WO2001084292A1 - Pedally and/or manually controlled user interface - Google Patents

Pedally and/or manually controlled user interface Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2001084292A1
WO2001084292A1 PCT/FI2001/000420 FI0100420W WO0184292A1 WO 2001084292 A1 WO2001084292 A1 WO 2001084292A1 FI 0100420 W FI0100420 W FI 0100420W WO 0184292 A1 WO0184292 A1 WO 0184292A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
film
sensors
user interface
sensor
pedally
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/FI2001/000420
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Markku Sundell
Original Assignee
Markku Sundell
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Markku Sundell filed Critical Markku Sundell
Priority to AU2001258455A priority Critical patent/AU2001258455A1/en
Publication of WO2001084292A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001084292A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • A63F13/06—
    • 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
    • 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
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/033—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor
    • G06F3/0334—Foot operated pointing devices
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10H—ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE
    • G10H1/00—Details of electrophonic musical instruments
    • G10H1/32—Constructional details
    • G10H1/34—Switch arrangements, e.g. keyboards or mechanical switches specially adapted for electrophonic musical instruments
    • 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
    • A63F13/23—Input arrangements for video game devices for interfacing with the game device, e.g. specific interfaces between game controller and console
    • 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
    • A63F2300/1012—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 involving biosensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat, limb activity
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10H—ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE
    • G10H2220/00—Input/output interfacing specifically adapted for electrophonic musical tools or instruments
    • G10H2220/461—Transducers, i.e. details, positioning or use of assemblies to detect and convert mechanical vibrations or mechanical strains into an electrical signal, e.g. audio, trigger or control signal
    • G10H2220/525—Piezoelectric transducers for vibration sensing or vibration excitation in the audio range; Piezoelectric strain sensing, e.g. as key velocity sensor; Piezoelectric actuators, e.g. key actuation in response to a control voltage
    • G10H2220/531—Piezoelectric transducers for vibration sensing or vibration excitation in the audio range; Piezoelectric strain sensing, e.g. as key velocity sensor; Piezoelectric actuators, e.g. key actuation in response to a control voltage made of piezoelectric film
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10H—ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE
    • G10H2220/00—Input/output interfacing specifically adapted for electrophonic musical tools or instruments
    • G10H2220/461—Transducers, i.e. details, positioning or use of assemblies to detect and convert mechanical vibrations or mechanical strains into an electrical signal, e.g. audio, trigger or control signal
    • G10H2220/525—Piezoelectric transducers for vibration sensing or vibration excitation in the audio range; Piezoelectric strain sensing, e.g. as key velocity sensor; Piezoelectric actuators, e.g. key actuation in response to a control voltage
    • G10H2220/531—Piezoelectric transducers for vibration sensing or vibration excitation in the audio range; Piezoelectric strain sensing, e.g. as key velocity sensor; Piezoelectric actuators, e.g. key actuation in response to a control voltage made of piezoelectric film
    • G10H2220/535—Piezoelectric polymer transducers, e.g. made of stretched and poled polyvinylidene difluoride [PVDF] sheets in which the molecular chains of vinylidene fluoride CH2-CF2 have been oriented in a preferential direction

