Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02747151 2011-07-22
Game Controller System
Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention is directed to a game controller, and in
particular, a game
controller with user controlled parameters for rapid fire use.
Background
[0002] Many video games are shooter games, where the player controls a gun or
other
projectile weapon, and the object of the game includes targetted shooting. In
a first person
shooter game, the game shows the action from the visual perspective of the
character being
controlled by the player. In a third person shooter game, the player character
is shown at a
distance.
[0003] Many shooter games have evolved to be played online, against known or
unknown
players over the Internet. These games have become very competitive, and there
is always the
desire to be better, and to gain any competitive edge possible.
[0004] Many game controllers may be modified to be "rapid fire" controllers.
As the name
suggests, the modification permits a significant increase in the rate of
firing of the weapon,
which may of course provide a significant advantage in game play.
[0005] While stock controllers provided with such game consoles such as
Playstation 3 (PS3)
or XboxTM do not have rapid fire capability, numerous off-the-shelf
modifications are
commercially available to convert the stock controller into a rapid fire
controller. The
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modification typically involves a hardware upgrade which involves disassembly
and
reassembly of the controller with replacement of controller chips.
[00061 There remains a need in the art for a controller which has rapid fire
capability, but with
user controllable parameters that can optimize the controller for various
games and scenarios,
preferably in a user-friendly and intuitive control scheme.
Summary Of The Invention
[00071 In one aspect, the invention comprises a game controller which has, or
has been
modified to have, rapid fire capability. The controller comprises rapid fire
module which
comprises a shot rate adjustment component and a multiple preset component,
and a display.
[00081 In another aspect, the invention comprises a modification kit which
comprises a rapid
fire module which comprises a shot rate adjustment component and a multiple
preset
component, and a display, which kit may be used to modify a game controller.
Brief Description Of The Drawings
[00091 In the drawings, like elements are assigned like reference numerals.
The drawings are
not necessarily to scale, with the emphasis instead placed upon the principles
of the present
invention. Additionally, each of the embodiments depicted are but one of a
number of
possible arrangements utilizing the fundamental concepts of the present
invention. The
drawings are briefly described as follows:
[00101 Figure 1 shows a game controller of the present invention.
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[0011] Figure 2 shows a schematic of a hardware component configured to
implement the
methods of one embodiment of the invention.
[0012] Figure 3 shows a schematic flowchart of one embodiment of a method of
adjusting
shot rate.
[0013] Figure 4 shows a schematic flowchart of one embodiment of a method of
setting preset
shot rate values.
Detailed Description Of Preferred Embodiments
[0014] The invention relates to a game controller with user-controllable rapid
fire capability.
When describing the present invention, all terms not defined herein have their
common art-
recognized meanings. To the extent that the following description is of a
specific embodiment
or a particular use of the invention, it is intended to be illustrative only,
and not limiting of the
claimed invention. The following description is intended to cover all
alternatives,
modifications and equivalents that are included in the spirit and scope of the
invention, as
defined in the appended claims.
[0015] As used herein, the term "rapid fire" means the ability to shoot at an
appreciably faster
rate than a "stock" (standard unmodified) game controller for any given game.
Although rapid
fire game controllers are conventionally made by modifying standard game
controllers, it is
possible that game console manufacturers may build in such capability to the
stock controller,
which would still be considered a rapid fire controller for the purposes of
the present
invention.
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[00161 In one embodiment, the invention comprises a rapid fire game controller
(10) with a
shot rate adjustment component, a user preset component, and a display (12).
The game
controller may be adapted to be operatively connected to any game console,
such as XboxTM,
PlaystationTM, NintendoTM, as is well known in the art. The game controller
may also be
adapted to be operatively connected to a game being played on a general
purpose computer or
a handheld portable gaming device.
[00171 In one aspect, the invention may comprise a modification kit comprising
a rapid fire
module which comprises a shot rate adjustment component and a multiple preset
component,
and a display, which kit may be used to modify an existing game controller.
[00181 The shot rate adjustment component allows the user to adjust or set the
shot rate
(typically expressed as shots per minute or shots per second) to a desired
level. For example,
the component may permit the user to select any shot rate between 1 shot per
second, and 100
shots per second. The currently selected shot rate will display in the LED
display (12) on the
controller shown in Figure 1.
[0019] The shot rate adjustment component and the user preset component may be
implemented in the controller in firmware, software, hardware, or combinations
thereof. In
one embodiment, as shown schematically in Figure 2, the components are
embedded in a chip
which is configured to replace the chip provided in the stock controller, to
duplicate the
functionality of the stock controller, but with added rapid fire capability,
and with the shot rate
adjustment component and the user preset component.
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[0020] The shot rate adjustment component is responsive to user input. In one
embodiment, a
rate adjustment button (14) is provided. A single press of the rate adjustment
button places
the controller in rate adjustment mode. The user can then adjust the shot rate
upwards or
downwards using, for example, the right analog stick (16), and the shot rate
value is shown in
the display. Once the desired shot rate has been selected, pressing the rate
adjustment button
(14) stores the shot rate and exits the rate adjustment mode. The selected and
stored shot rate
is shown in the display (12). A schematic flowchart of one embodiment of the
process is
shown in Figure 3.
[0021] In one embodiment, the shot rate can be adjusted in 0.1 shots per
second increments,
although any incremental value may be implemented.
[0022] In one embodiment, the shot rate adjustment component may allow a user
to test fire
the selected shot rate while still in rate adjustment mode.
[0023] The user preset component allows a user to quickly choose one of a
plurality of preset
shot rate values, and is also responsive to user input. In one embodiment, a
preset button (18)
is provided. A single press of the preset button places the controller in
preset selection mode
and the current preset selection, if any, is shown. A preset may be indicated
with a code such
as PO1, P02 etc. In one embodiment, the display will alternate between the
preset number and
the shot rate which is stored in that preset. The user can then toggle through
the stored presets
using, for example, the right analog stick (16), and the preset number and
shot rate is shown in
the display. Once the desired preset is selected, another press of the preset
button selects the
desired preset.
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[0024] A user can adjust the shot rate which is stored in a preset by pressing
the preset button
(18) to select preset selection mode, and toggle to the desired preset and
adjust the preset shot
rate value by, for example using the left analog stick (20) or any other
control (22) which is
responsive to adjust the shot rate value for that preset. As the shot rate is
adjusted, the value
may be shown in the display. Once the desired value is reached, another press
of the preset
button stores the adjusted shot rate value and exits the preset selection
mode.
[0025] In another embodiment, the controller may have one or more light
indicators which
may switched to display different colors. The colors may be chosen to be
indicative of
selected modes of operation, or may be simply decorative. For example, the
controller shown
in Figure 1 may have lighting on each of the analog thumbstick controls. A
dedicated light
button (20) may scroll between different light modes. For example, both
thumbsticks may be
set to show a solid green color, or an alternative color, or alternate between
two or more
colors, or flash colors in a predetermined sequence or randomly. In one
embodiment, the
colors may flash synchronously with the rapid fire shot rate. The current or
selected color
mode may be displayed in the display with a code such as Cl, C2 etc.
[0026] In one embodiment, the controller may further comprise a component and
a dedicated
button to accomplish a task or action in the game. For example, in one
embodiment, the
controller may comprise an active reload component. In many video games, such
as Gear of
War, ammunition is limited, and periodic reloading is necessary. A dedicated
active reload
button may be provided which allows a user to choose and switch between active
reload
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modes may be provided. In other examples, a dedicated bullet spray, drop shot
or quick scope
button may be provided to activate those actions in the Call of Duty game.
[00271 As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, various modifications,
adaptations and
variations of the foregoing specific disclosure can be made without departing
from the scope
of the invention claimed herein.
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