Amusement devices: games – Including means for processing electronic data – Player-actuated control structure
Patent
1996-01-11
1999-11-23
Martin-Wallace, Valencia
Amusement devices: games
Including means for processing electronic data
Player-actuated control structure
463 47, A03F 922
Patent
active
059891238
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a steering wheel control apparatus that is connected to a home television game machine by a cable or by radio and that is manipulated by a player.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventional television game machines that simulate the operations of vehicles, such as automobiles, airplanes and ships, are used as is shown in FIG. 1, for example.
More specifically, a television game machine 1 transmits video image signals and speech signals to a television set 2, via a cable, for a game program that is contained in a game cartridge, which is installed in the television game machine 1, and thus provides a game on the television set 2. A steering wheel control apparatus 3 for a car race game is connected to the television game machine 1 and outputs a drive signal to the television game machine 1 to control the game.
In the steering wheel control apparatus 3, its body 4 corresponds to the instrument panel of an automobile, and a steering wheel 6 is attached to the distal end of a steering shaft 5, which is so provided that it projects diagonally upward from the body 4.
During the game, the player needs only manipulate the steering wheel control apparatus 3, while the steering wheel control apparatus 3 is placed either on a table 7, as is shown in FIG. 1, or directly on a floor. In addition, when the player sits on a sofa, etc., to play a game, he can place the steering wheel control apparatus 3 on his lap. Under such conditions, the player commonly manipulates a button switch or a shift lever (not shown), which are provided on the body 4, while operating the steering wheel 6.
Such a conventional steering wheel control apparatus, however, does not provide excellent usability, and has the following shortcomings.
The first problem is concerned with the positions of the various switches that are located on a steering wheel control apparatus. More specifically, for the television game machine that simulates the operations of vehicles, such as cars, airplanes and ships, by manipulating a steering wheel while watching a monitor screen, in addition to a steering wheel, which is employed to indicate the direction of travel, a steering wheel control apparatus normally includes various switches that are mounted on the body. There are steering apparatuses that resemble a control stick for an airplane, where one push button switch is provided on the top of the control stick or where a button switch is provided on the reverse side of the control stick.
The above television game, however, requires not only the operation of a steering device to indicate the direction of movement, but also the manipulation of switches for accelerating, for braking and for shifting gears, or for offensive and defensive maneuvering and for changing a field view. As these switches are arranged on the body 4 of the steering wheel control apparatus 3, as is shown in the above prior art, a player must remove one hand from the steering wheel 6 to manipulate the switches during the game, so that prompt reaction is difficult and usability is degraded.
It is possible for a player to hold a steering wheel with one hand and to place the other hand on the switches in advance; however, the driving posture will be uncomfortable and the operation will be carelessly performed.
While, as is described above there are control stick steering devices that have a single button switch, there are no such control apparatuses that have a plurality of switches that can be selected and manipulated while a control stick is being held. The above described control stick steering devices, therefore, are not appropriate for games that require multiple operation switches.
However, if a control apparatus has only one operation switch that is located out of sight, it will not cause any problems during operation. Whereas if there are a plurality of switches that are positioned out of sight, since they are outside the field of vision, when they are used operating errors can occur.
The second problem is related to a gearshift lev
REFERENCES:
patent: 4494754 (1985-01-01), Wagner, Jr.
patent: 4509383 (1985-04-01), Yeh
patent: 4887966 (1989-12-01), Gellerman
Kudou Masanori
Tosaki Kenji
Martin-Wallace Valencia
Schaaf James
Sega Enterprises Ltd.
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