U.S. Pat. No. 10,543,424

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1illustrates an exemplary layout of the programmable hand-held video gaming controller10of the present disclosure. Game controller10is electrically coupled to an integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12(seeFIG. 2) either via wires or wirelessly, through communication methods commonly known in the electrical arts. Both game controller10and integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12are fully operable to provide control to various gaming features as commonly known in the art. Both game controller10and integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12include the necessary hardware, software, memory, and electrical circuits to provide a fully-programmable video game controller module as is currently known in the art.

Game controller10includes one or more game function activation areas14, each of which includes game control buttons, switches, levers, etc., commonly known in the art to allow a user to control specific game functions. Each game function activation areas14also includes a game function transfer switch16that is configured to perform a variety of functions. The present disclosure is not limited to the exact type of gaming functions that can be performed by the activation of switch16. Further, switch16can be a push button, or any other type of switch commonly known in the art.

Game controller10may, in certain embodiments, also include indicator lights18and20. Indicator lights18and20are located in each game function activation area14. Indicator lights18indicate which side of integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12control for that specific game function has been transferred to. For example, if control of the function associated with a particular game function activation areas14is transferred to the left side of integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12then indicator light18will show an “L” and if the control of the game function has been transferred to the right side of the integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12then indicator light18will show an “R”.

Similarly, indicator lights20indicate which pedal of integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12control for that specific game function has been transferred to. For example, if control of the function associated with a particular game function activation areas14is transferred to the first pedal of integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12then indicator light20will show a “1” and if the control of the game function has been transferred to the second pedal of the integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12then indicator light20will show an “2”. Thus, for example, if control of a particular game function has been transferred to the second pedal of the right side of integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12indicator light18will show an “R” and indicator light20will show a “2.” In this fashion, the user can easily see which pedals are not controlling this particular game function.

An exemplary methodology of how game function controls are transferred to foot pedals will now be discussed. Referring now to bothFIG. 1andFIG. 2, in one embodiment, when switch16located in a game function activation area14is activated for a first time, instead of the selected game function associated with the game controls in the function activation area14remaining in the control of game controller10as is traditional, the selected game function is transferred to a corresponding foot pedal on integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12. For example, when switch16is activated a first time, the gaming function that would normally be initiated by the activation of switch16is instead transferred to a corresponding pedal located on foot pedal gaming controller platform12, e.g., the first pedal22on the left side of the integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12, as shown inFIG. 2. This allows the user to control this particular game function by activating the corresponding foot pedal, i.e., pedal22on integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12, rather than controlling the game function via use of game controller10. As described above, in one embodiment, corresponding indicator lights18and20on gaming controller10may be illuminated to thus indicate that control of this particular game function has been transferred from game controller10to a corresponding foot pedal on integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12, for instance, the first pedal22on the left side of integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12, as shown inFIG. 2. In another embodiment, indicator lights18and20on integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform4are also illuminated to indicate to the user which foot pedal is currently controlling a game function.

In other embodiments, when switch16on game controller10is activated a second time, the game function that would normally be controlled by switch16is transferred to a different foot pedal, i.e., different from the foot pedal that controls the game function when switch16is activated for a first time. For example, when switch16is activated a second time, the function that would normally be activated by the actuation of switch16on game controller10is transferred to a different foot pedal on integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12. For example, this foot pedal could be the second pedal24on the left side of the integrated foot-pedal gaming controller platform12, as shown inFIG. 2. Again, in one embodiment, corresponding indicator lights18and20on game controller10and indicator lights on integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12may be illuminated to indicate that control of this particular game function has been transferred to a corresponding foot pedal on integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12, for instance second pedal24on the left side of integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12.

In another embodiment, when switch16is activated a third time, the function that would normally be associated with switch16on game controller10is transferred to a different foot pedal on integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12, i.e., different from the foot pedal to which control of the game function was transferred when switch16was activated a first time and the foot pedal to which control of the game function was transferred when switch16was activated a second time. For example, this foot pedal could be the first pedal26on the right side of integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12. In one embodiment, corresponding indicator lights18and20on game controller10and indicator lights on integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12may be illuminated to indicate that this particular game function has been transferred to a corresponding pedal on integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12, for instance, the first pedal26on the right side of integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12.

