Patent Publication Number: US-2007099707-A1

Title: Computer simulation control system

Description:
The present invention relates to a computer simulation control system, comprising: 
      at least one control module for controlling a computer simulator program;     a seat comprising a seat part and a back support;     at least one mechanism for coupling the seat and the at least one control module to each other in such a way, that a user can be seated on the seat part of the seat for handling the at least one control module there-from;    

      Such a computer simulation control system is known from the racing car industry. After assembly, said at least one control module and the seat are coupled to each other by said coupling mechanism. The control module comprises, for example, a steering wheel which is positioned in front of the seat—in a suitable driving position—for a race simulation. The computer may be, for instance, an external home computer, personal computer, game computer and the like. Control modules for controlling computer simulator programs are known and marketed by, for instance, Logitech™.  
      During use, a user takes place in the seat for handling said at least one control module. Furthermore, during use, the control module is usually connected to a computer which runs said simulator program, for controlling that program. The assembled control system provides a high reality simulation environment and particularly a relatively real feel of the simulation environment during the control of the simulator program.  
      A disadvantage of the known computer simulation control system is, that it requires relatively much space. Therefore, the transportation and/or storage of the known system is relatively complex and expensive. Particularly, only a relatively small number of control systems can be packed in one loading volume, for instance in one shipping container or in one trailer compartment, leading to high transportation costs per control system. Besides, the handling of a relatively large control system during transport thereof is relatively difficult, and may lead to collisions which might damage sensitive parts of the system. Furthermore, it may be desired to move the control system from one place to another by an end-user, so that the system can be used in different locations. This is also relatively difficult to accomplish in view of said handling problems of the system.  
      The present invention aims to improve the computer simulation control system. Particularly, the invention aims to provide a computer simulation control system, wherein the system can be transported, stored and/or handled relatively safe and easy.  
      To this aim, the computer simulation system of the present invention is characterized by the features of claim  1 .  
      According to the present invention, the back support of the seat is movable between a first position, in which first position the back support extends at an operating angle upwardly from said seat part for supporting at least part of the back of a user, and a second position, in which second position the back support does not extend at said operating angle upwardly from the seat part, for example for transportation and/or storage of the control system.  
      During normal use of the control system, said back support is in the first position, for creating a relatively real simulator control environment. When the control system is not in use, the back support can simply be moved to the second position, for instance a substantially horizontal position, particularly for reducing the overall dimensions of the control system, and more particularly for reducing the height of the system. When the back support is in said second position, the control system can be transported, stored and/or handled relatively easy, for example in a relatively small area. This further leads to a substantial reduction of transporting and/or storing costs. Until the present invention, no one has come up with this simple inventive idea that the seat of the computer simulation control system can simply be arranged as described above, leading to said advantages.  
      In one embodiment of the invention, the back support and the seat part of the seat are detachably connected, for instance with a hinge system, to each other when the back support is in the first position, for moving the back support to the second position. The back support can simply be removed from the seat part, to further reducing the overall dimensions of the system.  
      According to an other aspect of the invention, the back support and the seat part of the seat are pivotally connected to each other, such that the back support is pivotal, about a pivot axis, between said first and second position. Therefore, the back support can be folded up towards the seat part of the seat. This results in the overall system dimensions being reduced substantially.  
      According to a further embodiment of the invention, the seat of the control system has a maximum first height when the back support of the seat is in the first position, wherein the control system has a second maximum height when the back support is in the second position, wherein said second maximum height is less than half said first maximum height.  
      Thus, a large reduction of the dimensions of the system is achieved, when the back support of the seat is in the second position. Particularly, the height of the system can be reduced by half or even more, preferably also leading to a reduction of transport volume by a factor 2 or more. Therefore, transportation and/or handling costs of each computer simulation control system may also be reduced by about the same amount, of a factor 2 or more.  
      According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the back support and the seat part are arranged to at least partially enclose a storage space when the back support is in the second position.  
