Analog controls housed with electronic displays

• US 6,347,997 B1
• Filed: 05/10/2000
• Issued: 02/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Anascape, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Anascape, Ltd.
• Inventors: Armstrong, Brad A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Scott A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Paradiso, John
• Application Number:
  US09/568,662
• Time in Patent Office: 650 Days
• Field of Search: 463/36, 463/37, 273/143.B, 345/156, 345/159, 200/513
• US Class Current: 463/37
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/00 Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions gaming systems which provide a financial reward G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/20 Input arrangements for video game devices
• 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 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/10 characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals
• 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 2300/1056 involving pressure sensitive buttons
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/204 the platform being a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/24 Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for video games A63F13/00; computerized gaming systems G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/00 Input or output devices integrated in time-pieces
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/08 Touch switches specially adapted for time-pieces
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23033 Variable pressure on key gives input value
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1612 Flat panel monitor
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03548 Sliders, in which the moving part moves in a plane
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03549 Trackballs G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 : Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0485 : Scrolling or panning
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0489 : using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/70 : having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard mounting together a plurality of independent switches H02B
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/702 : with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/785 : characterised by the material of the contacts, e.g. conductive polymers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2201/036 : Variable resistance
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/004 : Collapsible dome or bubble
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/006 : Only mechanical function
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/012 : Joy stick type
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/018 : Tumbler
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/046 : Multi-colour or double shot injection moulding
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/047 : Preformed layer in mould
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/008 : Video game
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2237/002 : Bell crank

Abstract

Devices for controlling imagery shown by a display, and including an analog sensor for creating a varying analog value according to varying depression applied by a finger of a human user to the analog sensor. Multiple analog sensors are sometimes utilized. In one preferred embodiment the analog sensor(s) includes a resilient dome cap for providing tactile feedback to the finger depressing the analog sensor. Circuitry within a housing is connected to the analog sensor for reading the varying analog value from the analog sensor and causing representative varying the imagery shown by the display. The devices can be individually structured as electronic game controllers/systems, telephones, pagers, electronic books, web browsers, global positioning receivers, ovens, coffee makers and personal digital assistants (PDA) to name a few.

Claims

1. A hand holdable electronic device for controlling imagery, comprising:

a housing sized to be hand-held;

electronic circuitry located in said housing;

a general image display located in said housing, said general image display operatively connected to said circuitry;

at least one finger depressible surface in part exposed on said housing, said at least one finger depressible surface operatively connected to

at least one pressure-sensitive analog sensor, said pressure-sensitive analog sensor for inputting a signal to said circuitry, said signal having variable value depending on variable pressure applied to said at least one finger depressible surface;

said circuitry structured to receive said signal and to cause said general image display to provide variable visual feedback data, said variable visual feedback data at least in part representing the variable pressure applied to said at least one finger depressible surface, whereby said variable visual feedback data may be controlled at varying rates according to variable pressure applied to said at least one finger depressible surface.

2. A hand holdable electronic device according to claim 1 wherein said at least one finger depressible surface is a first depressible surface, said electronic device further includes a finger depressible surface which is a second depressible surface in part exposed on said housing, said second depressible surface operatively connected to

a second pressure-sensitive analog sensor, said second pressure-sensitive analog sensor for inputting a second signal to said circuitry, said second signal having variable value depending on variable pressure applied to said second depressible surface;

said circuitry structured to receive said second signal and to cause said general image display to provide variable visual feedback data, said variable visual feedback data at least in part representing the variable pressure applied to said second depressible surface, whereby said variable visual feedback data may be scrolled at varying rates according to variable pressure applied to said second depressible surface.

3. A hand holdable electronic device according to claim 2 wherein said first depressible surface and said second depressible surface are thumb depressible single individual buttons.

4. A hand holdable electronic device according to claim 3 wherein the pressure-sensitive analog sensors are structured to provide tactile feedback.

5. A hand holdable electronic device according to claim 3 wherein said hand holdable electronic device is a personal digital assistant.

6. A hand holdable electronic device according to claim 5 wherein the pressure-sensitive analog sensors are structured to provide tactile feedback.

7. A hand holdable electronic device according to claim 3 wherein said hand holdable electronic device is a telephone.

8. A hand holdable electronic device according to claim 7 wherein the pressure-sensitive analog sensors are structured to provide tactile feedback.

9. A hand holdable electronic device according to claim 3 wherein said hand holdable electronic device is a hand-held game system, and said thumb depressible single individual buttons are located in a right hand area of said housing.

10. A hand holdable electronic device according to claim 9 wherein the pressure-sensitive analog sensors are structured to provide tactile feedback.

11. A hand holdable electronic device according to claim 10 wherein the pressure-sensitive analog sensors are structured with resilient dome caps, said dome caps providing said tactile feedback.

12. A hand holdable electronic device according to claim 3 wherein said hand holdable electronic device is a hand-held global positioning receiver.

13. A hand holdable electronic device according to claim 12 wherein the pressure-sensitive analog sensors are structured to provide tactile feedback.

