Patent Application
20070265077
The present invention relates to improved haptic feedback apparatus and methods for peripheral device(s), such as steering wheel assemblies.
Traditional force feedback driving gaming controllers currently utilize a single motor to address the whole range of haptic user experiences intended to represent real world tactile experiences. For instance, the dynamic range of desired haptic user experience for a car driving peripheral device intended to simulate various aspects of driving a car include such events as experiencing road noise, experiencing bumps in the road, skidding, feeling engine vibrations, feeling physical forces due to collisions/steering, and so on.
However, the inclusion of only a single motor limits the fidelity of the tactile effects a game can deliver to a user of such existing peripheral devices. This inadequacy can be analogized to trying to deliver the entire human audio range with a single speaker. Just as providing only a subwoofer cannot deliver suitable high frequency sounds and a tweeter generally cannot deliver rich, low frequency sounds with sufficient amplitude, the provision of a single tactile effect from a single motor for a peripheral device cannot achieve the desired range of tactile user experiences for a peripheral device attempting to simulate real world conditions.
In this regard, peripheral devices, such as steering wheel assemblies have thus far provided either only a single high torque motor for providing force feedback to a user, or have provided only a vibratory rumble motor for providing vibratory feedback to a user; however, as one can appreciate, neither tactile effect, by itself, provides a full range of tactile experiences to simulate real world events with sufficient realism. Accordingly, solutions to these and other deficiencies of the state of the art of tactile feedback for peripheral devices are thus desirable.
In view of the foregoing, the present invention provides a multi motor tactile feedback system for a peripheral device. In one non-limiting embodiment, the peripheral device is a steering wheel assembly including a high torque motor in the steering column of the steering wheel assembly and at least one vibratory rumble motor in the steering wheel of the steering wheel of the steering wheel assembly. The entire haptic dynamic range is thus addressed with greater fidelity whereby complex haptic effects can be delivered through independent motors. In one embodiment, the peripheral device includes three motors: a high torque motor, a low frequency rumble motor and a high frequency rumble motor.
Other features of the present invention are described below.
The haptic feedback apparatus including multiple motors for a peripheral device in accordance with the invention is further described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Herein, the following terms should be considered in light of the following terminology overviews provided for the terms. For the avoidance of doubt, where the following terms are used elsewhere herein, the terms should also be considered in the context of use.
Haptic: Of or relating to the sense of touch; tactile
Tactile: Perceptible to the sense of touch; tangible, or of, relating to, or proceeding from the sense of touch.
Force Feedback: Feedback producing a controllable torque on at least one mechanical component of a peripheral device, tending to inhibit or aid the user's ability to impart a force on the at least one mechanical component.
Torque: The moment of a force; the measure of a force's tendency to produce torsion and rotation about an axis, equal to the vector product of the radius vector from the axis of rotation to the point of application of the force and the force vector. A turning or twisting force.
Vibratory Feedback: Feedback causing vibration or oscillation to one or more parts of a user in contact with a peripheral device.
As mentioned in the background, current haptic feedback apparatus for peripheral devices provide either force feedback via a high torque motor, or rumble feedback via a vibratory motor, but either provided by itself limits the overall fidelity of a tactile user experience that may be experienced by a user.
Accordingly, the invention provides peripheral device(s) for providing input to a computing device, including a first haptic feedback mechanism for providing first tactile feedback to a user when in contact with the first haptic feedback mechanism and a second haptic feedback mechanism, operating independently of the first haptic feedback mechanism, for providing second tactile feedback to a user when in contact with the second haptic feedback mechanism, wherein one of the haptic feedback mechanisms is a force feedback system having a high torque motor and one of the haptic feedback mechanisms is a vibratory or rumble feedback system having vibratory motors. In one embodiment, the vibratory motors include high frequency and low frequency rumble motors.
