Interchangeable input mechanisms for control devices
Various embodiments described herein are directed toward input mechanisms, for input devices, configured to receive and removably couple to interchangeable elements. Handheld input devices applicable to some embodiments may include, without limitation, computer controllers, video game console controllers, and handheld video gaming devices. Input mechanisms applicable to various embodiments may include, for example, control sticks (e.g., joysticks or analog sticks operable by a user's finger, such as a thumbstick), buttons, switches, and directional pads. According to some embodiments, an input mechanism is provided comprising a base component. Depending on the embodiment, coupling different interchangeable elements to the base component may cause the input mechanism to vary in size, appearance, contour, material, or features provided by the input mechanism.
1. A handheld video game controller, comprising:
a controller body defining a pair of openings through which a pair of thumbsticks at least partially extend, a proximal portion of each of the thumbsticks disposed outside the controller body above an outer surface of the body and a distal portion of each the thumbsticks is disposed inside the controller body below the outer surface of the body, each of the pair of thumbsticks comprising
a base component integrated within the controller body and having a convex surface disposed at least partially inside the controller body and below the outer surface of the controller body, the base component having a socket that extends outward relative to the convex surface to a proximal end, the socket having an outer peripheral side surface, and
an interchangeable thumbstick input mechanism removably coupleable to the base component, the thumbstick input mechanism comprising a head configured to contact a user's finger and a thumbstick element that extends distally from the head, the thumbstick element having a first portion adjacent the head, the first portion having an outer peripheral side surface spanning a first width and a second portion distal of the first portion and having an outer peripheral side surface spanning a second width that is smaller than the first width, a transition between the first portion and second portion defined by a shoulder,
wherein the interchangeable thumbstick input mechanism is configured to couple to the base component such that the second portion extends into the socket so that the shoulder contacts the proximal end of the socket and so that the outer peripheral side surface of the first portion substantially aligns with the outer peripheral side surface of the socket, the socket and the thumbstick element together defining a shaft having a length that extends between the head and the convex surface, wherein the thumbstick input mechanism is interchangeable to vary the length of the shaft to thereby vary a height of the thumbstick input mechanism for a given head shape and size.
2. The video game controller of claim 1 , wherein the interchangeable thumbstick input mechanism comprises a plurality of interchangeable thumbstick input mechanisms of varying lengths between a proximal surface of the head and a distal end of the thumbstick element.
3. The video game controller of claim 1 , wherein the interchangeable thumbstick input mechanism comprises a plurality of interchangeable thumbstick input mechanisms, the head of at least two of the plurality of interchangeable thumbstick input mechanisms having a different shape.
4. The video game controller of claim 3 , wherein said at least two of the plurality of interchangeable thumbstick input mechanisms have a head with a convex or concave shape.
5. The video game controller of claim 1 , wherein the thumbstick element comprises a surface configured to releasably engage a coupling surface of the base component under a friction force to releasably lock the thumbstick element to the base component.
6. A handheld video game controller, comprising:
a controller body defining a plurality of openings through which a directional pad, a plurality of buttons and a pair of thumbsticks at least partially extend, a proximal portion of each of the thumbsticks disposed outside the controller body above an outer surface of the body and a distal portion of each the thumbsticks is disposed inside the controller body below the outer surface of the body, each of the pair of thumbsticks comprising
a base component integrated within the controller body and having a convex surface disposed at least partially inside the controller body and below the outer surface of the controller body, and
an interchangeable thumbstick input mechanism removably coupleable to the base component, the interchangeable thumbstick input mechanism comprising a head configured to contact a user's finger and a thumbstick element that extends distally from the head,
wherein one of the base component and the thumbstick input mechanism has a male connector and the other of the base component and the thumbstick input mechanism has a female connector configured to removably receive the male connector to thereby couple the base component and the thumbstick input mechanism, at least a portion of one or both of the base component and the thumbstick element defining a shaft having a length that extends between the head and the convex surface, wherein the thumbstick input mechanism is interchangeable to vary the length of the shaft to thereby vary a height of the thumbstick input mechanism for a given head shape and size.
7. The video game controller of claim 6 , wherein each of the base component and thumbstick input mechanism comprises a guide surface configured to facilitate alignment of the thumbstick element with the base component during coupling.
8. The video game controller of claim 6 , wherein the base component has a socket that extends outward relative to the convex surface to a proximal end, the socket having an outer peripheral side surface.
9. The video game controller of claim 8 , wherein the thumbstick element has a first portion adjacent the head, the first portion having an outer peripheral side surface spanning a first width and a second portion distal of the first portion and having an outer peripheral side surface spanning a second width that is smaller than the first width, a transition between the first portion and second portion defined by a shoulder, the thumbstick element configured to couple to the base component so that the second portion extends into the socket so that the shoulder contacts the proximal end of the socket and so that the outer peripheral side surface of the first portion aligns with the outer peripheral side surface of the socket.
10. The video game controller of claim 9 , wherein the interchangeable thumbstick input mechanism comprises a plurality of interchangeable thumbstick input mechanisms of varying lengths between a proximal surface of the head and a distal end of the thumbstick element.
11. The video game controller of claim 10 , wherein the first portion of the thumbstick element in the plurality of interchangeable thumbstick input mechanisms has varying lengths.
12. The video game controller of claim 6 , wherein the interchangeable thumbstick input mechanism comprises a plurality of interchangeable thumbstick input mechanisms, the head of at least two of the plurality of interchangeable thumbstick input mechanisms having a different shape.
13. The video game controller of claim 12 , wherein said at least two of the plurality of interchangeable thumbstick input mechanisms have a head with a convex or concave shape.
14. The video game controller of claim 6 , wherein the thumbstick element comprises a surface configured to releasably engage a coupling surface of the base component under a friction force to releasably lock the thumbstick element to the base component.
15. A handheld video game controller kit, comprising:
a video game controller unit comprising
a pair of thumbsticks,
a controller body defining a plurality of openings through which the pair of thumbsticks at least partially extend, a proximal portion of each of the thumbsticks disposed outside the controller body above an outer surface of the body and a distal portion of each the thumbsticks is disposed inside the controller body below the outer surface of the body, at least one of the pair of thumbsticks being interchangeable and comprising
a base component integrated within the controller body and having a convex surface disposed at least partially inside the controller body and below the outer surface of the controller body, and
an interchangeable thumbstick input mechanism removably coupleable to the base component, the thumbstick input mechanism comprising a head configured to contact a user's finger and a thumbstick element that extends distally from the head,
wherein one of the base component and the thumbstick input mechanism has a male connector and the other of the base component and the thumbstick input mechanism has a female connector configured to removably receive the male connector to thereby couple the base component and the thumbstick input mechanism, at least a portion of one or both of the base component and the thumbstick element defining a shaft having a length that extends between the head and the convex surface, wherein the thumbstick input mechanism is interchangeable to vary the length of the shaft to thereby vary a height of the thumbstick input mechanism for a given head shape and size; and
a plurality of replacement thumbstick input mechanisms, each of the plurality of replacement thumbstick input mechanism configured to replace the interchangeable thumbstick input mechanism, at least two of the plurality of replacement thumbstick input mechanisms having a different length of the shaft to thereby vary a height of said replacement thumbstick input mechanisms for a given head shape and size.
16. The kit of claim 15 , wherein the base component has a socket that extends outward relative to the convex surface to a proximal end, the socket having an outer peripheral side surface.
17. The kit of claim 16 , wherein the thumbstick element has a first portion adjacent the head, the first portion having an outer peripheral side surface spanning a first width and a second portion distal of the first portion and having an outer peripheral side surface spanning a second width that is smaller than the first width, a transition between the first portion and second portion defined by a shoulder, the thumbstick element configured to couple to the base component so that the second portion extends into the socket so that the shoulder contacts the proximal end of the socket and so that the outer peripheral side surface of the first portion substantially aligns with the outer peripheral side surface of the socket.
18. The kit of claim 15 , wherein said at least two of the plurality of interchangeable thumbstick input mechanisms have a different length between a proximal end and a distal end of the thumbstick input mechanism.
19. The kit of claim 15 , wherein said at least two of the plurality of replacement thumbstick input mechanisms have a head with a convex or concave shape.
20. The kit of claim 15 , wherein the thumbstick element comprises a surface configured to releasably engage a coupling surface of the base component under a friction force to releasably lock the thumbstick element to the base component.