IP Library Granted Patent US 8,827,806
Granted Patent B2
US 8,827,806 · App. 12/124,112 · Granted Sep 9, 2014

Music video game and guitar-like game controller

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,827,806
App. No.
12/124,112
Granted
Sep 9, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A music video game provides a guitar shaped video game controller with an analog control device with touch sensor. In some embodiments the analog control device is in the form of a touch sensitive pad on a neck of a guitar shaped video game compeller. In some embodiments, the analog control device may resemble additional buttons on a neck of a guitar shaped video game controller. The analog control device may be used to simulate various techniques which may be performed on strings of a guitar.

Claims (12)

1. A guitar shaped video game controller including an analog control device, comprising:

a recessed surface molded into an exterior face of a surface of a neck of the guitar shaped video game controller, the recessed surface including at least one position marker to divide the recessed surface into a plurality of regions; and

a printed circuit board with a touch sensor attached to an interior face of the surface opposite the recessed surface;

wherein the printed circuit board detects contact made in the recessed surface; and

wherein control circuitry of the guitar shaped video game controller generates an input signal recognizable by an associated video game console as values of an axis of a control stick of a default controller, the input signal corresponding to a position of contact made on the recessed surface.

2. The guitar shaped video game controller of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of regions are separated by tactile lines running across the recessed surface.

3. The guitar shaped video game controller of claim 1 , wherein the touch sensor on the printed circuit board is an electric field proximity sensor.

4. The guitar shaped video game controller of claim 1 , wherein the touch sensor on the printed circuit board is a resistive based touch sensor.

5. The guitar shaped video game controller of claim 1 , wherein the touch sensor on the printed circuit board is a capacitive touch sensor.

6. The guitar shaped video game controller of claim 1 , wherein the touch sensor on the printed circuit board is a radio frequency based touch sensor.

7. The guitar shaped video game controller of claim 1 , wherein the dimensions of the printed circuit board are substantially similar to the dimensions of the recessed surface.

8. The guitar shaped video game controller of claim 1 , further comprising a sliding actuator for contacting the recessed surface.

Assignments (3)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 17, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: ACTIVISION BLIZZARD INC.; ACTIVISION PUBLISHING, INC.; ACTIVISION ENTERTAINMENT HOLDINGS, INC.; BLIZZARD ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
Reel/Frame 040381/0487 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 17, 2013
From: ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 031435/0138 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 17, 2008
From: MCCAULEY, JACK J.; BRIGHT, BRIAN; DEVECKA, JOHN
To: ACTIVISION PUBLISHING, INC.
Reel/Frame 021108/0432 →