Foot force actuated computer input apparatus and method

• US 5,864,333 A
• Filed: 02/26/1996
• Issued: 01/26/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Brian S O'Heir
• Inventors: O'Heir, Brian S.
• Primary Examiner(s): BRIER, JEFFERY A
• Application Number:
  US08/606,855
• Time in Patent Office: 1,065 Days
• Field of Search: 345/163, 345/156, 345/157, 463/36, 180/180, 180/181, 180/6.5
• US Class Current: 345/157
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/01 Skateboards A63C17/02 - A63C17/28 take precedence; rolling devices on skis A63C5/035
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/12 with driving mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/212 using sensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat or leg activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/214 for locating contacts on a surface, e.g. floor mats or touch pads
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/218 using pressure sensors, e.g. generating a signal proportional to the pressure applied by the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/23 for interfacing with the game device, e.g. specific interfaces between game controller and console
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/26 having at least one additional display device, e.g. on the game controller or outside a game booth
• 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 13/5255 according to dedicated instructions from a player, e.g. using a secondary joystick to rotate the camera around a player's character
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/57 Simulating properties, behaviour or motion of objects in the game world, e.g. computing tyre load in a car race game A63F13/56 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/807 Gliding or sliding on surfaces, e.g. using skis, skates or boards
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/90 Constructional details or arrangements of video game devices not provided for in groups A63F13/20 or A63F13/25, e.g. housing, wiring, connections or cabinets
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1006 having additional degrees of freedom
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1012 involving biosensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat, limb activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1025 details of the interface with the game device, e.g. USB version detection
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1031 using a wireless connection, e.g. Bluetooth, infrared connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1056 involving pressure sensitive buttons
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1062 being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1068 : being specially adapted to detect the point of contact of the player on a surface, e.g. floor mat, touch pad
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/64 : for computing dynamical parameters of game objects, e.g. motion determination or computation of frictional forces for a virtual car
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6661 : for changing the position of the virtual camera
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6676 : by dedicated player input
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8005 : Athletics
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8041 : Skating using skis, skates or board
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0334 : Foot operated pointing devices

Abstract

Apparatus and method are disclosed for generating control signals for manipulating viewpoints and other objects of a computer generated virtual three dimensional space according to forces exerted by the feet of the user. The apparatus includes shoes, or pads, used beneath the user'"'"'s feet containing sensors and circuitry for detecting force balances within and between the feet. Force balance signals are input to the computer system and used for generating program control data thereto. The control data are used as thrust and torque vectors for manipulating the location of the viewpoint, and orientation of the view within the virtual space. By intermixing the assignment of force balance signals to thrust or torque vectors various methods are derived for operating the apparatus to navigate the virtual space. The invention also functions as a man-machine interface for vehicular control and other machine control based on a user'"'"'s exerted foot force or weight balance.

Claims

1. Foot operated apparatus for controlling a computer graphics program comprising;

display means for displaying a virtual three dimensional space;

resilient force bias sensing means incorporated into the soles of ambulatory shoes;

control signals output by said force bias sensing means corresponding to the direction and magnitude of force bias within at least one set of forces exerted by the feet of the operator upon said force bias sensing means;

transmission means for transmitting the control signals to the computer; and

program control means utilizing said control signals to change the location and orientation of objects within the virtual space, wherein the rate of change of said location and orientation corresponds to the magnitude of said force bias, and the direction of change of said location and orientation corresponds to the direction of said force bias.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said display means includes a Head Mounted Display.

3. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said force bias sensing means is responsive to force exerted by the distal head of the first and fifth metatarsal bones in the anterior of each foot and force exerted by either side of the calcaneus bone in the posterior of each foot.

4. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said force bias sensing means generate control signals corresponding to force bias existing between the toe and heel of each foot, the left and right side of each foot, and the left and right foot.

5. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said transmission means contains a device selected from the group consisting of cables, electromagnetic transmitters/receivers and optical transmitters/receivers.

6. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said force bias sensing means generate control signals corresponding to either or both feet being elevated.

7. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said program control means changes the location of objects based on the amount of time either foot is elevated.

8. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said control signals are digital signals.

9. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said objects include virtual objects, viewpoints, and cursors.

10. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said force bias sensing means is a static pressure sensitive device.

11. A method of using an operator'"'"'s ambulatory motion to control a computer graphics program comprising the steps of;

(1) associating force bias within sets of forces exerted by the operator'"'"'s feet during ambulatory motion to control signals corresponding to the direction and magnitude of said force bias, including control signals corresponding to either or both feet being elevated; and

(2) associating said control signals to methods of program control for changing the location and orientation of objects within the computer graphics program in response to weight shifts produced during ambulatory motion by the operator, wherein the rate of change of said location and orientation corresponds to the magnitude of said force bias, and the direction of change of said location and orientation corresponds to the direction of said force bias.

12. Method as in claim 11 wherein said force bias include those existing between the toe and heel of each foot, and left and right foot.

13. Method as in claim 11 wherein said control signals are digital signals.

14. Method as in claim 11 wherein said force bias include those existing between the left and right side of each foot.

15. Method as in claim 11 wherein said program control means changes the location of objects based on the amount of time either foot is elevated.

16. Method as in claim 11 wherein said objects include virtual objects, viewpoints and cursors.

17. A motor powered wheeled vehicle comprising a planar platform adapted to carry a standing rider, said platform incorporating static force bias sensing means generating control signals corresponding to the direction and magnitude of force bias exerted by the feet of the operator between the toe and heel of each foot and the left and right foot, said platform fixedly carried from beneath by at least two wheels positioned front and rear, said wheels capable of propelling, braking and steering the vehicle and responsive to control signals from said force bias sensing means, wherein the rate of change in propulsion and braking corresponds to the magnitude of said force bias, and the direction of change in propulsion, braking and steering corresponds to the direction of said force bias.

18. Motor powered wheeled vehicle as in claim 17 wherein said force bias sensing means is a film type pressure sensitive device.

19. Motor powered wheeled vehicle as in claim 17 wherein the power is derived from an electric motor.

20. Motor powered wheeled vehicle as in claim 17 wherein said platform is carried by four wheels, positioned side by side in pairs, front and rear.