Video game difficulty level adjuster dependent upon player's aerobic activity level during exercise

Abstract

An exercise device, such as a exercise bicycle, is connected to a speed sensor indicating activity level, e.g. speed of the bicycle. The activity level signal, along with a heart rate signal, are provided to a video game, such as a Pac-man type video game. The game monitors the heart rate of the exerciser. If the heart rate falls outside preset minimum or maximum limits, a certain action occurs in the game, such as an increase in speed or skill level of the opposition. In the Pac-man type game for example, should the heart rate fall below the desired workout rate, the villain (the goblin) would move at a speed faster than the players' speed, putting the player at a disadvantage. The player would respond by increasing his level of physical activity, thereby increasing the heart rate until it exceeds the minimum aerobic level required, at which time the villain's speed would return to its normal level.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A combination exercise device and game apparatus, comprising: an exercise device for aerobic activity;   means for sensing the activity output level of said aerobic exercise device, and for outputting an activity level signal having a characteristic indicative of said activity level;   means for sensing the heart rate of the user;   a video game having at least one user operated control for controlling the actions of at least one player, regulating means for regulating the relative action of said one player and one of an opposition piece or obstacle, display means for displaying the one player and the one of said opposition piece or obstacle, said regulating means further including means for increasing the speed of both the one player and the one of the opposition piece or obstacle in response to and in proportion to the activity level, and the regulating means further including means for rendering the video game more difficult for the one player relative to the opposition piece or obstacle by increasing the speed of the opposition piece or obstacle in response to the heart rate of the user falling below a first predetermined level.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the exercise device is a bicycle. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the exercise device is a treadmill. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the exercise device is a stair climbing device. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first predetermined level corresponds to a minimum aerobic activity level for the user. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the display means comprises means for displaying the heart rate of the user. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the display means comprises means for displaying the output level of the exercise device. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the regulating means renders the video game less difficult to the one player in response to the activity level exceeding a second predetermined level, said second predetermined level being greater than said first predetermined level. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first predetermined level is selected according to the user's age. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the first predetermined level corresponds to the minimum heart rate of the user in an optimum aerobic exercise range, and wherein the second predetermined level corresponds to the maximum heart rate of the user in an optimum aerobic exercise range. 
     
     
       11. A game apparatus useable with an exercise device, comprising: means for sensing the activity output level of an aerobic exercise device, and for outputting an activity level signal having a characteristic indicative of said activity level;   means for sensing the heart rate of a user of the aerobic exercise device;   a video game having at least one user operated control for controlling the actions of at least one player, regulating means for regulating the relative actions of one of said one player and an opposition piece or obstacle, display means for displaying the one player and the one of said opposition piece or obstacle, said regulating means further including means for increasing the speed of both the one player and the one of the opposition piece of obstacle in response to and in proportion to the activity level, the regulating means further including means for rendering the video game more difficult for the one player relative to the opposition piece or obstacle by increasing the speed of the opposition piece or obstacle in response to the heart rate of the user falling below a first predetermined level.   
     
     
       12. The apparatus according to claim 11, further including an exercise device. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the exercise device is an exercise bicycle. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the exercise device is a treadmill. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the exercise device is a stair climbing device. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said first predetermined level corresponds to the minimum aerobic activity level for the user. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the display means comprises means for displaying the heart rate of the user. 
     
     
       18. The apparatus to claim 11, wherein the display means comprises means for displaying the output level of the exercise device. 
     
     
       19. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the regulating means renders the video game less difficult to the one player in response to the activity level exceeding a second predetermined level, said second predetermined level being greater than said first predetermined level. 
     
     
       20. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the first predetermined level is selected according to the user's age. 
     
     
       21. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the first predetermined level corresponds to the minimum heart rate of the user in an optimum aerobic exercise range, and wherein the second predetermined level corresponds to the maximum heart rate of the user in an optimum aerobic exercise range. 
     
     
       22. An exercise motivation apparatus useable with an aerobic exercise device and a video game having at least one user operated control for controlling the actions of said one player and at least one player, and which controls the relative actions of one of an opposition piece or obstacle, and which displays the one player and the one of said opposition piece or obstacle, comprising: means for sensing the activity output level of an aerobic exercise device, and for outputting an activity level signal having a characteristic indicative of said activity level;   means for sensing the heart rate of a user of the aerobic exercise device; and   regulating means for increasing the speed of both the one player and the one of the opposition piece or obstacle by increasing the speed of the opposition piece or obstacle in response to and in proportion to the activity level, the regulating means further including means for rendering the video game more difficult for the one player relative to the opposition piece or obstacle in response to the heart rate of the user falling below a first predetermined level.   
     
     
       23. The apparatus according to claim 22, further including an exercise device. 
     
     
       24. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the exercise device is an exercise bicycle. 
     
     
       25. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the exercise device is a treadmill. 
     
     
       26. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the exercise device is a stair climbing device. 
     
     
       27. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said first predetermined level corresponds to the minimum aerobic activity level for the user. 
     
