US20080268954A1 - Guitar game apparatus - Google Patents

Guitar game apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
US20080268954A1
US20080268954A1 US11/741,772 US74177207A US2008268954A1 US 20080268954 A1 US20080268954 A1 US 20080268954A1 US 74177207 A US74177207 A US 74177207A US 2008268954 A1 US2008268954 A1 US 2008268954A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
game apparatus
button
guitar
circuit board
printed circuit
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US11/741,772
Inventor
Lai suo Li
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Topway Electrical Appliance Co
Original Assignee
Topway Electrical Appliance Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Topway Electrical Appliance Co filed Critical Topway Electrical Appliance Co
Priority to US11/741,772 priority Critical patent/US20080268954A1/en
Assigned to TOPWAY ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE COMPANY reassignment TOPWAY ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE COMPANY ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: LI, LAI SUO
Publication of US20080268954A1 publication Critical patent/US20080268954A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H5/00—Musical or noise- producing devices for additional toy effects other than acoustical
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
    • A63F13/20—Input arrangements for video game devices
    • A63F13/22—Setup operations, e.g. calibration, key configuration or button assignment
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
    • A63F13/20—Input arrangements for video game devices
    • A63F13/24—Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
    • A63F13/20—Input arrangements for video game devices
    • A63F13/24—Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
    • A63F13/245—Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
    • A63F13/80—Special adaptations for executing a specific game genre or game mode
    • A63F13/814—Musical performances, e.g. by evaluating the player's ability to follow a notation
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H33/00—Other toys
    • A63H33/30—Imitations of miscellaneous apparatus not otherwise provided for, e.g. telephones, weighing-machines, cash-registers
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10H—ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE
    • G10H1/00—Details of electrophonic musical instruments
    • G10H1/32—Constructional details
    • G10H1/34—Switch arrangements, e.g. keyboards or mechanical switches specially adapted for electrophonic musical instruments
    • G10H1/342—Switch arrangements, e.g. keyboards or mechanical switches specially adapted for electrophonic musical instruments for guitar-like instruments with or without strings and with a neck on which switches or string-fret contacts are used to detect the notes being played
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
    • A63F2300/10—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals
    • A63F2300/1043—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals being characterized by constructional details
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
    • A63F2300/10—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals
    • A63F2300/1062—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
    • A63F2300/80—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game specially adapted for executing a specific type of game
    • A63F2300/8047—Music games
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10H—ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE
    • G10H2220/00—Input/output interfacing specifically adapted for electrophonic musical tools or instruments
    • G10H2220/135—Musical aspects of games or videogames; Musical instrument-shaped game input interfaces

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to game apparatuses, and particularly to a guitar game apparatus.
  • a traditional guitar game apparatus includes a head portion, a slim neck portion, and a body. Differences between the guitar game apparatus and a guitar are that the body of the guitar game apparatus needs not define sound hole and assembling strings, but sets a plurality of controlling buttons on the body. The guitar game apparatus produces sounds when the controlling buttons are pressed. However, the controlling buttons are set on the body, which is inconvenient when the players use two hands to play the guitar game apparatus.
  • An exemplary guitar game apparatus includes a neck portion, a printed circuit board, and five controlling buttons.
  • the printed circuit board is mounted to the neck portion and includes five switches.
  • the controlling buttons are electrically connected to the corresponding switches of the printed circuit board with corresponding ends.
  • FIG. 1 is a front view of a guitar game apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the guitar game apparatus includes a neck portion and five controlling buttons;
  • FIG. 2 is an exploded, isometric view of the neck portion and the controlling buttons of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 3 is an isometric view of one of the controlling buttons of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 4 is an assembled view of FIG. 2 , but viewed from another aspect.
  • a guitar game apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a body 1 , a neck portion 2 , and five controlling buttons 3 mounted to the neck portion 2 .
  • the guitar game apparatus is guitar-shaped.
  • the body 1 has a plurality of controlling buttons (not labeled) set thereon.
  • the neck portion 2 includes a cover 20 , and a base 22 .
  • the cover 20 defines five through holes 200 therein.
  • the controlling buttons 3 are mounted to the cover 20 and extend out through the corresponding through holes 200 .
  • Each controlling button 3 has a plurality of fixing parts 30 extending from sides thereof, for engaging with edges of a corresponding through hole 200 to prevent the controlling button 3 from disengaging from the cover 20 .
  • a printed circuit board (PCB) 4 is mounted between the cover 20 and the base 22 .
  • the PCB 4 includes five switches 40 .
  • the controlling buttons 3 are electrically connected to the corresponding switches 40 via conducting resin. When the controlling buttons 3 are pressed, the corresponding switches 40 are triggered.
  • the controlling buttons 3 are in line arranged on the neck portion 2 .
  • a distance between tops of the controlling buttons 3 and a surface of the neck portion 2 is about 4 mm, which fell in with ergonomic and increases visual comfort.
  • the base 22 includes a plurality of shafts 220 extending therefrom to support the PCB 4 , thus to increase a compressive property of the PCB 4 and prevent the PCB 4 from being destroyed when the controlling buttons are pressed.
  • the controlling buttons 3 accomplish different functions.
  • the controlling buttons 3 from top to bottom in turn act as the R2 button, the ⁇ button, the ⁇ button, the X button, and the ⁇ button of a PS handle.
  • the guitar game apparatus may act as a banjo guitar via the five controlling buttons 3 .
  • the controlling buttons 3 are positioned at the corresponding through holes 200 .
  • the PCB 4 is electrically connected to the controlling buttons 3 via conducting resin.
  • the base 22 is attached to the cover 20 to enclose the PCB 4 and parts that is adjacent to the PCB 4 , of the controlling buttons 3 .
  • the base 22 is assembled to the cover 20 through screws (not shown). Thus, the neck portion 2 is formed. Then, the neck portion 2 is assembled to the body 1 .
  • the controlling buttons 3 are set on the neck portion, which is convenient for players to operate the controlling buttons 3 on the neck portion 2 with one hand, and operate the controlling buttons on the body 1 with the other hand.
  • the guitar game apparatus resembles a guitar.

