Image controller

Abstract

An image controller having a plurality of movable members structured for allowing inputs to be converted or translated into electrical outputs, one preferred controller structured with a sufficient number of sensors to aid in controlling three-dimensional objects and navigating a three-dimensional viewpoint shown by a display. Some preferred embodiments incorporate an active tactile feedback vibrator and or break-over feedback for providing feedback to a user. Proportional button sensors are used allowing user variable inputs to cause imagery to be variably controlled.

1 . A controller controlling imagery of an electronic game, the controller comprising: 
 a housing;    a plurality of members associated with the housing and receiving inputs from a human user; the plurality of members positioned to activate    sensors, the sensors sensing the inputs by the user and providing outputs related to the sensed inputs, the outputs at least in part controlling the electronic game;    a first member of the plurality of members is a first button, the first button is associated with a first proportional pressure-sensitive variable output sensor of the sensors, the first proportional pressure-sensitive variable output sensor receiving varying input force and providing a variable output representing the varying input force;    a second of the plurality of members is a second button, the second button is associated with a second proportional pressure-sensitive variable output sensor of the sensors, the second proportional pressure-sensitive variable output sensor receiving varying input force and providing a variable output representing the varying input force;    a third member of the plurality of members is a stick member moveable in three axes,    a fourth member of the plurality of members is moveable in three axes,    structure within the controller providing feedback detectable by the user as a result of making the inputs.    
   
   
       2 . A controller according to  claim 1  further comprising said structure within the controller providing feedback detectable by the user includes a motor with weight.  
   
   
       3 . A hand-held controller controlling electronic imagery, the controller comprising: 
 reference structure associated with a plurality of moveable    structural members, the structural members receiving physical inputs from a human user; the structural members are positioned to activate    sensors, the sensors sensing the physical inputs by the user and providing electrical outputs related to the sensed inputs, the outputs at least in part controlling the electronic imagery;    a first of the structural members is a stick member moveable on three axes;    a second of the structural members is a finger depressible first button, the first button is associated with a first proportional pressure-sensitive variable output sensor of the sensors, the first proportional pressure-sensitive variable output sensor receiving varying input force and providing a variable output representing the varying input force;    a third of the structural members is a finger depressible second button, the second button is associated with a second proportional pressure-sensitive variable output sensor of the sensors, the second proportional pressure-sensitive variable output sensor receiving varying input force and providing a variable output representing the varying input force.    
   
   
       4 . A hand-held controller according to  claim 3  further comprising structure mounted within the controller providing feedback detectable by the user.  
   
   
       5 . A hand-held controller according to  claim 4  wherein said structure mounted within the controller providing feedback detectable by the user is a snapping mechanism which creates a snap when said stick member is pushed toward said reference structure.  
   
   
       6 . A hand-held controller according to  claim 4  further comprising the structure providing feedback detectable by the user is active.  
   
   
       7 . A hand-held controller according to  claim 4  further comprising the structure providing feedback detectable by the user is passive.  
   
   
       8 . A controller controlling imagery of an electronic game, the controller comprising: 
 a housing; associated with the housing are a plurality of    input members receiving inputs from a user; the input members positioned to activate    sensors, the sensors sensing the inputs by the user and providing outputs related to the sensed inputs, the outputs at least in part controlling the electronic game;    a first of the input members includes a shaft which is depressible toward the housing, depression of the shaft by a user input activating a sensor of the sensors which provides a feedback sensation detectable by the user, the shaft is additionally moveable on two mutually perpendicular axes,    a second of the input members is a finger depressible individual first button, the individual first button is associated with a first proportional pressure-sensitive variable output sensor of the sensors, the first proportional pressure-sensitive variable output sensor receiving varying input force and providing a variable output representing the varying input force;    a third of the input members is a finger depressible individual second button, the individual second button is associated with a second proportional pressure-sensitive variable output sensor of the sensors, the second proportional pressure-sensitive variable output sensor receiving varying input force and providing a variable output representing the varying input force;    structure associated as part of the controller providing active tactile feedback detectable by the user when making at least some of the inputs; and    structure associated as part of the controller providing break-over feedback detectable by the user when making at least some of the inputs.    
   
   
       9 . A controller controlling an image generation machine, said controller comprising: 
 a housing; supported by the housing is    an input member with associated    sensors, the sensors detecting movement of said input member, said input member moveable on up to three axes; and    a plurality of finger depressible individual buttons with associated sensors; and    at least one of the buttons is associated with a first proportional pressure-sensitive variable output sensor of the sensors, the first proportional pressure-sensitive variable output sensor receiving varying input force and providing a variable output representing the varying input force.    
   
   
       10 . A controller according to  claim 9  comprising said housing is hand-held.  
   
   
       11 . A controller controlling a television based game, the controller comprising: 
 a housing;    a first element rotatable about a first axis and a second axis controlling two axes of the game, said first element depressible toward said housing along a third axis at least in part controlling the game;    a clicking mechanism providing to a user a detectable feedback when said first element is depressed toward said housing.    
   
   
       12 . A controller controlling a television based game, the controller comprising: 
 a housing at least indirectly supporting    a first element rotatable about a first axis and a second axis controlling two axes of the game, said first element depressible toward said housing along a third axis activating a sensor; and    a button positioned to be depressible to activate a pressure-sensitive sensor providing a variable output at least in part variably controlling the game.    
   
   
       13 . A controller controlling a television based game, the controller comprising: 
 a housing at least indirectly supporting    a first element rotatable about a first axis and a second axis controlling two axes of the game, said first element depressible toward said housing along a third axis at least in part controlling the game; and    a second element controlling two axes of the game, said second element depressible toward said housing along a third axis at least in part controlling the game; and    a first button positioned to be depressible with variable force to activate a first pressure-sensitive sensor providing a variable output variably controlling the game; and    a second button positioned to be depressible with variable force to activate a second pressure-sensitive sensor providing a variable output variably controlling the game; and    a third button positioned to be depressible to activate an On/Off sensor providing an On/Off output controlling an On/Off function of the game; and    a motor with weight providing active tactile feedback.    
   
   
       14 . A controller controlling a television based game, the controller comprising: 
 a housing, said housing shaped to be hand held; said housing at least in part supporting    a two axes first actuator rotatable about a first axis and a second axis controlling two axes of the game, said first actuator depressible toward said housing along a third axis;    a clicking mechanism providing to a user a detectable feedback when said first actuator is depressed toward said housing;    a two axes second actuator controlling two axes of the game;    a finger depressible first button positioned to activate an On/Off sensor; and    a finger depressible second button positioned to activate a proportional sensor.