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US 6,906,700 B1Granted
3D controller with vibration
AssigneeAnascape, Ltd.
InventorBrad A. Armstrong
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hand operated controller or converter structured for allowing hand inputs to be converted or translated into electrical outputs, the controller structured with a plate or platform moveable relative to a base or housing about two mutually perpendicular axes generally parallel to the platform to effect a plurality of sensors for defining output signal(s) based on movement of the platform. The sensors each have an electrically active activator spatially separated from an electric contact surface. A tactile feedback motor with shaft and offset weight is mounted as a component of the controller for providing vibration to be felt by a hand operating the controller. In some embodiments the sensors are pressure sensitive variable output sensors.
Claims33
A 3-D graphics controller used with a television based game, comprising:
- a game, said game at least in part controlled by
- circuitry, said circuitry located on
- at least one sheet, said at least one sheet comprising:
- a circuit board sheet connected to
- a flexible membrane sheet;
- a first element structured to activate
- four unidirectional sensors, said four unidirectional sensors at least in part connected to said at least one sheet, said four unidirectional sensors useful to control said game;
- a second element with structure to activate
- a first two rotary potentiometers, said first two rotary potentiometers at least in part connected to said at least one sheet, said first two rotary potentiometers useful to control said game;
- a third element with structure to activate
- a second two rotary potentiometers, said second two rotary potentiometers at least in part connected to said at least one sheet, said second two rotary potentiometers useful to control said game;
- an independent first button structured to activate
- a first button sensor, said first button depressible by a single finger of a user, said first button sensor at least in part connected to said at least one sheet, said first button sensor creates simple switched On/Off data useful to control said game;
- an independent pivotal second button structured to activate
- a second button sensor, said second button pivots upon depression by a single finger of the user, said second button sensor at least in part connected to said at least one sheet, said second button sensor capable of outputing a proportional signal useful to control said game;
- an independent pivotal third button structured to activate
- a third button sensor, said third button pivotal upon depression by a single finger of the user, said third button sensor at least in part connected to said at least one sheet, said third button sensor capable of outputing a proportional signal useful to control said game;
- active tactile feedback vibration detectable by the user of said game.
15 more elements
A 3-D graphics controller for controlling a television based game, comprising:
- circuitry located at least in part on
- at least one sheet, said at least one sheet comprising:
- a circuit board sheet;
- said circuit board sheet connected with
- a flexible membrane sheet;
- a first element structured to activate
- four unidirectional sensors, said four unidirectional sensors at least in part connected to said at least one sheet, said four unidirectional sensors useful to control the game;
- a second element with structure to activate
- a first two rotary potentiometers, said first two rotary potentiometers at least in part connected to said at least one sheet, said first two rotary potentiometers useful to control the game;
- a third element with structure to activate
- a second two rotary potentiometers, said second two rotary potentiometers at least in part connected to said at least one sheet, said second two rotary potentiometers useful to control the game;
- an independent first button structured to activate
- a first button sensor, said first button depressible by a single finger of a user, said first button sensor at least in part connected to said at least one sheet, said first button sensor creates simple switched On/Off data useful to control the game;
- an independent pivotal second button structured to activate
- a second button sensor, said second button pivots upon depression by a single finger of the user, said second button sensor at least in part connected to said at least one sheet, said second button sensor capable of outputing a proportional signal useful to control the game;
- an independent pivotal third button structured to activate
- a third button sensor, said third button pivotal upon depression by a single finger of the user, said third button sensor at least in part connected to said at least one sheet, said third button sensor capable of outputing a proportional signal useful to control the game;
- tactile feedback means for providing vibration detectable by the user of the game, said tactile feedback means connected to said circuitry.
15 more elements
A 3-D graphics controller for controlling a television based game, comprising:
- circuitry located at least in part on
- at least one sheet, said at least one sheet comprising:
- a circuit board sheet;
- said circuit board sheet connected with
- a flexible membrane sheet;
- a first element structured to activate
- four unidirectional sensors, said four unidirectional sensors at least in part connected to said at least one sheet, said four unidirectional sensors useful to control the game;
- a second element with structure to activate
- a first two rotary potentiometers, said first two rotary potentiometers at least in part connected to said at least one sheet, said first two rotary potentiometers useful to control the game;
- a third element with structure to activate
- a second two rotary potentiometers, said second two rotary potentiometers at least in part connected to said at least one sheet, said second two rotary potentiometers useful to control the game;
- an independent first button structured to activate
- a first button sensor, said first button depressible by a single finger of a user, said first button sensor at least in part connected to said at least one sheet, said first button sensor creates simple switched On/Off data useful to control the game;
- an independent pivotal second button structured to activate
- a second button sensor, said second button pivots upon depression by a single finger of the user, said second button sensor at least in part connected to said at least one sheet, said second button sensor capable of outputing a proportional signal useful to control the game;
- an independent pivotal third button structured to activate
- a third button sensor, said third button pivotal upon depression by a single finger of the user, said third button sensor at least in part connected to said at least one sheet, said third button sensor capable of outputing a proportional signal useful to control the game.
14 more elements
A 3-D graphics controller for controlling a television based game, comprising:
- circuitry located at least in part on
- at least one sheet, said at least one sheet comprising:
- a circuit board sheet connected to
- a flexible membrane sheet;
- a first element structured to activate
- four unidirectional sensors, said four unidirectional sensors at least in part connected to said at least one sheet, said four unidirectional sensors useful to control the game;
- a second element with structure to activate
- a first two rotary potentiometers, said first two rotary potentiometers at least in part connected to said at least one sheet, said first two rotary potentiometers useful to control the game;
- a third element with structure to activate
- a second two rotary potentiometers, said second two rotary potentiometers at least in part connected to said at least one sheet, said second two rotary potentiometers useful to control the game;
- an independent first button structured to activate
- a pressure-sensitive first button sensor useful to control the game, said first button depressible by a single finger of a user, said first button sensor at least in part connected to said at least one sheet, said first button sensor capable of outputing a proportional signal representing amount of pressure applied to said first button;
- an independent second button structured to activate
- a pressure-sensitive second button sensor useful to control the game, said second button depressible by a single finger of the user, said second button sensor at least in part connected to said at least one sheet, said second button sensor capable of outputing a proportional signal representing amount of pressure applied to said second button;
- tactile feedback vibration in the controller detectable by the user of the game.
12 more elements
A 3-D graphics controller for controlling a television based game, comprising:
- circuitry located at least in part on
- at least one sheet, said at least one sheet comprising:
- a circuit board sheet connected to
- a flexible membrane sheet;
- a first element structured to activate
- four unidirectional sensors, said four unidirectional sensors at least in part connected to said at least one sheet, said four unidirectional sensors useful to control the game;
- a first rotary potentiometer at least in part connected to said at least one sheet, said first rotary potentiometer useful to control the game;
- a second rotary potentiometer at least in part connected to said at least one sheet, said second rotary potentiometer useful to control the game;
- a third rotary potentiometer at least in part connected to said at least one sheet, said third rotary potentiometer useful to control the game;
- a fourth rotary potentiometer at least in part connected to said at least one sheet, said fourth rotary potentiometer useful to control the game;
- an independent first button structured to activate
- a pressure-sensitive first button sensor useful to control the game, said first button depressible by a single finger of a user, said first button sensor at least in part connected to said at least one sheet, said first button sensor capable of outputing a proportional signal representing amount of pressure applied to said first button;
- an independent second button structured to activate
- a pressure-sensitive second button sensor useful to control the game, said second button depressible by a single finger of the user, said second button sensor at least in part connected to said at least one sheet, said second button sensor capable of outputing a proportional signal representing amount of pressure applied to said second button;
- tactile feedback vibration in the controller detectable by the user of the game.
12 more elements
A 3-D graphics controller used with a television based game, comprising:
- a first element structured to activate
- four unidirectional sensors, said four unidirectional sensors useful to control said game;
- said four unidirectional sensors at least in part connected to circuitry;
- a second element with structure to activate
- a first two rotary potentiometers, said first two rotary potentiometers at least in part connected to said circuitry, said first two rotary potentiometers useful to control said game;
- a third element with structure to activate
- a second two rotary potentiometers, said second two rotary potentiometers at least in part connected to said circuitry, said second two rotary potentiometers useful to control said game;
- an independent first button structured to activate
- a first button sensor, said first button depressible by a single finger of a user, said first button sensor at least in part connected to said circuitry, said first button sensor creates simple switched On/Off data useful to control said game;
- an independent pivotal second button structured to activate
- a second button sensor, said second button pivots upon depression by a single finger of the user, said second button sensor at least in part connected to said circuitry, said second button sensor capable of outputing a proportional signal useful to control said game;
- an independent pivotal third button structured to activate
- a third button sensor, said third button pivotal upon depression by a single finger of the user, said third button sensor at least in part connected to said circuitry, said third button sensor capable of outputing a proportional signal useful to control said game;
- active tactile feedback vibration detectable by the user of said game, said active tactile feedback vibration provided by
- an offset weight connected to
- a motor, said motor at least in part connected to said circuitry.
13 more elements
A 3-D graphics controller used with a television based game, comprising:
- a first element structured to activate
- four unidirectional sensors, said four unidirectional sensors used to control said game;
- a second element with structure to activate
- a first two rotary potentiometers, said first two rotary potentiometers used to control said game;
- a third element with structure to activate
- a second two rotary potentiometers, said second two rotary potentiometers used to control said game;
- an independent first button structured to activate
- a first button sensor, said first button depressible by a single finger of a user, said first button sensor creates simple switched On/Off data used to control said game;
- an independent pivotal second button structured to activate
- a second button sensor, said second button pivots upon depression by a single finger of the user, said second button sensor capable of outputing a proportional signal used to control said game;
- an independent pivotal third button structured to activate
- a third button sensor, said third button pivotal upon depression by a single finger of the user, said third button sensor capable of outputing a proportional signal used to control said game;
- an offset weight is connected to
- a motor to provide active tactile feedback used to provide vibration to the user of said game.
11 more elements
A 3-D graphics controller used with a television based game, comprising:
- a first element movable on two axes, said first element structured to activate
- four unidirectional sensors, said four unidirectional sensors used to input a first axis and a second axis of control for the game;
- a first bi-directional proportional sensor, said first bi-directional proportional sensor used to input a third axis of control for the game;
- a second bi-directional proportional sensor, said second bi-directional proportional sensor used to input a fourth axis of control for the game;
- a third bi-directional proportional sensor, said third bi-directional proportional sensor used to input a fifth axis of control for the game;
- a fourth bi-directional proportional sensor, said fourth bi-directional proportional sensor used to input a sixth axis of control for the game;
- an independent first button structured to activate
- a first button sensor, said first button depressible by a single finger of the user, said first button sensor capable of outputing a proportional signal used to control the game;
- an independent second button structured to activate
- a second button sensor, said second button depressible by a single finger of the user, said second button sensor capable of outputing a proportional signal used to control the game;
- a sheet connecting to at least eight of the sensors.
8 more elements
A 3-D graphics controller used with a television based game, comprising:
- a housing;
- a first element structured to activate four unidirectional sensors used to control a television based game, said first element supported at least in part by said housing and sufficiently exposed to allow two axes of input;
- a second element structured to activate a first two bi-directional proportional sensors used to control the game, said second element supported at least in part by said housing;
- a third element structured to activate a second two bi-directional proportional sensors used to control the game, said third element supported at least in part by said housing;
- an independent first button sensor, said first button sensor depressible by a single finger of a user, said first button sensor creates simple switched On/Off data used to control the game, said independent first button sensor at least in part connected to
- a sheet;
- an independent pivotal second button structured to activate
- a second button sensor, said second button pivots upon depression by a single finger of the user, said second button sensor at least in part connected to said sheet, said second button sensor capable of outputing a proportional signal used to control the game;
- an independent pivotal third button structured to activate
- a third button sensor, said third button pivotal upon depression by a single finger of the user, said third button sensor at least in part connected to said sheet, said third button sensor capable of outputing a proportional signal used to control the game;
- active tactile feedback vibration detectable by the user of the game, said active tactile feedback vibration provided by
- an offset weight connected to
- a motor, said motor supported within said housing.
10 more elements
A 3-D graphics controller for controlling a television based game, comprising:
- a first element structured to activate four unidirectional sensors, said four unidirectional sensors useful to control the television based game;
- said four unidirectional sensors at least in part connected to
- a first sheet;
- a second element structured to activate a first two bi-directional proportional sensors, said first two bi-directional proportional sensors at least in part connected to said first sheet, said first two bi-directional sensors useful to control the television based game;
- a third element structured to activate a second two bi-directional proportional sensors, said second two bi-directional proportional sensors useful to control the television based game;
- said second two bi-directional proportional sensors at least in part connected to
- a second sheet, said first sheet located on a first plane, and said second sheet located on a second plane;
- an independent first button sensor, said first button sensor depressible by a single finger of the user, said first button sensor at least in part connected to said first sheet, said first button sensor capable of transforming depression into a proportional signal useful to control the television based game;
- an independent second button sensor, said second button sensor depressible by a single finger of the user, said second button sensor at least in part connected to said first sheet, said second button sensor capable of transforming depression into a proportional signal useful to control the television based game;
- tactile feedback means for providing vibration detectable by the user of said electronic game, said tactile feedback means supported within said controller.
