Systems and methods for exercise in an interactive virtual environment

• US 9,089,733 B2
• Filed: 10/21/2011
• Issued: 07/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BENAARON, LLC
• Original Assignee: BENAARON, LLC
• Inventors: Fisbein, Benjamin, Berlemont, Sylvain
• Primary Examiner(s): Richman, Glenn
• Application Number:
  US13/880,338
• Publication Number:
  US 20130225369A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,376 Days
• Field of Search: 482 1- 9, 482900-902, 434/247
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/009 the load of the exercise apparatus being controlled in synchronism with visualising systems, e.g. hill slope
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0638 Displaying moving images of recorded environment, e.g. virtual environment
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0647 Visualisation of executed movements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/00 Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements force-resisting aspects A63B21/00; for particular parts of the body, e.g. to strengthen particular limbs or muscles A63B23/00; electric or electronic controls therefor A63B24/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0056 the pivoting movement being in a vertical plane, e.g. steppers with a horizontal axis platforms for rocking motion about a horizontal axis A63B22/16
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0076 Rowing machines for conditioning the cardio-vascular system seats moving during exercise A63B22/0087; training appliances for rowing or sculling on boats A63B69/06
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0242 with speed variation
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0664 performing an elliptic movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/18 Inclination, slope or curvature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/20 Distances or displacements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• 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 2225/685 for electronic devices, e.g. phone, PDA, GPS device, notebook
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/062 used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/30 blood pressure A63B2230/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/50 : temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/75 : calorie expenditure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/00 : Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
• 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: A63B 24/0075 : Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0087 : Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/19 : Sporting applications
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 : Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 : Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 : with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 : according to geographic location

Abstract

The present invention is directed to systems and processes for simulating exercise in an interactive virtual environment comprised of a minicomputer configured with course data from a course server to render a virtual environment on a coupled video display. The minicomputer is in communication with an exercise device via a translation interface such that interaction with the exercise device alters the rendered virtual environment. Additionally, the user may interact with the virtual environment via minicomputer input. An optional advertising server enables insertion of promotional material into the interactive virtual environment.

Claims

1. An exercise system comprising:

an exercise machine, a translation interface, a minicomputer, a display, and a course server;

said course server embedded with course data, said course data comprised of geospatial data supplemented with corresponding visual data;

said course server communicatively coupled to said minicomputer;

said minicomputer communicatively coupled to said translation interface;

said translation interface disposed between said minicomputer and said exercise machine, said translation interface further comprised of a translation device and a translation API;

said translation device enabling electronic communication with said exercise machine and said translation API standardizing communication between said minicomputer and said exercise machine;

whereby a virtual environment is rendered to said display in response to real-time output from said exercise machine.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said real-time output from said exercise machine includes velocity data.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said real-time output from said exercise machine includes resistance data.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said real-time output from said exercise machine includes inclination data.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said real-time output from said exercise machine includes user data.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the system generates real-time device specific control signals according to the configurable parameters of said exercise machine and according to said course data.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said virtual environment is rendered responsive to user input to the minicomputer.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said translation interface is configured with a low level fitness protocol.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein said translation interface is configured with the CSAFE protocol.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein said course data incorporates media from an advertisement server.

11. A device configured to enable exercise in a virtual environment comprising:

a translation interface disposed between a minicomputer and an exercise machine;

said translation interface comprised of a translation device and a translation API;

said translation device enabling electronic communication with said exercise machine and said translation API standardizing communication between said minicomputer and said exercise machine;

said translation interface operable to receive real-time output from said exercise machine and to relay said output to said minicomputer;

said translation interface operable to generate control signals to said exercise machine in response to received information from said course, whereby said translation interface enables rendering a virtual environment based on user input and said exercise machine output.

12. The device of claim 11 further comprising a video output.

13. The device of claim 11 further comprising an audio output.

14. The device of claim 11 wherein said translation interface is configured with a low level device protocol.

15. The device of claim 11 wherein said translation interface is configured with the CSAFE protocol.

16. The device of claim 11 further comprising a power input, said input adapted to receive electrical energy from a port of said exercise device.

17. The device of claim 11 wherein said translation interface further comprises a radio operable to wirelessly communicate with said minicomputer.

18. An exercise system comprising:

a translation interface and a course server;

said course server embedded with course data, said course data comprised of geospatial data supplemented with corresponding visual data;

said course server having a communication channel for bidirectional communication with a minicomputer;

said translation interface enabled for communication between said minicomputer and an exercise machine;

said translation interface further comprised of a translation device and a translation API;

said translation device enabling electronic communication between said exercise machine and said minicomputer via said translation API standardizing communication between said minicomputer and said exercise machine;

whereby a virtual environment is rendered to a display in response to real-time communication among said exercise machine, said translation device, and said minicomputer.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein said real-time communication from the exercise machine is selected from group velocity data, resistance data, and inclination data.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein said translation interface further comprises a power input, said power input adapted to receive electrical energy from a port of said exercise device.