System for adding realism to video display

• US 4,461,470 A
• Filed: 06/20/1983
• Issued: 07/24/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mark E. Astroth
• Original Assignee: Mark E. Astroth
• Inventors: Miller, Allen F., Astroth, Gary D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Grieb, William H.
• Application Number:
  US06/505,876
• Time in Patent Office: 400 Days
• Field of Search: 434/43, 434/55, 434/56, 434/57, 434/58, 434/51, 272/1 C, 272/17, 272/18, 273/85 G
• US Class Current: 472/60
• 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 13/803 Driving vehicles or craft, e.g. cars, airplanes, ships, robots or tanks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/302 specially adapted for receiving control signals not targeted to a display device or game input means, e.g. vibrating driver's seat, scent dispenser
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8017 Driving on land or water; Flying
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 31/16 creating illusions of travel
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/12 Motion systems for aircraft simulators

Abstract

A video controlling and viewing system has a tiltable platform which supports a chair in spaced relation to a console that has a video screen; and a user seated on that chair can manipulate the control element of that console to simultaneously (a) move the views on the video screen up and down and also rotate them in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction and (b) tilt the platform oppositely of the movement of the views on that video screen. The programming means for the console is independent of the driving means for the platform to some extent but the control element of the console will cause the view on the screen to shift in one direction while the platform is tilted in the opposite direction. Cables, drums and motors are used to tilt the platform while views are being displayed on the video screen, and they automatically return the platform to a "home" position at the conclusion of the displaying of those views. That platform is then locked in position until it is unlocked when a further sequence of views is to be displayed on the video screen.

Claims

1. A video controlling and viewing system which comprises a base unit that is intended to remain stationary throughout use of said system, a platform which is adapted to be moved during use of said system, mounting means intermediate said base and said platform to permit said platform to be moved relative to said base, a video screen mounted on and movable with said platform, control means operable by a user of said system to control movement of said platform and also to control movement of the view on said video screen, said platform having an area thereon wherein said user of said system can manipulate said control means while said platform simultaneously moves said video screen and said user of said system, and driving means to provide movement of said platform which, at least in part, occurs during movement of said view on said video screen, said driving means including a cable and a drum and a motor, said cable extending between said base and said platform and responding to rotation of said drum to cause tilting of said platform relative to said base, said motor being responsive to movement of said control means to drive said drum, said drive means responding to movement of said control means in a predetermined direction to cause said drum to rotate in a given direction and responding to movement of said control means in the opposite direction to cause said drum to rotate oppositely of said given direction.

2. A video controlling and viewing system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cable extends between said base and said platform at two spaced points.

3. A video controlling and viewing system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cable extends between said base and said platform adjacent one end of an axis of movement of said platform.

4. A video controlling and viewing system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cable extends between said base and said platform adjacent one end of an axis of movement of said platform, and wherein said cable also extends between said base and said platform adjacent the opposite end of said axis of movement of said platform.

5. A video controlling and viewing system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cable extends between said base and said platform adjacent one end of an axis of movement of said platform, wherein said driving means includes a further cable and a further drum and a further motor, wherein said further cable extends between said base and said platform and responds to rotation of said further drum to cause tilting of said platform relative to said base, wherein said further motor is responsive to movement of said control means to drive said further drum, wherein said drive means responds to movement of said control means in a direction angularly displaced from said predetermined direction to cause said further drum to rotate in a desired direction and responds to movement of said control means in a direction opposite to said angularly-displaced direction to cause said further drum to rotate oppositely of said desired direction.

6. A video controlling and viewing system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cable extends between said base and said platform adjacent one end of an axis of movement of said platform, wherein said driving means includes a further cable and a further drum and a further motor, wherein said further cable extends between said base and said platform and responds to rotation of said further drum to cause tilting of said platform relative to said base, wherein said further motor is responsive to movement of said control means to drive said further drum, wherein said drive means responds to movement of said control means in a direction angularly displaced from said predetermined direction to cause said further drum to rotate in a desired direction and responds to movement of said control means in a direction opposite to said angularly-displaced direction to cause said further drum to rotate oppositely of said desired direction, wherein the first said cable extends between said base and said platform at two spaced points, and wherein said further cable extends between said base and said platform at two further spaced points.

7. A video controlling and viewing system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cable extends between said base and said platform adjacent one end of an axis of movement of said platform, wherein said driving means includes a further cable and a further drum and a further motor, wherein said further cable extends between said base and said platform and responds to rotation of said further drum to cause tilting of said platform relative to said base, wherein said further motor is responsive to movement of said control means to drive said further drum, wherein said drive means responds to movement of said control means in a direction angularly displaced from said predetermined direction to cause said further drum to rotate in a desired direction and responds to movement of said control means in a direction opposite to said angularly-displaced direction to cause said further drum to rotate oppositely of said desired direction, wherein the first cable extends between said base and said platform adjacent one end of one axis of movement of said platform, and wherein said further cable extends between said base and said platform adjacent one end of a further axis of movement of said platform which is angularly displaced from said one axis of movement of said platform.

