WO1997028864A1 - Remote control wand for computer video game interaction - Google Patents

Remote control wand for computer video game interaction Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1997028864A1
WO1997028864A1 PCT/US1997/001811 US9701811W WO9728864A1 WO 1997028864 A1 WO1997028864 A1 WO 1997028864A1 US 9701811 W US9701811 W US 9701811W WO 9728864 A1 WO9728864 A1 WO 9728864A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
wand
computer
remote control
infrared
pad
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1997/001811
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Andrew Rifkin
Original Assignee
Mattel, Inc.
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 Mattel, Inc. filed Critical Mattel, Inc.
Priority to KR1019980705056A priority Critical patent/KR100532807B1/en
Priority to AU21173/97A priority patent/AU2117397A/en
Publication of WO1997028864A1 publication Critical patent/WO1997028864A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • A63F9/00—Games not otherwise provided for
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/033—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor
    • G06F3/0346—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to computer systems and particularly to apparatus for playing video computer games.
  • PCs personal computers
  • a processor unit typically supporting one or more disk drives and CD-ROM disk inputs for assimilating information together with a keyboard for user inputs and a monitor for display.
  • the latter is typically a cathode ray tube display device similar to a television display.
  • the keyboard is similar to a conventional typing keyboard with additional keys or command input provided.
  • most PC's also provide a mouse input which couples to a small input device rested upon a mouse pad or other convenient surface.
  • a typical computer mouse includes a generally curved oval device having a flat underside resting upon the mouse pad.
  • a rotatable ball supported within a trackball assembly is interposed between the mouse undersurface and mouse pad such that movements of the mouse across the mouse pad causes rotation of the trackball in turn providing data to be communicated to the computer processor.
  • the typical mouse further includes a pair of depressible "click" switches or buttons which are actuated by the user's fingers. In its typical application, the mouse cooperates with the processor system in manipulating a movable pointer or cursor upon the display to various elements of the displayed image which may then be selected or otherwise manipulated by pressing one or more of the click switch buttons.
  • the device has substantially improved the friendliness and user interface of computer systems when coupled with powerful software to present the user with simplified operation in the form of "point and click" manipulation of the mouse and on-screen pointer.
  • software systems are operative to translate the combinations of trackball signals in response to mouse movement and the manipulation of the click switches to the necessary commands for operating the system.
  • a relatively new improvement in such computer mouse design utilizes a cordless mouse which communicates with the computer processor via an infrared or IR transmission link.
  • a mouse-type unit having a plurality of depressible buttons supports an infrared transmitter together with appropriate circuitry for encoding the various switch actuation combinations to data which may be transmitted from the infrared transmitter to a receiver coupled to the computer processor.
  • the infrared transmitted data is received and converted to appropriately formatted data which may be utilized by the processor via its mouse input.
  • a standard four button D pad is provided for actuation by the user. Manipulating the D pad buttons actuates corresponding D pad switches to provide information generally referred to as "clicks".
  • the clicks provided by the four D pad switches correspond in various combinations to the type of information communicated to the processor via trackball movement and click switch actuation of a conventional mouse.
  • information is communicated at a second level in the form of "double clicks" which are differently interpreted by the processor.
  • Such remote mouse devices have proven to be an amusing and entertaining device for computer users. Of particular interest is the use of such remote mouse devices in the playing of computer games. The ability of the player to be distanced from the computer while using the remote mouse has proven to be an enhancement of the game play effect on many occasions.
  • a remote control wand comprising: a housing; a keypad having user depressible keys supported by the housing; a transmitter coupled to the keypad for receiving input commands in the form of depressed ones of the keys and for transmitting an encoded signal to the remote control receiver; and a movement actuated switch in the housing coupled to the transmitter providing an input signal thereto in response to movement of the housing.
  • Figure 1 sets forth a block diagram of a remote control wand constructed in accordance with the present invention
  • Figure 2 sets forth a top view of the present invention remote control wand
  • Figure 3 sets forth a side view of the present invention remote control wand.
  • FIG. 1 sets forth a block diagram of a remote control wand for computer video game interaction generally referenced by numeral 10.
  • wand 10 is shown enclosed within a dashed- line border within which a conventional D pad switching apparatus 11 is supported.
  • D pad 11 is constructed entirely in accordance with conventional fabrication techniques and includes a quartet of D switches 12, 13, 14 and 15.
  • D pad 11 is coupled to an infrared transmitting circuit 17 which includes conventional apparatus for converting the switch combination input from D pad 11 to a suitably encoded and formatted infrared light energy beam referenced by numeral 18.
  • the combination of D pad 11 and infrared transmitter 17 may be fabricated entirely in accordance with conventional fabrication techniques and is operative to communicate data from user inputs in the form of various combinations of switch actuation of D pad 11 to a computer such as computer 20.
