US20090098979A1 - Encouraging Exercise Whilst Playing Electronic Games - Google Patents
Encouraging Exercise Whilst Playing Electronic Games Download PDFInfo
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- US20090098979A1 US20090098979A1 US11/988,852 US98885206A US2009098979A1 US 20090098979 A1 US20090098979 A1 US 20090098979A1 US 98885206 A US98885206 A US 98885206A US 2009098979 A1 US2009098979 A1 US 2009098979A1
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- machine
- games
- connector
- game controller
- exercise
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B22/00—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements
- A63B22/06—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements with support elements performing a rotating cycling movement, i.e. a closed path movement
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
- A63B71/06—Indicating or scoring devices for games or players, or for other sports activities
- A63B71/0619—Displays, user interfaces and indicating devices, specially adapted for sport equipment, e.g. display mounted on treadmills
- A63B71/0622—Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B24/00—Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
-
- A63F13/10—
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
- A63F13/20—Input arrangements for video game devices
- A63F13/23—Input arrangements for video game devices for interfacing with the game device, e.g. specific interfaces between game controller and console
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
- A63F13/45—Controlling the progress of the video game
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B22/00—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements
- A63B22/06—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements with support elements performing a rotating cycling movement, i.e. a closed path movement
- A63B22/0605—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements with support elements performing a rotating cycling movement, i.e. a closed path movement performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B2208/00—Characteristics or parameters related to the user or player
- A63B2208/12—Characteristics or parameters related to the user or player specially adapted for children
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B2220/00—Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
- A63B2220/17—Counting, e.g. counting periodical movements, revolutions or cycles, or including further data processing to determine distances or speed
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
- A63F2300/20—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterised by details of the game platform
- A63F2300/201—Playing authorisation given at platform level
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
- A63F2300/60—Methods for processing data by generating or executing the game program
- A63F2300/69—Involving elements of the real world in the game world, e.g. measurement in live races, real video
Definitions
- This invention was conceived in order to encourage exercise whilst playing electronic games and relates to a method of operation of an electronic games machine, a device for use with an electronic games machine, and a game controller having such a device.
- exercise machines such as exercise cycles, step machines and thigh trainers in order to improve or maintain their physical fitness.
- Many exercise regimes involve exercising at a steady rate. While using exercise machines, some people simultaneously play a game on an electronic games machine.
- Patent documents U.S. Pat. No. 4,542,897 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,637,605 each describe a purpose-built games and exercise machine arranged so that the user cannot control the game unless they are exercising at a particular rate.
- WO0/64542A1 describes an exercise machine connected to a game port of a computer running a game such that the exercise machine acts as a throttle control for the game.
- U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,746B1 describes a switch box controlled by an exercise machine and connected to an RF input of a television set so that the television set can receive RF input only if the exercise machine is being operated fast enough. The RF signal can be supplied by a games machine.
- An aim of the present invention is to provide an improved way of encouraging people who are playing a games machine also to take exercise, and of encouraging users of exercise machines who simultaneously play a games machine to exercise at a particular rate.
- a method of modifying operation of an electronic games machine having a game controller which is arranged to be connected to the games machine by an existing connection to control the games machine comprising: adding an interrupter system to the existing connection so as to provide a modified connection between the game controller and the games machine; providing an exercise machine; detecting operation of the exercise machine; and using the interrupter system selectively to enable and interrupt the modified connection between the game controller and the games machine to enable and interrupt normal operation of the games machine in dependence upon the detected operation of the exercise machine.
- the method can therefore be applied be an existing games machine and existing exercise machine without requiring a purpose-built combined machine as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,542,897 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,637,605.
- the interrupter system used in the method of the invention is operable to interrupt the normal operation of the games machine, whereas in WO0/64542A1 the exercise machine plays a part in the normal operation of the games computer (i.e. acts as the throttle control), and in U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,746B1 the exercise machine has no effect on the normal operation of the games machine.
- the normal operation of the games machine may be interrupted if the rate of operation of the exercise machine is detected as being below a predetermined threshold. Additionally or alternatively, normal operation of the games machine may be interrupted if the rate of operation of the exercise machine is detected as being above a predetermined threshold. Accordingly, a parent can arrange it such that their child cannot play normally on a games machine unless the child also exercises on the exercise machine. Also, a user of an exercise machine and games machine can be encouraged to exercise in a particular manner, otherwise their game will be interrupted. The invention can be put into effect without modifying the games machine and possibly invalidating its warranty as a result.
- the predetermined threshold is preferably adjustable to take account of different exercise regimes.
- the normal operation of the games machine is preferably interrupted simply by disconnecting a power supply connection from the games machine to the game controller.
- the interrupter system in the case where the existing connection includes a first connector of the game controller that is releasably connectable to a complementary second connector of the games machine, the interrupter system is added by connecting a third connector of the interrupter system to the first connector of the game controller and by connecting a fourth connector of the interrupter system to the second connector of the games machine. In another example of the invention, the interrupter system is added by permanently wiring the interrupter system to the game controller.
- At least one magnet is attached (for example by a double-sided sticky pad) to a moving part of the exercise machine, and operation of the exercise machine is detected magnetically.
- the invention can therefore be put into effect without any significant modification to the exercise machine.
- a game controller in combination with an interrupter system, for use with an electronic games machine and an exercise machine, the game controller having a first connector for releasable connection to a complementary second connector of the games machine, and the interrupter system comprising means for detecting operation of the exercise machine, and means for changing, in dependence upon the detected operation of the exercise machine, an electrical connection between the game controller and the games machine selectively to enable and interrupt normal operation of the games machine.
- the interrupter system includes a third connector connected to the first connector of the game controller and a fourth connector for connection to the second connector of the games machine so that the interrupter system is connected between the first and second connectors.
- the invention can be put into effect without modifying the games machine or the game controller and possibly invalidating their warranties as a result.
- the interrupter system is permanently wired to the game controller.
- FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional games machine system
- FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the system of FIG. 1 , to which a game interrupter system of the present invention has been added;
- FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of the game interrupter system of FIG. 2 ;
- FIGS. 4A-4D are diagrams illustrating operation of the circuit of FIG. 3 in one phase of its cycle
- FIGS. 5A-5D are diagrams illustrating operation of the circuit of FIG. 3 in another phase of its cycle
- FIGS. 6A-6D are diagrams illustrating operation of the circuit of FIG. 3 with a relatively long cycle period
- FIGS. 7A-7D are diagrams illustrating operation of the circuit of FIG. 3 with a shorter cycle period
- FIG. 8 shows a modification to part of the interrupter system
- FIG. 9 shows another modification to part of the interrupter system
- FIG. 10 shows a modification to the interrupter circuit.
- a conventional games machine system 10 comprises a games machine 12 , a game controller 14 and a television set 16 .
- the game controller 14 has a connecting lead 18 with a plug 20 at its distal end that is connected to a complementary controller socket 22 of the games machine 12 .
- a further connecting lead 24 has plugs 26 at one end that are connected to complementary audio-video sockets 28 of the games machine 12 and plugs 30 at the other end that are connected to complementary audio-video sockets 32 of the television set 16 .
- a player controls a game that is running on the games machine 12 using the controller 14 , and the progress of the game is displayed on the television set 16 .
- a games machine 12 has two or more such controller sockets 22 and can be used with two or more game controllers 14 controlled by two or more players so that the players can play a game between themselves.
- many games are designed to be played by one player, or have a mode in which they can be played by one player, or have a mode in which one player controlling one games machine 12 can play one or more other players controlling one or more other games machines 12 , with all of the games machines 12 being interconnected, for example by means of the internet.
- the connecting lead 18 of the game controller 14 typically has six cores, one of which is ground, another of which carries a supply voltage to the games controller 14 , and the others of which provide signals back to the games machine 12 depending upon the operation of the controls (such as switches, joysticks and D-pads) of the game controller 14 by the player.
- a typical games machine 12 is designed to detect whether a required game controller 14 is connected to the games machine 12 , for example by detecting current drawn by the supply core of the controller lead 18 , or by detecting the voltage or voltages on one or more of the signal cores of the controller lead 18 .
- an interrupter system 34 is added between the controller socket 22 of the games machine 12 and the plug 20 of the controller connection lead 18 .
- the interrupter system 34 includes an extension lead 36 having a plug 38 at one end that is complementary to the controller socket 22 of the games machine 12 and a socket 40 at the other end that is complementary to the plug 20 of the controller lead 18 .
- the extension lead 36 provides permanent one-to-one connections between each of the terminals 42 , except the supply voltage terminal 44 , of the plug 38 and the respective terminals 46 , except the supply voltage terminal 48 , of the socket 40 .
- An interrupter lead 50 also extends from the extension plug 38 to an interrupter housing 52 and contains two cores 54 , 56 that are connected to the supply voltage terminals 44 , 48 of the extension plug 38 and socket 40 , respectively.
- the cores 54 , 56 of the interrupter lead 50 are connected across the switch contacts of a normally-open switch 58 of a reed relay 60 .
- One terminal of the coil 62 of the reed relay 60 is connected in series with a resistor 64 and a capacitor 66 to a common contact of a two-pole, magnetically-operable reed switch 68 .
- the other terminal of the relay coil 62 is connected directly to the normally-closed contact of the reed switch 68 and is also connected via a battery 70 to the normally-open contact of the reed switch 68 .
- the interrupter system 34 also includes one or more magnets 72 that, in use, are attached for example by double-sided sticky-pads to a moving part 74 of an exercise machine 76 , such as a bottom bracket spindle of an exercise cycle on which the pedal cranks are mounted, or a pedal spindle of a stepper machine.
- the interrupter housing 52 is mounted on a static part of the exercise machine 76 , for example by hook-and-loop fastening tape or double-sided sticky-pads, with the reed switch 68 within the influence of the magnet or magnets 72 such that, during steady operation of the exercise machine 76 , the reed switch 68 opens and closes with the open time being about equal to the closed time.
- the values of the coil resistance, pickup voltage Vp and dropout voltage Vd of the relay 60 , the resistance of resistor 64 , the capacitance of the capacitor 66 , and the voltage of the battery 70 are chosen so that the interrupter system 34 operates as follows.
- the state Ss of the reed switch 68 is initially NO and the capacitor 66 is initially fully charged, the voltage Vr across the relay coil 62 is zero and so the state Sr of the relay switch 58 is open.
- the state Ss of the reed switch 68 then changes to NC due to the influence of the magnet 72 being removed, the voltage Vr across the relay coil 62 initially rises to a value below the negative pickup voltage ⁇ Vp of the relay 60 , and so the state Sr of the relay switch 58 immediately changes to closed.
- the capacitor 66 discharges, the voltage Vc across it decays, and the voltage Vr across the relay coil 62 increases towards zero.
- the state Sr of the relay switch 58 changes to open.
- the period T of the cycle of operation of the reed switch 68 is inversely proportional to the rate of operation of exercise machine 76 .
- the game being played on the games machine 12 will only operate normally if the relay switch 68 remains closed. Therefore, it is necessary for the user to operate the exercise machine at a rate in excess of a predetermined rate in order that the game can be played continuously without interruption.
- the plug 38 and socket 40 may be combined into a single housing 78 .
- the plug 38 may be permanently or semi-permanently connected to the socket 22 of the games machine 12
- the socket 40 may be permanently or semi-permanently connected to the plug 20 of the controller lead 18 , for example by adhesive, by adhesive, tamper-evident, security tape, by some other tamper-evident device, or by a lockable mechanism.
- the lead 50 of the interrupter system 34 may be permanently wired into the game controller 14 and indeed part of the other circuitry of the interrupter system 34 may be disposed inside the game controller 14 .
- the games controller 14 and interrupter system 34 may be supplied and sold ready-wired, or the interrupter system 34 may be supplied and sold with instructions for permanently connecting it to an existing game controller 14 .
- the threshold rate at which the interrupter system 34 permits normal operation of the games machine 12 may be made adjustable, for example by placing a variable resistor 80 of maximum value 1 k ⁇ in series with the resistor 64 .
- an override and/or disable facility may be provided by a key-operated switch 82 that in one position does not affect the operation of the interrupter system 34 , but that in another position directly connects the cores 54 , 56 of the lead 50 so that the interrupter system 34 has no effect and/or in another position disconnects the relay switch 58 so that the games machine 12 cannot be operated normally.
- the interrupter system 34 may also provide the facility to interrupt normal operation of the games machine 12 if the exercise machine 76 is operated too fast. Indeed, with suitable selection of components, the circuit described with reference to FIG. 3 may provide that effect. Also, a resistor may be placed in series with the battery 70 so that the time constant for charging the capacitor 66 is longer than the time constant for discharging it.
Abstract
In order to encourage people who are playing an electronic games machine (12) also to take exercise, and to encourage users of exercise machines (76) who simultaneously play a games machine to exercise at a particular rate, an interrupter system (34) is added to an existing connection (18,20,22) between the games machine and its controller (14) so as to provide a modified connection. Operation of the exercise machine is detected, and the interrupter system is used selectively to enable and interrupt the modified connection between the game controller and the games machine to enable and interrupt normal operation of the games machine in dependence upon the detected operation of the exercise machine. The normal operation of the games machine may be interrupted if the rate of operation of the exercise machine is detected as being below a predetermined threshold and/or above a pre-determined threshold. Accordingly, a parent can arrange it such that their child cannot play normally on a games machine unless the child also exercises on the exercise machine. Also, a user of an exercise machine and games machine can be encouraged to exercise in a particular manner, otherwise their game will be interrupted.
Description
- This invention was conceived in order to encourage exercise whilst playing electronic games and relates to a method of operation of an electronic games machine, a device for use with an electronic games machine, and a game controller having such a device.
- Many people have fun playing on electronic games machines, such as the Microsoft® X-Box®, Nintendo® Gamecube® and the Sony® Playstation®. Some people, particularly parents, consider that other people, such as their children, spend far too long playing on games machines and do not get enough exercise.
- Also, many people use exercise machines, such as exercise cycles, step machines and thigh trainers in order to improve or maintain their physical fitness. Many exercise regimes involve exercising at a steady rate. While using exercise machines, some people simultaneously play a game on an electronic games machine.
- Causing the playing of a game to be dependent on exercise has been proposed in the past. Patent documents U.S. Pat. No. 4,542,897 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,637,605 each describe a purpose-built games and exercise machine arranged so that the user cannot control the game unless they are exercising at a particular rate. WO0/64542A1 describes an exercise machine connected to a game port of a computer running a game such that the exercise machine acts as a throttle control for the game. U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,746B1 describes a switch box controlled by an exercise machine and connected to an RF input of a television set so that the television set can receive RF input only if the exercise machine is being operated fast enough. The RF signal can be supplied by a games machine.
- An aim of the present invention, or at least of specific embodiments of it, is to provide an improved way of encouraging people who are playing a games machine also to take exercise, and of encouraging users of exercise machines who simultaneously play a games machine to exercise at a particular rate.
- In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of modifying operation of an electronic games machine having a game controller which is arranged to be connected to the games machine by an existing connection to control the games machine, the method comprising: adding an interrupter system to the existing connection so as to provide a modified connection between the game controller and the games machine; providing an exercise machine; detecting operation of the exercise machine; and using the interrupter system selectively to enable and interrupt the modified connection between the game controller and the games machine to enable and interrupt normal operation of the games machine in dependence upon the detected operation of the exercise machine.
- The method can therefore be applied be an existing games machine and existing exercise machine without requiring a purpose-built combined machine as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,542,897 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,637,605. The interrupter system used in the method of the invention is operable to interrupt the normal operation of the games machine, whereas in WO0/64542A1 the exercise machine plays a part in the normal operation of the games computer (i.e. acts as the throttle control), and in U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,746B1 the exercise machine has no effect on the normal operation of the games machine.
- The normal operation of the games machine may be interrupted if the rate of operation of the exercise machine is detected as being below a predetermined threshold. Additionally or alternatively, normal operation of the games machine may be interrupted if the rate of operation of the exercise machine is detected as being above a predetermined threshold. Accordingly, a parent can arrange it such that their child cannot play normally on a games machine unless the child also exercises on the exercise machine. Also, a user of an exercise machine and games machine can be encouraged to exercise in a particular manner, otherwise their game will be interrupted. The invention can be put into effect without modifying the games machine and possibly invalidating its warranty as a result.
- The predetermined threshold, or at least one of the predetermined thresholds, is preferably adjustable to take account of different exercise regimes.
- The normal operation of the games machine is preferably interrupted simply by disconnecting a power supply connection from the games machine to the game controller.
- In one example of the invention, in the case where the existing connection includes a first connector of the game controller that is releasably connectable to a complementary second connector of the games machine, the interrupter system is added by connecting a third connector of the interrupter system to the first connector of the game controller and by connecting a fourth connector of the interrupter system to the second connector of the games machine. In another example of the invention, the interrupter system is added by permanently wiring the interrupter system to the game controller.
- In a preferred embodiment, at least one magnet is attached (for example by a double-sided sticky pad) to a moving part of the exercise machine, and operation of the exercise machine is detected magnetically. The invention can therefore be put into effect without any significant modification to the exercise machine.
- In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a game controller in combination with an interrupter system, for use with an electronic games machine and an exercise machine, the game controller having a first connector for releasable connection to a complementary second connector of the games machine, and the interrupter system comprising means for detecting operation of the exercise machine, and means for changing, in dependence upon the detected operation of the exercise machine, an electrical connection between the game controller and the games machine selectively to enable and interrupt normal operation of the games machine.
- In one embodiment, the interrupter system includes a third connector connected to the first connector of the game controller and a fourth connector for connection to the second connector of the games machine so that the interrupter system is connected between the first and second connectors. In this case, the invention can be put into effect without modifying the games machine or the game controller and possibly invalidating their warranties as a result. In another embodiment, the interrupter system is permanently wired to the game controller.
- Further aspects of the invention relate to the game controller and interrupter system in combination with a games machine and/or an exercise machine.
