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 video game controller, comprising:
a controller body comprising a pair of openings; and
a pair of thumbsticks configured to at least partially extend through the pair of openings, a proximal portion of each of the thumbsticks at least partially disposed outside the controller body and a distal portion of each of the thumbsticks at least partially disposed inside the controller body, at least one of the pair of thumbsticks being interchangeable and comprising
a head having a domed shape with a textured proximal contact surface for grip by a user's finger,
a monolithic shaft that is attached to the head and forms a single piece with the head, the shaft defining at least a portion of an outer surface of the thumbstick and having a length that extends distally from an underside of the head, the head having a greater width than the shaft, and
a base attached to the shaft so that at least a portion of the shaft is interposed between the head and the base such that said at least a portion of the shaft is above the base, the shaft defining at least a portion of a length between the head and the base, the base having a curved dome portion disposed at least partially below an outer surface of the body and a plug that extends under at least a portion of the dome portion, the plug having a bore that extends to a distal opening of the plug, the base component configured to couple via the bore to an input device inside the controller body to thereby integrate the thumbstick in the controller body so that movement of the thumbstick is translated via the input device into one or more input control signals,
wherein at least a portion of the thumbstick is replaceable to vary the length of the shaft to thereby vary a height of the thumbstick for the same head shape or size.
2. The video game controller of claim 1 , wherein the base couples to an input device inside the controller body so that movement of the thumbstick is translated by a potentiometer into one or more input control signals via the input device.
3. The video game controller of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the thumbstick is replaceable to vary a color of the thumbstick between at least two different colors.
4. The video game controller of claim 1 , wherein the shaft is configured to decouple from the base.
5. The video game controller of claim 1 , further comprising a directional pad spaced apart from the pair of thumbsticks.
6. The video game controller of claim 5 , wherein the directional pad is at least partially disposed between the pair of thumbsticks.
7. The video game controller of claim 5 , further comprising a directional pad button removably coupleable to the directional pad.
8. A video game controller, comprising:
a controller body comprising one or more openings; and
one or more thumbsticks configured to at least partially extend through the one or more openings, a proximal portion of the one or more thumbsticks at least partially disposed outside the controller body above an outer surface of the body and a distal portion of the one or more thumbsticks at least partially disposed inside the controller body below the outer surface of the body, the one or more thumbsticks comprising
a head at a proximal end of the thumbstick,
a monolithic shaft that is attached to the head and forms a single piece with the head, the shaft defining at least a portion of an outer surface of the thumbstick and having a length that extends distally from an underside of the head, the head having a greater width than the shaft, and
a base attached to the shaft so that at least a portion of the shaft is interposed between the head and the base such that said at least a portion of the shaft is above the base, the shaft defining at least a portion of a length between the head and the base, at least a portion of the base defining a dome portion at least partially disposed below the outer surface of the body, the base having a plug that extends under at least a portion of the dome portion, the plug having a bore that extends to a distal opening of the plug, the base component configured to couple via the bore to an input device inside the controller body to thereby integrate the thumbstick in the controller body so that movement of the thumb stick is translated via the input device into one or more input control signals,
wherein at least a portion of the one or more thumb sticks is replaceable to vary the length of the shaft to thereby vary a height of the one or more thumbsticks for the same head shape or size.
9. The video game controller of claim 8 , wherein the base is configured to couple to an input device inside the controller body so that movement of the thumbstick is translated by a potentiometer into one or more input control signals via the input device.
10. The video game controller of claim 8 , wherein at least a portion of the one or more thumbsticks is replaceable to vary a color of the one or more thumbsticks between at least two different colors.
11. The video game controller of claim 8 , wherein the shaft is configured to decouple from the base.
12. The video game controller of claim 8 , wherein the head has a domed shape with a textured proximal contact surface for grip by a user's finger.
13. The video game controller of claim 8 , further comprising a directional pad spaced apart from the one or more thumbstick.
14. The video game controller of claim 13 , further comprising a directional pad button removably coupleable to the directional pad.
15. A video game controller kit, comprising:
a video game controller unit comprising
one or more thumbsticks,
a controller body comprising one or more openings through which the one or more thumbsticks at least partially extend, a proximal portion of the one or more thumbsticks at least partially disposed outside the controller body above an outer surface of the body and a distal portion of the one or more thumbsticks at least partially disposed inside the controller body below the outer surface of the body, at least one of the one or more thumbsticks comprising
a head at a proximal end of the thumbstick,
a monolithic shaft that is attached to the head and forms a single piece with the head, the shaft defining at least a portion of an outer surface of the thumbstick and having a length that extends distally from an underside of the head, the head having a greater width than the shaft, and
a base attached to the shaft so that at least a portion of the shaft is interposed between the head and the base such that said at least a portion of the shaft is above the base, the shaft defining at least a portion of a length between the head and the base, the base having a dome portion with a convex outer surface configured to be at least partially disposed below the outer surface of the body and a plug that extends under at least a portion of the dome portion, the plug having a bore that extends to a distal opening of the plug, the base component configured to couple via the bore to an input device inside the controller body to thereby integrate the thumbstick in the controller body so that movement of the thumbstick is translated via the input device into one or more input control signals,
wherein at least a portion of the thumbstick is replaceable to vary the length of the shaft to thereby vary a height of the thumbstick for a given head shape or size; and
a plurality of replacement thumbsticks, each of the plurality of replacement thumbsticks configured to replace the one or more thumbsticks, at least two of the plurality of replacement thumbsticks having a different shaft length to thereby vary a height of said replacement thumbsticks for the same head shape or size.
16. The kit of claim 15 , wherein the base couples to an input device inside the controller body so that movement of the thumbstick is translated by a potentiometer into one or more input control signals via the input device.
17. The kit of claim 15 , wherein at least two of the plurality of replacement thumbsticks have a different color.
18. The kit of claim 15 , wherein at least two of the plurality of replacement thumbsticks have a shaft with the same length but a different shaped head.
19. The kit of claim 15 , wherein at least two of the plurality of replacement thumbsticks have a shaft with the same length but a different sized head.
20. The kit of claim 15 , wherein at least two of the plurality of replacement thumbsticks have a different shaft length but the same shaped head.
21. The kit of claim 15 , wherein at least two of the plurality of replacement thumbsticks have a different shaft length but the same sized head.