Game controller that converts between wireless operation and wired operation

• US 7,753,788 B2
• Filed: 01/30/2004
• Issued: 07/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Guo, Wei, Lum, Richard S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo; Peter DungBa
• Assistant Examiner(s): Leiva; Frank M
• Application Number:
  US10/769,431
• Publication Number:
  US 20050170889A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,356 Days
• Field of Search: 463/39, 463/29, 345/169, 370/252, 455/557
• US Class Current: 463/39
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/20 Input arrangements for video game devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/49 Saving the game status; Pausing or ending the game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/493 Resuming a game, e.g. after pausing, malfunction or power failure
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/71 using secure communication between game devices and game servers, e.g. by encrypting game data or authenticating players
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/73 Authorising game programs or game devices, e.g. checking authenticity
• 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 2300/201 Playing authorisation given at platform level
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/401 Secure communication, e.g. using encryption or authentication
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/532 using secure communication, e.g. by encryption, authentication
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/636 involving process of starting or resuming a game
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/19 Connection re-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/22 with access to wired networks

Abstract

A game controller operates in both a wired mode and a wireless mode, and is able to switch between these two modes without permanent disruption to an ongoing game. During a transition from one mode to another, a host gaming system detects when the controller is physically disconnected (for wired mode to wireless mode) or connected (for wireless mode to wired mode). Upon detection, the host gaming system stores the game data and user information and the game controller stores an identifier in its nonvolatile memory. The host gaming system and game controller then establish a new communication link. The game controller retrieves the identifier and submits it to the host gaming system, which uses the identifier to reassociate the game data and user information with the game controller as it begins operating in the new mode. This allows the player to continue game play without interruption.

Claims

1. A video game controller comprising:

a processor;

a memory coupled to the processor;

a first module to support communication over a cable for wired operation;

a second module to support communication over a wireless link for wireless operation;

a battery to supply power to the processor, the memory, and the second module when the video game controller is in wireless operation; and

a power management module to maintain battery life data to be communicated to a host game system, the battery life data including;

a total life expectancy of the battery;

power used during wireless operation; and

an amount of time left before battery supply is depleted;

wherein the memory stores an identity of the video game controller; and

when transitioning between the first and second modules in order to support communication, the video game controller passes the identity to the host game system for use in maintaining an association between the video game controller and game data of a video game currently being played to facilitate continued play of the video game, wherein the video game controller and the game data are associated with one another both before and after the transition.

2. A video game controller as recited in claim 1, wherein the second module comprises an RF module to support RF communication.

3. A video game controller as recited in claim 1, further comprising charging circuitry to charge the battery when the video game controller is in wired operation.

4. A video game controller as recited in claim 1, wherein the host name system comprises one of a game console or a personal computer.

5. A video game controller as recited in claim 1, comprising:

a serial cable to connect the host game system; and

a wireless interface to communicate with the host game system when the cable is detached from the host game system.

6. A method implemented by a host game system comprising:

during play of a video game, receiving an identifier associated with a video game controller;

associating the identifier with game data of the video game, wherein the game data of the video game is specific to the video game controller;

detecting when conditions of the video name controller suggest switching from a wireless mode of operation to a wired mode of operation based on monitoring maintenance of battery life data, the battery life data including;

a total life expectancy of a battery;

power used during the wireless mode of operation; and

an amount of time left before battery supply is depleted;

conveving a low power indication based on the suggestion;

switching the video game controller from the wireless mode of operation to the wired mode of operation; and

continuing to facilitate uninterrupted play of the video game by communicating with the video game controller via the wired mode of operation, such that the identifier, which is associated with the video game controller and which is also associated with the game data of the video game that is specific to the video game controller, is used to maintain the association between the game data and the video game controller while the video game controller transitions from the wireless mode of operation to the wired mode of operation.

7. For use with a video game system, a storage medium having instructions that, when executed on the video game system, performs acts comprising:

receiving instructions for controlling a video game from one of a plurality of video game controllers, the instructions being transmitted over a cable in a wired mode of operation and the instructions being transmitted over a wireless link in a wireless mode of operation;

storing game data for the video game in association with an identity of each of the plurality of video game controllers, the game data being associated with a particular one of the plurality of video game controllers representing a particular game entity controlled by the particular one of the plurality of video game controllers;

detecting when conditions of the particular one of the plurality of video game controllers suggest switching from the wireless mode of operation to the wired mode of operation based on monitoring maintenance of battery life data, the battery life data including;

a total life expectancy of a battery;

power used during the wireless mode of operation; and

an amount of time left before battery supply is depleted;

conveying a low power indication;

facilitating transition from the wireless mode of operation to the wired mode of operation; and

using the identity of the particular one of the plurality of video game controllers to switch from the wireless mode of operation the wired mode of operation to reassociate the game data, enabling ongoing play of the video game.

8. A storage medium as recited in claim 7, wherein the detecting comprises sensing when the cable is disconnected from the video game system.