`US005466200A
`(19
`United States Patent
`5,466,200
`(11) Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`Noy. 14, 1995
`
`Ulrich et al.
`
`INTERACTIVE EXERCISE APPARATUS
`
`Inventors: W. Thatcher Ulrich, Boston; Harvey
`A. Koselka; Aaron F. Bobick, both of
`Newton; Michael H. Benjamin,
`Quincy, all of Mass,
`
`Assignee: CyberGear, Inc., Cambridge, Mass.
`
`12/1987
`4,709,917
`sone 272/73
`
`4,710,129 12/1987 Newmanet al
`434/55
`
`. 272/73
`4,711,447
`12/1987 Mansfield.....
`.
`. 364/410
`4,720,789
`1/1988 Hector et al.
`
`9/1988 Cavanagh ......scscecsecrereessereneeee 364/561
`4,771,394
`
`(List continued on next page.)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`{54]
`
`[75]
`
`[73]
`
`[21]
`
`[22]
`
`(63)
`
`[51]
`[52]
`
`[58]
`
`[56]
`
`0028209
`0354785
`9216659.8
`2194369
`WO/87/00066
`
`European Pat. Off. .
`6/1981
`2/1990 European Pat. Off. .
`7/1992 Germany .
`3/1988 United Kingdom .
`1/1987 WIPO.
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`International Search Report (4 pages) for related case PCT/
`US94/01247.
`Citation; Virtual Reality Gallery at SIGGRAPH’1991 1
`page.
`“DIS and Virtual Reality Networking with VR-Link”, Vir-
`tual Reality World, Mar/Apr. 1994, page 8.
`
`Primary Examiner—Richard J. Apley
`Assistant Examiner—Glenn E. Richman
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Appl. No.: 189,896
`
`Filed:
`
`Feb. 1, 1994
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 12,305, Feb. 2, 1993, aban-
`doned.
`
`onccecccscssssssssseteesesssssnsvecssesececeeeeee A63B 21/00
`Tint. CU.
`
`.. 482/4; 482/1; 482/3; 482/6;
`US. Cl......
`482/57; 482/901
`Field of Search o.oo 482/1-8, 52, 53,
`482/57, 72, 900-902; 434/157, 247
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`3,686,776
`8/1972 Dall) .n.ccscccssecsesseeee
`An interactive exercise apparatus engages a user’s mind and
`3,722,884
`3/1973 Brown ..........ccseceee
`3,767,195
`10/1973 Dimick .
`body. The apparatus comprises an exercise mechanism and
`a steering mechanism for manipulation by the user to
`3,903,613
`9/1975 Bisberg ........csceceee
`achieve exercise and to indicate a direction of motion. A
`4,049,262
`9/1977 Cunningham, Jr.
`4,141,630
`2/1979
`simulated environment
`is generated by a computer and
`4,170,834
`10/1979
`displayed on a display system for the user. The user manipu-
`4,196,528
`4/1990
`lates the exercise mechanism andthesteering mechanism to
`4,358,105
`11/1982 Sweeney,Jr. .
`freely navigate through the simulated environment. The
`4,418,911
`273/85
`12/1983 Bowers etal......
`
`computer monitors the exercise mechanism andthe steering
`4,461,470
`273/85
`7/1984 Astroth et al.
`.
`
`mechanism to determine user position in the simulated
`4,464,117
`8/1984 Foerst.........
`. 434/67
`
`environment. The display is periodically updated by the
`4,478,407 10/1984 Manabe ..
`
`
`computerto provide a continuousvisual display of the user’s
`4/1985 Phillips......
`4,512,567
`4,512,567
`4/1985 Phillips .
`position as the user travels through the simulated environ-
`4,527,980
`7/1985 Miller .....csesesssssseescssesessencneseensees 434/55
`ment. A plurality of the interactive exercise apparatus can be
`4,542,897
`9/1985 Melton et al.
`.
`networked together to allow group participation in the
`4,572,509=2/1986 Strick oo...scssccesseesecescsessneneeeeeaee 273/85
`simulated environment.
`4,616,829 10/1986 Smack, Sr. et al.
`273/86
`4,630,817
`12/1986 Buckley.....
`4,637,605
`1/1987 Ritchie.......
`
`
`
`24 Claims, 12 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`OF USER AND
`OTHER OBJECTS IN
`D ENVIRONMENT
`
`
`UPDATE PEDAL
`GENERATE AUDIO &
`
`
`
`RESISTANCE &
`VISUAL DISPLAY OF
`FAN SPEED
`3D ENVIRONMENT
`
`
`
`y
`
`——--=se0 > FLOW OF INFORMATION
`————> FLOW OF CONTROL
`
`Petitioner Riot Games,Inc. - Ex. 1012, p. 1
`
`
`
`
`5,466,200
`
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`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`
`
`11/1988 Lautenschlager «cscs 272/73
`4,786,049
`
`
`
`
`
`4,817,938
`4/1989 Nakaoet al. .
`
`
`
`
`
`4/1989 Augspurgeretal. .
`4,817,939
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`128/707
`8/1989 Schminke........
`4,860,763
`
`
`
`
`
`
`we 434/45
`4,887,966 12/1989 Gellermann .
`
`
`
`
`
`ww 434/61
`12/1989 Letovsky et al.
`4,887,967
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`. 364/410
`4,891,748
`1/1990
`
`
`
`
`
`
`4/1990
`4,919,416
`ve 482/53
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`. 27273
`5/1990
`4,925,183
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`4,932,651
`
`4,938,475
`
`5,031,900
`
`5,031,901
`
`5,031,902
`
`5,051,638
`
`5.072.929
`
`wes
`
`§,213,555
`5,240,417
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`6/1990 Delaux veccssccen
`
`
`7/1990 Sargeant et al.
`....
`
`
`
`
`7/1991 Leask .
`
`
`7/1991 Saarinen .
`
`
`7/1991 Findlay .
`
`
`9/1991 Pyles .
`
`
`al
`12/1991 Pet
`
`
`
`
`eterson et
`al.
`.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`5/1993) Hood et al. evescssecsnesesssseranee 482/57
`8/1993 Smithson et ab. veces 434/61
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Petitioner Riot Games,Inc. - Ex. 1012, p. 2
`
`Petitioner Riot Games, Inc. - Ex. 1012, p. 2
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`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 14, 1995
`
`Sheet 1 of 12
`
`AV1dSI0
`
`W3LSAS
`
`YOISNVIW~LYOddNs
`
`
`
`3SIOY3X3DIGOYIV
`
`O3LVILINI-YISNFINLONALS
`
`5,466,200
`
`|14
`
`agLNdWOd
`
`ONIAIILS
`
`WSINVHIAW
`
`Petitioner Riot Games, Inc. - Ex. 1012, p. 3
`
`
`
`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 14, 1995
`
`Sheet 2 of 12
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`5,466,200
`
`34 -
`
`
`NG
`RL.
`
`Petitioner Riot Games,Inc. - Ex. 1012, p. 4
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`
`US. Patent
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`
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`Nov. 14, 1995
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`Sheet 3 of 12
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`5,466,200
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`46
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`44
`
`46
`
`
`
`Fig. 2B
`
`Petitioner Riot Games,Inc. - Ex. 1012, p. 5
`
`Petitioner Riot Games, Inc. - Ex. 1012, p. 5
`
`
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` COMPUTE UPDATED
`
`
`
`
`
`
`POSITION & STATE
`
`
`
`OF USER AND
`
`
`
`
`OTHER OBJECTSIN
`
`
`
`
`
`3D ENVIRONMENT
`Re ne eeee
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`UPDATE PEDAL
`GENERATE AUDIO &
`
`
`
`
`
`
`RESISTANCE &
`VISUAL DISPLAY OF
`
`
`
`
`
`3D ENVIRONMENT
`FAN SPEED
`
`
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`
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`NETWORK
`
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`yusjed“Sn
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`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ff > FLOW OF INFORMATION
`
`
`
`
`——————> FLOW OF CONTROL
`
`
`Fig. 3
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`007‘99Pr‘S
`
`
`
`Petitioner Riot Games,Inc. - Ex. 1012, p. 6
`
`Petitioner Riot Games, Inc. - Ex. 1012, p. 6
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`
`
`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 14, 1995
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`Sheet 5 of 12
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`Petitioner Riot Games,Inc. - Ex. 1012, p. 7
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`Petitioner Riot Games, Inc. - Ex. 1012, p. 7
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 14, 1995
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`Sheet 6 of 12
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`Petitioner Riot Games,Inc. - Ex. 1012, p. 8
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`Petitioner Riot Games, Inc. - Ex. 1012, p. 8
