SECURE AND/OR LOCKABLE CONNECTING ARRANGEMENT FOR VIDEO GAME SYSTEM
Compatible mechanical and/or electrical connections to video game system accessories provide unique shape, design and dimensions that discourage or prevent non-compatible devices from being connected, connector configurations that allow connection only in a proper orientation to ensure electrical compatibility and eliminate the possibility of short-circuits, quick release locking arrangement firmly mechanically holds mating connectors together despite extensive movement of the game player's arms and hands, staged electrical contacting sequence provides proper signal application sequence, and wrist strap to tether handheld remote controller to hand is attached to a locking connector that mates with a connector of the remote controller.
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This application claims priority to the filing date of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/461,487 filed Aug. 13, 2009, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/905,903 filed Oct. 5, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,594,827. This application also claims the benefit of priority from Provisional Application No. 60/866,391, filed Nov. 17, 2006 and Provisional Application No. 60/916,750, filed May 8, 2007, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe technology herein relates to electrical connectors for video game systems, and more specifically to electromechanical connecting arrangements for connecting with video game input, peripheral and/or other devices. Still more particularly, the technology herein relates to methods, apparatus and techniques for providing reliable electrical and mechanical connectivity between 3D video game system components while preventing or discouraging incompatible and/or unauthorized device connections. The technology herein also relates to a secure lockable connector arrangement for video game system peripheral or other devices.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARYVideo game system designers spend enormous amounts of time, effort, energy, money and other resources designing new video game systems for the consumer electronics market. A vast amount of human factor and other engineering typically goes into video game designs to make them successful and popular with consumers. For example, a video game input device such as a remote controller, handheld controller, joystick or the like should be capable of providing fine and other flexible user control inputs while at the same time being able to withstand various forms of physical abuse from small children. There are significant challenges to designing, developing and manufacturing video game consumer electronics hardware that is easy to use, very capable, highly reliable, rugged, flexible, compact, relatively low cost and a pleasure to operate.
A video game system designer may become disappointed if a competitor attempts to “knock off”, copy or otherwise attempt to develop unlicensed or unauthorized substitute input devices. Video game input devices that are cheaply made without the requisite human factor engineering tend to disappoint consumers. Furthermore, it is important for reliability, safety, avoiding damage and other reasons that only those devices intended to be connected are in fact able to be connected. It is undesirable to allow an unauthorized or unlicensed video game accessory manufacturer to get a “free ride” by selling certain types of products designed to interoperate with the video game system without first obtaining permission from or otherwise working out an agreement with the video game system manufacturer.
Some in the past have used complex electronic authentication or other elements to ensure that accessory hardware and software manufacturers obtain proper licenses and permissions. For example, many video game system software, disks and cartridges are protected by security systems that allow the system to determine whether software is authentic. The system can refuse to run software that is not authentic. While it may be possible and desirable to include electronic encryption and authentication on hardware accessory signal pathways, more fundamental approaches can also be effective.
The technology herein relates to a new and improved electromechanical connector arrangement for use in a video game system and/or other application. Exemplary illustrative non-limiting features include:
-
- Unique shape, design and dimensions that discourage or prevent connection of non-compatible devices
- Male connector insertion portion defines receiving socket containing electrical contacts, and female connector socket has protrusion having electrical contact strips disposed thereon for pressure insertion into and engagement with the male connector receiving socket
- Connector configurations that ensure connection in a proper orientation to provide electrical compatibility and eliminate the possibility of short-circuits
- Quick release locking arrangement that firmly mechanically holds mating connectors together despite extensive movement of the game player's arms and hands
- Staged electrical contacting sequence provides proper sequence for applying signals
- Wrist strap tethering handheld remote controller to hand is attached to a locking connector that securely mates with a connector of the remote controller
- High reliability and long life
- Very rugged design in a compact low cost package
- Easy to manipulate and operate to insert and release
- Positive coupling with tactile feel so users know when connection is successful
- Positive interlock securely fastens and holds connectors together despite active motion by users holding onto handheld controllers the connector is used to couple together
- Good strain resistance preventing cable from being forceably pulled out of connector
- Combination insertion/receiving interlocking portions on both male and female connectors provide mechanical strength when connectors are mated
- Other advantageous non-limiting features
These and other features and advantages will be better and more completely understood by referring to the following detailed description of exemplary non-limiting illustrative implementations in conjunction with the drawings of which:
Exemplary illustrative non-limiting electrical connector plug 50 includes an insertion portion 52 and a manually grippable portion 54. Insertion portion 52 in one exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation forms a male portion of a connector that mates with a female connector receptacle or socket 100 (See
In the exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation shown, grippable portion 54 includes a generally box-like housing 56 including grippable side walls 58a, 58b. Housing 56 can be of two-piece construction with a top (upper) case portion 60 joining with a bottom (lower) case portion 62. Upper and lower or top and bottom housing case portions 60, 62 can be for example made of molded hard plastic, white “66Nylon” material or any other suitable durable material.
