Game drum having micro electrical mechanical system pressure sensing module

This application is related to a commonly-assigned copending application, Ser. No. 12/813,100, entitled “MOTION CONTROLLER HAVING MICRO ELECTRICAL MECHANICAL SYSTEM PRESSURE SENSING MODULE”. The disclosure of the above-identified application is incorporated herein by reference.

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to input devices for electronic game apparatuses, and particularly, to a game drum including a micro electrical mechanical system (MEMS) pressure sensing module.

2. Description of Related Art

Following rapid development of electronic technology, a plurality of wireless-control game apparatuses has been disclosed. A typical wireless-control game apparatus generally includes a host device and a wireless input device. Using a drum game for instance as an example, in use, when beating the game drum, a signal reflecting a beating force that the player applies is transmitted into the host device, and then music is broadcasted from a terminal electronic apparatus. The music may not sound as correctly as it should be, so the user has to adjust the beating force. Unfortunately, the game apparatus is unable to provide the exact value of the beating force. The player must adjust this external force by trial and error. Therefore, a game drum capable of notifying the beating force in real-time is desired.

Many aspects of the present game drum can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present game drum. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a game drum in accordance with a first embodiment, where the game drum has a MEMS pressure sensing module.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the game drum of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is block diagram shows a configuration of the MEMS pressure sensing module.

FIG. 4 is an isometric, exploded view of another game drum in accordance with a second embodiment.

Embodiment of the present game drum having a MEMS pressure sensing module will now be described in detail below and with reference to the drawings. The MEMS is an integrated micro system including a micro sensor, a processor, a circuit for processing and controlling signals, an interface circuit, a communicator, and a power supply.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , a game drum 200 includes a drum body 21 , a compressible member 27 , a MEMS pressure sensing module 22 and a terminal electronic device 23 . The drum body 21 is hollow cylinder, and defining an accommodating room 211 . In addition, the drum body 21 includes an output interface circuit (not shown) for coupling with the terminal electronic device 23 . The output interface circuit is integrated on a printed circuit board (not shown), which is accommodated in the drum body 21 .

The compressible member 27 includes a drumhead beating surface 271 and a fixed surface 272 opposite to the drumhead beating surface 271 . The drumhead beating surface 271 adheres to the inner sidewalls of the drum body 21 for sealing the accommodating room 211 at the top of the drum body 21 . The fixed surface 272 defines an opening (not shown). The compressible member 27 is capable of deforming under pressure, and recovering to its original shape upon being released. In the present embodiment, the compressible member 27 is a membrane, made of rubber. In alternate embodiments, the compressible member 27 does not define the opening, and is directly disposed on a MEMS sensor 221 .

The MEMS pressure sensing module 22 includes the MEMS sensor 221 , a processing unit 222 , a transmitting unit 223 , a power supply unit 224 , a control unit 225 and an A/D transducer 226 which are all integrated on the printed circuit board. The MEMS sensor 221 supports the compressible member 27 with sealing the opening of the fixed surface 272 of the compressible member 27 . When beating the drumhead beating surface 271 of the compressible member 27 , an airflow resultantly produces and applies an impact force equivalent to a pressure applied thereon. The MEMS sensor 221 is capable of sensing the amount of pressure according to the impact force and converting the pressure value into a plurality of digital signals.

The processing unit 222 electrically connects with the MEMS sensor 221 , and is configured for calculating the values of the pressure according to the digital signals from the MEMS sensor 221 . The processing unit 222 is a micro control unit. In an alternate embodiment, the processing unit 222 is an application specific integrated circuit.

The transmitting unit 223 couples with the processing unit 222 and the control unit 225 , and is configured for transmitting the values of the pressure from the processing unit 222 to the control unit 225 . In the present embodiment, the transmitting unit 223 is a BLUETOOTH unit.

The power supply unit 224 is configured for supplying power to the transmitting unit 223 and the processing unit 222 . The A/C transducer 226 interconnects with the processing unit 222 and the power supply unit 224 , and is configured for converting a voltage of the power supply unit 224 into a rated voltage for the processing unit 222 .

The control unit 225 is configured for storing the values of the pressure, and controlling an operation of the terminal electronic apparatus 23 through the output interface circuit. In the present embodiment, the terminal electronic apparatus 23 is a display mounted in the drum body 21 , and is exposed to the exterior. In an alternate embodiment, the terminal electronic apparatus 23 is an audio device for directly broadcasting the values of the pressure.

The MEMS pressure sensing module 222 is relatively small, sensitive, and has a quick response to any pressure. Therefore, a player can obtain more accurate values of the pressure that they apply in real-time.

In alternately embodiments, the terminal electronic device 23 is precluded from the present game drum 200 . Under this setup, consumers can select from many types of terminal electronic apparatus, such as a television or a computer for coupling with the drum body 21 having the MEMS pressure sensing module 22 and the output interface circuit. Connection between the terminal electronic device 23 and the control unit 225 can be wireless.

Furthermore, the game drum 200 can include a plurality of compressible members 27 , and a plurality of MEMS sensors 221 in which each MEMS sensor 221 supports and seals the opening of each of the compressible members 27 , or one single MEMS sensor 221 sealing all of the openings of the compressible members 27 .

Referring to FIG. 4 , another game drum 400 is provided in a second embodiment. The game drum 400 has similar structure as that of the game drum 200 , including having a drum body 410 defining an accommodating room 411 . In addition, the game drum 400 includes a MEMS pressure sensing module 420 , a compressible member 430 , and an elastic cover 440 directly laminated in that order. The cover 440 seals the accommodating room 411 with the peripheral regions thereof and is adhered to the drum body 410 . The cover 440 contacts with the beating surface 431 of the compressible member 430 . As such, contaminants are prevented from polluting the compressible member 430 , and in use, the compressible member 430 deforms when the cover 440 is beaten. A difference between the game drums 200 , 400 is that the compressible member 430 has no opening, and is directly disposed on the MEMS sensor (not shown) of the MEMS pressure sensing module 420 .

It is understood that the above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate rather than limit the disclosure. Variations may be made to the embodiments and methods without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the disclosure.