# US 6,719,633 B1 · Wireless game control units > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,719,633 B1 - Document ID: US6719633B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 09/708,213 - Filed: 2000-11-08 - Granted: 2004-04-13 - Earliest claimed: 1998-02-13 - Assignees: Arista Enterprises Inc. - Inventors: Alan E. Leifer; Richard Leifer; Chi-Fu Peng - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6719633B1 ## CPC - A63F 13/235: using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet - A63F 13/213: comprising photodetecting means, e.g. cameras, photodiodes or infrared cells (A63F13/219 takes precedence) - A63F 13/422: automatically for the purpose of assisting the player, e.g. automatic braking in a driving game - A63F 13/49: Saving the game status; Pausing or ending the game - A63F 13/285: Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback - A63F 13/95: Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges - A63F 2300/1025: details of the interface with the game device, e.g. USB version detection - A63F 2300/1031: using a wireless connection, e.g. Bluetooth®, infrared connections - A63F 2300/1037: being specially adapted for converting control signals received from the game device into a haptic signal, e.g. using force feedback - A63F 2300/1087: comprising photodetecting means, e.g. a camera - A63F 2300/206: Game information storage, e.g. cartridges, CD ROM's, DVD's, smart cards - A63F 2300/406: Transmission via wireless network, e.g. pager or GSM - A63F 2300/554: by saving game or status data - A63F 2300/6054: by generating automatically game commands to assist the player, e.g. automatic braking in a driving game - A63F: CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A wireless control unit includes a controller having wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting game information, and a console interface/adapter for converting one of the communication ports of the game console into a wireless receiver/transmitter. The console interface/adapter also includes an additional communication port so as to provide the user with access to the used communication port while the interface/adapter is operably disposed within the communication port of the game console. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A wireless game control unit for a video game system having a game console, the game console having game controller ports, at least one Universal Serial Bus (USB) communication port and an infrared (IR) receiver, the wireless game control unit comprising: a controller having at least one user operable switch and wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting game control information directly to the IR receiver of the game console and wireless receiver circuitry for receiving controller information; a wireless adapter connected to the game console via the at least one USB communication port and having wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting the controller information to said controller; and wireless communication protocol for controlling the transmission of wireless signals by said controller and said wireless adapter. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The wireless game control unit according to claim 1, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises IR transmission from said controller to the game console and radio frequency (RF) transmission from said wireless adapter to said controller. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The wireless game control unit according to claim 1, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises IR transmission from said controller to the game console and IR transmission from said wireless adapter to said controller. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The wireless game control unit according to claim 1, further comprising a USB communication port disposed on said wireless adapter for providing a user with access to the used USB communication port while said wireless adapter is disposed in the at least one USB port on the game console. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The wireless game control unit according to claim 1, further comprising power supply means for supplying power to said wireless transmitter circuitry. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The wireless game control unit according to claim 5, wherein said power supply means comprises batteries contained within said wireless adapter. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The wireless game control unit according to claim 5, wherein said power supply means comprises circuitry for obtaining power from the game console via the at least one USB port. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The wireless game control unit according to claim 1, wherein said controller comprises 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. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The wireless game control unit according to claim 1, wherein the game control information includes an auto activate start signal, and said wireless adapter modifies the game information so that an activate signal is continuously sent from the adapter to the game console via the USB port, wherein at least one object in a game being played with the video game console is continuously activated. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The wireless game control unit according to claim 1, wherein said controller comprises genre specific game controller selected from a group consisting of racing, fighting, shooting, platform/adventure, flight simulator and motorcycle/bike, pool cues, fishing, snow boards, golf and baseball controllers. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The wireless game control unit according to claim 1, wherein said controller comprises one selected from a group consisting of a standard, an enhanced and a programmable controller. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The wireless game control unit according to claim 1, wherein said wireless adapter further comprises memory slot adapted to receive a memory card for expanding memory capabilities of the game console. ### Claim 13 A wireless game control unit for a video game system having a game console, the game console having game controller ports, at least one memory slot, at least one IEEE 1394 FireWire™ communication port and an infrared (IR) receiver, the wireless game control unit comprising: a controller having at least one user operable switch and wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting game control information directly to the IR receiver of the game console and wireless receiver circuitry for receiving controller information; a wireless adapter connected to the game console via the at least one IEEE 1394 FireWire™ communication port and having wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting the controller information to said controller; and wireless communication protocol for controlling the transmission of wireless signals by said controller and said wireless adapter. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The wireless game control unit according to claim 13, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises IR transmission from said controller to the game console and radio frequency (RF) transmission from said wireless adapter to said controller. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The wireless game control unit according to claim 13, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises IR transmission from said controller to the game console and IR transmission from said wireless adapter to said controller. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The wireless game control unit according to claim 13, further comprising a IEEE 1394 FireWire™ communication port disposed on said wireless adapter for providing a user with access to the used IEEE 1394 FireWire™ communication port while said wireless adapter is disposed in the at least one IEEE 1394 FireWire™ port on the game console. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The wireless game control unit according to claim 13, further comprising power supply means for supplying power to said wireless transmitter circuitry. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The wireless game control unit according to claim 17, wherein said power supply means comprises batteries contained within said wireless adapter. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The wireless game control unit according to claim 17, wherein said power supply means comprises circuitry for obtaining power from the game console via the at least one IEEE 1394 FireWire™ communication port. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) The wireless game control unit according to claim 13, wherein said controller comprises 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. ### Claim 21 (depends on 13) The wireless game control unit according to claim 13, wherein the game control information includes an auto activate start signal, and said wireless adapter modifies the game information so that an activate signal is continuously sent from the adapter to the game console via the IEEE 1394 FireWire™ communication port, wherein at least one object in a game being played with the video game console is continuously activated. ### Claim 22 (depends on 13) The wireless game control unit according to claim 13, wherein said controller comprises genre specific game controller selected from a group consisting of racing, fighting, shooting, platform/adventure, flight simulator and motorcycle/bike, pool cues, fishing, snow boards, golf and baseball controllers. ### Claim 23 (depends on 13) The wireless game control unit according to claim 13, wherein said controller comprises one selected from a group consisting of a standard, an enhanced and a programmable controller. ### Claim 24 (depends on 13) The wireless game control unit according to claim 13, wherein said wireless adapter further comprises memory slot adapted to receive a memory card for expanding memory capabilities of the game console. ### Claim 25 A wireless game control unit for a video game system having a game console, the game console having at least one communication port and an infrared (IR) receiver, the wireless game control unit comprising: a controller having at least one user operable switch and wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting game control information directly to the IR receiver of the game console and wireless receiver circuitry for receiving controller information; a wireless adapter connected to the game console via the at least one communication port and having wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting the controller information to said controller; and wireless communication protocol for controlling the transmission of wireless signals by said controller and said wireless adapter. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The wireless game control unit according to claim 25, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises IR transmission from said controller to the game console and radio frequency (RF) transmission from said wireless adapter to said controller. ### Claim 27 (depends on 25) The wireless game control unit according to claim 25, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises IR transmission from said controller to the game console and IR transmission from said wireless adapter to said controller. ### Claim 28 (depends on 25) The wireless game control unit according to claim 25, further comprising an additional communication port disposed on said wireless adapter for providing a user with access to the used communication port while said wireless adapter is disposed in the at least one communication port on the game console. ### Claim 29 (depends on 25) The wireless game control unit according to claim 25, further comprising power supply means for supplying power to said wireless transmitter circuitry. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The wireless game control unit according to claim 29, wherein said power supply means comprises batteries contained within said wireless adapter. ### Claim 31 (depends on 29) The wireless game control unit according to claim 29, wherein said power supply means comprises circuitry for obtaining power from the game console via the at least one communication port. ### Claim 32 (depends on 25) The wireless game control unit according to claim 25, wherein said controller comprises 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. ### Claim 33 (depends on 25) The wireless game control unit according to claim 25, wherein the game control information includes an auto activate start signal, and said wireless adapter modifies the game information so that an activate signal is continuously sent from the adapter to the game console via the communication port, wherein at least one object in a game being played with the video game console is continuously activated. ### Claim 34 (depends on 25) The wireless game control unit according to claim 25, wherein said controller comprises genre specific game controller selected from a group consisting of racing, fighting, shooting, platform/adventure, flight simulator and motorcycle/bike, pool cues, fishing, snow boards, golf and baseball controllers. ### Claim 35 (depends on 25) The wireless game control unit according to claim 25, wherein said controller comprises one selected from a group consisting of a standard, an enhanced and a programmable controller. ### Claim 36 (depends on 25) The wireless game control unit according to claim 25, wherein said wireless adapter further comprises memory slot adapted to receive a memory card for expanding memory capabilities of the game console. ### Claim 37 A wireless game control unit for a video game system having a game console, the game console having game controller ports, at least one communication port and a radio frequency (RF) receiver, the wireless game control unit comprising: a controller having at least one user operable switch and wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting game control information directly to the RF receiver of the game console and wireless receiver circuitry for receiving controller information; a wireless adapter connected to the game console via the at least one communication port and having wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting the controller information to said controller; and wireless communication protocol for controlling the transmission of wireless signals by said controller and said wireless adapter. ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) The wireless game control unit according to claim 37, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises RF transmission from said controller to the game console and radio frequency (RF) transmission from said wireless adapter to said controller. ### Claim 39 (depends on 37) The wireless game control unit according to claim 37, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises RF transmission from said controller to the game console and IR transmission from said wireless adapter to said controller. ### Claim 40 (depends on 37) The wireless game control unit according to claim 37, further comprising an additional communication port disposed on said wireless adapter for providing a user with access to the used communication port while said wireless adapter is disposed in the at least one communication port on the game console. ### Claim 41 (depends on 37) The wireless game control unit according to claim 37, wherein said wireless adapter further comprises memory slot adapted to receive a memory card for expanding memory capabilities of the game console. ### Claim 42 A wireless game control unit for a video game system having a game console, the game console having game controller ports, at least one Universal Serial Bus (USB) port and a radio frequency (RF) receiver, the wireless game control unit comprising: a controller having at least one user operable switch and wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting game control information directly to the RF receiver of the game console and wireless receiver circuitry for receiving controller information; a wireless adapter connected to the game console via the at least one USB port and having wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting the controller information to said controller; and wireless communication protocol for controlling the transmission of wireless signals by said controller and said wireless adapter. ### Claim 43 (depends on 42) The wireless game control unit according to claim 42, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises RF transmission from said controller to the game console and radio frequency (RF) transmission from said wireless adapter to said controller. ### Claim 44 (depends on 42) The wireless game control unit according to claim 42, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises RF transmission from said controller to the game console and IR transmission from said wireless adapter to said controller. ### Claim 45 (depends on 42) The wireless game control unit according to claim 42, further comprising an additional USB port disposed on said wireless adapter for providing a user with access to the used USB port while said wireless adapter is disposed in the at least one USB port on the game console. ### Claim 46 (depends on 42) The wireless game control unit according to claim 42, wherein said wireless adapter further comprises memory slot adapted to receive a memory card for expanding memory capabilities of the game console. ### Claim 47 A wireless game control unit for a video game system having a game console, the game console having game controller ports, at least one IEEE 1394 FireWire™ port and a radio frequency (RF) receiver, the wireless game control unit comprising: a controller having at least one user operable switch and wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting game control information directly to the RF receiver of the game console and wireless receiver circuitry for receiving controller information; a wireless adapter connected to the game console via the at least one IEEE 1394 FireWire™ port and having wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting the controller information to said controller; and wireless communication protocol for controlling the transmission of wireless signals by said controller and said wireless adapter. ### Claim 48 (depends on 47) The wireless game control unit according to claim 47, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises RF transmission from said controller to the game console and radio frequency (RF) transmission from said wireless adapter to said controller. ### Claim 49 (depends on 47) The wireless game control unit according to claim 47, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises RF transmission from said controller to the game console and IR transmission from said wireless adapter to said controller. ### Claim 50 (depends on 47) The wireless game control unit according to claim 47, further comprising an additional IEEE 1394 FireWire™ port disposed on said wireless adapter for providing a user with access to the used IEEE 1394 FireWire™ port while said wireless adapter is disposed in the at least one IEEE 1394 FireWire™ port on the game console. ### Claim 51 (depends on 47) The wireless game control unit according to claim 47, wherein said wireless adapter further comprises memory slot adapted to receive a memory card for expanding memory capabilities of the game console. ### Claim 52 A wireless control unit for converting a video game system having a game console with game controller ports and at least one Universal Serial Bus (USB) communication port and being adapted to operate with wired game controllers into a system operable with wireless controllers, the wireless control unit comprising: a game controller having at least one user operable switch, wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting game information, wireless receiver circuitry for receiving controller information, and a vibrating member; and a console interface connected to the game console via said at least one USB communication port and having wireless receiver circuitry for receiving the game information from the game controller, said console interface including