U.S. Pat. No. 7,976,385

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-3illustrate a controller that is used in a video game according to an embodiment of the present invention. More particularly,FIGS. 1-3illustrate a steering wheel that is used in video game simulations or on screen movement or control of cars or other vehicles, such as planes and boats; however, it is noted that this game controller can be any type of controller desired and used for any game desired and is not limited to the type of vehicle or a vehicle at all. The present device is preferably used for game systems, such as PLAYSTATION, PLAYSTATION ONE, PLAYSTATION 2, XBOX, and GAMECUBE, but can be used in any type of video game system or computer system desired. Preferably, the game controller is in electronic communication with a game system or computer and is adapted or configured for substantially uninterrupted or uninterrupted control of an aspect of a video game. For example, the game controller preferably controls on screen movement of a vehicle or other aspect of a video game.

As shown specifically inFIGS. 1 and 2, the present device is preferably a steering wheel10and is plastic and substantially circular or wheel-shaped with a central hub12, a peripheral portion14and three spokes16,18and20; however, it is noted that the steering wheel can be formed from any material desired, have any shape or configuration desired and is not limited to the specific shape described herein.

Central hub12is generally circular and has a front portion23and a back portion25. Front portion23is preferably rigidly connected to the spokes16,18and20and has a front surface or side22. Surface22can have ornamental designs or logos, if desired.

Back portion25is preferably generally circular with a back surface or side24and is rotatably coupled to front portion23. The back side24has interlocking or latch mechanisms or tabs26extending therefrom. Tabs26are adapted to allow the steering wheel10to attach to a steering column (not shown) that is in electrical communication with a game system, computer or other suitable device. Furthermore, a pin connector28is located at about the center (or any other portion) of the back side and is adapted to couple to a suitable connector on the steering column to allow electrical communication between the steering wheel and the game system or computer.

Back portion25of the hub can pivot relative to the front portion23such that when the hub is coupled to the steering column it acts as a steering wheel. In other words, the wheel can turn through a predetermined arc such that on screen activity can be controlled in a substantially continuous or uninterrupted manner. Preferably, the steering wheel has a center or neutral position to which the wheel generally returns when no outside forces are applied thereto. The wheel can be turned to the left or right of the central or neutral position through a predetermined arc. The wheel can have end stops such that the wheel can only turn through a specific radial arc, or the wheel can turn through one complete circle, multiple circles or have no rotational limit. Signals are sent through the pin connector28through the steering column and into a computer, video game console or video game system, such that the computer and/or computer software (i.e., computer readable code) is capable of determining the distance or movement of the steering wheel and effect on screen movement of a vehicle or other on screen aspect of the game.

Extending from the periphery30of the central hub12are four paddles32,34,36and38. Each paddle is substantially similar to each other paddle and is coupled to the central hub such that it can pivot toward the front side of the central hub. Each paddle is adapted to pivot at the proximal end36and activates a switch or mechanism within the central hub, if desired. It is noted that it is not necessary to have any paddles or specifically four paddles and the device can have no paddles or any number of paddles desired. Additionally, it is not necessary for each of the paddles to be adapted to pivot or when pivoted to activate a switch or mechanism. In other words, one, none, all or any number of the paddles can be for ornamental purpose only, and not specifically function for any on screen gaming action.

Additionally control buttons such as buttons41and43can be positioned on the rear portion or surface45of the peripheral portion14. Preferably, these buttons are sized and configured and positioned in a convenient location or position for use with a finger or multiple fingers, but each button can be sized and configured and positioned in any suitable position or location desired. For example, buttons41and43can be positioned on the spokes, the central hub, the peripheral portion or any portion or combination of portions thereof.

Spokes16,18and20extend from the front portion21of central hub12to the peripheral portion14and connect hub12to peripheral portion14. Each spoke can be any suitable shape and configuration desired and can partially surround, completely surround or merely be attached to the hub12. The spokes can have game play buttons or switches located thereon. For example, the spokes can have buttons40,42,44,46and48thereon. The buttons can be located on an individual spoke, or partially one spoke and the partially on the hub12, partially on one spoke and the peripheral portion, partially on multiple spokes (i.e., at a location where two spokes intersect or meet) or on any other suitable position. Furthermore, it is noted that there can be any number of spokes desired.

The peripheral portion14preferably is generally tubular or has a cross section that is substantially circular, but can be any shape or configuration desired. Additionally, the peripheral portion can have grips or raised portions50,52and54that can enhance gripping or merely can be for aesthetic value. However, it is not necessary to have any grips or specifically three grips. In fact there can be any number of grips desired or no grips.

Grip52has an arcuate, inwardly extending protrusion thereon. This enables a configuration of control buttons58to be positioned on the peripheral portion14or wheel10. The configuration of control buttons preferably includes four buttons58a-d, which are used to control certain on-screen functions and/or actions. However, it is noted that is not necessary to have this specific configuration of buttons and there can be any number (including zero) of buttons positioned on the peripheral portion of the wheel or any other type of control device, such as a thumb stick, a directional pad or any type desired.

Adjacent the configuration of control buttons58is an additional button60, which activates the acceleration lock feature of the game. Button60is adapted to allow setting of the acceleration level. That is, if the acceleration of the on-screen car or other device is increased after setting or locking the acceleration level, once you stop accelerating, the acceleration level will automatically drop back to the set point. When the acceleration level is set or locked a light will be lit indicating that the acceleration lock is set.

