Abstract:
An artificial touch device ( 1 ) that creates an electronic circuit between a user&#39;s finger and a virtual button ( 13 ) on the electronic touch screen ( 8 ), such as an electronic touch screen of a smart phone ( 20 ) or tablet ( 21 ). The artificial touch device comprises a contact portion ( 2 ), a transmitting portion ( 3 ) and an attachment portion ( 5 ). The artificial touch device may be incorporated into video game controllers, such as joysticks, handgun controllers ( 14 ), rifle controllers ( 27 ), steering wheel controllers, toggle controllers, directional buttons, fishing pole controllers, gas and brake pedal controllers and so forth, on to which a smart phone or tablet may be mounted and/or connected so that a user can control actions within a video game being played on a smart phone or on a tablet.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to devices for remotely controlling touch screens, and more particularly to an artificial touch device that allows a user to control virtual buttons displayed on a touch screen without having to physically touch the touch screen. 
         [0002]    Many electronic devices, such as smart phones, tablets, televisions, computer screens and so forth use touch screen technology to allow users to control the devices and what is being displayed on the devices. A touch screen is an electronic visual display that can detect the presence and location of a touch within the display area. Many touch screens monitor changes in electrical current on the touch screen. Touching the touch screen with a finger changes the amount of electrical charge at a specific point of contact, thereby sending a signal or command to the electronic device to perform a certain action depending on where the touch screen is being touched. Specific actions are represented by virtual buttons displayed on the touch screen. With the recent introduction of tablets and smart phones having gyroscopes, such devices have become popular as platforms for playing video games. This is especially true for first person shooter games wherein the direction of view of a player changes automatically. The gyroscope detects the position of the smart phone or tablet in space and adjusts the view on the screen accordingly. For example, if a device is tilted so the screen is facing upward then the view on the screen will be of a floor. The actions in such video games, such as firing a gun, directional movement of a character or vehicle and so forth are controlled by physically touching predetermined points or virtual buttons on a touch screen with an individual&#39;s finger tips. Conventional video games and video game platforms have allowed players to use accessories such as controllers to enhance game play. However, there are currently no video game controllers that allow a player to control virtual buttons on a touch screen without having to physically touch the touch screen with his or her finger tips. 
         [0003]    Therefore, a need exists for an artificial touch device that allows a user to control actions within a video game operating on an electronic device having a touch screen without having to physically touch the touch screen with the user&#39;s fingers. In addition, a need exists for an artificial touch device that may be incorporated into conventional video game controllers, such as joysticks, handgun controllers, rifle controllers, steering wheel controllers and so forth, so that video game controllers can be used to control the actions within a videogame operating on an electronic device having a touch screen, such as a smart phone, tablet and so forth. 
         [0004]    The relevant prior art includes the following references: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Pat. No. 
                   
                   
               
               
                 (U.S. Patent References) 
                 Inventor 
                 Issue/Publication Date 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 2010/0289740 
                 Kim et al. 
                 Nov. 18, 2010 
               
               
                 7,834,847 
                 Boillot et al. 
                 Nov. 16, 2010 
               
               
                 2010/0170726 
                 Yeh et al. 
                 Jul. 08, 2010 
               
               
                 2010/0110013 
                 Li et al. 
                 May 06, 2010 
               
               
                 2010/0095206 
                 Kim 
                 Apr. 15, 2010 
               
               
                 2010/0079403 
                 Lynch et al. 
                 Apr. 01, 2010 
               
               
                 7,656,393 
                 King et al. 
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                 7,653,883 
                 Hotelling et al. 
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                 7,646,372 
                 Marks et al. 
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                 2009/0303176 
                 Chen et al. 
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                 7,620,316 
                 Boillot 
                 Nov. 17, 2009 
               
               
                 2009/0153288 
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                 7,502,222 
                 Cheng et al. 
                 Mar. 10, 2009 
               
               
                 2008/0238879 
                 Jaeger et al. 
                 Oct. 02, 2008 
               
               
                 2008/0059915 
                 Boillot 
                 Mar. 06, 2008 
               
               
                 7,340,077 
                 Gokturk et al. 
                 Mar. 04, 2008 
               
               
                 7,242,298 
                 Cehelnik 
                 Jul. 10, 2007 
               
               
                 7,197,139 
                 Templin et al. 
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                 2006/0221565 
                 Doherty et al. 
                 Oct. 05, 2006 
               
               
                 7,078,911 
                 Cehelnik 
                 Jul. 18, 2006 
               
               
                 2006/0109138 
                 Chiang 
                 May 25, 2006 
               
               
                 6,633,281 
                 Lin et al. 
                 Oct. 14, 2003 
               
               
                 6,456,275 
                 Hinckley et al. 
                 Sep. 24, 2002 
               
               
                 6,313,825 
                 Gilbert 
                 Nov. 06, 2001 
               
               
                 6,130,663 
                 Null 
                 Oct. 10, 2000 
               
               
                 5,973,677 
                 Gibbons 
                 Oct. 26, 1999 
               
               
                 5,235,363 
                 Vogeley et al. 
                 Aug. 10, 1993 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       (Non-Patent References) 
       [0000]    
       
         “RoboTouch: Using NES Controller to Play Games on iPad” www.hardwaresphere.com 
         “AppTpyz GunAccessory for iPhone: Video Game System Rite of Passage” www.technabob.com. 
       
     
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The primary object of the present invention is to provide an artificial touch device that allows a user to activate a predetermined location or virtual button on a touch screen without having to physically touch the touch screen. 
         [0008]    Another object of the present invention is to provide an artificial touch device that can be incorporated into conventional video game controllers, such as joysticks, hand gun controllers, rifle controllers, steering wheel controllers and so forth to allow the video game controller to be used with electronic devices having touch screens. 
         [0009]    The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing an artificial touch device that creates an electronic circuit between a user&#39;s finger and a predetermined location, such as a virtual button, on a touch screen. The artificial touch device comprises a contact portion, a transmitting portion and an attachment portion. To use the artificial touch device, a user attaches the attachment portion to a touch screen at a location the user wants to remotely touch. The user then touches the contact portion, which is made of a conductive material, either directly or with another conductive material, such as a trigger on a handgun controller. The contact portion then transmits the electrical signal from the user to the attachment portion via the transmitting portion, thereby creating an electrical circuit between the user and the touch screen. The transmitting portion is preferably a conductive wire that connects the contact portion to the attachment portion. However, the transmitting portion may also be a wireless transmission that causes a battery powered contact portion to create an electrical signal, thereby activating the location the user wants to remotely touch. The artificial touch device may be incorporated into controllers, such as joysticks, hand gun controllers, rifle controller, steering wheel controllers, toggle controllers, directional buttons, fishing pole controllers, gas and brake pedal controllers and so forth, on to which a smart phone or tablet may be mounted and/or so that a user can control actions within a video game being played on a smart phone or on a tablet. 
         [0010]    The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a side plan view of a preferred embodiment of an artificial touch device of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a side plan view of an artificial touch device of the present invention attached to a touch screen of an electronic device; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing an electrical circuit created between a user and a touch screen using an artificial touch device of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a perspective rear view of an artificial touch device of the present invention incorporated into a handgun controller; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a side partial cutaway plan view of an artificial touch device of the present invention incorporated into a handgun controller; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a rear view of an artificial touch device of the present invention incorporated into a handgun controller; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a side partial cutaway view of an artificial touch device of the present invention incorporated into a rifle controller; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a perspective side view of an artificial touch device of the present invention incorporated into a rifle controller. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered accessories in the drawings is as follows: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 1. 
                 artificial touch device 
               