- A specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described, purely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional games machine system; -
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the system ofFIG. 1 , to which a game interrupter system of the present invention has been added; -
FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of the game interrupter system ofFIG. 2 ; -
FIGS. 4A-4D are diagrams illustrating operation of the circuit ofFIG. 3 in one phase of its cycle; -
FIGS. 5A-5D are diagrams illustrating operation of the circuit ofFIG. 3 in another phase of its cycle; -
FIGS. 6A-6D are diagrams illustrating operation of the circuit ofFIG. 3 with a relatively long cycle period; -
FIGS. 7A-7D are diagrams illustrating operation of the circuit ofFIG. 3 with a shorter cycle period; -
FIG. 8 shows a modification to part of the interrupter system; -
FIG. 9 shows another modification to part of the interrupter system; and -
FIG. 10 shows a modification to the interrupter circuit. - Referring to
FIG. 1 , a conventionalgames machine system 10 comprises agames machine 12, agame controller 14 and atelevision set 16. Thegame controller 14 has a connectinglead 18 with aplug 20 at its distal end that is connected to acomplementary controller socket 22 of thegames machine 12. A further connectinglead 24 hasplugs 26 at one end that are connected to complementary audio-video sockets 28 of thegames machine 12 andplugs 30 at the other end that are connected to complementary audio-video sockets 32 of thetelevision set 16. As is well known, in use, a player controls a game that is running on thegames machine 12 using thecontroller 14, and the progress of the game is displayed on thetelevision set 16. Typically, agames machine 12 has two or moresuch controller sockets 22 and can be used with two ormore game controllers 14 controlled by two or more players so that the players can play a game between themselves. However, many games are designed to be played by one player, or have a mode in which they can be played by one player, or have a mode in which one player controlling onegames machine 12 can play one or more other players controlling one or moreother games machines 12, with all of thegames machines 12 being interconnected, for example by means of the internet. - The connecting
lead 18 of thegame controller 14 typically has six cores, one of which is ground, another of which carries a supply voltage to thegames controller 14, and the others of which provide signals back to thegames machine 12 depending upon the operation of the controls (such as switches, joysticks and D-pads) of thegame controller 14 by the player. Atypical games machine 12 is designed to detect whether a requiredgame controller 14 is connected to thegames machine 12, for example by detecting current drawn by the supply core of thecontroller lead 18, or by detecting the voltage or voltages on one or more of the signal cores of thecontroller lead 18. When a game is running, different games machines and games are designed to react differently to the loss of connection to a requiredgame controller 14, for example, by continuing the game abnormally without any input from the player, by pausing the game until the game controller is reconnected, or by aborting the game. Some games machine systems allow a game controller to be disconnected for a short period of time, such as ¼ s, without reacting. - Referring to
FIGS. 2 and 3 , in the first embodiment of the invention, aninterrupter system 34 is added between thecontroller socket 22 of thegames machine 12 and theplug 20 of thecontroller connection lead 18. Theinterrupter system 34 includes anextension lead 36 having aplug 38 at one end that is complementary to thecontroller socket 22 of thegames machine 12 and asocket 40 at the other end that is complementary to theplug 20 of thecontroller lead 18. Theextension lead 36 provides permanent one-to-one connections between each of theterminals 42, except thesupply voltage terminal 44, of theplug 38 and therespective terminals 46, except thesupply voltage terminal 48, of thesocket 40. Aninterrupter lead 50 also extends from theextension plug 38 to aninterrupter housing 52 and contains twocores supply voltage terminals extension plug 38 andsocket 40, respectively. - In the
interrupter housing 52, thecores interrupter lead 50 are connected across the switch contacts of a normally-open switch 58 of areed relay 60. One terminal of thecoil 62 of thereed relay 60 is connected in series with aresistor 64 and acapacitor 66 to a common contact of a two-pole, magnetically-operable reed switch 68. The other terminal of therelay coil 62 is connected directly to the normally-closed contact of thereed switch 68 and is also connected via abattery 70 to the normally-open contact of thereed switch 68. - The
interrupter system 34 also includes one ormore magnets 72 that, in use, are attached for example by double-sided sticky-pads to a movingpart 74 of anexercise machine 76, such as a bottom bracket spindle of an exercise cycle on which the pedal cranks are mounted, or a pedal spindle of a stepper machine. Theinterrupter housing 52 is mounted on a static part of theexercise machine 76, for example by hook-and-loop fastening tape or double-sided sticky-pads, with thereed switch 68 within the influence of the magnet ormagnets 72 such that, during steady operation of theexercise machine 76, thereed switch 68 opens and closes with the open time being about equal to the closed time. - The values of the coil resistance, pickup voltage Vp and dropout voltage Vd of the
relay 60, the resistance ofresistor 64, the capacitance of thecapacitor 66, and the voltage of thebattery 70 are chosen so that theinterrupter system 34 operates as follows. - As shown in
