SIMULATED RECREATIONAL, TRAINING AND EXERCISE SYSTEM

• US 20120142416A1
• Filed: 06/01/2011
• Published: 06/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Frank E. Joutras
• Original Assignee: Frank E. Joutras
• Inventors: Joutras, Frank E.
• Application Number:
  US13/150,987
• Publication Number:
  US 20120142416A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/36
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0096 using performance related parameters for controlling electronic or video games or avatars
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/015 including rotating or oscillating elements rubbing against fixed elements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4011 to the lower limbs means for physically limiting movements of body parts A63B69/0057
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4017 to the upper limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4025 Resistance devices worn on the user's body A63B21/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4047 Pivoting movement weight pivoting A63B21/0615
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/16 Angular positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0006 Computerised comparison for qualitative assessment of motion sequences or the course of a movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• 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 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/428 involving motion or position input signals, e.g. signals representing the rotation of an input controller or a player's arm motions sensed by accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/54 involving acoustic signals, e.g. for simulating revolutions per minute [RPM] dependent engine sounds in a driving game or reverberation against a virtual wall
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/807 Gliding or sliding on surfaces, e.g. using skis, skates or boards
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/812 Ball games, e.g. soccer or baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1012 involving biosensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat, limb activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1037 being specially adapted for converting control signals received from the game device into a haptic signal, e.g. using force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6045 for mapping control signals received from the input arrangement into game commands
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 : Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/014 : Hand-worn input/output arrangements, e.g. data gloves
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0038 : Sports

Abstract

Controlled resistance to movement of body parts of a person is provided based on the person'"'"'s body position and related to an activity depicted in a visual image provided to the person. The resistance is controlled by a sensor input and a visual input provided to a microprocessor and a software program based on the sensing of the position of at least one part of the person'"'"'s body.

Claims

1. A method of simulating characteristics of a physical activity, comprising the steps of:

making sensory stimuli available to at least one person corresponding to the movement of the person in performing the physical activity, whereby the at least one person associates the physical activity with the stimuli;

the step of making sensory stimuli available to the at least one person including the substep of making non-tactile stimuli available representing at least one aspect of the activity and the substep of making tactile stimuli available; and

coordinating the position of at least one body part of the at least one person with the non-tactile stimuli to beginning the activity.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the substep of making non-tactile stimuli available representing at least one aspect of the activity includes the substep of making at least one of visual stimuli depicting at least one aspect of the activity available to the at least one person and audible stimuli associated with the aspect of the activity.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the substep of making tactile stimuli available to the at least one person includes the substep of controlling the resistance to movement of the at least one person.

4. A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein:

the substep of making tactile stimuli available to the at least one person includes the substep of controlling the resistance to movement of the at least one person either through a preset resistance to joint movement or in synchronization with at least one aspect of the non-tactile stimuli under at least part control of a program recorded in a microprocessor representing the one aspect of the activity; and

altering the non-tactile stimuli in response to the movement of a part of the body of the at least one person.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1 further including the step of selecting a physical activity for at least one person to perform.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1 further including the step of selecting a resistance program.

7. A method in accordance with claim 1 further including the step of programming a time delay in a depiction of an aspect of the visual image based on the activity and a velocity measurement.

8. A method in accordance with claim 7 wherein at least one sensor provides signals to the microprocessor wherein the image depicts multiple actions caused by movement of limbs at multiple joints and sets individual friction control with respect to a direction of movement.

9. A method in accordance with claim 4 wherein the substep of controlling the resistance to movement of the at least one person includes the step of controlling the resistance by electrically generated forces.

10. A method in accordance with claim 9 wherein the electrical forces are applied by one of varying electromagnet resistance to movement and electromagnets forcing frictional surfaces together and by an electric motor turning a screw drive to force frictional surfaces together.

11. A method in accordance with claim 1 further including the step of generating an electrical code indicating the positions of two exoskeleton members with respect to each other wherein the exoskeleton members are connected to opposite sides of a joint of a person whereby the code indicates the position of the exoskeleton members with respect to each other about the joint.

