Method of controlling a device allowing a user to walk or run on the spot in an arbitrary direction and device therefor

Abstract

The invention concerns a method for controlling a device ( 1 ) allowing a user ( 25 ) to walk or run on the spot in an arbitrary direction and a device ( 1 ) therefor. The device ( 1 ) comprises a stationary central platform ( 9 ) surrounded by a convex polygon shaped deck ( 6 ) in level therewith, said deck ( 6 ) being divided into trapezoid shaped roller conveyors. Each conveyor has rollers in parallel with the trapezoid bases, the shorter one of these adjoining said platform and the longer one of these forming a side of said polygonal shape. The rollers of said conveyors are driven in order to move a user ( 25 ) stepping thereon back to said central platform ( 9 ). The rollers as such are continuous circular cylindrical, and beneath them there is a driving belt for frictional driving engagement with the rollers from below. According to the method a marker ( 26 ) placed on top of the user ( 25 ) is monitored by means of video cameras ( 24 ) and the speed of the roller conveyors adjusted depending on the perceived marker size and position.

1 . A method of controlling a device allowing a user to walk or run on the spot in an arbitrary direction, the device comprising a stationary central platform surrounded by a convex polygon shaped deck in level therewith, said deck being divided into trapezoid shaped roller conveyors, wherein each conveyor has rollers in parallel with the trapezoid bases, the shorter one of these adjoining said platform and the longer one of these forming a side of said polygonal shape, and wherein the rollers of said conveyors are driven in order to move a user stepping thereon back to said central platform, 
       wherein the method comprises the following steps:
 mounting a plurality of video cameras above the device on a height well above a user thereof, said cameras being arranged in a defined matrix and directed downwardly; 
 providing a direction indicating marker on top of said user, monitoring the position and size of said marker by means of said cameras; 
 controlling the speed of the roller conveyors depending on said marker's distance from said central platform as seen from above by said cameras at an elevated speed when said distance is large and at a lower speed when said distance is small; and 
 halting the roller conveyors when said distance is nil. 
 
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of halting the roller conveyors when the size of said marker as seen from above by said cameras is substantially decreased or when the marker can no longer be seen at all by said cameras. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of mounting video displays or screens, that can be viewed by the user, and of adapting the content shown on said video displays or screens to the speed of the roller conveyors, the actual position and size of said marker and to its direction. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , further comprising the step of chosing the theme to be shown on said video displays or screens depending on the type of marker used. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of lowering the speed of the roller conveyors if the direction of the marker on top of the user indicates that the user, having stepped on the deck is facing in a non-radial direction in relation to the central platform. 
     
     
         6 . A device for allowing a user to walk or run on the spot in an arbitrary direction, the device comprising a stationary central platform surrounded by a convex polygon shaped deck in level therewith, said deck being divided into trapezoid shaped roller conveyors, wherein each conveyor has rollers in parallel with the trapezoid bases, the shorter one of these adjoining said platform and the longer one of these forming a side of said polygonal shape, and wherein the rollers of said conveyors are driven in order to move a user stepping thereon, back to said central platform, wherein said rollers are continuous circular cylindrical, and wherein beneath each conveyor there is a driving means for frictional driving engagement with said rollers from below, 
       wherein said driving means comprises an endless belt extenting along the roller conveyor in frictional driving engagement with all rollers thereof, and 
       that said driving means frictionally engages the conveyor rollers in a central part of these, said rollers being journalled at end parts thereof in resiliently mounted bearings. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 6 , in which driving shafts of said driving means are interconnected by flexible joints and driven by a single motor. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 6 , in which said deck is circumferentially enclosed by a stationary floor plate in level therewith. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 8 , in which said floor plate covers parts of said driving means. 
     
     
         10 . The devive according to  claim 8 , in which said deck is of regular convex polygon shape and its roller conveyors are of uniform isosceles trapezoid shape.