     
       28. The apparatus according to claim 22, further including display means for displaying the heart rate of the user. 
     
     
       29. The apparatus according to claim 22, further including display means for displaying the output level of the exercise device. 
     
     
       30. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the regulating means renders the video game less difficult to the one player in response to the activity level exceeding a second predetermined level, said second predetermined level being greater than said first predetermined level. 
     
     
       31. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the first predetermined level is selected according to the user's age. 
     
     
       32. The apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the first predetermined level corresponds to the minimum heart rate of the user in an optimum aerobic exercise range, and wherein the second predetermined level corresponds to the maximum heart rate of the user in an optimum aerobic exercise range. 
     
     
       33. A combination exercise device and game apparatus, comprising: an exercise device for aerobic activity;   means for sensing the activity output level of said aerobic exercise device, and for outputting an activity level signal having a characteristic indicative of said activity level;   means for sensing the heart rate of the user;   timing means for measuring the length of time that a user has been using the exercise device, to provide at least two different exercise phases, including a first phase until a certain first time period is reached and a second phase after said first time period is reached;   a video game having at least one user operated control for controlling the actions of at least one player, regulating means for regulating the relative action of said one player and one of an opposition piece or obstacle, and display means for displaying the one player and the one of said opposition piece or obstacle;   said regulating means further including means for increasing the speed of both the one player and the one of the opposition piece or obstacle in response to and in proportion to the activity level;   said regulating means including means for rendering the game more difficult for the one player relative to the opposition piece or obstacle by increasing the speed of the opposition piece or obstacle in response to the heart rate of the user rising above a first predetermined level when the timing means indicates that the user is in the first phase; and   said regulating including means for rendering the video game more difficult for the one player relative to the opposition piece or obstacle by increasing the speed of the opposition piece or obstacle in response to the heart rate of the user falling below the first predetermined level when the timing means indicates that the user is in the second phase. .Iadd.   
     
     
       34.  A combination exercise device and game apparatus, comprising: a) an exercise device for aerobic activity;   b) means for sensing the output level of said exercise device, and for outputting an output level signal having a characteristic indicative of said output level;   c) means for sensing the heart rate of a user, and for outputting a heart rate signal having a characteristic indicative of said heart rate;   d) a video game including display means for displaying said video game; and   e) regulating means including: i 1) means for adjusting the difficulty of the play of said video game according to said heart rate signal; and   2) means for adjusting the difficulty of the play of said video game according to said output level signal. .Iaddend. .Iadd.35. The apparatus of claim 34, further comprising at least one user-operated control for     
     
     
        controlling the play of said video game. .Iaddend. .Iadd.36.  The apparatus of claim 35, wherein said apparatus includes a first user-operated control for controlling a first aspect of the play of said video game with one of said user's hands and a second user-operated control for controlling a second aspect of the play of said video game with the other of said user's hands. .Iaddend. .Iadd.37. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein: said video game has a plurality of levels of difficulty of play;   said regulating means increases the level of difficulty of play in response to said heart rate signal falling below a first predetermined level; and   said regulating means decreases the level of difficulty of play as said output level signal increases and increases the level of difficulty of play as said output level signal decreases. .Iaddend. .Iadd.38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein said first predetermined level corresponds to the minimum heart rate of said user in an optimum aerobic exercise range. .Iaddend. .Iadd.39. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein:   said video game comprises a source and at least one opposition;   said regulating means increases the speed of said opposition relative to said source in response to said heart rate signal falling below said first predetermined level; and   said regulating means increases the speed of said opposition relative to said source as said output level signal decreases and decreases the speed of said opposition relative to said source as said output level signal increases. .Iaddend. .Iadd.40. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein said regulating means decreases the level of difficulty of play in response to said heart rate signal exceeding a second predetermined level, said second predetermined level being greater than said first predetermined level. .Iaddend. .Iadd.41. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein said regulating means adjusts the play of said video game according to a specified exercise profile having at least two exercise phases. .Iaddend. .Iadd.42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein said video game comprises a source and at least one opposition, and said regulating means adjusts the speed of said opposition relative to said source according to said specified exercise profile. .Iaddend. .Iadd.43. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein said exercise device is one of an exercise bicycle, a treadmill, and a   
     
     
        stair climbing device. .Iaddend. .Iadd.44.  The apparatus of claim 34, wherein said display means displays information indicative of said heart rate of said user and said output level of said exercise device. .Iaddend. .Iadd.45. A game apparatus useable with an exercise device, comprising: a) means for sensing the output level of said exercise device, and for outputting an output level signal having a characteristic indicative of said output level;   b) means for sensing the heart rate of a user, and for outputting a heart rate signal having a characteristic indicative of said heart rate;   c) a video game including display means for displaying said video game; and   d) regulating means including: 1) means for adjusting the difficulty of the play of said video game according to said heart rate signal; and   2) means for adjusting the difficulty of the play of said video game according to said output level signal. .Iaddend. .Iadd.46. The apparatus of claim 45, further comprising at least one user-operated control for controlling the play of said video game. .Iaddend. .Iadd.47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein said apparatus includes a first user-operated control for controlling a first aspect of the play of said video game with one of said user's hands and a second user-operated control for controlling a second aspect of the play of said video game with the other of said user's hands. .Iaddend. .Iadd.48. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein:     said video game has a plurality of levels of difficulty of play;   said regulating means increases the level of difficulty of play in response to said heart rate signal falling below a first predetermined level; and   said regulating means decreases the level of difficulty of play as said output level signal increases and increases the level of difficulty of play as said output level signal decreases. .Iaddend. .Iadd.49. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein said first predetermined level corresponds to the minimum heart rate of said user in an optimum aerobic exercise range. .Iaddend. .Iadd.50. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein:   said video game comprises a source and at least one opposition;   said regulating means increases the speed of said opposition relative to said source in response to said heart rate signal falling below said first predetermined level; and   said regulating means increases the speed of said opposition relative to said source as said output level signal decreases and decreases the speed of said opposition relative to said output level signal increases. .Iaddend. .Iadd.51. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein said regulating means decreases the level of difficulty of play in response to said heart rate signal exceeding s second predetermined level, said second predetermined level being greater than said first predetermined level. .Iaddend. .Iadd.52. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein said regulating means adjusts the play of said video game according to a specified exercise profile having at least two exercise phases. .Iaddend. .Iadd.53. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein said video game comprises a source and at least one opposition, and said regulating means adjusts the speed of said opposition relative to said source according to said specified exercise profile. .Iaddend. .Iadd.54. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein said exercise device is one of an exercise bicycle, a treadmill, and a stair climbing device. .Iaddend. .Iadd.55. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein said display means displays information indicative of said heart rate of said user and said output level of said exercise device. .Iaddend.   
     
     
        .Iadd.56.  An exercise motivation apparatus useable with an exercise device and a video game including display means for displaying said video game, comprising: a) means for sensing the output level of said exercise device, and for outputting an output level signal having a characteristic indicative of said output level;   b) means for sensing the heart rate of a user, and for outputting a heart rate signal having a characteristic indicative of said heart rate; and   c) regulating means including: 1) means for adjusting the difficulty of the play of said video game according to said heart rate signal; and   2) means for adjusting the difficulty of the play of said video game     
     
     
        according to said output level signal. .Iaddend. .Iadd.57.  The apparatus of claim 56, further comprising at least one user-operated control for controlling the play of said video game. .Iaddend. .Iadd.58. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein said apparatus includes a first user-operated control for controlling a first aspect of the play of said video game with one of said user's hands and a second user-operated control for controlling a second aspect of the play of said video game with the other of said user's hands. .Iaddend. .Iadd.59. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein: said video game has a plurality of levels of difficulty of play;   said regulating means increases the level of difficulty of play in response to said heart rate signal falling below a first predetermined level; and   said regulating means decreases the level of difficulty of play as said output level signal increases and increases the level of difficulty of   
     
     
        play as said output level signal decreases. .Iaddend. .Iadd.60.  The apparatus of claim 59, wherein said first predetermined level corresponds to the minimum heart rate of said user in an optimum aerobic exercise range. .Iaddend. .Iadd.61. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein: said video game comprises a source and at least one opposition;   said regulating means increases the speed of said opposition relative to said source in response to said heart rate signal falling below said first predetermined level; and   said regulating means increases the speed of said opposition relative to said source as said output level signal decreases and decreases the speed of said opposition relative to said source as said output level signal increases. .Iaddend. .Iadd.62. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein said regulating means decreases the level of difficulty of play in response to said heart rate signal exceeding a second predetermined level, said second predetermined level being greater than said first predetermined level. .Iaddend. .Iadd.63. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein said regulating means adjusts the play of said video game according to a specified exercise profile having at least two exercise phases. .Iaddend. .Iadd.64. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein said video game comprises a source and at least one opposition, and said regulating means adjusts the speed of said opposition relative to said source according to said specified exercise profile. .Iaddend. .Iadd.65. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein said exercise device is one of an exercise bicycle, a treadmill, and a stair climbing device. .Iaddend. .Iadd.66. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein said display means displays information indicative of said heart rate of said user and said output level of said exercise device. .Iaddend. .Iadd.67. A combination exercise device and game apparatus, comprising:   a) an exercise device for aerobic activity;   b) means for sensing the output level of said exercise device, and for outputting an output level signal having a characteristic indicative of said output level;   c) means for sensing the heart rate of a user, and for outputting a heart rate signal having a characteristic indicative of said heart rate;   d) a video game including: 1) display means for displaying said video game;   2) a plurality of levels of difficulty of play; and   3) at least one user-operated control for controlling the play of said video game;     e) regulating means including: 1) means for adjusting the level of difficulty of said video game according to said heart rate signal, wherein said level of difficulty is increased in response to said heart rate signal falling below a first predetermined level;   2) means for adjusting the level of difficulty of said video game according to said output level signal, wherein said level of difficulty increases as said output level signal decreases and said level of difficulty decreases as said output level signal increases; and   3) means for adjusting the level of difficulty of said video game according to a specified exercise profile having at least two exercise phases. .Iaddend.