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. A first, second, third and fourth rotary potentiometers are used as at least some of the sensors. An active tactile feedback vibrator is mounted as a component of the controller for providing vibration to be felt by a user. Some preferred embodiments also incorporate proportional button sensors allowing user variable inputs to the button to cause imagery to be variably controlled.

1 . A controller controlling a television based electronic game, comprising: 
 a first two-axes member positioned to activate    four sensors, output of said four sensors controlling the game;    a second two-axes member with structure to activate    a first rotary potentiometer and    a second rotary potentiometer;    a third two-axes member with structure to activate    a third rotary potentiometer and    a fourth rotary potentiometer, output of the potentiometers controlling the game; the members structurally supported by the controller,    a first compound sensor and    a second compound sensor are supported within said controller,    the first compound sensor comprising: 
 a first proportional sensor, and a first simple switched sensor; the second compound sensor comprising:  
 a second proportional sensor, and a second simple switched sensor; output of the compound sensors controlling the game,  
   a motor with offset weight is supported in the controller providing active tactile feedback as vibration to a user.    
   
   
       2 . A controller controlling a television based electronic game, comprising: 
 a first member moveable on two axes and positioned to activate    four sensors, output of said four sensors controlling the game;    a second member moveable on two axes with structure to activate    a first rotary potentiometer and    a second rotary potentiometer;    a third member moveable on two axes with structure to activate    a third rotary potentiometer and    a fourth rotary potentiometer, output of the potentiometers controlling the game; the members structurally supported by the controller and the four rotary potentiometers are solder mounted to    a circuit board sheet, said circuit board sheet is supported within the controller.    
   
   
       3 . A controller according to  claim 2  wherein said controller further comprises 
 a first depressible button positioned to activate    a first proportional sensor supported in said controller, and    a second depressible button positioned to activate    a second proportional sensor supported in said controller.    
   
   
       4 . A controller according to  claim 3  wherein the proportional sensors are pressure-sensitive sensors.  
   
   
       5 . A controller according to  claim 3  wherein the controller further comprises active tactile feedback structure.  
   
   
       6 . A controller according to  claim 5  wherein said active tactile feedback structure comprises a motor and offset weight.  
   
   
       7 . A controller according to  claim 4  further comprises said circuit board sheet supports electronic circuitry and has attached thereto a cable outputting data to the television based electronic game.  
   
   
       8 . A controller controlling a television based electronic game, comprising: 
 a first member moveable on two axes and positioned to activate    four sensors, output of said four sensors controlling the game;    a second member moveable on two axes with structure to activate    a first rotary potentiometer and    a second rotary potentiometer;    a third member moveable on two axes with structure to activate    a third rotary potentiometer and    a fourth rotary potentiometer, output of the potentiometers controlling the game; the members structurally supported by the controller and the four rotary potentiometers are solder mounted to    a circuit board sheet, said circuit board sheet is supported within the controller;    a first depressible button positioned to activate    a first pressure-sensitive proportional sensor supported in said controller;    a second depressible button positioned to activate    a second pressure-sensitive proportional sensor supported in said controller; said circuit board sheet supports    electronic circuitry, said circuit board has attached thereto    a cable communicating data to the television based electronic game.    
   
   
       9 . A controller according to  claim 8  wherein the controller further comprises active tactile feedback structure.  
   
   
       10 . A controller according to  claim 9  wherein said active tactile feedback structure comprises a motor and offset weight.