A portable simulator unit for tracking and displaying the flight of a ball

Abstract

A portable simulator unit 100 for displaying the path of a struck ball, comprising: a display screen 102 to be raised from and lowered into a housing 104; a lift mechanism 106 for raising and lowering the display; and a tracking module. The lift mechanism may be based on bearing rollers (figure 4a) or a lead screw and pulley system (figure 6a). Additionally, a tilt mechanism (figure 8a) to deploy and tilt a display from a stored configuration to a deployed configuration in which display is tilted to a pre-set tilt angle. The tilt mechanism may comprise a mounting plate, carriage and bail forming a section of a lift arm, a guide track comprising a bent portion and a support. A ball slides in the track and fixes the tilt of the screen while in the bent portion. The lift mechanism may comprise a motor that rotates a fixed bearing in the base section, intermediate bearings arranged on each slidable section, and a flexible element fixed to an anchor point. When the fixed bearing rotates the flexible element is wrapped around it and places pressure on the intermediate bearings that slides the slidable sections away from each other.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to portable simulator units for tracking and displaying the virtual path of a struck ball. For example, golf ball, tennis ball, and baseball launch monitors. BACKGROUND Ball tracking technology has been utilized in sports for multiple years. The technology has been implemented in various ways including as assistance to referees and umpires in professional games as well as in recreational or training capacities. For example, many golf driving ranges have been seen to incorporate ball tracking as a way of providing distance information to the player. Display screens mounted nearby are also often provided as a way of viewing the ball’s trajectory or flight path. In some cases this information has been incorporated into simple target based games with accompanying graphics superimposed alongside the measured ball trajectory to provide additional entertainment. Such tracking information can also be used to provide a virtual golf game, where the player remains stationary in front of a display or projected image and the course moves on the screen to match the next location from which the ball is to be played. However, many of these systems are permanent fixtures within the location they are housed. For example, the screen is typically fixed to a wall and the ball tracking system elements are typically fixed to the framework around each of the driving range bays. A central computing system may be responsible for processing the images for multiple tracking systems and screens for multiple players at any one time. Alternatively, in a home set up the personal computer or games console of the user may simply be available in its usual position within the home, with separate displays and tracking hardware positioned around the home playing environment as necessary. It is desirable to develop a device whereby all of the required elements for tracking the struck ball and displaying its virtual path are incorporated into a single portable unit. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect there is provided a portable simulator unit for tracking and displaying the virtual path of a struck ball, the unit comprising: a display screen configured to be raised from and lowered into a housing of the simulator unit; a lift mechanism for raising and lowering the display; and a tracking module fortracking the struck ball. In an embodiment, the display may be a touch screen. In an embodiment, the unit may comprise a further tracking module configured to be removable from the housing. In an embodiment, the housing may be waterproofed to an IPX5 rating. In an embodiment, the lift mechanism may comprise a plurality of sections forming an extendable lift arm, each section configured to slide relative to an adjacent section. In an embodiment, the lift mechanism may comprise: a motor configured to rotate a fixed bearing within a base section, a plurality of intermediate bearings arranged on the plurality of slidable sections; and a flexible element having a proximal end fixed to the fixed bearing and a distal end fixed to an anchor point, the flexible element being wrapped around the plurality of intermediate bearings, whereby the lift mechanism may be configured such that when the fixed bearing rotates the flexible element is wrapped around it and placed under tension causing pressure to be exerted on the intermediate bearings and causing the slidable sections to slide away from each other to extend the lift arm. In an embodiment, the anchor point may be part of the display screen. In an embodiment, the anchor point may be part of a pivotable section at the opposite end from the base of the lift arm. In an embodiment, the lift arm may be covered by a lift arm housing which is waterproof to an IPX5 rating. In an embodiment, the lift mechanism may be housed partly within the lift arm housing and partly within the unit housing. In an embodiment, each slidable section of the lift arm may comprise at least two bearings for wrapping the flexible element around. In an embodiment, the final slidable section of the lift arm may comprise a final bearing arranged to pivotably secure the display screen to the final section. In an embodiment, the anchor point may be arranged adjacent to a tilt mechanism, such that when a tension on the flexible element exceeds a pre-determined force the anchor point is configured to trigger the tilt mechanism. In an embodiment, the pre-determined force may be the gravitational force due to the weight of the display screen and the weight of all of the slidable sections of the lift arm minus the weight of the base section. In an embodiment, the tilt mechanism may comprise a spring with a compression force greater than the pre-determined force. In an embodiment, the tilt mechanism may be configured to cause the display to adopt a pre-set tilt angle relative to the lift arm upon triggering of the tilt mechanism. In an embodiment, the tilt mechanism may be configured to adopt the pre-set tilt angle by compressing the spring to a corresponding extent set at a motor controller of the motor. In an embodiment, the tilt mechanism may comprise a friction bearing arranged on the same axis as the final bearing and the friction bearing may be configured to hold the display at a custom tilt angle caused by manipulation of the display by a user. In an embodiment, the custom tilt angle may be different to the pre-set tilt angle. In an embodiment, the tilt mechanism may comprise a reset mechanism comprising a platform, a first side of the platform secured to the display and a second side of the platform comprising at least two rollers configured to rest on an angled surface of the final section of the lift arm. In an embodiment, a reset tilt angle may be defined by the incline of the angled surface. In an embodiment, the display may be configured to return from the pre-set tilt angle or custom tilt angle to the reset tilt angle prior to lowering the display screen into the housing by releasing the tension on the cable such that the at least two rollers rest on the angled surface. In an embodiment, the reset mechanism may be configured to reset the display to a tilt angle whereby the display is substantially vertical before lowering the display into the housing by releasing the tension on the cable such that the at least two rollers transition from the angled surface of the final section to a substantially vertical surface of the final section of the lift arm. In an embodiment, the unit may comprise a locking mechanism on a base of the unit for preventing the unit from moving on a surface. In an embodiment, the locking mechanism may comprise one or more feet made from a material with a high friction coefficient and arranged to engage with the surface once the unit is in a desired location. In an embodiment, the locking mechanism may comprise a plurality of holes for receiving one or more lugs fixed relative to the surface. In an embodiment, the unit may comprise an integrated camera configured to be used as a web cam. In an embodiment, the unit may be arranged such that the display and lift arm are lowered into the housing under a force no greater than their combined weight. In an embodiment, the unit may comprise one or more load sensors configured to detect when a load on the motor achieves a pre-set low value indicating that the display and / or lift arm are obstructed from being lowered into the housing. In an embodiment, the unit may comprise a high-performance computer configured to receive tracking data from the one or more tracking modules and display the tracking data on the display. In an embodiment, the unit may comprise an air-to-water heat exchanger configured to maintain a fluid barrier between the outside of the unit housing and the inside of the unit housing. In an embodiment, the heat exchanger may be configured to maintain an environment inside the housing suitable for full power operation of the high-performance computer with an ambient temperature outside the housing of up to about 44 degrees centigrade. In an embodiment, one or more vent openings in the housing for providing air to the heat exchanger may comprise a reinforced rim configured to bear the weight of the unit. In an embodiment, the unit may comprise a power button configured to cause the lift mechanism to raise and tilt the display in a single action. In an embodiment, the unit may comprise a light source for indicating on the surface a location for placing a tee. In an embodiment, the unit may comprise integrated WiFi capabilities for transmitting and receiving data. In an embodiment, the unit may