U.S. Pat. No. 11,090,557

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments relate to apparatus and methods that provide a game controller that processes a software game directly without an external computing device as intermediary and transmits the generated game image to an external display for viewing. The game controller can process and execute software games and transmit game image data directly to a display without requiring a separate game console. The separate game console is not required since the game controller performs functions of both a game controller and a game console.

A game console, video game console, or console is a term used to describe a gaming box or device that is primarily designed to connect to both a game controller and to a television (TV) or other display.

An example embodiment includes a game controller having a horseshoe-shaped, C-shaped, wand shape, or other shaped body or housing that fits in one or two hands of a user. For example, the body has a shape adapted to be held in both hands while the user plays games with the game controller. As another example, the body of the game controller can be two separate components and held separately in each hand, such as one component adapted to be fit in a left hand of the user and one component adapted to be fit in the right hand of the user while the user plays games or performs other functions with the game controller.

The body includes a cover and a base with a plurality of buttons arranged on the body that are actuated by a user to play a software game. The game controller also has a motherboard and a battery that are disposed or arranged within the body. The motherboard includes a plurality of electronic components, modules, or chips to execute a game program directly, without the necessity of an additional external computing device or module (e.g., a separate game console), such that game images are created or generated for the user that watches to play the game.

The plurality of buttons can be designed with flexibility in terms of a variety of aspects such as position, function, shape and size. In an example embodiment for example, one or more buttons, such as directional buttons, analog stick buttons and trigger buttons, are disposed or arranged on the first side of the body and are holdable by a left hand of a user. One or more buttons, such as face buttons, analog stick buttons and trigger buttons, are disposed on the second side opposite the first side of the body and are holdable by a right hand of the user.

In an example embodiment, a plurality of electronic components, modules, or chips are arranged on the motherboard, including one or more of a memory, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), a wireless Microcontroller Unit (MCU) and a Bluetooth MCU.

As an example, the memory stores a software game. The CPU fetches game instructions from the soft game and decodes or processes the instructions into game data, and then transmits the game data to the GPU. The GPU executes the received game data to generate game image data that transmits through the HDMI directly to the external display that the user watches to play the software game. The software game is processed by the game controller itself and the generated game image data is directly transmitted to an external display for viewing without an additional computing device such as a game console as an intermediary or assistive electronic device. An example embodiment thus eliminates a need for a separate game console since the game controller performs the CPU and GPU executions and transmits data to the display (e.g., via a wired connected to the display or a wireless connection to the display).

The game data includes drawing and/or video instructions that render video imagery of gameplay of the software game. The game image data are the rendered image frames of the software game. By way of example, the image frames that are output from the GPU are raw or uncompressed image data.

The game controller communicates with a network via the wireless MCU.

In an example embodiment, the wireless MCU establishes Wi-Fi connection with a wireless network such as Bluetooth or the Internet. As an example, the game controller downloads one or more software games from a server via the Internet and stores these games in its memory. With connection to the Internet, for example, a software game stored in the memory of the game controller is also updated automatically or manually when a new version is detected. As another example, the game controller is able to connect to a multiplayer gaming platform, such as an online gaming platform, such that a user or gamer plays games with other users. The game controller also communicates with another Bluetooth enabled device or accessory via the Bluetooth MCU. By way of example, the Bluetooth MCU enables wireless communication with another Bluetooth enabled device, such as a Bluetooth earphone and a Bluetooth speaker.

In an example embodiment, the game controller can run on a variety of platforms such as the Microsoft mobile platform and the Android mobile platform. The game controller supports various software including, but not limited to, Microsoft office, email, and browser such as Chrome. As an example, the game controller embeds a software converter that converts a two-dimensional (2D) game to Side by Side (SBS) VR content.

In an example embodiment, the battery of the game controller is rechargeable. The game controller includes two Universal Serial Bus (USB) jacks, one for charging the battery and the other one for communicating with an external electronic device or peripherals such as a smartphone and a virtual reality (VR) headset.

In some example embodiments, the game controller includes one or more other components or elements. As an example, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) monitor is disposed or arranged on the cover of the game controller and displays game images of a software game while a user plays the game. As another example, the game controller includes a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card port that receives a SIM card and enables the user to be provided with a paid network service such as a 4G LTE service from a service provider. As a further example, the game controller includes a speaker that plays sounds from the software game while the user plays the software game and a microphone that receives, while the user plays a software game, spoken language from the user, when the game controller wirelessly transmits the spoken language over a network to other gamers playing the software game.

FIG. 1shows a game controller100that communicates directly with an external display102in accordance with an example embodiment. The game controller100has computing, components, modules, or chips and processes a software game without an additional external computing device such as a game console as intermediary in order to generate game images that are viewable on the display102for a user or gamer. By way of example, the display102includes, but is not limited to, a VR head mounted display (HMD), an augmented reality (AR) display, a television (TV) display or screen, and a computer monitor.

