IP Library Granted Patent US 10,029,175
Granted Patent B2
US 10,029,175 · App. 15/039,984 · Granted Jul 24, 2018

Controller for a games console

Inventors: Simon Burgess (Cossington, GB); Duncan Ironmonger (Atlanta, GA)
Assignee: Ironburg Inventions Ltd.
A63F13/24A63F13/22
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,029,175
App. No.
15/039,984
Granted
Jul 24, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

A hand held controller for a games console comprising an outer case and a plurality of controls located on a front end and top of the controller, the controller being shaped to be held in both hands of a user such that the user's thumbs are positioned to operate controls located on the top of the controller and the user's index fingers are positioned to operate controls located on the front of the controller. At least one control located on the top of the controller is configured for two-dimensional input control, the at least one control being substantially aligned with the biomechanics of the user's thumb.

Claims (52)

1. A hand held controller for a games console comprising:

an outer case; and

a plurality of controls located on a front end and top of the controller, the plurality of controls including at least one analogue thumbstick;

the controller being shaped to be held in both hands of a user such that the user's thumbs are positioned to operate controls located on the top of the controller and the user's index fingers are positioned to operate controls located on the front end of the controller;

wherein the analogue thumbstick is located on the top of the controller and comprises a shaft pivotally mounted about two perpendicular axes, wherein the analogue thumbstick is configured for two-dimensional input control, and wherein the analogue thumbstick is substantially aligned with the biomechanics of the user's thumb such that control movement in a first direction is effected by the user's movement about the interphalangeal joint such that the shaft pivots about a first of the two axes and control movement in a second direction is effected by the user's natural movement about the carpometacarpal joint such that the shaft pivots about a second of the two axes.

2. The controller of claim 1 wherein said at least one control is adjustable to a desired alignment.

3. The controller of claim 2 wherein said at least one control is securable in a given position by frictional engagement between a first surface and a second surface.

4. The controller of claim 2 wherein said at least one control is securable in a given position by interpositional engagement of at least one projection provided on a first surface within at least one recess provided on a second surface.

5. The controller of claim 2 wherein said at least one control is adjustable in predefined increments.

6. The controller of claim 2 wherein said at least one control is adjustable by physically rotating the orientation of the at least one control with respect to the outer case.

7. The controller of claim 2 wherein said at least one control is adjustable by calibrating the orientation of the at least one control with a computer program.

8. A hand held controller for a games console comprising:

an outer case; and

a plurality of controls located on a front end and top of the controller, the plurality of controls including at least one analogue thumbstick;

the controller being shaped to be held in both hands of a user such that the user's thumbs are positioned to operate controls located on the top of the controller and the user's index fingers are positioned to operate controls located on the front end of the controller;

wherein the analogue thumbstick is located on the top of the controller and comprises a shaft pivotally mounted about two perpendicular axes, wherein the analogue thumbstick is configured for two-dimensional input control, and wherein the orientation of the analogue thumbstick with respect to the outer case is adjustable to a desired alignment.

9. The controller of claim 8 wherein said at least one control is securable in a given position by frictional engagement between a first surface and a second surface.

10. The controller of claim 8 wherein said at least one control is securable in a given position by interpositional engagement of at least one projection provided on a first surface within at least one recess provided on a second surface.

11. The controller of claim 8 wherein said at least one control is adjustable in predefined increments.

12. The controller of claim 8 wherein said at least one control is adjustable by physically rotating the orientation of the at least one control with respect to the outer case.

13. The controller of claim 8 wherein said at least one control is adjustable by calibrating the orientation of the at least one control with a computer program.

