CA3009005A1 - Controller for simulated movement - Google Patents

Controller for simulated movement Download PDF

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Publication number
CA3009005A1
CA3009005A1 CA3009005A CA3009005A CA3009005A1 CA 3009005 A1 CA3009005 A1 CA 3009005A1 CA 3009005 A CA3009005 A CA 3009005A CA 3009005 A CA3009005 A CA 3009005A CA 3009005 A1 CA3009005 A1 CA 3009005A1
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CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
handle
controller
support
virtual reality
oar
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
CA3009005A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Erik C. Quackenbush
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Hud Studios Inc
Original Assignee
Hud Studios Inc
Quackenbush Erik C
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hud Studios Inc, Quackenbush Erik C filed Critical Hud Studios Inc
Priority to CA3009005A priority Critical patent/CA3009005A1/en
Publication of CA3009005A1 publication Critical patent/CA3009005A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G09EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09BEDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS
    • G09B19/00Teaching not covered by other main groups of this subclass
    • G09B19/003Repetitive work cycles; Sequence of movements
    • G09B19/0038Sports

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  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Entrepreneurship & Innovation (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Educational Administration (AREA)
  • Educational Technology (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • User Interface Of Digital Computer (AREA)

Abstract

A controller for simulated movement includes a handle support. A handle is supported by and movable relative to the handle support. One or more handle sensors are provided for monitoring a position of the handle. A processor, which sends a virtual reality video presentation to a virtual reality head set, is in communication with the handle sensors and the software controlled electronic resistance. When the handle is in a pre-determined position, the processor applies the software controlled electronic resistance to resist rotational movement of the handle to correspond with the virtual reality video presentation being played on the virtual reality headset. The controller was developed for use in a rowing simulator.

Description

TITLE
[0001] Controller for simulated movement FIELD
[0002] There is described a Virtual Reality controller that was developed to simulate a rowing movement, but which has wider application.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In Virtual Reality applications, a Virtual Reality headset is worn by a user. A
video presentation is played on the Virtual Reality headset to place the user within an active Virtual Reality environment. A controller that enables movement to be simulated helps enhance the users Virtual Reality experience by enabling the user to interact with the Virtual Reality environment.
SUMMARY
[0004] There is provided a controller for simulated movement includes a handle support.
A handle is supported by the handle support. The handle is movable relative to the handle support. One or more handle sensors are provided for monitoring a position of the handle.
Software controlled electronic resistance to rotational movement of each handle support is provided. A processor, which sends a virtual reality video presentation to a virtual reality head set, is in communication with the handle sensors and the software controlled electronic resistance. When the handle is in a pre-determined position, the processor applies the software controlled electronic resistance to resist rotational movement of the handle support to correspond with the virtual reality video presentation being played on the virtual reality headset.
[0005] For a better understanding of the utility of the above controller, there will be described below the use of the controller with a rowing simulator. In reading the detailed description one must bear in mind that a rowing simulator can have a single oar or a pair of oars. Where a pair of oars are provided, one must bear in mind that there are different styles of rowboat which require different rowing techniques. The rowing technique for some styles of rowboat require a rotation of the oars about their longitudinal axis as the oars enter and exit the water. For other styles of rowboat, the oars are locked against rotation about their longitudinal axis and are only capable of moving from an up position above the water to a down position in the water; from a handle forward (oar blade back) position to a handle back (oar blade forward) position to push the rowboat through the water; from a down position in the water to an up position above the water; then from a handle back position to a handle forward position in preparation for the next rowing stroke.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] These and other features will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to be in any way limiting, wherein:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a controller for simulated movement incorporated into a rowing simulator.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a section view, taken along section lines 2-2 of FIG.
1, showing interior components.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a simplified front elevation view of the controller of FIG. 1, with handle in a handle up/oar blade down position.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a simplified front elevation view of the controller of FIG. 1, with handle in a handle down/oar blade up position.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a simplified to top plan view of the controller of FIG.
1, with the oar lock rotated to a handle forward/oar blade back position.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a simplified front elevation view of the controller of FIG. 1, with the oar lock rotated to a handle back/oar blade forward position.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a detailed view of the oar and oar lock, with an arrow showing oar rotation.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a detailed view of the oar, showing game control buttons.
[0015] FIG. 9 is a section view showing further interior components not visible in FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] A controller for simulated movement generally identified by reference numeral 10, will now be described with reference to FIG. 1 through FIG. 9.

