Image controller

• US 20060028441A1
• Filed: 09/30/2005
• Published: 02/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/1992
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Anascape, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Anascape, Ltd.
• Inventors: Armstrong, Brad A.
• Application Number:
  US11/241,618
• Publication Number:
  US 20060028441A1
• 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 having a first member movable on at least two axes and a second member movable on at least two axes structured for allowing inputs to be converted or translated into electrical outputs, one preferred controller structured with a sufficient number of sensors to aid in controlling three-dimensional objects and navigating a three-dimensional viewpoint shown by a display. Some preferred embodiments also incorporate an active tactile feedback vibrator for providing vibration to be felt by a user and proportional sensors allowing user variable inputs to cause imagery to be variably controlled.

Claims

1. A hand operable image controller for controlling imagery, comprising:

a housing;

a first two-axes input structure supported by said housing;

a second two-axes input structure supported by said housing;

active tactile feedback means for providing a feedback to a human user of said controller, said active tactile feedback means supported by said housing.

2. A hand operable image controller according to claim 1 wherein said active tactile feedback means includes a motor having a shaft with an offset weight mounted on said shaft.

3. A hand operable image controller according to claim 2 wherein

said first two-axes input structure is associated with sensors for interpreting two-axes of input, and

said second two-axes input structure is associated with sensors for interpreting two-axes of input, and

a sheet connects the sensors of the first and second two-axes input structures.

4. A hand operable image controller according to claim 1 wherein said housing supports a single-finger depressible independent button.

5. A hand operable image controller according to claim 4 wherein said button is associated with a proportional sensor, and said button is variably depressible causing said proportional sensor to create a signal representing the variable depression of said button, said signal causing said imagery to vary according to the variable depression of said button.

6. A hand operable image controller according to claim 5 wherein said controller includes means for providing a threshold tactile feedback associated with depression of said button.

7. A hand operable image controller according to claim 6 further comprising

a resilient dome cap associated with said proportional sensor,

said proportional sensor is a pressure-sensitive sensor.

8. A hand operable image controller according to claim 7 wherein said pressure-sensitive sensor is a variable resistance sensor.

9. A hand operable image controller according to claim 8 wherein said resilient dome cap contains a generally convexed surface area located within the dome.

10. A hand operable image controller according to claim 9 wherein said convexed surface is deformable and flattens under depressive pressure applied to said button.

11. A hand operable image controller according to claim 5 wherein said button is pivotally mounted.

12. A hand operable image controller according to claim 11 wherein the proportional sensor associated with the pivotally mounted button is a rotary sensor.

13. A hand operable image controller according to claim 12 wherein said rotary sensor is a potentiometer.

14. A hand operable image controller according to claim 5 wherein

said first two-axes input structure is associated with sensors for interpreting two-axes of input, and

said second two-axes input structure is associated with sensors for interpreting two-axes of input, and

a sheet connects the sensors of the first and second two-axes input structures, and said sheet also connects

said proportional sensor of said single-finger depressible independent button.

15. A hand operable image controller according to claim 14 wherein said sheet is a circuit board sheet.

16. A hand operable image controller according to claim 14 wherein said sheet is a flexible membrane sheet.

17. A hand operable image controller according to claim 8 wherein

said first two-axes input structure is associated with sensors for interpreting two-axes of input, and

said second two-axes input structure is associated with sensors for interpreting two-axes of input, and

a sheet connects the sensors of the first and second two-axes input structures, and said sheet also connects

said pressure-sensitive sensor of said button.

18. A hand operable image controller according to claim 17 wherein said sheet is a circuit board sheet.

19. A hand operable image controller according to claim 17 wherein said sheet is a flexible membrane sheet.

20. A hand operable image controller according to claim 12 wherein

said first two-axes input structure is associated with sensors for interpreting two-axes of input, and

said second two-axes input structure is associated with sensors for interpreting two-axes of input, and

a sheet connects the sensors of the first and second two-axes input structures, and said sheet connects

said rotary sensor of the pivotally mounted button.

21. A hand operable image controller according to claim 20 wherein said sheet is a circuit board sheet.

22. A hand operable image controller according to claim 20 wherein said sheet is a flexible membrane sheet.

23. A method of controlling imagery comprising the steps of:

depressing, variably, a finger depressible button, said button

pivoting, variably, causing variable

activating of a proportional sensor, said proportional sensor

outputting a signal useful to an image generation machine for

causing imagery to vary according to the variable depressing of said button.

24. A method of controlling imagery according to claim 23 further comprising the steps of:

depressing, variably, a second finger depressible button, the second button

pivoting, variably, causing variable

activating of a second proportional sensor, said second proportional sensor

outputting a second signal useful to the image generation machine for causing imagery to vary according to the variable depressing of said second button.

25. A method of controlling imagery according to claim 24 further comprising the step of:

providing an active tactile feedback.

26. A method of controlling imagery according to claim 25 further comprising the step of:

operating, variably, a two-axes input structure associated with proportional sensors for variably controlling said imagery.

27. A method of controlling imagery according to claim 26 further comprising the step of:

operating, variably, a second two-axes input structure associated with proportional sensors for variably controlling said imagery.

28. A method of controlling imagery according to claim 27 further comprising the step of:

depressing, variably, a third finger depressible button for variably controlling said imagery.

29. A method of controlling imagery according to claim 27 further comprising the step of:

operating a third two-axes input structure.

30. A method of controlling imagery according to claim 29 further comprising the step of:

depressing, variably, a third finger depressible button for variably controlling said imagery.

31. An image controller comprising:

a first input member positioned to activate first input member sensors, said first input member moveable on at least two axes;

a second input member positioned to activate second input member sensors, said second input member moveable on at least two axes;

a plurality of finger depressible button input members positioned to activate button input member sensors;

a circuit board sheet structurally connecting, at least in part, said first input member sensors to said second input member sensors;

said image controller is connected to an image generation device;

at least one of the button input member sensors is a pressure-sensitive variable sensor, whereby depression of at least one of the finger depressibie button input members provides a proportional signal representing a level of depressive pressure applied; and

active tactile feedback structure, as a component of said controller, said active tactile feedback structure providing vibration to be felt by a hand holding said controller, said active tactile feedback comprising a motor and a weight.

32. An image controller according to claim 31 in which said sheet also connects, at least in part, to at least one of said button input member sensors.

33. An image controller comprising:

a first input member controllable by a human hand on at least two axes, said first input member structured to activate a first set of sensors; and

a second input member controllable by a human hand on at least two axes, said second input member structured to activate a second set of sensors;

a plurality of finger depressible button input members, said finger depressible button input members structured to activate a third set of sensors; and

a circuit board connects the first set, the second set and the third set of the sensors.

34. An image controller according to claim 33 in which said at least one of the finger depressible button input members is associated with a pressure-sensitive variable sensor, whereby depression of said at least one of the finger depressible button input members provides a proportional signal representing a level of depressive pressure applied.

35. An image controller according to claim 33 wherein said image controller further comprises an active tactile feedback motor which rotates an offset weight.

36. An image controller according to claim 35 wherein said circuit board has electrical circuit traces and an application specific integrated circuit chip located on said circuit board.

37. An image controller according to claim 36 wherein said at least one of the finger depressible button input members is associated with a pressure-sensitive variable sensor, whereby depression of said at least one of the finger depressible buttons provides a proportional signal representing a level of depressive pressure applied.

38. An image controller comprising:

a first input member with associated sensors, said first input member moveable on at least two axes;

a second input member with associated sensors, said second input member moveable on at least two axes; and

at least four independent finger depressible buttons with associated sensors; and

a circuit board sheet connects to the sensors of the input members and the sensors of said finger depressible buttons.

39. An image controller according to claim 38 in which at least one of the finger depressible buttons is structured with a resilient dome cap, and said image controller further comprises active tactile feedback structure mounted as a component of said controller, said active tactile feedback structure providing vibration to be felt by a hand holding said controller.

40. An image controller according to claim 39 in which said image controller is connected to an image generation device.

41. An image controller according to claim 40 in which said image generation device includes a television based electronic game.

