Method And Apparatus For Generating Tactile Feedback Via Relatively Low-Burden And/Or Zero Burden Telemetry

• US 20080280678A1
• Filed: 10/30/2007
• Published: 11/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/1994
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Craig Thorner
• Original Assignee: Craig Thorner
• Inventors: Thorner, Craig
• Granted Patent: US 8,328,638 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/30
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/22 Setup operations, e.g. calibration, key configuration or button assignment
• 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 13/54 involving acoustic signals, e.g. for simulating revolutions per minute [RPM] dependent engine sounds in a driving game or reverberation against a virtual wall
• 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 2300/302 specially adapted for receiving control signals not targeted to a display device or game input means, e.g. vibrating driver's seat, scent dispenser
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8082 Virtual reality
• 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: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/05 the view from a vehicle being simulated G09B9/052, G09B9/058 take precedence

Abstract

A method and a device for providing a tactile sensation are provided. The device includes a plurality of actuators. The plurality of actuators includes first and second actuators. The first actuator is adapted to provide a first tactile sensation, and the second actuator is adapted to provide a second tactile sensation.

Claims

1. A device for providing a tactile sensation, the device comprising:

a plurality of actuators, wherein a first actuator of the plurality of actuators is adapted to provide a first tactile sensation, and wherein a second actuator of the plurality of actuators is adapted to provide a second tactile sensation.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the first actuator of the plurality of actuators is adapted to be controllably actuated separately from the second actuator of the plurality of actuators.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is any, any combination, any multiple or any combination of multiples of a hand-held game controller, a steering wheel, a vest, a foot pedal, a gear shift, a joystick, a seat pad, and a helmet.

4. A game controller for providing a given tactile sensation, the controller comprising, in combination:

a housing; and

first and second actuators, wherein the first actuator is adapted to provide a first tactile sensation, and wherein the second actuator is adapted to provide a second tactile sensation.

5. The game controller of claim 4, wherein the first actuator is adapted to be controllably actuated separately from the second actuator.

6. The game controller of claim 5, wherein the first and second actuators are in communication with the housing.

7. The game controller of claim 5, wherein the first and second actuators are disposed within the housing.

8. The game controller of claim 5, wherein the first and second actuators are coupled to the housing.

9. The game controller of claim 4, wherein the game controller is any, any combination, any multiple or any combination of multiples of a hand-held game controller, a steering wheel, a gear shift, a joystick, a vest, a foot pedal, a seat pad and a helmet.

10. The game controller of claim 4, wherein the first and second actuators are adapted to provide the first and second tactile sensations, respectively, as a function of at least one control signal;

wherein the at least one control signal is adapted to control at least one of (i) a frequency of actuation of at least one of the first and second actuators, and (ii) an intensity of actuation of the at least one of the first and second actuators; and

wherein the at least one control signal is formed as a function of given information for generating the first and second tactile sensations.

11. The game controller of claim 10, wherein the at least one control signal is adapted to control the frequency of actuation separately from the intensity of actuation.

12. The game controller of claim 10, wherein the given information comprises:

any, any combination, any multiple or any combination of multiples of a signal generated by an entity for forming the given tactile sensation, information formed as a function of the signal generated by an entity for forming the given tactile sensation, telemetry, information formed from the telemetry, a signal formed from the telemetry, and batch data transmissions.

13. The game controller of claim 10, wherein the at least one control signal comprises at least one portion for controlling the frequency of actuation, and wherein the at least one control signal is adapted to adjust the at least one portion so as to control the intensity of actuation.

14. The game controller of claim 10, wherein the at least one control signal is formed as a function of first and second portions of the given information, and wherein the control signal is adapted to (i) control the frequency of actuation as a function of the first portion, and (ii) control the intensity of actuation as a function of the second portion.

15. A device for providing a tactile sensation, the device comprising:

a housing; and

first and second actuators in communication with the housing, wherein the first actuator is adapted to provide a first tactile sensation, and wherein the second actuator is adapted to provide a second tactile sensation.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the first and the second actuators are coupled to the housing.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the first and the second actuators are disposed within the housing.

18. The device of claim 15, wherein the first actuator is adapted to be controllably actuated separately from the second actuator.

19. The device of claim 15, wherein the device is any, any combination, any multiple or any combination of multiples of a hand-held game controller, a gear shift, a joystick, a steering wheel, a foot pedal, a vest, a seat pad, and a helmet.

20. The device of claim 15, wherein the first and the second actuators provide a complex combined sensation.