Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS
REFERENCE TO CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS
(0001] The entire subject matter of U.S. Provisional application serial
number 60/567,154 filed April 30, 2004 and entitled WIRELESS
COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS is incorporated by reference. The applicant
claims priority benefit under Title 35, United States Code, Section 119(e) of
U.S.
Provisional application serial number 60/567,154 filed April 30, 2004 and
entitled WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS
(0002] The entire subject matter of U.S. Provisional application serial
number 60/571,409 filed May 14, 2004 and entitled WIRELESS
COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS is incorporated by reference. The applicant
claims priority benefit under Title 35, United States Code, Section 119(e) of
U.S.
Provisional application serial number 60/571,409 filed May 14, 2004 and
entitled WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS.
TECHNICAL FIELD
(0003] The present invention relates to gaming devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(0004] Video games have become a dominant source of entertainment for
children, teens and adults. These games are played on systems which include a
game console whose game processor implements a video game on a game card
installed in a game slot therein. The game participant executes game sequences
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using a hand held game controller. Such games have become incredibly
sophisticated with superior graphic, sound effects and in some cases physical
effects such by the use of hand held game controllers that vibrate in
synchronized fashion with developments of the game.
[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel device
and/or method for gaming.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] One aspect of the present invention provides a wireless game control
system for use with a video game console, the wireless control system
comprising: a wireless communicating means operable for connection to the
video game console; and a wireless game controlling means operable to accept
gaming instructions from a game participant. The wireless commuricating
means is operable to communicate wirelessly with the wireless game
controlling means. The wireless communicating means includes a signal
combining means operable to combine audio data signals and key control
signals from the video game console into a single data stream for transmission
to the wireless game controlling means. The wireless game controlling means is
operable to receive the single data stream and to recover the audio data
signals
and key control signals therefrom.
[0007] In an embodiment, the wireless game controlling means comprises
means for connecting an audio headset for dispatching the audio data signals
thereto.
[0008] In an embodiment, the wireless game controlling means comprises
means for connecting an audio headset for exchanging audio data signals
therewith.
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[0009] In an embodiment, the wireless communicating means further
comprises a first wireless transceiving means and wherein the wireless game
controlling means further comprises a second wireless transceiving means, such
that the first and second wireless transceiving means are operable to
communicate wirelessly with each other.
[0010] In an embodiment, the first and second wireless transceiving means
each comprise a radio frequency (RF) transceiving means.
(0011] In an embodiment, the first and second wireless transceiving means
are operable to communicate using Bluetooth protocols.
(0012] In an embodiment, the signal combining means accepts the key
control signals in SPI format.
[0013] In an embodiment, the signal combining means accepts the audio
data signals in USB format.
[0014] In an embodiment, the wireless game controlling means further
includes game effects generating means for generating one or more game effects
according to one or more game effects data values, the wireless game
controlling means being operable to identify one or more game effects data
values in the key control signal.
[0015] In an embodiment, the game effects generating means comprises
vibrating means.
(0016] In another of its aspects, the present invention provides a video game
device, comprising a portable game controller operable to receive gaming
instructions from at least one game participant, the portable game controller
including one or more effects generators for generating one or more game
effects, an audio headset operable to establish a first data link with the
portable
game controller for exchanging an audio data signal therebetween. The portable
game controller is operable to exchange operational data with a game console
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station. The operational data includes game instructions for controlling the
one
or more game effects. An interface unit includes a data port to connect with a
complementary data port on the game console station. The interface unit
includes a first RF transceiver. The game controller includes a second RF
transceiver. The first and second RF transceivers are operable for
establishing a
wireless data link between the interface unit and the portable game controller
to
exchange both the audio data and operational data.
[0017] In an embodiment, the interface unit includes: a first data processor
portion operable to receive the audio data and the operational data from the
game console and a second data processor portion operable to exchange the
audio data with the first data processor portion over a first data path. The
second data processor portion is operable to exchange the operational data
with
the first data processor portion over a second data path. The second data
processor portion is operable to encode the audio data and operational data on
a third data path. The first RF transceiver is operable to receive encoded
data on
the third data path and to exchange the encoded data with the second RF
transceiver in the portable game controller over a carrier signal.
[0018] In an embodiment, the portable game controller further comprises a
third data processor portion which is operable to exchange the encoded data
with the second RF transceiver over a fourth data path. The third data
processor
portion is operable to decode the encoded data to deliver the operational data
over a fifth data path and the audio data over a sixth data path.
[0019] In an embodiment, the portable game controller further comprises a
fourth data processor portion operable to exchange the operational data with
the third data processor portion over the fifth data path and to exchange the
operational data with a register portion. The register portion is operable to
exchange data with one or more game effects generators over a corresponding
one or more data paths.
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[0020] Some embodiments further comprise an audio data processor
portion for exchanging audio data with the third data processor over the sixth
data path.
[0021] In some embodiments, the audio data processor portion is operable
to exchange the audio data with the audio headset over the first data link,
the
audio data being representative of an analog audio signal.
[0022] In some embodiments, the audio data includes the analog audio
signal.
[0023] In some embodiments, the audio head set includes a microphone, the
audio processor portion being operable to receive the audio data
representative
of an analog signal from the microphone.
[0024] In some embodiments, the first and second processor portions are
included in a dongle unit.
[0025] Yet another aspect of the present invention provides a wireless game
control system for use with a video game console, the wireless controller
system
comprising: a wireless communicator operable for connection to the video game
console; and a wireless game controller operable to accept gaming instructions
from a game participant. The wireless communicator is operable to
communicate wirelessly with the wireless game controller. The wireless
communicator includes a signal integrator to combine audio data signals and
key control signals from the video game console into a single data stream for
transmission to the wireless game controller. The wireless game controller is
operable to receive the single data stream and to recover the audio data
signals
and key control signals therefrom.
[0026] Still another aspect of the present invention provides a method of
controlling a wireless game system comprising the steps of: providing a
wireless communicator which is configured to communicate with a game
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console; providing a wireless game controller to accept gaming instructions
from a game participant; providing head set to communicate with the wireless
game controller; establishing a first data link between the game console and
the
wireless communicator for transferring operational data and audio signal data
therebetween; establishing a second wireless data link between the wireless
communicator and the wireless game controller; establishing a third data link
between the wireless game controller and the head set; providing the carrier
signal with a payload including data values from both the operational data and
the audio signal data; enabling the wireless communicator, in a first mode, to
assemble a first payload for dispatching operational data and audio signal
data
to the wireless controller; enabling the wireless game controller, in a second
mode, to recover the operational data and audio signal data from the first
payload; enabling the wireless game controller, in a third mode, to assemble a
second payload for dispatching operational data and audio signal data to the
wireless communicator; enabling the wireless communicator, in a fourth mode,
to recover the operational data and the audio signal data from the second
payload.
