Patent Publication Number: US-2023146190-A1

Title: Medicine ball and method of operating thereof

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present disclosure relates to devices used for physical therapy, and more specifically to medicine balls used in treatment of unstable joints. 
     Problem to be Solved 
     For patients with unstable joints, it is common treatment for physical therapists to manually apply randomized forces to the unstable joint. This is done because the treatment challenges the body to stabilize itself against these forces. Applying these random forces simulates a rhythmic stabilization, which is a proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation technique. This technique improves the motor control and the stabilization of the joint that is being challenged. 
     Currently, physical therapists must be with the patient to manually apply the randomized forces to the unstable joints. This can be time-consuming for the physical therapist. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved way for a physical therapist to apply this type of treatment. One way is a device that can automatically apply these random forces on a patient&#39;s unstable joints, as well as being able to increase the weight of the forces gradually and methodically, as well as the time duration, of the randomized forces acting against an unstable joint, without the physical therapist needing to be physically next to the patient and applying the forces themselves. 
     Currently, medicine balls are typically used for strength training. This typically requires the user to move the medicine ball themselves. This does not work well for treating unstable joints, as it only requires that the user&#39;s body moves in a way where joints are only used in a stable way. Further to this, it does not require the body of the user to stabilize against random forces. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved way to use a medicine ball to help treat unstable joints. 
     Description of Prior Art 
     WO 2006115822 (Yewer et al.) publication describes a medicine ball that includes a gyroscope that is powered by a battery, where the gyroscope object can create low impact instability in a pattern that is useful for exercise. However, the &#39;822 publication does not teach or suggest that the gyroscope is housed within a rotatable capsule disposed within the medicine ball, where the gyroscope as well as the rotatable capsule are controlled together to produce random perturbations through the structure of a medicine ball. Further, the &#39;822 publication does not teach or suggest that the invention is to be used in the user&#39;s hands, but rather it suggests that the invention be used on the ground. Because the &#39;822 publication does not describe an invention that creates any forces, it is unable to help with the treatment of unstable joints using a rhythmic stabilization with random directional forces. 
     WO 2018178457 (Vidal et al.) publication describes a medicine ball that includes an electronic measuring means having a gyroscope and a switch that turns the system on and off. Further the &#39;457 publication describes an invention which has the objective of measuring forces. However, the &#39;457 publication does not teach or suggest that the gyroscope is housed within a rotatable capsule disposed within a medicine ball, where the gyroscope as well as the rotatable capsule are controlled together to produce random perturbations through the structure of the medicine ball. Further, the &#39;457 publication does not describe an invention that creates any forces. Because the &#39;457 publication does not describe an invention that creates any forces, it is unable to help with the treatment of unstable joints using a rhythmic stabilization with random directional forces. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 9,135,347 (Damman et al.) patent describes a medicine ball having a weight and a three-axis gyroscope. Further, the &#39;347 patent describes an invention used to track exercise data. However, the &#39;347 patent does not teach or suggest that the gyroscope is housed within a rotatable capsule disposed within the medicine ball, where the gyroscope as well as the rotatable capsule are controlled together to produce random perturbations through the structure of a medicine ball. Because the &#39;347 patent does not describe an invention that creates any forces, it is unable to help with the treatment of unstable joints using a rhythmic stabilization with random directional forces. 
     Statement of the Objects of the Invention 
     The first objective of the invention is to generate randomized forces inside of a medicine ball. The second objective is to use the medicine ball as part of the treatment for unstable joints by requiring the body to stabilize the unstable joints by counteracting against these randomized forces. The third objective of the invention is to allow this type of treatment to be done without a physical therapist manually creating these forces. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A medicine ball has a gyroscope housed inside a rotatable capsule, a user interface configured to receive a user input, a programmable controller, and a power source each communicatively coupled with the user interface. In operation, the power source supplies power to the gyroscope, the rotatable capsule, and the programmable controller in response to receiving the user input at the user interface. The programmable controller controls the movement of the gyroscope and the rotatable capsule in response to receiving the user input at the user interface. 
