Fishing game device

• US 6,402,617 B2
• Filed: 05/11/2001
• Issued: 06/11/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SEGA Corporation (SEGA Sammy Holdings Inc.)
• Original Assignee: SEGA Corporation (SEGA Sammy Holdings Inc.)
• Inventors: Sato, Junpei, Suzuki, Yoshiharu, Yokoyama, Yutaka, Sugahara, Masaru, Gouji, Kazuhiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Martin-Wallace, Valencia
• Assistant Examiner(s): BROCKETTI, JULIE K
• Application Number:
  US09/852,667
• Publication Number:
  US 20010021665A1
• Time in Patent Office: 396 Days
• Field of Search: 463/36, 463/37, 434/247
• US Class Current: 463/37
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• 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 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/525 Changing parameters of virtual cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/5258 by dynamically adapting the position of the virtual camera to keep a game object or game character in its viewing frustum, e.g. for tracking a character or a ball
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/537 using indicators, e.g. showing the condition of a game character on screen
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/58 by computing conditions of game characters, e.g. stamina, strength, motivation or energy level
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/816 Athletics, e.g. track-and-field sports
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/818 Fishing
• 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 2300/302 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 2300/303 for displaying additional data, e.g. simulating a Head Up Display
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/65 for computing the condition of a game character
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6661 for changing the position of the virtual camera
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6684 by dynamically adapting its position to keep a game object in its viewing frustrum, e.g. for tracking a character or a ball
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8005 Athletics
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8035 Virtual fishing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/305 Fishing games with magnetic pieces A63F9/34

Abstract

Provides a fishing game device capable of sensing operation of a fishing rod imparting action to a lure, affording more realistic simulation of tugging by the fish. Comprises a fishing rod having one end of a fishing line secured to the distal end thereof and a securing end for securing the end of the fishing line to the fishing game device, there being provided on the path of the fishing line between the fishing rod and the securing end a first slide table driven in the transverse direction such that pulling force is exerted on the fishing line in the transverse direction, a sensing unit provided to the first slide table for sensing the vertical and sideways orientation of the fishing rod, a vibrating unit for imparting finely graduated movements to the fishing line, a fishing line slack take-up unit supporting in spring fashion a fishing line guide so as the keep the fishing line constantly taut, and a second slide table driven in the longitudinal direction such that pulling force is exerted on the fishing line in the longitudinal direction.

Claims

1. A fishing game device comprising:

a fishing rod having one end of a fishing line secured to a distal end of the fishing rod;

a securing end securing the other end of the fishing line; and

a first drive mechanism and a second drive mechanism for imparting a pulling force to the fishing line along the path of the fishing line between the fishing rod and the securing end, wherein the first drive mechanism imparts transverse pulling force to the fishing line, and the second drive mechanism imparts longitudinal pulling force to the fishing line.

2. The fishing game device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a vibrating unit for imparting finely graduated motion to the fishing line along the path of the fishing line between said fishing rod and the securing end; and

a slack uptake unit for taking up slack in the fishing line.

3. A fishing game device according to claim 2, wherein:

the slack uptake unit comprises a rotating member having a shaft secured to the cabinet;

a fishing line guide, attached to the other end of the rotating member, through which is threaded the fishing line; and

a spring element, attached to the rotating member, for imparting restoring force in opposition to pulling on the fishing line.

4. A fishing game device according to claim 2, wherein:

the vibrating unit includes two fishing line guides through which the fishing line is threaded;

an eccentric roller whose side face contacts the fishing line stretched between the two fishing line guides; and

a motor for turning the eccentric roller.

5. A fishing game device according to claim 4, wherein the rotational speed of the motor can be altered.

6. A fishing game device according to claim 4, further comprising means for moving the eccentric roller in the transverse direction with respect to the fishing line.

7. A fishing game device according to claim 4, further comprising means for moving the fishing line guides in the transverse direction with respect to the fishing line.

8. The fishing game device according to claim 4, further comprising means for moving the fishing line guides in the longitudinal direction with respect to the fishing line.

9. The fishing game device according to claim 2, wherein:

the slack uptake unit comprises stationary first and second fishing line guides; and

a moveable third fishing line guide for guiding the fishing line along the path of the fishing line suspended between the first and second fishing line guides.

10. The fishing game device according to claim 9, further comprising:

a rotating member having the third fishing line guide attached to one end thereof and pivoted at the other end thereof; and

a spring element, attached to the rotating member, for imparting restoring force to the rotating member in opposition to pulling on the fishing line.

11. The fishing game device according to claim 9, wherein:

the rotating member is provided with an encoder or volume in the shaft portion thereof.

12. The fishing game device according to claim 9, further comprising:

a slide table slidable in a direction such that pulling force is exerted on the fishing line and having the third fishing line guide attached thereto;

a slide rail for regulating the direction of motion of the slide table; and

a spring element, attached to the slide table, for imparting restoring force to the rotating member in opposition to pulling on the fishing line.

13. The fishing game device according to claim 1, wherein:

the first and second drive mechanisms each include a slide table slidable in a direction such that pulling force is exerted on the fishing line; and

a slide rail for regulating the direction of motion of the slide table.

14. The fishing game device according to claim 13, wherein:

the slide table of the first drive mechanism further includes a sensing unit for sensing motion of the fishing rod.

15. The fishing game device according to claim 14, wherein:

the sensing unit includes a slide plate provided in the center thereof with a through-hole through which the fishing line is passed; and

a sensor, located in proximity to the slide plate, for sensing the direction of movement and the amount of movement of the slide plate.

16. The fishing game device according to claim 13, wherein:

the slide table of the second drive mechanism includes a pivoted rotating member;

a fishing line guide, attached to the other end of the rotating member, through which is threaded the fishing line; and

a spring element, attached to the rotating member, for imparting restoring force in opposition to pulling on the fishing line.

17. A fishing game device comprising:

a fishing rod having one end of a fishing line secured to a distal end of the fishing rod;

a securing end securing the other end of the fishing line;

a sensing unit, arranged on the path of the fishing line between the fishing rod an the securing end, for sensing motion of the fishing rod; and

a drive mechanism, arranged on the path of the fishing line between the sensing unit and the securing end, for exerting longitudinal pulling force on the fishing line.