US20130184077A1 - Game controller for a pivotable handheld computing device - Google Patents
Game controller for a pivotable handheld computing device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20130184077A1 US20130184077A1 US13/561,841 US201213561841A US2013184077A1 US 20130184077 A1 US20130184077 A1 US 20130184077A1 US 201213561841 A US201213561841 A US 201213561841A US 2013184077 A1 US2013184077 A1 US 2013184077A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- cradle
- game controller
- body portion
- computing device
- handheld computing
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
- A63F13/90—Constructional details or arrangements of video game devices not provided for in groups A63F13/20 or A63F13/25, e.g. housing, wiring, connections or cabinets
- A63F13/98—Accessories, i.e. detachable arrangements optional for the use of the video game device, e.g. grip supports of game controllers
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
- A63F13/20—Input arrangements for video game devices
- A63F13/23—Input arrangements for video game devices for interfacing with the game device, e.g. specific interfaces between game controller and console
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
- A63F13/20—Input arrangements for video game devices
- A63F13/24—Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
- A63F13/90—Constructional details or arrangements of video game devices not provided for in groups A63F13/20 or A63F13/25, e.g. housing, wiring, connections or cabinets
- A63F13/92—Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
Abstract
Description
- This patent document claims priority to earlier filed U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/587,414, filed on Jan. 17, 2012, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
- 1. Technical Field
- The present patent document relates generally to handheld computing devices, such as smartphones, music players, portable game systems, personal data assistants, and the like, and more particularly to a game controller for such devices.
- 2. Background of the Related Art
- Consumer acceptance of smartphones, PDAs, music players has exploded in the marketplace. Consumers have also embraced mobile apps and other downloadable software for these handheld computing devices. In particular, video games have become quite popular. However, these handheld computing devices lack controls specific to gaming, such as a D-pad, spaced-apart action buttons, triggers, joysticks and the like.
- Furthermore, most handheld computing devices have rectangular screens and different video games have been designed to be played in either a landscape or a portrait orientation, but typically not both.
- Therefore, there is a perceived need in the industry for a device to interface with a handheld computing device that provides video game controls users are accustomed to having when playing video games. There is also a need for a device to permit a user to play video games in a portrait or landscape mode.
- The game controller described herein solves the problems of the prior art by providing a game controller that includes a pivoting cradle that permits that handheld computing device to be positioned in landscape or portrait orientation as desired by the user. The game controller includes buttons, triggers, D-pads and other standard video game controls that user have become accustomed to using play video games
- These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the game controller with the pivoting cradle locked in a landscape orientation; -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the game controller with the pivoting cradle locked in a portrait orientation; -
FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the pivoting cradle; -
FIG. 4 is a cross-section view through line 4-4 ofFIG. 3 ; -
FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the body portion of the game controller; -
FIG. 6 is a partial bottom cross-section view of the body portion and pivoting cradle engaged in the landscape orientation; -
FIG. 7 is a partial bottom cross-section view of the body portion and pivoting cradle engaged in the portrait orientation; - Referring now to
FIG. 1 , an embodiment of the game controller is shown generally at 10. Thegame controller 10 includes abody portion 12 and a pivotingcradle 14 rotatably attached thereto. Thepivoting cradle 14 includes a recess to capture ahandheld computing device 16 therein. Thebody portion 12 includes a plurality of game controls 20 for interacting with a video game running on the handheld computing device 18. - The body portion includes a number of controls. A D-pad 20 a and a number of
triggers 20 b andbuttons 20 c are shown (“controls” 20 collectively). Acircuit 21 inside the body portion detects D-pad 20 a, trigger 20 b, andbutton 20 c presses and releases of the controls 20 and transmits the state of the controls 20 to thehandheld computing device 16. Transmission of the state of the controls 20 to thehandheld computing device 16 may be done wirelessly, such as through a Bluetooth connection, or by a wired connection as is known in the art. Details of the transmission method need not be described herein as one skilled in the art would be familiar with the implementation. - The
