System and method for improving fitness equipment and exercise

• US 20020160883A1
• Filed: 03/08/2002
• Published: 10/31/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dugan Health, LLC
• Original Assignee: Dugan Health, LLC
• Inventors: Dugan, Brian M.
• Application Number:
  US10/094,396
• Publication Number:
  US 20020160883A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0652 for cycling in a recumbent position
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/02 with movable endless bands , e.g. treadmills other training appliances for running on the spot A63B69/0028
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/04 with movable multiple steps , i.e. more than one step per limb, e.g. steps mounted on endless loops, endless ladders steppers with cantilevered support elements pivoting about an axis A63B22/0048
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/20 Distances or displacements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/34 Angular speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/62 Time or time measurement used for time reference, time stamp, master time or clock signal
• 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 2230/755 used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• 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 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/10 Control of the course of the game, e.g. start, progess, end
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/335 using Internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/45 Controlling the progress of the video game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/65 automatically by game devices or servers from real world data, e.g. measurement in live racing competition
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/816 Athletics, e.g. track-and-field sports
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/85 : Providing additional services to players
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 : Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• 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 2300/8029 : Fighting without shooting
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 : Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

In a first aspect, a method is provided that includes the steps of (1) providing a monitor for determining a level of exercise performance performed by an exerciser and for outputting a signal representative of the performance level; (2) using the monitor to measure a level of exercise performance performed by an exerciser; (3) outputting from the monitor a signal representative of the performance level; (4) providing a video game having a character, the video game inputting and being responsive to the performance level signal output by the monitor, the video game using the performance level signal to control a performance level of the video game character; and (5) while the exerciser is not exercising, controlling a performance level of the video game character based on a performance level signal output by the monitor.

Claims

1. A method of exercise comprising:

providing a monitor for determining a level of exercise performance performed by an exerciser and for outputting a signal representative of the performance level;

using the monitor to measure a level of exercise performance performed by an exerciser;

outputting from the monitor a signal representative of the performance level;

providing a video game having a character, the video game inputting and being responsive to the performance level signal output by the monitor, the video game using the performance level signal to control a performance level of the video game character; and

while the exerciser is not exercising, controlling a performance level of the video game character based on a performance level signal output by the monitor.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising stopping or suspending game play if the performance level of the exerciser exceeds a predetermined threshold.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein a controlling a performance level of the video game character based on the performance level signal output by the monitor comprises:

receiving at least an indication of the performance level signal output by the monitor after the exerciser has completed exercising; and

controlling the performance level of the video game character based on the received performance level signal.