U.S. Pat. No. 11,617,945

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The improved game controller with a rotatable input mechanism such as a scroll wheel provides two-dimensional input for controlling or otherwise interacting with a video game or other application.

A scroll wheel is a circular component, attached to other electrical components within a device, used to achieve communication between the input and output devices. Scroll wheels can be found in computer mice, telephones, and keyboards. In many instances, the scroll wheel emits a faint click sound when being manipulated and has a detent mechanism to provide feedback to the user of the amount of rotary movement. In some embodiments the rotatable input mechanism is a scroll wheel, but in other embodiments it may be a portion of a wheel or other device that is rotatable to create input such as a sphere or other shape.

As depicted inFIGS.1through5, embodiments of the improved game controller have a scroll wheel attached internally to other components within the controller. In the depicted embodiment the scroll wheel mechanism2is mounted in the right hand grip area of a gamepad-style controller. In the depicted embodiment a user could rotate the wheel mechanism2in either direction using a thumb without releasing their grip on the grip member. The users other fingers remain positioned adjacent to other input mechanisms on the game controller while they actuate the scroll wheel.

FIG.2depicts the embodiment of the controller from below and shows the rotatable input mechanism, in this embodiment a scroll wheel,2disposed adjacent to the grip held by the user's right hand. In other embodiments the scroll wheel2may be disposed adjacent to the left hand grip, or there may be a scroll wheel on both grips.

FIG.3depicts the embodiment of the controller from above and the scroll wheel2is not visible. In other embodiments of the controller, the scroll wheel2may be disposed on the side or even the top of the body1of the controller.

As can be see inFIGS.4A and4Bthe scroll wheel in this embodiment is a disk-shaped wheel mounted on an axis disposed inside of the body1of the controller. While mounted internally, a portion of the scroll wheel protrudes externally through the body for manual manipulation by the user. Users are required to apply a minimum amount of pressure to move the scroll wheel in different directions. Increasing or decreasing the force, speed, and directional movement of the scroll wheel will increase or decrease the signals to the accepting device. These movements will be reflected in the accepting device's user interface.

In a typical embodiment, the scroll wheel is attached to a printed circuit board3that is disposed within a housing or body of a game controller and is designed to be manipulated by a user's finger or thumb while they grip the video game controller with the same hand. The attachment in one such embodiment is shown as the electrical wires4inFIGS.4A and4B. In preferred embodiments, there is a central hole, or aperture, in the controller and the external portion of the scroll wheel protrudes through the hole in order to be manipulated by a user's finger.

While many users will engage with the scroll wheel in a substantially similar manner, some users will be able to improve his or her gaming experience by having faster reaction times and by not having to wait on the games' reset feature. Scroll wheel usage preferences may develop based on the feature of the particular video game that the user intends to play. Different users can utilize the scroll wheel for different purposes and advantages.

This scroll wheel is made to operate within wired or wireless devices.FIG.4Adepicts a typical installation in a wired device via a cable interface5.FIG.4Bdepicts a typical installationin a wireless device via a wireless interface5. In the wireless embodiment, additional electronic circuits6and7may be required to connect the controller to the game system. The scroll wheel will maintain its functionality with tethered devices as well as those communicating via electromagnetic signals. With wireless game controllers, all circuit boards and other wireless hardware is placed in the controller.

Referring now toFIG.5, a detail view of an embodiment of the improved game controller is depicted with a portion the top panel of the controller cutaway to reveal the interior of the controller. In this embodiment, the controller body1is provided with one or more brackets9for supporting the scroll wheel mechanism2. In this embodiment the brackets9are provided with slots or holes for receiving and rotatably supporting an axle8of the scroll wheel mechanism2. In a preferred embodiment the scroll wheel2ais attached to the axle8and held by brackets9so that a portion of the wheel2aextends through an aperture in the controller body1so that a user may rotate the wheel2. In other embodiments the wheel2may rotate on axle8, while axle8is fixed in relation to body1or brackets9.

FIG.6depicts a portion of the body1of an embodiment of the improved controller. This embodiment has side surfaces9of the aperture in the body. The side surfaces9act as the brackets9to hold the rotatable input mechanism. Slots or holes provided in the side surfaces may be provided to receive the rotatable input mechanism by an axle8or otherwise. Another portion of the body1, such as a top component, may close the slots and secure the rotatable mechanism in the aperture. In such embodiments the entire rotatable mechanism may be disposed in a chamber formed by the side surfaces9of the body1. The rotational movement may be transferred to the electronic components of the controller by an axle or other connection through the side surface9of body1, or a transducer may convert the rotation to an electric signal outside the body and deliver it to the electronic components of the controller by electrical or wireless connection.

In other embodiments the rotatable input mechanism may be a external component attached to a pre-existing controller device that is not provided with the rotatable input mechanism.

In various embodiments of the device, the axle8is connected to a motion or distance sensor10to convert the physical position of the axle8into an electronic signal for use by the game system or other electronics system. In some embodiments the position and movement sensor may comprise a rotary encoder attached to the axle8. In other embodiments a laser and sensor may detect movement of the wheel by apertures in the wheel. Other methods of detecting motion of the wheel, and preferably its direct as well, will be apparent to one of skill in the art of such control systems, and are not limiting of the claimed invention.

“Substantially” or “about” means to be more-or-less conforming to the particular dimension, range, shape, concept, or other aspect modified by the term, such that a feature or component need not conform exactly. For example, a “substantially cylindrical” object means that the object resembles a cylinder, but may have one or more deviations from a true cylinder.

“Comprising,” “including,” and “having” (and conjugations thereof) are used interchangeably to mean including but not necessarily limited to, and are open-ended terms not intended to exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.

Changes may be made in the above methods, devices and structures without departing from the scope hereof. Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as well as components not shown, are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention have been described with the intent to be illustrative and exemplary of the invention, rather than restrictive or limiting of the scope thereof. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not depart from its scope. Specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one of skill in the art to employ the present invention in any appropriately detailed structure. A skilled artisan may develop alternative means of implementing the aforementioned improvements without departing from the scope of the present invention.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. Not all steps listed in the various figures need be carried out in the specific order described.