The present application relates generally to button labeling for computer simulation controllers.
Computer simulation controllers such as computer game controllers are used by simulation participants to input control signals to the simulation. As understood herein, some participants may have impairments such as visual or motor skills impairments that present challenges in operating simulation controllers.
Accordingly, a device includes plural peripheral control buttons (PC) surrounding a center of a round base, with each PC being operable to send a signal to a computerized apparatus when the computerized apparatus is in communication with the device. Plural removable labels are each attached to a respective PC bearing indicia indicating an identity of the respective PC and each being detachable from its respective PC and engageable with another PC.
The computerized apparatus can include a computer simulation console and/or a computer simulation server.
In some examples, at least some of the PC are detachably engageable with the base by hand without a need for tools. At least some of the PC may be detachably engaged with the base in an interference fit. Or, magnetic engagement may be used.
In non-limiting examples, a first one of the PC may include an upwardly-sloping outer region and a second PC may include a continuously curved contour from an inner periphery of the first one of the PC closest to a center of the base to an outer periphery of the first one of the PC.
If desired, at least a first label may be detachably engaged with a top surface of a first PC and removable therefrom for attachment to a top surface of a second PC. In addition or alternatively, a label can be detachably disposed between a first PC and the base and removable therefrom for attachment between the base and a second PC.
In another aspect, a method includes generating computer simulation signals to control a computer simulation using plural peripheral control (PC) buttons on a base, completely surrounding the base. The method also includes detachably engaging a first label with a first PC button to indicate at least a first function of the first PC button. The method may further include disengaging the first label from the first PC button, and detachably engaging the first label with a second PC button.
In another aspect, a computer simulation control apparatus includes a round base, a first number of peripheral control (PC) elements peripherally surrounding the base and being operable to control a computer simulation, and at least one label detachably engaged with at least a first one of the PC elements and representing at least one function of the first PC element.
Plural color-coded labels may be used. The labels may not have indicia on them and a person can write indicia on the label as desired. At least one label can have a pointed end A label may include identifying indicia including one or more of a preprinted “X”, an “O”, a square, a triangle, or other non-alpha numeric symbol, or analpha-numeric character.
The details of the present application, both as to its structure and operation, can be best understood in reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which:
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/522,539 is incorporated herein by reference. This disclosure relates generally to computer ecosystems including aspects of consumer electronics (CE) device networks such as but not limited to computer game networks. A system herein may include server and client components which may be connected over a network such that data may be exchanged between the client and server components. The client components may include one or more computing devices including game consoles such as Sony PlayStation® or a game console made by Microsoft or Nintendo or other manufacturer, virtual reality (VR) headsets, augmented reality (AR) headsets, portable televisions (e.g., smart TVs, Internet-enabled TVs), portable computers such as laptops and tablet computers, and other mobile devices including smart phones and additional examples discussed below. These client devices may operate with a variety of operating environments. For example, some of the client computers may employ, as examples, Linux operating systems, operating systems from Microsoft, or a Unix operating system, or operating systems produced by Apple, Inc., or Google. These operating environments may be used to execute one or more browsing programs, such as a browser made by Microsoft or Google or Mozilla or other browser program that can access websites hosted by the Internet servers discussed below. Also, an operating environment according to present principles may be used to execute one or more computer game programs.
Servers and/or gateways may include one or more processors executing instructions that configure the servers to receive and transmit data over a network such as the Internet. Or a client and server can be connected over a local intranet or a virtual private network. A server or controller may be instantiated by a game console such as a Sony PlayStation®, a personal computer, etc.
Information may be exchanged over a network between the clients and servers. To this end and for security, servers and/or clients can include firewalls, load balancers, temporary storages, and proxies, and other network infrastructure for reliability and security. One or more servers may form an apparatus that implement methods of providing a secure community such as an online social website to network members.
A processor may be a single- or multi-chip processor that can execute logic by means of various lines such as address lines, data lines, and control lines and registers and shift registers.
Components included in one embodiment can be used in other embodiments in any appropriate combination. For example, any of the various components described herein and/or depicted in the Figures may be combined, interchanged, or excluded from other embodiments.
“At least one of A, B, and C” (likewise “at least one of A, B, or C” and “at least one of A, B, C”) includes A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.
Now specifically referring to
Accordingly, to undertake such principles the AVD 12 can be established by some, or all of the components shown in
In addition to the foregoing, the AVD 12 may also include one or more input and/or output ports 26 such as a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) port or a USB port to physically connect to another CE device and/or a headphone port to connect headphones to the AVD 12 for presentation of audio from the AVD 12 to a user through the headphones. For example, the input port 26 may be connected via wire or wirelessly to a cable or satellite source 26a of audio video content. Thus, the source 26a may be a separate or integrated set top box, or a satellite receiver. Or the source 26a may be a game console or disk player containing content. The source 26a when implemented as a game console may include some or all of the components described below in relation to the CE device 48.
