U.S. patent application number 09/800253 was filed with the patent office on 2002-09-12 for game controller.
Invention is credited to Sobota, John F..
Application Number | 20020128064 09/800253 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25177898 |
Filed Date | 2002-09-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020128064 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sobota, John F. |
September 12, 2002 |
Game controller
Abstract
A steering/driving game controller integrates an additional
steering lever to the underside of the game controller. The
steering lever is spring biased in a center operable positions and
is variably actuated such that it is responsive to varying degrees
of depression. In response to the varying degree of user
depression, the steering/driving controller is capable of
outputting steering control signals of varying level to a connected
game console, thereby enabling more selective and more accurate
driving control within a video game being played on the connected
game console.
Inventors: |
Sobota, John F.; (Edmonton,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KEUSEY, TUTUNJIAN & BITETTO, P.C.
14 VANDERVENTER AVENUE, SUITE 128
PORT WASHINGTON
NY
11050
US
|
Family ID: |
25177898 |
Appl. No.: |
09/800253 |
Filed: |
March 6, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/37 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 13/06 20130101;
A63F 2300/8017 20130101; A63F 2300/1006 20130101; A63F 13/803
20140902; A63F 13/245 20140902; A63F 2300/1043 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/37 |
International
Class: |
A63F 013/06 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A genre specific game controller comprising: a game controller
housing adapted for two-hand operation; a plurality of game
controls disposed on an upper side of said housing; and a lever
disposed on an underside of said housing and having two lever ends
each adapted to be actuated by one of the user's hands.
2. The game controller according to claim 1, further comprising
electronic circuitry disposed within said housing for outputting
variable electrical control commands corresponding to variable
positions of said lever ends for controlling steering actions in a
video game.
3. The game controller according to claim 2, wherein said
electronic circuitry comprises a printed circuit board contained
within said housing and a potentiometer electrically connected to
the printed circuit board and having a shaft connected to said
lever, said potentiometer producing the variable control commands
corresponding to the detected movement of the lever.
4. The game controller according to claim 2, wherein said
electronic circuitry comprises: a printed circuit board contained
within said housing; a first and a second potentiometer
electrically connected to the printed circuit board; and a gearing
mechanism connecting said first potentiometer to one of said lever
ends and said second potentiometer to the other of said lever ends,
wherein said first and second potentiometers produce the variable
control commands corresponding to the detected movement of the
lever.
5. The game controller according to claim 2, wherein said
electronic circuitry comprises: a printed circuit board contained
within said housing; at least one hall effect sensor electrically
connected to said printed circuit board; and at least one magnet
connected to said lever and disposed proximate said at least one
hall effect sensor, said at least one hall effect sensor producing
the variable control commands corresponding to the detected
movement of the lever.
6. The game controller according to claim 2, wherein said
electronic circuitry comprises: a printed circuit board contained
within said housing; a first hall effect sensor corresponding to
one of said lever ends and connected to said printed circuit board;
a second hall effect sensor corresponding to the other of said
lever ends and connected to said printed circuit board; a first
magnet disposed on said lever end corresponding to said first hall
effect sensor; and a second magnet disposed on said lever end
corresponding to said second hall effect sensor; wherein said first
and second magnets move with the respective lever ends and said
first and second hall effect sensors produce the variable control
commands corresponding to the detected movement of the first and
second lever ends.
7. The game controller according to claim 2, wherein said
electronic circuitry comprises: a printed circuit board contained
within said housing; a light source connected to said printed
circuit board; a light sensor connected to said printed board and
operable with said light source; and a slotted wheel disposed
between said light source and said light sensor and connected to
said lever, wherein actuation of said lever ends causes rotation of
said slotted wheel such that said light sensor produces the
variable control commands corresponding to the detected movement of
the lever.
8. The game controller according to claim 2, wherein said
electronic circuitry comprises: a printed circuit board contained
within said housing; a piezo sensor connected to at least one of
said lever ends and in electrical contact with said circuit board,
said piezo sensor detecting movement of said lever ends and
producing the variable control commands corresponding to the
detected movement.
