Abstract: A gaming headset can include a headband that fits over a user's head and a pair of ear cup assemblies coupled to the headband. Each of the ear cup assemblies can include a housing having one or more magnets and an ear pad having one or more magnets that have an opposite polarity than the magnets in the housing, the ear pad pivotally coupled to the housing alone one side of the ear cup assembly by a hinge. The ear pad can pivot between a closed position and an open position relative to the housing. In the closed position, the magnets in the ear pad and the housing exert an attractive force therebetween to retain the ear pad in contact with the housing. In the open position, the ear pad is inclined away from the housing to overcome the attractive force and define a gap on an opposite side of the ear cup assembly from the hinge to vent a space between the ear pad and the housing.

Abstract: A video game audio controller includes a headset audio port configured to connect to an audio headset and receive a headset audio signal, a chat audio port configured to receive a chat audio signal from another controller, a game audio port configured to receive a game audio signal from a video game console, and control circuitry configured to sum the headset audio signal and the chat audio signal and to output the combined chat audio signal from the controller. A local chat audio gaming network can include a plurality of such video game audio controllers removably connectable with each other via one or more cables, wherein the combined chat audio signal is communicated in only one direction between the plurality of video game audio controllers.

Abstract: A gaming headset can be provided that includes a headband that fits over a user's head and a pair of ear cup assemblies coupled to the headband. Each of the ear cup assemblies can include an ear pad and a housing. A hinge assembly on a front side of the ear cup assembly can movably couple the housing and the ear pad and can be defined by a hook of the ear pad that couples to a slot in the housing. An actuator on a rear side of the ear cup assembly can be actuated to move the ear pad between a first position in contact with the housing and a second position tilted relative to the housing to define a rearward facing gap therebetween that vents an in-ear space between the ear pad and the housing.

Abstract: A gaming headset can include a headband that fits over a user's head and a pair of ear cup assemblies coupled to the headband. Each of the ear cup assemblies can include a housing having one or more magnets and an ear pad having one or more magnets that have an opposite polarity than the magnets in the housing, the ear pad pivotally coupled to the housing alone one side of the ear cup assembly by a hinge. The ear pad can pivot between a closed position and an open position relative to the housing. In the closed position, the magnets in the ear pad and the housing exert an attractive force therebetween to retain the ear pad in contact with the housing. In the open position, the ear pad is inclined away from the housing to overcome the attractive force and define a gap on an opposite side of the ear cup assembly from the hinge to vent a space between the ear pad and the housing.

Abstract: A gaming headset can be provided that includes a headband that fits over a user's head and a pair of ear cup assemblies coupled to the headband. Each of the ear cup assemblies can include an ear pad and a housing. A hinge assembly on a front side of the ear cup assembly can movably couple the housing and the ear pad and can be defined by a hook of the ear pad that couples to a slot in the housing. An actuator on a rear side of the ear cup assembly can be actuated to move the ear pad between a first position in contact with the housing and a second position tilted relative to the housing to define a rearward facing gap therebetween that vents an in-ear space between the ear pad and the housing.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a controller attachment apparatus is provided configured to adapt a game controller having a battery compartment with a cover into a firearm-shaped game controller, the controller attachment apparatus comprising: a body; and a grip attached to and extending away from a rear section of the body; wherein the body comprises a cradle having a clip, the cradle configured to accept the game controller, the clip configured to selectively retain the game controller, and the cradle and clip further configured to attach to the game controller in place of the cover.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a controller attachment apparatus is provided configured to adapt a game controller having a battery compartment with a cover into a firearm-shaped game controller, the controller attachment apparatus comprising: a body; and a grip attached to and extending away from a rear section of the body; wherein the body comprises a cradle having a clip, the cradle configured to accept the game controller, the clip configured to selectively retain the game controller, and the cradle and clip further configured to attach to the game controller in place of the cover.