Abstract:
A joystick, or video game controller, comprising a plurality of a plurality of piezoelectric depressible buttons and/or thermoelectric generators for powering the joystick. Piezoelectric components are disposed beneath depressible buttons and a plurality of directional keypads on the video game controller in some embodiments. The controller, in some embodiments, has a housing comprising an upper housing and lower housing, knob, buttons and triggers. The controller is configured for manual manipulation, while the underside of the base is configured to contact and be supported by the depressible buttons of the keypad. The controller may comprise one or more linear electric generators.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to construction joysticks, and more particularly relates to wireless video game controllers. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    As computer clock speeds and 3D graphic rendering software have evolved, video games have become a standard form of entertainment in American homes and across the world. Joystick controllers, or game controllers, are used in various applications, from military to industrial, to control the movement of actual and virtual figures, vehicles and/or objects in video games. Such video games are generally used in a home environment, with a television interfaced to an external control box, such as an Xbox 360®, a Nintendo Wii, or the like. With recent advances in the art, these joystick controllers have become wireless, comprising transceivers, and function by broadcasting short-range radio signals to the control box on one or more frequencies. 
         [0005]    Typically, joystick controllers constitute a bulbous hand-held electromechanical device with a plurality of depressible buttons, pads and sticks for directional control of the virtual objects depicted by the control box on the television. Virtual action movements of the objects are controlled with the depressible buttons, including actions such as fire, run, jump, etc. The great commercial success of home video games has spawned a growing secondary market for modified game controllers. Much of the design work in this field has been focused upon making the controllers more ergonomic and more easily used by the video game enthusiast of any age. 
         [0006]    Joystick controllers have progressed to include not just thumbsticks and buttons, but also triggers, vibrators, ergonomic grips, and even LCD displays. As wireless joystick controllers have proliferated, so too have problems with battery packs powering the wireless joystick controllers going dead. 
         [0007]    Current methods and apparatii do not readily facilitate a quick method for repowering the joystick controllers as they die. It is therefore desirable that a tool or mechanism be provided which can quickly repower the joystick controller. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need exists for a joystick controller which can repower itself. Beneficially, such an apparatus would overcome many of the difficulties with prior art by providing a means for powering itself from the heat, light, pressure and/or movements of the fingers. 
         [0009]    The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available apparatii and methods. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide a wireless piezoelectric controller having one or more handgrip(s), the controller comprising: a housing defining a hollow recessed interior; a plurality of depressible buttons surrounded by a housing; one or more thumbstick controller(s); one or more thumbpad controller(s); one or more piezoelectric plates disposed beneath one or more of the plurality of buttons; and one or more thermoelectric generator(s) disposed within the housing within the handgrip(s). 
         [0010]    The controller may further comprise one or more micro-electric generator(s) disposed within the hollow recess. The controller may also further comprise one or more one or more piezoelectric plates disposed beneath one or more of a thumbstick and a thumbpad. 
         [0011]    In some embodiments, the controller may also further comprise one or more one or more piezoelectric plates disposed beneath one or more triggers. The micro electric generator may comprise an accumulator in some embodiments. 
         [0012]    Electricity generated by the piezoelectric plate(s) and the thermoelectric generator(s) may charge a battery pack. The battery pack output may be between 0.1 and 3 volts. The battery pack may be detachable. In some embodiments, the controller further comprises one more photovoltaic cells affixed to the housing for generating electromotive force. 
         [0013]    The controller may be designed as one of a digital guitar, skateboard, microphone, drums, and keypad. The controller, in alternate embodiments, further comprises one more linear electric generator(s) affixed to one of the baseplate and housing. The one or more handgrip(s) may comprise flexible surface material overlaying piezoelectric plates activating by a grip of the user. 
         [0014]    A piezoelectric video game controller is also recited having one or more handgrip(s), the controller comprising: a housing defining a hollow recessed interior; a plurality of depressible buttons surrounded by a housing; one or more piezoelectric plates disposed beneath one or more of the plurality of buttons; and one or more micro-electric generator(s) disposed within the hollow recess. 
         [0015]    This piezoelectric controller may further comprise one or more thermoelectric generator(s) disposed within the housing within the handgrip(s). 
         [0016]    In some embodiments, the controller further comprises one more photovoltaic cells. In other embodiments, the controller further comprises one more linear electric generator(s) affixed to one of the baseplate and housing. 
