Method of controlling a device allowing a user to walk or run on the spot in an arbitrary direction and device therefor

Abstract

The invention concerns a method for controlling a device (1) allowing a user (25) to walk or run on the spot in an arbitrary direction and a device (1) therefor. The device (1) comprises a stationary central platform (9) surrounded by a convex polygon shaped deck (6) in level therewith, said deck (6) being divided into trapezoid shaped roller conveyors. Each conveyor has rollers in parallel with the trapezoid bases, the shorter one of these adjoining said platform and the longer one of these forming a side of said polygonal shape. The rollers of said conveyors are driven in order to move a user (25) stepping thereon back to said central platform (9). The rollers as such are continuous circular cylindrical, and beneath them there is a driving belt for frictional driving engagement with the rollers from below. According to the method a marker (26) placed on top of the user (25) is monitored by means of video cameras (24) and the speed of the roller conveyors adjusted depending on the perceived marker size and position.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention concerns a method for controlling a device allowing a user to walk or run on the spot in an arbitrary direction, the device comprising a stationary central platform surrounded by a convex polygon shaped deck in level therewith, said deck being divided into trapezoid shaped roller conveyors, wherein each conveyor has rollers in parallel with the trapezoid bases, the shorter one of these adjoining said platform and the longer one of these forming a side of said polygonal shape, and wherein the rollers of said conveyors are driven in order to move a user stepping thereon back to said central platform. Further, the present invention concerns a device controlled by such a method.PRIOR ART[0002]A device of the kind in question is previously known from the international application WO 96 / 35481 A2. In that application an embodiment of a device is revealed, comprising trapezoid roller conveyors having rollers divided into two equally long circular c...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a device that allows users to walk or run on a platform while being connected to a computer system. The device includes a central platform and a deck with roller conveyors that move the user back to the platform. The conveyors are driven by continuous circular cylindrical rollers, and there are driving means that engage with the rollers from below. The device is safer and more user-friendly than previous versions, as it uses video cameras instead of accelerometers to monitor the user's position. The device also includes a floor plate that covers parts of the driving means, making it easier to access and reducing the device's overall height. The invention improves the user's experience and makes the device more adaptable.

Problems solved by technology

For one thing, the waist part of the rollers increases risk of a user's clothing getting entangled in a hazardous way, even if said waist part, as indicated, is partly covered by means of a countersunk cover strip.

Furthermore, the accelerometers used for the known method are hardly of any use when it comes to detecting the user stumbling, which for safety reasons would necessitate an immediate halt of the conveyors in order to avoid risk of squeezing for instance a finger.

Then the known device has some practical drawbacks, too.

The mounting of the rollers is rendered quite complicated by the way chosen to drive the rollers, regardsless if a belt is used, encompassing the rollers and thus hampering their mounting or dismounting, or cog wheels are used, necessitating use of intermediate gears in order to get neighboring rollers rotate in the same and not opposite directions.

Further, the use of distance measuring sensor means arranged on a circumferential railing does not render it possible to control the device safely for instance when a user kneels or stumbles and falls.

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