8. A video controlling and viewing system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cable extends between said base and said platform adjacent one end of an axis of movement of said platform, wherein said driving means includes a further cable and a further drum and a further motor, wherein said further cable extends between said base and said platform and responds to rotation of said further drum to cause tilting of said platform relative to said base, wherein said further motor is responsive to movement of said control means to drive said further drum, wherein said drive means responds to movement of said control means in a direction angularly displaced from said predetermined direction to cause said further drum to rotate in a desired direction and responds to movement of said control means in a direction opposite to said angularly-displaced direction to cause said further drum to rotate oppositely of said desired direction, wherein the first said cable extends between said base and said platform adjacent one end of one axis of movement of said platform, wherein said further cable extends between said base and said platform adjacent one end of a further axis of movement of said platform which is angularly displaced from said one axis of movement of said platform, wherein said first said cable also extends between said base and said platform adjacent the opposite end of said one axis of movement of said platform, and wherein said further cable also extends between said base and said platform adjacent the opposite end of said further axis of movement of said platform.

9. A video controlling and viewing system as claimed in claim 1 wherein several turns of said cable encircle and engage said drum to keep the application of a force to said platform from causing a movement of said platform which could rotate about said drum.

10. A video controlling and viewing system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cable extends between said base and said platform adjacent one end of an axis of movement of said platform, wherein said driving means includes a further cable and a further drum and a further motor, wherein said further cable extends between said base and said platform and responds to rotation of said further drum to cause tilting of said platform relative to said base, wherein said further motor is responsive to movement of said control means to drive said further drum, wherein said drive means responds to movement of said control means in a direction angularly displaced from said predetermined direction to cause said further drum to rotate in a desired direction and responds to movement of said control means in a direction opposite to said angularly-displaced direction to cause said further drum to rotate oppositely of said desired direction, wherein several turns of the first said cable encircle and engage the first said drum to keep the application of a force to said platform from causing a movement of said platform which could rotate said first said drum, and wherein said further cable encircles and engages said further drum to keep the application of a force to said platform from causing a movement of said platform which could rotate said further drum.

11. A video controlling and viewing system which comprises a base that is intended to remain stationary throughout use of said system, a platform which is adapted to be moved during use of said system, mounting means intermediate said base and said platform to permit said platform to be moved relative to said base, a video screen mounted on and movable with said platform, control means operable by a user of said system to control movement of said platform and also to control movement of the view on said video screen, said platform having an area thereon wherein said user of said system can manipulate said control means while said platform simultaneously moves said video screen and said user of said system, driving means to provide movement of said platform which, at least in part, occurs during movement of said view on said video screen, said platform having a "home" position, said system providing views on said video screen, said control means being operable to control movement of said platform while said views are are provided on said video screen, and homing means that automatically causes said driving means to move said platform to said "home" position after said system concludes the displaying of said views on said video screen.

12. A video controlling and viewing system as claimed in claim 11 wherein said homing means automatically causes said driving means to move said platform to said "home" position after said system concludes the displaying of said views on said video screen regardless of any manipulation of said control means by said user of said system.

13. A video controlling and viewing system as claimed in claim 11 wherein said housing means can not control said driving means while said system is providing said views on said video screen, and wherein said control means controls said driving means only while said system is providing said views on said video screen.

14. A video controlling and viewing system as claimed in claim 11 wherein said homing means automatically causes said driving means to move said platform to said "home" position before the initiation of a further sequence of views on said video screen, whereby said platform is in said "home" position at the beginning of each sequence of views on said video screen.

15. A video controlling and viewing system which comprises a base that is intended to remain stationary throughout use of said system, a platform which is adapted to be moved during use of said system, mounting means intermediate said base and said platform to permit said platform to be moved relative to said base, a video screen mounted on and movable with said platform, control means operable by a user of said system to control movement of said platform and also to control movement of the view on said video screen, said platform having an area thereon wherein said user of said system can manipulate said control means while said platform simultaneously moves said video screen and said user of said system, driving means to provide movement of said platform which, at least in part, occurs during movement of said view on said video screen, said system providing views on said video screen, locking means adapted to lock said platform against movement relative to said base prior to the beginning of each sequence of views on said video screen, and locking control means that holds said locking means in platform-freeing position while said views are provided on said video screen and for a short time thereafter.

16. A video controlling and viewing system as claimed in claim 15 wherein said platform has a "home" position, wherein homing means automatically causes said driving means to move said platform to said "home" position after each said sequence of views on said video screen, and wherein said short time is long enough to enable said homing means to move said platform to said "home" position while said locking control means holds said locking means in platform-freeing position.

17. A video controlling and viewing system as claimed in claim 15 wherein said locking means and said mounting means fully support said platform in locked position during the periods of time when the user of said system is stepping onto or off of said platform.

18. A video controlling and viewing system as claimed in claim 15 wherein said locking means are disposed close to the periphery of said platform to engage said platform adjacent said periphery thereof, said locking means coacting with said mounting means to fully support said platform in locked position.

19. A video controlling and viewing system which comprises a base that is intended to remain stationary throughout use of said system, a platform which is adapted to be moved during use of said system, mounting means intermediate said base and said platform to permit said platform to be moved relative to said base, a video screen mounted on and movable with said platform, control means operable by a user of said system to control movement of said platform and also to control movement of the view on said video screen, said platform having an area thereon wherein said user of said system can manipulate said control means while said platform simultaneously moves said video screen and said user of said system, driving means to provide movement of said platform which, at least in part, occurs during movement of said view on said video screen, and a housing which encloses said base and said platform and said mounting means, said housing having an opening in the top thereof which is, at least in part, coextensive with said platform, and said platform being spaced far enough below said top of said housing to enable said platform to be moved without striking said top of said housing.

20. A video controlling and viewing system as claimed in claim 19 wherein said video screen extends upwardly through, and is movable relative to, said opening in said top of said housing.

21. A video controlling and viewing system as claimed in claim 19 wherein the feet of said user of said system are below the level of said top of said housing, and wherein most of the person of said user of said system is above said level of said top of said housing.

22. A video controlling and viewing system as claimed in claim 19 wherein an enclosure extends upwardly from said housing to substantially enclose said video screen, wherein said user of said system to can manipulate said control means while said platform simultaneously moves said video screen and said user of said system, and wherein said enclosure has an opening therethrough adjacent said area to enable said user to directly enter or leave said area.

25. A video controlling and viewing system as claimed in claim 19 wherein some opening-defining portions of said top overlie portions of the periphery of said platform to enable a user of said system to step on said closure and then step onto said platform.

23. A video controlling and viewing system which comprises a base that is intended to remain stationary throughout use of said system, a platform which is adapted to be moved during use of said system, mounting means intermediate said base and said platform to permit said platform to be moved relative to said base, a video screen mounted on and movable with said platform, a programmed means to cause a predetermined and variable sequence of views to be displayed on said video screen, control means operable by a user of said system to control movement of said platform and also to control movement of any given view, of said predetermined and variable sequence of views on said video screen, relative to said video screen, said platform having an area thereon wherein said user of said system can manipulate said control means while said platform simultaneously moves said video screen and said user of said system, and driving means to provide movement of said platform which, at least in part, occurs during movement of said given view on said video screen, said programming means being independent of said control means and of said driving means to the extent that said programming means will cause said predetermined and variable sequence of views to be displayed on said video screen irrespective of any and all actions of said control means and of said driving means but being related to said control means to the extent that any or all views of said predetermined and variable sequence of views on said video screen can be moved relative to said video screen, said control means and said driving means being independent of said programming means to the extent that neither said control means nor said driving means need be actuated to effect the display on said video screen of said predetermined and variable sequence of views but being related to said programming means to the extent that actuation of said control means and of said driving means can produce movements of said platform relative to said video screen and can produce movements of any or all views of said predetermined and variable sequence of views on said video screen relative to said video screen which will add a sense of realism to the viewing of said predetermined and variable sequence of views on said video screen.

24. A video controlling and viewing system which comprises a base that is intended to remain stationary throughout use of said system, a platform which is adapted to be moved during use of said system, mounting means intermediate said base and said platform to permit said platform to be moved relative to said base, a video screen mounted on and movable with said platform, a chair, control means operable by a user of said system to control movement of said platform and also to control movement of the view on said video screen, driving means to provide movement of said platform which, at least in part, occurs during movement of said view on said video screen, said system providing views on said video screen, locking means adapted to lock said platform against movement relative to said base prior to the beginning of each sequence of views on said video screen, locking control means that holds said locking means in platform-freeing position while said views are provided on said video screen and for a short time thereafter, a seat belt which can hold the user of said system whenever said user is seated in said chair, a switch responsive to the buckled or un-buckled state of said seat belt, a coin-actuated switch, and circuit means that prevents the beginning of any sequence of views on said video screen and also prevents any activation of said driving means until both said switch and said coin-actuated switch have been actuated.