Motivation and enhancement of physical and mental exercise, rehabilitation, health and social interaction

• US 8,306,635 B2
• Filed: 01/23/2009
• Issued: 11/06/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Motion Games LLC
• Original Assignee: Motion Games LLC
• Inventors: Pryor, Timothy
• Primary Examiner(s): Hartman, Jr., Ronald
• Application Number:
  US12/358,404
• Publication Number:
  US 20090233769A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,383 Days
• Field of Search: 700/17, 700/83, 715/700, 715744-745, 715/781, 715788-789, 715810-811, 482/5, 482/8
• US Class Current: 700/17
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/143 Touch sensitive instrument input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/143 Touch sensitive input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0005 Dashboard
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0007 Mid-console
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0012 Seats or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0028 Ceiling, e.g. roof rails
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0029 Floor, e.g. side sills, fire wall
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0042 characterised by mounting means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0094 characterised by means for covering after user, e.g. boxes, shutters or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/042 by opto-electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/90 Ergometer with feedback to load or with feedback comparison
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/901 having computer circuitry

Abstract

The disclosed invention primarily relates to methods for assisting and motivating persons with respect to various exercise and rehabilitation regimens they might undertake, mentally as well as physically. The invention also has potential application to for diagnosis and/or treatment of certain mental and physical disorders, and in other situations where a form of companionship may be provided the user. In addition the invention herein provides an enjoyable means of social interaction with others providing further motivation for physical and mental activity represented.

Claims

1. A computer based exercise method comprising the steps of:

providing an exercise machine on which a person exercises, wherein said exercise machine resists the effort of said person when exercising;

providing a computer and a computer-controlled video display for viewing by said person;

electro-optically determining data concerning a plurality of points on at least one of said person and said machine;

processing said data to determine a variable related to one or more of said points; and

using said determined variable, controlling a video game program in said computer.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein a tv camera is used to make said electro-optical determination.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said processing is performed by said computer.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein said processing determines the location of at least one point.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein said processing determines the location of at least one point relative to another point.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein said processing determines the velocity of at least one point.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein said processing determines the acceleration of at least one point.

8. A method according to claim 1 wherein said processing determines the location of at least one point.

9. A method according to claim 1 wherein said processing determines the direction of motion of at least one point.

10. A method according to claim 1 wherein said determined variable is compared to a norm.

11. A method according to claim 1 wherein said determined variable is used to diagnose a condition of said person.

12. A method according to claim 1 wherein said determined variable is used to determine the quality of movement of said person.

13. A method according to claim 1 wherein said display provides information concerning activity of persons located remotely.

14. A method according to claim 1 wherein said display provides information concerning said person'"'"'s goals or prior performance.

15. A method according to claim 1 wherein said determined variable is used in said program.

16. A method according to claim 1 wherein said video game is designed to allow reliable sensing of said points while undertaking said game.

17. A computer based exercise method comprising the steps of:

providing an exercise machine on which a person exercises;

providing a first computer to run a video game on a video display;

electro-optically determining data concerning a plurality of points on at least one of said person and said machine;

processing said data to determine a variable related to one or more of said points; and

using said determined variable, controlling a video game program using said first computer, wherein said processing is performed by a second computer different than the first computer that is used to run said video game.

18. A computer based exercise method comprising the steps of:

providing an exercise machine on which a person exercises;

providing a computer and a computer-controlled video display for viewing by said person and defining a long axis, wherein the long axis of said display is substantially vertical;

electro-optically determining data concerning a plurality of points on at least one of said person and said machine;

processing said data to determine a variable related to one or more of said points; and

using said determined variable, controlling a video game program in said computer.

19. An exercise system comprising:

an exercise machine, said exercise machine resisting the effort of a person when said person is exercising;

a video display for viewing by said person exercising on said machine;

a video game console running a video game program providing video game related images on said display;

at least one electro-optical sensor viewing a plurality of points on at least one of said person and said machine;

a computer to process information from said sensor and determine a variable concerning said plurality of points; and

an interface from said computer to said game console.

20. Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said sensor is a TV camera.

21. Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said exercise machine is a bicycle.

22. An exercise system comprising:

an exercise machine adapted to resist the effort of a person when the person is exercising;

a video display viewable by the person when the person is exercising in conjunction with the exercise machine;

an electro-optical sensor including a field of view encompassing a plurality of points on at least one of the person and the exercise machine, the electro-optical sensor having an output;

a computer responsive to the electro-optical sensor output, the computer being adapted to control the video display based on the electro-optically observed points of at least one of the person and the exercise machine while exercising; and

a microphone having an output coupled to the computer.

23. An exercise system comprising:

an exercise machine adapted to resist the effort of a person when the person is exercising;

a video display viewable by the person when the person is exercising in conjunction with the exercise machine;

an electro-optical sensor including a field of view encompassing a plurality of points on at least one of the person and the exercise machine, the electro-optical sensor having an output, wherein the electro-optical sensor includes a video camera;

a computer responsive to the electro-optical sensor output, the computer being adapted to control the video display based on the electro-optically observed points of at least one of the person and the exercise machine while exercising.