Game system for a vehicle

Abstract

To provide a game system for a vehicle which prevents increased wear of vehicle components, a game system (100) for use in a vehicle (200) is proposed, comprising - a game application (10), - a control device (11) configured to generate or receive a control signal based on a rotational movement of a steering wheel (12) of the vehicle (200), and further configured to control a game in the game application (10) based on the control signal, wherein the control device (11) is configured to control the mobility of the steering wheel (12) such that a rotation of the steering wheel (12) is limited to a predetermined steering angle range (L), wherein a rotation of the steering wheel (12) within the predetermined steering angle range (L) does not substantially result in a steering movement of wheels (13) of the vehicle (200) coupled to the steering wheel (12) via a steering gear.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a game system for use in a vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for operating such a game system.

[0002] In vehicles, it is common practice to expand the infotainment offering with games that a driver can play while in the vehicle. These use, among other things, the steering wheel as an interface for driver interaction. For example, a driver can play a car racing game and use the steering wheel to steer a virtual vehicle within the game. In steer-by-wire steering systems, the electrical coupling between the steering wheel and the steering gear required for driving is canceled and deactivated so that the driver can control the game while stationary without moving the wheels. One such system is known, for example, from US 2007 / 0 149 284 A1.

[0003] Another system for realizing games in a vehicle using the steering system for game control is also known from DE 10 2021 110 486 A1.

[0004] DE 10 2020 104 499 A1 shows a method for operating a motor vehicle, in which a user input from a vehicle occupant is received by means of an input device, a course of a computer game is set by means of an electronic computing device as a function of the user input, and an output characterizing the course of the computer game is output in an interior of the motor vehicle by means of an output device designed as a ventilation and / or air conditioning device and / or as a seat adjustment device, wherein the user input is received by means of at least one pedal and / or a steering wheel of the motor vehicle as an input device.

[0005] DE 10 2013 203 115 A1 discloses a method for strength training for a driver of a motor vehicle during traffic-related waiting phases in road traffic with the vehicle at a standstill. The vehicle comprises an electromechanical servo-assisted steering system with an electric motor for generating a steering torque. In the method, the presence of a waiting phase by the motor vehicle is first determined in a first step. If the presence of a waiting phase is determined, the electric motor of the servo-assisted steering system is controlled in such a way that a steering torque is generated by the electric motor as training resistance for an opposing steering torque applied by the driver via the steering wheel. It is provided that the steering wheel and the wheels pivotable via the steering system are decoupled, and while a steering torque is generated by the electric motor, the steering wheel and the wheels pivotable via the steering system are decoupled.

[0006] The subsequently published DE 10 2023 003 829 A1 relates to an active steering wheel damper for reducing vibrations on a steering wheel of a steer-by-wire steering system, comprising a detector for detecting disruptive vibrations and an actuator for triggering a vibration. In an active steering wheel damper, which requires only minimal installation space, the actuator positioned on the steering wheel is designed to both output excitations to the steering wheel to generate vibrations and to detect vibrations occurring on the steering wheel and generate a counter signal. The steering wheel is designed as an operating element for a game mode running in the vehicle and is connected to a control unit that initiates the game mode and is coupled to a display for displaying the game.

[0007] It would be desirable to implement driver input for games with conventional steering systems, where the mechanical coupling between the steering wheel and the steering gear cannot be interrupted. Moving the steering wheel while stationary in such steering systems would cause friction between the tires and the ground, which could lead to increased tire wear and damage to the tire surface.

[0008] The invention is based on the object of providing a game system for a vehicle which prevents increased wear of vehicle components.

[0009] This object is achieved by the features specified in claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the subclaims.

[0010] By limiting the steering angle to a range in which essentially no movement of the vehicle's wheels is caused, it is advantageously achieved that tire wear is reduced when the steering wheel is used as an input or control element while playing a game in the gaming application. This is advantageously achieved by utilizing a certain tolerance range of the steering wheel or steering wheel movement, in which the steering wheel is movable but no movement of the wheels occurs. The wheels would only be moved if the steering wheel were moved beyond the limits of this tolerance range or the predetermined steering angle range, which essentially corresponds to this tolerance range.