comprise integrated Bluetooth connectivity for transmitting and receiving data. In an embodiment, the unit may be configured to support screen mirroring. In an embodiment, the unit may comprise a remote control configured to control one or more functions of the unit. In an embodiment, the unit may comprise at least one High-Definition Multimedia Interface, HDMI, port. In an embodiment, the lift mechanism comprises: a motor configured to rotate a vertical lead screw within a first base section, a nut configured to engage the lead screw and fixed to a second slidable section; and a conveyance system comprising a plurality of pulleys and a flexible element wrapped around the pulleys which engages the second section on one side of the pulleys and engages a third slidable section on the opposite side of the pulleys, whereby the lift mechanism is configured such that when the motor causes the lead screw to rotate the nut is driven up the lead screw, lifting the second section and pulling down on one side of the flexible element of the conveyance system, causing in turn the third section to slide away from the second section and extending the lift arm. In an embodiment, the motor is connected to the lead screw for driving the lead screw by a right-angle gearbox. In an embodiment, the nut is fixed to the second section by an articulated yoke. In an embodiment, the articulated yoke comprises a crossbeam and two side arms and is configured to allow the crossbeam to rotate relative to the side arms. In an embodiment, the motor is configured to drive the lead screw through the gearbox and the gearbox comprises a fitting for a tool for manual driving of the lead screw. In an embodiment, the lift arm is curved. In an embodiment, the third section has a shorter path of motion than the second section. In an embodiment, the third section comprises a mounting plate carriage and bail and the bail is configured to slide in a guide track fixed to the second section. In an embodiment, the guide track comprises a bent portion at the top end and the bail is configured to enter the bent portion of the guide rail and cause the carriage to sit further away from the second section, and the third section comprises a support configured to push on the back of the mounting plate to tilt the screen. In an embodiment, the support is configured to vary the degree of tilt of the screen based on the position along its track to which it is driven. In an embodiment, the display screen comprises a rear screen cover comprising a plurality of vents and a void within which are a plurality of fans, and the cover is configured to draw cold air in through a subgroup of lower vents and expel hot air through a subgroup of upper vents. In an embodiment, the fans are intelligently controlled fans configured to draw air over a backplate of the screen by forced convention. In an embodiment, the screen carries a cover plate, the cover plate being sized to close an opening in the housing through which the screen can be retracted, the cover plate being mounted to the screen by resilient mounts whereby the cover plate is resiliently biased towards the screen. In an embodiment, the simulator unit being arranged to stow the screen by retracting the screen through the opening in the housing so as to cause the cover plate to bear against the exterior of the housing with the resilient mounts in tension so as to draw the cover plate against the housing. According to another aspect there is provided a tilt mechanism configured to deploy and tilt a display from a stored configuration to a deployed configuration where the deployed configuration comprises the display tilted to a pre-set tilt angle. In an embodiment, the display may be driven to the pre-set tilt angle by a motor and a motor controller such that the pre-set tilt angle can be altered by changing a setting of the motor controller. In an embodiment, the tilt mechanism may comprise a custom tilt mechanism comprising a friction bearing configured to allow for an additional custom tilt angle within a range of angles bounding the pre-set tilt angle to be obtained by manual manipulation of the display by a user. In an embodiment, the tilt mechanism may be configured to transition from the deployed configuration with an additional custom tilt angle to the stored configuration and upon subsequent re-deployment to the deployed configuration adopt the pre-set tilt angle without the additional custom tilt angle. In an embodiment, the tilt mechanism comprises: a mounting plate, carriage, and bail forming a third section of a lift arm; a guide track fixed to a second section of the lift arm and comprising a bent portion at the top end of the track; and a support; where the bail is configured to slide in the guide track and upon entering the bent portion of the guide rail cause the carriage to sit further away from the second section, allowing the support to push on the back of the mounting plate to tilt the screen. In an embodiment, the support is configured to vary the degree of tilt of the screen based on the position along a track to which it is driven. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: Figure 1 shows an example simulator unit comprising a raised display screen and tracking module. Figure 2 shows an example simulator unit with the display screen raised and tilted. Figure 3A shows a rear aspect view of the display screen, lift arm, and lift arm housing in a lowered configuration. Figure 3B shows a rear aspect view of the display screen, lift arm, and lift arm housing in a raised configuration. Figure 4A shows a detailed cross-sections of the lift mechanism in a lowered configuration. Figure 4B shows a detailed cross-sections of the lift mechanism in a raised configuration. Figure 4C shows a detailed cross-sections of the lift mechanism in a raised and tilted configuration. Figure 5A shows a cross-section of an example tilt re-set mechanism where the display screen is initially tilted backwards. Figure 5B shows a cross-section of an example tilt re-set mechanism where the display screen is initially tilted forwards. Figure 6A shows a perspective view of the lift mechanism when the display screen is fully stowed. Figure 6B shows a perspective view of the lift mechanism when the display screen is fully stowed. Figure 7A shows the lift mechanism in a fully extended configuration. Figure 7B shows a close up of an example driving mechanism comprising a motor, a gearbox, and the lead screw Figure 8A shows the third section of the lift mechanism in the stowed configuration. Figure 8B shows the third section of the lift mechanism in a fully extended configuration. Figure 9 shows the back of the display screen with a rear screen cover. Figure 10A shows an exploded perspective view of the rear screen cover. Figure 10B shows a plan view of the void inside the rear screen cover. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A significant proportion of people are spending more time travelling and less time in a single location. People with multiple homes in different countries often spend time travelling between locations and desire to make this time as enjoyable as possible. Similarly, people on holiday or extended breaks from work want to enjoy their time and their hobbies. However, it’s not always possible to do those hobbies while travelling. Many people enjoy various sports as hobbies and time away from work doesn’t mean time away from playing and improving at these sporting hobbies. An example of this situation is the practice of shooting clays or hitting golf balls from a boat or ship. In this scenario an appropriate set up is placed on the deck of the boat or ship and the clays or golf balls are aimed off of the side and towards the sea. The following description is provided in the context of the specific example of the sport of golf. However, it should be understood that the simulator unit and its features as described in the following description may be applied to many other ball sports. There is described herein a portable simulator unit for tracking and displaying the virtual path of a struck ball. The unit comprises a display screen configured to be raised from and lowered into a housing of the simulator unit, a lift mechanism for raising and lowering the display, and a tracking module for tracking the struck ball. Figure 1 shows a front view of a CAD drawing of an example simulator unit 100. The unit is shown with the display screen 102 raised from the housing 104. The display screen is connected to a lift mechanism 106 configured to raise and lower the display screen 102 into and out of the housing 104 as shown in figure 1. The housing 104 of the unit also comprises a tracking module 108 for tracking the struct ball. The tracking module 108 is positioned in the front left corner of the unit 100. The display screen 102 may be lowered into the housing 104 of the unit such that it is completely within the housing 104. Although the display screen 102 in figure 1 is shown completely outside of the housing 104, in another example the display screen 102 may be raised only to the extent that the display screen is sufficiently visible to the user. Alternatively, the unit 100 may be provided with the tracking module 108 located in the front right corner to facilitate left-handed players. The unit is designed to be self-contained, stowable, and portable. As such, the unit housing provides a suitable container for all the necessary components of the unit when the screen is in the lowered position. The unit’s housing may also be configured to seal the unit against the outside elements for the purposes of protecting the components inside from rain, sea spray, or sand etc. In an embodiment the unit may comprise a further tracking module configured to be removable from the housing. The additional tracking module may be removable