While U.S. automakers such as Chrysler and Ford continue to struggle with their financial sheets, Honda has posted record-breaking fiscal first quarter profits. Although the strong yen and rising material costs hurt Japan’s number two automaker, Honda’s growth in new markets offset any losses.
Honda recorded a $1.68 billion profit for the April to June quarter, up 8.1 percent from the previous year and outpacing predicted profits of $1.2 billion, according to Yahoo Finance.
Despite the sharp increase, Honda’s sales actually fell 2.2 percent to $26.79 billion, largely due to the rising value of the yen. According to Honda, its sales would have increased 7 percent if the yen’s value had remained steady from last year.
Honda’s U.S. sales also helped bolster the record quarter as demand for its fuel-efficient lineup spiked as gas prices crossed the $4 mark.
Honda sold 962,000 vehicles worldwide in its first fiscal quarter – up 1.7 percent from last year – setting a new company record.


07/25, 12:52 PM
posted by:
macabre
Good to see that the world’s last major independent car company is doing well.
07/25, 1:08 PM
posted by:
ktulu
not a surprise
07/25, 1:09 PM
posted by:
Nightblack_97
Good for them. I wish GM and Ford could do as well… hopefully soon once we get a new design and engineering staff for both. Until then let’s just import more cars from europe
07/25, 1:18 PM
posted by:
HemiRoadRunner
Does anybody here also like the song “Ballroom Blitz”? It makes me want to kick someone’s @$$, just like reading this did.
07/25, 1:30 PM
posted by:
xyunya
Yep Honda knows how to make cars and it shows. As one smart man said “Build it and they’ll come”. Obviously, they came in droves. I think it will take at least 4-5 years for Ford & GM to have depth and strength of the line-up as Honda has. Of course, that’s assuming Honda will not move forward.
07/25, 1:33 PM
posted by:
lamboz get a life
It’s always the U.S sales that help bolster the financial gains of Toyota and Honda. Smart companies not only for percieved perfection of automobiles. They also know how the loyalty of Americans to the United States that serves them means nothing. They could badge a burlap sack , put wheels on it, call it a car and Americans would think it was the next big thing. Motor Trend would name it car of the year and dumb ****s like Triple Five Fag and his buddies Xanadu, Lamo Z, Motoxjrhigh and the many others on here would say it has a proven track record and won’t fall apart like every GM, Chysler, and Ford. Triple Five Fag would even quote you the exact depreciation of it as he does not have a job and has nothing better to do. Of course the Burlap Sack GT as I’ll call it would be built here since it would save the Asains money not having to ship it across the ocean since it would be built only for our market. That’s because only Americans would be stupid enough to buy it and they are well aware of that as some of the cars over the last few decades dumped on us have been ****-cars too.
But hey the above mentioned would think that because it is built here it must be an American car because lord knows the domestic Big 3 only build cars in Mexico and Canada. Funny part is do the Japenese get mad about jobs being sent overseas to America in Toyota City, Japan. Probably not, they have nothing to worry about , plus they know the Japansese Goverment would never allow a non-Japanese manufacture to build in their country. Plus there is no room, what a pleasent place it is.
Of course the above mentioned would feel that if you chose say a Dodge Charger over the new Burlap Sack GT then you must be an uneducated stupid redneck whom wraps his dumb patriotic ass around the flag. We all know it is O.K. to crack on America and it’s culture but please do not speak badly about the Japenese or Europeans because they are the most intelligent and perfect people (Just ask Hitler about the Germans) That would be hillbilly racist anyway.
It is really sad to see just from reading posts on LLN how many stupid people live here whom are clueless. I really have nothing against imports , my wife has a new Sienna, she loves it. My problem is with stupid people who feel patriotism is a crime. Can one go over-patriotic just like going over-religion, yes, but a little bit never hurt anyone.
I guess I’m a racist too, a racist against all those whom are stupid liberals.
I love how republicans get bashed on here as well. Is it not a liberal presidential candidate whom wants to help the Big 3 and a conservative whom as said no to those?
07/25, 1:34 PM
posted by:
shaver
I wonder how much was a result of savings on not hiring any designers and using elementary school kids to pen their designs.
