Combination computer mouse and game play control

• US 5,692,956 A
• Filed: 02/09/1996
• Issued: 12/02/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Inventors: Rifkin, Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrison, Jessica
• Assistant Examiner(s): SCHAAF, JAMES CHARLES
• Application Number:
  US08/599,218
• Time in Patent Office: 662 Days
• Field of Search: 463/36, 463/37, 463/47, 345/163, 345/157, 345/156, D14/114
• US Class Current: 463/37
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/5375 for graphically or textually suggesting an action, e.g. by displaying an arrow indicating a turn in a driving game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/803 Driving vehicles or craft, e.g. cars, airplanes, ships, robots or tanks
• 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 2300/1062 being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/305 for providing a graphical or textual hint to the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8017 Driving on land or water; Flying
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/013 Force feedback applied to a game
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0333 Ergonomic shaped mouse for one hand
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0354 with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence

Abstract

A computer mouse supports a body configured to replicate a miniature automotive vehicle. The vehicle body includes a pair of push buttons for right and left operation. The mouse further includes a conventional trackball unit together with conventional right and left click switches. A selector switch supported upon the vehicle body configures the game play control for operation as a conventional computer mouse or a game play control unit. In the game play control position, a vibrating motor and sound system are operative to provide vehicle sounds and vibrations.

Claims

1. For use in combination with a computing system having a processor unit, a memory, and a display, a game play control comprising:

a computer mouse having a pair of click switches and a trackball unit;

a simulated toy vehicle body supported upon said computer mouse having a pair of movable button portions overlying said pair of click switches;

a pair of head lights and a pair of tail lights supported by said body;

a vibrator supported by said body;

an analog switch interposed between one of said movable button portions and one of said click switches; and

a mode switch coupled to said computer mouse for operating said game play control in either a computer mouse mode or a game play mode, wherein in said computer mouse mode said vibrator and said head lights and tail lights are disabled.