Patent ID: 12246247

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure relates generally to computer ecosystems including aspects of consumer electronics (CE) device networks such as but not limited to computer game networks. A system herein may include server and client components which may be connected over a network such that data may be exchanged between the client and server components. The client components may include one or more computing devices including game consoles such as Sony PlayStation® or a game console made by Microsoft or Nintendo or other manufacturer, virtual reality (VR) headsets, augmented reality (AR) headsets, portable televisions (e.g., smart TVs, Internet-enabled TVs), portable computers such as laptops and tablet computers, and other mobile devices including smart phones and additional examples discussed below. These client devices may operate with a variety of operating environments. For example, some of the client computers may employ, as examples, Linux operating systems, operating systems from Microsoft, or a Unix operating system, or operating systems produced by Apple, Inc., or Google. These operating environments may be used to execute one or more browsing programs, such as a browser made by Microsoft or Google or Mozilla or other browser program that can access websites hosted by the Internet servers discussed below. Also, an operating environment according to present principles may be used to execute one or more computer game programs.

Servers and/or gateways may include one or more processors executing instructions that configure the servers to receive and transmit data over a network such as the Internet. Or a client and server can be connected over a local intranet or a virtual private network. A server or controller may be instantiated by a game console such as a Sony PlayStation®, a personal computer, etc.

Information may be exchanged over a network between the clients and servers. To this end and for security, servers and/or clients can include firewalls, load balancers, temporary storages, and proxies, and other network infrastructure for reliability and security. One or more servers may form an apparatus that implement methods of providing a secure community such as an online social website to network members.

A processor may be a single- or multi-chip processor that can execute logic by means of various lines such as address lines, data lines, and control lines and registers and shift registers.

Components included in one embodiment can be used in other embodiments in any appropriate combination. For example, any of the various components described herein and/or depicted in the Figures may be combined, interchanged, or excluded from other embodiments.

“At least one of A, B, and C” (likewise “at least one of A, B, or C” and “at least one of A, B, C”) includes A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.

Now specifically referring toFIG.1, an example system10is shown, which may include one or more of the example devices mentioned above and described further below in accordance with present principles. The first of the example devices included in the system10is a consumer electronics (CE) device such as an audio video device (AVD)12such as but not limited to an Internet-enabled TV with a TV tuner (equivalently, set top box controlling a TV). The AVD12alternatively may also be a computerized Internet enabled (“smart”) telephone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a HMD, a wearable computerized device, a computerized Internet-enabled music player, computerized Internet-enabled headphones, a computerized Internet-enabled implantable device such as an implantable skin device, etc. Regardless, it is to be understood that the AVD12is configured to undertake present principles (e.g., communicate with other CE devices to undertake present principles, execute the logic described herein, and perform any other functions and/or operations described herein).

Accordingly, to undertake such principles the AVD12can be established by some, or all of the components shown inFIG.1. For example, the AVD12can include one or more displays14that may be implemented by a high definition or ultra-high definition “4K” or higher flat screen and that may be touch-enabled for receiving user input signals via touches on the display. The AVD12may include one or more speakers16for outputting audio in accordance with present principles, and at least one additional input device18such as an audio receiver/microphone for entering audible commands to the AVD12to control the AVD12. The example AVD12may also include one or more network interfaces20for communication over at least one network22such as the Internet, an WAN, an LAN, etc. under control of one or more processors24. Thus, the interface20may be, without limitation, a Wi-Fi transceiver, which is an example of a wireless computer network interface, such as but not limited to a mesh network transceiver. It is to be understood that the processor24controls the AVD12to undertake present principles, including the other elements of the AVD12described herein such as controlling the display14to present images thereon and receiving input therefrom. Furthermore, note the network interface20may be a wired or wireless modem or router, or other appropriate interface such as a wireless telephony transceiver, or Wi-Fi transceiver as mentioned above, etc.

In addition to the foregoing, the AVD12may also include one or more input and/or output ports26such as a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) port or a USB port to physically connect to another CE device and/or a headphone port to connect headphones to the AVD12for presentation of audio from the AVD12to a user through the headphones. For example, the input port26may be connected via wire or wirelessly to a cable or satellite source26aof audio video content. Thus, the source26amay be a separate or integrated set top box, or a satellite receiver. Or the source26amay be a game console or disk player containing content. The source26awhen implemented as a game console may include some or all of the components described below in relation to the CE device48.

