Abstract:
Multifunction equipment installed in a room is provided. The multifunction equipment has main body and movable device that moves to implement plural functions, thereby allowing the multifunction equipment to be used as plural functional devices. The movable device is connected to the main body. The multifunction equipment also has assisting device that assists a use of the multifunction equipment as a desired functional device when the movable device moves to allow the multifunction equipment to be used as the desired functional device.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present invention contains subject matter related to Japanese Patent Applications No. JP 2005-171681 filed in the Japanese Patent Office on Jun. 10, 2005, the entire contents of which being incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to multifunction equipment. More particularly, it relates to equipment used as a bed and a fitness machine, and a chair for audience (an audience seat). 
     A bath room can be used as a drying room. In this moment, the bath room is used as the drying room only when the bath room is not used as the bath room (see Japanese Patent Application Publication No. H07-248183). 
     A chair for audience (an audience seat) can be moved in a theater with it matching any motion in an image (see Japanese Application Publication No. 2000-214755). In this case, the chair is moved based on a motion control signal that is generated according to motion vector detected from an image signal. This allows an audience to feel as if he or she were there. 
     In the above room, there would be the bath room and the drying room separately in terms of time. According to such the room, the bath room has its sole effect and the drying room has its sole effect, which are separated from each other. Thus, any one of the effects by bath room and the drying room can be selectively acquired by the room. 
     In the chair for audience (an audience seat), the audience can feel tired in accordance with an intensity of movement of the chair, if too strong, and the duration thereof. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is desirable to provide multifunction equipment that is preferably available in the room. It is also desirable to provide multifunction equipment that is possible to give human body any pressure effect successfully. 
     According to an embodiment of the invention, there is provided first multifunction equipment that is installed in a room. The first equipment has main body and movable device that moves to implement plural functions, thereby allowing the multifunction equipment to be used as plural functional devices. The movable device is connected to the main body. The first equipment also has assisting device that assists a use of the multifunction equipment as a desired functional device when the movable device moves to allow the multifunction equipment to be used as the desired functional device. 
     In this embodiment of the first multifunction equipment according to the invention, the multifunction equipment is installed in a room. The movable device, which is connected to the main body, moves to implement plural functions, thereby allowing the multifunction equipment to be used as plural functional devices. When the first multifunction equipment is used as a desired functional device, the assisting device assists a use of the multifunction equipment as the desired functional device. For example, when the first multifunction equipment is equipment used as a bed and a fitness machine, this equipment is used as the bed or the fitness machine. If it is used as the fitness machine, the assisting device assists a use of the multifunction equipment as the fitness machine by a shower device and/or a cooler device. If it is used as the bed, the assisting device assists a use of the multifunction equipment as the bed by an air-conditioning device. 
     Thus, since the assisting device assists a use of the first multifunction equipment when the first multifunction equipment is used as the desired functional device, the first multifunction equipment is preferably available in the room as the desired functional device. For example, the first multifunction equipment can detect a condition of a user who uses the first multifunction equipment and control its function to change the function automatically based on a detected result thereof. This enables any change of function by the user to be saved. 
     Further, the first multifunction equipment can detect a condition in the room and adjust an assisting condition by the assisting device based on a detected result thereof. This enables a use of the first multifunction equipment as a desired functional device to be made much comfortable. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided second multifunction equipment. The second multifunction equipment has feature-extracting device that extracts a feature from a contents-playback signal. The second multifunction equipment also has first pressuring device that pressures a predetermined position of a region, which contacts human body, of the second multifunction equipment. The second multifunction equipment further has second pressuring device that pressures a selected region of the region contacting the human body. The second multifunction equipment additionally has control-signal-generating device that generates a control signal, which controls the first pressuring device and the second pressuring device based on the feature extracted by the feature-extracting device. Both of the first pressuring device and the second pressuring device are driven within a predetermined period of time. 
     In this embodiment of the second multifunction equipment according to the invention, a feature is extracted from a contents-playback signal. The feature is extracted as an amount of a motion control signal that is generated based on motion vector detected from an image signal included in the contents-playback signal. The feature can be extracted as a total amount of the contents-playback time. 
     The first pressuring device pressures a predetermined position of a region, which contacts human body, of the second multifunction equipment, thereby giving the human body any massage effects, for example. The second pressuring device pressures a selected region of the region contacting the human body, thereby giving the human body any movements for improving his or her feeling as if he or she were there. The control signal, which controls the first pressuring device and the second pressuring device, is generated based on the feature extracted from the contents-playback signal. 
     According to the embodiment of the second multifunction equipment, any massage effects and any feeling as if audience were there are given his or her human body according to the extracted feature. Thus, such the second multifunction equipment can give the human body not only any feeling as if he or she were there but also any massage effects so that the massage effects can help to recover the tired human body by the movements. The human body thus recovered can further feel as if he or she were there much excitedly by the movements. 
     For example, a living body signal is acquired from human body, and then, the embodiment of the second multifunction equipment can generate the control signal for controlling at least the first pressuring device based on the feature extracted from the contents-playback signal as described above and the living body signal. This enables the human body to be given any massage effect that is much preferably suitable for the human body. 
     Further, an amount of control signal for controlling at least the first pressuring device can be controlled based on information entered by the external entry device. This enables a user to adjust the massage effect and/or the movements of the second multifunction equipment easily to one that is comfortable in the user. 
     Additionally, the second multifunction equipment constitutes a room and has, for example, a chair or seat shape. The second multifunction equipment can have third pressuring device that changes the shape of this multifunction equipment. The third pressuring device can change the shape of the second multifunction equipment based on the living body signal acquired from the human body. In an embodiment of the second multifunction equipment, an angle of a backrest of a chair can be automatically changed. This enables any change of the angle of the backrest by the user to be saved. 
     The concluding portion of this specification particularly points out and directly claims the subject matter of the present invention. However that skill in the art will best understand both the organization and method of operation of the invention, together with further advantages and objects thereof, by reading the remaining portions of the specification in view of the accompanying drawing(s) wherein like reference characters refer to like elements. 
     Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description and the figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram for illustrating a configuration of equipment used as a bed and a fitness machine according to a first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram for showing a configuration of a control device in the equipment used as a bed and a fitness machine shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart for showing a control example by the control device shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart for showing a control example by the control device shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart for showing a control example by the control device shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart for showing a control example by the control device shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart for showing learning operations by the control device shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram for illustrating an outline configuration of a multifunction chair according to a second embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a block diagram for illustrating a configuration of the multifunction chair shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is a block diagram for illustrating a detailed configuration of a schedule-information-acquiring portion. 
         FIG. 11  is a block diagram for illustrating a detailed configuration of an acquired-information-processing portion. 
         FIG. 12  is a block diagram for illustrating a configuration of a multifunction chair according to a third embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 13A through 13C  are diagrams each for illustrating an example of a change in the shape of chair by reclining. 
         FIG. 14  is a block diagram for illustrating a configuration of a multifunction chair according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, multifunction equipment according to preferred embodiments of the invention will be described specifically below. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a configuration of equipment  100  used as a bed and a fitness machine according to a first embodiment of the invention. The equipment  100  used as a bed and a fitness machine is installed in a room  10  as an example of the multifunction equipment. 
     A base  101  mounts a mattress-supporting plate  102 . The mattress-supporting plate  102  has a rectangular space  103  that extends longitudinally from an edge thereof to a middle portion thereof. A rectangular board  104  for abdominal muscle training exercise is fit into the rectangular space  103  with the rectangular board  104  pivoting by supporting an end thereof by cut portion of the mattress-supporting plate  102  corresponding to the middle thereof. The other end of the rectangular board  104  can move up and down by using a lifting-and-lowering mechanism  105  attached to the base  101 . Thus, moving the other end of the rectangular board  104  up and down by using the lifting-and-lowering mechanism  105  enables an inclined angle of the rectangular board  104  to be adjusted. It is to be noted that the mattress-supporting plate  102  and the rectangular board  104  have such a structure that water can go through it or are water-repellent. A water-reservoir and a drain, which are not shown, are provided under and around the mattress-supporting plate  102  and the rectangular board  104 . It is also to be noted that a sit-up bar  106  for keeping user&#39;s foot in place while doing sit-up is attached to the other end of the rectangular board  104 . 
     An air-conditioning device  108  is attached to a supporting rod  107  of the base  101 . The air-conditioning device  108  is attached to a position and an angle so that it can blow cool air toward a user  109  who excises the sit-up on the rectangular board  104 . 
     A shower nozzle  111  is attached to another supporting rod  110  of the base  101 . The shower nozzle  111  is attached to a position and an angle so that it can shower water toward the user  109  who excises the sit-up on the rectangular board  104 . 
     A control device  112  controls the lifting-and-lowering mechanism  105 , the air-conditioning device  108 , and the shower nozzle  111 . The shower nozzle  111  receives water having a preset temperature from a water supply, which is not shown, through the control device  112 . The control device  112  is connected to a keyboard  113  for user entry, a display  114 , an alert speaker  115 , a pulse sensor  116 , a body temperature sensor  117 , a load sensor  118 , a room temperature sensor  119 , and a timer  120 . 
     The pulse sensor  116  and the body temperature sensor  117  constitute user-condition-detecting device. The pulse sensor  116  and the body temperature sensor  117  are attached to any suitable portions of the user  109 , thereby detecting his or her pulse and body temperature. They transmit the detection signals therefor to the control device  112 . The room temperature sensor  119  constitutes room-condition-detecting device for detecting any condition in the room  10 . The room temperature sensor  119  is positioned at a suitable position in the room  10 , thereby detecting its room temperature. It transmits the detection signal therefor to the control device  112 . The load sensor  118  detects a load applied to the rectangular board  104 . It transmits the detection signal therefor to the control device  112 . The control device  112  determines whether the user  109  gets on the rectangular board  104  based on the detection signal received from the load sensor  118 . 
     Although the keyboard  113 , the display  114 , the alert speaker  115 , and the timer  120  are shown in  FIG. 1  so that they stay away from the control device  112 , the keyboard  113 , the display  114 , and the alert speaker  115  can be integrally attached to a case of the control device  112  and the timer  120  can be incorporated into the case of the control device  112 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a configuration of the control device  112 . The control device  112  has a central processing unit (CPU)  121 , a read only memory (ROM)  122 , and a random access memory (RAM)  123 , which are connected to a bus  124 . The CPU  121  controls entire software and hardware. The ROM  122  stores control program for controlling operations of the CPU  121 . The RAM  123  is designed to function as a working area for the CPU  121 . 
     The control device  112  also has a control unit  125  for the lifting-and-lowering mechanism, a control unit  126  for the air-conditioning device, a control unit  127  for the shower, and a changing unit  128  for water-temperature and an amount of water. These control units  125 ,  126 ,  127  are connected to the bus  124 . 
     The control unit  125  controls lifting-and-lowering operations of the lifting-and-lowering mechanism  105  (see  FIG. 1 ) under the control of the CPU 121 . The control unit  126  controls air-conditioning operations of the air-conditioning device  108  (see  FIG. 1 ) under the control of the CPU 121 . The control unit  127  controls operations of the changing unit  128  for water-temperature and an amount of water under the control of the CPU  121 . When using the shower, the changing unit  128  adjusts the temperature and the amount of water received from the water supply to preset values thereof and supplies the adjusted water to the shower nozzle  111  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     The control device  112  further has an input/output interface (I/O interface)  129 . The I/O interface  129  is connected to the bus  124 . The I/O interface  129  is also connected to the keyboard  113 , the display  114 , the alert speaker  115 , the pulse sensor  116 , the body temperature sensor  117 , the load sensor  118 , the room temperature sensor  119 , and the timer  120 . The timer  120  can be built in the control device  112 . 
