DE3328849A1 - LOCATION TRANSMITTER, ESPECIALLY FOR A VIDEO GAME DEVICE - Google Patents

Description

DR.-ING. ULRICH GARLIC PATENT ADVOCATE - 15 - β frankfurt / main ι. :: es, 9. August

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BALLY MAT.'LF ^ TURING CORPORATION Position converter, especially for a video game

contraption

The invention relates to a position transducer, in particular for a video game device.

Known position converters, in particular control sticks, contain switches with several leaf springs as end position detectors, in particular for the formation of an input interface to be used by a player Gaming device. For example, there are four leaf spring switches, two for the x direction and two for the y-direction, in a video game device for controlling the position indicator on a picture tube been used. Outside the video game area, position transducers are equipped with an adjustable inductive Resistor used with a control handle to generate an oscillator output signal a frequency proportional to the inductance. The oscillator output will be transmitted via a communication line (transmission line) to a remote control unit, which then counts the number of pulses from the oscillator to the oscillator frequency with the position of the control handle. This solution

However, there are numerous problems such as radiation high energy electromagnetic waves, causing corresponding electromagnetic interference and radio interference has the consequence. In addition, the return - multiple oscillator output signals can be remotely located Neten control unit crosstalk between the oscillator signals and mutual interference of the adjustable inductive resistances in the multiple. Oscillator circuitry result. To solve this problem, US Pat. No. 4,148,014 a matrix with sliding contacts between a control stick and each of those provided for the x and y directions Switched grinder matrices. The output signal from the joystick is digitally coded Multi-bit word that corresponds to a predetermined number (e.g.

.16) corresponds to possible x (and also y) positions of the control stick. These digital words are transmitted to a remote control unit which converts the movement of the joystick into a pointer movement on a picture tube. However, this solution is relatively expensive and limited in terms of the responsiveness of the control stick. In this case, radio and cross-talk interference is reduced, but at the expense of a large number of control lines between the control stick and control unit which transmit the x and y direction signals.

Other known position converters contain absolute function generators, for example sine-cosine converters based on encoders. So includes a Gray code encoder rings with grinders, so that the movement of a control knob an encoded output signal in Gray code in Depending t of the position of the wiper along the rings results. The disadvantage of such a converter is that it wears out, that it requires several output lines which represent the encoded output signal, and that it is relatively expensive. To that

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To solve the problem of wear and tear, optical encoders such as an xy cylinder-ball-slot encoder have been used. However, such a device requires two optical detectors on each axis of movement, and optical encoders are expensive. Logic circuitry is also required to determine the number of rotations to derive the direction of counting. The typical output of the Schlitzkodierers a clock pulse and a data pulse, which are from the movement of the cylinder-ball or other control handle ^"r j" is derived. This encoder is a Relativkodierer without zero. The ReIativkodierer has only a limited field of application, which because of the high costs and the additional logic circuit required is further restricted.

The invention is based on the object of avoiding the disadvantages of the known position transducers. Further should position data with relatively high resolution by the position transducer to a remote Control unit are transmitted by means of a low frequency signal, so that crosstalk and radio interference largely avoided.

In one embodiment of the invention, a multi-axis joystick has a handle, two adjustable inductive resistors, each having a movable setting element and generating an output signal depending on the movement of the ■ respective setting element, and a coupling for coupling the movement of the handle in the relevant Direction with the relevant setting element for generating corresponding output signals, in one embodiment the inductive resistors form part of a pulse generator circuit. In another embodiment, the inductive

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tive resistors are part of an oscillator circuit that generates an oscillating output signal. The output signals of the two oscillator circuits can each be fed to counters in parallel, which are reset remotely (by a remote control unit) and which have an output signal generate when it reaches a predetermined count will. Alternatively, the oscillator circuits can be selectively turned on or off and to one single resettable counter can be connected in series to generate two output signals in the form of width-modulated, to generate interleaved pulses in the time division multiplex method. The output of the counter has a lower frequency than the oscillator output signal, so that there is a lower frequency counter output signal that the remote Control unit is supplied. In one embodiment, the multi-axis joystick is part of one Video game device with a display device and a device for the visual display of the game process and a movement of at least a part of the visual representation (the image) in dependence of position data derived from the pulses or counter output signals. With another one Embodiment, the multi-axis joystick causes a 360 ° response characteristic as a function from the joystick output signals. A movement of a part of the visible is shown Game process depending on 360 ° position data from the multi-axis joystick. Furthermore is at According to a further embodiment, a device for converting joystick data into acceleration data is provided, so that in the case of the video game device an accelerated movement of part of the displayed video game process as a function of the Joystick movement is effected.

The invention, its developments and advantages are described below with reference to the drawing of preferred exemplary embodiments described in more detail. Show it:

1A shows a block diagram of an inventive
Position converter that

1B-1C perspective representations of other exemplary embodiments of the position converter according to FIG
Fig. IA, the

2A-2B various exemplary embodiments of the components 100 and 110 according to FIG. 1A,

3A shows an electrical circuit diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a position converter which generates a pulse with adjustable inductive resistance, e.g. the components 100 or 110 according to Figs. IA-IB,

3B shows an electrical circuit diagram of a position converter for generating an output pulse by means of an oscillator, which has an adjustable
having inductive resistance, and one

Counter, this position converter being an off

management example of the position converter 100 or
110 of Figures 1A-1B illustrates

4A is a block diagram of a multi-axis joystick with separate oscillators and counters

learning that are operated in parallel,

Figure 4B is a block diagram of a multi-axis joystick with two oscillators for each axis and a single downstream meter

for a time division multiplex operation,

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Fig. 5 is a more detailed electrical diagram of the arrangement of Fig. 4A and the

Figures 6A-6B show more detailed electrical diagrams of the arrangement of Figure 4B.

