Momentary contact motion switch for video games

• US 6,030,290 A
• Filed: 06/24/1997
• Issued: 02/29/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donald E. Powell
• Original Assignee: Donald E. Powell
• Inventors: Powell, Donald E
• Primary Examiner(s): ONEILL, MICHAEL W
• Application Number:
  US08/880,520
• Time in Patent Office: 980 Days
• Field of Search: 463/36, 463/37, 463/38, 463/39, 273/148 B, 200/DIG. 2, 200/DIG. 9, 200/DIG. 23
• US Class Current: 463/36
• 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 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• 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 13/833 Hand-to-hand fighting, e.g. martial arts competition A63F13/837 takes precedence
• 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 2300/1012 involving biosensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat, limb activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1031 using a wireless connection, e.g. Bluetooth, infrared connections
• 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 2300/105 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8029 Fighting without shooting
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2009/0221 the switches being fixed to the operator's hand, e.g. integrated in a glove or fixed to a ring
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/14 adapted for operation by a part of the human body other than the hand, e.g. by foot
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 35/14 Switches operated by change of acceleration, e.g. by shock or vibration, inertia switch wherein the liquid constitutes a contact of the switch H01H29/002
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/0214 Hand-held casings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 200/02 Body attached switches

Abstract

A momentary contact motion switch (12) comprising a structure (14) for attaching the momentary contact motion switch (12) to a limb (16) of a person (18). A facility (20) is for connecting the momentary contact motion switch (12) to a video game unit (22), which is coupled to a television monitor (24). When the person (18) move their limb (16) and activates the momentary contact motion switch (12) a martial arts fighter (26) in a martial arts video game (27) will move a matching limb (28), that will be displayed on the television monitor (24).

Claims

1. A momentary contact motion switch for use with a video game unit comprising:

a) means for attaching said momentary contact motion switch to a limb of a person;

b) means for connecting said momentary contact motion switch to a video game unit which is coupled to a television monitor, so when the person moves a limb and activates said momentary contact motion switch a martial arts fighter in a martial arts video game will move a matching limb, that will be displayed on the television monitor;

c) said momentary contact motion switch having means to record certain motions of said limb comprising a rectangular enclosure, a stationary contact arm mounted within said enclosure extending substantially the full interior width of said enclosure, an elongated movable contact arm pivoted about a pin at one end extending substantially parallel to said stationary contact arm in the resting position of said movable arm, and a coiled spring attached between a free end of said movable contact arm and said enclosure such that said movable contact arm will move from its resting position to elongate said spring to engage said stationary contact arm to close said momentary contact motion switch when the limb of the person is thrust forward and stops, said elongated contact arm returning to its resting position after the motion of said limb stops; and

d) said attaching means being a band on said enclosure that extends around a limb of the person to secure said enclosure to said limb, said limb being a wrist in one instance to simulate a punch and said limb being an ankle in another instance to simulate a kick, said kick or punch being displayed on said television monitor.

2. A momentary contact motion switch as recited in claim 1, wherein said connecting means includes:

a) a first elongate wire extending from said stationary contact arm out through said enclosure to a first joy stick control port on the video game unit; and

b) a second elongate wire extending from said movable contact arm out through said enclosure to a second joy stick control port on the video game unit.

3. A momentary contact motion switch as recited in claim 1, wherein said connecting means includes:

a) a radio/infrared transmitter on said enclosure;

b) a first wire extending from said stationary contact arm to said radio/infrared transmitter;

c) a second wire extending from said movable contact arm to said radio/infrared transmitter; and

d) a radio/infrared receiver in the video game unit to receive a radio/infrared signal from said radio/infrared transmitter, when said momentary contact motion switch goes into a closed position.