HORSEBACK RIDING SIMULATION

• US 20100009762A1
• Filed: 01/15/2009
• Published: 01/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Inventors: Takamoto, Junji, Cheng, Howard, Takeda, Genyo, Wakitani, Noboru
• Granted Patent: US 8,277,327 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/47
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0638 Displaying moving images of recorded environment, e.g. virtual environment
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0644 with display speed of moving landscape controlled by the user's performance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/62 Inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/04 simulating the movement of horses toy animals for riding A63G19/00
• 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 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/80 Special adaptations for executing a specific game genre or game mode
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/803 Driving vehicles or craft, e.g. cars, airplanes, ships, robots or tanks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1025 details of the interface with the game device, e.g. USB version detection
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1031 using a wireless connection, e.g. Bluetooth, infrared connections
• 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 2300/1062 being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/80 specially adapted for executing a specific type of game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8017 Driving on land or water; Flying

Abstract

An inflatable air cushion or other type seat a person can sit on is instrumented with electronic input devices that can sense motion of the cushion and/or motion of the person'"'"'s body. Such input devices provide inputs to a computer graphics system that dynamically generates a responsive scene on a real time display. The sensed motion can be used to generate a graphics simulation of horseback riding.

Claims

1. A method of simulating horseback riding comprising:

(a) detecting motion a player imparts to a cushioning device on which the player is at least partially seated; and

(b) in response to said detected motion, dynamically generating a 3D graphics display simulating what the player would see if the player were riding a horse.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said detecting comprises detecting said motion with a three-axis accelerometer, and wirelessly transmitting said detected motion to a computer graphics display system.

3. The method of claim 1 further including temporarily coupling a handheld remote control that can sense its own orientation to said cushioning device.

4. The method of claim 1 further including inflating said cushioning device.

5. The method of claim 1 further including detecting inputs from at least one additional handheld input device to simulate reins.

6. The method of claim 1 further including controlling the gait of a simulated horse at least in part in response to said detected motion.

7. A video game accessory comprising:

an inflatable cushion; and

a housing affixed to said inflatable cushion, said housing being dimensioned to accept a handheld remote control device that can sense acceleration,

wherein said handheld remote control device is used to sense movement a player imparts to said inflatable cushion.

8. A video game accessory comprising:

an inflatable seat having a structure for accepting and retaining a normally handheld video game remote control;

said video game remote control having therein at least one sensor, said sensor being used to detect motion a player imparts to said inflatable seat.

9. A video game accessory comprising:

a seat having a structure for accepting and retaining at least one sensor that senses motion a player imparts to said seat; and

a graphics device wirelessly coupled to said video game remote control, said graphics device providing haptic feedback to said player that simulates the rate at which a movable platform travels through a virtual landscape in response to said sensed motion.

10. The accessory of claim 9 wherein said seat is inflatable.

11. The accessory of claim 9 wherein said movable platform comprises the back of a simulated horse.