Method for movement in a physically configurable space and device for use with the method

• US 9,600,716 B2
• Filed: 03/20/2013
• Issued: 03/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bolder AS
• Original Assignee: Bolder AS
• Inventors: Skjaerseth, Eirik, Finnes, Morten
• Primary Examiner(s): D'AGOSTINO, PAUL ANTHONY
• Application Number:
  US14/388,339
• Publication Number:
  US 20150057776A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,462 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 2024/009 the load of the exercise apparatus being controlled in synchronism with visualising systems, e.g. hill slope
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0694 Visual indication, e.g. Indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/56 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/64 Frequency, e.g. of vibration oscillation
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/72 Temperature
• 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 2220/836 Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/54 Transponders, e.g. RFID
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/74 with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/505 used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/655 used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0075 Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0048 for mountaineering, e.g. climbing-walls, grip elements for climbing-walls
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0054 : Features for injury prevention on an apparatus, e.g. shock absorbers mats or the like for absorbing shocks for jumping A63B6/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0616 : Means for conducting or scheduling competition, league, tournaments or rankings
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/23 : Recognition of whole body movements, e.g. for sport training

Abstract

A method is for movement in a physically configurable space. The space includes one or more physically configurable elements. A first user is in a first location and in a first position in the physically configurable space. The method includes providing the physically configurable space with at least one sensor, connecting the at least one sensor to a control unit, and sensing at least the first user'"'"'s first location in the physically configurable space by the at least one sensor. The method further includes configuring the at least one configurable element by the control unit on the basis of sensed information from the at least one sensor so that the first user'"'"'s allowed moving space is altered. A configurable space is for use with the method.

Claims

1. A method for movement in a physically configurable space, the space including one or more physically configurable elements, a first user being at a first location and in a first position in the physically configurable space, the method comprising:

providing the physically configurable space with at least one sensor;

connecting the at least one sensor to a control unit;

sensing at least the first user'"'"'s first location in the physically configurable space with the at least one sensor;

configuring the at least one configurable element with the control unit on the basis of sensed information from the at least one sensor so that the first user'"'"'s allowed moving space in the physically configurable space is altered;

storing information about the first user'"'"'s physical data in the control unit;

storing information on the first user'"'"'s movements in the physically configurable space in the control unit; and

combining the information about the first user'"'"'s physical data and movements in the physically configurable space and using the information about the first user'"'"'s physical data and movements in the physically configurable space to configure the at least one configurable element.

2. The method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising configuring the at least one configurable element in such a way that an instruction is given to the first user to move to a second location in the physically configurable space.

3. The method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising configuring the at least one configurable element in such a way that the first user'"'"'s allowed frame of movement is altered.

4. The method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising storing information on a second user'"'"'s movement in the physically configurable space in the control unit.

5. The method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising providing the first user with one or more transmitters arranged to output a signal which can be sensed by the at least one sensor.

6. The method in accordance with claim 5, further comprising providing the first user with a radio-frequency identification tag.

11. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the physical data includes at least one of weight, height and age of the first user.

12. The method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising establishing a number of substantially identical, physically configurable spaces and connecting these to the control unit.

13. The method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising establishing a number of substantially identical, physically configurable spaces and connecting this to a storage unit.

16. The system according to claim 13, wherein the plurality of physically configurable spaces are connected to a storage unit.

7. A physically configurable space comprising:

one or more physically configurable elements;

at least one sensor arranged to sense at least a first user'"'"'s first location in the space; and

a control unit, to which the at least one sensor is connected, wherein the control unit is arranged to configure the at least one configurable element on the basis of sensed information from the at least one sensor, so that the first user'"'"'s allowed moving space in the physically configurable space is altered;

wherein the control unit includes a storage unit adapted to store information about the first user'"'"'s physical data, and information about the first user'"'"'s movements in the physically configurable space; and

wherein the control unit is adapted to use at least part of the information about the first user'"'"'s physical data and movements in the physically configurable space to configure the at least one configurable element.

8. The physically configurable space in accordance with claim 7, wherein at least one of said at least one physically configurable element is a climbing wall.

9. The physically configurable space in accordance with claim 7, wherein at least one of said at least one sensor is selected from the group consisting of:

an optical sensor;

a pressure sensor;

a temperature sensor;

an electrical resistance sensor; and

a radio-frequency sensor.

10. The physically configurable space in accordance with claim 7, wherein the physically configurable space is symmetrically configurable around a mirror axis so that the first user may perform a first movement sequence and a second movement sequence that is laterally inverted to the first movement sequence so that balanced stress is achieved and injuries related to unbalanced stress are avoided.

14. The physically configurable space in accordance with claim 7, wherein the physical data includes at least one of weight, height and age of the first user.

15. A system comprising:

a plurality of physically configurable spaces, each comprising one or more physically configurable elements, a first user being at a first location and in a first position in at least a respective one of the plurality of physically configurable spaces, the system comprising

providing each of the plurality of physically configurable spaces with at least one sensor;

connecting the at least one sensor to a control unit;

sensing at least the first user'"'"'s first location in the respective one of the plurality of physically configurable spaces with the at least one sensor;

configuring the at least one configurable element with the control unit on the basis of sensed information from the at least one sensor so that the first user'"'"'s allowed moving space in the respective one of physically configurable space is altered;

storing information about the first user'"'"'s physical data in the control unit;

storing information on the first user'"'"'s movements in the respective one of the plurality of physically configurable spaces in the control unit; and

combining the information about the first user'"'"'s physical data and movements in the respective one of the physically configurable spaces and using it to configure the at least one configurable element;

wherein the plurality of physically configurable spaces are connected to the control unit.