TWM566602U - Gaming controllers with reconfigurable analog stick sensitivity modifier buttons - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a game controller having a reconfigurable analog joystick sensitivity modifier button. A game controller includes an analog joystick, one or more buttons, and a control wafer, the control wafer being configured to assign a first button of the one or more buttons as a sensitivity modifier in response to user input Button, the sensitivity modifier button adjusts the sensitivity setting of the analog joystick when activated or reversed.

Description

Game controller with reconfigurable analog joystick sensitivity modifier button

Various embodiments are generally directed to a game controller having a reconfigurable analog joystick sensitivity modifier button.

Computer game systems typically utilize peripheral game controllers to enable users to interact with the virtual game environment. Many different types of peripheral game controllers have been developed and supported for such use in computer games, including gamepads, keyboards, mice, joysticks, and dedicated controllers such as steering wheels and light guns.

Handheld game controllers such as gamepads have been particularly popular among users of console gaming systems. These gamepads are typically handheld devices formed from a housing having various buttons, analog joysticks, steering plates, and other input mechanisms disposed thereon. A control circuit enclosed within the housing records the interaction of the mechanical user with the input mechanism and converts the user input into an electronic control signal. The control circuit can then process the electronic control signals to obtain digital data representing the interaction of the mechanical user, and the control circuit can report the digital data to a computer game system (eg, home console, personal computer, arcade console, etc.) hosting the virtual game environment. . The computer game system can then manipulate the virtual game environment based on controller reports received from the control circuitry, such as triggering or controlling virtual character movements and actions within the virtual game environment.

According to an embodiment, a game controller may be provided, comprising: an analog joystick; one or a plurality of buttons; and a control chip configured to assign a first button of the one or more of the aforementioned buttons in response to user input For the sensitivity modifier button, the aforementioned sensitivity modifier button adjusts the sensitivity setting of the aforementioned analog joystick when it is activated or deactivated.

According to another embodiment, a game controller may be provided, comprising: an analog joystick; one or a plurality of buttons; and a control chip configured to: communicate with a configuration software of the host game system to The first button of the plurality of buttons is assigned as a sensitivity modifier button; and the report data of the aforementioned analog joystick is generated using the modified sensitivity setting when the aforementioned first button is activated, and the baseline is used when the aforementioned first button is not activated The sensitivity setting generates report data of the aforementioned analog joystick; and provides the aforementioned report data to the aforementioned host game system.

100‧‧‧game controller

102‧‧‧Shell

104a, 104b‧‧‧ analog rocker

106‧‧‧direction board

108a, 108b‧‧‧ trigger button

110a~110d‧‧‧ main button

112a, 112b‧‧‧ secondary button

112‧‧‧Connection interface

114‧‧‧Device hardware interface

116, 904‧‧‧Control chip

118‧‧‧Enter the hard layer

120, 120a-120e‧‧‧ input mechanism

200‧‧‧Host game system

202‧‧‧Central Game Processor

204‧‧‧Host hardware interface

206‧‧‧ Output display

410, 420‧‧

510, 520‧‧

610, 620, 630‧‧

700‧‧‧Chart

702~722‧‧‧Steps

900, 1000, 1100, 1200‧‧ state machine

902~928‧‧‧ Status

1200‧‧‧ Process

1002~1116‧‧‧Steps

1202~1212‧‧‧Steps

Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals refer to the The drawings are not necessarily to scale, the <RTIgt; In the following description, various embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following drawings.

1A and 1B illustrate an exemplary external view of a game controller.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary internal configuration of a game controller and a host game system.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary diagram depicting the generation of report material for an analog stick.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary diagram depicting report data for generating an analog joystick using Focus sensitivity settings.

Figure 5 shows a report depicting the generation of an analog joystick using Agile sensitivity settings. An exemplary diagram of the material.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary diagram depicting report data for generating an analog joystick using Focus sensitivity settings and agile sensitivity settings.

7 shows an exemplary message sequence diagram illustrating communication between a host gaming system and a game controller to update programmable button settings.

8A and 8B show exemplary graphs and graphs of a set of fixed sensitivity settings for an analog rocker.

Figure 9 shows an exemplary state diagram representing the operation of the control wafer of the game controller.

FIG. 10 shows an exemplary process flow of a configuration software processing program executed by a control chip of a game controller.

Figure 11 illustrates an exemplary process flow for processing digital input state changes performed by a control wafer of a game controller.

Figure 12 illustrates an exemplary process flow for processing analog input state changes performed by a control wafer of a game controller.

The detailed description is to be regarded as illustrative of the specific embodiments and embodiments

The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance or description." Any implementation or design described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs.

The words "majority" and "plurality" in the specification or patent application clearly refer to quantities greater than one. The terms "group", "set", "set", "series", "sequence", "group", etc. are in the specification or claims. The middle refers to the number equal to or greater than 1, that is, one or plural. Any term expressed in the plural form that does not explicitly recite "majority" or "plurality" also refers to an amount equal to or greater than one. The terms "appropriate subset", "reduced subset", and "smaller subset" refer to a subset of a collection that is not equal to a collection, ie, a subset of collections that contain fewer features than the collection.

A "circuit" as used herein is understood to be any kind of logical implementation entity, which may include a dedicated hardware or a processor that executes software. Therefore, the circuit can be an analog circuit, a digital circuit, a mixed signal circuit, a logic circuit, a processor, a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), and a field programmable Gate array (FPGA), integrated circuit, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc., or any combination thereof. Any other kind of implementation of the various functions that will be described in further detail below may also be understood as "circuitry." It should be understood that any two (or more) circuits detailed herein may be implemented as a single circuit having substantially equivalent functions, and in turn, any single circuit detailed herein may be implemented to have substantially Two (or more) independent circuits of equivalent functionality. Additionally, references to "circuitry" may refer to two or more circuits that together form a single circuit. The term "circuit arrangement" may refer to a single circuit, circuit set, and/or electronic device that is comprised of one or more circuits.

As used herein, "memory" can be understood to be a non-transitory computer readable medium in which data or information for retrieval can be stored. Therefore, references to "memory" as used herein may be understood to include reference to volatile memory or non-volatile memory, volatile memory or non-volatile memory including random access memory (RAM), Read only memory (ROM), flash memory, solid state memory, magnetic tape, hard disk drive, optical disk drive, etc., or any combination thereof. In addition, registers, shift registers, processor registers, data buffers, etc. are also encompassed by the term memory herein. It should be understood that it is called "memory" Or a single component of "a memoty" may be composed of more than one type of memory, and thus may refer to a collection component that includes one or more types of memory. It will be readily understood that any single memory component can be divided into a plurality of collectively equivalent memory components and vice versa. Moreover, although the memory can be depicted as being separate from one or more other components (such as in the drawings), it should be understood that the memory can be integrated into another component, such as being integrated on a common integrated die. .

Unless specifically stated otherwise, the terms "transmit" and "send" include both direct (without any intermediate points) and indirect transmission (via one or more intermediate points). Similarly, the term "receiving" encompasses both direct and indirect reception. The term "communication" encompasses one or both of transmission and reception, i.e., one-way or two-way communication in one or both of the input and output directions. The term "calculation" encompasses "direct" calculations by mathematical expressions/formulas/relationships and "indirect" calculations by lookup tables or hash tables and other array indexes or search operations.

1A and 1B show a basic diagram of the game controller 100. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the game controller 100 can be structurally disposed around the housing 102. Various input mechanisms including analog rockers 104a and 104b, direction plates 106, trigger buttons 108a and 108b, main buttons 110a-110d, and secondary buttons 112a and 112b may be provided on the outer surface of the outer casing 102. Various additional aspects of game controller 100 may include other types, locations, and numbers of input mechanisms provided at external locations of housing 102, including other buttons, analog joysticks, and/or touch pads. In some aspects, game controller 100 may also include an input mechanism provided within housing 102, such as a motion sensor, microphone, or camera. In some aspects, game controller 100 may also include an output mechanism, such as a speaker, visual display, or "rumbling" system, provided internal or external to housing 102. Although the game controller 100 is depicted as a handheld gamepad in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the present novel Aspects are not limited in this regard and can be implemented in any type of peripheral game controller. In various aspects, the outer casing 102 can be formed in a variety of different shapes and sizes. Since the game controller 100 can generally be designed for user hand-held operation, in some aspects, the outer casing 102 can be formed with angles, depressions, and protrusions that shape the outer casing 102 in a form that can be easily grasped or manipulated by a user.

The game controller 100 can be connected to the host game system through the connection interface 112. In some aspects, the connection interface 112 can be a wired interface such as that shown in Figures 1A and 1B. In other aspects, the connection interface 112 can be a wireless interface that can be comprised of a wireless transceiver and a supported wireless modem that can be coupled to a corresponding wireless receiver and modem provided in a computer gaming system. Transmit and receive data wirelessly.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary block diagram depicting game controller 100 and host gaming system 200. As shown in FIG. 2, the game controller 100 can be connected to the host game system 200 via the connection interface 112. The host gaming system 200 can be any type of computer gaming system, such as a home gaming console, a personal computer, or an arcade gaming console. The host gaming system 200 can include a central gaming processor 202 and a host hardware interface 204.

Central game processor 202 may be a processing component configured to execute software-defined program code that implements a virtual game environment in the form of audiovisual output material. The software code defined by the central game processor 202 to generate the audiovisual output material may be source code that defines a game engine that is unique to the virtual game environment. In addition to how the virtual game environment is represented in an audiovisual manner, the game engine can therefore specify parameters, restrictions, and/or rules for defining the underlying logic and control material of the virtual game environment. The central game processor 202 can thus execute a software module of the game engine that controls the general logic of the game environment, digital graphics rendering, digital audio generation, virtual physics and animation, and/or artificial intelligence. in In some aspects, central game processor 202 can execute various modules of the game engine on a single processor core, or on a plurality of processor cores integrated into a single processing component or provided as separate processing components. In some aspects, central game processor 202 can include separate dedicated sub-components that are responsible for executing different software modules. For example, in some aspects, central game processor 202 can include a dedicated graphics rendering sub-component, such as a graphics processing unit (GPU) or other type of graphics tile, configured to execute a digital graphics rendering module of the game engine. Grouping to produce graphical material that visually represents the virtual game environment. In some aspects, central game processor 202 can additionally or alternatively include a dedicated audio generation sub-component, such as a sound card or other type of digital audio generation chip configured to perform digital audio generation of the game engine. The module generates audio data representing the virtual game environment.