07/25, 1:47 PM
posted by:
crackerhemi
looks like lamboz get a life needs to take his own advice and get a life; stop writing essays no one is going to read
07/25, 1:48 PM
posted by:
Nightblack_97
—Lamboz get a life
I love America but please don’t be like HemiRoadRunner. I’ve been reading this site for almost two years and finaaly decided to get an account because there doesn’t seem to be anyone that wants Gm, Ford, and Chrysler to succeed, while at the same time acknowledging the fact that those three especially chrysler put out some of the worst cars on the road today. There are a few bright spots like the Malibu(which could have great except its too heavy) the camaro, the mustang, tahoe etc… that have made America proud. GM look sto be turning tings around well and Ford has a great idea with all their Euro imports and ecoboost engines. The future can be good… if they can do two things
1.) learn to make an attractive interior. That is what would keep me out of most American cars
2.) find an alternative to japanese styling. Alot of people don’t like it, but have no other choice. german costs too much.
oh and find the person who told chrysler that the light gray interior was attractive…. and kill them
07/25, 1:52 PM
posted by:
HemiRoadRunner
Don’t be like me? Waaaaaahh, did I hurt your precious feelings? Be a man and get over it crybaby. There is nothing wrong with American cars nowadays and the jap cars from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s aren’t as perfect as everyone thinks.
07/25, 1:55 PM
posted by:
Impulsive
’shaver’, you have seen the light, my friend.
‘Nightblack’, you obviously have NOT been reading anything here for any period of time … to state “there doesn’t seem to be anyone that wants Gm, Ford, and Chrysler to succeed” is ignorance to the nth degree.
07/25, 2:08 PM
posted by:
xyunya
OK, explanations above explain why GM and Ford are bleeding and Honda making profits. Interestingly enough, the “captains” of industry already recognized their own vices and would like to be like Honda, they just can’t execute that well. And I doubt that it is their execution skills (Wagoner has the best schooling money can buy) it is the luck of testosterone to live by long term plans not lying and cheating throw fiscal quarters to show some progress. Eventually it catches up, like too much boozing during semester before finals.
07/25, 2:31 PM
posted by:
lamboz get a life
Again reread what I wrote. I am not saying the domestics did not F up the last few decades, they had no real competition when this all started. I’m pointing out other facts such as “the imports make no mistakes” and that patriotism is a redneck agenda, which it may seem that way at times, but is not. I’m pointing out how stupid many on this site are when they do not know the difference between the effects of a domestic company and a foriegn company/investor has on the U.S. economy. What exactly did you read that says that light grey Chrysler interiors are great? Don’t believe I was stating anything about materials. Last time I checked every new Camry comes in light grey as well, and why does every Camry owner buy the same exterior colors? The interiors of the dometics have come along way in the last 10 years. Are all up to par with some other cars, probably not. But as Motor Trend says, It’s cheap plastic, whatever the hell that is. Speaking of styling, the CTS, Malibu, Fusion, Camaro, G8, 300C, Charger, and unfortuantly the Focus, Sebrings, Cobalt , Avenger, where is this Japanese styling in these cars you speak of.
Crackerhemi, ****smooch, you read it and fout othewrs wrote it. are you not on here everyday like Triple Five Fag?
07/25, 2:32 PM
posted by:
TomF
Who says we don’t want GM, Ford and Chrysler to succeed? Everybody here is rooting for the home team — but it doesn’t mean applauding every stupid, mistimed, bonehead play they make. This Honda story should make you weep because it could have been the Ford story. Honda’s read the global market properly since the ‘73 oil shock. Ford and GM have consistently misread it, or denied it, or, when they had clearly inferior products, pleaded with you to put nationalism ahead of rational thought and “buy American.”
We love our domestic manufacturers as parents of children with Down’s Syndrome love their kids. You want them to do well, but you’re starting to resign yourself to the fact that they’ll never win a fair, open footrace.
07/25, 2:46 PM
posted by:
xyunya
TomF, tremendous clarity in your writing
07/25, 2:48 PM
posted by:
t-ak-box
Good for Honda. Sorry that the Domestics just ignored the fuel efficient segment for yrs. but now they will hopefully get back on track. I know I’m looking forward to the Ford Fiesta and the Chevy Beat, maybe not the beat so much. I wish Cerberus would come out with the hornet now.
07/25, 2:57 PM
posted by:
lamboz get a life
Everyone here is rooting for the home team. Your new here or else you don’t know Triple Five Fag and some of the other ridiculous people on here.
I don’t belive I said anything bad about Honda, greta company , but not everycar they build is desirable or perdect as some on here have instilled in them. Did I applaud the domestics for there mistakes, nope don’t think so.
So now that the cars are becoming equal, (except for the smallest of the small cars, give credit to the Asains for that)is it wrong to be patriotic to your country when it is possible?
Tom F , do you believe that having Americans only working for foriegn companies in America is good for the U.S.? This could happen someday. Anhueser Busch is now gone, just like many other companies over the last few decades that were the strength of America at one time. Who goes next, GM? Coca Cola, Boeing, General Electric, State Farm, or who knows. Is this good for our future generations. I’d agree with putting rational over nationalism if this were 1998, but it’s not, things are getting closer to closing the gap, America is getting bought out left and right, politicians that are clueless babyboomers. People’s perceptions of the Big 3’s lackluster years seem to not be forgiven because of some guy’s 1988 Beretta that was junk in 1989. The same people that forgav Japan for dumping the junk they sold us in the 70’s or that little war thats just barely 60 years old.
