Isometric exercise system and method of facilitating user exercise during video game play

• US 20060217243A1
• Filed: 02/09/2006
• Published: 09/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Original Assignee: IA Labs CA LLC
• Inventors: Schott, Jeff, Merril, Greg, Feldman, Philip, Grimm, Jason, Tsai, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 7,699,755 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/91
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0638 Displaying moving images of recorded environment, e.g. virtual environment
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0644 with display speed of moving landscape controlled by the user's performance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/002 isometric or isokinetic, i.e. substantial force variation without substantial muscle motion or wherein the speed of the motion is independent of the force applied by the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0023 for isometric exercising, i.e. substantial force variation without substantial muscle motion
• 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 2220/13 Relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/00 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0009 for handicapped persons
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/21 characterised by their sensors, purposes or types
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/218 using pressure sensors, e.g. generating a signal proportional to the pressure applied by the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/47 involving branching, e.g. choosing one of several possible scenarios at a given point in time
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/57 Simulating properties, behaviour or motion of objects in the game world, e.g. computing tyre load in a car race game A63F13/56 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/80 Special adaptations for executing a specific game genre or game mode
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/98 Accessories, i.e. detachable arrangements optional for the use of the video game device, e.g. grip supports of game controllers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1056 involving pressure sensitive buttons
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1062 : being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/632 : by branching, e.g. choosing one of several possible story developments at a given point in time
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/64 : for computing dynamical parameters of game objects, e.g. motion determination or computation of frictional forces for a virtual car
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8082 : Virtual reality

Abstract

An isometric exercise system according to the present invention facilitates user interaction with a host computer system and includes at least one effector, at least one sensor coupled to the effector, a platform to accommodate the user and control circuitry including a processor. The platform accommodates a user and includes the effector attached thereto. The sensor measures at least one force applied by a user to the effector, where the applied force effects a strain on or deflects the effector. The processor receives and processes data corresponding to applied force information measured by the sensor for transference to the host computer system in a compatible format and facilitates user interaction with the host computer system via effector manipulation by the user. The host computer system processes the information to update or respond to events within an executing software application (e.g., a game).

Claims

1. An isometric exercise system serving as a peripheral to manipulate a virtual reality scenario of a host processing system in accordance with user exercise comprising:

a base;

an effector providing an isometric exercise for said user, wherein said effector is secured to said base;

at least one sensor coupled to a selected location of said effector to measure at least one force applied by said user, wherein said applied force effects a measurable deformation of said effector that is measured by said at least one sensor; and

a controller to facilitate manipulation of said virtual reality scenario, wherein said controller is secured to said effector and includes;

a processor to receive and process data corresponding to applied force information measured by said at least one sensor and to transfer information to said host processing system to control said virtual reality scenario in accordance with manipulation of said effector by said user.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said controller further includes at least one input device to manipulate said virtual reality scenario, and wherein said processor transfers information to said host processing system to control said virtual reality scenario in accordance with manipulation of said at least one input device by said user.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said host processing system includes a gaming system.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein said virtual reality scenario includes a plurality of functions enabling manipulation of that scenario, and said controller further includes an assignment module to selectively assign said effector and at least one input device to said manipulation functions to respectively control those functions in accordance with manipulation of said assigned effector and input device.

5. The system of claim 1 further including:

a stabilizing member coupled to at least one of said effector and said base, wherein said stabilizing member is configured to engage user body portions and stabilizes said effector for application of said at least one force by said user.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said stabilizing member includes:

a plurality of support platforms each coupled to an opposing side of said base to support said user, wherein a weight of said user stabilizes said effector.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein at least one support platform includes:

a frame including an open interior portion;

a plate disposed within said frame open interior portion; and

a plurality of projections extending from said frame to couple said at least one platform to said base.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said base includes:

a plurality of channels defined through said base,

a plurality of openings each defined in a top surface of said base coincident a corresponding channel; and

a plurality of recesses each defined in said base coincident a corresponding channel and opening;

wherein said projections each include an opening defined therein, and a projection from each support platform is inserted into a corresponding channel with associated projection openings, the base opening and base recess aligned to form a passage to receive a connector to secure said support platforms to said base.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein said support platforms are removably coupled to said base.

