Image controller

Abstract

An image controller structured for allowing inputs to be converted or translated into electrical outputs, one preferred controller structured with at least a sufficient number of sensors to aid in controlling three-dimensional objects and navigating a three-dimensional viewpoint shown by a display. An active tactile feedback vibrator is mounted as a component of the controller for providing vibration to be felt by a user. Preferred embodiments also incorporate proportional button sensors allowing user variable inputs to cause imagery to be variably controlled.

1 . An image controller for at least in part controlling an image generation machine, said image generation machine for controlling imagery shown by a display; 
 said image controller comprising,    a member graspable by a human user's hand;    a first button, said first button at least in part exposed exterior of said member to be depressible by a finger of a hand grasping said member, said first button structured to rotate upon depression by a finger,    a first proportional sensor, said first proportional sensor mounted within said member and activatable by rotation of said first button;    a second button, said second button at least in part exposed exterior of said member to be depressible by a finger of a hand grasping said member, said second button structured to rotate upon depression by a finger,    a second proportional sensor, said second proportional sensor mounted within said member and activatable by rotation of said second button;    the first and second buttons are variably depressible, and the first and second proportional sensors are structured to vary electrical output related to variable depression of the associated buttons, said output communicated to    the image generation machine causing imagery shown by the display to be variably controlled through variable depression of the first and second buttons;    a two-axes input structure at least in part supported by said member, said two-axes input structure associated with sensors for sensing two axes of inputs;    the first and second proportional sensors are at least in part connected to a sheet;    the sensors associated with said two-axes input structure are at least in part connected to said sheet;    active tactile feedback structure for providing feedback to a hand grasping said member, said active tactile feedback structure is positioned within said member.    
   
   
       2 . An image controller according to  claim 1  further comprising 
 a third proportional sensor is pressure-sensitive and includes a resilient dome cap, and    a fourth proportional sensor is pressure-sensitive and includes a resilient dome cap;    the resilient dome caps of the third and the fourth proportional sensors are each structured to provide a break-over tactile feedback.    
   
   
       3 . An image controller according to  claim 2  further comprising the resilient dome caps of the third and the fourth proportional sensors are each structured with a portion to impinge against an underlying electrically conductive element, said electrically conductive element at least engaging circuit traces when impinged upon.  
   
   
       4 . An image controller according to  claim 3  further comprising the portions of the resilient dome caps of the third and fourth proportional sensors, the portions which impinge against the underlying electrically conductive elements, are substantially convexed shaped portions.  
   
   
       5 . An image controller according to  claim 4  further comprising 
 said circuit traces supported on said sheet.    
   
   
       6 . An image controller according to  claim 5  further comprising 
 said active tactile feedback structure includes a motor.    
   
   
       7 . An image controller according to  claim 6  further comprising 
 an offset weight mounted on a shaft of said motor.    
   
   
       8 . An image controller according to  claim 7  wherein said controller is a hand held three-dimensional graphics controller.  
   
   
       9 . An image controller according to  claim 1  wherein the sensors associated with said two-axes input structure are two bi-directional sensors.  
   
   
       10 . An image controller according to  claim 1  wherein the sensors associated with said two-axes input structure are four unidirectional sensors.  
   
   
       11 . An image controller according to  claim 10  wherein said two-axes input structure includes four resilient dome caps.  
   
   
       12 . An image controller for at least in part controlling an image generation machine, said image generation machine for controlling imagery; 
 said image controller comprising,    a member graspable by a human user's hand;    a first pivotally mounted button, said first pivotally mounted button at least in part exposed exterior of said member to be depressible by a finger of a hand grasping said member,    a first proportional sensor, said first proportional sensor mounted within said member and activatable by depression of said first pivotally mounted button;    said first pivotally mounted button is variably depressible, and said first proportional sensor is structured to vary electrical output related to variable depression of the pivotally mounted button, said output communicated to    the image generation machine causing imagery to be variably controlled through variable depression of said first pivotally mounted button;    active tactile feedback structure for providing feedback to a hand grasping said member, said active tactile feedback structure is positioned within said member.    
   
   
       13 . An image controller according to  claim 12  further comprising 
 a second pivotally mounted button, said second pivotally mounted button at least in part exposed exterior of said member to be depressible by a finger of a hand grasping said member,    a second proportional sensor, said second proportional sensor mounted within said member and activatable by depression of said second pivotally mounted button;    said second pivotally mounted button is variably depressible, and said second proportional sensor is structured to vary electrical output related to variable depression of the second pivotally mounted button, said output communicated to    the image generation machine causing imagery to be variably controlled through variable depression of said second pivotally mounted button.    
   
   
       14 . An image controller according to  claim 13  further comprising 
 a two-axes input structure at least in part supported by said member, said two-axes input structure associated with sensors for sensing two axes of inputs.    
   
   
       15 . An image controller according to  claim 14  further comprising 
 the first and second proportional sensors are at least in part connected to a sheet.    
   
   
       16 . An image controller according to  claim 15  further comprising 
 the sensors associated with said two-axes input structure are at least in part connected to said sheet.    
   
   
       17 . An image controller according to  claim 16  further comprising 
 a third proportional sensor activated by a single-finger depressible individual button, and    a fourth proportional sensor activated by a single-finger depressible individual button.    
   
   
       18 . An image controller according to  claim 17  further comprising 
 said third proportional sensor is pressure-sensitive and includes a resilient dome cap, and    said fourth proportional sensor is pressure-sensitive and includes a resilient dome cap.    
   
   
       19 . An image controller according to  claim 18  further comprising the resilient dome caps of the third and the fourth proportional sensors are each structured to provide a break-over tactile feedback.  
   
   
       20 . An image controller according to  claim 19  further comprising the resilient dome caps of the third and the fourth proportional sensors are each structured with a portion to impinge against an underlying electrically conductive element, said electrically conductive element at least engaging circuit traces when impinged upon.  
   
   
       21 . An image controller according to  claim 20  further comprising the portions, of the resilient dome caps which impinge against the underlying electrically conductive elements, are substantially convexed shaped portions.  
   
   
       22 . An image controller according to  claim 21  further comprising 
 said circuit traces supported on said sheet.    
   
   
       23 . An image controller according to  claim 22  further comprising 
 said active tactile feedback structure includes a motor.    
   
   
       24 . An image controller according to  claim 23  further comprising 
 an offset weight mounted on said motor.    
   
   
       25 . An image controller according to  claim 24  wherein said controller is a hand held three-dimensional graphics controller.