Interactive step-type gymnastics practice device

Abstract

The invention relates to an interactive gymnastics practice device which is used together with an image and sound system forming the gymnastics program to be followed by a user, comprising a first level of generally-pressure-sensitive surfaces, the surfaces extending essentially in a continuous manner and in substantially the same plane. The invention is characterized in that the device comprises at least one second level of surfaces which are pressure sensitive or which can control an action in response to a pressure, the second level surfaces extending essentially in a continuous manner and in substantially the same plane.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for doing interactive gymnastics in association with an image and sound system constituting a gymnastics program to be followed by a user, said device being a block comprising:
 one top surface for receiving the feet of a user;   at least two analog weight sensors each able to produce a signal that varies depending on the weight applied by the feet of the user on the top surface for causing an action to take place in response to the signal;   at least one command button located on a vertical side of said block;   a connection unit arranged to transmit signals to the image and sound system;   wherein said connection unit transmits to the image and sound system the said signals produced by said at least two weight sensors and coming from said at least one control button placed on the block, accompanied by a specific identifier signal indicative of an identity of the device.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the block is parallelepiped. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said device is arranged to recognize the weight of said block. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein said device is self calibrating. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein a difference in a signal sent by a first one of the said at least two analog weight sensors and a signal sent by a second one of the said at least two analog weight sensors is indicative of a position of the user on the top surface. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said weight sensors are located under said block. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 6 , wherein said block comprises four weight sensors under said block. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 7 , wherein said block comprises four legs located under said block. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein said block comprises a mechanism for increasing or reducing the height of said top surface. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein said at least two weight sensors are pressure-sensitive sensors. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said block is protuberant from floor when laid on said floor. 
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 1  wherein said block comprises Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). 
     
     
         13 . The use of the device of  claim 1  wherein the signals sent to the image and sound system cause a response in a choreography program. 
     
     
         14 . The use of the device of  claim 1  wherein the signals sent to the image and sound system cause a response in a step program. 
     
     
         15 . A device for doing interactive gymnastics in association with an image and sound system constituting a gymnastics program to be followed by a user, said device being a block comprising:
 one top surface for receiving the feet of a user;   at least two analog weight sensors each able to produce a signal that varies depending on the weight applied by the feet of the user on the top surface for causing an action to take place in response to the signal;   a connection unit arranged to transmit signals to the image and sound system;   wherein the number of different signals transmitted by the device to the image and sound system is less than or equal to the number of different signals transmitted by a conventional game pad to the image and sound system.   
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein each of said signals transmitted by said at least two weight sensors is accompanied by a specific identifier signal indicative of an identity of the device. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein said block is protuberant from floor when laid on said floor. 
     
     
         18 . A device for doing interactive gymnastics in association with an image and sound system constituting a gymnastics program to be followed by a user, said device being a block comprising:
 one top surface for receiving the feet of a user;   at least two analog weight sensors each able to produce a signal that varies depending on the weight applied by the feet of the user on the top surface for causing an action to take place in response to the signal;   at least one command button located on a vertical face of said block;   a connection unit arranged to transmit signals to the image and sound system.   
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein said block is protuberant from floor when laid on said floor. 
     
     
         20 . The device according to  claim 18 , wherein a difference in a signal sent by a first one of the said at least two analog weight sensors and a signal sent by a second one of the said at least two analog weight sensors is indicative of a position of the user on the top surface.