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a pedally and/or manually controlled user interface for a computer or a corresponding device, such as game consoles, slot machines, midi players and the like, and which consists of sensors connected programmatically or by way of a logic element to the device to be controlled.
  • Pedally controlled cursor controllers and user interfaces connectable to a computer have been available in the marketplace for quite some time. Most of the time, these devices are based on various types of pedal systems, wherein both feet are allocated a given, most often a clearly defined area and the movements of said pedals provide means for controlling the operation of a computer program.
  • German patent publications DE 19622557 and 19649586 as well as the International patent application WO 95/34872 disclose a computer-connectable controller, which is based on a pedal solution.
  • the pedal disclosed in German publication DE 4336153 comprises a panel placed on the floor, which is provided with a second panel movable horizontally along a guide rail.
  • the second panel is further provided with a vertically oriented guide rail, along which the pedal is moving.
  • the cursor operation is accomplished by a combination of lateral and vertical movements of one foot.
  • US publication 5334997 further discloses a controller, comprising a control ball under both feet, operable by the sole of one's foot. Each foot is further provided with lateral switches controllable by the side of the foot and with forward switches controllable by the toes.
  • the apparatus of the invention is characterized in that it comprises a sensor element, which is a film type or panel type unit constituted by a number of sensors and said sensors establish functionally independent subareas within the sensor unit.
  • the apparatus of the invention can be used for replacing or supplementing currently available control devices.
  • the mat or panel design of an apparatus of the invention affords the apparatus a number of benefits, it is compact, easy to fit (the foundation need not be horizontally level), easily portable (the mat can be rolled up, for example), the user interface can have its size and shape adjusted as required by a particular application.
  • the panel or mat type of sensor assembly is supported or unsupported. If desirable, the sensors can be set on a more solid foundation to provide a panel type supported sensor unit.
  • An unsupported sensor unit is constituted by a floor-laid mat without its own support structure.
  • the choice of material is important.
  • the sensor device is manufactured from a film type of material, which can be laminated with mechanical switches, it can be made from a piezoelectric material, such as polyvinyldene fluorine film, or it can be produced by using a new, so-called electromechanical film (EMFi-electrome- chanical film - FI 95039).
  • the inventive user interface is preferably constituted by a plurality of sensors which establish preferred subareas in a mat type of user interface. The number of sensors is selected according to a relevant application and can be subsequently and optionally increased, if necessary. Hence, the shape and general outline of a sensor unit can be modified and adjusted in accordance with a particular application and available space.
  • the sensors can be connected to controlled devices the same way as generally similar user interfaces, game and media controllers, mouses etc., e.g. programmatically or by way of a separate logic unit, or via a preamplifier to a micro-controller and further to a suitable connection in a computer or the like.
  • the amplifier and/or the micro-controller is in a per se known manner provided with selector switches capable of selecting various operating modes for the sensors.
  • a user interface of the invention can be applied to generally available systems, such as PC and Mac environments, game consoles, various slot machine games, midi-players and the like equipment.
  • the apparatus is functional with various products and devices in the field of entertainment electronics.
  • the apparatus is also highly suitable for rehabilitation of the physically handicapped and for physical education, as well as for teaching and rehearsing dance, music or groups, as well as generally for applications in which it is desirable to liberate the hands for more functions by using the feet to control various hardware assemblies, whereby the apparatus can be preferably exploited for example in occasions like lectures and presentations.
  • the apparatus is also adaptable to all such applications which currently employ a variety of "joystick" and GAMEPAD type control elements.
  • the question may be about the drive and control of quite large, heavy-duty equipment, the control of which is carried out by the above-mentioned control elements.
  • Example 1 Game controller
  • This example deals with a controller according to the invention intended for game operation. This requires functions at least as follows: motion control at least in four different points of compass, firing, leaps, and game-specific special features.
  • the apparatus can be manufactured from EMFi-film.
