Image controller

• US 20060050056A1
• Filed: 09/30/2005
• Published: 03/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/1995
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Anascape, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Anascape, Ltd.
• Inventors: Armstrong, Brad A.
• Application Number:
  US11/240,158
• Publication Number:
  US 20060050056A1
• 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

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. Some preferred embodiments also incorporate proportional sensors allowing user variable inputs to cause imagery to be variably controlled.

Claims

1. A controller used in 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 sensing the inputs by the user and providing outputs related to the sensed inputs, the outputs at least in part controlling the electronic game;

a first of the input members is a stick which is depressible toward the housing, the stick is additionally 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 third of the input members is a rotatable member;

structure forming a part of the controller providing feedback detectable by the user when making inputs.

2. A controller used in 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, said 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 first button, the first 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 third of the input members is a rotatable member;

a fourth of the input members is a finger depressible second button, the second button is associated with an On/Off output sensor of the sensors.

3. A controller according to claim 2 further comprising:

the first of the input members is depressible activating a tactile sensor of the sensors, toward the housing along an axis mutually perpendicular to said two mutually perpendicular axes.

4. A controller according to claim 3 further comprising a motor with weight mounted in said controller, said motor with weight providing active tactile feedback.

5. A controller used in controlling imagery shown on a display, the display connected to an image generation device, the controller comprising:

a housing;

associated with the housing are a plurality of

members receiving physical inputs from a human user;

the members receiving physical inputs are positioned to activate

sensors, said sensors sensing the inputs by the user and providing outputs related to the sensed inputs, the outputs at least in part controlling the imagery;

a first of the members receiving physical inputs is a stick moveable on two axes,

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

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

a fourth of the members receiving physical inputs is a finger depressible third button, the third button is associated with an On/Off output sensor of the sensors.

6. A controller according to claim 5 further comprising a motor with weight mounted in said controller providing active tactile feedback.

7. A hand-held controller controlling an electronic game, the controller comprising:

a housing sized to be hand-held;

associated with the housing are a plurality of

structural elements receiving inputs from a human user;

the structural elements receiving inputs are positioned to activate

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

a first of the structural elements receiving the inputs is a stick element moveable on two axes and structured to activate at least a first proportional sensor and a second proportional sensor of the sensors,

a second of the structural elements receiving the inputs is a finger depressible first button, the first button is associated with a third proportional sensor of the sensors, the third proportional sensor receiving varying input and providing a variable output representing the varying input;

a third of the structural elements receiving the inputs is a finger depressible second button, the second button is associated with a fourth proportional sensor of the sensors, the fourth proportional sensor receiving varying input and providing a variable output representing the varying input;

a fourth of the structural elements is a function key positioned to activate an On/Off sensor of the sensors.

8. A hand-held controller in communication with a image generation machine controlling an electronic game, the controller comprising:

a housing sized to be hand-held;

associated with the housing are a plurality of

structural elements receiving inputs from a human user;

the structural elements receiving inputs are positioned to activate

sensors, the sensors sensing the inputs by the user and providing outputs related to the sensed inputs, the outputs controlling the electronic game;

a first of the structural elements receiving inputs is a finger depressible first button, the first button is associated with a first proportional sensor of the sensors, the first proportional sensor receiving varying input and providing a variable output representing the varying input;

a second of the structural elements receiving inputs is a finger depressible second button, the second button is associated with a second proportional sensor of the sensors, the second proportional sensor receiving varying input and providing a variable output representing the varying input;

a third of the structural elements is a function key positioned to activate an On/Off sensor of the sensors;

a fourth of the structural elements receiving inputs is a stick element controllable on two axes.