Input device including digital force feedback apparatus

• US 5,643,087 A
• Filed: 07/29/1994
• Issued: 07/01/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Chen, Elaine, An, Bin, Osborne, Timothy, Marcus, Beth A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrison, Jessica
• Assistant Examiner(s): O'Neill, Michael
• Application Number:
  US08/283,065
• Time in Patent Office: 1,068 Days
• Field of Search: 434/45, 244/223, 273/438, 273/434, 273/148 B, 273/85 G, 463/36-39, 345/161, 345/167, 345/157, 345/156, 345/184, 74/471 Y
• US Class Current: 463/38
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/803 Driving vehicles or craft, e.g. cars, airplanes, ships, robots or tanks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/833 Hand-to-hand fighting, e.g. martial arts competition A63F13/837 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1006 having additional degrees of freedom
• 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 2300/204 the platform being a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8017 Driving on land or water; Flying
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8029 Fighting without shooting
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/06 Details of their grip parts G05G1/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/0474 characterised by means converting mechanical movement into electric signals
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 9/047 the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks for switches H01H25/04
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/013 Force feedback applied to a game
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/015 Force feedback applied to a joystick
• 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 9/04 for teaching control of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/28 Simulation of stick forces or the like

Abstract

An input device for an interactive computer simulation or game is disclosed which includes a structure having at least two degrees-of-freedom which is moveable by a digit of a user to transmit input signal to a computer. At least one actuator connected to the moveable structure receives inputs from a computer and applies forces in the at least two degrees-of-freedom to the movable structure and thereby to the digit of the user. The actuator may include an electric motor and any of a variety of force transmission schemes including direct, cable, gear or belt drives. The applied forces are typically based on internal programming within the computer, events occurring in the simulation and movements of and forces applied to the movable structure by the operator. The input device of the invention thereby provides continuous interaction among motion of and forces applied by the movable structure, the events in the simulation and forces applied to and applied by the movable structure to enhance user enjoyment and performance.

Claims

1. An input device including digital force feedback apparatus, for use in one of a video gaming and a virtual reality environment, comprising:

a housing having a size sufficiently small to be supported by one hand of an operator;

a moveable structure having at least two degrees-of-freedom of motion attached to said housing and comprising at least one cradle that is moveable by a digit of an operator; and

at least one actuator disposed in said housing, said at least one actuator being attached to said moveable structure to provide force feedback to a digit of an operator disposed in said cradle along at least two degrees-of-freedom.

2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein:

said actuator comprises a motor for generating a torque about an axis of rotation of a shaft thereof.

3. The invention according to claim 2 further comprising:

means for determining angular position of said motor shaft.

4. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said actuator includes at least one cable drive.

5. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said actuator includes a mechanical linkage.

6. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said actuator includes a belt drive.

7. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said actuator includes a gear drive.

8. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said cradle is configured and positioned on said housing to conform to a thumb of a user.

9. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said cradle is comprised of a closed annulus.

10. The invention according to claim 9 wherein said cradle further comprises a saddle portion extending therefrom.

11. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said cradle is comprised of an open annulus.

12. The invention according to claim 11 wherein said cradle further comprises an adjustable strap spanning an opening formed by said open annulus.

13. The invention according to claim 12 wherein said cradle further comprises a saddle portion extending therefrom.

14. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said cradle is comprised of a passive ball joint.