WO2008025973A2 - Game controllers - Google Patents

Game controllers Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2008025973A2
WO2008025973A2 PCT/GB2007/003253 GB2007003253W WO2008025973A2 WO 2008025973 A2 WO2008025973 A2 WO 2008025973A2 GB 2007003253 W GB2007003253 W GB 2007003253W WO 2008025973 A2 WO2008025973 A2 WO 2008025973A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
usb
flash drive
motion sensor
usb flash
sensor
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2007/003253
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2008025973A3 (en
Inventor
Hiu Fung Lam
Original Assignee
Sengital Limited
Johnson, Terence, Leslie
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sengital Limited, Johnson, Terence, Leslie filed Critical Sengital Limited
Priority to CN2007900000838U priority Critical patent/CN201444289U/en
Publication of WO2008025973A2 publication Critical patent/WO2008025973A2/en
Publication of WO2008025973A3 publication Critical patent/WO2008025973A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G06COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06FELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/033Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor
    • G06F3/0346Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63FCARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F13/00Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
    • A63F13/20Input arrangements for video game devices
    • A63F13/21Input arrangements for video game devices characterised by their sensors, purposes or types
    • A63F13/211Input arrangements for video game devices characterised by their sensors, purposes or types using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63FCARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F13/00Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
    • A63F13/20Input arrangements for video game devices
    • A63F13/22Setup operations, e.g. calibration, key configuration or button assignment
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63FCARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F13/00Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
    • A63F13/20Input arrangements for video game devices
    • A63F13/23Input arrangements for video game devices for interfacing with the game device, e.g. specific interfaces between game controller and console
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63FCARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F13/00Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
    • A63F13/20Input arrangements for video game devices
    • A63F13/24Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63FCARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F13/00Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
    • A63F13/40Processing input control signals of video game devices, e.g. signals generated by the player or derived from the environment
    • A63F13/42Processing input control signals of video game devices, e.g. signals generated by the player or derived from the environment by mapping the input signals into game commands, e.g. mapping the displacement of a stylus on a touch screen to the steering angle of a virtual vehicle
    • A63F13/428Processing input control signals of video game devices, e.g. signals generated by the player or derived from the environment by mapping the input signals into game commands, e.g. mapping the displacement of a stylus on a touch screen to the steering angle of a virtual vehicle involving motion or position input signals, e.g. signals representing the rotation of an input controller or a player's arm motions sensed by accelerometers or gyroscopes
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63FCARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F2300/00Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
    • A63F2300/10Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals
    • A63F2300/1006Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals having additional degrees of freedom
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63FCARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F2300/00Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
    • A63F2300/10Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals
    • A63F2300/1018Calibration; Key and button assignment
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63FCARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F2300/00Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
    • A63F2300/10Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals
    • A63F2300/1025Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals details of the interface with the game device, e.g. USB version detection
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63FCARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F2300/00Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
    • A63F2300/10Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals
    • A63F2300/1043Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals being characterized by constructional details
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63FCARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F2300/00Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
    • A63F2300/10Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals
    • A63F2300/105Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a game controller, particularly to a game controller for playing a computer game which can be hand-held, a personal computer or part of a computer network where a plurality of players can play the game whilst located at spaced-apart locations.
  • the invention provides apparatus for controlling a computer game, comprising motion sensor means adapted to detect movement for control of the game.
  • the motion sensor means may be selected from a group comprising at least an accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetic sensor and visual sensor. This provides for relative simplicity and operation of a game, particularly when the motion sensor means may be installed in a USB Flash Drive. This allows a user/player of a game to use a USB Flash Drive to control the game based on motion.
  • the USB Flash Drive may comprise a USB extendable cable.
  • the US]B Flash Drive may comprise one USB port, whereby the apparatus and USB Flash Drive are merged.
  • the apparatus may comprise a USB switch, or alternatively a USB Hub.
  • the motion sensor means may comprise an accelerometer means, which may be adapted to measure acceleration along the x - and y - axes, or alternatively may be adapted to measure acceleration along the x-, y- and z- axes.
  • the said means may comprise a variable or adjustable parameter input device for adjusting the level of sensitivity of the motion sensor means.
  • the device may be selected from the group variable resistor(s), variable capacitor(s) and adjustable input switch(es). Sensitivity adjustment for one or more motion sensors can provide for a suitable sensitivity range particularly for different game(s).
  • the at least one button and motion sensor means may be carried by the USB Flash Drive.
