External interfaces for a 3D graphics system

• US 7,976,392 B2
• Filed: 11/13/2006
• Issued: 07/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Inventors: Oira, Munehito, Nishiumi, Satoshi, Shiota, Ko, Shimizu, Dan, Koshima, Kazuo, Takeda, Genyo
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis; David L
• Assistant Examiner(s): GARNER, WERNER G
• Application Number:
  US11/598,231
• Publication Number:
  US 20070197291A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,702 Days
• Field of Search: 463 36- 38, 463/47, 463 43- 45
• US Class Current: 463/44
• 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 13/95 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 2300/20 characterised by details of the game platform
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/203 Image generating hardware
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/385 for adaptation of a particular data processing system to different peripheral devices

Abstract

An advantageous set of external interfaces for home video game platform provide modularity and expandability while maintaining and preserving the proprietary nature of the platform. A disk drive interface provides flexible communications with an internal disk drive. Various serial bus interfaces provide expandability and interconnectability with a variety of internal and external devices including, for example, flash memory, broadband adapters, modems, and various other devices. A 4-port game controller interface provides serial interconnectability with handheld game controllers and various other input/output device. Power supply, digital and analog audio/video connections, and parallel memory expansion connections are also provided.

Claims

1. A gaming peripheral device configured to connect to an interface of a home video game system, wherein the interface provides access to a processing system of the home video game system and comprises first and second power supply lines having different voltages, first and second ground lines, an input signal line normally at a first level, a serial data out line, a serial data in line, a select signal line, a clocking signal line, and an interrupt signal line, and wherein the home video game system detects that the gaming peripheral device is connected to the interface when the input signal line is at a second level different than the first level, the gaming peripheral device comprising:

a memory card including a memory and configured for insertion into a port provided in a housing of the home video game system; and

a connector coupled to the memory, wherein the connector comprises;

a first connecting element that connects to the serial data out line;

a second connecting element that connects to the serial data in line;

a third connecting element that connects to the select signal line;

a fourth connecting element that connects to the clocking signal line;

a fifth connecting element that connects to the interrupt signal line;

a sixth connecting element that connects to the input signal line;

seventh, eighth and ninth connecting elements that each connects to the first power supply line;

a tenth connecting element that connects to the first ground line;

an eleventh connecting element that connects to the second ground line; and

a twelfth connecting element that connects to the second power supply line,

wherein the input signal line is supplied with a signal from the sixth connecting element of the connector which causes the input signal line to be at the second level when the gaming peripheral device is connected to the interface of the home video game system.