U.S. Pat. No. 8,182,342

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In some embodiments the invention provides guitar shaped game controllers having a removable neck for use with a video game system which includes a game console and display. The guitar shaped game controllers can be used to play one or more video games on the video game system. The guitar shaped controllers can have the same size as a real world acoustic or electric guitar. Given the lengthy body of an acoustic or electric guitar, the guitar controllers modeled thereafter can be difficult to store and package for sale. The long necks in particular can be bulky. Adding a box around the guitar controller for shipping demands even more space. The box can require expensive shelf space in a store.

In comparison, guitar shaped game controllers having removable necks can be far more convenient. The packaging length can be effectively reduced by up to half, which reduces the cost of displaying an item on a store shelf. In the case of failure, a removable neck can easily be replaced. In some cases, users of guitar controllers can swap removable necks from one guitar controller to another. Traveling with a guitar controller having a removable neck is much easier as many methods of transport limit the size of lengthy luggage.

Embodiments of guitar shaped game controllers having removable necks have latching structures that allow a user to attach and remove the neck from the body of the guitar controller. The latching system can include a release arm and retaining arm. The retaining arm can be configured to engage a notch on the neck as the neck is inserted into the body. Once inserted, the neck can be secured to the body by the retaining arm. The release arm can be used to release and remove the neck. Electrical connectors on both the neck and body can allow connection to components in the neck such as fret buttons.

Embodiments of guitar shaped game controllers can have other removable components. For example, the front panel of the guitar or face plate can be removed by the user for customization or other reasons. Other components on the guitar controller can be removable, such as the fret buttons. In this way, the user of the guitar controller can completely tailor the controller to suit the purposes or style of the user.

Embodiments of guitar shaped game controllers having removable necks are used in game play. In conjunction with a game console and display, the guitar controllers can allow a game player or user to simulate playing a real guitar at a particular location and in front of a simulated crowd. Visual indicators provide instruction as to how and when to play certain notes on the guitar. Scoring and crowd feedback indicators provide the user with real time performance information.

FIG. 1is a schematic block diagram of a video game system including a guitar shaped game controller in accordance with aspects of the invention. The video game system includes a guitar shaped game controller100, a game console200and a display300. In operation, the game console provides video game operation based on inputs from the guitar shaped game controller, with video game status displayed on the display.

The game console includes a processor202. The processor is configured to execute a video game by program instructions in a memory208associated with the processor. The video game instructions are normally stored in a game media source204, and transferred to the memory as appropriate, for example, as commanded by the processor. The game console also includes a display interface210and an input interface206. The display interface is configured to receive display related information from the processor, and to provide display data to the display. The input interface206is configured for exchanging information with the guitar shaped game controller100.

The guitar shaped game controller100includes a body114and a removable neck112. The guitar body includes a strum bar106for replicating strumming of a guitar. The body also includes a tremolo arm104for providing whammy effects and select buttons102for providing an input mechanism for game start and other functions. A front face plate110is removably coupled to and substantially covers a front face of the body. As illustrated inFIG. 1, the front face includes cutouts for components of the guitar. The removable neck includes fret buttons113mounted on the front side of the neck. In a common embodiment, the fret buttons each have a different color. As illustrated, the embodiment ofFIG. 1includes five fret buttons; other embodiments may have 3, 4, 6 or other numbers of fret buttons. In one embodiment, components of guitar shaped game controllers are made of plastic or similar materials.

In one embodiment, the guitar shaped game controller is the roughly the same size as a typical electric or acoustic guitar. In another embodiment, the guitar shaped game controller is smaller than a typical electric or acoustic guitar. In other embodiments, the guitar shaped game controller can have other sizes. In some embodiments, the guitar controller has a shape similar to a traditional acoustic guitar. In other embodiments, the guitar controller can have a shape similar to a traditional electric guitar, a banjo or any other guitar like instrument. In the illustrated embodiment, the game console and display have connections to a power source (not shown). In a common embodiment, the guitar shaped game controller receives power from the game console. In other embodiments, the game controller communicates with the game console using wireless communication (e.g. radio frequency, infrared or the like). In such case, the game controller receives power from a conventional or rechargeable battery.

