GB2270601A

GB2270601A - Two-player IR remote control

Info

Publication number: GB2270601A
Application number: GB9219075A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hwei-Ten Yu; Tien-Kai Fan
Original assignee: Silitek Corp
Current assignee: Silitek Corp
Priority date: 1992-09-09
Filing date: 1992-09-09
Publication date: 1994-03-16
Anticipated expiration: 2012-09-09
Also published as: GB9219075D0; GB2270601B; FR2698978B3; FR2698978A3

Abstract

Two players of a video game each has an infra-red remote control joystick 11, 12. Each joystick transmits pulses from a respective LED at the same frequency. To prevent interference between the two joysticks, each transmits pulses of a distinctive pulse length. <IMAGE>

Description

DOUBLE-PLAYER INFRARED REMOTE JOYSTICK CONTROTJLER APPARATUS WITHOUT RECOGNIZABLE INTERFERENCE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to joystick controller apparatus for use in playing video games.

Various video games as played on video game apparatus such as Atari, Nintendo and Sega entertainment systems are currently widely utilized today for entertainment in the home and elsewhere.

Presently, these games are operated by software programs. The game is played by operating a keypad on a hand-held device, which is connected to the game apparatus by means of control wires. The video game apparatus is then connected to a monitor, and a conventional television set is often utilized as the monitor. Any currently available apparatus requires the person playing the game or the operator to be physically connected to the game playing apparatus by wires. The installation of the wires limits the movement of the players, and the wires are subject to becoming tangled. Furthermore, any currently avaiJable remote controller apparatus does not respond correctly when 2 players operate the apparatus at the same time, i.e., a recognizable interference occurred between 2 transmission signals sent by 2 joystick controllers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a joystick controller apparatus for video games which does not require any wire connection to the game apparatus, namely, the joystick controller apparatus of the present invention utilizes electromagnetic transmission techniques to remotely control the video game apparatus.

Another advantage of the present invention is that 2 manually operable joystick controllers may be operated by 2 players at the same time utilizing 2 different pulse width transmission signals.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the two manually operable joystick controllers may be utilized independently and simultaneously with the receiver being able to identify and decode the 2 different pulse width signals transmitted by each joystick controller.

Still another advantage of the present invention is that there are no significant directional effects.

A further advantage of the present invention is that it is compatible with most computer based and currently available video game machines.

In general, the present invention is to provide a joystick controller apparatus for video games and the like, in which a first and second manually operable control apparatus each is provided with a key or switch to select player-l or player-2, and each joystick includes at least one additional key or switch for function control. Each manually operable control apparatus is provided with means for transmitting an electromagnetic signal in infrared frequency range.

This signal is modulated to include start bits, and both manually operable control apparatus use the same start bits for their transmission signals. The pulse width modulated signal from each controller apparatus has a duration of TO. The first and second manually operable control apparatus both have the same repetition period T. TO is selected to be less than one third of T, and T is further selected to be less than 8.3 seconds. Receiver means is provided for receiving the signals transmitted at the selected frequency in the infrared frequency range, and means is provided for detecting the pulse on the signal. Pulse width detector means is provided for detecting the first and second signals by utilizing a high resolution counter and clock generator. The different width pulses may be separated and gent to separate decoders.Each decoder means is provided for decoding the signal which is encoded by transmitter. Each decoded control signal is provided for video game apparatus through a separate output interface which is compatible to the joystick interface of the video game machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the annexed drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a TV game infrared remote control system according to the present invention; Fig. 1A is a diagram showing a standard configuration of wireless remote control joystick for TV or PC game system according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a first transmitter according to the present invention; Fig. 2A is a block diagram of a second transmitter according to the present invention; Fig. 2B is an elevational view of a joystick manually operable key switch hand set according to the present invention; Fig. 3 is a block diagram of an infrared receiver according to the present invention;; Fig. 4 illustrates IRJl (infrared remote joystick NO. 1) transmitting data format; IRJ2 (infrared remote joystick No. 2) transmitting data format; S!:IRJ1 sending signal data format; S2:IRJ2 sending signal data format; Fig. 5 shows IRJ1 and IRJ2 transmission signal data format and their bit wave form represented by different pulse width and off time, in which S1 & P1: IRJ1 sending signal and bit waveform; S2 & P2:IRJ2 sending signal and bit waveform; Fig. 6 shows P1 and P2 bit logic state definition both in waveform and table; Fig. 7 shows 2 signals S1 and S2 mixed together through the same communication channel, the mixed signals received by a receiver, Case 1: no collision at all; Fig. 8 shows 2 signals S1 and S2 mixed together through the same communication channel, the mixed signals received by the receiver, Case 2: partial collision (S1 & S2 are nor 100 overlapped); Fig. 9 shows the S1 and S2 mixed signals in bits timing, the P1 and P2 of mixed signal (partial collision of S1 & S2) separately appeared and been separated by the receivers Fig. 10 shows the waveform difference between Flash mode and Carrier mode; and Fig. 11 is a transmitter hardware circuit diagram according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAIT.ED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to Fig. 1, therein illustrated is a structural block diagram of TV game infrared joystick control system according to the present invention, which includes a first transmitter 11, a second transmitter t2, and a receiver 13 connected to a TV game machine 14.