(0027] Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of
controlling a wireless game system comprising: a step for providing a wireless
communicator which is configured to communicate with a game console; a step
for providing a wireless game controller to accept gaming instructions from a
game participant; a step for providing head set to communicate with the
wireless game controller; a step for establishing a first data link between
the
game console and the wireless communicator for transferring operational data
and audio signal data therebetween; a step for establishing a second wireless
data link between the wireless communicator and the wireless game controller;
a step for establishing a third data link between the wireless game controller
and the head set; a step for providing the carrier signal with a payload
including data values from both the operational data and the audio signal
data;
a step for enabling the wireless communicator, in a first mode, to assemble a
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first payload for dispatching operational data and audio signal data to the
wireless controller; a step for enabling the wireless game controller, in a
second
mode, to recover the operational data and audio signal data from the first
payload; a step for enabling the wireless game controller, in a third mode, to
assemble a second payload for dispatching operational data and audio signal
data to the wireless communicator; a step for enabling the wireless
communicator, in a fourth mode, to recover the operational data and the audio
signal data from the second payload.
[0028] In one of its aspects, the present invention provides a gaming device,
comprising a portable game controller operable to receive gaming instructions
from at least one game participant, the portable game controller including one
or more effects generators for generating one or more game effects, an audio
headset operable to establish a first data link with the portable game
controller
for exchanging an audio data signal therebetween, a game console operable to
exchange operational data with the portable game controller, the operational
data including gaming instructions, the game console including a game
processor to advance a game sequence in response to the gaming instructions,
the game console including a plurality of first data ports, an interface unit
comprising a housing with a second data port extending outwardly there from,
the second data port operable to connect with one of first data ports on the
game console, the interface unit including a first RF transceiver, the game
controller including a second RF transceiver, the first and second RF
transceivers being operable for establishing a wireless data link between the
interface unit and the portable game controller to exchange both the audio
data
and operational data.
[0029] In an embodiment, the interface portion includes a first data
processor portion operable to receive the audio data and operational data from
the game processor, a second data processor portion operable to exchange the
audio data with the first data processor portion over a first data path, the
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second data processor portion operable to exchange the operational data with
the first data processor portion over a second data path, the second data
processor portion operable to encode the audio data and operational data on a
third data path, the first RF transceiver operable to receive encoded data on
the
third data path and to exchange the encoded data with the second RF
transceiver in the portable game controller over a common carrier signal.
(0030) In an embodiment, the portable game controller further comprises a
third data processor portion which is operable to exchange the encoded data
with the second RF transceiver over a fourth data path, the third data
processor
portion being operable to decode the encoded data to deliver the operational
data over a fifth data path and the audio data over a sixth data path.
[0031) In an embodiment, the portable game controller further comprises a
fourth data processor portion operable to exchange the operational data with
the third data processor portion over the fifth data path and to exchange the
operational data with a register portion, the register portion being operable
to
exchange data with one or more game effects generators over a corresponding
one or more data paths.
[0032) An embodiment further comprises an audio processor portion for
exchanging audio data with the third data processor over the sixth data path.
[0033) In an embodiment, the audio processor portion is operable to
exchange the audio data with the audio headset over the first data link, the
audio data being representative of an analog audio signal.
[0034) In an embodiment, the audio data includes the analog audio signal.
[0035) In an embodiment, the audio head set includes a microphone, the
audio processor portion being operable to receive the audio data
representative
of an analog signal from the microphone.
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[0036] In an embodiment, the first and/or second data links are operable
under a protocol stack including one or more wireless, Internet, satellite,
cell
packet, encryption, and authentication protocols.
[0037] In an embodiment, the wireless protocols include Bluetooth and
802.11 protocols.
[0038] In an embodiment, the first and second processor portions are
included in a dongle unit.
[0039] In another of its aspects, the present invention provides a gaming
device, comprising: a portable game controller operable to receive gaming
instructions from at least one game participant; the portable game controller
including one or more effects generators for generating one or more game
effects; an audio headset operable to establish a first data link with the
portable
game controller for exchanging an audio data signal therebetween; a game
console operable to exchange operational data with the portable game
controller, the operational data including gaming instructions, the game
console
including a game processor to advance a game sequence in response to the
gaming instructions, the game console including a plurality of first data
ports;
and a dongle unit comprising a housing with a second data port extending
outwardly there from, the second data port operable to connect with one of
first
data ports on the game console, the dongle unit including a first RF
transceiver
portion and the game controller including a second RF transceiver portion, the
first and second RF transceiver portions being operable for establishing a
wireless data link between the dongle unit and the portable game controller to
exchange both the audio data and operational data, the dongle unit including a
first MCU chip portion to receive the audio data and operational data from the
game processor, a first baseband chip portion operable to exchange the audio
data with the first MCU chip portion over a first data path, the first
baseband
chip portion being operable to exchange the operational data with the first
MCU chip portion over a second data path, the first baseband chip portion
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being operable to encode the audio data and operational data on a third data
path, the first RF transceiver portion being operable to receive encoded data
on
the third data path and to exchange the encoded data with the second RF
transceiver portion in the portable game controller over a common carrier
signal, the portable game controller further comprising: a second baseband
chip
portion to exchange the encoded data with the second RF transceiver over a
fourth data path, the second baseband chip portion being operable to decode
the encoded data to deliver the operational data over a fifth data path and
the
audio data over a sixth data path; a second MCU chip portion being operable to
receive the operational data from the fifth data path and to exchange the
operational data with a register portion, the register portion being operable
to
exchange data with one or more game effects generators over a corresponding
one or more data paths; and a CODEC chip portion for exchanging audio data
with the second baseband chip portion over the sixth data path, the CODEC
chip portion being operable to deliver the audio data to the first data link,
the
audio data being representative of an analog audio signal.
[0040] In an embodiment, the head set includes a microphone, the CODEC
chip portion being operable to receive the audio data representative of an
analog signal from the microphone.
