Input Device for a Simulator Environment, Simulator Provided Therewith, and Method for Operating Such Device and Simulator

Abstract

The present invention relates to an input device for a simulator environment, a simulator provided therewith, and a method for operating such input device and simulator. The input device according to the invention comprises a frame, a switch configured for generating a signal, a controller that is operatively connected to the switch and is configured for generating an input. The controller is provided with a switch time interval defining the time interval before a new input can be generated after generating a first function input by activating the switch, and a continuity time interval defining the time interval before a second function input is generated while keeping the switch activated.

Claims

1. An input device for a simulator environment, the device comprising: a frame; a switch configured for generating a signal; a controller that is operatively connected to the switch and is configured for generating an input, wherein the controller is provided with: a switch time interval defining a time interval before a new input can be generated after generating a first function input by activating the switch; and a continuity time interval defining a time interval before a second function input is generated while keeping the switch activated.

2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the switch time interval and/or the continuity time interval are adjustable.

3. The input device according to claim 2, wherein the adjustable time interval or time intervals are selected from a timetable.

4. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second functions are different.

5. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the continuity time interval of the controller is provided with a further second time interval before a third function input is generated by deactivating the switch after keeping the switch activated for at least the continuity time interval.

6. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the first and/or second function are selected from a function table, and wherein preferably the third function is also selected from the function table.

7. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the frame further comprising a button having a switch time interval and a continuity time interval.

8. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the controller further comprising a profile table.

9. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the switch comprises an optical sensor.

10. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises a shifter simulator system, with the system comprising: a frame with a gear stick hinge; a gear stick that is hingedly connected to the frame via the gear stick hinge; and wherein the switch comprises a first sensor and a second sensor.

11. The input device according to claim 10, wherein in a rest state of the input device the first sensor is interrupted, and the second sensor is active.

12. A simulator comprising an input system comprising a computer including software residing thereon; and an input device that is electronically or wirelessly connected with the computer, the input device comprising: a frame; a switch configured for generating a signal; a subcontroller that is operatively connected to the switch and is configured to forward the switch signal to the computer via the electronic or wireless connection upon receival thereof, wherein the software comprises a software controller module configured to receive the forwarded signal from the subcontroller and to generate an input, wherein the software controller module is provided with: a switch time interval defining the time interval before a new input can be generated after generating a first function input by activating the switch; and a continuity time interval defining the time interval before a second function input is generated while keeping the switch activated.

13. The simulator according to claim 12, wherein the switch time interval and/or the continuity time interval are adjustable and wherein the adjustable time interval or time intervals are selected from a timetable.

14. The simulator according to claim 12, wherein the first and second functions are different.

15. The simulator according to claim 12, wherein the continuity time interval of the controller is provided with a further second time interval before a third function input is generated by deactivating the switch after keeping the switch activated for at least the continuity time interval.

16. The simulator according to claim 12, wherein the first and/or second function are selected from a function table, and wherein preferably the third function is also selected from the function table.

17. The simulator according to claim 12, further comprising a shifter simulator system.

18. A method for generating a double functionality in a simulator environment, the method comprising the steps of: providing an input device for a simulator environment, the device comprising: a frame; a switch configured for generating a signal; a controller that is operatively connected to the switch and is configured for generating an input, wherein the controller is provided with: a switch time interval defining a time interval before a new input can be generated after generating a first function input by activating the switch; and a continuity time interval defining a time interval before a second function input is generated while keeping the switch activated; selecting a switch from a switch table; selecting a function from a function table; and configuring a controller that is operatively connected to the switch and is configured for generating an input, wherein the controller is provided with: a switch time interval defining a time interval before a new input can be generated after generating a first function input by activating the switch; and a continuity time interval defining a time interval before a second function input is generated while keeping the switch activated.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising the step of selecting one or more of the time intervals from a timetable.

20. The method according to claim 18, further comprising the step of selecting a profile from a profile table.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0088] Further advantages, features and details of the invention are elucidated on the basis of preferred embodiments thereof, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0089] FIG. 1 shows a shifter simulator system as an example of an input device according to the present invention;

[0090] FIGS. 2A-C shows the operation of the shifter simulator system of FIG. 1;

[0091] FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of a shifter simulator system as an example of an input device of the present invention;

[0092] FIG. 4A-C shows the operation of the shifter similar system of FIG. 3;

[0093] FIG. 5A-B shows a steering device as an example of an input device according to the present invention;

[0094] FIG. 6A-B shows a schematic overview of using an input device of the present invention; and

[0095] FIG. 7 shows a simulator comprising an embodiment of the input device according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0096] Shifter simulator system 2 (FIG. 1) comprises gearstick 4 with grip 6. Frame 8 is provided in housing 10 and comprises gearstick hinge 12 that connects frame 8 to gearstick 4. Frame 8 houses movable frame part 14 (see also FIG. 2A-C). Movable frame part 14 comprises contact surfaces 16. Magnetic contact 18 comprises metal element 20 and permanent magnet 22. In the illustrated embodiment the frame 8 further houses tilting frame 24 that is connected via hinge or hinge axis 26 to frame 8. Contact element 26 are provided to tilting frame 24 and are configured for engaging the contact surfaces 16 of movable frame part 14.

