Reconfigurable video game controller
First Claim
1. A reconfigurable video game controller comprising:
- a) a plurality of game input switches;
b) a keyboard interface for connecting to a computer keyboard device and for receiving keycodes from said keyboard device when activated by a user;
c) processing means for controlling the operation of said video game controller;
d) memory means for storing a keycode assignment associated with each of said input switches, said memory means controlled by said processing means;
(i) to output, during a functional mode, the keycode assignment associated with an input switch when said input switch is activated by the user, and(ii) to store, during a reconfiguration mode, the keycode assignment associated with an input switch when said input switch is activated by the user and the keycode is received directly from said keyboard device via said keyboard interface;
e) means for the user to select between said functional mode and said reconfiguration mode;
f) a keycode upload interface for connecting to a keyboard input port of a computer, said keycode upload interface controlled by said processing means;
(i) to output, during a functional mode, at least a portion of said keycode assignment output from said memory means such that a video game program running on said computer may utilize said portion of said keycode assignment in accordance therewith; and
(ii) to output, during a reconfiguration mode, said keycode assignment being written to said memory means such that said keycode assignment may be displayed to a user via said computer.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A reconfigurable video game controller for use with a video game program running on a personal computer platform, wherein the controller may be reconfigured or reprogrammed directly by the user so that user-defined keycodes are obtained from a local memory and transmitted to the computer while playing the video game. The controller is reconfigured by selecting desired input switches and then entering keycodes via an attached computer keyboard while in a setup mode, and the keycodes and selected input switch codes are transmitted to the computer for display to the user under the supervision of a reconfiguration window program. The controller is also capable of storing local codes for use in controlling operation of the controller during the video game play mode. One type of local code is a delay code useful in controlling delay of individual keycode transmissions in a multi-keycode playback sequence. Another type of local code is a force-feedback code, which is useful in controlling force-feedback control circuitry associated with the input switches such that the user can program which types of force-feedback effects are to be implemented by the controller during game play.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A reconfigurable video game controller comprising:
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a) a plurality of game input switches; b) a keyboard interface for connecting to a computer keyboard device and for receiving keycodes from said keyboard device when activated by a user; c) processing means for controlling the operation of said video game controller; d) memory means for storing a keycode assignment associated with each of said input switches, said memory means controlled by said processing means; (i) to output, during a functional mode, the keycode assignment associated with an input switch when said input switch is activated by the user, and (ii) to store, during a reconfiguration mode, the keycode assignment associated with an input switch when said input switch is activated by the user and the keycode is received directly from said keyboard device via said keyboard interface; e) means for the user to select between said functional mode and said reconfiguration mode; f) a keycode upload interface for connecting to a keyboard input port of a computer, said keycode upload interface controlled by said processing means; (i) to output, during a functional mode, at least a portion of said keycode assignment output from said memory means such that a video game program running on said computer may utilize said portion of said keycode assignment in accordance therewith; and (ii) to output, during a reconfiguration mode, said keycode assignment being written to said memory means such that said keycode assignment may be displayed to a user via said computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A reconfigurable video game controller comprising:
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a) a plurality of game input switches; b) a keyboard interface for connecting to a computer keyboard device and for receiving keycodes from said keyboard device when activated by a user; c) processing means for controlling the operation of said video game controller; d) memory means for storing a keycode assignment associated with each of said input switches, said memory means controlled by said processing means; (i) to output, during a functional mode, said keycode assignment associated with an input switch when said input switch is activated by said user, and (ii) to store, during a reconfiguration mode, local control codes associated with each of said game input switches, the local control codes being received directly from said keyboard device via said keyboard interface;
said local control codes being utilized by said processing means to control internal operation of said controller; ande) means for the user to select between said functional mode and said reconfiguration mode. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A video game playing system comprising:
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(I) a computer comprising; (a) means for running a video game program during a functional mode; (b) means for displaying images controlled by said video game program; (c) a keyboard input port for receiving keycodes suitable for controlling said video game program; (d) means for executing a keycode reconfiguration program, said reconfiguration program causing said keycodes to be displayed on said display means during said video game controller reconfiguration mode; and (II) a reconfigurable video game controller comprising; (a) a plurality of game input switches; (b) a keyboard interface for connecting to a computer keyboard device and for receiving said keycodes from said keyboard device when activated by a user; (c) processing means for controlling the operation of said video game controller; (d) memory means for storing a keycode assignment associated with each of said input switches, said memory means controlled by said processing means; (i) to output, during said functional mode, the keycode assignment associated with said input switch when said input switch is activated by the user, and (ii) to store, during said reconfiguration mode, the keycode assignment associated with an input switch when said input switch is activated by the user and the keycode is received directly from said keyboard device via said keyboard interface; (e) means for the user to select between said functional mode and said reconfiguration mode; (f) a keycode upload interface for connecting to said keyboard input port of said computer, said keycode upload interface controlled by said processing means; (i) to output, during said functional mode, at least a portion of said keycode assignment output from said memory means such that a video game program running on said computer may utilize said portion of said keycode assignment in accordance therewith; and (ii) to output, during said reconfiguration mode, said keycode assignment being written to said memory means such that said keycode assignment may be displayed to a user via said computer. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. In a video game playing system including a computer for running a video game program during a functional mode and displaying images controlled by said video program;
- and further including a video game controller operatively associated with said computer including a plurality of game input switches, a keyboard interface for connecting to a computer keyboard device and for receiving keycodes from the keyboard device when activated by a user, processing means for controlling the operation of the video game controller, and memory means for storing a keycode assignment associated with each of the input switches;
a method for reconfiguring the video game controller comprising the steps of; (a) invoking a reconfiguration window program on the computer; (b) selecting a reconfiguration mode on the video game controller; (c) activating an input switch on the video game controller; (d) transmitting a keycode from said keyboard to said video game controller; (e) storing the keycode received directly from the keyboard device in the memory means in a location associated with the activated input switch; and (f) transmitting to the computer for display thereon the identity of the activated input switch and the keycode stored in the memory means in association therewith. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
- and further including a video game controller operatively associated with said computer including a plurality of game input switches, a keyboard interface for connecting to a computer keyboard device and for receiving keycodes from the keyboard device when activated by a user, processing means for controlling the operation of the video game controller, and memory means for storing a keycode assignment associated with each of the input switches;
Specification