U.S. Pat. No. 11,130,021

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED FORMS

FIG. 1shows a preferred form of a trampoline1as a controller or an input device for playing games. The trampoline1comprises a flexible bouncing mat10divided into input zones80and one or more neutral zones90, a sensor arrangement60to detect activity on the flexible mat10, and a controller100configured to determine the bounce location and bounce zone of the activity and provide this information to a feedback generator200for providing feedback such as visual or audio feedback to a user on the trampoline. The feedback generator200may also be in the form of a gaming device with a visual display for playing games on the trampoline, such that the user uses the trampoline1to play games by jumping on the input80and neutral90zones. Each feature will now be described in detail.

In the preferred form the trampoline mat10on which a user may bounce, is supported by a plurality of resiliently flexible rods20and a base frame comprising a circular beam30typically formed of steel or aluminium and optionally supported from the ground by legs40. The rods20are typically fibreglass rods but may alternatively be formed of spring steel for example. The lower ends of the rods are retained by the circular beam30, for example the lower ends of the rods20enter into tubular holders50fixed to the circular beam30as shown. The upper ends of the rods connected to fittings as will be further described below, coupled to the mat10about the periphery of the mat.

The mat10is divided into one or more bounce zones80or areas configured to provide different inputs to a feedback generator or gaming device (as will be described in further detail below). As shown inFIG. 1, the mat is divided into left80A, right80B, up80C or down80D zones, as well as a neutral or safe zone90. Details of zone configurations will be described further below.

The preferred form trampoline includes a sensor arrangement. The sensor arrangement comprises at least one sensor. As shown inFIG. 1, a preferred form sensor arrangement comprises two pairs of accelerometers. These accelerometers are shown at60A,60B,60C and60D. The four sensors60are shown as two pairs of sensors arranged around the mat. One pair of sensors60A and60B define an axis70A across the mat. Sensors60C and60D define an axis70B across the mat. As shown inFIG. 1, where there are two pairs of sensors, the pairs of sensors define orthogonal axes across the flexible mat10.

In an embodiment the preferred form sensor arrangement comprises three or more sensors. In this embodiment the sensors are not necessarily provided as pairs of sensors arranged around the mat.

The sensor or sensors60are configured to indicate a value corresponding to a deformation of the mat10as the user (or object) bounces on the mat10. The value indicated by the sensor(s)60corresponds to a proximity of the user or object to the sensor(s). The term ‘deformation’ as used in this specification and claims in relation to a mat deformation signal or value includes displacement, velocity and/or acceleration of the mat edge.

The sensors60are fixedly or removably mounted to the trampoline. Options, and techniques for determining a bounce location of a user on the mat based on the output of the sensor arrangement are described in PCT patent specification WO 2014/098628 for example, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIG. 2shows a preferred form technique for determining a bounce location of a user on the mat10. As a user bounces on the flexible mat10, the force exerted on the flexible mat is detected by the sensors60. The method includes the step of determining305a mat deformation signal. In one preferred embodiment the signal includes data representing impact time and departure time that are then used for calculating the time of flight and for estimating bounce height. The impact time and the departure time define a bounce interval. Within the bounce interval is an interval of interest.

Once the mat deformation signal has been determined, the technique includes the step of determining310a bounce coordinate. The preferred form technique comprises calculating the sum of squared sample values for each of the sensors60during at least part of the interval of interest.

Once the bounce coordinate in a coordinate space has been determined, the technique includes the step of determining315a bounce zone80. One or more bounce zones80can be associated with one or more regions on the flexible mat10. There is stored a plurality of ‘trained’ zone positions. These trained positions represent average bounce coordinate readings recorded from a plurality of bounces on a single location on the flexible mat10. The bounce zone of the user on the flexible mat is identified by finding the closest trained location of impact.

In some cases an actual bounce zone location could be close to more than one bounce coordinate. Disambiguation techniques are applied to such bounce locations. One preferred form technique involves storing a truth table of possible ambiguous results and a bounce zone location that should be used in each circumstance.

It is envisaged that there are several possible techniques, in addition to the techniques described above, for determining a bounce zone location of a user or object on the mat. In some examples, the flexible mat includes, or has placed upon it, sensors to assist in determining a bounce zone of the person. In these examples, the sensors are in physical connection with the flexible mat, the rods, or other components of the trampoline. Further techniques for determining bounce zone locations are described in PCT patent specification WO 2014/098628 for example.

The sensors60or sensor arrangement are connectable to a processor or controller100for receiving output from the sensors60or sensor arrangement and determining a bounce zone location of a user on the trampoline1using techniques described above. The sensors60are able to communicate either directly or indirectly with the controller200over a wireless connection, a wired connection, or a combination of wireless and wired connections.