      Such a storage space can be used for safely storing various objects and the like, wherein the back support and seat part of the seat can serve to protect such objects from being damaged. In that case, it is advantageous when the storage space is arranged for receiving said control module or at least part thereof, particularly during transportation and/or storage of the control system. Thus, the overall computer simulation control system can be stored and/or transported in a very compact manner, wherein—furthermore—said at least part of said control module is being protected well within said storage space. Such protection is further improved when the seat part and back support are provided with one or more relatively soft upholstering materials. .  
      The present invention also provides a seat which is characterized by the features of claim  19 . Such a seat provides one or more of the above-mentioned advantages to the control system.  
      The present invention also provides a use of a control system according to any of the claims  1 - 18 , wherein said back support is moved from said first position to said second position and/or vice-versa. For instance, said back support is moved to said second position when the control system is to be stored and/or transported safely and with ease. The back support is simply moved to the first position when the control system is to be used for controlling a computer simulator program. Then, the assembled system can provide a relatively real feeling of, for example, the driving seat of a simulated racing car, for the case that the system is used in combination with a racing simulator program.  
      The present invention further provides a method for handling a computer simulation control system according to any of claims  1 - 18 , wherein said back support is being moved to said second position for transportation and/or storage of the control system. This also provides at least some of the above-mentioned advantages. Preferable, at least part of said control module, for example at least a steering wheel and/or at least one foot pedal, is being arranged between said seat part and said back support. Thus, a relatively compact system can be obtained, wherein said at least part of the control module can be protected by the seat part and the back support. For operation, wherein said back support is being moved from said second position to said first position for supporting at least part of the back of a user.  
      The present invention also provides a container, for example a box, which is characterized by the features of claim  25 .  
      The container advantageously comprises a computer simulation control system according to any of claims  1 - 18 , wherein the back support of the seat is positioned in said second position, wherein the back support preferably extends substantially opposite the seat part of the seat. Therefore, the container can be relatively compact, requiring little storage and/or transportation space. Also, such container can be handled relatively easy, preferably by a single person, and for example stored in a relatively compact trunk of a private car. Besides, it is advantageous when at least part of said control module is located in a storage space, which storage space is at least partially enclosed by said seat part and said back support of the seat. Therefore, the seat of the control system serves as an inner container for storing said control module or control module part.  
      Further embodiments of the present invention are described in the accompanying claims. 
    
    
      An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts.  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective front view of an embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 3  is a perspective rear view of a frame of the seat of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , wherein the back support is in a first position;  
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the seat frame in the position of  FIG. 3 ;  
       FIG. 5  is a rear view of the seat frame in the position of  FIG. 3 .  
       FIG. 6  is a perspective rear view of the frame of the seat of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , wherein the back support is in a second position;  
       FIG. 7  is a detail B of  FIG. 6 ; and  
       FIG. 8  is a side view of the seat frame in the position of  FIG. 6 . 
    
    
       FIGS. 1 and 2  shows an assembled computer simulation control system, comprising: 
      at least one control module  1 ,  2  for controlling a computer simulator program;     a seat comprising a seat part  3  and a back support  4 ;     at least one mechanism  5  for coupling the seat part  3  and the at least one control module  1 ,  2  to each other, such that a user can be seated on the seat part  3  for handling the at least one control module  1 ,  2  there from.    
      In the present embodiment, said control module for controlling a computer simulator program comprises a steering column with a steering wheel  1  and two foot pedals  2 . Said mechanism for coupling the seat and the control module  1 ,  2  comprises an elongated element  5 , for example a rigid bar, extending from a lower part  15  of the seat towards the at least one control module  1 ,  2 . Said lower seat part  15  comprises seat support members  15  which extend below said seat part  3 . Said seat part  3  also comprises substantially upwardly extending side parts  16 , particularly for forming a bucket seat. Besides, the back support  4  comprises shoulder supports  25 .  
      During use, said control module  1 ,  2  is connected to computing means or the like for controlling one or more computer programs being run thereon. In particular, the present embodiment of the control system is arranged for controlling a computer racing simulation. Also, during use, one or more displays are provided for displaying a virtual simulator environment. Said computing means and display are not shown in the present figures.  