The first and second transmitters 11,12 send codes in different pulse widths through respective infrared LEDs.

The signals from the first and second transmitters 11,12 are respectively received by the receiver 13 and treated through the process of filtration and decoding, and then transmitted to the TV game machine 14 through an interface circuit to achieve the communication.

Referring to Fig. 1A, therein illustrated is the arrangement of the joysticks of the first and second transmitters in operating with the TV game machine through the receiver, in which the joysticks are designated 111 and 112, the numeral 13 indicates the receiver, the numeral 14 indicates the TV game, and the numeral 15 indicates a monitor.

Referring to Fig. 2, therein illustrated is a block diagram of the first transmitter, in which a base clock 25 provides a signal to a pulse waveform generator 26 for filtration and pulse width selection so that start bit 21 and key codes 22 are mixed through a mixer 23 and formed into the desired digital signal, which is then sent to an infrared transmitter driver 24 causing it to transmit an infrared signal 27.

Referring to Fig. 2A, therein illustrated is a block diagram of the second transmitter. The internal structure is similar to the first transmitter of Fig. 2. The only different between the first transmitter and the second transmitter is the location of the switch. The switch in the first transmitter of Fig. 2 is disposed at PLAY-I, and the switch is the second transmitter of Fig. 2A is disposed at PLAY-2.

Referring to Fig. 2B, therein illustrated is a joystick manually operable key switch hand set according to the present invention, which includes a direction key, a left key, a right key, a select key, a start key, two turbo keys X and Y, two function keys A and B, and a PLAY-1/PLAY-2 select key.

Referring to Fig. 3, therein illustrated is a block diagram of the receiver. The infrared signal 27 from either transmitter is received by an diode 31 and amplified by a pre-amplifier 32, and then detected by a pulse width detector 33. The clock signal required by the pulse width detector 33 is provided by a clock generator 38. After detection, the signal is sent to P1 decoder 34 if it was identified of PLAY-I, or sent to P2 decoder 35 if it was identified of PLAY-2. After having been treated through the P1 decoder 34 or the P2 decoder 35, the signal is decoded into the corresponding code and sent to the TV game machine through a PLAYER-1 output interface 36 or a PLAYER-2 output interface.

Fig. 4 shows the transmission data format according to the present invention, which includes IRJI (infrared remote joystick No. 1) transmitting data format, IRJ2 (infrared remote joystick No 2) transmitting data format, S1 (IRJ1 sending signal wave form) 3 start bits plus 12 data bits, S2 (IRJ2 sending signal wave form) 3 start bits plus 12 data bits. A decoder output 16 bits control data signal for Super NINTENDO game machine is also illustrated. The signals transmitted by each of the infrared joystick controllers (hereinafter referred to as IRJI & IRJ2 respectively). IRJ1 and IRJ2 each is preferably comprised of an 15 bits signal having a duration of TO.

Each signal has a start bits, which is always a "101" in logic state. Since negative logic state is utilized in each joystick, the start bits "101" generates a pulse (16ps for IRJ1 and 48s for IRJ2). The start bits (a start pilot signal) is detected by the receiver to start the receiving of following data bits.

Fig. 5 shows IRJ1 & IRJ2 transmission data format and their bit wave form represented by different pulse width and off time, in which: S1 & Pl: IRJ1 sending signal and bit waveform; S2 & P2: IRJ2 sending signal and bit waveform; P1: The pulse width is 16 s high voltage level and 240s low voltage level; the duration of each bit time is 256s; P2: The pulse width is 48 s high voltage level and 208s low voltage level; the duration of each bit time is 256;as; The logic state of both transmission data is defined as negative logic.

Fig. 6 shows the logic state definition in table and diagrams.

SIGNAL WAVEFORM PULSE: PULSE NO PULSE BIT 1/ 0 DEFINITION : 0 1 ONE BIT DURATION : 256 s 256 s PULSE HIGH TIME LOW LEVEL (PULSE WIDTH) OFF TIME PULSE 1 (P1) 16 s 240 s PULSE 2 (P2) 48 s 208 s In order for the two infrared joystick controllers (IRJ1 & IRJ2) to 9hare the same communication channel and still be able to operate simultaneously, unique methods are applied in this invention. The signals transmitted by IRJl and IRJ2 are shown in Fig. 7. They are designated S1 & S1 respectively. Both IRJ1 & IRJ2 transmit data in pulses each of which has a time duration of TO as shown in Fig. 7.The repetition period of the signal from tRJI & IRJ2 has the same duration of T as shown in Fig.

