Non Impact Video Game Controller for Dancing Games

Abstract

A video game controller for home video game systems is situated between a player's feet and is used to detect positions outside the footprint of the controller. The controller transmits the position data to the video game system and enables game play. In dance games, the controller detects dance steps when the player dances around the controller. A signal is transmitted from locations at the perimeter of the controller, reflected by the player's foot, and then received back at the controller. In a preferred embodiment the location is detected as a function of the time the signal is transmitted / received and by the matrix of signals received. Modulation of the transmission and reception minimizes detection of noise and distant reflections and therefore minimizes or eliminates false position detection.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present application is generally related to a video game controller, and specifically to one that detects the movement of a player's feet optically.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Video games are an enjoyable diversion and the video game industry enjoys ever increasing sales and penetration. Some time ago, video games that make a player physically dance were developed. In particular, an arcade game console called Dance Dance Revolution is extremely popular in Japanese arcades. Dancing games are now available for home video game systems and are gaining in popularity.[0003]Some prior controllers for use with dancing games generally involve a large mat that covers the full game play area. A player dances on top of the mat and the mat transmits the user's position to the game system. These dance mats tend to wear out quickly when used by zealous gamers that frequently and vigorously dance upon them. Furthermore, they are bulky and inconvenient to use and...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a game controller that detects a player's foot position. It can be used with any game that requires a user to move their feet around from position to position, but is especially useful in dancing related video games. It is small and durable as it does not wear out due to repeated impact. The controller uses a reflective technique to have a small footprint. The detection units are located on the left, right, top, and bottom sides of the controller, and game control buttons are located at the corners for convenient play. The detection modules sense an object at the left, right, top, and bottom of the controller, but not at the corners to eliminate inadvertent detection of a move when a player's foot sweeps from one side to another. The optical emitters are directed substantially parallel to the ground or angled toward the ground, and a foot can be detected before or after the beam hits the ground, or by the weakened signal after it has been reflected by the ground.

Problems solved by technology

Furthermore, it is significantly more compact than those designs.

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