STAND UP BOARD
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The device does not require a person to position himself or herself in any specific orientation relative to the contact surface of the controller, which in the invention is stable due to interface of the base surface with the geometric configuration of the fulcrum. This invention relates to 3D environments either real or virtual with multiple designated geometric shapes of controller interface surface with the base surface. In addition, the invention relates to a plurality of sensing devices which determine the pitch, roll, and yaw of controller and the input means to a data processing electronic device that manipulates the 3D object in the real or virtual 3D environment by said controller.
Virtual and real control units commonly called joysticks, game pads, steering wheels, and controllers are well known in the prior art for producing output signals corresponding to the manipulation of 3D objects in 3D virtual or real environments. These input devices which may be moved along a x-y path control the movement of a display element on an object. Generally the joysticks, game pads, steering wheels, and controllers are bound and are unable to manipulate the 3D object in the real or virtual 3D environment simply due to the design and construction of the devices.
The controller of this invention does not require a person to position themselves in a particular fashion in reference to non- designated contoured platform where said platform is a top a malleable fulcrum to achieve a higher perception of reality and functionality in all directional axis for all levels of input to manipulate
said 3D objects in the real or virtual 3D environments. The positioning may be achieved by sitting, standing, kneeling, crouching, laying, sitting, placing ones hands, on the upper contact surface which is typically parallel to the base surface which interfaces with said fulcrum. The user adjusts positioning to the controller in varying 3D virtual or real environments to achieve a higher perception of 3D-object manipulation in said 3D real or virtual environments.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Various relatively simple yet inadequately designed devices require a user to invariable position themselves standing a top a device. The device must be placed in a static position upon a level surface and the user a top in a static stance position. The fixed base portion remains in a static position to a contact surface, which must be level and horizontal. The end user then must employ balance and coordination to remain a top the device in a standing position. Devices have been developed in the past along the lines of the teeter board with a fixed base, a platform with for springs to achieve centering, or the like, wherein a platform is placed upon a cylindrical roller and the user attempts to stand on controller and maintain controller in as close to a level position. Maintaining the horizontal level position while standing becomes difficult due to the rigidity and construction of the construction elements of the device. Such devices achieve limited user perception and intuitive relation due to the limited range of motion for pitch and roll and have no yaw sensor to detect motion of rotation around the z-axis.
However, multiple devices have been developed in an attempt to achieve the perceived accuracy for various industry. Spherical, roller type, spring platforms, balancing apparatus, interactive simulators, proprioceptive training devices, multi-directional foot control steering devices have been developed which include electronic means for communicating with some form of electronic signal processing device (e.g. computer) to enable a person to position a cursor or the like accurately on a video output device or to accumulate input data.
U.S. Patent No. 3,835,464 issued to Ronaki E. Rider on September 10, 1974 discloses a Position Indicator For a Display System by two potentiometers coupled to two orthogonal placed rollers which provide variable voltage signal once the hemispherical shell rolls thereover.
U.S. Patent No. 4,488,017 issued to Hugh M. Lee on December 11, 1984 describe switches that are arranged in a circuit array on a printed circuit board. The unit is operated by foot control units. This patent discloses foot-operated units whereby the end users feet manipulate a platform or base unit that resemble a bathroom scale. Movement of the operator's feet manipulates and tilts the platform to close certain circuit segments on said printed circuit board.
U.S. Patent No. 4,538,476 issued to Tom R Luque On September 3, 1985 describes a Cursor Control Assembly having two sensors coupled to two orthogonal placed wheels which provide the sensor means. A rotatable sphere which is coupled to a fixed base. A third sensor coupled to a wheel arranged in a non-equidistant position to provide support for the sphere. The third sensor coupled to the wheel is not positioned on the same plane by being offset from the other two sensors. This support
arrangement of the sphere by the wheels will not allow for equal angular manipulation from the relative horizontal position referenced to the parallel horizontal base upon which the fixed base is arranged. U.S. Patent No. 4,817,950 issued to Goo on April 4,
1989 discloses a Video Game Control Unit and Attitude Sensor which is supported by a inverted hemispherical fulcrum member that said attitude sensor is enclosed in within aforementioned inverted hemispherical fulcrum. An inflatable tube like toroidal shape encircles the fulcrum for biasing the surfboard to relative parallel horizontal position relative a base surface. The inverted hemispherical fulcrum encloses the attitude sensor which essentially is a gravity switch which makes electrical contact to the surface of which the end user manipulates the control unit relative to the parallel horizontal contact or base surface. Goo's Invention simulated surfboard control unit has multiple functionality problems and does not address the end users perception of 3D virtual or real environments. The control unit gravity switch emulates a digital switch. To achieve full 3D virtual and real environment perception an analog input environment must be achieved. Therefore, the device is unable to achieve and unable to sense the scale and speed to which the directional signal of the Control Unit has been manipulated on the horizontal contact or base surface.