[0097] In the illustrated embodiment of the shifter simulator system 2 a number of optical sensors 28, also referred to as opto's, are provided on base plate 30 of input device 2 (FIG. 2A-C). In this embodiment sensor element 32 is connected to movable frame part 24. In a rest position (FIG. 2A) sensor element 32 is outside the range of the optical sensors 28. In this rest position a second sensor element 34 is within the range of their respective optical sensors 28. When engaging gearstick 4 the movable frame part 14 is lifted and distance d is provided between elements 20 and 22 (FIG. 2B). In this gear up state both sensor elements 32, 34 are out of range of optical sensors 28. When gearing down (FIG. 2C) first contact element 32 is within the range of optical sensors 28 while second sensor element 34 is out of range of optical sensors 28 (FIG. 2C). This configuration is also illustrated in the exemplary table is shown below, wherein opto 1 refers to optical sensor 28a and opto 2 refers to optical sensor 28b.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Examplary table of configuration with sensors and functions Shifter position (gear stick) Opto 1 Opto 2 Output Rest Interrupted open No Gear up Open open function 1 Gear down Open interrupted function 2

[0098] This table enables the switching of gears in a simulator when moving from a rest position to another position, thereby reducing time delays and improving response times in comparison to a situation wherein gears are shifted when the gearstick has returned to its rest position.

[0099] In one of the preferred embodiments the switch time interval is set at 0.2 seconds and the continuity time interval is set at time interval in the range of 1 to 3 seconds. It will be understood that other configurations of shifter simulator system 2 and the time intervals can also be envisaged in accordance with the present invention.

[0100] In the illustrated embodiment distance d varies between 3.5 mm to a maximum distance of about 9 mm depending on the actual settings of the preferably adjustable contact elements 26.

[0101] In the illustrated embodiment simulator system 2 (FIG. 1) additionally comprises a number of buttons 36 that are preferably also provided with a continuity and switch time interval. This enables a dual functionality for both the optical sensors 28 and buttons 36.

[0102] In an alternative embodiment of shifter simulator system 102 (FIG. 3) gear stick 104 is provided with grip 106. Frame 108 is provided in housing 110 and comprises gearstick hinge 112.

[0103] Movable frame part 114 (FIGS. 4A-C) is provided with contact surfaces 116. Magnetic contact 118 comprises metal plate element 120 and permanent magnet 122. Tilting element 124 is integrated with gearstick 4 and contact elements 126 that are preferably adjustable.

[0104] Optical sensors 128 are provided on base plate 130. Sensor elements 128 interact with first sensor element 132 and second sensor element 134.

[0105] When shifting gears back (FIG. 4A) sensor elements 128a and 128b are both not interrupted. When shifting gears up (FIG. 4B) both sensors 128a-b are interrupted by sensor elements 132, 134, respectively. In a rest position of gearstick 4 second sensor element 134 interrupts optical sensor 128b while other sensor 128a is not interrupted. It will be understood that other configurations can also be envisaged in accordance with the invention. Optionally, additional buttons with a dual functionality can be provided to shifter simulator system 102.

[0106] In another embodiment the steering device 202 (FIG. 5A-B) is provided with frame 204 and handles 206. Shifters 208 are provided with a dual functionality. This dual functionality can be provided in a similar manner as illustrated with a shifter simulator system 2, 102, and preferably comprise a number of sensors 28, 128 and sensor elements 32, 34, 132, 134. Additional switches 210, buttons 212 and controller 214 are optionally also provided with a dual functionality in line with buttons 36 of shifter simulator system 2. It will be understood that another configuration can also be envisaged in accordance with the present invention.

[0107] When planning to start using input device 2, 102, 202 procedure 302 starts with connecting 304 input device 2, 102, 202 with a console, such as a game console (FIG. 6A). Connecting 304 input device 2, 102, 202, may be done using a wireless connection, such as a Bluetooth connection, an infrared connection or any other suitable wireless connection using one or more wireless interfaces of input device 2, 102, 202. Connecting 304 input device 2, 102, 202, may additionally or alternatively be done using a wired connection using the one or more wired connection interfaces of input device 2, 102, 202. After establishing a connection, input device 2, 102, 202 is set in setting phase 306 after which the game can be started 308 and played. After ending the game or operation, it is finished in step 310, whereafter optionally input device 2, 102, 202 is set again in setting phase 306 to be configured for another game or operation.

[0108] The setting phase 306 (FIG. 6B) of procedure 302 involves computer 311 and controller 312, preferably with software controller module 312a, that selects function 314 from a function table 316 in setting step 306a. Switch 318 is selected from switch table 320 in setting step 306b. Setting of time intervals 322, including time interval for the switch time interval 322a and continuity time interval 322b, are included in timetable 324 and are selected in setting step 306c. This enables the tuning and finetuning of input device 2, 102, 202 in accordance with user preferences and/or object of vehicle settings in a game, for example. Switch 318 is preferably provided with or connected to subcontroller 318a and that is configured to forward a switch signal to computer 311.

[0109] Simulator 402 (FIG. 7) comprises frame 404 with metal frame 406 to which number of monitors 408 can be attached. Simulator 402 comprises chair frame 410 to which chair 412 can be attached. Furthermore, there is provided steer frame 414 to which steering device 416, such as steering wheel 202, can be provided. Also, there is provided pedals frame 418 to which a number of pedals 420 can be attached. In the illustrated embodiment shifter simulator system 2 is provided and connected to the frame of simulator 402. It will be understood that also an alternative steer/steering wheel and/or shifter simulator system can be applied in accordance with the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment simulator 402 is provided with input system 422 comprising computer 311 including software 424 residing thereon; and an input device 2 having subcontroller 318a that is electronically or wirelessly connected with computer 311.

[0110] The present invention is by no means limited to the above-described preferred embodiments thereof. The rights sought are defined by the following claims, within the scope of which many modifications can be envisaged.