Gamepad

Abstract

Disclosed in the present application is a gamepad, comprising a gamepad body, a detection tube, and an operation bar, wherein the gamepad body is connected to the detection tube; a limit switch is provided beside either of the two tube openings of the detection tube; the operation bar is inserted into the detection tube and can move in the direction of the two tube openings of the detection tube; a switch trigger device is provided on the operating bar; and a control unit in the gamepad body controls a video game on the basis of electrical signals sent by the limit switches. The user of the gamepad of the present application can control the direction by means of the overall movement of the hand, and can also conveniently operate both a direction control device and a motion control device.

Description

Game controller Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of electronic computer and video game control, and in particular to a game controller capable of controlling the direction by moving the user's hand as a whole. Background Art

[0002] Game controllers are another common computer and video game control device. Figures 1 and 2 illustrate two common types of game controllers in the prior art: a one-handed game controller and a two-handed game controller. Both types share a common input device: a joystick and buttons. The game controller in Figure 2 includes two joysticks, one on the left and one on the right. Players primarily control video games using these two input devices, resulting in several significant drawbacks to prior art game controllers. First, they can only be controlled via the joystick and buttons, resulting in a relatively monotonous control scheme. Second, the direction control and motion control devices are difficult to use simultaneously. The joystick on a game controller is typically used to control the direction of the game character, while the buttons are typically used to control the character's movements. The right joystick and the buttons on the right side of the game controller rely on the user's right thumb to control both devices. This makes it difficult for players to simultaneously control the direction and movements of the game character, hindering their performance. Third, the thumb is burdened with fatigue due to prolonged gaming, which can lead to tendonitis and other strain injuries.

[0003] The game controller of the present application is produced under such background.

[0004] Application Contents

[0005] The purpose of this application is to provide a game controller that can have more control methods.

[0006] Another object of the present application is to provide a game controller that can conveniently operate a direction control device and a motion control device at the same time.

[0007] Another object of the present application is to provide a game controller that is not prone to fatigue when used for a long time, thereby avoiding the incidence of strain.

[0008] Another object of the present application is to provide a game controller that can be controlled by the overall movement of the user's hand.

[0009] Another object of the present application is to provide a game controller, comprising a handle body, a detection tube, and an operation bar.

[0010] Another object of the present application is to provide a game controller that can control video games by moving an operation bar.

[0011] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present application provides a game controller, including a handle body, a detection tube, and an operation bar; the handle body includes a shell, an input device arranged on the shell, and a circuit board arranged in the shell; a control unit is provided on the circuit board, and the input device is electrically connected to the control unit; the detection tube is connected to the shell; a limit switch is provided next to each of the two tube openings of the detection tube; the limit switch is electrically connected to the control unit; the operation bar is inserted into the detection tube and can move along the two tube openings of the detection tube; and at least one switch trigger device is provided on the operation bar.

[0012] In one embodiment of the game controller of the present application, there are two limit switches.

[0013] In one embodiment of the game controller of the present application, the limit switch is a magnetic induction switch, and the switch triggering device is a magnetic element.

[0014] In one embodiment of the game controller of the present application, the limit switch is a photoelectric switch.

[0015] In one embodiment of the game controller of the present application, the limit switch is a mechanical switch, and the switch triggering device is a block.

[0016] In one embodiment of the game controller of the present application, the limit switch is a Hall sensor.

[0017] In one embodiment of the game handle of the present application, the detection tube is rotatably connected to the handle body.

[0018] In one embodiment of the game controller of the present application, the connection between the detection tube and the handle body is a universal connection.

[0019] In one embodiment of the game controller of the present application, the detection tube is rotatably connected to the shell.

[0020] In one embodiment of the game controller of the present application, it also includes a second handle body, which includes a shell, a second button module arranged on the shell, and a second circuit board arranged in the shell; a second control unit is provided on the second circuit board, and the second button module and the second control unit are electrically connected; the shell is connected to one end of the operating element.