U.S. Patent No. 4,906,192 issued to Smithart et al . On March 6, 1990 Discloses an Electronic Computerized Simulator Apparatus. The device includes a control unit, which the end user stands upon, a data processing means, and a visual display unit, which is to emulate or represent skiing or snow-surfing simulator device. A pair of skis are coupled and travel independently
horizontally upon a base unit which guides the pair of skis through to orthogonal situated parallel guides that they pivot and move thereover. To sense the movement of the skier, analog sensors are coupled to the bottom of the skis and the sensors are additionally coupled to the base unit thereof. Smithard et al. Electronic Computerized Apparatus requires a fixed environment for the end user as well as a complex analog sensor arrangement to detect movement. Smithard et al . controller is too large in size and would simulated trajectory according to weight, pressure, and movement of the end user. Due to movement restriction the end user movement would not accurately represent the movement in the directional signals for 3D real or virtual environments.
U.S. Patent No. 3,863,915 issued to Pifer discloses other relevant foot-operated amusement devices include a surfing simulator disclosed is a surfboard coupled to a base unit that is coupled to coil springs that are coupled to an additional base member which resides on the relative parallel horizontal base surface.
Due to movement restriction the end user movement would not accurately represent the movement in the directional signals for 3D real or virtual environments. U.S. Patent No. 4,986,534 issued to Meier on January
22, 1991 discloses a weight sensing platform whereby one foot is placed upon said platform to biomechanically analyze the muscles and ligaments of the lower extremities which include the hip, knee, and ankle joints. The patient angularity displaces the disc with one foot, which actuates said platform switches. The data generated therefrom is analyzed by a processing unit of data, which displays the analysis of the weight to the platform. This invention is only for one foot and is an
integrated unit to test healthy lower limb as they function dynamically.
U.S. Patent No. 5,613,690 issued to McShane on March 25, 1997 discloses a Balance and Prioprioceptive Training and Enhancement Device whereby a balance platform is displaceable in any direction relative to the base platform which resides upon the relative parallel horizontal surface. The device has a hemispherical concave or convex support with low friction. The hemispherical concave or convex support is not coupled to the base platform or the balance platform. Angular displacement sensors are coupled to either the balance platform or the base unit platform and determine the angular displacement of the platform. The balance or base unit platform bear against the sensors and are linked to a personal computer or the like to display angular displacement of the end user. Biasing can be placed between the two platforms. Due to movement restriction the end user movement would not accurately represent the movement in the directional signals for 3D real or virtual environments.
U.S. Patent No. 5,860,861 issued to Lipps on January 19, 1999 discloses a Riding Board Game Controller for sending directional and non-directional control signals to an audio-visual game whereby a balance platform is coupled to a coil springs which are coupled to a base platform or support platform which resides upon the relative level parallel surface. The rectangular arrangement of the device incorporates dual-state switch, positioned between the balancing platform and the base platform or support platform. By manipulating the balancing platform to the left and to the right the left and right switches are activated and converted into directional control signals while converting the center
-1- switch into non-directional control signal to a computer. A switch located aft of the unit that detects when the end user is on or off the balancing platform. A hand- manipulated controller attached to the base platform allows the end user to send commands to the computer, such as starting the game, scrolling menus and the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A multi-means input device consists of a fulcrum/platform arrangement unmounted to a base surface. The curvature of the base shape and the means by which the base shape/fulcrum interface with the base surface behave as unique suspension system or movable fulcrum. No means of biasing are placed around the controller or between the controller and the base surface to dampen the angular displacement (roll and pitch) of the controller and to return the controller to a relative level horizontal position. However, not mentioned in this embodiment, biasing means can be placed in the controller to achieve roll, pitch, and yaw.
