Interactive exercise apparatus

• US 5,462,503 A
• Filed: 01/18/1995
• Issued: 10/31/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tectrix Fitness Equipment, Inc. (Brunswick Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cybergear, Inc.
• Inventors: Benjamin, Michael H., Koselka, Harvey A., Bobick, Aaron F., Ulrich, W. Thatcher
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Richman, Glenn E.
• Application Number:
  US08/375,166
• Time in Patent Office: 286 Days
• Field of Search: 482/1-9, 482/51, 482/54, 482/57, 482/61, 482/68, 482/72, 482/900-902, 434/61
• US Class Current: 482/4
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0652 for cycling in a recumbent position
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/009 the load of the exercise apparatus being controlled in synchronism with visualising systems, e.g. hill slope
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0641 with a marker advancing in function of the exercise
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0644 with display speed of moving landscape controlled by the user's performance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/005 using electromagnetic or electric force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0087 with a seat or torso support moving during the exercise, e.g. reformers A63B22/0076 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/16 Platforms for rocking motion about a horizontal axis , e.g. axis through the middle of the platform; Balancing drums; Balancing boards or the like exercising apparatus with cantilevered support elements pivoting about an axis A63B22/0056; other exercising apparatus for improving balance A63B26/003
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/76 Wind conditions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/01 User's weight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0476 by rotating cycling movement arrangements on or for real bicycles A63B69/16
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/00 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 26/003 for improving balance or equilibrium balance beams A63B4/00; apparatus for rope dancing A63B7/08; balancing drums, balancing boards or the like A63B22/16
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/21 characterised by their sensors, purposes or types
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/215 comprising means for detecting acoustic signals, e.g. using a microphone
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/35 : Details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/424 : involving acoustic input signals, e.g. by using the results of pitch or rhythm extraction or voice recognition
• 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 13/57 : Simulating properties, behaviour or motion of objects in the game world, e.g. computing tyre load in a car race game A63F13/56 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/812 : Ball games, e.g. soccer or baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/816 : Athletics, e.g. track-and-field sports
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/87 : Communicating with other players during game play, e.g. by e-mail or chat
• 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 2300/1062 : being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1081 : Input via voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/50 : characterized by details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/572 : Communication between players during game play of non game information, e.g. e-mail, chat, file transfer, streaming of audio and streaming of video
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6072 : of an input signal, e.g. pitch and rhythm extraction, voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/64 : for computing dynamical parameters of game objects, e.g. motion determination or computation of frictional forces for a virtual car
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8005 : Athletics
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8017 : Driving on land or water; Flying
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/901 : having computer circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/902 : Employing specific graphic or video display

Abstract

An interactive exercise apparatus engages a user'"'"'s mind and body. The apparatus comprises a support structure for supporting a user. An exercise mechanism and a steering mechanism are proximal to the support structure. A simulated environment is generated by a computer and displayed on a display system. The user manipulates the exercise mechanism and the steering mechanism to freely navigate through the simulated environment. The computer monitors the exercise mechanism and the steering mechanism to determine user position in the simulated environment. The display is periodically updated by the computer to provide a continuous visual display of the user'"'"'s position as the user travels through the simulated environment.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus comprising:

a support structure for supporting a user;

an exercise mechanism for providing exercise to the user supported by the support structure;

a steering mechanism proximal to the support structure;

a processor for generating an interactive simulated environment and monitoring user manipulation of the exercise mechanism and the steering mechanism to determine user position in the simulated environment; and

a display system spaced from the user and providing a visual display of the simulated environment and user position in the simulated environment;

the processor being configured to enable the user to (i) travel substantially unrestricted throughout the simulated environment by manipulating the exercise mechanism and the steering mechanism, (ii) spontaneously modify user'"'"'s course while traveling within the simulated environment, and (iii) participate in user selectable activities within the simulated environment.

2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a mechanical linkage coupling the steering mechanism to a stationary base such that (i) the steering mechanism is operably independent of the exercise mechanism, and (ii) user manipulation of the steering mechanism causes tilting of the support structure and exercise mechanism about a longitudinal vertical plane extending through the base.

3. The exercise apparatus of claim 2 wherein the mechanical linkage allows for tilting in the forward, backward and lateral directions.

4. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 further comprising one or more springs coupling the support structure to a stationary base for self-centering the steering mechanism.

5. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the exercise mechanism comprises a pair of cycling pedals.

6. The exercise apparatus of claim 5 wherein the means for exercise mechanism further comprises a closed loop digital control system which emulates a flywheel and freewheel to provide pedal resistance and inertia for smooth motion.

7. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the computer is connectable to a computer of another exercise apparatus to allow for group participation in the freely navigable simulated environment.

8. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the support structure comprises a viewing screen.

9. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the display system comprises multiple viewing screens positioned to provide a wider field of view of the simulated environment.

10. The exercise apparatus of claim 9 wherein each viewing screen is a television monitor.

11. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a fan controlled by the processor for simulating wind speed.

12. An exercise cycle comprising:

a support structure for supporting a user;

a means for providing user-initiated aerobic exercise to the user supported by the support structure;

a steering mechanism proximal to the support structure;

a mechanical linkage coupling the steering mechanism to a stationary base such that (i) the steering mechanism is operably independent of the exercise mechanism, and (ii) user manipulation of the steering mechanism causes tilting of the user supported by the support structure about a longitudinal vertical plane extending through the base;

a processor for generating an interactive simulated environment and monitoring user manipulation of the exercise mechanism and the steering mechanism to determine user position in the simulated environment; and

a display system spaced from the user and providing a visual display of user position in the simulated environment;

the processor being configured to enable the user to (i) travel substantially unrestricted throughout the simulated environment by manipulating the exercise mechanism and the steering mechanism, (ii) spontaneously modify user'"'"'s course while traveling within the simulated environment, and (iii) participate in user selectable activities within the simulated environment.