The controller100is configured to control a feedback generator200to provide feedback to a user bouncing on or interacting with the trampoline. The feedback generator100can be in the form of a visual display or a light for providing visual feedback and/or a speaker for providing audio feedback. The feedback generator200could also be a gaming device in the form of a handheld tablet or computing device with a display screen and a user interface for interacting with and providing feedback to the user for playing games on the trampoline. The controller100can pass the determined zone location of the user on the trampoline to the feedback generator as input. In one embodiment, the controller100transfers information to the feedback generator200through an application programming interface (API). The information passed from the controller100to the computing device could include determined bounce coordinates of the user, determined bounce zone location of the user, notification that the user has departed the mat and time spent on the mat during use. Information related to determined bounce zone location of the user could include zones that provide actuating inputs such as directional inputs and zones that provide no input or neutral input such as the neutral or safe zones.

In one embodiment, the controller100is separate to the feedback generator200, and configured to communicate with the feedback generator200over a wireless connection, a wired connection, or a combination of wireless and wired connections. In another embodiment, the controller100is located with the feedback generator200. For example, it should be appreciated that the handheld tablet or computing device can provide both functions of the controller100and the feedback generator200. In this embodiment, the controller100is the onboard processor of the handheld tablet or computing device and the feedback generator200can be the display screen for providing visual feedback and a speaker for providing audio feedback to the user.

Referring to320ofFIG. 2, the controller100is configured to control the feedback generator200to provide feedback to the user depending on the determined bounce zone location of the user on the trampoline1. Referring to325ofFIG. 2, the controller100is configured to control the feedback generator200to provide feedback to the user on the trampoline when the determined bounce zone location of the user is an input zone that corresponds to providing actuating inputs to a game, such as, but not limited to; directional, alphanumerical or objection-selection inputs. Referring to330ofFIG. 2, the controller100is also configured to control the feedback generator200to provide no feedback to the user on the trampoline when the determined bounce zone location of the user is a zone that corresponds to a neutral zone. Non-limiting examples of a neutral zone includes a no-input zone, safe zone or rest zone. This advantageously allows the user on the trampoline to continue bouncing activity on the trampoline and maintain a steady cadence (or tempo or rhythm or activity levels) while considering the next actuating zone input. In other words, bouncing on the neutral zone(s) give a user a chance to consider the user's next bounce zone location(s) without prematurely forcing the user to bounce on a zone location to continue playing the game without pause. Further, the neutral zone allows a user to maintain the user's activity level on the trampoline while considering their next bounce zone location or move.

In one embodiment, the controller is configured to control the feedback generator200to provide a neutral feedback rather than no feedback to the user on the trampoline when the determined bounce zone location of the user is a zone that corresponds to a neutral zone as described above. A non-limiting example of a neutral feedback is a sign shown on a feedback generator200visual display which indicates to the users that they are bouncing on a neutral, no-input, safe or rest zone. Similarly, a neutral feedback can also be an audio cue or voice-guided feedback to the users that they are bouncing on such a neutral zone. The neutral feedback provides similar advantages of allowing the users to consider their next bounce zone locations without forcing them to bounce on undesirable bounce zones or stopping/reducing their activity level.

Referring toFIG. 3, the controller provides different inputs to the feedback generator or game depending on whether the determined bounce zone location of the user is a neutral zone location. At step425, if the bounce zone location of the user is determined to be a neutral zone, then the controller100will provide a neutral or null input to the feedback generator or game. This will result in the feedback generator200or game providing no feedback to the user on the trampoline, or trigger the feedback generator200or game to provide a neutral feedback as described above to the user. At step430, if the bounce zone location of the user is determined to not be a neutral zone, then the controller100will provide a normal or actuating input to the feedback generator200or game corresponding to the indicated input zone on the trampoline.

It is envisaged that there will be many different configurations for bounce zones80which incorporates a neutral zone90.FIGS. 4 and 5show possible zone configurations incorporating a neutral zone90for providing directional or alpha-numeric inputs for playing games on the trampoline1.FIG. 4shows a zone configuration which resembles a game controller directional pad suitable for games that require up, down, left and right directional inputs with a neutral input zone90placed in the middle.FIG. 5shows a zone configuration with numerical input zones in an outer perimeter and a neutral input zone placed in the middle.

FIG. 1provides an example of how the trampoline can be used as an input device or controller for playing games.FIG. 1shows a trampoline1connected to a gaming device which includes a processor100and a feedback generator200, the feedback generator further comprises a display showing a graphical user interface. The display shows an avatar1100within a virtual environment. In this case the virtual environment comprises a maze. The user is presented with a goal, which in the illustrated example, includes navigating through an environment. The user is presented with at least one bounce location target within the virtual environment.