12. A method in accordance with claim 11 wherein the code energizes a program to control the resistance and provide interactive images representing an activity to the person and being displayed on a monitor.

13. A method in accordance with claim 12 in which the images are at least one of terrain, athletic activities, and games.

14. A method in accordance with claim 12 wherein a therapist may monitor the audio/visual devices while exercise is being performed.

63. A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein a data base is compiled representing the average motion of multiple users and provided as a default program.

64. A method in accordance with claim 63 wherein a first data program is prepared in which the coordination between the users motion and the result of the activity provides a first large margin of error and a second program is prepared in which the coordination between the users motion and the result of the activity provides a second margin of error, said second margin of error being smaller than the first margin of error.

15. A method of providing controlled resistance to movement of body parts of a person with respect to each other based on the person'"'"'s body position and related to an activity depicted in a visual image provided to the person, comprising the steps of:

attaching at least a first exoskeleton member to a first body part on a first side of at least one body joint of the person and a second exoskeleton member to a second body part on a second side of at least one body joint of the person;

attaching at least one adjustable resistance to at least one of said first and second exoskeleton members wherein said at least one of said first and second exoskeleton members provides a controlled resistance to movement of the first and second body parts of the person with respect to each other;

sensing positions of at least the first body part with respect to at least the second body part during performance of an activity and providing a first signal in response thereto;

generating a second signal from a second signal source wherein the second signal source is one of a second person or a microprocessor programmed to generate signals;

providing a video display, sound or touch sensation relating to a relationship between the first and second signals, whereby an activity of the person interacting with an actual person or programmed person is simulated; and

resisting movement of the person with a resistance controlled by a sensor input and a visual input provided to a microprocessor and a software program based on said sensing of the position of at least one part of said person'"'"'s body.

16. A method in accordance with claim 15 wherein the step of sensing a position of at least one part of said person'"'"'s body comprises the step of sensing a position of at least one part of said person'"'"'s body from a remote location and transmitting it to the microprocessor.

17. A method in accordance with claim 16 wherein the step of initiating a program includes the step of displaying the program for a therapist wherein the therapist may change the program.

18. A method in accordance with claim 17 wherein the step of initiating a program includes the step of:

generating an electrical code in response to at least one of a position of the body parts with respect to each other and an EMG signal; and

transmitting the code to the microprocessor storing the program, wherein the program is initiated.

19. A method in accordance with claim 16 wherein the at least one part of said person'"'"'s body is at least one of a foot, an arm, a forearm, a leg or a shoulder.

20. A method of simulating characteristics of a physical activity, comprising the steps of:

selecting the physical activity;

making sensory stimuli available to at least one person corresponding to the movement of the person in performing the physical activity, whereby the at least one person associates the physical activity with the stimuli;

the step of making sensory stimuli available to the at least one person including the substeps of making non-tactile stimuli available representing at least one aspect of the activity in accordance with a preset program;

coordinating the position of at least one body part of the at least one person with the non-tactile stimuli to begin the physical activity.

the step of generating an electrical code indicating the positions of two exoskeleton members with respect to each other wherein the exoskeleton members are connected to opposite sides of a joint of a person whereby the code indicates the position of the exoskeleton members with respect to each other about the joint; and

the step of providing sensory stimuli including the step of varying the sensory stimuli in accordance with the generated code whereby the activity is varied partly by the person and partly by the recorded program.

21. A method in accordance with claim 20 in which the program is within a microprocessor.

22. A method in accordance with claim 20 further including the step of generating an electrical code indicating the positions of two exoskeleton members with respect to each other wherein the exoskeleton members are connected to opposite sides of a joint of a person whereby the code indicates the position of the exoskeleton members with respect to each other about the joint.

23. A method in accordance with claim 20 wherein the joint is the joint between the hand and the forearm and the exoskeleton generates one code representing yaw of the hand with respect to the forearm and a signal representing pitch of the hand with respect to the forearm said yaw and pitch being about orthogonal axes.

24. A method in accordance with claim 20 wherein the joint is the elbow and the exoskeleton generates a signal representing the rotation of the forearm with respect to the arm.

