Systems and methods for improving fitness equipment and exercise
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:
- providing a monitor that monitors exercise performance level of a user, the monitor including a sensor adapted to measure a parameter indicative of exercise performance level, wherein the monitor is adapted to transmit a signal representative of the parameter indicative of exercise performance level information;
providing a gaming device that receives the signal indicative of exercise performance level information from the monitor, the gaming device having a video game executable on the gaming device responsive to exercise performance level information received from the monitor, wherein the video game is a competitive sports video game and wherein the gaming device further includes a processor programmed to execute the video game;
providing a game character within the video game of the gaming device, the game character having a virtual appearance characteristic based on physical characteristics of the user, wherein the game character is a competitor in the competitive sports video game;
receiving an input signal at the gaming device from the monitor indicative of the user'"'"'s exercise performance level;
altering the virtual appearance characteristic of the game character in response to receiving the input signal; and
altering game play of the video game based on the altered virtual appearance characteristic of the game character, wherein altering game play includes altering at least one of speed and strength of the game character in playing the competitive sports video game to enhance or degrade the character'"'"'s performance based on the user'"'"'s exercise performance level;
wherein the video game is executable as part of an exercise group over the internet that includes the user and a second user, wherein the user and the second user play the video game and wherein the method further comprises displaying the game character of the user to the second user as a representation of the user such that the second user can see that the user has achieved the exercise performance level based on the altered virtual appearance characteristic.
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Abstract
The present invention provides systems for and methods of playing a video game that includes providing a game character having a virtual appearance characteristic, receiving an input signal indicative of a user exercise performance level, and altering the virtual appearance characteristic in response to receiving the input signal. Numerous other aspects are disclosed.
160 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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providing a monitor that monitors exercise performance level of a user, the monitor including a sensor adapted to measure a parameter indicative of exercise performance level, wherein the monitor is adapted to transmit a signal representative of the parameter indicative of exercise performance level information; providing a gaming device that receives the signal indicative of exercise performance level information from the monitor, the gaming device having a video game executable on the gaming device responsive to exercise performance level information received from the monitor, wherein the video game is a competitive sports video game and wherein the gaming device further includes a processor programmed to execute the video game; providing a game character within the video game of the gaming device, the game character having a virtual appearance characteristic based on physical characteristics of the user, wherein the game character is a competitor in the competitive sports video game; receiving an input signal at the gaming device from the monitor indicative of the user'"'"'s exercise performance level; altering the virtual appearance characteristic of the game character in response to receiving the input signal; and altering game play of the video game based on the altered virtual appearance characteristic of the game character, wherein altering game play includes altering at least one of speed and strength of the game character in playing the competitive sports video game to enhance or degrade the character'"'"'s performance based on the user'"'"'s exercise performance level; wherein the video game is executable as part of an exercise group over the internet that includes the user and a second user, wherein the user and the second user play the video game and wherein the method further comprises displaying the game character of the user to the second user as a representation of the user such that the second user can see that the user has achieved the exercise performance level based on the altered virtual appearance characteristic. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 20)
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10. A method comprising:
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providing a monitor that monitors exercise performance level of a user, the monitor including a sensor adapted to measure a parameter indicative of exercise performance level, wherein the monitor is adapted to transmit a signal representative of the parameter indicative of exercise performance level information; providing a video game device that receives the signal indicative of exercise performance level information from the monitor, the video game device having a video game executable on the video game device responsive to exercise performance level information received from the monitor, wherein the video game is a competitive sports video game and wherein the gaming device further includes a processor programmed to execute the video game; providing a game character within the video game of the gaming device, the game character having a virtual appearance characteristic, wherein the game character is a competitor in the competitive sports video game; receiving an input signal at the video game device from the monitor indicative of achievement of a physical goal by the user; altering the virtual appearance characteristic of the game character in response to receiving the input signal; and altering game play of the video game based on the altered virtual appearance characteristic of the game character, wherein altering game play includes altering at least one of speed and strength of the game character in playing the competitive sports video game to enhance or degrade the character'"'"'s performance based on the user'"'"'s exercise performance level; wherein the video game is executable as part of an exercise group over the internet that includes the user and a second user, wherein the user and the second user play the video game and wherein the method further comprises displaying the game character of the user to the second user as a representation of the user such that the second user can see that the user has achieved the exercise performance level based on the altered virtual appearance characteristic. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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11. A system for playing a game comprising:
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a video game system adapted to allow a user to interact with a virtual environment using a game character having a virtual appearance characteristic, the virtual appearance characteristic based on physical characteristics of the user; an input device coupled to the game system and adapted to provide an input signal to the game system indicative of an exercise performance level of the user; and a video game adapted to execute on the game system and further adapted to alter the virtual appearance characteristic of the game character in response to receiving the input signal and alter game play of the video game based on the altered virtual appearance characteristic of the game character, wherein the video game is a competitive sports video game, the game character is a competitor in the competitive sports video game, and altering game play includes altering at least one of speed and strength of the game character in playing the competitive sports video game to enhance or degrade the character'"'"'s performance based on the user'"'"'s exercise performance level. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification