U.S. Pat. No. 7,758,424

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring toFIGS. 1-5, a video game controller10in accordance with the present embodiment generally includes a control pad or body12, a directional pad14, a right analog or tension stick16, a left analog or tension stick18and four action buttons20a-20d. Controller10is preferably used with a game system, such as, the PLAYSTATION, the PLAY STATION 2, the XBOX or the GAME CUBE; but can be used with any game system or computer system desired.

Control pad12preferably has the general appearance and/or configuration of a conventional controller for a game system, such as the PLAY STATION 2, the XBOX or the GAME CUBE; however, the control pad can have any shape or configuration desired. The control pad preferably includes a body portion22, a first handle portion24and a second handle portion26, and is formed of an upper or top plastic housing28and a lower or bottom plastic housing30. Each portion of the controller12(including the control devices) is preferably molded plastic, but each individual portion formed from any suitable material.

FIGS. 1 and 2illustrate the top plastic housing28, wherein the first handle generally supports directional control pad14, the second handle supports action buttons20a-20dand the body portion supports both the right analog stick (or joystick)16and the left analog stick (or joystick)18. However, as noted above, this positioning is not necessary and the control devices can be positioned in any manner desired. Furthermore, the game controller10can have any number of control devices disposed thereon. In other words, this invention is not limited to the specific number of action buttons, analog sticks and directional pads noted above, the present invention can have as many control devices (or as few) as desired and in any combination desired.

The directional pad is preferably a substantially cross shaped pad that allows on screen directional movement along and x and a y axis and/or a combination thereof. However, the directional pad does not necessarily need to control direction on a screen and control any function desired or no function. Each of the analog sticks16and18are substantially similar and has a relatively narrow neck portion and a thumb or finger portion21. The analog sticks also can control movement in an x and y axis and/or a combination thereof, if desired; however as with the directional pad, the analog sticks do not necessarily need to control direction on a screen and control any function desired or no function. Additionally, the analog sticks can be adjustable tension sticks, if desired. The action buttons generally comprise four separate buttons that can control any on screen function or any function desired or no function. The actions buttons20a-dcan have individual markings thereon, if desired (e.g., a triangle, circle square, cross, etc.). It is noted that there does not need to be four action buttons, there can be as many action buttons (or as few) as desired. For example, there can be at least one action buttons or more, if desired.

The control pad12can have additional control devices extending through the lower housing30, such as triggers (not shown) disposed on the handle portions24and26.

As illustrated specifically inFIGS. 3 and 4, each of the control devices is removably coupled to the control pad12.FIG. 3shows the control pad12with each of the above described control devices removed therefrom. The control pad12has four substantially circular input control slots or positions32,34,36and38. As generally shown inFIGS. 1-3, control slot32has control device14positioned therein, control slot34has control device16positioned therein, control slot36has control device18disposed therein and control slot38has control devices20a-20ddisposed therein.

As shown inFIG. 3, each slot or input location32,34,36and38is preferably substantially circular and has three protrusions or locking mechanisms46. The protrusions are equally spaced around the inner wall or perimeter48, such that each protrusion is equidistant from both adjacent protrusions.

As shown inFIGS. 9-11, each control or module slot access the electrical circuitry with the control pad12and has eight electronic contacts or pins40a-hthat electrically connect or communicate with the electrical contacts on each specific control device. Electrical contacts40a-hare electrically connected to a printed circuit board (PCB) module43and a main printed circuit board (PCB)45. Through the main PCB45, the contacts are electrically coupled to a circuit or microprocessor42(FIG. 8) that is able to identify which specific control device is coupled or positioned in which specific slot.

Two contacts, such as40a-b, are connected to power ground and VCC, and the remaining 6 contacts,40c-h, are general purpose I/O pins. These general purpose I/O pins are preferably configured as analog to digital input or digital I/O pins. Contacts40c-fare preferably used as analog to digital input contacts and contacts40g-hare preferably used for reading module identification and can also be used for data communication if desired. These two contacts40g-hare preferably the control device specific identification tag. In other words, the microprocessor is able to determine which specific control device is in a control slot based on the unique identification on a specific control device. However, it is noted that this is only a preferred configuration and these contacts can be used in any suitable manner.

