# US 8,540,572 B2 · Video game controller for multiple users

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- Number: US 8,540,572 B2
- Document ID: US8540572B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/547,754
- Filed: 2012-07-12
- Published: 2013-04-25
- Granted: 2013-09-24
- Earliest claimed: 2011-10-19
- Applicants: Brad Kaldahl
- Inventors: Brad Kaldahl
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8540572B2

## CPC

- A63F 13/847: Cooperative playing, e.g. requiring coordinated actions from several players to achieve a common goal
- A63F 13/211: using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
- A63F 13/218: using pressure sensors, e.g. generating a signal proportional to the pressure applied by the player
- A63F 13/24: Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
- A63F 13/428: involving motion or position input signals, e.g. signals representing the rotation of an input controller or a player's arm motions sensed by accelerometers or gyroscopes
- A63F 13/98: Accessories, i.e. detachable arrangements optional for the use of the video game device, e.g. grip supports of game controllers
- A63F 2300/1043: being characterized by constructional details
- A63F: CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

The present invention provides a video game controller and apparatus that may be used by two or more players. The users physically manipulate the control device cooperatively to the kinesthetic feedback of the other player(s) to control the events of the video game. By working together through orientation of the controller, the players can jointly move the video game object on the screen and/or govern the play of the game.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A video game controller for cooperative play by two or more players comprising: a game controller having a housing having a first portion being manipulable by a first player and a second portion being manipulable by a second player; an accelerometer in said game controller for sensing the orientation of the game controller; said accelerometer capable of communicating with a microprocessor, whereby said microprocessor is configured to communicate with a computer processing unit (CPU) that in turn displays a video game having at least one game object; whereby cooperative movement of the game controller by the players controls the movement of the game object; and further providing that the cooperative movement of the game controller is detected by a device selected from the group consisting of a tension sensitive device (TSD), a pressure sensitive device (PSD), and both a TSD and a PSD, said TSD and PSD being capable of measuring the amount of pressure cooperatively exerted on the game controller by the players; whereby the TSD comprises a potentiometer to measure the amount of pressure cooperatively exerted on the game controller by the players, said potentiometer comprising: a control shaft mounting a pinion; a gear rack engaging the pinion to rotate the control shaft in response to relative movement of the rack and pinion; and further providing that the rack and pinion measure the tension or resistance placed by the players on a belt or a strap that is wrapped around one or more portions of the players' bodies.

### Claim 2

A video game controller for cooperative play by two or more players comprising: a game controller having a housing having a first portion being manipulable by a first player and a second portion being manipulable by a second player; an accelerometer in said game controller for sensing the orientation of the game controller; said accelerometer capable of communicating with a microprocessor, whereby said microprocessor is configured to communicate with a computer processing unit (CPU) that in turn displays a video game having at least one game object; whereby cooperative movement of the game controller by the players controls the movement of the game object; and further providing that the cooperative movement of the game controller is detected by a device selected from the group consisting of a tension sensitive device (TSD), a pressure sensitive device (PSD), and both a TSD and a PSD, said TSD and PSD being capable of measuring the amount of pressure cooperatively exerted on the game controller by the players; whereby the PSD is a variable resistance switch (VRS) which measures the variable amount of pressure placed on the PSD by the players; and further providing that the VRS includes an air bladder or weight scale mechanism.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A video game controller according to claim 1 whereby the housing has a third portion being manipulable by a third player.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

A video game controller according to claim 3 whereby the housing has a fourth portion being manipulable by a fourth player.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

A video game controller according to claim 2 whereby the housing has a third portion being manipulable by a third player.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

A video game controller according to claim 5 whereby the housing has a fourth portion being manipulable by a fourth player.