US20080214306A1 - Controller - Google Patents
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- Publication number
- US20080214306A1 US20080214306A1 US12/089,886 US8988606A US2008214306A1 US 20080214306 A1 US20080214306 A1 US 20080214306A1 US 8988606 A US8988606 A US 8988606A US 2008214306 A1 US2008214306 A1 US 2008214306A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- controller
- limbs
- sense
- sensor array
- body members
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- A63F13/06—
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
- A63F13/20—Input arrangements for video game devices
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
- A63F13/20—Input arrangements for video game devices
- A63F13/21—Input arrangements for video game devices characterised by their sensors, purposes or types
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- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY
- G05G1/00—Controlling members, e.g. knobs or handles; Assemblies or arrangements thereof; Indicating position of controlling members
- G05G1/08—Controlling members for hand actuation by rotary movement, e.g. hand wheels
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- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05G—CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY
- G05G9/00—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously
- G05G9/02—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only
- G05G9/04—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously
- G05G9/047—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks
- G05G9/04785—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks the controlling member being the operating part of a switch arrangement
- G05G9/04788—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks the controlling member being the operating part of a switch arrangement comprising additional control elements
- G05G9/04792—Manually-actuated control mechanisms provided with one single controlling member co-operating with two or more controlled members, e.g. selectively, simultaneously the controlling member being movable in different independent ways, movement in each individual way actuating one controlled member only in which movement in two or more ways can occur simultaneously the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks the controlling member being the operating part of a switch arrangement comprising additional control elements for rotary control around the axis of the controlling member
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
- A63F13/20—Input arrangements for video game devices
- A63F13/24—Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
- A63F2300/10—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals
- A63F2300/1006—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals having additional degrees of freedom
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
- A63F2300/10—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals
- A63F2300/1043—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals being characterized by constructional details
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a controller, for example, for a game, and to game playing equipment comprising such a game controller.
- a variety of game controllers are available to enable players to control computer games, arcade games, console games, and the like.
- a conventional computer keyboard may be used to control many games.
- a variety of joysticks are available to control game movements and actions.
- Some conventional game controllers include two joysticks to be manipulated by a player's thumbs in order to control game movements.
- a controller comprising: a controller body; first and second limbs extending from the controller body to define respective first and second axes, the limbs each being rotatable about their respective axis; a sensor array comprising at least one sensor arranged to sense relative positions of the limbs in relation to the controller body; and an output arranged to provide a signal which varies in dependence upon the sensed relative positions.
- game playing equipment including a controller comprising: a controller body; first and second limbs extending from the controller body to define respective first and second axes, the limbs each being rotatable about their respective axis; a sensor array comprising at least one sensor arranged to sense relative positions of the limbs in relation to the controller body; and an output arranged to provide a signal which varies in dependence upon the sensed relative positions.
- first and second limbs cooperate with the controller body to define respective first and second pivot points, and the limbs are each pivotable about their respective pivot point.
- a game controller in accordance with the present invention offers a player a wider range of more versatile movements than conventional game controllers.
- the limbs are biased towards a null position.
- the null position comprises the limbs extending in substantially the same direction from the controller body, and the limbs each extending substantially orthogonally from the controller body.
- the controller body comprises first and second body members, the first limb extending from the first body member, the second limb extending from the second body member, and the sensor array is arranged to sense relative positions of the limbs in relation to the body members from which they extend.
- the body members are able to move relative to one another, and the sensor array is arranged to sense a relative position of the body members in relation to one another.
- the body members are able to rotate relative to one another, and the sensor array is arranged to sense a rotational position of the body members relative to one another. More advantageously, the body members define a common axis and are able to rotate about the common axis relative to one another.
- the body members are able to move axially along the common axis relative to one another, and the sensor array is arranged to sense an axial position of the body members relative to one another. More advantageously, the body members are telescopically disposed along the common axis.
- the body members are biased towards a null position.
- the controller further comprises additional controlling means.
- the sensor array is arranged to sense a state of the at least one controlling means, and the output is arranged to provide a signal which varies in dependence upon the sensed state of the at least one controlling means.
- the controlling means is selected from a group consisting of a button, a switch, a joystick, and a mousepad.
- FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a game controller in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention with all elements in a null position
- FIG. 2 shows the game controller of FIG. 1 with a left handle in a leftward position
- FIG. 3 shows the game controller of FIG. 1 with the left handle in an upward position
- FIG. 1 shows a game controller 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
- the game controller 10 may be used to control game actions or states in an electronic device, personal computer, dedicated games system, or the like.
- the game controller 10 comprises a left handle 12 and a right handle 14 extending from a game controller body 15 .
- the left handle 12 has first and second ends 12 a and 12 b and the right handle 14 has first and second ends 14 a and 14 b .
- the game controller body 15 comprises a left body member 16 having first and second ends 16 a and 16 b , and a right body member 18 having first and second ends 18 a and 18 b .
- the left handle 12 is adapted to be held in a player's left hand
- the right handle 14 is adapted to be held in the player's right hand.
- the left and right members 16 and 18 are elongate having coaxial longitudinal axes OO′.
- the second end 16 b of the left member 16 cooperates with the first end 18 a of the right member 18 .