Below is a table that illustrates the preferred configuration of the contacts:

ModuleContactContactContactContactContactContactContactContactname40a40b40c40d40e40f40g (ID0)40h (ID1)Left stickVCCGNDX-axisY-axisL3LowHigh18Right StickVCCGNDX-axisY-axisR3HighHigh16D-Pad 14VCCGNDRightLeftUpDownHighLowActionVCCGNDTriangleCircleCrossSquareLowLowButtons20a-d

The microcontroller will read contacts40g-hof a module, thereby identifying the specific module, and will then have different handling methods for the analog values from contacts40c-eaccordingly. As noted in the table above, each contact is used to communicate specific information or control instructions to the microcontroller.

As shown inFIG. 8, each of the four modules is in electrical communication with an Analog-Digital & digital I/O bi-directional multiplexer44, along with fixed position analog buttons49, such as trigger buttons. The multiplexer then combines the signals sent from each module and transmits a single signal over one communications channel to a microprocessor or microcontroller42. Additionally, the signals from digital buttons50(for example, start, select and modes buttons) are transmitted directly to the microcontroller42. Each of these signals is processed in the microcontroller, which then sends the appropriate control signal to the game console57and/or a signal to the vibrating mechanism53in the controller and an LED indicator55in the controller. It is noted that it is not necessary to have a vibrating mechanism and/or an LED indicator in the controller. Additionally, it is noted that the controller does not necessarily need to use a microcontroller. The controller can use any electrical circuitry or any other system suitable.

Each control device has a substantially circular module41that couples into a respective control slot and holds and secures the control device in its proper position relative to the respective control slot. Each control device module has an electronic identification that communicates to the microprocessor, through the contacts40a-hin a respective control slot, which control device is coupled in which slot.

Each module41has an outer surface50that has approximately the same diameter as the diameter of the slots32,34,36and38, and is sized and configured to fit therewithin. Each module41has three protrusions52extended from outer surface50. Protrusions52are each equidistant from each other such that each protrusion is an equal distance form both of the adjacent protrusions. Protrusions52are sized and configured to couple and frictionally lock with each of the protrusions46in the slots38. The coupling mechanism between the module41and slots32-38is preferably a twist and lock connection, but it can be any suitable connection.

Operation

As shown inFIGS. 1-7a first control device, for example directional pad14(or the action buttons or the left and right analog sticks) and its respective module41is removed from a slot, for example32by twisting the module relative to the slot and disengaging the protrusion52on the module with the protrusions46on the slot. As stated above, it is not necessary to have a twist and lock coupling mechanism as described herein. The coupling mechanism can be any method or mechanism suitable. For example, the mechanism can be simple friction, a latching mechanism, a magnetic connection, or any other connection desired.

A second or additional control device, for example right and left analog sticks16and18and action buttons20a-d, and their respective modules41, can be removed or disengaged from their respective slots in the same manner as above. Each of these modules can then be placed in a different random or preselected position (i.e., each of the four input or control devices can be removably coupled to each or any of the four input slots or locations). For example, right analog stick16can be positioned in slot38and directional control pad14can be placed in slot34, as shown inFIG. 12Each of these modules are inserted into the selected slot and then twisted to lock in place, such that protrusion52frictional engages protrusion46.

The contacts on the individual control device module relay the specific control device information (i.e., the proper identification and the control input from the user) and electrically couple to the contacts40a-hin a slot, thus allowing communication with the microprocessor, which in turn communicates with the game system or other portions of the controller.

Once each module is positioned in the selected slot, the respective controls operate in their normal prescribed manner, that is the analog stick that is meant to operate a specific function, still operates that function, the directional control pad that was meant to operate a certain function still operates that game specific function, etc. The placement of the specific controls merely changes, not their intended usage. This change of placement allows the user to specifically set up the controls to a preferred location. It is noted however, that that it is not necessary for each control to have its specific function follow it to a new location. In other words, it is possible that the on screen function remain at a specific location or with a specific slot or that the on screen function can be programmed to any slot desired, independent of the module inserted therein.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.