COMPUTER GAME CONTROLLERS

• US 20080153592A1
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Published: 06/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Simcom Interactive Pty Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Australian Simulation Control Systems Pty., Ltd.
• Inventors: JAMES-HERBERT, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 8,105,164 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/36
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00 Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices electric or electronic controls therefor A63B24/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/00 Training appliances or apparatus for special sports training of parachutists B64D23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/803 Driving vehicles or craft, e.g. cars, airplanes, ships, robots or tanks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/807 Gliding or sliding on surfaces, e.g. using skis, skates or boards
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1006 having additional degrees of freedom
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1062 being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8017 Driving on land or water; Flying
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8041 Skating using skis, skates or board
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/00 Simulators for teaching or training purposes for the use of weapons F41; computing aspects G06; protocols for games, networked simulations or virtual reality H04L67/131

Abstract

A controller means (10) for controlling a computer game defines a support means (54) which may include a seat (56) or the like on which a player may sit, stand or be supported. The support means (54) is disposed on a bearing means (106) incorporating or associated with a control means (103). Additional control means such as handlebars (62) or similar means which may be grasped by the player and/or foot pedals (70) or the like against which the player may brace their feet, in use are provided. In use the controller is connected to a console (100) playing a game and the player may brace themselves using the handlebars (62) and/or pedals (70) and move the support means on the bearing means to input control signals to the control means. Movement of the game player provides the normal forwards and backwards and side to side control functions of the controller to control a sprite of the like in the computer game being played on the console (100). Depending on the game being played, a player may mount or fix their own surfboard (400), skateboard to the support means. Resistance to movement of one or more of additional control means provided for operation by one or more of the player'"'"'s limbs thereby providing physiotherapy type exercise for the player. In this way the game controller (10) of the present invention may be used in physiotherapy applications. Where particular muscle groups or limbs of patient may need to be exercised, the controller means may be set up to provide that exercise as part of a computer game.

Claims

1. A controller means for controlling a computer game, the controller means defining:

a support means, or seat on which a player may sit, stand or be supported;

the support means being disposed on a bearing means incorporating or associated with a control means; and

handlebars or other means which may be grasped by the player and/or foot pedals against which the player may brace their feet, in use;

wherein the arrangement is such that in use, the player may brace themselves using the handlebars and/or pedals and move the support means on the bearing means to input control signals to the control means.

2. A controller means for controlling a computer game as claimed in claim 1 arranged to operate in a similar manner to a joystick in which movement of the game player provides the normal forwards and backwards and side to side control functions of the joystick.

3. A controller means for controlling a computer game as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support means includes, or has mounted upon it, a chair, saddle, cradle or other seat means.

4. A controller means for controlling a computer game as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support means defines a plate on which a player may mount or fix their own surfboard, skateboard or the like to play a game.

5. A controller means for controlling a computer game as claimed in claim 4 wherein the support means defines rubber pads, or is coated with an elastomer or other non-slip coating or material.

6. A controller means for controlling a computer game as claimed in claim 4 wherein the support means is padded.

7. A controller means for controlling a computer game as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support means and control means may rotate, and tilt sideways, backwards and forwards.

8. A controller means for controlling a computer game as claimed in claim 7 wherein the controller may also slide backwards and forwards and side to side and including means for lifting and dropping the support means of the order of a few centimetres for gravity effects.

9. A controller means for controlling a computer game as claimed in claim 8 wherein sliding and or lifting is assisted by the controller means.

10. A controller means for controlling a computer game as claimed in claim 9 wherein the assistance is provided electronically by controlled servo-motors.

11. A controller means for controlling a computer game as claimed in claim 1 wherein additional control means which may be operated by the player'"'"'s hands, feet, legs, fingers or arms are provided.

12. A controller means for controlling a computer game as claimed in claim 11 wherein the additional control means are selected from the group comprising fixed handle bars, rotating wheels, finger and/or wrist controlled mechanisms, including buttons handles and levers, foot pedals which may be depressed or rotated, paddles which slide back and forward and push/pull foot braces, requiring a pumping action from the legs, or a treadmill to simulate walking.

13. A controller means for controlling a computer game as claimed in claim 12 wherein one or more of the additional control means are also associated with resistance means to exercise the players hands, feet, legs or arms.

14. A controller means for controlling a computer game as claimed in claim 13 wherein the resistance means includes hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders, electronically operated means servo-motors elastic or elastomeric means, springs, or braking systems.

15. A controller means for a computer gaming machine including a support platform, such as a seat, platform, chair harness or the like, on which a player may sit, stand, lie, be suspended via a bearing means incorporating a control means, and wherein additional control means are provided for operation by one or more of the player'"'"'s limbs including legs, feet, arms, hands, or fingers, and wherein resistance to movement of one or more of the additional control means is provided, thereby providing physiotherapy type exercise for the player.

16. A controller means for a computer gaming machine as claimed in claim 15 wherein a frame configured to simulate a pushbike, is suspended from the support means/controller and resistance is provided to turning of the pedals to determine a player'"'"'s speed in a game, with a patient'"'"'s leaning and/or rotation controlling direction.

17. A controller means for a computer gaming machine as claimed in claim 15 suitable for patients without use of their legs including means for suspending the patient from the support means/controller either in a wheel chair or on a seat, and allowing the patient to brace with their hands/arms and twist their body to control a computer game.

18. A computer game controller comprising means for suspending a player, in a support means such as a chair, or harness, from a bearing means, the bearing means including a control means for inputting position signals to a computer to control the movement of a sprite such as a vehicle or character, in a computer game, the bearing allowing side to side, forwards and backwards, and rotational movement of the player about the bearing and including selectively operable locking means for preventing either rotational movement or side to side and forwards and backwards movement, the arrangement being such that movement of the player'"'"'s body may move the chair or harness to control the sprite in the computer game, the controller, further including resistance means for increasing the resistance to movement of the support means relative to the bearing, thereby providing physiotherapy exercise for the player.

19. A computer game controller as claimed in claim 18 wherein the means for suspending a player comprises a frame and wherein a handlebar means which can be grasped by the player in use is attached to the frame.

20. A computer game controller as claimed in claim 18 wherein the control means is of the joy stick type or of a rotational control wheel type.

21. A computer game controller as claimed in claim 19 wherein the resistance means comprise an elastomeric strap extending between the frame and the support means.

22. A computer game system for playing a computer game comprising a computer console, a display means for displaying a game being played on the computer game system, and a game controller as claimed in claim 18 wherein movement of the body of a player suspended from the game controller is arranged to cause movement of a sprite in the game being played.