Video game control adapter
First Claim
1. A video game control adapter apparatus for driving a video game system, the video game system having a plurality of control inputs defining an input domain, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) output means for communicating with the video game system;
(b) input means for receiving a plurality of input signals, the input signals defining a user domain; and
(c) converter means for driving the output means in response to the input means, the converter means comprising;
(i) microprocessor means operatively responsive to the input means for controlling the output means; and
(ii) configuration selector means operatively connected to the microprocessor means for selectively changing a functional relationship between the user domain and the input domain.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is an adapter for driving control inputs of a video game system, providing a plurality of selectable functional relationships between a set of input signals and the control inputs, and includes an output section for communicating with the system, a receiver for the input signals, and a microprocessor converter for driving the output section in response to the input signals and for changing a functional relationship between the input signals and the output section according to a configuration selector. The configuration selector defines a first function wherein one of the control inputs is responsive to a particular input signal, and a second function wherein a different one of the control inputs is responsive to the input signal. The first and second functions advantageously provide selective transformations between frames of reference of the input signals and the video game itself whereby video games having differing frames of reference can be operated within the same user frame of reference. Typically, the system receives up, down, left, and right control inputs, the input signals including left and right input signals, the first function defining activation of the left and right control inputs from respective left and right input signals, the second function instead defining activation of the up and down control inputs from the same left and right input signals. Similarly, the configuration selector defines functional relationships for certain of the control inputs in terms of range selectable pedal rate thresholds of an exercise bicycle operated by the user.
411 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A video game control adapter apparatus for driving a video game system, the video game system having a plurality of control inputs defining an input domain, the apparatus comprising:
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(a) output means for communicating with the video game system; (b) input means for receiving a plurality of input signals, the input signals defining a user domain; and (c) converter means for driving the output means in response to the input means, the converter means comprising; (i) microprocessor means operatively responsive to the input means for controlling the output means; and (ii) configuration selector means operatively connected to the microprocessor means for selectively changing a functional relationship between the user domain and the input domain. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A video game control adapter apparatus for driving a video game system, the video game system having a plurality of control inputs defining an input domain and including first, second, up, down, left, and right control inputs, the apparatus comprising:
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(a) output means for communicating with the video game system; (b) an exercise bicycle having a hand-grip support and a pedal crank forming a continuously rotatable member; (c) input means for receiving a plurality of input signals, the input signals defining a user domain and including primary left and right input signals and secondary left and right input signals operable from respective controls on the hand-grip support, and a cadence input signal, the cadence input signal being responsive to movement of the crank; and (d) converter means for driving the output means in response to the input means, the converter means comprising; (i) microprocessor means operatively responsive to the input means for controlling the output means; and (ii) configuration selector means operatively connected to the microprocessor means for selectively changing a functional relationship between the user domain and the input domain, comprising means selectively defining a first function wherein the left and right control inputs are responsive respectively from the left and right input signals, a second function wherein the up and down control inputs are responsive respectively to the left and right input signals, a third function wherein the left control input is responsive to simultaneous activation of the primary left and right input signals, a fourth function wherein the up control input is responsive to simultaneous activation of the primary left and right input signals, a fifth function wherein the control input is responsive to simultaneous activation of the secondary left and right input signals, and a sixth function wherein the first control input is responsive to the secondary right input signal and the second control input is responsive to the secondary left input signal, and at least one cadence function wherein one of the control inputs is activated when the cadence input signal is within a first range, and another of the control inputs is activated when the cadence input signal is within a second range, the cadence function being independent of the other functions, the first and second functions being independent of the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth functions, and the third and fourth functions being independent of the fifth and sixth functions.
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21. A video game control adapter apparatus for driving a video game system, the video game system having a plurality of control inputs, including up, down, left, and right control inputs, defining an input domain, the apparatus comprising:
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(a) output means for communicating with the video game system; (b) input means for receiving a plurality of input signals, including left and right input signals, the input signals defining a user domain; and (c) converter means for driving the output means in response to the input means, the converter means comprising configuration selector means operatively connected to the microprocessor for changing a functional relationship between the user domain and the input domain, comprising means selectively defining a first function wherein one of the control inputs is responsive to a particular input signal defining activation of the left and right control inputs respectively from the left and right input signals, and a second function wherein a different one of the control inputs is responsive to the same particular input signal defining activation of the up and down control inputs respectively from the left and right input signals.
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Specification