Two-handed controller for video games and simulations
First Claim
1. A controller for a video game or simulation providing both analog and digital capabilities with a single actuating member, the controller comprising:
- an housing;
an analog/digital x-y directional actuator located within the housing; and
an analog/digital mode switch for selecting between an analog mode and a digital mode;
wherein the analog/digital x-y directional actuator is configured to perform either analog or digital functions depending on the selected mode; and
wherein the analog/digital x-y directional actuator includes an actuating member comprising a body, a plurality of contacting members interspersed along the periphery of the body, and a plurality of disengagement slots located along the periphery of the body between the contacting members, the disengagement slots for selecting either the analog or digital modes.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A two-handed game controller has a single dual analog/digital x-y directional pad mounted on the top which can perform either analog or digital functions. A mode switch on the controller allows an operator to select either analog or digital control settings. The controller also has a button grouping located within a concave recess. Each button within the recess has a downward slanting top maintained at an elevation a specified distance from the controller, thereby allowing for easy actuation by a gliding, rolling or sliding motion of a user'"'"'s thumb or finger. The controller also has semicircular sides and 3-dimensionally tapered hand-grips, facilitating grip from virtually any size hand, from child to adult. Digital triggers are mounted on both the top and bottom of the controller and are configured to perform the same functions, allowing table-top use. Furthermore, the controller has a tripod-like structure with slip-resistant grips providing stability on a table-top surface.
277 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A controller for a video game or simulation providing both analog and digital capabilities with a single actuating member, the controller comprising:
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an housing; an analog/digital x-y directional actuator located within the housing; and an analog/digital mode switch for selecting between an analog mode and a digital mode; wherein the analog/digital x-y directional actuator is configured to perform either analog or digital functions depending on the selected mode; and wherein the analog/digital x-y directional actuator includes an actuating member comprising a body, a plurality of contacting members interspersed along the periphery of the body, and a plurality of disengagement slots located along the periphery of the body between the contacting members, the disengagement slots for selecting either the analog or digital modes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A controller for a video game or simulation providing both analog and digital capabilities with a single actuating member, the controller comprising:
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an housing; an analog/digital mode switch for selecting between an analog mode and a digital mode; and an analog/digital x-y directional actuator located within the housing, the analog/digital x-y directional actuator being configured to perform either analog or digital functions depending on the selected mode, the analog/digital x-y directional actuator comprising; an actuating member comprising a body, a plurality of contacting members interspersed along the periphery of the body, and a plurality of disengagement slots located along the periphery of the body between the contacting members; a plurality of digital contact points; the contacting members actuating the digital contact points according to a movement of the actuating member, when in digital mode; said disengagement slots being located over the digital contact points when the mode switch is set to analog mode; and an analog sensor. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A dual-mode directional actuator, configured to perform either analog or digital functions or both, as selected, the dual-mode directional actuator comprising:
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an analog/digital mode switch for selecting either an analog mode or a digital mode; an actuating member comprising a body, a plurality of contacting members interspersed along the periphery of the body, and a plurality of disengagement slots located along the periphery of the body between the contacting members, the disengagement slots for selecting between the digital or analog mode; a digital contact member in communication with said actuating member when in digital mode; and an analog sensor. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A dual-mode directional actuator configured to perform either analog or digital functions or both, as selected, the dual-mode directional actuator comprising:
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an analog/digital mode switch for selecting either an analog mode or a digital mode; an actuating member comprising a body, a plurality of contacting members interspersed along the periphery of the body, and a plurality of disengagement slots located along the periphery of the body between the contacting members; a plurality of digital contact points positioned to be contacted by the contacting members according to a movement of the actuating member when in digital mode, said digital contact points being located within the disengagement slots when in analog mode; and
an analog sensor. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A controller for a video game or simulation comprising:
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an housing having a top, a bottom, a right sidewall, a left sidewall, a front, and a back; said left and right sidewalls having a semicircular shape; said housing comprising a pair of gripping members extending along the right and left sidewalls; said gripping members being three dimensionally wedge-shaped, tapered from back to front, upward and outward; an analog/digital x-y directional actuating member located on the top of the housing comprising a body, a plurality of contacting members interspersed along the periphery of the body, and a plurality of disengagement slots located along the periphery of the body between the contacting members, the disengagement slots for selecting either an analog mode or a digital mode; an analog/digital mode switch; a concave recess located on the top of the housing; a grouping of signal actuators located within the concave recess; and a trigger button located on the top of the housing.
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Specification