The bounce instructions presented to a user vary according to the position of the user's avatar within the environment. For example the avatar1100is constrained from movement in two directions by obstacles such as walls. The user is presented with two alternative bounce instructions. From the perspective of the user, the bounce instructions include leftward movement and downward movement. From the perspective of the user's avatar, the bounce instructions include backward movement or rightward movement. Each time a user's avatar moves to a new position in the environment, a new set of alternative bounce instructions is presented to the user.

The user could jump on the desire input zones80which provide a corresponding input to the gaming device and moves the avatar1100accordingly. When the user needs some time to consider the next directional movement of the avatar1100, he/she could jump within the neutral input zone90which will not affect the movement of the avatar1100. In other words, the user will not get any movement feedback from the gaming device or avatar when he/she bounces on the neutral input zone90.

FIG. 6shows a preferred form trampoline that includes an enclosure system. The enclosure system consists of a plurality of resiliently flexible generally upright enclosure support members1500which in the preferred form are flexible or deformable fibreglass rods. Enclosure support members1500are referred to below as enclosure rods for convenience but it is to be understood that this term is non-limiting in relation to the size and cross-sectional shape of the enclosure support elements and the material from which they are formed.

The preferred form enclosure system also comprises a barrier net1510. The enclosure rods1500support the net1510above the flexible mat. The lower edge of the barrier net1510is coupled directly or indirectly to the peripheral edge of the mat. Barrier net1510is typically formed of a lightweight but strong net material. Alternatively this could be a flexible fabric material which is for example opaque or which is perforated so as to be semi-opaque. The enclosure rods1500are positioned on the outside of the net1510as shown. The enclosure rods are coupled to the circular beam30at the lower ends of the enclosure rods and to the upper peripheral part of the net1510at or towards the upper ends of the enclosure rods1500. Preferred form enclosures are more particularly described in our U.S. Pat. No. 7,708,667.

Where there is an enclosure provided as shown inFIG. 6, there is preferably provided a mounting arrangement comprising a flexible rod1510. The flexible rod1540is fixedly or removably mounted at point1550to one or more of the enclosure rods1500. The flexible rod1540is shaped and formed to enable a user to position at least part of the flexible rod1540within the barrier net1510. Preferably the flexible rod1540is constructed so that it can be manipulated and configured yet retain a shape desired by the user.

The flexible rod1540is preferably provided with a mounting point to enable a gaming device600to be removably attached and supported by the flexible rod1540. The gaming device600preferably comprises a smart phone, tablet device or a computing device. The device is preferably provided with wireless connectivity. Alternatively the mounting point includes a dock adapted to establish a physical connection with the gaming device600. The mounting point is preferably configured to pivot to enable a wide range of positions and angles for the gaming device600. Alternatively the flexible rod1540is sufficiently flexible to permit a selection of various angles.

In an alternative embodiment the mounting arrangement is fixedly or removably mounted to the barrier net1510. The mounting arrangement is constructed to enable handheld device1560to be removably attached to the mounting arrangement so that in use the handheld device is supported in a position inside or outside the barrier net1510. Alternatively the mounting arrangement otherwise suspends the handheld device inside or outside the barrier net1510.

In use the sensor arrangement60is able to communicate either directly or indirectly with the gaming device600over a wireless network, a wired network, or a combination of wireless and wired networks.

As the user jumps or bounces on the flexible mat10the bounce zones identified by the techniques described above are passed through an application programming interface (API) as input to the gaming device600.

Preferably the gaming device600includes at least a processor, a display, and a user input facility. This user input facility includes for example a touch screen on the device600and the inputs specified as bounce zones from the user on the flexible mat10.

The handheld device600operates under application specific software that takes as input data representing the bounce zones or locations from the user and uses these inputs to provide feedback to a user viewing the handheld device600. The device600provides normal or actuating input feedback to the user when the user bounces on an input zone of the trampoline as described above. The device600provides neutral or no feedback to the user when the user bounces on a neutral zone of the trampoline as described above. The device600in combination with the trampoline embodiments described above provide apparatus relating to gaming, communication, rehabilitation and the like.

It will be appreciated that the mounting arrangement comprising the flexible rod1540could also include a shower proof hood or sunshade to protect the gaming device600and/or to make the display more visible to the user. It will be appreciated that the display could also include a projector able to take input from the gaming device600and to project an image or display on to a surface.

The foregoing describes the invention including preferred forms thereof. Modifications and improvements as would be obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be incorporated in the scope hereof, as defined by the accompanying claims.