Bicycle ergometer

Abstract

To provide a training system for a bicycle ergometer that allows easy functional expansion as a training system by attaching a supplement component (terminal unit) in a post-fitting and non-contact manner without modifying a device body of the bicycle ergometer, even for a small and inexpensive bicycle ergometer that has been purchased as a product for general households.SOLUTION: A terminal unit is installed in proximity to a commercially available bicycle ergometer equipped with pedals that rotate by pedaling motion of a bicycle, and includes: a detection section that detects the number of pedal rotations per unit time during the pedaling motion; and a transmission section that wirelessly transmits data of the number of pedal rotations from the detection section.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a bicycle ergometer. Specifically, it relates to a pedaling training system using a commercially available bicycle ergometer.

Background Art

[0002] A bicycle ergometer is a generally commercially available bicycle-type training device equipped with pedals that rotate by the pedaling motion of a bicycle. Although it has no wheels, it is a device that can mechanically and electrically vary the load resistance, so that a target amount of exercise can be determined according to height, weight, and age and a load can be applied. It has become popular not only in sports gyms but also in ordinary households.

[0003] Cycling exercise is recognized as effective not only for enhancing physical strength and promoting health but also as a preventive exercise for adult diseases. In particular, if cycling exercise is performed with a light load, it becomes aerobic exercise, and since the burden on the knees is less compared to jogging, etc., it is excellent as a measure against obesity.

[0004] However, since cycling exercise using this type of bicycle ergometer is performed indoors, it is often monotonous and does not last long. In order to eliminate this type of monotony, in Patent Document 1, the rotational speed of the pedals of an indoor stationary bicycle (bicycle ergometer) is detected by a rotation sensor (built into the device body of the bicycle ergometer), and the detected rotational speed is transmitted to a DVD by an infrared remote control to display a virtual landscape on a display device. It is disclosed that the virtual landscape scrolls vertically with a driver's eye, and the playback speed changes according to the pedal rotational speed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, the above-described bicycle ergometer has a problem that it is expensive as a whole system including the bicycle ergometer main body and occupies a large space, and cannot meet the requirements as a product for general households.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a training system for a bicycle ergometer that can easily expand its functions as a training system, is inexpensive and occupies a small space while eliminating the monotony of exercise, even for a small and inexpensive bicycle ergometer that has already been purchased as a product for general households, by non-contact mounting of a supplementary component (terminal unit) retrofittably without modifying the apparatus main body of the bicycle ergometer.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the terminal unit according to claim 1 of the present invention is installed in the vicinity of a commercially available bicycle ergometer equipped with pedals that rotate by the pedaling motion of a bicycle, and includes a detection unit that detects the number of rotations of the pedals per unit time during the pedaling motion, and a transmission unit that wirelessly transmits data on the number of pedal rotations from the detection unit.

[0009] The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that, in the terminal unit according to claim 1, the terminal unit transmits data on the number of pedal rotations to a user terminal via the transmission unit, and is configured such that an operator's training is performed based on a dedicated application in the user terminal.

[0010] The invention according to claim 3 is a terminal unit installed in the vicinity of a commercially available bicycle ergometer equipped with pedals that rotate by the pedaling motion of a bicycle. In the terminal unit, a measuring unit measures the distance to the pedal existing above the terminal unit during the pedaling motion, and a transmitting unit wirelessly transmits the measured distance data to the pedal. It is characterized by comprising:

[0011] The invention according to claim 4 is the terminal unit according to claim 3, wherein the terminal unit transmits the distance data to a user terminal via the transmitting unit, calculates the pedal rotation speed based on the distance data, and is configured such that an operator's training is performed based on a dedicated application on the user terminal. It is characterized by:

[0012] The invention according to claim 5 is the terminal unit according to claim 2 or claim 4, wherein the user terminal is a smartphone, a tablet, or a personal computer. It is characterized by:

[0013] The invention according to claim 6 is the terminal unit according to claim 1 or claim 3, wherein the terminal unit has a distance measuring sensor that measures the distance to the pedal existing above the terminal unit, and is installed within the detection area of the distance measuring sensor below the pedal and substantially on the same plane as the installation surface of the bicycle ergometer main body. It is characterized by:

[0014] The invention according to claim 7 is the terminal unit according to claim 2 or claim 4, wherein the dedicated application is configured such that an operator's training is performed while changing the tone or tempo of music according to the pedal rotation speed in any song selected by the operator. It is characterized by:

[0015] The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that, in the terminal unit according to claim 2 or claim 4, the dedicated application is configured such that visual training of an operator is performed while changing the display position of a person or a humanoid character in a virtual space according to the number of pedal rotations.

