Variable sensor having tactile feedback in a game control

Abstract

A variable sensor having a variable electrical output used to variably control electronic game imagery shown on a television according to variable depressive force applied by a finger of a human user to the variable sensor. The variable sensor comprising: a circuit sheet supporting electrically conductive material, positioned above the circuit sheet is located a depressible resilient structure, the resilient structure shaped to provide, upon depression, a snap tactile feedback, whereby when the finger of the user applies depressive pressure to the variable sensor a tactile feedback is provided to the finger indicating that the variable sensor is activated, and releasing of pressure applied to the variable sensor provides a tactile feedback to the finger indicating that the variable sensor is deactivated.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS / PATENTS[0001] This is a continuation of pending allowed U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 599,095 filed Jun. 21, 2000 which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 122,269 filed Jul. 24, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,135,886, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08 / 942,450 filed Oct. 1, 1997 and now U.S. Pat. No. 6,102,802. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 599,095 is also a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08 / 677,378 filed Jul. 5, 1996 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,222,525 which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07 / 847,619 filed Mar. 5, 1992 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,589,828. A priority claim under 35 USC 120 is made to the above Applications.[0002] 1. Field of the Invention[0003] This invention relates generally to sensors utilizing flexible dome-caps such as are used in the prior art as simple momentary-On electrical switches. The present invention is specifically di...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

These sensors enable increased user control through variable sensor output, reducing confusion and enhancing gaming experiences by providing clear tactile feedback and multiple pressure-sensitive states, making them suitable for applications like game pads, mouse controllers, and keyboards.

Problems solved by technology

For example, if an analog sensor or sensor used as an analog sensor of the type not having tactile feedback is minimally activated, it is difficult for the user in some instances to determine whether the sensor is still minimally activated or is entirely de-activated.

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