GB2210145A - Improvements in joysticks for computer games - Google Patents

Improvements in joysticks for computer games Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2210145A
GB2210145A GB8821925A GB8821925A GB2210145A GB 2210145 A GB2210145 A GB 2210145A GB 8821925 A GB8821925 A GB 8821925A GB 8821925 A GB8821925 A GB 8821925A GB 2210145 A GB2210145 A GB 2210145A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
joystick
fire
assembly
contacts
buttons
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Withdrawn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
GB8821925A
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GB8821925D0 (en
Inventor
Kevin John Whitefield
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.)
CHEETAH MARKETING Ltd
Original Assignee
CHEETAH MARKETING Ltd
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 CHEETAH MARKETING Ltd filed Critical CHEETAH MARKETING Ltd
Publication of GB8821925D0 publication Critical patent/GB8821925D0/en
Publication of GB2210145A publication Critical patent/GB2210145A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
    • A63F13/20—Input arrangements for video game devices
    • A63F13/24—Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
    • 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
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
    • A63F13/20—Input arrangements for video game devices
    • A63F13/24—Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
    • A63F13/245—Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/033—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor
    • G06F3/038—Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
    • G06F3/0383—Signal control means within the pointing device
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
    • A63F13/20—Input arrangements for video game devices
    • A63F13/22—Setup operations, e.g. calibration, key configuration or button assignment
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
    • A63F13/80—Special adaptations for executing a specific game genre or game mode
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
    • A63F13/80—Special adaptations for executing a specific game genre or game mode
    • A63F13/837—Shooting of targets
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
    • A63F2300/10—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals
    • A63F2300/1018—Calibration; Key and button assignment
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
    • A63F2300/10—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals
    • A63F2300/1062—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
    • A63F2300/80—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game specially adapted for executing a specific type of game
    • 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
    • G05G2009/04703—Mounting of controlling member
    • 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
    • G05G2009/0474—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 characterised by means converting mechanical movement into electric signals
    • G05G2009/04744—Switches
    • 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
    • G05G2009/04774—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 with additional switches or sensors on the handle
    • 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
    • G05G2009/04781—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 with additional rotation of the controlling member
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/033—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Control Devices (AREA)
  • Switches With Compound Operations (AREA)
  • Position Input By Displaying (AREA)

Abstract

A joystick for use in a computer game has three main parts, a base assembly (12) a handgrip assembly (14) and a cable assembly (16). The upper half (12a) of the base assembly has apertures to accommodate fire-buttons (20, 22) an anti-fire switch (24) and a mode switch (26). A printed circuit board is provided within the base assembly together with contact switches and two additional contact switches which are operated by twisting the handgrip assembly either clockwise or anti-clockwise. The handgrip assembly (14) is provided with two fire buttons (30, 32). The cable assembly (16) comprises a cable which divides into two parts (16a, 16b), the ends of which are provided with D-type plugs (34, 36). The mode switch (26) enables the joystick to be used in either the standard or enhanced mode in which the additional contacts engaged by twisting the handgrip (14) are brought into operation. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN JOYSTICKS FOR COMPUTER GAMES.
The present invention relates to joysticks for computer games.
With the boom in computers for the domestic market as well as the boom in the development of the software, the complexity of games available has increased very substantially in recent years. The majority of games are controlled with joysticks which provide the user with up to eight directional controls and up to four fire buttons. However there has not been a substantial change in the design of the joystick, so that the conventional joystick becomes more difficult to operate effectively as the complexity of new games increases.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome the above disadvantage in connection with conventional joysticks, and provide a dual function joystick which will greatly increase the speed of the game including manoeuverability and fire power.
According to the present invention there is provided a joystick for a computer game, said joystick comprising a base assembly and a handle assembly and including at least two additional contacts in said base assembly which can be contacted by movement of the handle assembly in a manner other than in a linear direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle.
Preferably said additional contacts comprise a pair of contacts, the first being operated by twisting the handle assembly in a clockwise direction about its longitudinal axis and the second being operated by twisting the handle in an anti-clockwise direction.
The joystick may additionally include n firebuttons, all of which can be independently operated from the other one. Preferably, there are four fire buttons, two on the handle assembly and two on the base assembly.
The joystick may further additionally include a mode switch to enable the joystick to operate in either the standard mode or in an enhanced mode, in which the additional contacts in the base assembly and the additional independent fire-buttons are brought into operation.
An auto-fire button may additionally be provided.
Preferably, twisting of the handle assembly to engage the additional contacts may be used in a computer game to provide rotation of a weapon either to the left or right independent of the movement of the vehicle on which it is mounted.
The present invention will now be described in greater detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figures 1A and 1B are respectively a front elevation and side elevation view of a preferred form of dual function joystick according to the present invent ion; Figure 1C is a plan view of the joystick shown in Figures 1A and 1B showing the provision of the cables connected to two ports in the computer; Figure 2A is a circuit diagram of the joystick shown in Figure 1, with the switch in the standard joystick position; Figures 2B is the same circuit diagram with the switch in the enhanced joystick position.
Referring to Figures 1A to 1C, the dual purpose joystick 10 comprises three main parts, the base assembly 12, the handgrip assembly 14 and the cable asembly 16.
The base assembly 12 consists of a moulded plastic casing split into upper and lower halves 12a and 12b, the two parts of the base being held together by means of four self tapping screws (not shown). The upper half 12a of the base 12 is provided with apertures through which protrude the handgrip assembly 14 two fire buttons 20 and 22 (hereinafter called the third and fourth fire buttons), an anti-fire switch 24 and mode switch 26. The lower half 12b of the base 12 has apertures for receiving four rubber suction feet 28, and an aperture in the side thereof to receive the cable assembly 16.
The handgrip assembly 14 consists of a moulded plastic case split into two side halves 14a and 14b, the two sides being held together by means of three self tapping screws (not shown). An inner shaft (not shown) is sandwiched between the two side halves 14a and 14b of the handgrip 14. Provided at the top of the handgrip 14 are two fire buttons 30 and 32 (hereinafter called the first and second fire buttons).
Inside the base assembly 12, clamped between the upper and lower halves 12a and 12b, is a printed circuit board (not shown), most of the wiring of which connects the respective switches to the cable 16. The third and fourth fire buttons 20 and 22 are sandwiched between the printed circuit board and the upper half 12a of the base assembly 12. Appropriate contact switches (not shown) for the up, down, left, right, rotate left, rotate right functions are all secured to the lower half 12b of the base assembly 12. The contact switches are of simple construction and consist of a spring steel plate and a screw connected to earth and line respectively. The contact switch is normally open, but when the plate is pressed against the screw the switch closes to complete the circuit. The plate springs back to open the switch when released.
The inner shaft of the handgrip assembly 14 is provided with a large circular bottom which activates the contact switches located in the base assembly 12, namely the switches for the up, down, left, right, rotate left and rotate right functions.
Operation of the contacts for movement in the up, down, left and right directions is conventional. The contacts for the rotate left and rotate right functions are operated by twisting the handle assembly 14 about its longitudinal axis, either to the left or right. It should be noted that the shaft of the joystick is self centering, so that after operation to close any one or more contacts, it returns to the neutral position on being released.
The cable assembly 16 comprises an eleven core cable which divides into two parts 16a and 16b, the part 16a carrying six of the eleven cores, whilst the part 16b carries the remaining five. Each part 16a and 16b of the cable assembly terminates in a respective nine pin "D" type plug 34 and 36. The plug 34 is connected to the primary computer port and the plug 36 is connected to the secondary computer port, the former being coloured black and the latter coloured grey for easy identification.
The mode switch 26 is a sliding switch which is provided to change between the two different modes of operation as follows: (a) The standard joystick mode which has up, down, left, right, diagonals and a primary fire function.
(b) The enhanced mode which has all the functions in mode (a) above, plus rotate left, rotate right and three independent fire buttons.
The auto-fire switch 24 is also a slide switch in which is provided in order to turn off and on the rapid fire.
Referring now to the circuit shown in Figures 2A and 2B, it will be noted that the mode switch 26 comprises a four pole change over switch, Figure 2A showing the switch in the position for the standard joystick mode, whilst Figure 2B shows the switch in the position for the enhanced mode. The six contact switches in the base assembly 12 are indicated by the letters, U, D, L, R, RL and RR. The auto-fire switch 24 operates a contact Z. The respective first to fourth fire buttons 30, 32, 20 and 22 operate the contacts Fl, F2, F3 and F4.
One side of the contacts U, D, L, R, Z and F1 to F4 are connected to both pin 8 on the primary plug 34 and the right hand moving contact of the upper section 26a of the four pole change over mode switch 26. The other side of the contacts U, D, L and R are connected to the pins 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively of the primary plug 34. The other side of contact F1 associated with the primary fire button 30 is connected to pin 6 of the primary plug 34.
Pins 5, 7 and 9 are left unconnected.
The auto-fire button 24 and contact Z are effectively in parallel with the contact F1. The mode N which is connected to pin 6 is also connected to the lower pair of fixed contacts of the lower section 26b of the mode switch 26 and the left hand lower fixed contact of the upper sect ion 26a of the mode switch 26.
One side of the contacts RL and RR are connected in common to the right hand upper fixed contact of the upper section 26a. The other sides of the contacts RL and RR are connected to pins 3 and 4 respectively of the secondary plug 36. One side of the contacts F2 to F4 are connected to the conmon pin 8 whilst the other side of these contacts are connected as follows: (a) F2 - righthand moving contact of the lower section 26b.
(b) F3 - lefthand moving contact of the lower section 26b.
(c) F4 - left hand moving contact of the upper section 26a.
The lefthand upper fixed contacts of the two switch sections 26a and 26b are connected to pins 2 and 1 of the secondary plug 36. The righthand upper fixed contact of the lower switch section 26b is connected to pin 6 of the secondary plug 36. The righthand lower fixed contact of the upper section 26a remains unconnected.
When the moving contacts of the mode switch 26 are in the position shown in Figure 2A, the pins of the secondary plug 36 are isolated from the circuit completely together with the contacts RL and RR. In this position the joystick operates in the standard mode. The lead connected to pin 8 acts as a common negative lead, whilst the leads from pins 1 to 4 are the positive leads to the respective contacts U, D, L and R. The lead from pin 6 acts as a common positive for the auto-fire button 24 and associated contact Z, the contact Fl and also the contacts F2 to F4 through the mode switch 26.
On the other hand when the moving contacts of the mode switch 26 are in the position shown in Figure 2B, the joystick is in its enhanced mode. Thus in addition to the standard mode it is able to effect the operations of rotate left, rotate right and the three fire buttons 32, 20 and 22 associated with the contacts F2 to F4 are independently connected into the computer. As will be evident from Figure 2B the contacts F2, F3 and F4 receive positive feeds through respective pins 6, 1 and 2 of the secondary plug 36, quite independently of the feed to contact F1 from pin 6 of the primary plug 34.
It will be appreciated that when the joystick is used in the enhanced mode, the versatility of a computer game can be greatly increased. Take, for example, one of the earliest computer games "tanks". In its original form it was only possible to fire at an enemy tank when facing directly towards the enemy tank, so that one had to continually move ones own tank, to keep facing the moving enemy tank. With the joystick in the enhanced mode, it is thus possible to rotate the turret of the tank either to the right or the left by twisting the handle assembly independently of any directional adjustment to the movement of the tank. Thus with the joystick in the enhanced mode, it is possible to fire broadside on whilst dashing for cover, or to fire backwards whilst retreating. In addition the excitment of the game can be increased by using the additional fire buttons 32, 20 and 22 to respectively operate as follows:- 32 - a machine gun located at the front, 20 - the laying of mines, 22 - to shoot flares in order to light up the screen in night battles.

Claims (9)

CLAIMS : -
1. A joystick for use in a computer game, said joystick comprising a base assembly and a handle assembly, the base assemble housing a plurality of contacts engageable by linear movement of the handle perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, wherein said joystick additionally includes at least two additional contacts in said base assembly which can be contacted by moment of the handle assembly in a manner other than a linear direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle.
2. A joystick according to claim 1, wherein said additional contacts comprise a pair of contacts, the first being operated by twisting the handle assembly in a clockwise direction about its longitudinal axis and the second being operated by twisting the handle in an anticlockwise direction.
3. A joystick according to claim 1 or 2, additionally including n fire buttons, all of which can be independently operated from one another.
4. A joystick according to claim 3, wherein there are four fire buttons, two on the handle assembly and two on the base assembly.
5. A joystick according to claim 3 or 4, additionally including a mode switch to enable the joystick to operate in either the standard mode or in an enhanced mode, in which the additional contacts in the base assembly and the additional independent fire buttons are brought into operation.
6. A joystick according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an auto-fire button is provided.
7. The combination of a computer programmed to play a game and a joystick according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein operation of the handle assembly to engage the additional contacts initiates rotation of a weapon either to the left or right independent of the movement of the vehicle on which such a weapon is mounted in the computer game.
8. The combination according to claim 7, wherein the additional fire-buttons are used to effect: (a) the firing of a machine gun located at the front of the vehicle; (b) the laying of mines; and (c) the firing of flares in order to illuminate the screen in night battles.
9. A joystick for use in a computer game, constructed substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
GB8821925A 1987-09-22 1988-09-19 Improvements in joysticks for computer games Withdrawn GB2210145A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB878722311A GB8722311D0 (en) 1987-09-22 1987-09-22 Joysticks for computer games

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8821925D0 GB8821925D0 (en) 1988-10-19
GB2210145A true GB2210145A (en) 1989-06-01

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GB878722311A Pending GB8722311D0 (en) 1987-09-22 1987-09-22 Joysticks for computer games
GB8821925A Withdrawn GB2210145A (en) 1987-09-22 1988-09-19 Improvements in joysticks for computer games

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GB878722311A Pending GB8722311D0 (en) 1987-09-22 1987-09-22 Joysticks for computer games

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Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0782093A1 (en) * 1995-12-28 1997-07-02 THOMSON multimedia S.A. Data input means
FR2745927A1 (en) * 1996-03-05 1997-09-12 Joybert Xavier De Computer controller that is held in two hands
EP0810543A1 (en) * 1996-05-17 1997-12-03 Mark Roessler Device for actuating cursor keys
CZ297181B6 (en) * 1996-08-01 2006-09-13 Device for operating mouse-operated computer program
WO2019233594A1 (en) * 2018-06-08 2019-12-12 Snakebyte Technologies, Ltd. Control console

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FR2745927A1 (en) * 1996-03-05 1997-09-12 Joybert Xavier De Computer controller that is held in two hands
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CZ297181B6 (en) * 1996-08-01 2006-09-13 Device for operating mouse-operated computer program
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US11607609B2 (en) 2018-06-08 2023-03-21 Snakebyte Technologies, Ltd. Control console

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GB8821925D0 (en) 1988-10-19
GB8722311D0 (en) 1987-10-28

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