System and method for improving fitness equipment and exercise

• US 8,506,458 B2
• Filed: 07/14/2011
• Issued: 08/13/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dugan Health, LLC
• Original Assignee: Brian M. Dugan
• Inventors: Dugan, Brian M.
• Primary Examiner(s): RICHMAN, GLENN E
• Application Number:
  US13/183,405
• Publication Number:
  US 20110275483A1
• Time in Patent Office: 761 Days
• Field of Search: 482/1, 482/2, 482/3, 482/4, 482/5, 482/6, 482/7, 482/8, 482/9, 463/7, 463/23, 463/29, 463/30, 463/36, 463/37, 463/43, 273/148.B, 273/440, 434/247, 434/248, 434/249, 434/250, 434/251, 434/252, 434/253, 434/254, 434/255, 434/256, 434/257, 434/258
• US Class Current: 482/57
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0652 for cycling in a recumbent position
• 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 22/04 with movable multiple steps , i.e. more than one step per limb, e.g. steps mounted on endless loops, endless ladders steppers with cantilevered support elements pivoting about an axis A63B22/0048
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/20 Distances or displacements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/34 Angular speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/62 Time or time measurement used for time reference, time stamp, master time or clock signal
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/062 used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/755 used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• 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 24/0062 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: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/10 Control of the course of the game, e.g. start, progess, end
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/335 using Internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/45 Controlling the progress of the video game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/65 automatically by game devices or servers from real world data, e.g. measurement in live racing competition
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/816 Athletics, e.g. track-and-field sports
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/85 : Providing additional services to players
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 : Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/69 : Involving elements of the real world in the game world, e.g. measurement in live races, real video
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8029 : Fighting without shooting
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 : Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

In a first aspect, a method is provided that includes the steps of (1) providing a monitor for determining a level of exercise performance performed by an exerciser and for outputting a signal representative of the performance level; (2) using the monitor to measure a level of exercise performance performed by an exerciser; (3) outputting from the monitor a signal representative of the performance level; (4) providing a video game having a character, the video game inputting and being responsive to the performance level signal output by the monitor, the video game using the performance level signal to control a performance level of the video game character; and (5) while the exerciser is not exercising, controlling a performance level of the video game character based on a performance level signal output by the monitor.

Claims

1. A method of exercise comprising:

providing a monitor for determining a level of exercise performance performed by an exerciser and for creating an indicator of the performance level for use after exercise;

using the monitor to measure a level of exercise performance performed by an exerciser and to create the indicator of performance level;

outputting the indicator of performance level from the monitor; and

providing a video game having a character controlled by the user, the video game inputting and being responsive to the indicator of performance level signal output by the monitor, the video game using the indicator of performance level to control a performance level of the user controlled video game character after the user has exercised.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the indicator of performance level is a code.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the code is an encrypted code.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the exerciser provides the indicator to the video game.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising communicating information regarding performance level of exercise to a third party.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the monitor is part of a video game player.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein communicating information regarding performance level of exercise to a third party includes communicating information to an insurance company.

8. The method of claim 5 wherein communicating information regarding performance level of exercise to a third party includes communicating information to at least one of a medical facility and a weight loss clinic.

9. The method of claim 5 wherein communications with the third party occur via the Internet.

10. The method of claim 5 further including receiving performance level requirements for the exerciser set by the third party.

11. A method of exercise comprising:

providing at least one monitor for determining a plurality of levels of exercise performance performed by an exerciser and for creating a plurality of indicators of the performance levels for use after exercise;

using the at least one monitor to measure the plurality of levels of exercise performance performed by an exerciser and to create the plurality of indicators of performance levels;

outputting the plurality of indicators of performance levels from the at least one monitor; and

providing a video game having a character, the video game inputting and being responsive to the plurality of indicators of performance levels output by the at least one monitor, the video game using the plurality of indicators of performance levels to control multiple performance levels or characteristics of the video game character after the user has exercised.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the plurality of indicators of performance levels is a code.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the at least one monitor is part of a video game player.

14. The method of claim 11 further comprising communicating information regarding performance level of exercise to a third party.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein communicating information regarding performance level of exercise to a third party includes communicating information to an insurance company.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein communicating information regarding performance level of exercise to a third party includes communicating information to at least one of a medical facility and a weight loss clinic.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein communications with the third party occur via the Internet.

18. The method of claim 14 further including receiving performance level requirements for the exerciser set by the third party.

19. A method of exercise comprising:

providing at least one monitor for determining a plurality of levels of exercise performance performed by an exerciser and for creating a plurality of indicators of the performance levels for use after exercise;

using the at least one monitor to measure the plurality of levels of exercise performance performed by an exerciser and to create the plurality of indicators of performance levels;

outputting the plurality of indicators of performance levels from the at least one monitor; and

providing a video game having a character controlled by the user, the video game inputting and being responsive to the plurality of indicators of performance levels output by the at least one monitor, the video game using the plurality of indicators of performance levels to control one or more performance levels or characteristics of the user controlled video game character after the user has exercised.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising communicating information regarding performance level of exercise to a third party.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein communicating information regarding performance level of exercise to a third party includes communicating information to an insurance company.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein communicating information regarding performance level of exercise to a third party includes communicating information to at least one of a medical facility and a weight loss clinic.

23. The method of claim 20 wherein communications with the third party occur via the Internet.

24. The method of claim 20 further including receiving performance level requirements for the exerciser set by the third party.