The position converter according to FIG. 1A contains an input converter 120 with adjustable reactance for converting movements of the user into a first analog signal 122 and a second analog signal 123 and a first device 100 and a second Device 110 in each case for generating output pulses with a variable width as a function of from the first or second analog user signal. The input transducer can be designed in various ways as will be described below.

Fig-. IB depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of an input transducer 120. The position transducer includes a first inductive resistor 130 with a first movable adjustment element. . - ,. . , ^ / "enkern for generating a first signal, _; .: i }, - .; -. · -; -." :. = -1 to the position of the first coil core .- ,. . ■: -.-.- £. : - - _: .. -J "- -.-- ■;. -"; - ,; ^: /; 0Γ! Resistor 140 with -; ■ ■ -.; -, ■■■■;? ■ ·.; ... \ ί: ν ^; ^ · "---.-., Iv. ^ Tii-.iir, t 142 resp.

BAD ORIGINAL ORIGINAL INSPECTED INCOMPLETE DOCUMENT

Another embodiment of the input transducer 120 according to FIG. 1A. The position transducer has a button 160 with a pin 162 connected to it eccentrically with respect to the center of the button 160. The position converter also contains a first inductive resistor 130 with a first movable coil core 142 for generating a first signal which is proportional to the position of the first coil core, and a second inductive resistor 140 with a second movable coil core 142 for generating a second signal that is proportional to the position of the second coil core. Facilities 172 and 174 form a coupling for coupling the movement of the button 160 via the pin 162 to either of the two Coil cores to a corresponding movement of the coil cores 132 and 142 in the relevant core or winding body of the inductive resistance or coil concerned. This position converter with one coupling the coil cores via a pin

Knob can therefore be an x-y joystick with a handle replace and form an angle converter which, for example, generates a sine-cosine function.

2A through 2B illustrate other embodiments of the reactance portion of the input converter 120 The reactance part can have adjustable inductive resistances, each of which is movable Have a bobbin or an adjustment element, for example as shown in Fig. 2A, or they can have adjustable capacitors, as shown in Fig. 2B.

Figures 3A and 3B illustrate alternative methods of generating output signals in response to the displacement of a coil core in an adjustable inductive resistor. These circuits

could also have adjustable capacitors or adjustable ohmic resistances. In a video game machine however, the adjustable inductive resistor also forms an inexpensive component high reliability, which at the same time gives the user a good feedback feeling and therefore as preferred embodiment is considered. The devices 100 and 110 can be the same or different be formed, and in the embodiments according to FIGS. 4 and 5 they are the same. The facilities 100 and 110 can either have a DC voltage output pulse, as shown in Fig. 3A or generate an oscillating output signal that is converted into a pulse-shaped output signal can be, by a counter / divider circuit as shown in Fig. 3B and with an external control unit cooperates.

Referring to Figure 3A, there is an adjustable inductive resistor 221 of the reactance input transducer Via a switch 215 either to the positive pole of an operating voltage Vcc or to ground (reference potential) tied together. The other end of the inductive resistor is connected via an ohmic resistor 224 Ground and connected directly to the non-inverting input of a differential amplifier 226. The reversing one The input of differential amplifier 226 is connected to a reference voltage Vref which is the threshold at which the amplifier switches to generate the output pulse. When the operating voltage switched on, i.e. the inductive resistor 221 is connected to Vcc, initially no current flows through it the inductive resistance so that the output voltage of amplifier 226 is initially zero or equal to the Is ground potential. The rise time of the current flowing through inductive resistor 221 is proportional the inductance of the inductive resistance,

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which in turn by the position of the coil core in the winding body of the inductive resistor 221 is determined. When the through the inductive resistor 221 and thus the current flowing through the ohmic resistor 224 has increased sufficiently the voltage drop across the ohmic resistor 224 the reference voltage Vref at the inverting input of the amplifier 226 so that its output voltage rises to a high value and a pulse is generated. the Time from connecting inductive resistor 221 to Vcc to generating the output pulse of the amplifier 226 is proportional to the inductance of the adjustable inductive resistor 221, which in turn depends on the position of the coil core in the winding body of the inductive resistor 221, which by the movement of the joystick is determined. This time or period therefore represents the situation that converted into corresponding data by a remotely (or locally) arranged external device, e.g., a video game device.

Fig. 3B illustrates another embodiment of a means for generating a signal that is proportional the position of the coil core or an adjustment element of an adjustable inductive resistor. This device contains an oscillator-counter combination as an embodiment for the device 100 or 110. An adjustable tuning element, an inductive resistor 251, controls the frequency of the oscillation an oscillator 253 which generates an oscillating output signal 254. The oscillator output signal 254 is fed to the clock input of a counter device 255. Furthermore, the counter device 255 is a Reset signal 256 supplied, which inevitably sets the count value of the counter device to a predetermined Set count value, e.g. zero. The count in the

33288A9

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Counter device is dependent on the oscillator output signal incremented, and when the counter device reaches a predetermined count, it produces an output signal 257. The use of counter 255 in conjunction with oscillator 253 and adjustable inductive resistor 251 allows a smaller induction coil 251 to be used and at the same time the generation of a low-frequency output signal. Though hence the use of the small- ' Neren induction coil 251 a higher oscillation frequency of the oscillator 253 than when using a causes a larger coil, the use of the counter 255 will nevertheless reduce the frequency by the division factor, determined by the predetermined count value is divided down to a low value. Instead of this could also use a larger induction coil 251 without the counter 255 to achieve the same output frequency be used. However, the smaller spool is more practical and much cheaper than a bigger coil.