from the unit such that it can be placed on an opposite side of a user to the rest of the unit. This additional tracking module can assist left-handed users by enabling them to use the unit alongside a right-handed player without having to move the unit between shots, or to use the unit when already set up for a right-handed player without needing to move the entire unit. By removable it is meant that the additional tracking module can be separated from the unit housing by a sufficient distance so as to place it on the other side of a playing area on which the player stands. The removable tracking module may remain in communication with the simulator unit when removed from the housing, for example via a physical wired connection or by a wireless connection such as via a Bluetooth or local Wi-Fi network connection. Alternatively, where the unit is provided as primarily suitable for a left-handed player with the fixed tracking module 108 placed in the front right corner of the unit, the removable further tracking module may be provided in the front left corner of the unit. Therefore, the unit may be provided with one fixed tracking module and one removable tracking module, where each is located in one of the two front corners of the unit depending on the chosen predominant handedness of the unit. Figure 2 shows a side view of a CAD drawing of an example simulator unit 100. The display screen 102 is again shown in a raised position from the housing 104. Part of the lift mechanism 106 can be seen to connect the display screen 102 to the rest of the unit 100 via an opening in the housing 104 from which the screen may be raised. The display screen 102 is shown tilted backwards from vertical. The tilted configuration may provide a more comfortable viewing angle of the screen for a user of the unit. In an embodiment the display screen may be a touch screen. In the example unit of figure 2, a section of housing 204a can be seen on the top of the screen with a shape that matches a void 202 in the top of the unit housing through which the display screen 102 is raised. That is, the perimeter of the section 204a matches the perimeter of the void 202. Thus, when the display screen is lowered back into the housing, the section 204a may seal the void 202. The housing may also comprise additional internal seals such that a fluid barrier is maintained between the inside of the main body of the housing and the outside of the housing. For example, the main body of the housing may comprise a motor for the lift mechanism, a computer for processing and displaying tracking data, or any other internal mechanism of the unit. The housing may therefore be waterproof to an IPX5 rating. This allows the unit to continue to work in environmental conditions such as sea spray, high winds, airborne sand, etc. Figure 3 shows two views of the display screen 102 and lift mechanism 106. The lift mechanism 106 may comprise a plurality of sections 306 forming an extendable lift arm 306. Each section 306 may be configured to slide relative to an adjacent section 306. Figure 3A shows the display screen and lift arm 306 of the lift mechanism 106 in a lowered state. The unit housing 104 which surrounds the display screen 102 and lift arm 306 when it is in this lowered configuration is not shown for clarity purposes. Figure 3B shows the display screen 102 and lift arm 306 in a raised state. Again, the housing 104 from which the display screen 102 is raised in this configuration is not shown for clarity purposes. In the example lift mechanism of figure 3 the lift arm 306 comprises a plurality of sections. The lift arm 306 may be covered by a lift arm housing 304. The lift arm housing 304 may be waterproof to an IPX5 rating. The lift arm housing 304 may also comprise a plurality of housing sections. The housing sections may provide a retractable outer lift arm housing 304 for the lift arm sections 306 whereby the lift mechanism 106 can be protected from the elements in the same way as described above in relation to the unit housing. The sliding sections 306 of the lift arm are visible through the housing sections 304 in figure 3. The example base lift arm section 306a is not covered by the lift arm housing. This is because in this example the base of the lift arm 306a would be inside the unit housing 104, which is not shown. Therefore, the lift mechanism 106 may be housed partly within the lift arm housing 304 and partly within the unit housing 104. Figure 4 shows the lift mechanism 106 in more detail. Figures 4A, 4B, and 4C show the example lift mechanism 106 at various stages from the lowered to the raised configuration of the display screen 102. The lift mechanism 106 may comprise a motor 402 configured to rotate a fixed bearing 404 within a base section 306a. The lift mechanism 106 may also comprise a plurality of intermediate bearings 406 arranged on the plurality of slidable sections 306. The lift mechanism may also comprise a flexible element 408 having a proximal end fixed to the fixed bearing 404 and a distal end fixed to an anchor point 410, the flexible element 408 being wrapped around the plurality of intermediate bearings 406. The lift mechanism may therefore be configured such that when the fixed bearing rotates 404, the flexible element 408 is wrapped around it and placed under tension causing pressure to be exerted on the intermediate bearings 406 and causing the slidable sections to slide away from each other to extend the lift arm 306. Figure 4A shows the lift mechanism described above in a lowered state. The example lift mechanism comprises three sliding sections 306. The first section 306a is a base section which may be fixed inside the unit housing. The motor 402 may be fixed relative to this base section. The motor may be connected to a fixed bearing 404 which may be caused to turn by operation of the motor. The proximal end of a flexible element 408 may be fixed to the fixed bearing such that when the fixed bearing is driven by the motor it is caused to rotate and place the flexible cord under tension. In figure 4A there is no tension on the flexible element and the sections 306 are allowed to sit at their lowest points. The display screen is contained within the housing 104 when the lift mechanism 106 is in this configuration. Each section of the lift mechanism may slide relative to the one or more adjacent sections. Each section may have at least two bearings, fixed or otherwise, around which the flexible element 408 is wrapped. It can be seen in figure 4A that the flexible element is wrapped alternately around a lower and then an upper bearing of each section in turn. Arrows indicate the intermediate bearings of adjacent sections which are directly connected by the flexible element. It is these directly connected intermediate bearings which are pulled closer together by the action of pulling on the flexible element by the motor. In doing so the lift arm sections may be slidably moved relative to each other to extend the lift arm. The base section 306a may comprise a fixed bearing 404 and at least one intermediate bearing 406. The second section 306b may comprise at least two intermediate bearings 406. The final section 306c may comprise at least two intermediate bearings 406. Thus, each slidable section of the lift arm may comprise at least two bearings for wrapping the flexible element 408 around. Figure 4B shows the lift mechanism after the motor 402 has wound the flexible element around the fixed bearing. The distance between the intermediate bearings of adjacent sections has become smaller as the second 306b and final sections 306c are pulled upward by the flexible element. Figure 4C shows the lift mechanism once the sliding sections have reached their fully extended configuration. The tension on the flexible element has pulled the sliding sections to their maximum extension. The distance between the intermediate bearing of adjacent sections has reached its minimum. In figure 4, a pivotable section 412 of the lift mechanism is shown. Tension is placed on the flexible element 408 by the driving of the motor 402 as a result of the flexible element being fixed to an anchor point 410 at its distal end. The anchor point 410 may be part of the pivotable section 412 at the opposite end from the base of the lift arm. The final section 306c of the lift arm comprises a final bearing 406a arranged to pivotably secure the pivotable section 412 and thus the display screen 102 to the final section 306c of the lift arm. In an example, the pivotable section may be part of the display screen casing. In another example, the pivotable section 412 may be attached to the display screen or its casing. The anchor point 410 may be arranged adjacent to a tilt mechanism such that when a tension on the flexible element exceeds a pre-determined force the anchor point 410 is configured to trigger the tilt mechanism. The anchor point 410 may be fixed relative to the final section 306c until such time that the flexible element 408 pulls on the anchor point 410 with enough force to move the anchor point relative to the final section 306c. This may be achieved by allowing the pivotable section to rotate relative to the final section of the lift arm only when the pre-determined force on the anchor point is achieved, thus triggering the tilt mechanism. The pre-determined force may be set to the force due to the weight of the display screen and the weight of all of the slidable sections of the lift arm minus the weight of the base section. That is, the predetermined force may be equal to the weight of all of the suspended parts of the lift arm and display screen except for the base of the lift arm which is fixed within the unit housing. By setting the pre-determined force to this value it is ensured that the pivotable section does not begin to pivot relative to the final