Computer simulation controller

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2023147235-A1
Application number	US-202117522539-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 9, 2021
Priority date	Nov 9, 2021
Publication date	May 11, 2023
Grant date	—

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; and plural peripheral control (PC) buttons surrounding the CC button, each being operable to send a signal to a computerized apparatus when the computerized apparatus is in communication with the device.

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.

6 . The device of claim 1 , wherein a first one of the PC buttons comprises a continuously curved contour from an inner periphery of the first one of the PC buttons closest to the CC button to an outer periphery of the first one of the PC buttons.

7 . The device of claim 1 , wherein at least a first one of the PC buttons is detachably engaged with a base holding the CC button and PC buttons.

8 . 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.

9 . The device of claim 8 , 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.

10 . The device of claim 8 , 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.

11 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the second one of the PC buttons is larger than the first one of the PC buttons.

12 . The device of claim 1 , wherein at least a first one of the PC buttons viewed from the top comprises an ovular periphery.

13 . The device of claim 1 , wherein at least a first one of the PC buttons viewed from the top comprises a racetrack-shaped periphery.

14 . The device of claim 7 , wherein at least the first one of the PC buttons is magnetically engaged with the base.

15 . A method, comprising:
generating computer simulation signals to control a computer simulation using a central control (CC) button on a base of a control device; and generating computer simulation signals to control the computer simulation using plural peripheral control (PC) buttons on the base, completely surrounding the CC button.

16 . A computer simulation control apparatus, comprising:
a base; a round central control (CC) element on the base; and a first number of peripheral control (PC) elements surrounding the CC element, the CC element and PC elements being operable to control a computer simulation.

17 . The computer simulation control apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the first number is seven.

18 . The computer simulation control apparatus of claim 16 , wherein a first one of the PC elements comprises an upwardly-sloping outer region.

19 . The computer simulation control apparatus of claim 16 , wherein at least a first one of the PC elements 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 elements, the curved outer periphery being larger than the curved inner periphery.

20 . The computer simulation control apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the curved inner periphery of the first one of the PC elements is convex, and wherein at least a second one of the PC elements viewed from the top comprises a curved inner periphery closest to the CC element and sides flaring outwardly to a curved outer periphery of the second one of the PC elements, the curved inner periphery of the second one of the PC elements being concave.

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