Hand-held computer interactive device

• US 20070075966A1
• Filed: 12/01/2006
• Published: 04/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Daniel, Tyler
• Granted Patent: US 8,035,629 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/212 using sensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat or leg activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/213 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. cameras, photodiodes or infrared cells A63F13/219, A63F13/655 take precedence
• 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 13/22 Setup operations, e.g. calibration, key configuration or button assignment
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/428 involving motion or position input signals, e.g. signals representing the rotation of an input controller or a player's arm motions sensed by accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1018 Calibration; Key and button assignment
• 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 2300/1056 involving pressure sensitive buttons
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1093 using visible light
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/014 Hand-worn input/output arrangements, e.g. data gloves
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user

Abstract

In one embodiment an input device is provided. The input device includes a central body. A response and communications system is included in the input device. The response and communication system enables communication between the input device and a computing device. At least one protrusion extending from the central body are included. The central body and the at least one protrusion are configured to capture a user'"'"'s hand movements. The input device is configured to be held by the user. An input detection program, a computing system, computer program instructions and a method for communicating commands to a computer system from an external input device are provided.

Claims

1. An input device, comprising:

a central body;

a response and communications system incorporated with the central body, the response and communication system enabling communication between the input device and a computing device; and

a plurality of protrusions extending from the central body, wherein the central body and the plurality of protrusions are configured to capture a user'"'"'s hand movements, and wherein the plurality of protrusions are configured to sense a degree of bending of a user'"'"'s finger.

2. The input device of claim 1, wherein the entire input device is configured to be held in a user'"'"'s hand.

3. The input device of claim 1, wherein the central body and each of the plurality of protrusions include,

a vibrator configured to provide tactile feedback to a user.

4. The input device of claim 3, wherein a hardness and a pattern of a vibration generated by the vibrator are controlled.

5. The input device of claim 1, wherein the response and communication system transmits signals to a device to be controlled, the signals defined by the user'"'"'s hand movements, and wherein the central body contains no more than two protrusions.

6. An input detection program executed at a computing device, the input detection program having program instructions for determining when to trigger input commands of a program and tactile feedback responses to an external input device configured to be held by a user completely inside a user'"'"'s hand, the input detection program, comprising:

program instructions for detecting a signal from the external input device that is held by a user, the signal generated by detecting a physical change to the external input device, the physical change including a degree of bending of a user'"'"'s finger; and

program instructions for triggering an input command at the program run on the computing device, the triggering resulting from the detected signal from the external input object.

7. The input detection program of claim 6, further including program instructions for transmitting a tactile feedback signal to the external input device in response to the detected signal.

8. The input detection program of claim 7, wherein the program instructions for generating a tactile feedback signal at the external input device in response to the detected signal, include,

program instructions for controlling a vibration hardness and a vibration pattern of a vibrator embedded in the external input device.

9. The input detection program of claim 6, wherein the external input device is configured to be held in a user'"'"'s hand.

10. The input detection program of claim 6, wherein the computing device is selected from the group consisting of a game console and a server.

11. A computing system capable of providing vibrational feedback to a user, comprising:

means for capturing hand movements of a user through an external input device configured to be held by the user, the means for capturing hand movements including means for capturing a degree of bending of a user'"'"'s finger;

means for transmitting the captured hand movements to a computing device;

means for transmitting commands to the external input device in response to the transmitted hand movements of the user;

means for providing tactile feedback to the user in response to the transmitted commands to the external input device; and

means for displaying graphic images associated with the commands received from the external input device.

12. The computing system of claim 11, wherein the computing device is a game console.

13. The computing system of claim 11, wherein the means for providing tactile feedback include vibrational energy.

14. The computing system of claim 11, wherein the means for transmitting the captured hand movements to a computing device is capable of properly functioning without a line of sight between the means for transmitting the captured hand movements and the computing device.

15. A method for communicating commands to a computer system from an external input device, comprising:

providing a receiver configured to communicate with an external input device configured to be held by a user configured to be held completely within a user'"'"'s hand;

capturing hand movements of the user through deformation of the external input device; and

translating the hand movements to a command to be communicated to the receiver for causing input control at the receiver.

16. The method of claim 15, further including:

in response to the command being communicated to the receiver, stimulating a user'"'"'s hand with tactile feedback provided through the external input device.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the receiver is integrated within a game console.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the method operation of capturing hand movements of the user through deformation of the external input device includes,

detecting a degree of bending of a user'"'"'s fingers;

and

detecting a pressure exerted by a user'"'"'s fingertips on the input device.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the receiver communicates with the external input device through short range radio signals.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the input device is a non-surface relational device.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein the tactile feedback is provided through a low latency vibrator.

22. A method for communicating commands to a computer system from a hand-held input device, comprising:

providing a game console having a receiver configured to communicate with a handheld input device configured to fit completely within a user'"'"'s hand;

capturing hand movements of a user through deformation of the input device by the user'"'"'s hand;

translating the hand movements to a command to be communicated to the receiver; and

in response to the command being communicated to the receiver, stimulating the user'"'"'s hand with tactile feedback provided through the input device, the stimulating including,

controlling a hardness and a pattern of a vibration applied to the user'"'"'s hand.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the input device is a non-surface relational device.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the method operation of translating the hand movements to a command to be communicated to the receiver includes,

controlling an object displayed on a display monitor, the display monitor in communication with the game console.

25. Computer program instructions for managing computer input commands being embodied in a computer readable media, the computer program instructions comprising:

program instructions for capturing hand movements applied to a wireless hand-held input device, the input device held entirely within a user'"'"'s hand;

program instructions for receiving specific commands associated with the captured hand movements; and

program instructions for applying the specific commands to a program being directed by the hand-held input device.

26. The computer program instruction of claim 25, wherein the hand-held input device is a non-surface relational device.

27. The computer program instruction of claim 25, wherein the program being directed to the handheld input device is associated with a video game.

28. The computer program instruction of claim 25, further including:

program instructions for transmitting a signal related to providing tactile feedback through the wireless hand-held input device.