User Interface

Abstract

A system and method for enhancing a controller interface is provided. In one embodiment, the system may include an input device, an input interface, a processor, and a display. The method is capable of associating input components on the input device with input options available for controlling the virtual characters. The method is further capable of associating the input components with origin points of a virtual representation of a user and target points of a virtual representation of an opponent. The method further allows a user to control a virtual character not representing the user.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A system for performing an action on a target using a controller to direct the action, the system comprising:
 an input receiver for receiving a plurality of inputs corresponding to a plurality of input options on the controller;   an input association processor for associating the plurality of inputs receivable by the input receiver with a respective plurality of parts of the target, the inputs spatially arranged on the input receiver corresponding to an arrangements of the parts of the target; and   an action performer processor for performing the action on the target in response to an input received by the input receiver, the received input being activation of one of the inputs, and the action being applied to the part of the target corresponding to the one of the inputs.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the input options on the controller comprise buttons corresponding to the parts. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the spatial arrangement of the inputs comprises a button for a first arm, a button for a second arm, a button for a first leg, a button for a second leg, a button for a head, and a button for a torso. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the action performer processor is configured to cause display of interaction of a virtual self with the part of the target. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the action performer processor is configured to represent performance of the action as contact with the part, the part comprising a displayed virtual character. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the action performer processor is configured to set a force of the action based on a number of inputs received on the one of the inputs. 
     
     
         7 . A method for associating an input with a character behavior, the method comprising:
 providing a character having parts;   mapping inputs of an input device to the parts where the inputs are distributed corresponding to the parts of the character;   detecting a first input of the inputs from the input device, the first input corresponding to a first part of the parts of the character;   associating the first input with a first state of the character;   determining a first character behavior of the first part based on the first state; and,   effectuating, with a processor, the first character behavior.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising:
 detecting a second input of the inputs from the input device, the second input corresponding to a second part of the parts of the character; 
 associating the second input with a second state of the character; 
 determining a second character behavior of the second part based on the first and second state; and, 
 effectuating the second character behavior. 
 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the first input is a digital input. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7  wherein mapping comprises mapping with the input device comprising a keyboard, a numerical keypad, a directional interface, a touch-sensitive device, a neurological interface, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7  wherein effectuating comprises causing display of the first character behavior, the display showing movement of the first part of the character. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7  wherein mapping comprises mapping to the inputs with the parts displayed on the inputs of the input device. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7  wherein effectuating comprises displaying the first character behavior as an interaction of the first part of the character with another character.