U.S. patent application number 10/874563 was filed with the patent office on 2004-11-25 for video game controller with integrated video display.
This patent application is currently assigned to INTEC, INC.. Invention is credited to Hussaini, Saied, Iacovelli, Marc, Johnston, Matthew.
Application Number | 20040235566 10/874563 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31186754 |
Filed Date | 2004-11-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040235566 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hussaini, Saied ; et
al. |
November 25, 2004 |
Video game controller with integrated video display
Abstract
A computer game controller with integrated video display device.
The controller has a video device mounted, affixed or otherwise
secured to a hand held controller. A communication system (wired or
wireless) connects the controller with a stand alone computer game
device. The communication system establishes a communication link
to facilitate the transmission of both command signals and
audio/video signals between the controller and computer device. The
integrated controller and video display device of the present
invention provides two-way interaction with the stand-alone
computer device within a single accessory device. The integrated
controller and video display device may also incorporate a speaker
or headphone jack to deliver additional audio stimulation.
Inventors: |
Hussaini, Saied; (Miami,
FL) ; Iacovelli, Marc; (Miami, FL) ; Johnston,
Matthew; (Boyds, MD) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LINIAK BERENATO & WHITE
Suite 240
6550 Rock Spring Drive
Bethesda
MD
20817
US
|
Assignee: |
INTEC, INC.
|
Family ID: |
31186754 |
Appl. No.: |
10/874563 |
Filed: |
June 24, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10874563 |
Jun 24, 2004 |
|
|
|
10208013 |
Jul 31, 2002 |
|
|
|
6773349 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/37 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 2300/204 20130101;
A63F 13/24 20140902; A63F 2300/1043 20130101; A63F 13/06 20130101;
A63F 13/92 20140902 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/037 |
International
Class: |
A63F 013/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A video game controller with integrated video display for
interaction with a stand-alone computer gaming system, said
controller comprising: a hand held device having a plurality of
operation members logistically positioned for manipulation by a
user, a display device secured to said hand held device, said
display device being capable of displaying video images generated
by said stand alone computer gaming system; and at least one
communication system provided to transmit operation commands to
said stand alone computer gaming system in response to manipulation
of said operation members by said user and to receive video signals
from said stand alone computer gaming device to facilitate
communication to said display device to display images of an
interactive video game generated by said stand alone computer game
system; wherein said at least one communication system comprises an
adapter electrically connected to said stand alone gaming system to
facilitate transmission of said operation commands and said video
signals between said hand held device and said stand alone gaming
system, said adapter bifuircating said operation commands and said
video signals for independent transmission to a video port and to a
controller port of said stand alone gaming system.
2. The video game controller according to claim 1, wherein said at
least one communication system comprises a cable that transmits
said operation data and said video signals substantially from said
hand held device to said stand alone gaming system via a single
wired bundle.
3. The video game controller according to claim 1, wherein said at
least one communication cable transmits said operation data and
said video signals substantially from said controller to said
console via wireless transmission.
4. The video game controller according to claim 1, wherein said
adapter comprises a first connector adapted to be electrically
connected with said at least one communication cable to receive
said operation data and said video output and a second connector
adapted to be electrically connected with said stand alone gaming
system.
5. The video game controller according to claim 4, wherein said
second connector connected to said controller port.
6. The video game controller according to claim 4, wherein said
adapter further comprises a third connector adapted to be
electrically connected with said video port on said stand alone
gaming system.
7. The video game controller according to claim 6, wherein said
adapter comprising a forth connector adapted to be electrically
connected with an audio port on said stand alone gaming system.
8. The video game controller according to claim 1, wherein said
display device is removably secured to said hand held device to
facilitate operation of said controller with said stand alone
computer gaming system utilizing a second stand alone video display
device independent of said integrated display device.
9. The video game controller according to claim 8, wherein said
removably secured display device includes a pass-through connection
device to provide an intermediate connection of said communication
cable with a connection portion of said hand held device.
10. The video game controller according to claim 1, further
comprising: at least one speaker integrated into said hand held
body provided to supply audio sound in response to an audio
signal.
11. The video game controller according to claim 1, further
comprising: a cover movably secured to said hand held device
between a first position covering said display device and a second
position visually exposing said display device to said user.
12. The video game controller according to claim 1, wherein said
display device is movably secured to said hand held device to
facilitate displacement of said display device relative to said
hand held unit for optimum viewing by said user.
13. The video game controller according to claim 1, wherein said
display device is retractably secured to said hand held device
between a first position substantially disposed within said hand
held device and a second exposed position visually exposing said
display device to said user.
Description
[0001] This application is a Continuation Application of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 10/208,013 filed on Jul. 31, 2002. The
disclosure of the prior application is hereby incorporated by
reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to video game controllers and
more specifically to an integrated controller and video display
device for both controlling and displaying an interactive video
game.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Computer video games are well known in the art. Such devices
range from small hand held all-in-one units, to larger stand-alone
units which interact with stand alone controllers and stand alone
video display devices. Small hand held devices are very portable.
However, the graphics and sophistication game play are
substantially inferior to stand alone units due limited processing
power and associated peripherals. For more sophisticated play,
stand alone computer units provide tremendous processing power and
work with associated peripheral devices, such as a remote
controller and television display in an attempt to bring the player
a more dramatic gaming experience to that of hand held devices. One
such stand-alone device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,422,943
which is hereby incorporated by reference. These devices are widely
available of the market and are well know in the art. FIGS. 8-9
depict such a conventional stand-alone computer video gaming
device. A central stand-alone console contains all the essential
processing components to run a computer game. A controller is
connected to communicate operation control commands from a user. A
separate display is connected to the gaming deice to display
interactive video gaming images. As previously mentioned, this
conventional arrangement is well known in the art.
[0006] With the tremendous commercial success of stand alone
computer gaming systems, and entire peripheral market has emerged
ranging from advanced video controllers, joysticks, steering wheel
devices for racing games, multi-tap controllers, vibrating
controllers, video stands, audio systems and the like. Programmable
controllers are also available which allow a user to customize the
operation of control buttons and to even store and retrieved such
customized arrangements. One such device is disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,759,100 which provides an LCDP display interface to
facilitate programming the controller and is hereby incorporated
herein by reference. The display device 18 of the '100 device is
limited to an alphanumeric display in response to manual
manipulation of program keys.
[0007] Stand alone computer gaming devices all require the use of a
display device such as a television as shown in FIGS. 8-9. These
devices are specifically suited for home use and do not lend them
selves to portable use or in a manner which is intimate to the
user. Hand held gaming systems incorporate an all-in-one processor,
display and controller into a single to facilitate portability and
intimate interaction with the game. One such system is disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,184,830 and is incorporated herein by reference.
However, as previously mentioned such systems do not provide the
sophistication level of game play or graphics that stand alone
systems can provide. Heretofore, the prior art has failed to
integrate a display device into a controller for interaction with
stand-alone computer game device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention is directed to a computer game
controller with integrated video display device. The controller has
a video device mounted, affixed or otherwise interconnected with a
hand held controller. A communication system connects the
controller with a stand-alone computer game device. The
communication system establishes a communication link to facilitate
the transmission of both command signals and audio/video signals
between the controller and computer device. The integrated
controller and video display device of the present invention
provides two-way interaction with the stand-alone computer device
within a single accessory device. The integrated controller and
video display device may also incorporate a speaker or headphone
jack to deliver audio stimulation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a controller with integrated vide
display device according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a controller and integrated display
device having a cover according to an alternate embodiment of the
present invention.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the controller of FIG. 2 with the
cover in an open position.
[0012] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of an alternate embodiment a
removable display component.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a view of the controller of FIG. 4 with the
display component connected to the controller.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a front view of the controller portion of the
embodiment of FIG. 4 exposing a connection port.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 4.
[0016] FIG. 7a is an isolated view of the pin out connection
portion of the removable display of FIG. 7.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of a stand-alone video
game system arrangement of the prior art.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a plan view of a stand-alone video game
arrangement according to the prior art.
[0019] FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of a stand-alone video
game system with an integrated controller/video display according
to the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a stand-alone video game system
with an integrated controller/video display according to the
present invention.
[0021] FIG. 12 is a plan view of a stand-alone video game system
with an integrated controller/video display with adapter cable
according to the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 13 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the
present invention with a pivotal display screen.
[0023] FIG. 14 is a top plan view of an alternate embodiment of the
present invention having a retractable display screen.
