(12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)

(19) World Intellectual Property Organization International Bureau

(43) International Publication Date PCT (10) International Publication Number 26 March 2009 (26.03.2009) WO 2009/038478 A2

(51) International Patent Classiflcation: Not classified (81) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every kind of national protection available): AE, AG, AL, AM, (21) International Application Number: AO, AT,AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BH, BR, BW, BY, BZ, CA, PCT/NO2008/000340 CH, CN, CO, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK, DM, DO, DZ, EC, EE, EG, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, GT, HN, HR, HU, ID, (22) International Filing Date: IL, IN, IS, JP, KE, KG, KM, KN, KP, KR, KZ, LA, LC, LK, 19 September 2008 (19.09.2008) LR, LS, LT, LU, LY, MA, MD, ME, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, MY, MZ, NA, NG, NI, NO, NZ, OM, PG, PH, PL, PT, (25) Filing Language: English RO, RS, RU, SC, SD, SE, SG, SK, SL, SM, ST, SV, SY, TJ, TM, TN, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US, UZ, VC, VN, ZA, ZM, (26) Publication Language: English ZW (84) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every (30) Priority Data: kind of regional protection available): ARIPO (BW, GH, 20074816 2 1 September 2007 (21.09.2007) NO GM, KE, LS, MW, MZ, NA, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG, ZM, ZW), Eurasian (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), (71) Applicant (for all designated States except US): POSI¬ European (AT,BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, TIVE GAMING INTERNATIONAL AS [NO/NO] ;Mail FR, GB, GR, HR, HU, IE, IS, IT, LT,LU, LV,MC, MT, NL, Boxes Etc Youngstorget, N-0028 Oslo (NO). NO, PL, PT, RO, SE, SI, SK, TR), OAPI (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GQ, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG). (72) Inventors; and (75) Inventors/Applicants (for US only): H0IE, Ole Pet- Declarations under Rule 4.17: ter [NO/NO]; Pilestredet Park 25, N-0176 Oslo (NO). — as to applicant's entitlement to applyfor and be granted a MARKUS, Michael [DEZDE]; Napoleondamm 11, 49504 patent (Rule 4.17(U)) Lotte (DE). BANG, Thomas [—/NO] ;Bjerkelia 7, N-1555 — of inventorship (Rule 4.17(iv)) Son (NO). Published: (74) Agent: OSLO PATENTKONTOR AS; P.O.Box 7007M, — without international search report and to be republished N-0306 Oslo (NO). upon receipt of that report

(54) Title: AN EXERCISE PLATFORM

(57) Abstract: An exercise platform is provided, for use in physical and mental activated application setups. The exercise platform includes at least a bottom layer (12) with a number of wells (34) each adapted to accommodate a normally-open force responsive switch and a tile with indicia, a top layer (4) which is fastened to the bottom layer (12) and which holds said switches and tiles (5) in place. The top layer (4) contains openings through which a user may activate the force responsive switches, said openings providing a height level difference between a tile's (5) visible area and the top layer (4), the openings defining correct positions for a user to activate the force responsive switches. AN EXERCISE PLATFORM

Field of the invention

This invention relates to an exercise platform, holding normally-open electric switches which can be activated by a user applying force originating from a part of the human body in accordance to instructions viewed on a display device or given by an instructor, used in a physical and mental activated application setup, mostly, but not limited to, computer-software-based rhythm, dance, music, sports and quiz applications.

Background of the invention

Computer software-based rhythm, dance and music games originated in the early 1980's with for example "Dance Fantasy", released in 1984, for multiple platforms by Fisher-Price with dances made by moving a character around the screen and assigning several steps at any time. The company Exus released in 1987 a step platform named "Foot Craz Activity Pad" to be used as a controller on Atari 2600 games like "Jogger" and "Video Reflex". "Dance Aerobics", released in 1989 for the Entertainment System by Bandai, uses Nintendo's exercise platform called "". Players have to step on platform buttons in a given pattern and given rhythm Simon-Says style, and are penalized for mistakes in accuracy or timing. "PaRappa the Rapper", another Simon-Says style music and , developed by Nana On Sha in 1996 further developed the way a game could instruct the user on how to use a controller platform in rhythm with the music game by usage of a scrolling system on the display. "Bust-a-Groove" from 1997 by Metro Graphics is the first dancing game, controlled with a standard game controller input device, with focus on rhythm and dance in time with CD audio. This is a revisit of the concept established by "Dance Aerobics" almost 10 years previously, but is much more appealing to players now that game media allows for storage of high-quality audio. "Dance Dance Revolution" software from 1998 by Konami shortly follows "Bust-a- Groove", and is an arcade style step-matching game, US patents 6,227,968 and 6,410,835, like "Dance Aerobics". It uses CD quality audio, like "Bust-a-Groove", and because of good game play and music is a hit and stays popular for years.

All these games combined, popularized "rhythm game" and establish it as a genre. In the year 2004 general rhythm and dance games got recognized as an official sport and dance in Norway, not the least because of the huge fitness-based competitive element these games give.

In addition to game play for fun or competition in family-centres, bowling halls or at home, rhythm and dance games may also be used for exercise and therapeutic purposes in other environments such as, but not limited to, schools, fitness-studios, dance-studios, medical institutions and sport clubs. In such environments a multiple user solution of the game has been introduced where up to 32 players operate individual exercise platforms playing the same game simultaneously.

Such above-mentioned rhythm and music games are usually controlled by a user utilizing hand- or foot-operated input devices such as joypads, joysticks, exercise platforms or music instrument devices.

Exercise platforms until now have included up to nine tiles with indicia, such as arrows, indicated on each tile. The user tries to activate specific tiles synchronous with instructions given by the display device and music beats. Electric normally-open switches located below each tile, when activated, provide feedback to the computer for software-based evaluation of the user's performance. Commercially available exercise platforms include either soft roll-up platforms or hard, rigid platforms.

Soft roll-up platforms tend to be too delicate and fragile to withstand any extensive usage, due to the use of electric conductive foil-type switches. The foil tends to very easily break apart, resulting in either permanently closed or broken electric circuits. One main advantage of the soft roll-up platform is the low weight making it easy to lift, carry and transport, even for younger users.

Cheaper manufactured hard, rigid platforms usually have a number of disadvantages, mainly due to the use of low quality materials, wiring and soldering. They are apt to warp, thus making them wobble and move around on the floor. Sharp, un-milled corners and edges can easily cut a part of the user's body. User maintenance is high because dust and grain gets in between the switch contacts resulting in damaged contacts. Maintenance of most internal components, like wires and connectors inside the platform, is not possible because the base construction is made inaccessible due to the use of glue and staples instead of screws.

There exist more durable, hard and rigid exercise platforms on the market, such as the platform disclosed in US patent 7,122,751. It is a very heavy exercise platform based on press board and metal constructions, which include a conductive grounding plate and a number of conductive tiles placed above the grounding plate, each separated from the grounding plate by four resilient distance members of "Velcro" coins. When a user activates a tile, the centre region of the tile is bent downwards against the resilient distance members causing contact with the grounding plate. However, weighing in at around 19,5 kilograms, the standard edition of this platform is very heavy, making it hard to transport and relocate by a user, especially in a multiple user activated application setup. This is due to its press board and steel base construction. All nine tiles on the platform are at the same level of height, which makes it difficult for a user to feel which tile is being activated while looking at the display device at the same time. Because each of the tiles is convex against the base, which then again creates a height difference between the centre and the border of each tile, there is a resulting timing difference between activating the switch on the centre as compared to activating it at the border. The given feedback to the computer software used in the evaluation of the user's performance is therefore inaccurate. User maintenance is high because dust and grain gets in between the switch contacts, resulting in non-functioning contacts, and because most parts are mounted together by putting screws directly into the low density press board. These screw threads wear out easily so the screws cannot hold the tile down anymore. Furthermore the construction of the platform consists of a large amount of bolts, nuts, distance members, etc., resulting in long manufacturing times and high production costs.

Summary of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an exercise platform that avoids the problems associated with prior art designs mentioned above.

This is achieved in an exercise platform as claimed in the following patent claims.

In particular, the inventive exercise platform includes at least a bottom layer (12) with a number of wells (34) each adapted to accommodate a normally-open force responsive switch and a tile (5) with indicia, a top layer (4) which is fastened to the bottom layer (12) and which holds said switches and tiles in place, as claimed in claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention appear from the following dependent claims. The inventive exercise platform provides several improvements over prior art exercise platforms:

It is both durable and lightweight at the same time. A weight of around 10 kilograms would be considered lightweight and equals around half the weight of the above- mentioned type of platform.

The exercise platform provides a contraption that can be used to carry such a lightweight platform easily, such as carrying handles, which can also be used to mount a shoulder strap.

The inventive platform provides a difference in height between the tile's visible area (switch) and the surrounding platform element (top layer) to define correct positions for a user to activate the force responsive switches without losing focus from the video display by looking on the exercise platform.

The inventive exercise platform provides a reproducible, stable, precise and reliable feedback to the user, no matter which part of the tile's visible area is activated to close the electrical switch. This is key for providing the user with a fair and competitive environment, such as during a tournament.

The force responsive switches has a very fast action with quick spring back from a depressed state. This provides a very responsive and reliable "feel" to the user of the platform.

Said exercise platform is equipped with a mechanism that does not allow dust and grit to settle in between the switch contact sheets but collects it safely inside the platform for lower maintenance.

It uses screws that do not wear out the mounting holes in the base by using a bolt-and- nut system.

An important improvement of the invention is the use of a construction method that requires fewer parts and lowers production time to reduce the total cost of assembly.

The exercise platform is also provided with comfortable, rounded corners and edges, as well as the use flathead screws flush with the surface of the top layer to avoid protruding screws that could cause injury to the user. There is also provided an easy solution to fix two or more platforms together in several orientation patterns, in accordance to individual room properties.

A further improvement is to provide a cost reduced non-active practice exercise platform that provides the same feeling and feedback to a user as a normal active platform.

In addition every single component is easily accessible and exchangeable for easy maintenance.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will now be described in detail in reference to the appended drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an exercise platform according to the invention,

Fig. 2 is a detailed view from the top perspective inside the bottom layer of an exercise platform according to the invention,

Fig. 3 to Fig. 6 are exploded perspective views of a tile area of the inventive exercise platform, showing a step-by-step build-up of the complete contact switch area,

Fig. 7 is a section view through the centre of the resultant tile area assembled as per Fig. 3-6,

Fig. 8 is a detailed view from the top perspective of a joining structure area of an exercise Platform according to the invention,

Fig. 9 shows some of the possible joining structure connection combinations that can be used to create several setup patterns in accordance to the available space in a multiple user activated application environment,

Fig. 10 is a view from the side showing an exercise platform according to the invention, carried by a user on the shoulder by using a shoulder strap, Fig. 11 shows an example of a lockable mobile cart solution that makes for easy and secure storage and transport of exercise platforms according to the invention,

Fig. 12 is an example setup using multiple active wireless exercise platforms and non- active exercise platforms together in a setup of a physical and mental activated application environment.

Detailed description

Fig. 1 illustrates an embodiment of an exercise platform according to the present invention including a base plate, consecutively designated as bottom layer 12. This bottom layer 12 may be moulded from a suitable plastic or be milled out of a plastic block. The bottom layer 12 includes a number of wells 34 intended for installing one force responsive switch each per tile 5, compartments for housing electronic components 22 and channels for electric conductors 2 1. Unoccupied locations in the bottom layer 12 are designed with cavities 17 in form of equilateral hexagons. These cavities 17 are for saving weight by leaving out material but at the same time providing the required structural integrity for stability and resistance to axial deformation of the exercise platform 39.

The main supporting areas on the bottom side of the bottom layer 12 are equipped with anti-slip pads 13 to minimize the movement of the exercise platform 39 on a surface when operated and to avoid scratching a floor's surface where the exercise platform 39 is used on.

A tile 5 is mounted in each well 34, and a top layer 4 made from a suitable plastic is affixed to the bottom layer 12 by using screws 1 that lock into nuts on the bottom side. The top layer 4 contains openings through which a user can activate the force responsive switches as shown in Fig. 6. The shape of these openings is nearly of the same dimension as those of popular arcade-style step game machines, defining correct positions for a user to achieve a feedback experience that comes close to such machines. The top layer 4 contains an area 24 for mounting a plate containing information 2, holes for mounting push buttons 3 that are used for operating the activated application and holes 26 for fitting screws 1. The tile 5 with indicated indicia is made of a plastic material, which does not break by bending it. The tile 5 may be made of a transparent material with indicia indicated inside, on the top or on the bottom of the material. To avoid scratches on the clear material a plastic with a scratch resistant surface may be used. Fig. 2 is a detail view of the inside of the bottom layer 12 of an exercise platform 39. It has mounting points 18 for a platform connector element 36, cavities in form of equilateral hexagons 17 for weight reduction, carrying- and shoulder strap attaching holes 16, space for electronic parts 22, space for a rechargeable battery 23 and channels for the wiring 21. A hole shaped in the form of a semicircle 20 makes for easy insertion and removal of a tile 5. As parts of the switch mechanism Corner spacers 30, side support spacers 31 and centre support spacers 33 are shown in the centre of each well 34.

Fig. 3 shows one of the wells 34 in further detail. In the middle of the well 34 there is a support spacer 33. On this support spacer 33 there is mounted a lower switch contact 11. This contact may be in the form of a metal plate. Said contact 11 may be fastened to the support spacer with glue or double-sided adhesive tape, or by any other fastening means suited to the purpose, such as screws or clips.

Above this lower switch contact 11 there is mounted a tile 5 with an upper switch contact 6 fastened to the underside, Fig. 5 and 6. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the upper switch contact 6 is a metal plate fastened to the tile 5 with glue or double-sided adhesive tape. In other embodiments, the upper switch contact 6 may be realized as a metalized layer on the tile 5, or the tile 5 may be made from a fibreglass material with an outer metal layer such as the boards used to make printed circuits, or the tile 5 itself may be made from a conductive material. The tile 5 is supported in the well 34 on corner spacers 30 located in the corner of the well 34. Fig. 5 shows how the compound of tile 5 and upper switch contact 6 will rest on the corner spacers 30. As the corner spacers 30 are on a higher height level than the side spacers 31 and support spacers 33, this will create a height difference between the lower switch contact 11 and the upper switch contact 6 so that the contacts are held normally-open when no force is applied to the tile 5. Due to this construction only very low force needs to be applied to close the switch. The resulting sensitivity of the switch enables the user to fully concentrate on the activated application, such as a video screen and audio, instead of worrying about the exact timing required to activate/close the switch. This construction also makes sure, that a switch activated by applying force will return to the original normally-open held position, because the compound of the upper metal sheet 6 and the tile 5 creates a high tension and suspense.

Side spacers 3 1 are located around the sides of the well 34 in order to limit the deflection of the tile 5 and to avoid breaking of the tile 5. The upper faces of the side spacers 3 1 are on level with the support spacer 33. A hole shaped in the form of a semicircle 20 makes for easy insertion and removal of a tile 5.

Fig. 6 shows how the top layer, 4 is screwed together with the bottom layer 12. The top layer 4 has the function of holding the tiles 5 inside the bottom layer 12, as well as holding the platform connector elements 36 in position on the joining structure mounting points 18 and furthermore to define correct positions for a user while exercising. The top layer 4 and the bottom layer 12 are held together by suitable fasteners, such as screws or bolts and nuts 1, which allow the exercise platform 39 to easily be opened at any time for service and maintenance.

Fig. 7 illustrates the assembled switch in cross section. Because the spacers 30, 31, 33 are on a higher level than the bottom 34 of the well 34, grit and dust cannot easily get in between the switch contact metal sheets 6, 11, but gets collected in the bottom area 34. This reduces the level of maintenance for an exercise platform 39 drastically, and prevents the switch contacts 6, 11 from not being able to close properly due to accumulated dust and particles in between the contacts 6, 11.

As shown in the figures, the switch contacts 6, 11 each include a terminal adapted to accept a connector 35. Wires located in cable channels 2 1 are connecting the switch contacts 6, 11 to the electronics located in the compartments 22 in the bottom layer 12. To simplify the wiring during the production process, the switch connecting wires 10 are combined on a PCB 9 in the middle of the bottom layer 12, 22. From that point all wires are combined to one connection cable 8 connecting to a connection PCB 7 in the top right area of the bottom layer 12, from where the exercise platform 39 is connected to a computer system by wires or wireless. The electronics include an interface for either a wired connection to the computer system, or for a corresponding wireless transfer of signals. In the last case, the exercise platform should include rechargeable batteries 23 for supplying the electronics 22 with electrical power. Then, the exercise platform 39 will be fully autonomous during use, with no wires or cables cluttering the surroundings.

