U.S. patent application number 13/344578 was filed with the patent office on 2013-07-11 for system and method for multiple component audio visual programming.
The applicant listed for this patent is Tom Root. Invention is credited to Tom Root.
Application Number | 20130177884 13/344578 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48744148 |
Filed Date | 2013-07-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130177884 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Root; Tom |
July 11, 2013 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MULTIPLE COMPONENT AUDIO VISUAL
PROGRAMMING
Abstract
A computer-implemented method for activity instruction. The
method includes: providing a website for access via a network by a
user; prompting the user to select an activity from a plurality of
activities provided on the website; prompting the user to select a
distractor from a plurality of distractors provided on the website;
prompting the user to select a virtual environment from a plurality
of virtual environments provided on the website; and displaying the
selected activity, the selected distractor, and the selected
virtual environment on a display, wherein the user perceives the
selected activity and the selected distractor in the selected
virtual environment.
Inventors: |
Root; Tom; (Valencia,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Root; Tom |
Valencia |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
48744148 |
Appl. No.: |
13/344578 |
Filed: |
January 5, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
434/247 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G16H 20/30 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
434/247 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/00 20060101
A63B069/00 |
Claims
1. A computer-implemented method for activity instruction, the
method comprising: providing a website for access via a network by
a user; prompting the user to select an activity from a plurality
of activities provided on the website; prompting the user to select
a distractor from a plurality of distractors provided on the
website; prompting the user to select a virtual environment from a
plurality of virtual environments provided on the website; and
displaying the selected activity, the selected distractor, and the
selected virtual environment on a display, wherein the user
perceives the selected activity and the selected distractor in the
selected virtual environment.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of
activities comprises an instructor performing a physical activity
for the user to emulate.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the instructor appears to be
performing the physical activity in the selected virtual
environment.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected distractor is
displayed on a portion of the display within the selected virtual
environment.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of
distractors comprises an audio-visual recording such that the user
perceives the audio-visual recording of the selected distractor
while perceiving the selected activity.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of
distractors is selected from a group comprising educational
information, nutritional information, test questions, test answers,
and entertainment.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of
activities is selected from the group comprising football, soccer,
swimming, yoga, dance, baseball, Pilates, martial arts, golf,
volleyball, and hockey.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of
activities is physical fitness instruction.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises
prompting the user to select an instructional workout or a custom
workout, wherein, if the user selects a custom workout, the user is
further prompted to select an activity, a distractor, and a virtual
environment.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the instructional workout
comprises an instructor performing an activity for the user to
emulate in a system-selected virtual environment.
11. An activity instruction system, the system comprising: a
network interface; and a server comprising: an activity database
comprising a plurality of activities, wherein a user is prompted to
select an activity from the plurality of activities; a distractor
database comprising a plurality of distractors, wherein the user is
prompted to select a distractor from the plurality of distractors;
and a virtual environment database comprising a plurality of
virtual environments, wherein the user is prompted to select a
virtual environment from the plurality of virtual environments,
wherein the selected activity, the selected distractor, and the
selected virtual environment are displayed on a display, and
wherein the user perceives the selected activity and the selected
distractor in the selected virtual environment.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of
distractors is selected from a group comprising educational
information, nutritional information, test questions, test answers,
and entertainment.
13. The system of claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of
activities is selected from the group comprising football, soccer,
swimming, yoga, dance, baseball, Pilates, martial arts, golf,
volleyball, and hockey.
14. The system of claim 11, wherein the each of the plurality of
activities comprises an instructor performing a physical activity
for the user to emulate.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the instructor appears to be
performing the physical activity in the selected virtual
environment.
16. The system of claim 11, wherein the selected distractor is
displayed on a portion of the display.
17. The system of claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of
distractors comprises an audio-visual recording such that the user
perceives the audio-visual recording of the selected distractor
while perceiving the selected activity.
18. The system of claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of
activities is physical fitness instruction.
19. The system of claim 11, wherein the server further comprises an
instructional workout database, wherein the user is prompted to
select an instructional workout or a custom workout and, if the
user selects a custom workout, the user is then prompted to select
an activity, a distractor, and a virtual environment.
20. The system of claim 19, wherein the instructional workout
comprises an instructor performing an activity for the user to
emulate in a system-selected virtual environment.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a system and method for
providing multiple component audio-visual programming, and more
particularly, a system and method for providing multiple component
audio-visual programming to provide instruction for an
activity.
