CN101098736A - Video game controller with rechargeable battery system - Google Patents

Abstract

A wireless computer game controller with rechargeable batteries that may be recharged while the batteries are installed on the controller and/or while the controller is in operation. Disposable batteries may also power the controller. In one embodiment, a communication cable connects the controller with a stand-alone computer game console such that the rechargeable battery pack is recharged directly from the game console through the communication cable. The cable not only establishes a communication link to facilitate the transmission of both command signals and audio/video signals between the controller and computer device, but it also deliver a recharge signal to the battery pack through the game controller. In another embodiment, the rechargeable battery pack is recharged through a power cable that establishes a power link with the wireless adapter assembly. A stand-alone cradle may be provided to receive either the controller while the batteries are mounted to the controller or the battery pack separate from controller. The cradle may be part of the wireless adapter assembly that converts the game console into a wireless transmitter/receiver.

Description

PlayStation 3 videogame console/PS3 with cell system capable of recharging

The application is the U.S. Provisional Application No.60/647 of requirement submission on January 31st, 2005, and the non-provisional application of 800 priority is in by reference it being included in.

Technical field

The present invention relates to PlayStation 3 videogame console/PS3, the wireless controller of the rechargeable battery that just can be recharged when relating more specifically to have on being installed in wireless controller, the wireless controller that perhaps has disposable battery, this wireless controller can provide electric power by power cable after running down of battery.

Background technology

Computer video game is known in the field.This equipment from small hand-held integral type unit to having with independence (stand-alone) controller and the interactional bigger separate unit of independent vide display device.Small hand held devices is easy to carry very much.But because limited processing power and the ancillary equipment that is associated, figure and complicated recreation are more far short of what is expected than separate unit.For more complicated recreation, the stand-alone computer unit provide great processing power and with the ancillary equipment that is associated for example remote controllers and television display work, to attempt bringing the game experiencing more lively than the experience of handheld device to the player.These equipment are widely available on the market and are as known in the art.

The central stand-alone console comprises and is used to move all essential processing unit of computer game.Controller is connected for sending the operation control command from the user.Independent display is connected to game station, is used to show the interactive video games image.As previously mentioned, this legacy equipment is well known in the art.

Along with the stand-alone computer games system in the coml immense success, whole fringe market forms, and scope comprises advanced Video Controller, control stick, the steering wheel that is used for car race game, bull (multi-tap) controller, vibrating controller, video platform, audio system etc.Programmable Logic Controller also is available, and it allows the operation of customization control button to carry out customization, even stores and give for change this customized setting.

When playing games, one or more players use hard-wired or wireless controller to control each visual aspects of recreation.All controllers all need power supply to operate, but power supply may be very heavy or efficient is low, especially for wireless controller.Therefore need a kind of wireless controller, it can hold alkaline battery and/or rechargeable battery, and wherein, rechargeable battery can be recharged in effective and useful mode.

Summary of the invention

What the present invention is directed to is the wireless computer game console with rechargeable battery, when battery is installed on the controller and/or just can be to battery recharge just in operation the time at controller.

In one embodiment, communication cable is connected controller with the stand-alone computer game console, make rechargeable battery directly recharge from game console by communication cable.Communication link not only set up by cable so that the transmission of command signal between controller and the computer equipment and audio/video signal, and it also will recharge voltage by game console and pass to battery pack.

In another embodiment, rechargeable battery is recharged by independent rack, and this independent rack holds controller when battery is installed to controller, perhaps holds the battery pack of separating with controller.Support can be a part that game console is converted to the adapter assembly of wireless transmitter/receiver.When not using controller and need recharge in break time, adapter/receiver can play the effect that recharges support.

In another embodiment, by power cable being directly connected to controller and/or when battery pack is installed to controller, being directly connected to battery pack, come rechargeable battery is recharged.

In another embodiment, controller can be powered, can come controller is powered by power cable being directly connected to controller when disposable battery exhausts with disposable (for example alkalescence) battery.

With reference to following accompanying drawing and associated description, these and other feature of the present invention will become clearer.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 shows the example interactive computer formula computer graphics system with wireless controller.

Fig. 2 is the plan view from above of controller according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3 is the upward view of controller shown in Figure 2.

Fig. 4 is the enlarged drawing along the controller front portion that sight line IV-IV shown in Figure 2 sees.

Fig. 5 is the side view of the controller of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is the upward view in conjunction with Fig. 2 middle controller shown in the controller cable, and this cable is used for sending the two-way communication signal between game console and controller, and sends charging signals with the battery recharge to controller.

Fig. 7 is the enlarged drawing along the controller front portion that sight line VII-VII shown in Figure 6 sees.

Fig. 8 is the diagram of wireless adapter and controller power cable, and this cable is used to send re-charging signal with the battery recharge to controller.

Fig. 9 is the enlarged drawing with controller front portion like the view shown in Figure 7.

Figure 10 illustrates the general conceptual charging circuit that is used for rechargeable battery.

The rechargeable battery that Figure 11 illustrates the specific recharge circuit that is used for wireless controller and is used for using with XBox  games system.

The rechargeable battery that Figure 12 and 13 illustrates the specific recharge circuit that is used for wireless controller and is used for using with XBox  games system.

The rechargeable battery that Figure 14 illustrates the specific recharge circuit that is used for wireless controller and is used for using with PS2  games system.

Figure 15 illustrates the particular electrical circuit that is used for Wireless/wired controller, and this controller can be powered by disposable battery, is perhaps powered by direct power cable when battery electric quantity is low.

The specific embodiment

Fig. 1 shows example interactive computer formula computer graphics system 50.System 50 can be used for playing the stereosonic interactive video games that has interest.It also can be used for many other application.

In this example, system 50 can be in response to from the real-time input of hand held controller 52a, 52b or other input equipment and the real-time processing signals of interactively.Want using system 50 playing video games or other application, the user at first will be connected to master unit 54 on his or her television set or other video display apparatus 56 or other display device, and this finishes by between stube cable 58.Master unit 54 produces vision signal and the audio signal that is used to control video display apparatus 56.Vision signal is the signal that control is presented at the image on the television screen 59, and audio signal is play by television set Stereoloudspeaker 61L, 61R as sound.

The user also needs master unit 54 is connected to power supply.This power supply can be traditional AC (interchange) adapter (not shown), the electrical socket on the home wall of its insertion standard, and with suitable lower DC (direct current) voltage signal to master unit 54 power supplies of room current transitions one-tenth.Battery can use in other is realized.

The user can use hand held controller 52a, 52b to control master unit 54.The direction that the role that operating key 60a, 60b can be used for showing on the assigned TV set 56 for example should move (go up or down, left or right, nearer or far away).Operating key 60a, 60b also are provided for the input of other application (for example menu selection, pointer/cursor control etc.). Controller 52a, 52b can take various ways.In this example, each comprises operating key 60a, 60b the controller 52a, the 52b that illustrate, for example is control stick, button and/or directionkeys.Typically, sort controller 52a, 52b can wirelessly be connected to master unit 54 by cable or via electromagnetism (for example radio or infrared) ripple.

For example want to play the application program of recreation, the user will select to store him or she and want the video-game played or the appropriate storage medium 62 (for example CD, DVD etc.) of other application program, and this storage medium is inserted in the groove 64 of master unit 54.Storage medium 62 can be for example by CD of encoding especially and/or encrypting and/or disk, the instruction that its storage is carried out this order to the order and/or the control primary processor 110 of figure and audio process 114.The user can open master unit 54 by operating power switch 66, and makes master unit begin to move video-game or other application program based on the software that is stored in the storage medium 62.The user can operation control 52 provides the input to master unit 54.For example, operation control key 60a, 60b can make recreation or other application program begin.Moving other operating key 60a, 60b can make cartoon role move or change user's viewpoint in different directions.Depend on the concrete software that is stored in the storage medium 62, various operating key 60a, 60b on controller 52a, the 52b can carry out different functions at different time.