  • Computer 20 includes an infrared receiver 21 coupled thereto by a coupling 22.
  • the combination of computer 20 and infrared receiver 21 together with coupling 22 may be fabricated in accordance with conventional fabrication techniques.
  • infrared beam 18 is received by infrared receiver 21 a conversion is performed upon the encoded infrared data to provide a correspondingly formatted and encoded data stream which is coupled to computer 20 for processing in the above- described manner.
  • wand 10 further includes a G switch 16 having a momentum responsive switch mechanism which unlike D pad 11 responds solely to rapid movement of wand 10.
  • G switch 16 is not directly accessible by the user as is the case for switches 12 through 15 but rather is solely actuated in an indirect manner by the user in rapidly moving or abruptly stopping the motion of wand 10.
  • G switch 16 is operatively coupled to transmitter 17 such that actuation of G switch 16 provides a "double click" input to transmitter 17.
  • transmitter 17 provides an appropriately encoded data segment for application to infrared beam 18 which corresponds to a double click signal input.
  • remote control wand In the preferred operation of the present invention remote control wand, the user is able to hold wand 10 at an appropriate distance from infrared receiver 21 and computer 20 and using D pad 11 manipulate the operation of computer 20 by providing various input controls.
  • This interaction between wand 10 and computer 20 is substantially conventional and carried forward in the same general manner as conventional infrared remote mouse activities.
  • the user is also able to exercise a physical movement of wand 10 to activate G switch 16 and produce a double click output signal.
  • remote control wand the user in playing a computer game is able to manipulate the computer game using D pad switches 12 through 15 and in a "magical" interaction is able to wave or flick the wand to actuate G switch 16. This action results in a double-click input and in accordance with the game play software within computer 20 a dramatic change in the display.
  • the child user may flick wand 10 in the manner characteristic of a magic wand and observe a dramatic change such as disappearance of an image from the display of computer 20.
  • FIG 2 sets forth a top view of a remote control wand for computer video game interaction constructed in accordance with the present invention and generally referenced by numeral 30.
  • Remote control wand 30 is fabricated in a fanciful manner to provide an appearance generally suggestive of a magic wand. It will be apparent, however, that other fanciful appearances may be utilized for the present invention remote control wand.
  • Remote control wand 30 includes a handle 31 coupled to a D pad 32.
  • Wand 30 further includes an elongated shaft 40 extending from handle 31 and terminating in a star-shaped head 41. Head 41 may include one or more infrared sending units 42 or 43 (the latter seen in Figure 3) on either side thereof.
  • an infrared sending unit may be positioned on the lower surface of D pad 32 such as shown by unit 44 in Figure 3.
  • D pad 32 includes a plurality of D pad buttons 33, 34, 35 and 36 which are depressible to operate D pad switches 12 through 15 respectively (seen in Figure 1) .
  • An infrared transmitter 17 is shown in dashed-line representation and is preferably supported within remote control wand 30. In accordance with conventional fabrication techniques, transmitter 17 is operatively coupled to the infrared senders such as sender 40 and D pad 32 to provide the above-described operation.
  • wand 30 further includes a G switch 16 shown in dashed-line representation which is operatively coupled to infrared transmitter 17 in the above-described relationship.
  • Figure 3 sets forth a side elevation view of remote control wand 30 having a handle 31 supporting a D pad 32, a shaft 40 and a head 41.
  • wand 30 supports one or more infrared sending units such as infrared senders 42, 43 or 44 alone or in combination as desired.
  • D pad 32 includes a plurality of depressible buttons such as buttons 33 and 34.
  • Infrared transmitter 17 and G switch 16 are supported within wand 30 as shown by dashed-line representation.
  • the user grasps handle 31 and utilizes various combinations of D pad 32 to produce the desired commands which are communicated to the computer in the form of infrared coded data as described above.
  • the user then waves or snaps wand 30 to actuate G switch 16 and produce a double click encoded signal which is also communicated to the computer.
  • the communication protocol utilized by wand 30 may be carried forward using a variety of conventional protocols.
  • the present invention remote control wand utilizes the following protocol.
  • Wand 30 uses a three-byte/two-button protocol in which serial data is transmitted at 1200 baud, 7 bits, no parity, 1 stop bit. Data is transmitted only when a change of state of a button, or continuously when a D pad switch is activated.
  • the data is arranged as follows:
  • DO YO XO through X7 change in X position.
  • YO through Y7 change in Y position.
  • the wand produces two speeds when the D pad switches are activated.
  • the value of X or Y is normally +-2. If button 3 (speed) is depressed, the value changes to +-5.
  • One X and one Y switch may be active at the same time.
  • the wand left and right switches active once per state change, ie.
  • the button down code will be sent once when the switch is pressed, and once when the switch is released. If a D pad switch is active, the actual state of the left and right buttons are transmitted.
  • the wand also contains a "G" switch which causes a double click message to be sent in the form of left button down, left button up, delay left button down, left button up.
  • Cursor movement is suspended during the double click transmission.
  • a remote control wand for computer video game interaction which utilizes a remote controlled infrared coupled D pad and transmitter combination together with a gravity or momentum actuated G switch to provide a novel play characteristic in which the user simply waves or flicks the wand in order to produce a dramatic effect at the game play computer.

Abstract

An infrared coupled remote computer mouse is supported within an elongated wand-like housing (30) having a plurality of D pad switches and an infrared transmitting mechanism (17). The computer includes an infrared receiver for receiving and converting the infrared transmitted signals from the mouse. An additional gravity or momentum actuated switch (16) is provided in combination with the conventional D pad to facilitate a double click signal output from the wand each time the wand is rapidly moved or flicked to provide a 'magical' reaction in the computer video game being played.

Description

REMOTE CONTROL WAND FOR COMPUTER VIDEO GAME INTERACTION
SPECIFICATION
Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to computer systems and particularly to apparatus for playing video computer games.
Background of the Invention
Computer systems have developed with astounding sophistication in recent years to the point where so- called personal computers or "PCs" have developed into extremely powerful and sophisticated computers. While the fabrication of such computers has enjoyed some variation, generally all possess the same basic elements which include a processor unit typically supporting one or more disk drives and CD-ROM disk inputs for assimilating information together with a keyboard for user inputs and a monitor for display. The latter is typically a cathode ray tube display device similar to a television display. The keyboard is similar to a conventional typing keyboard with additional keys or command input provided. In addition to the basic computing system, most PC's also provide a mouse input which couples to a small input device rested upon a mouse pad or other convenient surface. A typical computer mouse includes a generally curved oval device having a flat underside resting upon the mouse pad. A rotatable ball supported within a trackball assembly is interposed between the mouse undersurface and mouse pad such that movements of the mouse across the mouse pad causes rotation of the trackball in turn providing data to be communicated to the computer processor. The typical mouse further includes a pair of depressible "click" switches or buttons which are actuated by the user's fingers. In its typical application, the mouse cooperates with the processor system in manipulating a movable pointer or cursor upon the display to various elements of the displayed image which may then be selected or otherwise manipulated by pressing one or more of the click switch buttons. The device has substantially improved the friendliness and user interface of computer systems when coupled with powerful software to present the user with simplified operation in the form of "point and click" manipulation of the mouse and on-screen pointer. Within the processor, software systems are operative to translate the combinations of trackball signals in response to mouse movement and the manipulation of the click switches to the necessary commands for operating the system.
A relatively new improvement in such computer mouse design utilizes a cordless mouse which communicates with the computer processor via an infrared or IR transmission link. In such a system, a mouse-type unit having a plurality of depressible buttons supports an infrared transmitter together with appropriate circuitry for encoding the various switch actuation combinations to data which may be transmitted from the infrared transmitter to a receiver coupled to the computer processor. At the receiver, the infrared transmitted data is received and converted to appropriately formatted data which may be utilized by the processor via its mouse input. In a typical remote mouse apparatus, a standard four button D pad is provided for actuation by the user. Manipulating the D pad buttons actuates corresponding D pad switches to provide information generally referred to as "clicks". Generally speaking, the clicks provided by the four D pad switches correspond in various combinations to the type of information communicated to the processor via trackball movement and click switch actuation of a conventional mouse. In addition, information is communicated at a second level in the form of "double clicks" which are differently interpreted by the processor.
Such remote mouse devices have proven to be an amusing and entertaining device for computer users. Of particular interest is the use of such remote mouse devices in the playing of computer games. The ability of the player to be distanced from the computer while using the remote mouse has proven to be an enhancement of the game play effect on many occasions.
Despite the improvement of such remote mouses, there remains nonetheless a continuing need in the art for evermore amusing, entertaining and useful input devices for use in playing computer games.
Summary of the Invention
Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved remote control wand for computer video game interaction. It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide an improved remote control wand for computer video game interaction which facilitates a dramatic game play association between operation of the remote control wand and the computer game.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided for use in combination with a computer having a remote control receiver, a remote control wand comprising: a housing; a keypad having user depressible keys supported by the housing; a transmitter coupled to the keypad for receiving input commands in the form of depressed ones of the keys and for transmitting an encoded signal to the remote control receiver; and a movement actuated switch in the housing coupled to the transmitter providing an input signal thereto in response to movement of the housing.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements and in which:
Figure 1 sets forth a block diagram of a remote control wand constructed in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 sets forth a top view of the present invention remote control wand; and
Figure 3 sets forth a side view of the present invention remote control wand.
Description of the Preferred Embodiment
Figure 1 sets forth a block diagram of a remote control wand for computer video game interaction generally referenced by numeral 10. For purposes of illustration, wand 10 is shown enclosed within a dashed- line border within which a conventional D pad switching apparatus 11 is supported. D pad 11 is constructed entirely in accordance with conventional fabrication techniques and includes a quartet of D switches 12, 13, 14 and 15. D pad 11 is coupled to an infrared transmitting circuit 17 which includes conventional apparatus for converting the switch combination input from D pad 11 to a suitably encoded and formatted infrared light energy beam referenced by numeral 18. The combination of D pad 11 and infrared transmitter 17 may be fabricated entirely in accordance with conventional fabrication techniques and is operative to communicate data from user inputs in the form of various combinations of switch actuation of D pad 11 to a computer such as computer 20. Computer 20 includes an infrared receiver 21 coupled thereto by a coupling 22. The combination of computer 20 and infrared receiver 21 together with coupling 22 may be fabricated in accordance with conventional fabrication techniques. As infrared beam 18 is received by infrared receiver 21, a conversion is performed upon the encoded infrared data to provide a correspondingly formatted and encoded data stream which is coupled to computer 20 for processing in the above- described manner.