[0021] The present application also provides a game controller, including a handle body, a detection tube, an operation bar, and a second handle body; the handle body includes a shell, an input device arranged on the shell, and a circuit board arranged in the shell; a control unit is provided on the circuit board, and the input device is electrically connected to the control unit; the detection tube is connected to the shell; a limit switch is provided at each of the two tube openings of the detection tube; the limit switch is electrically connected to the control unit; the operation bar is inserted into the detection tube and can move along the two tube openings of the detection tube; at least one switch trigger device is provided on the operation bar; the second handle body includes an outer shell, a second button module arranged on the outer shell, and a second circuit board arranged in the outer shell; a second control unit is provided on the second circuit board, and the second button module and the second control unit are electrically connected; the shell is connected to one end of the operating element.

[0022] The present application also provides a game controller, comprising a handle, a detection tube, an operation bar, a second handle, a second detection tube, and a second operation bar; the handle comprises a shell, an input device disposed on the shell, and a circuit board disposed within the shell; a control unit is disposed on the circuit board, and the input device is electrically connected to the control unit; the detection tube is connected to the shell; a limit switch is disposed at each of the two nozzles of the detection tube; the limit switch is electrically connected to the control unit; the operation bar is inserted into the detection tube and can move along the two nozzles of the detection tube; the operation bar is provided with at least one switch triggering device; the second handle comprises an outer shell, a second key module disposed on the outer shell, and a second circuit board disposed within the outer shell; a second control unit is disposed on the second circuit board, and the second key module is electrically connected to the second control unit; the second detection tube is connected to the shell; a limit switch is disposed at each of the two nozzles of the second detection tube; the limit switch is electrically connected to the second control unit; the second operation bar is inserted into the second detection tube and can move along the two nozzles of the second detection tube; the second operation bar has at least one switch triggering device; and the operation bar is vertically connected to the second operation bar.

[0023] In one embodiment of the game controller of the present application, one end of the operation bar is vertically connected to one end of the second operation bar.

[0024] In one embodiment of the game controller of the present application, there are two switch trigger devices on the operation bar.

[0025] The game controller of the present application adds a detection tube and an operation bar to existing game controllers. Video games can be controlled by moving the operation bar within the detection tube, which has multiple beneficial effects. First, the game controller's operation methods are more diverse. Second, the overall movement of the hand controls the direction, and the thumb controls the buttons. In video games, the direction and movement of the game character can be controlled simultaneously. Third, the control that originally required the thumb can now be completed by the overall movement of the user's hand, reducing the burden on the thumb, avoiding strain problems such as tendonitis, and allowing players to play games more healthily. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] FIG1 shows a one-handed game controller in the prior art.

[0027] FIG2 shows a two-handed game controller in the prior art.

[0028] FIG3 is an embodiment of the game controller of the present application.

[0029] FIG4 shows the detection tube and operation bar of the game controller of the present application.

[0030] Figure 5 shows how the photoelectric limit switch is installed on the detection tube.

[0031] Figure 6 shows how the mechanical limit switch is installed on the detection tube.

[0032] FIG7 is a side view of the detection tube and the operating strip, illustrating how the guide wheel is installed in the detection tube.

[0033] FIG8 is a side view of an embodiment of the game controller of the present application.

[0034] FIG9 is a top view of an embodiment of the game controller of the present application.

[0035] FIG10 shows a game controller in which the detection tube and the handle body are connected via a universal connector.

[0036] FIG. 11 shows a game controller having two handles.

[0037] FIG12 shows a game controller having two handles, two detection tubes, and two operation bars.

[0038] FIG13 shows how to use the game controller in FIG12 .

[0039] Figure 14 shows a game controller with only one switch trigger device on each operation bar. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Below, the present application will be further described through specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the embodiments are only examples of optional implementation methods of the present application. The features disclosed therein are only used to illustrate and explain the technical solutions of the present application and are not used to limit the scope of protection of the present application.

[0041] Those skilled in the art should understand that, in the disclosure of this application, the terms "longitudinal", "lateral", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "longitudinal", "lateral", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", etc., indicating the orientation or position relationship, are based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, which are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, the above terms should not be understood as limiting this application.

