Game apparatus, game machine manipulation device, game system and interactive communication method for game apparatus

• US 6,565,439 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2002
• Issued: 05/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Shinohara, Satoshi, Honda, Toshio
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Neill, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): BROCKETTI, JULIE K
• Application Number:
  US10/085,327
• Publication Number:
  US 20020082090A1
• Time in Patent Office: 446 Days
• Field of Search: 463/36, 463/37, 463/38, 463/43, 273/148.B
• US Class Current: 463/37
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/22 Setup operations, e.g. calibration, key configuration or button assignment
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/23 for interfacing with the game device, e.g. specific interfaces between game controller and console
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/28 responding to control signals received from the game device for affecting ambient conditions, e.g. for vibrating players' seats, activating scent dispensers or affecting temperature or light controlling the output signals based on the game progress A63F13/50
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/44 involving timing of operations, e.g. performing an action within a time slot
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/77 involving data related to game devices or game servers, e.g. configuration data, software version or amount of memory
• 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 2300/302 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: A63F 2300/552 for downloading to client devices, e.g. using OS version, hardware or software profile of the client device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/638 according to the timing of operation or a time limit

Abstract

By transmitting function information indicative of functions of a game machine manipulation device CT10, previously stored therein, to a game machine main body 27 with a command from the game machine main body 27, it is possible to retrieve functions of the game machine manipulation device CT10 required for the game machine main body 27 and to set the retrieved functions of the game machine manipulation device CT10 in the game machine manipulation device CT10. Further, by transmitting function information indicative of consumed power of respective response means 21, 51 of the game machine manipulation device CT10, which is previously stored in the game machine manipulation device CT10, to the game machine main body 27 with a command from the game machine main body 27, it is possible to determine response means 21, 51 required for the game machine main body 27 and a power value to be applied to the response means, and to set the determined information to the response means 21, 51 of the game machine manipulation device CT10.

Claims

1. A game system comprising

a game machine manipulation device being connected to a game apparatus and having bidirectional communication means for transmitting data of manipulations performed by a plurality of manipulation members to said game apparatus and for receiving predetermined control data from said game apparatus, and

said game apparatus having a reproducing function for a recording medium and having bidirectional communication means for receiving data of manipulations performed by a plurality of manipulation members from said game machine manipulation device and for transmitting predetermined control data to said game machine manipulation device, wherein:

the game machine manipulation device is provided with a response means which performs a response action according to an instruction from the game apparatus and a storing means for storing information as function information regarding how the response means performs the response action, and transmits the function information stored in the storing means in response to a information request command from the game apparatus, and

the game apparatus transmits the information request command to the game machine manipulation device, fetches the function information based on the information request command from the game machine manipulation device and transmits the predetermined control data to the game machine manipulation device, based on the function information.

2. A game system according to claim 1, wherein:

said game machine manipulation device comprises, as said response means, plural types of response means each having various functions, respectively,

said storing means stores information regarding a response action for each of the plural types of the response means, as said function information, and

said function information including the information regarding the response action for each of the plural types of response means is transmitted to said game apparatus in accordance with the information request command from the game apparatus.

3. A bidirectional communication method for a game apparatus for receiving data of manipulation performed by a plurality of manipulation members from a game machine manipulation device and for transmitting predetermined control data to said game machine manipulation device, said bidirectional communication method comprising the steps of:

providing a nonvolatile means for storing function information in said game machine manipulation device, said function information able to be set from said game apparatus,

transmitting an information request command to the game machine manipulation device,

receiving said function information as a response to said information request command, and

setting a function of said game machine manipulation device based on said function information from the game machine manipulation device.

4. A bidirectional communication method for a game apparatus according to claim 3, wherein:

said function information includes information representing either of an analogue mode and a digital mode, which are communication control modes for said game machine manipulation device, and

said game machine manipulation device is set in either of said analogue mode and said digital mode.

5. A bidirectional communication method for a game apparatus according to claim 3, wherein:

said function information includes either of operation information and pose information of a communication control mode switching manipulation member of said game machine manipulation device; and

said function information is selectively provided to said game machine manipulation device so as to set said communication control mode switching manipulation member of said game machine manipulation device in an operative state or in a pose state.

6. A bidirectional communication method for a game apparatus for receiving data of manipulation performed by a plurality of manipulation members from a game machine manipulation device and for transmitting predetermined control data to said game machine manipulation device, said bidirectional communication method comprising the steps of:

providing a response means for performing a response action according to an instruction from said game apparatus,

transmitting an information request command to said game machine manipulation device,

receiving a function information from said game machine manipulation device as a response to said information request command, said function information including information regarding how said response means performs a response action, and

transmitting the predetermined control data to said game machine manipulation device based on said function information.

7. A bidirectional communication method according to claim 6, wherein said function information includes information representing a mode which is able to be set by said game machine manipulation device.

8. A bidirectional communication method for a game apparatus for receiving data of manipulation performed by a plurality of manipulation members from a game machine manipulation device and for transmitting predetermined control data to said game machine manipulation device, said bidirectional communication method comprising the steps of:

providing a non-volatile means for storing function information in said same machine manipulation device, said function information able to be set from said game apparatus and including either of operation information and pose information of a communication control mode switching manipulation member of said game machine manipulation device,

transmitting information request command to the game machine manipulation device,

receiving said function information as a response to said information request command, and

setting said communication control mode switching manipulation member of said game machine manipulation device in an operative state or in a pose state.