TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a method of operating roller massage machines in roller massage parlours.

BACKGROUD ART

[0002] US patent application US2017348179A1 relates to a massage system comprising a massage machine and a communication server. The massage machine comprises a treatment part configured to treat a subject, a control device configured to control the treatment part, and an operating device configured to perform the treatment procedure through the control device.

[0003] European patent application EP3320888A1 relates to a massage system comprising a massage machine, more specifically a massage chair. This system applies artificial intellect, which selects a massage program matching the health status of the user based on the information entered with voice commands.

[0004] The systems known from documents US2017348179A1 and EP3320888A1 are mainly optimized for medical massage, where the user (patient) lies/sits passively on the massage chair during the massage procedure performed by the massage chair.

[0005] Configuration of the mentioned system is not suitable for use with roller massage machines for general physical training or so-called gym training (..burning calories”), where the user of the roller massage machine must participate actively in the massage procedure, i.e.. where the user must correctly change their position in relation to the machine.

[0006] Korean patent application KR20200076985A relates to a control system and method of a training gym enabling to link the information of access rights of the members (users) of a gym through a server with various gym management devices to enable to use several gym branches and adapted training. The system is mainly intended for managing access rights and enabling access. The system includes a recommendation of a training program for training specific body parts for the user. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0007] A common operating method of roller massage machines enables managing one or more roller massage machines. It enables adding a one-to-one virtual instruction video to the operation of the roller massage machine and the massage program, which is displayed during the procedure and which indicates precisely how and which positions the user, i.e. the client must assume on the machine, and how to move themselves to ensure that the procedure is performed correctly.

[0008] The method of operating roller massage machines enables managing videos and starting automatically the display of the instruction video and information in the correct language according to the user’s preferences.

[0009] Display of such instruction videos resolves a number of problems related to the solutions of the prior art.

[0010] If there is no video at all to instruct the procedure, the user may perform exercises incorrectly, if the instruction comprising only pictures or text for the exercises are not sufficiently clear. If done incorrectly, the procedure risks harming the body rather than benefiting it.

[0011] In order to ensure the efficiency of the roller massage, the massage exercises must be performed in the correct sequence and the exercises must be performed on a human body in the correct places.

[0012] A disadvantage of the systems known from the art where the instruction video is started manually (with a remote control or a control button) is that such a solution requires the customer service employee or a person to manually select and start the file to be displayed on the screen. This can be done by playing the file from a computer or any other external or internal screen or monitor memory. The person must start themselves simultaneously the instruction video and the machine.

[0013] This could be done by starting both separately - the machine and the unit displaying the video, using two separate controls buttons or remote controls. For example, the person must select the location of the file (e.g., on USB or any other memory device) using the TV remote control and activate it with by pressing activation button. At the same time, the program of roller massage machine should be started on the roller massage machine. Such a solution is difficult and bothersome for the user, and the service staff must deal personally with each user and massage machine in the parlour when using this solution. Furthermore, such a solution may interfere with the reserved usage times due to delays with starting the programs, and it may happen that the reserved usage time of the previous user has not yet ended when already the reserved usage time of the next user should start.

[0014] In the method of the invention, the video and the roller massage machine are started synchronously and without the need for human interference. For example, this reduces labour costs, if there are several machines in the parlour that must start operating at the same time.

[0015] In the method of the invention, the control system selects itself in advance the suitable language for displaying information and the instruction video based on the preferences of the user.

[0016] Thus, the invention provides a method of operating roller massage machines in roller massage parlours.

[0017] The method comprises the following steps listed below.

[0018] Step a) comprises receiving by a central server via an application programming interface (API) from a user device a request for the use of the roller massage machine and identifying the user and user data.

[0019] In the case of a first-time user (client), a new user is registered in the central server, an account is created for the user and user data are stored. The user is also asked to fill in a questionnaire to determine the programs for using the roller massage machine suitable for the user.

[0020] In the case of a user already existing in the system, use data and preferences are searched from user account and used for offering suitable programs for using the roller massage machine.

[0021] Step b) comprises synchronizing data between a location server of the roller massage machine and the central server, and sending option data for selecting the location, time of use and massage program of the roller massage machine to the user device for making a reservation.

[0022] In the first embodiment of the invention, in step b), the location server of the roller massage machine sends request to the central server for synchronizing the data.

[0023] In the second embodiment of the invention, in step b), the central server initiates the synchronization of data.

[0024] Step c) comprises storing the selections of location, time of use and massage program of the roller massage machine made from the user device in the central server with user data and sending reservation data to the user device.

[0025] Step d) comprises synchronizing with predetermined intervals the reservation data from the central server with the location server of the roller massage machine.

[0026] In case of a communication failure, this ensures, that all reservation data (user data, reservation time, massage program, etc.) are available in the location server of the roller massage machine, i.e., in the specific parlour. It enables the system to operate also when there is no internet connection. If the roller massage system is lacking internet connection, it does not hinder the operation and functioning of the roller massage machines and thus the use of the roller massage machine by the user at the reserved time.

[0027] Step e) comprises sending upon arrival of the reservation time the selected massage program from the location server of the roller massage machine to the control module of the roller massage machine, and starting said roller massage machine and operating said machine according to said massage program.

[0028] In this case, it is assumed that the user arrives at the parlour in time. This ensures that every massage program starts and thus also ends in time. This enables the parlour staff to inspect and, e.g., disinfect the roller massage machine before the reservation time of the next user, if necessary.

[0029] Step f) comprises displaying instructions based on the massage program of the roller massage machine to the user on the screen related to the roller massage machine. The screen is connected by cable or wirelessly to the roller massage machine and the screen itself is located separately from the machine.

[0030] In the context of the invention, displaying instructions on the screen means displaying the instruction video showing to the user how and in which position they must use the roller massage machine.

[0031] Step g) comprises stopping the roller massage machine upon completion of the massage program.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the step f) comprises storing the duration of the massage program of the user and the amount of calories burnt in the location server of the roller massage machine upon completion of the massage program and displaying the data on the screen.

[0033] In a further preferred embodiment, the step f) comprises storing the duration of the massage program of the user and the amount of calories burnt in the location server of the roller massage machine upon completion of the massage program and displaying the data on the screen and sending them to the central server and storing with user data.

[0034] In both cases, the amount of calories burnt is calculated continuously and is displayed as an ascending line on the screen.

[0035] This enables the user to correct or modify the massage program when selecting further times of use of the parlour.

[0036] The method of the invention has several advantages.

[0037] First, the need for a labour force decreases. Several sets of roller massage machines and screens can be managed and operated automatically without the need for a customer service operator because nobody must start the roller massage machines manually. This enables starting several roller massage machines simultaneously. This in turn enables precise planning of start times of the times of use, which is beneficial for the service provider in the interest of efficiency of the parlour. [0038] Second, the efficiency of reservation time management increases. Reservation times of the parlour remain precise because roller massage machines cannot be started later or earlier than the reserved time. This raises the quality of service because otherwise, the last user at the end of a day may start several tens of minutes later, as there can be many users who delayed with starting the roller massage machine and this affects the reservation time of each following user. This enables efficient planning of the times of use of roller massage machine without long pauses between uses.

[0039] Third advantage is remote management of roller massage machines. The method of the invention comprises access via internet to each part of the system of the machine. It is possible to remotely start the system or find a solution to any problems occurring in IT systems, if necessary. Instruction videos and information displayed during exercise can be updated remotly. The remote control provides access to a location-based server to make updates or improvements in the system, if necessary.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0040] The invention is described below with references to the appended scheme on Figure 1 , depicting the system of the method of the invention for operating roller massage machines in roller massage parlours.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0041] A mode for carrying out the method is described with the system, which comprises the central server 1 , location server of the roller massage machine (parlour server) 2, screen control computer 3, screen (e.g., monitor or TV) 4, the control device of roller massage machine 5 and roller massage machine 6. For simplicity, only one location server of the roller massage machine 2 and one roller massage machine 6 are depicted in the figure, but there are several parlours and each parlour has several roller massage machines 6.

[0042] Central server 1 is used for managing reservations of roller massage machines 6. For this purpose, an application programming interface (API) is used, through which a request can be sent with a user device (not shown in the figure, e.g., smartphone, computer, laptop, tablet, etc.) for using the roller massage machine 6, i.e. , to find out the locations (parlours) with available times for using a roller massage machine. Central server 1 is also used for identifying the user and storing user data.

[0043] In reply to the request from the user device, option data for selecting the location, time of use and massage program of the roller massage machine 6 are sent to the user device for making a reservation.

[0044] When the user has found a suitable location and time of use, the selections made from the user device for the location, time of use and massage program of the roller massage machine 6 are stored in the central server 1 with user data, and reservation data are sent to the user device.

[0045] Periodical synchronization of data takes place between location servers 2 of the roller massage machine 6 and the central server 1 , where reservation data are synchronized with specified intervals from the central server 1 with the location server 2 of the roller massage machine 6.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment, data are synchronized when the location server 2 of the roller massage machine 6 sends request to the central server 1 - this may take place with fixed intervals.

[0047] In another embodiment, data are synchronized when the central server 1 initiates synchronization of data with location servers 2 of the roller massage machine 6.

[0048] When the reserved time of a user is near, the massage program selected during reservation by the user is sent from the location server 2 of the roller massage machine 6 to the control device 5 of the roller massage machine 6, and upon arrival of the reservation time, the roller massage machine 6 is started and operated based on the massage program.

[0049] At the same time, the instructions based on the massage program of the roller massage machine 6 are displayed to the user on the screen 4 related to the roller massage machine 6, which can be a monitor, TV, or even a wall, onto which the mentioned instructions are displayed with a projector. The amount of calories burnt is calculated continuously and displayed on the screen with a rising line.

[0050] Upon completion of the massage program the roller massage machine 6 is stopped, duration of the massage program of the user is stored in the location server 2 of the roller massage machine 6, the amount of calories burnt is stored, and data are displayed on the screen 4.

[0051] During synchronization of data between the central server 1 and the location servers 2, the duration of the massage program of the user and the amount of calories burnt are sent to the central server 1 and stored with the user data.