# US 11,027,194 B2 · Force feedback to improve gameplay > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,027,194 B2 - Document ID: US11027194B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/290,410 - Filed: 2019-03-01 - Published: 2020-09-03 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2019-03-01 - Assignees: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. - Applicants: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. - Inventors: Glenn Black; Michael Taylor; Javier Fernandez Rico - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11027194B2 ## CPC - A63F 13/285: Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback - A63F 13/245: specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels - G06F 3/016: {Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user} - A63F 13/5372: for tagging characters, objects or locations in the game scene, e.g. displaying a circle under the character controlled by the player - A63F: CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract Force feedback is applied to a computer simulation controller, such as to a joystick element or analog trigger of the controller, depending on the context of the simulation. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device comprising: at least processor programmed with instructions to: receive a first signal from a computer simulation; responsive to the first signal, apply a first force to at least a first manipulable mechanism on a computer simulation controller configured to control the computer simulation; receive a second signal from the computer simulation; and responsive to the second signal, apply a second force to the first manipulable mechanism on the computer simulation controller, wherein the first signal is associated with a simulated presence over a first target type and the second signal is associated with a simulated presence over a second target type, and the first force is greater than the second force. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second forces are generated by a force feedback mechanism comprising plural force generators juxtaposed with the first manipulable mechanism, the instructions being executable to: actuate all of the force generators to provide resistive force to motion of the first manipulable mechanism in a first number of directions; and actuate fewer than all of the force generators to provide resistive force to motion of the first manipulable mechanism in a second number of directions less than the first number of directions. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, comprising at least one display device configured for control by the at least one processor to present the computer simulation. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the first manipulable mechanism comprises at least one joystick. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the first manipulable mechanism comprises at least one analog trigger or button. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the first signal is associated with a simulated deviation from a travel path in the computer simulation, and the first force is greater than the second force. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The device of claim 5, wherein the first and second forces are generated by a plunger coupled to the trigger or button and disposed in a fluid, the instructions being executable to establish at least one parameter of which fluid for a demanded resistive force. ### Claim 8 A method, comprising: applying, using a force feedback mechanism, a first force to at least a portion of a computer simulation controller based at least in part on a determination that a computer simulation comprises a first context; and applying, using the force feedback mechanism, a second force to at least the portion of a computer simulation controller based at least in part on a determination that the computer simulation comprises a second context; wherein the force feedback mechanism comprises plural force generators juxtaposed with the portion of the computer simulation controller, and the method comprises: actuating all of the force generators to provide resistive force to motion of the portion of the computer simulation controller in a first number of directions; and actuating fewer than all of the force generators to provide resistive force to motion of the portion of the computer simulation controller in a second number of directions less than the first number of directions. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the second force is zero and the first force is greater than zero. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the force feedback mechanism comprises at least one magnet. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the force feedback mechanism comprises at least one motor. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the force feedback mechanism comprises at least one fluid. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the portion of the computer simulation controller comprises a joystick. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the portion of the computer simulation controller comprises a trigger or a button. ### Claim 15 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the first context is associated with a simulated deviation of a land vehicle from a travel path along a road in the computer simulation, and the first force is greater than the second force. ### Claim 16 A method, comprising: applying, using a force feedback mechanism, a first force to at least a portion of a computer simulation controller based at least in part on a determination that a computer simulation comprises a first context; and applying, using the force feedback mechanism, a second force to at least the portion of a computer simulation controller based at least in part on a determination that the computer simulation comprises a second context; wherein the first context is associated with a simulated presence over a first target type and the second context is associated with a simulated presence over a second target type, and the first force is greater than the second force. ### Claim 17 A system comprising: at least one computer simulation controller; at least one computer simulation console configured to present at least one computer simulation responsive to signals from the computer simulation controller; at least one force feedback mechanism configured to provide a first force on at least a portion of the computer simulation controller responsive to a first context of the computer simulation and a second force on the portion of the computer simulation controller responsive to a second context of the computer simulation; and at least one processor configured to execute instructions, wherein the force feedback mechanism comprises plural force generators juxtaposed with the portion of the computer simulation controller, the instructions being executable to: actuate all of the force generators to provide resistive force to motion of the portion of the computer simulation controller in a first number of directions; and actuate fewer than all of the force generators to provide resistive force to motion of the portion of the computer simulation controller in a second number of directions less than the first number of directions. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17, wherein the first context is associated with a simulated deviation from a travel path in the computer simulation, and the first force is greater than the second force. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17, wherein the first context is associated with a simulated presence over a first target type and the second context is associated with a simulated presence over a second target type, and the first force is greater than the second force. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17, wherein the portion of the computer simulation controller comprises a joystick or a trigger or a button.