Abstract:
A motion simulator for transmitting motion with respect to a floor as a function of motion signals associated to a video output. The motion simulator comprises a seating portion for accommodating a viewer viewing the video output. Actuators each have a first member and a second member interrelated by a degree of freedom. Each of the actuators has a degree of actuation connected to the seating portion for displacing the first member with respect to the second member along the degree of freedom as a function of actuation from the actuators in relation to the motion signals. The first member of each of the actuators is secured to the seating portion The second member of each of the actuators comprises a leg supporting the motion simulator on the floor, whereby the seating portion is movable as a function of actuation from the actuators.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    The present application relates to U.S. Pat. No. 6,662,560, granted on Dec. 16, 2003, to the present Applicant, and incorporated herewith by reference. The present application claims priority on U.S. provisional Application No. 60/469,824, filed on May 13, 2003 by the present Applicant. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention generally relates to motion simulators and, more particularly, to a structural configuration of a motion simulator receiving motion signals as a function of actions taking place in a video output.  
           [0004]    2. Background Art  
           [0005]    Home video games and home video systems have for years been limited to sight and sound interaction with a viewer. For instance, in response to the play of a gamer, video games will produce visual and sound response. In order to increase the sensation procured by video games, gamers often have recourse to arcades, wherein some video games are equipped with force feedback interfaces, by which a feel is added to the visual and sound response.  
           [0006]    Due to the popularity of home video games and home video systems, force feedback interfaces have been developed and are readily available to provide the feel to viewers. For instance, BattleChair™ (as disclosed at www.BattleChair.com) provides a chair provided with a variety of speakers by which the sound output of a video output is transmitted to the chair and its occupant. More specifically, the BattleChair™ is hollow and has a subwoofer and three-way speakers that will cause the chair to vibrate as a function of the sound transmitted from the video output. Accordingly, the BattleChair™ provides a feel of the game to the gamer during play. Other embodiments of such chairs have been provided, such as the Intensor LX 350 Gaming Chair™ (www.3dsoundsurge.com/reviews/intensor350lx/intensor350lx.ht ml). In arcades, some force feedback interfaces include gamer-receiving receptacles, wherein the gamer is seated. In order to fully procure the feel of the game to the gamer, gamer-receiving receptacles often provide support to the gamer&#39;s limbs, whereby the gamer is in a position of weightlessness.  
           [0007]    Similar technologies have been brought to homes, but these types of force feedback interfaces are bulky and heavy. Owners of these types of interfaces must dedicate a fair amount of floor space—often a room—to have such interfaces at home. Such interfaces are not easily displaced and are hence impractical. Furthermore, it is contemplated to extend viewer-receiving receptacle interfaces to other uses, to increase their appeal to consumers. For instance, the platform for video games are often desktop personal computers, whereby uses of such interfaces relating to the desktop environment could represent enticing arguments for the purchasing of these interfaces.  
         SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
         [0008]    It is an aim of the present invention to provide a novel motion simulator that provides movement sensations to a viewer in response to motion signals associated to a video output.  
           [0009]    It is an aim of the present invention to provide a motion simulator adapted to be used in a context other than that of video output viewing.  
           [0010]    It is a further aim of the present invention that the motion simulator be practical while providing a position of weightlessness to the viewer in viewing use.  
           [0011]    Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a motion simulator for transmitting motion with respect to a floor as a function of motion signals associated to a video output, comprising: a seating portion for accommodating a viewer viewing the video output; and at least two actuators, each of the actuators having a first member and a second member interrelated by a degree of freedom, each of the actuators having a degree of actuation connected to the seating portion for displacing the first member with respect to the second member along the degree of freedom as a function of actuation from the actuators in relation to the motion signals; wherein the first member of each of the actuators is secured to the seating portion, and the second member of each of the actuators comprises a leg supporting the motion simulator on the floor, whereby the seating portion is movable along at least two degrees of freedom as a function of actuation from the actuators.  
           [0012]    Further in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a motion simulator comprising: an actuator base adapted to receive motion signals associated with a video output, and to transmit the motion signals in the form of degrees of actuation; a seating portion adapted to accommodate a viewer and being supported by the actuator base so as to be displaced as a function of the degrees of actuation; and at least one degree of freedom in the seating portion such that the seating portion is displaceable independently of the actuator base between a viewing position and a stand-by position in which access to the motion simulator is facilitated.  