In accordance with the present invention, wand 10 further includes a G switch 16 having a momentum responsive switch mechanism which unlike D pad 11 responds solely to rapid movement of wand 10. Thus, G switch 16 is not directly accessible by the user as is the case for switches 12 through 15 but rather is solely actuated in an indirect manner by the user in rapidly moving or abruptly stopping the motion of wand 10. G switch 16 is operatively coupled to transmitter 17 such that actuation of G switch 16 provides a "double click" input to transmitter 17. When G switch 16 is actuated, transmitter 17 provides an appropriately encoded data segment for application to infrared beam 18 which corresponds to a double click signal input.
In the preferred operation of the present invention remote control wand, the user is able to hold wand 10 at an appropriate distance from infrared receiver 21 and computer 20 and using D pad 11 manipulate the operation of computer 20 by providing various input controls. This interaction between wand 10 and computer 20 is substantially conventional and carried forward in the same general manner as conventional infrared remote mouse activities.
In addition, however, and in accordance with an important aspect of the present invention, the user is also able to exercise a physical movement of wand 10 to activate G switch 16 and produce a double click output signal. In the anticipated use of the present invention remote control wand, the user in playing a computer game is able to manipulate the computer game using D pad switches 12 through 15 and in a "magical" interaction is able to wave or flick the wand to actuate G switch 16. This action results in a double-click input and in accordance with the game play software within computer 20 a dramatic change in the display. Thus, for example, the child user may flick wand 10 in the manner characteristic of a magic wand and observe a dramatic change such as disappearance of an image from the display of computer 20.
Figure 2 sets forth a top view of a remote control wand for computer video game interaction constructed in accordance with the present invention and generally referenced by numeral 30. Remote control wand 30 is fabricated in a fanciful manner to provide an appearance generally suggestive of a magic wand. It will be apparent, however, that other fanciful appearances may be utilized for the present invention remote control wand. Remote control wand 30 includes a handle 31 coupled to a D pad 32. Wand 30 further includes an elongated shaft 40 extending from handle 31 and terminating in a star-shaped head 41. Head 41 may include one or more infrared sending units 42 or 43 (the latter seen in Figure 3) on either side thereof. Alternatively, an infrared sending unit may be positioned on the lower surface of D pad 32 such as shown by unit 44 in Figure 3. D pad 32 includes a plurality of D pad buttons 33, 34, 35 and 36 which are depressible to operate D pad switches 12 through 15 respectively (seen in Figure 1) . An infrared transmitter 17 is shown in dashed-line representation and is preferably supported within remote control wand 30. In accordance with conventional fabrication techniques, transmitter 17 is operatively coupled to the infrared senders such as sender 40 and D pad 32 to provide the above-described operation. In accordance with the present invention, wand 30 further includes a G switch 16 shown in dashed-line representation which is operatively coupled to infrared transmitter 17 in the above-described relationship.
Figure 3 sets forth a side elevation view of remote control wand 30 having a handle 31 supporting a D pad 32, a shaft 40 and a head 41. As is described above, wand 30 supports one or more infrared sending units such as infrared senders 42, 43 or 44 alone or in combination as desired. As is also described above, D pad 32 includes a plurality of depressible buttons such as buttons 33 and 34. Infrared transmitter 17 and G switch 16 are supported within wand 30 as shown by dashed-line representation. Once again, it will be understood that appropriate electrical connection (not shown) utilizing conventional wiring techniques or their equivalents operatively couples D pad 32, G switch 16, infrared transmitter 17, and the plurality or selected one of infrared senders 42, 43 or 44. In operation, the user grasps handle 31 and utilizes various combinations of D pad 32 to produce the desired commands which are communicated to the computer in the form of infrared coded data as described above. In addition and in further accordance with the present invention, the user then waves or snaps wand 30 to actuate G switch 16 and produce a double click encoded signal which is also communicated to the computer.
The communication protocol utilized by wand 30 may be carried forward using a variety of conventional protocols. For purposes of illustration, the present invention remote control wand utilizes the following protocol.
Wand 30 uses a three-byte/two-button protocol in which serial data is transmitted at 1200 baud, 7 bits, no parity, 1 stop bit. Data is transmitted only when a change of state of a button, or continuously when a D pad switch is activated. The data is arranged as follows:
Bvte 1
D7 Not used
D6 Logical 1 (identifies byte 1)
D5 Left Switch Button: 1 = On
D4 Right Switch Button: 1 = On
D3 Y7
D2 Y6
DI X7
DO X6
Bvte 2
D7 Not used
D6 Logical 0
D5 X5
D4 X4
D3 X3
D2 X2
DI XI
DO X0 Byte 3
D7 Not used
D6 Logical 0
D5 Y5
D4 Y4
D3 Y3
D2 Y2
DI Yl
DO YO XO through X7 = change in X position. Two's compliment + = movement to right, - = movement to left. YO through Y7 = change in Y position. Two's compliment + = movement down, - = movement up. The wand produces two speeds when the D pad switches are activated. The value of X or Y is normally +-2. If button 3 (speed) is depressed, the value changes to +-5. One X and one Y switch may be active at the same time.
The wand left and right switches active once per state change, ie. The button down code will be sent once when the switch is pressed, and once when the switch is released. If a D pad switch is active, the actual state of the left and right buttons are transmitted. The wand also contains a "G" switch which causes a double click message to be sent in the form of left button down, left button up, delay left button down, left button up.
Cursor movement is suspended during the double click transmission.
What has been shown is a remote control wand for computer video game interaction which utilizes a remote controlled infrared coupled D pad and transmitter combination together with a gravity or momentum actuated G switch to provide a novel play characteristic in which the user simply waves or flicks the wand in order to produce a dramatic effect at the game play computer.
While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

