Expandable control device via hardware attachment
First Claim
1. A controller for interfacing with a gaming system to interact with a computer program rendering interactive content on a display, the controller comprising:
- a handle having an elongated shape including a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the handle configured to be held by a single hand of a user for operation of the controller, the second end configured for presentation towards the display during operation; and
a handle connector defined at the second end of the handle, the handle connector being defined for coupling an attachment to the handle; and
a circuit inside the handle;
wherein the controller provides different capabilities as defined by attachments that interchangeably couple to the controller via the handle connector;
wherein a first attachment provides an illumination object for communication with the gaming system, wherein the first attachment enables the gaming system to visually track a location of the controller via the illumination object and illumination of the illumination object is configured to be at least partially controlled by signals received from the gaming system.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus, methods and systems for interfacing a controller with a gaming system to interact with a computer program rendering interactive content on a display are presented. In one embodiment, a controller includes a handle, a connector and an attachment. The handle has an elongated shape, which includes opposite first and second ends, and is configured to be held by a single hand of a user during operation. The handle'"'"'s second end, aimed towards the display during operation, holds the connector. The attachment includes two interfaces: a visual interface for communication with the gaming system, and a connector interface that is coupled to the connector in the handle. The attachment can be coupled and decoupled to the connector and allows the gaming system to visually track the location of the handle via the visual interface. In another embodiment, the attachment provides additional communication capabilities.
328 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A controller for interfacing with a gaming system to interact with a computer program rendering interactive content on a display, the controller comprising:
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a handle having an elongated shape including a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the handle configured to be held by a single hand of a user for operation of the controller, the second end configured for presentation towards the display during operation; and a handle connector defined at the second end of the handle, the handle connector being defined for coupling an attachment to the handle; and a circuit inside the handle; wherein the controller provides different capabilities as defined by attachments that interchangeably couple to the controller via the handle connector;
wherein a first attachment provides an illumination object for communication with the gaming system, wherein the first attachment enables the gaming system to visually track a location of the controller via the illumination object and illumination of the illumination object is configured to be at least partially controlled by signals received from the gaming system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for playing games, the system comprising:
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a controller configured to be held and operated by a single hand of a user, the controller providing different capabilities as defined by attachments that can interchangeably be connected and disconnected to the controller; an image capture device that takes images of the controller and the attachments; and a base gaming system connected to the image capture device and interfaced with a first attachment when the first attachment is connected to the controller, wherein the first attachment provides an illumination object for communication with the gaming system, the first attachment enabling the base gaming system to visually track a location of the controller via the images taken by the image capture device, wherein illumination of the illumination object is controlled by signals received from the gaming system. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A controller for interfacing with a gaming system to interact with a computer program rendering interactive content on a display, the controller comprising:
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a handle having an elongated shape including a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the handle configured to be held by a single hand of a user for operation of the controller, the second end configured for presentation towards the display during operation; and a handle connector defined at the second end of the handle; and a circuit inside the handle, wherein the controller provides different capabilities as defined by attachments that interchangeably couple to the controller via the handle connector;
wherein a first attachment provides an illumination object for communication with the gaming system, the first attachment enables the gaming system to visually track a location of the controller via the illumination object, wherein illumination of the illumination object is controlled by signals received from the gaming system.
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19. A method for interfacing a controller with a gaming system to interact with a computer program, the method comprising:
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taking images, with an image capture device coupled to a gaming system, of a controller configured to be held and operated by a single hand of a user, the controller providing different capabilities as defined by attachments that can interchangeably be connected and disconnected to the controller, wherein the controller includes a handle connector for coupling any attachment to the controller, wherein a first attachment provides an illumination object for communication with the gaming system and the gaming system is configured to provide signals to at least partially control illumination of the illuminating object; and tracking visually, by the gaming system, a location of the controller via the images when the first attachment is connected to the controller, the tracking including determining a location of the first attachment from the images. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification