Controller System and Interaction Method for Expandable Accessories

Abstract

The present invention belongs to the technical field of game peripherals, and particularly relates to a controller system with expandable accessories and an interaction method. The controller system with expandable accessories includes a controller and controller accessories. The controller accessories include: a first microcontroller; a plurality of buttons; a first TYPE-C male connector, where the D+ pin and the D- pin are electrically connected to the D+ pin and the D- pin of the first microcontroller respectively, and one of the SBU1 pin and the SBU2 pin serves as the first power supply pin; The controller includes: a second microcontroller; a power chip; a second TYPE-C female connector, where the D+ pin and the D- pin are electrically connected to the D+ pin and the D- pin of the second microcontroller respectively, and one of the SBU1 pin and the SBU2 pin serves as the second power supply pin and is electrically connected to the output pin of the power chip. The present invention changes the parameters and configurations of the controller by adding controller accessories, and the operation is more simple and convenient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of game peripherals, and particularly relates to a controller system with expandable accessories and an interaction method. Background Art

[0002] In the field of game controllers, when playing different games, it is often necessary to make different settings for buttons, joysticks, triggers, and motion sensing parameters, or switch different configurations in order to better adapt to the game and achieve a better gaming experience. At present, the change of parameters and the switching of configurations are generally achieved through a computer client or a mobile phone client. In addition, for some gamepad users, the buttons on the game controller itself may not be enough.

[0003] The above method of changing the parameters and configurations of the game controller through a computer client or a mobile phone client requires the user to download and use the corresponding client to achieve. If using a computer client, it is necessary to switch out of the game interface and change the corresponding configuration in the client. If using a mobile phone client, the user needs to switch the gamepad to Bluetooth mode, connect the mobile phone Bluetooth, and change the corresponding configuration in the client. The steps and operations of the above two are relatively cumbersome. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Aiming at the technical problems of cumbersome operation of parameter change and configuration switching of the game controller in the prior art, and the insufficient number of buttons on some controllers, the present invention aims to provide a controller system with expandable accessories and an interaction method.

[0005] To solve the foregoing technical problems, a first aspect of the present invention provides a controller system with expandable accessories, the controller system with expandable accessories includes a controller, and the controller system with expandable accessories further includes a controller accessory, the controller accessory includes:

[0006] A first microcontroller with a USB host function;

[0007] A plurality of buttons, the buttons are electrically connected to the first microcontroller;

[0008] A first TYPE-C male connector, the D+ pin and D- pin of the first TYPE-C male connector are respectively electrically connected to the D+ pin and D- pin of the first microcontroller, and one of the SBU1 pin and SBU2 pin of the first TYPE-C male connector is used as a first power supply pin to supply power to the controller accessory;

[0009] The controller includes:

[0010] A second microcontroller with a USB slave function;

[0011] A power chip that powers the controller;

[0012] A second TYPE-C female header connector, where the D+ pin and D- pin of the second TYPE-C female header connector are electrically connected to the D+ pin and D- pin of the second microcontroller respectively, the GND pin of the second TYPE-C female header connector is electrically connected to the GND pin of the power chip, and among the SBU1 pin and SBU2 pin of the second TYPE-C female header connector, the pin corresponding to the first power supply pin serves as the second power supply pin, and the second power supply pin is electrically connected to the output pin of the power chip.

[0013] Optionally, in the controller system of the expandable accessory as described above, an I / O port of the second microcontroller is configured as a detection port in a pull-up input state;

[0014] The other one of the SBU1 pin and SBU2 pin of the first TYPE-C male connector is grounded as the first detection pin;

[0015] Among the SBU1 pin and SBU2 pin of the second TYPE-C female header connector, the pin corresponding to the first detection pin serves as the second detection pin, and the second detection pin is electrically connected to the detection port.

[0016] Optionally, in the controller system of the expandable accessory as described above, a power supply switch is provided between the output pin of the power chip and the second power supply pin, and the control end of the power supply switch is connected to the second microcontroller.

[0017] Optionally, in the controller system of the expandable accessory as described above, the power supply switch is a MOS transistor.

