Switch apparatus

• US 7,122,751 B1
• Filed: 06/29/2004
• Issued: 10/17/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cobalt Flux, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Cobalt Flux
• Inventors: Anderson, Matthew L., Blatnick, Enoch J., Anderson, Tyson C., Foley, Brian J., Anderson, Ladd
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, KYUNG S
• Application Number:
  US10/879,439
• Time in Patent Office: 840 Days
• Field of Search: 200/85.R, 200341-345, 200520-521, 200294-295, 200/329, 482 38- 51, 463 3- 4, 463 30- 32
• US Class Current: 200/85.00R
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/214 for locating contacts on a surface, e.g. floor mats or touch pads
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• 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 13/428 involving motion or position input signals, e.g. signals representing the rotation of an input controller or a player's arm motions sensed by accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/533 for prompting the player, e.g. by displaying a game menu
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/5375 for graphically or textually suggesting an action, e.g. by displaying an arrow indicating a turn in a driving game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/814 Musical performances, e.g. by evaluating the player's ability to follow a notation
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/90 Constructional details or arrangements of video game devices not provided for in groups A63F13/20 or A63F13/25, e.g. housing, wiring, connections or cabinets
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1062 being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1068 being specially adapted to detect the point of contact of the player on a surface, e.g. floor mat, touch pad
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/305 for providing a graphical or textual hint to the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/308 Details of the user interface
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6045 for mapping control signals received from the input arrangement into game commands
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/141 Cushion or mat switches

Abstract

A platform of the type holding a plurality of normally-open electric switches in position for activation of a selected individual switch by application of a force in a direction normal to a surface of the switch by a portion of a human body. An exemplary platform according to the invention forms a dance platform on which a user steps to activate switches in accordance with instructions viewed on a video display device. A joining structure may by used to hold two platforms in a side-by-side competition arrangement. A security vault may be affixed to structure associated with platform to resist theft of a commercially available game controller adapted to operate the video display and to receive switch input from a platform. Certain aspects of the invention include one or more, typically inert, practice platforms structured to represent the user interface surface of an activatable platform. A method for using a system of active and inert platforms is also disclosed.

Claims

1. In a first platform of the type holding a plurality of normally-open electrically conductive switches, the first platform being configured and arranged to permit closing of an individual selected such switch by application of a force in a direction approximately normal to an activation surface of the selected switch by a portion of a human body, the improvement comprising:

an electrically conductive ground member disposed on said platform and configured to encompass an area to provide a common electrical ground reference for a plurality of said switches;

an electrically conductive deflection member carrying a conductive surface disposed in a substantially parallel arrangement relative to a portion of said ground member, said conductive surface being disposed in a normally spaced apart relationship adapted to resist forming an electrically conductive contact between said ground member and said conductive surface; and

a fastening arrangement disposed in association with a perimeter of said deflection member effective to hold said deflection member in operable association with said ground member;

wherein;

said deflection member is structured to permit displacement of a portion of said deflection member in a direction effective to form said electrical contact under application of said force.

2. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein:

said platform is structured for disposition of said platform in a substantially horizontal orientation to permit closing of individual of said switches by a foot of a user.

3. The improvement according to claim 2, further comprising:

a resilient element disposed in a load bearing path between a switch activation surface and a support for said platform, said resilient element being operable to deflect responsive to a foot strike on a said activation surface effectively to reduce repetitive contact stress on a user.

4. The improvement according to claim 3, further comprising:

a tub adapted to dispose said resilient element for contact with a bottom of said platform and configured to provide a ramp edge disposed about a perimeter of said platform as a load-bearing transition between a top surface of said platform and a tub support surface.

5. The improvement according to claim 2, further comprising:

a tub adapted to receive a bottom of said platform and configured to provide a load-bearing ramp edge disposed about a perimeter of said platform to accommodate a difference in elevation between a top surface of said platform and a platform support surface, thereby to resist twisting an ankle of a user who steps on said perimeter.

6. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein:

said platform is structured for disposition of said platform in a substantially vertical orientation to permit closing of individual of said switches by a hand of a user.

7. The improvement according to claim 1, further comprising:

a friction enhancing interface disposed operably to resist movement of said platform relative to said platform support surface.

8. The improvement according to claim 1, further comprising:

a contaminant resistant membrane disposed substantially to cover said plurality of switches effective to resist passage of particulate matter to a normally spaced-apart area between a said deflection member and said ground member.

9. The improvement according to claim 1, in combination with a second such platform, and further comprising:

coupling structure adapted for connection to both of said first platform and said second platform operably to dispose said first and second platforms in a substantially fixed and side-by-side orientation.

10. The improvement according to claim 9, wherein:

said coupling structure comprises spacing structure configured and arranged to be removable from coupling engagement between said first and second platforms in a tool-free operation.

11. The improvement according to claim 1, in combination with:

a security vault sized substantially to contain therein a commercially available game console and providing one or more access ports through which to place said game console in electrical communication with said platform and a video display device, said vault being disposed in tethered engagement to structure associated with said platform.

12. The improvement according to claim 1, in combination with:

a processor having an associated memory, said processor being adapted to receive an input from said plurality of switches of said first platform;

a software instruction set loaded into said memory and configured to compare said input with a defined sequence of switch operation, and to display feedback for a user of said first platform on a video display device; and

structure forming one or more practice platforms disposed on a support surface in harmony with said first platform such that a practicing user, while operating a practice platform, may receive an input from said video display device, each said practice platform comprising elements arranged substantially to suggest portions of an operable activation surface of said first platform.

13. The improvement according to claim 12, wherein:

a said practice platform comprises a rectangular display surface structured to indicate a plurality of discrete zones, each zone corresponding to a switch activation area of said first platform.

14. The improvement according to claim 13, wherein:

a said practice platform comprises a first walkway and a second walkway, each walkway carrying a plurality of said zones and being structured cooperatively to form an interlocking arrangement in the shape of a cross for disposition of said cross on a load bearing support surface.

15. The improvement according to claim 12, wherein:

a said practice platform comprises a plurality of discrete emblems disposable in a desired pattern maintained by a friction interface between a bottom of each of said emblems and a load bearing support surface, each of said emblems corresponding to a switch activation area of said first platform.

16. The improvement according to claim 1, wherein:

said platform comprises nine zones arranged in three adjacent rows of three zones per row, at least one individual zone comprising an activation surface disposed to receive foot contact from a user; and

said plurality of switches are disposed to locate one switch at each of a selected number of said zones.

17. The improvement according to claim 16, wherein:

said deflection member comprises an approximately square planar element having four corners and carries said conductive surface disposed on a membrane spanning between said corners; and

said ground member comprises a planar element having a plurality of perforations disposed in harmony with at least said four corners of one deflection member when said deflection member is in an assembled configuration, with a perforation located at each corner of said one deflection member and sized to permit placement of a fastener operably therethrough to secure said one deflection member in functional relation with respect to said ground member.

18. The improvement according to claim 17, wherein:

a fastener is placed in penetrating engagement through a said corner of said one deflection member.

19. The improvement according to claim 17, wherein:

certain perforations comprise edge structure operable as a fulcrum in harmony with an installed fastener to cause a membrane bias in said one deflection member.

20. The improvement according to claim 17, further comprising:

a corner button arranged to form fulcrum structure operable in combination with an installed said fastener to cause a membrane bias in said one deflection member effective to resist contact between said conductive surface and said ground member.

21. The improvement according to claim 17, further comprising:

a wire harness including nine electrically conductive wires, at least one wire of said nine wires having an exposed conductive portion arranged for compression contact on said conductive area, wherein;

said compression contact is caused by installation of a said fastener.

22. The improvement according to claim 1, in combination with a standalone practice platform adapted for use independent of connection to an electronic device, wherein:

said practice platform is structured to be visually representative of an activation surface of a commercially available dance platform of the type including a plurality of switches indicated by arrow-shaped insignia, the switches being disposed for individual activation by foot placements of a user stepping upon a selected portion of the activation surface of said dance platform.

23. The practice platform according to claim 22, said activation surface comprising:

an approximately square surface carrying indicia defining a plurality of zones individually adapted to be visually representative of a said selected portion.

24. The practice platform according to claim 22, said activation surface comprising:

a cross formed by two interconnectable sidewalks, each sidewalk carrying indicia defining a plurality of zones individually adapted to be visually representative of a said selected portion.

25. The practice platform according to claim 22, said activation surface comprising:

a plurality of emblems adapted to be disposed in an arrangement on a load bearing surface and thereby adapted to be visually representative of a said selected portion.

26. A theft resistant vault in combination with a platform according to claim 1, the vault comprising:

an enclosure sized to contain at least substantially therein a commercially available game console and providing one or more access ports through which to place said game console in electrical communication with said platform and a video display device, said vault being disposed in tethered engagement to structure associated with said platform.

27. In first and second platforms, structured according to claim 1, the improvement comprising:

joining structure adapted for connection to said first and second platforms effective to hold said first and second platforms in an operable spaced apart relationship, wherein;

said joining structure is adapted for tool-free removal from said first and second dance platforms.

28. In a platform according to claim 1, the improvement comprising:

a ramp disposed about a portion of said perimeter, said ramp being structured to form a load-bearing transition between said top surface and said support surface effective to reduce twisting an ankle of a said user who steps on said portion of said perimeter.

