Cardio-fitness station with virtual- reality capability

Abstract

In one embodiment, a stationary exercise station is provided. The stationary exercise station includes a computer which may run a computer program. The computer program simulates the motion of a first virtual bicycle and a second virtual bicycle. The first virtual bicycle and the second virtual bicycle riding through a predetermined landscape. The computer program simulates moving images seen by the virtual rider of the first virtual bicycle while riding through the predetermined landscape. The stationary exercise station also include a video monitor in communication with the computer. The video monitor displays the moving images seen by the virtual rider of the first virtual bicycle while riding through the predetermined landscape. The stationary exercise station also includes steerable handlebars, rotatable pedals, a force resisting pedal rotation, and a movable gear-shifting member. The motion of the virtual bicycle is determined by the steering of the steerable handlebars, rotation of the rotatable pedals, and motion of the moveable gear-shifting member. The force resisting pedal rotation is proportional to the slope experienced by the virtual bicycle riding through the predetermined landscape.

1 : A stationary exercise station comprising: 
 a computer; the computer running a computer program;    a video monitor in communication with the computer;    a stationary bicycle including handlebars and pedals; the pedals being able to rotate;    a force-resisting pedal-rotation mechanism; the force-resisting pedal-rotation mechanism being controlled by the computer program;    a movable member; the movable member mechanically coupled to a first electrical sensor; the first electrical sensor providing a first electrical signal to the computer when the movable member is set in motion;    wherein the electrical signal provided by the first electrical sensor to the computer is used to adjust the force resisting pedal rotation mechanism.    
   
   
       2 . The stationary exercise station of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the stationary bicycle further includes at least one heart-rate monitor; the heart-rate monitor in electrical communication with the computer.    
   
   
       3 . The stationary exercise station of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the handlebars can be steered by the user of the stationary exercise station; the handlebars mechanically coupled to a second electrical sensor; the second electrical sensor providing a second electrical signal to the computer when the handlebars are steered.    
   
   
       4 . The stationary exercise station of  claim 3 , wherein: 
 the second electrical signal is proportional to the degree by which the handlebars are steered.    
   
   
       5 . The stationary exercise station of  claim 4 , wherein: 
 the computer program, upon execution by the computer, simulates a virtual bicycle riding through a predetermined landscape; the forward motion of the virtual bicycle through a predetermined landscape is controlled responsive to the rotation of the pedals and the first electrical signal; the direction of the virtual bicycle determined responsive to the second electrical signal.    
   
   
       6 . The stationary exercise station of  claim 5 , wherein: 
 the computer program displays on the video monitor the image of predetermined landscape as seen in front of the virtual bicycle.    
   
   
       7 . A cardio-fitness station, comprising: 
 a computer; the computer running a computer program; the computer program controlling the computer when executed by the computer;    a video monitor in communication with the computer;    a stationary bicycle including    rotatable pedals,    steerable handlebars, and    a movable member;    a first electrical sensor for sensing the rotation of the rotatable pedals; a second electrical sensor for sensing the degree of steer of the steerable handlebars, a third electrical sensor for sensing the motion of the movable member;    an electrical coupling between the computer program and the first electrical sensor;    an electrical coupling between the computer program and the second electrical sensor;    an electrical coupling between the computer program and the third electrical sensor.    wherein the computer program simulates a motion of a virtual bicycle depending on the input signals from the first electrical sensor, the second electrical sensor, and the third electrical sensor.    
   
   
       8 . The cardio fitness station of  claim 7 , wherein: 
 the computer program displays the image seen in front of the virtual bicycle on the video monitor.    
   
