Systems and methods for haptic simulaton in incline exercise devices

Abstract

A haptic simulation exercise device includes a frame, a base supporting the frame, and an incline motor. The incline motor is configured to move the frame relative to the base to provide haptic simulation during a workout routine. An actuator moves the frame faster than the incline motor to simulate outdoor conditions during a workout routine.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of haptic simulation for an exercise device, the method comprising:
 obtaining simulation data for a workout routine performed on the exercise device;   displaying video information of the simulation data on a display;   actuating an incline motor of the exercise device to provide a first change to an incline of a frame of the exercise device based at least partially on the simulation data; and   displacing the frame of the exercise device relative to a base of the exercise device to provide a second change to a position of the frame relative to the base based at least partially on the simulation data.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein displacing the frame relative to the base comprises displacing the frame relative to the base at least 5 millimeters in no more than one second based at least partially on the simulation data. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the simulation data comprises haptic information. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the display is integrated with the exercise device. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the display is independent from and in data communication with the exercise device. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the exercise device comprises an actuator, and displacing the frame comprises providing instructions to the actuator to rotate the frame relative to the base at a pivot point based at least partially on the simulation data. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the exercise device comprises the incline motor and an actuator, and displacing the frame comprises providing instructions to the incline motor and the actuator to rotate the frame relative to the base at a pivot point based at least partially on the simulation data. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the simulation data comprises surface profile haptic information, and the incline motor moves the frame relative to the base to simulate a surface in the video information. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising tilting the frame with the incline motor based at least partially on GPS information. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining haptic information from the video information of the simulation data. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein determining the haptic information comprises:
 detecting a simulated object in the video information of the simulation data; and   determining a movement of the simulated object in the video information.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein detecting the simulated object comprises detecting one or more edges of the simulated object relative to a horizon. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein determining the movement of the simulated object comprises measuring a speed of the simulated object toward a viewpoint of the video information. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second change to the position of the frame relative to the base comprises an additional incline of the frame relative to the base. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second change to the position of the frame relative to the base comprises a linear translation of the frame relative to the base. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second change to the position of the frame relative to the base comprises a rotation of the frame relative to the base. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second change to the position of the frame relative to the base simulates, based at least partially on the simulation data, rough water in accordance with the exercise device being a stationary rower exercise device. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second change to the position of the frame relative to the base simulates, based at least partially on the simulation data, uneven or shaking ground in accordance with the exercise device being a treadmill exercise device or a stationary bicycle exercise device.