Interactive computer simulation enhanced exercise machine

• US 20070117680A1
• Filed: 10/16/2006
• Published: 05/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cube X Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Cube X Incorporated
• Inventors: Roane, Jerry, Neff, John, Verona, Matthew
• Granted Patent: US 7,497,807 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2220/00 General furniture construction, e.g. fittings
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2220/06 Treadmill combined with furniture
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0035 Upper limbs performing together the same movement, e.g. on a single support element
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0041 one hand moving independently from the other hand, i.e. there is no link between the movements of the hands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0082 with pivoting handlebars
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/064 with pivoting handlebars
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/066 with handlebars rotating about a horizontal axis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0644 with display speed of moving landscape controlled by the user's performance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00061 Replaceable resistance units of different strengths, e.g. for swapping
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/005 using electromagnetic or electric force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0058 using motors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/008 using hydraulic or pneumatic force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0083 of the piston-cylinder type using pneumatic piston-cylinder type force resistors A63B21/0087
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0087 of the piston-cylinder type using hydraulic piston-cylinder type force resistors A63B21/0083
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/015 including rotating or oscillating elements rubbing against fixed elements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/023 Wound springs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0421 the ends moving relatively by a pivoting arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/055 extension element type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0552 Elastic ropes or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4047 Pivoting movement weight pivoting A63B21/0615
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0007 : by alternatively exercising arms or legs, e.g. with a single set of support elements driven either by the upper or the lower limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0012 : the exercises for arms and legs being functionally independent
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0046 : Details of the support elements or their connection to the exercising apparatus, e.g. adjustment of size or orientation attachments of resisters or weights to the body of the user A63B21/4001; using rollers, wheels, castors or gliding means to be moved over the floor or guide tracks A63B22/20
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0076 : Rowing machines for conditioning the cardio-vascular system seats moving during exercise A63B22/0087; training appliances for rowing or sculling on boats A63B69/06
• 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 22/0605 : performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0664 : performing an elliptic movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0694 : without integral seat, e.g. portable mini ergometers being placed in front of a chair, on a table or on a bed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/203 : in a horizontal plane
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0233 : in 90/90 position, like on a chair
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 : Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/58 : slideably retracted in a housing when not in use
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 : Relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/16 : Angular positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/05 : with suction cups
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/055 : used for fixing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 : with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/75 : calorie expenditure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0084 : Exercising apparatus with means for competitions, e.g. virtual races
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/06 : for rowing or sculling
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1043 : being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6607 : for animating game characters, e.g. skeleton kinematics

Abstract

A computer simulation enhanced exercise device is provided which engages the user by directly relating the users exercise motion in real time to a visual simulation or interactive game. The exercise device may comprise any variety of machines including, stationary bikes, rowing machines, treadmills, stepper, elliptical gliders or under desk exercise. These exercise devices are configured with sensors to measure physical movements as the user exercises and are coupled to computer hardware with modeling and virtualization software to create the system. These sensor measurements are then sent to a computer for use in the physics based modeling and real-time visual simulation. The computer simulation enhanced exercise device is further provided with features including manual and automatic adjustment of resistance levels, visualization of accurate caloric burn rates and correlation to everyday food items, and network connectivity providing for multiplayer network simulations and directed advertising.

Claims

1. An interactive computer simulation enhanced exercise device, the device comprising:

a pair of rowing level arms adapted to attach to a desk surface within an under-desk leg space of a desk, each of the pair of rowing level arms comprising a first end attachable to a desk surface by a horizontal pivotable means and a second end having a handle aligned in a proximal parallel alignment with a front of a desk, the handles adapted to be grasped like oars of a boat and pulled toward a user pivoting the rowing level arms horizontally in a movement simulating rowing a boat with oars in oarlocks;

a pivot resistance means attachable between each of the pair of rowing lever arms and the desk surface to create a resistance to pivoting the pair of rowing lever arms for the purpose of exercising by pulling to pivot the pair of rowing lever arms horizontally;

a rotational motion sensor having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being stationary with respect to the desk surface and the second portion being attached to the rower lever arms so that the second portion rotates with respect to the first portion when the rowing levers are pulled toward the user;

a microprocessor device having a computer-readable storage medium containing a set of instructions executable by the microprocessor device, the set of instructions comprising;

code for receiving motion data from the rotational motion sensor associated with the pair of rowing arms;

code for converting the motion data to a degree of rotation and a rotation rate;

code for associating said motion data with a physical position of the rowing lever arms related to a user'"'"'s movement of the pair of rowing arms;

code for associating said physical position with a corresponding visual model of the rowing lever arms; and

code for simulating moving cameras.