  • the motion sensor means and the manually operable means may be programmable to any function of means for playing a computer game.
  • the means for playing the computer game may be selected from the group keyboard, mouse, gamepad, and remote controller.
  • the sensitivity adjustment means may comprise digital control, or analog control.
  • the motion sensor means is suitably adapted to measure any one of, or combination of any of tilt angle, angular velocity and acceleration of the USB Flash Drive.
  • the invention extends to a computer in combination with apparatus as hereinbefore defined.
  • Fig. 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of apparatus according to the invention
  • Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the apparatus of Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 3 is a plan view of a second embodiment of apparatus according to the invention.
  • Fig. 4 is a block diagram of the apparatus of Fig. 3.
  • Fig. 5 is a block diagram of a modification of the second embodiment.
  • apparatus 1, 100 for controlling a computer game comprising motion sensor means 2 adapted to detect movement for control of a game being played by a user or player.
  • the motion sensor means 2 hereinafter sensor(s) are an integral part of a USB Flash Drive 3, and can comprise an accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetic sensor and the like means.
  • an accelerometer is the sensor 2, and is used to detect motion either in 2D (x- and y- axes) or 3D (x-, y-, and z- axes), hi either mode, the sensor 2 measures/monitors one or more of different parameters of the USB Flash Drive 3, for example tilt angle, angular velocity, acceleration of the USB Flash Drive.
  • the senor 2 is added to or installed in a USB Flash Drive in a housing 4, which has two USB ports 5, 6.
  • the housing 4 houses an integrated circuit 7, a memory 8, an MCU 9, which is a microcomputer or computer-on-a-chip.
  • the MCU 9 is connected to the sensor 2 and to a variable or adjustable parameter input device 10 for adjusting the level of sensitivity of the sensor 2 via the MCU 9.
  • the device 10 in the embodiment is in the form of manually operable i.e. finger or thumb operable, means such as a button.
  • the MCU 9 is connected to one USB port and the integrated circuit (IC) to a second USB port 5, both ports being of the USB Flash Drive.
  • the two-port arrangement is used in conjunction with an extendable USB cable 12 plugged into one USB port 6 on the game controller side of the USB Flash Drive. It will be understood, however, that the USB extendable cable 12 can be omitted, in which case the USB Flash Drive is connected directly to the game controller.
  • FIG. 3 shows a plan view of a second embodiment of apparatus 100 embodying the invention, in which the sensor 2 motion-based game controller is merged with the USB Flash Drive in one USB port 5.
  • the embodiment of Fig. 3 incorporates a switch 13 at the one USB port 5, while in the modification shown in Fig. 5, there is one USB port with a USB Hub 14.
  • the senor 2 is located in the centre of the USB Flash Drive 3.
  • the USB Flash Drive 3 is connected via the USB cable 12 (Fig. 1) or directly (Fig. 3) to a computer or other USB console for playing a game.
  • the MCU 9, is programmable via its ROM, RAM or non-volatile memory and thus provides a programmable driver, the motion sensor 2 and the buttons 11, 11' being programmable to any key or function of the keyboard, mouse or gamepad of the apparatus 1, 100, for playing the computer game.
  • the USB Flash Drive 3 can store the game(s), as can the installer of the programmable driver, while the motion-based game controller part (sensor) can handle the control of the game.
  • the (relatively small) USB Flash Drive 3 can function in all embodiments as a flash memory to store data, game or driver and a programmable motion based game controller to manage control of the game with keyboard, mouse or gamepad functions.
  • apparatus embodying the invention as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings allows a user to adjust the sensitivity of one accelerometer inside game controller(s) such as gamepad, joypad, joystick, gun controller etc. for computers. This is based on variable resistor(s) or variable capacitor(s) or other adjustable switch(s) to adjust level of the sensitivity of the accelerometer. Thus there is sensitivity adjustment for the motion sensor(s) in order to provide suitable sensitivity range(s) for different game(s).
  • Sensitivity adjustment is provided by a device which has two configurations, digital control and analog control.
  • Digital control sensitivity adjustment is made possible by pressing the button(s) 11, 11' to increase or decrease the sensitivity level with the preset resolution.
  • Analog control sensitivity adjustment is done by variable resistor or capacitor or other adjustable switch which can provide the analog output in order to adjust the sensitivity level with much higher resolution.
  • These digital control and analog control sensitivity adjustment devices are connected to the micro processor or controller (MCU 9) which can adjust the sensor sensitivity level internally which means that the sensor output value is adjusted by the sensitivity adjustment devices 11, 11'. Then the MCU transmits control commands or adjusted sensor value to the computer or the game console.
  • the sensitivity adjustment device includes a sensitivity adjustment algorithm and the hardware configuration of the device.
  • an accelerometer is a device for measuring acceleration and can measure its own motion, using an accelerometer in a joypad it can function as analog sticks. As described above, there are two designs for this: 1) using 3D accelerometer to detect the tilt motion along x and y axis and behave as buttons; 2) using 2D accelerometer to detect the motion along x axis and y axis.
  • There is only one accelerometer in one joypad so there is a selection button for choosing the Left Analog stick or Right Analogue stick.
  • there is a button for mode selection Users can enable/disable the motion sensing function by pressing the button. So the users can choose whether to use the motion sensor or Analog stick in different situations.
  • joypads are also available for a computer. It can solve the problem of lack of joystick support in some computer games. With the programmable driver, the motion sensing game controller can also convert the joypad motions to control/input of the computer and function as both mouse and keyboard at the same time.
  • USB generally refers to Universal Serial Bus which is bus, usually a cable bus, which supports data exchange between a host computer and a wide range of simultaneously accessible peripherals.
  • the peripherals share USB bandwidth through appropriate protocol(s) and the USB allows peripherals to be attached, configured, used and detached whilst the host and other peripherals are in operation.
  • the USB allows for motion of the game controller and can also provide for sensitivity adjustment of the game controller.

Abstract

The invention relates to apparatus (1) for controlling a computer game, comprising motion sensor means (2) adapted to detect movement for control of a game being played by a user or player. The motion sensor means (2) is an integral part of a USB Flash Drive ( 3), and can comprise an accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetic sensor and the like means. In the preferred embodiments an accelerometer is the sensor (2), and is used to detect motion either in 2D (x- and y- axes) or 3D (x-, y-, and z- axes). In either mode, the sensor (2) measures/monitors one or more of different parameters of the USB Flash Drive (3), for example tilt angle, angular velocity, acceleration of the USB Flash Drive. The sensor (2) is added to or installed in a USB Flash Drive in a housing (4), which has two USB ports (5, 6). The housing (4) houses an integrated circuit (7), a memory (8), an MCU (9), which is a microcomputer or computer-on-a-chip. The MCU (9) is connected to the sensor (2) and to a variable or adjustable parameter input device (10) for adjusting the level of sensitivity of the sensor (2) via the MCU (9). The device (10) in the embodiment is in the form of manually operable i.e. finger or thumb operable, means such as a button. Ih the embodiment there are two buttons (11, 11 ') side by side at one end of the housing (4). The MCU (9) is connected to one USB port and the integrated circuit (IC) to a second USB port (5), both ports being of the USB Flash Drive. As shown in Fig. 1, the two-port arrangement is used in conjunction with an extendable USB cable (12) plugged into one USB port (6) on the game controller side of the USB Flash Drive.