The central game processor 202 executes the software-defined program code of the game engine so that it can generate audiovisual output material that visually and audibly represents the virtual game environment. As shown in FIG. 2, central game processor 202 can provide audiovisual output data to output display 206. The output display 206 can be a rendering device that includes a visual output component, such as a monitor, television, projector, or virtual reality display, that can display graphical material provided in the audiovisual output material generated by the central game processor 202. The output display 206 can further include an audio output component, such as one or a plurality of speakers, that can audibly reproduce the sound material provided in the audiovisual output material generated by the central game processor 202. The output display 206 can thus present the audiovisual output material provided by the central game processor 202, thereby enabling a user of the host gaming system 200 to view the virtual game environment and react to the virtual game environment. In various aspects, the visual output component and the audio output component of the output display 206 can be directly physically integrated (such as, for example, a television with integrated speakers) or They are provided separately (such as, for example, a display monitor connected to a separate speaker).

A user of the console game system 200 can interact with the virtual game environment by the game controller 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the connection interface 112 can connect the host hardware interface 204 of the host gaming system 200 to the device hardware interface 114 of the game controller 100. The host gaming system 200 and the game controller 100 can exchange information (such as controller reports generated by the game controller 100) in response to user interaction with various input mechanisms 120 of the game controller 100. As noted previously, the connection interface 112 can be a wired or wireless interface, such as a universal serial bus (USB), WiFi, Bluetooth, or other wired or wireless interface. The host hardware interface 204 and the device hardware interface 114 can be configured to exchange data in a wired or wireless manner according to a wired or wireless implementation of the connection interface 112. In various aspects, in addition to various coding/encoding and modulation/demodulation operations, the host hardware interface 204 and the device hardware interface 114 can include a wired or wireless communication data machine configured to transmit and receive data over the connection interface 112. .

As shown in FIG. 2, the game controller 100 can also include a control wafer 116, an input hardware layer 118, and an input mechanism 120. The input mechanism 120 can include separate input mechanisms 120a-120e that can correspond to the input mechanisms 104a-112b detailed above with respect to Figures 1A and 1 B, and thus can surround the peripheral housing of the game controller 100 102 settings. In an exemplary aspect, input mechanisms 120a-120c can be buttons, while input mechanisms 120d and 120e can be analog joysticks.

Thus, the user can mechanically activate, deactivate, and/or adjust the input mechanism 120 using the user's fingers, such as by pressing and releasing the buttons 120a-120c and by moving the analog rockers 120d and 120e. Each of the input mechanisms 120 can be electrically coupled to an input hardware layer 118 that can be configured to mechanically actuate the input mechanism 120 (including startup, reverse start, and/or Adjustment) is converted to a digital control signal. In some aspects, the input hardware layer 118 can convert the mechanical movement of the input mechanism 120 to an electronic voltage value. The input hardware layer 118 can then provide such electronic voltage values to the control wafer 116, which can generate controller reports (eg, digital data representing actuation of the input mechanism 120). The control chip 116 can then transmit the controller report to the central game processor 202 via the device hardware interface 114, the connection interface 112, and the host hardware interface 204. The controller report can be a predefined format that enables the central game processor 202 to properly interpret the report material contained in the controller report. The central game processor 202 can then adjust the virtual game environment based on the controller report, such as adjusting the virtual game by triggering and controlling virtual character movements and actions based on report data in the controller report that specifies the analog joystick and button actuation. surroundings.

Control wafer 116 may include processing circuitry, such as a processor configured to perform firmware that defines the overall functionality of game controller 100. In some aspects, control wafer 116 can include or can be a microcontroller unit (MCU). The control chip 116 may also include a memory (such as a flash memory storage component) to store local information of the game controller 100. The local information stored at the memory may include settings for input mechanisms 120a-120e, such as programmable button settings (eg, programmable button settings for buttons 120a-120c) and sensitivity settings (eg, for analog joystick 120d) -120e sensitivity setting).

The input hardware layer 118 can be a hardware circuit that is electronically coupled to the input mechanisms 120a-120e. The input hardware layer 118 can include switches and other detection circuits that can convert the mechanical actuation of the input mechanisms 120a-120e to analog voltages. For example, an input mechanism that acts as a digital input mechanism (such as a button and a direction plate) can produce a digital output (such as a high or low state digital voltage) as an input to an analog input mechanism (such as an analog rocker, trigger, or motor). Mechanism produces analog output (for example, a continuous range of analog voltages). Thus, input hardware layer 118 may include a general purpose input/output (GPIO) pin that produces a digital output from a digital input mechanism of input mechanisms 120a-120e for supply to control wafer 116 (eg, to an MCU that controls wafer 116). The input hardware layer 118 may also include an internal analog digital conversion (ADC) pin or an external ADC die to generate an analog output from the analog input mechanism of the input mechanisms 120a-120e for supply to the control wafer 116 (eg, to the MCU of the control wafer 116) ). Control die 116 can be coupled to input hardware layer 118 at these GPIO pins, internal ADC pins, and external ADC chips.

The overall interaction between the game controller 100 and the central game processor 202 (controlled by the interaction of the mechanical user with the input mechanism 120 at one end and the modification of the virtual game environment by the central game processor 202 at the other end) may thus Enable users to interact with the virtual game environment and control the virtual game environment. Thus, providing the audiovisual output data from the central game processor 202 to the output display 206 can provide a feedback loop to the user to enable the user to intuitively and audibly follow the virtual game environment and react to the virtual game environment. Since there may be a predetermined relationship between the mechanical actuations of the input mechanism 120, the user can interact with the virtual game environment in a controlled manner.

Buttons, such as buttons 120a-120c, can generally operate in a digital manner, i.e., can be activated or not activated at a given time (although some buttons can also operate based on the extent to which they are pressed). Thus, the input hardware layer 118 can be mechanically actuated (eg, by a press enable or by a release reverse start) to convert to an analog voltage signal that can, for example, record a high voltage level when a given button is pressed. And the low voltage level when a given button is not pressed. Control chip 116 can receive an analog voltage signal from input hardware layer 118 and convert the analog voltage signal to a digital voltage signal. The control wafer 116 can then To evaluate the digital voltage signal to determine if the button is pressed, such as by interpreting a high (eg, logic "1") digital voltage signal when the button is pressed (activated) and by interpreting when the button is not pressed (not activated) Low digital voltage signal (eg, logic "0"). If it is determined that the button is pressed, the control wafer 116 can identify the numeric button scan code mapped to the button based on the predefined mapping and then provide the numeric button scan code to the central game processor 202 in the controller report.

Each button can be mapped to a predetermined action in a virtual game environment supported by the central game processor 202. Accordingly, the central game processor 202 can receive a controller report including a numeric button scan code identifying the activated button from the game controller 100 and trigger a predetermined action of the launch button in the virtual game environment. For example, if button 120a is mapped to a "shoot" action that fires a virtual gun in the direction of the aiming line, then when the identification button 120a has been received from control wafer 116 has been activated (eg, by specifying a value button for button 120a) When the controller of the scan code reports, the central game processor 202 can trigger a "shoot" action in the virtual game environment. The central game processor 202 can similarly trigger various other actions in the virtual game environment based on the buttons of the game controller 100 to which each action is mapped.

While many buttons, such as buttons 120a-120c, can operate in this binary and discrete manner, analog joysticks, such as analog rockers 120d and 120e, can operate in a continuous range. For example, the user can move the analog rocker in any direction relative to the central rest position of the analog rocker and can move the analog rocker from the center rest position of the analog rocker to any distance within the maximum radius. The varying degrees and orientations of actuation allow the user to greatly control the virtual motion associated with the movement of the analog rocker.

Many virtual game environments featuring virtual characters or "avatars" will simulate shaking Rod actuation is associated with character movement. This role movement can include both geographic character movement and character vision. For example, some gaming environments may control geographic character movement by analog rocker actuation, or in other words, control the movement of virtual characters between different positions based on the user's mechanical movement of the analog rocker. Some game environments, especially the "first person" game environment, can also control the character "visual" by simulating the joystick actuation, or in other words, controlling the virtual character based on the user's mechanical movement of the analog joystick. The first person perspective.

In the case of a geographic character movement, the user of the game controller 100 can generally control the movement of the virtual character based on the direction and extent of actuation of the simulated rocker. For example, a virtual game environment displayed by output display 206 and central game processor 202 can depict a virtual character, such as from a third person perspective or from a first person perspective. For a third person perspective, the direction of movement of the analog joystick (such as the analog joystick 120d) by the user of the game controller 100 can generally control the virtual character to move in the same direction in the virtual game environment presented on the output display 206. For the first person perspective, the user's direction of movement of the analog rocker 120 can generally control the movement of the virtual character in a direction relative to the first person perspective of the virtual character.

In the case of a first person perspective, a second analog rocker, such as the analog rocker 120e, can be associated with the character's vision. Therefore, the user of the game controller 100 can control the direction in which the virtual character is looking by moving the analog joystick 120e in a desired viewing direction, in a manner similar to rotating the character's head. The combination of the analog joystick 120d with the geographic character movement and the combination of the analog joystick 120e and the character vision can enable the user of the game controller 100 to move the virtual character to a different location in the virtual game environment, The surrounding virtual game environment can be viewed from the first person perspective.

Although the actuation directions of the analog rockers 120d and 120e can control movement and viewing The direction, but the degree of actuation of the analog rockers 120d and 120e (i.e., how far the simulated rocker is moving from its central stationary point) can control the movement and visual "speed." The analog rockers 120d and 120e can be arranged to move within a certain radial distance from their central rest point, and thus the user can move the analog shake at various degrees of actuation (ie, different radial distances from the central stationary point) Rods 120d and 120e. Thus, the user can control the speed at which the virtual character moves and observes within the virtual game environment by simulating the degree of actuation of the rockers 120d and 120e, respectively.

