AU1551900A

AU1551900A - Joystick with a microphone

Info

Publication number: AU1551900A
Application number: AU15519/00A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Marian Trinkel
Original assignee: Deutsche Telekom AG
Current assignee: Deutsche Telekom AG
Priority date: 1998-11-23
Filing date: 1999-11-08
Publication date: 2000-06-13
Anticipated expiration: 2019-11-08
Also published as: IL137426A0; EP1047986B1; JP2002530771A; AU755309B2; CA2316965A1; EP1047986A1; WO2000031605A1; IL137426A; ATE270783T1; CN1288537A; DE19853887C1; DE59909912D1

Abstract

The invention relates to a joystick (1) that controls a computer, comprising a microphone (6) which is integrated into the free end of the handle (2) of said joystick.

Description

1 Joystick with microphone Description 5 The invention relates to a joystick for controlling a computer, said joystick additionally comprising a microphone. Such a joystick is known from DE 298 04 706. Since conventional joysticks for computers comprise merely a joystick handle and a plurality of function buttons for the manual input 10 of commands which are difficult to use fluently for certain applications, it may take too long, particularly in the case of fast-moving games, before certain buttons have been found and pressed. It has therefore been proposed to provide the joystick with a voice interface, particularly a 15 microphone, by means of which voice commands of the user can be recorded and converted into analog input signals. The microphone is held in a separate flexible holding arm in which it can be positioned close to the mouth of a user. Said holding arm, as an additional component, results in additional production and assembly costs. 20 The object of the invention, therefore, is to improve a joystick of the initially mentioned kind such that, with simple design, low-cost producibility and easy operability, additional components are not required and, nevertheless, efficient recording of the voice commands is guaranteed. 25 The object of the invention is achieved by a joystick according to claim 1. An essential feature is that the microphone is integrated into the free end of the joystick handle. This makes it possible to dispense with an additional holding arm, with the result that not only are costs saved in production and assembly, but also the joystick is easier to use and to 30 store. The integration of the microphone into the tip of the handle is of simple design and permits efficient recording of the voice commands since, when in use, the handle is usually pointed towards the head of the user. z 2 Especially reliable recording of the voice commands can be achieved in that at least one further microphone and electronics for reducing the ambient noises are integrated into the housing of the joystick. Such electronic circuits are in themselves known. 5 In addition, it is especially advantageous if laminations for bundling the sound waves are disposed on the microphone(s). Such acoustic lenses are known from loudspeakers. It is further advantageous if a loudspeaker is integrated into the housing of the joystick. It is possible in this manner to obtain certain acoustic effects which cannot be achieved with a 10 loudspeaker installed in the computer or positioned near the screen. An especially low-cost embodiment of the joystick can be achieved in that individual parts of the joystick form the resonance surface for a microphone or for the loudspeaker. 15 For certain games the joystick may preferably also be in the form of an airplane control column or a steering wheel. Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description and from the example embodiments presented in the drawings, in which: 20 Fig. 1 shows the handle of a joystick according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows a variant of a joystick; and 25 Fig. 3 shows a further embodiment of a handle. The joystick 1 shown in Fig. 1 has a handle 2 which is pivoted on a basic housing 3 (not shown in detail). A microphone 6 is integrated into the front region 4 of the free end 5 of the handle 2. The microphone 6 may be positioned either behind one or more openings 30 inside the free end 5 or directly exposed on the outside at the free end of the handle 2. Provided next to the microphone 6 are function buttons 7 for the input of manual commands. 7' 3 With the joystick 1 in the usually employed position, the region 4 and therefore also the microphone 6 point towards the head of the user, with the result that the sound waves directly impinge on the microphone 6. Irrespective of the instantaneous position of the 5 handle 2 in relation to the basic housing 3, the free end 5 is the point of the joystick 1 nearest to the mouth of the user. Integrally formed in the region 4 of the free end 5 in front of the microphone 6 are a plurality of laminations 8 which particularly effectively bundle the impinging sound waves 10 and direct them to the microphone 6. In an alternative embodiment, the microphone 4' may also be attached directly to the free end 5 of the handle 2, as is shown by the broken line in Fig. 3. Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of a joystick 1 in which a second microphone 9 for recording 15 the ambient noises is disposed in the basic housing 3. By means of an in itself known electronic differentiating circuit it is thus possible for disturbing ambient noises to be reduced to a minimum. The joystick 1 shown in Fig. 3 is a further variant in which the handle 2 itself or individual parts 10 thereof form the diaphragm of the microphone 6. This makes it possible for the 20 production costs to be further reduced since a complete separate microphone is no longer required. eAk

Claims

1. Joystick for controlling a computer, with a microphone, characterized in that 5 the microphone (6) is integrated into the free end of the joystick handle (2).

2 . Joystick according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one further microphone (9) and electronics for reducing the ambient noises are integrated into the housing (3) of the joystick (1). 10

3 .Joystickaccordingtoclaim 1 or2, characterized in that laminations (8) for bundling the sound waves are disposed on the microphone(s) (4, 9).

4. Joystick according to any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t 15 a loudspeaker is integrated into the housing (3) of the joystick (1).

5. Joystick according to any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t individual parts (10) of the joystick (1) form the resonance surface for a microphone or for the loudspeaker. 20

6. Joystick according to any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t said joystick is in the form of an airplane control column or a steering wheel. S 7