[0018] Optionally, in the controller system of the expandable accessory as described above, the controller accessory further includes:

[0019] Several LEDs that are electrically connected to the first microcontroller.

[0020] Optionally, in the controller system of the expandable accessory as described above, the VBUS pin of the second TYPE-C female header connector is electrically connected to the input pin of the power chip;

[0021] The controller accessory further includes:

[0022] The first TYPE-C female header connector, where the VBUS pin of the first TYPE-C female header connector is electrically connected to the VBUS pin of the first TYPE-C male header connector, and the GND pin of the first TYPE-C female header connector is electrically connected to the GND pin of the first TYPE-C male header connector.

[0023] Optionally, in the controller system of the expandable accessory as described above, the controller accessory further includes:

[0024] A third microcontroller with USB slave function, where the D+ pin and D- pin of the third microcontroller are respectively electrically connected to the D+ pin and D- pin of the first TYPE-C female header connector, and data transmission can be achieved through connection between the third microcontroller and the first microcontroller.

[0025] Optionally, in the controller system of the expandable accessory as described above, data transmission between the third microcontroller and the first microcontroller is carried out through UART or SPI.

[0026] To solve the foregoing technical problems, a second aspect of the present invention provides an interaction method for a controller system, and the interaction method includes:

[0027] Connect the controller and the controller accessory provided in the first aspect of the present invention through the first TYPE-C male header connector plugged into the second TYPE-C female header connector. The power supply chip in the controller supplies power to the controller and supplies power to the controller accessory through the second power supply pin and the first power supply pin. Data transmission between the controller and the controller accessory is achieved through the USB protocol.

[0028] Optionally, in the interaction method of the controller system as described above, the interaction method further includes:

[0029] When the controller detects that the detection port is at a low level, it is considered that a controller accessory is connected. The controller drives the power supply switch to conduct, so as to realize that the power supply chip supplies power to the controller accessory through the second power supply pin and the first power supply pin.

[0030] The positive and progressive effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0031] 1. The present invention changes the parameters and configurations of the controller by adding a controller accessory, and visual operation can be performed, which can get rid of the relatively cumbersome operation steps such as computer APP and mobile phone APP, and the operation is more simple and convenient.

[0032] 2. The present invention realizes the access detection of the controller accessory and powers the accessory through the unused SBU1 pin and SBU2 pin in the controller TYPE-C interface, making full use of existing resources. The solution is simple and easy to implement. Moreover, the controller side can either not increase the material cost or only need to increase a very low cost. The accessory side is powered through the controller without the need to add additional lithium batteries, etc., with low cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] With reference to the accompanying drawings, the disclosure of the present invention will become more apparent. It should be understood that these drawings are only for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. In the figures:

[0034] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a system connection relationship of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 2 is another schematic diagram of a system connection relationship of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0036] The following specific examples illustrate the embodiments of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the content disclosed in this specification. The present invention can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments. Various details in this specification can also be modified or changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0037] It should be noted that, without conflict, the following embodiments and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0038] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that for orientation terms, such as terms "outer side", "middle section", "inner", "outer", etc., indicating orientation and position relationships are based on the orientation or position relationships shown in the drawings. It is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and should not be construed as limiting the specific protection scope of the present invention.

[0039] In addition, such terms as "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such features. In the description of the present invention, the meanings of "several" and "a number of" are two or more, unless otherwise specifically and clearly defined.

[0040] Refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2, an embodiment of the present invention provides a controller system with expandable accessories. The controller system includes a controller accessory 10 and a controller 20. The controller system can conveniently change the controller parameters and configurations through the controller accessory 10. At the same time, the controller accessory 10 can be used to expand the buttons of the controller 20, so that it has more buttons for operation.

[0041] The controller accessory 10 includes a first microcontroller 11, a first TYPE-C male connector 12, several buttons 13, and several LEDs 14.

[0042] The first microcontroller 11 uses a microcontroller with USB host function. The several buttons 13 are electrically connected to the first microcontroller 11 respectively, and are used for button expansion, parameter change, and configuration switching. The several LEDs 14 are non-essential optional devices. The several LEDs 14 are electrically connected to the first microcontroller 11 respectively, and are used to indicate the current configuration state of the controller accessory 10, facilitating visual operation by the user.

