Combination game controller and information input device for a tablet computer

• US 8,944,912 B2
• Filed: 11/19/2012
• Issued: 02/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wikipad, Incorporated (Gamevice, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Wikipad, Incorporated (Gamevice, Inc.)
• Inventors: Joynes, Matthew R., Bower, James, Dooley, Daniel P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Suhol, Dmitry
• Assistant Examiner(s): YEN, JASON TAHAI
• Application Number:
  US13/681,153
• Publication Number:
  US 20130154943A1
• Time in Patent Office: 806 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679.11, 455/422.1, 463 36- 38, 710/303
• US Class Current: 463/36
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/213 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. cameras, photodiodes or infrared cells A63F13/219, A63F13/655 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/2145 the surface being also a display device, e.g. touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/95 Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/98 Accessories, i.e. detachable arrangements optional for the use of the video game device, e.g. grip supports of game controllers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/204 the platform being a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards

Abstract

An apparatus generally directed to a combination game controller and information input device. The combination preferably includes a tablet computer providing a plurality of sides, in which each of the sides are disposed between an electronic display screen and a back of the tablet computer. The combination further preferably includes an input device in electronic communication with the tablet computer, the input device providing side structures adjacent to and confining the tablet computer on at least two opposing sides of the tablet computer. The input device further preferably providing input module apertures, each input module aperture selectively accepts either a game control module or a removable keyboard module. The input module apertures are preferably adjacent each of the at least two opposing sides of the tablet computer, and a camera communicating with each the input device and the tablet computer, the camera selectively capturing either still or video images.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a computing device, the computing device providing a plurality of sides, each of the plurality of sides are disposed between an electronic display screen of the computing device and a back of the computing device;

an input device in electronic communication with the computing device, the input device providing side structures and a bridge portion disposed between the side structures, the side structures adjacent to and confining the computing device on at least two opposing sides but not more than three sides of the plurality of sides of the computing device, the input device further providing input module apertures, each input module aperture accepts either a game control module or a removable keyboard module as selected by a user, wherein said input module apertures are adjacent each of the at least two opposing sides of the plurality of sides of the computing device, and wherein the bridge portion conceals not more than one third of the back of the computing device; and

a camera communicating with each the input device and the computing device, the camera captures either still or video images as selected by the user.

2. The device of claim 1, in which the keyboard module provides an auxiliary electronic display screen having at least the functionality of the electronic display screen.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary power source communicating, with each the input device and the computing device.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary data storage device communicating with each the input device and the computing device.

5. The device of claim 1, in which the camera is a first camera, and further comprising a second camera, the first camera having a lens facing the user while the user is facing the electronic display screen, and the second camera having a lens facing in a direction opposite that of the first camera.

6. The device of claim 1, in which the removable keyboard module is a pair of touch responsive electronic display screens, each of the touch responsive electronic display screens having at least the functionality of the electronic display screen, includes the functionality of a mouse pad, and presents virtual keys of a keyboard for information entry.

7. The device of claim 2, further comprising an auxiliary power source communicating with each the input device and the computing device.

8. The device of claim 7, further comprising an auxiliary data storage device communicating with each the input device and the computing device.

9. The device of claim 8, in which the camera is a first camera, and further comprising a second camera, the first camera having a lens facing the user while the user is facing the electronic display screen, and the second camera having a lens facing in a direction opposite that of the first camera.

10. The device of claim 9, in which the auxiliary electronic display screen includes the functionality of a mouse pad, the mouse pad functionality of the auxiliary electronic display screen controlling a pointer device of the electronic display screen.

11. An apparatus comprising:

a computing device, the computing device providing a plurality of sides, each of the plurality of sides are disposed between an electronic display screen of the computing device and a back of the computing device;

an input device in electronic communication with the computing device, the input device providing side structures and a bridge portion disposed between the side structures, the side structures adjacent to and confining the computing device on at least two opposing sides but not more than three sides of the plurality of sides of the computing device, and the bridge portion conceals not more than one third of the back of the computing device;

an application displayed on the electronic display screen of the computing device; and

means for a user'"'"'s interaction with the application displayed on the electronic display screen of the computing device.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, in which the means for a user'"'"'s interaction with the application displayed on the electronic display screen of the computing device comprises:

input module apertures provided by the input device, each input module aperture accepts either a game control module or a keyboard module as selected by a user, wherein said input module apertures are adjacent each of the at least two opposing sides of the plurality of sides of the computing device; and

a camera communicating with each the input device and the computing device, the camera capturing either still or video images as selected by the user, and in which the camera is responsive to at least the removable keyboard module when said keyboard module is operatively installed by the user within the input module aperture.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, in which the removable keyboard module is a pair of touch responsive electronic display screens, each of the touch responsive electronic display screens having at least the functionality of the electronic display screen, includes the functionality of a mouse pad, and presents virtual keys of a keyboard for information entry.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising an auxiliary power source communicating with each the input device and the computing device.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising an auxiliary data storage device communicating with each the input device and the computing device.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, in which the camera is a first camera, and further comprising a second camera, the first camera having a lens facing the user while the user is facing the pair of touch responsive electronic display screens, and the second camera having a lens facing in a direction opposite that of the first camera.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, in which said first and second cameras are operational when the computing device is either attached or detached from the input device.

18. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising an auxiliary power source communicating with each the input device and the computing device, the auxiliary power source is fully functional when the computing device is either attached or detached from the input device.

19. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising an auxiliary data storage device communicating with each the input device and the computing device, the data storage device is fully functional when the computing device is either attached or detached from the input device.

20. The apparatus of claim 16, in which said first and second cameras are fully functional when the computing device is either attached or detached from the input device, and further comprising:

an auxiliary power source communicating with each the input device and the computing device, the auxiliary power source is fully functional when the computing device is either attached or detached from the input device; and

an auxiliary data storage device communicating with each the input device and the computing device, the data storage device is operational when the computing device is either attached or detached from the input device.