Perpheral input device with six-axis capability

• US 5,749,577 A
• Filed: 05/31/1995
• Issued: 05/12/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sega Enterprises LTD.
• Original Assignee: Sega Enterprises LTD.
• Inventors: Huether, James L., Couch, Johnny D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Grieb, William H.
• Application Number:
  US08/454,609
• Time in Patent Office: 1,077 Days
• Field of Search: 273/148 B, 463/38
• US Class Current: 273/148.00B
• 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 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/428 involving motion or position input signals, e.g. signals representing the rotation of an input controller or a player's arm motions sensed by accelerometers or gyroscopes
• 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 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1087 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. a camera
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/204 the platform being a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04774 with additional switches or sensors on the handle
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 9/047 the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks for switches H01H25/04

Abstract

A control pad with two input ports for establishing a connection with two three-axis input devices permits six-axis game play. The control pad contains a microprocessor which determines whether one or two three-axis input devices are connected and generates an address signal for communication with the game console to inform the console microprocessor on power up the exact nature of the peripheral input devices which are attached. The present invention also includes a thumb-operable rotor assembly which allows single-handed three axis control of computer games.

Claims

1. Peripheral input device for use with a game console allowing six-axis input which comprises:

a) two independent three-axis input devices;

b) a control pad with a microprocessor, with two input ports for establishing an electrical connection between the two three-axis input devices and the control pad and with an output port for establishing an electrical connection between a control pad microprocessor and the game console;

c) control pad microprocessor for determining whether one or two of the two three-axis input devices are connected to the control pad input ports

wherein the control pad microprocessor determines whether the two input ports are connected to three-axis input devices and, based upon the results of the determination, outputs an address signal to the game console through the control pad output port which indicates to the game console whether one or two three-axis input devices are connected to the control pad input ports.

2. A three-axis joystick controller comprising:

a) an elongate joystick member having a proximal end and a distal end;

b) a joystick base adapted to receive the proximal end of the joystick member, having two substantially planar sensor surfaces substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the joystick member, the first surface having reflective coating facing away from the joystick member;

c) x-y axes spring tension member having a proximal end and a distal end, mounted within the joystick member substantially coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the joystick member and fixed to the joystick base at the proximal end to provide force to return the joystick member to center after x-axis and y-axis forces have been applied to the joystick member by the user;

d) x-y axes sensor surface positioned below and parallel to the first surface of the joystick base;

e) at least one x-y axes light source and x-y axes optical signal detection sensors mounted on the sensor surface wherein the x-y position and motion of the joystick member are determined by the optical signals reflected by the first surface of the joystick base;

f) x-y axes optical signal processing circuit which converts the optical signals from the sensor surface optical signal detection sensors into x-y positional data signals useful in the control of computer games; and

,

g) a thumb-operated rotor assembly positioned near the distal end of the joystick member for z-axis control having;

(1) a rotor with a semicircular disk for interaction with the user'"'"'s thumb and having at least one reflective surface mounted perpendicular to the plane of the disk, and the reflective surface facing away from the disk, the disk being selectably rotatable about its center;

(2) a spring tension member for returning the rotor to its center position after rotation in either direction;

(3) a z-axis sensor surface positioned below and parallel to the reflective surface of the rotor;

(4) at least one z-axis light source and z-axis optical signal detection sensor mounted on the z-axis sensor surface wherein the z position and motion of the rotor are determined by the optical signals reflected by the reflective surface of the rotor; and

,

(5) a z-axis optical signal processing circuit which converts the optical signals from the z-axis sensor surface optical signal detection sensor into z-axis positional data signals useful in the control of computer games.

3. A thumb-operated rotor assembly positioned near the distal end of a joystick member for z-axis control comprising:

a) a rotor with a semicircular disk for interaction with the user'"'"'s thumb and having at least one reflective surface mounted perpendicular to the plane of the disk, and the reflective surface facing away from the disk, the disk being selectably rotatable about its center;

b) a spring tension member for returning the rotor to its center position after rotation in either direction;

c) a z-axis sensor surface positioned below and parallel to the reflective surface of the rotor;

d) at least one z-axis light source and z-axis optical signal detection sensor mounted on the z-axis sensor surface wherein the z position and motion of the rotor are determined by the optical signals reflected by the reflective surface of the rotor; and

,

e) a z-axis optical signal processing circuit which converts the optical signals from the z-axis sensor surface optical signal detection sensor into z-axis positional data signals useful in the control of computer games.