     The following will describe a control example of the control device  112  (CPU  121 ) in the equipment  100  used as a bed and a fitness machine, as shown in  FIG. 1 , with reference to a flowchart shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     At step ST 1 , the control operation process thereof starts if, for example, the power is on. At step ST 2 , the control device  112  determines whether a user enters data by using the keyboard  113 . If he or she enters the data, the process goes to step ST 3  where the control device  112  determines whether the user indicates a position of the rectangular board  104  for the abdominal muscle training exercise. If he or she indicates the position thereof for the abdominal muscle training exercise, the process goes to step ST 4  where the control device  112  controls the lifting-and-lowering mechanism  105  to fix the rectangular board  104  to its position for the abdominal muscle training exercise (see the position of the rectangular board  104  shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
     At step ST 5 , the control device  112  controls the air-conditioning device  108  to blow cool air. At step ST 6 , the control device  112  determines whether it has taken a predetermined period of time. If it has not yet taken the predetermined period of time, the process goes back to the step ST 5  where the air-conditioning device  108  continues to blow the cool air. If it has already taken the predetermined period of time at the step ST 6 , the process goes back to the step ST 2  where the process waits next user entry. In this duration, the control device  112  controls the air-conditioning device  108  to stop blowing the cool air. 
     If the user indicates no position of the rectangular board  104  for the abdominal muscle training exercise at the step ST 3 , the process goes to step ST 7  where the control device  112  determines whether the user indicates a horizontal position of the rectangular board  104 . If he or she indicates the horizontal position of the rectangular board  104 , the process goes to step ST 8  where the control device  112  controls the lifting-and-lowering mechanism  105  to fix the rectangular board  104  to its horizontal position. At this horizontal position, the rectangular board  104  is fit into the rectangular space  103  of the mattress-supporting plate  102  with the rectangular board  104  becoming flat-surface with the mattress-supporting plate  102 . 
     At step ST 9 , temperature in the room  10  is detected based on the detection signal of the room temperature sensor  119 . At step ST 10 , the control device  112  controls the air-conditioning device  108  to blow air corresponding to the detected room temperature. 
     At step ST 11 , the control device  112  determines whether it has taken a predetermined period of time, for example, six hour. If it has not yet taken the predetermined period of time, the process goes back to the step ST 9  where the air-conditioning device  108  continues to blow the air corresponding to the detected room temperature. If it has already taken the predetermined period of time, the process goes back to the step ST 2  where the process waits next user entry. In this duration, the control device  112  controls the air-conditioning device  108  to stop blowing the air. 
     If the user indicates no horizontal position of the rectangular board  104  at the step ST 7 , the process goes to step ST 12  where the process corresponding to any user entry is carried out and the process then goes back to the step ST 2  where the process waits next user entry. 
     According to this control operation, the rectangular board  104  is fixed at its position for the abdominal muscle training exercise so that the equipment  100  can be used as a fitness machine. In this moment, the air-conditioning (cooler) device  108  as assisting device blows the cool air toward the user  109  to fall his or her body temperature down. This enables the user  109  to use the equipment  100  as the fitness machine much comfortably. 
     Further, the rectangular board  104  is fixed at its horizontal position so that the equipment  100  can be used as a bed. In this moment, the air-conditioning device  108  as assisting device blows the air corresponding to the temperature of the room  10  toward the user  109 . This enables the user  109  to sleep much comfortably, thereby allowing the user  109  to use the equipment  100  as the bed much comfortably. 
     Next, the following will describe another control example of the control device  112  (CPU  121 ) in the equipment  100  used as a bed and a fitness machine, as shown in  FIG. 1 , with reference to a flowchart shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     At step ST 21 , the control operation process thereof starts if, for example, the rectangular board  104  is fixed at its position for the abdominal muscle training exercise. At step ST 22 , the control device  112  determines whether the user  109  gets on the rectangular board  104  based on the detection signal received from the load sensor  118 . If he or she gets on the rectangular board  104 , the process goes to step ST 23  where the control device  112  determines whether the user  109  has pulses more than a preset number thereof, for example, 100 pulses/minute, based on the detection signal received from the pulse sensor  116 . At step ST 24 , the control device  112  determines whether it has taken a predetermined period of time, for example, five minutes, while the user  109  has pulses more than the preset number thereof. If it has already taken the predetermined period of time, the process goes to step ST 25 . 
     At the step ST 25 , the control device  112  controls the lifting-and-lowering mechanism  105  to lower the rectangular board  104  to its horizontal position with the alert speaker  115  sounding an alert. At step ST 26 , the control device  112  controls the changing unit  128  for water-temperature and an amount of water through the control unit  127  for the shower to shower (warm) water having preset temperature toward the user  109  from the shower nozzle  111 . At step ST 27 , the control device  112  determines whether it has taken a predetermined period of time, for example, ten minutes. If it has not yet taken the predetermined period of time, the process goes back to the step ST 26  where the (warm) water from the shower nozzle  111  is continuously showered toward the user  109 . This enables the user  109  to get rid of the sweat occurring at the abdominal muscle training exercise. It is to be noted that the water is gathered into the water-reservoir and drains outside the room through the drain. If it has already taken the predetermined period of time, the control device  112  stops showering at step ST 28  and the process then goes to step ST 29 . 
     At the step  29 , the control device  112  controls the air-conditioning device  108  to blow warm air toward the user  109 . At step ST 30 , the control device  112  determines whether it has taken a predetermined period of time, for example, six hours. If it has not yet taken the predetermined period of time, the process goes back to the step ST 29  where the air-conditioning device  108  continues to blow the warm air. This enables the user to dry his or her body by air bedding, thereby putting him or her to comfortable sleep. If it has already taken the predetermined period of time at the step ST 30 , the process goes back to the step ST 31  where the control device  112  controls the air-conditioning device  108  to stop blowing the warm air. At step ST 32 , the process then stops. 
     According to this control operation, the rectangular board  104  is automatically lowered from its position for the abdominal muscle training exercise to its horizontal position when it has taken a predetermined period of time while the user  109  who exercises his or her abdominal muscle training on the rectangular board  104  has pulses more than a preset number thereof after the equipment  100  has been used as a fitness machine. In this moment, the equipment  100  can be used as a bed. This enables the user  109  to found a point of time when he or she stops exercising his or her abdominal muscle training. Further, this allows any operations of the user who lowers the rectangular board  104  from its position for the abdominal muscle training exercise to its horizontal position to be saved. 