Structure and Relationship of Parts:
[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, in the embodiment selected for illustration, controller 10 is intended to simulate rowing. There is provided a base 12, which is intended to simulate a boat. A pair of handle supports 14 are mounted to base 12, with each handle support 14 intended to simulate an oar lock. A handle 16 is supported by each handle support 14. Each handle 16 is a simulated oar, which functions independently from the other handle 16.
[0018] Each handle 16 is movable relative to handle support 14 between a handle up/oar blade down position illustrated in FIG. 3 and a handle down/oar blade up position illustrated in FIG. 4. Each handle 16 is at least partially rotatable relative to handle support 14 between a handle forward (oar blade back) position illustrated in FIG. 5 and a handle back (oar blade forward) position illustrated in FIG. 6. Referring to FIG. 7, handle 16 has a longitudinal axis 18. Optionally, handle 16 may rotate about longitudinal axis 18, as indicated by arrow 20.
This rotation of handle 16 is fundamental to rowing techniques used with some styles of rowboats.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 2, there are illustrated the components which facilitate and monitor movement of handle 16 relative to handle support 14 between handle forward (oar blade back) position illustrated in FIG. 5 or in the handle back (oar blade forward) position illustrated in FIG. 6. Handle mount 101 is that portion of handle support 14 to which handle 16 is mounted. Handle 16 is attached to vertical shaft 107 which is supported for rotation by handle mount 101. Rotation of vertical shaft 107 allows handle 16 to move forward and back between the handle forward (oar blade back) position illustrated in FIG. 5 or in the handle back (oar blade forward) position illustrated in FIG. 6. In order to simulate resistance from water, a brake disc 109 moves between a magnetic brake caliper 113. The extent of the resistance depends upon the strength of the magnetic force. Handle sensors which monitor a relative forward or back position of handle 16 include a hollow shaft potentiometer 111, as well as a torsion sensor 115. Optionally, a stepper motor 103 can be connected to vertical shaft 107 to provide a force that is capable of not only resisting but of imparting a rotational force to vertical shaft 107 to move handle 16 forward or back. Optionally, a planetary gear assembly 105 may be provided to change the relative input and output of motor 103.
=
[0020] Referring to FIG. 2, there are also illustrated the components which facilitate and monitor movement of handle 16 up and down relative to handle support 14 between the handle up/oar blade down position illustrated in FIG. 3 or the handle down/oar blade up position illustrated in FIG. 4. For the rowing simulation handle support 14 has been mounted on a support post 13. A horizontal shaft 207 extends from support post 13.
Handle mount 101, which supports handle 16, is attached to horizontal shaft 207. Rotation of handle mount 101 about horizontal shaft 207 allows handle 16 to move up and down relative to handle support 14 between the handle up/oar blade down position illustrated in FIG. 3 or the handle down/oar blade up position illustrated in FIG. 4. In order to simulate gravitational forces from the weight of the oar, a brake disc 209 moves between a magnetic brake caliper 213. The extent of the resistance depends upon the strength of the magnetic force.
Handle sensors which monitor a relative up or down position of handle 16 include a hollow shaft potentiometer 211, as well as a torsion sensor 215. Optionally, a stepper motor 203 can be connected to handle mount 101 to provide a force that is capable of not only resisting but of imparting a rotational force to handle mount 101 to move handle 16 up or down.
Optionally, a planetary gear assembly 205 may be provided to change the relative input and output of motor 203.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 9, there are illustrated the components which facilitate and monitor movement of handle 16 relative to handle support 14 as to the relative rotational position of handle 16 about axis 18, as illustrated by reference numeral 20 in FIG. 7 and FIG.
8. In order to provide resistance to rotation of handle 16 about axis 18, a brake disc 309 which is attached to handle 16 moves between a magnetic brake caliper 313. The extent of the resistance depends upon the strength of the magnetic force. Handle sensors which monitor a relative rotational position of handle 16 relative to axis 18 include a torsion sensor 315.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 1, a processor 28 sends a virtual reality video presentation to a virtual reality head set 30 worn by a user. It will be understood that processor is in communication with the handle sensors and software controlled electronic resistance.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 9, a game control thumb joystick 351 can be mounted to handle 16. Another option is to place game control buttons 353 with game control options on handle 16. One example, is a pause button. Another example, is a "sail" button to enable a user to unfurl a sail to making rowing easier. Another example, is a "shoot" button to enable a user to use a weapon to repel boarders.
