Method and apparatus for facilitating strength training

• US 8,287,434 B2
• Filed: 05/19/2011
• Issued: 10/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tonal Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Mykola Sherstyuk, Vyacheslav Zavadsky
• Inventors: Zavadsky, Vyacheslav, Sherstyuk, Mykola
• Primary Examiner(s): RICHMAN, GLENN E
• Application Number:
  US13/111,869
• Publication Number:
  US 20110251021A1
• Time in Patent Office: 516 Days
• Field of Search: 482 1- 9, 482/51, 482/54, 482/57, 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

Strength training exercise is facilitated by a video gaming system (VGS). VGS communicates information about the exercise resistance force with an exercise device. Strength training machine coupled with the VGS and acts as a game controller. The machine provides resistance by an electrical motor. Resistance can be adjusted using data send from the VGS. Further, the resistance can pulsate during an exercise motion, providing internal muscle massage. The video gaming system uses a non-contact method to monitor a physiological parameter of the user. For example, a video camera is used to detect heart rate. Pose tracking information is used to detect the level of user exhaustion. Those and other monitored parameters are used to adjust the regime for either current or future exercises. The regime is optimized to increase workout efficiency. An activity not directly related to exercise, for example game, is unlocked if exercise performance is on track.

Claims

1. A method of facilitating strength training exercise by a person using a video gaming system, wherein at least one processor of the video gaming system performs at least the following steps:

a) communicate a first information with an exercise device, the first information indicative of a resistance force during said strength training exercise,

b) monitor progress of said strength training exercise,

c) supply information for a video or an audio signal indicative of the exercise progress;

wherein said resistance force can be adjusted, so there is a first magnitude of the resistance force associated with a position during exercise movement, and a second magnitude of the resistance force associated with substantially the same position, the first magnitude substantially different from the second magnitude.

2. The method as recited by claim 1, wherein

the said information is originated by at least one processor of the video gaming system

the said information is received by said exercise device,

The said information causing said force adjustment.

3. The method as recited by claim 2, further including the step of communicating a second information, the second information causing a force adjustment substantially different from the one caused by the first information.

4. The method as recited by claim 1, wherein

a. said information is originated by said exercise device,

b. said information is received by the video gaming system,

c. The said information is indicative of the force adjustment.

5. The method as recited by claim 1, wherein said information is a data indicative of a video signal, said video signal originates from a set of at least one video cameras, said processor is coupled with said set, and said exercise device is in a field of view of at least one camera in said set.

6. The method as recited by claim 1, wherein the resistance adjustment can be performed by selecting by said person of an exercise device, and the step a) involves detection of said exercise device.

7. The method as recited by claim 1, wherein the resistance adjustment can be performed by adjusting by said person settings of the exercise device, and the step a) involves detection of said settings.

8. The method as recited by claim 1, further including the following step:

d) monitor at least one physiological parameter of said person during said exercise.

9. The method as recited by claim 8, further including the following step

e) use said physiological parameter to generate an audio or a video signal.

10. The method as recited by claim 8, further including the following step:

f) Use said physiological parameter to generate a force adjustment signal, wherein

i. said force adjustment signal is originated by the video gaming system,

ii. said force adjustment signal is received by said exercise device.

11. The method as recited by claim 9, wherein said signal generated in step e) prompts the user to change at least one of the following:

Exercise velocity

Exercise range of motion

Exercise posture

Exercise effort.

12. The method as recited by claim 1, wherein the information is used to change at least one entertaining activity by said person, said entertaining activity performed using the video gaming system.

13. A method of facilitating an exercise by a person using a set of at least one processors, wherein said set performs at least the following steps:

a. Receives a data derived from a video signal from a video camera, wherein the video contains a skin area of the person,

b. determines a heart rate of the person using a least a portion corresponding to the skin area of said data,

c. adjusts a parameter of the exercise depending on said determined heart rate.

14. The method as recited by claim 13, wherein the data are used to track a user'"'"'s pose.

15. The method as recited by claim 13, wherein the step is done by generating an audio or a video signal facilitating user to change at least one of the following:

Exercise velocity

Exercise range of motion

Exercise posture

Exercise effort.

17. The method as recited by claim 13, wherein step b) is performed using at least a portion of the data corresponding to the visible spectrum.

16. A method of facilitating an exercise by a person using a video gaming system, wherein the video gaming system performs at least the following steps:

a) Supply a first a video or an audio signal facilitating the person to perform the exercise,

b) Supply a second video signal facilitating engaging user in an entertainment activity, the entertaining activity is not directly related to or controlled by the said exercise,

c) Adjust said entertainment activity depending on the exercise, said adjustment is not an on-going control of said entertainment activity.

18. The method as recited by claim 16, wherein said adjustment is an unlocking of some features of the entertaining activity as a result of the exercise activity.

19. The method as recited by claim 18, wherein the unlocking makes the entertaining activity available for an extra time.

20. The method as recited by claim 18, wherein said entertaining activity is a video game and said unlocking is given the person access to a more powerful game artifact.