Exercise devices – Having specific electrical feature – Equipment control
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-17
2001-01-30
Richman, Glenn E. (Department: 3764)
Exercise devices
Having specific electrical feature
Equipment control
C482S002000, C482S902000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06179746
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not applicable.
BACKGROUND—FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to audio-visual systems, specifically to such a device which will require a level of physical activity be maintained in order for the user to experience audio-visual information such as from broadcasts, playing videos or video games and thus adding a physical activity to an otherwise sedentary one.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX
Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is a well known fact that children and young adults watch too much television and play too many video games at the expense of getting enough physical activity. Various types of systems coupling exercise equipment to a television are well known in the art. In spite of numerous earlier patents and applications, such products are still not available in fitness, toy stores, electronic or computer shops. Past patents have not satisfied the requirements of being inexpensive, easy to use, and readily available. Solutions of the following types have been presented in earlier patents.
Perhaps the first one of these solutions is that of U.S. Pat. No. 4,298,893 to Hohnes in which an exercise bicycle is used to generate electricity to power a television set. While it is simple in theory, it is not inexpensive or easy to implement.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,542,897 to Melton et al., a circuit allows the play of a video game if the user maintains a predetermined level of physical effort. This is a complex dedicated system that is not easily adapted for use in a home setting.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,104 to Andrus et al., a physical exercise machine is connected to a video system through the use of a computer and the resultant effect is used to control the load resistance imposed in opposition to the movement of the pedals while optionally participating in a video game. This is a complex system that is not easily configured for economical home use.
The system shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,976,435 to Shatford et al., is a complex device which allows the user to play video games while exercising thus missing a most important target goal of being inexpensive and easily used.
An interface to game console using game software. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,512,567 to Phillips and U.S. Pat. No. 4,637,605 to Ritchie, describe equipment that allow playing a video game while using an the exercise bicycle as long as the bicycle is being pedaled fast enough. The utility of these systems is questionable since they require the use of a specially designed bicycle or complicated mechanical add ons.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,001,632 to Hall-Tipping discloses a combination of a video game system and an exercise device whereby the play action is controlled by reference to the exerciser's heart rate and the output level of the exercise device. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,362,069 to Hall-Tipping the difficulty level of the exercise is controlled in an interactive fashion. Both systems are complex and expensive.
Apparatus for connecting an exercise bicycle to a computer U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,990 to Virkkala, describes an electronic circuit for connecting an exercise bicycle to a computer allowing the user to play some computer games and control the speed of a character in the game. While this apparatus solves some of the deficiencies of the other systems noted, it requires the use of a computer and it does not work with television or other audio-visual systems.
There have been devices in the past which attempt to restrict the amount of time television is watched but these involved the use of a token operated system as in U.S. Pat. No. 4,566,033 to Reidenouer. This system has a number of pitfalls such as the possible pooling of and selling of tokens and the fact that it controls the power source of the device. Most modem equipment will not function properly if they are totally disconnected from their power source. This is certainly not an appropriate method for control of devices such as audio-video tape players, computers or video games which can be damaged by this technique.
The system described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,142,358 to Jason is another complicated circuit which is not easily implemented and again since it controls the power source of the device is not suitable for such things as tape players, computers, video games or even modem televisions which have functions that require an uninterrupted source of power.
Regardless of how well the earlier inventions perform in their intended environment, none of them are suitable if the user wishes to employ an activity such as bicycling or other exercise in a home environment in an economical and easy to use way. These prior systems have been complicated, expensive, and not easily implemented, thus severely limiting their use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a simplified and inexpensive system that can be easily hooked up between a user sensory interfaces's input connection such as that on a television, radio, speaker, audio cassette or disc player or even a computer and the input signal such as the antenna, cable system, audio-video player, video game, audio signal or computer CPU, which will permit the use of the user sensory interface only when the user is physically active.
It is an another object of the invention to provide a physical activity audio-visual system that is low cost thus will make it more widely available because it will be economical to purchase, thus it will be able to help more people.
It is an another object of the invention to provide a physical activity audio-visual system that is simple in its design so that it makes it easy to manufacture, assemble, and use.
It is an another object of the invention to provide a physical activity audio-visual system that requires no other expensive or complicated equipment be used or purchased.
It is an another object of the invention to provide a physical activity audio-visual system that its use will not damage sensitive electronic and electro-mechanical devices.
It is an another object of the invention to provide a physical activity audio-visual system that can be easily adapted for a wide range of exercise equipment.
It is an another object of the invention to provide a physical activity audio-visual system that can be added on to a variety of equipment by the end user or be an integral part of the original equipment manufacture.
The above and other objects and advantages are fulfilled by the invention, which is an activity controlled audio-visual system, activated by a physical activity, typically but not limited to exercise on a piece of exercise equipment. The system includes an input signal source such as from a television signal, video player, audio player, video game or computer. A user sensory interface such as a speaker, television or computer monitor is used to interface or convey the input signal information to the user. A means to control how or whether the input signal is connected to the user sensory interface. This is typically, but not limited to a switch box that has input, output and control connections and is connected in between the input signal source and the user sensory interface such that the switch box can turn on and off the input signal based on the state of the switch box. The state of the switch box is dependant on the signal presented to its control input by a sensor which monitors the physical activity. The term switch box is used to describe a means to control the input signal in relation to the user sensory interface and to the sensed activity. It may be a separate circuit or device from the other components of the invention or may be built into, or as part of, the signal source, user sensory interface, sensor device, or activity device.
Thus, in addition to a system which can be attached to an existing piece of exercise equipment or be adapted to work with any activity requiring some physical effort and which controls an existing user sensory interface, the invention further includes any system i
Levisohn, Lerner, Berger & Levisohn
Richman Glenn E.
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