Patents Assigned to BACKBONE LABS, INC.
  • Patent number: 12115443
    Abstract: A game controller for a mobile device having a first handle, a second handle, a bridge coupling the first handle to the second handle, and a magnetic connector. The first handle includes a user-accessible, first hardware interface configured to accept touch inputs. The second handle includes a user-accessible, second hardware interface configured to accept touch inputs. The magnetic connector is configured to magnetically retain a mobile device to the game controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: Backbone Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Maneet Singh Khaira, Zachary Scott, Eric Sorensen, Ozhan Maker, Jon Christopher Lake
  • Publication number: 20240333804
    Abstract: A controller can be used with a computing device to select and/or interact with content using user input devices on the controller. The content can be locally-stored on the computing device and/or streamed from a remote device. In one embodiment, a contextually-aware platform service switcher is provided. In another embodiment, a system and method for automatic content capability detection are provided. In yet another embodiment, a system and method for rich content browsing multitasking on device operating systems with multitasking limitations are provided. These embodiments can be used alone or in combination. Other embodiments are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2024
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Applicant: Backbone Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Hong Tai Wei, Ryan Camp, Gavin Warwick, Andrew Sibert, Joshua Donlan
  • Publication number: 20240307760
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a controller with a user-input element, such as a software service button, that can be programmed to accept various sequenced hardware-initiated input events (e.g., double press) that allow for other actions to overlay on top of default actions of a software service button. This can be accomplished, by way of example, through a custom accessory communication protocol that can receive the input events in the platform operating service application, even when the app is in the background to enable the various overlay actions. Thus, the user can use the overlay actions even when the platform operating service application is not in the foreground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2023
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Applicant: Backbone Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Aldridge, Shawn O'Connor, Joshua Donlan
  • Patent number: 12074946
    Abstract: A controller can be used with a computing device to select and/or interact with content using user input devices on the controller. The content can be locally-stored on the computing device and/or streamed from a remote device. In one embodiment, a contextually-aware platform service switcher is provided. In another embodiment, a system and method for automatic content capability detection are provided. In yet another embodiment, a system and method for rich content browsing multitasking on device operating systems with multitasking limitations are provided. These embodiments can be used alone or in combination. Other embodiments are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Backbone Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Hong Tai Wei, Ryan Camp, Gavin Warwick, Andrew Sibert, Joshua Donlan
  • Patent number: 12070678
    Abstract: A gaming device that includes a handheld controller having a handle and a depressible button on the handle configured to receive user input. The depressible button includes a first marking layer including a first indicia, a first light source configured to illuminate the first indicia in the first marking layer, a second marking layer stacked with the first marking layer and including a second indicia, and a second light source configured to illuminate the second indicia in the second marking layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Backbone Labs, Inc.
    Inventor: Ozhan Maker
  • Publication number: 20240226721
    Abstract: A handheld gaming device in which configurations allow for default-open, force-close systems and separate the user's insertion of the mobile device and closure of the handles around the mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2024
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Applicant: Backbone Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon Christopher Lake, Wei-Jun Wang, Ozhan Maker, Maneet Singh Khaira, Cory Newton, Zachary Scott, Eric Sorensen
  • Publication number: 20240207725
    Abstract: A universal mobile game controller is provided that can interoperate with multiple computing device operating systems (e.g., Android and iOS) in an automatic way through a common connector (e.g., USB-C). With these embodiments, instead of building a separate mobile game controller for each operating system, a single mobile game controller can be used for all operating systems. These embodiments can also enable communication with an application running within the computing device operating system. Other embodiments are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2023
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Applicant: Backbone Labs, Inc.
    Inventor: Shawn O'Connor
  • Publication number: 20240207724
    Abstract: A universal mobile game controller is provided that can interoperate with multiple computing device operating systems (e.g., Android and iOS) in an automatic way through a common connector (e.g., USB-C). With these embodiments, instead of building a separate mobile game controller for each operating system, a single mobile game controller can be used for all operating systems. These embodiments can also enable communication with an application running within the computing device operating system. Other embodiments are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Applicant: Backbone Labs, Inc.
    Inventor: Shawn O'Connor
  • Publication number: 20240207721
    Abstract: A universal mobile game controller is provided that can interoperate with multiple computing device operating systems (e.g., Android and iOS) in an automatic way through a common connector (e.g., USB-C). With these embodiments, instead of building a separate mobile game controller for each operating system, a single mobile game controller can be used for all operating systems. These embodiments can also enable communication with an application running within the computing device operating system. Other embodiments are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2023
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Applicant: Backbone Labs, Inc.
    Inventor: Shawn O'Connor
  • Publication number: 20240157258
    Abstract: A gaming device that includes a handheld controller with a handle and a mechanism for connecting the handheld controller to a mobile device. The mechanism includes a substantially rigid arm and a connector. The arm is housed within the handle and is configured to pivot about a pivot point within the handle. The connector is attached to the arm at the end opposite the pivot point and is structured to physically and electrically pair the mobile device and the handheld controller. The connector is structured to pivot about the pivot point with the arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2023
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Applicant: Backbone Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Ozhan Maker, Zachary Scott, Eric Sorensen, Cory Newton
  • Publication number: 20240149174
    Abstract: A controller can be used with a computing device to select and/or interact with content using user input devices on the controller. The content can be locally-stored on the computing device and/or streamed from a remote device. In one embodiment, a contextually-aware platform service switcher is provided. In another embodiment, a system and method for automatic content capability detection are provided. In yet another embodiment, a system and method for rich content browsing multitasking on device operating systems with multitasking limitations are provided. These embodiments can be used alone or in combination. Other embodiments are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Applicant: Backbone Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Donlan, Hong Tai Wei, Andrew Sibert
  • Publication number: 20240155033
    Abstract: A controller can be used with a computing device to select and/or interact with content using user input devices on the controller. The content can be locally-stored on the computing device and/or streamed from a remote device. In one embodiment, a contextually-aware platform service switcher is provided. In another embodiment, a system and method for automatic content capability detection are provided. In yet another embodiment, a system and method for rich content browsing multitasking on device operating systems with multitasking limitations are provided. These embodiments can be used alone or in combination. Other embodiments are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Applicant: Backbone Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Hong Tai Wei, Ryan Camp, Gavin Warwick, Andrew Sibert, Joshua Donlan
  • Publication number: 20240149151
    Abstract: A controller can be used with a computing device to select and/or interact with content using user input devices on the controller. The content can be locally-stored on the computing device and/or streamed from a remote device. In one embodiment, a contextually-aware platform service switcher is provided. In another embodiment, a system and method for automatic content capability detection are provided. In yet another embodiment, a system and method for rich content browsing multitasking on device operating systems with multitasking limitations are provided. These embodiments can be used alone or in combination. Other embodiments are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Applicant: Backbone Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Casey Chow, Rohan Kapur, Kauhi Hookano
  • Publication number: 20240149163
    Abstract: Attaching a mobile game controller to a computing device brings to life an entirely new gaming player device and gaming environment. A combination of a user input device, platform operating service, cloud service, screen, and mobile operating system allows the system to take advantage of a plethora of synergies and offers entirely new experiences. The embodiments described herein can provide a sophisticated and highly-extensible gaming experience that is vastly more than the sum of the parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2023
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Applicant: Backbone Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn O'Connor, Maneet Khaira, Andrew Sibert, Kauhi Kukulukahalelaupilionaali’i Hookano, Casey Chow, Joshua Donlan
  • Publication number: 20240149148