[0016] The invention according to claim 9 is a pedaling training system including a commercially available bicycle ergometer having pedals rotated by a pedaling motion of a bicycle, a terminal unit installed in proximity to the bicycle ergometer, and a user terminal installed with a dedicated application. The terminal unit includes a measuring unit configured to measure a distance to the pedal existing above the terminal unit during the pedaling motion, and a transmitting unit configured to wirelessly transmit the measured distance data to the pedal or data of the number of pedal rotations calculated based on the distance data to the user terminal.

[0017] The invention according to claim 10 is characterized in that, in the pedaling training system according to claim 9, the user terminal is a smartphone, a tablet, or a personal computer.

[0018] The invention according to claim 11 is characterized in that, in the pedaling training system according to claim 9, the terminal unit includes a distance measuring sensor configured to measure a distance to the pedal existing above the terminal unit, and the distance measuring sensor is installed within a detection area of the distance measuring sensor below the pedal and on substantially the same plane as the installation surface of the bicycle ergometer main body.

[0019] The invention according to claim 12 is a commercially available exercise device, including a detection unit configured to detect the number of rotations or the number of reciprocations per unit time of an operation unit during a rotational motion or a reciprocating motion by an operator during exercise, and a transmitting unit configured to wirelessly transmit data of the number of rotations or the number of reciprocations from the detection unit.

Advantages of the Invention

[0020] According to the invention described in claim 1, the terminal unit is installed in the vicinity of a commercially available bicycle ergometer equipped with pedals that rotate by the pedaling motion of a bicycle, and includes a detection unit that detects the number of rotations of the pedals per unit time during the pedaling motion, and a transmission unit that wirelessly transmits data on the pedal rotation speed from the detection unit. Therefore, even for a small and inexpensive bicycle ergometer that has already been purchased as a general household item, the terminal unit can be retrofitted and non-contact mounted without modifying the device body of the bicycle ergometer, enabling easy functional expansion as a training system, and the data on the pedal rotation speed from the detection unit can be wirelessly transmitted.

[0021] According to the invention described in claim 2, the terminal unit transmits data on the pedal rotation speed to the user terminal via the transmission unit, and is configured such that the operator's training is performed based on a dedicated application on the user terminal. Therefore, it can be easily functionally expanded as a training system, and while being inexpensive and occupying little space as a training system, it can eliminate the monotony of the exercise.

[0022] According to the invention described in claim 3, in a terminal unit installed in the vicinity of a commercially available bicycle ergometer equipped with pedals that rotate by the pedaling motion of a bicycle, the terminal unit includes a measurement unit that measures the distance to the pedal existing above the terminal unit during the pedaling motion, and a transmission unit that wirelessly transmits the measured distance data to the pedal. Therefore, even for a small and inexpensive bicycle ergometer that has already been purchased as a general household item, the terminal unit can be retrofitted and non-contact mounted without modifying the device body of the bicycle ergometer, enabling easy functional expansion as a training system, and the measured distance data to the pedal can be wirelessly transmitted.

[0023] According to the invention described in claim 4, since the terminal unit transmits distance data to the user terminal via the transmission unit, calculates the pedal rotation speed based on the distance data, and is configured such that the training of the operator is performed based on the dedicated application in the user terminal, the function of the training system can be easily expanded, and while the training system is inexpensive and occupies a small space, it can eliminate the monotony of the exercise.

[0024] According to the invention described in claim 5, since the user terminal is a smartphone, tablet or personal computer, the training system can be configured using the terminal device that the user owns nearby, and while the training system is inexpensive and occupies a small space, it can eliminate the monotony of the exercise.

