Simulating real-world terrain on an exercise device

• US 10,391,361 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2016
• Issued: 08/27/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IFIT Incorporated (Amynta Agency, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness Incorporated (HF HOLDINGS INC)
• Inventors: Watterson, Scott R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ganesan, Sundhara M
• Application Number:
  US15/053,744
• Publication Number:
  US 20160250519A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,279 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/002 electronically, e.g. by using a program
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/009 the load of the exercise apparatus being controlled in synchronism with visualising systems, e.g. hill slope
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0033 Nordic walking, i.e. using poles for walking
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0638 Displaying moving images of recorded environment, e.g. virtual environment
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0015 with an adjustable movement path of the support elements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0048 with cantilevered support elements pivoting about an axis A63B22/0076 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0087 with a seat or torso support moving during the exercise, e.g. reformers A63B22/0076 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/02 with movable endless bands , e.g. treadmills other training appliances for running on the spot A63B69/0028
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/04 with movable multiple steps , i.e. more than one step per limb, e.g. steps mounted on endless loops, endless ladders steppers with cantilevered support elements pivoting about an axis A63B22/0048
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0664 performing an elliptic movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/14 Geo-tagging, e.g. for correlating route or track location data with specific information related to that specific location
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/70 Measuring or simulating ambient conditions, e.g. weather, terrain or surface conditions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/72 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/75 Humidity
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/76 Wind conditions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 Video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/807 Photo cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 : Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/89 : Field sensors, e.g. radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 : with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 : Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/64 : Heated
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/66 : Cooled
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 : heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0075 : Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0084 : Exercising apparatus with means for competitions, e.g. virtual races
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0087 : Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8094 : Unusual game types, e.g. virtual cooking
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/29 : Geographical information databases

Abstract

A system may include a receiving module and a conversion module. The receiving module may be for receiving location data associating video data depicting a real-world route with topographical location of the real-world route. The conversion module may be for creating an exercise program. The exercise program could include control signals representing changes to be made to one or more operating parameters of an exercise device as the video data depicting the real-world route is displayed to a user of the exercise device. The control signals may be based at least in part on the location data. The changes to the one or more operating parameters may correspond at least in part to one or more aspects of the real-world route.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a receiving module for receiving location data associating video frames depicting a real-world route with a topographical location of the real-world route, the video frames having been captured by a video-capturing device while traversing the real-world route; and

a conversion module for creating an exercise program comprising;

control signals representing changes to be made to one or more operating parameters of an exercise device as the video frames depicting the real-world route are displayed to a user of the exercise device, the control signals based at least in part on the location data, and the changes to the one or more operating parameters corresponding at least in part to one or more aspects of the real-world route; and

an icon overlaying the video frames and depicted as being located on the real-world route depicted in the video frames as captured by the video-capturing device while traversing the real-world route.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the location data includes global positioning data collected via a satellite navigation system as the video frames were captured while the video-capturing device was traversing the real-world route.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the exercise program further includes environment signals representing one or more target environmental parameters for a location of the exercise device and that cause a change in real-world environmental conditions in a room housing the exercise device;

the change in the real-world environmental conditions in the room housing the exercise device is accomplished by one or more of;

a heating/cooling system, a humidifier, a dehumidifier, a fan, a mister, and a light; and

the target environment parameters correspond at least in part to one or more environmental aspects of the real-world route that were observed as the video frames were captured while the video-capturing device was traversing the real-world route.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the icon is a ghost icon that represents a relative position on the real-world route relative to the user of the exercise device and appears to move along the real-world route depicted in the video frames.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the ghost icon is depicted with an identifying label that shows information regarding the ghost icon and that is shown as being attached to the ghost icon.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the information regarding the ghost icon includes one or more of:

a speed of the ghost icon; and

a pace of the ghost icon.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a computing device including the receiving module and the conversion module.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a communication device including the receiving module and the conversion module, the communication device for delivering the exercise program to the exercise device by way of a network.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising a distribution module for:

providing, by way of the network, information about a plurality of exercise programs, including the exercise program; and

delivering the exercise program to the exercise device by way of the network in response to the exercise program being selected from the plurality of exercise programs.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising the exercise device including the receiving module and the conversion module.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the icon is a virtual signpost icon that appears as a real-world signpost located along the real-world route and appears to remain stationary relative to the real-world route depicted in the video frames.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the virtual signpost icon displays a marked distance and/or a motivational message.

13. A communication device comprising:

a receiving module for;

receiving, by way of a network, video frames depicting a real-world route, the video frames having been captured by a video-capturing device while traversing the real-world route; and

receiving, by way of the network, location data associating the video frames with a topographical location of the real-world route;

a conversion module for creating an exercise program comprising;

the video frames depicting the real-world route;

control signals representing changes to be made to one or more operating parameters of an exercise device as the video frames depicting the real-world route are displayed to a user of the exercise device, the control signals based at least in part on the location data, and the changes to the one or more operating parameters corresponding at least in part to one or more aspects of the real-world route; and

an icon overlaying the video frames and depicted as being located on the real-world route depicted in the video frames as captured by the video-capturing device while traversing the real-world route; and

a distribution module for;

delivering, by way of the network, information about a plurality of exercise programs, including the exercise program; and

delivering, by way of the network, the exercise program to the exercise device in response to the exercise program being selected from the plurality of exercise programs.

14. The communication device of claim 13, wherein:

the exercise program further includes environment signals representing one or more target environmental parameters for a location of the exercise device and that cause a change in real-world environmental conditions in a room housing the exercise device;

the change in the real-world environmental conditions in the room housing the exercise device is accomplished by one or more of;

a heating/cooling system, a humidifier, a dehumidifier, a fan, a mister, and a light; and

the environment signals correspond at least in part to one or more environmental aspects of the real-world route that were observed as the video frames were captured while the video-capturing device was traversing the real-world route.

15. The communication device of claim 13, wherein the location data includes global positioning data collected via a global positioning system as the video frames were captured while the video-capturing device was traversing the real-world route.

16. The communication device of claim 13, wherein the icon is a ghost icon that represents a relative position on the real-world route relative to the user of the exercise device and appears to move along the real-world route depicted in the video frames.

17. The communication device of claim 16, wherein the ghost icon is depicted with an identifying label that shows information regarding the ghost icon and that is shown as being attached to the ghost icon.

18. The communication device of claim 17, wherein the information regarding the ghost icon includes one or more of:

a speed of the ghost icon; and

a pace of the ghost icon.

19. The communication device of claim 13, wherein the icon is a virtual signpost icon that appears as a real-world signpost located along the real-world route and appears to remain stationary relative to the real-world route depicted in the video frames.

20. The communication device of claim 19, wherein the virtual signpost icon displays a marked distance and/or a motivational message.