Game controller with removable trigger accessory

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10427035-B2
Application number	US-201615078900-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 23, 2016
Priority date	Jun 9, 2015
Publication date	Oct 1, 2019
Grant date	Oct 1, 2019

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.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A game controller, comprising:
a trigger-activation sensor;
a sensor-activation feature moveable relative to the trigger-activation sensor, wherein the trigger-activation sensor outputs a control signal based on a relative position of the sensor-activation feature and the trigger-activation sensor; and
a mounting platform including a trigger-retention feature configured to removably affix a selected removable trigger accessory to the mounting platform, the selected removable trigger accessory being one of a plurality of differently configured removable trigger accessories removably affixable to the mounting platform, the selected removable trigger accessory 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 mounting platform, and the mounting platform being configured to move with the selected removable trigger accessory responsive to finger manipulation of the selected removable trigger accessory when the selected removable trigger accessory is affixed to the mounting platform.

2. The game controller of claim 1 , wherein the trigger-retention feature includes one or more magnets, wherein the selected removable trigger accessory is made at least partially of ferromagnetic material, and wherein the selected removable trigger accessory is removably affixable to the mounting platform through a magnetic attraction between the one or more magnets and the ferromagnetic material.

3. The game controller of claim 1 , wherein the selected removable trigger accessory includes one or more magnets, wherein the trigger-retention feature is made at least partially of ferromagnetic material, and wherein the selected removable trigger accessory is removably affixable to the mounting platform through a magnetic attraction between the one or more magnets and the ferromagnetic material.

4. The game controller of claim 1 , wherein the selected removable trigger accessory includes a hook, and wherein the trigger-retention feature includes a mating slot configured to receive the hook to removably affix the selected removable trigger accessory to the mounting platform.

5. The game controller of claim 4 , wherein the trigger-retention feature and the hook collectively form a pivot, and wherein the selected removable trigger accessory is configured to rotate about the pivot based on finger manipulation of the selected removable trigger accessory when the selected removable trigger accessory is removably affixed to the mounting platform.

6. The game controller of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of differently configured removable trigger accessories includes an electronic module, and wherein the trigger-retention feature includes an outlet configured to connect with the electronic module.

7. The game controller of claim 1 , further comprising:
a spring biased to maintain the selected removable trigger accessory in a default posture when the selected removable trigger accessory is removably affixed to the mounting platform, and wherein the plurality of differently configured removable trigger accessories each include a different spring tensioner configured to differently adjust an amount of spring force applied by the spring.

8. The game controller of claim 1 , further comprising:
a spring biased to maintain the selected removable trigger accessory in a default posture when the selected removable trigger accessory is removably affixed to the mounting platform, and wherein the selected removable trigger accessory includes an adjustable spring tensioner configured to adjust an amount of spring force applied by the spring.

9. The game controller of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of differently configured removable trigger accessories each include a different range of motion adjuster configured to differently adjust a range of motion of the sensor-activation feature relative to the trigger-activation sensor.

10. The game controller of claim 1 , further comprising:
a grip including a thumb-side including one or more controls configured to be manipulated by a thumb, and wherein the trigger-retention feature is configured to position the selected removable trigger accessory to be manipulated by an index finger when the selected removable trigger accessory is removably affixed to the mounting platform.

11. The game controller of claim 10 , wherein the selected removable trigger accessory extends beyond a finger-side of the grip that opposes the thumb side when the selected removable trigger accessory is removably affixed to the mounting platform.

12. A game controller, comprising:
a trigger-activation sensor;
a sensor-activation feature moveable relative to the trigger-activation sensor, wherein the trigger-activation sensor outputs a control signal based on a relative position of the sensor-activation feature and the trigger-activation sensor;
a mounting platform including a trigger-retention feature including one or more magnets and configured to magnetically affix to the mounting platform a selected removable trigger accessory made at least partially of ferromagnetic material, the selected removable trigger accessory being one of a plurality of differently configured removable trigger accessories magnetically affixable to the mounting platform, the selected removable trigger accessory 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 magnetically affixed to the mounting platform, and the mounting platform being configured to move with the selected removable trigger accessory responsive to finger manipulation of the selected removable trigger accessory when the selected removable trigger accessory is affixed to the mounting platform.

13. The game controller of claim 12 , wherein the selected removable trigger accessory includes a hook, and wherein the trigger-retention feature includes a mating slot configured to receive the hook to magnetically affix the selected removable trigger accessory to the mounting platform.

14. The game controller of claim 13 , wherein the mating slot and the hook collectively form a pivot, and wherein the selected removable trigger accessory is configured to rotate about the pivot based on finger manipulation of the selected removable trigger accessory when the selected removable trigger accessory is affixed to the mounting platform.

15. The game controller of claim 12 , wherein at least one of the plurality of differently configured removable trigger accessories includes an electronic module, and wherein the trigger-retention feature includes an outlet configured to connect with the electronic module.

16. The game controller of claim 12 , further comprising:
a spring biased to maintain the selected removable trigger accessory in a default posture when the selected removable trigger accessory is magnetically affixed to the mounting platform, and wherein the plurality of differently configured removable trigger accessories each include a different spring tensioner configured to differently adjust an amount of spring force applied by the spring.

17. The game controller of claim 12 , further comprising:
a spring biased to maintain the selected removable trigger accessory in a default posture when the selected removable trigger accessory is magnetically affixed to

Assignees

• Microsoft Technology Licensing Llc

Inventors

• Schmitz Aaron
• Robinson Jonathan Shea
• Gassoway Gabriel Michael Rask

Classifications

• A63F2300/1056

  involving pressure sensitive buttons · CPC title

• A63F2300/1043

  being characterized by constructional details · CPC title

• A63F2300/10

  characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals · CPC title

• A63F13/218 Primary

  using pressure sensors, e.g. generating a signal proportional to the pressure applied by the player · CPC title

• A63F13/20

  Input arrangements for video game devices · CPC title