System and method for interfacing a simulation device with a gaming device

Abstract

A system and method for interfacing a simulation device with a gaming device is disclosed. The system comprises a video game controller and a sensor. The controller is configured to mimic certain aspects of standard game controllers, providing control functions to a video game, with added functionality to accept input of an external control signal. The game controller is further configured to allow one or more of its control functions to be overridden by control functions provided by the external control signal. The sensor measures simulation parameters representative of actions performed on the simulation device and outputs simulation control signals representative of the simulation parameters. The sensor simulation control signals may be input to the game controller to provide control functions to the video game using both the simulation device and the game controller.

1 . A boarding sport simulation device for a video gaming platform, comprising:
 a board;   a base that supports the board, wherein the base allows movement of the board resulting from one or more boarding maneuvers performed by a player using the simulation device;   a plurality of switches which measure user actuation of the switches and generate at least a first plurality of simulation control signals providing a first plurality of simulation control functions for the gaming platform; and   at least one video game controller which houses a plurality of controls, wherein actuation of the controls by a user generates a second plurality of simulation control signals providing a second plurality of simulation control functions for the gaming platform,   wherein the at least one video game controller receives the first plurality of simulation control signals from the switches and transmits at least a portion of the first and second plurality of control signals to the gaming platform.   
     
     
         2 . The simulation device of  claim 1 , wherein the switches are mounted to the board on at least one of the planar surface of the board and the edge of the board. 
     
     
         3 . The simulation device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the switches is configured for actuation by the foot of a user of the simulation device. 
     
     
         4 . The simulation device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the switches is configured for actuation by the hand of a user of the simulation device. 
     
     
         5 . The simulation device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one sensor which measures at least one motion parameter of the board, wherein actuation of the plurality of switches, alone or in combination with the measured motion parameter, generates a third plurality of simulation control signals that are provided to the at least one video game controller which are different than the first plurality of simulation control signals, and wherein the at least one video game controller transmits at least a portion of the third plurality of control signals to the gaming platform. 
     
     
         6 . The simulation device of  claim 5 , wherein the motion parameter comprises at least one of tilt motions of the plane of the board, vertical motions out of the plane of the board, swinging about an axis substantially normal to the plane of the board, rotation about an axis substantially normal to the plane of the board, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The simulation device of  claim 6 , wherein at least one of at least a portion of the first and third plurality of control functions overrides at least a portion of the second plurality of control functions. 
     
     
         8 . The simulation device of  claim 7 , wherein the sensor is configured to determine which of the second plurality of control functions are overridden. 
     
     
         9 . The simulation device of  claim 7 , wherein the user determines which of the second plurality of control functions are overridden. 
     
     
         10 . A system for interfacing user movements with a gaming platform, comprising:
 at least one sensor configured to generate a wireless signal, the wireless signal indicative of at least one motion parameter of the sensor and providing a first plurality of control functions of the gaming platform;   an interface component configured to receive the wireless signal and transmit an interface signal based upon the wireless signal, the interface signal compatible with a format recognized by the gaming platform;   a hand controller configured to receive the interface signal and transmit at least a portion of the interface signal to the gaming platform, wherein the hand controller is further configured to transmit at least one controller signal which provides a second plurality of control functions to the gaming platform in response to actuation of the controller.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the hand controller comprises a switch that disables input of the interface signal to the hand controller. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein at least a portion of the first plurality of control functions override at least a portion of the second plurality of control functions. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising a plurality of sensors, wherein the interface component and a plurality of sensors are configured to allow selection of different channels for the sensors so as to inhibit interference in the operation of one sensor with another sensor. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the channel selection is configured such that receipt of the wireless signal by the interface component begins on a default channel and information about a new channel is transmitted on the default channel, wherein upon receipt of the new channel information, the interface component changes to the new channel. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the sensor and the interface component is configured to allow adjustment of the sensitivity of its responsiveness. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the sensor is configured to be worn by a user of the sensor so as to detect a rate of motion of a part of the user. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the motion of the user comprises an exercise motion when the user is exercising alone or in combination with an exercise device. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the motion of the user comprises a boarding sport motion when the user is exercising alone or in combination with a boarding sport simulation device. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the interface signal is formatted at the interface component to comply with the format of the gaming platform. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the interface signal is formatted at the sensor so as to substantially comply with the format of the gaming platform. 
     
     
         21 . The simulation device of  claim 10 , wherein the motion parameter comprises at least one of tilt motions of the plane of the board, vertical motions out of the plane of the board, swinging about an axis substantially normal to the plane of the board, rotation about an axis substantially normal to the plane of the board, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         22 . The simulation device of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of at least a portion of the first plurality of control functions overrides at least a portion of the second plurality of control functions. 
     
     
         23 . The simulation device of  claim 22 , wherein the sensor is configured to determine which of the second plurality of control functions are overridden. 
     
     
         24 . The simulation device of  claim 22 , wherein a user of the system determines which of the second plurality of control functions are overridden. 
     
     
         25 . A method of providing an interface between a user and a gaming platform, comprising:
 detecting at least one motion parameter of the user;   generating at least one wireless control signal which is representative of the at least one motion parameter of the user and provides a first plurality of control functions for the gaming platform;   communicating the at least one wireless signal to an interface component which generates an interface signal based upon the at least one wireless signal, the interface signal compatible with a format recognized by the gaming platform; and   communicating the interface signal to a hand controller, wherein the hand controller transmits at least a portion of the interface signal to the gaming platform.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the hand controller is further configured to transmit at least one controller signal which provides a second plurality of control functions to the gaming platform in response to actuation of the controller. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein at least a portion of the first plurality of control functions override at least a portion of the second plurality of control functions. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the motion of the user comprises an exercise motion when the user is exercising alone or in combination with an exercise device. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the motion of the user comprises a boarding sport motion when the user is exercising alone or in combination with a boarding sport simulation device. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the motion parameter comprises at least one of tilt motions of the plane of the board, vertical motions out of the plane of the board, swinging about an axis substantially normal to the plane of the board, rotation about an axis substantially normal to the plane of the board, and combinations thereof.