Control device with passive reflector

• US 9,251,701 B2
• Filed: 02/14/2013
• Issued: 02/02/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Plagge, Mark, Baiyya, Vijay, Leyvand, Tommer, Song, Susan Shuchen
• Primary Examiner(s): YEN, JASON TAHAI
• Application Number:
  US13/767,634
• Publication Number:
  US 20140228124A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,083 Days
• Field of Search: 250/206.2, 250/338.1, 345/158, 356/623, 359/530, 359/872, 463 36- 39
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/26 having at least one additional display device, e.g. on the game controller or outside a game booth
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2445 detecting reflected light
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• 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 2300/403 Connection between platform and handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/24 Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for video games A63F13/00; computerized gaming systems G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/46 Indirect determination of position data
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/66 Tracking systems using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10028 Range image; Depth image; 3D point clouds
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10048 Infrared image
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared

Abstract

A control device includes a housing. The control device also includes a wireless communicator interior the housing. The wireless communicator wirelessly sends commands for controlling an electronic device, such as a game console. The control device also includes a reflector positioned to reflect light directed at the housing.

Claims

1. A control device, comprising:

a light-opaque housing defining a left-hand grip portion, a right-hand grip portion, and a rim therebetween forming an opening into an interior space of the control device;

a light-transmissive window flush with the rim of the light-opaque housing and covering the opening thereby protecting the interior space;

a wireless communicator positioned in the interior space to wirelessly send a command for controlling an electronic device; and

a reflector positioned in the interior space behind the light-transmissive window to reflect light entering through the light-transmissive window back out of the light-transmissive window.

2. The control device of claim 1, where the reflector is a retroreflector.

3. The control device of claim 2, where the retroreflector is a retroreflective tape including reflective microprism elements integrally bonded to a polymeric film.

4. The control device of claim 3, where the retroreflective tape is affixed to an inner side of the light-transmissive window.

5. The control device of claim 1, further comprising an infrared beacon positioned in the protected interior space behind the light-transmissive window to emit infrared light through the light-transmissive window.

6. The control device of claim 5, where the wireless communicator is configured to wirelessly receive a command to emit the infrared light.

7. The control device of claim 1, where the light-transmissive window is greater than 50% transmissive to infrared light.

8. The control device of claim 7, where the light-transmissive window is less than 50% transmissive to visible light.

9. The control device of claim 1, where the wireless communicator is configured to wirelessly send and wirelessly receive commands via radio frequency communication.

10. The control device of claim 1, where the command is a game command for controlling an electronic game facilitated by the electronic device.

11. The control device of claim 1, where the command is an audio-visual command for controlling an audio-visual experience facilitated by the electronic device.

12. A control device, comprising:

a light-opaque housing defining a left-hand grip portion, a right-hand grip portion, and a rim that forms an opening into an interior space of the control device, the rim that forms the opening being positioned intermediate the left-hand grip portion and the right-hand grip portion;

a light-transmissive window flush with the rim of the light-opaque housing and covering the opening thereby protecting the interior space, the light-transmissive window having a transmittance of infrared light that is greater than a transmittance of visible light;

an infrared beacon positioned in the interior space behind the light-transmissive window to emit an active infrared light through the light-transmissive window; and

a wireless communicator interior the housing to wirelessly receive a command to emit the active infrared light.

13. The control device of claim 12, further comprising an infrared retroreflector positioned in the interior space behind the light-transmissive window to reflect infrared light entering through the light-transmissive window back out of the light-transmissive window.