In operation, the game console receives a video game program from a game player or user (not shown) via the game media source. In one embodiment, the game media source is configured to receive a game in a compact disc form factor. In other embodiments, the game media source can accept other media formats. The processor can then load game related information from the game media source into the memory and execute instructions, generally read from the memory, for providing game interaction to the game player by causing display of game information on the game display via the display interface. In one embodiment, the game console causes display of player instructions on the game display indicating how the user can select a venue, character, virtual guitar, hairstyle, band and/or a song to be used in game play. The game console also causes display of player instructions on how to play the selected song. When the user is finished playing the game, the user can store the guitar shaped game controller. As a long neck makes the guitar shaped game controller difficult to store, a user can remove the neck for easy storage.

While the illustrated embodiment shows a single guitar controller, multiple guitar controllers can be connected to the game console. In such case, the game console can allow users to compete against one another, keeping separate score for the different users, or play cooperatively, providing a score common to all users, for example. In one embodiment, one user may play lead guitar, with appropriate instructions for song play displayed, and another user may play bass guitar, also with display of appropriate song instructions. In another embodiment, one user may play guitar while a second user plays another instrument.

FIG. 2illustrates a rear view of a guitar shaped game controller having a removable neck and a latch structure in accordance with aspects of the invention. The guitar shaped game controller includes a neck112aand a body114a. The neck is roughly the shape of a guitar neck and includes a headstock at one end of the neck. The body is roughly the shape of a guitar body. In this regard it should be noted that guitar designers have arrived at a number of designs for guitar bodies, some ergonomically or acoustically useful and some entirely fanciful.

The body includes a cutout or an opening116aabout the top of the body. The body also includes a latch arm118aabout the opening. The body opening is configured to receive an insert portion122aof the neck. The insert portion is disposed at the end of the neck opposite of the headstock and includes an indentation or notch124aand an electrical connector121a. The notch is disposed approximately midway along a side of the insert portion. The electrical connector121ais disposed at the end of the neck opposite of the headstock. The latch arm is configured to releasably engage the notch when the neck is inserted into the opening. The latch arm can retain the insert portion of the neck within the opening of the body. The latch arm can similarly release the neck from the body. In other embodiments, the location of the opening, notch and latch arm can be varied.

The body also includes an electrical connector120ain the opening. As illustrated, the electrical connector120ais at a bottom of the opening and is configured to mate with the corresponding electrical connector121aon the neck. As illustrated, the electrical connector of the neck is disposed at the bottom of the insert portion, although the electrical connectors may be placed in other corresponding positions in various embodiments. Thus, when the neck is coupled to the body, the electrical connector of the neck and the electrical connector of the body are coupled together.

In one embodiment, the neck, instead of the body, includes a latch and the body, instead of the neck, has a notch configured to engage the latch on the neck. In other embodiments, the latch can secure the neck to the body in other ways.

FIG. 3illustrates a perspective rear view of a guitar shaped game controller having a removable neck and a latch structure in accordance with aspects of the invention. The guitar shaped game controller includes a body114band a neck112b. The body includes a latch arm118bfor securing the neck to the body of the controller. In the illustrated embodiment, the neck is fully inserted into the body and secured by the latch arm.

FIG. 4illustrates a perspective bottom view of a portion of a body of a guitar shaped game controller having the back cover removed and a removable neck in accordance with aspects of the invention. The guitar shaped game controller includes a neck112cand a body115c. The neck includes a notch124cfor engaging a latch arm132cof the body. In the illustrated embodiment, the notch takes the form of an arc shaped cutout. In other embodiments, the notch can take other shapes appropriate for receiving a latch arm. The body includes a rectangular shaped opening116cfor receiving the neck, the latch arm132cfor securing the neck to the body using the notch, a multi-position electrical connector120cfor connecting inputs associated with the neck to components in the body and a spring136cfor retaining the latch arm in, or bringing the latch arm to, a default or home position.

The opening, as illustrated, is shaped like a rectangular box with two long sides, a top (the back cover functions as a top but is removed in the illustrated embodiment), a partially open bottom which is configured to receive a portion of a fret board of the neck (seeFIG. 1), and two short sides. One of the two short sides is omitted such that the opening is configured to receive an insert portion of the neck. The multi-position electrical connector is mounted on the other short side of the opening. One of the two long sides includes a cutout portion134cwhich is configured to receive the latch arm132c. The cutout portion is also configured to align with the notch when the neck is fully inserted into the body.

The latch arm132cis coupled to a latch mechanism118c. The latch mechanism includes a latch release119c, a latch cylinder146cand a keyed retaining unit128c. The keyed retaining unit is coupled to the latch release and latch cylinder such that they rotate together about an axis along the center line of the latch cylinder. The keyed retaining unit includes a spring arm130copposite of the latch arm or member132c. In the illustrated embodiment, the spring arm is longer than the latch arm. In other embodiments, the spring arm and latch arm can take different lengths. The spring arm has a u-shape at the end of the arm for attaching to and retaining the spring. The spring is retained by the spring arm on one end and attached to a mounting post within the body on the other end.

In one embodiment, the latch arm has a home or default position such that the latch arm and latch mechanism will return to the home position if the latch arm is free to rotate. In one embodiment, the latch arm extends in part through cutout134cin the home position. Also in the home position, the latch arm can extend in part into the notch when the neck is fully inserted. The neck is secured to the body in the home position when the neck is fully inserted into the body and the notch aligns with the cutout. From the inserted position, the user of the guitar shaped game controller can remove the neck.

To remove the neck, the user applies a force to the latch release to rotate the latch arm and latch mechanism counter clockwise. The force rotates the latch arm away from the cutout and the away from the notch. After a predetermined amount of rotation, the latch arm is fully removed from the notch and the neck can be removed. When the user force has been removed from the latch release, the spring applies a counter force returning the latch arm and latch mechanism to the home or return position.

To attach the neck, the user inserts the neck into the opening. In one embodiment, the neck pushes the latch arm away from the home position and into the body via the cutout134cas the neck is inserted by the user. In another embodiment, the user applies a force to the latch release before inserting the neck. After the neck is fully inserted, the spring provides a clockwise force to the latch mechanism such that the latch arm extends through cutout and into notch to secure the neck to the body when the user releases the latch release. In one embodiment, a clicking sound accompanies and confirms the latching action.

In the illustrated embodiment, the multi-position connector includes eight electrical contacts. These contacts can connect to the fret buttons113(seeFIG. 1). In other embodiments, the multi-position connector can include more than or less than eight contacts and can connect components other than the fret buttons. In one embodiment, the electrical contacts are pins. In another embodiment, the electrical contacts are pogo pins.

In one embodiment, the neck communicates with the body using wireless communication. For example, the neck can have a wireless transmitter that transmits data using any method known in the art (e.g. radio frequency, infrared and the like). In such case, the body can have a wireless receiver configured to receive the data transmitted from the neck. In another embodiment, the neck and body can each have wireless transceivers configured to communicate with each other.

In the illustrated embodiment, the notch124cis an arc shaped cutout. The latch arm is configured to engage with the notch via the cutout in the wall of the body opening. In the illustrated embodiment, the latch arm has a rounded protruding shape which is configured to engage the notch on the neck. In other embodiments, the notch and latch arm can take other appropriate forms to secure the neck to the body.

In the illustrated embodiment, the latch release releases the neck from the body. In other embodiments, other latch mechanisms can be used. For example, a release button can be used instead of a latch release in one embodiment. Other methods of attachment and release can be used in other embodiments.

FIG. 5illustrates a perspective bottom view of a portion of the body of a guitar shaped game controller having the back cover removed and engaged with a removable neck in accordance with aspects of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the insert portion112cof the neck is almost fully inserted into the body115c.

FIG. 6illustrates a perspective bottom view of the insert portion of the removable neck ofFIG. 5in accordance with aspects of the invention. The insert portion of the removable neck112cincludes a multi-position connector126cat an end, a rectangular protrusion138con the sides and a fret board surface140con a top. The multi-position connector126cis configured to couple with the multi-position connecter120cof the body. In the illustrated embodiment, the multi-position connector includes eight electrical contacts. These contacts can connect to the fret buttons113(seeFIG. 1). In other embodiments, the multi-position connector can include more than or less than eight contacts and can connect components other than the fret buttons. In one embodiment, the electrical contacts are receptacles configured to couple with the contacts of the multi-position connector120cof the body. In one embodiment, the receptacles are each configured to receive a pin, such as a pogo pin, for example. In another embodiment, the pins can be located on the neck and the receptacles can be located on the body.