The AVD12may further include one or more computer memories28such as disk-based or solid-state storage that are not transitory signals, in some cases embodied in the chassis of the AVD as standalone devices or as a personal video recording device (PVR) or video disk player either internal or external to the chassis of the AVD for playing back AV programs or as removable memory media or the below-described server. Also, in some embodiments, the AVD12can include a position or location receiver such as but not limited to a cellphone receiver, GPS receiver and/or altimeter30that is configured to receive geographic position information from a satellite or cellphone base station and provide the information to the processor24and/or determine an altitude at which the AVD12is disposed in conjunction with the processor24. The component30may also be implemented by an inertial measurement unit (IMU) that typically includes a combination of accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers to determine the location and orientation of the AVD12in three dimension or by an event-based sensors.

Continuing the description of the AVD12, in some embodiments the AVD12may include one or more cameras32that may be a thermal imaging camera, a digital camera such as a webcam, an event-based sensor, and/or a camera integrated into the AVD12and controllable by the processor24to gather pictures/images and/or video in accordance with present principles. Also included on the AVD12may be a Bluetooth transceiver34and other Near Field Communication (NFC) element36for communication with other devices using Bluetooth and/or NFC technology, respectively. An example NFC element can be a radio frequency identification (RFID) element.

Further still, the AVD12may include one or more auxiliary sensors38(e.g., a motion sensor such as an accelerometer, gyroscope, cyclometer, or a magnetic sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, an optical sensor, a speed and/or cadence sensor, an event-based sensor, a gesture sensor (e.g., for sensing gesture command), providing input to the processor24. The AVD12may include an over-the-air TV broadcast port40for receiving OTA TV broadcasts providing input to the processor24. In addition to the foregoing, it is noted that the AVD12may also include an infrared (IR) transmitter and/or IR receiver and/or IR transceiver42such as an IR data association (IRDA) device. A battery (not shown) may be provided for powering the AVD12, as may be a kinetic energy harvester that may turn kinetic energy into power to charge the battery and/or power the AVD12. A graphics processing unit (GPU)44and field programmable gated array46also may be included. One or more haptics generators47may be provided for generating tactile signals that can be sensed by a person holding or in contact with the device.

Still referring toFIG.1, in addition to the AVD12, the system10may include one or more other CE device types. In one example, a first CE device48may be a computer game console that can be used to send computer game audio and video to the AVD12via commands sent directly to the AVD12and/or through the below-described server while a second CE device50may include similar components as the first CE device48. In the example shown, the second CE device50may be configured as a computer game controller manipulated by a player or a head-mounted display (HMD) worn by a player. In the example shown, only two CE devices are shown, it being understood that fewer or greater devices may be used. A device herein may implement some or all of the components shown for the AVD12. Any of the components shown in the following figures may incorporate some or all of the components shown in the case of the AVD12.

Now in reference to the afore-mentioned at least one server52, it includes at least one server processor54, at least one tangible computer readable storage medium56such as disk-based or solid-state storage, and at least one network interface58that, under control of the server processor54, allows for communication with the other devices ofFIG.1over the network22, and indeed may facilitate communication between servers and client devices in accordance with present principles. Note that the network interface58may be, e.g., a wired or wireless modem or router, Wi-Fi transceiver, or other appropriate interface such as, e.g., a wireless telephony transceiver.

Accordingly, in some embodiments the server52may be an Internet server or an entire server “farm” and may include and perform “cloud” functions such that the devices of the system10may access a “cloud” environment via the server52in example embodiments for, e.g., network gaming applications. Or the server52may be implemented by one or more game consoles or other computers in the same room as the other devices shown inFIG.1or nearby.

The components shown in the following figures may include some or all components shown inFIG.1.

FIG.2illustrates that a controller200in accordance with present principles may be used to input control signals to a computer simulation console202to control presentation of a computer simulation executed in the console202on a display204. The display204may be, e.g., a TV, a head-mounted display (HMD), or other display.

FIG.3illustrates that the controller200in accordance with present principles may be used to input control signals to a computer simulation server300as may be implemented by, e.g., the server52inFIG.1to control presentation of a computer simulation executed in the server300and streamed to the display204. Noe that the simulation may be streamed from the server300direct to the display204or through the simulation console202shown inFIG.2.

Refer now toFIGS.4-10for example details of the controller200shown inFIGS.2and3. The individual components of the controller200discussed below may be made of plastic such as injection-molded plastic, ink-jet printed plastic including as may be produced by the manufacturer or by an end user, composite material, metal, or combinations thereof.

A base400that in the example shown has a round periphery supports on its top plural control buttons, including a central control (CC) button402operable to send a signal to a computerized apparatus such as the server300inFIG.3or simulation console202inFIG.2when the computerized apparatus is in wired and/or wireless communication with the controller. The CC button402in the non-limiting example shown is round and may have a gently convex top surface.

In an example embodiment, the CC button402has two functions, a normal operating button, and an arm/palm rest. The CC button402can have a lock mechanism to stop moving in up-down direction in the case of using as the palm/arm rest.

