Image controller

• US 20040160414A1
• Filed: 02/04/2004
• Published: 08/19/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/1996
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Anascape, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Anascape, Ltd.
• Inventors: Armstrong, Brad A.
• Application Number:
  US10/773,025
• Publication Number:
  US 20040160414A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 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

Abstract

Imagery controlling apparatus having circuitry reading both On/Off data and proportional data from a sensor and using the data to control the imagery. Also the sensor has passive tactile feedback and in some embodiments the circuitry controls active tactile feedback. Many embodiments have multiple input members. Some embodiments of the apparatus have four potentiometers with terminals soldered to the circuitry on a circuit board, and some embodiments have four sensors activated by a rotation actuating member.

Claims

1. Imagery controlling apparatus, comprising:

three-dimensional imagery;

the three-dimensional imagery is displayed on a television;

at least in part controlling the three-dimensional imagery is circuitry;

the circuitry reads output of

a sensor;

the circuitry reads the sensor output as

On/Off data, the On/Off data at least in part controls the three-dimensional imagery; and

the circuitry reads the sensor output as

proportional data, the proportional data proportionally controls at least in part the three-dimensional imagery;

a single independent button is located to activate the sensor, the button is shaped and positioned to be depressed by a single human finger or thumb of a hand of a user;

a passive tactile feedback structure, the passive tactile feedback structure is a resilient dome associated with the sensor, the resilient dome providing a soft snap tactile feedback vibration to the finger with depression of the button;

a first variable resistor;

the first variable resistor comprises;

a rotational shaft; and

terminals;

the terminals of the first variable resistor are soldered to the circuitry located on

a circuit board;

a second variable resistor;

the second variable resistor comprises;

a rotational shaft; and

terminals;

the terminals of the second variable resistor are soldered to the circuitry located on the circuit board;

a third variable resistor;

the third variable resistor comprises;

a rotational shaft; and

terminals;

the terminals of the third variable resistor are soldered to the circuitry located on the circuit board;

a fourth variable resistor;

the fourth variable resistor comprises;

a rotational shaft; and

terminals;

the terminals of the fourth variable resistor are soldered to the circuitry located on the circuit board.

2. Imagery controlling apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first, second, third and fourth variable resistors are rotary potentiometers.

3. Imagery controlling apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising:

four sensors are connected to the circuitry, the four sensors positioned to be activated by

a rotation actuating member, said member shaped to rotate about

a fulcrum as a pivot point.

4. Imagery controlling apparatus, comprising:

three-dimensional imagery;

the three-dimensional imagery is displayed on a television;

at least in part controlling the three-dimensional imagery is circuitry;

the circuitry reads output of

a sensor;

the circuitry reads the sensor output as

On/Off data, the On/Off data at least in part controls the three-dimensional imagery; and

the circuitry reads the sensor output as

proportional data, the proportional data proportionally controls at least in part the three-dimensional imagery;

a single independent button is located to activate the sensor, the button is shaped and positioned to be depressed by a single human finger or thumb of a hand of a user;

a passive tactile feedback structure, the passive tactile feedback structure is

a resilient dome associated with the sensor, the resilient dome providing a soft snap tactile feedback vibration to the finger with depression of the button.

5. Imagery controlling apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising:

a first variable resistor is a rotary potentiometer;

the first variable resistor comprises;

a rotational shaft; and

terminals;

the terminals of the first variable resistor are soldered to the circuitry located on

a circuit board;

a second variable resistor is a rotary potentiometer;

the second variable resistor comprises;

a rotational shaft; and

terminals;

the terminals of the second variable resistor are soldered to the circuitry located on the circuit board;

a third variable resistor is a rotary potentiometer;

the third variable resistor comprises;

a rotational shaft; and

terminals;

the terminals of the third variable resistor are soldered to the circuitry located on the circuit board;

a fourth variable resistor is a rotary potentiometer;

the fourth variable resistor comprises;

a rotational shaft; and

terminals;

the terminals of the fourth variable resistor are soldered to the circuitry located on the circuit board.

6. Imagery controlling apparatus according to claim 5 further comprising:

four pressure sensors are connected to the circuitry, the four pressure sensors positioned to be activated by

a rotation actuating member, said member shaped to rotate about

a fulcrum as a pivot point.

7. Imagery controlling apparatus, comprising:

three-dimensional imagery;

the three-dimensional imagery is displayed on a television;

at least in part controlling the three-dimensional imagery is circuitry;

the circuitry reads output of

a sensor;

the circuitry reads the sensor output as

On/Off data, the On/Off data at least in part controls the three-dimensional imagery; and

the circuitry reads the sensor output as

proportional data, the proportional data proportionally controls at least in part the three-dimensional imagery;

a single independent button is located to activate the sensor, the button is shaped and positioned to be depressed by a single human finger or thumb of a hand of a user;

the circuitry connects to

an active tactile feedback structure, the active tactile feedback structure providing a vibration to the hand of the user;

a passive tactile feedback structure, the passive tactile feedback structure is

a resilient dome associated with the sensor, the resilient dome providing a soft snap tactile feedback vibration to the finger with depression of the button;

a first variable resistor;

the first variable resistor comprises;

a rotational shaft; and

terminals;

the terminals of the first variable resistor are soldered to the circuitry located on

a circuit board;

a second variable resistor;

the second variable resistor comprises;

a rotational shaft; and

terminals;

the terminals of the second variable resistor are soldered to the circuitry located on the circuit board;

a third variable resistor;

the third variable resistor comprises;

a rotational shaft; and

terminals;

the terminals of the third variable resistor are soldered to the circuitry located on the circuit board;

a fourth variable resistor;

the fourth variable resistor comprises;

a rotational shaft; and

terminals;

the terminals of the fourth variable resistor are soldered to the circuitry located on the circuit board.

8. Imagery controlling apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the active tactile feedback structure comprises

a motor;

the motor connected to

an offset weight, wherein the motor rotates the offset weight providing the active tactile feedback vibration.