U.S. Pat. No. 11,247,123

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure is more particularly described in the following examples that are intended as illustrative only since numerous modifications and variations therein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Like numbers in the drawings indicate like components throughout the views. As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, the meaning of “a”, “an”, and “the” includes plural reference, and the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on”. Titles or subtitles can be used herein for the convenience of a reader, which shall have no influence on the scope of the present disclosure.

The terms used herein generally have their ordinary meanings in the art. In the case of conflict, the present document, including any definitions given herein, will prevail. The same thing can be expressed in more than one way. Alternative language and synonyms can be used for any term(s) discussed herein, and no special significance is to be placed upon whether a term is elaborated or discussed herein. A recital of one or more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in this specification including examples of any terms is illustrative only, and in no way limits the scope and meaning of the present disclosure or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the present disclosure is not limited to various embodiments given herein. Numbering terms such as “first”, “second” or “third” can be used to describe various components, signals or the like, which are for distinguishing one component/signal from another one only, and are not intended to, nor should be construed to impose any substantive limitations on the components, signals or the like.

First Embodiment

Referring toFIG. 1,FIG. 2,FIG. 3andFIG. 4,FIG. 1is a schematic view of a game controller of a first embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 2is a schematic view showing that the game controller of the first embodiment of the present disclosure supports a mobile device.FIG. 3is a functional block diagram of the mobile device of the present disclosure.FIG. 4is a functional block diagram of the first handheld body.

In the present embodiment, the game controller1includes a first handheld body11and a first support unit12. The first support unit12is pivotally disposed on a side of the first handheld body11. In other words, the first support unit12is capable of being foldably disposed on the side of the first handheld body11. When the first support unit12is in an unfolded state, the first support unit12is perpendicularly disposed on the first handheld body11. A first angle between the first support unit12and the first handheld body11is about 90 degrees.

The first handheld body11includes a first operation interface111and a first connection portion112. The first operation interface111is electrically connected to the first connection portion112. The first operation interface111includes a button, joystick, or a touch screen.

Referring toFIG. 2, when the first support unit12is in the unfolded state, a mobile device E1is fixedly disposed between the first support unit12and the first handheld body11. Since the first angle is between the first handheld body11and the first support unit12, the first handheld body11and the first support unit12has an accommodation space therebetween. Therefore, the mobile device E1is fixedly disposed between the first handheld body11and the first support unit12.

The mobile device E1is a smart phone, a tablet computer, or a wearable electronic device. The mobile device E1includes a mobile processing module E1-1, a mobile communication module E1-2, and a mobile connection module E1-3. The mobile processing module E1-1is electrically connected to the mobile communication module E1-2and the mobile connection module E1-3. The mobile device E1is connected to a peripheral device or a power supply through the mobile connection module E1-3.

In the present embodiment, the mobile device E1is connected to the first connection portion112of the first handheld body11through the mobile connection module E1-2. When the mobile device E1is fixedly disposed between the first support unit12and the first handheld body11, the mobile device E1is connected to the first connection portion112of the first handheld body11. Furthermore, when the first connection portion112of the first handheld body11is electrically connected to the mobile connection module E1-3of the mobile device E1, a plurality of control signals of the first operation interface111of the first handheld body11are transmitted to the mobile device E1for action control(s). The first connection portion112is a lightning connector, a micro-USB connector, a type-A USB connector, or a type-C USB connector.

In the present embodiment, the first connection portion112is immovably fixed on the first handheld body11. In other words, the first connection portion112cannot be detached from the first handheld body11.

In other embodiments, the first connection portion112is detachably disposed on the first handheld body11. The first connection portion112is replaceable. The first connection portion112is disposed on the first handheld body11in a magnetic manner or in a mechanism fixing manner. In addition, since the first connection portion112is detachable and replaceable, a user can replace the first connection portion112with another connector based on the mobile connection module E1-3of the mobile device E1.

The first handheld body further includes a first wireless communication module116. The first wireless communication module116is electrically connected to the first operation interface111and a processor113. The first wireless communication module116is in communication with the mobile communication module E1-2of the mobile device E1. Furthermore, when the first wireless communication module116of the first handheld body11is in communication with the mobile communication module E1-2of the mobile device E1, the control signals of the first operation interface111of the first handheld body11are transmitted to the mobile device E1to execute control actions.

Second Embodiment

Referring toFIG. 5,FIG. 6,FIG. 7andFIG. 8,FIG. 5is a schematic view of a game controller of a second embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 6is a functional block diagram of the game controller of the second embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 7is a schematic view showing that the game controller of the second embodiment of the present disclosure supports the mobile device.FIG. 8is another schematic view showing that the game controller supports of the second embodiment of the present disclosure the mobile device.

The game controller1further includes a second handheld body13and a second support unit14. The second handheld body13includes a second operation interface131. The second support unit14is pivotally disposed on a side of the second handheld body13. The second support unit14is foldably disposed on the side of the second handheld body13.

The first handheld body11, the first support unit12, the second handheld body13, and the second support unit14can be used separately or in conjunction with each other.

The first handheld body11and the second handheld body13can adjust the communication configuration of being in wired communication or in wireless communication based on requirements. Therefore, the first handheld body11and the second handheld body13can include battery units and wireless communication modules at the same time. In other words, inFIG. 5, the connection portions, the battery units, and the wireless communication modules of the first handheld body11and the second handheld body13can be optionally disposed.

As shown inFIG. 7, when the first support unit12and the second support14are in an unfolded state, the mobile device E1is fixedly disposed between the first handheld body11, the first support unit12, the second handheld body13, and the second support unit14. In the present embodiment, a side of the mobile device E1is supported by the first support unit12and the second support unit14. Two opposite sides of the mobile device E1are supported by the first handheld body11and the second handheld body13, respectively.

The first handheld body11further includes a first battery unit115and a first wireless communication module116. The first battery unit115is electrically connected to the first wireless communication module116and the first operation interface111. The second handheld body13further includes a second battery unit135and a second wireless communication module136. The second battery unit135is electrically connected to the second wireless communication module136and the second operation interface131. The first handheld body11is in communication with the second handheld body13through the first wireless communication module116and the second wireless communication module136.

In other words, a plurality of control signals of the second operation interface131of the second handheld body13are transmitted to the first wireless communication module116, and then the control signals of the second operation interface131are transmitted to the mobile device E1to execute corresponding control actions.

In addition, the first handheld body11and the second handheld body13can additionally include a storage module (not shown in figures) to store setting values of the first operation interface111and the second operation interface131, respectively.

The processor113is a central processing unit (CPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a micro control unit (MCU).

The storage module (not shown in figures) is a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, an electrically rewriteable read-only memory, an erasable and programmable read-only memory, or an electronically erasable programmable read-only memory.

The first handheld body11and the second handheld body13are communicatively connected to a server9through the first wireless communication module116and the second wireless communication module13to receive control signals of the server9or data from a database (not shown in figures) of the server9, or transmit the control signals to the server9. In addition, the first handheld body11and the second handheld body13can further include a wired communication module. The wired communication modules (not shown in figures) of the first handheld body11and the second handheld body13can be communicatively connected to the server9to receive the control signals of the server9or data from the database (not shown in figures) of the server9, or transmit the control signals to the server9. The first wireless communication module116and the second wireless communication module136can be a Wi-Fi communication unit, a Bluetooth® communication unit, a Zigbee® communication unit, a LoRa communication unit, a Sigfox communication unit, or an NB-IoT communication unit.

The mobile communication module E1-2includes a wired communication unit (not shown in figures) and a wireless communication unit (not shown in figures). The wired communication unit (not shown in figures) can be independently implemented. When the mobile communication module E2-2is the wireless communication unit, the mobile communication unit E2-2can be a Wi-Fi communication unit, a Bluetooth® communication unit, a Zigbee® communication unit, a LoRa communication unit, a Sigfox communication unit, or an NB-IoT communication unit. The first battery unit115and the second battery unit135can be a lithium ion battery, a lithium manganese battery, a lithium polymer battery, or a nickel hydrogen battery, respectively.

InFIG. 6, the first handheld body11includes a processor113and a first battery unit115. The first support unit12includes a first supporting connection portion121. The second support unit14includes a second supporting connection portion141. The processor113is electrically connected to the first battery unit115and the first supporting connection portion121. In addition, the first operation interface111is electrically connected to the first supporting connection portion121. The second operation interface131is electrically connected to the second supporting connection portion141. When the mobile device E1is fixedly disposed between the first handheld body11, the first support unit12, the second handheld body13, and the second support unit14, the first handheld body11is electrically connected to the second handheld body13through the first supporting portion121and the second supporting portion141. In other words, electric power and signals of the first handheld body11and the second handheld body13can be bi-directionally transmitted through the first supporting connection portion121and the second supporting connection portion141, respectively.

Since the first wireless communication module116and the second wireless communication module136are optionally disposed in the handheld bodies, a plurality of configurations of the wireless communication module of the present disclosure are described as follows.

In a first configuration, the first handheld body11or the second handheld body13can include a wireless communication module. The wireless communication module of the first handheld body11or the second handheld body13is in communication with the mobile device E1. The first handheld body11and the second handheld body13are in communication with each other by a wired communication. In other words, the first handheld body11is in communication with the second handheld body13by being connected to a second supporting connection portion141of the second support unit14through a first supporting connection portion121of the first support unit12. In the present embodiment, the first handheld body11may include the first wireless communication module116, and the second handheld body13may not include the wireless communication module. The first wireless communication module116of the first handheld body11is used as a main communication path to be communicatively connected to the mobile device E1. In addition, the first handheld body11is communicatively connected to the second handheld body13through the first supporting connection portion121and the second supporting connection portion141is connected in a wired communication manner. In other embodiments, the first handheld body11may not include the wireless communication module, and the second handheld body13includes the second wireless communication module136. The second wireless communication module136is used as a major communication path to be communicatively connected to the mobile device E1. The first handheld body11is in communication with the second handheld body13through the first supporting connection portion121and the second supporting portion141is connected in a wired communication manner.

In a second configuration, the first handheld body11includes a first wireless communication module116, and the second handheld body13includes a second wireless communication module136. The first wireless communication module116is electrically connected to the first operation interface111, and the second wireless communication module136is electrically connected to the second operation interface131. In other words, the first handheld body11and the second handheld body13include a wireless communication module, respectively. The first wireless communication module116of the first handheld body11is communicatively connected to the second wireless communication module136of the second handheld body13. In other words, one of the first wireless communication module116and the second wireless communication module136is used as a master wireless communication module, and another one of the first wireless communication module116and the second wireless communication module136is used as a slave wireless communication module. If the first wireless communication module116is used as the master wireless communication module and the second wireless communication module136is used as the slave wireless communication module, the control signals of the second operation interface131are transmitted to the first wireless communication module116through the second wireless communication136, and then the control signals are transmitted to the mobile device E1through the first wireless communication module116. The control signals of the first operation interface111are directly transmitted to the mobile device E1through the first wireless communication module116. If the second wireless communication module136is used as the master wireless communication module and the first wireless communication module116is used as the slave wireless communication module, the control signals of the first operation interface111are transmitted to the second wireless communication module136through the first wireless communication module116, and then the control signals are transmitted to the mobile device E1from the second wireless communication module136. The control signals of the second operation interface131are directly transmitted to the mobile device E1through the second wireless communication module136.

