Abstract:
A video game controller that can be configured using a set of video game control switch modules for single hand usage (left or right). The controller is comprised of a controller housing having a base receptacle containing circuitry and a top enclosure which contains several module slots in which removable video game control switch modules can to be inserted and connected to the game controller circuitry via a parallel bus. The removable video game control switch modules which contain the game controls themselves, such as analog joysticks and triggers, can be inserted into any module slot allowing a game player to arrange the controller as desired and have a high level of customization on a per-game or per-user basis.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Description of the Invention 
         [0002]    A video game controller that can be configured using a set of modules for either left handed or right handed use and is intended to allow a person with the use of only one arm to take full advantage of the controls of a modern video game controller. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    This invention is intended to allow persons with the use of only one arm to take full advantage of the controls of a modern video game controller. Previously, there have not been very many options for those in this need, beyond using a standard controller as best they could. Almost all video game controllers, since the beginning of the industry, have required both hands for gripping the controller and, hence, for operating it. This presents a problem for those with the use of only one hand or arm as they cannot both hold the controller and also reach every button. 
         [0005]    This invention first solves the problem of holding the controller as the controller is intended to sit on a person&#39;s leg or table thus freeing up all fingers for game play. The controller provides all the possible buttons on one surface, as opposed to several buttons on the side as with most modern video game controllers, allowing the fingers to reach whatever button they need to reach. Finally, the buttons and joysticks can be arranged as desired for best results either in specific games or based off what the user finds most comfortable. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    A video game controller comprising a controller housing that includes a rigid base receptacle having a plurality of side wall and a bottom surface containing the game controller circuitry and a rigid top cover which attaches to the base receptacle&#39;s walls forming an enclosure and which contains six module slots (wells, ports or spaces) on its top surface, each leading to a base connector socket (i.e. 30 position board-to-board connector socket) on the base printed circuit boards located below in the base. The base connector sockets all have identical pin outs providing all possible signals required for game play, such as analog joysticks, shoulder buttons and triggers. These signals are then sent down the parallel bus to the game controller circuitry, also housed in the base receptacle, when the signals are processed and then sent to the gaming console itself, either via a wireless or serial data cable connection. The circuitry will vary depending on which system it is intended for, i.e., PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. 
         [0007]    The base receptacle has a concave bottom surface which allows the base to be placed on a person&#39;s thigh while playing. In addition, at the bottom edges of the base receptacle are flat portions which also allow the controller housing to be placed on a table or other flat surface while playing. For added comfort, a small section of padded material is mounted on the top of the controller housing for a person&#39;s palm to rest on. 
         [0008]    The invention includes a series of modules that each contain a specific video game electronic control switch that represents each manually actuated function of a standard gaming controller including, but not limited to, the left or right analog joystick, shoulder buttons and the 4 main triggers. At the base of each module is a module connector socket (i.e. 30 position board-to-board connector socket) which mates to any base connector socket. When the module connector socket is mated with any one base connector socket, only the video game control signals required for the specific function of that module&#39;s video game electronic control switches are connected to the base connector socket. Thus, when a specific module is plugged into any of the module slots in the controller housing, its function will remain the same. This allows for allowing easy configuration that can be done very quickly. By using a parallel bus and the omission of certain pins on the module connector sockets as the “key,” this alleviates the need for integrated circuits in each module itself, as would be the case with a serial bus system. 
         [0009]    The modules have flanges on either side that allow them to be easily gripped for removal as well as molded pieces of plastic on one side that serves as a “key,” by fitting only into a matching tabbed recess in any one of the module slots to ensure proper insertion and orientation of the module. 
         [0010]    It is an object of this invention to provide a video game controller that can be configured using a set of modules for single handed use (either left handed or right handed). 
         [0011]    It is another object of this invention to provide a video game controller that when configured using a set of modules contain several sockets connected to the game controller circuitry and several removable modules which contain the game controls that can be arranged as desired for a high level of customization per game. 
