System and method for the software emulation of a computer joystick
First Claim
1. A digital joystick system for use with a computer port having an analog input, the joystick comprising:
- a control stick operable by a user;
a position sensing subsystem to detect a position of said control stick and to generate digital position data corresponding to said detected position; and
a programmable resistance emulator coupled to said position sensing subsystem and having an output couplable to the analog input, said resistance emulator receiving said digital position data and in response thereto emulating a resistance value at said output corresponding to said detected position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A digital joystick operates in a digital mode or an analog emulation mode. In the digital mode, the joystick generates digital data indicating the position of a control stick and the status of buttons and transmits the digital data to the computer. The joystick may be coupled to the computer through a game port or a conventional interface port. Computer software operating within the computer can receive digital data directly from the joystick if it is operating in the digital mode. When in the analog emulation modes the joystick emulates resistances related to the position of the control stick. The emulated resistance data emulates the value of corresponding resistances in a conventional joystick. The resistance values may be derived from a programmable resistor, a programmable impedance, or a programmable current source. Multiplexers may also be used to couple the appropriate resistance value to the conventional game port input.
90 Citations
42 Claims
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1. A digital joystick system for use with a computer port having an analog input, the joystick comprising:
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a control stick operable by a user; a position sensing subsystem to detect a position of said control stick and to generate digital position data corresponding to said detected position; and a programmable resistance emulator coupled to said position sensing subsystem and having an output couplable to the analog input, said resistance emulator receiving said digital position data and in response thereto emulating a resistance value at said output corresponding to said detected position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A digital joystick for use with a computer port having first and second analog input lines, the joystick comprising:
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a control stick operable by a user; a position sensing subsystem to detect a position of said control stick and to generate digital data corresponding to said detected position; and a programmable resistor coupled to said position sensing subsystem and having first and second outputs couplable to the first and second analog input lines, respectively, said programmable resistor receiving said digital position data and in response thereto generating first and second resistance values at said first and second outputs, respectively, corresponding to said detected position. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A computer positional control device system for use with a computer port, the device comprising:
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a positioning element manually operable by a user; a position sensing subsystem to determine a current position of said positioning element, said position sensing subsystem generating digital data indicative of said current position; an interface, selectively operable in a digital transmission mode to transfer said digital position data to the port or an analog emulation mode to transfer an analog signal based on said digital position data to the port, and a programmable resistance emulator to generate said analog signal based on said digital position data when said interface is selectively operating in said analog emulation mode. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method of using a digital joystick with a computer port having an analog input, the method comprising the steps of:
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detecting a position of a control stick operable by a user; generating digital position data corresponding to said detected position; and using said digital position data to control a programmable resistance emulator to emulate a resistance value at an output couplable to the analog input, said resistance value corresponding to said detected position. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method of operating a digital joystick for use with a computer port having first and second analog input lines, the joystick comprising:
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detecting a position of a control stick operable by a user; generating digital position data corresponding to said detected position; and transmitting said digital position data to a programmable resistor having first and second outputs couplable to the first and second analog input lines, respectively, said programmable resistor receiving said digital position data and in response thereto generating first and second resistance values at said first and second outputs, respectively, corresponding to said detected position. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A method for the use of a computer positional control device system with a computer port, the method comprising the steps of:
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detecting a current position of a positioning element manually operable by a user; generating digital data indicative of said current position; selectively transferring said digital position data to the port if the positional control device is operating in a digital transmission mode or transferring an analog signal based on said digital position data to the port if the positional control device is operating in an analog emulation mode and controlling a programmable resistance emulator to generate said analog signal if the positional control device is operating in said analog emulation mode. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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Specification