Game controller support structure and isometric exercise system and method of facilitating user exercise during game interaction

• US 20040180719A1
• Filed: 03/23/2004
• Published: 09/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: IA Labs CA LLC
• Original Assignee: IA Labs CA LLC
• Inventors: Merril, Greg, Feldman, Philip
• Application Number:
  US10/806,280
• Publication Number:
  US 20040180719A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/36
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0638 Displaying moving images of recorded environment, e.g. virtual environment
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/002 isometric or isokinetic, i.e. substantial force variation without substantial muscle motion or wherein the speed of the motion is independent of the force applied by the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0023 for isometric exercising, i.e. substantial force variation without substantial muscle motion
• 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 22/02 with movable endless bands , e.g. treadmills other training appliances for running on the spot A63B69/0028
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0429 with guided foot supports moving parallel to the body-symmetrical-plane by being cantilevered about a horizontal axis
• 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 69/0057 Means for physically limiting movements of body parts A63B23/0211 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user

Abstract

A game controller support structure according to the present invention is configured to require a user to operate a game controller in a standing position during game play. The support structure includes a frame with a base, a body support, a game controller and a stand. The stand is attached to the base and supports the game controller, while a user lower body is engaged by the body support. The stand and body support may be adjustable to accommodate various users. In addition, the support structure may be in the form of an isometric exercise system that enables a user to perform isometric exercises during game play to interact with the game.

Claims

1. A support structure for enabling interaction with a gaming application comprising:

a base including at least one elongated longitudinal member extending along a structure longitudinal axis and plurality of elongated transverse members each secured to and extending transversely from a corresponding longitudinal member end;

a game controller to interact with said gaming application; and

a rod secured to said base and including said game controller secured thereto, wherein said rod includes dimensions sufficient to support said game controller above said base and in a position enabling a user to operate said game controller in a standing position.

2. The support structure of claim 1 further including:

at least one gripping surface coupled to said base to accommodate user feet.

3. The support structure of claim 1, wherein said rod includes an adjustment mechanism to adjust at least one of a position and orientation of said game controller relative to said user.

4. The support structure of claim 3, wherein said adjustment mechanism includes a dimension adjustment mechanism to adjust dimensions of said rod and a position of said game controller relative to said user.

5. The support structure of claim 3, wherein said adjustment mechanism includes at least one pivot mechanism to adjust orientation of said game controller relative to said user.

6. The support structure of claim 1 further including:

a body support secured to said base to support a user lower body portion.

7. The support structure of claim 6, wherein said body support includes:

a post secured to said base; and

a support member secured to said post to engage and support said user lower body portion.

8. The support structure of claim 7, wherein said post includes an adjustment mechanism to adjust at least one of a position and orientation of said support member relative to said user.

9. The support structure of claim 8, wherein said adjustment mechanism includes a dimension adjustment mechanism to adjust dimensions of said post and a position of said support member relative to said user.

10. The support structure of claim 8, wherein said adjustment mechanism includes at least one pivot mechanism to adjust orientation of said support member relative to said user.

11. The support structure of claim 1, wherein said rod provides an isometric exercise for said user and includes at least one sensor coupled at a selected location on said rod to measure at least one force applied by said user to at least one of said rod and said game controller, and wherein said applied force effects a measurable strain on said rod.

12. The support structure of claim 11 further including:

a processor including a data processing module to receive and process data corresponding to applied force information measured by said at least one sensor, wherein said data processing module produces information in a format resembling data output from a gaming application peripheral to facilitate user interaction with said gaming application in response to said force applied by said user.

13. The support structure of claim 11, wherein said game controller includes:

a processor including a data processing module to receive and process data corresponding to applied force information measured by said at least one sensor.

14. The support structure of claim 13, wherein said game controller further includes:

a display controlled by said processor to output information relating to said at least one force applied by said user.

15. The support structure of claim 14, wherein said processor further determines an amount of work applied by said user for a selected period of time and controls said display to output information relating to the amount of work applied by said user.

16. The support structure of claim 13, wherein said processor further selectively adjusts an amount of said at least one force that must be applied by said user to facilitate user interaction with said gaming application.

17. The support structure of claim 16 further including:

an input device to input to said processor the amount of said at least one force that must be applied by said user.

18. The support structure of claim 11, wherein said game controller includes a handle to receive at least one force applied by said user.

19. The support structure of claim 1 further including:

at least one input device that is manipulable by said user to effect at least one of isokinetic and isotonic exercise by said user.

20. A support structure for enabling interaction with a gaming application comprising:

a game controller to interact with a gaming application; and

a rod including said game controller secured thereto, wherein said rod is configured for attachment to at least one of a wall, ceiling, floor and door and includes dimensions sufficient to support said game controller in a position enabling a user to operate said game controller in a standing position.

21. The support structure of claim 20, wherein said rod includes an adjustment mechanism to adjust at least one of a position and orientation of said game controller relative to said user.

22. The support structure of claim 20, wherein said rod provides an isometric exercise for said user and includes at least one sensor coupled at a selected location on said rod to measure at least one force applied by said user to at least one of said rod and said game controller, and wherein said applied force effects a measurable strain on said rod and indicates a desired action within said gaming application.

23. A method of enabling interaction with a gaming application comprising:

(a) supporting a game controller above a support surface and in a position enabling a user to operate said game controller in a standing position via a support structure, wherein said support structure includes a base with at least one elongated longitudinal member extending along a structure longitudinal axis and plurality of elongated transverse members each secured to and extending transversely from a corresponding longitudinal member end and a rod secured to said base with said game controller secured thereto; and

(b) interacting with said gaming application via said game controller.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein step (a) further includes:

(a.1) accommodating user feet via a gripping surface secured to said structure.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein step (a) further includes:

(a.1) enabling adjustment of at least one of a position and orientation of said game controller relative to said user.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein step (a.1) further includes:

(a. 1.1) enabling adjustment of dimensions of said rod and a position of said game controller relative to said user.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein step (a.1) further includes:

(a.1.1) enabling pivoting of said game controller relative to said user to adjust game controller orientation relative to said user.

28. The method of claim 23, wherein step (a) further includes:

(a.

     1) supporting a user lower body portion via a body support secured to said base, wherein said body support includes a support member to engage and support said user lower body portion.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein step (a.1) further includes:

(a.1.1) enabling adjustment of at least one of a position and orientation of said support member relative to said user.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein said body support further includes a post secured to said base and coupled to said support member, and wherein step (a. 1.1) further includes:

(a. 1.1.1) enabling adjustment of dimensions of said post and a position of said support member relative to said user.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein step (a. 1.1) further includes:

(a.1.1.1) enabling pivoting of said support member relative to said user to adjust support member orientation relative to said user.

32. The method of claim 23, wherein said rod provides an isometric exercise for said user and includes at least one sensor coupled at a selected location on said rod, and step (b) further includes:

(b.1) measuring at least one force applied by said user to at least one of said rod and said game controller, wherein said applied force effects a measurable strain on said rod.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein step (b) further includes:

(b.2) receiving and processing data corresponding to applied force information measured by said at least one sensor.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein step (b) further includes:

(b.3) producing information in a format resembling data output from a gaming application peripheral to facilitate user interaction with said gaming application in response to said force applied by said user.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein step (b) further includes:

(b.3) displaying information relating to said at least one force applied by said user.

36. The method of claim 33, wherein step (b) further includes:

(b.3) determining an amount of work applied by said user for a selected period of time and displaying information relating to the amount of work applied by said user.

37. The method of claim 32, wherein step (b) further includes:

(b.2) selectively adjusting an amount of said at least one force that must be applied by said user to facilitate user interaction with said gaming application.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein step (b.2) further includes:

(b.2.1) enabling entry of the amount of said at least one force that must be applied by said user.

39. The method of claim 32, wherein said game controller includes a handle to receive at least one force applied by said user.

40. The method of claim 23, wherein said support structure includes at least one input exercise device that is manipulable by said user, and step (b) further includes:

(b.1) effecting at least one of isokinetic and isotonic exercise by said user to interact with said gaming application.

41. A method of enabling interaction with a gaming application comprising:

(a) supporting said game controller in a position enabling a user to operate said game controller in a standing position via a rod, wherein said rod includes said game controller secured thereto and is configured for attachment to at least one of a wall, ceiling, floor and door; and

(b) interacting with said gaming application via said game controller.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein step (a) further includes:

(a.

     1) enabling adjustment of at least one of a position and orientation of said game controller relative to said user.

43. The method of claim 41, wherein said rod provides an isometric exercise for said user and includes at least one sensor coupled at a selected location on said rod, and step (b) further includes:

(b.

     1) measuring at least one force applied by said user to at least one of said rod and said game controller, wherein said applied force effects a measurable strain on said rod and indicates a desired action within said gaming application.