- the left and right members 16 and 18 may be integrally formed. Alternatively, the left and right members may be moveable with respect to one another.
- the left and right handles 12 and 14 are elongate having longitudinal axes PP′ and QQ′ respectively in FIG. 1 .
- the left handle 12 extends from the left member 16 .
- the first end 12 a of the left handle 12 is flexibly joined to the left member 16 , preferably near the first end 16 a of the left member 16 .
- the right handle 14 extends from the right member 18 .
- the first end 14 a of the right handle 14 is flexibly joined to the right member 18 , preferably near the second end 18 b of the right member 18 .
- the first ends 12 a and 14 a of the left and right handles 12 and 14 may be located within the left and right member 16 and 18 respectively.
- the second ends 12 b and 14 b of the left and right handles 12 and 14 are free.
- the game controller is shown in a null position in which the elongate handles 12 and 14 extend at right angles from the respective elongate members 16 and 18 .
- the longitudinal axes PP′ and QQ′ of the handles 12 and 14 are parallel in the null position of FIG. 1 .
- the axes OO′, PP′ and QQ′ are in the same plane H (i.e. the plane of the paper).
- the left handle 12 is moveable with respect to the left member 16 in three ways, as described below.
- the left member 12 is able to pivot left and/or right about a pivot point P, as shown by arrow X in FIG. 2 .
- the pivot point P is located within the left member 16 at or near to the first end 12 a of the left member 12 .
- the left handle 12 is shown in a leftward position in which the free second end 12 b of the left handle 12 is located to the left of its null position of FIG. 1 .
- the axes OO′, PP′ and QQ′ are coplanar.
- this second type of movement enables the left handle 12 to pivot about the point P within plane ⁇ .
- the left member 12 is able to pivot up and/or down about the pivot point P, as shown by arrow Y in FIG. 3 .
- the left handle 12 is shown in an upward position in which the free second end 12 b of the left handle 12 is located upwards of its null position of FIG. 1 .
- the left handle 12 may pivot about the point P within a second plane ⁇ ′, where the plane ⁇ ′ is perpendicular to plane H and contains the point P.
- the handles 12 and 14 are each pivotable about their respective pivot point P and Q in two orthogonal directions.
- the right handle 14 is moveable with respect to the right member 18 in a similar manner to that described above with reference to the left handle 12 and the left member 16 (i.e. the right handle 14 may rotate about its longitudinal axis QQ′, and may pivot left and/or right and/or up and/or down about the pivot point Q). Furthermore, the left and right handles 12 and 14 are moveable independently of one another.
- pivot points P and Q of the left and right handles 12 and 14 need not lie on the longitudinal axes of the left and right handles respectively. Instead, there may be some offset.
- the game controller 10 may only allow the handles 12 and 14 to rotate a maximum of 45° in either direction about their respective longitudinal axes PP′ and QQ′.
- the game controller 10 may be operable to entirely restrict the rotation of one or more of the limbs about their respective longitudinal axes during use. In the null position, the handles 12 and 14 are not rotated at all about their respective longitudinal axes PP′ and QQ′ (i.e. the angles of rotation are both 0°).
- the right member 18 is moveable in relation to the left member 16 in two ways.
- the right member 18 is able to rotate about its longitudinal axis OO′ in relation to the left member 16 , as shown by arrow V in FIG. 1 .
- This may be accomplished by the means of the first end 18 a of right member 18 being received within the second end 16 b of the left member 16 , i.e. a radius of the right member 18 is slightly smaller than a radius of the left member 16 (or vice versa).
- a collar (not shown) could be provided over the second end 16 b of the left member 16 and the first end 18 a of the right member 18 such that the left member 16 is fixed with respect to the collar whilst the right member 18 is rotatable about OO′ with respect to the collar.
- a radius of the collar is slightly larger than the radii of the left and right members 16 and 18 . It will be appreciated that the right member 18 could alternatively rotate about an axis other than its longitudinal axis OO′ in relation to the left member 16 .
- the right member 18 is able to move in an axial direction (i.e. along OO′) with respect to the left member 16 , as shown by arrow Z in FIG. 4 .
- the radius of the right member 18 may be smaller than the radius of the left member 16 such that the right member 18 may be telescopically disposed within the left member 16 (or vice versa).
- the two types of movement of the right member 18 in relation to the left member 16 described above may occur separately or together.
- Other such combinations are also contemplated.
- the right member 18 is not rotated at all about its longitudinal axes OO′ (i.e. the angle of rotation is 0°).
- the game controller 10 is biased towards a specified null position, such as the null position of FIG. 1 .
- a specified null position such as the null position of FIG. 1 .
- the game controller 10 may be biased to the null position by means of spring loading, or the like.
- the game controller 10 further comprises sensors (not shown) to sense relative positions of the handles 12 and 14 in relation to the game controller body 15 .
- the game controller 10 then outputs a signal to control the game based on the sensed relative position of the handles 12 and 14 .
- the sensors further sense rates of change of the relative positions of the handles 12 and 14 , and the output signal varies in dependence upon the sensed rates of change. This embodiment provides additional output data with which to control the game, thus there are more degrees of freedom of movement or action available in the game world.