FIGS. 4A to 4D , if the state Ss of thereed switch 68 is initially in its normally-closed (NC) position and thecapacitor 66 is initially discharged (Vc=0), the voltage Vr across therelay coil 62 is zero and so the state Sr of therelay switch 58 is open. When the state Ss of thereed switch 68 then changes to normally-open (NO) due to the influence of one of themagnets 72, the voltage Vr across therelay coil 62 initially rises to a value above the pickup voltage Vp of therelay 60, and so the state Sr of therelay switch 58 immediately changes to closed. As thecapacitor 66 charges, the voltage Vc across it increases, and the voltage Vr across therelay coil 62 decays. When the voltage Vr across therelay coil 62 falls to the dropout voltage Vd of therelay 60, the state Sr of therelay switch 58 changes to open. - As shown in
FIGS. 5A to 5D , if the state Ss of thereed switch 68 is initially NO and thecapacitor 66 is initially fully charged, the voltage Vr across therelay coil 62 is zero and so the state Sr of therelay switch 58 is open. When the state Ss of thereed switch 68 then changes to NC due to the influence of themagnet 72 being removed, the voltage Vr across therelay coil 62 initially rises to a value below the negative pickup voltage −Vp of therelay 60, and so the state Sr of therelay switch 58 immediately changes to closed. As thecapacitor 66 discharges, the voltage Vc across it decays, and the voltage Vr across therelay coil 62 increases towards zero. When the voltage Vr across therelay coil 62 increases to the negative dropout voltage −Vd of therelay 60, the state Sr of therelay switch 58 changes to open. - As shown in
FIGS. 6A to 6D , if the effects described above with reference toFIGS. 4A to 5D are combined in a repeating sequence with a relatively long cycle period T=T1,relay switch 58 closes and opens twice in each period T1. However, as shown inFIGS. 7A to 7D , for a shorter cycle period T=T2, once therelay switch 58 closes, it remains closed because the voltage Vr across therelay coil 62 does not fall below the positive dropout voltage Vd before thereed switch 68 opens and does not rise above the negative dropout voltage −Vd before thereed switch 68 closes. - The period T of the cycle of operation of the
reed switch 68 is inversely proportional to the rate of operation ofexercise machine 76. The game being played on thegames machine 12 will only operate normally if therelay switch 68 remains closed. Therefore, it is necessary for the user to operate the exercise machine at a rate in excess of a predetermined rate in order that the game can be played continuously without interruption. - It should be noted that the above is a simplified description of the operation of the
interrupter system 34. It does not, for example, take into account the transition times of thereed switch 68 andrelay switch 58 or the inductance of therelay coil 62 which will have an effect when the voltage Vr across therelay coil 62 suddenly changes from above Vd to below −Vd. The values of the circuit components can be chosen to provided a required cycle period T. In a prototype the chosen circuit values were: battery voltage=9V; resistance ofresistor 64=470Ω; capacitance ofcapacitor 66=1000 μF; resistance ofrelay coil 62=500Ω; pickup voltage Vp ofrelay 60=1.6V; dropout voltage Vd ofrelay 60=1.5V; nominal switching time ofrelay 60=0.5 ms; and nominal switching time ofreed switch 68=0.2 ms. This required the cycle period T to be less than about 3 s in order to maintain therelay switch 58 closed. - It will be appreciated that many modifications and developments may be made to the embodiment of the invention described above.
- For example, as shown in
FIG. 8 , rather than providing theinterrupter system 34 with anextension lead 36, theplug 38 andsocket 40 may be combined into asingle housing 78. - In either case, where the use of the
interrupter system 34 is being enforced, for example by a parent upon their child, theplug 38 may be permanently or semi-permanently connected to thesocket 22 of thegames machine 12, or thesocket 40 may be permanently or semi-permanently connected to theplug 20 of thecontroller lead 18, for example by adhesive, by adhesive, tamper-evident, security tape, by some other tamper-evident device, or by a lockable mechanism. - Alternatively, as shown in
FIG. 9 , thelead 50 of theinterrupter system 34 may be permanently wired into thegame controller 14 and indeed part of the other circuitry of theinterrupter system 34 may be disposed inside thegame controller 14. In this case, thegames controller 14 andinterrupter system 34 may be supplied and sold ready-wired, or theinterrupter system 34 may be supplied and sold with instructions for permanently connecting it to an existinggame controller 14. - As shown in
FIG. 10 , the threshold rate at which theinterrupter system 34 permits normal operation of thegames machine 12 may be made adjustable, for example by placing avariable resistor 80 of maximum value 1 kΩ in series with theresistor 64. Also, an override and/or disable facility may be provided by a key-operatedswitch 82 that in one position does not affect the operation of theinterrupter system 34, but that in another position directly connects thecores lead 50 so that theinterrupter system 34 has no effect and/or in another position disconnects therelay switch 58 so that thegames machine 12 cannot be operated normally. - Many other modifications may be made to the
interrupter system 34. For example, it may also provide the facility to interrupt normal operation of thegames machine 12 if theexercise machine 76 is operated too fast. Indeed, with suitable selection of components, the circuit described with reference toFIG. 3 may provide that effect. Also, a resistor may be placed in series with thebattery 70 so that the time constant for charging thecapacitor 66 is longer than the time constant for discharging it. - It should be noted that the embodiment of the invention has been described above purely by way of example and that many other modifications and developments may be made thereto within the scope of the present invention.
