Arcade-style game controller for a tablet computing device

• US 8,480,493 B2
• Filed: 01/10/2012
• Issued: 07/09/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Inmusic Brands Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Inmusic Brands Incorporated
• Inventors: Liotta, Tyson, Shim, Brian, Yonkers, William
• Primary Examiner(s): MCCLELLAN, JAMES S
• Application Number:
  US13/346,782
• Publication Number:
  US 20120108335A1
• Time in Patent Office: 546 Days
• Field of Search: 463/36, 463/37, 463/38, 463/47, 463/46
• US Class Current: 463/38
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/2145 the surface being also a display device, e.g. touch screens
• 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 2300/1025 details of the interface with the game device, e.g. USB version detection
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1075 using a touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/204 the platform being a handheld device

Abstract

A game controller for a tablet computing device is disclosed. The controller includes a control console. A groove on a top portion of the control console configured and arranged to capture an edge of a tablet computing device in an upright orientation. A number of controls are included on the control console for transmitting game control inputs to the tablet computing device.

Claims

1. A game controller for a tablet computing device, comprising:

a control console;

a groove on a top portion of the control console configured to capture an edge of a tablet computing device in an angled orientation;

an arcade-style cabinet housing the tablet device when placed into the groove, and comprising a support portion configured to support the tablet device in the angled orientation; and

a plurality of controls on said control console configured to transmit game control inputs to said tablet computing device.

2. The game controller of claim 1, wherein the edge of the tablet computing device is captured in a portrait orientation when placed in the groove.

3. The game controller of claim 1, further comprising a dock connector configured to connect to the tablet computing device when placed on the top portion of the control console, said dock connector configured to carry game control inputs to the tablet computing device.

4. The game controller of claim 1, wherein the plurality of controls comprises at least one of:

a trackball, a joystick or a button.

5. The game controller of claim 1, further comprising a wireless adapter configured to transmit game control inputs to the tablet computing device from the plurality of controls.

6. The game controller of claim 1,

wherein the support portion is positioned to the rear of the tablet device when the device is placed in the groove, and

wherein the cabinet further comprises:

a left side and a right side extending upwards from the control console, the left side and right side having a pair of wings extending forwardly from the support portion to form a cavity about the tablet computing device when the device is placed in the groove.

7. The game controller of claim 6, further comprising a pair of support pins extending inwardly from the pair of wings.

8. The game controller of claim 6, further comprising a top supported by the left and right sides.

9. A game controller for a tablet computing device, comprising:

a control console;

a dock connector supported on the control console, and configured to connect to a tablet computing device;

a microprocessor connected to the dock connector;

a plurality of game controls on the control console, the controls being connected to the microprocessor; and

an arcade-style cabinet housing the tablet device when the tablet device is connected to the dock connector, the cabinet being configured to allow the tablet device to be lowered onto the dock connector;

wherein the microprocessor is configured to receive game control inputs from the plurality of game controls, and to transmit the game control inputs to the tablet computing device through the dock connector.

10. The game controller of claim 9, further comprising an authentication chip connected to the microprocessor, the chip being configured to authorize the game controller with the tablet computing device.

11. The game controller of claim 9, wherein the microprocessor has a key scan matrix and the plurality of game controls are connected to the key scan matrix of the microprocessor.

12. The game controller of claim 9, wherein:

a top portion of the control console comprises a groove configured to capture an edge of the tablet computing device in an angled orientation; and

the cabinet comprises a support portion that is positioned to the rear of the tablet device when the device is placed into the groove.

13. The game controller of claim 12, wherein the orientation is additionally a portrait orientation.

14. The game controller of claim 9, wherein the plurality of controls comprises at least one of:

a trackball, a joystick or a button.

15. The game controller of claim 9,

wherein the cabinet further comprises a left side and right side extending upwards from the control console, the left side and the right side having a pair of wings extending forwardly from a support portion to form a cavity about the tablet computing device when the device is placed on the dock connector.

16. The game controller of claim 15, further comprising a pair of support pins extending inwardly from the pair of wings.