    
    
     
       A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate embodiments of concepts that include the claimed invention, and explain various principles and advantages of those embodiments. 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a medicine ball in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG.  2    is a broken view of a medicine ball in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG.  3    is a flow diagram of a method of operating the medicine ball shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2    in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG.  4    is a flow diagram of another method of operating the medicine ball shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2    in accordance with some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention. 
     The apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS 
     One embodiment provides a medicine ball comprising a gyroscope housed inside a rotatable capsule, a user interface configured to receive a user input, a programmable controller communicatively coupled with the user interface, and a power source communicatively coupled with the user interface. The programmable controller controls the movement of the gyroscope and the rotatable capsule in response to receiving the user input at the user interface. The power source supplies power to the gyroscope, the rotatable capsule, and the programmable controller in response to receiving the user input at the user interface. 
     Another embodiment provides a medicine ball comprising a rotatable capsule, a gyroscope disposed within the rotatable capsule, an outer spherical body housing the rotatable capsule and the gyroscope, a user interface disposed on an exterior surface of the outer spherical body, a programmable controller disposed within an interior surface of the outer spherical body, and a battery disposed within the interior surface of the outer spherical body. The programmable controller is electrically connected to the user interface. The programmable controller controls a duration of activation of the gyroscope and of the rotatable capsule as a function of user input received at the user interface. Further the battery is electrically connected to the programmable controller, the gyroscope, and the rotatable capsule and the battery is operatively controlled by the programmable controller to supply power to activate the gyroscope and the rotatable capsule in response to the user input received at the user interface. The rotatable capsule upon activation rotates randomly on multiple axes relative to the outer spherical body, and the gyroscope upon activation rotates on at least one axis relative to the outer spherical body. The rotation of the rotatable capsule and of the gyroscope creates randomized forces directed toward the outer spherical body of the medicine ball. 
     A further embodiment provides a method of operating a medicine ball including a gyroscope disposed within a rotatable capsule. The method comprises: receiving, at a user interface, a user input; supplying, in response to receiving the user input, power for activating the gyroscope and the rotatable capsule, the rotatable capsule upon activation rotating randomly on multiple axes and the gyroscope upon activation rotating on at least one axis, the rotation of the rotatable capsule and of the gyroscope creating randomized forces directed toward an outer surface of the medicine ball; and controlling, via a programmable controller, a duration of activation of the gyroscope and of the rotatable capsule as a function of the user input. 
     Each of the above-mentioned embodiments will be discussed in more detail below, starting with example structure of a medicine ball in which the embodiments may be practiced, followed by an illustration of processing blocks for achieving an improved operation of the medicine ball. Example embodiments are herein described with reference to flowchart illustrations of methods according to example embodiments. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by a programmable controller. The methods and processes set forth herein need not, in some embodiments, be performed in the exact sequence as shown and likewise various blocks may be performed in parallel rather than in sequence. Accordingly, the elements of methods and processes are referred to herein as “blocks” rather than “steps.” 
     Further advantages and features consistent with this disclosure will be set forth in the following detailed description, with reference to the figures. 
     Referring now to the drawings, and in particular  FIGS.  1  and  2   , a perspective view of a medicine ball  100  and an exploded view of the medicine ball  100  are respectively shown. The medicine ball  100  includes an outer body  110  (referred herein as outer spherical body  110 ) that may be substantially spherical in shape as shown in  FIG.  1   . In alternative embodiments, the outer body  110  may take form of a football shaped body or an elongated body designed to be gripped with a hand during its operation by a user. In accordance with some embodiments, an exterior surface  120  of the medicine ball  100  is gently textured to improve grip. The outer spherical body  110  may be made of an elastic material such as a rubber. In other embodiments, the medicine ball  100  may be made of any durable material (e.g., plastic) that has enough friction to be gripped well. The medicine ball  100  may be designed in different sizes and weights. As an example, the medicine ball  100  may be designed to weigh two (2) pounds with three (3) inches diametrical length to allow a user to grip the medicine ball  100  with one hand during the operation of the medicine ball  100 . As another example, the medicine ball  100  may be designed to weigh eight (8) pounds with nine (9) inches diametrical length to allow the user to grip the medicine ball  100  with two hands during the operation of the medicine ball  100 . Other possibilities exist as well. 
