Patent Publication Number: US-2017348188-A1

Title: Treatment system including massage machine

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the Convention Priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-111519, filed on Jun. 3, 2016, the contents of which, including the specification, the claims and the drawings, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a treatment system including a massage machine. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In the related art, a user has treated each site of the body by using a massage machine. In addition, for his/her own health management, the user has performed health management using a measurement instrument, such as weight management using a weight scale. In this manner, generally, the body treatment using the massage machine and the health management using the measurement instrument have been separately performed. 
     Meanwhile, there is a known massage machine in which a weight scale is built in a chair as an attachment and a weight can be taken by only having a seat (for example, refer to JP-2001-269381-A). 
     In addition, as another technology in the related art, there is a known weight scale in which a target weight value or a target achievement date of a user can be set (for example, refer to JP-3722678-B). 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a treatment system that includes a massage machine that further includes a massage portion configured to perform a massage with respect to a user; a control unit configured to control the massage portion; means for receiving and setting a target value; and a notification portion. The control unit is configured to compare the target value received and a predetermined reference value and to determine whether a predetermined condition is satisfied. When the control unit determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the control unit is configured to cause the notification portion to urge the user to change the target value or to cause the setting means to prohibit the target value from being set. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a view illustrating the overall configuration of a treatment system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective front view of a massage machine illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of a massage unit. 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of the massage machine. 
         FIG. 5  is a front view illustrating an example of a screen for setting a target weight as a target value displayed in a screen of a controller illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 6  is a front view illustrating another example of the screen for setting a target weight as a target value displayed in the screen of the controller illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 7  is a front view illustrating an example of a screen for inputting user related information displayed in the screen of the controller illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 8  is a front view illustrating an example of a screen for setting a current weight as a current value, a target weight as a target value, and a period or a time limit for attaining the target value displayed in the screen of the controller illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 9  is a front view illustrating another example of the screen for setting a current weight as a current value, a target weight as a target value, and a period or a time limit for attaining the target value displayed in the screen of the controller illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 10  is a front view illustrating another example of the screen for inputting user related information displayed in the screen of the controller illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 11  is a front view illustrating an example of a screen for a plurality of choices displayed in the screen of the controller illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 12  is a front view illustrating an example of a screen for a current value and target information displayed in the screen of the controller illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Configuration of Treatment System 
     Hereinafter, the overall configuration of a treatment system  1  according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. 
       FIG. 1  is a view of the overall configuration of the treatment system  1  according to the embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2  is a perspective front view of a massage machine  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  is a front view of a massage unit  6 .  FIG. 4  is a block diagram of the massage machine  10 . The concept of directions used in the description below coincides with the concept of directions when viewed from a user using the massage machine  10  illustrated in  FIG. 2 , and other cases will be suitably described. In addition, as the definition of the front and the back of the body, “front surface” indicates the chest side of the user who is standing, and “back surface” indicates the back side. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the treatment system  1  according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the massage machine  10  which massages the user, and a weight scale  3  which takes weight information of the user. In addition, the weight scale  3  may be substituted by a body composition meter (not illustrated) which can take a body fat percentage or a body fat quantity. The weight scale  3  can communicate with the massage machine  10  through radio communication or cable communication. In addition, the weight scale  3  may be built in the massage machine  10 . 
     The treatment system  1  is connected to a communication network  2 . A communication server  41  can communicate with the massage machine  10  via the communication network  2 . For example, examples of the communication network  2  include the internet network, a communication network in a building, and a local network. 
     In addition, the communication server  41 , a service provider  40 , and a hospital (medical facility)  50  are connected to the communication network  2 . In this example, an example of a cloud-type communication server  41  is illustrated. The communication server  41  may be a communication server  41  managed by the service provider  40  or may be a communication server  41  managed by a different service provider  40 . For example, examples of the service provider  40  include a service provider  40  providing rental service of the massage machine  10 , and a service provider  40  managing the massage machine  10  which has been sold. 
