GB2631455A

GB2631455A - System and method for performing physical activities

Info

Publication number: GB2631455A
Application number: GB2309997.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ray Ravi; Radhakrishnan Sajitha Vallathadam; Manvi Bhavana; Joshi Udaya; Joseph Vinod; Parthasarathy Raghavan; Vatiganahally Lokesh Swarasya
Original assignee: Mercedes Benz Group AG
Current assignee: Mercedes Benz Group AG
Priority date: 2023-06-30
Filing date: 2023-06-30
Publication date: 2025-01-08
Also published as: GB202309997D0

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a system and method for letting a user perform physical activities in a vehicle and tracking the same. It involves receiving 702, at a central processing unit, requests from any of the users through one or more human machine interface (HMI) devices; and then communicatively coupling 704 two or more HMI devices with one another, upon receipt of the requests. Further, generating 706, through the central processing unit, a set of multimedia frames comprising audio-visuals of an activity room associated with the received requests; and then emulating 708 a virtual projection of the user associated with each of the communicatively coupled HMI device, wherein movement and postures of the emulated projections vary corresponding to physical activities being carried out by the users. Finally, synchronizing 710 the emulated projections with the generated set of multimedia frames and the variations in the movement and postures of the emulated projections with one another.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of conveniences provided for users in automobiles. In particular, the present disclosure provides a system and method for performing physical activities by users of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Now a days, people pay more attention to their health, and doing proper exercise plays a very important role in maintaining a good health. However, due to very busy schedule and long commuting hours, it becomes difficult for most to find time for exercise. Moreover, commuting for long hours in a particular position may result in fatigue. It is therefore desirable that users of vehicles are able to engage in physical activity, while commuting.

[0003] Many techniques have been evolved to meet the above requirement, for instance, Patent document CN110244841A discloses an interior interactive system and method, which includes: a detection device for detecting body kinematics of interior user and obtaining body kinematics information, and a processing unit to determine that user carries out the motion conditions of vehicle-mounted exercise event for the predetermined body kinematics mode corresponding with vehicle-mounted exercise event of body kinematics information and storage based on user.

[0004] Patent document CN115284980A relates to a fitness seat based on an intelligent cabin and a vehicle provided with the fitness seat, wherein the fitness seat is movably arranged on a sliding base in the vehicle, a cushion and a backrest of the fitness seat are rotationally connected, a lifting device is arranged on the cushion, the cushion is in sliding connection with the sliding base through an intelligent damping adjusting device, the intelligent damping adjusting device is connected with a vehicle-mounted entertainment system, and the vehicle-mounted entertainment system controls the fitness seat to perform mode switching between a fitness state and a non-fitness state according to the running state of the vehicle so as to perform relative sliding or locking.

[0005] Patent document CN113144542A discloses an immersive vehicle-mounted fitness method including the steps: receiving request information of a user; matching corresponding fitness items based on the request information, and displaying the fitness items outwards, wherein the fitness items comprise sport actions and scoring actions; based on the fitness items, matching and outputting corresponding environment atmosphere; capturing and collecting corresponding user actions based on the scoring actions; analyzing to obtain corresponding result information based on each collected user action; outputting corresponding feedback based on the result information; based on the result information, corresponding score information is output and the score information is aggregated.

[0006] While the cited Patent references disclose different types of systems and methods for enabling physical activity by users of vehicles, there is a possibility of providing an improved system and method for physical activity in a vehicle that make the physical activity more interesting for the users.

[0007] There is, therefore, a need to provide an improved system and method that facilitates users to perform physical activities, and further keep a track of the same.

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE

[0008] A general object of the present disclosure is to provide a system and method that make performing the physical activities in a vehicle more interesting as compared to known systems and methods for performing physical activities.

[0009] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a system and method that keeps a track of the physical activities performed by the users.

[0010] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system and method that enables the users to utilize their time efficiently and socialize also. [0011] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system and method that is operable in safe driving scenarios.

[0012] Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide an intelligent and smart system and method that enables the user to achieve fitness with immersive Virtual Reality (VR) experience.

SUMMARY

[0013] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to the field of conveniences provided for users in automobiles. In particular, the present disclosure provides a system and method for performing physical activities in a vehicle.