42. An image controller according to claim 41 wherein said active tactile feedback structure comprises an electric motor with offset weight.

43. An image controller according to claim 42 in which a plunger is positioned above said dome cap, said plunger comprising a non-conductive rigid plastic material.

44. An image controller according to claim 39 in which said at least one of the finger depressible buttons is a variably depressible button associated with a variable sensor, said variable sensor providing a proportional signal, wherein depression of said variably depressible button provides a proportional signal representing variable depression of said variably depressible button.

45. An image controller according to claim 44 wherein said variable sensor is a pressure-sensitive variable sensor.

46. An image controller according to claim 45 in which said circuit board sheet supports an application specific integrated circuit.

47. An image controller according to claim 38 in which said image controller further comprises a second circuit board sheet.

48. An image controller according to claim 47 further comprising active tactile feedback provided by a motor and offset weight.

49. An image controller according to claim 47 in which said at least one of the finger depressible buttons is associated with a pressure-sensitive variable sensor providing a proportional signal, whereby depression of said at least one of the finger depressible buttons provides a proportional signal representing a level of depressive pressure applied.

50. An image controller according to claim 49

wherein said pressure-sensitive variable sensor includes an electrically conductive pill carried by a dome shaped member;

said electrically conductive pill comprising deformable material having a shaped surface, whereby when said button is depressed with increasing input pressure the material deforms to contact additional surface area providing additional conductivity changes.

51. A controller controlling imagery of an electronic game, the controller comprising:

a housing;

associated with the housing are a plurality of

input members receiving inputs from a user;

the input members positioned to activate

sensors, the sensors sensing the inputs by the user and providing electrical outputs related to the sensed inputs, the outputs at least in part controlling the electronic game;

a first of the input members is a member moveable on two mutually perpendicular axes;

a second of the input members is a finger depressible button, the button is associated with a proportional pressure-sensitive variable output sensor of the sensors, the proportional pressure-sensitive variable output sensor receiving varying input force and providing a variable output representing the varying input force;

a graphics generation device, the graphics generation device generating the imagery of the electronic game, the imagery is shown on a display connected to the image generation device.

52. A hand held image controller controlling imagery, comprising:

a two-axes input member with associated sensors, outputs of the sensors controlling the imagery; and

a plurality of finger depressible individual buttons with associated pressure-sensitive sensors, variable outputs of the pressure-sensitive sensors variably control the imagery; and

tactile feedback structure providing tactile sensations felt by a hand of a user of said controller.

53. An image controller according to claim 52 in which at least one of the finger depressible individual buttons is structured with a resilient dome.

54. An image controller according to claim 53 in which said image controller is connected to an image generation device.

55. An image controller according to claim 54 in which said image generation device includes a television displayed electronic game.

56. An image controller according to claim 55 wherein said tactile feedback structure comprises an electric motor and offset weight providing the tactile sensations according to events in the imagery.

57. An image controller according to claim 56 in which a plunger is positioned above said dome, said plunger comprising a non-conductive rigid plastic material.

58. An image controller according to claim 56 in which said tactile feedback structure further comprises passive tactile feedback wherein said resilient dome provides a break-over tactile sensation to the user upon depression of said resilient dome.

59. An image controller comprising:

a first input member with associated sensors, and moveable on at least two axes;

a second input member with associated sensors, and moveable on at least two axes;

a plurality of finger depressible button input members with associated sensors;

a first button of said button input members is positioned to activate a first proportional pressure-sensitive sensor;

a second button of said button input members is positioned to activate a second proportional pressure-sensitive sensor;

tactile feedback structure;

a housing supports at least in part;

the first and second input members, the first and second input member sensors, the button sensors and the first and second button input members, and the tactile feedback structure.

60. An image controller according to claim 59 wherein said tactile feedback structure is at least a tactile turn-on type associated with the button input members.

61. An image controller according to claim 60 wherein said tactile feedback structure provides at least active tactile feedback.

62. An image controller according to claim 61 wherein said active tactile feedback structure comprises a motor and offset weight.