Abstract:
An activity controlled audio-visual system is disclosed. A device for connecting exercise equipment such as a pedal exerciser to a user sensory interface, such as a television set or computer so that the user has to pedal at a rate above a preset rate or threshold rate in order to be able to view the user sensory interface signal. The act of pedaling above a preset rate turns on a switch box which controls the input to the user sensory interface. In this way a normally sedentary activity such as watching television or a video, playing a video game, or using a computer is converted to one that requires physical activity.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND—FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to audio-visual systems, specifically to such a device which will require a level of physical activity be maintained in order for the user to experience audio-visual information such as from broadcasts, playing videos or video games and thus adding a physical activity to an otherwise sedentary one. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is a well known fact that children and young adults watch too much television and play too many video games at the expense of getting enough physical activity. Various types of systems coupling exercise equipment to a television are well known in the art. In spite of numerous earlier patents and applications, such products are still not available in fitness, toy stores, electronic or computer shops. Past patents have not satisfied the requirements of being inexpensive, easy to use, and readily available. Solutions of the following types have been presented in earlier patents. 
     Perhaps the first one of these solutions is that of U.S. Pat. No. 4,298,893 to Hohnes in which an exercise bicycle is used to generate electricity to power a television set. While it is simple in theory, it is not inexpensive or easy to implement. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 4,542,897 to Melton et al., a circuit allows the play of a video game if the user maintains a predetermined level of physical effort. This is a complex dedicated system that is not easily adapted for use in a home setting. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 5,591,104 to Andrus et al., a physical exercise machine is connected to a video system through the use of a computer and the resultant effect is used to control the load resistance imposed in opposition to the movement of the pedals while optionally participating in a video game. This is a complex system that is not easily configured for economical home use. 
     The system shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,976,435 to Shatford et al., is a complex device which allows the user to play video games while exercising thus missing a most important target goal of being inexpensive and easily used. 
     An interface to game console using game software. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,512,567 to Phillips and U.S. Pat. No. 4,637,605 to Ritchie, describe equipment that allow playing a video game while using an the exercise bicycle as long as the bicycle is being pedaled fast enough. The utility of these systems is questionable since they require the use of a specially designed bicycle or complicated mechanical add ons. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,001,632 to Hall-Tipping discloses a combination of a video game system and an exercise device whereby the play action is controlled by reference to the exerciser&#39;s heart rate and the output level of the exercise device. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,362,069 to Hall-Tipping the difficulty level of the exercise is controlled in an interactive fashion. Both systems are complex and expensive. 
     Apparatus for connecting an exercise bicycle to a computer U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,990 to Virkkala, describes an electronic circuit for connecting an exercise bicycle to a computer allowing the user to play some computer games and control the speed of a character in the game. While this apparatus solves some of the deficiencies of the other systems noted, it requires the use of a computer and it does not work with television or other audio-visual systems. 
     There have been devices in the past which attempt to restrict the amount of time television is watched but these involved the use of a token operated system as in U.S. Pat. No. 4,566,033 to Reidenouer. This system has a number of pitfalls such as the possible pooling of and selling of tokens and the fact that it controls the power source of the device. Most modem equipment will not function properly if they are totally disconnected from their power source. This is certainly not an appropriate method for control of devices such as audio-video tape players, computers or video games which can be damaged by this technique. 
     The system described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,142,358 to Jason is another complicated circuit which is not easily implemented and again since it controls the power source of the device is not suitable for such things as tape players, computers, video games or even modem televisions which have functions that require an uninterrupted source of power. 
     Regardless of how well the earlier inventions perform in their intended environment, none of them are suitable if the user wishes to employ an activity such as bicycling or other exercise in a home environment in an economical and easy to use way. These prior systems have been complicated, expensive, and not easily implemented, thus severely limiting their use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a simplified and inexpensive system that can be easily hooked up between a user sensory interfaces&#39;s input connection such as that on a television, radio, speaker, audio cassette or disc player or even a computer and the input signal such as the antenna, cable system, audio-video player, video game, audio signal or computer CPU, which will permit the use of the user sensory interface only when the user is physically active. 
     It is an another object of the invention to provide a physical activity audio-visual system that is low cost thus will make it more widely available because it will be economical to purchase, thus it will be able to help more people. 
     It is an another object of the invention to provide a physical activity audio-visual system that is simple in its design so that it makes it easy to manufacture, assemble, and use. 
     It is an another object of the invention to provide a physical activity audio-visual system that requires no other expensive or complicated equipment be used or purchased. 
     It is an another object of the invention to provide a physical activity audio-visual system that its use will not damage sensitive electronic and electro-mechanical devices. 
     It is an another object of the invention to provide a physical activity audio-visual system that can be easily adapted for a wide range of exercise equipment. 
     It is an another object of the invention to provide a physical activity audio-visual system that can be added on to a variety of equipment by the end user or be an integral part of the original equipment manufacture. 
     The above and other objects and advantages are fulfilled by the invention, which is an activity controlled audio-visual system, activated by a physical activity, typically but not limited to exercise on a piece of exercise equipment. The system includes an input signal source such as from a television signal, video player, audio player, video game or computer. A user sensory interface such as a speaker, television or computer monitor is used to interface or convey the input signal information to the user. A means to control how or whether the input signal is connected to the user sensory interface. This is typically, but not limited to a switch box that has input, output and control connections and is connected in between the input signal source and the user sensory interface such that the switch box can turn on and off the input signal based on the state of the switch box. The state of the switch box is dependant on the signal presented to its control input by a sensor which monitors the physical activity. The term switch box is used to describe a means to control the input signal in relation to the user sensory interface and to the sensed activity. It may be a separate circuit or device from the other components of the invention or may be built into, or as part of, the signal source, user sensory interface, sensor device, or activity device. 
     Thus, in addition to a system which can be attached to an existing piece of exercise equipment or be adapted to work with any activity requiring some physical effort and which controls an existing user sensory interface, the invention further includes any system in which any or all of its components, ie. the physical activity device, the input signal source, the user sensory interface, the switch box and/or the sensor become an integral part of the original equipment manufacture of the respective component. 
     The sensor and switch box can be used with an existing user sensory interface and input signal source as in a device made to be connected between a television and its usual antenna input connection. This is designed to be easily added on by the end user and can have its own activity device such as a pedal exerciser or the sensor can be made to sense the motion of a piece of exercise equipment already in the home. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 represents one embodiment of the present invention in relation to a cycling type of exercise used to control video player, video games and television viewing. 
     FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a pedal exerciser and sensor. 
     FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of the switch box circuit. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Description of the invention will now be given with reference to FIGS. 1-3. The invention includes a system which is connected to a piece of exercise equipment and a user sensory interface. The illustration in FIG. 1 shows how the system is connected to a pedal exerciser. The user  12  sits on a chair (not shown) placing their feet on pedals  14  of the pedal exerciser  16 . The effort required to pedal is typically adjusted by changing the friction provided by the tension screw  18 . The speed sensor  20  is mounted on the pedal exerciser in such a way that the periodic motion of the pedaling can be monitored. The sensor  20  is connected to the Control input  22  of switch box  24  via connection  26  which represents any number of conventional means, such as wires, by wireless radio transmitters an receivers, by photo-optical means, and the like. All of the user sensory interface signal sources, ie. audio-video player  28 , video game  30 , antenna  32  and satellite/cable signal  34  are hooked together in their usual fashion as depicted by their respective connections  36 ,  38 , and  40 . Instead of being connected directly to the input  42  of the user sensory interface  44  however, they are connected to the input  46  of the switch box  24 . The output  48  of the switch box  24  is then connected to the user sensory interface input  42  in the usual fashion as depicted by connection  50 . In this way the user sensory interface  44  will not display a picture or sound unless the switch box  24  is turned on. The switch box  24  is turned on when the exercise performed on the pedal exerciser  16  is above a preset rate. 
     FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of the pedal exerciser  16  and the speed sensor  20 . The sensor  20  typically consists of a magnetic reed switch that is mounted to the fixed chassis  52  of the pedal exerciser  16 . A magnet  54  is mounted on the rotating pedal crank  56  in such a way that as the crank  56  is rotated the magnet  54  comes in close proximity of the reed switch sensor  20 . This causes the reed switch  20  to close a circuit and send a signal to the control input  22  of switch box  24  via connection  26 , proportional to the rate at which the user is pedaling. When the switch box senses that the signal rate is above the preset rate it turns on allowing input signals connected to input  46  to flow to the output  48  and into the user sensory interface  44  via user sensory interface  42  (see FIG.  1 ). 
     FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of the switch box circuit that controls whether or not the input signal connected to the user sensory interface. U 1  a 556 dual timer integrated circuit. The first half of the dual timer, U 1  is used as a monostable circuit triggered by the sensor  20 , in this case shown as SW 1  a magnetic reed switch. Resistors R 2  and R 3  and capacitor C 1  shape the sensor signal and prevent the output of the first timer from remaining high if the pedals are fixed in a position with the magnet in proximity of SW 1 . Resistor R 1  and capacitor C 2  determine a the width of the output pulse from the first timer. This output pulse is then integrated by capacitor C 3 . The second half of the dual timer U 1 , is used as a comparator and powers the relay RL 1  through current limiting resistor R 4 . Variable resistor R 5  determines the minimum rate at which pedaling must be maintained, to keep the switch box turned on. When this rate is exceeded relay RL 1  is activated thus connecting the input connector, INPUT to the output connector, OUTPUT. This allows the input signals to be viewed on the user sensory interface. The circuit is energized with a direct current source, with an optional power switch (not shown), via connections V+ and ground respectively. 
     In this preferred embodiment, the invention would be used to encourage physical activity by requiring a predetermined minimal amount of pedaling rate by the user on a pedal exerciser before the user could view the desired program ie., video game, audio-video player, television, and cable program. This predetermined rate can be adjusted by the user or a supervising person. 
     Additional Embodiments 
     While my above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof. Many other variations are possible. Additional embodiments include physical activity sensors configured to be used with other types of activities such as a pedal exerciser, a bicycle, a tread mill, an elliptical cycle, a strength training machine, a rowing machine, a stair climber, a skiing machine, a stepper machine, a weight lifting machine, a resistance training machine, a recumbent cycle, a repetitive task, a physical task, a household chore, a musical instrument and singing. 
     Another embodiment is a system in which the sensor is chose from those that detect magnetic, photo-optical, pressure, mechanical, strain, fluid flow, or sound. 
     Another embodiment is a system in which the user sensory interface would display a blank screen or a video or audio message such as “pedal faster” or an alternate audio-visual signal or connect to an alternate input signal source when the user is not exercising above the threshold rate. 
     Additional parameters of physiological activity may be used as the control factor for the switch box such as rate of exercise, rate of activity, force of activity, work of activity, heart rate, pulse rater, oxygen consumption, respiratory rate, carbon dioxide production, electrocardiographic information, electroencephalographic parameters, electro-retinographic data, galvanic skin response, sound volume and sound tone. 
     Additional control over the parameters used to activate the switch box can come from a secure, coded or keyed switch which would allow a supervising person to control the level of activity needed to turn the switch box on or off. The system can also include over ride and timed modes in which the switch box is always on, always off or on or off for specific amounts of time or during specific times of the day. Certain control parameters may be adjusted by the user also. 
     Another embodiment is a system in which the user interface is a computer and the switch box can turn on and off the video monitor as a function of the control signal. 
     Another embodiment is a system in which additional information is displayed in a window on the user sensory interface either in a numerical or graphical format and may include rate of activity, duration of activity, speed distance traveled, calories burned. 
     Another embodiment is a system in which the user interface is a telephone and the switch box can turn on and off the ability to carry on a conversation. This would have the dual benefits of limiting telephone use while at the same time promoting physical activity. 
     Another embodiment is a system in which the user interface is an audio system, such as a cassette or disc player and the switch box can turn on and off the audio signal or speaker as a function of the control signal. 
     Another embodiment is a system in which the user sensory interface has a visual output, such as that on a hand held video game screen and a means to allow the user to view said visual output based on the activity of the user is provided. This means may be a liquid crystal type of shutter that can block the users vision of the screen based on the activity of the user. 
     Another embodiment is a system in which the user sensory interface is designed with built in control over the audio and/or visual output and is provided with a connection that can be controlled by the activity sensor. 
     Advantages 
     The inventive activity activated audio-visual system provides numerous advantages over prior art. 
     First, it is compatible with existing home audio-video systems and audio-video equipment. The use of expensive or complicated equipment is eliminated. Moreover, it can be easily installed by the user. Because of its simplified nature it is inherently less expensive and more reliable. It maintains physical activity during a normally sedentary activity. It promotes good physical health. 
     Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope of Invention 
     Thus, the reader will see that the activity controlled audio-visual system provides a motivating means for physical activity yet at the same time it is economical and easy to use. Its simplicity allows for a wide range of interesting and motivating applications. It can be easily adapted for a wide variety of activities including exercise, educational, and entertainment uses. 
     While my above description contains many features, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as exemplifications of the preferred embodiments thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example the system could be used as an educational device and be used to view self-study material which could be learned while doing various activities. Numerous variation of the above described system can occur to those skilled in the art. The commercial implementation of it can be a conversion kit for adapting existing equipment or the invention can be included as part of a complete activity or exercise device. The invention is not limited to that described, rather, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments discussed, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.