  • EMFi is an elastic plastic film with a thickness of 0.05 mm. When subjected to a variable mechanical (or acoustic) force, the film develops a potential, which feature has been exploited in the inventive controller.
  • the EMFi-film is made from two-way stretched polypropylene film. During the course of stretching, the film develops small flat bubbles, which make it elastic in perpendicular direction. During the manufacturing process, the interior of a film is further supplied with a permanent electric charge. The final composition is obtained by means of metal foils vapour-deposited or laminated on both sides of the plastic film.
  • the film has an extremely high sensitivity to an external dynamic force, even up to 100 pC/N.
  • the inventive controller comprises a general-purpose pedally and/or manually controlled user interface, which functions as a game controller.
  • the user interface is constituted by an EMFi-sensor or controller mat, the composition of which consists of manually laminated EMFi sensors.
  • the sensor field is about one square meter in size and contains nine EMFi sensors, which are bonded to a 4 mm thick aluminium sheet.
  • the sensors make up a grid-like block of switches, whose wirings are made in thin copper strips and then cabled in a controller box.
  • On top of the sensor surface is bonded an ordinary plastic membrane as mechanical protection and a surface material.
  • Fig. 1 depicts a block diagram for the apparatus.
  • the operation of grid frames in the user interface can be determined by means of switches present in the controller box.
  • the available options include five programmable function sensors.
  • the sensors are connected via preamplifiers to a micro-controller. When pressed or stepped on, a grid space emits a signal to the preamplifiers, which are in a voltage tracking circuit for creating as high-speed an operation as possible.
  • the signals are then carried to A/D converters in the micro-controller and processed in the circuit as desired, as well as converted to fit the adapter of an analog game controller used in a PC computer.
  • the micro-controller and, at the same time the entire apparatus, is operationally controlled by setting switches present in the controller box. Since a major portion of the operation control for the apparatus is programmed in a micro-controller present in the apparatus, it will be easy to make subsequent operational changes, if desirable. It is done simply by replacing a program in the re-storing program memory of the circuit.
  • the selector switches present in a control unit enable the selection of a variety of operating modes for the user interface, as well as a variety of functions for some sensors. All switches have two positions, which are ON and OFF. In each switch, these refer to operating modes as follows:
  • the stepping frequency (time between successive steps) on a sensor sets the same in a directly proportional motion. The higher the stepping frequency, the larger the motion. If standing still on a sensor, the game controller motion stops as well.
  • the middle sensor functions as switch 1 for game controller.
  • the middle sensor When in operation, the middle sensor functions as a motion stopper.
  • the control unit has an adapter for the external controller.
  • the ON position of switch 5 overrides the operation of switch 4 as regards sensors 7 and 9.
  • the apparatus has a range of operation which extends also to midi-applications. Increasing the number of press keys provides a keyboard, which comprises the entire octave, additional octaves or desirable effects or special features and which can be used for playing or composing music. Augmentation of the apparatus can be used to create a range for composing music by moving and hopping therein. Children in particular would be certainly inspired by this type of playful creation of music.
  • This apparatus is applicable to dance training by increasing slightly the size of a mat and by reducing the size of sensors, i.e. by increasing the number of sensors.
  • the apparatus could also e.g. respond to a faulty step by vibration or the like.
  • the inventive sensor mat can be preferably used in various types of lecture occasions, as well as in presentations, in which the presenter can use his or her feet to control a display screen or some other larger display device, leaving his or her hands free for other purposes.
  • the inventive user interface can also be used for such applications which are currently employed for the control of major equipment, machines, ships, etc., whereby manual controllers are not needed.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Position Input By Displaying (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a pedally and/or manually controlled user interface for a computer or a corresponding device, such as game consoles, slot machines, midi players and the like, and which consists of sensors connected programmatically or by way of a logic element to the device to be controlled. The user interface comprises a sensor element, which is a film type or panel type unit constituted by a number of sensors and said sensors establish functionally independent subareas within the sensor unit.

