Patent Publication Number: US-2013253943-A1

Title: Exercise management apparatus, system and method

Description:
PRIORITY 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) to a Korean Patent Application filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Mar. 21, 2012 and assigned Serial No. 10-2012-0028581, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method for managing exercise of a user in a fitness center, and more particularly, to an exercise management apparatus, system, and method by which a user can perform appropriate exercise without a trainer&#39;s help. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Modern health and fitness machines in fitness centers are automated, such that some tread-mills or health cycles have dedicated software or Android-based solutions mounted thereon. The solutions mounted on the health machines operate only in those health machines, and allow a user to exercise according to a user-set exercise program only when the user manually sets the exercise program. 
     For conventional health machines, users have to directly set exercise programs, and to this end, the health machines include user input units, such as buttons, for setting the exercise programs and screens capable of displaying the user-set exercise programs. However, those health machines are independent objects and a user needs to directly set an exercise program each time when using each health machine. 
     When a user exercises using a health machine, generally, the user may use two exercise schemes: one scheme in which the user is supported with coaching from a personal trainer and the other scheme in which the user is supported with coaching from a general trainer. 
     A personal trainer creates a detailed exercise program customized for the user and continuously helps the user in exercising by the user&#39;s side, which can be a very expensive service. A general trainer may be less expensive for the user, but it may be difficult to support the user with separate and detailed coaching. Therefore, the only way for the user to exercise with the support of separate exercise coaching in a fitness center is with a personal trainer. 
     When users perform exercise by themselves without support or coaching, they may exercise in an incorrect way or incorrectly determine that an exercise is causing an abnormal reaction in the body. Moreover, setting for each health machine is up to users, which may cause user injuries due to mistakes or inappropriate settings. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-stated problems occurring in the prior art, and the present invention provides an exercise management apparatus, system, and method by which a user can appropriately exercise without a trainer&#39;s help. 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an exercise management method of a mobile communication terminal in an exercise management system, the exercise management method including receiving an exercise program configured based on user information regarding a user from a trainer console which configures the exercise program; transmitting exercise data included in the exercise program to a health machine; receiving state information indicating a current health state of the user using the health machine from a state sensor when the health machine operates according to the exercise data; determining whether an abnormality occurs in a health state of the user based on the state information; and informing the user of occurrence of the abnormality when the abnormality occurs in the user&#39;s health state. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile communication terminal in an exercise management system, the mobile communication terminal including a communication interface configured to receive an exercise program configured based on user information regarding a user using a health machine from a trainer console which configures the exercise program, and transmit exercise data included in the received exercise program to the health machine; and a controller configured to control the communication interface to receive state information indicating a current state of the user from a state sensor which detects a current health state of the user, when the health machine operates according to the exercise data, and determine whether an abnormality occurs in a health state of the user based on the state information. 
     According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a health machine in an exercise management system, the health machine including a communication interface configured to receive exercise data, from a mobile communication terminal, including control data for operating an exercise machine; an exercise volume calculator configured to calculate a predicted exercise volume of a user exercising using the exercise machine, when the exercise machine operates according to the exercise data; and a controller configured to operate the exercise machine according to the exercise data, compare an accumulated exercise volume calculated by the exercise volume calculator with a total exercise volume included in the exercise data, and determine whether an abnormality occurs in a health state of the user, based on the comparison result. 
     According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a trainer console in an exercise management system, the trainer console including a communication interface configured to receive user information regarding a user from a mobile communication terminal; and a controller configured to configure an exercise program for the user based on the user information, and control the communication interface to transmit the exercise program to the mobile communication terminal. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an exercise management system, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a state sensor and a mobile communication terminal of an exercise management system illustrated in  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a health machine of an exercise management system illustrated in  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating a trainer console of an exercise management system illustrated in  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating an exercise management method in an exercise management system illustrated in  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating an exercise management method in an exercise management system illustrated in  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating an exercise management method in a mobile communication terminal of an exercise management system illustrated in  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating an exercise management method in an exercise management system illustrated in  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Throughout the drawings, the same or like drawing reference numerals refer to the same or like elements, features and structures. Additionally, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted to avoid obscuring the subject matter of the present invention. In the following description, specific examples of configurations and components are merely provided to assist the overall understanding of the embodiments of the present invention and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to these examples. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an exercise management system  1  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the exercise management system  1  includes a state sensor  100 , a mobile communication terminal  200 , a health machine  300 , and a trainer console  400 . 
     The state sensor  100  is attached to the body of a user who exercises using the health machine  300  to detect a current state of the user, for example, related to the user&#39;s health state. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the state sensor  100  includes, for example, an Electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor or a sphygmomanometer. The state sensor  100  detects the user&#39;s state every preset time-period, generates state information regarding the detected state, and transmits the generated state information to the mobile communication terminal  200 . According to an embodiment of the present invention, the state sensor  100  transmits the state information to the health machine  300  or the trainer console  400 . 
     The mobile communication terminal  200  receives the state information from the state sensor  100  and determines whether an abnormality occurs in a user&#39;s current health state. When no abnormality occurs in the health state of the user, the mobile communication terminal  200  informs the user that the user is allowed to continue the exercise. Otherwise, when an abnormality occurs, the mobile communication terminal  200  informs the user that the user needs to stop exercise due to occurrence of the abnormality in the user. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the mobile communication terminal  200  informs user&#39;s abnormal state and exercise stop by directly contacting the trainer console  400  or the user&#39;s trainer. 
     The health machine  300  refers to an apparatus which includes at least one exercise machine to allow the user to exercise. Generally, the health machine  300  is provided in a fitness center among a plurality of health machines, for example, a first health machine  300 - 1 , a second health machine  300 - 2 , . . . , an N th  health machine  300 -N. The health machine  300  receives an exercise program, customized for the user, from the mobile communication terminal  200  and allows the user to operate the machine according to the exercise program. The health machine  300  monitors the user&#39;s exercise state to determine whether an abnormality occurs in the user state. When an abnormality occurs, the health machine  300  informs the user or the trainer console  400  that the abnormality occurs in the user state. 
     The trainer console  400  configures an exercise program which is appropriate for the user, and transmits the appropriate exercise program to the mobile communication terminal  200  of the user. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the trainer console  400  transmits the exercise program to the health machine  300 . The exercise program can be configured by user input received from a trainer of the user. The trainer console  400  is notified of detecting an abnormality occurring in the user from the mobile communication terminal  200  or the health machine  300 , and informs the trainer of the user of occurrence of the abnormality in the user. 
     As such, the exercise management system according to the present invention allows the user to exercise without separate coaching of a trainer, and monitors a health state of the user on a real time basis. By monitoring the user&#39;s health state in real time, a dangerous health abnormality occurring in the user can be detected, thereby effectively protecting the health of the user. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating the state sensor  100  and the mobile communication terminal  200  of the exercise management system  1  illustrated in  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the state sensor  100  includes a first communication interface  102 , a state sensing unit  104 , and a state information generator  106 . 
     The first communication interface  102  performs wired or wireless communication of the state sensor  100 . The first communication interface  102  according to an embodiment of the present invention, transmits state information generated by the state information generator  106  to the mobile communication terminal  200 . 
     The first communication interface  102  according to an embodiment of the present invention, performs communication of the state sensor  100  by using a wireless communication scheme, for example, Bluetooth®, Zigbee, a Universal Serial Bus (USB), Wi-Fi, or Antenna (ANT). 
     The state sensing unit  104  detects the current state of the user exercising, for example, an electrocardiogram (ECG) and a blood pressure. The state sensing unit  104  includes, for example, an ECG sensor and a sphygmomanometer to detect the user&#39;s current state. The state sensing unit  104  may measure the user&#39;s current state, for example, an ECG and a blood pressure, every previously stored time-period, and forward a corresponding state value to the state information generator  106 . For example, the state sensing unit  104  may measure a blood pressure of the user every 10 seconds and forward the measured blood pressure value to the state information generator  106 . 
     The state information generator  106  generates state information indicating the user&#39;s current state. The state information generator  106  receives a state value indicating the user&#39;s current state, for example, an ECG and a blood pressure, from the state sensing unit  104  to generate state information. The state value is forwarded to the state information generator  106  from the state sensing unit  104  every previously stored time-period. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the mobile communication terminal  200  includes a second communication interface  202 , a first user input unit  204 , a first display  206 , a first memory  208 , a first alarm unit  210 , and a first controller  220 . 
     The second communication interface  202  performs wired or wireless communication of the mobile communication terminal  200 . The second communication interface  202  according to an embodiment of the present invention, transmits user information previously stored in the first memory  208  to the trainer console  400 , and receives an exercise program from the trainer console  400 . The second communication interface  202  transmits the exercise program received from the trainer console  400  to the health machine  300 , such that the health machine  300  is set to correspond to the exercise program. The second communication interface  202  receives state information from the state sensor  100  and forwards the received state information to the first controller  220 . 
