Multi-system game controller that operates in multiple USB modes

• US 20050221894A1
• Filed: 03/31/2004
• Published: 10/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Guo, Wei, Lum, Richard
• Application Number:
  US10/816,800
• Publication Number:
  US 20050221894A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/37
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/73 Authorising game programs or game devices, e.g. checking authenticity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/95 Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges
• 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 2300/206 Game information storage, e.g. cartridges, CD ROM's, DVD's, smart cards

Abstract

A multi-system game controller is capable of operating in different USB (Uniform Serial Bus) modes so that it may be used with different types of host gaming systems. In the described implementation, the game controller operates in a first USB mode with one set of operating parameters when attached to a first host gaming system, and in a second USB mode with another set of operating parameters when attached to a second host gaming system. The game controller is designed to determine to which host gaming system it is being connected, and to switch to the appropriate USB mode based on the determination.

Claims

1. A multi-system video game controller for use with different host gaming systems that support different USB modes, the multi-system video game controller comprising:

a communication interface to facilitate communication with the different host gaming systems; and

a USB protocol module to utilize a first USB mode during communication with a first host gaming system and a second USB mode during communication with a second host gaming system.

2. A multi-system video game controller as recited in claim 1, wherein the communication interface comprises an RF module to facilitate wireless communication.

3. A multi-system video game controller as recited in claim 1, wherein the communication interface comprises a serial cable to facilitate wired communication.

4. A multi-system video game controller as recited in claim 1, wherein the first USB mode is low speed USB and the second USB mode is one of full speed USB or high speed USB.

5. A multi-system video game controller as recited in claim 1, wherein the first host gaming system comprises a console-based gaming system and the second host gaming system comprises a personal computer.

6. A multi-system video game controller as recited in claim 1, embodied as a general-purpose controller with one or more multi-function actuators.

7. A video game controller comprising:

a processor;

a memory operatively coupled to the processor; and

a USB module, operatively coupled to the processor, to facilitate communication in a first USB mode when the video game controller is connected to a first host gaming system and to facilitate communication in a second USB mode when the video game controller is connected to a second host gaming system.

8. A video game controller as recited in claim 7, wherein the first USB mode is low speed USB and the second USB mode is one of full speed USB or high speed USB.

9. A video game controller as recited in claim 7, wherein the USB module selects one of the first USB mode or the second USB mode when the game controller is first connected.

10. A video game controller as recited in claim 7, wherein the USB module selects one of the first USB mode or the second USB mode at a time subsequent to when the game controller is connected.

11. A video game controller as recited in claim 7, wherein the first host gaming system comprises a console-based gaming system and the second host gaming system comprises a personal computer.

12. A video game controller as recited in claim 7, wherein the USB module includes a host detector to detect whether the video game controller is connected to the first host gaming system or to the second host gaming system, the USB module automatically switching to the first USB mode if the host detector detects the first host gaming system and to the second USB mode if the host detector detects the second host gaming system.

13. A video game controller as recited in claim 7, further comprising:

a wireless module to support wireless communication; and

a power source to supply power to the processor, the memory, and the wireless module.

14. A video game controller, comprising:

means for determining which of a first host gaming system or a second host gaming system is attempting to establish a USB connection with the video game controller; and

means for utilizing a first USB mode for communication when the video game controller connects with the first host gaming system and a second USB mode for communication when the video game controller connects with the second host gaming system.

15. A video game controller as recited in claim 14, wherein the first USB mode is low speed USB and the second USB mode is one of full speed USB or high speed USB.

16. A video game controller as recited in claim 14, wherein the utilizing means automatically switches to the first or second USB mode depending upon a determination by the determining means.

17. A video game controller as recited in claim 14, further comprising means for communicating with one of the first or second host gaming system over a wireless link.

18. A multi-system video game controller as recited in claim 14, embodied as a general-purpose controller with one or more multi-function actuators.

19. A method comprising:

determining, at a video game controller, whether the video game controller is being operatively connected for communication with a first host gaming system or a second host gaming system;

operating the video game controller in a first USB mode when the video game controller is connected for communication with the first host gaming system; and

operating the video game controller in a second USB mode when the video game controller is connected for communication with the second host gaming system.

20. A method comprising as recited in claim 19, wherein the first USB mode is low speed USB and the second USB mode is one of full speed USB or high speed USB.

21. A method comprising as recited in claim 19, wherein the first host gaming system comprises a console-based gaming system and the second host gaming system comprises a personal computer.

22. A method comprising as recited in claim 19, wherein the determining comprises:

receiving a request to identify the video game controller during initial connection; and

ascertaining which of the first or second host gaming systems the video game controller is being connected to based upon the request.

23. A method comprising as recited in claim 19, further comprising:

setting the video game controller to the first USB mode; and

upon determination that the video game controller is being connected for communication with the second host gaming system, automatically re-setting the video game controller to the second USB mode.

24. One or more computer-readable media comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed, perform the method as recited in claim 19.