Method and apparatus for facilitating strength training

• US 20110251021A1
• Filed: 05/19/2011
• Published: 10/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tonal Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Mykola Sherstyuk, Vyacheslav Zavadsky
• Inventors: Zavadsky, Vyacheslav, Sherstyuk, Mykola
• Granted Patent: US 8,287,434 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/5
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00 Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices electric or electronic controls therefor A63B24/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00058 Mechanical means for varying the resistance A63B21/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/005 using electromagnetic or electric force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0053 using alternators or dynamos
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0054 for charging a battery
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/008 using hydraulic or pneumatic force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/10 Positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/17 Counting, e.g. counting periodical movements, revolutions or cycles, or including further data processing to determine distances or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• 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 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/28 responding to control signals received from the game device for affecting ambient conditions, e.g. for vibrating players' seats, activating scent dispensers or affecting temperature or light controlling the output signals based on the game progress A63F13/50
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/80 Special adaptations for executing a specific game genre or game mode
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/816 Athletics, e.g. track-and-field sports
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1031 using a wireless connection, e.g. Bluetooth, infrared connections
• 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 2300/302 : specially adapted for receiving control signals not targeted to a display device or game input means, e.g. vibrating driver's seat, scent dispenser
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/69 : Involving elements of the real world in the game world, e.g. measurement in live races, real video
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8005 : Athletics
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8017 : Driving on land or water; Flying
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8094 : Unusual game types, e.g. virtual cooking
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/24 : Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for video games A63F13/00; computerized gaming systems G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/901 : having computer circuitry

Abstract

Strength training exercise is facilitated by a video gaming system (VGS). VGS communicates information about the exercise resistance force with an exercise device. Strength training machine coupled with the VGS and acts as a game controller. The machine provides resistance by an electrical motor. Resistance can be adjusted using data send from the VGS. Further, the resistance can pulsate during an exercise motion, providing internal muscle massage. The video gaming system uses a non-contact method to monitor a physiological parameter of the user. For example, a video camera is used to detect heart rate. Pose tracking information is used to detect the level of user exhaustion. Those and other monitored parameters are used to adjust the regime for either current or future exercises. The regime is optimized to increase workout efficiency. An activity not directly related to exercise, for example game, is unlocked if exercise performance is on track.

Claims

1. A method of facilitating strength training exercise by a person using a video gaming system, wherein at least one processor of the video gaming system performs at least the following steps:

a) communicate a first information with an exercise device, the said information indicative of the exercise resistance force,

b) monitor progress of the said exercise,

c) supply information for an a video or audio signal indicative of the exercise progress generated during the said exercise;

wherein the said resistance can be adjusted, so for there is a first magnitude of the resistance force associated with a position during exercise movement, and a second magnitude of the resistance force associated with substantially the same position, the first magnitude substantially different from the second magnitude.

2. The method as recited by claim 1, wherein

the said information is originated by at least one processor of the video gaming system

the said information is received by at least one processor of the said exercise device,

The said information causing force adjustment.

3. The method as recited by claim 2, further including the step of communicating a second information, the said second information causing force adjustment substantially different from the one caused by the first information.

4. The method as recited by claim 1, wherein

a. the said information is originated by at least one processor of the said exercise device,

b. the said information is received by at least one processor at least one processor of the video gaming system,

c. The said information is indicative of the force adjustment.

5. The method as recited by claim 1, wherein the said information is data indicative of a video signal, the said video signal originates from a set of at least one video cameras, the said processor is coupled with the said set, and the said exercise device is in field of view of at least one camera in the said set.

6. The method as recited by claim 1, wherein resistance adjustment can be performed by selecting by the said person of an exercise device, and the step a) involves detection of the said exercise device.

7. The method as recited by claim 1, wherein resistance adjustment can be performed by adjusting by the said person of settings of the exercise device, and the step a) involves detection of the said settings.

8. The method as recited by claim 1, further including the following step:

a. monitor at least one physiological parameter of the said person during the said exercise.

9. The method as recited by claim 8, further including the following step:

i. Use the said physiological parameter to generate an audio or video signal

10. The method as recited by claim 8, further including the following step:

Use the said physiological parameter to generate a force adjustment signal, wherein

i. the said signal is originated by at least one processor of the video gaming system

ii. the said signal is received by at least one processor of the said exercise device,

11. The method as recited by claim 9, the audio or video signal facilitating user to change at least one of the following:

Exercise velocity

Exercise range of motion

Exercise posture

Exercise effort

12. The method as recited by claim 1, wherein information collected during at least one exercise is used to change at least one entertaining activity by the said person performed using a video gaming system.

13. The method as recited by claim 1, wherein the said strength training machine substantially pulsates the said resistance force at least 3 times during an exercise motion.

14. A method of facilitating exercise by a person using a set of at least one processors, wherein the said set performs at least the following steps:

a. Receives data derived from a video signal from a video camera

b. determines the heart rate of the person using the said data,

c. adjusts a parameter of an exercise depending on the said determined heart rate.

15. The method as recited by claim 14, wherein data from a video camera is used to track user pose, and pose tracking information is used to generate a video signal.

16. The method as recited by claim 14, wherein the step (c is done by generating an audio or video signal facilitating user to change at least one of the following:

Exercise velocity

Exercise range of motion

Exercise posture

Exercise effort

17. A method of facilitating an exercise by a person using a video gaming system, wherein at least one processor of the video gaming system performs at least the following steps:

a) Supply a first information for an a video or audio signal instructive to the person to perform an exercise,

b) Using a second information received from a peripheral coupled with the said video gaming system, compute data indicative of the exercise progress,

c) Supply a third information for a video or audio signal facilitating engaging user in an entertainment activity, the said entertaining activity is not directly related to the said exercise.

d) Adjust settings of the said entertainment activity using the said data.

18. The method as recited by claim 17, wherein the said adjustment is unlocking some features of the entertaining activity as a result of the exercise activity.

19. The method as recited by claim 18, wherein the said unlocking makes the entertaining activity available for an extra time.

20. The method as recited by claim 18, wherein the said entertaining activity is a video game and the said unlocking is given the person access to a more powerful game artifact.