Abstract: A video game controller includes a body having a shape that resembles a guitar body, a neck and a headstock, the neck extending between the body and the headstock. The neck has fret buttons or action buttons on one side of the neck and has a thumbstick on an opposite side of the neck proximate at least one of the fret buttons or action buttons to allow a user to operate the fret buttons or action buttons and thumbstick simultaneously with the same hand.

Abstract: A video game controller has triggers that can be depressed by a user. The triggers have associated trigger stops actuatable to limit the travel of the trigger when depressed by the user. The trigger stop can be selectively operated by the user to vary the trigger stop location, and therefore the amount of travel of the trigger when depressed, between multiple (e.g., more than 2, more than 3, more than 4, 5, etc.) positions.

Abstract: A video game controller can automatically operate as a video game controller with audio capability and a video game controller without audio capability based upon a signal received via a switch in communication with an audio jack of the video game controller when a headset is coupled to the audio jack. Connection of the headset to the controller automatically causes video game audio to be communicated from the video game console to the headset via the controller. The video game audio is communicated at a default volume level to the headset upon coupling of the headset to the video game controller. The volume level of the audio communicated to the headset can be adjustable up or down via a directional pad of the video game controller while an audio control button on the video game controller is pressed.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A video game controller can include a body with a top surface and a bottom surface, multiple control inputs (e.g., thumbsticks, directional pads, buttons), and a face plate removably coupleable to the body over the top surface so that the plurality of control inputs extend through the face plate. One or more of the multiple control inputs are removable and replaceable without the use of tools by decoupling the face plate from the body and decoupling the control input from the body without disassembling the body.

Abstract: A video game controller for use with a smartphone includes a top panel hinged relative to a bottom panel, with the bottom panel having control inputs for playing video games. The top panel folds onto a bottom panel in a closed configuration to easily fit in a pocket of the user's garment, such as pants pocket, shirt pocket, jacket pocket, etc.). The top panel pivots relative to the bottom panel to an open configuration to support the smartphone on the top panel during use irrespective of the size of the smartphone.

Abstract: A video game controller has triggers that can be depressed by a user. The triggers have associated trigger stops actuatable to limit the travel of the trigger when depressed by the user. The trigger stop can be selectively operated by the user to vary the trigger stop location, and therefore the amount of travel of the trigger when depressed, between multiple (e.g., more than 2, more than 3, more than 4, 5, etc.) positions.

Abstract: Videogame controllers with smart trigger stops may include: a housing including a trigger, the trigger movable along a path of travel; a sensor configured to detect the position of the trigger and to generate a signal representing trigger position; a processor configured to interpret signals generated by the sensor and cause an output signal to be transmitted to a gaming console; a trigger-stop that is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, the trigger-stop in the disengaged position allowing the trigger to move along the entire path of travel, the trigger-stop in the engaged position blocking the trigger from moving along the entire path of travel; and a switch coupled with the housing and the trigger-stop, wherein movement of the trigger-stop from the disengaged position to the engaged position flips the switch and causes the processor to map received signals to generated signals in a different manner.

Abstract: A video game controller can automatically operate as a video game controller with audio capability and a video game controller without audio capability based upon a signal received via a switch in communication with an audio jack of the video game controller when a headset is coupled to the audio jack. Connection of the headset to the controller automatically causes video game audio to be communicated from the video game console to the headset via the controller. The video game audio is communicated at a default volume level to the headset upon coupling of the headset to the video game controller. The volume level of the audio communicated to the headset can be adjustable up or down via a directional pad of the video game controller while an audio control button on the video game controller is pressed.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A video game controller can include a body with a top surface and a bottom surface, multiple control inputs (e.g., thumbsticks, directional pads, buttons), and a face plate removably coupleable to the body over the top surface so that the plurality of control inputs extend through the face plate. One or more of the multiple control inputs are removable and replaceable without the use of tools by decoupling the face plate from the body and decoupling the control input from the body without disassembling the body.

Abstract: A video game controller can automatically operate as a video game controller with audio capability and a video game controller without audio capability based upon a signal received via a switch in communication with an audio jack of the video game controller when a headset is coupled to the audio jack. Connection of the headset to the controller automatically causes video game audio to be communicated from the video game console to the headset via the controller. The video game audio is communicated at a default volume level to the headset upon coupling of the headset to the video game controller. The volume level of the audio communicated to the headset can be adjustable up or down via a directional pad of the video game controller while an audio control button on the video game controller is pressed.

Abstract: A video game controller can include a body with a top surface and a bottom surface, multiple control inputs (e.g., thumbsticks, directional pads, buttons), and a face plate removably coupleable to the body over the top surface so that the plurality of control inputs extend through the face plate. One or more of the multiple control inputs are removable and replaceable without the use of tools by decoupling the face plate from the body and decoupling the control input from the body without disassembling the body.

Abstract: Videogame controllers with smart trigger stops may include: a housing including A trigger, the trigger movable along a path of travel; a sensor configured to detect the position of the trigger and to generate a signal representing trigger position; a processor configured to interpret signals generated by the sensor and cause an output signal to be transmitted to a gaming console; a trigger-stop that is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, the trigger-stop in the disengaged position allowing the trigger to move along the entire path of travel, the trigger-stop in the engaged position blocking the trigger from moving along the entire path of travel; and a switch coupled with the housing and the trigger-stop, wherein movement of the trigger-stop from the disengaged position to the engaged position flips the switch and causes the processor to map received signals to generated signals in a different manner.

Abstract: A removable joystick for use with a video game controller includes a base shaft that is coupled to a joystick unit in the housing of the video game controller so that the proximal end of the base shaft extends to a location at or below an outer surface of the housing. A top shaft assembly is removably coupleable to the base shaft via a quick disconnect assembly. The top shaft assembly includes a top shaft with a proximal end that removably couples to a joystick ball, and a collar that is spring loaded and movably coupled to the top shaft and has a flange that extends outward from the outer surface of the collar. When the top shaft assembly is disconnected from the base shaft, the flange of the collar engages and retains a dust cover disposed over the collar to inhibit misplacement or loss of the dust cover.

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 method of operating a video game system can include applying an optical filter in a field of view of a camera to filter out visible light and allow the camera to view non-visible light directed at a display screen positioned within the field of view of the camera. The method can also include processing the video output feed from the camera with a computer processor to identify a location of a non-visible light dot within the field of view of the camera that is projected onto the display screen by a light targeting peripheral unit. The method can also include calculating the location of the non-visible light dot within the field of view of the camera as a proportion of one or more dimensions of the field of view of the camera and translating the location of the non-visible light dot within the field of view of the camera onto a location on the display screen.