Wireless game control units

• US 6,719,633 B1
• Filed: 11/08/2000
• Issued: 04/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Freedom Wave LLC
• Original Assignee: Arista Enterprises, Inc.
• Inventors: Leifer, Richard, Leifer, Alan E., Peng, Chi-Fu
• Primary Examiner(s): Walberg, Teresa J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cherubin, Yveste G
• Application Number:
  US09/708,213
• Time in Patent Office: 1,252 Days
• Field of Search: 463/39, 463/36-38, 345/156, 345/161, 710/8, 710/15, 710/62, 710/64, 710/65, 710/72
• US Class Current: 463/39
• 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 13/235 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 13/422 automatically for the purpose of assisting the player, e.g. automatic braking in a driving game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/49 Saving the game status; Pausing or ending the game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/95 Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1025 details of the interface with the game device, e.g. USB version detection
• 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 2300/1087 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. a camera
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/206 Game information storage, e.g. cartridges, CD ROM's, DVD's, smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/406 Transmission via wireless network, e.g. pager or GSM
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/554 by saving game or status data
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6054 by generating automatically game commands to assist the player, e.g. automatic braking in a driving game

Abstract

A wireless control unit includes a controller having wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting game information, and a console interface/adapter for converting one of the communication ports of the game console into a wireless receiver/transmitter. The console interface/adapter also includes an additional communication port so as to provide the user with access to the used communication port while the interface/adapter is operably disposed within the communication port of the game console.

Claims

1. A wireless game control unit for a video game system having a game console, the game console having game controller ports, at least one Universal Serial Bus (USB) communication port and an infrared (IR) receiver, the wireless game control unit comprising:

a controller having at least one user operable switch and wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting game control information directly to the IR receiver of the game console and wireless receiver circuitry for receiving controller information;

a wireless adapter connected to the game console via the at least one USB communication port and having wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting the controller information to said controller; and

wireless communication protocol for controlling the transmission of wireless signals by said controller and said wireless adapter.

2. The wireless game control unit according to claim 1, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises IR transmission from said controller to the game console and radio frequency (RF) transmission from said wireless adapter to said controller.

3. The wireless game control unit according to claim 1, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises IR transmission from said controller to the game console and IR transmission from said wireless adapter to said controller.

4. The wireless game control unit according to claim 1, further comprising a USB communication port disposed on said wireless adapter for providing a user with access to the used USB communication port while said wireless adapter is disposed in the at least one USB port on the game console.

5. The wireless game control unit according to claim 1, further comprising power supply means for supplying power to said wireless transmitter circuitry.

6. The wireless game control unit according to claim 5, wherein said power supply means comprises batteries contained within said wireless adapter.

7. The wireless game control unit according to claim 5, wherein said power supply means comprises circuitry for obtaining power from the game console via the at least one USB port.

8. The wireless game control unit according to claim 1, wherein said controller comprises an internal vibration member, said controller information including signals for selectively activating said internal vibration member in response to action within a game being played.

9. The wireless game control unit according to claim 1, wherein the game control information includes an auto activate start signal, and said wireless adapter modifies the game information so that an activate signal is continuously sent from the adapter to the game console via the USB port, wherein at least one object in a game being played with the video game console is continuously activated.

10. The wireless game control unit according to claim 1, wherein said controller comprises genre specific game controller selected from a group consisting of racing, fighting, shooting, platform/adventure, flight simulator and motorcycle/bike, pool cues, fishing, snow boards, golf and baseball controllers.

11. The wireless game control unit according to claim 1, wherein said controller comprises one selected from a group consisting of a standard, an enhanced and a programmable controller.

12. The wireless game control unit according to claim 1, wherein said wireless adapter further comprises memory slot adapted to receive a memory card for expanding memory capabilities of the game console.

13. A wireless game control unit for a video game system having a game console, the game console having game controller ports, at least one memory slot, at least one IEEE 1394 FireWire™

communication port and an infrared (IR) receiver, the wireless game control unit comprising;

a controller having at least one user operable switch and wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting game control information directly to the IR receiver of the game console and wireless receiver circuitry for receiving controller information;

a wireless adapter connected to the game console via the at least one IEEE 1394 FireWire™

communication port and having wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting the controller information to said controller; and

wireless communication protocol for controlling the transmission of wireless signals by said controller and said wireless adapter.