Figure 4A depicts an embodiment of a video game device having a parallel output x-y position transducer in accordance with the present invention The game device includes a video viewer 340, a control unit 330, counters 321 and 323, oscillators 307 and 309, adjustable inductive resistors 303 and 305 as well as "a control handle with coupling device 301. The control handle with coupling device 301 in connection with the adjustable inductive resistors 303 and 305, oscillators 307 and 309 and counters 321 and 323 form an input converter which can be operated by a player for converting a physical movement into a multi-coordinate group of pulses of variable width. The inductive resistors 303 and 305 each contain a coil with a movable coil core in one associated winding body, as shown in Fig. 1B

represents is, or an adjustment element in an associated core. The oscillators 307 and 309 form Means for generating an associated coordinate signal with a frequency which is proportional to the position of the associated bobbin is relative to the associated bobbin, and form together with the associated counters 321 and 323 each have devices for generating a signal with pulses whose Width proportional to the position of the coil core in question relative to the winding body in question is. The control handle with coupling device 301 forms a device for coupling the movement of the Player with the relevant coil cores of the adjustable inductive resistors 303 and 305, so that the position of the coil cores in the windings of the inductive resistors as a function of the Movement of the control handle or control handle is set by the user. The control unit 330 shows a logic sequence control circuit for generating a control signal representing the pictorial representation on the display device depending on the operation of the input transducer by the player controls. The video viewer 340 generates a visual representation of the game process as a function of at least a portion of the control signal of the logic sequence control circuit 330. The control unit 330 can have a central processing unit 332 (central processing unit) and a memory 334 with associated Have control logic or some other circuit arrangement.

The counters 321 and 323 can have means for forcibly setting the count value in the counter means to a predetermined count (e.g. zero) in response to a corresponding reset signal as described with reference to FIG. 3B. According to Fig. 4A, the counters 321 and

respectively supplied reset signals 326 and 32.8 generated by the control unit 330, which also the counter output signals 322 and 324 are received from counters 321 and 323, respectively. The counter output signals can as described with reference to FIG. 3B, indicate that a predetermined count has been reached. aside from that In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 4A, the control unit 330 generates switch-off signals 304 and 302 or short-circuit signals for each of the oscillators 307 and 309, there being means for selectable deactivation of the associated oscillator as a function of the switch-off signal. In this way one can Oscillator 307 can be selectively locked or switched off, while the other oscillator 309 during a first period of time is switched on, and the other oscillator 309 is selectably switched off or locked while the first oscillator 307 is on for a second period of time. at In the illustrated embodiment, the first time period is at least equal to the time between first reset signal 326 or first switch-off signal 304 and the first counter output signal 322 and the second time period at least equal to the time between the second reset signal 328 or the second switch-off signal 302 and the second counter output signal 324.

Figure 4B illustrates a video game device, such as that of Figure 4A, with a position transducer which alternately Generated (according to the time division multiplex method) pulse width modulated pulses for the x and y directions. This game device includes a video viewer 340, a control unit 330 (which is a central processing unit 332 and a memory 334 or some other logic circuit), selectable or alternately switched on oscillator circuits 357 and 359, associated adjustable inductive resistances 353 and 355, a counter 370, a control logic

375 and a control handle with coupling device 301. The control handle with coupling device 301 and the associated adjustable inductive resistors 353 and 355 and oscillators 357 and 359 form a player-operable input transducer for converting the movement of the control handle into a multi-coordinate output signal. In conjunction with counter 370 and control logic 375, a pulse width modulated generated serially interleaved output pulse train according to the time division multiplex method, which one Represents multi-coordinate group of pulses of variable width. The oscillators 357 and 359 are switched on alternately and in each case solely as a function of associated switch-on signals 354 and 352. The adjustable inductive resistors 353 and 355 each have a movable coil core with an associated bobbin. The oscillators 357 and 359 constitute a means for generating an associated coordinate signal with a frequency proportional to the position of the relevant Coil core is relative to the associated bobbin. The control unit. 330 generates switch-on signals ENA and ENB, which alternately switch on the oscillators 359 and 357 via the control logic 375. From the switch-on signals Only one of ENA and ENB is generated, so that only one of the oscillators 359 and 357 is on. The control logic 375 applies a reset pulse to the reset input of the counter 370 374 closed if none of the switch-on signals ENA or ENB is present. Instead, the reset signal 374 can be generated directly by the control unit 330. During operation, the counter 370 is therefore reset before one of the oscillators is switched on, the reset signal 374 in each case depending on the presence of one or the other switch-on signal ENA or ENB switched off (on an inactive signal level) is set. Of the

The counter is therefore dependent on the actuation or switching on of the oscillators 357 and 359 is reset and incremented to the predetermined count value to produce a counter output signal 372 the control unit 330 to be supplied. In this way, the operation of the meter is divided over time 370 to the oscillators 357 and 359.

In a preferred embodiment, the control handle is the control handle and coupling device 301 can be rotated 360 ° around a central pivot point, and the coupling device adjusts. Means for adjusting of the tuning elements of the adjustable inductive resistors 303 and 305 as a function of the adjustment The oscillator outputs 306 and 308 and / or the counter outputs 322 and 324 provide Coordinate signals showing the position of the control handle in the 360 ° plane of movement around the central pivot point represent. The control unit 330 forms a device for generating coordinate signals that indicate the position of the control handle of the 360 ° plane of movement around the central pivot point depending on the first and second Display counter output signal. The control unit 330 contains a device for controlling the visible Representation or the display device as a function of the coordinate signals in such a way that the position of a Part of the visible representation or the image on the viewing device as a function of the coordinate signals will be changed. The position of the visible representation on the screen of the viewing device can therefore can be changed in a 360 ° movement plane corresponding to the 360 ° movement plane of the control handle. Further the control unit 330 and the display unit 340 can determine the speed of the change in position of the part of the change the visible display proportionally to the movement of the control handle. Thus the speed, Acceleration and location of images of the visible

Representation can be controlled by the position converter according to the invention. The device of FIG. 4 represents hence a device for changing the video image as a function of associated coordinate signals of the first and second inductive resistor group.

In another embodiment of the devices according to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the control unit 330 contains a Device for the formation of first and second digital output words with several discrete values as a function from the first and second coordinate signals. Furthermore, a device for generating a of several multi-bit data output words depending on the coordinate signals that are the adjustable inductive resistors are assigned to be provided. For example, the time span between the reset pulse and the counter output pulse generated when the predetermined count value is reached be chosen equal to one of several binary values, one of several layers of the coil core corresponds in the winding body of the adjustable inductive resistance.

To increase the angular resolution at According to the invention, a converter with a sine-cosine coding method can be used with the same number of bits will. Any type of tuning element may be formed according to this method, including one adjustable capacitor, an adjustable inductive resistor or an adjustable ohmic Resistance in the adjustable oscillator circuit. However, as a preferred embodiment adjustable inductive resistances described, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. If the two inductive resistors are aligned perpendicular (transversely) to one another, as shown in Fig. IB

is, the output signals generated are in a sine and cosine ratio to each other, where they can be represented in the form of binary (digital) numbers from several bits. The sine-cosine truncation coding method takes advantage of the fact that a sine (or cosine) value and the polarity of the other output signal (cosine or sine) the corresponding pointer value directed perpendicular to it of the cosine (or sine). Since the sine and cosine are 90 ° out of phase, changes one value slowly when the other changes rapidly. By canceling the signal that is changes slowly (runs through the area with a low gradient) and uses this value for display the polarity can therefore be the value of the other signal directed perpendicular thereto for a primary resolution value be used. The polarity and the primary resolution value therefore form a sufficient one Information on the representation of a secondary resolution value according to the interrupted output signal, so that there are values for both the sine and the cosine. For example, if all Values beyond 0.7 times the peak value in positive and negative directions from the other perpendicular directed value are read out in detail for resolution, a higher rotational angle resolution can be achieved with the same number of resolution bits, if the polarity of one value (sine or Cosine) and the resolution of the other value (cosine or sine) is used to determine both values.

In both embodiments according to FIGS. 4A and 4B, a device for accelerating the Movement of part of the video image display as a function of the rate of change per Time unit of the coordinate signals assigned to the first and second inductive resistance group

ORIGtMAL INSPECTED

are provided, e.g. the counter outputs 322 and 324.

FIG. 5 shows a detailed electrical circuit diagram of the oscillator and counter circuit according to FIG. 4A. A first adjustable inductive resistor 405, together with capacitors C1, C2 and C3 and ohmic resistors R1, R2 and R3 and a transistor Q1, forms the oscillator circuit 401, which generates an oscillating output signal with a frequency that can be changed as a function of the setting of the inductive resistor 405. The positive operating voltage Vcc (eg 5 volts) is fed to the components of the oscillator circuit 401 via the ohmic resistor R1. One side of the resistor R1 is therefore connected to the positive pole of the 5-volt operating voltage source, while the other side is connected to a connection point in which the other components of the oscillator circuit 401 are connected and to an oscillator output 504 that is connected to the Clock input of the functionally single counter formed from one behind the other counter stages 407, 409 and 411 is connected. A switch-off or short-circuit signal 500 from an external control unit, which is not shown in FIG. 5 (for example the control unit 330 according to FIG. A), is fed to the oscillator output 504 via an isolating amplifier 432 and a logic element 403 in order to connect the resistor R1 and the rest of the oscillator circuit to ground and in this way to remove the operating voltage of the oscillator 401 and to block the operation of the oscillator 401. If, however, the oscillator 401 is not switched off by the switch-off signal 501, the oscillator output 504 feeds clock pulses to the take input of the counter 407. The highest-digit output of the counter stage 407 is connected to the clock input of the counter stage 409 and in a similar way the highest

digit output of counter stage 409 is connected to the clock input of counter stage 411. The output signal The first counter output signal dem is removed from the highest-digit output of the counter 411 via a gate 421 arranged (not shown in Fig. 5) control unit supplied. From the remote (in 5) control unit (e.g. the control unit 330 according to FIG. 4) is the clear inputs of the Counter stages 407, 409 and 411 fed a reset signal 520 via a logic element 490 in order to reduce the Reset counter levels to a predetermined count value (e.g. all to zero).