In another embodiment, when switch16is activated a fourth time, the function that would normally be activated by the activation of switch16on game controller10is transferred to a different foot pedal on integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12, i.e., different from the foot pedal to which control of the game function was transferred when switch16was activated a first time, the foot pedal to which control of the game function was transferred when switch16was activated a second time, and the foot pedal to which control of the game function was transferred when switch16was activated a third time. For example, this foot pedal to which control is transferred could be the second pedal28on the right side of integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12. In one embodiment, corresponding indicator lights18and20on both game controller10and indicator lights on integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12may be illuminated to indicate that this particular game function has been coupled to a corresponding pedal on integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12, in this instance, the second pedal28on the right side of integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12.

In still another embodiment, when switch16on game controller10is activated a fifth time, all connections to integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12are deactivated along with corresponding indicator lights18and20on game controller10and integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12, returning control of the function back to the hand-held game controller10.

Note that the number and order of activations of the switch16given above to transfer control of a game function from game controller10to a specific pedal on integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12is exemplary only. Thus, the present disclosure is not limited to the exact number of switch16activations or the order of switch16activations indicated above. Thus, for example, a first activation of switch16may transfer control to, for example, the first pedal26on the right side of integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12. Further, activating switch16may result in different operations. For example, in one embodiment, if switch16is activated for a first time, instead of the game function remaining in the control of game controller10, the selected function is coupled to a foot pedal on the integrated foot pedal gaming control platform14. If switch16is pressed two times, control of that gaming function is moved to a different pedal on the integrated foot pedal gaming platform14. However, if switch16is activated three times, the connection of the indicated function to the pedals of the integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform14and push button and indicators is deactivated, returning control of the function solely to hand-held game controller10.

The term “transferring” as used herein may mean that total control of a game function is transferred from game controller10to integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12and control of that game function in the hand-held game controller10is deactivated, or it may mean that control of this game function is shared between both hand-held game controller10and integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12. This latter embodiment may be advantageous for example “in the heat of battle” during gaming when gamers may wish to use both the hand held game controller10and foot pedals on the integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12without having to think about which apparatus is currently controlling the game function.

Referring again toFIG. 1, when, for example, the first pedal22on the left side of integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12is being used for certain game function control, the switch16associated with the selected function and the corresponding indicator light18will illuminate to show an “L” and indicator light20will illuminate to show a “1” on the programmable hand-held video gaming controller. Further, in another embodiment, a corresponding upright pedal function indicator light “A”30or an inverter pedal function indicator light “B”32, will illuminate on the corresponding pedal (i.e.,22) on integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12, depending on which setting the pedal function inverter switch34is set to. This, advantageously, alerts players as to which setting the pedal function inverter switch34is set to, either upright function or inverted function. This feature allows the gamer to access two different gaming functions per foot pedal.

An exemplary use of the pedal function inverter switch34is, in one embodiment, each time a player activates game function transfer switch16on programmable hand-held video gaming controller10, it transfers two functions to a rocker pedal, one at the top of the pedal and one at the bottom of the pedal. With pedal function inverter switch34, the player can choose to reverse those two functions if they wish. For example, if the player transferred the gas and brake functions of an automobile-based video game to a rocker pedal and the brake function was at the top of the pedal and the gas function was at the bottom of the pedal, a player may choose to reverse these two functions so the gas function is at the top of the rocker pedal and the brake function is at the bottom of the pedal. This would allow any control function on gaming controller10to be transferred to (or coupled to) the top or the bottom of any rocker pedal, thereby doubling a player's options.

When, for example, the second pedal24on the left side of the integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12is being used for certain game function control, the push button for the selected function will be illuminated and the corresponding indicator18will illuminate with an “L” and corresponding indicator20will illuminate with a “2” on the programmable hand-held video gaming controller. Also, the corresponding “A”30or “B”32indicator lights for pedal24(indicated as “2” on the hand-held game controller because it is the second foot pedal) will illuminate on the integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12, alerting a player to which setting the pedal function inverter switch34is set to, i.e., either upright function or inverted function. Thus, for example, when control of a game function has been given to the second pedal28on the right side of the integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12, the push button for the selected function in the game function activation area illuminates and the corresponding indicator18will show an “R” and indicator20will show a “2”. In one embodiment, function inverter switch34indicator light “A”30or “B”32will be also illuminated on the integrated foot pedal gaming platform12. In this fashion, the indicator lights fully alert the gamer as to which pedals have taken over, or are sharing control, each game function.

In one embodiment, hand-held game controller10may include an on/off push button switch36that activates and deactivates a setting lock on all programmable hand-held video gaming controller functions and illuminates corresponding on/off indicator lights. In one embodiment, on/off push button switch36requires players to hold the switch36for a predetermined amount of time, e.g., two seconds, to switch on or off the function and to prevent unwanted changes to the settings.

In one embodiment, game controller10includes a two player selector switch38that allows two players, each equipped with a programmable hand-held video gaming controller10, to choose either left side pedals (either the first pedal and/or the second pedal on the left side) or right side pedals (either the first pedal and/or the second pedal on the right side) on the integrated foot-pedal gaming controller platform12. The use of the player selector switches38thus limits the programmable hand-held video gaming controller functions to either the selected left side pedals “1” and “2” or right side pedals “1” and “2” of the integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12thereby allowing two players to play side-by-side with the use of two pedals each.

As discussed herein, in certain embodiments, the programmable hand-held video gaming controller10may transfer the activated function to the integrated foot pedal controller platform12or instead of transferring game function control to the foot pedals, control can be shared between game controller10and the foot pedals of integrated foot pedal controller platform12.

Referring toFIG. 2, in one embodiment, one or more of the pedals of integrated foot-pedal gaming controller platform12may be dual operation rocker pedals that allow a player to rock the pedal forward or backwards to perform two separate programmable hand-held video gaming controller functions with one pedal. Pedal function inverter switch34allows a player to reverse pedal function from upright pedal function to inverted pedal function. Pedal function indicator light “A”30indicates the upright foot pedal function while pedal function indicator light “B”32indicates the inverted foot pedal function. Two-player indicator light18on programmable hand-held video gaming controller10will illuminate an “L” when a player chooses to use the left side pedals ‘1”22and “2”24on the integrated foot pedal gaming platform12. Two-player indicator light18will illuminate “R” when a player chooses to use the right side pedals “1”26and “2”28on the integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12. In one embodiment, when a player chooses the two-player indicator light “L” or the two player indicator light “R” setting on the programmable hand-held video gaming controller10it will also activate and illuminate the two-player switch40on the integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12, thus alerting the player that the two-player switch has been activated on the programmable hand-held video gaming controller10.

In other embodiments, variations of the integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12may include single function pedals, dual operation rocker pedals, quad-operation (4-way) rocker pedals or combinations of two or more. Other variations of the integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12may be modified to fit into a gaming chair, in place of an adjustable hinged connecting frame that forms the integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12.

In another embodiment, variations of the integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12, may be incorporated into footwear. For example, in one embodiment; rather than having rocker pedals mounted on a deck platform, a “dual-function” rocker pedal mechanism may be incorporated in the construction of a gaming shoe. This allows a player to control two traditional hand-held video gaming controller functions by resting the sole of the shoe on a firm surface and rocking their foot forward or backward.

Integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12may also include an adjustable hinged connecting frame42that supports the integrated foot-pedal gaming controller platform12, adjusts for pitch, and is configured to fold for easy transportation.

In one embodiment, integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12can be comprised of two separate panels (indicated by dashed lines44) that can slide apart on rails thus extending the length of integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12for two-player action. Alternately, integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12can be comprised of only one panel with two pedals as indicated by the dashed lines46. Handles48may be positioned atop integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform12or a single handle48may be positioned atop integrated foot pedal gaming controller12to allow for easy transportation.

FIG. 3illustrates an exemplary layout of an alternate programmable hand-held video gaming controller10of the present disclosure. The game controller10illustrated inFIG. 3is similar to the game controller10shown inFIG. 1except that the game controller10inFIG. 3is for use with a two-pedal integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform14. A seen, indicator lights20can illuminate as either a “1” or a “2” to identify which foot pedal on integrated foot pedal gaming controller platform14has been transferred (or is sharing) control of that particular gaming function.

Many different embodiments have been disclosed herein, in connection with the above description and the drawings. It will be understood that it would be unduly repetitious and obfuscating to literally describe and illustrate every combination and subcombination of these embodiments. Accordingly, all embodiments can be combined in any way and/or combination, and the present specification, including the drawings, shall be construed to constitute a complete written description of all combinations and subcombinations of the embodiments described herein, and of the manner and process of making and using them, and shall support claims to any such combination or subcombination.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein are not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein above. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings.