RACING GAME SIMULATOR
A racing game simulator includes a driving seat, a detection module, a processing unit, and a display unit. The driving seat is to seat a rider, and the detection module is positioned at the driving seat to detect a rider's posture and thereby generate a detection signal responsive to rider's posture. The processing module receives the detection signal from the detection module and generates a responsive control signal to generate interactive simulation figures shown on the display unit.
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This application claims the benefit of Taiwan Patent Application Serial No. 097105544, filed Feb. 18, 2008, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a racing game simulator, and in particular to a simulator which uses a detection module to detect user's various postures so as to generate relevant responses accordingly.
2. Description of Related Art
A conventional racing game simulator is known as a system which can simulate substantially a real vehicle with a similar driving seat and a similar steering unit. The racing game simulator generates a steering signal according to a change in a steering unit to a processing unit for progressing a simulation figure on a display unit accordingly.
To better mimic a real motorcycle, the conventional simulator usually has a driving seat and the steering unit resembling integrally to a frame structure and a handgrip of a genuine motorcycle. When a rider takes on the racing game simulator, the rider uses the handgrip to simulate accelerating, decelerating, turning and so on. However, in a real riding of the motorcycle, the rider usually poses different postures to accompany operations of accelerating, decelerating and turning. Because a conventional structuring of the conventional simulator provides only fixed frame structures, the posture changes due to various operations can only happen to the rider himself/herself, not to possibly rotate or shake the simulator. Therefore, to the rider, the riding on the simulator is always way far from a realistic riding on the road.
Thus, there is a need for the racing game simulator to overcome above disadvantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is an object of the present invention to provide a racing game simulator which uses a detection module to detect rider's posture so as to generate a response in accordance with the rider's posture. Thus, the rider can feel a much more realistic driving environment.
The racing game simulator of the present invention includes a driving seat, a detection module, and a processing unit. The driving seat is to seat the rider, and the detection module is positioned at the driving seat and used to detect at least one position at where the rider is seated. The processing module which is electrically coupled with the detection module receives a detection signal from the detection module and further generates a control signal responsive to the detection signal so as to manipulate the racing game simulator. The detection module includes a plurality of infrared detection apparatuses to determine the posture of the rider and thus generate various detection signals.
Because the detection module can detect rider's posture through plural infrared detection apparatuses, a simulation figure on a display unit can be changed responsive to the detection signals. The rider can handle the racing game simulator in a much more realistic way and can feel himself within a more realistic simulated environment.
The present invention can be fully understood from the following detailed description and preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
Referring to
The rider simulator 100 has a motor bike frame providing the driving seat 1 to seat a rider 9 thereon. The driving seat 1 has a forward position 11 which extends outward laterally two steering units 2 to two sides thereof. Preferably, the steering unit 2 can be a handgrip. The rider 9 uses the handgrips 2 to simulate turning, accelerating, and decelerating, from which a corresponding first handle signal 21 can be generated. The driving seat 1 is pivotally mounted on a frame 7 so that the rider 9 can make right lean or left lean. In addition, the driving seat 1 can be laterally tilted according to the rider's move, from which the driving seat 1 can generate a second handle signal 22.
According to the first embodiment of the present invention, the detection module 3 is positioned at the top of the forward position 11 of the driving seat 1 and can also be an infrared detection module which emits infrared rays. The infrared rays of the detection module 3 are used to detect the rider 9. Responsive to distance between the detection module 3 and the rider 9, the detection module 3 can generate a detection signal 4.
The processing unit 5 is electrically coupled with the detection module 3, the steering unit 2, and the display unit 6. The processing unit 5 is used to process simulation software and display an interactive simulator figure on the display unit 6. As soon as the processing unit 5 receives the detection signal 4, the first handle signal 21 or the second handle signal 22, the processing unit 5 can accordingly generate a control signal 51 to control the rider simulator 100. In addition, when the rider simulator 100 makes a turn or experiences an off-road, the processing unit 5 can generate the control signal 52 to move violently the driving seat 1 so as to meet these driving conditions.
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It is noted that the present invention is not limited to a racing game simulator with only two infrared detection apparatus, but the racing game simulator may be equipped with one or more than three infrared detection apparatus to meet requirement. According to description of the present invention, the first infrared detection apparatus 31 and the second infrared detection apparatus 32 may be implemented at different positions such as display unit or other frames instead of the driving seat 1.
As described above and according to specification of different simulators, other applications are available and inferred from spirit of the present invention so that other applications are within the scope of the claims. The present invention provides a motorbike simulator, and can be applied to other simulators such as hang gliders, yachts, and sledges. The driving seat 1, the steering unit 2, and the detection module 3 of the present invention are modified in responsive to different simulators and within the scope of the present invention.
Referring to
Accordingly, by providing the racing game simulator of the present invention, the detection module to detect user's posture (especially the face position) can be applied so as to generate a response correspondent to user's posture during the simulation. Thus, a realistic driving environment can be better mimicked and also a more relevant simulator movement can be feedback to the rider.
While the invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, the description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover any such modifications or embodiments as may fall within the scope of the invention defined by the following claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A racing game simulator, comprising:
- a driving seat for seating a rider;
- a detection module, positioned at the driving seat to generate at least an infrared ray for determining spacing between the detection module and the rider so as to generate at least a detection signal according to the spacing; and
- a processing unit, electrically coupled with the detection module to receive the detection signal therefrom and thereby to generate a control signal for controlling the racing game simulator.
2. The racing game simulator according to claim 1, wherein said detection module further comprising:
- a first infrared detection apparatus for generating a first infrared ray of said at least a detection signal for determining a first distance of said spacing between the first infrared detection apparatus and the rider so as to generate a first detection signal according to the first distance; and
- a second infrared detection apparatus for generating a second infrared ray of said at least a detection signal for determining a second distance of said spacing between the second infrared detection apparatus and the rider so as to generate a second detection signal according to the second distance.
3. The racing game simulator as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first distance is longer than said second distance.
4. The racing game simulator as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a steering unit positioned at said driving seat and coupled with said processing unit, the steering unit generating a steering signal to be handled by said processing unit.
5. The racing game simulator as claimed in claim 4, wherein said steering unit is a handgrip.
6. The racing game simulator as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a display unit electrically coupled with said processing unit for displaying an interactive figure according to said control signal from said processing unit.
7. A racing game simulator, comprising:
- a driving seat for seating a rider;
- an ultrasonic detection module, positioned at the driving seat, further comprising: an emitting module for emitting an ultrasonic wave; and a receiving module for receiving the ultrasonic wave to determine a distance between the ultrasonic detection module and the rider so as to generate a respective detection signal; and
- a processing unit, electrically coupled with the ultrasonic detection module to receive the detection signal therefrom and thereby to generate a control signal for controlling the racing game simulator.
8. The racing game simulator as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a steering unit positioned at said driving seat and coupled with said processing unit, the steering unit generating a steering signal to be handled by said processing unit.
9. The racing game simulator as claimed in claim 8, wherein said steering unit is a handgrip.
10. The racing game simulator as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a display unit electrically coupled with said processing unit for displaying an interactive figure according to said control signal from said processing unit.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 9, 2009
Publication Date: Aug 20, 2009
Applicant: INTERNATIONAL GAMES SYSTEM CO., LTD. (TAIPEI COUNTY)
Inventors: YU-KUANG WU (TAIPEI COUNTY), TIEN-JUNG HUANG (TAIPEI COUNTY)
Application Number: 12/367,724