WO2002032529A1

WO2002032529A1 - Chair driving method and chair therefor

Info

Publication number: WO2002032529A1
Application number: PCT/KR2001/001626
Authority: WO
Inventors: Soug-Jae Yoon
Original assignee: Contech, Inc.
Priority date: 2000-10-20
Filing date: 2001-09-27
Publication date: 2002-04-25
Also published as: KR20020031535A; KR100350587B1; AU2001292416A1

Abstract

A method for driving a chair with motors according to the manipulation of an input device of a game machine such as a joystick or a game pad, allowing users to enjoy games realistically, and a chair for the same is provided. The chair comprises a pair of hinges for pitching and rolling of the chair. It also includes a controller and sensors to control the rotation of the motors. A motion platform transfers the motion caused by the hinges to the chair. An adaptor is used to capture signals from the input device. It sends the captured signals both to the controller and to the game machine. The controller drives the motors according to the signals.

Description

CHAIR DRIVING METHOD AND CHAIR THEREFOR

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a chair driving method and chair therefor, in particular, to a method for driving a chair capable of pitching and rolling movements according to the manipulation of an input device of a game machine, allowing users to enjoy games realistically, and a chair for the same.

Background of the Invention

There exist already devices which can enhance realistic feeling of a gamer by pitching/rolling chair of the gamer in accordance with the game contents. However, the conventional devices, mostly using hydraulic pressure/air pressure or high-cost linear motors, have been constructed to combine a display screen and the chair in one and same body, so that the video screen and the chair are rotated in the same directions as the video game machine is manipulated by a user through a control device such as joystick or game pad. Another problem with the conventional devices are that since a game software shall also function to control the chair in the conventional arts, they carry the burden of simultaneous development not only of a game but also of a device therefore, leading to a large-sized device in order to perform various functions, thus, resulting in an increase of the price of the device. An individual who has bought such a high-priced device for home use confronts with problems not only in finding a suitable space for the bulky device, but also in maintenance of the device in cases of trouble, or other deficiencies. Further, in view of the recent diversification of the game types and drastic shortening of the supply cycle on the market of the new games, leading to increased complexity in controlling the system integrity between a game software and the corresponding device, the conventional devices have an additional disadvantage due to their incapability of changing their game software with ease.

However, the major hindrance for an individual in deciding to purchase such a high-priced device is, above all, that the conventional devices are incompatible with the existing video game machines.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The present invention, conceived to solve the above problems, aims to provide a chair driving method which is easily compatible with an existing game machine.

The present invention aims further to provide a method for driving a chair with motors which can move in accordance with a video game, so that the game user is enabled to enjoy the game realistically.

Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. l a is a block diagram showing a system embodying the present invention using a general input device.

Fig. l b is a block diagram showing a system embodying the present invention using an adaptor and an input device Fig. 2 shows a system construction in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, wherein a computer is connected to a joystick, using the latter as an input device.

Fig. 3 is a flow chart showing the operating process of the present invention using a general input device. Fig. 4 shows a system construction in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, wherein a computer is connected to a joystick as an input device, while the joystick is attached to the chair.

Fig. 5 is a flow chart showing the operating process of the present invention in accordance with the example of embodiment in as in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 illustrates an example of a chair equipped with a joystick and a key board as its input devices.

Fig. 7a illustrates the hinges capable of pitching and rolling motions.

Fig. 7b shows cross-sectional views illustrating examples of the pitching movements by the hinge. Fig. 7c illustrates a device capable of providing pitching and rolling movements, comprising hinges, motors, linkages, and a platform.

Fig. 7d shows side view of a device capable of providing pitching and rolling movements comprising hinges, motors, linkages, and a platform.

Fig. 8 illustrates an example to explain how the pitching and rolling motions in accordance with the present invention work in the overall system.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

In order to achieve the above-described objectives, the present invention provides a method for driving a chair with motors according to the manipulation of an input device of a game machine such as ajoystick or a game pad, allowing users to enjoy games realistically, and a chair for the same method. For this purpose, the chair comprises a pair of hinges for pitching and rolling of the chair. It also includes a controller and sensors to control the rotation of the motors.

A detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention is given below, making reference to the accompanying drawings. The controller is connected to the game machine or to an adaptor, which connects the manipulation device such as joystick or keypad to the game machine, After the adaptor has been connected to the port of the game machine, a game user can operate the manipulation device while viewing the video screen, whereupon the chair generates pitching/rolling movements in the same directions.

A detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention is given below making reference to the corresponding drawings.

Fig. la is a block diagram showing a system embodying the present invention using a general input device.

Fig, l a comprises five main parts, i.e., an input device 100, a game machine 1 10. a signal processor 120, a motion base 130, and a chair seat 140.

A control device such as ajoystick, a keyboard, a game pad, an handle, a mouse, and the like can be used as the input device alone or in combination with other control devices. A typical example of the game machine 100 adopting such combined input devices is a PC. However, a home use game machine, an arcade game machine, and the like can also be the game machine. The game machine comprises a software driver 1 1 1 for processing digital signals from the input device and a game program 1 12 executed in the game machine.

The signal processor 120, which processes digital signals from the S/W driver 1 1 1 of the game machine and then transmits them to the motion base 130, includes a motion driver 121. The motion driver 121 transmits digital signals from the S/W driver 111 to the motion base 130, after having converted the digital signals into electric signals. The motion driver 121 is preferably equipped with two drivers which are capable of processing the signals for rolling control or the pitching control, respectively. The motion base 130, installed inside the chair, generates pitching/rolling motions of the chair. The motion base, of which the main function is to generate mechanical motions, is equipped with two motors 131 for generation of rotating motions. each corresponding to its respective motion driver 120. A reducer 132 is connected to each motor for increase/reduction of the rotating speed, while a sensor 133 is connected to each reducer 132 to enable correct measuring of the displacements signifying the increase/reduction in the rotating speed, and controlling of the changes in the pitching/rolling movements. A linkage 134 is further connected to each reducer, for converting the rotation movements of the motor 131 into linear movements and then transmitting them to a hinge 135. The hinge 135 is a control device for enabling pitching/rolling movements of the motion platform 136, while the motion platform 136. to which the generated motions are finally transmitted, can either be the hinge itself, or a plate attached directly over the upper plate of the hinge.

The chair seat 140, which constitutes the last part of the block diagram, is a seat on which a game user sits.

Fig. lb is a block diagram showing a system embodying the present invention using an adaptor and an input device. Here, in contrast to Fig. l a where a S/W driver 1 1 1 was installed, the chair is equipped with an adaptor 101 which receives signals from an input device 100 and then distributes them to a signal processor 120 and a game machine 110 simultaneously. A signal converter 121 transmits the signals inputted by the adaptor to a motion driver 122 after having converted them into digital signals utilizable by the motion driver 122. The motion driver 122 then converts the digital signals into electric signals and transmits them to a motion base 130. Apart from the above, the explanations given in Fig. l a apply to this embodiment as well.

Fig. 2 shows a system construction in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, wherein a computer is connected to a joystick, using the latter as an input device. In the embodiment described in Fig. 2. a motion driver S/W is installed in the computer to allow catching of digital direction-change signals from a joystick 200. ITiis embodiment is explained in detail below.

When the driver S/W 212 of a control device processes a digital signal from the joystick 200, while the joystick 200 is connected to a game port or a USB (universal serial bus) port 211 of a computer 210, and then transmits the processed signal to an operating system 215 such as Windows 98, the operating system transmits it to a game software 216, so that the digital signal performs a movement in the game software. In other words, if the joystick moves to the right, a corresponding movement to the right of a game item displayed on the computer monitor follows.

