U.S. Pat. No. 11,351,451

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for providing feedback in response to a video game. In particular, the systems and methods of the present disclosure are useful where a person is playing a video game.

Exemplary embodiments of the systems and methods for producing feedback disclosed in the present disclosure are described in detail, although it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that some features that are not necessary for an understanding of the systems and methods for producing feedback may not be shown for the sake of clarity.

FIG. 1depicts a block diagram of an embodiment of a system100for providing feedback in response to a video game, in accordance with the present disclosure. It is contemplated that the game system104may include game consoles, computers, mobile devices, portable devices, and/or hand held game consoles. Typically, a game system104is connected to a video monitor102for viewing the video game for a user to view during game play. The user may control the game with a game controller300. The terms “user,” “player,” “gamer,” and person are all to be read interchangeably to refer to a wearer of the vest. It is contemplated that the game controller may include, for example, hand held controllers, VR controllers, and/or wireless or wired controllers. The game controller will be described in further detail below in relation toFIG. 3. The game controller300receives a signal from the game system104to provide feedback to the user. In various embodiments, the signal contains information indicating either a left or a right feedback response. In various embodiments, the signal may provide an indication of both a left and a right feedback response. It is contemplated that these multiple feedback responses may be top and bottom instead of left and right, or may include other positions or orientations. In various embodiments, the game controller300processes the signals and transmits them to the vest400. The vest then processes the signals and provides the user with a feedback response via the feedback devices disposed on the vest400.

FIG. 2depicts a perspective diagram of a user200wearing an exemplary vest400and holding a game controller300in accordance with the present disclosure. In typical use, the vest400is worn by the user200, with a front panel covering the user's200chest. The user's200head passes through an aperture in the vest400. The user200will typically hold the game controller300approximately in front of their chest during game play. Wireless signals transmit from the game controller300to the vest400during game play to provide the user200feedback in response to game play. In various embodiments, the first and second transmitters304a,304btransmit the signals to the receivers404a,404brespectively. In various embodiments, a vest controller406is disposed on the front of the vest. The vest controller406processes the signals received by the receivers404aand404band powers the feedback devices408,410.

For example, if a user is playing a first person shooter game, the vest can increase the realism of the game by actuating motors to cause a vibration on the user's upper chest when the user has been shot in the game. In another example, in a racing game, when the user drives off the road only on the right ride of the car, the vest can vibrate on the left side in response. In various embodiments, other types of feedback include an audio response, such as a sound, heat, cold, and/or impact generators to provide a user feedback in response to gameplay.

FIG. 3depicts a perspective diagram of an embodiment of a game controller ofFIG. 2in accordance with the present disclosure. The game controller300includes multiple joysticks314, and buttons310disposed on the top and sides of the game controller chassis312for a user to interact with a game system104while playing a video game. In various embodiments, the buttons310allow the user to program the buttons to copy other buttons functions. The game controller200includes a feedback device302which processes a signal from the game system104, a feedback device318which provides a user feedback in response to a video game, and a switch306which disables the game controller's feedback device318. It is contemplated that the feedback device302includes a processor and memory. The feedback device318may include one or more motors which provide feedback to the user200by actuating in response to game play. In various embodiments, the switch306disables the feedback device318in the game controller300, such that the user200may perceive feedback only in the vest400, and not in the game controller300.

In various embodiments, the game controller300also includes a first and a second wireless transmitter304a,304bdisposed on a front surface316of the game controller300on the surface proximate to the user200. Infrared (“IR”) transmitters work by sending an IR transmission in the infrared wavelength region. In embodiments where IR transmitters are used as the first and second transmitters304a,304b, they may operate at two different wavelengths. Thus, allowing the user200to receive feedback in multiple regions of the vest400. In various embodiments, the first and second transmitters304a,304bmay be wired directly to the game controller's feedback device(s)302. When the feedback device(s)302receive signals to provide the user feedback, this signal is then transmitted via the first and second transmitters304a,304bto the first and second receivers404a,404b. In various embodiments, when the signals are high, the feedback devices408,410in the vest400will provide feedback. When the signal goes low, the feedback devices408,410in the vest400will stop. The embodiments described above are exemplary, and variations are contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, it is contemplated that the wireless transmitters may be WIFI, Bluetooth, Near Field Communication (“NFC”), or any of a number of wireless protocols known to those practiced in the art.

FIGS. 4 and 5depict a diagram of an embodiment of the vest ofFIG. 2in accordance with the present disclosure. In various embodiments, the vest400may be a one-size fits all, low cut to feel comfortable. The vest400may be made of a sturdy nylon fabric with padding for example. In various embodiments, the vest400is worn such that it rests over the right and left shoulders of the user200. The vest400includes a front panel428and a neckline412. In various embodiments, disposed on the front panel428of the vest400include a vest controller406, a first and second wireless receiver404a,404b, a first and second feedback device408,410, straps414,416, connecting cables418,420, feedback device pouches430, and a first and second feedback device408,410.