The second oscillator and counter device according to Fig. 5 is parallel to the described first oscillator and counter device. The second oscillator 402 includes an adjustable inductive resistor 416, capacitors CIl, C12 and C13, ohmic resistors R12, R13 and RIl and a transistor Q2. Above the ohmic resistance RIl is the positive pole of the Operating voltage with the oscillator output and the other components of the oscillator circuit connected to it 402 connected. From the remote control unit (not shown in FIG. 5) is a second switch-off or short-circuit signal 501 via an isolating amplifier 431 and a logic element 404 fed to the output 503 of the oscillator in order to connect it to ground and in this way remove the operating voltage from the oscillator. This turns the oscillator off. If that Switch-off signal 501 is not present, i.e. the oscillator 402 is switched on, will be the take input a counter stage 406 supplied clock pulses. The counter stage 406 and two further counter stages 408 and 412 are connected in series in the same way as the counter stages 407, 409 and 411, with the highest digit output of the counter 412 via a

ORIGINAL INSPECTED

Isolation amplifier 422 as a second counter output with the remote control unit (the one in Fig. 5 is not shown and which can be the control unit 330 according to FIG. 4) is connected. The counter stages 407, 409, 411, 406, 408 and 412 can be made from commercially available digital integrated circuits manufactured, e.g. TTL components of the type SN7493.

The alternating or selective turning on of the oscillators 401 and 402 is used to solve the problem a mutual influence of induction coils arranged perpendicular to one another, e.g. such as them to implement the illustrated embodiment of an x-y control stick in connection with adjustable inductive resistors 405 and 416 are used to avoid. Through this procedure the two adjustable inductive resistors can be operated independently of each other without the To disturb or change inductance of the other adjustable inductive resistance by alternately one oscillator is turned off while the other is turned on, and vice versa.

The use of adjustable inductive resistors or chokes in the interactive joystick converter has numerous practical advantages and gives a higher resolving power compared to known ones Control sticks with leaf spring switches or other designs. For example, impaired the symmetry of the coil core in the bobbin not the inductance of the coil, provided the bobbin has not been rubbed through to the wire. . If, furthermore, an iron core in a glass-filled one Winding body is used, the reliability is increased and the wear and tear on one negligible value decreased. Hence, on

this way a higher reliability and longer service life compared to conventional control sticks achieved.

The method and apparatus for converting the joystick coordinate output signals (e.g. the Counter output signals) in one of several values results in a much higher resolution than with conventional. Control sticks with leaf spring switches.

According to a feature of the invention, the pulse width, those by the reset pulse, the switch-off signal and when a predetermined count value is reached generated counter output signal is determined, one of several values within a predetermined Range or an over-range or an under-range value can be assigned. For example a counter (or timer) in the remote controller up to a first predetermined value (e.g. the number 256), which represents the sub-range limit, and cause a sub-range display, if the count is within the first 256 counts. If not, the sub-range display removed so that the timer counter counts again to the predetermined value. If the number of If the clock pulse is within this second counting range, the count represents the position of the control stick and the bobbin in the bobbin represents the adjustable inductive resistor, this count value is represented in the form of an IM area signal. However, if the number of clock pulses received exceeds the second count to the predetermined value, an overrange indication is set and restarting the count up to the predetermined value. Through this representation process the linearity is improved and the pulse

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wide range (e.g. to a change in inductance in the ratio of 2 to 1). Since the The winding body and the coil core determine the area of the coil, determines the displacement of the coil core the pulse width range. By limiting the pulse width range to a ratio of 2 to 1 or 3 to 1 results in better linearity and better resolution with simultaneous overrange, Sub-area and IM area display achieved.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show a more detailed circuit diagram of a position converter as shown in FIG. 4B as Block diagram is shown. The circuit of Figures 6A and 6B differs in many ways from that of FIG. 5. On the one hand, the oscillators have a different circuit structure. On the other hand give way to the control signals between the control unit and the oscillators and the counter according to FIGS. 6A and 6B of those according to FIG. 5. Furthermore, in the arrangement according to FIGS. 6A and 6B, parallel oscillators are in the Time division multiplexing is used with a single counter, so that a pulse width modulation time

multiplex arrangement results while the arrangement 5 parallel oscillators and parallel counters and either generates several pulses in parallel or time-division multiplexing by selective Controlling the oscillators in the manner described causes. Further, the oscillators are shown in FIG. 6A Relaxation oscillators or relaxation generators.

In detail, in the circuit arrangement according to FIG. 6A, the oscillator 357, the associated inductive Resistor 353, the oscillator 359 and the associated inductive resistor 355, the ohmic output resistances 361 and 362 and the counter 370 of FIG. 4B operated in parallel in terms of function. The equivalents of the control unit 330 and the control logic 375 according to

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Figures 4B are shown in Figure 6B.

As FIG. 6A shows, the two oscillators have the same design. Each oscillator contains selectable switchable Three-point Schmit trigger isolating amplifier, ohmic feedback resistors, damping capacitors and inductive tuning resistors. Furthermore, an ohmic damping and separation resistance is between the output of each oscillator and the counter input. The isolation amplifiers in the oscillators are selectable switchable inverting amplifiers with a three-stage output signal and, for example, as TTL components of the type 74LS240 or as CMOS components of the type 74SC24O, which are commercially available in the form of integrated circuits. Of the The upper oscillator of Fig. 6A includes Schmit trigger amplifiers 520 and 521. The output of the amplifier 520 is connected to the input of amplifier 521 and one side of an adjustable inductive resistor 501 connected. The output of amplifier 521 is connected to one end of an ohmic resistor R22 and connected to one end of an ohmic resistor R23 which is an output-side damping resistor to establish a connection via a node 504, the output of the oscillator, from Schmit trigger 521 forms the input of the counter 540. The other ends of the ohmic resistor R22 and of the adjustable inductive resistor 501 are to one another and to one end of an ohmic Resistor R21 connected. The other end of the ohmic resistor R21 is connected to the input of the amplifier 520 connected. Furthermore, there is a capacitor C21 between ground and the input of amplifier 520, which, together with the ohmic resistor R21, causes damping around the range of the frequency change of the oscillator output signal caused by the adjustable inductive resistor 501.