Fig. 2 has described wireless video game console according to an embodiment of the invention with the form of handheld unit 100, and this unit is pressed the human body environment and formed with one hand or two-handed hand-held by the user.Handheld unit 100 comprises and is used for the manual a plurality of operating assemblies of user so that with the wireless interaction of game console.2.4GHz the controller of (operating frequency) can be a programmable type, comprises the vibration component of the haptic type recreation that is used to strengthen and illuminated push button etc.Controller 100 preferably includes six (6) individual digital action buttons; 2 trigger buttons; 1 turbine (Turbo) function button; Power connection/cut-off switch; And other suitable button/switch.Controller also comprises the rubbery handle 104 for comfortable operation, and two expansion slot can be set on remote controllers.

With reference to Fig. 3, wireless controller 100 is by 2 " AA " alkaline batteries in the battery chamber 101 that is suitable for being installed in controller 100 shown in Figure 3 or 130 power supplies of 3V DC rechargeable battery.Fig. 4 is the part detailed view in the zone that marks of the sight line IV-IV by Fig. 2.With reference to Fig. 4, controller also comprises battery recharger port 106 and LED charge indicator 108, and 3 position vibroswitches 109 as known in the art.For the embodiment of Fig. 4, rechargeable battery 130 can recharge by traditional power cable (not shown).

The present invention also provides machinery or electric switch 102 on controller, when rechargeable battery 130 is placed in the battery chamber 101, and this switch closure.Since the physical form of battery pack 130, the actuator Closing Switch 102 on the battery pack 130.But when using traditional disposable battery, switch 102 is not closed.In other words, when rechargeable battery 130 was placed in the battery chamber 101, because the physics between battery pack 103 and the switch 102 interacts, electro-mechanical actuator/switch 102 came storage battery group 130 as the charging circuit energizing switch.When not having battery pack 130 or when alkaline battery 130 was placed in the battery chamber 101, electro-mechanical actuator 102 was not energized, and control circuit is directly given controller 100 transmitting electric power.

Figure 10 shows the general conceptual charging circuit that is used for rechargeable battery 130.Switch 102 only just is closed when rechargeable battery 130 is placed in mechanical actuator Closing Switch 102 in the chamber 101 and on the battery pack 130.

The rechargeable battery 230 that Figure 11 shows the specific recharge circuit that is used for wireless controller 200 and is used for using with XBox  games system.The circuit of Figure 11 allows not give between game play session battery pack 230 chargings to play controller.The circuit of Figure 11 is used in the system shown in Figure 6 with cable 200 and plug 210,220.Electric power from the AC adapter that does not have charging circuit to realize is connected to port 204.When controller 200 is in " disconnection " position, provide by port 206 (or port 204) to the electric power of rechargeable battery.Switch 202 only rechargeable battery 230 be placed in the compartment of the controller in 201 and battery pack 230 on mechanical actuator Closing Switch 202 time just be closed.

The rechargeable battery 330 that Figure 12 shows the specific recharge circuit that is used for wireless controller 300 and is used for using with XBox  games system.The circuit of Figure 12 allows battery pack 330 being recharged between game play session or when controller 300 is in " disconnection " position.The circuit of Figure 12 also is used in the system shown in Figure 6 with cable 200 and plug 210,220.When the on/off switch of controller is in " disconnection " position, directly be supplied to battery by port 304 from the electric power of AC adapter with charging circuit.When controller 300 is in " connection " or " disconnection " position, provide trickle charge by port 206.Switch 302 only just is closed during the mechanical actuator Closing Switch 302 in rechargeable battery 330 is placed in the compartment of the controller and on the battery pack 330.

