Manual controller configurable by user arrangement of matable building elements

• US 8,091,892 B2
• Filed: 06/07/2010
• Issued: 01/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lego Systems A/S (Kirkbi A/S)
• Original Assignee: Ippasa, LLC
• Inventors: Sternberg, Aaron B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chiu, Raleigh W.
• Application Number:
  US12/795,540
• Publication Number:
  US 20100248840A1
• Time in Patent Office: 582 Days
• Field of Search: 273/148.B, 463/36, 463/37, D21/333, D21/324, D14/401
• US Class Current: 273/148.B
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 11/00 Game accessories of general use , e.g. score counters, boxes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1062 being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/04 Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/086 with primary projections fitting by friction in complementary spaces between secondary projections, e.g. sidewalls
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device

Abstract

A configurable manual controller for manipulating images or symbols on a display is adapted for construction with matable building elements arranged by a user. The user forms the manual controller to exhibit a customized ornamental appearance reflecting the user'"'"'s game-inspired, ergonomic, or style preferences.

Claims

1. A configurable casing for a manual controller for manipulating images or symbols on a display, the manual controller having a housing with an exterior surface and an interior region confining electrical components operatively connected to control actuators to produce signals for manipulating images or symbols on the display, and the casing adapted for construction with user-arranged matable building elements to exhibit a customized ornamental appearance, comprising:

a main casing configured to conformably fit around a portion of the exterior surface of and thereby receive the housing of the manual controller, the main casing having a patterned surface portion configured to support a set of building elements that are configurable for mating to the patterned surface portion, the set of building elements including a subset of building elements having top surfaces that do not have mating features so as to enable a user to assemble the building elements in the subset to produce a finished surface of the main casing.

2. The configurable casing of claim 1, in which the top surfaces are smooth and contribute to a finished decorative pattern assembled by the user.

3. The configurable casing of claim 1, in which the top surfaces exhibit different colors and contribute to a finished colored pattern assembled by the user.

4. The configurable casing of claim 1, in which the control actuators include a type of actuator that responds to user movement of the manual controller to produce the signals for manipulating the images or symbols.

5. The configurable casing of claim 4, in which the type of actuator is a motion sensor.

6. The configurable casing of claim 1, in which the control actuators include a type of actuator that responds to user tactile manipulation of the manual controller to produce the signals for manipulating the images or symbols.