Abstract:
A simulation game system for playing interactive games is disclosed to include a game console, a game apparatus body made from an inflatable air cushion material and having a manipulation structure operable by a user to produce a control signal and to transmit the produced control signal to the game console, and a control module, which is mounted in an accommodation chamber in the game apparatus body, having a motion sensor and buttons operable by a user to produce control signals that are transmitted to the game console for decode, analysis and calculation for enabling the operation status to be displayed on a display screen. The simulation game system is a simple, light weight, human-body friendly design that facilitates player&#39;s manipulation during the game, enabling the player to simulate the reality.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan patent application number 097221577 filed on Dec. 2, 2008 and 098124098 filed on Jul. 16, 2009. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to simulation game technology and more particularly, to a lightweight, human-body friendly simulation game system, which comprises a game console, an inflatable air cushion type game apparatus body having a saddle and a manipulation structure, and a control module fixedly mounted in the manipulation structure. The player can manipulate the manipulation structure or operate the control module to transmit control signals to the game console wirelessly, driving the game console to run game operations. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Following fast development of computer technology, intelligent electronic devices are intensively used in every corner in our society to assist people in all fields and to provide people with different services. 
         [0006]    With respect to game console, improvement in hardware technology and data processing speed enables game software providers to create new interactive virtual-reality video games so that players can simulate reality. A conventional game console for interactive video game is generally used with a joystick or remote control. This arrangement lowers the feeling of reality when one is playing the game. In consequence, this arrangement is less attractive to players. Further, conventional interactive video game systems are not human-body friendly designs. To an aged people or young child, a complicated learning course is necessary before knowing how to play the game well. Therefore, conventional interactive video game systems impart a barrier to aged people and young children. There are also known interactive virtual-reality video game systems, such as music game systems, dancing game systems, racing game systems, and etc. that enable the players to simulate reality. 
         [0007]    For example, Taiwan Patent Publication No. 443143 discloses a motorcycle racing game system. According to this design, the motorcycle racing game system comprises a motorcycle game body A and a display screen B. The motorcycle game body A comprises a turning mechanism Al and a sliding mechanism A 2  respectively arranged at the bottom side. When the turning mechanism A 1  turns leftwards or rightwards about a support shaft, the slide A 21  of the sliding mechanism A 2  slides in direction reversed to the turning direction of the turning mechanism A 1 . When an action is created, a corresponding signal is transmitted to the display screen B for display. 
         [0008]    The above prior art design has drawbacks as follows: 
         [0009]    1. This motorcycle racing game system uses a big number of component parts. When the motorcycle racing game system is assembled, it requires much installation space, and therefore it is simply used for commercial only and not practical for home use. Further, the big size and heavy weight characteristics of the motorcycle racing game system make storage and delivery difficult. 
         [0010]    2. This motorcycle racing game system is not compatible to other game consoles for playing other games. In consequence, the application of this motorcycle racing game system is limited. 
         [0011]    Accordingly, there is a need for an interactive simulation game system, which eliminates the aforesaid drawbacks. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is one object of the present invention to provide a simulation game system, which is a human-body friendly design, having lightweight and simple structure characteristics that facilitate storage and delivery. It is another object of the present invention to provide a simulation game system, which has its game apparatus body designed compatible to different game consoles. 
         [0013]    To achieve these and other objects of the present invention, a simulation game system comprises a game apparatus body, a control module and a game console. The game apparatus body is made from an inflatable air cushion material, comprising a saddle for sitting by a user, an accommodation chamber and a manipulation structure. The manipulation structure is operable by a user to produce a control signal and to transmit the produced control signal to the game console. The control module is mounted in the accommodation chamber by means of mounting means, comprising a motion sensor controllable by a user to produce a control signal and means to transmit the control signal produced by the motion sensor to the game console wirelessly. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a system block diagram of a simulation game system according to the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a system block diagram of an alternate form of the simulation game system according to the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is an operation flow chart of the simulation game system according to the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a system block diagram of still another alternate form of the simulation game system according to the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a system block diagram of still another alternate form of the simulation game system according to the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is another operation flow chart of the simulation game system according to the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a system block diagram of still another alternate form of the simulation game system according to the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is still another operation flow chart of the simulation game system according to the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a schematic drawing of the present invention, showing one example of the game apparatus body. 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a schematic drawing of the present invention, showing another example of the game apparatus body. 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is a schematic drawing of the present invention, showing still another example of the game apparatus body. 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  corresponds to  FIG. 11 , showing the game apparatus body moved. 