14. The wireless game control unit according to claim 13, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises IR transmission from said controller to the game console and radio frequency (RF) transmission from said wireless adapter to said controller.

15. The wireless game control unit according to claim 13, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises IR transmission from said controller to the game console and IR transmission from said wireless adapter to said controller.

16. The wireless game control unit according to claim 13, further comprising a IEEE 1394 FireWire™

communication port disposed on said wireless adapter for providing a user with access to the used IEEE 1394 FireWire™

communication port while said wireless adapter is disposed in the at least one IEEE 1394 FireWire™

port on the game console.

17. The wireless game control unit according to claim 13, further comprising power supply means for supplying power to said wireless transmitter circuitry.

18. The wireless game control unit according to claim 17, wherein said power supply means comprises batteries contained within said wireless adapter.

19. The wireless game control unit according to claim 17, wherein said power supply means comprises circuitry for obtaining power from the game console via the at least one IEEE 1394 FireWire™

communication port.

20. The wireless game control unit according to claim 13, wherein said controller comprises an internal vibration member, said controller information including signals for selectively activating said internal vibration member in response to action within a game being played.

21. The wireless game control unit according to claim 13, wherein the game control information includes an auto activate start signal, and said wireless adapter modifies the game information so that an activate signal is continuously sent from the adapter to the game console via the IEEE 1394 FireWire™

communication port, wherein at least one object in a game being played with the video game console is continuously activated.

22. The wireless game control unit according to claim 13, wherein said controller comprises genre specific game controller selected from a group consisting of racing, fighting, shooting, platform/adventure, flight simulator and motorcycle/bike, pool cues, fishing, snow boards, golf and baseball controllers.

23. The wireless game control unit according to claim 13, wherein said controller comprises one selected from a group consisting of a standard, an enhanced and a programmable controller.

24. The wireless game control unit according to claim 13, wherein said wireless adapter further comprises memory slot adapted to receive a memory card for expanding memory capabilities of the game console.

25. A wireless game control unit for a video game system having a game console, the game console having at least one communication port and an infrared (IR) receiver, the wireless game control unit comprising:

a controller having at least one user operable switch and wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting game control information directly to the IR receiver of the game console and wireless receiver circuitry for receiving controller information;

a wireless adapter connected to the game console via the at least one communication port and having wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting the controller information to said controller; and

wireless communication protocol for controlling the transmission of wireless signals by said controller and said wireless adapter.

26. The wireless game control unit according to claim 25, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises IR transmission from said controller to the game console and radio frequency (RF) transmission from said wireless adapter to said controller.

27. The wireless game control unit according to claim 25, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises IR transmission from said controller to the game console and IR transmission from said wireless adapter to said controller.

28. The wireless game control unit according to claim 25, further comprising an additional communication port disposed on said wireless adapter for providing a user with access to the used communication port while said wireless adapter is disposed in the at least one communication port on the game console.

29. The wireless game control unit according to claim 25, further comprising power supply means for supplying power to said wireless transmitter circuitry.

30. The wireless game control unit according to claim 29, wherein said power supply means comprises batteries contained within said wireless adapter.

31. The wireless game control unit according to claim 29, wherein said power supply means comprises circuitry for obtaining power from the game console via the at least one communication port.

32. The wireless game control unit according to claim 25, wherein said controller comprises an internal vibration member, said controller information including signals for selectively activating said internal vibration member in response to action within a game being played.

33. The wireless game control unit according to claim 25, wherein the game control information includes an auto activate start signal, and said wireless adapter modifies the game information so that an activate signal is continuously sent from the adapter to the game console via the communication port, wherein at least one object in a game being played with the video game console is continuously activated.

34. The wireless game control unit according to claim 25, wherein said controller comprises genre specific game controller selected from a group consisting of racing, fighting, shooting, platform/adventure, flight simulator and motorcycle/bike, pool cues, fishing, snow boards, golf and baseball controllers.

35. The wireless game control unit according to claim 25, wherein said controller comprises one selected from a group consisting of a standard, an enhanced and a programmable controller.

36. The wireless game control unit according to claim 25, wherein said wireless adapter further comprises memory slot adapted to receive a memory card for expanding memory capabilities of the game console.

37. A wireless game control unit for a video game system having a game console, the game console having game controller ports, at least one communication port and a radio frequency (RF) receiver, the wireless game control unit comprising:

a controller having at least one user operable switch and wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting game control information directly to the RF receiver of the game console and wireless receiver circuitry for receiving controller information;

a wireless adapter connected to the game console via the at least one communication port and having wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting the controller information to said controller; and

wireless communication protocol for controlling the transmission of wireless signals by said controller and said wireless adapter.

38. The wireless game control unit according to claim 37, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises RF transmission from said controller to the game console and radio frequency (RF) transmission from said wireless adapter to said controller.

39. The wireless game control unit according to claim 37, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises RF transmission from said controller to the game console and IR transmission from said wireless adapter to said controller.

40. The wireless game control unit according to claim 37, further comprising an additional communication port disposed on said wireless adapter for providing a user with access to the used communication port while said wireless adapter is disposed in the at least one communication port on the game console.

41. The wireless game control unit according to claim 37, wherein said wireless adapter further comprises memory slot adapted to receive a memory card for expanding memory capabilities of the game console.

42. A wireless game control unit for a video game system having a game console, the game console having game controller ports, at least one Universal Serial Bus (USB) port and a radio frequency (RF) receiver, the wireless game control unit comprising:

a controller having at least one user operable switch and wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting game control information directly to the RF receiver of the game console and wireless receiver circuitry for receiving controller information;

a wireless adapter connected to the game console via the at least one USB port and having wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting the controller information to said controller; and

wireless communication protocol for controlling the transmission of wireless signals by said controller and said wireless adapter.

43. The wireless game control unit according to claim 42, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises RF transmission from said controller to the game console and radio frequency (RF) transmission from said wireless adapter to said controller.

44. The wireless game control unit according to claim 42, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises RF transmission from said controller to the game console and IR transmission from said wireless adapter to said controller.

45. The wireless game control unit according to claim 42, further comprising an additional USB port disposed on said wireless adapter for providing a user with access to the used USB port while said wireless adapter is disposed in the at least one USB port on the game console.

46. The wireless game control unit according to claim 42, wherein said wireless adapter further comprises memory slot adapted to receive a memory card for expanding memory capabilities of the game console.

47. A wireless game control unit for a video game system having a game console, the game console having game controller ports, at least one IEEE 1394 FireWire™

port and a radio frequency (RF) receiver, the wireless game control unit comprising;

a controller having at least one user operable switch and wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting game control information directly to the RF receiver of the game console and wireless receiver circuitry for receiving controller information;

a wireless adapter connected to the game console via the at least one IEEE 1394 FireWire™

port and having wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting the controller information to said controller; and

wireless communication protocol for controlling the transmission of wireless signals by said controller and said wireless adapter.

48. The wireless game control unit according to claim 47, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises RF transmission from said controller to the game console and radio frequency (RF) transmission from said wireless adapter to said controller.

49. The wireless game control unit according to claim 47, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises RF transmission from said controller to the game console and IR transmission from said wireless adapter to said controller.

50. The wireless game control unit according to claim 47, further comprising an additional IEEE 1394 FireWire™

port disposed on said wireless adapter for providing a user with access to the used IEEE 1394 FireWire™

port while said wireless adapter is disposed in the at least one IEEE 1394 FireWire™

port on the game console.

51. The wireless game control unit according to claim 47, wherein said wireless adapter further comprises memory slot adapted to receive a memory card for expanding memory capabilities of the game console.

52. A wireless control unit for converting a video game system having a game console with game controller ports and at least one Universal Serial Bus (USB) communication port and being adapted to operate with wired game controllers into a system operable with wireless controllers, the wireless control unit comprising:

a game controller having at least one user operable switch, wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting game information, wireless receiver circuitry for receiving controller information, and a vibrating member; and

a console interface connected to the game console via said at least one USB communication port and having wireless receiver circuitry for receiving the game information from the game controller, said console interface including wireless transmitter circuitry for wirelessly transmitting controller information to the game controller, said controller information including control signals for activating said vibrating member.

