Wireless controller and power supply method thereof

• US 6,803,676 B2
• Filed: 01/22/2002
• Issued: 10/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Dixit, Rajesh Kumar, Tanaka, Makoto, Akazawa, Toru
• Primary Examiner(s): Sircus, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): RIOS CUEVAS, ROBERTO JOSE
• Application Number:
  US10/054,096
• Publication Number:
  US 20020105229A1
• Time in Patent Office: 994 Days
• Field of Search: 307/28, 307/29, 307/18, 463/39
• US Class Current: 307/28
• 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 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/26 having at least one additional display device, e.g. on the game controller or outside a game booth
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• 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 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/301 using an additional display connected to the game console, e.g. on the controller

Abstract

A wireless controller is provided with at least two power supplies. The internal components of the controller are classified into at least two groups in accordance with the degrees of functional importance or the power consumptions of the components. The power supplies separately supply electric power to the respective groups of the components. Thus, the power supply to components with high degrees of functional importance or low power consumptions is ensured for a long time.

Claims

1. A wireless game controller for remote-controlling a game machine through wireless communication, the game controller comprising:

a body;

a plurality of internal components each utilizing electric power to operate, the plurality of components being classified into at least a first group of components whose members each have a relatively high rate of power consumption and a second group of components whose members each have a relatively low rate of power consumption;

the first group of components including a vibration module for vibrating the body of the game controller; and

at least two power supplies, one of the power supplies supplying electric power to only the first group of components, and another of the power supplies supplying electric power to the second group of components.

2. The game controller according to claim 1, wherein the one power supply supplying electric power to only the first group of components is an exchangeable battery.

3. The game controller according to claim 1, wherein the another power supply supplying electric power to the second group of components is an incorporated secondary battery.

4. The game controller according to claim 3, further comprising:

a charge terminal for charging the secondary battery.

5. A wireless game controller for remote-controlling a game machine through wireless communication, the game controller comprising:

a body;

a plurality of internal components each utilizing electric power to operate, the plurality of components being classified into at least a first group of components whose members each have a relatively low degree of functional importance and a second group of components whose members each have a relatively high degree of functional importance;

the first group of components including a vibration module for vibrating the body of the game controller; and

at least two power supplies, one of the power supplies supplying electric power to only the first group of components, and another of the power supplies supplying electric power to the second group of components.

6. The game controller according to claim 5, wherein the one power supply supplying electric power to only the first group of components is an exchangeable battery.

7. The game controller according to claim 5, wherein the another power supply supplying electric power to the second group of components is an incorporated secondary battery.

8. The game controller according to claim 7, further comprising:

a charge terminal for charging the secondary battery.

9. A wireless game controller for remote-controlling a game machine through wireless communication, the game controller comprising:

a body;

a plurality of internal components each utilizing electric power to operate, the plurality of components being classified into at least a first group of components whose members each have a relatively high rate of power consumption and a relatively low degree of functional importance, and a second group of components whose members each have a relatively low rate of power consumption and a relatively high degree of functional importance;

the first group of components including a vibration module for vibrating the body of the game controller; and

at least two power supplies, one of the power supplies supplying electric power to only the first group of components, and another of the power supplies supplying electric power to the second group of components.

10. The game controller according to claim 9, wherein the one power supply supplying electric power to only the first group of components is an exchangeable battery.

11. The game controller according to claim 9, wherein the another power supply supplying electric power to the second group of components is an incorporated secondary battery.

12. The game controller according to claim 11, further comprising:

a charge terminal for charging the secondary battery.