MOTIVATION AND ENHANCEMENT OF PHYSICAL AND MENTAL EXERCISE, REHABILITATION, HEALTH AND SOCIAL INTERACTION

• US 20130190135A1
• Filed: 11/05/2012
• Published: 07/25/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Motion Games LLC
• Original Assignee: Motion Games LLC
• Inventors: Pryor, Timothy R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,892,219 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/8
• 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: B60K 2360/143 Touch sensitive instrument input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0005 Dashboard
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0007 Mid-console
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0012 Seats or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0028 Ceiling, e.g. roof rails
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0029 Floor, e.g. side sills, fire wall
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0042 characterised by mounting means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0094 characterised by means for covering after user, e.g. boxes, shutters or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/042 by opto-electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/90 Ergometer with feedback to load or with feedback comparison
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/901 having computer circuitry

Abstract

The disclosed invention primarily relates to methods for assisting and motivating persons with respect to various exercise and rehabilitation regimens they might undertake, mentally as well as physically. The invention also has potential application to for diagnosis and/or treatment of certain mental and physical disorders, and in other situations where a form of companionship may be provided the user. In addition the invention herein provides an enjoyable means of social interaction with others providing further motivation for physical and mental activity represented.

Claims

1-28. -28. (canceled)

29. A computer based exercise method comprising the steps of:

providing an object with which a person exercises, the object resisting movement of the person exercising;

providing a computer controlled video display viewable by the person while manipulating said object;

electro-optically determining data concerning points on said person;

processing said data to determine a variable related one or more of said points; and

using said determined variable, controlling said computer controlled video display.

30. The method according to claim 29 wherein controlling the video display includes instructing said person how to perform an exercise.

31. The method according to claim 30 wherein the exercise is part of a rehabilitation regimen for said person.

32. The method according to claim 29 further including providing a warning to said person.

33. The method according to claim 29 wherein the object is a barbell.

34. The method according to claim 29 wherein the object is a stretchable cord.

35. The method according to claim 29 wherein said processing determines the location of at least one point.

36. The method according to claim 29 wherein said processing determines the movement of at least one point relative to another point.

37. The method according to claim 29 wherein said processing determines the location or movement of at least one point relative to another point.

38. The method according to claim 29 wherein said processing determines the velocity of at least one point.

39. The method according to claim 29 wherein said processing determines the acceleration of at least one point.

40. The method according to claim 29 wherein said processing determines the direction of motion of at least one point.

41. The method according to claim 29 wherein said display provides information concerning activity of persons located remotely.

42. The method according to claim 29 wherein said display provides information concerning said persons goals or prior performance.

43. The method according to claim 29 wherein the long axis of said display is substantially vertical.

44. The method according to claim 29 further including determining a location or a movement of at least one point on said object.

45. The method according to claim 29 wherein the object is a ball.

46. The method according to claim 29 further including processing an audio input from said person.

47. The method according to claim 29 further including determining the number of repetitions of a given exercise performed.

48. The method according to claim 29 further including determining the extent of movement during a given exercise.

49. The method according to claim 29 further including providing a score to said person related to the exercise performed.

50. The method according to claim 29 further including display a path for the person to follow in performing the exercise.

51. The method according to claim 29 further including the step of electro-optically identifying said object.

52. The method according to claim 29 further including a game related to the performance of said exercise.

53. An exercise system comprising:

a video display viewable by a person exercising with an object resisting movement by the person exercising;

at least one electro-optical sensor viewing a plurality of points on said person; and

a computer to process information from said sensor and determine a variable concerning said points, wherein said computer is adapted to control said video display based on said determined variable.

54. The exercise system of claim 53 wherein said object is a barbell.

55. The exercise system of claim 53 wherein said object is a stretchable cord.

56. The exercise system of claim 53 wherein said object is a squeezable ball.

57. The exercise system of claim 53 wherein said exercise is part of a rehabilitation regimen for said person.

58. The exercise system of claim 53 wherein said electro-optical sensor includes a video camera.

59. The exercise system of claim 53 wherein said video display includes a substantially vertical long axis.

60. The exercise system of claim 53 wherein said video display provides information concerning said person'"'"'s goals.

62. The exercise system of claim 53 wherein said video display provides information concerning said person'"'"'s prior exercise performance.

63. The exercise system of claim 53 wherein said electro-optical sensor includes a 3-D camera.

64. The exercise system of claim 53 further including a microphone for audio input from said person.

65. An exercise system comprising:

a stretchable member;

a video display viewable by a person exercising with said stretchable member;

at least one electro-optical sensor viewing a plurality of points on at least one of said person and said stretchable member; and

a computer to process information from said sensor and determine a variable concerning said points, wherein said computer is adapted to control said video display based on said determined variable.

66. The exercise system of claim 65 wherein said exercise is part of a rehabilitation regimen for said person.

67. The exercise system of claim 65 wherein said electro-optical sensor includes a video camera.

68. The exercise system of claim 65 wherein said video display includes a substantially vertical long axis.

69. The exercise system of claim 65 wherein said video display provides information concerning said person'"'"'s goals.

70. The exercise system of claim 65 wherein said video display provides information concerning said person'"'"'s prior exercise performance.