Only third world countries work for someone else.
07/25, 3:09 PM
posted by:
Nightblack_97
IMPULSIVE,
I don’t read all the comments just the articles mostly. I’m glad you, Tom F, and I agree.
Tom F.
Didn’t I say in my previous post that the big three are making some of the worst cars today. Shoot, even Kia/Hyundai are level with them now (depending on who you ask).
My point is I don’t chear for the newest japenese car and hail it as supreme (i drive a 97 accord,its great, considering I’m putting myself through college)… just because its japanese. Look at the new camry. The sonata has a better interior. Even Toyota as a whole is starting to have serious quality control problems. Honda on the other hand seems to still be on the right track. I’m a huge fan but I wish that they had some competition.
—-I’m just saying judge car companies not on past history but keep up with them on a current basis.
I’m not just spouting stuff.
I keep up with reliabilty ratings/build quality through personal test drives/j.d.power/truedelta/consumerguide/consumerreports/ and others. I also read all the traditional car and driver/motortrend/insideline etc…
07/25, 3:15 PM
posted by:
Nightblack_97
oh and Lamboz,
Asians do make some really good cars.
My 97 accord drives like its still new. squeaks rattles are non existent and I get 24mpg with the old v6. paint hasn’t faded at all either and it wasn’t garage kept. thats quality most american cars can’t match… well they could but they just haven’t for a while.
No reason to knock asain cars because they did better than us but at the same time, I strongly disagree with those that think the big three can’t catch up. New management and a little time should give interesting results.
07/25, 3:18 PM
posted by:
Nightblack_97
yes, the camry sucks worse than even some chryslers. but chrysler seems to use it more throughout their line up
07/25, 3:24 PM
posted by:
Nightblack_97
didn’t intend for four posts in a row, but I apparently got a big reaction to my post.
HemiRoadRunner- do you read any of the suff you write. all you seem to do is come up with new ways of including faggot in trippleonefive,xyunga, and others names. I’m willing to bet I’m younger than you and you’re coming off pretty stupid. I’m sure anyone who visits LLN often just laughs at you… which is sad because you’re making patriotic Americans look bad
07/25, 3:24 PM
posted by:
xyunya
lamboz get a life, having a job in foreign company is better then being fired from domestic company. If you don’t believe me, ask folks who got fired yesterday or today.
What defines foreign or domestic company? For the most part all auto companies are publicly traded (except Chrysler). It means they issued stock on ALL major exchanges and people from all over the world are buying the stock. The only difference between Honda and GM is the location of corporate headquarters. Design studios, production facilities and distribution centers are spread all over the world. The largest registered investor in GM is Russian former KGB officer Oleg Deripaska. Do you think that 5% of GM personnel working for Mr. Deripaska is better off then 100% working in Honda factories? The strength of US economy is not in our closet nationalism, but in our open society and economy.
07/25, 3:35 PM
posted by:
HemiRoadRunner
Oh really, I seem to recall xyunya making smart @$$ remarks to MY posts about ME when I don’t insult anybody but the japaese automakers. Almost everyone on here is a little crybaby. WHO GIVES A $H!T ABOUT MY COMMENTS. I really don’t care how people percieve me or my posts. To me, people that make an actual hobby out of “blogging” or whatever the F it’s called are geeks with no life. I get on here at work while I take a break between things, then when I’m off work, I’m doing much more important things. Anyway, I’m glad my posts offend the piss out of you, maybe you should less of a woman and not be soooooo sensitive.
07/25, 3:36 PM
posted by:
pmpvtkc
HemiRoadRunner are you on Rogaine yet?
07/25, 3:38 PM
posted by:
HemiRoadRunner
No, probably won’t need it for a long time either.
07/25, 3:44 PM
posted by:
Nightblack_97
HemiRoadRunner
Thats pretty much the same thing I do. I love the patriotism but why insult jap auto makers. In terms of war/GDP/and overall production we’ve already proved we can beat them. They beat us for the last twenty years in the auto industry, give them the credit they deserve. The tables may be about to turn. Gm can easily overtake Toyota with the right mangement or at least stay level with them. Honda is a different story but…
If you’re just doing it for fun, why not actually present some facts
07/25, 4:23 PM
posted by:
xyunya
HmeiRoidRunner, you are right about one thing: no one gives a crap about your comments. And you don’t have to remind us about success in life that you are: strippers in Florida named 1 dollar bill HRR.
Nightblack_97, the name of the thread is “Honda posts record first quarter”. The article below is “Ford lost 8.7 billion dollars”. The article of the day yesterday was “GM dispels rumors of bankruptcy”. This is hardly tables turning reality. The first step in 12 steps (or any turnaround process) is admitting the problem, some of us not there yet.
