Portable simulation game apparatus

• US 6,461,238 B1
• Filed: 08/13/2001
• Issued: 10/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rehco LLC
• Original Assignee: Rehco LLC
• Inventors: Kratz, Ryan, Rehkemper, Steven
• Primary Examiner(s): Martin-Wallace, Valencia
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jones, Scott E.
• Application Number:
  US09/927,873
• Time in Patent Office: 421 Days
• Field of Search: 463/1, 463/6-7, 463/30, 463/36-38, 463/62-63, 463/67-68, 273/246, 273/441-442, 273/444, 273/459-461, 434/61-62, 434/66-67, 446/7, 446/168-169, 446/173-174, 446/236-237, 446/268-269, 446/272, 446/275, 446/279-280, 446/286, 446/289-290, 446/292, 446/431, 446/433-434, 446/444-445, 446/448-449, 446/465
• US Class Current: 463/6
• 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 13/42 by mapping the input signals into game commands, e.g. mapping the displacement of a stylus on a touch screen to the steering angle of a virtual vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/55 Controlling game characters or game objects based on the game progress
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/803 Driving vehicles or craft, e.g. cars, airplanes, ships, robots or tanks
• 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 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• 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 2300/203 Image generating hardware
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8017 Driving on land or water; Flying

Abstract

The present invention describes a portable simulation game apparatus that permits a user operating the game apparatus to move or control a three dimensional object. The movement or current position of the three dimensional object is sensed by a plurality of sensors and transmitted to a circuit board or a control means. The control means may then relate the movement or position of the three dimensional object to pre-programmed images displayed in front of the three dimensional object, on a display means. Typically, the pre-programmed images being displayed represent a race or a track for which the three dimensional object, being a vehicle, may interact therewith. To move the three dimensional object, the user tilts or moves the game apparatus in a specific direction the user wants the object to move.

Claims

1. A portable simulation game apparatus comprising:

a housing having a means for displaying pre-programmed images;

a pair of handles supported by said housing and constructed to be gripped by a user;

a control means coupled to the display means for controlling and scrolling said pre-programmed images;

a three dimensional vehicle movably supported by the housing, wherein the user gripping said handles may slide the three dimensional vehicle across said housing by tilting and moving said game apparatus;

a plurality of sensors coupled to the control means and supported by the housing, said plurality of sensors transmit to said control means a relative position of the three dimensional vehicle in relation to the housing and transmit any movement of the three dimensional vehicle in relation to the housing; and

the control means receiving said movement and position of the three dimensional vehicle determines the position of the three dimensional vehicle relative to the pre-programmed images on the display means, such that the control means may alter the images on the display means in response to the movement and position of the three dimensional vehicle.

2. The portable simulation game apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a front pair and rear pair of rollers supported by the housing, said rear pair of rollers being spaced from said front pair of rollers by a predetermined distance;

a motor means for rotating the front pair and rear pair of rollers; and

wherein the three dimensional vehicle is a ground vehicle having front and rear rotatable wheels, said front and rear rotatable wheels being spaced by said predetermined distance and being supported by said front pair and said rear pair of rollers, respectively.

3. The portable simulation game apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handles separately support an acceleration button and a brake button operatively connected to the control means for controlling a speed in which the pre-programmed images are being scrolled on the display means.

4. The portable simulation game apparatus of claim 2, wherein the handles separately support an acceleration button and a brake button operatively connected to the control means for controlling a speed in which the pre-programmed images are being scrolled on the display means and operatively connected to the motor means for controlling a speed in which the front and rear pair of rollers rotate.

5. The portable simulation game apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a sound circuit in communication with the control means for producing a plurality of audible sounds.

6. The portable simulation game apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a slidable vehicle bed supported by the housing;

a means for moving the slidable vehicle bed; and

a front pair of rollers supported by the housing and a rear pair of rollers supported by the slidable vehicle bed defining an adjustable distance between said front pair and said rear pair of rollers, and

whereby when the three dimensional vehicle has front rotatable wheels and rear rotatable wheels a predetermined distance from said front rotatable wheels, the slidable vehicle bed may be moved such that the adjustable distance between said front pair and said rear pair of rollers is approximately equal to said predetermined distance between the front and rear rotatable wheels of said three dimensional vehicle.