Description

Pedally and/or manually controlled user interface
The present invention relates to a pedally and/or manually controlled user interface for a computer or a corresponding device, such as game consoles, slot machines, midi players and the like, and which consists of sensors connected programmatically or by way of a logic element to the device to be controlled.
It is an object of an apparatus of the invention to diversify the alternation of feet and hands in the process of controlling a computer and similar equipment, to expand maneuverability and to improve ergonomics, e.g. through a change of working position by standing up, moving about or sitting down from time to time, in order to reduce manual strain, as well as to introduce alternative ways and means to control various systems.
Pedally controlled cursor controllers and user interfaces connectable to a computer have been available in the marketplace for quite some time. Most of the time, these devices are based on various types of pedal systems, wherein both feet are allocated a given, most often a clearly defined area and the movements of said pedals provide means for controlling the operation of a computer program. German patent publications DE 19622557 and 19649586 as well as the International patent application WO 95/34872 disclose a computer-connectable controller, which is based on a pedal solution.
The pedal disclosed in German publication DE 4336153 comprises a panel placed on the floor, which is provided with a second panel movable horizontally along a guide rail. The second panel is further provided with a vertically oriented guide rail, along which the pedal is moving. The cursor operation is accomplished by a combination of lateral and vertical movements of one foot.
Various types of pedal solutions have also been described in the International application WO 97/35277 and EP publication 0480709.
US publication 5334997 further discloses a controller, comprising a control ball under both feet, operable by the sole of one's foot. Each foot is further provided with lateral switches controllable by the side of the foot and with forward switches controllable by the toes.
In all such prior art equipment the question is about a floor-installed, quite complicated, yet functionally limited device.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a user interface, which is structurally simple, functionally versatile and operatively reliable, and which is readily displaceable and even portable, whenever necessary.
The apparatus of the invention is characterized in that it comprises a sensor element, which is a film type or panel type unit constituted by a number of sensors and said sensors establish functionally independent subareas within the sensor unit.
The apparatus of the invention can be used for replacing or supplementing currently available control devices. The mat or panel design of an apparatus of the invention affords the apparatus a number of benefits, it is compact, easy to fit (the foundation need not be horizontally level), easily portable (the mat can be rolled up, for example), the user interface can have its size and shape adjusted as required by a particular application.
In a preferred embodiment, the panel or mat type of sensor assembly is supported or unsupported. If desirable, the sensors can be set on a more solid foundation to provide a panel type supported sensor unit. An unsupported sensor unit is constituted by a floor-laid mat without its own support structure.
The choice of material is important. The sensor device is manufactured from a film type of material, which can be laminated with mechanical switches, it can be made from a piezoelectric material, such as polyvinyldene fluorine film, or it can be produced by using a new, so-called electromechanical film (EMFi-electrome- chanical film - FI 95039). The inventive user interface is preferably constituted by a plurality of sensors which establish preferred subareas in a mat type of user interface. The number of sensors is selected according to a relevant application and can be subsequently and optionally increased, if necessary. Hence, the shape and general outline of a sensor unit can be modified and adjusted in accordance with a particular application and available space.
In an apparatus of the invention, the sensors can be connected to controlled devices the same way as generally similar user interfaces, game and media controllers, mouses etc., e.g. programmatically or by way of a separate logic unit, or via a preamplifier to a micro-controller and further to a suitable connection in a computer or the like. The amplifier and/or the micro-controller is in a per se known manner provided with selector switches capable of selecting various operating modes for the sensors.
A user interface of the invention can be applied to generally available systems, such as PC and Mac environments, game consoles, various slot machine games, midi-players and the like equipment. In addition, the apparatus is functional with various products and devices in the field of entertainment electronics. The apparatus is also highly suitable for rehabilitation of the physically handicapped and for physical education, as well as for teaching and rehearsing dance, music or groups, as well as generally for applications in which it is desirable to liberate the hands for more functions by using the feet to control various hardware assemblies, whereby the apparatus can be preferably exploited for example in occasions like lectures and presentations.
Of course, the apparatus is also adaptable to all such applications which currently employ a variety of "joystick" and GAMEPAD type control elements. In this case, the question may be about the drive and control of quite large, heavy-duty equipment, the control of which is carried out by the above-mentioned control elements.
The present invention will be described more closely in the following examples, which disclose one embodiment of the invention. Example 1 : Game controller
This example deals with a controller according to the invention intended for game operation. This requires functions at least as follows: motion control at least in four different points of compass, firing, leaps, and game-specific special features.
The apparatus can be manufactured from EMFi-film. EMFi is an elastic plastic film with a thickness of 0.05 mm. When subjected to a variable mechanical (or acoustic) force, the film develops a potential, which feature has been exploited in the inventive controller.
The EMFi-film is made from two-way stretched polypropylene film. During the course of stretching, the film develops small flat bubbles, which make it elastic in perpendicular direction. During the manufacturing process, the interior of a film is further supplied with a permanent electric charge. The final composition is obtained by means of metal foils vapour-deposited or laminated on both sides of the plastic film. The film has an extremely high sensitivity to an external dynamic force, even up to 100 pC/N.
The inventive controller comprises a general-purpose pedally and/or manually controlled user interface, which functions as a game controller. The user interface is constituted by an EMFi-sensor or controller mat, the composition of which consists of manually laminated EMFi sensors. The sensor field is about one square meter in size and contains nine EMFi sensors, which are bonded to a 4 mm thick aluminium sheet. The sensors make up a grid-like block of switches, whose wirings are made in thin copper strips and then cabled in a controller box. On top of the sensor surface is bonded an ordinary plastic membrane as mechanical protection and a surface material. Fig. 1 depicts a block diagram for the apparatus.
The operation of grid frames in the user interface can be determined by means of switches present in the controller box. In addition to directions of motion, the available options include five programmable function sensors. The sensors are connected via preamplifiers to a micro-controller. When pressed or stepped on, a grid space emits a signal to the preamplifiers, which are in a voltage tracking circuit for creating as high-speed an operation as possible. The signals are then carried to A/D converters in the micro-controller and processed in the circuit as desired, as well as converted to fit the adapter of an analog game controller used in a PC computer.
The micro-controller and, at the same time the entire apparatus, is operationally controlled by setting switches present in the controller box. Since a major portion of the operation control for the apparatus is programmed in a micro-controller present in the apparatus, it will be easy to make subsequent operational changes, if desirable. It is done simply by replacing a program in the re-storing program memory of the circuit.
The selector switches present in a control unit enable the selection of a variety of operating modes for the user interface, as well as a variety of functions for some sensors. All switches have two positions, which are ON and OFF. In each switch, these refer to operating modes as follows:
• Switch 1. Power mode/speed mode
ON Power mode in operation. When a sensor is stepped on, the motion of a game controller in a selected direction begins. The motion does not stop until stepping off the sensor.
OFF Speed mode in operation. The stepping frequency (time between successive steps) on a sensor sets the same in a directly proportional motion. The higher the stepping frequency, the larger the motion. If standing still on a sensor, the game controller motion stops as well.
Switch 2. Operation of a sensor 5
ON Sensor 5 in the middle of a mat in operation. OFF Sensor 5 in the middle of a mat out of operation.
Switch 3. Keyboard operation of sensor 5
ON When in operation, the middle sensor functions as switch 1 for game controller.
OFF When in operation, the middle sensor functions as a motion stopper.
• Switch 4. Keyboard operation of sensor 1 , 3, 7 and 9
ON Sensors in the corners of a mat function as switches 1-4 for game controller.
OFF Sensors in the corners function as intermediate points of compass
(Northeast, Southeast etc.) in the control.
Switch 5. Operation of game controller 2
ON One (external) of the game controllers in operation. Only two game controller switches in operation and the other two switches in operation in the other controller. Enables the use of e.g. a joystick or the like as an accessory to the mat. The control unit has an adapter for the external controller. The ON position of switch 5 overrides the operation of switch 4 as regards sensors 7 and 9.
OFF One of the game controllers out of operation. All four switches in the mat controller in operation.
• Switch 6. Sensitivity of speed mode
ON High sensitivity. Even a rather slow stepping rate brings about motion.
OFF Low sensitivity. Only a rapid stepping rate brings about motion. user has a possibility of downloading functions via internet,
wireless operation.
Example 2: Midi-operation
The apparatus has a range of operation which extends also to midi-applications. Increasing the number of press keys provides a keyboard, which comprises the entire octave, additional octaves or desirable effects or special features and which can be used for playing or composing music. Augmentation of the apparatus can be used to create a range for composing music by moving and hopping therein. Children in particular would be certainly inspired by this type of playful creation of music.
Example 3: Handicapped users
In handicapped groups, physical exercise plays a major role in rehabilitation. The threshold for learning about the computer environment may sometimes be overwhelming as a result of the technical nature of the hardware or simply for physical reasons. The control of a computer with feet can be managed and the working of a cursor by hopping or moving about on mat gives the impression of a less technical apparatus which can be touched even by a person with not much experience about computers.
Example 4: Amusement park operation
In the largest scale, the use of this apparatus would be in funfairs and amusement parks. It could be used to control a multitude of various operations, for example
• a variety of slot machines,
group games as a large mat,
"a giant piano". Example 5. Operation in dance training
This apparatus is applicable to dance training by increasing slightly the size of a mat and by reducing the size of sensors, i.e. by increasing the number of sensors. The apparatus could also e.g. respond to a faulty step by vibration or the like.
Example 6: Operation in lectures and presentations
The inventive sensor mat can be preferably used in various types of lecture occasions, as well as in presentations, in which the presenter can use his or her feet to control a display screen or some other larger display device, leaving his or her hands free for other purposes.
Example 7: Control of machines and equipment
The inventive user interface can also be used for such applications which are currently employed for the control of major equipment, machines, ships, etc., whereby manual controllers are not needed.