The upper and lower housing case portions 60, 62 when coupled together (e.g., using retaining screws, adhesive, or any other convenient fastening system) encapsulate and protect internal portions of the connector assembly to make the connector plug 50 rugged and allow it to stand up to abuse from children and others. In other exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementations, housing 56 as shown could be eliminated and some other arrangement used (or omitted as desired) for electrically connecting the connectors of a cable (not shown) to the insertion portion 52.
In the exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation, the connector plug housing 56 is of a convenient size for grasping or gripping between a thumb and other digit (e.g., forefinger, middle finger, etc.). See
In one exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation, the male connector plug 50 has a wrist strap hook 59 mounted on its housing 56. Wrist strap hook 59 can comprise for example a separate layer of clear strong durable plastic or other similar material providing a ridge 59a and a hook structure 59b. The purpose of ridge 59a and hook structure 59b in one exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation is to retain a nylon or other durable fabric or other wrist strap (e.g., loop) so the device into which the male connector plug 50 (e.g., a handheld remote controller) can be anchored to the user's hand or wrist.
Since illustrative non-limiting implementations shown herein have a rugged, strong locking mechanism that locks the male connector plug 50 to a mating female connector socket 100 (and thus for example to a handheld device which provides the mating female connector socket), it is sufficient in the exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation to anchor the wrist strap to the connector 50 which mates with the handheld device (direct connection of the wrist strap to the handheld device itself is thus not necessary in one exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation). In other implementations, a wrist strap could be anchored directly to the handheld device as opposed to the connector, or it could be omitted. In some exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementations, a sensor of some sort (e.g., optical) is provided to detect whether the wrist strap is being used and in some cases to prevent games or other applications from operating unless the wrist strap is physically in place. The wrist strap could be replaced with a lanyard or any other desired arrangement.
Exemplary Illustrative Non-Limiting Secure Locking MechanismAn exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation includes a secure locking mechanism including control arms 64, locking nibs or tangs 66, and slots or other openings defined within a mating connector in registry with the locking nibs or tangs (see
In the exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation, control arms 64 and associated retractable nibs 66 are mechanically biased (see
In more detail, when the user grasps the connector plug housing 54 between the thumb and a finger and applies pressure to the control arms 64 and at this stage may or may not cause retractable nibs 66 to retract (see
Insertion is smoother and easier if the user is applying pressure to the control arms 64, but the force that the insertion wall of the female connector socket applies to the retractable nibs 66 will cause the nibs to retract irrespective of whether the user is applying force to control arms 64. Even though they are partially retracted, the nibs 66 are outwardly biased in the exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation such that they remain in close biased contact with the female socket inner wall and exert a frictional force thereon. However, in the exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation, the contact is between smooth metal surfaces so the frictional insertion force is relatively small, so as not to substantially impede insertion progress. Meanwhile, proper registration between the plug 50 and the socket is ensured by channel 320 conformally in registry with an engaging ridge 1320 disposed on an insertion wall of the female socket.
