Simulated recreational, training and exercise system

Abstract

Controlled resistance to movement of body parts of a person is provided based on the person's body position and related to an activity depicted in a visual image provided to the person. The resistance is controlled by a sensor input and a visual input provided to a microprocessor and a software program based on the sensing of the position of at least one part of the person's body.

1 . A method of simulating characteristics of a physical activity, comprising the steps of:
 making sensory stimuli available to at least one person corresponding to the movement of the person in performing the physical activity, whereby the at least one person associates the physical activity with the stimuli;   the step of making sensory stimuli available to the at least one person including the substep of making non-tactile stimuli available representing at least one aspect of the activity and the substep of making tactile stimuli available; and   coordinating the position of at least one body part of the at least one person with the non-tactile stimuli to beginning the activity.   
     
     
         2 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the substep of making non-tactile stimuli available representing at least one aspect of the activity includes the substep of making at least one of visual stimuli depicting at least one aspect of the activity available to the at least one person and audible stimuli associated with the aspect of the activity. 
     
     
         3 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the substep of making tactile stimuli available to the at least one person includes the substep of controlling the resistance to movement of the at least one person. 
     
     
         4 . A method in accordance with  claim 3  wherein:
 the substep of making tactile stimuli available to the at least one person includes the substep of controlling the resistance to movement of the at least one person either through a preset resistance to joint movement or in synchronization with at least one aspect of the non-tactile stimuli under at least part control of a program recorded in a microprocessor representing the one aspect of the activity; and 
 altering the non-tactile stimuli in response to the movement of a part of the body of the at least one person. 
 
     
     
         5 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  further including the step of selecting a physical activity for at least one person to perform. 
     
     
         6 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  further including the step of selecting a resistance program. 
     
     
         7 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  further including the step of programming a time delay in a depiction of an aspect of the visual image based on the activity and a velocity measurement. 
     
     
         8 . A method in accordance with  claim 7  wherein at least one sensor provides signals to the microprocessor wherein the image depicts multiple actions caused by movement of limbs at multiple joints and sets individual friction control with respect to a direction of movement. 
     
     
         9 . A method in accordance with  claim 4  wherein the substep of controlling the resistance to movement of the at least one person includes the step of controlling the resistance by electrically generated forces. 
     
     
         10 . A method in accordance with  claim 9  wherein the electrical forces are applied by one of varying electromagnet resistance to movement and electromagnets forcing frictional surfaces together and by an electric motor turning a screw drive to force frictional surfaces together. 
     
     
         11 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  further including the step of generating an electrical code indicating the positions of two exoskeleton members with respect to each other wherein the exoskeleton members are connected to opposite sides of a joint of a person whereby the code indicates the position of the exoskeleton members with respect to each other about the joint. 
     
     
         12 . A method in accordance with  claim 11  wherein the code energizes a program to control the resistance and provide interactive images representing an activity to the person and being displayed on a monitor. 
     
     
         13 . A method in accordance with  claim 12  in which the images are at least one of terrain, athletic activities, and games. 
     
     
         14 . A method in accordance with  claim 12  wherein a therapist may monitor the audio/visual devices while exercise is being performed. 
     
     
         15 . A method of providing controlled resistance to movement of body parts of a person with respect to each other based on the person's body position and related to an activity depicted in a visual image provided to the person, comprising the steps of:
 attaching at least a first exoskeleton member to a first body part on a first side of at least one body joint of the person and a second exoskeleton member to a second body part on a second side of at least one body joint of the person;   attaching at least one adjustable resistance to at least one of said first and second exoskeleton members wherein said at least one of said first and second exoskeleton members provides a controlled resistance to movement of the first and second body parts of the person with respect to each other;   sensing positions of at least the first body part with respect to at least the second body part during performance of an activity and providing a first signal in response thereto;   generating a second signal from a second signal source wherein the second signal source is one of a second person or a microprocessor programmed to generate signals;   providing a video display, sound or touch sensation relating to a relationship between the first and second signals, whereby an activity of the person interacting with an actual person or programmed person is simulated; and   resisting movement of the person with a resistance controlled by a sensor input and a visual input provided to a microprocessor and a software program based on said sensing of the position of at least one part of said person's body.   
     
     
         16 . A method in accordance with  claim 15  wherein the step of sensing a position of at least one part of said person's body comprises the step of sensing a position of at least one part of said person's body from a remote location and transmitting it to the microprocessor. 
     
     
         17 . A method in accordance with  claim 16  wherein the step of initiating a program includes the step of displaying the program for a therapist wherein the therapist may change the program. 
     
     
         18 . A method in accordance with  claim 17  wherein the step of initiating a program includes the step of:
 generating an electrical code in response to at least one of a position of the body parts with respect to each other and an EMG signal; and 
 transmitting the code to the microprocessor storing the program, wherein the program is initiated. 
 
     
     
         19 . A method in accordance with  claim 16  wherein the at least one part of said person's body is at least one of a foot, an arm, a forearm, a leg or a shoulder. 
     
     
         20 . A method of simulating characteristics of a physical activity, comprising the steps of:
 selecting the physical activity;   making sensory stimuli available to at least one person corresponding to the movement of the person in performing the physical activity, whereby the at least one person associates the physical activity with the stimuli;   the step of making sensory stimuli available to the at least one person including the substeps of making non-tactile stimuli available representing at least one aspect of the activity in accordance with a preset program;   coordinating the position of at least one body part of the at least one person with the non-tactile stimuli to begin the physical activity.   the step of generating an electrical code indicating the positions of two exoskeleton members with respect to each other wherein the exoskeleton members are connected to opposite sides of a joint of a person whereby the code indicates the position of the exoskeleton members with respect to each other about the joint; and   the step of providing sensory stimuli including the step of varying the sensory stimuli in accordance with the generated code whereby the activity is varied partly by the person and partly by the recorded program.   
     
     
         21 . A method in accordance with  claim 20  in which the program is within a microprocessor. 
     
     
         22 . A method in accordance with  claim 20  further including the step of generating an electrical code indicating the positions of two exoskeleton members with respect to each other wherein the exoskeleton members are connected to opposite sides of a joint of a person whereby the code indicates the position of the exoskeleton members with respect to each other about the joint. 
     
     
         23 . A method in accordance with  claim 20  wherein the joint is the joint between the hand and the forearm and the exoskeleton generates one code representing yaw of the hand with respect to the forearm and a signal representing pitch of the hand with respect to the forearm said yaw and pitch being about orthogonal axes. 
     
     
         24 . A method in accordance with  claim 20  wherein the joint is the elbow and the exoskeleton generates a signal representing the rotation of the forearm with respect to the arm. 
     
     
         25 . A method of aiding a person in physical activity, wherein the person has weakened or damaged muscle, comprising the steps of:
 providing resistance to movement in a direction of natural forces, wherein the natural forces are offset;   the step of providing resistance to movement comprising the step of applying a resistance which varies in magnitude in accordance with a program in which said resistance is independent of velocity of movement;   providing images depicting the physical activity to the person under the control of the program;   coordinating one position of the body with a corresponding position in the image, wherein the program is synchronized;   said program varying the images and the resistance to movement in accordance with the position of body parts of the person.   
     
     
         26 . A method in accordance with  claim 25  in which the program is within a microprocessor. 
     
     
         27 . A method in accordance with  claim 25  in which the resistance is controlled by electrical forces. 
     
     
         28 . A method in accordance with  claim 26  further including the step of generating an electrical code indicating the positions of two levers with respect to each other wherein the levers are connected to opposite sides of a joint of a person whereby the code indicates the position of the levers with respect to each other about the joint. 
     
     
         29 . A method in accordance with  claim 28  wherein the code energizes a program to control the resistance and provide interactive images representing an activity to the person. 
     
     
         30 . A method in accordance with  claim 29  in which an operator may control the selection of the program being generated for a person exercising. 
     
     
         31 . A method in accordance with  claim 30  wherein a therapist may monitor the audio/visual devices while exercise is being performed. 
     
     
         32 . A method of simulating an activity requiring movement of body parts of a person, comprising the steps of:
 generating signals representing a position of at least two body parts with respect to each other;   generating resistance to movement in response to the signals;   generating at least one of visual presentations, audible presentations, heat, cold, wind, ultrasonic vibrations and EMS muscle stimulation in response to the signals, wherein the at least one of visual presentations, audible presentations, heat, cold, wind, ultrasonic vibrations and EMS muscle stimulation relate to the activity and to the resistance to movement;   synchronizing the signals and the position of the body parts at the start of the activity.   
     
     
         33 . A method according to  claim 32  in which a visual presentation received by a person is varied by changes in body position of the person and the visual presentation is provided by one of a video monitor and a virtual reality headset. 
     
     
         34 . A method according to  claim 30  in which the person's body position is determined by sensing the position of one side of a body joint in relation to the opposite side of the same body joint. 
     
     
         35 . A method in accordance with  claim 30  wherein the step of generating signals comprises the step of generating an electrical code indicating the positions of two levers with respect to each other wherein the levers are connected to opposite sides of a joint of a person whereby the code indicates the position of the levers with respect to each other about the joint; and the step of generating the at least one of visual presentations, audible presentations, heat, cold, wind, vibrations and EMS muscle stimulation comprises the step of sequencing the steps of a program in response to the electrical code to provide at least one of the visual presentation and the audible presentation representing an activity to the person. 
     
     
         36 . A method in accordance with  claim 30  further including the step of creating resistance to movement of the limb about the joint that is independent in resisting force of the velocity of movement of the limb and stops when force applied by the patient to cause motion stops wherein the exercise device does not exert force except when providing a resisting force to motion said step of creating resistance including the steps of creating frictional resistance during an activity corresponding to a sequence of steps in a program stored in the microprocesser depicting the activity by varying electromagnet resistance to movement or adjusting the pressure between frictional members surfaces that move with the limb about the joint by controlling one of an magnetic attraction forcing the surfaces together and by controlling a motor driven screw that tightens and loosens the surfaces under the control of the microprocessor or by cam surfaces. 
     
     
         37 . A method, comprising the steps of:
 generating an electrical code indicating the positions of two levers with respect to each other wherein the levers are connected to opposite sides of a joint of a person whereby the code indicates the position of the levers with respect to each other about the joint;   energizing a program in response to the code to provide at least one of interactive images and sounds representing an activity to the person;   said step of energizing a program including the steps of selecting a position of at least one body part and the similar depiction of an image of the body part;   synchronizing the program with the positions of the body part based on the selection of the position of the at least one body part and the similar depiction of an image of the body part.   
     
     
         38 . A method in accordance with  claim 37  wherein the at least one of interactive images and sounds includes images and the images are displayed on a monitor. 
     
     
         39 . A method in accordance with  claim 37  wherein a therapist may monitor the audio/visual devices while exercise is being performed. 
     
     
         40 . A method, comprising the steps of:
 attaching at least one lever to each side of at least one body joint of the person;   sensing a position of at least one part of said person's body in relation to at least one different body part; and   providing a video display relating the visual image to the sensing of the position of at least one part of said person's body, whereby an activity of the person is simulated.   
     
     
         41 . A method in accordance with  claim 40  wherein the step of sensing a position of at least one part of said person's body comprises the step of sensing a position of at least one part of said person's body from a remote location and transmitting it to the microprocessor. 
     
     
         42 . A method in accordance with  claim 40  further including a step of generating at least one of visual and audible presentations in response to signals wherein the at least one of visual and audible presentations relate to the activity and includes a step of generating images of a ski slope that change with the movement to simulate snowboarding, skiing, or snowmobiling. 
     
     
         43 . A method in accordance with  claim 40  wherein the step of generating at least one of visual and audible presentations in response to the signals wherein the at least one of visual and audible presentations relate to the activity includes a step of initiating a program within the microprocessor in response to the signals. 
     
     
         44 . A method of training a person to adjust to changes in gravity, comprising the steps of:
 simulating characteristics of a physical activity in a gravity altered environment, comprising the steps of:   making sensory stimuli available to at least one person corresponding to the movement of the person in performing the physical activity in a gravity altered environment, whereby the at least one person associates the physical activity in the gravity altered environment with the stimuli;   the step of making sensory stimuli available to the at least one person including the substeps of making non-tactile stimuli available representing at least one aspect of the activity in the gravity altered environment and the substep of making tactile stimuli available; and   coordinating the position of at least one body part of the at least one person with the non-tactile stimuli to beginning the activity.   
     
     
         45 . A method in accordance with  claim 44  wherein the substep of making non-tactile stimuli available representing at least one aspect of the activity includes the substep of making at least one of visual stimuli depicting at least one aspect of the activity available to the at least one person and audible stimuli associated with the aspect of the activity. 
     
     
         46 . A method in accordance with  claim 44  wherein the substep of making tactile stimuli available to the at least one person includes the substep of controlling the resistance to movement of the at least one person. 
     
     
         47 . A method of compensating for altered gravity environment during a physical activity, comprising the steps of:
 making sensory stimuli available to at least one person corresponding to the movement of the person in performing the physical activity in a, whereby the at least one person associates the physical activity with the stimuli;   the step of making sensory stimuli available to the at least one person including the substeps of making non-tactile stimuli available representing at least one aspect of the activity and the substep of making tactile stimuli available; and   coordinating the position of at least one body part of the at least one person with the non-tactile stimuli to beginning the activity.   
     
     
         48 . A method in accordance with  claim 47  wherein the substep of making non-tactile stimuli available representing at least one aspect of the activity includes the substep of making at least one of visual stimuli depicting at least one aspect of the activity available to the at least one person and audible stimuli associated with the aspect of the activity. 
     
     
         49 . A method in accordance with  claim 47  wherein the substep of making tactile stimuli available to the at least one person includes the substep of controlling the resistance to movement of the at least one person. 
     
     
         50 . A multiple plane action simulation apparatus, comprising:
 a first exoskeleton member adapted to be attached to a first side of a body joint;   a second exoskeleton member adapted to be attached to a second side of the body joint;   an adjustable module moveably connected to said first and second exoskeleton members for movement in at least two planes;   said first and second exoskeleton members being connected for rotary movement and linear movement in at least two planes   said adjustable module including an encoder that generates a code indicating the position of said first and second exoskeleton members with respect to each other; wherein a position of the first side of a person's body is sensed in relation to the second side of said person's body;   a microprocessor;   a video display;   at least one program within said microprocessor providing images to said video display and signals to said adjustable resistance in response to a position of at least one part of said person's body wherein said first and second exoskeleton members provide a controlled resistance to movement of the body parts with respect to each other and a visual image, whereby an activity of the person is simulated.   
     
     
         51 . A multiple plane action simulation apparatus in accordance with  claim 50  wherein the adjustable resistance serves as a universal joint. 
     
     
         52 . A multiple plane action simulation apparatus in accordance with  claim 52  wherein the first and second exoskeleton members are portions of a boot. 
     
     
         53 . A multiple plane action simulation apparatus in accordance with  claim 50  wherein the first and second exoskeleton members are portion of either a weapon, golf club, tennis racket, bat, steering wheel, stick control, snowboard or skies. 
     
     
         54 . A multiple plane action simulation apparatus in accordance with  claim 52  wherein the boot is a ski boot or snowboard boot and a video signal is an image of ski terrain. 
     
     
         55 . A multiple plane action simulation apparatus in accordance with  claim 50  further including a modem, wherein a position of at least one part of said person's body is transmitted from a remote location to the microprocessor. 
     
     
         56 . A multiple plane action simulation apparatus according to  claim 50  in which a visual input is provided by one of a video monitor and a virtual reality headset. 
     
     
         57 . Apparatus for aiding a person in physical activity, comprising:
 a microprocessor containing at least one program;   at least a first and second exoskeleton members;   said first exoskeleton member being adapted to be mounted to a limb on a first side of a joint of the person;   said second exoskeleton member being adapted to be mounted to a limb on a second side of the joint of the person, whereas the first exoskeleton member and the second exoskeleton member change position with respect to each other as the limbs move with respect to each other;   a friction control module;   said friction control module being attached to said first and second exoskeleton members and including friction members that change in position with respect to each other to resist movement of said first and second exoskeleton members, whereby motion of the limbs with respect to each other is resisted by said exoskeleton members;   at least one position sensor that senses the position of the first and second exoskeleton members with respect to each other and transmits signals to the microprocessor representing the position, wherein the microprocessor initiates a program to provide at least one of a visual signal, an audio signal, temperature sensation or touch sensation relating to the activity;   at least a first input device externally controlled by an entity other than the person and a second input device control by the person whereby the activity is varied partly by the person and partly by the externally controlled entity.   
     
     
         58 . Apparatus for aiding a person in physical activity, comprising:
 a microprocessor containing at least one program;   at least a first and second levers;   said first lever being adapted to be mounted to a limb on a first side of a joint of the person;   said second lever being adapted to be mounted to a limb on a second side of the joint of the person, whereas the first lever and the second lever change position with respect to each other as the limbs move with respect to each other;   a friction control module;   said friction control module being attached to said first and second levers and including friction members that change in position with respect to each other to resist movement of said first and second levers, whereby motion of the limbs with respect to each other is resisted by said levers;   at least one position sensor that senses the position of the first and second levers with respect to each other and transmits signals to the microprocessor representing the position, wherein the microprocessor initiates a program to provide at least one of a visual signal relating to an activity and an audio signal relating to the activity.   
     
     
         59 . Apparatus for providing controlled resistance to movement of body parts of a person with respect to each other based on the person's body position and a visual image provided to the person, comprising:
 a first lever adapted to be attached to a first side of a body joint of the person's body;   a second lever adapted to be attached to a second side of the body joint of the person's body; wherein a position of the first side of said person's body is sensed in relation to the second side of said person's body;   an adjustable resistance connected to said first and second levers wherein said first and second levers provide a controlled resistance to movement of the body parts with respect to each other;   a microprocessor;   a video display relating the visual image to a position of at least the first side of said person's body, whereby an activity of the person is simulated; and   a software program within said microprocessor providing said video display in response to the position of at least one part of said person's body.   
     
     
         60 . A method, comprising the steps of:
 simulating characteristics of a physical activity, comprising the steps of:   making sensory stimuli available to at least one person corresponding to the movement of the person in performing the physical activity, whereby the at least one person associates the physical activity with the stimuli;   the step of making sensory stimuli available to the at least one person including the substeps of making non-tactile stimuli available representing at least one aspect of the activity and the substep of making tactile stimuli available; and   coordinating the position of at least one body part of the at least one person with the non-tactile stimuli to beginning the activity.   
     
     
         61 . A method in accordance with  claim 60  wherein the substep of making tactile stimuli available to the at least one person includes the substep of controlling the resistance to movement of the at least one person in a pattern representing the force against movement in the actual activity. 
     
     
         62 . A method in accordance with  claim 61  wherein the pattern representing the force against movement in the actual activity is determined by generating a code representing the motion of the body parts during the actual activity and recording the code and the result, wherein a data base is generated correlating the actual motion with the result. 
     
     
         63 . A method in accordance with  claim 2  wherein a data base is compiled representing the average motion of multiple users and provided as a default program. 
     
     
         64 . A method in accordance with  claim 63  wherein a first data program is prepared in which the coordination between the users motion and the result of the activity provides a first large margin of error and a second program is prepared in which the coordination between the users motion and the result of the activity provides a second margin of error, said second margin of error being smaller than the first margin of error.