U.S. Pat. No. 11,325,026

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a portable gaming controller for controlling the operation of a video game executed on a video game device such as a smartphone or a tablet computer. Turning first toFIGS. 1 and 2, an embodiment of a game controller100has a main body in the form of a rectangular housing102. A front side104, a bottom side106, and a right side108of the housing102can be seen in the perspective view ofFIG. 1. A back side110, a top side112, and a left side of the housing102are shown in the perspective view ofFIG. 2.

An array of gaming interface elements are ergonomically arrayed on the various surfaces of the housing102. For example, in the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, first and second four position rocker switches130,132are located near the left and right ends of the front side104of the housing102. The first rocker switch130may correspond to left/right/up/down signals for controlling the movement of an avatar or sprite in a virtual game space as is common in many video games. The second rocker switch132may correspond to X/Y/A/B input signals, which again are common inputs for many video games. The front surface104also includes a START pushbutton134and a SELECT pushbutton136located near the top of the front surface104between the two rocker switches130,132. A left analog joystick146and a right analog joystick148extend from the bottom surface106of the housing102. Finally, a plurality of pushbuttons138,140,142,144are arrayed across the bottom edge of the back surface110of the housing102. The back side buttons may correspond to a left BUMPER button138, a left TRIGGER button142, a right BUMPER button140and a right TRIGGER button144.

The housing102encloses an electronic circuit board for converting tactile input received from a user via the various interface elements into electronic signals that may be used to control a video game executed on a video game device. The control signals may be communicated from the controller to the video game device via a hard wired connection, such as through an optional USB port150. Alternatively, the housing may enclose a wireless communication module that allows the micro controller to communicate with the video device via a wireless communication protocol such as Bluetooth, wi-fi, or the like.

Turning now toFIGS. 3 and 4, the game controller100includes a retractable support arm116for securing a video game device such as a smart phone or a tablet computer to the housing102. The extendable support arm116is pivotably secured to the back side110of the housing102by a pivot pin120. The pivot pin120allows the support arm116to be manually rotated 90° relative to the housing102between a first stowed position and a second in-use position, as indicated by the double headed arrow A inFIG. 3.FIGS. 3 and 4show the support arm rotated into the in-use position while,FIGS. 1 and 2show the housing102with the support arm116in the stowed position. A clip plate122is attached to the distal end of a pair of retractable extension rods128associated with the support arm116. In the stowed position the extension rods128may be pushed into the support arm116so that the clip plate122abuts the left side114of the housing102as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. When in use, the clip plate122may be pulled out from the support arm116and the extension rods128extended as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4.

When in use, the clip plate122cooperates with a ridge or cradle126formed along the upper side112of the housing102to secure a video game device such as a smartphone or tablet computer to the housing102. The device cradle126comprises a depression formed in the top surface112of the housing102which defines a front cradle ridge154and a rear cradle ridge156. A first longitudinal side160of the video game device152may be inserted into the cradle126and held in place by the front and back cradle ridges154,156. The clip plate122includes a short lip158across its leading edge. A second longitudinal side162of the video game device may152be wedged behind the lip158so that the clip plate122secures the second longitudinal edge of the video game device to the game controller100.

With the video game device installed in this manner, a user may view the display screen on the front of the video game device152while manipulating the interface elements with the various fingers of each hand. For example, the various positions of the up/down/left/right rocker switch130and the START pushbutton134may be engaged by the user's left thumb, and the X/Y/A/B rocker switch132and the SELECT pushbutton136may be engaged by the user's right thumb. The left and right analog joysticks146,148are mounted at a steep angle along the lower side106of the housing102so that these too may be operated by the user's left and right thumbs, respectively. Finally, the left BUMPER pushbutton138and the left TRIGGER pushbutton142may be engaged by either the middle finger or ring finger of the user's left hand, and the right BUMPER pushbutton140and the right TRIGGER pushbutton may be engaged by the middle finger or ring finger of the user's right hand.

Various embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated; however, the description and illustrations are by way of example only. Other embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of the invention and will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the specific details of the representative embodiments and illustrated examples in this description. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except as necessitated by the accompanying claims and their equivalents.