Patent · US Active

Expandable control device via hardware attachment

US9573056B2 · kind B2 · utility

5Cited by
231References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 22, 2009
Grant dateFeb 21, 2017
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 28, 2033

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA63F2300/8029
  • WIPO fieldFurniture, games
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

Apparatus, methods and systems for interfacing a controller with a gaming system to interact with a computer program rendering interactive content on a display are presented. In one embodiment, a controller includes a handle, a connector and an attachment. The handle has an elongated shape, which includes opposite first and second ends, and is configured to be held by a single hand of a user during operation. The handle's second end, aimed towards the display during operation, holds the connector. The attachment includes two interfaces: a visual interface for communication with the gaming system, and a connector interface that is coupled to the connector in the handle. The attachment can be coupled and decoupled to the connector and allows the gaming system to visually track the location of the handle via the visual interface. In another embodiment, the attachment provides additional communication capabilities.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.