IP Library Granted Patent US 7,161,579
Granted Patent B2
US 7,161,579 · App. 10/290,789 · Granted Jan 9, 2007

Hand-held computer interactive device

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,161,579
App. No.
10/290,789
Granted
Jan 9, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

In one embodiment an input device is provided. The input device includes a central body. A response and communications system is included in the input device. The response and communication system enables communication between the input device and a computing device. At least one protrusion extending from the central body are included. The central body and the at least one protrusion are configured to capture a user's hand movements. The input device is configured to be held by the user. An input detection program, a computing system, computer program instructions and a method for communicating commands to a computer system from an external input device are provided.

Claims (24)

1. An input device, comprising:

a central body;

a response and communications system incorporated with the central body, the response and communication system enabling communication between the input device and a computing device; and

no more than two protrusions, having a sensor accommodating user finger, extending from the central body, wherein the central body and the no more than two protrusions are configured to capture a user's hand movements, and wherein the no more than two protrusions are configured to sense a degree of bending of a user's finger.

2. The input device of claim 1 , wherein the entire input device is-configured to be held in a user's hand.

3. The input device of claim 1 , wherein the central body and each of the no more than two protrusions include,

a vibrator configured to provide tactile feedback to a user.

4. The input device of claim 3 , wherein a hardness and a pattern of a vibration generated by the vibrator are controlled.

5. The input device of claim 1 , wherein the response and communication system transmits signals to a device to be controlled, the signals defined by the user's hand movements.

6. An input device configured to be held completely within a user's hand, comprising:

a central body;

a single protrusion, having a sensor accommodating user finger, extending from the central body, wherein the central body and the single protrusion are configured to capture a user's finger movements; and

a response and communications system disposed within the input device.

7. The input device of claim 6 , wherein the single protrusion captures a degree of bending of a user's finger.

8. The input device of claim 6 , wherein the input device includes,

a vibrator configured to provide tactile feedback to a user's hand.

9. The input device of claim 8 , wherein a hardness and a pattern of a vibration generated by the vibrator are controlled.

10. An input device configured to be held completely within a user's hand, comprising:

a central body;

a maximum of two protrusions having a sensor accommodating user finger, extending from the central body, wherein the central body and the maximum of two protrusions at least one protrusion are configured to capture a user's hand movements; and

a communications system incorporated with the central body enabling communication between the input device and a computing device.

11. The input device of claim 10 , wherein the user's hand movements include finger movements.

12. The input device of claim 10 , wherein the communications system is disposed within the central body.

13. The input device of claim 10 , wherein the maximum of two protrusions correspond to an index finger and a thumb of the user's hand.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 1, 2016
From: SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT INC.
To: SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT INC.
Reel/Frame 039239/0356 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 27, 2011
From: SONY NETWORK ENTERTAINMENT PLATFORM INC.
To: SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT INC.
Reel/Frame 027551/0154 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Dec 26, 2011
From: SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT INC.
To: SONY NETWORK ENTERTAINMENT PLATFORM INC.
Reel/Frame 027445/0239 →