THAT WHICH IS CLAIMED IS:
1. For use in combination with a computer having a remote control receiver, a remote control wand comprising:
a housing;
a keypad having user depressible keys supported by said housing;
a transmitter coupled to said keypad for receiving input commands in the form of depressed ones of said keys and for transmitting an encoded signal to said remote control receiver; and
a movement actuated switch in said housing coupled to said transmitter providing an input signal thereto in response to movement of said housing.
PCT/US1997/001811 1996-02-09 1997-01-31 Remote control wand for computer video game interaction WO1997028864A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
KR1019980705056A KR100532807B1 (en) 1996-02-09 1997-01-31 Remote control wand for computer video game interaction
AU21173/97A AU2117397A (en) 1996-02-09 1997-01-31 Remote control wand for computer video game interaction

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US59921796A 1996-02-09 1996-02-09
US08/599,217 1996-02-09

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1997028864A1 true WO1997028864A1 (en) 1997-08-14

Family

ID=24398740

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1997/001811 WO1997028864A1 (en) 1996-02-09 1997-01-31 Remote control wand for computer video game interaction

Country Status (3)

Country Link
KR (1) KR100532807B1 (en)
AU (1) AU2117397A (en)
WO (1) WO1997028864A1 (en)

Cited By (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6967566B2 (en) 2002-04-05 2005-11-22 Creative Kingdoms, Llc Live-action interactive adventure game
WO2010055001A1 (en) 2008-11-12 2010-05-20 The Wand Company Limited Remote control device, in particular a wand
US8384565B2 (en) 2008-07-11 2013-02-26 Nintendo Co., Ltd. Expanding operating device and operating system
US8834271B2 (en) 2005-08-24 2014-09-16 Nintendo Co., Ltd. Game controller and game system
US8870655B2 (en) 2005-08-24 2014-10-28 Nintendo Co., Ltd. Wireless game controllers
US8888576B2 (en) 1999-02-26 2014-11-18 Mq Gaming, Llc Multi-media interactive play system
US8907889B2 (en) 2005-01-12 2014-12-09 Thinkoptics, Inc. Handheld vision based absolute pointing system
US8913003B2 (en) 2006-07-17 2014-12-16 Thinkoptics, Inc. Free-space multi-dimensional absolute pointer using a projection marker system
US8915785B2 (en) 2000-02-22 2014-12-23 Creative Kingdoms, Llc Interactive entertainment system
US8961260B2 (en) 2000-10-20 2015-02-24 Mq Gaming, Llc Toy incorporating RFID tracking device
US9011248B2 (en) 2005-08-22 2015-04-21 Nintendo Co., Ltd. Game operating device
US9039533B2 (en) 2003-03-25 2015-05-26 Creative Kingdoms, Llc Wireless interactive game having both physical and virtual elements
US9149717B2 (en) 2000-02-22 2015-10-06 Mq Gaming, Llc Dual-range wireless interactive entertainment device
US9176598B2 (en) 2007-05-08 2015-11-03 Thinkoptics, Inc. Free-space multi-dimensional absolute pointer with improved performance
USRE45905E1 (en) 2005-09-15 2016-03-01 Nintendo Co., Ltd. Video game system with wireless modular handheld controller
US9446319B2 (en) 2003-03-25 2016-09-20 Mq Gaming, Llc Interactive gaming toy
US9616334B2 (en) 2002-04-05 2017-04-11 Mq Gaming, Llc Multi-platform gaming system using RFID-tagged toys

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5232223A (en) * 1992-03-24 1993-08-03 Larry Dornbusch Electronic game controller

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5232223A (en) * 1992-03-24 1993-08-03 Larry Dornbusch Electronic game controller