[0014] An aspect of the present disclosure pertains to a system for performing physical activities in a vehicle. The system comprises one or more human-machine interface (HMI) devices, each of the one or more HMI devices being associated with one or more users. The system also comprises a central processing unit in communication with the one or more HMI devices, the central processing unit comprising a processor coupled with a memory, wherein the memory stores one or more instructions executable by the processor to: communicatively couple, upon receipt of requests from any of the one or more users, two or more of the HMI devices with one another; generate a set of multimedia frames comprising audio-visuals of an activity room associated with the received requests; emulate a virtual projection of the user associated with each of the communicatively coupled HMI device, wherein movement and postures of the emulated projections vary corresponding to physical activities being carried out by the users; and synchronize the emulated projections with the generated set of multimedia frames and the variations in the movement and postures of the emulated projections with one another.

[0015] In an aspect, each of the one or more HMI devices may comprises: a plurality of sensors, a headgear, and a controller. The plurality of sensors may be disposed at pre-defined positions with respect to a flexible seat. The headgear comprises a display unit and an acoustic transceiver, where the headgear is adapted to be worn by the user, such that the display unit is positioned in front of eyes of the user, and configured to display the emulated projections synchronized with the generated set of multimedia frames. Further, the controller may be operatively coupled to the seat and the headgear, the controller configured to: actuate, upon initiation of a request by the user, a plurality of sensors configured to sense kinematic parameters associated with the physical activities carried out by the user, and wherein the request is transmitted to the central processing unit; emulate the virtual projection based on opting of one of multiple types of projections by the user; synchronize the emulated projection with the generated set of multimedia frames; and process, by mapping, the sensed kinematic parameters, wherein the movement and postures of the emulated projection vary corresponding to the mapped kinematic parameters, and corresponding metrics are computed, wherein the metrices pertain to calories burnt, fitness score, and tokens collected.

[0016] In another aspect, the system may enable a new user to initially create, through the HMI device, an account on the system, and correspondingly obtain login credentials upon registration and authentication of the account, wherein the user has to opt one of the multiple types of projections while creating the account. The user may further be able to access the system using the obtained login credentials.

[0017] In an aspect, the system may allow the user to select and switch between an automatic mode and a user-defined mode; wherein: upon selection of the automatic mode, the system randomly pairs the HMI device associated with the user to another HMI device in the same activity room; and upon selection of the user-defined mode, the system facilitates the user to choose other users, and further the system pairs corresponding HMI devices. Further, the system enables the users associated with the paired HMI devices to perform the physical activities in tandem with one another, and further the system computes corresponding metrics for each of the users by taking into consideration the variations in the movement and postures of the emulated projections of said user.

[0018] In another aspect, the one or more HMI devices may be configured within one or more vehicles, such that the one or more users, associated with the same vehicle, are able to access the system.

[0019] In yet another aspect, the one or more users are associated with distinct vehicles.

[0020] Another aspect of the present disclosure pertains to a method for performing physical activities in a vehicle. The method comprises: (a) receiving, at a central processing unit, requests from any of the one or more users through one or more human-machine interface (HMI) devices; (b) communicatively coupling, at the central processing unit, two or more of the HMI devices with one another, upon receipt of the requests; (c) generating, through the central processing unit, a set of multimedia frames comprising audio-visuals of an activity room associated with the received requests; (d) emulating, through the central processing unit, a virtual projection of the user associated with each of the communicatively coupled HMI device, wherein movement and postures of the emulated projections vary corresponding to physical activities being carried out by the users; and (e) synchronizing, at the central processing unit, the emulated projections with the generated set of multimedia frames and the variations in the movement and postures of the emulated projections with one another [0021] In another aspect, the method may comprise enabling a new user to initially create, through the HMI device, an account, and correspondingly generating login credentials upon registration and authentication of the account, wherein the user has to opt one of the multiple types of projections while creating the account; and the user may further be able to operate the HMI device using the obtained login credentials.

