Abstract: A user input device is described that includes a thumbstick that comprises a thumbstick module and a thumbstick cap that is connected thereto. The thumbstick cap includes a thumbstick base that is mounted upon the thumbstick module and a thumbstick top that can be removably connected to the thumbstick base. The manner of interconnection between the thumbstick top and the thumbstick base is such that a user can connect and disconnect the two components without having to disassemble the game controller and without having to use any tools.

Abstract: A user-replaceable thumbstick top for a user input device is described. The thumbstick top comprises one or more first mating elements that are adapted to mate with one or more second mating elements of a thumbstick base of the user input device. The first and second mating elements are configured to enable the thumbstick top to be removably connected to the thumbstick base. The manner of interconnection between the thumbstick top and the thumbstick base is such that a user can connect and disconnect the two components without having to disassemble the game controller and without having to use any tools.

Abstract: A game controller includes a trigger-activation sensor, a sensor-activation feature, and a trigger-retention feature. The sensor-activation feature is moveable relative to the trigger-activation sensor. The trigger-activation sensor outputs a control signal based on a relative position of the sensor-activation feature and the trigger-activation sensor. The trigger-retention feature is configured to removably affix a selected removable trigger accessory to the game controller. The selected removable trigger accessory is one of a plurality of differently configured removable trigger accessories removably affixable to the game controller. The selected removable trigger accessory is configured to change the relative position of the sensor-activation feature and the trigger-activation sensor based on finger manipulation of the selected removable trigger accessory when the selected removable trigger accessory is removably affixed to the game controller.

Abstract: A thumbstick interface ring for a user input device is described. The thumbstick interface ring is adapted to be removably connected to a housing of the user input device. When connected to the housing, the thumbstick interface ring surrounds an aperture included in the housing from which a user-manipulable portion of a thumbstick extends. The thumbstick interface ring serves to prohibit contact between a portion of the thumbstick and an edge of the housing that surrounds the aperture. The thumbstick interface ring may be formed from a material that has a relatively low coefficient of friction with a material from which the portion of the thumbstick is formed. A user can easily disconnect and reconnect the ring to and from the housing without damaging either the ring or the housing.

Abstract: A user input device is described that includes a ring that is connected to a housing of the user input device and that surrounds an aperture included in the housing from which a user-manipulable portion of a thumbstick extends. The ring serves to prohibit contact between a portion of the thumbstick and an edge of the housing that surrounds the aperture. The ring may be formed from a material that has a relatively low coefficient of friction with a material from which the portion of the thumbstick is formed. In certain embodiments, the ring may be removably connected to the housing of the game controller such that a user can easily disconnect and reconnect the ring to the housing without damaging either the ring or the housing.

Abstract: A game controller includes a grip, one or more finger-actuatable controls on the grip, and a rim located on the grip. The rim defines an aperture. The game controller further includes a paddle-actuatable sensor accessible through the aperture and a pivot spaced apart from the aperture. The pivot is configured to removably affix a selected paddle accessory to the game controller and to translate a touch applied to the selected paddle accessory outside of the aperture to an actuation of the paddle-actuatable sensor inside the aperture.

Abstract: A game controller includes an electronic input sensor and a mounting platform. The mounting platform includes an accessory-retention feature and a sensor-activation feature. The accessory-retention feature is configured to removably affix a selected removable controller accessory to the mounting platform. The selected removable controller accessory is one of a plurality of differently configured removable controller accessories removably affixable to the mounting platform. The mounting platform is configured to move from a default posture to an activation posture responsive to finger manipulation of the selected removable controller accessory when the selected removable controller accessory is affixed to the mounting platform. The sensor-activation feature interfaces with the electronic input sensor to generate an activate control signal in the activation posture.

Abstract: A paddle accessory includes a blade, a sensor-activation feature extending from the blade, and a mounting interface spaced apart from the sensor-activation feature. The blade is sized and shaped for manual manipulation by a finger. The mounting interface is configured to selectively mate with a pivot of a game controller to removably affix the paddle accessory to the game controller. The paddle accessory is configured to rotate relative to the pivot to translate a touch force applied to the blade into an actuation force applied by the sensor-activation feature to a paddle-actuatable sensor interior an aperture of the game controller.

Abstract: A removable controller accessory for a game controller. The removable controller accessory includes a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The first side includes a finger interface sized and shaped for manual manipulation by a finger. The second side includes a mounting interface configured to selectively mate with an accessory-retention feature of a mounting platform of the game controller to removably affix the removable controller accessory to the mounting platform.