VIDEO GAME CONTROLLER WITH COMPACT AND EFFICIENT FORCE FEEDBACK MECHANISM

• US 20080004114A1
• Filed: 06/26/2007
• Published: 01/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Original Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Inventors: Wegmuller, David Ernest, McVicar, David Neil, Prather, Vance Alan
• Granted Patent: US 8,545,323 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/37
• 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 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• 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

Abstract

A compact game controller incorporates an efficient and compact force feedback mechanism. Forces are generated at one of the controls of the controller in reaction to an action in a video game. The type of controller that can be held with two hands is limited in terms of size and internal space and in wireless versions is limited in terms of battery power. Efficient power consumption in the controller enables considerable usage time between battery replacement or recharging in wireless versions. The force feedback mechanism incorporates a double reduction gear system with a unique geometry which enables usage of a compact and energy efficient motor. The efficient force feedback mechanism and assembly can therefore be packaged within a compact ergonomic controller.

Claims

1. A game controller comprising:

a body comprising a first and a second lobe, wherein a user of the controller may grip the first lobe with a first hand and the second lobe with a second hand;

a printed circuit board comprising circuitry that operates the controller, the circuit board located within the body;

a first set of controls accessible to the first hand; and

a second set of controls accessible to the second hand,

wherein one of the first or second set of controls includes a force feedback mechanism comprising;

a user manipulable object located on a first side of the printed circuit board;

an actuator, located on a second side of the printed circuit board, the actuator for driving the user manipulable object in rotation around an axis; and

a gear system coupled between the actuator and the user manipulable object, the gear system providing a gear reduction from the actuator to the user manipulable object, the gear system including at least one annular gear which includes teeth on a concave side engaging teeth of a pinion for driving the annular gear, wherein the gear system comprises a double reduction gear system.

2. The game controller of claim 1, further comprising a power source within the body, and wherein the circuitry of the printed circuit board comprises wireless communication circuitry.

3. The game controller of claim 2, wherein the double reduction gear system multiplies the torque of the actuator and for a given amount of desired torque allows for use of a smaller more efficient motor, thereby reducing the rate power is consumed from the power source if the double reduction gear system was not otherwise present, and thereby maximizing the time between replacement or recharging of the power source.

4. The game controller of claim 1 wherein the gear system comprises:

a drive pinion connected to the actuator to be driven by the actuator in rotation;

a gear coupled to the drive pinion to be driven by the drive pinion; and

an intermediate pinion connected to the gear to move with the gear.

5. The game controller of claim 4, wherein the intermediate pinion connected to the gear engages with the teeth on the concave side of the annular gear.

6. The game controller of claim 1, wherein the user manipulable object comprises a thumb cap for manipulation by a thumb of the first or second hand.

7. The game controller of claim 6, wherein the first set of controls comprises the force feedback mechanism, including the thumb cap, and a directional pad also for use by the first hand.

8. The game controller of claim 1, wherein the actuator extends into one of the first or second lobes.

9. The game controller of claim 8, wherein the body comprises a protrusion at or near the lobe that the actuator extends into.

10. The game controller of claim 1, wherein the actuator produces force feedback along only one axis of the user manipulable object, and wherein the actuator consumes less than about 0.3 watts in producing the force.

11. An assembly comprising:

a printed circuit board comprising circuitry for manipulating game play in coordination with a gaming system;

a user manipulable object located on a first side of the printed circuit board;

an actuator, located on a second side of the printed circuit board, the actuator for driving the user manipulable object in rotation around an axis; and

a gear system coupled between the actuator and the user manipulable object and extending from an area on the first side of the printed circuit board to the second side of the printed circuit board,

the gear system providing a gear reduction from the actuator to the user manipulable object, the gear system including at least one annular gear portion which includes teeth on a concave side engaging teeth of a pinion for driving the annular gear portion, wherein the gear system comprises a double reduction gear system.

12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the actuator is comprised of a rotating motor.

13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the actuator produces force feedback along only one axis of the user manipulable object, and wherein the actuator consumes less than about 0.3 watts in producing the feedback.

14. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the gear system comprises:

a drive pinion connected to the actuator to be driven by the actuator in rotation;

a gear coupled to the drive pinion to be driven by the drive pinion; and

an intermediate pinion connected to the gear to move with the gear.

15. A method of providing force feedback in a game controller, the method comprising:

providing a motor assembly including a pinion gear on the shaft of the motor, the motor located in a portion of the controller that is held within a hand during controller usage; and

converting the rotating force at the first pinion gear of the motor assembly into a feedback force produced as a function of a game,

the feedback force exerted upon a position manipulation device controlled by a thumb of the hand in which the portion of the controller is held.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein at a least two fingers of the hand wrap substantially around the portion of the controller that is held within the hand during controller usage.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising providing a trigger in the game controller, the trigger located in the controller such that the index finger of the hand is positioned at the trigger.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the trigger is located adjacent to the position manipulation device such that the thumb and index finger are adjacent during game play.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein converting the rotating force comprises:

transmitting the rotating force at the shaft pinion gear to a first gear, the first gear substantially larger than the shaft pinion gear,

the first gear connected to and rotating an intermediate pinion; and

rotating an annular sector gear with the intermediate pinion.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the annular sector gear is connected to and moves the position manipulation device.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the rotation of the intermediate pinion results in rotation of the position manipulation device along a left-right axis of the device.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the position manipulation device has a range of motion of about 15-30 degrees to the left and right and is rotated with the range of motion by the interaction of the intermediate pinion and annular sector gear.