Abstract:
Embodiments of a pressure sensing controller implement grip and pressure sensing, as well as standard input control actuation, to provide control input by a user. The disclosed grip and pressure sensing control can be implemented in hand-held game controllers, control devices for appliances, cellular telephones, and any other type of devices that require control input. In the case of an existing control device with predefined control output, user programming of input settings to define command extensions allows extended gripping and pressure control input to be combined within the capable existing control outputs of the device.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/163,141, filed Mar. 25, 2009. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to hand-held game controllers, as well as manual control input devices, cellular telephones, and appliance control devices typically held in a user&#39;s hand. The designs of typical game controllers limit control command input to actuation of specific buttons and joysticks. The technical field of this disclosure expands the ability of manual controllers to allow control command input from more than the standard input systems available on existing controllers. The overall control compatibility with all the existing input methodologies is maintained, while greater control and command input over and above their current limited capacities are enabled. 
       BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
       [0003]    Manual controllers for manipulating images or symbols on a visual display of a computing device or appliance include, for example, joysticks, game pads, steering wheels, guns, and mice for video games; remote control devices for television, DVD, VCR, stereophonic equipment, projectors, and other such electronic equipment; cellular telephones; and portable video game systems. The majority of these hand-held controllers rely on typical push-button contacts or joystick style inputs to actuate their control command outputs. With all of these controllers, the appliances being controlled have predefined inputs that are specific for their control command outputs to the unit that is being controlled. Typically, hand-held controllers are thus limited to the pressing or manipulation of commonplace joystick, joypad, thumbstick, and buttons found on most controllers. Often overlooked are other areas of capable input, such as 1) pressure, especially from palm areas of grip; 2) squeezing; and 3) hand-to-hand force sensing, which would be practicable when two hands are used with a controller held by two hands. An added ability of the controller to sense user-applied pressure from these unused areas of capable input is the basis of the embodiments disclosed. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0004]    In exemplary embodiments, a hand-held game controller has not only all of the standard typical input devices, but also areas designed into the controller that allow for pressure, torque, and gripping inputs. These additional input sensors and sensing areas, constructed into the shell of the controller, allow further output control in conjunction with existing output control commands of the controller. 
         [0005]    A manual controller implemented with pressure-sensing sensor control actuators is capable of producing the same control commands as those of the original controller, as well as interpreting and adding pressure-sensing sensor inputs within the existing predefined output control command structure. In one embodiment, a programmable microprocessor unit (MPU) adapts the existing and predefined output control commands to respond to pressure-sensing sensor inputs. This eliminates a requirement for special programming of the computing device being controlled to interpret new commands from the pressure-sensing sensors. 
         [0006]    An advantage of implementing pressure-sensing sensors in control command actuators is that they provide for the user realistic tactile sensation of the controls required for actuation in performing the activities simulated by the game the user is playing. Such control command devices facilitate user immersion in the environment of the particular game, thereby affording a more realistic experience for the user watching and at least partly controlling the action appearing on a display screen. Preferred embodiments configure pressure-sensing sensor inputs in regions or areas gripped by the user so that the user exerts more than just fingertip pressure to control game action. Controlling game action with multiple fingers with or without use of part of the palm of the user&#39;s hand introduces memory of the hand muscles that give the user a realistic feel of the game environment. This is especially true for embodiments in which the pressure-sensing areas are covered by foam or other resilient material that compresses and relaxes in response to different amounts of pressure exerted by the user during game play. For example, two-handed game play facilitates squeezing one hand to control acceleration and the other hand to control braking of a vehicle, thereby affording user immersion in a more realistic game experience. 
         [0007]    Additional aspects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, which precedes with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIGS. 1 and 2  are exploded views of respective first and second embodiments of a prior art manual controller. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3A  is a side elevation view of an embodiment of a manual controller hand grip member with its surface area shell cover removed to show two elastomeric pressure-sensing sensor placements within a grip member surface shell area.  FIGS. 3B and 3C  are respective plan and end views of the shell cover shown in  FIG. 3A . 
