In-vehicle gaming system

• US 20070149284A1
• Filed: 12/23/2005
• Published: 06/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Plavetich, Richard, Cupit, John
• Granted Patent: US 7,537,522 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/37
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/00 Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions gaming systems which provide a financial reward G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/26 having at least one additional display device, e.g. on the game controller or outside a game booth
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/327 using wireless networks, e.g. Wi-Fi® or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/803 Driving vehicles or craft, e.g. cars, airplanes, ships, robots or tanks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/95 Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1062 being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/516 connected to a local network, e.g. in a plane, hotel

Abstract

The in-vehicle gaming system is comprised of vehicle controls that are adapted to provide both vehicle control during a normal driving mode and game control inputs during a gaming mode. At least one of the controls is selectively disengaged from the vehicle control during the gaming mode. A display provides an indication to the driver of the game environment in response to the game control inputs.

Claims

1. An in-vehicle gaming system comprising:

a plurality of vehicle controls adapted to provide both vehicle control during a normal driving mode and, when selectively disengaged from vehicle control during a gaming mode, game control inputs; and

a display for providing an indication of the game environment in response to the game control inputs.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the vehicle is one of an automobile, a bus, or an aircraft.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the vehicle controls comprise at least one of a steering wheel, a gas pedal, a brake pedal, a clutch pedal, and a shifter.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the controls are all disengaged during the gaming mode.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein only the steering wheel is disengaged during the gaming mode.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the display comprises a rearview mirror display that displays the game environment.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the rearview mirror display shows only that portion of the game environment associated with a rear view of the vehicle.

8. An in-vehicle gaming system for use in a vehicle having vehicle controls adapted to operate in both vehicle operation and game operation, the system comprising:

a game controller for controlling operation of the gaming system in response to vehicle control inputs during game operation, the game controller adapted to selectively disengage the vehicle controls from vehicle operation during the game operation;

at least one display coupled to the game controller for providing an indication of the game environment in response to the vehicle control input; and

a sound system coupled to the game controller for providing an aural response to the vehicle control input.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the game controller is adapted to provide feedback to the vehicle controls, the feedback including dynamic steering wheel resistance in response to game operation.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein the at least one display comprises at least one of a two-way mirror coupled to a display panel, a visor display in a helmet, a heads-up display on a windshield, a display on glasses, an LCD screen, or an external display.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein each mirror in the vehicle comprises a two-way mirror in front of a display that shows only that portion of the game environment associated with the respective mirror.

12. The system of claim 8 wherein the vehicle further comprises vehicle gauges for indicating vehicle speed and status, the vehicle gauges coupled to the game controller for providing indications from the game controller in response to vehicle control input during the game operation.

13. The system of claim 8 wherein the game controller is adapted to accept update game code from one of a DVD, a CD, a memory cartridge, or over a network connection.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the network connection comprises a wireless connection.

15. The system of claim 8 wherein the vehicle controls further comprise an ignition switch that is coupled to the game controller and causes the game controller to activate the game operation.

16. A method for operating an in-vehicle gaming system in a vehicle having gauges and vehicle controls adapted to operate in either a normal driving mode or a game mode, the method comprising:

initiating the game mode;

disengaging at least one vehicle control from normal driving mode in response to the game mode initiation;

generating a game environment that is displayed to a driver;

accepting inputs from the vehicle controls; and

adapting the game environment in response to the vehicle control inputs.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the game mode is initiated by selecting game mode on a vehicle ignition switch.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the at least one vehicle control disengaged comprises the steering wheel and the gauges.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein displaying the game environment to the driver includes creating a video display and an aural output.

20. The method of claim 16 and further including generating indications of vehicle status on at least one vehicle gauge in response to the game environment and inputs from the vehicle controls.