The rectangular protrusions protrude from both sides of the insert portion of the neck. The fret board surface extends beyond the sides of the insert portion of the neck on the top. Together, the rectangular protrusions, extended fret board surface and sides of the insert portion of the neck form a rectangular channel on each side of the insert portion of the neck, similar to the channels on an I-beam. These rectangular channels are configured to receive the sides of the opening116c(seeFIG. 4) of the body.

FIG. 7illustrates an exploded perspective top view of the body of a guitar shaped game controller having a removable neck. The guitar shaped game controller includes a removable neck112dand a body115d. The neck is configured to engage with the body and includes an insert portion122dhaving a notch124d, a rectangular protrusion138dand an extended fret board surface140d. In one embodiment, the structure of the insert portion of the neck is as described above forFIG. 6. In the illustrated embodiment, the notch is located approximately midway along a side of the insert portion. The extended fret board surface is located on the top of the neck and extends from the headstock (not shown) onto the insert portion just past the notch.

The body includes a rectangular opening116dfor receiving the neck, a latch mount opening141dfor receiving a latch structure, retaining walls for resisting rotation of the latch structure past a predetermined point, and a latch structure for securing the neck to the body. The rectangular opening includes a cutout134ddisposed approximately midway along one side of the opening and a multi-position connector120ddisposed at the non-open end of the opening. The latch structure includes a latch cylinder structure145dfor providing a rotating latch release119dto a guitar user, a circlip142dfor securing the latch cylinder structure within the body, a torsion spring144dfor providing a force opposing rotation from a home position, a keyed retaining unit128dfor coupling to the latch cylinder structure and for providing a retaining arm132d, and a spring136dalso for providing a force opposing rotation from a home position. The latch cylinder structure includes the latch release119dand a keyed mounting cylinder146d. The keyed retaining unit includes a spring arm130d, a key retainer131dand the retaining arm132d. The spring arm is configured to attach to the spring. The key retainer is configured to receive and retain the keyed mounting cylinder of the latch cylinder structure.

In one manner of assembly, the latch cylinder structure is inserted through the latch mount opening. The circlip is snapped onto the latch cylinder structure within the body such that it retains the latch cylinder within the body by resisting movement of the cylinder away from the body. The keyed retaining unit then slides onto the keyed mounting cylinder such that the opening on the keyed retaining unit aligns with the key on the mounting cylinder. Once the keyed opening receives and engages the keyed mounting cylinder, the latch cylinder structure and keyed retaining unit are coupled together such that they do not rotate independently of one another. The torsion spring slides onto the keyed mounting cylinder and a mounting unit of the body. The spring can then be attached to the spring arm and a mounting unit on the body.

FIG. 8illustrates a perspective view of a latch cylinder structure in accordance with aspects of the invention. The latch cylinder structure145dincludes a circular top147dfor retaining the latch cylinder structure outside of the latch mount opening (seeFIG. 7), the release arm119d, and the keyed mounting cylinder146d. The keyed mounting cylinder includes a key148dfor coupling the key retainer to the latch cylinder structure, a rectangular key opening149dfor mounting the key, and a slotted opening150dfor engaging the torsion spring. The release arm extends laterally away from the circular top. The keyed mounting cylinder extends perpendicular to the release arm and from the center of the circular body. The key is shaped like a rectangular block having rounded ends. The key slides into the key opening which is disposed approximately midway along the keyed mounting cylinder and is shaped to accommodate a tight fit with the rectangular key. Friction can retain the key within the key opening. In other embodiments, other methods of coupling the latch cylinder structure and the key retainer can be used. The slotted opening is disposed along a diameter line across a circular cross section of the cylinder and extends from the end opposite the circular top to just before the key opening. The slotted opening is configured to receive an end of the torsion ring144d(seeFIG. 7).

FIG. 9illustrates a top perspective view of a keyed retaining unit in accordance with aspects of the invention. The keyed retaining unit128dincludes the spring arm130d, the key retainer131dand the retaining arm132d.

