WO2004090837A1

WO2004090837A1 - Installation, process and driver’s seat for the reproduction of sporting events

Info

Publication number: WO2004090837A1
Application number: PCT/EP2004/002444
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marco Maria Buscemi; Fabio Michele Barozzi
Original assignee: Marco Maria Buscemi; Fabio Michele Barozzi
Priority date: 2003-04-09
Filing date: 2004-03-10
Publication date: 2004-10-21
Also published as: EP1631948A1; ITMI20030712A1

Abstract

The installation for the reproduction of sporting events, in particular the ones that require the use of one vehicle at least incorporates devicse for the detection of data relative to the sporting event, placed on board the vehicle and data transmission systems to remote receivers connected to actuators of a fixed driver’s seat. These actuators are capable of creating conditions in the fixed driver’s seat very similar to those existing inside the actual vehicle. The process for the reproduction of sporting events consists in detecting the data relating to the sporting event, transmitting it to a fixed driver’s seat and then processing it in order to create conditions in the fixed driver’s seat very similar to those existing inside the actual vehicle. The fixed driver’s seat includes a support for one spectator and several actuators capable of reproducing images and/or sounds and/or acceleration/braking and/or movements and/or smells and/or temperatures.

Description

INSTALLATION, PROCESS AND DRIVER'S SEAT FOR THE REPRODUCTION OF SPORTING EVENTS

This invention refers to an installation, process and driver's seat for the reproduction of sporting events and more specifically, sporting events that require the use of a vehicle, such as car races. Nevertheless, other examples of sporting events could include ski races or similar events.

Nowadays, the above-mentioned sporting events are reproduced by TV. As everybody knows, video cameras shoot the event and broadcast over the air. The television acts as a receiver and reproduces the images of the sporting event on the screen.

This type of reproduction system, although in most cases, is capable of representing the event in all its complexity, by also reproducing the participants' emotions. In other cases, it is not capable of transmitting to the spectator all the emotions and sensations of the participant. For example, in car races, the mere view of the image is not capable of transmitting the pilot's emotions and sensations which are obtained not only through images (the same images are viewed by the spectators and the pilot thanks to the camera car), but also by sounds, acceleration/ braking, movements, smells, temperatures, etc.

Therefore, the technical objective of this invention is to provide an electronic installation, process and a driver's seat for the reproduction of sporting events, thereby overcoming the technical drawbacks in a more effective manner than the previous state of the art. Another objective of this invention is to provide an electronic installation, process and a driver's seat for the reproduction of sporting events in order to obtain the reproduction of images and/or sounds and/or acceleration/braking and/ or movements and/ or smells and/ or temperatures to improve the communication of real sensations of the racing driver. These technical objectives are achieved by creating an electronic installation, process and a driver's seat for the reproduction of sporting events in accordance with the attached claims.

Further characteristics and advantages of this invention will be more evident from the preferred, but not exclusive description of the electronic installation, process and driver's seat for the reproduction of sporting events in accordance with the invention, illustrated in the accompanying drawings just as an indication and not as a limitation, where:

Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of an electronic installation in accordance with this invention; - Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of a fixed driver's seat in accordance with this invention.

With reference to the above-mentioned illustrations, an electronic installation for the reproduction of sporting events is represented with reference number 1.

Specifically, the kind of sporting event requires the use of at least one vehicle 2; it may be, for example, a car, ski race or similar events, such as Formula 1,

Formula 3000, Formula Rally car races etc.

The electronic installation 1 includes detection systems 3 of data relative to sporting events, placed on board the vehicle 2, transmission devices 4 of the data to remote receivers 5 connected to actuators 6 of a fixed driver's seat 7; the connection can be by cable or radiofrequency, for example by using WI-FI modules.

The actuators 6 are capable of creating in the fixed driver's seat 7 conditions similar to the ones existing in the vehicle 2.

The detection systems 3 incorporate several image sensors 3a and/or sound sensors 3b and/or acceleration/ braking or movement sensors 3c and/or smell sensors 3d and /or temperature sensors 3e.

For example, image sensors 3a and sound sensors 3b include ordinary video cameras and microphones. Specifically, two video cameras can be positioned on the opposite sides of the vehicle so as to shoot images which are reproduced to generate a three-dimensional effect. The acceleration/braking or movement sensors 3c may include RGRA3 model sensors by Entran® and steering wheel rotation sensors by Active Sensor Ltd, RP5120 model.

