Surf simulator platform / video game control unit and attitude sensor

Abstract

The surf simulator invention is an electronic training and balancing device. The surf simulator is an attachment accessory like that of a joystick. This surf simulator connects to a computer and transmits movement signals coming from the surf simulator which are interpreted by the computer with the aid of programmed game. In turn, this game creates video visuals of a game character surfing on a wave corresponding to the movement made by the surfboard simulator. When a person or player stands on the surfboard simulator, with sensors contained within the platform, the player tilts left and right, back and forth shifting their weight. With this action taking place, the switches mounted within the surf simulator sense these movements, alternately close circuits to send on and off signals to the attached computer.

1 . A video game control unit and attitude sensor (follow up on provisional patent filing #6090 application No. 60/752,290-filed Dec. 19, 2005 for simulating surfing or other sports related games that are based upon platforms such as skateboards, snowboards, wakeboards, skiing, comprising: 
 means for the surfboard is the top platform of the surf simulator and can be, solid, rigid and usually oval shaped. the shape can be other shapes such as rectangles, etc. the size and shape is usually 3 times the width and not more than 3 inches in thickness;    means for the velcro strip, made by 3m corporation, allow for quick removal to service the sensor module. these velcro strip fasteners can also be used to fasten the foam cushion base to the surfboard as well as attaching the semi rigid fulcrum pillar to the bottom of the surfboard. it makes it easy to mount new sensor modules and to replace the foam cushion and fulcrum. the use of this velcro stands up better to vibration and weather than screws and glue, replaceably coupled to said means for the surfboard is the top platform of the surf simulator and can be, solid, rigid and usually oval shaped. the shape can be other shapes such as rectangles, etc. the size and shape is usually 3 times the width and not more than 3 inches in thickness;    means for the foam cushion fastened beneath the surfboard is used to keep the surfboard level and allows for ease of tilt of the surfboard when moving forward, backward, right and left. the foam cushion surrounds the semi rigid fulcrum pillar beneath the surfboard. it also provides the feeling of being on water, removably coupled to said means for the surfboard is the top platform of the surf simulator and can be, solid, rigid and usually oval shaped. the shape can be other shapes such as rectangles, etc. the size and shape is usually 3 times the width and not more than 3 inches in thickness;    means for the key function for the semi rigid fulcrum pillar is to support the surfboard and to serve as a fulcrum or balance point. this semi rigid fulcrum pillar is located centrally beneath the surfboard surrounded by compressible foam cushion. this unique, semi rigid fulcrum pillar absorbs the initial weight of the user and should compresses not more than 10% of the height of the fulcrum.    the semi rigid fulcrum pillar is used instead of a sold fulcrum to absorb shock and to add to the    floating feeling of being on water, removably connected to said means for the surfboard is the top platform of the surf simulator and can be, solid, rigid and usually oval shaped. the shape can be other shapes such as rectangles, etc. the size and shape is usually 3 times the width and not more than 3 inches in thickness;    means for the miniature tilt ball switch units contained within the sensor module unit, turn on and off depending on the attitude or angle of the surfboard positioning. the small compact size is approximately 0.5″ long with a diameter of 0.25″ with a small steel ball that rolls back and forth making contact with an end point. the switch units are made by comus switch international of new jersey. as the surfboard tilts up and down, left and right, the sensors will send an on or off signal to the computer;    means for the metal pedestal mounted within the bottom wall of the sensor module enclosure allows for a means to mount the ball switches and also serves as the grounding plate terminal. the height of the metal pedestal is no more than ¼ the height of the sensor module case;    means for the function of this element is for carrying signals from the ball switches within the sensor module attached to the bottom of the surfboard to the computer. the conduit of this wire may contain as many as 8 wires to connect several ball switch units; and    means for the function of this element is to house the sensor ball switch units. this module is a case with four walls and is made of heavy duty plastic, metal or aluminum. the size of this module or container is no larger than 4 inches long, by 1.5 inches wide by 1 inch in height. this module allows the quick removal and attachment of the sensors vial velcro mounting strip and is the key element in the surf simulator, permanently held to said means for the velcro strip, made by 3m corporation, allow for quick removal to service the sensor module. these velcro strip fasteners can also be used to fasten the foam cushion base to the surfboard as well as attaching the semi rigid fulcrum pillar to the bottom of the surfboard. it makes it easy to mount new sensor modules and to replace the foam cushion and fulcrum. the use of this velcro stands up better to vibration and weather than screws and glue.    
   
   
       2 . The video game control unit and attitude sensor (follow up on provisional patent filing #6090 application No. 60/752,290-filed Dec. 19, 2005 in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said means for the surfboard is the top platform of the surf simulator and can be, solid, rigid and usually oval shaped. the shape can be other shapes such as rectangles, etc. the size and shape is usually 3 times the width and not more than 3 inches in thickness comprises a fiberglass, rigid, wood, steel, solid platform, oval shape, new attribute  5  surfboard.  
   
   
       3 . The video game control unit and attitude sensor (follow up on provisional patent filing #6090 application No. 60/752,290-filed Dec. 19, 2005 in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said means for the velcro strip, made by 3m corporation, allow for quick removal to service the sensor module. these velcro strip fasteners can also be used to fasten the foam cushion base to the surfboard as well as attaching the semi rigid fulcrum pillar to the bottom of the surfboard. it makes it easy to mount new sensor modules and to replace the foam cushion and fulcrum. the use of this velcro stands up better to vibration and weather than screws and glue comprises a flexible connector, absorbs shock better than glue, better than screws, easy to disconnect velcro strip connector.  
   
   
       4 . The video game control unit and attitude sensor (follow up on provisional patent filing #6090 application No. 60/752,290—filed Dec. 19, 2005 in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said means for the foam cushion fastened beneath the surfboard is used to keep the surfboard level and allows for ease of tilt of the surfboard when moving forward, backward, right and left. the foam cushion surrounds the semi rigid fulcrum pillar beneath the surfboard. it also provides the feeling of being on water comprises a compressible, flexible, smaller in shape than top platform cushion foam rubber.  
   
   
       5 . The video game control unit and attitude sensor (follow up on provisional patent filing #6090 application No. 60/752,290—filed Dec. 19, 2005 in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said means for the key function for the semi rigid fulcrum pillar is to support the surfboard and to serve as a fulcrum or balance point. this semi rigid fulcrum pillar is located centrally beneath the surfboard surrounded by compressible foam cushion. this unique, semi rigid fulcrum pillar absorbs the initial weight of the user and should compresses not more than 10% of the height of the fulcrum. 
 the semi rigid fulcrum pillar is used instead of a sold fulcrum to absorb shock and to add to the    floating feeling of being on water comprises a semi rigid, semi compressible, hard rubber, epp rigid foam semi rigid fulcrum pillar.    
   
   
       6 . The video game control unit and attitude sensor (follow up on provisional patent filing #6090 application No. 60/752,290—filed Dec. 19, 2005 in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said means for the miniature tilt ball switch units contained within the sensor module unit, turn on and off depending on the attitude or angle of the surfboard positioning. the small compact size is approximately 0.5″ long with a diameter of 0.25″ with a small steel ball that rolls back and forth making contact with an end point. the switch units are made by comus switch international of new jersey. as the surfboard tilts up and down, left and right, the sensors will send an on or off signal to the computer comprises an electrical switch, small in size, on and off switch, tilt switch senses angle of surfboard ball switch.  
   
   
       7 . The video game control unit and attitude sensor (follow up on provisional patent filing #6090 application No. 60/752,290—filed Dec. 19, 2005 in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said means for the metal pedestal mounted within the bottom wall of the sensor module enclosure allows for a means to mount the ball switches and also serves as the grounding plate terminal. the height of the metal pedestal is no more than ¼ the height of the sensor module case comprises a made of metal, grounding platform for switches, supports ball switches metal pedestal.  
   