     For example, examples of the hospital  50  include a hospital  50  that is affiliated with the service provider  40  and provides advice related to health based on body information such as the weight of the user. The hospital  50  and the service provider  40  may be one body. The service provider  40  and the hospital  50  are not necessarily connected to each other via the communication network  2 . According to the configuration including the hospital  50 , the service provider  40  can provide the hospital  50  with the body information of the user. The hospital  50  can provide the user with advice based on the body information of the user. The advice can be transmitted from the service provider  40  to the massage machine  10  via the communication network  2  and can be provided for the user. 
     In addition, the weight scale  3  can communicate with the massage machine  10 , and an information terminal  4  recording the weight information of the user may be additionally included therebetween. As the information terminal  4 , a tablet terminal, a portable telephone, a wearable terminal, or the like can be used. The information terminal  4  is configured to be able to communicate with the massage machine  10  through cable communication or radio communication. 
     In such a configuration, the user can check his/her own weight information through the information terminal  4  even at a place away from the massage machine  10 . The massage machine  10  receives the weight information of the user through the information terminal  4  and can set the weight information of the user, as a current value (will be described later). 
     Configuration of Massage Machine 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 to 4 , the massage machine  10  has a seat portion  11  in which the user takes a seat, and a backrest portion  12  which supports the upper half of the body of the user who takes a seat in the seat portion  11 , from the back. The seat portion  11  has armrests  13  at the right and left positions. The seat portion  11  has a footrest  14  in the front of the seat portion  11 . In addition, the massage machine  10  has a massage portion  15  which performs a massage with respect to the user, a control unit  16  which controls various types of operations of the massage machine  10 , and a controller  17  which allows the user to perform various types of operations. 
     As the massage portion  15 , there is provided at least one of the massage unit  6  which has treatment members  62  making a pair on the right and left and being driven by motors M 1  to M 3 , an air cell  20  which expands and contracts in response to air supply/exhaust, and a vibrator  21  which is driven by a motor. In the present embodiment, the massage unit  6  is provided in the backrest portion  12 , the air cell  20  or the vibrator  21  is provided in the seat portion  11 , and the air cell  20  or the vibrator  21  is provided in the armrests  13  or the footrest  14 . However, disposition of each massage portion  15  is not limited thereto. The air cell  20  can press the user through air supply/exhaust. The vibrator  21  can apply vibration to the user by rotating an eccentric weight portion. 
     Configuration of Massage Unit 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the backrest portion  12  is provided with the massage unit  6  which massages the upper half of the body of the user from the back (back surface). The massage unit  6  is configured to include arms  61  making a pair on the right and left, and the treatment members  62  provided in both upper and lower end portions in each arm  61 . The massage unit  6  can perform a kneading massage in which the treatment members  62  on the right and left approach each other and are separated from each other in response to driving of the massage motor M 1 , and a patting massage in which the treatment members  62  on the right and left alternately advance and retreat with respect to the user side in response to driving of the massage motor M 2 . In addition, the massage unit  6  moves upward or downward along the height direction in response to driving of the lifting/lowering motor M 3 . Accordingly, the massage unit  6  can change the position with respect to the body or can perform a rolling massage. In the backrest portion  12 , there are provided guide rails  18  making a pair on the right and left and extending in the height direction (refer to  FIG. 2 ), and the massage unit  6  moves along the guide rails  18 . Since the massage unit  6  can move in the height direction, the user can be massaged by the treatment members  62  from the neck to the waist. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the massage unit  6  has a base frame  60   a  and a movable frame  60   b  which is supported by the base frame  60   a.  The base frame  60   a  has guide rollers  63  which are fitted to both the right and left sides of the guide rails  18 . The base frame  60   a  can be moved along the height direction by a lifting/lowering mechanism (not illustrated) formed with rack and pinion, or the like. The movable frame  60   b  is supported by the base frame  60   a  via an oscillation axis  64  in the lateral direction. Between the base frame  60   a  and the movable frame  60   b,  there is provided an advancing/retreating drive portion  65  formed with an air cell or the like. In response to driving of the advancing/retreating drive portion  65 , the movable frame  60   b  can advance and retreat with respect to the user while having the oscillation axis  64  as the center. It is not compulsory to have the structure in which the movable frame  60   b  advances and retreats. A structure in which the arms  61  are respectively provided with the advancing/retreating drive portions  65  and only the arms  61  advance and retreat may be adopted. 
     The arms  61  are interlocked with a kneading shaft  66  and a patting shaft  67  extending in the lateral direction. On both the right and left sides of the kneading shaft  66 , there are respectively provided bevel cams  66   a  having bevel shaft portions  66   b.  The arms  61  are respectively attached to the bevel cams  66   a.  The bevel shaft portions  66   b  on the right and left are beveled with respect to the shaft center of the kneading shaft  66  so as to form a substantially inverted V-shape in a front view. On both the right and left sides of the patting shaft  67 , there are respectively provided eccentric cams  67   a  having eccentric shaft portions  67   b  which are eccentric with respect to the shaft center of the patting shaft  67 . The arms  61  are respectively attached to the eccentric cams  67   a  via the connecting rods  68 . In the eccentric shaft portions  67   b  on the right and left, the phases with respect to the shaft center of the patting shaft  67  are different from each other. Specifically, the phases are different from each other as much as 180 degrees. The kneading shaft  66  and the patting shaft  67  respectively rotate in response to driving of the massage motors M 1  and M 2 . The treatment members  62  perform a kneading massage in response to rotation of the kneading shaft  66  and perform a patting massage in response to rotation of the patting shaft  67 . The arms  61  provided with the treatment members  62 , the kneading shaft  66 , and the patting shaft  67  are supported by the movable frame  60   b.  Therefore, the treatment members  62  can advance and retreat with respect to the user via movement of the movable frame  60   b.    
     The arms  61  oscillate freely in the forward/backward direction, and the upper treatment members  62  are biased by biasing means (not illustrated) formed with a spring or the like so as to protrude forward. In addition, the massage unit  6  has a sensor  69  which detects the body information of the user. The sensor  69  can acquire the body information by detecting that the arms  61  are at predetermined oscillation positions. Specifically, in a process of lifting the massage unit  6  along the height direction, when the upper treatment members  62  reach upper portions of the shoulder, loads acting on the treatment members  62  are cancelled, and the arms  61  oscillate forward due to action of the biasing means (not illustrated), thereby being at predetermined oscillation positions. The sensor  69  detects that the arms  61  are at predetermined oscillation positions. The sensor  69  detects the position of the shoulder based on the vertical position of the massage unit  6  at that time. Based on the position of the shoulder, positions of other sites (neck, back, waist, and the like) are obtained through calculation. The detected body information is stored in a storage portion  18  (will be described later) by the control unit  16  (will be described later). The user may directly input the body information. In this case, for example, the body information such as height information of the user can be input by operating the controller  17 , and the input body information can be stored in the storage portion  18  by the control unit  16 . 
     Configuration of Control Unit 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the control unit  16  has a programmable microcomputer and the like, and the control unit  16  drives and controls the massage portion  15 . Each of the motors M 1  to M 3 , the advancing/retreating drive portion  65 , and the sensor  69  configuring the massage unit  6 ; the massage portion  15  configured to include the massage unit  6 , the air cell  20 , the vibrator  21 , or the like; the controller  17  operated by the user; and the storage portion  18  are electrically connected to the control unit  16 . In addition, in the storage portion  18 , the weight information of the user from the weight scale  3  is chronologically recorded by the control unit  16 . For example, as the storage portion  18 , a flash memory, a hard disk drive, or the like may be used. 
     The massage machine  10  is operated in accordance with a preset program (massage course) stored in the storage portion  18  and is also operated in accordance with an instruction of the user given through the controller  17 . 
     The controller  17  is provided above one armrest  13 . The controller  17  has a screen  17   a  which can be visually checked by the user, and a touch panel  17   b  which is operated by the user using a fingertip. A massage operation performed by the massage portion  15  can be operated through the controller  17 . The controller  17  is provided so as to be able to be operated in a state where the user takes a seat. The controller  17  functions as setting means  30  for setting a numerical value including weight information of the user to be set as a target value (will be described later), a notification portion  31 , and input means  32  for inputting user related information (will be described later). By performing an operation through the touch panel  17   b,  the numerical value including the weight information of the user can be set and the user related information can be input. 
     A different unit other than the controller  17  may function as the setting means  30 , the notification portion  31 , and the input means  32 . For example, the information terminal  4  which is separate and independent from the massage machine  10 , is able to perform radio communication or cable communication, and records the weight information of the user may be adopted. In addition, the notification portion  31  can issue a notification through a voice or flashing of an LED or the like, in addition to displaying a screen. 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  are front views illustrating examples of a screen for setting a target weight as a target value displayed in the screen  17   a  of the controller  17 . In this example, the control unit  16  receives a result of a measurement taken through the weight scale  3  by the user, and the result is displayed in an upper portion of the screen  17   a  of the controller  17 . In addition, in place of the measurement taken through the weight scale  3 , the screen  17   a  may display a setting screen in which a current weight can be set, and the current weight may be set through the setting means  30 . Below thereof, a numerical value of the target weight as a target value by the user can be set through the setting means  30 . In this example, the screen is displayed so as to set a target weight after one month. In addition, the notification portion  31  is provided in a lower portion of the screen. The control unit  16  compares the target value and a predetermined reference value with each other. In a case where a predetermined condition is satisfied, the control unit  16  can cause the notification portion  31  to urge the user to change the target value and can prohibit or refuse the target value from being set. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , for example, as a result of a measurement taken through the weight scale  3  by the user, the current weight of 70 kg is displayed. In a case of setting the target weight as the target value to 50 kg, the user sets 50 kg through the setting means  30 . For example, when the control unit  16  determines that the weight which may be reduced in one month is 10 kg, the predetermined reference value becomes 60 kg by subtracting 10 kg from 70 kg. The control unit  16  compares the target value of 50 kg and the reference value of 60 kg. In a case where a predetermined condition such as “the target value is less than 60 kg” is satisfied, the control unit  16  can cause the notification portion  31  to display “please change the target weight” in the screen and to urge the user to change the target weight. The control unit  16  can hinder an “OK” button of the notification portion  31  from being pressed and can prohibit or refuse the user from setting the target weight. The predetermined condition is not limited to the above-described example. In addition, the user may be urged to change the target weight through a notification by outputting a voice instead of displaying a screen with a text message. The contents of the notification are not limited to the above-described example. The user can press the “OK” button of the notification portion  31  by resetting the target weight to 60 kg through the setting means  30 , and the user can proceed to the next step by pressing the “OK” button. In this manner, the user can set an appropriate target value instead of an immoderate target value. 
       FIG. 7  is a front view illustrating an example of a screen for inputting user related information displayed in the screen  17   a  of the controller  17 . In this example, the screen  17   a  of the controller  17  displays the input means  32  for inputting user related information. The date of birth, the gender, the height, and the weight of the user can be input through the input means  32 . The control unit  16  can set the reference value based on the user related information input through the input means  32 . For example, in a case where Oct. 8, 1980 as date of birth, male, 170 cm, and 70 kg are input, the reference value becomes a standard weight of 63.6 kg calculated based on the height of 170 cm and the BMI of 22. If the gender is female, the reference value becomes a standard weight of 60.7 kg calculated based on the height of 170 cm and the BMI of 20.8. In this manner, the reference value can be set based on the user related information. The method of setting the reference value is not limited to the above-described example. 
