U.S. Pat. No. 6,524,188

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1 , a game controller in accordance with the present invention is composed of a pad ( 10 ), a monitor ( 20 ) pivotally mounted on the pad ( 10 ), and a sounder (not shown in this figure) assembled inside the pad ( 10 ).

The pad ( 10 ) has two grips ( 11 ) respectively formed at two sides of the pad ( 10 ). Two sets of buttons ( 12 ) are respectively provided on the grips ( 11 ). A user can hold the grips ( 11 ) and press the buttons ( 12 ) to play a game.

A U-like pivot seat ( 13 ) is formed at a front side of the pad ( 10 ) and between the grips ( 11 ). The monitor ( 20 ), in the embodiment being an LCD monitor, is pivotally mounted on the pivot seat ( 13 ).

Referring to FIG. 2 , a control unit is provided in the pad ( 10 ) and includes a controlling circuit ( 14 ), a video processing circuit ( 15 ), and an audio processing circuit ( 16 ) in parallel connected with a game host (not numbered) via an interface ( 17 ).

The controlling circuit ( 14 ) has a logic controlling unit ( 141 ) connected with the game host. An encode/decode device ( 142 ) and an A/D converter ( 143 ) are connected in parallel with the logic controlling unit ( 141 ). The sets of buttons ( 12 ) are connected to output ends of the encode/decode device ( 142 ) and the A/D converter ( 143 ).

The video processing circuit ( 15 ) has a signal dividing circuit ( 151 ) to divide input signals to video signals, controlling signals and synchronous signals. A video signal processing circuit ( 152 ), a controlling signal processing circuit ( 153 ) and a synchronous signal processing circuit ( 154 ) are connected in parallel with an output end of the signal dividing circuit ( 151 ) and respectively used for processing video signals, controlling signals and synchronous signals from the signal dividing circuit ( 151 ). A monitor driving circuit ( 155 ) is connected with respective output ends of the video signal processing circuit ( 152 ), the controlling signal processing circuit ( 153 ) and the synchronous signal processing circuit ( 154 ). The monitor ( 20 ) is connected with an output end of the monitor driving circuit ( 155 ).

The audio processing circuit ( 16 ) has an attenuating unit ( 161 ) and an amplifying circuit ( 162 ) connected in series. An input end of the attenuating unit ( 161 ) is connected to the host via the interface ( 17 ), and an output end of the amplifying circuit ( 162 ) is connected to two speakers ( 18 ) to output stereo sound.

The interface ( 17 ) includes AV input ports for connecting the game controller with the host.

According to the present invention, the monitor ( 20 ) and the sounder combined as an AV device are integrated with the pad ( 10 ) of the game controller, whereby, the game host need not be connected with a TV set. A game player can directly watch the monitor ( 20 ) while holding the grips ( 11 ) to control the game, as shown in FIG. 3 .

Furthermore, because the game controller has the AV input ports provided on the interface ( 17 ), the monitor ( 20 ) is able to display digital AV programs from an external item of equipment such as a VCD or DVD player.

For convenient storage, the monitor ( 20 ) is folded inwards to close the pad ( 10 ), as shown in FIG. 4 , which reduces the size of the game controller, as well as protecting the viewing screen of the monitor ( 20 ).

The LCD monitor ( 20 ) may be a low-radiation type whereby the user is not exposed to possibly harmful radiation otherwise experienced by viewers close to a monitor or TV set.

From the above description, it is noted that the invention has the following advantages:

1. Because the game controller is integrated with the monitor ( 20 ), a user can play games at any location, even without a TV set.

2. Because the low-radiation LCD monitor is pivotally mounted on the pivot seat, it is not only safe for the user, but also is able to be easily adjusted by the user.

It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.