     The outer spherical body  110  of the medicine ball  100  has an interior cavity  130  ( FIG.  2   ) adapted to hold a rotatable capsule  140  and a gyroscope  150  that are disposed within the rotatable capsule  140 . The outer ring  152  of the gyroscope  150  is pivotally attached to the interior of the rotatable capsule  140  as shown at  154  of  FIG.  2   . The medicine ball  100  further includes a user interface  160  ( FIG.  1   ) disposed on the exterior surface  120  of the outer spherical body  110 , a programmable controller  170  ( FIG.  2   ) disposed within an interior surface  180  of the outer spherical body  110 , and a power source, such as a battery  190  (e.g., a lithium-ion battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, a nickel-metal hydride battery, or an external AA/AAA battery) disposed within the interior surface  180  of the outer spherical body  110 . The user interface  160  is configured to receive user input from a user. The programmable controller  170  is electrically and communicatively connected to the user interface  160  to enable the programmable controller  170  to receive user input received at the user interface  160 . The battery  190  is electrically connected to power the programmable controller  170 , the gyroscope  150 , and the rotatable capsule  140 . 
     In one embodiment, the user interface  160  may take form of a push button which may be pressed or activated to switch the operation of the medicine ball  100  from standby mode to active mode. In one embodiment, the medicine ball  100  may be designed without any user interface. In this embodiment, the medicine ball  100  may be programmed to switch its operation from standby mode to active mode in response to receiving an external force (e.g., upon shaking the medicine ball or by subjecting the medicine ball  100  to an external force) applied to the medicine ball  100 . 
     When the medicine ball  100  is operated in standby mode, the programmable controller  170  disengages the electrical connection between the gyroscope  150  and the rotatable capsule  140 , such that, the gyroscope  150  and the rotatable capsule  140  no longer rotate. On the other hand, when the medicine ball  100  is switched to operate in active mode, the programmable controller  170  directs power from the battery  190  to activate the gyroscope  150  to spin at preset revolutions per minute (RPM). The programmable controller  170  also directs power to an electrical motor (not shown) which randomly rotates the rotatable capsule  140  within which the gyroscope  150  is encapsulated. In other words, the programmable controller  170  operatively controls the battery  190  to supply power to activate the gyroscope  150  and the rotatable capsule  140  in response to user input received at the user interface  160 . Further the rotatable capsule  140  upon activation rotates randomly on multiple axes relative to the outer spherical body  110  and the gyroscope  150  upon activation rotates on at least one axis relative to the outer spherical body  110 . In one embodiment, the gyroscope  150  may be a multi-axial gyroscope that can rotate on multiple axes relative to the outer spherical body  110 , and the rotatable capsule  140  may be configured to rotate on a single axis relative to the outer spherical body  110 . Alternatively, the gyroscope  150  may be a single-axial gyroscope that can rotate only on single axis relative to the outer spherical body  110 . 
     In accordance with the illustrated embodiments, the rotation of the rotatable capsule  140  and the rotation of the gyroscope  150  create randomized forces or perturbations directed toward the outer spherical body  110 . As an example, the gyroscope  150  and the rotatable capsule  140  upon their rotation may provide randomized forces of 0.5-1 lbs. for a programmed amount of time for the ‘3’ inch medicine ball  100 . As another example, the gyroscope  150  and the rotatable capsule  140  upon their rotation may provide randomized forces of 2-4 lbs. for a programmed amount of time for the ‘9’ inch medicine ball  100 . 
     The programmable controller  170  may comprise an electronic processor (for example, a microprocessor, a logic circuit, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field-programmable gate array, or another electronic device), volatile memory, nonvolatile memory such as EEPROM for storing programming, and nonvolatile storage, e.g., flash memory, for storing firmware and operational parameters. The memory of programmable controller  170  may store program instructions that, when executed by the electronic processor of the programmable controller, cause the electronic processor to perform the operations described with reference to  FIGS.  3  and  4   . In accordance with the illustrated embodiments, the programmable controller  170  is configured to control a duration of activation of the gyroscope  150  and of the rotatable capsule  140  as a function of user input received at the user interface  160 . In one embodiment, the programmable controller  170  controls a duration of activation of the gyroscope  150  based on a number of times user input is received (e.g., push button is pressed) at the user interface  160  in a given time (e.g., 10 seconds). In another embodiment, the programmable controller  170  controls a duration of activation of the gyroscope  150  based on whether a subsequent user input is received within a predefined time period (e.g., 3 seconds) from the preceding user input. For example, when a push button of the user interface  160  is pressed for a second time within a predefined time period from a first time of the button being pressed, then the programmable controller  170  may activate the gyroscope  150  and rotatable capsule  140  for a longer time (e.g., 30 seconds activation time) in comparison to the push button pressed only once (e.g., 15 seconds activation time). 