7. The portable simulation game apparatus of claim 6 further comprising a piston supported by the housing in proximity to the front pair of rollers and in contact with a front end defined by the three dimensional vehicle, said piston in communication with the control means such that said control means may raise and lower the piston and consequently raise and lower the front end of the three dimensional vehicle.

8. The portable simulation game apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a means for transmitting information in relation to at least the position and movement of the three dimensional vehicle to a second game apparatus similarly configured, and a means for receiving information in relation to at least the position and movement of a second three dimensional vehicle defined by said second game apparatus, wherein the control means for the game apparatus and a second control means defined by said second game apparatuses upon receiving said information may determine the position and movement of the three dimensional vehicle and the second three dimensional vehicle in relation to each other and the pre-programmed images on the display means, such that the control means and the second control means may alter the images on a corresponding display means in response to the position and movement of said three dimensional vehicle and said second three dimensional vehicle.

9. A portable simulation game apparatus comprising:

a housing having a means for displaying pre-programmed images and a vehicle bed;

a control means coupled to the display means for controlling and scrolling said pre-programmed images;

a three dimensional vehicle movably attached to the housing by an upper post extending through the vehicle bed and attaching to the three dimensional vehicle such that said three dimensional vehicle is supported above said vehicle bed;

a lower post, within said housing, meshed to the upper post;

a counter weight attached to the lower post such that the lower post maintains a substantially vertical position when the housing is moved in a direction, causing the upper post to pivot in said direction; and

a paddle extending downwardly from the lower post positioned to interrupt at least one sensor, of a plurality of sensors;

the plurality of sensors in communication with the control means such that when the paddle interrupts said sensors, the plurality of sensors transmit to said control means a relative position of the three dimensional vehicle in relation to the housing and transmit any movement of the three dimensional vehicle in relation to the housing; and

the control means receiving said position and movement of the three dimensional vehicle determines the position of the three dimensional vehicle relative to the pre-programmed images on the display means, such that the control means may alter the images on the display means in response to the position and movement of the three dimensional vehicle.

10. The portable simulation game apparatus of claim 9 further comprising user inputs to increase and decrease a rate in which the pre-programmed images are being scrolled on the display means.

11. The portable simulation game apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a pair of handles supported by said housing and constructed to be gripped by a user, wherein the user gripping said handles may tilt the three dimensional vehicle by tilting and moving said game apparatus.

12. The portable simulation game apparatus of claim 11 further comprising:

a pair of levers connected to the housing separately in proximity of each handle and at least one of said pair of levers being in communication with the control means, wherein said lever when pressed, decreases the rate in which the pre-programmed images are being scrolled on the display means, and

wherein one of the pair of handles is rotatably attached to said housing and is in communication with the control means, such that the rotation of said handle controls a rate in which the pre-programmed images are being scrolled on the display means.

13. The portable simulation game apparatus of claim 12, wherein the three dimensional vehicle has at least one front rotatable wheel and at least one rear rotatable wheel and a vehicle body, said vehicle body being attached to the upper post of the attachment means.

14. The portable simulation game apparatus of claim 13 further comprising:

a pair of front rollers rotatably supported by the vehicle bed and in contact with the at least one front wheel of the three dimensional vehicle;

a pair of rear rollers rotatably supported by the vehicle bed, the rear rollers being spaced from said front rollers such that the rear rollers are in contact with the at least one rear wheel of the three dimensional vehicle; and

a motor means for rotating said pairs of front and rear rollers causing the front and rear wheels of the three dimensional vehicle to spin; and

said motor means being operably connected to the control means such that the control means in response to the user inputs may increase and decrease a rate in which the motor means rotates the front and rear rollers.

15. The portable simulation game apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a means to raise the front rotatable wheel of the three dimensional vehicle.

16. The portable simulation game apparatus of claim 14 or 15 wherein the three dimensional vehicle is a motorcycle.

17. The portable simulation game apparatus of claim 10 further comprising:

a handle extending downwardly from the housing and constructed to be gripped by a user, wherein the user gripping said handle may move the three dimensional vehicle by tilting and moving said game apparatus.

18. The portable simulation game apparatus of claim 10 further comprising:

a left side and a right side defined by the vehicle bed; and

a means for moving the three dimensional vehicle to the left side or the right side of the vehicle bed.

19. The portable simulation game apparatus of claim 18, wherein the means for moving the three dimensional vehicle to the left side or the right side of the vehicle bed includes a wheel constructed to be operated by a user and operatively attached to the attachment means such that when the wheel is rotated to the right, the three dimensional vehicle laterally swings to the right side of the vehicle bed and when the wheel is rotated to the left, the three dimensional vehicle laterally swings to the left side of the vehicle bed.

20. The portable simulation game apparatus of claim 19, wherein the three dimensional vehicle is a water vehicle.

21. A portable simulation game apparatus comprising:

a housing having a means for displaying pre-programmed images and a vehicle bed;

a control means coupled to the display means for controlling and scrolling said pre-programmed images;

a three dimensional vehicle supported on the vehicle bed;

an attachment means moveably attaching the vehicle bed to the housing such that a user during operation may move the vehicle bed relative to the housing, causing the three dimensional vehicle to move relative to the housing;

a plurality of sensors in communication with the control means and the vehicle bed such that the plurality of sensors transmit to said control means a relative position of the vehicle bed in relation to the housing and transmit to said control means any movement of the vehicle bed in relation to the housing; and

the control means receiving said position and movement of the vehicle bed determines the position of the vehicle bed relative to the pre-programmed images on the display means, such that the control means may alter the images on the display means in response to the position and movement of the vehicle bed.

22. The portable simulation game apparatus of claim 21 further comprising:

a handle extending downwardly from the housing and constructed to be gripped by a user; and

a trigger defined by the handle, said trigger in communication with the control means to increase and decrease a rate in which the pre-programmed images are being scrolled on the display means.

23. The portable simulation game apparatus of claim 22 further comprising:

a left side and a right side defined by the housing; and

a means for swinging the vehicle bed to the left side or the right side housing, said means includes a wheel, supported by the housing and constructed to be operated by a user and meshed with the attachment means such that when the wheel is rotated to the right, the vehicle bed laterally swings to the right side of the housing and when the wheel is rotated to the left, the vehicle bed laterally swings to the left side of the housing.

24. The portable simulation game apparatus of claim 23 further comprising:

a pair of front rollers rotatably supported by the vehicle bed and in contact with front wheels defined by the three dimensional vehicle;

a pair of rear rollers rotatably supported by the vehicle bed, the rear rollers being spaced from said front rollers such that the rear rollers are in contact with rear wheels defined by the three dimensional vehicle; and

a motor means for rotating said pairs of front and rear rollers causing the front and rear wheels of the three dimensional vehicle to spin; and

said motor means being operably connected to the control means such that the control means in response to the trigger defined by the handle may increase and decrease a rate in which the motor means rotates the front and rear rollers.

25. The portable simulation game apparatus of claim 21 further comprising:

a pair of movable handles extending upwardly from the housing, the pair of handles are in communication with the attachment means such that the vehicle bed may be moved in accordance with moving the pair of handles; and

a lever supported by one of the handles and in communication with the control means such that by pressing and releasing the lever the control means may increase and decrease a rate in which the pre-programmed images are being scrolled on the display means.

26. The portable simulation game apparatus of claim 25, wherein the three dimensional vehicle is a bulldozer.

27. A portable simulation game apparatus comprising:

a housing having a means for displaying pre-programmed images and a vehicle bed;

a control means coupled to the display means for controlling and scrolling said pre-programmed images;

a three dimensional vehicle supported on the vehicle bed;

a means for moving the three dimensional vehicle relative to the housing in response to the pre-programmed images displayed on said display means;

a plurality of sensors in communication with the control means and positioned to sense and transmit to said control means a relative position of the three dimensional vehicle in relation to the housing and transmit any movement of the three dimensional vehicle in relation to the housing; and

the control means receiving said position and movement of the three dimensional vehicle determines the position of the three dimensional vehicle relative to the pre-programmed images on the display means, such that the control means may alter the images on the display means in response to the position and movement of the three dimensional vehicle.

