TOUCH SCREEN GAME CONTROLLER
First Claim
1. One or more computer-storage media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that when executed by a computing device perform a method for using a touch screen computing device to control a video game, the method comprising:
- at the touch screen computing device, selecting, based on a characteristic of the video game, a virtual control interface that is optimized for use with the video game;
outputting for display on the touch screen device'"'"'s touch screen the virtual control interface, which comprises a plurality of virtual game controls;
receiving through the touch screen an interaction on a virtual game control within the virtual control interface;
generating a control signal in response to the interaction that comprises a functional instruction that is usable by a game execution environment to manipulate the video game; and
outputting the control signal to the game execution environment.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Aspects of the present invention allow a touch screen device to operate as a gamepad for a video game running on a separate gaming device. Aspects of the present invention provide a virtual control interface through the touch screen that includes virtual game controls that perform the same function as a directional pad, buttons, triggers, and sticks found on a gamepad or other game controller. In one aspect, the virtual control interface provides an output that is substantially similar to an output generated by a gamepad able to interact with the gaming device. Substantially similar outputs allow a gaming device to respond to a functional control from a gamepad and an equivalent functional control from the virtual control interface the same way and without translation. Aspects of the present invention can provide different virtual control interfaces for different video game titles, different genres, and based on user customization.
61 Citations
20 Claims
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1. One or more computer-storage media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that when executed by a computing device perform a method for using a touch screen computing device to control a video game, the method comprising:
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at the touch screen computing device, selecting, based on a characteristic of the video game, a virtual control interface that is optimized for use with the video game; outputting for display on the touch screen device'"'"'s touch screen the virtual control interface, which comprises a plurality of virtual game controls; receiving through the touch screen an interaction on a virtual game control within the virtual control interface; generating a control signal in response to the interaction that comprises a functional instruction that is usable by a game execution environment to manipulate the video game; and outputting the control signal to the game execution environment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for using a touch screen computing device to control a video game, the method comprising:
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outputting for display on a touch screen device'"'"'s touch screen a virtual control interface, which comprises a plurality of virtual game controls adapted to control the video game; receiving through the touch screen an interaction on a virtual game control within the virtual control interface, wherein the virtual game control corresponds to a gamepad control; generating a control signal that comprises a functional instruction that is able to be interpreted by the video game as equivalent to an instruction received from a gamepad when the gamepad control is activated; and outputting the control signal to the video game. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. One or more computer-storage media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that when executed by a computing device perform a method for using a touch screen computing device to control a video game, the method comprising:
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outputting for display on a touch screen device'"'"'s touch screen a virtual control interface, which comprises a plurality of virtual game controls adapted to control the video game running on a separate gaming device; receiving through the touch screen an interaction on a virtual game control within the virtual control interface; in response to the interaction, outputting for display on the touch screen a visual indicia that communicates the virtual game control was manipulated; generating a control signal in response to the interaction that comprises a functional instruction that is usable by the gaming device to manipulate the video game; and outputting the control signal wirelessly. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification