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.

1 . A game controller to interact with a plurality of different game processors including different gaming applications, comprising: 
 a plurality of user-manipulable input devices, wherein at least one of the user-manipulable input devices provides an isometric exercise for a user;    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; and    a communication link to transfer signals between the at least one signal processor and a selected game processor, wherein said communication link comprises a plurality of connection plugs with at least two of the connection plugs being configured to connect with different game processors.    
     
     
         2 . The game controller of  claim 1 , wherein the communication link further comprises: 
 a first cable including wiring extending within the first cable and connected to the at least one signal processor; and    a plurality of interface cables disposed proximate an end of the first cable, each interface cable including a respective wiring set transferring signals with the first cable and extending within the interface cable;    wherein each connection plug is connected to a respective interface cable.    
     
     
         3 . The game controller of  claim 2 , wherein the communication link further comprises a housing to receive the wiring from the end of the first cable and transfer signals to a respective interface cable.  
     
     
         4 . The game controller of  claim 2 , wherein the communication link further comprises an extension cable device including: 
 a second cable including wiring extending within the second cable;    a plurality of controller cables disposed proximate a first end of the second cable, each controller cable including a respective wiring set transferring signals with the first end of the second cable and extending within the controller cable and further including a connection plug that connects with a respective connection plug of the interface cable; and    a plurality of processor cables disposed proximate a second end of the second cable, each processor cable including a respective wiring set transferring signals with the second end of the second cable and extending within the processor cable and further including a connection plug that connects with a respective game processor to transfer signals between the communication link connected with the at least one signal processor and the respective game processor.    
     
     
         5 . The game controller of  claim 1 , wherein the communication link includes at least one wireless communication link to transfer communication signals between the signal processor and the selected game processor.  
     
     
         6 . The game controller of  claim 5 , wherein each connection plug is coupled to a corresponding transceiver.  
     
     
         7 . The game controller of  claim 5 , wherein a plurality of connection plugs is connected to a transceiver.  
     
     
         8 . The game controller of  claim 7 , wherein said transceiver coupled to said plurality of connection plugs includes a processor to receive signals from the signal processor and transfer signals to the selected game processor in a format compatible with the game processor to control gaming application functions.  
     
     
         9 . The game controller of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one signal processor includes a plurality of signal processors with each signal processor configured to communicate with a corresponding game processor.  
     
     
         10 . The game controller of  claim 1 , wherein the game controller is disposed within an exercise system, and at least one of the user-manipulable input devices comprises an effector bar to provide an isometric exercise for the user.  
     
     
         11 . The game controller of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of connection plugs includes at least three connection plugs each configured to connect with a different game processor.  
     
     
         12 . The game controller of  claim 1 , wherein at least one connection plug is configured to connect a port of a personal computer.  
     
     
         13 . A method of connecting a game controller to a plurality of different game processors, the game controller including a plurality of user-manipulable input devices, at least one processor to receive and process signals associated with manipulations of the user-manipulable input devices, and a communication link to transfer signals between the game controller and plurality of game processors and including at least a first connection plug and a second connection plug, the first and second connection plugs being configured to connect with different game processors, the method comprising: 
 (a) selecting a game processor and engaging a corresponding connection plug of the communication link with a port of the selected game processor to transfer signals between the at least one signal processor and the selected game processor via the communication link;    (b) identifying the selected game processor, via the at least one signal processor, in response to receiving at least one initial signal from the selected game processor via the communication link;    (c) receiving and processing signals associated with manipulations of the user-manipulable input devices via the at least one signal processor, wherein at least one user-manipulable input device provides an isometric exercise for a user; and    (d) transferring signals, via the communication link, from the at least one signal processor to the selected game processor in a format compatible with the selected game processor to control gaming application functions.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the communication link includes a cable.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the communication link includes at least one wireless communication link.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the game controller is disposed within an exercise system, and at least one of the user-manipulable input devices comprises an effector bar to provide an isometric exercise for the user, and step (c) includes: 
 (c.1) receiving and processing signals associated with manipulations of the effector bar via the at least one signal processor.    
     
     
         17 . A connector for transferring signals between a game controller and a plurality of different game processors, the connector comprising: 
 a communication link to transfer signals between the game controller and a selected game processor, wherein the communication link is selectively coupled to the game controller and comprises a plurality of connection plugs with at least two of the connection plugs being configured to connect with different game processors.    
     
     
         18 . The connector of  claim 17 , wherein the communication link further comprises: 
 a first cable including wiring extending within the first cable and coupled to the at least one signal processor; and    a plurality of interface cables extending proximate a first end of the first cable, wherein each interface cable includes a corresponding connection plug and a respective wiring set transferring signals with the first end of the first cable and extending within the interface cable to the corresponding connection plug.    
     
     
         19 . The connector of  claim 17 , wherein the communication link further comprises: 
 a first cable including wiring extending within the first cable;    a plurality of interface cables extending proximate a first end of the first cable, wherein each interface cable includes a corresponding connection plug to couple the interface cable to the game controller and a respective wiring set transferring signals with the first end of the first cable and extending within the interface cable to the corresponding connection plug; and    a plurality of processor cables extending proximate a second end of the first cable, wherein each processor cable includes a corresponding connection plug configured to connect with a respective game processor and a respective wiring set transferring signals with the second end of the first cable and extending within the processor cable to the corresponding connection plug.    
     
     
         20 . The connector of  claim 17 , wherein the communication link includes at least one wireless communication link.  
     
     
         21 . The connector of  claim 20 , wherein a wireless communication link includes a transceiver coupled to the plurality of connection plugs.  
     
     
         22 . The connector of  claim 21 , wherein the transceiver coupled to the plurality of connection plugs includes a processor to receive signals from the signal processor and transfer signals to a selected game processor in a format compatible with the selected game processor to control gaming application functions.  
     
     
         23 . The connector of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of connection plugs includes at least three connection plugs each configured to connect with a different game processor.  
     
     
         24 . The connector of  claim 17 , wherein at least one connection plug is configured to connect a port of a personal computer.  
     
     
         25 . The game controller of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the connection plugs is configured to connect with a USB port.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the first and second connection plugs is configured to connect with a USB port.  
     
     
         27 . The connector of  claim 17 , wherein at least one of the connection plugs is configured to connect with a USB port.