section of the lift arm before the sections of the lift arm are fully extended. Thus ensuring that the display screen has cleared any void in the unit housing, from which it is being raised, before tilting. The tilt mechanism may comprise a spring 414 with a compression force greater than the pre-determined force. The spring 414 may be arranged such that as the force on the anchor point exceeds the pre-determined value the spring compresses, allowing the pivotable section and ultimately the display screen to tilt. The tilt mechanism may therefore be configured to cause the display to adopt a pre-set tilt angle relative to the lift arm upon triggering of the tilt mechanism. For example, the tilt mechanism may be configured to adopt the pre-set tilt angle by compressing the spring to a corresponding extent set at a motor controller of the motor. That is, a motor controller may be configured to control the motor and the extent to which the flexible element is wound around the fixed bearing may be controlled in turn by the settings of the motor controller. The tension on the flexible element, and therefore the extent to which the tilt mechanism is caused to tilt, may be controlled by the compression of the spring to a corresponding extent. That is, an amount of tilt may be pre-set by a user setting of the motor controller. The tilt mechanism may also comprise a friction bearing arranged on the same axis as the final bearing 406a. The friction bearing may be configured to hold the display at a custom tilt angle caused by manipulation of the display by a user during a session. That is, where the pivotable section is attached to the final section of the lift arm there may also be a friction bearing. The friction bearing may be configured not to provide resistance to the tilting of the pivotable section by the tilt mechanism but to resist movement of the pivotable section under the weight of the display screen alone. The user may then provide additional force to either manually or remotely move the display screen against the friction bearing such that the display screen adopts a custom tilt angle. The custom tilt angle may be different to the pre-set tilt angle. By remotely move the display screen it is meant that the screen may be able to be tilted to a custom angle by remote control as well as by manual manipulation. Although the pre-set tilt angle is customisable, the term custom tilt angle is used herein in reference to the tilt angle set by the user during the current use session. The custom tilt angle is not maintained from one use session to the next. One use session starts when the unit is switched on and ends when the unit is switched off. Figure 5 shows a reset mechanism of the tilt mechanism of the simulator unit. The tilt mechanism may comprise a reset mechanism comprising a platform 502, where a first side of the platform is secured to the display 102 and a second side of the platform comprises at least two rollers 504. The two rollers 504 may be configured to rest on an angled surface 506 of the final section 306c of the lift arm. A reset tilt angle may be defined by the incline of the angled surface 506. Figure 5A shows the reset mechanism of the tilt mechanism. The platform, and hence the display, is tilted forward compared to the angled surface, and thus the reset angle, but is still tilted backwards compared to vertical. Therefore, in an example implementation, as the motor is controlled to unwind the flexible element and release the tension on the spring, the custom tilt angle may be partly reversed by the expansion of the spring. Further, as the display is allowed to be lowered under its own weight, the rollers may be caused to rest against the angled surface. As the angled surface of the final section transitions towards a substantially vertically angled surface 508 the display also adopts the substantially vertical orientation. Therefore, the display may be configured to return from the pre-set or custom tilt angle to the reset tilt angle prior to lowering the display screen into the housing by releasing the tension on the cable such that the at least two rollers rest on the angled surface 506. The reset mechanism may be configured to reset the display to a tilt angle whereby the display is substantially vertical before lowering the display into the housing by releasing the tension on the cable such that the at least two rollers transition from the angled surface of the final section to a substantially vertical surface 508 of the final section of the lift arm 306c. In this way the display tilt can be reset to the reset tilt angle and may in doing so undo any custom tilt angle imposed by a user. The set custom tilt angle may therefore not be retained for future uses. However, the pre-set tilt angle, as a setting of the motor controller, can be maintained as a setting for future uses after lowering the display and re-raising the display at a later time. Figure 5B shows an example where the platform and thus the display screen has been tilted forward from the angled surface and beyond a substantially vertical plane. The tilt mechanism is configured such that even from this extreme custom angle, the platform and display screen are configured to sit back with the rollers resting on the angled surface of the final section of the lift arm and adopt the rest tilt angle as described above. More generally, there is described herein a tilt mechanism configured to deploy and tilt a display from a stored configuration to a deployed configuration where the deployed configuration comprises the display tilted to a pre-set tilt angle. The display may be driven to the pre-set tilt angle by a motor and a motor controller such that the pre-set tilt angle can be altered by changing a setting of the motor controller. The tilt mechanism may comprise a custom tilt mechanism comprising a friction bearing configured to allow for an additional custom tilt angle within a range of angles bounding the pre-set tilt angle and to be obtained by manipulation of the display by a user. The tilt mechanism may be configured to transition from the deployed configuration with an additional custom tilt angle to the stored configuration and upon subsequent redeployment to the deployed configuration adopt the pre-set tilt angle without the additional custom tilt angle. The unit may be arranged such that the display and lift arm are lowered into the housing under a force no greater than their combined weight. That is, the display and lift arm are lowered by the lift mechanism configured as described above. The lift mechanism raises the display and upper lift arm sections against their own weight and as such the display screen and lift arm lower themselves into the housing upon release of tension on the flexible element. This lift mechanism therefore has the advantage that the display is not driven down into the housing with a force greater than its combined weight. As a consequence, the mechanism for lowering the display screen poses a low risk of injuring a hand or other body part should the display be lowered onto it. The simulator unit may also comprise one or more load sensors configured to detect when a load on the motor achieves a pre-set low value. This low value may be used to indicate that the display and / or lift arm are obstructed from being lowered into the housing. Similarly, a sudden low load detected on the motor may be used to indicate an obstruction and cause the motor controller to stop the motor. This function can be thought of as operating in the opposite way to the typical way a sudden high load can be used for other motors to indicate jamming or overload. The simulator unit is portable, and therefore may be used in many different environments. For example, the unit may be located on the deck of a yacht. The unit therefore may need to be configured to resist sliding on a slightly angled surface. Or additionally the unit may need to be secured to the surface to prevent it from sliding when located on more significant angled surfaces. Therefore, in an example, the unit may comprise a locking mechanism on a base of the unit for preventing the unit from moving on a surface. The locking mechanism may comprise one or more feet made from a material with a high friction coefficient and arranged to engage with the surface once the unit is in a desired location. Alternatively or additionally, the locking mechanism may comprise a plurality of holes for receiving one or more lugs fixed relative to the surface. As such, the surface may have lugs positioned on it and configured to engage with the holes on the base of the unit to provide a locking system. Such a locking system may enable the unit to be used on the deck of a boat in rough weather without the unit sliding across the floor. In another example, the holes may be configured to receive one or more leg attachments. The leg attachments may comprise claws or spikes shaped to embed in the ground or sand at the beach. The unit may be used in a plurality of scenarios. For example, the unit may be used by an individual alone or as part of a group where each user takes a turn. The user may be engaging with the group in person using one or more units together in the same physical location, or virtually with one or more users having their own units at remote locations. The user may be engaging with a remote individual who is not also participating but may simply be observing the user for communication or entertainment purposes. The remote party may be a coach or trainer engaging the user for the purposes of a lesson or instructional session. As a result, it may be important for the unit to comprise various interaction and connectivity options for supporting all of the possible use scenarios. For example, the unit may comprise an integrated camera configured to be used as a web cam. The unit may