29. A first dance platform of the type holding a plurality of normally-open electrically conductive switches in an arrangement permitting a user to close an individual selected switch by stepping on an activation surface of the selected switch, the platform comprising:

a base plate forming a channel having a plurality of branches;

a wire harness disposed in said channel to distribute individual wires of said harness among said branches;

an electrically conductive ground element disposed in a plane over said channel and in electric communication with a first wire of said harness;

a plurality of fulcrum structures spaced apart over a surface of said ground element;

a deflection member in supported contact with a subset of said fulcrum structures and structured in harmony with an arrangement of said subset to form a spacing between a surface of said ground element and a conductive area carried by said deflection member, said deflection member being in electrical communication with a second wire of said harness; and

a plurality of fasteners disposed about a perimeter of said deflection member and operable in harmony with said subset to cause a membrane bias in said deflection member effective to cause said spacing to remain in a normally-open configuration effective to form one of said switches.

30. The dance platform according to claim 29, wherein:

said deflection member comprises an approximately orthogonal tile supported at a plurality of corners by said subset; and

at least one of said fulcrum structures comprises gap relief structure formed in said ground member and disposed in association with a corner of said tile.

31. The dance platform according to claim 29, wherein:

at least one of said fulcrum structures comprises a button element carrying an adhesive surface operable to maintain a position of said button with respect to said ground element during manufacture of said platform.

32. The dance platform according to claim 29, wherein:

at least one of said fulcrum structures comprises a button element carrying an adhesive surface operable to maintain a position of said second wire with respect to said ground element during manufacture of said platform.

33. The dance platform according to claim 29, wherein:

installation of one of said fasteners causes a compression contact between an uninsulated portion of said second wire and said conductive area to place said second wire into said electrical communication.

34. The dance platform according to claim 29, wherein:

said deflection member comprises an orthogonal electrically conductive tile disposed for support of a bottom surface of corners of said tile on said subset;

indicia is carried by structure associated with a top surface of said tile; and

a substantially transparent cover is disposed in association over said indicia.

35. The dance platform according to claim 34, wherein:

said cover is arranged as a sealing membrane to resist passage of particulate material into a space between said deflection member and said ground element.

36. The dance platform according to claim 35, further comprising:

a plurality of deflection members arranged in three adjacent rows of three adjacent said members per row;

said cover is arranged as a sealing membrane to resist passage of particulate material into a space between said deflection members and said ground element; and

each of said deflection members further comprises a switch top disposed for support by structure associated with said membrane.

37. The dance platform according to claim 29, in combination with a second such platform, and further comprising:

coupling structure adapted for connection to both of said dance platform and said second platform operably to dispose said dance and second platforms in a substantially fixed and side-by-side orientation.

38. The dance platform according to claim 29, in combination with:

a security vault sized substantially to contain therein a commercially available game console and providing one or more access ports through which to place said game console in electrical communication with said platform and a video display device, said vault being disposed in tethered engagement to structure associated with said platform.

39. The dance platform according to claim 29, in combination with:

a tub adapted to receive a bottom of said platform and configured to provide a load-bearing ramp edge disposed about a perimeter of said platform to accommodate a difference in elevation between a top surface of said platform and a platform supporting surface, thereby to resist twisting an ankle of a user who steps on said perimeter.

40. The dance platform according to claim 29, further comprising:

a resilient element disposed in a load bearing path between said activation surface and a support holding said platform, said resilient element being operable to deflect responsive to a foot strike on a said activation surface effectively to reduce repetitive contact stress on a user.

41. A method of use of a system of dance and practice platforms, comprising:

providing a first electrically active dance platform having a plurality of switches disposed for individual switch activation by foot placements of a user stepping upon a selected portion of the platform, the platform being in electrical communication with a control device having a processor with an associated memory, said processor being adapted to receive an input from said plurality of switches of said first platform and having a software instruction set loaded into said memory and configured to compare said input with a defined sequence of switch operation, and to display feedback for a user of said first platform on an associated video display device;

providing one or more practice platform disposed on a support surface in harmony with said first platform such that a practicing user, while operating a practice platform, may also receive an input from said video display device, each said practice platform comprising elements arranged substantially to suggest portions of an operable activation surface of said first platform;

placing a first user of said system in operable association with said first platform to form a first prime user and placing a second user of said system in operable association with a said practice platform as a practice user;

using said control device to output a signal to said video display device for a proscribed first increment of time, during which first increment of time said first prime user and said practice user operate said platforms in accordance with instructions displayed on said video display device;

subsequent to elapse of said first increment of time, causing a rotation in position between users of said system effective to form a new prime user; and

using said control device to output a signal to said video display device for a second proscribed increment of time, during which second increment of time said new prime user and a practice user operate said platforms in accordance with instructions displayed on said video display device.