Claims

Claims
1. A pedally and/or manually controlled user interface for a computer or a corresponding device, such as game consoles, slot machines, midi players and the like, and which consists of sensors connected programmatically or by way of a logic element to the device to be controlled, characterized in that it comprises a sensor element, which is a film type or panel type unit constituted by a number of sensors and said sensors establish functionally independent subareas within the sensor unit.
2. A film as set forth in claim 1 , characterized in that the film or mat type sensor unit is supported or unsupported.
3. A film as set forth in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sensor comprises a piezoelectric film (such as polyvinyldene fluoride film), an electromagnetic film (EMFi) or a resistive thin film or a mechanical switch or the like.
PCT/FI2001/000420 2000-05-04 2001-05-03 Pedally and/or manually controlled user interface WO2001084292A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2001258455A AU2001258455A1 (en) 2000-05-04 2001-05-03 Pedally and/or manually controlled user interface

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FI20001037 2000-05-04
FI20001037A FI20001037A (en) 2000-05-04 2000-05-04 Foot and / or hand-operated interface

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001084292A1 true WO2001084292A1 (en) 2001-11-08

Family

ID=8558328

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/FI2001/000420 WO2001084292A1 (en) 2000-05-04 2001-05-03 Pedally and/or manually controlled user interface

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2001258455A1 (en)
FI (1) FI20001037A (en)
WO (1) WO2001084292A1 (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2450497A (en) * 2007-06-26 2008-12-31 Ian Mclauchlan A computer/mobile phone input device comprising a mat operated by a user stepping thereon
US20090221372A1 (en) * 2008-02-29 2009-09-03 Molly Casey Footpad-based game and gaming system
NO20091350L (en) * 2009-04-01 2010-10-04 Trenmentor Jan Wiese Foot-operated control device
WO2011008100A1 (en) * 2009-07-14 2011-01-20 Rita Eilen Aronsen Foot operated computer mouse

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FI95039B (en) * 1994-08-12 1995-08-31 Messet Ab Oy Self-adhesive foil and method of making it
FI97577B (en) * 1994-12-28 1996-09-30 Screentec Ky Keyboard
US5889510A (en) * 1996-10-28 1999-03-30 At&T Corp. Foot-operated keyboard device
GB2338052A (en) * 1998-01-21 1999-12-08 George Michael Ettinger Foot operated computer input arrangements

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FI95039B (en) * 1994-08-12 1995-08-31 Messet Ab Oy Self-adhesive foil and method of making it
FI97577B (en) * 1994-12-28 1996-09-30 Screentec Ky Keyboard
US5889510A (en) * 1996-10-28 1999-03-30 At&T Corp. Foot-operated keyboard device
GB2338052A (en) * 1998-01-21 1999-12-08 George Michael Ettinger Foot operated computer input arrangements

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2450497A (en) * 2007-06-26 2008-12-31 Ian Mclauchlan A computer/mobile phone input device comprising a mat operated by a user stepping thereon
US20090221372A1 (en) * 2008-02-29 2009-09-03 Molly Casey Footpad-based game and gaming system
NO20091350L (en) * 2009-04-01 2010-10-04 Trenmentor Jan Wiese Foot-operated control device
NO329473B1 (en) * 2009-04-01 2010-10-25 Trenmentor Jan Wiese Foot operated control device
WO2011008100A1 (en) * 2009-07-14 2011-01-20 Rita Eilen Aronsen Foot operated computer mouse

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2001258455A1 (en) 2001-11-12
FI20001037A (en) 2001-11-05

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20060097453A1 (en) Game controller with force sensing input devices and method of measuring applied forces to game controller input devices to interact with a gaming application
US10936074B2 (en) Haptic information presentation system and method
US7273979B2 (en) Wearable sensor matrix system for machine control
Verplank et al. THE PLANK: Designing a simple haptic controller.
JP7334186B2 (en) INPUT DEVICE WITH VARIABLE TENSION JOYSTICK WITH TRAVEL TO OPERATE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF
US20090088248A1 (en) Game controlling apparatus for pedaling motion
KR20000018226A (en) A program drive divice for computer
CN102422244A (en) Method and apparatus for providing a haptic feedback shape-changing display
Liljedahl et al. Digiwall: an interactive climbing wall
WO2001084292A1 (en) Pedally and/or manually controlled user interface
KR20180121192A (en) Score display apparatus for table tennis
WO2000029085A1 (en) Amusement device and controller
US6171187B1 (en) Interface device for central processing unit or network terminal, keyboard, portable computer and accessory for games console
US20020093524A1 (en) Recording medium, program executing system, and progam executing device
JP4013806B2 (en) Performance information input device
EP1812125A2 (en) Game controller with force sensing input devices and method of measuring applied forces to game controller input devices to interact with a gaming application
WO2019176164A1 (en) Auxiliary pedal system
Komoriya et al. An Improved Body Operations Mitigating VR Sickness Through Stepping Gaming Mat
US20020098892A1 (en) Recording medium, program executing system, and program executing device
JP4378926B2 (en) Limb body training device
Bonger Tactile display in electronic musical instruments
KR19990068803A (en) karaoke system
KR200210199Y1 (en) A program drive device for computer game machine
Gan Squeezables: tactile and expressive interfaces for children of all ages
Henriques Double Slide Controller.

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ CZ DE DE DK DK DM DZ EE EE ES FI FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SK SL TJ TM TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VN YU ZA ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: JP