GAME CONTROLLER DEVICE AND METHODS THEREOF

• US 20090280901A1
• Filed: 05/09/2008
• Published: 11/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Quintana, Ignacio A., Casparian, Mark A., Cubillos, Jeffrey A.
• Application Number:
  US12/118,302
• Publication Number:
  US 20090280901A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/37
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/25 Output arrangements for video game devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/428 involving motion or position input signals, e.g. signals representing the rotation of an input controller or a player's arm motions sensed by accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/837 Shooting of targets
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/105 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1062 being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6045 for mapping control signals received from the input arrangement into game commands
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8076 Shooting

Abstract

A game controller includes a housing having a gun shape. The game controller includes a position sensor to determine a position of the controller. A game environment displayed at an eyewear display device is responsive to the controller position, so that a user can manipulate an in-game character via manipulations of the controller. The position sensor can determine a stance of the controller'"'"'s user, and provide information to a game program to change an in-game character stance based on a change in the user'"'"'s stance.

Claims

1. A device, comprising:

a housing comprising a gun shape;

a projector coupled to the housing, the projector configured to project a display of a game environment; and

a first position sensor configured to determine a user stance based on a position of the housing.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the projector is configured to change the display of the game environment in response to the first position sensor indicating a change in the user stance.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the projector is configured to display the game environment based on information provided by the first position sensor to reflect a stance of a game character, the stance of the game character corresponding to the user stance.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the user stance is selected from a plurality of specified user stances.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the plurality of user stances includes a stance selected from the group consisting of a standing stance, a crouching stance, a kneeling stance, and a prone stance.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the first position sensor is configured to determine the user stance based on a height of the housing relative to a surface.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a second position sensor configured to determine an angle of the housing.

8. A device, comprising

a housing comprising a gun shape;

a first position sensor configured to provide an indication of a position the housing; and

an interface coupled to the first position sensor, the interface configured to provide an indication of a first change in a game environment based on first information provided by the first position sensor, the game environment displayed at an eyewear display device.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the first information provided indicates a stance of a game character.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the first information indicates a height of the housing relative to a surface.

11. The device of claim 8, further comprising a directional input device located at the housing, wherein the interface is configured to provide an indication of a second change in the game environment based on second information provided by the directional input device.

12. The device of claim 8, further comprising a second position sensor, wherein the interface is configured to provide an indication of a game action based on second information provided by the second position sensor.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the second information indicates a gesture with the housing.

14. The device of claim 8, further comprising a battery pack coupled to the housing, the battery pack configured to store a battery to provide power for the interface.

15. The device of claim 8, wherein the battery pack comprises an indicator configured to indicate an amount of power remaining in the stored batteries.

16. The device of claim 8, wherein the first position sensor is located at the housing.

17. The device of claim 8, wherein the first position sensor is located remote from the housing.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein providing first information comprises providing first information indicating a change in stance of a user of the game controller.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein detecting a change in position of the game controller comprises detecting a specified game controller gesture.

18. A method, comprising:

detecting a change in position of a game controller, the game controller comprising a gun-shaped housing; and

providing first information in response to detecting the change in position of the game controller, the first information configured to change display of a game environment at an eyewear display device.