Wind provision system, wind provision method, and wind provision program

Abstract

This wind provision system comprises a detection device that detects movement of an exercise apparatus used by a user within a real space, an electric fan that provides wind to the user, and a control device that simulates wind with respect to a user model within a virtual space on the basis of detection information pertaining to the movement of the exercise apparatus from the detection device and controls the electric fan so as to reproduce the wind with respect to the user model for the user within the real space.

Description

Wind supply system, wind supply method, and wind supply program , ,

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[0001] The present invention relates to a wind supply system, a wind supply method, and a wind supply program.

[0002] Experiences of races and tours of moving objects (such as bicycles) in the real world are reproduced in the virtual world.

[0003] For example, a GPS logger is attached to the bicycle of a cyclist participating in a bicycle race to obtain the movement history during the race, and the race is reproduced in the virtual world, where the user participates as a racer using an indoor bike or the like.

[0004] In order to enhance the reality, a multimodal approach is taken. There is a known technique that provides a more realistic experience by controlling the wind strength according to the user's speed, focusing on the wind.

[0005] Shinji Fukatsu, "XR Sports Space Generation for Reproducing the Sensation in Bicycle Racing," Sports Informatics Symposium (1st SI Research Presentation), 2024 "Let's Update Indoor Cycling with 'Wind'!", [online], [searched on January 9, 2025], Internet <https: / / grovekamakura.com / category_parts / 10404 / >

[0006] However, in a real bicycle race, it is known that when there is a competitor in front, the wind received by the cyclist is weakened because the competitor in front acts as a windbreak. However, in the above-mentioned technique, the wind does not weaken, which tends to cause discomfort to the user.

[0007] The present invention has been made paying attention to the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a wind supply system, a wind supply method, and a wind supply program that provide wind with less discomfort.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is a wind supply system. The wind supply system includes a detection device that detects the movement of exercise equipment used by a user in real space, a fan that provides wind to the user, and a control device that simulates wind for a user model in virtual space based on the detection information of the movement of the exercise equipment by the detection device, and controls the fan to reproduce the wind for the user model for the user in real space.

[0009] One aspect of the present invention is a wind supply method. The wind supply method detects the movement of exercise equipment used by a user in real space, simulates wind for a user model in virtual space based on the detected movement information of the exercise equipment, and controls a fan to supply wind to the user in order to reproduce the wind for the user model to the user.

[0010] One aspect of the present invention is a wind supply program. The wind supply program causes a computer to execute at least a part of the functions of the control device of the wind supply system described above.

[0011] According to the present invention, a wind supply system, a wind supply method, and a wind supply program are provided that provide a wind that causes minimal discomfort.

[0012] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of an indoor bike system according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the control device in the indoor bike system of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the relative position of the user model (own vehicle model) with respect to other vehicle models. Figure 4 is a diagram showing the general installation relationship of the indoor bike with respect to the fan. Figure 5 is a diagram showing a table representing the airflow characteristic information of the fan. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the wind supply system according to the first embodiment. Figure 7 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of an indoor bike system according to the second embodiment. Figure 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the control device in the indoor bike system of Figure 7. Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of the relative position of the user model (own vehicle model) with respect to other vehicle models. Figure 10 is a diagram showing the installation relationship of the indoor bike with respect to three fans. Figure 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the wind supply system according to the second embodiment. Figure 12 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the computer constituting the control device according to the embodiment.

[0013] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The embodiment is an exercise equipment system including a wind supply system. The exercise equipment system according to the embodiment has exercise equipment used by a user indoors, and the wind supply system provides wind to the user in accordance with the movement of the exercise equipment. In this way, the exercise equipment system provides the user with a simulated experience of using exercise equipment outdoors.

[0014] Here, we will describe an indoor bike system as an example of an exercise equipment system. Specifically, an indoor bike system is an exercise equipment system comprised of indoor bikes. An indoor bike is an indoor exercise device that mimics a bicycle, and is sometimes also called an exercise bike.

[0015] (First Embodiment) First, an indoor bike system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 1. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an indoor bike system 10 according to the embodiment.

[0016] The indoor bike system 10 includes an indoor bike 20 used by the user, a detection device 30 that detects the movement of the indoor bike 20, a fan 40 that provides airflow to the user, a display device 50 that provides images to the user, and a control device 60 that controls the fan 40 and the display device 50 based on the detection information from the detection device 30.

[0017] In this indoor bike system 10, the detection device 30, the fan 40, and the control device 60 constitute a wind supply system that provides wind to the user using the indoor bike 20.

[0018] The Indoor Bike 20 is an exercise machine that mimics a bicycle and is installed indoors. Like a real bicycle, the Indoor Bike 20 has a saddle where the user sits, handlebars that the user steers with their hands, and pedals that the user pedals with their feet. The handlebars determine the direction of travel, and the pedals determine the speed of movement. In a real bicycle, the rear wheel is in contact with the ground, and pedaling causes the rear wheel to rotate and move the bike, but the Indoor Bike 20 does not have a rear wheel in contact with the ground, and pedaling does not cause it to move.

[0019] The indoor bike 20 may have a load adjustment mechanism that adjusts the pedal load in response to pedal operation (pressing down) in order to provide the user with a simulated feeling of riding on an inclined surface such as an uphill or downhill slope. Such a load adjustment mechanism is controlled by the control device 60.

[0020] The detection device 30 includes a handle angle detection device 31 and a speed detection device 32. The handle angle detection device 31 detects the angle of the handle of the indoor bike 20. The speed detection device 32 detects the rotational speed of the sprocket and rear wheel, which are rotated via the chain by the operation of the pedals of the indoor bike 20, and detects a virtual speed based on the rotational speed. The virtual speed is the speed of movement that would be obtained if the indoor bike 20 were an actual bike (bicycle).

[0021] The fan 40 is positioned in front of the indoor bike 20 and blows air towards the indoor bike 20. The fan 40's output intensity is controllable. The output intensity of the fan 40 determines the amount of air it blows out. The amount of air is proportional to the wind speed the fan 40 blows out. For example, the fan 40 has a fan or propeller that generates wind, and the amount of air and wind speed are determined by the rotation speed of the fan or propeller. The fan 40 is configured so that the rotation speed of the fan or propeller can be changed, for example, in steps. The output intensity of the fan 40 is controlled by the control device 60.

[0022] The display device 50 is positioned in front of the indoor bike 20 with its display screen facing the indoor bike 20, and displays an image on its display screen. For example, the display device 50 displays an image of what is in front of the user in a virtual space. This allows the user riding the indoor bike 20 to virtually experience the scenery in front of them in a virtual space. The display device 50 may also display a bird's-eye view image including the user instead of an image of what is in front of the user. The image displayed by the display device 50 is controlled by the control device 60.

[0023] The control device 60 constructs and controls a virtual space that includes a physical model of the user riding the indoor bike 20. Here, the virtual space is, for example, a virtual space in which the user can virtually experience bicycle racing or touring.

[0024] For convenience, the following will refer to the physical model of a user riding the indoor bike 20 (the physical model of the user and the indoor bike 20) as the user model, and the physical model of other people riding bicycles in the virtual space (the physical model of other people and their bicycles) as the other person model. Furthermore, focusing on the bicycles, the user model may be referred to as the "own bike model" (or simply "own bike"), and the other person model as the "other bike model" (or simply "other bike"). Additionally, the physical model of the surrounding environment in which the own bike model and other bike models travel will be referred to as the "surrounding environment model."

[0025] The control device 60 constructs a virtual space that the user riding the indoor bike 20 will experience. The virtual space includes models of other people and a model of the surrounding environment. In the virtual space, the position of the models of other people changes over time. The surrounding environment model also includes various natural objects such as plants, animals, rivers, and seas, and may change over time.

[0026] The control device 60 also constructs a user model and places the user model in the virtual space. Furthermore, based on the detection information from the detection device 30 (angle information from the handle angle detection device 31 and speed information from the speed detection device 32), the control device 60 calculates the movement of the user model in the virtual space and reflects the movement of the user model in the virtual space. In other words, the control device 60 operates the user model in the virtual space according to the calculation result of the user model's movement in the virtual space.

[0027] The movements of a user model in a virtual space include changes in position, direction of travel, and speed. The movements of the user model may also include the effects of changes in the surrounding environment, such as changes in the slope of the road surface.

[0028] The control device 60 controls the display image on the display device 50 and the output intensity of the fan 40 in accordance with the movement of the user model in the virtual space. For example, the control device 60 updates the image displayed on the display screen of the display device 50 in accordance with the movement of the user model in the virtual space. The control device 60 also changes the output intensity, or airflow, of the fan 40 in accordance with the movement speed of the user model in the virtual space.

[0029] (Control device) Next, the control device 60 will be described with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the control device 60 in the indoor bike system of Figure 1.

[0030] The control device 60 includes a user position calculation unit 61, a virtual space control unit 62, a fluid simulation unit 63, a fan control unit 64, a display device control unit 65, a virtual space information database 71, a fan installation position information database 72, and a fan airflow characteristics information database 73. In Figure 2, databases are abbreviated as DB.

[0031] The user position calculation unit 61 calculates the current position of the user model in the virtual space based on the initial position of the user model in the virtual space and the detection information from the detection device 30 (angle information from the handle angle detection device 31 and speed information from the speed detection device 32).

[0032] The initial position of the user model in the virtual space is set at the start of the user's simulated experience of a bicycle race or tour. The initial position of the user model may be set by an appropriate means. For example, the initial position of the user model may be set in advance in the virtual space constructed by the control device 60, or it may be specified in the virtual space by an input operation by the user to the control device 60.

[0033] The virtual space control unit 62 acquires virtual space information from the virtual space information database 71 and constructs a virtual space. The virtual space information includes information on other vehicle models and surrounding environment models. For example, information on the surrounding environment model can be acquired using satellite images, aerial photographs, open data, etc., provided by various services. Information on other vehicle models can be acquired using the riding history of a bicycle equipped with a GPS logger. The virtual space control unit 62 continuously changes the other vehicle models and the surrounding environment models.

[0034] Furthermore, the virtual space control unit 62 constructs a user model and places the user model in the virtual space. The virtual space control unit 62 also moves the user model based on the current position of the user model in the virtual space calculated by the user position calculation unit 61. In other words, the virtual space control unit 62 reflects the user model in the virtual space information held by the virtual space information database 71. To put it another way, the virtual space control unit 62 updates the virtual space information, including the user model, held by the virtual space information database 71. In short, the virtual space control unit 62 continuously changes the user model.

[0035] The display device control unit 65 acquires virtual space information from the virtual space information database 71, generates an image to be displayed on the display device 50 based on the relative positional relationship of the user model to the surrounding environment model and other vehicle models, and outputs it to the display device 50. The display device 50 displays the image input from the display device control unit 65 on its display screen. As a result, the user riding the indoor bike 20 can understand the surrounding environment in the virtual space through the image displayed on the display device 50.

[0036] The images displayed on the display device 50, generated by the display device control unit 65, are, as mentioned above, for example, images of the area in front of the user model or bird's-eye view images including the user model. Such images can be generated from virtual space information by assuming a virtual camera in the virtual space.

[0037] The fluid simulation unit 63 acquires virtual space information from the virtual space information database 71 and measures the airflow in the virtual space using a fluid simulation method based on the placement positions of the surrounding environment model, other vehicle models, and user models. The fluid simulation can be performed using software such as OpenFOAM (https: / / www.openfoam.com / ). For example, the fluid simulation unit 63 can calculate the wind speed at any position in the virtual space.

[0038] For example, the fluid simulation unit 63 calculates the wind speed experienced by the user model. To this end, the fluid simulation unit 63 sets a wind speed reference point for the user model and calculates the wind speed at the wind speed reference point. The wind speed reference point is set at the location where the user is located. The location where the user is located corresponds to the position on the user model where the user is sitting on the indoor bike 20. For example, the wind speed reference point is set at a position on the user model that corresponds to the chest position of the user sitting on the indoor bike 20.

[0039] In calculating the wind speed experienced by the user model, the presence of other vehicle models positioned in front of the user model, in addition to the surrounding environment model, has a significant impact. In particular, the presence of a single other vehicle model positioned in front of the user model greatly affects the wind speed calculation. Therefore, the wind speed calculation can be simplified by considering only one other vehicle model positioned in front of the user model.

[0040] Therefore, when performing a fluid simulation, the fluid simulation unit 63 determines the relative position of the user model with respect to other vehicle models in front of it. An example model of the relative position of the user model with respect to other vehicle models is shown in Figure 3. In Figure 3, the positions of other vehicle models are denoted as "other vehicle positions," and typical positions of the user model (own vehicle model) are denoted as "own vehicle positions 1 to 6."

[0041] In the model shown in Figure 3, the Y-axis is set in the direction of travel of other vehicles (other vehicle model) and the own vehicle (own vehicle model), and the X-axis is set perpendicular to the Y-axis. In this model, based on the idea that wind speed only needs to be roughly determined, six own vehicle positions 1 to 6 are set for each other vehicle position. A wind speed reference point P is set for each of the own vehicle positions 1 to 6.

[0042] Vehicle positions 1-3 and vehicle positions 4-6 are positioned side-by-side along the X-axis, with vehicle positions 1 and 4 directly behind the other vehicle positions. Vehicle positions 1-3 are located a distance D1 behind the other vehicle positions along the Y-axis, and vehicle positions 4-6 are located a distance D2 behind the other vehicle positions along the Y-axis. Distances D1 and D2 are the distances from the rear end of the other vehicle positions to the wind speed reference point P for each vehicle position 1-6.

[0043] The fluid simulation unit 63 sets the vehicle's position relative to the positions of other vehicles to one of the six vehicle positions 1 to 6 in the model shown in Figure 3, and performs a fluid simulation under those conditions to calculate the wind speed at the wind speed reference point of the vehicle model.

[0044] Here, on the premise that for safety reasons, the host vehicle model does not approach the other vehicle model closer than the distance D1, and when the host vehicle model is farther from the other vehicle model than the distance D2, the influence of the other vehicle model can be substantially ignored.

[0045] The fluid simulation unit 63 outputs the relative position of the host vehicle model with respect to the other vehicle model (any one of the host vehicle positions 1 to 6) and the wind speed at the wind speed reference point of the host vehicle model to the fan control unit 64.

[0046] The fan control unit 64 controls the fan 40 so as to reproduce the wind speed calculated by the fluid simulation unit 63 at the wind speed reference point of the host vehicle model. For this purpose, the fan control unit 64 acquires the installation position information of the fan 40 from the fan installation position information database 72, and also acquires the air flow characteristic information of the fan 40 from the fan air flow characteristic information database 73.

[0047] The installation position information of the fan 40 is information regarding the relative positional relationship between the fan 40 and the indoor bike 20. For example, the installation position information includes information on the direction of the indoor bike 20 with respect to the air blowing direction of the fan 40 and the distance from the air outlet of the fan 40 to the indoor bike 20. For example, the distance from the fan 40 to the indoor bike 20 is the distance along the air blowing direction of the fan 40.

[0048] A general installation relationship of the indoor bike 20 with respect to the fan 40 is shown in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, usually, the indoor bike 20 is installed at a position at a distance D on the axis of the fan 40 parallel to the air blowing direction toward the fan 40.

