Pivotally-translatable Handle (e.g., Joystick, Etc.) Patents (Class 463/38)
  • Patent number: 11957989
    Abstract: In a case where an actual object is moved by a user manipulation or by other means, physical phenomena associated with the object are addressed. A control system includes a mobile apparatus being an apparatus that moves on a sheet where images indicating coordinates are arranged and having a camera for photographing part of the sheet. The control system acquires the user manipulation, controls the mobile apparatus in such a manner as to travel according to the user manipulation (S106), detects a position of the mobile apparatus on the basis of an image photographed by the camera included in the mobile apparatus (S101), determines, on the basis of the position detection by position detection means, whether or not the mobile apparatus has moved in a manner estimated on the basis of the user manipulation (S102, S105), and performs a predetermined procedure (S103, S110, S111) in a case where it is determined that the mobile apparatus does not move in the estimated manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT INC.
    Inventor: Yoshinori Kotsugai
  • Patent number: 11925856
    Abstract: A controller device includes a controller body with an interface port and least one control information output port. A modular input control is removably attachable to the controller body. The modular input control includes an interface connector region that is configured to communicatively couple the modular input control to the interface port. The modular input control is configured to be freely rotatable when attached to the controller body and operable in any orientation about the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignees: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc., Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC
    Inventors: Glenn Black, Alvin Daniel
  • Patent number: 11731040
    Abstract: The invention provides an improved controller (10) for a games console. The invention is a games controller (10) that is intended to be held by a user in both hands. Additionally, the controller of the invention (10) may comprise a plurality of controls located on the front and top of the controller. The controller of the present invention (10) is advantageous as it additionally comprises an actuator mounted to one of the plurality of controls located on the front of the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Ironburg Inventions Limited
    Inventors: Duncan Ironmonger, Carl Jeffrey
  • Patent number: 11701579
    Abstract: A modular controller is provided for communication with an electronic device comprising: a first multi-faced module comprising at least one connector for releasable attachment to one or more additional modules; the at least one connector providing physical integration and electrical connectivity between the first module and the one or more additional modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: ByoWave, Ltd.
    Inventor: Brandon Blacoe
  • Patent number: 11524225
    Abstract: The invention provides an improved controller (10) for a games console. The invention is a games controller (10) that is intended to be held by a user in both hands. Additionally, the controller of the invention (10) may comprise a plurality of controls located on the front and top of the controller. The controller of the present invention (10) is advantageous as it additionally comprises an actuator mounted to one of the plurality of controls located on the front of the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Ironburg Inventions Limited
    Inventors: Duncan Ironmonger, Carl Jeffrey
  • Patent number: 11458388
    Abstract: Various aspects of the subject technology relate to systems, methods, and machine-readable media for adjusting controller settings. The method includes receiving, through a controller associated with a user, controller input for software. The method also includes determining, based on the controller input, a user profile for the user comprising at least a skill level and an input tendency of the user. The method also includes providing suggested adjustments to the controller settings intended to improve performance of the user in relation to the software, the controller settings comprising at least one of controller sensitivity or controller assignments. The method also includes receiving approval of the user to implement the suggested adjustments to the controller settings. The method also includes adjusting the controller settings based on the approval of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Electronic Arts Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Roger Kestell
  • Patent number: 11400365
    Abstract: An example game controller includes a housing main body formed by connecting a housing member on a front surface side and a housing member on a back surface side. On the left and right of the housing main body, holding portions are provided. To the left and right holding portions, a pair of grip portions covering the entirety of the holding portions are connected. A boundary portion between two housing members is covered with a grip portion. Thus, when a user grips the grip portion, the grip portion is likely to fit the hand well. Thus, it is possible to improve the operability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Tsuchiya, Fumiyoshi Suetake, Takanori Okamura
  • Patent number: 11347303
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining movement of a hand-held controller (HHC) with respect to a head-mounted display (HMD) are described. A camera is located at a lower region of the HMD for capturing images of the HHC. The images of the HHC are used to determine a position and an orientation of the HHC with reference to the HMD. Also, the camera or another camera can be used to determine a position and orientation of the HMD with respect to a real-world environment. The position and orientation of the HMD and the position and orientation of the HHC are used to change to state of an application executed on a game cloud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Roger Stafford, Todd Tokubo
  • Patent number: 11298610
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Performance Designed Products LLC
    Inventors: Storm Orion, Trevor Thomas Lehr, Ali Homayounfar
  • Patent number: 11278797
    Abstract: An improved controller for a game console that is intended to be held by a user in both hands in the same manner as a conventional controller, which has controls on the front operable by the thumbs, and has two additional controls located on the back in positions to be operated by the middle fingers of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Ironburg Inventions Limited
    Inventors: Simon Burgess, Duncan Ironmonger
  • Patent number: 11273370
    Abstract: In order to reduce influences of light from indoor lighting equipment or the like on the accuracy in detecting the position of an operating device, an operating device (301) includes: left and right hold sections to be held by a user, each of which is provided with an operating member at an upper surface thereof; a central section (321) which is a section between the left and right hold sections; and a light emitting surface (328c) adapted to emit light to be captured by an information processing apparatus through a camera, the light emitting surface (328c) provided at a front surface of the central section (321). The central section (321) includes a portion which is located over the light emitting surface (328c) and is located on a more forward side than the light emitting surface (328c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT INC.
