WO2004022187A1

WO2004022187A1 - Game controller system and associated game controller

Info

Publication number: WO2004022187A1
Application number: PCT/EP2002/009961
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christian Mouny
Original assignee: Neuhaus, Gerard
Priority date: 2002-09-05
Filing date: 2002-09-05
Publication date: 2004-03-18
Also published as: AU2002339515A1; EP1549404A1

Abstract

A game controller system for use in playing video games, including a manually operable game controller (10) provided with manually operable activating units (11) such as switches, keys and buttons, a game computer (1) storing and executing the video game in the form of software provided with signal inputs (3, 4) for ordinary input units such as a keyboard (9) and/or mouse (8), which game computer (1) is connected to a display unit (2) for displaying representations in relation to the game as played, said game controller (10) being arrranged to communicate with said game computer (1). Said game controller (10) being arranged to communicate with the game computer (1) via at least one input (3, 4) for said ordinary input units (8, 9), whereby the operations of said activating units (11) on the game controller (10) are arranged to be programmable in order to stimulate operation of arbitrary keys or key combinations on an ordinary keyboard (9).

Description

Title

GAME CONTROLLER SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED GAME CONTROLLER

Technical field

The present invention relates to a game controller system including a manually operable game controller unit such as a joystick, a gamepad, steering wheel etc. for use in playing video games and a game controller for use in such a system.

Background art

In a typical video game setup there is provided a display unit, which may be a computer terminal or a television set, for example, for feedback of visual information in relation to the game as played by the player or players.

A game computer connected to the video monitor, e.g. a PC, or a separately implemented unit, is executing the video game or game software. There are also provided one or more game controllers provided with manually operable activating units such as switches, keys and buttons, operated by the player or players for interacting with and controlling the game. These game controllers are usually adapted to be plugged into the computer or separately implemented unit in standardised game ports, serial ports, parallel ports or USB ports.

On an ordinary PC or equivalent a great number of game softwares can be executed. Different types of specialised controllers have been designed for use with different types of game software, since e.g. the nature and speed of cursor movement required can differ considerably from game to game. Thus, for example, there have been developed joystick-type controllers which utilise a joystick for two-dimensional control of cursor movement. Other types of controllers are so called gamepads which present a surface provided with a number of keys and switches operated by the player. Steering wheels have been designed for games of the type car races etc..

However, in order to make a particular game cheaper and playable on e.g. a PC irrespective of the actual hardware setup and in order to attract as many players as possible the designers of the game softwares are today in many cases opting for a solution according to which the ordinary keyboard and possibly mouse is/are used as the game controller(s).

This choice however introduces a considerable drawback while the games will be very difficult to play. It is very annoying and even physically tiring to control e.g. the movement of a game figure representing an actor in the game on the screen by means of the keys of a keyboard and a mouse. In more sophisticated games the figures on the screen are able to make more complicated movements than moving front, back, left and right. They are able to jump, roll, accelerate, turn, run, walk, sprint, look in different directions, make choices of equipment like weapons, etc.. Each of these actions has its own key or key combination on e.g. the keyboard.

The keyboards and other types of game controllers are today usually connected to the game computer by means of cables which is of course also a disadvantage.

Brief description of the invention

The invention provides a programmable game controller system implementing a function according to which the key strokes on an ordinary keyboard and pointer operations can be substituted by e.g. operations carried out by means of a special joystick, gamepad etc..

Such a game controller is in one of the embodiments of the invention additionally provided with e.g. keys, a pad, a stick etc. implementing the ordinary mouse functions. Sometimes it is of interest to move around in the game e.g. by means of making choices in pull down menus etc.. A mouse or other pointing device would be needed for this purpose. If the player is not in front of the screen but might be several meters from the same he might not have access to the pointing device.

A great advantage with the invention is that the serial, parallel, USB and game ports are left non occupied by the system.

The system for programming could be integrated in the game controller as such or could be implemented in the game computer.

The main advantage of the system according to the invention is that in principle any game, including the great number of games designed to be played by means of a computer keyboard as a game controller, could be played with a more comfortable game controller as e.g. a joystick or a game pad etc.

