SCHEME FOR TRANSLATING MOVEMENTS OF A HAND-HELD CONTROLLER INTO INPUTS FOR A SYSTEM

• US 20110118021A1
• Filed: 01/11/2011
• Published: 05/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Marks, Richard, Mao, Xiadong, Zalewski, Gary
• Granted Patent: US 9,381,424 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/36
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/00 Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions gaming systems which provide a financial reward G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• 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 13/428 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 2250/52 with a remote control
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1093 using visible light
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6045 for mapping control signals received from the input arrangement into game commands

Abstract

One embodiment provides a method for use in providing input to a system that includes the steps of determining position information for a controller for the system, comparing the determined position information for the controller with predetermined position information associated with commands, and providing a command to the system if the determined position information matches predetermined position information for the command.

Claims

1. A method for use in providing input to a system, comprising the steps of:

determining position information for a controller for the system, wherein the determining position information comprises mixing at least two of inertial tracking information, image tracking information, and acoustic tracking information, wherein the mixing comprises applying different weightings to at least two of the at least two or more of the inertial tracking information, image tracking information, and acoustic tracking information;

comparing the determined position information for the controller with predetermined position information associated with commands; and

providing a command to the system if the determined position information matches predetermined position information for the command.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the step of applying different weightings comprises the step of:

applying the different weightings as defined by a particular game title being played back to the at least two of the at least two or more of the inertial tracking information, image tracking information, and acoustic tracking information.

3. A method in accordance with claim 2, further comprising the step of:

generating an interrupt for the system if the determined position information matches predetermined position information for the command.

4. A method in accordance with claim 3, wherein the step of comparing comprises the step of:

determining whether the determined position information for the controller falls within certain ranges associated with the predetermined position information associated with commands.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the step of:

identifying a quality of at least one of the at least two or more of the inertial tracking information, image tracking information, and acoustic tracking information;

wherein the applying different weightings comprises dynamically adjusting the weightings as a result of the identified quality of the at least one of the at least two or more of the inertial tracking information, image tracking information, and acoustic tracking information.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the step of determining position information for the controller comprises the step of:

receiving on an image plane of a camera a projection of a geometric shape established on the controller.

7. A method in accordance with claim 6, wherein the step of determining position information for the controller further comprises the step of:

analyzing movements and deformities in the projection of the geometric shape.

8. A method for use in providing input to a system, comprising the steps of:

determining position information for a controller for the system, wherein the determining position information comprises mixing at least two of inertial tracking information, image tracking information, and acoustic tracking information, wherein the mixing comprises applying different weightings to at least two of the at least two or more of the inertial tracking information, image tracking information, and acoustic tracking information;

comparing the determined position information for the controller with predetermined position information associated with commands;

providing a command to the system if the determined position information matches predetermined position information for the command; and

identifying a quality of at least one of the at least two or more of the inertial tracking information, image tracking information, and acoustic tracking information;

wherein the applying different weightings comprises dynamically adjusting the weightings as a result of the identified quality of the at least one of the at least two or more of the inertial tracking information, image tracking information, and acoustic tracking information.

9. A method in accordance with claim 8, further comprising the step of:

generating an interrupt for the system if the determined position information matches predetermined position information for the command.

10. A method in accordance with claim 9, wherein the step of comparing comprises the step of:

determining whether the determined position information for the controller falls within certain ranges associated with the predetermined position information associated with commands.

11. A method in accordance with claim 8, wherein the step of determining position information for the controller comprises the step of:

receiving on an image plane of a camera a projection of a geometric shape established on the controller.

12. A method in accordance with claim 11, wherein the step of determining position information for the controller further comprises the step of:

analyzing movements and deformities in the projection of the geometric shape.

13. A computer program product comprising a medium for embodying a computer program for input to a computer and a computer program embodied in the medium for causing the computer to perform steps of:

determining position information for a controller for a system, wherein the determining position information comprises mixing at least two of inertial tracking information, image tracking information, and acoustic tracking information, where the mixing comprises applying different weightings to at least two of the at least two or more of the inertial tracking information, image tracking information, and acoustic tracking information;

comparing the determined position information for the controller with predetermined position information associated with commands; and

providing a command to the system if the determined position information matches predetermined position information for the command;

wherein the applying different weightings comprises applying the different weightings as defined by a particular game title being played back to the at least two of the at least two or more of the inertial tracking information, image tracking information, and acoustic tracking information.

14. A computer program product in accordance with claim 13, wherein the step of applying the different weightings comprises the step of:

applying the different weightings as defined by a particular game title being played back to the at least two of the at least two or more of the inertial tracking information, image tracking information, and acoustic tracking information.

15. A computer program product in accordance with claim 13, wherein the computer program is further configured for causing the computer to perform the step of:

identifying a quality of at least one of the at least two or more of the inertial tracking information, image tracking information, and acoustic tracking information;

wherein the applying different weightings comprises dynamically adjusting the weightings as a result of the identified quality of the at least one of the at least two or more of the inertial tracking information, image tracking information, and acoustic tracking information.

16. A computer program product in accordance with claim 15, wherein the computer program is further configured for causing the computer to perform the step of:

generating an interrupt for the system if the determined position information matches predetermined position information for the command.

17. A computer program product in accordance with claim 16, wherein the step of comparing comprises the step of:

determining whether the determined position information for the controller falls within certain ranges associated with the predetermined position information associated with commands.

18. A computer program product in accordance with claim 15, wherein the step of determining position information for the controller comprises the step of:

receiving on an image plane of a camera a projection of a geometric shape established on the controller.

19. A computer program product in accordance with claim 18, wherein the step of determining position information for the controller further comprises the step of:

analyzing movements and deformities in the projection of the geometric shape.