   
       8 . The video game control unit and attitude sensor (follow up on provisional patent filing #6090 application No. 60/752,290—filed Dec. 19, 2005 in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said means for the function of this element is for carrying signals from the ball switches within the sensor module attached to the bottom of the surfboard to the computer. the conduit of this wire may contain as many as 8 wires to connect several ball switch units comprises a wire cord conductor, contains several interior wires, carries signals from sensor to computer electrical wire cord.  
   
   
       9 . The video game control unit and attitude sensor (follow up on provisional patent filing #6090, application No. 60/752,290—filed Dec. 19, 2005 in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said means for the function of this element is to house the sensor ball switch units. this module is a case with four walls and is made of heavy duty plastic, metal or aluminum. the size of this module or container is no larger than 4 inches long, by 1.5 inches wide by 1 inch in height. this module allows the quick removal and attachment of the sensors vial velcro mounting strip and is the key element in the surf simulator comprises an allows for mounting sensors to surfboard, compact in size 0.75×3×1″, contains ball switches, made of plastic, steel, aluminum sensor module enclosure.  
   
   
       10 . A video game control unit and attitude sensor (follow up on provisional patent filing #6090 application No. 60/752,290—filed Dec. 19, 2005 for simulating surfing or other sports related games that are based upon platforms such as skateboards, snowboards, wakeboards, skiing, comprising: 
 a fiberglass, rigid, wood, steel, solid platform, oval shape, new attribute  5  surfboard, for the surfboard is the top platform of the surf simulator and can be, solid, rigid and usually oval shaped. the shape can be other shapes such as rectangles, etc. the size and shape is usually 3 times the width and not more than 3 inches in thickness;    a flexible connector, absorbs shock better than glue, better than screws, easy to disconnect velcro strip connector, for the velcro strip, made by 3m corporation, allow for quick removal to service the sensor module. these velcro strip fasteners can also be used to fasten the foam cushion base to the surfboard as well as attaching the semi rigid fulcrum pillar to the bottom of the surfboard. it makes it easy to mount new sensor modules and to replace the foam cushion and fulcrum. the use of this velcro stands up better to vibration and weather than screws and glue, replaceably coupled to said surfboard;    a compressible, flexible, smaller in shape than top platform cushion foam rubber, for the foam cushion fastened beneath the surfboard is used to keep the surfboard level and allows for ease of tilt of the surfboard when moving forward, backward, right and left. the foam cushion surrounds the semi rigid fulcrum pillar beneath the surfboard. it also provides the feeling of being on water, removably coupled to said surfboard;    a semi rigid, semi compressible, hard rubber, epp rigid foam semi rigid fulcrum pillar, for the key function for the semi rigid fulcrum pillar is to support the surfboard and to serve as a fulcrum or balance point. this semi rigid fulcrum pillar is located centrally beneath the surfboard surrounded by compressible foam cushion. this unique, semi rigid fulcrum pillar absorbs the initial weight of the user and should compresses not more than 10% of the height of the fulcrum.    the semi rigid fulcrum pillar is used instead of a sold fulcrum to absorb shock and to add to the floating feeling of being on water, removably connected to said surfboard;    an electrical switch, small in size, on and off switch, tilt switch senses angle of surfboard ball switch, for the miniature tilt ball switch units contained within the sensor module unit, turn on and off depending on the attitude or angle of the surfboard positioning. the small compact size is approximately 0.5″ long with a diameter of 0.25″ with a small steel ball that rolls back and forth making contact with an end point. the switch units are made by comus switch international of new jersey. as the surfboard tilts up and down, left and right, the sensors will send an on or off signal to the computer;    a made of metal, grounding platform for switches, supports ball switches metal pedestal, for the metal pedestal mounted within the bottom wall of the sensor module enclosure allows for a means to mount the ball switches and also serves as the grounding plate terminal. the height of the metal pedestal is no more than ¼ the height of the sensor module case;    a wire cord conductor, contains several interior wires, carries signals from sensor to computer electrical wire cord, for the function of this element is for carrying signals from the ball switches within the sensor. module attached to the bottom of the surfboard to the computer. the conduit of this wire may contain as many as 8 wires to connect several ball switch units; and    an allows for mounting sensors to surfboard, compact in size 0.75×3×1″, contains ball switches, made of plastic, steel, aluminum sensor module enclosure, for the function of this element is to house the sensor ball switch units. this module is a case with four walls and is made of heavy duty plastic, metal or aluminum. the size of this module or container is no larger than 4 inches long, by 1.5 inches wide by 1 inch in height. this module allows the quick removal and attachment of the sensors vial velcro mounting strip and is the key element in the surf simulator, permanently held to said velcro strip connector.    
   