     The second communication interface  202 , according to an embodiment of the present invention performs communication of the mobile communication terminal  200  by using a wireless communication scheme such as Bluetooth®, Zigbee, a USB, WiFi, or ANT. 
     The first user input unit  204  receives a user input inputted from the user. The first user input unit  204  according to an embodiment of the present invention, receives a user input for executing an exercise program. The first user input unit  204  receives, from the user, for example, a user input for requesting an exercise program from the trainer console  400  and a user input for transmitting exercise data to the health machine  300 . 
     The first display  206  displays data of the mobile communication terminal  200 . The first display  206  according to an embodiment of the present invention, displays the exercise program received from the trainer console  400 . The first display  206  may also display an exercise stop request for requesting the user to stop exercising, under control of the first controller  220 . 
     The first memory  208  stores various data for controlling the operation of the mobile communication terminal  200 . The first memory  208  stores user information regarding a user. The user information includes, for example, body information of the user, such as a name, an age, a gender, a height, and a weight of the user, and a user&#39;s exercise history. The user&#39;s exercise history includes, for example, daily exercise duration of the user, calories burned by exercise, and a name of a health machine used for exercise. The user information may also include medical information related to user&#39;s health (for example, a user&#39;s clinical history), wellness, diet information, and so forth. 
     The first alarm unit  210  informs the user of detecting an abnormality occurring in the user. The first alarm unit  210  informs the user of detecting an abnormality occurring in the user through the first display  206 . The first alarm unit  210  may also inform the user of detecting an abnormality occurring in the user by outputting an alarm sound through a speaker provided in the mobile communication terminal  200 . 
     The first controller  220  controls the operation of the mobile communication terminal  200 . The first controller  220  according to an embodiment of the present invention, receives an exercise program from the trainer console  400  through the second communication interface  202  and transmits the received exercise program to the health machine  300 . The first controller  220  transmits only exercise data corresponding to the health machine  300  out of the exercise program. For example, it is assumed that the exercise program includes exercise data regarding the first health machine  300 - 1  and exercise data regarding the second health machine  300 - 2 . When the user desires to exercise by using the first health machine  300 - 1 , then the first controller  220  transmits only exercise data regarding the first health machine  300 - 1  out of the exercise program to the first health machine  300 - 1 . 
     The exercise data includes, for example, exercise duration data indicating an exercise duration for which the user needs to exercise by using the health machine  300 , exercise intensity data indicating the intensity of exercise, and control data for operating the health machine  300 . Depending on an embodiment of the present invention, the exercise data may include a total exercise volume assigned to a user. For example, an exercise volume may be calculated in kilo calorie (Kcal) units based on the exercise time data or the exercise intensity data. The total exercise volume may be total kilo calories burned by the user during an exercise using the health machine  300 . 
     When an exercise machine of the health machine  300  starts operating, the first controller  220  receives state information from the state sensor  100  through the second communication interface  202 . The first controller  220  may also receive exercise volume data from the health machine  300  through the second communication interface  202 . 
     The first controller  220  analyzes the state information received from the state sensor  100  to determine whether an abnormal health state occurs in the user. For example, it is assumed that the state sensor  100  is an ECG sensor which measures an ECG. It is also assumed that ECG data which is output by the ECG sensor is classified into levels  1  through  10 , and levels higher than 8 indicate that an abnormality is occurring in the user&#39;s health state. The first controller  220  determines whether ECG data has a level higher than 8 each time when state information including the ECG data is transmitted from the state sensor  100 . For the levels higher than 8, the first controller  220  determines that an abnormality occurs in the user state; for the levels lower than 8, the first controller  220  determines that no abnormality occurs in the user state. 
     When no abnormality occurs in the user state, the first controller  220  determines whether the user has completed the exercise volume (an expected volume) assigned in response to the corresponding health machine  300  according to the exercise program. In the current embodiment, an exercise volume accumulated from start of the user&#39;s exercise to the current point in time is referred to as an accumulated exercise volume. An exercise volume of a user&#39;s exercise using each health machine  300  is referred to as a predicted exercise volume. The exercise data may further include a predicted exercise volume assigned in response to each health machine  300 , and may be calculated based on the exercise time data or the exercise intensity data. 
