Gamepad

Abstract

Gamepad (1) comprising at least one button (2, 3, 4, 5) equipped with a light source (6) and an optical filter (7) having a visible face (8) for a user of the gamepad, the optical filter being intended to filter light rays from the light source, the optical filter being configured to display on its visible face a first symbol and a second symbol different from the first symbol, the first symbol being displayed when said light source is switched on. Figure for abbreviation: Figure 6

Description

Title of the invention: Game controller Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a game controller. State of the prior art

[0002] Game controllers allow you to play video games run by an information processing machine such as a computer, a game console, a tablet or even a Smartphone. The different manufacturers of information processing machines have each adopted different standards to define compatible game controllers. Consequently, the proliferation of information processing machines has also led to a proliferation of game controllers. We thus observe a profusion of electronic equipment, each of which is used relatively infrequently.

[0003] In order to limit this profusion, so-called "universal" game controllers have been proposed, capable of modifying the signals they emit so as to be compatible with different information processing machines. Publication WO2016170512A1 discloses such a game controller. However, these game controllers are not yet satisfactory. Their universal aspect ultimately makes them unfriendly and impractical to use.

[0004] In addition, game controllers must be simple to manufacture and inexpensive in order to remain accessible to everyone. Presentation of the invention

[0005] The aim of the invention is to provide a game controller which overcomes the above drawbacks and improves the game controllers known from the prior art.

[0006] More specifically, a first object of the invention is to propose a universal, inexpensive and user-friendly game controller to use regardless of the information processing machine to which it is connected. Summary of the invention

[0007] The invention relates to a game controller comprising at least one button equipped with a light source and an optical filter provided with a visible face for a user of the controller, the optical filter being intended to filter light rays coming from the light source, the optical filter being configured to display on its visible face a first symbol and a second symbol different from the first symbol, the first symbol being displayed when said light source is switched on.

[0008] The optical filter may be configured to display the second symbol when said light source is off.

[0009] The visible face of the optical filter may comprise a design of the second symbol, and the optical filter may comprise transparent openings arranged according to the first symbol.

[0010] The second symbol can be formed by a set of segments, and:

[0011] - all segments of the second symbol may include trans openings relatives, or

[0012] - all transparent openings of the optical filter can be arranged in segments of the second symbol.

[0013] The light source may be configured to emit light of a first color and to emit light of a second color different from the first color, the optical filter comprising a first zone capable of letting light rays of the first color and of the second color pass through, in particular the first zone being transparent, the optical filter comprising a second zone capable of blocking the light rays of the first color and letting the light rays of the second color pass through.

[0014] The first color may be a yellow color and the second area of ​​the filter may be a blue color. Alternatively, the first color may be a green color and the second area of ​​the filter may be a magenta color. Alternatively, the first color may be a red color and the second area of ​​the filter may be a cyan color.

[0015] The optical filter may comprise a third zone capable of blocking light rays of the second color and allowing light rays of the first color to pass through.

[0016] The first symbol may comprise at least a portion in common with the second symbol.

[0017] The first symbol may be selected from an A, a B, an X, a Y, a square, a triangle, a circle or a cross, and / or the second symbol may be selected from an A, a B, an X, a Y, a square, a triangle, a circle or a cross.

[0018] The at least one button may comprise a first button and a second button, the first symbol of the first button being identical to the second symbol of the second button and / or the second symbol of the first button being identical to the first symbol of the second button.

[0019] The game controller may be configured to transmit control instructions to at least two different information processing machines, the game controller further comprising means for selecting an information processing machine, and means for automatically controlling the lighting of the light source of the at least one button as a function of a selected information processing machine. Presentation of figures

[0020] These objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be explained in detail in the following description of two particular embodiments made without limitation in relation to the attached figures among which:

[0021] [Fig.l] is a schematic perspective view of a game controller according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0022] [Fig.2] is a schematic sectional view of a game controller button

[0023] [Fig.3] is a schematic top view of a first configuration of a set of four gamepad buttons.

[0024] [Fig.4] is a schematic top view of a second configuration of the four button set of the game controller.

[0025] [Fig. 5] is a schematic view of a set of four buttons of the game controller according to a first variant embodiment of the invention, a light source integrated into each of the buttons being extinguished.

[0026] [Fig.6] is a schematic view of the set of four buttons of [Fig.5], with the light sources integrated into each of the buttons illuminated.

[0027] [Fig.7] is a schematic top view of an optical filter of a button of the game controller according to a second variant embodiment of the invention, the optical filter being intended to display an X or a Y.

[0028] [Fig.8] is a schematic top view of an optical filter of a button of the game controller according to the second embodiment of the invention, the optical filter being intended to display an A or a B. Detailed description

[0029] [Fig.l] schematically illustrates a game controller 1 according to one embodiment of the invention. The game controller 1 is a manual control means configured to transmit control commands to an information processing machine such as a computer, a game console, a tablet or even a Smartphone. For this purpose, the game controller comprises a set of interaction means such as buttons, triggers or even joysticks. According to the embodiment illustrated in [Fig.l], the game controller 1 comprises four buttons 2, 3, 4, 5 arranged at the four corners of a square and intended to be actuated with the thumb of the right hand. Alternatively, the number of buttons and their arrangement on the game controller could be different. Each button 2, 3, 4, 5 is movable between a waiting position and a pressed position.It may comprise reminder means configured to keep the button in the waiting position, and means for detecting the pressed position, in particular means for detecting an electrical contact. The game controller 1 is configured to transmit control instructions, in a wired manner. or wirelessly, to an information processing machine following a press on each of its buttons 2, 3, 4, 5.

[0030] Furthermore, the game controller 1 is a so-called "universal" or multipurpose game controller. That is to say, it is configured to transmit control instructions to at least two different information processing machines. In other words, it is compatible with at least two different information processing machines. These two different information processing machines may each have a different standard concerning the form of the digital or analog signals that they perceive. For example, the game controller 1 may be configured to operate with at least two information processing machines among a Nintendo Switch® game console, a Microsoft Xbox® game console, a Sony Playstation® game console, a computer equipped with a Microsoft Windows® operating system or an Apple® mobile phone.Furthermore, the game controller 1 also comprises means for selecting an information processing machine with which it is intended to cooperate. These selection means may be automatic means. In this case, the game controller 1 is capable of autonomously detecting and identifying the information processing machine with which it is connected. Alternatively, these selection means may also be manual means. In this case, the game controller advantageously comprises an interface allowing a user to select the information processing machine with which the game controller is intended to cooperate from among several choices.

[0031] The four buttons 2, 3, 4, 5 can be designed in the same way. Thus, we will now focus on describing button 2, illustrated schematically in [Fig.2]. Button 2 comprises a light source 6 and an optical filter 7. Optical filter 7 comprises an apparent face 8, visible to a user of the controller. Optical filter 7 is positioned so as to be crossed by light rays R from light source 6. Preferably, light source 6 is positioned under the center of optical filter 7. Alternatively, light source 6 could also be offset to one side of optical filter 7 as long as the light rays emitted by the light source can reach and pass through optical filter 7. Light source 6 can be fixed integrally to button 2 or fixed integrally to a body of game controller 1.

[0032] The game controller 1 further comprises a means 9 for controlling the switching on of the light source 6. The control means 9 is linked to the selection means mentioned above so as to control the switching on of the light source 6 according to the selection of a given information processing machine.

[0033] The optical filter 7 is a passive element. It does not require any power supply to operate. The visible face 8 of the optical filter 7 may be an external face of the button 2, intended to come into contact with the fingers of the user of the game controller. Alternatively, the optical filter 7 can be covered by a transparent external layer, for example made of varnish or transparent plastic.

