Interactive computer simulation enhanced exercise machine

• US 7,497,807 B2
• Filed: 10/16/2006
• Issued: 03/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cube X Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Cube X Incorporated
• Inventors: Roane, Jerry M., Verona, Matthew T., Neff, John D.
• Primary Examiner(s): RICHMAN, GLENN E
• Application Number:
  US11/582,030
• Publication Number:
  US 20070117680A1
• Time in Patent Office: 869 Days
• Field of Search: 482/51, 482/57, 482/130, 482/138, 482/126, 482/148, 482/904, 482 1- 9, 482/52, 482/56, 482/72, 482/73, 482900-902, 434/247
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2220/00 General furniture construction, e.g. fittings
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2220/06 Treadmill combined with furniture
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0035 Upper limbs performing together the same movement, e.g. on a single support element
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0041 one hand moving independently from the other hand, i.e. there is no link between the movements of the hands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0082 with pivoting handlebars
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/064 with pivoting handlebars
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/066 with handlebars rotating about a horizontal axis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0644 with display speed of moving landscape controlled by the user's performance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00061 Replaceable resistance units of different strengths, e.g. for swapping
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/005 using electromagnetic or electric force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0058 using motors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/008 using hydraulic or pneumatic force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0083 of the piston-cylinder type using pneumatic piston-cylinder type force resistors A63B21/0087
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0087 of the piston-cylinder type using hydraulic piston-cylinder type force resistors A63B21/0083
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/015 including rotating or oscillating elements rubbing against fixed elements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/023 Wound springs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0421 the ends moving relatively by a pivoting arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/055 extension element type
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0552 Elastic ropes or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4047 Pivoting movement weight pivoting A63B21/0615
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0007 : by alternatively exercising arms or legs, e.g. with a single set of support elements driven either by the upper or the lower limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0012 : the exercises for arms and legs being functionally independent
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0046 : Details of the support elements or their connection to the exercising apparatus, e.g. adjustment of size or orientation attachments of resisters or weights to the body of the user A63B21/4001; using rollers, wheels, castors or gliding means to be moved over the floor or guide tracks A63B22/20
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0076 : Rowing machines for conditioning the cardio-vascular system seats moving during exercise A63B22/0087; training appliances for rowing or sculling on boats A63B69/06
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/02 : with movable endless bands , e.g. treadmills other training appliances for running on the spot A63B69/0028
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 : performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0664 : performing an elliptic movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0694 : without integral seat, e.g. portable mini ergometers being placed in front of a chair, on a table or on a bed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/203 : in a horizontal plane
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0233 : in 90/90 position, like on a chair
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 : Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/58 : slideably retracted in a housing when not in use
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 : Relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/16 : Angular positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/05 : with suction cups
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/055 : used for fixing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 : with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/75 : calorie expenditure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0084 : Exercising apparatus with means for competitions, e.g. virtual races
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/06 : for rowing or sculling
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1043 : being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6607 : for animating game characters, e.g. skeleton kinematics

Abstract

A computer simulation enhanced exercise device is provided which engages the user by directly relating the users exercise motion in real time to a visual simulation or interactive game. The exercise device may comprise any variety of machines including, stationary bikes, rowing machines, treadmills, stepper, elliptical gliders or under desk exercise. These exercise devices are configured with sensors to measure physical movements as the user exercises and are coupled to computer hardware with modeling and virtualization software to create the system. These sensor measurements are then sent to a computer for use in the physics based modeling and real-time visual simulation. The computer simulation enhanced exercise device is further provided with features including manual and automatic adjustment of resistance levels, visualization of accurate caloric burn rates and correlation to everyday food items, and network connectivity providing for multiplayer network simulations and directed advertising.