   
       9 . A stationary exercise station, comprising: 
 a computer; the computer suitable for running a computer program; the computer program, when run by the computer, simulating the motion of a virtual bicycle riding through a predetermined landscape; the computer program simulating moving images seen by a virtual rider of the virtual bicycle while riding through the predetermined landscape;    a video monitor in communication with the computer; the video monitor displaying the moving images seen by the virtual rider of the virtual bicycle while riding through the predetermined landscape;    a stationary bicycle including steerable handlebars, rotatable pedals, and a movable gear-shifting member; a pedal-rotation-resisting mechanism;    wherein the motion of the virtual bicycle is determined by the steering of the steerable handlebars, rotation of the rotatable pedals, and motion of the movable gear-shifting member.    
   
   
       10 . The stationary exercise station of  claim 9 , wherein: 
 the pedal-rotation-resisting mechanism providing a resistance to pedal rotation, the resistance being controlled by the computer program;    
   
   
       11 . The stationary exercise station of  claim 10 , further characterized by: 
 the virtual bicycle having a momentary location in the predetermined landscape, the predetermined landscape having a slope at the momentary location of the virtual bicycle;    wherein the resistance to pedal rotation is proportional to the slope at the momentary location of the virtual bicycle in the predetermined landscape.    
   
   
       12 . A stationary exercise station, comprising: 
 a computer; the computer running a computer program; the computer program simulating the motion of a first virtual bicycle and a second virtual bicycle; the first virtual bicycle and the second virtual bicycle riding through a predetermined landscape; the computer program simulating moving images seen by the virtual rider of the first virtual bicycle while riding through the predetermined landscape;    a video monitor in communication with the computer; the video monitor displaying the moving images seen by the virtual rider of the first virtual bicycle while riding through the predetermined landscape;    a stationary bicycle including steerable handlebars, rotatable pedals, and a movable gear-shifting member;    the stationary bicycle providing a resistance to pedal rotation;    wherein the motion of the first virtual bicycle is determined by the steering of the steerable handlebars, rotation of the rotatable pedals, and motion of the movable gear-shifting member.    wherein the resistance to pedal rotation is proportional to the slope experienced by the first virtual bicycle riding through a predetermined landscape.    
   
   
       13 . A cardio-fitness station system comprising: 
 A first stationary exercise station including    a first computer; the first computer running a first computer program; the first computer program simulating the moving images seen by the first virtual rider of a first virtual bicycle while riding through a predetermined landscape;    a first video monitor in communication with the first computer; the first video monitor displaying the moving images seen by the first virtual rider of the first virtual bicycle while riding through the predetermined landscape;    a first stationary bicycle including first steerable handlebars, first rotatable pedals, a first movable gear-shifting member, and a first resistance to pedal rotation; the motion of the first virtual bicycle determined by the steering of the first steerable handlebars, rotation of the first rotatable pedals, and the motion of the first movable gear-shifting member; the first resistance to pedal rotation being proportional to the slope experienced by the first virtual bicycle riding through the predetermined landscape;    A second stationary exercise station including:    a second computer; the second computer running a second computer program; the second computer program simulating moving images seen by a second virtual rider of a second virtual bicycle while riding through the predetermined landscape;    a second video monitor in communication with the second computer; the second video monitor displaying the moving images seen by the second virtual rider of the second virtual bicycle while riding through a predetermined landscape;    a second stationary bicycle including second steerable handlebars, second rotatable pedals, a second movable gear-shifting member, and a second resistance to pedal rotation; the motion of the second virtual bicycle determined by the steering of the second steerable handlebars, rotation of the second rotatable pedals, and motion of the second movable gear-shifting member; the second resistance to pedal rotation proportional to the slope experienced by the second virtual bicycle riding through a predetermined landscape.    wherein a wireless communication is established between the first computer and the second computer.    
   
   
       14 . The cardio-fitness system of  claim 13 , further characterized by 
 the first virtual bicycle may be placed at any location in the predetermined virtual landscape.    
   
   
       15 : The cardio-fitness system of  claim 13 , wherein the first virtual bicycle and the second virtual bicycle jointly ride in the same predetermined landscape.  
   