Abstract

A guitar game apparatus includes a neck portion, a printed circuit board, and five controlling buttons. The printed circuit board is mounted to the neck portion and includes five switches. The controlling buttons are electrically connected to the corresponding switches of the printed circuit board.

Description

    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention relates to game apparatuses, and particularly to a guitar game apparatus.
  • Currently, there are many kinds of guitar game apparatus that resemble guitars and have stored sound files that are transmitted by a microcontroller through a speaker to produce sounds that resemble those made by a guitar. The guitar game apparatuses basically work in conjugation with Sony's PS2, Microsoft's X-Box, or other game controlling apparatus. A traditional guitar game apparatus includes a head portion, a slim neck portion, and a body. Differences between the guitar game apparatus and a guitar are that the body of the guitar game apparatus needs not define sound hole and assembling strings, but sets a plurality of controlling buttons on the body. The guitar game apparatus produces sounds when the controlling buttons are pressed. However, the controlling buttons are set on the body, which is inconvenient when the players use two hands to play the guitar game apparatus.
  • What is needed is to provide a guitar game apparatus which is convenient to be operated for players and resembles a guitar.
    • BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • An exemplary guitar game apparatus includes a neck portion, a printed circuit board, and five controlling buttons. The printed circuit board is mounted to the neck portion and includes five switches. The controlling buttons are electrically connected to the corresponding switches of the printed circuit board with corresponding ends.
  • Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • FIG. 1 is a front view of a guitar game apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the guitar game apparatus includes a neck portion and five controlling buttons;
  • FIG. 2 is an exploded, isometric view of the neck portion and the controlling buttons of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is an isometric view of one of the controlling buttons of FIG. 1; and
  • FIG. 4 is an assembled view of FIG. 2, but viewed from another aspect.
    •  DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  • Referring to FIG. 1, a guitar game apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a body 1, a neck portion 2, and five controlling buttons 3 mounted to the neck portion 2. In this embodiment, the guitar game apparatus is guitar-shaped.
  • The body 1 has a plurality of controlling buttons (not labeled) set thereon.
  • Referring also to FIGS. 2-4, the neck portion 2 includes a cover 20, and a base 22. The cover 20 defines five through holes 200 therein. The controlling buttons 3 are mounted to the cover 20 and extend out through the corresponding through holes 200. Each controlling button 3 has a plurality of fixing parts 30 extending from sides thereof, for engaging with edges of a corresponding through hole 200 to prevent the controlling button 3 from disengaging from the cover 20. A printed circuit board (PCB) 4 is mounted between the cover 20 and the base 22. The PCB 4 includes five switches 40. The controlling buttons 3 are electrically connected to the corresponding switches 40 via conducting resin. When the controlling buttons 3 are pressed, the corresponding switches 40 are triggered. The controlling buttons 3 are in line arranged on the neck portion 2. A distance between tops of the controlling buttons 3 and a surface of the neck portion 2 is about 4 mm, which fell in with ergonomic and increases visual comfort. The base 22 includes a plurality of shafts 220 extending therefrom to support the PCB 4, thus to increase a compressive property of the PCB 4 and prevent the PCB 4 from being destroyed when the controlling buttons are pressed.
  • The controlling buttons 3 accomplish different functions. In this embodiment, the controlling buttons 3 from top to bottom in turn act as the R2 button, the ◯ button, the Δ button, the X button, and the □ button of a PS handle. Moreover, the guitar game apparatus may act as a banjo guitar via the five controlling buttons 3.
  • In assembly, the controlling buttons 3 are positioned at the corresponding through holes 200. The PCB 4 is electrically connected to the controlling buttons 3 via conducting resin. The base 22 is attached to the cover 20 to enclose the PCB 4 and parts that is adjacent to the PCB 4, of the controlling buttons 3. The base 22 is assembled to the cover 20 through screws (not shown). Thus, the neck portion 2 is formed. Then, the neck portion 2 is assembled to the body 1.
  • The controlling buttons 3 are set on the neck portion, which is convenient for players to operate the controlling buttons 3 on the neck portion 2 with one hand, and operate the controlling buttons on the body 1 with the other hand. The guitar game apparatus resembles a guitar.
  • It is believed that the present invention and its advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the example hereinbefore described merely being a preferred or exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Claims (5)

