EP0466298A1 - Levier de commande optique pour jeu vidéo - Google Patents

Levier de commande optique pour jeu vidéo Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0466298A1
EP0466298A1 EP91303227A EP91303227A EP0466298A1 EP 0466298 A1 EP0466298 A1 EP 0466298A1 EP 91303227 A EP91303227 A EP 91303227A EP 91303227 A EP91303227 A EP 91303227A EP 0466298 A1 EP0466298 A1 EP 0466298A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
control shaft
joystick
slidable members
frame
slidable
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP91303227A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Gregory J. Tastad
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Williams Electronics Games Inc
Original Assignee
Williams Electronics Games Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Williams Electronics Games Inc filed Critical Williams Electronics Games Inc
Publication of EP0466298A1 publication Critical patent/EP0466298A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY
    • G05G9/00—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously
    • G05G9/02—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only
    • G05G9/04—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously
    • G05G9/047—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to electronic video games, and more particularly to joystick controls for such games.
  • Joysticks are well known in the art and are particularly suited to control or direct two-dimensional movement of an image on a video screen.
  • the prior art teaches the use of an optical mask arrangement for converting the joystick position into a digital format for use by a microprocessor that controls operation of the video game.
  • These joysticks are ideally suited for controlling two separate functions of image movement, such as direction of movement and velocity.
  • An optical, dual function joystick of this type is described in U. S. Patent 4,856,785 (“the Lantz patent”), which is hereby incorporated by reference.
  • the joystick design disclosed in the Lantz patent employs a costly specialized plate assembly to support slidable members, which carry fins to interrupt the light beams produced by opto-sensors. Also, the structure that communicates joystick movement to the opto-sensors requires several small mechanical parts which must be assembled in a confined area. Specifically, the slidable members are mounted on posts and are secured by several "C"-rings and washers, which must be individually installed.
  • the joystick described in the Lantz patent employs an elaborate elastomeric centering member secured by "C"-rings to four posts on the bottom of the specialized plate assembly.
  • the joystick control shaft is retained in a metal hub, which is separately mounted to the frame.
  • the hub contains a swivel bearing to allow pivotal motion of the joystick.
  • the joystick of the present invention is of rugged, durable construction, but can be manufactured more easily and inexpensively than conventional joysticks embodying similar opto-sensor technology. These advantages are obtained by simplifying the design of the structure used to communicate joystick movement to the opto-sensors.
  • the present joystick employs an elastomeric grommet to support a control shaft, which includes a user-operated handle. The grommet biases the shaft toward a neutral center position when no external force is applied.
  • the handle of the control shaft is operated by the video game player, the distal end of the shaft moves two slidable members, which are mounted to the lower portion of a joystick frame for movement in perpendicular directions.
  • the slidable members carry optical blocking fins, which interrupt the light beams produced by the opto-sensors. When the slidable members are moved by the control shaft, the fins create a unique pattern for each discrete joystick position.
  • the opto-sensors transmit a corresponding digital code for use by the video game microprocessor.
  • FIG. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the same embodiment shown in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing the relationship of the slidable members to the carriage.
  • FIG. 1 A preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1.
  • a rectangular frame 10 is provided to support the joystick assembly.
  • the frame is plastic.
  • the frame has a central aperture to receive a control shaft 12 therein.
  • a lower stop 14 is secured to the end of the frame 10.
  • the lower stop 14 separates the frame 10 from an electronic circuit board 16.
  • the circuit board 16 mounts optical sensor elements (to be described) and other electronic components.
  • the lower stop 14 and the circuit board 16 also have central apertures to accommodate passage of the control shaft 12.
  • the control shaft 12 which has a user-operated handle 18 fixedly secured to one end thereof, is mounted for multidirectional pivotal movement relative to the frame 10.
  • the control shaft 12 is secured to the frame via a substantially annular elastomeric grommet 20.
  • the grommet 20 biases the control shaft 12 to a neutral center position.
  • the control shaft 12 then passes through a plastic spacer 22, which is concentrically disposed within the aperture in the lower stop 14.
  • the spacer 22 limits the maximum displacement of the control shaft 12 by butting against the edge of the aperture in the lower stop 14. Thus, maximum control shaft displacement can be altered by changing the outer diameter of the spacer.
  • the spacer 22, is held in place by a "C"-ring 24, which is secured in a circumferential groove on the control shaft 12.
  • the distal end of the control shaft 12 passes through elongated apertures 26, 28 in two rectangular, orthogonally disposed, slidable members 30, 32.
  • the construction and arrangement of the slidable members 30, 32 can be clearly seen in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.
  • a carriage 33, having carriage supports 34, 36 is secured to the bottom of the electronic circuit board 16.
  • the carriage supports 34, 36 each contain a pair of grooves 38, 40 for retaining the two slidable members 30, 32.
  • Slidable member 30 is disposed for sliding motion in grooves 38 located in the carriage support 34.
  • Slidable member 32 is disposed for sliding motion in grooves 40 located in the carriage support 36.
  • the grooves 38 in the carriage support 34 are disposed so that the plane in which slidable member 30 travels is slightly above, and substantially parallel to the plane of travel of slidable member 32. Thus, the slidable members do not interfere with each other.
  • the slidable member 30 is moved in either direction shown by arrow 42, in response to a movement of handle 18 in the opposite direction.
  • arrow 44 indicates the directions of movement of slidable member 32.
  • control shaft when moved in either direction indicated by arrow 42, will cause movement of slidable member 30 along the same axis, but will not disturb the location of slidable member 32.
  • the control shaft will merely move within the confines of oval-shaped aperture 28.
  • slidable member 32 when the control shaft is moved in either direction indicated by arrow 44, slidable member 32 will be repositioned and slidable member 30 will remain stationary. Movement of the control shaft in any direction other than the orthogonal directions shown by arrows 42 and 44 will cause both slidable members to be moved simultaneously.
  • a plurality of optical blocking fins 46 are fixedly mounted on slidable members 30, 32. In the disclosed embodiment, two fins are disposed substantially near each end of the upper surfaces of the slidable members 30, 32. Each fin 46 is associated with a corresponding opto-switch 48 disposed on the circuit board 16. The fins 46 sequentially block and unblock the opto-switches 48 depending on the direction and magnitude of movement of the joystick. Each position of the joystick corresponds to a unique digital output code generated by the opto-switches 48 to the controlling microprocessor of the video game. This information is used by the microprocessor to determine the flow of the game's computer program. The use of digital codes from opto-switches associated with the joystick is described more fully in the Lantz patent.
  • the design of the present joystick allows easy, inexpensive manufacture. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the slidable members 30, 32 are easily positioned in their respective grooves in the carriage supports 34, 36 during assembly.
  • the present joystick also employs a simple annular elastomeric grommet, which is secured directly to the frame 10 during assembly, to bias the control shaft 12 to centered position. The grommet also assists in retaining the control shaft 12 in the frame 10, eliminating the need for additional means to support the shaft.
  • the design improvements embodied in the present joystick allow easy, efficient assembly, while reducing per unit material and assembly costs.
  • the game player moves the handle 18 to effect movement of a screen image.
  • the movement of handle 18 is transmitted to the slidable members 30, 32 by the control shaft 12.
  • Control shaft 12 displaces either or both of the slidable members 30, 32, resulting in the generation of a unique joystick position code by the opto-switches 48.
  • Circuitry similar to that disclosed in the Lantz patent is used to transmit the unique joystick position code to the controlling microprocessor.
  • the microprocessor uses the positioning information to make calculations according to algorithms contained in the game's software program. Upon completion of these calculations, the video screen is updated to reflect the result of the player's movement of the joystick. This process is repeated several times per second. If the player ceases to operate the joystick at any time, the elastomeric grommet 20 biases the control shaft 12 to its neutral center position.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Position Input By Displaying (AREA)
  • Mechanical Control Devices (AREA)
  • Switches With Compound Operations (AREA)
EP91303227A 1990-07-11 1991-04-11 Levier de commande optique pour jeu vidéo Withdrawn EP0466298A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US55107290A 1990-07-11 1990-07-11
US551072 1990-07-11