Cited By (64)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9468854B2 (en) 1999-02-26 2016-10-18 Mq Gaming, Llc Multi-platform gaming systems and methods
US9186585B2 (en) 1999-02-26 2015-11-17 Mq Gaming, Llc Multi-platform gaming systems and methods
US9731194B2 (en) 1999-02-26 2017-08-15 Mq Gaming, Llc Multi-platform gaming systems and methods
US9861887B1 (en) 1999-02-26 2018-01-09 Mq Gaming, Llc Multi-platform gaming systems and methods
US10300374B2 (en) 1999-02-26 2019-05-28 Mq Gaming, Llc Multi-platform gaming systems and methods
US8888576B2 (en) 1999-02-26 2014-11-18 Mq Gaming, Llc Multi-media interactive play system
US10188953B2 (en) 2000-02-22 2019-01-29 Mq Gaming, Llc Dual-range wireless interactive entertainment device
US9149717B2 (en) 2000-02-22 2015-10-06 Mq Gaming, Llc Dual-range wireless interactive entertainment device
US8915785B2 (en) 2000-02-22 2014-12-23 Creative Kingdoms, Llc Interactive entertainment system
US9474962B2 (en) 2000-02-22 2016-10-25 Mq Gaming, Llc Interactive entertainment system
US9579568B2 (en) 2000-02-22 2017-02-28 Mq Gaming, Llc Dual-range wireless interactive entertainment device
US10307671B2 (en) 2000-02-22 2019-06-04 Mq Gaming, Llc Interactive entertainment system
US9814973B2 (en) 2000-02-22 2017-11-14 Mq Gaming, Llc Interactive entertainment system
US9713766B2 (en) 2000-02-22 2017-07-25 Mq Gaming, Llc Dual-range wireless interactive entertainment device
US9138650B2 (en) 2000-02-22 2015-09-22 Mq Gaming, Llc Portable tracking device for entertainment purposes
US10307683B2 (en) 2000-10-20 2019-06-04 Mq Gaming, Llc Toy incorporating RFID tag
US8961260B2 (en) 2000-10-20 2015-02-24 Mq Gaming, Llc Toy incorporating RFID tracking device
US9480929B2 (en) 2000-10-20 2016-11-01 Mq Gaming, Llc Toy incorporating RFID tag
US9320976B2 (en) 2000-10-20 2016-04-26 Mq Gaming, Llc Wireless toy systems and methods for interactive entertainment
US9931578B2 (en) 2000-10-20 2018-04-03 Mq Gaming, Llc Toy incorporating RFID tag
US10179283B2 (en) 2001-02-22 2019-01-15 Mq Gaming, Llc Wireless entertainment device, system, and method
US9162148B2 (en) 2001-02-22 2015-10-20 Mq Gaming, Llc Wireless entertainment device, system, and method
US10758818B2 (en) 2001-02-22 2020-09-01 Mq Gaming, Llc Wireless entertainment device, system, and method
US9737797B2 (en) 2001-02-22 2017-08-22 Mq Gaming, Llc Wireless entertainment device, system, and method
US9393491B2 (en) 2001-02-22 2016-07-19 Mq Gaming, Llc Wireless entertainment device, system, and method
US9616334B2 (en) 2002-04-05 2017-04-11 Mq Gaming, Llc Multi-platform gaming system using RFID-tagged toys
US6967566B2 (en) 2002-04-05 2005-11-22 Creative Kingdoms, Llc Live-action interactive adventure game
US10010790B2 (en) 2002-04-05 2018-07-03 Mq Gaming, Llc System and method for playing an interactive game
US10478719B2 (en) 2002-04-05 2019-11-19 Mq Gaming, Llc Methods and systems for providing personalized interactive entertainment
US9272206B2 (en) 2002-04-05 2016-03-01 Mq Gaming, Llc System and method for playing an interactive game
US11278796B2 (en) 2002-04-05 2022-03-22 Mq Gaming, Llc Methods and systems for providing personalized interactive entertainment
US10507387B2 (en) 2002-04-05 2019-12-17 Mq Gaming, Llc System and method for playing an interactive game
US9463380B2 (en) 2002-04-05 2016-10-11 Mq Gaming, Llc System and method for playing an interactive game
US9707478B2 (en) 2003-03-25 2017-07-18 Mq Gaming, Llc Motion-sensitive controller and associated gaming applications
US10583357B2 (en) 2003-03-25 2020-03-10 Mq Gaming, Llc Interactive gaming toy
US10022624B2 (en) 2003-03-25 2018-07-17 Mq Gaming, Llc Wireless interactive game having both physical and virtual elements
US11052309B2 (en) 2003-03-25 2021-07-06 Mq Gaming, Llc Wireless interactive game having both physical and virtual elements
US9393500B2 (en) 2003-03-25 2016-07-19 Mq Gaming, Llc Wireless interactive game having both physical and virtual elements
US10369463B2 (en) 2003-03-25 2019-08-06 Mq Gaming, Llc Wireless interactive game having both physical and virtual elements
US9770652B2 (en) 2003-03-25 2017-09-26 Mq Gaming, Llc Wireless interactive game having both physical and virtual elements
US9039533B2 (en) 2003-03-25 2015-05-26 Creative Kingdoms, Llc Wireless interactive game having both physical and virtual elements
US8961312B2 (en) 2003-03-25 2015-02-24 Creative Kingdoms, Llc Motion-sensitive controller and associated gaming applications
US9993724B2 (en) 2003-03-25 2018-06-12 Mq Gaming, Llc Interactive gaming toy
US9446319B2 (en) 2003-03-25 2016-09-20 Mq Gaming, Llc Interactive gaming toy
US9675878B2 (en) 2004-09-29 2017-06-13 Mq Gaming, Llc System and method for playing a virtual game by sensing physical movements
US8907889B2 (en) 2005-01-12 2014-12-09 Thinkoptics, Inc. Handheld vision based absolute pointing system
US9700806B2 (en) 2005-08-22 2017-07-11 Nintendo Co., Ltd. Game operating device
US10661183B2 (en) 2005-08-22 2020-05-26 Nintendo Co., Ltd. Game operating device
US10155170B2 (en) 2005-08-22 2018-12-18 Nintendo Co., Ltd. Game operating device with holding portion detachably holding an electronic device
US9498728B2 (en) 2005-08-22 2016-11-22 Nintendo Co., Ltd. Game operating device
US9011248B2 (en) 2005-08-22 2015-04-21 Nintendo Co., Ltd. Game operating device
US10238978B2 (en) 2005-08-22 2019-03-26 Nintendo Co., Ltd. Game operating device
US8870655B2 (en) 2005-08-24 2014-10-28 Nintendo Co., Ltd. Wireless game controllers
US8834271B2 (en) 2005-08-24 2014-09-16 Nintendo Co., Ltd. Game controller and game system
US9044671B2 (en) 2005-08-24 2015-06-02 Nintendo Co., Ltd. Game controller and game system
US9227138B2 (en) 2005-08-24 2016-01-05 Nintendo Co., Ltd. Game controller and game system
US10137365B2 (en) 2005-08-24 2018-11-27 Nintendo Co., Ltd. Game controller and game system
US11027190B2 (en) 2005-08-24 2021-06-08 Nintendo Co., Ltd. Game controller and game system
US9498709B2 (en) 2005-08-24 2016-11-22 Nintendo Co., Ltd. Game controller and game system
USRE45905E1 (en) 2005-09-15 2016-03-01 Nintendo Co., Ltd. Video game system with wireless modular handheld controller
US8913003B2 (en) 2006-07-17 2014-12-16 Thinkoptics, Inc. Free-space multi-dimensional absolute pointer using a projection marker system
US9176598B2 (en) 2007-05-08 2015-11-03 Thinkoptics, Inc. Free-space multi-dimensional absolute pointer with improved performance
US8384565B2 (en) 2008-07-11 2013-02-26 Nintendo Co., Ltd. Expanding operating device and operating system
WO2010055001A1 (en) 2008-11-12 2010-05-20 The Wand Company Limited Remote control device, in particular a wand