           [0026]      FIG. 13  is a schematic sectional side view of a simulation game machine according to the prior art. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0027]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  9 , a simulation game system in accordance with the present invention is shown comprising a game apparatus body  1 , a control module  2 , a game console  3  and a display screen  4 . 
         [0028]    The game apparatus body  1  is an inflatable air cushion structure made of plastics, rubber or canvass, having a saddle  10  for sitting by a player and a manipulation structure  11  that has an accommodation chamber  111 . The game apparatus body  1  can be made in the shape of a car, motorcycle, aircraft, train, steamboat or animal. The manipulation structure  11  can be made in the form of a handlebar or pedal having an accelerating function, or a steering wheel, rudder, motorcycle handlebar, press-button handle or joystick. 
         [0029]    The control module  2  can be affixed to the accommodation chamber  111  of the manipulation structure  11  and electrically connected to the manipulation structure  11 . The control module  2  comprises a microprocessor  21 , a motion sensor  22 , a set of buttons (a keypad)  23  and a wireless transmission interface  24 . The motion sensor  22 , the set of buttons  23  and the wireless transmission interface  24  are respectively electrically connected with the microprocessor  21 . The motion sensor  22  can be a G-sensor, magnetic sensor or gyroscope. 
         [0030]    The game console  3  is adapted for communication with the control module  2  to transmit data or signal therebetween wirelessly. The game console  3  comprises a microprocessor  31  and a wireless transmission interface  32  electrically connected with the microprocessor  31  for wireless communication with the wireless transmission interface  24  of the control module  2 . The microprocessor  31  has a memory  311  built therein for storing data. 
         [0031]    The display screen  4  is adapted for receiving data or signal from the game console  3  for display. The data or signal transmission can be done through an audio video port that can be AV terminals, DVI (digital visual interface) or HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface) means. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 10  and  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  9  again, the control module  2  can be affixed to the accommodation chamber  111  of the manipulation structure  11  by any of a variety of mounting techniques. After installation of the control module  2  in the accommodation chamber  111  of the manipulation structure  11 , the control module  2  can communicate with the game console  3  to transmit a control signal to the game console  3 . The control signal can be a motion signal generated by the motion sensor  22  upon movement of the game apparatus body  1  or the control module  2 , a press signal generated by one of the set of buttons  23 , or a triggering signal generated by the manipulation structure  11 . Thereafter, the game console  3  executes or analyzes the control signal received from the control module  2 , and displays the result on the display screen  4 . The operation flow is described hereinafter:
       ( 100 ) Start.   ( 101 ) The microprocessor  21  of the control module  2  determines whether or no a control signal is received within a predetermined time period, and then it returns to step ( 100 ) when negative, or proceeds to step ( 102 ) when positive.   ( 102 ) The microprocessor  21  of the control module  2  determines whether or not the control signal is a motion signal generated by the motion sensor  22 , and then it proceeds to step ( 103 ) when negative, or step ( 105 ) when positive.   ( 103 ) The microprocessor  21  of the control module  2  determines whether or not the control signal is a button signal generated by the buttons  23 , and then it proceeds to step ( 104 ) when negative, or step ( 105 ) when positive.   ( 104 ) The microprocessor  21  of the control module  2  determines whether or not the control signal is a triggering signal generated by the manipulation structure  11 , and then it returns to step ( 101 ) when negative, or proceeds to step ( 105 ) when positive.   ( 105 ) The microprocessor  21  of the control module  2  encodes the control signal and transmits the encoded control signal to the wireless transmission interface  32  of the game console  3  through the wireless transmission interface  24  thereof.   ( 106 ) The wireless transmission interface  32  of the game console  3  transmits the encoded control signal to the microprocessor  31  of the game console  3  for decoding.   ( 107 ) The microprocessor  31  of the game console  3  determines, within a predetermined time period, whether or not the decoded control signal match with one control signal stored in the memory  311 .   ( 108 ) The game console  3  transmits the control signal to the display screen  4  for display, and then it returns to step ( 100 ).       