- the sensors sense the relative positions of the handles 12 and 14 by sensing the relative positions of (i) the left handle 12 with respect to the left member 16 , (ii) the right handle 14 with respect to the right member 18 , and (iii) the left member 16 with respect to the right member 18 .
- any type of sensor that is able to sense relative positions (or rates of change of relative positions) may be used in the game controller 10 .
- two specific types of sensor will be described below for the purposes of illustration. In the two examples below, the sensors are described with reference to sensing the rotational position of the left handle 12 about its longitudinal axis PP′, and it is assumed that the handle 12 may rotate between rotation angles of ⁇ and + ⁇ .
- the first type of sensor senses whether the left handle 12 is fully rotated to either ⁇ or + ⁇ with respect to the left member 16 .
- the handle 12 has a metal contact that rotates with the handle 12
- the member 16 has two metal contacts located at ⁇ and + ⁇ which are fixed with respect to the member 16 and do not rotate with the handle 12 .
- the metal contact of the handle 12 makes contact with one metal contact of the member 16 and the game controller 10 outputs an associated signal to control the game.
- further metal contacts could be provided on the member at ⁇ /2 and + ⁇ /2, for example.
- the second type of sensor senses how far the left handle 12 is rotated towards either ⁇ or + ⁇ with respect to the left member 16 .
- This sensor comprises a potentiometer on left handle 12 and left member 16 of the game controller 10 .
- the potentiometer is adapted to have a variable resistance that varies smoothly from r Q to R Q as the handle 12 is rotated from ⁇ to + ⁇ . At angle 0° (the null position), the resistance is (r+R)/2 ⁇ . For r ⁇ R, as the handle 12 is rotated towards ⁇ the sensed resistance falls, and as the handle 12 is rotated towards + ⁇ the sensed resistance increases.
- the game controller 10 outputs a signal that corresponds to the sensed resistance. In this way, the game controller output is able to differentiate between a small clockwise (or anticlockwise) turn and a larger clockwise (or anticlockwise) turn.
- type 2 sensors are used to sense all relative positions of the handles 12 and 14 and the member 16 and 18 .
- the handles 12 and 14 are gripped by a player.
- the player then uses the controller 10 to control a game by moving the handles 12 and 14 and the members 16 and 18 relative to one another within the limitations of an allowed range of movements.
- An example of a player 20 using the controller 10 is shown from above in FIG. 5 .
- the player 20 grips the left handle 12 in their left hand and the right handle 14 in their right hand.
- FIG. 5 shows the player's left arm 22 , right arm 24 and head 26 .
- the controller 10 is held in the null position of FIG. 1 .
- the player's arms 22 and 24 are substantially parallel and they each extend the same distance in front of the player's head 26 .
- a distance between the handles 12 and 14 is comparable to the player's shoulder-width.
- a distance between the handles 12 and 14 is somewhat smaller that the player's shoulder-width so that a more compact game controller is provided.
- the player 20 has pushed their left arm 22 forwards and has pulled their right arm 24 backwards so that the player's left arm 22 extends further in front of the player's head 26 than their right arm 24 .
- the associated handle position (as compared to that of FIG. 5 a ) will be sensed by the sensors.
- the sensors that sense the position of the handles 12 and 14 relative to their respective members 16 and 18 will register that the handles 12 and 14 have each pivoted about their respective pivot points P and Q to assume a rightward position.
- the handles 12 and 14 and the members 16 and 18 are still coplanar (as in the null position) so there has been no upward or downward pivoting about the pivot points P and Q.
- FIG. 5 c the player 20 has pulled their left arm 22 backwards and has pushed their right arm 24 forwards so that the player's left arm 22 does not extend as far in front of the player's head 26 as their right arm 24 .
- the new handle position (as compared to that of FIG. 5 a or 5 b ) will be sensed by the sensors.
- the sensors that sense the position of the handles 12 and 14 relative to their respective members 16 and 18 will register that the handles 12 and 14 have each pivoted about their respective pivot points P and Q to assume a leftward position.
- the handles 12 and 14 and the members 16 and 18 are still coplanar (as in the null position) so there has been no upward or downward pivoting about the pivot points P and Q.
- the game controller 10 senses the relative positions of the handles 12 and 14 . Based on the sensed relative positions, the game controller 10 is then able to output an associated signal to control the game.
- the elongate game controller body 15 remains approximately parallel to the player's shoulders as the player 20 manipulates the game controller 10 .
- the game controller 10 reflects movement of the player's shoulders pointing left and right.
- the controller 10 provides an intuitive controller to simulate turning left and turning right in the gameworld.
- the player 20 could simulate walking or running in the gameworld by moving their arms 22 and 24 between the following Figure positions in sequence: 5 a , 5 b , 5 a , 5 c , 5 a , 5 b , 5 a , 5 c , etc.
- this sequence of movements could be intended to perform other actions in the gameworld. Accordingly, a player may expend considerable energy while using the game controller 10 , and the game controller 10 could therefore be used in conjunction with exercise games.
- the hand-held game controller 10 is used in conjunction with a foot controller (not shown) for increased versatility of movement.
- the game controller 10 is therefore able to provide a gaming experience similar to virtual reality, and yet the controller 10 may be manufactured at a relatively low cost.
- the game controller 10 comprises one or more buttons which may be pressed by the player 20 to perform a specified action (e.g. shooting or jumping) in the gameworld.
- the game controller may also (or instead) comprise other controlling means such as joysticks and/or mousepads.
- Alternative additional controlling means may also be provided on the game controller 10 .
- a controller according to the present invention could be used to operate a robotic arm, a surgical device, or any other such piece of equipment.
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- Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
- Position Input By Displaying (AREA)
Abstract
There is described a controller, for example, for a game. The controller comprises a controller body, first and second limbs extending from the controller body, a sensor array, and an output. The first and second limbs define respective first and second axes, and the limbs are each rotatable about their respective axis. The sensor array comprises at least one sensor arranged to sense relative positions of the limbs in relation to the controller body, and the output is arranged to provide a signal which varies in dependence upon the sensed relative positions. There is also described game playing equipment comprising such a controller.
Description
- The present invention relates to a controller, for example, for a game, and to game playing equipment comprising such a game controller.
- A variety of game controllers are available to enable players to control computer games, arcade games, console games, and the like. For example, a conventional computer keyboard may be used to control many games. Alternatively, a variety of joysticks are available to control game movements and actions. Some conventional game controllers include two joysticks to be manipulated by a player's thumbs in order to control game movements. There are also available more specific game controllers, such as steering wheel controllers for steering in driving games, and gun controllers for aiming and shooting in shooting games. All such game controllers may be provided with one or more buttons which may be pressed by the player to perform a specified action (e.g. shooting or jumping) within the game.
- However, there are limitations on the movements a player may make using the presently available game controllers. The present invention seeks to address this and other such problems with the art.
- According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a controller comprising: a controller body; first and second limbs extending from the controller body to define respective first and second axes, the limbs each being rotatable about their respective axis; a sensor array comprising at least one sensor arranged to sense relative positions of the limbs in relation to the controller body; and an output arranged to provide a signal which varies in dependence upon the sensed relative positions.
- According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided game playing equipment including a controller comprising: a controller body; first and second limbs extending from the controller body to define respective first and second axes, the limbs each being rotatable about their respective axis; a sensor array comprising at least one sensor arranged to sense relative positions of the limbs in relation to the controller body; and an output arranged to provide a signal which varies in dependence upon the sensed relative positions.
- Preferably, the first and second limbs cooperate with the controller body to define respective first and second pivot points, and the limbs are each pivotable about their respective pivot point.
- Thus, a game controller in accordance with the present invention offers a player a wider range of more versatile movements than conventional game controllers.
- In a preferred embodiment, the sensor array is arranged to sense rates of change of the relative positions of the limbs; and the output is arranged to provide a signal which varies in dependence upon the sensed rates of change. Thus, the controller may provide an even wider range of types of movement.
- Advantageously, the limbs are biased towards a null position. More advantageously, the null position comprises the limbs extending in substantially the same direction from the controller body, and the limbs each extending substantially orthogonally from the controller body.
- In a preferred embodiment, the controller body comprises first and second body members, the first limb extending from the first body member, the second limb extending from the second body member, and the sensor array is arranged to sense relative positions of the limbs in relation to the body members from which they extend.
- More preferably, the body members are able to move relative to one another, and the sensor array is arranged to sense a relative position of the body members in relation to one another.
- Advantageously, the body members are able to rotate relative to one another, and the sensor array is arranged to sense a rotational position of the body members relative to one another. More advantageously, the body members define a common axis and are able to rotate about the common axis relative to one another.
- Advantageously, the body members are able to move axially along the common axis relative to one another, and the sensor array is arranged to sense an axial position of the body members relative to one another. More advantageously, the body members are telescopically disposed along the common axis.
- Advantageously, the body members are biased towards a null position.
- In a preferred embodiment, the controller further comprises additional controlling means. In this embodiment, the sensor array is arranged to sense a state of the at least one controlling means, and the output is arranged to provide a signal which varies in dependence upon the sensed state of the at least one controlling means. More preferably, the controlling means is selected from a group consisting of a button, a switch, a joystick, and a mousepad.
- Other preferred features of the present invention are set out in the appended claims.
- An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
-
FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a game controller in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention with all elements in a null position; -
FIG. 2 shows the game controller ofFIG. 1 with a left handle in a leftward position; -
FIG. 3 shows the game controller ofFIG. 1 with the left handle in an upward position; -
FIG. 4 shows the game controller ofFIG. 1 in which a right member extends telescopically from a left member; and -
FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of the game controller ofFIG. 1 in use by a player, in whichFIG. 5 a shows the player holding the game controller in a null position,FIG. 5 b shows the player holding the game controller in a first position, andFIG. 5 c shows the player holding the game controller in a second position. -
FIG. 1 shows agame controller 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Thegame controller 10 may be used to control game actions or states in an electronic device, personal computer, dedicated games system, or the like. - The
game controller 10 comprises aleft handle 12 and aright handle 14 extending from agame controller body 15. Theleft handle 12 has first andsecond ends right handle 14 has first andsecond ends game controller body 15 comprises aleft body member 16 having first andsecond ends right body member 18 having first andsecond ends left handle 12 is adapted to be held in a player's left hand, and theright handle 14 is adapted to be held in the player's right hand. - In the schematic representation of
FIG. 1 , thehandles members handles - In the embodiment of
FIG. 1 , the left andright members second end 16 b of theleft member 16 cooperates with thefirst end 18 a of theright member 18. The left andright members - The left and
right handles FIG. 1 . Theleft handle 12 extends from theleft member 16. In particular, thefirst end 12 a of theleft handle 12 is flexibly joined to theleft member 16, preferably near thefirst end 16 a of theleft member 16. Similarly, theright handle 14 extends from theright member 18. In particular, thefirst end 14 a of theright handle 14 is flexibly joined to theright member 18, preferably near thesecond end 18 b of theright member 18. The first ends 12 a and 14 a of the left andright handles right member right handles - In
FIG. 1 , the game controller is shown in a null position in which theelongate handles elongate members handles FIG. 1 . In addition, the axes OO′, PP′ and QQ′ are in the same plane H (i.e. the plane of the paper). - The
left handle 12 is moveable with respect to theleft member 16 in three ways, as described below. - Firstly, the
left member 12 is able to rotate clockwise and/or anticlockwise about its longitudinal axis PP′, as shown by arrow W inFIG. 1 . - Secondly, the
left member 12 is able to pivot left and/or right about a pivot point P, as shown by arrow X inFIG. 2 . The pivot point P is located within theleft member 16 at or near to thefirst end 12 a of theleft member 12. InFIG. 2 , theleft handle 12 is shown in a leftward position in which the freesecond end 12 b of theleft handle 12 is located to the left of its null position ofFIG. 1 . In this leftward position, the axes OO′, PP′ and QQ′ are coplanar. Thus, this second type of movement enables theleft handle 12 to pivot about the point P within plane Π. - Thirdly, the
left member 12 is able to pivot up and/or down about the pivot point P, as shown by arrow Y inFIG. 3 . InFIG. 3 , theleft handle 12 is shown in an upward position in which the freesecond end 12 b of theleft handle 12 is located upwards of its null position ofFIG. 1 . Thus, theleft handle 12 may pivot about the point P within a second plane Π′, where the plane Π′ is perpendicular to plane H and contains the point P. Hence thehandles - The three types of movement of the
left handle 12 described above may occur separately or together. Thus, it is possible to rotate theleft handle 12 to the right about its longitudinal axis PP′ whilst also pivoting theleft handle 12 up and to the right about the point P. Other such combinations are also contemplated. - The
right handle 14 is moveable with respect to theright member 18 in a similar manner to that described above with reference to theleft handle 12 and the left member 16 (i.e. theright handle 14 may rotate about its longitudinal axis QQ′, and may pivot left and/or right and/or up and/or down about the pivot point Q). Furthermore, the left and right handles 12 and 14 are moveable independently of one another. - It will be understood that the pivot points P and Q of the left and right handles 12 and 14 need not lie on the longitudinal axes of the left and right handles respectively. Instead, there may be some offset.
- There may be limits imposed on the extent of movement of the
handles respective members game controller 10 may only allow thehandles game controller 10 may be operable to entirely restrict the rotation of one or more of the limbs about their respective longitudinal axes during use. In the null position, thehandles handles - In a preferred embodiment, the
right member 18 is moveable in relation to theleft member 16 in two ways. - Firstly, the
right member 18 is able to rotate about its longitudinal axis OO′ in relation to theleft member 16, as shown by arrow V inFIG. 1 . This may be accomplished by the means of thefirst end 18 a ofright member 18 being received within thesecond end 16 b of theleft member 16, i.e. a radius of theright member 18 is slightly smaller than a radius of the left member 16 (or vice versa). Alternatively, a collar (not shown) could be provided over thesecond end 16 b of theleft member 16 and thefirst end 18 a of theright member 18 such that theleft member 16 is fixed with respect to the collar whilst theright member 18 is rotatable about OO′ with respect to the collar. In this embodiment, a radius of the collar is slightly larger than the radii of the left andright members right member 18 could alternatively rotate about an axis other than its longitudinal axis OO′ in relation to theleft member 16. - Secondly, the
right member 18 is able to move in an axial direction (i.e. along OO′) with respect to theleft member 16, as shown by arrow Z inFIG. 4 . In this embodiment, the radius of theright member 18 may be smaller than the radius of theleft member 16 such that theright member 18 may be telescopically disposed within the left member 16 (or vice versa). - The two types of movement of the
right member 18 in relation to theleft member 16 described above may occur separately or together. Thus, it is possible to rotate theright member 18 in one direction about its longitudinal axis OO′ whilst also moving theright member 18 away from theleft member 16 in an axial direction. Other such combinations are also contemplated. Furthermore, it is also possible to perform the three handle movements together or separately from the two member movements. - Again, there may be limits imposed on the extent of movement of the
right member 18 in relation to the left member 16 (e.g. maximum rotation angle of 45° in either direction). In the null position, theright member 18 is not rotated at all about its longitudinal axes OO′ (i.e. the angle of rotation is 0°). - In a preferred embodiment, it is possible to disable one or more of the three handle movements and the two member movements described above. Thus, the range of movement types available to a player may be reduced in some circumstances depending on the exact implementation or operational state of the controller.
- In a preferred embodiment, the
game controller 10 is biased towards a specified null position, such as the null position ofFIG. 1 . Thus, in the absence of any force applied by a player, thegame controller 10 will assume the null position. Thegame controller 10 may be biased to the null position by means of spring loading, or the like. - The
game controller 10 further comprises sensors (not shown) to sense relative positions of thehandles game controller body 15. Thegame controller 10 then outputs a signal to control the game based on the sensed relative position of thehandles handles - In the embodiment of
FIGS. 1-4 , the sensors sense the relative positions of thehandles left member 16, (ii) the right handle 14 with respect to theright member 18, and (iii) theleft member 16 with respect to theright member 18. - Any type of sensor that is able to sense relative positions (or rates of change of relative positions) may be used in the
game controller 10. However, two specific types of sensor will be described below for the purposes of illustration. In the two examples below, the sensors are described with reference to sensing the rotational position of theleft handle 12 about its longitudinal axis PP′, and it is assumed that thehandle 12 may rotate between rotation angles of −α and +α. - The first type of sensor (type 1) senses whether the
left handle 12 is fully rotated to either −α or +α with respect to theleft member 16. Thehandle 12 has a metal contact that rotates with thehandle 12, and themember 16 has two metal contacts located at −α and +α which are fixed with respect to themember 16 and do not rotate with thehandle 12. Thus, when thehandle 12 is rotated to its full extent in either direction, the metal contact of thehandle 12 makes contact with one metal contact of themember 16 and thegame controller 10 outputs an associated signal to control the game. In an alternative embodiment, further metal contacts could be provided on the member at −α/2 and +α/2, for example. - The second type of sensor (type 2) senses how far the
left handle 12 is rotated towards either −α or +α with respect to theleft member 16. This sensor comprises a potentiometer onleft handle 12 and leftmember 16 of thegame controller 10. The potentiometer is adapted to have a variable resistance that varies smoothly from r Q to R Q as thehandle 12 is rotated from −α to +α. At angle 0° (the null position), the resistance is (r+R)/2Ω. For r<R, as thehandle 12 is rotated towards −α the sensed resistance falls, and as thehandle 12 is rotated towards +α the sensed resistance increases. Thus, thegame controller 10 outputs a signal that corresponds to the sensed resistance. In this way, the game controller output is able to differentiate between a small clockwise (or anticlockwise) turn and a larger clockwise (or anticlockwise) turn. - It will be appreciated that the two types of sensor described above could be used to sense other relative positions of the
handles members 16 and 18 (i.e. not only the rotational position of theleft handle 12 about its longitudinal axis PP′). In a preferred embodiment, type 2 sensors are used to sense all relative positions of thehandles member - In use, the
handles controller 10 to control a game by moving thehandles members player 20 using thecontroller 10 is shown from above inFIG. 5 . Theplayer 20 grips theleft handle 12 in their left hand and theright handle 14 in their right hand.FIG. 5 shows the player'sleft arm 22,right arm 24 andhead 26. - In
FIG. 5 a, thecontroller 10 is held in the null position ofFIG. 1 . The player'sarms head 26. A distance between thehandles handles - In
FIG. 5 b, theplayer 20 has pushed theirleft arm 22 forwards and has pulled theirright arm 24 backwards so that the player'sleft arm 22 extends further in front of the player'shead 26 than theirright arm 24. The associated handle position (as compared to that ofFIG. 5 a) will be sensed by the sensors. In particular, the sensors that sense the position of thehandles respective members handles handles members handles - In
FIG. 5 c, theplayer 20 has pulled theirleft arm 22 backwards and has pushed theirright arm 24 forwards so that the player'sleft arm 22 does not extend as far in front of the player'shead 26 as theirright arm 24. The new handle position (as compared to that ofFIG. 5 a or 5 b) will be sensed by the sensors. In particular, the sensors that sense the position of thehandles respective members handles handles members handles - Thus, the
game controller 10 senses the relative positions of thehandles game controller 10 is then able to output an associated signal to control the game. - As seen in
FIGS. 5 a to 5 c, the elongategame controller body 15 remains approximately parallel to the player's shoulders as theplayer 20 manipulates thegame controller 10. In other words, thegame controller 10 reflects movement of the player's shoulders pointing left and right. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, thecontroller 10 provides an intuitive controller to simulate turning left and turning right in the gameworld. - Alternatively, depending on the game being played, it is envisaged that the
player 20 could simulate walking or running in the gameworld by moving theirarms game controller 10, and thegame controller 10 could therefore be used in conjunction with exercise games. - In a preferred embodiment, the hand-held
game controller 10 is used in conjunction with a foot controller (not shown) for increased versatility of movement. - The
game controller 10 is therefore able to provide a gaming experience similar to virtual reality, and yet thecontroller 10 may be manufactured at a relatively low cost. - In a preferred embodiment, the
game controller 10 comprises one or more buttons which may be pressed by theplayer 20 to perform a specified action (e.g. shooting or jumping) in the gameworld. The game controller may also (or instead) comprise other controlling means such as joysticks and/or mousepads. Alternative additional controlling means may also be provided on thegame controller 10. - Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described, it is to be understood that this is by way of example only and that various modifications may be contemplated. For example, a controller according to the present invention could be used to operate a robotic arm, a surgical device, or any other such piece of equipment.
Claims (28)
1. A controller, for example, for a game, comprising:
a controller body;
first and second limbs extending from the controller body and defining respective first and second axes, the limbs each being rotatable about their respective axis;
a sensor array comprising at least one sensor arranged to sense relative positions of the limbs in relation to the controller body; and
an output arranged to provide a signal which varies in dependence upon the sensed relative positions.
2. The controller of claim 1 in which:
the first and second limbs cooperate with the controller body to define respective first and second pivot points; and
the limbs are each pivotable about their respective pivot point.
3. The controller of claim 1 in which:
the sensor array is arranged to sense rates of change of the relative positions of the limbs; and
the output is arranged to provide a signal which varies in dependence upon the sensed rates of change.
4. The controller of claim 2 in which at least one limb is pivotable about its respective pivot point in two orthogonal directions.
5. The controller of claim 1 in which the sensor array is arranged to sense a rotational position of at least one limb about its respective axis.
6. The controller of claim 2 in which the sensor array is arranged to sense a pivotal position of at least one limb about its respective pivot point.
7. The controller of claim 1 in which a range of relative positions of the limbs in relation to the controller body is limited.
8. The controller of claim 7 in which the sensor array is arranged to sense when at least one limb is moved to a full extent in a specified direction in relation to the controller body.
9. The controller of claim 1 in which the sensor array is arranged to sense how far at least one limb is moved in a specified direction in relation to the controller body.
10. The controller of claim 1 in which the limbs of the controller are biased towards a null position.
11. The controller of claim 10 in which the null position comprises:
the limbs extending in substantially the same direction from the controller body; and
the limbs each extending substantially orthogonally from the controller body.
12. The controller of claim 1 in which the controller body comprises first and second body members, the first limb extending from the first body member, and the second limb extending from the second body member.
13. The controller of claim 12 in which the sensor array is arranged to sense relative positions of the limbs in relation to the body members from which they extend.
14. The controller of claim 12 in which:
the body members are able to move relative to one another; and
the sensor array is arranged to sense a relative position of the body members in relation to one another.
15. The controller of claim 14 in which:
the body members are able to rotate relative to one another; and
the sensor array is arranged to sense a rotational position of the body members relative to one another.
16. The controller of claim 14 in which:
the body members define a common axis;
the body members are able to rotate about the common axis relative to one another; and
the sensor array is arranged to sense a rotational position of the body members relative to one another.
17. The controller of claim 14 in which:
the body members define a common axis;
the body members are able to move axially along the common axis relative to one another; and
the sensor array is arranged to sense an axial position of the body members relative to one another.
18. The controller of claim 17 in which the body members are telescopically disposed along the common axis.
19. The controller of claim 14 in which a range of relative positions of the body members in relation to one another is limited.
20. The controller of claim 19 in which the sensor array is arranged to sense when the body members are moved to a full extent in a specified direction in relation to one another.
21. The controller of claim 14 in which the sensor array is arranged to sense how far the body members are moved in a specified direction in relation to one another.
22. The controller of claim 12 in which the body members of the controller are biased towards a null position.
23. (canceled)
24. (canceled)
25. The controller of claim 1 in which:
the controller further comprises at least one additional controlling means;
the sensor array is arranged to sense a state of the at least one controlling means; and
the output is arranged to provide a signal which varies in dependence upon the sensed state of the at least one controlling means.
26. The controller of claim 25 in which the controlling means is selected from a group consisting of a button, a switch, a joystick, and a mousepad.
27. Game playing equipment including a game controller comprising:
a controller body;
first and second limbs extending from the controller body to define respective first and second axes, the limbs each being rotatable about their respective axis;
a sensor array comprising at least one sensor arranged to sense relative positions of the limbs in relation to the controller body; and
an output arranged to provide a signal which varies in dependence upon the sensed relative positions.