In addition, a third configuration, the first handheld body11includes a first wireless communication module116, and the second handheld body13includes a second wireless communication module136. The first wireless communication module116is electrically connected to the first operation interface111, and the second wireless communication module136is electrically connected to the second operation interface131. In other words, the first handheld body11and the second handheld body13include a wireless communication module, respectively.

The first wireless communication module116and the second wireless communication module136are communicatively connected to the mobile device E1, respectively. It is not necessary for the first wireless communication module116and the second wireless communication module136to be communicatively connected to each other. The plurality of the control signals of the first operation interface111, and the setting values of the first handheld body11are directly transmitted to the mobile device E1through the first wireless communication module116. The plurality of the control signals of the second operation interface131, and the setting values of the second handheld body13are directly transmitted to the mobile device E1through the second wireless communication module136. In other words, the first handheld body11and the second handheld body13are communicatively connected to the mobile device E1through the first wireless communication module116and the second wireless communication module136, respectively.

Referring toFIG. 8, the mobile device E3inFIG. 8is relatively large in size. Therefore, the first handheld body11and the second handheld body13can be respectively disposed on both sides of the mobile device E3by the first support unit12and the second support unit14to support the mobile device E3.

Furthermore, the structure and shape of the first support unit12and the second support unit14can be adjusted based on actual requirements. The sizes of the first support unit12and the second support unit14can be respectively adjusted in a telescopic manner or in a foldable manner. In other words, each of the first support unit12and the second support unit14may have a telescopic structure or a foldable structure to extend the size thereof.

Third Embodiment

Referring toFIG. 9,FIG. 9is a schematic view of a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown inFIG. 9, when the first support unit12and the second support unit14are respectively in a folded state, the first handheld body11is electrically connected to the second handheld body12through a third supporting connection portion122of the first support unit12and a fourth supporting connection portion142of the second support unit14. In other words, in the present embodiment, when the first support unit12and the second support unit14are in a folded state, the third supporting connection portion122of the first support unit12is connected to the fourth supporting connection portion142of the second support unit14.

In the present embodiment, the third supporting connection portion122and the fourth supporting connection portion142can be connected in a magnetic manner or in a mechanic fixing manner. The first handheld body11is connected to the second handheld body13through the first support unit12in a folded state and the second support unit14in a folded state. The first handheld body11and the second handheld body12are communicatively connected to the mobile device E1, E3through the first wireless communication module116and the second wireless communication module136to transmit the control signals. In addition, the first handheld body11and the second handheld body13can also be connected to the mobile device or other electronic device (a game host or desktop computer) through a combined connector (not shown) and a transmission cable to transmit the control signals.

In addition, when only the first handheld body11includes the battery unit, and the first support unit12and the second support unit14are in a folded state, the first handheld body11provides the electric power to the second handheld body13through the third supporting connection portion122and the fourth supporting connection portion142.

Both of the first handheld body11and the second handheld body13can include the battery units. In other words, the first handheld body11includes a first battery unit115, and the second handheld body13includes a second battery unit135. In addition, the first battery unit115is electrically connected to the first operation interface111. The second battery unit135is electrically connected to the second operation interface131.

When the first support unit12and the second support unit14are in a folded state, respectively, the first handheld body11provides the electric power to the second handheld body13through the third supporting connection portion122and the fourth supporting connection portion142, or the second handheld body13provides the electric power to the first handheld body11through the third supporting connection portion122and the fourth supporting connection portion142. In other words, the first handheld body11and the second handheld body13can transmit the electric power to each other.

In conclusion, the game controller of the present disclosure can use a single-sided handheld body or two handheld bodies at the same time to jointly support the mobile device. The game controller of the present disclosure is not only convenient to carry and easier to use, but also includes a support unit to support the mobile device. Furthermore, the game controller of the present disclosure can use the two handheld bodies after being combined, which further improves the user experience in selecting games to play or making use of other control actions.

The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure has been presented only for the purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.

The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the disclosure and their practical application so as to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the disclosure and various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains without departing from its spirit and scope.