US 5,466,200 A · Interactive exercise apparatus

Abstract

An interactive exercise apparatus engages a user's mind and body. The apparatus comprises an exercise mechanism and a steering mechanism for manipulation by the user to achieve exercise and to indicate a direction of motion. A simulated environment is generated by a computer and displayed on a display system for the user. The user manipulates the exercise mechanism and the steering mechanism to freely navigate through the simulated environment. The computer monitors the exercise mechanism and the steering mechanism to determine user position in the simulated environment. The display is periodically updated by the computer to provide a continuous visual display of the user's position as the user travels through the simulated environment. A plurality of the interactive exercise apparatus can be networked together to allow group participation in the simulated environment.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A networkable exercise apparatus, comprising:

an exercise mechanism which a user manipulates to achieve exercise;
a steering mechanism disposed proximate the exercise mechanism which the user manipulates to indicate direction of motion;
a computer for generating a simulated environment and for monitoring user manipulation of the exercise mechanism and the steering mechanism to determine user position in the simulated environment, the computer including a network interface to allow communication over a communication channel with at least one other such exercise apparatus;
and
a display system spaced from the user and coupled to the computer for providing a visual display of at least the user's position in the simulated environment;
the computer being configured to enable the user to (i) travel substantially unrestricted throughout the simulated environment by manipulating the exercise mechanism and the steering mechanism, (ii) modify user's course while traveling within the simulated environment, and (iii) participate in user selectable activities within the simulated environment.

3 more elements

An exercise system, comprising:

(A) a first networkable exercise apparatus which comprises:
(a1) a first exercise mechanism which a first user manipulates to achieve exercise;
(a2) a first steering mechanism disposed proximate the first exercise mechanism which the first user manipulates to indicate direction of motion;
(a3) a first computer for generating a simulated environment and for monitoring user manipulation of the first exercise mechanism and the first steering mechanism to determine the first user's position in the simulated environment, the first computer including a first network interface to allow communication over a communication channel;
and
(a4) a first display system spaced from the first user and coupled to the first computer for providing a visual display of at least the first user's position in the simulated environment;
the first computer being configured to enable the first user to (i) travel substantially unrestricted throughout the simulated environment by manipulating the first exercise and steering mechanisms, (ii) modify user's course while traveling within the simulated environment, and (iii) participate in user selectable activities within the simulated environment;
and
(B) a second networkable exercise apparatus which comprises:
(b1) a second exercise mechanism which a second user manipulates to achieve exercise;
(b2) a second steering mechanism disposed proximate the second exercise mechanism which the second user manipulates to indicate direction of motion;
(b3) a second computer for generating the simulated environment and for monitoring user manipulation of the second exercise mechanism and the second steering mechanism to determine the second user's position in the simulated environment, the second computer including a second network interface to allow communication with the first computer of the first networkable exercise apparatus;
and
(b4) a second display system spaced from the second user and coupled to the second computer for providing a visual display of at least the second user's position in the simulated environment;
the second computer being configured to enable the second user to (i) travel substantially. unrestricted throughout the simulated environment by manipulating the second exercise and steering mechanisms, (ii) modify user's course while traveling within the simulated environment, and (iii) participate in user selectable activities within the simulated environment.

12 more elements

An exercise system, comprising:

(A) a plurality of networkable exercise apparatus each comprising:
(i) an exercise mechanism which a user manipulates to achieve exercise,
(ii) a steering mechanism disposed proximate the exercise mechanism which the user manipulates to indicate direction of motion,
(iii) a computer for generating a simulated environment and for monitoring user manipulation of the exercise and steering mechanisms to determine the user's position in the simulated environment, the computer including a network interface to allow communication over a communication channel, and
(iv) a display system spaced from the user and coupled to the computer for providing a visual display of at least the user's position in the simulated environment;
the computer being configured to enable the user to (i) travel substantially unrestricted throughout the simulated environment by manipulating the exercise mechanism and the steering mechanism, (ii) modify user's course while traveling within the simulated environment, and (iii) participate in user selectable activities within the simulated environment;
and
(B) a central processing station to which is connected each of the plurality of networkable exercise apparatus via its respective network interface and through which passes all communications between the plurality of networkable exercise apparatus.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Interactive exercise apparatus

Life of this patent

Interactive exercise apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24