Game Control System for Converting Physical Efforts into a Virtual Gaming Environment

The present invention relates to a game control system that converts the physical efforts of a player into a virtual gaming environment. More specifically, the pedal system includes a pedal integrated with sensors and algorithms to convert user efforts into gameplay inputs, ultimately enhancing interactive gaming experiences during exercise activities.

In recent years, there has been a growing trend toward incorporating technology into fitness routines to enhance user engagement and motivation. Traditional exercise equipment often lacks interactive features, resulting in monotonous workouts that fail to sustain long-term interest. To address this challenge, there has been an increasing demand for innovative solutions that seamlessly blend physical activity with immersive gaming experiences.

However, existing approaches to merging gaming and exercise have faced limitations, particularly in the realm of pedal-based systems. Conventional pedals lack the ability to translate physical efforts into meaningful gaming interactions, leading to disconnects between user actions and virtual gameplay. Moreover, there is a lack of customization options to accommodate users of varying physical abilities and preferences, hindering the inclusivity and effectiveness of such systems. Additionally, the players have to track their goals manually in their mobile or computing unit. Furthermore, the traditional pedal systems lack the ability to find out the pattern of speeding up the bike or bicycle, as well as the direction, leaning, turning, and braking actions. These shortcomings highlight the need for a gaming pedal system capable of accurately capturing user movements, adapting gameplay to individual profiles, and delivering engaging experiences that motivate sustained participation in fitness activities.

Therefore, there is a need in the art to develop a gaming pedal system that does not suffer from the aforementioned deficiencies.

Some of the objects of the invention are as follows:

An object of the present invention is to develop a game control system that seamlessly integrates with exercise-based cycles to convert physical efforts into virtual gaming inputs.

Another object of the present invention is to design a pedal equipped with sensors and algorithms to accurately detect and interpret user movements for enhanced gameplay interactions.

Another object of the present invention is to create a gaming software interface that communicates with the pedal system to adjust gaming inputs based on user profiles and performance metrics.

Another object of the present invention is to implement wireless connectivity features to enable seamless communication between the pedal and an external communication device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a customizable gaming experience by incorporating algorithms that adapt gameplay parameters to accommodate users of varying physical abilities and preferences.

Another object of the present invention is to enhance user engagement and motivation by incorporating features such as goal setting, progress tracking, and rewards within the gaming software interface.

Another object of the present invention is to ensure compatibility with a wide range of exercise-based cycles, including upright bikes, recumbent bikes, spin bikes, dual-action bikes, and air bikes.

Yet another object of the present invention is to embed a pattern recognition algorithm within the printed circuit board of the pedal system to analyze user movements and optimize gameplay interactions.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game control system for converting physical efforts into a virtual gaming environment. The game control system includes a pair of gaming pedals equipped with a plurality of motion sensors. The plurality of motion sensors includes an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and a magnetometer. The plurality of motion sensors is provided with the pedals to detect the physical efforts of a user, excluding force, through the pedal rotation speed and direction. The pedals further include a plurality of force sensors to measure the force exerted by the user across the pedal's 360 degrees of rotation. Further, each of the pedals includes a printed circuit board, which includes a processing unit programmed to synchronize and analyze the data from the motion sensors and the force sensors, translating the physical efforts of the user into game input commands. In addition, the game control system includes a communication module that establishes a wireless connectivity between the gaming pedals and an external communication device running a gaming software. The gaming software is configured to receive the game input commands from the gaming pedals and adjust game mechanics based on the effort of the user and gestures detected by the pedals.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the processing unit analyzes the data from the motion sensors and the force sensors up to 100 times per second to accurately reflect the physical effort of the user in real time.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the physical efforts include but are not limited to force, speed, direction, balance, and tapping gestures.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the gaming pedals are equipped with high and low pass filters to isolate meaningful game inputs from noise.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the printed circuit board comprises a memory unit to store the input data within a database associated with the system.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of algorithms is integrated into the processing unit to translate the received input from the pedals into the gaming environment.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the communication module for wireless connectivity between the pedals and the external communication device includes but is not limited to a Wi-Fi and a Bluetooth.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the gaming software analyzes the physical efforts to recognize game input commands.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the game input commands include but are not limited to speed, direction, power, jump, brake, skid, and turn.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming pedal device for converting physical efforts into a virtual gaming environment. The gaming pedal device includes a frame having a core body that includes a spindle compatible with standard axle threading configured to be detachably attached to an exercise-based cycle. The pedal device further includes a housing attached to the core body. The housing includes a printed circuit board and a power source. The pedal device further includes a plurality of motion sensors and a plurality of force sensors installed in the pedal. The plurality of sensors is electronically linked to the printed circuit board for converting the physical efforts of a user into an input through an algorithm. Moreover, a pattern recognition algorithm is embedded in the printed circuit board to determine if the user is adjusting speed, direction, leaning, turning, and braking action based on the data from the plurality of motion sensors, the plurality of force sensors, and weight shifting patterns.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the housing comprises a charging port designed to be magnetically attached to an external medium for recharging the power source electrically.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the exercise-based cycle includes but is not limited to an upright exercise bike, a recumbent exercise bike, a spin bike, a dual-action bike, and an air bike.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the printed circuit board includes a processing unit interlinked to the sensors and programmed to process the physical efforts detected by the sensors.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the printed circuit board further includes a memory unit to store the input data within a database associated with the device.

