Wearable vibration device for video games

• US 6,135,450 A
• Filed: 02/09/1998
• Issued: 10/24/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cheng-Pin Huang, Kelly Dell Tyler
• Original Assignee: Cheng-Pin Huang, Kelly Dell Tyler
• Inventors: Huang, Cheng-Pin, Tyler, Kelly Dell
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrison, Jessica J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kasick, Julie
• Application Number:
  US09/020,470
• Time in Patent Office: 988 Days
• Field of Search: 463/7, 463/36, 463/37, 463/38, 463/39, 463/8, 463/30, 463/31, 463/32, 463/33, 463/34, 463/47, 273/148 B
• US Class Current: 273/148.00B
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/90 Constructional details or arrangements of video game devices not provided for in groups A63F13/20 or A63F13/25, e.g. housing, wiring, connections or cabinets
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/302 specially adapted for receiving control signals not targeted to a display device or game input means, e.g. vibrating driver's seat, scent dispenser
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user

Abstract

A wearable vibration device for video games having a video game electrical signal decoder unit. An I.C. circuit, a D.C. battery, and an electrical circuit are located in the decoder unit. The decoder unit has an electrical input terminal for connection to a video game CPU and it has an electrical output terminal for connecting a video game controller thereto. A vibration unit has means for mounting it on a person'"'"'s hand. Different systems can be utilized to transmit instructions from the decoder unit to the vibration unit, the simplest structure would be electrical wires connecting the two units.

Claims

1. A retro-fit vibration system for a video game controller that lacks vibration features comprising:

a video game electrical signal decoder unit having an elongated housing having a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall, a left end and a right end;

a storage compartment is formed in said housing;

an I.C. (integrated circuit) on a circuit board is mounted in said storage compartment;

said top wall having a removable battery compartment cover;

a D.C. battery source of electrical power removably mounted in said housing;

an electrical circuit connected to said I.C. and said D.C. source of electrical power;

an on/off mechanical switch extends outwardly from said front wall and it is connected to said electrical circuit for interrupting electrical power from said D.C. battery source of electrical power to said I.C.;

a first electrical terminal extending from said right end of said housing for connection to a video game CPU;

said first electrical terminal being electrically connected to said I.C. so that electrical signals can be received by said I.C. and decoded;

a second electrical terminal extending from said electrical housing for connection to a video game controller that lacks vibration features so that player instructions from a video game controller can be transmitted through said I.C. to said video game CPU;

a vibration unit having a top housing and a bottom housing;

an electric motor having a driveshaft is mounted in said bottom housing;

a disc is eccentrically mounted on said driveshaft to impart the vibration motion to said vibration unit;

said top housing has a lens member and an L.E.D. is mounted in said bottom housing beneath said lens member at a position that allows its light to shine through said lens member;

said motor and said L.E.D. being connected to a secondary electrical circuit;

said vibration unit having means for removably attaching said vibration unit to a limb of a person in such a manner that said vibration unit is entirely lifted up and moved when said limb is raised and moved; and

an electrical wire having a first end removably connected to said secondary electrical circuit in said vibration unit;

said electrical wire having a second end removably connected to said I.C. in said video game signal decoder unit.

2. A retro-fit vibration system for a video game controller that lacks vibration features comprising:

a video game electrical signal decoder unit having an elongated housing having a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall, a left end and a right end;

a storage compartment is formed in said housing;

an I.C. (integrated circuit) on a circuit board is mounted in said storage compartment;

said top wall having a removable battery compartment cover;

a D.C. battery source of electrical power removably mounted in said housing;

an electrical circuit connected to said I.C. and said D.C. source of electrical power;

an on/off mechanical switch extends outwardly from said front wall and it is connected to said electrical circuit for interrupting electrical power from said D.C. battery source of electrical power to said I.C.;

a first electrical terminal extending from said right end of said housing for connection to a video game CPU;

said first electrical terminal being electrically connected to said I.C. so that electrical signals can be received by said I.C. and decoded;

a second electrical terminal extending from said electrical housing for connection to a video game controller that lacks vibration features so that player instructions from a video game controller can be transmitted through said I.C. to said video game CPU;

a radio frequency transmitter mounted in said decoder unit, said radio frequency transmitter being electrically connected to said I.C. so that said radio frequency transmitter can send instructions to a vibration unit;

a vibration unit having a top housing and a bottom housing;

an electric motor having a driveshaft is mounted in said bottom housing;

a disc is eccentrically mounted on said driveshaft to impart the vibration motion to said vibration unit;

said top housing has a lens member and an L.E.D. is mounted in said bottom housing beneath said lens member at a position that allows its light to shine through said lens member;

said motor and said L.E.D. being connected to a secondary electrical circuit that is connected to a battery;

said vibration unit having means for removably attaching said vibration unit to a limb of a person in such a manner that said vibration unit is entirely lifted up and moved when said limb is raised and moved; and

a radio frequency receiver is mounted in said vibration unit and it is electrically connected to said secondary electrical circuit so that said radio frequency receiver can receive instructions from said radio frequency transmitter in said decoder unit.

3. A retro-fit vibration system for a video game controller that lacks vibration features comprising:

a video game electrical signal decoder unit having an elongated housing having a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall, a left end and a right end;

a storage compartment is formed in said housing;

an I.C. (integrated circuit) on a circuit board is mounted in said storage compartment;

said top wall having a removable battery compartment cover;

a D.C. battery source of electrical power removably mounted in said housing;

an electrical circuit connected to said I.C. and said D.C. source of electrical power;

an on/off mechanical switch extends outwardly from said front wall and it is connected to said electrical circuit for interrupting electrical power from said D.C. battery source of electrical power to said I.C.;

a first electrical terminal extending from said right end of said housing for connection to a video game CPU;

said first electrical terminal being electrically connected to said I.C. so that electrical signals can be received by said I.C. and decoded;

a second electrical terminal extending from said electrical housing for connection to a video game controller that lacks vibration features so that player instructions from a video game controller can be transmitted through said I.C. to said video game CPU;

an infrared transmitter mounted in said decoder unit, said infrared transmitter being electrically connected to said I.C. so that said infrared transmitter can send instructions to said vibration unit;

a vibration unit having a top housing and a bottom housing;

an electric motor having a driveshaft is mounted in said bottom housing;

a disc is eccentrically mounted on said driveshaft to impart the vibration motion to said vibration unit;

said top housing has a lens member and an L.E.D. is mounted in said bottom housing beneath said lens member at a position that allows its light to shine through said lens member;

said motor and said LED being connected to a secondary electrical circuit;

said vibration unit having means for removably attaching said vibration unit to a limb of a person in such a manner that said vibration unit is entirely lifted up and moved when said limb is raised and moved; and

an infrared receiver is mounted in said vibration unit and it is electrically connected to said secondary electrical circuit so that said infrared receiver can receive instructions from said infrared transmitter.