pivoting cradle 14 includes arecess 15 for securing thehandheld computing device 16 therein. The rear of the pivoting cradle 12 (best seen inFIGS. 3 and 4 ) includes a raisedmounting point 22 with anaperture 24 for pivotally attaching the pivoting cradle to 14 thebody portion 12. Acollar 26 surrounds the raisedmounting point 22 and includes a pair of spring-biased ball detents 28. Thecollar 26 is configured to set into a seat in thebody portion 12, best seen inFIG. 5 . Adjacent to thecollar 26 are a pair of semi-circular raisedlips 30 that partially surround thecollar 26. - Referring to
FIG. 5 , thebody portion 12 includes arecessed area 32 to receive the pivoting cradle. The raisedlips 30 on thepivoting cradle 14 contact therecessed area 32 and lift thepivoting cradle 12 up off of therecessed area 32 thereby reducing friction for turning thepivoting cradle 14. Aseat 34 is formed on therecessed area 32 to receive thecollar 26 of thepivoting cradle 14. Thecollar 26 fits over anannular wall 36 inside theseat 34 and theannular wall 36 receives the raisedmounting point 22. Anaperture 38 is formed within theannular wall 36. The pivotingcradle 14 andbody portion 12 are secured together with an axle, rod, screw orbolt 40 that is passed through theaperture 38 on thebody portion 12 and into theaperture 24 on the raisedmounting point 22 of thecradle 14. - Inside the
seat 34, acircular track 42 with fourstop points 44 is formed. Thecircular track 42 receives theball detents 28. The fourstop points 44 allow the ball detents 28 to fully sit thereby locking the pivotingcradle 14 in either a portrait or landscape orientation relative to thebody portion 12, as seen inFIGS. 6 and 7 . The spring tension biasing theball detents 28 is strong enough to secure thepivoting cradle 14 in the landscape or portrait orientation. However, a user may overcome the spring tension by applying torque to thepivoting cradle 14. With sufficient force, the ball detents 28 jump out of thestop points 44 and into thecircular track 42 where the user may reposition thepivoting cradle 14 to a different orientation. Although two ball detents 28 with fourstop points 44 are shown, other numbers ofball detents 28 andtop points 44 may be used as desired. - The
pivoting cradle 14 further includes anelastic lip 46 adapted to receive differenthandheld computing devices 16 therein. Theelastic lip 46 stretches to accommodate thehandheld computing device 16 and captures the handheld computing device securely within therecess 15 thecradle 14. An optional insert may be included to attach to smaller devices in order to make them sufficient bulky to be captured inside theelastic lip 46. As can be seen, this arrangement permits the user to use thegame controller 10 with a variety ofhandheld computing devices 16, whose dimensions are close but not identical to one another. Furthermore, the use of elastic materials in thepivoting cradle 14 provides additional shock absorption in the event thegame controller 10 is dropped with ahandheld computing device 16 contained therein. - It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be within the scope of the present invention.
Claims (19)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/561,841 US20130184077A1 (en) | 2012-01-17 | 2012-07-30 | Game controller for a pivotable handheld computing device |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201261587414P | 2012-01-17 | 2012-01-17 | |
US13/561,841 US20130184077A1 (en) | 2012-01-17 | 2012-07-30 | Game controller for a pivotable handheld computing device |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20130184077A1 true US20130184077A1 (en) | 2013-07-18 |
Family
ID=48780343
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/561,841 Abandoned US20130184077A1 (en) | 2012-01-17 | 2012-07-30 | Game controller for a pivotable handheld computing device |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20130184077A1 (en) |
Cited By (28)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20130095925A1 (en) * | 2011-10-12 | 2013-04-18 | Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. | Game controller and mobile computer thereof |
US20140179437A1 (en) * | 2012-06-20 | 2014-06-26 | Zagg Intellectual Property Holding Co., Inc. | Gaming accessory for a portable electronic device, gaming systems and methods |
US20150018101A1 (en) * | 2013-07-11 | 2015-01-15 | Clamcase, Llc | Apparatus and method for controller accessory |
US20150281422A1 (en) * | 2012-11-23 | 2015-10-01 | Phonejoy Solutions Limited | Handheld Apparatus For Communicating Control Signals To An Information Processing Device |
USD740885S1 (en) * | 2013-08-09 | 2015-10-13 | Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. | Portable information terminal |
USD741952S1 (en) * | 2013-08-09 | 2015-10-27 | Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. | Portable information terminal |
US9281859B1 (en) * | 2015-02-26 | 2016-03-08 | Eun-Ml Lee | Smartphone cover module with embedded game controller |
