SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR USING A VIDEO GAME TO ACHIEVE AN EXERCISE OBJECTIVE

1 . A method comprising:

receiving input indicating an objective for a user;

receiving input indicating a characteristic of the user;

determining an exercise regimen designed to cause the user having the inputted characteristic to achieve the objective when the exercise regimen is followed; and

determining a video game in which successful play of the video game requires performing the exercise regimen,

wherein the video game includes a game system adapted to monitor the user and to influence game play based upon the user performing the exercise regimen.

2 . A method comprising:

receiving input indicating an objective for a user;

determining a characteristic of the user;

determining an exercise regimen designed to cause the user having the determined characteristic to achieve the objective; and

determining a game in which successful play of the game requires performing the exercise regimen,

wherein the game includes a game system capable of:

monitoring the user; and

influencing game play based upon the user performing the exercise regimen.

3 . The method of claim 2 wherein receiving input includes querying the user about user objectives.

4 . The method of claim 2 wherein receiving input includes receiving an indication of a desired physical characteristic that the user wants to achieve.

5 . The method of claim 4 wherein determining an exercise regimen includes determining an amount and type of physical activity that the user would need to perform to alter a body of the user to achieve the desired physical characteristic.

6 . The method of claim 2 wherein determining a characteristic includes sensing physical aspects of the user using one or more sensors.

7 . The method of claim 2 wherein determining a game includes configuring parameters of a video game, wherein the video game is adapted to operate in response to signals, indicative of user activity, from sensors adapted to monitor the user.

8 . The method of claim 7 wherein the parameters include at least one of duration, level, and frequency.

9 . The method of claim 2 wherein monitoring the user includes detecting physical characteristics of the user using sensors.

10 . The method of claim 2 wherein influencing game play based upon the user performing the exercise regimen includes improving user performance in the game if the user performs the exercise regimen.

11 . A method comprising:

determining a user goal;

determining a user characteristic;

determining a behavior set based on the user goal and the user characteristic wherein performance of the behavior set by a user having the user characteristic will result in the user achieving the user goal;

determining a game; and

configuring the game such that successful play of the game requires performance of the behavior set.

12 . A method comprising:

determining an exercise program;

determining a video game;

determining one or more properties of the video game to modify based on the selected exercise program; and

modifying the one or more properties of video game based on the selected exercise program.

13 . The method of claim 12 wherein determining an exercise program comprises allowing the user of the video game to provide an exercise program.

14 . The method of claim 12 wherein determining an exercise program comprises:

providing a list of exercise programs to a user;

allowing the user to select one of the exercise programs.

15 . The method of claim 12 wherein determining a video game comprises:

providing a list of video games to a user;

allowing the user to select one of the video games.

16 . The method of claim 12 wherein determining properties of video game to modify based on the selected exercise program comprises determining a physical attribute of a game character to modify based on an exercise level of a user of the video game.

17 . The method of claim 12 wherein determining properties of video game to modify based on the selected exercise program comprises determining a physical attribute of a game character to modify based on a physical attribute of a user of the video game.

18 . A method comprising:

providing a list of modifiable properties for a video game;

allowing a user of the video game to select one of the modifiable properties;

determining an exercise program for the user; and

modifying the selected modifiable property based on the exercise program for the user.

19 . A method comprising:

monitoring an exercise level of a user of a video game;

determining if the monitored exercise level is consistent with an exercise program of the user; and

modifying a property of the video game based on the monitored exercise level and the exercise program of the user.

20 . The method of claim 19 wherein modifying a property of the video game comprises adjusting the exercise program based on the monitored exercise level.

21 . The method of claim 20 wherein adjusting the exercise program based on the monitored exercise level comprises increasing or decreasing an expectation of the exercise program.

22 . The method of claim 19 further comprising determining a physical characteristic of the user and modifying a physical characteristic of a video game character based on the physical characteristic.