 
         [0042]    In the aforesaid operation flow, the control signal stored in the memory  311  of the game console  3  is the control signal received by the game console  3  within the predetermine time period. Further, as stated above, the game apparatus body  1  can be made in the shape of a car, motorcycle, aircraft, train, steamboat or animal, and the manipulation structure  11  can be made in the form of a handlebar or pedal having an accelerating function, or a steering wheel, rudder, motorcycle handlebar, press-button handle or joystick. According to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , the game apparatus body  1  is presented in the form of a motorcycle. According to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 , the game apparatus body  1  is presented in the form of a racing car. The user can click the buttons  23  to execute game menu options or other functional operations, such as moving the position of the simulated game apparatus body  1  on the display screen  4 . When simulating a motorcycle riding game, the player can simulate the reality, causing the game apparatus body  1  to tilt leftwards or rightwards around a turn, or causing the game apparatus body  1  to lift the front wheel from the ground like playing a stunt riding. When simulating a racing car racing game, the player can execute leftward turning or rightward turning of the steering wheel or control of the accelerator by means of the motion sensor  22 , the set of buttons  23  or the manipulation structure  11 . It is to be understood that the game apparatus body  1  and the control module  2  can be made in any of a variety of forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0043]    Further, the length of the predetermined time period as stated in step ( 101 ) or step ( 107 ) can be set by the designer. 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  6  and  FIG. 9  again, a vibration motor  12  may be installed in the game apparatus body  1 . After installation of the control module  2  in the accommodation chamber  111  of the manipulation structure  11 , the vibration motor  12  is electrically connected to the microprocessor  21  of the control module  2 . A vibration motor  25  can also be installed in the control module  2  and electrically connected to the microprocessor  21 . Thus, the user can control the game apparatus body  1  or the control module  2  to produce special effects, such as vibration. This special effect operation flow runs as follows:
       ( 200 ) Start.   ( 201 ) The game console  3  transmits a vibration signal to the microprocessor  31  for coding.   ( 202 ) The microprocessor  31  of the game console  3  transmits the coded vibration signal to the wireless transmission interface  24  of the control module  2  through the wireless transmission interface  32  of the game console  3 .   ( 203 ) The wireless transmission interface  24  of the control module  2  transmits the coded vibration signal to the microprocessor  21  for decoding.   ( 204 ) The microprocessor  21  of the control module  2  transmits the decoded vibration signal to the vibration motor  25  in the control module  2  or the vibration motor  12  in the game apparatus body  1 , causing the vibration motor  25  or  12  to vibrate. Thereafter, it returns to step ( 200 ).       
 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a sound effects module  5  and a sound effects transmission device  33  are respectively installed in the game apparatus body  1  and the game console  3 . The sound effects module  5  and the sound effects transmission device  33  are electrically connected with each other. Thus, the game apparatus body  1  can be controlled to produce sound effects. This sound effects operation flow runs as follows:
       ( 300 ) Start.   ( 301 ) The game console  3  transmits a sound effects signal to the sound effects transmission device  33 .   ( 302 ) The sound effects transmission device  33  transmits the sound effects signal to the sound effects signal connector  51  of the sound effects module  5  at the game apparatus body  1 .   ( 303 ) The sound effects signal connector  51  of the sound effects module  5  transmits the sound effects signal to speakers  52  for output. Thereafter, it returns to step ( 300 ).       
 
         [0055]    In the aforesaid sound effects operation flow, the sound effects transmission device  33  can be designed to transmit the audio signal to the sound effects signal connector  51  of the sound effects module  5  either by a wired measure or a wireless measure. When a wired measure is selected, USB (universal serial bus) or IEEE1394 interface means may be used. On the contrary, when a wireless measure is adopted, infrared, radio, WiFi or WiMAX technology may be employed. 
