CONTROLLER FOR VIDEO GAME CONSOLE

• US 20120322553A1
• Filed: 06/17/2011
• Published: 12/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ironburg Inventions Limited
• Original Assignee: Ironburg Inventions Limited
• Inventors: Burgess, Simon, Ironmonger, Duncan
• Granted Patent: US 8,641,525 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/37
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/20 Input arrangements for video game devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/21 characterised by their sensors, purposes or types
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/90 Constructional details or arrangements of video game devices not provided for in groups A63F13/20 or A63F13/25, e.g. housing, wiring, connections or cabinets
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2402 Input by manual operation
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1006 having additional degrees of freedom
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/24 Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for video games A63F13/00; computerized gaming systems G07F17/32

Abstract

An improved controller (10) for a game console that is intended to be held by a user in both hands in the same manner as a conventional controller (1), which has controls on the front operable by the thumbs (2), (3), (4), (5), and has two additional controls (11) located on the back in positions to be operated by the middle fingers of a user.

Claims

1. A hand held controller for a game console comprising:

an outer case; and

a plurality of controls located on a front of the controller;

wherein the controller is shaped to be held in the hand of a user such that the user'"'"'s thumb is positioned to operate the controls located on the front of the controller;

and wherein the controller further comprises one or more additional controls located on a back of the controller.

2. The controller of claim 1, further having controls located on the top edge of the controller and wherein the controller is shaped such that the user'"'"'s index fingers are positioned to operate controls located on the top edge

3. The controller of claim 1 wherein each additional control is in a position to be operated by a finger of a user.

4. The controller of claim 1 wherein there are two additional controls on the back of the controller, each of which is positioned to be operated by a middle finger of a user.

5. The controller of claim 1 wherein each additional control comprises an elongate member which is inherently resilient and flexible such that it can be displaced by a user to activate control function.

6. The controller of claim 5 wherein each elongate member is mounted within a respective recess located in the case of the controller.

7. The controller of claim 6 wherein each elongate member comprises an outermost surface which is disposed in close proximity to the outermost surface of the controller such that a user'"'"'s finger may be received in said respective recess.

8. The controller of claim 1 wherein each elongate member has a thickness between about 1 mm and 10 mm.

9. The controller of claim 1 wherein each elongate member has a thickness between about 1 mm and 5 mm.

10. The controller of claim 1 wherein each elongate member has a thickness between about 1 mm and 3 mm.

11. The controller of claim 5 wherein the elongate members are parallel to one another.

12. The controller of claim 5 wherein the elongate members converge towards the front end of the controller with respect to one another.

13. The controller of claim 1 wherein a portion of each additional control is in registry with a switch mechanism disposed within the controller, such that displacement of the additional control activates the switch mechanism.

14. The controller of claim 5 wherein a switch mechanism is disposed between each of the elongate members and an outer surface of the base of the controller.

15. The controller of claim 2 wherein the one or more additional controls replicate the function of one or more controls located on the front or top edge of the controller.

16. The controller of claim 2 wherein the one or more additional controls have functions in addition to the controls located on the front or top edge of the controller.

17. The controller of claim 1 wherein the one or more additional controls are paddle levers.

18. The controller of claim 1 wherein the additional controls are substantially vertically orientated with respect to the controller.

19. The controller of claim 1 wherein the one or more additional controls are formed as an integral part of the outer case.

20. The controller of claim 1 wherein the on or more additional controls are formed separate from the outer case of the controller.