Cordless game controller system

• US 20040152515A1
• Filed: 02/05/2003
• Published: 08/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Original Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Inventors: Wegmuller, David, Swan, Fred
• Application Number:
  US10/359,735
• Publication Number:
  US 20040152515A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/36
• 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 13/28 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 13/803 Driving vehicles or craft, e.g. cars, airplanes, ships, robots or tanks
• 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 2300/1031 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 2300/1062 being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8017 Driving on land or water; Flying

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to interfacing a plurality of user manipulable input devices with a host device using a more simplified and convenient setup for the user. In one embodiment, a system of user manipulable devices for interfacing with a host device comprises a first user manipulable device which is configured to be operatively connected with the host device to interface with the host device to transfer data between the first user manipulable device and the host device and produce sensory feedback to a user. A second user manipulable device is configured to interface wirelessly with the first user manipulable device to transfer data between the second user manipulable device and the host device via the first user manipulable device and produce sensory feedback to the user. The first user manipulable device and the second user manipulable device are manipulable by the same user.

Claims

1. A system of user manipulable devices for interfacing with a host device, the system comprising:

a first user manipulable device which is configured to be operatively connected with the host device to interface with the host device to transfer data between the first user manipulable device and the host device and produce sensory feedback to a user; and

a second user manipulable device which is configured to interface wirelessly with the first user manipulable device to transfer data between the second user manipulable device and the host device via the first user manipulable device and produce sensory feedback to the user, wherein the first user manipulable device and the second user manipulable device are manipulable by the same user.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the first user manipulable device is configured to process the data received from the second user manipulable device and present the data of the first and second user manipulable devices to the host device as signals from a single device.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the first and second user manipulable devices are game controller devices.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the first user manipulable device comprises one of a wheel and a pedal apparatus, and the second user manipulable device comprises another one of the wheel and the pedal apparatus.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein the first user manipulable device comprises one of a joystick and a throttle, and the second user manipulable device comprises another one of the joystick and the throttle.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the first user manipulable device is configured to be connected to the host device to receive power from the host device.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the first user manipulable device is configured to be connected to the host device via a USB connection.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the second user manipulable device is configured to interface wirelessly with the first user manipulable device by infrared, radio frequency, or ultrasound.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the sensory feedback comprises at least one of visual feedback, audio feedback, and force feedback.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the second user manipulable device is cordless.

11. A system of user manipulable devices for interfacing with a host device, the system comprising:

a first user manipulable device which is configured to be operatively connected with the host device to interface with the host device to transfer data between the first user manipulable device and the host device and produce sensory feedback to a user; and

a second user manipulable device which is configured to interface wirelessly with the first user manipulable device to transfer data between the second user manipulable device and the host device via the first user manipulable device and produce sensory feedback to the user, wherein the first user manipulable device and the second user manipulable device are game controller devices for playing a game in the host device by the user.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the first user manipulable device is configured to be connected to the host device via a wired connection.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein the first user manipulable device is configured to be connected to the host device via a USB connection.

14. The system of claim 11 wherein the first user manipulable device is configured to process the data received from the second user manipulable device and present the data of the first and second user manipulable devices to the host device as signals from a single device.

15. The system of claim 11 wherein the first user manipulable device comprises one of a wheel and a pedal apparatus, and the second user manipulable device comprises another one of the wheel and the pedal apparatus.

16. The system of claim 11 wherein the first user manipulable device comprises one of a joystick and a throttle, and the second user manipulable device comprises another one of the joystick and the throttle.

17. A method of interfacing with a host device via a plurality of user manipulable devices, the method comprising:

transmitting data generated in a second user manipulable device by a user to a first user manipulable device wirelessly;

transmitting data generated in the first user manipulable device by the user and the data received from the second user manipulable to the host device via a wired connection between the first user manipulable device and the host device; and

processing the data received by the host device from the first user manipulable device via the wired connection to provide sensory feedback to the user.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising processing the data received by the first manipulable device from the second user manipulable device and presenting the data of the first and second manipulable devices to the host device as signals from a single device.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the first and second user manipulable devices are game controller devices which are manipulable by the same user.

20. The method of claim 17 further comprising transmitting power from the host device to the first user manipulable device.