Video game control adapter apparatus

• US 20020022519A1
• Filed: 08/01/2001
• Published: 02/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd. (MinebeaMitsumi Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd. (MinebeaMitsumi Inc.)
• Inventors: Ogino, Toshikazu
• Granted Patent: US 6,565,438 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/37
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/23 for interfacing with the game device, e.g. specific interfaces between game controller and console
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/837 Shooting of targets
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1025 details of the interface with the game device, e.g. USB version detection
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1062 being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8076 Shooting

Abstract

A video game control adapter includes a reception adapter that attaches to a connector of a video game device that displays a game image on a video display; and a transmission adapter that transmits a control signal toward the reception adapter when a switch built into a toy to which the transmission adapter attaches is switched ON.

Claims

1. A video game control adapter apparatus comprising:

a reception adapter that attaches to a connector of a video game device that displays a game image on a video display; and

a transmission adapter that transmits a control signal toward the reception adapter when a switch built into a toy to which the transmission adapter attaches is switched ON.

2. The video game control adapter apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reception adapter has directivity.

4. The video game control adapter apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a transmitter of the transmission adapter that transmits the control signal is provided on a projecting portion that projects from the toy.

5. The video game control adapter apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the control signal is a radio wave signal.

6. The video game control adapter apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the control signal is an optical signal.

7. The video game control adapter apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the control signal is an audio signal.

3. The video game control adapter apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the transmission adapter is substantially card-shaped.

8. A video game system comprising:

a video game device;

a video display connected to the video game device by a cable; and

a video game control adapter apparatus, the video game control adapter apparatus comprising;

a reception adapter that attaches to a connector of the video game device that displays a game image on the video display; and

a transmission adapter that transmits a control signal toward the reception adapter when a switch built into a toy to which the transmission adapter attaches is switched ON.