Controller with swappable, rotatable button cluster

Abstract

A controller device includes a controller body having an interface port and at least one control information output port. A modular input control is removably attached to the controller body. The modular input control includes an interface connector area configured to communicatively couple the modular input control to the interface port. The modular input control is configured to be freely rotatable when attached to the controller body and can be operated in any orientation about a rotation axis.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the prior application with application number "202180025879.3" and invention name "Controller with exchangeable and rotatable button cluster". Technical Field

[0002] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to controllers, and in particular, aspects of the present disclosure relate to video game controllers. Background Art

[0003] Many gaming systems, including computers, use handheld controllers to operate the system and play video games. A major drawback of current controllers is ergonomics.

[0004] It is against this background that aspects of the present disclosure are presented. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The teachings of the present disclosure may be readily understood by considering the following detailed description given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0006] Figure 1 Depicted is a top view of a controller and a bottom view of modular input controls in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0007] Figure 2 A side view of a controller having modular input controls removably attached to the controller is shown in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0008] Figure 3 Another embodiment of a controller having two interface ports and modular input controls according to aspects of the present disclosure is depicted.

[0009] Figure 4 Depicted is a side view of a controller having three interface ports including one larger diameter modular input control and two smaller diameter input controls that are removably attached in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0010] Figure 5 Depicted are top views of various embodiments of large diameter modular input controls in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 6 Side profile views of various embodiments of smaller diameter modular control inputs are shown.

[0012] Figure 7 A top view of a first controller and a second controller connected via a side expansion interface connector according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0013] Figure 8Depicted is a top view of a first controller and a second controller connected via an expansion interface connector having an extension, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0014] Fig. 9 Shown is a top view of two controllers coupled using a bottom mounted expansion interface connector in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0015] Fig.10 A first controller and a second controller connected via an expansion interface connector are shown according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0016] Fig.11 A first controller and a second controller connected using a bottom mounted expansion interface connector according to aspects of the present disclosure are shown.

[0017] Fig.12 A controller implemented on a touch screen according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Although the following specific embodiments include many specific details for illustrative purposes, it will be appreciated by any person skilled in the art that many variations and modifications to the following details are within the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments of the present invention described below are described without loss of generality and without implying limitations to the claimed invention.

[0019] According to aspects of the present disclosure, the dedicated controller need not be handheld. In addition, the dedicated controller may have modular controls including different control configurations and modes, allowing users to customize the controller to suit their needs.

[0020] Figure 1A top view of a controller according to various aspects of the present disclosure is depicted with a bottom view of modular input controls. As shown, the controller 100 includes at least a controller body 101 and modular input controls 102. The controller body 101 may include a joystick 110 and an interface port 104. In alternative embodiments of the present disclosure, the controller body may include more than one interface port. In addition, the controller may optionally include modular input control paddles 103, 123, which are configured to be removably attached to side and / or top paddle interface ports 112 on the controller body 101. The port 112 may include switches, such as electronic, mechanical, or optical switches, which may be analog or digital switches. Such switches may be communicatively coupled to a control board housed within the controller body 101. The joystick 110 shown in this embodiment may be operably fixed to the controller body 101. That is, the joystick 110 shown in this embodiment is not removable, but moves during operation. In alternative embodiments, such as Figure 2 In those embodiments shown in , the joystick can be removably attached to the controller body.

[0021] The interface port may include one or more communication pads 105 along the bottom or sides of the interface port 104. As shown, the communication pads 105 are concentric circles of conductive material along the bottom of the interface port 104. The circular communication pads 105 allow the modular input control 102 to rotate freely within the interface port 104 and be operably held around the axis of rotation. In an alternative embodiment, the communication pads may extend circumferentially along the side walls of the controller body 101, with different pads separated vertically along the side walls of the interface port 104. The communication pads 105 may be, for example, but not limited to, metal areas, conductive metalized plastic areas, conductive rubber areas, etc. The communication pads may be conductively or communicatively coupled to a control board within the controller body and ultimately connected to a video game system.

[0022] As used herein, conductive coupling refers to a connection via a conductive or semiconductive medium that can transmit electric current or electrical pulses. As used herein, communicative coupling includes conductive coupling, and more broadly refers to coupling that allows transmission of pulses or signals. By way of example and not limitation, communicative coupling can be achieved by mechanical contact, by transmission of electric, magnetic or electromagnetic fields, by electromagnetic induction, by transmission of acoustic or optical energy, by transmission of electric current or electrical pulses, or some combination of two or more of these.

