Universal Tactile Feedback System for Computer Video Games and Simulations

• US 20090069081A1
• Filed: 04/17/2008
• Published: 03/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/1994
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Craig Thorner
• Original Assignee: Craig Thorner
• Inventors: Thorner, Craig
• Granted Patent: US 8,308,558 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 universal tactile feedback system for computer and video game systems is disclosed which provides real time tactile feedback to enhance a user'"'"'s experience while interacting with a computer/video game or simulation. The tactile feedback system operates both in host-independent and host-dependent modes, thereby allowing the system to function even when no accommodation is provided by the game or simulation system that is being used. The host-independent mode is responsive to the audio signal that is typically generated by a computer or video game system while it is executing a game or simulation. The host-dependent mode is responsive to control commands specifically generated by a computer or video game system while it is executing a game or simulation. The tactile feedback system then creates tactile sensations primarily via controller-based tactile sensation generators, such that the user feels physical sensations corresponding to events occurring within the game or simulation in real time.

Claims

1. A game controller for a user controlled video game, comprising:

a housing;

an interface on the housing that can provide communications with the user controlled video game;

a first tactile sensation generator inside the housing that can rotate; and

a second tactile sensation generator inside the housing that can rotate.

2. The game controller of claim 1, wherein the first and second tactile sensation generators provide a vibratory sensation in accordance with communications with the user controlled video game.

3. The game controller of claim 1, wherein the first and second tactile sensation generators are motors.

4. The game controller of claim 1, wherein the first and second tactile sensation generators are dc motors.

5. The game controller of claim 1, wherein the first and second tactile sensation generators are motors with offset weights.

6. The game controller of claim 1, wherein the first and second tactile sensation generators are dc motors with offset weights.

7. The game controller of claim 1, wherein the interface includes one or more control devices on the peripheral device that can provide control signals to the user controlled video game.

8. The game controller of claim 1, wherein when the game controller is connected to the user controlled video game through the interface, the game controller vibrates in accordance with action on the user controlled video game.

9. The game controller of claim 1, wherein when the game controller is connected to the user controlled video game through the interface, the game controller vibrates in accordance with an audio signal from the user controlled video game.

10. The game controller of claim 1, wherein when the game controller is connected to the user controlled video game through the interface, the game controller vibrates in accordance a signal from the user controlled video game provided on the interface.

11. The game controller of claim 1, wherein the game controller is sized to be able to be held by left and right hands of a user.

12. The game controller of claim 1, wherein the first tactile sensation generator is located in a section of the game controller adapted to be held by a left hand and the second tactile sensation generator is located in a section of the game controller adapted to be held by a right hand.

13. The game controller of claim 1, further comprising a third tactile sensation generator.

14. A method of playing a video game on a gaming computing device with a game controller, comprising:

using the game controller to control action of the video game on the gaming computing device; and

rotating a first tactile sensation generator and a second tactile sensation generator inside the game controller to create tactile sensations.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising controlling a third tactile sensation inside the game controller to create tactile sensations.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising holding the game controller in a left and a right hand.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the game controller vibrates in accordance with action in the video game.