MOTIVATION AND ENHANCEMENT OF PHYSICAL AND MENTAL EXERCISE, REHABILITATION, HEALTH AND SOCIAL INTERACTION

• US 20090233769A1
• Filed: 01/23/2009
• Published: 09/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Motion Games LLC
• Original Assignee: Motion Games LLC
• Inventors: PRYOR, Timothy
• Granted Patent: US 8,306,635 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/8
• 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: B60K 2360/143 Touch sensitive instrument input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/143 Touch sensitive input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 37/06 of controls, e.g. controls knobs
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0005 Dashboard
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0007 Mid-console
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0012 Seats or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0028 Ceiling, e.g. roof rails
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0029 Floor, e.g. side sills, fire wall
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0042 characterised by mounting means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0094 characterised by means for covering after user, e.g. boxes, shutters or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/042 by opto-electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/90 Ergometer with feedback to load or with feedback comparison
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/901 : having computer circuitry

Abstract

The disclosed invention primarily relates to methods for assisting and motivating persons with respect to various exercise and rehabilitation regimens they might undertake, mentally as well as physically. The invention also has potential application to for diagnosis and/or treatment of certain mental and physical disorders, and in other situations where a form of companionship may be provided the user. In addition the invention herein provides an enjoyable means of social interaction with others providing further motivation for physical and mental activity represented.

Claims

1. A computer based exercise method comprising the steps of

Providing an exercise machine on which a person exercises

Providing a computer controlled video display for viewing by said person,

Electro-optically determining data concerning points on said person and said machine

processing said data to determine a variable related one or more of said points

Using said determined variables, controlling a video game program in said computer.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein a tv camera is used to make said electro-optical determination.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said processing is performed by the same computer

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein said processing is performed by a computer different than that used to run said video game

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein said processing determines the location of at least one point

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein said processing determines the location of at least one point relative to another point

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein said processing determines the velocity of at least one point

8. A method according to claim 1 wherein said processing determines the acceleration of at least one point

9. A method according to claim 1 wherein said processing determines the location of at least one point

10. A method according to claim 1 wherein said processing determines the direction of motion of at least one point

11. A method according to claim 1 wherein a result of said analysis is compared to a norm

12. A method according to claim 1 wherein a result of said analysis is used to diagnose a condition of said person

13. A method according to claim 1 wherein a result of said analysis is used to diagnose a condition of said person

14. A method according to claim 1 wherein a result of said analysis is used to the quality of movement of said person

15. A method according to claim 1 wherein said display provides information concerning activity of persons located remotely

16. A method according to claim 1 wherein said display provides information concerning said persons goals or prior performance

17. A method according to claim 1 wherein a result of said analysis is used to calculate a variable used in said program.

18. A method according to claim 1 wherein said video game is designed to allow reliable sensing of said points while undertaking said game

19. A method according to claim 1 wherein the long axis of said display is substantially vertical

20. An exercise system comprising

An exercise machine;

A video display for viewing by a person exercising on said machine;

A video game console running a video game program providing video game related images on said display;

At least one electro-optical sensor viewing a plurality of points on at least one of said person and said machine;

A computer to process information from said sensor and determine a variable concerning said points, and;

an interface from said computer to said game console

21. Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein said sensor is a TV camera

22. Apparatus according to claim 20 wherein said exercise machine is a bicycle

23. An exercise system comprising

an exercise object freely held by a person

a video display operated by a first computer running a video game program

at least one electro-optical sensor to view at least point on said exercise object, and to provide an output signal, and;

a second computer to determine from said signal, information concerning said points, and to provide said information to said video game program

24. Apparatus according to claim 23 wherein said first computer and said second computer are the same

25. Apparatus according to claim 23 wherein at least one point on said person is also viewed by said sensor

26. Apparatus according to claim 23 wherein said exercise object orientation is determined

27. Apparatus according to claim 23 wherein said exercise object position is determined

28. Apparatus according to claim 23 wherein said exercise object distortion is determined