FIG. 10is a bottom perspective view of the keyed retaining unit ofFIG. 9. The keyed retaining unit128dincludes the spring arm130d, the key opening152dand the retaining arm132d. The key shaped opening is configured to allow the key148d(FIG. 8) to pass through the retaining unit while the key retainer131dis configured to retain the key once the keyed mounting cylinder146dpasses through the key opening152dand is twisted slightly with respect to the keyed retaining unit. In this way, the key retainer secures the keyed retaining unit to the keyed mounting cylinder, once the cylinder is inserted and twisted slightly.

Returning now toFIG. 1, the guitar shaped game controller may have components including a removable front face plate110.

FIG. 11illustrates a top view of a detachable face plate for a guitar shaped game controller in accordance with aspects of the invention. The detachable face plate110aincludes a control button cutout176, a neck cutout177, a strum bar cutout178, a tremolo arm cutout180and a select button cutout182. The face plate includes a rounded shoulder portion that includes the neck cutout at a top of the rounded shoulder portion and a bottom portion opposite the neck cutout. The neck cutout provides a rectangular opening in the face plate for the neck and is disposed at roughly the top and center of the shoulder portion.

A portion of the rounded shoulder portion to the left of the neck cutout, or left shoulder portion, includes the control button cutout, which provides a peanut shaped opening in the face plate for control buttons. The strum bar cutout is disposed substantially in the center of the face plate and along a center line of the face plate, where the center line bisects the face plate along the length of the face plate. The strum bar cutout provides a rectangular opening having rounded ends in the face plate for a strum bar. The bottom portion comprises the tremolo arm cutout and select button cutout disposed along the edge of the face plate and convenient for activation by a right hand of a right handed guitar player. The tremolo arm cutout provides a rectangular opening in the face plate for a tremolo arm, and the select button cutout provides a peanut shaped opening in the face plate for the select buttons. In the illustrated embodiment, the tremolo arm cutout is located below the select button cutout with respect to the right handed guitar player.

In one embodiment, the detachable face plates can have different colors, designs, artwork, logos, characters and/or musicians displayed. In this way, a user can customize a guitar controller to suit the individual preferences or style of the user.

FIG. 12illustrates a side view of the detachable face plate shown inFIG. 11. The detachable face plate110aincludes three small retainers184and a large retainer186for securing the face plate to the body (seeFIG. 1). The three small retainers and large retainer can each have a body portion extending roughly perpendicular to a bottom surface of the face plate. At the end of the body portion, each retainer can have a protruding tab substantially parallel to the bottom surface of the face plate. The protruding tabs are configured to engage retaining structures in the body (not shown). In one embodiment, the large retainer structure can be thought of as a hook configured to engage with an opposing hook having a release mechanism.

In one embodiment, a lower portion of the face plate, or portion lower than the center line bisecting the face plate along the center lengthwise axis as the guitar controller is held by a right handed player, can include the small retainers. The large retainer can be disposed on the upper portion of the face plate, where the large retainer is configured to couple with a face plate release (not shown). The face plate release can be disposed on the back side of the body, or side opposite the face plate. In one embodiment, the large retainer and face plate release can be thought of as opposable hooks. When the user engages the face plate release, the large retainer is configured to disengage with the release mechanism hook. With a slight twisting motion, the user can remove the face plate. To attach the face plate, the user engages the small retainers with the body, pivots the face plate from the point of contact with the body and engages the large retainer with the face plate release hook on the body. In other embodiments, other methods of attachment and release for plastic components known in the art can be used. In other embodiments, more than one large retainer can be used and more than or less than three small retainers can be used.

Returning again toFIG. 1, the guitar shaped game controller may have a number of inputs and outputs for controlling game play. These inputs and outputs enable the user to provide instructions to the game console and to respond to instructions provided by the video game executing on the game console.

FIG. 13illustrates a schematic block diagram of a guitar shaped game controller in accordance with aspects of the invention. The guitar shaped game controller160includes a processor162, a strum bar164, a tremolo arm input166, one or more select buttons168, a console interface170, one or more fret buttons172and an accelerometer174. The processor is connected to the strum bar, the tremolo arm input, the one or more select buttons, the console interface, the one or more fret buttons and the accelerometer. The processor can determine input information such as which inputs have been activated and at what time. The processor can provide this input information to the game console via the console interface. The console interface170is configured to connect with the input interface206(FIG. 1) of the game console. In one embodiment, the console interface170is configured to communicate wirelessly with the input interface206. In one embodiment, the accelerometer can be replaced by a generic position sensing input. In another embodiment, the accelerometer is omitted. In one embodiment, the accelerometer senses acceleration in one axis, two axes or three axes. In one embodiment, the select buttons include one or more control buttons.

