(19) United States
`(12) Reissued Patent
`Slifer
`
`(10) Patent Number:
`
`US RE39,818 E
`(45) Date of Reissued Patent:
`Sep. 4, 2007
`
`USO0RE39818E
`
`(54) PERSONALIZED WIRELESS VIDEO GAME
`SYSTEM
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor: Russell Slifer, 2478 Warmsprings
`Ave" B0156’ ID (US) 83712
`
`(21) APP1~ N01 10/763,073
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Jan. 22, 2004
`
`Related U.S. Patent Documents
`
`Reissue of:
`
`(64) Patent No.:
`Issued:
`Appl. No.:
`Filed:
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`A63F 13/02
`A63F 13/10
`
`6,342,010
`Jan. 29, 2002
`08/970,258
`Nov. 14, 1997
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`.......................... .. 463/39; 463/29; 434/351
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`(58) Field of Classification Search ................. .. 463/29,
`463/39, 4(L44, 35—38; 345/168, 172, 156;
`341/20; 434/322, 325, 351; 380/7; 320/107;
`273/148 B
`
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,618,045 A *
`5,634,849 A *
`5,738,583 A *
`
`............... .. 463/40
`4/1997 Kagan et al.
`
`6/1997 Abecassis .... ..
`463/30
`4/1998 Comasetal.
`463/40
`
`------
`: :
`434/350
`5,823,788 A * 10/1998 Lemelson etal.
`
`5,838,138 A * 11/1998 Henty ................ .. 320/107
`................ .. 710/15
`5,860,023 A *
`1/1999 Tognazzini
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner—John M. Hotaling, H
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Avideo game system is described which includes a wireless
`game controller which stores information about the user of
`the controller. The controller includes a memory for storing
`the information. The information is communicated through
`wireless transmissions to a processor which can operate a
`video game. The personalized information can include, for
`example, the user’s name, skill level, preferred characters,
`handicaps, limitations, and/or historical game scores. The
`game controllers can include a wireless receiver for receiv-
`ing communications from the processor to update informa-
`tion stored in the controller. Several different communica-
`
`including
`tion operations and protocols are described,
`storing a user identification code in the controller with
`corresponding detailed information stored in the processor,
`or storing detailed information in the hand held controller
`and down loading the information to the processor.
`
`5,273,437 A * 12/1993 Caldwell et al.
`
`.......... .. 434/351
`
`35 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
`
`126
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`Petitioners’ EX1001 Page 1
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`Petitioners' EX1001 Page 1
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 4, 2007
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 4, 2007
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`Sheet 2 of 3
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`?-D To Display
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 4, 2007
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`Sheet 3 of 3
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`US RE39,818 E
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`Petitioners’ EX1001 Page 4
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`Petitioners' EX1001 Page 4
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`

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`US RE39,818 E
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`1
`PERSONALIZED WIRELESS VIDEO GAME
`SYSTEM
`
`Matter enclosed in heavy brackets [ ] appears in the
`original patent but forms no part of this reissue specifi-
`cation; matter printed in italics indicates the additions
`made by reissue.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`invention relates to video games and in
`The present
`particular the present invention relates to wireless control of
`a video game system.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`With the advancements in video game systems, person-
`alized operation is becoming more desirable. Original video
`games allowed any user to operate the game at different skill
`levels which were selected at the start of the game. Each
`user, however, was treated the same during operation of the
`game. It would be desirable to allow each user to have a
`personality which interacts with the game, such that video
`game have the ability to “recognize” a user and adjust game
`operation accordingly.
`Vrdeo game systems typically include one or more con-
`trollers for controlling the operation of a video game. These
`controllers are connected to a central processing unit
`through a communication bus cable. The video game user,
`therefore, is restricted in possible operating locations. That
`is, a user carmot play a game from a relatively remote
`location.
`
`Further, because the game controllers are attached to the
`central processing unit, a portable personalized controller
`carmot be provided. Any user who operates a game using the
`same controller is treated the same by the video game.
`For the reasons stated above, and for other reasons stated
`below which will become apparent to those skilled in the art
`upon reading and understanding the present specification,
`there is a need in the art for a video game system having a
`portable controller which allows user to operate a video
`game from a remote location. Further, a video game system
`is need which has portable personalized game controllers.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The above mentioned problems with video game systems
`and other problems are addressed by the present invention
`and which will be understood by reading and studying the
`following specification. A video game system is described
`which includes personalized wireless game controllers. The
`controller allows for the custom operation of an interactive
`video system based upon personal data transmitted from the
`controller.
`
`In particular, one embodiment of the present invention
`describes a personalized portable video game controller
`comprising a wireless transmitter for transmitting user per-
`sonalized information and video game control signals to a
`video game processor,
`input controls for generating the
`control signals in response to movements by a user, a
`non-volatile memory for storing the user personalized
`information, and a receiver for receiving wireless transmis-
`sions from the video game processor. The received wireless
`transmissions including data to be stored in the non-volatile
`memory.
`
`In another embodiment, a video game system is described
`which comprises a processor unit for operating game soft-
`ware and displaying video images on a display screen. The
`
`2
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`processor includes a receiver for receiving wireless identi-
`fication and control signal transmissions. The system also
`comprises a personalized portable controller having a plu-
`rality of control switches for generating game control
`signals, a non-volatile memory for storing personalized
`identification information corresponding to a user of the
`controller, and a transmitter for wireless transmitting of the
`identification and control signals to the processor unit.
`In another embodiment, a method of operating an inter-
`active video system is described. The method comprises the
`steps of activating a processing unit, transmitting personal-
`ized information from a controller using wireless
`transmissions, storing the personalized information in a
`memory of the processing unit, transmitting updated per-
`sonalized information from the processing unit to the con-
`troller using wireless transmissions, and storing the updated
`personalized information in a memory of the controller.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`FIG. 1 is a prior art video game system;
`FIG. 2 is a video game system of the present invention;
`FIGS. 3a and 3b are a more detailed illustrations of some
`
`25
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`of the components of the system of FIG. 2; and
`FIG. 4 is a detailed illustration of one embodiment of a
`
`wireless video game controller.
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`In the following detailed description of the preferred
`embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying draw-
`ings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way
`of illustration specific preferred embodiments in which the
`inventions may be practiced. These embodiments are
`described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art
`
`to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other
`embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical
`and electrical changes may be made without departing from
`the spirit and scope of the present inventions. The following
`detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting
`sense, and the scope of the present inventions is defined only
`by the appended claims.
`Referring to FIG. 1 a typical video game system is
`described. The system includes a central processing, unit
`100 which is connected to a video monitor 102, or television.
`The central processing unit is adapted to receive a video
`game cartridge which includes software to operate the
`central processing unit. A game controller 104 provides
`control signals to the central processing unit via control
`wires 106, or communication bus. The controller can include
`a number of input switches 108 for providing signals to
`operate a video game. A variety of controllers are known to
`those skilled in the art, but all controllers require wires and
`are not personalized. It should be noted that the term video
`game, as used herein, refers to interactive video systems
`displaying images for amusement or education. Video game,
`therefore, should not be interpreted as limited to amusement
`systems.
`FIG. 2 illustrates a video game system 120 which includes
`a central processing unit 122 which is connected to a video
`screen 124, monitor, or television. The central processing
`unit is adapted to receive a video game cartridge which
`includes software to operate the central processing unit. The
`software can equally be supplied on any storage medium,
`such as magnetic diskette or compact disk, or the like. A
`wireless game controller 126 provides control signals to the
`
`Petitioners’ EX1001 Page 5
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`US RE39,8l8 E
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`3
`central processing unit. The controller can include a number
`of inputs 128, or switches for providing signals to operate a
`video game. Again, a controller of the present invention can
`include any known input device including electrical
`switches sensitive to human movements.
`
`A more detailed description of the features of the com-
`ponents of the video game system are described as follows.
`The central processing unit includes at least one receiver
`circuit (RX) 130 for receiving signals from the wireless
`controller 126, see FIGS. 3a and 3b.
`In the preferred
`embodiment, the receiver 130 is adapted to receive signals
`provided in a predetermined frequency range. The controller
`126 includes a transmitter circuit 132 designed to transmit
`control signals within this frequency range. The wireless
`controller, therefore, provides a game user the freedom to
`operate a video game from a greater distance than prior
`video game systems. That is, video games can be played on
`large video screens without the requirement of operating the
`games from close proximity without requiring long control-
`ler cables. Each controller includes a unique transmitter,
`thus, the processor may require multiple receivers 130 for
`simultaneous operation from multiple controllers.
`The transmitter provided in the controller can be infrared,
`or a low voltage frequency modulated transmitter. It will be
`appreciated by those skilled in the art that any low voltage
`transmitter is contemplated for use in the controller. Because
`the controller is wireless, a user can remove the controller
`from the location of the video game central processor. Thus,
`the controller is easily transported.
`In the preferred
`embodiment, the controller includes a non-volatile memory
`device 134 such as, but not limited to a static random access
`memory (SRAM), EEPROM, or Flash EPROM. The
`memory is used to store data, via control 136, corresponding
`to personal information regarding the user of the controller.
`Such personal information can include, but is not limited to,
`a user name, age, previous video game scores and statistics,
`and a current skill
`level for a video game. Additional
`information can be stored which is dependent upon the type
`of video games operated in the system. It will be appreciated
`that a controller of the present invention provides an advan-
`tage in allowing each child in a household to have a
`personalized controller. By including the age of a user, it will
`be appreciated that amusement games designed for a specific
`age group is not operated by an inappropriate user. Thus,
`operation of a video game can be prohibited based on the
`user age. Therefore, the controller provides a minimum level
`of supervision. Further, educational video “games” can be
`adjusted to the age of the user.
`The central processing unit 122 can also contain a
`memory device 136 which stores data corresponding to the
`controllers. As such, another embodiment is contemplated.
`One embodiment transmits an identification code from the
`
`wireless controller 126 to the central processing unit 122
`during operation. The CPU then analyzes the identification
`code using control 138 and retrieves data stored in the CPU
`memory 136 which corresponds to the identification code.
`The CPU can, therefore, retrieve personalized information
`relating to the user of the identified controller. For example,
`each child in a household can have a personalized controller
`which identifies the user and their game preferences
`(referred to herein as “video game operating preferences”)
`and performance history (referred to herein as “historical
`game performance data” or “historical performances data”).
`As such, the game system uses one direction communica-
`tion.
`
`In another embodiment, the wireless controller stores the
`detailed personalized data in its memory 134 and transmits
`
`4
`this data to the CPU. The CPU then stores this data in its
`memory 136 for use during the operation of a game. The
`controller, therefore, is the location for permanent storage of
`personalized user data. This embodiment requires that the
`CPU transmit updated information to the controller via
`transmitter 140 for updating the data stored in the controller
`memory. This updating is preferably performed during the
`operation of the game. This embodiment allows the control-
`ler to be used with multiple CPUs. For example, a child can
`transport their personal controller to another location (a
`friend’s home) and use the controller on a different host
`CPU. In this embodiment, each controller 126 contains a
`receiver 142 for receiving wireless communications from a
`transmitter located in the processing unit.
`In this
`embodiment, the memory 136 located in the processor 122,
`therefore, can be volatile or non-volatile because the per-
`sonalized data does not have to be stored beyond the
`operation of the game. Multiple transmitters 140 may be
`required to transmit to multiple controllers operating over
`different frequencies.
`Several different methods of transmitting controller infor-
`mation from the wireless controller to the CPU are contem-
`
`plated herein. In one embodiment, a multiple bit identifica-
`tion code is transmitted from the controller with each control
`
`in an eight-bit
`signal output transmission. For example,
`transmission from a controller, the first two-bits can desig-
`nate the controller identification, see Table 1.
