WO2010127421A2

WO2010127421A2 - Simulator model for radio-controlled models

Info

Publication number: WO2010127421A2
Application number: PCT/BR2009/000132
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tiago Leopoldo Guedes Moreira
Original assignee: Tiago Leopoldo Guedes Moreira
Priority date: 2009-05-07
Filing date: 2009-05-07
Publication date: 2010-11-11
Also published as: WO2010127421A3

Abstract

This is a simulator model for RC (Radio-Controlled Models), the characteristic of which is to have a steering wheel, control joystick or handlebar, and brake and acceleration pedals with vibration detection system. A steering wheel (A), internally modified and containing an electronic circuit (B) with a radio frequency transmitter and receiver (C), compatible with those of the radio-controlled model (D) and an antenna (E) for transmission and reception of radio waves. By pushing the acceleration pedal (F) this will cause the radio-controlled model (D) to move, the brake (G) will cause it to lower the speed or stop, and the steering wheel (A) will appoint the desired direction. The steering wheel (A) will have a vibration detection circuit (H) that will receive data through sensors (I) installed in the radio-controlled model (D). Whenever the radio-controlled model (D) receives the action of any type of opposite force, the vibration detection circuit (H), will send signs to the steering wheel (A) causing it to vibrate. The steering wheel (A) will further have a screen (J) to display the captured images, + or - volume control (K) and forward or backward (L) keys to control a sound system (M) and camera and laser activation keys (O). The system will be fed through batteries or connected to the electric network.

Description

Title: "SIMULATOR MODEL FOR RADIO-CONTROLLED MODELS. " The object of this patent application is a new simulator model for RC (Radio-Controlled Models), which has the purpose of enabling a new manner of controlling these models, allowing the simulation to occur through a steering wheel, control joystick or handlebar, and brake and acceleration pedals, turning the practice of this sport more exciting and realistic. This is a new concept where some accessories created for videogames have been adapted, which, after changes to their structure, made their use possible in radio-controlled models. Radio-Controlled Models are increasingly spreading in leisure and sport activities of Brazilians. MODEL CARS, as they are called, are replicas of real cars, in smaller scale, controlled by radio waves. Their operation is very simple: commands are delivered to the MODEL CAR through a radio transmitter carried by the driver; inside the car there is a receptor that captures these signals and guides them to power the engine, acceleration and brake, as well as the driving wheel (steering wheel). The same occurs with other types of AIR, NAUTICAL, RAILROAD AND ROBOT MODELS. The mechanics of each is different, but the basic principle is the same for all. Currently, the control of these MODELS is made through a small hand-held control that has pressure or rotary buttons or joysticks to drive the running of engines and control the model's steering. In addition, it consists also of a transmission antenna. The user typically keeps standing and controls his model at distance. This type of control is specific and does not convey any feeling of real simulation to the user. With a view to modernizing and making the manner of using these models even more exciting, the present RC simulator model has been developed, designed for allowing the user to have an experience closer to 1 reality when controlling any radio control model, and its differential is the

2 fact that it has a steering wheel, handlebar or control joystick with brake

3 and acceleration pedals that have been internally adjusted and modified to

4 be used in the control of radio-controlled models, and they may replace the

5 current hand-held control, thus turning the drivability of such models even β closer to the real one. This steering wheel model is currently available in

7 the market, but it has been developed only for the simulation of videogame

8 or PC games. The news is exactly there: to enable this type of control to be

9 also used to control RC models. The new simulator model has also a crash0 simulation system that causes vibration of the steering wheel, handlebar or1 control joystick, allowing a greater feeling of realism. This simulator model2 can be installed in chair or cabin models that already exist in the market,3 which imitate the cabin of a car, motorcycle, airplanes or boats, providing4 comfort and a greater feeling of realism for those who are using RCs models. The simulator installed in the chair or cabin becomes ideal in caseβ the models are used in closed environments, and separately it can be7 easily transported anywhere. s The Simulator for radio-controlled models will have most or all controls9 that the real model has, transmitting maximum feeling of realism to the0 user. 1 Another advantage of this new model is the fact that the control may work not only through its battery, but also connected to the electric network, thus dismissing the need of standby batteries or their reload during the use thereof. Should the site lack electric power source, then the control may be used normally through battery. 6 The RC Simulator will work through a radio frequency interface that will emit signals compatible with the model to be controlled. Thus, by turning the steering wheel, control joystick or handlebar to one side, the model will turn the wheel(s), rudder or direct itself in the same proportion to 1 the same side. The same will happen to the brake and acceleration pedals,

2 which will answer on a proportional basis to the pressure exerted. Thus,

3 when steering a car, motorcycle, airplane, boat, helicopter, among others,

4 the user will have the approximate feeling of how it would be in reality.