[0034] Thanks to the combination of the light source 6 and the optical filter 7, the button 2 is able to display, as desired, a first symbol or a second symbol, different from the first symbol, on the visible face 8. The appearance of the button 2 can thus be modified. This makes it possible to configure the game controller so that the symbols displayed on each of the buttons 2, 3, 4, 5 correspond to the symbols recommended by the manufacturer of the information processing machine to which the game controller is connected. With reference to the symbols commonly represented on game controller buttons, each of the two symbols can be chosen from an A, a B, an X, a Y, a square, a triangle, a circle or a cross. Alternatively, any other form of symbol or pictogram could be envisaged. The first symbol and the second symbol can both be displayed in the center of the visible face.They may comprise at least one common portion, that is to say that there may exist at least one point of the apparent face 8 which belongs to both the first symbol and the second symbol. Each of the two symbols may thus occupy a significant surface area of ​​the apparent face. The two symbols do not occupy two distinct areas of the apparent face 8.

[0035] According to the example illustrated in [Fig. 3], the four buttons 2, 3, 4, 5 of the game controller 1 can thus be configured so that an X is represented on the top button, a B on the bottom button, a Y is on the left button, and an A on the right button. Such a configuration corresponds to the arrangement conventionally used for game controllers compatible with Nintendo Switch® game consoles. According to the example illustrated in [Fig. 4], the four buttons 2, 3, 4, 5 of the same game controller 1 can be transformed so that a Y is represented on the top button, an A on the bottom button, an X is on the left button, and a B on the right button. Such a configuration corresponds to the arrangement conventionally used for game controllers compatible with Microsoft Xbox® game consoles.The user therefore benefits from a game controller whose appearance is adapted to the information processing machine he is using. This is particularly useful when the software running on the information processing machine suggests pressing a button including a given symbol to perform a particular action. The user can then directly observe the buttons on his game controller to determine which button to press.

[0036] Figures 5 and 6 illustrate in more detail a first embodiment of the invention. According to this embodiment, the buttons 2, 3, 4 and 5 are configured so as to display a first symbol when the light source is on, and so as to display a second symbol, different from the first symbol when the light source is off. [Fig.5] illustrates the configuration of the four buttons 2, 3, 4, 5 when their respective light source is off. In this configuration, the symbols B, A, X and Y are respectively displayed on buttons 2, 3, 4 and 5, as in [Fig.3]. [Fig.6] illustrates the configuration of the four buttons 2, 3, 4, 5 when their respective light source is on. In this configuration, the symbols A, B, Y and X are respectively displayed on buttons 2, 3, 4 and 5, as in [Fig.4]. The A are therefore replaced by B and vice versa. The X are replaced by Y and vice versa.

[0037] According to this first embodiment, the visible face 8 of the optical filter 7 comprises a drawing 10 of the second symbol, that is to say a graphic representation of the second symbol. The drawing 10 can be produced by applying one or more layers of colors on the optical filter 7. The drawing 10 can be, for example, produced with a light color (represented in white in FIGS. 5 and 6), in particular white, on a background of a darker color (represented as a hatched surface in FIGS. 5 and 6), in particular black. The drawing 10 can be produced, for example, by applying a uniform layer of paint to the visible face 8 of the optical filter 7 and locally removing this layer of paint with a laser.

[0038] Furthermore, the optical filter 7 comprises a set of transparent openings 11 arranged according to the first symbol. When the light source 6 is switched on, the light rays R coming from the light source can pass through the optical filter 7 by passing through the openings 11. The light rays incident on the optical filter 7 outside the openings 11 are reflected or absorbed by the optical filter 7.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the optical filter 7 comprises a transparent substrate on which the design is formed. The openings 11 are then holes formed in the design and uncover the transparent substrate. These holes can be formed by means of a laser, so as to obtain openings of very small dimensions. According to another embodiment, the substrate of the optical filter 7 could also be made of opaque material and be pierced at the level of the openings 11.