BACKGROUND
[0002] With medical research indicating the beneficial aspects of
exercise in light of decreases in physical activity resulting from
modern lifestyles, there is a growing need for exercise programs
that achieve sufficient beneficial physical activity by a method
that is compatible with the daily lives of both adults and
children. However, it can be difficult for people to be motivated
to be physically active, since they may perceive it to be
uncomfortable, uninteresting, or tedious. Further, the time and
energy that people have available for physical activity may change
on a daily basis. Therefore, there is a need for a physical fitness
program that is interesting, adaptable, and easy to implement.
SUMMARY
[0003] The present invention is directed toward a system and method
for providing multiple component audio-visual programming, which
may be utilized to provide instruction for an activity. In this
system and method, the components of the audio-visual programming
may include an activity, a distractor, and a virtual environment.
According to embodiments of the present invention, a user may
design a custom workout by selecting a desire activity, a desired
distractor, and a desired virtual environment. In other
embodiments, the user may choose to select an instructional workout
with an activity and a system-selected virtual environment, rather
than design a custom workout.
[0004] An embodiment of the present invention provides a
computer-implemented method for activity instruction. The method
includes: providing a website for access via a network by a user;
prompting the user to select an activity from a plurality of
activities provided on the website; prompting the user to select a
distractor from a plurality of distractors provided on the website;
prompting the user to select a virtual environment from a plurality
of virtual environments provided on the website; and displaying the
selected activity, the selected distractor, and the selected
virtual environment on a display, wherein the user perceives the
selected activity and the selected distractor in the selected
virtual environment.
[0005] Each of the plurality of activities may include an
instructor performing a physical activity for the user to emulate.
The instructor may appear to be performing the physical activity in
the selected virtual environment.
[0006] The selected distractor may be displayed on a portion of the
display within the selected virtual environment. Each of the
plurality of distractors may include an audio-visual recording such
that the user perceives the audio-visual recording of the selected
distractor while perceiving the selected activity. Each of the
plurality of distractors may be selected from a group including
educational information, nutritional information, test questions,
test answers, and entertainment.
[0007] Each of the plurality of activities may be selected from the
group comprising football, soccer, swimming, yoga, dance, baseball,
Pilates, martial arts, golf, volleyball, and hockey. Each of the
plurality of activities may be physical fitness instruction.
[0008] The method may further include prompting the user to select
an instructional workout or a custom workout, wherein, if the user
selects a custom workout, the user is further prompted to select an
activity, a distractor, and a virtual environment.
[0009] The instructional workout may include an instructor
performing an activity for the user to emulate in a system-selected
virtual environment.
[0010] An embodiment of the present invention provides an activity
instruction system. The system includes: a network interface and a
server. The server includes an activity database comprising a
plurality of activities, wherein a user is prompted to select an
activity from the plurality of activities; a distractor database
including a plurality of distractors, wherein the user is prompted
to select a distractor from the plurality of distractors; and a
virtual environment database comprising a plurality of virtual
environments, wherein the user is prompted to select a virtual
environment from the plurality of virtual environments. The
selected activity, the selected distractor, and the selected
virtual environment are displayed on a display, and the user
perceives the selected activity and the selected distractor in the
selected virtual environment.
[0011] Each of the plurality of distractors may be selected from a
group including educational information, nutritional information,
test questions, test answers, and entertainment.
[0012] Each of the plurality of activities is selected from the
group including football, soccer, swimming, yoga, dance, baseball,
Pilates, martial arts, golf, volleyball, and hockey.
[0013] Each of the plurality of activities includes an instructor
performing a physical activity for the user to emulate. The
instructor may appear to be performing the physical activity in the
selected virtual environment.
[0014] The selected distractor may be displayed on a portion of the
display. Each of the plurality of distractors may include an
audio-visual recording such that the user perceives the
audio-visual recording of the selected distractor while perceiving
the selected activity.
[0015] Each of the plurality of activities may be physical fitness
instruction.
[0016] The server may further include an instructional workout
database, wherein the user is prompted to select an instructional
workout or a custom workout and, if the user selects a custom
workout, the user is then prompted to select an activity, a
distractor, and a virtual environment.