Thus, the proposed solution opens the possibility to play all games, including the games today incompatible with ordinary game controllers, by means of e.g. a joystick. This will considerably increase the comfort and pleasure for the player. The different actions to be taken during the game will be facilitated. If the game controller is also provided with a pointing device the navigation through the possible menus of the game will also be facilitated. In a further embodiment the game controller is additionally communicating with the game computer through a wireless link which will give to the player a considerable freedom.

In a further embodiment several game controllers could communicate with the same game computer through wireless links via the same radiation receiver.

Once the hardware is set up with appropriate cable connections no changes have to be made in that setup when e.g. switching between different game controllers or when the computer e.g. is operated by keyboard and mouse.

Brief description of the figures

Other objects, uses and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the reading of this description which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings forming part thereof and wherein:

Figure 1 shows a typical setup of a system making use of the invention.

Figure 2 shows in perspective a game controller and an associated radiation receiver.

Figure 3 shows a view from below of a footplate of a programmable game controller.

Figure 4 shows a general table with codes for the different keys on a standard keyboard of the Swiss-French type.

Figure 5 shows in a table an example of the programming of the controller for a specific well known game. Figure 6 is an electric diagram showing the overall circuitry of an embodiment of the controller.

Figure 7 shows in larger scale a first part of the circuitry according to figure 6.

Figure 8 shows in larger scale a second part of the circuitry according to figure 6.

Figure 9 shows in larger scale a third part of the circuitry according to figure 6 .

Figure 10 shows an embodiment of the circuitry for a radiation receiver.

Detailed description of the invention

In the following an embodiment of the invention especially designed for operating together with an ordinary PC as game computer and including an integrated system for programming will be described. It should however be understood that the game computer could also be of another type. The game controller has in the shown example the form of a joystick. Thus, the game to be played is run on the PC, usually installed from a CD ROM. These days there exist also a lot of games which are played online via internet. It should be clear that the invention could also be used for playing that type of games. The display is the ordinary display connected to the PC. The joystick is in the example of a simple type without force feedback but it should be noted that the concept could also be applied to such a game controller.

As mentioned above the invention will have great advantages when playing one of the frequent games designed to be played using the ordinary keyboard and possibly a mouse as input controllers. A large number of all games for PC today are played in this way. Thus, the game controller according to the invention is possible to program so that any key or key combination, usually two or three keys, of a keyboard and operations of the mouse or other pointer device can be substituted by buttons on or movements of the joystick or more generally the game controller.

Figure 1 shows a typical setup of a system according to the invention. A PC 1 on which the game is going to be played is connected to an ordinary display unit 2. Thus, the game computer 1 is storing and executing the video game. The PC is provided with input contacts 3 and 4 for mouse and keyboard. These contacts could be of the PS-2 type. To these input terminals a radiation receiver 5 which e.g. could be an IR-receiver or a Bluetooth-receiver is connected. The receiver is additionally provided with input terminals 6 and 7 to which an ordinary mouse 8 and an ordinary keyboard 9 can be connected. If the keyboard and pointing device are of the wireless type the associated receiver will of course be connected to the terminals 6, 7. Under circumstances the ordinary keyboard and pointing device could communicate directly with the radiation receiver 5 in parallel with one or several game controllers.

In general the radiation receiver 5 is provided with at least one signal output 12, 13 connected to at least one of the signal inputs 3, 4 on said game computer 1 for said ordinary input units 8, 9.

The connection between the radiation receiver 5 and the game computer 1 could of course be made by means of only one physical cable even if both the keyboard and the mouse inputs 3, 4 are used at the computer side.

Thus, the receiver is receiving the signals transmitted at e.g. a selected frequency in the infrared frequency range, or as a Bluetooth signal, and detects e.g. the modulation of the signal. The signal is then decoded to create the control signals. As the particular implementation of this part of the system does not form part of the inventive concept it will not be described in further detail. Anyone skilled in the art could realise such a radiation receiver with ordinary available components. As an example one embodiment of such a receiver will be shown in the accompanying figure 10.

