Abstract:
The invention relates to video game technology, and more particularly is a video game detecting system. It includes a main console module, remote controller module, and a main console/remote control module communication link. The remote control module will react to the message from the main console module. The remote control module consists of a microcontroller unit (MCU) and gripping force detector (grip sensor). The gripping force detector is connected to the MCU, and can detect the gripping force applied to the remote control module by the video game player. The remote control MCU will transmit the gripping force information to the main console module via RF wireless technology. Based on the game software design, the video game system will provide a feedback reaction based on the gripping force of the video game player.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201010516393.3, filed Oct. 22, 2010, the entire contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to video games, and more particularly to a video game action detecting system. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The capabilities of video game consoles and personal computers have become more and more powerful with the continuous development of electronics technology. There are many new video games in the market, and the video and audio in these games is becoming more and more sophisticated. At the same time, the virtual reality demands from the players of these video games in these areas becomes higher and higher. 
         [0004]    There are direction pad keys (D-Pad keys) on video game remote controllers in the current market. The user controls the video game with the D-Pad keys. Typically, the video game remote control is connected to the video game main console, with the user use the D-pad for controlling the game operation. This method of operation is not so convenient to the player. Moreover, recent improvements toward the player&#39;s experience have been mainly in the video and audio areas. There has not been corresponding improvement in the user experience in the virtual reality. 
         [0005]    The China new invention patent (Patent number: 200780027212.7), the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference, disclosed a video game remote control and video game detecting system which include a motion sensor to detect the motion of the player, a position detector to detect the position of the player, and combines the signals from these two detectors to detect the movement of the video game player. The system can also detect the gripping force of the player. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    This invention uses an analog switch to detect the gripping force of the player. The gripping force information is transmitted to the video game main console via wireless technology. Based on the game software design, the game will provide feedback according to the gripping force. 
         [0007]    This invention is a video game action detecting system. It includes the video game main console module and the video game remote control module. The main console module receives messages from the remote control module. The remote control module consists of a microcontroller unit (MCU) and gripping force detector. The gripping force detector is connected to the MCU of the remote control module. The gripping force detector detects the gripping force of the player. The remote control module transmits the gripping force information to the main console module. 
         [0008]    The main console module is connected with the remote control module by wireless technology. There are wireless communication modules inside the main console module and the remote control module. 
         [0009]    The gripping force detector includes: port  1 , port  2 , port  3 , port  4 , port  5 , port  6 , port  7 , port  8 , port  9 , and port  10 . The remote control module MCU pin  20 , pin  21 , pin  22 , pin  23 , and pin  24  are connected to port  1 , port  3 , port  5 , port  7 , and port  9  respectively. The port  2 , port  4 , port  6 , port  8 , and port  10  of the gripping force detectors are connected to the pin  35  of the MCU of the remote control module. 
         [0010]    The pin  34  of the remote control module MCU is connected to the pin  3  of the wireless communication module. 
         [0011]    The pin  47  of the remote control module MCU is connected to the pin  4  of the wireless communication module. 
         [0012]    The pin  33  of the remote control module MCU is connected to the pin  5  of the wireless communication module. 
         [0013]    The pin  30  of the remote control module MCU is connected to the pin  6  of the wireless communication module. 
         [0014]    The pin  12  of the remote control module MCU is connected to the pin  8  of the wireless communication module. 
         [0015]    The gripping force detector port  1  is connected to one side of switch S 1 , one side of potentiometer W 1 , one side of resistor R 10 , one side of resistor R 15 , and one side of R 16 . The other side of switch S 1 , the other side of potentiometer W 1 , and the other side of resistor R 10  are connected to the port  2  of the gripping force detector. The other side of resistor R 15  and the other side of resistor R 16  are connected to ground. 
         [0016]    The gripping force detector port  3  is connected to one side of switch S 2 , one side of potentiometer W 2 , one side of resistor R 11 , one side of resistor R 17 , and one side of R 18 . The other side of switch S 2 , the other side of potentiometer W 2 , and the other side of resistor R 11  are connected to the port  4  of the gripping force detector. The other side of resistor R 17  and the other side of resistor R 18  are connected to ground. 
         [0017]    The gripping force detector port  6  is connected to one side of switch S 3 , one side of potentiometer W 3 , one side of resistor R 12 , one side of resistor R 19 , and one side of R 20 . The other side of switch S 3 , the other side of potentiometer W 3 , and the other side of resistor R 12  are connected to the port  6  of the gripping force detector. The other side of resistor R 19  and the other side of resistor R 20  are connected to ground. 
         [0018]    The gripping force detector port  7  is connected to one side of switch S 4 , one side of potentiometer W 4 , one side of resistor R 13 , one side of resistor R 21 , and one side of R 22 . The other side of switch S 4 , the other side of potentiometer W 4 , and the other side of resistor R 13  are connected to the port  8  of the gripping force detector. The other side of resistor R 21  and the other side of resistor R 22  are connected to ground. 
         [0019]    The gripping force detector port  9  is connected to one side of switch S 5 , one side of potentiometer W 5 , one side of resistor R 14 , one side of resistor R 23 , and one side of R 24 . The other side of switch S 5 , the other side of potentiometer W 5 , and the other side of resistor R 14  are connected to the port  10  of the gripping force detector. The other side of resistor R 23  and the other side of resistor R 24  are connected to ground. 
         [0020]    The wireless communication module is a 2.4 GHz RF module. The model number for the 2.4 GHz RF module is CB2100. 
         [0021]    There is a position indicator module in the remote control module, and a position detector module in the main console module. The position indicator module emits a wide angle infrared ray to the position detector module to detect the position of the remote control module. 
         [0022]    There is a motion sensor in the remote control module. The motion sensor is connected to the MCU of the remote control module. The motion sensor detects the motions of the game player. The MCU of the remote controller module transmits the motion information to the main console module. The main console module reacts to these motions. 
         [0023]    There is a MCU in the main console module, and the video and audio players are connected to the MCU. 
         [0024]    The model number for the remote control module MCU is STM8S105. The model number for the main console module MCU is CPL32300A. 
         [0025]    The remote control module includes the voice sensor, LED indicator, and sound module. The voice sensor, LED indicator, and sound module are connected to the MCU of the remote control module. 
         [0026]    The voice sensor is used to detect the sound. The remote control MCU will convert the sound from the player of the game into an electric signal and transmit it to the main console module. 
         [0027]    The LED indicator is used to provide feedback in the video game and the connection status with the main console module. 
         [0028]    The sound module is used to play back sound based on the main console module feedback. 
         [0029]    The main console module may include a sub-MCU, with a connection between the main console MCU and sub-MCU, a connection between the position detector and sub-MCU, and a connection between the wireless transmission module and sub-MCU. The sub-MCU will carry out the pre-processing on the position detector signal and wireless communication module signal and then transfer the pre-processed information to the main console MCU. 
         [0030]    The benefit of this invention: A video game action detecting system includes a main console module, a remote control module, and a main console module/remote control module communication link. The remote control module includes the remote control MCU and gripping force detector. The gripping force detector is connected to the remote control MCU. The gripping force detector detects the gripping force of the player of the video game. The remote control module transmits the gripping force information to the main console module. The main console module and remote control module are connected by wireless communication technology. There are wireless communication modules in the main console module and the remote control module. The remote control module transmits the gripping force information to the main console module. The main console module provides feedback according to the gripping force information and also controls the game. 
         [0031]    This invention uses an analog switch to detect the gripping force, and uses wireless transmission technology to send the information from the remote control module to the main console module. Based on the design of the game software, there will be feedback according to the gripping force. This improves the virtual reality game experience and is convenient to use. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0032]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram for the main console module; 
           [0033]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram for the remote control module; 
           [0034]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram of the gripping force detector in the remote control module; 
           [0035]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram for the remote control module without the sound chip circuit; and 
           [0036]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of the sound module circuit. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0037]    The attached  FIGS. 1-5  depict embodiments of this invention. The following reference numbers are used herein:
         100 —Main console     101 —Main console MCU     102 —Main console Sub-MCU     103 —Video/Audio player module     104 —Position detector     105 —Storage module (e.g., SD Card)     106 —Main console wireless module     200 —Remote control     201 —Remote control MCU     202 —Grip Sensor     203 —Motion Sensor     204 —Position indicator     205 —Voice sensor     206 —Sound Module     207 —LED indicator     208 —Remote control wireless module       
 
         [0054]    An embodiment of the invention provides a video game action detecting system, including a main console module which receives messages from remote control module and provides feedback responsive to the messages.  FIG. 1  depicts an embodiment of a main console module  100 , which includes a main console MCU  101 , an optional sub-MCU  102 , a video/audio player module  103 , a position detector  104 , a storage module  105  (such as an SD card and/or Nand Flash), and a wireless interface  106  (such as a 2.4 GHz RF wireless module) 
         [0055]    The remote control module  200 , as depicted in  FIG. 2 , includes the remote control MCU  201  and gripping force detector (grip sensor)  202 . The grip sensor  202  is connected to the remote control MCU  201 . The grip sensor  202  detects the gripping force of the video game player. The MCU  201  transmits the gripping force information from the grip sensor  202  to the main console module  100  (depicted in  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0056]    The main console module  100  and remote control module  200  are connected using 2.4 GHz RF wireless technology. In an embodiment of the invention, the model number for the 2.4 GHz RF wireless module in the main console module and remote control module is CB21002.4G. 
