Computer simulation controller

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12109486-B2
Application number	US-202117522539-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 9, 2021
Priority date	Nov 9, 2021
Publication date	Oct 8, 2024
Grant date	Oct 8, 2024

Abstract

An accessibility computer game controller includes a central control button on a round base and peripheral control buttons on the base surrounding the central control button. The peripheral control buttons can have distinct sizes and shapes. An analog stick unit is reciprocatingly engaged with the base and includes a control portion rotatable relative to the base.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A device, comprising:
a central control (CC) button operable to send a signal to a computerized apparatus when the computerized apparatus is in communication with the device, the CC button being in the center of a base;
plural peripheral control (PC) buttons on the base and surrounding the CC button with azimuthal spacings between adjacent PC buttons being equal around the CC button, each PC button being operable to send a signal to a computerized apparatus when the computerized apparatus is in communication with the device; and
a circular light emitting portion around the CC button so that the light emitting portion can be seen from plural directions.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the CC button is round.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the computerized apparatus comprises a computer simulation console.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the computerized apparatus comprises a computer simulation server.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein a first one of the PC buttons comprises an upwardly-sloping outer region having a different slope than an inner region of the first one of the PC buttons.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein at least a first one of the PC buttons viewed from the top comprises a curved inner periphery closest to the CC button and sides flaring outwardly to a curved outer periphery of the first one of the PC buttons, the curved outer periphery being larger than the curved inner periphery.

7. The device of claim 6 , wherein at least a second one of the PC buttons viewed from the top comprises a curved inner periphery closest to the CC button and sides flaring outwardly to a curved outer periphery of the second one of the PC buttons, the curved outer periphery being larger than the curved inner periphery, the second one of the PC buttons being larger than the first one of the PC buttons.

8. The device of claim 6 , wherein the curved inner periphery of the first one of the PC buttons is convex, and wherein at least a second one of the PC buttons viewed from the top comprises a curved inner periphery closest to the CC button and sides flaring outwardly to a curved outer periphery of the second one of the PC buttons, the curved outer periphery being larger than the curved inner periphery, the curved inner periphery of the second one of the PC buttons being concave.

9. The device of claim 8 , wherein the second one of the PC buttons is larger than the first one of the PC buttons.

10. The device of claim 1 , wherein at least a first one of the PC buttons viewed from the top comprises a periphery with convex sides between curved inner and outer peripheries.

11. The device of claim 1 , wherein at least a first one of the PC buttons viewed from the top comprises a periphery with straight sides between curved inner and outer peripheries.

12. The device of claim 1 , wherein at least the first one of the PC buttons is magnetically engaged with the base.

13. A device, comprising:
a central control (CC) button operable to send a signal to a computerized apparatus when the computerized apparatus is in communication with the device, the CC button being in the center of a base;
plural peripheral control (PC) buttons on the base and surrounding the CC button with azimuthal spacings between adjacent PC buttons being equal around the CC button, each PC button being operable to send a signal to a computerized apparatus when the computerized apparatus is in communication with the device; and
an outer edge strip on at least one of the PC buttons that overhangs, by extending radially outwardly past the periphery of, a base on which the PC buttons are engaged to facilitate button replacement.

14. A device, comprising:
a central control (CC) button operable to send a signal to a computerized apparatus when the computerized apparatus is in communication with the device, the CC button being in the center of a base; and
plural peripheral control (PC) buttons on the base and surrounding the CC button with azimuthal spacings between adjacent PC buttons being equal around the CC button, each PC button being operable to send a signal to a computerized apparatus when the computerized apparatus is in communication with the device;
wherein at least a first one of the PC buttons comprises a continuously downwardly-sloping contour from a convex inner periphery of the first one of the PC buttons to a convex outer periphery of the first one of the PC buttons.

Assignees

• Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc

Inventors

• Black Glenn
• Kwun Arthur
• Morimoto So
• Tadano Katsuhisa

Classifications

• G06F3/0202

  Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device · CPC title

• G06F3/0219

  Special purpose keyboards · CPC title

• A63F13/245

  specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels · CPC title

• A63F13/22

  Setup operations, e.g. calibration, key configuration or button assignment · CPC title

• A63F13/98

  Accessories, i.e. detachable arrangements optional for the use of the video game device, e.g. grip supports of game controllers · CPC title