As illustrated in
The terms “high frequency” motor and “low frequency” motor used in connection with providing a vibration effect for peripheral devices are generally understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, but to provide some exemplary non-limiting ranges for such terms, high frequency motor VM1 may vibrate generally in the range of 50-100 Hz (but generally vibrates at a lower amplitude of vibration) whereas low frequency motor VM2 may generally vibrate at a lower frequency range of 10-70 Hz (but generally vibrates at a higher amplitude of vibration). Thus, the ranges contemplated herein for high and low frequency motors may overlap, and amplitudes may be disparate between the two motors. As mentioned, the invention may include two or more such motors as well, and thus the invention contemplates a full swath of ranges that may be permuted or combined per the set of motors provided for the peripheral device.
In an exemplary non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the peripheral device is a steering wheel assembly including a steering wheel mechanically coupled to a steering column including a high torque motor within the steering column that operates to impart a torque on the steering column which tends to make turning the steering wheel more or less difficult depending on the control signals delivered to the high torque motor.
In another non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the peripheral device is a steering wheel assembly including a steering wheel mechanically coupled to a steering column, and the vibratory motor(s) are included in the steering wheel. The vibratory motor(s) may be positioned generally about where the user grips the steering wheel, however, the vibratory motor(s) can be positioned anywhere in the steering wheel in accordance with the invention without significantly impacting the tactile feedback experienced by the user since vibratory feedback from a rumble motor tends to propagate throughout the steering wheel in such an integrated design.
A peripheral device in accordance with the invention also includes control mechanisms and associated APIs that control the force feedback mechanism and the vibratory mechanisms independently.
The process of
Thus, after an application 502 or computing device 500 makes a request for an effect, and after control data API 504 computes the associated control data 510a, 510b and 510c for handling by the different motor subsystems of the peripheral device PD4, the control data 510a, 510b and 510c is transmitted to API 520a, API 520b and API 520c, respectively, each for independently interfacing with a separate motor subsystem. For instance, API 520a receives control data 510a and translates the control data 510a to motor command data or signals 530a for controlling force feedback of a high torque motor. As shown at 540a, motor command data 530a can, for example, initiate a force feedback haptic response by high torque motor.
API 520b independently receives control data 510b and translates the control data 510b to motor command data or signals 530b for controlling vibratory feedback of a low frequency rumble motor. As shown at 540b, motor command data 530b can, for example, initiate a vibratory haptic response by a low frequency rumble motor. Similarly, API 520c independently receives control data 510c and translates the control data 510c to motor command data or signals 530c for controlling vibratory feedback of a high frequency rumble motor. As shown at 540c, motor command data 530c can, for example, initiate a vibratory haptic response by a high frequency rumble motor. The motor subsystems can also be combined in subsets from a control standpoint. For instance, a first set of control data could apply to the force feedback motor subsystem, and a second set of control data could apply to the vibratory feedback motor subsystem, including both low and high frequency motors.
In another exemplary non-limiting implementation of the invention, a peripheral device is provided including a steering wheel assembly comprising a steering column including a high torque motor for applying a torque to the steering column and a steering wheel mechanically coupled to the steering column, wherein the steering wheel includes vibratory motor(s) integrated with the steering wheel for oscillating the steering wheel. The two rumble motors are place within the steering wheel for maximum transference of effects to the user's hands and the high torque motor drives a gear train for torque generation. By having three separate independently operating motors, one can deliver a range of haptic effects above and beyond one or even two motors can deliver. More than three motors would provide the opportunity to provide an even greater dynamic range of haptic feedback to a user, and thus, the invention is not limited to any particular number of motors included in a peripheral device, but contemplates all such combinations and permutations of force feedback and vibratory motor systems for a peripheral device.
Accordingly, in various non-limiting embodiments, the present invention provides a peripheral device, such as but not limited to a steering wheel assembly, wherein the peripheral device includes at least two motors, one of which is a force feedback mechanism, to provide a greater dynamic range of tactile user experiences.
