WO2015052734A1

WO2015052734A1 - Structure for interactive playing station

Info

Publication number: WO2015052734A1
Application number: PCT/IT2013/000275
Authority: WO
Inventors: Riccardo Rizzi
Original assignee: Dedem Automatica S.R.L.
Priority date: 2013-10-09
Filing date: 2013-10-09
Publication date: 2015-04-16

Abstract

The present description refers to a structure for an interactive playing station, particularly suitable, for the realization of playing stations for simulation of the type commonly called "kiddie ride", easily usable by disabled kids. The structure is made in the form of a submarine. The structure comprises actuators suitable for vibration dampening. Multimedia content is presented on a 3D display.

Description

STRUCTURE FOR INTERACTIVE PLAYING STATION

DESCRIPTION

The present description refers to a structure for an interactive playing station, particularly suitable for the realization of playing stations for simulation of the type commonly called "kiddie ride".

The object of the present invention stems from the need to realize a playing station that be ever more engaging and realistic, and therefore funnier, and concomitantly easily usable by disabled kids.

One of the typologies of playing stations most appreciated, especially in the last years, is surely that of dynamic active simulators, i.e. of actuated supports that, moved coherently with respect to an external event (a film, a path, etc.), return to users the emotion and sensations typical of being immersed in the event itself, to the point of being part of it.

For instance, in this category (vehicle and/or aircraft) driving simulators are well- known.

However, as can well be imagined, such apparatuses envisage complex actuation and control systems, especially due to the numerous variables that have to be taken into account in the simulation itself, in order to return an effect as realistic and engaging as possible.

This entails that it is actually unconceivable to contrive such apparatuses, as intended for the prearranging of playing stations for kids, in replacement, e.g. of classic kiddie ride-type games.

Such games, the classic kiddie rides, represent the solution to date nearer to a simulator, of course within the scope of playing solutions intended for kids.

Classic kiddie rides envisage an actuated structure, driven by an electric motor and a crankshaft mechanism. This mechanism imparts to the structure, e.g. a small car, a motion that however is not realistic in the least and, above all, is independent of any external event and always unvaried and repetitive for all the preset length of the game.

Moreover, common kiddie rides generally have a structure limiting the access by disabled kids, due, e.g., to the fact that many of these stations do not allow access of the kid with a wheelchair, or envisage the kid climbing on it, at a certain height from the ground.

In known-type games, steps and/or other obstacles that would prevent a disabled kid from using the game, or at least to do it with all required safety, are nearly always present.

Therefore, object of the present invention is to provide an innovative solution to the problems still left open by the known art, by providing a structure for an interactive playing station as defined in independent claim 1.

Therefore, a further object of the present invention is a playing station, as that in claim 17.

Secondary features of the present invention are instead set forth in the corresponding dependent claims thereof.

As will be illustrated hereinafter in this description, the present invention entails several advantages, first of all that of conjugating technical simplicity, and therefore inexpensiveness in terms of production, with a particularly realistic effect. Hence, it follows that the installation and use of simulators of this type can, without problems, be provided in playing environments intended for kids' amusement, like e.g. playgrounds, malls, etc.

Moreover, the specific technical solutions adopted allow to eliminate any barrier existing to the access to game by disabled kids. A station making use of a structure as that described could advantageously and without distinction be used both by kids of average intelligence and by disabled kids, in no way limiting game usability and therefore users' fun.

These and further advantages, as well as the features and operation steps of the present invention, will be made apparent in the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, given by way of example and not for limitative purposes. Reference will be made to the figures of the annexed drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a structure for a playing station according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view in longitudinal section of the structure of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of a structure for a playing station according to the present invention; and

Figure 4 is a partially sectional rear view, exemplarily showing the inside of the structure.

The present invention will be detailed hereinafter, making reference to the above- indicated figures.

Referring initially to Figure 1 , it shows a structure 1 for an interactive playing station according to the present invention.

First of all, it is understood that the exterior shapes of the structure, in particular of its body, which in this case represent a submarine, shall in no case be construed to be limitative. These, in fact, could be modified, depending on the specific game that is to be implemented, to integrate the structure itself into a setting suitable for the simulation event that is to be performed.

