Patent Abstract:
A cellular handset and video game manipulator has first and second beam generators projecting first and second beams from a selected surface of the handset. First and second detectors proximate the selected surface detect first and second manual interactions of a user with the beams. Command logic coupled to the first and second detectors interprets a first manual interaction preceding a second manual interaction as a downstroke command and interprets a second manual interaction preceding a first manual interaction as an upstroke command. The command logic is adapted to be coupled to a game controller to transmit the downstroke and upstroke commands as input to a video game, such as a guitar simulation. The player enjoys natural strumming and fretting techniques without reducing the utility of the phone for use as a cellular telephone. Network connectivity is provided to enable use in multi-player games employing a game server which further connects to a large display or monitor associated with a conventional game platform.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates in general to a handset for cellular wireless telephones, and, more specifically, to a handset adapted to provide features for acting as an input manipulator for video games that can be played on the display of the handset or over the wireless network. 
     Guitar simulation video games such as Guitar Hero (published by RedOctane, Inc.) have become popular for game play that includes solo, cooperative, and competitive modes. Games of this type have been introduced for many different game consoles, as well as versions for personal computers and mobile cell phones. Standard game controllers have been used, such as game pads or joysticks, but many players prefer the use of mock guitar controllers specially made for the game platforms having various push buttons corresponding to guitar frets and other manipulators for controlling strumming action and tremolo or vibrato (i.e., a whammy bar). While such guitar controllers are portable in the sense that they can be taken to a friend&#39;s house of other gathering place having a game console or platform, they are too large to be conveniently carried in a pocket or purse, for example. Thus, an impromptu formation of a group of people for playing a game (i.e., a spontaneous jam session) is less likely to occur since a user desiring to play may not have a desired controller available. 
     Known versions of guitar simulations playable on a mobile cellular phone have not supported multi-players and have been limited to user input based on selected push buttons (i.e., keys) on the cellular phone. Furthermore, the phone display has been used as the game display so that natural and easy interaction with the game is reduced. Since no remote connectivity or network play has been supported, the normal performance expected by users of the console games has been lacking. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a mobile phone handset incorporating a guitar-type game manipulator that allows the player to use natural strumming and fretting techniques without reducing the utility of the phone for use as a cellular telephone. It provides a game manipulator with network connectivity for use in multi-player games employing a game server which further connects to a large display or monitor associated with a conventional game platform. 
     In one aspect of the invention, a cellular handset is provided for manipulating a video game. A first beam generator projects a first beam from a selected surface of the handset, and a second beam generator projects a second beam from the selected surface. A first detector proximate the selected surface detects a first manual interaction of a user with the first beam, and a second detector proximate the selected surface detects a second manual interaction of a user with the second beam. Command logic coupled to the first and second detectors interprets a first manual interaction preceding a second manual interaction as a downstroke command and interprets a second manual interaction preceding a first manual interaction as an upstroke command. The command logic is adapted to be coupled to a game controller to transmit the downstroke and upstroke commands as input to the video game. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front, plan view of a handset of the invention having a tailpiece in an extended position. 
         FIG. 2  is a rear, perspective view of the handset of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the handset of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the handset being used to control a guitar simulation game. 
         FIG. 5  is a signal timing diagram for interpreting manual commands via the beam detectors. 
         FIGS. 6-9  show an alternative embodiment of the handset for providing repositionable fret buttons for either right-handed or left-handed use. 
         FIG. 10  shows an alternative embodiment using two beam generators and one beam detector. 
         FIG. 11  is a block diagram showing the handset and video game elements in greater detail. 
         FIG. 12  is a block diagram showing a network system for supporting use of the handset in a multi-player gaming environment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a cellular handset of the present invention includes a main body  11  having an antenna housing  12 , a graphics display  13 , and a conventional keypad  14 . Handset  10  performs all the normal functions of a cellular phone including communication of voice and/or data signals in a wireless cellular system. 
     Handset  10  includes additional elements providing it with the capability to act as an ergonomically realistic video game controller for video games utilizing particular combinations of manual movements such as guitar-based games to simulate the playing of a guitar (e.g., pressing fret buttons or making strumming movements according to a particular timing sequence as shown in a game display). Thus, a plurality of fret push buttons  15 - 19  is provided in a substantially straight row along one narrow side of main body  11 . To provide a natural strumming method, a pair of infrared transceivers  20  and  21  (each including a respective infrared transmitter or beam generator and a infrared detector) is disposed on a selected surface  22  of main body  11 . Preferably, surface  22  is the bottom edge of main body  11  as shown. Infrared transceiver  20  generates a first infrared beam  23  projected toward a reflector  24 . Reflector  24  is held at a spaced position from surface  22  in alignment with beam  23  in order to reflect it to the detector in transceiver  20 . Likewise, transceiver  21  generates a second infrared beam  25  projected to receiver  24  for reflection back to the detector in transceiver  21  by reflector  24 . An extension rod  26  deploys from a retention slot in main body  11  to slidably extend outward from surface  22 . Rod  26  has reflector  24  mounted at its distal end to create a strumming area  27  between surface  22  and reflector  24 . A preferred embodiment detects strumming as interruptions in beams  23  and  25 . With properly selected beam characteristics, however, it is also possible to dispense with a reflector and instead detect the reflection of a beam by the hand or other object controlled by the user. In that alternative embodiment, a return of the beam would not normally be detected except when the user makes a control action to move the hand into the beam where it can reflect some of the beam to the detector. In either embodiment, the user moves their fingers or other objects (such as a guitar pick) in strumming area  27  to create a first manual interaction with the first beam which is detected by the first detector, and a second manual interaction with the second beam which is detected by the second detector. 
     As described below, two infrared beams are used in order to enable detection of a strumming direction. Thus, when the first manual interaction precedes the second manual interaction, a downstroke strumming command is generated. When the second manual interaction precedes the first manual interaction, it is interpreted as an upstroke strumming command. Beams  23  and  25  may preferably be substantially parallel when leaving transceivers  20  and  21 . In order to minimize interference or crosstalk between the beams, reflector  24  preferably has a non-planar shape causing the reflected beams to slightly diverge. Thus, reflector  24  is shown having a first wing  28  and a second wing  29  wherein the ends of wings  28  and  29  are slightly further from surface  22  than at their central attachment point to extension rod  26 . In other words, reflector  24  is optically convex to diverge the reflected beams. 
     Infrared transceivers  20  and  21  may comprise commonly available, low cost devices such as those already used in personal digital assistance (PDA) cellular handsets for performing infrared data transmission (e.g., as an IrDA port). The transceivers typically include an infrared light emitting diode (LED) and an infrared photodetector covered by an infrared-transmitting plastic lens. Alternatively, discrete LED&#39;s and photodetectors may be employed. Furthermore, other non-infrared light sources and detectors or other proximity sensing technologies such as ultrasonics can be employed in the present invention. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , main body  11  has a recess  31  for receiving extension rod  26  allowing it to retract so that reflector  24  is stowed in a recess  32  within surface  22 . Preferably, a locking mechanism (not shown) is employed within main body  11  for firmly locking extension rod  26  and reflector  24  in either a retracted or an extended position. For example, a locking system may be activated by rotating reflector  24  by 180° after it is slid to its extended position. Detents or catch mechanisms can alternatively be used to generate the locks. Since extension rod  26  is substantially straight and reflector  24  is elongated in a direction parallel with the side-to-side direction of surface  22 , recess  32  must also extend in the side-to-side direction, but it is offset (i.e., adjacent to) the location of transceivers  20  and  21 . 
     Because of a possible offset between the orientation of the transceivers and the positioning of the reflector by the straight rod, the reflector elements on each wing are provided with a particular shape to create a predetermined rotation of beams  23  and  25  towards the infrared transceivers. For example, the flat, reflecting surfaces of the reflector wings are sloped at an angle with respect to elongated rod  26  as shown in  FIG. 3 . Thus, the predetermined rotation of the infrared beams is perpendicular to the side-to-side dimension of surface  22 . As a result, the infrared beams are more directly reflected back to the transceivers and the necessary movements of the hand through strumming area  27  is raised away from extension rod  26  so that rod  26  does not interfere with the strumming action. 
     In addition to a downstroke and an upstroke command, the present invention can recognize a third command in response to the hand being held in such a way that it blocks both infrared beams simultaneously. The third command can correspond with the vibrato, tremolo, or a whammy bar function (i.e., pitch bending). 
       FIG. 4  shows a manner of use of the handset as a guitar controller. Main body  11  is grasped in a hand  35  so that the fingers can easily reach across the front of the handset to fret buttons  15 - 19 . Reflector  24  is extended from recess  32  to create strumming area  27  within which infrared beams  23  and  25  normally circulate. A hand  36  is brought into strumming area  27  to sweep over beams  23  and  25  sequentially in a downward or upward movement. In addition, hand  36  can be placed to simultaneously interrupt beams  23  and  25  for a third command. 
     Detection of a strumming command is performed using the preferred method of  FIG. 5 . In one preferred embodiment, the infrared generators are always on so that infrared beams  23  and  25  are continuous, thereby providing a substantially continuous received signal at both detectors. Waveforms  40  and  41  represent a logic signal that is generated in response to the detector signals and having a first logic level when a respective beam is unblocked (i.e., being received) and a second logic level when a respective beam is blocked (i.e., not being received). In the example shown, waveforms  40  and  41  have a high logic level during detection of an interruption (i.e., a manual interaction) from the two detectors. 
     When a first manual interaction begins wherein the users hand begins to block the first beam, waveform  40  shows a rising leading edge  42  at the corresponding time. As the user&#39;s hand moves downward in the strumming area, eventually the first beam is unblocked resulting in a trailing edge  43  in waveform  40  where the interruption detection logic signal is restored to a low logic level. The user&#39;s hand continues to move downward and eventually blocks the second beam so that waveform  41  shows a rising leading edge  44 . A delay time t d1  between leading edges  42  and  44  is determined by a logic controller which is coupled to the infrared transceivers. If delay t d1  matches a predetermined delay, then a downstroke strumming command is detected. The predetermined delay has a range of time values according to a maximum speed at which the strumming is to occur. Thus, inadvertent or incorrect blockage of the infrared beams is not interpreted as a strumming stroke. Delays within the predetermined range of times can also be detected and used to indicate different strumming speeds for use in controlling the video game, if desired. On the other hand, the minimum time delay within the range for detecting a strumming command is sufficiently long to accommodate a small error in the user&#39;s ability to block both beams simultaneously when intending to generate the third command. 
     An upstroke command is generated by moving the hand or fingers in an upward direction through the strumming area to generate first rising edge  45  in waveform  41  and then a second rising edge  46  in waveform  40 , wherein a time delay t d2  between rising edges  45  and  46  is within the predetermined delay range. 
     To provide further flexibility in generating fret commands using appropriate push buttons, the fret buttons may be mounted to a pivotally-attached swing arm having a button surface substantially perpendicular to surface  22  as shown in  FIGS. 6-9 . Thus, a swing arm  50  is attached to upper and lower ends of main body  11  at pivot points  51  and  52  such that swing arm  50  swings or rotates around main body  11  over a range of at least about 180° between a right-handed playing position shown in  FIG. 6  and a left-hand playing position shown in  FIG. 9 . Detents or other holding mechanisms may preferably be associated with pivots  51  and/or  52  for maintaining swing arm  50  in its end positions shown in  FIGS. 6 and 9 . 