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0466298A1 true EP0466298A1 (fr) 1992-01-15

Family

ID=24199728

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP91303227A Withdrawn EP0466298A1 (fr) 1990-07-11 1991-04-11 Levier de commande optique pour jeu vidéo

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0466298A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5911627A (en) * 1997-10-23 1999-06-15 Logitech, Inc. Electromagnetic joystick using varying overlap of coils and conductive elements
FR2924529A1 (fr) * 2007-12-04 2009-06-05 Siemens Vdo Automotive Sas Dispositif de commande d'un appareil electronique

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2125947A (en) * 1982-08-30 1984-03-14 Suncom Inc Joy stick
US4731530A (en) * 1986-04-21 1988-03-15 Mikan Peter J Joystick control having optical sensors
US4958071A (en) * 1989-01-13 1990-09-18 Advanced Gravis Computer Technology, Ltd. A joystick including an optical encoder with film strips in sliding contact
US4994669A (en) * 1990-07-29 1991-02-19 Stern Michael A Opto-electrical joystick switch having a resilient, rigidly mounted central shaft

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2125947A (en) * 1982-08-30 1984-03-14 Suncom Inc Joy stick
US4731530A (en) * 1986-04-21 1988-03-15 Mikan Peter J Joystick control having optical sensors
US4958071A (en) * 1989-01-13 1990-09-18 Advanced Gravis Computer Technology, Ltd. A joystick including an optical encoder with film strips in sliding contact
US4994669A (en) * 1990-07-29 1991-02-19 Stern Michael A Opto-electrical joystick switch having a resilient, rigidly mounted central shaft

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5911627A (en) * 1997-10-23 1999-06-15 Logitech, Inc. Electromagnetic joystick using varying overlap of coils and conductive elements
US6248018B1 (en) 1997-10-23 2001-06-19 Logitech, Inc. Electromagnetic pointing device using varying overlap of coils and conductive elements
FR2924529A1 (fr) * 2007-12-04 2009-06-05 Siemens Vdo Automotive Sas Dispositif de commande d'un appareil electronique
WO2009071258A1 (fr) * 2007-12-04 2009-06-11 Continental Automotive France Dispositif de commande d'un appareil electronique

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