07/25, 4:32 PM
posted by:
fuk-u-asshole
**** alot of comments in a short period of time and alot of **** talk.
honda deserves every sale it gets cause its cars preform well in every area.
I really dont see how you can percieve GM,ford or chrylser having better product lineups. I think Ford europe and GM opel come very close to toyota or honda in design/technology/quality, alot of there products even beat toyota and honda in these areas, except reliability.
Its also so funny how alot of people still have a real optimism for GM. How deluded that is. ****in cracks me up
07/25, 4:41 PM
posted by:
Nightblack_97
xyunya, I’m new to posting and yes I am fully aware Honda kicks. I own a 97 accord and it has had no problems/its EPA rated at 15/25 yet gets 24 MPG, and handles very well. That said Honda is not Toyota or Nissan or Mazda(whose real roots are in doubt with the partial ford ownership).
GM is the size of toyota, Honda is much smaller.
I’m saying GM can beat Toyota. Toyota has started to show many of the same problems and their reliability isn’t that much better currently(I’m not referring to cars sold five years ago). What do you expect with the posts, you don’t come out of thirty years of plasticy unreliable cars instantly, it will take GM some time to recover reputation and market share, but at least now they are being competitive. Heck its good for all of us because it won’t let the asain car makers get lazy.
07/25, 4:45 PM
posted by:
lamboz get a life
God, how many idiots are on here. I never once saud anything about Japanese cars being bad. I stated that domestics have come along way from when they were really bad. What I said in my first post is showing right here and now that the anti-domestic people will never let it rest and will be all things Toyota/Honda regardless of what the domestics make. To the kid wirth the 1997 Accord, great, though since you do not have alot of experience with anything newer then you take a back seat. I had a 1989 Honda Accord, One of the best cars I ever had, handed down to me by my Dad, then went to college with my sister. It is now owned by a high school kid in the hometown I grew up in. I had a 1994 Ford Ranger, guy I used to work with bought it in 1993 with 140k on it and he still has it. Big deal, we could share these stories all day long.
07/25, 4:51 PM
posted by:
lamboz get a life
Xanadu- you don’t get it and never will so we should agree to disagree. The U.S.A sucks , we can’t do anything for ourselves nor can we learn from past mistakes so just let corporate America and our economy fail. Big deal, right?
07/25, 5:24 PM
posted by:
monte
So what are you doing about it?
07/25, 5:34 PM
posted by:
Nightblack_97
Lamboz,
I agree with you. I’m just saying your comment about the Burlap sack GT, while occasionally very true, doesn’t have any evidence behind it. Sure I’m ticked when they gave the Car of the year to the Camry. But isn’t it the best selling car in the U.S.? It didn’t get that way because people wrote good reviews on it. You can’t blame the auto journalists for assuming its going to be good. Same with the accord.
real life today, the accord is ugly,too large, and gets terrible gas mileage. The camry is under powered, has a cheap interior, and is currently unreliable(toyota may fix this).
This will hurt their reputation/sales figures. GM has the chance due to their mistakes to come in and retake some market share. If I were offered a Charger vs. and Accord, right now I would take the accord. five years down the road, once all the data is in fuel economy/reliability/ etc.. I might change my mind. If the charger is better I’ll buy, but the rest of america doesn’t keep up with these things as well so it will take longer for them to know doestic quality is back. Just give it some time.
07/25, 6:23 PM
posted by:
fuk-u-asshole
the problem is the “BIG THREE” dont have enough time
07/26, 12:13 PM
posted by:
tripleonefive
LOL @ lamboz Z for saying Im on here everyday yet he has been doing most of the posting
Toyota and Honda are PROVEN reliable and have the track records to back that statement up
GM Ford and Chrysler suck and that can be proven as well with resale or just the current state that they are in
Either way Honda with their superior build quality and excellent engineering they are posting record sales and will continue Domestic quality is much lower than Japanese quality and saying it doesnt mean its true
I have to drive a 08 TSX I love that car
Get a life Lamboz haahahahaha
07/26, 1:56 PM
posted by:
RfromA
Let me start out by saying I work for a major supplier for one of the Big 3. There are 4 Honda’s sitting in my diveway because of the reliability, the value, and the gas milage. American made doesn’t exactly apply anymore because approx. 90% of the parts we use in our line of work are cheap imports. They are just American assembled. The main downfall of the Big 3 is the union. By the time they pay these greedy people they must skimp on quality to stay in business!
07/26, 6:39 PM
posted by:
MugenSentraKen
======>>Nightblack_97, if u think a Hyandai Sonata’s interior is better than a Camry’s, i don’t know what you’re smokin’.
