PHYSICAL INTERACTION DEVICE FOR PERSONAL ELECTRONICS AND METHOD FOR USE

• US 20120152790A1
• Filed: 01/11/2012
• Published: 06/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Physical Apps, LLC
• Original Assignee: Physical Apps, LLC
• Inventors: Houvener, Robert C., Hermsen, Michele M., Doyle, Tyler N.
• Application Number:
  US13/348,433
• Publication Number:
  US 20120152790A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 206/521
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0012 Comparing movements or motion sequences with a registered reference
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0068 Comparison to target or threshold, previous performance or not real time comparison to other individuals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0096 using performance related parameters for controlling electronic or video games or avatars
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0081 Stopping the operation of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0655 Tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0677 Input by image recognition, e.g. video signals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/068 Input by voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0602 Fluids, e.g. water
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/072 Dumb-bells, bar-bells or the like , e.g. weight discs having an integral peripheral handle
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0724 Bar-bells; Hand bars
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0726 Dumb bells, i.e. with a central bar to be held by a single hand, and with weights at the ends
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/00 Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/10 Positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/17 Counting, e.g. counting periodical movements, revolutions or cycles, or including further data processing to determine distances or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 Video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 : Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/15 : with identification means that can be read by electronic means
• 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 2225/605 : Floating
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/62 : Inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0025 : Football American football A63B2243/007
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0037 : Basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0054 : Bowling, i.e. ten-pin bowling
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/007 : American football
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0095 : Volleyball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2244/20 : Swimming
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 : Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0084 : Exercising apparatus with means for competitions, e.g. virtual races
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 26/003 : for improving balance or equilibrium balance beams A63B4/00; apparatus for rope dancing A63B7/08; balancing drums, balancing boards or the like A63B22/16
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/00 : Balls with special arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 5/11 : Trampolines
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/32 : with indicating devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 17/00 : Hobby-horses
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 31/04 : with jolting substructures
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 17/26 : Details; Accessories drive mechanisms A63H29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 17/395 : steered by program
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2200/00 : Computerized interactive toys, e.g. dolls
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 27/02 : Model aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 34/52 : Inflatable or partly inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/19 : Sporting applications
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 : with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 : External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 17/00 : Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions information retrieval, database structures or file system structures therefor G06F16/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1633 : Protecting arrangement for the entire housing of the computer
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/06 : using electric transmission , e.g. involving audible and visible signalling through the use of sound and light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/185 : Improving the rigidity of the casing or resistance to shocks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 : using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72427 : for supporting games or graphical animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7246 : by connection of exchangeable housing parts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 : including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion telephones including GPS signal receivers H04M2250/10

Abstract

The present disclosure describes, among other things, a device that may include an exterior shell including at least one of an open cell foam, a closed cell foam, a foamed resin, and an inflatable bladder. The device may include a personal electronic device receptacle configured to removably receive a personal electronic device. The device may be configured to substantially enclose and protect the personal electronic device within the personal electronic device receptacle during physical activity including at least one of rolling the device, throwing the device, kicking the device, and striking the device against another object, and enable interaction with the personal electronic device while the personal electronic device is substantially enclosed within the device.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

an exterior shell comprising at least one of an open cell foam, a closed cell foam, a foamed resin, and an inflatable bladder; and

a personal electronic device receptacle configured to removably receive a personal electronic device;

wherein

the device is configured to

substantially enclose and protect the personal electronic device within the personal electronic device receptacle during physical activity comprising at least one of rolling the device, throwing the device, kicking the device, and striking the device against another object, and

enable interaction with the personal electronic device while the personal electronic device is substantially enclosed within the device.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is further configured to protect one or more of a user interacting with the device and a surroundings of the device during physical activity.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises at least one of weight training exercise equipment, combat-training exercise equipment, balance and coordination training exercise equipment, or sports game equipment.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the personal electronic device receptacle comprises one or more convex surfaces configured to deform upon positioning of the personal electronic device to enable the personal electronic device receptacle to securely retain the personal electronic device.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the exterior shell comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion closing against the second portion to substantially enclose the personal electronic device, the exterior shell being configured to receive the personal electronic device within the personal electronic device receptacle when the first portion is at least partly separated from the second portion.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the exterior shell comprises a plurality of perforations.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the exterior shell comprises a window area configured to provide visual access to a portion of a screen area of the personal electronic device when the personal electronic device is substantially enclosed within the device.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the exterior shell defines a volume at least three times as large as a volume of the personal electronic device.

9. A system comprising:

a device comprising an exterior shell configured to absorb forces applied to the device, and a handheld device enclosure configured to securely receive a handheld device, wherein the handheld device enclosure is substantially surrounded by the exterior shell; and

a set of instructions that, when executed by a processor of the handheld device, cause the processor to perform the steps of;

identify a movement of the device through one or more sensor inputs, and

respond to the movement with at least one of a graphical, audio, or video output.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein a portion of the set of instructions is stored in a storage media accessible to the handheld device via wireless data communication.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the device comprises a sensor providing at least one of the sensor inputs.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein a sensor external to the device and accessible to the handheld device via wireless data communication provides at least one of the sensor inputs.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein a sensor providing at least one of the sensor inputs comprises at least one of an accelerometer, positioning sensor, orientation sensor, global positioning sensor, gyroscope, light sensor, imaging sensor, acoustic sensor, microphone, and camera.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the video output is provided to a display device external to the device.

15. A device comprising:

an exterior portion designed to be physically manipulated by a user without damage to a personal electronic device positioned interior to the exterior portion, wherein being physically manipulated comprises one or more of rolling, throwing, bouncing, kicking, and striking against another object; and

an encasement positioned substantially interior to the exterior shell, the encasement being configured to replaceably receive the personal electronic device.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein

the personal electronic device comprises a first size and a first shape, and

a portion of the encasement is configured to deform upon positioning of the personal electronic device, the portion having a range of deformation to receive a second personal electronic device having at least a second size substantially different than the first size.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the exterior portion comprises at least one of open cell foam, closed cell foam, foamed resin, and an inflatable bladder.

18. The device of claim 15, wherein the exterior portion comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion closing against the second portion to substantially enclose and protect the personal electronic device, the exterior portion being configured to receive the personal electronic device within the encasement when the first portion is at least partly separated from the second portion.

19. The device of claim 15, wherein the exterior portion comprises at least one aperture positioned to provide a user access to a portion of the personal electronic device while the personal electronic device is positioned within the encasement.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the portion of the personal electronic device comprises one of a speaker, power control, camera lens, display area, and microphone.