Patent US 5,667,459

A computerized exercise game machine provides continuous and instantaneous feedback to the exerciser or user to maintain the user's exercise goal in real time. The exercise goal is updated by the computer system each time the user uses the exercise game machine. The machine includes a fixed frame and moveable component. A signal is generated in response to the speed of movement of the moveable component. The user or exerciser is prompted to maintain a video object representing the user within a shadow object or domain on the video screen. The shadow object represents the exercise goal, such as running at five miles per hour. Different video objects are utilized for users of different physical fitness levels. A shadow object (domain) or course environment is associated with each different video object. The game machine may also provide feedback to the exercise device to control the speed of movement or resistance to movement, slope, such as raising or lowering a treadmill or curve simulation. The invention further includes the method of stimulating a user to exercise to achieve an exercise goal by providing continuous and instantaneous stimulation to the user to maintain the exercise goal. The user is stimulated by the effort of maintaining a video object corresponding to the user's movement within the exercise goal represented by a shadow object or domain on the video display. Further, the user may be prompted whenever the video object moves outside of the domain.