25. A method of aiding a person in physical activity, wherein the person has weakened or damaged muscle, comprising the steps of:

providing resistance to movement in a direction of natural forces, wherein the natural forces are offset;

the step of providing resistance to movement comprising the step of applying a resistance which varies in magnitude in accordance with a program in which said resistance is independent of velocity of movement;

providing images depicting the physical activity to the person under the control of the program;

coordinating one position of the body with a corresponding position in the image, wherein the program is synchronized;

said program varying the images and the resistance to movement in accordance with the position of body parts of the person.

26. A method in accordance with claim 25 in which the program is within a microprocessor.

27. A method in accordance with claim 25 in which the resistance is controlled by electrical forces.

28. A method in accordance with claim 26 further including the step of generating an electrical code indicating the positions of two levers with respect to each other wherein the levers are connected to opposite sides of a joint of a person whereby the code indicates the position of the levers with respect to each other about the joint.

29. A method in accordance with claim 28 wherein the code energizes a program to control the resistance and provide interactive images representing an activity to the person.

30. A method in accordance with claim 29 in which an operator may control the selection of the program being generated for a person exercising.

31. A method in accordance with claim 30 wherein a therapist may monitor the audio/visual devices while exercise is being performed.

34. A method according to claim 30 in which the person'"'"'s body position is determined by sensing the position of one side of a body joint in relation to the opposite side of the same body joint.

35. A method in accordance with claim 30 wherein the step of generating signals comprises the step of generating an electrical code indicating the positions of two levers with respect to each other wherein the levers are connected to opposite sides of a joint of a person whereby the code indicates the position of the levers with respect to each other about the joint;

and the step of generating the at least one of visual presentations, audible presentations, heat, cold, wind, vibrations and EMS muscle stimulation comprises the step of sequencing the steps of a program in response to the electrical code to provide at least one of the visual presentation and the audible presentation representing an activity to the person.

36. A method in accordance with claim 30 further including the step of creating resistance to movement of the limb about the joint that is independent in resisting force of the velocity of movement of the limb and stops when force applied by the patient to cause motion stops wherein the exercise device does not exert force except when providing a resisting force to motion said step of creating resistance including the steps of creating frictional resistance during an activity corresponding to a sequence of steps in a program stored in the microprocesser depicting the activity by varying electromagnet resistance to movement or adjusting the pressure between frictional members surfaces that move with the limb about the joint by controlling one of an magnetic attraction forcing the surfaces together and by controlling a motor driven screw that tightens and loosens the surfaces under the control of the microprocessor or by cam surfaces.

32. A method of simulating an activity requiring movement of body parts of a person, comprising the steps of:

generating signals representing a position of at least two body parts with respect to each other;

generating resistance to movement in response to the signals;

generating at least one of visual presentations, audible presentations, heat, cold, wind, ultrasonic vibrations and EMS muscle stimulation in response to the signals, wherein the at least one of visual presentations, audible presentations, heat, cold, wind, ultrasonic vibrations and EMS muscle stimulation relate to the activity and to the resistance to movement;

synchronizing the signals and the position of the body parts at the start of the activity.

33. A method according to claim 32 in which a visual presentation received by a person is varied by changes in body position of the person and the visual presentation is provided by one of a video monitor and a virtual reality headset.

37. A method, comprising the steps of:

generating an electrical code indicating the positions of two levers with respect to each other wherein the levers are connected to opposite sides of a joint of a person whereby the code indicates the position of the levers with respect to each other about the joint;

energizing a program in response to the code to provide at least one of interactive images and sounds representing an activity to the person;

said step of energizing a program including the steps of selecting a position of at least one body part and the similar depiction of an image of the body part;

synchronizing the program with the positions of the body part based on the selection of the position of the at least one body part and the similar depiction of an image of the body part.

38. A method in accordance with claim 37 wherein the at least one of interactive images and sounds includes images and the images are displayed on a monitor.

39. A method in accordance with claim 37 wherein a therapist may monitor the audio/visual devices while exercise is being performed.