           [0013]    Still further in accordance with the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for transmitting movement to a chair as a function of motion signals associated to a video output, comprising: a base having actuators, the base being adapted to receive motion signals; and a support surface portion movably connected to the base so as to be displaced as a function of actuation from actuators of the base, the support surface portion having a support surface adapted to support a chair in which a viewer of the video output is sitting to impart movement to the viewer.  
           [0014]    Still further in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method for customizing a chair into a motion simulator supported on a floor, comprising the steps of: providing a chair; providing at least two linear actuators; and securing the linear actuators to an interior of the chair such that output shafts of the linear actuators support the chair on the floor; wherein the linear actuators are actuatable to displace the chair with respect to the floor.  
           [0015]    Still further in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a motion simulator for transmitting motion with respect to a floor as a function of motion signals associated to a video output, comprising: a seating portion for accommodating a viewer viewing the video output and having a support portion so as to be supported on the floor; and an actuator having a first member and a second member interrelated by a degree of freedom, the actuator having a degree of actuation connected to the seating portion for displacing the first member with respect to the second member along the degree of freedom as a function of actuation from the actuator in relation to the motion signals; wherein the first member of the actuator is secured to the seating portion, and the second member of the actuator comprises a leg supporting the motion simulator on the floor, whereby the seating portion is supported by the support portion and the leg, and is movable along a degree of freedom as a function of actuation from the actuator.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]    Having thus generally described the nature of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, showing by way of illustration a preferred embodiment thereof and in which:  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a motion simulator constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2A is a left-side elevation view of the motion simulator in a working position;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2B is a left-side elevation view of the motion simulator in a transition between the working position and a viewing position;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 2C is a left-side elevation view of the motion simulator in its viewing position;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a platform in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 4 is a left-side elevation view of the platform supporting a chair;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a motion simulator in accordance with third embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an actuator for the motion simulator of the third embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 7 is a schematic rear view of a couch customized into the motion simulator of the third embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 8 is an exploded view, fragmented, of a chair customized into the motion simulator of the third embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0027]    Referring to the drawings and, more particularly, to FIG. 5 a motion simulator in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is generally shown at  200 . The motion simulator  200  has a seating portion  202  accommodating viewers of a video output. The motion simulator  200  of FIG. 5 is sized so as to receive two viewers, but may be smaller or larger.  
         [0028]    It is pointed out that the motion simulators described hereinbelow, such as the motion simulator  200 , are associated to a video output, which may for instance be a motion picture, a television show, or a video game. In such instances, the motion simulators of the present invention receive motion signals associated to the video output. For instance, the audio portion of the video output is well suited to be associated with the motion signals, and hence the motions of the motion simulators of the present invention.  
         [0029]    The seating portion  202  has a footrest  204  and a backrest  206  at opposed ends of a seat  207 , which are displaceable in a similar fashion to recliner chairs, such that the occupants of the motion simulator  200  may adopt viewing positions in which, for instance, the legs of the occupants are supported.  
         [0030]    The seating portion  202  has armrests  208  at the sides of the seat  207 . In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the seat  207  and the armrests  208  define the structure of the seating portion  202 , and support the footrest  204  and the backrest  206 , including mechanisms that enable the displacement of the footrest  204  and the backrest  206 .  
         [0031]    The armrests  208  each define an inner cavity that houses actuators  210 . More specifically, in FIG. 5, one of the armrests  208  has been fragmented to illustrate a pair of actuators  210 . One of the actuators  210  is adjacent to a front end of the motion simulator  200 , and the other of the actuators  210  is adjacent to a rear end of the motion simulator  200 .  
         [0032]    Referring to FIG. 6, one of the actuators  210  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in greater detail. More specifically, the actuator  210  has a casing  212  (with walls thereof removed for illustrative purposes) enclosing part of a linear actuator  214 . The linear actuator  214  has a housing  216  that holds an output shaft  218 . As is known for linear actuators, there is one translational degree of freedom between the housing  216  and the output shaft  218 .  