    Inventors: Takeshi Igarashi, Masaho Morita, Kazuyoshi Enomoto, Toshimasa Aoki
  • Patent number: 11198060
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for causing a device to present a sense of force against depressing of a button in response to receiving an input initiated by the user of a sense-of-force presentation start position in said predetermined movable range, and to store the sense-of-force presentation start position in a memory in response to the input initiated by the user; acquiring a depress amount of said button; receiving the sense-of-force presentation start position from the memory; and instructing the presentation of the sense of force against depressing of said button when said depress amount reaches said sense-of-force presentation start position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Yuichi Machida, Kunihito Sawai, Shinichi Hirata, Yoshihisa Takahashi, Yoichi Nishimaki, Yasushi Okumura, Norihiro Nagai
  • Patent number: 11173393
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an operation device, the control apparatus being connected to the operation device including an operation member and a tactile presentation mechanism, the control apparatus receives an operational input by a user to the operation member, presents a tactile sensation that corresponds to the operational input to the user by causing the tactile presentation mechanism to operate when the operational input is received, and varies contents of the tactile sensation to be presented to the user in accordance with contents of the received operational input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Yusuke Nakagawa, Yukari Konishi, Ikuo Yamano
  • Patent number: 11148043
    Abstract: An example peripheral apparatus is configured to communicate with a game controller configured to control a game apparatus. The peripheral apparatus includes a sensor configured to detect a user input, a processor and a transmitter. The peripheral apparatus is configured to operate in one of a plurality of modes including a first mode and a second mode while a communication connection between the peripheral apparatus and the game controller is established. In the first mode, the processor generates a command configured to cause the game controller to execute an operation based on peripheral apparatus data in accordance with a user input detected by the sensor, and the transmitter transmits the command to the game controller. In the second mode, the transmitter transmits the peripheral apparatus data to the game controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumisato Naruse, Shumpei Yasuda, Toshiki Oizumi
  • Patent number: 11114267
    Abstract: A single hand controller including a front surface and a back surface, with a first and second side surface there between and an upper surface and bottom surface. The upper surface includes a joystick, and the front surface has a proportional plunger and one or more switches. The controller is grasped by placing a user's finger tips on the front surface, with user's index finger operating the proportional plunger and remaining fingers operating the switches. The thenar eminence group of muscles of the user's hand rests against the back surface, whereby the user's thumb is disposed so as to operate the joystick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Measurement Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond J. Paquette, Robert A. Blain, Jeffrey D. Philips, Edward A. Schuler
  • Patent number: 11093121
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for operating a computer game involving moving a plurality of objects. A game screen on which a plurality of objects are displayed may be displayed on a touchscreen. If a swipe operation is detected, a plurality of the objects may be moved. If a swipe operation is detected while a touch operation that specifies any of the plurality objects is also being detected, the plurality of objects excluding the object specified with the touch operation are collectively moved in a direction indicated by the swipe operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: GREE, Inc.
