System for simulating a tour of or being in a remote location while exercising

Abstract

A system and device for simulating being in or traveling through a remote location during exercise. The system may include a data output device configured to present the remote location for consumption by a user. The system may include a storage device configured to store remote location data representing the remote location. The system may include sensors configured to generate exercise data. The system may include a controller communicatively coupled to the sensors, the storage device, and the data output device, the controller configured to receive the generated exercise data and generate processed remote location data for the data output device based on the generated exercise data and the stored remote location data. The system may include a stationary exercise equipment operable by the user, the stationary exercise equipment including a sensor to generate exercise data.

1 . A system for simulating being in or traveling through a remote location during exercise, the system comprising:
 a storage device configured to store remote location data representing the remote location;   sensors configured to generate exercise data;   a controller communicatively coupled to the sensors, the storage device, and the data output device, the controller configured to receive the generated exercise data and generate processed remote location data based on the generated exercise data and the stored remote location data; and   a data output device responsive to the processed remote location data and configured to present the remote location for consumption by a user.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a stationary exercise equipment operable by the user, the stationary exercise equipment including a sensor to generate exercise data.   
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the data output device is configured to present the remote location including video and audio data, and the controller is configured to generate processed remote location data including both video and audio data representative of the remote location. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the data output device includes a screen for presenting the remote location. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller includes an interface operable by the user while the user exercises, the interface configured to enable the user to set user settable parameters. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processed remote location data is at least one of: high definition digital video data, 180 degree high definition digital video data, 360 degree panoramic imaging video data, or 3D virtual reality digital immersive video technology. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the remote location data includes at least one of: high definition digital audio data, binaural digital audio data, or stereoscopic high definition digital audio data, narration describing the remote location, and actual ambient sounds generated by an actual landscape and objects depicted in the remote location data. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the data output device includes a screen configured in at least one of the following ways: curved so as to extend at least partially around the front and sides of a user's visual field; shaped to allow the user to see images located to the side of an apparent direction of a virtual travel relative to the user; shaped to encompasses a complete field of vision of the user; shaped in a concave arrangement of contiguous screens which encompass the user's field of vision and wherein the screen is affixed to the top of the exercise equipment; and a headset adapted to be worn by the user, wherein the headset is one of: a head mounted display, or portable video glasses. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to communicate with a remote system and to provide two-way audio communication between the user and a second user, so that a group tour of the remote location may be simulated. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the controller is at least one of the following: built in to the exercise equipment and a separate device which is communicatively connected to the exercise equipment. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to synchronize traveling through the remote location with the user based on the exercise data. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the data output device is a headset and the controller is integrated into the headset. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to enable a user to connect to an Internet “tour,” wherein the remote location data of the Internet “tour” is accessed from a remote server via the Internet. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the remote location data includes positional data, and wherein the controller is configured to account for the positional data in generating the processed remote location data. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the remote location data includes global positioning data. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the remote location data includes a prescribed route. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the remote location data includes mapping data, allowing a user to select a route. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to synchronize the processed remote location data based on a speed of the user and navigation choices made by the user to provide an immersive audio visual tour, enabling a user to tour a remote location over the course of several exercise sessions. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to generate processed remote location data so that the simulated travel through the remote location is selectively faster or slower than the exercise data indicates as an actual pace of the user. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to generate processed remote location based on a user settable parameter of direction of travel through the remote location, enabling simulated travel through the remote location in a user set direction. 
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the storage device is at least one of: a MP3 players, MP4 players, a DVD player, a VCR, a computer readable non-volatile storage, an external flash drive, a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant, a game console, or a plug-and-play converter system. 
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to download from a remote computer the remote location data. 
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to receive the remote location data via GPS signal from an actual real-time remote location. 
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the stationary exercise equipment is one of a treadmill, a stationary bicycle, a stair climbing machine, a rowing machine, a skiing machine, and an elliptical machine. 
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processed remote location data is transmitted from one of: a MP3 player, a MP4 player, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, a video i Pod, a digital media device, and a game console, to a data output device selected from one of a headset and video glasses, wherein the user exercises by running in place or walking. 
   
   
       27 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to generate computer graphics and animation as the processed remote location data.