Exercise simulator and method for encouraging exercise

Abstract

An exercise simulator and a method of encouraging exercise are disclosed. The exercise simulator has a steering component including a user-movable element and a steering sensor. The sensor outputs a sensor signal indicative of the amount of movement of the user-movable element to provide steering input to a computer. The computer has a program and data for providing a visually displayable simulated environment. The visually displayable simulated environment is navigable by user input comprising movement of the user-movable element. The visually displayable simulated environment can be part of a computer animated game.

1 . An exercise simulator comprising
 a steering component including a user-movable element and a steering sensor for outputting a sensor signal indicative of the amount of movement of the user-movable element to provide steering input to a computer;   the computer comprising a program and data for providing a visually displayable simulated environment, the visually displayable simulated environment being navigable by user input comprising movement of the user-movable element, the computer configured to receive the sensor signal.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise simulator of  claim 1  further comprising a display for displaying the visually displayable simulated environment to the user. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise simulator of  claim 1  wherein the user-movable element comprises a user-rotatable element and the user input comprises rotation. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise simulator of  claim 3  wherein the steering sensor is mechanically linked to the steering component so that rotation of the user-rotatable element rotates the steering sensor. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise simulator of  claim 4  wherein the steering sensor comprises an accelerometer. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise simulator of  claim 1  further comprising an electronic circuit capable of converting the sensor signal into a digital signal. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise simulator of  claim 6  wherein the electronic circuit is capable of converting the sensor signal into a mouse format. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise simulator of  claim 1  further comprising a seat and a speed component including user-rotatable cranks. 
     
     
         9 . The exercise simulator of  claim 8  further comprising a speed sensor for outputting a speed signal indicative of the speed of rotation of the user-rotatable cranks to provide a speed input to the computer. 
     
     
         10 . The exercise simulator of  claim 8  wherein the user-movable element of the steering component comprises a handlebar. 
     
     
         11 . The exercise simulator of  claim 10  wherein the steering component further comprises a non-horizontal steering shaft, the steering shaft attached to the handlebars. 
     
     
         12 . The exercise simulator of  claim 11  further comprising a sensor platform rotatable around a substantially horizontal axis, the steering sensor attached to the sensor platform, the steering shaft connected to the sensor platform so that rotation of the steering shaft causes rotation of the sensor platform around the horizontal axis. 
     
     
         13 . The exercise simulator of  claim 12  wherein the steering component further comprises a flange, the flange attached to the steering shaft and connected to the sensor platform by a length adjustable connection member, wherein adjustment of the length of the connection member allows the rotational relationship between the sensor platform and the steering shaft to be calibrated. 
     
     
         14 . The exercise simulator of  claim 13  further comprising a frame and two springs attached to the flange and the frame for centering the steering component. 
     
     
         15 . The exercise simulator of  claim 1  further comprising a user platform for supporting the weight of a user. 
     
     
         16 . The exercise simulator of  claim 15  further comprising a base wherein the user platform is flexibly attached to the base so that the user platform may be tilted. 
     
     
         17 . The exercise simulator of  claim 16  wherein the sensor is an accelerometer attached to the user platform. 
     
     
         18 . The exercise simulator of  claim 16  wherein the user platform is flexibly attached to the base by two or more aligned fasteners, the fasteners inside flexible bushings. 
     
     
         19 . A method of encouraging exercise by simulating an environment comprising
 sensing the movement of a user-movable element;   transmitting a sensor signal indicative of the amount of movement of the user-movable element;   receiving the sensor signal by a computer comprising a program and data for providing a visually displayable simulated environment; and   displaying a simulated environment based on the data and the sensor signal, the simulated environment being navigable by user input comprising movement of the user-movable element.