       FIG. 7  shows swing arm  50  being rotated between opposite sides. It may be desirable to provide additional holding positions using detents at such an intermediate position to adapt use of the handset controls to a different type of video game, for example.  FIG. 8  shows an end view with swing arm  50  in an intermediate position. An aperture  58  is provided through swing arm  50  to be aligned with infrared transceivers  20  and  21  when in its end positions so that swing arm  50  does not interfere with the infrared beams. 
       FIG. 10  shows an alternative embodiment employing a pair of beam generators comprising infrared LED&#39;s  60  and  61  generating beams  62  and  63  which are projected toward a reflector  64 . Due to a slightly concave shape of reflector  64 , beams  62  and  63  are converged to a single detector  65 . Instead of providing reflector  64  with a non-planar shape to converge the beams, an optically modified surface such as a series of saw tooth-shaped grooves can alternatively be used. 
     In order to separately detect interruption of beams  62  and  63  using a single detector  65 , the beams are modulated in different ways in order to enable reception of each beam to be distinguishable. One modulation scheme is to alternately pulse each LED  60  and  61  to alternately produce a detectable signal at detector  65 . Pulsing is required to occur at a period shorter than the time in which significant movement of the hand sweeping through the strumming area could move an appreciable distance compared to the width of the beams. 
     Alternatively, each beam can be modulated with an information content that is uniquely recoverable by detector  65  to detect at what times each beam is still being received. For example, each beam can be amplitude modulated or frequency modulated according to unique frequencies or information content that are non-overlapping. Various code transmission protocols could be used as are known in the art. 
     A hardware implementation of the present information is shown in greater detail in  FIG. 11 . A first LED  70  and a first photodetector  71  are coupled to an interface and driver circuit  72 . Devices  70 - 72  may comprise a commercially available infrared transceiver, for example. Interface and driver circuit  72  operates under control of command logic  73 . In one preferred embodiment, command logic  73  provides an activation signal to driver and interface circuit  72  when the handset is in a mode to detect strumming commands. Interface and driver circuit  72  automatically controls operation of LED  70  and photodetector  71  and provides an interruption signal to command logic  73  when its respective beam is being interrupted. When a single detector is being used, modulation of the beam and demodulation of the detected beam may preferably be performed by interface and driver circuit  72 , but could alternative be handled by command logic block  73 . A second LED  74  and photodetector  75  are connected to another interface and driver circuit  76  similarly connected to command logic  73 . Fret buttons  77  are coupled to command logic  73  through an interface  78 . 
     Command logic  73  compares interruption events detected for each respective beam to interpret the occurrence of upstroke and downstroke commands, as well as the third command representing the pitch bending function. Thus, if interruption events occur with rising edges within a predetermined shortest delay time, then a third command is generated. If interruption events occur according to a delay within the predetermined delay range, then an upstroke or downstroke command is generated. The generated commands are provided to a game controller  80  which is coupled to a game display  81 . Game controller  80  implements the actual video game software such as the guitar simulation and may reside either on the handset itself or remotely on a game platform accessed by the handset over the cellular network. 
       FIG. 12  shows a network system for supporting multiplayer games accessible to a player using a handset  82  of the present invention. Handset  82  wirelessly connects to a base station  83  in turn coupled to a base station controller (BSC)  84 . The wireless cellular system preferably supports digital data transmission to a packet data serving node (PDSN)  85  which is coupled to an IP network  90  (which may preferably be owned and operated by the wireless service provider). A central game controller  91  is coupled to IP network  90  and implements the video game in response to inputs from the player using handset  82 . A second player using a handset  86  may be similarly coupled to a base station  87  and a BSC  88  in order to send digital data commands to PDSN  85  for forwarding to game controller  91  through IP network  90 . Game controller  91  may be configured to provide video game output to a designated set top box (STB)  92  associated with a television display  93 . Thus, the players using handsets  82  and  86  do not need to view the game using displays on their handsets but can playing the video game from the location of TV monitor  93  to view the game display. Additional players can be joined to a game from a PC or other game console  94  coupled by a gateway  95  to IP network  90 . Alternatively, a PC or console  94  can be utilized by game controller  91  as the game display.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7