The smell sensors can be realised indirectly. That is by detecting events which cause smells and activating the smell actuators by means of the software. For example, it is possible to detect a fire or abrupt braking by means of preset video cameras and activate the smell actuators by means of the software to release the smell of burning or burnt rubber.

Furthermore, it is possible to detect an explosion (e.g. a motor) by means of preset microphones or an accident and consequently to control the smell actuators so that they release burning or gasoline smells. Another solution could be that the smells can be detected directly by means of proper sensors capable of detecting smells.

The temperature measurement is carried out by means of traditional thermometers, e.g. resistance thermometers or similar. The electronic installation includes radiofrequency and infrared data transmission systems or similar. Advantageously, the transmission systems 4 transmit the signals to a satellite transreceiver 8 and the reception systems 5 receive the signals from the satellite transreceiver 8; in this way, it is possible to obtain the transmission of the data in real time, even between transmitters and receivers positioned at very long distance. For example, a car race taking place in Brazil can be reproduced by means of this electronic installation in

Europe in real time.

In a preferred execution of the electronic installation, the vehicle 2 is equipped with secondary transmitters 9 which transmit the data detected by the sensors 3 and processed or codified by a computer 10 to the transmission systems 4, composed of a fixed station.

The fixed station transmits the data to the receiver 5 via satellites by means of codes. In this case, the transmission is carried on by means of digital decoder or GSM protocols or ADSL lines by Internet. The actuators 6 incorporate TV screens 6a for reproducing images and/or loudspeakers 6b for reproducing sounds and/ or hydraulic and/ or electrical and/ or pneumatic actuators 6c for reproducing acceleration /braking or movements.

For example, the TV screen 6a is parabolic and is characterised by IMAX® technology; alternatively, it is possible to mount a small LCD screen into a multimedia helmet and two stereophonic loudspeakers to transmit the sounds in real time. These simulators with input in real time are, for example, distributed by IWERKS™.

Advantageously, in the previous case (LCD screen mounted in the helmet), in the vehicle are installed two video cameras on the two opposite sides so as to transmit the two images separately and reproduce them on eyeglasses with monocular LCD screens in order to obtain the three-dimensional and stereoscopic effect.

The actuators 6 may include also one or more supports 6d which release chemicals reproducing the smells detected by the smell sensors and actuators 6e which control the temperature: they are composed of heater-fans (to create warm environments) but, in more complex situations, real air-conditioning installations are provided.

Furthermore, the electronic installation includes safety systems which interrupt the data reproduction when exceeding safety levels. For example, they may be composed of a programme executed by the computer 9 which interrupts the transmission when detecting acceleration /braking higher than those provided. Similarly, the programme can be executed by a proper computer (not illustrated) placed in the fixed driver's seat 7, close to the transmitter 4 or the receiver 5.

The working of the electronic installation, in accordance with the present invention, is evident in the description as well as in the illustrations and, in particular, can be substantially represented as follows: The sensors 3 detect acceleration/ braking, sounds, images, temperatures etc. in the vehicle and transmit them, through the secondary transmitter 9, to the transmission systems 4, which transmit the data to the receiver 5 by means of the satellite Tran receiver 8; then, the data are supplied to the fixed driver's seat 7. In the fixed driver's seat 7, the data are used to control the actuators 6 and recreate in the fixed driver's seat 7 conditions similar to the ones existing in the vehicle 2. For example, the driver's seat moves in order to simulate the acceleration/braking in the different directions and the steering wheel moves to reproduce the racing driver's steering, etc. This invention also refers to a process reproducing sporting events, in particular the sporting events which require the use of at least one vehicle 2.

The electronic installation described can be used for home or collective applications. In the first case (home applications), the potential customer must have the fixed driver's seat at his own disposal (bought or hired) with all the necessary equipment for the data reception. In the second case (collective applications), the invention offers the creation of appropriate rooms containing several fixed driver's seats and the equipment for the data reception. In both cases, the spectator has the opportunity to choose the car he wants "to drive" and the effects he wants to create. For example, it is possible to obtain visual, sound and dynamic (acceleration/ braking and movements) effects and occasionally olfactory and thermal effects. In addition, particularly in case of collective applications, more fixed driver's seats can reproduce the race of the same car: for example, in case of ten available driver's seats, five driver's seats can reproduce the race of

Schumacher's Ferrari, three the race of Barrichello's Ferrari and two that of Coulthard's McLaren.

Of course, any user can freely choose the race to follow on each fixed driver's seat before the start of the car race and possibly change seats afterwards.

The process consists in detecting the data relating to the sporting events, transmit them to a fixed driver's seat and then process them in order to create in such fixed driver's seat conditions similar to the ones existing in the vehicle. In particular, the data are detected and processed in real time. Advantageously, the detected data are compared with stored limit data and should these detected data be inadmissible, their reproduction is interrupted in the fixed driver's seat. Advantageously, the present invention also refers to a fixed driver's seat 7 for an electronic installation 1 reproducing sporting events, in particular the sporting events which require the use of at least one vehicle 2. The fixed driver's seat 7 includes a support 11 for one spectator and several actuators 6 for reproducing images, sounds, acceleration/braking and/ or movements, smells, temperatures, etc.

For example, the illustration 2 represents a fixed driver's seat; this fixed driver's seat presents the actuators 6a-6d and a driver's seat 15 provided with five-position anchorage safety belts 16, although in some cases the driver's seat can be provided with traditional safety belts or safety bars. In a preferred execution, the electronic installation, the process and the driver's seat for the reproduction of sporting events, in accordance with the present invention are capable of reproducing sporting events consisting of car races. Nevertheless, in other examples the event may be different, for example a ski race. In this case, the vehicles are represented by skis and the fixed driver's seat includes a pair of skis with sensors capable of reproducing the stresses the skier is subject to.

As previously observed, the electronic installation, the process and the driver's seat for the reproduction of sporting events, in accordance with this invention are particularly advantageous since they allow recreating in a fixed driver's seat the sensations of the sportsman, particularly those of the racing driver during a car race.

The electronic installation, process and driver's seat for the reproduction of sporting events are open to significant changes and variants, all belonging to the field of the invention concept; in addition, all details can be replaced by technically equivalent elements. Practically, the used materials, as well as the dimensions, may be different, depending on the specific requirements and the state of the art.

Claims

1. An installation for the reproduction of sporting events, in particular sporting events which require the use of at least one vehicle, is characterised by the features that it includes devices detecting the data relative to such sporting events, placed on board the vehicle, as well as transmission systems of these data to remote receivers connected to actuators of a fixed driver's seat; such actuators are capable of creating in the fixed driver's seat conditions similar to the ones existing in the above-mentioned vehicle.

2. An installation according to Claim 1, characterised by the features that the detection systems incorporate several image and/or sound and/or acceleration/braking and/ or movement and/ or smell and/ or temperature sensors.

3. An installation according to any one of the preceding Claims, in which two image sensors are housed on the opposite sides of the vehicle in order to shoot images which are reproduced to create a three-dimensional effect.

4. An installation according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterised by the features that such transmission systems transmit the signals to a satellite transceiver and such reception systems are capable of receiving the signals from the satellite transceiver.

5. An installation according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterised by the features that the above-mentioned vehicle presents secondary transmitters for transmitting the data detected by such sensors and processed or codified by a computer to the transmission systems which transmit such data to the receiver via satellites.

6. An installation according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterised by the features that such actuators include TV screens for reproducing images and/or loudspeakers for reproducing sounds and/or hydraulic and/ or electrical and/ or pneumatic actuators for reproducing acceleration/ braking or movements.

7. An installation according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterised by the features that such actuators include one or more supports which release chemicals reproducing smells detected by such smell sensors.

8. An installation according to any one of the preceding Claims, in which are mounted safety systems to interrupt the reproduction of the data when exceeding the safety levels.

9. A process for the reproduction of sporting events, in particular sporting events which require the use of at least one vehicle, characterised by the features that it detects the data relative .to the sporting events, transmits such data to a fixed driver's seat and processes them to create in the fixed driver's seat conditions similar to the ones existing in the above-mentioned vehicle.

10. A process according to the previous Claim, characterised by the features that such data are detected and processed in real time.

11. A process according to any one of the preceding 9 or following Claims, characterised by the features that such detected data are compared with the stored limit data and, should these detected data be inadmissible, their reproduction is interrupted on board the fixed driver's seat.

12. A fixed driver's seat for the reproduction of sporting events, in particular sporting events which require the use of at least one vehicle, characterised by the features that it incorporates a support for one spectator and several actuators able to reproduce images and/or sounds and/or acceleration/ braking and /or movements and /or smells and /or temperatures.

13. An installation, a process and a driver's seat for the reproduction of sporting events, characterised by the features that such sporting events consist in car races.