U.S. Pat. No. 7,407,439

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally comprises a unique two-hand manipulated peripheral game controlling device. A salient feature of the invention is that it provides a game pad controller and a plurality of accessory components, and a connection system for mechanically and electronically connecting any of the accessory components to the game pad to reconfigure the device to best suit the game control requirements of a game to be played.

FIG. 1andFIG. 2are perspective views of the central game pad controller10according to its proposed embodiment. The peripheral input device10comprises a game controller pad body12which houses the appropriate electronics and accompanying components (not shown). The game controller body12further houses two thumb operated analog sticks14. The thumb operated analog sticks14further contain button press functions which input various data or commands to the computer or video game console and can be programmed accordingly. The game pad controller body12also contains a plurality of buttons16which also input various data to the computer or video game console and can be programmed according to the preference of the user. Additionally the game control pad body12further contains an eight-way digital pad18.

Extending integrally from laterally opposed ends of the game controller body12are two pistol style gripping members20which depend from the opposed ends of the body in enantiomorphic relationship. The grips20are each curved and dimensioned to be received between the fingers and palm of each respective hand, with the thumbs of each hand extending to interact with the buttons16, joysticks14, and the eight-way digital pad18, as shown inFIG. 2. The grips20allow the user to hold or support the hand-held and operated game pad controller10in both hands. At the distal depending ends of the gripping members20are two plate-like hand and wrist support panels22extending laterally and generally in a common plane. The upper surfaces23of each panel22extend laterally to engage the blade portion25of the respective hand gripping the adjacent member20. These wrist support panels22further support a single ball bearing glide28(seeFIG. 2) placed in a ball bearing receptacle26(seeFIG. 2) on the bottom portion of each wrist support22. The glides28facilitate rolling of the entire assembly over a flat working surface, for example, such as is needed in the case of an attached mouse module (seeFIGS. 3-5).

The underside of the game control pad body12further supports two analog trigger assemblies24that depend from the bottom surface of the body12(seeFIG. 2), each trigger being disposed to be engaged by the index finger of the hand gripping the adjacent grip20. The game control pad body12also has a female coupling member30(seeFIG. 2) molded or fastened into its bottom surface. The female coupling member30(seeFIG. 2) further includes a plurality of female connecting receptacles32(seeFIG. 2) which facilitate conductive electronic and mechanical connection to other devices, as will be described with reference toFIGS. 3-9.

It is important to note that the embodiment of the hand-held and operated game pad10ofFIGS. 1 and 2can be used as a stand alone unit, and may be used, if desired, without being supported on a fixed, flat, working surface, as shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 2. The embodiments of the hand held and operated game pad10shown herein portray a wireless version of the device. Another embodiment of the hand held and operated game controller10may be electronically connected to a computer or gaming console via appropriate cabling (not shown).

As noted above, one of the outstanding features of the invention is that is may be reconfigured and optimized for differing games, game systems, or computer systems. With regard toFIGS. 3 and 4, one accessory component of the invention is a computer mouse module34that is releasably securable to the game pad10described above. The computer mouse module34is comprised of a housing42which has a generally hemispherical configuration and contains the appropriate electronics (not shown) for a typical mouse unit. The housing42further contains a conventional computer mouse roller48(seeFIG. 4) with it accompanying receptacle46(seeFIG. 4). This portion of the device may also be an optical mouse module (not shown). The mouse housing42is also has the feature of a flat working surface44on its bottom portion to facilitate gliding over the stationary working surface.

Extending diametrically from the mouse housing42in a substantially upright manner is a connecting column40. Atop the connecting column40is a male coupling member38(seeFIG. 3). This male coupling member is comprised of a male connecting plug with multiple prongs36which are dimensioned and spaced to be removably inserted into the receptacles32of connector30to facilitate both electronic and mechanical connectivity to the handheld and operated controller10as seen inFIGS. 1 and 2and thus form a union between the two respective electronic systems of each (not shown).