7 more elements
A 3-D graphics controller for controlling a game, comprising:
- a first element structured to activate four unidirectional sensors, said four unidirectional sensors useful to control a game;
- said four unidirectional sensors at least in part connected to
- a first sheet;
- a second element structured to activate a first two bi-directional proportional sensors, said first two bi-directional proportional sensors at least in part connected to said first sheet, said first two bi-directional sensors useful to control the game;
- a third element structured to activate a second two bi-directional proportional sensors, said second two bi-directional sensors useful to control the game;
- said second two bi-directional proportional sensors at least in part connected to a second sheet, said first sheet located on a first plane, and said second sheet located on a second plane within said controller;
- an independent first button, said first button depressible by a single finger of the user, said first button positioned to activate a first proportional sensor and said first button positioned to activate a simple switched On/Off sensor useful to control the game;
- said first proportional sensor connected to said first sheet, said first proportional sensor capable of transforming depression of said first button into a proportional signal useful to control said electronic game;
- an independent second button, said second button depressible by a single finger of the user, said second button positioned to activate a second proportional sensor and said second button positioned to activate a simple switched On/Off sensor useful to control said electronic game;
- said second proportional sensor connected to said first sheet, said second proportional sensor capable of transforming depression of said second button into a proportional signal useful to control said electronic game;
- tactile feedback means for providing vibration detectable by the user of said electronic game, said tactile feedback means supported within said controller.
8 more elements
A hand operated controller comprising structure allowing hand inputs rotating a platform on two mutually perpendicular axes to be translated into electrical outputs by four unidirectional sensors to allow controlling objects and navigating a viewpoint, the controller including a tactile feedback means for providing vibration detectable by the user through the hand operating the controller;
- a second element movable on two mutually perpendicular axes, said second element structured to activate two bi-directional proportional sensors providing outputs at least in part controlling objects and navigating a viewpoint;
- a third element movable on two mutually perpendicular axes, said third element structured to activate two bi-directional proportional sensors providing outputs at least in part controlling objects and navigating a viewpoint;
- a plurality of independent finger depressible buttons, each button associated with
- a button sensor, said button sensor outputs at least On/Off data to allow controlling of the objects.
1 more element
A hand operated controller comprising structure allowing hand inputs rotating a platform on two mutually perpendicular axes to be translated into electrical outputs, the controller structured with four unidirectional sensors to allow controlling objects and navigating a viewpoint, the controller including an electromechanical tactile feedback structure providing vibration detectable by the user through the hand operating the controller;
- a second element movable on two mutually perpendicular axes, said second element structured to activate two bi-directional proportional sensors;
- a third element movable on two mutually perpendicular axes, said third element structured to activate two bi-directional proportional sensors;
- a plurality of independent finger depressible buttons, each button associated with
- a button sensor, said button sensor outputs at least On/Off data;
- the sensors are connected by at least one sheet, said at least one sheet comprises
- a flexible membrane sheet connected to
- a circuit board sheet.
4 more elements
A 3-D graphics controller having an economical combination of elements and buttons allowing a user to control a television based game, the controller comprising:
- a housing;
- a first element structured to activate four unidirectional sensors used to control a television based game, said first element supported at least in part by said housing and sufficiently exposed to allow two axes of input;
- a second element structured to activate a first two rotary potentiometers used to control the game;
- a third element structured to activate a second two rotary potentiometers used to control the game;
- a circuit board supporting circuitry, said circuit board located in said housing, the rotary potentiometers mounted to said circuit board;
- an independent first button structured to activate
- a first button sensor, said first button depressible by a single finger of the user, said first button sensor at least in part supported by said housing, said first button sensor capable of outputing a proportional signal used to control the game;
- an independent second button structured to activate
- a second button sensor, said second button depressible by a single finger of the user, said second button sensor at least in part supported by said housing, said second button sensor capable of outputing a proportional signal used to control the game;
- active tactile feedback structure located in said housing.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.