Game console and memory card

• US 8,267,780 B2
• Filed: 04/22/2005
• Issued: 09/18/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Inventors: Yoshino, Hiroshi, Ohta, Keizo, Yasumoto, Yoshitaka, Nishida, Kenji, Sugino, Kenichi, Ibuki, Masato
• Primary Examiner(s): Elisca, Pierre E
• Application Number:
  US11/111,985
• Publication Number:
  US 20050245313A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,706 Days
• Field of Search: 463/32, 463/31
• US Class Current: 463/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/00 Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions gaming systems which provide a financial reward G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/214 for locating contacts on a surface, e.g. floor mats or touch pads
• 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 13/26 having at least one additional display device, e.g. on the game controller or outside a game booth
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/77 involving data related to game devices or game servers, e.g. configuration data, software version or amount of memory
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/95 Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/98 Accessories, i.e. detachable arrangements optional for the use of the video game device, e.g. grip supports of game controllers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2432 actuated by a sound, e.g. using a microphone
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/247 audible, e.g. using a loudspeaker
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2491 with a detachable memory
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2494 Battery, e.g. dry cell
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1075 using a touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/203 Image generating hardware
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/204 the platform being a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/301 using an additional display connected to the game console, e.g. on the controller
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/63 for controlling the execution of the game in time
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/66 for rendering three dimensional images
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6669 : using a plurality of virtual cameras concurrently or sequentially, e.g. automatically switching between fixed virtual cameras when a character change rooms
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6692 : using special effects, generally involving post-processing, e.g. blooming
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/24 : Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for video games A63F13/00; computerized gaming systems G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 : with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1643 : the display being associated to a digitizer, e.g. laptops that can be used as penpads details related to the relative motion of the display enclosure with respect to the body enclosure, e.g. to move between laptop and tablet PC configuration G06F1/1615
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1647 : including at least an additional display G06F1/1692 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 : Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1688 : the I/O peripheral being integrated loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/169 : the I/O peripheral being an integrated pointing device, e.g. trackball in the palm rest area, mini-joystick integrated between keyboard keys, touch pads or touch stripes G06F1/1643 takes precedence; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3287 : by switching off individual functional units in the computer system
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 : using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04892 : Arrangements for controlling cursor position based on codes indicative of cursor displacements from one discrete location to another, e.g. using cursor control keys associated to different directions or using the tab key arrangements for controlling cursor position based on coordinate signals G06F3/038
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1431 : using a single graphics controller
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1438 : using more than one graphics controller
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/16 : Sound input; Sound output speech processing G10L
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/20 : Processor architectures; Processor configuration, e.g. pipelining
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 15/005 : General purpose rendering architectures
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0247 : Flicker reduction other than flicker reduction circuits used for single beam cathode-ray tubes
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2340/10 : Mixing of images, i.e. displayed pixel being the result of an operation, e.g. adding, on the corresponding input pixels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/003 : to produce spatial visual effects
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/14 : Display of multiple viewports
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/363 : Graphics controllers
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/399 : using two or more bit-mapped memories, the operations of which are switched in time, e.g. ping-pong buffers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4781 : Games
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 : Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

A portable, handheld game console includes a main body incorporating a first display screen, and a cover body incorporating a second display screen. The main body is hingedly connected to the cover body along adjacent forward and rearward edges, respectively, such that the cover body is movable between a closed and open positions. The main body is provided with a plurality of control buttons and a pair of game card slots for receiving game cards of different dimensions. One of the game cards is substantially square and comprises a substantially flat card body having a plurality of electrically conductive terminal strips adjacent the forward edge. One of the side edges of the card has a single continuous step configuration along substantially the entire length dimension of the card. A first notch is formed in a first forward corner of the card where the forward edge meets the other of the pair of side edges and a second notch is formed along the other of the pair of side edges, between the forward and rearward edges.

Claims

1. A handheld device comprising:

a first body incorporating a first display screen on an inner face of said first body,

a second body incorporating a second display screen on an inner face of said second body, said first body being connected to said second body such that said second body is movable relative to said first body between a closed position where said second body overlies said first body with said first and second display screens hidden from view, and an open position where said first and second display screens are simultaneously visible to a user;

at least one of the first and second display screens includes a touch sensitive surface to receive user input;

the first and second bodies being structured to be supported in free space by one or both hands of a user during operation in the open position;

said first body being provided with a first input device disposed adjacent a first side of the first display screen and a second input device disposed adjacent a second side of the first display screen opposed to the first side, the first and second input devices both being structured to allow a user to provide inputs; and

a three dimensional image processing unit operatively coupled to at least one of the first and second display screens and being configured to generate display images from three dimensional image data.