         [0017]    These features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1A  is an upper perspective view of a traditional joystick controller; 
           [0020]      FIG. 1B  is an upper perspective view of a baseplate of traditional joystick controller; 
           [0021]      FIG. 1C  is an upper perspective view of a lower housing of traditional joystick controller; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2A  is an upper perspective view of the baseplate of a piezoelectric joystick controller in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2B  is an upper perspective view of the upper housing of a piezoelectric joystick controller in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is a forward perspective view of a joystick controller in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is an upper perspective view of a joystick controller is accordance with the present invention; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is an upper perspective view of the baseplate of a piezoelectric joystick controller in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment. 
         [0028]    Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention. 
         [0029]      FIG. 1A  is an upper perspective view of a traditional joystick controller  100 . The joystick  100  comprises an upper housing  102 , depressible buttons  104   a - d , directional analog stick  106 . 
         [0030]    The depressible button  104   a - d  are well known to those of skill in the art, and comprise a biases switch for controlling some aspect of the video game. The buttons  104   a - d  are the physical user interface mechanism for signaling the control box interfacing with a television. 
         [0031]    The baseplate  126  comprises a plate, circuit board, or the like for supporting the mechanical, electrical and electromechanical components of the controller. The baseplate  126  is affixed between an upper and lower housing. 
         [0032]      FIG. 1B  is an upper perspective view of a baseplate of traditional joystick controller  120 . The joystick  120  comprises a vibrator  122   a , a vibrator  122   b , a depressible trigger  124   a , and a baseplate  126 . 
         [0033]    The baseplate  126  comprises a circuit board or polymeric non-conducting planar insert for securing the various components of the controller  120 . In some variations of the prior art, the controller  120  comprises vibrators  122  (i.e. rumble packs) for imparting motion controlled by the control box to a user&#39;s hands in response to certain virtual events in the video game. 
         [0034]    The trigger  124  is activated by a user&#39;s index finger and disposed on the forward portion of the controller  120 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 1C  is an upper perspective view of a lower housing of traditional joystick controller  140 . The joystick  140  comprises a lower housing  142  defining a bore hole  146 , and a protrusion  144 . 
         [0036]    The lower housing  142  and the upper housing  120  detachably affix to one another to define a hollow interior recess which houses the baseplate  126 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 2A  is an upper perspective view of the baseplate of a piezoelectric joystick controller  200  in accordance with the present invention. The joystick controller  200  comprises depressible triggers  124   a - b , a baseplate  126 , and thermoelectric generators  108   a - b.    
         [0038]    The triggers  124   a - b  comprise a form of depressible button  104  affixed to the forward portion of the controller  200 . 
         [0039]    The thermoelectric generators  108   a - d  are known in the art. The generators  108   a - d  comprise devices which convert heat (temperature differences) directly into electrical energy, using the Seebeck effect or thermoelectric effect. The generators  108   a - d  may comprise bimetallic junctions, bismuth telluride (Bi 2 Te 3 ), and/or lead telluride (PbTe) semiconductor p-n junctions. In some embodiments, the generators  108   a - d  comprise radioisotope thermoelectric generators. 
         [0040]    The generators  108   a - d  are positioned within the handgrip(s) portion of the upper housing  102 . As a user plays a video game, the controller  200  heats up from the user&#39;s body heat transferred through the hands to controller  200 . In those embodiments, the grip portion of the outer housing  102  may be fabricated from a metal, alloy or other material with relatively high thermal conductivity. 
         [0041]    In some embodiments, the controller  200  comprises microturbines in place of, or in addition to, the thermoelectric generators  108   a - b . The thermoelectric generators  108   a - b  may comprise TAPECs (Thermo Acoustic Piezo Energy Conversion). 
         [0042]      FIG. 2B  is an upper perspective view of the upper housing of a piezoelectric joystick controller  220  in accordance with the present invention. The joystick controller  220  comprises handgrips  224   a - b , annular control recesses  204   a - c , an outer shell  222 , a photovoltaic cell  226 , and a power indicator  228 . 
         [0043]    The upper housing  102  defines annular control recesses  204   a - c . Thumbsticks  106 , thumbpads  108  and buttons  104  rise orthogonally from the baseplate  126  through the annular control recesses  204   a - c.    
         [0044]    The controller  220  comprises a power indicator  226  which display the stored power of the battery pack detachably affixed to the controller  220 . The power indicator  226  is an LCD display. 
