Cross-Reference to Related Application

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional Application Serial No. 15/706,638, filed on September 15, 2017, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62/394,803, filed on September 15, 2016, the contents of which applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention relates to the use of gyroscopic forces, and more particularly, to devices and methods for using gyroscopic forces for motion feedback.

Background of the Invention

[0003] The use of a rotating mass to create a dampening force opposite to an applied force, herein referred to as gyroscopic force is well known in mechanical physics. The bicycle is perhaps the most widely known example, where the gyroscopic force generated by the spinning wheels helps resist side-to-side tipping forces. Although the concept of the gyroscopic-stabilized device has been well known for many years, such devices have generally used gyroscopic force to dampen or prevent unwanted motion.

[0004] A simplified system illustrating the use of gyroscopic force in this manner can be seen in Figure 1. A stabilizing module 100 includes:

a) a power source 110 b) a controller 112

c) a rotary electric motor 114

d) a shaft coupling 116

e) a specific mass 120 that may be rotated

f) a mount 122 for the system

[0005] In a traditional stabilizing module, the motor is made to spin by the controller and power source. The spinning imparts gyroscopic force such that an external force is dampened (neutralized) and the stabilizing system“resists” the external force. Additionally, this simple system may be replicated and oriented with up to three stabilizing module units 200X, 200Y, 200Z arranged orthogonally to each other (one for each of the Cartesian X, Y and Z axes) such as shown in Figure 2, and a complete motion stabilizing system 300 is created that will resist external forces from any source. While such systems are useful, further improvements are possible.

Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved gyroscopic motion feedback device and related methods. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a gyroscopic motion feedback device includes a mount, a first gyroscope module connected to the mount, a sensor operable to detect motion of the mount, a controller in signal communication with the first gyroscope module and the sensor, and a power source supplying electrical power to the first gyroscope module, the sensor and the controller. The first gyroscope module includes a first pair of masses aligned along a first axis and rotatable thereabout, and a first pair of motors, each of the first pair of motors connected to a respective one of the first pair of masses and operable to independently rotate the respective one of the first pair of masses about the first axis at a variable rotational speed. The controller is configured with program instructions to vary a relative rotational speed of the first pair of motors in response to the motion detected by the sensor.

[0007] According to an aspect of the invention, second and/or third gyroscope modules are also connected to the mount aligned along different axes and also operated by the controller. According to another aspect of the invention, the mount is configured as a handle with the gyroscope modules arranged therein. According to a further aspect, the mount is used to control the position of an object within a virtual environment, and the controller operates the gyroscope module(s) based on interactions of the object within the virtual environment.

[0008] According to an additional aspect of the invention, the controlled is configured to vary a relative counter-rotational speed of the pair of motors in response to the motion detected by the sensor from a neutral state, in which gyroscopic forces generated by rotation of the pair of masses are cancelled out, to a destabilized state, in which the gyroscopic forces generated by rotation of the pair of masses are not cancelled out. According to yet another aspect, the controller is configured to vary a rotational direction of at least one of the pair of motors.

[0009] According to a method aspect for providing haptic feedback, a method includes detecting motion of the mount, communicating the motion of the mount to the controller, and varying, via the controller, the relative rotational speed of the pair(s) of motors to vary the gyroscopic force(s) generated by the gyroscope module(s), in response to the detected motion.

[0010] These and other objects, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better appreciated in view of the drawings and following detailed description of preferred embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011] Figure 1 is a schematic overview of a stabilizing module;

[0012] Figure 2 is a schematic overview of a motion stabilizing system including three stabilizing modules;

[0013] Figure 3 is a schematic overview of a gyroscopic motion feedback device, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 4 is a schematic overview of a gyroscopic motion feedback device, according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

[0015] Figure 5 is a schematic overview of a gyroscopic motion feedback device, according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

[0016] In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a gyroscopic motion feedback device. A system according to the present invention uses gyroscopic forces, created by one or more gyroscope modules controlled by a combination of electronics and programmed to produce the desired feedback. The system, in particular, is operable to change the effect of the gyroscope module(s) to output the gyroscopic force in a manner that will destabilize the system in a desired manner.

[0017] Referring to Figure 3, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a gyroscopic motion feedback device 10 includes a mount 12 connected to a gyroscope module 14. A sensor 16, such as an accelerometer, is operable to detect motion of the mount 12. A controller 20 is in signal communication with the sensor 16 and the gyroscope module 14. A power source 22 supplies electrical power to the gyroscope module 14, sensor 16 and controller 20.

[0018] The gyroscope module 14 includes a pair of masses 24, 26 aligned along a common axis and rotatable thereabout, as well as a first pair of motors 30, 32, each of the first pair of motors 30, 32 connected to a respective one of the first pair of masses 24, 26 and operable to independently rotate the respective one of the first pair of masses about the first axis at a variable rotational speed.

[0019] The controller 20, preferably a programmable logic controller, game controller or other programmable computer, is configured with program instructions to vary the relative rotational speed of the pair of motors 30, 32 in response to the motion detected by the sensor 16.

