Operating apparatus and signal-output-modulating method for the same

• US 6,607,442 B2
• Filed: 03/02/2001
• Issued: 08/19/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Tagawa, Kazusato, Ogata, Hiroki, Nakazawa, Hiroyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Dolinar, Andrew M.
• Application Number:
  US09/798,152
• Publication Number:
  US 20020065134A1
• Time in Patent Office: 900 Days
• Field of Search: 463/37, 341/20, 341/34, 338/47
• US Class Current: 463/37
• 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 13/22 Setup operations, e.g. calibration, key configuration or button assignment
• 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 13/98 Accessories, i.e. detachable arrangements optional for the use of the video game device, e.g. grip supports of game controllers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1018 Calibration; Key and button assignment
• 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 2300/1056 involving pressure sensitive buttons
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6045 for mapping control signals received from the input arrangement into game commands
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/92 Universal remote control
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/078 Variable resistance by variable contact area or point
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/0235 specially adapted for remote control, e.g. of audio or video apparatus

Abstract

An operating apparatus and a signal-output modulating method therefor allow analogous operations to be implemented by use of press-operational operation elements that have conventionally been used for digital operations. In the operating apparatus, detecting elements are provided, each of which is formed of a resistant material and a conductive material. The detecting elements individually output analog signals corresponding to press-operations performed on the operation elements. An output-level range of an analog signal outputted from the detecting element is divided by a level divider into multiple levels, and an analog-digital (A-D) converter performs conversion thereof to digital signals corresponding to the output levels. In addition, the output levels of the individual digital signals outputted from the A-D converter are shifted by a level corrector 17 according to a predetermined corresponding reference, and the digital signals are thereby output.

Claims

1. An operating apparatus, comprising:

(a) press-operational operation elements;

(b) pressure sensitive detector elements, each one associated with one of the press-operational operation elements, for providing analog signals corresponding to press-operations performed on said operation elements, each analog signal having associated therewith an output-level range;

(c) a level divider for dividing the output-level range of each one of the analog signals according to individual divisional output levels and for providing output analog signals by converting an output level of each analog signal to one of the individual divisional output levels;

(d) an analog-digital (A-D) converter for converting, the output analog signals to digital signals corresponding to the individual divisional output levels; and

(e) a level corrector circuit for shifting levels of the digital signals according to a predetermined corresponding reference level, so that the levels of the digital signals are within a specific output-level range.

2. The operating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said level corrector circuit permits the corresponding reference to be arbitrarily modified.

3. The operating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said level divider recognizes and processes an output level among the individual divisional output levels included in a predetermined level range to be a maximum level.

4. The operating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said level divider recognizes and processes an output level among the individual divisional output levels included in a predetermined level range to be a minimum level.

5. The operating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of said pressure sensitive detector elements comprises a resistor and a deformable conductive element for varying the resistance of said resistor based on an amount of contact between said resistor and said conductive element.

6. A signal-output modulating method for an operating apparatus including pressure sensitive detector elements for providing analog signals corresponding to press-operations performed on the operation elements, the method comprising:

(a) dividing an output-level range of the analog signals into individual divisional output levels;

(b) providing output analog signals by converting output levels of the analog signals to one of the individual divisional output levels;

(c) converting the output analog signals to digital signals; and

(d) shifting levels of the digital signals according to a predetermined corresponding reference level, so that the levels of the digital signals are within a specific output-level range.

7. The signal-output modulating method claimed in claim 6, further comprising arbitrarily modifying the corresponding reference.

8. The signal-output modulating method as claimed in claim 6, further comprising recognizing and processing an output level among the individual divisional output levels included in a predetermined level range to be a maximum level.

9. The signal-output modulating method as claimed in claim 6, further comprising recognizing and processing an output level among the individual divisional output levels included in a predetermined level range to be a minimum level.