In various embodiments, the front panel428may include straps414,416along with 120 degree buckle clips. In various embodiments, the straps414,416may be adjusted to fit the particular user. It is contemplated that the straps may be made of, for example, nylon, plastic, rubber, polypropylene, or other fabric. There are several feedback device pouches430to hold the first and second feedback devices408,410. For example, the first and second feedback devices408,410may be disposed on the portion of the vest400that is positioned over the left and right shoulders (trapezius muscle) of the user200and over the left and right portion of the upper chest of the user200as can be seen inFIG. 2. It is contemplated that the first and second feedback devices408,410can include one or more of vibrating motors, impact generators, sources of heat and/or cold, speakers, to provide feedback to the user. In various embodiments, other positions and configurations for the first and second feedback devices are contemplated. In various embodiments, the vest may include more than two feedback devices. In various embodiments, the shaft of each motor holds an unbalanced weight. When power is applied to the motor, it spins the weight. Because the weight is unbalanced, the motor tries to wobble. However, since the motor is securely mounted inside the vest400, the wobble translates to a shuddering vibration.

In an embodiment, the first and second wireless receivers404a,404b, may have individual IR filters426a,426bto eliminate interference from other light sources. In various embodiments, the first and second wireless receivers404a,404b, and the individual IR filters426a,426bmay be encased in a small module positioned in the center region of the front panel428of the vest400. The individual IR filters426a,426ballow IR at the wavelengths of the first and second wireless receivers404a,404bto pass, and block other light sources such as visible light or ultraviolet light to reduce or eliminate interference.

In the illustrated embodiment, the vest controller406, which may be located on the outer face of the front panel428, includes a microprocessor, a memory, and a power source. In various embodiments, the power source may include a rechargeable battery, which may be charged by way of, for example a USB port, or other DC power port. In various embodiments, the vest controller406or the microprocessor may be another type of processor such as, without limitation, a digital signal processor, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or a central processing unit (CPU). In various embodiments, the memory can be random access memory, read only memory, magnetic memory, solid state memory, and/or another type of memory. In various embodiments, the memory can be separate from the vest controller406and can communicate with the microprocessor through communication buses of a circuit board and/or through communication cables such as serial ATA cables or other types of cables. In various embodiments, the memory includes machine instructions that are executable by the microprocessor to operate the vest400. Various operations of the system are described below. Such operations can be controlled by the machine instructions executed by the microprocessor.

In various embodiments, the first and second wireless receivers404a,404breceive wireless signals transmitted by the game controller300during game play. In various embodiments, the vest controller406may be connected to the first and second wireless receivers404a,404bby way of cables or wires418. The vest controller receives a first and a second signal from the first and second wireless receivers404a,404b. This signal is processed by the vest controller406and the resulting signals are sent by the vest controller406to the first and second feedback devices408,410by way of cables or wires420to provide feedback to the user200.

FIG. 6depicts a logic flow chart for a feedback operation in accordance with the present disclosure. The control algorithm600is an embodiment of various blocks. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more blocks of the method600may be performed in a different order, repeated, and/or omitted without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Further, the below description of the method600refers to various actions or tasks performed by the feedback device302and the vest controller406, but those skilled in the art will appreciate that in some instances, the feedback device302and the vest controller406performs the actions or tasks via one or more software applications, such as the application which could be firmware, executing on either the feedback device302or the vest controller406.

Initially, at block602, the game controller300receives a signal from a video game indicating a left feedback response and a right feedback response. For example, this feedback response may be in response to game play where a car goes off road, or where a game character is firing a gun or getting shot. The feedback device302in the game controller300processes this signal and transmits it to an internal feedback device318and/or a first wireless transmitter304aand a second wireless transmitter304b. Optionally, at block603, the internal feedback device318will provide the user200feedback by, for example, at least vibrating the game controller300. However, this optional functionality may be disabled by using the switch306.

At block604, the first wireless transmitter304atransmits a first wireless signal indicating the left feedback response. In an embodiment, the first wireless transmitter may be an IR transmitter at a first wavelength. In parallel, at block606the second wireless transmitter transmits304b, a second wireless signal indicating the right feedback response. In an embodiment, the second wireless transmitter may be an IR transmitter at a second wavelength.

Next, at block608, the first wireless receiver404a, located on the vest400, receives the first wireless signal. In an embodiment, the IR signal passes through an individual IR filter426a, prior to being received by the first wireless receiver404a. In parallel, at block610, the second wireless receiver404b, located on the vest400, receives the second wireless signal. In an embodiment, the IR signal passes through an individual IR filter426b, prior to being received by the second wireless receiver404b. The first and second wireless signals are transmitted to the vest controller406for further processing. The vest controller406then conditions the voltages such that they are at an appropriate level to control the first and second feedback devices408,410.

At block612, the vest controller406transmits the conditioned voltage to the first feedback devices408, which then provide a first feedback in response to the first wireless signal. At block614, the vest controller406transmits the conditioned voltage to the second feedback devices410, which then provide a second feedback in response to the second wireless signal. In an embodiment, the first and second feedback devices408,410include a motor which may vibrate in response to the signals from the vest controller406.

While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in the drawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Any combination of the above embodiments is also envisioned and is within the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope of the claims appended hereto.