     Further, the rectangular board  104  is lowered from its position for the abdominal muscle training exercise to its horizontal position so that the equipment  100  can be used as a bed. In this moment, the water having preset temperature is showered to the user  109  for a predetermined period of time and the warm air is then blown to the user  109  for a predetermined period of time. This enables the user  109  to get rid of the sweat by the shower after stopping the abdominal muscle training exercise and then, to dry his or her body by the warm air, thereby allowing the user  109  to sleep much comfortably under a clean environment. 
     Next, the following will describe further control example of the control device  112  (CPU  121 ) in the equipment  100  used as a bed and a fitness machine, as shown in  FIG. 1 , with reference to a flowchart shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     At step ST 41 , the control operation process thereof starts if, for example, the rectangular board  104  is fixed at its position for the abdominal muscle training exercise. At step ST 42 , the control device  112  determines whether the user  109  gets on the rectangular board  104  based on the detection signal received from the load sensor  118 . If he or she gets on the rectangular board  104 , the process goes to step ST 43  where the control device  112  determines whether the user  109  has body temperature more than a preset temperature thereof, for example, 38 degrees C. (100.4 degree F.), based on the detection signal received from the body temperature sensor  117 . At step ST 44 , the control device  112  determines whether it has taken a predetermined period of time, for example, five minutes, while the user  109  has body temperature more than the preset temperature thereof. If it has already taken the predetermined period of time, the process goes to step ST 45 . 
     At the step ST 45 , the control device  112  controls the lifting-and-lowering mechanism  105  to lower the rectangular board  104  to its horizontal position with the alert speaker  115  sounding an alert. At step ST 46 , the control device  112  controls the air-conditioning device  108  to blow cool air toward the user  109 . At step ST 47 , the control device  112  determines whether it has taken a predetermined period of time, for example, ten minutes. If it has not yet taken the predetermined period of time, the process goes back to the step ST 46  where the air-conditioning device  108  continues to blow the cool air toward the user  109 . This prevents the user  109  from sweating even after the abdominal muscle training exercise. If it has already taken the predetermined period of time, the control device  112  stops blowing the cool air at step ST 48  and the process then goes to step ST 49 . 
     At the step  49 , temperature of the room  10  is detected based on a detection signal of the room temperature sensor  119 . At step ST 50 , the control device  112  controls the air-conditioning device  108  to blow the air having temperature corresponding to the detected room temperature. At step ST 51 , the control device  112  determines whether it has taken a predetermined period of time, for example, six hours. If it has not yet taken the predetermined period of time, the process goes back to the step ST 49  where the air-conditioning device  108  continues to blow the air having temperature corresponding to the room temperature thereof. This enables the user to sleep comfortably. If it has already taken the predetermined period of time at the step ST 51 , the process goes to the step ST 52  where the control device  112  controls the air-conditioning device  108  to stops blowing the air. At step ST 32 , the process then stops. 
     According to this control operation, the rectangular board  104  is automatically lowered from its position for the abdominal muscle training exercise to its horizontal position when it has taken a predetermined period of time while the user  109  who exercises his or her abdominal muscle training on the rectangular board  104  has a preset body temperature thereof after the equipment  100  has been used as a fitness machine. In this moment, the equipment  100  can be used as a bed. This enables the user  109  to found a point of time when he or she stops exercising his or her abdominal muscle training. Further, this allows any operations of the user who lowers the rectangular board  104  from its position for the abdominal muscle training exercise to its horizontal position to be saved. 
     Further, the rectangular board  104  is lowered from its position for the abdominal muscle training exercise to its horizontal position so that the equipment  100  can be used as a bed. In this moment, the cool air is blown to the user  109  for a predetermined period of time. This prevents the user  109  from sweating. The air having temperature corresponding to the room temperature is then blown to the user  109  for a predetermined period of time. This also prevents the user  109  from seating after the abdominal muscle training exercise, thereby allowing the user  109  to sleep much comfortably under a clean environment. 
     Next, the following will describe additional control example of the control device  112  (CPU  121 ) in the equipment  100  used as a bed and a fitness machine, as shown in  FIG. 1 , with reference to a flowchart shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     At step ST 61 , the control operation process thereof starts if, for example, the rectangular board  104  is fixed at its position for the abdominal muscle training exercise. At step ST 62 , the control device  112  determines whether the user  109  gets on the rectangular board  104  based on the detection signal received from the load sensor  118 . If he or she gets on the rectangular board  104 , the process goes to step ST 63  where the control device  112  determines whether the user  109  has pulses more than a preset number thereof, for example, 100 pulses/minute, based on the detection signal of the pulse sensor  116 . At step ST 64 , the control device  112  determines whether it has taken a predetermined period of time, for example, five minutes, while the user  109  has pulses more than a preset number thereof. If it has already taken the predetermined period of time, the process goes to step ST 65 . 
     It is to be noted that at the steps ST 63 , ST 64 , the control device  112  may determine whether the user  109  has body temperature more than a preset temperature thereof, which is similar to the steps ST 43 , ST 44  in the flowchart shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     At the step ST 65 , the control device  112  controls the lifting-and-lowering mechanism  105  to decrease incline of the rectangular board  104  a little with the alert speaker  115  sounding an alert. This enables the user  109  to exercise the abdominal muscle training under the condition where any lord can be reduced by the decrease of the incline of the rectangular board  104 . At step ST 66 , the control device  112  determines whether it has taken a predetermined period of time, for example, five minutes. If it has already taken the predetermined period of time, the process goes to step ST 67  where the control device  112  controls the lifting-and-lowering mechanism  105  to lower the rectangular board  104  to its horizontal position. 
     At step ST 68 , the control device  112  controls the air-conditioning device  108  to blow cool air toward the user  109 . At step ST 69 , the control device  112  determines whether it has taken a predetermined period of time, for example, ten minutes. If it has not yet taken the predetermined period of time, the process goes back to the step ST 68  where the air-conditioning device  108  continues to blow the cool air toward the user  109 . This prevents the user  109  from sweating even after the abdominal muscle training exercise. If it has already taken the predetermined period of time, the control device  112  controls the air-conditioning device  108  to stop blowing the cool air at step ST 70 . At step ST 71 , the process then stops. 
