Abstract:
The dedicated DVD remote control transmitter has DVD player function control buttons and has an absence of control over game functions of the video game console at all times. The dedicated remote control transmitter wirelessly transmits DVD player control commands to at least one of the IR receiver and the RF receiver for controlling the DVD player functions of the video game console when in the second entertainment mode. The wireless game controller wirelessly transmits game control commands to at least one of the IR receiver and the RF receiver to control a game being played when the video game console is in the first game mode.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/092,742 filed Mar. 7, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,786,822, which is a Continuation-in-Part of application Ser. No. 09/649,740 filed Aug. 28, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,565,441 issued on May 20, 2003, which is a Continuation-in-Part of application Ser. No. 09/544,231 filed Apr. 7, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,565,440 issued on May 20, 2003. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to console video gaming systems, and more particularly, to a wireless digital video disc (DVD) controller and interface for console video gaming systems capable of playing other media such as DVDs. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   The new age of console video game systems now includes an additional feature of playing digital video discs (DVDs). “DVD” may also be used to describe digital versatile discs, which include digital video discs. This feature gives the console game system a dual function of playing video games and DVD&#39;s at the user&#39;s choice. Thus, the video game console capable of playing DVDs can now be integrated into a home entertainment system for more than just video game playing. One example of such console video game system is the Sony Playstation® II which is expected to be available in the U.S. retail market later this year. It is also believed that other manufacturers will incorporate this dual function ability in the near future. 
   The Playstation® II includes two game controller ports for receiving two game controllers for use in operating the games. In addition, the DVD functions of the Playstation® II are also controlled through the use of one of the two game controllers (e.g., controller No. 1). Various buttons on the game controller can be used to control various playing features of the DVD being viewed. 
   Generally, the game console with wired controllers is proximate to the television it is connected to. Thus, the primary drawback to the game console that can play DVDs is that the game controller must be plugged into the game console in order to control the DVD functions. Thus, the wired “remote” control (i.e., game controller) for the DVD functions of the game console is a significant limitation on the user&#39;s ability to sit back and enjoy a DVD without either having the game console with wired “remote” near the sitting area for viewing the television, or being required to get up each time a DVD player control function is desired. This is especially a drawback when the video game console is connected to, and is part of the user&#39;s audio/video entertainment system. 
   A wireless game controller such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,605,505 may be implemented to eliminate this problem of a wired controller, however, the button designations of the wireless game controller will not necessarily correspond with that of the wired controller for this system, nor will they correspond in function or position with the designated control functions of the DVD player. As such, the user is required to learn the game controller button symbols and/or letters that control the various functions of the DVD player of the device. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The problems stated above, as well as other related problems of the prior art, are solved by the present invention, which is directed to a wireless system for a video game console. 
   According to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a wireless system for a video game console having at least one of an InfraRed (IR) receiver and a Radio Frequency (RF) receiver, and further having at least two operation modes including (i) a first game mode capable of playing video games and (ii) a second entertainment mode capable of playing DVD videos. The wireless system includes a dedicated DVD remote control transmitter and a wireless game controller. The dedicated DVD remote control transmitter has DVD player function control buttons and has an absence of control over game functions of the video game console at all times. The dedicated remote control transmitter wirelessly transmits DVD player control commands to at least one of the IR receiver and the RF receiver for controlling the DVD player functions of the video game console when in the second entertainment mode. The wireless game controller wirelessly transmits game control commands to at least one of the IR receiver and the RF receiver to control a game being played when the video game console is in the first game mode. 
   Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings wherein like reference numerals denote similar elements throughout the views: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the wireless adapter device according to a first embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 2   a  is a front view of the wireless adapter device according to the first embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 2   b  is a rear view of the wireless adapter device according to the first embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the game console wireless adapter device according to a second embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 4   a  is a front view of the wireless adapter device according to the second embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 4   b  is a rear view of the wireless adapter device according to the second embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 5  is an embodiment of the dedicated wireless DVD controller for use with the game console wireless adapter according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a