In order to realize motions in the motion base 220 identical with those of a game item, the motion driver S/W 213 fetches the digital signals generated by the joystick in the course of their transmission from the driver S/W 212 of the control device to the operating system 215, and then transmits the digital signals to the controller 221 of the motion base through another input/output port of the computer, i.e. a serial port or a parallel port 217. Here, the controller 221 converts the digital signals generated by the computer to electrical signals, which are required for controlling a motor, and then controls the motors 222, 226. The motors 222, 226, consisted of the first motor 222 and the second motor 226, generate rotation movement independently from each other. Here, the sensors 225, 229 measures the rotation displacements of each motor and transmits the measured results to the controller 221.

The controller compares the rotation speed of each motor with digital signals received from the computer in connection with the above displacements, and then controls the rotation speed of the motors. The reducers 223, 227 are connected to their corresponding motors for the purpose of reducing the rotation speed of the motors, so that the power is enhanced, and then transmitted to the linkages 224, 228.

The linkages convert the rotating power transmitted from the reducers to linear motion, and then transmit it to a platform as illustrated in Fig. 7c. In other words, the first hinge 720 effects left/right tilting of the chair through rolling motions by the rotating power generated by the first motor 222 being linked to the linkage 224 while it effects forward/backward tilting of the chair through pitching motions by the rotating power generated by the second motor 226 being linked to the linkage 228. Here, the second hinge 700 remains fixed. A more detailed explanation of the hinges and the linkages w ill be given herein later.

Although the above description is made with examples of a joystick and computer, the present invention is not limited thereto. But rather, a joystick may well be substituted by another control device such as a game pad, while a computer may be substituted by a game machine as well.

Fig. 3 is a flow chart showing the operating process of the present invention using a general input device.

To describe the process in Fig. 2 in accordance with its flow succession, upon start of the control device of a game machine by a game user (step S3 1 1 ). the control device converts the control order into a digital signal (step S3 12), If the user moves, eg. the hand bar of a joystick to the lefi. the degree of movement is converted to a digital signal and then transmitted to the port driver of the game machine (step S313).

The port driver transmits the digital signal to the S/W of the game machine, in the course of which transmission the digital signal is fetched by the motion driver 213 which exchanges data with the controller 221 of the motion base 220. and then further transmitted to the controller 221 of the motion base 220 (step S3 14),

The controller, having received the above digital signal from the motion driver, converts the digital signal into an electric signal (step S315), and then transmits the electric signal to the corresponding motor to drive it (step S3 16). As the motor rotates, a certain displacement is generated, which is subsequently measured by a sensor installed to the motor (step S317), and then transmitted to the controller (step S318).

The controller, having received the rotation displacements data of the motor, compares the rotation displacements with the digital signal received from the motion driver of the game machine (step S319), and repeats the steps S316 to S319 by transmitting electric signals to the motor to drive it, in case the motion is not sufficient for the rotation volume of the motor.

If the rotation amount of the motor is found to be sufficient in the comparison step S319, the controller stops driving of the motor (step S320). The process of effecting pitching and rolling of the chair by the rotation power of the motors transmitted through the reducers, the linkages, and the hinge is as explained before.

Fig. 4 shows a system construction in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, wherein a computer is connected to a joystick as an input device, while the joystick is attached to the chair.

In the example shown in Fig. 4, applying the system construction as in Fig. l a, the chair includes a joystick as installed at one side of it in contrast to Fig. 2, and an adapter 410 which distributes the digital signals in accordance with the joystick manipulation to the computer and controller of the motion base. To be more in detail, if a game user intends to move an item on the computer

420 monitor using a joystick 400, the joystick 400 generates a digital signal containing information on the displacement position and transmits it to the adaptor 410, which latter is connected to a USB port of a computer or a game port, and to the controller 43 1 of the motion base 430 at the same time. Namely, the digital signal generated by the joystick 400 is transmitted to the adaptor 410, while the adaptor 410 distributes the transmitted digital signal to the computer and the motion base simultaneously.

