Controller for video game console

• US 9,878,238 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2015
• Issued: 01/30/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ironburg Inventions Limited
• Original Assignee: Ironburg Inventions Limited
• Inventors: Burgess, Simon, Ironmonger, Duncan
• Primary Examiner(s): Hylinski, Steven J
• Application Number:
  US14/754,793
• Publication Number:
  US 20150297994A1
• Time in Patent Office: 945 Days
• Field of Search: 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 for a game console that is intended to be held by a user in both hands in the same manner as a conventional controller, which has controls on the front operable by the thumbs, and has two additional controls located on the back in positions to be operated by the middle fingers of a user.

Claims

1. A video game controller, comprising:

an outer case comprising;

a front and a back, wherein the back is opposite the front;

a top edge and a bottom edge, wherein the top edge is opposite the bottom edge;

a first handle adjacent a first side edge and a second handle adjacent a second side edge, wherein the first side edge is opposite the second side edge;

wherein the back comprises a recessed portion that is recessed towards the front with respect to the first handle and the second handle; and

a first back control and a second back control, wherein each of the first back control and the second back control is located at the back, wherein the first back control includes a first elongate member and the second back control includes a second elongate member; and

wherein each of the first elongate member and the second elongate member is rigidly connected to an outside surface of the back; and

wherein each of the first elongate member and the second elongate member is made from a flexible material such that each is configured to flex with respect to a respective rigid connection, and thereby displace, when a force is applied to a respective one of the first elongate member and the second elongate member.

2. The video game controller of claim 1, wherein the bottom edge includes:

a first convex portion that defines the first handle;

a second convex portion that defines the second handle; and

a medial portion between the first convex portion and the second convex portion.

3. The video game controller of claim 2, wherein the medial portion is closer to the top edge than a distal end of each of the first handle and the second handle.

4. The video game controller of claim 1, wherein the recessed portion is between the first handle and the second handle.

5. The video game controller of claim 4, wherein a free end of the first elongate member is positioned at or adjacent a first transition edge between the first handle and the recessed portion;

and

wherein a free end of the second elongate member is positioned at or adjacent a second transition edge between the second handle and the recessed portion.

6. The video game controller of claim 4, wherein each of the first handle and the second handle protrudes outwardly with respect to a plane defined by the recessed portion.

7. The video game controller of claim 4, wherein a first switch mechanism is positioned at or adjacent the first transition edge and the second switch mechanism is positioned at or adjacent the second transition edge;

and

wherein the first elongate member is configured to be depressed to contact the first switch mechanism and the second elongate member is configured to be depressed to contact the second switch mechanism.

8. The video game controller of claim 4, wherein each of the first elongate member and the second elongate member is positioned in the recessed portion.

9. The video game controller of claim 4, wherein the each of the rigid connection of the first elongate member and the rigid connection of the second elongate member is in the recessed portion.

10. The video game controller of claim 1, wherein:

the first elongate member extends above and is spaced apart from an outside surface of the back; and

the second elongate member extends above and is spaced apart from the outside surface of the back.

11. The video game controller of claim 1, wherein a screw rigidly connects the first elongate member to the outside surface of the back of the outer case and a screw rigidly connects the second elongate member to the outside surface of the back of the outer case.

12. The video game controller of claim 1, wherein each of the first elongate member and the second elongate member is made of a resilient material and will thereby return to a pre-displaced position.

13. The video game controller of claim 1, wherein the first elongate member is rigidly connected at an end of the first elongate member;

and

wherein the second elongate member is rigidly connected at an end of the second elongate member.

14. The video game controller of claim 13, wherein the rigidly connected end of the first elongate member is closer to the top edge than an opposite end of the first elongate member;

and

wherein the rigidly connected end of the second elongate member is closer to the top edge than an opposite end of the second elongate member.

15. A video game controller, comprising:

an outer case comprising;

a front and a back, wherein the back is opposite the front;

a top edge and a bottom edge, wherein the top edge is opposite the bottom edge;

a first handle adjacent a first side edge and a second handle adjacent a second side edge, wherein the first side edge is opposite the second side edge;

wherein the back comprises a recessed portion that is recessed towards the front with respect to the first handle and the second handle; and

a first back control and a second back control, wherein each of the first back control and the second back control is located at the back of the controller, wherein the first back control includes a first elongate member and the second back control includes a second elongate member;

wherein the first elongate member comprises a first end and second end opposed to the first end, the first end of the first elongate member being disposed closer to the top edge than the second end;

wherein the second elongate member comprises a first end and second end opposed to the first end, the first end of the second elongate member being disposed closer to the top edge than the second end; and

wherein the first and second elongate members are rigidly connected to the controller at their respective first ends.

16. The video game controller of claim 15, and

wherein the first ends of the first elongate member and the second elongate member are disposed in closer proximity to each other than the second ends of the first elongate member and the second elongate member.

17. The video game controller of claim 15, wherein the first end of the first elongate member is disposed a first distance from the first end of the second elongate member and the second end of the first elongate member is disposed a second distance from the second end of the second elongate member, the second distance being greater than the first distance.

18. The video game controller of claim 15, wherein the first and second elongate members are orientated such that they converge toward their first ends.