Body joystick for interacting with virtual reality or mixed reality machines or software applications with brainwave entrainment

Abstract

A system and method for integration of body movement computer gaming control and brainwave entrainment comprising an attachment device configured to be attached to a portion of a user's body, a sensor attached to or integrated into the attachment device for detecting movement, a stimulation transducer for providing brainwave entrainment therapy, and a tether and actuator for providing feedback to the user about interactions with the virtual or mixed-reality machines or software applications.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for integration of body movement computer gaming control and brainwave entrainment, comprising:
 an attachment device configured to be attached to a portion of a user's body;   a sensor attached to, or integrated into, the attachment device, and configured to detect movement of at least a portion of a user's body during use;   a stimulation transducer configured to provide stimulation to the user;   a computing device comprising a memory and a processor;   a brainwave entrainment manager comprising a first plurality of programming instructions stored in the memory which, when operating on the processor, causes the computing device to:   receive movement data from the sensor of the attachment device;   select a brainwave entrainment therapy for application based on the received movement data, the therapy comprising a stimulation frequency;   operate the stimulation transducer at a stimulation frequency;   transmit the movement data to a virtual reality or mixed reality machine or software application;   receive data back from the virtual reality or mixed reality machine or software application based on the user's interactions within the virtual reality or mixed reality environment; and   direct the operation of the actuator based on the received data.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment device comprises a strap, belt, vest, waist harness, or other device wearable on the human body. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more tethers attached to, or integrated into, the attachment device, and configured to resist a movement of the user during use, each of the one or more tethers being attached to an actuator configured to draw in or let out the corresponding tether. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is a motor with a reel configured to reel in or let out the tether. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the stimulation transducer is a transducer configured to provide either visual, auditory, vibratory, or electrical stimulation. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the brainwave entrainment therapy comprises operating the stimulation transducer to provide either visual, auditory, vibratory, or electrical stimulation at a stimulation frequency between 0.5 Hz and 100 Hz. 
     
     
         7 . A method for integration of body movement computer gaming control and brainwave entrainment, comprising the steps of:
 measuring the movement of a user using a body joystick attached to the user's body, the body joystick comprising:
 an attachment device configured to be attached to a portion of a user's body; 
 a sensor attached to, or integrated into, the attachment device, and configured to detect movement of at least a portion of the user's body during use; and 
 a stimulation transducer configured to provide stimulation to the user; 
   receiving movement data from the sensor of the attachment device;   selecting a brainwave entrainment therapy for application based on the received movement data, the therapy comprising a stimulation frequency;   operating the stimulation transducer at a stimulation frequency;   transmitting the body joystick movement data to a virtual reality or mixed reality machine or software application;   receiving data back from the virtual reality or mixed reality machine or software application based on the user's interactions within the virtual reality or mixed reality environment; and   directing the operation of the actuator based on the received data.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , comprising the additional step of attaching the joystick to the user's body using a strap, belt, vest, waist harness, or other device wearable on the human body. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the body joystick further comprises one or more tethers attached to, or integrated into, the attachment device, and configured to resist a movement of the user during use, each of the one or more tethers being attached to an actuator configured to draw in or let out the corresponding tether. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the actuator is a motor with a reel configured to reel in or let out the tether. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the stimulation transducer is a transducer configured to provide either visual, auditory, vibratory, or electrical stimulation. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the brainwave entrainment therapy comprises operating the stimulation transducer to provide either visual, auditory, vibratory, or electrical stimulation at a stimulation frequency between 0.5 Hz and 100 Hz.