9. A genre specific game controller comprising: a game controller
housing being adapted for two-hand operation, said game controller
housing having a central axis; a plurality of game controls
disposed on an upper side of said housing, said game controls
including a directional element operating in a two-dimensional
horizontal plane transverse to said central axis; a lever having an
axle and two lever ends each adapted to be actuated by one of the
user's hands, said lever being disposed on an underside of said
game controller housing such that said axle is aligned with said
central axis; and electronic circuitry disposed within said game
controller housing for detecting an operable position of said lever
ends and outputting variable electrical control commands
corresponding to the detected positions of said lever ends.
10. The game controller according to claim 9, wherein said
electronic circuitry comprises a printed circuit board contained
within said housing and a potentiometer electrically connected to
the printed circuit board and having a shaft connected to said
lever, said potentiometer producing the variable control commands
corresponding to the detected movement of the lever.
11. The game controller according to claim 9, wherein said
electronic circuitry comprises: a printed circuit board contained
within said housing; a first and a second potentiometer
electrically connected to the printed circuit board; and a gearing
mechanism connecting said first potentiometer to one of said lever
ends and said second potentiometer to the other of said lever ends,
wherein said first and second potentiometers produce the variable
control commands corresponding to the detected movement of the
lever.
12. The game controller according to claim 9, wherein said
electronic circuitry comprises: a printed circuit board contained
within said housing; at least one hall effect sensor electrically
connected to said printed circuit board; and at least one magnet
connected to said steering lever and disposed proximate said at
least one hall effect sensor, said at least one hall effect sensor
producing the variable control commands corresponding to the
detected movement of the lever.
13. The game controller according to claim 9, wherein said
electronic circuitry comprises: a printed circuit board contained
within said housing; a first hall effect sensor corresponding to
one of said lever ends and connected to said printed circuit board;
a second hall effect sensor corresponding to the other of said
lever ends and connected to said printed circuit board; a first
magnet disposed on said lever end corresponding to said first hall
effect sensor; and a second magnet disposed on said lever end
corresponding to said second hall effect sensor; wherein said first
and second magnets move with the respective lever ends and said
first and second hall effect sensors produce the variable control
commands corresponding to the detected movement of the first and
second lever ends.
14. The game controller according to claim 9, wherein said
electronic circuitry comprises: a printed circuit board contained
within said housing; a light source connected to said printed
circuit board; a light sensor connected to said printed board and
operable with said light source; and a slotted wheel disposed
between said light source and said light sensor and connected to
said lever, wherein actuation of said lever ends causes rotation of
said slotted wheel such that said light sensor produces the
variable control commands corresponding to the detected movement of
the lever.
15. The game controller according to claim 9, wherein said
electronic circuitry comprises: a printed circuit board contained
within said housing; and a piezo sensor connected to at least one
of said lever ends and in electrical contact with said circuit
board, said piezo sensor detecting movement of said lever ends and
producing the variable control commands corresponding to the
detected movement.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to game controllers, and more
particularly, to a genre specific game controller for driving or
steering applications.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] The concept of a genre specific game controller is well
known in the gaming industry. Examples of such genre specific games
that utilize genre specific game controllers are flight simulators,
first person shooting games, and driving games.
[0005] Some examples of driving or steering assemblies for video
gaming are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,829,745 and 6,083,106. The
'745 patent discloses a video game control unit with self-centering
steering wheel. This control unit includes a separable console and
base sections, with the console section housing a steering wheel
video game input device that automatically returns to a central,
neutral position. This steering wheel controller is very cumbersome
and is exclusively dedicated to driving games and cannot be used
with other genres of games.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,083,106 discloses a video game race car
simulator assembly for simulating sitting in the driver seat of a
racing car when playing a driving video game. This simulator is not
designed for home use, and as such prevents the implementation into
home video gaming systems such as, for example, Sony
PlayStation.RTM., Sega DREAMCAST.RTM., Nintendo 64.RTM., etc.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,785,317 discloses an operation apparatus for
a game machine. This game controller is a two-handed controller
requiring the user to hold both sides simultaneously and thereby
enable them to actuate controls on both sides of the housing. In
addition, the housing of this game controller is designed to twist
in the middle so as to provide the user with improved feeling and
operation. This controller can be utilized for driving games and
provide the user with the ability to "steer" by twisting the
controller accordingly. This design, although unique, has a
shortfall in that the twisting action of the controller can
interfere with the user's ability to actuate any of the controls
mounted on the top of the controller. As such, there is too much
movement in the controller to provide the user with accurate
control over the game being played.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,923,317 discloses a two-handed controller
for video games and simulations. This game controller shows the use
of buttons disposed on the underside of the game controller to
simulate trigger action for the user. These trigger buttons are not
part of the D-pad or other movement controls associated with the
controller.
[0009] To date, all video game controllers for the home gaming
environment utilize movement controls and trigger controls (i.e.,
buttons that control a game action such as, for example, firing one
or more weapons and braking or acceleration of a motor vehicle).
The movement controls are generally in the form of a joystick or
D-pad. The joystick or D-pad provides the user with two-dimensional
movement control in a fixed plane. Although most controllers are
designed for two-handed actuation, the movement controller (i.e.,
joystick or D-pad) is one part of the controller that is generally
actuated with one of the user's hands (or fingers). As such, in
certain genre specific gaming environments, the standard
two-dimensional movement control provided by a D-pad or joystick is
less than desirable and makes playing the game more difficult for
the user.
[0010] Examples of such genre specific games are driving games
where the user is required to steer a motor vehicle. These games
generally require a higher degree of precision and variability in
the game controls in order to properly effect steering during play.
In addition, in order to provide a more realistic driving/steering
experience, the user should be required to utilize both hands for
steering. The standard D-pad or joystick fails to meet this
preferred criteria. Other steering wheel controllers in the shape
of a steering wheel promote the two-handed driving/steering
experience, however fail to generally provide the other
ergonomically preferred designs of two-handed controllers (e.g.,
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,102,803 and 5,785,317)., including the disposition
of other controls used in conjunction with the genre specific
control.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a game controller that includes additional driving/steering
game controls for operation by the user without interfering with
the other existing buttons or controls on a two-handed game
controller.
[0012] It is another object of the invention to provide a game
controller that may be selectively used with genre specific driving
games, while remaining capable of performing all standard basic
two-handed gaming functions.
[0013] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a game
controller having dedicated driving/steering levers disposed on the
underside of the controller that provide more accurate and reliable
steering control to the user.
[0014] These and other objects are achieved in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention, wherein a genre specific game
controller for driving and steering applications includes a game
controller housing adapted for two-hand operation, a plurality of
game controls disposed on an upper side of said housing, and a
steering lever disposed on an underside of said housing and having
two lever ends each adapted to be actuated by fingers on one of the
user's hands.
[0015] According to one embodiment, the steering lever is a single
piece lever having a rotation axle rotatably connected to the game
controller through said housing. The lever ends extend from the
rotation axle and when one end is rotated about the rotation axle,
the other end moves in an opposite direction. Electronic circuitry
disposed within the game controller housing detects the position of
the steering lever and outputs variable electrical control commands
corresponding to the detected variable positions of the lever
ends.
[0016] According to another embodiment, the steering lever is a two
piece lever having a central axle. Each piece of the two piece
lever is rotatably connected to the game controller about the
central axle and through the housing. Each of the lever ends are
formed by one of the two piece lever and each are independently
operable with respect to the other. Electronic circuitry disposed
within the game controller housing detects the independent position
of each of the steering lever ends and outputs variable electrical
control commands corresponding to the detected variable positions
of the lever ends.