In operation, the user can use the strum bar, tremolo input, select buttons, accelerometer and fret buttons to provide input or instructions to the game console and to respond to instructions from the game console. To play a note, a user can press one or more fret buttons to specify the particular note as indicated on the display in accordance with the video game being executed on the game console. At the same time a fret button is depressed, the user can strum on the strum bar to play the note. As a particular note is being played, the user can operate the tremolo arm input to bend and/or otherwise change the sound of the particular note. A user can use the select buttons and/or the fret buttons to select game options including a particular song that the user would like to play, the guitarist character to display, the instrument to display, the venue and/or other game options. The accelerometer can provide information to the processor concerning the position and orientation of the guitar controller as the user holds and/or moves the guitar.

FIG. 14illustrates a screen shot of a video game played in conjunction with a guitar shaped game controller in accordance with aspects of the invention. The screen shot302includes a guitarist304, score indicator306, a performance indicator308, a scrolling fret board310, note indicators312and scoring units314. The user can select the character to be depicted as the guitarist and the type of guitar to be played by the guitarist. The guitarist can be moved both in response to movements of the guitar shaped game controller, as detected by the accelerometer, or in response to button combinations by the user at predetermined times related to the video game being played. In some embodiments, the guitarist moves independent of actions the user takes. In one embodiment, the character selected by the user can perform special movements unique to that character. For example, a particular guitarist character can perform a sequence of moves like a guitar solo that is unique to that guitarist.

In operation, the scrolling fret board contains a number of note indicators312that correspond to notes in a song to be played by the user. The note indicators can vary according to color. The color of the notes correspond to the color of the fret buttons on the neck of the game controller. As the notes scroll from the top to the bottom of the screen, visually it may appear to the user that the notes are scrolling towards the user, the user can play the notes by pressing the appropriate fret buttons and strumming on the strum bar when the scrolling notes are located at the same position as the scoring units314. The color of each of the scoring units correspond to both the notes and the fret buttons. For example, the notes in the left most column of scrolling notes can be green. In such case, a user presses the green fret button and strums on the strum bar just as the green note crosses the left most green scoring unit. Points are scored when the user plays one or more notes at the indicated time. The scoring indicator306shows the number of points accumulated by user.

The processor of the game console can keep track of points scored. In one embodiment, the processor keeps a total of the points scored for a particular song and displays it on the display. The processor can also store points for a user's career, or a set of songs. In some embodiments, the processor applies special score multipliers to the users score at particular times and displays the score multipliers on the screen. In one embodiment, the processor applies a score multiplier when the user plays a predetermined number of consecutive notes correctly. The processor can also increase point scoring opportunities for the user at particular times. In one embodiment, the scoring opportunities are increased during a song when the processor displays a special message to the user. In one embodiment, the user responds by moving the guitar controller to a predetermined position or in a predetermined manner. For example, the user can place the guitar in an upright position in one embodiment, or move it rapidly in another embodiment. In either such case, the processor affords the user more points than during other modes of play.

In addition to the points scored, a user can get both aural and visual feedback from the crowd based on how well the user is playing the notes in a song. In the event that the user is not playing the notes at all or playing at the indicated time, the crowd feedback can be negative. The negative feedback can accumulate to the extent that game play at a particular venue is stopped and the guitarist is effectively booed off of the stage. In the event that the user is hitting each note at the indicated timing, the crowd feedback can be positive. In either case, the performance indicator or “Rock Meter” can display the level of crowd feedback to the user. The right most position on the performance indicator or gauge can be colored green for very positive feedback and the left most position can be colored red for very negative feedback. The game display can further include the crowd, a stage, the band members other than the “lead” guitarist and any other things that are common to a stage at a rock concert or similar event. In a two player game, two guitarists can be displayed. In one embodiment, one guitarist plays the lead guitar and one guitarist plays bass guitar.

Accordingly, the invention provides for a guitar shaped game controlled having a removable neck. Although the invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it should be recognized that the invention may be practiced other than as specifically discussed, and the invention comprises the claims and their insubstantial variations supported by this disclosure.