ADAPTER APPARATUS FOR A HANDHELD CONTROLLER

• US 20110275437A1
• Filed: 05/10/2010
• Published: 11/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Performance Designed Products LLC
• Original Assignee: Performance Designed Products LLC
• Inventors: MINCHELLA JENNINGS, ALICE SEBASTIAN, Dingle, Christopher K.
• Granted Patent: US 8,821,284 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/38
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• 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

Abstract

According to various embodiments of the invention an adapter apparatus is provided that is combinable with a computer or video game controller. In accordance with one embodiment, the adapter apparatus is a controller adapter, comprising: a housing configured to attach to a controller having a controller input, wherein the housing at least partially covers the controller input when the housing is attached to the controller, the housing comprising: a holding mechanism configured to secure the housing to the controller when the housing is attached to the controller; an adapter input disposed on an exterior surface of the housing opposite the controller input; and a translation element positioned between the adapter input and the controller input such that a user input to the adapter input translates to a corresponding user input to the controller input.

Claims

1. A controller adapter, comprising:

a housing configured to attach to a controller having a controller input, wherein the housing at least partially covers the controller input when the housing is attached to the controller, the housing comprising;

a holding mechanism configured to secure the housing to the controller when the housing is attached to the controller;

an adapter input disposed on an exterior surface of the housing opposite the controller input; and

an translation element positioned between the adapter input and the controller input such that a user input to the adapter input translates to a corresponding user input to the controller input.

2. The controller adapter of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a cavity configured to accept the controller and at least partially cover the controller input when the housing is attached to the controller.

3. The controller adapter of claim 1, wherein the controller input or the adapter input is a button, directional pad, or joystick.

4. The controller adapter of claim 1, wherein the controller input or the adapter input is a switch.

5. The controller adapter of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a surface that allows a signal to pass through the surface.

6. The controller adapter of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a surface that allows light to pass through the surface.

7. The controller adapter of claim 6, wherein the light is an infrared light.

8. The controller adapter of claim 6, wherein the light is from a display on the controller.

9. The controller adapter of claim 1, wherein the holding mechanism comprises a resilient element that assists the holding mechanism in securing the housing to the controller.

10. The controller adapter of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a surface configured to allow sound to pass through the surface.

11. The controller adapter of claim 1, wherein the controller is integrated into a chassis of a handheld game system.

12. The controller adapter of claim 1, wherein the controller is a wired controller or wireless controller for a game system.

13. A controller adapter, comprising:

a housing configured to attach to a controller having a controller input, wherein the housing at least partially covers the controller input when the housing is attached to the controller, the housing comprising;

a means for holding the housing to the controller when the housing is attached to the controller; and

a means for accepting input from a user, wherein the means for accepting input is disposed on an exterior surface of the housing opposite the controller input; and

a means for translating input from the means for accepting input to corresponding input to the controller input.

14. The controller adapter of claim 13, wherein the housing further comprises a means for accepting the controller when the housing is attached to the controller, wherein the means for accepting the controller at least partially covers the controller input.

15. The controller adapter of claim 13, wherein the means for accepting adapter input provides directional input or a toggle input.

16. The controller adapter of claim 13, wherein the housing further comprises a means for allowing a signal to pass through the controller adapter.

17. The controller adapter of claim 13, wherein the housing further comprises a means for allowing light to pass through the controller adapter.

18. The controller adapter of claim 17, wherein the means for allowing light to pass through the controller adapter allows light from a display on the controller.

19. The controller adapter of claim 13, wherein the housing further comprises a means for allowing sound to pass through the controller adapter.

20. The controller adapter of claim 13, wherein the controller is integrated into a chassis of a handheld game system.

21. The controller adapter of claim 13, wherein the controller is a wired controller or wireless controller for a game system.