`
`TABLE 1
`
`CODE
`
`SWITCH CODE
`
`1
`
`0
`
`0
`
`0
`
`0
`
`1
`
`0
`
`1
`
`The data transmission illustrated in Table 1 uses two bits to
`
`transmit a controller .ID code (CODE) and six bits to
`transmit a control switch code (SWITCH CODE). It will be
`appreciated by those skilled in the art, that other data formats
`can be implemented without departing from the present
`invention. In this embodiment, the CPU receives the data
`transmission and decodes the CODE to identify the trans-
`mitting controller. Data stored in the CPU memory can then
`be retrieved and used by the CPU during game operation.
`If the controller is used to store detailed information about
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`the user, an initial data transmission is performed by the
`controller to “down load” the data from the controller
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`memory 134 to the CPU. The CPU then stores this data in
`memory 136 for use during game operations. This data is
`periodically updated by the CPU and transmitted to the
`controller during “quiet” periods in the game when the user
`is not operating the controller, such as between game levels.
`A final memory update can be performed upon completion
`of a particular game. Information stored in either the CPU or
`the controller can be updated via the CPU and selections
`presented on the video screen. For example, to enter a user
`name the CPU can present the alphabet on the screen and
`allow the user to select the letters of their name. Likewise,
`other personal information can be selected. As such, the
`CPU includes, or is capable of operating, software or
`firmware for the purpose of selecting user information.
`Referring to FIG. 4, one exemplary embodiment of a
`wireless controller 126 is described. The controller includes
`
`a housing 150 which is designed to be hand held. A variety
`of input/control switches 152 are provided to allow an
`operator to respond and control an interactive video game.
`The number and style of input control switches is not
`particularly relevant to the present invention. The controller
`is preferably battery operated and has a receptacle for
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`5
`receiving a battery pack 154. The battery pack can be a
`rechargeable battery which can be recharged either
`separately, or while located within the controller. The con-
`troller includes circuitry described above for one or two
`directional communication of control signals and personal
`controller data with the CPU. The wireless controller can
`also include a battery saver circuit 156 which turns internal
`circuitry off, such as the transmitter, when a predetermined
`time elapses between activation of any of the control
`switches. This circuitry reduces power consumption,
`thereby, extending time between battery replacement or
`recharge.
`
`Conclusion
`
`A video game system has been described which includes
`a wireless game controller which stores information about
`the user of the controller. The controller includes a memory
`for storing the information. The information is then com-
`municated through wireless transmissions to a processor
`operating the video game. The information can include, for
`example, the user’s name, skill level, preferred characters,
`handicaps, limitations, and/or historical game scores. The
`game controllers can include a wireless receiver for receiv-
`ing communications from the game processor to update
`information stored in the controller. Several different com-
`
`munication operations and protocols have been described,
`including storing a user identification code in the controller
`with corresponding detailed information stored in the game
`processor, or storing detailed information in the hand held
`controller and down loading the information to the game
`processor.
`Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and
`described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary
`skill in the art that any arrangement which is calculated to
`achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific
`embodiment shown. This application is intended to cover
`any adaptations or variations of the present
`invention.
`Therefore, it is manifestly intended that this invention be
`limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.
`What is claimed is:
`
`1. A video game system comprising:
`a processor unit for executing game instructions and
`displaying video images on a display screen, the pro-
`cessor includes a receiver for receiving wireless iden-
`tification and control signal transmissions; and
`a personalized portable control comprising:
`a plurality of control switches for generating game
`control signals;
`a non-volatile memory for storing personalized identi-
`fication information corresponding to a user of the
`controller, the personalized identification informa-
`tion comprises a user age, and historical game per-
`formance data; and
`a transmitter for wireless transmitting of the personal-
`ized identification and game control signals to the
`processor unit, wherein the processor unit authorizes
`game execution based on the user age, further the
`processor unit comprises a transmitting for transmit-
`ting the historical game performance data to the
`portable controller.
