US20120196680A1

US20120196680A1 - Compact game controller

Info

Publication number: US20120196680A1
Application number: US13/019,382
Authority: US
Inventors: Joshua Provitt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-02-02
Filing date: 2011-02-02
Publication date: 2012-08-02

Abstract

A compact game controller comprising a front face, a back face, a top side, a bottom side, a first side on a right side of the compact game controller and a second side on a left side of the compact game controller, where the second side and the bottom side extend to an elongated portion; a plurality of buttons are positioned on the front face, where the plurality of buttons include: an analog directional pad, a pair of thumbsticks, a plurality of action buttons, and a pair of control buttons; a pair of trigger buttons on the top side; a pair of slots on the first side to accept a memory card; and a tapered corner at the elongated portion where the second side and bottom side meet, wherein the tapered corner enables a small hand user and a single handed user to easily grasp the compact game controller.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a compact game controller with the same buttons and functions of a conventional game controller, but the compact game controller includes a tapered corner that enables a user with small hands or a single handed user to more easily manipulate the buttons and controls.
2. Description of Related Art
Video games have been the fastest growing pastime activity in recent history. With video game sales soaring into the billions every time a new game is released, the popularity only seems to grow rather than slow. Some games are available to specific game consoles, while other games are available to all. Every gaming system has its own accessories to play and enhance the gaming experience. The most necessary accessory is the game controller which controls the action, selection, and power features of the game and console. While every major gaming console requires a different controller, most of the basic features remain the same. For example, a gamer who knows the X-box controller can easily transition onto a PlayStation controller.
The game controllers are designed to fit comfortably in the hands of an adult male. The buttons, thumbsticks and trigger are all spaced within a distance for adult fingers to easily access. Many times women and children cannot comfortably grasp nor manipulate the buttons and triggers on the controller because their hands are much smaller. This may inhibit how they play by decreasing their action speed when they have to move their hands rather than merely their fingers. Also, the conventional game controllers are two-handed devices that require both hands for standard use. Single handed persons are unable to operate the conventional controller because the buttons on the opposing side are too far to reach with just one hand.
It would be beneficial in the art to provide a game controller that enables a person with small hands or a single handed player easily use the controller. It would also be desirable in the art to provide a game controller that operates with more than one game system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the primary invention is to provide a game controller that is smaller than a conventional controller to enable a person with small hands or a single handed user to easily manipulate the controls.
Another object of the primary invention is to provide a game controller that is compatible with most gaming systems.
Another object of the primary invention is to provide a game controller that accepts memory cards to enable a user to save their game play.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, the purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a compact game controller comprising a front face, a back face, a top side, a bottom side, a first side on a right side of the compact game controller and a second side on a left side of the compact game controller, where the second side and the bottom side extend to an elongated portion; a plurality of buttons are positioned on the front face, where the plurality of buttons include: an analog directional pad, a pair of thumsticks, a plurality of action buttons, and a pair of control buttons; a pair of trigger buttons on the top side; a pair of slots on the first side to accept a memory card; and a tapered corner at the elongated portion where the second side and bottom side meet, wherein the tapered corner enables a small hand user and a single handed user to easily grasp the compact game controller.
These together with other aspects of the present invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the present invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part of this present invention. For a better understanding of the present invention, its operating advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a compact game controller in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a front face view of a compact game controller in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 depicts a back face view of a compact game controller in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 depicts a first side view of a compact game controller in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 depicts a top side view of a compact game controller in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 depicts a second side view of a compact game controller in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 depicts a bottom side view of a compact game controller in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention relates to a compact game controller with the same buttons and functions of a conventional game controller, but the compact game controller includes a tapered corner that enables a user with small hands or a single handed user to more easily manipulate the buttons. The compact game controller aids children when playing video games due to a smaller size than a conventional game controller; so that the child's small hands may more easily grasp and manipulate the buttons. The compact game controller is compatible with the popular gaming systems to enable the user to interchange the controller between their various gaming systems. Additionally, the buttons on the compact game controller are positioned close enough for operation using one hand for those users who are physically disabled and are only able to use a single hand.
Tuning now descriptively to the drawings, referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a compact game controller (100) is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The compact game controller (100) includes a front face (102), a back face (shown in FIG. 3), a first side (104) on a right side of the compact game controller (100), a top side (106), a second side (108) on a left side of the compact game controller (100), and a bottom side (110). The front face (102) encompasses an entire top portion of the compact game controller (100). The front face (102) includes a plurality of buttons and control units, as described below.
On a left side of the front face (102), towards where the second side (108) and the bottom side (110) meet, is an analog directional pad (114) also known as a d-pad (hereinafter d-pad). The d-pad (114) includes a cross shaped surface where the arms of the cross are pressed during use. The d-pad (114) controls a basic set of directional movements for the compact game controller (100) including up, down, right and left.
On the right side of the d-pad (114), towards the second side (108), is a left thumbstick (116 a) (also referred to as an analog stick). Towards a lower portion of the front face (102) on the right side of the compact remote control (100) is a right thumbstick (116 b). As such, the left thumbstick (116 a) may be controlled by the left thumb, and the right thumbstick (116 b) may be controlled by the right thumb. Alternatively, if the user only uses a single hand to control the thumbsticks (116 a, 116 b), because of the near positioning of the thumbsticks (116 a, 116 b), they may easily switch from the left thumbstick (116 a) to the right thumbstick (116 b) with just one thumb. The thumbsticks (116 a, 116 b) operate similar to the d-pad (114) by controlling directional movements. Unlike the d-pad (114), the thumbsticks (116 a, 116 b) move in a smooth circular motion and default to a central position.
In a central portion of the front face (102) are a plurality of action buttons (118) (hereinafter action buttons). The action buttons (118) may include a turbo button, a back button and the like to control various advanced movement features while playing a video game, for example jump, sprint, duck, grab, interaction, etc. Next to the action buttons (118) are a pair of control buttons (120) (hereinafter control buttons). The control buttons (120) include a back button and a start button to navigate a game dashboard and to control the operating features of the game, for example to select an option, return to a previous screen and pause the game.
Against the first side (104) are a pair of slots (126). The pair of slots (126) may accept a memory card (150) for the user to save their games during play. On the top side (106) are a pair of trigger buttons (122 a, 122 b) (hereinafter triggers). The triggers (122 a, 122 b) are additional control buttons for play. In a central portion of the top side (106) may be a cord (124). The cord (124) connects the compact game controller (100) to a console to enable the compact game controller (100) to operate. Alternatively, the compact game controller (100) may be battery operated with a battery pack built into the controller itself
Referring now to FIG. 2, a front face (102) view of the compact game controller (100) is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 illustrates the general shape and layout of the compact game controller (100). The top side (106) is flat and positioned at the top most portion of the compact game controller (100). The bottom side (110) is slightly curved and stretches across the lowest portion of the compact game controller (100) about twice the width of the top side (106). Along the bottom side (110) are a plurality of decorative lights (128 a, 128 b, 128 n) (hereinafter decorative lights). The decorative lights (128) light up during play when predetermined cues are activated. Additionally, within the compact game controller (100) may be a vibrating mechanism that causes the compact game controller (100) to shake and vibrate when another set of predetermine cues are activated. The decorative lights (128) and the vibrating mechanism may operate at the same time responding to the cues.
Referring to FIG. 3, a back face (112) view of the compact game controller (100) is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The back face (112) may be relatively smooth without buttons or controls. A battery pack may be attached to the back face (112) to enable the compact game controller (100) to be operated without the cord (124). The first side (104) slopes down at an angle from the top side (106) to the bottom side (110). The second side (108) angles more sharply toward the bottom side (110) and extends out further than the first side (104). The corner where the second side (108) and the bottom side (110) meet is an elongated portion of the compact game controller (100). The elongated portion creates a tapered corner so that the corner where the second side (108) and the bottom side (110) meet is the most extended and acute corner. The tapered corner enables a user with small hands or a single handed user to more easily grasp or hold the compact game controller (100).
Referring to FIG. 4, a first side (104) view of the compact game controller (100) is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The pair of slots (126) is shown in the forefront, set within a relatively flat first side (104). The thumbsticks (116 a, 116 b) stand above the other buttons to free their movement during use. Likewise, the triggers (122) may comprise a triangular shape and extend from the top side (106) for easy access during play.
Referring to FIG. 5, a second side (108) view of the compact game controller (100) is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The second side (108) has a smooth surface extending from the top side (106) to the bottom side (110). FIG. 5 illustrates the extended length of the second side (108) as compared to the length of the first side (104) in FIG. 4.
Referring to FIG. 6, a top side (106) view of the compact game controller (100) is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 illustrates how the triggers (122 a, 122 b) are positioned next to each other. Each trigger (122 a, 122 b) may be controlled by a specific trigger finger of the user. For example, a first trigger button (122 a) is controlled by the user's left trigger finger, while a second trigger button (122 b) is controlled by the user's right trigger finger. The trigger fingers may be either the index finger or the middle finger depending on the likes and preferences of the user. Alternatively, if the user only uses just one hand for control, the triggers are close enough to where a single trigger finger is easily used.
Finally, referring to FIG. 7, a bottom side (110) view of the compact game controller (100) is shown in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The decorative lights (128 a, 128 b, 128 c, 128 n) may extend the entire length of the bottom side (110). Various patterns may be illuminated on the decorative lights (128 a, 128 b, 128 c, 128 n) cued by specific predetermined events or cues that occur in game.
The compact game controller (100) comprises a unique shape for an ergonomic shape, easy to use by user's with either small hands or user's who only function with a single hand. The elongated portion of the compact game controller (100) where second side (108) and the bottom side (110) come together may provide a gripping area for the user. This frees the thumbs to easily control the plurality of buttons on the front face (102) and enables the user to still reach the triggers (122 a, 122 b). The compressed design of the compact game controller (100) allows children and person's with physical disabilities to easily play the fun games they enjoy.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