10. An operating apparatus, comprising:

(a) press-operational operation elements;

(b) means for providing analog signals corresponding to press-operations performed on said operation elements;

(c) means for dividing an output-level range of the analog signals into individual divisional output levels and for providing output analog signals by converting output levels of the analog signals to one of the individual divisional output levels;

(d) means for converting the output analog signals to digital signals corresponding to the individual divisional output levels; and

(e) means for shifting levels of the digital signals according to a predetermined corresponding reference level, so that the levels of the digital signals are within a specific output-level range.

11. The operating apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said means for shifting permits the corresponding reference to be arbitrarily modified.

12. The operating apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said means for dividing recognizes and processes an output level among the individual divisional output levels included in a predetermined level range to be a maximum level.

13. The operating apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said means for dividing recognizes and processes an output level among the individual divisional output levels included in a predetermined level range to be a minimum level.

14. The operating apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein at least one of said pressure sensitive detector elements comprises a resistor and a deformable conductive element for varying the resistance of said resistor based on an amount of contact between said resistor and said conductive element.

15. An operating apparatus, comprising:

(a) press-operational operation elements;

(b) pressure sensitive detector elements, each one associated with one of the press-operational operation elements, for providing analog signals corresponding to press-operations performed on said operation elements, each analog signal having associated therewith an output-level range;

(c) a level divider for dividing the output-level range of each one of the analog signals according to individual divisional output levels and for providing output analog signals by converting an output level of each analog signal to one of the individual divisional output levels;

(d) an analog-digital (A-D) converter for converting the output analog signals to digital signals corresponding to the individual divisional output levels; and

(e) a level corrector circuit for shifting levels of the digital signals according to a predetermined corresponding reference;

wherein said level corrector circuit permits the corresponding reference to be modified according to control signals sent from an entertainment apparatus.

16. The operating apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein said level divider recognizes and processes an output level among the individual divisional output levels included in a predetermined level range to be a maximum level.

17. The operating apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein said level divider recognizes and processes an output level among the individual divisional output levels included in a predetermined level range to be a minimum level.

18. The operating apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein at least one of said pressure sensitive detector elements comprises a resistor and a deformable conductive element for varying the resistance of said resistor based on an amount of contact between said resistor and said conductive element.

19. A signal-output modulating method for an operating apparatus including pressure sensitive detector elements for providing analog signals corresponding to press-operations performed on the operation elements, the method comprising:

(a) dividing an output-level range of the analog signals into individual divisional output levels;

(b) providing output analog signals by converting output levels of the analog signals to one of the individual divisional output levels;

(c) converting the output analog signals to digital signals;

(d) shifting levels of the digital signals according to a predetermined corresponding reference; and

(e) modifying the predetermined corresponding reference according to control signals sent from an entertainment apparatus.

20. The signal-output modulating method as claimed in claim 19, further comprising recognizing and processing an output level among the individual divisional output levels included in a predetermined level range to be a maximum level.

21. The signal-output modulating method as claimed in claim 19, further comprising recognizing and processing an output level among the individual divisional output levels included in a predetermined level range to be a minimum level.

22. An operating apparatus comprising:

(a) press-operational operation elements;

(b) means for providing analog signals corresponding to press-operations performed on said operation elements;

(c) means for dividing an output-level range of the analog signals into individual divisional output levels and for providing output analog signals by converting output levels of the analog signals to one of the individual divisional output levels;

(d) means for converting the output analog signals to digital signals corresponding to the individual divisional output levels; and

(e) means for shifting levels of the digital signals according to a predetermined corresponding reference;

wherein said means for shifting permits the corresponding reference to be modified according to control signals sent from an entertainment apparatus.

23. The operating apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein said means for dividing recognizes and processes an output level among the individual divisional output levels included in a predetermined level range to be a maximum level.

24. The operating apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein said means for dividing recognizes and processes an output level among the individual divisional output levels included in a predetermined level range to be a minimum level.

25. The operating apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein the means for providing includes at least one pressure sensitive detector element comprising a resistor and a deformable conductive element for varying the resistance of said resistor based on an amount of contact between said resistor and said conductive element.