U.S. Pat. No. 6,910,966

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring toFIGS. 1,2aand2b, there is shown a wireless adapter/receiver10according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Adapter10includes a body12, a male plug14on one end for connection to a game controller port70aand/or70bof a game console60(FIG. 6) and an infrared (IR) receiver16opposite plug14. An indicator light18is included for indicating when IR receiver16is receiving an IR transmission from an IR transmitter (discussed with reference to FIG.5).

Adapter10converts the game controller port70aor70bor other communication port of a video game console60into a wireless receiver capable of receiving and inputting control commands into the game console. In accordance with the present invention, the adapter/receiver10receives the wireless signals from the remote control50(FIG. 5) and converts the wireless signals into electrical signals for input into the game console. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the wirelessly transmitted and received control commands are exclusively the commands necessary to control the DVD or other non-game media playing functions of the game console.

According to one embodiment, adapter/receiver10uses one game controller port70aor70bof the game console60(FIG.6). As such, when adapter/receiver10is in its operable position within the game controller port, the used game controller port is no longer available for use with a game controller.

The game console60ofFIG. 7is capable of playing other entertainment media such as DVDs and audio compact discs (e.g., Sony Playstation II®) and also includes various other communication ports such as universal serial bus (USB) ports72aand72b, an IEEE 1394 FireWire™ port74and also includes a PCMCIA slot75for receiving a PCMCIA card. It is contemplated herein that any one of these additional ports or PCMCIA slot may also be used to provide the necessary interface for a wireless controller. For example, one of the two (2) USB ports may be used to connect a wireless adapter that is capable of receiving and providing control data to the game console and thereby control the various game playing and other media playing features associated with the game console. The use of a PCMCIA card adapted to provide a wireless interface with the game console may also be readily implemented in this manner. The FireWire™ port of the game console is a dedicated high bandwidth port that provides an increased capacity data communication port for data streaming into and out of the game console. This port can provide a very fast and reliable communication connection with the game console, and as such, is also a prime candidate for receiving a wireless adapter as suggested by the present invention.

Since the game console is designed to use a game controller as the DVD player controller, the buttons on the game controller corresponding to the DVD player functions have game controller symbols and not DVD player symbols. In this configuration, the user is required to identify the various game controller buttons according to their DVD functions, either through the use of a printed chart, or through navigable menus on the display screen. This is not only inconvenient for the user, but is also confusing. As shown inFIG. 5, the dedicated DVD controller50of the present invention provides the user with a standard type DVD player remote control, where the game controller symbols are no longer visible to the user, and the corresponding buttons for activating DVD player functions are similar, if not identical, to those buttons the user would ordinarily associate with the DVD player functions. The buttons of the dedicated DVD controller50have identifying indicia representative of the corresponding function, in addition to including indicia disposed adjacent the buttons where appropriate. By way of example, these functions include play, pause, on screen display (osd), stop/exit, main menu, DVD menu, confirm/accept/ok, back to previous chapter, skip to next chapter, rewind, fast forward, toggle subtitles, toggle sound options, and a D-pad for use in navigating menus, etc.

In accordance with the present invention, controller50is a wireless infrared transmitter capable of transmitting only those predetermined game controller commands that control the various DVD player functions of the game console. Since the game console can also play audio CDs, those media playing functions may also be controlled by the dedicated remote control50according to the invention. Table 1 represents one embodiment of the button configuration of controller50as they correspond to the game controller buttons (and corresponding button symbols) that would be found on the wired game controller. Those of ordinary skill will recognize that the dedicated DVD controller button designations may be changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

TABLE 1Wired Game ControllerDedicated Wirelessbutton symbolDVD controller buttonStartPlay and PauseSelectOn Screen Display (OSD)X-buttonStop/ExitSquare ButtonMain MenuTriangleDVD MenuCircleConfirm/Accept/OKL1-ButtonBack to Previous ChapterL2-ButtonRewindL3-ButtonToggle SubtitlesR1-ButtonSkip to Next ChapterR2-ButtonFast ForwardR3-ButtonToggle Sound Options‘D’-PadCycle through on screen menus

When wireless adapter/receiver10is inserted into one of the communication ports of the game console, it is configured to receive only DVD player function control signals from controller50and thereby input such commands directly into the game console. Adapter10and controller50are not adapted to be used for any game playing functions of the game console. The power provided to controller50is generally provided by replaceable batteries, and the power needed to operate adapter10is provided either from the game console itself through the communication port, or through replaceable and/or rechargeable batteries.

FIGS. 3,4aand4bshow a wireless adapter30according to a second embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, adapter30includes an additional female game controller port20. As described with reference to the first embodiment, male plug14is inserted into the game controller port of the game console. The added female game controller port20allows the wired game controller (not shown) to be plugged into the adapter while maintaining the IR communication between the adapter and the dedicated DVD controller.