Thus, in the exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation shown, retractable nibs 66 serve to automatically retract as the connector insertion portion 52 is inserted into a corresponding snugly-fitting female receptacle. If corresponding locking grooves, openings or other structures in registry with locking nibs 66 are provided, the locking nibs may then automatically protrude into the corresponding structures in registration therewith, such that the trailing edges 72 abut corresponding edges of grooves, holes or the like and thereby substantially prevent the connector insertion portion 52 from being removed from a corresponding female receptacle unless either the control arms 64 are depressed to retract the nibs or a substantial amount of pressure is applied.
More specifically, as the user continues to supply insertion force (
The locking mechanism (the retractable nib portion of which is shown in more detail in FIG. 8A—including the U-shaped structure 65) thus provides added degrees of safety and security since the accessory or other device that connector plug 50 connects to will generally not easily unintentionally separate from the corresponding female connector socket 100. This can provide significant benefits for example when a user is holding a video game remote controller with one hand, the remote controller providing a female connector socket 100 into which a wired connector plug 50 is inserted. As the user independently swings his or her left and right arms to operate the two different devices, for example, the exemplary illustrative locking mechanism shown including retractable nibs 66 and corresponding in-registration slots, grooves or other openings or similar structures maintains a firmly-locked electrical and mechanical connection. This prevents electrical connector 50 from unexpectedly and unintentionally flying out of the corresponding female connector socket 100 during such arm movements, thereby potentially avoiding injuries, inconvenience, and other potential occurrences caused by unintended disconnection.
In one exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation, the locking mechanism is designed so it will fail and release the connector plug 50 from the connector socket 100 when a very substantial removal force is applied. Such a removal force can for example be somewhat or substantially less than the amount of force required to pull a cable out of the connector plug so that the locking mechanism will forceably release just before the cable strain release fails. Thus, the exemplary illustrative non-limiting locking mechanism is sufficiently stiff so that the connector will not come out accidentally, but is not so stiff that the cord will break first (locking mechanism strength is less than the tensile strength of the cable connected to the male connector 50 assuming a cable based connection is used).
In normal use, the user can easily withdraw the connector plug 50 from the connector socket 100 at any time by applying pressure onto control arms 64 and thereby cause the control arms to retract inwardly into the connector plug housing. As the user applies force to the control arms 64 and exceeds the biasing force that maintains the control arms in their outwardly protruding resting positions, the retractable nibs begin to retract into housing 54 (see
As can be seen in
In still other exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementations, the retractable nibs 66 could be formed in other ways and or omitted entirely. Although the exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation shown includes a locking mechanism including retractable nibs 66, other arrangements could be used instead. For example, in some applications, a friction fit alone might be sufficient, or the force of gravity in combination with a friction fit could be used to keep the connector insertion portion 52 mated with a corresponding female connector receptacle. Exemplary Male and Female Multilevel Interlocking Configurations
The cross-sections of the different interlocking portions can be other than those shown in the Figures discussed above. For example,
-
- a lever-operated locking mechanism of the type often seen holding zero insertion force connector pins
- a retractable spring or other biased plunger, ball or the like
- a pure friction fit such as commonly used by USB connectors
- a threaded ring or other structure that screws onto a corresponding threaded shaft or other structure
- threaded shafts with knurled knobs that mate and interlock with corresponding threaded screw holes, of the type for example used for personal computer parallel and serial cables
- side protrusions of the type used commonly for USB male and female connectors
- any other suitable locking, retaining or friction fully engaging structural mechanism
- in suitable applications, a combination of friction and the force of gravity (e.g., docking ports or the like) while connector 50 is not in physical motion and has a generally downwards orientation
- any other suitable arrangement (for example, a locking mechanism that engages the slots on the bottom of a
FIG. 6A remote controller rather than engaging the connector itself). - other
Exemplary Electrical Connection
Referring again to
Referring again to
One exemplary illustrative non-limiting pin assignment configuration may be as follows for a six-pin male connector:
Pin 1: Vcc (3 volts)
Pin 2: SCL (serial clock line)
Pin 3: “Attach” (connected to Vcc on the male plug 50 side, sensed on the female socket 100 side to determine whether a plug is connected or not)
Pin 4: V-Batt (can be used for supplying external power through the connectors if desired; this connection is optional in many games)
Pin 5: SDA (serial data line)
Pin 6: Ground
In one implementation shown in
(1) shielding plates make contact
(2) pins 1 and 6 (Vcc and ground) make contact simultaneously
(3) pins 2-5 (all the rest) make contact.
