Video game controller with light feedback mechanism

Abstract

A video game controller including lights for providing visual feedback responsive to actions taking place in a video game. The visual feedback may be in terms of flashing lights, stationary lights, and the like. The lights are coupled to a rumble/vibration circuitry that controls any rumble/vibration motors that may be included in the game controller. If included, the rumble/vibration motors cause a rumble/vibration feeling in the controller during game play. Because the lights are coupled to the rumble/vibration circuitry, the lights are actuated each time signals are provided by the rumble/vibration circuitry, providing visual feedback that may complement or replace any tactile feedback from the rumble/vibration motors.

1 . A video game controller for controlling a video game comprising: 
 a controller housing;    one or more light sources coupled inside the housing for emanating light through the housing;    one or more input devices coupled to the exterior of the housing providing user input for controlling the video game; and    circuitry coupled to the one or more light sources for actuating the one or more light sources responsive to actions occurring in the video game.    
   
   
       2 . The video game controller of  claim 1 , wherein the circuitry for actuating the one or more light sources is circuitry configured to control one or more vibration motors for providing vibration of the controller housing.  
   
   
       3 . The video game controller of  claim 2  further comprising the one or more vibration motors.  
   
   
       4 . The video game controller of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more light sources are actuated responsive to an output signal configured to control the one or more vibration motors.  
   
   
       5 . The video game controller of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the controller housing is made of a translucent material.  
   
   
       6 . The video game controller of  claim 5 , wherein the light sources emanate light through the portion of the controller housing made of the translucent material responsive to the actuation of the at least one light source.  
   
   
       7 . A video game system comprising: 
 a video console configured to execute game software for playing a video game, the game software providing a feedback signal responsive to an occurrence in the video game; and    a controller coupled to the video console configured to provide user input for controlling progression of the video game, the controller including a controller housing, one or more light sources coupled to the housing, and circuitry for actuating the one or more light sources responsive to the feedback signal.    
   
   
       8 . The video game system of  claim 7 , wherein the circuitry for actuating the one or more light sources is circuitry configured to control one or more vibration motors for providing vibration of the controller housing.  
   
   
       9 . The video game system of  claim 8  further comprising the one or more vibration motors.  
   
   
       10 . The video game system of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more light sources are actuated responsive to an output signal configured to control the one or more vibration motors.  
   
   
       11 . The video game system of  claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of the controller housing is made of a translucent material.  
   
   
       12 . The video game system of  claim 11 , wherein the light sources emanate light through the portion of the controller housing made of the translucent material responsive to the actuation of the at least one light source.  
   
   
       13 . A method for providing feedback via a video controller coupled to a video console during a video game, the method comprising: 
 generating a feedback signal responsive to an occurrence in the video game;    processing the feedback signal and generating an output signal configured to control one or more vibration motors; and    actuating one or more light sources in the video controller responsive to the output signal.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the light sources are actuated in lieu of the vibration motors.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the video controller includes the one or more vibration motors.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the light sources are actuated in addition to the vibration motors.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the light sources reside inside a controller housing, at least a portion of which is made of a translucent material, the light sources emanating light through the portion of the housing made of the translucent material responsive to the actuation of the one or more light sources.