As previously described, the input hardware layer 118 can be configured to convert mechanical actuation of the input mechanism 120 to an electronic voltage signal and provide an electronic voltage signal to the control wafer 116. The control chip 116 can then process the electronic voltage signal to obtain the report data, and the control chip 116 can transmit the report data as a controller report to the central game processor 202 via the connection interface 112. Figure 3 illustrates this conversion of the game controller 100 to mechanical actuation to reporting material. Figure 3 specifically depicts the horizontal actuation of the analog rocker 120e, i.e. , the mechanical movement of the analog rocker 120d relative to the central stationary point at ( X _Center , Y _Center ) along the x-axis.

As shown in FIG. 3, for horizontal joystick movement, the analog rocker 120e can be mechanically actuated along the X-axis at a position between X _Min and X _Max , where X _Min can generally be equal to -X _Max . Therefore the range of mechanical movement distance along the X axis can be defined by [ X _Min , X _Max ]. Thus, the input hardware layer 118 can detect mechanical actuation of the analog rocker 120e as an analog voltage signal in the range [ -V _Min , V _Max ] and provide a hard layer voltage to the control wafer 116. The control chip 116 can perform analog digital conversion (ADC) on the analog voltage signal provided by the input hardware layer 118 to obtain a digital voltage signal in the range [ ADC _Min , ADC _Max ], and can subsequently convert the digital voltage signal to The range [ Report _Min , Report _Max ] (where the exemplary values for Report _Min and Report _Max are given in Figure 3 are -32768 and +32767) is the degree of rocker actuation. Alternatively, in some aspects, the input hardware layer 118 (or another intermediate component placed between the input hardware layer 118 and the control wafer 116) can perform an ADC on the analog voltage signal to obtain a digital voltage signal, and then the digital voltage Signals are provided to control wafer 116.

For example, the control chip 116 can sample the digital voltage signal to obtain a sampled digital voltage V _ADC and convert the sampled digital voltage V _ADC to a numerical rocker actuation level V _Report , which can be in [ Report _Min , Report _Max ] The value of the sign with a sign. In some aspects, control wafer 116 can convert the sampled digital voltage V _ADC to a numerical rocker actuation level V _Report using a linear relationship. For example, control wafer 116 may have a priori knowledge of ADC _Min , ADC _Max , ADC _Center , Report _{Min ,} and Report _Max , and may calculate V _Report based on linear applications of these parameters relative to the V _ADC . Equation (1) shown below describes exemplary algorithm logic by which the control wafer 116 can calculate a V _Report from the V _ADC :

Control wafer 116 may perform the algorithmic logic of equation (1) (eg, the algorithm logic as executable code, which may be defined as firmware executed at control wafer 116) or other similar algorithmic logic to calculate from the V _ADC V _Report . Other nonlinear algorithm logic is also within the scope of this novel

The input hardware layer 118 and the control wafer 116 can similarly convert the mechanical actuation of the analog rocker 120e along the Y-axis (defined by [ Y _Min , Y _Max ]) to a numerical rocker actuation level, thereby obtaining a representation of the analog rocker 120e. The degree of numerical rocker actuation of both horizontal and vertical movements within a circular radius around ( X _Center , Y _Center ). While certain aspects herein may primarily relate to a single degree of numerical actuation, the control wafer 116 may also, for example, shift values with the X and Y axes to generate a sense of the degree of numerical actuation. It should therefore be understood that the description herein is equally applicable to the generation of pairs of numerical actuation levels that represent two-dimensional simulated rocker movement.

The control wafer 116 can report the numerical rocker actuation level to the central game processor 202, possibly along with other reporting materials including joystick actuation direction data and button actuation data. The central game processor 202 can then receive the numerical rocker actuation level and then trigger a virtual character movement (or another suitable virtual game environment response) in response. In some aspects, the control wafer 116 may be configured to report the value of the rocker according to the report period (e.g., every T _s seconds report value actuation rocker actuator extent) the degree of actuation, for example by providing a degree of actuation of the rocker value The controller reports (for example, in both X and Y directions) as well as other reporting materials (such as button actuation data).

In various aspects, when the numerical rocker actuation level is generated by the digital voltage signal for reporting to the central game processor 202 (reporting the numerical rocker actuation level), the control wafer 116 can reference the sensitivity setting of the analog rocker 120d. The sensitivity setting can govern the direct proportional relationship between the digital voltage signal obtained by the control wafer 116 and the degree of reporting of the numerical joystick actuation. In other words, a higher sensitivity setting can result in a higher reported value of the joystick actuation than a lower sensitivity setting (ie, if the digital voltage signal is positive, it is closer to Report _Max if the digital voltage signal is Negative is closer to Report _Min ). In a basic example using a linear relationship, the first sensitivity setting may be 0.5 (eg, 50%) and the second sensitivity setting may be 1.0 (eg, 100%). Thus, for the same given sampled digital voltage V _ADC , the control wafer 116 can calculate the reported value of the rocker actuation when the second sensitivity setting is used. , the Is the reported value of the rocker actuation when using the first sensitivity setting Twice. In some aspects, the control wafer 116 can store sensitivity settings locally (eg, store sensitivity settings in the local memory of the control wafer 116) and then retrieve the stored sensitivity settings when generating a report numerical joystick actuation level. Other uses for generating a sensitivity setting for the degree of numerical rocker actuation are also applicable without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The ability of the user to easily and accurately control the movement of virtual characters may be important for success and enjoyment in computer games. This may be particularly relevant to relying on extremely fast reaction times during game play and the type of game that is precisely moved and aimed, such as first person shooter games. Although first-person shooters are relatively popular in console-controlled console systems, many players believe that using analog joysticks for character movement is not optimal, especially with keyboards and slides used to play games on personal computers. The mouse controls the movement compared to.

A particular shortcoming that players often notice is that the sensitivity of the analog stick is often not suitable for the high precision and high speed requirements of first-person shooters. For example, the same analog rocker (ie, the one assigned to "role vision"; typically the right analog joystick) can be used both for aiming (eg, pointing the aiming line to an object on the screen) and for turning (eg , turning the first person perspective, such as looking to the "back". Since aiming may require a high degree of precision, if the joystick sensitivity is too high, a player attempting to aim and shoot an object on the screen may not be able to accurately aim. However, the opposite may happen when the player tries to turn, because the joystick sensitivity is too low may not allow the player to react quickly enough to look around (for example, looking behind them), so while the "role vision" simulates the joystick The specific rocker sensitivity may be suitable for high precision aiming, but the same rocker sensitivity may not be suitable for fast response rotation.

Accordingly, various aspects of the present invention can provide a system in which the sensitivity setting of the analog rocker can be dynamically adjusted by the user during actuation of the game by actuating a particular button (or other suitable mechanism). The sensitivity modifier button assigned to dynamically adjust the sensitivity settings can be configured by the configuration software to enable the user to select both the button of their choice and/or the modified sensitivity setting.

In various aspects, at least one sensitivity modifier button can be provided, wherein activation of the sensitivity modifier button (eg, pressing with a finger) can set the sensitivity setting of the analog joystick to a modified sensitivity setting, and the anti-activation of the sensitivity modifier button (For example, release press) The sensitivity setting of the analog stick can be set back to the baseline sensitivity setting. In some aspects, two or more sensitivity modifier buttons can be provided, wherein activation of the first sensitivity modifier button can set the sensitivity setting of the analog joystick to a first modified sensitivity setting, the second sensitivity modifier button The startup can set the sensitivity setting of the analog joystick to the second modified sensitivity setting, and the reverse activation of both the first sensitivity modifier button and the second sensitivity modifier button can set the sensitivity setting of the analog joystick back to the baseline sensitivity setting. .

Additionally, various aspects may provide a mechanism to selectively assign a user selected button as a sensitivity modifier button and/or select a modified sensitivity setting for assignment to a sensitivity modifier button.

These aspects of the application can create many benefits for the user of the handheld gamepad. For example, a user actively participating in a game play can control the virtual character with an analog joystick at baseline sensitivity setting by holding the sensitivity modifier button back (eg, by avoiding pressing the sensitivity modifier button) (eg, first Geographical movement or vision of a person or third person). If the user wants to dynamically adjust the sensitivity setting to a different sensitivity setting, the user can (for example, The sensitivity modifier button is activated by pressing the sensitivity modifier button. The game controller can then record the activation of the sensitivity modifier button and set the analog joystick to the modified sensitivity setting, thereby enabling the user to control the virtual character with the modified sensitivity settings.

The modified sensitivity setting can be higher or lower than the baseline sensitivity setting. With regard to the above examples relating to first-person shooters, for the user, when aiming with the analog joystick (eg positioning the aiming line towards the virtual object), use a lower sensitivity setting, and when using the analog joystick It may be advantageous to use a higher sensitivity setting when turning (eg, turning the virtual character toward the side or back). Accordingly, the modified sensitivity setting can be lower than the baseline sensitivity setting, and as a result the user can activate the sensitivity modifier button while aiming with the analog joystick, and can deactivate (or remain back-start) the sensitivity modifier button at other times. The game controller can then set the analog joystick to a modified sensitivity setting (lower sensitivity setting) when the user is aiming, thereby enabling the user to accurately and accurately aim with lower sensitivity. When the user is not aiming, the game controller can instead set the analog joystick to a baseline sensitivity setting (higher sensitivity setting), allowing the user to quickly rotate and look around with greater sensitivity. A similar example will be further detailed below with respect to two or more sensitivity modifier buttons, wherein, for example, the user can activate and deactivate both sensitivity modifier buttons at a higher modified sensitivity setting, lower Switch between the modified sensitivity setting and the intermediate baseline sensitivity setting.

Referring to the diagram of FIG. 2, the functionality of various aspects of the present invention can be performed at control wafer 116. As detailed above with respect to Figures 2 and 3, the control wafer 116 can be responsible for receiving mechanically actuated analog voltage signals representative of the analog rockers 120d-120e from the input hardware layer 118, and subsequently generating a numerical rocker actuation level. of The controller reports that the value of the rocker actuation quantitatively indicates how far the analog rocker moves from the center stationary point of the analog rocker.

