CONTROL DEVICE WITH PASSIVE REFLECTOR

• US 20140228124A1
• Filed: 02/14/2013
• Published: 08/14/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Plagge, Mark, Baiyya, Vijay, Leyvand, Tommer, Song, Susan Shuchen
• Granted Patent: US 9,251,701 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/39
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/213 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. cameras, photodiodes or infrared cells A63F13/219, A63F13/655 take precedence
• 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 13/26 having at least one additional display device, e.g. on the game controller or outside a game booth
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2445 detecting reflected light
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1087 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. a camera
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1093 using visible light
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/403 Connection between platform and handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/24 Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for video games A63F13/00; computerized gaming systems G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/46 Indirect determination of position data
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/66 Tracking systems using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10028 Range image; Depth image; 3D point clouds
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10048 Infrared image
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared

Abstract

A control device includes a housing. The control device also includes a wireless communicator interior the housing. The wireless communicator wirelessly sends commands for controlling an electronic device, such as a game console. The control device also includes a reflector positioned to reflect light directed at the housing.

Claims

1. A control device, comprising:

a housing including a light-transmissive portion;

a wireless communicator interior the housing to wirelessly send a command for controlling an electronic device; and

a reflector positioned interior the housing to reflect light entering the housing through the light-transmissive portion back out of the housing through the light-transmissive portion.

3. The control device of claim 1, where the reflector is a retroreflector.

4. The control device of claim 3, where the retroreflector is a retroreflective tape including reflective microprism elements integrally bonded to a polymeric film.

5. The control device of claim 4, where the retroreflective tape is affixed to the light-transmissive portion of the housing.

6. The control device of claim 1, further comprising an infrared beacon interior the housing and positioned to emit infrared light through the light-transmissive portion of the housing.

7. The control device of claim 6, where the wireless communicator is configured to wirelessly receive a command to emit the infrared light.

8. The control device of claim 1, where the light-transmissive portion is greater than 50% transmissive to infrared light.

9. The control device of claim 8, where the light-transmissive portion is less than 50% transmissive to visible light.

10. The control device of claim 1, where the wireless communicator is configured to wirelessly send and wirelessly receive commands via radiofrequency communication.

11. The control device of claim 1, where the command is a game command for controlling an electronic game facilitated by the electronic device.

12. The control device of claim 1, where the command is an audio-visual command for controlling an audio-visual experience facilitated by the electronic device.

2. (canceled)

13. A control device, comprising:

a housing including a light-transmissive portion;

an infrared beacon interior the housing and positioned to emit an active infrared light through the light-transmissive portion of the housing; and

a wireless communicator interior the housing to wirelessly receive a command to emit the active infrared light.

14. The control device of claim 13, further comprising an infrared retroreflector interior the housing and positioned to reflect infrared light entering the housing through the light-transmissive portion back out of the housing through the light-transmissive portion.

15. A method, comprising:

receiving one or more infrared images from an infrared camera;

recognizing within one or more of the infrared images an active infrared light emitted from a beacon of a wireless control device; and

after the beacon of the wireless control device stops emitting the active infrared light, recognizing within one or more of the infrared images a passive infrared light reflected from a retroreflector of the control device.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising sending to the beacon of the wireless control device a command to emit the active infrared light.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising using a position of the active infrared light to locate the control device in one or more depth images.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising using a position of the passive infrared light to locate the control device in one or more depth images.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising assessing a three-dimensional position of the control device from the one or more depth images.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising tracking the three-dimensional position of the control device over time.