SYSTEM AND METHOD OF MONITORING USERS DURING AN INTERACTIVE ACTIVITY

• US 20090292178A1
• Filed: 05/21/2008
• Published: 11/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: ELLIS, Jason, McClellan, Clint
• Application Number:
  US12/124,606
• Publication Number:
  US 20090292178A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/301
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0065 Evaluating the fitness, e.g. fitness level or fitness index
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0068 Comparison to target or threshold, previous performance or not real time comparison to other individuals
• 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 2024/0096 using performance related parameters for controlling electronic or video games or avatars
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0081 Stopping the operation of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/063 Spoken or verbal instructions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0724 Bar-bells; Hand bars
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0726 Dumb bells, i.e. with a central bar to be held by a single hand, and with weights at the ends
• 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 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/16 Angular positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/44 Angular acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/52 Weight, e.g. weight distribution
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/56 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/803 : Motion sensors
• 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 2225/685 : for electronic devices, e.g. phone, PDA, GPS device, notebook
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/00 : Measuring physiological parameters of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 : heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/202 : glucose
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/42 : rate
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/50 : temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/10 : Combat sports
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/102 : Boxing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/106 : Karate
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/22 : Dancing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0059 : Exercising apparatus with reward systems
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 : Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• 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 49/00 : Stringed rackets, e.g. for tennis strings therefor A63B51/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 59/00 : Bats, rackets, or the like, not covered by groups A63B49/00 - A63B57/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/46 : Measurement devices associated with golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like for measuring physical parameters relating to sporting activity, e.g. baseball bats with impact indicators or bracelets for measuring the golf swing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/36 : for golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/212 : using sensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat or leg activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/33 : using wide area network [WAN] connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/85 : Providing additional services to players
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1012 : involving biosensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat, limb activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/105 : using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1062 : being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/554 : by saving game or status data
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5573 : player location
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/558 : by assessing the players' skills or ranking
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8094 : Unusual game types, e.g. virtual cooking
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 : for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/20 : for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems

Abstract

A game system is disclosed and may include an exercise device and at least one sensor that may be configured to be worn by a user of the exercise device during an activity. The system may further include a game console that may be connected to the exercise device and at least one sensor. The game console may include a processor that is operable to monitor one or more vital signs associated with a player during an activity via at least one sensor and to provide feedback to the player at least partially based on the vital signs.

Claims

1. A method of providing an interactive activity, the method comprising:

monitoring one or more vital signs associated with a player during an activity; and

at least partially based on the vital signs, providing feedback to the player.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more vitals includes at least one of the following:

a heart rate, a body temperature, a perspiration rate, a respiration rate, a blood glucose level, a body mass index, or any combination thereof.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the feedback is provided by a virtual trainer presented via a display device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the vital signs are monitored using one or more sensors worn by the player.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the sensors include at least one of the following:

a heart rate sensor, a body temperature sensor, a perspiration sensor, a respiration sensor, a blood glucose sensor, a body mass index sensor, or a combination thereof.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

comparing the vital signs to established safe parameters associated with the player;

determining whether the vital signs are within a safe zone; and

when the vital signs are outside of the safe zone, modifying the activity until the vital signs return to the safe zone.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

stopping the activity when the vital signs do not return to the safe zone within a time period.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

at least partially based on the vital signs of the player, modifying an appearance of a virtual player associated with the player.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

comparing the vital signs to a fitness threshold associated with the player; and

determining whether the vital signs are above or below the fitness threshold.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

when the vital signs are below the fitness threshold, offering motivation to the player until the vital signs move above the fitness threshold.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the motivation is offered to the player by a virtual trainer presented via a display device.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

when the vital signs are above the fitness threshold, offering positive feedback to the user.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the positive feedback is offered to the player by a virtual trainer presented via a display device.

21. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

collecting the vital signs of the player;

storing the vital signs of the player;

determining whether a designated recipient for the vital signs is associated with the player;

creating a report with the vital signs; and

transmitting the report to the designated recipient associated with the player.

22. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

retrieving previous activity information; and

at least partially based on the previous activity information varying an intensity of the activity.

14-20. -20. (canceled)

23-24. -24. (canceled)

25. A game server, comprising:

means for monitoring one or more vital signs associated with a player during an activity; and

means for providing feedback to the player at least partially based on the vital signs.

26. The game server of claim 25, wherein the one or more vitals includes at least one of the following:

a heart rate, a body temperature, a perspiration rate, a respiration rate, a blood glucose level, a body mass index, or any combination thereof.

27. The game server of claim 25, wherein the feedback is provided by a virtual trainer presented via a display device.

28. The game server of claim 25, wherein the vital signs are monitored using one or more sensors worn by the player.

29. The game server of claim 28, wherein the sensors include at least one of the following:

a heart rate sensor, a body temperature sensor, a perspiration sensor, a respiration sensor, a blood glucose sensor, a body mass index sensor, or a combination thereof.

30. The game server of claim 25, further comprising:

means for comparing the vital signs to established safe parameters associated with the player;

means for determining whether the vital signs are within a safe zone; and

means for modifying the activity until the vital signs return to the safe zone when the vital signs are outside of the safe zone.

31. The game server of claim 30, further comprising:

means for stopping the activity when the vital signs do not return to the safe zone within a time period.

32. The game server of claim 25, further comprising:

means for modifying an appearance of a virtual player associated with the player at least partially based on the vital signs of the player.

33. The game server of claim 25, further comprising:

means for comparing the vital signs to a fitness threshold associated with the player; and

means for determining whether the vital signs are above or below the fitness threshold.

34. The game server of claim 33, further comprising:

means for offering motivation to the player until the vital signs move above the fitness threshold when the vital signs are below the fitness threshold.

35. The game server of claim 34, wherein the motivation is offered to the player by a virtual trainer presented via a presented display device.

36. The game server of claim 33, further comprising:

means for offering positive feedback to the user when the vital signs are above the fitness threshold.

37. The game server of claim 36, wherein the positive feedback is offered to the player by a virtual trainer presented via a display device.

45. The game server of claim 25, further comprising:

means for collecting the vital signs of the player;

means for storing the vital signs of the player;

means for determining whether a designated recipient for the vital signs is associated with the player;

means for creating a report with the vital signs; and

means for transmitting the report to the designated recipient associated with the player.

46. The game server of claim 25, further comprising:

means for retrieving previous activity information; and

means for varying an intensity of the activity at least partially based on the previous activity information.

38-44. -44. (canceled)

47-48. -48. (canceled)

49. A game server, comprising:

a processor, wherein the processor is operable to;

monitor one or more vital signs associated with a player during an activity; and

provide feedback to the player at least partially based on the vital signs.

50. The game server of claim 49, wherein the one or more vital signs includes at least one of the following:

a heart rate, a body temperature, a perspiration rate, a respiration rate, a blood glucose level, a body mass index, or any combination thereof.

51. The game server of claim 49, wherein the feedback is provided by a virtual trainer presented via a display device.

52. The game server of claim 49, wherein the vital signs are monitored using one or more sensors worn by the player.

53. The game server of claim 52, wherein the sensors include at least one of the following:

a heart rate sensor, a body temperature sensor, a perspiration sensor, a respiration sensor, a blood glucose sensor, a body mass index sensor, or a combination thereof.

54. The game server of claim 49, wherein the processor is operable to:

compare the vital signs to established safe parameters associated with the player;

determine whether the vital signs are within a safe zone; and

modify the activity until the vital signs return to the safe zone when the vital signs are outside of the safe zone.

55. The game server of claim 54, wherein the processor is operable to:

stop the activity when the vital signs do not return to the safe zone within a time period.

56. The game server of claim 49, wherein the processor is operable to:

modify an appearance of a virtual player associated with the player at least partially based on the vital signs of the player.

57. The game server of claim 49, wherein the processor is operable to:

compare the vital signs to a fitness threshold associated with the player; and

determine whether the vital signs are above or below the fitness threshold.

58. The game server of claim 57, wherein the processor is operable to:

offer motivation to the player until the vital signs move above the fitness threshold when the vital signs are below the fitness threshold.

59. The game server of claim 58, wherein the motivation is offered to the player by a virtual trainer presented via a display device.

60. The game server of claim 57, wherein the processor is operable to:

offer positive feedback to the user when the vital signs are above the fitness threshold.

61. The game server of claim 60, wherein the positive feedback is offered to the player by a virtual trainer presented via a display device.

69. The game server of claim 49, wherein the processor is operable to:

collect the vital signs of the player;

store the vital signs of the player;

determine whether a designated recipient for the vital signs is associated with the player;

create a report with the vital signs; and

transmit the report to the designated recipient associated with the player.

70. The game server of claim 49, wherein the processor is operable to:

retrieve previous activity information; and

vary an intensity of the activity at least partially based on the previous activity information.

62-68. -68. (canceled)

71-72. -72. (canceled)

73. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium, comprising;

at least one instruction for monitoring one or more vital signs associated with a player during an activity; and

at least one instruction for providing feedback to the player at least partially based on the vital signs.

74. The computer program product of claim 73, wherein the one or more vitals includes at least one of the following:

a heart rate, a body temperature, a perspiration rate, a respiration rate, a blood glucose level, a body mass index, or any combination thereof.

75. The computer program product of claim 73, wherein the feedback is provided by a virtual trainer presented via a display device.

76. The computer program product of claim 73, wherein the vital signs are monitored using one or more sensors worn by the player.

77. The computer program product of claim 76, wherein the sensors include at least one of the following:

a heart rate sensor, a body temperature sensor, a perspiration sensor, a respiration sensor, a blood glucose sensor, a body mass index sensor, or a combination thereof.

78. The computer program product of claim 73, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises:

at least one instruction for comparing the vital signs to established safe parameters associated with the player;

at least one instruction for determining whether the vital signs are within a safe zone; and

at least one instruction for modifying the activity until the vital signs return to the safe zone when the vital signs are outside of the safe zone.

79. The computer program product of claim 78, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises:

at least one instruction for stopping the activity when the vital signs do not return to the safe zone within a time period.

80. The computer program product of claim 73, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises:

at least one instruction for modifying an appearance of a virtual player associated with the player at least partially based on the vital signs of the player.

81. The computer program product of claim 73, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises:

at least one instruction for comparing the vital signs to a fitness threshold associated with the player; and

at least one instruction for determining whether the vital signs are above or below the fitness threshold.

82. The computer program product of claim 81, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises:

at least one instruction for offering motivation to the player until the vital signs move above the fitness threshold when the vital signs are below the fitness threshold.

83. The computer program product of claim 82, wherein the motivation is offered to the player by a virtual trainer presented via a display device.

84. The computer program product of claim 81, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises:

at least one instruction for offering positive feedback to the user when the vital signs are above the fitness threshold.

85. The computer program product of claim 84, wherein the positive feedback is offered to the player by a virtual trainer presented via a display device.

93. The computer program product of claim 73, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises:

at least one instruction for collecting the vital signs of the player;

at least one instruction for storing the vital signs of the player;

at least one instruction for determining whether a designated recipient for the vital signs is associated with the player;

at least one instruction for creating a report with the vital signs; and

at least one instruction for transmitting the report to the designated recipient associated with the player.

94. The computer program product of claim 73, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises:

at least one instruction for retrieving previous activity information; and

at least one instruction for varying an intensity of the activity at least partially based on the previous activity information.

86-92. -92. (canceled)

95-96. -96. (canceled)

97. A game system, comprising:

an exercise device;

at least one sensor configured to be worn by a user of the exercise device during an activity; and

a game console connected to the exercise device and the at least one sensor, wherein the game console comprises;

a processor, wherein the processor is operable to monitor one or more vital signs associated with a player during an activity via the at least one sensor; and

provide feedback to the player at least partially based on the vital signs.

98. The game system of claim 97, wherein the one or more vitals includes at least one of the following:

a heart rate, a body temperature, a perspiration rate, a respiration rate, a blood glucose level, a body mass index, or any combination thereof.

99. The game system of claim 97, wherein the feedback is provided by a virtual trainer presented via a display device coupled to the game console.

100. The game system of claim 97, wherein the at least one sensor includes at least one of the following:

a heart rate sensor, a body temperature sensor, a perspiration sensor, a respiration sensor, a blood glucose sensor, a body mass index sensor, or a combination thereof.

101. The game system of claim 97, wherein the processor is operable to:

compare the vital signs to established safe parameters associated with the player;

determine whether the vital signs are within a safe zone; and

modify the activity until the vital signs return to the safe zone when the vital signs are outside of the safe zone.

102. The game system of claim 101, wherein the processor is operable to:

stop the activity when the vital signs do not return to the safe zone within a time period.

103. The game system of claim 97, wherein the processor is operable to:

modify an appearance of a virtual player associated with the player at least partially based on the vital signs of the player.

104. The game system of claim 97, wherein the processor is operable to:

compare the vital signs to a fitness threshold associated with the player; and

determine whether the vital signs are above or below the fitness threshold.

105. The game system of claim 104, wherein the processor is operable to:

offer motivation to the player until the vital signs move above the fitness threshold when the vital signs are below the fitness threshold.

106. The game system of claim 105, wherein the motivation is offered to the player by a virtual trainer presented via a display device.

107. The game system of claim 106, wherein the processor is operable to:

offer positive feedback to the user when the vital signs are above the fitness threshold.

108. The game system of claim 107, wherein the positive feedback is offered to the player by a virtual trainer presented via a display device.

115. The game system of claim 97, wherein the processor is operable to:

collect the vital signs of the player;

store the vital signs of the player;

determine whether a designated recipient for the vital signs is associated with the player;

create a report with the vital signs; and

transmit the report to the designated recipient associated with the player.

116. The game system of claim 97, wherein the processor is operable to:

retrieve previous activity information; and

vary an intensity of the activity at least partially based on the previous activity information.

119. The game system of claim 97, wherein the exercise device is selected from the group comprising:

a treadmill, an elliptical trainer, an elliptical cross-trainer, a stationary bike, an upright stationary bike, a recumbent stationary bike, and a rowing machine.

120. The game system of claim 97, wherein the exercise device is selected from the group comprising:

a lateral pull down device, a low row device, a biceps curl device, a triceps extension device, a leg press device, a leg extension device, a leg curl device, a squat device, a calf-raise device, a peck deck device, a flat chest press device, an incline chest press device, a decline chest press device, a shoulder press device, a cable crossover device, and a universal device.

109-114. -114. (canceled)

117-118. -118. (canceled)