WO2009112817A2

WO2009112817A2 - Interactive exercising system

Info

Publication number: WO2009112817A2
Application number: PCT/GB2009/000636
Authority: WO
Inventors: Timothy Dudgeon
Original assignee: Triple Edge Ltd
Priority date: 2008-03-10
Filing date: 2009-03-10
Publication date: 2009-09-17
Also published as: GB0920153D0; EP2252378A2; GB0804402D0; WO2009112817A3; GB2470245A

Abstract

The present invention provides an exercising system which allows a user interactive with a virtual environment when exercising using the system. The interactive exercising system comprises an exercising apparatus, a mobile user component means operable to move with at least part of the body of a user as the user uses the exercising apparatus, means for determining a relative movement between the mobile user component means and at least part of the exercising apparatus, and means for enabling the user to interact with a virtual environment based on the determined relative movement between the mobile user component means and the at least part of the exercising apparatus.

Description

INTERACTIVE EXERCISING SYSTEM

Field of Invention

The present invention relates generally to an exercising system, and more particularly, to an interactive exercising system.

Background

Stationary exercise machines, such as treadmills, bikes, rowing machines and the like are commonly used as a way of keeping fit. These exercise machines can be found in gyms, sports clubs, fitness centres or, increasingly in many homes. Typically, in order to achieve the desired benefits of exercising, people need to spend a fairly long time exercising on these machines. However, many people find long periods of exercise on a stationary exercise machine boring and repetitious.

One of the reasons why this was so was due to the fact that the exercise surroundings and exercise routing never changed, so that the user - when exercising - simply counted down the remaining time. Sometimes a user was able to listen to music on a personal stereo or MP3 player to allay their boredom, but more often than not the experience of being on an exercise machine was in itself tedious.

In an attempt to overcome this many gyms placed television screens in view of a user of an exercise machine, such as a bicycle.

An example of an exercise machine, which went some way to overcoming this, was the Applicant's FT3 X-treme (Trade Mark) sports simulator, which is available from Triple Edge Limited. The sports simulator allows a user to simulate the actions required for snowboarding, surfing, wake-boarding and skateboarding on a treadmill.

The FT3 X-treme (Trade Mark) sports simulator is described in greater detail in the Applicant's UK Patent Application GB 2 386 566. The FT3 X-treme (Trade Mark) sports simulator is a training machine for skiers, roller skaters or people using inline skates. The FT3 X-treme (Trade Mark) sports simulator has a continuous belt which forms a support surface for a user and this belt is driven by rollers.

The belt and support surface is inclinable or reclinable so that ski or skating conditions are replicated for a user in a gym, thereby improving the exercise experience.

As well as providing exercise, using the FT3 X-treme (Trade Mark) sports simulator lets the user develop the muscles and techniques required to perform the simulated activity. For example, someone can learn not only the basics of snowboarding or skiing, but also dramatically improve techniques, fitness levels and muscle development for these extreme sports.

However, this simulator still required the user to spend a significant amount of time in the same surroundings to benefit from the exercise.

Prior Art

US 4 711 543 A (Preston et al) describes a method of animating multiple tracks. The method enables players to touch animated characters displayed on a screen or monitor and change the action, with the drawing retaining a smooth sequence of progression.

US 6 132 314 A (Aiki Shinichiro) describes a grip bar device to control an image displayed on a projector screen. The bar extends laterally in relation to an operator on a seat and is rotatable about two orthogonal rotation axes.

The grip bar was in some embodiments arranged in a position remote from one of the two orthogonal axes of rotation. The device is utilised in applications such as simulated rowing or kayaking.

In order to make exercising more interesting, varied and provide a wider range of stimuli - other than just physical challenges merely to improve strength and stamina - some exercise machines are provided with television monitors which may display, for example, music videos to distract, inform or entertain the user.

It has also been known to display graphics representing the progress of the user along a linear course.

For example, US Patent US 5 713 794 A (Namco Limited) describes a simulator control device. This comprises a swinging member. The swinging member controls a virtual moving object in right and left directions and may be designed for a player standing thereon, being swung with his or her feet to control the simulator.

