U.S. patent application number 12/089886 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-04 for controller.
This patent application is currently assigned to NEW CONCEPT GAMING LIMITED. Invention is credited to Brendan Patrick Ludden.
Application Number | 20080214306 12/089886 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35451773 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080214306 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ludden; Brendan Patrick |
September 4, 2008 |
Controller
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.
Inventors: |
Ludden; Brendan Patrick;
(Swindon, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WORKMAN NYDEGGER
60 EAST SOUTH TEMPLE, 1000 EAGLE GATE TOWER
SALT LAKE CITY
UT
84111
US
|
Assignee: |
NEW CONCEPT GAMING LIMITED
Swindon, Wiltshire
GB
|
Family ID: |
35451773 |
Appl. No.: |
12/089886 |
Filed: |
September 29, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
September 29, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB06/03642 |
371 Date: |
April 10, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/37 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 13/24 20140902;
A63F 13/06 20130101; A63F 2300/1006 20130101; A63F 2300/1043
20130101; A63F 13/21 20140901 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/37 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 14, 2005 |
GB |
0520943.2 |
Claims
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)
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a controller, for example,
for a game, and to game playing equipment comprising such a game
controller.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 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.
[0003] 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.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 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.
[0005] 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.
[0006] 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.
[0007] Thus, a game controller in accordance with the present
invention offers a player a wider range of more versatile movements
than conventional game controllers.
[0008] 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.
[0009] 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.
[0010] 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.
[0011] 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.
[0012] 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.
[0013] 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.
[0014] Advantageously, the body members are biased towards a null
position.
[0015] 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.
[0016] Other preferred features of the present invention are set
out in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described
by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0018] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a game controller in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention with all
elements in a null position;
[0019] FIG. 2 shows the game controller of FIG. 1 with a left
handle in a leftward position;
[0020] FIG. 3 shows the game controller of FIG. 1 with the left
handle in an upward position;
[0021] FIG. 4 shows the game controller of FIG. 1 in which a right
member extends telescopically from a left member; and
[0022] FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of the game controller
of FIG. 1 in use by a player, in which FIG. 5a shows the player
holding the game controller in a null position, FIG. 5b shows the
player holding the game controller in a first position, and FIG. 5c
shows the player holding the game controller in a second
position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0023] 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.
[0024] 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 12a and 12b and the right
handle 14 has first and second ends 14a and 14b. The game
controller body 15 comprises a left body member 16 having first and
second ends 16a and 16b, and a right body member 18 having first
and second ends 18a and 18b. The left handle 12 is adapted to be
held in a player's left hand, and the right handle 14 is adapted to
be held in the player's right hand.
[0025] In the schematic representation of FIG. 1, the handles 12
and 14 and the members 16 and 18 are cylindrical. However, it will
be appreciated that alternative forms of handle also fall within
the scope of the present invention. For example, the handles 12 and
14 may comprise scalloped recesses adapted to receive the player's
fingers.
[0026] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the left and right members 16
and 18 are elongate having coaxial longitudinal axes OO'. The
second end 16b of the left member 16 cooperates with the first end
18a 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.
[0027] 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. In particular, the first
end 12a of the left handle 12 is flexibly joined to the left member
16, preferably near the first end 16a of the left member 16.
Similarly, the right handle 14 extends from the right member 18. In
particular, the first end 14a of the right handle 14 is flexibly
joined to the right member 18, preferably near the second end 18b
of the right member 18. The first ends 12a and 14a 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 12b and 14b of the
left and right handles 12 and 14 are free.
[0028] In FIG. 1, 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. In addition, the axes OO', PP' and QQ' are in
the same plane H (i.e. the plane of the paper).
[0029] The left handle 12 is moveable with respect to the left
member 16 in three ways, as described below.
[0030] Firstly, the left member 12 is able to rotate clockwise
and/or anticlockwise about its longitudinal axis PP', as shown by
arrow W in FIG. 1.
[0031] Secondly, 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 12a of the left member 12. In FIG. 2, the left handle
12 is shown in a leftward position in which the free second end 12b
of the left handle 12 is located to the left of its null position
of FIG. 1. In this leftward position, the axes OO', PP' and QQ' are
coplanar. Thus, this second type of movement enables the left
handle 12 to pivot about the point P within plane .PI..
[0032] Thirdly, 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. In FIG. 3,
the left handle 12 is shown in an upward position in which the free
second end 12b of the left handle 12 is located upwards of its null
position of FIG. 1. Thus, the left handle 12 may pivot about the
point P within a second plane .PI.', where the plane .PI.' is
perpendicular to plane H and contains the point P. Hence the
handles 12 and 14 are each pivotable about their respective pivot
point P and Q in two orthogonal directions.