wireless transmitter circuitry for wirelessly transmitting controller information to the game controller, said controller information including control signals for activating said vibrating member. ### Claim 53 (depends on 52) The wireless control unit according to claim 52, further comprising a USB communication port disposed on said console interface for providing a user with access to another USB communication port while said console interface is disposed in the at least one USB port on the game console. ### Claim 54 (depends on 52) The wireless control unit according to claim 52, further comprising wireless communication protocol for controlling the transmitting and receiving of wireless signals between said game controller and said console interface. ### Claim 55 (depends on 54) The wireless control unit according to claim 54, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises a combination of Infrared (IR) and Radio Frequency (RF), wherein said game information is transmitted using RF and said controller information is transmitted using IR. ### Claim 56 (depends on 54) The wireless game control unit according to claim 54, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises a combination of Infrared (IR) and Radio Frequency (RF), wherein said game information is transmitted using IR and said controller information is transmitted using RF. ### Claim 57 (depends on 52) The wireless game control unit according to claim 52, wherein said console interface further comprises a memory slot for receiving a memory card for expanding memory capabilities of the game console. ### Claim 58 A wireless control unit for converting a video game system having a game console with game controller ports and at least one IEEE 1394 FireWire™ communication port and being adapted to operate with wired game controllers into a system operable with wireless controllers, the wireless control unit comprising: a game controller having at least one user operable switch, wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting game information, wireless receiver circuitry for receiving controller information, and a vibrating member; and a console interface connected to the game console via said at least one IEEE 1394 FireWire™ communication port and having wireless receiver circuitry for receiving the game information from the game controller, said console interface including wireless transmitter circuitry for wirelessly transmitting controller information to the game controller, said controller information including control signals for activating said vibrating member. ### Claim 59 (depends on 58) The wireless control unit according to claim 58, further comprising an IEEE 1394 FireWire™ communication port disposed on said console interface for providing a user with access to another IEEE 1394 FireWire™ communication port while said console interface is disposed in the at least one IEEE 1394 FireWire™ communication port on the game console. ### Claim 60 (depends on 58) The wireless control unit according to claim 58, further comprising wireless communication protocol for controlling the transmitting and receiving of wireless signals between said game controller and said console interface. ### Claim 61 (depends on 60) The wireless control unit according to claim 60, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises a combination of Infrared (IR) and Radio Frequency (RF), wherein said game information is transmitted using RF and said controller information is transmitted using IR. ### Claim 62 (depends on 60) The wireless game control unit according to claim 60, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises a combination of Infrared (IR) and Radio Frequency (RF), wherein said game information is transmitted using IR and said controller information is transmitted using RF. ### Claim 63 (depends on 58) The wireless game control unit according to claim 58, wherein said console interface further comprises a memory slot for receiving a memory card for expanding memory capabilities of the game console. ### Claim 64 A wireless control unit for converting a video game system having a game console with game controller ports and at least one communication port and being adapted to operate with wired game controllers into a system operable with wireless controllers, the wireless control unit comprising: a game controller having at least one user operable switch, wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting game information, wireless receiver circuitry for receiving controller information, and a vibrating member; and a console interface connected to the game console via said at least one communication port and having wireless receiver circuitry for receiving the game information from the game controller, said console interface including wireless transmitter circuitry for wirelessly transmitting controller information to the game controller, said controller information including control signals for activating said vibrating member. ### Claim 65 (depends on 64) The wireless control unit according to claim 64, further comprising an additional communication port disposed on said console interface for providing a user with access to the used communication port while said console interface is disposed in the at least one communication port on the game console. ### Claim 66 (depends on 64) The wireless control unit according to claim 64, further comprising wireless communication protocol for controlling the transmitting and receiving of wireless signals between said game controller and said console interface. ### Claim 67 (depends on 66) The wireless control unit according to claim 66, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises a combination of Infrared (IR) and Radio Frequency (RF), wherein said game information is transmitted using RF and said controller information is transmitted using IR. ### Claim 68 (depends on 66) The wireless game control unit according to claim 66, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises a combination of Infrared (IR) and Radio Frequency (RF), wherein said game information is transmitted using IR and said controller information is transmitted using RF. ### Claim 69 (depends on 64) The wireless game control unit according to claim 64, wherein said console interface further comprises a memory slot for receiving a memory card for expanding memory capabilities of the game console. ### Claim 70 A wireless control unit for converting a video game system having a game console with game controller ports and at least one Universal Serial Bus (USB) communication port and being adapted to operate with wired game controllers into a system operable with wireless controllers, the wireless control unit comprising: a game controller having at least one user operable