[0023] The interface port 104 may also include an attachment mechanism 106, such as a magnet or mechanical snap, that allows the modular input control 102 to be removably secured to the controller body and, in some implementations, allows the modular input control to be rotated within the interface port 104. In some alternative implementations, the attachment mechanism 106 may be integrated into the interface port side or the interface connector area side of the modular input control.

[0024] The modular input control 102 may include one or more buttons 107. Figure 1 In the non-limiting example shown, the modular input control includes a plurality of buttons 107, but aspects of the present disclosure are not limited thereto and may include a single button, two buttons, or any number of buttons. In addition, the modular input control 102 is not limited to buttons and may include different control modes in addition to buttons. The different control modes may include, but are not limited to, a joystick, a directional key, a toggle switch, a touch pad, a scroll wheel, a scroll pad, and the like. The modular input control 102 includes an interface connector area 109 that is configured to communicatively couple the modular input control 102 to the controller body 101. In the example shown, connection points 108 such as connector pins, spring pins, etc. are used to form a conductive and communicative connection between the modular input control 102 and the controller 101. As discussed above, communication can be performed between the modular input control 102 and a control board housed within the controller body 101. The dashed concentric rings show the alignment of the connection points 108 relative to the communication pads 105 in the interface port 104. Each connection point 108 can be positioned so as to align with a different concentric communication pad 105, thereby allowing the modular input control to be rotated within the interface port 104 without disrupting the connection between the connection point 108 and the communication pad 105. Similarly, in an alternative embodiment, the connection points can be located on the side of the interface connector area, and each connection point can be mounted vertically to align with the vertically aligned communication pad. Dashed arrow 111 shows the mounting position of the modular input control 102 to the controller body 101. Multiple buttons 107 are shown as dashed lines to emphasize that they are located on opposite sides of the modular input control 102.

[0025] Figure 2 A side view of a controller having a modular input control removably attached to the controller in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is shown. It can be seen that the modular input control 102 fits within the interface port 104 and the connection point 108 makes conductive and communicative contact with the communication pad 105. The interface connector area 109 can be located within the interface port so that the bottom of the button 107 is flush with the top of the controller body. In some embodiments, the communication pad can be recessed below the bottom plane of the interface port, and the connection pins can extend below the bottom plane of the interface port to make contact with the communication pad.

[0026] The controller body 101 may also include one or more control information output ports 121, (optionally) one or more external device input ports 122, and (optionally) a power port 124. The control board within the control body 101 may be configured to transmit control inputs from the modular input controls 102, the control handles 103, 123, and the joystick 110 to the gaming system via the communication output port 121. It should be noted that communication with the gaming system is not limited to the output port 121. In an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the controller 100 may include a wireless network module that communicates with the gaming system via a wireless connection, such as, but not limited to, a Bluetooth connection, a wireless Internet connection, an infrared connection, a near field connection, or other wireless communication standards.

[0027] The external device input port 122 can be used as an input for other devices such as controllers, joysticks, foot pedals or other game system accessories. The controller 100 can be powered by the control information output port 121, or alternatively by the power port 124. The power from the control information output port 121 can come from the game system, and the power port 124 can come from an external power source. In addition, in some embodiments, the controller can be powered by a battery and include a battery, such as but not limited to a disposable battery, a rechargeable battery or a rechargeable battery pack. In such embodiments, the control information output port or the power port can be used to charge the battery. In addition, the expansion interface port 130 can allow the device to be attached to one or more other devices using an expansion interface connector.

[0028] Figure 2Also shown in the figure is a flat plate interface port 125 for modular input control flat plates 103, 123. As shown, there can be different types of modular input control flat plates. The first modular input control flat plate type 103 can be a straight flat plate design, which includes a flat or slightly curved flat plate portion with an interface tab 128 extending from the flat plate plane. In some embodiments, the connection between the interface tab and the flat plate can be slightly curved, thereby causing the flat plate to tilt slightly downward or upward when the interface tab is aligned horizontally. The slight curve can be an angle of 45 degrees or less relative to the horizontal plane of the interface tab. The second flat plate type 123 can have an interface tab 129 that includes a 90 degree bend. Other flat plate types include flat plates with other bending angles. The interface between the flat plate portion and the interface tab 129 can be slightly bent away from the vertical plane of the interface tab. The flat plate interface port 125 for modular input control flat plates 103, 123 can include connecting elements 126 that allow the user's interaction with the flat plate to be converted into control input. For example, but not limited to, these connection elements may include buttons, micro switches, or other physical switch elements that are activated when the user moves the input control paddle. Additionally, the fixing element 127 may ensure that the interface tab stays in the paddle interface port 125, and additionally, the fixing element 127 may include a fulcrum or other physical protrusion that enables the interface tab to better actuate the connection element. For example, but not limited to, the fixing element 127 may be, but not limited to, a snap or lock or a bumper or pad made of plastic, rubber, Teflon, or metal.