      As is shown in  FIGS. 3-8 , said seat part of the present embodiment comprises a seat frame  6 , and said back support comprises a back support frame  8 . The frames  6 ,  8  may be assembled, for instance, from suitable metal tubes or the like. Each of said frames  6 ,  8  is provided with support springs  17 . The back support frame comprises shoulder support frame parts  25   a.    
      From  FIGS. 1 and 2  further follows, that the seat is also provided with a suitable upholstering comprising a cover  13 , extending over the seat part  3  as well as over the back support  4 . Preferably, the seat also comprises a suitable filling, padding, and the like, extending between the covering  13 , said frames  6 ,  8  and said support springs  17  for providing comfort. Said cover  3  is preferably arranged, to cover substantially all outer surfaces of the seat, including or excluding the downwardly facing side of the seat part. Thus, the cover  13  can provide a good protection of the seat parts enclosed thereby, as well as provide a esthetically pleasant and finished look.  
      As is clearly visible in  FIGS. 3-8 , the seat frame  6  comprises a substantially horizontal extending bottom frame part  6   a , viewed when the control system is the assembled operating position. The seat frame  6  comprises a rear frame part  6   b  extending substantially at a certain operating angle a upwardly with respect to the bottom frame part  6   a . Said angle may comprise various angles, for example an angle α in the range of about 90-135° or an other suitable angle. In a first position of the back support  4 , shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , the back support frame  8  extends substantially in line with the rear frame part  6 b of the seat frame  6 , so that the back support  4  extends substantially at the same operating angle α upwardly with respect to said seat part  3 . In that first position, the back support is available for supporting at least part of the back of a user. Besides, the seat frame  6  comprises side support frame parts  16   a  for providing rigid bucket seat side parts  16 .  
      In the present embodiment, the seat frame  6  and back support frame  8  comprise frame connectors  7  for movably connecting these frames  6 ,  8  to each other. In particular, the back support  4  of the seat is at least movable between said first position and a second position. This second position of the back support  4  is shown in  FIGS. 7-8 . In this second position, the back support  4  does not extend at said operating angle a upwardly from the seat part  3 , but substantially opposite the seat part  3 . In the  FIGS. 7-8 , the back support  4  is laying substantially horizontally in said second position. When the back support  4  is in the second position, the control system is relatively compact, which is advantageous for transportation and/or storage thereof.  
      In the present embodiment, the back support  4  and the seat part  3  of the seat are pivotally connected to each other, such that the back support  4  is pivotal about a pivot axis  10  between said first and second position. To this aim, the frame connectors comprise suitable hinges  7  which connect the back support frame  8  to the rear frame part  6   b  of the seat part.  
      Alternatively, the back support  4  and the seat part  3  of the seat may be, for example, detachably connected to each other when the back support  4  is in the first position, for moving the back support  4  to a suitable second position. Such a detachable connection can be provided in various ways. For instance, opposite ends of the frames  6 ,  8  of the back support  4  and the seat part  3  of the seat may be arranged to be clamped, slid and/or clicked detachably onto each other. For example, the rear frame of the seat part may comprise upwardly extending tubes or bushes which receive downwardly extending pins of the back support frame  4  for providing such detachable connection.  
      Besides, the present embodiment comprises locking mechanisms  11 ,  12  for locking the back support  4  of the seat to the seat part  3  when the back support  4  is in said first position. As is visible in  FIGS. 3-8 , each locking mechanism comprises a bush  11  and a bolt  12 . Said bush  11  and the respective bolt  12  are arranged to cooperate with each other for locking the back support  4  in its first position. In the present embodiment, each bush  11  is attached to said seat frame  6 .Each bolt  12  is movably connected to said back support frame  8  by a guiding bush  31  which is connected to that frame  8 .  