2. The handheld device of claim 1 wherein said first display screen comprises a touch-sensitive liquid crystal display.

3. The handheld device of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second input devices comprises a slide control.

4. The handheld device of claim 1 wherein a microphone is located on said inner face of said first body.

5. The handheld device of claim 1, further comprising dual control buttons located on opposite sides of a peripheral edge of one of the first and second bodies.

6. The handheld device of claim 5, wherein the dual control buttons are located such that when a user is holding the device in the open position with at least one hand, a finger of the at least one hand can operate one of the dual control buttons.

7. The handheld device of claim 5, wherein the dual control buttons are located such that when a user is holding the device in the open position with both hands, a finger of a first one of the user'"'"'s hands can operate a first one of the dual control buttons and a finger of the other of the user'"'"'s hands can operate the other of the dual control buttons.

8. The handheld device of claim 5, wherein the dual control buttons are located on a rearward peripheral edge of one of the first and second bodies.

9. The handheld device of claim 5, wherein the dual control buttons are located on a portion of a peripheral edge of one of the first and second bodies that is adjacent to where the first body is connected to the second body.

10. The handheld device of claim 1 wherein a pair of speakers are located in said cover body on either side of said second display screen.

11. The handheld device of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second input devices is structured to allow a user to provide directional inputs.

12. The handheld device of claim 11, wherein at least one of the first and second input devices is structured to allow a user to provide directional inputs in two different axes.

13. The handheld device of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second input devices comprises a cross-key.

14. The handheld device of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second input devices comprises a cross-shaped arrangement of buttons.

15. The handheld device of claim 1 wherein one of the first and second input devices comprises a cross-key, and the other of the first and second input devices comprises a cross-shaped arrangement of buttons.

16. The handheld device of claim 1, further comprising at least one memory card slot for receiving a memory card of first predetermined dimensions.

17. The handheld device of claim 16 wherein said at least one memory card slot is located in a forward or lower portion of a peripheral edge of said first body.

18. The handheld device of claim 17 wherein said first body is provided with a second memory card slot for receiving another memory card of second predetermined dimensions different from said first predetermined dimensions.

19. The handheld device of claim 18 wherein said second memory card slot is located in a rearward or upper portion of a peripheral edge of said first body.

20. The handheld device of claim 17 wherein headphone and microphone connectors are located in said forward or lower portion of said peripheral edge.

21. The handheld device of claim 16 wherein said first body is provided with a second memory card slot for receiving another memory card of second predetermined dimensions different from said first predetermined dimensions.

22. The handheld device of claim 21 wherein said second memory card slot is located in a rearward or upper portion of a peripheral edge surrounding said first body.

23. The handheld device of claim 22 wherein an AC adaptor connector is located in said rearward or upper portion of said peripheral edge.

24. The handheld device of claim 22 wherein a stylus port is provided in said first body, accessible via said rearward or upper portion of said peripheral edge.

25. The handheld device of claim 22 wherein additional control buttons are located in said rearward or upper portion of said peripheral edge surrounding said first body.

26. The handheld device of claim 1, further comprising a two dimensional image processing unit operatively coupled to at least one of the first and second display screens and configured to generate display images from two dimensional image data.

27. The handheld device of claim 26, wherein the three dimensional image processing unit is operatively coupled to one of the first and second display screens, and further including a two dimensional image processing unit operatively coupled to the other of the first and second display screens and configured to generate display images from two dimensional image data.

28. The handheld device of claim 27, wherein both the three dimensional image processing unit and the two dimensional image processing unit can be operatively coupled to either of the first and second display screens.

29. The handheld device of claim 28, further comprising a selector unit that operatively couples the three dimensional image processing unit to either the first display screen or the second display screen, and which also operatively couples the two dimensional image processing unit to either the first display screen or the second display screen.

30. The handheld device of claim 29, wherein the selector unit operatively couples the three dimensional image processing unit to either the first display screen or the second display screen in response to user input.

31. The handheld device of claim 30, wherein the selector unit also operatively couples the two dimensional image processing unit to either the first display screen or the second display screen in response to user input.

32. The handheld device of claim 1, wherein the first and second bodies have different thicknesses.

33. The handheld device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second input devices comprises an arrangement of at least three input buttons that are not aligned along a single axis.

34. The handheld device of claim 33, wherein the at least three input buttons are arranged such that when a user is holding the first and second bodies in the open position with at least one hand, the thumb of said at least one hand can operate any of the at least three buttons.