Description

GAME CONTROLLERS
The invention relates to a game controller, particularly to a game controller for playing a computer game which can be hand-held, a personal computer or part of a computer network where a plurality of players can play the game whilst located at spaced-apart locations.
Whilst there are many known game controllers, none takes account of movement of the game controller, which can result in loss of sensitivity when playing a game.
It is an object of the invention to seek to mitigate these disadvantages.
According to a first aspect, the invention provides apparatus for controlling a computer game, comprising motion sensor means adapted to detect movement for control of the game.
The motion sensor means may be selected from a group comprising at least an accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetic sensor and visual sensor. This provides for relative simplicity and operation of a game, particularly when the motion sensor means may be installed in a USB Flash Drive. This allows a user/player of a game to use a USB Flash Drive to control the game based on motion.
The USB Flash Drive may comprise a USB extendable cable.
Alternatively, the US]B Flash Drive may comprise one USB port, whereby the apparatus and USB Flash Drive are merged.
The apparatus may comprise a USB switch, or alternatively a USB Hub. Suitably, the motion sensor means may comprise an accelerometer means, which may be adapted to measure acceleration along the x - and y - axes, or alternatively may be adapted to measure acceleration along the x-, y- and z- axes.
There may be means adapted to adjust sensitivity of the motion sensor means.
The said means may comprise a variable or adjustable parameter input device for adjusting the level of sensitivity of the motion sensor means.
The device may be selected from the group variable resistor(s), variable capacitor(s) and adjustable input switch(es). Sensitivity adjustment for one or more motion sensors can provide for a suitable sensitivity range particularly for different game(s).
There may suitably be manually operable means for adjusting the level of sensitivity of the device, preferably at least one finger or thumb operable button.
For relative simplicity and compactness the at least one button and motion sensor means may be carried by the USB Flash Drive. Suitably, there may be two buttons.
The motion sensor means and the manually operable means may be programmable to any function of means for playing a computer game.
The means for playing the computer game may be selected from the group keyboard, mouse, gamepad, and remote controller.
The sensitivity adjustment means may comprise digital control, or analog control.
The motion sensor means is suitably adapted to measure any one of, or combination of any of tilt angle, angular velocity and acceleration of the USB Flash Drive.
There may be a plurality of motion sensor means. The invention extends to a computer in combination with apparatus as hereinbefore defined.
Apparatus for controlling a computer game is hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of apparatus according to the invention;
Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the apparatus of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a plan view of a second embodiment of apparatus according to the invention;
Fig. 4 is a block diagram of the apparatus of Fig. 3; and
Fig. 5 is a block diagram of a modification of the second embodiment.
Referring to the drawings in which like parts are referred to by like numerals, there is shown apparatus 1, 100 for controlling a computer game, comprising motion sensor means 2 adapted to detect movement for control of a game being played by a user or player.
hi the embodiments, the motion sensor means 2, hereinafter sensor(s) are an integral part of a USB Flash Drive 3, and can comprise an accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetic sensor and the like means. In the preferred embodiments an accelerometer is the sensor 2, and is used to detect motion either in 2D (x- and y- axes) or 3D (x-, y-, and z- axes), hi either mode, the sensor 2 measures/monitors one or more of different parameters of the USB Flash Drive 3, for example tilt angle, angular velocity, acceleration of the USB Flash Drive.
In the first embodiment 1, the sensor 2 is added to or installed in a USB Flash Drive in a housing 4, which has two USB ports 5, 6. The housing 4 houses an integrated circuit 7, a memory 8, an MCU 9, which is a microcomputer or computer-on-a-chip. The MCU 9 is connected to the sensor 2 and to a variable or adjustable parameter input device 10 for adjusting the level of sensitivity of the sensor 2 via the MCU 9. The device 10 in the embodiment is in the form of manually operable i.e. finger or thumb operable, means such as a button. In the embodiment there are two buttons 11, 11' side by side at one end of the housing 4. The MCU 9 is connected to one USB port and the integrated circuit (IC) to a second USB port 5, both ports being of the USB Flash Drive.
As shown in Fig. 1, the two-port arrangement is used in conjunction with an extendable USB cable 12 plugged into one USB port 6 on the game controller side of the USB Flash Drive. It will be understood, however, that the USB extendable cable 12 can be omitted, in which case the USB Flash Drive is connected directly to the game controller.
Referring now to Fig. 3, this shows a plan view of a second embodiment of apparatus 100 embodying the invention, in which the sensor 2 motion-based game controller is merged with the USB Flash Drive in one USB port 5.
As shown in Fig. 4, the embodiment of Fig. 3 incorporates a switch 13 at the one USB port 5, while in the modification shown in Fig. 5, there is one USB port with a USB Hub 14.
In every embodiment shown, the sensor 2 is located in the centre of the USB Flash Drive 3. The USB Flash Drive 3 is connected via the USB cable 12 (Fig. 1) or directly (Fig. 3) to a computer or other USB console for playing a game.
The MCU 9, is programmable via its ROM, RAM or non-volatile memory and thus provides a programmable driver, the motion sensor 2 and the buttons 11, 11' being programmable to any key or function of the keyboard, mouse or gamepad of the apparatus 1, 100, for playing the computer game. As will be understood, the USB Flash Drive 3 can store the game(s), as can the installer of the programmable driver, while the motion-based game controller part (sensor) can handle the control of the game. With such a configuration, the (relatively small) USB Flash Drive 3 can function in all embodiments as a flash memory to store data, game or driver and a programmable motion based game controller to manage control of the game with keyboard, mouse or gamepad functions.
It will be understood that apparatus embodying the invention as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings allows a user to adjust the sensitivity of one accelerometer inside game controller(s) such as gamepad, joypad, joystick, gun controller etc. for computers. This is based on variable resistor(s) or variable capacitor(s) or other adjustable switch(s) to adjust level of the sensitivity of the accelerometer. Thus there is sensitivity adjustment for the motion sensor(s) in order to provide suitable sensitivity range(s) for different game(s).
Sensitivity adjustment is provided by a device which has two configurations, digital control and analog control. Digital control sensitivity adjustment is made possible by pressing the button(s) 11, 11' to increase or decrease the sensitivity level with the preset resolution. Analog control sensitivity adjustment is done by variable resistor or capacitor or other adjustable switch which can provide the analog output in order to adjust the sensitivity level with much higher resolution. These digital control and analog control sensitivity adjustment devices are connected to the micro processor or controller (MCU 9) which can adjust the sensor sensitivity level internally which means that the sensor output value is adjusted by the sensitivity adjustment devices 11, 11'. Then the MCU transmits control commands or adjusted sensor value to the computer or the game console. The sensitivity adjustment device includes a sensitivity adjustment algorithm and the hardware configuration of the device.
As an accelerometer is a device for measuring acceleration and can measure its own motion, using an accelerometer in a joypad it can function as analog sticks. As described above, there are two designs for this: 1) using 3D accelerometer to detect the tilt motion along x and y axis and behave as buttons; 2) using 2D accelerometer to detect the motion along x axis and y axis. There is only one accelerometer in one joypad, so there is a selection button for choosing the Left Analog stick or Right Analogue stick. Besides, there is a button for mode selection. Users can enable/disable the motion sensing function by pressing the button. So the users can choose whether to use the motion sensor or Analog stick in different situations.
Joypads are also available for a computer. It can solve the problem of lack of joystick support in some computer games. With the programmable driver, the motion sensing game controller can also convert the joypad motions to control/input of the computer and function as both mouse and keyboard at the same time.
It will be understood that the term USB used herein generally refers to Universal Serial Bus which is bus, usually a cable bus, which supports data exchange between a host computer and a wide range of simultaneously accessible peripherals. The peripherals share USB bandwidth through appropriate protocol(s) and the USB allows peripherals to be attached, configured, used and detached whilst the host and other peripherals are in operation.
Thus in relation to this invention, the USB allows for motion of the game controller and can also provide for sensitivity adjustment of the game controller.

Claims

1. Apparatus for controlling a computer game, comprising motion sensor means adapted to detect movement for control of the game.
2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, the motion sensor means being selected from a group comprising at least an accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetic sensor and visual sensor.
3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, the motion sensor means being installed in a USB Flash Drive.
4. Apparatus according to Claim 3, the USB Flash Drive comprising a USB extendable cable.
5. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, the USB Flash Drive comprising one USB port, whereby the apparatus and USB Flash Drive are merged.
6. Apparatus according to Claim 5, comprising a USB switch.
7. Apparatus according to Claim 5, comprising a USB Hub.
8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, the motion sensor means comprising an accelerometer means.
9. Apparatus according to Claim 8, the accelerometer means being adapted to measure acceleration along the x - and y - axes.
10. Apparatus according to Claim 8, the accelerometer means being adapted to measure acceleration along the x-, y - and z - axes.
11. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising means adapted to adjust sensitivity of the motion sensor means.
12. Apparatus according to Claim 11, the said means comprising a variable or adjustable parameter input device for adjusting the level of sensitivity of the motion sensor means.
13. Apparatus according to Claim 12, the device being selected from the group variable resistor(s), variable capacitor(s) and adjustable input switch(es).
14. Apparatus according to Claim 13, comprising manually operable means for adjusting the level of sensitivity of the device.
15. Apparatus according to Claim 14, the manually operable means comprising at least one finger or thumb operable button.
16. Apparatus according to Claim 15, the at least one button and motion sensor means being carried by the USB Flash Drive.
17. Apparatus according to Claim 15 or Claim 16, there being two buttons.
18. Apparatus according to any of Claims 14 to 17, the motion sensor means and the manually operable means being programmable to any function of means for playing a computer game.
19. Apparatus according to Claim 18, the means being selected from the group keyboard, mouse, gamepad, and remote controller.
20. Apparatus according to any of Claims 11 to 19, the sensitivity adjustment means comprising digital control.
21. Apparatus according to any of Claims 11 to 19, the sensitivity adjustment means comprising analog control.
22. Apparatus according to any of Claims 9 to 21, the motion sensor means being adapted to measure any one of, or combination of any of tilt angle, angular velocity and acceleration of the USB Flash Drive.
23. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, there being a plurality of motion sensor means.
24. A computer in combination with apparatus according to any preceding claim.
PCT/GB2007/003253 2006-08-28 2007-08-28 Game controllers WO2008025973A2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN2007900000838U CN201444289U (en) 2006-08-28 2007-08-28 Game controller

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US82375606P 2006-08-28 2006-08-28
US60/823,756 2006-08-28

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2008025973A2 true WO2008025973A2 (en) 2008-03-06
WO2008025973A3 WO2008025973A3 (en) 2008-07-03

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Cited By (11)

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EP2559464A1 (en) * 2010-04-14 2013-02-20 Sunup Mecha-Electronic Equipment Co., Ltd Gun-shaped game controller
EP2559464A4 (en) * 2010-04-14 2013-10-23 Sunup Mecha Electronic Equipment Co Ltd Gun-shaped game controller
GB2482351A (en) * 2010-07-31 2012-02-01 Robert Joseph George Noble Synchronisation of memory devices without external processor
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US11420248B2 (en) 2018-12-12 2022-08-23 The Boeing Company Impact-compensating bucking bar
US11150047B2 (en) 2019-07-25 2021-10-19 The Boeing Company Firearm incorporating recoil reduction

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