Image controller

• US 20060022939A1
• Filed: 09/30/2005
• Published: 02/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/1992
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Anascape, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Anascape, Ltd.
• Inventors: Armstrong, Brad A.
• Application Number:
  US11/240,112
• Publication Number:
  US 20060022939A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/218 using pressure sensors, e.g. generating a signal proportional to the pressure applied by the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1006 having additional degrees of freedom
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1037 being specially adapted for converting control signals received from the game device into a haptic signal, e.g. using force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1056 involving pressure sensitive buttons
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04755 Magnetic sensor, e.g. hall generator, pick-up coil
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04766 providing feel, e.g. indexing means, means to create counterforce
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 9/047 the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks for switches H01H25/04
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 9/04737 with six degrees of freedom
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1612 Flat panel monitor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/013 Force feedback applied to a game
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0213 Arrangements providing an integrated pointing device in a keyboard, e.g. trackball, mini-joystick for pointing devices integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/169; joysticks G05G9/047; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03548 Sliders, in which the moving part moves in a plane
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03549 Trackballs G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/70 having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard mounting together a plurality of independent switches H02B
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/702 with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/785 characterised by the material of the contacts, e.g. conductive polymers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2003/008 : with a haptic or a tactile feedback controlled by electrical means, e.g. a motor or magnetofriction
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2201/036 : Variable resistance
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/004 : Collapsible dome or bubble
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/006 : Only mechanical function
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/008 : Video game
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2237/002 : Bell crank
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/00 : Switches with compound movement of handle or other operating part
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/002 : having an operating member rectilinearly slidable in different directions
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/008 : Operating part movable both angularly and rectilinearly, the rectilinear movement being perpendicular to the axis of angular movement

Abstract

Methods of interacting with image controllers structured for allowing inputs to be converted or translated into electrical outputs, one preferred controller structured with at least a sufficient number of sensors to aid in controlling three-dimensional objects and navigating a three-dimensional viewpoint shown by a display. An active tactile feedback vibrator is mounted as a component of the controller for providing vibration to be felt by a user. Some preferred embodiments also incorporate proportional sensors allowing user variable inputs to cause imagery to be variably controlled.

Claims

1. A method of interacting with an image controller controlling electronic game imagery, comprising the acts:

receiving a command from at least one of four bi-directional proportional sensors located in said image controller; and

receiving a command from at least one of four unidirectional sensors located in said image controller; and

receiving a command from at least one of two single independent buttons positioned to activate proportional sensors connected by a sheet within said image controller, said buttons having a resilient tactile structure providing a tactile feedback to at least one finger of a hand of a human user;

sending an active tactile feedback command to said image controller, the active tactile feedback command causes a motor to rotate an offset weight located in said image controller causing a vibration to be felt by the hand of the human user.

2. A method of interacting with an image controller controlling electronic game imagery, comprising the acts:

receiving a command from at least one of four bi-directional proportional sensors located in said image controller; and

receiving a command from at least one of four unidirectional sensors located in said image controller; and

receiving a command from at least one of two independent pivotal buttons structured to activate proportional sensors located within said image controller;

sending an active tactile feedback command to said image controller, the active tactile feedback command causes a motor to rotate an offset weight located in said image controller causing a vibration to be felt by a hand of a human user.

3. A method according to claim 2 further comprising

using at least some of the commands to control the electronic game, and said sending is according to simulated contact in the electronic game.

4. A method of interacting with an image controller controlling electronic game imagery shown on a television, said image controller comprising a hand grasped housing, four bi-directional proportional sensors, four unidirectional sensors, two unidirectional proportional sensors, and a motor with offset weight;

the method comprising;

receiving a first signal from at least one of the sensors, the first signal at least in part controlling the imagery; and

sending an active tactile feedback signal to said image controller, the active tactile feedback signal causes said motor to rotate said offset weight causing a vibration to be felt by the hand of the human user.

5. A method of interacting with an image controller according to claim 4 wherein said two unidirectional proportional sensors are connected by at least one sheet and said two unidirectional proportional sensors produce a user discernable snap tactile feedback felt by the user'"'"'s finger upon sensor activation.