               
                 2. 
                 contact portion 
               
               
                 3. 
                 transmitting portion 
               
               
                 4. 
                 conductive wire 
               
               
                 5. 
                 attachment portion 
               
               
                 6. 
                 attachment means 
               
               
                 7. 
                 suction cup 
               
               
                 8. 
                 touch screen 
               
               
                 9. 
                 conductive means 
               
               
                 10. 
                 static free foam 
               
               
                 11. 
                 electronic device 
               
               
                 12. 
                 user 
               
               
                 13. 
                 virtual button 
               
               
                 14. 
                 handgun controller 
               
               
                 15. 
                 mounting means 
               
               
                 16. 
                 magnet 
               
               
                 17. 
                 clip 
               
               
                 18. 
                 bracket 
               
               
                 19. 
                 upper surface 
               
               
                 20. 
                 smart phone 
               
               
                 21. 
                 tablet 
               
               
                 22. 
                 actuating means 
               
               
                 23. 
                 trigger 
               
               
                 24. 
                 handle 
               
               
                 25. 
                 aperture 
               
               
                 26. 
                 retractable spool 
               
               
                 27. 
                 rifle controller 
               
               
                 28. 
                 button 
               
               
                 29. 
                 magnetic U-shaped bracket 
               
               
                 30. 
                 static free rubber 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0021]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , a side plan view of an artificial touch device  1  of the present invention is illustrated. The artificial touch device  1  comprises a contact portion  2 , a transmitting portion  3 , such as a conductive wire  4 , and an attachment portion  5 . The attachment portion  4  has an attachment means  6 , such as a suction cup  7 , an adhesive and so forth, that attaches the attachment portion  5  to a touch screen  8  as illustrated in subsequent figures. The attachment portion  4  may be made of a conductive means  9 , such as a static free rubber  30 . For example, the suction cup  7  illustrated in  FIG. 1  is constructed from a static free rubber  30 . Alternatively, a conductive means  9 , such as a static free foam  10 , static free rubber and so forth, may be located in the attachment portion  5 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0022]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , a side plan view of an artificial touch device  1  of the present invention attached to a touch screen  8  of an electronic device  11  is illustrated. When the attachment portion  5  is attached to a touch screen  8 , the attachment portion  5  presses conductive means  9  against the touch screen  8 , thereby ensuring that the conductive means  9  maintains constant contact with the touch screen  8 . As illustrated here, the attachment means  6  is a suction cup  7  that is pressed against the touch screen  8  to attach the attachment portion  5  to the touch screen  8 . By pushing the suction cup  7  against the touch screen  8  the conductive means  9  is also pressed against the touch screen  8 . 
         [0023]    With reference to  FIG. 3 , a block diagram showing an electrical circuit created between a user  12  and a touch screen  8  using an artificial touch device  1  of the present invention is illustrated. To use the artificial touch device  1 , a user secures the attachment portion  5  to a touch screen  8  over a virtual button  13  displayed on the touch screen  8 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . When the user  12  touches the contact portion  2 , which is made of a conductive material, an electrical signal is passed from the user  12  to the contact portion  2 , then to the attachment portion  5  via the transmitting portion  3 . Alternatively, the user  12  may touch an actuating means  22  that is made of a conductive material or has a conductive material located thereon that passes an electrical signal from the user  12  to the contact portion  2 . After the electrical signal is passed to the contact portion  2 , the electrical signal is passed to the virtual button  13  on the touch screen  8 , thereby creating an electrical circuit between the user  12  and the touch screen  8  that activates the virtual button  13 . The transmitting portion  3  is preferably a conductive wire  4  that connects the contact portion  2  to the attachment portion  5 . However, the transmitting portion  3  may also be a wireless transmission sent from the contact portion  2  to a battery powered attachment portion  5  to create an electrical circuit, thereby activating the virtual button  13  the user  12  wants to remotely touch. 