4 shows a diagram similar to FIG. 3, which illustrates a change in the degree of numerical rocker actuation caused by adjusting the sensitivity setting via the activation sensitivity modifier button. Diagram 410 shows the case where the sensitivity modifier button is activated (and thus uses the modified sensitivity setting), while diagram 420 shows the case where the sensitivity modifier button is not activated (and thus uses the baseline sensitivity setting). In the exemplary environment of Figure 4, the modified sensitivity setting may be 50%, or in other words, may be 50% of the baseline sensitivity setting. Thus, when the sensitivity modifier button is activated, the control wafer 116 can calculate the degree of numerical rocker actuation with a modified sensitivity setting that is 50% of the baseline sensitivity setting.

As previously discussed, the control chip 116 can record the activation of the button by evaluating the digital voltage signal to determine if the digital voltage is high or low. Thus, the control wafer 116 can determine in the same manner whether the sensitivity modifier button is activated or not, and accordingly uses a baseline sensitivity setting or a modified sensitivity setting. In the case of diagram 420, when the sensitivity modifier button is not activated, control wafer 116 can receive an analog voltage signal (within [ V _Min , V _Max ]) from input hardware layer 118, converting the analog voltage signal to The digital voltage signal (in the range of [ ADC _Min , ADC _Max ]), obtains the baseline sensitivity setting, and uses the digital voltage signal and baseline sensitivity settings to generate the numerical joystick activation level (in the range of [ Report _Min , Report _{Max ]} , for example [-32768,32767]).

In the case of diagram 410, control wafer 116 can detect the activation of the sensitivity modifier button and as a result set the sensitivity setting from the baseline sensitivity setting to a modified sensitivity setting, such as 50%. When the sensitivity setting has been adjusted to the modified sensitivity setting, the control wafer 116 will generate a report numerical rocker actuation level using the modified sensitivity settings, thereby also adjusting the control wafer 116 report. The numerical joystick actuation level is reported to the central game processor 202. In a particular example where the modified sensitivity setting is 50%, the control wafer 116 can calculate the reported value rocker actuation level as the reported value shake when the sensitivity modifier button is not activated (eg, in the case of diagram 420) Half of the rod actuation.

For example, control wafer 116 may first calculate a numerical rocker actuation level V _Report as previously described (such as according to algorithmic logic of equation (1)). If the sensitivity modifier button is not activated, the control wafer 116 can use the numerical joystick actuation level V _Report to be provided to the central game processor 202 in the controller report (or equivalently, 100% baseline sensitivity can be achieved) Settings apply to V _Report ). If the sensitivity modifier button is activated, the control wafer 116 can modify the numerical rocker actuation degree V _Report according to the modified sensitivity setting V _Modified to obtain the reported numerical joystick actuation level. . For example, the control wafer 116 can report the magnitude of the rocker actuation Calculated as

Thus, the control wafer 116 can apply the modified sensitivity setting V _Modified to the numerical rocker actuation level V _Report to obtain the reported numerical rocker actuation level. . If the modified sensitivity setting V _Modified is, for example, 50% in the environment of Figure 4, the control wafer 116 can therefore calculate And the reported numerical rocker actuation degree as a half of the numerical rocker actuation degree V _Report can be obtained accordingly . In the calculation report the value of the rocker actuation Thereafter, the control wafer 116 can be prepared (alternatively prepared in addition to other reporting materials such as button actuation) including The controller reports and can then send the controller report to the central game processor 202 via the connection interface 112 (eg, according to a particular reporting period). This example with a 50% modified sensitivity setting V _Modified is exemplary and can be applied in parallel with other modified sensitivity settings.

As previously mentioned, a lower modified sensitivity setting may be particularly advantageous for a first person shooter game when the user is aiming. Thus, in some aspects, a lower modified sensitivity setting in the manner detailed in Figure 4 can be used as a "Focus" sensitivity setting, wherein a lower modified sensitivity setting can make it easier for the user to accurately simulate with the analog stick. The virtual target reticle (e.g., the virtual target reticle displayed by the central game processor 202 on the output display 206) is accurately moved to target the object on the screen. Thus, a user actively participating in the game can initiate (eg, by pressing with a finger) the specified Focus sensitivity modifier button to switch to a lower Focus sensitivity setting instead of a higher baseline sensitivity setting, And as a result, the virtual joystick can be aimed more accurately and accurately using the analog joystick. The user can then turn off the Focus Sensing modifier button (eg, by releasing it with a finger) when completing the aiming, and can be at all other times except when aiming (or performing other character movements that rely similarly on accuracy and accuracy) Leave the Focus sensitivity modifier button in the reverse start state.

In another aspect of the invention, the sensitivity modifier button can be inversely assigned to a modified sensitivity setting that is higher than the baseline sensitivity setting. While other uses are within the scope of the present invention, these aspects may be particularly advantageous for first-person shooters when the user is turning in a fast manner or moving the character's perspective quickly. Accordingly, when the user wishes to quickly rotate or similarly move the character's perspective, the user can activate the sensitivity modifier button, which can trigger the use of a higher modified sensitivity setting at the control wafer 116 to calculate the report value rocker actuation degree. Due to the higher modified sensitivity setting, the user will be able to rotate the virtual character more quickly than the alternative case where the sensitivity modifier button is not pressed and the baseline sensitivity setting is used (eg, from central game processing) The keeper 202 rotates the avatar on the output of the character perspective displayed on the display 206.

FIG. 5 shows a diagram 510 and a diagram 520 depicting the use of a higher modified sensitivity setting in a manner similar to the lower modified sensitivity settings illustrated in diagram 410 of FIG. 4 and diagram 420. Diagram 510 shows the case where the sensitivity modifier button is not activated (and thus uses the baseline sensitivity setting), while diagram 520 shows the case where the sensitivity modifier button is activated (and thus uses the modified sensitivity setting). Thus, when the sensitivity modifier button is activated, the control wafer 116 can calculate a higher reported value rocker actuation level than when the sensitivity modifier button is not activated. In the exemplary environment of Figure 5, the modified V _Modified sensitivity setting may be arranged such that when moving the analog stick 70% 120e maximum radio distance (X _Max), the control value calculation report rocker actuation wafer 116 degree actuator The maximum value of the joystick is 100% of the Report _Max . In other words, the modified sensitivity setting can be set to 142.86% (equal to 1/70%), where the reported value of the rocker actuation is still limited by [ Report _Min , Report _Max ]. It is shown algorithmically that the control wafer 116 can be used and represented in equation (2) (ie, In the same way, use the modified sensitivity setting V _Modified (equal to 1/70%) to calculate the reported value of the rocker actuation . This can be equivalently represented by V _Modified =70% and the following calculations

Thus, when the sensitivity modifier button is activated (thus triggering the use of a higher modified sensitivity setting), the user of the game controller 100 actively playing the first person shooter can rotate faster because the sensitivity modifier button is not Control wafer 116 will calculate a higher reported value rocker actuation level when starting (and thus triggering the use of a lower baseline sensitivity setting). Thus, in some aspects, the modified sensitivity setting detailed with respect to Figure 5 can be an "Agile" sensitivity setting, and The Sensitivity modifier button can be used as an "Agile" sensitivity modifier button, where activation of the Agile Sensitivity modifier button can make it easier for the user to quickly rotate and adjust the character perspective displayed on the output display 206. Thus, when attempting to rotate quickly, a user actively participating in the game can thus switch to a higher Agile sensitivity setting instead of a lower baseline by initiating the assigned Agile Sensitivity modifier button (eg, by pressing with a finger). Sensitivity settings, and the result is a faster and faster rotation of the character's perspective. The user can then deactivate (eg, by releasing with a finger) the Agile Sensitivity modifier button upon completion of the rotation and can remain at all times except for rapid rotation (or performing other character movements that rely similarly on rapid rotation) The Agile Sensitivity modifier button is in the reverse start state.

In some aspects, only one of the Focus sensitivity modifier button and the Agile sensitivity modifier button can be used on the game controller 100. For example, button 120a can be assigned as a Focus Sensitivity modifier button (where button 120a can be provided on housing 102 in any manner similar to that shown in FIG. 1). Thus, when the user activates (e.g., by pressing) button 120a, control wafer 116 will utilize the Focus sensitivity setting (which is below the baseline sensitivity setting), thereby enabling the user to more accurately control the aiming with analog rocker 120e. Conversely, when the user deactivates (eg, by releasing) button 120a and/or holding button 120a to reverse start, control wafer 116 will utilize a baseline sensitivity setting (which is higher than the Focus sensitivity setting).

Alternatively, the button 120a can be assigned to an Agile Sensitivity modifier button. Thus, when the user activates (e.g., by pressing) button 120a, control wafer 116 will utilize the Agile sensitivity setting (which is above the baseline sensitivity setting) to enable the user to rotate faster using analog rocker 120e. Conversely, when the user reverses (e.g., by releasing) button 120a and/or holding button 120a At startup, control wafer 116 will utilize a baseline sensitivity setting (which is lower than the Agile sensitivity setting).

In some aspects, the Focus Sensitivity modifier button and the Agile Sensitivity modifier button can be used simultaneously on the game controller 100. For example, button 120a can be assigned to a Focus sensitivity modifier button and button 120b can be assigned to an Agile Sensitivity modifier button. Thus, activation of the Focus Sensitivity modifier button 120a may cause the control wafer 116 to utilize the Focus sensitivity setting when calculating the reported numerical rocker actuation level of the analog rocker 120e, while activation of the Agile Sensitivity modifier button 120b may cause the control wafer 116 to The Agile sensitivity setting is used to calculate the reported value of the rocker actuation of the analog rocker 120e. The fact that neither the Focus Sensitivity modifier button 120a nor the Agile Sensitivity Modifier button 120b is activated may cause the control wafer 116 to use the baseline sensitivity setting to calculate the reported numerical rocker actuation of the analog rocker 120e, where the Focus sensitivity setting may be lower than the baseline sensitivity. Settings, and the Agile sensitivity setting can be higher than the baseline sensitivity setting. Initiating both the Focus Sensitivity modifier button 120a and the Agile Sensitivity Modifier button 120b may cause the control wafer 116 to use the baseline sensitivity setting to default to use the Focus sensitivity setting or the Agile sensitivity setting based on a predetermined default action, or to use a fourth sensitivity setting.