[0024] FIG. 15 is a top plan view of an alternate embodiment of the
present invention having a flip up display screen in the closed
position.
[0025] FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 15 in a
raised position.
[0026] FIG. 17 is a plan view of a stand-alone video game system
with a wireless integrated controller/video display according to an
alternate embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] FIG. 1 depicts a video game controller with integrated video
display 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. A
hand held unit 3 ergonomically formed to be held by a hand(s) of a
user. The hand held unit 3 includes a plurality of operating
members for manipulation of the users hand to facilitate
interaction with game play. The controller may be the programmable
type, include a vibratory member for heightened game play as well
as lighted buttons etc. A communication cable 7, details of which
will be explained later, is also provided to facilitate
communication with a stand-alone computer gaming device. Such
controllers and operating members are well known and within the
knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art.
[0028] The video game controller further incorporates an integrated
display device 9. Preferably the display device is a color LCD
(Liquid Crystal Display) type with associated driver circuitry to
facilitate display of a video signal. Preferably the driver and
other associated circuitry are contained within the body of the
hand held unit 3. It is understood that small high resolution color
LCD displays with associated circuitry are readily available and
are known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Small
high-resolution LCD displays have been incorporated into small hand
held color televisions, video recorders, digital cameras, and other
devices. Such readily available off the shelf LCD displays and
associated circuitry can easily fit within the confines of the hand
held unit 3 as contemplated by the present invention. In the
embodiment of FIG. 1, a 3.2 inch LCD video display having a
conventional 4:3 aspect ratio is be integrally molded into the
front portion of the hand held unit 3 to form an integral one piece
device. Off course both smaller and larger LCD display systems may
be employed. The LCD display is positioned to be readily visible to
the user when holding the hand held unit. The communication cable 7
contains both a conventional bundle for communicating operating
control commands in response to manipulation of the operating
members by the user and a separate bundle carrying video signals to
the video circuitry of the LCD display.
[0029] State of the art stand alone computer gaming platforms also
transmit low DC voltage across the communication bundle to power
circuitry within the controller, power vibration devices, etc.
Currently available LCDs do not consume much power and it is
preferred to use the incoming low voltage DC source from the
computer gaming system to rung the LCD display. According to the
present invention, the console of the gaming platform is modified
to provide a single connection point to connect the communication
cable 7 including conventional control command communication
bundle, a voltage source line and a video cable integrated into a
single cable. The details of such a connection will be explained
later. However, if such additional voltage is necessary, the hand
held unit may incorporate a battery or other connection directly to
an external voltage source.
[0030] FIGS. 2-3 represents an alternate embodiment of the present
invention. A cover 11 is pivotally mounted above the LCD display
screen 9. Raised hinged members 13 may be simply formed into the
molding of the hand held unit 3 for engagement with a pintle member
14 integrally formed in the cover. The cover 11 then may be
installed simply by snap fitting the pintle 14 members into the
hinge member 13. Preferably the cover member 11 is made of plastic
or other material similar to the construction of the hand held body
3. FIG. 2 represents the cover in a closed position covering the
LCD display 9. FIG. 3 depicts the cover 11 in an open position
visually exposing the LCD display 9.
[0031] FIGS. 4-7 represents another alternate embodiment of the
present invention having a removable display device 109. By
allowing the removal of the display screen, the controller portion
103 can be utilized with a conventional stand-alone display device.
The removable display device is preferably equipped with a pass
through device 120 to facilitate a single connection point to the
communication cable 107. The use of a pass through device 120 for
the selective removal of the display device 109 facilitates the use
of a common communication cable 7, 107 for both embodiments where
the display device 9 is unitarily formed with the hand held body 3
and the controller 103 having a removable display device 109. To
achieve this, both the integral display device 9 of FIG. 1 and the
removable display device 109 of FIGS. 4-5 include a connection
opening 130. The connection opening has a first port 131 with a
female mounting arrangement and pinout to receive a male plug
having corresponding pins to operatively form a connection of a
control command communication bundle (such as those found within
conventional controller cables of conventional gaming platforms
such as the Playstation II by Sony). The connection opening 130
further has a video 133 and audio 135 female RCA jacks (or other
known connections) to form a connection with an audio and video
signal bundle for the controller embodiment of FIG. 1. (It is noted
that for the controller of FIG. 4-5, not such audio/video
connections are necessary, as those communication signals will be
directly ported to the LCD display and audio device within the
removable device 109.) Alternately, a voltage source pinout jack
137 may exist to establish a connection to a voltage source flowing
from the game console in additional to any voltage available
through the first port 131.
