U.S. Pat. No. 7,754,961

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate several embodiments of the present invention. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and mechanical, compositional, structural, electrical, and operational changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the embodiments of the present invention is defined only by the claims of the issued patent.

FIG. 1is a perspective view of a video game controller in a string instrument-shaped housing, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In this embodiment, the game controller100comprises a guitar-shaped housing102having a cord104for connection with a video game console (not shown). The housing102may come in a variety of shapes, but in this embodiment is styled after the SG® guitar by Gibson USA.

The housing102includes a body portion106, a neck portion108, and a head portion110. The body portion106comprises a pickguard116, a strum interface120, a tremolo arm130, and a pair of control buttons122a-122b. The control buttons122a-122bmay correspond to “Start” and “Select” for controlling the operation of a video game. A pair of strap buttons124may be provided for connection with a strap (not shown) for supporting the controller100from a user's neck. The neck portion108comprises a fretboard interface112including a plurality of fret buttons114(five buttons114are provided in the illustrated embodiment).

Embodiments of the game controller100may be utilized in conjunction with any of a variety of video game systems. In one embodiment, the game controller100is configured for use with the PLAYSTATION 2® video game console by Sony Computer Entertainment America, Inc. In this case, the cord104terminates at standard console connector (not shown) which is removably couplable with a controller port on the PLAYSTATION 2®. Control logic is provided in the game controller100for generating control signals to be transmitted to the video game console in response to detection of a user's interaction with the fretboard interface112, the strum interface120, the control buttons122a-122b, and the tremolo arm130. The connector, the control logic, and the signals transmitted by the game controller100to the game console via the cord104may be defined by standards established by the video game console manufacturer. The video game console, in turn, includes audio and video outputs for connection with a television or other video display. Typically, the display will include both a video display and an audio output, such as speakers. In some cases, the audio output will be provided by a separate sound system.

In contrast with actual guitars, the guitar controller100does not include strings. Instead, the musician's fingering on the fretboard is simulated by the pressing of the fret buttons114and the strumming of the strings is simulated by the strumming of the strum interface120, as will be described in greater detail below.

FIG. 2is an exploded top view of the strum interface120for the game controller100.FIG. 3is an exploded bottom view of the strum interface120.FIG. 4is a perspective view of the strum interface120with the housing102removed.

A portion of the housing102forms a window202which provides access to a strum bar250. The strum bar250comprises a body portion252and a flange portion254which protrudes from the window202. The strum bar250further comprises two pairs of range-limiting flanges256which extend from the body portion252beneath the window202. A compressible pad258is provided on each range-limiting flange256facing the window202. An opening262is provided at each end of the body portion252. A pin230passes through the strum bar250and extends out of each opening262.

An insert222is provided inside of the strum bar250and is secured to the strum bar250using screws224. A liner210comprising a pair of compressible pads212is adhered to the insert222and is slightly compressed between the insert222and the pin230when the pin230is inserted into the strum bar250.

A pair of support brackets232a-232bare mounted onto a printed circuit board (PCB)240. Each bracket232includes a notch236. The notches236correspond with notches206on flanges204on the window202for receiving the ends of the pin230which extend out of the openings262. An upper button234aand a lower button234bare also mounted onto the PCB240adjacent the edges259a-259bof the strum bar250for detecting movement of the strum bar250, as will be described in greater detail below.

FIG. 5is a cross-sectional view of the strum interface120taken along the axis formed by the pin230.FIG. 6is a cross-sectional view of the strum interface120taken along the line A-A inFIG. 5, andFIG. 7is a cross-sectional view of the strum interface120taken along the line B-B inFIG. 5.

The pin230is inserted into the strum bar250so as to allow the strum bar250to rotate about the pin230. As can be seen inFIG. 5, the flange portion254of the strum bar250roughly aligns with the hood portions208of the window202. The hood portions208provide protection for the strum bar250so that if other items are placed on top of the controller100, the hood portions208will prevent the strum bar250from being crushed or broken. At the same time, the flange portion254of the strum bar250remains accessible to the user for strumming during operation.

FIGS. 6 and 7depict the orientation of the strum interface120during typical use when the controller100is placed in front of the user similar to a normal guitar. The up and down directions are shown inFIGS. 6 and 7and described herein for ease of discussion, but it is understood that these directions are relative and the controller100may be operated while being oriented in any direction.

In operation, the controller100will typically be used in conjunction with a compatible video game running on the video game console. This game will generally provide cues to the user to indicate when and how the user should interact with the controller100. For example, the video game software running on the console may cause the display to depict colors and/or shapes to indicate which fret buttons114to hold down while strumming on the strum interface120, and the movement of these colors and/or shapes on the display will indicate the timing of the strumming. Points or other incentives are provided each time the user holds down the appropriate fret button114while strumming on the strum interface120at the appropriate time. The tremolo arm130may be used in combination with the fret buttons114and strum interface120to modulate the sound produced while strumming. Exemplary tremolo arms are described in U.S. patent application entitled, “TREMOLO ARM INPUT FOR A VIDEO GAME CONTROLLER”, by Johnnie Tam and Jamie J. Yang, filed on Apr. 12, 2006, (Ser. No. 11/403,659) the contents of which are incorporated herein in its entirety

In order to strum the strum interface, a user may use his or her hand to strike the upper or lower surface of the flange portion254protruding from the window202, similar to how a musician will strike the strings on a guitar while strumming. Alternatively, the user may flick the flange portion254as if plucking a single string. If a user strikes downward onto the flange portion254, the strum bar250will rotate in the clockwise direction (as shown inFIGS. 6 and 7). As the strum bar250rotates, the bottom edge259bwill press down upon the lower button234b. After the strum bar250has rotated a prescribed distance, a switch in the lower button234bwill be closed, thereby causing the control logic in the controller100to transmit a corresponding signal to the game console indicating that the strum bar120has been strummed.

