Physical interaction device for personal electronics and method for use

• US 8,730,037 B2
• Filed: 01/11/2012
• Issued: 05/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Physical Apps, LLC
• Original Assignee: Physical Apps, LLC
• Inventors: Houvener, Robert C., Hermsen, Michele M., Doyle, Tyler N.
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US13/348,434
• Publication Number:
  US 20120139727A1
• Time in Patent Office: 860 Days
• Field of Search: 340/540, 340/500, 340/517, 340/573.1, 340/665, 340/669, 340/691.1, 340/691.6, 340/407.1, 446/46, 446/47, 473/570, 473/571
• US Class Current: 340/540
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0012 Comparing movements or motion sequences with a registered reference
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0068 Comparison to target or threshold, previous performance or not real time comparison to other individuals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0096 using performance related parameters for controlling electronic or video games or avatars
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0081 Stopping the operation of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0655 Tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0677 Input by image recognition, e.g. video signals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/068 Input by voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0602 Fluids, e.g. water
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/072 Dumb-bells, bar-bells or the like , e.g. weight discs having an integral peripheral handle
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0724 Bar-bells; Hand bars
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0726 Dumb bells, i.e. with a central bar to be held by a single hand, and with weights at the ends
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/00 Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/10 Positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative 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 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 Video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 : Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/15 : with identification means that can be read by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 : with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 : Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/54 : Transponders, e.g. RFID
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/605 : Floating
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/62 : Inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0025 : Football American football A63B2243/007
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0037 : Basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0054 : Bowling, i.e. ten-pin bowling
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/007 : American football
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0095 : Volleyball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/20 : Swimming
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 : Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0084 : Exercising apparatus with means for competitions, e.g. virtual races
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 26/003 : for improving balance or equilibrium balance beams A63B4/00; apparatus for rope dancing A63B7/08; balancing drums, balancing boards or the like A63B22/16
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/00 : Balls with special arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 5/11 : Trampolines
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/32 : with indicating devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 17/00 : Hobby-horses
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 31/04 : with jolting substructures
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 17/26 : Details; Accessories drive mechanisms A63H29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 17/395 : steered by program
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2200/00 : Computerized interactive toys, e.g. dolls
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 27/02 : Model aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 34/52 : Inflatable or partly inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/19 : Sporting applications
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 : with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 : External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 17/00 : Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions information retrieval, database structures or file system structures therefor G06F16/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1633 : Protecting arrangement for the entire housing of the computer
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/06 : using electric transmission , e.g. involving audible and visible signalling through the use of sound and light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/185 : Improving the rigidity of the casing or resistance to shocks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 : using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72427 : for supporting games or graphical animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7246 : by connection of exchangeable housing parts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 : including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion telephones including GPS signal receivers H04M2250/10

Abstract

The present disclosure describes, among other things, a method that may include receiving, at one or more sensors in communication with a mobile computing device positioned within a device receptacle portion of a device, the device receptacle portion being configured to substantially enclose and protect the mobile computing device during physical activity, sensor data. The method may include determining, by a processor of the mobile computing device, motion data regarding a movement of the protective device. The method may include estimating a behavior of a user based in part upon the motion data. The method may include generating a response to the behavior including at least one of graphic, audio, tactile, or video output. The method may include providing, through a wireless communications path, the response to a second device in wireless communication with the mobile computing device.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving sensor data, at one or more sensors in communication with a mobile computing device releasably secured within a device receptacle portion of a physical interaction device, the device receptacle portion being configured to (i) substantially enclose and protect the mobile computing device during physical activity and (ii) permit a user to toollessly, repeatedly remove and insert the mobile computing device from and into the device receptacle portion of the physical interaction device, wherein the mobile computing device is an off-the-shelf mobile computing device comprising a touch screen;

determining, by a processor of the mobile computing device, motion data regarding a movement of the physical interaction device;

estimating a behavior of a user based in part upon the motion data;

generating a response to the behavior comprising at least one of graphic, audio, tactile, or video output; and

providing, through a wireless communications path, the response to a second device in wireless communication with the mobile computing device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second device comprises a display.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the physical interaction device comprises an external portion comprising a material selected from one or more of open cell foam, closed cell foam, foamed resin, and an inflatable bladder.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the physical interaction device substantially obscures the mobile computing device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the device receptacle portion comprises one or more convex areas configured to enhance air flow around a portion of the mobile computing device.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the one or more convex areas comprise a deformable material configured to exert pressure upon the mobile device to secure the mobile device within the device receptacle portion.

7. A method comprising:

positioning, within a device receptacle portion of a physical interaction device, a mobile computing device electronic device, wherein;

the device receptacle portion is configured to (i) substantially enclose and protect a mobile computing device during physical activity and (ii) permit a user to toollessly, repeatedly remove and insert the mobile computing device from and into the device receptacle portion of the physical interaction device, and

the mobile computing device is an off-the-shelf mobile computing device comprising a touch screen; and

initiating execution of instructions associated with a software application on the mobile electronic device within the physical interaction device, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause a processor of the mobile electronic device to

determine, via a set of sensor data collected from one or more sensors in communication with the mobile electronic device, movement data,

correlate the movement data with an anticipated activity of a user interacting with the physical interaction device, and

provide feedback to the user in the form of at least one of graphic, video, and audio output responsive to the anticipated activity.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising configuring a set of parameters associated with the software application.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein configuring the set of parameters comprises identifying a type of the physical interaction device.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein configuring the set of parameters comprises uniquely identifying the physical interaction device.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein configuring the set of parameters comprises uniquely identifying the user.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the physical interaction device comprises at least one of the one or more sensors.

13. The method of claim 7, wherein providing feedback comprises communicating at least one of graphic, video and audio output to an external output device.

14. A system comprising:

a physical interaction device having an internal cavity configured to releasably secure a handheld computing device, wherein;

the device receptacle portion is configured to (i) substantially enclose and protect the handheld computing device during physical activity and (ii) permit a user to toollessly, repeatedly remove and insert the handheld computing device from and into the device receptacle portion of the physical interaction device,

the handheld computing device is an off-the-shelf handheld computing device comprising a touch screen, and

a processor of the handheld computing device is configured to execute instructions that cause the processor to perform the steps of;

determining an identification associated with a user of the physical interaction device,

collecting sensor data associated with interactions between the user and the physical interaction device,

determining at least one activity parameter of an activity enabled by the physical interaction device, the activity parameter based in part on the sensor data, and

storing data associated with both the identification and the activity parameter to a storage media.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the storage media is accessible to the handheld computing device via a wireless network in communication with the handheld computing device.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the data is collected and made accessible to a second device as historic data.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the data is accessible to a second device during execution of the instructions.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the physical interaction device comprises at least one of weight training exercise equipment, combat-training exercise equipment, balance and coordination training exercise equipment, or sports game equipment.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the physical interaction device comprises an imaginative play toy.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein the steps further comprise providing feedback to the user based in part on the activity parameter, wherein the feedback comprises at least one of audio, graphical, video, and tactile output.