Mobile device controller

• US 9,407,100 B2
• Filed: 11/01/2012
• Issued: 08/02/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wikipad, Incorporated (Gamevice, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Wikipad, Incorporated (Gamevice, Inc.)
• Inventors: Sanderford, H. Britton, Joynes, Matthew R., Bower, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis, David L
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hoel, Matthew D.
• Application Number:
  US13/666,532
• Publication Number:
  US 20130154542A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,370 Days
• Field of Search: 463 36- 38, 463/47
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction

Abstract

An apparatus can have a casing that provides a first rigid interface that is configured to engage a second rigid interface of a mobile electronics device to form a direct electrical connection via rigid attachment. The casing may further have a charge controller connected to a circuitry board and configured to distribute charge power from at least a solar panel and external power input to a rechargeable battery.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a circuitry board housed in a casing and configured with a first interface configured to engage a mobile electronics device, the interface forming a direct electrical connection via rigid attachment of the first interface and a second interface of the mobile electronics device, wherein the casing provides not more than a three sided open U-shaped structure with an absence of structure between the vertical portions of the U-shaped structure in which the mobile electronics device nests, such that the mobile electronics device is confined by the open U-shaped three sided structure, and in which the absence of structure between the vertical portions of the U-shaped structure minimizes the weight of the U-shaped structure; and

a charge controller connected to the circuitry board, the charge controller configured to manage power distribution at least between a power sources of the circuitry board, a power source of the mobile electronics device and external power source.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a solar panel secured to and communicating with the mobile electronics device and communicating with the charge controller, the charge controller additionally managing the solar panel as a portion of power distribution, and in which the casing is shaped with left and right segments extending from opposite sides of a central section.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a solar panel secured to casing and communicating with the mobile electronics device, the circuitry board and the charge controller, the charge controller additionally managing the solar panel as a portion of power distribution, and in which the casing comprises at least one protrusion configured to ergonomically engage a user'"'"'s hand.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, in which the casing provides a plurality of buttons, joysticks, speakers, triggers, and solar panels.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, in which the plurality of speakers comprise separate speakers configured to provide stereophonic sound reproduction, and wherein each the power source of the circuitry board, a power source of the mobile electronics device is a battery.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, in which a first trigger and joystick are respectively positioned on the left segment of the casing while a second trigger and joystick are respectively positioned on the right segment of the casing.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the mobile electronics device is a tablet computer.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the casing houses an extendable stand configured to maintain an upright position for the mobile electronics device without contact from a user.

9. A mobile device controller comprising:

a casing providing a first rigid interface configured to engage a second rigid interface of a mobile electronics device to form a direct electrical connection via rigid attachment, wherein the casing provides not more than a three sided open U-shaped structure with an absence of structure between the vertical portions of the U-shaped structure in which the mobile electronics device nests, such that the mobile electronics device is confined by the open U-shaped three sided structure, and in which the absence of structure between the vertical portions of the U-shaped structure minimizes the weight of the U-shaped structure; and

a charge controller connected to a circuitry board housed in the casing, the charge controller configured to distribute charge power from at least a solar panel and external power input to a re-chargeable battery.

10. The mobile device controller of claim 9, in which the casing has a width that is greater than twice a predetermined distance between a user'"'"'s eyes.

11. The mobile device controller of claim 9, in which the mobile electronics device is partially housed in a continuous groove defined by top and bottom portions of the casing.

12. The mobile device controller of claim 11, in which the casing and mobile electronics device are configured to be viewed at arm'"'"'s length during rigid attachment.

13. The mobile device controller of claim 11, in which two hands of a user are required to control the casing and mobile electronics device.

14. The mobile device controller of claim 11, in which the casing has a width insuring a stereoscopic depth of field for the mobile electronics device.

15. The mobile device controller of claim 11, in which the circuitry board has at least one accelerometer configured to sense movement of predetermined portions of a user'"'"'s body with predictive filters.

16. The mobile device controller of claim 11, in which the rigid attachment and a wireless connection can concurrently connect the circuitry board to the mobile electronics device.

17. The mobile device controller of claim 16, in which at least one security key is provided to unlock the mobile electronics device and allow secure data access.

18. A device comprising:

a casing providing a first rigid interface configured to engage a second rigid interface of a mobile electronics device to form a direct electrical connection via rigid attachment, wherein the casing provides not more than a three sided open U-shaped structure with an absence of structure between the vertical portions of the U-shaped structure in which the mobile electronics device nests, such that the mobile electronics device is confined by the open U-shaped three sided structure, and in which the absence of structure between the vertical portions of the U-shaped structure minimizes the weight of the U-shaped structure;

a charge controller connected to a circuitry board housed in the casing, the charge controller configured to distribute charge power from at least a solar panel and external power input to a re-chargeable battery; and

a wake up circuit interconnected with the circuitry board and configured to activate and deactivate the circuitry board and mobile electronics device in response to movement of the casing.

19. The device of claim 18, in which the wake up circuit comprises a low power oscillator.

20. The device of claim 18, in which the wake up circuit is configured to sense movement of the casing via at least one accelerometer housed in the casing.