7. The repetition rate of data transmission is lit for IRJ1 and IRJ2. In this preferred embodiment, we select: TO = 256s x 15 = 3840iis = 3.84ms T = 3 TO = 11.52ms Fig. 7 shows 2 signals S1 and S2 mixed together through the same communication channel, the mixed signals received by receiver Case 1: no collision at all. The possibility of non-collision of data-l & BR< data-2 is: Pnc = 1-2TO/T = 1/3.

Fig. 8 shows 2 signals S1 and S2 mixed together through the same communication channel, the mixed signals received by receiver Case 2: Partial collision (S1 & 52 are nor 100 overlapped). The possibility of partial collision of data-l & data-2 is: Pc = 2TO/T = 2/3.

Fig. 9 shows the S1 and S2 mixed signals in bits timing. The PI and P2 of mixed signal (partial collision of S1 & S2) are separately appeared and can be separated by a receiver according to the present invention. The possibility of bit to bit collision of data-I & data-2 bit is: Pbit-c = (16+48)/256 = 1/4 during partially collision of data-1 and data-2. We can calculate the total bit to bit collusion possibility by multiplying 1/3 b; 2/3 and the product is 1/6 over one transmission duration T. That is, non bits collision possibility for one transmission is 5/6 = 83.3%.Since T < 16.6ms (TV picture frame refresh period) and picture refresh rate is 33.3ms for average human eyes, the operator or user of the joystick can not perceive any loss of transmission data.

Fig. 10 shows the waveform difference between Flash mode and Carrier mode in which: Flash mode: a signal without higher frequency (the carrier frequency) appeared in the defined ON time duration. That means a high level or low level voltage without high speed switching Carrier mode: a frequency modulation during on time, for high frequency switching in a lower frequency on duration.

Referring to Fig. 11, therein itlustrated is a transmitter hardware circuit diagram according to the present invention, in which ICI and IC2 are start bit and key encoders; IC3 and 1C4 are a frequency divider and a counter respectively; IC5 is a clock generator (50OKH.); 1C6 and SC7, and IC8 are pulse generators selected by St to produce pulses of pulse width 16s and 48s respectively.

As indicated, the present invention is to let signals from different joysticks be received through the same communication channel and identified and decoded according to different pulse widths.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An infrared remote joystick controller, comprising a first transmitter, a second transmitter and a receiver, said receiving being connected to a TV game machine, said first transmitter and second transmitter each having an infrared LED controlled to send a respective signal of different pulse width to said receiver through the air for permitting the signal to be processed through the process of filtration and detection and then sent to said TV game machine through an interface circuit for controlling the operation of said TV game machine.

2. The infrared remote joystick controller of claim 1 wherein said first and second transmitters each comprises a base clock to provide a signal to a pulse waveform generator for filtration and pulse width selection for permitting a start bit and key codes to be mixed through a mixer and formed into the desired digital signal, which is then sent to an infrared transmitter driver causing it to transmit an infrared signal.

3. The infrared remote joystick controller of claim 2 wherein the infrared signal is received by an diode in said receiver, amplified by a pre-amplifier, and detected by a pulse width detector, which receives a clock signal from a pulse width detector, and then sent to a PLAY-1 decoder if the infrared signal was identified of PLAY-1, or sent to PLAY-2 decoder if the infrared signal was identified of PLAY-2, for permitting the infrared signal to be decoded into the corresponding code and sent to saiss TV game machine through a PLAYER-1 output interface or a PLAYER-2 output interface.

4. The infrared remote joystick controller of claim 1 wherein the possibility of non-collision of data-l & data-2 of said receiver is: Pnc = 1-2T0ST = 1/3.

5. The infrared remote joystick controller of claim 1 wherein the non bits collision possibility of data-l & data-2 of said receiver for one transmission is 5/6 = 83.3%.

6. The infrared remote joystick controller of claim 1 wherein the possibility of partial collision of data & data-2 of said receiver is: Pc = 2TO/T = 2/3.

7. The infrared remote joystick controller of claim 1 wherein the possibility of bit to bit collision of data-t & data-2 of said receiver is: Pbit-c = (16+48)/256 = 1/4.

8. The infrared remote joystick controller of claim 1 wherein the total bit to bit collusion possibility of data-l & data-2 of said receiver is 1/4 x 2/3 - 1/6.

9. An infrared remote joystick controller constructed and arranged substantially as described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.