PHYSICAL JOYSTICK FOR ELECTRONIC TABLET DEVICES

• US 20120169597A1
• Filed: 01/03/2012
• Published: 07/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Thinkgeek Incorporated (Gamestop Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Thinkgeek Incorporated (Gamestop Corporation)
• Inventors: Liotta, Tyson
• Application Number:
  US13/342,505
• Publication Number:
  US 20120169597A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/161
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0393 Accessories for touch pads or touch screens, e.g. mechanical guides added to touch screens for drawing straight lines, hard keys overlaying touch screens or touch pads
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/044 by capacitive means

Abstract

Embodiments are directed to a physical joystick input device for use with tablet computers that utilize touch screen technology to receive user input through virtual user input graphical elements. The physical joystick comprises a base that attaches to the touch screen surface through a suction cup and provides conductivity between the user and touch screen surface through conductive felt attached to a support ring of the joystick. The joystick can be configured to be placed over a virtual D-pad or other interface portion of a tablet to transmit physical user input of directional commands to the virtual touch-screen input interface.

Claims

1. A joystick for use with a computing device with a touch-screen display comprising:

a base unit for attachment to the surface of the touch-screen display;

a shaft coupled to the base and configured to pivot relative to the base and rotate along a plane parallel to the plane of the touch-screen display;

a support ring integral to the base unit and having adhered thereto a section of electrically conductive material through conductive glue to transmit an electrical signal between the joystick and the touch-screen display; and

a suction cup press fit into a cavity in the base structure and configured to hold the joystick down onto the surface of the touch screen.

2. The joystick of claim 1 further comprising a knob attached to the top of the shaft to facilitate holding and control by a user.

3. The joystick of claim 1 wherein the conductive material is selected from a group consisting of:

conductive felt, conductive foam, conductive plastic, and metal mesh.

4. The joystick of claim 3 wherein the section of electrically conductive material comprises a ring shaped section conforming to the shape of the support ring.

5. The joystick of claim 1 wherein the suction cup is made of a material selected from a group consisting of:

rubber, polyurethane, plastic, and nylon.

6. The joystick of claim 5 wherein the suction cup comprises a single suction element placed in the center of the support ring.

7. The joystick of claim 5 wherein the suction cup comprises an annular suction cup laced around an edge of the support ring.

8. The joystick of claim 1 wherein the touch-screen display is selected from a group consisting of:

a capacitive touch-screen, a resistive touch-screen, a Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) screen, and an infrared touch screen.

9. The joystick of claim 1 wherein the computing device comprises an electronic tablet device.

10. A controller configured to be placed over a directional pad displayed on a touch-screen display of a computing device, comprising:

a base unit having a suction attachment for semi-permanent attachment to the surface of the touch-screen display over the directional pad;

a shaft coupled to the base and configured to pivot relative to the base in one or more directions corresponding to directions of the directional pad; and

a knob attached to the top of the shaft to facilitate holding and control by a user.

11. The controller of claim 10 wherein the computing device comprises an electronic tablet, and wherein the base, the shaft, and the knob are configured to represent a miniature joystick.

12. The controller of claim 11 further comprising a support ring integral to the base unit and having adhered thereto a section of electrically conductive material through conductive glue to transmit an electrical signal between the joystick and the touch-screen display.

13. The controller of claim 12 wherein the conductive material is selected from a group consisting of:

conductive felt, conductive foam, conductive plastic, and metal mesh.

14. The controller of claim 13 wherein the section of electrically conductive material comprises a ring shaped section conforming to the shape of the support ring.

15. The controller of claim 11 wherein the suction attachment comprises a suction cup that is made of a material selected from a group consisting of:

rubber, polyurethane, plastic, and nylon.

16. The controller of claim 11 wherein the touch-screen display is selected from a group consisting of:

a capacitive touch-screen, a resistive touch-screen, a Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) screen, and an infrared touch screen.

17. A physical controller for use with a virtual input pad of a computing device with a touch-screen display comprising:

base unit means for placement on the surface of the touch-screen display;

suction means to attach the base means to the surface of the touch-screen display.

shaft means for receiving physical user controls and by pivoting relative to the base and rotate along a plane parallel to the plane of the touch-screen display; and

conduction means for transmitting the physical user controls to the virtual input pad through electrical signals recognized by the touch-screen display.