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.

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: The following embodiment describe various example techniques for attaching a mobile computing device to a game controller. Some of those techniques use a magnetic connector in the game controller, and various example magnet/magnetic array configurations are described. In one embodiment, a float mechanism is provided to allow the magnetic connector in the game controller to move via a magnetic force to align with a corresponding magnetic connector in a mobile computing device. Various float mechanisms are described including those that float a magnetic connector island, float magnet(s) in the magnetic connector island, and float the entire island/bridge assembly. Additionally, various example bridge extension mechanisms are described, as well as example solutions for addressing pinch points. Example connect/play techniques are provided, as well as example power management and power handling techniques and example hardware configurations.

Abstract: The following embodiment describe various example techniques for attaching a mobile computing device to a game controller. Some of those techniques use a magnetic connector in the game controller, and various example magnet/magnetic array configurations are described. In one embodiment, a float mechanism is provided to allow the magnetic connector in the game controller to move via a magnetic force to align with a corresponding magnetic connector in a mobile computing device. Various float mechanisms are described including those that float a magnetic connector island, float magnet(s) in the magnetic connector island, and float the entire island/bridge assembly. Additionally, various example bridge extension mechanisms are described, as well as example solutions for addressing pinch points. Example connect/play techniques are provided, as well as example power management and power handling techniques and example hardware configurations.

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 game controller having a handle and a bumper assembly on the handle. The bumper assembly includes a bumper and a haptic actuator. The bumper is configured to accept touch inputs from a user. The haptic actuator includes at least one plate and a piezoelectric actuator. The piezoelectric actuator is configured to receive an electrical signal, convert the electrical signal to mechanical motion, translate the mechanical motion to the at least one plate, and cause the at least one plate and the bumper to vibrate.

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.

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 game controller having a handle and a bumper assembly on the handle. The bumper assembly includes a bumper and a haptic actuator. The bumper is configured to accept touch inputs from a user. The haptic actuator includes at least one plate and a piezoelectric actuator. The piezoelectric actuator is configured to receive an electrical signal, convert the electrical signal to mechanical motion, translate the mechanical motion to the at least one plate, and cause the at least one plate and the bumper to vibrate.

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 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.

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 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.

Abstract: A user-accessible, hardware interface that is configured to accept touch inputs and that includes a first marking layer, a first light source, a second marking layer, and a second light source. The first marking layer includes a first indicia, and the first light source is configured to illuminate the first indicia in the first marking layer. The second marking layer is stacked with the first marking layer and includes a second indicia. The second light source is configured to illuminate the second indicia in the second marking layer.

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.

Abstract: A handheld game controller having a handle and a bumper assembly on the handle. The bumper assembly includes a bumper and a haptic actuator. The bumper is configured to accept touch inputs from a user. The haptic actuator includes at least one plate and a piezoelectric actuator. The piezoelectric actuator is configured to receive an electrical signal, convert the electrical signal to mechanical motion, translate the mechanical motion to the at least one plate, and cause the at least one plate and the bumper to vibrate.

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 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 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.