         [0045]    The handgrips  224   a - b  protrude from the controller  220  for gripping by a user. In some embodiments, the controller  220  consists of a single handgrip  224 . 
         [0046]    The controller  220  also comprises a photovoltaic cell  226 . In various embodiments of the present invention, the controller  220  generates electricity from light using one or more photovoltaic cells  226  affixed or disposed upon the outer housing  102 . In some embodiments, the outer housing  102  defines recesses for housing photovoltaic cells  226  which are flush with the convex outer surface of the outer housing  102 . 
         [0047]    In various embodiments of the present invention, the outer housing  102  may entirely consist of a photovoltaic cell  226 . 
         [0048]    The photovoltaic cell  226  may be fabricated of monocrystalline silicone, polycrystalline silicone, ribbon silicone, cadmium telleride, copper indium gallium selenide, gallium arsenide, ruthenium metalorganic dye, polyphenylene vinylene, or other materials known to those of skill in the art. 
         [0049]    The controller  220  may comprise a touchscreen for being engaged by the finger tips of a user. The touchscreen surface may be fabricated of piezoelectric material. Piezoelectric material may underlie the touchscreen which is activated by pressure against the touchscreen. 
         [0050]      FIG. 3  is a forward perspective view of a joystick controller  300  in accordance with the present invention. The joystick  300  comprises depressible buttons  104   a - d , a lower housing  142 , triggers  124   a - b , directional thumbsicks  106   a - b , a directional thumbpad  108 , and a battery pack  302 . The button  104  comprises piezoelectric plates  304 . 
         [0051]    The piezoelectric plates  304  generate electricity when flexed. The plates  304  may comprise one a variety of solid materials known in the art, including crystals such as lead zirconate titanate, ceramics, and/or biological matter such as bone, DNA and various proteins. When the plates  304  are depressed, flexed, or otherwise stressed piezoelectricity is generated, which piezoelectricity is used to charge a battery pack affixed to the controller  300 . 
         [0052]    The buttons  104  comprises one or more piezoelectric plates  304  stacked one upon another under the main portion of the button  104  between the button  104  and the baseplate  126 . 
         [0053]    In various embodiments of the present invention, the controller  300  comprises a detachable or permanently affixed battery pack  302 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 4  is an upper perspective view of a joystick controller  400  is accordance with the present invention. The joystick  400  comprises a directional thumbstick  106 , a piezoelectric cylinder  408 , a tube  402 , a wire coil  404 , and an accumulator  406 . 
         [0055]    Like the buttons  104 , the thumbsticks  106  and thumbpads  108  may overlay piezoelectric plates  304  and may generate electricity from pressure and movement applied to the piezoelectric plates  304 . 
         [0056]    In various embodiments of the present invention, the baseplate  126  comprises one or more tubes  402  surrounded by coiled wire  404 . A magnet slides back and forth within the tube as a user moves the controller  400  about inducing a current through the coiled wire  404  and charging an accumulator  406 . Through this mechanism, the controller  400  converts kinetic energy from the user&#39;s hand using electromagnetic induction to power the controller  400 . The coiled wire  404 , tube  402 , magnet and accumulator  406  together comprise a linear electric generator. 
         [0057]      FIG. 5  is an upper perspective view of the baseplate of a piezoelectric joystick controller  500  in accordance with the present invention. The joystick controller  500  comprises a micro-electric generator  106 , a lower housing  142 , an eccentric weight  106 , a body  502 , and a rotor  504 . 
         [0058]    The lower housing  142  comprises a concave shell fabricated of polymeric materials. 
         [0059]    The lower housing  142  in the shown embodiment is affixed to two micro-electric generators  106 . In various embodiments, these micro-electric generators  106  comprise one or more eccentric weights  106  rotating axially around a rotor  504 . The rotor  504  spins within the micro-electric generator  106 . The micro-electric generator  106 , via the spinning eccentric weights  106 , convert the mechanical energy of the motion of the user&#39;s hand into electrical energy. 
         [0060]    In some embodiments of the present invention, one or more of the micro-electric generators  106  are affixed to the baseplate  126  and/or the upper housing  102 . 
         [0061]    In various embodiments of the present invention, the joystick controller comprises a control box accessory such as a digital guitar, skateboard, microphone, drums, keypad, headset or the like. 
         [0062]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.