     Like the total exercise volume, the accumulated exercise volume and the predicted exercise volume may be calculated in kilo calorie units. For example, it is assumed that a total exercise volume is 500 Kcal, a user&#39;s accumulated exercise volume before use of a health machine A is 450 Kcal, and a predicted exercise volume corresponding to the health machine A is 70 Kcal. When the user exercises using the health machine A, the user&#39;s accumulated exercise volume is 520 Kcal, exceeding the total exercise volume. In this case, the first controller  220  may determine that abnormality occurs in the user state. Depending on an embodiment of the present invention, the first controller  220  may calculate an accumulated exercise volume when the health machine A is used before the user uses the health machine A. Since the accumulated exercise volume is 520 Kcal when the health machine A is used, the first controller  220  may control the mobile communication terminal  200  to request the user not to use the health machine A. 
     When the user has not yet met the predicted exercise volume, the first controller  220  controls the mobile communication terminal  200  to urge the user to continuously exercise. The first controller  220  displays an alarm window through the first display  206  to urge the user to continue exercising. 
     Conversely, when the user completes the predicted exercise volume, the first controller  220  controls the mobile communication terminal  200  to urge the user to stop exercising on the health machine  300 . For example, it is assumed that a predicted exercise volume which is set for the first health machine  300 - 1  of the user is ‘an exercise duration of 30 minutes’. When the user completed the predicted exercise volume assigned to the first health machine  300 - 1 , that is, when the user exercises by using the first health machine  300 - 1  for 30 minutes, the first controller  220  may request the user to stop exercising which uses the first health machine  300 - 1 . When there is exercise data corresponding to other health machines  300 - 2  through  300 -N in the exercise program after the exercise using the first health machine  300 - 1 , the first controller  220  may guide the user to the corresponding health machines  300 - 2  through  300 -N. 
     When an abnormality occurs in the user state, the first controller  220  may request the user to stop exercising while informing the user of occurrence of the abnormality in the user. The first controller  220  displays an exercise stop message or output an alarm sound to request the user to stop exercising through the first alarm unit  212 . The first controller  220  may also generate an operation stop request message for requesting stop of an operation of the exercise machine. The first controller  220  may stop the operation of the exercise machine by transmitting the operation stop request message to the health machine  300  through the second communication interface  202 . 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first controller  220  of the mobile communication terminal  200  includes an application stored in the first memory  208 . For example, the first controller  220  may be implemented as a fitness application, such that upon input of a user input for executing the fitness application, the fitness application may be executed in the mobile communication terminal  200 . 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating the health machine  300  in the exercise management system  1  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the health machine  300  includes a third communication interface  302 , a second user input unit  304 , a second display  306 , a second memory  308 , a second alarm unit  310 , an exercise volume calculator  312 , an image input unit  314 , and a second controller  320 . 
     The third communication interface  302  performs wired or wireless communication of the health machine  300 . The third communication interface  302 , according to an embodiment of the present invention, receives exercise data for operating an exercise machine from the mobile communication terminal  200 . The third communication interface  302  transmits exercise volume data calculated from the exercise volume calculator  312  to the mobile communication terminal  200  or the trainer console  400 . 
     The third communication interface  302  performs communication of the health machine  300  by using a wireless communication scheme, for example, Bluetooth®, Zigbee, a USB, WiFi, or ANT connections. 
     The second user input unit  304  receives a user input inputted from the user. The second user input unit  304  according to an embodiment of the present invention, receives a user input for operating an exercise machine. The second user input unit  304  receives a user input for stopping the operation of the exercise machine. 
     The second display  306  displays data of the health machine  300 . The second display  306  according to an embodiment of the present invention, displays user&#39;s exercise duration and exercise intensity based on the exercise data received from the mobile communication terminal  300 . The second display  306  displays a user&#39;s exercise volume calculated by the exercise volume calculator  312  under control of the second controller  320 . The second display  306  displays an exercise stop request for requesting the user to stop exercising, under control of the second controller  320 . 
     The second memory  308  stores various data for controlling the operation of the health machine  300 . The second memory  308  according to an embodiment of the present invention, stores the exercise data received from the mobile communication terminal  200  or stores user information regarding a user who exercises using the health machine  300 . 
     The second alarm unit  310  informs the user of detecting an abnormality occurring in the user. The second alarm unit  310  informs the user of detecting an abnormality occurring in the user state through the second display  306 . The second alarm unit  310  may also inform the user of detecting an abnormality occurring in the user and request the user to stop exercising by outputting an alarm sound through a speaker previously provided in the health machine  300 . 
