GB2583113A - Multi configurable multi touch video game controller with surround sense and tilt balance - Google Patents

Abstract

A gaming controller has a plurality of controls disposed on the surface of the controller. Control of direction and the resolution may be made using a capacitive micro switch, Fig 2 and Fig 3 via use of Halo rings. Each ring may incorporate a plurality of segments where additional segments increase the resolution to provide a more discrete level of directional control. The segments may determine the position of fingers through electrical impedance. Surround sense and tilt and balance may be configured within the controller via the use of vibration rumble motors and gyroscopes and accelerometers respectively.

Description

Description Document

Title: Multi Configurable Multi Touch Video Game Controller The Multi configurable Multi Touch video game controller is a new type of game controller that has been inspired by the minds of people like Ray Harryhausen, Ken Perlin and the Natural Motion Euphoria team. These people and companies have developed animation and graphics techniques that have made users and individuals be able to believe that they can create or play with imaginative realities for pleasure, interaction or both. The controller combines both; delivering unbelievably fun experiences.

The controller has four elements that make it a powerhouse of a controller these give it enhanced control, configuration and sense awareness abilities. These unique component elements are: * Multi Configurable Multi Touch Controls * Halo rings * Surround sense * Tilt and Balance technology The interactive capabilities of this controller will eclipse all other controllers of this current generation out of the game. It has the potential to become the standard of developers, manufacturers and commercial video game players. Touch, motion, control and feel are the keywords that video players will come to know well and appreciate.

Durability and robustness are a given, as there are limited mechanical parts that a user could ware down through physical interaction. This Guarantees a much longer life span of the product allowing users to keeping their costs to a minimum and be more environmentally friendly, due to the inability to repair current generation video game controllers effectively.

There is even a scope for controlling drones, home automation and other machinery in regards to aspects of the controller.

Background:

Related examples of inspiration: htths://science.howstuffworks.comiinnovationiscience OnSitClliCh-SeilSibVe mp.htni httoslien.wikipedia.orgkviki/Turbo Touch 350 hi:t0s:Ilen.wiici{Jedra orahnikiiStrarn Controller titths://www.voutube.cornly,:aLch?vHxiblAHnd10 httos://www.voutube.comiwatch?v,HauN98naZ9LJ

Summary:

The Multi Configurable Multi Touch is a Semi digital/analogue control. Its unique feature that has been invented for game experiences is the development of capacitance cell technology. Halo ring is a new design for a general D-pad from a traditional controller increasing the ease of use and flexibility to user. There are other adaptable configurations available. Surround Sense technology is technology that manages vibration/rumble motors to effectively give a sense of a surround of an object or scene though the tactile feel through the controller body. Tilt and balance data is computed by the use of sensors" this gives another level of control and interactivity to users and developers.

Figure Descriptions:

Ref: 1 Outline of the Multi Configurable Multi Touch Video Game Controller Ref: 2 Multi Configurable Multi Touch (*) Ref: 2a Multi Configurable Multi Touch, examples of (touch motion) configuration types Ref: 3 Halo Ring (*) Ref: 4 Surround Sense configuration Ref: S Tilt and Balance configuration Description of the Preferred Embodiment: Multi Configurable Multi Touch Video Game Controller

Claims (1)

1. Claims Document Claim 1 Multi Configurable Multi Touch Control/s (Ref: 1, 2*, 2a) A circular configurable device for interpreting a direction and/or force to a video game object or camera, using a person' s thumb/s or finger/s tips, when playing video games, using menu systems and interactivity within computer equipment and interactive games and systems. It is made of two component parts: The Outer Rings configuration is made of 72 (direction) x 25 (force) individual capacitance sensitive cells. The resolution of the cell rings (force) can be increased dependent on manufacturing issues and developers purposes, required sensitivity and mathematics. The cells are aligned to the cardinal positions of a compass: i.e. north, east, south and west for the purpose of directional controls. The resolution of the cell rings (directions) maybe be increased to (x1 degree) of separation from (x5 degrees), dependent on manufacturing issues, developers purposes and required sensitivity and/or mathematics of construct. The cells are computed using individual cell reference checking algorithms. The device can use movement monitoring, thumb position checking and context relation using mathematical algorithms/programming code. Each cell can be grouped and arranged in context to its unique mathematics, cardinal directions, developers needs and situational use and in relation to the Cross-Hair component.The Cross-Hair configuration is made of 24 individual capacitance sensitive cells(round/square) arranged in a cross-shaped area about the size of an average thumb tip. The cells are aligned to the cardinal positions of a compass: i.e. north, east, south and west, for easily interpreting of 8/72/360 the degree directional controls, when using position, context and movement monitoring using mathematical algorithms/programming code. Each cell can be grouped and arranged in context to its unique mathematics, cardinal directions, developers needs and situational use and in relation to the Outer Ring component.The simple symmetrical design of the Multi Configurable Multi touch Video Game Controller allows for the swapping of use and cell configurations of the Multi Configurable Multi Touch Control/s by right and left-handed users for the purposes of interactivity and ergonomics.Developers will have a new level of animation control and interactivity, as well as users having a high level of customisation and configuration abilities, as well as have a greater scope of play in video games.Other technology could be adapted and/or integrated to use with the control' s configurations and the control' s interactive capabilities.Claim 2 Halo Ring/s (Ref: 1, 3*) The Halo Ring is essentially an updated D-Pad used on traditional video game pads. It complements the Multi configurable Multi Touch Control by surrounding that device and allowing users thumbs/digits to access additional digital switches arranged in a raised body halo ring configuration around the Multi Configurable Multi Touch Control/s. Its micro-switch button configuration is aligned to the cardinal positions of a compass: i.e. north, east, south and west for the purposes of easily interpreting x8 directional control movement, video game action/dialogues and interactivity i.e. video game characters interaction, menu controls etc. The simple symmetrical design of the Multi Configurable Multi touch Video Game Controller allows for the swapping of use of the digital button' s configurations, when using the Halo Ring/s by right or left-handed users for the purposes of interactivity and ergonomics.It is also possible to develop interchangeable and/or multi purpose capacitance cell versions of the Halo Ring configurations dependant on manufacturing issues, developers' and required sensitivity and/or mathematics of construct.Developers will have a new level of interaction control, users will also have a greater scope of play in video games.Other technology could be adapted and/or integrated to use with the control' s configurations and the control' s interactive capabilities.Claim 3 Surround Sense (Ref: 1, 4) The Surround Sense technology manages the interaction of x4 vibration/rumble motors though the body of the controller to a users hands. This feature enables a sense of direction from within a video game to the outside world though the controller, this could be the direction a video game player is shot at or the sense of surface of a wall or bounded area.The x4 vibration/rumble motors are positioned square and parallel to each other with the body of the controller to maximise the surround sense control design and maximise the users perceptiveness of vibration variations in relation to their hands. The organised and exact placement placement of vibration/rumble motors and thoughtful mathematical calibration techniques will allow for a new ways of experiencing and feeling force feedback in a video game and allow more fluid interaction of the users in there gaming environments, by alerting a user to potential game mechanics. Developers will have to develop new creative ways influencing outcomes of game play, while options that where available before will still exist.The x4 vibration/rumble motors can work independently or together, depending on the game or developers requirements. The Surround Sense technology set-up manages and synchronises the data from x4 vibration/rumble motors, this is dependent on developers needs and/or player interactions. These interactions are then outputted to the various x4 vibration/rumble motors in an organised fashion or un-organised fashion as required. These vibrations can produce a sense of a round body, by producing a left side, right side, fronts, back and and 4x 45 degree vibrational sense in a synchronised out put or output and chaotic atmosphere if developer requires, It is configurable.Depending on the nature of the x4 vibration/rumble motors used, the control of intensity can be configured and synchronised in the set-up.Claim 4 Tilt and Balance (Ref: 1, 5) The Tilt and Balance configuration and technology manages the interaction of x4 accelerometer and x1 gyroscope of the Multi Configurable Multi Touch Video Game Controller. This feature enables a enables a developer to develop games to have a subtle or exaggerated physics basis or enable clever manipulation of objects and/or camera.The x4 accelerometer sensors aligned to the cardinal positions of a compass: i.e. north, east, south and west, for the easy interpreting of controller positional data in relation to the users hand controller inputs and controller body. The controller design will maximise the position of the x4 accelerometers to maximise the users sense of interaction. The mathematical symmetrical aspect of the controller and positional layout of sensors, when holding by user will enabling a sense of balance and feel in the desired interaction when tilting, swaying or other creative uses in game. The x1 gyroscope is positioned centrally on the main body for the easy interpreting of computational data from the x6 axis provided of in relation to the controller body.The Tilt and Balance technology set-up manages and synchronises the data from the x4 accelerometer and x1 gyroscope data in relation to each component monitoring the position, angle of flow and sway using calculating mathematical algorithms. These mathematical calculated movements and positions of the users hold of the controller will be mathematical calculated and outputted to the create the interactive experience, providing excellent physics based interactiveness.The careful placement of the 5 sensors, allows for the use balancing algorithms and thoughtful mathematical calibration techniques between component parts of controller. These techniques will allow for new subtle and exaggerated ways of controlling aspects of a video game and allow more skill based interactions, the users will benefit from an imaginative developer' s gaming environments and interactive objects, by making fluid physics based interactions and new gaming choices available.