     According to this control operation, the incline of rectangular board  104  is automatically decreased when it has taken a predetermined period of time while the user  109  who exercises his or her abdominal muscle training on the rectangular board  104  has pulses more than a preset number of pulses or the temperature more than a preset body temperature thereof after the equipment  100  has been used as a fitness machine. Then, the rectangular board  104  is lowered to its horizontal position after a predetermined period of time, so that the equipment  100  can be used as a bed. This enables the user  109  to found a point of time when he or she stops exercising and reduces his or her abdominal muscle training. Further, this allows any operations of the user who lowers the rectangular board  104  from its position for the abdominal muscle training exercise to its horizontal position to be saved. 
     Further, the rectangular board  104  is lowered from its position for the abdominal muscle training exercise to its horizontal position so that the equipment  100  can be used as a bed. In this moment, the cool air is blown to the user  109  only for a predetermined period of time. This prevents the user  109  from sweating. 
     It is to be noted that default values of the predetermined periods of time at the steps ST 6 , ST 11  in the flowchart shown in  FIG. 3 , at the steps ST 24 , ST 27 , ST 30  in the flowchart shown in  FIG. 4 , at the steps ST 44 , ST 47 , ST 51  in the flowchart shown in  FIG. 5 , and at the steps ST 64 , ST 66 , ST 69  in the flowchart shown in  FIG. 6  are initially used. Their learning values obtained by using them are then used. This enables any control using a period of time that is preferably suitable for the user to be implemented. 
       FIG. 7  is a flowchart for showing learning operations of the control device  112 . 
     At step ST 81 , the learning operation process thereof starts if, for example, the power is on. At step ST 82 , the control device  112  determines whether a user enters data by using the keyboard  113 . If he or she enters the data, the process goes to step ST 83  where the control device  112  determines whether the user enters a predetermined period of time corresponding to each of the above steps. If he or she enters the predetermined period of time corresponding to each of the above steps, the process goes to step ST 84  where the control device  112  determines whether the user has already entered the predetermined period of time corresponding to each of the above steps. If he or she has already entered the predetermined period of time corresponding to each of the above steps, the process goes to step ST 85  where all the entered periods of time are averaged or the entered periods of time by previous numbers of times, for example, previous 10 times, are averaged. At step ST 86 , the control device  112  controls the RAM  123  to maintain this average as a set value of the predetermined period of time corresponding to each of the above steps. The process then goes back to the step ST 82  where the process waits next user entry. 
     If the user has not yet entered the predetermined period of time corresponding to each of the above steps at the step ST 84 , the process goes directly to step ST 86  where the control device  112  controls the RAM  123  to maintain this predetermined period of time corresponding to each of the above steps, which has been entered at the step ST 83 , as a set value of the predetermined period of time corresponding to each of the above steps. The process then goes back to the step ST 82 . 
     If the user entered anything other than the predetermined period of time at the step ST 83 , the process goes to step ST 87  where any operation is carried out corresponding the entry and then, goes back to the step ST 82 . 
     Although the equipment  100  used as a bed and a fitness machine has described so that the base  101  mounts the mattress-supporting plate  102 , the rectangular board  104  for abdominal muscle training exercise, and the like, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a unit including the mattress-supporting plate  102 , the rectangular board  104  and the like, which excludes the base  101 , can be settled on a bottom of a bathtub, which is not shown. This enables the user to exercise the abdominal muscle training with him or her taking a bath. In this case, water in the bathtub allows heavier training load to be applied to the user by means of resistance of the water. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates an outline configuration of a multifunction chair  200  according to a second embodiment of the invention. 
     The multifunction chair  200  constitutes a room  20 . Image display device  21  and audio output device  22  are installed on, for example, a wall of the room  20 . The image display device  21  is constituted of a projector of rear-projection type, a screen of which is filled in a space of the wall. The audio output device  22  is constituted of right and left speakers filled in the holes of the wall. 
     An outer surface of the multifunction chair  200  is formed so that any pressure is applied to a floor of the room  20  upwardly. The outer surface of the multifunction chair  200  is continuous to the floor. The multifunction chair  200  has a massage operation portion, as a first pressuring device, for pressuring a predetermined position of a region of the chair contacting human body of a user  209  by massage heads  218  to provide the user  209  with any massage effects. The multifunction chair  200  also has a chair-driving portion, as a second pressuring device, for pressuring a selected region of the region contacting the human body of the user  209  to provide the user  209  with the movement corresponding to any motion in the image display device  21 . It is to be noted that the selected region is the entire region contacting the human body of the user  209 , a backrest region or a seat region. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a configuration of the multifunction chair  200 . The multifunction chair  200  has a motion-control-signal-processing unit  201 , a massage-signal-processing unit  202 , an adjustment unit  215 , a chair-driving unit  216 , and a massage-operating unit  217 . 
     The motion-control-signal-processing unit  201  includes a feature-detecting portion  211  and a feature-processing portion  212 . The motion-control-signal-processing unit  201  receives a contents-playback signal CPS. The feature-detecting portion  211  receives the contents-playback signal CPS and detects motion vector for each frame from an image signal included in the contents-playback signal CPS. The feature-detecting portion  211  also calculates from the motion vector a horizontal component u, a vertical component v, a zoom component Vzoom, a rotation component Vrot of the motion. The feature-processing portion  212  generates a motion-control-signal component, pitch, for representing an incline of road in traveling way, a motion-control-signal component, z, for representing vibration generated by the road, a motion-control-signal component, roll, for representing an incline of road from side to side, and the like by using the components calculated in the feature-detecting portion  211 . Such the motion-control-signal-processing unit  201  has been described in Japanese Patent Applications No. JP 2000-214755, the entire contents of which being incorporated herein by reference. 
     The massage-signal-processing unit  202  includes a schedule-information-acquiring portion  213  and an acquired-information-processing portion  214 . The massage-signal-processing unit  202  also receives the contents-playback signal CPS. 
     The schedule-information-acquiring portion  213  receives the contents-playback signal CPS and acquires therefrom information for generating a massage program such as information on a total amount of contents-playback time, a period of massage time, division frequency in one massage time. The schedule-information-acquiring portion  213  then transmits them to the following acquired-information-processing portion  214 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a detailed configuration of the schedule-information-acquiring portion  213 . The schedule-information-acquiring portion  213  includes a time-information-acquiring sub-portion  230 , a program-generation-processing sub-portion  231 , and a memory  232 . 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 PERIODS OF MASSAGE 
                   
               
               
                 MODES 
                 TIME 
                 DIVISION FREQUENCY 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 1 
                 30 
                 10 
               
               
                 2 
                 20 
                  1 
               
               
                 : 
                 : 
                 : 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The time-information-acquiring sub-portion  230  receives the contents-playback signal CPS. The time-information-acquiring sub-portion  230  acquires, for example, a total amount of contents-playback time from the received contents-playback signal CPS. The memory  232  stores a following table, TABLE 1, including modes, periods of massage time, and division frequencies. 
     The program-generation-processing sub-portion  231  receives from an outside entry device a user entry for selecting the mode. The program-generation-processing sub-portion  231  acquires the period of massage time and the division frequency, which correspond to the selected mode, referring to the table stored the memory  232 . The schedule-information-acquiring portion  213  transmits the total amount of contents-playback time, which has been acquired in the time-information-acquiring sub-portion  230 , and the period of massage time and the division frequency, which have been acquired in the program-generation-processing sub-portion  231 . 
     The acquired-information-processing portion  214  generates a massage-operating signal for operating the massage-operating unit  217  based on pieces of the information acquired in the schedule-information-acquiring portion  213 . 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a detailed configuration of the acquired-information-processing portion  214 . The acquired-information-processing portion  214  includes a massage-signal-generating sub-portion  241  and a memory  242 . The memory  242  stores a following table, TABLE 2, including species of massages, operating time, and strength level. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 SPECIES OF MASSAGES 
                 OPERATING TIME 
                 STRENGTH LEVEL 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 TAPPING 
                 5 
                 3 
               
               
                 KNEADING/ROLLING 
                 4 
                 2.5 
               
               
                 STRETCHING 
                 4.5 
                 1.5 
               
               
                 : 
                 : 
                 : 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The massage-signal-generating sub-portion  241  receives the total amount of contents-playback time, the period of massage time and the division frequency from the schedule-information-acquiring portion  213 . The massage-signal-generating sub-portion  241  also receives the motion control signal (for example, motion-control-signal component, z, for representing vibration generated by the road) calculated in the feature-processing portion  212 . 
     The massage-signal-generating sub-portion  241  sets a threshold value adaptively altering with the passage of time based on the total amount of contents-playback time and the division frequency. The massage-signal-generating sub-portion  241  then acquires a species of the massage and its operating time referring to the table, TABLE 2, stored in the memory  242 , based on the threshold value, an amount of the motion control signal, and a period of massage time and generates a massage-operating signal corresponding to them. 
     In this embodiment, a massage is basically carried out during a period of time when an amount of the motion control signal is more than the threshold value. If the period of time when an amount of the motion control signal is more than the threshold value is short, no period of time for massage to be performed can be achieved. Contrarily, if the period of time when an amount of the motion control signal is more than the threshold value is long, a period of time for massage to be performed can be early achieved. Thus, a species of massage and its operating time are selected so that it is possible to achieve the period of time for massage to be performed. 
     It is to be noted that the threshold value is first set to a little one against the contents, gradually to an increased one, finally to a little one. The table, TABLE 2, can include any information on which period of contents (for example, its opening stage, its middle stage or its final stage) the massage is preferably carried out and thus, the species of massage and its operating time can be selected referring to that. 
     The adjustment unit  215  receives the massage-operating signal from the massage-signal-processing unit  202  and transmits it to the massage-operating unit  217 . The adjustment unit  215  also receives the motion control signal from the motion-control-signal-processing unit  201  and transmits it to the chair-driving unit  216  when no massage is carried out. 
     The chair-driving unit  216  and the massage-operating unit  217  respectively perform any moving operation on the entire chair and any massage operation to the user based on the motion control signal and the massage-operating signal received from the adjustment unit  215 . 
     The following will describe operations of the multifunction chair  200  shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     The contents-playback signal CPS is supplied to the motion-control-signal-processing unit  201 . The feature-detecting portion  211  detects motion vector for each frame from an image signal included in the contents-playback signal CPS. The feature-detecting portion  211  also calculates from the motion vector a horizontal component u, a vertical component v, a zoom component Vzoom, a rotation component Vrot of the motion. These components of motion are supplied to the feature-processing portion  212 . The feature-processing portion  212  generates a motion control signal for moving the entire chair using these components of the motion. 
     The contents-playback signal CPS is also supplied to the massage-signal-processing unit  202 . The schedule-information-acquiring portion  213  acquires the total amount of contents-playback time from the contents-playback signal CPS and acquires the period of massage time and the division frequency from the table, TABLE 1, based on the mode selection by the user. The information on the total amount of contents-playback time, the period of massage time, and the division frequency is supplied to the acquired-information-processing portion  214 . 
     The acquired-information-processing portion  214  acquires a species of massage and its operating time sequentially from the table, TABLE 2, based on the total amount of contents-playback time, the period of massage time, and the division frequency as well as the motion control signal calculated in the feature-processing portion  212 . The acquired-information-processing portion  214  then generates a massage-operating signal corresponding to them. 
     The massage-operating signal transmitted from the massage-signal-processing unit  202  is supplied to the massage-operating unit  217  through the adjustment unit  215 . This enables the massage-operating unit  217  to perform any massage on the user. In this case, the movable massage heads (see  FIG. 8 ) built in the backrest of the multifunction chair  200  pressures predetermined portions of the human body. 
     The motion control signal transmitted from the motion-control-signal-processing unit  201  is supplied to the chair-driving unit  216  through the adjustment unit  215  when no massage is carried out. This enables the entire multifunction chair  200  to provide the human body with any movement of the chair  200  according to the motion control signal. This movement is traveled to the human body. This allows the user to feel much sensitively as if he or she were there. 
     The contents-playback signal CPS is further supplied to the image display device  21 . The image display device  21  displays an image based on the image signal included in the contents-playback signal CPS. The contents-playback signal CPS is also supplied to the audio output device  22 . The audio output device  22  outputs audio based on the audio signal included in the contents-playback signal CPS. 
     Thus, according to the multifunction chair  200  shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , any massage effects and any movement of the chair for allowing the audience to feel as if he or she were there much sensitively are given his or her human body according to the feature, for example, an amount of the motion control signal, extracted from the contents-playback signal. Thus, the multifunction chair  200  can give the human body not only feeling as if he or she were there but also massage effects so that the movement of the chair allows the human body to be less tired by the massage effects. Such the less tired human body can further feel as if he or she were there much excitedly by the movement. 
     In this case, if the entire chair is moved based on the motion control signal, the movement of the chair is traveled to a predetermined portion of the human body through the massage heads  218 . This can give the user not only any feeling as if he or she were there but also any massage effects. 
     It is to be noted that, in the multifunction chair  200  shown in  FIG. 9 , the table, TABLE 2, can be customized by the followings: user entry such as strength of the massage, a species of the massage, and its operation time, from outside can be adjusted; any information on them can be supplied to the acquired-information-processing portion  214  and stored in the memory  242  thereof, and any learning can be performed based on the information. 
     Although, in the multifunction chair  200 , it has been described that a massage is performed for a period of time when an amount of the motion control signal is more than a threshold value, the invention is not limited to this. It is possible to perform a massage for a period of time when an amount of the motion control signal is less than a threshold value. Alternatively, if two threshold values having a predetermined interval are set, it is possible to perform a massage when an amount of the motion control signal stays within a region between the two threshold values or without the region. 
     Next,  FIG. 12  illustrates a configuration of a multifunction chair  200 A according to a third embodiment of the invention. In  FIG. 12 , like reference characters refer to like elements shown in  FIG. 9 , detailed explanation of which will be omitted. 
     The multifunction chair  200 A has a motion-control-signal-processing unit  201 , a massage-signal-processing unit  202 , a reclining-processing unit  204 , an adjustment unit  215 , a chair-driving unit  216 , a massage-operating unit  217 , and a reclining-operating unit  262 . 
     These motion-control-signal-processing unit  201 , massage-signal-processing unit  202 , adjustment unit  215 , chair-driving unit  216 , and massage-operating unit  217  are similar to these of the multifunction chair  200  shown in  FIG. 9  and thus, detailed explain of them will be omitted. 
     The reclining-processing unit  204  includes a schedule portion  260  and an angle-processing portion  261 . The schedule portion  260  receives information on a total amount of contents-playback time acquired in the schedule-information-acquiring portion  213  of the massage-signal-processing unit  202 , and a motion control signal generated in the feature-processing portion  212  of the motion-control-signal-processing unit  201 . The schedule portion  260  also receives the contents-playback signal CPS. 
     The schedule portion  260  compares a feature of the audio signal included in the contents-playback signal CPS and a feature of the motion control signal with a predetermined threshold based on the information on the total amount of contents-playback time. For example, relative to the audio signal, the feature is such that a ratio of time for playing music is increased and relative to the motion control signal, the feature is such that the movement of the chair is decreased. Based on the comparison, a time schedule for reclining process can be laid out. The angle-processing portion  261  generates a reclining-processing signal for reclining slowly according to the time schedule laid out in the schedule portion  260 . 
     The reclining-operating unit  262  reclines the backrest of the multifunction chair  200 A slowly as shown in  FIGS. 13A through 13C  based on the reclining-processing signal generated in the angle-processing portion  261  of the reclining-processing unit  204 . In this case, the reclining-operating unit  262  alters a pressure applied to the floor gradually so that outer surface of the multifunction chair  200 A that is continuous with the floor can alter. The reclining-operating unit  262  is constituted as a third pressuring device. It is to be noted that as shown in  FIGS. 13A through 13C , a seat and the backrest are extended while the backrest is reclined. This allows an entire body of the user  209  to be mounted on the multifunction chair  200 A finally. 
     The following will describe operations of the multifunction chair  200 A shown in  FIG. 12 . 
     The contents-playback signal CPS is supplied to the schedule portion  260  of the reclining-processing unit  204 . The information on the total amount of contents-playback time from the massage-signal-processing unit  202 , and the motion control signal from the motion-control-signal-processing unit  201  are also supplied to the schedule portion  260 . The schedule portion  260  lays out a time schedule for the reclining operation based on the information on the total amount of contents-playback time referring to the feature in the audio signal included in the contents-playback signal CPS and the feature in the motion control signal. 
     The time schedule is supplied to the angle-processing portion  261 . The angle-processing portion  261  generates a reclining-processing signal for reclining slowly according to the time schedule thus laid out. The reclining-processing signal is supplied to the reclining-operating unit  262 . The reclining-operating unit  262  reclines a backrest of the multifunction chair  200 A slowly to alter its shape slowly. 
     Other operations of the multifunction chair  200 A are similar to those of the multifunction chair  200  shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     According to this multifunction chair  200 A, any excellent effects same as those of the multifunction chair  200  shown in  FIG. 9  can be obtained. Further, when the contents are moving pictures, the multifunction chair  200 A can make the user drowsy comfortably after seeing a moving picture. Namely, the multifunction chair  200 A moves during an early portion of the moving picture similar to the usual but it can be switched from moving to reclining slowly according to the feature in the audio signal included in the contents-playback signal CPS and the feature in the motion control signal. 
     It is to be noted that, in the multifunction chair  200 A shown in  FIG. 12 , a memory, which is not shown, of the schedule portion  260  can store any other user entry from outside, for example, much earlier switch or much later switch is desired. According to the user entry from outside, the threshold value when the time schedule is laid out can be changed. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates a configuration of a multifunction chair  200 B according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. In  FIG. 14 , like reference characters refer to like elements shown in  FIG. 12 , detailed explanation of which will be omitted. 
     A contents-playback unit  250  reproduces the contents-playback signal CPS. This multifunction chair  200 B has a living-body-information-acquiring unit  270 , a living-body-information-processing unit  271 , and a music-information-playback unit  272  in addition to the units of the multifunction chair  200 A shown in  FIG. 12 . 
     The living-body-information-acquiring unit  270  measures a wave of the user  209  who sits on the multifunction chair  200 B (see  FIG. 8 ). 
     The living-body-information-processing unit  271  determines whether the user has slept based on his or her a wave measured by the living-body-information-acquiring unit  270 . If it is determined that the user has slept, the living-body-information-processing unit  271  issues a playback-stopping signal to the contents-playback unit  250 . The contents-playback unit  250  stores playback position information on a playback stop position thereof in a memory  251  when the contents-playback unit  250  stops the playback of contents by the playback-stopping signal. 
     If it is determined that the user has slept, the living-body-information-processing unit  271  also issues a playback-starting signal to the music-information-playback unit  272 . The music-information-playback unit  272  reproduces an audio signal relative to any comfortable ambient sound based on the playback-starting signal and supplies the audio signal to the audio output device  22 . 
     If it is determined that the user has slept, the living-body-information-processing unit  271  further issues a reclining signal to the angle-processing portion  261  of the reclining-processing unit  204 . The angle-processing portion  261  supplies to the reclining-operating unit  262  a processing signal for allowing the reclining-operating unit  262  to recline the backrest of the multifunction chair  200 B to its most reclined state (see  FIG. 13C ) based on the reclining signal. 
     The living-body-information-processing unit  271  additionally determines whether the user has awoken from his or her sleep. If it is determined he or she has awoken, the living-body-information-processing unit  271  issues a playback-restarting signal to the contents-playback unit  250 . The contents-playback unit  250  restarts the playback from the playback stop position thereof referring to the information on playback stop position stored in the memory  251  based on the playback-restarting signal. 
     If it is determined he or she has awoken, the living-body-information-processing unit  271  also issues a playback-stopping signal to the music information playback unit  272 . The music information playback unit  272  stops the playback of the audio signal based on the playback-stopping signal. 
     If it is determined he or she has awoken, the living-body-information-processing unit  271  further issues to the angle-processing portion  261  of the reclining-processing unit  204  a command signal for allowing the reclining-operating unit  262  to return the backrest of the multifunction chair  200 B to its original state (see  FIG. 13A ). The angle-processing portion  261  transmits to the reclining-operating unit  262  a processing signal for allowing the reclining-operating unit  262  to return the backrest of the multifunction chair  200 B to its original state (see  FIG. 13A ) based on the command signal. 
     The following will describe operations of the multifunction chair  200 B shown in  FIG. 14 . 
     The living-body-information-acquiring unit  270  measures α wave of the user  209  who sits on the multifunction chair  200 B. This α wave is supplied to the living-body-information-processing unit  271 . The living-body-information-processing unit  271  determines whether the user has slept or whether the user has awoken from his or her sleep, based on his or her α wave. 
     If it is determined that the user has slept, the living-body-information-processing unit  271  issues the playback-stopping signal to the contents-playback unit  250 . The contents-playback unit  250  stops the playback of contents based on the playback-stopping signal. In this moment, the contents-playback unit  250  stores the playback position information on a playback stop position thereof in the memory  251 . 
     If it is determined that the user has slept, the living-body-information-processing unit  271  also issues the playback-starting signal to the music-information-playback unit  272 . The music-information-playback unit  272  reproduces an audio signal relative to any comfortable ambient sound based on the playback-starting signal and supplies the audio signal to the audio output device  22 . This enables the audio output device  22  to output any comfortable ambient sound, thereby allowing the user to be much comfortably slept. 
     If it is determined that the user has slept, the living-body-information-processing unit  271  further issues the reclining signal to the angle-processing portion  261  of the reclining-processing unit  204 . The angle-processing portion  261  issues a processing signal for allowing the reclining-operating unit  262  to recline the backrest of the multifunction chair  200 B to its most reclined state (see  FIG. 13C ) based on the reclining signal and supplies the processing signal to the reclining-operating unit  262 . This most reclined state of the backrest of the multifunction chair  200 B allows the user to be comfortably slept. 
     If it is determined he or she has awoken, the living-body-information-processing unit  271  issues the playback-restarting signal to the contents-playback unit  250 . The contents-playback unit  250  restarts the playback from the playback stop position thereof referring to the information on playback stop position stored in the memory  251  based on the playback-restarting signal. This allows the user to see and/or listen to image and/or audio of the contents following the playback stop position thereof where the user has slept. 
     If it is determined he or she has awoken, the living-body-information-processing unit  271  also issues the playback-stopping signal to the music information playback unit  272 . The music information playback unit  272  stops the playback of the audio signal based on the playback-stopping signal. 
     If it is determined he or she has awoken, the living-body-information-processing unit  271  further issues to the angle-processing portion  261  of the reclining-processing unit  204  a command signal for allowing the reclining-operating unit  262  to return the backrest of the multifunction chair  200 B to its original state. The angle-processing portion  261  transmits to the reclining-operating unit  262  the processing signal for allowing the reclining-operating unit  262  to return the backrest of the multifunction chair  200 B to its original state (see  FIG. 13A ) based on the command signal. This returned (raised) state of the backrest of the multifunction chair  200 B allows the user to see any image of the contents advantageously. 
     Other operations of the multifunction chair  200 B are similar to those of the multifunction chair  200 A shown in  FIG. 12 . 
     According to this multifunction chair  200 B, any excellent effects same as those of the multifunction chair  200 A shown in  FIG. 12  can be obtained. Further, based on the α wave as a living body signal acquired from the human body of the user, the multifunction chair  200 B can alter its shape automatically when the user has slept and awoken from his or her sleep. This allows any change of the angle of the backrest by the user to be saved. 
     Although, in the multifunction chair  200 B shown in  FIG. 14 , the αwave has been described as a living body signal, this invention is not limited thereto. Other living body signal such as body temperature, pulses or the like can be detected and an angle of the backrest of the multifunction chair  200 B can be automatically changed based on the detected living body signal fitting any condition of the user. 
     Further, if it is determined the user is in a drowse based on his or her α wave, the living-body-information-processing unit  271  can transmit a signal for decreasing a massage strength level to the acquired-information-processing portion  214  of the massage-signal-processing unit  202  and a signal for decreasing a strength of its movement of the chair to the feature-processing portion  212  of the motion-control-signal-processing unit  201 . This has not been shown. 
     The embodiments of the invention are preferably applied to equipment used as a bed and a fitness machine, and a chair for audience (an audience seat) that gives the human body not only any feeling as if he or she were there concerning the contents but also massage effects. 
     It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alternations may occur depending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they are within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof. 
     It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present subject matter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.