     The exercise volume calculator  312  calculates a exercise volume of the user who exercises using the exercise machine. The exercise volume calculated by the exercise volume calculator  312  includes, for example, calories burned by the exercise or duration of exercise. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the exercise volume calculator  312  may calculate calories burned by the user in real time or in every predetermined time-period. The calculated calories are displayed through the second display  306 . 
     The image input unit  314  includes at least one camera to capture an image of the user during exercise using the exercise machine. The image input unit  314  according to an embodiment of the present invention, forwards the image of the user captured every previously stored time-period to the second controller  320 . The image captured by the image input unit  314  may be displayed through the second display  306 . 
     The second controller  320  controls the operation of the health machine  300 . The second controller  320  according to an embodiment of the present invention, receives the exercise data from the mobile communication terminal  200  through the third communication interface  302 . The second controller  320  analyzes the exercise data to operate the exercise machine. The second controller  320  analyzes the exercise data, for example to determine user&#39;s exercise duration, exercise intensity, and total calories burned during exercise, and operates the exercise machine. 
     When the exercise machine starts operating, the second controller  320  controls the exercise volume calculator  312  to calculate user&#39;s exercise volume in real time. The second controller  320  determines whether the exercise volume progress calculated by the exercise volume calculator  312  meets the exercise volume included in the exercise data. For example, the second controller  320  may stop the operation of the exercise machine when the calories calculated by the exercise volume calculator  312  are greater than or equal to those included the exercise data. Thus, the health machine  300  according to the present invention may prevent a situation where an abnormality occurs in the user state because the user exercises more than necessary. 
     When the calories burned by the user&#39;s exercise are greater than the exercise volume included in the exercise data, the second controller  320  determines that an abnormality occurs in the user state. The second controller  320  may also inform the user that an abnormality occurs in the user state through the second alarm unit  310 . 
     The second controller  320  determines whether a user&#39;s exercise form and posture is correct from the image captured by the image input unit  314 . When the user&#39;s exercise form and posture is not correct, the second controller  320  displays a correct form through the second display  306 . The second memory  320  may previously store exercise form data regarding a correct exercise form when the user exercises, and the second controller  320  determines based on the exercise form data previously stored in the second memory  308  whether the user&#39;s exercise form is correct. 
     When the user completes the exercise, the second controller  320  generates exercise result data indicating a result of the exercise the user completes, and transmits the exercise result data to the mobile communication terminal  200  through the third communication interface  302 . The exercise result data includes, for example, a name of the corresponding health machine  300 , total calories burned by user&#39;s exercise completion, exercise intensity, exercise duration and other exercise volume data. 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating the trainer console  400  in the exercise management system  1  illustrated in  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the trainer console  400  includes a fourth communication interface  402 , a third user input unit  404 , a third display  406 , a third memory  408 , a third alarm unit  410 , a user database (DB)  416 , and a third controller  420 . 
     The fourth communication interface  402  performs wired or wireless communication of the trainer console  400 . The fourth communication interface  402  according to an embodiment of the present invention, receives a request for an exercise program from the mobile communication terminal  200 . The fourth communication interface  402  requests and receives user information from the mobile communication terminal  200 . The fourth communication interface  402  transmits the exercise program configured by the third controller  420  to the mobile communication terminal  200 . 
     The third user input unit  404  receives a user input for configuring the exercise program from a trainer. The third user input unit  404  may also directly receive user information from the user using the mobile communication terminal  200 . 
     The third display  406  displays various data stored in the trainer console  400 . The third display  406  according to an embodiment of the present invention, displays an alarm window for informing the trainer of detecting an abnormality occurring in the user, under control of the third controller  420 . 
     The third memory  408  stores various data for controlling the operation of the trainer console  400 . 
     The third alarm unit  410  informs the trainer of detecting an abnormality occurring in the user. The third alarm unit  410  displays detecting an abnormality occurring in the user through the third display  406  to inform the trainer of detecting an abnormality occurring in the user. The third alarm unit  410  may also output an alarm sound through a speaker previously provided in the trainer console  400  to inform the trainer of detecting an abnormality occurring in the user, such that the trainer may be requested to immediately handle the abnormality occurring in the user. The third alarm unit  410  informs the trainer of occurrence of the abnormality in the user by calling the trainer. 
     The user DB  416  stores user information corresponding to respective users who use a fitness center. The user DB  416  may also store information about a trainer corresponding to each user. The user information stored in the user DB  416  may be updated each time when the user exercises. Hence, the trainer console  400  may recognize a user&#39;s exercise history, thereby systemically coaching the user for exercise. 