[0041] In an embodiment, the first and/or second data links are operable
under a protocol stack including one or more wireless, Internet, satellite,
cell
packet, encryption, and authentication protocols.
[0042] In an embodiment, the wireless protocols include Bluetooth and
802.11 protocols.
[0043] In yet another of its aspects, the present invention provides a gaming
device, comprising a portable game controller operable to receive gaming
instructions from at least one game participant, one or more effects
generators
for generating one or more game effects, a game console including a game
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processor to advance a game sequence in response to the gaming instructions,
the portable game controller and the game console operable to transfer
operational gaming data associated with the gaming instructions and/or the
game effects therebetween over a wireless data link therebetween.
[0044] In an embodiment, the device further comprises a data relay station,
the data relay station operable to establish a first data link with the game
console and a second data link with the portable game controller.
[0045] The first data link may be wired and/or wireless. Preferably, the
first data link is established by way of a magnetic field coupling, an optical
beam either in the visible or invisible spectrums or a combination thereof, or
over a carrier signal at one or more frequencies, frequency ranges, or
frequency
patterns or a combination thereof. The first data link may desirably include a
protocol stack including one or more of WiFi, Bluetooth and/or other 802.11
protocols, TCP/ IP and/ or other Internet protocols, or satellite or cell
packet
protocols, SSL and/or other encryption, encoding or authentication protocols.
[0046] In an embodiment, game console and/ or the data relay station
further comprise a plurality of data ports, wherein the first data link is
established by at least one data port on the data relay station and/or the
game
console or both. In this case, the data ports include a USB port, a serial
port, a
parallel port, an audio port, a memory port, an RCA port, a keyboard or
joystick
port, a line-of-sight optical port or a combination thereof.
(0047] The second data link may also be wired and/or wireless. In this
case, the second data link may be established by way of a magnetic field
coupling, an optical beam either in the visible or invisible spectrums or a
combination thereof, or over a carrier signal at one or more frequencies,
frequency ranges, or frequency patterns or a combination thereof. Desirably,
the second data link includes a protocol stack including one or more of WiFi,
Bluetooth and/or other 802.11 protocols, TCP/IP and/or other Internet
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protocols, or satellite or cell packet protocols, SSL and/or other encryption,
encoding or authentication protocols.
[0048] In an embodiment, the one or more of the effects generators include a
vibrating unit for vibrating the portable game controller. The portable game
controller may include a hand set, a head set and/or is otherwise arranged to
be
carried or worn by the participant.
[0049] In an embodiment, the game console further comprises a plurality of
data ports, the device further comprising a wireless base station, the
wireless
base station operable to establish a wired data link with the game console
through a wired coupling at one of said data ports therewith, the wireless
base
station operable to establish the wireless data link with the portable game
controller.
[0050] Preferably, the data relay station includes at least one port which is
operable to replace an occupied communication port on the game console.
[0051] In an embodiment, one or more power supply units may be provided
for supplying power to the portable game controller, the game console and/or
the data relay station, the power supply units further including one or more
batteries, or a wired coupling between an external power source and/or
portable game controller, the game console and/ or the data relay station.
(0052] In an embodiment, the portable game controller further includes a
housing and/or external graphics and indicia, wherein one or more of the game
effects generators, housing or indicia is genre specific and selected from a
group consisting of racing, fighting, shooting, platform/adventure, flight
simulator, motorcycle/bike, pool cue, fishing, snow board, golf and baseball,
among others.
[0053] In another of its aspects, there is provided a wireless gaming device,
comprising a hand held gaming control means, audio signal generation means
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and communication means and game console means, controller and an audio
communicator for converting a video game system having a game console with
game controller ports and at least one USB port, one memory slot and a audio
communicator slot and being adapted to operate with wired controllers and
audio communicator into a system operable with wireless controllers and
wireless audio communicator, the wireless control device comprising: a game
controller and an audio communicator having at least one user operable switch
and wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting game control information
and a game audio communication; a wireless adapter connected to the game
console via the at least one memory slot/ USB port, communicator slot and
having wireless receiver circuitry for receiving said game control information
and audio communication from said game controller and said audio
communicator; and wireless communication protocol for controlling the
transmission and receiving of wireless signals between said controller/ audio
communicator and said wireless adapter.
(0054] In an embodiment, the wireless adapter comprises wireless
transmitting circuitry for transmitting said controller information and audio
communicator via Internet from the game console. The wireless adapter further
comprises wireless transmitting circuitry for transmitting said controller
information and audio communication via Internet to said controller and audio
communicator. The wireless adapter further includes power supply means for
supplying power to said wireless transmitter circuitry. The power supply
means may include batteries contained within said wireless adapter or other
power sources or power generating sources.
[0055] In an embodiment, the device includes a memory slot disposed on
said wireless adapter for providing a user with access to the used memory slot
while said wireless adapter is disposed in the at least one memory slot on the
game console. The device may also include a USB port disposed on said
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wireless adapter for providing a user with access to the USB interface while
said
wireless adapter is disposed in the at least one USB port on the game console.
(0056] In an embodiment, the device includes an audio communicator slot
disposed on said wireless adapter for providing a user with access to the
audio
communication via Internet while said wireless adapter is disposed in the at
least one audio communicator slot on the game console. The device may
include power supply means in the form of batteries contained within said
wireless adapter. Alternatively or in addition, the power supply means may
include circuitry for obtaining power from the game console via the at least
one
memory slot, controller port, USB port or audio communicator slot. The
wireless communication protocol may include a Radio Frequency (RF),
Bluetooth (RF) or other electromagnetic radiation.
(0057] In an embodiment, the game controller may include an internal
vibration member, said controller information including signals for
selectively
activating said internal vibration member in response to action within a game
being played.
(0058] In an embodiment, the game controller comprises includes genre
specific game controller selected from a group consisting of racing, fighting,
shooting, platform/adventure, flight simulator, motorcycle/bike, pool cue,
fishing, snow board, golf and baseball controllers.
(0059] In an embodiment, the audio communicator includes an audio
communicating on-live via Internet to the at least one party at another part
of
the world, the game controller being genre specific and selected from a group
consisting of racing, fighting, shooting, platform/adventure, flight
simulator,
motorcycle/bike, pool cue, fishing, snow board, golf and baseball.