The electronics that determine the roll and pitch or angular displacement of the controller are located and arranged on and in the central plane along the z axis of controller, but are not limited to a central along the z axis or location as disclosed in this invention. The electronics that can be used to detect the angular displacement can be any of the following a gravity switch, infra red with a detector located remotely, laser, accelerometer, gyroscope, or optics, mercury switch or various means of RF implementation.
The electronics that determine the yaw or rotational displacements are located at the farthest point or distance from the central point or z axis or plane about
which roll and pitch are detected and coupled to controller. The electronics that can be used to detect the yaw displacement as well as magnitude can be any of the following a gravity switch, infra red with a detector located remotely, laser, accelerometer, gyroscope, optics, mercury switch coupled to the controller or various means of RF implementation.
Attached to the controller either by cable, RF, or infrared is a hand held controller for other functions that might be needed to manipulate said 3D object in the 3D real or virtual environment.
In accordance with all electronic inputs to the data processing unit the sensitivities can be manipulated according to end user preferences. Connection to the data processing unit can be made by infrared, RF, and cable or any combination thereof.
Accordingly, it is the principal object of the invention to provide a 3D virtual or real environment in which an object in said 3D virtual or real environment is manipulated by said controller. The controller is a non bound or non mounted platform having a pivotal unique shaped fulcrum having undefined shape to achieve the accurate and definable manipulation of said 3D object in said 3D real of virtual environment by manipulating the controller to achieve pitch, roll, and yaw or any combination thereof.
The invention uses no biasing system to maintain the controller in a level horizontal position relative to said base surface in order to dampen angular displacement of the controller. However, not described in this embodiment the invention may use a plurality of roller and step motors to protruding and coupled to said base, to achieve realistic force feedback over various terrain that originate from manipulation of the 3D object in said
3D virtual or real environment. A vast array of sensor, switch technology, motors, or tactile feedback devices can be used to achieve the desired directional performance of controller and the force feedback of various terrain that originate from manipulation of the 3D object in said 3D virtual or real environment.
It is an another object of the present invention to provide a 3D virtual or real environment input device in which an object in said 3D virtual or real environment is manipulated by said user by any means said user chooses to interact with controller (i.e., hands, feet, body, arms, knees, or any part of the body) .
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a suspension system for a 3D virtual or real environment input device in which an object in said 3D virtual or real environment is manipulated by said user by any means said user chooses to interact with controller (i.e., hands, feet, body, arms, knees, or any part of the body) which is inexpensive and durable yet highly sensitive and accurate.
Still another object of the invention is to provide improved training device, bio echanical analyzing device, surfing device, skate boarding device, snowboarding device, sledding device, futuristic board device, exercise device, skiing device, boogie boarding device, water skiing device, wake board device, luge device, ski surfing device or any other 3D virtual or real environment input device including but not limited to hand, feet, body, or any other means of human interaction and input whereby said controller is affected by the end user to achieve manipulation of any 3D object in said 3D virtual or real environments.
It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a sensor unit for not only automatically
determining the angular displacement of the controller, yet additionally, to provide a sensor for determining yaw displacement speed and magnitude.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide circuitry to detect the spatial manipulations of said controller which will detect the pitch, roll, and yaw within aforementioned 3D real of virtual environment.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an apparatus for the described purpose, which is inexpensive, durable, dependable, safe, and effectively accomplishes its intended purposes.
These and other objects of the invention are accomplished by means of the system of the invention, a detailed description of which follows herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the present invention showing the location and positioning of the electronic circuitry in addition to the overall design and shell of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a top view of the present invention showing the location and positioning of the electronic circuitry in addition to the overall design and shell of the invention.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention showing of the pitch sensors and an overall design of the shell.
FIG. 4 is a side view of the present invention showing the location of the roll sensor and an overview of the shell profile
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention base member showing the location of electronic
circuitry and the overall design of the convex surface of the base member of the invention.
FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the present invention base member showing the location of electronic circuitry and the overall design of the convex surface of the base member of the invention.
FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the present invention base member showing the location of electronic circuitry and the overall design of the convex surface of the base member of the invention.
FIG. 8 is a side view of the present invention base member showing the location of electronic circuitry and the overall design of the convex surface of the base member of the invention. FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the base member showing the location of the electronic circuitry for the roll, pitch, and yaw sensors.
FIG. 10 is a top view of the base member showing the location of the electronic circuitry for the roll, pitch, and yaw sensors.
FIG. 11 is a side view of the base member showing the convex surface for yaw and pitch manipulation.
FIG. 12 is a backside view of the present invention base member showing the convex surface for roll and pitch manipulation.
FIG. 13 is an isometric view of the top cover member showing the protective housing for the electronic components .
FIG. 14 is a top view of the top cover member showing the protective housing for the electronic components .
FIG. 15 is a side view of the top cover member showing the protective housing for the electronic components .
FIG. 16 is a side view of the top cover member showing an opening used to interface with.
FIG. 17 is an isometric view of the hand held member showing the switch locations and the location for the POV switch set and overall design.
FIG. 18 is a top view of the hand held member showing finger switches for the thumb and overall design
FIG. 19 is a side view of the hand held member showing the four-switch array, the thumb switches and overall design.
FIG. 20 is a front view of the hand held member showing the thumb switch, the POV switch set, the index and middle finger switches and overall design.
FIG. 21 is an isometric view of the present invention showing the location and positioned electronic circuitry and wire cables in addition to the overall design and shell of the invention
FIG. 22 is a top view of the present invention showing the location and positioned electronic circuitry, wire cables, and hand input device in addition to the overall design and shell of the invention.
FIG. 23 is a side view of the present invention showing of the yaw and pitch sensors circuitry, wire cables, and hand input device in addition to the overall design of the shell.
FIG. 24 is a back side view of the present invention showing the location and positioned roll sensor circuitry, wire cables, and hand input device and an overview of the shell profile. FIG. 25 is an isometric view of another wiring configuration of the present invention showing the location and positioned electronic circuitry, wire cables, and hand input device in addition to the overall design and shell of the invention.
FIG. 26 is a top view of another wiring configuration for the present invention showing the location and positioned electronic circuitry, wire cables, and hand input device in addition to the overall design and shell of the invention.
FIG. 27 is a side view of another wiring configuration of the present invention showing the location and positioned electronic circuitry of the yaw and pitch sensors, cable wiring, and hand input device in addition to the overall design of the shell.
FIG. 28 is a back side view of another wiring configuration of the present invention showing the location and positioned roll sensor circuitry, wire cables, and hand input device in addition to an overview of the shell profile. FIG. 25 is an isometric view of another wiring configuration of the present invention showing the location and positioned electronic circuitry, wire cables, and hand input device in addition to the overall design and shell of the invention. FIG. 29 is an isometric view of the wireless wiring configuration of the present invention showing the location and positioned electronic circuitry, wire cables, and hand input device in addition to the overall design and shell of the invention. FIG. 30 is a top view of the wireless wiring configuration for the present invention showing the location and positioned electronic circuitry, wire cables, and hand input device in addition to the overall design and shell of the invention. FIG. 31 is a side view of the wireless wiring configuration of the present invention showing the location and positioned electronic circuitry of the yaw and pitch sensors, cable wiring, and hand input device in addition to the overall design of the shell.
FIG. 32 is a back side view of the wireless wiring configuration of the present invention showing the location and positioned roll sensor circuitry, wire cables, and hand input device in addition to an overview of the shell profile.
FIG. 33 is a block diagram flow chart depicting the flow of input/output (i.e., data communications).
