Exercise simulator and method for encouraging exercise

• US 20100081548A1
• Filed: 10/01/2008
• Published: 04/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Keyser Interactive, LLC
• Original Assignee: Keyser Interactive, LLC
• Inventors: Carter, William, Labedz, Lawrence, Venetucci, Patricia
• Application Number:
  US12/286,715
• Publication Number:
  US 20100081548A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/4
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0652 for cycling in a recumbent position
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0096 using performance related parameters for controlling electronic or video games or avatars
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0644 with display speed of moving landscape controlled by the user's performance
• 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 2220/34 Angular speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• 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 69/0093 for surfing, i.e. without a sail; for skate or snow boarding
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user

Abstract

An exercise simulator and a method of encouraging exercise are disclosed. The exercise simulator has a steering component including a user-movable element and a steering sensor. The sensor outputs a sensor signal indicative of the amount of movement of the user-movable element to provide steering input to a computer. The computer has a program and data for providing a visually displayable simulated environment. The visually displayable simulated environment is navigable by user input comprising movement of the user-movable element. The visually displayable simulated environment can be part of a computer animated game.

Claims

1. An exercise simulator comprising

a steering component including a user-movable element and a steering sensor for outputting a sensor signal indicative of the amount of movement of the user-movable element to provide steering input to a computer;

the computer comprising a program and data for providing a visually displayable simulated environment, the visually displayable simulated environment being navigable by user input comprising movement of the user-movable element, the computer configured to receive the sensor signal.

2. The exercise simulator of claim 1 further comprising a display for displaying the visually displayable simulated environment to the user.

3. The exercise simulator of claim 1 wherein the user-movable element comprises a user-rotatable element and the user input comprises rotation.

4. The exercise simulator of claim 3 wherein the steering sensor is mechanically linked to the steering component so that rotation of the user-rotatable element rotates the steering sensor.

5. The exercise simulator of claim 4 wherein the steering sensor comprises an accelerometer.

6. The exercise simulator of claim 1 further comprising an electronic circuit capable of converting the sensor signal into a digital signal.

7. The exercise simulator of claim 6 wherein the electronic circuit is capable of converting the sensor signal into a mouse format.

8. The exercise simulator of claim 1 further comprising a seat and a speed component including user-rotatable cranks.

9. The exercise simulator of claim 8 further comprising a speed sensor for outputting a speed signal indicative of the speed of rotation of the user-rotatable cranks to provide a speed input to the computer.

10. The exercise simulator of claim 8 wherein the user-movable element of the steering component comprises a handlebar.

11. The exercise simulator of claim 10 wherein the steering component further comprises a non-horizontal steering shaft, the steering shaft attached to the handlebars.

12. The exercise simulator of claim 11 further comprising a sensor platform rotatable around a substantially horizontal axis, the steering sensor attached to the sensor platform, the steering shaft connected to the sensor platform so that rotation of the steering shaft causes rotation of the sensor platform around the horizontal axis.

13. The exercise simulator of claim 12 wherein the steering component further comprises a flange, the flange attached to the steering shaft and connected to the sensor platform by a length adjustable connection member, wherein adjustment of the length of the connection member allows the rotational relationship between the sensor platform and the steering shaft to be calibrated.

14. The exercise simulator of claim 13 further comprising a frame and two springs attached to the flange and the frame for centering the steering component.

15. The exercise simulator of claim 1 further comprising a user platform for supporting the weight of a user.

16. The exercise simulator of claim 15 further comprising a base wherein the user platform is flexibly attached to the base so that the user platform may be tilted.

17. The exercise simulator of claim 16 wherein the sensor is an accelerometer attached to the user platform.

18. The exercise simulator of claim 16 wherein the user platform is flexibly attached to the base by two or more aligned fasteners, the fasteners inside flexible bushings.

19. A method of encouraging exercise by simulating an environment comprising

sensing the movement of a user-movable element;

transmitting a sensor signal indicative of the amount of movement of the user-movable element;

receiving the sensor signal by a computer comprising a program and data for providing a visually displayable simulated environment; and

displaying a simulated environment based on the data and the sensor signal, the simulated environment being navigable by user input comprising movement of the user-movable element.