At the same time that the switch is closed, the lower button234bwill provide a tactile and audible click to provide feedback to the user that the strumming of the strum bar250has been detected. Similarly, if a user strikes upward onto the flange portion254, the strum bar250will rotate so as to cause the upper edge259ato depress the upper button234a. When the strum bar250is rotated by the user, the edge259will apply a compressive force on the button234, while the button234provides a counterforce against the compressive force applied by the user. The tactile feedback to the user may be enhanced by increasing the counterforce provided by the button234as the button234is compressed, and then dramatically reducing the counterforce at the time that the switch is closed and the audible feedback (e.g., a click) is produced. Any of a variety of commercially-available buttons may be used to provide suitable tactile and audible feedback.

The upper and lower buttons234a-234binclude springs which provide the counterforce onto the edge259of the strum bar250. The counterforce from the springs also provide a rebound force to return the buttons234a-234binto the open position after the buttons234a-234bhave been compressed. Accordingly, after the user has ceased applying the striking force onto the strum bar250, the depressed button234awill apply a counterforce onto the corresponding edge259of the strum bar250, thereby causing the strum bar250to return to its default position, as shown inFIGS. 6-7. In the default position, both buttons234a-234bare in the open position and apply balanced forces onto the edges259a-259bof the strum bar250so as to maintain the strum bar250in the default position until the next time the user strikes the flange254.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a pair of rotation-limiting flanges256are provided along the edges of the strum bar250. Compressible pads258are provided on each flange256. When the user strikes the strum bar250, the strum bar250rotates until the pads258of the flanges256contact an edge portion of the window202. The flanges256are positioned on the strum bar250so as to allow the strum bar250to rotate far enough to fully close the buttons234a-234band provide the user with the tactile and audible feedback. However, the flanges256are positioned to stop further rotation after the buttons234a-234bare closed. As a result, the flanges256limit the range of rotation allowed for the strum bar250, thereby preventing damage to the buttons234a-234bcaused by excessive pressure on the buttons234a-234bby the strum bar250, while still maintaining a high level of feedback to the user.

In some embodiments, these compressible pads258are made of a moderately compressible material, such as, e.g., rubber or other polymer. The use of a moderately compressible material may be desirable because when the rotation of the strum bar250is stopped by the flange256, the compressibility of the pad258prevents the user from feeling a harsh and abrupt contact between the flange256and the edge of the window202. At the same time, some firmness is desirable in order to provide some rigidity to the strum bar250and to prevent the strum bar250from feeling overly soft. In other embodiments, it may be desirable to use a highly compressible material, such as ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, in order to gently stop further rotation of the strum bar250. This will provide a different tactile sensation for the user.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a compressible liner is used to prevent undesirable vibrations in the strum bar250during use. As described above, the strum bar250is rotatably mounted onto the pin230so that the strum bar250may rotate up and down about the pin230. The openings262in the strum bar250receive the pin230and will typically be slightly larger in diameter than the pin230so that the strum bar250may rotate freely without excessive friction between the edges of the openings262and the pin230. As a result, the strum bar250may vibrate undesirably during use, causing an undesirable tactile and audible feedback to the user.

As shown inFIGS. 2,3, and6, compressible pads212are provided between the strum bar250and the pin230so as to dampen any vibrations of the strum bar250. In the illustrated embodiment, an insert222is provided inside of the strum bar250, and a pair of compressible pads212are adhered to the insert222to form the liner210. In some embodiments, these compressible pads212are made of a highly compressible material, such as, e.g., EVA foam.

Embodiments of the present invention may provide various advantages not provided by prior art systems. For example, the use of the buttons234and the range-limiting flanges256can provide a user with a gaming experience that effectively simulates the actual strumming of a guitar. The clicking of the buttons234and the rebound force provided by the springs in the buttons234can simulate the snap of a finger plucking a guitar string.

In addition, the use of a metal pin230for supporting the strum bar250can provide additional durability for the controller100. It is not unusual for a video game to be played for hours on end with the user interacting with the controller in an extremely rough fashion. It is important that the controller100be able to survive such severe operational conditions.

Moreover, the use of the compressible pads212to dampen vibrations can advantageously reduce the amount of noise generated by vibrations. This noise can undesirably interfere with the game audio.

While the invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments and illustrative figures, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments or figures described. For example, in the embodiments described above, the controller includes a housing shaped like an electric guitar. In other embodiments, the housing may be provided in the shape of other string instruments, such as an acoustic guitar, banjo, or lute. In addition, the precise shape and size of the strum bar may vary.

Therefore, it should be understood that the invention can be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. The description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It should be understood that the invention can be practiced with modification and alteration and that the invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.