Video game controller for use with an exercise apparatus

• US 5,568,928 A
• Filed: 02/01/1995
• Issued: 10/29/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Exertron LLC
• Original Assignee: Exertron LLC
• Inventors: Munson, Bruce N., Visser, Steven C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrison, Jessica J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SAGER, MARK ALAN
• Application Number:
  US08/382,135
• Time in Patent Office: 636 Days
• Field of Search: 273/433-434, 273/438, 273/148 B, 273/85 G, 273/DIG. 28, 273/440, 273/445, 364/410
• US Class Current: 463/37
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4017 to the upper limbs
• 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 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• 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 13/40 Processing input control signals of video game devices, e.g. signals generated by the player or derived from the environment
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/803 Driving vehicles or craft, e.g. cars, airplanes, ships, robots or tanks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1012 involving biosensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat, limb activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1062 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 2300/8017 Driving on land or water; Flying
• 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

Abstract

A video game controller for use with an exercise apparatus. The controller includes a gross motion sensor which is activated by the palm of the user'"'"'s hand when the user'"'"'s wrist is rotated. In this way, a "steering" input can be sensed by the controller and forwarded to the video game. The controller further includes a pair of "action" switches which may be conveniently activated by the user'"'"'s fingers. The controller may be formed as an integral part of the exercise apparatus handle or as a separate member designed for convenient attachment to the handle in a retrofit application.

Claims

1. A video game controller for use with an exercise apparatus, comprising:

a first portion;

a second portion;

a connecting portion coupling said first and second portions;

a gross motion sensor integrated with said first portion; and

output means for coupling a signal produced by said gross motion sensor to a video game apparatus;

wherein said first portion, said connecting portion, and said second portion are coupled in a substantially U-shaped configuration in order to facilitate mounting said video game controller over a handle of said exercise apparatus.

2. The video game controller of claim 1, wherein said gross motion sensor is operative to sense rotation of a user'"'"'s wrist.

3. The video game controller of claim 1 wherein said gross motion sensor comprises:

a first switch; and

a second switch spaced from said first switch;

wherein rotation of a user'"'"'s wist in a first direction activates said first switch and rotation of said user'"'"'s wrist in a second direction activates said second switch.

4. The video game controller of claim 1, further comprising a switch integrated with said second portion, wherein said switch is operable by at least one finger of a user'"'"'s hand and wherein said output means is further operable to couple n second signal produced by said, switch to said video game apparatus.

5. The video game controller of claim 1, further comprising:

a first input for receiving a cadence signal representative of a cadence of an exercise being performed by a user on said exercise apparatus; and

a second input for receiving a pulse signal representative of said user'"'"'s heart rate;

wherein said output means is further operable to couple said cadence signal and said pulse signal to said video game apparatus.

6. The video game controller of claim 1, wherein said first portion, said second portion and said connecting portion are integrally formed.

7. An exercise apparatus including a video game controller, comprising:

a handle adapted to be gripped by a user'"'"'s hand while performing an exercise on said exercise apparatus;

a gross motion sensor coupled to said handle; and

output means for coupling a signal produced by said gross motion sensor to a video game apparatus;

wherein said signal produced by said gross motion sensor is indicative of pressure applied to different points on said handle in response to flexure of said user'"'"'s wrist.

8. The exercise apparatus of claim 7, wherein said gross motion sensor comprises:

a first switch; and

a second switch spaced from said first switch;

wherein rotation of a user'"'"'s wrist in a first direction activates said first switch and rotation of said user'"'"'s wrist in a second direction activates said second switch.

9. The exercise apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a switch coupled to the handle, wherein said switch is operable by at least one finger of a user'"'"'s hand and wherein said output means is further operable to couple a second signal produced by said switch to said video game apparatus.

10. The exercise apparatus of claim 7, further comprising:

a first input for receiving a cadence signal representative of a cadence of an exercise being performed by a user on said exercise apparatus; and

a second input for receiving a pulse signal representative of said user'"'"'s heart rate;

wherein said out, put means is further operable to couple said cadence signal and said pulse signal to said video game apparatus.

11. A video game controller for use with an exercise apparatus, comprising:

means for securing said video game controller to a handle of said exercise apparatus such that said video game controller may be gripped by a hand of a user of said exercise apparatus;

a gross motion sensor integral with said video game controller; and

output means for coupling a signal produced by said gross motion sensor to a video game apparatus;

wherein said signal produced by said gross motion sensor is indicative of pressure applied to different points on said video game controller in response to flexure of said user'"'"'s wrist.

12. The video game controller of claim 11, wherein said gross motion sensor comprises:

a first switch; and

a second switch spaced from said first switch;

wherein rotation of a user'"'"'s wrist in a first direction activates said first switch and rotation of said user'"'"'s wrist in a second direction activates said second switch.

13. The video game controller of claim 11, further comprising a switch integral with said video game controller, wherein said switch is operable by at least one finger of a user'"'"'s hand and wherein said output means is further operable to couple a second signal produced by said switch to said video game apparatus.

14. The video game controller of claim 11, further comprising:

a first input for receiving a cadence signal representative of a cadence of an exercise being performed by a user on said exercise apparatus; and

a second input for receiving a pulse signal representative of said user'"'"'s heart rate;

wherein said output means is further operable to couple said cadence signal and said pulse signal to said video game apparatus.

15. The video game controller of claim 11, wherein said means for securing comprises:

a first portion in which said gross motion sensor is integrated;

a second portion;

a connecting portion coupling said first and second portions;

wherein said first portion, said connecting portion, and said second portion are coupled in a substantially U-shaped configuration in order to facilitate mounting said video game controller over a handle of said exercise apparatus.