3D feedback mouse sensor

• US 9,498,710 B2
• Filed: 11/11/2013
• Issued: 11/22/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/11/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PixArt Imaging Incorporated
• Original Assignee: PixArt Imaging Incorporated
• Inventors: Chin, Kian Ming, Chong, Yik Leong
• Primary Examiner(s): DEODHAR, OMKAR A
• Application Number:
  US14/076,285
• Publication Number:
  US 20150133212A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,107 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0383 Signal control means within the pointing device

Abstract

A method for providing feedback from a personal computer (PC) to a mouse includes: providing a sensor within the mouse; utilizing the sensor to receive signals from the PC; defining a plurality of areas on the mouse which can provide a feedback response; and translating the signals from the PC to activate a feedback response of at least one of the plurality of areas.

Claims

1. A method for providing feedback from a personal computer (PC) to a mouse, the method comprising:

providing a sensor within the mouse;

utilizing the sensor to receive signals from the PC;

providing a register coupled to the sensor, wherein the register comprises a plurality of bits, and specific signals received from the PC trigger specific bits of the plurality of bits;

defining a plurality of areas on the mouse which can provide a feedback response, the plurality of areas corresponding to the plurality of bits in the register; and

translating the signals from the PC to trigger specific bits within the register and thereby activate a feedback response of at least one of the plurality of areas.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of areas are vibrating panels and the feedback response is a haptic response.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of areas comprise a plurality of LEDs, respectively, and the feedback response comprises flashing of the LEDs.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of areas respectively correspond to a plurality of directions, and the method further comprises:

utilizing the PC to play a first person game;

when a non-user controlled action occurs in the first person game, translating the signal from the PC to determine a direction of the non-user controlled action; and

activating the feedback response of an area by triggering at least a specific bit within the register corresponding to the translated direction.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein movement of the mouse can be directly utilized to activate a feedback response of at least one of the plurality of areas.

6. A mouse for receiving feedback from a personal computer (PC), the mouse comprising:

a plurality of areas for providing a feedback response;

a register comprising a plurality of bits corresponding to the plurality of areas; and

a first sensor, coupled to the register, for receiving signals from the PC, and translating the signals to trigger specific bits of the plurality of bits within the register to activate a feedback response of at least one of the plurality of areas.

7. The mouse of claim 6, wherein the plurality of areas are vibrating panels and the feedback response is a haptic response.

8. The mouse of claim 6, wherein the plurality of areas comprise a plurality of LEDs, respectively, and the feedback response comprises flashing of the LEDs.

9. The mouse of claim 6, wherein the plurality of areas respectively correspond to a plurality of directions, the PC is utilized to play a first person game, and when a non-user controlled action occurs in the first person game, the first sensor translates the signal from the PC to determine a direction of the non-user controlled action, and the feedback response of an area is activated by triggering at least a specific bit within the register corresponding to the translated direction.

10. The mouse of claim 6, wherein the mouse further comprises a second sensor which can determine movement of the mouse to directly activate a feedback response of at least one of the plurality of areas.