SEPARABLE GAME CONTROLLER

• US 20120088582A1
• Filed: 12/03/2010
• Published: 04/12/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Primax Electronics Limited
• Original Assignee: Primax Electronics Limited
• Inventors: Wu, Chun-Che, Su, Chun-Nan, Chou, Shu-Wei
• Application Number:
  US12/960,250
• Publication Number:
  US 20120088582A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/37
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/428 involving motion or position input signals, e.g. signals representing the rotation of an input controller or a player's arm motions sensed by accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/5255 according to dedicated instructions from a player, e.g. using a secondary joystick to rotate the camera around a player's character
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/105 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes

Abstract

A separable game controller includes a first handle, a second handle and a fixing member. The second handle includes a first sensor, a second sensor and a first controlling unit. The first controlling unit is electrically connected with the first sensor and the second sensor. The first sensor is used for sensing whether the first handle and the second handle are separated from each other. When the first handle and the second handle are separated from each other, the first sensor generates a first signal. When the first signal is received by the first controlling unit, the second sensor is enabled by the first controlling unit to generate a second signal. According to the second signal, a displacement of the second handle is sensed by the second sensor.

Claims

1. A separable game controller, comprising:

a first handle comprising a direction button;

a second handle comprising;

an operating button;

a first sensor for sensing whether said first handle and said second handle are separated from each other, wherein when said first handle and said second handle are separated from each other, said first sensor generates a first signal;

a second sensor disposed within said second handle for sensing a displacement of said second handle; and

a first controlling unit electrically connected with said first sensor and said second sensor, wherein when said first signal is received by said first controlling unit, said second sensor is enabled by said first controlling unit to generate a second signal; and

a fixing member for connecting said first handle with said second handle.

2. The separable game controller according to claim 1 wherein said fixing member includes Velcro fasteners, magnets, an assembly of a convex structure and a concave structure, or a combination thereof.

3. The separable game controller according to claim 1 wherein said first sensor is a Hall sensor.

4. The separable game controller according to claim 1 wherein said second sensor is a G-sensor, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or a combination thereof.

5. The separable game controller according to claim 1 wherein said second signal is an acceleration signal for controlling a prop shown on a computer game screen.

6. The separable game controller according to claim 1 wherein said operating button is electrically connected with said first controlling unit, and operable in either a first operating mode or a second operating mode, wherein when said first handle and said second handle are combined together, said operating button is triggered to execute a function of said first operating mode, wherein when said first handle and said second handle are separated from each other, said operating button is triggered to execute a function of said second operating mode.

7. The separable game controller according to claim 1 wherein said first handle further comprises:

a third sensor for sensing whether said first handle and said second handle are separated from each other, wherein when said first handle and said second handle are separated from each other, said third sensor generates a third signal;

a fourth sensor disposed within said first handle for sensing a displacement of said first handle; and

a second controlling unit electrically connected with said third sensor and said fourth sensor, wherein when said third signal is received by said second controlling unit, said fourth sensor is enabled by said second controlling unit to generate a fourth signal.

8. The separable game controller according to claim 7 wherein said third sensor is a Hall sensor.

9. The separable game controller according to claim 7 wherein said fourth sensor is a G-sensor, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or a combination thereof.

10. The separable game controller according to claim 7 wherein said fourth signal is an acceleration signal for controlling a visual angle of a player character shown on a computer game screen.