Physical exercise video system

• US 5,591,104 A
• Filed: 04/26/1993
• Issued: 01/07/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
• Original Assignee: Life Fitness (Brunswick Corporation)
• Inventors: Andrus, Bryan D., Robertson, Christopher D. G., Slemko, Mark J., Armes, Roderick, Maduza, Andrew G., Nieto, Augustine, Sikes, Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Richman, Glenn E.
• Application Number:
  US08/075,589
• Time in Patent Office: 1,352 Days
• Field of Search: 482/1, 482/4-8, 482/51, 482/57-66, 482/3, 482/901-903, 434/247, 434/257, 273/85 R, 273/863
• US Class Current: 482/7
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6887 mounted on external non-worn devices, e.g. non-medical devices
• 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 2071/0641 with a marker advancing in function of the exercise
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/34 Angular speed
• 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 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 13/23 for interfacing with the game device, e.g. specific interfaces between game controller and console
• 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 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• 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 13/44 involving timing of operations, e.g. performing an action within a time slot
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/803 Driving vehicles or craft, e.g. cars, airplanes, ships, robots or tanks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/95 Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1012 involving biosensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat, limb activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1025 details of the interface with the game device, e.g. USB version detection
• 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 2300/206 : Game information storage, e.g. cartridges, CD ROM's, DVD's, smart cards
• 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 2300/40 : characterised by details of platform network
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/63 : for controlling the execution of the game in time
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/638 : according to the timing of operation or a time limit
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8005 : Athletics
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8017 : Driving on land or water; Flying
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0227 : Cooperation and interconnection of the input arrangement with other functional units of a computer G06F3/023 - G06F3/037 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/901 : having computer circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/902 : Employing specific graphic or video display

Abstract

A physical exercise video system includes a physical exercise machine (22), a video system (24) and an interface module (26). The video system (24) has a computer (28) and a removable cartridge (34). The interface module (26) is interposed between the computer (28) and cartridge (34), and provides interactive communication between the computer (28) and exercise machine (22). A communication protocol governs this communication, and includes specifications for status and command data packets. The video system (24) and exercise machine (22) can be selectively operated as either stand-alone units, or in an interactive exercise mode, wherein the exercise data generated by the exercise machine (22) affects the output of the video system (24), and may also be stored in memory within the interface module (26). The video system (24) controls the operation of the exercise machine (22) generally, and specifically, controls the load resistance imposed in opposition to the movement of pedals (66). The control of load resistance by video system (24) is a function of the operating characteristics of the exercise machine (22).

Claims

1. A physical exercise video system, comprising:

a physical exercise machine including at least one sensor for generating an exercise signal indicating an exercise condition;

a video system including a control unit having a video output, video monitor means for displaying said video output, and at least one user-controlled game interface peripheral operatively associated with said control unit;

communications means for transmitting said exercise signal from said exercise machine to said control unit;

said control unit being adapted for selective operation in at least an exercise mode and a stand-alone mode, wherein;

in said exercise mode, said control unit generates said video output in response to said exercise signal and said game control peripheral; and

in said stand-alone mode, said control unit generates said video output in response to said game control peripheral.