A circular light emitting portion403(best shown inFIG.7) is located around the center button so that the light emitting portion can be seen the same from all directions. One or more light emitting diodes (LED) or other light sources may be positioned under the portion403, which is transparent or translucent, to provide light that propagates through the portion403.

Plural peripheral control (PC) buttons404surround the circular light emitting portion403and, hence, surround the CC button402as shown, and in the non-limiting example shown completely surround the CC button402with only small spaces remaining between adjacent PC buttons. The PC buttons404may have different shapes, sizes, colors, and textures from each other. Some of the PC buttons404may have identical sizes, shapes, colors, and textures if desired. Each PC button is operable to send a signal to a computerized apparatus when the computerized apparatus is in communication with the device.

As perhaps best shown inFIGS.4and6, as labeled inFIGS.4and6one or more of the PC buttons404may have an outer edge strip that overhangs (extends radially outwardly past the periphery of) the base400to facilitate button replacement, such as by one finger or by the elbow. Thus, an edge of a PC button top may have a shape to protrude beyond the edge of the controller base400.

In the non-limiting example shown, a first PC button406in top plan view, includes a curved inner periphery408closest to the CC button402and sides410that flare outwardly to a slightly curved or straight outer periphery412. The outer periphery412is larger (longer) than the inner periphery408. The first PC button406may have a flat top surface or a gently convex top surface and may slope from a center of the top surface in both the radial (the dimension from the center of the controller toward the outer edge of the controller) and azimuthal dimensions.

In the non-limiting example shown, adjacent the first PC button406is a second PC button414, and adjacent the second PC button414is a third PC button416that may be identically configured and sized to the second PC button414. Unlike the first PC button404, the second and third PC buttons414,416may have upwardly-sloping outer regions418,420, respectively, and instead of having sides that flare outwardly from their respective inner peripheries to their respective outer peripheries, the inner and outer peripheries are substantially the same length and the sides422of the second third PC buttons414,416are straight to establish, along with the inner and outer peripheries, a racetrack-shaped periphery for the respective PC button. Or, the sides422may be gently convex to establish, along with the inner and outer peripheries, an ovular periphery for the respective PC button.

It will be appreciated that the second and third PC buttons414,416have upwardly-sloping outer regions418,420, respectively, that represent a slope discontinuity from where they begin, essentially at the edge of a downwardly-sloping inner region.

In the non-limiting example shown, a fourth PC button424may be next to the third PC button416and may have the same top plan shape as the second and third buttons414,416and the same configuration of an upwardly-sloping outer region426.

In the non-limiting example shown, a fifth PC button428may be next to the fourth PC button424and may have a flat or gently continuously downwardly-sloping contour from a convex inner periphery430of the fifth PC button428closest to the CC button to a convex outer periphery432.

In the non-limiting example shown, a sixth PC button434may be next to the fifth PCT button428and may be identically configured in shape to the fifth PC button428but may be larger in size than the fifth PC button428.

In the non-limiting example shown, a seventh PC button436may be between the sixth PC button434and the first PC button406as shown and may be larger than the other PC buttons. As best shown inFIG.6, the seventh PC button436may have a concave inner periphery438, in contrast to the other PC buttons which may have convex inner peripheries, with outwardly-flaring straight sides440extending from the inner periphery438to a convex outer periphery442.

One or more, and in the example shown all, of the PC buttons404may be detachably engaged with the base400. In the specific non-limiting example shown and as best shown inFIG.7, each PC button404may be detachably engaged with a respective pad700on the base400. The detachable engagement may be a friction or snapping fit between a PC button404and its respective pad700, or as best shown inFIGS.9and10the engagement may be magnetic. Specifically, as shown inFIGS.9and10, each button402,404may be coupled to a respective ferromagnetic plate900(such as steel) to magnetically engage a respective magnet902in the respective pad700. It is to be understood that the magnet may be in the button and the ferromagnetic plate may be in the pad of the base.

Thus, the button covers may be moved to different underlying controls on the base400. As well, the functions of the controls themselves may be defined by the user.

Each button402,404may have its own unique color different from the other buttons. Or, some buttons402,404may have a first color and one or more other buttons may have different colors than the first color. For example, the second through fourth buttons414,416,424may all have the same color, and that color may be different than the colors of other buttons. One or more buttons may have raised Braille patterns embossed or otherwise formed on the top of the button to assist a visually impaired person identifying the button.

The top surface of each button402,404that is touched by a user may have its own unique texture different from the other buttons. Or, some buttons402,404may have a first texture and one or more other buttons may have different textures than the first texture. For example, the second through fourth buttons414,416,424may all have the same texture, and that texture may be different than the textures of other buttons. A first texture may be, e.g., smooth and a second texture may be, e.g., roughened, lined, dimpled, or other tactilely distinguishing texture.

