FR2949070A1 - AMBIDEXTRE IMMERSIVE ACCESSORY FOR PORTABLE VIDEO GAMES CONSOLE - Google Patents

Abstract

An immersive accessory (20) for a portable video game console (10) having a general musical instrument shape including a first box-shaped portion (22) and a second sleeve-like portion (23) extending from the body, characterized in that the body comprises a housing (24) adapted to receive the console, said housing being mounted movably between at least a first and a second position so as to define at least one position for right-handed and a left-handed position .

Description

The present invention generally relates to an immersive accessory for a portable video game console. More particularly, the invention relates to an immersive accessory in the form of a musical instrument, such as for example a guitar, and a virtual reality system for playing the guitar comprising a console and this accessory. The field of video games is constantly evolving and it is necessary to make the games ever more immersive to seduce the users and provide them with sensations of games simulating ever more real conditions they might encounter. For this purpose, it has been developed a number of immersive accessories that the player can use in particular as a game controller. It is known in the prior art, in particular US 7 ° 320 ° 643, a game controller in general guitar form, shown in Figure 1, used with a guitar simulation game to give the impression to the player to actually play the guitar. The guitar 1 comprises a first portion 2 in the form of a box and a second portion 3 in the form of a handle, linked to the box and on which are arranged series of buttons. This guitar-shaped immersive game controller is used in a virtual reality system to play the guitar, which also requires an entire installation comprising a monitor 5 or a television screen, necessary to display the game information, a console 7 or a computer on which the guitar game 8 is loaded, a connection 6 between the console and the monitor and a connection to a power supply network (not shown), and possibly a console bracket (also not shown). Although such a virtual reality system for playing the guitar has some commercial success, it nevertheless has certain drawbacks in terms of miniaturization and portability of the elements.

game constituting the virtual reality system. In particular, a system as disclosed in US 7 ° 320 ° 643 is bulky and not compatible with portable video game consoles. Indeed, another equally important aspect of the evolution in the field of video games is the miniaturization and portability of the game elements to allow in particular to play without the need for a monitor or connection to an electrical network. To this end, new generations of portable video game console have been developed so that it is possible to play much more easily, for example in transport or out of home, as far as the console is used directly as a game controller and monitor and does not require any connection to a power grid to play. In the same spirit of portability and ease of play, it has been developed an accessory in the form of grip grip, as shown in Figure 2. In Figure 2, a portable console 4 is visible, on which was clipped a grip grip 5 allowing the player to hold his console with one hand by having access to control buttons 6 located on the gripping handle and to use his other hand to activate the control members 7 of the portable console.

As in the example of FIG. 1, the grip grip 5 of FIG. 2 has been specifically developed for a guitar simulation game in which the player simulates the stripping of the strings by means of a stylus that scrapes a touch screen. of the portable console and simulates the pinching of the strings by means of the control buttons 6 accessible on the gripping handle. This simulation game solution using a portable console and such a gripping handle, although it has certain advantages in terms of portability and miniaturization, loses the immersive character so attractive for such simulation games and makes use for very left-handed uncomfortable, especially for the player's wrists. In addition, it is very difficult for it to be able to display the control screen 9. Thus the existing solutions bring an incompatibility

apparent between immersiveness, portability and playability for such a system. The object of the present invention is to respond to the various disadvantages mentioned above, and first of all to provide a virtual reality system allowing the player to benefit from increased immersiveness, good portability and adaptation. to all types of players, whether left-handed or right-handed. For this, a first aspect of the invention relates to an immersive accessory for portable video game console, having a general musical instrument shape comprising a first box-shaped portion and a second sleeve-shaped portion extending from the body, characterized in that the body comprises a housing adapted to receive the console, said housing being movably mounted between at least a first and a second position so as to define at least one position for right-handed and a left-handed position. Such an accessory has an immersive character increased to the extent that the player uses an accessory in the shape of the instrument which he wants to play while having great portability through the insertion of the console in a housing provided for this purpose. Finally, such an accessory is usable by both right-handed and left-handed, it is sufficient for the player to move the housing in the corresponding position. According to an advantageous embodiment, the body defines a general plane of the instrument and the housing is rotatably mounted in the general plane of the instrument. Such a solution is very simple in that it suffices to rotate the housing to position the console According to an advantageous embodiment, the housing is arranged in a rotating platform secured to a wheel freely mounted in rotation around a shaft transverse to the general plane of the instrument, the wheel being arranged between the body and the rotating platform.

Preferably, at least one stop is provided to limit the travel of the rotating platform to a maximum of one turn. The stop may be made in the form of a projection arranged on the inner face of the housing, cooperating with a broken annular groove made in the body.

Advantageously, the interrupted annular groove forms an angle between 120 and 240 degrees, and preferably an angle greater than or equal to 180 degrees. According to another embodiment, in which the handle is elongate along a main axis, the housing has an elongate shape along an axis, and defines in abutment two extremal positions in which the axis of the elongate shape of the housing makes a maximum angle of 30 ° with the main axis of the handle. According to another embodiment, an opening is made in the thickness of the housing, through which is provided a connector adapted to be connected to the console. The connector advantageously comprises an elastic portion ensuring the maintenance of the connection between the accessory and the console when the rotating platform is manipulated between these two extremal positions. According to another embodiment, the rotating platform comprises a toothing cooperating with locking means. Preferably, the locking means comprise at least one sliding tooth coming to block the toothing. Advantageously, the toothing is formed of teeth offset relative to one another with a pitch of 5 ° so as to allow fine adjustment of the positioning of the platform. rotating shape, which ensures an optimal playing comfort. In addition, the locking means are advantageously controlled by means of a button arranged on the rear face of the body and not protruding from the body. In this way, the risk of inadvertently rotating the platform during the game is almost irrelevant.

According to another embodiment, wherein the handle is elongated along a main axis, control members are arranged on the handle, said control members being symmetrical with respect to the main axis of the handle. Preferably, the control members are connected to the console, the accessory serving as a game controller. According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a virtual reality system for playing an instrument comprising an immersive accessory (20) according to the first aspect and a portable video game console (10) inserted in the housing provided for this purpose.

Advantageously, the console is used as a handle for rotating the rotating platform and the housing it contains. Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention given as non-limiting examples and illustrated by the appended drawings, in which: Figure 1, already described, shows a guitar-shaped immersive accessory for use with a fixed console and an independent monitor; FIG. 2, already described, shows a virtual reality system 20 for playing the guitar according to the prior art; FIG. 3a shows a virtual reality system, according to one embodiment of the invention, for playing the guitar in a right-handed position; FIG. 3b shows a virtual reality system, according to one embodiment of the invention, for playing the guitar in a left-handed position; - Figure 4 shows a bottom view of the rotating platform in which is inserted the console; - Figure 5 shows a top view of the rotating platform without the console; - Figure 6 shows a partial view from below of the accessory. The invention will be described hereinafter only by way of non-limiting example with reference to FIGS. 3a to 6, FIGS. 1 and 2 having already been described in connection with the prior art. Figure 3a shows a virtual reality system for playing the guitar. The system includes a portable video game console 10 and an immersive accessory 20 having a general guitar form. The immersive accessory is preferably used as the game controller of the console. The immersive accessory 20 comprises a first portion 22 in the form of a box and a second portion 23 in the form of a sleeve extending from the box. The body comprises a housing 24 adapted to receive the console 10, in which it is inserted. This housing is mounted movably 15 between at least a first position (Figure 3a) and a second position (Figure 3b) so as to define at least one position for right-handed and a left-handed position. Advantageously, the housing is mounted on a rotating plate or platform 25 which can rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow F. The box defines a general plane of the instrument, in which the turntable 25 and the housing it contains, are mounted mobile in rotation. In this way, the rotation of the turntable 25 causes the rotation of the console 10 and the screens 11 and 12 that it comprises, so that the player whether right or left can easily play by putting the console in one or the other of the positions. It can be provided on the handle 23 control members 21. These bodies are preferably symmetrical with respect to the main axis of the handle. In this way, we obtain a virtual reality system comprising a first human-machine interface, namely a touch screen 11 on which the player scratches directly or by means of a

mediator stylus to simulate the action of scraping strings on a classical guitar and a second human machine interface, namely the control buttons 21 on which the player just press to simulate the action of pinching the strings on a classical guitar. The game instructions for scraping the first interface, respectively for pinching the second interface, may be provided to the player via the second control screen 12 of the console. Figure 3b shows the guitar of Figure 3a for which the turntable 25 has been moved to a left-handed position. The console can be used as a handle to rotate the rotating platform. At least one stop is preferably provided to limit the travel of the rotating housing to a maximum of one revolution. The details of implementation will be provided later in connection with Figure 4. Advantageously, two stops are provided to limit the race of the housing between 120 degrees maximum and 240 degrees maximum. In the example shown, the stops are arranged to limit the travel of the turntable to about 240 degrees, Figures 3a and 3b showing the two end positions.

In order to be able to correctly view the two screens 11 and 12 of the console, the latter having an elongated shape, the corresponding housing 24 has a similar elongated shape and the two end positions defined by the stops are arranged so that the axis along the elongated shape of the housing makes an angle of 30 ° with the main axis of the handle. Note that the player can position the console in any intermediate position that suits him better. FIG. 4 represents a bottom view of the rotating platform 25 in which the console 10 is inserted. The housing 24, visible here from the back, is in the form of an impression in the rotating platform 25. The latter is attached to a wheel 26 mounted free

in rotation about a shaft 27 transverse to the general plane of the instrument. The wheel 26 is arranged between the body (not shown in this view) and the rotating platform 25. It is advantageously provided with a stop to limit the travel of the rotating platform. It can be made in the form of a projection 28 arranged on the inner face of the housing 24, cooperating with a broken annular groove made in the body. The groove preferably forms an angle between 120 and 240 degrees and preferably an angle greater than or equal to 180 so as to allow a complete reversal of the console relative to the body (see Figures 3a and 3b). An opening 29 is made in the thickness of the housing, through which is provided a connector 30 connected to a connection plug disposed at the rear of the console 10. This connector 29 is extended by a wire connection 30 passing in the middle of the shaft 27 to be then connected to other elements of the accessory, such as for example the control members located on the handle or a loudspeaker integrated into the box. Referring still to Figure 4, it will be noted that the rotating platform 25 comprises a toothing 32 cooperating with locking means 33. The locking means comprise at least one sliding tooth 34 to block the toothing by actuating a button 35 in the direction of the arrow A. The teeth forming the toothing 32 are offset relative to each other with a pitch of 5 ° so as to ensure a fine adjustment of the position of the rotating platform.

It will be understood that the value of 5 ° is provided by way of example and that any other step of small angular difference could also be suitable. Figure 5 shows a top view of the rotating platform without the console. This view is visible inside the housing 24 for receiving the console. As already mentioned above, preferably an opening 29 is made in

the thickness of the housing 24, through which is provided a connector 30. The connector is extended by a wire connection, which advantageously comprises an elastic portion 36 (shown here in transparency through the housing wall). This elastic portion 36 maintains the connection between the console and the accessory via the connector even during rotary manipulations of the rotating platform 25. In addition, in order to maintain and protect the console in its housing, the latter can be provided with wedges 37 made of elastomeric material. There are also recesses 38 around the housing 24 to facilitate the extraction of the housing console. It will also be noted that in order to guarantee a total blocking of the console in its housing in order to avoid any fall of the latter during game sequence, it may be provided retaining means of the console.