1. A compact game controller comprising:

a front face, a back face, a top side, a bottom side, a first side on a right side of the compact game controller and a second side on a left side of the compact game controller, where the second side is longer than the first side, the bottom side is longer than the top side, and the second side and the bottom side extend to an elongated portion of the compact game controller;

a plurality of buttons are positioned on the front face, where the plurality of buttons include:

an analog directional pad, where the analog directional pad controls directional movements;

a pair of thumbsticks, where the pair of thumbbsticks control directional movements;

a plurality of action buttons, where the plurality of action buttons control advanced play features; and

a pair of control buttons, where the pair of control buttons navigate a video game;

a pair of trigger buttons on the top side;

a pair of slots on the first side, where the pair of slots accept a memory card to enable a user to save the video game; and

a tapered corner at the elongated portion where the second side and bottom side meet, wherein the tapered corner enables a small hand user and a single handed user to easily manipulate the compact game controller.

2. The compact game controller according to claim 1, wherein the bottom side includes a plurality of decorative lights that illuminate when a predetermined cue is activated.

3. The compact game controller according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of decorative lights illuminate in predetermined patterns.

4. The compact game controller according to claim 1, wherein the top side includes a cord to connect the compact game controller to a game console.

5. The compact game controller according to claim 1, wherein the compact game controller includes a battery pack to enable cordless operation.

6. The compact game controller according to claim 1, wherein the compact game controller includes a vibrating mechanism to shake the compact game controller when a set of predetermined cues are activated.