diagram of an exemplary game console that utilizes the dedicated DVD controller of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the game console wireless adapter device according to a third embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 8   a  is a front view of the wireless adapter device according to the third embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 8   b  is a rear view of the wireless adapter device according to the third embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the game console wireless adapter device according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 10  is a front view of the wireless adapter device according to the fourth embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the game console wireless adapter device according to a fifth embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 12  is a front view of the wireless adapter device according to the fifth embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 13  is a top view of a universal remote control having the dedicated DVD control functions of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an exemplary wireless game controller usable with the dedicated DVD controller wireless adapter according to an embodiment of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2   a  and  2   b , there is shown a wireless adapter/receiver  10  according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Adapter  10  includes a body  12 , a male plug  14  on one end for connection to a game controller port  70   a  and/or  70   b  of a game console  60  ( FIG. 6 ) and an infrared (IR) receiver  16  opposite plug  14 . An indicator light  18  is included for indicating when IR receiver  16  is receiving an IR transmission from an IR transmitter (discussed with reference to FIG.  5 ). 
   Adapter  10  converts the game controller port  70   a  or  70   b  or other communication port of a video game console  60  into a wireless receiver capable of receiving and inputting control commands into the game console. In accordance with the present invention, the adapter/receiver  10  receives the wireless signals from the remote control  50  ( FIG. 5 ) and converts the wireless signals into electrical signals for input into the game console. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the wirelessly transmitted and received control commands are exclusively the commands necessary to control the DVD or other non-game media playing functions of the game console. 
   According to one embodiment, adapter/receiver  10  uses one game controller port  70   a  or  70   b  of the game console  60  (FIG.  6 ). As such, when adapter/receiver  10  is in its operable position within the game controller port, the used game controller port is no longer available for use with a game controller. 
   The game console  60  of  FIG. 7  is capable of playing other entertainment media such as DVDs and audio compact discs (e.g., Sony Playstation II®) and also includes various other communication ports such as universal serial bus (USB) ports  72   a  and  72   b , an IEEE 1394 FireWire™ port  74  and also includes a PCMCIA slot  75  for receiving a PCMCIA card. It is contemplated herein that any one of these additional ports or PCMCIA slot may also be used to provide the necessary interface for a wireless controller. For example, one of the two (2) USB ports may be used to connect a wireless adapter that is capable of receiving and providing control data to the game console and thereby control the various game playing and other media playing features associated with the game console. The use of a PCMCIA card adapted to provide a wireless interface with the game console may also be readily implemented in this manner. The FireWire™ port of the game console is a dedicated high bandwidth port that provides an increased capacity data communication port for data streaming into and out of the game console. This port can provide a very fast and reliable communication connection with the game console, and as such, is also a prime candidate for receiving a wireless adapter as suggested by the present invention. 
   Since the game console is designed to use a game controller as the DVD player controller, the buttons on the game controller corresponding to the DVD player functions have game controller symbols and not DVD player symbols. In this configuration, the user is required to identify the various game controller buttons according to their DVD functions, either through the use of a printed chart, or through navigable menus on the display screen. This is not only inconvenient for the user, but is also confusing. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the dedicated DVD controller  50  of the present invention provides the user with a standard type DVD player remote control, where the game controller symbols are no longer visible to the user, and the corresponding buttons for activating DVD player functions are similar, if not identical, to those buttons the user would ordinarily associate with the DVD player functions. The buttons of the dedicated DVD controller  50  have identifying indicia representative of the corresponding function, in addition to including indicia disposed adjacent the buttons where appropriate. By way of example, these functions include play, pause, on screen display (osd), stop/exit, main menu, DVD menu, confirm/accept/ok, back to previous chapter, skip to next chapter, rewind, fast forward, toggle subtitles, toggle sound options, and a D-pad for use in navigating menus, etc. 
   In accordance with the present invention, controller  50  is a wireless infrared transmitter capable of transmitting only those predetermined game controller commands that control the various DVD player functions of the game console. Since the game console can also play audio CDs, those media playing functions may also be controlled by the dedicated remote control  50  according to the invention. Table 1 represents one embodiment of the button configuration of controller  50  as they correspond to the game controller buttons (and corresponding button symbols) that would be found on the wired game controller. Those of ordinary skill will recognize that the dedicated DVD controller button designations may be changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
   
     
       
             
             
             
           
         
             
                 
               TABLE 1 
             
             
                 
                 
             
             
                 
               Wired Game Controller 
               Dedicated Wireless 
             
             
                 
               button symbol 
               DVD controller button 
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
           
             
                 
               Start 
               Play and Pause 
             
             
                 
               Select 
               On Screen Display (OSD) 
             
             
                 
               X-button 
               Stop/Exit 
             
             
                 
               Square Button 
               Main Menu 
             
             
                 
               Triangle 
               DVD Menu 
             
             
                 
               Circle 
               Confirm/Accept/OK 
             
             
                 
               L1-Button 
               Back to Previous Chapter 
             
             
                 
               L2-Button 
               Rewind 
             
             
                 
               L3-Button 
               Toggle Subtitles 
             
             
                 
               R1-Button 
               Skip to Next Chapter 
             
             
                 
               R2-Button 
               Fast Forward 
             
             
                 
               R3-Button 
               Toggle Sound Options 
             
             
                 
               ‘D’-Pad 
               Cycle through on screen menus 
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   When wireless adapter/receiver  10  is inserted into one of the communication ports of the game console, it is configured to receive only DVD player function control signals from controller  50  and thereby input such commands directly into the game console. Adapter  10  and controller  50  are not adapted to be used for any game playing functions of the game console. The power provided to controller  50  is generally provided by replaceable batteries, and the power needed to operate adapter  10  is provided either from the game console itself through the communication port, or through replaceable and/or rechargeable batteries. 
     FIGS. 3 ,  4   a  and  4   b  show a wireless adapter  30  according to a second embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, adapter  30  includes an additional female game controller port  20 . As described with reference to the first embodiment, male plug  14  is inserted into the game controller port of the game console. The added female game controller port  20  allows the wired game controller (not shown) to be plugged into the adapter while maintaining the IR communication between the adapter and the dedicated DVD controller. 
   It is to be understood that the use of IR wireless protocol as described herein is only one exemplary embodiment, and those of ordinary skill will recognize that other wireless protocol may be used such as, for example, radio frequencies (RF) as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,849, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
   The video game console is capable of detecting the type of disc inserted and automatically switch into that operating mode. For example, when a DVD is inserted into the game console, the game console automatically switches to DVD player mode and stands by for input DVD playing control commands from the game controller port. Thus, there is no requirement by the user to set the game console into DVD mode, or otherwise. Upon insertion of a DVD, the dedicated DVD controller of the present invention becomes immediately live and active for use in controlling the DVD functions of the game console. 
   In a further embodiment of the invention, remote control  50  will be a universal programmable remote control so that it may also be used to control other specified components of the user&#39;s entertainment system. Thus, additional buttons and functions such as volume control, power control, etc. can be added to remote  50  without departing from the scope of the present invention. Examples of these programmable features can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,008,735, 5,629,868 and 5,410,326, the entire contents of each incorporated herein by reference.  FIG. 13  shows an example of a universal remote control  200  having a plurality of buttons and a display screen for aiding in the indication of the current operation mode of the remote control. When the pre-determined code for the dedicated DVD player control of the video game console is selected, the various buttons corresponding to that control mode are activated. Once activated, the universal remote control  200  can control the dedicated DVD player functions of the video game console. 
