Tactile sensation generator

• US 5,565,840 A
• Filed: 09/21/1994
• Issued: 10/15/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Virtual Reality Feedback Corporation
• Original Assignee: Craig Thorner, Thomas K. Glass
• Inventors: Thorner, Craig, Glass, Thomas K.
• Primary Examiner(s): SWARTHOUT, BRENT
• Application Number:
  US08/309,764
• Time in Patent Office: 755 Days
• Field of Search: 434/113, 434/114, 434/118, 434/45, 340/407.1, 340/323 R, 472/69, 472/70, 364/410, 273/86 D, 273/85 G, 273/148 B, 273/460, 348/13, 348/157
• US Class Current: 340/407.1
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/28 responding to control signals received from the game device for affecting ambient conditions, e.g. for vibrating players' seats, activating scent dispensers or affecting temperature or light controlling the output signals based on the game progress A63F13/50
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/98 Accessories, i.e. detachable arrangements optional for the use of the video game device, e.g. grip supports of game controllers
• 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 2203/013 Force feedback applied to a game
• 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

Abstract

A tactile sensation generator capable of producing tactile sensations to a video game player corresponding to activity portrayed in a video game. Specifically, an interface circuit is responsive to control commands generated by a computer executing the video game program. The interface circuit interprets the control commands and activates the tactile sensation generator. The tactile sensation generator contains a vest or harness for maintaining a flexible pad proximate a player'"'"'s body. The pad contains one or more actuators, e.g., a solenoid or vibratory motor embedded in the pad. Each actuator interacts with the wearer and is individually activated to produce a localized tactile sensation, e.g., an impact or vibration, corresponding to the action simultaneously portrayed by the video game on a computer screen or television.

Claims

1. Apparatus, worn by a person while interacting with a video game, for generating a tactile sensation to the person that corresponds to a location on a character in said video game that an event takes place, said apparatus comprising:

a flexible pad;

an actuator positioned upon said pad and having a moveable portion extending from said pad, where said moveable portion comprises an offset weight attached to a shaft; and

a harness, attached to said flexible pad, for attaching said flexible pad to said person such that the moveable portion is positioned proximate the person, whereby activation of said actuator provides said person with a tactile sensation at a proximate corresponding location of the person corresponding to a location on a character in said video game that an event takes place.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an interface circuit for interpreting commands from a computer that controls activation of said actuator.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said flexible pad contains a plurality of apertures, each having a corresponding actuator positioned therein and having a moveable portion extending from the aperture.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said actuator further comprises:

a transmission block extending a surface of a housing enclosing said actuator; and

an actuator motor, abutting said transmission block, for producing vibration that is carried by said transmission block.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said actuator is a solenoid.

6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein each of said actuators further comprises:

a transmission block extending a surface of a housing enclosing said actuator; and

an actuator motor, abutting said transmission block, for producing vibration that is carried by said transmission block.

7. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein each of said actuators is a solenoid.

8. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said commands are provided to said interface circuit on a parallel port of said computer.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said flexible pad further comprises a central rectangular portion having a left ear extending from the left side of said rectangular portion and a right ear extending from the right side of said rectangular portion.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said flexible pad further comprises a plurality of apertures in said rectangular portion, each aperture having an actuator therein and two apertures in each ear, each aperture having an actuator therein.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said actuator is an electric motor and said shaft is a part of said electric motor.

12. The apparatus of claim i wherein said flexible pad is a flexible chest pad.

13. Apparatus, worn by a person while interacting with a video game being executed on a video game system, for generating a tactile sensation to the person that corresponds to the location on a character in said video game that an event takes place, said apparatus comprising:

a flexible chest pad;

a plurality of actuators positioned upon said flexible chest pad and each actuator having a moveable portion for transmitting actuator motion to the person;

a harness, attached to said flexible chest pad, for attaching said flexible chest pad to the person such that each said moveable portion is positioned proximate to the chest of the person, whereby activation of said actuators provide the person with a tactile sensation corresponding to the action portrayed on the video game system; and

an interface circuit for interpreting commands from the video game system to output signals to selectively drive said actuators.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said flexible chest pad contains a plurality of apertures, each having a corresponding actuator positioned therein.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein each of said actuators further comprises:

a transmission block extending a surface of a housing enclosing said actuator; and

an actuator motor, abutting said transmission block, for producing vibration that is carried by said transmission block.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said actuator is a solenoid.

17. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said actuator is an electric molar having a shaft with an offset weight.

18. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said commands are provided to said interface circuit on a parallel port of the video game system.

19. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said flexible chest pad further comprises a central rectangular portion having a left ear extending from a left side of said rectangular portion and a right ear extending from a right side of said rectangular portion.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said flexible chest pad further comprises a plurality of apertures in said rectangular portion, each aperture having an actuator therein and two apertures in each ear, each aperture having an actuator therein.