Education and demonstration – Vehicle operator instruction or testing
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-13
2001-09-25
Cheng, Joe H. (Department: 3713)
Education and demonstration
Vehicle operator instruction or testing
C434S062000, C434S066000, C434S365000, C446S456000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06293798
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to radio controlled (“RC”) car toys and computer virtual car games, and more particularly to a system and method for sending control data input to both using a single controller.
2. Description of the Background Art
Conventionally, RC cars and computer virtual car games use separate and non-interchangeable input devices. A radio controller for an RC car only works with the RC toy and not with a computer game. Similarly, a joystick or other computer input device only works with the computer virtual car game. Accordingly, a user cannot interchange the radio controller with the joystick and therefore the user must use two separate input devices.
Another problem with conventional RC car toys is that the user is limited to playing with the car during the daytime in order to see and accurately control the car. Further, in the event of inclement weather, such as rain or snow, the user would not be able to play with the RC car outside. Furthermore, playing indoors presents problems with limited space for maneuvering and speed, and the possibility of damage to interior furniture and/or to the car itself due to collisions.
Accordingly, during nighttime or inclement weather, the user may play with a computer virtual car game instead of with the RC car. However, because a different controller is used for the computer virtual car game, skills that are learned with the computer game are not easily transferred to the RC car toy, if at all.
Therefore, an improved radio controller and computer virtual car game are needed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises a system and method for combining the functionality of an RC controller with the functionality of a joystick. In essence, the RC controller acts as an RC controller when used with an RC car, and acts as a “joystick” input device when used with a computer virtual car game. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, an RC car toy is used. However, any other controllable vehicle, for example, trucks, motorcycles, airplanes, boats, or helicopters, both real and virtual, can be substituted.
The present invention also permits a virtual car of the computer virtual car game and the RC car to both be customized to look as similar as possible. For example, a user can select and print racing decals and/or the user's name to attach to the RC car using a printer or other appropriate output device so as to match the appearance of the virtual car. Similarly, the user can use the computer virtual car game software to modify the virtual car's appearance to match the appearance of the RC car. Accordingly, the user experiences an interesting play experience since the virtual car onscreen can look identical to the RC car that he or she owns. The computer virtual car software program may also sense which “model” of RC car or vehicle that the user owns, and automatically display the matching model on the computer video output screen during operation of the computer virtual car game. Therefore, for example, if the user buys a red sports car, the computer virtual car game senses the red RC car and displays a virtual red sports car on the computer screen identical to the red RC car.
In addition, the virtual car game performs testing of the user in which the user practices skill sets in order to improve his or her operation of the RC car. Upon achieving pre-specified proficiency levels, the virtual car game unlocks certain features or removes limits that may be placed initially upon the virtual and/or RC car toy. For example, the RC car may start out with limited speed or capabilities. Through playing the virtual car game, the user may unlock abilities, such as increased maximum speed, of the RC car.
Accordingly, the invention provides an improved RC controller that is capable of sending input commands to both the RC car and virtual car game. Further, the invention provides virtual car game software that has the ability to sense a vehicle's model and match the appearances of the virtual car with the RC car.
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Boyle Brendan J.
Grant Jeff
Olefsky Steven J.
Carr & Ferrell LLP
Cheng Joe H.
Skyline Products
LandOfFree
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