[0011] The steering wheel is preferably the steering wheel of the vehicle, which can also be used to control or steer the vehicle.

[0012] Even though the steering movement while playing is limited compared to the steering movement while driving the vehicle, there will still be enough room for movement of the steering wheel to give the driver a realistic gaming experience.

[0013] The game application is, in particular, a computer program that is stored in a memory of either the game system or the vehicle, and can be retrieved from there and executed in a data processing device. In particular, the game application can be stored and / or executed in an infotainment system of the vehicle.

[0014] For this purpose, the gaming system is preferably switchable between an active and an inactive mode. In an inactive mode, in which the gaming application is not used or a game is not being played, the steering wheel can be used to steer the vehicle or move the wheels, and the steering movement is not limited to the predetermined steering angle range. In an active mode, in which the gaming application is used or a game is being played, the steering wheel is not available to steer the vehicle or move the wheels, and the steering angle range is limited accordingly. The active mode can preferably only be selected when the vehicle is stationary.

[0015] Preferably, the predetermined steering angle range, within which a rotation of the steering wheel does not result in a steering movement of the vehicle's wheels coupled to the steering wheel via a steering gear, is determined experimentally in advance. The steering wheel can be rotated in both directions until a movement or rotation of the wheels is detected. The respective limits at which no movement or rotation of the wheels has recently occurred are then assumed to be the limits of the predetermined steering angle range.

[0016] Alternatively, the predetermined steering angle range can preferably be freely selected and the steering wheel and the steering gear can be adjusted accordingly so that the predetermined steering angle range is set such that a rotation of the steering wheel does not lead to a steering movement of the wheels.

[0017] In particular, the steering wheel serves as an input device for the game or game application.

[0018] Preferably, the rotation of the steering wheel is limited to the predetermined steering angle range by applying a counterforce counter to an actuating force acting on the steering wheel, wherein the counterforce acts in such a way that the steering wheel cannot be rotated beyond the predetermined steering angle range. The counterforce is applied, in particular, to the steering wheel. The counterforce is, in particular, a torque.

[0019] Preferably, the counterforce is applied when the steering wheel is moved at the limits of the predetermined steering angle range. Preferably, the counterforce can be gradually increased shortly before the limits are reached until the limits are reached. This prevents the driver from experiencing an abrupt locking of the steering movement. At the limits, the applied counterforce is preferably so great that the driver perceives this as a maximum deflection of the steering wheel and will not attempt to turn the steering wheel any further.

[0020] The game system preferably comprises an actuator for generating the counterforce. This actuator is preferably arranged in the area of ​​the steering wheel or in the area of ​​the steering gear. The actuator or a control unit of the actuator is preferably connected to the control device of the game system.

[0021] The predetermined steering angle range can preferably be selected in such a way that turning the steering wheel causes components of the steering line to torsion and / or the tire contact area to deform. The component of the steering line is in particular a torsion bar which is arranged in a steering shaft of the steering line. The tire contact area is in particular a tire contact patch, which is the area of ​​a tire which is in contact with the ground. When the steering wheel is turned within the predetermined steering angle range, the tire contact area in this area is in particular deformed to a maximum, which means that its shape can change without this area of ​​the tire or even parts of it losing contact or adhesion with the ground and without friction occurring between the tire of the wheel and the ground. In this case, slight rotation orSteering movement of the wheels, which is covered by the wording “a rotation of the steering wheel within the predetermined steering angle range does not substantially result in a steering movement of wheels coupled to the steering wheel via a steering gear”.

[0022] Preferably, the control signal can be generated, in particular by means of the control device, based on a steering angle of the steering wheel, a steering angle speed of the steering wheel, and / or an actuating force on the steering wheel. The aforementioned parameters can preferably be provided by the vehicle and transmitted to the control device, or the gaming system can have its own sensors for determining the respective parameters, which are then provided to the control device.

[0023] By generating the control signal based on the steering angle, the steering angle speed and / or the actuation force, the movement of the steering wheel can be transferred particularly realistically into the game of the game application.

[0024] The control signal preferably includes information about a steering wheel rotation angle. This information can be transmitted to the game application for controlling the game. Furthermore, based on the information about the current rotation angle, the control device can determine whether the rotation angle lies within the predetermined steering angle range. If the rotation angles are at or near the limits of the steering angle range, the actuator can be actuated to restrict the movement of the steering wheel.

[0025] The gaming system preferably comprises a display device for displaying content of the gaming application. This is, in particular, a display, in particular a display already present in the vehicle, in particular the vehicle cockpit. For example, the display device can be a digital speedometer display or a head-up display.

[0026] Preferably, the display device is an infotainment system of the vehicle or the display device is part of an infotainment system of the vehicle.

[0027] Furthermore, the object of the invention is achieved by a method for operating a game system with the aforementioned features, comprising the following steps: - Turning the steering wheel, - generating or receiving a control signal based on a rotational movement of a steering wheel of the vehicle by means of the control device, - Limiting a rotation of the steering wheel to a predetermined steering angle range, wherein a rotation of the steering wheel within the predetermined steering angle range does not lead to a steering movement of wheels of the vehicle that are mechanically coupled to the steering wheel via a steering gear.

[0028] Preferably, a counterforce counteracting the actuating force is applied to the steering wheel to limit the rotation of the steering wheel to the predetermined angular range. The counterforce is, in particular, a torque. Preferably, the counterforce is not applied continuously during the movement of the steering wheel. Preferably, the counterforce is only applied when the steering movement approaches the limits of the steering angle range.

[0029] Preferably, the control signal, in particular by the control device, is generated on the basis of a steering angle of the steering wheel, a steering angle speed of the steering wheel and / or an actuating force on the steering wheel.

[0030] Preferably, the actuator is actuated, and the actuator generates the counterforce to limit the steering movement of the steering wheel to the predetermined steering angle range.

[0031] The above-mentioned method can preferably only be carried out when the game system is in the active mode.

[0032] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a vehicle having a game system, Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a steering wheel for use in a gaming system, and Fig. 3 a flowchart of a method for operating a gaming system for a vehicle.

[0033] In the figures, the same structural elements have the same reference numerals.

[0034] Fig. 1 shows a vehicle 200 having a gaming system 100. The gaming system 100 includes a steering wheel 12, which can also be used to control or steer the vehicle 200. Furthermore, the gaming system 100 includes a control device 11 configured to connect the steering wheel 12 to a gaming application 10 such that a driver can control a game in the gaming application 10 by moving the steering wheel 12, in particular by rotating it in the direction of rotation DR. The steering wheel 12 thus serves as an input device for the game or gaming application 10.

[0035] While the steering wheel 12 is used as an input device for the game application 10, the rotation DR of the steering wheel 12 is limited so that the rotation does not cause any steering movement of the wheels 13 of the vehicle 200. For this purpose, a steering angle of the steering wheel 12 during rotation in the direction of rotation DR is limited to a predetermined steering angle range L, as shown by Fig. 2 will be explained in more detail.

[0036] The predetermined steering angle range L of the steering wheel is selected in particular such that when the steering wheel 12 is rotated within this range, there is essentially no rotation of the wheels by the wheel rotation angle R. A slight rotation of the wheels can be permitted in the course of a deformation of the tire contact area of ​​the wheels.

[0037] When using the gaming system 100 and as the driver turns the steering wheel 12, a control signal is generated by the controller 11 and transmitted to the gaming application 10 to control a game. The control signal is generated based on a steering angle of the steering wheel 12, a steering angular velocity of the steering wheel 12, and / or an actuating force on the steering wheel 12, with the controller 11 receiving these parameters from a vehicle control device 14.

[0038] If the driver operates the steering wheel 12 near the limits of the predetermined steering angle range L, a counterforce is generated by means of an actuator 15 of the game system 100, which counterforce prevents the driver from operating the steering wheel 12 beyond the limits of the predetermined steering angle range L, which would lead to a rotation of the wheels 13.

[0039] In the Fig. 1, the game application 10 is part of an infotainment system 16 of the vehicle 200.

[0040] Fig. 2 shows the steering angle limitation of the steering wheel 12 of the gaming system 100. The steering wheel 12 is rotatable in the direction of rotation DR, wherein a rotation angle of the steering wheel 12 is limited to the predetermined steering angle range L. The predetermined steering angle range L extends, in particular, equally laterally or to the left and right of a horizontal center line M of the steering wheel 12.

[0041] Fig.Figure 3 shows a flowchart of a method for operating the gaming system 100. In a first method step A, the steering wheel 12 is actuated or rotated in the direction of rotation DR. In method step B, a control signal is generated, which includes, for example, information about a current angle of rotation of the steering wheel 12.

[0042] Subsequently, in method step C, the control device 11 checks whether the current angle of rotation of the steering wheel 12 is within the predetermined steering angle range L. If this is the case (y), further movement of the steering wheel 12 is permitted in method step D, and the process starts again and is continuously repeated. If it is determined in method step C that the current angle of rotation 12 of the steering wheel is at or near the limit of the predetermined steering angle range L, the actuator 14 is actuated in method step E to limit the movement of the steering wheel 12. List of reference symbols 100 game system 200 vehicles 10 Game application 11 Control device 12 Steering wheel 13 wheels 14 Vehicle control device 15 Actuator DR direction of rotation L predetermined steering angle range R Wheel steering angle M center line A, B, C, D, E Process steps

Claims

[1] A game system (100) for use in a vehicle (200), comprising - a game application (10), - a control device (11) which is designed to generate or receive a control signal based on a rotational movement of a steering wheel (12) of the vehicle (200), and which is further designed to control a game in the game application (10) based on the control signal, wherein the control device (11) is designed to control a movability of the steering wheel (12) such that a rotation of the steering wheel (12) is limited to a predetermined steering angle range (L), - characterized by that a rotation of the steering wheel (12) within the predetermined steering angle range (L) does not substantially lead to a steering movement of wheels (13) of the vehicle (200) coupled to the steering wheel (12) via a steering gear. [2] A game system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the rotation of the steering wheel (12) is limited to the predetermined steering angle range (L) by applying a counterforce against an actuating force acting on the steering wheel (12), the counterforce acting in such a way that the steering wheel (12) cannot be rotated beyond the predetermined steering angle range (L). [3] Game system (100) according to claim 2, comprising an actuator (14) for generating the counterforce. [4] Game system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the predetermined steering angle range (L) is selectable such that rotation of the steering wheel (12) leads to torsion of components of the steering line and / or deformation of the tire contact area. [5] The game system (100) of claim 4, wherein the steering train component is a torsion bar disposed on a steering shaft of the steering wheel (12). [6] Game system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control signal, in particular by means of the control device (11), can be generated on the basis of a steering angle of the steering wheel (12), a steering angle speed of the steering wheel (12) and / or an actuating force on the steering wheel (12). [7] Game system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control signal comprises information about a rotation angle of the steering wheel (12). [8] Game system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a display device for displaying contents of the game application. [9] Gaming system (100) according to claim 6, wherein the display device is an infotainment system (16) of the vehicle (200). [10] A method for operating a gaming system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising the following steps: - Turning (A) the steering wheel (12), - generating (B) or receiving a control signal based on a rotational movement of a steering wheel (12) of the vehicle (200) by means of the control device (11), - Limiting (E) a rotation of the steering wheel (12) to the predetermined steering angle range (L), wherein a rotation of the steering wheel (12) within the predetermined steering angle range (L) does not lead to a steering movement of wheels (13) of the vehicle (200) that are mechanically coupled to the steering wheel (12) via a steering gear. [11] Method according to claim 10, wherein a counterforce counteracting the actuating force is applied to the steering wheel (12) to limit the rotation of the steering wheel (12) to the predetermined angular range (L). [12] Method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the control signal, in particular by the control device (11), is generated on the basis of a steering angle of the steering wheel, a steering angular speed of the steering wheel and / or an actuating force on the steering wheel. [13] Method according to one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the actuator (14) is actuated and the actuator (14) generates the counterforce to limit the steering movement of the steering wheel (12) to the predetermined steering angle range (L).

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