Game controller connection system and method of selectively connecting a game controller with a plurality of different video gaming systems

• US 20060223634A1
• Filed: 04/04/2005
• Published: 10/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Powergrid Fitness Inc. (InterAction Laboratories, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Powergrid Fitness Inc. (InterAction Laboratories, Inc.)
• Inventors: Schott, Jeff, Merril, Greg, Feldman, Philip, Grimm, Jason, Tsai, Peter
• Application Number:
  US11/097,370
• Publication Number:
  US 20060223634A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/36
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0096 using performance related parameters for controlling electronic or video games or avatars
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0023 for isometric exercising, i.e. substantial force variation without substantial muscle motion
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0442 Anchored at one end only, the other end being manipulated by the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/045 having torsion or bending or flexion element
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0233 in 90/90 position, like on a chair
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/75 calorie expenditure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1281 primarily by articulating the elbow joint
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0087 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/218 using pressure sensors, e.g. generating a signal proportional to the pressure applied by the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/23 for interfacing with the game device, e.g. specific interfaces between game controller and console
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/42 by mapping the input signals into game commands, e.g. mapping the displacement of a stylus on a touch screen to the steering angle of a virtual vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/816 Athletics, e.g. track-and-field sports
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1006 having additional degrees of freedom
• 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 2300/1056 involving pressure sensitive buttons
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6045 for mapping control signals received from the input arrangement into game commands
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8005 : Athletics

Abstract

A game controller, according to the present invention, interacts with a plurality of different game processors including different gaming applications utilizing a communication link. The game controller includes a plurality of user-manipulable input devices, and at least one signal processor to receive and process signals associated with manipulations of the user-manipulable input devices and to communicate with a plurality of different game processors. The communication link includes a plurality of connection plugs, where at least two of the connection plugs are configured to connect with different game processors. In addition, the communication link may facilitate wired or wireless transfer of signals between the at least one signal processor and a selected game processor, where a wired transfer may employ an extension cable to cover greater distances.

Claims

1. A game controller to interact with a plurality of different game processors including different gaming applications, comprising:

a plurality of user-manipulable input devices, wherein at least one of the user-manipulable input devices provides an isometric exercise for a user;

at least one signal processor to receive and process signals associated with manipulations of the user-manipulable input devices and to communicate with a plurality of different game processors; and

a communication link to transfer signals between the at least one signal processor and a selected game processor, wherein said communication link comprises a plurality of connection plugs with at least two of the connection plugs being configured to connect with different game processors.

2. The game controller of claim 1, wherein the communication link further comprises:

a first cable including wiring extending within the first cable and connected to the at least one signal processor; and

a plurality of interface cables disposed proximate an end of the first cable, each interface cable including a respective wiring set transferring signals with the first cable and extending within the interface cable;

wherein each connection plug is connected to a respective interface cable.

3. The game controller of claim 2, wherein the communication link further comprises a housing to receive the wiring from the end of the first cable and transfer signals to a respective interface cable.

4. The game controller of claim 2, wherein the communication link further comprises an extension cable device including:

a second cable including wiring extending within the second cable;

a plurality of controller cables disposed proximate a first end of the second cable, each controller cable including a respective wiring set transferring signals with the first end of the second cable and extending within the controller cable and further including a connection plug that connects with a respective connection plug of the interface cable; and

a plurality of processor cables disposed proximate a second end of the second cable, each processor cable including a respective wiring set transferring signals with the second end of the second cable and extending within the processor cable and further including a connection plug that connects with a respective game processor to transfer signals between the communication link connected with the at least one signal processor and the respective game processor.

5. The game controller of claim 1, wherein the communication link includes at least one wireless communication link to transfer communication signals between the signal processor and the selected game processor.

6. The game controller of claim 5, wherein each connection plug is coupled to a corresponding transceiver.

7. The game controller of claim 5, wherein a plurality of connection plugs is connected to a transceiver.

8. The game controller of claim 7, wherein said transceiver coupled to said plurality of connection plugs includes a processor to receive signals from the signal processor and transfer signals to the selected game processor in a format compatible with the game processor to control gaming application functions.

