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.

Abstract: A game controller for a mobile device, the game controller including a first handle, a bridge, and an acoustic waveguide. 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 that is configured to accept touch inputs. The bridge extends from the main body portion of the first handle. The acoustic waveguide is at a juncture of the first handle and the bridge. The acoustic waveguide is configured to redirect sound emitted from the mobile device toward at least one of a front side of the game controller, a top side of the game controller, and a bottom side of the game controller.

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.

Abstract: One challenge of designing a handheld game controller to accommodate thicker phones and phone cases is that it tends to make the handheld game controller thicker. A thicker handheld game controller increases weight, volume and material expense. In one embodiment, a handheld game controller is provided with an “overhang” that solves this problem by decoupling increased thickness of the phone from the requirement of increasing controller thickness. This allows for the benefits of broader phone and case support, while maintaining a more-comfortable posture.

Abstract: A gaming system having a handheld controller, a bridge, and a contact zone. The bridge connects the first handle and the second handle of the handheld controller. The contact zone is on at least one of the handles and is configured to align and constrain a mobile device in a desired gameplay position that is between the handles. The contact zone has a cross-sectional profile that includes an arcuate section and a chamfered section. The arcuate section has a radius and a center of curvature that is between the first handle and the second handle. The chamfered section has two substantially flat segments meeting at an obtuse angle. At least one of the two substantially flat segments has a length that is not less than one-quarter of the radius of the arcuate section.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.