The AVD 12 may further include one or more computer memories 28 such as disk-based or solid-state storage that are not transitory signals, in some cases embodied in the chassis of the AVD as standalone devices or as a personal video recording device (PVR) or video disk player either internal or external to the chassis of the AVD for playing back AV programs or as removable memory media or the below-described server. Also, in some embodiments, the AVD 12 can include a position or location receiver such as but not limited to a cellphone receiver, GPS receiver and/or altimeter 30 that is configured to receive geographic position information from a satellite or cellphone base station and provide the information to the processor 24 and/or determine an altitude at which the AVD 12 is disposed in conjunction with the processor 24. The component 30 may also be implemented by an inertial measurement unit (IMU) that typically includes a combination of accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers to determine the location and orientation of the AVD 12 in three dimension or by an event-based sensors.
Continuing the description of the AVD 12, in some embodiments the AVD 12 may include one or more cameras 32 that may be a thermal imaging camera, a digital camera such as a webcam, an event-based sensor, and/or a camera integrated into the AVD 12 and controllable by the processor 24 to gather pictures/images and/or video in accordance with present principles. Also included on the AVD 12 may be a Bluetooth transceiver 34 and other Near Field Communication (NFC) element 36 for communication with other devices using Bluetooth and/or NFC technology, respectively. An example NFC element can be a radio frequency identification (RFID) element.
Further still, the AVD 12 may include one or more auxiliary sensors 38 (e.g., a motion sensor such as an accelerometer, gyroscope, cyclometer, or a magnetic sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, an optical sensor, a speed and/or cadence sensor, an event-based sensor, a gesture sensor (e.g., for sensing gesture command), providing input to the processor 24. The AVD 12 may include an over-the-air TV broadcast port 40 for receiving OTA TV broadcasts providing input to the processor 24. In addition to the foregoing, it is noted that the AVD 12 may also include an infrared (IR) transmitter and/or IR receiver and/or IR transceiver 42 such as an IR data association (IRDA) device. A battery (not shown) may be provided for powering the AVD 12, as may be a kinetic energy harvester that may turn kinetic energy into power to charge the battery and/or power the AVD 12. A graphics processing unit (GPU) 44 and field programmable gated array 46 also may be included. One or more haptics generators 47 may be provided for generating tactile signals that can be sensed by a person holding or in contact with the device.
Still referring to
Now in reference to the afore-mentioned at least one server 52, it includes at least one server processor 54, at least one tangible computer readable storage medium 56 such as disk-based or solid-state storage, and at least one network interface 58 that, under control of the server processor 54, allows for communication with the other devices of
Accordingly, in some embodiments the server 52 may be an Internet server or an entire server “farm” and may include and perform “cloud” functions such that the devices of the system 10 may access a “cloud” environment via the server 52 in example embodiments for, e.g., network gaming applications. Or the server 52 may be implemented by one or more game consoles or other computers in the same room as the other devices shown in
The components shown in the following figures may include some or all components shown in
Refer now to
A base 400 that in the example shown has a round periphery supports on its top plural control buttons, including a central control (CC) button 402 operable to send a signal to a computerized apparatus such as the server 300 in
In an example embodiment, the CC button 402 has two functions, a normal operating button, and an arm/palm rest. The CC button 402 can have a lock mechanism to stop moving in up-down direction in the case of using as the palm/arm rest.
A circular light emitting portion 403 (best shown in
Plural peripheral control (PC) buttons 404 surround the circular light emitting portion 403 and, hence, surround the CC button 402 as shown, and in the non-limiting example shown completely surround the CC button 402 with only small spaces remaining between adjacent PC buttons. The PC buttons 404 may have different shapes, sizes, colors, and textures from each other. Some of the PC buttons 404 may have identical sizes, shapes, colors, and textures if desired. Each PC button is operable to send a signal to a computerized apparatus when the computerized apparatus is in communication with the device.
As perhaps best shown in
In the non-limiting example shown, a first PC button 406 in top plan view, includes a curved inner periphery 408 closest to the CC button 402 and sides 410 that flare outwardly to a slightly curved or straight outer periphery 412. The outer periphery 412 is larger (longer) than the inner periphery 408. The first PC button 406 may have a flat top surface or a gently convex top surface and may slope from a center of the top surface in both the radial (the dimension from the center of the controller toward the outer edge of the controller) and azimuthal dimensions.
In the non-limiting example shown, adjacent the first PC button 406 is a second PC button 414, and adjacent the second PC button 414 is a third PC button 416 that may be identically configured and sized to the second PC button 414. Unlike the first PC button 404, the second and third PC buttons 414, 416 may have upwardly-sloping outer regions 418, 420, respectively, and instead of having sides that flare outwardly from their respective inner peripheries to their respective outer peripheries, the inner and outer peripheries are substantially the same length and the sides 422 of the second third PC buttons 414, 416 are straight to establish, along with the inner and outer peripheries, a racetrack-shaped periphery for the respective PC button. Or, the sides 422 may be gently convex to establish, along with the inner and outer peripheries, an ovular periphery for the respective PC button.
It will be appreciated that the second and third PC buttons 414, 416 have upwardly-sloping outer regions 418, 420, respectively, that represent a slope discontinuity from where they begin, essentially at the edge of a downwardly-sloping inner region.