FIG. 5is a front perspective view of the computer mouse module34electronically and mechanically attached to the hand-held and operated game controller10. This electro/mechanical coupling is made possible via the female coupling joint30and the male coupling member38of the mouse module. When in place this union effectively combines the electronic systems of the hand-held and operated game controller10and the computer mouse module30. Note that the bottom surface44of the mouse module and the bottom surfaces of the wrist support panels22are disposed in approximately the same plane, so that the glides28and the mouse ball48may glide smoothly on a planar working surface and generate a mouse movement signal. It may be appreciated that in the assembly ofFIG. 5all the functionality of the game controller10is available to the user, and added to that capability is the ability to move the assembled unit on a flat surface to input a further directional mouse control signal.

A further accessory for reconfiguring the game controller of the invention is a joystick module50, as shown inFIG. 6. The joystick component50is comprised of a base housing56which contains all the appropriate electronic components (not shown). The base housing is shown here as a large disk having a wide stable base and a fairly low vertical dimension, but it may be configured as any convenient shape that provides stability while resting on a horizontal surface. The base housing56also contains a receptacle58which functionally comprises a socket for a multi-directional swivel joint54. Extending in a substantially upright manner from the swivel joint member54is a connecting column52, which is a tubular component having a smoothly bending configuration.

Disposed atop the connecting column52is a male coupling member38. This male coupling member is comprised of a male connecting plug with multiple prongs36extending obliquely upwardly to facilitate electronic and mechanical connection to the connector30of the handheld and operated controller10as seen inFIG. 1andFIG. 2and thus form a union between the two respective electronic systems of each (not shown). The multi-directional swivel joint54allows for three distinct axes of movement. The swivel joint54allows the joystick column52to move forward/back and right/left in a variable linear 360° motion as it works in conjunction with the receptacle58which effectively acts as a fixed pivot point. The swivel joint54furthermore has a counter/clockwise twist capability which allows the joystick column to be turned rotationally on its primary axis within the base housing56and its accompanying receptacle58. Movement of the swivel joint as described generates a corresponding joystick signal.

The joystick module50is electronically and mechanically connected to the hand-held and operated game controller10as shown inFIG. 7. This electro/mechanical coupling is possible via the female connecting receptacles32(see alsoFIG. 2) engaging the prongs36of the male connecting plug (also seeFIG. 6). When in place this union effectively combines the electronic systems of each respective module. The game pad controller10provides the user with all the functionality described above and, in addition, the joystick signal inputs (forward/back and left/right tilt, and rotation about the primary axis of the base housing56.

With regard toFIG. 8, a further component for reconfiguring the game controller of the invention is a steering assembly60. The steering assembly60is comprised of a base housing64which contains all the appropriate electronic components (not shown). The base is shown as an oblate spheroid configuration, but may comprise any shape that provides stability on a supporting surface. The base housing64also contains a directional swivel joint66, and a steering column62extends generally horizontally from the joint66. The directional swivel joint66allows a single distinct axis of rotational movement by facilitating the steering column62to move rotationally about the longitudinal axis of the steering column62, and produces a corresponding steering signal output. The column62runs substantially parallel to the working surface that supports the base housing64, and includes at its outer distal end a coupling member38extending obliquely upwardly therefrom to facilitate connection to the handheld and operated game controller10. The male coupling member38is comprised of a male connecting plug with multiple prongs36which facilitate electronic and mechanical connectivity to the handheld and operated controller10as seen inFIG. 1andFIG. 2and thus forms a union between the two respective electronic systems of each (not shown).

With regard toFIG. 9, the steering module60is electronically and mechanically attached to the hand-held and operated game controller10. This electro/mechanical coupling is formed by releasable engagement of the female connecting receptacles32(see alsoFIG. 2) and the prongs of the male connecting plug36(see alsoFIG. 8). This union effectively combines the electronic systems of the hand-held and operated game controller10and the steering module60. As a result, all of the functions of the controller10are augmented by the addition of the steering signal output of the swivel joint66.

Thus the invention provides a game controller assembly that is easily reconfigured to add, remove, and substitute modules that may enhance the functionality of the assembly to optimize the player's participation in the game being played. Each accessory module (mouse, joystick, and steering assemblies) is removable and replaceable through the use of simple plug connectors that enable mechanical support of the game controller10and combine the accessory functions with the hand-held game controller functions. The invention thereby provides a comprehensive adaptability to play a wider variety of computer and/or console video games.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching without deviating from the spirit and the scope of the invention. The embodiment described is selected to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as suited to the particular purpose contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto.