Variable rate on-off messaging system

• US 6,424,336 B1
• Filed: 05/08/2000
• Issued: 07/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Anascape, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Anascape, Ltd.
• Inventors: Armstrong, Brad A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Chang
• Application Number:
  US09/566,678
• Time in Patent Office: 806 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/157, 345/161, 345/163, 345/159, 345/167, 345/173, 463/36, 463/37, 463/38, 744/71
• US Class Current: 345/159
• 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 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1056 involving pressure sensitive buttons

Abstract

A method of controlling a two-hand held controller with an analog pressure sensor(s) for controlling video game machines and imagery thereof, and other electronically generated imagery. The method for communicating an on/off simple-switch output signal to hardware or to software, which is expecting to receive such a simple binary signal as is typically generated by some type of on/off switch or switching device. In this invention the on/off signal is generated by circuitry which has as its input an analog sensor having pressure-sensitive variable-conductance material. Such an analog input sensor may be operated by depressing a button/trigger/4-way rocker or the like. The on/off signal, or information packet containing such a signal, is communicated at a variable rate in time. The communication rate being determined by the level of pressure applied to the input device.

Claims

1. A method for communicating an on/off simple-switch output signal to computer hardware or software wherein said signal is generated by circuitry which has as its input an analog sensor having pressure-sensitive variable-conductance material, said sensor activated by depression of a depressible surface area, said circuitry communicating at a variable rate in time as a function of the level of pressure applied to said sensor, wherein a microcontroller includes the steps of:

(a) discharging a capacitor connected to the variable-resistance pressure sensor ensuring that the capacitor is fully discharged;

(b) resetting first timer 1 to zero to allow it to begin counting;

(c) changing an I/O pin connected to the sensor/capacitor combination to an input allowing the capacitor to start charging through said sensor as a function of pressure applied to said sensor;

(d) checking the capacitor continuously until charged sufficiently to present a logic high to said input pin;

(e) stopping timer 1 after the capacitor is charged;

(f) linearizing timer 1 values by reference to a lookup table;

(g) storing said linearized sensor value for message delay value for use as a second timer 2 value in a timer interrupt;

(h) interrupting timer 1 when timer 2 counts down to zero;

(i) sending a button press information packet each time timer 2 counts to zero;

(j) loading said linearized sensor value into timer 2 allowing the microcontroller to vary the time between the button depressed packets depending upon the pressure on the sensor;

(k) starting timer 2 countdown; and

(l) returning to the read sensor routine when the countdown of timer 2 is done.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the microcontroller further comprises the steps of:

(a) checking the value of a switch for identifying a button as analog or digital;

(b) sending a single on/off information packet when the switch is set to digital; and

(c) sending a variable frequency on/off information packet when the switch is set to analog.