14. A hand held controller for a games console comprising:

an outer case; and

a plurality of controls located on a front end and top of the controller, the plurality of controls including at least one analogue thumbstick;

the controller being shaped to be held in both hands of a user such that the user's thumbs are positioned to operate controls located on the top of the controller and the user's index fingers are positioned to operate controls located on the front end of the controller;

wherein the analogue thumbstick is located on the top of the controller and comprises a shaft pivotally mounted about two perpendicular axes, wherein the analogue thumbstick is configured for two-dimensional input control, and wherein the orientation of the analogue thumbstick is adjustable to a desired orientation with respect to the front end of the controller.

15. The controller of claim 14 wherein said at least one control is securable in a given position by frictional engagement between a first surface and a second surface.

16. The controller of claim 14 wherein said at least one control is securable in a given position by interpositional engagement of at least one projection provided on a first surface within at least one recess provided on a second surface.

17. The controller of claim 14 wherein said at least one control is adjustable in predefined increments.

18. The controller of claim 14 wherein said at least one control is adjustable by physically rotating the orientation of the at least one control with respect to the outer case.

19. The controller of claim 14 wherein said at least one control is adjustable by calibrating the orientation of the at least one control with a computer program.

20. An apparatus for a controller for a games console comprising:

a two dimensional control device mounted to a first plate wherein the first plate is rotationally mounted upon a printed circuit board, wherein the first plate comprises a plurality of first electrical contacts; and

a second plate mounted onto the printed circuit board between the first plate and the printed circuit board, the first plate being rotatable with respect to the second plate and wherein the second plate comprises a plurality of second electrical contacts configured to engage with a respective one of the first electrical contacts.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein each of the plurality of second electrical contacts is resiliently biased against a respective one of the first electrical contacts.

22. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the two dimensional control device comprises an analogue stick.

23. A method of configuring a hand held games console comprising:

providing a controller having:

an outer case; and

a plurality of controls located on a front end and top of the controller, the plurality of controls including at least one analogue thumbstick;

the controller being shaped to be held in both hands of a user such that the user's thumbs are positioned to operate controls located on the top of the controller and the user's index fingers are positioned to operate controls located on the front end of the controller;

wherein the analogue thumbstick is located on the top of the controller and comprises a shaft pivotally mounted about two perpendicular axes, wherein the analogue thumbstick is configured for two-dimensional input control, and wherein the orientation of the analogue thumbstick is adjustable to a desired orientation with respect to the front end of the controller;

rotating the orientation of the analogue thumbstick with respect to the front end of the controller to a desired orientation;

securing the analogue thumbstick in the desired orientation.

24. A method of configuring a hand held games console comprising:

providing a controller having:

an outer case; and

a plurality of controls located on a front end and top of the controller, the plurality of controls including at least one analogue thumbstick;

the controller being shaped to be held in both hands of a user such that the user's thumbs are positioned to operate controls located on the top of the controller and the user's index fingers are positioned to operate controls located on the front end of the controller;

wherein the analogue thumbstick is located on the top of the controller and comprises a shaft pivotally mounted about two perpendicular axes, wherein the analogue thumbstick is configured for two-dimensional input control, and wherein the orientation of the analogue thumbstick is adjustable to a desired orientation with respect to the front end of the controller;

calibrating the orientation of the analogue thumbstick with respect to the front end of the controller to a desired orientation;

recording the calibration of the analogue thumbstick in a memory device.

Assignments (4)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 13, 2020
From: BSP AGENCY LLC
To: IRONBURG INVENTIONS LIMITED
Reel/Frame 051569/0397 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 12, 2016
From: IRONBURG INVENTIONS LIMITED
To: TRIANGLE CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 040884/0057 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 9, 2016
From: IRONBURG INVENTIONS LIMITED
To: TRIANGLE CAPITAL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 040878/0527 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 22, 2016
From: BURGESS, SIMON; IRONMONGER, DUNCAN
To: IRONBURG INVENTIONS LTD.
Reel/Frame 040398/0634 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61910168 · Nov 29, 2013
Related Publication 20170001107A1 · Jan 5, 2017
Cited By (3)
US 12,194,375 US 12,201,896 US 12,263,399