9. The game controller of claim 1, wherein the at least one signal processor includes a plurality of signal processors with each signal processor configured to communicate with a corresponding game processor.

10. The game controller of claim 1, wherein the game controller is disposed within an exercise system, and at least one of the user-manipulable input devices comprises an effector bar to provide an isometric exercise for the user.

11. The game controller of claim 1, wherein the plurality of connection plugs includes at least three connection plugs each configured to connect with a different game processor.

12. The game controller of claim 1, wherein at least one connection plug is configured to connect a port of a personal computer.

25. The game controller of claim 1, wherein at least one of the connection plugs is configured to connect with a USB port.

13. A method of connecting a game controller to a plurality of different game processors, the game controller including a plurality of user-manipulable input devices, at least one processor to receive and process signals associated with manipulations of the user-manipulable input devices, and a communication link to transfer signals between the game controller and plurality of game processors and including at least a first connection plug and a second connection plug, the first and second connection plugs being configured to connect with different game processors, the method comprising:

(a) selecting a game processor and engaging a corresponding connection plug of the communication link with a port of the selected game processor to transfer signals between the at least one signal processor and the selected game processor via the communication link;

(b) identifying the selected game processor, via the at least one signal processor, in response to receiving at least one initial signal from the selected game processor via the communication link;

(c) receiving and processing signals associated with manipulations of the user-manipulable input devices via the at least one signal processor, wherein at least one user-manipulable input device provides an isometric exercise for a user; and

(d) transferring signals, via the communication link, from the at least one signal processor to the selected game processor in a format compatible with the selected game processor to control gaming application functions.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the communication link includes a cable.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the communication link includes at least one wireless communication link.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the game controller is disposed within an exercise system, and at least one of the user-manipulable input devices comprises an effector bar to provide an isometric exercise for the user, and step (c) includes:

(c.1) receiving and processing signals associated with manipulations of the effector bar via the at least one signal processor.

26. The method of claim 13, wherein at least one of the first and second connection plugs is configured to connect with a USB port.

17. A connector for transferring signals between a game controller and a plurality of different game processors, the connector comprising:

a communication link to transfer signals between the game controller and a selected game processor, wherein the communication link is selectively coupled to the game controller and comprises a plurality of connection plugs with at least two of the connection plugs being configured to connect with different game processors.

18. The connector of claim 17, wherein the communication link further comprises:

a first cable including wiring extending within the first cable and coupled to the at least one signal processor; and

a plurality of interface cables extending proximate a first end of the first cable, wherein each interface cable includes a corresponding connection plug and a respective wiring set transferring signals with the first end of the first cable and extending within the interface cable to the corresponding connection plug.

19. The connector of claim 17, wherein the communication link further comprises:

a first cable including wiring extending within the first cable;

a plurality of interface cables extending proximate a first end of the first cable, wherein each interface cable includes a corresponding connection plug to couple the interface cable to the game controller and a respective wiring set transferring signals with the first end of the first cable and extending within the interface cable to the corresponding connection plug; and

a plurality of processor cables extending proximate a second end of the first cable, wherein each processor cable includes a corresponding connection plug configured to connect with a respective game processor and a respective wiring set transferring signals with the second end of the first cable and extending within the processor cable to the corresponding connection plug.

20. The connector of claim 17, wherein the communication link includes at least one wireless communication link.

21. The connector of claim 20, wherein a wireless communication link includes a transceiver coupled to the plurality of connection plugs.

22. The connector of claim 21, wherein the transceiver coupled to the plurality of connection plugs includes a processor to receive signals from the signal processor and transfer signals to a selected game processor in a format compatible with the selected game processor to control gaming application functions.

23. The connector of claim 17, wherein the plurality of connection plugs includes at least three connection plugs each configured to connect with a different game processor.

24. The connector of claim 17, wherein at least one connection plug is configured to connect a port of a personal computer.

27. The connector of claim 17, wherein at least one of the connection plugs is configured to connect with a USB port.