(0060] In still another of its aspects, the present invention provides a
wireless audio communicator having an audio communicator for converting a
video game system having a game console with game controller ports and at
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least one USB port, one memory slot and a audio communicator slot and being
adapted to operate with wired controllers and audio communicator into a
system operable with wireless controllers and wireless audio communicator,
the wireless audio communicator including an audio communicator having at
least one user operable switch and wireless transmitter circuitry for
transmitting game control information and a game audio cornmunicaHon; a
wireless adapter connected to the game console via the at least one memory
slot/ USB port, communicator slot and having wireless receiver circuitry for
receiving said game control information and audio communication from said
audio communicator; and wireless communication protocol for controlling the
transmission and receiving of wireless signals between said audio
communicator and said wireless adapter.
[0061] In an embodiment, the wireless adapter includes wireless
transmitting circuitry for transmitting said audio communicator message and
information via Internet from the game console.
[0062] In an embodiment, the wireless adapter further comprises wireless
transmitting circuitry for transmitting said controller information and audio
communication via Internet to said controller and audio communicator.
[0063] In an embodiment, the wireless adapter further comprises power
supply means for supplying power to said wireless transmitter circuitry. The
wireless audio communicator may include an audio communicator slot
disposed on said wireless adapter for providing a user with access to the
audio
communication via Internet while said wireless adapter is disposed in the at
least one audio communicator slot on the game console. The power supply
means may include batteries contained within said wireless adapter. Still
further, the power supply means may include circuitry for obtaining power
from the game console via the at least one memory slot, controller port, USB
port or audio communicator slot.
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[0064] The wireless communication protocol or protocols used in the
wireless audio communicator may include Radio Frequency (RF), Bluetooth
(RF) or other electromagnetic radiation.
[0065] In an embodiment, the audio communicator includes an audio
communicating on-live via Internet to at least one party at another part of
the
world, the game controller being genre specific and being selected from a
group
consisting of racing, fighting, shooting, platform/adventure, flight
simulator,
motorcycle/bike, pool cue, fishing, snow board, golf and baseball.
[0066] In still another of its aspects, the present invention provides a
wireless control device includes a controller and an audio communicator for
converting a video game system having a game console with game controller
ports and at least one USB port, one memory slot and an audio communicator
slot and being adapted to operate with wired controllers and audio
communicator into a system operable with wireless controllers and wireless
audio communicator, the wireless control device comprising a game controller
and an audio communicator having at least one user operable switch and
wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting game control information and a
game audio communication; a wireless adapter connected to the game console
via the at least one memory slot/ USB port, communicator slot and having
wireless receiver circuitry for receiving said game control information and
audio communication from said game controller and said audio communicator;
and wireless communication protocol for controlling the transmission and
receiving of wireless signals between said controller/ audio communicator and
said wireless adapter.
[0067] In yet another of its aspects, there is provided a method of gaming,
comprising providing a portable game controller operable to receive gaming
instructions from at least one game participant, providing one or more effects
generators for generating one or more game effects, providing a game console
including a game processor to advance a game sequence in response to the
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gaming instructions, and configuring the portable game controller and the
game console to be operable to transfer operational gaming data associated
with the gaming instructions and/or the game effects therebetween over a
wireless data link therebetween.
[0068] In yet another of its aspects, there is provided a method of gaming,
comprising: a step for providing a portable game controller operable to
receive
gaming instructions from at least one game participant; a step for providing
one
or more effects generators for generating one or more game effects, providing
a
game console including a game processor to advance a game sequence in
response to the gaming instructions, and a step for configuring the portable
game controller and the game console to be operable to transfer operational
gaming data associated with the gaming instructions and/or the game effects
therebetween over a wireless data link therebetween.
[0069] In another of its aspects, the present invention provides a gaming
device, comprising portable game control means operable to receive gaming
instructions from at least one game participant, effects generating means for
generating one or more game effects, game console means including game
processor means to advance a game sequence in response to the gaming
instructions, at least two of the portable game controller means, the game
console means and the effects generating means being operable to transfer
operational data associated with the gaming instructions and/or the game
effects over a wireless data link therebetween.
[0070] Preferably, the game console means includes at least one data port,
further including adapter means to communicate with the game console means
via the at least one data port.
[0071 ] In an embodiment, the adapter means is operable to establish a
wireless data link with at least one of the portable game control means, the
effects generating means and the game console means.
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[0072] In one example, the least one data port includes a USB port, a serial
port, a parallel port, an audio port, a memory port, an RCA port, a keyboard
or
joystick port, a line-of-sight optical port or a combination thereof.
[0073] In one embodiment, the adapter means is operable in a first phase to
exchange operational data associated with the gaming instructions with the
portable game controller means and in a second phase to exchange data
associated with one or more game effects with the effects generating means.
[0074] In one example, the effects generating means includes an audio
communicator, such as a beeper or speaker.
[0075] In an embodiment, the adapter means includes a first adapter
portion which is operable in the first phase and a second adapter portion
which
is operable in the second phase. Preferably, the first and/or second adapter
portions include at least one data port which is complementary with the data
port on the game console means. Desirably, each of the first and second
adapter
portions have mutually complementary data ports to establish a data link there
between. In this case, the first adapter portion may be operable to be plugged
into one of the data ports on the game console means or the portable game
controller means and the second adapter portion may be operable to be plugged
into one of the data ports on the first adapter portion.
[0076] In still another of its aspects, the present invention provides a
wireless adapter device for use in converting a gaming system into a wireless
gaming system, the gaming system having a portable game controller, a game
console and at least one game effects device for generating a predetermined
game effect, the wireless adapter device comprising first data port means for
establishing a wired and/ or wireless data link with the game console, second
data port means for establishing a wired and/or wireless data link with the
portable game controller and third data port means for establishing a wired
and/or wireless data link with the at least one game effects device.
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[0077] In an embodiment, the device includes a first adapter portion
including the first data port and a second adapter portion including the
second
data port, wherein each of the first and second adapter ports have at least
one
third data port for establishing a wired and/or wireless data link there
between.
The one or more of the data ports on the first and second adapter portions may
include a USB port, a serial port, a parallel port, an audio port, a memory
port,
an RCA port, a keyboard or joystick port, a line-of-sight optical port or a
combination thereof.
(0078] In yet another of its aspects, the present invention includes a
wireless
adapter device for use in converting a gaming system into a wireless gaming
system, the gaming system having a portable game controller, a game console
and at least one game effects device for generating a predetermined game
effect,
the wireless adapter device comprising first data port means for establishing
a
data link with the game console, second data port means for establishing a
data
link with the portable game controller and third data port means for
establishing a data link with the at least one game effects device, wherein
one or
more of the first, second and third data port means is operable to establish a
wireless data link.
[0079] In yet another of its aspects, there is provided a method of gaming,
comprising: a step for providing a portable game controller operable to
receive
gaming instructions from at least one game participant; a step for providing
one or more effects generators for generating one or more game effects,
providing a game console including a game processor to advance a game
sequence in response to the gaming instructions, and a step for configuring
the
portable game controller and/or the one or more effects generators and the
game console to be operable to transfer operational gaming data associated
with the gaming instructions and/or the game effects therebetween over a
wireless data link therebetween.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0080] Several preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be
described, by way of example only, with reference to the appended drawings in
which:
[0081 j Figure 1 is a perspective schematic representation of a wireless
gaming device;
[0082] Figure 2 is a perspective schematic representation of another wireless
gaming device;
[0083] Figure 3 is a perspective schematic representation of yet another
wireless gaming device;
[0084] Figure 4 is a block diagram of portions of the device of figure 3; and
[0085] Figure 5 is a block diagram of portions of the device of figure 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0086] Figure 1 shows a wireless gaming device 10 having a portable game
controller 12 operable to receive gaming instructions from at least one game
participant and transmit them to a game console 14. The portable game
controller 12, in this case, is hand held and includes one or more effects
generators for generating one or more game effects such as for example, a
vibration means. The game console 14 includes a game processor which carries
out a pre-programmed game provided on a game card, memory cartridge, or
storage disk or the like, (not shown) having memory means for storing a game
program and is received in a corresponding game slot or disk reader on the
game console. The game console 14 is thus operable to advance a game
20
CA 02505234 2005-04-25
sequence in response to the gaming instructions from the participant as
entered
in the portable game controller 12.
(0087] The portable game controller 12 and the game console 14 are also
operable to transfer operational gaming data associated with the gaming
instructions and/or the game effects therebetween over a wireless data link
therebetween. This is achieved, in this particular example, by way of a data
relay station (or wireless control receiver) 18, which is operable to
establish a
first data link 20 with the game console and a second data link 24 with the
portable game controller 12.
(0088] The first data link 20 may be wired and/or wireless. In this
particular example, the game console 14 and the data relay station 18 are
provided with a plurality of data ports, as shown at collectively at 25 and 26
respectively. In this case, the first data link 20 is established by at least
one data
port on the data relay station by way of data cable 28 coupled therewith.
Though not shown, the data cable 28 may either be hard wired directly to the
data relay station 18 or coupled by way of one of data ports 26 as desired. In
this case the data ports 25, 26 may include any combination of one or more USB
ports, serial ports, parallel ports, audio ports, and/or memory card ports.
The
data ports may include an RCA plug port, a keyboard port, a game port or a
joystick port and, still further, may include one or more line-of-sight
optical
ports or a combination thereof.
(0089] Thus, while the data link 20 is provided by a cable 28 in this example,
it may also be established by a range of other communication means, such as a
by an optical beam either in the visible or invisible spectrums or a
combination
thereof, or over a carrier signal at one or more frequencies, frequency
ranges, or
frequency patterns, or over a magnetic coupling or a combination thereof. The
first data link may desirably include a protocol stack including one or more
of
USB, Bluetooth, WiFi and/ or other 802.11 protocols, TCP/ IP and/ or other
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Internet protocols, or satellite or cell packet protocols, SSL and/or other
encryption, encoding or authenHcaHon protocols.
(0090] The second data link 24 may also be wired and/or wireless. In this
case, the second data link may be established by way of an optical beam either
in the visible or invisible spectrums or a combination thereof, or over a
carrier
signal at one or more frequencies, frequency ranges, or frequency patterns,
over
a magnetic coupling, or a combination thereof. Desirably, the second data link
includes a protocol stack including one or more of USB, Bluetooth, WiFi and/or
other 802.11 protocols, TCP/IP and/or other Internet protocols, or satellite
or
cell packet protocols, SSL and/or other encryption, encoding or authentication
protocols.
(0091] The portable game controller 12 may also be provided with any
combination of one or more USB ports, serial ports, parallel ports, audio
ports,
or memory card ports. The data ports may include an RCA plug port, a
keyboard port or a joystick port and, still further, may include one or more
line-
of-sight optical ports or a combination thereof. In this case, the one or more
of
the effects generators includes a vibrating unit located onboard the portable
game controller 12. In this particular case, the portable game controller
includes
a port 30 to receive the plug on a cable 32a of an audio headset 32. The audio
headset provides high quality full-duplex voice signals to permit interactive
voice communications between the gaming participant using the wireless
gaming device 10. The data channel 50 is operable to provide sufficient
bandwidth to enable the voice communications.
[0092] While the portable game controller 12 is in this case a handheld
version, it may alternatively be a head set and/ or be otherwise arranged to
be
carried or worn by the participant, or more than one participant as the case
may
be.
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[0093] Though not shown, one or more power sources are provided for
supplying power to the portable game controller 12, the game console 14
and/or the data relay station 18 which may include one or more batteries, or a
wired coupling between an external power supply and/or portable game
controller, the game console and/or the data relay station. The power may be,
in some cases, shared between one or more units through wired couplings
therebetween. For instance, the game console 14 may be provided with a power
plug engagable with an external power source such as a wall outlet, a solar
collector, a battery or some other onboard or external power generating means.
[0094] The portable game controller 12 further includes a housing 34 with
external graphics and indicia including a pair of hand grip formations 36 and
a
plurality of buttons 38 including directional control buttons, sequence
buttons,
a joy stick and the like. In this case, housing, the game effects generators
and
indicia may be genre specific and selected from a group consisting of racing,
fighting, shooting, platform/adventure, flight simulator, motorcycle/bike,
pool
cue, fishing, snow board, golf and baseball, among many other possibilities.
[0095] The device 10 is designed to operate with game console 14. Parts or
functions associated with~the game console 14 may include a programmed logic
controller or some other form of controller. It may be included in a software
program configured to run on a general purpose computer, such as personal
computer, or on a more substantial computer mainframe, which is operable to
work within a network, for data to be uploaded to a central database. The
network may thus involve several general purpose computers, for example
those sold under the trade names Apple tnl or IBM tn~, or clones thereof,
which
are programmed with operating systems known by the trade names
WINDOWS tat, LINUX or other well known or lesser known equivalents of
these. The system may involve pre-programmed software using a number of
possible languages or a custom designed version of a programming software
sold under the trade name ACCESS tm or similar programming software. The
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CA 02505234 2005-04-25
computer network may be a wired local area network, or a wide area network
such as the Internet, or a combination of the two, with or without added
security, authentication protocols, or under "peer-to-peer" or "client-server"
or
other networking architectures. The network may also be a wireless network or
a combination of wired and wireless networks. The wireless network may
operate under frequencies such as those dubbed 'radio frequency' or "RF"
using protocols such as the 802.11, TCP/IP, WiFi, Bluetooth and the like, or
other well known Internet, wireless, satellite or cell packet protocols. The
system may, alternatively, include a single custom built computer which is
dedicated to the function of the system alone.
[0096] Thus, the wireless gaming device 10 allows one or more participants
to play a predetermined video game where a wireless connection may be
provided between one or more components of the gaming device 10. In the
specific example of gaming device 10, the portable game controller 12 has a
wireless data link with the data relay station 18 in a manner allowing the
participant at the portable game controller 12 to be positioned at any one of
a
number of locations in a room, an adjoining room or the like. If desired, the
game console 14 and the data relay station 18 may be in different rooms or
indeed in different buildings or indeed in different countries in which case
the
game console 14 and the data relay station may be operable to exchange data
over a local area network, a wide area network, either wired or wireless or
both,
over a satellite network, or over a cell packet network, which may or may not
include the Internet. The game console 14 may, for example, be replaced by a
notebook or desktop computer.
[0097] Figures 2 and 5 illustrate another embodiment of the present
invention. Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the embodiment, while
figure 5 illustrates a block diagram of the embodiment. Gaming device 40 is
operable for use with a game console means 14 having a game processor means
(not shown) to advance a game sequence in response to the gaming
24
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instructions. The gaming device 40 has a portable game controller means 42
operable to receive gaming instructions from at least one game participant,
effects generating means, for generating one or more game effects, and a
wireless headset means 44, for transmitting and receiving audio information,
such as for example, voice communications between a participant operating
gaming device 40, and remote participants, playing interactively, operating
similar gaming systems at a remote location.. The portable game controller
means 42 and the game console means 14 are operable to transfer operational
data associated with the gaming instructions over a wireless data link
therebetween, as shown at 50.
(0098] The game console means 14 includes a number of data ports 25 and
an adapter means is provided at 54 to communicate with the game console 14
means via the at least one data port 25.
[0099] The adapter means 54 is operable to establish a wireless data link
with the portable game controller means 42, via data link 50 and the headset
means 44 by way of data link 56. If the adapter means 54 is also operable to
establish a data link with the game console means 14.
[00100] The data ports 25 may include a USB port, a serial port, a parallel
port, an audio port, a memory port, an RCA port, a keyboard or joystick port,
a
line-of-sight optical port or a combination thereof.
[00101 ] The adapter means 54, in this case, is operable in a first phase to
exchange operational data associated with the gaming instructions with the
portable game controller means 42, and in a second phase to exchange data
associated with an audio signal, with the head set 44...
[00102] The adapter means 54 includes a first adapter portion 58 which is
operable in the first phase and a second adapter portion 60 which is operable
in
the second phase. The first adapter portion 58 has a data port 58a which is
complementary with one of the data ports 25 on the game console means 14.
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Desirably, each of the first and second adapter portions have mutually
complementary data ports 58b, 60a, respectively, to establish a wired data
link
there between. In this case, the first adapter portion 58 may be operable to
be
plugged into one of the data ports 25 on the game console means and the data
port 60a of the second adapter portion 60 may be operable to be plugged into
the data port 58b on the first adapter portion 58.
[00103] Thus, the gaming system 40 provides for a headset means 44 and a
portable game controller means 42 to be wirelessly connected to a game console
means for operating a game therein. The adapter means 54 may be sold
separate with or without the headset means 44 or the portable game controller
means 42. Further, the adapter means 54 provides a convenient way to retrofit
a game console otherwise capable only of wired data exchange with a headset
means and/ or a game controller or other peripherals therewith. Figure 5 will
be
discussed in further detail below.
[00104] It will be understood that the certain components, portions, data
ports and data links of the gaming system 40 may include features in common
with those of the gaming system 10 and vice versa.
[00105] Figures 3 and 4 schematically illustrate another gaming device 62
having a portable game controller 64 operable to receive gaming instructions
from at least one game participant. Figure 3 is a perspective view and figure
4
is a block diagram representation. The portable game controller 64 includes
one
or more effects generators for generating one or more game effects, including
lights 64a, buttons 64b and a vibrating unit 64c. In the embodiment
represented
in figures 3 and 4, the portable game controller 64 is a wireless game
controller
64. The game controller 64 communicates game control data and duplex audio
data, wirelessly, with a wireless controller receiver represented by dongle
76.
[00106] The gaming device 62 provides an audio headset 66 having one or
more speakers 66a and a microphone 66b and which communicates with the
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CA 02505234 2005-04-25
portable game controller 64 over a first data link (via cable 68) to exchange
an
audio data signal therebetween. In this case, the first data link is a wired
data
link, provided by a cable 68 and mutually compatible ports between it and the
portable game controller 64. The first data link may, if desired, be replaced
by a
wireless audio link as shown at 69.
(00107] A game console 14 exchanges operational data with the portable
game controller 64. In this case, the operational data includes gaming
instructions and the game console 14 includes a game processor 72 to advance a
game sequence in response to the gaming instructions and to present the game
on a video terminal shown schematically at 73.
(00108] The game console 14 includes a plurality of first data ports 25. A
dongle unit is generally shown at 76 and includes a housing 78 with a second
data port 80 extending outwardly therefrom to connect with one of first data
ports 25 on the game console 14. An additional port 79 may be provided on
dongle unit 76, to accommodate a memory card, for example.
(00109] Referring to figure 4, the dongle unit 76 includes a first RF
transceiver portion 82 and the portable game controller 64 includes a second
RF
transceiver portion 84. The first and second RF transceiver portions 82, 84
establish a wireless data link 86 between the dongle unit 76 and the portable
game controller 64 to exchange both the audio data and operational data.
(00110] The dongle unit 76 has a first microcontroller unit (MCU) chip
portion 88 to receive the audio data and operational data from the game
processor 72 of game console 14, for example through mutually compatible
ports 80 and 25 such as USB ports therebetween forming a data path as shown
at 88a. A first baseband chip portion 90 exchanges the audio data with the
first
MCU chip portion 88 over a data path 92 between their respective USB and USB
Hub ports. The first baseband chip portion 90 also exchanges the operational
data with the first MCU chip portion 88 over a data path 94 between their
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CA 02505234 2005-04-25
respective serial peripheral interface (SPI) ports. The first baseband chip
portion 90 combines or integrates the audio data and operational data and
encodes on a data path 96 to be received by the first RF transceiver portion
82,
which in turn exchanges the encoded data with the second RF transceiver
portion 84 in the portable game controller 64 over a common carrier signal,
forming the wireless data link 86. In a preferred embodiment, the wireless
data
link 86 is a Bluetooth compatible signal.
[00111 ] The first MCU chip portion 88 dispatches and receives operational
data by way of a control key signal which controls data exchange between the
game console 14 and the portable game controller 64. In one operative phase,
the first MCU chip portion 88 receives a control key signal from the first
baseband chip 90 when a portable game controller user depresses one of the
buttons 64b on the portable game controller 64. Thus, the payload of the
control key signal received by the MCU chip portion will thus vary depending
on which button 64b is depressed.
[00112] In another operative phase, the first MCU chip portion issues a
control key signal according to operational data for one or more "game
effects"
as issued by the game processor 72. A second USB Hub port 93 on MCU chip
88 is connected to an external socket 95 to accommodate for example, a memory
card.
[00113] The portable game controller 64 has a second baseband chip portion
98 which exchanges the encoded data with the second RF transceiver portion 84
over a data path 100. The second baseband chip portion 98 decodes the
encoded data to separate the operational (key control) data and the audio
data,
to deliver the operational data over a data path 102 and the audio data over a
data path 104. A second MCU chip portion 106 receives the operational data at
its SPI port from the data path 102 and exchanges the operational data with a
register portion 108 over a data path 109, which in turn exchanges data with
one
or more game effects generators including the lights 64a, the buttons 64b and
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CA 02505234 2005-04-25
the vibrating unit 64c over a corresponding one or more data paths. In an
example, a vibration effect control key signal is transmitted through the
baseband unit 90, RF unit 82, across date link 88 to RF unit 84, baseband unit
98
through second MCU 106, through register unit 108, to operate vibrating
module 64c within the portable game controller 64. Other "game effects" data
may also be sent via the control key signal, such as blinking lights 64a or
beep,
sounds and the like.
[00114] The first MCU 88 can be a Genesys Logic Inc. GL653 or a U44R110, or
for example another MCU which is able to support both USB and SPI ports and
additionally can support two USB hub ports. The second MCU portion 106 can
implemented by a SN8A1707 or a EM78P451, or for example, another MCU
capable of reading operational data from the baseband unit 98 and transferring
it to the appropriate effect generator, and capable of receiving game
participant's inputs from various buttons 64b and/or analog inputs and
transferring them to baseband controller 98 via an SPI port.
[00115] The baseband units 90 and 98 can be implemented using for example,
a Conwise CW6621, or for example another baseband chip capable of accepting
data from an SPI port and voice data over a USB port and combining them and
transferring them to a RF transceiver.
[00116] The RF transceivers 82, 84 can be implemented using a Signia
Technologies SGN5010 Bluetooth transceiver, for example.
[00117] A CODEC chip portion 110 exchanges audio data with the second
baseband chip 98 over the data path 104. In this case, the CODEC chip portion
110 decodes the audio data to form an analog signal, then amplifies and
delivers the analog audio signal to the driver (speaker) of the audio headset
66
over a data path 112. The microphone 66b of the audio headset 66 dispatches
an audio signal to the CODEC chip portion 110 over the data path 116, which
then, conversely, encodes the analog audio signal into a digital audio signal.
In
29
CA 02505234 2005-04-25
this case, the data paths 112, 116 are both provided over the cable 68 of
first
wired data link.
[00118] In this example, the wireless data link 86 is managed by the dongle
unit 76 and the portable game controller, under the Bluetooth protocol, though
other protocols may also be used as necessary, such as I/R, RF, WIFI, 802.11
and the like. In this case, the first and second transceiver portions 82, 84
include
a 2.4 GHz RF chip.
[00119] As a host, the game console 14 may be that sold under the trade
names XBoxTM, Sony PlaystationTM, NintendoTM or other dedicated game
console; a PC or other computer implemented system; or a communicating
device capable of issuing signals including audio data and control data. The
host may also be an adapter in between the dongle unit 76 and the game
console 14. In this case, the game console 14 is also in communication with a
server 120 on the Internet 122 or another host using TCP/ IP or other
applicable
network and/or communications protocols.
[00120] The dongle unit 76 is matched for dedicated operation with only one
host. For instance, if the host is an XboxTM game console, then the dongle
unit 76
is dedicated to operate with the XboxTM, to the exclusion of other hosts.
However, the dongle unit 76 may, if desired, be provided with the capability
to
operate with more than one host, depending on the proprietary nature of the
software protocols of each host and communications applications encoded in
the dongle unit 76.
[00121 ] The device operates as follows. First, the dongle unit 76 is selected
to
match the game console 14 and is connected thereto. The user then powers up
the game console 14, initiates a game and plugs the audio head set 66 into,
and
grasps the portable game controller 64. The game sequences are displayed on
the video terminal 73. Watching the video terminal 73, the user then acts and
reacts to the game sequences. The game processor 72 generates or plays pre-
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CA 02505234 2005-04-25
recorded audio signals which are played through the speakers of the video
terminal or through the speakers of a separate audio or stereo system.
[00122] While the game progresses, the game processor 72 within game
console 14 issues an operational data stream to trigger one or more game
effects
generators, such as the vibrating unit 64c in the portable game controller 64.
The game processor also handles audio data sequences from remote game
participants playing interactively with the user of portable game controller
64
and forms an audio data stream. Both the operational and the audio data
streams are dispatched over the data path 88a to the first MCU chip portion 88
in the dongle unit 76. The first MCU chip portion 88 then dispatches the audio
data stream over the data path 92 and the operational data stream over the
data
path 94. The first baseband chip portion 90 combines or integrates the two
data
streams onto a single data stream over the data path 96 to the first
transceiver
portion 82 which dispatches the encoded data stream to the second transceiver
portion 84 in the portable game controller 64 over a 2.4 GHz carrier signal
forming the second data link 86.
[00123] The second transceiver portion 84 dispatches the encoded data
stream to the second baseband portion 98 which separates or disintegrates the
encoded data stream into the audio data stream and operational data stream
components. The audio data stream is then dispatched to the CODEC chip 110
on the data path 104 and the operational data stream is dispatched to the SPI
port of the second MCU chip portion 106 over the data path 102. The second
MCU chip portion 106 then conveys the operational data stream to the
corresponding one or more effects generators via data path 109. In one
example, the vibrating 64c may be the only effects generator receiving
operational data from the game console, namely a vibrating unit, though there
may be others, such as for example, lights and the like.
[00124] The CODEC chip portion 110 receives the audio data stream,
decodes the data therein and forms an amplified analog audio signal which is
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dispatched to the one or more speakers 66a on the audio head set 66, via data
path 112. Similarly, the CODEC chip portion 110 receives an analog signal from
the microphone 66b in the audio headset 66 on data path 116 and the digitizes
the signal to form a digital audio data stream which is conveyed to the second
baseband chip portion 98, which in turn encodes the audio data stream with
one or more operational data signals received from the register portion 108
and
dispatches the integrated signal to the second baseband chip portion 98 which
in turn conveys the integrated signal to the second RF transceiver portion 84
which in turn conveys the signal over the second data link 86 to the first RF
transceiver portion 82 and correspondingly to the first baseband portion 90.
The latter decodes the signal into its audio and operational data constituents
and conveys them respectively on the data paths 92, 94 to the first MCU chip
portion 88 which delivers the audio and operational data constituents signal
to
the game console 14 by way of the data path 88a.
[00125] Thus, it will be seen that each of the dongle unit 76 and the portable
game controller 64 has an MCU chip portion, a baseband chip portion and a
2.4GHz RF chip, while the portable game controller 64 has an additional
CODEC chip portion 110. The dongle unit 76 and portable game controller 64
comply fully with the Bluetooth standard whereby the data are kept intact
therebetween, considering normal transmission errors under this protocol.
Thus, the gaming device 62 integrates gaming control signals and audio
communication data signals and provides a single wireless data transmission
path carrying both the operational data and the voice data using the Bluetooth
standard, allowing a game player to play a game by the wireless portable game
controller 64 with the audio headset 66 (comprising 66a and 66b) without the
need for the audio headset 66 to be connected independently to the game
console 14.
[00126] The operation of the embodiment the gaming system 40 of figure 5
(represented in perspective view in figure 2) will now be described in more
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detail. In this embodiment, gaming system 40 comprises a wireless game
controller 42, a wireless headset 44, a first adapter portion 58 ("dongle')
and a
second adapter portion 60. The wireless game controller 42 is operable to be
in
wireless communication with the first adapter portion 58 using wireless data
link 50; and wireless headset 44 is operable to be in wireless communication
with second adapter portion 60 using wireless link 56. First adapter portion
58
is operable to communicate with data port 25 of game console 14 via port 58a
and with second adapter portion 60 via port 58b. In this embodiment,
operational data (key control data) is transmitted via wireless data link 50
and
audio data is transmitted via a separate wireless data link 56. In operation,
a
user playing a video game on console 14, wears headset 44 and holds wireless
controller 42. During game play, the user operates keys 150a, buttons 150b
and/or joystick controls 150c on wireless controller 42, which are detected by
MCU 152 which encodes corresponding key control data signals onto data link
154 to baseband controller 156 which formats the data and transmits it to RF
transceiver 160, via data link 158. The RF transceiver 160 then transmits the
key
control data via wireless data link 50 to corresponding RF transceiver 162 of
first adapter means 58. In one embodiment, RF transceivers 160, 162 conform to
the BluetoothTM wireless standard maintained by the Bluetooth Special Interest
Group. RF transceiver 162 sends the key control data via data link 164 to
baseband controller 166 which formats the key control data for transmission
via
SPI data link 168 to an SPI port on MCU 170. The MCU 170 transmits the key
control data to data port 25 of console 14. With reference to figure 5,
expansion
port 58b of first adapter means 58 is connected to a first USB Hub port 171 of
MCU 170. The expansion port 58b is operable to accept connector means 60a of
second adapter means 60 for operation with a wireless headset 44. In one
embodiment, a second USB Hub port 173 of MCU 170 is provided for external
expansion to, for example to a memory card (not shown).
(00127] Game effects generated by game console 14 are encoded into "key
control" data signals and follow the same data path in the reverse direction
to
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MCU 152 which activates the appropriate effects generator such as vibration
unit 150d. During game play the user can speak into microphone 174 to
generate an analog audio signal which is sent to CODEC 176 which digitizes the
audio signal for transmission via data link 178 to baseband controller 180
which
formats the audio data and transmits via data link 182 to RF transceiver 184
which then transmits the audio data via wireless data link 56 to corresponding
RF transceiver 188 of second adapter means 60. In a preferred embodiment, RF
transceivers 184, 188 conform to the BluetoothTM wireless standard maintained
by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group. RF transceiver 188 sends the audio
data
via data link 190 to baseband controller 192 which formats the audio data to a
USB compatible format for transmission via connector means 60a, to expansion
port 58b through to USB data Iink 193 to the first USB Hub port 171 of MCU
170. The MCU 170 then sends the audio data to data port 25 of game console
14. Game console 14 is operable to transmit the audio data to remote game
consoles via a network, the Internet or other means. In this manner, an audio
communication can be established among multiple users playing a compatible
video game and networked appropriately. Audio data from remote users can be
received by the game console 14 which conveys the "remote" audio data along
the same data path in a reverse direction to CODEC 176 which converts the
remote audio data to analog form to send to speaker 194 of wireless headset
44.
While communications protocols such as USB, SPI, and Bluetooth have been
described with respect to this embodiment, other communications protocols can
also be used. Thus the gaming system 40 permits transmission of gaming
control signals and audio communication data signals in a wireless
environment. Gaming control data signals are sent to and from a wireless
controller and audio communication data signals are sent to and from a
wireless headset.
[00128] While the present invention has been described for what are
presently considered the preferred embodiments, the invention is not so
limited. To the contrary, the invention is intended to cover various
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modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and
scope of the appended claims. The scope of the following claims is to be
accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications
and equivalent structures and functions.
35