28. The portable simulation game apparatus of claim 27, wherein the means for moving the three dimensional vehicle relative to the housing includes:

an attachment means moveably attaching the vehicle to the housing such that when the attachment means is moved the vehicle moves therewith;

a pair of handles supported by the housing and constructed to be gripped by a user; and

a pair of levers connected to the housing separately in proximity of each handle such that each lever may be gripped and pressed towards each handle, each lever further in communication with the attachment means such that the user may move the attachment means by pressing at least one of said levers.

29. The portable simulation game apparatus of claim 28 further comprising user inputs to increase and decrease a rate in which the pre-programmed images are being scrolled on the display means.

30. The portable simulation game apparatus of claim 29, wherein the three dimensional vehicle is a motorcycle.

31. The portable simulation game apparatus of claim 27, wherein the means for moving the three dimensional vehicle relative to the housing includes a pivotal attachment means pivotally attaching the vehicle bed to the housing, said pivotal attachment means is further in communication with the control means such that the control means may pivot the vehicle bed relative to the pre-programmed images being displayed on the display means.

32. The portable simulation game apparatus of claim 31 further comprising:

a movable pedal supported by the housing and in communication with the control means to increase and decrease a speed of the three dimensional vehicle in relation to the pre-programmed images being display on the display means; and

a lever supported by the housing to simulate a gear shift, said lever being in communication with the control means permits a user to shift between multiple gears provided by the three dimensional vehicle.

33. The portable simulation game apparatus of claim 32, wherein the three dimensional vehicle is a truck.

34. A portable simulation game apparatus comprising:

a housing having a means for displaying pre-programmed images;

a control means coupled to the display means for controlling and scrolling said pre-programmed images;

a three dimensional object movably attached to the housing by an attachment means;

an inner housing pivotally attached within the housing by a pitch mechanism, said pitch mechanism permits the inner housing to pitch upwardly and downwardly relative to the housing when the apparatus is tilted by a user forwards and backwards;

a roll mechanism pivotally attaching the attachment means to the inner housing, said roll mechanism permits the three dimensional object to roll left or right relative to the housing when the apparatus is tilted by a user to the left or right;

a means for sensing a position and relative pitch and roll movement of the three dimensional object relative to the housing;

a means for transmitting to the control means said position or said relative pitch and roll movement;

when the control means receives a position or said relative pitch and roll movement from the transmitting means, the control means relates said position or said relative pitch and roll movement of the three dimensional object to the pre-programmed images on the display means, such that the control means may alter said images on the display means in response to said position or said relative pitch and roll movement.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the pitch mechanism and the roll mechanism separately include a plurality of sensors to sense the position of the three dimensional object relative to the housing or the pitch or roll movement of said three dimensional object relative to the housing, said plurality of sensors in communication with the control means for transmitting said position and said pitch or roll movement of said three dimensional object.

36. The apparatus of claim 35 further comprising a pair of handles supported by the housing and configured to be gripped by a user, each handle having a button in communication with the control means to increase or decrease a rate in which the pre-programmed images are being scrolled on the display means.

37. The portable simulation game of claim 35 further comprising

a handle extending downwardly from the housing and constructed to be gripped by a user;

a trigger defined by the handle, said trigger in communication with the control means to increase and decrease a rate in which the pre-programmed images are being scrolled on the display means; and

a joystick supported by the housing and connected to the attachment means such that when the joystick is pushed forwards or backwards the three dimensional object pitches forwards or backwards and such that when the joystick is pushed to the left or right the three dimensional object rolls to the left or right.

38. The portable simulation game of claim 36 or 37 wherein the three dimensional vehicle is air vehicle.