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 14, 1995
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`Sheet 8 of 12
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`5,466,200
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`2-WAY
`
`94
`
`
`COMMUNICATIONS
`
`
`
`EXERCISE
`APPARATUS
`
`
`
`EXERCISE
`
`APPARATUS
`
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`2
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`HUB PROCESSOR
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`2-WAY
`COMMUNICATIONS
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`APPARATUS
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`EXERCISE
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`EXERCISE
`APPARATUS
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`EXERCISE
`APPARATUS
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`EXERCISE
`APPARATUS
`
`100
`
`Fig. 8
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`120
`HUB PROCESSOR
`LOW-BANDWIDTH SIGNAL
`
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`
`
`EXERCISE
`APPARATUS
`
`EXERCISE
`APPARATUS
`
`[~96
`
`EXERCISE
`APPARATUS
`
`
`
`BROADCASTSIGNAL
`
`Fig. 9
`
`Petitioner Riot Games, Inc. - Ex. 1012, p. 10
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`
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`20
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`18
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`Petitioner Riot Games,Inc. - Ex. 1012, p. 11
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`
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`121
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`SPEAKER
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`16
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`126
`124
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`BUFFER MEMORY
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`123
`i‘ VOICE/DATA
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`Fig. 10 MUX/DEMUX.||CABLE DECODER (A/D} wo
`
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`Petitioner Riot Games, Inc. - Ex. 1012, p. 11
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`RECEIVE INPUTS _
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`134
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`IQ.
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`] ]
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`COMPUTE UPDATED
`POSITION & STATE
`
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`OF USER AND
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`OTHER OBJECTS IN
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`3D ENVIRONMENT
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`GENERATE AUDIO &
`UPDATE PEDAL
`
`w
`VISUAL DISPLAY OF
`RESISTANCE&
`60
`
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`\
`3D ENVIRONMENT
`FAN SPEED
`e
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`136
`=
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`NETWORK
`2,—_
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`DOWNLOADING RECEIVE DATABASE|--~------ > FLOW OF INFORMATIONSEND DATABASE S
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`MODE
`OF SIMULATED 3D
`OF SIMULATED 3D
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`ENVIRONMENT
`ENVIRONMENT
`—————> FLOW OF CONTROL
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`SEND STATE OF
`INTERACTIVE
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`MODE
`LOCALLY MODELED Rees
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`OBJECTS (USER)
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`Petitioner Riot Games,Inc. - Ex. 1012, p. 12
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`Petitioner Riot Games, Inc. - Ex. 1012, p. 12
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`FOR BROADCAST SYSTEMS
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`DATA LINES
`
`ENCODER
`
`(D/A CONVERSION)
`
`:
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`——_—_—_———_
`
`
`OUTPUT
`|-—~-
`—_—*
`
`PROCESSOR
`e
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`
`152
`
`Fig. 12
`
`Petitioner Riot Games,Inc. - Ex. 1012, p. 13
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`
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 14, 1995
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`Sheet 12 of 12
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`5,466,200
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`READ NEXT MESSAGE
`
`OBJECT STATE
`
`OBJECT STATE UPDATE?
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`162
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`DATABASE
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`164
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`INCOMING
`DATA
`156
`QUEUE
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`LIBRARY
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`REQUEST ekDATABASE
`UPDATE
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` ajowmmmneeee ADD TO OUTGOING
`FIND SELECTED
`DATABASE
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`MESSAGE QUEUE
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`OBJECT
`DATABASE 166
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`OUTGOING
`MESSAGE
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`DETERMINE
`TARGETED USER
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`Group. |-
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`FOR DIRECT NETWORK
`FOR BROADCAST
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`ADDRESS TO
`SORT A SET OF
`INDIVIDUAL GROUP
`MESSAGES BY
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`MEMBERS
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`TARGET GROUP
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`DISPATCH MESSAGES
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`DISPATCH MESSAGES
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`Fig. 13 > FLOW OF DATA
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`————+ FLOW OF CONTROL
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`Petitioner Riot Games,Inc. - Ex. 1012, p. 14
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`5,466,200
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`1
`INTERACTIVE EXERCISE APPARATUS
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`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`
`
`
`APPLICATION
`
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`This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application
`Ser. No. 08/012,305 which was filed on Feb. 2, 1993,
`
`
`
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`
`
`
`
`
`
`abandoned.
`
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`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
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`This invention relates generally to exercise equipment and
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`networkable exercise equipment.
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`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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`It is knownthat physical fitness is of prime importance to
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`many people. Historically, people have been able to main-
`tain an acceptable level of fitness simply due to their
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`everyday lives, As lifestyles have become progressively
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`more sedentary, people have been forced to seek exercisc in
`other ways.
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`A portion of society keeps in shape by participating in
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`group exercise events such as tennis, hockey, or basketball
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`games. Such games are forms of “fun exercise” in that
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`participants often take part in such events because they
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`simply enjoy the games or the competition and not solely for
`the purpose of fitness. However, it is often difficult to
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`coordinate the people and facilities required for many rec-
`reational and team sports. Individual sports such as bicy-
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`cling, running and swimming are a viable alternative in that
`they allow forflexible schedules. The disadvantages to these
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`sports is that they are location and weather dependent.
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`A large segment of society finds it easier and more
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`convenient to go to health clubs or to use home exercise
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`equipment to exercise. Health clubs have extended hours
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`and a wide range of fimess equipment that allows workout
`schedules to be flexible and workouts to be quick. Unfor-
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`tunately, current exercise equipment makes working out a
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`chore that is tolerated due to the importance of cardiovas-
`cular (aerobic) fitness.
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`Exercise equipment generally falls into two categories:
`strength and aerobic. Strength equipment includes tradi-
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`tional free weights as well as machines on which the weight
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`is not directly attached to the lifting bars. The userlifts the
`weights in different ways to strengthen various muscle
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`groups. Aerobic machines improve the user’s cardiovascular
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`system and tone muscles rather than building muscles and
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`strength. Aerobic equipment includes exercise cycles, tread-
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`mills and stair climbers. Typically, the required speed or
`resistance can be varied during a workout. A control panel
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`equipped with a set of light emitting diodes (LEDs) may be
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`provided to depict the routine as a histogram. An average
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`workout lasts approximately 20 minutes. Biomechanical
`feedback such as calories burned mayalso be displayed on
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`the control panel.
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`The most conventional ways to exercise often are not
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`necessarily the most fun. Thus, a need exists for fun cxercise
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`equipment which makes workouts more enjoyable and
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`entices more people to exercise.
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`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
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`An object of the present invention is to provide exercise
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`equipment which makes aerobic exercise less boring and
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`more fun. To accomplish this, the present invention utilizes
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`digital graphics, interactive software, a mechanism for aero-
`bic exercise, steering controls, and a display system to
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`20
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`provide exercise equipment which is competitive, engaging
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`and fun. The graphics,
`interactive software, and display
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`engage a user mentally while the exercise and steering
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`mechanisms engage the user physically. As such, a workout
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`with the exercise equipmentof the present invention can be
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`as exciting as participating in team sports but with health
`club or home convenience.
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`To accomplish the above-stated object, the invention also
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`contemplates the interconnection of two or more exercise
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`machines via computer networking (or, more generally, via
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`any type of analog and/or digital communication system)
`such that the users of the exercise machines can interact with
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`each other as teammates or competitors in a variety of
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`athictic events including basketball games, baseball games,
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`football games, bicycle races, and swimming races. By
`networking two or more exercise machines,the users of the
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`machines can participate in team sports at home or at the
`local health club.
