Non Impact Video Game Controller for Dancing Games
First Claim
1. A game controller comprising:
- a platform where a game player may stand from time to time,the platform comprising a perimeter, the player'"'"'s feet positioned around the perimeter of the central pad during game play; and
two or more position detection units, each position detection unit located at the perimeter of the pad,each position detection unit comprising a first and a second group of illumination chambers, the first group spaced apart from the second group,each position detection unit further comprising an optical receiver between the first and the second group,wherein the intersection of a signal emitted from the first and group and a signal emitted from the second group defines a location of player'"'"'s foot.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A video game controller for home video game systems is situated between a player'"'"'s feet and is used to detect positions outside the footprint of the controller. The controller transmits the position data to the video game system and enables game play. In dance games, the controller detects dance steps when the player dances around the controller. A signal is transmitted from locations at the perimeter of the controller, reflected by the player'"'"'s foot, and then received back at the controller. In a preferred embodiment the location is detected as a function of the time the signal is transmitted/received and by the matrix of signals received. Modulation of the transmission and reception minimizes detection of noise and distant reflections and therefore minimizes or eliminates false position detection.
31 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A game controller comprising:
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a platform where a game player may stand from time to time, the platform comprising a perimeter, the player'"'"'s feet positioned around the perimeter of the central pad during game play; and two or more position detection units, each position detection unit located at the perimeter of the pad, each position detection unit comprising a first and a second group of illumination chambers, the first group spaced apart from the second group, each position detection unit further comprising an optical receiver between the first and the second group, wherein the intersection of a signal emitted from the first and group and a signal emitted from the second group defines a location of player'"'"'s foot. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An optical position detection unit for use in a game controller, comprising:
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a first plurality of optical emitters located at a first region of the unit; a second plurality of optical emitters located at a second region of the unit; and an optical receiver located at a third region of the unit, the third region located between the first and second regions, wherein signals emitted from each emitter of the first and second pluralities are distributed in time and received by the receiver, and wherein a position to be detected is uniquely defined by the intersection of a signal emitted from the first plurality and a signal emitted from the second plurality. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of optically detecting the position of a foot of a user of a game controller, the method comprising:
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transmitting a first signal from a transducer of a first group of transducers located at a first area of the controller; receiving the first signal at a detector during a first time period, the first signal reflected by the foot to the detector; transmitting a second signal from a transducer of a second group of transducers at a second area of the controller; receiving the second signal at the detector during a second time period, the second signal reflected by the foot to the detector; and determining, based on the time received, the position of the foot based on which transducers of the first and second group transmitted the first and second signals. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A game controller, comprising:
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a platform; and one or more position detection units, each position detection unit comprising; a plurality of light emitting transmitters each producing a beam of light; a single receiver for receiving beams from the plurality of transmitters, the plurality of transmitters and the receiver arranged so as to create a matrix of overlapping beams, means for determining the position of a player in relation to the platform based upon the matrix of overlapping beams. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification