Video game controller with integrated microphone and speaker

• US 6,881,147 B2
• Filed: 04/28/2004
• Issued: 04/19/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: OKYN Holdings Incorporated
• Original Assignee: NYKO Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Erickson, Craig, Naghi, Herschel
• Primary Examiner(s): Sager, Mark
• Application Number:
  US10/833,819
• Publication Number:
  US 20040180720A1
• Time in Patent Office: 356 Days
• Field of Search: 463/1, 463/30, 463 35- 39, 463 40- 42, 463/43, 273/148.R, 273/148.B, 345156-167
• US Class Current: 463/35
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/212 using sensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat or leg activity
• 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 13/215 comprising means for detecting acoustic signals, e.g. using a microphone
• 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 13/245 specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• 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 13/843 involving concurrently two or more players on the same game device, e.g. requiring the use of a plurality of controllers or of a specific view of game data for each player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/87 Communicating with other players during game play, e.g. by e-mail or chat
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1012 involving biosensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat, limb activity
• 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 2300/1062 being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1081 Input via voice recognition
• 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 2300/572 Communication between players during game play of non game information, e.g. e-mail, chat, file transfer, streaming of audio and streaming of video
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8023 the game being played by multiple players at a common site, e.g. in an arena, theatre, shopping mall using a large public display
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8088 involving concurrently several players in a non-networked game, e.g. on the same game console

Abstract

A video game controller for a game console configured for playing an on-line game over a network. The video game controller includes a plurality of control elements suitable for receiving input from a user. An interface circuitry is used for communicating with at least one other game console through the game console over the network. A built-in microphone converts voice into an electrical signal output to be transmitted through the interface circuitry and the game console to at least one other game console. A built-in speaker converts an electrical signal output from at least one other game console received through the interface circuitry and the game console into an audible signal. The video game controller may also have a built-in video camera for taking video images and transmitting them through the interface circuitry. The video game controller may be coupled to the game console over a cable or over a wireless communication channel such as radio frequency channel or BLUETOOTH™. An expansion module having a built-in microphone and a built-in speaker may be used with a standard video game controller.

Claims

1. A video game controller for a game console configured for playing an on-line game over a network, the video game controller comprising:

a plurality of control elements suitable for receiving input from a user;

interface circuitry for communicating with at least one other game console through the game console over the network;

a built-in microphone for converting voice into an electrical signal output to be transmitted through the interface circuitry and the game console to said at least one other game console; and

a built-in speaker for converting an electrical signal output from said at least one other game console received through the interface circuitry and the game console into an audible signal.

2. The video game controller of claim 1, further comprising a built-in video camera for taking video images to be transmitted to the game console.

3. The video game controller of claim 1, further comprising a slot or a port for receiving output from an external video camera.

4. The video game controller of claim 2, wherein the built-in video camera is a digital camera.

5. The video game controller of claim 1, further comprising a remote transceiver coupled to the interface circuitry for wireless communication with the game console.

6. The video game controller of claim 1, wherein the video game controller is configured for coupling to at least one selected from a group consisting of a standard controller port, a parallel port, a serial port, and a universal serial bus port of the game console.

7. An expansion module for a video game controller of a game console configured for playing an on-line game over a network, such controller having an expansion port or slot for receiving the expansion module, the expansion module comprising:

a built-in microphone for converting voice into an electrical signal output to be transmitted through the video game controller and the game console to at least one other game console over the network; and

a built-in speaker for converting an electrical signal output from said at least one other game console received through the video game controller and the game console into an audible signal.

8. The expansion module of claim 7, further comprising an adapter for interfacing with the video game controller.

9. The expansion module of claim 8, wherein the adapter can be physically separated from the rest of the expansion module, and wherein the adapter has at least one plug for interfacing with the rest of the expansion module to transfer digitized sound signals between the adapter and the rest of the expansion module.

10. The expansion module of claim 7, wherein the expansion module is electrically coupled to the video game controller through an adapter.

11. The expansion module of claim 10, further comprising an extending portion for physically plugging into a first expansion slot of the video game controller, wherein the adapter plugs into a second expansion slot of the video game controller.

12. The expansion module of claim 7, further comprising a built-in video camera for taking video images to be transmitted to the game console.

13. The expansion module of claim 7, further comprising a slot or a port for receiving output from an external video camera.

14. An on-line game system for playing an on-line game over a network, the on-line game system comprising:

a plurality of game consoles, each said game console running software for the on-line game; and

a plurality of video game controllers, each said video game controller being coupled to a corresponding one of the game consoles, wherein at least one of the video game controllers is a first video game controller having a first built-in microphone and a first built-in speaker or a second video game controller coupled to an expansion module having a second built-in microphone and a second built-in speaker.

15. The on-line game system of claim 14, wherein at least one of the first video game controller and the expansion module has a built-in video camera.

16. The on-line game system of claim 14, wherein at least one of the first video game controller and the expansion module has a slot or a port for receiving output from an external video camera.

17. The on-line game system of claim 15, wherein the built-in video camera is a digital camera.

18. The on-line game system of claim 14, wherein at least one of the first and second video game controllers includes a remote transceiver for wireless communication with the corresponding one of the game consoles.

19. The on-line game system of claim 14, wherein the first video game controller further includes:

a plurality of control elements suitable for receiving input from a user; and

interface circuitry for communicating with the corresponding one of the game consoles,

wherein the first built-in microphone converts voice into an electrical signal output to be transmitted through the interface circuitry, and

wherein the first built-in speaker converts an electrical signal output received through the interface circuitry into an audible signal.

20. The on-line game system of claim 14, wherein the expansion module further includes:

an adapter for communicating with the video game controller,

wherein the second built-in microphone converts voice into an electrical signal output to be transmitted through the adapter, and

wherein the second built-in speaker converts an electrical signal output received through the adapter into an audible signal.