Operation controlling device and video processing system used therewith

• US 6,007,428 A
• Filed: 04/23/1997
• Issued: 12/28/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Inventors: Koshima, Kazuo, Nishiumi, Satoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Martin-Wallace, Valencia
• Assistant Examiner(s): Schaaf, James
• Application Number:
  US08/838,933
• Time in Patent Office: 979 Days
• Field of Search: 463/36, 463/46, 463/47, 463/43, 463/44, 463/45, 463/37, 463/38
• US Class Current: 463/36
• 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 13/219 for aiming at specific areas on the display, e.g. light-guns
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/22 Setup operations, e.g. calibration, key configuration or button assignment
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• 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 13/426 involving on-screen location information, e.g. screen coordinates of an area at which the player is aiming with a light gun
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/428 involving motion or position input signals, e.g. signals representing the rotation of an input controller or a player's arm motions sensed by accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/525 Changing parameters of virtual cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/803 Driving vehicles or craft, e.g. cars, airplanes, ships, robots or tanks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/837 Shooting of targets
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/95 Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1018 Calibration; Key and button assignment
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1025 details of the interface with the game device, e.g. USB version detection
• 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 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1062 being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1087 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. a camera
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/204 the platform being a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/206 : Game information storage, e.g. cartridges, CD ROM's, DVD's, smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6045 : for mapping control signals received from the input arrangement into game commands
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/636 : involving process of starting or resuming a game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/64 : for computing dynamical parameters of game objects, e.g. motion determination or computation of frictional forces for a virtual car
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/643 : by determining the impact between objects, e.g. collision detection
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/66 : for rendering three dimensional images
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6653 : for altering the visibility of an object, e.g. preventing the occlusion of an object, partially hiding an object
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6661 : for changing the position of the virtual camera
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8005 : Athletics
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8017 : Driving on land or water; Flying
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8035 : Virtual fishing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/807 : Role playing or strategy games
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8076 : Shooting
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/0474 : characterised by means converting mechanical movement into electric signals
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04759 : Light-sensitive detector, e.g. photoelectric
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/04777 : with additional push or pull action on the handle
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 9/047 : the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks for switches H01H25/04
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/20 : using active fault-masking, e.g. by switching out faulty elements or by switching in spare elements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/013 : Force feedback applied to a game
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/015 : Force feedback applied to a joystick
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0382 : Plural input, i.e. interface arrangements in which a plurality of input device of the same type are in communication with a PC
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 : Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 : Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0383 : Signal control means within the pointing device
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 15/10 : Geometric effects
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 15/20 : Perspective computation

Abstract

A video processing system is described including a video processing device which generates a sequence of video display frames on a display unit under the control of a stored program, and a unique operation controlling device which is connected to the video processing device and which supplies signals in response to an operator'"'"'s manipulation, to change the video data generated by the video processing device. The video processing device includes a replaceable program memory, first data receiving circuitry, a central processing unit, first data sending circuitry and a video signal generation circuitry. The operation controlling device may include various operation controlling buttons, switches, an operation member, rotor bodies, rotation detection mechanisms, counting circuitry, reset signal generation circuitry, second receiving circuitry, transfer circuitry and second sending circuitry. Advantageously, the operation controlling mechanism may be utilized to permit user control of a displayed object via said operation member and at the same time independently control movement of another displayed object via control switches protruding from the operation controlling mechanism housing.

Claims

1. An operation controlling device which is connected, in use, to a video processing device which generates video data to be displayed on a display unit in accordance with a stored program and to an operator'"'"'s manipulations of said operation controlling device, said operation controlling device comprising:

a housing sized to be held in the hand of an operator;

at least one moving object position control mechanism mounted in said housing for generating data indicative of the display position of a moving object displayed on said display unit in accordance with said stored program;

a memory port disposed in said housing; and

a memory removably coupled to said memory port.

2. An operation controlling device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said at least one moving object position control mechanism includes an operation member which, in use, is tilted by an operator within a desired range and is supported such that it stops at a desired position when not being manipulated by the operator to thereby define an operation member point of origin, said operation member being capable of generating operation member position data for controlling movement of a displayed object along any one of a substantially continuous range of angular directions with respect to a coordinate reference frame defined by said point of origin.

