Image controller

• US 8,674,932 B2
• Filed: 06/10/2005
• Issued: 03/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Anascape, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Anascape, Ltd.
• Inventors: Armstrong, Brad A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Eisen, Alexander
• Assistant Examiner(s): ALMEIDA, CORY A
• Application Number:
  US11/150,412
• Publication Number:
  US 20050231476A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,203 Days
• Field of Search: 345156-184, 715701-702
• US Class Current: 345/156
• 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 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/25 Output arrangements for video game devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/332 using wireless networks, e.g. cellular phone networks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1006 having additional degrees of freedom
• 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 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1056 involving pressure sensitive buttons
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0213 Arrangements providing an integrated pointing device in a keyboard, e.g. trackball, mini-joystick for pointing devices integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/169; joysticks G05G9/047; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/033 Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user , e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor digitisers characterised by the transducing means G06F3/041
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0346 with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0354 with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03549 Trackballs G06F3/03541 takes precedence

Abstract

A controller or converter structured for allowing hand inputs to be converted or translated into outputs, the controller structured with members moveable relative to a base or housing to actuate a plurality of sensors for defining output signal(s). In some embodiments a tactile feedback motor is mounted as a component of the controller for providing vibration to be felt by a hand. In some embodiments the sensors are proportional or variable output sensors. A preferred controller communicates wirelessly with a host device.

Claims

1. An image controller comprising:

a first element operable on three mutually perpendicular axes, said first element structured to activate

at least one capacitance sensing sensor, the capacitance sensing sensor controlling an object within imagery on a display;

a second element movable in at least two directions, said second element structured to activate

sensors controlling the object within the imagery on the display independently of the first element;

an emitter of electromagnetic radiation capable of providing wireless communication between the controller and

an image generation device;

a plurality of independent finger depressible buttons, each button associated with

a button sensor;

a plurality of the sensors are connected to

a circuit board, at least some of the sensors are mounted to

a first side of the circuit board, and at least some of the sensors are mounted to

a reverse side of the circuit board, the first side and the reverse side of the circuit board are opposite sides of the circuit board; and

a motor capable of generating active tactile feedback detectable by a user holding the controller.

2. An image controller according to claim 1 further comprising:

a second capacitance sensing sensor, said second capacitance sensing sensor senses rotation of said first element.