Multi-function wireless adapter system for game console

• US 20060172802A1
• Filed: 01/06/2006
• Published: 08/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Intec Incorporated (Gaf Fiberglass Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Intec Incorporated (Gaf Fiberglass Corp.)
• Inventors: Hussaini, Saied, Iacovelli, Marc
• Application Number:
  US11/326,611
• Publication Number:
  US 20060172802A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/39
• 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 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

Abstract

A wireless control unit includes a controller having wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting game information, and a single console interface/adapter for converting a plurality of the communication ports of the game console into wireless receivers/transmitters. A single console interface/adapter converts multiple game console ports. The console interface/adapter may also includes an additional communication port (i.e., pass-through) so as to provide the user with access to the used communication port while the interface/adapter is operably disposed within the communication port of the game console.

Claims

1. A wireless game control unit for a video game system having a game console, the game console having a plurality of game controller ports, the wireless game control unit comprising:

a controller having at least one user operable switch and wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting game control information to the receiver in the game console and wireless receiver circuitry for receiving controller information;

a wireless adapter having a built-in connector that is directly connected to the game console via the plurality of game controller ports and having wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting the controller information to the wireless receiver in said controller,

wherein said wireless adapter comprises a plurality of connectors for connection to said plurality of game controller ports said connectors being moveable relative to one another to accommodate game controller ports at different locations.

2. The wireless game control unit according to claim 1, further comprising a game controller port disposed on said wireless adapter for providing a user with pass-through access to the used game controller port while said wireless adapter is disposed in the at least one game controller port on the game console.

3. The wireless game control unit according to claim 1, further comprising power supply means for supplying power to said wireless transmitter circuitry.

4. The wireless game control unit according to claim 3, wherein said power supply means comprises batteries contained within said wireless adapter.

5. The wireless game control unit according to claim 1, wherein said controller comprises an internal vibration member, said controller information including signals for selectively activating said internal vibration member in response to action within a game being played.

6. The wireless game control unit according to claim 1, wherein said wireless adapter further comprises a memory slot adapted to receive a memory card for expanding memory capabilities of the game console.

7. A wireless adapter for a video game system having a game console, the game console having game controller ports for sending and receiving game information to and from a wireless hand-held controller, the wireless adapter comprising:

a plurality of built-in connectors adapted to be connected to the game console via a plurality of the game controller ports and having transmitter and receiver circuitry for wirelessly transmitting game information to and from said controller,

8. The wireless game control unit according to claim 7, further comprising an additional game controller port disposed on said wireless adapter for providing a user with an additional game controller port while said wireless adapter is disposed in the at least one game controller port on the game console.

9. The wireless game control unit according to claim 7, wherein said wireless adapter further comprises a memory slot adapted to receive a memory card for expanding memory capabilities of the game console.

10. The wireless game control unit according to claim 7, further comprising power supply means for supplying power to said wireless transmitter circuitry.

11. The wireless game control unit according to claim 10, wherein said power supply means comprises batteries contained within said wireless adapter.

12. A wireless game control unit for a video game system having a game console, the game console having at least one game controller port and an infrared (IR) receiver for receiving wireless IR signals, the wireless game control unit comprising:

a controller having at least one user operable switch and IR transmitter circuitry for wirelessly transmitting game control information to the IR receiver in the game console and radio frequency (RF) receiver circuitry for receiving controller information;

a wireless adapter having a built-in connector that is directly connected to the game console without wires via the at least one game controller port and having RF transmitter circuitry for wirelessly transmitting the controller information to the RF receiver in said controller.

13. The wireless game control unit according to claim 12, wherein said wireless adapter further comprises a memory slot adapted to receive a memory card for expanding memory capabilities of the game console.

14. The wireless game control unit according to claim 12, further comprising a game controller port disposed on said wireless adapter for providing a user with access to the used game controller port while said wireless adapter is disposed in the at least one game controller port on the game console.

15. The wireless game control unit according to claim 12, further comprising power supply means for supplying power to said wireless transmitter circuitry.

16. The wireless game control unit according to claim 15, wherein said power supply means comprises batteries contained within said wireless adapter.

17. A wireless game control unit for a video game system having a game console, the game console having at least one game controller port and a radio frequency (RF) receiver for receiving wireless RF signals, the wireless game control unit comprising:

a controller having at least one user operable switch and RF transmitter circuitry for wirelessly transmitting game control information to the RF receiver in the game console and infrared (IR) receiver circuitry for receiving controller information;

a wireless adapter having a built-in connector that is directly connected to the game console without wires via the at least one game controller port and having IR transmitter circuitry for wirelessly transmitting the controller information to the IR receiver in said controller.

18. The wireless game control unit according to claim 17, wherein said wireless adapter further comprises a memory slot adapted to receive a memory card for expanding memory capabilities of the game console.

19. The wireless game control unit according to claim 17, further comprising a game controller port disposed on said wireless adapter for providing a user with access to the used game controller port while said wireless adapter is disposed in the at least one game controller port on the game console.

20. The wireless game control unit according to claim 17, comprising power supply means for supplying power to said wireless transmitter circuitry.