Haptic Interface

Abstract

Controllers for user interaction with gaming consoles have progressively become more complicated and requiring good manual dexterity of the users to obtain the benefit of todays high resolution, virtual gaming worlds. However, even advanced users of such handheld controllers struggle to implement the required keystroke sequences required in these gaming environments. For those with disabilities, restricted motion, fatigue etc these controllers presented a barrier to their use of such systems. In accordance with embodiments of the invention a controller pad is provided that allows a user to select “buttons”, indicate motion etc with hands, feet, chin, mouth-held pointer etc. In some embodiments of the invention the controller pad also provides force feedback to the user in response to the actions of the user and/or computing environment either to increase the users overall satisfaction or providing stimulus to indicate errors or input requests in other non-gaming computer applications.

1 . A method comprising:
 providing a first unit comprising a base for mounting the first unit to a surface and comprising an upper surface disposed opposite the base and a communications interface supporting communications to a remote device;   providing a second unit for mounting onto the upper surface of the first unit through a pivot disposed between the first unit and second unit;   providing at least a sensor of a plurality of sensors, each sensor of the plurality of sensors for determining a motion of the second unit relative to the first unit in a predetermined direction and providing an output to a circuit, the output determined in dependence of at least one of the displacement of the second unit relative to a reference position and the displacement of the second unit exceeding a predetermined threshold; and   providing the circuit for receiving the output from the at least a sensor and providing control data to the communications interface in dependence of the output.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein,
 the motion in a predetermined direction is at least one of a vertical displacement, a rotational displacement and a linear displacement of the second unit with respect to the first unit. 
 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1  further comprising;
 providing a transducer of a plurality of transducers, each transducer coupled to the second unit and associated with a predetermined portion of the plurality of sensors, the transducer providing at least one of a force and a vibration to the second unit in dependence upon at least one of the outputs of the predetermined portion of the plurality of sensors, the control data, a first signal received from the communications interface, and a second signal from the circuit. 
 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 3  wherein,
 the first signal received from the communications interface is generated by at least one of the remote device and a microprocessor based device connected to the remote device, wherein the at least one of is executing a software application and the first signal is determined in dependence upon at least one of a status of the software application and the control data provided to the software application. 
 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein,
 at least one of the first unit and second unit are dimensioned according to at least one of a predetermined portion of the human body, a prosthetic, and a pointer manipulable by a user. 
 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein,
 the control data varies in dependence to an input received from the communications interface. 
 
     
     
         7 . A device comprising:
 a first unit comprising a base for mounting the first unit to a surface and comprising an upper surface disposed opposite the base and a communications interface supporting communications to a remote device;   a second unit for mounting onto the upper surface of the first unit through a pivot disposed between the first unit and second unit;   at least a sensor of a plurality of sensors, each sensor of the plurality of sensors for determining a motion of the second unit relative to the first unit in a predetermined direction and providing an output to a circuit, the output determined in dependence of at least one of the displacement of the second unit relative to a reference position and the displacement of the second unit exceeding a predetermined threshold; and   the circuit for receiving the output from the at least a sensor and providing control data to the communications interface in dependence of the output.   
     
     
         8 . A device according to  claim 7  wherein,
 the motion in a predetermined direction is at least one of a vertical displacement, a rotational displacement and a linear displacement of the second unit with respect to the first unit. 
 
     
     
         9 . A device according to  claim 7  further comprising;
 a transducer of a plurality of transducers, each transducer coupled to the second unit and associated with a predetermined portion of the plurality of sensors, the transducer providing at least one of a force and a vibration to the second unit in dependence upon at least one of the outputs of the predetermined portion of the plurality of sensors, the control data, a first signal received from the communications interface, and a second signal from the circuit. 
 
     
     
         10 . A device according to  claim 9  wherein,
 the first signal received from the communications interface is generated by at least one of the remote device and a microprocessor based device connected to the remote device, wherein the at least one of is executing a software application and the first signal is determined in dependence upon at least one of a status of the software application and the control data provided to the software application. 
 
     
     
         11 . A device according to  claim 7  wherein,
 at least one of the first unit and second unit are dimensioned according to at least one of a predetermined portion of the human body, a prosthetic, and a pointer manipulable by a user. 
 
     
     
         12 . A device according to  claim 7  wherein,
 the control data varies in dependence to an input received from the communications interface. 
 
     
     
         13 . A method comprising:
 providing a controller comprising a base, a communications interface supporting communications to a remote device, and a top mounted to the base by a pivot;   providing data to the communications interface, the data varying in dependence upon motion of the top relative to the base in a predetermined direction.   
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 13  further comprising:
 providing a mechanical motion of the top relative to the base in a second predetermined direction, the mechanical motion varying in dependence upon at least one of sensor data used to generate the data and input data received from the remote device, the remote device executing a software application having an aspect of it's execution varied in dependence of the data. 
 
     
     
         15 . A device comprising:
 a controller comprising a base, a communications interface supporting communications to a remote device, and a top mounted to the base by a pivot;   a circuit providing data to the communications interface, the data varying in dependence upon motion of the top relative to the base in a predetermined direction.   
     
     
         16 . A device according to  claim 15  further comprising:
 a mechanical generator for providing a mechanical motion of the top relative to the base in a second predetermined direction, the mechanical motion varying in dependence upon at least one of sensor data used to generate the data and input data received from the remote device, the remote device executing a software application having an aspect of it's execution varied in dependence of the data. 
 
     
     
         17 . A method comprising:
 providing a first unit comprising a base for mounting the first unit to a surface and comprising an upper surface disposed opposite the base and a communications interface supporting communications to a remote device;   providing a second unit for mounting onto the upper surface of the first unit through a mount;   providing at least a sensor of a plurality of sensors, each sensor of the plurality of sensors for determining a motion of the second unit relative to the first unit in a predetermined direction and providing an output to a circuit, the output determined in dependence of at least one of the displacement of the second unit relative to a reference position and the displacement of the second unit exceeding a predetermined threshold; and   providing the circuit for receiving the output from the at least a sensor and providing control data to the communications interface in dependence of the output.   
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 17  wherein,
 the motion in a predetermined direction is at least one of a vertical displacement, a rotational displacement and a linear displacement of the second unit with respect to the first unit. 
 
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 17  further comprising;
 providing a transducer of a plurality of transducers, each transducer coupled to the second unit and associated with a predetermined portion of the plurality of sensors, the transducer providing at least one of a force and a vibration to the second unit in dependence upon at least one of the outputs of the predetermined portion of the plurality of sensors, the control data, a first signal received from the communications interface, and a second signal from the circuit. 
 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 17  wherein,
 at least one of the first unit and second unit are dimensioned according to at least one of a predetermined portion of the human body, a prosthetic, and a pointer manipulable by a user.