The setup is further including at least one manually operable game controller 10 provided with manually operable activating units 11 , such as a handle, switches, keys, pads and buttons. This game controller is in the example arranged to communicate by means of a wireless link with the game computer. The link is including said radiation receiver 5 and a co-operating radiation transmitter connected to and operated by the game controller 10 to transmit signals to said radiation receiver 5 representing operation of said activating units 11 on the game controller 10. In the shown example this radiation transmitter is integrated into the game controller 10 but it could of course alternatively constitute a separate unit. In the same way the transmission receiver 5 is here shown as a separate unit connected to the game computer 1 but it could in another embodiment be integrated in said computer. The radiation transmitter will not be described more in detail while its design as such does not form part of the inventive concept. Anyone skilled in the art could realise such a radiation transmitter with ordinary available components.

A prototype of the system has been operated without problem with a distance between the receiver and the transmitter of more than eight meters making use of a IR transmission link.

The system is making use of one single receiver which can operate with all different types of controllers like joysticks, gamepads, steering wheels etc..

The controller is preferably provided with batteries or accumulators to provide the necessary energy. When the embodiment of the system is including a connection of the ordinary keyboard and mouse as shown in figure 1 the receiver 5 is preferably provided with a switch or similar for toggling between operation of the computer by means of game controller and keyboard/mouse respectively.

In another embodiment the game controller 10 could be directly connected to the game computer 1 by means of a cable. According to the inventive concept the connection of the ordinary keyboard 9 and mouse 8 are optional.

According to the concept of the present invention and as indicated above two or even more manually operable game controllers 10 may be utilised independently and simultaneously with the receiver 5 being able to decode and identify the signals transmitted by each controller.

The game controller is here illustrated as a joystick provided with ordinary manually operable activating units such as the handle, switches, keys and buttons. The handle is in this example of the seven position type, left, right, front, back. Additionally left and right rotation of the handle could be detected and used for generating control signals. Handle - front has also a second mode/position called "Advance 2" in the following.

On the handle is provided the ordinary main trigger 14 and four keys 15-18. The footplate of the joystick 10 is additionally provided with a key or pad 19 preferably used for mouse or other pointer device signal simulation. There are also two pointer activation switches 201 and 202 (corresponding to left and right mouse buttons). Additionally there are four keys A-D and a key 20 which will be described below. Three switches 23-25 have also been shown. In the illustrated embodiment they are used for general ON/OFF and switching certain functions on and off e.g. Advance 2 and Handle left and right.

Figure 3 shows a view from below of a footplate 21 of a programmable game controller of the joystick-type which e.g. could be the joystick illustrated in figure 2. Two arrays of DIP-switches 22, 23 used for programming the controller have been arranged in a compartment which is preferably covered with a lid under normal conditions. Setting of these switches will program the game controller so that the operations of said activating units 11 on the game controller 10 will simulate operation of arbitrary keys or key combinations on an ordinary keyboard 9.

These switches will be described more in detail below.

Figure 4 shows a general table with codes for the different keys on a standard keyboard of the Swiss-French type. Thus, each letter, digit etc. on the keyboard is related to two code numbers each between 1 and 12. The first of those code numbers relates to the setting of the DIP-switches in the array 22 marked Switch A in figure 3 and the second to the array 23 marked Switch B. It should be noted that there of course exist other ways of coding the keys.

Figure 5 shows in a table an example of the programming of the controller according to the invention of the joystick-type for a specific well known game, Tomb Raider 5. Thus, as delivered this game is designed to be played by means of an ordinary keyboard and the columns marked Actions and Keys give the relation between actions in the game and the corresponding key to be operated as proposed by the game designer. According to the invention each key has now its corresponding codes taken from the table of figure 4. The DIP switches of the arrays 22 and 23 in the foot plate of the joystick are now set to correspond to these codes. The first row of switches are, in this example, used for programming of the Key A on the controller. Thus, if it is desired that the action Jump in the game, which on an ordinary keyboard asks for pressing the key Alt should be programmed to ask for pressing the Key A on the game controller then the codes "7" and "9" are entered as shown in the figure. If in stead it is desired that e.g. the button 15 should be used for the action Jump then the switches of row 11 should be set to "7" and "9".

In this way it should be clear that any action in the game could be programmed to any activating unit 11 on the controller.

The information as presented in the table according to figure 5 could e.g. for a given game be distributed together with the game in paper form or on the game GD for print out or be made available on the internet by the designer of the game or the manufacturer of the game controller.

Figure 6 is an electric diagram showing the overall circuitry of an embodiment of the controller being programmable in the way as described above. The diagram has been split up in three parts which are shown in larger scale in the figures 7- 9.

Figure 7 shows in larger scale a first part of the circuitry according to figure 6. The central part is the integrated circuit CHICONY VER-C 105-48500-023 9949K0312 which is a standard component. This circuit is mainly a processor which in this embodiment interprets the different input signals, i.e. voltage levels from the switching arrays 22 and 23, cf. figures 8 and 9, and delivers output signals in the form of codes to the IR transmitter. The pointing device 19 is here shown as a touch pad with the two associated buttons 201 , 202 corresponding to ordinary left and right mouse buttons. A crystal 301 defines the modulation frequency for the output signal from the transmitter. If several controllers are used at the same time each controller needs a different crystal for separation of the signals. The output signal from the controller is transmitted by means of the two IR diodes DIR. Figure 8 shows in larger scale a second part of the circuitry according to figure 6. All the different activating units 11 on the controller, i.e. the Keys A, B, C etc.; are connected, with a few exceptions, in the same way to the switches in the two switching arrays 22 and 23. Setting the DIP switches corresponding to the codes "7" and "9" in the first row, as exemplified above means that activating the Key A creates a galvanic path via columns 7 and 9 of the arrays 22 and 23 respectively.

Figure 9 shows in larger scale a third part of the circuitry according to figure 6 . As can be seen in the lower part of the figure four of the main functions of the handle have, in this embodiment, been pre-programmed which means that no DIP switches have to be set for these functions. The code combination "10" and "6" which according to the table in figure 4 corresponds to the direction key "up" on a standard keyboard is thus associated with the contact "Handle Advance" etc.. These pre-programmed settings of the handle corresponds to the most logical alternatives but these functions could of course also be made programmable.

As mentioned above the handle has a further advanced position which is designated "Advance 2". An enabling switch 100 for this function has been arranged as shown. Thus, closing this switch 100 gives access to this function in the further advanced position of the handle.

For the handle left and handle right operations two modes have been envisaged and for switching between the two modes a contact 101 has been arranged. With this switch open moving the handle e.g. to the right (thus closing the "Handle Right" switch) will activate the relay R1 which will close the two associated contacts. Through pre-set DIP switches in row 14 a current path can be created via two columns in array 22 and 23 respectively as described above. With the switch 101 closed two current paths will be created which means that e.g. a code combination corresponding to shift + right arrow on a standard keyboard can be achieved. In stead of relays double contact could have been used.

A further interesting feature could easily be added to a game controller as described above. The movement of the handle is arranged to mechanically act on two potentiometers mounted preferably perpendicularly to each other, one for the front - back motion and the other for the lateral movement of the handle. A first switching device will be arranged to connect/disconnect these potentiometers in parallel with the pointing device 19 according to figure 7. Preferably the same switching device will disconnect/connect the function of the four lower contacts in figure 9. In this way the handle could be used for creating an analogue movement on the screen.

Figure 10 shows an embodiment of the circuitry for a radiation receiver. The same type of processor as described above is here used for decoding of the received signals. The transmitted signal is detected by means of the IR sensor IR1. By means of the switch arrangement to the left in the figure either the ordinary keyboard and mouse or the radiation receiver could be connected to the contacts marked "K OUT" and "M OUT" corresponding to the signal outputs 12, 13 in figure 1. The receiver is powered from the game computer.

As described above the coding of the signals generated by the operation of said activating units 11 on the game controller 10 could be carried out directly in the game controller or in a separate unit associated with the same. In this case the signal transmitted via cable or a wireless link to the game computer 1 is already a simulation of signals as generated by an ordinary keyboard and mouse.

However, the coding could also take place in the game computer itself. In this case the transmitted signals carry information about which activating units 11 on the game controller that has been operated. The computer is preferably storing a software operating on the transmitted data transforming this data according to rules stored in the software taking into account the game as played, type of keyboard etc.. The transformed signal which is thus used for controlling the game is as in the previous example a simulation of signals as generated by an ordinary keyboard and mouse.

Claims

1. A game controller system for use in playing video games, including a manually operable game controller (10) provided with manually operable activating units (11 ) such as switches, keys and buttons, a game computer (1 ) storing and executing the video game in the form of software provided with signal inputs (3, 4) for ordinary input units such as a keyboard (9) and/or a mouse (8), which game computer (1) is connected to a display unit (2) for displaying representations in relation to the game as played, said game controller (10) being arranged to communicate with said game computer (1 ), characterised in that said game controller (10) being arranged to communicate with the game computer (1 ) via at least one input (3, 4) for said ordinary input units (8, 9), the operations of said activating units (11 ) on the game controller (10) are arranged to be programmable in order to simulate operation of arbitrary keys or key combinations on an ordinary keyboard (9).

2. A game controller system according to claim 1 , characterised in that the communication between the game controller (10) and the game computer (1) is arranged by means of a cable connected between said game controller (10) and one of the signal inputs (3, 4) for ordinary input units (8, 9) on the game computer (1 ).

3. A game controller system according to claim 1 , characterised in that the communication between the game controller (10) and the game computer (1 ) is arranged by means of a wireless link including a radiation receiver (5) provided with at least one signal output (12, 13) connected to at least one signal input (3, 4) on said game computer (1 ) for said ordinary input units (8, 9), and a radiation transmitter connected to and operated by the game controller (1 ) to transmit signals to said radiation receiver (5) representing operation of said activating units (11 ) on the game controller (10).

4. A game controller system according to any of the claims 1 to 3, characterised in that said communication takes place by means of signals representing simulations of the operation of arbitrary keys or key combinations on an ordinary keyboard (9),

5. A game controller system according to any of the claims 1 to 3, characterised in that said game computer (1 ) is storing a computer software operating on the input signals from said game controller (10) communicating with said game computer (1 ) to transform said input signals to create corresponding output signals simulating operation of arbitrary keys or key combinations on an ordinary keyboard in response to the operation of said activating units (11 ) on the game controller.

6. A game controller system according to any of the claims 3 to 5, characterised in that said radiation receiver (5) is provided with a first signal output (12) connected to the signal input (3) for the keyboard on said game computer (1 ), and a second signal output (13) connected to the signal input (4) for the mouse on the game computer (1 ), and that said radiation receiver (5) additionally is provided with a first signal input (6) for connection to the output from an ordinary keyboard (9), and a second signal input (7) for connection to the output from an ordinary mouse (8), and a switch for switching the operation of the radiation receiver (5) between detecting input signals in the form of radiation and input signals in the form of signals from an ordinary keyboard (9) and an ordinary mouse (8) connected to the appropriate inputs.

7. A game controller system according to claim 4, characterised in that said game controller (10) is provided with an array of switches (A, B) by means of which the operation of said activating units (11) on the game controller (10) is arranged to be programmed in order to simulate operation of arbitrary keys or key combinations on an ordinary keyboard.

8. A game controller system according to any of the claims 3 to 7, characterised in that said radiation receiver (5) is provided with a first signal output (12) connected to the signal input (3) for the keyboard on said game computer (1 ),

9. A game controller system according to any of the claims 3 to 7, characterised in that said radiation receiver (5) is provided with a first signal output (13) connected to the signal input (4) for the mouse on said game computer (1 ),

10. A manually operable game controller (10) for use in a system according to any of the claims 1 , 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 or 9, characterised in that it comprises a number of activating units (11 ) arranged to be manipulated by the operator and including electrical contacts connected to two arrays of switches (22, 23) having rows and columns of electrical conductors whereby each said electrical contact is arranged to electrically connect one row conductor in one array (22, 23) to a corresponding row conductor in the other array (23, 23), said arrays of switches (22, 23) include at each crossing point between a row conductor and a column conductor a switch by means of which said row can be electrically connected to an arbitrary column so that for a given row the setting of one switch in each array and closing the corresponding contact an arbitrary column conductor in array (22) can be electrically connected to an arbitrary column conductor in array (23), electric circuitry including a processor connected to said column conductors of the two arrays (22, 23) which processor is arranged to interpret the voltage levels on the column conductors of said switching arrays (22, 23) which depend on the activation of a specific activating unit (11 ) and to generate an output signal in the form of a code representing a simulation of the operation of a key or a key combination on an ordinary keyboard, a radiation transmitter operated by said output signals from said processor for transmitting signals to an associated radiation receiver.