[0032] The pass through portion 120 has an oval shaped stem 121
projecting from a central portion 125 to matingly fit within the
opening 130. As can be seen in FIG. 7a, the oval shaped stem
includes corresponding male connections (not labeled) to establish
a connection with corresponding portions of the controller. On the
opposite side of the central portion 125, a female connection
opening is formed identical to opening 130 of the controller with
associated connections portions identical to portions 131, 133, 135
and 137 of the controller. An electrical connection between the
male and female pinout connections of the pass through device 120
is simply contained within the central body 125. The pass through
device further simply routes the audio/video signals directly to
the associated devices within removable display 109. Thus as can be
readily seen in FIG. 7, the communication cable 107 may be either
connected to the pass through device 120 of removable display 109
or directly to the opening 130 of the hand held unit 3. It is to be
understood that the shape of stem 121 need not be oval. However, it
is preferred to employ a non-circular shape to prevent any
rotational movement between the controller and associated pass
through device or cable bundle.
[0033] The pass-through device 120 is preferably pivotally mounted
to the LCD display screen 109 to selectively customized viewing for
the user. The pivotal connection further provides the ability to
fold down the LCD display screen 109 on top of the controller
103.
[0034] FIGS. 10-11 respectively depict schematic and plan views of
the integrated video controller and display device 3 with a
stand-alone computer gaming system 90. As can bee seen a single
communication cable 7 incorporates both a video signal cable and a
conventional control command bundle. In order to provide a single
point connection to the stand-alone game system 90 the console of
the game platform incorporates a connection portion a pinout
substantially identical to the opening 130 and connection pinout
portions 133, 135 and 137 of the controller 3. Such an arrangement
facilitates the use of a single communication cable 7/107 having
identical male pinouts and mounting portions on either end.
However, it is to be understood that male/female portions may be
interchanges so long corresponding portions of associated pieces
match to complete the communication between the stand alone gaming
platform 90 and either the controller of FIG. 1 or the pass through
device 120 of FIG. 7.
[0035] In order to enable the use of the video game controller 1
and integrated display device of the present invention with
conventional stand-alone gaming platforms 190, an adapter cable 50
may be utilized. As can be seen in FIG. 12, the adapter 50 has a
first end which mates with the communication cable 7,107. The
adapter 50 serves to split the conventional command bundles and
other bundles to facilitate separate connection to a controller
interface of the conventional 190 device and the video/audio
outputs.
[0036] While the present invention has been preferably described
for connection of the communication cable 7/107 directly to the
stand alone game console 90 through a single connection port, the
controller 1, and integrated video display can be used with stand
alone gaming platform 190 having separate controller port(s) and
video port(s). As previously discussed, FIG. 12 depicts and
alternate embodiment of the present invention. In order to
facilitate connection to a conventional game platform 190, the
adaptor 50 acts as a pass-through device for operation command to
connect to the conventional controller port of the game console.
The pass-through device bifurcates the command data bundle from
audio, video or other lines such as a voltage source line into
separate cables. As can be seen in FIG. 12, a video cable 51 runs
to the rear of the console to connect with a video output jack 71.
The video output jack can be a conventional single line RCA jack,
S-video or three-line connection as is well known in the art. A
second audio line 53 extends to stereo audio output jacks 63, 64.
The audio may be a mono or stereo line and is connected to a
conventional RCA audio jack or other suitable interface. The
pass-through portion of the adaptor 50 simply mirrors that of
command port 131 (see FIG. 6) with a female mounting arrangement
and pinout to receive the male plug of the communication cable
having corresponding pins to operatively form a connection of a
control command communication bundle and audio/video jacks. Within
adaptor 50 the control command bundle splits off from the
audio/video bundle and the adaptor 50 has a male end simulating the
male connection portion of a conventional controller port
connection similar to the upper portion of the pas through device
121 of FIG. 7. The audio/video cables simply extend from adaptor 50
to the rear portion of the console and connect to respective ports
as is conventional in the art.
