Exercise equipment with interactive gaming component

Abstract

Method and apparatus for encouraging significant exercise by a user of an exercise machine, by utilizing an interactive game that can be networked. The game controller is integrated into the exercise machine along with one or more sensors that supply interactive game inputs to the controller and also with one or more actuators that provide interactive game feedback output by the controller. For example, the sensors sense one or more of: an exercise rate, force, frequency, and repetition count; a button click, trigger squeeze, and joystick movement; a force on a steering wheel, handlebar, and flight stick; a tilting force; a key press, touch screen touch, and switch activation; sound, heat, smell, and moisture. For example, the actuators output from the controller game-related feedback including one or more of: vibration, impact force, movement, heat, cold, moving air, sound, visual effects, changes of exercise resistance and rate, scent and moisture.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 740,477 filed Nov. 29, 2005 by C. E. Mathis, and which is entirely incorporated by reference herein.TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to exercise devices and, more particularly to said devices coupled with interactive games. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Physical fitness requires exercise that works the muscles of one's body. Many people prefer to take their exercise in a controlled environment such as indoors where inclement weather or unsuitable location don't interfere. Calisthenics, jazzercise, isometrics, weight lifting, and so on can be very effective forms of exercise, but for many people they tend to be uninteresting and / or too rigorous (e.g., high impact aerobics). In order to maintain interest and incentive for ongoing exercise, and in order to provide indoor equivalents of popular sports, a great variety ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] According to the invention, an exercise-game machine, i.e., an exercise machine combined with an interactive game component, comprises: an exercise machine; a display built into the exercise machine;

Problems solved by technology

Calisthenics, jazzercise, isometrics, weight lifting, and so on can be very effective forms of exercise, but for many people they tend to be uninteresting and / or too rigorous (e.g., high impact aerobics).

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