     The programmable controller  170  may send commands responsive to user input(s) received at the user interface  160  to switch the operation of the medicine ball  100  from a standby mode to an active mode or alternatively from active mode to standby mode. For example, when the programmable controller  170  detects that a push button of the user interface  160  is pressed once within a given time (e.g., 10 seconds), the programmable controller  170  controls the medicine ball  100  to operate in active mode for an activation time of 15 seconds. When the push button of the user interface  160  is pressed two times within the given time (or when the push button is pressed a second time within a predefined time period from a first time of pressing the push button), the medicine ball  100  is operated in active mode for 30 seconds. When the push button of the user interface  160  is pressed three times, the medicine ball  100  is operated in active mode for 60 seconds. When the push button of the user interface  160  is pressed four times, the medicine ball  100  is operated in active mode for an indefinite time duration unless the push button is pressed again to switch the operation of the medicine ball  100  from active mode to standby mode or the battery  190  is discharged. In other words, at any time the medicine ball  100  is operating in active mode, the push button of the user interface  160  can be pressed again to switch its operation from an active mode to a standby mode. In standby mode, the rotatable capsule  140  and the gyroscope  150  stop their rotation which results in the medicine ball  100  no longer producing any randomized forces. In other words, the programmable controller  170  is configured to deactivate the gyroscope  150  and the rotatable capsule  140  when another user input is received at the user interface  160  upon activation of the gyroscope  150  and of the rotatable capsule  140 . 
     In accordance with some embodiments, the programmable controller  170  is further programmed to control a speed of rotation of the gyroscope  150  and of the rotatable capsule  140  as a function of user input received at user interface  160 . For example, in these embodiments, the programmable controller  170  operatively controls the battery  190  to adjust the amount of power supplied to a driving mechanism such as a motor that causes the gyroscope  150  and/or the rotatable capsule  140  to rotate upon activation. In these embodiments, the speed of rotation of the gyroscope  150  and the rotatable capsule  140  may be varied as a function of the power supplied by the battery  190  during the activation of the gyroscope  150  and of the rotatable capsule  140 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , the medicine ball  100  further includes a charging port  200  and a light emitting component  210  that are disposed on the exterior surface  120  of the outer spherical body  110 . The charging port  200  (e.g., USB-C port) is adapted to be electrically coupled to an external power source to charge the battery  190 . The light emitting component  210  is controlled by the programmable controller  170  to emit light indicating a duration of activation of the gyroscope  150  and of the rotatable capsule  140  based on user input received at the user interface  160 . In one embodiment, the light emitting component  210  includes a light emitting diode (LED) ring that is disposed around the user interface  160  such as a push button to indicate a duration of activation of the gyroscope  150  and activation of the rotatable capsule  140 . In this embodiment, the LED ring emits lights in different colors or patterns to indicate a specified time duration that the medicine ball  100  will operate in active mode. For example, when the push button of the user interface  160  is pressed once, the LED ring may emit yellow light to indicate an activation time of 15 seconds. When the push button of the user interface  160  is pressed two times, the LED light turns red indicating an activation time of 30 seconds. When the push button of the user interface  160  is pressed three times, the LED light turns blue indicating an activation time of 60 seconds. When the push button of the user interface  160  is pressed four times, the LED light turns green indicating an indefinite activation time. The green LED light may also indicate to a user operating the medicine ball  100  that the medicine ball  100  will remain in active mode until the push button of the user interface  160  is pressed again by the user. 
     Turning now to  FIG.  3   , a flowchart diagram illustrates a method  300  of operating the medicine ball  100  shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2    in accordance with some embodiments. While a particular order of processing steps is indicated in  FIG.  3    as an example, timing and ordering of such steps may vary where appropriate without negating the purpose and advantages of the examples set forth in detail throughout the remainder of this disclosure. A programmable controller  170  shown in  FIG.  2    may execute the method  300  of operating the medicine ball  100 . 
     At block  310 , the medicine ball  100  operates in standby mode. During standby mode, the programmable controller  170  disengages the battery  190  and the gyroscope  150  and rotatable capsule  140 , such that, power is no longer supplied to the gyroscope  150  and the rotatable capsule  140 . In other words, the gyroscope  150  and the rotatable capsule  140  are not activated during the standby mode and therefore the gyroscope  150  and the rotatable capsule  140  do not rotate when the medicine ball  100  is operated in standby mode. 
     At block  320 , the programmable controller  170  determines whether a user input has been received at the user interface  160 . In one embodiment, the programmable controller  170  receives a user input when a push button of the user interface  160  is pressed or pushed by the user. If no user input is received, the programmable controller  170  continues to monitor for any user input received at the user interface  160  at block  320 . Otherwise, when user input is received at the user interface  160 , at block  330 , the programmable controller  170  switches the operation of the medicine ball  100  from the standby mode to an active mode. In active mode, the programmable controller  170  activates the electrical connection between the battery  190  and the gyroscope  150  and the rotatable capsule  140 . The electrical connection causes the battery  190  to supply power to activate the gyroscope  150  and the rotatable capsule  140 . The rotatable capsule  140  upon activation rotates randomly on multiple axes relative to the outer spherical body  110  and the gyroscope  150  upon activation rotates on at least one axis relative to the outer spherical body  110 . The rotation of the rotatable capsule  140  and the rotation of the gyroscope  150  create randomized forces directed toward the outer spherical body  110 . The randomized forces so created can be used in treatment of joint instability. 
     At block  340 , the programmable controller  170  further controls a duration of activation of the gyroscope  150  and of the rotatable capsule  140  in response to receiving the user input received at the user interface  160 . For example, when the programmable controller  170  determines that a push button of the user interface  160  is pressed once within a given time (e.g., ‘10’ seconds), the programmable controller  170  controls the medicine ball  100  to operate in active mode (i.e., by engaging the electrical connection between the battery  190  and the gyroscope  150  and the rotatable capsule  140 ) for an activation time of ‘15’ seconds. When the push button of the user interface  160  is pressed two times within the given time, the medicine ball  100  is operated in active mode for ‘30’ seconds. When the push button of the user interface  160  is pressed three times, the medicine ball  100  is operated in active mode for ‘60’ seconds. When the push button of the user interface  160  is pressed four times, the medicine ball  100  is operated in active mode for an indefinite time duration unless the push button is pressed again to switch the operation of the medicine ball  100  from active mode to standby mode or the battery  190  is discharged. In other words, at any time the medicine ball  100  is operating in active mode, the push button of the user interface  160  can be pressed again to switch its operation from active mode to standby mode. 
     Turning now to  FIG.  4   , a flowchart diagram illustrates another method  400  of operating the medicine ball  100  shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2    in accordance with some embodiments. While a particular order of processing steps is indicated in  FIG.  4    as an example, timing and ordering of such steps may vary where appropriate without negating the purpose and advantages of the examples set forth in detail throughout the remainder of this disclosure. A programmable controller  170  shown in  FIG.  2    may execute the method  400  of operating the medicine ball  100 . 
     At block  410 , the medicine ball  100  operates in standby mode. During standby mode, the programmable controller  170  disengages the battery  190  and the gyroscope  150  and rotatable capsule  140 , such that, power is no longer supplied to the gyroscope  150  and the rotatable capsule  140 . In other words, the gyroscope  150  and the rotatable capsule  140  are not activated during the standby mode and therefore the gyroscope  150  and the rotatable capsule  140  do not rotate when the medicine ball  100  is operated in standby mode. 
     At block  420 , the programmable controller  170  detects whether a user input has been received at the user interface  160 . In one example, the programmable controller  170  receives the user input when a push button of the user interface  160  is pressed or pushed by the user. If no user input is received, the programmable controller  170  continues to monitor at block  420  for any user input received at the user interface  160 . Otherwise, when a user input is received at the user interface  160  within a given time ‘N’, the programmable controller  170  detects if a second user input is received at the user interface  160 . As an example, the given time ‘N’ can be ‘3’ seconds from the first input, or alternatively can be ‘10’ seconds within which a second input (i.e., push button being pressed two times) should be received after the first input. 
     If a second user input is not received at the user interface  160  within the given time ‘N’, the programmable controller  170 , at block  440 , controls the medicine ball  100  to be operated in active mode for a first specified time duration (e.g., 15 seconds). To switch the operation of the medicine ball  100  from standby mode to active mode, the programmable controller  170  engages electrical connection between the battery  190  and the light emitting component  210 , as well as an electrical connection between the battery  190  and the gyroscope  150  and the rotatable capsule  140 . The electrical connection causes the battery  190  to supply power to the light emitting component  210  and the programmable controller  170  causes the light emitting component  210  to emit a colored light (e.g., yellow). The electrical connection further causes the battery  190  to supply power to activate the gyroscope  150  and the rotatable capsule  140 . The rotatable capsule  140  upon its activation rotates randomly on multiple axes relative to the outer spherical body  110  to produce randomized forces for a first specified time duration. The gyroscope  150  upon its activation rotates randomly on single axis (or in another embodiment, multiple axes) relative to the outer spherical body  110  to produce randomized forces for a first specified time duration. After the first specified time duration, the medicine ball  100  returns to standby mode at block  410 , whereby, the programmable controller  170  disengages the electrical connection between the gyroscope  150  and the rotatable capsule  140 , such that the gyroscope  150  and the rotatable capsule  140  no longer rotate. Otherwise, when a second user input is received at the user interface  160  within the given time ‘N’, at block  430 , the programmable controller  170 , at block  450 , waits a given time to detect if a third user input is received at the user interface  160 . As an example, the given time ‘N’ can be ‘3’ seconds from the second input, or alternatively three inputs (i.e., push button being pressed three times) within ‘10’ seconds. 
     If a third user input is not received at the user interface  160  within the specified time duration, the programmable controller  170 , at block  460 , controls the medicine ball  100  to be operated in active mode for a second specified time duration (e.g., 30 seconds). To switch the operation of the medicine ball  100  from standby mode to active mode, the programmable controller  170  engages the electrical connection between the battery  190  and the light emitting component  210 , as well as between the battery  190  and the gyroscope  150  and the rotatable capsule  140 . The electrical connection causes the battery  190  to supply power to the light emitting component  210  and the programmable controller  170  causes the light emitting component  210  to emit a colored light (e.g., red). The electrical connection further causes the battery  190  to supply power to activate the gyroscope  150  and the rotatable capsule  140 . The rotatable capsule  140  upon its activation rotates randomly on multiple axes relative to the outer spherical body  110  to produce randomized forces for a second specified time duration. The gyroscope  150  upon its activation rotates randomly on single axis (or in another embodiment multiple axes) relative to the outer spherical body  110  to produce randomized forces for a second specified time duration. After the second specified time duration, the medicine ball  100  returns to standby mode at block  410 , whereby the programmable controller  170  disengages the electrical connection between the gyroscope  150  and the rotatable capsule  140 , such that the gyroscope  150  and the rotatable capsule  140  no longer rotate. Otherwise, when a third user input is received at the user interface  160  within the given time ‘N’, the programmable controller  170 , at block  470 , waits a given time to detect if a fourth user input is received at the user interface  160 . As an example, the given time ‘N’ can be ‘3’ seconds from the third input, or alternatively four inputs (i.e., push button being pressed four times) within ‘10’ seconds. 
     If a fourth user input is not received at the user interface  160  within the given time, the programmable controller  170 , at block  480 , controls the medicine ball  100  to be operated in active mode for a third specified time duration (e.g., 60 seconds). To switch the operation of the medicine ball  100  from standby mode to active mode, the programmable controller  170  engages the electrical connection between the battery  190  and the light emitting component  210 , as well as an electrical connection between the battery  190  and the gyroscope  150  and the rotatable capsule  140 . The electrical connection causes the battery  190  to supply power to the light emitting component  210  and the programmable controller  170  causes the light emitting component  210  to emit a colored light (e.g., blue). The electrical connection further causes the battery  190  to supply power to activate the gyroscope  150  and the rotatable capsule  140 . The rotatable capsule  140  upon its activation rotates randomly on multiple axes relative to the outer spherical body  110  to produce randomized forces for a third specified time duration. The gyroscope  150  upon its activation rotates randomly on a single axis (or in another embodiment multiple axes) relative to the outer spherical body  110  to produce randomized forces for a third specified time duration. After the third specified time duration, the medicine ball  100  returns to standby mode at block  410 , whereby, the programmable controller  170  disengages the electrical connection between the gyroscope  150  and the rotatable capsule  140 , such that, the gyroscope  150  and the rotatable capsule  140  no longer rotate. 
     Otherwise, when a fourth user input is received at the user interface  160  within the given time ‘N’, at block  470 , the programmable controller, at block  490 , controls the medicine ball  100  to be operated in active mode for an indefinite time duration. To switch the operation of the medicine ball  100  from standby mode to active mode, the programmable controller  170  engages the electrical connection between the battery  190  and the light emitting component, as well as between the battery  190  and the gyroscope  150  and the rotatable capsule  140 . The electrical connection causes the battery  190  to supply power to the light emitting component  210  and the programmable controller  170  causes the light emitting component  210  to emit a colored light (e.g., green). The electrical connection further causes the battery  190  to supply power to activate the gyroscope  150  and the rotatable capsule  140 . The rotatable capsule  140  upon its activation rotates randomly on multiple axes relative to the outer spherical body  110  to produce randomized forces for an indefinite time duration. The gyroscope  150  upon its activation rotates randomly on a single axis (or in another embodiment multiple axes) relative to the outer spherical body  110  to produce randomized forces for an indefinite time duration. 
     The gyroscope  150  and rotatable capsule  140  continue to operate in active mode until either a fifth user input is received at the user interface  160 , at block  495 , or the battery  190  becomes discharged. As an example, the given time ‘N’ can be ‘3’ seconds from the fourth input, or alternatively five inputs (i.e., push button being pressed five times) within ‘10’ seconds. Once either a fifth user input is received at the user interface  160  or the battery  190  becomes discharged, the medicine ball  100  returns to standby mode at block  410 , whereby, the programmable controller  170  disengages the electrical connection between the gyroscope  150  and the rotatable capsule  140 , such that, the gyroscope  150  and the rotatable capsule  140  no longer rotate. 
     Embodiments of the medicine ball  100  described herein have application in physical therapy and treatment. In physical therapy, it is useful to have such randomized perturbations created during the operation of a medicine ball  100  in active mode applied to body parts in order to treat joint instability. The gyroscope  150  produces external forces in the medicine ball  100  so it creates a shaking sensation when the medicine ball  100  is held in the hand. The shaking sensation creates forces in which the body must react to in order to stabilize itself. This creates a health benefit by challenging parts of the body that are lacking in strength, endurance, and motor control. The randomized forces produced by operating the medicine ball  100  in active mode simulate rhythmic stabilization which is a proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation technique used to improve motor control and stabilization of whichever body is being challenged. The application of randomized forces that are automatically generated during the operation of the medicine ball  100  in active mode provides significant advantages in contrast to existing practice where it is done manually by another person such as a physical therapist or athletic trainer which can be time consuming. In addition, the medicine ball  100  may be designed in different sizes to allow application to different body parts. Smaller balls (e.g., ‘3’ inch medicine balls) can be held in one hand to challenge the wrist, elbow, and shoulder. Larger balls (e.g., ‘9’ inch medicine balls) can be held with both hands and these balls provide enough force to challenge the core, back, hips, knees, and ankles. Also, the programmable timing (e.g., ‘15’, ‘30’, ‘45’ seconds etc.) for operating the medicine ball  100  in active mode is useful in a therapeutic setting to match the strength and endurance levels of each user. 
     The foregoing description of the illustrated embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. The description was selected to best explain the principles of the invention and their practical application to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention not be limited by the specification, but be defined by the claims set forth below. 
     The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.