U.S. Pat. No. 7,794,326

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Please refer toFIG. 1, which illustrates a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, in which a game controller integrated with a game control function is disclosed. The game controller has a housing1and an input unit4exposed from the housing. The game controller can be connected to a host via a wire or wireless communication. The host could be a personal computer or a video game set. The housing1includes a base2and two movable handles3, and each movable handle3is assembled to the base2in a rotatable manner.

FIGS. 1 and 2illustrate that the two movable handles3protrudes from the base2with a distance when they are rotated to a using position.FIG. 2further illustrates that the base2has a bottom surface20and the input unit4includes a plurality of game control buttons40exposed within a certain region of the bottom surface20. The certain region is the region tangible by a thumb when the movable handle3is rotated to the using position status. In this embodiment, the game controller is further integrated with computer control functions, such as functions of a mouse, a touch pad or a track ball, and the input unit4further includes a plurality of computer buttons41and a position detection module42, in which the computer buttons are exposed from the bottom surface20. The computer buttons can be functioned as an “Enter” button, left and/or right buttons of the mouse, or other buttons. The position detection module42can be a rolling ball and/or other accessory elements of the mouse or the track ball, or an optical detection module used in an optical mouse, or a touch sensible circuit used in the touch pad.

In addition,FIG. 1also illustrates that the base2has a top surface21. In this embodiment, the game controller is further integrated with a home-use remote control function and handwriting input function. The input unit4further includes a plurality of first home-use remote control buttons43and a handwriting input pad44exposed from the top surface21.

In the status illustrated inFIG. 1, a user can also use the home-use remote control buttons43to remote control their corresponding household appliances and can use the handwriting input pad44to input characters, or graphs into its corresponding computer. In the status illustrated inFIG. 2, the user can hold the two movable handles3and use thumbs to operate the game control buttons40to control operation of the host, or, specifically, to control and to play the computer games through the host.

Please refer toFIGS. 3 and 4, which illustrate that the movable handles3are rotated to a receiving position and overlaps the top surface21of the base2. In such status, the movable handles3do not occupy any space and cover and protect the first home-use remote control buttons43and the handwriting input pad44. In addition, the user can use the computer buttons41and the position detection module42to operate computer functions and computer cursor position control functions as well.

Please refer toFIG. 5, which illustrates a detail structure of the base2and the movable handles3. There are two lower surfaces22formed on opposite sides of the top surface21of the base2and there is a wall surface23formed adjacent to each lower surface22and the top surface21. Each wall surface23is a cambered surface and forms a space24with each lower surface22respectively. Moreover, each movable handle3includes an axle holder31and a handheld portion32. A bottom surface of the axle holder31forms a shaft310as illustrated inFIG. 6for pivotally connecting to a shaft hole220of one of the lower surfaces22of the base2. The axle holder31is shaped to match the corresponding space24of the base2. The handheld portion32is extended from the axle holder31.

Further, the input unit4can include a plurality of second home-use remote control buttons45. These second home-use remote control buttons45are exposed from the axle holder31of each movable handle3. Therefore, these second home-use remote control buttons45can still be used for remote controlling their corresponding household appliances even when the game controller is in the status as illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4.

Besides,FIG. 5also illustrates that the game controller further includes two base positioning portion6and two handle positioning portions5. Each base positioning portion6includes a plurality of teeth60separated with intervals and formed on a higher position of each wall surface23of the base2. Each handle positioning portion5is assembled to the axle holder31of each movable handle3, and each handle positioning portion5includes a button50, a positioning block51and a compression spring52. The button50is partially exposed from the axle holder31and the positioning block51is formed on the button50and extended from the axle holder31into the intervals of the teeth60. The compression spring52holds the button50.

Please refer toFIG. 7, which illustrates a status when the button50is pressed. In this status, the compression spring52is compressed so as to provide a restoring force and the positioning block51is accordingly moved downward away from the teeth60with the button50. Therefore, in this status, the handheld portion32can be rotated to the using position and the receiving position through the shaft310.

Please refer toFIG. 8, which illustrates a status when the handheld portion32is positioned at a certain position. In other words, when the handheld portion32is rotated to a desired position, by releasing the compression on the button50, the button50moves back to its original position via the restoring force of the compression spring52, so as to move the positioning block51entering the intervals among the teeth60accordingly. This illustrates that the handheld portion32can be rotated and positioned at any angle in response to users' holding customs. Therefore, the present invention provides functions and advantage of free handle adjustments and space saving design, as well as purposes of multifunctional control.

Numerous characteristics and advantages of the invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, and the novel features thereof are pointed out in appended claims. The disclosure, however, is illustrated only, and changes may be made in detail, especially, in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts, materials and the combination thereof within the principle of the invention, to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.