Image controller

• US 20060028434A1
• Filed: 09/30/2005
• Published: 02/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/1995
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Anascape, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Anascape, Ltd.
• Inventors: Armstrong, Brad A.
• Application Number:
  US11/240,309
• Publication Number:
  US 20060028434A1
• 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 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/25 Output arrangements for video game devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/332 using wireless networks, e.g. cellular phone networks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1006 having additional degrees of freedom
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1031 using a wireless connection, e.g. Bluetooth, infrared connections
• 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: 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 3/033 Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user , e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor digitisers characterised by the transducing means G06F3/041
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0346 with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0354 with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03549 Trackballs G06F3/03541 takes precedence

Abstract

An image controller having a plurality of movable members structured for allowing inputs to be converted or translated into electrical outputs, one preferred controller structured with a sufficient number of sensors to aid in controlling three-dimensional objects and navigating a three-dimensional viewpoint shown by a display. Some preferred embodiments incorporate an active tactile feedback vibrator and or break-over feedback for providing feedback to a user. Proportional button sensors are used allowing user variable inputs to cause imagery to be variably controlled.

Claims

1. A controller controlling imagery of an electronic game, the controller comprising:

a housing;

a plurality of members associated with the housing and receiving inputs from a human user;

the plurality of members positioned to activate

sensors, the sensors sensing the inputs by the user and providing outputs related to the sensed inputs, the outputs at least in part controlling the electronic game;

a first member of the plurality of members is a first button, the first button is associated with a first proportional pressure-sensitive variable output sensor of the sensors, the first proportional pressure-sensitive variable output sensor receiving varying input force and providing a variable output representing the varying input force;

a second of the plurality of members is a second button, the second button is associated with a second proportional pressure-sensitive variable output sensor of the sensors, the second proportional pressure-sensitive variable output sensor receiving varying input force and providing a variable output representing the varying input force;

a third member of the plurality of members is a stick member moveable in three axes,

a fourth member of the plurality of members is moveable in three axes,

structure within the controller providing feedback detectable by the user as a result of making the inputs.

2. A controller according to claim 1 further comprising said structure within the controller providing feedback detectable by the user includes a motor with weight.

3. A hand-held controller controlling electronic imagery, the controller comprising:

reference structure associated with a plurality of moveable

structural members, the structural members receiving physical inputs from a human user;

the structural members are positioned to activate

sensors, the sensors sensing the physical inputs by the user and providing electrical outputs related to the sensed inputs, the outputs at least in part controlling the electronic imagery;

a first of the structural members is a stick member moveable on three axes;

a second of the structural members is a finger depressible first button, the first button is associated with a first proportional pressure-sensitive variable output sensor of the sensors, the first proportional pressure-sensitive variable output sensor receiving varying input force and providing a variable output representing the varying input force;

a third of the structural members is a finger depressible second button, the second button is associated with a second proportional pressure-sensitive variable output sensor of the sensors, the second proportional pressure-sensitive variable output sensor receiving varying input force and providing a variable output representing the varying input force.

4. A hand-held controller according to claim 3 further comprising structure mounted within the controller providing feedback detectable by the user.

5. A hand-held controller according to claim 4 wherein said structure mounted within the controller providing feedback detectable by the user is a snapping mechanism which creates a snap when said stick member is pushed toward said reference structure.

6. A hand-held controller according to claim 4 further comprising the structure providing feedback detectable by the user is active.

7. A hand-held controller according to claim 4 further comprising the structure providing feedback detectable by the user is passive.

8. A controller controlling imagery of an electronic game, the controller comprising:

a housing;

associated with the housing are a plurality of

input members receiving inputs from a user;

the input members positioned to activate

sensors, the sensors sensing the inputs by the user and providing outputs related to the sensed inputs, the outputs at least in part controlling the electronic game;

a first of the input members includes a shaft which is depressible toward the housing, depression of the shaft by a user input activating a sensor of the sensors which provides a feedback sensation detectable by the user, the shaft is additionally moveable on two mutually perpendicular axes,

a second of the input members is a finger depressible individual first button, the individual first button is associated with a first proportional pressure-sensitive variable output sensor of the sensors, the first proportional pressure-sensitive variable output sensor receiving varying input force and providing a variable output representing the varying input force;

a third of the input members is a finger depressible individual second button, the individual second button is associated with a second proportional pressure-sensitive variable output sensor of the sensors, the second proportional pressure-sensitive variable output sensor receiving varying input force and providing a variable output representing the varying input force;

structure associated as part of the controller providing active tactile feedback detectable by the user when making at least some of the inputs; and

structure associated as part of the controller providing break-over feedback detectable by the user when making at least some of the inputs.

9. A controller controlling an image generation machine, said controller comprising:

a housing;

supported by the housing is

an input member with associated

sensors, the sensors detecting movement of said input member, said input member moveable on up to three axes; and

a plurality of finger depressible individual buttons with associated sensors; and

at least one of the buttons is associated with a first proportional pressure-sensitive variable output sensor of the sensors, the first proportional pressure-sensitive variable output sensor receiving varying input force and providing a variable output representing the varying input force.

10. A controller according to claim 9 comprising said housing is hand-held.

11. A controller controlling a television based game, the controller comprising:

a housing;

a first element rotatable about a first axis and a second axis controlling two axes of the game, said first element depressible toward said housing along a third axis at least in part controlling the game;

a clicking mechanism providing to a user a detectable feedback when said first element is depressed toward said housing.

12. A controller controlling a television based game, the controller comprising:

a housing at least indirectly supporting

a first element rotatable about a first axis and a second axis controlling two axes of the game, said first element depressible toward said housing along a third axis activating a sensor; and

a button positioned to be depressible to activate a pressure-sensitive sensor providing a variable output at least in part variably controlling the game.

13. A controller controlling a television based game, the controller comprising:

a housing at least indirectly supporting

a first element rotatable about a first axis and a second axis controlling two axes of the game, said first element depressible toward said housing along a third axis at least in part controlling the game; and

a second element controlling two axes of the game, said second element depressible toward said housing along a third axis at least in part controlling the game; and

a first button positioned to be depressible with variable force to activate a first pressure-sensitive sensor providing a variable output variably controlling the game; and

a second button positioned to be depressible with variable force to activate a second pressure-sensitive sensor providing a variable output variably controlling the game; and

a third button positioned to be depressible to activate an On/Off sensor providing an On/Off output controlling an On/Off function of the game; and

a motor with weight providing active tactile feedback.

14. A controller controlling a television based game, the controller comprising:

a housing, said housing shaped to be hand held;

said housing at least in part supporting

a two axes first actuator rotatable about a first axis and a second axis controlling two axes of the game, said first actuator depressible toward said housing along a third axis;

a clicking mechanism providing to a user a detectable feedback when said first actuator is depressed toward said housing;

a two axes second actuator controlling two axes of the game;

a finger depressible first button positioned to activate an On/Off sensor; and

a finger depressible second button positioned to activate a proportional sensor.