    Abstract: Attaching a mobile game controller to a computing device brings to life an entirely new gaming player device and gaming environment. A combination of a user input device, platform operating service, cloud service, screen, and mobile operating system allows the system to take advantage of a plethora of synergies and offers entirely new experiences. The embodiments described herein can provide a sophisticated and highly-extensible gaming experience that is vastly more than the sum of the parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2023
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Applicant: Backbone Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn O'Connor, Maneet Khaira, Andrew Sibert
  • Patent number: 11853505
    Abstract: A gaming input device implements a method of adjusting input polling rate in various usage scenarios to optimize performance in light of scenario-specific considerations. The device detects a usage scenario and maps it to an optimized input polling rate, then requests the optimized input polling rate from associated firmware and hardware so an adjustment can be accomplished. The automated adjustment to polling rate accounts for problems associated with various usage scenarios, such as latency and power consumption, and allows for optimization specific to each scenario.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Backbone Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Sorensen, Maneet Singh Khaira, Zachary Scott, Samuel Boegli
  • Patent number: 11839810
    Abstract: A game controller for a mobile device, the game controller having a first handle, a bridge, a first spring mechanism, and a first latch mechanism. The first handle is configured to contact and support a mobile device and includes a user-accessible, first hardware interface on a main body portion of the first handle. The bridge is in sliding engagement with the first handle. The bridge and the first handle are configured for the main body portion of the first handle to translate in a retraction direction toward a midline of the bridge and into a retracted configuration and also to translate in an extension direction away from the midline of the bridge into an extended configuration. The first spring mechanism is configured to bias the first handle toward the retracted configuration. The first latch mechanism is configured to temporarily lock the bridge in the extended configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: BACKBONE LABS, INC.
    Inventors: Maneet Singh Khaira, Atsushi Shirata, Francois Pierre René Dransart, Gregory Robert Cerny, Wei-Jun Wang, Jon Lake
  • Patent number: 11826642
    Abstract: A game controller for a mobile device, the game controller including a first handle, a second handle, a bridge, and a flat, flexible cable. The first handle is configured to contact and support a mobile device. The first handle includes a user-accessible, first hardware interface on a main body portion of the first handle that is configured to accept touch inputs. The second handle is configured to contact and support the mobile device. The second handle includes a user-accessible, second hardware interface on a main body portion of the second handle that is configured to accept touch inputs. The bridge couples the first handle to the second handle. The bridge is in sliding engagement with the first handle and the second handle. The flat, flexible cable is configured to conduct an electrical signal between the first handle and the second handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: BACKBONE LABS, INC.
    Inventors: Maneet Singh Khaira, Atsushi Shirata, Gregory Robert Cerny, Wei-Jun Wang, Jon Lake
  • Patent number: 11707670
    Abstract: A game controller for a mobile device that includes a first handle, a first bumper, and a first switch. The first handle is configured to contact and support a mobile device. The first bumper is coupled to the first handle. The first bumper is configured to accept touch inputs. The first bumper includes a pivot rod at a first end of the first bumper that is configured to engage a track slot of the first handle. The pivot rod is configured to rotate within the track slot and to translate within the track slot. The first bumper further includes a plunger at a first-span distance from the pivot rod. The first switch is within the first handle and is configured to be activated by touch inputs to the first bumper. The plunger of the first bumper is configured to contact and impart a force to the first switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: BACKBONE LABS, INC.
    Inventors: Maneet Singh Khaira, Atsushi Shirata, Gregory Robert Cerny, Wei-Jun Wang, Jon Lake
  • Patent number: 11662855
    Abstract: A gaming input device implements a method of adjusting input polling rate in various usage scenarios to optimize performance in light of scenario-specific considerations. The device detects a usage scenario and maps it to an optimized input polling rate, then requests the optimized input polling rate from associated firmware and hardware so an adjustment can be accomplished. The automated adjustment to polling rate accounts for problems associated with various usage scenarios, such as latency and power consumption, and allows for optimization specific to each scenario.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: BACKBONE LABS, INC.
    Inventors: Eric Sorensen, Maneet Singh Khaira, Zachary Scott, Samuel Boegli