Method and apparatus for operatively controlling a virtual reality scenario with a physically demanding interface

• US 20060205565A1
• Filed: 03/10/2006
• Published: 09/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Original Assignee: IA Labs CA LLC
• Inventors: Feldman, Philip, Merril, Greg
• Granted Patent: US 7,727,117 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/54 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/12 for upper limbs or related muscles, e.g. chest, upper back or shoulder muscles bench press exercises A63B21/078; for teaching music G09B15/06
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/00 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/902 Employing specific graphic or video display

Abstract

A safe, physically demanding interface device for children or other users to play video games according to the present invention includes a base and a joystick or control rod. The base supports a significant portion or the entirety of the child weight (e.g., supports a child in a seated or standing position), while the joystick is manipulable by the child to play the games. The device is configured to force the child to utilize many of the large muscle groups to interact with the game. Since the child weight is supported by the base, the interface device is stable (e.g., unlikely to tip or move) and, therefore, provides for safe, compelling video game play for users either alone or with other users.

Claims

1. A user interface device enabling a user to perform a physically demanding activity to manipulate a virtual reality scenario comprising:

a base in the form of a platform and including a top surface to directly support a user thereon;

an elongated rod attached to said base and manipulable by said user to control said virtual reality scenario; and

a sensing unit to measure manipulation of said elongated rod by said user;

wherein said base includes a processor coupled to said sensing unit to process data relating to said measured manipulation to facilitate control of said virtual reality scenario in accordance with said manipulation of said elongated rod by said user.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein an upper portion of said elongated rod includes a knob with an input device disposed on a knob top surface to enter information to control said virtual reality scenario.

3. The device of claim 1 further including a reset button to reset said user interface device.

4. The device of claim 1 further including:

resistance controls to selectively adjust an amount of user force required to manipulate said elongated rod to control said virtual reality scenario.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said base top surface includes a recessed portion to contour a user body portion in a seated position.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said base accommodates a user in a standing position and further includes at least one input device disposed on a base top surface and actuable by user feet to enter information to control said virtual reality scenario.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said processor generates said virtual reality scenario and controls that scenario in accordance with said manipulation of said elongated rod by said user.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein said user interface device is directly coupled to a monitor to display said generated virtual reality scenario.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein said processor transfers information including said processed data to a host processing system generating said virtual reality scenario to control that scenario in accordance with said manipulation of said elongated rod by said user.

10. The device of claim 9 further including:

a cable with a plurality of connectors, wherein at least two connectors are configured to couple said user interface device to different host processing systems.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein said elongated rod is constructed of at least one of plastic, rubber, foam and a padded material to prevent injury to a user during manipulation of said elongated rod.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein said elongated rod is lightweight to enable said elongated rod to produce forces at or below approximately seventy foot pounds to prevent injury during manipulation by said user.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein said elongated rod is attached to said base via one of a ball and socket arrangement, a universal joint and a sleeve arrangement.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein said sleeve arrangement includes:

a stub disposed on said base;

at least one sleeve disposed over said stub and receiving said elongated rod therein, wherein the quantity and elasticity of said at least one sleeve controls an amount of user force required to manipulate said elongated rod.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein said sensing unit includes:

at least one identifier disposed on said elongated rod; and

an image capture device to produce images including said elongated rod;

wherein said processor processes said images to determine displacement of said at least one identifier within said images to determine manipulation of said elongated rod.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein said sensing unit includes:

a plurality of potentiometers to measure at least one of deflections and motion of said elongated rod to determine said manipulation.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein said sensing unit includes:

at least one strain gauge each to measure strain applied to said elongated rod along a corresponding axis to determine manipulation of said elongated rod.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein said sensing unit includes:

a plurality of switches disposed at particular locations and selectively actuable in response to manipulation of said elongated rod, wherein said locations of actuated switches indicate said manipulation of said elongated rod.

19. The device of claim 1, wherein said sensing unit includes:

a plurality of damper units coupled to said elongated rod and said base to dampen elongated rod motion, wherein each damper unit includes a sensing device to measure damper unit operation in response to manipulation of said elongated rod to measure that manipulation.