53. The wireless control unit according to claim 52, further comprising a USB communication port disposed on said console interface for providing a user with access to another USB communication port while said console interface is disposed in the at least one USB port on the game console.

54. The wireless control unit according to claim 52, further comprising wireless communication protocol for controlling the transmitting and receiving of wireless signals between said game controller and said console interface.

55. The wireless control unit according to claim 54, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises a combination of Infrared (IR) and Radio Frequency (RF), wherein said game information is transmitted using RF and said controller information is transmitted using IR.

56. The wireless game control unit according to claim 54, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises a combination of Infrared (IR) and Radio Frequency (RF), wherein said game information is transmitted using IR and said controller information is transmitted using RF.

57. The wireless game control unit according to claim 52, wherein said console interface further comprises a memory slot for receiving a memory card for expanding memory capabilities of the game console.

58. A wireless control unit for converting a video game system having a game console with game controller ports and at least one IEEE 1394 FireWire™

communication port and being adapted to operate with wired game controllers into a system operable with wireless controllers, the wireless control unit comprising;

a game controller having at least one user operable switch, wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting game information, wireless receiver circuitry for receiving controller information, and a vibrating member; and

a console interface connected to the game console via said at least one IEEE 1394 FireWire™

communication port and having wireless receiver circuitry for receiving the game information from the game controller, said console interface including wireless transmitter circuitry for wirelessly transmitting controller information to the game controller, said controller information including control signals for activating said vibrating member.

59. The wireless control unit according to claim 58, further comprising an IEEE 1394 FireWire™

communication port disposed on said console interface for providing a user with access to another IEEE 1394 FireWire™

communication port while said console interface is disposed in the at least one IEEE 1394 FireWire™

communication port on the game console.

60. The wireless control unit according to claim 58, further comprising wireless communication protocol for controlling the transmitting and receiving of wireless signals between said game controller and said console interface.

61. The wireless control unit according to claim 60, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises a combination of Infrared (IR) and Radio Frequency (RF), wherein said game information is transmitted using RF and said controller information is transmitted using IR.

62. The wireless game control unit according to claim 60, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises a combination of Infrared (IR) and Radio Frequency (RF), wherein said game information is transmitted using IR and said controller information is transmitted using RF.

63. The wireless game control unit according to claim 58, wherein said console interface further comprises a memory slot for receiving a memory card for expanding memory capabilities of the game console.

64. A wireless control unit for converting a video game system having a game console with game controller ports and at least one communication port and being adapted to operate with wired game controllers into a system operable with wireless controllers, the wireless control unit comprising:

a game controller having at least one user operable switch, wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting game information, wireless receiver circuitry for receiving controller information, and a vibrating member; and

a console interface connected to the game console via said at least one communication port and having wireless receiver circuitry for receiving the game information from the game controller, said console interface including wireless transmitter circuitry for wirelessly transmitting controller information to the game controller, said controller information including control signals for activating said vibrating member.

65. The wireless control unit according to claim 64, further comprising an additional communication port disposed on said console interface for providing a user with access to the used communication port while said console interface is disposed in the at least one communication port on the game console.

66. The wireless control unit according to claim 64, further comprising wireless communication protocol for controlling the transmitting and receiving of wireless signals between said game controller and said console interface.

67. The wireless control unit according to claim 66, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises a combination of Infrared (IR) and Radio Frequency (RF), wherein said game information is transmitted using RF and said controller information is transmitted using IR.

68. The wireless game control unit according to claim 66, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises a combination of Infrared (IR) and Radio Frequency (RF), wherein said game information is transmitted using IR and said controller information is transmitted using RF.

69. The wireless game control unit according to claim 64, wherein said console interface further comprises a memory slot for receiving a memory card for expanding memory capabilities of the game console.

70. A wireless control unit for converting a video game system having a game console with game controller ports and at least one Universal Serial Bus (USB) communication port and being adapted to operate with wired game controllers into a system operable with wireless controllers, the wireless control unit comprising:

a game controller having at least one user operable switch, wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting game information, wireless receiver circuitry for receiving controller information, and a connection port for receiving a vibrating member; and

a console interface connectable to said at least one USB communication port and having wireless receiver circuitry for receiving the game information from said game controller, said console interface including wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting controller information including control signals for activating said vibrating member when connected to said connection port.

71. The wireless control unit according to claim 70, further comprising an additional USB communication port disposed on said console interface for providing a user with access to another USB communication port while said console interface is disposed in the at least one USB communication port on the game console.

72. The wireless control unit according to claim 70, further comprising wireless communication protocol for controlling the transmitting and receiving of wireless signals between said game controller and said console interface.

73. The wireless control unit according to claim 72, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises a combination of Infrared (IR) and Radio Frequency (RF), wherein said game information is transmitted using RF and said controller information is transmitted using IR.

74. The wireless game control unit according to claim 72, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises a combination of Infrared (IR) and Radio Frequency (RF), wherein said game information is transmitted using IR and said controller information is transmitted using RF.

75. The wireless game control unit according to claim 70, wherein said console interface further comprises a memory slot for receiving a memory card for expanding memory capabilities of the game console.

76. A wireless control unit for converting a video game system having a game console with game controller ports and at least one IEEE 1394 FireWire™

communication port and being adapted to operate with wired game controllers into a system operable with wireless controllers, the wireless control unit comprising;

a game controller having at least one user operable switch, wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting game information, wireless receiver circuitry for receiving controller information, and a connection port for receiving a vibrating member; and

a console interface connectable to said at least one IEEE 1394 FireWire™

communication port and having wireless receiver circuitry for receiving the game information from said game controller, said console interface including wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting controller information including control signals for activating said vibrating member when connected to said connection port.

77. The wireless control unit according to claim 76, further comprising an additional IEEE 1394 FireWire™

communication port disposed on said console interface for providing a user with access to another IEEE 1394 FireWire™

communication port while said console interface is disposed in the at least one IEEE 1394 FireWire™

communication port on the game console.

78. The wireless control unit according to claim 76, further comprising wireless communication protocol for controlling the transmitting and receiving of wireless signals between said game controller and said console interface.

79. The wireless control unit according to claim 78, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises a combination of Infrared (IR) and Radio Frequency (RF), wherein said game information is transmitted using RF and said controller information is transmitted using IR.

80. The wireless game control unit according to claim 78, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises a combination of Infrared (IR) and Radio Frequency (RF), wherein said game information is transmitted using IR and said controller information is transmitted using RF.

81. The wireless game control unit according to claim 76, wherein said console interface further comprises a memory slot for receiving a memory card for expanding memory capabilities of the game console.

82. A wireless control unit for converting a video game system having a game console with game controller ports and at least one communication port and being adapted to operate with wired game controllers into a system operable with wireless controllers, the wireless control unit comprising:

a game controller having at least one user operable switch, wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting game information, wireless receiver circuitry for receiving controller information, and a connection port for receiving a vibrating member; and

a console interface connectable to said at least one communication port and having wireless receiver circuitry for receiving the game information from said game controller, said console interface including wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting controller information including control signals for activating said vibrating member when connected to said connection port.

83. The wireless control unit according to claim 82, further comprising an additional communication port disposed on said console interface for providing a user with access to another communication port while said console interface is disposed in the at least one communication port on the game console.

84. The wireless control unit according to claim 82, further comprising wireless communication protocol for controlling the transmitting and receiving of wireless signals between said game controller and said console interface.

85. The wireless control unit according to claim 84, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises a combination of Infrared (IR) and Radio Frequency (RF), wherein said game information is transmitted using RF and said controller information is transmitted using IR.

86. The wireless game control unit according to claim 84, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises a combination of Infrared (IR) and Radio Frequency (RF), wherein said game information is transmitted using IR and said controller information is transmitted using RF.

87. The wireless game control unit according to claim 82, wherein said console interface further comprises a memory slot for receiving a memory card for expanding memory capabilities of the game console.