Controller

Abstract

There is described a controller, for example, for a game. The controller comprises a controller body, first and second limbs extending from the controller body, a sensor array, and an output. The first and second limbs define respective first and second axes, and the limbs are each rotatable about their respective axis. The sensor array comprises at least one sensor arranged to sense relative positions of the limbs in relation to the controller body, and the output is arranged to provide a signal which varies in dependence upon the sensed relative positions. There is also described game playing equipment comprising such a controller.

1 . A controller, for example, for a game, comprising:
 a controller body;   first and second limbs extending from the controller body and defining respective first and second axes, the limbs each being rotatable about their respective axis;   a sensor array comprising at least one sensor arranged to sense relative positions of the limbs in relation to the controller body; and   an output arranged to provide a signal which varies in dependence upon the sensed relative positions.   
   
   
       2 . The controller of  claim 1  in which:
 the first and second limbs cooperate with the controller body to define respective first and second pivot points; and   the limbs are each pivotable about their respective pivot point.   
   
   
       3 . The controller of  claim 1  in which:
 the sensor array is arranged to sense rates of change of the relative positions of the limbs; and   the output is arranged to provide a signal which varies in dependence upon the sensed rates of change.   
   
   
       4 . The controller of  claim 2  in which at least one limb is pivotable about its respective pivot point in two orthogonal directions. 
   
   
       5 . The controller of  claim 1  in which the sensor array is arranged to sense a rotational position of at least one limb about its respective axis. 
   
   
       6 . The controller of  claim 2  in which the sensor array is arranged to sense a pivotal position of at least one limb about its respective pivot point. 
   
   
       7 . The controller of  claim 1  in which a range of relative positions of the limbs in relation to the controller body is limited. 
   
   
       8 . The controller of  claim 7  in which the sensor array is arranged to sense when at least one limb is moved to a full extent in a specified direction in relation to the controller body. 
   
   
       9 . The controller of  claim 1  in which the sensor array is arranged to sense how far at least one limb is moved in a specified direction in relation to the controller body. 
   
   
       10 . The controller of  claim 1  in which the limbs of the controller are biased towards a null position. 
   
   
       11 . The controller of  claim 10  in which the null position comprises:
 the limbs extending in substantially the same direction from the controller body; and   the limbs each extending substantially orthogonally from the controller body.   
   
   
       12 . The controller of  claim 1  in which the controller body comprises first and second body members, the first limb extending from the first body member, and the second limb extending from the second body member. 
   
   
       13 . The controller of  claim 12  in which the sensor array is arranged to sense relative positions of the limbs in relation to the body members from which they extend. 
   
   
       14 . The controller of  claim 12  in which:
 the body members are able to move relative to one another; and   the sensor array is arranged to sense a relative position of the body members in relation to one another.   
   
   
       15 . The controller of  claim 14  in which:
 the body members are able to rotate relative to one another; and   the sensor array is arranged to sense a rotational position of the body members relative to one another.   
   
   
       16 . The controller of  claim 14  in which:
 the body members define a common axis;   the body members are able to rotate about the common axis relative to one another; and   the sensor array is arranged to sense a rotational position of the body members relative to one another.   
   
   
       17 . The controller of  claim 14  in which:
 the body members define a common axis;   the body members are able to move axially along the common axis relative to one another; and   the sensor array is arranged to sense an axial position of the body members relative to one another.   
   
   
       18 . The controller of  claim 17  in which the body members are telescopically disposed along the common axis. 
   
   
       19 . The controller of  claim 14  in which a range of relative positions of the body members in relation to one another is limited. 
   
   
       20 . The controller of  claim 19  in which the sensor array is arranged to sense when the body members are moved to a full extent in a specified direction in relation to one another. 
   
   
       21 . The controller of  claim 14  in which the sensor array is arranged to sense how far the body members are moved in a specified direction in relation to one another. 
   
   
       22 . The controller of  claim 12  in which the body members of the controller are biased towards a null position. 
   
   
       23 . (canceled) 
   
   
       24 . (canceled) 
   
   
       25 . The controller of  claim 1  in which:
 the controller further comprises at least one additional controlling means;   the sensor array is arranged to sense a state of the at least one controlling means; and   the output is arranged to provide a signal which varies in dependence upon the sensed state of the at least one controlling means.   
   
   
       26 . The controller of  claim 25  in which the controlling means is selected from a group consisting of a button, a switch, a joystick, and a mousepad. 
   
   
       27 . Game playing equipment including a game controller comprising:
 a controller body;   first and second limbs extending from the controller body to define respective first and second axes, the limbs each being rotatable about their respective axis;   a sensor array comprising at least one sensor arranged to sense relative positions of the limbs in relation to the controller body; and   an output arranged to provide a signal which varies in dependence upon the sensed relative positions.   
   
   
       28 . (canceled)