         [0024]    With reference to  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  6 , a perspective rear view, a side partial cutaway plan view and a rear view, respectively, of an artificial touch device  1  of the present invention incorporated into a hand-gun controller  14  is illustrated. The artificial touch device  1  comprises a contact portion  2 , a transmitting portion  3  and an attachment portion  5 . The attachment portion  5  has an attachment means  6 , such as a suction cup  7 , an adhesive and so forth, that attaches the attachment portion  5  to a touch screen  8  over a virtual button  13  located on the touch screen  8 . The attachment portion  4  may be made of a conductive means  9 , such as a static free rubber  30 . For example, the suction cup  7  illustrated in  FIG. 1  is constructed from a static free rubber  30 . Alternatively, a conductive means  9 , such as a static free foam  10 , static free rubber and so forth, may be located in the attachment portion  5 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . A mounting means  15 , such as suction cups  7 , magnets  16 , clips  17 , brackets  18  and so forth, is located on an upper surface  19  of the hand gun controller  14 . The mounting means  15  may also be a retractable clip that is pulled upward out of the gun controller  14 . The retractable clip has a hook shaped top end that exerts downward pressure via a spring on an electronic device, thereby locking the electronic device in place. An electronic device  11 , such as a smart phone  20  or tablet  21 , is mounted on the hand gun controller  14  via the mounting means  15 . An actuating means  22 , such as a trigger  23 , is located on the handgun controller  14  and is made of a conductive material so that when a user squeezes the trigger  23 , the trigger  23  makes contact with the contact portion  2  located directly behind the trigger  23 , thereby sending an electrical signal from the user  12  to the contact portion  2 , then to the attachment portion  5  via the transmitting portion  3 . Then the electrical signal is passed to the virtual button  13  on the touch screen  8 , thereby creating an electrical circuit between the user  12  and the touch screen  8  that activates the virtual button  13 . The transmitting portion  3  is preferably a conductive wire  4  located within a handle  24  of the handgun controller  14 . The conductive wire  4  passes through an aperture  25  located on the upper surface  19  of the handgun controller  14 . The conductive wire  4  may be partially stored on a retractable spool  26  as shown in  FIG. 4 , thereby ensuring that there is no excess conductive wire  4  between the retractable spool  26  and the touch screen  8 . 
         [0025]    With reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a side partial cutaway view and a perspective side view, respectively, of an artificial touch device  1  of the present invention incorporated into a rifle controller  27  is illustrated. The artificial touch device  1  comprises a contact portion  2 , a transmitting portion  3  and an attachment portion  5 . The attachment portion  5  has an attachment means  6 , such as a suction cup  7 , an adhesive, etc., that attaches the attachment portion  5  to a touch screen  8  over a virtual button  13  located on the touch screen  8 . The attachment portion  4  may be made of a conductive means  9 , such as a static free rubber  30 . For example, the suction cup  7  illustrated in  FIG. 1  is constructed from a static free rubber  30 . Alternatively, a conductive means  9 , such as a static free foam  10 , static free rubber and so forth, may be located in the attachment portion  5 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . A mounting means  15 , such as suction cups  7 , magnets  16 , clips  17 , brackets  18  and so forth, is located on an upper surface  19  of the rifle controller  27 . On of the mounting means  15  shown in  FIG. 8  comprises a magnetic U-shaped bracket  29  that is preferably contoured to an edge of an electronic device holds a lower edge of an electronic device  11 . An electronic device  11 , such as a smart phone  20  or tablet  21 , is mounted on the rifle controller  27  via the mounting means  15 . One or more actuating means  22 , such as a trigger  23  or button  28 , is located on the rifle controller  27 . The trigger  23  is made of a conductive material so that when a user squeezes the trigger  23 , the trigger  23  makes contact with the contact portion  2  located directly behind the trigger  23 , thereby sending an electrical signal from the user  12  to the contact portion  2 , then to the attachment portion  5  via the transmitting portion  3 . Then the electrical signal is passed to the virtual button  13  on the touch screen  8 , thereby creating an electrical circuit between the user  12  and the touch screen  8  that activates the virtual button  13 . The button  28  is made of or has a conductive material located thereon so that when a user pushes the button  28 , the button  28  makes contact with the contact portion  2  located directly behind the button  28 , thereby sending an electrical signal from the user  12  to the contact portion  2 , then to the attachment portion  5  via the transmitting portion  3 . Then the electrical signal is passed to the virtual button  13  on the touch screen  8 , thereby creating an electrical circuit between the user  12  and the touch screen  8  that activates the virtual button  13 . The transmitting portions  3  are preferably conductive wires  4  located within the rifle controller  27 . The conductive wires  4  pass through apertures  25  located on the upper surface  19  of the rifle controller  27 . 
         [0026]    It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.