      In  FIG. 5 , the bolts  12  have been moved downwardly into the bushes  11  for locking the back support. When the bolts  12  are moved out of the bushes  11 , as has been shown in FIGS.  3 ,  6 - 8 , the locking is undone and the back support  4  can be moved to its second position. Clearly visible in  FIGS. 3 and 7 , retainers  30  are provided on the back frame  8  for retaining the bolts  12  in these withdrawn positions. In the present embodiment, each bolt  12  comprises an extending gripping member  12   a  for alleviating the manual handling thereof, and for retaining the bolt in said upper, withdrawn, position in cooperation with a retainer  30 . To the skilled person, it is clear that the locking mechanism may be arranged in various ways, comprising for example one or more controllable locking parts, pins, spring means and the like.  
      As follows from  FIGS. 6 and 8 , the back support  4  and the seat part  3  are advantageously arranged to at least partially enclose a storage space S when the back support  4  is in the second position. The storage space S is preferably arranged and suitable for receiving said control module  1 ,  2  or at least part thereof when the control system has been disassembled, particularly during transportation and/or storage of the control system. In that case, a very compact configuration can be achieved, particularly for transport and/or storage.  
      Preferably, the cover part  13   a  extending over the rear side of the seat is at least partially detachably connected to said seat part  3 . For example, the cover  13  may comprise one or more sections, extending at the rear side of the seat, which are detachably connected to the seat part. Such detachable connection can be provided by various means, for example Velcro™ material, push buttons, elastic material, wire material, strings and/or other suitable means. When the back support is to be moved to the second position, said cover part  13   a  is simply detached at least partially from the seat part of the seat, to avoid the cover obstructing said movement.  
      As has been shown in  FIG. 4 , the seat of the control system has a maximum first height H 1  when the back support  4  of the seat is in the first position. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the second position of the back support  4  is such, that the seat of the control system has a second maximum height H 2  when the back support  4  is in that second position. Advantageously, according to the invention, the second maximum height H 2  is less than half said first maximum height H 1 , as follows from  FIGS. 4 and 8 .  
      Also, preferably, —when seen in the side view of the seat as in  FIG. 4  or  FIG. 8 —the length L 2  of the back support  4  of the seat is about the same as the length L 1  of the seat part  3  of the seat. For instance, the length L 2  of the back support  4  of the seat is may be only about 0 to 10% larger or smaller than length L 1  of the seat  3 . Other length ratios—although less preferably—may also be used. Therefore, the seat of the control system can be made relatively compact by bringing the back support to its second position, as shown in  FIGS. 6-8 .  
      Besides, preferably, the seat serves as a inner container for containing and protecting sensitive parts of the control system, for instance said control module  1 ,  2 . Also, a computer for running simulator software may be stored in said storage space S, provided that the computer has suitable dimensions with respect to the volume of that space S. As has been indicated in  FIG. 8  by dashed lines, a relatively small box B may then be used for storing the closely packed control system, providing advantages in view of transport and storage safety, simplicity and cost. The inner dimensions of such box B are preferably about the same as, or only slightly larger, for instance about 10% or 20%, larger than the maximum outer dimensions of the seat with the back support  4  in the second position, measured in Cartesian x-, y- and z-directions. Other ratios of said dimensions—although less preferably—may also be used. Such box B may also be arranged to contain other objects in combination with the folded-in seat, for example said coupling mechanism  3 , said seat support members  15  and the like.  
      While specific embodiments of the invention have been described above, it will be appreciated that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as described. The description is not intended to limit the invention.  
      For instance, the computer simulation control system can be suitable for use in combination with a driving simulator program, a racing simulator program, a flying simulator program or the like. The system may comprise one or more control modules, wherein each module may be provided with one or more controls, for instance a wheel, pedal, force-feed-back controls and/or the like.  
      Said mechanism for coupling the seat and the at least one control module to each other may be arranged in various ways. For instance, such mechanism may be attached to or be detachably connected to the seat. Also, such mechanism may be attached to or be detachably connected to said control module. For instance, the mechanism may be adjustable to adjust the position of the seat and said control module with respect to each other, particularly for providing a comfortable control environment to a user.