Abstract:
A video game controller for manipulating images or symbols on an image display comprises an activity counter that produces a cumulative record corresponding to a measure of game player usage of the video game controller over multiple sessions of game play. An information display located on the video game controller housing and operatively associated with the activity counter provides a readout of the cumulative record produced.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/486,175, filed May 13, 2011. 
     
    
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
       [0002]    © 2012 IPPASA, LLC. A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR §1.71(d). 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0003]    This disclosure relates to video game controllers and, in particular, to a video game controller that keeps track of game player usage by visual display of a cumulative record corresponding to a measure of game player usage of the video game controller over multiple sessions of game play. 
       BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
       [0004]    The video game controller has been an integral part of the video game experience for decades. Such controllers are one of the most used input devices other than a computer keyboard or mouse. The usage habits of video game players range in type from hardcore game players or “garners” who participate in game play nonstop for several hours to casual game players who play for twenty to thirty minutes at a time. Regardless of the type of video game player, an undeniable fact is that video game controllers undergo a lot of wear and tear. Video game players can purchase either new or used video game controllers. Retailers such as GameStop™ carry a huge selection of used video games, consoles, and accessories for sale. When purchasing used video game controllers, retailers and consumers perform various testing methods to facilitate the decision whether to buy. 
         [0005]    Certain retailers have a special computer that tests controller functionality, and consumers are often able to connect the controller to a video game system in the store or activate the various buttons to make sure they do not stick. 
         [0006]    Another key part of video game play has always been some form of acknowledgment of accomplishment—whether it be the “high score,” or achievements recognition given by system providers, such as the Xbox™ Live Service from Microsoft Corporation, Trophies from the PSN Network from Sony Corporation, or Leaderboards in mobile game applications (apps). Video game players of any type enjoy being recognized and acknowledged for their gaming prowess and accomplishments. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0007]    A video game controller for manipulating images or symbols on an image display comprises an activity counter that produces a cumulative record corresponding to a measure of game player usage of the video game controller over multiple sessions of game play. An information display located on the video game controller housing and operatively associated with the activity counter provides a readout of the cumulative record produced. Examples of measures of game player usage include a total time of game play elapsed over multiple sessions of game play and a predetermined game player action occurring during game play. 
         [0008]    In a first embodiment, a timer residing in the video game housing responds to game player manipulation of a control actuator set to produce signal information indicative of game player usage. The timer processes the time of game play elapsed over each of the multiple sessions of game play so that the activity counter can produce for readout the total time of game play elapsed over the multiple sessions. 
         [0009]    In a second embodiment, a video game is implemented in software operating on a central processing unit (CPU)-enabled device such as, for example, a video game console that produces signal information indicative of the game player usage. A communication link between the activity counter and the CPU-enabled device provides the signal information so that the activity counter can produce for readout the cumulative record corresponding to the game player usage. 
         [0010]    Additional aspects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a simplified block diagram of a video game system that includes the disclosed video game controller. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a pictorial diagram of the disclosed video game controller having a multi-digit, seven-segment display device that is positioned on the upper surface of the housing of the video game controller. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0013]      FIG. 1  shows a video game system  10  that includes a video game console  12  on which a video game implemented in software operates. Video game console  12  is one of several preferred CPU-enabled devices on which video game software may operate. Other preferred CPU-enabled devices include, for example, a personal computer, smartphone, multimedia device, and tablet computer. Video game console  12  produces signal information in the form of images or symbols representing game play activity for display on an image display device  14 . A manual video game controller  16  delivers by a wired or wireless communication link  18  to video game console  12  commands produced by the game player&#39;s manipulation of actuators provided on or in video game controller  16 . The game player&#39;s commands cause changes to the states of image or symbols displayed in response to video game software instructions executed in accordance with the game player&#39;s commands.  FIG. 2  shows a multi-digit, seven-segment information display device  20  positioned on the top surface of a housing  22  of video game controller  16 . Information display device  20  resembles an odometer-type readout that displays information indicating the cumulative time of game play performed on video game controller  16 . 
