Video game machine using digital camera and digital camera accessory for video game machine

• US 6,811,492 B1
• Filed: 11/28/2000
• Issued: 11/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Inventors: McCarten, David, James, Donald W., Arakawa, Minoru
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrison, Jessica
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, BINH AN DUC
• Application Number:
  US09/726,224
• Time in Patent Office: 1,435 Days
• Field of Search: 463/30, 463/31, 463/36-48, 273/148.B, 348/14.01, 348/14.02, 348/46, 348/49, 348/61, 348/73
• US Class Current: 463/47
• 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 13/2145 the surface being also a display device, e.g. touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/215 comprising means for detecting acoustic signals, e.g. using a microphone
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• 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 2300/1075 using a touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1081 Input via voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1087 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. a camera
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1093 using visible light

Abstract

A digital camera accessory is provided for use with a game system having a processing system to execute a video game program and player controls operable by a user to generate video game control signals. The digital camera accessory includes an image sensor for capturing video images, communication circuitry configured to transmit the captured video images, and a connector that, in use, electrically connects the digital camera accessory to the game system.

Claims

1. For use with a video game machine having a processing system to execute a video game program and controls operable by a user to generate video game control signals, a digital camera accessory comprising:

a base unit comprising a receiver for receiving video images and a connector for connection to the video game machine; and

a camera unit selectively detachable from the base unit so that the camera unit is remotely locatable relative to the base unit, the camera unit comprising an image sensor and a transmitter for transmitting video images captured by the image sensor.

3. The digital camera accessory according to claim 1, wherein the receiver of the base unit receives the captured video images transmitted by the transmitter of the camera unit when the base unit is connected to the video game machine and the camera unit is located remotely relative to the base unit.

4. The digital camera accessory according to claim 1, wherein a housing of the base unit comprises a slot for receiving the camera unit.

5. The digital camera accessory according to claim 1, further comprising:

a memory for storing a video game program executable by the processing system.

6. The digital camera accessory according to claim 1, wherein the camera unit further comprises:

a microphone for detecting sounds,

and the transmitter is further configured to transmit the detected sounds.

2. The digital camera accessory according to clam 1, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the captured video images wirelessly.

7. A video game machine comprising:

a processing system to execute a video game program;

controls operable by a user to generate video game control signals;

a connector for, in use, connecting a digital camera accessory to the video game machine, the digital camera accessory comprising;

a base unit comprising a receiver for receiving video images and a connector for connection to the connector of the video game machine; and

a camera unit selectively detachable from the base unit so that the camera unit is remotely locatable relative to the base unit, the camera unit comprising an image sensor and a transmitter for transmitting video images captured by the image sensor.

8. The video game machine according to claim 7, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the captured video images wirelessly.

9. The video game machine according to claim 7, further comprising a display.

10. The video game machine according to claim 7, wherein the receiver of the base unit receives the captured video images transmitted by the transmitter of the camera unit when the base unit is connected to the video game machine and the camera unit is located remotely relative to the base unit.

11. The video game machine according to claim 7, wherein a housing of the base unit comprises a slot for receiving the camera unit.

12. The video game machine according to claim 7, wherein the digital camera accessory further comprises a memory for storing a video game program executable by the processing system.

13. The video game machine according to claim 7, wherein the digital camera accessory further comprises:

a microphone for detecting sounds,

wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit the detected sounds.