     The third controller  420  controls the overall operation of the trainer console  400 . The trainer console  400  according to an embodiment of the present invention, configures an exercise program corresponding to each user. When the fourth communication interface  402  receives a request for an exercise program from the mobile communication terminal  200 , then the third controller  420  configures the exercise program based on the user information stored in the user DB  416 . According to an embodiment of the present invention, the third controller  420  may send a request for user information to the mobile communication terminal  200  through the fourth communication interface  402 . When the exercise program is configured, the third controller  420  transmits the exercise program to the mobile communication terminal  200  through the fourth communication interface  402 . 
     When the user terminates the exercise using the health machine  300 , the third controller  420  receives exercise result data from the health machine  300  through the fourth communication interface  402 . The third controller  420  may update the user information stored in the user DB  416  based on the exercise result data. 
     The third controller  420  may be notified of detecting an abnormality occurring in the user from the mobile communication terminal  200  or the health machine  300  through the fourth communication interface  402 . The third controller  420  may request the health machine  300  to immediately stop the operation of the exercise machine through the fourth communication interface  402 , and may urgently call the trainer corresponding to the user through the third alarm unit  410 . 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating an exercise management method in the exercise management method illustrated in  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     In  FIG. 5 , it is assumed that no user health state abnormality occurs when the user exercises using an exercise machine. Referring to  FIG. 5 , the mobile communication terminal  200  sends a request for an exercise program to the trainer console  400  in Step S 502 . Upon receiving the request for the exercise program, the trainer console  400  sends a request for user information to the mobile communication terminal  200  in Step S 504 . The mobile communication terminal  200  transmits the user information to the trainer console  400  in Step S 506 . The third controller  420  of the trainer console  400  configures the exercise program based on the user information in Step S 508 . 
     While the trainer console  400  sends the request for the user information to the mobile communication terminal  200  in  FIG. 5 , the trainer console  400  configures the exercise program by using user information previously stored in the user DB  416  without sending the request for the user information to the mobile communication terminal  200  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     After the exercise program is configured, the fourth communication interface  402  of the trainer console  400  transmits the exercise program configured in Step S 508  to the mobile communication terminal  200  in Step S 510 . 
     When the mobile communication terminal  200  receives the exercise program from the trainer console  400 , the second controller  220  of the mobile communication terminal  200  analyzes the exercise program in Step S 512 . The exercise program includes, for example, a name of the health machine  300  to be used for exercise, a use order of the health machine  300 , and exercise data corresponding to the health machine  300 . The second controller  220  may recognize the use order of the health machine  300  to be used by the user and the user&#39;s exercise volume by analyzing the exercise program. As such, when the exercise program is analyzed, the mobile communication terminal  200  guides the health machine  300  the user needs to use for exercise to the user according to the exercise program in Step S 514 . 
     The mobile communication terminal  200  transmits exercise data to the health machine  300  in Step S 516 . The exercise data includes control data for operating the health machine  300 , such that the heath machine  300  operates an exercise machine based on the exercise data in Step S 518 . When the exercise machine operates, the health machine  300 , on a real time basis, calculates and displays a exercise volume of the user exercising using the exercise machine in Step S 520 . When the user completes the exercise, the second controller  320  of the health machine  300  generates exercise result data for the user and transmits the generated exercise result data to the mobile communication terminal  200  in Step S 522 . The exercise result data includes, for example, a name of the corresponding health machine  300 , total calories burned by user&#39;s exercise, exercise intensity, and exercise duration. 
     In Step S 524 , the mobile communication terminal  200  updates the user information based on the exercise result data received in Step S 522 . The mobile communication terminal  200  transmits the exercise result data to the trainer console  400  in Step S 526 . The trainer console  400  updates the user DB  308  based on the exercise result data in Step S 528 . 
       FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating an exercise management method in the exercise management method illustrated in  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 6 , it is assumed that an abnormality occurs in the user state during user&#39;s exercise. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the state sensor  100  detects a current state of the user exercising using an exercise machine in Step S 532  and generates state information in Step S 534 . According to an embodiment of the present invention, the state sensor  100  detects the user&#39;s current state for every previously stored time period and generates state information. 
