A UNIVERSAL TACTILE FEEDBACK SYSTEM FOR COMPUTER VIDEO GAMES AND SIMULATIONS

A universal tactile feedback system for computer and video game systems is disclosed which provides real time tactile feedback to enhance a user's experience while interacting with a computer/video game or simulation. The tactile feedback system operates both in host-independent and host-dependent modes, thereby allowing the system to function even when no accomodation is provided by the game or simulation system that is being used. The host-independent mode is responsive to the audio signal that is typically generated by a computer or video game system while it is executing a game or simulation. The host-dependent mode is responsive to control commands specifically generated by a computer or video game system while it is executing a game or simulation. The tactile feedback system then creates tactile sensations primarily via seat-based and/or vest-based tactile sensation generators, such that the user can feel physical sensations that correspond to the events occurring within the game or simulation in real time.