[0017] The instructional workout may include an instructor
performing an activity for the user to emulate in a system-selected
virtual environment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The patent or application file contains at least one color
drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent
application with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office
upon request and payment of the necessary fee.
[0019] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system for multiple
component audio-visual programming according to an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing a method for multiple
component audio-visual programming according to an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a method for selecting a
custom workout according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a screen capture of a login screen according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a screen capture of a license activation screen
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 6 is a screen capture of a custom workout or
instructional workout selection screen according to an embodiment
of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 7 is a screen capture of a custom workout activity
selection screen according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0026] FIG. 8 is a screen capture of a custom workout activity
screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 9 is a screen capture of a custom workout distractor
screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 10 is a screen capture of a custom workout virtual
environment screen according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0029] FIG. 11 is a screen capture of a custom workout audio-visual
program according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 12 is a screen capture of an instructional workout
training tools selection screen according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0031] FIG. 13 is a screen capture of an instructional workout
minute moves selection screen according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0032] FIG. 14 is a screen capture of an instructional workout
circuits selection screen according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0033] FIG. 15 is a screen capture of an instructional workout arts
selection screen according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0034] FIG. 16 is a screen capture of an instructional workout
sports skills selection screen according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0035] FIG. 17 is a screen capture of an instructional workout
fitness skills selection screen according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0036] The detailed description set forth below in connection with
the drawings is intended as a description of embodiments of a
system and method for multiple component audio-visual programming
provided in accordance with the present invention and is not
intended to represent the only forms in which the invention may be
constructed or utilized. It is to be understood that the same or
equivalent functions and structures may be accomplished by
different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed
within the spirit and scope of the invention. As denoted elsewhere
herein, like element numbers indicate like elements or features.
Though steps of the method may be illustrated in one order, unless
explicitly stated, the steps of the method of the present invention
are not limited to any particular order and some of the steps may
be optional.
[0037] The present invention provides a system and method for
providing multiple component audio-visual programming, which may be
utilized to provide instruction for an activity, such as physical
fitness training, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In this system 100 and
method 200, the components of the audio-visual programming may
include an activity (e.g., calisthenics or weight lifting), a
distractor (e.g., a music video or an instructional video), and a
virtual environment (e.g, the beach or a sports stadium). According
to embodiments of the present invention, a user may design a custom
workout by selecting a desired activity, a desired distractor, and
a desired virtual environment. Once the activity, the distractor,
and the virtual environment have been selected, these components
are displayed simultaneously on a display, where the activity
appears to take place in the virtual environment and the distractor
is shown on a portion of the display. In other embodiments, the
user may select an instructional workout, rather than design a
custom workout.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 1, a system 100 according to an embodiment
of the present invention includes a server 106 connected to the
Internet 104 and also connected to an activity database 108, a
virtual environment database 110, a distractor database 112, and an
instructional workout database 114. Further, a user may access the
server 106 via a user access device 120 with the system software
installed, which may be any suitable device such as a computer.
[0039] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a user
may use the system 100 of FIG. 1 according to the method 200 shown
in FIG. 2. First, the user logs into the user's account 210 using a
user name and password, as shown on the screen capture of the login
page shown in FIG. 4. The user is then granted access to the
currently installed and licensed content on the user access device
120, and the user account information associated with that user
name. Here, the user has the ability to access their personal data
and account information from any device that has the system
software installed. In other embodiments, no system software is
required to be installed on the user access device 120, and the
user is granted access to any necessary software on the server
106.
[0040] If the user does not have an account, the user may access
the server 106 to set up an account, for example, by clicking the
"signup!" button shown in FIG. 4. Here, the user will then be
prompted to enter a user name, password, and email address. The
user will then be issued an account and a validation email will be
sent to the provided email address. Once a link is clicked in the
validation email, the account is validated and the user may log in
from any installation of the system software from a user access
device 120 connected to the Internet 104.
[0041] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
the user may be presented with an end-user license agreement, and
upon agreement, the user is then directed to the login page.
[0042] In other embodiments, a license manager authorizes a user
access device 120 to decrypt and playback a selection of content.
An associated license number is provided to the user when the user
purchases the selected content. All of the selected content that
the user purchases may be associated with the license number.
[0043] Once the user logs into the user's account, the user is
prompted to select either a custom workout or an instructional
workout 204, as shown in the screen capture in FIG. 6. If the user
selects a custom workout, the user is then prompted to select an
activity, distractor, and virtual environment 206, which is shown
in further detail in FIG. 3. The selection process 300 includes
prompting the user to select an activity from a plurality of
activities 310, prompting the user to select a distractor from a
plurality of distractors 320, and prompting the user to select a
virtual environment from a plurality of virtual environments 330.
In other embodiments, the user may also check for software updates
that may be downloaded, change video options, such as resolution or
display size, and access the user's account page to view user
information, purchases, account and billing settings, and
statistics, from this screen.
[0044] In FIG. 7, a screen capture of an activity selection menu is
shown. Here, several categories of activities (i.e., workouts) are
shown. In this embodiment, once the user selects a category, the
user will be prompted to choose an activity from a subset of the
plurality of activities that are within that category. For the
user's convenience, the categories may have sub-categories so that
the user can efficiently locate a desired activity.
[0045] In FIG. 8, a screen capture of an example of an activity is
shown, where the shown activity is aerobic dance. However, the
plurality of activities may include any suitable type of activity,
such as physical fitness activities including sports techniques,
calisthenics, weight lifting, cheerleading, performing arts,
martial arts, yoga, running, and jumping rope, where an instructor
demonstrates the activity. The activity may be any of a number of
different activities, some of which are described in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/384,378, entitled "Physical Education
System" to Tom Root et al., the entire content of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
[0046] In FIG. 9, a screen capture of a distractor is shown, where
the shown distractor is an educational video regarding recycling.
Here, the distractor may be selected by the user in a manner
similar to that of the selection of the activity. The plurality of
distractors may include any suitable distractor, such as music
videos, educational videos, streaming web content, movies, and
television shows. In embodiments of the present invention, the
distractor may be chosen from content provided by the system 100
through the server 106, content played from a DVD, content on the
user access device 120 including home movies, or content on the
internet 104 including content from websites such as Hulu.com,
iTunes, and Netflix.
[0047] In FIG. 10, a screen capture of a virtual environment is
shown, where the shown virtual environment is a mountain landscape.
Here, the virtual environment may be selected by the user in a
manner similar to that of the selection of the activity. The
plurality of virtual environments may include any suitable virtual
environment, such as sports stadiums, natural landscapes, indoor
environments, classrooms, and famous monuments.
[0048] Once the user has selected an activity, a distractor, and a
virtual environment, the audio-visual program is displayed 208,
where the selected activity is displayed on a portion of the
display 210, the selected distractor is displayed on a portion of
the display 212, and the selected virtual environment is displayed
on a portion of the display 214. A screen capture of an example of
the audio-visual program is shown in FIG. 11. The user then
performs the selected activity while also viewing the selected
distractor 216.
[0049] When the user is prompted to select a custom workout or an
instructional workout 204, if the user selects an instructional
workout, the user then selects the desired instructional workout
218. The instructional workouts typically include activities
similar to those of the custom workouts that are performed in
pre-selected virtual environments and without distractors. Since
there are fewer selections to make, the user is able to get started
on an activity more quickly and with less decision-making
required.
[0050] The user may select an instructional workout from a number
of categories, such as training tools (a variety of fitness
lessons) shown in FIG. 12, minute moves (2-5 minute exercise
segments of varying intensity) shown in FIG. 13, circuits (a
variety of circuits to train the entire body) shown in FIG. 14,
arts (a variety of lessons including music, performing art, and
more) shown in FIG. 15, sports skills (a variety of lessons to
develop sport-specific skills) shown in FIG. 16, and fitness skills
(a variety of aerobic and functional exercises to train the entire
body) shown in FIG. 17. These categories may have subcategories so
that the user can efficiently find a desired instructional
workout.
[0051] The user then performs the selected instructional workout
that is displayed on the display 220. In some embodiments, the
instructional workout includes verbal instruction regarding the
activity.
[0052] In other embodiments of the present invention, only the
custom workout is available, so the user is not prompted to select
either a custom workout or an instructional workout.