The rechargeable battery 430 that Figure 13 shows the specific recharge circuit that is used for wireless controller 400 and is used for using with XBox  games system.The circuit of Figure 13 allows battery pack 430 being recharged between game play session or when controller 300 is in " disconnection " position.Switch 402 only just is closed during the mechanical actuator Closing Switch 402 in rechargeable battery 430 is placed in the compartment of the controller and on the battery pack 430.Electric power (5 volts) from the AC adapter can be provided for charging by port 404.When controller 400 was in " disconnection " position (being switch 406), switch 408 and switch 409 provided electric power to controller, and the complete charging ability to rechargeable battery 430 is provided.When controller 400 is in " connection " position (being switch 406), between the operating period of controller 400, recharges trickle charge and be sent to rechargeable battery.Give controller 400 supply input electric power by the twin connectors cable that is connected to adapter/receiver or game console.

The rechargeable battery 530 that Figure 14 shows the specific recharge circuit that is used for wireless controller 500 and is used for using with PS2  games system.The circuit of Figure 14 allows battery pack 530 being recharged between game play session or when controller 500 is in " disconnection " position.Switch 502 only just is closed during the mechanical actuator Closing Switch 502 in rechargeable battery 530 is placed in the compartment of the controller and on the battery pack 530.Electric power (8 volts) from the AC adapter can be provided for charging by port 504.When controller 500 was in " disconnection " position (being switch 506), switch 508 and switch 509 provided electric power to controller, and the complete charging ability to rechargeable battery 530 is provided.When controller 500 is in " connection " position (being switch 506), between the operating period of controller 500, recharges trickle charge and be sent to rechargeable battery.Give controller 500 supply input electric power by the twin connectors cable that is connected to adapter/receiver or game console.

Figure 15 shows the particular electrical circuit that is used for Wireless/wired controller 600, and this controller can perhaps be powered by direct power cable when battery 630 voltages are low by disposable battery 630 power supplies.Switch 602 is used to battery is connected with circuit/disconnects.When input port 604 does not have external power to offer controller 600, controller 600 is configured to rely on battery 630 work.When input port 604 external powers are connected to controller, battery is disconnected, and controller 600 relies on external power source.The electric power that shown relay does not provide from external power source.

Fig. 5 is the side view of controller 100 shown in Figure 2.

Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of the ability of recharging of the present invention; That is, the communication cable 200 that also provides promotion to communicate by letter with stand-alone computer game console 54 is with the storage battery group.Communication cable 200 is suitable for the director port interface in the first end plug, 210 places and game console 54, and at the second side controller cable plug, 220 places and controller 100 interfaces at controller cable port one 50 places.Referring to the controller cable port one 50 shown in Fig. 7.When rechargeable battery shown in Figure 6 130 need recharge, cable 200 can be inserted into console 54 and controller 100 among both, recharges to give battery or battery pack 130.Cable 200 can also be between controller 100 and game console 54 transfer control signal.In this case, can when giving battery recharge, be convenient to communicating by letter between game console 54 and the controller 100.In this embodiment, wireless controller plays the effect of traditional cable controller, so that play games in charging.Referring to Figure 11 and 12.

Fig. 8 shows the replaceable system that is used for to the battery charge of controller, and wherein, attaching plug 300 is delivered to controller 100 with charging signals from wireless adapter 350.As known in the art, traditional game console 54 can be used for radio communication, console plug 360 places and game console 54 interfaces of adapter 350 in the director port that is inserted into game console 54 by transformation by adapter 350.Wireless controller 100 sends wireless signal to acceptor unit 351, and receives wireless signal from it, and these signals are sent to game console by the director port of game console 54 then.Acceptor unit 351 is provided with the outlet 352 that receives attaching plug 310, and the other end 320 of attaching plug is connected to controller 1000 at charging port shown in Figure 9 190 places.In this embodiment, wireless controller plays the effect of the wireless controller of communicating by letter with wireless transmitter/receiver unit 351 during charging operations.Referring to Figure 13 and 14.

The present invention has also imagined the combination of features of Fig. 6 to 9, wherein, wireless controller 100 can comprise controller cable port one 50 (see figure 7)s and power charge port one 90 (see figure 9)s, allows the many of wired or wireless communication to be provided with charging during being provided at charging operations.

Therefore, controller 100 has the ability of communicating by letter with game console by duplex channel.At first, controling appliance has the wireless transmitter/receiver circuit, is used for by receiver/transmitter unit 350 and gaming platform radio communication, and is used between and sets up wireless two-way communication.Also be provided for the circuit of wired connection, be connected with the direct of controller cable shown in 7 200 by Fig. 6 with permission.Wire circuit can comprise simple testing circuit, detects the voltage that provided by cable 200 by console to select the transmission by wire cable.This detection is kept apart wireless transmission circuit during described connection.And testing circuit is with voltage dividing branch/redirect to recharging circuit so that the charging of battery.See Figure 10 to 15.Therefore, use a plurality of voltage sources (by being directly coupled to gaming platform, be connected to wireless receiver 350, or the specialized voltages source of conventional converters for example) ability and the ability of communicating by letter with gaming platform by bi-directional medium (wired or wireless) provide great flexibility and facility to the user.For example, when battery electric quantity was low, the player still can use wireless controllers via cable 200, played games simultaneously and gave battery recharge.Therefore, the player does not need the outer cable controller of investment with standby when battery uses up.In addition, acceptor unit 350 can also form the carrier unit of coincidence controller shape, and both to be provided for the compartment of depositing of wireless controller, the direct connection that physics is provided again is need not cable 300 to batteries charging.The purpose of this set is, encourages controller is remained on this dedicated location, and guarantees battery fully charging always in the controller, so that play games and therefore avoid recharging downtime.

Controller 100 also has and is used for the doublet source that recharges to battery pack.As previously mentioned, voltage can be drawn from the voltage that provides by the wire cable 200 that is directly coupled to gaming platform.But controller 100 can also be provided with connection that passes through to adapter acceptor unit 350 or the boost charge port that is connected to replaceable voltage source (for example the special electric power cable 300) from another power supply.

Though attaching plug 300 is illustrated as independent cable, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that attaching plug 300 can be integrated in the wireless adapter unit 350.Similarly, adapter unit 350 can form the support that is used for controller, makes can by direct seat on adapter controller be connected electrically to adapter unit when controller is not used.In this case, battery recharger port 106 (see figure 4)s directly cooperate with socket on the adapter 351.When such placement, the controller battery can not connect or disconnect under the situation of independent cable and recharging.Controller just cooperates with the adapter unit support for the purpose of recharging for controller battery 130.

Be also noted that to the invention provides special safety means (for example the charging circuit energizing switch 102) that it prevents by the chance charging of controller charging port to disposable battery.When the battery pack of particular design was installed to controller, charging circuit " was cut out " by the mechanical actuator of the switch in the closed recharging circuit physically.See Figure 10 to 15.

Those skilled in the art is also with clear, even Fig. 6 and the detachable controller cable shown in 8 provide the replaceable mode that also has the electric power that synchronous bidirectional communicates by letter when battery is unavailable.

The present invention has also imagined the idle sleep pattern of battery powered controller, to preserve electric power when controller is not used.Equally, smart circuit design of the present invention detects when available from the electric power of detachable controller cable, to isolate and to conserve battery power.

In addition, the present invention allows to use disposable battery or rechargeable battery.

Though illustrated and described the present invention, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that and to make various changes on form and the details to it, and do not break away from the spirit and scope of the present invention with reference to certain embodiments.

Claims (21)

1. wireless computer game console comprises:

At least one control button is used for controlling selectively the signal that is passed to game console, and wherein, described game console is suitable for display image on monitor;

The wireless transmitter/receiver circuit is used for transmitting control signal and receiving control signal from described game console to described game console;

The battery chamber is used to hold at least one of disposable battery and rechargeable battery;

At least one battery recharger port is used to be connected electrically to power supply to recharge described rechargeable battery.