[0049] In the installation relationship shown in FIG. 4, the Y-axis is set parallel to the front-rear direction of the indoor bike 20 (in the opposite direction of the air blowing direction of the fan 40), and the X-axis is set perpendicular to the Y-axis. The arrangement relationship between the fan 40 and the indoor bike 20 with respect to the XY axes in this installation relationship corresponds to the arrangement relationship between the other vehicle (other vehicle model) and the host vehicle (host vehicle model) with respect to the XY axes in the model shown in FIG. 3. <0000IOO>Similar to the user's vehicle model in the virtual space, a wind speed reference point P is also set for the indoor bike 20. The wind speed reference point P is set at the chest level of the user riding the indoor bike 20. Distance D is the distance from the air outlet of the fan 40 to the wind speed reference point P of the indoor bike 20.

[0051] The airflow characteristic information of the fan 40 represents the relationship between the output strength of the fan 40 and the wind speed at each position relative to the fan 40. The information for each position relative to the fan 40 includes information about the direction relative to the airflow direction of the fan 40 and information about the distance from the fan 40.

[0052] The airflow characteristics information of the fan 40 is, in one example, represented in a table (tabular format). Figure 5 shows a table representing the airflow characteristics information of the fan 40. In the table shown in Figure 5, the direction relative to the fan 40 is shown in five stages: "60 degrees left", "30 degrees left", "center", "30 degrees right", and "60 degrees right", and the distance from the fan 40 is shown in three stages for each direction: "1m", "2m", and "3m". The output strength of the fan 40 is also shown in three stages: "1", "2", and "3". For each output strength of the fan 40, the wind speed at each position is shown.

[0053] The fan control unit 64 controls the output intensity of the fans 40 to reproduce the wind speed calculated by the fluid simulation unit 63 at the wind speed reference point P set for the indoor bike 20, based on the installation position information and airflow characteristic information of the fans 40. In other words, the fan control unit 64 sets the output intensity of the fans 40 to the output intensity (three options) that gives the wind speed closest to the wind speed calculated by the fluid simulation unit 63 at the position (three candidates) on the table in Figure 5 that is closest to the wind speed reference point P of the indoor bike 20 relative to the fans 40.

[0054] The fan 40 operates at an output intensity set by the fan control unit 64, blowing out wind and providing airflow to the user riding the indoor bike 20. The fan 40 operates at an output intensity that reproduces the wind speed calculated relative to the wind speed reference point P of the vehicle model in the virtual space, at the wind speed reference point P of the indoor bike 20 in the real space that corresponds to the wind speed reference point P of the vehicle model. Therefore, the wind felt by the user riding the indoor bike 20 while watching the display image on the display device 50 is less jarring.

[0055] For example, in the display image of the display device 50, if there are no other vehicle models in front of the user's own vehicle model, the user riding the indoor bike 20 receives wind from the fan 40 that corresponds to the speed of the user's own vehicle model's movement. If there are other vehicle models in front of the user's own vehicle model, the user receives a weaker wind than when there are no other vehicle models.

[0056] Furthermore, when other vehicle models ahead are far away, the user experiences a relatively strong wind, though weaker than when no other vehicle models are present. When other vehicle models ahead are close, the user experiences a weaker wind than when other vehicle models are far away.

[0057] In this way, a user riding the indoor bike 20 while watching the display image on the display device 50 perceives the surrounding environment in the virtual space through the display image on the display device 50 and receives wind that reflects the influence of the surrounding environment. Therefore, the wind that the user receives while watching the display image on the display device 50 will feel less unnatural.

[0058] (Wind Supply System) Next, with reference to Figure 6, the operation of the wind supply system included in the indoor bike system 10 described above will be briefly explained. As mentioned above, the wind supply system includes a detection device 30, a fan 40, and a control device 60, and provides wind to the user of the indoor bike 20. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the wind supply system according to the first embodiment.

[0059] First, in S1, the user position calculation unit 61 calculates the current position of the user model in the virtual space. The virtual space control unit 62 constructs and updates the virtual space including the user model.

[0060] In S2, based on the virtual space updated by the virtual space control unit 62, the fluid simulation unit 63 calculates the wind speed at the wind speed reference point P of the user model through fluid simulation.

[0061] In S3, the fan control unit 64 calculates the output intensity of the fan 40 to reproduce the wind speed at the wind speed reference point P of the user model calculated by the fluid simulation unit 63.

[0062] In S4, the fan control unit 64 controls the fan 40 according to the output intensity calculated in S3.

[0063] (Effects) As described above, in the indoor bike system 10 according to this embodiment, the fluid simulation unit 63 calculates the wind speed at the wind speed reference point of the vehicle model by performing a fluid simulation that includes the presence and relative position of other vehicle models in front of the vehicle model as parameters, and the fan control unit 64 controls the fan 40 to reproduce the wind speed at the wind speed reference point of the vehicle model calculated by the fluid simulation unit 63.

[0064] Therefore, the wind provided to the wind speed reference point of the vehicle model reflects the presence and distance of other vehicles ahead of the vehicle model. As a result, a user operating the indoor bike 20 while viewing the display device 50 can perceive that when another vehicle is present ahead, the other vehicle acts as a windbreak, reducing the strength of the wind received. In other words, the indoor bike system 10 can give the user the sensation of another vehicle being present ahead. In this way, the indoor bike system 10 can provide the user with a wind that feels less unnatural through the fan 40. In other words, the indoor bike system 10 can provide the user with a wind sensation that is close to that of actual riding outdoors.

