Signal transmission device

• US 20040097331A1
• Filed: 02/12/2003
• Published: 05/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bodo Zillig, Freya Zillig
• Original Assignee: Bodo Zillig, Freya Zillig
• Inventors: Zillig, Freya, Zillig, Bodo
• Granted Patent: US 7,083,546 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0025 Tracking the path or location of one or more users, e.g. players of a game
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0078 Exercise efforts programmed as a function of time
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0644 with display speed of moving landscape controlled by the user's performance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/00 Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements force-resisting aspects A63B21/00; for particular parts of the body, e.g. to strengthen particular limbs or muscles A63B23/00; electric or electronic controls therefor A63B24/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/00 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/23 for interfacing with the game device, e.g. specific interfaces between game controller and console
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/28 responding to control signals received from the game device for affecting ambient conditions, e.g. for vibrating players' seats, activating scent dispensers or affecting temperature or light controlling the output signals based on the game progress A63F13/50
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/573 using trajectories of game objects, e.g. of a golf ball according to the point of impact
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/65 automatically by game devices or servers from real world data, e.g. measurement in live racing competition
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/90 Constructional details or arrangements of video game devices not provided for in groups A63F13/20 or A63F13/25, e.g. housing, wiring, connections or cabinets
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/98 Accessories, i.e. detachable arrangements optional for the use of the video game device, e.g. grip supports of game controllers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1025 details of the interface with the game device, e.g. USB version detection
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1037 being specially adapted for converting control signals received from the game device into a haptic signal, e.g. using force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/105 : using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/535 : for monitoring, e.g. of user parameters, terminal parameters, application parameters, network parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/646 : for calculating the trajectory of an object
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/69 : Involving elements of the real world in the game world, e.g. measurement in live races, real video
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/002 : Specific input/output arrangements not covered by G06F3/01 - G06F3/16 other optical apparatus G02B27/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/90 : Ergometer with feedback to load or with feedback comparison

Abstract

The invention concerns a device for signal transmission from a signal transmitter which senses physical operating conditions to a separately installed signal receiver. In order to create a device by means of which the player of a PC or video game is given the possibility of interactive engagement in the course of the game, whereby said device is compatible, for purposes of control, with all of the video game consoles and PCs commonly to be found in trade, the invention proposes a device for signal transmission, wherein an electronic circuit is connected to the signal transmitter, on one hand, and to the signal receiver, on the other hand, and the signals generated by the signal transmitter may be converted, by means of said electronic circuit, to the structure required for the signal receiver, whereby the signal transmitter, in order to sense at least one physical operating condition, is connected to an exercise machine, and whereby a PC or a video game console is provided as the signal receiver.

Claims

1. Device for signal transmission from a signal transmitter which senses physical operating conditions to a separately installed signal receiver,

characterized in that

an electronic circuit is connected to the signal transmitter, on one hand, and to the signal receiver, on the other hand, and the signals generated by the signal transmitter may be converted, by means of said electronic circuit, to the structure required for the signal receiver, whereby the signal transmitter, in order to sense at least one physical operating condition, is connected to an exercise machine, and whereby a PC or a video game console is provided as the signal receiver.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the signal transmitter is an integral part of an exercise machine.

3. Device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the signal transmitter includes a speed sensor.

4. Device according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the signal transmitter, the signal receive and the electronic circuit are connected to each other, for the purpose of communication, by means of a cable and/or radio.

5. Device according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that at least one additional signal input unit is provided.

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the additional signal input unit is connected, for the purpose of communication, to the electronic circuit.

7. Device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the additional signal input unit exhibits a plurality of function keys.

8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the function keys accomplish a correspondingly determined signal generation, as a function of the signal receiver connected.

9. Device according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the signals generated by the signal transmitter and by the signal input units can be jointly processed by means of the electronic circuit and can be modulated as a function of the signal structure required by the signal receiver connected at the time.

10. Device according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that two signal input units are provided, each of which is arranged within a housing.

11. Device according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the electronic circuit is arranged within one of the housings for the signal input units.

12. Device according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the housings for the signal input units have a fastening device, which is arranged on the back of the housing, on the side farthest away from the function keys.

13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the fastening device is in the form of a clamping bracket.

14. Device according to either of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that the housing is constructed in two parts and is made of plastic.

15. Device according to claims 13 and 14, whereby the bottom of the housing and the fastening device are constructed as a single piece.

16. Device according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that a set of electronic circuitry is arranged separately and is connected, for the purpose of communication, to the signal transmitter, the signal input unit and the signal receiver.

17. Device according to claim 16, characterized in that a preferably multi-pole connector cable is used for connection, for the purpose of communication, between the electronic circuitry, on one hand, and the signal receiver, on the other hand.

18. Device according to claim 17, characterized in that the connecting cable on the signal receiver side is provided with a connector plug shaped so as to correspond with the connector socket on the signal receiver.

19. Device according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that, as a function of the signal receiver to be connected to the device, the corresponding electronic circuitry and the respective connecting cable including the connection plug can be combined with each other after the manner of a modular construction system.

20. Device according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the signal transmitter, the signal receiver, the signal input unit and the electronic circuitry are connected to each other, for the purpose of communication, by radio.

21. Device according to claim 20, characterized in that a Bluetooth module is provided as the radio module.

22. Device according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the housing for the electronic circuitry may be connected in a replaceable manner to the exercise machine.