         [0057]    After the remote control MCU  201  transmits the gripping force message from the grip sensor  202  to the main console module  100 , the main console module  100  will provide feedback based on the particular message and control the game operation. 
         [0058]    An embodiment of the invention embodiment uses an analog switch to detect the gripping force, and uses 2.4 G RF wireless technology to transmit the information from the remote control module to the main console module. The video game will provide feedback based on the gripping force and the design of the game software. This enriches the user&#39;s experience in playing the game, and is easy to operate. 
         [0059]    The embodiment of the remote control module in  FIG. 2  includes a voice sensor  205 , LED indicator  207 , and sound module  206 . The voice sensor  205 , LED indicator  207 , and sound module  26  are connected to the remote control MCU  201 . The voice sensor  205  is used to detect the voice from the game player. The remote control MCU  201  will transmit the voice information from voice sensor  205  to the main console module  100 . The LED indicator  207  is used to provide feedback reaction in the game, and can provide power on/off status and the wireless connection status. The sound module  206  is used to play back the feedback sound from the game. 
         [0060]    As depicted in  FIG. 4 , the grip sensor  202  includes port  1 , port  2 , port  3 , port  4 , port  5 , port  6 , port  7 , port  8 , port  9 , and port  10 . Pin  20 , pin  21 , pin  22 , pin  23 , and pin  24  of the remote control MCU  201  are connected to the port  1 , port  3 , port  5 , port  7 , and port  9  respectively. Port  2 , port  4 , port  6 , port  8 , and port  10  of grip sensor  202  are connected to the pin  35  of the remote control MCU  201 . The pin  34  of remote control MCU  201  is connected to the pin  3  of the remote control wireless communication module  208 . The pin  47  of the remote control MCU  201  is connected to the pin  4  of the wireless communication module  208 . The pin  33  of remote control MCU  201  is connected to the pin  5  of the wireless communication module  208 . The pin  30  of remote control MCU  201  is connected to the pin  6  of the wireless communication module  208 . The pin  12  of remote control MCU  201  is connected to pin  8  of wireless communication module  208 . 
         [0061]    The port  1  of grip sensor  202  is connected to one side of switch S 1 , one side of potentiometer W 1 , one side of resistor R 10 , one side of resistor R 15  and one side of resistor R 16 . The other side of switch S 1 , the other side of potentiometer W 1 , and the other side of resistor R 10  are connected to the port  2  of grip sensor  202 . The other side of resistor R 15  and the other side of resistor R 16  are connected to the ground. 
         [0062]    The port  3  of grip sensor  202  is connected to one side of switch S 2 , one side of potentiometer W 2 , one side of resistor R 11 , one side of resistor R 17 , and one side of resistor R 18 . The other side of switch S 2 , the other side of potentiometer W 2 , and the other side of resistor R 11  are connected to the port  4  of grip sensor  202 . The other side of resistor R 17  and the other side of resistor R 18  are connected to the ground. 
         [0063]    The port  5  of grip sensor  202  is connected to one side of switch S 3 , one side of potentiometer W 3 , one side of resistor R 12 , one side of resistor R 19  and one side of resistor R 20 . The other side of switch S 3 , the other side of potentiometer W 4 , and the other side of resistor R 12  are connected to the port  6  of grip sensor  202 . The other side of resistor R 19  and the other side of resistor R 20  are connected to the ground. 
         [0064]    The port  7  of grip sensor  202  is connected to one side of switch S 4 , one side of potentiometer W 4 , one side of resistor R 13 , one side of resistor R 21 , and one side of resistor R 22 . The other side of switch S 4 , the other side of potentiometer W 4 , and the other side of resistor R 13  are connected to the port  8  of grip sensor  202 . The other side of resistor R 21  and the other side of resistor R 22  are connected to the ground. 
         [0065]    The port  9  of grip sensor  202  is connected to one side of switch S 5 , one side of potentiometer W 5 , one side of resistor R 14 , one side of resistor R 23 , and one side of resistor R 24 . The other side of switch S 5 , the other side of potentiometer W 5 , and the other side of resistor R 14  are connected to the port  10  of grip sensor  202 . The other side of resistor R 23  and the other side of resistor R 24  are connected to the ground. 
