Resistance exercise computer game controller and method

Abstract

An apparatus and method are described for performing resistance exercise, allowing the user to select from multiple, biomechanically appropriate resistance exercise movements and thereby control a (prior art) computer game or video game, providing sound strength-building exercise in an entertaining manner. The apparatus has multiple actuators from which the user may select, each coupled to an appropriate resistance, and each having a range of motion corresponding to the natural exercise range of a large muscle or muscle group. The actuator movements are detected and used to control the game.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A resistance exercise computer game controller, comprising: 
 a support body;    at least two independently moveable actuators mounted to said support body, each of said actuators having a range of motion generally corresponding to the normal exercise range of motion of a large muscle of a human user;    resistance means coupled to each of said actuators resisting the motion of each said actuator in at least one direction with a force of at least 2.2 pounds; and    detector means associated with said actuators for detecting the movements of said actuators.    
     
     
         2 . A method of performing resistance-type exercise, comprising the steps of: 
 selecting a resistance exercise machine exercise movement from a set of at least two distinct movements allowed by said resistance exercise machine, said movements generally corresponding to the normal exercise range of motion of a large muscle of the user, in response to the state of a computer game;    performing the selected movement against a resistance of at least 2.2 pounds;    detecting the performance of the selected resistance exercise machine movement by detector means interfaced to the input of the computer game, and modifying the state of the computer game thereby; and    repeating the foregoing steps, with the sequence of resistance exercise machine movement selections determined by the user in response to the computer game.    
     
     
         3 . The resistance exercise computer game controller of  claim 1 , further comprising interface means for coupling the output of said detector means to the input of a computer game.  
     
     
         4 . The resistance exercise computer game controller of  claim 1 , wherein said range of motion of each said actuator generally corresponds to the motion of a recognized weight lifting exercise.  
     
     
         5 . The resistance exercise computer game controller of  claim 1 , further comprising a bench mounted to said support body for supporting the body of a human user while exercising.  
     
     
         6 . The resistance exercise computer game controller of  claim 1 , further comprising interface means for coupling the output of said detector means to the input of a computer game, wherein said detector means comprises electrical switches for detecting the movement of said actuators, and said electrical switches are electrically connected to a standard commercial computer game interface plug.  
     
     
         7 . The resistance exercise computer game controller of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said actuators comprises a handle for grasping by the hand of a human user.