[0025] According to the invention described in claim 6, the terminal unit has a distance measuring sensor that measures the distance to the pedal existing above the terminal unit, and is installed within the detection area of the distance measuring sensor below the pedal and on substantially the same plane as the installation surface of the stationary bicycle ergometer body. Therefore, the terminal unit can be easily and non - contactingly retrofitted and attached without modifying the device body of the stationary bicycle ergometer.

[0026] According to the invention described in claim 7, since the dedicated application is configured such that the training of the operator is performed while changing the tone or tempo of the music according to the pedal rotation speed in any song selected by the operator, the monotony of the exercise can be eliminated, and a training that is enjoyable and does not get boring can be provided.

[0027] According to the invention described in claim 8, since the dedicated application is configured such that the training of the operator is visually performed while changing the display position of a person or anthropomorphic character in a virtual space according to the pedal rotation speed, the monotony of the exercise can be eliminated, and a training that is enjoyable and does not get boring can be provided.

[0028] According to the invention described in claim 9, in a pedaling training system including a commercially available bicycle ergometer having pedals rotated by the pedaling motion of a bicycle, a terminal unit installed in proximity to the bicycle ergometer, and a user terminal installed with a dedicated application, the terminal unit has a measuring unit that measures the distance to the pedal existing above the terminal unit during the pedaling motion, and a transmitting unit that wirelessly transmits the measured distance data to the pedal or the data of the pedal rotation speed calculated based on the distance data to the user terminal. Therefore, even for a small and inexpensive bicycle ergometer that has been purchased as a general household item, the terminal unit can be retrofitted and non-contact mounted without modifying the device body of the bicycle ergometer, so that the training system can be easily functionally expanded and the data of the pedal rotation speed from the detection unit can be wirelessly transmitted.

[0029] According to the invention described in claim 10, since the user terminal is a smartphone, tablet or personal computer, the training system can be configured using the terminal device that the user owns nearby, and the training system can eliminate the monotony of the exercise while being inexpensive and occupying a small space.

[0030] According to the invention described in claim 11, the terminal unit has a distance measuring sensor that measures the distance to the pedal existing above the terminal unit, and is installed in the detection area of the distance measuring sensor below the pedal and substantially on the same plane as the installation surface of the bicycle ergometer body. Therefore, the terminal unit can be easily retrofitted and non-contact mounted without modifying the device body of the bicycle ergometer.

[0031] According to the invention described in claim 12, in a commercially available exercise device, the terminal unit is installed in proximity to an operation unit where the operator performs a rotational motion or a reciprocating motion during exercise, and has a detection unit that detects the number of rotations or reciprocations per unit time of the operation unit during the rotational motion or reciprocating motion, and a transmitting unit that wirelessly transmits the data of the number of rotations or reciprocations from the detection unit. Therefore, it can be widely and generally mounted as a terminal for functional expansion for commercially available exercise devices.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0032]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0033] Next, a first embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] 〔Configuration of the Whole System〕 FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the overall external configuration of a pedal rowing training system 1 using a bicycle ergometer 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the pedal rowing training system 1 is a system including a commercially available bicycle ergometer 10, a terminal unit 20 installed in the vicinity of the bicycle ergometer 10, and a user terminal 41 in which a dedicated application is installed. The user terminal 41 is a smartphone, a tablet, a personal computer, or the like.

[0035] According to this, a training system can be configured using a terminal device that the user owns nearby, and as a training system, it can be inexpensive, occupy little space, and eliminate the monotony of exercise. Also, the user terminal 41 may use a dedicated terminal with dedicated software that cannot be used for other purposes.

[0036] The bicycle ergometer 10 is a generally commercially available bicycle-type training device, and is a device equipped with pedals 12 that rotate by the pedaling motion of a bicycle. The device main body 11 is supported by pedestals 15a and 15b, and the pedals 12 (including the crank 13) are exposed on both side surfaces above the device main body 11 and are attached so that a pedaling motion is possible. However, the technical idea of the present invention can be applied regardless of the shape of the bicycle. Also, the bicycle ergometer 10 can select a pedaling motion by either the foot or the hand, and according to the selection result, after fixing the foot or the hand to the pedal 12 with a holding belt 14 arranged on the left and right sides of the pedal 12, exercise is performed. When exercising, for example, in the case of a pedaling motion by the foot, using a chair owned by the user, while sitting on the chair, perform a foot pedaling motion of the pedal. Also, in the case of a pedaling motion by the hand, using a desk owned by the user, place the device main body 11 on the desk and perform a hand pedaling motion of the pedal. Or, the bicycle ergometer 10 may use one with an office chair.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal unit 20 has a distance measuring sensor 16 that measures the distance to the pedal 12 existing above the terminal unit 20, and is installed within the detection area of the distance measuring sensor below the pedal 12 and substantially on the same plane as the installation surface of the device main body 11 of the bicycle ergometer 10. The distance measuring sensor 16 is a sensor that measures distance, and is a measuring method that measures the time until the laser emitted in pulses hits an object and returns, and converts it into distance.

