# US 2014/0155129 A1 · System and method for improving fitness equipment and exercise > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0155129 A1 - Document ID: US20140155129A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/172,859 - Filed: 2014-02-04 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2001-03-08 - Inventors: Brian M. Dugan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140155129A1 ## CPC - 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} - A63B 22/02: with movable endless bands {, e.g. treadmills (other training appliances for running on the spot A63B69/0028)} - 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)} - A63B 22/0605: {performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers} - A63B 24/00: Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; {Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances} - A63B 71/0622: {Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user} - A63F 13/10 - A63F 13/211: using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes - A63F 13/335: using Internet - A63F 13/45: Controlling the progress of the video game - A63F 13/65: automatically by game devices or servers from real world data, e.g. measurement in live racing competition - A63F 13/816: Athletics, e.g. track-and-field sports - A63F 13/85: Providing additional services to players - A63F 13/92: Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing - G16Z 99/00: Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass - A63B 2022/0652: {for cycling in a recumbent position} - A63B 2220/20: Distances or displacements - A63B 2220/34: Angular speed - A63B 2220/40: Acceleration - A63B 2220/62: Time or time measurement used for time reference, time stamp, master time or clock signal - A63B 2230/06: heartbeat rate only - A63B 2230/062: used as a control parameter for the apparatus - A63B 2230/755: used as a control parameter for the apparatus - A63F 2300/69: Involving elements of the real world in the game world, e.g. measurement in live races, real video - A63F 2300/8029: Fighting without shooting - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) - A63F: CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G16Z: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SPECIFIC APPLICATION FIELDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## 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 ### Claim 1 A method of exercise comprising: providing a monitor to determine a level of exercise performance performed by an exerciser and to provide performance level information to a mobile device; receiving performance level requirements for the exerciser set by a third party; providing a video game on the mobile device having a character controlled by the exerciser, the video game inputting and being responsive to the performance level determined by the monitor, the video game using the monitored performance level and the performance level requirements set by the third party to control a performance level of the exerciser controlled video game character; and communicating information regarding the monitored performance level of exercise to the third party; wherein communications with the third party occur via the Internet; and wherein the mobile device suspends video game play if the monitored performance level indicates that the exerciser is overexercising. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein successful completion of the game depends on the performance level requirements set by the third party. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein communicating information regarding performance level of exercise to a third party includes communicating information to an insurance company. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 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. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the third party sets a performance level of exercise by programming the mobile device via the Internet. ### Claim 6 A method of exercise comprising: providing at least one monitor to determine a plurality of levels of exercise performance performed by an exerciser and to provide performance level information to a mobile device; receiving performance level requirements for the exerciser set by a third party; providing a video game on the mobile device 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 and the performance level requirements set by the third party to control multiple performance levels or characteristics of the video game character, the video game including multiple video game characters controlled by multiple exercisers; and communicating information regarding the monitored performance levels of exercise to the third party; wherein communications with the third party occur via the Internet; and wherein the mobile device suspends video game play if the monitored performance level indicates that the exerciser is overexercising. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6 wherein successful completion of the game depends on the performance level requirements set by the third party. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6 wherein communicating information regarding performance level of exercise to a third party includes communicating information to an insurance company. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6 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. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6 wherein the third party sets a performance level of exercise by programming the mobile device via the Internet. ### Claim 11 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6 wherein at least one of the exercisers is in a different location and communicates via the Internet. ### Claim 12 A method of exercise comprising: providing a mobile device that has a video game and that communicates with a monitor to determine a level of exercise performance performed by an exerciser, wherein the mobile device receives performance level requirements for the exerciser set by a third party via the Internet; wherein the video game on the mobile device has a character controlled by the exerciser, the video game inputting and being responsive to performance level information received from the monitor, the video game using the received performance level information and the performance level requirements set by the third party to control a performance level of the exerciser controlled video game character; and communicating information regarding the monitored performance level of exercise to the third party; wherein communications with the third party occur via the Internet; and wherein the mobile device suspends video game play if the monitored performance level indicates that the exerciser is overexercising. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 wherein successful completion of the game depends on the performance level requirements set by the third party. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 wherein communicating information regarding performance level of exercise to a third party includes communicating information to an insurance company. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 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. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 wherein the third party sets a performance level of exercise by programming the mobile device via the Internet.