Gripping controllers for portable computing devices

• US 9,216,349 B2
• Filed: 04/05/2013
• Issued: 12/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael Paul South
• Original Assignee: Michael Paul South
• Inventors: South, Michael Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): McClellan, James S
• Assistant Examiner(s): CARTER, KEVIN M
• Application Number:
  US13/857,538
• Publication Number:
  US 20130267322A1
• Time in Patent Office: 991 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• 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 13/98 Accessories, i.e. detachable arrangements optional for the use of the video game device, e.g. grip supports of game controllers

Abstract

Various devices, systems, and methods for gripping controllers for use with portable computing devices are described herein. In various embodiments, a system for gripping controllers for use with portable computing devices includes two gripping controllers. Each gripping controller includes a top portion having a face with an input controller arranged to receive input from a user, a bottom portion coupled to the top portion, and a radio antenna. Each gripping controller clamps onto a side of the portable computing device. At least one gripping controller communicates the received input from one or both gripping controllers to the portable computing device via the radio antenna using a wireless communication protocol.

Claims

1. A wireless input device for use with a portable computing device, the wireless input device comprising:

a top portion having a face, the face comprising at least one analog input controller arranged to receive analog input from a user;

a bottom portion coupled to the top portion comprising;

a plurality of planar portions in a series, each planar portion in the series comprising a proximal end and a distal end;

the proximal end of a first planar portion of the plurality coupled to the top portion; and

the proximal end of each subsequent planar portion in the series coupled to the distal end of the planar portion previous in the series; and

a radio antenna located in at least one of the top portion and the bottom portion, the radio antenna arranged for wireless communications;

wherein the portable computing device has a front and a back;

wherein the wireless input device is arranged to clamp onto a side of the portable computing device by using the top portion of the wireless input device to frictionally grip a portion of the front of the portable computing device and by using the bottom portion of the wireless input device to frictionally grip a portion of the back of the portable computing device;

wherein the wireless input device is configured to allow it to adjust to the thickness of the portable computing device;

wherein the wireless input device is arranged to fold upon itself by;

rotating the bottom portion underneath the top portion so that the bottom portion is parallel with the top portion; and

rotating the distal end of a last planar portion of the bottom portion towards the top portion so that the distal end of the last planar portion of the bottom portion perpendicularly intersects the plane of the top portion; and

wherein the wireless input device is arranged to communicate the received analog input to the portable computing device via the radio antenna using a wireless communication protocol.

2. The wireless input device of claim 1, wherein the portable computing device is one of a tablet computer, a smartphone, a laptop computer, a netbook computer, a notebook computer, or a media player.

3. The wireless input device of claim 1, wherein the at least one analog input controller is one of an analog control stick, a plurality of control buttons, or a directional pad.

4. The wireless input device of claim 1,

wherein the face of the top portion comprises at least one slit;

and

wherein the at least one slit is arranged to allow a user access to at least one communications device of the portable computing device when the wireless input device clamps a side of the portable computing device.

5. The wireless input device of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication protocol is at least one of Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

6. The wireless input device of claim 1, wherein the top portion and bottom portion are coupled together with a hinge.

7. A method of emulating a unified analog wireless input device with two wireless input devices, wherein the wireless input devices each comprise:

a radio antenna; and

at least one analog input controller, the method comprising;

clamping each wireless input device onto a side of the portable computing device by adjusting the respective wireless input device to the thickness of the portable computer device and frictionally gripping a portion of the front of the portable computing device with the top portion of the respective wireless input device and frictionally gripping a portion of the back of the portable computing device with the bottom portion of the respective wireless input device;

receiving analog input from a user via the at least one analog input controller of each wireless input device;

communicating the received analog input between the two wireless input devices via the radio antennae using a first wireless communication protocol;

combining the received analog input to emulate a unified analog input device;

communicating the emulation to the portable computing device via at least one radio antenna of at least one of the two wireless input devices using a second communication wireless protocol; and

nesting together the two wireless input devices by;

rotating one wireless input device 180 degrees along its vertical axis;

pressing together the to portions of each wireless input device; and

folding the bottom portion of each wireless input device around the face of the top portion of the other wireless input device.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein each of the first wireless communication protocol and the second wireless protocol is at least one of Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

9. A system for use with a portable computing device, the system comprising:

two wireless input devices, each wireless input device comprising;

a top portion having a face, the face comprising at least one analog input controller arranged to receive analog input from a user;

a bottom portion coupled to the top portion;

wherein the bottom portion of each wireless input device further comprises;

a plurality of planar portions in a series, each planar portion in the series comprising a proximal end and a distal end;

the proximal end of a first planar portion of the plurality coupled to the top portion; and

the proximal end of each subsequent planar portion in the series coupled to the distal end of the planar portion previous in the series; and

a radio antenna located in at least one of the top portion and the bottom portion, the radio antenna arranged for wireless communications;

a portable computing device having a front and a back;

wherein each wireless input device is arranged to clamp onto a side of the portable computing device by using the top portion of the wireless input device to frictionally grip a portion of the front of the portable computing device and by using the bottom portion of the wireless input device to frictionally grip a portion of the back of the portable computing device;

wherein each wireless input device is configured to allow it to adjust to the thickness of the portable computing device;

wherein at least one wireless input device is arranged to communicate the received analog input to the portable computing device via the radio antenna of the at least one wireless input device using a first wireless communication protocol; and

wherein the two wireless input devices are arranged to nest together by;

rotating one wireless input device 180 degrees along its vertical axis;

pressing together the top portions of each wireless input device;

folding the bottom portion of each wireless input device around the face of the top portion of the other wireless input device; and

for each wireless input device;

rotating the distal end of a last planar portion of the bottom portion towards the top portion so that the distal end of the last planar portion of the bottom portion perpendicularly intersects the plane of the top portion.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the portable computing device is one of a tablet computer, a smartphone, a laptop computer, a netbook computer, a notebook computer, or a media player.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one analog input controller is one of an analog control stick, a plurality of control buttons, or a directional pad.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein each wireless input device is arranged to communicate with the other wireless input device via its radio antenna using a second wireless communication protocol.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the two wireless input devices are arranged to combine analog input received from the user by the at least one analog input controller of each wireless input device to emulate a unified analog input device to the portable computing device via at least one radio antenna of at least one wireless input device using a second wireless communication protocol.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein each of the first wireless communication protocol and the second wireless protocol is at least one of Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the top portion and bottom portion are coupled together with a hinge.