[0043] The D+ pin and D- pin of the USB data communication pins of the first TYPE-C male connector 12 are electrically connected to the USB data pins D+ pin and D- pin of the first microcontroller 11 respectively, for data transmission through the USB protocol.

[0044] One of the SBU1 pin and SBU2 pin of the first TYPE-C male connector 12 serves as the first power supply pin to supply power to the controller accessory 10. As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown in the embodiment, the SBU2 pin of the first TYPE-C male connector 12 is used as the first power supply pin. That is to say, when the SBU2 pin supplies power to the controller accessory 10, the power input terminal of the first microcontroller 11 is electrically connected to the SBU2 pin, so as to achieve the purpose of supplying power to the first microcontroller 11 through the SBU2 pin. Of course, in actual use, as a conventional technique, the GND pin of the first TYPE-C male connector 12, that is, the ground pin, is grounded.

[0045] The controller 20 includes a second microcontroller 21, a second TYPE-C female connector 22, and a power chip 23.

[0046] The second microcontroller 21 uses a microcontroller with USB slave function. The power chip 23 supplies power to the controller 20. That is to say, the power input terminal of the second microcontroller 21 is electrically connected to the output pin of the power chip 23, so as to achieve the purpose of supplying power to the second microcontroller 21 through the power chip 23. Of course, in actual use, as a conventional technique, the GND pin of the second TYPE-C female connector 22 is grounded.

[0047] The USB data communication pins D+ and D- of the second TYPE-C female connector 22 are electrically connected to the USB data pins D+ and D- of the second microcontroller 21 respectively, so as to transmit data through the USB protocol. The GND pin of the second TYPE-C female connector 22 is electrically connected to the GND pin of the power chip 23. Among the SBU1 pin and the SBU2 pin of the second TYPE-C female connector 22, the pin corresponding to the first power supply pin serves as the second power supply pin, and the second power supply pin is electrically connected to the output pin of the power chip 23. As Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the embodiment shown in, the SBU2 pin of the first TYPE-C male connector 12 serves as the first power supply pin. Therefore, the SBU2 pin of the corresponding second TYPE-C female connector 22 serves as the second power supply pin.

[0048] Since the controller accessory 10 itself does not have a power supply device, after the above design of the present invention, after the first TYPE-C male connector 12 and the second TYPE-C female connector 22 are plugged in and electrically connected, the output pin of the power chip 23 supplies power to the controller accessory 10 through the second power supply pin of the second TYPE-C female connector 22 and the first power supply pin of the first TYPE-C male connector 12 in sequence. After the first TYPE-C male connector 12 and the second TYPE-C female connector 22 are plugged in and electrically connected, data transmission between the controller accessory 10 and the controller 20 is also realized through the USB protocol. Through the operation of the buttons on the controller accessory 10, the controller 20 obtains the key value information of the controller accessory 10 and performs data transmission through functions such as 2.4G or Bluetooth of the controller 20.

[0049] In some embodiments, an I / O port of the second microcontroller 21 is configured as a detection port in a pull-up input state. That is to say, when the detection port is not connected to other interfaces, its state is a high-level state. The configuration method of the pull-up input state is realized by the prior art. For example, the level of the detection port is pulled up to a high level through a resistor.

[0050] The other one of the SBU1 pin and the SBU2 pin of the first TYPE-C male connector 12 serves as the first detection pin and is grounded. As Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the embodiment shown in, the SBU2 pin of the first TYPE-C male connector 12 serves as the first power supply pin, then the SBU1 pin of the first TYPE-C male connector 12 serves as the first detection pin and is grounded.

[0051] The pins of the SBU1 and SBU2 of the second TYPE-C female connector 22 corresponding to the first detection pin are used as the second detection pins, and the second detection pins are electrically connected to the detection port. As Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the embodiment shown in, the SBU1 pin of the first TYPE-C male connector 12 is used as the first detection pin, then the SBU1 pin of the second TYPE-C female connector 22 is used as the second detection pin, and the SBU1 pin is electrically connected to the detection port.

[0052] In this embodiment, after the first TYPE-C male connector 12 is plugged into the second TYPE-C female connector 22 to achieve electrical connection, since the first detection pin is grounded, the detection port connected through the second detection pin also becomes low level. The second microcontroller 21 can determine whether the controller accessory 10 is connected by judging the level of the detection port. A high level indicates that the controller accessory 10 is not connected, and a low level indicates that the controller accessory 10 has been connected. After detecting the connection of the controller accessory 10, the controller 20 supplies power to the controller accessory 10. Of course, it is also possible to provide a visual prompt for the user through the LED14 to indicate that the current controller accessory 10 has been connected.

[0053] In some embodiments, a power supply switch is provided between the output pin of the power supply chip 23 and the second power supply pin, and the control end of the power supply switch is connected to the second microcontroller 21.

[0054] After the second microcontroller 21 detects the connection of the controller accessory 10, it drives the power supply switch to conduct to realize the conduction between the output pin of the power supply chip 23 and the second power supply pin, so as to supply power to the controller accessory 10 through the power supply chip 23 via the second power supply pin and the first power supply pin.

[0055] In some embodiments, the power supply switch is a MOS transistor.

[0056] In some embodiments, the VBUS pin of the second TYPE-C female connector 22 is electrically connected to the input pin of the power supply chip 23.

[0057] The controller accessory 10 further includes a first TYPE-C female connector 15. The VBUS pin of the first TYPE-C female connector 15 is electrically connected to the VBUS pin of the first TYPE-C male connector 12, and the GND pin of the first TYPE-C female connector 15 is electrically connected to the GND pin of the first TYPE-C male connector.

[0058] In actual use, as a conventional technique, the GND pin of the first TYPE-C female connector 15 is grounded.

[0059] In this embodiment, through the above design of adding the first TYPE-C female head connector 15, when the controller 20 is connected to the controller accessory 10, power supply or charging can still be carried out through the first TYPE-C female head connector 15 on the controller accessory 10.

[0060] In some embodiments, referring to Figure 2 , the controller accessory 10 further includes a third microcontroller 16, and the third microcontroller 16 uses a microcontroller with a USB slave function. The USB data pins D+ pin and D- pin of the third microcontroller 16 are respectively electrically connected to the USB data communication pins D+ pin and D- pin of the first TYPE-C female head connector 15, and the third microcontroller 16 is connected to the first microcontroller 11 and can realize data transmission.

[0061] Since the power supply of the controller accessory 10 is realized through the power supply chip 23 via the first power supply pin, when the first power supply pin supplies power to the controller accessory 10, the power input terminal of the third microcontroller 16 is electrically connected to the first power supply pin to realize the purpose of supplying power to the third microcontroller 16 through the first power supply pin.

[0062] In this embodiment, through the above design of adding the third microcontroller 16, it is realized that the controller 20 can perform data transmission with a client such as a computer through the controller accessory 10 and the USB protocol. In this way, the original USB communication function of the controller 20 can still be maintained, and the USB communication function with a client such as a computer will not be lost due to the connection of the controller accessory 10.

[0063] In some embodiments, data transmission between the third microcontroller 16 and the first microcontroller 11 is carried out through UART or SPI.

[0064] The embodiment of the present invention also provides an interaction method for a controller system, and this interaction method is used to realize power supply and data interaction between the controller accessory 10 and the controller 20. This interaction method includes:

[0065] The controller 20 and the controller accessory 10 provided in the above embodiments of the present invention are plugged into the second TYPE-C female head connector 22 through the first TYPE-C male head connector 12 to achieve electrical connection. The power supply chip 23 in the controller 20 supplies power to the controller 20 and supplies power to the controller accessory 10 through the second power supply pin and the first power supply pin, and data transmission between the controller 20 and the controller accessory 10 is realized through the USB protocol.

