Abstract:
A game controller for controlling electronic games comprising a controller chassis and an actuator system including: an actuator body pivotally mounted to the controller chassis; a strike plate coupled to the actuator body; a trigger adjustment system having an arm; and an actuator adjustment control screw received in a screw thread disposed within said arm. A portion of the actuator adjustment control screw may engage with a portion of the strike plate and said portion of the actuator adjustment control screw creates an end stop to limit movement of the actuator body.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The invention relates to controllers for controlling the play of computerised games. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to an actuator system of a game controller for a gaming console. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    There are many different types of gaming consoles currently available for operating a video game. For example, Microsoft®, Sony® and Nintendo® manufacture the Xbox®, Playstation® and Wii® gaming consoles respectively. The gaming consoles typically include a game controller so that a user can control the operation of the video game. 
         [0003]    Some known game controllers include a form of actuator system for the operation of control of the functions of the video games. Actuators, buttons or other depressible or manually operable devices are typically used for controlling discrete actions such as the firing of a weapon or an attack command. It is known to provide a button or actuator which is intended to be operable by the index finger of a user; such buttons are commonly known as triggers. 
         [0004]    At times, dependent upon the video game being played, it can be necessary to depress the trigger a distance before the trigger initiation point is reached and the command actually acknowledged. This renders part of the depressing action futile. Likewise, after the command has been operated, it is often possible to carry out further depression of the trigger past the trigger initiation point. This further depression is unnecessary and may also be disadvantageous. 
         [0005]    Furthermore, in other situations in some video games, the strength of a command is increased or decreased in dependence upon how frequently the trigger is depressed. As such, depressing the trigger the whole distance is unnecessary and excessive for the command or operation required. 
         [0006]    It is desirable to have a controller, particularly for gaming applications, that is more responsive or has less scope for allowing unnecessary over-movement by the user of the controller. Due to the rapidly expanding gaming market and development of involved games invoking considerable player input, it is desirable for players to be able to customise their controllers in order to gain increased control in a variety of gaming circumstances. 
         [0007]    The present invention seeks to improve upon or at least mitigate some of the problems associated with controllers of the prior art by providing a game controller which includes an adjustable trigger system that has a mechanism to allow the end user to control or recalibrate the maximum and/or minimum trigger positions. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    There are a variety of different commands available for the trigger functions of a game controller and the adjustable trigger system of the present invention now provides the option to customise the trigger settings in order to suit the individual game at the time of operation. 
         [0009]    In some embodiments the trigger system includes adjustments to the depressible range of the trigger so that effectively the trigger is already, to some degree, “depressed”, before any contact is actually made with the trigger by the operator (player). 
         [0010]    In some embodiments the trigger system includes adjustments to the extent that the trigger is depressible such that no further motion can be effected by the operator. This removes any unnecessary distance travelled by the trigger. 
         [0011]    The present invention provides a method of controlling both of the above features simultaneously regarding the amount of depression inflicted on the trigger without contact, and the range of available motion to give the optimum performance in any gaming circumstances. 
         [0012]    According to an aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for supplying user inputs to a computer program, such as a game program, for controlling the game program, the apparatus comprising an outer case, at least one depressible trigger mechanism and having a mechanism for manual adjustment of the range motion of the trigger mechanism, the mechanism being disposed within an internal volume defined by an outer case of the apparatus. 
         [0013]    According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for supplying user inputs to a computer program, such as a game program, for controlling the game program, the apparatus comprising at least one depressible trigger mechanism and having a first mechanism for adjustment of the stop position of the trigger mechanism. 
         [0014]    Optionally, the apparatus comprises a second mechanism for manual adjustment of the stop position of the trigger mechanism. 
         [0015]    According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a game controller for controlling electronic games, including a housing, at least one depressible trigger at least in part exposed relative to the housing, said at least one depressible trigger being in operational association with electrical circuitry contained within the housing which electrical circuitry is controlled by depression of the or each depressible trigger for manipulating electrical outputs of the circuitry for controlling electronic games and having a mechanism for manual adjustment of the depressible range of the trigger mechanism. 
         [0016]    According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a game controller for controlling electronic games comprising:
       a controller chassis and an actuator system including:
           an actuator body pivotally mounted to the controller chassis;   a strike plate coupled to the actuator body;   a trigger adjustment system having an arm;   an actuator adjustment control screw received in a screw thread disposed within said arm;   
           wherein a portion of the actuator adjustment control screw engages with a portion of the strike plate and said portion of the actuator adjustment control screw creates an end stop to limit the actuator movement.       
 
         [0023]    Optionally, a portion of said arm forms a second end stop to limit the actuator movement. 
         [0024]    Optionally, the game controller comprises an outer case defining a void and wherein the trigger adjustment system is mounted within the void. 
         [0025]    In some embodiments, the game controller comprises a removable cover panel for accessing and adjusting the trigger adjustment system. 
         [0026]    In some embodiments, the game controller comprises an aperture in the outer case for receiving an adjustment tool for adjusting the trigger adjustment system. 
         [0027]    Optionally, the actuator system is a trigger button. 
         [0028]    According to a still further aspect of the invention there is provided an actuator adjustment system for adjusting the range of travel of an actuator in a game controller comprising:
       a base plate for mounting the actuator adjustment system to a controller body;   a riser coupled to the base plate;   an arm extending from the riser;   wherein the arm comprises a screw thread for receiving an actuator adjustment control screw for adjusting the range of travel of the actuator and a strike plate for arresting motion of the actuator.       
 
         [0033]    According to a still yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of adjusting the range of movement of a button on a game controller for controlling electronic games comprising:
       providing a game controller including:
           a controller chassis;   a trigger body pivotally mounted to the controller chassis;   a strike plate coupled to the actuator body;   a trigger adjustment system having an arm;   an actuator adjustment control screw received in a screw thread disposed within said arm; wherein a portion of the trigger adjustment control screw engages with a portion of the strike plate and said portion of the actuator adjustment control screw creates an end stop to limit the actuator movement;   
           rotating said trigger adjustment control screw to adjust the position of the end stop.       
 
         [0041]    Optionally, the game controller includes a removable cover panel, and the method comprises:
       removing the removable cover panel to gain access to the trigger adjustment control screw.       
 
         [0043]    Within the scope of this application it is envisaged and intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples, features and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings may be taken independently or in any combination thereof. For example, features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments unless there is incompatibility of features. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0044]    Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0045]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of a controller for a games console; 
           [0046]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the controller of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0047]      FIG. 3  is a side view of a controller of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0048]      FIG. 4  is an exploded side view of the controller of  FIG. 1  showing a removable cover portion; 
           [0049]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view from below of a portion of the controller of  FIG. 1  in which the removable cover portion has been removed to expose the trigger mechanism; 
           [0050]      FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of the trigger mechanism of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0051]      FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view of the trigger mechanism of  FIG. 5  showing the range of motion of the trigger mechanism in an exemplary implementation of the use of the range of motion; 
           [0052]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view from below of a portion of the controller of  FIG. 1  in which the removable cover portion has been removed to expose a trigger adjustment mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0053]      FIG. 9A  is an exploded perspective view of the mechanism for adjusting trigger travel motion; 
           [0054]      FIG. 9B  is a perspective view of the mechanism for adjusting trigger travel motion; 
           [0055]      FIG. 10  is a cross sectional view of the trigger mechanism of  FIG. 5  including the mechanism for adjusting trigger travel motion wherein the trigger body is illustrated in a first position; 
           [0056]      FIG. 11  is a cross sectional view of the trigger mechanism of  FIG. 5  including the mechanism for adjusting trigger travel motion wherein the trigger body is illustrated in a second position; and 
           [0057]      FIG. 12  is a bottom view of a portion of the controller of  FIG. 5  including the removable cover portion. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0058]    Detailed descriptions of specific embodiments of the games controller and its trigger mechanisms are disclosed herein. It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the way in which certain aspects of the invention can be implemented and do not represent an exhaustive list of all of the ways the invention may be embodied. Indeed, it will be understood that the games controller and its trigger mechanisms described herein may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The Figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimised to show details of particular components. Well-known components, materials or methods are not necessarily described in great detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Any specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the invention. 
         [0059]    Referring to  FIG. 1  there is shown a controller  1  according to an embodiment of the invention. The controller  1  comprises a mechanism for adjusting trigger travel motion; both the start position and end position of the trigger movement are adjusted by the mechanism. 
         [0060]    The controller  1  comprises controls that are mounted on the front and top of the controller  1 . The controller  1  comprises a left analogue thumb stick  2  and a right analogue thumb stick  3 . The left analogue thumb stick  2  and the right analogue thumb stick  3  normally control movement actions and are intended to be operated by the user&#39;s left and right thumbs respectively. The controller  1  comprises four buttons  4 , located on a front-right portion of the controller  1 , which normally control additional actions and are intended to be operated by the user&#39;s right thumb. The controller  1  comprises a direction pad  5  located on the lower portion of the front-left of the controller  1 . The direction pad  5  is intended to be operated by the user&#39;s left thumb, typically either as an alternative to the left thumb stick  2  or to provide additional actions. The controller  1  also comprises a left trigger  6 , a right trigger  7 , a left bumper  8  and a right bumper  9  located on the front edge of the controller  1 . The left and right triggers  6 ,  7  are typically operated by a user&#39;s index or fore fingers. The left and right bumpers  8 ,  9  may also be operated by a user&#39;s index or fore fingers. 
         [0061]      FIG. 2  illustrates a front view of the controller of  FIG. 1 . It can be seen that the left trigger  6  is mounted below the left bumper  8  and the right trigger  7  is mounted below the right bumper  9 . 
         [0062]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3, 4 and 5  the controller  1  comprises a removable cover portion  10  which is detachably coupled to a base chassis member  14 . The base chassis member  14  is coupled to a top panel  12 . 
         [0063]    The base chassis member  14  and the top panel  12  define a void V in which a printed circuit board (not shown) is located. The printed circuit board comprises control electronics (not shown) to which the controls  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9  of the controller  1  are coupled. An inner chassis member (not shown) is provided in the void; the printed circuit board is fixed to the inner chassis member. 
         [0064]    The base chassis member  14  comprises a cutaway or recess  16  (see  FIG. 4 ) disposed at a front edge thereof. The recess  16  is adjacent to, or facing at least in part, a rear edge  17  of the left trigger  6 . A fixing device  13 , in the form of a screw, is disposed in the recess  16  and secures the base chassis member  14  to the top panel  12 . Preferably, the printed circuit board and the inner chassis member are disposed between the base chassis member  14  and the top panel  12  and are secured in position by the fixing device  13 . The fixing device  13  passes through an aperture or cutaway provided in the recess  16 , through apertures in each of the printed circuit board and the inner chassis member, and into a concealed bore defined within the top panel  12  (that is to say, the bore does not pass through the top panel  12 ). 
         [0065]    A limb  18  extends from the rear of the left trigger  6  into the void V between the base chassis member  14  and the top panel  12 . The limb  18  comprises a magnet  30  (see  FIG. 6 ) attached thereto. The controller  1  determines or senses the position of the magnet  30  relative to a sensor (not shown) provided on the printed circuit board (or in the void) to determine the position or orientation, or to sense movement of, the left trigger body  6 . 
         [0066]    A front edge  15  of the base chassis member  14  defines an end stop limiting the movement of the left trigger  6 . The front edge  15  of the base chassis member  14  may comprise a cushion member  60  to soften the impact of the left trigger body  6  at the end stop. The left trigger  6  is pivotally or rotationally mounted to the inner chassis member or, in alternative embodiments, to the top panel  12 . The left trigger  6  is resiliently biased to return to a start position. 
         [0067]      FIG. 7  illustrates a typical use of the range of motion of the trigger mechanism in a gaming application such as a combat style game. The trigger body  6  has a start position S. The trigger body  6  must be moved through a first zone D Z , a dead zone in which no commands are initiated. Once the trigger body  6  reaches the position C I  a command action is initiated. The trigger body  6  then moves through an active region A R  in which the command actions are carried out. Once the trigger body reaches the position C T , no further commands are initiated. The trigger body  6  then enters an over-travel zone O T  in which no commands are initiated until the trigger body  6  reaches the end stop E at which point the movement of the trigger body  6  is arrested by the front edge  15  of the base chassis member  14 . 
         [0068]    Referring now to  FIGS. 8 to 11  there is shown a trigger adjustment system  20  that has a mechanism to allow the end user to control or recalibrate the range of motion of the trigger body of the left trigger  6 . It will be appreciated that the trigger body of the right trigger  7  can be controlled or recalibrated by employing a system substantially similar to that described in relation to the left trigger mechanism  6 , albeit a mirror image thereof. 
         [0069]    The trigger adjustment system  20  comprises a base plate  44  in which a bore or aperture  46  is defined. The aperture  46  is configured to receive a fixing device  13  in the form of a screw or bolt. The trigger adjustment system  20  comprises a side wall or riser  48 . The riser  48  and the base plate  44  are configured to be received in the recess  16  defined in the base chassis member  14 . The trigger adjustment system  20  comprises an arm  50  which extends from the riser  48 ; preferably the arm  50  extends from an upper end of the riser  48 . 
         [0070]    The arm  50  is arranged such that it extends between the rear edge  17  of the left trigger body  6  and the front edge  15  of the base chassis member  14 . 
         [0071]    The arm  50  comprises an aperture  52  which defines a bore. Optionally, the bore comprises an internal screw thread for receiving a control screw  24 , also referred to as a trigger adjustment control screw. In some embodiments, control screw  24  takes the form of a grub screw, in the other embodiments the control screw  24  comprises a head preventing the entire control screw  24  from passing through the arm  50 . 
         [0072]    As shown in  FIG. 10 , the control screw  24  adjusts the start position of the trigger body  6  as indicated by direction narrow D 1 . The control screw  24  can be rotated to adjust the extent to which the control screw  24  passes through the arm  50 . The lower end of the control screw  24  is brought into contact with the upper surface of the limb  18 . As the control screw  24  is tightened into the aperture  52  the left trigger  6  is pivoted about the pivot point  34  and is prevented from returning to the start position shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0073]    The arm  50  comprises a front edge  15 A which provides an end stop for the range of motion of the left trigger  6 .  FIG. 10  illustrates the trigger body  6  in a first position; the first position is an initial start position in which the trigger body  6  is in an undepressed state. The left trigger  6  is resiliently biased by a bias mechanism such as a spring to return to the first position. The front edge  15 A is disposed closer to the rear edge  17  of the left trigger  6  than the front edge  15  of the base chassis member  14 . In this way the range of motion of the trigger body  6  is reduced or shortened. In this way the trigger adjustment system  20  adjusts the extent to which the left trigger  6  can be depressed by a user. Hence, the degree of rotation of the left trigger  6  about the pivot point  34  is restricted or reduced. 
         [0074]      FIG. 11  illustrates the trigger body  6  in a second position; the second position is a terminal position in which the trigger body  6  is in a depressed state. The motion, indicated by direction arrow D 2 , of the trigger body  6  has been arrested or ceased by the front edge  15 A of the arm  50 . Optionally, the arm  50  comprises a cushion member  56  for softening the impact between the trigger body  6  and the trigger adjustment system  20 . 
         [0075]    In this embodiment the thread for receiving the control screw  24  is cut into the arm  50  of the trigger adjustment system  20 . In other embodiments it would be possible to use a threaded insert in the arm  50 . 
         [0076]    Preferably, the position of the left trigger  6  would be adjusted by use of a specified tool that would be provided to turn the control screws  24 . 
         [0077]    One advantage of the present invention is that it allows adjustments to be made to the trigger response; such adjustment could be customised to suit the nature of the video game that is in use at the time of operation and/or the skill of the operator. For example, in combat style games involving a shooting function it is often the case that the trigger needs to be depressed by a certain amount before any command is prompted. The control screw  24  can be adjusted so that the command is prompted within a desired amount of depression of the trigger body  6 . This adjustment can be made by using the required tool (for example an Allen key, or hex or star driver, cross head or flat head screwdriver, spanner or wrench) to turn the control screw  24  thereby driving it into or out of the arm  50  by virtue of the threaded insert or screw thread located therewithin. 
         [0078]    After reaching or passing the command initiation point C I  no further commands are initiated by further movement of the trigger body  6 . The width of the arm  50  controls the degree of trigger body depression beyond the command initiation point C I . The arm  50  restricts the amount of travel available to the trigger body  6 . The arm  50  impedes the movement of the trigger body  6 , since the rear edge  17  of the trigger body  6  strikes the front edge  15 A of the arm  50  or cushion member  56  when present. 
         [0079]    Such an adjustment to the range of motion of the trigger body  6  would directly relate to the majority of combat style games or other varieties of firing operations in video games. 
         [0080]    The present invention could find application in a variety of other video game genres but for the simplicity of this disclosure reference is made to combat style games. 
         [0081]    A further advantage of the present invention is that it minimises the amount of motion an operator&#39;s finger must travel, therefore minimising the recovery time after a trigger initiation command has been made, allowing the operator to commence the command prompt again and again more rapidly, or to operate different commands quicker. As the movement that is required to operate commands by depressing the trigger body is reduced, the risks of any related repetitive strain injury acquired due to the repeated movement of the finger when operating the trigger function may be greatly reduced. 
         [0082]    In one embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the cover portion  10  comprises an access device in the form of an aperture  22  or through hole which passes through the cover portion. The aperture  22  is configured such that it aligns with the control screw  24 . In this way the operator can insert a tool through the aperture  22  and engage the control screw  24  to adjust the range of movement of the trigger body without the need to remove the cover portion  10 . In other embodiments the cover portion  10  clips onto the base chassis member  14  by mechanical clips integrally formed therewith, the clips having a barb at one end to engage with a receiver. The cover portion  10  may be detached to adjust the control screw  24  or to remove trigger adjustment system  20  to restore the full range of motion of the trigger body  6 . 
         [0083]    It will be recognized that as used herein, directional references such as “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “back”, “end”, “side”, “inner”, “outer”, “upper” and “lower” do not necessarily limit the respective features to such orientation, but may merely serve to distinguish these features from one another. 
         [0084]    While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, numerous variations and alternative embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.