Other variations are of course possible, e.g., pins 2-5 make contact first and then power and ground make contact.
Such earlier or staged connection helps to eliminate power surges etc.
While such conformal keying wherein plateau 450 slides into trough 320 provides good compatibility, it should be understood that other cross-sectional shapes and profiles could similarly provide partial compatibility and orientation control without being entirely conformal. In particular, although the exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementations shown in
One can assume that an unauthorized or unlicensed hardware manufacturer would try to make his or her connector as different as possible from an authentic connector while still achieving electrical and mechanical compatibility. Elements of electrical and mechanical compatibility include for example proper electrical connection of most of the six electrical connections in the exemplary implementation (at least data and clock line connections would presumably be wanted to provide electrical compatibility, although the pluggable device might be able to provide its own power it would presumably also tie to the common ground connection or to shield but perhaps not to both); and prevention or correction in some way, shape or form from reversed orientation such that those lines are not reversed (although in some circumstances one could envision simply telling the user to try it one way or the other until it works since there are only two possibilities, so long as pin assignment is made carefully to avoid short-circuits).
Elements of mechanical compatibility depend to some extent on the particular application. Rugged, locking, conformal compatibility is probably useful for many applications. However, in applications where not much movement is involved, then perhaps the locking mechanism could be dispensed with or not used, and less conformality might be used. Less conformal might weaken ruggedness, but other precautions (e.g., additional means of attachment or stabilization) might be used to compensate. In some applications such as stationary docking port applications involving very little motion, the aspects of mechanical conformality used for compatibility might be reduced. By setting for these illustrative non-limiting shapes and examples, applicants intend to capture any and all ways to compatibly connect to either the
All dimensions herein and in the drawings are in millimeters. Tolerances are plus or minus 0.3 mm.
While the technology herein has been described in connection with exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementations, the invention is not to be limited by the disclosure. For example, other connection means including sleeves, clip down, tie downs, plunger based retaining mechanisms, discrete fingers, capacitive or inductive proximity sensors, optical couplers and other variations could be used instead of what is described above. Although the exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation connects video game systems, other arrangements are also possible. The invention is intended to be defined by the claims and to cover all corresponding and equivalent arrangements whether or not specifically disclosed herein.
Claims
1. A connector for a handheld video game remote control device for electrically connecting said handheld remote video game remote control device to an additional handheld video game control device, said additional handheld video game control device having an associated male-type insertion portion having a plurality of electrical contacts, said connector comprising:
- a female-type connector socket for receiving a male-type insertion portion associated with said additional handheld video game control device, said female-type connector socket including: an outer housing; an opening disposed within said outer housing shaped to receive said male-type insertion portion associated with said additional handheld video game control device; a projection located within said opening, wherein a plurality of electrical contacts are disposed on first and second opposite sides of the projection, and wherein the electrical contacts are configured to make sliding electrical contact with corresponding electrical contacts associated with said male-type insertion portion when said male-type insertion portion is inserted into said female-type connector socket; said projection having a terminating end surface defining the end of said projection; a first electrical contact of said plurality of electrical contacts being coupled in use to a ground; a second electrical contact of said plurality of electrical contacts being coupled in use to a voltage source; a third electrical contact of said plurality of electrical contacts being coupled in use to a serial data line; wherein said first electrical contact, said second electrical contact and said third electrical contact are disposed with respect to said terminating end surface such that when said male-type insertion portion is inserted into said female-type connector socket, the first and second electrical contacts make electrical contact with counterpart electrical contacts on the male-type insertion portion before the third electrical contact makes electrical contact with its counterpart electrical contact on the male-type insertion portion.
2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the female-type connector socket further includes a fourth electrical contact of said plurality of contacts that is coupled in use to a serial clock line, and wherein the fourth electrical contact is disposed with respect to said terminating end surface such that when said male-type insertion portion is inserted into said female-type connector socket the fourth electrical contact makes electrical contact with a counterpart electrical contact on the male-type insertion portion after the first and second electrical contacts make electrical contact with counterpart electrical contacts on the male-type insertion portion.