USD772853S1 (en) * | 2014-06-17 | 2016-11-29 | Otter Products, Llc | Indicator for a case |
US9529447B2 (en) | 2013-01-18 | 2016-12-27 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Removable input module |
US9711980B2 (en) | 2014-11-25 | 2017-07-18 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Charging device for removable input modules |
US9778778B2 (en) | 2014-11-25 | 2017-10-03 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Removable input/output module with adjustment mechanism |
US9914060B1 (en) | 2011-07-15 | 2018-03-13 | Bryan Corigliano | Controller docking device for portable electronics and method of use |
US10437411B2 (en) | 2013-01-18 | 2019-10-08 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Reconfigurable clip-on modules for mobile computing devices |
WO2019198583A1 (en) * | 2018-04-12 | 2019-10-17 | 日本電信電話株式会社 | Pseudo-kinesthetic sense presentation device |
USD867365S1 (en) | 2012-07-16 | 2019-11-19 | Bryan Corigliano | Portable computing device controller docking station |
US10525360B1 (en) | 2011-07-15 | 2020-01-07 | Bryan Corigliano | Controller docking device for portable electronics and method of use |
WO2020201758A1 (en) | 2019-04-04 | 2020-10-08 | Tech 21 Licensing Limited | A case for mobile device with a screen |
WO2021099796A1 (en) | 2019-11-21 | 2021-05-27 | Tech 21 Licensing Limited | A case assembly for a mobile electronic device with a screen |
US11027191B2 (en) * | 2018-09-07 | 2021-06-08 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Auxiliary control electronic device of mobile terminal |
US11045723B1 (en) | 2014-11-18 | 2021-06-29 | Razer (Asia-Pacific) Pte. Ltd. | Gaming controller for mobile device and method of operating a gaming controller |
US11167209B2 (en) * | 2020-03-25 | 2021-11-09 | Dexin Electronic Ltd. | Game controller |
USD937933S1 (en) * | 2019-02-07 | 2021-12-07 | Razer (Asia-Pacific) Pte. Ltd. | Controller |
USD953435S1 (en) * | 2020-11-17 | 2022-05-31 | Shenzhen Qixiong Technology Co., Ltd | Game controller for mobile telephone |
USD964464S1 (en) * | 2021-03-19 | 2022-09-20 | Shenzhen Qixiong Technology Co., Ltd | Game controller for mobile telephone |
USD968514S1 (en) * | 2021-03-11 | 2022-11-01 | Shenzhen Qixiong Technology Co., Ltd | Game controller for mobile telephone |
US20230024322A1 (en) * | 2021-07-23 | 2023-01-26 | T2M, Llc | Video gaming system |
US20230105605A1 (en) * | 2021-10-05 | 2023-04-06 | Dexin Corp. | Game controller |
US11895795B2 (en) | 2020-07-28 | 2024-02-06 | Razer (Asia-Pacific) Pte. Ltd. | Extendable cover for a portable electronic device |
-
2012
- 2012-07-30 US US13/561,841 patent/US20130184077A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (38)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10525360B1 (en) | 2011-07-15 | 2020-01-07 | Bryan Corigliano | Controller docking device for portable electronics and method of use |
US9914060B1 (en) | 2011-07-15 | 2018-03-13 | Bryan Corigliano | Controller docking device for portable electronics and method of use |
US20130095925A1 (en) * | 2011-10-12 | 2013-04-18 | Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. | Game controller and mobile computer thereof |
US20140179437A1 (en) * | 2012-06-20 | 2014-06-26 | Zagg Intellectual Property Holding Co., Inc. | Gaming accessory for a portable electronic device, gaming systems and methods |
USD867365S1 (en) | 2012-07-16 | 2019-11-19 | Bryan Corigliano | Portable computing device controller docking station |
US20150281422A1 (en) * | 2012-11-23 | 2015-10-01 | Phonejoy Solutions Limited | Handheld Apparatus For Communicating Control Signals To An Information Processing Device |
US10564793B2 (en) | 2013-01-18 | 2020-02-18 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Reconfigurable clip-on modules for mobile computing devices |
US9529447B2 (en) | 2013-01-18 | 2016-12-27 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Removable input module |
US10437411B2 (en) | 2013-01-18 | 2019-10-08 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Reconfigurable clip-on modules for mobile computing devices |
US11376494B2 (en) * | 2013-07-11 | 2022-07-05 | Incipio, Llc | Apparatus and method for controller accessory |
US9539507B2 (en) * | 2013-07-11 | 2017-01-10 | Incipio, Llc | Apparatus and method for controller accessory |
US20170095733A1 (en) * | 2013-07-11 | 2017-04-06 | Incipio, Llc | Apparatus and method for controller accessory |
US20150018101A1 (en) * | 2013-07-11 | 2015-01-15 | Clamcase, Llc | Apparatus and method for controller accessory |
USD741952S1 (en) * | 2013-08-09 | 2015-10-27 | Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. | Portable information terminal |
USD740885S1 (en) * | 2013-08-09 | 2015-10-13 | Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. | Portable information terminal |
USD772853S1 (en) * | 2014-06-17 | 2016-11-29 | Otter Products, Llc | Indicator for a case |
US11607608B2 (en) | 2014-11-18 | 2023-03-21 | Razer (Asia-Pacific) Pte. Ltd. | Gaming controller for mobile device and method of operating a gaming controller |
US11045723B1 (en) | 2014-11-18 | 2021-06-29 | Razer (Asia-Pacific) Pte. Ltd. | Gaming controller for mobile device and method of operating a gaming controller |
US20170346317A1 (en) | 2014-11-25 | 2017-11-30 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Charging device for removable input modules |
US10348108B2 (en) | 2014-11-25 | 2019-07-09 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Charging device for removable input modules |
US9778778B2 (en) | 2014-11-25 | 2017-10-03 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Removable input/output module with adjustment mechanism |
US9711980B2 (en) | 2014-11-25 | 2017-07-18 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, Llc | Charging device for removable input modules |
US9281859B1 (en) * | 2015-02-26 | 2016-03-08 | Eun-Ml Lee | Smartphone cover module with embedded game controller |
JP2019185484A (en) * | 2018-04-12 | 2019-10-24 | 日本電信電話株式会社 | Pseudo force sensation presenting device |
US11320909B2 (en) | 2018-04-12 | 2022-05-03 | Nippon Telegraph And Telephone Corporation | Pseudo-haptic device |
WO2019198583A1 (en) * | 2018-04-12 | 2019-10-17 | 日本電信電話株式会社 | Pseudo-kinesthetic sense presentation device |
US11027191B2 (en) * | 2018-09-07 | 2021-06-08 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Auxiliary control electronic device of mobile terminal |
USD937933S1 (en) * | 2019-02-07 | 2021-12-07 | Razer (Asia-Pacific) Pte. Ltd. | Controller |
WO2020201758A1 (en) | 2019-04-04 | 2020-10-08 | Tech 21 Licensing Limited | A case for mobile device with a screen |
WO2021099796A1 (en) | 2019-11-21 | 2021-05-27 | Tech 21 Licensing Limited | A case assembly for a mobile electronic device with a screen |
US11167209B2 (en) * | 2020-03-25 | 2021-11-09 | Dexin Electronic Ltd. | Game controller |
US11895795B2 (en) | 2020-07-28 | 2024-02-06 | Razer (Asia-Pacific) Pte. Ltd. | Extendable cover for a portable electronic device |
USD953435S1 (en) * | 2020-11-17 | 2022-05-31 | Shenzhen Qixiong Technology Co., Ltd | Game controller for mobile telephone |
USD968514S1 (en) * | 2021-03-11 | 2022-11-01 | Shenzhen Qixiong Technology Co., Ltd | Game controller for mobile telephone |
USD964464S1 (en) * | 2021-03-19 | 2022-09-20 | Shenzhen Qixiong Technology Co., Ltd | Game controller for mobile telephone |
US20230024322A1 (en) * | 2021-07-23 | 2023-01-26 | T2M, Llc | Video gaming system |
US11904235B2 (en) * | 2021-07-23 | 2024-02-20 | T2M, Inc. | Video gaming system |
US20230105605A1 (en) * | 2021-10-05 | 2023-04-06 | Dexin Corp. | Game controller |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US20130184077A1 (en) | Game controller for a pivotable handheld computing device | |
US10076703B2 (en) | Systems and methods for determining functionality of a display device based on position, orientation or motion | |
EP3016081B1 (en) | Watch type control device | |
US8939838B2 (en) | Accessory for playing games with a portable electronic device | |
US9124678B2 (en) | Powered portable handle remote system for mobile communications device | |
US9081545B1 (en) | External control pad | |
US7794326B2 (en) | Game controller | |
US7848786B2 (en) | Portable electronic device | |
US20030214484A1 (en) | Convertible mouse | |
US20100328203A1 (en) | Removable pads with a carrying case for a portable electronic device with a touch screen | |
US8829376B2 (en) | Control panel for fitness equipment | |
KR20120046002A (en) | Operating apparatus and information processing apparatus | |
US20140083833A1 (en) | Miniaturized joystick assembly | |
WO2012154649A3 (en) | Artificial touch device for electronic touch screens | |
US9844159B1 (en) | Handheld mount for portable electronic devices | |
US8075399B2 (en) | Handheld game console having assembled and disassembled modes | |
US8523674B2 (en) | Video game controller for multiple users | |
US20100149740A1 (en) | Shape-changeable gaming controller | |
US20050003892A1 (en) | [sound device of video game system] | |
US20090096411A1 (en) | Charging Stand | |
US20090251412A1 (en) | Motion sensing input device of computer system | |
JP2021503146A (en) | Systems, devices and methods for external motion sensor communication | |
US9630103B2 (en) | Game controller | |
US20120069535A1 (en) | Portable multimedia player | |
US10042436B2 (en) | Rolling foot controller |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: ION AUDIO, LLC, RHODE ISLAND Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:GALPERN, FRED;REEL/FRAME:028677/0206 Effective date: 20120718 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: INMUSIC BRANDS, INC., A FLORIDA CORPORATION, RHODE Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:ION AUDIO, LLC, A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA;REEL/FRAME:029120/0158 Effective date: 20120928 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., MASSACHUSETTS Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:INMUSIC BRANDS, INC.;REEL/FRAME:029164/0024 Effective date: 20120928 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., RHODE ISLAND Free format text: FOURTH AMENDMENT TO INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:INMUSIC BRANDS, INC.;REEL/FRAME:055311/0393 Effective date: 20201231 |