Dedicated wireless digital video disc (DVD) controller for video game consoles

[0002] This application is a Continuation-in-Part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/544,231 filed Apr. 7, 2000.

[0003] 1. Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates to console video gaming systems, and more particularly, to a wireless digital video disc (DVD) controller and interface for console video gaming systems capable of playing DVDs.

[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0006] The new age of console video game systems now includes an additional feature of playing digital video discs (DVDs). “DVD” may also be used to describe digital versatile discs, which include digital video discs. This feature gives the console game system a dual function of playing video games and DVD's at the user's choice. Thus, the video game console capable of playing DVDs can now be integrated into a home entertainment system for more than just video game playing. One example of such console video game system is the SONY PLAYSTATION® II which is expected to be available in the U.S. retail market later this year. It is also believed that other manufacturers will incorporate this dual function ability in the near future.

[0007] The above example of a console video game system (SONY PLAYSTATION® II) includes two game controller ports for receiving two game controllers for use in operating the games. In addition, the DVD functions of the SONY PLAYSTATION® II are also controlled through the use of one of the two game controllers (e.g., controller No. 1). Various buttons on the game controller can be used to control various playing features of the DVD being viewed.

[0008] Generally, the game console with wired controllers is proximate to the television it is connected to. Thus, the primary drawback to the game console that can play DVDs is that the game controller must be plugged into the game console in order to control the DVD functions. Thus, the wired “remote” control (i.e., game controller) for the DVD functions of the game console is a significant limitation on the user's ability to sit back and enjoy a DVD without either having the game console with wired “remote” near the sitting area for viewing the television, or being required to get up each time a DVD player control function is desired. This is especially a drawback when the video game console is connected to, and is part of the user's audio/video entertainment system.

[0009] A wireless game controller such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,605,505 may be implemented to eliminate this problem of a wired controller, however, the button designations of the wireless game controller will not necessarily correspond with that of the wired controller for this system, nor will they correspond in function or position with the designated control functions of the DVD player. As such, the user is required to learn the game controller button symbols and/or letters that control the various functions of the DVD player of the device.

[0010] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an accessory item that provides a wireless controller dedicated to control the DVD features of a video gaming console capable playing DVD discs.

[0011] It is another object of the invention to provide a dedicated wireless DVD controller for a video gaming console that doesn't require additional menus or button association by the user.

[0012] These and other objects are achieved in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention in which a wireless adapter (interface) receiver is insertable into one of the game controller or communication ports of the game console and a dedicated DVD remote control transmitter having a plurality of DVD player function control buttons wirelessly transmits the selected DVD player control function to the wireless interface receiver. The wireless interface receiver inputs the received DVD player control functions to the game console via the connected game controller or communication port and thereby enables remote wireless control of the DVD player .functions of the game console.

[0013] Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims.

[0014] In the drawings wherein like reference numerals denote similar elements throughout the views:

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the wireless adapter device according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0016] FIG. 2ais a front view of the wireless adapter device according to the first embodiment of the invention;

[0017] FIG. 2bis a rear view of the wireless adapter device according to the first embodiment of the invention;

[0018] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the game console wireless adapter device according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0019] FIG. 4ais a front view of the wireless adapter device according to the second embodiment of the invention;

[0020] FIG. 4bis a rear view of the wireless adapter device according to the second embodiment of the invention;

[0021] FIG. 5 is an embodiment of the dedicated wireless DVD controller for use with the game console wireless adapter according to the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 6 is a diagram of an exemplary game console that utilizes the dedicated DVD controller of the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the game console wireless adapter device according to a third embodiment of the invention;

[0024] FIG. 8ais a front view of the wireless adapter device according to the third embodiment of the invention;

[0025] FIG. 8bis a rear view of the wireless adapter device according to the third embodiment of the invention;

[0026] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the game console wireless adapter device according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;

[0027] FIG. 10 is a front view of the wireless adapter device according to the fourth embodiment of the invention;

[0028] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the game console wireless adapter device according to a fifth embodiment of the invention;

[0029] FIG. 12 is a front view of the wireless adapter device according to the fifth embodiment of the invention; and

[0030] FIG. 13 is a top view of a universal remote control having the dedicated DVD control functions of the present invention.

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2aand 2b, there is shown a wireless adapter/receiver 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Adapter 10 includes a body 12, a male plug 14 on one end for connection to a game controller port 70aand/or 70bof a game console 60 (FIG. 6) and an infra (IR) receiver 16 opposite plug 14. An indicator light 18 is included for indicating when IR receiver 16 is receiving an IR transmission from an IR transmitter (discussed with reference to FIG. 5).

