초록 ▼

A recreation apparatus is disclosed which allows for the operation of a video game apparatus which displays on a television screen one or more video games which include a controllable character and which normally employs a joystick for generating command signals to manipulate the character. The appa

A recreation apparatus is disclosed which allows for the operation of a video game apparatus which displays on a television screen one or more video games which include a controllable character and which normally employs a joystick for generating command signals to manipulate the character. The apparatus includes a base, a control rod which is mounted to the base with two degrees of freedom, e.g., rotary displacement of the control rod with respect to the base from an equilibrium position and revolution of the control rod about its own axis from an equilibrium position. A resistance in the form of a spring is provided which impedes movement of the control rod as to both rotary displacement and revolution about its own axis from the equilibrium position. The impedence provided by the spring is sufficient to require the use of substantial muscular exertion by an operator in the play of a video game. A mechanism is provided for continuously sensing the position of the control rod with respect to the two degrees of freedom and transmitting a command signal which reflects the position of the control rod, which signal is recognizable to manipulate the character in a video game. This command signal is thus transmitted to the video game so that the exercise apparatus, in effect, becomes a large joystick which can be used to operate a video game only through strenuous physical exertion.

대표청구항 ▼

An exercise apparatus in combination with a video game apparatus which includes display means for displaying a video game including a movable cursor and for showing the progress of the video game and the degree of success of an operator, said exercise apparatus comprising a joystick for controlling

An exercise apparatus in combination with a video game apparatus which includes display means for displaying a video game including a movable cursor and for showing the progress of the video game and the degree of success of an operator, said exercise apparatus comprising a joystick for controlling said video game apparatus to cause movements of said cursor of said display means, said joystick being shiftable by an operator from a neutral central position; centralizer means connected to said joystick for yieldably holding said joystick in said neutral central position with sufficient resistance so as to require an operator to exert at least one pound of force on said joystick to move said joystick from said neutral central position during play of said video game; and switch means selectively operable by said joystick upon movement of said joystick from said neutral central position, said switch means being connected to said video game apparatus to control said video game apparatus to move said cursor along first and second directions on said display means, whereby an operator is encouraged to exert considerable physical energy to play the game.