Video game controller for multiple users

• US 8,740,707 B1
• Filed: 02/17/2014
• Issued: 06/03/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brad Kaldahl
• Original Assignee: Brad Kaldahl
• Inventors: Kaldahl, Brad
• Primary Examiner(s): Brewster, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): SKAARUP, JASON M
• Application Number:
  US14/181,958
• Publication Number:
  US 20140171202A1
• Time in Patent Office: 106 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 463/37
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/212 using sensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat or leg activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/847 Cooperative playing, e.g. requiring coordinated actions from several players to achieve a common goal
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1006 having additional degrees of freedom
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1012 involving biosensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat, limb activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1031 using a wireless connection, e.g. Bluetooth, infrared connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/105 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes

Abstract

The present invention provides a video game controller and apparatus that may be used by two or more players. The users physically manipulate the control device cooperatively to the kinesthetic feedback of the other player(s) to control the events of the video game. By working together through orientation of the controller, the players can jointly move the video game object on the screen and/or govern the play of the game.

Claims

1. A video game system for cooperative play by two or more players comprising:

a first conductive material attached to or in contact with a first player'"'"'s body and a second conductive material attached to or in contact with a second player'"'"'s body;

a microcontroller in communication with the first and second conductive materials, said microcontroller further being in communication with a computer processing unit (CPU) or a game console;

whereby skin of the first player touching skin of the second player closes a circuit between the first and the second conductive materials and the microcontroller, said circuit closing causing the microcontroller to send a signal to the CPU or the game console thereby causing said CPU or game console to display a video game having at least one game object that responds in accordance with the signal.

2. The video game system of claim 1 whereby the first conductive material comprises a belt or a strap that is wrapped around a portion of the first player'"'"'s body.

3. The video game system of claim 1 whereby the second conductive material comprises a belt or a strap that is wrapped around a portion of the second player'"'"'s body.

4. The video game system of claim 1 whereby the first conductive material and the second conductive materials are antistatic straps.

5. The video game system of claim 1 whereby the first conductive material is held by the first player.

6. The video game system of claim 1 whereby the second conductive material is held by the second player.

7. The video game system of claim 1 whereby the first conductive material is selected from the group consisting of a metal, graphite, conductive polymer, and gel electrode material.

8. The video game system of claim 1 whereby the second conductive material is selected from the group consisting of a metal, graphite, conductive polymer, and gel electrode material.