[0033] The three types of movement of the left handle 12 described
above may occur separately or together. Thus, it is possible to
rotate the left handle 12 to the right about its longitudinal axis
PP' whilst also pivoting the left handle 12 up and to the right
about the point P. Other such combinations are also
contemplated.
[0034] 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.
[0035] 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.
[0036] There may be limits imposed on the extent of movement of the
handles 12 and 14 in relation to the respective members 16 and 18.
For example, the game controller 10 may only allow the handles 12
and 14 to rotate a maximum of 45.degree. in either direction about
their respective longitudinal axes PP' and QQ'. Alternatively, 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.degree.).
There may also be limits or complete restrictions imposed on the
pivotal movement of the handles 12 and 14 about their respective
pivot points P and Q.
[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the right member 18 is moveable
in relation to the left member 16 in two ways.
[0038] Firstly, 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 18a of right member 18 being received within the second
end 16b 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). Alternatively, a collar (not shown) could be provided over
the second end 16b of the left member 16 and the first end 18a 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. In this embodiment, 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.
[0039] Secondly, 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. In this embodiment, 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).
[0040] The two types of movement of the right member 18 in relation
to the left member 16 described above may occur separately or
together. Thus, it is possible to rotate the right member 18 in one
direction about its longitudinal axis OO' whilst also moving the
right member 18 away from the left 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.
[0041] 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.degree. in either direction). In the
null position, the right member 18 is not rotated at all about its
longitudinal axes OO' (i.e. the angle of rotation is
0.degree.).
[0042] 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.
[0043] In a preferred embodiment, the game controller 10 is biased
towards a specified null position, such as the null position of
FIG. 1. Thus, in the absence of any force applied by a player, the
game controller 10 will assume the null position. The game
controller 10 may be biased to the null position by means of spring
loading, or the like.
[0044] 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. In a preferred embodiment, 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.
[0045] In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, 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.
[0046] 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 the left handle 12 about its
longitudinal axis PP', and it is assumed that the handle 12 may
rotate between rotation angles of -.alpha. and +.alpha..
[0047] The first type of sensor (type 1) senses whether the left
handle 12 is fully rotated to either -.alpha. or +.alpha. with
respect to the left member 16. The handle 12 has a metal contact
that rotates with the handle 12, and the member 16 has two metal
contacts located at -.alpha. and +.alpha. which are fixed with
respect to the member 16 and do not rotate with the handle 12.
Thus, when the handle 12 is rotated to its full extent in either
direction, 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. In an alternative
embodiment, further metal contacts could be provided on the member
at -.alpha./2 and +.alpha./2, for example.
[0048] The second type of sensor (type 2) senses how far the left
handle 12 is rotated towards either -.alpha. or +.alpha. 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 -.alpha. to +.alpha.. At angle 0.degree. (the null
position), the resistance is (r+R)/2.OMEGA.. For r<R, as the
handle 12 is rotated towards -.alpha. the sensed resistance falls,
and as the handle 12 is rotated towards +.alpha. the sensed
resistance increases. Thus, 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.
[0049] It will be appreciated that the two types of sensor
described above could be used to sense other relative positions of
the handles 12 and 14 and the members 16 and 18 (i.e. not only the
rotational position of the left handle 12 about its longitudinal
axis PP'). In a preferred embodiment, type 2 sensors are used to
sense all relative positions of the handles 12 and 14 and the
member 16 and 18.
[0050] In use, 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.
[0051] In FIG. 5a, 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. In an alternative embodiment, 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.
[0052] In FIG. 5b, 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. 5a) will be sensed by the sensors. In
particular, 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. However, 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. Furthermore, there has
been no substantial rotation of the handles 12 and 14 about their
respective longitudinal axes PP' and QQ'.
[0053] In FIG. 5c, 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. 5a or 5b) will be sensed by the sensors.
In particular, 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.
However, 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. Furthermore,
there has again been no substantial rotation of the handles 12 and
14 about their respective longitudinal axes PP' and QQ'.
[0054] Thus, 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.
[0055] As seen in FIGS. 5a to 5c, the elongate game controller body
15 remains approximately parallel to the player's shoulders as the
player 20 manipulates the game controller 10. In other words, the
game controller 10 reflects movement of the player's shoulders
pointing left and right. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the
controller 10 provides an intuitive controller to simulate turning
left and turning right in the gameworld.
[0056] Alternatively, depending on the game being played, it is
envisaged that 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: 5a, 5b, 5a, 5c, 5a, 5b, 5a, 5c, etc.
Alternatively, 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.
[0057] 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.
[0058] 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.
[0059] In a preferred embodiment, 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.
[0060] 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.
* * * * *