comprise integrated WiFi connection capabilities for transmitting and receiving data. The unit may comprise integrated Bluetooth connectivity for transmitting and receiving data. The unit may be configured to support screen mirroring. As such the displayed image of the unit may be mirrored to another screen on a common local network for the purposes of enabling the status of a game or lesson to be monitored by other parties. The unit may comprise at least one High-Definition Multimedia Interface, HDMI, port. As a self-contained simulator unit the unit may comprise a high-performance computer configured to receive tracking data from the one or more tracking modules and display the tracking data on the display. Such high-performance computers are often used in gaming and can provide support for high quality games with superior graphics. The unit may comprise an air-to-water heat exchanger configured to maintain a fluid barrier between the outside of the unit housing and the inside of the unit housing. The unit is intended to be usable in environments where adverse conditions for simulators and computers are expected. Sand can lead to seizing up of fine mechanical systems, thus the housing is suitably manufactured to protect the unit against ingress of sand. Similarly, saltwater spray can cause corrosion of electrical components. As such it is desirable to keep salt water out of the housing while also providing cooling for a computer system. In an embodiment, the heat exchanger is configured to maintain an environment inside the housing suitable for full power operation of a high-performance computer with an ambient temperature outside the housing of up to about 44 degrees centigrade. To facilitate transportation of the unit suitable handles may be provided on the housing. In an embodiment, one or more vent openings in the housing for providing air to the heat exchanger may comprise a reinforced rim configured to bear the weight of the unit. As such, openings already built into the housing can also be used as handles. This may minimise the processing steps required for producing the housing and maximise the structural integrity of the unit. It is desirable to provide a simulator unit which is user friendly. As such, the unit may comprise a power button configured to cause the lift mechanism to raise and tilt the display in a single action. The unit may comprise a remote control configured to control one or more functions of the unit. The unit may comprise a light source for indicating a location for placing a tee. The light source may be an LED or laser. The light source may be directed onto the surface of the floor on which the unit is placed or onto a playing surface such as a playing mat. Figure 6 shows another example embodiment of the lift mechanism 600. In this embodiment the lift mechanism 600 comprises an extendable lift arm that’s curved. The lift arm comprises three sections, one base section and two moving sections. The three sections are slidably connected to each other such that each section is configured to slide relative to an adjacent section. The lift arm 600 comprises a space for accommodating cabling to connect the supported display screen, light sensors, and touch screen elements to a PC. Figure 6A shows a perspective view of the lift mechanism when the display screen 102 is fully stowed. Specifically, figure 6A shows the lift mechanism from a front left corner view of the unit but where the housing of the unit is not shown. The lift mechanism comprises a motor 602 and gearbox 604. The gearbox 604 may be a right-angled gearbox. The extendable action of the lift arm is controlled by the motor 602 via the gearbox 604 at the base of the arm which drives a vertical lead screw 606. The base section of the lift mechanism comprises the motor 602, gearbox 604, and lead screw 606. The second section comprises a nut 610 that travels up and down the lead screw 606. The nut 610 is joined in an articulated manner by a yoke 612. This connection is used because the lead screw 606 is straight but the lift arm 600 is curved. Thus, the articulated fixing of the nut 610 and yoke 612 accommodates for the curvature of the lift arm. The lift arm is curved so that the display screen 102 may be positioned when deployed with its centre of gravity above the centre point of the unit 104. This helps to prevent toppling of the unit while the screen is deployed. This also minimises the probability of the unit toppling while transitioning between the stowed and deployed positions. The curve therefore makes the unit more stable. The curve also allows the final positioning of the display screen 102 when deployed to achieve the optimum viewing angle. The angle is also optimal for using the touch screen feature of the display screen 102. The screen 102 is stowed at the back of the unit 104 so as to allow as much contiguous space in a consolidated volume inside the unit as possible. This allows for the internal space of the unit to be optimised for containing the internal components of the unit. Stowing the screen 102 in the centre of the unit 104 would result in an increase in dead space inside the unit and thus would require an increase the overall size to accommodate this dead space. Figure 6B shows a perspective view of the lift mechanism when the display screen 102 is fully stowed. Specifically, figure 6B shows the lift mechanism from a front right corner view of the unit but where the housing of the unit and other components are not shown. The remaining telescopic motion of the arm 600 is provided by a conveyancing system which is shown in figure 6B. The relative motion between the second slidable section 600b, comprising the nut 610 and yoke 612, and the stationary first section 600a, the base section, pulls down on one side of a conveyance system which comprises two pulleys 614a and 614b and a flexible element (e.g. a cable or rope, etc) 616. The conveyance system provides a lifting extension of the third and final moving section 600c. That is, when the cable 616 travels down on one side of the two pulleys it travels up on the other side. The side of the cable 616 that moves up takes with it anything that is fixed to the cable on that side. In this case, the cable 616 is pulled down on the other side by the relative motion of the second section 600b as it is driven upwards by the lead screw 606. The third section 600c comprises a mounting plate 618 to which the display screen 102 is fixed. The mounting plate may comprise holes by which the screen 102 can be mounted to the lift mechanism. The mounting plate may conform to multiple different mounting configurations, for example standard VESA mounts. A different configuration and number of pulleys may be used to control the ratio of the extension of the third section relative to the motion of the second section. Accordingly, the entire lift motion of both of sections two and three are controlled from a single motor 602. The relative motion of the first section 600a to the second section 600b uses the conveyance system to generate the additional relative motion between the second 600b and third section 600c. However, the third section has a shorter path of motion compared to the second section. Both sections do not start to move at the same time. The conveyance system is designed such that the third section remains stationary relative to the second section for a portion of the total distance that the second section travels. Only after the second section begins to move upward and does so for a short time does the third section then start to extend. That is, at the beginning of the telescopic motion, the third section is contained by the conveyance weight. This is possible because the cable of the conveyance system may travel up for a pre-defined distance before it engages and lifts the third section 600c. This delay in activating the third section allows for the screen 102 to clear the void 202 in the housing 104 of the unit in which it is stowed before it begins to tilt. Figure 7A shows the lift mechanism 600 in a fully extended configuration. The nut 610 has been driven by the motor 602 to the top of the lead screw 606. The yoke 612 is articulated at the corners where the crossbeam section meets two side arms fixed near the bottom of the second section 600b. that is, the crossbeam is able to rotate relative to the two side arms. The second section 600b has thus been driven upward, sliding along curved guide rails at each side which mate with corresponding curved guide rails 702a and 702b in the base section 600a. The conveyance system has lifted the third section 600c comprising the mounting plate 618 to the top of its range of motion as defined by a guide track 704. At the top of the guide track 704 the mounting plate 618 is tilted. Figure 7B shows a close up of the driving mechanism comprising the motor 602, gearbox 604, and the lead screw 606. On one side of the gearbox 604 is the motor 602 and on the other side there may be fitting for inserting a tool 706. For example, there may be a hex fitting to allow for a hex socket to be inserted. The fitting may be used to manually drive the lead screw 606 to deploy or retract the lift arm 600 and move the screen 102 up or down. This feature may be adapted for other plug and socket type tools and either the plug or the socket may be incorporated on the side of the gearbox 604. Therefore, should the unit lose power, the display screen 102 may be manually stowed or deployed. If the unit loses power during deployment or retraction of the screen, then it may be that the motor encoder does not know where in the motion path the lift mechanism 600 and screen 102 are upon regaining power. This can be determined if, upon regaining of power, there is no microswitch triggered. Microswitches may be used to indicate the start point and end point of the