         [0033]    A degree of actuation is provided so as to actuate the degree of freedom between the housing  216  and the output shaft  218 . For instance, the degree of actuation may be in the form of a motor, of by way of a compressed medium. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is contemplated to provide the actuator  210  with a motor  220  (e.g., brushless AC motor), as electric power is more readily available in households (i.e., where use of the motion simulator  200  is contemplated).  
         [0034]    The casing  212  of the actuator  210  may enclose other components generally illustrated at  222 , such as electronic components, signal interpreters/controllers, transformers, and the like, for the actuator  210  to receive motion signals from a motion signal provider, and to actuate the degree of freedom as a function of the motion signal.  
         [0035]    According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the actuator  210  is positioned within the seating portion  202  such that the output shaft  218  faces toward the ground, and thus defines a leg of the motion simulator  200 . Accordingly, it is the output shaft  218  that remains stationary with respect to the ground, while the remainder of the actuator  210  moves with seating portion as a response to motion signals.  
         [0036]    Therefore, the legs of the motion simulator  200  that are defined by the output shafts  218  are separated from one another—they are not interconnected by a base—and are generally normal to the ground. The motion simulator  200  has its motorized components concealed, save from the output shafts  218  which look like typical legs of a couch. Accordingly, the motion simulator  200  may appear to be a typical couch, yet is capable of various motions simulating a video output. As will be discussed hereinafter, the motion simulator  200  of the preferred embodiment may thus be customized from existing couches, so as to lower the costs of production of the motion simulator  200 .  
         [0037]    The motion simulator  200  of FIG. 5 has four of the actuator  210 , two of which are visible. Accordingly, the seating portion  202  of the motion simulator  200  of FIG. 5 may be displaceable along four degrees of freedom. Referring to the coordinate systems, the seating portion  202  may move in translation along the Z-axis, and in rotation along the three axes, as a result of the combination of actuation from the four actuators  210 .  
         [0038]    It is contemplated to provide at least two of the actuators  210  to the motion simulator  200  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. For instance, the motion simulator  200  may be supported only by a pair of the output shafts  218 , with the output shafts  218  having horizontal feet (not shown) at bottom ends thereof. In such a case, the two output shafts  218  are preferably aligned along the Y-axis, with the seating portion  202  being displaceable in translation along the Z-axis, and rotatable about the X-axis.  
         [0039]    Referring to FIG. 7, the motion simulator  200 ′ is shown having three legs. The two lateral legs are output shafts  218 , and are adjacent to a rear edge of the seating portion  202 . On the other hand, a third leg  218 ′ is centrally positioned along a front edge of the seating portion  202 , and may either be a third one of the actuators  210 , or simply a support leg. In such a case, the support leg is either connected to the seating portion by a joint (e.g., ball and socket, universal joint or the like), or may be without any joint. A controller is shown at  224 , connected to the actuators  210  to provide motion signals to the actuators  210 . In the event that the motion simulator  200 ′ has three of the actuators  210 , the seating portion  202  is displaceable along three degrees of freedom with respect to the ground.  
         [0040]    As mentioned previously, the motion simulator configuration of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is convenient in that actuators  210  may be installed to typical couches, with the actuators  210  being generally concealed save for the output shafts  218  which act as legs for the motion simulator. Moreover, no base is required whereby the motion simulator in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention represents a cost effective solution.  
         [0041]    It is also contemplated to provide the motion simulator with a single actuator  210 , in the above described configuration. For instance, the motion simulator  200 ′ of FIG. 7 may be provided with a centrally positioned actuator, at the position illustrated by  218 ′, whereas the actuators represented by the output shafts  218  may be replaced by stationary support legs, or the like. In such case, the seating portion of the motion simulator would be displaceable in one degree of freedom.  
         [0042]    Referring to FIG. 8, a typical recliner chair (e.g., or non-recliner chair) is illustrated at  230 , with portions thereof removed to illustrate its configuration. A pair of the actuators  210  are illustrated in position for being secured to the recliner chair  230 , so as to customize the chair  230  into a motion simulator in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. A support leg  218 ′ is to be secured to a frame  232  of the footrest mechanism.  