[0040] The optical filter 7 is therefore configured to carry out spatial filtration of the light rays coming from the light source 6: the light rays incident at the openings 11 pass through the optical filter 7 and can be visible to the user of the game controller. The light rays incident between the openings 11 are reflected or absorbed either by the substrate of the optical filter if it is opaque, or by the design 10 when the substrate is transparent. These rays are therefore not visible to the user of the game controller.

[0041] The dimensions of the openings 11 are sufficiently fine to be invisible or barely visible to the naked eye when the light source 6 is switched off. The openings 11 can be, for example, rectangles with sides measuring between 0.1mm and 0.4mm inclusive.

[0042] Advantageously, the light source 6 when it is switched off or a background of the light source 6 which would possibly be visible through the openings 11 has a color close to the color of the design at the level of the openings concerned, which makes the openings even less perceptible to the naked eye.

[0043] When the light source 6 is switched on, as shown in [Fig. 6], light rays are diffused by each of the openings 11 which then form as many very clearly visible light points. The power of the light source 6 is such that the openings 11 become much brighter than the design 10. Although still present, the design 10 then becomes much less perceptible than the openings 11. The first symbol is then much better visible than the second symbol and the user only perceives the first symbol.

[0044] Advantageously, each second symbol can be represented by a set of segments 12 connected to each other only by at least one of their ends. For example, as can be seen in [Fig. 5], the A comprises six segments, the B comprises seven segments, the X comprises four segments, and the Y comprises three segments. It can be seen on the button 3 that the six segments of the A comprise openings 11. Similarly, it can be seen on the button 5 that the three segments of the Y comprise openings 11. Conversely, all the openings 11 of the optical filter of the button 2 are arranged in segments forming the symbol B. Similarly, all the openings 11 of the optical filter of the button 4 are arranged in segments forming the symbol X. Thus, the first symbol and the second symbol are superimposed as much as possible. Such an arrangement makes it possible to improve the visibility of the first symbol or the second symbol.Indeed, when the light source 6 is switched off, the openings 11 are harmoniously integrated into the design 10 of the second symbol so that they become very barely visible. Similarly, when the light source 6 is switched on, the design 10 is harmoniously integrated into the openings 11 which have become illuminated, so that it becomes very barely visible.

[0045] Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention. In order to simplify the description, the same references are used for the description of the second embodiment as for the description of the first embodiment, and only the differences with respect to the first embodiment are described.

[0046] According to this second embodiment, the light source 6 is configured to emit light of a first color and to emit light of a second color different from the first color. The light source 6 may, for example, comprise two light-emitting diodes whose ignition is controlled by the control means 9 by adapting an electrical voltage across the terminals of the light source. Alternatively, the light source 6 may also comprise two light-emitting diodes individually controlled by the control means 9. The first color and the second color may be chosen from all the colors of the visible spectrum, in particular violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange and red. The first color and the second color are sufficiently different from each other to implement the invention. For example, the difference in wavelength between the first color and the second color may be at least 10 nm, or even at least 50 nm, or even at least 100 nm.

[0047] The optical filter 7 comprises a first zone 13 capable of letting through light rays of the first color and the second color. In particular, the first zone may be a transparent zone. The optical filter 7 also comprises a second zone 14 capable of blocking the light rays of the first color and letting through the light rays of the second color. For example, the first color of the light source may be a yellow color and the second zone of the filter may be blue. Alternatively, the first color of the light source may be a green color and the second zone of the filter may be magenta. Alternatively, the first color of the light source may be a red color and the second zone of the filter may be cyan.Generally speaking, the second zone of the filter can be chosen in a complementary color to the first color of the light source 6 according to the theory of subtractive synthesis. The second color of the light source 6 can be the same color as the second zone 14 of the optical filter 7.

[0048] When the light source 6 emits light rays of the second color, the light rays pass through the first zone 13 and the second zone 14. This results in the display of a first symbol formed by the union of the two zones 13 and 14. When the light source 6 emits light rays of the first color, the light rays pass through the first zone 13 but not the second zone 14. This results in the display of a second symbol formed solely by the first zone 13.

