Pressure sensitive mat for video game console
A mat for video game console in one embodiment includes pressure sensors; a master controller; A/D converters; a light controller; and indicators. Each pressure sensor is in signal communication with a corresponding A/D converter. The A/D converters are in signal communication with the master controller. In response to a person standing on the mat when playing video games on the video game console the pressure sensors sense the weight of the person and a leg action thereof, generate analog signals representing same, and send the analog signals to the A/D converters, the A/D converters convert the analog signals into digital signals which are in turn sent to the master controller, the master controller processes the digital signals for controlling the video game console and flashing the indicator through the light controller.
1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to video game consoles and more particularly to an improved pressure sensitive mat for use with a video game console.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventionally, a person may use a joystick or keys to play a computer game or video game on a video game console. Alternatively, a person may use an accelerometer sensor to sense in which direction the hand moves. In either case, a signal is generated and the signal is useful in controlling the movements of objects displayed on the screen.
For playing a computer game or video game on a video game console, a conventional joystick 8A may be manipulated to point in left, right, up, or down direction (see left side of
But this is unsatisfactory for the purpose for which the invention is concerned for the following reasons: Users may suffer muscle soreness or other discomforts for long periods of time of playing computer games or video games on a video game console by manipulating the joystick or pressing keys. Moreover, for example, playing video games on a video game console by manipulating a joystick lacks excitement. Thus, a need for improvement exists.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is therefore one object of the invention to provide a pressure sensitive mat for use with a video game console.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.
Referring to
A foot-actuated, padded, rectangular mat member 2 is provided. A plurality of (e.g., four) pressure sensors 3 are provided proximate four corners of the mat member 2. A plurality of spaced indicators 5 are provided along a peripheral edge of the mat member 2.
A printed circuit board (not shown) is provided within the mat member 2 and comprises a master controller 7, a plurality of A/D (analog to digital) converters 4, and a light controller 6. Each of the pressure sensors 3 is in signal communication with a corresponding one of the A/D converters 4. The A/D converters 4 are in signal communication with the master controller 7. The master controller 7 may send signals for game operation to a video game console (not shown) and control the light controller 6 in response. Finally, the light controller 6 is activated to control a lighting sequence of the indicators 5.
In other embodiments, only one pressure sensor 3 and only one corresponding A/D converter 4 are provided.
A person may stand on a central area (as indicated by a dashed rectangle of
Moreover, the master controller 7 may control the light controller 6 in order to enable the indicators 5 to light according to a programmed sequence (i.e., flashing). This is more exciting.
A person may jump, move toward a desired direction, or step on the same position on the mat member 2 (see
In an alternative embodiment, only the pressure sensors 3 are provided on the mat member 2 and other components including the A/D converters 4, the master controller 7, the light controller 6, and the indicators 5 are provided in or on a separate device. Still alternatively, the pressure sensors 3, the A/D converters 4, and the master controller 7 are provided on the mat member 2 and other components including the light controller 6 and the indicators 5 are provided in or on a separate device.
As shown in
While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims.
Claims
1. A mat for use with a video game console comprising:
- a plurality of pressure sensors;
- a master controller;
- a plurality of A/D (analog to digital) converters;
- a light controller controlled by the master controller; and
- a plurality of indicators controlled by the light controller,
- wherein each of the pressure sensors is in signal communication with a corresponding one of the A/D converters, and the A/D converters are in signal communication with the master controller so that in response to a person standing on a predetermined area of the mat when playing video games on the video game console the pressure sensors sense the weight of the person and a leg action thereof, generate analog signals representing the weight of the person and the leg action thereof, and send the analog signals to the A/D converters, the A/D converters convert the analog signals into digital signals which are in turn sent to the master controller, the master controller processes the digital signals for controlling the video game console and activating the light controller, and a corresponding movement or action is performed by an object on the video game console and the indicators are enabled.
2. The mat of claim 1, wherein the leg action is a movement toward a predetermined direction, a jump, or a stepping on the mat.
3. The mat of claim 1, wherein the indicators are disposed on a periphery of the mat.
4. The mat of claim 1, wherein the indicators may flash in response to receiving a control signal from the light controller.
5. A mat for use with a video game console comprising:
- a pressure sensor;
- a master controller;
- an A/D (analog to digital) converter;
- a light controller controlled by the master controller; and
- a plurality of indicators controlled by the light controller,
- wherein the pressure sensor is in signal communication with the A/D converter, and the A/D converter is in signal communication with the master controller so that in response to a person standing on a predetermined area of the mat when playing video games on the video game console the pressure sensor senses the weight of the person and a leg action thereof, generate an analog signal representing the weight of the person and the leg action thereof, and send the analog signal to the A/D converter, the A/D converter converts the analog signal into a digital signal which are in turn sent to the master controller, the master controller processes the digital signal for controlling the video game console and activating the light controller, and a corresponding movement or action is performed by an object on the video game console and the indicators are enabled.
6. The mat of claim 5, wherein the leg action is a movement toward a predetermined direction, a jump, or a stepping on the mat.
7. The mat of claim 5, wherein the indicators are disposed on a periphery of the mat.
8. The mat of claim 5, wherein the indicators may flash in response to receiving a control signal from the light controller.
Type: Application
Filed: May 8, 2009
Publication Date: Nov 11, 2010
Inventor: Kent T. J. Hsu (Taipei)
Application Number: 12/437,557
International Classification: A63F 9/24 (20060101);