System that converts between wireless operation and wired operation

• US 9,808,712 B2
• Filed: 08/19/2016
• Issued: 11/07/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Lum, Richard, Guo, Wei
• Primary Examiner(s): Shah, Milap
• Assistant Examiner(s): Clarke, Jr., Robert T
• Application Number:
  US15/242,248
• Publication Number:
  US 20170043246A1
• Time in Patent Office: 445 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/20 Input arrangements for video game devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/49 Saving the game status; Pausing or ending the game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/493 Resuming a game, e.g. after pausing, malfunction or power failure
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/71 using secure communication between game devices and game servers, e.g. by encrypting game data or authenticating players
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/73 Authorising game programs or game devices, e.g. checking authenticity
• 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 2300/201 Playing authorisation given at platform level
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/401 Secure communication, e.g. using encryption or authentication
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/532 using secure communication, e.g. by encryption, authentication
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/636 involving process of starting or resuming a game
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/19 Connection re-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/22 with access to wired networks

Abstract

A system communicates with a device in both a wired mode and a wireless mode, and is able to switch between these two modes without permanent disruption to an ongoing use. The system is configured to receive an indication of a condition that suggests switching from the wireless mode of operation to a wired mode of operation, to display a notification for the device to switch, and to transition from the wireless mode of operation to the wired mode of operation.

Claims

1. A method implemented by a gaming controller comprising:

monitoring, at the gaming controller, power supply data associated with a gaming controller power supply;

detecting, based at least in part on the monitoring, a condition that suggests switching from a wireless mode of operation to a wired mode of operation during use of the gaming controller;

sending, based on the condition and to a gaming console, data corresponding to the condition that suggests switching from the wireless mode of operation to the wired mode of operation;

transitioning from the wireless mode of operation to the wired mode of operation; and

based at least in part on transitioning from the wireless mode of operation to the wired mode of operation, sending a session identification to the gaming console thereby causing the gaming console to re-associate the gaming controller with saved data, the saved data being generated during the use of the gaming controller before the transitioning from the wireless mode of operation to the wired mode of operation.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the condition is based at least in part on the gaming controller power supply being low.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the condition is based at least in part on a loss of packets transmitted during the use of the gaming controller in the wireless mode of operation.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the condition is based at least in part on a determination that packets transmitted during the use of the gaming controller in the wireless mode of operation contain incorrect data.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the data corresponding to the condition causes an instruction to be displayed on a display coupled to the gaming console, the instruction to switch from the wireless mode of operation to the wired mode of operation.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the session identification comprises a gaming controller identifier used by the gaming console to re-associate the gaming controller, currently operating in the wired mode of operation, with the saved data.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the re-associating distinguishes the saved data from other data generated in association with another gaming controller during the use.

8. A system comprising:

at least one gaming controller configured to;

monitor power supply data associated with a gaming controller power supply;

detect, based at least in part on the monitoring, a condition that suggests switching from a wireless mode of operation to a wired mode of operation during use of the gaming controller;

send, based on the condition and to a gaming console, data corresponding to the condition that suggests switching from the wireless mode of operation to the wired mode of operation;

transition from the wireless mode of operation to the wired mode of operation; and

based at least in part on transitioning from the wireless mode of operation to the wired mode of operation, send a session identification to the gaming console thereby causing the gaming console to re-associate the gaming controller with saved data, the saved data being generated during the use of the gaming controller before the transitioning from the wireless mode of operation to the wired mode of operation.

9. The system as recited in claim 8, wherein the condition is based at least in part on the gaming controller power supply being low.

10. The system as recited in claim 8, wherein the condition is based at least in part on a loss of packets transmitted during the use of the gaming controller in the wireless mode of operation.

11. The system as recited in claim 8, wherein the condition is based at least in part on a determination that packets transmitted during the use of the gaming controller in the wireless mode of operation contain incorrect data.

12. The system as recited in claim 8, wherein the data corresponding to the condition causes an instruction to be displayed on a display coupled to the gaming console, the instruction to switch from the wireless mode of operation to the wired mode of operation.

13. The system as recited in claim 8, wherein the session identification comprises a gaming controller identifier used by the gaming console to re-associate the gaming controller, currently operating in the wired mode of operation, with the saved data.

14. The system as recited in claim 8, wherein the re-associating distinguishes the saved data from other data generated in association with another gaming controller during the use.

15. A gaming controller comprising:

one or more processors; and

one or more memories storing executable instructions that, when executed on the one or more processors, cause the gaming controller to perform operations comprising;

monitor power supply data associated with a gaming controller power supply;

detect, based at least in part on the monitoring, a condition that suggests switching from a wireless mode of operation to a wired mode of operation during use of the gaming controller;

send, based on the condition and to a gaming console, data corresponding to the condition that suggests switching from the wireless mode of operation to the wired mode of operation;

transition from the wireless mode of operation to the wired mode of operation; and

based at least in part on transitioning from the wireless mode of operation to the wired mode of operation, send a session identification to the gaming console thereby causing the gaming console to re-associate the gaming controller with saved data, the saved data being generated during the use of the gaming controller before the transitioning from the wireless mode of operation to the wired mode of operation.

16. The gaming controller as recited in claim 15, wherein the condition is based at least in part on the gaming controller power supply being low.

17. The gaming controller as recited in claim 15, wherein the condition is based at least in part on a loss of packets transmitted during the use of the gaming controller in the wireless mode of operation.

18. The gaming controller as recited in claim 15, wherein the data corresponding to the condition causes an instruction to be displayed on a display coupled to the gaming console, the instruction to switch from the wireless mode of operation to the wired mode of operation.

19. The gaming controller as recited in claim 15, wherein the session identification comprises a gaming controller identifier used by the gaming console to re-associate the gaming controller, currently operating in the wired mode of operation, with the saved data.

20. The gaming controller as recited in claim 15, wherein the re-associating distinguishes the saved data from other data generated in association with another gaming controller during the use.