`2. The video game system of claim 1 wherein the pro-
`cessor unit further comprises a memory for storing user
`information corresponding to a plurality of possible users.
`3. The video game system of claim 2 wherein the user
`information stored in the memory of the processor unit is
`retrieved for use by the processor unit in response to the
`identification signal transmitted by the personalized portable
`controller.
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`4. The video game system of claim 3 wherein the iden-
`tification signal is transmitted from the personalized portable
`controller with a transmission of each control signal.
`5. The video game system of claim 2 wherein the user
`information stored in the memory of the processor unit is
`down loaded from the personalized portable controller prior
`to the operation of a video game.
`6. The video game system of claim 1 further comprising:
`a wireless transmitter located in the processor unit for
`transmitting updated information to the personalized
`portable controller; and
`a receiver located in the personalized portable controller
`for receiving the updated information for storage in the
`non-volatile memory of the personalized portable con-
`troller.
`7. The video game system of claim 1 wherein the per-
`sonalized portable controller includes a removable recharge-
`able battery pack.
`8. The video game system of claim 1 wherein the per-
`sonalized portable controller includes power saver circuitry
`for reducing the power consumption of the controller when
`the controller is not in use.
`
`9. A personalized portable video game controller com-
`prising:
`a wireless transmitter for transmitting user personalized
`information and video game control signals to a video
`game processor, the personalized identification com-
`prises a user age, and historical performance data;
`a plurality of input controls for generating the control
`signals in response to movements by a user;
`a non-volatile memory for storing the user personalized
`information; and
`a receiver for receiving wireless transmissions from the
`video game processor, the received wireless transmis-
`sions including performance data to be stored in the
`non-volatile memory.
`10. The personalized portable video game controller of
`claim 9 wherein at least a portion of the user personalized
`information is transmitted to the video game processor with
`each control signal transmission.
`11. The personalized portable video game controller of
`claim 9 wherein the user personalized information is
`selected from the group comprising user name, video game
`skill level, video game operating preferences, previous video
`game scores, or user age.
`12. The personalized portable video game controller of
`claim 9 wherein the user personalized information is
`updated during video game operation via wireless transmis-
`sions from the video game processor.
`13. The personalized portable video game controller of
`claim 9 wherein the user personalized information is trans-
`mitted from the controller to the game processor prior to
`interactive operation of a video game.
`14. The personalized portable video game controller of
`claim 9 further comprising a removable rechargeable battery
`pack.
`15. The personalized portable video game controller of
`claim 14 wherein the personalized portable controller
`includes power saver circuitry for reducing the power con-
`sumption of the controller when the controller is not in use.
`16. A method of operating an interactive video system, the
`method comprising:
`activating a processing unit;
`transmitting personalized information from a controller
`using wireless transmissions, the personalized identi-
`fication information comprising a user age, and histori-
`cal performance data;
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`Petitioners’ EX1001 Page 7
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`US RE39,8l8 E
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`7
`storing the personalized information in a memory of the
`processing unit;
`authorizing operation of a video game based upon the user
`age;
`
`transmitting updated personalized information from the
`processing unit to the controller using wireless trans-
`missions; and
`storing the updated personalized information in a memory
`of the controller.
`
`17. The method of claim 16 wherein the personalized
`information is transmitted from the controller prior to inter-
`active operation of a video game.
`18. The method of claim 16 wherein the updated person-
`alized information is transmitted during interactive opera-
`tion of a video game.
`19. A method of operating an interactive video game
`system comprising:
`activating a game processing unit;
`transmitting personalized information from a controller
`using wireless transmissions, the personalized identi-
`fication information is stored in a memory of the
`controller and comprises a user age; and
`adjusting the video game based upon the user age.