40. A method, comprising the steps of:

attaching at least one lever to each side of at least one body joint of the person;

sensing a position of at least one part of said person'"'"'s body in relation to at least one different body part; and

providing a video display relating the visual image to the sensing of the position of at least one part of said person'"'"'s body, whereby an activity of the person is simulated.

41. A method in accordance with claim 40 wherein the step of sensing a position of at least one part of said person'"'"'s body comprises the step of sensing a position of at least one part of said person'"'"'s body from a remote location and transmitting it to the microprocessor.

42. A method in accordance with claim 40 further including a step of generating at least one of visual and audible presentations in response to signals wherein the at least one of visual and audible presentations relate to the activity and includes a step of generating images of a ski slope that change with the movement to simulate snowboarding, skiing, or snowmobiling.

43. A method in accordance with claim 40 wherein the step of generating at least one of visual and audible presentations in response to the signals wherein the at least one of visual and audible presentations relate to the activity includes a step of initiating a program within the microprocessor in response to the signals.

44. A method of training a person to adjust to changes in gravity, comprising the steps of:

simulating characteristics of a physical activity in a gravity altered environment, comprising the steps of;

making sensory stimuli available to at least one person corresponding to the movement of the person in performing the physical activity in a gravity altered environment, whereby the at least one person associates the physical activity in the gravity altered environment with the stimuli;

the step of making sensory stimuli available to the at least one person including the substeps of making non-tactile stimuli available representing at least one aspect of the activity in the gravity altered environment and the substep of making tactile stimuli available; and

coordinating the position of at least one body part of the at least one person with the non-tactile stimuli to beginning the activity.

45. A method in accordance with claim 44 wherein the substep of making non-tactile stimuli available representing at least one aspect of the activity includes the substep of making at least one of visual stimuli depicting at least one aspect of the activity available to the at least one person and audible stimuli associated with the aspect of the activity.

46. A method in accordance with claim 44 wherein the substep of making tactile stimuli available to the at least one person includes the substep of controlling the resistance to movement of the at least one person.

47. A method of compensating for altered gravity environment during a physical activity, comprising the steps of:

making sensory stimuli available to at least one person corresponding to the movement of the person in performing the physical activity in a, whereby the at least one person associates the physical activity with the stimuli;

the step of making sensory stimuli available to the at least one person including the substeps of making non-tactile stimuli available representing at least one aspect of the activity and the substep of making tactile stimuli available; and

coordinating the position of at least one body part of the at least one person with the non-tactile stimuli to beginning the activity.

48. A method in accordance with claim 47 wherein the substep of making non-tactile stimuli available representing at least one aspect of the activity includes the substep of making at least one of visual stimuli depicting at least one aspect of the activity available to the at least one person and audible stimuli associated with the aspect of the activity.

49. A method in accordance with claim 47 wherein the substep of making tactile stimuli available to the at least one person includes the substep of controlling the resistance to movement of the at least one person.

50. A multiple plane action simulation apparatus, comprising:

a first exoskeleton member adapted to be attached to a first side of a body joint;

a second exoskeleton member adapted to be attached to a second side of the body joint;

an adjustable module moveably connected to said first and second exoskeleton members for movement in at least two planes;

said first and second exoskeleton members being connected for rotary movement and linear movement in at least two planes

said adjustable module including an encoder that generates a code indicating the position of said first and second exoskeleton members with respect to each other;

wherein a position of the first side of a person'"'"'s body is sensed in relation to the second side of said person'"'"'s body;

a microprocessor;

a video display;

at least one program within said microprocessor providing images to said video display and signals to said adjustable resistance in response to a position of at least one part of said person'"'"'s body wherein said first and second exoskeleton members provide a controlled resistance to movement of the body parts with respect to each other and a visual image, whereby an activity of the person is simulated.

51. A multiple plane action simulation apparatus in accordance with claim 50 wherein the adjustable resistance serves as a universal joint.

53. A multiple plane action simulation apparatus in accordance with claim 50 wherein the first and second exoskeleton members are portion of either a weapon, golf club, tennis racket, bat, steering wheel, stick control, snowboard or skies.

