The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 06, 2004
Filed:
Feb. 29, 2000
Robert E. Gruhl, Seattle, WA (US);
Thomas W. Brooks, Seattle, WA (US);
Melissa S. Jacobson, Seattle, WA (US);
Allen M. Han, Kirkland, WA (US);
Drew C. Bamford, Seattle, WA (US);
Damon V. Danieli, Clyde Hill, WA (US);
Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA (US);
Abstract
A control device that combines a movable pod, that is sized to comfortably support a user's hand, with control buttons that are easily commanded by the user's fingers and thumb without interfering with pod movement, thereby allowing the user to quickly, simultaneously, and intuitively, command multiple aspects of a user application software, such as a game. Preferably, the pod is movable simultaneously in three different directions: forward-and-backward, side-to-side; and axially about an axis. The device also uses the distance the pod is displaced from a neutral position as an additional control parameter for commanding the application software. In addition, control commands associated with the control buttons and movement of the pod may be programmed by the user either “on the fly” or by using a graphical user interface. Also, the device provides feedback to the user regarding the programmed status of each button and available pod movement.