`20. A game apparatus comprising:
`a wireless transmitter to transmit both an identification
`code and game control signals to a processor executing
`a game, the identification code is used by the processor
`to retrieve identification data and authorize game play
`based at least in part on an age of a player; and
`aplurality ofinput controls to allow theplayer to interact
`with the processor to play the game.
`2]. A method ofplaying an interactive game comprising:
`transmitting data from a controller using wireless trans-
`missions to a processor executing the interactive game;
`authorizing play ofthe interactive game based at least in
`part on the data and an age of the player; and
`transmitting game playing signalsfrom the controller to
`the game processor.
`22. The method of claim 2] wherein the data further
`comprises performance history.
`23. The method ofclaim 2] further comprises transmit-
`ting game performance data from the game processor to the
`controller
`
`24. A gaming system comprising:
`a processor to execute an interactive game; and
`a game controller comprising a wireless transmitter to
`transmit an identification code and game playing sig-
`nals to the processor, the identification code is used by
`the processor to authorize game play based on an age
`ofa player, and a plurality ofinput controls to generate
`game playing signals in response to the player
`25. A gaming system comprising:
`a centralprocessing unit (CPU)for executing a game, the
`CPU comprises:
`a receiver for wirelessly receiving an identification
`code and control signal transmissions,
`a CPU memory to store data corresponding to a game
`controller, wherein the CPU analyzes the identifica-
`tion code and retrieves data stored in the CPU
`
`memory which corresponds to the identification
`code, and
`a CPU transmitter for wirelessly transmitting game
`performance data to the controller; and
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`wherein the game controller comprises:
`a plurality of control switches for generating game
`control signals;
`a non-volatile memory for storing the identification
`code; and
`a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting the identifica-
`tion code and the control signal transmissions to the
`CPU, wherein the CPU authorizes game participa-
`tion a player ’s age is within a defined age group.
`26. A method ofoperating a game comprising:
`wirelessly transmitting data from a controller to a pro-
`cessor executing the game, wherein the data is used by
`the processor to determine an age of a game player;
`and
`
`either allowingparticipation in the game based at least in
`part on the age of the player, or adjusting the game
`based at least in part on the age ofthe player
`27. The method ofclaim 2] further comprising adjusting
`the game based at least in part on the age ofthe player
`28. The game controller ofclaim 20further comprising a
`wireless receiver to receive data from the processor.
`29. The gaming system ofclaim 24 wherein the processor
`analyzes the identification code and retrieves data stored in
`a memory which corresponds to the identification code.
`30. A method ofoperating a game comprising:
`wirelessly receiving data from a controller by a processor
`executing the game;
`determining an age ofa game player using the data; and
`either allowingparticipation in the game based at least in
`part on the age of the player, or adjusting the game
`based at least in part on the age ofthe player
`3]. A method ofplaying a game comprising:
`transmitting data from a hand-held device using wireless
`transmissions to a processor executing the game;
`authorizing play ofthe game based at least in part on the
`data and an age ofa game player; and
`transmitting game control signals from the hand-held
`device to the game processor
`32. A method ofoperating a game comprising:
`wirelessly transmitting data from a portable communica-
`tion device to a processor executing the game, wherein
`the data is used by the processor to determine an age
`of a game player operating the portable communica-
`tion device; and
`allowingplay ofthe game based at least inpart on the age
`of the game player
`33. A method ofoperating a game comprising:
`wirelessly receiving data from a hand-held game device;
`determining an age of a game player operating the
`hand-held game device using the received data; and
`allowing the game player to participate in play of the
`game executed by a processor based at least in part on
`the age ofthe game player
`34. The method ofclaim 33 wherein the data comprises an
`identification code.
`35. The method ofclaim 34 wherein determining the age
`of the game player operating the hand-held game device
`using the received data comprises retrieving stored data
`corresponding to the identification code, wherein the stored
`data comprises an indication ofthe age ofthe game player.
`
`Petitioners’ EX1001 Page 8
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`Petitioners' EX1001 Page 8
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`