Expandable Control Device Via Hardware Attachment

• US 20090298590A1
• Filed: 04/22/2009
• Published: 12/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Zalewski, Gary M., Marks, Richard, Huang, Ennin, Mikhailov, Anton
• Granted Patent: US 9,573,056 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/37
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/06 using player-operated means for controlling the position of a specific area display
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/20 Input arrangements for video game devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/213 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. cameras, photodiodes or infrared cells A63F13/219, A63F13/655 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/215 comprising means for detecting acoustic signals, e.g. using a microphone
• 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 13/245 specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/833 Hand-to-hand fighting, e.g. martial arts competition A63F13/837 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1006 having additional degrees of freedom
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1031 using a wireless connection, e.g. Bluetooth, infrared connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1081 Input via voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1087 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. a camera
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1093 using visible light
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8029 Fighting without shooting

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.

Claims

1. A handheld controller for interfacing with a gaming system to interact with a computer program rendering interactive content on a display, the controller comprising:

a handle with 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 to be aimed towards the display during operation;

a connector defined at the second end of the handle; and

an attachment including,

a visual interface for communication with the gaming system, and

a connector interface to the connector, wherein the attachment can be coupled and decoupled to the connector, the attachment allowing the gaming system to visually track a location of the handle via the visual interface.

2. The controller as recited in claim 1, wherein the attachment has a spherical shape.

3. The controller as recited in claim 1, wherein the handle operates as a controller when the attachment is coupled and when the attachment is decoupled.

4. The controller as recited in claim 1, wherein the gaming system receives visual information from the attachment through the visual interface via an image capture device connected to the gaming system, the gaming system analyzing the image from the image capture device to determine the location of the handle.

5. The controller as recited in claim 1, wherein the attachment and the handle are rigidly attached when the attachment is coupled to the connector.

6. The controller as recited in claim 1, further including a second connector defined at the first end of the handle.

7. The controller as recited in claim 1, wherein the attachment provides an additional source of electric power to the handle when the attachment is coupled.

8. The controller as recited in claim 1, wherein the attachment further includes beads that generate a rattling noise when the attachment is rattled.

9. The controller as recited in claim 1, wherein the attachment further includes three spheres, each of the three spheres being able to light up in a different color.

10. A handheld controller for interfacing with a gaming system to interact with a computer program rendering interactive content on a display, the controller comprising:

a handle;

a connector defined in the handle; and

an attachment including,

a communications interface defined to enable the attachment to exchange information directly with the gaming system, and

an attachment connector interface for communication with the handle via the connector, wherein the attachment can be coupled and decoupled to the connector, wherein the handle exchanges information with the gaming system via the communications and the attachment connector interfaces.

11. The controller as recited in claim 10, wherein the communications interface communicates via ultrasonic communication with the gaming system.

12. The controller as recited in claim 10, wherein the attachment further includes a speaker.

13. The controller as recited in claim 10, wherein the attachment further includes a microphone.

14. The controller as recited in claim 10, further including,

a computer bus in the handle, the computer bus being in electrical communication with the attachment when the attachment is coupled.

15. The controller as recited in claim 10, further including,

a processor in the handle, wherein the attachment generates interrupts for the processor when the attachment is coupled to the handle.

16. The controller as recited in claim 10, wherein the attachment connector interface is a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface.

17. The controller as recited in claim 10, wherein the attachment further includes buttons that can be operated by the user.

18. The controller as recited in claim 10, wherein the communications interface communicates via infrared communication with the gaming system.

19. The controller as recited in claim 10, wherein the attachment further includes a biometric input, wherein the biometric input is defined to enable and disable one of the handle or resources in the gaming system.

20. A method for interfacing a controller with a gaming system to interact with a computer program, the method comprising:

connecting an attachment to the controller, wherein the attachment enables the controller to,

receive information from the attachment that was sent from the base station to the attachment, and

send information to the base station via the attachment;

updating a state of the controller when the controller receives information; and

updating a state of the computer program when the controller sends information via the attachment.

21. The method as recited in claim 20, wherein the controller sends visual information to the gaming system via an image capture device connected to the gaming system which analyzes an image from the image capture device to determine a position of the controller in a field of play.

22. The method as recited in claim 20, wherein the attachment sends and receives information via ultrasonic communication.

23. The method as recited in claim 20, wherein the attachment communicates with the gaming system via infrared communication.

24. The method as recited in claim 20 further including,

generating inertial information based on movement of the attachment,

transmitting the inertial information to the controller, and

sending the transmitted inertial information to the gaming system.

25. A system for playing games, the system comprising:

a controller configured to be held and operated by a single hand of a user;

an attachment that can be connected and disconnected to the controller;

an image capture device that takes images of the attachment; and

a base gaming system connected to the image capture device and interfaced with the attachment when the attachment is connected to the game controller;

wherein a first type of information is provided to the base gaming system and to a user when the attachment is connected to the controller and a second type of information when the attachment is disconnected.

26. The system as recited in claim 25, further including,

a second controller, wherein the attachment connects simultaneously to the controller and to the second controller to form a two handed controller.

27. The system as recited in claim 25, wherein the attachment and the controller are rigidly attached when the attachment is connected to the controller, the attachment and the controller being defined to be held and operated as a two hand controller when the attachment is connected to the controller.

28. The system as recited in claim 25, wherein the attachment has a rechargeable battery, wherein the controller receives additional electrical power from the rechargeable battery when the attachment is connected to the controller.

29. The system as recited in claim 25, wherein the attachment further includes a crosshair shape for aiming the controller towards a target.

30. The system as recited in claim 25, wherein the attachment can connect to the controller in different positions, the position of the attachment being used as an input for the system.

31. The system as recited in claim 25, wherein the attachment further includes,

a first connector and a second connector, wherein the controller can be connected to the first and to the second connector.

32. The system as recited in claim 25, further including,

a second controller, wherein the first connector is connected to the controller and the second connector is connected to the second controller to connect the controllers together.

33. The system as recited in claim 25, further including,

an auxiliary module that can be connected and disconnected to the controller, the auxiliary module connecting to the controller in a different location than a location where the attachment connects.

34. The system as recited in claim 33, wherein the auxiliary module provides ultrasonic communication with the console.

35. The system as recited in claim 33, wherein the auxiliary module provides ultrasonic communication with a second controller.