Patent ID: 10716998

Abstract:
In the present disclosure, a gaming controller for a mobile device is provided. The gaming controller can include a first hardware gaming controller including a first programmable controller and at least one input switch, the at least one input switch of the first hardware gaming controller configured to be manipulated by a user's left thumb and/or fingers to generate a left controller input with the first programmable controller. The gaming controller can include a second hardware gaming controller including a second programmable controller and at least one input switch, the at least one input switch of the second hardware gaming controller configured to be manipulated by a user's right thumb and/or fingers to generate a right controller input with the second programmable controller. The first hardware gaming controller and the second hardware gaming controller are each configured to be removably coupleable with a mobile device, the mobile device including a mobile device processor coupled to a memory module and configured to run a software application. Further, the first hardware gaming controller is configured to be mechanically secured to a side portion of a housing of the mobile device, and the second hardware gaming controller is configured to be mechanically secured to an opposing side portion of the housing of the mobile device. The left controller input and the right controller input can be combined with a virtual controller module to form a virtual gaming controller with a single controller input representation for providing to the software application. A corresponding method for operating a gaming controller is also provided.