Fishing rod and reel electronic game controller

• US 5,542,672 A
• Filed: 03/17/1995
• Issued: 08/06/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Chris Meredith
• Original Assignee: Chris Meredith
• Inventors: Meredith, Chris
• Primary Examiner(s): Chiu, Raleigh W.
• Application Number:
  US08/406,064
• Time in Patent Office: 508 Days
• Field of Search: 773/148 B, 773/438, 43/1, 43/4, 43/18.1, 43/17, 340/709, 345/156, 345/157
• US Class Current: 463/37
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• 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 13/818 Fishing
• 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 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• 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 2300/8035 Virtual fishing
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/085 Crank handles G05G1/082 takes precedence

Abstract

An electronic controller is provided for controlling fishing simulation computer games. The controller includes a rod handle, a reel housing attached to the rod handle, and a rod shaft pivotally mounted within the reel housing and extending therefrom. The reel housing contains a motor to operate a gyroscope which is also positioned within the reel housing. A plurality of switches to transmit information to the computer game are provided on the reel housing. A reel crank handle extends from the reel housing and includes a break for applying resistance to the reel handle. A rod shaft pivoting apparatus that includes magnets and that act on metal plates attached to the rod shaft to pivotally move the rod shaft. The controller further includes communication cables that interconnect with a computer for transmitting information between the computer and the controller.

Claims

1. An electronic controller apparatus for controlling fishing simulation electronic games, comprising:

a housing formed with an interior space, the housing comprising;

a gyroscope disposed at the interior space of the housing for exerting force on the housing;

an electric motor connected to the gyroscope for powering the gyroscope;

a crank extending from the housing;

a brake operatively associated with the crank for applying variable resistance to the crank;

a magnet disposed at the interior space of the housing;

a microprocessor disposed at the interior space of the housing, the microprocessor connected to the electric motor, the brake and the magnet from which information is transmitted to the microprocessor;

a handle extending from a first side of the housing, the handle comprising;

a support member for supporting the electric motor,

a grip portion; and

a shaft comprising;

a first end mounted to a second side of the housing opposite to the first side of the housing, the first end of the shaft comprising;

a metal plate disposed on the first end of the shaft,

pivot means for pivotally connecting the first end of the shaft at the interior space of the housing,

a second end opposite to the first end of the shaft and extending from the housing,

wherein the magnet is selectively-energized to coact with the metal plate on the first end of the shaft to move the shaft about the pivot means.

2. An electronic controller apparatus for a fishing simulation electronic game, comprising:

a housing constructed with an interior space;

power means disposed at the interior area of the housing;

gripping means connected to the housing for gripping the apparatus, the gripping means comprising;

support means for supporting the power means;

force exerting means disposed at the interior space of the housing, the force exerting means connected to the power means to exert force on the housing;

a shaft connected to the housing at an opposite end thereof from the gripping means;

control means connected to the power means and the force exerting means for controlling the power means and the force exerting means to exert force on the housing to move the housing.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the force exerting means comprises a gyroscope.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the gyroscope is disposed at the center of the interior of the housing, the gyroscope being coaxial with the gripping means and the shaft.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the power means is an electric motor.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the housing further comprises:

a crank extending from the housing to simulate reeling in of a fishing line.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the housing further comprises:

resistance means for applying resistive force to the crank to simulate resistance on the fishing line.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising:

a pivot member disposed at the interior space of the housing and connected to the shaft to pivotally connect the shaft to the housing.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the shaft further comprises:

a metal plate disposed on the shaft at a region of the shaft terminating in the interior space of the housing.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising:

a magnet disposed at the interior space of the housing, the magnet coacting with the metal plate on the shaft to move the shaft about the pivot member.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the control means comprises:

a microprocessor.

12. An electronic controller apparatus for controlling fishing simulation electronic games, the apparatus comprising:

a housing;

gripping means connected to the housing;

a rod extending from the housing, the rod pivotally mounted to the housing for movement between a first position and a second position different than the first position; and

means for controlling movement of the rod between the first position and the second position.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the rod comprises a first and a second end, the first end of the rod terminating within the housing and comprising:

a metal plate disposed on the first end of the rod within the housing.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:

a magnet disposed within the housing, the magnet arranged to coact with the metal plate of the rod to effect movement of the rod.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the housing further comprises:

a microprocessor for receiving information of the simulated reeling; and

means for transmitting the information of the simulated reeling to the microprocessor.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising:

a crank extending from the housing to simulate reeling in of a fishing line; and

a brake for operatively engaging the crank to apply varying degrees of resistance to the crank when the crank simulates reeling.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising:

a gyroscope disposed within the housing; and

drive means disposed within the gripping means, the drive means connected to the gyroscope to drive the gyroscope.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the gyroscope, the gripping means and the rod are coaxial.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the gripping means and the rod extend from opposite sides of the housing.