6 shows diagrams 610, 620, and 630 showing the operation of control wafer 116, the focus sensitivity settings in plot 610, the baseline sensitivity settings in plot 620, and the agile sensitivity settings in plot 630 to calculate report values. The degree of rocker actuation. Therefore, the user can switch between different sensitivity settings of the analog rocker 120e by the activation and deactivation of the Focus sensitivity modifier button 120a and the Agile sensitivity modifier button 120b. In a manner as detailed above, the control wafer 116 can be calculated based on the mechanical actuation of the analog rocker 120e using a Focus sensitivity setting, a baseline sensitivity setting, or an Agile sensitivity setting. Report the degree of rocker actuation.

In various aspects of the present invention, the control wafer 116 can thus be configured to identify when the sensitivity modifier button is activated or deactivated, and adjust the sensitivity setting of the analog rocker accordingly. The control wafer 116 can then calculate the reported value of the rocker actuation with appropriate sensitivity settings (eg, by applying an appropriate sensitivity setting to the numerical rocker actuation level) and to the central game processor in the controller report. 202 provides a report on the degree of rocker actuation. The control chip 116 can also provide a numeric button scan code for other buttons that have been activated in the controller report. In some aspects, the sensitivity modifier button can be unique because the control wafer 116 can not provide a numeric button scan code for the sensitivity modifier button in the controller report when the sensitivity modifier button is pressed. Instead, the control wafer 116 can utilize the sensitivity modifier button "inside" by adjusting the sensitivity setting used to generate the reported value of the rocker actuation. Thus, although the control wafer 116 may not have the actuation of the sensitivity modifier button that is explicitly identified in the controller report, the actuation of the sensitivity modifier button may be caused by a report value that has been modified by adjusting the sensitivity setting. The degree of movement reflects.

Thus, one or more of the buttons of game controller 100 can be assigned as a sensitivity modifier button. For example, referring to FIG. 2, one or more of the buttons 120a, 120b, or 120c may thus be assigned as a sensitivity modifier button (or, more specifically, a "Focus" button in this particular example), as previously in FIG. As discussed, various buttons of the game controller 100 can be provided at different locations on the outer surface of the outer casing 102.

In an advantageous aspect of the present invention, the sensitivity modifier buttons may be reassignable, or in other words, the user may assign buttons of the game controller 100 of their choice as sensitivity modifier buttons. Therefore, the user can select the preferred button of the game controller 100 as a sensitivity modifier button, such as when the user tries A button that can be easily or quickly accessed when the map is aimed.

The assignment and redistribution of the sensitivity modifier button can be controlled by the configuration software executing at the central game processor 202 and by user input at the game controller 100. FIG. 7 shows a message sequence chart 700 illustrating an exemplary process for assigning a sensitivity modifier button (or a plurality of buttons). As depicted in FIG. 7, the process of assigning a sensitivity modifier button may involve central game processor 202, control wafer 116, and input hardware layer 118. The central game processor 202 can execute configuration software, which can be defined as program code. The central game processor 202 can display a user interface of the configuration software on the output display 206, which can then enable the user to intuitively interact with the configuration software. As previously detailed with respect to communication between the central game processor 202 and the game controller 100, the control wafer 116 can record user input at various input mechanisms of the game controller 100 and provide a controller report including report data. The report data represents user input through the connection interface 112 to the central game processor 202. In various aspects, the configuration software executed by the central game processor 202 can enable a user to assign a particular button (or a plurality of buttons) of their choice as a sensitivity modifier button. In various aspects, the configuration software can also enable a user to select a modified sensitivity setting associated with the sensitivity modifier button. In various aspects, the configuration software can enable the user to select which analog joystick to connect to each sensitivity modifier button.

As shown in FIG. 7, at step 702, the user may first provide user input to the game controller 100, and the input hardware layer 118 may record the user input and report it to the control wafer 116 for subsequent reporting to the central game as a controller report. Processor 202. In step 704, based on the user input, the control wafer 116 can trigger the configuration software at the central game processor 202. For example, the user can press the button and simulate the joystick or direction board to move over the virtual menu (by The central game processor 202 navigates through the virtual menu displayed on the output display 206 in an intuitive manner and selects the launch configuration software. During the entire message sequence chart 700, the input hardware layer 118 can continue to receive user input in this manner and provide user input to the control wafer 116, which can enable the user to use the game controller 100. Input to control the configuration software.

After step 702, the central game processor 202 can open the configuration software. This can include obtaining program code defining the configuration software from memory and then executing the program code to run the configuration software. In addition to locally executing the configuration software, the central game processor 202 can also provide a graphical display on the output display 206 that visually represents the configuration software. The user can then interact with the configuration software by providing user input at the game controller 100, and the game controller 100 navigates and selects via the graphical display.

Then, in step 706, the central game processor 202 can request control of the wafer 116 to enter the software configuration mode under the control of the configuration software. Control wafer 116 can then enter the software configuration mode and, in step 708, respond to confirm that control wafer 116 has successfully entered the software configuration mode in step 708.

After entering the software configuration mode, the control chip 116 can manage and adjust the programmable button settings by interacting with the central game processor 202. In particular, one or more of the buttons 120a-120c of FIG. 2 may be programmable buttons or, in other words, may be assigned to different functions. For example, in the context of the present novel, one or more of the buttons 120a-120c can be assigned as a sensitivity modifier button. The control chip 116 can store these programmable button settings at the memory of the control wafer 116, which can be, for example, a flash memory component. Programmable button settings specify which buttons are assigned to which functions. The programmable button settings can also specify other parameters of the button, such as modified sensitivity settings associated with the assigned sensitivity modifier button.

Then, in step 710, the central game processor 202 can request the control wafer 116 to provide the current programmable button settings. Control wafer 116 can then respond in step 710 by retrieving the current programmable button settings from memory and transmitting the current programmable button settings to central game processor 202 in step 712.

After the central game processor 202 receives the current programmable button settings from the control wafer 116, the user can change the programmable button settings by configuring the software. For example, the user can select a button assigned as a sensitivity modifier button, select an analog joystick associated with the sensitivity modifier button, and reassign (unlike the button currently assigned according to the current programmable button settings) (with current Follow the current programmable button settings to assign different buttons to the button as a sensitivity modifier button, and/or to set or adjust the modified sensitivity settings assigned to the sensitivity modifier button. Thus, in step 714, the user can interact with the configuration software to select the programmable button settings to be changed. For example, central game processor 202 can identify, by identifying which programmable buttons are available, by identifying which programmable buttons are currently assigned as sensitivity modifier buttons, and/or by identifying any sensitivity modifier buttons associated with the current assignment. The modified sensitivity settings are provided to provide a graphical display of the current programmable button settings on the output display 206.

The user can then navigate through the graphical display to specify changes to the programmable button settings, such as selecting a button to assign as a sensitivity modifier button, reassigning the sensitivity modifier button, and/or setting the assignment to the sensitivity modifier in step 714. The modified sensitivity setting of the button. In step 716, the central game processor 202 can identify the updated programmable button settings that the user wishes to assign, and can then request the control wafer 116 to allocate updated programmable button settings. For example, central game processor 202 can be designated for identifying that a sensitivity modification is to be assigned The value button scan code of the button of the button, specifies the numeric identifier of the analog stick to be associated with the sensitivity modifier button, specifies the value button scan code used to identify the button to be deallocated as the sensitivity modifier button, and / or specify a modified sensitivity setting for the Sensitivity modifier button (for example, a numeric representation).

Control wafer 116 can then receive updated programmable button settings from central game processor 202 and continue to update the current programmable button settings with the updated programmable button settings. Thus, the control chip 116 has access to the memory and updates the current programmable button settings stored in the memory with updated programmable button settings. For example, the control chip 116 can store a value button scan code that identifies the button of the game controller 100 as a sensitivity modifier button in the memory. Control wafer 116 may also store modified sensitivity settings associated with the numeric button scan code in memory. The control wafer 116 can also store a numerical identifier of the analog joystick that identifies which analog joystick the each sensitivity modifier button is associated with (ie, which analog joystick button is activated and deactivated to adjust which analog rocker ).

In step 718, after updating the memory with the updated programmable button settings, the control wafer 116 can respond to the central game processor 202 in response to confirming that the updated programmable button settings are accepted. Then in step 720, the central game processor 202 can close the configuration software by requesting the control wafer 116 to exit the software configuration mode. Then in step 722, the control wafer 116 can exit the software configuration mode and confirm that the control wafer 116 has exited the software configuration mode.

Thus, the user can update the sensitivity modifier button and associated modified sensitivity settings by the process of the message sequence chart 700. For example, in step 714, the user can interact with the configuration software to assign their selected button as a sensitivity modifier button and select a particular modified sensitivity setting for the sensitivity modifier button. Refer to the Focus Sensing modifier button described above. As with the Agile Sensitivity modifier button, in addition to selecting a specific Focus sensitivity setting and/or Agile sensitivity setting, the user can therefore assign a Focus Sensitivity modifier button and/or an Agile Sensitivity modifier button. For example, in step 714, the user can interact with the configuration software to select a button of the game controller 100 to assign as a Focus sensitivity modifier button and select a modified sensitivity setting (eg, a modified sensitivity setting below the baseline sensitivity setting). ) to be used as the Focus sensitivity setting. In step 714, the user can similarly interact with the configuration software to reassign the Focus sensitivity modifier button from the currently assigned button to the updated button, and/or adjust the currently assigned Focus sensitivity setting to the updated Focus sensitivity. Settings. In step 714, the user may additionally or alternatively interact with the configuration software to assign or reassign the Agile Sensitivity modifier button and/or to set or adjust the Agile sensitivity setting (eg, above the baseline sensitivity setting).

In some aspects, the user can specify a modified sensitivity setting based on a fixed grid of modified sensitivity settings. For example, the configuration software executing at the central game processor 202 may allow the user to specify the modified sensitivity settings in 1% increments (eg, 1%, 2%, 3%, etc.). In some aspects, the configuration software can provide a set of predefined modified sensitivity settings that are selectable by the user. Figures 8A and 8B depict an exemplary set of predefined modified sensitivity settings in tabular form (Figure 8A) and graphical form (Figure 8B) in Focus sensitivity settings and Agile sensitivity settings. As shown in FIG. 8A, the set of predefined modified sensitivity settings may include predefined Focus sensitivity settings F1-F9 and predefined Agile sensitivity settings A1-A9. The column labeled "Travel Distance (%)" specifies the radial movement of the analog rocker as a percentage (eg, a percentage of X _Max ). The column labeled "Normal" specifies the numerical rocker actuation level of the analog joystick expressed as a percentage (eg, the percentage of Report _Max ) (eg, when using the baseline sensitivity setting). The remaining columns labeled F1-F9 (under "FOCUS") and A1-A9 (under "AGILE") specify the percentages expressed when using the corresponding Focus sensitivity setting F1-F9 or Agile sensitivity settings A1-A9. The simulated rocker reports the value of the rocker actuation (eg, the reported value of the rocker actuation when using the modified sensitivity setting).

Thus, the relative difference between the initial and reported numerical joystick actuation levels in each row indicates the various Focus sensitivity settings Fl-F9 and Agile sensitivity settings A1-A9 versus the number of rocker actuations obtained by control wafer 116 during operation. Impact. In particular, the Focus sensitivity setting F1 can be the highest Focus sensitivity setting, and the Focus sensitivity setting F9 can be the lowest Focus sensitivity setting, where the Focus sensitivity setting can be gradually increased from F1 to F9. Therefore, using the Focus sensitivity setting F1 can result in a slight decrease in joystick sensitivity relative to the baseline sensitivity setting, while using the Focus sensitivity setting F9 can result in a much greater reduction in joystick sensitivity relative to the baseline sensitivity setting. The Agile sensitivity setting A1 can be the lowest Agile sensitivity setting, while the Agile sensitivity setting A9 can be the highest Agile sensitivity setting, where the Agile sensitivity setting can be gradually increased from A1 to A9. Thus, the use of the Agile sensitivity setting A1 can result in a slight increase in joystick sensitivity relative to the baseline sensitivity setting, while the use of the Agile sensitivity setting A9 can result in a much greater increase in joystick sensitivity relative to the baseline sensitivity setting. Figure 8B shows the Focus sensitivity settings F1-F9 and Agile sensitivity settings A1-A9 graphically represented relative to the baseline sensitivity setting, with a steeper slope indicating high rocker sensitivity and a lower slope indicating low rocker sensitivity.

Thus, in step 714, when the user interacts with the configuration software to specify an updated programmable button setting, the user can select any of F1-F9 to assign a Focus sensitivity setting for the Focus sensitivity modifier button and/or selected Select any of A1-A9 to assign the Agile Sensitivity setting to the Agile Sensitivity modifier button. For example, the configuration software executed by the central game processor 202 can display a scroll bar (at the output display 206) that can be set to any of nine positions, each of which is assigned to F1-F9 ( Or one of A1-A9), thereby enabling the user to select any of F1-F9 (or A1-A9) as the Focus sensitivity setting (or Agile sensitivity setting).

In various aspects, the ability of the user to specifically configure the button assignment of the sensitivity modifier button and/or the modified sensitivity setting of the sensitivity modifier button may advantageously provide a higher degree of customization and personalization to the user. Thus, the user can select the button of the game controller 100 of their choice as the sensitivity modifier button, which can allow the user to select a preferred button, which can be, for example, when the user attempts to aim (in the case of Focus) or rotate ( In the case of Agile, it is easily accessed or pressed by the user. Depending on the layout of the game controller 100 (where a basic exemplary layout is shown in Figure 1), certain buttons may be better used by different users to assign to different functions. Aspects of the present invention allow the user to select the preferred button as the sensitivity modifier button instead of pinning the sensitivity modifier button to a particular button. In addition, the ability of the user to assign a particular modified sensitivity setting to the sensitivity modifier button may enable the user to select the joystick sensitivity of their choice, which may be advantageous, as some users may differ from other user preferences. Rocker sensitivity setting. In addition, the user may have different preferences for sensitivity modifier buttons and modified sensitivity settings for different games, and thus the desired sensitivity modifier button and modified sensitivity settings may be selected based on the game the user is currently playing.

In addition, since the control chip 116 stores the programmable button settings locally At the memory, the user of game controller 100 can use their desired programmable button settings anywhere. Thus, if the user connects the game controller 100 to a different host gaming system, the control chip 116 will still be able to retrieve the programmable button settings from the memory and utilize programmable button settings during game play, such as based on sensitivity. The modifier button is activated to dynamically adjust the sensitivity setting of the analog joystick.

Additionally, in some aspects, game controller 100 can utilize different "profiles", each of which defines a particular set of programmable button settings. For example, a user can interact with the configuration software to define a plurality of different sets of programmable button settings, which can have, for example, different sensitivity modifier buttons and/or different modified sensitivity settings. In some aspects, control wafer 116 can store different profiles locally in the memory of game controller 100. So users can select the profiles they want to use on demand. In some aspects, control wafer 116 can store different configuration files in an external location, such as at a cloud server or at a particular host gaming system. Storing different profiles at external locations can be handled by the configuration software and can enable the user to similarly choose where to store the different profiles. If stored on a cloud server, the user can associate the profile with their account and can download one or more profiles from the cloud server to the game controller 100. For example, host gaming system 200 can download configuration files using an available internet connection (eg, each configuration file defines a set of programmable button settings), and the configuration file can be provided to control wafer 116 via connection interface 112. The control chip 116 can then store the downloaded configuration file at the memory and load and apply the selected configuration file according to the user's request. If stored in the host gaming system (eg, on the hard drive of the host gaming system), the user can interact with the configuration software to The profile is selected and the host gaming system can provide the profile to the control wafer 116 for storage and use at the memory and subsequent game play.

9 through 12 depict state machines 900, 1000, 1100, and 1200 showing various aspects of the operation of game controller 100 associated with sensitivity modifier buttons. FIG. 9 shows a state machine 900 showing the overall operation of the game controller 100 as directed by the control wafer 116. The control chip 116 can handle the advanced operations of the game controller 100, which can include local processing at the control wafer 116, as well as control of the operation of the device hardware interface 114 (e.g., to transmit and receive via the connection interface 112). Data) and control of the operation of the input hardware layer 118 (e.g., to process user input recorded as an analog voltage signal at the input hardware layer 118).

In particular, controlling wafer 116 at state 902 can begin state machine 900, where control wafer 116 can begin (such as in the portion of the boot process). Control wafer 116 may then implement device initialization at state 904, which may include controlling local initialization of wafer 904 in addition to triggering device hardware interface 114 and initialization of input hardware layer 118. In some aspects, the state of the state diagram can be defined as executable code (eg, software and/or firmware) that is acquired and executed by control wafer 116.

Control wafer 116 may then begin a main loop at state 906, which may generally operate for the duration of the effective operation of control wafer 116. At state 908, control wafer 116 may execute a device hardware interface state handler that may include operations to manage device hardware interface 114. Control wafer 116 may receive user input (eg, an analog voltage signal representing button and analog joystick actuation) from input hardware layer 118 at state 912 and may then be scanned in hardware state at state 910. User input is processed in the handler. In particular, when the hardware state scan process is executed at state 910, control wafer 116 can interpret user input, including record button actuated digital inputs and analog joystick actuated analog inputs. As previously discussed, the control wafer 116 can interpret the digital and analog user inputs by processing and evaluating the analog voltage signals provided by the input hardware layer 118. As shown by states 914 and 916, the current hardware state 914 can then replace the previous hardware state 916.

Control wafer 116 may continue with state 918, state 920, and/or state 922, depending on the hardware state. If the control chip 116 is currently using the configuration software executed by the central game processor 202 (e.g., as in the course of the message sequence chart 700 of FIG. 7), the control wafer 116 can execute the configuration software handler at state 918. As further detailed below with respect to FIG. 10, control wafer 116 can interact with the configuration software to update the programmable button settings as part of state 918.

If the hardware state includes a digital input state change (eg, activation or deactivation of a button), then at state 920 control wafer 116 may process the digital input state change. As further detailed below with respect to FIG. 11, control wafer 116 may determine whether a button (trigger button) that triggers a digital input state change is currently assigned as a sensitivity modifier button. If the trigger button is not currently assigned as a sensitivity modifier button, the control wafer 116 may continue to generate report material specifying the activation or deactivation of the trigger button (eg, specifying whether the button is activated or deactivated, and the value button of the trigger button) Scan code). If the trigger button is currently assigned as a sensitivity modifier button, then at state 924 the control wafer 116 can adjust the sensitivity settings of the respective analog joystick, such as by setting the sensitivity setting from the baseline sensitivity setting to the modified sensitivity setting (if the sensitivity is modified) Button is activated) or by setting the sensitivity setting from the modified sensitivity setting Adjust for the baseline sensitivity setting (if the sensitivity modifier is reversed).

If the hardware state change includes an analog input state change (eg, an actuation of the analog rocker), then at state 922 the control wafer 116 can process the analog input state change. As further detailed below with respect to process 1200 in FIG. 12, control wafer 116 may be based on an appropriate sensitivity setting (which may be a baseline sensitivity setting, or a modified sensitivity setting depending on whether any sensitivity modifier button is currently activated) To generate the numerical rocker actuation level of the analog rocker.

After states 918 through 924, control wafer 116 may prepare a controller report at state 926, which may include compiling report data and transmitting the controller report to central game processor 202 via connection interface 112. If the control wafer 116 is currently using the configuration software and executing the configuration software handler for state 918, then at state 926 the control wafer 116 can generate a controller report to include the report material, such as a user for interacting with the configuration software. Input and/or any output communication of the message sequence chart 700 of FIG. If control wafer 116 is processed at state 920 for digital input state changes, then at state 926 control wafer 116 may generate a controller report to include report data indicative of the initiation or deactivation of the button of game controller 100 (but at The control wafer 116 in the controller report may not report the activation or deactivation of the sensitivity modifier button). If control wafer 116 is processed at state 922 for an analog input state change, then at state 926 control wafer 116 may generate a controller report to include report material representing the mechanical actuation of the analog rocker. Control wafer 116 may then end the main loop at state 928 and may return to the main loop starting at state 906 to repeat the main loop.