14. A hand holdable electronic device according to claim 3 wherein said hand holdable electronic device is a hand-held wireless web browser.

15. A hand holdable electronic device according to claim 14 wherein the pressure-sensitive analog sensors are structured to provide tactile feedback.

16. A hand holdable electronic device according to claim 3 wherein said hand holdable electronic device is a hand-held remote controller.

17. A hand holdable electronic device according to claim 16 wherein the pressure-sensitive analog sensors are structured to provide tactile feedback.

18. A hand holdable electronic device according to claim 3 wherein said hand holdable electronic device is a pager.

19. A hand holdable electronic device according to claim 18 wherein the pressure-sensitive analog sensors are structured to provide tactile feedback.

20. A device for controlling time imagery, comprising:

a housing;

electronic circuitry located in said housing, said electronic circuitry at least calculating units of time;

a time display located in said housing, said time display having at least three seven-element numeric displays, said time display operatively connected to said circuitry;

said time display displaying time information;

at least one finger depressible surface in part exposed on said housing, said at least one finger depressible surface operatively connected to

at least one pressure-sensitive variable-conductance analog sensor, said pressure-sensitive analog sensor for inputting a signal to said circuitry, said signal having variable value depending on variable pressure applied to said at least one finger depressible surface;

said circuitry structured to receive said signal and to cause said time display to provide visual feedback time information, said visual feedback time information changeable at a variable rate representing the variable pressure applied to said at least one finger depressible surface.

21. A device according to claim 20 wherein said at least one finger depressible surface is a first depressible surface, said electronic device further includes a finger depressible surface which is a second depressible surface in part exposed on said housing, said second depressible surface operatively connected to

a second pressure-sensitive analog sensor, said second pressure-sensitive variable-conductance analog sensor for inputting a second signal to said circuitry, said second signal having variable value depending on variable pressure applied to said second depressible surface;

said circuitry structured to receive said second signal and to cause said time display to provide visual feedback time information changeable at a variable rate representing the variable pressure applied to said second depressible surface.

22. A device according to claim 21 wherein said first depressible surface and said second depressible surface are depressible single individual buttons.

23. A device according to claim 22 wherein the pressure-sensitive analog sensors are structured to provide tactile feedback.

24. A device according to claim 22 wherein said device is a household clock.

25. A device according to claim 24 wherein the pressure-sensitive analog sensors are structured to provide tactile feedback.

26. A device according to claim 22 wherein said device is a coffee maker.

27. A device according to claim 26 wherein the pressure-sensitive analog sensors are structured to provide tactile feedback.

28. A device according to claim 22 wherein said device is an oven.

29. A device according to claim 28 wherein the pressure-sensitive analog sensors are structured to provide tactile feedback.

30. A device according to claim 28 wherein said oven is a microwave oven.

31. A device according to claim 30 wherein the pressure-sensitive analog sensors are structured to provide tactile feedback.

32. A device for controlling imagery, comprising:

pressure-sensitive variable-conductance analog sensor for creating a varying analog value according to varying depression applied by a finger of a user to said analog sensor;

associated with said analog sensor is

means for providing tactile feedback to the finger;

circuitry connected to said analog sensor, said circuitry for reading a varying analog value from said analog sensor and causing representative varying of imagery.

33. A device according to claim 32 wherein said analog sensor is a first analog sensor, said device further includes a second analog sensor, said second analog sensor connected to said circuitry for causing variable control of the imagery.

34. A device according to claim 33 wherein said means for providing tactile feedback comprises means for active tactile feedback.

35. A device according to claim 33 wherein said means for providing tactile feedback comprises a resilient dome cap supplying a break-over threshold tactile feedback to the finger.

36. A device according to claim 35 wherein said means for providing tactile feedback also comprises active tactile feedback.

37. A device according to claim 36 wherein said first analog sensor and said second analog sensor are activated by thumb depressible single individual buttons located in a right-hand area of a housing.

38. A device according to claim 35 wherein a display is supported by a housing, said display showing the imagery, said housing structured to at least part support the analog sensors.

39. A device according to claim 38 wherein said display is a general image display.

40. A device according to claim 39 wherein said device is a personal digital assistant, and said housing is a hand-held housing.

41. A device according to claim 39 wherein said device is a telephone.

42. A device according to claim 39 wherein said device is a hand-held game system, and said first analog sensor and said second analog sensor are activated by thumb depressible single individual buttons located in a right hand area of said housing.

43. A device according to claim 39 wherein said device is a hand-held global positioning receiver.

44. A device according to claim 39 wherein said device is a wireless web browser.

45. A device according to claim 39 wherein said device is a remote controller.

46. A device according to claim 39 wherein said device is a hand-held pager.

47. A device according to claim 34 wherein said display is a time display, said time display having at least three seven-element numeric displays, said time display displaying time information.

48. A device according to claim 47 wherein said device is a coffee maker.

49. A device according to claim 47 wherein said device is a household clock.

50. A device according to claim 47 wherein said device is an oven.

51. A device according to claim 50 wherein said oven is a microwave oven.