[0065] (Second Embodiment) Next, an indoor bike system 10A according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 7. Figure 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the indoor bike system 10A according to the second embodiment. In Figure 7, the members indicated by the same reference numerals as those shown in Figure 1 are the same members, and a detailed explanation thereof will be omitted. The following explanation will focus on the differences. In other words, the parts not mentioned in the following explanation are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0066] The indoor bike system 10A according to the second embodiment, compared to the indoor bike system 10 according to the first embodiment, has multiple fans, for example, three fans 40A, 40B, and 40C instead of one fan 40, and has a control device 60A instead of a control device 60.

[0067] The configuration of the indoor bike 20, the detection device 30 (handle angle detection device 31, speed detection device 32), and the display device 50 is as described with respect to the first embodiment.

[0068] Similar to the control device 60, the control device 60A constructs a virtual space that simulates the experience of a user riding the indoor bike 20, constructs a user model, and places the user model in the virtual space. Furthermore, the control device 60A reflects the movement of the user model in the virtual space based on the detection information from the detection device 30 (angle information from the handle angle detection device 31 and speed information from the speed detection device 32). In addition, the control device 60A controls the display image of the display device 50 according to the movement of the user model in the virtual space. These are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0069] In this embodiment, the control device 60A controls the three fans 40 in accordance with the movement of the user model in the virtual space. The control device 60A changes the output intensity, i.e., the airflow, of each of the three fans 40 in accordance with the movement speed of the user model in the virtual space.

[0070] (Control device) Next, the control device 60A will be described with reference to Figure 8. Figure 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the control device 60A in the indoor bike system of Figure 7. In Figure 8, the components indicated by the same reference numerals as those shown in Figure 2 are the same components, and their detailed explanation will be omitted. The following explanation will focus on the differences. In other words, the parts not mentioned in the following explanation are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0071] In comparison with the control device 60 of the first embodiment, the control device 60A has a fluid simulation unit 63A instead of the fluid simulation unit 63, and a fan control unit 64A instead of the fan control unit 64.

[0072] Other components, namely the user position calculation unit 61, virtual space control unit 62, display device control unit 65, virtual space information database 71, fan installation position information database 72, and fan airflow characteristics information database 73, are as described in relation to the first embodiment.

[0073] Similar to the fluid simulation unit 63, the fluid simulation unit 63A acquires virtual space information from the virtual space information database 71 and can calculate the wind speed at any position in the virtual space based on the placement positions of the surrounding environment model, other vehicle models, and user model.

[0074] Furthermore, the fluid simulation unit 63A calculates the wind speed experienced by the user model. For this reason, when performing a fluid simulation, the fluid simulation unit 63A determines the relative position of the user model with respect to other vehicle models in front of it. An example model of the relative position of the user model with respect to other vehicle models is shown in Figure 9. In Figure 9, the positions of the other vehicle models are denoted as "other vehicle positions," and typical positions of the user model (own vehicle model) are denoted as "own vehicle positions 1 to 6."

[0075] In the model shown in Figure 9, similar to the first embodiment, six vehicle positions 1 to 6 are set for each other vehicle position, based on the idea that the wind speed only needs to be roughly determined. The arrangement of the six vehicle positions 1 to 6 with respect to the other vehicle positions is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0076] In the first embodiment, one wind speed reference point P is set for each vehicle position 1 to 6, but in this embodiment, three wind speed reference points Pc, Pl, and Pr are set. The three wind speed reference points Pc, Pl, and Pr for each vehicle position 1 to 6 are located along the X-axis, with wind speed reference point Pc located in the center of each vehicle position 1 to 6, wind speed reference point Pl located to the left of wind speed reference point Pc, and wind speed reference point Pr located to the right of wind speed reference point Pc.

[0077] The wind speed reference points Pc, Pl, and Pr are all set to positions corresponding to the user's position on the indoor bike 20. For example, wind speed reference point Pc is set to a position corresponding to the user's chest on the indoor bike 20, wind speed reference point Pl is set to a position corresponding to the user's left arm, and wind speed reference point Pr is set to a position corresponding to the user's right arm.

[0078] The fluid simulation unit 63A sets the vehicle's position relative to other vehicle positions to one of the six vehicle positions 1 to 6 in the model shown in Figure 9, and performs a fluid simulation under those conditions to calculate the wind speed at the wind speed reference points Pc, Pl, and Pr of the vehicle model.

[0079] The fluid simulation unit 63A outputs the relative position of the vehicle model to other vehicle models (one of vehicle positions 1 to 6) and the wind speed at the wind speed reference points Pc, Pl, and Pr of the vehicle model to the fan control unit 64.

[0080] The fan control unit 64A controls the three fans 40A, 40B, and 40C to reproduce the wind speed calculated by the fluid simulation unit 63 at the wind speed reference points Pc, Pl, and Pr of the vehicle model. To this end, the fan control unit 64A obtains the installation location information of the three fans 40A, 40B, and 40C from the fan installation location information database 72, and also obtains the wind flow characteristic information of the fans 40A, 40B, and 40C from the fan airflow characteristic information database 73.

[0081] The installation position information for fans 40A, 40B, and 40C is information regarding the relative positional relationship between fans 40A, 40B, and 40C and the indoor bike 20. For example, the installation position information includes the direction of the indoor bike 20 relative to the airflow direction of fans 40A, 40B, and 40C, and the distance from the air outlets of fans 40A, 40B, and 40C to the indoor bike 20. For example, the distance from fans 40A, 40B, and 40C to the indoor bike 20 is the distance along the airflow direction of fans 40A, 40B, and 40C.

[0082] Figure 10 shows the installation relationship of the indoor bike 20 with respect to the three fans 40A, 40B, and 40C. The three fans 40A, 40B, and 40C are installed with sufficient spacing along the X-axis perpendicular to the front-to-back direction of the indoor bike 20 so that the air blown by each fan 40A, 40B, and 40C does not interfere with each other.

[0083] The indoor bike 20 is positioned at a distance D on the axis of the central fan 40B, parallel to the direction of airflow from the fan 40B, and facing the central fan 40B. Similar to the user's vehicle model in the virtual space, three wind speed reference points Pc, Pl, and P4 are set for the indoor bike 20. Wind speed reference point Pc is set at the chest level of the user riding the indoor bike 20, wind speed reference point Pl is set at the user's left arm level, and wind speed reference point Pr is set at the user's right arm level. Distance D is, for example, the distance from the air outlet of the central fan 40B to the wind speed reference point Pc of the indoor bike 20.

[0084] The relative positions of the indoor bike 20 with respect to the fans 40A, 40B, and 40C in the installation arrangement shown in Figure 10 correspond to the relative positions of the vehicle itself 1 to 6 with respect to the positions of other vehicles in the model shown in Figure 9. For example, vehicle position 1, which is directly behind the other vehicle, corresponds to the position of the indoor bike 20 relative to the central fan 40B. Similarly, vehicle position 2, which is diagonally to the left and behind the other vehicle, corresponds to the position of the indoor bike 20 relative to the right-side fan 40C. Likewise, vehicle position 3, which is diagonally to the right and behind the other vehicle, corresponds to the position of the indoor bike 20 relative to the left-side fan 40A.

[0085] The airflow characteristic information for fans 40A, 40B, and 40C represents the relationship between the output strength of each fan 40A, 40B, and 40C and the wind speed at each position relative to each fan 40A, 40B, and 40C.

[0086] In this embodiment, fans 40A, 40B, and 40C are the same device and have the same airflow characteristics. That is, the airflow characteristic information for fans 40A, 40B, and 40C is the same for all of them. The airflow characteristic information for each fan 40A, 40B, and 40C is the same as the airflow characteristic information for fan 40 in the first embodiment. In other words, fans 40A, 40B, and 40C all have airflow characteristics represented in the table (tabular format) shown in Figure 5.

[0087] In this embodiment, the airflow characteristic information of fans 40A, 40B, and 40C is the same from the viewpoint of ease of control, but such a requirement is not necessarily required, and the airflow characteristic information of fans 40A, 40B, and 40C may be different.

[0088] The fan control unit 64A controls the three fans 40A, 40B, and 40C according to the relative position of the vehicle model with respect to other vehicle models (any of vehicle positions 1 to 6) and the wind speed at the wind speed reference points Pc, Pl, and Pr of the vehicle model.

[0089] For example, the fan control unit 64A selects one of the three fans 40A, 40B, and 40C to be controlled according to the position of the vehicle model (one of vehicle positions 1 to 6), and controls the airflow of the controlled fan.

[0090] For example, the fan control unit 64A selects the central fan 40B as the control target when the position of the vehicle model relative to other vehicle models is vehicle position 1 or 4, the right-hand fan 40C as the control target when the vehicle position is 2 or 5, and the left-hand fan 40C as the control target when the vehicle position is 3 or 6.

[0091] Furthermore, the fan control unit 64A selects one of three wind speed reference points Pc, Pl, and Pr as the reference point, depending on the fan to be controlled (one of fans 40A, 40B, or 40C), and controls the airflow of the fan to be controlled so as to reproduce the wind speed at the reference point.

[0092] For example, if the fan control unit 64A is the central fan 40B, it selects the central wind speed reference point Pc as the reference point; if it is the right fan 40C, it selects the right wind speed reference point Pr as the reference point; and if it is the left fan 40A, it selects the left wind speed reference point Pl as the reference point.

[0093] The fan control unit 64A controls the output intensity of the fan to be controlled (one of the fans 40A, 40B, or 40C) to reproduce the wind speed calculated by the fluid simulation unit 63 at the reference wind speed reference point set for the indoor bike 20, based on the installation position information and airflow characteristic information of the fan to be controlled (one of the fans 40A, 40B, or 40C) selected according to the relative position of the vehicle model with respect to other vehicle models (one of the vehicle positions 1 to 6), and the reference wind speed reference point (one of the wind speed reference points Pc, Pl, or Pr).

[0094] For example, the fan control unit 64A refers to the table in Figure 5 and sets the output intensity of the fan to be controlled to the output intensity that gives the wind speed closest to the wind speed calculated by the fluid simulation unit 63 at the reference wind speed reference point.

[0095] The controlled fan operates at the output intensity set by the fan control unit 64A, blowing out wind and providing airflow to the user riding the indoor bike 20. The controlled fan operates at an output intensity that reproduces the wind speed calculated relative to the wind speed reference point of the indoor bike 20 in the real world, based on the wind speed calculated relative to the wind speed reference point of the vehicle model in the virtual space. Therefore, the wind felt by the user riding the indoor bike 20 while watching the display image on the display device 50 is less jarring.