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`In one aspect, the present invention is directed to an
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`exercise apparatus comprising a support structure for sup-
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`porting a user. The support structure can include a bicycle
`seat or a bucket seat such that the apparatus resembles an
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`exercise cycle. An exercise mechanism, such as a pair of
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`cycling pedals, can be initiated by the user for providing
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`aerobic exercise. A steering mechanism, such as a pair of
`handles, is disposed proximate the support structure. The
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`exercise apparatus further comprises a processor which
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`generates an interactive simulated environment and a dis-
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`play system spaced from the user providing a visual display
`of the simulated environment.
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`During a workout,
`the user manipulates the exercise
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`mechanism and the steering mechanism to freely navigate
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`through the simulated environment. The processor monitors
`the exercise mechanism and the steering mechanism to
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`determine user position in the simulated environment. The
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`display is updated by the processor to provide a continuous
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`visual display of the user’s position as the user navigates
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`substantially unrestricted through the simulated environ-
`ment.
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`The processor is capable of running many different pro-
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`grams to provide a variety of simulated environments. Somc
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`programs provide roads, terrain, and obstacles for the user
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`and the user’s competition. Other programs may provide
`new worlds for the user to explore or even allow the user to
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`travel across the solar system. Each program provides a
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`simulated environment which can be multi-dimensional to
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`appear more realistic. The user views the simulated envi-
`ronment or world through the display system. The uscr
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`freely navigates through the environment using the exercise
`mechanism and the steering mechanism. In other words,
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`in the simulated environment
`is substantially
`user,travel
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`unrestricted. Thus, the user can travel across roads andtrails
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`or choose to travel across grass, water, or other more
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`challenging terrain.
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`A user operating the exercise apparatus of the present
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`invention manipulates the exercise mechanism andsteering
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`mechanism. The exercise mechanism may comprisea pair of
`interconnected cycling pedals. Further, instead of employing
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`a traditional flywheel and freewheel to provide for pedal
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`resistance, a closed loop digital contro] system may be used
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`to electronically control pedaling revolutions. The control
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`system includes a digital controller which controls a pedal
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`resistance device electronically, thereby emulating a fly-
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`whecl/freewheel to provide the proper combination of pedal
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`resistance and inertia for smooth pedaling revolutions.
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`The steering mechanism may be coupledio a stationary
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`Petitioner Riot Games,Inc. - Ex. 1012, p. 15
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`Petitioner Riot Games, Inc. - Ex. 1012, p. 15
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`5,466,200
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`3
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`base by a mechanical linkage. As the user manipulates the
`steering mechanism, the mechanical linkage causestilting of
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`the uscr relative to the base. This feature simulates the
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`tuming action of a bicycle or the like, serving to further
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`engage the user in the exercising expericnce. In fact, the
`frame can tilt up to 15 degrees or more to either side of a
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`longitudinal vertical plane.
`In another aspect of the invention, the processor of an
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`exercise apparatus is part of a computer which is network-
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`able to computers of other exercise apparatus. When two or
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`more of these exercise apparatus are interconnected, they
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`can communicate and exchange information to allow the
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`users to engage in simulated sporting events as teammates or
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`competitors.
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`Other objects, aspects, features, and advantages of the
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`invention will become apparent from the following descrip-
`tion and from the claims.
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`In the drawings,like reference characters generally refer
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`to the same parts throughout the different views. Also, the
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`drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead
`being placed onillustrating the principles of the invention.
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`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an interactive exercise
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`apparatus illustrating the principles of the present invention.
`FIG.2Ais a side view of an interactive exercise cycle of
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`the present invention.
`FIG.2B is a top view of an alternative interactive exercise
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`cycle which includes a plurality of visual display units.
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`FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating one process for deter-
`mining a user’s position as the user freely navigates through
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`a simulated environment.
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`FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the interactive
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`exercise cycle of FIG. 2A illustrating a frame movably
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`mounted on a stationary base.
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`FIG. 5 is an exploded partially cut-away view of FIG. 4
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`illustrating a mechanical linkage connecting the steering
`mechanism to the base.
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`FIG.6 is a cross-section view of a pedal resistance device
`used in the interactive exercise cycle of FIG. 2A.
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`FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an exercise apparatus-to-
`exercise apparatus network according to the invention.