07/26, 6:40 PM
posted by:
MugenSentraKen
=====>>A Sonata’s interior is right on par with my old SRT-4.
07/26, 8:22 PM
posted by:
Nightblack_97
—MugenSentraKen
I’m refering to the redesigned Sonata interior vs. the 2008 camry in either light gray or beige. I’m not a fan of the sonata but the camry is terrble( which is a shame because I like the exterior styling… for a family sedan)
07/26, 8:25 PM
posted by:
Nightblack_97
oh and I’ve actually test driven both so I’m not just going on pictures. That silver plastic all over the center consol will look so bad in a few years. By the way, if I’d wanted that backlight color I would have bought a Timex.
07/27, 11:03 AM
posted by:
DeansterTJ
Obviously no one wants the American car companies to tank, at least not now. If it’s true that 1 in 6 people in the U.S. work for the auto industry or allied auto industry, then we’re positively ****ed if that happens.
So, if nothing more than for the economy and to stave off inflation and all out economic collapse, I would rather see Ford/GM/Chrysler get through as unscathed as possible.
When this is all over they need the tar beat out of them.
07/27, 12:48 PM
posted by:
zoomzoomer
As much as everyone seems to love bashing Honda and Toyota, their sales figures prove that most people believe these are the best screwed-together vehicles and have the best resale values, and they deserve their success. Nationalism is dead.. why should US consumers spend their hard-earned money on something they perceive as subpar? The Japanese makers have a proven track record, and unless the next US dictat..err..president FORCES people to buy American (through ridiculous import tariffs or other restrictions) their sales success will likely continue.
07/27, 1:21 PM
posted by:
sprockkets
Comment 43 Reads as follows:
What is claimed is:
1. An improved method of using a two hand held game controller structured with a housing formed to be held by a user in two hands simultaneously, said housing having a left-hand area and a right-hand area, located in said left-hand area is a depressible pad having four codependant areas, located in said right-hand area is a plurality of single individual depressible buttons; said game controller for controlling a simulated game character by way of depressing a portion of said depressible pad and depressing said single individual depressible buttons; a television displaying said simulated game character;
wherein the improved method comprises the steps:
providing at least two Qf said depressible buttons as pressure-sensitive buttons;
depressing said portion of said depressible pad for at least in part controlling said simulated game character;
depressing a first one of said pressure-sensitive with varying pressure for at least in part varying action intensity of said simulated game character;
depressing a second one of said pressure-sensitive with varying pressure for at least in part varying action intensity of said simulated game character.
2. An improved method of using a two hand held game controller according to claim 1 wherein the action intensity is at least represented by movement speed of said game character, wherein said game character moves at a first speed with a first depressive pressure, said game character moves at a second speed with a second depressive pressure, said second depressive pressure is greater than said first depressive pressure, and said second speed is different from said first speed.
3. An improved method of using a two hand held game controller according to claim 1 wherein the action intensity is at least represented by jumping height of said game character, wherein a first depressive pressure causes said character to jump a first height, and a second depressive pressure causes said character to jump a second height.
4. An improved method of using a two hand held game controller according to claim 1 wherein said game character is a simulated car, said car is slowed proportionally to increasing depressive pressure.
5. An improved method of using a two hand held game controller according to claim 1 wherein said game character is a simulated gun, said varying pressure for varying fire rate of said gun.
6. An improved method of using a two hand held game controller structured with a housing formed to be held by a user in two hands simultaneously, said housing having a left-hand area and a right-hand area, located in said right-hand area is a plurality of single individual depressible buttons; said game controller for controlling a simulated game character by way of depressing said single individual depressible buttons;
wherein the improved method comprises the steps:
providing at least two of said depressible buttons as pressure-sensitive buttons;
depressing a first one of said pressure-sensitive with varying degrees of pressure for at least in part varying action intensity of said simulated game character;
depressing a second one of said pressure-sensitive with varying degrees of pressure for at least in part varying action intensity of said simulated game character.
7. An improved method of using a two hand held game controller according to claim 6 wherein the action intensity is at least represented by jumping height of said game character, wherein a first depressive pressure causes said character to jump a first height, and a second depressive pressure causes said character to jump a second height.
8. An improved method of using a two hand held game controller according to claim 7 wherein said housing further supports in said left-hand area a depressible pad having four codependant areas, and
wherein the improved method comprises the step:
depressing a portion of said depressible pad for at least in part controlling said simulated game character.
9. An improved method of using a two hand held game controller according to claim 6 wherein said game character is a simulated car, said car is slowed proportionally to increasing depressive pressure.
10. An improved method of using a two hand held game controller according to claim 9 wherein said housing further supports in said left-hand area a depressible pad having four codependant areas, and
wherein the improved method comprises the step:
depressing a portion of said depressible pad for at least in part steering said car.