Claims (17)
1. A method of modifying operation of an electronic games machine (12) having a game controller (14) which is arranged to be connected to the games machine by an existing connection (18,20,22) to control the games machine, the method comprising:
adding an interrupter system (34) to the existing connection so as to provide a modified connection (18,20,22,36,38,40) between the game controller and the games machine;
providing an exercise machine (76);
detecting operation of the exercise machine; and
using the interrupter system selectively to enable and interrupt the modified connection between the game controller and the games machine to enable and interrupt normal operation of the games machine in dependence upon the detected operation of the exercise machine.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the normal operation of the games machine is interrupted if the rate of operation of the exercise machine is detected as being below a predetermined threshold.
3. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the normal operation of the games machine is interrupted if the rate of operation of the exercise machine is detected as being above a predetermined threshold.
4. A method as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the predetermined threshold is adjustable.
5. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein normal operation of the games machine is interrupted by disconnecting a power supply connection (44,48) from the games machine to the game controller.
6. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the existing connection includes a first connector (20) of the game controller that is releasably connectable to a complementary second connector (22) of the games machine, and the interrupter system is added by connecting a third connector (40) of the interrupter system to the first connector of the game controller and by connecting a fourth connector (38) of the interrupter system to the second connector of the games machine.
7. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the interrupter system is added by permanently wiring the interrupter system to the game controller.
8. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein at least one magnet (72) is attached to a moving part of the exercise machine, and operation of the exercise machine is detected magnetically.
9. A game controller (14) in combination with an interrupter system (34), for use with an electronic games machine (12) and an exercise machine (76), the game controller having a first connector (20) for releasable connection to a complementary second connector (22) of the games machine, and the interrupter system comprising means (64-70) for detecting operation of the exercise machine, and means (60) for changing, in dependence upon the detected operation of the exercise machine, a connection (44,48,54,56) between the game controller and the games machine selectively to enable and interrupt normal operation of the games machine.
10. A combination as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the interrupter system includes a third connector (40) connected to the first connector of the game controller and a fourth connector (38) for connection to the second connector of the games machine so that the interrupter system is connected between the first and second connectors.
11. A combination claimed in claim 9 , wherein the interrupter system is permanently wired to the game controller.
12. A combination as claimed in claim 9 in combination with a games machine.
13. A combination as claimed in claim 9 in combination with an exercise machine.
14. An apparatus comprising:
an exercise machine;
an electronic games machine;
a game controller having a connection to the games machine including a first connector which is releasably connectable to a complementary second connector of the games machine so that the game controller can control the games machine; and
an interrupter system comprising means for detecting if a rate of operation of the exercise machine is below a predetermined threshold, and means responsive to the detecting means for changing the connection between the game controller and the games machine to interrupt normal operation of the games machine when the rate of operation of the exercise machine is below the threshold.
15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the connection changing means is operable to disconnect a power supply connection from the games machine to the game controller when the rate of operation of the exercise machine is below the threshold.
16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the interrupter system has a third connector which is complementary to and, in use, connected to the first connector of the game controller, and a fourth connector which is complementary to and, in use, connected to the second connector of the games machine.
17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the interrupter system is permanently wired to the game controller, and, in use, the first connector of the game controller is connected to the second connector of the games machine.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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GB0514345A GB2412609B (en) | 2005-07-13 | 2005-07-13 | Encouraging exercise whilst playing electronic games |
GB0514345.8 | 2005-07-13 | ||
PCT/GB2006/002333 WO2007007026A1 (en) | 2005-07-13 | 2006-06-23 | Encouraging exercise whilst playing electronic games |
Publications (1)
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US20090098979A1 true US20090098979A1 (en) | 2009-04-16 |
Family
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Family Applications (1)
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US11/988,852 Abandoned US20090098979A1 (en) | 2005-07-13 | 2006-06-23 | Encouraging Exercise Whilst Playing Electronic Games |
Country Status (3)
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US (1) | US20090098979A1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2412609B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2007007026A1 (en) |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20050096132A1 (en) * | 2003-09-22 | 2005-05-05 | Hiromu Ueshima | Music game with strike sounds changing in quality in the progress of music and entertainment music system |
US20100113224A1 (en) * | 2008-11-03 | 2010-05-06 | Seh-Huang Chao | Controlling device for electronic device usage control |
WO2016044191A1 (en) * | 2014-09-18 | 2016-03-24 | Christovale Maurice | A method and system to use an interruption component in an interactive game session |
US20220212111A1 (en) * | 2019-07-05 | 2022-07-07 | Nintendo Co., Ltd. | Storage medium having information processing program stored therein, information processing system, information processing apparatus, and information processing method |
US20230052493A1 (en) * | 2021-08-16 | 2023-02-16 | Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC | Dynamic game intervention |
US11707680B2 (en) | 2021-07-20 | 2023-07-25 | Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC | Health and wellness gamification |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102006037418A1 (en) * | 2006-08-10 | 2008-02-14 | Deutsche Telekom Ag | Method e.g. for rewarding sporting activities, involves recording physical parameter of sport driving force by sensor to generate output signal in accordance with parameters |
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US4542897A (en) * | 1983-10-11 | 1985-09-24 | Melton Donald L | Exercise cycle with interactive amusement device |
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GB9909254D0 (en) * | 1999-04-23 | 1999-06-16 | Interex Ltd | A Computer Interface |
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2005
- 2005-07-13 GB GB0514345A patent/GB2412609B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2006
- 2006-06-23 WO PCT/GB2006/002333 patent/WO2007007026A1/en active Application Filing
- 2006-06-23 US US11/988,852 patent/US20090098979A1/en not_active Abandoned
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US4542897A (en) * | 1983-10-11 | 1985-09-24 | Melton Donald L | Exercise cycle with interactive amusement device |
US4637605A (en) * | 1984-02-17 | 1987-01-20 | Frank Ritchie | Controls for a game bike |
US4976435A (en) * | 1988-10-17 | 1990-12-11 | Will Shatford | Video game control adapter |
US5947868A (en) * | 1997-06-27 | 1999-09-07 | Dugan; Brian M. | System and method for improving fitness equipment and exercise |
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Cited By (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20050096132A1 (en) * | 2003-09-22 | 2005-05-05 | Hiromu Ueshima | Music game with strike sounds changing in quality in the progress of music and entertainment music system |
US7682237B2 (en) * | 2003-09-22 | 2010-03-23 | Ssd Company Limited | Music game with strike sounds changing in quality in the progress of music and entertainment music system |
US20100113224A1 (en) * | 2008-11-03 | 2010-05-06 | Seh-Huang Chao | Controlling device for electronic device usage control |
WO2016044191A1 (en) * | 2014-09-18 | 2016-03-24 | Christovale Maurice | A method and system to use an interruption component in an interactive game session |
US20220212111A1 (en) * | 2019-07-05 | 2022-07-07 | Nintendo Co., Ltd. | Storage medium having information processing program stored therein, information processing system, information processing apparatus, and information processing method |
US11771995B2 (en) | 2019-07-05 | 2023-10-03 | Nintendo Co., Ltd. | Storage medium having information processing program stored therein, information processing system, information processing apparatus, and information processing method |
US11771994B2 (en) * | 2019-07-05 | 2023-10-03 | Nintendo Co., Ltd. | Storage medium having information processing program stored therein, information processing system, information processing apparatus, and information processing method |
US11865454B2 (en) | 2019-07-05 | 2024-01-09 | Nintendo Co., Ltd. | Storage medium having information processing program stored therein, information processing system, information processing apparatus, and information processing method |
US11707680B2 (en) | 2021-07-20 | 2023-07-25 | Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC | Health and wellness gamification |
US20230052493A1 (en) * | 2021-08-16 | 2023-02-16 | Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC | Dynamic game intervention |
US11596865B1 (en) * | 2021-08-16 | 2023-03-07 | Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC | Dynamic game intervention |
US20230201719A1 (en) * | 2021-08-16 | 2023-06-29 | Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC | Dynamic game models |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB2412609B (en) | 2006-04-05 |
GB2412609A (en) | 2005-10-05 |
GB0514345D0 (en) | 2005-08-17 |
WO2007007026A1 (en) | 2007-01-18 |
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Legal Events
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