[0029] Figure 3 Another example of a controller 300 having two interface ports 301 and modular input controls 302, 303 according to aspects of the present disclosure is depicted. As shown, the controller 300 may include additional buttons 305 that may be fixed to the controller body 307, such as Figure 3 As shown, or may be removably attached to the controller body 307, as Figure 4 As shown. Figure 1 and Figure 2 Compared to the depicted example, modular input controls 302, 303 may have Figure 1 and Figure 2 The modular input controls are smaller in diameter. Figure 3 In the illustrated implementation, the interface port includes one or more communication pads 308, the pads shown being communication points rather than Figure 1 and 2 The communication points may be arranged so that the modular control inputs 302, 303 may be mounted in a number of different orientations while still being operable. For example, but not limited to, the communication points 308 may be arranged in a cross or circular pattern around the interface port 301. Alternatively, the interface ports 301 may be implemented Figure 1 and Figure 2 Communication pads. Modular input controls 302 and 303 are interchangeable, and each control can be installed in either of the two interface ports 301, as shown by the dashed arrows. Modular input controls 302, 303 can be different. As an example, a modular input joystick 302 and a directional key 303 are shown. In addition, the controller body 305 may include a control paddle interface port that allows a control paddle 306 to be used with a controller 307. Alternatively, the control paddle can be fixed to the controller body 307 and cannot be removed. The control paddle 306 can be arranged in a semicircle around the main button group 305. The controller body may also include an expansion interface 304. The expansion interface 304 can be configured to be communicatively coupled to an expansion interface of another controller or to an expansion board.

[0030] Figure 4 A side view of a controller 400 having three interface ports including one larger diameter modular input control and two smaller diameter input controls that are removably attached according to aspects of the present disclosure is depicted. The controller shown includes a removable large diameter modular input control 424 having a plurality of buttons 420, and a removable input control flat plate 431. To facilitate communication with the removable large diameter input control, the controller body 437 may include a large diameter interface port 430. The interface port 430 may include a communication pad 426 that may extend around the circumference of the interface port 430 at the bottom or alternatively in the sidewall. In some embodiments, the communication pad may be recessed below the bottom plane of the interface port, and the connecting pins may extend below the bottom plane of the interface port to contact the communication pad. As described with respect to Figure 1 and Figure 2 As discussed, the large diameter modular input control may include one or more connection pins 425 that conductively and / or communicatively couple the large diameter input control to the controller body 437 and a control board housed within the controller body, and ultimately to the gaming system. The large diameter modular input control 424 may be removably attached to the controller body 437 via a magnet within the interface port 330 or a latch in the side of the interface port 430.

[0031] The smaller diameter modular input control 402 is a joystick as shown. The smaller diameter input control 402 includes an interface connector area 421 with connection pins 410, which are configured to be in conductive and / or communication contact with the bottom 409 of the smaller diameter interface port 401 or alternatively the communication pads on the side. In some embodiments, the communication pads can be recessed below the bottom plane of the interface port, and the connection pins can extend below the bottom plane of the interface port to contact with the communication pads. The smaller diameter modular interface controller 402 can be removably attached to the controller body 437 by a magnet in the interface port 401 or a latch in the side of the interface port 401.

[0032] The removable input control paddle 431 may also be removably attached to the controller body 437. When the interface tab 438 is aligned vertically, the removable input control paddle may be slightly bent, causing the paddle to be slightly tilted. The slight bend may be an angle of 45 degrees or less relative to the vertical plane of the interface tab 438. The controller body may include a control paddle interface port 427, which may include a fixing element 428 and a connecting element 429, similar to the embodiment described with respect to FIG. Figure 2 those discussed.

[0033] The controller body 427 may also include one or more control information output ports 423, (optionally) one or more external device input ports 404, and (optionally) a power port. It should be noted that communication with the gaming system is not limited to the output port 423. In an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the controller 400 may include a wireless network module that communicates with the gaming system via a wireless connection, such as, but not limited to, a Bluetooth connection, a wireless Internet connection, an infrared connection, a near field connection, or other wireless communication standards.

[0034] The external device input port 423 can be used as the input of other devices, controllers, joysticks, foot pedals or other game system accessories. The controller 300 can be powered by the control information output port, or alternatively powered by the power port. The power from the control information output port can come from the game system, and the power port can come from an external power source. In addition, in some embodiments, the controller can be powered by batteries and include batteries, such as but not limited to disposable batteries, rechargeable batteries or rechargeable batteries. In such embodiments, the control information output port or the power port can be used to charge the battery. The controller can include an expansion interface port 433 and an expansion interface connector 404. The expansion interface connector can be configured to be assembled into the side expansion interface port 433, thereby allowing two or more controllers to be used together. The expansion interface port located at the bottom can allow the controller to be used together with the expansion interface connector installed at the additional bottom.

[0035] Figure 5 Depicted are top views of various implementations of large diameter modular input controls according to various aspects of the present disclosure. As shown, various different arrangements of buttons of large diameter modular input controls are possible. The different implementations shown are a five-button configuration 501, a four-button configuration 502, a single-button configuration 503, a three-button configuration 506, and a five-button configuration 504 with a large middle button, with a large side button. In some embodiments, a large button 505 or another button can be used as a configuration switch, thereby allowing the operating mode of the large diameter input control to change from one configuration to another. The operating mode as defined herein is the function performed by the button when the input is applied. For example, but not limited to, one operating mode can be a directional key, and another operating mode can be a selection or action button. The cross configuration of 502 and 504 makes those modular input controls particularly useful as directional keys or action buttons. As described above, modular input controls can be used in any direction, so a configuration that does not specifically specify the function of each key may be desirable, because the function of each button can be individually configured in the software or firmware of the controller to accommodate the various needs of users and programs.

[0036] Figure 6 Side profiles of various embodiments of smaller diameter modular control inputs are shown. The smaller diameter modular control inputs shown are buttons 601, joystick 602, blanks 603, switches 604, and directional pads 605. Blank 603 is the portion of the interface without the buttons; it simply fills the interface port, covering the communication pads. In an alternative embodiment, the blank may simply be a disk that fits over the interface port.

[0037] Joystick 602 can be configured to operate in multiple orientations. That is, the axis of joystick 602 can be configurable relative to the controller body so that the X or Y axis can be changed to true north. This allows joystick 602 to operate in any orientation because the X and Y axes can be switched. As an example and not a limitation, this reconfiguration can be implemented in hardware, software, or firmware. In some implementations, the user can program the cardinal directions by connecting to the console, computer, or other device of the control input. In addition, in some alternative implementations, the joystick may not have a strictly defined X and Y axis, and the user can configure what kind of movement of the joystick in software or firmware corresponds to the movement in the game system. Therefore, this allows the user to install the joystick in any orientation, and then configure their joystick to adapt to the needs of the user and the installation orientation.

[0038] As discussed above, the modular input control communicates with the control board in the controller body through the connection point in contact with the communication pad. The control board can be configured to identify the input to the modular input control by means of an analog change in the voltage or current through the modular input control. The change in current or voltage can be predefined to represent a certain input, and each possible input can have a unique current or voltage change assigned to the input. Alternatively, the modular input can provide a digital command, wherein each modular input provides a digital signature that identifies the type of input to the control board. Then, the input to the modular input control by the user can be converted into a digital signal, which is interpreted by the controller or alternatively by the game system. In this way, the control board can be configured to identify the operating mode of the modular input control or the type of input made by the user to the control. As an example and not limitation, the control board can be a circuit board conductor with other circuits such as a processor, FPGA or ASIC, which is used to convert the input provided from the modular input control into input information for the game system.

[0039] Figure 7 , Figure 8 and Fig. 9 Various implementations of an external device input port with two controllers are depicted. Figure 7 Shown are a first controller 701 and a second controller 702 connected via a side expansion interface connector 304. In this embodiment, the side mounted expansion interface connector 304 of the second controller 702 is slotted into the side mounted expansion interface port of the first controller 701. Figure 8 Depicted are a first controller and a second controller connected via an expansion interface connector having an extension 803. Extension 803 may provide a mechanical and communication connection to the expansion interface connector of the second controller 802 and the expansion interface port of the first controller 801. Extension 803 may allow the controllers to be used in a configuration that is more comfortable for the user, with the two controllers slightly separated. Fig. 9 Two controllers are shown connected using a bottom mounted expansion interface connector 903 according to aspects of the present disclosure. A first controller 901 and a second controller 902 can be connected to the expansion interface connector 903 through interface slots 904 in the top of the expansion interface connector. These interface slots 904 can allow the controllers to be mounted at an angle and / or level that is comfortable for the user. The expansion interface allows the gaming system to treat the two controllers as one large controller.

