GAME CONTROLLER SYSTEMS AND METHODS

• US 20150105152A1
• Filed: 10/14/2014
• Published: 04/16/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Valve Corporation
• Original Assignee: Valve Corporation
• Inventors: Gottschalk, Claire Michelle, Keyzer, Jeffrey, BELLINGHAUSEN, JEFFREY PETER, Dalton, Scott, Hope, Eric James
• Granted Patent: US 10,328,344 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/31
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/214 for locating contacts on a surface, e.g. floor mats or touch pads
• 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 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1037 being specially adapted for converting control signals received from the game device into a haptic signal, e.g. using force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1068 being specially adapted to detect the point of contact of the player on a surface, e.g. floor mat, touch pad

Abstract

Various game controller hardware and user interface configurations are disclosed. Some configurations may comprise two circular trackpads, driven by the player'"'"'s thumbs, which may be clickable, allowing the entire surface to act as a button. Haptic feedback may be based on dual linear resonant actuators (e.g., by means of strong, weighted electro-magnets attached to each of the dual trackpads), capable of delivering a wide range of force and vibration, allowing control over frequency, amplitude, and direction of movement. The haptics-related components in certain implementations may also play audio waveforms and thereby function as speakers. In the center of the controller according to certain configurations may be another touch-enabled surface, this one backed by a display screen. In some configurations this entire screen itself may also be clickable, like a large single button. A variety of other exemplary implementations and configurations are described.

Claims

1. A hand-held controller, comprising:

two trackpads, each of which is controllable by a user'"'"'s thumb, wherein each said trackpad is clickable so as to act as a button and comprises haptic feedback based on one or more linear resonant actuators attached to each said trackpad; and

a touch-enabled electronic programmable display screen located between said trackpads, wherein said display screen is clickable so as to act as a button.