20. The device of claim 1, wherein said sensing unit includes:

a sensing device disposed within said base to measure forces received by said base in response to manipulation of said elongated rod to measure that manipulation.

21. The device of claim 1, wherein said virtual reality scenario includes a video game scenario.

22. The device of claim 1, wherein said elongated rod is removably attached to said base.

23. A method of enabling a user to perform a physically demanding activity to manipulate a virtual reality scenario via a user interface device including a base and an elongated rod attached to said base and manipulable by said user to control said virtual reality scenario, said method comprising:

(a) directly supporting a user on a top surface of said base, wherein said base is in the form of a platform and includes a processor;

(b) measuring manipulation of said elongated rod by said user; and

(c) processing data relating to said measured manipulation, via said processor, to facilitate control of said virtual reality scenario in accordance with said manipulation of said elongated rod by said user.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein an upper portion of said elongated rod includes a knob with an input device disposed on a knob top surface, and step (b) further includes:

(b.1) receiving information to control said virtual reality scenario via said input device.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein step (b) further includes:

(b.1) selectively adjusting an amount of user force required to manipulate said elongated rod to control said virtual reality scenario.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein said base top surface includes a recessed portion to contour a user body portion, and step (a) further includes:

(a.1) supporting said user within said recessed portion in a seated position.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein said base further includes at least one input device disposed on a base top surface and actuable by user feet, and step (a) further includes:

(a.1) supporting a user in a standing position; and

step (b) further includes;

(b.1) receiving information to control said virtual reality scenario via said at least one input device.

28. The method of claim 23, wherein step (c) further includes:

(c.1) generating said virtual reality scenario via said processor and controlling that scenario in accordance with said manipulation of said elongated rod by said user.

29. The method of claim 23, wherein step (c) further includes:

(c.1) transferring information including said processed data from said processor to a host processing system generating said virtual reality scenario to control that scenario in accordance with said manipulation of said elongated rod by said user.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein step (c.1) further includes:

(c.1.1) transferring said information via a cable with a plurality of connectors, wherein at least two connectors are configured to couple said user interface device to different host processing systems.

31. The method of claim 23, wherein said elongated rod is constructed of at least one of plastic, rubber, foam and a padded material to prevent injury to a user during manipulation of said elongated rod.

32. The method of claim 23, wherein said elongated rod is lightweight and step (b) further includes:

(b.1) producing forces, via said elongated rod, at or below approximately seventy foot pounds to prevent injury during manipulation by said user.

33. The method of claim 23, wherein said interface device further includes at least one identifier disposed on said elongated rod, and step (b) further includes:

(b.1) producing images including said elongated rod via an image capture device; and

step (c) further includes;

(c.1) processing said images to determine displacement of said at least one identifier within said images to determine manipulation of said elongated rod.

34. The method of claim 23, wherein said user interface device further includes a plurality of potentiometers, and step (b) further includes:

(b.1) measuring at least one of deflections and motion of said elongated rod via said plurality of potentiometers to determine said manipulation.

35. The method of claim 23, wherein said user interface device further includes at least one strain gauge each associated with a corresponding axis, and step (b) further includes:

(b.1) measuring strain applied to said elongated rod along a corresponding axis via said at least one strain gauge to determine manipulation of said elongated rod.

36. The method of claim 23, wherein said user interface device further includes a plurality of switches disposed at particular locations and selectively actuable in response to manipulation of said elongated rod, and step (b) further includes:

(b.1) measuring manipulation of said elongated rod in accordance with said locations of actuated switches.

37. The method of claim 23, wherein said user interface device includes a plurality of damper units coupled to said elongated rod and said base to dampen elongated rod motion, wherein each damper unit includes a sensing device, and step (b) further includes:

(b.1) measuring operation of each damper unit in response to manipulation of said elongated rod, via a corresponding sensing device, to measure manipulation of said elongated rod.

38. The method of claim 23, wherein said user interface device includes a sensing device disposed within said base, and step (b) further includes:

(b.1) measuring forces received by said base in response to manipulation of said elongated rod, via said sensing device, to measure manipulation of said elongated rod.

39. The method of claim 23, wherein said virtual reality scenario includes a video game scenario.

40. The method of claim 23, wherein said elongated rod is removably attached to said base.