[0096] For example, in the display image of the display device 50, if there are no other vehicle models in front of the user's own vehicle model, the user riding the indoor bike 20 receives wind from the fan 40 that corresponds to the speed of the user's own vehicle model's movement. If there are other vehicle models in front of the user's own vehicle model, the user receives a weaker wind than when there are no other vehicle models.

[0097] Furthermore, when other vehicle models ahead are far away, the user experiences a relatively strong wind, though weaker than when no other vehicle models are present. When other vehicle models ahead are close, the user experiences a weaker wind than when other vehicle models are far away.

[0098] Furthermore, if, for example, another vehicle in front is positioned to the left, the user will experience a weaker wind on their left side (e.g., left arm) than in the center (e.g., chest), and a stronger wind on their right side (e.g., right arm). In other words, the user experiences a wind that gradually weakens from the right to the left.

[0099] In this way, a user riding the indoor bike 20 while watching the display image on the display device 50 perceives the surrounding environment in the virtual space through the display image on the display device 50 and receives wind that reflects the influence of the surrounding environment. Therefore, the wind that the user receives while watching the display image on the display device 50 will feel less unnatural.

[0100] (Wind supply system) Next, with reference to Figure 11, the operation of the wind supply system included in the indoor bike system 10A will be briefly explained. Figure 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the wind supply system according to the second embodiment.

[0101] In S11, the user position calculation unit 61 calculates the current position of the user model in the virtual space. The virtual space control unit 62 constructs and updates the virtual space including the user model.

[0102] In S12, based on the virtual space updated by the virtual space control unit 62, the fluid simulation unit 63A calculates the wind speed at the three wind speed reference points Pc, Pl, and Pr set in the user model through fluid simulation.

[0103] In S13, the fan control unit 64A selects one fan to be controlled from the three fans 40A, 40B, and 40C according to the position of the user model (one of the vehicle positions 1 to 6), and also selects one wind speed reference point to be referenced from the three wind speed reference points Pc, Pl, and Pr.

[0104] In S14, the fan control unit 64A calculates the output intensity of the fan to be controlled, which reproduces the wind speed at the wind speed reference point of the user model calculated by the fluid simulation unit 63A.

[0105] In S15, the fan control unit 64A controls the fan to be controlled according to the output strength calculated in S14.

[0106] (Effects) As described above, in the indoor bike system 10A including the wind supply system according to this embodiment, the fluid simulation unit 63A calculates the wind speed at three wind speed reference points Pc, Pl, and Pr of the vehicle model by fluid simulation that includes the presence and relative position of other vehicle models in front of the vehicle model as parameters. The fan control unit 64A selects one fan to be controlled from the three fans 40A, 40B, and 40C and one reference wind speed reference point from the three wind speed reference points Pc, Pl, and Pr, according to the position of the vehicle model relative to other vehicle models (any of vehicle positions 1 to 6), and controls the fan to be controlled to reproduce the wind speed at the reference wind speed reference point of the vehicle model calculated by the fluid simulation unit 63A.

[0107] Therefore, the wind provided to the wind speed reference point of the vehicle model reflects the presence and distance of other vehicles in front of the vehicle model, as well as their lateral position. As a result, the indoor bike system 10A can provide a wind that feels natural to the user operating the indoor bike 20 while viewing the display device 50, using the fans 40A, 40B, and 40C. In other words, the indoor bike system 10A can provide the user with a wind sensation that is close to that of actual riding outdoors.

[0108] (Hardware configuration of the control device) Next, the hardware configuration of the control devices 60 and 60A will be described. For example, the control devices 60 and 60A are hardware-wise composed of a computer. The computer is, for example, a personal computer or a server computer.

[0109] Figure 12 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer 100 that constitutes the control devices 60 and 60A according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 12, the computer 100 includes a processor 111, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 112, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 113, an auxiliary storage device 114, an input / output interface 115, and a communication interface 116.

[0110] The processor 111, ROM 112, RAM 113, auxiliary storage device 114, input / output interface 115, and communication interface 116 are electrically connected to each other via a bus 117, and data is exchanged via the bus 117.

[0111] The processor 111 is composed of a general-purpose hardware processor, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphical Processing Unit). The processor 111 controls the entire system, including the ROM 112, RAM 113, auxiliary storage device 114, input / output interface 115, and communication interface 116.

[0112] ROM 112 is a non-volatile memory that constitutes part of the main memory. ROM 112 non-temporarily stores the startup program necessary for starting the computer 100. The processor 111 starts the computer 100 by executing the program in ROM 112. ROM 112 is, for example, composed of EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) and stores various startup settings in addition to the startup program.

[0113] RAM 113 is a volatile memory that constitutes part of the main memory. RAM 113 temporarily stores the program necessary for processing by the processor 111 and the data necessary for executing the program. By executing the program in RAM 113, the processor 111 performs calculations on the data in RAM 113 and stores the calculation results in RAM 113.

[0114] The auxiliary storage device 114 consists of non-volatile memory such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive). The auxiliary storage device 114 non-temporarily stores programs executed by the processor 111 and data necessary for program execution. The processor 111 reads the programs and data from the auxiliary storage device 114 into the RAM 113 and executes various functions by running the programs.

