Abstract:
Aspects of the present invention are directed to techniques for improving the manufacturing control mechanisms—specifically game controllers—for computerized electronic devices. According to one aspect of the present invention, a button assembly is provided that eliminates the need for dampers or gaskets for shock absorption by implementing the hammer and pad using novel and advantageous geometries. According to one embodiment, the bottom or striking surface of the hammer in a button assembly is implemented at an angle, which, when pressed, strikes a similarly angled surface of the landing pad. The slope of the corresponding angles cause the hammer to slide along the angled surface, and for the kinetic force of the impact to be redirected as shearing force away from the button assembly (and the corresponding user appendage).

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This present invention refers generally to techniques for improving the manufacture and performance of user input control mechanisms. More specifically, the invention is directed to a solution for reduced parts and labor costs in manufacturing gaming controllers while increasing user comfort levels and improving overall user experience. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The progress of computerized electronics has led to a recent surge in the integration of processing and networking capabilities in many tools and household appliances. Naturally, the interaction between human users and these devices presents one of the most important aspects of any consumer electronic device&#39;s design, and providing user interfaces that enable a user to quickly, effectively, and comfortably control an electronic device is a core objective for every hardware designer. 
         [0003]    Video electronic gaming is among the most popular sources of interactions between humans and computerized devices. Recently, competitive gaming, sometimes referred to as “e(lectronic)-sports” has experienced a rapid growth in popularity and exposure. Like many other competitions, success at high levels of competitive gaming requires a substantial commitment of time towards training and practice for most of the competitors. Even recreational game players may spend extended periods of time gaming. Various implementations have been developed for control mechanisms to increase the effectiveness or otherwise improve the user experience and immersiveness of video gaming. 
         [0004]    Control mechanisms can range from all-purpose user interface platforms such as keyboards and mouse pointers, to highly specific assemblies that emulate an automobile driver&#39;s seat or pilot&#39;s cockpit. A game pad—a hand held controller typically gripped with two hands and features at least one set of omni-directional digital buttons and a plurality of other buttons which may be digital or analog—has become the universal standard for dedicated gaming controllers, although the size and shape of game pads may vary depending on the manufacturer and corresponding game console. 
         [0005]    Conventional game pads also feature one or more (typically paired) sets of buttons designed to be larger and more responsive, and generally used to simulate a trigger and to receive short, quick motions from a user. Since these trigger buttons are often the most frequently and rapidly used control mechanisms on a game pad, many hardware manufacturers have started to include additional features to lessen the physical stress of the impact from repeatedly pressing trigger buttons, and to increase overall user comfort and the user experience. These comfort-increasing features may include, for example, trigger buttons with ergonomically designed curves, softer materials, and/or more natural positions. 
         [0006]    Another feature that has been introduced is the use of dampers to absorb the shock from the impact of a button press.  FIG. 1  depicts a conventional trigger or bumper button assembly  100  that is implemented with a hammer  101  that is depressed via user motion, and a counter weight or level that repositions the hammer to its original position when the button is not being pressed. The hammer generally travels in a short arc until it strikes a landing pad  103 , whereupon an actuation of the button is registered by the controller, either through a sensor in the pad, or more commonly, through a rotation of a gear  113  connected to the hammer via a bar  111  that extends and retracts as the hammer is pressed and released, respectively. A second damper  107  is often placed in a position to stop the hammer via a protruding fin  109  and absorb the impact as it returns to its natural, un-actuated position. 
         [0007]    These dampers are typically made from silicone or other softer (relative to the casing of the controller or of the button itself) material. Gaskets may also be used instead of dampers. In either case, installing the dampers or gaskets within the tight confines of game controller shell casings has yet to be automated, and must be performed by hand. Accordingly, accounting for controller manufacturing costs must not only include the cost of producing both the dampers (or gaskets), but the labor time and cost required to assemble the controller to install the damper or gasket arrangements as well. For large productions, these costs can be substantial. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the invention, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the invention. 
