Wireless game controller for strength training and physiotherapy

• US 7,967,728 B2
• Filed: 11/13/2009
• Issued: 06/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tonal Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Mykola Sherstyuk, Vyacheslav Zavadsky
• Inventors: Zavadsky, Vyacheslav, Sherstyuk, Mykola
• Primary Examiner(s): RICHMAN, GLENN E
• Application Number:
  US12/618,680
• Publication Number:
  US 20100125026A1
• Time in Patent Office: 592 Days
• Field of Search: 482 1- 9, 482900-902, 434/247
• US Class Current: 482/5
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00 Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices electric or electronic controls therefor A63B24/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00058 Mechanical means for varying the resistance A63B21/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/005 using electromagnetic or electric force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0053 using alternators or dynamos
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0054 for charging a battery
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/008 using hydraulic or pneumatic force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/10 Positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/17 Counting, e.g. counting periodical movements, revolutions or cycles, or including further data processing to determine distances or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• 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 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• 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 13/80 Special adaptations for executing a specific game genre or game mode
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/816 Athletics, e.g. track-and-field sports
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1031 using a wireless connection, e.g. Bluetooth, infrared connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/105 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes
• 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 2300/69 : Involving elements of the real world in the game world, e.g. measurement in live races, real video
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8005 : Athletics
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8017 : Driving on land or water; Flying
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8094 : Unusual game types, e.g. virtual cooking
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/24 : Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for video games A63F13/00; computerized gaming systems G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/901 : having computer circuitry

Abstract

Wireless game controller can provide variable resistance during strength training exercise and is coupled with off the shelf video gaming system such as Nintendo WII or personal computer by bluetooth or WiFI connection. The resistance is provided by a motor/generator. Electrical recuperation occurs between eccentric and concentric steps of the exercise, electrical energy is stored in a super capacitor between the steps. Video gaming system is configurable to run exercise software that provide reinforcing game experience, coaching, and physical therapy to the user. Exercise software tracks user'"'"'s pose using fiduciary marks on the controller and data from 3d accelerometer embedded in the controller. The resistance is computed as a function of one or more the following: exercise type, position, velocity, user profile, and repetition number.

Claims

1. Strength training machine,

comprising at least one moving part that a user moves during an exercise,

the said machine can provide force at the said moving part,

characterized by:

the said machine is operatively coupled with a VGS;

the said force can be adjusted, so there is a first magnitude of the said force corresponding to a position of the said moving part, and after the adjustment there is a second magnitude of the said force corresponding to the same position of the said moving part, the first magnitude differs from the second magnitude.

2. Strength training machine as recited in claim 1, wherein the said force is variable, so the graph of the magnitude of the said force during a one movement of the said moving part is non-linear, wherein the graph depicts the said magnitude as a function of the position of the said moving part.

3. Strength training machine as recited in claim 2, wherein the said graphs of the magnitude of the force differs between eccentric and concentric motions.

4. Strength training machine as recited by claim 1, wherein the said force is provided by an electrical hoist.

5. Strength training machine as recited by claim 1, wherein the magnitude of the said force can be adjusted by the said VGS.

6. Strength training machine as recited by claim 2, wherein the said force depends on at least one of the following:

a. position of the said moving part,

b. velocity of the said moving part,

c. repetition number in the said exercise.

7. Strength training machine as recited by claim 1, wherein the said machine is coupled with the VGS over a digital wireless connection.

8. Strength training machine as recited by claim 1, wherein the said machine transfers information about position of the said moving part to the said VGS.

9. Strength training machine,

operatively coupled with VGS over a digital wireless connection,

the said machine comprises a moving part that a user moves during an exercise,

the said machine can provide force at the said moving part,

the said force can be adjusted, so there is a first magnitude of the said fore corresponding to a position of the said moving part, and after the adjustment, there is a second magnitude of the said force corresponding to the same position of the said moving part, the first magnitude differs from the second magnitude,

wherein at least one operational characteristic of the machine is either controlled by VGS or transmitted to VGS.

10. Strength training machine as recited by claim 9 wherein the said operational characteristic is the magnitude of the said force.

11. Strength training machine as recited by claim 9, wherein

the said moving part is a handle,

further comprising of a second handle,

the said two handles are connected by a connection,

during the exercise, the user applies a force to at least one handle aiming at increase of the length of the said connection,

the said force provided by the machine counteracts the said increase in the length.

12. A game controller, comprising of

at least one moving part, a user moves the said moving part during exercise,

a cord coupled with the said moving part,

a hoist, the said cord is wound on the said hoist,

an electrical motor coupled to the said hoist to provide force in the said moving part by creating a rotation moment in the said hoist,

a micro controller operatively coupled with the said motor,

means to couple the said machine with a VGS,

and operable to allow user to perform

a first motion of the said moving part, unwinding the said cord from the said hoist and the said force is resisting the said first motion;

a second motion of the said moving part, winding the said cord on the said hoist and the said force is helping the said second motion.

13. Game controller as recited in claim 12, wherein the said VGS is aware of the position of the said moving part.

14. Game controller as recited in claim 12, wherein the magnitude of the said force varies with the position of the said moving part, so the graph plotting the said magnitude as a function of the said position is non-linear.

15. Game controller as recited in claim 12, wherein the said VGS is ware of the magnitude of the said force.

16. Game controller as recited in claim 15, wherein the said VGS can control the said magnitude.

17. Game controller as recited in claim 12, wherein the said VGS runs software that coaches user on strength training exercises performed using the said roving part.

18. Game controller as recited in claim 12, wherein the said motor uses electrical energy during the second motion.

19. Game controller as recited in claim 18, wherein the said motor generates electrical energy during the first motion.

20. Game controller as recited in claim 19, wherein at least a portion of electrical energy is recuperated.