[0066] In some embodiments, this interaction method is also used to realize access detection between the controller accessory 10 and the controller 20, and this interaction method further includes:

[0067] When a power supply switch is provided between the output pin and the second power supply pin of the power supply chip 23, and the control end of the power supply switch is connected to the second microcontroller 21, when the controller 20 detects that the detection port is at a low level, it is considered that the controller accessory 10 is connected. The controller 20 drives the power supply switch to conduct, so as to realize that the power supply chip 23 supplies power to the controller accessory 10 through the second power supply pin and the first power supply pin.

[0068] The present invention has been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Those of ordinary skill in the art can make various variations of the present invention according to the above description. Therefore, certain details in the embodiments should not constitute a limitation to the present invention, and the present invention will take the scope defined by the appended claims as the protection scope.

Claims

1. A controller system for expandable accessories, the controller system for expandable accessories comprising a controller, characterized in that: The controller system of the expandable accessories also includes a controller accessory, and the controller accessory includes: A first microcontroller having a USB host function; A plurality of buttons, wherein the buttons are electrically connected to the first microcontroller; A first TYPE-C male connector, wherein a D+ pin and a D- pin of the first TYPE-C male connector are electrically connected to a D+ pin and a D- pin of the first microcontroller, respectively, and one of an SBU1 pin and an SBU2 pin of the first TYPE-C male connector is used as a first power supply pin to supply power to the controller accessory; The controller comprises: A second microcontroller having a USB slave function; A power chip, wherein the power chip supplies power to the controller; A second TYPE-C female connector, wherein a D+ pin and a D- pin of the second TYPE-C female connector are electrically connected to a D+ pin and a D- pin of the second microcontroller, respectively, a GND pin of the second TYPE-C female connector is electrically connected to a GND pin of the power chip, and a pin among an SBU1 pin and an SBU2 pin of the second TYPE-C female connector corresponding to the first power pin serves as a second power pin, and the second power pin is electrically connected to an output pin of the power chip; An I / O port of the second microcontroller is configured as a detection port in a pull-up input state; the other of the SBU1 pin and the SBU2 pin of the first TYPE-C male connector is grounded as a first detection pin; the pin of the SBU1 pin and the SBU2 pin of the second TYPE-C female connector corresponding to the first detection pin is used as a second detection pin, and the second detection pin is electrically connected to the detection port; The VBUS pin of the second TYPE-C female connector is electrically connected to the input pin of the power chip; The controller accessories also include: A first TYPE-C female connector, a VBUS pin of the first TYPE-C female connector is electrically connected to a VBUS pin of the first TYPE-C male connector, and a GND pin of the first TYPE-C female connector is electrically connected to a GND pin of the first TYPE-C male connector.

2. The controller system of expandable accessories as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: A power switch is provided between the output pin of the power chip and the second power supply pin, and a control end of the power switch is connected to the second microcontroller.

3. The controller system of expandable accessories as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: The power switch is a MOS tube.

4. The controller system of expandable accessories as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The controller accessories also include: A plurality of LEDs are electrically connected to the first microcontroller.

5. The controller system of expandable accessories according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The controller accessories also include: The third microcontroller has a USB slave function. The D+ pin and D- pin of the third microcontroller are electrically connected to the D+ pin and D- pin of the first TYPE-C female connector respectively. The third microcontroller is connected to the first microcontroller and can realize data transmission.

6. The controller system of expandable accessories as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that: The third microcontroller and the first microcontroller perform data transmission via UART or SPI.

7. An interactive method of a controller system, characterized in that: The interaction method comprises: The controller and the controller accessory in the controller system of the expandable accessory described in any one of claims 1 to 6 are connected by plugging the first TYPE-C male connector into the second TYPE-C female connector, the power chip in the controller supplies power to the controller and supplies power to the controller accessory via the second power pin and the first power pin, and data transmission between the controller and the controller accessory is achieved through the USB protocol.

8. The controller system interaction method according to claim 7, characterized in that: The interaction method further comprises: When the controller detects that the detection port is at a low level, it is considered that a controller accessory is connected, and the controller drives the power switch to turn on, so that the power chip supplies power to the controller accessory via the second power pin and the first power pin.

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