         [0056]    Referring to  FIG. 9  again, the game apparatus body  1  according to this embodiment is made in the form of a motorcycle having a saddle  10  and a manipulation structure  11  with a speed control function. The manipulation structure  11  has an accommodation chamber  111  that accommodates the control module  2 . The player can operate the control module  2  to transmit a control signal to the game console  3 . Further, the control module  2  is electrically connected with the manipulation structure  11  so that the player can manipulate the manipulation structure  11  to drive the control module  2 , causing the control module  2  to transmit a speed control signal to the game console  3 . 
         [0057]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , the game apparatus body  1  according to this embodiment is made in the form of a racing car having a manipulation structure  11  with a speed control function. According to this embodiment, the manipulation structure  11  comprises a brake pedal, an accelerator pedal and a steering wheel for motion and speed control. Further, the manipulation structure  11  has an accommodation chamber  111  that accommodates the control module  2 . The player can operate the control module  2  to transmit a control signal to the game console  3 . Further, the control module  2  is electrically connected with the manipulation structure  11  so that the player can manipulate the manipulation structure  11  to drive the control module  2 , causing the control module  2  to transmit a motion or speed control signal to the game console  3 . 
         [0058]    Referring to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the game apparatus body  1  according to this embodiment is made in the form of an animal. This embodiment eliminates the aforesaid manipulation structure  11 . Further, the control module  2  is directly mounted in a chamber  13  in the game apparatus body  1 . The player riding the game apparatus body  1  can operate the control module  2  to transmit a control signal to the game console  3 . 
         [0059]    Further, the control module  2  can be affixed to the accommodation chamber  111  in the manipulation structure  11  or the chamber  13  in the game apparatus body  1  with an adhesive or by means of a mounting structure or fastening device. 
         [0060]    Further, an adapter formed of wireless transmission interface means and a microprocessor may be used for wireless communication between the control module  2  and the game console  3 . The game console  3  can be connected with the microprocessor of the adapter by a USB (Universal Serial Bus), IEEE1394 connection interface or any of a variety of other wired method, or an infrared, radio technology or any of a variety of other wireless methods. Further, the game console  3  has an audio transmitter  31 . Further, a display screen may be provided and electrically connected to the game console  3  by audio/video interface means, such as AV (Audio/Video) terminals, DVI (Digital Visual Interface) or HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface), for receiving audio/video signals from the game console  3  for display. 
         [0061]    In conclusion, the invention provides a simulation game system, which has the advantages and features as follows:
       1. The game apparatus body  1  is made from inflatable or air cushion materials; the control module  2  can be affixed to the accommodation chamber  111  in the manipulation structure  11  or the chamber  13  in the game apparatus body  1  with an adhesive or by means of a mounting structure. Therefore, the simulation game system has light weight and simple structure characteristics, convenient for storage and delivery and practical for home application.   2. By means of the motion sensor  22  and buttons  23  of the control module  2  and the manipulation structure  11 , the player can execute speed-up, speed-down, left-tilt, right-tilt, menu selection or other special function controls. This human-body friendly design facilitates player&#39;s manipulation during the game, enabling the player to simulate the reality.   3. The game apparatus body  1  and the game console  3  are separately designed. The player can use the game apparatus body  1  to communicate with the game console  3  for signal transmission. If the user has many different game consoles  3  or when the game console  3  is damaged and must be replaced, the user needs not to change the game apparatus body  1 , i.e., the game apparatus body  1  is compatible to different game consoles  3 .   4. The game apparatus body  1  can receive a special effects signal, such as sound signal or vibration signal from the game console for producing sound or vibration effects. This method enables the game apparatus body  1  to exhibit multiple game functions of the game console  3  so that the player can effectively simulate reality.       
 
         [0066]    A prototype of simulation game system has been constructed with the features of  FIGS. 1˜13 . The simulation game system functions smoothly to provide all of the features disclosed earlier. 
         [0067]    Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.