[0042] The present application provides a game controller, including a handle body, a detection tube, and an operation bar; the handle body includes a shell, an input device arranged on the shell, and a circuit board arranged in the shell; a control unit is provided on the circuit board, and the input device is electrically connected to the control unit; the detection tube is connected to the shell; a limit switch is provided at each of the two tube openings of the detection tube; the operation bar is inserted into the detection tube and can move along the two tube openings of the detection tube; and a switch trigger device is provided on the operation bar.

[0043] The input device is selected from one or both of a joystick module and a key module; the input device allows a user to input a control signal (both the joystick module and the key module are referred to as control signals); the control signal is transmitted to a control unit; and the control unit controls a host computer based on the control signal. The control unit can be a single-chip microcomputer; preferably, in this embodiment, an STMicroelectronics STM32F407 chip is used as the control unit. The control unit is responsible for overall circuit control and bridges the host computer. The control unit can be connected to a host computer to enable signal transmission.

[0044] As shown in Figure 3, the game controller of the present application includes a handle 100, a detection tube 106, and an operation bar 301. The handle 100 includes a housing 101, an input device disposed on the housing 101, and a circuit board within the housing 101. The housing 101 is shaped so as to be suitable for single-handed grip. Preferably, the input device comprises a joystick module and a key module. The joystick module is disposed on the housing 101 and includes a joystick 102 on the surface of the housing 101 and a joystick base within the housing 101. The joystick base is disposed on a circuit board within the housing 101. The STM32F407, serving as a control unit, is also disposed on the circuit board. The joystick module is electrically connected to the control unit via the circuit board. The key module includes a key 103 disposed on the surface of the housing 101 and a portion disposed on the circuit board within the housing 101. The key module is electrically connected to the control unit via the circuit board. Both the joystick 102 and the key 103 are disposed on the upper surface of the housing 101. The detection tube 106 is connected to the upper portion of the housing 101, and the operation bar 301 is disposed within the detection tube.

[0045] The appearance of the detection tube 106 and the operating strip 301 after being separated is shown in Figure 4. The detection tube 106 is a rectangular tube with a tube opening 1062 at each end. The tube opening 1062 is square, and an internal channel is formed between the two tube openings. The operating strip 301 is a rectangular strip as a whole, with a square cross-section and slightly smaller than the tube opening 1062 of the detection tube 106, so that the operating strip 301 can move inside the detection tube 106 along the two tube openings of the detection tube 106, and the movement direction is shown by the arrow in Figure 1.

[0046] As can be seen in Figures 3, 4, and 5, a limit switch is provided next to each opening of the detection tube 106: a left limit switch 1066 and a right limit switch 1067. Both limit switches are electrically connected to the control unit. As shown in Figure 3, the left limit switch 1066 is connected to the circuit board in the housing 101 via a cable 1071, thereby achieving electrical connection to the control unit on the circuit board. The right limit switch 1067 is electrically connected to the circuit board in the housing 101 via a cable 1072. The two limit switches are used to limit the position of the operating bar 301 within the internal channel of the detection tube 106. The limit switches are triggered when the operating bar 301 moves to a specified position.

[0047] There is a switch trigger device at each end of the operation bar 301, namely the left end trigger device 3012 and the right end trigger device 3013. The two switch trigger devices are used to trigger the two limit switches on the detection tube 106.

[0048] In one embodiment of the game controller of the present application, the two limit switches on the detection tube are magnetic induction switches that can output electrical signals after sensing a magnetic field. Preferably, the magnetic induction switches are Hall effect sensors. The two switch triggering devices on the operation bar are magnetic elements, preferably magnets.

[0049] The game controller of the present application allows the user to control the game character in the video game by controlling the operating elements. For example, the host controlled by the game controller is a PC, which drives a screen on which the game character is displayed. The control unit of the game controller is connected to the PC via a USB cable. The method of using the game controller in Figure 3 is that the user holds the handle body with his left hand and holds the right end of the operation bar 301 with his right hand. At this time, the operation bar is pulled to the right until the left end trigger device (preferably a magnet) 3012 approaches the left end limit switch 1066. The Hall sensor serving as the left end limit switch senses the magnetic field of the magnet and generates an electrical signal. The electrical signal is output to the control unit. The control unit sends a signal to the host based on the electrical signal (referred to as a direction signal in this specification). After receiving the direction signal, the host drives the character on the screen to move to the right according to the pre-set setting. At this time, the user pushes the operating bar 301 to the left, and the left-end trigger device 3012 is separated from the left-end limit switch 1066, and the right-end trigger device 3013 is close to the right-end limit switch 1067. The Hall sensor, which serves as the right-end limit switch, generates an electrical signal based on the magnetic field of the right-end trigger device (preferably a magnet) 3013 sensed and transmits it to the control unit. The control unit sends a direction signal to the host according to the electrical signal. After receiving the direction signal, the host drives the character on the screen to move to the left according to the pre-set setting. The user controls the direction of movement of the game character on the screen by pulling the operating bar 301 left and right. The user can also trigger the limit switch and control the game character by holding the operating bar with his right hand still and moving the left hand holding the handle 100 to the left or right.

[0050] In one embodiment of the game controller of the present application, the two limit switches on the detection tube are photoelectric switches. Preferably, as shown in Figure 5, a photoelectric switch 1068 is provided next to each tube opening of the detection tube 106. Each photoelectric switch 1068 includes an infrared emitting tube 1068a and an infrared receiving component 1068b. The infrared receiving component 1068b is capable of receiving the infrared light emitted by the infrared emitting tube 1068a. The limit switch triggering device on the operation bar 301 is a stopper. As shown in Figure 5, the stopper 3014 is rectangular and located at the two ends of the operation bar 301. When the user pulls the operation bar 301 to the right, the stopper 3014 located at the left end of the operation bar 301 will move closer to the photoelectric switch 1068 at the left end of the detection tube until it blocks the light emitted by the infrared emitting tube 1068a. If the infrared receiving component 1068b cannot receive the infrared light, the photoelectric switch 1068 will send an electrical signal to the control unit, and the control unit will send a direction signal to the host computer based on the electrical signal. Similarly, if the user pushes the operating bar 301 to the left, the block at the right end of the operating bar 301 will trigger the photoelectric switch on the right end of the detection tube to output an electrical signal to the control unit, and the control unit will send a direction signal to the host according to the electrical signal.

[0051] In one embodiment of the game controller of the present application, the two limit switches on the detection tube are mechanical switches. As shown in Figure 6, a mechanical switch 1069 is provided near each of the two tube openings of the detection tube 106. Each mechanical switch has a button 1069a. A stopper 3014 is provided at each end of the operation bar 301. When the user pulls the operation bar 301 left or right, the stopper 3014 presses the button of one of the mechanical switches, thereby triggering the mechanical switch 1069 to send an electrical signal to the control unit, which then sends a direction signal to the host computer based on the electrical signal.

[0052] In one embodiment of the game controller of the present application, the detection tube 106 is also provided with guide wheels. As shown in Figure 7, there are four guide wheels 1064, which are arranged next to the internal channel 1065 of the detection tube 106. Each guide wheel 1064 has an axis at the center, which is connected to the detection tube 106. The guide wheels 1064 can rotate on this axis. After the operating bar 301 is inserted into the internal channel 1065, each guide wheel 1064 is exactly in contact with the operating bar 301. When the positioning bar 301 moves in the internal channel 1065, it drives the guide wheels 1064 to rotate. This can change the friction between the operating bar 301 and the internal channel 1065 from sliding friction to rolling friction, making it easier and smoother for the user to control the operating bar 301. In this embodiment, the guide wheels 1064 are located on both sides of the internal channel 1065. In one embodiment of the game controller of the present application, the detection tube is provided with guide wheels. There are two guide wheels, which are arranged on one side of the internal channel.

[0053] In one embodiment of the game controller of the present application, the detection tube is rotatably connected to the handle body. As shown in Figure 8, the upper portion of the housing 101 has a protruding mounting portion 1011 with a mounting hole. A connecting shaft 1012 extends downward from the bottom middle section of the detection tube 106. The downward end of the connecting shaft 1012 is inserted into the mounting hole of the mounting portion 1011 and can rotate within the mounting hole. Figure 8 is a side view of one embodiment of the game controller of the present application.

[0054] This connection allows the detection tube 106 to rotate horizontally about the connecting shaft 1012. The rotational direction is shown in Figure 9, which is a top view of the game controller in Figure 8. When the detection tube 106 is fixedly connected to the handle 100, the user's hand controlling the operation bar 301 must be directly to the side of the handle. However, when the detection tube 106 is rotatably connected to the handle 100, the user's hand controlling the operation bar 301 can move within a wider range to the side of the handle 100, increasing user flexibility and comfort.

[0055] In one embodiment of the game controller of the present application, the connection between the detection tube and the handle body is a universal connection. Specifically, the detection tube 106 and the housing 101 are connected by a universal connector. As shown in Figure 10, the front end of the housing 101 is connected to the middle position of the detection tube 106 by a universal connector. The universal connector includes a ball socket 120 fixed in the middle of the detection tube 106 and a ball head 121 fixed at the front end of the housing 101. One end of the ball head 121 is inserted into the ball socket and can rotate in any direction within the ball socket. Preferably, in this embodiment, the input device is a key module, which includes a key 103 provided on the surface of the housing 101 and a key circuit within the housing, and the key circuit is electrically connected to the control unit. When the detection tube can only rotate horizontally, the user can only control it by pulling the operation bar left and right. The universal connection between the detection tube and the handle body provides users with more control options. For example, if we need to control the movement of a game character on the screen, we can stand the detection tube upright and control the character's movement by moving the operation bar up and down, which is more intuitive.

[0056] In one embodiment of the game controller of the present application, a second handle is added. As shown in Figure 11, the second handle 200 includes a housing 201, a second button module disposed on the housing 201, and a second circuit board disposed within the housing 201. A second control unit is provided on the second circuit board, and the second button module is electrically connected to the second control unit. The second button module includes a second button 203 disposed on the surface of the housing 201 and a button circuit within the housing 203, which is electrically connected to the second control unit. The second control unit is used to bridge the gap between the host computer and signal transmission. The user inputs control signals through the second button module, and the second control unit transmits these control signals to the host computer for control. To use the game controller of this embodiment, the user grasps the housing 100 with their left hand and the second handle 200 with their right hand. The host computer can be controlled by moving either hand. The addition of the second handle allows the user to control the console via buttons on the second handle, improving controllability. Furthermore, while the user's right hand can control the direction of the on-screen game character by moving the operation bar left or right, they can also control the on-screen character's movements by pressing buttons on the second handle with their right thumb. Compared with the game controller in the prior art where the joystick buttons are all controlled by the thumb, the game experience and control performance are greatly improved.

[0057] In one embodiment of the game controller of the present application, the operating bar includes a single switch trigger device. For example, the operating bar in FIG4 retains only a single magnetic element, or the operating bars in FIG5 and FIG6 retain only a single block. A game controller with only a single switch trigger device on the operating bar can be used alone to control a video game in a single direction. Alternatively, it can be used in combination with a game controller having two switch trigger devices, as described below.

[0058] In one embodiment of the game controller of the present application, as shown in Figure 12, it includes a handle body 100, a detection tube 106, an operation bar 301, a second handle body 200, a second detection tube 206, and a second operation bar 401; the handle body 100 includes a shell 101, an input device arranged on the shell, and a circuit board arranged in the shell; a control unit is provided on the circuit board, and the input device is electrically connected to the control unit; the detection tube 106 is connected to the shell 101; a limit switch is provided at each end of the two tube openings of the detection tube 106; the left end limit switch 1066 and the right end limit switch 1067 are respectively electrically connected to the control unit; the operation bar 301 is inserted into the detection tube 106 and can move along the two tube openings of the detection tube 106; two switch trigger devices are provided on the operation bar 301; the left end trigger device 3012 is located at the left end position of the operation bar 301 and the right end position of the operation bar 301 is located at the right end position of the operation bar 301. The second handle includes a housing 201, a second button module 203 provided on the housing, and a second circuit board provided in the housing; a second control unit is provided on the second circuit board, and the second button module and the second control unit are electrically connected; the second detection tube 206 is connected to the housing 203; a limit switch is provided at each end of the two tube openings of the second detection tube 206; the upper limit switch 1068 and the lower limit switch 1069 are respectively electrically connected to the second control unit through cables; the second operation bar 401 is inserted into the second detection tube 206 and can move along the two tube openings of the second detection tube 206; a switch trigger device is provided on the second operation bar 401, which is a bottom trigger device 3015; the right end of the operation bar 301 is connected to the upper end of the second operation bar 401, and the operation bar 301 and the second operation bar 401 are in a vertical relationship.

[0059] Preferably, the three switch triggering devices on the game controller are magnetic elements. The four limit switches are Hall sensors. The right limit switch 1067 and the upper limit switch 1068 can both be triggered by the right end triggering device 3013.

[0060] The method of using this game controller is as follows: the user holds the handle 100 in the left hand and does not move it, while holding the handle 200 with the right hand and moving it left and right to control the game character on the screen to move left or right; holding the handle 200 and moving it up and down to control the game character on the screen to move up or down. If the handle 200 is moved diagonally, both limit switches can be triggered simultaneously. For example, if the user holds the handle and moves it to the upper right, the left limit switch 1066 and the upper limit switch 1068 will be triggered, resulting in the game character on the screen moving to the upper right. A game controller with a single detection tube and operation bar can only control two directions, while a game controller with two detection tubes and operation bars can control multiple directions, thereby increasing game performance. The method of using the game controller of this embodiment is shown in Figure 13.

[0061] In the game controller of this embodiment, if the limit switches are mechanical switches, each operating bar can have only one switch triggering device. As shown in Figure 14, the two limit switches on each detection tube are mechanical switches. The left end of the operating bar 301 has a left end stopper 3018, and the bottom end of the second operating bar has a lower end stopper 3019. These two stops serve as the switch triggering devices.

[0062] The game controller of the present application can control various electronic computers, including but not limited to PCs, video game consoles, tablet computers, and smartphones.

[0063]

Claims

1. A game handle, characterized in that: It includes a handle body, a detection tube, and an operation strip; the handle body includes a shell, an input device arranged on the shell, and a circuit board arranged in the shell; a control unit is arranged on the circuit board, and the input device is electrically connected to the control unit; the detection tube is connected to the shell; a limit switch is respectively arranged beside the two tube openings of the detection tube; the limit switch is electrically connected to the control unit; the operation strip is inserted into the detection tube and can move along the two tube openings of the detection tube; at least one switch trigger device is arranged on the operation strip.

2. The game handle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The detection tube is rotatably connected to the shell.

3. The game handle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The limit switch is a magnetic induction switch, and the switch trigger device is a magnetic element.

4. The game handle according to claim 1, wherein: The limit switch is a photoelectric switch, and the switch trigger device is a stopper.

5. The game handle according to claim 1, wherein: The limit switch is a mechanical switch, and the switch trigger device is a stopper.

6. The game handle according to claim 1, wherein: The limit switch is a Hall sensor, and the switch trigger device is a magnet.

7. The game handle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The detection tube is provided with a guide wheel, and the guide wheel is arranged beside the internal channel of the detection tube.

8. The game handle according to claim 1, wherein: The connection mode between the detection tube and the shell is a universal connection mode.

9. A game controller, comprising a housing, an input device disposed on the housing, a circuit board disposed in the housing, and a control unit, wherein the input device is electrically connected to the control unit; characterized in that: It also includes a detection tube and an operation strip; the detection tube is connected to the shell; a limit switch is provided next to each of the two tube openings of the detection tube; the limit switch is electrically connected to the control unit; the operation strip is inserted into the detection tube and can move along the two tube openings of the detection tube; and at least one switch trigger device is provided on the operation strip.

10. The game handle according to claim 9, characterized in that: The detection tube is rotatably connected to the shell.

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