Game controller connection system and method of selectively connecting a game controller with a plurality of different video gaming systems

Abstract

A game controller, according to the present invention, interacts with a plurality of different game processors including different gaming applications utilizing a communication link. The game controller includes a plurality of user-manipulable input devices, and at least one signal processor to receive and process signals associated with manipulations of the user-manipulable input devices and to communicate with a plurality of different game processors. The communication link includes a plurality of connection plugs, where at least two of the connection plugs are configured to connect with different game processors. In addition, the communication link may facilitate wired or wireless transfer of signals between the at least one signal processor and a selected game processor, where a wired transfer may employ an extension cable to cover greater distances.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Technical Field [0002] The present invention pertains to controllers for entertainment systems. In particular, the present invention pertains to a game controller connection system that is configured to selectively connect a game controller to a plurality of different video gaming systems. [0003] 2. Discussion of the Related Art [0004] Generally, video gaming systems employ controllers with one or multiple joysticks or other game controllers to enable a user to interact with a gaming application. A wide variety of video gaming systems are commercially available. Examples of different gaming systems include PlayStation 2 or PS2 available from Sony Corporation, XBOX available from Microsoft Corporation and GAMECUBE available from Nintendo Corporation. In addition, many personal computers with different operating systems (e.g., Microsoft WINDOWS and Apple Mac OS X) offer video gaming software and are further suitably configured to connect with joys...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is a configurable game controller that can be used with different gaming systems without the need for separate components. It includes a wide variety of user-manipulable input devices and a signal processor to communicate with different game processors. The communication link includes connection plugs that facilitate the transfer of signals between the game controller and the game processor. The invention also includes an exercise system that allows the game controller to control the functions of gaming applications for different video gaming systems. The technical effects of the invention include the ability to connect a single game controller to a wide variety of gaming systems and the use of a wide variety of off-the-shelf games or software programs."

Problems solved by technology

One problem associated with providing a universal game controller for use with different gaming systems is that there is not one common or standard connection port associated with the different video gaming systems.

In addition, some adaptors are difficult to obtain commercially for particular types of gaming systems.

Further, depending upon the number of different gaming systems to which the universal game controller is to be connected, adaptors can become cumbersome and can be easily misplaced.

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