GAME SYSTEM AND CONTROLLER

• US 20110021271A1
• Filed: 09/23/2009
• Published: 01/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Inventors: Kobe, Naoto, IKEDA, Akio
• Granted Patent: US 10,220,314 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/30
• 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 13/235 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 13/28 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 13/42 by mapping the input signals into game commands, e.g. mapping the displacement of a stylus on a touch screen to the steering angle of a virtual vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/98 Accessories, i.e. detachable arrangements optional for the use of the video game device, e.g. grip supports of game controllers
• 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

Abstract

A game system is provided in which a plurality of pairs, each consisting of: a first input device provided with a first operation section; and a second input device provided with a second operation section, are wirelessly connected to a game apparatus, and in which a game process is executed based on operation data obtained from the first input device and the second input device. As an example, each of the first input device and the second input device includes a display section, wireless communication means for performing communication for the operation data and information regarding each pair, and a display control section for controlling a display form of the display section. The display control section controls the display form of the display section so as to be a display form corresponding to each pair. The game apparatus executes the game process based on the operation data for each pair.

Claims

1. A game system in which a plurality of pairs, each consisting of:

a first input device provided with a first operation section; and

a second input device provided with a second operation section, are wirelessly connected to a game apparatus, and in which a game process is executed based on operation data obtained from the first input device and the second input device,

each of the first input device and the second input device including;

a display section;

wireless communication means for wirelessly communicating the operation data and information regarding each pair; and

a display control section for controlling a display form of the display section,

the display control section controlling the display form of the display section so as to be a display form corresponding to each pair,

the game apparatus executing the game process based on the operation data for each pair.

2. The game system according to claim 1, wherein

the wireless communication means of the first input device wirelessly transmits, to the second input device that belongs to the same pair as the first input device, first operation data in accordance with an operation with respect to the first operation section, and

the wireless communication means of the second input device wirelessly transmits, to the game apparatus, second operation data in accordance with an operation with respect to the second operation section, together with the first operation data received from the first input device that belongs to the same pair as the second input device.

3. The game system according to claim 1, wherein

the wireless communication means of the first input device wirelessly transmits, to the game apparatus, first operation data in accordance with an operation with respect to the first operation section, and

the wireless communication means of the second input device wirelessly transmits, to the game apparatus, second operation data in accordance with an operation with respect to the second operation section.

4. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the display control section controls the display form of the display section of the corresponding input device, such that the same color is displayed on the display section of each of the first input device and the second input device that belong to the same pair.

5. The game system according to claim 4, wherein each display section is a multicolor LED.

6. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the display control section controls the display form of the display section of the corresponding input device, such that the same numeral, the same symbol, the same letter, or the same image is displayed on the display section of each of the first input device and the second input device that belong to the same pair.

7. The game system according to claim 6, wherein each display section is a seven-segment display.

8. The game system according to claim 1, wherein

each display section is a plurality of LEDs,

each display control section controls lighting of the LEDs of the corresponding input device, such that LEDs that are positioned at the same location in the first input device and the second input device, among the plurality of LEDs provided in each of the first input device and the second input device that belong to the same pair, are lit up.

9. The game system according to claim 1, wherein when the corresponding input device does not belong to any one of the pairs, the display control section controls the display section so as to perform a display in a display form different from the display form corresponding to each pair.

10. The game system according to claim 1, wherein

the game apparatus:

administrates the first input device and the second input device that belong to each of the plurality of pairs, based on the information regarding the pair that is transmitted wirelessly from the first input device and/or the second input device; and

wirelessly transmits, to the first input device and/or the second input device, data indicative of the pair to which each of the first input device and the second input device belongs, and

the display control section controls the display section so as to perform a display in a display form corresponding to the pair indicated by the received data indicative of the pair.

11. A controller comprising, as a pair, a first unit provided with a first operation section;

and a second unit provided with a second operation section,

the first unit including;

a first display section;

first wireless communication means for wirelessly transmitting, to the second unit that belongs to the same pair as the first unit, first operation data in accordance with an operation with respect to the first operation section; and

a first display control section for controlling a display form of the first display section,

the second unit including;

a second display section;

second wireless communication means for wirelessly transmitting, to a game apparatus, second operation data in accordance with an operation with respect to the second operation section and information regarding the pair, together with the first operation data received from the first unit that belongs to the same pair as the second unit; and

a second display control section for controlling a display form of the second display section;

the first display control section and the second display control section controlling the display forms of the first display section and the second display section so as to be a display form that indicates that the first and second units belong to the same pair.

12. The controller according to claim 11, wherein when the first and second units belong to the same pair, the first display control section and the second display control section control the display forms of the first display section and the second display section so as to display the same color.

13. The controller according to claim 11, wherein when the first and second units belong to the same pair, the first display control section and the second display control section control the display forms of the first display section and the second display section so as to display the same numeral, the same symbol, the same letter, or the same image.

14. The controller according to claim 11, wherein

each of the first display section and the second display section is a plurality of LEDs, and

when the first and second units belong to the same pair, the first display control section and the second display control section control lighting of the LEDs of the first and second units such that LEDs that are provided at the same location in the first and second units are lit up.

15. A controller comprising, as a pair, a first unit provided with a first operation section;

and a second unit provided with a second operation section,

the first unit including;

a first display section;

first wireless communication means for wirelessly transmitting, to a game apparatus, first operation data in accordance with an operation with respect to the first operation section and information regarding the pair; and

a first display control section for controlling a display form of the first display section,

the second unit including;

a second display section;

second wireless communication means for wirelessly transmitting, to the game apparatus, second operation data in accordance with an operation with respect to the second operation section and information regarding the pair; and

a second display control section for controlling a display form of the second display section,

the first display control section and the second display control section controlling the display forms of the first display section and the second display section so as to be a display form that indicates that the first and second units belong to the same pair.

16. The controller according to claim 15, wherein when the first and second units belong to the same pair, the first display control section and the second display control section control the display forms of the first display section and the second display section so as to display the same color.

17. The controller according to claim 15, wherein when the first and second units belong to the same pair, the first display control section and the second display control section controls the display forms of the first display section and the second display section so as to display the same numeral, the same symbol, the same letter, or the same image.

18. The controller according to claim 15, wherein

each of the first display section and the second display section is a plurality of LEDs, and

when the first and second units belong to the same pair, the first display control section and the second display control section control lighting of the LEDs of the first and second units such that LEDs that are provided at the same location in the first and second units are lit up.

19. A game system in which a plurality of pairs, each consisting of:

a first input device provided with a first operation section; and

a second input device provided with a second operation section, are wirelessly connected to a game apparatus, and in which a game process is executed based on operation data obtained from the first input device and the second input device,

each of the first input device and the second input device including;

wireless communication means for wirelessly communicating the operation data and information regarding each pair; and

detection means for detecting that a predetermined operation is performed by a user with respect to the first input device and the second input device,

the game system comprising control means for controlling a combination of the first input device and the second input device in each pair in accordance with a detection result by the detection means.

20. The game system according to claim 19, wherein the detection means detects that predetermined terminals respectively provided in the first input device and the second input device are connected to each other.

21. The game system according to claim 19, wherein

each of the first input device and the second input device further includes an NEC chip, and

each detection means detects that near-field wireless communication is enabled between the NCF chip of the first input device and the NEC chip of the second input device.

22. The game system according to claim 19, wherein

each of the first input device and the second input device further includes human body communication means for performing communication with another input device via the body of a user, and

each detection means detects that the first input device and the second input device are operated by the same user, by human body communication being enabled between the human body communication means of the first input device and the human body communication means of the second input device.

23. The game system according to claim 19, wherein the detection means detects that predetermined operation buttons respectively provided in the first input device and the second input device are pressed within a predetermined time period.

24. The game system according to claim 19, wherein

the wireless communication means of the first input device wirelessly transmits, to the second input device that belongs to the same pair as the first input device, first operation data in accordance with an operation with respect to the first operation section, and

the wireless communication means of the second input device wirelessly transmits, to the game apparatus, second operation data in accordance with an operation with respect to the second operation section and information regarding the pair, together with the first operation data received from the first input device that belongs to the same pair as the second input device.

