Optical game controller

• US 20050215320A1
• Filed: 03/25/2004
• Published: 09/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies ECBU IP Singapore Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Avago Technologies ECBU IP Singapore Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Cheah, Chiang Sun, Mau, Ming Yong, Shabudin, Shamoon, Koay, Ban Kuan
• Application Number:
  US10/810,154
• Publication Number:
  US 20050215320A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/37
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/213 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. cameras, photodiodes or infrared cells A63F13/219, A63F13/655 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details

Abstract

A game controller having a moveable element and an imaging element that forms an image of a portion of the surface of the moveable element is disclosed. The moveable element has an optically readable pattern on a surface thereof and moves relative to a fixed position. The position of the moveable element at any given time is characterized by the relative position of the moveable element relative to a fixed reference position. The imaging element forms an image of a sub-area on the surface. The sub-area is determined by the relative position of the moveable element relative to the fixed position. A memory stores a map that specifies the readable pattern in each sub-area on the surface that can be imaged by the imaging element. A controller compares the image to the map to determine the position of the moveable element.

Claims

1. A game controller comprising:

a moveable element having an optically readable pattern on a surface thereof, said moveable element moving relative to a fixed position and having a position characterized by a relative position of said moveable element relative to said fixed position;

an imaging element that forms an image of a sub-area on said surface, said sub-area being determined by said relative position of said moveable element relative to said fixed position;

a memory for storing a map that specifies said readable pattern in each sub-area on said surface that can be imaged by said imaging element; and

a controller for comparing said image to said map to determine said position of said moveable element.

2. The game controller of claim 1 wherein said pattern comprises a plurality of randomly distributed spots.

3. The game controller of claim 1 wherein said controller generates a signal indicative of a position of said spherical element in terms of first and second orthogonal displacements from a reference position.

4. The game controller of claim 1 wherein said controller generates a signal indicative of a rotation of said moveable element about a predetermined axis on said moveable element.

5. The game controller of claim 4 wherein said moveable element comprises a handle.

6. The game controller of claim 5 wherein said handle comprises a shaft with a shaft axis parallel to said predetermined axis.

7. The game controller of claim 5 wherein said handle further comprises a push button having a state that is sensed by said controller.

8. The game controller of claim 1 wherein said map comprises a plurality of sub-maps that are rotated relative to one another.

9. The game controller of claim 1 wherein said controller comprises a plurality of search processors, each search processor comparing a portion of said map with said image formed by said imaging element.