55. A multiple plane action simulation apparatus in accordance with claim 50 further including a modem, wherein a position of at least one part of said person'"'"'s body is transmitted from a remote location to the microprocessor.

56. A multiple plane action simulation apparatus according to claim 50 in which a visual input is provided by one of a video monitor and a virtual reality headset.

52. A multiple plane action simulation apparatus in accordance with claim 52 wherein the first and second exoskeleton members are portions of a boot.

54. A multiple plane action simulation apparatus in accordance with claim 52 wherein the boot is a ski boot or snowboard boot and a video signal is an image of ski terrain.

57. Apparatus for aiding a person in physical activity, comprising:

a microprocessor containing at least one program;

at least a first and second exoskeleton members;

said first exoskeleton member being adapted to be mounted to a limb on a first side of a joint of the person;

said second exoskeleton member being adapted to be mounted to a limb on a second side of the joint of the person, whereas the first exoskeleton member and the second exoskeleton member change position with respect to each other as the limbs move with respect to each other;

a friction control module;

said friction control module being attached to said first and second exoskeleton members and including friction members that change in position with respect to each other to resist movement of said first and second exoskeleton members, whereby motion of the limbs with respect to each other is resisted by said exoskeleton members;

at least one position sensor that senses the position of the first and second exoskeleton members with respect to each other and transmits signals to the microprocessor representing the position, wherein the microprocessor initiates a program to provide at least one of a visual signal, an audio signal, temperature sensation or touch sensation relating to the activity;

at least a first input device externally controlled by an entity other than the person and a second input device control by the person whereby the activity is varied partly by the person and partly by the externally controlled entity.

58. Apparatus for aiding a person in physical activity, comprising:

a microprocessor containing at least one program;

at least a first and second levers;

said first lever being adapted to be mounted to a limb on a first side of a joint of the person;

said second lever being adapted to be mounted to a limb on a second side of the joint of the person, whereas the first lever and the second lever change position with respect to each other as the limbs move with respect to each other;

a friction control module;

said friction control module being attached to said first and second levers and including friction members that change in position with respect to each other to resist movement of said first and second levers, whereby motion of the limbs with respect to each other is resisted by said levers;

at least one position sensor that senses the position of the first and second levers with respect to each other and transmits signals to the microprocessor representing the position, wherein the microprocessor initiates a program to provide at least one of a visual signal relating to an activity and an audio signal relating to the activity.

59. Apparatus for providing controlled resistance to movement of body parts of a person with respect to each other based on the person'"'"'s body position and a visual image provided to the person, comprising:

a first lever adapted to be attached to a first side of a body joint of the person'"'"'s body;

a second lever adapted to be attached to a second side of the body joint of the person'"'"'s body;

wherein a position of the first side of said person'"'"'s body is sensed in relation to the second side of said person'"'"'s body;

an adjustable resistance connected to said first and second levers wherein said first and second levers provide a controlled resistance to movement of the body parts with respect to each other;

a microprocessor;

a video display relating the visual image to a position of at least the first side of said person'"'"'s body, whereby an activity of the person is simulated; and

a software program within said microprocessor providing said video display in response to the position of at least one part of said person'"'"'s body.

60. A method, comprising the steps of:

simulating characteristics of a physical activity, comprising the steps of;

making sensory stimuli available to at least one person corresponding to the movement of the person in performing the physical activity, whereby the at least one person associates the physical activity with the stimuli;

the step of making sensory stimuli available to the at least one person including the substeps of making non-tactile stimuli available representing at least one aspect of the activity and the substep of making tactile stimuli available; and

coordinating the position of at least one body part of the at least one person with the non-tactile stimuli to beginning the activity.

61. A method in accordance with claim 60 wherein the substep of making tactile stimuli available to the at least one person includes the substep of controlling the resistance to movement of the at least one person in a pattern representing the force against movement in the actual activity.

62. A method in accordance with claim 61 wherein the pattern representing the force against movement in the actual activity is determined by generating a code representing the motion of the body parts during the actual activity and recording the code and the result, wherein a data base is generated correlating the actual motion with the result.