    Inventor: Ryosuke Nishida
  • Patent number: 11086402
    Abstract: A haptic interface unit may include an application in the operating system of a device in communication with a driver layer. A plurality of sensors and actuators may be in communication with the driver layer. The driver layer analyzes information from the sensors to generate an output signal based on an interaction model stored in the driver layer. The application updates the interaction model in the driver layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Tanvas, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Meyer
  • Patent number: 11016566
    Abstract: A pair of handheld controllers with asymmetric tracking patterns for use with a tracking camera. The pair of controllers includes a right-hand controller and a left-hand controller. The right-hand and the left-hand controllers are substantially symmetric with respect to each other with the exception of their respective tracking patterns. A right-hand pattern of lights is disposed on the right-hand controller and a left-hand pattern of lights is disposed on the left-hand controller. The right-hand pattern of lights and the left-hand pattern of lights are asymmetric with respect to each other. The right-hand controller includes a right-hand handle portion and a surrounding right-hand ring portion and the left-hand controller includes a left-hand handle portion and a surrounding left-hand ring portion. The right-hand pattern of lights and the left-hand pattern of lights are disposed on the right-hand ring portion and the left-hand ring portion, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Clare Regimbal Long
  • Patent number: 11007431
    Abstract: A user-input device includes a user-actuatable trigger configured to pivot about a trigger axis, a rack gear, a return spring operatively intermediate the user-actuatable trigger and the rack gear, a force-feedback motor and a posture sensor configured to determine a posture of the user-actuatable trigger about the trigger axis. The return spring is configured to forward bias the user-actuatable trigger toward an extended posture. The force-feedback motor is configured to drive the rack gear based on a force-feedback signal and thereby adjust a spring force applied by the return spring to the user-actuatable trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron Schmitz, Gabriel Michael Rask Gassoway
  • Patent number: 10960300
    Abstract: A method for sharing gameplay is provided, including: executing a video game; while executing the video game, buffering a first portion of gameplay of the video game, wherein buffering the first portion of gameplay captures a predefined amount of gameplay prior to a currently executing gameplay; receiving a first input generated from a controller device; responsive to receiving the first input, then capturing a second portion of the gameplay of the video game that is continuous with the first portion of gameplay; receiving a second input generated from the controller device; responsive to receiving the second input, then enabling sharing of the first and second portions of gameplay to a website.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC
    Inventor: Nathan Gary
  • Patent number: 10912991
    Abstract: A player of a video game, whether a freestanding system or an online gaming platform, is able to customize game controller behavior based on his/her preference, regardless of the particular game controller he/she is using. A game controller settings store is provided for storing customized game controller mappings. The game controller settings store is separate from the game controller and is accessible using different game controllers, so that a player can leave his/her game controller at one location and use a different game controller, at a different location, while still having access to the his/preferred customized mappings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC
    Inventor: Brian Douglas Buhr
  • Patent number: 10884514
    Abstract: Provided are a mouse and a controlling method thereof, and a computer-readable storage medium, in the field of electronic device technology. The mouse includes an upper cover and two mouse halves, wherein a scroll wheel assembly is located between the two mouse halves, each of the mouse halves has a keypad and a joystick located inside the mouse, the joysticks on the two mouse halves are movably connected to the scroll wheel assembly respectively, the mouse further comprises at least one position adjusting part each connected to the scroll wheel assembly and one of the mouse halves; the at least one position adjusting part is configured for controlling the two mouse halves to move toward or away from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yifei Zhang, Ying Zhang, Tailiang Li
  • Patent number: 10870050
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an input device including a first external surface, a second external surface facing in a direction different from the first external surface, a first operating pad disposed in the first external surface, and a second operating pad disposed in the second external surface. The first operating pad includes a touch sensor and is movable in response to a pressing operation. The second operating pad includes a touch sensor and is movable in response to a pressing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
    Inventor: Masaho Morita
  • Patent number: 10815643
    Abstract: An adjustable user input device assembly comprising a handle having a first portion, a second portion, and a palm portion for receiving the palm of an operator's hand, the palm portion located between the first portion and the second portion; an elongated support having a first support portion and a second support portion, the first support portion coupled to the handle through an adjustable coupling mechanism, the second support portion coupled to a control console, the adjustable coupling mechanism configured to slidably adjust the handle to at least one of a pistol grip position, a palm-on-top grip position, or a position therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Giovanni A. Wuisan, Scott J. Breiner, Ronald J. Huber
  • Patent number: 10806993
    Abstract: Described herein are, among other things, handheld controllers that include housings having one or more receiver portions for detachably coupling to one or more controls. For example, a housing of one such controller may include, on a front surface of the housing, a receiver that is configured to detachably couple to one or more joysticks, one or more D-pads, one or more track pads, one or more buttons, and/or the like. In some instances, a user may swap a first control for a second control based on a current application (e.g., game title) that the user is playing, based on comfort of the user, and/or for any other reason.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Valve Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Goerz, Ian Campbell, Jeffrey Peter Bellinghausen, Brian David Hensley, Scott Dalton, Christopher Lee Bjordhal, Gregory Martin Matelich, II
  • Patent number: 10802282
    Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to dynamically controlling light sources on an optically trackable peripheral device. One disclosed example provides a near-eye display device comprising an image sensor, a communications subsystem, a logic subsystem, and a storage subsystem. The storage subsystem stores instructions executable by the logic subsystem to control a peripheral device comprising a plurality of light sources by receiving image data from the image sensor, identifying in the image data a constellation of light sources formed by a subset of light sources of the peripheral device, and based upon the constellation of light sources identified, send to the peripheral device via the communications subsystem constellation information related to the constellation of light sources identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Ping Liu, Steven James Velat, Erik Alan Holverson
  • Patent number: 10765937
    Abstract: In order to reduce influences of light from indoor lighting equipment or the like on the accuracy in detecting the position of an operating device, an operating device (301) includes: left and right hold sections to be held by a user, each of which is provided with an operating member at an upper surface thereof; a central section (321) which is a section between the left and right hold sections; and a light emitting surface (328c) adapted to emit light to be captured by an information processing apparatus through a camera, the light emitting surface (328c) provided at a front surface of the central section (321). The central section (321) includes a portion which is located over the light emitting surface (328c) and is located on a more forward side than the light emitting surface (328c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT INC.
    Inventors: Takeshi Igarashi, Masaho Morita, Kazuyoshi Enomoto, Toshimasa Aoki
  • Patent number: 10729978
    Abstract: An information processing device that carries out the processing of a fighting game in which a player-character is made to fight an opponent-character, the device including a first condition determination means that determines whether the player-character and the opponent-character, as a whole, have fulfilled a first condition during the fight; a second condition determination means that determines a character, among the player-character and the opponent-character, that has fulfilled a second condition during the fight; and a bonus awarding means that awards a bonus that can be used in the fight to a fulfilling character, among the player-character and the opponent-character, that fulfills the second condition after the fulfillment of the first condition. The first condition determination means sets a partial or a complete fulfillment of a given set of conditions as the first condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Tomoko Hiroki, Souya Mikumo, Seiji Fukumoto
  • Patent number: 10712823
    Abstract: A tactile sensation providing apparatus includes a panel, an actuator configured to vibrate the panel, and an elastic member in contact with the panel. When the actuator vibrates the panel, the elastic member suppresses inhibition of vibration at a position where the panel is pressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventor: Fumiaki Nakao
  • Patent number: 10668371
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, there is provided a game controller including: a trigger button rotatable between a first position and a second position by rotating about a rotation axis, the trigger button being depressible in a direction to activate a switch when the trigger button is in the first position, wherein the direction is at least substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis; and a locking mechanism configured to constrain rotation of the trigger button when the trigger button is in the first position, and further configured to constrain rotation of the trigger button when the trigger button is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: RAZER (ASIA-PACIFIC) PTE. LTD.
    Inventor: Gil Palma Guerrero, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10656658
    Abstract: A remote demolition robot (10) comprising a controller (17), drive means (14), an arm member (11) movably arranged on a tower (10a) rotatably arranged on a body (11b) of the remote demolition robot (10) and a remote control (22) for providing commands, that are interpreted by the controller (17) causing the controller (17) to control the operation of the remote demolition robot (10), wherein the remote control (22) comprises a first joystick (24a) and a second joystick (24b), wherein the remote control (22) is characterized in that each joystick (24) is provided with a thumb control switch (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: HUSQVARNA AB
    Inventor: Fredrik Theander
  • Patent number: 10625150
    Abstract: Based on first data corresponding to at least one of a motion and an orientation of a first game controller and second data corresponding to at least one of a motion and an orientation of a second game controller, it is determined whether or not the first game controller and the second game controller are attached to an attachment, and based on the result of the determination, game processing is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shoichi Obayashi, Hiroki Omosako
  • Patent number: 10617943
    Abstract: The present invention is a controller with a motor module. The controller with a motor module comprises a body. A support is disposed inside the body. The support comprises an alignment part and an engaging part both are disposed on the support. A motor module has a central axis and is capable of dismounting from the support. The motor module comprises a housing, a matching part and a blocking part both are disposed on the housing. When the motor module is applied a force to make the motor module rotates along the central axis thereof, the matching part engages with the alignment part, and the blocking part engages with the engaging part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Cheng Uei Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsieh Cheng Chou, Chi Ming Tseng
  • Patent number: 10610778
    Abstract: A controller for interfacing with a computing device is provided, including the following: a main body; a first extension extending from a first end of the main body; a second extension extending from a second end of the main body; wherein the first extension and the second extension are configured as handles; a button positioned on a surface of the main body, the button being configured to activate a sharing interface for sharing gameplay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment America LLC
    Inventors: Ryuji Nakayama, Ennin Huang, Nathan Gary
  • Patent number: 10493359
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a first peripheral device having a controller to store operational settings tailored for a gaming application, interact with the gaming application using the operational settings and user inputs, and share the operational settings with a second peripheral device for use with the gaming application. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: STEELSERIES ApS
    Inventors: Michael Aronzon, Bruce Hawver, Kim Rom
  • Patent number: 10452170
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling power and/or current consumption for multiple haptic output devices are provided. Various features of the haptic output device may be described within a data structure. In response to a haptic instruction, a power budget for the haptic output device may be determined in accordance with its operational characteristics. A drive signal may then be applied to the haptic output device to produce the haptic effect in accordance with the calculated power budget. The calculated power budget may be configured to limit the current or power drawn by the haptic output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: IMMERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Srivatsav Venkatesan, Kaniyalal Shah, Douglas George Billington, Stephen Rank
  • Patent number: 10441880
    Abstract: A handheld controller with spring-biased third-finger button grip detection is disclosed. The handheld controller can include a third-finger button on the handle and having a lever arm pivotally connected to the controller's main body so the third-finger button is movable between depressed position and released positions. A button-biasing member is pivotally connected to another portion of the main body and has a second lever arm that presses against the first lever arm to bias the third-finger button toward the released, extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Blake Francis Anderson, Daniel James Blasé, Benjamin Elliot Tunberg Rogoza, Yi-yaun Chen
  • Patent number: 10343059
    Abstract: Handheld controllers having flexible thumbstick guards are disclosed herein for use with a handheld controller having a thumbstick or other pivotal control member. A representative guard has a tubular neck that sealably connects to a shaft portion of the thumbstick, and a skirt that sealably connects to an interior portion of the handheld controller around the control opening. The guard has a flexible joint portion interconnecting the neck and the skirt to allow the neck to move relative to the skirt upon pivoting the control member relative to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin Elliot Tunberg Rogoza, Sharvil Shailesh Talati, Yi-yaun Chen, Jason Andrew Higgins, Peter Wesley Bristol, Mark Shintaro Ando, Blake Francis Andersen
  • Patent number: 10286305
    Abstract: An improved controller for a game console that is intended to be held by a user in both hands in the same manner as a conventional controller, which has controls on the front operable by the thumbs, and has two additional controls located on the back in positions to be operated by the middle fingers of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Ironburg Inventions LTD.
    Inventors: Simon Burgess, Duncan Ironmonger
  • Patent number: 10258877
    Abstract: A game controller for controlling electronic games includes a controller chassis and an actuator system including: an actuator body pivotally mounted to the controller chassis; a strike plate coupled to the actuator body; a trigger adjustment system having an arm; and an actuator adjustment control screw received in a screw thread disposed within said arm. A portion of the actuator adjustment control screw may engage with a portion of the strike plate and the portion of the actuator adjustment control screw creates an end stop to limit movement of the actuator body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Ironburg Inventions Limited
    Inventors: Simon Burgess, Duncan Ironmonger
  • Patent number: 10232255
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Gabriel Michael Rask Gassoway, Aaron Schmitz, Jason Victor Tsai, Christopher H. Kujawski
  • Patent number: 10232254
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Gabriel Michael Rask Gassoway, Aaron Schmitz, Jason Victor Tsai, Christopher H. Kujawski
  • Patent number: 10061397
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Performance Designed Products LLC
    Inventors: Bradley M. Strahle, Eric B. Fulghum
  • Patent number: 10035064
    Abstract: Methods for game aim assist are provided. In electronic games, a game player may control the actions of a game character within a game environment. The game environment, which includes a focus area, may be displayed from a perspective of or with respect to a game character. During game play, one or more objects may be detected in the focus area. One of the objects may then be selected based on the distance between the object and the center of the focus area. The aim of the game character is then automatically adjusted toward the selected object, which allows the game player to direct an attack action on the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: John Garvin, Christopher Reese, Darren Yager, Ron Allen
  • Patent number: 9898675
    Abstract: Technology is presented for providing feedback to a user on an ability of an executing application to track user action for control of the executing application on a computer system. A capture system detects a user in a capture area. Factors in the capture area and the user's actions can adversely affect the ability of the application to determine if a user movement is a gesture which is a control or instruction to the application. One example of such factors is a user being out of the field of view of the capture system. Some other factor examples include lighting conditions and obstructions in the capture area. Responsive to a user tracking criteria not being satisfied, feedback is output to the user. In some embodiments, the feedback is provided within the context of an executing application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Dawson Yee, Kathryn Stone Perez
  • Patent number: 9878238
    Abstract: An improved controller for a game console that is intended to be held by a user in both hands in the same manner as a conventional controller, which has controls on the front operable by the thumbs, and has two additional controls located on the back in positions to be operated by the middle fingers of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Ironburg Inventions, Ltd.
    Inventors: Simon Burgess, Duncan Ironmonger
  • Patent number: 9557190
    Abstract: Provided is a calibration apparatus and method of a three-dimensional (3D) position and direction estimation system. The calibration apparatus may receive inertia information and intensity information during a predetermined period of time, may calculate distances between a transmitter and the respective receivers, and may calibrate a signal attenuation characteristic of each receiver using the distances between the transmitter and the respective receivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang Hyun Kim, Hyong Euk Lee, Chang Kyu Choi
  • Patent number: 9517408
    Abstract: The invention relates to a controller, in particular for video games, capable of operating according to at least a gear selection mode and a brake mode. According to the invention, said controller comprises a support casing, a lever mounted on said support casing and capable of pivoting from a neutral position around at least an axis, and a detector to detect, in the gear selection mode, at least two different positions of the lever obtained by the pivoting thereof from the neutral position and, in the brake mode, an angular value corresponding to a braking force required by a user by the pivoting of the controller lever according to said axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: GUILLEMOT CORPORATION S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Yves Jaouen, Patrick Pennaneac'h, David Sauvage
  • Patent number: 9504912
    Abstract: A controller for a video game is disclosed. The controller may be a generally U-shaped steering wheel including a pair of hand grips attached to and extending from a base connector. The ends of the hand grips may be angled downward. The design of the hand grips together with the downwardly extending ends provides for an ergonomic design of the controller with easy access to controls on the hand grips whether the controller is grasped with a pronated or supinated hand positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: John Ikeda, Scott Wilson, Dennis Matthew Puhalla, Brett Christie
  • Patent number: 9426515
    Abstract: An Intelligent Television provides unique user interfaces and user interface interactions to provide social media. The interfaces and interface are intuitive and allow the user to quickly retrieve and view social media with respect to content displayed on the Intelligent Television. Further, intuitive user interface interactions are provided to allow for the quick and efficient posting of social media from the Intelligent Television to a social media site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Flextronics AP, LLC
    Inventor: Sanjiv Sirpal