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. Some preferred embodiments also incorporate proportional sensors allowing user variable inputs to cause imagery to be variably controlled.

1 . A multiple axes controller, comprising:
 at least twelve sensors sensing inputs to the controller from a human user, the twelve sensors providing outputs at least in part controlling three-dimensional imagery shown by an electronic display;   a single first button positioned on the controller is depressible by a finger of the human user to actuate   a first sensor of said sensors and   a second sensor of said sensors;   said first sensor is a proportional sensor,   said second sensor is a switch capable of indicating an On state when actuated;   a single second button positioned on the controller is depressible by a finger of the human user to actuate   a third sensor of said sensors and   a fourth sensor of said sensors;   said third sensor is a proportional sensor,   said fourth sensor is a switch capable of indicating an On state when actuated;   a two-axes member supported on said controller, said two-axes member positioned to activate four sensors,   the four sensors comprising:   a fifth sensor and a sixth sensor for sensing movement of said member about the first axis;   a seventh sensor and an eighth sensor for sensing movement of said member about the second axis.   
   
   
       2 . A multiple axes controller according to  claim 1 , wherein actuation of at least one of the first and second sensors activates a turn-on tactile feedback. 
   
   
       3 . A three-dimensional imagery controller, comprising:
 at least twelve sensors sensing inputs by a human and outputting electrical outputs, the sensor outputs controlling at least in part the three dimensional imagery;   a pivotally mounted first button positioned on the controller is depressible by a finger of the human, said first button positioned to variably actuate   a first proportional sensor of the at least twelve sensors, the first proportional sensor outputting a first proportional output, the first proportional output variably controlling the three-dimensional imagery;   a pivotally mounted second button positioned on the controller is depressible by a finger of the human, said second button positioned to variably actuate   a second proportional sensor of the at least twelve sensors, the second proportional sensor outputting a second proportional output, the second proportional output variably controlling the three-dimensional imagery;   a rotating stick member, said rotating stick member positioned to actuate a plurality of the twelve sensors.   
   
   
       4 . An image generation device and an associated handheld image controller, comprising:
 an image generation device, the image generation device creating imagery capable of being displayed by a television;   a hand-held image controller communicates with the image generation device, the hand-held image controller comprising:   at least twelve sensors are positioned within the controller, the at least twelve sensors sensing inputs by a human and controlling imagery creation of the image generation device;   a first button positioned on the controller is depressible by a finger of the human, the first button is positioned to variably actuate
 a first proportional sensor of the at least twelve sensors, the first proportional sensor variably controlling the imagery creation of the image generation device; 
   a second button positioned on the controller is depressible by a finger of the human, the second button is positioned to variably actuate
 a second proportional sensor of the at least twelve sensors, the second proportional sensor variably controlling the imagery creation of the image generation device; 
   a stick member is combined with the controller, the stick member structured to actuate at least one of the at least twelve sensors.   
   
   
       5 . An image generation device and an associated hand-held image controller according to  claim 4 , wherein the image generation device and the controller are built at least for a game and variable movement of the stick member on two axes variably controls the image creation of the image generation device. 
   
   
       6 . A process of controlling three-dimensional imagery and providing feedback, the process comprising:
 receiving at least twelve signals representing at least twelve sensors, utilizing the at least twelve signals to control the three-dimensional imagery;   receiving a first button signal, the first button signal representing a first proportional sensor activated by depression of a first button by a human finger of the human user,
 utilizing the first button signal to control, at least in part, the three-dimensional imagery; 
   receiving a second button signal, the second button signal representing a second proportional sensor activated by depression of a second button by a human finger of the human user,
 utilizing the second button signal to control, at least in part, the three-dimensional imagery; 
   receiving at least two signals, the at least two signals representing at least two sensors activated by a stick moved on two axes by the human user,
 utilizing the at least two signals to control, at least in part, the three dimensional imagery.