In one embodiment of the present invention, further includes a vibration and impact filters to distinguish intentional gestures from incidental movements.

According to the another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling video game actions through an exercise bike, the method steps includes detecting, by a plurality of motion sensors and a plurality of force sensors embedded in a pair of pedals, a physical effort of a user based on pedal rotation speed, direction, and applied force. The method step further includes, analyzing, by a processing unit integrated within a printed circuit board provided within the pedals, the motion sensor, and the force sensor data to determine game input commands reflecting the user's physical effort and gestures. The method step further includes, transmitting, via wireless communication, the game input commands from the gaming pedals to an external communication device running a gaming software. The method step further includes, adjusting, by the gaming software, game mechanics based on the received game input commands to provide a responsive gaming experience.

In one embodiment of the present invention, includes, creating the user profile with respect to the age, gender, height and physical ability of the user.

In one embodiment of the present invention, includes, storing the daily goals of the user based on the physical profile of the user within a database linked to the pedals, wherein the user receives a notification on the external communication device regarding the completion and non-completion of daily goals.

In one embodiment of the present invention, includes, adjusting game input sensitivity based on a recorded physical profile of the user to enable competitive play between players of different physical abilities.

Embodiments of the present invention disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like elements throughout the figures, and in which example embodiments are shown.

The detailed description and the accompanying drawings illustrate the specific exemplary embodiments by which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention illustrated in the disclosure. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention disclosure is defined by the appended claims. Embodiments of the claims may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

The game control system described is a setup that turns physical actions, like pedaling on an exercise bike, into actions in a video game. The system includes a pair of pedals equipped with sensors to detect how fast and forcefully a user pedals. These pedals connect wirelessly to an external communication device running gaming software. The software adjusts the game based on how the user is pedaling, making the game more exciting and responsive. The pedals have sensors to measure inputs like speed, direction, and force. The sensors send this data to a processing unit of the pedals, which analyzes the data up to 100 times per second. The system can pick up on various movements the user makes while pedaling, like speeding up, slowing down, turning, and even leaning. This system isn't just for individual gaming sessions but can also connect to online gaming servers, allowing multiplayer gaming with friends or strangers. The gaming software uses the data from the user's pedaling to control the character of the user in the game. For example, if the user pedals faster, the character of the user might move faster in the game. The pedals are designed to be easily attached to different types of exercise bikes. They also have features like vibration filters to make sure only intentional movements count in the game. Additionally, the pedal tracks the user's daily exercise progress and sets daily goals. The system can even adapt the game's difficulty based on the physical abilities, making it fair for everyone to play.

Several embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with references to.

illustrates a perspective view of a pedal device(hereinafter also referred to as “the device”), in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.illustrates an exploded view of the pedal device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The pedal deviceincludes a framemade of material, including but not limited to steel, magnesium, plastic, aluminum, and composite materials. However, the preferred material for the frameof the pedal deviceis aluminum due to its durability, light weight, strength, and anti-corrosion properties. The frameincludes multiple bodies, which are assembled by using a plurality of nutsB and boltsA to form the frame. The nutsB and boltsA are made with a metallic material, preferably brass, due to its corrosion resistance, malleability, and strength properties.

