Patent Publication Number: US-8529357-B2

Title: Combination tablet computer and game controller with flexible bridge section

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/681,153 filed on Nov. 19, 2012, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/494,801 filed on Jun. 12, 2012, which in turn claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/577,709 filed on Dec. 20, 2011. 
    
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In a preferred embodiment, a combination preferably includes a tablet computer and game controller. The tablet computer provides a plurality of sides, in which each of the sides are disposed between an electronic display screen and a back of the tablet computer. The computer game controller provides control modules adjacent to and confining the tablet computer on at least two opposing sides of the tablet computer, and a structural bridge joining the pair of control modules. The computer game controller further preferably providing input module apertures and a camera. Preferably, each input module aperture secures an instructional input device. The input module apertures are preferably adjacent each of the at least two opposing sides of the tablet computer, and the camera communicates with each the electronic game controller and the tablet computer, the camera selectively captures either still or video images, and the structural bridge preferably provides a communication pathway between the pair of control modules. The structural bridge securing the pair of control modules one to the other and communicating with the back of the tablet computer at a mid-region of the back of the tablet computer. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view, with partial cutaway, of an embodiment an electronic game control apparatus constructed and operated in accordance with various embodiments disclosed and claimed herein. 
         FIG. 2  shows a back plan view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  displays a right side plan view, with partial cutaway, of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 , constructed in accordance with various embodiments disclosed and claimed herein. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a right side plan view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 , constructed in accordance with various embodiments disclosed and claimed herein. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a top perspective view of an embodiment of an input device of  FIG. 1 , constructed in accordance with various embodiments disclosed and claimed herein. 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram of an embodiment of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is a block diagram of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  displays a front perspective view, with partial cutaway, of a combination electronic game control and information input device constructed and operated in accordance with various embodiments disclosed and claimed herein. 
         FIG. 9  depicts a back plan view of the combination of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a front perspective view, with partial cutaway, of an alternate embodiment of a combination electronic game control and information input device constructed and operated in accordance with various embodiments disclosed and claimed herein. 
         FIG. 11  shows a top perspective view of an embodiment of an input device with an integrated point of sale device, the input device is constructed in accordance with various embodiments disclosed and claimed herein. 
         FIG. 12  displays a front perspective view, with partial cutaway, of an alternate embodiment of a combination electronic game control and information input device, the information input device provides the integrated point of sale device. 
         FIG. 13  displays a front perspective view, with partial cutaway, of an alternative embodiment of a combination tablet computer and electronic game control, the electronic game control includes a pair of control modules linked one to the other by a bridge member. 
         FIG. 14  shows a back plan view of the combination tablet computer and electronic game control of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a top perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the combination tablet computer and electronic game control of  FIG. 13 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure generally relates to a combination game controller and information input device directed to controlling electronic games and entry of information to a tablet computer, also referred to herein as video games, computer and applications games. The apparatus preferably includes a tablet computer, an electronic game communicating with the tablet computer, and an input device for controlling movement of a virtual object provided by the electronic game, and entry of information into the tablet computer. In a preferred embodiment, the input device includes a pair of opposing side structures adjacent opposing sides of plurality of sides of the tablet computer. The input device further preferably includes a plurality of input switches, wherein said input switches are adjacent each of the at least two opposing sides of the plurality of sides of the tablet computer, and a bridge structure disposed between the pair of sides to form a three sided structure. The third structure mitigates inadvertent removal of the tablet computer from the three sided structure when the tablet computer is fully nested within the three sided structure. 
     Turning to the drawings,  FIG. 1  provides an exemplary game controller and information entry device (“G&amp;D”)  100  capable of being used in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. The exemplary G&amp;D  100  has at least a tablet computer  102  that providing a plurality of sides, such as  104 ,  106 ,  108 , and  126 . Each of the plurality of sides  104 ,  106 , and  108  are disposed between an electronic display screen  110 , of the tablet computer  102 , and a back  112  (shown by  FIG. 2 ) of the tablet computer  102  operates. The G&amp;D  100  further preferably includes an input device  114 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, the input device  114  provides a pair of side structures,  116  and  118 . One of the pair of side structures, for example 116, is adjacent to and confines the tablet computer  102  on a first side, such as  104  of the plurality of sides  104 ,  106 ,  108 , and  126  of the tablet computer  102 . The second side structure of the pair of side structures, such as  118 , is adjacent to and confines the tablet computer  102  on a second side, such as  108 , of the plurality of sides  104 ,  106 ,  108 , and  126  of the tablet computer  102 , wherein the first and second sides, such as  104  and  108 , of the plurality of sides  104 ,  106 ,  108 , and  126  of the tablet computer  102  are opposing sides of the plurality of sides  104 ,  106 ,  108 , and  126 , of the tablet computer  102 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, the input device  114  further provides a plurality of removable game control modules  120  and  122 , wherein the removable game control modules  120  and  122  are adjacent each of the at least two opposing sides  104  and  108 , of the plurality of sides  104 ,  106 ,  108 , and  126 , of the tablet computer  102 , and a bridge structure  124 , disposed between the pair of side structures  116  and  118 , and adjacent the third side  126 , of the plurality of sides  104 ,  106 ,  108 , and  126 , of the tablet computer  102 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, the removable game control modules  120  and  122  may be removed from the input device  114 , and replaced by removable keyboard modules  164  and  166 , of  FIG. 8 . To facilitate the exchange of modules, the input device preferably provides a pair of input module apertures  170 . The removable keyboard modules collectively form a full function keyboard and each provide an auxiliary electronic display screen (“ADS”)  168 , each ADS  168  having at least the functionality of the electronic display screen  110 . 
     In an alternate embodiment, shown by  FIG. 10 , the removable keyboard modules  164  and  166  are a pair of touch responsive electronic display screens  172  and  174 , each of the touch responsive electronic display screens having at least the functionality of the electronic display screen  110 , include the functionality of a mouse pad portions  176  and  178 , and selectively presents keys of a keyboard  180  and  182  for information entry. Preferably, the keys are virtual keys that respond to a touch by a user. 
     Returning to  FIG. 1 , preferably, the bridge structure  124  in combination with the pair of side structures  116  and  118  form a three sided structure  128  (of  FIG. 5 ) (also referred to herein as a u-shaped structure  128  of the input device  114 ), in which the tablet computer  102  nests, such that the tablet computer  102  is confined by the u-shaped structure  128 , and the u-shaped structure  128  mitigates inadvertent removal of the tablet computer  102  from the u-shaped structure  128  when the tablet computer  102  is fully nested within the three sided structure  128 . 
     The G&amp;D  100  of  FIG. 1 , further preferably includes a video game  130 . Preferably, the video game  130  provides a virtual object  132  displayed by the electronic display screen  110 , the virtual object  132  is responsive to input from the input device  114 . An example of a response of the virtual object  132  would be movement of the virtual object  132 , or the loading of an alternate computer game, based on a predetermined signal provided by the input device  114 , or an appearance of a character. It is noted that  FIG. 1  displays the housings of the plurality of switches, whereas at least some of the plurality of switches are shown in the partial cutaway of  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 2  depicts and reveals the back  112  of the tablet computer  102 . Further shown by  FIG. 2 , is the input device  114 , which provides a pair of trigger switches  136  and  138 , supported by their corresponding side structures  116  and  118  respectively. 
       FIG. 3  shows that a predetermined number of the plurality of switches  140 , collaborate with each other to form an input apparatus  142 , the input apparatus  142  controls display of virtual objects displayed on the electronic display screen  110  of the tablet computer  102 . Preferably, the input apparatus  142  is a joystick  142 .  FIG. 3  further shows that the input device  114  provides a plurality of buttons  144  and  119  of the removable game control modules  120 , which activate corresponding switches  145  and  121 . The main function of the trigger  138 , the joystick  142 , and the buttons  144  and  119  of the removable game control modules  120  is to govern the movement/actions of a playable body/object or otherwise influence events in a video game  130  (of  FIG. 1 ) or an alternate computer game. 
       FIG. 4  shows the G&amp;D  100 , further includes a second joystick  146 , and a second button  148 , which are provided on the side structure  116 , adjacent the trigger  136 . While  FIG. 5  shows the central processing unit (CPU)  150 , of the input device  114 . 
       FIG. 6  shows the input device  114  includes the CPU  150 , interacting with the plurality of switches  152 , which preferably include at least switches  119  of the removable game control modules  120  (of  FIG. 1 ), switches  117  of the removable game control modules  122  (of  FIG. 1 ),  136 ,  138 ,  142 ,  144 ,  146 , and  148  (of  FIGS. 2 and 3 ).  FIG. 6  further shows the input device  114  includes a communications protocol  154  providing the communication link between the tablet computer  102 , and the input device  114 . In a preferred embodiment, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) communications protocol is utilized. However, as those skilled in the art will recognize, the communications protocol  154  is not limited to a USB protocol. 
       FIG. 6  further shows that the tablet computer  102  preferably includes at least a CPU  156 , interacting with the electronic display screen  110 , the video game  130 , a device driver  158 , which facilitates the interaction between the tablet computer  102  and the input device  114 , and a communications protocol  160  providing the communication link between the tablet computer  102 , and the input device  114 . In a preferred embodiment, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) communications protocol is utilized. However, as those skilled in the art will recognize, the communications protocol  160  is not limited to a USB protocol. 