Fig. 8 shows the joining structure consisting of two exercise platforms 39 and a platform connector element 36 made of metal. Connecting two or more exercise platforms 39 together increases stability and resistance to axial deformation even more and helps to keep them steady on the surface. A screw 1 is opened on a joining structure mounting point 18 and a platform connector element 36 is inserted between top layer 4 and bottom layer 12. A screw 1 inserted through screw thread inserts 19 fixes the top layer 4, the platform connector element 36 and the bottom layer 12 together as one compound.

Fig. 9 shows some methods of connecting multiple exercise platforms 39 in several connection combinations. These, as well as other combinations, which are not limited to the number of included exercise platforms 39 shown on the figure, can be applied in accordance to available space in a multiple user activated application environment. In a multi-user setup, some of the exercise platforms 39 may be dummies 28, i.e. platforms with the same mechanical construction as the real platforms, but without any electronic components or switch actions. This will be cheaper alternatives, but with the same "feel" as the real ones.

Fig. 10 shows a method of carrying one or more exercise platforms simultaneously 39 by a user 37, by mounting a shoulder strap 38 in the carrying- and shoulder strap attaching holes 16. Alternatively, a user can use the carrying- and shoulder strap attaching holes 16 to lift up and carry the exercise platform 39 with his hands only. Note that all corners and edges are well rounded to prevent possibly injury to the user. For the same reason, all screw-heads are counter-sunk in the platform to provide a smooth and even surface.

Fig. 11 shows a lockable mobile cart 40 with stoppable wheels 42, a lock 46 in the door 44 which can safely store and transport multiple exercise platforms 39.

Fig. 12 shows an example setup using multiple active wireless exercise platforms 39 and non-active exercise platforms 28 together in a setup of a physical and mental activated application environment 40, 47. C l a i m s

1. An exercise platform for use in physical and mental activated application setups, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the exercise platform includes at least a bottom layer (12) with a number of wells (34) each adapted to accommodate a normally-open force responsive switch and a tile (5) with indicia, a top layer (4) which is fastened to the bottom layer (12) and which holds said switches and tiles (5) in place.

2. An exercise platform as claimed in claim 1, where each normally-open force responsive switch includes a lower metal sheet ( 11) mounted on a support spacer (33) in the bottom of a well (34), an upper metal sheet (6) forming an electrically conductive deflection layer, said upper metal sheet (6) being mounted underneath a tile (5) with indicated indicia, wherein the compound of upper metal sheet (6) and tile (5) rests on corner spacers (30), which are on a higher height level than the support spacers (33), thus creating a height difference between the lower metal sheet ( 11) and the upper metal sheet (6), to hold the switch in a normally-open position when no force is applied to the tile (5).

3. An exercise platform as claimed in claim 2, wherein said wells (34) each including a number of side spacers (31), on level with said support spacers (33) and which limit the possible deflection of the compound upper metal sheet (6) and tile (5).

4. An exercise platform as claimed in claim 3, wherein said support spacer (33), corner spacers (30) and side spacers (31) lift the lower metal sheet ( 11) and upper metal sheet (6) above the bottom of the well (34) creating an area below said lower metal sheet ( 1 1) where dust may collect.

5. An exercise platform as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top layer (4) contains openings through which a user may activate the force responsive switches, said openings providing a height level difference between a tile's (5) visible area and the top layer (4), the openings defining correct positions for a user to activate the force responsive switches.

6. An exercise platform as claimed in claim 1, where unused portions of said bottom layer (12) include cavities in form of equilateral hexagons (17) to reduce the weight but keep stability and resistance to axial deformation on a level strong enough for an exercise platform. 7. An exercise platform as claimed in claim 1, where carrying- and shoulder strap attaching holes (16) allow a user to mount a shoulder strap (38) to carry one or more exercise platforms simultaneously or to lift up and carry the exercise platform with his hands only.

8. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein bolts and nuts mount the top layer (4) to the bottom layer (12).

9. An exercise platform as claimed in claim 1, which provides an integrated joining structure to fix two or more platforms together with connector elements (36) at mounting points (18) in several orientation patterns, in accordance to individual room properties.

10. Use of an exercise platform as claimed in any of the claims 1-8 in a multi-user setup including a number of exercise platforms.

11. Use as claimed in claim 9, said multi-user setup including dummy platforms.