lift motion. Therefore, if one is not detected, it can be assumed that the power was disconnected before the screen was fully deployed or fully stowed. In this situation the unit is configured to run slowly in an error mode to the fully deployed state. At this point a microswitch may be detected and the lift mechanism may continue to operate as normal. The error mode is configured to proceed in the direction of deployment rather than stowing the screen. This is to ensure that nothing positioned between the scree or lift mechanism and the base of the unit becomes trapped during the fully automatic motion in the error mode. Figure 8 shown the third section of the lift mechanism in the stowed and fully deployed configurations. Figure 8A shows the third section 600c in the stowed configuration. The third section 600c comprises the mounting plate 618 to which the display screen 102 is fixed. The mounting plate 618 is connected to a carriage 802. The carriage may comprise a bail 804 at the back of the carriage 802. The bail 804 may run along the guide track 704 which is fixed to the second section 600b. The guide track may be referred to as a bracket utilising a linear cam and track follower mechanism. The mounting plate and carriage are lifted and tilted in response to being driven by the conveyance system. When the lift mechanism first starts to extend, the display screen 102 is maintained at an angle which allows it to exit the void 202 in the housing 104 without making contact with the sides of the void or housing. That is, the display screen does not start to tilt right away. This is achieved by delaying the third stage of the extension where the third section is extended, as described above. Thus, in the initial stages of deployment, the support 806 sits at the bottom of the plate 618. Figure 8B shows the third section 600c in a fully extended configuration which represents the fully deployed state of the lift mechanism 600. As the conveyance system starts to lift the mounting plate and screen 102, the bail 804 slides along the guide track 704. At the top of the guide track there is a bend. When the bail 804 reaches the bend in the guide track 704, it follows the bend and causes the carriage to sit further away from the second section 600b and the rest of the guide track. Accordingly, support 806 is then able to move upward behind the mounting plate 618 of the screen 102, pushing on the back of the plate and causing the screen to tilt. By driving the support 806 to the very end of it's the track 704 the screen 102 reaches a maximum degree of tilt. That is, the support varies the degree of tilt of the screen based on the position along its track to which it is driven. Software is used to control the driving of the motor 602 which in turn drives the lead screw 604. The motor comprises an encoder which enables the positioning of the carriage and bail. This in turn enables the lift profile to be fully customisable. That is, it is possible to encode when the driving motor should stop in order to achieve a desired tilt at the end stop position. Additionally, the speed the motor drives the lead screw at may be programmed. Therefore, the screen movement may be slowed or increased at various positions in it motion path. For example, the screen may be slowed as it approaches the unit for stowing. The motor may also be slowed as the screen approaches the end of its deployment motion path to ensure a smooth stop and tilt action. The motor may drive the lead screw fast in a middle section of the motion path to achieve the deployed state in a time efficient manner. This embodiment of the unit comprises a lead screw based driving mechanism. One advantage to using this type of mechanism is that if there is a power failure the mechanism stops. That is, the lead screw does not move under the weight of the screen and lift mechanism when the driving mechanism is not powered. This can prevent items becoming trapped between the screen and the base of the unit when there is a power failure. Similarly, if the motor or other mechanical component for driving fails and loses torque on the lead screw, the lead screw will still not allow the lift mechanism to fall to a lower position than the one it was driven to prior to failure. A cover section of the housing 204a may be mounted at the upper end of the screen 102. The cover is mounted to the screen so as to be movable relatively to the screen in the extension direction of the screen. To achieve this, the cover may be provided with fingers which run in guide slots in the sides of the screen, or with rods which run in corresponding guide holes in the body of the screen. The cover is resiIiently biased towards the screen. This may be achieved by one or more springs or other resilient elements acting between the cover and the screen. The cover is sized to close the opening 202 in the housing through which the screen emerges when it is deployed. The cover may be sized to overlap the sides of the opening or it may be sized to sit in the opening. In the latter case, the opening may be provided with internal protrusions for preventing the cover from moving through the opening into the interior of the housing. The mechanism which retracts the screen is configured so that when the screen is fully retracted it draws the screen sufficiently far through the opening that the cover is set in place closing the opening. Because the cover is resiliently biased towards the screen, there is some freedom in the stop position of the screen. If the screen is retracted further once the cover is closing the opening, that retraction can be accommodated by the resilient mounts of the cover. This makes it easier to set up the retraction mechanism. This also prevents the cover from being easily detached from the screen once fully closed should the unit be jostled causing the screen to move relative to the cover. Furthermore, if an object were to become trapped between the cover and the housing as the screen is being retracted, the resilient mounts may allow the cover to be displaced from its fully closed position without the retraction of the screen imposing excessive force on the object. Figure 9 shows the back of the display screen 102 which comprises a rear screen cover 900. The rear screen cover comprises a plurality of vents for intake and expelling of air. The lowermost vents 902a and 902b may be used to draw cold air into a void behind the screen cover. The uppermost vents 904a and 904b may be used to expel hot air having travelled through the void behind the screen cover. Waved dashed lines and arrows have been used to indicate the direction of flow of the air through the screen cover. Figure 10A shows an exploded perspective view of the rear screen cover 900. The screen is cooled via two centrifugal fans 906a and 906b which draw cool air in through the bottom of the rear screen cover via the two lowermost vents 902. Forced conduction is then used to extract heat from the metal back plate 908 of the screen. The heated air is then drawn through the fans and expelled via the two uppermost vents 904 at the top of the rear screen cover 900. Waved dashed lines and arrows have been used to indicate the direction of flow of the air through the screen cover. Figure 10B shows a plan view of the void inside the rear screen cover 900 illustrating the direction of forced airflow. The centrifugal fans 906 may be intelligently controlled fans. The fans may vary speed and direction in response to inputs from a controller and / or one or more temperature sensors. The speeds and direction may be varied independently from each other. Waved dashed lines and arrows have been used to indicate the direction of flow of the air through the screen cover. In a third embodiment there is envisioned a lift mechanism whereby the screen is connected to the unit by a hinge at the bottom of the screen. When stowed, the screen is folded at the hinge such that it rests on the front or back of the unit in a clam shell fashion. It is preferrable to stow the screen on the front of the unit as this configuration allows the surface of the screen to be stowed against the unit rather than being exposed. Such a configuration would comprise a ballast at the base of the housing of the unit to provide a counterweight for the screen while being deployed. The ballast should be enough to provide a counterweight for the screen when at a fully horizontal attitude relative to an upright unit. That is, when the plane of the screen is approximately at 90 degrees in angle to the plane of the front or back of the unit. As described above, the simulator unit shown in figures 1 to 5 and the simulator unit shown in figures 6 to 10 have different lift arrangements. Each lift arrangement may be combined with other features described for either simulator arrangement. The applicant hereby discloses in isolation each individual feature described herein and any combination of two or more such features, to the extent that such features or combinations are capable of being carried out based on the present specification as a whole in the light of the common general knowledge of a person skilled in the art, irrespective of whether such features or combinations of features solve any problems disclosed herein, and without limitation to the scope of the claims. The applicant indicates that aspects of the present invention may consist of any such individual feature or combination of features. In view of the foregoing description it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A portable simulator unit for tracking and displaying the virtual path of a struck ball, the unit comprising:a display screen configured to be raised from and lowered into a housing of the simulator unit;a lift mechanism for raising and lowering the display; anda tracking module for tracking the struck ball.