Button shapes other than those described above may be used. A number of buttons different than that described above may be used. This recognition is part of current inventive principles and forms no part of the prior art.

Return toFIGS.4-7. In addition to the plural control buttons402,404arranged on the base400and operable to send signals to a computerized apparatus when the computerized apparatus is in communication with the device, an analog stick unit (ASU)444is reciprocatingly engaged with the base400for movement between a near position (FIGS.4-6), in which a control portion446of the ASU444is closely juxtaposed with the base400, and an extended position (FIG.7), in which the control portion446of the ASU444is distanced from the base400. Moreover, as explained elsewhere herein, the control portion446is rotatable relative to the base400. In both near and extended configurations and in various angular orientations the control portion446of the ASU can be manipulated to input control signals to a computerized apparatus.

The control portion446may be a joystick-type input device. “North” for the control portion446may be defined by the factory or by the user to best suit the user's needs using, e.g., a user interface permitting the user to define which radial direction on the ASU444“north” should be.

Additional control keys447may be provided on the ASU444next to the control portion446as shown for manipulation to generate additional control signals for game play.

As perhaps best shown inFIG.5, the ASU444includes a flat platform that in turn includes a slide448with opposed parallel sides450that are slidably engaged with a receptacle452in the base400(e.g., by being slidably engaged with a flat disk-like base plate454of the base400). It will be appreciated that the receptacle452is on the bottom of the base400and the control buttons402,404are on a top of the base.

The flat platform may also include, at one end of the slide448, a disk-shaped support456on which the control portion446is rotatably mounted. In the example shown, both the support456and the control device446are round and have substantially equal diameters. The support456and slide448may be made of a single unitary piece of material such as plastic. Or, separate construction may be used to combine non-skid rubber parts with plastic parts.

The control device446is manipulable to generate a signal to a computerized apparatus. In one non-limiting example and as perhaps best shown inFIG.7, the control device446may include a point-and-click device, in the example shown, a button458with button cover460to depress the button458to generate a signal, with the button458being mounted on a rotatable ball462in a round socket464that rises upwardly in the center of the ASU446as shown.

The button cover460has a relatively large size and may be formed with a string hole at the top to receive a fastening or carrying string or cord thereto.

With respect to electrical connectors associated with the ASU446, all connectors466(FIG.4) such as but not limited to universal serial bus (USB) connectors may be located at the opposite side to the analog stick unit for avoiding cable interference with the operation of the analog stick by a user. In particular, a USB connector may be placed180degrees away from the analog stick on the opposite side. This is because the USB cable is the thickest of all the cables expected to be connected to the device and may affect the posture of the device in use.

In addition, since the digital audio and analog audio connectors look the same, each may be located on both sides of the USB connector so that they can be distinguished.

In some embodiments, a flexible buckle attachment468(FIG.5) made of soft material, such as silicon, rubber, and elastic member can be attached on the rear surface of the base400. The flexibility of the buckle attachment allows it to deform along the attached portion, such as user's leg, arm, or wheelchair arm, so it can be attached stably.

In the example shown, as best illustrated inFIG.5two threaded holes470may be formed on the bottom or other surface of the base400. Respective fasteners472may pass through respective holes474of the attachment468and may engage the holes470in the base400to hold the base and attachment together. Other attachments such as a tripod476similarly may be engaged with the base400.

FIG.11illustrates an alternate button layout in which eight peripheral buttons1100surround a round central button1102. The peripheral buttons1100may have identical shapes and sizes, and in the example shown may be shaped like the first PC button406shown inFIG.4. The buttons may be symmetrically arranged the periphery of the base in this and in other embodiments.

FIG.12illustrates an alternate button layout in which peripheral buttons1200surround a round central button1202. Some or all the peripheral buttons1200may have identical shapes and sizes such as round. In the example shown four of the peripheral buttons1200are round and one of the round peripheral buttons is smaller than the other three peripheral buttons, while one of the peripheral buttons (labeled1204) is oblong and curved azimuthally as shown. Two of the peripheral buttons (labeled1206) may be small flat rectilinear buttons.

FIG.13illustrates a controller200according to present principles engaged with an attachment1302, in this case, a leg band or strap that is flexible and that may secure the controller200to the leg or other part of a user1304. Attachment may be effected as described above using fasteners and threaded holes in the base of the controller such that the controller200only faces one or two ways when mounted on the user's thigh, for example.

In some embodiments two controllers may be provided, one configured for optimal operation by one hand of a user and the other configured for optimal operation by the other hand of the user.

While the particular embodiments are herein shown and described in detail, it is to be understood that the subject matter which is encompassed by the present invention is limited only by the claims.