     In the examples illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the numerical value including the weight information of the user to be set as the target value is the weight. However, the numerical value includes the BMI and the body fat percentage or the body fat quantity, and the predetermined reference value also includes the BMI and the body fat percentage or the body fat quantity. In addition, the predetermined reference value may be set with a value of the standard weight or a general standard value. For example, 22 for the BMI, 20% for the body fat percentage, and the value of weight×20% of body fat percentage for the body fat quantity are set as the reference value. The predetermined condition for comparing the target value and the reference value with each other requires that the target value is less than the reference value. In this manner, according to the predetermined condition having the target value to be less than the reference value, the user can set a more appropriate target value. The predetermined condition is not limited to the above-described example. 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  are front views illustrating examples of a screen for setting a current weight as a current value, a target weight as a target value, and a period or a time limit for attaining the target value displayed in the screen  17   a  of the controller  17 . In this example, the numerical value of the current weight as the current value, the numerical value of the target weight as the target value, and the period or the time limit for attaining the target value can be set by the user through the setting means  30 . In addition, the notification portion  31  is provided in a lower of the screen  17   a.  In a case where a relationship between the difference of the current value and the target value, and the period or the time limit satisfies the predetermined condition, the control unit  16  can cause the notification portion  31  to urge the user to change at least one of the target value and the period or the time limit or can prohibit at least one of the target value and the period or the time limit from being set. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , for example, in a case where the user sets the current weight as the current value to 70 kg, sets the target weight as the target value to 50 kg, and sets the target time limit as the period or the time limit to Jul. 31, 2016 through the setting means  30 , and in a case where the relationship between the difference of the current value and the target value, and the period or the time limit satisfies a predetermined condition such as “the weight to be reduced in one month is equal to or less than 5%”, the control unit  16  causes the notification portion  31  to display “please change the target weight” in the screen and to urge the user to change the target weight. The control unit  16  hinders the “OK” button of the notification portion  31  from being pressed and prohibits the user from setting the target weight or the target time limit. The predetermined condition is not limited to the above-described example. A condition such as “the weight to be reduced in one month is equal to or less than 5 kg” may be adopted. In addition, the user may be urged to change the target weight through a notification by outputting a voice instead of displaying a screen with a text message. The contents of the notification are not limited to the above-described example. The user can press the “OK” button of the notification portion  31  by resetting the target weight to 60 kg through the setting means  30 , and the user can proceed to the next step by pressing the “OK” button. The method of urging the user to make a change is not limited to the above-described example. The user may be urged to change the target time limit for the period or the time limit. In addition, the method of prohibiting the target weight or the target time limit from being set is not limited to the above-described example. The method is acceptable even if at least one of the target weight and the target time limit is only prohibited from being set. In this manner, the user can set an appropriate target value and an appropriate period or an appropriate time limit instead of an immoderate target value and an immoderate period or an immoderate time limit. 
     In the examples illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the current value and the numerical value including the weight information of the user to be set as the target value is the weight. However, the numerical values include the BMI and the body fat percentage or the body fat quantity. The predetermined condition requires that an average change rate calculated based on the difference of the current value and the target value, and the period or the time limit exceeds a predetermined change rate. As the predetermined change rate, for example, a predetermined change rate for the weight is set such as “the weight to be reduced in one month is 5%”, a predetermined change rate for the BMI is set such as “the BMI is reduced by 1 in one month”, and a predetermined change rate for the body fat percentage is set such as “reduced by 1% in one month”. The predetermined change rate is not limited to the above-described example. In this manner, the user can set an appropriate target value and an appropriate period or an appropriate time limit and can plan an ideal schedule. 
       FIG. 10  is a front view illustrating another example of the screen for inputting user related information displayed in the screen  17   a  of the controller  17 . In this example, the screen  17   a  of the controller  17  displays the input means  32  for inputting user related information. The date of birth, gender, and the height of the user can be input through the input means  32 . The control unit  16  can set a change rate based on the user related information input through the input means  32 . For example, in a case where Oct. 8, 1980 is input as date of birth, male is input as the gender, and 170 cm is input as the height, the predetermined change rate for the weight of the user is set such as “the weight to be reduced in one month is 5%”. In addition, if the gender is female, the predetermined change rate is set such as “the weight to be reduced in one month is 3%”. In this manner, the change rate can be set based on the user related information. The change rate is not limited to the above-described example. 
       FIG. 11  is a front view illustrating an example of a screen for a plurality of choices displayed in the screen  17   a  of the controller  17 . In this example, description will be given regarding an example in which the user related information is input in advance through the input means  32  and a current numerical value including the weight information of the user to be set as the current value is set through the setting means  30 . The control unit  16  causes the screen  17   a  to display the information input by the user, and the current numerical value including the weight information of the user to be set as the current value. The control unit  16  calculates a plurality of target values and a plurality of periods or a plurality of time limits for attaining the target values based on the user related information and the current value, draws out a plurality of choices constituted by the plurality of target values and the plurality of periods or the plurality of time limits, and causes the notification portion  31  to issue a notification. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , for example, as the information input through the input means  32  and the result set through the setting means  30 , the screen  17   a  displays the weight of 60 kg, the BMI of 24, and the body fat percentage of 22% as the current values, and two types of target plans are displayed for the user based on the current values. In two types of the target plans, for Plan A, the target weight of 54.9 kg in a period of three months is displayed. For Plan B, the target weight of 52.9 kg in a period of four months is displayed. The user can make a selection from two types of the target plans. 
     In this manner, by utilizing the user related information input by the user and the numerical value of the weight information set as the current value, a plurality of target plans are displayed together with the target value and the period or the time limit. Thus, the user can set a target suitable for himself/herself from the plurality of choices. 
       FIG. 12  is a front view illustrating an example of a screen for a current value and target information displayed in the screen  17   a  of the controller  17 . In this example, description will be given regarding an example in which a value at the time of being set by the user, the target value, and the period or the time limit for attaining the target value are set in advance and a current value is obtained based on the target value. The target information indicating the relationship among the current value, the target value, and the period or the time limit for attaining the target value can be notified through the notification portion  31 . The control unit  16  causes the screen  17   a  of the controller  17  to display the current value in an upper portion thereof and causes the screen  17   a  to graphically display the chronological change of the weight of the user in the notification portion  31  at the middle thereof. The graphic display is prepared based on the target information indicating the relationship among the current value, the target value, and the period or the time limit for attaining the target value. In addition, the target information may be notified by the voice. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , for example, the user sets the target time limit to four months, and the weight tends to be favorably reduced during the first month. However, it is found that the weight repeats to increase and decrease at the present stage, that is, during the second to third months. There remains 5 kg to be reduced during the last month for attaining the target weight. 
     In this manner, by utilizing the current value of the user, the change and the current circumstances of the weight of the user are displayed. Accordingly, the controller  17  can notify the user of the change of his/her own weight and the target information by displaying a graph or outputting a voice. In  FIG. 12 , monthly history of the weight is displayed. However, the display may be switched to detailed display such as weekly or daily history. In this manner, the user can know the current circumstances in more detail. 
     ANOTHER EMBODIMENT 
     In addition, the treatment system  1  of the present invention is not limited to the illustrated form and may adopt a different form within the scope of this invention. 
     For example, in the above-described embodiment, a weight scale is used as an example. However, a measuring instrument such as an activity meter may be adopted. The activity meter takes not only the number of steps but also various activities such as household affairs and desk work and allows the user to see the daily total calorie consumption. By being connected to the massage machine  10 , the screen  17   a  of the controller  17  can display the current circumstances with a numerical value or a graph. In addition, an appropriate target can be set and can be help of health management. 
     Although the invention has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. It should be appreciated that variations may be made in the described embodiments by persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. The limitations in the claims are to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited to examples described in this specification or during the prosecution of the application, and the examples are to be construed as non-exclusive. Moreover, no element or component in this disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element or component is explicitly recited in the following claims.