# US 12,109,487 B2 · Operation device and method for controlling the same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,109,487 B2 - Document ID: US12109487B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/053,900 - Filed: 2022-11-09 - Published: 2023-06-29 - Granted: 2024-10-08 - Earliest claimed: 2016-07-26 - Assignees: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. - Applicants: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. - Inventors: Yusuke Nakagawa; Ikuo Yamano; Shinichi Hirata; Yuichi Machida; Yoichi Nishimaki - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12109487B2 ## CPC - A63F 13/24: Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles - A63F 13/218: using pressure sensors, e.g. generating a signal proportional to the pressure applied by the player - A63F 13/285: Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback - G05G 5/03: Means for enhancing the operator's awareness of arrival of the controlling member at a command or datum position; Providing feel, e.g. means for creating a counterforce (arrangements for indicating the position of the controlling member G05G1/015) - G06F 3/01: Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer (G06F3/16 takes precedence) - 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 - A63F 13/211: using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes - A63F 13/235: using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet - G05G 9/047: the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks {(for switches H01H25/04)} - G05G 9/04788: {comprising additional control elements} - G05G 2009/04774: {with additional switches or sensors on the handle} - G06F 3/0346: with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a three-dimensional [3D] space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors - A63F: CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G05G: CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY ("Bowden" or like mechanisms F16C1/10; gearings or mechanisms not peculiar to this purpose F16H; speed changing or reversing mechanisms for gearings conveying rotary motion F16H59/00 - F16H63/00) - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract Methods and apparatus provide for controlling an operating device, where the operating device includes: (i) a grip part to be gripped by a user; and (ii) an operation part for activation by a finger of the user gripping the grip part, and where the operation part includes: (i) a movable part capable of moving from a resting position toward another position in response to a force applied by the finger of the user, (ii) a biasing element operating to urge the movable part toward the resting position, and (iii) a motorized assembly operating to receive a drive signal and apply a force to the movable part in an opposite direction of the force applied by the finger of the user. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An operating device comprising: a grip part to be gripped by a user; an operation part for activation by a finger of the user gripping the grip part, wherein the operation part includes a movable part capable of moving within a movement range from a resting position to another position in response to a force applied by the finger of the user; a regulating mechanism operating to variably adjust the movement range of the movable portion in response to a motorized assembly operating to receive a drive signal and apply a force to the movable part in an opposite direction of the force applied by the finger of the user; and a control circuit operating to: (i) determine an amount of restriction of the movement range of the movable portion as a function of temporal changes in the force applied by the finger of the user to the movable part, (ii) output the drive signal to the motorized assembly to provide a temporal adjustment in the amount of restriction of the movement range of the movable portion, (iii) determine whether or not the temporal adjustment in the amount of restriction is within a predetermined range based the amount of restriction of the movement range determined over a predetermined past time period, and (iv) adjust the amount of restriction of the movement range and the drive signal based on the determination. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The operating device of claim 1, wherein the drive signal is produced in accordance with commands by the application program. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The operating device of claim 2, wherein the commands by the application program are dependent on objects presented to the user in the virtual gaming experience. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The operating device of claim 1, further comprising: a sensor operating to measure the force applied by the finger of the user to the movable part and to produce a sensing signal therefrom, wherein the control circuit operates to determine the amount of restriction of the movement range, to determine whether or not the temporal adjustment in the amount of restriction is within the predetermined range, and to adjust the amount of restriction of the movement range based on the sensing signal from the sensor measuring the force applied by the finger of the user to the movable part. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The operating device of claim 1, wherein the drive signal causes the motorized assembly to increase and decrease the amount of force applied to the movable part during a period of time that the amount of force applied by the user does not increase and increase. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The operating device of claim 1, wherein the motorized assembly operates apply an amount of force, as the force, in response to the drive signal, and the drive signal is variable dependent on variations in the sensing signal, such that the amount of force applied to the movable part is variable. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The operating device of claim 1, wherein the operation part includes a sensor operating to measure the force applied by the finger of the user to the movable part and to produce a sensing signal therefrom. ### Claim 8 A method, comprising: controlling an operating device, wherein the operating device includes: (i) a grip part to be gripped by a user; and (ii) an operation part for activation by a finger of the user gripping the grip part, wherein the operation part includes: (i) a movable part capable of moving within a movement range from a resting position to another position in response to a force applied by the finger of the user, and (ii) a regulating mechanism operating to variably adjust the movement range of the movable portion in response to a motorized assembly operating to receive a drive signal and apply a force to the movable part in an opposite direction of the force applied by the finger of the user; and further controlling by: (i) determining an amount of restriction of the movement range of the movable portion as a function of temporal changes in the force applied by the finger of the user to the movable part, (ii) outputting the drive signal to the motorized assembly to provide a temporal adjustment in the amount of restriction of the movement range of the movable portion, (iii) determining whether or not the temporal adjustment in the amount of restriction is within a predetermined range based the amount of restriction of the movement range determined over a predetermined past time period, and (iv) adjusting the amount of restriction of the movement range and the drive signal based on the determination. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the drive signal is produced in accordance with commands by the application program. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the commands by the application program are dependent on objects presented to the user in the virtual gaming experience. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, further comprising: providing a sensor operating to measure the force applied by the finger of the user to the movable part and to produce a sensing signal therefrom, wherein the controlling includes determining the amount of restriction of the movement range, in order to determine whether or not the temporal adjustment in the amount of restriction is within the predetermined range, and adjusting the amount of restriction of the movement range based on the sensing signal from the sensor measuring the force applied by the finger of the user to the movable part. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the drive signal causes the motorized assembly to increase and decrease the amount of force applied to the movable part during a period of time that the amount of force applied by the user does not increase and increase. ### Claim 13 A non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium containing a computer program, which when executed by a computer, causes the computer to carry out a method, comprising: controlling an operating device, wherein the operating device includes: (i) a grip part to be gripped by a user; and (ii) an operation part for activation by a finger of the user gripping the grip part, wherein the operation part includes: (i) a movable part capable of moving within a movement range from a resting position to another position in response to a force applied by the finger of the user, and (ii) a regulating mechanism operating to variably adjust the movement range of the movable portion in response to a motorized assembly operating to receive a drive signal and apply a force to the movable part in an opposite direction of the force applied by the finger of the user; and further controlling by: (i) determining an amount of restriction of the movement range of the movable portion as a function of temporal changes in the force applied by the finger of the user to the movable part, (ii) outputting the drive signal to the motorized assembly to provide a temporal adjustment in the amount of restriction of the movement range of the movable portion, (iii) determining whether or not the temporal adjustment in the amount of restriction is within a predetermined range based the amount of restriction of the movement range determined over a predetermined past time period, and (iv) adjusting the amount of restriction of the movement range and the drive signal based on the determination. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the drive signal is produced in accordance with commands by the application program. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the commands by the application program are dependent on objects presented to the user in the virtual gaming experience. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, further comprising: providing a sensor operating to measure the force applied by the finger of the user to the movable part and to produce a sensing signal therefrom, wherein the controlling includes determining the amount of restriction of the movement range, in order to determine whether or not the temporal adjustment in the amount of restriction is within the predetermined range, and adjusting the amount of restriction of the movement range based on the sensing signal from the sensor measuring the force applied by the finger of the user to the movable part. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the drive signal causes the motorized assembly to increase and decrease the amount of force applied to the movable part during a period of time that the amount of force applied by the user does not increase and increase.