In general, a structure 1 for an interactive playing station, according to the present invention comprises a base 2 set on the ground.

Movably connected to the base 2, a body 3 is provided, apt to accommodate a user, e.g. a kid wishing to use the playing station.

The body 3 is connected to the base 2 by a plurality of interaction actuators 5, made integral both to the base 2 and to the body 3.

The interaction actuators 5 therefore allow a certain mobility to the body 3, which could therefore be moved with respect to the base 2.

The motion of the body 3 and, as will be specified hereinafter, also other functions of the apparatus, are managed by a control unit 5.

In order to meet accessibility needs by disabled users, the structure is characterized in that the base 2 and the body 3 are apt to place themselves in a rest condition in which the access to the body 3 is allowed substantially at ground level.

In particular, the control unit is programmed so that, both before the game starts and at the end of the game, the actuators be driven so to place themselves automatically in a rest condition corresponding to their bottom dead center. The construction of the structure is such that in this condition a floor inletting into the body is placed at a few cm from the ground, e.g. at 4 cm from the ground.

If necessary with the aid of an entrance ramp 12, this difference in level can easily be surmounted, therefore even a user on a wheelchair can get inside the body.

Referring to Figure 2, the plurality of interaction actuators may advantageously comprise three linear actuators 5 arranged along a direction of displacement substantially orthogonal to said base 2, denoted by F1 in Figure 2.

Each of said linear actuators is therefore such as to move said body along said direction of displacement F1.

This allows, by suitably controlling the actuators, to impart motions to the body which transfer to the user, during the game, a sensation of immersion in the game. For instance, in the case of a submarine, the effects might be those of submerging, emerging, floating, or turning.

In order to make more realistic such effects for simulation, each interaction actuator 5 may comprise a suspension element, a shock absorber or the like, e.g. suitable for vibration dampening.

Inside the body 3, an adjustable seat 4 for a user is provided. The position of the seat 4 may be adjustable both in height and on a plane parallel to the ground. To this end, the seat 4 is mounted on one or more slide guides 6.

Advantageously, always in view of an improved accessibility for disabled kids, the sliding of the seat 4 along the slide guide 6 is such as to allow both to leave free the space required for a wheelchair, and that a kid of average intelligence may easily bring the seat in the right position to sit down in the game.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the structure further comprises a multimedia apparatus 7 for the use of multimedia contents by the user.

Such a multimedia apparatus 7 comprises at least one monitor 8 for the reproduction of images and/or filmed sequences, for viewing by the user. Advantageously, the monitor is inserted in a device 9 for shielding from light. For instance, as schematically illustrated in Figure 2, the shielding device may be shaped as a cone of thermoformed ABS, on which there have been fixed a support bracket for a viewer and a handle 11 that, according to said exemplary embodiment, perfectly simulates a submarine periscope.

Always in order to make the game as realistic and engaging as possible, the monitor 8 may be a monitor of 3D type and the viewer may comprise, e.g., glasses for the displaying of the 3D images transmitted by the monitor.

The entire multimedia apparatus may be adjusted in height by a further adjustment actuator 10, for adjusting in height the multimedia apparatus 7 with respect to the body 3, thereby enabling to perform a fine adjustment for reaching the most ergonomic visualization position for the kids.

As already indicated, the managing of the functionalities of the structure and of the playing station is entrusted to a control unit that, as described, comprises first of all means for driving the interaction actuators 5.

Such means for driving the interaction actuators 5 processes information related to the multimedia contents transmitted and controls the interaction actuators 5 so as to correspondingly move the body 3.

Along with such motion effects, the control unit is moreover suitable to manage user interactivity functionalities.

In particular, user interaction means 1 1 may be provided, for allowing the user to actively intervene in the controlling of the actuators and/or in the transmitting of the multimedia contents.

Such means may for instance comprise controls and/or pushbuttons (e.g., the periscope handle) that, by enabling to interact on the course of the filmed sequence (making things happen, causing actions) modify the game liveability.

