Fishing rod and reel electronic game controller

• US 5,730,655 A
• Filed: 08/02/1996
• Issued: 03/24/1998
• 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:
  US08/718,043
• Time in Patent Office: 599 Days
• Field of Search: 273/148 B, 463/36, 463/7, 463/46, 463/37, 43/1, 43/4, 43/18.1, 43/17, 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 for fishing simulation electronic games, comprising:

a housing;

a reel enclosed within said housing;

a handle connected to said reel;

means connected to said handle for applying variable resistance to said handle; and

microprocessor means connected to said handle for controlling the resistance applied to said handle.

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

a housing;

a reel enclosed within said housing;

force exerting means in said housing for moving said reel; and

control means connected to said force exerting means for controlling the amount of movement of said reel.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said force exerting means includes a gyroscope.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said gyroscope is disposed at the center of the interior of the housing.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 further including an electrical motor connected to said gyroscope.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, further including crank means extending from said housing for simulating the reeling in of a fishing line.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further including resistance means connected to said crank means for applying resistive force to said crank means for simulating resistance on a fishing line.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further including microprocessor means connected to said gyroscope, said electrical motor, said crank means and said resistance means for simulating the forces on said housing to represent a fishing rod and reel.

9. An electronic computer game controller for simulating a fishing rod and reel comprising:

a rod handle and a rod shaft for simulating a fishing rod;

a reel attached to said rod handle for simulating a fishing reel;

gyroscope means for producing forces on said reel, said rod handle and said rod shaft;

electrical motor means connected to said gyroscope means for operating said gyroscope means;

reel handle means attached to said reel for simulating a fishing reel handle;

brake means attached to said reel handle means for applying resistance to said reel handle means;

pivoting means connected to said rod shaft for pivoting said shaft;

and microprocessor controller means connected to and controlling said electrical motor means, said brake means and said pivoting means for simulating fishing.