[0017] Other objects and features of the present invention will
become apparent from the following detailed description considered
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be
understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for
purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of
the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended
claims. It should be further understood that the drawings are not
necessarily drawn to scale and that, unless otherwise indicated,
they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures
and procedures described herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] In the drawings wherein like reference numeral denote
similar components throughout the views:
[0019] FIG. 1a is a front view of a game controller according to a
first embodiment of the invention;
[0020] FIG. 1b is a side view of the game controller according to
the first embodiment of the invention;
[0021] FIG. 1c is a bottom view of the game controller according to
the first embodiment of the invention;
[0022] FIG. 2a is a front view of a game controller according to a
second embodiment of the invention;
[0023] FIG. 2b is a bottom view of the game controller according to
the second embodiment of the invention;
[0024] FIG. 3a a front view of a game controller according to a
third embodiment of the invention;
[0025] FIG. 3b is a side view of the game controller according to
the third embodiment of the invention;
[0026] FIG. 3c is a bottom view of the game controller according to
the third embodiment of the invention;
[0027] FIG. 4a is a front view of a game controller according to a
fourth embodiment of the invention;
[0028] FIG. 4b is a bottom view of the game controller according
the fourth embodiment of the invention;
[0029] FIG. 5a is a partial cross section showing the internal
operation of the game controller according to the first embodiment
of the invention;
[0030] FIG. 5b is a partial cross section showing the internal
operation of game controller according to the second embodiment of
the invention;
[0031] FIG. 6a is a partial cross section showing the internal
operation of the game controller according to the first embodiment
of the invention;
[0032] FIG. 6b is a partial cross section showing the internal
operation of the game controller according to the first embodiment
of the invention;
[0033] FIG. 7 is a partial cross section showing the internal
operation of the game controller according to the third embodiment
of the invention;
[0034] FIG. 8a is a partial cross section showing another
embodiment of the internal operation of the game controller
according to the first embodiment of the invention;
[0035] FIG. 8b is partial cross section of the lever arrangement of
the embodiment of FIG. 8a;
[0036] FIG. 9a is a partial cross section showing another
embodiment of the internal operation of game controller according
to the second embodiment of the invention;
[0037] FIG. 9b is a partial cross section of the lever arrangement
of the embodiment of FIG. 9a;
[0038] FIG. 10a is a partial cross section showing another
embodiment of the internal operation of the game controller
according to the fourth embodiment of the invention;
[0039] FIG. 10b is an exemplary implementation of the sensor
arrangement for the embodiment depicted in FIG. 10a;
[0040] FIG. 10c is another exemplary implementation of the sensor
arrangement for the embodiment depicted in FIG. 10a;
[0041] FIG. 11a is a block representation of the sensor
configuration according to the embodiment invention;
[0042] FIG. 11b is a block representation of the sensor
configuration according to another embodiment of the invention;
and
[0043] FIG. 11c is a block representation of the sensor
configuration according to another embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0044] Referring to FIGS. 1a-1c, there is shown a game controller
10 according to a first embodiment of the invention. Game
controller 10 includes a housing 12, a plurality of upper game
controls 14 and a plurality of front control buttons 16a-16d. A
central axis 18 runs through game controller housing 12 transverse
to the two-dimensional plane in which the D-pad or joystick
operates. The aforementioned D-pad and/or joystick are included in
the plurality of upper game controls 14.
[0045] In accordance with the present embodiment, a
driving/steering lever 20 is disposed on the underside of the
controller housing 12 and is rotatably mounted about a rotation
axle 22 which is coaxially aligned with central axis 18. Lever 20
is spring biased into a center position and includes two lever ends
24a and 24b positioned to be actuated by the fingers of the user's
right and left hands, respectively. Lever 20 is variably actuated
based on the degree of depression applied by the user. Referring to
FIG. 1c, when lever end 24b is actuated in the direction indicated
by arrow A1, the opposing end 24a is displaced an equal amount in
the direction A2 (as shown by dotted lines in FIG. 1c). The
variable position ability of lever 20 in addition to its ergonomic
disposition on the underside of the controller allows the user to
more accurately and realistically apply steering control in
response to the video game being played. The rotating action of
lever 20 enables the steering/driving control to be accurately and
variably controlled while allowing the user to maintain both hands
on the controller at all times. This further allows the user to
actuate any of the upper 14 or front 16 controls during
steering/driving action.
