Gaming accessory for wireless devices

• US 20040137983A1
• Filed: 01/13/2003
• Published: 07/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Motorola Mobility, Inc. (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Gaming Accessory For Wireless Devices
• Inventors: Fitzsimons, John R. Jr., Rochowicz, William R., Kerr, John Sexton
• Application Number:
  US10/342,072
• Publication Number:
  US 20040137983A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/29
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/06 using player-operated means for controlling the position of a specific area display
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/20 Input arrangements for video game devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/213 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. cameras, photodiodes or infrared cells A63F13/219, A63F13/655 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/28 responding to control signals received from the game device for affecting ambient conditions, e.g. for vibrating players' seats, activating scent dispensers or affecting temperature or light controlling the output signals based on the game progress A63F13/50
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/332 using wireless networks, e.g. cellular phone networks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/533 for prompting the player, e.g. by displaying a game menu
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• 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 2300/1087 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. a camera
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/204 the platform being a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/209 characterized by low level software layer, relating to hardware management, e.g. Operating System, Application Programming Interface
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/302 specially adapted for receiving control signals not targeted to a display device or game input means, e.g. vibrating driver's seat, scent dispenser
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/308 Details of the user interface
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/406 Transmission via wireless network, e.g. pager or GSM

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus that allows a user to easily perform a gaming operation while playing a game on a handheld wireless device without weakening the battery in the phone. This apparatus allows a user to effortlessly perform a gaming operation on the handheld wireless device while simultaneously charging the phone and implementing a vibration mechanism on the apparatus. In addition, this apparatus provides the advantage of allowing a user to play a game for a prolonged period of time without depleting the battery power of the wireless phone.

Claims

1. A method for playing at least one game on a handheld wireless device, the method comprising;

receiving instructions from the handheld wireless device at a communication device;

simultaneously performing a gaming operation on the handheld wireless device while determining at the communication device if the handheld wireless device should be supplied with power; and

supplying the power from the communication device to the handheld wireless device.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said determining further comprises detecting a level of power in the handheld wireless device.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprises comparing the level of power with a threshold level in the communication device.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the handheld wireless device comprises a wireless phone.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the handheld wireless device comprises a personal digital assistant.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the instruction comprises a request for the power.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the communication device comprises a gaming shell structure.

8. A method for playing at least one game on a handheld wireless device, the method comprising;

receiving an instruction from the handheld wireless device at a communication device;

simultaneously performing a gaming operation on the handheld wireless device; and

initiating a vibration motion of the communication device.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the instruction comprises a vibration command.

10. The method of claim 8 further comprises transmitting power from the handheld wireless device to the communication device to initiate the vibration motion.

11. The method of claim 8 further comprises generating power in the communication device to initiate the vibration motion.

12. A method for playing at least one game on a handheld wireless device, the method comprising;

receiving instructions from the handheld wireless device at a communication device;

simultaneously performing a gaming operation on the handheld wireless device;

determining at the communication device if an operating area of the communication device should be used in cooperation with the gaming operation of the handheld wireless device;

detecting operating states of the operating area; and

transmitting the operating states to the handheld wireless device to perform an action in the gaming operation.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the operating area comprises, a cross-directional design switch, a plurality of function buttons, a plurality of gaming buttons, a battery meter and status indicator lights.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein determining further comprises detecting the operating state of the cross-directional design switch, the plurality of function buttons and the plurality of gaming buttons.

15. A system for performing at least one gaming operation on a handheld wireless device, the system comprising;

a communication device operative to receive an instruction from the handheld wireless device;

the communication device being operative to enable the handheld wireless device to simultaneously perform a gaming operation while the communication device is operative to determine if the handheld wireless device should be supplied with power; and

the communication device being operative to supply the power to the handheld wireless device.

16. A system for performing a gaming operation on a handheld wireless device, the system comprising;

the handheld wireless device is operative to transmit at least one instruction;

a communication device is operative to receive the at least one instruction;

the communication device is operative to simultaneously perform a gaming operation on the handheld wireless device while the communication device is operative to determine if an operating area on the communication device should be used in cooperation with the gaming operation; and

the communication device is operative to detect an operating state of the operating area; and

the communication device is operative to transmit the operating state to the handheld wireless device, responsive to the operating state the gaming operation is operative to perform an action.

17. A gaming shell structure, comprising:

an interface operative to receive an instruction;

a processor coupled to said interface, wherein said processor is operative to receive said instruction and simultaneously perform a gaming operation;

wherein the processor processes the information to determine if power should be supplied; and

a charging circuitry coupled to the processor, wherein the processor transmits instructions to supply power.