Figure 10 shows a detailed flow of state 918 in which control wafer 116 executes a configuration software handler. State 918 can generally follow the previously described process with respect to message sequence diagram 700 of FIG. 7, where the user can interact with the configuration software To modify the programmable button settings, the programmable button settings include the sensitivity modifier button assignment and the modified sensitivity settings.

As shown in FIG. 10, controlling the wafer 116 in step 1002 can initiate a configuration software handler. In step 1004, control wafer 116 may determine whether a valid new command for the configuration software has been received. If a valid new command has not been received, the control wafer 116 may end the configuration software handler at step 1016. Alternatively, if a valid new command for the configuration software has been received, the control wafer 116 may proceed to step 1006 to obtain the current programmable button settings, such as from the memory of the control wafer 116. The current programmable button settings may include identifying which buttons are currently assigned as sensitivity modifier buttons (eg, based on a numeric button scan code) and the modified sensitivity settings currently assigned to each sensitivity modifier button (eg, as described above) Information of the value in the form of V _Modified .

After obtaining the current programmable button settings, control wafer 116 may proceed to step 1010 to determine if the new command is a read command. If the new command is not a read command, the control chip 116 can infer that the new command is a write command, and then the programmable button settings can be updated in step 1014. This may include receiving updated programmable button settings from the configuration software executing on the central game processor 202 and storing the updated programmable button settings in memory in step 1008, which may cause the control wafer 116 to be in step 1006. The programmable button settings for the update are then executed as the current programmable button settings.

If the new command is a read command, the control chip 116 can provide the current programmable button settings to the configuration software executing at the central game processor 202. The central game processor 202 can then visually display the current programmable button settings to the user via the output display 206, which allows the user to view and modify the current programmable button settings through the user interface. Then at step Control wafer 116 in step 1016 can end the configuration software processing routine.

Figure 11 shows a detailed flow of state 920 in which control wafer 116 processes digital input state changes. After starting in step 1102, control wafer 116 can identify a button (trigger button) that causes a digital input state change. This may include identifying a numeric button scan code that identifies the trigger button of the trigger button. Control wafer 116 can then determine in step 1106 whether the trigger button is assigned as a sensitivity modifier button. As previously mentioned, the control chip 116 can store the current programmable button settings in the memory, and the current programmable button settings can identify each of the currently assigned sensitivity modifiers by the value button scan code of the sensitivity modifier button. Button. Accordingly, control wafer 116 may retrieve the value button scan codes identifying the currently assigned sensitivity modifier buttons in step 1106 and may compare them to the value button scan codes of the trigger buttons. If the value button scan code of the trigger button matches one of the currently assigned sensitivity modifier buttons, the control wafer 116 may determine in step 1106 that the trigger button is currently assigned as a sensitivity modifier button. If the value button scan code of the trigger button does not match the value button scan code of one of the currently assigned sensitivity modifier buttons, the control wafer 116 may determine in step 1106 that the trigger button is not currently assigned as a sensitivity modifier button.

If the trigger button is not a sensitivity modifier button, control wafer 116 may proceed to step 1112 and implement a standard controller input process. For example, the control wafer 116 can generate a report material that identifies a trigger button (eg, identified based on a numeric button scan code) and specifies whether the trigger button is activated or deactivated. Control wafer 116 may then end state 920 at step 1116. Returning to state machine 900, control wafer 116 can then continue state 926 to prepare a controller report with the report material.

If the trigger button is a sensitivity modifier button, the control wafer 116 can be Proceed to step 1108 to determine if the trigger button has been activated (thus causing the digital input state to change). For example, the input hardware layer 118 can provide a digital voltage signal to the control chip 116 for the trigger button. When the trigger button is activated, the digital voltage signal is high, and when the trigger button is not activated, the digital voltage signal is low. of. Thus, control wafer 116 can check if the digital voltage signal is high (eg, a logic "1") to determine if the trigger button is activated.

If the trigger button is activated, the control wafer 116 may proceed to step 1110 and update the sensitivity setting of the analog joystick (the analog joystick to which the sensitivity modifier button is assigned) to the modified sensitivity setting assigned to the trigger button. By way of the sensitivity modifier button). For example, control wafer 116 can reference the current programmable button settings stored in the memory and obtain the modified sensitivity settings assigned to the trigger button. Control wafer 116 can then set the sensitivity setting of the analog stick to a modified sensitivity setting. Control wafer 116 may then end state 920 at step 1116. Since the sensitivity setting of the analog joystick has been updated to the modified sensitivity setting, subsequent processing of the analog input state change in state 922 of state machine 900 will use the modified sensitivity setting for the analog joystick (as indicated by state 924) ).

If the trigger button is deactivated, the control wafer 116 can proceed to step 1114 and return the sensitivity setting of the analog stick to the baseline sensitivity setting. Control wafer 116 may then end state 920 at step 1116. Since the sensitivity setting of the analog joystick has been updated to the baseline sensitivity setting, subsequent processing of the analog input state change in state 922 of state machine 900 will use the baseline sensitivity setting for the analog joystick (as indicated by state 924).

In various aspects, state 920 can be applied to the case where the sensitivity modifier button is currently unassigned, one or more sensitivity modifier buttons are currently assigned. For example, if the sensitivity modifier button is not currently assigned, then at step 1106 The middle control wafer 116 will not find a match between the trigger button and the sensitivity modifier button, and thus the standard controller input process will be implemented in step 1112. If only one sensitivity modifier button (eg, one of the Focus sensitivity modifier button and the agile sensitivity modifier button) is currently assigned, then in step 1106, the control wafer 116 may modify the value button scan code and sensitivity of the trigger button. The button's numeric button scan code is compared to determine if the trigger button is assigned as a sensitivity modifier button. If the trigger button is assigned as a sensitivity modifier button, the control wafer 116 can set the sensitivity setting of the analog stick to a modified sensitivity setting (step 1110) or return the sensitivity setting to the baseline sensitivity setting. If a plurality of sensitivity modifier buttons (eg, both Focus and Agile sensitivity modifier buttons) are currently assigned, control wafer 116 may perform a numeric button scan code for the trigger button and a numeric button scan code for each sensitivity modifier button. A comparison is made to determine if the trigger button is assigned as a sensitivity modifier button (step 1114). If the trigger button is assigned as a sensitivity modifier button, the control wafer 116 can set the sensitivity setting of the analog joystick to the modified sensitivity setting of the corresponding sensitivity modifier button (step 1110) or return the sensitivity setting to the baseline sensitivity setting ( Step 1114).

Figure 12 shows a detailed flow of state 922 in which control wafer 116 processes analog input state changes. The process of state 922 can be similar to the process detailed above with respect to FIGS. 3-6, wherein control wafer 116 calculates the magnitude of the numerical rocker actuation based on the analog voltage signal provided by input hardware layer 118. In particular, after state 922 is initiated in step 1202, control wafer 116 may convert the analog voltage signal of the analog rocker provided by input hardware layer 118 to a digital voltage signal (eg, V _ADC ) in step 1204. Then the degree of actuation rocker values (e.g. V _Report) in step 1206 the control chip 116 may be converted to a digital voltage signal. For example, control wafer 116 can convert the digital voltage signal to a numerical rocker actuation level using the linear relationship described above with respect to equation (1). Other algorithmic calculations to obtain the degree of numerical rocker actuation are also applicable.

The control wafer 116 can then acquire the appropriate sensitivity settings for the analog stick in step 1208. As detailed above, such as with respect to states 920 and 924, if the sensitivity modifier button is activated, the control wafer 116 can set the sensitivity setting of the analog joystick to a modified sensitivity setting, and if the sensitivity modifier button is not activated, The sensitivity setting can be restored to the baseline sensitivity setting. Accordingly, control wafer 116 may acquire a modified sensitivity setting or baseline sensitivity setting in step 1208 based on whether the sensitivity modifier button is activated.

The control wafer 116 can then apply the sensitivity setting to the numerical rocker actuation level to obtain the reported numerical rocker actuation level (eg, ). For example, control wafer 116 may apply a sensitivity setting in the manner of equation (2) or equation (3) (eg, depending on how the sensitivity settings are defined) to obtain a reported numerical rocker actuation level. In some aspects, the baseline sensitivity setting can be equal to 100%, and if the baseline sensitivity setting is an appropriate sensitivity setting, the resulting control wafer 116 can obtain the same degree of rocker actuation as the reported numerical rocker actuation.

Thus control wafer 116 may obtain a report numerical rocker actuation level in step 1210 and may end state 922 in step 1212. Since the control wafer 116 has calculated the reported numerical rocker actuation level based on the modified sensitivity setting or baseline sensitivity setting, the controller report prepared by the control wafer 116 in state 926 will include whether the sensitivity modifier button is activated depending on whether the sensitivity modifier button is activated. Report the degree of rocker actuation.

Thus the overall operation of the game controller 100 as described with respect to the state machines 900, 1000, 1100, and 1200 can provide the user with the ability to assign various buttons as sensitivity modifier buttons, assigning various modified sensitivity settings to The sensitivity modifier button, and subsequently the assigned sensitivity modifier button during game play, dynamically switches the sensitivity settings of the analog joystick. In an advantageous aspect of the present invention, the Focus modified sensitivity button and the Agile modified sensitivity button can be assigned to the analog joystick of the game controller 100 associated with the virtual character vision, wherein the Focus modified sensitivity button can be assigned less than The sensitivity sensitivity setting for the baseline sensitivity setting, while the Agile modified sensitivity button can be assigned an Agile sensitivity setting that is higher than the baseline sensitivity setting. Thus the user of the game controller 100 can initiate the Focus sensitivity setting when aiming with the analog joystick, thereby enabling the user to more accurately and accurately control and target the target line in the virtual game environment (or another similar precise vision). action). The user of game controller 100 can also activate the Agile sensitivity setting when rotating with the analog joystick, thereby enabling the user to turn and/or look behind the virtual character in the virtual game environment more quickly. The user can adjust the Focus sensitivity setting and the agile sensitivity setting by using the configuration software executed at the central game processor 202, and assign the Focus sensitivity modifier button and the Agile sensitivity modifier button to different buttons of the game controller 100. This can provide a high degree of personalization and customization.

