Simulator controlling device

• US 5,713,794 A
• Filed: 06/17/1996
• Issued: 02/03/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. (BANDAI NAMCO Holdings Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Namco Limited (BANDAI NAMCO Holdings Inc.)
• Inventors: Shimojima, Hideki, Onodera, deceased, Taro, Sano, Takashi
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrison, Jessica
• Assistant Examiner(s): SAGER, MARK ALAN
• Application Number:
  US08/665,289
• Time in Patent Office: 596 Days
• Field of Search: 463/1, 463/30, 463/31, 463/36, 434/253, 434/247, 273/148 B, 482/70, 482/79, 482/146, 482/901
• US Class Current: 463/36
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/028 made of material having high internal friction, e.g. rubber, steel wool, intended to be compressed resistance provided by plastic deformable materials A63B21/00189
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/18 for skiing
• 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 13/57 Simulating properties, behaviour or motion of objects in the game world, e.g. computing tyre load in a car race game A63F13/56 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/807 Gliding or sliding on surfaces, e.g. using skis, skates or boards
• 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 2300/1062 being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/64 for computing dynamical parameters of game objects, e.g. motion determination or computation of frictional forces for a virtual car
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8041 Skating using skis, skates or board
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/901 having computer circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/902 Employing specific graphic or video display

Abstract

A simulator controlling device includes a swinging member for controlling a virtual moving object in the right and left direction. The swinging member is swung right and left within right and left limits. A first elastic portion forces and returns the swinging member to a neutral position within the right and left limits. A second elastic portion forces the swinging member toward the neutral position within right and left additional reaction areas. Each of the right and left additional reaction areas is formed from each of the right and left limits.

Claims

1. A simulator controlling device comprising:

a swinging member for controlling a virtual moving object in the right and left direction, said swinging member being swung right and left, said swinging member being swung within right and left limits;

a first elastic means for forcing and returning said swinging member to a neutral position, said first elastic means forcing said swinging member within said right and left limits; and

a second elastic means for forcing said swinging member toward said neutral position within right and left additional reaction areas, each of said right and left additional reaction areas being formed from each of said right and left limits.

2. The simulator controlling device of claim 1, wherein said swinging member is designed for a player'"'"'s standing thereon, said swinging member being swung with his or her feet.

3. The simulator controlling device of claim 2, wherein said right and left additional reaction areas are changed to expand to said neutral position from said right and left limits at a non-playing time, said swinging member being stabilized at said non-playing time.

4. The simulator controlling device of claim 2, wherein said right and left additional reaction areas expand to said neutral position from said right and left limits immediately before a play is over, said swinging member being stabilized at a non-playing time.

5. The simulator controlling device of claim 2, wherein each of said right and left additional reaction areas is independently changeable.

6. The simulator controlling device of claim 3, wherein each of said right and left additional reaction areas is independently changeable.

7. The simulator controlling device of claim 4, wherein each of said right and left additional reaction areas is independently changeable.

8. The simulator controlling device of claim 2, wherein said right and left additional reaction areas are changed corresponding to a condition where said virtual moving object moves.

9. The simulator controlling device of claim 3, wherein said right and left additional reaction areas are changed corresponding to a condition where said virtual moving object moves.

10. The simulator controlling device of claim 4, wherein said right and left additional reaction areas are changed corresponding to a condition where said virtual moving object moves.

11. The simulator controlling device of claim 5, wherein said right and left additional reaction areas are changed corresponding to a condition where said virtual moving object moves.

12. The simulator controlling device of claim 2, wherein said right and left additional reaction areas are changed corresponding to a moving way of said virtual moving object.

13. The simulator controlling device of claim 3, wherein said right and left additional reaction areas are changed corresponding to a moving way of said virtual moving object.

14. The simulator controlling device of claim 4, wherein said right and left additional reaction areas are changed corresponding to a moving way of said virtual moving object.

15. The simulator controlling device of claim 6, wherein said right and left additional reaction areas are changed corresponding to a moving way of said virtual moving object.

16. The simulator controlling device of claim 7, wherein said right and left additional reaction areas are changed corresponding to a moving way of said virtual moving object.

17. The simulator controlling device of claim 8, wherein said right and left additional reaction areas are changed corresponding to a moving way of said virtual moving object.

18. The simulator controlling device of claim 9, wherein said right and left additional reaction areas are changed corresponding to a moving way of said virtual moving object.

19. The simulator controlling device of claim 10, wherein said right and left additional reaction areas are changed corresponding to a moving way of said virtual moving object.

20. The simulator controlling device of claim 11, wherein said right and left additional reaction areas are changed corresponding to a moving way of said virtual moving object.