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2117397A (en) 1997-08-28
KR100532807B1 (en) 2006-06-22
KR19990076928A (en) 1999-10-25

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
WO1997028864A1 (en) Remote control wand for computer video game interaction
US6144367A (en) Method and system for simultaneous operation of multiple handheld control devices in a data processing system
US5488362A (en) Apparatus for controlling a video game
AU2004201341B2 (en) Controller with removably attachable text input
US10114472B2 (en) System and method for key function switching
US5485171A (en) Hand held computer input apparatus and method
US6488584B2 (en) Apparatus and method for providing keyboard input to a video game console
US8184100B2 (en) Inertia sensing input controller and receiver and interactive system using thereof
US5805144A (en) Mouse pointing device having integrated touchpad
US8259072B2 (en) Input control apparatus and an interactive system using the same
US6229526B1 (en) Method and system for simultaneous operation of multiple handheld IR control devices in a data processing system
EP1475688A2 (en) Text input device and adapter mechanism for attachment to a game controller
JP2007504559A (en) Hand-manipulated information equipment for computers and video games
KR20100063101A (en) Keys deactivation system and method
JPH11506969A (en) Handheld control unit for a display screen oriented computer game, and a display screen oriented computer game having two or more such control units
US20080012828A1 (en) Multi-dimensional input device
US20150137956A1 (en) One-handed remote unit that can control multiple devices
WO2020093599A1 (en) Peripheral system for dynamically controlling device end touch screen
WO1996014633A1 (en) Multi-dimensional electrical control device
US20060066570A1 (en) Pointing device and method
US20120100917A1 (en) Video game action detecting system
KR100323537B1 (en) Joystick Combined Mouse Device
KR200236259Y1 (en) mouse substitution functioning key
KR100267799B1 (en) Controller of interactive software player
WO2002001491A1 (en) Computer controller

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AM AT AU AZ BB BG BR BY CA CH CN CZ DE DK EE ES FI GB GE HU IL IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LK LR LS LT LU LV MD MG MK MN MW MX NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK TJ TM TR TT UA UG US UZ VN AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): KE LS MW SD SZ UG AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA

DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
WD Withdrawal of designations after international publication

Free format text: US

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 1019980705056

Country of ref document: KR

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: JP

Ref document number: 97528630

Format of ref document f/p: F

REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

WWP Wipo information: published in national office

Ref document number: 1019980705056

Country of ref document: KR

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase
WWG Wipo information: grant in national office

Ref document number: 1019980705056

Country of ref document: KR