Motion sensing controller and game apparatus having same

• US 8,657,682 B2
• Filed: 02/02/2010
• Issued: 02/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Lai, Cheng-Yi
• Primary Examiner(s): Brewster, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hsu, Ryan
• Application Number:
  US12/698,222
• Publication Number:
  US 20110068937A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,484 Days
• Field of Search: 463/31, 463/35, 463/36, 463/38
• US Class Current: 463/36
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/213 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. cameras, photodiodes or infrared cells A63F13/219, A63F13/655 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• 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 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1087 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. a camera

Abstract

An exemplary motion sensing controller includes an infrared light detection module, a spherical light output member, and a processing unit. The infrared light detection module is configured for detecting infrared light and includes a lens module. The spherical light output member is configured for outputting infrared light. The infrared light detection module has a sensing surface configured for capturing images of the spherical light output member. The processing unit is electrically connected with the infrared light detection module. The processing unit is configured for receiving signals of the images of the spherical light output member, computing dimensions and positions of the images of the spherical light output member on the sensing surface, and computing positions of the spherical light output member with respect to the lens module based on the dimensions and the positions of the images of the spherical light output member on the sensing surface.

Claims

1. A motion sensing controller, comprising:

an infrared light source configured for emitting infrared light;

an infrared light detection module for detecting the infrared light, the infrared light detection module comprising a lens module;

a spherical infrared reflector comprising an outer surface, the infrared light emitted by the infrared light source emitting to the outer surface of the spherical infrared reflector and then reflected to the infrared light detection module by the spherical infrared reflector; and

a processing unit electrically connected with the infrared light detection module, the processing unit configured for receiving signals of the images of the spherical infrared reflector from the infrared light detection module, computing dimensions and positions of the images of the spherical infrared reflector on the sensing surface, and computing positions of the spherical infrared reflector with respect to the lens module based on the dimensions and the positions of the images of the spherical infrared reflector on the sensing surface, wherein a three-dimension coordinate system X-Y-Z is defined, the X axis is perpendicular to the Y axis and both of the X and Y axes are parallel to the two-dimensional sensor of the infrared light detection module, the Z axis is perpendicular to the X and Y axes, the spherical infrared reflector is in view of the infrared light detection module and the infrared source, a straight line L is defined by connecting the center of the spherical reflector with the lens module, a first included angle θ

1 is formed between a projection of the straight line L onto the plane X-Z and a principal axis of the lens module, wherein the principal axis is parallel to the Z axis, a second included angle θ

2 is formed between a projection of the straight line L onto the plane Y-Z and the principal axis of the lens module, the first included angle θ

1 and the second included angle θ

2 is computed by the processing unit, a distance between the spherical reflector and the infrared light detection module and the dimension of the image of the spherical reflector have a corresponding relationship, the processing unit stores information about the corresponding relation between the dimension of the image of the spherical reflector and the distance between the lens module and the spherical reflector, the distance between the lens module and the spherical reflector is capable of being obtained according to the dimension of the image of the spherical reflector, based on the first included angle θ

1, the second included angle θ

2, the processing unit computes the position of the spherical reflector with respect to the infrared light detection module.

2. The motion sensing controller of claim 1, wherein the outer surface is a light-scattering surface.

3. The motion sensing controller of claim 2, further comprising a holding bar, one end of which is connected with the spherical reflector and is configured for gripping.

4. The motion sensing controller of claim 3, wherein the holding bar is comprised of light-absorbing material.

5. The motion sensing controller of claim 3, wherein the holding bar is cylindrical with a round cross section of a diameter one tenth to one third that of the spherical reflector.

6. A game apparatus, comprising:

a motion sensing controller, comprising;

an infrared light source configured for emitting infrared light;

an infrared light detection module for detecting the infrared light, the infrared light detection module comprising a lens module;

a spherical infrared reflector comprising an outer surface, the infrared light emitted by the infrared light source emitting to the outer surface of the spherical infrared reflector and then reflected to the infrared light detection module by the spherical infrared reflector; and

a processing unit electrically connected with the infrared light detection module, the processing unit configured for receiving signals of the images of the spherical infrared reflector from the infrared light detection module, computing dimensions and positions of the images of the spherical infrared reflector on the sensing surface, and computing positions of the spherical infrared reflector with respect to the lens module based on the dimensions and the positions of the images of the spherical infrared reflector on the sensing surface; and

a display screen electrically connected with the host, configured for displaying game contents stored in the host, wherein a three-dimension coordinate system X-Y-Z is defined, the X axis is perpendicular to the Y axis and both of the X and Y axes are parallel to the two-dimensional sensor of the infrared light detection module, the Z axis is perpendicular to the X and Y axes, the spherical infrared reflector is in view of the infrared light detection module and the infrared source, a straight line L is defined by connecting the center of the spherical reflector with the lens module, a first included angle θ

1 is formed between a projection of the straight line L onto the plane X-Z and a principal axis of the lens module, wherein the principal axis is parallel to the Z axis, a second included angle θ

2 is formed between a projection of the straight line L onto the plane Y-Z and the principal axis of the lens module, the first included angle θ

1 and the second included angle θ

2 is computed by the processing unit, a distance between the spherical reflector and the infrared light detection module and the dimension of the image of the spherical reflector have a corresponding relationship, the processing unit stores information about the corresponding relation between the dimension of the image of the spherical reflector and the distance between the lens module and the spherical reflector, the distance between the lens module and the spherical reflector is capable of being obtained according to the dimension of the image of the spherical reflector, based on the first included angle θ

1, the second included angle θ

2, the processing unit computes the position of the spherical reflector with respect to the infrared light detection module.

7. The game apparatus of claim 6, wherein the outer surface of the spherical infrared reflector is a light-scattering surface.

8. The game apparatus of claim 7, wherein the motion sensing controller further comprises a holding bar, one end of which is connected with the spherical reflector, and is configured for gripping.

9. The game apparatus of claim 8, wherein the holding bar is comprised of a light-absorbing material.

10. The game apparatus of claim 8, wherein the holding bar is cylindrical with a round cross section of a diameter one third to one tenth that of the spherical reflector.