor, and a hand-grip sensor, and the health data is selected from a group consisting of a blood pressure, a body temperature, a heart rate, a body weight, a balancing ability, a bone density, and a hand-grip data.

13. The exercise equipment, as recited in claim 9, wherein the health data is obtained from a health monitoring apparatus which comprises one or more sensor units and a sensor module for each said sensor unit to generate and sending the corresponding health data to the equipment control unit.

14. The exercise equipment, as recited in claim 13, wherein said plurality of sensor units is selected from a group consisting of a blood pressure sensor, a body temperature sensor, heart rate sensor, body weight sensor, a balancing ability sensor, a bone density sensor, and a hand-grip sensor, and the health data is selected from a group consisting of a blood pressure, a body temperature, a heart rate, a body weight, a balancing ability, a bone density, and a hand-grip data.

15. The exercise equipment, as recited in claim 11, wherein the health data from the health monitoring apparatus is automatically transmitted to said equipment control unit.

16. The exercise equipment, as recited in claim 14, wherein the health data from the health monitoring apparatus is automatically transmitted to said equipment control unit.

17. The exercise equipment, as recited in claim 11, wherein the exercise instruction includes a mode of the exercise and a duration of the exercise.

18. The exercise equipment, as recited in claim 14, wherein the exercise instruction includes a mode of the exercise and a duration of the exercise.

19. An exercise monitoring method of an interactive exercise equipment which includes an equipment body and an equipment control unit, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

(a) receiving a set of health data of an user through said health monitoring apparatus;

(b) interactively and remotely providing an exercise instruction to an equipment body of said exercise equipment through said equipment control unit communicating with said health monitoring apparatus;

(c) interactively controlling a process of operation of said equipment body; and

(d) stopping said operation of equipment body of said exercise equipment when an overriding event is detected.

20. The method, as recited in claim 19, wherein said overriding event includes when a process of operation of said equipment body is not operated precisely according to said exercise instruction.