         [0012]    In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  shows a top plan view of the video game controller. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a front elevational view thereof. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the base receptacle with the top cover removed showing the arrangement of internal parts. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a front cross sectional, exploded, elevational view of the controller housing top panel and base receptacle showing the arrangement of internal parts. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a cross sectional phantom elevational internal view of the analog shoulder trigger module. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a cross sectional internal phantom elevational view of the analog shoulder trigger module. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a front elevational view of the analog shoulder trigger module. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a top plan phantom view of the analog shoulder trigger module. 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the analog shoulder trigger module. 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is a cross sectional side phantom elevational view of the directional pad module. 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is a front elevational view of the directional pad module. 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  is a top plan phantom view of the directional pad module. 
           [0025]      FIG. 13  is a top plan view of the directional pad module. 
           [0026]      FIG. 14  is a side cross sectional phantom elevational view of the analog joystick module. 
           [0027]      FIG. 15  is a front elevational view of the analog joystick module. 
           [0028]      FIG. 16  is a top phantom cross sectional plan view of the analog joystick module. 
           [0029]      FIG. 17  is a top plan view of the analog joystick module. 
           [0030]      FIG. 18  is a side cross sectional phantom elevational view of the 4 button module. 
           [0031]      FIG. 19  is a front elevational view of the 4 button module. 
           [0032]      FIG. 20  is a top cross sectional phantom plan view of the 4 button module. 
           [0033]      FIG. 21  is a top plan view of the 4 button module. 
           [0034]      FIG. 22  is a top plan view of the controller being used by a left hand. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 1  of the drawings, the top cover  100  of the controller housing has six module slots that receive different removable and reconfigurable modules such as the analog shoulder trigger module  101 , the directional pad module  102 , the left analog joystick module  103 , the right analog joystick module  103  and the four button module  104 . The top cover  100  is shown including the modules  100 - 104  “installed” in a default arrangement. 
         [0036]    Radially extended recesses  1  in the top cover  100  allow the user&#39;s fingers to get an easy grip on the side of any installed module and pull the module using the flanges on the side of each module  2 . The user&#39;s palm can rest comfortably on the padded cushion  12 . 
         [0037]    A few buttons are built into the top cover  100 . These buttons are typically, but not limited to, a “Select/Back” button  14 , a “Start” button  17 , and a “Guide” button  15 , the latter of which returns a user to a menu system as determined by the console. An LED light  16  is located around the perimeter of the “Guide” button  15 . 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the controller housing includes top cover  100  and base receptacle  100   a  which are made of rigid plastic. The top panel  100  that is attached to the base receptacle  100   a  forms the entire controller housing. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the internal view of base receptacle  100   a  is shown. The base connector sockets  5  receive the module connector sockets  4  when the module is inserted into a module slot  10  and electrically connects the modules to the printed circuit boards  6 ,  7 ,  8  and parallel bus. The base connector sockets  5  are arranged in a symmetrical pattern which represents the finger range of an average human hand, the thumb typically being on either of the lowest modules depending on left or right handed use. The “Select/Back” button  14 , “Start” button  17 , “Guide” button  15 , and the LED light around the “Guide” button  16  directly connect to the center printed circuit board  7 . 
         [0040]    Mounted within the controller base  100   a  are three (3) printed circuit boards, a left printed circuit board  6 , a center printed circuit board  7 , and a right printed circuit board  8 . Three (3) printed circuit boards are used, instead of only one, so that the outermost boards can be angled to match the curvature of the top of the controller as seen in  FIG. 2 . The printed circuit boards are mounted to the bottom of the base receptacle  100   a  via screws  18 . The parallel bus signals are transferred from the left and right printed circuit boards to the center one by use of short ribbon cables  13 . These parallel bus signals are then transmitted to the game controller logic circuitry  19 . The game controller logic circuitry  19  is either powered by the game console itself, as with a serial data connection such as USB, or by a built-in battery pack  20  comprising two double AA batteries or other 3 volt range equivalent. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the housing is comprised of base receptacle  100   a  and top panel  100  that are fastened together. Molded mounting posts  9  are the structures in which the printed circuit boards are mounted on at the bottom of the base receptacle  100   a . As seen in an empty module slot  10 , there is a recess  11  on one side of the module slot. This tabbed recess  11  is the part that matches a raised portion  3  on each module and becomes the “key” which ensures proper insertion and orientation of the modules. An opening at the bottom of the module slot allows the module connector socket  4  to pass through and mate with the base connector sockets  5  and thus the printed circuit boards  6 ,  7 ,  8 . The left printed circuit board  6  and the right printed circuit board  8  are shown angled to allow for a curved controller housing. 