5 Trepidation, vibration and opposite strength sensors will allow the user to β feel whenever the model suffers the action of any kind of strength, such as

7 trepidations, collisions, skidding, falls, irregularities in the floor and

8 turbulences during its circuit. These strengths will be captured by a set of

9 sensors installed in the model and transmitted to the radio control i o simulator by wireless transfer, via radio waves.

11 The new simulator model may further offer, as an option, a video

12 screen installed or coupled to the steering wheel, handlebar or control

13 joystick, which will receive data sent through a camera that may be

14 installed in the radio control model. It will also feature buttons that may be is scheduled to power extra devices installed in the radio control model, such iβ as laser for simulation of shots. The control will also have keys available

17 for controlling a sound system that may be coupled to the simulator,

18 enabling the user to listen to music during the use of the simulator.

19 The working of the simulator model for radio-controlled models object

20 of this patent application can be better understood through the following

21 detailed description of the parts that compose it, according to the attached

22 figures, where:

23 Fig. 1 - Front perspective view of the simulator model for radio-

24 controlled models consisting of steering wheel, control joystick or

25 handlebar with pedals;

26 Fig. 2 - Side perspective view of the system adjusted to a chair;

27 Fig. 3 - Block diagram of the system's operation.

28 As it is seen in the drawings that illustrate the application (Fig. 1 and

29 2) - a steering wheel, handlebar or control joystick (A), which was internally modified, and an electronic board was inserted inside it (B) having a radio frequency transmitter and receiver (C), compatible with those existing in the radio-controlled model (D) (which may be any model currently available in the market, that is, cars, airplanes, boats, tanks, robots, among others) and an antenna (E) for transmission and reception of radio waves. Such modification will allow that control of the radio-controlled model (D) is made from the steering wheel, handlebar or control joystick (A) and its pedals (F and G). By pressing the acceleration pedal (F) this will cause the radio- controlled model (D) to move; the brake (G) will cause it to lower the speed or stop, and the steering wheel, handlebar or control joystick (A) will appoint the desired direction. The steering wheel, handlebar or control joystick (A) will further have a crash simulation system consisting of a vibration detection circuit (H) that will receive data through sensors (I), which will be as many as necessary, installed in the radio-controlled model (D). Whenever the radio-controlled model (D) receives the action of any type of opposite force, the sensors (I) will send pulses to the vibration detection circuit (H), which, on its turn, will send signs to the steering wheel (A) causing it to vibrate, providing a greater feeling of realism. Such steering wheel (A) may further have a screen (j) adjusted or coupled to it, which will receive images from a micro camera installed in the radio control model (D), displaying on the screen (J) images captured by the radio control model (D). The steering wheel (A) will also have + or - volume control (K) and forward or backward keys (L), which will make it possible to the user to connect a sound system (M) with or without earphones (N) and will also have keys for activating the camera or laser pointer device (O). The whole system may be installed in a chair (P), or cabin, among the many models existing in the market, providing greater feeling of realism, in addition to comfort. In this chair (P) a sound system may be installed (M), which will allow the user to listen to music through loudspeakers (Q) or earphones (N); this sound system (M) will be controlled through buttons (K and L) of the steering wheel (A). A small support (U) may also be coupled to the chair that will be used as food or drink holder. The entire system will be fed through batteries or directly connected to the electric network.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. SIMULATOR MODEL FOR RADIO-CONTROLLED MODELS is characterized for being formed by a steering wheel, control joystick or handlebar (A) containing an electronic circuit (B), with radio frequency transmitter and receiver (C), compatible with that of the radio-controlled model (D), and an antenna (E) for transmission and reception of radio waves; such simulator will allow that control of the radio-controlled model (D) is made through the steering wheel, control joystick or handlebar (A) and its acceleration (F) and brake (G) pedals; the steering wheel, control joystick or handlebar (A) will further have a crash simulation system, consisting of vibration detection circuit (H) with sensors (I) installed in the radio-controlled model (D), which will cause the same to vibrate; an installed or coupled screen (J) will receive images from a micro camera installed in the radio-controlled model (D) displaying them; it will also have + or- volume (K) and forward and backward (L) keys to control a sound system (M) with or without earphones (N), and also keys for activating the camera and a laser pointer device (O); the simulator may be coupled to a chair or cabin (P), which may have additionally to the sound system (M) a support (O) to hold drinks or foods; the entire simulator system may be fed through the local electric network or by batteries.