2. The simulator unit according to claim 1, wherein the display is a touch screen.

3. The simulator unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the unit comprises a further tracking module configured to be removable from the housing.

4. The simulator unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing is waterproofed to an IPX5 rating.

5. The simulator unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the lift mechanism comprises a plurality of sections forming an extendable lift arm, each section configured to slide relative to an adjacent section.

6. The simulator unit according to claim 5, wherein the lift mechanism comprises:a motor configured to rotate a fixed bearing within a base section,a plurality of intermediate bearings arranged on the plurality of slidable sections; anda flexible element having a proximal end fixed to the fixed bearing and a distal end fixed to an anchor point, the flexible element being wrapped around the plurality of intermediate bearings,whereby the lift mechanism is configured such that when the fixed bearing rotates the flexible element is wrapped around it and placed under tension causing pressure to be exerted on the intermediate bearings and causing the slidable sections to slide away from each other to extend the lift arm.

7. The simulator unit according to claim 6, wherein the anchor point is part of the display screen.

8. The simulator unit according to claim 6, wherein the anchor point is part of a pivotable section at the opposite end from the base of the lift arm.

9. The simulator unit according to any of claims 5 to 8, wherein the lift arm is covered by a lift arm housing which is waterproof to an IPX5 rating.

10. The simulator unit according to any of claims 5 to 9, wherein the lift mechanism is housed partly within the lift arm housing and partly within the unit housing.

11. The simulator unit according to any of claims 5 to 10, wherein each slidable section of the lift arm comprises at least two bearings for wrapping the flexible element around.

12. The simulator unit according to any of claims 5 to 11, wherein the final slidable section of the lift arm comprises a final bearing arranged to pivotably secure the display screen to the final section.

13. The simulator unit according to any of claims 6 to 12, wherein the anchor point is arranged adjacent to a tilt mechanism, such that when a tension on the flexible element exceeds a pre-determined force the anchor point is configured to trigger the tilt mechanism.

14. The simulator unit according to claim 13, wherein the pre-determined force is the gravitational force due to the weight of the display screen and the weight of all of the slidable sections of the lift arm minus the weight of the base section.

15. The simulator unit according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the tilt mechanism comprises a spring with a compression force greater than the pre-determined force.

16. The simulator unit according to any of claims 13 to 15, wherein the tilt mechanism is configured to cause the display to adopt a pre-set tilt angle relative to the lift arm upon triggering of the tilt mechanism.

17. The simulator unit according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the tilt mechanism is configured to adopt the pre-set tilt angle by compressing the spring to a corresponding extent set at a motor controller of the motor.

18. The simulator unit according to any of claims 13 to 17, wherein the tilt mechanism comprises a friction bearing arranged on the same axis as the final bearing and the friction bearing is configured to hold the display at a custom tilt angle caused by manipulation of the display by a user.

19. The simulator unit according to claim 18, wherein the custom tilt angle is different to the pre-set tilt angle.

20. The simulator unit according to any of claims 14 to 19, wherein the tilt mechanism comprises a reset mechanism comprising a platform, a first side of the platform secured to the display and a second side of the platform comprising at least two rollers configured to rest on an angled surface of the final section of the lift arm.

21. The simulator unit according to claim 20, wherein a reset tilt angle is defined by the incline of the angled surface.

22. The simulator unit according to claim 21, wherein the display is configured to return from the pre-set or custom tilt angle to the reset tilt angle prior to lowering the display screen into the housing by releasing the tension on the cable such that the at least two rollers rest on the angled surface.

23. The simulator unit according to claim 22, wherein the reset mechanism is configured to reset the display to a tilt angle whereby the display is substantially vertical before lowering the display into the housing by releasing the tension on thecable such that the at least two rollers transition from the angled surface of the final section to a substantially vertical surface of the final section of the lift arm.

24. The simulator unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the unit comprises a locking mechanism on a base of the unit for preventing the unit from moving on a surface.

25. The simulator unit according to claim 24, wherein the locking mechanism comprises one or more feet made from a material with a high friction coefficient and arranged to engage with the surface once the unit is in a desired location.

26. The simulator unit according to claim 24, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a plurality of holes for receiving one or more lugs fixed relative to the surface.

27. The simulator unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the unit comprises an integrated camera configured to be used as a web cam.

