Riding the joystick system to health and fitness

Abstract

An exercise device in one embodiment has a member (102) attached to a joystick control (108). A user (202) is positioned to perform push-up and squat exercises with member (102) below and against the abdomen or buttocks. Movements of user's torso down, up, forward, back, and side-to-side generate traditional control commands, including roll, pitch, and yaw. The downward motion and/or pressure by the user (202) triggers a switch (502). Control (108) collects the motion and trigger data and transmits same via an electronic link (110) to a computer (112) for processing. Hence, the user receives the benefit of a serious exercise program while playing games, thus making exercise fun.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]1. Field[0002]This application relates to an exercise system, particularly to one which enables a user to perform exercise routines while performing another activity.[0003]2. Prior Art[0004]In this era of health consciousness there is an ever-growing awareness of the benefit of exercise as a key component of being and staying healthy. Within the same realm, there are weight-conscious individuals who are either trying to lose weight or stay trim. Some just want to be able to flaunt their well-built beautiful bodies at a beach, pool, etc.[0005]Then there are those who, by some misfortune, are in need of rehabilitation. In spite of a dire need to recoup what has been lost physically, or even emotionally, the drudgery of exercise routines may delay or even forestall a full recovery.[0006]Exercise Excuses[0007]Many factors can play against the regiment required to achieve a real benefit in exercising. There is the boredom often associated with lifting weights, walking a t...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

In spite of a dire need to recoup what has been lost physically, or even emotionally, the drudgery of exercise routines may delay or even forestall a full recovery.

There is the boredom often associated with lifting weights, walking a treadmill, or riding an exercise bike.

It may be the cost and inconvenience of traveling back and forth to a health club or being unable to maintain the needed schedule.

Exercising at home may include using an exercise bike or a treadmill, but boredom may set in and dissuade one from staying with it.

The computer game box industry is booming and in some cases demand even exceeds production capability.

But virtually no computer games provide any exercise to any part of the body except the mind and the hands.

As a result, most computer gamers suffer from lack of the vigorous aerobic and strength-training exercise that the body needs to stay healthy.

With a few exceptions, such equipment failed to catch on because of its high cost and rudimentary imagery.

The act of lifting and lowering one's entire weight is taxing even for the very fit.”

This device seems to make doing push-ups harder to do.

All of these devices are quite bulky.

These devices seem too mechanically complex to simply replace doing push-ups with one's knees on the floor.

Although having roles as hang-glider trainers, or interesting game-playing mechanisms, the devices of these three patents seem to be much too large for general use and do not offer robust exercise as their main purpose.

All of the seated embodiments, with the exception of Hineman's, are large, possibly quite costly, and seemingly complex mechanically.

This device has no controls responsive to the movement of handlebars to provide output signals to a microprocessor.

As represented, they are not portable and rely on known exercise mediums (bikes, treadmills, etc.)

Although small and possibly manufactured at a low cost, this device has neither a triggering capability nor a means to effectively exercise.

The concept of angle measurement is similar to that of a joystick but the device has no real exercise functionality.

All of these patents either provide an internal resistance component or provide no meaningful means to exercise.

Finally, this device is rather large and expensive.

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