The simulator control device has first and second elastic means for forcing the swinging member towards a neutral position and right and left reaction areas, which may alter to stabilise the swinging member at non-playing times. In previous systems or simulators this element of interaction was not present, with simulators providing a track or greatly circumscribed route that only allowed interaction in the most basic of senses, more properly described as "control".

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved exercising system which can provide a more interesting exercising experience, simulate conditions of skiing more realistically than has been done previously and provide an experience which exhilarates a user as well as providing a challenging physical experience.

Summary of the Invention

An interactive exercising system, comprising: an exercising apparatus including an endless belt; a user component means operable to move with at least part of the body of a user and which, in use, remains in contact with the endless belt; a position determining means for determining the position of the user component means with respect to the exercising apparatus; and a controller for generating a visual and/or audio virtual environment from an input signal derived from the position of the user component means.

Ideally the visual and/or audio virtual environment is displayed on a screen or other display, such as the type that are worn by the user, for example a head-up display with a screen that is a worn by the user and creates a virtual environment.

In this way, the user of the exercising apparatus can interact with the virtual environment, thereby adding more interest to an exercise routine and providing greater stimulus and challenge to the user than previous systems provided.

Preferably the user component means are bespoke skis modified with wheels or rollers. Alternatively the user component means is a roller skate, an in-line skate, a skateboard with wheels or rollers attached to an under surface thereof, so that the user component means is operable to move with at least part of the body of a user, whilst remaining in contact with the endless belt.

In a further embodiment the user component means may be a bicycle or even a wheelchair, which is specially adapted so that, for example, a physically impaired or disabled user may use the exercise machine to simulate skiing or snowboarding.

The input signal is ideally derived from the position of the user component means by way of an optical marker, indicia, tag or other visual identification device that is detected by camera or imager.

Alternatively the input signal is derived from transmitters that are placed on the user component means which transmit radio frequency (RF) signals to sensors that are located on the exercise apparatus.

Ideally the parts of the body that moves and is in contact with the system are the user's feet. However, in one embodiment, in which ski hands are simulated, a user may hold ski poles or sticks and a signal may be derived from a transducer so as to further simulate skiing conditions.

The ski poles or sticks may be arranged to interact with the virtual environment, thereby adding further stimulation to an exercise routine, for example, by behaving abnormally, which may occur when a ski pole inadvertently sticks or gets caught in a root of a tree or in soft ground. Accordingly a small force is applied to the ski pole, by an actuator, which jerks or snatches thereby providing the user with an unexpected situation, from which it is important to ski.

Optionally ski poles or sticks may have controllers fitted thereto so that a user can modify an exercise regime, for example by increasing speed or difficulty of a run or modifying an exercise programme in some other manner.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ski with rollers and a ski binding adapted to receive a user's foot, whilst wearing a sports or training shoe and a cuff for cushioning against a users leg.

Ideally the ski is constructed so that, in use, the user's leg is inclined so as to mimic skiing and simulate the same forces that are present when wearing ski boots.

The present invention therefore provides an interactive exercising system, comprising: an exercising apparatus; user component means, which in use are on worn on the feet by the user, the user component means being operable to move with the wearers feet as the user uses the exercising apparatus across a rolling road; means for determining a relative movement between the user component means and at least part of the exercising apparatus; and means for enabling the user to interact with a virtual environment based on the determined relative movement between the user component means and said at least part of the exercising apparatus. Such additional features are intended to make the ski experience more realistic or 'immersive', for example by creating the type of random effects that are encountered when skiing. Another such effect that can be created by the use of software, for generating graphical images, may be for example branches that approach as skiers ski through wooded areas or towards an edge of a piste.

In an embodiment, the exercising apparatus is a treadmill, including an endless belt, and the determining means determines lateral movement of at least part of the user relative the direction of travel of the treadmill belt. The enabling means then interacts with the virtual environment in accordance with the determined lateral movement. The user component means which moves with at least part of the body of the user could be some form of skates, skateboard, snowboard, skis, surfboard or wakeboard.

The interactive experience may be further improved for example by use of three-dimensional goggles or a visor of such video systems a curved screen, larger screen or by use of two or three screens or displays or a virtual headset that includes a display and motion sensors.