The framefurther includes a core bodymade of fiber, preferably carbon fiber, duc to its strength, durability, and lightweight properties. The core bodyis provided between the frameto strengthen the frame. In addition, the core bodyincludes a spindlethat protrudes from the framein order to attach the pedal deviceto an exercise-base cycle. The outer end of the spindleis provided with standard axle threading, which allows the deviceto attach to the exercise-based cycles (shown in). The standard axle threading features a universal size, enabling the attachment of the pedal deviceto any type of exercise-based cycle (shown in). Further, the exercise-based cycle (shown in) can be selected from the group of an upright exercise bike, a recumbent exercise bike, a spin bike, a dual-action bike, and an air bike. However, a person skilled in the art can understand that the exercise-based cycle (shown in) can include more cycles to which the pedal devicecan be attached. Further, the deviceincludes a housing, which is detachably attached to the core body. The properties of the material of the housingare also the same as those of the frameand the core body. The material of the housingcan be a fiber, a metal, or a plastic. Moreover, the housingalso includes a charging port, which is utilized to transfer electric power from an external source to a power source (shown in), which is provided within the housing.

illustrates an exploded viewA of the housingof the pedal device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The housingincludes a printed circuit boardand the power source. The power sourceis electrically coupled to the printed circuit board. In several embodiments of the invention, the electrical power sourcecomprises a rectifier and a filter circuit designed to convert AC power received through the data and power transfer port into DC power. In alternative embodiments, the electrical power sourcemay consist of rechargeable batteries intended to be recharged by AC or DC electrical power supplied via the charging portlocated on the housing. These batteries are engineered to magnetically attach to an external medium for recharging the power sourceelectrically. Additionally, the rechargeable batteries may include Lithium-ion batteries, Lithium-polymer batteries, and Nickel-Metal-Hydride batteries, among others. Alternatively, the rechargeable batteries can be set up to be charged through a receiver induction coil configured to receive power from a time-varying magnetic field generated by a transmitter induction coil of a wireless charging device or the external medium.

Further, the printed circuit boardincludes a memory unit and a processing unit that incorporates a plurality of algorithms. In addition, the printed circuit boardis electronically linked to a plurality of motion sensorsand a plurality of force sensorsprovided within the device. The plurality of motion sensorsincludes an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and a magnetometer. The motion sensorsare provided for detecting the physical efforts of a user. In that regard, the physical efforts are the rotation speed of the user's legs, rotation direction of the user's legs, balance, and tapping gestures provided by the user.

In several embodiments of the present invention, the accelerometer detects the changes in velocity and direction, including both linear and gravitational acceleration. In addition, the accelerometer detects the rhythmic motion of pedaling to measure the pedal revolutions per minute. Additionally, the accelerometer detects the sudden changes in acceleration. The readings from the accelerometer can be interpreted to determine the inertial forces acting on its sensor and, therefore, the rate of change in degrees. Moreover, the readings from the accelerometer can be interpreted to determine if the accelerometer is rising or falling (as a + for up and a − for down) and moving forward or backward (as a + for forward and a − for backward).

In several embodiments of the present invention, the gyroscope measures angular velocity or rotational motion around one or more axes. The gyroscope detects changes in orientation and rotational speed of the pedal device. In several embodiments of the present invention, the magnetometer measures the strength and direction of a magnetic field. The magnetometer detects changes in magnetic orientation and can determine the device'sheadings relative to the Earth's magnetic field. The magnetometer works in synchronization with the accelerometer and the gyroscope to precisely detect the rate at which pedal devicerotates and the orientation of the pedal device.

Further, the plurality of force sensorsincludes a force sensing resistor that detects the downward force applied by the user's legs on the pedal devicethroughout the 360 degrees of rotation of the device. The printed circuit boardpowers the force sensorswith a constant stable voltage. Initially, under no load, the force sensing resistor resists the voltage and maintains a higher resistance. As load or force is applied on the device, such as when the user pedals, the sensor resistance decreases due to the compression of conductive particles within the force-sensing resistor, allowing voltage to be returned to the printed circuit board. With increasing force, the resistance of the force sensing resistor reduces further, facilitating a greater voltage return. Consequently, the voltage difference between the supplied and returned voltages increases proportionally with the applied force. This voltage difference can be accurately measured and interpreted by the processing unit to determine the magnitude of the force being applied by the user's legs on the pedal device.

