Video game tracer

Abstract

A system for playing video games included is multiple hand-held game controllers, a console with multiple input/output ports, and cables connecting each controller to one of the input/output ports. A pair of tracer elements that are removably attached to each end of the cable having the same shape and color. A second pair of tracer elements are attached to a second cable that are visually distinguishable from the first pair of tracers. The tracers allow players to know which input/output port their hand held controller relates to, more importantly, which character or object they are controlling.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to video game systems in general, and to video games with multiple player controllers in particular. In many video games involving more than one player, it can be confusing to the players and onlookers as to which player is controlling a particular character or object on the screen. This is particularly true when players are seated in positions that bear no relation to the orientation of their respective characters or objects on the screen.

[0002] Some prior art video game systems, such as Nintendo 64, have permanently colored controllers, a cable and a permanent cable connector having the same color as the controller. Each controller is a different color. However, in many recent videogame systems, all the controllers are the same color, as are the connectors that attach to the game console. It is an object of the invention to provide a removable device that enables players to visually identify which controllers and cables are attached to the respective ports of the game console.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] This invention provides a way for players to identify their controller with the respective input/output port on the console and, more importantly, the character and/or object displayed on the screen. Each player is provided with a pair of markers or tracers that can be removably attached to the cable connecting the controller to the game console. Typically, the first tracer is attached to the cable near the game controller. The second tracer of the pair is connected to the cable near the console. The tracers can vary in shape and color, however, the key is that they are visually distinguishable from the tracers of another player. In a preferred embodiment, the tracers are made of a resilient plastic or polyurethane material and are held in place on the cable by compression or friction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] FIG. 1 depicts a hand-held controller, a video game console and the cable that connects them.

[0005] FIG. 2 depicts the controller, console and cable of FIG. 1 in a typical multi-player application.

[0006] FIG. 3 depicts one embodiment of the tracer attached to the cable that connects a hand-held controller to a video game console.

[0007] FIG. 4 presents several views of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3.

[0008] FIG. 5 depicts several views of a second embodiment.

[0009] FIG. 6 depicts several views of a third embodiment.

[0010] FIG. 7 depicts several views of a fourth embodiment.

[0011] FIG. 8 depicts a tracer wrap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] As used in this application, a tracer is a removable physical indicator that is attached to each end of the cable that connects a hand-held video game controller to the input/output port of the console. It is important that the tracers for one game controller are visually distinguishable from the tracers for another game controller. The tracers match in color and shape and are unique in color to each controller. Although the possible tracer shapes are many, tracers in the form of cylinders, rings, spheres, and discs are shown in the accompanying figures. Each tracer has a slit or opening from its first end to the second end to permit the insertion of the cable. The tracer is preferably made of a molded plastic or polyurethane material that is resilient enough to secure the cable by compression or a friction fit. An optional tracer wrap having an opening from its first end to the second end overlaps or encompasses the cylindrical tracer. The tracer wrap is resilient enough to secure the tracer by compression or friction fit.

[0013] FIG. 1 displays a typical video game hand-held controller 20, its cable 30, and the respective input/output port 10 of the game console 1 where the cable attaches. The game console contains electronics and software that are necessary to operate the video game. The software and electronics form no part of the invention. The game controllers may include various control features such as a joystick and pushbuttons that enable the player to manipulate the player's character or object on the television screen (not shown). The actual configuration of the controller is not critical to the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 2 depicts a typical multiplayer video game system including the video game console 1 with multiple input/output ports 10, 12, 14, 16. The game includes controllers 20, 22, 24, and 26. The controllers include their respective cables 30, 32, 34, and 36. FIG. 2 depicts a typical situation in which the various game controller cables are intertwined with each other and the physical position of the various controllers bear no relation to the order of the input/output ports on the console. Under these circumstances players may be come confused about which game character or object they are controlling. This confusion can also extend to observers of the game.