[0053] An outline of the menus encountered by the user during the
custom workout selection process according to an embodiment of the
present invention is shown below:
[0054] I. Select Workout
TABLE-US-00001 a) School i) Cheerleading (1) Cheertastic 1 (2)
Cheertastic 2 ii) Cool Downs (1) meditation martial fusion iii)
Dance (1) footworks 1 (2) footworks 2 iv) Performing arts (1)
animal moves (2) jumping (3) skiing (4) skipping rope/basketball
(5) skipping rope/skiing (6) Two for One v) Martial Arts Fusion (1)
cardio (2) flexibility vi) Agility skills (1) balance grid (2)
speed grid vii) Hollywood Stuntsmen (1) martial arts (2) sword
fighting pirate viii) Warmups (1) warm up combo 1 (2) warm up combo
2 (3) warm up combo 3 (4) warm up combo 4 ix) Yoga (1) balance (2)
strength (3) sun salutation b) Sports and Fitness i) Sports (1)
U.S. Rowing (a) Exercise 1 (b) Exercise 2 (2) Basketball (a) Intro
to Skills (3) Baseball (a) baseball warm-ups (b) baseball combos
(4) Sports Combos (a) Sports Combo 1 (b) Sports Combo 2 (c) Sports
Combo 3 (d) Sports Combo 4 (5) Soccer (a) soccer combos (6)
Football (a) football combos ii) Fitness (1) Freddie the Falcon
Mascot (a) Freddie Internet Demo (b) Freddie Running in Place (2)
Agility skills (a) speed grid (b) balance grid (3) Acting (a)
physical comedy 1 (b) physical comedy 2 (4) Yoga (a) yoga balance
(b) sun salutations iii) Assessment (1) fitness gram
[0055] II. Select Video
TABLE-US-00002 a) Healthy Education i) The Heart ii) Anti-Smoking
iii) Vivacious Veggies b) Physical Education i) Avoiding the Flu
ii) Attach of the Bio Film iii) Seal the Deal c) Health Services i)
Personal Hygiene d) Mental Health and Social i) U.S. Rowing e)
Nutritional i) National Dairy Council ii) Sugar grams iii) Food
pyramid iv) Organic D f) Healthy & Safe Environment i) Water
Conservation ii) Planet of Water iii) Organwise g) Family &
Community i) Auto B Good ii) Perfect Bood for You iii) Volunteering
iv) Math is Music h) Staff Wellness i) Ming-Kai Chin
[0056] Select Location
TABLE-US-00003 a) NFL Play 60 i) Fuel up to play 60 (1) Office (2)
Sunset Lake (3) Boardroom (4) Shanghai ii) NFL Players (1) Felix
Jones (a) FJZ Bedroom iii) NFL Stadiums (1) Falcons (a) Falcons
Stadium (2) Redskins (a) Redskins Stadium b) Sports Courts i)
Football ii) Basketball iii) Agricultural Center iv) Science Center
c) Locations i) Bedroom ii) City iii) Classroom iv) Country v)
Future 1 vi) Future 2 vii) Gardens viii) Office ix) Shanghai x)
Sunset Lake xi) City 1 xii) City 2 xiii) Country xiv) SciFi xv)
Stadium
[0057] In embodiments of the present invention, the user may change
the selected activity (instructor), distractor, or virtual
environment during the display of the program.
[0058] In other embodiments, controls on the display of the program
allow the user to adjust the display, such as the volume or to move
forward or backward in the program.
[0059] In embodiments of the present invention, the user may
purchase additional content for the system 100, including
additional activities, distractors, and virtual environments. The
user may be able to purchase this additional content on-line for
download or streaming, and this content may be associated with the
user's license number. In other embodiments, the user may be
provided additional content based on usage or other parameters.
[0060] In other embodiment, the system 100 may recommend new custom
workouts or new content for purchase based on previous user
selections.
[0061] In other embodiments, the user may access the user's account
to view statistics regarding usage, such as frequency of use of the
system and types of use.
[0062] In other embodiments of the present invention, the system
may display third party advertising during the instructional
workout or the custom workout, where the advertising may be
embedded in the virtual environment, the activity, or before,
during, or after the display of the distractor.
[0063] In other embodiments, the system 100 may be configured such
that multiple users in different locations may perform the activity
together, which allows the users to motivate and encourage each
other.
[0064] In embodiments of the present invention, the custom workouts
are played back using multiple Adobe Flash Player windows.
[0065] Although the present invention has been described through
the use of exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated by those
of skill in the art that various modifications may be made to the
described embodiments that fall within the scope and spirit of the
invention as defined by the claims and their equivalents appended
hereto.
* * * * *