Patent ID: 7762892
Filing Date: 2010-07-27
Classification: A63F,G06F,Y02E

Abstract:
1. An input device comprising: a game controller portion and a character input portion, the game controller portion including a plurality of interaction mechanisms operated by a user to direct game play, the character input portion including a plurality of interaction mechanisms operated by the user to input various characters, the character input portion being detachably secured to the game controller portion for being utilized to input various characters during game play when coupled to the game controller portion and for being removable from the game controller portion when not utilized, the character input portion as secured to the game controller portion interfacing mechanically and electrically with the game controller portion and mechanically abutting the game controller portion, the character input portion comprising: a housing that forms at least a portion of an outer surface of the character input portion; a plurality of character input keys accessible from an exterior of the housing, at least a portion of said character input keys each being associated with four distinct characters based upon a current mode; and first, second, and third mode-altering keys accessible from the exterior of the housing for changing the current mode and determining which of the four distinct characters are input, the game controller portion comprising a main body and a pair of grips each extending from the main body in a generally common direction, the grips for grasping the game controller portion during use and defining a space therebetween, the game controller portion further comprising an electrical connector in the main body thereof generally adjacent the space defined by the pair of grips, the electrical connector being a memory unit slot configured to accept a memory unit to provide additional and portable memory storage for game play; the character input portion when coupled to the game controller portion entirely residing between the pair of grips and within the space defined by the pair of grips, and being electrically coupled to the memory unit slot of the game controller portion in place of the memory unit, the character input portion as coupled to the game controller portion physically abutting the pair of grips and the main body of the game controller portion, the physically abutted pair of grips and main body of the game controller portion assisting in securing the coupled character input portion to the game controller portion.