[0046] FIG. 5a shows one example of the electronic implementation
of lever 20 into game controller 10. As shown a potentiometer 42 is
connected to a printed circuit board 40 contained within housing
12. Rotation axle 22 of lever 20 is connected to or integral with
the stem of potentiometer 42, and a spring 44, wound around axle 22
and held in place by notches 46a and 46b, biases lever 20 into its
central operable position. Thus, the actuation of either lever end
24a or 24b changes the resistance output of potentiometer 42 and
thereby allows for the variable steering/driving adjustment of a
video game being played through a connected game console (not
shown).
[0047] FIGS. 2a and 2b show a second embodiment where steering
lever 20 is separated into two independently operable parts
consisting of lever ends 24a and 24b. In this embodiment, each
lever end 24a and 24b is independent of the other. Thus, when lever
end 24b is depressed in the direction indicated by A1, lever end
24a does not move. This embodiment requires additional control
circuitry as shown in FIGS. 5b and 9a.
[0048] Referring to FIG. 5b, there is shown an embodiment for the
independent control and actuation performed by independent levers
24a and 24b. As shown, separate potentiometers 42a and 42b are
connected to circuit board 40 and to the respective lever end 24a
and 24b via a gear mechanism made up of gears 47a and 47b. Those of
skill in the art will recognize that the rotation axle 22 must now
be configured to allow each lever end 24a and 24b to rotate
independently of each other. Axle 22 can be configured to have an
inner axle 26 connecting lever end 24a to potentiometer 42a via
gears 47a and 43a. Accordingly, an outer axle 28 connects lever end
24b to potentiometer 42b via gears 47b and 43b. The spring 44 can
be positioned as shown and notches 46a and 46b are disposed
accordingly to allow each lever end 24a and 24b to be spring biased
in a desired direction or position. Thus, when one lever end 24a or
24b is actuated, the corresponding potentiometer 42a or 42b will
change its resistance output in response to that movement and
thereby allow the variable, and increased accuracy of driving
control in the desired direction.
[0049] The embodiment shown in FIG. 5b is one example of how such
configuration may be implemented. Those of ordinary skill will
recognize that various other methods for allowing the independent
rotation and actuation may be implemented without departing from
the spirit of the invention.
[0050] FIGS. 6a and 6b show another circuitry implementation
operable for the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1a, 1b and 1c. In
this embodiment, a pair of hall effect sensors 48a and 48b are
connected to the circuit board 40, and an opposing pair of magnets
49a and 49b are positioned on a holder 59 mounted to the axle 22.
Thus, when either of the lever ends 24a or 24b are moved, the
positions of the magnets 49a and 49b are detected by the
corresponding hall effect sensors 48a and 48b (i.e., based on the
strength of the magnetic fields created by the magnets), and the
corresponding electrical steering/driving command is generated and
output to the connected game console (not shown).
[0051] FIGS. 3a-3c show a third embodiment where steering lever 30
is a one piece lever that pivots about a centrally disposed pivot
line P, transverse to central axis 18. Steering lever 30 is spring
biased and includes lever ends 32a and 32b that are actuated by the
user engaging and pulling the lever end in the direction indicated
by arrow A3. When lever end 32b is engaged as shown in FIG. 3a,
opposing end 32a responds by moving in an opposite direction A4
(shown in dotted lines). The pivotal action of lever 30 enables the
steering/driving control to be accurately and variably controlled
while allowing the user to maintain both hands on the controller at
all times. This further allows the user to actuate any of the upper
14 or front 16 controls during driving action. FIGS. 4a and 4b show
a modified embodiment where lever 30 is separated into two
independently operable ends 32a and 32b, each being pivotal about
pivot line P.