To this end, the control unit may therefore comprise means for receiving data from the user interaction means 12 and/or from the interaction actuators 5, means for processing said data and means for outputting a control signal for the actuators 5 and/or multimedia contents to the multimedia apparatus 7, depending on the processed data.

It is understood that such interaction means, processing means and control means, could be made according to current technologies well known to a person skilled in the art, and of course comprise both hardware features (sensors, actuators, etc.) as well as software features (data processing algorithms, control algorithms, etc.).

From a structural standpoint, the structure can be made at least partly of fiberglass. Of course, it is understood that the present invention also addresses an interactive playing station comprising a structure as hereto described. In particular, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the body of the structure of said playing station reproduces the essential shapes of a submarine.

As already indicated, the present invention is particularly advantageous for the realization of simulation stations for amusement and playing.

Since such stations also have, among other things, a commercial purpose, it is foreseeable that their use be subject to payment by users.

To this end, advantageously, the present invention may be equipped with a built-in payment system, which may accept payments in different forms (coins, banknotes, electronic cards, tokens, etc.).

In particular, it may also be provided a payment system by means of a pay-per-use prepaid card, utilizable in combination with a system for controlling and managing the machine taking into account the number of uses available.

The present invention has hereto been described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof. It is understood that other embodiments might exist, all falling within the concept of the same invention, and all comprised within the protective scope of the claims hereinafter.

Claims

1. A structure (1 ) for an interactive playing station, comprising:

- a base (2) set on the ground;

- a body (3), movably connected to said base (2) and apt to accommodate a user;

- a plurality of interaction actuators (5) made integral to said base (2) and said body (3), apt to allow a relative motion of said body (3) with respect to said base (2);

- a control unit,

the structure being characterized in that said base (2) and said body (3) are apt to place themselves in a rest condition in which the access to said body (3) is allowed substantially at ground level.

2. The structure according to claim 1 , wherein said plurality of interaction actuators (5) comprises three linear actuators arranged along a direction of displacement substantially orthogonal to said base (2), each being apt to move said body along said direction of displacement.

3. The structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each actuator of said plurality of interaction actuators (5) comprises a suspension element, a shock absorber or the like, suitable for vibration dampening.

4. The structure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said body (3) comprises an adjustable seat (4) for the user.

5. The structure according to claim 4, wherein said seat (4) is mounted on one or more slide guides (6), so as to be capable of adjusting the position of said seat (4) on a plane parallel to the ground.

6. The structure according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a multimedia apparatus (7) for the use of multimedia contents by the user.

7. The structure according to claim 6, wherein said multimedia apparatus (7) comprises at least one monitor (8) for the reproduction of images and/or filmed sequences, for viewing by the user.

8. The structure according to claim 7, wherein said multimedia apparatus (7) comprises a device (9) for shielding said monitor (8) from light.

9. The structure according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said monitor (8) is a monitor of 3D type.

10. The structure according to claims 8 and 9, wherein said shielding device (9) comprises a viewer for the displaying of the 3D images transmitted by the monitor.

11. The structure according to one of the claims 6 to 10, further comprising an adjustment actuator (10), for adjusting in height said multimedia apparatus (7) with respect to said body (3).

12. The structure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said control unit comprises means for driving said interaction actuators (5).

13. The structure according to one of the claims 6 to 11 and claim 12, wherein the means for driving the interaction actuators (5) processes information related to the multimedia contents transmitted and controls the interaction actuators (5) so as to correspondingly move the body (3).

14. The structure according to one of the claims 6 to 13, further comprising user interaction means (11 ) for allowing the user to actively intervene in the controlling of the actuators and/or in the transmitting of the multimedia contents.

15. The structure according to claim 14, wherein said control unit comprises means for receiving data from said user interaction means (11) and/or from said interaction actuators (5), means for processing said data and means for outputting a control signal for said actuators (5) and/or multimedia contents to said multimedia apparatus (7), depending on said processed data.

16. The structure according to one of the preceding claims, made at least partly of fiberglass.

17. An interactive playing station comprising a structure according to any one of the preceding claims.

18. The playing station according to claim 17, wherein said body is made in the form of a submarine.