Image controller

• US 20060028438A1
• Filed: 09/30/2005
• Published: 02/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/1992
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Anascape, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Anascape, Ltd.
• Inventors: Armstrong, Brad A.
• Application Number:
  US11/241,455
• Publication Number:
  US 20060028438A1
• 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

An image controller structured for allowing inputs to be converted or translated into electrical outputs, one preferred controller structured with at least twelve 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. An improved controller controlling three-dimensional imagery shown by a display;

wherein the improvements comprise;

a first four sensors associated with

a moveable member of said controller, said member moveable about a first axis and a second axis;

a first two sensors of said four sensors, said first two sensors sensing movement of said member about said first axis, said first two sensors controlling a first axis of the three-dimensional imagery;

a second two sensors of said four sensors, said second two sensors sensing movement of said member about said second axis, said second two sensors controlling a second axis of the three-dimensional imagery; and

an additional

eight sensors supported by said controller, said eight sensors sensing human inputs and at least in part controlling the three-dimensional imagery;

whereby said controller is structured with at least twelve sensors controlling the three-dimensional imagery; and

a tactile feedback motor with rotatable offset weight mounted in a hand grasped portion of said controller, said tactile feedback motor with rotatable offset weight providing vibration to be felt by at least one hand of the human user when grasping said hand grasped portion, wherein the vibration represents simulated contact in the three-dimensional imagery.

2. An improved controller in accordance with claim 1 wherein a plurality of said sensors include spacing isolating the sensors against being falsely activated by vibration from the tactile feedback motor rotating said offset weight.

11. An improved controller according to claim 2 wherein said four pressure sensors are proportional sensors.

12. An improved controller according to claim 2 wherein said spacing is between mechanical actuators and the sensors.

13. An improved controller according to claim 2 wherein said spacing is between a first portion and a second portion of sensors.

14. An improved controller according to claim 11 wherein the proportional sensors include spacing between a first portion and a second portion of each of the proportional sensors.

3. A 3D virtual environment controller, comprising:

independent sensors changing inputs pertaining to at least three axes of graphics control by a human user into electrical outputs controlling three-dimensional imagery shown by an electronic display;

a first four of said independent sensors activated by

a structural component of said controller, said structural component moveable about at least a first axis and a second axis to output at least two axes of control signals controlling the three-dimensional imagery;

six of said independent sensors are pressure sensors supported by said controller, the six sensors sensing variable pressure forces applied as human inputs to said controller, the six sensors at least in part controlling the three-dimensional imagery; and

an additional

two of said independent sensors are sensors supported by said controller, the two sensors sensing human inputs and controlling the three-dimensional imagery;

whereby said controller is structured with at least twelve sensors controlling the three-dimensional imagery; and

a tactile feedback motor with offset weight providing vibration to the human user to simulate a contact in the virtual environment, said tactile feedback motor with offset weight contained within

a handle of said controller, whereby a hand holding said handle is near said tactile feedback motor with offset weight.

15. A 3D virtual environment controller according to claim 3 wherein each of said sensors includes spacing associated therewith, said spacing allowing said tactile feedback motor with offset weight to provide the vibration without the vibration falsely activating said sensors.

16. A 3D virtual environment controller according to claim 15 wherein at least two of said sensors are proportional sensors.

17. A 3D virtual environment controller according to claim 16 wherein the proportional sensors are pressure-sensitive variable output sensors wherein the outputs vary in relationship to varying input pressure by the human user, and

the proportional sensors each provide a snap through tactile feedback when activated.

4. A controller structured to change human inputs into electrical outputs controlling three-dimensional imagery, comprising:

said controller structured with at least a sufficient number of sensors to allow controlling the three-dimensional imagery shown by a display;

a rotation actuating member supported by said controller, said rotation actuating member rotatable about a first axis and a second axis;

said rotation actuating member positioned to activate

a first four sensors of said sufficient number of sensors;

a second four sensors are pressure sensors supported by said controller, said second four sensors sensing pressures applied by human inputs to said controller, said second four sensors controlling the three-dimensional imagery;

a third four sensors supported by said controller, said third four sensors sensing human inputs and controlling the three-dimensional imagery;

a tactile feedback motor with offset weight are components of said controller, the motor and offset weight providing vibration felt by a hand grasping said controller, the vibration represents

simulated contact within the three-dimensional imagery.

5. A controller according to claim 4 wherein said sufficient number of sensors is at least twelve.

6. A controller according to claim 4 wherein the four pressure sensors are proportional sensors.

7. A controller according to claim 6 wherein the proportional sensors each produce a tactile snap feedback when activated.

8. A controller according to claim 7 wherein the proportional sensors produce a variable output signal responsive to varying pressure inputs to the sensors.

9. A controller according to claim 5 wherein said second four sensors are activated by a second member of said controller.

10. A controller according to claim 9 wherein said at least four of the sensors each produce a tactile snap feedback when activated, and at least two sensors of said twelve are proportional sensors capable of varying output signals in relationship to varying pressure inputs.

18. A controller controlling three-dimensional imagery shown by a display, comprising:

a first four sensors associated with

a two-axes rotation actuating member of said controller;

a first two sensors of said four sensors, said first two sensors sensing rotation of said actuating member about a first axis, said first two sensors controlling a first axis of the three-dimensional imagery;

a second two sensors of said four sensors, said second two sensors sensing rotation of said actuating member about a second axis, said second two sensors controlling a second axis of the three-dimensional imagery; and

an additional

eight sensors supported by said controller, said eight sensors sensing human inputs and at least in part controlling the three-dimensional imagery;

whereby said controller is structured with at least twelve sensors controlling the three-dimensional imagery; and

a rotating member, said rotating member with structure to activate at least two sensors of said eight sensors.