[0115] The main memory (RAM 113) and auxiliary memory 114 constitute a virtual space information database 71, a fan installation location information database 72, and a fan airflow characteristics information database 73.

[0116] The input / output interface 115 is connected to an external input device 131 and an output device 132, etc., enabling the input of information from the input device 131 and the output of information to the output device 132. For example, the input / output interface 115 may be a wired interface or a wireless interface. A wired interface includes a port to which the device is connected. A wireless interface includes Bluetooth®, WiFi®, etc.

[0117] The input device 131 may include a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, receiver, disk drive, etc. The input device 131 is not limited to these and may include any other input device. The output device 132 may include a display, transmitter, disk drive, etc. The output device 132 is not limited to these and may include any other output device. The input device 131 and the output device 132 may be configured as an input / output device 130 that has the functions of both.

[0118] The communication interface 116 enables communication with the outside world. This allows the control devices 60 and 60A to exchange information with the outside world.

[0119] A program stored non-temporarily in the auxiliary storage device 114 is provided to the computer 100, for example, via a recording medium 150 that is readable by the computer 100 on which the program was stored non-temporarily. Such a recording medium 150 is called a non-temporarily computer-readable recording medium. Non-temporarily computer-readable recording media include disks such as flexible disks, optical disks (CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, etc.), magneto-optical disks (MO, etc.), and semiconductor memory.

[0120] The program stored non-temporarily in the auxiliary storage device 114 includes the wind supply program. The wind supply program is a program that causes the computer 100, which constitutes the control devices 60 and 60A, to execute the functions of the user position calculation unit 61, the virtual space control unit 62, the fluid simulation unit 63, the fan control unit 64, and the display device control unit 65.

[0121] If the recording medium 150 is a disk, the program is read into the auxiliary storage device 114 via the input device 131 (disk drive) and the input / output interface 115, and if the recording medium 150 is a semiconductor memory, it is read into the auxiliary storage device 114 and stored non-temporarily. Alternatively, the program may be stored on a server on a network, downloaded from the server via the communication interface 116, and stored non-temporarily in the auxiliary storage device 114.

[0122] When the computer 100 starts up, the processor 111 executes the program in the ROM 112 and loads the OS into the RAM 113 to start up. The processor 111 monitors instruction inputs and connections of external devices under the control of the OS. The processor 111 also sets up a program area and a data area in the RAM 113 under the control of the OS. In response to the instruction input to start up the control devices 60 and 60A, the processor 111 loads the provided program from the auxiliary storage device 114 into the program area of ​​the RAM 113, and loads the data necessary for program execution from the auxiliary storage device 114 into the data area of ​​the RAM 113. The processor 111 performs calculations on the data in the data area according to the program and writes the calculation results to the data area. Through these operations, the processor 111, RAM 113, auxiliary storage device 114, input / output interface 115, and communication interface 116 work together to execute the functions of each component of the control devices 60 and 60A.

[0123] In the embodiment, an indoor bike system was described as an example of an exercise equipment system, but the exercise equipment system is not limited to an indoor bike system. The exercise equipment system may have other exercise equipment instead of an indoor bike (exercise bike). Such an exercise equipment system may have, for example, a treadmill (running machine), a rowing machine (boat rowing machine), etc. In such an exercise equipment system as well, by providing the user with wind corresponding to the movement of the exercise equipment using the wind supply system described in the embodiment, the user can be made to experience a simulated sensation of receiving wind outdoors.

[0124] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified in various ways during implementation without departing from its essence. Furthermore, each embodiment may be combined as appropriate, and in that case, the combined effects can be obtained. Moreover, the above embodiments include various inventions, and various inventions can be extracted by selecting combinations from the multiple constituent elements disclosed. For example, if the problem can be solved and effects obtained even if some constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiment, then the configuration with these deleted constituent elements can be extracted as an invention.

[0125] 10, 10A...Indoor bike system 20...Indoor bike 30...Detection device 31...Handlebar angle detection device 32...Speed ​​detection device 40, 40A, 40B, 40C...Fan 50...Display device 60, 60A...Control device 61...User position calculation unit 62...Virtual space control unit 63, 63A...Fluid simulation unit 64, 64A...Fan control unit 65...Display device control unit 71...Virtual space information database 72...Fan installation position information database 73...Fan airflow characteristics information database 100...Computer 111...Processor 112...ROM 113...RAM 114...Auxiliary storage device 115...Input / output interface 116...Communication interface 117...Bus 130...Input / output device 131...Input device 132...Output device 150...Recording medium

Claims

1. A wind supply system comprising: a detection device for detecting the movement of exercise equipment used by a user in real space; a fan for providing wind to the user; and a control device for simulating wind for a user model in virtual space based on the detection information of the movement of the exercise equipment by the detection device, and controlling the fan to reproduce the wind for the user model for the user in real space.

2. The wind supply system according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of fans including the aforementioned fan, wherein the control device controls the plurality of fans to reproduce the wind for the user model to the user.

3. A method for providing wind, comprising: detecting the movement of exercise equipment used by a user in real space; simulating wind on a user model in a virtual space based on the detected movement information of the exercise equipment; and controlling a fan to provide wind to the user so as to reproduce the wind on the user model to the user.

4. A wind-providing program that causes a computer having a processor and a storage device to execute at least a portion of the functions of the control device of the wind-providing system described in claim 1.

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