3. An operation controlling device in accordance with claim 2, further including

processing circuitry for receiving at least one command from said video processing device and for transferring operation member position data to said video processing device in response to said command.

4. An operation controlling device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said at least one moving object position control mechanism includes a directional switch.

5. An operation member according to claim 2, further including reset signal generation circuitry for resetting said point of origin.

6. An expansion memory device insertable in a cavity leading to an expansion port of an operation controlling device that is coupled, in use, to a video processing device for generating video data to be displayed on a display unit in accordance with a stored program and with an operator'"'"'s manipulations of the operation controlling device, the expansion memory device comprising:

a housing sized to fit into said cavity of said expansion port of said operation controlling device;

a RAM memory embodied within said housing and accessible by the video processing device via the expansion port of said operation controlling device, said RAM memory being operable, in use, for storing data relating to values generated in accordance with the stored program; and

a battery coupled to the RAM memory for supplying backup power to said RAM memory.

7. An expansion memory device in accordance with claim 6, wherein the stored program is a video game program and wherein the operation controlling device is a video game controller, said RAM memory being operable, in use, for storing data relating to an operator'"'"'s achievement during game play.

8. An expansion memory device in accordance with claim 7, wherein said RAM memory is operable, in use, for storing game-related statistics.

9. An expansion memory device in accordance with claim 6, wherein the stored program is a video game program and wherein the operation controlling device is a video game controller, said RAM memory being operable, in use, for storing data relating to game statistics.

10. An expansion memory device in accordance with claim 6, wherein said RAM memory is coupled to a connector in the controller for receiving information from and transmitting information to said video processing device in accordance with said stored program.

11. An expansion memory device in accordance with claim 10, wherein said RAM memory interfaces with the video processing device to provide a data saving option in accordance with the stored program.

12. An expansion memory device insertable into a cavity of an expansion port of an operation controlling device, said operation controlling device expansion port including data, address and control lines, the expansion port having a controller connector, the expansion device comprising:

a casing shaped to fit into the expansion port cavity;

a RAM memory housed within said casing; and

an expansion connector coupleable with the controller connector for connecting said data, address, and control lines to said RAM memory.

13. An expansion memory device in accordance with claim 12, further comprising a battery coupled with the RAM memory and supplying backup power necessary to store data in said memory.

14. An expansion memory device in accordance with claim 12, wherein the operation controlling device is coupleable, in use, to a video processing device that generates video data to be displayed on a display unit in accordance with a stored program and with an operator'"'"'s manipulations of the operation controlling device, said RAM memory accessible by the video processing device, said RAM memory for storing data relating to values generated in accordance with the stored program.

15. An expansion memory device in accordance with claim 14, wherein the stored program is a video game program and wherein the operation controlling device is a video game controller, said RAM memory storing data relating to game levels reached by the operator.

16. An expansion memory device in accordance with claim 15, wherein said RAM memory is operable, in use, for storing game-related statistics.

17. An expansion memory device in accordance with claim 14, wherein the stored program is a video game program and wherein the operation controlling device is a video game controller, said RAM memory being operable, in use, for storing data relating to game statistics.

18. An expansion memory device in accordance with claim 14, wherein said RAM memory is coupled to a connector in the controller for receiving information from and transmitting information to said video processing device in accordance with said stored program.

19. An expansion memory device in accordance with claim 18, wherein said RAM memory interfaces with the video processing device to provide a data saving option in accordance with the stored program.

20. An operation controlling device which is connected, in use to a home video game console having a video game processing system which generates video data to be displayed on a display unit in accordance with an operator'"'"'s manipulations of said operation controlling device and a stored program, said operation controlling device comprising:

a housing sized to be held in the hand of an operator;

a moving object position control mechanism mounted in said housing for generating data indicative of the display position of a displayed object and which, in use, is tilted by an operator within a desired range to control movement of a displayed object along any one of a substantially continuous range of angular directions;

detecting circuitry for generating data indicative of the direction and the rate of movement which a displayed object is to be moved;

interface circuitry for sending data indicative of the direction and the rate of movement which a displayed object is to be moved to said video game console and for receiving data and commands from said console; and

a memory which is accessible by said video game processing system via said interface circuitry for storing video game related data.

21. An operation controlling device in accordance with claim 20, wherein said at least one moving object position control mechanism is supported such that it stops at a desired position when not being manipulated by the operator to thereby define an operation member point of origin, said operation member being capable of generating operation member position data for controlling movement of a displayed object with respect to a coordinate reference frame defined by said point of origin.

22. An operation controlling device in accordance with claim 20, further including

processing circuitry coupled to said interface circuitry for receiving at least one command from said video processing system and for transferring operation member position data to said video processing system in response to said command.

23. An operation controlling device in accordance with claim 20, further including a directional switch for controlling the direction of movement of a displayed object.

24. An operation controlling device according to claim 21, further including reset signal generation circuitry for resetting said point of origin.

25. An operation controlling device according to claim 20, further including an expansion port located within a cavity in said housing and electrically coupled to said interface circuitry, and wherein said memory includes a RAM memory sized to to fit into said cavity associated with said expansion port embodied within said housing and accessible by the video processing system via the expansion port of said operation controlling device, said RAM memory being operable, in use, for storing video game related data.

26. An operation controlling device which is connected, in use, to a home video game console having a video game processing system which generates video data to be displayed on a display unit in accordance with an operator'"'"'s manipulations of said operation controlling device and a stored video game program, said operation controlling device comprising:

a housing sized to be held in the hand of an operator;

a moving object position control mechanism mounted in said housing for generating data indicative of the display position of a displayed object and which, in use, is tilted by an operator within a desired range to control movement of a displayed object along any one of a substantially continuous range of angular directions;

detecting circuitry for generating data indicative of the direction and the rate of movement which a displayed object is to be moved;

interface circuitry for sending data indicative of the direction and the rate of movement which a displayed object is to be moved to said video game console and for receiving data and commands from said console; and

a liquid crystal display for displaying video game related data in accordance with a video game program.

27. An operation controlling device in accordance with claim 26, further including a liquid crystal display controller for receiving data and control signals from said interface circuitry to control the display of video game related data.

28. An operation controlling device in accordance with claim 26, wherein said at least one moving object position control mechanism is supported such that it stops at a desired position when not being manipulated by the operator to thereby define an operation member point of origin, said operation member being capable of generating operation member position data for controlling movement of a displayed with respect to a coordinate reference frame defined by said point of origin.

29. An operation controlling device in accordance with claim 26, further including

processing circuitry coupled to said interface circuitry for receiving at least one command from said video processing system and for transferring operation member position data to said video processing system in response to said command.

30. An operation controlling device in accordance with claim 26 further including a directional switch for controlling the direction of movement of a displayed object.

31. An operation controlling device according to claim 26, further including an expansion port located within a cavity in said housing;

and

a wherein said liquid crystal display is sized to fit into said cavity and is removably attachable to said expansion port.

32. An operation controlling device which is connected, in use, to a home video game console having a video game processing system which generates video data to be displayed on a display unit in accordance with an operator'"'"'s manipulations of said operation controlling device and a stored program, said operation controlling device comprising:

a housing sized to be held in the hand of an operator;

a moving object position control mechanism mounted in said housing for generating data indicative of the display position of a displayed object and which, in use, is tilted by an operator within a desired range to control movement of a displayed object along any one of a substantially continuous range of angular directions;

detecting circuitry for generating data indicative of the direction and the rate of movement which a moving object is to be moved;

interface circuitry for sending data indicative of the direction and the rate of movement which a moving object is to be moved to said video game console and for receiving data and commands from said console;

processing circuitry coupled to said interface circuitry for receiving at least one command from said video processing system and for performing at least one operation in response to said command; and

a memory which is accessible by said video game processing system via said interface circuitry for storing video game related data.

33. An operation controlling device in accordance with claim 32, further including an expansion port and wherein said memory is embodied on a module removably attachable to said expansion port.

34. An operation controlling device in accordance with claim 33, wherein said memory is operable to store data relating to an operator'"'"'s achievement during game play.

35. An operation controlling device in accordance with claim 33, wherein said module includes a battery for supplying backup power to said memory.

36. An operation controlling device which is connected, in use, to a home video game console having a video game processing system which generates video data to be displayed on a display unit in accordance with a stored program and to an operator'"'"'s manipulations of said operation controlling device, said operation controlling device comprising:

a housing sized to be held in the hand of an operator;

a moving object position control mechanism mounted in said housing for generating data indicative of the display position of a displayed object and which, in use, is tilted by an operator within a desired range to control movement of a displayed object along any one of a substantially continuous range of angular directions; and

detecting circuitry for generating data indicative of the direction and the rate of movement which a moving object is to be moved;

interface circuitry for sending data indicative of the direction and the rate of movement which a displayed object is to be moved to said video game console and for receiving data and commands from said console;

processing circuitry coupled to said interface circuitry for receiving at least one command from said video processing system and for performing at least one operation in response to said command; and

a liquid crystal display for displaying video game related data in accordance with a video game program.

37. An operation controlling device in accordance with claim 36, further including an expansion port and wherein said liquid crystal display is embodied on a module removably attachable to said expansion port.

38. An operation controlling device in accordance with claim 37, further including a liquid crystal display controller for receiving data and control signals from said interface circuitry to control the display of video game related data.

39. For use with a video game system console having a game program executing processing system for executing said video game program to create a display, and at least one player controller having a joystick control member and an insertion port for receiving an expansion module, said video game executing processing system responding to data generated by said player controller to modify said display, an external memory system for controlling the operation of said video game system console comprising:

a memory media for storing program instructions;

a connector for coupling said program instructions from said memory media to said video game system console;

said program instructions including at least one instruction for causing said game program executing processing system to transfer data to said expansion module coupled to said player controller insertion port.

40. An external memory system according to claim 39, wherein at least one instruction in said memory media controls said game program executing processing system to output a command to the controller requesting operating state data.

41. An external memory system according to claim 39, wherein said expansion module includes an external, removable read/write memory and wherein at least one instruction in said memory media controls said game program executing processing system to output a command to the controller to write data to said read/write memory module.

42. An external memory system according to claim 39, wherein said expansion module includes an external, removable read/write memory and wherein at least one instruction in said memory media controls said game program executing processing system to output a command to the controller to read data from said read/write memory module.

43. An external memory system according to claim 39, wherein said expansion module includes an external, removable read/write memory and wherein at least one instruction in said memory media controls said game program executing processing system to output a command to the controller to write game play related data to said read/write memory.

44. An external memory system according to claim 43, wherein said game play related data is data which is indicative of the game play related state of a video game.

45. An external memory system according to claim 39, wherein said expansion module includes a battery and an external, removable read/write memory coupled to said battery, and wherein at least one instruction in said memory media controls said game program executing processing system to output a command to the controller to access said read/write memory module.

46. An external memory system according to claim 39, wherein said expansion module includes a liquid crystal display for displaying video game related data in accordance with a video game program.

47. In a video game system having a program executing processing system and at least one player controller having a joystick control member and an insertion port for receiving an expansion module, and an external memory device for storing a program for controlling the operation of said video game system, a method for operating said video game system comprising the steps of:

executing at least one instruction stored in said external memory for causing said program executing processing system to transmit data to said player controller;

transferring data under the control of said program executing processing system to said player controller;

receiving said data by said player controller under the control of controller processing circuitry; and

coupling said data to said player controller expansion module.

48. A method according to claim 47, wherein said expansion module includes an external, removable read/write memory and wherein said step of executing at least one instruction includes the step of executing a command to cause the controller to write data to said read/write memory.

49. A method according to claim 47, wherein said expansion module includes an external, removable read/write memory and further including the step of executing a command to cause the controller to read data from said read/write memory module.

50. A method according to claim 47, wherein said expansion module includes an external, removable read/write memory and wherein said step of executing at least one instruction includes the step of executing a command to cause the controller to write game play related data to said read/write memory.

51. A method according to claim 47, further including the step of generating data indicative of the state of a video game, wherein said expansion module includes an external, removable read/write memory and wherein said step of executing at least one instruction includes the step of executing a command to cause the controller to write said data indicative of the state of a video game to said read/write memory.

52. A method according to claim 47, wherein said expansion module includes an external, removable read/write memory, and further including the steps of obtaining video game related data generated by a further processing system and accessing said video game related data by said program executing processing system via said read/write memory.

53. A method according to claim 52, where said step of obtaining includes the step of transporting another player'"'"'s read/write memory to said video game system and electrically coupling said read/write memory to said video game system.

54. A method according to claim 47, wherein said expansion module includes a liquid crystal display and wherein said step of executing at least one instruction includes the step of executing a command to cause the controller to display data on said liquid crystal display.