[0032] Adapter 10 converts the game controller port 70aor 70bor other communication port of a video game console 60 into a wireless receiver capable of receiving and inputting control commands into the game console. In accordance with the present invention, the adapter/receiver 10 receives the wireless signals from the remote control 50 (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 functions of the game console. . According to one embodiment, adapter/receiver 10 uses one game controller port 70aor 70bof the game console 60 (FIG. 6). As such, when adapter/receiver 10 is in its operable position within the game controller port, the used game controller port is no longer available for use with a game controller.

[0033] The game console 60 of FIG. 6 is capable of playing other entertainment media such as DVDs and audio compact discs (e.g., SONY PLAYSTATION® II) and also includes various other external ports such as universal serial bus (USB) ports 72aand 72b, an IEEE 1394 FireWire™ port 74 and also includes a PCMCIA slot 75 for 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 adaptor as suggested by the present invention.

[0034] Since the game console is designed to use a game controller as the DVD 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 in FIG. 5, the dedicated DVD controller 50 of 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 controller 50 have 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.

[0035] In accordance with the present invention, controller 50 is a wireless in 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 control 50 according to the invention. Table 1 represents one embodiment of the button configuration of controller 50 as 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.

[0036] When wireless adapter/receiver 10 is inserted into one of the communication ports of the game console, it is configured to receive only DVD player function control signals from controller 50, and thereby input such commands directly into the game console. Adapter 10 and controller 50 are not adapted to be used for any game playing functions of the game console. The power provided to controller 50 is generally provided by replaceable batteries, and the power needed to operate adapter 10 is provided either from the game console itself through the communication port, or through replaceable batteries as well.

[0037] FIGS. 3, 4aand 4bshow a wireless adapter 30 according to a second embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, adapter 30 includes an additional female game controller port 20. As described with reference to the first embodiment, male plug 14 is inserted into the game controller port of the game console. The added female game controller port 20 allows 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] In a further embodiment of the invention, remote control 50 will 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 remote 50 without 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. 13 shows an example of a universal remote control 200 having 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 control of the video game console is selected, the various buttons corresponding to that control mode are activated. Once activated, the universal remote control 200 can control the dedicated DVD functions of the video game console.

[0041] FIG. 6 shows. an exemplary game console 60 that utilizes the dedicated DVD controller according to the present invention. Game console 60 includes a media drawer 66, an on/off reset button 62, an open/close button 64, memory slots 68aand 68b, game controller ports 70aand 70b, and other communication ports such as, for example, Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports 72aand 72b, an IEEE 1394 FireWire™ port 74 and a PCMCIA slot 75.

[0042] In accordance with additional embodiments of the invention, memory slots 68aand 68b, and the other communication ports 72a, 72b, 74 and 75 can also be used to connect the wireless adapter and provide dedicated DVD controls for the game console 60. FIGS. 7-12 shows the various different embodiments of the wireless adapter of the present invention.

[0043] FIGS. 7, 8aand 8bshow an example of a memory slot wireless adaptor 70 having a body 72, a male plug end 74 on one end for connection to one of the memory slots 68aand 68b, and a female plug end 76 for receiving a memory card that is otherwise inserted into the memory slot 68aor 68bwhen adapter 70 is inserted therein. The IR window 16 and indicator light 18 are the same as described previously. In accordance with one embodiment, adapter 70 includes an RF antenna 77 for 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 adapter 70 is connected. Female plug end 76 is an optional feature that gives the used memory back to the user and may be provided depending on the configuration of the adapter 70.

[0044] FIGS. 9 and 10 show an example of a USB wireless adapter 90 according to another embodiment of the invention. As shown, adapter 90 includes a housing 92, a male USB plug end 94 and a female USB plug end 96 for giving the utilized USB port back to the user. According to an RF embodiment, adapter 90 includes and RF antenna 95 and associated circuitry for enabling RF communication between the adapter 90 and the game controller (not shown).

[0045] FIGS. 11 and 12 show a wireless adapter 100 according to yet another embodiment of the invention. Adapter 100 includes a housing 102, a male IEEE 1394 FireWire™ plug end 94 and a female IEEE 1394 FireWire™ plug end 106 for giving the utilized FireWire™ port to the user. According to an RF embodiment, adapter 100 includes an RF antenna 105 and associated circuitry for enabling RF communication between the adapter 100 and the game controller (not shown).

[0046] While there have shown and 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.