switch, wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting game information, wireless receiver circuitry for receiving controller information, and a connection port for receiving a vibrating member; and a console interface connectable to said at least one USB communication port and having wireless receiver circuitry for receiving the game information from said game controller, said console interface including wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting controller information including control signals for activating said vibrating member when connected to said connection port. ### Claim 71 (depends on 70) The wireless control unit according to claim 70, further comprising an additional USB communication port disposed on said console interface for providing a user with access to another USB communication port while said console interface is disposed in the at least one USB communication port on the game console. ### Claim 72 (depends on 70) The wireless control unit according to claim 70, further comprising wireless communication protocol for controlling the transmitting and receiving of wireless signals between said game controller and said console interface. ### Claim 73 (depends on 72) The wireless control unit according to claim 72, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises a combination of Infrared (IR) and Radio Frequency (RF), wherein said game information is transmitted using RF and said controller information is transmitted using IR. ### Claim 74 (depends on 72) The wireless game control unit according to claim 72, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises a combination of Infrared (IR) and Radio Frequency (RF), wherein said game information is transmitted using IR and said controller information is transmitted using RF. ### Claim 75 (depends on 70) The wireless game control unit according to claim 70, wherein said console interface further comprises a memory slot for receiving a memory card for expanding memory capabilities of the game console. ### Claim 76 A wireless control unit for converting a video game system having a game console with game controller ports and at least one IEEE 1394 FireWire™ communication port and being adapted to operate with wired game controllers into a system operable with wireless controllers, the wireless control unit comprising: a game controller having at least one user operable switch, wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting game information, wireless receiver circuitry for receiving controller information, and a connection port for receiving a vibrating member; and a console interface connectable to said at least one IEEE 1394 FireWire™ communication port and having wireless receiver circuitry for receiving the game information from said game controller, said console interface including wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting controller information including control signals for activating said vibrating member when connected to said connection port. ### Claim 77 (depends on 76) The wireless control unit according to claim 76, further comprising an additional IEEE 1394 FireWire™ communication port disposed on said console interface for providing a user with access to another IEEE 1394 FireWire™ communication port while said console interface is disposed in the at least one IEEE 1394 FireWire™ communication port on the game console. ### Claim 78 (depends on 76) The wireless control unit according to claim 76, further comprising wireless communication protocol for controlling the transmitting and receiving of wireless signals between said game controller and said console interface. ### Claim 79 (depends on 78) The wireless control unit according to claim 78, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises a combination of Infrared (IR) and Radio Frequency (RF), wherein said game information is transmitted using RF and said controller information is transmitted using IR. ### Claim 80 (depends on 78) The wireless game control unit according to claim 78, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises a combination of Infrared (IR) and Radio Frequency (RF), wherein said game information is transmitted using IR and said controller information is transmitted using RF. ### Claim 81 (depends on 76) The wireless game control unit according to claim 76, wherein said console interface further comprises a memory slot for receiving a memory card for expanding memory capabilities of the game console. ### Claim 82 A wireless control unit for converting a video game system having a game console with game controller ports and at least one communication port and being adapted to operate with wired game controllers into a system operable with wireless controllers, the wireless control unit comprising: a game controller having at least one user operable switch, wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting game information, wireless receiver circuitry for receiving controller information, and a connection port for receiving a vibrating member; and a console interface connectable to said at least one communication port and having wireless receiver circuitry for receiving the game information from said game controller, said console interface including wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting controller information including control signals for activating said vibrating member when connected to said connection port. ### Claim 83 (depends on 82) The wireless control unit according to claim 82, further comprising an additional communication port disposed on said console interface for providing a user with access to another communication port while said console interface is disposed in the at least one communication port on the game console. ### Claim 84 (depends on 82) The wireless control unit according to claim 82, further comprising wireless communication protocol for controlling the transmitting and receiving of wireless signals between said game controller and said console interface. ### Claim 85 (depends on 84) The wireless control unit according to claim 84, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises a combination of Infrared (IR) and Radio Frequency (RF), wherein said game information is transmitted using RF and said controller information is transmitted using IR. ### Claim 86 (depends on 84) The wireless game control unit according to claim 84, wherein said wireless communication protocol comprises a combination of Infrared (IR) and Radio Frequency (RF), wherein said game information is transmitted using IR and said controller information is transmitted using RF. ### Claim 87 (depends on 82) The wireless game control unit according to claim 82, wherein said console interface further comprises a memory slot for receiving a memory card for expanding memory capabilities of the game console.