3. The connector of claim 1, wherein the opening in the female-type connector socket includes a longitudinally extending plateau that is configured to be received in a longitudinally extending recess of a mating male-type insertion portion.
4. The connector of claim 3, wherein the longitudinally extending plateau is located on the same side of the projection as the first electrical contact.
5. The connector of claim 1, wherein the first electrical contact is located on the first side of the projection, and wherein the second electrical contact and the third electrical contact are located on the second opposite side of the projection.
6. The connector of claim 5, further comprising a fourth electrical contact being coupled in use to a serial clock line, wherein the fourth electrical contact is located on the first side of the projection.
7. The connector of claim 6, wherein the first and third electrical contacts are located directly opposite each other on a first end of the projection, and wherein the second and fourth electrical contacts are located directly opposite each other on a second end of the projection.
8. The connector of claim 6, further comprising a fifth electrical contact that is coupled in use to an attach sense line, wherein the fifth electrical contact is located on the second exterior side of the projection between the second and third electrical contacts.
9. The connector of claim 1, wherein longitudinally extending channels are formed on the first and second opposite sides of the projection, and wherein each of the plurality of electrical contacts is located in a respective one of the channels.
10. A handheld video game remote control device comprising the connector of claim 1.
11. A female connector for a handheld video game remote control device for electrically connecting said handheld video game remote control device to an additional handheld video game control device having a male connector, said female connector comprising:
- an outer housing;
- an opening disposed within said outer housing and shaped to receive a male-type insertion portion of a mating male connector of said additional handheld video game control device;
- a projection within said opening, said projection including: a terminating end surface defining the end of said projection, and a plurality of electrical contacts located on first and second opposite exterior sides of the projection, the plurality of electrical contacts being disposed to make sliding electrical contact with corresponding electrical contacts in a recess of the male-type insertion portion of the mating male connector when the male-type insertion portion is inserted into the opening, wherein the plurality of electrical contacts include a first electrical contact being coupled in use to ground, a second electrical contact being coupled in use to a voltage source, a third electrical contract being coupled in use to a serial data line, and a fourth electrical contact being coupled in use to a serial clock line.
12. The female connector of claim 11, wherein the plurality of electrical contacts further include a fifth electrical contact that is coupled in use to an attach sense line.
13. The female connector of claim 12, wherein the second, third and fifth electrical contacts are located on the second exterior side of the projection, with the fifth electrical contact located between the second and third electrical contacts.
14. The female connector of claim 11, wherein the first and fourth electrical contacts are located on the first exterior side of the projection, and wherein the second and third electrical contacts are located on the second exterior side of the projection.
15. The female connector of claim 14, wherein the first and third electrical contacts are located opposite each other at a first end of the projection, and wherein the second and fourth electrical contacts are located opposite each other at a second end of the projection.
16. The female connector of claim 11, further comprising at least one longitudinally extending plateau that is formed on an inner surface of the opening, the at least one longitudinally extending plateau configured to be received in a corresponding recess of a male-type insertion portion of a mating male connector so that the male-type insertion portion can only be inserted into the opening in a single orientation.
17. The female connector of claim 16, wherein the longitudinally extending plateau is located on the same side of the projection as the first and fourth electrical contacts.
18. The female connector of claim 11, wherein longitudinally extending channels are formed on the first and second opposite exterior sides of the projection, and wherein each of the plurality of electrical contacts is located in a respective one of the channels.
19. The female connector of claim 11, wherein an electrically conductive shield is located on an inner surface of the opening.
20. A handheld video game remote control device comprising the female connector of claim 11.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 7, 2010
Publication Date: Aug 5, 2010
Applicants: NINTENDO CO., LTD. (Tokyo), MITSUMI ELECTRIC CO., LTD. (Tokyo)
Inventors: Junji TAKAMOTO (Kyoto), Daisuke KUMAZAKI (Kyoto), Souichi TAKAGI (Tokyo), Takaki TSUTSUI (Tokyo)
Application Number: 12/755,639
International Classification: A63F 9/24 (20060101); H01R 24/00 (20060101);