U.S. patent application number 11/369875 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-14 for wireless game controller with integrated audio system.
Invention is credited to Saied Hussaini, Marc Iacovelli.
Application Number | 20060205505 11/369875 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36971742 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060205505 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hussaini; Saied ; et
al. |
September 14, 2006 |
Wireless game controller with integrated audio system
Abstract
A wireless computer game controller with integrated audio system
that sends and receives audio signal via integrated circuitry
provided in the controller. The wireless interface
(transmitter/receiver) establishes a communication link to
facilitate the transmission of both command signals and audio/video
signals between the controller and computer device to thereby
provide two-way interaction with the stand-alone computer device
within a single accessory device. The controller circuitry also
incorporates a speaker or headphone jack to deliver audio
stimulation. In the preferred embodiment, the controller sends an
audio signal to an ear piece where the ear piece includes a
separate microphone to transmit audio to a separate receiver or a
third party.
Inventors: |
Hussaini; Saied; (Miami,
FL) ; Iacovelli; Marc; (Miami, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BERENATO, WHITE & STAVISH;Suite 240
6550 Rock Spring Drive
Bethesda
MD
20817
US
|
Family ID: |
36971742 |
Appl. No.: |
11/369875 |
Filed: |
March 8, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60659106 |
Mar 8, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/36 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 13/215 20140902;
A63F 13/235 20140902; A63F 13/06 20130101; A63F 2300/1031 20130101;
A63F 13/87 20140902; A63F 2300/1037 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/036 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A video game controller for interaction with a stand-alone
computer gaming system, said controller comprising: a hand held
body having a plurality of operation members logistically
positioned for manipulation by a user, transmitter/receiver
circuitry integrated into said hand held body for sending and
receiving wireless control signals to and from a game console;
audio circuitry capable of sending an audio signal to at least one
speaker.
2. The controller recited in claim 1, further comprising an audio
port adapted to communicate with a headset that connects with said
controller via said audio port, said headset comprising said at
least one speaker.
3. The controller recited in claim 1, wherein said audio signal
comprises a primary audio signal transmitted by said game
controller to a primary audio system.
4. The controller recited in claim 3, wherein said audio signal
comprises a secondary audio signal different than said primary
audio signal transmitted by said game controller to said main audio
system.
5. The controller recited in claim 1, further comprising a
microphone incorporated into said headset.
6. The controller recited in claim 5, wherein said microphone
transmits player communication between players.
7. The controller recited in claim 6, wherein said microphone
transmits said player communication between players through said
game console.
8. The controller recited in claim 6, wherein said microphone
transmits said player communication between players without sending
any audio signal through said game console.
9. The controller recited in claim 6, wherein said microphone
transmits said player communication directly to other players
sending any audio signal through said game console.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional
application Ser. No. 60/659,106, which is hereby incorporated by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the invention
[0003] The present invention relates to video game controllers and
more specifically to a wireless controller with integrated audio
system for providing 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.
[0006] FIG. 1 depicts 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.
[0007] 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.
[0008] Furthermore, wireless controllers are becoming increasingly
more popular. However, these wireless controllers are limited in
their audio capabilities.
[0009] Current wired controllers include a memory card port capable
of receiving a memory card shaped audio unit that plugs into the
memory port, whereby a head/microphone system connects into the
memory card shaped unit via an audio plug. These prior art
retro-fit systems are not integrated into the controller circuitry
and require additional components in the form of the memory card
shaped unit with an audio jack.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention is directed to a wireless computer
game controller with integrated audio system that sends and
receives audio signal via integrated circuitry provided in the
controller. The wireless interface (transmitter/receiver)
establishes a communication link to facilitate the transmission of
both command signals and audio/video signals between the controller
and computer device to thereby provide two-way interaction with the
stand-alone computer device within a single accessory device. The
controller circuitry also incorporates a speaker or headphone jack
to deliver audio stimulation. In the preferred embodiment, the
controller sends an audio signal to an ear piece where the ear
piece includes a separate microphone to transmit audio to a
separate receiver or a third party.
[0011] The video game controller, which interacts with a
stand-alone computer gaming system, comprises a hand held body
having a plurality of operation members logistically positioned for
manipulation by a user; transmitter/receiver circuitry integrated
into the hand held body for sending and receiving wireless control
signals to and from a game controller; and audio circuitry capable
of sending an audio signal to at least one speaker.
[0012] The controller includes an audio port adapted to communicate
with a headset that connects with said controller via the audio
port, and the audio signal may be the primary audio signal coming
from the television and/or game console or the audio signal may be
secondary audio, for example, a different audio signal sent
directly from another player's headset/microphone. In this case,
players may communicate directly with each other via the headset
assembly.
[0013] This invention provides an integrated wireless controller
circuitry where audio is sent by the controller to an ear piece,
where the audio signal not necessarily the same audio that is
coming from the television. An audio signal is also transmitted
from a microphone electrically connected to the controller that
permits that player to communicate and talk to other players
independently of the game console.
[0014] With the preferred embodiment of this invention, the
wireless controller includes an audio jack to provide an electrical
connection to a headset; a mute button ; and a volume control
switch.
[0015] These and other benefits of the present invention will be
apparent to those of skill in the art from the attached drawings
and associated description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is an illustration showing an overview of an
interactive computer graphics system.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a controller according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the controller of FIG.
2.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the controller of FIG. 2 taken in
the view III-III.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a schematic showing an exemplary headset and
microphone system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] FIG. 1 shows an example of an interactive computer graphics
system 50. System 50 can be used to play interactive video games
with interesting stereo sound. It can also be used for a variety of
other applications.
[0022] In this example, system 50 is capable of processing,
interactively in real time, a signal in response to real time
inputs from wireless handheld controllers 52a, 52b or other input
devices received by a wireless adaptor 68. The wireless adaptor 68
provides the capability of sending and receiving wireless control
signals between the game console 54 and the controllers 52a,
52b
[0023] To play a video game or other application using system 50,
the user first connects a main unit or game console 54 to a
television set or other video display device 56 or other display
device by connecting a cable 58 between the two. Game console 54
produces both video signals and audio signals for controlling the
video display device 56. The video signals are what controls the
images displayed on the television screen 59, and the audio signals
are played back as sound through television stereo loudspeakers
61L, 61R.
[0024] The user also needs to connect game console 54 to a power
source. This power source may be a conventional AC adapter (not
shown) that plugs into a standard home electrical wall socket and
converts the house current into a lower DC voltage signal suitable
for powering the game console 54. Batteries could be used in other
implementations.
[0025] The users typically use hand controllers 52a, 52b to control
main unit 54. Controls (e.g., button, levers, joysticks, etc.) 60a,
60b can be used, for example, to specify the direction (up or down,
left or right, closer or further away) that a character displayed
on television 56 should move. Controls 60a, 60b also provide input
for other applications (e.g., menu selection, pointer/cursor
control, etc.). Controllers 52a, 52b can take a variety of forms.
In this example, controllers 52a, 52b shown each include controls
60a, 60b such as joysticks, push buttons and/or directional
switches. Typically, such controllers 52a, 52b may be connected to
game console 54 by cables or wirelessly via electromagnetic (e.g.,
radio or infrared) waves.
[0026] To play an application such as a game, the user selects an
appropriate storage medium 62 (e.g., CD, DVD, etc.) storing the
video game or other application he or she wants to play, and
inserts that storage medium into a slot 64 in game console 54.
Storage medium 62 may, for example, be a specially encoded and/or
encrypted optical and/or magnetic disk that stores commands for
graphics and audio processor 114 and/or instructions controlling
main processor 110 to develop such commands. The user may operate a
power switch 66 to turn on game console 54 and cause the main unit
to begin running the video game or other application based on the
software stored in the storage medium 62. The user may operate
controllers 52 to provide inputs to game console 54. For example,
operating a control 60a, 60b may cause the game or other
application to start. Moving other controls 60a, 60b can cause
animated characters to move in different directions or change the
user's point of view. Depending upon the particular software stored
within the storage medium 62, the various controls 60a, 60b on the
controller 52a, and 52b can perform different functions at
different times.
[0027] FIG. 2 depicts a video game controller 52 according to one
embodiment of the present invention. The hand held controller 52
ergonomically formed and communicates using wireless signals with
the adaptor 68 connected to the game console 54. The hand held
controller 52 includes a plurality of operating members for
manipulation of the users hand to facilitate interaction with game
play. These operating members are generally known to those of skill
in the art; however, this invention requires additional unique
control and operating members including an audio jack 70 into which
a headset 80 is plugged; a mute button 74 to mute the volume/audio
signal; and a volume control 76, for example, in the form of a dial
or switch to selectively set the volume of the audio signal.
[0028] As known in the art, the controller may be the programmable
type, include a vibratory (e.g., rumble) member for heightened game
play as well as lighted buttons etc. In this case, a vibration
switch 79 is provided to control the vibration/rumble function.
[0029] The video game controller 52, which interacts with a
stand-alone computer gaming system, comprises a hand held body
having a plurality of operation members logistically positioned for
manipulation by a user; transmitter/receiver circuitry integrated
into the hand held controller 52 for sending and receiving wireless
control signals to and from a game console 54 via a wireless
adaptor 68; and audio circuitry capable of sending an audio signal
to at least one speaker; e.g., a headset 80 as shown in FIG. 5.
[0030] The controller 52 includes an audio port 70 adapted to
communicate with a headset 80 that connects with the controller 52
via the audio port 70, and the audio signal may be the primary
audio signal coming from the television 56 and/or game console 54
or the audio signal may be secondary audio, for example, a
different audio signal sent directly from another player's
headset/microphone 80. In this case, players may communicate
directly with each other via the headset assembly 80 to enhance the
game experience and player camaraderie.
[0031] This invention provides an integrated wireless controller
circuitry where audio is sent by the controller to an ear piece 82,
where the audio signal not necessarily the same audio that is
coming from the television. An audio signal is also transmitted
from a microphone 84 electrically connected to the controller 52
that permits that player to communicate and talk to other players
independently of the game console 54.
[0032] 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, although this invention
primarily relates to a wireless controller, it is also possible to
use a communication cable to facilitate communication with a
stand-alone computer gaming device. The communication cable may be
employed when the batteries for the wireless aspect of the
controller are being recharged and the communication cable may be
used to transmit both control signals and power to and from the
controller.
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