Amusement devices: games – Including means for processing electronic data – Player-actuated control structure
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-11
2001-03-20
Martin-Wallace, Valencia (Department: 3713)
Amusement devices: games
Including means for processing electronic data
Player-actuated control structure
C463S036000, C273S14800B
Reexamination Certificate
active
06203432
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for adjusting the response characteristic, such as the sensitivity and deadband, of an input device for an electronic game or game accessory, and in particular for configuring the steering sensitivity and deadband of a steering wheel input device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Electronic games are often accessorized with input devices, such as a steering wheel or joystick, which a player uses to control actions in the game. For games which simulate movement, such as driving or flying, the position of the joystick or steering wheel determines the direction of movement of the player or his or her game piece. By changing the direction of movement the player hopes to maneuver successfully through the game.
For any given input device the sensitivity is always the same. Every time that a player uses a particular joystick to play the game, moving it to a certain position (or rotating a particular steering wheel by a certain amount) results in the same change in direction of the player's game piece.
A need exists for an input device whose sensitivity can be adjusted so that different players who prefer different sensitivities can maximize their enjoyment and success in the game. A need also exists for an input device which has a configurable deadband.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an input device for an electronic game which has a settable or adjustable sensitivity and/or deadband.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic game input device which is itself used to set or adjust its sensitivity and/or deadband.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide inventive methods for setting or adjusting the sensitivity and/or deadband of an input device for an electronic game.
These and other objects are achieved by providing an electronic game, comprising an input device for use by a player to input commands to the game, said input device being movable within a range of positions; and a controller operatively connected to said input device for generating at least one control signal based upon a current position of said input device, said control signal having a value, wherein the value of said control signal is configurable by the player.
These and other objects are also achieved by providing a method of adjusting the sensitivity of an input device for an electronic game, the input device being movable within a range of positions, said method comprising selecting one of a plurality of sensitivities for the input device; recording the selected sensitivity; and generating a control signal representing a current position of the input device, the value of the control signal being based on the selected sensitivity.
Still further, these and other objects are achieved by providing a remote accessory for use with an electronic game, comprising a steering wheel input device movable within a range of positions; a controller operatively connected to said steering wheel for generating at least one control signal based upon a current position of said steering wheel, and for transmitting said control signal to the electronic game, wherein a value of the at least one control signal generated by said controller is adjustable by the player.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from a review of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the description and examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, are not intended to limit the breadth of the invention since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art.
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Roberts Thomas John
Shepherd Douglas Frank
Kasick Julie
Luce Forward Hamilton & Scripps LLP
Madcatz, Inc.
Martin-Wallace Valencia
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