Camera based video games and related methods for exercise motivation

• US 7,693,584 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Issued: 04/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Marie C. Pryor, Timothy R. Pryor
• Original Assignee: Marie C. Pryor, Timothy R. Pryor
• Inventors: Pryor, Timothy R., Pryor, Marie C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hartman, Jr.; Ronald D
• Application Number:
  US11/980,717
• Publication Number:
  US 20080125289A1
• Time in Patent Office: 888 Days
• Field of Search: 700/17, 700/83, 482/8, 482/9
• US Class Current: 700/17
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0075 Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/06 Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/60 relating to nutrition control, e.g. diets
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/50 for simulation or modelling of medical disorders
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/92 Computer assisted medical diagnostics
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/921 Diet management
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/922 including image analysis

Abstract

Disclosed are methods and apparatus for motivating persons to undertake exercise, employing camera based computer monitoring of persons and/or exercise apparatus, and displays of video data, which may be derived from such monitored information.

Claims

1. A method for assisting a person undertaking an exercise program comprising the steps of:

providing a computer model of at least a portion of the body of said person;

electro-optically monitoring, during exercise, at least one point on said person'"'"'s body which is affected by said exercise;

using said monitored point, determining a change in said computer model; and

dynamically providing information concerning said change to said person while said person is still exercising.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein an image derived from said changed model is displayed to said person.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein said image is a 3D image.

4. A method according to claim 1, including the further step of considering medical data concerning said person in providing said information.

5. A method according to claim 1, including the further step of monitoring a heart rate of the person while exercising and providing information relating thereto to said person.

6. A method according to claim 1, including the further step of transmitting said information from a remote location over the internet.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein said information includes motivational or instructional messages to said person.

8. A method according to claim 1, where said information is provided in response to said person'"'"'s actions during said exercise.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein said information includes computer generated motivational or instructional messages to said person.

10. A method according to claim 1, in which said information concerns the safety of said person.

11. A method according to claim 1, further including the step of modifying said information provided at a future time as a result of a change in said monitored exercise by said person.