The port driver of computer 420 transmits the digital signals received from the adaptor to the operating system, whereupon the operating system transmits the signals further to the game program, so that a movement of the game item is performed on the display screen exactly corresponding to the displacement generated by the joystick,

The controller 431 of the motion base 430 drives the motor by transmitting the digital signals received from the adaptor to the motors 432, 436 after having converted them to electric signals. Working of the motion base is the same as the counterpart thereof in Fig. 2, with the distinct exception that the digital signals generated by the joystick are inputted into the motion base via an adaptor installed separately from the computer in Fig. 4, while the digital signals in Fig. 2 are inputted from the computer,

Although the above description is made with examples of a joystick and computer, the present invention is not limited thereto. But rather, a joystick may well be substituted by another control device such as a game pad, while a computer may be substituted by a game machine as well. Thus, there can be cases where the adaptor distributes analog signals only and an A/D converter for converting the analog signals to digital signals is installed in the controller. Alternatively, in case the digital signals are outputted from an input device, the adaptor may only distribute the digital signals lo the game machine and the device in accordance with the present invention

Fig. 5 is a flow chart showing the operating process of the present invention in accordance with the example of embodiment in as in Fig. 4.

Referring to the flowchart, if a game user operates the control device of the game machine (step S511), the control device converts the control order into a signal (step S512) and then transmits the signal to the adaptor (step S513). In other words, if the user moves, e.g. the handle bar of a joystick to the left, the joystick converts this movement into a digital signal and then transmits the signal to the adaptor. Upon receiving the signal, the adaptor 410 distributes the signal to the game port or USB port, i.e. port driver of the game machine as well as to the controller 43 1 of the motion base 430 (step S514). The signal transmitted to the above motion base 430 is then converted to digital signal by a signal converter 121 in the controller 431.

Subsequently, the port driver of the game machine transmits the signal to the game program, whereupon the controller of the motion base 430 converts the digital signal into electric signal (step S515) and drives the corresponding motor by transmitting the electric signal to the motor (step S516).

As the motor rotates, a certain displacement is generated, which is subsequently measured by a sensor installed to the motor (step S517), and then transmitted to the controller (step S518).

The controller, having received the rotation displacements data of the motor from the sensors, compares the rotation displacements with the digital signal movements received from the adaptor (step S519), and repeats the steps S516 to S519 by transmitting electric signals to the motor to drive it, in case the motion is not sufficient for the movement in accordance with the motor rotation.

If the rotation amount of the motor is found to be sufficient in the comparison step S519, the controller stops driving of the motor (step S520).

The subsequent process is the same as in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 illustrates an example of a chair equipped with a joystick and a key board as its input devices.

If the joystick 600 moves to any direction, a movement of the chair 610 in the identical direction is generated, i.e. if the joystick moves to, e.g. the left, the chair also moves to the left.

Fig. 7a illustrates the hinges capable of pitching and rolling motions. The hinge, which is a control device enabling desired pitching and rolling motions of the motion platform, comprises a first hinge 720, a second hinge 700, and a middle plate 710. This hinge construction enables the following two types of motion.

1) Rolling motion: the first hinge 720 and the middle plate 710 make left/right tilting motions on the axis of the second hinge 730, while the second hinge 700 remains fixed, which motions are illustrated in Fig. 7b. Here, a tilting to the left or to the right is made on the axis of the second hinge 730. 2) Pitching motion: the first hinge 720 makes forward/backward tilting motions on the axis of the first hinge 740, while the second hinge 700 and the middle plate 710 remain fixed.

Figs. 7c and 7d show how the hinge in Fig. 7a is connected to the motors 222, 226 and the motion platform 760. Rotating motions of the motors 222, 226, after they are converted to linear motions by the linkages 224, 228, pull or push the motion platform 760, resulting in rolling or pitching motion by the hinge structure as shown in Fig. 7a.

Fig. 8 illustrates an example to explain how the pitching and rolling motions in accordance with the present invention work in the general system.

In the example shown in Fig. 8, a game user enjoys a game by manipulating the joystick 810 while sitting on the chair 800 and watching the monitor 820, wherein the chair 800 is tilted to any direction 830 in accordance with the manipulation of the joystick 810, so that the user is allowed to enjoy the game realistically.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the preferred embodiments and accompanying drawings, it should be noted that the scope of the rights of the present invention is not limited thereto, but rather shall be determined by the appended claims, allowing various alterations, modifications and adjustments as those skilled in the art will understand.