[0015] FIG. 3 depicts the location on the video game system where tracers can be placed. Indicated is game console 1 with input/output port 10, cable 30 and hand-held controller 20. The first tracer 40 is located near the game console. The second tracer 41 is positioned near the controller. The tracers shown in FIG. 3 are in the form of a tapered cylinder. These tracers are of the same relative size, shape and color so that a player can determine and remember which input/output port his controller is connected to and therefore which character or object on the screen is his.

[0016] FIG. 4 shows in greater detail the tapered cylindrical tracers 40, 41. Running length-wise is a slit 50 that permits access to an inner cavity 60 that is sized to encompass a standard video cable. The tracer is resilient enough to grip the cable securely. The slit 50 and inner cavity of a tracer 60 are used throughout the drawings to depict the same features of similar shapes.

[0017] FIG. 5 depicts a ring-shaped or toroidal tracer 42. It has a slit 50 permitting access to an inner cavity 60, sized to encompass a standard video cable, and resilient enough to grip the cable securely.

[0018] FIG. 6 depicts a spherically shaped tracer 44. It has a slit 50 running length-wise to permit access to an inner cavity 60, sized to encompass a standard video cable, and resilient enough to grip the cable securely.

[0019] FIG. 7 depicts a disc shaped tracer 46. It has a slit 50 running length-wise to permit access to an inner cavity 60, sized to encompass a standard video cable, and resilient enough to grip the cable securely.

[0020] FIG. 8 depicts a further feature of the invention in the form of a tracer wrap 48. The tracer wrap has an opening 70 from one end to the other allowing the wrap to encompass a tracer and displays a product logo or other indication.

Claims

1. A system for playing video games comprising:

a video game console having a plurality of input/output ports;

a plurality of game controllers;

a first cable connecting a first game controller to one of said input/output ports of said console;

a second cable connecting a second game controller to a second one of said input/output ports of said console;

a pair of tracer elements, one of which is removably attached to each end of said first cable and adjacent to said first controller and said first input/output port;

a second pair of tracer elements, one of which is removably attached to each end of said second cable and adjacent to said second controller and said second input/output port;

wherein said first pair of tracer elements is visually distinguishable from said second pair of tracer elements.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said first pair of tracer elements is a different color from said second pair of tracer elements.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said tracer elements are made of molded plastic.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein said tracer elements are made of polyurethane.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein said first pair of tracer elements form a substantially cylindrical shape.

6. The system of claim 3 wherein said first pair of tracer elements form a substantially ring shape.

7. The system of claim 3 wherein said first pair of tracer elements form a substantially spherical shape.

8. The system of claim 3 wherein said first pair of tracer elements form a substantially disc shape.

9. The system of claim 4 wherein said first pair of tracer elements form a substantially cylindrical shape.

10. The system of claim 4 wherein said first pair of tracer elements form a substantially ring shape.

11. The system of claim 4 wherein said first pair of tracer elements form a substantially spherical shape.

12. The system of claim 4 wherein said first pair of tracer elements form a substantially disc shape.

13. A tracer of molded plastic having an internal cavity of a first diameter and a slit extending from a first end of said tracer to a second end, said slit sized to permit the insertion of a cable having a second diameter into the interior of said tracer, wherein said first diameter is substantially equal to said second diameter and said tracer is resilient enough to secure said cable by a friction fit.

14. The tracer of claim 13 wherein said shape is substantially a tapered cylinder.

15. A tracer of claim 14 further comprising a removable wrap having an internal cavity of a substantially similar shape and size as the exterior of said tracer, a slit extending from a first end of said wrap to a second end enabling said wrap to encompass said tracer, said wrap being resilient enough to secure said cylinder.

16. The tracer of claim 13 wherein said shape is substantially a ring.

17. The tracer of claim 13 wherein said shape is substantially a sphere.

18. The tracer of claim 13 wherein said shape is substantially a disc.

19. A tracer of polyurethane having an internal cavity of a first diameter and a slit extending from a first end of said tracer to a second end, said slit sized to permit the insertion of a cable having a second diameter into the interior of said tracer, wherein said first diameter is substantially equal to said second diameter and said tracer is resilient enough to secure said cable by a friction fit.

20. The tracer of claim 19 wherein said shape is substantially a tapered cylinder.