18. The gaming shell structure of claim 17 wherein the charging circuitry transmits the instructions to a battery, responsive to the instructions the battery supplies power to the charging circuitry.

19. The gaming shell structure of claim 17 wherein the charging circuitry transmits the instructions to an external power circuit, responsive to the instructions the external power circuit supplies power to the charging circuitry.

20. A gaming shell structure, comprising:

an interface operative to receive an instruction;

a processor coupled to said interface, wherein said processor is operative to receive said instruction and simultaneously perform a gaming operation, wherein the processor determines if a vibration command should be sent to a vibration mechanism;

the vibration mechanism coupled to the processor, wherein the vibration mechanism receives the vibration command; and

a charging circuitry coupled to the processor, wherein the processor transmits instructions to initiate the vibration command to the charging circuitry, wherein the charging circuitry transmits power to vibrate the vibration mechanism to the processor.

21. A method for playing at least one game on a handheld wireless device, the method comprising;

receiving an instruction from the handheld wireless device at a communication device, wherein the instruction is a request for power;

simultaneously performing a gaming operation on the handheld wireless device; and

supplying the power from the communication device to the handheld wireless device.

22. A system for performing at least one gaming operation on a handheld wireless device, the system comprising;

a communication device operative to receive an instruction from the handheld wireless device, wherein the instruction is a request for power; and

the communication device being operative to enable the handheld wireless device to simultaneously perform a gaming operation while the communication device is operative to supply the power to the handheld wireless device.

23. A gaming shell structure, comprising:

an accessory port operative to receive an instruction to supply power, wherein the accessory port is operative to simultaneously perform a gaming operation; and

a charging circuitry coupled to the accessory port, wherein the accessory port transmits instructions to supply power.

24. A gaming shell structure, comprising:

an accessory port operative to receive an instruction to initiate a vibration motion in a vibration mechanism, wherein the accessory port is operative to simultaneously perform a gaming operation; and

the vibration mechanism coupled to the accessory port, wherein the accessory port transmits instructions to initiate the vibration motion to the vibration mechanism.

25. A gaming shell structure, comprising:

an accessory port operative to receive instructions to supply power and initiate a vibration motion in a vibration mechanism, wherein the interface device is operative to simultaneously perform a gaming operation;

a charging circuitry coupled to the accessory port, wherein the accessory port transmits the instructions to supply power to the charging circuitry; and

the vibration mechanism coupled to the accessory port, wherein the accessory port transmits instructions to initiate the vibration motion to the vibration mechanism.

26. A gaming shell structure, comprising:

an accessory port operative to charge a wireless device, wherein the accessory port functions as a charger to the wireless device;

a vibration mechanism coupled to the accessory port, wherein the accessory port is operative to receive external power generated from the wireless device to initiate a vibration motion in the vibration mechanism; and

an outside area that encapsulates the vibration mechanism coupled to the accessory port, wherein this outside area is configured to easily access gaming control buttons on said wireless device that enhances ergonomics and playability of the wireless device.

27. A system for performing at least one gaming operation on a handheld wireless device, the system comprising;

a communication device operative to receive an instruction from the handheld wireless device, wherein the instruction comprises a vibration command; and

the communication device being operative to enable the handheld wireless device to simultaneously perform a gaming operation while the communication device being operative to perform a vibration motion.

28. A gaming shell structure, comprising:

a recess, wherein the recess is configured to receive a wireless device having an antenna, wherein the recess is configured to protect the antenna;

an accessory port being located in the recess being operative to charge the wireless device having the antenna, wherein the accessory port functions as a charger to the wireless device having the antenna;

a vibration mechanism coupled to the accessory port, wherein the accessory port is operative to receive external power generated from the wireless device having the antenna to initiate a vibration motion in the vibration mechanism; and

an outside area that encapsulates the vibration mechanism coupled to the accessory port, wherein this outside area is configured to easily access gaming control buttons on said wireless device that enhances ergonomics and playability of the wireless device having the antenna.

29. A gaming shell structure, comprising:

an accessory port operative to charge a wireless device having a first antenna, wherein the accessory port functions as a charger to the wireless device having the first antenna;

a vibration mechanism coupled to the accessory port, wherein the accessory port is operative to receive external power generated from the wireless device having the first antenna to initiate a vibration motion in the vibration mechanism;

an outside area that encapsulates the vibration mechanism coupled to the accessory port, wherein this outside area is configured to easily access gaming control buttons on said wireless device having the first antenna that enhances ergonomics and playability of the wireless device having the first antenna; and

a second antenna coupled to the outside area, wherein the second antenna is coupled to the wireless device to improve the performance of the wireless device having the first antenna.