[0040] Fig.10 and Fig.11 A controller having a single modular input control coupled with an expansion interface connector is depicted in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Fig.10A first controller 1001 and a second controller 1002 are shown connected via an expansion interface connector 1003, which in this embodiment is coupled via external device input ports of the two controllers. Here, the expansion interface connector may be a data line connecting the two devices. Fig.11 Shown are a first controller 1101 and a second controller 1102 connected using a bottom mounted expansion interface connector 1103. The expansion interface connector 1103 can communicate with the controllers via an expansion interface port on the bottom of the controller body.

[0041] Fig.12 1 shows a controller implemented on a touch screen according to aspects of the present disclosure. Although the above embodiments describe a controller with physically interchangeable modular input controls, aspects of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. Fig.12 As seen in the figure, the controller may include a touch screen 1201 coupled to a gaming system 1202. The touch screen 1201 may be, for example, but not limited to, a stand-alone, part of a video game controller, part of a mobile phone, or part of a tablet computer. Although the touch screen is shown connected to the gaming system via a physical wire, aspects of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The touch screen may be communicatively coupled to the gaming system via a wired connection or via a wireless connection.

[0042] The touch screen can display one or more different modular input controls 1203, 1204, 1205. Here, three modular input controls are displayed on the screen, each with a different control mode. The three modular input controls on the touch screen shown are direction keys 1203, virtual joystick 1204, and action buttons 1205. The touch screen controller can be programmed to allow the image of each modular input control to be moved independently anywhere within the touch screen. The touch screen controller can also convert user touches at the screen area where the image of the modular input control is displayed into appropriate inputs. In addition, modular input controls 1203, 1204, and 1205 can be removed from or added to the touch screen, allowing any number of modular input controls to be displayed on the screen and usable by the user.

[0043] Aspects of the present disclosure provide an enhanced modular design, and interchangeable components allow for many different options so that a given implementation can meet different requirements.

[0044] Although the above content is a complete description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to use various alternatives, modifications and equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be determined with reference to the above description, but should be determined instead with reference to the appended claims and the equivalents of the entire scope thereof. Any feature described herein (whether preferred or not) may be combined with any other feature described herein (whether preferred or not). In the appended claims, unless otherwise expressly stated, the indefinite article "a" or "a kind of" refers to the amount of one or more items after the article. The appended claims should not be understood to include device-plus-function limitations unless such limitations are explicitly stated in a given claim using the phrase "device for...".

Claims

1. A controller device, comprising: A controller body, wherein the controller body includes an interface port and a control information output port; as well as a modular input control removably attachable to the controller body, wherein the modular input control includes an interface connector region, and the interface connector region is configured to communicatively couple the modular input control to the interface port; as well as An expansion interface, wherein the controller body includes an expansion interface port and is configured to couple the expansion interface through an interface slot located in a top portion of an expansion interface connector.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the modular input control comprises a directional key.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the modular input control comprises a single button.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the modular input control comprises a plurality of buttons.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the modular input control comprises a modify button and a plurality of other buttons, wherein the modify button changes a button mapping of the plurality of buttons.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a power port for powering the controller device.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the control information output port is also a power port for supplying power to the controller device.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising a wireless networking module, wherein the wireless networking module wirelessly communicates with the gaming system.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the interface port is configured to accommodate input controls having different modes of operation.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a control pad, and wherein the control pad is configured to automatically identify the operating mode of the modular input control.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a first input control paddle removably attached to the controller body, and wherein the controller body comprises one or more paddle interface ports to communicatively couple the input control paddle to the controller body.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein one of the one or more paddle interface ports is located on a top portion of the controller body.

13. The device of claim 11, further comprising a second input control paddle, wherein the second input control paddle comprises a curved interface tab.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein one of the one or more paddle interface ports is located on a side of the controller body.

15. The device of claim 1, further comprising a joystick operably secured to the controller body.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an expansion interface connector coupled to the controller body through the interface slot, and further comprising a second interface slot positioned separately from the interface slot.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein: The expansion interface connector is an expansion board.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein: The expansion interface port is located on a side of the controller body.

19. The device of claim 1, wherein: The expansion interface port is located on the bottom of the controller body.

20. The device of claim 16, wherein: The expansion interface connector is configured to couple the controller body with a second controller body, wherein the expansion interface is configured to be operably coupled with a second control device.

21. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein: The expansion interface connector is configured to angle the controller body.

22. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a second controller body coupled to the expansion interface connector and a second modular input control removably attached to the second controller body.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the second modular input control comprises a directional key.

24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the second modular input control comprises a single button.

25. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the second modular input control comprises a plurality of buttons.

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