       FIG. 7  shows an alternative embodiment of an exemplary game controller  162 , in which the device driver  158  and the video game  130  are located in the input device  114 . 
       FIG. 8  shows in a preferred embodiment, the G&amp;D  100  includes a first camera  184 , on a first side of the tablet computer  102 , a second camera  186 , on the back side of the tablet computer  102  (shown by  FIG. 9 ), a third camera  188  on a first side of the input device  114 , and a fourth camera  190  on the back side of the input device  114  (shown by  FIG. 9 ). 
     In a preferred embodiment, each of the four cameras may selectively function independently, or may be used in conjunction with one another, and each of the four cameras  184 ,  186 ,  188 , and  190  are fully functional in capturing still and video images. Additionally, and preferably, the first and second cameras  184  and  186 , are fully operative, even when the tablet computer  102  is detached from the input device  114 , while the third and fourth cameras  188  and  190  are fully functional, even when the input device  114  is detached from the tablet computer  102 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, when the tablet computer  102  is nested in the input device  114 , the first and second cameras,  184  and  186 , are responsive, either independently or simultaneously, to input from either the tablet computer  102 , or the input device  114 , depending on which device is selected for control of the first and second cameras,  184  and  186 . Further, in the preferred embodiment, each the tablet computer  102  and the input device  114 , are configured with a Bluetooth protocol stack communication feature, which permits the user to operate the first and second cameras,  184  and  186 , of the tablet computer  102  with the input device  114 , even when the tablet computer  102  is detached from the input device  114 . Likewise, when the tablet computer  102  and the input device  114  are configured with a Bluetooth protocol stack communication feature, the user may operate the third and fourth cameras,  188  and  190 , of the input device  114 , using the tablet computer  102 . In other words, in the preferred embodiment, each of the four cameras  184 ,  186 ,  188 , and  190 , may be selectively operated, individually or collectively, whether or not the tablet computer  102  is nested within the input device  114 . 
       FIG. 9  shows that in a preferred embodiment, the input device  114 , includes an auxiliary power source  192 , and an auxiliary data storage device  194 , which preferably includes a cache portion  196 . Preferably, the auxiliary power source  192 , is a lithium ion battery, which provides power to the input device  114 , and the tablet computer  102 , when the power source of the tablet computer  102  is depilated; and the auxiliary data storage device  194  is a solid state hard drive. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the cache  196  is sized to buffer synchronized input from each of the cameras  184 ,  186 ,  188 , and  190 , such that the auxiliary data storage device  194  may store and retrieve images, still or video, for display seamlessly, including a simultaneous output of video images recorded by each of the cameras  184 ,  186 ,  188 , and  190 . 
     In a non-limiting exemplary application of utilizing the cameras  184 ,  186 ,  188 , and  190 , the first camera  184  could be trained on an information presenter, while the second camera  186  is trained on a portion of an audience attending the presentation. The third camera  188 , could be trained on a screen used by the presenter for presenting their information to the audience, while the fourth camera is trained on an alternate portion of the audience. By simultaneously replaying the recorded presentation, a response of the audience to the information, and sequence of information being presented, may be analyzed for fostering improvements to the presentation. 
       FIG. 11  shows an alternative embodiment of a video game controller  200 , which provides an integrated transaction card input feature  202 . Preferably, the integrated transaction card input feature  202 , includes a transaction card slot  204 , and a transaction card reader  206 . In a preferred embodiment, the transaction card reader  206 , is a magnetic strip reader, but as those skilled in the art will recognize, the transaction card reader can be, in the alternate: is an optical character recognition reader; a barcode reader; an object recognition reader, or a pattern recognition reader. 
       FIG. 12  shows that in a preferred embodiment, a combination tablet computer and electronic game controller with an integrated point of sale device  210  preferably includes a tablet computer  212 , having a plurality of sides  214 , each of the plurality of sides  214 , are disposed between an electronic display screen  216 , of the tablet computer and a back  218  of the tablet computer, and an input device  220 , in electronic communication with the tablet computer  212 . The input device  220  preferably provides side structures  222 , adjacent to and confining the tablet computer on at least two opposing sides of the plurality of sides  214  of the tablet computer  212 . The input device  220 , further preferably provides input module apertures  224 , each input module aperture  224 , selectively accepts either a game control module, such as  102  and  122  of  FIG. 1 , or a removable keyboard module, such as  226  and  228 . Preferably, the input module apertures  224  are adjacent each of the at least two opposing sides of the plurality of sides  214  of the tablet computer  212 . 