           [0010]      FIG. 4A  is a side elevation view of an embodiment of a manual controller hand grip member with its surface area shell cover removed to show six elastomeric pressure-sensing sensor placements within a grip member surface shell area.  FIGS. 4B and 4C  are respective plan and end views of the shell cover shown in  FIG. 4A . 
           [0011]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are side elevation views of an embodiment of a manual controller hand grip member with multiple surface area shell covers, respectively, installed to cover each of multiple grip member surface shell areas and removed to reveal elastomeric pressure sensor placement in each of the multiple grip member surface shell areas.  FIGS. 5C and 5D  are respective plan and end views of the shell cover shown in  FIG. 5A . 
           [0012]      FIG. 6A  is a fragmentary pictorial drawing showing the typical positioning of a variable potentiometer sensor as used in conventional hand-held game controllers. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6B  is a fragmentary pictorial drawing showing the placement of a rubber or elastomeric pressure sensor as a substitute for the prior art potentiometer sensor shown in  FIG. 6A . 
           [0014]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are respective frontal and right-hand side isometric views of a conventional cellular telephone and its push-button controls.  FIG. 7C  is a right-hand side isometric view of the cellular telephone of  FIGS. 7A and 7B  along the side surfaces of which are placed pressure sensors that are usable for control input as a user holds the telephone. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are respective frontal and right-hand side isometric views of a conventional television set hand-held remote control module and its push-button controls.  FIG. 8C  is a right-hand side isometric view of the remote control module of  FIGS. 8A and 8B  along the side surfaces of which are placed pressure sensors that are usable for control input as a user holds the remote control module. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0016]    In one embodiment, the available additional pressure sensors built into a hand-held game controller are polled and sensed by a dedicated MPU that is also programmable by the user. In this embodiment, the sensors are assembled underneath segmented shell plates covering the grips of the controller. With this example, in this particular embodiment, a user programs the MPU to use the grip-pressure sensors as a speed control accelerator pedal, so that when the user is squeezing harder, the controller interprets the reduced resistance of that pressure sensor input as the accelerator input and produces as an output to the game unit the correct command sequence to control this action. This eliminates the requirement of having the user limit the action of one finger and frees the finger to perform other control functions. The typical types of pressure-sensing sensor can be, but are not limited to, capacitive sensing, rubber-based pressure sensing devices, and elastomeric pressure sensors, all of which are very familiar to skilled persons. 
         [0017]    These sensors are placed under portions of the exterior shell areas of the hand-held controllers. A controller may have many or few of these shells designed into the exterior portions of the controller. The greater the number of sensors on the device, the more definitive is the resolution of detectable control input. In this embodiment, the pressure sensors lie underneath the exterior shell portions and detect pressure when it is applied. These sensors are polled by the MPU and interpreted accordingly. It is also possible to cover the shell portions with foam, rubber, gel, plastic, or similar material and still detect the pressure being applied. The pressure sensors mentioned can also be used on the common button and thumbstick/joystick type inputs available on these game controllers, giving a greater resolution to the pressure forces when applied, taking the place of the more crude or mechanical variable potentiometer devices now popular. 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a first embodiment of a manual controller  10  that is detachably connected by a cable  12  to a computing device (not shown) for manipulating images or symbols on a display associated with the computing device. Although this embodiment is equipped with cable  12 , manual controller  10  may also operate with a computing device through a wireless communication link. Manual controller  10  includes an internal electronics assembly  14  housed within an interior region  16  of a housing  18 . In the first embodiment, manual controller  10  is assembled by placing internal electronics assembly  14  between an upper housing section  22  and a lower housing section  24 . Upper and lower housing sections  22  and  24  are bonded together to form a casing for internal electronics assembly  14 . 
         [0019]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , housing  18  has a left-hand grip  30  and a right-hand grip  32  for two-handed gripping by a user. A left-side control pad  34  including four pressable control members  36 , left-side analog stick control  38 , and front left-side control button  40  are positioned for access by digits of the user&#39;s left hand; and a right-side control pad  44  including four control buttons  46 , right-side analog stick control  48 , and front right-side control button  50  are positioned for access by digits of the user&#39;s right hand. A mode selection switch  60 , mode indicator  62 , selection button  64 , and start button  66  are positioned between hand grips  30  and  32 . Skilled persons will appreciate that the above-described number of control actuators, control actuator layout pattern, and hand grip arrangement represent only one of numerous possible control actuator and hand grip configurations. 
         [0020]    Internal electronics assembly  14  includes the actual electronic circuits, controls, and corresponding switch elements, including switch elements  72  and  74  for the respective control pads  34  and  44 . Thus, the analog stick controls and buttons are actuated by user manipulation of the controls on the surface of housing  18 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 3A  shows an embodiment of an enhanced hand grip member  100  that includes hand grip  32  of  FIGS. 1 and 2  in which is placed a set of two elastomeric pressure-sensing control actuators  102 . Pressure-sensing control actuators  102  are placed in an area  104  on the lateral side of the outer surface of hand grip  32 . Pressure-sensing control actuators  102  are seated in an inset  106 , which fits in an opening in hand grip  32 .  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B, and  3 C show different views of a shell member  108  covering pressure-sensing control actuators  102  to protect and transmit user-applied force to them. Shell member  108  is sized to fit around the perimeter of inset  106 . Skilled persons will appreciate that manual controller  10  would typically be configured with another enhanced hand grip member  100  on hand grip  30  and could be configured with enhanced grip members  100  on the medial and lateral sides of either or both of hand grips  30  and  32 . 
         [0022]    The outputs of pressure-sensing control actuators  102  are scanned by a microprocessor unit (MPU), which is a component of internal electronics assembly  14 . A level of sensor output from pressure-sensing control actuators  102  can be set to trigger a response consistent with the operational function or action being performed. Elastomeric and capacitive pressure-sensing sensors are very sensitive over a wide range of applied force and allow the user&#39;s fingers to remain free to provide other forms of control. 
         [0023]      FIG. 4A  shows an embodiment of an enhanced hand grip member  120  that is the same as enhanced hand grip member  100  except for the inclusion of a set of six pressure-sensing control actuators  102  arranged in an array forming an “H” pattern and seated in inset  106 .  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B, and  4 C show different views of shell member  108  described above. Pressure-sensing control actuators  102 , positioned underneath shell member  108  and pressed against hand grip  32  of housing  18 , allow for greater resolution as to the actual types of forces the user exerts against them. With an ability to allow the scanning MPU to better sense torque, greater resolution is possible under conditions in which pressure is applied from one or both of a user&#39;s hands, even if manual controller  10  is being rotated and twisted. The better the sensing resolution, the better the MPU can interpret what forces are being applied to the array of sensors  102 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 5A  shows an embodiment of an enhanced grip member  130  that represents nine unit sets of pressure-sensing control actuators  102  placed in nine different areas  132  of the entire grip surface of hand grip  32 .  FIG. 5B  shows each one of nine shell members  134  covering a different one of pressure-sensing control actuators  102 . Shell members  134  are smaller than shell member  108  of  FIGS. 3A and 4A . The greater numbers of pressure-sensing control actuators  102  placed over the entire hand grip surface, in addition to the individual and smaller shell covers  134 , provide an even more finely resolved determination of user-applied forces than that shown in  FIG. 4A . Each of individual pressure-sensing control actuators  102  and shells  134 , when MPU scanned, can provide specific inputs that are more accurately indicative of the actual forces applied by the user. Individual pressure-sensing control actuators can be imprinted with specific markings that allow on the grip surface inputs that do not break up the grip surface continuity and allow it to be smooth, with no protrusions like buttons or membrane bulges jutting out. 
         [0025]      FIG. 6A  shows a rendering of a prior art trigger control button assembly  140  of a hand-held game controller. The movement of a push button  142  of trigger control button assembly  140  is tempered by a coil spring  144 . Push button  142 , when pressed downward, turns a rotary variable resistor (potentiometer)  146  so that the scanning MPU interprets a change in (i.e., lowering of) resistance as variable resistor  146  turns. This resistance change is then converted to digital format, and the MPU can then sense the approximate force being applied. Trigger control button assembly  140  also includes a tack switch  148 , which provides a short circuit when push button  142  is pressed down fully. This elimination of resistance indicates to the scanning MPU that maximum force has been applied. The design of trigger control button assembly  140  has certain limitations, which include the use of several moving parts in relation to push button  142  and spring  144  and a low resolution indication to the MPU of user-applied force. 
         [0026]      FIG. 6B , in comparison to  FIG. 6A , shows an embodiment of pressure-sensing control actuator  102  that is constructed by the removal of rotary variable resistor  146  and tack switch  148  and the placement of a pressure-sensing sensor  150  in the location previously occupied by tack switch  148  of trigger control button assembly  140  of  FIG. 6A . Commercially available sensors suitable for implementation as pressure-sensing sensor  150  include a FlexiForce Sensor Model A201 piezoresistive force sensor available from Tekscan, Inc., South Boston, Mass.; and INASTOMER SR.D series rubber molded cover dome type pressure conductive sensor and SR series rubber molded cover pressure conductive sensor, both available from INABA Rubber Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan. The removal of moving parts provides greater reliability, and the installation of pressure-sensing sensor  150  provides greater resolution than that of variable resistor  146  shown in  FIG. 6A . In  FIG. 6B , when a push button  152  is pressed downward against pressure-sensing sensor  150 , it immediately begins to respond with decreased electrical resistance. In this embodiment, pressure-sensing sensor  150  provides positive tactile feedback to the user&#39;s finger when it applies pressure. In addition, pressure-sensing sensor  150  provides a greater range of electrical resistance and resolution to the MPU than does the turning of variable resistor  146 , with its moving parts. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 7A ,  7 B, and  7 C show an embodiment of a typical hand-held cellular telephone  160 .  FIG. 7B  shows cellular telephone  160  with conventional side surfaces of the telephone case suitable for gripping.  FIG. 7C  shows pressure-sensing control actuators  102  built into one or both of the longer side surfaces of the telephone case. Pressure-sensing control actuators  102  allow for user input without requiring the user to depress buttons  164  on the display face of cellular telephone  160 . These additional inputs can be preprogrammed to allow, for example, the making of calls, dropping of calls, and changing volume as desired. Again, the example shows the ability to provide user input where only a grip surface was heretofore available. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 8A ,  8 B, and  8 C show an embodiment of a typical hand-held remote control  170  of a type that would be used to control a television or appliance.  FIG. 8A  shows the typical array of buttons  174  that are provided on remote control  170 . None of the buttons  174  allows for determining a variation in user-applied pressure because they will be only open or closed.  FIG. 8B  shows the longer side surface of remote control  170  as a typical grip surface.  FIG. 8C  shows pressure-sensing control actuators  102  built into one or both of the longer side surfaces of the remote control case. Pressure-sensing control actuators  102  can be preprogrammed by operation of the MPU to allow, for example, a capability to change channels without having to press buttons  174  to deliver input numbers, as would normally be done with remote control  170  of  FIG. 8A . Pressure-sensing control actuators  102  can be preprogrammed by operation of the MPU to allow for various types of guide activity without requiring a change in the user&#39;s grip on remote controller  170  to press buttons  174 . The embodiment of  FIG. 8C  allows for greater user input without requiring repositioning of the user&#39;s hands to press buttons  174  on the controller face. Inputs, especially those requiring a range, are conveniently handled with facility by placement of pressure control-sensing actuators  102  in this manner. 
         [0029]    The design of the sensor shell areas and placement of the various types of pressure-sensing sensors are shown for illustrative purposes only. Skilled persons will appreciate that the designated shell sensing areas and the type and number of sensors being applied may vary. The disclosed pressure-sensing control actuator implementation and complement to the manual controller is common to all of these embodiments. 
         [0030]    It will be obvious to those having skill in the art that many changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the invention. The scope of the present invention should, therefore, be determined only by the following claims.