Actuating device and system exploiting the actuating device

• US 6,171,191 B1
• Filed: 04/22/1998
• Issued: 01/09/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Ono, Akihisa, Ogata, Hiroki, Akazawa, Toru
• Primary Examiner(s): SAGER, MARK ALAN
• Application Number:
  US09/064,467
• Time in Patent Office: 993 Days
• Field of Search: 463/37, 463/47, 463/30, 463/1, 463/36-38, 463/46, 273/148.R, 273/148.B, 345/156, 345/157, 345/161, 345/169
• US Class Current: 463/38
• 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 13/24 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 13/42 by mapping the input signals into game commands, e.g. mapping the displacement of a stylus on a touch screen to the steering angle of a virtual vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1025 details of the interface with the game device, e.g. USB version detection
• 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: A63F 2300/6045 for mapping control signals received from the input arrangement into game commands
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/013 Force feedback applied to a game
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user

Abstract

A system having a machine having the function of reproducing an information recording medium, in which the system executes a program recorded on the recording medium by sending a machine actuating command signal to the machine by user actuation and by receiving signals from the machine. The system includes a main body portion of a machine, and a control unit for controlling the machine connected to the main body portion of the machine. The control unit has a housing, a plurality of control sections mounted on the housing actuated by the user with fingers, and a vibration motor mounted via a vibration motor mounting portion provided in the housing. The vibration motor includes a motor casing, a shaft rotatably supported by the motor casing, and an eccentric member mounted on the shaft. The eccentric member has a rotor and a plurality of coils mounted on the rotor which is mounted on the shaft. The vibration motor also includes a magnet mounted on the casing for facing the eccentric member, and a supplying member for supplying the driving current to each coil. The eccentric member is rotated when the driving current is supplied to each coil to cause vibrations of the vibration motor itself, with the vibrations being supplied via the housing to the user. This permits the vibrations to be felt by the user to make possible execution of the program excellent in simulated presence feeling.

Claims

1. A control unit connected to a machine for retrieving and processing information stored on a recording medium, said control unit operable by an operator to send instructions to said machine to execute a program stored on said recording medium, said control unit comprising:

a housing;

a plurality of finger-manipulatable controllers mounted on said housing;

a pair of diverging grips which are molded integral with said housing and project from one side (rear side) of said housing facing said operator towards the player, said grips supportable by both palms of the operator, and

a vibration motor mounted within at least one of said grips via an motor mounting portion, including;

a casing;

a freely rotatable shaft supported by said casing;

an eccentric member mounted on said shaft, said eccentric member having a rotor mounted on said shaft and a plurality of coils mounted on said rotor; and

a magnet mounted on said casing and facing said eccentric member; and

means for supplying electric current to each of said coils for energizing said motor and setting said motor in vibration by the eccentric rotation of said eccentric member;

wherein said housing, grips and controllers are sized and arranged so that said operator is able to manipulate said controllers with his fingers and feel the vibration of said energized motor through at least one of said grips.

2. The control unit of claim 1 wherein said motor adapter is molded integral with said grips, and wherein said vibration motor is mounted on said motor adapter via an elastic member.

3. The control unit of claim 1 wherein said plurality of controllers includes a first and a second controllers, said first controller having a first set of push buttons protruding from one end of the upper surface of said housing, and said second controller having a second set of push buttons protruding from the other end of the upper surface of said housing.

4. The control unit of claim 3 wherein said plurality of controllers further includes a third and a fourth controllers disposed at the respective opposing base sections of said grips, each of said third and fourth controllers having a rotary controller.

5. The control unit of claim 3 wherein said plurality of controllers further include a third controller in the form of a rotary controller between the pair of said grips.

6. The control unit of any one of claims 3, 4 and 5 wherein said plurality of controllers further include a fifth and a sixth controllers disposed on the front side which is the side remote from said operator of said housing, each of said controllers having a set of protruding push buttons.

7. The control unit of claims 6 wherein each of said fifth and sixth controllers has at least two vertically arranged push buttons.

8. The control unit of claims 1 wherein said machine is a game machine.

9. A control unit connected to a machine for retrieving and processing information stored on a recording medium, said control unit operable by an operator to send instructions to said machine to execute a program stored on said recording medium, said control unit comprising:

a housing;

a plurality of finger-manipulatable controllers mounted on said housing;

a pair of grips which are molded integral with said housing and are supportable by both palms of the operator; and

a vibration motor mounted within at least one of said grips via an motor mounting portion, including

a casing;

a freely rotatable shaft supported by said casing;

an eccentric member mounted on said shaft, said eccentric member having a rotor mounted on said shaft and a plurality of coils mounted on said rotor; and

a magnet mounted on said casing and facing said eccentric member; and

means for supplying electric current to each of said coils for energizing said motor and setting said motor in vibration by the eccentric rotation of said eccentric member;

wherein said vibration motor is set in a vibratory motion caused by the rotation of said eccentric member when said motor is energized by said electric current, and transmits the vibrations to said operator via said grips.

10. The control unit of claim 9 wherein said motor adapter is molded integral with said grips, and wherein said vibration motor is mounted on said motor adapter via an elastic member.

11. The control unit of claim 9 wherein said plurality of controllers includes a first and a second controllers, said first controller having a first set of push buttons protruding from one end of the upper surface of said housing, and said second controller having a second set of push buttons protruding from the other end of the upper surface of said housing.

12. The control unit of claim 11 wherein said plurality of controllers further include a third controller in the form of a rotary controller between the pair of said grips.

13. The control unit of claim 11 wherein said plurality of controllers further include a fifth and a sixth controllers disposed on the opposite ends of the front side which is the side remote from the operator of said housing, each of said controllers having, a set of protruding push buttons.

14. The control unit of claim 13 wherein each of said fifth and sixth controllers has at least two vertically arranged push buttons.

15. The control unit of claim 9 wherein said machine is a game machine.

16. A system including a machine capable of retrieving data from a recording medium and of executing a program retrieved from said recording medium in response to an instruction given by an operator to said machine, said system comprising:

a control unit connected to said machine for controlling said machine, said control unit having;

a housing;

a plurality of finger-manipulatable controllers mounted on said housing;

a pair of diverging grips which are molded integral with said housing and project from one side (rear side) of said housing facing said operator towards the player, said grips supportable by both palms of the operator, and

a vibration motor mounted within at least one of grips via an motor mounting portion, including;

a casing;

a freely rotatable shaft supported by said casing;

an eccentric member mounted on said shaft, said eccentric member having a rotor mounted on said shaft and a plurality of coils mounted on said rotor; and

a magnet mounted on said casing and facing said eccentric member; and

means for supplying electric current to each of said coils for energizing said motor and setting, said motor in vibration by the eccentric rotation of said eccentric member;

wherein said housing, grips and controllers are sized and arranged so that said operator is able to manipulate said controllers with his fingers and feel the vibration of said energized motor through at least one of said grips.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein said system is a game system.

18. A system including a machine capable of retrieving data from a recording medium and of executing a program retrieved from said recording medium in response to an instruction given by an operator to said machine, said system comprising:

a housing;

a plurality of finger-manipulatable controllers mounted on said housing;

a pair of diverging grips which are molded integral with said housing and are supportable by both palms of the operator; and

a vibration motor mounted within at least one of said grips via an motor mounting portion, including;

a casing;

a freely rotatable shaft supported by said casing;

an eccentric member mounted on said shaft, said eccentric member having a rotor mounted on said shaft and a plurality of coils mounted on said rotor; and

a magnet mounted on said casing and facing said eccentric member; and

means for supplying electric current to each of said coils for energizing said motor and setting said motor in vibration by the eccentric rotation of said eccentric member;

wherein said vibration motor is set in a vibratory motion caused by the rotation of said eccentric member when said motor is energized by said electric current, and transmits the vibrations to said operator via said grips.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein said system is a game system.