Instruction Delivery Methodology & Plurality of Smart, Kinetic-Interactive-Devices (K.I.D.s)

• US 20080102424A1
• Filed: 06/01/2007
• Published: 05/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Newgent, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Newgent, Inc.
• Inventors: Holljes, H. C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,123,527 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/247
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2023/003 by torsion of the body part around its longitudinal axis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0096 using performance related parameters for controlling electronic or video games or avatars
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0636 3D visualisation
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0638 Displaying moving images of recorded environment, e.g. virtual environment
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0644 with display speed of moving landscape controlled by the user's performance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0655 Tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0552 Elastic ropes or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0615 pivoting about a fixed horizontal fulcrum
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/078 Devices for bench press exercises , e.g. supports, guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/225 with flywheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4034 for operation by feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4043 Free movement, i.e. the only restriction coming from the resistance A63B21/00043, A63B21/072 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4047 Pivoting movement weight pivoting A63B21/0615
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• 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 2244/08 : Jumping, vaulting
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/102 : Boxing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0494 : primarily by articulating the knee joints A63B23/0405, A63B23/0476 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/12 : for upper limbs or related muscles, e.g. chest, upper back or shoulder muscles bench press exercises A63B21/078; for teaching music G09B15/06
• 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 24/0084 : Exercising apparatus with means for competitions, e.g. virtual races
• 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 69/0028 : for running, jogging or speed-walking movable endless bands A63B22/02
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/00 : Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions gaming systems which provide a financial reward G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/217 : using environment-related information, i.e. information generated otherwise than by the player, e.g. ambient temperature or humidity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 : specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/53 : involving additional visual information provided to the game scene, e.g. by overlay to simulate a head-up display [HUD] or displaying a laser sight in a shooting game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/816 : Athletics, e.g. track-and-field sports
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1062 : being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0038 : Sports
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/00 : Electrically-operated educational appliances working with questions and answers G09B7/00; simulators G09B9/00; advertising or displaying in general G09F
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/00 : Simulators for teaching or training purposes for the use of weapons F41; computing aspects G06; protocols for games, networked simulations or virtual reality H04L67/131
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/058 : for teaching control of cycles or motorcycles
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/70 : relating to mental therapies, e.g. psychological therapy or autogenous training
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/90 : Ergometer with feedback to load or with feedback comparison

Abstract

An apparatus and method for an immersive active and interactive educational invention. A preferred embodiment of the apparatus includes an activity device including an activity sensor for generating an activity interaction signal responsive to a sustained large-muscle physical activity of a user operating the activity device; a controller, coupled to the activity monitor, generating a virtual environment supporting a virtual user frame-of-reference in the virtual environment, the controller generating a set of virtual education elements in the environment and a goal for the set virtual representation with respect to the virtual education elements wherein the controller is responsive to the activity interaction signal to produce an affected interaction of the virtual representation with the virtual education elements with the controller measuring a conformation of the goal by the affected interaction; and a feedback system, coupled to the controller, for presenting the virtual environment with the frame-of-reference in relation to the virtual education elements for providing the user with feedback regarding the goal and the conformation of the goal by the affected interaction.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

an activity device including an activity sensor for generating an activity interaction signal responsive to a sustained large-muscle physical activity of a user operating said activity device;

a controller, coupled to said activity monitor, generating a virtual environment supporting a virtual user frame-of-reference in said virtual environment, said controller generating a set of virtual education elements in said environment and a goal for said set virtual representation with respect to said virtual education elements wherein said controller is responsive to said activity interaction signal to produce an affected interaction of said virtual representation with said virtual education elements with said controller measuring a conformation of said goal by said affected interaction; and

a feedback system, coupled to said controller, for presenting said virtual environment with said frame-of-reference in relation to said virtual education elements for providing said user with feedback regarding said goal and said conformation of said goal by said affected interaction.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said activity device includes a pedal-powered rotary element and a steering element wherein pedaling and steering by said user generate said activity interaction signal.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said education elements include letters of an alphabet and said goal includes selecting a particular sequence of identified letters of said alphabet.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said education elements include a plurality of numerals and equation elements associated with said numerals and wherein said goal includes solving a selection of a collection of said plurality of numbers and associated equation elements.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said feedback system includes a display device.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said feedback system includes an audio generation system.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said controller is part of a data distribution network.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said interaction signal is selected from the group consisting essentially of one or more of running, stepping, jumping, pedaling, steering, scooting, pushing, dancing, hopping, boxing, dodging, rowing, climbing, kicking, punching, pulling, sliding, or combinations thereof.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an environment sensor, coupled to said controller and responsive to a user-identifier, to modify said environment automatically upon detecting said user-identifier.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said user-identifier is an RFID for modifying said frame-of-reference.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said frame-of-reference includes a visualization of at least a portion of said activity device and said modification includes a thematic enhancement to said visualization.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said frame-of-reference includes a visualization of at least a portion of an operating appendage of said user and said modification includes a thematic enhancement to said visualization.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said frame-of-reference includes a visualization of at least a portion of said activity device.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said frame-of-reference includes a visualization of at least a portion of an operating appendage of said user.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sensor generates said activity interaction signal for sustained above-waist large-muscle physical activity of said user.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sensor generates said activity interaction signal for sustained below-waist large-muscle physical activity of said user.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising a second sensor for generating a second activity interaction signal wherein said second sensor generates said second activity interaction signal for sustained below-waist large-muscle physical activity of said user.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said activity interaction signals are generated concurrently by said user.

20. The method of claim 7 wherein said kinetic interactive device includes a pedal-powered rotary element and a steering element wherein pedaling and steering by said user generates said activity interaction signals.

21. The method of claim 7 wherein said education elements are letters of an alphabet and said goal includes selecting a particular sequence of identified letters of said alphabet.

22. The method of claim 7 wherein said feedback system includes a display device.

23. The method of claim 7 wherein said controller is part of a cable television distribution network.

19. A method, the method comprising:

a) operating a kinetic interactive device to generate an activity interaction signal responsive to a sustained large-muscle physical activity of a user;

b) generating, responsive to operation of said kinetic interactive device, a virtual environment supporting a frame-of-reference, said controller generating a set of virtual education elements in said environment and a goal for said frame-of-reference with respect to said virtual education elements wherein said generating is responsive to said activity interaction signal to produce an affected interaction of said frame-of-reference with said virtual education elements with said controller measuring a conformation of said goal by said affected interaction; and

c) producing feedback data of said virtual environment with said frame-of-reference in relation to said virtual education elements that provide said user with information regarding said goal and said conformation of said goal by said affected interaction.