All the aforementioned systems have in common is that they provide visual cues to the eye, including regions of peripheral vision, which create the impression of movement, wherein fact there is only relative rnovement with respect to the endless belt.

It is understood that other variations to the invention may be made, for example by ancillary equipment, such as a fan or blower, may be used to simulate wind conditions; a cooler arranged to simulate a cold climate; a snow machine adapted to obscure a skiers view; and/or one or more actuators arranged to tilt the system so as to exaggerate the effect of cornering.

The means for determining relative movement could employ time-of flight analysis of ultrasonic signals or an absolute fix using for example two or three radio frequency (RF) transmitters.

A variety of backdrops, for example in the form of different ski runs or ski resorts, may be provided on the menu so that variety of choice of exercise regimes is available.

Sensors, which may be infrared (IR) or ultrasonic are optionally adapted to sense when a user is in any danger and have trip switches connected thereto so that the exercise system may be switched off or into a failsafe mode.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention, will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an interactive exercising system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the composition of the control system of the interactive exercising system illustrated in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 schematically shows in more detail the position determination of a board in the interactive exercising system illustrated in Figure 1 ; Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating the initialisation of the interactive exercising system illustrated in Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operations performed during an exercising scenario using the interactive exercising system illustrated in figure 1 ;

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing a virtual snow boarder on a display mimicking the movement of a user of the interactive exercising system illustrated in Figure 1 ; and

Figure 7 is a side view of a user component means in the form of a ski-binding and shows diagrammatically how a user inserts their foot into the user component means.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Referring to Figure 1 , the interactive exercising system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention allows a user to board on a treadmill 101 using a board 111. The treadmill 101 has a base 102 on which a number of rollers (not shown) are mounted. An endless belt 103 is looped around, and driven by a motor or one or more rollers. Handrails 104 or optionally some other grips, such as a ski pole or ski stick (not shown) are provided above both lateral edges of the belt 103 of the treadmill 101. A fast or emergency stop button 105 is provided on one of the handrails 104.

In the alternative embodiment where handrails 104 are in the form of ski poles or sticks, optionally an actuator may be connected to the ski poles or sticks so as to add further challenge, for example for more experienced skiers. Thus for example, a mode of operation of the system may have a 'fast', 'random', sports or mogul mode. In one or more of these modes, the ski poles may be controlled to operate in a different, random or unexpected manner. This might for example simulate different snow conditions, for example to grab or snatch a ski pole, thereby testing skiers and subjecting them to more realistic conditions.

In one embodiment, controls are included in handles of the ski poles and the controls may be push button or trigger type. As an optional feature a so-called 'dead man's handle' feature is included, whereby if a user momentarily lets go of one or both ski poles - for example if they slip or fall - a failsafe is triggered, and the exercise apparatus comes to an immediate safe stop.

In the embodiment, shown in Figure 1 , the width of the endless belt 103 is approximately 1.3 metres, which is wider than most existing exercise treadmills. This allows the user to move the snowboard 111 sideways when snowboarding on the treadmill 101 to mimic the movements performed when boarding for real. In particular, the additional width allows the user to mimic the actions performed when turning while boarding for real.

In a further alternative, the treadmill may be arranged to move so as to mimic side slip. In a yet further embodiment the treadmill 101 may be arranged to vibrate or jitter, for example simulating a different surface, such as thin ice, grass or gravel. This effect, when combined with visual cues, from the screen or display (as described below), creates further stimulation and interest to the user. The interest level is ideally further enhanced by a simultaneous sound, as would be encountered, for example, when skiing over poor quality snow or gravel on a difficult (black) run.

Sound is ideally generated using stereophonic speakers, so as to create a three dimensional 'sound wall' and this is preferably achieved using speakers under control of software. This so-called enhanced stereo surround sound system may be localised to the user, for example by them wearing lightweight headphones (which may be wireless) or by speakers directed towards their head region.