FIG. 34 is a circuit diagram showing one possible representation of the electrical circuitry.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show the surfaces used for human interaction. Surfaces 3, 4, 5 and 7 as well as surfaces 1, 2 and 8, 9 are surfaces for a user, but where the users are not limited, to interact with the control device. Users may use different combinations of these surfaces for interaction or other resulting combination of surfaces therein. Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11 and 12 show the different surfaces that may affect control. The following surfaces 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 work in conjunction with the surfaces described in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 (surfaces 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9) as human interaction placement surfaces to offset and manipulate roll, pitch and yaw. The user will interact with the controller as described above. When the controller interfaces with the base surface by means of the flat 12 the unit is in a nominal or centered state. The user may manipulate the angular displacement of the controller by any means to surface 13 or 14 affecting the roll right or roll left respectively. Likewise the user may manipulate the angular displacement of the controller to surfaces 15 and 16 affecting the pitch up and down respectively. The user may manipulate
the yaw displacement of the controller by any means upon any of the surfaces that are adjoined to flat 12 of the unit by rotational displacement or a twisting of the controller around the central z axis referenced to the roll and pitch circuitry FIG 25, 26, 27, and 28 item 33 the user contact surface plane. Furthermore the user may use any combination of surface 12, 13, 14, 15, andl6 to achieve desired angular or yaw displacement. Flat 12 and the combination of circuitry will likewise manipulate the angular displacement of the controller and thereby manipulate the end user by force feedback to surface 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 or any combination thereof.
In Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8 flat 12 may also house a switch that is activated by lifting the controller away from the base surface.
In Figs. 9 and 10 surfaces 17, 18a, 18b, 19, 20 and 21 provide pathways and locations, but are not limited to the pathways and locations, to transmit information from the different sensors, the hand held member, and the data processing device.
In Figs. 13, 14, 15, and 16 surfaces 22, 23, and 24 protection and housing for the electronic circuitry of the invention. These surfaces are the exterior shell that encapsulate and serve to protect the electronic circuitry they cover.
Surface 23 houses the main electronic circuitry and the sensors for the roll and pitch. Either Surface 24 houses the sensor for yaw. Surface 25 is the opening for an external device such as the hand held member or the data processing device.
Figs. 17, 18, 19, and 20 show location for an array of four switches. Items 30 designate the location for the array of four switches that can function independently or dependently depending on the
configuration of the data processing device. In this embodiment of the invention the buttons may be label as left, up, right, and down or any combination thereof. Item 29 is a switch that may be actuated by the users thumb. Item 31 consists of a potentiometer or slide bar transducer to control various input of the 3D virtual or real environment.
Figs. 17, 19, and 20 shows the location of the 3 switches. Item 32 is a switch 1 and may be actuated by the users index finger. Item 33 is a switch that may be actuated by the users middle finger. Item 34 is a switch that may be actuated by the users ring finger.
Item 27 is the inner housing for the hand held member which is coupled to Item 28 which is the outer half of the hand held member which house electronic circuitry for the control device. The shape of the couple Item 27 and Item 28 can be of any ergonomic hand help shape that when employed will house the electronic circuitry for the control device. Item 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34 are not limited to the hand held member and may be mounted within or upon surfaces 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14,
15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25.
Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, and 12 show item 18c and 18d which are buttons which are located on surface 15 and
16. Item 18c and 18d (Fig. 9 and 10) communicate to item 18a and 18b through item 45 (Fig. 33) to the data processing center. Item 18c and 18d have the same transmission assignment as item 29 (Fig. 17, 18, and 19) , but are not limited to that assignment.
The electronics components that are used in this preferred embodiment are accelero eters to sense and achieve the angular roll, pitch, yaw displacement of the controller. In this embodiment of the invention the
circuitry is held and housed in several different locations. The main set of electronic circuitry detecting roll and pitch angular displacement is housed in item 10 (Fig. 3), item 17 (Fig. 9, Fig. 10), but is not limited to these location. In this embodiment of the invention item 45 is the accelerometer circuitry and the communication scheme is detailed in flowchart Fig. 33. In Figs. 9 and 10, item 46 is shown coupled to item 45. Item 46 is also coupled to the base member. The communication scheme, detailed in Fig. 33, demonstrates data processing.
Figs. 25, 26, 27, and 28 demonstrate another wiring arrangement for the hand input device to the controller. Figs. 29, 30, 31, 32, and demonstrate a wireless arrangement for the hand input device to the controller.