Virtual Trainer

• US 20090098981A1
• Filed: 10/10/2008
• Published: 04/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ralph J. Del Giorno
• Original Assignee: Ralph J. Del Giorno
• Inventors: Del Giorno, Ralph J.
• Application Number:
  US12/249,562
• Publication Number:
  US 20090098981A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/9
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0093 the load of the exercise apparatus being controlled by performance parameters, e.g. distance or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/063 Spoken or verbal instructions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0636 3D visualisation
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0638 Displaying moving images of recorded environment, e.g. virtual environment
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0658 Position or arrangement of display
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/068 Input by voice recognition
• 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 2220/52 Weight, e.g. weight distribution
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/808 Microphones
• 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 2230/01 User's weight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising

Abstract

An interactive virtual training system including at least one exercise equipment device including a video user interface, an audio input, an audio output, voice recognition software for interpreting a user'"'"'s spoken commands and software that monitors a user'"'"'s exercise pattern for consistency, where changes in the exercise pattern trigger a query to the user asking whether assistance is necessary, and software for adjusting the workout routine if a user indicates that modification is needed.

Claims

1. An interactive virtual training system comprising:

at least one exercise equipment device including a video user interface, an audio input, and an audio output;

software executing on said exercise equipment device utilizing voice recognition for interpreting a user'"'"'s spoken commands received via the audio input;

software executing on said exercise equipment device for implementing a workout routine based on a user'"'"'s spoken commands;

software executing on said exercise equipment device for monitoring a user'"'"'s exercise pattern for consistency, wherein changes in said exercise pattern prompt a query to the user whether assistance is necessary; and

software executing on said exercise equipment device for adjusting the workout routine based upon a user'"'"'s spoken commands if a user indicates that modification is needed.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the query to the user whether assistance is necessary is provided via the audio output.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the query to the user whether assistance is necessary is provided visually via the video user interface.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein said software for modifying a workout routine implements a change in workout parameters.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein said workout parameters include at least one of level of difficulty, duration, resistance, weight, incline, and speed.

6. The system according to claim 1, further comprising software executing on said exercise equipment device that provides visual feedback, motivation and encouragement via the video interface.

7. The system according to claim 1, further comprising software executing on said exercise equipment device that provides auditory feedback, motivation and encouragement via the audio output.

8. The system according to claim 1, further comprising software executing on said exercise equipment device for generating a customizable interactive virtual trainer based on user'"'"'s spoken commands.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein said interactive virtual trainer is an animated human form.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein said video user interface includes a plurality of display screens

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein said audio input is placed at the point on the exercise equipment device closest to the user'"'"'s voice.

12. The system according to claim 1, further comprising software executing on said exercise equipment device for monitoring a user'"'"'s workout data.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein said workout data is stored on a central server.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein said user'"'"'s workout data is accessible via the world wide web.

15. A method of personal training, comprising the steps of:

providing a user with a virtual trainer on exercise equipment;

creating a workout routine based on a user'"'"'s spoken commands;

monitoring a user'"'"'s exercise pattern for consistency;

recognizing changes in a user'"'"'s exercise pattern;

querying the user whether modification in the routine is needed if a change is recognized; and

adjusting the workout routine based upon a user'"'"'s spoken commands if a user indicates that modification is needed.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the virtual trainer provides visual feedback, encouragement and motivation.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the virtual trainer provides auditory feedback, encouragement and motivation.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the virtual trainer is customizable.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the virtual trainer is customizable in its gender, appearance, voice and intensity level.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein voice recognition technology is used.

21. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of receiving workout data from the exercise equipment and storing the workout data on a central server.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the workout data is accessible via the world wide web.