11. An improved method for controlling game imagery with a game control, said game control at least in part controlling imagery created by an image generation machine,
said game control of the type having a housing designed to be held in two hands simultaneously, said housing having a right-hand area and a left-hand area, located in said right-hand area are depressible single individual buttons, said buttons positioned to be depressed by a user’s right hand thumb, depression of said buttons is for controlling said imagery; said improvement comprises the step of:
providing variable action intensity of said game imagery at least in part controlled by pressure-sensitive variable-conductance of one of said buttons.
12. An improved method for controlling game imagery with a game control according to claim 11 wherein said improvement further comprises the step of:
providing variable action intensity of said game imagery at least in part controlled by pressure-sensitive variable depression of a second one of said buttons,
providing for said buttons to depress pressure-sensitive variable-conductance material.
13. An improved method for controlling game imagery with a game control according to claim 12 wherein said improvement further comprises the step of:
providing variable action intensity of said game imagery at least in part controlled by pressure-sensitive variable depression of a third one of said buttons.
14. An improved method for controlling game imagery with a game control according to claim 13 wherein said improvement further comprises the step of:
providing variable action intensity of said game imagery at least in part controlled by pressure-sensitive variable depression of a fourth one of said buttons.
15. An improved method for controlling game imagery with a game control according to claim 14 wherein said improvement further comprises the step of:
providing variable action intensity of said game imagery at least in part controlled by pressure-sensitive variable depression of a fifth one of said buttons.
16. An improved method for controlling game imagery with a game control according to claim 12 further wherein said housing supports in said left-hand area a depressible pad having four codependant areas, and
wherein the improved method comprises the step:
depressing a portion of said depressible pad for at least in part controlling said game imagery.
17. An improved method for controlling game imagery with a game control according to claim 16, wherein said image generation machine is a game console.
18. An improved method for controlling game imagery with a game control according to claim 17, wherein said game imagery includes a simulated game character.
19. An improved method for controlling game imagery with a game control according to claim 18, wherein said variable depression of one of said buttons causes variable jumping height of said game character.
20. An improved method for controlling game imagery with a game control according to claim 18, wherein said variable depression of one of said buttons causes variable firing rate of said game character.
21. An improved method for controlling game imagery with a game control according to claim 18, wherein said simulated game character is a vehicle and said variable depression of one of said buttons causes variable speed of said vehicle.
22. An improved method for controlling game imagery with a game control according to claim 21, wherein said vehicle is a race car.
23. A game control comprising:
a housing to be grasped and held simultaneously by two hands of a human user during use, said housing including a right-hand area and a left-hand area, said right-hand area being an area for grasping by the user’s right hand, said left-hand area being an area for grasping by the user’s left hand;
a plurality of depressible electricity manipulating devices each at least in-part exposed on said housing, at least some of said plurality of electricity manipulating devices positioned on said housing to be within reach of the user’s right-hand thumb;
at least one of said electricity manipulating devices is a pressure-sensitive variable-conductance sensor operable by a depressible individual button located within said right-hand area and reachable by the user’s right-hand thumb, said variable-conductance sensor including means for creating an analog electrical signal representing varying applied physical pressure;
at least one of said electricity manipulating devices including means for creating an On/Off signal; each of said electricity manipulating devices electrically connected to
electronics means for at least reading the signals of said electricity manipulating devices.
24. A game control according to claim 23 wherein said electronics means further for reading said at least one of said electricity manipulating devices including means for creating an On/Off signal, exclusively as an On/Off switch.
25. A game control according to claim 23 wherein the signals represent operation of said variable-conductance sensor.
26. A game control according to claim 23 wherein said electronics means includes an ASIC, and said pressure-sensitive variable-conductance sensor further includes a resilient dome cap carrying a conductive material on an underside of said dome-cap, said conductive material having a deformable shaped surface, wherein with a first level of applied pressure to said button said deformable shaped surface establishes a first electrical contact area, with a second level of applied pressure to said button said deformable shaped surface establishes a second electrical contact area, said second electrical contact area is larger than said first electrical contact area and electrical resistance of said sensor is larger with said first level of applied pressure than the electrical resistance of said sensor with said second level of applied pressure.
27. A game control according to claim 26 wherein at least four of said electricity manipulating devices are pressure-sensitive variable-conductance sensors operable by four depressible individual buttons located within said right-hand area and reachable by the user’s right-hand thumb.
28. A game control according to claim 23 wherein said electronics means is further for reading at least one of said electricity manipulating devices exclusively as an On/Off switch.
29. A game control according to claim 23 wherein at least two of said electricity manipulating devices are pressure-sensitive variable-conductance sensors operable by two depressible individual buttons located within said right-hand area and reachable by the user’s right-hand thumb, and said sensors include pressure-sensitive variable-conductance material.
30. A game control according to claim 28 wherein said electronic means also is for outputting to a game console information representing the signals, and the signals represent operation of said pressure-sensitive variable-conductance sensor.
31. A game control according to claim 30 wherein said electronic means includes an ASIC, and said sensor includes pressure-sensitive variable-conductance material.
32. A game control according to claim 31 wherein at least four of said electricity manipulating devices are pressure-sensitive variable-conductance sensors operable by four depressible individual buttons located within said right-hand area and reachable by the user’s right-hand thumb.
33. A game control according to claim 30 wherein said pressure-sensitive variable-conductance sensor includes conductive trace means for conducting electricity.
34. A game control according to claim 33 wherein said conductive trace means includes a first circuit trace and a second circuit trace, the traces connected by a conductive material.
35. A game control comprising:
a housing to be grasped and held simultaneously by two hands of a human user during use, said housing including a right-hand area and a left-hand area, said right-hand area being an area for grasping by the user’s right hand, said left-hand area being an area for grasping by the user’s left hand;
a plurality of depressible electricity manipulating devices each at least in-part exposed on said housing;
at least one of said electricity manipulating devices positioned within said right-hand area is a pressure-sensitive variable-conductance sensor actuated by a single independent button, said sensor comprising:
a depressible resilient dome cap positioned over
conductive material positioned in proximity to
circuit trace means for conducting electricity, said resilient dome cap depressible to electrically contact said conductive material with said circuit trace means, said pressure-sensitive variable-conductance sensor for creating analog output proportional to varying physical pressure applied to said sensor; said sensor electrically connected to
active electronics means for interpreting the analog output of said pressure-sensitive variable-conductance sensor.
36. A game control according to claim 35 wherein an inner surface of said dome-cap has an apex.
37. A game control according to claim 36 wherein said dome-cap is flexible and under increasing pressure said apex flattens to contact additional surface area to provide conductivity changes of said sensor.
38. A game control according to claim 35 wherein said conductive material is carried within said dome-cap, said conductive material is shaped to include an apex.
39. A game control according to claim 38 wherein said conductive material is flexible and said apex flattens with additional physical pressure causing additional contact area for providing resistance changes of said sensor.
40. A game control comprising:
a housing to be grasped and held simultaneously by two hands of a human user, said housing including a right-hand area and a left-hand area, said right-hand area being an area for grasping by the user’s right hand, said left-hand area being an area for grasping by the user’s left hand;
a plurality of depressible electricity manipulating devices each at least in-part exposed on said housing;
at least one of said electricity manipulating devices is a pressure-sensitive variable-conductance sensor located in said right-hand area for being depressed by the user’s right-hand digit, said pressure-sensitive variable-conductance sensor including means for creating an On/Off output, and with varied pressure creating an analog output;
active electronics means for at least interpreting the outputs of said pressure-sensitive variable-conductance sensor.
41. A game control according to claim 40 wherein said electronics means includes an ASIC, and said pressure-sensitive variable-conductance sensor includes flexible material having a substantially convex surface, said material deforming with additional pressure to flatten causing contact of additional surface area to provide conductivity changes of said sensor.
42. A game control according to claim 41 wherein at least two of said electricity manipulating devices are pressure-sensitive variable-conductance sensors operable by two depressible individual buttons located within said right-hand area and reachable by the user’s right-hand thumb.
43. A game control according to claim 40 wherein at least two of said electricity manipulating devices are pressure-sensitive variable-conductance sensors operable by two depressible individual buttons located within said right-hand area and reachable by the user’s right-hand thumb.
44. A game control comprising:
a housing to be grasped and held simultaneously by two hands of a human user during use, said housing including a right-hand area and a left-hand area, said right-hand area being an area for grasping by the user’s right hand, said left-hand area being an area for grasping by the user’s left hand;
a plurality of depressible electricity manipulating devices each at least in-part exposed on said housing;
at least one of said electricity manipulating devices positioned within said right-hand area is a pressure-sensitive analog sensor actuated by variable depression of a single individual button, said analog sensor comprising:
a depressible resilient dome cap, said dome cap positioned over
a sheet, said sheet positioned over
a board;
said game control further including means for reading a signal from said analog sensor;
means for outputting information representing said signal.
45. A game control according to claim 44 wherein said board is a circuit board supporting electrical circuit traces.
46. A game control according to claim 45 wherein said dome cap has a deformable substantially convexed surface having an apex located to contact said sheet.
47. A game control according to claim 46 wherein said sheet is a non-conductive sheet supporting conductive material.
48. A game control according to claim 47 wherein said conductive material is located to contact said circuit traces.
49. A game control according to claim 47 wherein said circuit traces are interdigitated.
50. A game control according to claim 49 wherein said conductive material is pressure-sensitive variable-conductance material, and a four way rocker is located in said left-hand area of said housing.
