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Method and apparatus for simultaneously simulating an environment while participating in an activityMethod and apparatus for simultaneously simulating an environment while participating in an activity description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070001494, Method and apparatus for simultaneously simulating an environment while participating in an activity. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to providing a simulated environment in conjunction with the participation in an activity. More particularly, the present invention relates to a multimedia chair that enhances ones interaction with a particular activity such that it provides a more realistic experience. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] While watching television or playing a video game, a viewer usually sits in front of the display monitor and experiences the program or game in a very limited fashion. By participating in the program in this manner, the viewer is only able to use of two their senses, sight and hearing. With such a general configuration, the experience does not provide a more realistic experience. [0003] Even with the audio portion of the program or game with the current technology, the audio signals emanating from the device are directed in manner such that it does not provide a more true realistic experience. For example, while watching a movie on a television, a single speaker is generally used to direct the audio signals towards the general direction of the viewer. Both the speaker and the direction of the speaker provide sound in such a way that it does not expose the user to a more true realistic experience. [0004] Additionally, the present systems do not enable a user to make use of their sense of feeling such that the user feels the effects of the program or game that they are currently viewing or participating in. For example, if one is watching a movie based on World War II with the current technology, a viewer cannot experience, through the sense of feel, the rumbling of a fleet of bombers or a fleet of tanks as they approach the battlefield. If the viewers are able to feel these sensations, the viewer is made to feel as if they are part of the program or at the battle scene. [0005] The same can be said for playing games on a gaming system. For example, if a user is able to feel a plane in the midst of a tailspin, rather than just viewing it, then the user is more actively involved in the game. As such, the user will be more apt to participate in the activity repeatedly. [0006] Some of the prior art in the area is U.S. Pat. No. 4,023,566 to Martinmaas and U.S. Pat. No. 4,967,871, to Komatsubara. The Martinmaas patent discloses a body-supporting means, such as a chair or a bed, which has a closed chamber with loudspeakers in the chamber and directed toward the body-supporting means. Martinmaas discloses that the desired direct vibration of the body by the music can be produced with so little of the sound escaping from the chamber such that an occupant of the chair needs to listen to the music through earphones or outside loudspeakers. The chamber in Martinmaas may be completely enclosed except for a few small openings to permit equalization of pressure inside and outside the chamber. [0007] The Komatsubara patent discloses a compact, portable chair having speakers built therein. Komatsubara teaches using only a canvas material to cover the areas of the chair where an individual will sit down. The canvas material, according to Komatsubara, provides a better throughput for the audio signals from the speakers to reach the individual. [0008] None of the above references disclose how to more realistically provide the effects of a simulated environment. These references only use speakers and their output in an attempt to provide a sense of feeling. The inherent problem with both patents is that usually comes at the expense of a high quality audio output. [0009] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a method and apparatus that enables a user to simultaneously view and feel an activity such that the experience provided appears to be as if the viewer is actually participating in the activity. It is additional desirable to provide a sensing of feeling to the already exposed senses of sight and hearing such that the realism of the simulated activity is broadened even more. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the present invention, wherein in one aspect an apparatus is provided that in some embodiments provide a viewer of a program or a participant of a gaming device an experience that enables them to experience the program or game through the senses of sight, hearing and feel. By simultaneously exposing a multitude of senses of the viewer or gamer, a more realistic environment is created. [0011] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a multimedia chair includes an upper portion having an upper frame, a lower portion having a lower frame, a first speaker configured to be positioned in a first position in the upper frame and a shaking device configured to be positioned unencumbered in the lower frame. [0012] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method for experiencing a multimedia event in a chair includes providing sound through a first speaker and a second speaker, wherein the first speaker and the second speaker are located in an upper portion of the chair. The chair further includes shaking the chair with a shaking device that is located in an unencumbered position in a bottom portion of the chair, wherein wiring for the first speaker, the second speaker and the shaking device is positioned below a fabric that covers the upper and lower portion such that it is not visible. [0013] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, a system for experiencing a multimedia event in a chair includes means for providing sound in an upper portion of the chair and means for shaking the chair, wherein the means for shaking is located in an unencumbered position in a bottom portion of the chair, wherein wiring for the means for providing sound and the means for shaking is positioned below a fabric that covers the upper and lower portion such that it is not visible. [0014] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain embodiments of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof herein may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional embodiments of the invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. [0015] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. [0016] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0018] FIG. 2 is illustrated the connection of the detachable wings to the upper portion of the chair. [0019] FIG. 3 is an inner construction illustration of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0020] FIG. 4 is a side view of the frame of the upper portion of the present invention according to the preferred embodiment. Continue reading about Method and apparatus for simultaneously simulating an environment while participating in an activity... 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