   In addition, it is contemplated that universal remote control  200  will include both IR and RF transmission capability. In this manner, universal remote  200  will operate in both IR and/or RF modes depending on the programmed code and the device being controlled. 
     FIG. 6  shows an exemplary game console  60  that utilizes the dedicated DVD controller according to the present invention. Game console  60  includes a media drawer  66  an on/off reset button  62 , an open/close button  64 , memory slots  68   a  and  68   b , game controller ports  70   a  and  70   b , and other communication ports such as, for example, Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports  72   a  and  72   b , an IEEE 1394 FireWire™ port  74  and a PCMCIA slot  75 . 
   In accordance with additional embodiments of the invention, memory slots  68   a  and  68   b , and the other communication ports  72   a ,  72   b ,  74  and  75  can also be used to connect the wireless adapter and provide dedicated DVD controls for the game console  60 .  FIGS. 7-12  shows the various different embodiments of the wireless adapter of the present invention. 
   In other contemplated embodiments, console  60  includes wireless receiver capability through the implementation of IR and/or RF. An IR window  63  and/or RF antenna  65  (external or internal) will allow the console  60  to receive game and/or non-game controls from an outside source. Thus, in this embodiment, the remote control device  60  or the universal remote control device  200  need only be programmed for the non-game media playing modes of the game console  60  and the need for the wireless adapter is eliminated. 
     FIGS. 7 ,  8   a  and  8   b  show an example of a memory slot wireless adapter  70  having a body  72 , a male plug end  74  on one end for connection to one of the memory slots  68   a  and  68   b , and a female plug end  76  for receiving a memory card that is otherwise inserted into the memory slot  68   a  or  68   b  when adapter  70  is inserted therein. The IR window  16  and indicator light  18  are the same as described previously. In accordance with one embodiment, adapter  70  includes an RF antenna  75  for receiving RF wireless signals when IR is not desired, and may also include an internal memory (not shown) that enables it to provide memory functions for the game console via the memory slot which adapter  70  is connected. Female plug end  76  is an optional feature that gives the used memory slot back to the user and may be provided depending on the configuration of the adapter  70 . 
     FIGS. 9 and 10  show an example of a USB wireless adapter  90  according to another embodiment of the invention. As shown, adapter  90  includes a housing  92 , a male USB plug end  94  and a female USB plug end  96  for giving the utilized USB port back to the user. According to an RF embodiment, adapter  90  includes and RF antenna  95  and associated circuitry for enabling RF communication between the adapter  90  and the game controller (not shown). 
     FIGS. 11 and 12  show a wireless adapter  100  according to yet another embodiment of the invention. Adapter  100  includes a housing  102 , a male IEEE 1394 FireWire™ plug end  94  and a female IEEE 1394 FireWire™ plug end  106  for giving the utilized FireWire™ port to the user. According to an RF embodiment, adapter  100  includes an RF antenna  105  and associated circuitry for enabling RF communication between the adapter  100  and the game controller (not shown). 
   According to one embodiment, the circuitry contained within adapters  10 ,  30 ,  70 ,  90  and  100  is powered by obtaining such power from the console through the respective communication ports. In other embodiments, the adapters can contain their own battery power that can be rechargeable or replaceable batteries. 
     FIG. 14  shows a wireless controller  202  which can have an IR transmitter  204  and/or an RF transmitter designated by antenna  206 . Wireless controller  202  can provide wireless game control signals to the game console  60  via the wireless adapter  30 , 70 ,  90  and/or  100  that is used for the dedicated DVD remote control transmitter  50  or the universal remote control  200 . In this embodiment, wireless controller  202  can operate using the same wireless protocol as the dedicated remote control device  50  or universal remote controller  200 , or alternatively, can operate using a different wireless protocol as that used in the remote controllers  50 ,  200 . For example, the remote controllers  50 ,  200  can use IR to operate with the wireless adapter, while wireless controller  202  utilizes RF to communicate with the wireless adapter. Those of skill in the art will recognize that other wireless protocols can be implemented without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
   While there have been shown, described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.