28. (canceled)
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB0520943A GB2431457A (en) | 2005-10-14 | 2005-10-14 | Controller for a game |
GB0520943.2 | 2005-10-14 | ||
PCT/GB2006/003642 WO2007042758A1 (en) | 2005-10-14 | 2006-09-29 | Controller |
Publications (1)
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US20080214306A1 true US20080214306A1 (en) | 2008-09-04 |
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US12/089,886 Abandoned US20080214306A1 (en) | 2005-10-14 | 2006-09-29 | Controller |
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US (1) | US20080214306A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1933961A1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2431457A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2007042758A1 (en) |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20100004061A1 (en) * | 2008-05-21 | 2010-01-07 | Greg Merril | Exercise Gaming Device and Method of Interacting With Gaming or Other Scenarios Based on Physical Exercise |
US20100161129A1 (en) * | 2008-12-23 | 2010-06-24 | Intuitive Surgical, Inc. | System and method for adjusting an image capturing device attribute using an unused degree-of-freedom of a master control device |
US20120122578A1 (en) * | 2010-11-12 | 2012-05-17 | Song Byung-Youn | Game controller, game machine, and game system using the game controller |
US8366549B2 (en) | 2010-07-20 | 2013-02-05 | Ernesto Garcia | Controller |
CN107030715A (en) * | 2017-06-12 | 2017-08-11 | 重庆乐铠机器人技术开发有限责任公司 | A kind of multiple degrees of freedom weapon actuation means of game robot |
US20220221928A1 (en) * | 2021-01-11 | 2022-07-14 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Multilayer controller |
US11395960B2 (en) * | 2018-10-19 | 2022-07-26 | North Carolina State University | Temporal axial alignment adapter for VR hand controllers |
US11577173B2 (en) * | 2018-03-27 | 2023-02-14 | Protubevr | Controller support for virtual reality video games |
Families Citing this family (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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GB2450103A (en) * | 2007-06-12 | 2008-12-17 | Dublin Inst Of Technology | A dual analogue controller games in the form of an action figure, robot or animal |
US20090093307A1 (en) * | 2007-10-08 | 2009-04-09 | Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. | Enhanced game controller |
CN101406745B (en) * | 2007-10-12 | 2012-05-30 | 英属维京群岛速位互动股份有限公司 | Operation controller of electronic game |
WO2011056104A1 (en) * | 2009-11-05 | 2011-05-12 | Reachin Technologies Ab | Game control device |
JP7489783B2 (en) * | 2020-02-14 | 2024-05-24 | 株式会社東海理化電機製作所 | Operating device |
JP2021140492A (en) * | 2020-03-05 | 2021-09-16 | 株式会社東海理化電機製作所 | Operating device |
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JPH0847581A (en) * | 1994-05-31 | 1996-02-20 | Namco Ltd | Controller for household game machine |
JPH08103567A (en) * | 1994-05-31 | 1996-04-23 | Namco Ltd | Controller of domestic game machine |
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DE10062013C2 (en) * | 2000-12-13 | 2003-08-21 | Endor Dev Und Distrib Gmbh | Universal input device for play equipment |
FR2852116B1 (en) * | 2003-03-06 | 2005-05-20 | Claude Botton | COMPUTER INPUT DEVICE |
GB0408880D0 (en) * | 2004-04-21 | 2004-05-26 | Ci3 Ltd | Controller |
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- 2005-10-14 GB GB0520943A patent/GB2431457A/en not_active Withdrawn
-
2006
- 2006-09-29 WO PCT/GB2006/003642 patent/WO2007042758A1/en active Application Filing
- 2006-09-29 US US12/089,886 patent/US20080214306A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2006-09-29 EP EP06779589A patent/EP1933961A1/en not_active Withdrawn
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US5624117A (en) * | 1994-07-28 | 1997-04-29 | Sugiyama Electron Co., Ltd. | Game machine controller |
US5785317A (en) * | 1994-12-22 | 1998-07-28 | Alps Electric Co., Ltd. | Operation apparatus for a game machine |
US5805138A (en) * | 1995-06-07 | 1998-09-08 | International Business Machines Corporation | Gross motion input controller for a computer system |
US20010020934A1 (en) * | 2000-01-21 | 2001-09-13 | Izumi Fukuda | Entertainment apparatus, storage medium and operation method of manipulating object |
Cited By (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20100004061A1 (en) * | 2008-05-21 | 2010-01-07 | Greg Merril | Exercise Gaming Device and Method of Interacting With Gaming or Other Scenarios Based on Physical Exercise |
US20100161129A1 (en) * | 2008-12-23 | 2010-06-24 | Intuitive Surgical, Inc. | System and method for adjusting an image capturing device attribute using an unused degree-of-freedom of a master control device |
US8335590B2 (en) * | 2008-12-23 | 2012-12-18 | Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc. | System and method for adjusting an image capturing device attribute using an unused degree-of-freedom of a master control device |
US8366549B2 (en) | 2010-07-20 | 2013-02-05 | Ernesto Garcia | Controller |
US20120122578A1 (en) * | 2010-11-12 | 2012-05-17 | Song Byung-Youn | Game controller, game machine, and game system using the game controller |
US9056255B2 (en) * | 2010-11-12 | 2015-06-16 | Toshiba Samsung Storage Technology Korea Corporation | Game controller, game machine, and game system using the game controller |
CN107030715A (en) * | 2017-06-12 | 2017-08-11 | 重庆乐铠机器人技术开发有限责任公司 | A kind of multiple degrees of freedom weapon actuation means of game robot |
US11577173B2 (en) * | 2018-03-27 | 2023-02-14 | Protubevr | Controller support for virtual reality video games |
US11395960B2 (en) * | 2018-10-19 | 2022-07-26 | North Carolina State University | Temporal axial alignment adapter for VR hand controllers |
US20220221928A1 (en) * | 2021-01-11 | 2022-07-14 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Multilayer controller |
US11556168B2 (en) * | 2021-01-11 | 2023-01-17 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Multilayer controller |
US20230115959A1 (en) * | 2021-01-11 | 2023-04-13 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Multilayer controller |
US11822712B2 (en) * | 2021-01-11 | 2023-11-21 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Multilayer controller |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2007042758A1 (en) | 2007-04-19 |
GB0520943D0 (en) | 2005-11-23 |
EP1933961A1 (en) | 2008-06-25 |
GB2431457A (en) | 2007-04-25 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: NEW CONCEPT GAMING LIMITED, UNITED KINGDOM Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:LUDDEN, BRENDAN PATRICK, DR.;REEL/FRAME:020786/0137 Effective date: 20061011 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |