Riding board game controller

• US 5,860,861 A
• Filed: 02/13/1997
• Issued: 01/19/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Miacomet, Inc.
• Original Assignee: John D. Lipps
• Inventors: Svetina, Gregory J., Szczecinski, Stephen J., Lipps, John D.
• Primary Examiner(s): ONEILL, MICHAEL W
• Application Number:
  US08/799,453
• Time in Patent Office: 705 Days
• Field of Search: 463/36, 463/37, 463/38, 463/39, 273/148 B, 434/253, 434/247, 482/902, 482/901, 482/1, 482/71, 482/70
• US Class Current: 463/36
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/213 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. cameras, photodiodes or infrared cells A63F13/219, A63F13/655 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/218 using pressure sensors, e.g. generating a signal proportional to the pressure applied by the player
• 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 13/428 involving motion or position input signals, e.g. signals representing the rotation of an input controller or a player's arm motions sensed by accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/807 Gliding or sliding on surfaces, e.g. using skis, skates or boards
• 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 2300/1037 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 2300/1056 involving pressure sensitive buttons
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1062 being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1087 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. a camera
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8041 Skating using skis, skates or board
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0334 Foot operated pointing devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks

Abstract

A riding board game controller for sending directional and non-directional control signals to an audio-visual game having a microprocessor-based host computer for sending audio-visual signals to a display device, the riding board game controller comprising: a substantially rectangular platform, pivotally supported along its central longitudinal axis on a playing surface and adapted to support an operator standing thereon, such that side-to-side pivoting of the platform can be performed by the operator; a biasing system, positioned between the platform and the playing surface, for biasing the platform away from the playing surface; a left dual-state switch, positioned between the platform and the playing surface, on the left side of the longitudinal axis, and activated by a pivoting of the platform to the left side; a right dual-state switch, positioned between the platform and the playing surface, on the right side of the longitudinal axis, and activated by a pivoting of the platform to the right side; a center dual-state switch, positioned between the platform and the playing surface, substantially along or near the longitudinal axis, and activated by a movement of the longitudinal axis towards or away from the playing surface; and a signal processor for converting signals from the left and right switches into directional control signals, for converting a signal from the center switch into a non-directional signal, and for sending the directional and non-directional control signals to the host computer.

Claims

1. A riding board game controller for sending directional and non-directional control signals to an audiovisual game having an audio-visual display device, a microprocessor-based host computer for sending audio-visual signals to said display device, and a software program for operating on said host computer to generate said audio-visual signals in response to said control signals, the riding board game controller comprising:

a platform having a longitudinal axis supported for pivotal movement along said longitudinal axis above a playing surface and for supporting an operator standing on said platform, such that side-to-side pivoting of said platform is effected by an operator shifting his or her weight side-to-side while standing on said platform;

a resilient support positioned between said platform and said playing surface for urging said platform to maintain a substantially horizontal configuration;

a first dual-state switch, for generating a first dual-state signal, said first switch being positioned beneath said platform on a side of said longitudinal axis to be actuated by pivoting of said platform to said side;

a second dual-state switch for generating a second dual-state signal, said second switch being positioned beneath said platform on an opposite side of said longitudinal axis, said second switch being actuated by pivoting of said platform to said opposite side;

a third dual-state switch for generating a third dual-state signal, said third switch being positioned beneath said platform, surface, substantially near said longitudinal axis, said third switch being actuated by movement of said longitudinal axis towards or away from said playing surface; and

a signal processor for converting said first and second dual-state signals into directional control signals and said third dual-state signal into a non-directional signal, and for sending said directional and non-directional control signals to said host computer.

2. The controller of claim 1 further comprising means for combining said directional and non-directional signals with additional control signals from a hand-held controller and for transferring said directional, non-directional and additional control signals to said host computer.

3. The controller of claim 1 wherein:

a bottom surface of said platform is shaped to act as a fulcrum aligned with said longitudinal axis, said bottom surface being positioned to abut said playing surface when force is applied to said platform sufficient to overcome said resilient support, such that said platform will pivot side-to-side about said bottom surface when a player stands upon said platform and shifts his weight; and

said resilient support includes a pair of biasing elements, mounted on said bottom surface on opposite sides of said longitudinal axis, said element being adapted to urge said platform to be parallel with respect to said playing surface and urge said platform away from said playing surface such that said fulcrum is separated from said playing surface when no force is applied to said platform.

4. The controller of claim 3 wherein said biasing elements include a resilient foam pad.

5. The controller of claim 1 wherein said switches are mounted on a bottom surface of said platform.

6. The controller of claim 5 further comprising a circuit board mounted on said bottom surface of said platform, wherein said switches are mounted on said circuit board.

7. The controller of claim 6 wherein said first, second and third switches comprise silicone rubber button switches.

8. The controller of claim 6 wherein:

said bottom surface is shaped to act as a fulcrum aligned with said longitudinal axis, said bottom surface being positioned to abut said playing surface when a force is applied to said platform sufficient to overcome said resilient support, such that said platform will pivot side-to-side about said fulcrum when a player stands upon said platform and shifts his weight; and

said resilient support includes a pair of biasing elements, mounted on said bottom surface on opposite sides of said longitudinal axis, said elements urge said platform to be parallel with respect to said playing surface and urge said platform away from said playing surface such that said fulcrum is separated from said playing surface when no force is applied to said platform.

9. The controller of claim 8 further comprising a dual-state pressure switch having a foot pedal for generating a fourth dual-state signal, said pressure switch being positioned on a top surface of said platform to be activated by positive pressure being applied to said foot pedal, wherein said signal processor converts said fourth dual-state signal into a non-directional control signal.

10. The controller of claim 1, wherein:

said platform is pivotally mounted to said playing surface;

said playing surface is a top surface of a base;

said first, second and third switches are mounted to said top surface of said base; and

said signal processor is mounted within said base.

11. A riding board game controller for sending directional and non-directional control signals to an audiovisual game having an audio-visual display device, a microprocessor-based host computer for sending audio-visual signals to said display device, and a software program for operating on said host computer to generate said audio-visual signals in response to said control signals, the riding board game controller comprising:

a platform having a longitudinal axis supported for pivotal movement along said longitudinal axis on a playing surface and for supporting an operator standing on said platform, such that side-to-side pivoting of said platform is effected by an operator shifting his or her weight side-to-side while standing on said platform;

a resilient support positioned between said platform and said playing surface for urging said platform to maintain a substantially parallel orientation to said playing surface;

a first dual-state switch for generating a first dual-state signal, said first switch being positioned between said platform and said playing surface, on a side of said longitudinal axis to be actuated by pivoting of said platform to said first side at a first angle with respect to said playing surface;

a second dual-state switch for generating a second dual-state signal, said second switch being positioned between said platform and said playing surface on an opposite side of said longitudinal axis, said second switch being actuated by pivoting of said platform to said opposite side at said first angle with respect to said playing surface;

a third dual-state switch for generating a third dual-state signal, said third switch being positioned between said platform and said playing surface, said third switch being actuated by pivoting said platform at a second angle with respect to said playing surface, said second angle being larger than said first angle; and

a signal processor for converting said first and second dual-state signals into directional control signals, for converting said third dual-state signal into a non-directional signal, and for sending said directional and non-directional control signals to said host computer.

12. The controller of claim 11, further comprising means for combining said directional and non-directional signals with additional control signals from a hand-held controller and for transferring said directional, non-directional and additional control signals to said host computer.