[0049] According to this second embodiment, the optical filter 7 is therefore configured to carry out wavelength filtration of the light rays coming from the light source 6 and is based on the principle of subtractive color synthesis.

[0050] According to the example illustrated in [Fig.7], it is thus possible to display either an X or a Y, simply by varying the color emitted by the light source. We benefit not only from a different symbol but also from a different color, which makes it possible to differentiate the two display configurations even better. In this first example, one of the symbols (in this case the Y symbol) is included in the other symbol (in this case the X), which makes it possible to envisage a fairly simple optical filter 7 comprising only two different zones.

[0051] According to the example illustrated in [Fig. 8], the optical filter 7 comprises the first zone 13 and the second zone 14 as defined previously, but also a third zone 15 capable of blocking the light rays of the second color and allowing the light rays of the first color to pass. This embodiment makes it possible to display two different symbols when neither of these two symbols is included in the other symbol. The first zone 13 corresponds to the common portions of the first symbol and the second symbol. The second zone 14 corresponds to the portions of the first symbol not included in the second symbol. The third zone 15 corresponds to the portions of the second symbol not included in the first symbol. When the light source 6 emits light rays of the first color, the light rays pass through the first zone 13 and the third zone 15 but not the second zone 14. According to the example of [Fig.8], we can thus obtain the display of an A. When the light source 6 emits light rays of the second color, the light rays pass through the first zone 13 and the second zone 14 but not the third zone 15. We can thus obtain the display of a B. .

[0052] The first color of the light rays may be green and the second color of the light rays may be red. The second area 14 may then be magenta in color and the third area 15 may be cyan in color. Alternatively, other color combinations according to the theory of subtractive synthesis could be proposed.

[0053] Finally, when a user uses the game controller 1, it can first be paired with an information processing machine. To do this, the information processing machine intended to cooperate with the game controller is manually or automatically selected. Following this selection, the control means 9 automatically controls the switching on of the light source 6. If the game controller is equipped with buttons according to the first embodiment, the control means 9 simply controls the switching on or off of each light source. If the game controller is equipped with buttons according to the second embodiment, the control means 9 defines the color of the light source of each button. Following this control of the light source, the first symbol or the second symbol appears on the visible face 8 of each button.This allows the appearance of the game controller to be modified depending on the data processing machine to which it is connected. However, the game controller buttons remain very simple to manufacture.

Claims

Claims

1. Game controller (1) comprising at least one button (2, 3, 4, 5) equipped with a light source (6) and an optical filter (7) provided with a visible face (8) for a user of the controller, the optical filter being intended to filter light rays coming from the light source, the optical filter being configured to display on its visible face a first symbol and a second symbol different from the first symbol, the first symbol being displayed when said light source is on, the optical filter (7) being configured to display the second symbol when said light source is off, the visible face (8) of the optical filter (7) comprising a drawing of the second symbol, the optical filter comprising transparent openings (11) arranged according to the first symbol, the second symbol being formed by a set of segments (12), and: - all the segments of the second symbol comprise transparent openings,or - all transparent openings of the optical filter are arranged in segments of the second symbol.,

2. Game controller (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first symbol comprises at least one portion in common with the second symbol.

3. Game controller (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first symbol is chosen from an A, a B, an X, a Y, a square, a triangle, a circle or a cross, and / or in that the second symbol is chosen from an A, a B, an X, a Y, a square, a triangle, a circle or a cross.

4. Game controller (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one button (2, 3, 4, 5) comprises a first button (2, 4) and a second button (3, 5), the first symbol of the first button being identical to the second symbol of the second button and / or the second symbol of the first button being identical to the first symbol of the second button.

5. Game controller (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is configured to transmit control instructions to at least two different information processing machines, the game controller further comprising means for selecting an information processing machine, and means for automatic control (8) of the switching on of the light source (6) of the at least one button (2, 3, 4, 5) depending on a selected information processing machine.

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