The interactive exercising system 100 further has an integrated touchscreen display 106, an integrated keyboard 113, and a number of integrated speakers (not shown) mounted on the treadmill 101. A socket (not shown) is also provided on one of the handrails 104. The socket allows headphones to be plugged therein. A control system (not shown in Figure 1) is interconnected with the display 106 and controls graphics which are displayed on the display 106. In addition, the control system controls the sounds which are produced for playing on the speakers or in headphones connected to the socket.

The board 111 has a transducer 112 fixed on its underside for transmitting signals at predetermined intervals. In this embodiment, the transducer 112 is an ultrasonic transducer. Four sensors 107a - 107d are installed within a front handle support unit 108. When a user uses the interactive exercising system 100, - that is when the user boards on the treadmill 101 - signals are transmitted from the transducer 112 periodically. The sensors 107 detect and transfer the signals to the control system, which determines the positions of the transducer 112 at the time when the signals are transmitted. In this way, as described in more detail below, the control system determines the position of the board 111.

Optionally a tilt mechanism may be fitted to the board 111 and further sensors arranged to detect the amount of tilt of the board with respect to the plane of the treadmill. Transmitters are provided to transmit signals, indicative of the tilt, to the control system.

The control system thus calculates parameters representing the movement, and optionally orientation, of the board 111 with respect to the treadmill based on the positions calculated. The movement parameters include lateral movement between the board 111 and the belt 103 of the treadmill 101 , and may further include relative speed of the board 111 with respect to the belt 103 of the treadmill 101. The control system uses this position and displacement data (of the board with respect to the treadmill) to enable the user to interact with a virtual environment represented on the display 106.

It is understood that systems may be linked together so that for example users may race one another, even though they may be in different training centres. This facility therefore allows for a creation of a virtual exercise world wherein users may help or encourage each other in a way that reproduces the best gymnasium environment, even when users are remote from each other.

Referring briefly to Figure 7, which shows a user component 200, in the form of a ski with wheels 210 located under a board 212. A neoprene (Trade Mark) cuff 216 enables a user - depicted as a foot 220 wearing a sports shoe or a training shoe 222 - to put on the user component means, without having to get changed into cumbersome specific footwear. This feature is considered particularly beneficial as it enables users to be ready to use the equipment quickly and with minimum fuss.

The user component means 200 comprises a foot harness formed from a rigid heel support 230, formed form a heavy duty synthetic plastics material, onto which is bonded a forward lean adjuster 232. Forward lean adjuster 232 ensures that a users leg is inclined in a generally forward leaning aspect, similar to that of a conventional ski boot (not shown) so as to simulate ski conditions. A ratchet ensures that a user can tighten the binding by the desired amount so as to simulate a ski boot.

The foot harness 234 comprises a fabric or webbing for receiving a training shoe and has ratchet clips 236a and 236b which enable a user to tighten the foot harness. The foot harness 234 is mounted on a heavy duty plastics plate 238 and fixed to the modified ski 212 with screws 240.

Four sets of in-line skate wheels 210a, 210b, 210c and 210d are supported on the underside of ski 212 with spring shock absorbers 242.

As shown in Figure 6, in this embodiment a virtual rider is generated on the display 106. The virtual rider is indicative of the person who is exercising. Random obstacles are generated by a graphics program, which operates in conjunction with the control program, so that images are presented and displayed on the display so as to appear in the path of the virtual rider (person who is undertaking the exercise). The user performs turning or positioning movements when obstacles appear. The control program monitors the effective position, course and speed of the virtual rider and compares this information to the position and location of the obstacles in the virtual environment. The control program then calculates if any collision between the virtual rider and a virtual obstacle has occurred or is likely to occur. In one embodiment points are added to a score for avoidance and points deducted from the score for a collision. In an alternative embodiment, sound and/or flashes/bright lights and/or a mechanical feedback signal (such as a jerk or bump) are produced so as to startle, indicate or emphasize to the user that a collision has occurred. It is understood that both these different embodiments may be combined.

The control program also uses the detected movements to change the orientation of the virtual environment as displayed on the display 106 relative to the virtual rider. The control program also generates suitable audio responses, such as a crash into a boulder, as well as optional shaking or mechanical drops, so as to emphasize an effect displayed on the screen. Even a small drop - which may only be a few centimetres - may create the impression to a user of a substantial fall, when suitably timed to coincide with a visual cue - such as a skier skiing over a mogul, bump or other obstacle.

