Apparatus and method for controller accessory

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9539507-B2
Application number	US-201414329248-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 11, 2014
Priority date	Jul 11, 2013
Publication date	Jan 10, 2017
Grant date	Jan 10, 2017

Abstract

An electronic smart device controller comprising a right side panel, a left side panel, and optionally a chassis and a detachable cradle. The right side panel and the left side panel can receive the chassis or the detachable cradle.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An electronic smart device controller comprising:
a right side panel having at least one gaming control;
a left side panel having at least one gaming control;
a detachable chassis configured to be receivably attached on a first side to the right side panel and on a second side to the left side panel, the detachable chassis having at least one gaming control;
a detachable cradle including a depression dimensioned and configured to house a smart device configured to be receivably attached on a first side to the right side panel and on a second side to the left side panel; and
wherein the right side panel and the left side panel can receive the detachable chassis in a first configuration, and wherein when the detachable chassis is removed from the right side panel and the left side panel, the right side panel and the left side panel can receive the detachable cradle in a second configuration such that at least one of the game controls is configured to control a smart device application.

2. The controller of claim 1 , wherein the detachable chassis can be fastened between the right side panel and the left side panel.

3. The controller of claim 1 , wherein the detachable cradle can be fastened between the right side panel and the left side panel.

4. The controller of claim 1 , wherein the detachable chassis can be completely removed from the right side panel and the left side panel and substituted with a second detachable cradle.

5. The controller of claim 4 , wherein the second detachable cradle has dimensions fit for supporting a second tablet.

6. The controller of claim 1 , wherein the detachable cradle is configured to support a smart device inserted into the depression of the cradle.

7. The controller of claim 1 , wherein the detachable cradle has a raised wall on at least one side of the detachable cradle so that the smart device is supported by the raised wall once the smart device is inserted into the detachable cradle.

8. The controller of claim 1 , wherein the detachable cradle has dimensions fit for supporting a smart phone or a tablet.

9. The controller of claim 1 , wherein the controller can serve as a controller for a digital media player when the detachable chassis is attached to the right side panel and the left side panel.

10. The controller of claim 1 , further comprising at least one wireless connection.

11. The controller of claim 1 , wherein the right side panel and the left side panel have openings to receive the detachable chassis or the detachable cradle.

12. The controller of claim 1 , wherein the cradle has support components on the first side and the second side of the detachable cradle.

13. The controller of claim 1 , wherein a plurality of control buttons are provided on the right side panel, the left side panel, or both, wherein the control buttons are selected from the group of a right analog stick, a left analog stick, a directional pad, a set of face buttons, and arrow buttons.

14. The controller of claim 1 , wherein the at least one gaming control of the detachable chassis has a central button.

15. The controller of claim 1 , wherein each of the right side panel and the left side panel comprises at least one shoulder button.

16. The controller of claim 1 , further comprising at least one docking port.

17. The controller of claim 1 , further comprising a connector configured to charge the smart device.

18. The controller of claim 1 , further comprising backlit controls.

19. The controller of claim 1 , further comprising a battery.

20. An electronic smart device controller comprising:
a right side panel having at least one gaming control;
a left side panel having at least gaming control;
wherein the right side panel is configured to attach to a first side of a detachable chassis in a first configuration, and wherein the right side panel is configured to attach to a first side of a detachable cradle in a second configuration, the detachable cradle including a depression dimensioned and configured to house a smart device, the detachable chassis including at least one gaming control; and
wherein the left side panel is configured to attach to a second side of the detachable chassis in the first configuration, and wherein the left side panel is configured to attach to the second side of the detachable cradle in the second configuration such that at least one of the game controls is configured to control a smart device application.

Assignees

• Incipio Llc

Inventors

• Schoenith John M
• Ahee Anthony

Classifications

• 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

• A63F13/24 Primary

  Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles · CPC title