These retaining means are advantageously made in the form of eccentrics 39 whose edges 40 come to lock in the hinge of the console. Finally, note that it can be provided a tilt mechanism 41 of the console for pivoting the latter between several positions. The upper part of the console, ie the one remaining outside the housing, is captured between a pin 42 and a retaining tab 43. The inclination of the upper part is effected by manipulating it directly between the different positions defined by the mechanism. Thus, the player can tilt his console so as to see the screens of the latter whatever his style of play, i.e. with the guitar at the chest, thighs or knees. For this purpose the mechanism advantageously comprises three positions, a first position with an inclination of 30 ° with respect to the general plane of the instrument, a second position with an inclination of 60 ° and a third position with an inclination of 90 °. 2949070 -10-

It will be noted that both the retaining means 39 and the tilting mechanism 40 can be provided independently of the presence of a rotating platform 25, only a housing adapted to receive the console being necessary for their implementation.

Figure 6 shows a partial view from below of the accessory. The control knob 35 of the locking means of the rotating platform is preferably arranged on the rear face of the body and does not project relative to the body so that there is no actuation by inadvertently by the player during the game sequence.

In addition, there can be provided on the body 22 means for attaching a strap comprising a central fastener 44 disposed at the end of the body opposite to the handle and two lateral fasteners 45 arranged on the body of the body and side. other handle allowing a player indistinctly left-handed or right-handed to attach his guitar around his neck 15 with a strap. It will be understood that various modifications and / or improvements obvious to those skilled in the art can be made to the various embodiments of the invention described in the present description without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims.

Claims (15)

REVENDICATIONS1. An immersive accessory (20) for a portable video game console (10) having a general musical instrument shape including a first box-shaped portion (22) and a second sleeve-like portion (23) extending from the body, characterized in that the body comprises a housing (24) adapted to receive the console, said housing being mounted movably between at least a first and a second position so as to define at least one position for right-handed and a left-handed position . 2. immersive accessory (20) according to claim 1, wherein the box (22) defines a general plane of the instrument, characterized in that the housing (24) is rotatably mounted in the general plane of the instrument . 3. immersive accessory (20) according to claim 2, characterized in that the housing (24) is arranged in a rotating platform (25) integral with a wheel (26) mounted free to rotate about a shaft ( 27) transverse to the general plane of the instrument, the wheel being arranged between the body (22) and the rotating platform. 4. immersive accessory (20) according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one stop is provided to limit the travel of the rotating platform (25) to a maximum turn. 5. immersive accessory (20) according to claim 4, characterized in that the stop is formed in the form of a projection (28) arranged on the inner face of the housing (24), cooperating with an interrupted annular groove formed in the box (22). 6. immersive accessory (20) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the interrupted annular groove forms an angle between 120 and 240 degrees. 2949070 -12- The immersive accessory (20) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the handle (23) is elongated along a major axis, characterized in that the housing (24) has an elongate shape along an axis, and defines in abutment, two end positions in which the axis of the elongate shape of the housing makes a maximum angle of 30 ° with the main axis of the handle. 8. immersive accessory (20) according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that an opening (29) is formed in the thickness of the housing (24), through which is provided a connector (30) apt to be connected to the console (10). 9. immersive accessory (20) according to claim 8, characterized in that the connector (30) comprises an elastic portion (36). 10. immersive accessory (20) according to one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that the platform (25) comprises a toothing 15 (32) cooperating with locking means (33). 11. immersive accessory (20) according to claim 10, characterized in that the locking means (33) comprise at least one tooth (34) sliding from blocking the toothing (32). 12 immersive accessory (20) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the toothing (32) is formed of teeth offset from each other with a pitch of 5 °. 13. immersive accessory (20) according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the locking means (33) are controlled by means of a button (35) arranged on the rear face of the body (22). and 25 not protruding from the body. 14. Virtual reality system for playing an instrument comprising an immersive accessory (20) according to one of claims 1 to 13 and a portable video game console (10) inserted in the housing (24) provided for this purpose. 2949070 -13- 15. Virtual reality system according to claim 14, characterized in that the bracket (10) is used as a handle for rotating the platform (25) rotating.