Video game controller with illuminated cable
A light source is provided to illuminate a cable connecting a video game controller to a game console. A low power consuming LED in light communication with a side glowing fiber optic cable may be employed and integrated into the communication bundle extending between the controller and console. Alternately LED lights may be disposed at discrete points along the cable. A shield may also be disposed between the light cable and communication bundle to inhibit interference. The entire bundle is preferably wrapped in a clear or translucent material to allow light to emanate from the cable.
The present application is a continuation application of U.S. Ser. No. 10/252,823 filed on Sep. 24, 2002.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to video game controllers and more specifically to a controller with an illuminated cable.
2. Description of the Related Art
Computer video games are well known in the art. Such devices range from small hand held all-in-one units, to larger stand-alone units which interact with stand alone controllers and stand alone video display devices. Small hand held devices are very portable. However, the graphics and sophistication game play are substantially inferior to stand alone units due limited processing power and associated peripherals. For more sophisticated play, stand alone computer units provide tremendous processing power and work with associated peripheral devices, such as a remote controller and television display in an attempt to bring the player a more dramatic gaming experience to that of hand held devices. One such stand-alone device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,422,943 which is hereby incorporated by reference. These devices are widely available on the market and are well known in the art.
The use of a cable between the controller and console poses an obstacle and potential safety hazard. The cable must extend from the console to the controller during game play. Furthermore, even when game play has been suspended, these cables often remain exposed which may trip a person passing by. Furthermore, as video games are often played in dark environments to heighten intimacy with the game, the communications cables are very difficult to see. This results not only in a safety hazards to persons who happen by, but a person who may trip or otherwise get caught up in the cable may cause the console unit to lodge from its support and knock over peripheral and other equipment usually found around such game consoles. This problem is further compounded when more than one controllers are connected to the game console.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is directed to a computer game controller with an illuminated cable. In one embodiment, a light source is provided in the controller such as a low power consuming LED in light communication with a side glowing fiber optic cable. The side glowing fiber optic cable is integrated into the communication bundle extending between the controller and console. The fiber optic cable may simply run along an outside of the conventional communication bundles within a clear cover thus visibly exposing the fiber optic cable. In an alternate embodiment a pair of low voltage wires may run along the cable with LED lights spaced at discrete points along the cable. A shield may be disposed between the light cable and communication bundle to inhibit interference. The entire bundle is then wrapped in a clear or translucent material to allow light to emanate from the cable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
It is to be understood that side glow fiber optic cables are known in the art. They are often used to create ornamental signs or other illuminated art. Such off the shelf side glow fiber optic cables may be employed where they are simply connected to an adequate light source. Off course, conventional data communications fiber optic cables may also be employed. While data communication cable are designed to minimize radial leakage, they may be simply altered by changing the angle of incidence of the light introduced to the cable as well as removal of the exterminator cladding to promote sufficient radial leakage to allow the cable to illuminate radially. In one embodiment, the exterior cladding may be selectively removed from a conventional data cable to give off a desired pattern of light. The cable may also be notched at discrete intervals, etc. Endless combinations exist to create different ornamental illumination. However, the fundamental function of the illuminated controller cable 7 of the present invention is to promote visibility. Because the illuminated cable is primarily intended to enhance visibility rather than to illuminate another device, there is no need to give off a tremendous amount of light. All that is necessary is that sufficient light emanates to enhance visibility of the cable whether in normal lighting conditions or in dark conditions. The light source thus need not be very powerful and can be supplied by a single LED light drawing very little voltage and very little current.
State of the art stand alone computer gaming platforms also transmit low DC voltage across the communication bundle 7b to power circuitry within the controller, power LED lights in operations members, power vibration devices, etc. Such systems are known to supply a three volt source over the communication cable. (However, other voltage levels may certainly be utilized.) Such a voltage source may be utilized to illuminate low voltage LEDs in order to illuminate the side glow cable which will now be described with reference to
Alternately, a plurality of fiber optic side glow cables 7a may run along the length of the communication cable 7b as shown in
While the foregoing invention has been shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those possessing skill in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, a blinking circuit may be incorporated to cause the illuminating source to blink in various successive patterns. In such an instance the frequency response module that activates the vibration motor may be used to in turn control the voltage source of the lighted cable and blink or flicker when the vibration motor is activated. A control circuit to blink or activate the light(s) may simply be incorporated into the circuitry shown in
Claims
1. An computer gaming system comprising:
- a dedicated computer gaming console having a controller port a voltage source, and
- a video game controller, said controller including a hand held body having a plurality of operation members logistically positioned for manipulation by a user, an integrated light source; and at least one communication cable operatively connected between said hand held device and said controller port, said controller being provided to establish an electrical connection between said console and said hand held unit thereby transmitting both operation commands to said computer gaming system in response to manipulation of said operation members by said user and providing said voltage source of said console to said hand held unit, said communication cable having an illumination device powered by said voltage source of said gaming console and being directly connected to said integrated light source and emanating from at least one point along said communication cable thereby enhancing visibility of said communication cable, wherein said hand held body, integrated light source and at least one communication cable are all integrated within a single self contained assembly.
2. The video game controller according to claim 1, wherein said at least one communication cable includes:
- a bundle to transmit said operation data from said controller to said computer gaming system;
- a fiber optic side glow cable running substantially along a length of said bundle and being in permanent communication with said light source; and
- a light transmitting sheath covering said bundle and said fiber optic side glow cable.
3. The video game controller according to claim 2, further comprising an LED light source disposed within said hand held body and in light communication with said side glow fiber optic cable to supply light through said side glow fiber optic cable.
4. The video game controller according to claim 3, wherein said LED light source is electrically connected to a voltage source disposed within said hand held unit.
5. The video game controller according to claim 4, further comprising a switch electrically connected to said LED light source to selectively connect said LED light to said voltage source.
6. The video game controller according to claim 2, wherein said side glow fiber optic cable extends substantially along an entire length of said communication cable emitting light continuously along a length there along.
7. The video game controller according to claim 2, wherein said light transmitting protective sheath is translucent.
8. The vide game controller according to claim 2, wherein said translucent sheath is clear.
9. The video game controller according to claim 2, wherein said fiber optic side glow cable includes a plurality of fiber optic side glow cables.
10. The video game controller according to claim 2 further comprising, an interference shield disposed between said fiber optic side glow cable and said bundle.
11. A video game controller comprising:
- a hand held body having a plurality of operation members logistically positioned for manipulation by a user,
- a light source;
- at least one communication cable operatively connected to said hand held device and provided to transmit operation commands to a computer gaming system in response to manipulation of said operation members by said user, said communication cable having at least an illuminating portion in direct and permanent communication with said light source and emitting light there from to enhance visibility of said communication cable; wherein said hand held body, said light source, and said at least one communication cable being a single integrated assembly.
12. The video game controller according to claim 11, wherein said light emitting portion extends along a substantial length of said communication cable.
13. The video game controller according to claim 11, wherein said communication cable includes a plurality of LED lights disposed at discrete points along said light emitting portion and said LED lights being electrically connected to a voltage source in said hand held unit.
14. The video game controller according to claim 13, further comprising a switch electrically connected to said plurality of LED lights to selectively connect said LED light to said voltage source.
15. The video game controller according to claim 1, wherein said communication cable includes:
- a separate bundle to transmit said operation data from said controller to said computer gaming system; and
- a light transmitting sheath covering said bundle and said plurality of LED lights.
16. The video game controller according to claim 13, further comprising, an interference shield disposed between said fiber optic side glow cable and said bundle.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 27, 2007
Publication Date: Jul 26, 2007
Inventors: Saied Hussaini (Miami, FL), Marc Iacovelli (Miami, FL), Matthew Johnston (Boyds, MD)
Application Number: 11/727,503
International Classification: A63F 13/00 (20060101);