         [0009]    Aspects of the present invention are directed to techniques for improving the manufacturing control mechanisms—specifically game controllers—for computerized electronic devices. According to one aspect of the present invention, a button assembly is provided that eliminates the need for dampers or gaskets for shock absorption by implementing the hammer and pad using novel and advantageous geometries. According to one embodiment, the bottom or striking surface of the hammer in a button assembly is implemented at an angle, which, when pressed, strikes a similarly angled surface of the landing pad. The slope of the corresponding angles cause the hammer to slide along the angled surface, and for the kinetic force of the impact to be redirected as shearing force away from the button assembly (and the corresponding user appendage). 
         [0010]    According to another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided that registers actuations of a button assembly with new and advantageous geometries, wherein a user motion that is received on the button depresses a hammer which strikes a landing pad. The novel geometries of the striking and receiving surfaces allows the hammer to slide slightly along the downward slope of the similarly angled receiving surface, thereby dissipating the reactionary force of the impact by redirecting the force to a shearing force along the edges. Actuation of the user motion (button press) is registered by either a sensor in the landing pad or via a bar that rotates a gear or piston assembly with a sensor. 
         [0011]    According to the various aspects described above, the absorption capabilities may be increased by including a flexible joint that connects to the hammer in the button assembly that allows the hammer to slide when the button is pressed and relaxes back to its normal position when the button assembly is released. Still further embodiments provide a cavity in the hammer and/or the pad that decreases the rigidity of the respective structures and provides greater shock absorption capabilities. These cavities may be implemented as both angular and rounded cavities as necessary to balance rigidity, durability, and shock absorption. 
         [0012]    By providing shock absorption directly using the inherent geometries of the button assembly, viz. the hammer and landing pad, gaskets and dampers are no longer necessary while maintaining a similar (or greater) level of user comfort. Accordingly, the cost of producing the gaskets and/or dampers and the cost in human labor required to install the gaskets and dampers can be eliminated. Additionally, defects as a result of human error during installation can also be avoided. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The accompanying drawings are incorporated in and form a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments. Together with the description, the drawings serve to explain the principles of the embodiments: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  depicts a schematic of a typical button assembly for a conventional gaming controller. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  depicts a diagram of a striking mechanism and landing pad in a button assembly according to conventional means. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  depicts a diagram of a striking mechanism and landing pad in a button assembly in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  depicts a diagram of a striking mechanism and landing pad with an angular cavity in a button assembly in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  depicts a diagram of a striking mechanism and landing pad with a rounded cavity in a button assembly in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  depicts a diagram of a striking mechanism and landing pad, with rounded cavities, in a button assembly in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  depicts a flowchart of an exemplary process for registering a press of a button in a gaming controller in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the invention, a method and system for the use of a shield can of a mobile computing device with improved heat management capability, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to be limit to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope as defined by the appended claims. 
         [0022]    Furthermore, in the following detailed descriptions of embodiments of the invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the invention. 
         [0023]    Some portions of the detailed descriptions that follow are presented in terms of procedures, steps, logic blocks, processing, and other symbolic representations of operations on data bits that can be performed on computer memory. These descriptions and representations are the means used by those skilled in the data processing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. A procedure, computer generated step, logic block, process, etc., is here, and generally, conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of steps or instructions leading to a desired result. The steps are those requiring physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated in a computer system. It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like. 
         [0024]    It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the present invention, discussions utilizing terms such as “storing,” “creating,” “protecting,” “receiving,” “encrypting,” “decrypting,” “destroying,” or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system or integrated circuit, or similar electronic computing device, including an embedded system, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system&#39;s registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices. 
         [0025]    Embodiments of the invention are directed to novel solutions for improving manufacturing of user input hardware devices by reducing the amount of parts and labor required during production using novel geometries to achieve high levels of user comfort and a rewarding user experience. 
       Conventional Striking Mechanisms 
       [0026]      FIG. 2  depicts a diagram  200  of a striking mechanism  201  and landing pad  211  in a button assembly according to conventional means. As depicted in  FIG. 2 , the striking mechanism  201  may include an arm attached to a corner or bend  205  that leads to a hammer  207 . When in the pressed position (as represented by the solid lines), the striking mechanism is rotated to strike the landing pad  211 . In many conventional implementations, the shock of the impact is absorbed by a damper  213  or gasket, typically made of a softer material, such as silicone. 
         [0027]    As depicted, conventional striking mechanisms  201  typically have a substantially horizontal surface on both the striking surface of the hammer  207  and the landing pad  211  and damper  213 . The range of motion along the arc traveled by the button assembly during a button press is such that the hammer strikes the landing pad  211  and damper  213  substantially perpendicularly. When the striking mechanism  201  is released (represented by the figure enclosed in the dotted line), the striking surface is raised (rotated) away—via the counterweight  209 —from the landing pad  211  and damper  213  until it hits a second damper  215 . 
         [0028]    While effective for its purpose, the requirement of dampers (e.g., dampers  213  and  215 ) or gaskets presents an opportunity to reduce the cost of production. 
       Button Assemblies With Enhanced Geometries 
       [0029]      FIG. 3  depicts a diagram  300  of a striking mechanism  301  and landing pad  311  in a button assembly in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. As depicted in  FIG. 3 , the striking mechanism  301  may also be implemented with an arm  303  and counterweight  309 . However, unlike conventional button assemblies, instead of a rigid corner or bend, embodiments of the present invention are equipped with a flexible joint  305 , which, when the button is pressed (via user motion) extends the hammer  307  forward and downward along the surface of the landing pad  311  (extension is represented as the figure enclosed by the dotted line). 
         [0030]    As presented in  FIG. 3 , the bottom (striking) surface  313  of the hammer and the receiving surface  315  of the landing pad  311  are equipped with sloped surfaces, such that when the button assembly is pressed, the surfaces ( 313 ,  315 ) are pressed in contact at a substantially non-horizontal angle, with the striking surface  313  of the hammer  307  sliding downwards against the receiving surface  315  of the landing pad  311 . By virtue of the particular geometry, the force of the impact is absorbed as the hammer  307  slides against the surface of the landing pad  311 , with the kinetic energy being dissipated as a shearing force exerted during the contact of the surfaces ( 313 ,  315 ). The flexible joint  305  allows the slight movement (via slide) of the hammer  307  without permanently displacing any of the moving parts. In one or more embodiments, the hammer  307 , landing pad  311 , and/or joint  305  may be implemented using a softer material (such as a polycarbonate) that further increases the absorptive ability of the button assembly. 
         [0031]    By providing shock absorption directly using the inherent geometries of the button assembly, viz. the hammer and landing pad, gaskets and dampers are rendered obsolete while maintaining a similar (or greater) level of user comfort. Accordingly, the cost of producing the gaskets and/or dampers and the cost in human labor required to install the gaskets and dampers can be eliminated. Additionally, defects as a result of human error during installation can also be avoided. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 4-6  depict diagrams ( 400 ,  500 , and  600 , respectively) of striking mechanisms with one or more cavities that increase the absorptive capacity of the button assembly, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. Each of  FIGS. 4-6  is presented with a striking mechanism,  301 , arm  303 , flexible joint  305 , hammer  307 , counter weight  309 , and landing pad  311 , as described above with respect to  FIG. 3 . Likewise, the bottom or striking surface  313  of the hammer  307 , and the receiving surface  315  of the landing pad  311  of each of the  FIGS. 4-6  is presented with an angled surface. While the particular angle of the surface has been displayed consistently for illustrative purposes, it is to be understood that the exact angle itself may vary, and that embodiments of the present invention are well suited to include angles that are not depicted herein. Any angle may be suitable that allows the force of the impact from pressing the hammer  307  to the landing pad  311  to be redirected as a shearing force through movement (while contacted) of the hammer  307  along a surface of the landing pad  311 . 