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The capacitor C21 is not required to produce an oscillation of the oscillator, but can can also be omitted. It depends on the application and the requirements of the converter arrangement used. A switch-on signal ENA or 522, which is effective at a low amplitude, causes The Schmit trigger amplifiers 520 and 521 can be switched on so that the oscillator is switched on (in Oscillation) and an output signal via the ohmic resistor R23 and the output 504 outputs the clock input of the counter 540. A reset signal fed to the reset input of counter 540 542 sets the counter 540 to a predetermined count (e.g.

Zero). When the counter 540 reaches a predetermined count, a counter output signal 544 becomes which is transmitted to a control unit, e.g. 550 of Fig. 6B.

The structure and mode of operation of the lower oscillator are identical to those of the upper oscillator. So the lower oscillator contains Schmit trigger amplifiers 530 and 531, the amplifiers 520 and 521 ohmic resistances R31, R32 and R33, which correspond to ohmic resistances R21, R22 and R23, a capacitor C31, which corresponds to the capacitor C21, and an adjustable inductive Resistor 502, which corresponds to the adjustable inductive resistor 501. The oscillator also receives a switch-on signal ENB via a line 532, which is the switch-on signal fed via the line 522 ENA complies. In a similar way to the upper oscillator in connection with the counter 540 sets a reset signal 542 fed to the reset input of the counter 540, the counter can be set to a predetermined one Value before the lower oscillator is switched on, so that the counter 540 is an output

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signal 544 generated when the lower oscillator has incremented the counter so many times that a predetermined Count reached ict. The ohmic resistors R33 and R23 are common across the output 504 is connected to the clock input of the counter 540. This does not cause difficulties because each only one of the two oscillators is switched on and the other oscillator via the respective one Damping resistor at output 504 has a high impedance offers. '.

According to FIG. 6B, the control unit 550 generates two output signals ENA and ENB via output lines 551 and 552. Of these output signals, only one output signal is ever active or switched on, whereby one output signal is switched off before the other is switched on, and vice versa. the Control logic consists of NOR gates 555, 556 and 557. The gates 555, 556 and 557 can form part of the position converter, wherein they are arranged remotely from the control unit 550, or they can form part of the control unit 550. The logic elements 555 and 557 act as NOT elements (Inverse stages) and can be replaced by such in order to reverse the signals ENA and ENB reverse the negated signals ENA and ENB on lines 522 and 532, respectively. The NOR gate 556 causes a logical combination of the signals ENA and ENB, whereby there is only one output line 542 then a reset signal is generated if both signals ENA and ENB on lines 551 and 552 are not present or are switched off. The reset signal on line 542, which is connected to the reset input of the counter 540 is therefore normally present (active) so that it will reset the counter. if hence one of the two oscillators by the signal ENA on the line 551 or the signal ENB on the

ORIGIiMAL INSPECTED

ft * «.ft * ft

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Line 552 is turned on, the reset signal on line 542 is turned off so that the counter 540 is turned on and up to the predetermined one The count counts and sends the output signal to the control unit 550 via the line 544. As has already been mentioned, both signals ENA and ENB are switched off before the oscillators are switched on changes. Therefore, the counter 540 is reset between switching on the two oscillators, the correct counter output signal on the line 544 in all operating phases of the circuit.

The use of relaxation oscillators or relaxation oscillators, as shown in Fig. 6A, gives a larger dynamic frequency change range depending on a predetermined change in the adjustable inductive resistance as with other types of oscillator. However, other oscillator circuits can also be used which have a different circuit structure and different adjustable components.

Other variations of the illustrated position transducers and video game devices with position transducers are available also within the scope of the invention.

Claims (60)

