Game controller with display and methods therefor

• US 8,613,669 B1
• Filed: 04/30/2004
• Issued: 12/24/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Activision Publishing Incorporated (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Activision Publishing Incorporated (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: McCauley, Jack J.
• Primary Examiner(s): LIM, SENG HENG
• Application Number:
  US10/836,468
• Time in Patent Office: 3,525 Days
• Field of Search: 463/42
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/87 Communicating with other players during game play, e.g. by e-mail or chat
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1031 using a wireless connection, e.g. Bluetooth, infrared connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/301 using an additional display connected to the game console, e.g. on the controller
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/403 Connection between platform and handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/406 Transmission via wireless network, e.g. pager or GSM
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/407 Data transfer via internet
• 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

Abstract

A game controller having a video display and messaging capability is provided. Such a system is especially useful for video games with multiple players and also for communicating with non-players. In one embodiment, a game controller useful is coupled to a game console which is coupled to a wide area network. The game console is used by a person playing a game on the game console using the game controller. The game controller includes a video display capable of displaying a message sent from a second person over the wide area network. These messages can include textual, video and/or audio data. Messages can be sent from the game controller to the game console, and received from the game console to the game controller via a USB port. The video display can also be used to display game data from the game console. In some embodiment, the game controller includes a keypad for inputting a textual message for the second person. Game controller can also include a camera and/or a microphone for inputting video and/or audio data to be included in a message for the second person. Game controller can also include audible alerts via a speaker or mechanical alerts via an alerter, alerting the person about incoming messages.

Claims

1. A method for communicating with a person playing a video game comprising:

during game play on a game console, receiving a textual message at a video game controller wirelessly connected to the game console, the textual message being from another person over a wide area network and is sent from a second video game controller coupled to the wide area network via a second game console, the game console coupled to a television, wherein the textual message is intended for the person playing the video game using the video game controller; and

displaying the textual message on a video display of the video game controller, the video game controller including controls for controlling game play on the game console and a keypad configured for placing voice calls and for sending textual messages over the wide area network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the wide area network is an internet.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the message is wirelessly received from the game console.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

sending a reply to the other person over the wide area network; and

displaying the reply for the other person.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the other person is using the second video game controller wirelessly connected to the second game console.

6. A game controller comprising:

at least controls for controlling game play on a game console;

a wireless connection to a wide area network;

a wireless connection to a game console coupled to a television, wherein the game console is configured for use by a first person playing a game using the game controller;

a keypad configured for placing voice calls and for sending textual messages over the wide area network;

a display of the game controller configured to display a textual message for the first person playing the game, the textual message being from a second person over the wide area network and is sent from a second game controller coupled to the wide area network via a second game console.

7. The game controller of claim 6, wherein the wide area network is an internet.

8. The game controller of claim 7, wherein the message is wirelessly received from the game console.

9. The game controller of claim 7, wherein the game controller is further configured to send a reply to the second person over the wide area network.

10. The game controller of claim 9, further comprising the keypad configured for inputting the reply to be sent to the second person.

11. The game controller of claim 10, wherein the keypad is configured to control one of a television, an analog video recorder, and a digital video recorder.

12. The game controller of claim 10, wherein the keypad is configured to control the game console to play a movie.

13. The game controller of claim 9, wherein the second person is using the second game controller wirelessly connected to the second game console.

14. The game controller of claim 6, further comprising a camera configured for inputting video data for a reply to be sent to the second person over the wide area network.

15. The game controller of claim 6, further comprising a microphone configured for inputting audio data for a reply to be sent to the second person over the wide area network.

16. The game controller of claim 6, further comprising at least one speaker configured for receiving audio data from the second person.

17. The game controller of claim 6, further comprising an alerter configured for receiving an alert from the second person.

18. The game controller of claim 17 wherein the alerter is a mechanical device.