VIDEO GAME CONTROLLERS

• US 20070093293A1
• Filed: 09/11/2006
• Published: 04/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Inventors: Osnato, Jeffrey
• Application Number:
  US11/530,860
• Publication Number:
  US 20070093293A1
• 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 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/58 by computing conditions of game characters, e.g. stamina, strength, motivation or energy level
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/833 Hand-to-hand fighting, e.g. martial arts competition A63F13/837 takes precedence
• 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 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/206 Game information storage, e.g. cartridges, CD ROM's, DVD's, smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/65 for computing the condition of a game character
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8029 Fighting without shooting

Abstract

Video game controllers including a housing, user controls supported by the housing and configured to be manipulated by a user for interacting with the video game console, and a holder supported by the housing, the holder configured to receive and retain an item of media.

Claims

1. A video game controller for use with a video game console, comprising:

a housing;

user controls supported by the housing and configured to be manipulated by a user for interacting with the video game console; and

a holder supported by the housing, the holder configured to receive and retain an item of media.

2. The video game controller of claim 1, wherein the item of media is a card.

3. The video game controller of claim 2, wherein the card is between one and three millimeters thick.

4. The video game controller of claim 3, wherein the holder includes a first engagement surface and a second engagement surface generally parallel to the first engagement surface, the second engagement surface between one and three millimeters from the first engagement surface.

5. The video game controller of claim 1, wherein the holder includes a clip.

6. The video game controller of claim 1, wherein the holder is positioned on the housing so that a user, when holding the controller in an intended manner, can easily observe an item of media being retained by the holder.

7. The video game controller of claim 1, wherein the holder is positioned on the housing so that an item of media, retained by the holder, extends generally away from a user when held in an intended manner.

8. The video game controller of claim 1, wherein the holder is configured to provide a friction fit for the item of media.

9. A video game controller for use with a video game console, comprising:

a housing;

user controls supported by the housing and configured to be manipulated by a user for interacting with the video game console; and

a media device supported by the housing, the media device configured to read media containing data defining an aspect of a video game.

10. The video game controller of claim 9, wherein the media device includes a proximity device for wirelessly reading data contained on a wireless transponder.

11. The video game controller of claim 9, wherein the media device includes a radio frequency reader for wirelessly reading data contained on a radio frequency transponder.

12. The video game controller of claim 9, wherein the media device includes a microwave frequency reader for wirelessly reading data contained on a microwave transponder.

13. The video game controller of claim 9, wherein the media device includes an electromagnetic reader for wirelessly reading data contained on an electromagnetic transponder.

14. The video game controller of claim 9, wherein the media device operates in the approximately 10 Hz to 20 kHz range.

15. The video game controller of claim 9, wherein the media device is further configured to write data defining an aspect of the video game.

16. The video game controller of claim 9, further comprising:

a holder supported by the housing, the holder configured to receive and retain a card.

17. The video game controller of claim 16, wherein the holder includes a clip.

18. The video game controller of claim 16, wherein the holder is positioned on the housing so that a user, when holding the controller in an intended manner, can easily observe a face of a card being retained by the holder.

19. The video game controller of claim 16, wherein the holder is positioned on the housing so that a card, held by the holder, extends generally away from a user when the user is holding the controller in an intended manner.

20. The video game controller of claim 16, wherein the holder is configured to provide a friction fit for the card.

21. The video game controller of claim 16, wherein the card is between one and three millimeters thick.

22. The video game controller of claim 21, wherein the holder includes a first engagement surface and a second engagement surface generally parallel to the first engagement surface, the second engagement surface between one and three millimeters from the first engagement surface.

23. The video game controller of claim 9, wherein the media device includes an infrared device for receiving data via an infrared signal.

24. The video game controller of claim 9, wherein the media device includes a magnetic strip reader for reading data from a magnetic strip embodied on media.

25. The video game controller of claim 9, wherein the media device includes exposed contacts configured to engage corresponding exposed contacts on items of media when a user places an item media against the media device.

26. A video game controller for use with a video game console, comprising:

a housing;

user controls supported by the housing and configured to be manipulated for interaction with the video game console; and

a holder supported by the housing, the holder configured to receive and retain an item of media in the form of a card having indicia related to a video game printed thereon, wherein the holder is positioned on the housing so that the indicia, when the card is retained by the holder, is legible by a user.