[0022] In another aspect, the method may comprise allowing the user to select and switch between an automatic mode and a user-defined mode; wherein: upon selection of the automatic mode, the HMI device associated with the user randomly paired to another HMI device in the same activity room; and upon selection of the user-defined mode, the user is enable to choose other users, and further corresponding HMI devices are paired. The method may further comprise enabling the users associated with the paired HMI devices to perform the physical activities in tandem with one another, and computing corresponding metrics for each of the users by taking into consideration the variations in the movement and postures of the emulated projections of said user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 1 A illustrates an exemplary network architecture of the proposed system for tracking physical activities of one or more users, to illustrate its overall working, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 1B illustrates exemplary block diagram representing various components of a vehicle integrated with the proposed system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates exemplary functional units of a controller associated with the proposed system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 3 illustrate flow charts elaborating functioning of the proposed system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 4 illustrates exemplary diagram representing pairing of two vehicles through the proposed system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram representing interactions taking place between components of the vehicle and the proposed system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram depicting proposed method for tracking physical activities of one or more users, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosures as defined by the appended claims.

[0032] Embodiments explained herein relate to the field of conveniences provided for users in automobiles. In particular, the present disclosure provides a system and method for facilitating physical activities by user of a vehicle, and further keeping a track of the same.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 1A, where an exemplary network architecture of the proposed system 100 for performing physical activities by user of a vehicle (interchangeably referred to as system 100, herein) is shown the system 100 can include one or more human-machine interface devices HMI 1, HMI 2... HA/II N (also, collectively referred to as HIVII devices, and individually, referred to as HMI device/ HMI, herein), where each of the one or more HMI devices can be associated with one or more users. In one embodiment, each of the HMI devices can be integrated within one or more vehicles Vehicle 1, Vehicle 2... Vehicle N (also, collectively referred to as vehicles, and individually, referred to as vehicle, herein), such that at least one HMI device is associated with each of the vehicle. For instance, HMI 1 can be associated with Vehicle 1, HMI 2 can be associated with Vehicle 2, and similarly HMI N can be associated with Vehicle N (as shown in the FIG. 1A), such that users sitting in distinct vehicles can interact with one another through the HMI devices, and can further carry out physical activities simultaneously. In another instance, more than one HMI devices can be associated with a single vehicle, facilitating users sitting inside the same vehicle to interact with one another, through respective HMI devices, and can further carrying out of simultaneous physical activities.

[0034] In other embodiment, the HMI devices can act as an independent unit, and any user at his/ her home, office, or any other such premise, can carry out the physical activities sitting at a remote location.

[0035] According to an embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1 B, each of the HMI device can include a plurality of sensors 112 (also, collectively referred to as sensors 112, and individually, referred to as sensor 112, herein), which are disposed at pre-defined positions with respect to a flexible seat (not shown) adapted to accommodate a user, such that the user can perform the physical activities being seated in the seat. The seat can be rotated 360 degrees, and can also be bended/ extended to a pre-defined angle. Further, headrest and/ or backrest of the seat can be slidably coupled to a base of the seat, such that the user can configure and lock the seat in any desirable manner. Moreover, some accessories, such as fitness hardware, can be associated with the seat, which can be used by the user as and when required.

[0036] In one embodiment, HMI device 114 can be integrated with an already existing seat. In other embodiment, the seat itself can be a part of the HMI device 114. In yet another embodiment, at least one HMI device 114 can be integrated along with at least one seat of vehicle 110.

[0037] In another embodiment, the HMI device 114 can include a headgear 118, which in turn, can include a display 120 (also, referred to as display unit 120, herein) and an acoustic transceiver 122. The headgear 118 may be adapted to be worn by the user, such that the display unit UO is positioned in front of eyes of the user. Further, the acoustic transceiver 122 can be configured to transmit and receive acoustic signals to and from the system, respectively, wherein the acoustic signals may pertain to voice of the user, sound from the system, and the like. In an exemplary embodiment, the headgear 118 could be an integral part of the vehicle 110.

[0038] In one embodiment, the HMI device 114 can also include a controller 116, which can be operatively coupled to the seat and the headgear 118. The user may initiate a request through the HMI device 114, where the request can be in form of sound, text, vibration, or the request can be made by pressing a button, or by selecting respective option through a GUI-based display. In an exemplary embodiment, Electronic Control Unit (ECU) of the vehicle 110 may act as the controller 116.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, the camera can be configured to capture one or more image frames of a Region of Interest (RoI) associated with the user. In an exemplary embodiment, the camera can also be configured to focus upon the physical activities being carried out by the user, and corresponding kinematic parameters. Further, the controller 116 can obtain the one or more image frames being captured by the camera, and can process the images to carry out further steps.

[0040] In an embodiment, upon initiation of the request by the user, the controller 116 may actuate the sensors 112, where the sensors 112 may be configured to sense kinematic parameters associated with the physical activities carried out by the user. Moreover, the request can further be transmitted to the central processing unit 106. In an instance, the sensors 112 can include, but not limited to, a camera, proximity sensor, and motion sensor. In another instance, the kinematic parameters may include position, orientation, gesture, manner of movement, and pace of movement of limbs and body of the user.

[0041] In an embodiment, the user can see multiple types of projections on the display unit 120, and can further opt for anyone of said projections. The controller 116 emulates the virtual projection based on the opted projection. In another embodiment, the display unit 120 can display the emulated projections synchronized with a set of multimedia frames representing a background/ an activity room. Hence, the system 100 may enable the user to achieve fitness with immersive Virtual Reality (VR) experience and in a user-friendly manner.

[0042] In an embodiment, the controller 116 can process, by mapping, the sensed kinematic parameters, wherein the movement and postures of the emulated projection vary corresponding to the mapped kinematic parameters, and corresponding metrics can be computed. In an exemplary embodiment, the metrices may pertain to calories burnt, fitness score, and tokens collected.

[0043] In an embodiment, as illustrated in diagram 600 in FIG. 6, the HMI device 114 can include head unit 606. In another embodiment, the HMI device 114 can facilitate seat control 602. Further, the sensors 112 can include interior video camera 604, BCM 608, and handheld device with camera 610, the headgear 118 may include Virtual Reality (VR) headset, and the transceiver 122 can include microphone and audio 612.

[0044] According to an embodiment, the system 100 enables a new user initially create, through the HMI device 114, an account on the system 100, and correspondingly the user may obtain login credentials upon registration and authentication of the account. The user has to opt one of the multiple types of projections while creating the account. Later on, the user may be able to access the system using the obtained login credentials. Once, logged in, the system 100 allows the user to select and switch between an automatic mode and a user-defined mode. In case the user selects the automatic mode, the system 100 randomly pairs the HMI device associated with the user to another HMI device in the same activity room. However, in case the user selects the user-defined mode, the system 100 can facilitate the user to choose other users, and further the system 100 can pair corresponding HMI devices. Further, the system 100 may enable the users associated with the paired HMI devices to perform the physical activities in tandem with one another, and the system 100 can also compute corresponding metrics for each of the users by taking into consideration the variations in the movement and postures of the emulated projections of said user.

[0045] In an implementation, once the request initiated by the user is received at the central processing unit 106, the central processing unit 106 can communicatively couple two or more of the HMI devices with one another based on selection of the mode made by the user. Further, the central processing unit 106 may also generate the set of multimedia frames, which include audio-visuals of an activity room associated with the received request(s), and may emulate a virtual projection of the users associated with each of the communicatively coupled HMI device, such that the movement and postures of the emulated projections vary corresponding to physical activities being carried out by the users.

[0046] Therefore, it can be said that the system 100 enables the users to utilize their time efficiently and socialize also. Further, the system 100 may be operable by a user only under safe driving scenarios.

[0047] According to an embodiment, the central processing unit 106 can be in communication with various HMI devices and vehicles, through a network 102. The network 102 can include communication unit 616 and metaverse cloud 618. Further, the network 102 can be a wireless network, a wired network or a combination thereof that can be implemented as one of the different types of networks, such as Intranet, Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), Internet, and the like. Further, the network 102 can either be a dedicated network or a shared network. The shared network can represent an association of different types of networks that can use variety of protocols, for example, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), and the like.

[0048] In an embodiment, the central processing unit 106 can be implemented using any or a combination of hardware components and software components such as a cloud, a sewer 104, a computing system, a computing device, a network device and the like. Further, the central processing unit 106 can interact with the HMI devices and vehicles, through a website or an application that can reside in the proposed system 100. In an implementation, the system 100 can be accessed by website or application that can be configured with any operating system, including but not limited to, Android', iOSTM, and the like.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 2, block diagram 200 illustrates exemplary functional units of the central processing unit 106, which can include one or more processor(s) 202, a memory, and interface(s) 206, known in the prior arts.

[0050] In an embodiment, processing engine(s) 208 can be implemented as a combination of hardware and programming (for example, programmable instructions) to implement one or more functionalities of the processing engine(s) 208. Database 210 can include data that is either stored or generated as a result of functionalities implemented by any of the components of the processing engine(s) 208. In an embodiment, the processing engine(s) 208 can include a selecting unit 212, an actuating unit 214, an emulating unit 216, a synchronizing unit 218, and other units(s) 220. Further, the other unit(s) 220 can implement functionalities that supplement applications/ functions performed by the central processing unit 106.

[0051] According to an embodiment, the selecting unit 212 may enable the user to initiate a request through the HMI device 114. Further, upon initiation of the request by the user, the actuating unit 214 may aid in actuating the sensors 112, where the sensors 112 may be configured to sense kinematic parameters associated with the physical activities carried out by the user. Moreover, the request can further be transmitted to the central processing unit 106.

[0052] In one embodiment, as illustrated in diagram 400 in FIG. 4, the selecting unit 212 can enables a new user initially create, through the HMI device 114, an account on the system 100, and correspondingly the user may obtain login credentials upon registration and authentication of the account. The user may see multiple types of projections (avatars) on the display unit 120, where the user has to opt one of the multiple types of projections while creating the account. The emulating unit 216 may facilitate in emulating the projections.

[0053] Later on, the user may be able to access the system using the obtained login credentials. Once, logged in, the selecting unit 212 may allow the user to select and switch between the automatic mode and the user-defined mode (defined above).

[0054] Further, the synchronizing unit 218 may enable the users, for instance user 1, user 2, and user 3 (FIG. 4), associated with the paired HMI devices to perform the physical activities in tandem with one another, and the system can also compute corresponding metrics for each of the users by taking into consideration the variations in the movement and postures of the emulated projections of said user.

[0055] In an implementation, once the request initiated by the user is received at the central processing unit 106, the central processing unit 106 can communicatively couple two or more of the HMI devices with one another based on selection of the mode made by the user. Further, the emulating unit 216 may also generate the set of multimedia frames, which include audio-visuals of the activity room associated with the received request(s), and may emulate a virtual projection of the users associated with each of the communicatively coupled HMI device, such that the movement and postures of the emulated projections vary corresponding to physical activities being carried out by the users. In an exemplary embodiment, the users in the same room can interact using multiuser concepts like Photon SDK, which syncs body, eye, lip, voice, hand movements, and the like.

[0056] In an embodiment, the movement and postures of the emulated projection vary corresponding to the mapped kinematic parameters, where the kinematic parameter can be processed by mapping them with one another, and corresponding metrics can be computed. In an exemplary embodiment, the metrices may pertain to calories burnt (calorie tracking 614), fitness score, and tokens collected by the user.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, as illustrated in diagram 300, as the system 100 states, first of all safe and unsafe conditions are monitored. If the condition is safe, an audio visual is shown to the user via the headgear 118. In an embodiment, the system 100 facilitates the user to select his/ her virtual projection (avatar) and/ or other avatar spawn, and further select an activity, where the activity may include (as illustrated in FIG. 4) badminton, rowing, nutrition, yoga, and the like. The user may also opt for a video call with a trainer/ referee. Further, based on activity selected, corresponding hardware is enabled, and body movements of the user are captured through the camera, and furthermore, by processing corresponding kinematic parameters the metrices, for instance calories tracked and fitness scored, are computed, and displayed at the display unit 120.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 5, as illustrated in diagram 500, two cars, say car 1 and car 2, along with their telematics, Virtual Reality (VR) headsets, controller, and fitness hardware can be connected with one another through the network 102 (also, referred to as metaverse cloud, herein) of the system 100, such that the users associated with the car 1 and car 2 can interact with one another easily.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 7, the proposed method 700 (also, referred to as method 700, herein) can include the step 702 of receiving, at a central processing unit, requests from any of the one or more users through one or more human-machine interface (HMI) devices.

[0060] In another embodiment, the method 700 can include the step 704 of communicatively coupling, at the central processing unit, two or more of the HMI devices with one another, upon receipt of the requests. Further, the method 700 can include the step 706 of generating, through the central processing unit, a set of multimedia frames comprising audio-visuals of an activity room associated with the received requests.

[0061] In another embodiment, the method 700 can include the step 708 of emulating a virtual projection of the user associated with each of the communicatively coupled HMI device, wherein movement and postures of the emulated projections vary corresponding to physical activities being carried out by the users.

[0062] In yet another embodiment, the method 700 can include the step 710 of synchronizing, at the central processing unit, the emulated projections with the generated set of multimedia frames and the variations in the movement and postures of the emulated projections with one another.

[0063] In one embodiment, each of the one or more HMI devices can include a plurality of sensors, a headgear, and a controller. The plurality of sensors may be disposed at pre-defined positions with respect to a flexible/ adjustable seat. The headgear can include a display unit and an acoustic transceiver, the headgear is adapted to be worn by the user, such that the display unit is positioned in front of eyes of the user, and configured to display the emulated projections synchronized with the generated set of multimedia frames, and the controller operatively coupled to the seat and the headgear. The method 700 can include actuating, upon initiation of a request by the user, a plurality of sensors configured to sense kinematic parameters associated with the physical activities carried out by the user, and wherein the request is transmitted to the central processing unit, then emulating the virtual projection based on opting of one of multiple types of projections by the user, and further synchronizing the emulated projection with the generated set of multimedia frames.

[0064] In an embodiment, the method 700 can also include processing, by mapping, the sensed kinematic parameters, wherein the movement and postures of the emulated projection vary corresponding to the mapped kinematic parameters, and corresponding metrics are computed, wherein the metrices pertain to calories burnt, fitness score, and tokens collected.

[0065] In other embodiment, the method 700 can include enabling a new user to initially create, through the HMI device, an account, and correspondingly generating login credentials upon registration and authentication of the account, wherein the user has to opt one of the multiple types of projections while creating the account; and the user is further able to operate the HMI device using the obtained login credentials.

[0066] In another embodiment, the method 700 can include allowing the user to select and switch between an automatic mode and a user-defined mode. In one embodiment, upon selection of the automatic mode, the HMI device associated with the user randomly paired to another HMI device in the same activity room. In another embodiment, upon selection of the user-defined mode, the user is able to choose other users, and further corresponding HMI devices are paired. The method further includes enabling the users associated with the paired HMI devices to perform the physical activities in tandem with one another, and computing corresponding metrics for each of the users by taking into consideration the variations in the movement and postures of the emulated projections of said user.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE

[0067] The present disclosure provides a smart system and method that facilitates users in performing physical activities in a vehicle.

[0068] The present disclosure provides a system and method that keeps a track of the physical activities performed by the users.

[0069] The present disclosure provides a system and method that enables the users to utilize their time efficiently and socialize also.

[0070] The present disclosure provides a system and method that is operable in safe driving scenarios and enables the user to achieve fitness with immersive Virtual Reality (VR) experience.

Claims

We Claim: A system (100) for performing physical activities in a vehicle (110), the system (100) comprising: one or more human-machine interface (HMI) devices, each of the one or more HMI devices being associated with one or more users; a central processing unit (106) in communication with the one or more HMI devices, the central processing unit (106) comprising a processor coupled with a memory, wherein the memory stores one or more instructions executable by the processor to: communicatively couple, upon receipt of requests from any of the one or more users, two or more of the HMI devices with one another; generate a set of multimedia frames comprising audio-visuals of an activity room associated with the received requests; emulate a virtual projection of the user associated with each of the communicatively coupled HMI device, wherein movement and postures of the emulated projections vary corresponding to physical activities being carried out by the users; and synchronize the emulated projections with the generated set of multimedia frames and the variations in the movement and postures of the emulated projections with one another.
The system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the one or more HMI devices comprises: a plurality of sensors (112) disposed at pre-defined positions with respect to a flexible seat; a headgear (118) comprising a display unit (120) and an acoustic transceiver (122), the headgear (118) is adapted to be worn by the user, such that the display unit (120) is positioned in front of eyes of the user, and configured to display the emulated projections synchronized with the generated set of multimedia frames; and a controller (116) operatively coupled to the seat and the headgear (118), the controller (116) configured to: actuate, upon initiation of a request by the user, a plurality of sensors (112) configured to sense kinematic parameters associated with the physical activities carried out by the user, and wherein the request is transmitted to the central processing unit (106); emulate the virtual projection based on opting of one of multiple types of projections by the user; synchronize the emulated projection with the generated set of multimedia frames; and process, by mapping, the sensed kinematic parameters, wherein the movement and postures of the emulated projection vary corresponding to the mapped kinematic parameters, and corresponding metrics are computed, wherein the metrices pertain to calories burnt, fitness score, and tokens collected.
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the system (100) enables a new user to initially create, through the HMI device, an account on the system (100), and correspondingly obtain login credentials upon registration and authentication of the account, wherein the user has to opt one of the multiple types of projections while creating the account; and the user is further able to access the system (100) using the obtained login credentials.
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the system (100) allows the user to select and switch between an automatic mode and a user-defined mode; wherein: upon selection of the automatic mode, the system randomly pairs the 1-1M1 device associated with the user to another HMI device in the same activity room; and upon selection of the user-defined mode, the system facilitates the user to choose other users, and further the system pairs corresponding HMI devices; wherein, the system (100) enables the users associated with the paired HMI devices to perform the physical activities in tandem with one another, and further the system (100) computes corresponding metrics for each of the users by taking into consideration the variations in the movement and postures of the emulated projections of said user.
The system (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the one or more HMI devices are configured within one or more vehicles, such that the one or more users, associated with the same vehicle, are able to access the system.
The system (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the one or more users are associated with distinct vehicles.
A method (700) for performing physical activities in a vehicle, the method (700) comprising: receiving (702), at a central processing unit, requests from any of the one or more users through one or more human-machine interface (HMI) devices; communicatively coupling (704), at the central processing unit, two or more of the HMI devices with one another, upon receipt of the requests; generating (706), through the central processing unit, a set of multimedia frames comprising audio-visuals of an activity room associated with the received requests; emulating (708), through the central processing unit, a virtual projection of the user associated with each of the communicatively coupled HMI device, wherein movement and postures of the emulated projections vary corresponding to physical activities being carried out by the users; and synchronizing (710), at the central processing unit, the emulated projections with the generated set of multimedia frames and the variations in the movement and postures of the emulated projections with one another.
The method (700) as claimed in claim 7, wherein each of the one or more HMI devices comprises: a plurality of sensors disposed at pre-defined positions with respect to a flexible/ seat; a headgear comprising a display unit and an acoustic transceiver, the headgear is adapted to be worn by the user, such that the display unit is positioned in front of eyes of the user, and configured to display the emulated projections synchronized with the generated set of multimedia frames; and a controller operatively coupled to the seat and the headgear; wherein the method (700) comprises: actuating, upon initiation of a request by the user, a plurality of sensors configured to sense kinematic parameters associated with the physical activities carried out by the user, and wherein the request is transmitted to the central processing unit; emulating the virtual projection based on opting of one of multiple types of projections by the user; synchronizing the emulated projection with the generated set of multimedia frames; and processing, by mapping, the sensed kinematic parameters, wherein the movement and postures of the emulated projection vary corresponding to the mapped kinematic parameters, and corresponding metrics are computed, wherein the metrices pertain to calories burnt, fitness score, and tokens collected.
9. The method (700) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the method (700) comprises enabling a new user to initially create, through the HMI device, an account, and correspondingly generating login credentials upon registration and authentication of the account, wherein the user has to opt one of the multiple types of projections while creating the account; and the user is further able to operate the HMI device using the obtained login credentials.
10. The method (700) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the method (700) comprises allowing the user to select and switch between an automatic mode and a user-defined mode; wherein: upon selection of the automatic mode, the HMI device associated with the user randomly paired to another HMI device in the same activity room; and upon selection of the user-defined mode, the user is enable to choose other users, and further corresponding HMI devices are paired; wherein, the method (700) further comprises enabling the users associated with the paired HMI devices to perform the physical activities in tandem with one another, and computing corresponding metrics for each of the users by taking into consideration the variations in the movement and postures of the emulated projections of said user.