While specific examples have been detailed with respect to aiming and rotating virtual actions (eg, Focus and Agile applications), these examples are exemplary and can be applied to any virtual action within a virtual game environment. Thus, various other aspects of the present invention can dynamically adjust the analog stick sensitivity for other virtual actions, such as other types of character movements and virtual object interactions within a virtual game environment. Thus, aspects of the present invention are not limited to analog rockers associated with character vision.

Moreover, while some of the examples described herein may relate to the sensitivity settings of a single analog stick, the aspects of the present invention may also relate to modified sensitivity settings for more than one analog stick. For example, the first sensitivity modifier button can be the first An analog rocker (eg, analog rocker 120d) is associated, and a second sensitivity modifier button can be associated with a second analog rocker (eg, analog rocker 120e). When the user activates the first sensitivity modifier button, the control wafer 116 can utilize the first modified sensitivity setting to generate a numerical rocker actuation level for the first analog rocker. Similarly, when the user activates the second sensitivity modifier button, the control wafer 116 can utilize the second modified sensitivity setting to generate a numerical rocker actuation level for the second analog rocker. The first analog rocker and the second analog rocker and associated sensitivity modifier buttons can function independently of each other in the manner described above for a single analog rocker.

The terms "user equipment", "UE", "mobile terminal", "user terminal", "terminal device", etc. can be applied to any wireless communication device, including cellular phones, tablets, laptops, personal computers, Wearable devices, multimedia playback devices and other handheld electronic devices, consumer/home/office/commercial appliances, vehicles, and any number of additional electronic devices capable of wireless communication.

While the above description and related figures may depict electronic device components as separate components, the skilled artisan will recognize various possibilities for combining or integrating discrete components into a single component. This may include combining two or more circuits to form a single circuit, mounting two or more circuits onto a common wafer or chassis to form integrated components, performing discrete software components on a common processor core, etc. . Instead, the skilled person will recognize the possibility of separating a single element into two or more discrete elements, such as dividing a single circuit into two or more separate circuits, separating the wafer or chassis into what was originally provided A discrete component thereon separates the software component into two or more sections and executes each section or the like on a separate processor core.

It should be understood that implementations of the methods detailed herein are exemplary in nature and are therefore understood to be implemented in a corresponding device. Again, it should be understood that Implementations of the devices detailed herein are understood to be implemented as corresponding methods. It should therefore be understood that devices corresponding to the methods detailed herein may include one or more components configured to implement each aspect of the related methods.

All of the acronyms defined in the above descriptions are bound by the scope of all patent applications included herein.

The following examples are additional aspects of the novel.

Example 1 is a game controller, the game controller comprising: an analog joystick; one or a plurality of buttons; and a control wafer configured to assign a first button of one or more of the buttons in response to user input For the Sensitivity modifier button, the Sensitivity modifier button adjusts the sensitivity setting of the analog joystick when it is activated or deactivated.

In Example 2, the subject of Example 1 can optionally include: wherein the control wafer is further configured to assign the modified sensitivity setting to the first button based on the user input, and to modify the sensitivity setting when the first button is activated Used to simulate the joystick and set the baseline sensitivity setting to simulate the joystick when the first button is not activated.

In Example 3, the subject of Example 1 or 2 can optionally include wherein the control wafer is configured to assign the second button of the one or more buttons as a sensitivity modifier button.

In Example 4, any of Examples 1 through 3 can optionally include: further comprising an input hardware layer connected between the control wafer and the analog rocker, wherein the control wafer is configured to receive an analog voltage from the input hardware layer The signal and the output data of the analog joystick are generated based on the analog voltage signal and sensitivity settings of the analog joystick.

In Example 5, any of the examples 1 to 4 may optionally include: further comprising a memory configured to store the first button as being identified as The information of the sensitivity modifier button, and wherein the controller is configured to reference information in the memory to determine whether to adjust the sensitivity setting of the analog joystick when one of the one or more buttons is activated or deactivated.

In Example 6, any of Examples 1 through 5 can optionally include wherein the analog rocker is assigned to control first person character vision in the virtual game environment.

Example 7 is a game controller comprising: an analog joystick; one or a plurality of buttons; and a control chip configured to: communicate with a configuration software of the host game system to place one or more of the buttons The first button is assigned as a sensitivity modifier button; and the report data of the analog joystick is generated using the modified sensitivity setting when the first button is activated, and the report of the analog joystick is generated using the baseline sensitivity setting when the first button is not activated Information; and provide the report information to the host game system.

In Example 8, the subject matter of Example 7 can optionally include: wherein the control wafer is further configured to: communicate with the configuration software to assign a second one of the one or more buttons as a second sensitivity modifier button; When the second button is activated, the second modified sensitivity setting is used to generate a report material for the analog stick.

In Example 9, the subject matter of Example 7 can optionally include: wherein the control wafer is further configured to: communicate with a configuration software of the host gaming system to assign a second one of the one or more buttons as a sensitivity modifier Button.

In Example 10, the subject matter of Example 7 can optionally include: wherein the control wafer is further configured to: receive the modified sensitivity setting from the configuration software; store the modified sensitivity setting in a memory of the game controller; and when used The modified sensitivity setting gets the modified sensitivity setting from the memory when generating the report data of the analog joystick.

In Example 11, any of Examples 7 through 10 can optionally include wherein the analog joystick is assigned to control first person character vision in the virtual game environment.

Example 12 is a method of operating a game controller, the method comprising: assigning a first button of a game controller as a sensitivity modifier button based on user input; receiving user input by an analog joystick of a game controller; The sensitivity modifier button is used to generate the report data of the analog joystick when it is not activated, and the modified sensitivity setting is used to generate the report data of the analog joystick when the sensitivity modifier button is activated.

In Example 13, the subject of Example 12 can optionally include: wherein the reporting of the simulated joystick using the modified sensitivity setting when the sensitivity modifier button is activated comprises: generating an initial representation of the simulated rocker representing the user input The degree of numerical rocker actuation; and numerically modifying the initial numerical rocker actuation level based on the modified sensitivity setting to obtain a reported numerical rocker actuation level for reporting data.

In Example 14, the subject matter of Example 12 or 13 can optionally include: further comprising providing the reporting material to the host gaming system.

In Example 15, the subject matter of Example 12 or 13 can optionally include: wherein assigning the first button of the game controller as a sensitivity modifier button based on user input comprises: communicating with a configuration software of the host gaming system to A button is assigned as a sensitivity modifier button and a modified sensitivity setting is received from the host gaming system.

In Example 16, the subject matter of Example 13 can optionally include: further storing: storing information identifying that the first button is assigned as a sensitivity modifier button in the memory; and determining when the sensitivity modifier is based on information in the memory The button is activated.

In Example 17, any of Examples 13 through 16 can optionally include wherein the analog joystick is assigned to control first person character vision in a virtual game environment.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art Various changes in details. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be construed as being limited by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (11)

A game controller comprising: an analog joystick; one or a plurality of buttons; and a control chip configured to assign a first button of the one or more of the buttons as a sensitivity modifier button in response to user input, The Sensitivity modifier button adjusts the sensitivity setting of the aforementioned analog joystick when it is activated or deactivated. The game controller of claim 1, wherein the control chip is further configured to assign a modified sensitivity setting to the first button based on a user input, and to use the modified sensitivity setting when the first button is activated. The analog stick is used in the foregoing, and the baseline sensitivity is set for the aforementioned analog stick when the aforementioned first button is not activated. A game controller as recited in claim 1, wherein the aforementioned control wafer is configured to assign a second one of the one or more of the plurality of buttons as a sensitivity modifier button. The game controller of claim 1, further comprising: an input hardware layer connected between the control chip and the analog rocker, wherein the control chip is configured to receive an analog voltage signal from the input hardware layer, and The output data of the aforementioned analog stick is generated based on the aforementioned analog voltage signal and the aforementioned sensitivity setting of the aforementioned analog stick. The game controller of claim 1, further comprising: a memory configured to store user-definable information identifying the first button as the sensitivity modifier button, and wherein the controller is Configured to start or deactivate one or more of the foregoing One of the buttons references the aforementioned user definable information in the aforementioned memory to determine whether to adjust the aforementioned sensitivity setting of the aforementioned analog stick. A game controller as recited in claim 1, wherein the aforementioned analog joystick is assigned to control first person character vision in the virtual game environment. A game controller comprising: an analog joystick; one or a plurality of buttons; and a control chip configured to: communicate with a configuration software of the host game system to place the first button of the one or more of the aforementioned buttons Assigned as a sensitivity modifier button; and generates a report material of the aforementioned analog joystick using the modified sensitivity setting when the aforementioned first button is activated, and generates the aforementioned analog joystick using the baseline sensitivity setting when the aforementioned first button is not activated Reporting materials; and providing the aforementioned report materials to the aforementioned host game system. The game controller of claim 7, wherein the control chip is further configured to: communicate with the configuration software to assign a second button of the one or more of the buttons to a second sensitivity modifier button; When the aforementioned second button is activated, the second modified sensitivity setting is used to generate the report material of the aforementioned analog joystick. The game controller of claim 7, wherein the control chip is further configured to: communicate with the aforementioned configuration software of the host game system to assign a second button of the one or more buttons as a sensitivity modifier Button. The game controller of claim 7, wherein the control chip is further configured to: receive the modified sensitivity setting from the configuration software; store the modified sensitivity setting in a memory of the game controller; and When the aforementioned report data of the aforementioned analog stick is generated using the modified sensitivity setting described above, the aforementioned modified sensitivity setting is obtained from the aforementioned memory. A game controller as recited in claim 7, wherein the aforementioned analog joystick is assigned to control first person character vision in the virtual game environment.