   
       11 . A video game control unit and attitude sensor (follow up on provisional patent filing #6090 application No. 60/752,290—filed Dec. 19, 2005 for simulating surfing or other sports related games that are based upon platforms such as skateboards, snowboards, wakeboards, skiing, comprising: 
 a fiberglass, rigid, wood, steel, solid platform, oval shape, new attribute  5  surfboard, for the surfboard is the top platform of the surf simulator and can be, solid, rigid and usually oval shaped. the shape can be other shapes such as rectangles, etc. the size and shape is usually 3 times the width and not more than 3 inches in thickness;    a flexible connector, absorbs shock better than glue, better than screws, easy to disconnect velcro strip connector, for the velcro strip, made by 3m corporation, allow for quick removal to service the sensor module. these velcro strip fasteners can also be used to fasten the foam cushion base to the surfboard as well as attaching the semi rigid fulcrum pillar to the bottom of the surfboard. it makes it easy to mount new sensor modules and to replace the foam cushion and fulcrum. the use of this velcro stands up better to vibration and weather than screws and glue, replaceably coupled to said surfboard;    a compressible, flexible, smaller in shape than top platform cushion foam rubber, for the foam cushion fastened beneath the surfboard is used to keep the surfboard level and allows for ease of tilt of the surfboard when moving forward, backward, right and left. the foam cushion surrounds the semi rigid fulcrum pillar beneath the surfboard. it also provides the feeling of being on water, removably coupled to said surfboard;    a semi rigid, semi compressible, hard rubber, epp rigid foam semi rigid fulcrum pillar, for the key function for the semi rigid fulcrum pillar is to support the surfboard and to serve as a fulcrum or balance point. this semi rigid fulcrum pillar is located centrally beneath the surfboard surrounded by compressible foam cushion. this unique, semi rigid fulcrum pillar absorbs the initial weight of the user and should compresses not more than 10% of the height of the fulcrum.    the semi rigid fulcrum pillar is used instead of a sold fulcrum to absorb shock and to add to the    floating feeling of being on water, removably connected to said surfboard;    an electrical switch, small in size, on and off switch, tilt switch senses angle of surfboard ball switch, for the miniature tilt ball switch units contained within the sensor module unit, turn on and off depending on the attitude or angle of the surfboard positioning. the small compact size is approximately 0.5″ long with a diameter of 0.25″ with a small steel ball that rolls back and forth making contact with an end point. the switch units are made by comus switch international of new jersey. as the surfboard tilts up and down, left and right, the sensors will send an on or off signal to the computer;    a made of metal, grounding platform for switches, supports ball switches metal pedestal, for the metal pedestal mounted within the bottom wall of the sensor module enclosure allows for a means to mount the ball switches and also serves as the grounding plate terminal. the height of the metal pedestal is no more than ¼ the height of the sensor module case;    a wire cord conductor, contains several interior wires, carries signals from sensor to computer electrical wire cord, for the function of this element is for carrying signals from the ball switches within the sensor module attached to the bottom of the surfboard to the computer. the conduit of this wire may contain as many as 8 wires to connect several ball switch units; and    an allows for mounting sensors to surfboard, compact in size 0.75×3×1″, contains ball switches, made of plastic, steel, aluminum sensor module enclosure, for the function of this element is to house the sensor ball switch units. this module is a case with four walls and is made of heavy duty plastic, metal or aluminum. the size of this module or container is no larger than 4 inches long, by 1.5 inches wide by 1 inch in height. this module allows the quick removal and attachment of the sensors vial velcro mounting strip and is the key element in the surf simulator, permanently held to said velcro strip connector.