         [0014]    In a first embodiment, an integrated information display device  20  positioned on and firmware  30  contained in video game controller  16  cooperate to keep track of the amount of time video game controller  16  has been used in game play. For example, with reference to  FIG. 2 , a video game player picks up video game controller  16  equipped with information display device  20  and plays a video game for the first time for two sessions, the first session lasting three hours, and the second session lasting four hours. When he picks up video game controller  16  for the third session and observes the readout on information display device  20 , the video game player will see that video game controller  16  has been used for seven hours. This total time-played readout display for a particular video game controller  16  helps the retailer and the consumer better ascertain whether the controller is a good candidate for purchase. Moreover, information display device  20  provides a video game player with an opportunity for self-congratulatory acknowledgment of personal accomplishment and bragging rights by showing to friends video game controller  16  with a display readout of the amount of time the player has devoted to playing video games on video game controller  16 . 
         [0015]    A timer  28  forming part of firmware  30  resides in housing  22  of video game controller  16  and locally determines the time of game play elapsed over each of the multiple sessions. Timer  28  provides the determined elapsed time to an activity counter  32  in video controller  16 . Activity counter  32  produces for display on information display device  20  the total time of game play elapsed over the multiple sessions. Timer  28  functions in response to a control actuator set provided on or in video game controller  16 . A control actuator set may include one or more control buttons, one or more control sensors, or a combination of one or more control buttons and control sensors that respond to game player manipulation. 
         [0016]    In one implementation, a game player depresses a button set including a start button  40  ( FIG. 2 ) to begin game play and produce a first signal the causes timer  28  to start marking time. Upon completion of the game play session, the game player depresses start button  40  to conclude game play and produce a second signal that causes timer  28  to conclude marking time. 
         [0017]    In another implementation, a game player depresses start button  40  to begin game play and manipulates repeatedly any number of the control actuators as he plays the game. A selected actuator  42  (“R” button arbitrarily chosen in  FIG. 2 ) produces a signal in response to each manipulation by the game player and causes timer  28  to start marking time in response to occurrence of the last one of a predetermined number of (e.g., three) instances of the game player manipulation. Timer  28  concludes marking time upon expiration of a preset time after which actuator  42  has not been manipulated. 
         [0018]    Skilled persons will appreciate that other implementations are possible for starting and stopping timer  28  appropriately to determine time elapsed over a game play session. 
         [0019]    For any implementation of starting and stopping timer  28 , activity counter  32  continuously tracks the elapsed time during the game play session and may update information display device  20  in real time during game play or upon completion of a game play session. 
         [0020]    In a second embodiment, information display device  20  may also be used to assist a game player in keeping track of certain game play activity by display of a cumulative record of predetermined actions. As a first example, for a game player playing First Person Shooters, otherwise known as FPS, video game controller  16  keeps track of the total number of kills achieved during multiple FPS games played by the game player. Creating a record of cumulative number of kills is enabled by software that communicates, from video console  12  through communication link  18 , information that increments activity counter  32  in video game controller  16 . As a second example, if a game player played Call of Duty™ and killed 10 enemies, and thereafter played Halo™ and killed 45 enemies, the next time the game player picks up controller  16  it would display the number 55, representing the current cumulative number of kills achieved. This aspect of the embodiment relies not on time of usage of the controller itself but on receipt by firmware  30  of game play-related activity signals produced by game software stored in video game console  12 . 
         [0021]    Although the preferred embodiments are described with reference to use of a video game controller of the PS3™ type shown in  FIG. 2 , the disclosed information display can be implemented in other controllers such as keyboards, mice, and video game steering wheels. 
         [0022]    It will be obvious to skilled persons that many changes may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles thereof. For example, video game controller  16  can be configured to selectively determine and display elapsed time of game play and keep track of and display a record of instances of certain game play activity. The scope of the present invention should, therefore, be determined only by the following claims.