s ^ entitlements 10 Position converter, characterized by: a first adjustable inductive resistor with a first movable adjustment element; means for generating a first signal indicative of the location the first adjustment element is proportional; a second adjustable inductive resistor a second movable adjustment member; a device for generating a second signal, that is proportional to the position of the second adjustment element; and a control handle for moving at least of the one of the two setting elements as a function of an external actuating force. 15th 2. Converter according to claim 1, characterized by means for coupling the movement of the control handle to the two adjustment elements. 20th 3. Converter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by a device for generating a first and a second output pulse in response to the first and second signals, respectively. 25th 4. Position converter _f characterized by: a first adjustable inductive resistor with a first movable setting element; An institution for generating a first signal proportional to the position of the first adjustment element; a second adjustable inductive resistor with a second movable adjustment element; one Means for generating a second signal which is proportional to the position of the second setting element is; and a control button for adjusting the two setting elements in a mutually perpendicular manner Directions depending on a rotation of the control knob. 5. Converter according to claim 4, characterized by a device for generating a first and a second output pulse as a function of the first and the second signal, respectively. 6. Converter according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by a device for generating a first and a second periodic oscillation, the period of which depends on the respective first and the second signal is changeable «, 7. Converter according to claim 6, characterized by a counter device for generating counter output signals depending on a count of the periodic oscillation transitions at each the first and second periodic oscillation. 8. Converter according to claim 7, characterized by 'a device for resetting the counter in Dependence on a reset signal. 9. Converter according to claim 8, characterized by a device for the selectable activation of the mentioned device, so that the two periodic oscillations alternate and each only one is issued, and one device for Output of the reset signal before switching on one and the other of the two periodic oscillations. 10. Converter according to claim 6, characterized by a first and a second counter device for Generate a first and a second each . ■ Counter output signal depending on a Counting of the periodic oscillation transitions for the first and the second periodic Vibration. 11. Converter according to claim 1 or 4, characterized by a device for generating a first and a second output pulse, each dependent on the first and the second signal changeable pulse width. 12. Converter according to claim 10, characterized by means for resetting the first and second counter as a function of a reset signal. 13. Converter according to claim 10, characterized by a device for turning off the two, induk-. . tive resistances depending on a switch-off signal. 14. Input device operable by a player, characterized by: a device for Transforming the player's movement into a multi-coordinate group of pulses with a variable width, comprising: at least a first and second inductive resistor group, each resistor group an adjustable inductive resistor with an associated sliding coil core and an associated bobbin for generating -A- generation of an associated coordinate signal with a pulse width that is proportional is for the position of the coil core in question relative to the respective winding body, and a device for coupling player movements with the respective coil core in order to shift the To enable coil cores in the two inductive resistance groups by the user. 15. Position converter for a gaming device, characterized by: an input converter with a Reactance for converting user movements into a first and second user signal, first means for generating an output pulse of variable width as a function from the first user signal and second means for generating an output pulse with a width depending on the second user signal. 16. Converter according to claim 15, characterized in that that the input uniform has a first and a second group of inductive resistors, each a variable inductive resistor with a movable adjustment element, in particular Bobbin have. 17. Converter according to claim 15, characterized in that the input converter has a first and a having a second adjustable capacitor. 18. Position converter for communication with a remote arranged device, characterized by an oscillator device with a changeable Tuning element for generating an oscillator output signal, its frequency can be adjusted depending on the variable tuning element is; a counter device with a reset input for resetting the counter device a predetermined count value, with a clock input for advancing the counter device, wherein the counter means an output signal depending on the achievement of a predetermined one Count value generated; and means for transmitting the output signal of the counter means to the remote device. · 19. Converter according to Ar.o ^ ruch 18, characterized in that that the remote device generates the reset signal. 20. Converter according to claim 18, characterized by a device for the selectable blocking of the oscillator output signal depending on a dial signal. 21. Position converter, characterized by: a control unit for generating a first and a second switch-on signal; a first oscillator with a first variable tuning element for the selectable Generating an output signal as a function of the first switch-on signal with a frequency depending on the first variable tuning element; a second oscillator with a second variable tuning element for the selectable generation of a second output signal as a function of the second switch-on signal with a frequency depending on the second variable Voting element; means for generating a reset signal as a function of the two switch-on signals; and counter means having means for setting the counter device to a predetermined Count value as a function of the reset signal, the counter device as a function of one or the other of the two oscillating gate output signals is switched on and an output signal generated depending on the reaching of a predetermined count value. 22. Converter according to claim 21, characterized in that the variable tuning elements are inductive Resistances are. 23. Converter according to claim 21, characterized in that the control unit comprises: a first device for generating a first digital output signal as a function of the time interval between the first switch-on signal and the counter output signal; and a second device for Generating a second digital output signal as a function of the time between the second switch-on signal and the counter output signal. 24. Converter according to claim 21, characterized by a device for generating an image in which at least a part of the image can be changed as a function of the counter output signal. 25. Converter according to claim 21, characterized in that the image part at a speed above a screen is scrollable which is proportional to the counter output signal. 26. Converter according to one of claims 21 to 24, characterized by a control handle and a Device for changing the two adjustable tuning elements as a function of the movement of the control handle. 27. Converter according to claim 21, characterized by a pivot point which can be moved through 360 ° about a central pivot point Control handle and a device for changing the two tuning elements as a function from the movement of the control handle. 28. Converter according to claim 27, characterized by a device for generating coordinate signals, which depends on the position of the control handle during the 360 ° movement around the central pivot point from the Zählex'wtu ^ output signal. 29. Converter according to claim 28, characterized by a viewing device for generating a visible one Representation in which the position of a part of the representation as a function of the coordinate signals is changeable. 30. Converter according to claim 29, characterized in that the position of the display part in a 360 ° - The plane of movement can be changed as a function of the movement of the control handle. 31. Converter according to claim 29, characterized in that the speed of the change in position is proportional the control handle movement is. 32. Converter according to claim 28, characterized in that the coordinate signals have several discrete movement positions represent for each variable tuning element relative to the central pivot point of the handle. 33. Position converter, characterized by a control unit for generating a first and a second reset signal and for receiving first and second counter output signals; a first Oscillator with a first variable tuning element for generating an output signal having a frequency dependent on the first changeable tuning element; a first counter device having a device for setting the first counter device to a predetermined count value as a function of the first reset signal, wherein the first counter means in dependence on the first oscillator output signal is advanced and the first counter output signal depending on the achievement of a generating a first predetermined count value; a second oscillator with a second variable Tuning element for generating a second output signal with a frequency as a function of the second variable tuning element; a second meter device having a device for setting the second counter device to a predetermined count value as a function of the second reset signal, wherein the second counter means in dependence on the second Oscillator output signal is switched on and the second counter output signal as a function generated from reaching a second predetermined count; and means for transmitting of the first and second counter output signals to the control unit. 34. Converter according to claim 33, characterized in that the two variable tuning elements are inductive Resistances are. 35. Converter according to claim 33, characterized in that the control unit has: a first device to generate a first digital output signal depending on the time span zv / i- see the first reset signal and the first counter output signal and a second device for generating a second digital output signal as a function of the time interval between the second reset signal and the second counter output signal. 36. Converter according to claim 33, characterized by a device for generating an image which at least a part of the image changes depending on the first and second counter output signals changes. 37. Converter according to claim 36, characterized in that the image part has a speed above a screen is scrollable that is proportional to the first and second counter output signals is. 38. Converter according to claim 33, 35 or 36, characterized by a control handle and a device for changing the two changeable tuning elements depending on the movement of the control handle. . . 39 .. Converter according to claim 33, characterized by a device for the selectable blocking of the second Oscillator output signal and switching on the first oscillator output signal for a first Period of time and means for selectively blocking the first oscillator output signal and Turning on the second oscillator output signal for a second period of time. 40. Converter according to claim 39, characterized in that the first time period between the first reset signal and the first counter output signal - ίο - and the second time period between the second reset signal and the second counter output signal lies. 41 .. converter according to claim 33, characterized by a control handle movable through 360 ° about a central pivot point and a device for changing the first and second tuning elements in Dependence on the movement of the control handle. 42. Converter according to claim 41, characterized by a device for generating coordinate signals, which shows the position of the control handle in the 360 ° range of motion around the central pivot point in Represent as a function of the first and second counter output signals. 43. Converter according to claim 42, characterized by a viewing device for forming a visible one Representation in which the position of a part of the representation as a function of the coordinate signals is changeable. 44. Converter according to claim 43, characterized in that the position of the display part in a 360 ° - The plane of movement can be changed as a function of the movement of the control handle. 45. Converter according to claim 43, characterized in that the speed of the change in position is proportional to control handle movement. 46. Converter according to claim 33, characterized in that the control unit has: a device for generating a first digital signal in Dependence on the expired between the first reset signal and the first counter output signal Time and a facility to generate Ί \ J ':.;■'.: ■ Ό: '. ^: 3 3 2 3 8 Λ a second digital signal as a function of the time elapsed between the second reset signal and the second counter output signal.
5 47. Converter according to claim 33, characterized in that the control unit is relative to the first and second Oscillator and the first and second counters is located remotely. 48. Converter according to claim 42, characterized in that the plurality of discrete Koordinacensx _fe dimensional movement layers representing each variable tuning element relative to the central point of rotation of the control handle. 49. Converter according to claim 27 or 41, characterized in that the control handle rotates 360 ° around the central ■ The center of rotation can be moved with a variable radius is. 50. Converter according to claim 27 or 41, characterized in that the control handle by 360 ° around the middle Pivot point is movable with a fixed radius. 51. Video game device, characterized by: a player-operated input transducer for converting a player's movement into a multi-coordinate set of pulses of variable width, which has: at least first and second sets of variable inductive resistors, each of which Wider ^^ andsgruppe has: an inductive resistor with an associated movable coil core in an associated winding body and a device for generating an associated coordinate signal with a pulse width that is proportional to the location of the coil core in question is to the winding body concerned; a logical one Sequence control circuit for generating a control signal depending on the input converter; means for coupling player movement with each coil core, so that a shift in position of the coil cores by the user in the two inductive resistance groups is possible; and a video viewer for forming a visual representation depending on the control signal. 52. Apparatus according to claim 51, characterized by a device for generating a first and a second digital output word with several discrete values depending on the first and second coordinate signal. 53. Apparatus according to claim 51, characterized by a device for changing the representation the video viewer as a function of associated coordinate signals of the first and second Resistance group. 54. Apparatus according to claim 51, characterized by a device for the selectable generation of a of several multi-bit output data words depending on that of the first inductive resistor group assigned coordinate signal. 55. Apparatus according to claim 54, characterized by a device for the selectable generation of a of several multi-bit data output words depending on that of the second inductive resistor group assigned coordinate signal. 56. Device according to one of claims 51 to 55, characterized by means for accelerating the movement of a portion of the pictorial Display on the video display device depending on speed with which the
The pulse width of the coordinate signals assigned to the first and second inductive resistance groups changes per unit of time.
5 57. Apparatus according to claim 51, characterized by a device for moving a part of the visual representation in a 360 ° plane of movement depending on the input transducer. 58. Position converter, characterized by: a first
adjustable inductive resistance with a
first movable adjustment element; means for generating a first signal which the Position of the first setting element proportional is; a second adjustable inductive resistor with a second movable adjustment element; means for generating a second signal indicative of the position of the second adjustment element. is proportional; a control handle to move
of the two adjustment elements transversely to each other in
Dependence on an external actuating force; and
means for generating sinusoidal and cosinusoidal output signals in dependence on the first and second signal. · ■ 59. Converter according to claim 58, characterized by
means for generating a primary multi-bit digital output signal depending on that of the sine and cosine output signals, the value of which is changes faster within a predetermined period of time; means for generating a single bit polarity output signal dependent on of those of the sinusoidal and cosinusoidal Output signals, the value of which changes more rapidly within a predetermined period of time. t,. " · ■ - 14 - 60. Converter according to claim 59, characterized by a device for generating a secondary multi-bit digital output signal that the slow change of the sine and cosine output signals as a function of the primary multi-bit digital Output signal and the polarity output signal.