APPARATUS AND METHOD OF IMPACT EMULATION FOR VIDEO GAMES

• US 20110287837A1
• Filed: 08/06/2011
• Published: 11/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael C. Wang, Shyh-Jye Wang, Sung-En Wang
• Original Assignee: Michael C. Wang, Shyh-Jye Wang, Sung-En Wang
• Inventors: Wang, Shyh-Jye, Wang, Michael C., Wang, Sung-En
• Granted Patent: US 8,202,162 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/31
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/00 Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions gaming systems which provide a financial reward G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• 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 13/573 using trajectories of game objects, e.g. of a golf ball according to the point of impact
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/577 using determination of contact between game characters or objects, e.g. to avoid collision between virtual racing cars
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/812 Ball games, e.g. soccer or baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/90 Constructional details or arrangements of video game devices not provided for in groups A63F13/20 or A63F13/25, e.g. housing, wiring, connections or cabinets
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/105 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/643 by determining the impact between objects, e.g. collision detection
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/646 for calculating the trajectory of an object
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8011 Ball

Abstract

An impact emulator that provides impact effects to a player of a video game system is provided. The video game system has a magnetic field generator that is able to produce magnetic field to generate a force on a magnet on a remote controller. The amount of magnetic field to be produced is depending on the relative movement of the remote controller and a target element.

Claims

1. A video game system comprising:

a console having a microcontroller;

a sensor bar electrically coupled to the console;

a remote controller having at least a first electromagnet; and

a magnetic field generator for generating a magnetic field to produce a desired force on the first electromagnet, wherein no part of the magnetic field generator is deposited within the remote controller, wherein the amount of the desired force is produced according to a relative movement between the remote controller and the sensor bar.

2. The video game system of claim 1 further comprising a video display electrically coupled to the console.

3. The video game system of claim 1, wherein the amount of the desired force is calculated by a software program processed by the microcontroller.

4. A method for a video game system for generating an emulated impact reaction force to a player comprising the steps of:

producing a steady magnetic field by a magnetic field generator, wherein no part of the magnetic field generator is deposited within a remote controller;

detecting a relative movement between the remote controller and a target object;

predicting a timing, direction, and magnitude of a hit between the remote controller and the target object;

calculating the direction and magnitude of an impact reaction force by the hit; and

generating an electromagnet on the remote controller according to the relative movement to produce a force emulating the impact reaction force.