Patent Publication Number: US-2006000305-A1

Title: Adaptive hand control for learning driving skills, therapy, and game playing

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      Not applicable  
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED APPLICATIONS  
      Not applicable  
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING  
      Not applicable  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to hand control devices for the brake and accelerator function as a training platform when the handicapped person is learning or making preparation to learn to drive a real automobile, thus allowing them to learn the skills in a non-threatening simulation environment instead of on the streets.  
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      This invention is a training device. It is a realistic hand control that mimics the hand controls in a real vehicle adapted for operation by handicapped individuals. It combines this invention of a hand-control training device with autoracing gaming technology that employs a steering wheel. These operate in conjunction with console-based video gaming products such as, but not limited to the following: PS2 “PlayStation2” from Sony, “XBOX” from Microsoft, and “GameCube” from Nintendo. These items listed above interface with an existing television monitor. Additionally, this invention of a hand-control training device will operate with auto racing games played on a PC (personal computer). Currently the existing steering wheels sold to play these games come with a set of pedals that function as the accelerator and brake. These pedals move potentiometers that provide a change in voltage level to the computer/game controller. No prior Art addresses the need of the handicapped community where individuals do not have the use of their legs or feet so as to allow them to use the out-of-the-box pedal technology. Most handicapped people who operate a real automobile use a hand control for the accelerator and brake. This hand control in a real car replaces the foot-operated accelerator and brake devices, because the handicapped person cannot use them. In the same way this hand control device replaces the foot pedals that are provided with game steering wheels. This device also can function as a training platform when the handicapped person is learning or making preparation to learn to drive a real automobile, thus allowing them to learn the skills in a non-threatening simulation environment instead of on the streets. By effectively using this device in a rehabilitation setting, essential finger, hand, and upper body functions will be improved while allowing the patient to engage In an entertaining game. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective overview of the major components that make up the simulation system. The handicapped acceleration and braking device, the steering wheel, the game console or PC, the TV or PC monitor, and the table are shown.  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective overview of the major components that make up the handicapped acceleration and braking device  
       FIG. 3  is the side and top perspective of a built-in bottom clamp.  
       FIG. 4  is the front support base, the accelerator rod, the brake track movement plate.  
       FIG. 5  shows how the brake rods interact with the electro mechanical potentiometer to achieve the braking action.  
       FIG. 6  shows how the accelerator rod interacts with the electro mechanical potentiometer to achieve the acceleration action. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       FIG. 1  is the system with all of its major components, the handicapped acceleration and braking device  1 , the steering wheel and base  2 , the game console or PC  3 , the TV or PC monitor  4 , and the table or surface area  27 , that  1  and  2  are positioned on.  
       FIG. 2  is the handicapped acceleration and braking device with the hand lever  5 , the brake rod  6 , the accelerator rod  7 , the device base  8 , the PCB (Printed Circuit Board) for the accelerator slide potentiometer  9 , the PCB (Printed Circuit Board) for the brake slide potentiometer  10 , the table clamp  11 , the spring to control the brake rod return  12 , the spring to control the accelerator rod return  14 , the arm that connects the brake to the accelerator  15 , the arm that moves the accelerator slide potentiometer  16 , the accelerator slide potentiometer  17 , the brake slide potentiometer  18 , the washers that move the brake potentiometer  19 , the vertical support walls  20 , the adjustable stops for accelerator rod movement  26 , the retaining screws  24  and  25  for the accelerator return spring  14 , the retaining bolt  31  for the arm that moves the accelerator potentiometer  17 .  
       FIG. 3  is the side and top perspective of a built-in bottom clamp  11  and the device base  8  that keeps the base  8  of the device stable while resting on a tabletop  27 .  
      The side perspective shows the front vertical support base  20  and two rubber pads  22  located on the clamps  11  and bottom side of the base  8  to affix the base  8  to a mounting surface  27  by tightening a bolt  21  to bring  11  and  8  together to meet the mounting surface  27 .  
       FIG. 4  shows the inside front vertical support base  20 , the front allows for the brake rod  6 , to move in track  28 , between adjustment stops  26 , the inside front vertical support  20  of the device where a plate  15  is mounted on the accelerator rod  7  and is forced to rotate with the accelerator rod  7  to the flat on the rod. This plate  15  travels in a predefined course or track  28 . The travel is adjusted by  26 . The return to neutral position is accomplished by a spring  14  retained by bolts  24  and  25 .  
       FIG. 5 , section view B-B shows how washers  19 , mounted on the brake rod and their interaction with the slide potentiometer  18  achieves the braking action for the device. A potentiometer is affixed to a board  10  that travels with accelerator rod  7 , via the spacers  30 .  FIG. 5 , section view C-C shows how the accelerator rod  7  is fastened to the handle  5  via the screw  29 .  
       FIG. 6  shows the device base  8  how acceleration and deceleration is achieved with the PCB (Printed Circuit Board)  9  that supports the slide potentiometer  17  and achieves the acceleration action to the device from the change in accelerator rod which rotates plate  16  resulting in the change in wiper position on potentiometer  17 . The bolt  31  attaches the arm that moves the accelerator potentiometer  17  to the accelerator rod.  
      In operation one uses the handle which functions as a lever arm ( FIG. 2  item  5 ) that activates two rods ( FIG. 2  items  6  and  7 ), all being supported by the device base ( FIG. 2  item  8 ), and anchored by the built clamp ( FIG. 3  items  11 ,  21 , and  8 ). The lever arm can optionally be fitted with adaptor grips to maximize the lever handle and human hand interaction. The device base and lever arm can be right-side mounted to be used by the right hand and arm and actuated by the human right-side upper extremity, or left-side mounted to be used by the left hand and arm and actuated by the human left-side upper extremity. When the lever is pulled in a downward vertical motion with the left (right) hand, acceleration is applied to the automobile in the video game via the arm ( FIG. 2  item  16 ) that moves the accelerator potentiometer ( FIG. 2  item  17 ) and its interaction with the potentiometer ( FIG. 2  item  17 ). The farther the lever is pushed down, the greater the acceleration. When the downward pressure is released or lessened, the automobile acceleration in the game lessens, or if completely released, it returns to the neutral position via the function of the return spring ( FIG. 2  item  14 ) and acceleration ceases. This process mimics the use of a handicap adaptive lever for acceleration in an actual automobile. The neutral position is the horizontal plane. When the lever is pushed in a forward motion on the horizontal plane with the left (right hand), the brake is applied to the automobile in the video game via the brake control ( FIG. 2  item  19 ) that moves the brake potentiometer ( FIG. 2  item  18 ), which in turn causes the automobile in the video game to decelerate. The further the lever is pushed in, the greater the deceleration. Conversely, when the forward pressure is released or lessened, the automobile braking lessens or if completely released it returns to the neutral position and braking ceases via the function of the return spring ( FIG. 2  item  12 ). The lever can also be pushed forward on the horizontal plane for braking and pulled in a downward vertical motion for acceleration at the same time resulting in both braking, and acceleration. With said device, a person with leg or foot dysfunction can play a video game using the adaptive game hand control for acceleration and braking.