System and method for communicating game information between a portable gaming device and a game controller

• US 8,376,858 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2009
• Issued: 02/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Reese, Christopher, Garvin, John, Adzima, Joseph C., Rose, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Richards, N Drew
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dulka, John P
• Application Number:
  US12/380,009
• Publication Number:
  US 20100216552A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,460 Days
• Field of Search: 463/30, 463/37, 463/42
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/12 involving interaction between a plurality of game devices, e.g. transmisison or distribution systems protocols for networked virtual reality, networked games H04L29/06034
• 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 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• 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 2300/1037 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 2300/1093 using visible light
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/403 Connection between platform and handheld device

Abstract

A method and system for transmitting game related information from a hand-held gaming device through a game console to a game controller and vice versa. In one aspect, the game related information comprises command information that causes the game controller to respond either by vibrating, rumbling or other action associated with a game being played. In another aspect, the game related information may include controller signals that cause an action at the hand-held device.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a game console;

a game controller coupled to the game console through a first interface and configured to generate and process control information, the game controller being further configured to control a gaming application; and

a local hand-held game device coupled to the game console through a second interface and configured to receive, through the game console, control information transmitted by the game controller, the control information including information that controls actions of the gaming application, the control information being generated by the game controller based on user input received at the game controller;

wherein the local hand-held game device is configured to execute, at least in part, the gaming application; and

wherein the local hand-held game device receives from the game controller, via the game console, user input for controlling the gaming application.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the control information comprises command information causing the game console to initiate a predetermined action.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the predetermined action includes capturing an image using a camera coupled to the game console.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the game console transmits the captured image to the local hand-held game device through the second interface.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second interfaces comprise interfaces selected from the group consisting of USB, WiFi and Bluetooth connection interfaces.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the game console includes a third interface for communicating with a remotely located hand-held game device.

7. The system of claim 6, further comprising communicating gaming information between the local and remote hand-held game devices through the game console.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the third interface comprises a WiFi interface.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the game console includes a data processor that processes gaming information for the hand-held device.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the gaming information comprises rendering information associated with on-screen objects for the hand-held device and the rendering information causes a change in location of an object on a screen associated with the hand-held game device.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the local hand-held game device further comprises a screen for outputting graphics produced by the gaming application when the gaming application is executed by a processor.

12. A system for communicating game information, comprising:

a game console capable of processing haptic information;

a game controller coupled to the game console through a first interface and capable of processing haptic information received from the game console, the game controller being operable to control a gaming application; and

a hand-held game device coupled to the game console through a second interface, the hand-held game device being operable to transmit to the game controller, through the game console, haptic information that is generated by a gaming application executing on the hand-held game device.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the hand-held game device communicates with the game console using an application layer protocol that translates haptic information generated by the hand-held device into control information compatible with the game controller.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the haptic information comprises control information that communicates a sense of touch to a user.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the haptic information comprises information associated with forces, vibration or motion.

16. The system of claim 12 wherein the hand-held game device further comprises a screen for outputting graphics produced by the gaming application when the gaming application is executed by a processor.

17. A method for communicating information in a gaming system, comprising:

generating a message including haptic control information at a hand held game device, the haptic control information being generated by a gaming application that is being executed by the hand-held gaming device;

transmitting the message from the hand-held gaming device to a game console; and

transmitting, by the game console, the message to a game controller that is responsive to haptic control information.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising translating, at the game console, the message from a first format generated by the hand held game device into a second format that is compatible with the game controller.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the hand-held game device further comprises a screen for outputting graphics produced by the gaming application when the gaming application is executed by a processor.