[0024] Where the purpose of using controller 10 for rowing simulation is to train an athlete, the sensor data can be stored by processor 28 for future analysis by a coach. This type of analytics is become more common in coaching, where elite athletes endeavor to optimize their rowing technique.
Operation:
[0025] In the sport of rowing, there is relatively little resistance other than the weight of the oar to forward and back movement, when in the handle down/oar blade up position, as the oar blade is out of the water. However, when in the handle up/oar blade down position, the oar blade is in the water and there is considerable resistance to forward and back movement.
Referring to FIG. 1, processor 28 may display a Virtual Reality video presentation through virtual reality headset 30 that positions the user on a river. The user may row upstream or may row downstream. For the purpose of our description of operation, we will assume that the rowing simulation requires a rotation of handle 16 in order to maintain proper technique.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, prior to commencing rowing the user rotates handle 16. The purpose of the rotation is to place the oar blade in a vertical orientation to engage the water. Referring to FIG. 9, this position is communicated to processor 28 by sensor 315.
Referring to FIG. 3, handle 16 is then moved by the user to the handle up/oar blade down position, which simulates the oar blade being lowered into the water.
Referring to FIG. 2, when processor receives a signal from handle sensors 211 and 215 that handle 16 is in the handle up/oar blade down position, processor 28 applies software controlled electronic resistance through brake disc 109 and magnetic brake caliper 113 to resist rotational movement of handle support 14. A rowing stroke is then taken against the resistance from a handle forward/oar blade back position illustrated in FIG. 5 to a handle back/oar blade forward position illustrated in FIG. 6 to simulate a stroke to propel a rowboat through the water. The resistance provided by software controlled electronic resistance of brake disc 109 and magnetic brake caliper 113 similar to the resistance that water provides to movement of an oar blade and corresponds with the virtual reality video presentation being played on virtual reality headset 30. Processor 28 receives data from handle sensors 111 and 115 and is always aware of the relative rotational position of handle 16. Upon the rowing stroke having been completed, the user the moves handle 16 from the handle up/oar blade down position .. illustrated in FIG. 3 to the handle down/oar blade up position illustrated in FIG. 4. Software controlled electronic resistance is provided via brake disc 209 and magnetic brake caliper 213 to simulate a gravitational pull created by a weight on an oar. Referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, handle 16 is rotated to place the oar blade in a horizontal orientation so that the oar can skim above the water on the return stroke, from the handle back/oar blade forward position illustrated in FIG. 6 to the handle forward/oar blade back position illustrated in FIG. 5. The movement of handle 16 in the handle down/oar blade up position is above the water.
Referring to FIG. 9, the rotational position of handle 16 is communicated to processor 28 by sensor 315. Referring to FIG. 2, when processor 28 receives a signal from handle sensor 211 and 215 that handle 16 is in the handle down/oar blade up position, processor 28 reduces or ceases to apply software controlled electronic resistance 26. Referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, handle 16 is then rotated to orient the oar blade to a vertical orientation in preparation for the next rowing stroke.
[0027] In order to simulate an environment, there will be times when the Virtual Reality simulation requires that a rotational force be applied to handle support 14.
In other words, the user is required to resist a rotation force in addition to imparting his or her own. In order to provide these simulations, software controlled electronic resistance can be programmed to apply a positive rotational force to handle support 14. Where an application of such force is desirable, it is applied by stepper motor 103 if active forward or back input into handle 16 is desired or stepper motor 203 if active up or down input into handle 16 is desired.
[0028] In this patent document, the word "comprising" is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article "a" does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements.
[0029] The scope of the claims should not be limited by the illustrated embodiments set forth as examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with a purposive construction of the claims in view of the description as a whole.

Claims (13)

What is Claimed is:
1. A controller for simulated movement, comprising:
a handle support;
a handle supported by the handle support, the handle being movable relative to the handle support;
one or more handle sensors are provided for monitoring a position of the handle;
software controlled electronic resistance to rotational movement of each handle support;
a processor sending a virtual reality video presentation to a virtual reality head set, the processor being in communication with the support sensors, the handle sensors and the software controlled electronic resistance; and when the handle is in a pre-determined position, the processor applying the software controlled electronic resistance to resist rotational movement of the handle support to correspond with the virtual reality video presentation being played on the virtual reality headset.
2. The controller of Claim 1, wherein the handle moves up and down relative to the handle support.
3. The controller of Claim 1, wherein the handle move forward and back relative to the handle support.
4. The controller of Claim 1, wherein the handle has a longitudinal axis and the handle rotates about the longitudinal axis.
5. The controller of Claim 1, wherein the software controlled electronic resistance can be used to apply a force to move the handle support.
6. The controller of Claim 1, wherein there are a pair of handle supports.
7. The controller of Claim 6, wherein the pair of handle supports function independently.
8. The controller of Claim 1, wherein the handle support is a simulated oar lock and the handle is a simulated oar.
9. The controller of Claim 1, wherein there are buttons providing game control options on the handle.
10. A controller for simulated movement, comprising:
a base;
a pair of handle supports mounted to the base in spaced relation, each handle support being a simulated oar lock;
a handle supported by each handle support, each handle functioning independently, each handle being a simulated oar, each handle being movable relative to the handle support between a handle up/oar blade down position and handle down/oar blade up position, each handle being movable relative to the handle support between a handle forward (oar blade back) position to a handle back (oar blade forward) position;
one or more handle sensors are provided for monitoring a position of the handle;
software controlled electronic resistance to rotational movement of each handle support;
a processor sending a virtual reality video presentation to a virtual reality head set, the processor being in communication with the handle sensors and the software controlled electronic resistance; and when the handle is in a pre-determined position, the processor applying the software controlled electronic resistance to resist movement of the handle support to correspond with the virtual reality video presentation being played on the virtual reality headset.
11. The controller of Claim 10, wherein, the handle has a longitudinal axis and the handle rotates about the longitudinal axis.
12. The controller of Claim 10, wherein the software controlled electronic resistance can be used to apply a force to move the handle support.
13. The controller of Claim 10, wherein there are buttons providing game control options on the handle.
CA3009005A 2018-06-21 2018-06-21 Controller for simulated movement Pending CA3009005A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA3009005A CA3009005A1 (en) 2018-06-21 2018-06-21 Controller for simulated movement

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA3009005A CA3009005A1 (en) 2018-06-21 2018-06-21 Controller for simulated movement

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA3009005A1 true CA3009005A1 (en) 2019-12-21

Family

ID=69053977

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA3009005A Pending CA3009005A1 (en) 2018-06-21 2018-06-21 Controller for simulated movement

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA3009005A1 (en)

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