1. A guitar game apparatus, comprising:
a neck portion;
a printed circuit board mounted to the neck portion, the printed circuit board comprising five switches; and
five controlling buttons electrically connected to the corresponding switches of the printed circuit board.
2. The guitar game apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the neck portion comprises a cover, and a base mounted to the cover, the cover defines five holes therein for ends opposite to the printed circuit board, of the corresponding controlling buttons, extending through.
3. The guitar game apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the controlling buttons has a plurality of fixing parts extending from sides thereof, for engaging with edges of a corresponding through hole to prevent the controlling button from disengaging from the cover.
4. The guitar game apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the base comprises a plurality of shafts extending therefrom to support the printed circuit board.
5. The guitar game apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the five controlling buttons act as the R2 button, the ◯ button, the Δ button, the X button, and the □ button of a PS handle.
US11/741,772 2007-04-30 2007-04-30 Guitar game apparatus Abandoned US20080268954A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/741,772 US20080268954A1 (en) 2007-04-30 2007-04-30 Guitar game apparatus

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/741,772 US20080268954A1 (en) 2007-04-30 2007-04-30 Guitar game apparatus

Publications (1)

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US20080268954A1 true US20080268954A1 (en) 2008-10-30

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Family Applications (1)

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US11/741,772 Abandoned US20080268954A1 (en) 2007-04-30 2007-04-30 Guitar game apparatus

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Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20090131170A1 (en) * 2007-11-16 2009-05-21 Raymond Yow Control button configuration for guitar-shaped video game controllers
USD723098S1 (en) 2014-03-14 2015-02-24 FretLabs LLC Handheld musical practice device
US8975501B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2015-03-10 FretLabs LLC Handheld musical practice device
US20150097349A1 (en) * 2013-10-08 2015-04-09 Sybil Michelle Johnson Multi-Purpose Toy With Interactive Elements

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4974486A (en) * 1988-09-19 1990-12-04 Wallace Stephen M Electric stringless toy guitar
US5670729A (en) * 1993-06-07 1997-09-23 Virtual Music Entertainment, Inc. Virtual music instrument with a novel input device
US6811491B1 (en) * 1999-10-08 2004-11-02 Gary Levenberg Interactive video game controller adapter
US20070214931A1 (en) * 2006-03-15 2007-09-20 Cosmos Lyles Stringed musical instrument using spring tension
US20070234885A1 (en) * 2006-03-29 2007-10-11 Harmonix Music Systems, Inc. Game controller simulating a musical instrument
US7435178B1 (en) * 2006-04-12 2008-10-14 Activision Publishing, Inc. Tremolo bar input for a video game controller

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4974486A (en) * 1988-09-19 1990-12-04 Wallace Stephen M Electric stringless toy guitar
US5670729A (en) * 1993-06-07 1997-09-23 Virtual Music Entertainment, Inc. Virtual music instrument with a novel input device
US6811491B1 (en) * 1999-10-08 2004-11-02 Gary Levenberg Interactive video game controller adapter
US20070214931A1 (en) * 2006-03-15 2007-09-20 Cosmos Lyles Stringed musical instrument using spring tension
US20070234885A1 (en) * 2006-03-29 2007-10-11 Harmonix Music Systems, Inc. Game controller simulating a musical instrument
US7435178B1 (en) * 2006-04-12 2008-10-14 Activision Publishing, Inc. Tremolo bar input for a video game controller

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20090131170A1 (en) * 2007-11-16 2009-05-21 Raymond Yow Control button configuration for guitar-shaped video game controllers
US8975501B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2015-03-10 FretLabs LLC Handheld musical practice device
US20150097349A1 (en) * 2013-10-08 2015-04-09 Sybil Michelle Johnson Multi-Purpose Toy With Interactive Elements
USD723098S1 (en) 2014-03-14 2015-02-24 FretLabs LLC Handheld musical practice device

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: TOPWAY ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE COMPANY, CHINA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:LI, LAI SUO;REEL/FRAME:019225/0277

Effective date: 20070426

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION