Variable-resistance exercise machine with wireless communication for smart device control and virtual reality applications

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9849333-B2
Application number	US-201615219115-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 25, 2016
Priority date	Aug 31, 2012
Publication date	Dec 26, 2017
Grant date	Dec 26, 2017

Abstract

A variable-resistance exercise machine with wireless communication for smart device control and interactive software applications, comprising a wireless network interface that receives input from a user device and provides output to a user device; a plurality of moving surfaces that each provide an independent degree of resistance to movement based on received input and that detect movement and provide output to a user device based on the movement; and a plurality of rigid rails that provide a rigid support for a human user to grasp, and that provide attachment points for a user to affix a variety of devices.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A variable-resistance exercise machine with wireless communication for smart device control and interactive software applications, comprising:
a wireless network interface configured to communicate with a plurality of user devices via a network, and configured to receive input from a connected user device and configured to provide output to a connected user device, the input comprising at least a user interaction received via an interactive software application operating on a user device and the output comprising at least a user interaction received via a user device;
a plurality of moving surfaces each configured to provide an independent degree of resistance to movement, the degree of resistance being based at least in part on received input from a user device, and configured to detect movement, produce a user interaction based at least in part on detected movement, and provide the user interaction as output to an interactive software application operating on a user device, the output being based at least in part on the detected movement; and
a plurality of rigid rails configured to provide a rigid support for a human user to grasp during movement, and configured to provide a plurality of immovable attachment points for a user to affix a variety of external user devices.

2. The exercise machine of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of steps configured to assist a human user in mounting and dismounting the exercise machine safely.

3. The exercise machine of claim 1 , further wherein at least a portion of the plurality of moving surfaces comprises an integrally-formed textured surface configured to provide adequate purchase when pressure is applied by a portion of the user's body.

4. The exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein a user device comprises a physical therapist's mobile device.

5. The exercise machine of claim 4 , wherein a user device comprises a wearable computing device.

6. The exercise machine of claim 1 , wherein the interactive software application comprises a virtual reality application.

7. A method for providing rehabilitative care using a variable-resistance exercise machine with wireless communication for smart device control and interactive software applications, comprising the steps of:
connecting, using a wireless network interface configured to communicate with a plurality of user devices via a network, and configured to receive input from a connected user device and configured to provide output to a connected user device, to a user device;
receiving input from the user device;
varying the resistance of at least a portion of a plurality of moving surfaces each configured to provide an independent degree of resistance to movement, the degree of resistance being based at least in part on received input from a user device, and configured to detect movement and provide output to a user device, the output being based at least in part on the detected movement, the resistance being based at least in part on the input from the user device;
detecting movement comprising at least a user's ability to counter the resistance of at least a portion of the moving surfaces; and
providing output to the user device based at least in part on the detected movement.

Assignees

• Blue Goji Llc

Inventors

• Fung Coleman

Classifications

• A63F13/65

  automatically by game devices or servers from real world data, e.g. measurement in live racing competition · CPC title

• G06F3/011

  Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality (blind teaching G09B21/00) · CPC title

• A63B22/06

  with {support elements performing a} rotating cycling movement, {i.e. a closed path movement}(support stands for bicycles A63B69/16; unicycles B62K1/00) · CPC title

• A63F13/212

  using sensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat or leg activity · CPC title

• G06F3/016

  Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user · CPC title