Patent Application
20060205455
The present invention relates to an interactive controller with an integrated display and an interface to a second controller with a stand-alone display.
Interactive controller units are well known in the industry; such controller units take such forms as computer video game controllers and other electronic consumer devices (such as wireless email devices, PDA's, etc.,). While these interactive controller units are known, the level of interactivity or connectivity to other devices are limited. U.S. Pat. No. 6,773,349 provides for one such controller. The '349 patent includes a video game controller with an integrated video display. The user attaches the controller by a cord to a game system box which sends signals to the controller unit for display on the integrated video display as well as display on a stand-alone display. The separate game system controls the programming and sends all control signals to the controller unit. Thus, the controller unit cannot function separate and apart from the game system. Other controller units or electronic consumer devices also have integrated video displays, but include programming such that the controller unit can function alone. Such controller units may then be placed in a cradle, which connects the controller unit to a computer such that information is synchronized with information on the user's computer. Any information entered into the controller unit is then available on the user's computer. However, the electronic consumer devices must be kept cradled to send information to the user's computer. The present invention addresses and solves these problems found in the prior art.
In accordance with the present invention an interactive controller is provided with an integrated display and with an interface to a second controller, that is in further communication with a stand-alone display. The interactive controller further includes a plurality of operation buttons positioned for manipulation by a user, a first electronic application stored in the interactive controller, a processor for generating control signals to control the first electronic application based upon input received from the operation buttons and for generating images on the display device in response thereto. The interactive controller includes a transmitter for transmitting wireless signals to the second controller. The second controller includes a receiver and is operatively connected to a stand-alone display. The second controller also includes a second electronic application and a processor for generating control signals to control the second electronic application based upon input received from the operation buttons and for generating images on the stand-alone display in response thereto.
Numerous other advantages and features of the invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims, and from the accompanying drawings.
A fuller understanding of the foregoing may be had by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
While the invention is susceptible to embodiments in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described herein, in detail, the preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the spirit or scope of the invention and/or claims of the embodiments illustrated.
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Those of skill will understand that the second control unit 200 will operatively connect with an input and/or output (I/O) port on the stand-alone display. Drivers in the second control unit 200 cause the second processor 215 to communicate with the stand-alone display through the operatively connected I/O port. Drivers will be understood to enable the second processor to convey information to/from the second control unit 200 to the stand-alone display 210 for viewing thereon of such information supplied by second control unit 200. The second control unit 200 may be operatively connectable to I/O port for communicating such information to the stand-alone display in accordance with a defined protocol. Furthermore, the second control unit 200 may also be connected to a videocassette player (VCR) or DVD player's I/O port. Those of skill will appreciate that I/O port may be implemented in any number of ways. For example, it may be implemented as a card slot/connector positioned on the exterior housing of an electronics product that includes a stand-alone display. In addition, the I/O port may be an uniform serial bus (such as one found on a computer) or other serial or parallel port.
The software applications would be written specially for the invented system and would be dedicated or open ended. Applications could be designed to play games, receive messages, news, sports, or other communications.
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From the foregoing and as mentioned above, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concept of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific methods and apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.