35. A portable, handheld game console comprising a main body incorporating a first touch-sensitive display screen on an inner face of said main body, and a cover body incorporating a second display screen on an inner face of said cover body, said main body hingedly connected to said cover body such that said cover body is movable between a closed position where said cover body overlies said main body with said first and second display screens hidden from view, and an open position where said cover body is folded away from said main body with said first and second display screens visible to a user;

wherein said main body is provided with a plurality of control buttons, at least one game card slot for receiving a game card of first predetermined dimensions; and

a second game slot for receiving another game card of second predetermined dimensions different from said first predetermined dimensions.

36. The portable, handheld game console of claim 35 wherein said at least one game slot is located in a forward or lower portion of a peripheral edge surrounding said main body.

37. The portable, handheld game console of claim 36 wherein a volume-control slide is located in said forward or lower portion of said peripheral edge.

38. The portable, handheld game console of claim 36 wherein headphone and microphone connectors are located in said forward or lower portion of said peripheral edge.

39. The portable, handheld game console of claim 35 wherein said second game slot is located in a rearward or upper portion of a peripheral edge surrounding said main body.

40. The portable, handheld game console of claim 39 wherein an AC adaptor connector is located in said rearward or upper portion of said peripheral edge.

41. The portable, handheld game console of claim 39 wherein a stylus holder is provided in said main body, accessible via said rearward or upper portion of said peripheral edge.

42. The portable, handheld game console of claim 35 wherein a microphone is located on said inner face of said main body.

43. The portable, handheld game console of claim 35 wherein a pair of stereo speakers are located in said cover body, with speaker grills on said inner face of said cover body, on either side of said second display screen.

44. A portable, handheld game console comprising a main body incorporating a first display screen on an inner face of said main body, and a second display screen coupled to said main body;

wherein said main body is provided with a plurality of control buttons and a game memory slot, and further including image processing circuitry for simultaneously displaying different images on said first display screen and said second display screen, wherein at least one of said images is a three-dimensional image, said image processing circuitry including a three-dimensional image processing unit which generates a first game image based on three-dimensional model data; and

a two-dimensional image processing unit which generates a second game image based on two-dimensional image data.

45. A portable, handheld game console according to claim 44, wherein in an n-th frame, the first game image, generated by the three-dimensional image processing unit, is output to the first display and is simultaneously captured, and the second game image, captured in an (n−

1)-th frame and based on the two-dimensional image data, is output to the second display, and in an (n+1)-th frame, the first game image, generated by the three-dimensional image processing unit is output to the second display and is simultaneously captured, and the second game image, based on the two-dimensional image data and captured in the n-th frame, is output to the first display.

46. The portable, handheld game console of claim 44 wherein said first display screen comprises a touch-sensitive liquid crystal display.

47. The portable, handheld game console of claim 46 further including a stylus port.

48. The portable, handheld game console of claim 44 wherein said plurality of control buttons are located on said main body and on each of a left and right side of said first display screen.

49. A portable, handheld game console comprising:

a main body incorporating a touch-sensitive first display screen on an inner face thereof, a cross-key, and a cross-shaped arrangement of buttons, the cross-key being disposed adjacent a first lateral side of the first display screen and the button arrangement being disposed adjacent to a second lateral side of the first display screen opposed to the first lateral side of the first display screen; and

a cover body incorporating a second display screen on an inner face thereof and first and second speakers arranged adjacent opposed lateral sides of the second display screen,

wherein the main body and the cover body are coupled to provide for relative movement therebetween.

50. The console according to claim 49, further comprising at least one memory card slot.

51. The console according to claim 49, further comprising two memory card slots configured to respectively receive memory cards having different dimensions.

52. The console according to claim 49, further comprising a microphone located on the inner face of the main body.

53. The console according to claim 49, further comprising:

shoulder buttons respectively arranged at rearward corner portions of the main body.

54. A portable, handheld game console comprising:

a main body incorporating a touch-sensitive first display screen on an inner face thereof, a cross-key, and a cross-shaped arrangement of buttons, the cross-key being disposed adjacent a first lateral side of the first display screen and the button arrangement being disposed adjacent to a second lateral side of the first display screen opposed to the first lateral side of the first display screen;

a cover body incorporating a second display screen on an inner face thereof and first and second speakers arranged adjacent opposed lateral sides of the second display screen, the cover body and the main body being coupled to provide for relative movement therebetween; and

image processing circuitry for simultaneously displaying different images on said first display screen and said second display screen, said image processing circuitry including a three-dimensional image processing unit which generates a first game image based on three-dimensional model data for display on one or the other of the first and second display screens and a two-dimensional image processing unit which generates a second game image based on two-dimensional image data for display on the other of the first and second display screens.

55. The console according to claim 54, wherein the cover body is coupled to the main body such that the cover body is movable between a closed position in which the cover body overlies the main body with the first and second display screens hidden from view, and an open position in which the cover body is folded away from the main body with the first and second display screens visible.