         [0042]    Common to all modules, the bottom cap of each module is secured in place by screws  30  and contains an empty space  38  that allows room for the through-hole leads on components, such as potentiometers and mounting posts, that extend past the bottom of the module printed circuit board  29 ,  33 ,  37 ,  40 . A module connector socket  4  is mounted to each module printed circuit board  29 ,  33 ,  37 ,  40 , the module printed circuit board  29 ,  33 ,  37 ,  40  being held in place also by screws  30 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 5  shows the inside of the analog trigger module  101 . This module replicates the buttons typically found on the top side of a gaming controller, usually called the “shoulder buttons” (i.e. L1, L2, R1, R2 or LT, LB, RT, RB). Two of these triggers are analog in function, returning a variable value as to be compatible with a variety of video game platforms. The analog trigger  21 , when pressed, rotates on an axis  23 , which moves the peg  22  through a gap  26  causing the arm  24  to rotate the wiper of the potentiometer to which it is connected  25 . 
         [0044]    Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 8 , the secondary shoulder buttons  27  are connected to contact dome switches  28  on the analog shoulder trigger module printed circuit board  29 , which sends these signals to the module connector socket  4 .  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 9  show the outside of the analog trigger module  101 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 10  shows the inside of the directional pad module  102 . The eight-way directional pad itself is actuated by the top portion  31 , which transfers the motion via a stalk leading down to the contact dome switches  32 . These switches are connected to the directional pad module printed circuit board  33 , which sends these signals to the module connector socket  4 .  FIGS. 11 ,  12  and  13  show the outside configuration of directional pad module  102 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 14  shows the insides of the analog joystick module  103 , of which there are two, the left analog stick and the right analog stick. Both are identical except for labeling  45  which identifies them and the manner in which the signals are connected to the socket  4 . As a result, their pin outs are different and their outputs will differ. 
         [0047]    In  FIGS. 14 and 16 , the top of the analog joystick module  103  is a plastic piece  34  with some texturing to allow a better grip for the user&#39;s finger. This connects to element  35  of the analog joystick module  103  which interprets all movement via a pair of potentiometers which are connected to the analog joystick module printed circuit board  37 . Also contained in the analog joystick module  103  is a press-down contact switch  36 , typically referred to as L3 or R3 (for left or right stick) that is connected to the printed circuit board  37  as well. All signals are then sent to the module connector socket  4 .  FIGS. 15 and 17  show the outside configuration of the analog joystick module  103 . 
         [0048]      FIGS. 18 and 20  show the insides of the four (4) button module  104 . The plastic buttons  41  press down on contact dome switches  39 . These switches are connected to the four (4) button module printed circuit board  40 , which sends these signals to the module connector socket  4 . Labeling of the buttons  41  will vary depending on which console the controller is intended for. “A B X Y” is given as an example.  FIGS. 19 and 21  show the outside configuration of 4 button module  104 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 22  shows the controller  100  being used by a left handed person. In this configuration, the thumb  42  moves the left analog stick, typically to control the in-game character. The little finger  43  moves the right analog stick, typically to control the in-game camera. The remainder of the fingers  44  are free to press the action buttons and triggers required in the game. For use with the right hand, the modules can be moved around and this setup mirrored horizontally or however the user sees fit. The modules can be swapped out on the fly. 
         [0050]    The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.