With the ever expanding universe of devices, any of the above-described peripheral devices can be utilized in connection with applications, such as gaming applications, of a variety of computing devices. Such computing devices in accordance with the invention include (a) portable media players, such as MP3 players, walkmans, etc., (b) portable computing devices, such as laptops, personal digital assistants (“PDAs”), cell phones, portable email devices, thin clients, portable gaming devices (e.g., portable Playstation, Gameboy), etc., (c) standalone computing devices, such as personal computers (“PCs”), server computers, gaming platforms (e.g., Xbox) mainframes, etc., (d) consumer electronic devices, such as TVs, DVD players, set top boxes, monitors, displays, etc., (e) public computing devices, such as kiosks, in-store music sampling devices, automated teller machines (ATMs), arcade machines, cash registers, etc. and (f) non-conventional computing devices, such as kitchen appliances, motor vehicle controls (e.g., steering wheels), etc.
In this regard, a peripheral device of the invention may provide input and/or receive output from any of such computing devices where the peripheral device can generally be attached to augment input and/or output characteristics of the computing device. Two exemplary, non-limiting computing devices to which a peripheral device having pedal(s) of the invention may be communicatively coupled are described in exemplary fashion as follows.
As mentioned, the invention applies to any device wherein it may be desirable to include an input device for receiving input from a human being and to provide a tactile user experience via multiple motors of the peripheral device. It should be understood, however, as indicated above, that handheld, portable and other computing devices and computing objects of all kinds are contemplated for use in connection with an input device of the present invention. Accordingly, the below general purpose remote computer described below in
Although not required, the invention can partly be implemented via an operating system, for use by a developer of services for a device or object, and/or included within application software that operates in connection with the peripheral device(s)of the invention. Software may be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by one or more computers, such as client workstations, servers or other devices. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may be practiced with other computer system configurations and protocols.
With reference to
Computer 110a typically includes a variety of computer readable media. Computer readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by computer 110a. By way of example, and not limitation, computer readable media may comprise computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes both volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CDROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by computer 110a. Communication media typically embodies computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media.
The system memory 130a may include computer storage media in the form of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory such as read only memory (ROM) and/or random access memory (RAM). A basic input/output system (BIOS), containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within computer 110a, such as during start-up, may be stored in memory 130a. Memory 130a typically also contains data and/or program modules that are immediately accessible to and/or presently being operated on by processing unit 120a. By way of example, and not limitation, memory 130a may also include an operating system, application programs, other program modules, and program data.
The computer 110a may also include other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media. For example, computer 110a could include a hard disk drive that reads from or writes to non-removable, nonvolatile magnetic media, a magnetic disk drive that reads from or writes to a removable, nonvolatile magnetic disk, and/or an optical disk drive that reads from or writes to a removable, nonvolatile optical disk, such as a CD-ROM or other optical media. Other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media that can be used in the exemplary operating environment include, but are not limited to, magnetic tape cassettes, flash memory cards, digital versatile disks, digital video tape, solid state RAM, solid state ROM and the like. A hard disk drive is typically connected to the system bus 121a through a non-removable memory interface such as an interface, and a magnetic disk drive or optical disk drive is typically connected to the system bus 121a by a removable memory interface, such as an interface.
In addition to a peripheral device according to the invention, a user may enter commands and information into the computer 110a through input devices such as a keyboard and pointing device, commonly referred to as a mouse, trackball or touch pad. In addition to a peripheral device in accordance with the invention, other input devices may include a microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, or the like. These and other input devices are often connected to the processing unit 120a through user input 140a and associated interface(s) that are coupled to the system bus 121a, but may be connected by other interface and bus structures, such as a parallel port, game port or a universal serial bus (USB). A graphics subsystem may also be connected to the system bus 121a. A monitor or other type of display device is also connected to the system bus 121a via an interface, such as output interface 150a, which may in turn communicate with video memory. In addition to a monitor, computers may also include other peripheral output devices such as speakers and a printer, which may be connected through output interface 150a.
The computer 110a may operate in a networked or distributed environment using logical connections to one or more other remote computers, such as remote computer 170a, which may in turn have media capabilities different from device 110a. The remote computer 170a may be a personal computer, a server, a router, a network PC, a peer device or other common network node, or any other remote media consumption or transmission device, and may include any or all of the elements described above relative to the computer 110a. The logical connections depicted in
When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 110a is connected to the LAN 171 a through a network interface or adapter. When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 110a typically includes a modem or other means for establishing communications over the WAN, such as the Internet. A modem, which may be internal or external, may be connected to the system bus 121a via the user input interface of input 140a, or other appropriate mechanism. In a networked environment, program modules depicted relative to the computer 110a, or portions thereof, may be stored in a remote memory storage device. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown and described are exemplary and other means of establishing a communications link between the computers may be used.
Referring next to
A graphics processing unit (GPU) 108 and a video encoder/video codec (coder/decoder) 114 form a video processing pipeline for high speed and high resolution graphics processing. Data is carried from the graphics processing unit 108 to the video encoder/video codec 114 via a bus. The video processing pipeline outputs data to an A/V (audio/video) port 140 for transmission to a television or other display. A memory controller 110 is connected to the GPU 108 and CPU 101 to facilitate processor access to various types of memory 112, such as, but not limited to, a RAM (Random Access Memory).
The multimedia console 100 includes an I/O controller 120, a system management controller 122, an audio processing unit 123, a network interface controller 124, a first USB host controller 126, a second USB controller 128 and a front panel I/O subassembly 130 that are preferably implemented on a module 118. The USB controllers 126 and 128 serve as hosts for peripheral controllers 142(1)-142(2), a wireless adapter 148, and an external memory unit 146 (e.g., flash memory, external CD/DVD ROM drive, removable media, etc.). The network interface 124 and/or wireless adapter 148 provide access to a network (e.g., the Internet, home network, etc.) and may be any of a wide variety of various wired or wireless interface components including an Ethernet card, a modem, a Bluetooth module, a cable modem, and the like.
System memory 143 is provided to store application data that is loaded during the boot process. A media drive 144 is provided and may comprise a DVD/CD drive, hard drive, or other removable media drive, etc. The media drive 144 may be internal or external to the multimedia console 100. Application data may be accessed via the media drive 144 for execution, playback, etc. by the multimedia console 100. The media drive 144 is connected to the I/O controller 120 via a bus, such as a Serial ATA bus or other high speed connection (e.g., IEEE 1394).
The system management controller 122 provides a variety of service functions related to assuring availability of the multimedia console 100. The audio processing unit 123 and an audio codec 132 form a corresponding audio processing pipeline with high fidelity and stereo processing. Audio data is carried between the audio processing unit 123 and the audio codec 126 via a communication link. The audio processing pipeline outputs data to the A/V port 140 for reproduction by an external audio player or device having audio capabilities.
The front panel I/O subassembly 130 supports the functionality of the power button 150 and the eject button 152, as well as any LEDs (light emitting diodes) or other indicators exposed on the outer surface of the multimedia console 100. A system power supply module 136 provides power to the components of the multimedia console 100. A fan 138 cools the circuitry within the multimedia console 100.
The CPU 101, GPU 108, memory controller 110, and various other components within the multimedia console 100 are interconnected via one or more buses, including serial and parallel buses, a memory bus, a peripheral bus, and a processor or local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures.
When the multimedia console 100 is powered on or rebooted, application data may be loaded from the system memory 143 into memory 112 and/or caches 102, 104 and executed on the CPU 101. The application may present a graphical user interface that provides a consistent user experience when navigating to different media types available on the multimedia console 100. In operation, applications and/or other media contained within the media drive 144 may be launched or played from the media drive 144 to provide additional functionalities to the multimedia console 100.