It is to be understood that the use of IR wireless protocol as described herein is only one exemplary embodiment, and those of ordinary skill will recognize that other wireless protocol may be used such as, for example, radio frequencies (RF) as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,849, which is incorporated herein by reference.

The video game console is capable of detecting the type of disc inserted and automatically switch into that operating mode. For example, when a DVD is inserted into the game console, the game console automatically switches to DVD player mode and stands by for input DVD playing control commands from the game controller port. Thus, there is no requirement by the user to set the game console into DVD mode, or otherwise. Upon insertion of a DVD, the dedicated DVD controller of the present invention becomes immediately live and active for use in controlling the DVD functions of the game console.

In a further embodiment of the invention, remote control50will be a universal programmable remote control so that it may also be used to control other specified components of the user's entertainment system. Thus, additional buttons and functions such as volume control, power control, etc. can be added to remote50without departing from the scope of the present invention. Examples of these programmable features can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,008,735, 5,629,868 and 5,410,326, the entire contents of each incorporated herein by reference.FIG. 13shows an example of a universal remote control200having a plurality of buttons and a display screen for aiding in the indication of the current operation mode of the remote control. When the pre-determined code for the dedicated DVD player control of the video game console is selected, the various buttons corresponding to that control mode are activated. Once activated, the universal remote control200can control the dedicated DVD player functions of the video game console.

In addition, it is contemplated that universal remote control200will include both IR and RF transmission capability. In this manner, universal remote200will operate in both IR and/or RF modes depending on the programmed code and the device being controlled.

FIG. 6shows an exemplary game console60that utilizes the dedicated DVD controller according to the present invention. Game console60includes a media drawer66an on/off reset button62, an open/close button64, memory slots68aand68b, game controller ports70aand70b, and other communication ports such as, for example, Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports72aand72b, an IEEE 1394 FireWire™ port74and a PCMCIA slot75.

In accordance with additional embodiments of the invention, memory slots68aand68b, and the other communication ports72a,72b,74and75can also be used to connect the wireless adapter and provide dedicated DVD controls for the game console60.FIGS. 7-12shows the various different embodiments of the wireless adapter of the present invention.

In other contemplated embodiments, console60includes wireless receiver capability through the implementation of IR and/or RF. An IR window63and/or RF antenna65(external or internal) will allow the console60to receive game and/or non-game controls from an outside source. Thus, in this embodiment, the remote control device60or the universal remote control device200need only be programmed for the non-game media playing modes of the game console60and the need for the wireless adapter is eliminated.

FIGS. 7,8aand8bshow an example of a memory slot wireless adapter70having a body72, a male plug end74on one end for connection to one of the memory slots68aand68b, and a female plug end76for receiving a memory card that is otherwise inserted into the memory slot68aor68bwhen adapter70is inserted therein. The IR window16and indicator light18are the same as described previously. In accordance with one embodiment, adapter70includes an RF antenna75for receiving RF wireless signals when IR is not desired, and may also include an internal memory (not shown) that enables it to provide memory functions for the game console via the memory slot which adapter70is connected. Female plug end76is an optional feature that gives the used memory slot back to the user and may be provided depending on the configuration of the adapter70.

FIGS. 9 and 10show an example of a USB wireless adapter90according to another embodiment of the invention. As shown, adapter90includes a housing92, a male USB plug end94and a female USB plug end96for giving the utilized USB port back to the user. According to an RF embodiment, adapter90includes and RF antenna95and associated circuitry for enabling RF communication between the adapter90and the game controller (not shown).

FIGS. 11 and 12show a wireless adapter100according to yet another embodiment of the invention. Adapter100includes a housing102, a male IEEE 1394 FireWire™ plug end94and a female IEEE 1394 FireWire™ plug end106for giving the utilized FireWire™ port to the user. According to an RF embodiment, adapter100includes an RF antenna105and associated circuitry for enabling RF communication between the adapter100and the game controller (not shown).

According to one embodiment, the circuitry contained within adapters10,30,70,90and100is powered by obtaining such power from the console through the respective communication ports. In other embodiments, the adapters can contain their own battery power that can be rechargeable or replaceable batteries.

FIG. 14shows a wireless controller202which can have an IR transmitter204and/or an RF transmitter designated by antenna206. Wireless controller202can provide wireless game control signals to the game console60via the wireless adapter30,70,90and/or100that is used for the dedicated DVD remote control transmitter50or the universal remote control200. In this embodiment, wireless controller202can operate using the same wireless protocol as the dedicated remote control device50or universal remote controller200, or alternatively, can operate using a different wireless protocol as that used in the remote controllers50,200. For example, the remote controllers50,200can use IR to operate with the wireless adapter, while wireless controller202utilizes RF to communicate with the wireless adapter. Those of skill in the art will recognize that other wireless protocols can be implemented without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

While there have been shown, described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.