         [0033]    As depicted in  FIG. 4 , the striking mechanism  401  may be further equipped with a cavity  417  in the landing pad  311 . As presented, the cavity  417  may be an angular cavity (e.g., wedge) that reduces the rigidity of the protruding surface  315  of the landing pad, to allow a slight flexion of the surface  315  and increase the absorptive capacity. 
         [0034]    As depicted in  FIG. 5 , the striking mechanism  501  may be equipped instead with a rounded cavity  517  that reduces the rigidity of the protruding surface  315  of the landing pad, to allow a slight flexion of the surface  315  and increase the absorptive capacity. The rounded cavity  517  presents different structural characteristics than the angular cavity  417  described above with respect to  FIG. 4 , such as the range of flexion, elasticity, and durability, and may be optimal when certain characteristics are specifically desired. 
         [0035]    As depicted in  FIG. 6 , the striking mechanism  601  may be equipped with cavities ( 617 ,  619 ) in both the landing pad  311  as well as the hammer  307 , each of which reduce the rigidity of the underlying component and providing a slight ability to flex around the cavity, thereby even further increasing the shock-absorptive capacity. While two rounded cavities ( 617 ,  619 ) are depicted in  FIG. 6 , embodiments are well suited to multiple cavities in excess of two in each of the hammer  307  and/or the landing pad  311 , and the cavities themselves may be angular, round, or any combination of the two to optimize for target structural characteristics as so desired. 
         [0036]      FIG. 7  depicts a flowchart  700  of an exemplary process for registering a press of a button in a gaming controller in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. Steps  701 - 707  describe exemplary steps of the flowchart  700  in accordance with the various embodiments herein described. 
         [0037]    At step  701 , a user motion is received in a button assembly, such as the button assemblies described above with respect to  FIGS. 3-6 . In particular, the user motion (e.g., a downward motion such as a press) is received in a striking mechanism (e.g., a button). By virtue of the geometry of the striking mechanism, the user motion causes the striking mechanism to strike a landing pad at step  703 . In one or more embodiments, the user motion received in step  701  causes the striking mechanism to rotate along a pre-determined arc to strike the landing pad at  703 . 
         [0038]    At step  705 , the force from the impact of the striking mechanism striking the landing pad at step  703  is redirected by the specific geometries of the striking mechanism and the landing pad. In one or more embodiments, the striking surface of the striking mechanism that contacts the receiving surface of the landing pad—as well as the receiving surface itself—are each angled correspondingly such that the striking surface is able to slide along the receiving surface, thereby redirecting the force from the impact into a shearing force that is dissipated into the ambient environment. 
         [0039]    Additional characteristics of the button assembly and the geometries of the striking mechanism and the landing pad may add to the ability of the entire assembly to absorb the shock of the impact. These characteristics may include, for example, greater elasticity of the striking mechanism and/or landing pad through softer material composition, the use of a flexible joint that allows the extension of the striking surface along the receiving surface of the landing pad without permanently displacing or disfiguring the assembly, and/or the usage of cavities in either the striking mechanism or the landing pad to reduce their respective structural rigidities and increase the amount of shock absorbed. 
         [0040]    Finally, at step  705 , the user motion is registered as an actuation of the button assembly via the movement of the striking mechanism at step  703 . The actuation of the button assembly may be registered either through a sensor in the pad, or through a rotation of a gear or piston connected to the striking mechanism via a bar that extends and retracts as the striking mechanism is pressed and released. 
         [0041]    In the foregoing specification, embodiments have been described with reference to numerous specific details that may vary from implementation to implementation. Thus, the sole and exclusive indicator of what is the invention, and is intended by the applicant to be the invention, is the set of claims that issue from this application, in the specific form in which such claims issue, including any subsequent correction. Hence, no limitation, element, property, feature, advantage, or attribute that is not expressly recited in a claim should limit the scope of such claim in any way. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.