[0052] FIG. 7 shows the electrical implementation of the
embodiments disclosed in FIGS. 3a-4b. As shown, the lever arm 30 is
connected to a pivot mount 50 by two legs 34a and 34b. The pivot
mount 50 includes a pivot ball 52 pivoting upon a pivot indentation
53 within the controller housing, and magnets 49a and 49b arranged
thereon. The pivot mount 50, and thereby lever arm 30, is biased
into a center position by springs 36a and 36b. Corresponding hall
effect sensors 48a and 48b are mounted on the circuit board 40 and
are positioned so as to detect the movement of the respective
magnets 49a and 49b and produce electrical control signals
accordingly. In the independent arm operation embodiment of FIGS.
4a and 4b, the pivot mount 50 need not be separated into two parts,
but rather the lever arm 30 separated into it's two lever ends 32a
and 32b while retaining a flexible connection to prevent separation
from each other. In this arrangement, the hall effect sensors 48a
and 48b and magnets 49a and 49b will continue to operate as
desired.
[0053] FIGS. 8a and 8b show another embodiment of the electronic
implementation of lever 20 (made up of lever ends 24a and 24b) into
the game controller. As shown, lever ends 24a and 24b have
interlocking teeth 64a and 64b, respectively, arranged around the
rotation axle 22. A cap or other securing mechanism 66 attached
onto axle 22 and retains lever ends 24a and 24b in their operable
position on the underside of the game controller. An arm or
extension 60 is connected to rotation axle 22 and includes a sensor
mechanism 62 for sensing the rotation motion of the lever ends 24a
and 24b and providing output signals corresponding to the detected
lever end movement. Sensor mechanism 62 is described later with
reference to FIGS. 11a-11c.
[0054] FIGS. 9a and 9b show another embodiment of the electronic
implementation of lever 20 (made up of lever ends 24a and 24b) into
the game controller. This embodiment is particularly suited for the
independent operation of lever ends 24a and 24b, as discussed above
with respect to the embodiments of FIGS. 2a and 2b. As shown, each
lever end 24a and 24b includes a corresponding rotation shaft 23a
and 23b having an arm or extension 61a and 61b, respectively.
Extensions 61a and 61b carry part of the sensor mechanism 62 used
to detect the rotation position of each lever arm 24a and 24b,
respectively. As with the embodiment of FIGS. 8a and 8b, a cap or
other device 66 secures the levers 24a and 24b in their operable
positions and onto rotation axles 23a and 23b, respectively.
[0055] FIGS. 10a-10c show an alternative embodiment for
implementing the pivoting steering lever 30 (made up of lever ends
32a and 32b) into the game controller. Accordingly, each lever end
34a and 34b is pivotally connected to the circuit board 40 or
controller housing 12 via pivot shafts 70a and 70b, respectively. A
hall effect sensor 48a and 48b is mounted on the circuit board 40,
with correspondingly mounted magnets 49a and 49b on the respective
levers 32a and 32b (FIGS. 10 and 10b). FIG. 10c shows an
alternative embodiment where a pressure sensor 58 is connected to
the circuit board 40 and operable to detect the pressure applied to
the levers and output corresponding control signals from the game
controller.
[0056] FIGS. 11a-11c show various exemplary embodiments for the
implementation of sensor mechanism 62. FIG. 11a shows the use of a
hall effect sensor 48 mounted to the circuit board 40 and a
correspondingly arranged magnet 49 carried by rotating extension
60. FIG. 11b shows the use of a light sensor 72 with light source
74 mounted on circuit board 40. A slotted wheel 76 passes between
the sensor 72 and light source 74 so as to provide the rotation
detection capability required for the levers. FIG. 11c shows
another embodiment where a piezo sensor is mounted on the extension
60 and in electrical contact with the circuit board 40.
[0057] Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the
implementation embodiments shown in FIGS. 5a-11c are examples of
such implementation and may be modified without departing from the
spirit of the invention
[0058] While there have shown and described and pointed out
fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to preferred
embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions
and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the
methods described and devices illustrated, and in their operation,
may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the
spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that
all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which
perform substantially the same function in substantially the same
way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the
invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or
elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection
with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be
incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form
or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the
intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope
of the claims appended hereto.
* * * * *