Further audio cues may be provided for example software arranged to produce sounds that have Doppler type effects incorporated. Thus as an example, a visual cue of a skier overtaking the rider, at speed, and coming close to the skier, may be accompanied by a person skiing close to the skier and accompanied by a 'whooshing' sound. Another example is, for example, an approaching branch of a tree, which as a skier passes, extend branches or fronds into the path of a skier or snow-boarder', with the deliberate intent that the skier has to crouch in order to avoid the branch. This effect is further enhanced when a user wears 3-D goggles and by use of a 3-D projector.

The combined effect of the exercise system is thus appreciated as being a multi-sensory

In the aforementioned embodiments, the control system also adjusts the speed at which the belt 103 rotates in dependence on the detected movement of the board 111. In this way, the user is able to speed up the belt 103 by mimicking the boarding movements required to speed up when boarding in real life.

This feature adds greatly to the interactive experience in that the speed of movement is adjustable by the user, thereby increasing the thrill of use and feeling of control, enabling faster learning of skiing and snowboarding techniques and the opportunity of exercising a greater number of muscles. This contrasts with earlier exercise devices where the continuous nature of forward movement only allowed for replication of downhill movement and/or crashing, and provided only a limited learning and exercise experience for users.

Furthermore given the potential for remote operation, monitoring and control, the invention allows for the possibility of a virtual learning experience, so that for example a coach in another country could talk to a user, explaining how to undertake manoeuvres or to improve their technique.

Figure 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the composition of the control system of the interactive exercising system 100. Referring to Figure 2, a main central processing unit (CPU) 121 is connected to a motor speed controller 123, a position detection controller 125, program/data storage 127, a network interface 129, the touch-screen display 106, the keyboard 113 and the speakers/earphone socket.

The motor speed controller 123 forms part of a speed control subsystem which controls the operation speed of a treadmill 101. The speed control sub-system also includes a drive motor 135, a power inverter 131 connected to an AC power inlet 133 and the motor fast stop button 105. The drive motor 135 drives rollers (not shown) which transmit a driving force to the conveyor belt 103 mounted on the rollers in accordance with drive signals supplied by the motor speed controller 123. The AC power inlet 133 is connected to the motor speed controller 123 via the power converter 131 , which converts the single- phase oscillating signal received via the AC power inlet 133 (e.g. from a mains electricity supply) to a three-phase oscillating signal suitable for driving the drive motor 135.

The motor speed controller 123 controls the power input to the drive motor 135 based on control signals received from the main CPU 121, thereby controlling the speed of the drive motor 135. The motor speed controller 123 is further directly connected to the motor fast stop button 105. When the fast stop button 105 is pressed, a command is sent to the motor speed controller 123 which stops the supply of power to the drive motor 135, and accordingly the rolling of the endless belt 103 promptly stops.

The position detection controller 125 incorporates the sensors 107. As mentioned previously, the sensors 107 detect ultrasonic signals 141 transmitted by the transducer 112 provided on the board 111. In this embodiment, the transducer 112 has an associated identity code. The position detection controller 125 is connected to an RF transmitter 137, which transmits a modulated RF signal 139, and the transducer 112 includes an RF detector (not shown) which detects the RF signal 139.

To measure the position of the transducer 112, the position detection controller transmits, using the RF transmitter 137, an RF signal modulated in accordance with the identity code of the transducer 112 and starts a timer running. The transducer 112 detects and demodulates the RF signal to recover the conveyed identity code. The transducer 112 with an identity code which is the same as the conveyed identity code is triggered to transmit an ultrasonic pulse 141 , which is detected by at least some of the sensors 107. The position detection controller then calculates the position of the transducer 112 by performing trigonometrical analysis.

Figure 3 shows an exemplary arrangement in which a transducer 112 is fixed under the board 111. Four sensors 107a-107d are installed within the front handle support unit 108 and are spaced away from one another. No three sensors are positioned along a straight line. An RF signal 139 is transmitted conveying the identity code for the transducer 112, which responds by outputting an ultrasonic pulse. All of the four sensors detect the ultrasonic pulse, but only three are chosen for determining the position of the transducer 112 depending on the strength of signals detected. The distance from the transducer 112 to each of these three sensors is first calculated, and the position of transducer 112 is then determined by performing trigonometric calculations.

Further details of the position detection system employed in this embodiment can be found in International Patent Application PCT/GB2007/001101 , the whole contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

When combined with the interactive element presented within the device described herein, an effective and enjoyable exercising apparatus is created in which the thrills and excitement of, for example extreme board sports may be domestically or internally recreated, in many scenarios, thereby spreading the sports and dispensing with the need for the right climatic and environmental conditions.

Referring again to Figure 2, the program/data storage 127 stores a control program which controls the operation of the interactive exercising system 100. In addition, the program/data storage 127 stores data for several virtual environments. These may include for example: a relatively easy beginner slope (or green run), a more challenging slope with obstructions and possibly more skiers (red run) or a very challenging (black run) with obstacles, skiers, varying quality snow and unexpected challenges, such as trees, as mentioned above. In addition so called 'langlauf terrains may be created by the graphics controller and displayed so as to improve fitness levels for such longer cross country type ski events.

A user can select a virtual environment from the storage 127 using the touch-screen display 106 or the keyboard 113. The main CPU 121 then generates graphics on the display 106 according to the selected virtual environment. The user can also store performance data in the program/data storage 127, for example best score data.

Alternatively a remote access key card may be used on which the skiers previous performances (scores) are stored so that the skier - who might be in training - is able to access immediately any previous course or race so as to compare results and monitor progress of training.

The network interface 129 allows the interactive exercising system 100 to be networked with other interactive exercising systems at different physical locations, either via direct connection or wirelessly. The interactive exercising system may even be connected with physically remote interactive exercising systems via a communications network such as the Internet. In this way, in effect users of different interactive exercising systems can compete against each other, thereby adding to the exercising experience.

Optionally a weighing apparatus can be integrated into the system so as not only to provide useful physiological data to a user, as to their weight (without skis and bindings) which could be used to calculate their body mass index, but also as an input parameter to the system for two reasons: firstly so that certain mechanical functions of the system may be optimised to suit the weight of a user (for example jitter and shocks are scaled so as to suit a particular user) and secondly so that an overall amount of calories used (calories burn) may be computed. In the latter example in order to compute this data it is necessary to know approximately the amount of work done by a user and a parameter required to compute this is the amount of work done which is often calculated by summing the total force moved through a distance.

The movement parameters calculated by the position detection controller 125 are input to the main CPU 121 , which uses the movement parameters in two ways. Firstly, the main CPU 121 uses the movement parameters as inputs for navigating through the virtual environment. In other words, the main CPU 121 varies the images of the virtual environment displayed on the display 106 in dependence upon the movement parameters. Secondly, the movement parameters are used as control parameters for the treadmill. In other words, in dependence on the movement parameters the main CPU 121 may send control signals to the motor speed controller 123 in order to speed up or slow down the conveyor belt 103.

Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of initialisation of the interactive exercising system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The interactive exercising system 100 is first powered up, at S1 , and an operating system is loaded which initialises, at S3, interface hardware and a display 106 and enables any communications interface. The operating system loads, at S5, all necessary graphics and sounds required for initial operations and updates the display screen to give the user control options etc. The interactive exercising system 100 prompts, at S7, the user to mount the treadmill 101.

The control program scans the position of the board 111 on the treadmill 101 using the positioning system and checks, at S9, if the position of the user is acceptable. If the user's position is not suitable for treadmill operation, he will be instructed, at S13, to take up the correct position.

After boot-up or when the user mounts the interactive exercising system 100, a control program can be selected, at S11 , and started either automatically or under the control of a user. The user can then choose the virtual environment, communications if required, and possible choices of music, graphics, ski runs as well as a variety of other parameters, some of which have been mentioned above. The user can then select start. This can be done using the keyboard

113, the touch-screen display 106 or by gesturing with the board 111 themselves. The control program then builds, at S15, the selected virtual environment in memory, according to the options selected and an environment will be drawn on the display, such as a professional boarding track or a city road, in the situation where the rider may be skateboarding. The control program then activates the drive motor and starts the treadmill belt 103 moving, and the user can then start interactive exercising, at S 17.

Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating an interactive exercising scenario using the interactive exercising system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

After the user starts boarding on the treadmill 101 , the control program generates on the display 106 graphics to create the effect of movement such as the appearance of trees, buildings, vehicles or other riders passing the user. In this embodiment, the control program generates, at S21 , a virtual boarder on the display 106 that mimics the movement of the actual boarder.

The control program will monitor the position and calculate movement of the board 111 relative to the treadmill 101 , including lateral movement relative to the belt 103 of the treadmill 101 or rapid movement/collision such as the user tapping the belt on the treadmill 101. The above information is then used as a steering input and possibly to control the speed of the motor. The control program will continue to update the virtual environment, monitor user input and calculate all graphic, audio and external peripheral control.

Also the control program will interface with other systems and users if required, allowing the user to compete with other systems such as this, or even remote systems running software that can communicate with this system, e.g. a user may be in a gym using the machine and be competing against another user in a different country.

The control program will continue to run as a game until the user terminates the session. After termination of a session, the system then returns to starting point and wait for a new user.

In the embodiments described above, a user boards on a treadmill using a board 111 with a transducer attached. In this application the term board is intended to cover any form of boarding device on which a user stands or has his feet attached. Such a board apparatus may include traditional skateboards as well as modern design modifications such as carveboards and carvestiks (see www.carveboard.com) and flowboards (see www.flowboard.com).

The invention is seen to be particularly advantageous for someone learning an extreme sport such as snowboarding or skiing as the user is able to learn the required techniques and build up the required muscles in a safe environment.

Further modifications to the system described above, include: a light screen or curtain which may be placed around the system or the system may be placed in a cubicle in which lights may be located on an inner surface. In such an embodiment night skiing conditions can be simulated, whereby lights, for example that are arranged in arrays on the inner surface of a cubicle, are switched to strobe thereby providing peripheral visual cues simulating a lit ski run.

As an additional option to any of the aforementioned embodiments cold air may be introduced into the cubicle so as to further enhance ski conditions, for example so as to provide a novice with an idea of the 'feel' for skiing. Such ski cubicles or cabins may be used for example by people unfamiliar to skiing in order to acclimatise them prior to a ski holiday or ski training.

The exercise equipment may be located in a school, college or other learning environment, whereby experts and/or teachers may help the maximum number of students develop skills in these disciplines in a most cost-effective manner.

The exercising apparatus need not involve a treadmill, as there are other types of exercising apparatus which mimic an activity in which, in real life, lateral movement is important to control direction. For example, the exercising apparatus may simulate kayaking or canoeing for which lateral movements of an oar, having transducers attached, can be monitored to steer through a virtual environment shown on a screen. In such an embodiment a user sits in a kayak type cradle, which may have rollers or bearings formed in its base and is optionally tethered to a stationary part of the exercise machine. Upon initiation of the rolling road, the user is thus able to swerve and slalom, in a similar way as a canoeist must, in order to shift their weight so as to steer through a course of obstacles.

Although reference to the screen has been to a stationary screen, it is within the scope of this invention to include a screen that is movable with respect to the treadmill, thereby encouraging a user to 'turn' by leaning into a turn and twisting their torsos as to be able to see a screen. Such a screen may be able to roll, pitch or yaw with respect to the exercise system, or these may be achieved using computer generated graphics, as mentioned above.

The number of sensors provided in the interactive exercising system 100 is not limited to four. In some embodiments there may be three, five or more. The number of transducers attached to a mobile component is not limited to be one or any certain number either, but will depend on the number of different measurements desired (e.g. position, angle and tilt) as well as the geometry of the components which may affect which sensors are able to detect the ultrasonic pulses. For example, three transducers can be fixed on the mobile component so as to allow the determination of the angle and/or tilt of the mobile component by determining the position of each of the transducers. A tilt sensor may also be used for determining the tilt of the mobile component.

The invention may utilise alternative position detection systems to the described system utilising ultrasonic pulses. For example, an inductive position detection system could potentially be used.