28. The simulator unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the unit is arranged such that the display and lift arm are lowered into the housing under a force no greater than their combined weight.

29. The simulator unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the unit comprises one or more load sensors configured to detect when a load on the motor achieves a pre-set low value indicating that the display and / or lift arm are obstructed from being lowered into the housing.

30. The simulator unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the unit comprises a high-performance computer configured to receive tracking data from the one or more tracking modules and display the tracking data on the display.

31. The simulator unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the unit comprises an air-to-water heat exchanger configured to maintain a fluid barrier between the outside of the unit housing and the inside of the unit housing.

32. The simulator unit according to claim 31, wherein the heat exchanger is configured to maintain an environment inside the housing suitable for full power operation of the high-performance computer with an ambient temperature outside the housing of up to about 44 degrees centigrade.

33. The simulator unit according to any preceding claim, wherein one or more vent openings in the housing for providing air to the heat exchanger comprise a reinforced rim configured to bear the weight of the unit.

34. The simulator unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the unit comprises a power button configured to cause the lift mechanism to raise and tilt the display in a single action.

35. The simulator unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the unit comprises a light source for indicating on the surface a location for placing a tee.

36. The simulator unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the unit comprises integrated WiFi capabilities for transmitting and receiving data.

37. The simulator unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the unit comprises integrated Bluetooth connectivity for transmitting and receiving data.

38. The simulator unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the unit is configured to support screen mirroring.

39. The simulator unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the unit comprises a remote control configured to control one or more functions of the unit.

40. The simulator unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the unit comprises at least one High-Definition Multimedia Interface, HDMI, port.

41. The simulator unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the lift mechanism comprises:a motor configured to rotate a vertical lead screw within a first base section,a nut configured to engage the lead screw and fixed to a second slidable section; anda conveyance system comprising a plurality of pulleys and a flexible element wrapped around the pulleys which engages the second section on one side of the pulleys and engages a third slidable section on the opposite side of the pulleys,whereby the lift mechanism is configured such that when the motor causes the lead screw to rotate the nut is driven up the lead screw, lifting the second section and pulling down on one side of the flexible element of the conveyance system, causing in turn the third section to slide away from the second section and extending the lift arm.

42. The simulator unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the motor is connected to the lead screw for driving the lead screw by a right-angle gearbox.

43. The simulator unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the nut is fixed to the second section by an articulated yoke.

44. The simulator unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the articulated yoke comprises a crossbeam and two side arms and is configured to allow the crossbeam to rotate relative to the side arms.

45. The simulator unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the motor is configured to drive the lead screw through the gearbox and the gearbox comprises a fitting for a tool for manual driving of the lead screw.

46. The simulator unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the lift arm is curved.

47. The simulator unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the third section has a shorter path of motion than the second section.

48. The simulator unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the third section comprises a mounting plate carriage and bail and the bail is configured to slide in a guide track fixed to the second section.

49. The simulator unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the guide track comprises a bent portion at the top end and the bail is configured to enter the bent portion of the guide rail and cause the carriage to sit further away from the second section, and the third section comprises a support configured to push on the back of the mounting plate to tilt the screen.

50. The simulator unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the support is configured to vary the degree of tilt of the screen based on the position along its track to which it is driven.

51. The simulator unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the display screen comprises a rear screen cover comprising a plurality of vents and a void within which are a plurality of fans, and the cover is configured to draw cold air in through a subgroup of lower vents and expel hot air through a subgroup of upper vents.

52. The simulator unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the fans are intelligently controlled fans configured to draw air over a backplate of the screen by forced convention.

53. The simulator unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the screen carries a cover plate, the cover plate being sized to close an opening in the housing through which the screen can be retracted, the cover plate being mounted to the screen by resilient mounts whereby the cover plate is resiliently biased towards the screen.

54. The simulator unit according to claim 53, the simulator unit being arranged to stow the screen by retracting the screen through the opening in the housing so as to cause the cover plate to bear against the exterior of the housing with the resilient mounts in tension so as to draw the cover plate against the housing.

55. A tilt mechanism configured to deploy and tilt a display from a stored configuration to a deployed configuration where the deployed configuration comprises the display tilted to a pre-set tilt angle.

56. The tilt mechanism according to claim 41, wherein the display is driven to the preset tilt angle by a motor and a motor controller such that the pre-set tilt angle can be altered by changing a setting of the motor controller.

57. The tilt mechanism according to claim 41 or 42, wherein the tilt mechanism comprises a custom tilt mechanism comprising a friction bearing configured to allow for an additional custom tilt angle within a range of angles bounding the pre-set tilt angle to be obtained by manipulation of the display by a user.

58. The tilt mechanism according to claim 43, wherein the tilt mechanism is configured to transition from the deployed configuration with an additional custom tilt angle to the stored configuration and upon subsequent re-deployment to the deployed configuration adopt the pre-set tilt angle without the additional custom tilt angle.

59. The tilt mechanism according to any of claims 55 to 59, wherein the tilt mechanism comprises:a mounting plate, carriage, and bail forming a third section of a lift arm;a guide track fixed to a second section of the lift arm and comprising a bent portion at the top end of the track; anda support;where the bail is configured to slide in the guide track and upon entering the bent portion of the guide rail cause the carriage to sit further away from the second section, allowing the support to push on the back of the mounting plate to tilt the screen.

60. The tilt mechanism according to claim 59, wherein the support is configured to vary the degree of tilt of the screen based on the position along a track to which it is driven.Application No: GB2414385.1Examiner: Mr DavidV BurnsClaims searched: 1-54Date of search: 24 March 2025Patents Act 1977: Search Report under Section 17Documents considered to be relevant:Category Relevant to claims Identity of document and passage or figure of particular relevance X Y 1-54 US2005 / 0268705 Al (G0BUSH) - figure 1. paragraphs 0061, 0071, 0078-0080 &0243 X,Y 1-54 US2005 / 0012023 Al (VOCK et al.) - figure 1, paragraphs 0057-0062 Y 1-40, 42-54 US2023 / 0044285 Al (JIN et al.), figures 12-36, paragraph 0116-0238 Y 1-40, 42-54 KR200445233 Y1 (SANG), figures 4-6, whole document Y 1-5, 9-12, 24-54 CN209149625 U (XIA), figure 3, whole document Y 1-5,9-12, 24-54 US2007 / 0108791 Al (OKNINSKI), figure 3, paragraphs 0017-0020, 0039-0041Categories:X Document indicating lack of novelty or inventive step A Document indicating technological background and / or state of the art. Y Document indicating lack of inventive step if P Document published on or after the declared priority date but combined with one or more other documents of same category. before the filing date of this invention. & Member of the same patent family E Patent document published on or after, but with priority date earlier than, the filing date of this application.Field of Search:International Classification:Subclass Subgroup Valid From G06F 0001 / 16 01 / 01 / 2006 A63B 0024 / 00 01 / 01 / 2006 A63B 0069 / 36 01 / 01 / 2006 A63B 0071 / 06 01 / 01 / 2006

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