Method and apparatus for operatively controlling a virtual reality scenario with a physically demanding interface
First Claim
1. A user interface device enabling a user to perform a physically demanding activity to manipulate a virtual reality scenario comprising:
- a base in the form of a platform and including a top surface to directly support a user thereon;
an elongated rod attached to said base via a sleeve arrangement and manipulable by said user to control said virtual reality scenario, wherein said sleeve arrangement includes a stub disposed on said base and at least one sleeve disposed over said stub and receiving said elongated rod therein, and wherein the quantity and elasticity of said at least one sleeve controls an amount of user force required to manipulate said elongated rod; and
a sensing unit to measure manipulation of said elongated rod by said user;
wherein said base includes a processor coupled to said sensing unit to process data relating to said measured manipulation to facilitate control of said virtual reality scenario in accordance with said manipulation of said elongated rod by said user.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A safe, physically demanding interface device for children or other users to play video games according to the present invention includes a base and a joystick or control rod. The base supports a significant portion or the entirety of the child weight (e.g., supports a child in a seated or standing position), while the joystick is manipulable by the child to play the games. The device is configured to force the child to utilize many of the large muscle groups to interact with the game. Since the child weight is supported by the base, the interface device is stable (e.g., unlikely to tip or move) and, therefore, provides for safe, compelling video game play for users either alone or with other users.
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Citations
44 Claims
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1. A user interface device enabling a user to perform a physically demanding activity to manipulate a virtual reality scenario comprising:
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a base in the form of a platform and including a top surface to directly support a user thereon; an elongated rod attached to said base via a sleeve arrangement and manipulable by said user to control said virtual reality scenario, wherein said sleeve arrangement includes a stub disposed on said base and at least one sleeve disposed over said stub and receiving said elongated rod therein, and wherein the quantity and elasticity of said at least one sleeve controls an amount of user force required to manipulate said elongated rod; and a sensing unit to measure manipulation of said elongated rod by said user; wherein said base includes a processor coupled to said sensing unit to process data relating to said measured manipulation to facilitate control of said virtual reality scenario in accordance with said manipulation of said elongated rod by said user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A user interface device enabling a user to perform a physically demanding activity to manipulate a virtual reality scenario comprising:
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a base in the form of a platform and including a top surface to directly support a user thereon; an elongated rod attached to said base and manipulable by said user to control said virtual reality scenario; and a sensing unit to measure manipulation of said elongated rod by said user, wherein said sensing unit includes; at least one identifier disposed on said elongated rod; and an image capture device to produce images including said elongated rod; wherein said base includes a processor coupled to said sensing unit to process data relating to said measured manipulation to facilitate control of said virtual reality scenario in accordance with said manipulation of said elongated rod by said user, and wherein said processor processes said images to determine displacement of said at least one identifier within said images to determine manipulation of said elongated rod. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A user interface device enabling a user to perform a physically demanding activity to manipulate a virtual reality scenario comprising:
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a base in the form of a platform and including a top surface to directly support a user thereon; an elongated rod attached to said base and manipulable by said user to control said virtual reality scenario; and a sensing unit to measure manipulation of said elongated rod by said user, wherein said sensing unit includes a plurality of damper units coupled to said elongated rod and said base to dampen elongated rod motion, wherein each damper unit includes a sensing device to measure damper unit operation in response to manipulation of said elongated rod to measure that manipulation; wherein said base includes a processor coupled to said sensing unit to process data relating to said measured manipulation to facilitate control of said virtual reality scenario in accordance with said manipulation of said elongated rod by said user. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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Specification