Wireless controller and power supply method thereof

• US 20020105229A1
• Filed: 01/22/2002
• Published: 08/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Tanaka, Makoto, Dixit, Rajesh Kumar, Akazawa, Toru
• Granted Patent: US 6,803,676 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/29
• 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 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/26 having at least one additional display device, e.g. on the game controller or outside a game booth
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1025 details of the interface with the game device, e.g. USB version detection
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1031 using a wireless connection, e.g. Bluetooth, infrared connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1037 being specially adapted for converting control signals received from the game device into a haptic signal, e.g. using force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/301 using an additional display connected to the game console, e.g. on the controller

Abstract

A wireless controller is provided with at least two power supplies. The internal components of the controller are classified into at least two groups in accordance with the degrees of functional importance or the power consumptions of the components. The power supplies separately supply electric power to the respective groups of the components. Thus, the power supply to components with high degrees of functional importance or low power consumptions is ensured for a long time.

Claims

1. A wireless controller for remote-controlling a predetermined electronic device through wireless communication, the controller comprising:

a plurality of internal components each utilizing electric power at a rate of power consumption to operate, the plurality of components being classified into at least a first group of components whose members each have a relatively high rate of power consumption and a second group of components whose members each have a relatively low rate of power consumption; and

at least two power supplies, one of the power supplies supplying electric power to only the first group of components, and another of the power supplies supplying electric power to the second group of components.

2. The controller according to claim 1, wherein the one power supply supplying electric power to only the first group of components is an exchangeable battery.

3. The controller according to claim 1, wherein the another power supply supplying electric power to the second group of components is an incorporated secondary battery.

4. The controller according to claim 3, further comprising:

a charge terminal for charging the secondary battery.

5. A wireless controller for remote-controlling a predetermined electronic device through wireless communication, the controller comprising:

a plurality of internal components each utilizing electric power to operate, the plurality of components being classified into at least a first group of components whose members each have a relatively low degree of functional importance and a second group of components whose members each have a relatively high degree of functional importance; and

at least two power supplies, one of the power supplies supplying electric power to only the first group of components, and another of the power supplies supplying electric power to the second group of components.

6. The controller according to claim 5, wherein the one power supply supplying electric power to only the first group of components is an exchangeable battery.

7. The controller according to claim 5, wherein the another power supply supplying electric power to the second group of components is an incorporated secondary battery.

8. The controller according to claim 7, further comprising:

a charge terminal for charging the secondary battery.

9. A wireless controller for remote-controlling a predetermined electronic device through wireless communication, the controller comprising:

a plurality of internal components each utilizing electric power at a rate of power consumption to operate, the plurality of components being classified into at least a first group of components whose members each have a relatively high rate of power consumption and a relatively low degree of functional importance, and a second group of components whose members each have a relatively low rate of power consumption and a relatively high degree of functional importance; and

at least two power supplies, one of the power supplies supplying electric power to only the first group of components, and another of the power supplies supplying electric power to the second group of components.

10. The controller according to claim 9, wherein the one power supply supplying electric power to only the first group of components is an exchangeable battery.

11. The controller according to claim 9, wherein the another power supply supplying electric power to the second group of components is an incorporated secondary battery.

12. The controller according to claim 11, further comprising:

a charge terminal for charging the secondary battery.

13. A method of supplying power to a wireless controller for remote-controlling a predetermined electronic device through wireless communication, the controller having a plurality of internal components each utilizing electric power at a rate of power consumption to operate, the method comprising:

providing at least two power supply systems;

classifying the plurality of internal components of the controller into at least a first group of components whose members each have a relatively high rate of power consumption, and a second group of components whose members each have a relatively low rate of power consumption; and

supplying electric power from one of the power supply systems to only the first group of components, and supplying electric power from another of the power supply systems to the second group of components.

14. A method of supplying power to a wireless controller for remote-controlling a predetermined electronic device through wireless communication, the controller having a plurality of internal components each utilizing electric power to operate, the method comprising:

providing at least two power supply systems;

classifying the plurality of internal components of the controller into at least a first group of components whose members each have a relatively low degree of functional importance, and a second group of components whose members each have a relatively high degree of functional importance; and

supplying electric power from one of the power supply systems to only the first group of components, and supplying electric power from another of the power supply systems to the second group of components.

15. A method of supplying power to a wireless controller for remote-controlling a predetermined electronic device through wireless communication, the controller having a plurality of internal components each utilizing electric power at a rate of power consumption to operate, the method comprising:

providing at least two power supply systems;

classifying the plurality of internal components of the controller into at least a first group of components whose members each have a relatively high rate of power consumption and a relatively low degree of functional importance, and a second group of components whose members each have a relatively low rate of power consumption and a relatively high degree of functional importance; and

supplying electric power from one of the power supply systems to only the first group of components, and supplying electric power from another of the power supply systems to the second group of components.