Gross motion input controller for a computer system

• US 5,805,138 A
• Filed: 06/07/1995
• Issued: 09/08/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Sanders, Elizabeth B. N., Combs, James Lee, Strothmann, James Alan, Brawne, Nicholas
• Primary Examiner(s): SARAS, STEVEN J
• Application Number:
  US08/475,216
• Time in Patent Office: 1,189 Days
• Field of Search: 273/148 B, 273/108, 463/36, 463/38, 463/37, 463/47, 74/471 XY, 345/156, 345/157, 345/158, 345/161, 345/163, 248/160
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/426 involving on-screen location information, e.g. screen coordinates of an area at which the player is aiming with a light gun
• 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 13/54 involving acoustic signals, e.g. for simulating revolutions per minute [RPM] dependent engine sounds in a driving game or reverberation against a virtual wall
• 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 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/0474 characterised by means converting mechanical movement into electric signals
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04777 with additional push or pull action 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks

Abstract

An input device for a computer system is provided which translates large body part or multiple body part motion into directional data. The input device includes a rigid support member having sufficient size to accommodate use by a human being for sitting, a riser member, a connection device for connecting the riser member to the support member, a transducer device in physical communication with the riser member for sensing the riser member motion and for conveying the motion to a computer system in the form of representative electrical signals, and a resilient device in physical communication with the riser member for maintaining the riser in a predetermined position relative to the support member when the riser is not subject to external forces. The cross member may be embodied in several forms, including straight and synclinal cross members. Alternatively, a haptic sphere or disc may be employed instead of a cross member.

Claims

1. An input device comprising:

(a) a rigid support member having sufficient size to accommodate use by a human being for sitting;

(b) a riser member having a vertical height and an inner space, said vertical height approximating an individual'"'"'s sitting height;

(c) a connection device for connecting said riser member to said rigid support member;

(d) a transducer device in physical communication with said riser member for sensing said riser member motion and for conveying said riser motion to a computer in the form of representative electrical signals;

wherein said transducer device comprises at least one position sensor located in said inner space of said riser member, and

(e) a resilient device in physical communication with said inner space of said riser member and for maintaining said riser member in a predetermined position relative to said rigid support member when said riser member is not subject to external forces.

2. The input device of claim 1 wherein said riser member comprises a symmetrical body and a straight cross member.

3. The input device of claim 1 wherein said riser member comprises a symmetrical body and a synclinal cross member.

4. The input device of claim 2 wherein said riser member further comprises a pivoting connection device in physical communication with said straight cross member and said symmetrical body.

5. The input device of claim 1 wherein said riser member further comprises a symmetrical body and a haptic sphere in physical communication with said symmetrical body and in circuit communication with said transducer device.

6. The input device of claim 3 wherein said riser member further comprises a pivoting connection device in physical communication with said synclinal cross member and said symmetrical body.

7. The input device of claim 2 wherein said riser member further comprises handle members in physical communication with said straight cross member.

8. The input device of claim 3 wherein said riser member further comprises handle members in physical communication with said synclinal cross member.

9. A computer system comprising:

(a) a central processing unit (CPU);

(b) a memory circuit in circuit communication with said CPU;

(c) a video circuit in circuit communication with said CPU and said memory for generating an electrical signal corresponding to a visual image to be displayed on a video display device;

(d) a peripheral interface circuit in circuit communication with said CPU for interfacing signals from external devices to said CPU;

(e) a rigid support member having sufficient size to accommodate use by a human being for sitting;

(f) a riser member having a vertical height and an inner space, said vertical height approximating an individual'"'"'s sitting height;

(g) a connection device for connecting said riser member to said rigid support member;

(h) a transducer device in physical communication with said riser member and for sensing said riser member motion and for conveying said riser motion to a computer in the form of representative electrical signals;

wherein said transducer device comprises at least one position sensor located in said inner space of said riser member; and

(i) a resilient device in physical communication with said inner space of said riser member and for maintaining said riser member in a predetermined position relative to said rigid support member when said riser member is not subject to external forces.

10. The input device of claim 9 wherein said riser member comprises a symmetrical body and a straight cross member.

11. The input device of claim 9 wherein said riser member comprises a symmetrical body and a synclinal cross member.

12. The input device of claim 10 wherein said riser member further comprises a pivoting connection device in physical communication with said straight cross member and said symmetrical body.

13. The input device of claim 9 wherein said riser member further comprises a symmetrical body and a haptic sphere in physical communication with said symmetrical body and in circuit communication with said transducer device.

14. The input device of claim 11 wherein said riser member further comprises a pivoting connection device in physical communication with said synclinal cross member and said symmetrical body.

15. The input device of claim 10 wherein said riser member further comprises handle members in physical communication with said straight cross member.

16. The input device of claim 11 wherein said riser member further comprises handle members in physical communication with said synclinal cross member.

17. An input device comprising:

(a) a rigid support member having sufficient size to accommodate use by a human being for sitting, said rigid support member having a curved outer housing;

(b) a riser member, said riser member having a symmetrical body portion, a vertical height and an inner space, said vertical height approximating an individual'"'"'s sitting height;

(c) a connection device for connecting said riser member to said rigid support member;

(d) a transducer device in physical communication with said riser member and for sensing said riser member motion and for conveying said riser motion to a computer in the form of representative electrical signals;

wherein said transducer device comprises at least one position sensor located in said inner space of said riser member; and

(e) a resilient device in physical communication with said riser member and for maintaining said riser member in a predetermined position relative to said rigid support member when said riser member is not subject to external forces.

18. The input device of claim 17 wherein said riser member comprises a symmetrical body and a straight cross member.

19. The input device of claim 17 wherein said riser member comprises a symmetrical body and a synclinal cross member.

20. The input device of claim 17 wherein said riser member further comprises a symmetrical body and a haptic sphere in physical communication with said symmetrical body and in circuit communication with said transducer device.