Grip54has an arcuate, inwardly extending protrusion thereon. This enables a directional control pad64to be positioned on the peripheral portion14of wheel10. The directional pad64is preferably a plus shape and configured to control certain on-screen functions and/or actions as is known in the art. However, it is noted that is not necessary to have this specific configuration of a directional pad and there type of control device positioned thereon, such as a thumb stick, actions buttons, etc.

The steering wheel10includes an adjustment device that is adapted to alter or change the sensitivity level of at least on control device without interrupting the signal sent by the control device. Preferably, the adjustment device is configured to affect the sensitivity of the movement of the steering wheel relative to the steering column. However, it is noted that the adjustment device can adjust the sensitivity of any desired control device or multiple control devices.

The adjustment device includes two buttons66and68that are preferably adjacent the directional pad, but can be positioned in any suitable place or position on the device. Buttons66and68control the sensitivity of the steering mechanism. Preferably buttons66and68are marked (+) and (−), respectively. By pressing the (+) or (−) button, a signal is transmitted to software or a computer usable medium that increases or decreases the sensitivity of the steering angle or the maximum steering angle. For example, in one embodiment, with a reduced maximum steering angle, rotation of the steering wheel allows the maximum steering in the game to be achieved with less rotation of the wheel, thus increasing the sensitivity. Conversely, the steering sensitivity is reduced by increasing the maximum angle that the steering wheel will turn to achieve maximum steering in the game. It is noted that the sensitivity control device can be formed in any manner desired and does not necessarily include two buttons as described herein.

The sensitivity change is governed by two parameters; (1) the value obtained when the voltage signal from the steering wheel is digitized by a 12-bit Analog/Digital Converter and (2) the sensitivity level that is set by pressing the (+)/(−) button. Depending on the sensitivity level that is set or adapted to be stored in memory in the steering mechanism or computer usable medium, the resolution of the output is increased or decreased by inserting or removing values between the table elements.

For example, in one embodiment, more values inserted in the table will give greater sensitivity and vice versa. The wheel output value or the value that is assigned to a predetermined movement of the steering mechanism will form part of a new output that is sent to the game console.

The preferred resolution for a game console output report for a button/wheel is 8-bits (256 steps) and the Analog/Digital converter used for input is 12-bits (4096 steps). Look-up tables with 256 elements can be setup for each sensitivity level for the input to output mapping. The software or computer readable code will check the current sensitivity level and use the dedicated table for that sensitivity level to get the output value. As the resolution from the input side is higher than the output side, the extra details from the input can be used to refine the output value by interpolation of two adjacent elements from the table.

The selected sensitivity of the controller can be stored for further use in memory of the steering wheel, if desired, or the sensitivity can revert to a default level if there is no suitable memory in the wheel. The memory can be any suitable type of memory and can store the sensitivity level or value for a limited time or an indefinite time.

When the sensitivity is high, a small wheel angle change will result in a large change in output report value. The benefits of software interpolation can easily be seen in the table below:

Without software interpolation100100100100100110110110110110120With software interpolation100102104106108110112114116118120

As can be seen from the above table, software interpolation can give a more refined value for each button in a report to the game console (e.g. when a user turns the wheel slowly at high sensitivity, the output report value for the wheel would be as reflected).

In other words, as shown inFIG. 3, the steering mechanism and/or memory is adapted to accept a first sensitivity level that is either a default value or a value altered by the sensitivity control buttons66and68. The first sensitivity level sends a signal to the game console that effects a first predetermined level of movement of the on screen vehicle or display based on a first predetermined distance of movement of the steering mechanism. Additionally, when the first sensitivity level is changed to the second sensitivity level, the steering mechanism and/or memory is adapted to accept the second sensitivity level. The second sensitivity level affects a second predetermined level of movement of the on screen vehicle based on a second predetermined distance of movement of said steering mechanism.

Preferably, in this specific example, the second predetermined level of movement is less that the first predetermined level of movement and the second predetermined level of distance is greater than the than the first level of predetermined level of distance. That is, when the steering wheel is moved in small increments, the on screen vehicle turns in large increments, thus making the on screen vehicle more responsive for sharper quicker turns. This exemplary model of the first and second sensitivity levels is merely for ease of understanding the overall disclosure and is not meant to limit the invention in any manner.

For example, if desired the second predetermined level of movement could be less than the first predetermined level of movement and the second predetermined level of distance could be less than the first level of predetermined level of distance. Furthermore, when the first sensitivity value is accepted by the steering mechanism and/or memory the movement of the on screen vehicle is incapable of movement at the second predetermined level of movement. However, when the second sensitivity value is accepted by the steering mechanism and/or memory, the movement of the on screen vehicle is capable of movement at least one of (and preferably both) the first level of predetermined movement and the second predetermined level of movement. That is when the steering mechanism is turned in small increments, the on screen vehicle turns in small increments, thus making the steering wheel more sensitive (i.e., fine tuning the responsiveness of the vehicle for precise movement).

It is noted that any of the above described control devices, including action buttons, directions pads, steering wheel movement or any other aspect of controlling the on screen action and/or movement are optional and not all above described control devices are necessary. Any of these control devices can be ornamental, nonfunctional or nonexistent and any combination of the each and all of the above described control devices can be used.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.