     The state sensor  100  transmits the state information generated in Step S 534  to the mobile communication terminal  200  in Step S 536 . The first controller  220  of the mobile communication terminal  200  recognizes the user&#39;s state based on the state information in Step S 538 . When an abnormality occurs in the user state, the second controller  220  informs the user of occurrence of the abnormality, that is, of an abnormal state through the first alarm unit  208  in Step S 504 . The first alarm unit  208  may output an alarm sound or display an alert message through the first display  206  to inform the user of detecting an abnormality occurring in the user&#39;s health state. 
     The second controller  220  generates an operation stop request message for requesting stop of an operation of the exercise machine in Step S 542 , and transmits the generated operation stop request message to the health machine  300  through the second communication interface  202  in Step S 544 . Upon detecting an abnormality occurring in the user, it is desirable to stop the operation of the exercise machine even when user&#39;s exercise duration assigned to the user by the exercise program is not terminated. Therefore, the second controller  220  of the mobile communication terminal  200  may protect the user by requesting the health machine  300  to stop the operation of the exercise machine. 
     The health machine  300 , upon receiving the operation stop request message from the mobile communication terminal  200  in Step S 544 , stops the operation of the exercise machine in Step S 546 . When the user&#39;s exercise is terminated, the health machine  300  generates user&#39;s exercise result data in Step S 548  and transmits the exercise result data to the mobile communication terminal  200  in Step S 550 . The exercise result data includes, for example, user&#39;s actual exercise duration and burned calories. 
     The mobile communication terminal  200 , upon receiving the exercise result data from the health machine  300 , updates the user information stored in the first memory  208  in Step S 522 . According to an embodiment of the present invention, the mobile communication terminal  200  transmits the exercise result data received in Step S 550  to the trainer console  400  in Step S 554 . The trainer console  400  receives the exercise result data and updates the user DB  408 . 
       FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating an exercise management method in the mobile communication terminal  200  of the exercise management system illustrated in  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 8 , it is assumed that the user is exercising according to the exercise program configured by the trainer console  400 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the mobile communication terminal  200  receives state information regarding the user from the state sensor  100  in Step S 562 . According to an embodiment of the present invention, the mobile communication terminal  200  receives the state information from the state sensor  100  every previously stored time-period. The state information may be, for example, user&#39;s ECG and blood pressure. 
     In Step S 564 , the first controller  220  determines whether an abnormality occurs in the user state based on the state information received in Step S 562 . For example, it is assumed that when the user&#39;s systolic blood pressure is 130 mmHg or higher, the first controller  220  determines that an abnormality occurs in the user state. In Step S 564 , the first controller  220  determines whether the user&#39;s blood pressure is 130 mmHg or higher and for 140 mmHg or higher, the first controller  220  determines that an abnormality occurs in the user state. 
     If determining that no user state abnormality occurs in Step S 564  (‘No’ in Step S 564 ), the first controller  220  continuously receives the state information through the second communication interface  202 . According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first controller  220  informs the user that the user is allow to continue exercise, through the first display  206 . 
     Conversely, when determining that a user state abnormality occurs in Step S 564  (‘Yes’ in Step S 564 ), the first controller  220  controls the first alarm unit  210  to inform the user of an abnormal state of the user in Step S 566 . The first alarm unit  210  may output an alarm sound through a speaker previously provided in the mobile communication terminal  200  or display an alert message through the first display  206  to inform the user of the user&#39;s abnormal state. 
     The first controller  220  determines whether the exercise machine of the health machine  300  is operating in Step S 568 . The first controller  220  determines whether the exercise machine is being operation based on the exercise data included in the exercise program. For example, it is assumed that the user is exercising using the second health machine  300 - 2  according to the exercise program. The first controller  220  may recognize exercise duration for which the user is supposed to exercise using the second health machine  300 - 2 , based on exercise data included in the exercise program, that is, exercise data corresponding to the second health machine  300 - 2 . The first controller  220  calculates, based on the exercise data corresponding to the second health machine  300 - 2 , an elapsed time-period, from a time instant at which the exercise machine starts operating to a current time instant. When the calculated elapsed time-period is shorter than the exercise duration included in the exercise data, then the exercise machine is determined as operating; when the elapsed time is longer than or equal to the exercise duration included in the exercise data, then the exercise machine is determined to have already terminated its operation. The time instant at which the exercise machine starts operating may be, for example, a time instant at which transmission of the exercise data from the mobile communication terminal  200  to the health machine  300 - 2  starts under control of the first controller  220 . 
     When the exercise machine is operating (‘Yes’ in Step S 568 ), the first controller  220  requests the health machine  300  to stop the operation of the exercise machine in Step S 570 . Since an abnormality occurs in the user state, it is desirable to stop the operation of the exercise machine to prevent the user from excessively exercising. Conversely, when the exercise machine is not being operated (‘No’ in Step S 568 ), the first controller  220  may not perform any special operation. 
       FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating an exercise management method in the exercise management system illustrated in  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the state sensor  100  detects the current state of the user exercising using the exercise machine in Step S 580 , and generates the state information according to the sensing result in Step S 582 . According to an embodiment of the present invention, the state sensor  100  detects the user&#39;s current state and generates the state information every previously stored time-period. 
     The state sensor  100  transmits the state information generated in Step S 582  to the mobile communication terminal  200  in Step S 584 . The first controller  220  of the mobile communication terminal  200  determines the user&#39;s state based on the state information in Step S 586 . 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, when an abnormality occurs in the user&#39;s state determined in Step S 586 , the first controller  220  uses data of the health machine  300  or the trainer console  400 , that is, exercise data and the exercise program, as a basis for determining the user&#39;s state, together with the state information. That is, the first controller  220  determines whether an abnormality occurs in the user&#39;s health, based on the exercise program and the current exercise volume data for the user as well as the state information. 
     The first controller  220  sends a request for exercise volume data to the health machine  300  through the second communication interface  202  in Step S 588 . When the health machine  300  transmits the exercise volume data to the mobile communication terminal  200  in Step S 590 , the first controller  220  re-determines the user&#39;s state based on the state information, the exercise volume data, and the exercise program in Step S 592 . 
     The first controller  220  determines whether an abnormality occurs in the user state in Step S 594 . When no abnormality occurs in the user state (‘No’ in Step S 594 ), the first controller  220  may control the mobile communication terminal  200  to allow the user to continue the exercise in Step S 598 . According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first controller  220  may generate a message for requesting the user to continue the exercise and display the generated message through the first display  206 . The first controller  220  may also request the health machine  300  to display the message for requesting the user to continue the exercise through the second display  306 . 
     Conversely, when an abnormality occurs in the user state (‘Yes’ in Step S 594 ), the first controller  220  generates an operation stop request message for requesting stop of the operation of the exercise machine in Step S 596 . The generated operation stop request message is transmitted to the health machine  300  through the second communication interface  202  in Step S 600 . The health machine  300 , upon receiving the operation stop request message from the mobile communication terminal  200  in Step S 600 , stops the operation of the exercise machine in Step S 602 . 
     As such, when the user&#39;s exercise is terminated, the health machine  300  generates user&#39;s exercise result data in Step S 604  and transmits the generated exercise result data to the mobile communication terminal  200  in Step S 606 . The exercise result data includes, for example, user&#39;s actual exercise duration and burned calories. 
     The mobile communication terminal  200  having received the exercise result data from the health machine  300  updates the user information stored in the first memory  208  in Step S 608 . According to an embodiment of the present invention, the mobile communication terminal  200  transmits the exercise result data received in Step S 606  to the trainer console  400  in Step S 610 . 
     The embodiments of the present invention can be implemented with hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. The software may be stored in a volatile or non-volatile storage such as a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a memory such as a Random Access Memory (RAM), a memory chip, a device, or an integrated circuit, and an optically or magnetically recordable and machine (e.g., computer)-readable storage medium such as a Compact Disc (CD), a Digital Versatile Disk (DVD), a magnetic disk, or a magnetic tape. A memory which can be included in a host includes, for example, a machine-readable storage medium which is suitable for storing a program or programs including instructions for implementing the methods according to the embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention includes a program including codes for implementing a device or method according to embodiments of the present invention and a machine-readable storage medium for storing such a program. The program may be electronically transferred through a medium such as a communication signal delivered through wired or wireless connection. 
     The mobile communication terminal, the trainer console, or the health machine according to embodiments of the present invention receives and stores the program from a program providing device connected in a wired or wireless manner. The program providing device includes a memory for storing a program including instructions for instructing the mobile communication terminal, the trainer console, or the health machine to execute a preset exercise management method, including information necessary for the exercise management method, a communication unit for performing wired or wireless communication with the mobile communication terminal, the trainer console, or the health machine, and a controller for transmitting a corresponding program to the mobile communication terminal, the trainer console, or the health machine at the request of the mobile communication terminal, the trainer console, or the health machine or automatically. 
     While the present invention has been shown and described with reference to various embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.