25. The game system according to claim 24, wherein

when the detection means detects that a predetermined operation is performed by the same user with respect to the first input device and the second input device, the control means sets the first input device and the second input device, with respect to which it is detected that the predetermined operation is performed by the same user, to belong to the same pair connected to the game apparatus, and

the wireless communication means of the first input device sets the second input device, which is set by the control means to belong to the same pair as the first input device, to be a destination for wireless transmission of the first operation data.

26. The game system according to claim 19, wherein

the wireless communication means of the first input device wirelessly transmits, to the game apparatus, first operation data in accordance with an operation with respect to the first operation section and information regarding the pair, and

the wireless communication means of the second input device wirelessly transmits, to the game apparatus, second operation data in accordance with an operation with respect to the second operation section and information regarding the pair.

27. The game system according to claim 19, wherein

the game apparatus further includes combination storage means for storing combination information indicative of a combination of the first input device and the second input device, and

when the detection means detects that a predetermined operation is performed by the same user with respect to the first input device and the second input device, the combination storage means updates the combination information such that the first input device and the second input device, with respect to which it is detected that the predetermined operation is performed by the same user, belong to the same combination;

and when one of the first input device and the second input device, with respect to which it is detected that the predetermined operation is performed by the same user, has been paired with another input device, the combination storage means updates the combination information so as to cancel a combination of;

the one of the first input device and the second input device; and

the another input device.

28. The game system according to claim 19, wherein

each of the first input device and the second input device further includes:

a display section; and

a display control section for controlling a display form of the display section,

the display control section controls the display form of the display section so as to be a display form corresponding to the combination controlled by the control means, and

the game apparatus executes the game process based the operation data for each combination.

29. A controller comprising, as a pair, a first unit provided with a first operation section;

and a second unit provided with a second operation section,

the first unit including;

first wireless communication means for wirelessly transmitting, to the second unit that belongs to the same pair as the first unit, first operation data in accordance with an operation with respect to the first operation section; and

first detection means for detecting that a predetermined operation is performed by the same user with respect to the first unit and the second unit,

the second unit including;

second wireless communication means for wirelessly transmitting, to a game apparatus, second operation data in accordance with an operation with respect to the second operation section and information regarding the pair, together with the first operation data received from the first unit that belongs to the same pair as the second unit;

second detection means for detecting that the predetermined operation is performed by the same user with respect to the first unit and the second unit; and

control means for controlling a combination of the first unit and the second unit in the pair in accordance with at least a detection result by the second detection means

30. The controller according to claim 29, wherein

each of the first unit and the second unit further includes:

a display section; and

a display control section for controlling a display form of the display section, and

the display control section controls the display form of the display section so as to be a display form corresponding to the combination controlled by the control means.

31. A controller comprising, as a pair, a first unit provided with a first operation section;

and second unit provided with a second operation section,

the first unit including;

first wireless communication means for wirelessly transmitting, to a game apparatus, first operation data in accordance with an operation with respect to the first operation section and information regarding the pair; and

first detection means for detecting that a predetermined operation is performed by the same user with respect to the first unit and the second unit,

the second unit including;

second wireless communication means for wirelessly transmitting, to the game apparatus, second operation data in accordance with an operation with respect to the second operation section and information regarding the pair; and

second detection means for detecting that the predetermined operation is performed by the same user with respect to the first unit and the second unit,

at least one of the first wireless communication means and the second wireless communication means also wirelessly transmitting, to the game apparatus including control means for controlling a combination of the first unit and the second unit in the pair, a detection result that the predetermined operation is performed by the same user with respect to the first unit and the second unit.

32. The controller according to claim 31, wherein

each of the first unit and the second unit further includes:

a display section; and

a display control section for controlling a display form of the display section, and

the display control section controls the display form of the display section so as to be a display form corresponding to the combination controlled by the control means.