In several embodiments of the present invention, the pedal deviceis equipped with a high pass filter and low pass filter to effectively isolate significant game input commands from background noise. As the user engages with the pedal device, their actions may produce vibrations and impact forces detectable by an accelerometer. The plurality of algorithms analyzes the duration and magnitude of these impacts to discern whether they constitute intentional game inputs, such as tapping the pedals to execute actions like jumping within the game environment. To ensure accuracy, the data is continuously scrutinized at a rapid rate, with high and low pass filters employed to compare readings every hundredth of a second. This meticulous process effectively filters out extraneous vibrations and transient anomalies, ensuring that only deliberate player inputs are recognized and incorporated into the gaming experience.

In several embodiments of the present invention, the data from the motion sensorsand the force sensorsis stored in a database associated with the deviceby using the memory unit. The stored data is then synchronically processed by the processing unit using the algorithms, which are programmed to convert the physical efforts of the user into meaningful game input commands. The processing unit analyzes the data from the motion sensorsand the force sensorsup to 100 times per second to accurately reflect the physical effort of the user in real time. Further, the game input commands described above include but are not limited to the speed of the cycle within a video game, direction taken by the user in the video game, power given to the cycle, jump taken by the user on the cycle in the game, brake applied, skid, and turn.

Moreover, one of the algorithms from the plurality of algorithms is a pattern recognition algorithm tasked with discerning whether the user is altering speed, direction, leaning, turning, and braking actions. This determination relies on data collected from a range of the motion sensors, the force sensors, and weight shifting patterns. By analyzing the data, the pattern recognition algorithm accurately interprets the user's movements and intentions during interaction.

Further, the printed circuit boardincludes a communication module, which facilitates the wireless connectivity between the gaming pedal deviceand an external communication device (shown in) running a gaming software. The external communication device (shown in) includes but is not limited to a screen, a mobile phone, and tablets. The communication moduleincludes but is not limited to a Wi-Fi and a Bluetooth at the rate of ten times per second.

Further, the gaming software is configured to receive the game input commands from the gaming pedals and adjust game mechanics based on the effort of the user and gestures detected by the pedal device. The gaming software analyzes the physical efforts to recognize game input commands, i.e., what input the user wants to give to the cycle as per the user's interest.

illustrates an exploded viewB of the housingand the core body, illustrating the location of the force-sensing resistor in the device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. One of the force sensors, i.e., the force sensing resistor, from the plurality of force sensorsis installed in the core body. The force-sensing resistor includes an electronic board with two continuous strands of semi-conductive material, parallel but not connected, overlaid with a conductive filament. The electronic board is electrically connected to power sourceto receive electric power. When a load or force is applied on the pedal device, the filament is pressed into the electronic board, allowing electrical power from one strand to flow through the filament to the other strand and return to the electronic board. The amount of power returned varies with the applied load, providing a measure of the force. This design of the force-sensing resistor enables rapid sensing and is capable of measuring changes up to 100 times per second.

illustrates a used view of a game control system, including the pedal deviceattached to an exercise-based cyclefor converting the physical efforts of a userinto a virtual environment, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The useris sitting on the exercise-based cycleand playing a game on an external communication device. The external communication deviceis connected to the pedal devicethrough the communication module. The useris applying force on the pedal devicewith some speed in a forward direction. The applied force and other physical efforts are detected by the force sensorsand the motion sensorsat a rapid pace. For example, the force sensorsand the motion sensorsdetect the applied force and physical efforts at the rate of 10 times per second. Further, the data detected by the force sensorsand the motion sensorsis recorded by the memory unit and processed by the processing unit using the algorithms. The algorithms in the game analyze the rotation speed, rotation direction, current force, average force, and tap readings from each pedal deviceto identify gestures from the userthat can be interpreted as game input commands. The processed data converts the physical effort of the userinto the virtual gaming environment.