       FIG. 12  further shows that in a preferred embodiment, the combination tablet computer and electronic game controller with an integrated point of sale device  210  preferably includes a camera  230 , communicating with each the input device  220 , and the tablet computer  212 . The camera  230 , selectively captures either still or video images, and that the input device  220 , further provides an integrated transaction card input feature  232 , which interacts with a transaction card  234 , and that preferably, the input device is an electronic game controller  220 . Preferably, the camera  230  is a first camera, having a lens facing the user while the user is facing the electronic display screen  216 , and includes at least a second camera, such as  186  or  190  (of  FIG. 9 ), having a lens facing in a direction opposite that of the first camera  184 . 
       FIG. 12  additionally shows an application  236 , displayed on the electronic display screen  216 , of the tablet computer  212 . Preferably, the application  236 , displayed on the electronic display screen  216  of the tablet computer  212 , is a point of sale transactional computer application, which interacts with the electronic game controller  220  and the tablet computer  212 . 
       FIG. 13  shows an alternative embodiment of a combination tablet computer and electronic game control  240  (also referred to herein as a device  240 ). The tablet computer  242 , preferably provides a plurality of sides  244 , each of the plurality of sides are disposed between an electronic display screen  246 , of the tablet computer  242 , and a back  248  of the tablet computer  242 . 
     Preferably, the electronic game controller  250  (also referred to herein as input device  250 ), is in electronic communication with the tablet computer  242 . Preferably, the input device  250 , provides a pair of control modules  252 . The pair of control modules  252 , are adjacent to and confining the tablet computer  242 , on at least two opposing sides of the plurality of sides  244 , of the tablet computer  242 . The pair of control modules  252 , preferably provide input module apertures  254 , each input module aperture  254 , secures an instructional input device  256 . Preferably, the input module apertures  254 , are adjacent each of the at least two opposing sides of the plurality of sides  244 , of the tablet computer  242 . 
       FIG. 14  shows the back  248 , of the tablet computer  242 , and the tablet computer  242 , partially positioned within the input device  250 .  FIG. 14  further shows a structural bridge  258 , securing the pair of control modules  252 , one to the other, and communicating with the back  248 , of the tablet computer  242 , at a mid-region  260 , of the back  248 , of the tablet computer  242 . 
       FIG. 14  further shows that the pair of control modules  252 , provide a confinement boss  262 , and the confinement boss  262  provides a fastening detent  264 . The fastening detent  264 , interacts with a retention member  266 , to secure the structural bridge  258 , to the pair of control modules  252 . In a preferred embodiment, the retention member  266 , is responsive to a catch  268 , which preferably is a spring activated catch  268 , and the retention member  268  is preferably a spring loaded retention member  268 . Still further,  FIG. 14 , shows that in a preferred embodiment, the structural bridge  258 , provides a communication link  270 , which passing signals between the pair of control modules  252 . 
     Continuing with  FIG. 14 , in a preferred embodiment, the communication link  270 , provides a communication module  272 , and in the alternative, provides a signal pathway  274 , for use in passing signals between the pair of control modules  252 . In a preferred embodiment, the communication module  272  is a wireless communication module  272 , which operates in a frequency range of 2.4 GHz. In an alternate preferred embodiment, the wireless communication module  272  is a personal area network. As those skilled in the art, a personal area network (PAN) is a computer network used for communication among computerized devices, including telephones and personal digital assistants. PANs can be used for communication among the personal devices themselves (intrapersonal communication), or for connecting to a higher level network and the Internet (an uplink). A wireless personal area network (WPAN) is a PAN carried over wireless network technologies such as IrDA, Bluetooth, Wireless USB, Z-Wave, ZigBee, or even Body Area Network. The reach of a WPAN varies from a few centimeters to a few meters. A PAN may also be carried over wired computer buses such as USB and FireWire. 
     In an embodiment that utilizes the signal pathway  274 , as the communication link, the signal pathway  274  may be in the form of a metallic conductor, a fiber optic conductor, a conductive polymer, or the conductive layer of a flex circuit. The skilled artisan will further appreciate that the structural bridge  258  (of  FIG. 14 ), or  276  (of  FIG. 15 ) may be either formed from a ridged material, such as a ridged polymer, or from a flexible material, such as a flexible polymer. In a preferred embodiment, when a flexible material is selected, and the signal pathway  274  is a wired pathway, the signal pathway  274  may be coupled externally to the structural bridge  276 , as shown by  FIG. 15 . 
       FIG. 15  further shows that in a preferred embodiment, the instructional input device  256 , may be an electronic game control module  278  (which may be either removable, or fixed), or a keyboard module  280  (of  FIG. 13 , which may be either removable, or fixed). 
     It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics and configurations of various embodiments of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of various embodiments of the invention, this detailed description is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of structure and arrangements of parts within the principles of the present invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. For example, the particular elements may vary depending on the particular tablet computer without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.