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`FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a network in which a hub
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`controls communications between two or more cxcrcise
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`apparatus (“nodes”) by receiving information from all nodes
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`and directing information to all of, or to a subset of all of,
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`the nodes.
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`FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a network in which a hub
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`receives information from all network nodes and broadcasts
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`information to all nodes.
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`FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the interactive exercise
`apparatus of FIG. 1 with a network interface.
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`FIG. 11 is a flow chart, similar to the flow chart of FIG.
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`3, which illustrates a process for determining a user’s
`position as the user freely navigates through a simulated
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`environment.
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`FIG. 12 is a block diagram of the hub of FIG. 8 or FIG.
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`9.
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`FIG.13 is a flow chart illustrating a process for message
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`processing in the hub of FIG. 8 or FIG.9.
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`DESCRIPTION
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`The present invention is generally directed to interactive
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`exercise equipment which engages a user’s mind and body.
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`4
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`Referring to FIG. 1, an exercise device 10 comprises a
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`support structure 12 for supporting a user. The support
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`structure 12 may include a bicycle seat or buckct seat. An
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`exercise mechanism 14 for providing aerobic exercise to a
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`user, such as cycling pedals,
`is disposed proximate the
`support structure 12. A steering mechanism 16, such as
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`handles or handichars, is also positioned near the support
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`structure 12.
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`An interactive simulated environment is generated by a
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`processor 18, such as a computer, and displayed on a display
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`system 20. The display system comprises a viewing screen
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`or multiple viewing screens to provide a widerfield of view.
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`The user manipulates the exercise mechanism 14 and/orthe
`steering mechanism 16 to freely navigate through the envi-
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`ronment displayed on the display. To accomplish this, the
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`processor 18 monitors the exercise mechanism 14 and the
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`steering mechanism 16 to determine user position in the
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`simulated environment. The processor 18 controls the level
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`of difficulty of the exercise mechanism 14 to simulate
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`characteristics (i.e. topography,terrain, etc.) of the environ-
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`ment. The display 20 is periodically updated by the com-
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`puter 18 to provide a continuousvisual display of the user’s
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`position as the user travels substantially unrestricted in the
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`simulated environment.
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`In one embodiment,the present invention is directed to an
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`exercise cycling apparatus as shown in FIG. 2A. The appa-
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`tatus 22 includes a frame 24 movably mounted to a station-
`ary base 26. A bucket seat 25 is mounted to the frame 24.
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`The seat 25 enables a user to be seated in the recumbent
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`position which provides several biomechanical and aerobic
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`advantages. Recumbent cycling engages the gluteus maxi-
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`mus, the largest muscle group,
`to provide for maximum
`aerobic activity before reaching the anaerobic threshold. The
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`bucket seat 25 makes the recumbent position very comfort-
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`able for longrides. In addition, the recumbentpositionis less
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`intimidating to overweight users.It is noted, however, that
`the present invention can employ the more commonupright
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`exercise bicycle frame and seat without departing from the
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`scope of the invention.
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`A pair of cycling pedals 27 extend from a pedal resistance
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`device 28. The pedal resistance device 28 is adjustable so
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`that the pedals 27 can always be within reach of a short or
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`long-legged user. A user exercises by manipulating the
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`pedals 27. Two vertically oriented handles 30 are coupled by
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`a mechanical linkage 72 (see FIG. 5) to the frame 24 for
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`steering the cycle 22. The handles 30 are positioned so that
`one handle is located on each side the seat 25. As the user
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`manipulates the handles 24, the mechanical linkage cause
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`tilting of the frame 24 relative to the base 26. This feature
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`simulates the turning action ofa bicycle and is explained in
`detail below.
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`Acomputer 32 capable of generating an interactive simu-
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`lated environment is mounted to an L-shaped leg 36 which
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`extends from the stationary base 26. The computer 32 can be
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`powered by many different types of microprocessors. One
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`embodimentof the invention includes a personal computer
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`based on the Intel 486 microprocessor. Other computers,
`such as those based on the Motorola 68040 processor can be
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`used. Regardless of the type of microprocessor employed,
`the computer typically also includes one or more electronic
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`storage devices for storing one or more databases which
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`describe the simulated environment(s). The storage devices
`can include CD-ROMs,hard disk drives, floppy disk drives,
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`read only memories (ROMs), or random access memories
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`(RAMs). At run time, the microprocessor reads the appro-
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`priate data from the database and constructs the desired
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`simulated environment.
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`Petitioner Riot Games,Inc. - Ex. 1012, p. 16
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`Petitioner Riot Games, Inc. - Ex. 1012, p. 16
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`5,466,200
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`5
`A viewing screen, such as a television monitor 35, is
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`positioned opposite the seat 25 and oriented to be viewed by
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`a seated user. The monitor 35 may be capable of showing
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`computer generated graphics as well as standard TV and
`VCR images. The monitor 35 is connected to the computer
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`32 to provide a visual (and optional audio) display of the
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`simulated environment. While the monitor 35 can be any
`size, a larger monitor is preferred. A variable speed fan 38
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`is mounted adjacent to the moniter 35. The computer 32
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`regulates the speed of the fan 38 to provide an air flow which
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`simulates wind speed.
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`Referring to FIG. 2B, a central viewing monitor 44 and
`two side monitors 46 can be employed. The two side
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`monitors 46 provide peripheral vision which enhances the
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`user’s sense of motion. The side monitors may also be
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`employed for biomechanical data and/or status displays.
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`Referring back to FIG, 2A, a user operates the apparatus
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`22 by pedaling the cycling pedals 27 and steering with the
`handles 30 to freely navigate through the simulated envi-
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`ronment. The computer 32 can vary the pedal resistancefelt
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`by the user by controlling the pedal resistance device 28. The
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`computer 32 monitors pedal speed and steering direction to
`determine the user’s position in the simulated environment.
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`Based on the user’s action, the computer 32 provides the
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`monitor 35 with updated views of the simulated environ-
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`ment which correspondsto the user’s position. The monitor
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`35. provides the user with an ongoing visual display of the
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`simulated environment based on the uscr’s position therein
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`as the user freely navigates in the environment.
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`The computer 32 is capable of running many different
`interactive programs to provide a variety of environments.
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`Some programs provide roads, terrain, and obstacles for the
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`user. Other programs include underwater adventure, pedal
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`powered flight simulators, and space travel. Each program
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`provides a simulated environment which the user views
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`through the television monitor 35. The user freely navigates
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`in the environment using the pedals 27 and the steering
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`handles 30. In other words, user travel in the simulated
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`environment is substantially unrestricted. Thus, the user can
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`travel across roads and trails or chose to travel across grass
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`and water as well as other more challenging terrain.
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`Manyexisting exercise machines and video games have a
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`start-up sequence which requires a user to enter certain facts,
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`such as weight, skill level, desired course and length of
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`workout. The information is usually gathered through a set
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`of buttons with LED indicators. However,
`this type of
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`interrogation can be
`confusing and time-consuming.
`Accordingly, the cycling apparatus 22 may gather some of
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`this type of information indirectly. For example, a sensing
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`device (69 in FIG. 5) can be incorporated into the seat 25 for
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`automatically weighing a user. Other information may be
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`gathered by meansof the user navigating the cycle down the
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`path of choice. For example, a person who desires a tough
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`workout could head for a hilly path. Other choices may be
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`indicated by road signs or other markers. By using this
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`navigational metaphor, the user is able to make choices in a
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`natural and intuitive manner.If the user misses a choice he
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`or she can simply tum around.
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`The computer 32 may be adapted to participate in a
`communication network connecting
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`devices. As such, multiple users can exercise in the same
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`simulated environment. This feature stimulates impromptu
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`races and competition among users. By allowing users to
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`navigate freely around the same environment,
`they can
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`engage in friendly touring or fierce competition on a spur of
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`the momentbasis. This network feature is described in more
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`25
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`6
`detail below with reference to FIGS. 7-13.
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`A general process flow sequence of the interactive soft-
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`ware within the computer 32 is shown in FIG. 3. Once a
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`particular environment has been selected,
`the computer
`monitors a variety of parameters including user weight 48,
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`pedal speed 50, and steering/tilt 52 (step 54). The computer
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