Interactive vibrator for multimedia

• US 5,857,986 A
• Filed: 05/24/1996
• Issued: 01/12/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: THORNER, CRAIG AND VRF CORPORATION
• Original Assignee: Hiro Moriyasu
• Inventors: Moriyasu, Hiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Grieb, William H.
• Application Number:
  US08/653,336
• Time in Patent Office: 963 Days
• Field of Search: 601/46, 601/49, 601/56, 601/57, 601/59, 484/45, 484/46, 273/148 B
• US Class Current: 601/49
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2023/0209 powered with frequencies not related to mains frequency
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0138 incorporated in furniture
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0149 Seat or chair
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5007 computer controlled
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/501 connected to external computer devices or networks
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/02 with electric or magnetic drive
• 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: G09B 9/02 for teaching control of vehicles or other craft

Abstract

An interactive vibrator system provides stimulus to a computer user in response to interaction between computer and user. A signal pick-off device (16) gathers signals present at the computer input/output port (11) and delivers such signals to signal processing device (14) which in turn drives vibrator (21) to provide soothing vibration to the user'"'"'s body. An interactive vibrator in conjunction with a multimedia computer detects pulses or the like from joystick or other input devices. Corresponding driving of one or more vibrators in response to the detected input device X, Y, Z movement commands or in response to detected audio output from the computer produces tactile feedback to a user of a multimedia game or the like. The vibrations can thereby simulate "G" forces or the like. The joystick, steering wheel or other such input devices are also suitably provided with vibrators therein to generate tactile feedback in response to operation thereof or in response to the audio signals.

Claims

1. A vibrator for applying soothing and stimulating vibrations to a human body, comprising:

a vibrating device,

a detector means to detect electronic signals sent between a computer and an input/output device, and

an electronic circuit which dynamically drives said vibrating device in response to characteristics of said electronic signals, wherein said electronic circuit further comprises;

a peak detector which responds substantially fully to individual instances of said signals, and

an integrator which responds partially to individual instances and substantially fully to multiple instances of said signals and maintains vibration for multiple seconds after cessation of said signals.

2. A vibrator for applying soothing and stimulating vibrations to the human body, comprising:

a plurality of vibrating devices,

a multi-media computer which generates audio signals,

a detector means to detect electronic representations of said audio signals, and

an electronic circuit comprising a plurality of bandpass filters to separate portions of the audio band and a plurality of drivers to drive each of said vibrating devices in response to characteristics of said electronic signals.

3. A vibrator for applying soothing and stimulating vibrations to the human body according to claim 2 wherein said plurality of drivers drive ones of said vibrating devices differently in response to characteristics of said electronic signals.

4. A vibrator for applying stimulating vibrations to the human body, comprising:

a plurality of vibrating devices,

a detector means to detect electronic representations of audio signals,

an integrator which responds partially to individual notes and substantially fully to multiple notes of said audio signals and maintains vibration for multiple seconds after cessation of said signals, and

a plurality of electronic circuits, ones of said plurality of circuits comprising;

a bandpass filter to separate portions of the audio band,

a peak detector which responds substantially fully to individual notes of said audio signals, and

a driver to drive one of said vibrating devices.

5. An interactive vibrator system to provide physical vibration that represents movement of an input device of a computer, comprising:

multiple vibrators,

signal pulse-width detectors,

pulse-width to amplitude conversion means,

a signal processor means to process X and Y signals,

a driver means to drive said multiple vibrators, and

multiple modulation frequency mixers to create lower beat frequency to simulate low frequency vibration of mechanical vehicle vibrating motion.

6. An interactive multidimensional vibrating system to provide physical vibration that represents movement of an input device of a computer, comprising:

multiple vibrators,

signal pulse-width detectors,

pulse-width to amplitude conversion means,

a signal processor means to process X and Y signals,

a driver means to drive said multiple vibrators,

audio signal pick off means,

signal processor means for processing picked off audio signal, and

signal mixer means to combine processed audio signal to X and Y movement signal.

7. An interactive multimedia tilting chair which is activated by signal created by X and Y input devices, comprising:

X and Y movement signal pick off,

a processor means to convert detected X and Y movement signal to corresponding X and Y tilting chair movement,

an electromechanical X and Y motion driver to tilt said chair,

multiple vibrating devices placed under the feet and chair of a user,

an audio signal pick off means,

a signal processor means to process amplitude and frequency of audio signal, and

a signal processor means to modulate processed audio signal to the signal driving mechanical vibrator, and chair tilting electromechanical driver.