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.

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; and   a 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; and   the 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; and   the 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; and   the 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; and   if 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;   
     wherein,
 the reporting unit issues the deviation report when the number of deviations counted by the deviation counting unit reaches or exceeds the prescribed count. 
 
   
   
       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;   
     wherein,
 the reference signal generating unit partitions the rep amplitude of the repetitive motion and creates a plurality of sections; 
 the relative position monitoring unit determines whether the deviation has occurred at the point in time when having passed through the first section based on the reference signal; and 
 the reporting unit issues the deviation report when the deviations, which are counted by the deviation counting unit, reach or exceed the prescribed count. 
 
   
   
       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;   
     wherein,
 after a deviation between the reference position and the detected position of the moving unit has occurred, the relative position monitoring unit detects that the deviation has been eliminated; and 
 if the relative position monitoring unit has detected the deviation, then the indicating unit generates indication data, which indicates that the moving unit is stopped, and, subsequently, when the relative position monitoring unit has detected that the deviation has been eliminated, generates indication data that indicates the position of the moving unit, which resumes repetitive motion starting from the stopped position. 
 
   
   
       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;   
     wherein,
 if the detected position of the moving unit still has not reached the end point at the point in time when the reference position of the moving unit has reached the end point of the forward path or the return path of the repetitive motion, then the relative position monitoring unit detects that the detected position of the moving unit has reached the respective end point; and 
 the indicating unit generates indication data that indicates that the moving unit is stopped until the detected position of the moving unit coincides with the end point.