Claims

1. A slider arm exercise device for use in the leg space under a desk, the device comprising:

a slider arm having at a first end, a mount to pivotably mount the slider and having at a second end extending away from the first end, a foot rest adapted to receive a user'"'"'s foot, in which the slider arm pivots in a plane substantially parallel with a user'"'"'s legs;

a pivot resistance in resistive communication with the slider arm to create resistance to pivoting the slider in the plane substantially parallel with a user'"'"'s legs; and

an interactive computer simulation enhancement, comprising a motion sensor having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being stationary and the second portion being attached to the slider arm so that the second portion moves with respect to the first portion when the slider arm is pushed and pulled toward the user;

a microprocessor device having a computer-readable storage medium containing a set of instructions executable by the microprocessor device, the set of instructions comprising;

code for receiving motion data from the motion sensor associated with the slider arm;

code for converting the motion data to a degree of rotation and a rotation rate;

code for associating said motion data with a physical position of the slider arms related to a user'"'"'s movement of the pair of slider arms;

code for associating said physical position with a corresponding visual model; and

code for simulating moving cameras relative to said corresponding visual model.

2. The slider arm exercise device of claim 1, further comprising a pair of slider arms in which each slider arm pivots substantially parallel to each other.

3. The slider arm exercise device of claim 2, in which the slider arms operate independently of each other.

4. The slider arm exercise device of claim 3, in which the second ends of the pair of slider arms are connected to separate foot rests.

5. The slider arm exercise device of claim 2, in which the slider arms operate in unison.

6. The slider arm exercise device of claim 5, in which the second ends of the pair of slider arms are connected to a single foot rest.

7. The slider arm exercise device of claim 1, in which the slider arm is retractable.

8. The slider arm exercise device of claim 7, in which the retractable slider arm comprises a plurality of telescoping arms having a locking joint.

9. The slider arm device of claim 7, in which the retractable slider arm comprises a plurality of arms hingedly connected by a locking joint.

10. The slider arm exercise device of claim 1, in which the slider arm is a fixed length.

11. The slider arm exercise device of claim 1, in which the pivot resistance includes a mechanical resistance knob for regulating the resistance.

12. The slider arm exercise device of claim 1, in which the pivot resistance includes at least one of a hydraulic cylinder, oil cylinder, pneumatic air cylinder, spring, rubber cords, electric generators or magnets.

13. The slider arm exercise device of claim 1, in which the pivot resistance comprises a hydraulic chamber.

14. The slider arm exercise device of claim 13, in which the hydraulic chamber comprises an oil filled chamber with oil of a desired viscosity.

15. The slider arm exercise device of claim 13, in which the hydraulic chamber comprises a liquid Silicon filled chamber with liquid Silicon of a desired viscosity.

16. The slider arm exercise device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a rowing arm which is associated with a motion sensor, said sensor producing a motion data of said rowing arm,

a code for processing said motion data of said rowing arm,

a code for simulating steering of said model.

17. The slider arm exercise device according to claim 16, further comprising:

a code for associating said motion data with a rule for determining a value of calories burned.

18. The slider arm exercise device according to claim 17, in which said value of calories burned is related by a code to a graphic display of an illustration relating to a food item.

19. A slider arm exercise device according to claim 1, in which said interactive computer simulation enhancement comprises a code for propagating a state of said visual model based upon a force and/or torque generated by the user upon said slider arm.

20. A slider arm exercise device of claim 19, further comprising a code in which said force and/or torque is related to a crank rate.

21. A slider arm exercise device of claim 20, further comprising a code in which said crank rate is related to a resistance level.

22. A slider arm exercise device according to claim 1, in which said interactive computer simulation enhancement comprises a code for converting said motion data to a visual simulation input, said code using an animation algorithm and adapted to display a motion of a game character.

23. A slider arm exercise device according to claim 1, in which said interactive computer simulation enhancement comprises a code for a game.

24. A slider arm exercise device according to claim 23, in which said game is adapted for an input from one or more players.

25. A slider arm exercise device according to claim 1, in which said interactive computer simulation enhancement has a code which is adapted to communicate or receive an input or an output associated with a game over a computer network.

26. A slider arm exercise device according to claim 25, in which said network is an internet.

27. A slider arm exercise device of claim 1, in which said interactive computer simulation enhancement comprises a code for producing a force-feedback control signal.