While in the described embodiment, the width of the treadmill is preferably 1.3 metres, the invention is not limited in this respect. As discussed, the treadmill is made wider than most conventional treadmills in order to allow the user more lateral movement. A width greater than 1 metre is generally advantageous, while a width of 1.3m or more is even more advantageous. While the described embodiment has an integral display, it will be appreciated that this is not necessary. In an alternative embodiment, the interactive exercising system may use a remote display via a wired or wireless connection. In principle, no display at all is needed as, for example, a purely audio interaction is possible in which the user moves to the left on one sound and to the right on a different sound. But using a display generally provides a more interesting interaction with the virtual environment.

It is understood that unlike existing exercise systems that simulate skiing, in the present system a user has the ability to lift one ski up, jump, turn or move the two skis independent of one another, whilst maintaining them predominantly in contact with the rolling road or endless belt. In this sense therefore the exercise system of the present invention offers as close to real skiing conditions as may be obtained from a piece of equipment.

Further variation may be made to the invention, for example, by including performance monitoring and recording equipment in the exercise system so that a user is provided with physiological data such as an historic track of pulse and/or blood pressure for a particular exercise game or run, thereby enabling a user to compare their previous performance or with a previous score or another user.

Claims

1. An interactive exercising system, comprising: an exercising apparatus including an endless belt; a user component means operable to move with at least part of the body of a user and which, in use, remains in contact with the endless belt; a position determining means for determining the position of the user component means with respect to the exercising apparatus; and a controller for generating a visual and/or audio virtual environment from an input signal derived from the position of the user component means.

2. The interactive exercising system of claim 1 , wherein said determining means includes: a camera or imager for detecting an indicia, tag or marker on the user component means.

3. The interactive exercising system of claim 1 , wherein said determining means includes a detector for receiving signals transmitted by a transmitting means on the user component means.

4. The interactive exercising system of claim 3, wherein said determining means includes a detector for receiving signals transmitted by at least three transmitting means attached to the user component means.

5. The interactive exercising system of any of claims 2, 3 or 4, wherein said determining means includes a calculation means for calculating the relative displacement between the user component means and the at least part of the exercising apparatus based on the detected signals.

6. The interactive exercising system according to any preceding claim wherein the user component means is from the group comprising: a pair of roller skates, a skateboard, a pair of modified skis with wheels or rollers, a bicycle, a modified snowboard with wheels or rollers, a modified kayak with wheels or rollers and a modified wheelchair with wheels or rollers.

7. The interactive exercising system according to any preceding claim wherein the controller is operable to generate on a display graphics to create the effect of movement of a virtual character and to adjust the movement of the virtual character based on the relative movement between the user component means and the at least part of the exercising apparatus.

8. The interactive exercising system according to any preceding claim wherein the controller is operable to generate on a display graphics to create the effect of movement by changing the environment based on the relative movement between the user component means and the at least part of the exercising apparatus.

9. The interactive exercising system according to any preceding claim, wherein the width of the treadmill is greater than 1.3 metres.

10. The interactive exercising system according to any preceding claim includes an enabling means for adjusting the speed of the treadmill based on the relative movement between the user component means and the at least part of the exercising apparatus.

11. The interactive exercising system according to any preceding claim, wherein: a determining means is operable to determine relative movement between the user component means and the moving platform in a direction lateral to the direction of movement of the movable platform; and said enabling means is operable to enable the user to interact with the virtual environment based on said determined relative lateral movement.

12. The interactive exercising system according to any preceding claim , wherein the interactive exercising system further comprises means for determining the position and/or angle of the user component means, and said enabling means is further operable to enable the user to interact with the virtual environment based on the determined position and/or angle of the user component means.

13. The interactive exercising system according to claim 1 , wherein the exercising apparatus is arranged to simulate rowing or kayaking and the user component means is a paddle or oar.

14. The interactive exercising system of any of the preceding claims, further comprising a network interface for communication with another interactive exercising system.

15. A ski with rollers and a ski binding adapted to receive a user's foot, whilst wearing a sports or training shoe and a cuff for cushioning against a users leg