GB2481633A

GB2481633A - Games console controller with buttons on underside

Info

Publication number: GB2481633A
Application number: GB1011078.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon David Burgess
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-07-01
Filing date: 2010-07-01
Publication date: 2012-01-04
Also published as: GB201011078D0

Abstract

A hand held gamepad or controller 10 for a games console (not shown) includes controls 2, 3, 4, 5 provided on a top surface for operation by the thumbs of a user, and controls 6, 7, 8, 9 provided on a front, shoulder or bumper surface for operation by the index fingers of the user. The back surface or underside of the gamepad includes additional controls 11 for operation by the middle fingers of the user (see fig. 3). The additional controls 11 are preferably paddle levers, and are preferably provided on a portion of the gamepad which is perpendicular to the plane of the top surface. The additional controls 11 may replicate the functions of one or more of the controls 2-9 located on the top or bumper surfaces, or may provide functionality in addition to those controls.

Description

TITLE

Controller for Games Console

DESCRIPTION

FiCid of invention The present invention relates to games consoles, in particular to hand held controllers for games consoles.

Background

Controllers for most current games consoles are generally intended to be held and operated by the user using both hands. A conventional controller will generally compnsc a hard outer case with a plurality of controls mounted about the controller Fypically the controls include buttons, analogue control sticks, bumpers and triggers An example of a conventional controller is shown m Figure 1 As can be scen in I igure I, all of the controls are mounted on the trout and top of the controller 1 Specifically, there arc left and right analogue thumb sticks 2, 3 which normally control movcment and are intended to be operated by the user s left and right thumb respectively There are four buttons 4, located on a front-right portion of the controllei 1 cshich normally control additional actions and are intcnded to he operated by the user's right thumb Theie is a direction pad 5 located on the lower portion of the front-left of the controller 1. The direction pad S is intended to be operated by the user's left thumb typically czthcr as an altenati1e to the left thumb stick 2 or to provide additional actions There are a left trigger 6, a right bigger 7 a left bumper 8 and a right bumper 9 located on the front edgi of the controller I Ihe left and right triggets 6 7 are typically operatcd by a user's index fingeis The lcft and right bumpers 8. 9 may also be operated by a user's index fingers.

The only way to operate the four buttons 4 is for a user to remove their right thumb from the right thumb stick I This takes time and in some games can cause the loss of control This is a particular problem in gaines here the right thumb stick 3is used foI aiming A similar problem may arise in games wherc the direction pad 5 provides additional actions and the user has to remove their thumb from the left thumb stick 2 in order to operate the direction pad 5.

In light of the above, there is a need for an improved controller which removes the need for a user to remove their thumb from the left or rght thumb stick 2, 3 in order to operate additional actions controlled by thc four buttons 4 andior the direction pad

Summary ofpvention

The present invention provides a hand held controller for a games console comprising: a lard outer case; and a plurality of controls located on a front 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 front of the controller and the user's index fingers are positioned to operate controls located on the top of the controller; wherein the controller further campuses two additional controls iocatcd on a back of the controller in a position to be operated by the middle finger of a user.

The controller of the prcsent invention may be very similar to controllers according to the prior art In particular the outer case of the controller and the tvpc, number and positioning of the controls located on the front and top of the controller may be the same as a controller accoiding to the piioi art, as described above and as ilhistratecl in the figures.

The controller of the present invention is particularly advantageous over controllers according to the prior art as it comprises two additional controls located on a back of the controller in a position to be operated by middle fingers of a user. The additional controls may cithei replicate the functions of one or moie of the plurality of contiols located on the tront or top of the controller oi provide additional functionality

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In a preferred embodiment of the invention the additional controls replicate the function of buttons and/or a dnection pad located on tbc Pont of thc controllcr I his means that a usei does not need to remove then thumb from one of the other controls located on the fiont of the controller in order to operate the buttons and/or direction pad located on the front of the controller and can instead simply operate the additional controls located on the back of the controller with one or both of their middle fingers.

Alternatively, the additional controls may provide additional functionality in that the) do not replicate the ftmction of controls located on the front or top of the controller but may operate different functions. In this manner a controller according to the present invention may provide more functions according to the present invention.

Prefeiably the controls located on the back of the controller are paddle leers Suitable paddle levcrs may be formed integrally with the outir case of the controller or may be substantially separate from the outer case. This may be done in any maimer apparent to the person skilled in the art, However, it is to be appreciated that the additional controls may comprise any other control suitable for use by a hand held controller.

Ath antageously, if the additional controls are paddle levers they will be formed such that they arc substantially %ertically aligned witn respect to the controller This may allow the most ergonomically efficient aôtivation of the paddle levers by the middle fingers of the user.

Further features and advantages of the piesent invention will be apparent from the specific embodiment illustrated in the drawings and discussed below.

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of the front of a conventional games console

controller according to the prior art;

Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of the rear of a games console controller according to the present invention; and Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of the rear of a games controller according to the present invention in use.

The rear of a games controller 10 according to the present invention is illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 1 lie front of th games Lontroller 10 of Figures 2 and 3 is the same as a eonentional controller I as illustrated in Figure 1 and as diseusst1d aboe therefore, vhcrt appropriate the sam. reterene numerals ha% e been used to indicate the features of the controller according to the present invention 10 that are identiual to the features of a conventional controller 1.

The games controller of the present invention 10 differs from the corn entional controIler 1 in that it addiuonall comprises two paddle levers 11 located on the reai of the eontioller The paddle lvers 11 are vertically orientated with iespeet to tht controller 10 and are positioned to he operated by the middle fingers of a user 12, as shown in Figure 3.

I he paddle levers 11 replicate the functions ot two of the four buttons 4 located on the front of the contro 11cr 10 and thereby allow a user to operate the functions of the relevant buttons using their middle fingers 12. without the need to remove either of their thumbs from the left or right thumb stick 2, 3.