[0037] The controller/integrated display 1 further may contain
speakers 81 within the controller as shown in FIG. 12 to provide
audio as generated by the gaming circuitry.
[0038] FIG. 13 depicts a controller 201 with a display device 209
pivotally secured to the hand held unit 203. A display device 201
is simply secured to the hand held unit 203 with a simple hinge
device 265 with corresponding portions integrally formed with the
body of each of the hand held unit 203 and the display device 209.
The display device 209 may then be pivoted towards and away from a
user handling the controller 201 to optimize viewing comfort.
Alternately, the display device 209 may connected via a ball and
socket connection to facilitate an additional degree of freedom to
allow both pivotal and rotational movement of the display device
209 relative to the hand held unit 201. A stop member is preferably
integrated into the pivotal connection 265 to limit the extent of
rotation. The particular structure of the pivotal connection 265 is
not critical to the present invention so long as the display device
209 can move relative to the hand held unit 203 without disturbing
communication between the LCD display the circuitry within the hand
held unit 203. In this embodiment, the communication cable may
extend directly from the hand held unit 203 to the stand lone
gaming device and a smaller communication cable simply extends
through the pivotal connection 265 to interconnect the display
device 209 and the circuitry contained within the hand held unit
203.
[0039] FIG. 14 represents an alternate embodiment. The integrated
controller 301 includes a retractable display device 309. In the
present embodiment, the display device 309 preferable slides in and
out of the hand held unit 303. The sides of the LCD display 109 may
be disposed within a channel track integrally formed into the body
of the hand held unit 303. A stop member may simply be formed on
the inside edge of the display device 109 to prevent the display
device from dislodging from the hand held unit 203. Here again, the
specific structure of the retractable connection between the
display device 309 and the hand held unit 303 is not crucial so
long as the display device is permitted to be displaced without
effecting the ability to display video images. The display device
309 may further be pivotally connected to a portion that slides
within the channels formed in the hand held unit 303 to provide
additional positional control of the display device 309 relative to
the hand held unit 303. Such an arrangement not only provides
customized positional viewing control but also facilitates
protection of the display device 309 when not in use.
[0040] FIGS. 15-16 represents yet another embodiment of the present
invention. According to the present embodiment, the display device
409 is pivotally connected to a top portion of the hand held unit
403. Such an arrangement facilitates a flip up display device. When
the display device is on the closed position, the back of the
display device 409 serves as a cover to protect the LCD display.
The display device 409 may simply flip up to an optimized viewing
position during use. The display device 409 may simply be pivotally
connected to the top potion of the hand held unit 403. Raised
hinged members 413 may be simply formed into the molding of the
hand held unit 403 for engagement with a pintle member 414
integrally formed display device. A communication cable may simply
extend from the display device 409 to within the circuitry within
the hand held unit 403. Preferably the body of the display device
is made of plastic or other material similar to the construction of
the hand held body 403 and suitable for integrally forming the
respective pintle and hinge members unitarily with their associated
component.
[0041] While the foregoing invention has been shown and described
with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by
those possessing skill in the art that various changes and
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. For example, FIG. 17 contemplates a
wireless embodiment where the integrated controller 501
communicates with the stand-alone console 590 via radio waves. A
transmitter 550 may simply be inserted into a controller port and
further connected to audio/video outputs of the console. Wireless
controllers are known in the art. However, such controllers are
limited to communicating operational data between the stand-alone
console and controller device. The transmitter of the present
invention transmits not only operational commands between the
controller and stand-alone game console, but video and audio
signals as well. Thus the integrated controller is equipped with a
receiver to receive such signals. In this embodiment, the hand held
unit is equipped with batteries to provide sufficient power to run
the display device 509 and associated circuitry within the hand
held unit. The associated components are then neatly arranged
within the confines of the hand held unit to provide a complete
package to interact with the gaming processor of the stand-alone
unit 590. Such an arrangement will allow multiple players to
compete without having to view a common screen. In fact, two
players do not even have to be within the same room to engage in a
common game adventure. It has been demonstrated that communication
within the range of 1.2-2.4 Gigahertz is sufficient to transmit the
necessary command controls and audio/video data to facilitate a
wireless remote interaction between the stand-alone computer game
console 590 and the integrated controller and video display 501 of
the present invention.
* * * * *