10. The system of claim 5, wherein said stabilizing member includes:

a plurality of support members to engage user legs, wherein said support members are angularly displaced from each other and arranged to form an open central portion to receive said effector.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said base includes a plurality of leg members angularly displaced from each other and a receptacle disposed at a junction of said leg members to receive said effector.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said leg members are arranged in one of a ‘

Y’

type configuration and a cross type configuration.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein said base includes:

a frame including an open interior portion;

a plate disposed within said frame open interior portion; and

a receptacle disposed on said frame to receive said effector;

wherein said frame and said plate engage user body portions and stabilize said effector for application of said at least force by said user.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein said controller includes a handle to receive said at least one force applied by said user.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein said controller further includes:

a display to display information relating to effector manipulation by said user during system operation.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said processor further determines, based on said measured applied force, information relating to at least one of an amount of work applied by said user, an amount of weight lifted by said user and an amount of calories burned by said user and controls said display to display said determined information.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein said processor further selectively adjusts an amount of said at least one force that must be applied by said user to facilitate user interaction with said virtual reality scenario.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein said controller further includes:

a resistance input device to enter the amount of said at least one force that must be applied by said user.

19. The system of claim 1 further including:

at least one exercise mechanism manipulable by said user to effect at least one of isokinetic and isotonic exercise by said user during system operation.

20. A method of performing an isometric exercise utilizing an exercise system that serves as a peripheral to manipulate a virtual reality scenario of a host processing system, said exercise system including a base, an effector secured to said base, at least one sensor coupled to a selected location of said effector, and a controller secured to said effector to facilitate manipulation of said virtual reality scenario and including a processor, said method comprising:

(a) measuring at least one force applied by a user, wherein said effector provides an isometric exercise for said user and said applied force effects a measurable deformation of said effector that is measurable by said at least one sensor;

(b) processing data corresponding to applied force information measured by said at least one sensor via said controller processor; and

(c) transferring information from said controller to said host processing system to control said virtual reality scenario in accordance with manipulation of said effector by said user.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein said controller further includes at least one input device to manipulate said virtual reality scenario, and step (c) further includes:

(c.1) transferring information to said host processing system to control said virtual reality scenario in accordance with manipulation of said at least one input device by said user.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein said host processing system includes a gaming system.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein said virtual reality scenario includes a plurality of functions enabling manipulation of that scenario, and step (b) further includes:

(b.1) selectively assigning said effector and at least one input device to said manipulation functions to respectively control those functions in accordance with manipulation of said assigned effector and input device.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein said exercise system further includes a stabilizing member coupled to at least one of said effector and said base, and step (a) further includes:

(a.1) engaging user body portions with said stabilizing member to stabilize said effector for application of said at least one force by said user.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein said stabilizing member includes a plurality of support platforms each coupled to an opposing side of said base to support said user, and step (a.1) further includes:

(a.1.1) removably receiving said support platforms within said base.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein said stabilizing member includes a plurality of support members angularly displaced from each other and arranged to form an open central portion to receive said effector, and step (a.1) further includes:

(a.1.1) engaging user body portions with said stabilizing member to stabilize said effector for application of said at least one force by said user.

27. The method of claim 20, wherein said controller includes a handle to receive said at least one force applied by said user, and step (a) further includes:

(a.1) measuring said deformation of said effector caused by at least one force applied by said user to said handle.

28. The method of claim 20, wherein said controller further includes a display, and step (b) further includes:

(b.1) displaying information relating to effector manipulation by said user during system operation.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein step (b.1) further includes:

(b.1.1) determining, based on said measured applied force, information relating to at least one of an amount of work applied by said user, an amount of weight lifted by said user and an amount of calories burned by said user and controlling said display to display said determined information.

30. The method of claim 20, wherein step (a) further includes:

(a.1) selectively adjusting an amount of said at least one force that must be applied by said user to facilitate user interaction with said virtual reality scenario.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein said controller further includes a resistance input device, and step (a.1) further includes:

(a.1.1) receiving the amount of said at least one force that must be applied by said user via said resistance input device.

32. The method of claim 20, wherein said exercise system further includes at least one exercise mechanism manipulable by said user, and step (a) further includes:

(a.1) providing at least one of isokinetic and isotonic exercise for said user by said at least one exercise mechanism during system operation.