51. A game control according to claim 50 wherein said game control at least in part controls
an image generation machine,
said means for outputting information communicates from said game control to said image generation machine.
52. A game control according to claim 51 wherein said image generation machine is a game console at least in part for controlling imagery displayed by a television.
53. A game control according to claim 52 wherein a second analog sensor is positioned within said right-hand area of said housing, said second analog sensor actuated by variable depression of a second single individual button.
54. A game control according to claim 44 wherein said dome cap supports conductive material.
55. A game control according to claim 54 wherein said conductive material has a deformable substantially convexed surface having an apex.
56. A game control according to claim 55 wherein said sheet is a non-conductive sheet supporting conductive material.
57. A game control according to claim 56 wherein said conductive material is contacting circuit traces.
58. A game control according to claim 57 wherein said circuit traces comprise a first circuit trace and a second circuit trace, said conductive material contacting between said first circuit trace and said second circuit trace.
59. A game control according to claim 58 wherein a four way rocker is located in said left-hand area of said housing.
60. A game control according to claim 59 wherein said game control at least in part controls
an image generation machine,
said means for outputting information communicates from said game control to said image generation machine.
61. A game control according to claim 60 wherein said image generation machine is a game console at least in part for controlling imagery displayed by a television.
62. A game control according to claim 61 wherein a second analog sensor is positioned within said right-hand area of said housing, said second analog sensor actuated by variable depression of a second single individual button.
63. A game control according to claim 62 wherein a third analog sensor is positioned within said right-hand area of said housing, said third analog sensor actuated by variable depression of a third single individual button.
64. A game control according to claim 63 wherein said conductive material is pressure-sensitive variable-conductance material, and a fourth analog sensor is positioned within said right-hand area of said housing, said fourth analog sensor actuated by variable depression of a fourth single individual button.
65. A game control according to claim 64 wherein a fifth analog sensor is positioned within said right-hand area of said housing, said fifth analog sensor actuated by variable depression of a fifth single individual button.
66. A pressure-sensitive variable-conductance sensor for a control device, said sensor comprising;
a depressible resilient dome cap having a surface with an apex positioned above
circuit trace means for conducting electricity, said resilient dome cap depressible for creating analog output proportional to varying physical pressure applied to said dome cap; said surface with an apex is flexible, deforming with additional physical pressure to flatten and cause additional surface area contact to provide changes in electrical conductivity in said sensor; said sensor electrically connected to
active electronics means for interpreting the electrical conductivity of said sensor.
67. A pressure-sensitive variable-conductance sensor for a control device according to claim 66 wherein said sensor is depressible by force applied by a single digit of a human user’s hand.
68. A pressure-sensitive variable-conductance sensor for a control device according to claim 67 wherein said active electronics means at least includes an ASIC, and said electrical conductivity is resistive in nature.
69. A pressure-sensitive variable-conductance sensor for a control device according to claim 67 wherein said control device is a game control device including a housing to be grasped and held simultaneously by two hands of the human user during use, said housing including a right-hand area and a left-hand area, said right-hand area being an area for at least grasping by the user’s right hand, said left-hand area being an area for at least grasping by the user’s left hand, said sensor located in said right-hand area to be depressed by the human user’s right-hand thumb.
70. A method of manufacturing a game control, including the steps:
a) providing a housing shaped to be held simultaneously by two hands of a human user, said housing formed with a right-hand area and a left-hand area;
b) assembling electronics into said housing;
c) installing electricity manipulating devices connected to said electronics;
d) positioning said electricity manipulating devices in-part exposed on said housing to be depressed by digits of the human user’s hand;
e) installing into said right-hand area of said housing at least two single individual button depressible pressure-sensitive variable-conductance analog sensors, said sensors connected to said electronics, said sensors independently depressible by a single digit of a human user’s right hand.
71. A method of manufacturing a game control according to claim 70 further including the step
installing resilient dome caps located to be operational with pressure-sensitive material of said pressure-sensitive variable-conductance analog sensors.
72. A method of manufacturing a game control according to claim 70 further including the step
installing injection molded rubber dome caps located to be operational with said pressure-sensitive variable-conductance analog sensors.
73. A method of manufacturing a game control according to claim 72 further including the step
installing in said left-hand area of said housing a depressible pad associated with four of said electricity manipulating devices.
74. A method of manufacturing a game control according to claim 73 including the step: providing said pressure-sensitive variable-conductance analog sensors with conductive material having a convexed surface, and further, providing said conductive material as flexible material deformable with physical pressure to increase contact area resulting in lowering electrical resistance.
07/27, 1:22 PM
posted by:
sprockkets
How’s that for a stupid essay?
07/27, 8:42 PM
posted by:
monte
What was that all about?