         [0043]    Referring to FIG. 1, a motion simulator in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention is generally shown at  10 . The motion simulator  10  has a base portion  20  and a seating portion  30 . The base portion  20  displaces the seating portion  30  as a function of motion signals associated with a video output. The base portion  20  is thus connected to a game console, a controller or a peripheral thereof and receives motion signals related to the video output. The base portion  20  converts these motion signals to an actuation of the seating portion  30 , to procure a feel of the video output to a viewer (e.g., gamer) accommodated by the motion simulator  10 .  
         [0044]    In the first embodiment of the present invention, the base portion  20  has a front central actuator  21 , a rear left actuator  22 L and a rear right actuator  22 R. The actuators  21 ,  22 L and  22 R are interconnected by a frame  23  so as to be upstanding and in a triangular configuration. Each of the actuators  21 ,  22 L and  22 R has an output arm  24 . The output arms  24  are the interfaces of the base portion  20  with the seating portion  30 . Hence, the output arms  24  transmit degrees of actuation and/or degrees of freedom to the seating portion  30 . For instance, the actuators  21 ,  22 L and  22 R may be of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,662,560, by the present Applicant.  
         [0045]    Referring to FIG. 1, the seating portion  30  has a frame consisting of a left structural member  31 L and a right structural member  31 R. The structural members  31 L and  31 R are interconnected by transverse support members, one of which is shown at  32 . Rear-ends of the structural members  31 L and  31 R are each provided with a respective post. More specifically, the structural member  31 L has left post  33 L (FIGS. 2A to  2 C), whereas the structural member  31 R has right post  33 R. The posts  33 L and  33 R are respectively connected at bottom ends thereof to the output arms  24  of the rear left actuator  22 L and the rear right actuator  22 R. The transverse member  32  is secured to the output arm  24  of the front central actuator  21 . Therefore, actuation/degrees of freedom of the output arms  24  will be transmitted from the base portion  20  the seating portion  30  via the transverse member  32  and the posts  33 L and  33 R.  
         [0046]    The seating portion  30  has a seat  34 , including a backrest  35  having a headrest portion  36 . The backrest  35  is preferably pivotable with respect to a remainder of the seat  34  to provide adjustment to the sitting position of a user person. In FIG. 1, the seat  34  is generally positioned toward a rear end of the structural members  31 L and  31 R, hereinafter “the game-playing position.” Left and right legs  37 L and  37 R, respectively, are pivotally mounted to front ends of the structural members  31 L and  31 R, respectively. The left leg  37 L and the right leg  37 R cooperate to support footrest  38 . In FIG. 1, the left leg  37 L and the right leg  37 R are shown pivoted such that the footrest  38  is in a foot-resting position. A translational degree of freedom is provided between the structural members  31 L and  31 R and the footrest  38  so as to adjust the distance between the footrest  38  in its foot-resting position and the seat  34 , as a function of the size of the viewer taking place in the motion simulator  10 , in the viewing position of the seat  34 .  
         [0047]    The seating portion  30  further has a left armrest  39 L and a right armrest  39 R. The left armrest  39 L and the right armrest  39 R are respectively mounted to upper ends of the left post  33 L and the right post  33 R so as to pivot with respect to a longitudinal axis of their respective posts. Hence, either one or both of the armrest  39 L and  39 R may be pivoted away from the seat  34  to allow access thereto. The left armrest  39 L and right armrest  39 R have an arcuate shape. In FIG. 1, the left armrest  39 L and the right armrest  39 R are shown in an arm-resting position, wherein the armrests  39 L and  39 R substantially surround the seat  34  so as to enclose the viewer sitting in the motion simulator  10 . Although in FIG. 1 the armrests  39 L and  39 R are shown having a space therebetween when in their arm-resting position, it is contemplated to shape the armrests  39 L and  39 R for same to meet when in the arm-resting position. The armrests  39 L and  39 R have a smooth top horizontal surface upon which the person sitting in the motion simulator  10  may rest his arms or upon which a peripheral can be received (e.g., joystick, keyboard or other similar implements). The contemplated embodiment in which the armrests  39 L and  39 R meet in the arm-resting position is well suited to receive a keyboard.  
