METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR GENERATING TACTILE FEEDBACK FOR GAMES AND SIMULATIONS

• US 20130165226A1
• Filed: 12/11/2012
• Published: 06/27/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/1994
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Craig Thorner
• Original Assignee: Craig Thorner
• Inventors: Thorner, Craig
• Granted Patent: US 8,834,266 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/37
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/22 Setup operations, e.g. calibration, key configuration or button assignment
• 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 13/54 involving acoustic signals, e.g. for simulating revolutions per minute [RPM] dependent engine sounds in a driving game or reverberation against a virtual wall
• 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 2300/302 specially adapted for receiving control signals not targeted to a display device or game input means, e.g. vibrating driver's seat, scent dispenser
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8082 Virtual reality
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/05 the view from a vehicle being simulated G09B9/052, G09B9/058 take precedence

Abstract

A method and a device provide a tactile sensation. Devices include a plurality of actuators. The plurality of actuators includes first and second actuators. The first actuator is adapted to provide a first tactile sensation, and the second actuator is adapted to provide a second tactile sensation.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing tactile sensation to a user, the apparatus comprising:

a hand-held game pad controller configured to be held by both of a user'"'"'s hands simultaneously, the controller including,

a first motor and a second motor, each motor including a mass attached to a shaft such that when the shaft rotates vibrations are generated via the rotation of the mass attached on the shaft, wherein the vibrations are transmitted to both hands of the user holding the controller, and

control circuitry coupled to and controlling the first and the second motors independently, wherein the control circuitry responds to signals received from a computer, wherein the signals correspond to action executing on the computer, wherein the control circuitry is configured to control the first and the second motors to each have a speed of rotation changeable in real time such that the first and the second motors generate vibrations simultaneously with independent intensities.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, where said signals that are generated by said computer or video game system to which said control circuitry is responsive, are communicated via one or more of the following:

(1) bi-directional communications;

(2) uni-directional communications;

(3) wireless communications;

(4) wired communications.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, where each motor of the said two motors can be different from each other, in at least one of the following ways:

(1) size;

(2) shape;

(3) power consumption;

(4) type;

(5) the tactile sensations each can produce when controlled;

(6) the desired effect each is adapted produce when controlled;

(7) the desired application;

(8) the location wherein said actuators are disposed within said control input device;

(9) the manner by which said actuators are disposed within said control input device.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, where a first motor of said two motors is disposed within a left hand side of said hand-held game controller and predominantly provides tactile sensation to said user'"'"'s left hand, and where a second motor of said two motors is disposed within a right hand side of hand-held game controller and predominantly provides tactile sensation to said user'"'"'s right hand.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said two motors may be independently activated, without respect to the independent activation of the other of said motors, in one or more of the of the following ways:

(1) activating for varying durations;

(2) activating at varying speeds;

(3) activating at varying intensities;

(4) activating at varying duty cycles;

(5) activating with varying power output parameters;

(6) activating via pulse-width modulation;

(7) activating with varying electric current;

(8) activating with varying electric voltage.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said two motors is disposed within said hand-held game pad controller by any one or more of the following:

(1) attachment to an interior surface of said hand-held game pad controller with one or more fasteners;

(2) attachment to an interior surface of said hand-held game pad controller with an adhesive;

or (3) placement within said hand-held game pad controller by press fitting, snap fitting, or friction fitting.