Image controller

• US 20050231476A1
• Filed: 06/10/2005
• Published: 10/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Anascape, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Anascape, Ltd.
• Inventors: Armstrong, Brad A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,674,932 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/161
• 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 controlling a game of a graphics generation device, comprising:

a wireless communication structure communicating between said controller and said graphics generation device, said wireless communication structure comprising an emitter at least in part in said controller and a receiver associated with said graphics generation device;

said controller comprising;

a first element controlling

a first two axes of said game;

a second element controlling

a second two axes of said game;

an independent pivotal first button activating

a first button sensor, said first button pivoting upon depression by a single finger of a user, said first button sensor outputting a proportional signal controlling said game;

an independent pivotal second button activating

a second button sensor, said second button pivoting upon depression by a single finger of the user, said second button sensor outputting a proportional signal controlling said game;

active tactile feedback vibration detectable by the user of said game, said active tactile feedback vibration provided by a motor.

2. A controller structured to control a game displayed by a television, comprising:

a first element with structure to control a first two axes of said game;

a second element with structure to control a second two axes of said game;

a first button depressible by a finger of a user and structured to activate switched On/Off data used to control said game;

a second button depressible by a finger of the user and structured to activate a proportional signal used to control said game.

3. A controller according to claim 2 comprising structure to communicate wirelessly to control said game.

4. An image controller controlling an image generation device, comprising:

a first element on said controller structured to activate a first two proportional sensors useful to control the image generation device;

a second element on said controller structured to activate a second two proportional sensors useful to control the image generation device;

an independent first button on said controller, said first button depressible by a single finger of a user, said first button positioned to activate

a first proportional sensor, said first button positioned to also activate

a simple switched On/Off sensor useful to control the image generation device;

an independent second button on said controller, said second button depressible by a single finger of the user, said second button positioned to activate

a second proportional sensor, said second button positioned to also activate

a simple switched On/Off sensor useful to control the image generation device.

5. An image controller according to claim 4 comprising vibration feedback structure providing vibration detectable by the user of said controller, said vibration feedback structure comprising a motor mounted in said controller;

said controller further comprising;

a wireless communication structure communicating between said controller and the image generation device.

6. An image controller controlling imagery displayed on a television, comprising:

a first member rotatable on two mutually perpendicular axes, the rotation translated into

signals controlling the imagery displayed on the television;

a finger depressible first button outputting varying signals dependent upon varying actuation of the first button controlling the imagery displayed on the television;

a motor providing vibration detectable by a human user holding the controller;

an emitter mounted to the controller providing wireless communication controlling the imagery displayed on the television.

7. An image controller according to claim 6 further comprises a second member rotatable on two mutually perpendicular axes, the rotation translated into signals controlling the imagery displayed on the television.

8. An image controller according to claim 7 further comprises a finger depressible second button outputting varying signals dependent upon varying actuation of the second button controlling the imagery displayed on the television.

9. An image controller according to claim 8 wherein the first member rotatable on two mutually perpendicular axes is also movable on a third axis to activate an On/Off sensor controlling the imagery displayed on the television.

10. A controller of imagery on a display, comprising:

a first element movable on two mutually perpendicular axes translated by sensors into outputs controlling imagery on the display;

a second element movable on two mutually perpendicular axes translated by sensors into outputs controlling imagery on the display;

a plurality of finger depressible buttons associated with sensors with outputs controlling imagery on the display;

a circuit board in said controller having

a first side and

a second side;

at least some of the sensors are mounted on the first side of the circuit board, and at least some of the sensors are mount on the second side of the circuit board.

11. A controller according to claim 10 comprising active tactile feedback structure providing vibration detectable by a user of the controller.

12. A controller according to claim 11 comprising structure wirelessly sending signals controlling imagery on the display.

13. An image controller comprising:

a first element movable on at least two mutually perpendicular axes, said first element structured to activate

two proportional sensors;

a second element movable on at least two mutually perpendicular axes, said second element structured to activate

two proportional sensors;

an emitter of electromagnetic radiation 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, at least one said button sensor outputs only On/Off data and at least one other said button sensor outputs proportional data;

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 second side of the circuit board, the first side and the second side of the circuit board are opposite sides of the circuit board.

14. An image controller according to claim 13 wherein at least two of said buttons pivot upon depression.

15. An image controller according to claim 14 wherein at least four of the sensors are rotary potentiometers.

16. An image controller according to claim 14 wherein at least four of the sensors are optical encoders.

17. An image controller according to claim 15 wherein said first element can also move on a third axis to activate an On/Off sensor.

18. An image controller according to claim 17 further comprising a motor generating active tactile feedback detectable by a user holding the controller.

19. A method of using software of a host graphic generation device wherein said software generates graphics viewed by a user on a display, the user controls said graphics on the display using a 3-D graphic controller, a housing of said controller supports, at least in part, a plurality of sensor activators;

the method comprising;

moving a single actuator by the user in a down direction causing graphics at least in part to move down;

moving the single actuator by the user in a forward direction causing graphics at least in part to move forward;

moving the single actuator by the user in a backward direction causing graphics at least in part to move backward;

moving the single actuator by the user in a right direction causing graphics at least in part to move right;

moving the single actuator by the user in a left direction causing graphics at least in part to move left;

colliding graphics at least in part with other graphics causes

a tactile vibration to be sent through the controller to be sensed by the user.

20. A 3-D graphics controller used with a television based game, comprising:

an emitter wirelessly communicating between said controller and the game;

a first proportional sensor controlling a first axis of the game;

a second proportional sensor controlling a second axis of the game;

a third proportional sensor controlling a third axis of the game;

a fourth proportional sensor controlling a forth axis of the game;

an independent first button activating

a fifth proportional sensor, said first button depressible by a single finger of a user, said fifth proportional sensor outputting a proportional signal controlling the game;

an independent second button activating

a sixth proportional sensor, said second button depressible by a single finger of the user, said sixth proportional sensor outputting a proportional signal controlling the game;

a sheet connecting to at least four of the sensors;

a motor providing active tactile feedback vibration to a user of said controller.

21. A 3-D graphics controller controlling imagery, comprising:

a first button, the first button positioned on the graphics controller in a manner that the first button may be activated by a single human finger, the first button is connected to

a first proportional sensor, the first proportional sensor creates

a signal that is used to control the imagery;

a second button, the second button positioned on the graphics controller in a manner that the second button may be activated by a single human finger, the second button is connected to

a second proportional sensor, the second proportional sensor creates

a signal that is used to control the imagery;

an input element, the input element is movable on more than two axes, movement of the input element controls more than two axes of the imagery.

22. A 3-D graphics controller according to claim 21 further comprising a second input element, the second input element is movable on at least two axes, movement of the second input element controls at least two axes of the imagery.

23. A 3-D graphics controller according to claim 22 wherein said second input element is movable on more than two axes, movement of the second input element controls more than two axes of the imagery.

24. A 3-D graphics controller according to claim 23 further comprising

an emitter wirelessly communicating between the controller and

a graphics generation device communicating to

a television, the television displays the imagery.

25. An image controller controlling game imagery, comprising:

a first button, the first button positioned on the graphics controller in a manner that the first button may be activated by a single human finger, the first button is connected to

a first proportional sensor, the first proportional sensor creates

a signal that is used to control game imagery;

a second button, the second button positioned on the graphics controller in a manner that the second button may be activated by a single human finger, the second button is connected to

a second proportional sensor, the second proportional sensor creates

a signal that is used to control game imagery;

an input element, the input element is movable on two axes, movement of the input element controls two axes of game imagery;

vibration is supplied from the graphics controller to a hand grasping the controller.

26. An image controller according to claim 25 wherein the vibration is provided by

a motor and

a weight located in the controller.

27. An image controller according to claim 25 further comprising

an emitter wirelessly communicating between the controller and

a graphics generation device communicating to

a television, the television displays the game imagery.

28. A controller having an economical combination of elements and buttons to control a television displayed game, the controller comprising:

a first element structured to activate a first two rotary sensors used to control a game;

a second element structured to activate a second two rotary sensors used to control the game;

an independent first button structured to activate

a first button sensor, said first button depressible by a single finger of a user, said first button sensor capable of outputting a proportional signal used to control the game;

an independent second button structured to activate

a second button sensor, said second button depressible by a single finger of the user, said second button sensor capable of outputting a proportional signal used to control the game;

an independent third button depressible by a single finger of the user structured to activate

a third button sensor, said third button sensor capable of outputting only On/Off data used to control the game;

a circuit board, said circuit board having

a first side and

a second side with each of the sides having at least some of the sensors mounted thereon;

active tactile feedback structure providing vibration feedback to the user of the controller.

29. A controller according to claim 28 wherein said active tactile feedback structure comprises

a weight rotated by a motor;

the controller further comprises;

an emitter mounted to the controller wirelessly communicating with a computer connected to the television displaying the game.

30. A remote control controlling a graphic image generation device, said remote control comprising:

a sheet;

a first element structured to activate a first two proportional sensors, said first two proportional sensors connected to said sheet, said first two proportional sensors useful to control the graphic image generation device;

a second element structured to activate a second two proportional sensors, said second two proportional sensors useful to control the graphic image generation device;

said second two proportional sensors connected to said sheet;

an independent first button sensor, said first button sensor depressible by a single finger of a user, said first button sensor connected to said sheet, said first button sensor capable of transforming depression into a proportional signal useful to control the graphic image generation device;

an independent second button sensor, said second button sensor depressible by a single finger of the user, said second button sensor connected to said sheet, said second button sensor capable of transforming depression into a proportional signal useful to control the graphic image generation device;

communication structure located in said remote control and wirelessly sending electromagnetic radiation from said remote control to the graphic image generation device.