         [0066]    The model number for the sound module  206  in this embodiment is GPC11512C. The pin  18 , pin  19 , pin  20 , and pin  21  of the sound module  206  are connected to pin  40 , pin  2 , pin  3 , and pin  37  of remote control MCU  201  respectively. 
         [0067]    This embodiment of the main console module  100  includes the main console MCU  101 . The main console MCU  101  is connected to the audio and video (A/V) processor module  103 . The external video/audio source for the audio processor module  103  can be a TV or PC display, etc. By changing the interface port between the main console MCU  101  and the A/V processor  103  and match with the game software, they can be used with the video game. 
         [0068]    As depicted in  FIG. 3 , there is a 2×2 analog keys array in a remote control module  200  to detect the gripping force of the front finger and middle finger of a user. There is spongy material on these keys. The pressing force of the thumb of a user is detected by another analog key. Grip sensor  202  will output different DC voltage values according to the gripping forces. The largest value will be used. This information will be transmitted from the remote control module  200  to the main console module  100  by the 2.4 GHz RF wireless transmission technology. The data is sent to the main console MCU  101 . The main console MCU  101  will provide feedback based on the detected DC voltage value from the grip sensor  202 . 
         [0069]    There is a position indicator  204  in the remote control module  200 . There is position sensor  104  in the main console module  100 . The position indicator  204  provides the position information to the position sensor  104  by the wide angle infrared ray. 
         [0070]    There is a sub-MCU  102  in the main console module  100 . The sub-MCU  102  is connected to the main console MCU  101 . The sub-MCU  102  is connected with the main console wireless transmission module  106 . The sub-MCU  102  is connected with the position sensor  104 . The sub-MCU  102  will carry out pre-processing of the information transmitted from the remote control module  200  and the position sensor  104 , and then send this to the main console MCU  101 . This two-step MCU design of the main console module  100  can improve the speed of the video game. Of course, one can also use only one MCU  101  to get the same result. 
         [0071]    The model number of the MCU  201  in an embodiment of the remote control module is STM8S. The module number of the MCU  101  in an embodiment of the main console module is GPL32300A. 
         [0072]    Embodiment 2: The difference between this embodiment 2 and embodiment 1 is: there are multiple infrared LED emitters in the remote control module. The LED emitters can emit infrared rays. There is an infrared camera in the main console module which can detect the infrared rays from the remote control module. This camera may detect the infrared ray from 0.5-0.6 meters from the infrared source, with the range depending on the intensity of the infrared ray. The viewing angle may be 40 degrees from horizontal or ˜20 degrees from left and right, 30 degrees from vertical or 15 degrees from up and down. 
         [0073]    There is an infrared camera in the main console module. It can detect the infrared ray from the infrared LED emitter in the remote control module if it is placed inside the detectable range and thus detect the position of the remote control module. The position sensor  104  detects the infrared ray and gets the coordinates of the remote control module. There is a 3-axis G-sensor inside the remote control module to detect the following 5-axis movement: X axis left/right direction, acceleration; Y axis front/back direction acceleration; Z axis up/down direction acceleration; Y axis as the rotation axis; left/right rotational movement on X axis; X axis as the rotation axis; up/down rotational movement on Y axis. This data will be transmitted to the main console MCU  101  from the remote control module MCU  201  by the 2.4 GHz RF wireless communication technology. The main console MCU  101  will analyze this data and provide feedback. 
         [0074]    Embodiment 3: This embodiment is different from embodiment 2 as there is a motion sensor  203  in the remote control module. The motion sensor  203  is connected to the remote control MCU  201 . The motion sensor  203  detects the motion of the video game player. The remote control MCU  201  will convert the signal from motion sensor  203  to different messages, and then transmit the messages to the main console module. The main console module will provide feedback accordingly. 
         [0075]    As depicted in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the motion sensor  203 , the position sensor  204 , voice sensor  205 , and LED indicator  207  are common circuits known in the art, and there will be no detailed description. 
         [0076]    There is a sub-MCU  102  in this embodiment which is connected to the main console MCU  101  by UART or SPI. 
         [0077]    There is a storage module  105  in the main console module  100  in this embodiment. The storage module  105  is connected to the main console MCU  101 . The storage module  105  is an example of a built-in device or there is a interface on it, e.g. USB socket, SD card socket, so that it can be connected to the U-drive, hard disk, SD Card, external storage device to upgrade the game content. 
         [0078]    Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiment descriptions of the invention are included only to illustrate examples of the invention, rather than to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Although a detailed description is provided, those of skill in the art will understand that various modifications to these embodiments may be made without departing from the essence and scope of this invention.