[0020] Counter-rotating masses/motors are advantageously utilized. The physics of counter-rotating masses is such that, should one mass be rotating clockwise, the other opposite to it and at equal relative speed, the net effect is that the gyroscopic force are canceled out. For example, a user holding a handheld version of the device effectively does not perceive the gyroscopic force.

[0021] By controlling the differential between these two rotating masses, the amount of gyroscopic force may be controlled, and advantageously, varied relatively rapidly. A significant advantage of the gyroscope module is to take advantage of, and to correct a mechanical limitation in common free-spinning motors when they are rotated at the high speeds necessary to create gyroscopic force. Namely, it is functionally impossible to accelerate a given mass from one velocity to another instantaneously. It is also more difficult to decelerate a rotating mass to a significantly slower velocity due to the combined inertia of the rotating mass, the inertia of the motor rotor itself and the typical methods used for commutating electrical current to motors in use today.

[0022] For a specific instance, the use of a permanent-magnet direct-current motor would allow for a very high rate of acceleration (given an unlimited current input), however decelerating would take more time. Common practices to electrically decelerate a system of this type include reducing current, (which is slow),“plugging” whereby the reverse current is applied in either a continuous fashion (causes overheating), or pulsed (which is slow), or by shunting, whereby the current is removed and the motor leads are tied together causing a short-circuit and a braking ability; this is limited by motor design and rotor inertia combined with the rotor velocity and thus is variable and often unpredictable.

[0023] By placing two masses on an axis, the controller may make the decision to set two units in the same direction (a multiplying force), reduce speed, or even change direction taking account for the required time such that the system appears to react instantly.

Additionally, the controller may also decide to use the motors in opposite directions but only at half-speed (the gyroscopic force is nulled), however for a fast reaction may then increase the speed of one motor to full, which gives a faster response than having to reduce speed and reverse.

[0024] Referring to Figure 4, a gyroscopic motion feedback device 10A can be used to provide feedback related to movement of an object within a virtual environment. For example, the motion of the mount 12A as detected by the sensor 16A (or other means) is used to control the position of the object in a virtual environment. A further input 34A supplied to the controller 20A, such as a velocity command, represents the interaction of the object within the virtual environment. The controller 20A is further configured with program instructions to vary the relative speeds of the motors 30A, 32A - and hence gyroscopic forces generated - based on the input 34A.

[0025] Referring to Figure 5, in a gyroscopic motion feedback device 10B, multiple gyroscope modules 14B1 , 14B2 and 14B3 are commonly connected to the mount 12B, each arranged along a different axis. The common mount 12B can be configured as a handle (such as a tubular handle) to allowing a user to hold it, and then experience a physical response to holding the device, moving the device, and (despite the absence of true physical contact) a“virtual impact” that causes the user to feel that they have received an external force. The arrangement of Figure 5 could be advantageously incorporated, for example, into a game controller evocative of a sword, baseball bat, tennis racket, golf club, etc.

Exemplary Device Application

[0026] Given a video game or virtual reality scenario where a user, herein referred to as“player”, may be immersed in an environment (such as large screens, projections or headsets used in this field), the player would hold the invention in their hands, similar to a sword or bat (or other object, as desired). As one may swing a sword around in free-space, so could the player; in this instance, the full length of the sword may not exist in reality, but it is presented to the player through the video game interface. However, the device still needs to respond and give feedback to the player using real forces, to allow the player to feel like they are“in the game”.

[0027] The device responds to this is as follows:

a) the accelerometer and/or other sensors determine that the device is moving (external forces imparted by the player), and communicate those vector values (the amount and direction the device is moving) to the controller;

b) the controller uses programmed algorithms to compute how the rotating masses should be controlled (speed, direction and which ones to which degree) to impart a reactive force to the device;

c) depending on the output from the controller, the motors may change state and either directly increase the externally applied force (additive), directly decrease the externally applied force (subtractive), impart a force differential to the external force (reactive), or not change at all (ineffective); and

d) additionally, the controller may use external commands (from the video game itself) to determine if there are any items that may“Virtually Collide” with the player's sword under which circumstances the algorithm will synthesize a specific reaction profile to allow the player to perceive that they have“hit something”.

[0028] In this sample utilization, the invention may be considered a“haptic feedback device”, of which there is a specific field for the development and use of such devices. The tradition of haptics however has been to remain with a vibratory or pseudo-stimulant forces (such as air blasts or sonic rumbling) that are generic in nature, not synthesized to be a specific reaction. Additionally, haptics, as typically used today, do not create additive forces; they are a response to existing touch or contact. The invention as described is unique to this instance since it has the capability to create an arbitrary but intentional force vector to be imparted to the player.

[0029] In general, the foregoing description is provided for exemplary and illustrative purposes; the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. Rather, those skilled in the art will appreciate that additional modifications, as well as adaptations for particular circumstances, will fall within the scope of the invention as herein shown and described and of the claims appended hereto.