         [0048]    Referring to FIGS. 2A to  2 C, the seat  34  is operatingly mounted to the structural members  31 L and  31 R so as to be displaceable thereupon. In FIG. 2C, the seat  34  is in its game-playing position, as described and shown previously in FIG. 1. As also mentioned previously, in this configuration, the footrest  38  is in its foot-resting position, whereas the armrests  39 L and  39 R are in their arm-resting position.  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 2A illustrates a working position (i.e., stand-by position) of the motion simulator  10 . In this configuration, the seat  34  is brought forward generally above the front central actuator  21  of the base portion  20  so as to bring the seat  34  adjacent to a working surface  50 . In order to allow the seat  34  to be displaced from the viewing position to the working position (i.e., stand-by position), the armrests.  39 L and  39 R must be pivoted away from their arm-resting position, whereas the footrest  38 , including the legs  37 L and  37 R, must be pivoted inwardly so as to be accommodated between the structural members  31 L and  31 R. In this position, the footrest  38  does not impede the legs of a person sitting in the motion simulator  10  and using the working surface  50 . The person sitting in this position of the motion simulator  10  has a normal sitting stance, appropriate to work on the working surface  50 .  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 2B illustrates the transition of the motion simulator  10  between the viewing position (FIG. 2C) and the working position (FIG. 24). In FIG. 2B, the armrests  39 L and  39 R are being pivoted from or to the arm-resting position of FIG. 2C.  
         [0051]    The above described viewing position and working position allow for the motion simulator  10  to be used both for viewing the video output (e.g., playing games) or for working. This is convenient. In video games, for instance, the game console is frequently a personal computer, that is not limited to uses as a video-game console. Accordingly, the game station consisting of the motion simulator  10 , the personal computer and a support table therefor, can readily-be turned into a PC work station.  
         [0052]    In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the seating portion  30  is interconnected to the base portion  20  at three locations, namely at the output arms  24  of the actuators  21 ,  22 L and  22 R. All three of the actuators  21 ,  22 L and  22 R can be actuated to impart movements to the seating portion  30 . It is also possible to simply provide a three degree-of-freedom joint (e.g., ball joint) between the front central actuator  21  and the transverse member  32 , in which case the seating portion  30  would be displaced by actuation from the actuators  22 L and  22 R.  
         [0053]    Referring to FIG. 3, a second embodiment of the present invention is shown consisting of a platform  100 . The platform  100  is connected to a controller or another source of motion signals associated with a video output so as to receive motion signals related to video action taking place in the video output. The platform  100  converts these motion signals to an actuation of a chair received thereon.  
         [0054]    More specifically, the platform  100  has a base  101  and a support surface portion  102 . The support surface portion  102  is the displaceable member of the platform  100 . The base  101  includes rear actuators  103 L and  103 R which receive the input signals related to the video action. A footrest surface  104  of the base  101  is provided at a front end of the platform  100 . A handle  105  is provided centrally in the footrest surface  104 , by which the platform  100  may be carried. The actuators  103 L and  103 R are operatively connected to the support surface portion  102  so as to transmit degrees of actuation thereto as a function of the motion signals.  
         [0055]    Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the support surface portion  102  is adapted to support a chair thereon. The support surface portion  102  may be modeled so that the chair  106  is matingly received thereon. As an example, in the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, the support surface portion  102  is configured to receive a five-legged chair  106 . Additional fasteners (not shown) may be used to ensure that the chair  106  remains anchored to the support surface portion  102 . A front end of the support surface portion  102  (i.e., corresponding to a front end of the platform  100 ) is supported by a pivot, of the type providing three rotational degrees of freedom (e.g., a ball joint connection). A rear end of the support surface portion  102  is connected to the actuators  103 L and  103 R, so as to receive the degrees of actuation therefrom. Accordingly, a user person sitting in the chair  106  will be subjected to the degrees of actuation of the actuators  103 L and  103 R, to obtain a feel of the video output. It is contemplated to provide additional actuators, such as a front central one, to increase the amplitude of the movements of the platform  100 .  
         [0056]    The platform  100  of the second embodiment is advantageous in that it may be put away upon being used. The handle  105  is conveniently provided to facilitate the handling of the platform  100 , and the chair  106  is separable from the platform  100 , thereby lessening the load represented by the platform  100 .