The multimedia console 100 may be operated as a standalone system by simply connecting the system to a television or other display. In this standalone mode, the multimedia console 100 may allow one or more users to interact with the system, watch movies, listen to music, and the like. However, with the integration of broadband connectivity made available through the network interface 124 or the wireless adapter 148, the multimedia console 100 may further be operated as a participant in a larger network community.
The multimedia console depicted in
Also, over time, system features may be updated or added to a multimedia application. Rather than requiring the multimedia developer to make significant modifications to the multimedia application to provide these system features, the systems and methods described herein allow a multimedia developer to provide system features through separate system applications that work in conjunction with the multimedia application. For example, a system application may embody functionality related to networked capabilities, thereby enabling a multimedia application to be readily adapted to provide networked capabilities with little work by the multimedia (e.g., game) developer. One such capability is that of system level notifications for multiple and networked users. Making system level notifications part of a system application as opposed to being handled by individual multimedia applications, such as games running on the system, takes handling displaying notifications such as game invitations out of the development process for multimedia application developers and allows them to focus on the multimedia application itself.
For the avoidance of doubt, use of the invention is contemplated from the standpoint of an API (or other software object), either on a host device being controlled by an input device of the invention where the input device operates as a remote control, or on the input device itself. Thus, various implementations of the invention described herein may have aspects that are wholly in hardware, partly in hardware and partly in software, as well as in software.
As mentioned above, while exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in connection with various computing devices and network architectures, the underlying concepts may be applied to any computing device or system in which an input device may be utilized to control the device or system. For instance, the algorithm(s) and hardware implementations of the invention may be applied to the operating system of a computing device, provided as a separate object on the device, as part of another object, as a reusable control, as a downloadable object from a server, as a “middle man” between a device or object and the network, as a distributed object, as hardware, in memory, a combination of any of the foregoing, etc. While exemplary programming languages, names and examples are chosen herein as representative of various choices, these languages, names and examples are not intended to be limiting.
As mentioned, the various techniques described herein may be implemented in connection with hardware or software or, where appropriate, with a combination of both. Thus, the methods and apparatus of the present invention, or certain aspects or portions thereof, may take the form of program code (i.e., instructions) embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, hard drives, or any other machine-readable storage medium, wherein, when the program code is loaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention. In the case of program code execution on programmable computers, the computing device generally includes a processor, a storage medium readable by the processor (including volatile and non-volatile memory and/or storage elements), at least one input device, and at least one output device. One or more programs that may implement or utilize any software provided in accordance with the invention are preferably implemented in a high level procedural or object oriented programming language to communicate with a computer system. However, the program(s) can be implemented in assembly or machine language, if desired. In any case, the language may be a compiled or interpreted language, and combined with hardware implementations.
The methods and apparatus of the present invention may also be practiced via communications embodied in the form of program code that is transmitted over some transmission medium, such as over electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via any other form of transmission, wherein, when the program code is received and loaded into and executed by a machine, such as an EPROM, a gate array, a programmable logic device (PLD), a client computer, etc., the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention. When implemented on a general-purpose processor, the program code combines with the processor to provide a unique apparatus that operates to invoke the functionality of the present invention. Additionally, any storage techniques used in connection with the present invention may invariably be a combination of hardware and software.
While the present invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiments of the various figures, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments may be used or modifications and additions may be made to the described embodiment for performing the same function of the present invention without deviating therefrom. For example, one skilled in the art will recognize that the methods, as described in the present application may apply to any computing device or environment, such as a gaming console, handheld computer, portable computer, etc., whether wired or wireless, and may be applied to any number of such computing devices connected via a communications network, and interacting across the network.
Furthermore, it should be emphasized that a variety of computer platforms, including handheld device operating systems and other application specific operating systems are contemplated, especially as the number of wireless networked devices continues to proliferate. Still further, functionality of the present invention may be implemented in or across a plurality of processing chips or devices, and storage may similarly be effected across a plurality of devices. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited to any single embodiment, but rather should be construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the appended claims.