   
       16 . A stationary exercise station, comprising: 
 a computer; the computer suitable for running a computer program; the computer program, when executed, simulating the motion of a first virtual bicycle and a second virtual bicycle; the first virtual bicycle and the second virtual bicycle riding through a predetermined path in a predetermined landscape; the computer program simulating moving images seen by the virtual rider of the first virtual bicycle while riding through the predetermined path in the predetermined landscape;    a video monitor in communication with the computer; the video monitor displaying the moving images seen by the virtual rider of the first virtual bicycle while riding through the predetermined path;    a stationary bicycle including steerable handlebars, rotatable pedals, a movable gear-shifting member, and a resistance to pedal rotation mechanism;    the motion of the first virtual bicycle is determined by the steering of the steerable handlebars, rotation of the rotatable pedals, and motion of the movable gear-shifting member;    wherein the resistance to pedal rotation provides a resistance that is proportional to the slope experienced by the first virtual bicycle riding through the predetermined path.    
   
   
       17 . The stationary exercise station of  claim 16 , wherein: 
 the motion of the second virtual bicycle is predetermined and independent of the motion of the first virtual bicycle    
   
   
       18 . The stationary exercise station of  claim 16 , wherein: 
 the second virtual bicycle moves at a constant pace on the predetermined path.    
   
   
       19 . The stationary exercise station of  claim 16 , wherein: 
 the second virtual bicycle moves by dissipating constant power on the predetermined path.    
   
   
       20 . The stationary exercise station of  claim 16 , wherein: 
 the motion of the second virtual bicycle is dependent on the motion of the first virtual rider.    
   
   
       21 . The stationary exercise station of  claim 16 , wherein: 
 the second virtual bicycle tails the first virtual bicycle by less than thirty feet on the predetermined path.    
   
   
       22 . The stationary exercise station of  claim 16 , further characterized by: 
 the predetermined path having a length, the second virtual bicycle is set to traverse the length of the predetermined path in a specified time.    
   
   
       23 . The stationary exercise station of  claim 16 , wherein: 
 the predetermined landscape is a computer reconstruction of a real landscape.    
   
   
       24 . The stationary exercise station of  claim 16 , wherein: 
 the predetermined path is a computer reconstruction of a real bicycle path in a real landscape.    
   
   
       25 . A stationary bicycle, comprising: 
 pedals,    an alternator having an alternator shaft; the alternator shaft having the ability to rotate; the alternator shaft being mechanically coupled to the pedals, and    an electronic circuit executing an algorithm for controlling the resistance to turning the pedals; the algorithm having five operational states:    an idle state,    a first state,    a second state,    a run state, and    a shut state;    the first state being entered from the idle state when the pedals are turning; the first state being entered from the second state when the angular velocity of the alternator shaft is less than 1,200 revolutions per minute for longer than two seconds;    the second state being entered from the first state when the angular velocity of the alternator shaft exceeds 1,200 revolutions per minute;    the run state being entered from the second state when the angular velocity of the alternator shaft exceeds 1,200 revolutions per minute for longer than 2 seconds; the run state being entered from the shut state when the angular velocity the alternator shaft exceeds 1,000 revolutions per minute;    the shut state being entered from the run state when the angular velocity of the alternator shaft falls below 1,000 revolutions per minute;    the idle state being entered from the first state when the pedals are not turning for longer than two seconds; the idle state being entered from the shut state when the angular velocity of the alternator shaft remains below 1,000 revolutions per minute longer than two seconds.    
   
   
       26 . A method of exercising, comprising: 
 sitting on a first stationary bicycle equipped with a computer, a video monitor, an input device, steerable handlebars, pedals, and a movable member; the computer running a control program and displaying information to the user on the video monitor;    selecting one of any number of virtual exercise tours displayed on the video monitor by using the input device;    using the steerable handlebars to steer and the pedals on the first stationary bicycle to move forward through a landscape shown on the video monitor;    using the movable member to adjust the ratio between cadence of the pedals and velocity of the forward motion through the landscape shown on the video monitor.    
   