Industrial Applicability

The present invention, by providing a device that can easily be installed and requires a minimal space, makes maintenance and repair of the device convenient.

Furthermore, since the present invention utilizes an already existing game machine, the cost for installing the device in accordance with the present invention can be relatively low.

In addition, the present invention allows a user to realistically enjoy a video game through rolling and pitching motions of the chair.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A chair for video game comprising: an adaptor, which receives signals generated by a game control device as the game control device is operated as an input device of a video game, and outputs the signals; a control part which receives said signals from said adaptor and then converts them into electric signals; motors which receive said electric signals from said control part and then generate rotating power; a motion converter part which generates linear motions using the rotating power from said motors; and a chair body which is capable of performing rolling and pitching motions using said linear motions from said motion converter part, while allowing a user to sit thereon.

2. The chair for video game as set forth in Claim 1 , wherein said adaptor transmits said signals from said game control device both to said chair for video game and to an external game machine.

3. A chair for video game comprising; a control part which receives digital signals generated by a game control device from an output port of a game machine connected to said game control device as the game control device is operated as an input device of a video game and then converts them into electric signals; motors which receives said electric signals from said control part and then generate rotating power; a motion converter part which generates linear motions using the rotating power from said motors; and a chair body which is capable of performing rolling and pitching motions using said linear motions from said motion converter part, while allowing a user to sit thereon.

4. The chair for video game as set forth in any one of Claim 1 through Claim 3, wherein said motion converter part comprises linkages for converting rotation motions to linear motions, hinges for generating forward/backward and left/right tilting, and a motion platform to which the final motion is transferred.

5. The chair for video game as set forth in Claim 4, wherein said motors comprises a first motor which supplies rotation power for forward/backward tilting and a second motor which supplies rotation power for left/right tilting

6. The chair for video game as set forth in Claim 4, wherein said hinges include a first hinge for generating forward/backward and left/right tilting, a second hinge which is fixed, and a middle plate located between said first and second hinges.

7. The chair for video game as set forth in any one of Claim 1 through Claim 3, wherein the direction of linear motion generated by said motion converter part is identical with that generated by said control device, and the size of said linear motion is proportional to that of the manipulation by said control device.

8. A method for driving a chair in accordance with manipulation of an input device comprising: a first step wherein a control order is converted to a digital signal as a game user controls the control device of a game machine, and then transmitted to the game machine; a second step wherein the motion driver of said game machine detects the digital signal, and then transmits it to the controller of a motion base; and a third step wherein said controller drives motors installed at the video game Ghair in accordance with said digital signal.

9. A method for driving a chair in accordance with manipulation of an input device comprising: a first step wherein a control order is converted to a signal as a game user controls the control device of a game machine, and then transmitted to an adaptor that distributes said signal ; a second step wherein a signal converter of said controller converts said signal to a digital signal as said adaptor distributes the transmitted signal to said game machine and to said controller of a motion base; and a third step wherein said controller drives motors installed at the video game chair in accordance with said digital signal.

10. The method for driving a chair in accordance with manipulation of an input device as set forth in any one of Claim 8 or Claim 9, wherein said third step includes the steps of:

3-1 wherein the motors installed at said video game chair rotate in accordance with said digital signal;

3-2 wherein rotation of said motors is measured by sensors and the respective disposition data are transmitted to said control part;

3-3 wherein said control part compares said inputted digital signal with said disposition data;

3-4 wherein said control part drives the motors in case the disposition data in said step 3-3 do not satisfy the conditions of said digital signal: and 3-5 wherein said control part stops the motors in case the disposition data in said step 3-3 satisfy the conditions of said digital signal,

11. The method for driving a chair in accordance with manipulation of an input device as set forth in Claim 10, wherein the amount of said disposition is proportional to that of the manipulation by said control device.