Image controller

• US 20060028436A1
• Filed: 09/30/2005
• Published: 02/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/1992
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Anascape, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Anascape, Ltd.
• Inventors: Armstrong, Brad A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,081,426 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1006 having additional degrees of freedom
• 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: G05G 2009/04755 Magnetic sensor, e.g. hall generator, pick-up coil
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04766 providing feel, e.g. indexing means, means to create counterforce
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 9/047 the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks for switches H01H25/04
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 9/04737 with six degrees of freedom
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1612 Flat panel monitor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/013 Force feedback applied to a game
• 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 3/03548 Sliders, in which the moving part moves in a plane
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03549 Trackballs G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/70 having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard mounting together a plurality of independent switches H02B
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/702 with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/785 characterised by the material of the contacts, e.g. conductive polymers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2003/008 : with a haptic or a tactile feedback controlled by electrical means, e.g. a motor or magnetofriction
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2201/036 : Variable resistance
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/004 : Collapsible dome or bubble
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/006 : Only mechanical function
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/008 : Video game
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2237/002 : Bell crank
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/00 : Switches with compound movement of handle or other operating part
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/002 : having an operating member rectilinearly slidable in different directions
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/008 : Operating part movable both angularly and rectilinearly, the rectilinear movement being perpendicular to the axis of angular movement

Abstract

An image controller structured for allowing inputs to be converted or translated into electrical outputs, one preferred controller structured with at least a sufficient number of sensors to aid in controlling three-dimensional objects and navigating a three-dimensional viewpoint shown by a display. An active tactile feedback vibrator is mounted as a component of the controller for providing vibration to be felt by a user. Inputs to the controller include a move forward command, a move back command, a move left command, a move right command, a move up command, and a move down command.

Claims

1. A method of using a controller, wherein the acts comprise:

physically inputing, from a human into the controller, said physically inputing controlling at least one three-dimensional object shown by a display, said physically inputing activating sensors of said controller providing commands to move at least some portion of said at least one three-dimensional object shown by the display, said physically inputing activating the sensors includes at least independent physical inputs controlling;

a move forward command, a move back command, a move left command, a move right command, a move up command, and a move down command; and

sensing vibration with a hand of the human as a tactile feedback provided by said controller.

2. A method of using a controller according to claim 1 further including the acts

physically inputing inputs related to at least three axes into the controller, said physically inputing controlling navigating a three-dimensional viewpoint shown by the display.

3. A method of using a controller according to claim 2 wherein inputing at least one of said independent physical inputs is in response to the sensing of said vibration.

4. A method of using a controller according to claim 1 wherein the vibration tactile feedback is related to the controlling of the at least one three-dimensional object shown by the display.

5. A method of using a controller according to claim 1 wherein said controller is providing said tactile feedback using an electric motor with offset weight, the rotating of the offset weight by the motor causes the vibration, and

the sensors are independent sensors, wherein each one independent sensor controls each one of the commands.