2. according to the controller of claim 1, wherein, described rechargeable battery can be recharged by described controller when battery is installed on the described controller.

3. according to the controller of claim 1, wherein, described rechargeable battery can be recharged when described controller is in the operation of described game console transmission control signal.

4. according to the controller of claim 1, also comprise communication cable, this communication cable is connected described controller with described game console, makes described rechargeable battery directly recharge from described game console by described communication cable.

5. according to the controller of claim 4, also comprise and being suitable for and communication cable controller in communication cableport, wherein, described communication cable is set up wired communication link, so that the command signal between described controller and the described game console and the transmission of audio/video signal, and described communication cable synchronously is delivered to battery pack with re-charging signal by described game console.

6. according to the controller of claim 1, wherein, described communication cable replaces described wireless transmitter/receiver circuit as critical piece, to send control signals to described game console and to receive control signal from described game console.

7. according to the controller of claim 6, also comprise testing circuit, this testing circuit is used to detect the voltage that provides by described communication cable selecting the transmission by the wire communication link, and described testing circuit is suitable for connection period interval at described communication cable from described wireless transmitter/receiver circuit.

8. according to the controller of claim 7, wherein, testing circuit is suitable for voltage dividing branch/redirect to recharging circuit, so that the charging of described rechargeable battery.

9. according to the controller of claim 1, wherein, described rechargeable battery is recharged by independent rack, and this support is connected electrically to described controller when battery is installed to described controller, perhaps be connected to the battery pack of separating with controller.

10. according to the controller of claim 9, wherein, described support forms a part that described game console is transformed into the adapter assembly of wireless transmitter/receiver.

11. controller according to claim 9, also comprise power line, wherein, described at least one battery recharger port is electrically connected to power supply by described power line, and this power supply forms a part that described game console is transformed into the adapter assembly of wireless transmitter/receiver.

12., also comprise the mechanical actuator that is used for encouraging the charging circuit that is arranged on described controller according to the controller of claim 1.

13. a battery recharge system that is used for the wireless computer game console comprises:

At least one rechargeable battery, it is placed on the described wireless computer game console;

At least one battery recharger port is used to be electrically connected power supply to recharge described at least one rechargeable battery;

At least one power cable, be used for when battery is installed on the described controller, giving described rechargeable battery transmitting electric power by this way, make described rechargeable battery between described controller and game console, to be recharged by described controller in the receiving and transmitting signal.

14. according to the system of claim 13, wherein, described power cable defines described controller and the communication cable that described game console is connected, and makes described rechargeable battery directly be recharged from described game console by described communication cable.

15. system according to claim 14, wherein, described controller comprises and being suitable for and communication cable controller in communication cableport, wherein, described communication cable is set up wired communication link, so that the command signal between described controller and the described game console and the transmission of audio/video signal, and described communication cable is delivered to battery pack with re-charging signal simultaneously by described game console.

16. according to the system of claim 15, wherein, described communication cable replaces described wireless transmitter/receiver circuit as critical piece, to send control signals to described game console and to receive control signal from described game console.

17. system according to claim 14, also comprise testing circuit, this testing circuit is used to detect the voltage that provides by described communication cable selecting the transmission by the wire communication link, and described testing circuit is suitable for connection period interval at described communication cable from described wireless transmitter/receiver circuit.

18. according to the system of claim 17, wherein, described testing circuit is suitable for voltage dividing branch/redirect to recharging circuit, so that the charging of described rechargeable battery.

19. according to the system of claim 13, wherein, described rechargeable battery is recharged by independent rack, this support is connected electrically to described controller when battery is installed to described controller, perhaps be connected to the battery pack of separating with described controller.

20. according to the system of claim 19, wherein, described support forms a part that described game console is transformed into the adapter assembly of wireless transmitter/receiver.

21. system according to claim 9, also comprise power line, wherein, described at least one battery recharger port is electrically connected to power supply by described power line, and this power supply forms a part that described game console is transformed into the adapter assembly of wireless transmitter/receiver.

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