U.S. Pat. No. 8,944,913

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure generally relates to an apparatus directed to controlling electronic games, also referred to herein as video games, or computer games. The apparatus preferably includes a tablet computer, an electronic game communicating with the tablet computer, and an input device for controlling movement of a virtual object provided by the electronic game. Preferably, the input device includes a pair of opposing side structures adjacent opposing sides of plurality of sides of the tablet computer. The input device further preferably includes a plurality of input switches, wherein said input switches are adjacent each of the at least two opposing sides of the plurality of sides of the tablet computer, and a bridge structure disposed between the pair of sides to form a three sided structure. The third structure mitigates inadvertent removal of the tablet computer from the three sided structure when the tablet computer is fully nested within the three sided structure.

Turning to the drawings,FIG. 1provides an exemplary game controller100capable of being used in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. The exemplary game controller100has at least a tablet computer102that providing a plurality of sides, such as104,106,108, and126. Each of the plurality of sides104,106, and108are disposed between an electronic display screen110(also referred herein to as a touch screen110, for use in interacting with the applications provided by the tablet computer102), of the tablet computer102, and a back112(shown byFIG. 2) of the tablet computer102. The exemplary game controller100further preferably includes an input device114.

In a preferred embodiment, the input device114provides a pair of side structures,116and118. One of the pair of side structures, for example116, is adjacent to and confines the tablet computer102on a first side, such as104of the plurality of sides104,106,108, and126of the tablet computer102. The second side structure of the pair of side structures, such as118, is adjacent to and confines the tablet computer102on a second side, such as108, of the plurality of sides104,106,108, and126of the tablet computer102, wherein the first and second sides, such as104and108, of the plurality of sides104,106,108, and126of the tablet computer102are opposing sides of the plurality of sides104,106,108, and126, of the tablet computer102.

In a preferred embodiment, the input device114further provides a plurality of input switches120and122, wherein the input switches120and122are adjacent each of the at least two opposing sides104and108, of the plurality of sides104,106,108, and126, of the tablet computer102, and a bridge structure124, disposed between the pair of side structures116and118and adjacent the third side126, of the plurality of sides104,106,108, and126, of the tablet computer102. The bridge structure124in combination with the pair of side structures116and118form a three sided structure128(ofFIG. 5) (also referred to herein as a u-shaped structure128of the input device114), in which the tablet computer102nests, such that the tablet computer102is confined by the u-shaped structure128, and the u-shaped structure128mitigates inadvertent removal of the tablet computer102from the u-shaped structure128when the tablet computer102is fully nested within the three sided structure128. Preferably, the bridge structure124conceals not more than one third (⅓) of the back112, of the computing device102.

The exemplary game controller100ofFIG. 1, further preferably includes a video game130. Preferably, the video game130provides a virtual object132displayed by the electronic display screen110, the virtual object132is responsive to input from the input device114. An example of a response of the virtual object132would be movement of the virtual object132, or the loading of an alternate computer game, based on a predetermined signal provided by the input device114, or an appearance of a character. It is noted thatFIG. 1displays the housings119of the plurality of switches120, whereas at least some of the plurality of switches are shown in the partial cutaway ofFIG. 3, and whereupon a manual intervention of a housing119of a selected switch of the plurality of switches120, the selected switch produces a predetermined signal that is provided by the selected switch to the tablet computer102.

FIG. 2depicts the exemplary game controller100, and reveals the back112of the tablet computer102. Further shown byFIG. 2, is the input device114, which provides a pair of trigger switches136and138, supported by their corresponding side structures116and118respectively, and grip rail115, integrated into the back112, The grip rail115accommodates a user's hand, and in particular a user's thumb, to stabilize the tablet computer102, when interacting with the tablet computer102without use of the input device114. In addition,FIG. 2shows the bridge structure124, of the input device114, provides structural support for a grasp feature125. The grasp feature125interacts with the grip rail115, to enhance the user's ability to stabilize the tablet computer when accessing the tablet computer102through the touch screen110, ofFIG. 1. As further shown byFIG. 4, the grip rail115is a single continuous contoured projection extending from the back112of the tablet computer102, rather than a separate structural component added to the tablet computer102, or back112thereof.

Turning toFIG. 3, there shown is a predetermined number of the plurality of switches140, collaborate with each other to form an input apparatus142, the input apparatus142controls display of virtual objects displayed on the electronic display screen110of the tablet computer102. Preferably, the input apparatus142is a joystick142.FIG. 3further shows that the input device114provides a plurality of buttons144and120which activate corresponding switches145and121. The main function of the trigger138, the joystick142, and the buttons144and120is to govern the movement/actions of a playable body/object or otherwise influence events in a video game130(ofFIG. 1) or an alternate computer game.FIG. 3further shows the contour and projection of the grip rail115extending from the back112, of the tablet computer102.

FIG. 4shows the interaction of the grip rail115and the grasp feature125, which enhances the user's ability to stabilize the tablet computer102when operating the tablet computer102through the touch screen110.FIG. 4further shows that the exemplary game controller100, further includes a second joystick146, and a second button148, which are provided on the side structure116, adjacent the trigger switch136, and a support flange137, in contact adjacency with the back of the tablet computer102. WhileFIG. 5shows the central processing unit (CPU)150, of the input device114, and a more revealing view of the support flange137.

FIG. 6shows the input device114includes the CPU150, interacting with the plurality of switches152, which preferably include at least switches120,122,136,138,142,144,146, and148.FIG. 6further shows the input device114further includes a communications protocol154providing the communication link between the tablet computer102, and the input device114. In a preferred embodiment, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) communications protocol is utilized. However, as those skilled in the art will recognize, the communications protocol154is not limited to a USB protocol.

FIG. 6further shows that the tablet computer102preferably includes at least a CPU156, interacting with the electronic display screen110, the video game130, a device driver158, which facilitates the interaction between the tablet computer102and the input device114, and a communications protocol160providing the communication link between the tablet computer102, and the input device114. In a preferred embodiment, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) communications protocol is utilized. However, as those skilled in the art will recognize, the communications protocol160is not limited to a USB protocol.

FIG. 7shows an alternative embodiment of an exemplary game controller162, in which the device driver158and the video game130are located in the input device114.

It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics and configurations of various embodiments of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of various embodiments of the invention, this detailed description is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of structure and arrangements of parts within the principles of the present invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. For example, the particular elements may vary depending on the particular tablet computer without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.