| Rotary game controller and method of facilitating user exercise during video game play -> Monitor Keywords |
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Rotary game controller and method of facilitating user exercise during video game playRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, Having Specific Electrical FeatureRotary game controller and method of facilitating user exercise during video game play description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070219050, Rotary game controller and method of facilitating user exercise during video game play. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/771,878, entitled "Rotary Game Controller and Method of Facilitating User Exercise During Video Game Play" and filed Feb. 10, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND [0002] Obesity is currently considered an epidemic and is blamed for a host of physical, social and economic problems. The risk of obesity increases for children within certain groups. For example, childhood obesity rates are higher in lower socioeconomic communities since children in these groups tend to remain indoors and engage in sedentary activities (e.g., such as playing video games) that provide minimal physical activity (or exercises) and burn fewer calories. This lack or reduced amount of physical activity tends to cultivate weight problems (or obesity) for the children. [0003] Accordingly, the present invention relates to game controllers and exercise systems of the types disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,121,982 (Feldman) and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos.: 2006/0260395 (Feldman et al.), 2006/0223634 (Feldman et al.), 2005/0130742 (Feldman et al.) and 2004/0180719 (Feldman et al.). The disclosures of the aforementioned patent and patent application publications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. In particular, the present invention pertains to a rotary type of game controller or exercise device enabling users to interact with a video game based on user exercise. This enables users to perform physical activity, while interacting with the video game. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] According to the present invention, a game controller enables a user to perform exercises to control a gaming or virtual reality scenario. The game controller or exercise device includes an exercise structure and control circuitry. The exercise structure enables a user seated on a rotatable support member to apply forces to rotate the support member and user body. The rotation of the user on the exercise structure is measured and utilized to control the game scenario. [0005] The above and still further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of specific embodiments thereof, particularly when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals in the various figures are utilized to designate like components. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0006] FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a rotary type game controller or exercise device according to the present invention. [0007] FIG. 2 is a top cut-away view of the game controller of FIG. 1. [0008] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary control circuit for the game controller of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0009] A rotary type game controller or exercise device according to the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-2. Initially, a rotary type game controller or exercise device 100 according to the present invention may be coupled to a game processor 200. The game processor may be coupled to a monitor 300 to display a game scenario. The game processor includes a storage drive and/or unit to receive computer readable media (e.g., CD, DVD, etc.) containing software for various games and a processing device to execute the software to provide games on the monitor. The game processor may be implemented by any conventional or other processing or gaming system (e.g., microprocessor system, personal computer, video gaming system, etc.). For example, the game processor may be implemented by conventional video games, such as PS2 available from Sony, XBOX available from Microsoft or GAMECUBE available from Nintendo. Alternatively, game controller 100 may include a processor (FIG. 3) with software for various gaming applications, and be coupled directly to monitor 300 to display a game scenario as described below. [0010] The games generally include characters or objects that are controlled by a user via a controller. For example, the user may control movement and actions of a character or a vehicle (e.g., car, airplane, boat, etc.) to move through a virtual environment displayed on a monitor. The controller includes a plurality of input devices (e.g., joystick, buttons, etc.) to enable a user to interact with the game. A processor executing a gaming application receives signals from the controller and updates a corresponding display to reflect the movements and/or actions of the character or object as indicated by user manipulation of the controller. [0011] Game controller 100 of the present invention enables a user to perform exercises to control a game scenario. In particular, game controller or exercise device 100 includes an exercise structure 10 and control circuitry 50. The exercise structure enables a user seated on a rotatable support member to apply forces to rotate the support member and user body. The rotation of the user on the exercise structure is measured and utilized to control the game scenario as described below. Game controller 100 is preferably utilized for vehicle steering applications (e.g., the rotation of the support member controls steering of a vehicle within a game scenario); however, the game controller may be utilized with any suitable gaming applications, where the support member rotation may be utilized to control any desired functions (e.g., throttle, direct objects or characters, accelerator and/or braking functions, etc.) within the game scenario The exercise structure may be of the types disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,170,687 (Lugger) and 3,873,087 (Burkart et al.), the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. By way of example only, exercise structure 10 includes a base 12, a rotatable support member 14, a post 16 and a handle or grip 18. Base 12 is in the form of a substantially circular dish including a substantially circular platform 15 with a peripheral wall or lip 24 extending upward from the peripheral edge of platform 15. Support member 14 is in the form of a substantially circular dish including a substantially circular platform 17 with a peripheral wall 23 extending from the peripheral edge of platform 17. Support member 14 includes dimensions greater than those of base 12 and is disposed above, and in facing relation to, the base with peripheral walls 23, 24 extending toward each other. Support member 14 is basically disposed over the base with base peripheral wall 24 being encompassed by support member peripheral wall 23. [0012] Post 16 is generally conical and disposed at a substantially central location of base 12 and support member 14. The post extends upward from the base and support member, where handle or grip 18 is disposed at an upper portion of the post. The handle is in the form of a substantially circular disk and is mounted on the post upper portion with the handle longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the post longitudinal axis (e.g., basically forming a `T`-type configuration). The handle includes dimensions greater than the transverse dimensions of the post, where the handle extends beyond the post periphery to enable user hands to engage the handle and rotate support member 14 as described below. The post, handle and base are stationary with respect to support member 14. The post includes a length sufficient to enable a user to attain a seated position on exercise structure 10 with user legs disposed between support member 14 and handle 18 and the post positioned between the user legs. [0013] In order to facilitate rotation of support member 14 (e.g., relative to base 12 and about post 16 and handle 18), the base includes an annular groove 20 (FIG. 2) with a series of ball bearings 22 (e.g., marbles, metal balls, etc.) disposed therein. Support member 14 is disposed on base 12 with a support member bottom surface in contact with the ball bearings. Bearings 22 basically function as rollers to enable rotation of support member 14 relative to base 12. The rotation of support member 14 is measured to control a game scenario as described below. [0014] Handle 18 includes a plurality of input devices preferably disposed on a handle top surface to control the game scenario. By way of example, the handle may include a joystick 42 and a series of input buttons 44. The joystick and support member may be selectively configured or assigned to game functions as described in the aforementioned patent and/or patent application publications. Basically, support member 14 may serve the function of a second controller joystick or other input device (e.g., a steering wheel, etc.) with respect to a game. The exercise structure generally includes respective signal sources (e.g., variable resistor or potentiometers) to provide signals indicating joystick motion along X (e.g., left/right motions) and Y (e.g., forward/back motions) axes. However, the exercise structure may include any quantity of any type of input devices (e.g., buttons, switches, a keypad, joystick, etc.) and corresponding signal sources disposed at any location and arranged in any fashion on the structure. The buttons and joystick may be utilized to enter any desired information (e.g., enter desired user actions for the game, game and/or options selection, etc.). Further, the handle may include input devices to control function assignment of the input devices as described in the aforementioned patent and/or patent application publications. The assignment input devices may be implemented by any conventional or other input devices (e.g., buttons, slides, switches, etc.). [0015] The exercise structure typically includes one or more sensors 54 to measure rotation of support member 14. The sensors may be implemented by any conventional or other sensors and sensor arrangements to measure the support member rotation (e.g., potentiometers, accelerometers, contacts, switches, encoders, etc.). For example, the sensors may be in the form of one or more encoders typically including a light source, a light detector and a wheel disposed between the light source and detector and including a plurality of slots defined therein. The wheel is coupled to the support member and turns in response to support member rotation. The turning of the slotted wheel intermittently blocks the light source (e.g., the slots intermittently enable passage of light through the wheel), thereby providing light pulses to the detector. The signals from the detector indicate detection of the light pulses, where the quantity and pattern of pulses detected indicate the amount and/or direction of rotation of the wheel and, hence, support member 14. Alternatively, the sensors may be in the form of potentiometers with a resistance that is varied in proportion to the rotation of the support member (e.g., the resistance control may be coupled to the support member to vary the resistance in accordance with the support member rotation). In addition, a series of contacts or switches may be disposed within structure 10 about the bottom portion of post 16, where an actuating member or contact is disposed on the support member and actuates or contacts the stationary switches as the support member rotates. The particular switches or contacts actuated indicate the amount and/or direction of support member rotation. The sensors are connected to control circuitry 50 within the exercise structure via appropriate wiring, where game controller 100 provides appropriate information to game processor 200 or monitor 300. The sensor measurements are processed to determine the support member rotation and to display a video game scenario as described below, where the scenario is updated in accordance with the rotation of support member 14 by the user. [0016] A display 46 may further be disposed on the top surface of handle 18 to display various information to the user (e.g., the amount of rotation, the amount of work performed by the user during a particular exercise session, the game scenario, time or elapsed time and/or any other exercise or game related information). The display is preferably implemented by a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), but may be any type of display (e.g., LED, etc.) and may include speakers or other audio devices to provide audio. [0017] Referring to FIG. 3, control circuitry 50 is preferably disposed within base 12 and includes a processor 52 and one or more sensors 54 measuring rotation of support member 14. The processor is coupled to sensors 54, joystick 42, buttons 44 and display 46. A conventional power supply (not shown) provides appropriate power signals to each of the game controller components. The game controller may be powered by a battery and/or any other suitable power source (e.g., game processor, etc.). A power switch (not shown) may further be included to activate the circuit components. [0018] The signals from the sensors, buttons and joystick are transmitted to a respective predetermined memory location within processor 52. The processor may be implemented by any conventional or other processor and may include circuitry and/or convert analog signals from the various devices to digital values for processing. The processor samples the memory locations at predetermined time intervals (e.g., preferably on the order of ten milliseconds or less) to continuously process information (e.g., determine input device manipulation, determine rotation of support member 14, etc.) to update and/or respond to an executing gaming application. The processor may process raw digital values in any fashion to account for various calibrations or to properly adjust the values within quantization ranges for digitized analog signals. In addition, the processor further facilitates display of certain exercise, game or other related information on display 46 as described above. The processor receives the rotation measurements from sensors 54 and/or other information from the input devices (e.g., joystick 42, buttons 44, etc.) to determine support member rotation and input device manipulation, and may provide various information for display to a user (e.g., the amount of work performed by the user during a particular exercise session, a game scenario, time or elapsed time and/or any other exercise or game related information). [0019] Processor 52 may process and arrange the received signals into suitable data packets for transmission to game processor 200. In this case, the data packets are in a format resembling data input from a standard peripheral device (e.g., game controller, etc.). For example, the processor may construct a data packet that includes the status of all controller input devices (e.g., joystick 42, buttons 44, etc.) and the processed values from each sensor 54. By way of example only, the data packet may include header information, X-axis information indicating a joystick measurement along this axis, Y-axis information indicating a joystick measurement along this axis, rudder or steering information in the form of rotation information for support member 14, throttle or rate information and additional information relating to the status of input devices (e.g., buttons, etc.). Additional packet locations may be associated with data received from other input devices connected with the processor, where the input devices represent additional operational criteria for the scenario (e.g., the firing of a weapon in the scenario when the user presses an input button, throttle, etc.). The game processor processes the information or data packets in substantially the same manner as that for information received from a conventional peripheral (e.g., game controller, etc.) to update and/or respond to an executing gaming application (e.g., game, etc.). 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