In the non-limiting example shown, a fourth PC button 424 may be next to the third PC button 416 and may have the same top plan shape as the second and third buttons 414, 416 and the same configuration of an upwardly-sloping outer region 426.
In the non-limiting example shown, a fifth PC button 428 may be next to the fourth PC button 424 and may have a flat or gently continuously downwardly-sloping contour from a convex inner periphery 430 of the fifth PC button 428 closest to the CC button to a convex outer periphery 432.
In the non-limiting example shown, a sixth PC button 434 may be next to the fifth PCT button 428 and may be identically configured in shape to the fifth PC button 428 but may be larger in size than the fifth PC button 428.
In the non-limiting example shown, a seventh PC button 436 may be between the sixth PC button 434 and the first PC button 406 as shown and may be larger than the other PC buttons. As best shown in
One or more, and in the example shown all, of the PC buttons 404 may be detachably engaged with the base 400. In the specific non-limiting example shown and as best shown in
Thus, the button covers may be moved to different underlying controls on the base 400. As well, the functions of the controls themselves may be defined by the user.
Each button 402, 404 may have its own unique color different from the other buttons. Or, some buttons 402, 404 may have a first color and one or more other buttons may have different colors than the first color. For example, the second through fourth buttons 414, 416, 424 may all have the same color, and that color may be different than the colors of other buttons. One or more buttons may have raised Braille patterns embossed or otherwise formed on the top of the button to assist a visually impaired person identifying the button.
The top surface of each button 402, 404 that is touched by a user may have its own unique texture different from the other buttons. Or, some buttons 402, 404 may have a first texture and one or more other buttons may have different textures than the first texture. For example, the second through fourth buttons 414, 416, 424 may all have the same texture, and that texture may be different than the textures of other buttons. A first texture may be, e.g., smooth and a second texture may be, e.g., roughened, lined, dimpled, or other tactilely distinguishing texture.
Button shapes other than those described above may be used. A number of buttons different than that described above may be used. This recognition is part of current inventive principles and forms no part of the prior art.
Return to
The control portion 446 may be a joystick-type input device. “North” for the control portion 446 may be defined by the factory or by the user to best suit the user's needs using, e.g., a user interface permitting the user to define which radial direction on the ASU 444 “north” should be.
Additional control keys 447 may be provided on the ASU 444 next to the control portion 446 as shown for manipulation to generate additional control signals for game play.
As perhaps best shown in
The flat platform may also include, at one end of the slide 448, a disk-shaped support 456 on which the control portion 446 is rotatably mounted. In the example shown, both the support 456 and the control device 446 are round and have substantially equal diameters. The support 456 and slide 448 may be made of a single unitary piece of material such as plastic. Or, separate construction may be used to combine non-skid rubber parts with plastic parts.
The control device 446 is manipulable to generate a signal to a computerized apparatus. In one non-limiting example and as perhaps best shown in
The button cover 460 has a relatively large size and may be formed with a string hole at the top to receive a fastening or carrying string or cord thereto.
With respect to electrical connectors associated with the ASU 446, all connectors 466 (
In addition, since the digital audio and analog audio connectors look the same, each may be located on both sides of the USB connector so that they can be distinguished.
In some embodiments, a flexible buckle attachment 468 (
In the example shown, as best illustrated in
The center 1104 may or may not establish a central control element according to disclosure above. At least some and preferably all of the PC 1102 cane detachably engageable with the base 1106 by hand without a need for tools, e.g., in an interference or snapping fit or magnetically as described above.
The device 1100 may be essentially identical in operation and configuration to any of the controllers shown herein, with the following exceptions. Thus, for example, one or more of the PC 1102 may have an upwardly-sloping outer region 1108. In addition or alternatively, one or more of the PC 1102 may have a continuously curved contour 1110 from an inner periphery of the first one of the PC closest to a center of the base 1106 to an outer periphery of the PC.
Plural removable labels 1112, each of which may be flexible if desired or rigid, may be provided in a carrier 1114. As discussed further below, each label 1112 may be removably attached to a respective PC 1102 and may bear indicia indicating an identity of the respective PC. Each label can be detachable from its respective PC and engageable with another PC to account for moving PC from one location of the base to another. As shown in
The labels may be removably attached to the base by means of a weak adhesive or magnetically. In the latter case the labels may be ferromagnetic or may include small magnets that attract to ferromagnetic constituents of the base. Or, the labels may include structure for snappingly engaging the PC. For instance, the labels may include small holes receiving respective and complementarily-shaped detents on the PC.
It may now be appreciated that an end user may arrange the PC 1102 on the base 1106 as the user pleases, to best suit the user's needs. Each receptacle on the base corresponds to a function such that each PC when manipulated on the receptacle generates a signal consistent with the function. The user may then detachably engage a label with a PC to indicate the function of the PC cooperation with the receptacle it is engaged with. Should the user decide to move PC around, the PC can be detached from the base, moved to other base receptacles, and the labels can be correspondingly moved onto (or under) the PC to indicate the correct functionality.
While the particular embodiments are herein shown and described in detail, it is to be understood that the subject matter which is encompassed by the present invention is limited only by the claims.