Tactile simulator for use in conjunction with a video display

• US 7,079,995 B1
• Filed: 01/10/2003
• Issued: 07/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nina Buttafoco
• Original Assignee: Nina Buttafoco
• Inventors: Buttafoco, Nina
• Primary Examiner(s): Jones, Hugh
• Application Number:
  US10/339,850
• Time in Patent Office: 1,285 Days
• Field of Search: 703/5, 703/6
• US Class Current: 703/6
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/22 Setup operations, e.g. calibration, key configuration or button assignment
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/28 responding to control signals received from the game device for affecting ambient conditions, e.g. for vibrating players' seats, activating scent dispensers or affecting temperature or light controlling the output signals based on the game progress A63F13/50
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/807 Gliding or sliding on surfaces, e.g. using skis, skates or boards
• 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 2300/1062 being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/302 specially adapted for receiving control signals not targeted to a display device or game input means, e.g. vibrating driver's seat, scent dispenser
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8041 Skating using skis, skates or board
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/002 Specific input/output arrangements not covered by G06F3/01 - G06F3/16 other optical apparatus G02B27/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user

Abstract

A tactile simulator for use in conjunction with a video display. The tactile simulator comprises a tactile bar, and a video program player capable of generating audio, video, and control outputs upon reading a video medium having encoded simulation control information. The signals which are transmitted to the tactile bar by the video program player control the motion of weights located within the tactile bar, vibration of motors within the tactile bar, and temperature changes of the tactile bar. Two motors having eccentric weights cause the tactile bar to selectively vibrate. Additionally, the movement of the weights within the tactile bar impart a sense of motion. Two embodiments of the tactile bar are presented. The first embodiment is “U” shaped and is connected by wire to a control output on the video program player. A second version is wireless and receives infrared signals generated by the video program player.

Claims

1. A tactile simulator for use in conjunction with a video display, and also in conjunction with a television set having a television screen, comprising:

a) special video media having encoded simulation control information;

b) a video program player having a rear panel having a conventional audio output and a conventional video output, said video program player capable of generating audio and video, and control outputs upon reading the special video media; and

c) a tactile bar having a substantially cylindrical central hand-grip portion having a first end and a second end, and perpendicular side portions attached to each end, said tactile bar capable of receiving the control output from the video program player, said tactile bar further having a logic unit for processing signals which are received by the video program player, said tactile bar further having two vibrating motors for vibrating the central hand-grip portion, wherein each vibrating motor is in mechanical contact with the tactile bar, wherein said vibrating motors are controlled by the encoded control signals transmitted by the video program player which are read from the video media, wherein the hand-grip portion and each of the side portions of the tactile bar further contain movable weights and tracks upon which the movable weights may slide, said movable weights being capable of moving along the tracks under the control of the logic unit, for selectively providing a change in weight distribution of the tactile bar in response to the control signals, said tactile bar also having at least one heating coil and at least one semiconductor cooling device, for selectively heating or cooling the wireless bar under the control of the logic unit.

2. The tactile simulator as recited in claim 1, wherein the video program player further comprises an infrared emitter for transmitting the encoded simulation control information, and wherein the tactile bar further comprises an infrared receiver for receiving signals generated by the infrared emitter of the video program player.

3. The tactile simulator as recited in claim 1, wherein the video program player further comprises a control output, and wherein the tactile bar further comprises a control cable having a first end which terminates in a jack which is inserted in the control output of the video program player, and having a second end which is connected to the logic unit located within the tactile bar.

4. The tactile simulator as recited in claim 1, wherein the tactile bar has an on/off button for selective activation of the wireless bar, and power selection buttons for controlling the amplitude of the vibrations of the tactile bar, and wherein indicia label the on/off switch with the words “

on/off”

, and also label the power selection buttons with the words “

low”

, “

medium”

, and “

high”

, respectively, and wherein the lowest amplitude of mechanical vibration is achieved when the “

low”

power selection button has been depressed, wherein more pronounced vibrations are achieved when the “

medium”

power selection button has been depressed, and wherein the strongest vibrations occur when the “

high”

power selection button has been depressed.

5. A method of using a tactile simulator in conjunction with a video display by a user having at least one hand, in conjunction with a television set having a television screen, said tactile simulator having special video media having encoded simulation control information, a video program player having an infrared emitter which emits signals, said video program player having a rear panel having a conventional audio output and a conventional video output, said video program player capable of generating audio, video, and control outputs upon reading the special video media, and a tactile bar having a substantially cylindrical central hand-grip portion having a first end and a second end, and perpendicular side portions attached to each end, said tactile bar capable of receiving the control output from the video program player, said tactile bar further having a logic unit for processing signals which are received by the video program player, said tactile bar further having two vibrating motors for vibrating the central hand-grip portion, wherein each vibrating motor is in mechanical contact with the tactile bar, wherein said vibrating motors are controlled by the encoded control signals transmitted by the video program player which are read from the special videocassette, wherein the hand-grip portion and each of the side portions of the tactile bar further contain movable weights and tracks upon which the movable weights may slide, said movable weights being capable of moving along the tracks under the control of the logic unit, for selectively providing a change in weight distribution of the tactile bar in response to the control signals, said tactile bar also having at least one heating coil and at least one semiconductor cooling device, for selectively heating or cooling the tactile bar under the control of the logic unit, comprising the steps of:

a) grasping the central hand-grip portion of the tactile bar with the at least one hand of the user;

b) reading encoded signals from the specially encoded videocassette by the video program player;

c) providing the encoded signals to the tactile bar; and

d) selectively;

i) moving the weights within the tactile bar to alter its weight distribution,

ii) activating the vibrating motor to cause the tactile bar to vibrate,

iii) activating the heating coil to warm the tactile bar, and

iv) activating the semiconductor cooling device to cool the tactile bar, in response to the encoded signals.