[0038] According to this, without modifying the device main body 11 of the bicycle ergometer 10, the terminal unit 20 can be easily attached in a non-contact manner as a retrofit.

[0039] Next, the installation method of the terminal unit 20 will be described step by step. (1) Install the terminal unit 20 at a position where the pedal 12 blocks the sensor light. It does not have to be at the lowest position, so install it where it does not get in the way. (2) In the user terminal 20, when the initial setting button of the dedicated application is pressed after installation, a message "Please turn the pedal" will be displayed. (3) Record the minimum distance and the maximum distance at the time when the user is turning the pedal 12 in this device. (4) Compare each of the minimum distance and the maximum distance with the threshold value. If the value is abnormal, display a message prompting reinstallation and ask for reinstallation.

[0040] The terminal unit 20 is installed in the vicinity of the bicycle ergometer 10, and includes a detection unit (not shown) that detects the number of revolutions per unit time (rpm) of the pedal 12 (hereinafter referred to as the pedal rotation speed) during the pedaling motion, and a transmission unit 30 that wirelessly transmits the pedal rotation speed data from the detection unit. Note that the detection unit is realized by a measurement unit using the distance measurement sensor 16 and a control unit including a CPU. The transmission unit will be described later. The terminal unit 20 is configured to transmit the pedal rotation speed data to the user terminal 41 via the transmission unit 30, and based on the dedicated application in the user terminal 41, the operator's training is performed.

[0041] Also, as another form, it may be configured as follows. The terminal unit 20 includes a measurement unit (not shown) that measures the distance to the pedal 12 existing above the terminal unit 20 during the pedaling motion, and a transmission unit 30 that wirelessly transmits the measured distance data to the pedal 12. Note that the measurement unit is realized by a measurement unit using a distance measurement sensor and a control unit including a CPU. The transmission unit 30 will be described later. The terminal unit 20 transmits the distance data to the user terminal 41 via the transmission unit 30, calculates the pedal rotation speed based on the distance data, and based on the dedicated application in the user terminal 41, the operator's training is performed.

[0042] According to the above, even for a small and inexpensive bicycle ergometer that has already been purchased as a product for general household use, without modifying the device body 11 of the bicycle ergometer 10, by retrofitting and non - contact mounting the terminal unit 20, the training system 1 can be easily functionally expanded, and the data of the pedal rotation speed from the detection unit can be wirelessly transmitted. Also, as the training system 1, it can eliminate the monotony of exercise while being inexpensive and occupying a small space. Or, it is natural that a full - fledged business - use bicycle ergometer 10 may be used.

[0043] [Control System] In FIG. 3, the control unit 70 on the transmission unit 30 side in the terminal unit 20 has a CPU 701, a memory 702, etc. The control unit 70 is connected to a distance measuring sensor 16, a transmission unit 707, and a notification unit 703. Further, a switch 706 and a battery 705 are connected to the control unit 70 via a power control unit 704. Also, the control unit 71 on the reception unit 40 side as the user terminal 41 has a CPU 711, a memory 712, etc. The control unit 71 is connected to a reception unit 716, a display unit 714, an operation unit 715, and a notification unit 713.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 3, the distance measuring sensor 16 is connected to the transmission unit 30 via the control unit 70. When the switch 706 is turned on, power from the battery 705 is supplied to the distance measuring sensor 16 and the transmission unit 30. Thereby, the transmission unit 30 wirelessly transmits the signal from the distance measuring sensor 16. More specifically, the transmission unit 30 converts the analog signal from the distance measuring sensor 16 into a digital signal. Then, the transmission unit 30 samples the digital signal (distance data) at a fixed period and transmits it to the reception unit 40 according to the communication standard of Bluetooth (registered trademark). The reception unit 40 (control unit 71) calculates the pedal rotation speed based on the distance data. Alternatively, without transmitting the distance data to the reception unit 40, the transmission unit 30 (control unit 70) may be configured to calculate the pedal rotation speed based on the distance data and transmit the data of the pedal rotation speed to the reception unit 40.

[0045] [Calculation of Pedal Rotation Speed] Next, a method for calculating the pedal rotation speed based on the aforementioned distance data will be described step by step. (1) First, start a timer (integrating timer) for measuring the elapsed time. (2) For the first rotation by the pedal 12, obtain the elapsed time t0 (S) when the actually measured distance data of the distance measuring sensor 16 becomes smaller than the threshold distance. (3) For the second rotation by the pedal 12, obtain the elapsed time t1 (S) when the actually measured distance data of the distance measuring sensor 16 becomes smaller than the threshold distance. (4) Obtain the time T = t1 - t0 (S) taken from the first rotation to the second rotation by the pedal 12. (5) Pedal rotation speed = 1 / T (rps) = 60 / T (rpm) (6) Calculate in the same way for rotations after the third rotation.

[0046] [Measures against misdetection of pedal rotation speed] Next, measures against misdetection of the pedal rotation speed will be described step by step. During the pedal rowing motion, perform the following software flag management so that the distance data when the pedal 12 approaches the distance measuring sensor by a predetermined distance is sampled only once per pedal rotation. (1) When the actually measured distance data of the distance measuring sensor 16 becomes smaller than the threshold distance, memorize the aforementioned elapsed time (data acquisition) in the memory. At that time, rewrite the memory management flag in the software from 1 to 0. (2) In the case of the memory flag 0 for preventing misdetection, do not memorize the elapsed time. (3) If the actually measured distance spreads to a predetermined distance or more (re - memory permission distance), rewrite the memory management flag from 0 to 1. Thereafter, repeat (1) to (3) to calculate the pedal rotation speed as described above.

[0047] [Training operation] Next, the training operation of the pedal rowing training system 1 in the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4.

[0048] FIG. 4 is a flowchart during training of the present invention. FIGS. 5 to 7 are display screens 80a, 80b, 80c (display unit 714) on the dedicated application of the user terminal 41 at that time.

[0049] First, turn on the switch 706 of the transmission unit 30 in the terminal unit 20 (S1). When the switch (not shown) of the reception unit 40 in the user terminal 41 is turned on, a pairing connection in Bluetooth (registered trademark) is performed. When the connection is completed, the character "connect" is displayed on the display screen of the user terminal 41. Next, when the dedicated application (for pedal rowing training) in the user terminal 41 is started, the initial setting screen 80a shown in FIG. 5 appears as the initial screen.

[0050] Next, on the display screens 80a and 80b shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, based on the user's operation, the input of the initial settings is accepted (S2 to S5 in FIG. 4).

[0051] First, set the target speed (S2). Input and set it directly through the input box 82a on the display screen 80a at that time or by tracing the pointer 81a with a finger.

[0052] Next, set the training time (S3). Input and set it directly through the input box 82b on the display screen 80a at that time or by tracing the pointer 81b with a finger. After setting, press the "Initialize / Set" button 83a shown in FIG. 6 to confirm the input content.

[0053] Next, set the appropriate range of the target speed (S4). Input and set it directly through the input box 82c on the display screen 80a at that time or by tracing the pointer 81c with a finger.

[0054] Next, set the music (music data) that plays during training (S5). Input and set it by pressing the "Music Selection" button 83e shown in 80b of FIG. 6. Note that the music data is selected and used from those stored in the user terminal 41 or the terminal unit 20.

[0055] Next, press the "Start" button (S6). Training is started by pressing the "Start / Stop" button 83c shown in 80b of FIG. 6.

[0056] Next, after training, the training result is displayed (S7). By pressing the "Start / Stop" button 83c shown in 80b of FIG. 6 again, the training ends, and the training result shown in 80c of FIG. 7 is displayed. Note that the training results include training time (display frame 91), number of times (display frame 92), average speed (display frame 93), maximum speed (display frame 94), target achievement rate (display frame 95), and rank (display frame 96). Note that the rank indicates how well the target speed was met. Alternatively, when the set time reaches 0, the training ends and the training result is displayed.

[0057] Next, the operation during training will be described in more detail. The dedicated app (for pedal rowing training) on the user terminal 41 has the following two features during training: (1) The dedicated app is configured such that the operator's training is performed while changing the music tone or tempo according to the rotation speed of the pedal 12 in any song selected by the operator. Note that the music data is selected and used from the data stored in the user terminal 20 or the terminal unit 40. The song (music data) playing during training is displayed in the display frame 85 shown in the display screen 80b of FIG. 6. Also, in the display frame 87a shown in the display screen 80b of FIG. 6, the total current pedal rotation (revolutions) is displayed, in the display frame 87b, the current revolutions per unit time (rpm) is displayed, and in the display frame 87c, a message for the training is displayed. Also, in the display frame 89, the remaining time with respect to the set time is displayed. Also, in the display frame 86, the current pedal rotation speed meter is displayed. Also, when the "Auto Start" 83d checkbox is checked, the start and stop of training are automatically performed in conjunction with the start and stop of the rotation of the pedal 12.

[0058] (2) The dedicated application is configured to visually train the operator while changing the display position of a human or anthropomorphic character in the virtual space according to the pedal rotation speed. In the virtual space shown on the display screen 80b of FIG. 6, a character 90a of a person riding a bicycle is displayed, and the display position is changed left and right according to the current pedal rotation speed. When the target speed is reached, the tip 90c of the front wheel of the bicycle reaches a position overlapping the target line 90b, and when the target speed is exceeded, it moves to the right by a distance corresponding to the pedal rotation speed, and when it is below the target speed, it moves to the left by a distance corresponding to the pedal rotation speed. Note that the dedicated application is not limited to the above configuration, and may slow down the movement speed of a human or anthropomorphic character in the virtual space according to the pedal rotation speed, or the human or anthropomorphic character in the virtual space may be at a fixed position, and the background may be configured to flow and move according to the pedal rotation speed.

[0059] According to the above, it is possible to eliminate the monotony of exercise and provide enjoyable and non-boring training.

[0060] [Other Embodiments] Regarding the pedal rowing training system 1 using the above-described bicycle ergometer 10, for the following other embodiments, since the configuration of the bicycle ergometer 10 is different on the training system, the different parts will be described. The description of the common parts will be omitted and the same reference numerals are attached.

[0061] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an example of the external configuration of the entire training system in another embodiment of the present invention. The commercially available exercise equipment shown in FIG. 8 is called a sanding board and is a training board used for rehabilitation of upper limb paralysis and shoulder joints, and is an item of occupational therapy for the purpose of improving upper limb function. Note that in FIG. 8, the sanding board 50 is placed on the desk 55 owned by the operator.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 8, the sanding board 50 has a movable member 57 that can move back and forth on a board 56 with an adjustable inclination angle. The operator holds the operation parts (grips) 51a and 51b integrally formed on the movable member 57 with the left hand 52a and the right hand 52b respectively, and performs reciprocating movement (reciprocating motion) back and forth to train the upper limbs and shoulder joints. As a training system including the sanding board 50, it is the same as the above-described pedal rowing training system 1 in that it includes a terminal unit 20 other than the sanding board 50 and a user terminal 41.

[0063] The terminal unit 20 is installed close to the operation parts 51a and 51b where the operator performs reciprocating movement during exercise, and includes a detection unit that detects the number of reciprocations per unit time of the operation part during reciprocating movement, and a transmission unit that wirelessly transmits the data on the number of reciprocations from the detection unit. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the terminal unit 20 is installed close to the movement path of the reciprocating movement of the movable member 57. That is, the ranging sensor 16 included in the terminal unit 20 is installed at a position where it can detect the movement distance of the reciprocating movement of the movable member 57.

[0064] According to this, the terminal unit 20 can be widely and generally mounted as a function expansion terminal for a general commercially available exercise device.

[0065] The object for which the terminal unit 20 measures the distance does not necessarily have to be a pedal, as long as the ranging sensor can measure the distance of the movable part. Also, the object for which the terminal unit 20 measures the distance does not necessarily have to exist above the terminal unit 20, and it may be below or on the side.