As an example, the game controller100can be a VR all-in Mobile Game Console with full controller functions. Not only does the game controller100have the full functionality of a general game controller, but also includes a graphics processing unit (GPU) and central processing unit (CPU) to execute VR games

By way of example, the game controller100is compatible with a variety of different VR Headgear. The game controller100includes enough memory for downloaded VR games and other VR entertainment. The game controller100also has the capability to stream VR Content including Games and Movies from VR Content providers. By way of example, the game controller100can link up to various displays or monitors such as TVs (monitors) by HDMI, or Wireless Display to play downloaded or streaming games as if one were playing with a Home Game Console.

FIG. 2shows a schematic exploded view of a game controller200in accordance with an example embodiment. The game controller200has a body or housing or enclosure with a cover or lid202and a base or bottom cover204. Buttons210and212are positioned or arranged on the left side206of the game controller200and are holdable and actuated with a left hand of a user or gamer. Buttons214and216are positioned or arranged on the right side208of the game controller200and are holdable and actuated with a right hand of the user or gamer.

As shown illustratively inFIG. 2, the game controller has a motherboard203that includes a CPU218, a GPU220, a memory222, a HDMI224, a wireless MCU226and a Bluetooth MCU228. By way of example, the CPU218fetches or retrieves game instructions from a software game that is stored in the memory222, and decodes or processes the instructions into game data to be transmitted to the GPU220. The game data includes drawing instructions that render video imagery of gameplay of the software game. The GPU220processes or executes the game data received from the CPU218to generate game image data that transmits through the HDMI224to an external display that the user or gamer watches to play the software game. The game image data are the rendered image frames of the software game. Without the necessity of an external computing device, the game controller200itself executes software game programs and creates game image data that is directly transmitted to an external display for viewing by the user that plays the software game. By way of example, the external display includes, but is not limited to, a VR HMD, an AR display, a TV display or screen and a computer monitor.

With the assistance of the wireless MCU226, the game controller200communicates with a network such as Ethernet and the Internet. For example, the wireless MCU226enables the game controller200to connect or couple to the Internet to download a software game, to update the software game that already exists in the memory222and to play online games with other online gamers or game players. The game controller200also communicates with another Bluetooth enabled device or accessory via the Bluetooth MCU228. For example, the Bluetooth MCU228enables the game controller200to communicate with another Bluetooth enabled device such as a Bluetooth earphone, a Bluetooth speaker, a Bluetooth microphone, and a Bluetooth VR headset. This expands the functionality of the game controller200and improves user experience.

As shown inFIG. 2, the game controller200includes a battery230that supplies power to the game controller200. The battery230can be a non-rechargeable battery such as an AA battery and an AAA battery, or a rechargeable battery such as a Lithium-ion battery. In this manner, it is unnecessary to connect the game controller200to a power source or power charger when the user plays a game. In some situations, such as in outdoor place, it is inconvenient or impossible to connect to a power source to power the game controller200to play games.

In an example embodiment, the HDMI is a wireless HDMI with an embedded wireless HDMI transmitter (not shown). In this manner, for example, the game controller200is able to transmit or convey the game image data wirelessly to an external display with a wireless HDMI receiver.

By way of example, the game controller200has a C-shaped, a horseshoe-shaped body, or other shape that can fit in the hands of a user (e.g., a rectangular shape, an oval shape, etc.).

FIG. 3shows a top view of a game controller300in accordance with an example embodiment. The game controller300has a body or housing with a first side306and a second side308. A plurality of buttons are disposed or arranged on the body including for example, but not limited to, a power button340, guide buttons346, directional buttons310, face buttons314, a left analog stick button312, a right analog stick button316, a left trigger button332and a right trigger button334. These buttons are designed to fulfill various functions. By way of example, the power button340controls the ON and OFF states of the game controller300. The guide buttons346navigate game menus. The directional buttons310control the movement of a game character in different directions. The face buttons314control complex actions of a game character such as jumping and making big moves during a fighting game for example. The analog stick button312and316move game objects and rotate the camera in a game scene as well as a variety of other functions depending on the game. The trigger buttons332and334fulfill functions such as attacking and firing. A person of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that the functions as described are only illustrative and the buttons can be designed with flexibility in terms of a variety of aspects such as position, function, shape and size.

In an example embodiment, the game controller300includes a rechargeable battery (not shown) within the body and a USB jack336that charges the battery by connecting or coupling the battery to a power source or a battery charger. By way of example, the game controller300includes a light emitting diode (LED) indicator342that indicates the charging status for the battery.

As shown inFIG. 3as an example, the game controller300includes a USB jack338that establishes communication with electronic devices and peripherals. By way of example, under circumstance such as for a high end VR display, the USB338is used to reduce the latency effect by taking over part of data communication between the game controller300and the VR display.

In an example embodiment, the game controller300includes a LCD monitor344disposed or arranged on the body of the game controller300. The LCD monitor344provides a gaming interface that displays game images of a software game when a user plays the software game.

In an example embodiment, the game controller300includes a SIM card port352that receives a SIM card and enables the user to be provided with a paid network service from a service provider. For example, the game controller300is provided with a 4G LET service from a network provider and thus is able to connect to a network such as the Internet even at a place where a Wi-Fi hotpot is absent.

In another example embodiment, the game controller300includes one or more other components or elements. As an example, the game controller300includes a speaker348. The speaker348plays sounds generated from a software game while a user plays the software game. As another example, the game controller300includes a microphone350. The microphone350enables a user or gamer of the game controller300to talk with other online gamers. For example, when a user or gamer plays an online game with the game controller300, the microphone350receives spoken language or voice from the user such that the game controller300wirelessly transmits or conveys the spoken language or voice over a network to other payers or gamers at another terminal of the network.

The game controller300runs on a variety of platforms such as the Microsoft mobile platform and the Android mobile platform. The game controller300supports various software including, but not limited to, Microsoft office, email, and browser such as Chrome. As an example, the game controller300embeds a software converter that converts a 2D game to SBS VR content

FIG. 4shows a flow chart400executed by a game controller in accordance with an example embodiment.

At Block402, a CPU of the game controller receives game instructions from a software game that is stored in a memory of the game controller. Both the CPU and the memory are disposed or arranged on a motherboard of the game controller. In another example embodiment, these components can be arranged on separate PCBs that communicate with each other.

As an example, one or more software games are pre-stored in the memory. As another example, when connecting to the Internet, the game controller downloads a software game from an Internet server and stores the game in the memory. By way of example, the stored software game is updated automatically or manually when a new version of the software game is detected.

At Block404, the CPU decodes or processes the game instructions into game data. The game data includes drawing instructions that render video imagery of gameplay of the software game

At Block406, a GPU disposed on the motherboard processes the game data received from the CPU in order to generate game image data. The game image data are the rendered image frames of the software game.

At Block408, the generated game image data is transmitted directly through a HDMI of the game controller to an external display that the user watches to play the software game.

In the method400, the game controller executes or processes a software game directly with its CPU and GPU without the necessity of an external computing device as intermediary or assistance. The game controller transmits or conveys the generated game image data directly to an external display such that the game image is viewable for the user that watches to play the software game

FIG. 5shows a block diagram of a network system500with game controllers in accordance with an example embodiment. A game controller501connects or couples to a network520that connects to a server530with a processor532and a memory534as well as a storage/database (DB)540. For example, the network520is the Internet or a wireless cellular network. As shown inFIG. 5as an example, a plurality of game controllers, game controller-1550. . . game controller-N560connects or couples to the network520.

In an example embodiment, the game controller501includes a body that can be controlled with a single hand or with two hands.

With connection to the Network520, by way of example, the game controller501downloads a software game from the Server530and updates an existing software game that is stored in the game controller501. As an example, using the game controllers, a user plays an online game with other gamers or players. As another example, the game controller501enables a user to play online movies or other video programs.

As shown inFIG. 5for example, the game controller501is in data communication with a VR HMD502, an AR display504, a TV display506, and a computer monitor508thought respective HDMI. In this manner, the game controller501transmits the game image data that are generated with a CPU and a GPU of the game controller501directly to the external display or monitor such that the user watches to play the software game. In an example embodiment, the HDMI is a wireless HDMI with an embedded wireless HDMI transmitter. In this manner, for example, the game controller501is able to transmit or convey the game image data wirelessly to an external display with a wireless HDMI receiver.

As shown inFIG. 5for example, the game controller501communicates with a Bluetooth earphone510and a Bluetooth speaker512. This expands the functionality of the game controller501and improves flexibility and user experience

As used herein, the terms “software game” or “game” refers to a video game or an electronic game that involves human interaction with a user interface to generate visual feedback on a screen or display, a movie, or other video format or programs that can be played and visually presented for a user or player.

As used herein, the terms “display” or “monitor” or “screen” refers to an electronic device for the visual presentation of data or images including but not limited to a VR HMD, an AR display, a TV display or screen and a computer monitor.

As used herein, the terms “memory” refers to any suitable memory that can be used here. It includes non-volatile memory and/or volatile memory. For example, it can include cache memory, Random Access Memory (RAM) and/or Read-Only Memory (ROM) among other types of tangible, non-transitory physical memory. It can also refer to more than one of each type of memory, and in this case, such memories are collectively represented by the memory as stated above.

Although example embodiments have been described above, it would be appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art that the description is merely illustrative rather than limiting. For example, the buttons and other elements shown inFIG. 3do not indicate the actual size and positions of these buttons and elements. It will be appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications and changes may be made from the above description, which will fall within the scope and spirit of the example embodiments.