Video driving game system and control device

Abstract

A video driving game system includes a game console and a control device. The game console includes a processor unit for executing a driving game so as to manipulate a virtual driving vehicle and a display apparatus having a display screen for displaying the virtual driving vehicle. The control device includes a coupler member, a handheld handle projecting outward from the coupler member toward and be manipulated by an operator for turning the handle, thereby controlling the virtual driving vehicle, left and right distance detectors mounted respectively on left and right sides of the coupler member wherein, movement of body of the operator toward left and right sides of the coupler member causes the left and right detectors to generate first and second signals that command the virtual driving vehicle to swing leftwise and rightwise of the coupler member and movement of body of the operator toward the right side of the coupler member causes the right distance detector to generate a second signal that commands the virtual driving vehicle to swing rightwise of the coupler member.

1 . A control device adapted to be coupled to a game console for controlling a virtual driving vehicle of a video driving game, the control device comprising:
 a coupler member;   a handheld handle projecting outward from said coupler member toward an operator of the video driving game and adapted to be manipulated by the operator for turning said handle, thereby controlling the virtual driving vehicle;   a left distance detector mounted on a left side of said coupler member; and   a right distance detector mounted on a right side of said coupler member;   wherein, movement of body of the operator toward the left side of said coupler member causes said left distance detector to generate a first signal that commands the virtual driving vehicle to swing leftwise of said coupler member and movement of body of the operator toward the right side of said coupler member causes said right distance detector to generate a second signal that commands the virtual driving vehicle to swing rightwise of said coupler member.   
     
     
         2 . The control device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a rotation shaft structure, said coupler member being coupled to the game console via said rotation shaft. 
     
     
         3 . The control device according to  claim 1 , wherein the game console includes a processor unit for executing the video driving game and a display apparatus including a display screen for displaying the virtual driving vehicle generated from execution of the video driving game. 
     
     
         4 . The control device according to  claim 1 , wherein the virtual driving vehicle is selected from a group consisting of a virtual motorbike, a virtual bicycle, a virtual water craft and a virtual horse. 
     
     
         5 . The control device according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said left and right distance detectors is an infrared sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The control device according to  claim 1 , wherein said handheld handle includes a left handgrip and a right handgrip projecting outward respectively and symmetrically from left and right sides of said coupler member. 
     
     
         7 . The control device according to  claim 6 , wherein at least one of said left and right handgrips is provided with a petrol lever for controlling supply of petrol so as to adjust a driving speed of said virtual driving vehicle. 
     
     
         8 . A video driving game system comprising:
 a game console for controlling a video driving game, including
 a processor unit for executing the video driving game so as to manipulate a virtual driving vehicle of the video driving game, and 
 a display apparatus including a display screen for displaying said virtual driving vehicle resulted from execution of said video driving game; and 
   a control device including
 a coupler member, 
 a handheld handle projecting outward from said coupler member toward an operator of said video driving game and adapted to be manipulated by the operator for turning said handle, thereby controlling said virtual driving vehicle, 
 a left distance detector mounted on a left side of said coupler member, and 
 a right distance detector mounted on a right side of said coupler member, wherein, movement of body of the operator toward said left side of said coupler member causes said left distance detector to generate a first signal that commands said virtual driving vehicle to swing leftwise of said coupler member and movement of body of the operator toward said right side of said coupler member causes said right distance detector to generate a second signal that commands said virtual driving vehicle to swing rightwise of said coupler member. 
   
     
     
         9 . The video driving game system according to  claim 8 , further comprising a rotation shaft structure, said coupler member being coupled to said game console via said rotation shaft. 
     
     
         10 . The video driving game system according to  claim 8 , wherein said virtual driving vehicle is selected from a group consisting of a virtual motorbike, a virtual bicycle, a virtual water craft and a virtual horse. 
     
     
         11 . The video driving game system according to  claim 8 , wherein each of said left and right distance detectors is an infrared sensor. 
     
     
         12 . The video driving game system according to  claim 8 , wherein said handheld handle includes a left handgrip and a right handgrip projecting outward respectively and symmetrically from left and right sides of said coupler member. 
     
     
         13 . The video driving game system according to  claim 12 , wherein at least one of said left and right handgrips is provided with a lever for controlling supply of petrol so as to adjust driving speed of said virtual driving vehicle.