[0066] In addition, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and it is obvious that within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention, this embodiment can be appropriately changed in addition to what is suggested in this embodiment. Also, the number, position, shape, etc. of the said constituent members are not limited to this embodiment, and it can be made into the number, position, shape, etc. suitable for implementing the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0067] 1 Bicycle pedaling training system 10 Bicycle ergometer 11 Apparatus main body 12 Pedal 13 Crank 14 Holding belt 15 Pedestal 16 Distance measuring sensor 20 Terminal unit 30 Transmitting unit 40 Receiving unit 41 User terminal 70 Control unit 71 Control unit 701 CPU 702 Memory 703 Notification unit 704 Power control unit 705 Battery 706 Switch 707 Transmitting unit 711 CPU 712 Memory 713 Notification unit 714 Display unit 715 Operation unit 716 Receiving unit

Claims

1. A terminal unit is provided, which is installed in proximity to a commercially available bicycle ergometer equipped with pedals that rotate by the pedaling motion of a bicycle, and includes a detection unit that detects the number of rotations of the pedals per unit time during the pedaling motion, and a transmission unit that wirelessly transmits data on the pedal rotation speed from the detection unit.

2. The terminal unit is configured to transmit data on the pedal rotation speed to a user terminal via the transmission unit, and based on a dedicated application on the user terminal, training of an operator is performed. The terminal unit according to Claim 1, characterized by this.

3. In a terminal unit installed in proximity to a commercially available bicycle ergometer equipped with pedals that rotate by the pedaling motion of a bicycle, the terminal unit includes a measurement unit that measures the distance to the pedals existing above the terminal unit during the pedaling motion, and a transmission unit that wirelessly transmits the measured distance data to the pedals. The terminal unit is characterized by this.

4. The terminal unit is configured to transmit the distance data to a user terminal via the transmission unit, calculate the pedal rotation speed based on the distance data, and based on a dedicated application on the user terminal, training of an operator is performed. The terminal unit according to Claim 3, characterized by this.

5. The user terminal is a smartphone, tablet, or personal computer. The terminal unit according to Claim 2 or Claim 4, characterized by this.

6. The terminal unit has a distance measurement sensor that measures the distance to the pedals existing above the terminal unit, and is installed within the detection area of the distance measurement sensor below the pedals and on substantially the same plane as the installation surface of the bicycle ergometer main body. The terminal unit according to Claim 1 or Claim 3, characterized by this.

7. The dedicated application is configured such that training of the operator is performed while changing the tone or tempo of music according to the pedal rotation speed in an arbitrary song selected by the operator. The terminal unit according to Claim 2 or Claim 4, characterized by this.

8. The dedicated application is configured such that visual training of the operator is performed while changing the display position of a human or anthropomorphic character in a virtual space according to the pedal rotation speed. The terminal unit according to Claim 2 or Claim 4, characterized by this.

9. In a pedaling training system including a commercially available bicycle ergometer having pedals rotated by a pedaling motion of a bicycle, a terminal unit installed in proximity to the bicycle ergometer, and a user terminal installed with a dedicated application, the terminal unit has a measurement unit that measures a distance to the pedal existing above the terminal unit during the pedaling motion, and a transmission unit that wirelessly transmits the measured distance data to the pedal or data on the number of pedal rotations calculated based on the distance data to the user terminal. A pedaling training system characterized by this.

10. The pedaling training system according to claim 9, wherein the user terminal is a smartphone, a tablet, or a personal computer.

11. The terminal unit has a distance measuring sensor that measures a distance to the pedal existing above the terminal unit, and is installed within a detection area of the distance measuring sensor below the pedal and substantially on the same plane as the installation surface of the bicycle ergometer body. The pedaling training system according to claim 9, characterized by this.

12. In a commercially available exercise device, a detection unit that is installed in proximity to an operation unit where an operator performs a rotational motion or a reciprocating motion during exercise and detects the number of rotations or reciprocations per unit time of the operation unit during the rotational motion or reciprocating motion, and a transmission unit that wirelessly transmits data on the number of rotations or reciprocations from the detection unit. A terminal unit characterized by this.

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