Video game tracer

• US 20030168803A1
• Filed: 03/07/2002
• Published: 09/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Timothy P. Larkin
• Original Assignee: Timothy P. Larkin
• Inventors: Larkin, Timothy P.
• Application Number:
  US10/092,125
• Publication Number:
  US 20030168803A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 273/148B
• 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 13/323 between game devices with different hardware characteristics, e.g. hand-held game devices connectable to game consoles or arcade machines
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/843 involving concurrently two or more players on the same game device, e.g. requiring the use of a plurality of controllers or of a specific view of game data for each player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1025 details of the interface with the game device, e.g. USB version detection
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/403 Connection between platform and handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8088 involving concurrently several players in a non-networked game, e.g. on the same game console
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry

Abstract

A system for playing video games included is multiple hand-held game controllers, a console with multiple input/output ports, and cables connecting each controller to one of the input/output ports. A pair of tracer elements that are removably attached to each end of the cable having the same shape and color. A second pair of tracer elements are attached to a second cable that are visually distinguishable from the first pair of tracers. The tracers allow players to know which input/output port their hand held controller relates to, more importantly, which character or object they are controlling.

Claims

1. A system for playing video games comprising:

a video game console having a plurality of input/output ports;

a plurality of game controllers;

a first cable connecting a first game controller to one of said input/output ports of said console;

a second cable connecting a second game controller to a second one of said input/output ports of said console;

a pair of tracer elements, one of which is removably attached to each end of said first cable and adjacent to said first controller and said first input/output port;

a second pair of tracer elements, one of which is removably attached to each end of said second cable and adjacent to said second controller and said second input/output port;

wherein said first pair of tracer elements is visually distinguishable from said second pair of tracer elements.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said first pair of tracer elements is a different color from said second pair of tracer elements.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said tracer elements are made of molded plastic.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein said tracer elements are made of polyurethane.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein said first pair of tracer elements form a substantially cylindrical shape.

6. The system of claim 3 wherein said first pair of tracer elements form a substantially ring shape.

7. The system of claim 3 wherein said first pair of tracer elements form a substantially spherical shape.

8. The system of claim 3 wherein said first pair of tracer elements form a substantially disc shape.

9. The system of claim 4 wherein said first pair of tracer elements form a substantially cylindrical shape.

10. The system of claim 4 wherein said first pair of tracer elements form a substantially ring shape.

11. The system of claim 4 wherein said first pair of tracer elements form a substantially spherical shape.

12. The system of claim 4 wherein said first pair of tracer elements form a substantially disc shape.

13. A tracer of molded plastic having an internal cavity of a first diameter and a slit extending from a first end of said tracer to a second end, said slit sized to permit the insertion of a cable having a second diameter into the interior of said tracer, wherein said first diameter is substantially equal to said second diameter and said tracer is resilient enough to secure said cable by a friction fit.

14. The tracer of claim 13 wherein said shape is substantially a tapered cylinder.

15. A tracer of claim 14 further comprising a removable wrap having an internal cavity of a substantially similar shape and size as the exterior of said tracer, a slit extending from a first end of said wrap to a second end enabling said wrap to encompass said tracer, said wrap being resilient enough to secure said cylinder.

16. The tracer of claim 13 wherein said shape is substantially a ring.

17. The tracer of claim 13 wherein said shape is substantially a sphere.

18. The tracer of claim 13 wherein said shape is substantially a disc.

19. A tracer of polyurethane having an internal cavity of a first diameter and a slit extending from a first end of said tracer to a second end, said slit sized to permit the insertion of a cable having a second diameter into the interior of said tracer, wherein said first diameter is substantially equal to said second diameter and said tracer is resilient enough to secure said cable by a friction fit.

20. The tracer of claim 19 wherein said shape is substantially a tapered cylinder.