Amusement devices: games – Including means for processing electronic data – Access or authorization
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-22
2004-04-20
Harrison, Jessica (Department: 3714)
Amusement devices: games
Including means for processing electronic data
Access or authorization
C463S037000, C463S039000, C341S017000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06722984
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to hand held controllers. Specific exemplary embodiments discussed relate to game controllers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The description of art in this section is not intended to constitute an admission that any patent, publication or other information referred to herein is “prior art” with respect to this invention, unless specifically designated as such.
Various types of video game machines, video computer systems, computers and the like have been commercially developed for entertainment and education of the user. Exemplary video game machines contemplated by the invention include those manufactured by Sony Corporation under the PLAY STATION brand name, Nintendo Company, Ltd. under the NINTENDO 64 brand name, and Sega Enterprises Ltd. under the SATURN brand name. Additionally, numerous companies provide video game applications for running on personal computers.
Typically the video game machines discussed above include a controller which comprises a housing, action control means, selection control means and a controller wire. The end of the controller wire includes a connector which is engageable with a video game machine. Many of these controllers are of the type having a left section and a right section for holding, with the user's left and right hands, respectively. Other controllers have a left handle section, a center handle section and a right handle section where the user holds two of the sections during operation of the video game.
In many video games, special sequences of button presses on the game controller (
FIGS. 3-4
) are used to cause characters (or other controlled game objects) to perform special actions. As an example, in the STREET FIGHTER II brand video game for the SUPER NINTENDO brand video game console (SNES), the EDMOND HONDA game character can be directed to perform a special move, known as a SUMO HEAD BUTT, by holding down the left arrow button for two seconds and then pressing the right arrow in conjunction with any punch button. Arrow and “punch” buttons are defined in terms of the standard SNES controller, shown in
FIGS. 3-4
.
The required button press sequences, however, vary from game to game and even from character to character within the same game. For example, the RYU game character in the above-mentioned STREET FIGHTER II brand video game has a different set of special moves that are initiated by different button sequences. The special move key sequence for the RYU game character is not initiated by pressing and holding a button as in the case of the EDMOND HONDA game character, but rather by pressing a series of buttons in rapid succession. Other characters in this game, as well as other games for the SNES and other systems, all have different requirements.
U.S. patents relevant to game controllers include U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,120,025; 6,102,802; 6,071,194; 5,806,849; 5,531,443; and 5,759,100, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,120,025 discloses a grip for a controller of a video game machine or video computer system that purportedly reduces slipping of the controller, increases the user's comfort and keeps the user's finger tips in proper alignment during use of the controller.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,102,802 discloses a game controller of the type held in two hands that includes pressure sensitive variable conductance sensors for creating analog signal outputs proportional to varying physical pressure applied to the depressible surface.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,071,194 teaches a reconfigurable video game controller for use with a video game program running on a personal computer platform. The controller may, purportedly, be reconfigured or reprogrammed directly by the user so that user-defined key codes are obtained from a local memory and transmitted to the computer while playing the video game.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,849 discloses an electronic game system that includes a console that accepts a game cartridge and runs games stored therein. A wireless controller may be used for controlling actions in the game. The wireless controller includes a radio frequency transmitter for sending control signals to the console. The radio frequencies are used to operate the console when the controller is separated therefrom by large distances.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,531,443 discloses a keypad controller for use with a video game comprising a cable connector mechanism for communication with a video game. A plurality of actuable switches is coupled to the cable mechanism and extends from the controller housing. Each directional switch is associated with a compass direction.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,759,100 discloses a game machine controller which is provided with a memory pack equipped with nonvolatile memory. The memory pack is able to store a plurality of commands designated by a predetermined button operation as command programs. Once the data is stored, it may be retrieved and executed by a simple operation of the command buttons. U.S. Pat. No. 5,759,100 describes a method for programming keystroke sequences which is quite distinct from the normal use of the controller when playing a game. With reference to col. 3 line 65 through col. 5 line 39, this method comprises a manual process in which each key and each space between keys is entered using an LCD prompted editing process (4:43 through 4:55). These entries are then edited to add the desired time duration of each key press and gap between keys (5:19 through 5:39). Besides requiring the user to know (to within two sixtieths of a second) what these time should be, this process is extremely laborious. Also, the exact order of the data entry steps required to program a sequence is hard to determine from the '100 specification. With this in mind, one estimate of the length of time required to store a simple two-key sequence in which one of the keys is pressed and held for, say, one second, is going to require about 30 to 35 keystrokes to program.
U.S. patents and applications relevant to remote control technology include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,959,751; 5,515,052; 5,414,426; 5,255,313; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/418,091, filed Oct. 14, 1999, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/611,620, filed Jul. 6, 2000, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,959,751 discloses macro functions and technology for a remote control whereby a user may cause transmission of stored commands upon selection of a single key.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,515,052 discloses a universal remote control with function syntheses. The remote control comprises driver circuitry for communicating code signal generation sequences, including a code generated command system, powered by a code setting signal; and memory for storing information therein.
U.S. Pat. 5,414,426 discloses a favorite key macro command and chained macro command in a remote control. The remote control comprises an entry/definition program and memory for enabling a user of a remote control to define a macro for selecting at least one favorite channel by entry of a series of keystrokes on the keyboard. The remote control includes a playback program in memory for enabling an operator to affect rapid selection of at least one favorite channel of the consumer electronic device to be controlled upon subsequent depression of the macro key.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,255,313 discloses a universal remote control system having a signal generator to transmit signals which will cause specific functions to occur in specific control devices.
U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 09/418,091, and 09/611,620 disclose means and methods, inter alia, for operating a remote control. Patent application '620 discloses means and methods for interfacing, and navigating with secondary material on a removable digitally encoded medium. The '620 application also teaches means and methods for monitoring keystroke navigation sequences and other processes related to remote control technology.
While the present invention relates to control modules generally, it will be better understood within the discussion of exem
Brown William L.
Conway James N.
Klein Sandro D.
Sweeney, Jr. Kenneth G.
Coburn Corbett B
Galis Mark R.
Harrison Jessica
Jarosik Gary R.
Universal Electronics Inc.
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