   
       27 . The method of exercising of  claim 26 , further comprising: 
 observing a virtual companion image on the video monitor, the virtual companion image manipulated responsive to actions of a user on a second stationary bicycle separate from the first stationary bicycle.    
   
   
       28 . The method of exercising of  claim 26 , wherein: 
 the second stationary bicycle is physically coupled to the first stationary bicycle.    
   
   
       29 . The method of exercising of  claim 26 , wherein: 
 the second stationary bicycle is coupled to the first stationary bicycle through a network.    
   
   
       30 . A method of exercising, comprising: 
 a first user sitting on a first stationary bicycle equipped with a first computer, a first video monitor, a first input device, first steerable handlebars, first pedals, and a first movable member; the first computer running first control program and displaying first information to the first user on the first video monitor;    a second user sitting on a second stationary bicycle equipped with a second computer, a second video monitor, a second input device, second steerable handlebars, second pedals, and a second movable member; the second computer running a second control program and displaying second information to the second user on the second video monitor;    the first user and the second user selecting a virtual exercise tour; the virtual exercise tour being one of any number of exercise tours displayed on the first video monitor by using the first input device; the first user using the first steerable handlebars to steer and the first pedals on the first stationary bicycle to move forward through a landscape shown on the video monitor; the second user using the second steerable handlebars to steer and the second pedals on the second stationary bicycle to move forward through the landscape shown on the second video monitor;    the first user using the first movable member to adjust the ratio between cadence of the first pedals and forward motion velocity through the landscape shown on the first video monitor; the second user using the second gear-shifting member to adjust the ratio between cadence of the second pedals and forward motion velocity through the landscape shown on the second video monitor;    the first user observing a first virtual bicycle on the first video monitor; the motion of the first virtual bicycle being controlled by pedals and steering of the second user.    
   
   
       31 . The method of exercising of  claim 30 , further comprising: 
 the second user observing a second virtual bicycle on the second video monitor; the motion of the second virtual bicycle being controlled by pedals and steering of the first user.    
   
   
       32 . The method of exercising of  claim 31 , further comprising: 
 a third user sitting on a third stationary bicycle equipped with a third computer, a third video monitor, a third input device, third steerable handlebars, third pedals, and a third movable member; the third computer running a third control program and displaying third information to the third user on the third video monitor;    the third user selecting a virtual exercise tour selected by the first and second users; the third user using the third steerable handlebars to steer and the third pedals on the third stationary bicycle to move forward through a landscape shown on the video monitor;    the third user observing a first virtual bicycle on the third video monitor; the motion of the first virtual bicycle being controlled by pedals and steering of the first user;    the third user observing a second virtual bicycle on the third video monitor; the motion of the second virtual bicycle being controlled by pedals and steering of the second user.    
   
   
       33 . The method of exercising of  claim 31 , wherein: 
 the second stationary bicycle is located in a physically remote location relative to the first stationary bicycle and is coupled to the first stationary bicycle through a network.    
   
   
       34 . The method of exercising of  claim 31 , wherein: 
 the second stationary bicycle is located in the same physical location as the first stationary bicycle and is coupled to the first stationary bicycle through a local network.    
   
   
       35 : A stationary exercise station comprising: 
 a computer; the computer running a computer program;    a video monitor in communication with the computer;    a stationary bicycle including handlebars and pedals; the pedals being able to rotate;    a pedal-rotation-resisting mechanism; the pedal-rotation-resisting mechanism providing a resistance to rotation of pedals; the resistance having a magnitude, the magnitude being controlled by the computer program;    a movable member; the movable member mechanically coupled to a first electrical sensor; the first electrical sensor providing a first electrical signal to the computer when the movable member is set in motion;    wherein the electrical signal provided by the first electrical sensor to the computer is used to adjust the magnitude of the resistance to rotation of pedals.