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`Case 1:16—cv—O4110—TWT Document 1-3 Filed 11/02/16 Page 1 of 19
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`
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`EXHIBIT C
`
`EXHIBIT C
`
`
`

`

`Case 1:16-cv-04110-TWT Document 1-3 Filed 11/02/16 Page 2 of 19
`”°°“”m1|llllllillllllllflllllllilfllllllmlllflllfllflllll||1|f1|1|||||||||
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`US009289688B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Burgess et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 9,289,688 B2
`Mar. 22, 2016
`
`(54) GAMES CONTROLLER
`
`7,859,514 B1 * 12/2010 Park ...................... .. A63F 13/06
`345/156
`
`(71) Applicant: gronburg Iéigentions Ltd., Wincanton,
`°merSe‘(
`)
`_
`.
`Inventors: Simon Burgess, Cossmgton (GB);
`Duncan Ironmonger, Atlanta, GA (US)
`
`(72)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`USC 154(b) by 0 days
`
`2002/0128064 Al
`2003/0067111 A1
`2004/0259059 A1
`
`X/Ivglélilfir e131‘
`9/2002 Sobota
`4/2003 Swan
`12/2004 Aokj
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`EP
`EP
`
`2 479 636
`2 698 185
`
`7/2012
`2/2015
`
`21
`
`(
`
`)
`
`(22)
`
`(65)
`
`A 1. N .: 14/832 211
`pp
`0
`’
`
`Filed:
`
`Aug’ 21’ 2015
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2015/0360126 A1
`DEC. 17, 2015
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(63) Continuation
`of
`application
`PCT/EP2015/058096, filed on Apr. 14, 2015.
`
`No.
`
`~
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`“Review: ScufXbox 360 Controller” by Dave Burns published Oct.
`20, 2010. Source https://www.xboxer360/features/review-scufi
`b
`-360-
`tr ll
`/, 16
`.*
`X OX
`con 0 er
`pafélzntinued)
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 61/979,124, filed on Apr.
`14, 2014-
`
`Primary Ex‘1mi”e” ’ Omkar Decodhar
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Walters & Wasylyna LLC
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`A63F 13/06
`A63F 13/24
`A63F 13/20
`A63F 13/21 8
`(52) US. C].
`CPC ............... .. A63F 13/24 (2014.09); A63F 13/20
`(2014.09); A63F 13/218 (2014.09); A63F
`2300/10 (2013.01)
`
`(2006.01)
`(2014.01)
`(2014.01)
`(2014.01)
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`CPC ..................................................... .. A63F 13/06
`See application file for complete Search history.
`_
`References Clted
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(56)
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An improved controller (10) for a games console that is
`intended to be heldby a user in both hands in the same manner
`as a conventional controller (1). Additionally, the controller
`(10) may include the same controls (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) as a
`conventional controller (1). The controller (10) is advanta-
`geous as it additionally comprises additional controls (11A,
`11B, 11C, 11D) located on the rear ofthe controller (10) in a
`position to be operated by the middle fingers of a user (12).
`The additional controllers (11A, 11B, 11C, 11D) may be
`paddle levers and may replicate the functions of one or more
`ofthe controls (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) located on the front or top
`Ofthe Controller (10)
`
`6,251,015 B1
`7,510,477 B2
`
`6/2001 Caprai
`3/2009 Argentar
`
`g
`30 Claims, 10 Drawin Sheets
`
`
`
`

`

`Case 1:16-cv-04110-TWT Document 1-3 Filed 11/02/16 Page 3 of 19
`Case 1:16—cv—O4110—TWT Document 1-3 Filed 11/02/16 Page 3 of 19
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`US 9,289,688 B2
`Page 2
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4/2005
`2005/0083297 A1
`2005/0255918 A1* 11/2005
`
`2009/0088250 A1
`2009/0258705 A1
`2010/0304865 A1
`2011/0256930 A1
`2011/0281649 A1
`2012/0322553 A1
`2014/0274397 A1
`2015/0238855 A1*
`
`4/2009
`10/2009
`12/2010
`10/2011
`11/2011
`12/2012
`9/2014
`8/2015
`
`Duncan
`Riggs ..................... .. A47C 3/16
`463/37
`Carlson
`Guinchard
`Picunko
`Jaouen
`Jaouen
`Burgess et al.
`Sebastian
`Uy ........................ .. A63F 13/24
`463/37
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`GB
`GB
`W0
`
`2 244 546
`2 481 633
`WO 2008/131249
`
`12/1991
`1/2012
`10/2008
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`International Search Report, PCT/EP2014/060587 (2014).
`International Search Report, PCT/EP2015/058096 (2015).
`Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority, PCT/
`EP2015/058096 (2015).
`Burns, “Review: Scuf Xbox 360 Controller,” Xboxer360.com
`(2010).
`Combined Search and Examination Report, GB1011078.1 (2011).
`“Rapid Fire Mod for Wireless Xbox 360 Controller,” forum on xbox-
`scene.com, (2008).
`“Thrustmaster USB game controller
`trnsticks.htrn (2002).
`Coles, Olin,
`“Thrustmaster Run-N-Drive PC/PS3 Wireless
`Gamepad” BenchmarkReViews.com (2009).
`Oflice Action, U.S. Appl. No. 14/736,771 (2015).
`Oflice Action, U.S. Appl. No. 14/805,597 (2015).
`Oflice Action, U.S. Appl. No. 14/805,641 (2015).
`Oflice Action, U.S. Appl. No. 14/805,661 (2015).
`
`roundup,” da11sdata.com/
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`

`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 22,2016
`
`Sheet 1 of 10
`
`US 9,289,688 B2
`
`FYGURE1
`
`

`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 22,2016
`
`Sheet 2 of 10
`
`US 9,289,688 B2
`
`3.31;}
`
`
`
`
`FKBURE2
`
`11A
`
`

`

`Case 1:16-cv-04110-TWT Document 1-3 Filed 11/02/16 Page 6 of 19
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 22,2016
`
`Sheet 3 of 10
`
`US 9,289,688 B2
`
`33
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`Case 1:16-cv-04110-TWT Document 1-3 Filed 11/02/16 Page 7 of 19
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 22,2016
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`Sheet 4 of 10
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`Case 1:16-cv-04110-TWT Document 1-3 Filed 11/02/16 Page 8 of 19
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 22,2016
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`Sheet 5 of 10
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`US 9,289,688 B2
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`

`Case 1:16-cv-04110-TWT Document 1-3 Filed 11/02/16 Page 9 of 19
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 22,2016
`
`Sheet 6 of 10
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`US 9,289,688 B2
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`Case 1:16-cv-04110-TWT Document 1-3 Filed 11/02/16 Page 10 of 19
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 22,2016
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`Sheet 7 of 10
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`Case 1:16-cv-04110-TWT Document 1-3 Filed 11/02/16 Page 11 of 19
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 22,2016
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`Sheet 8 of 10
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`US 9,289,688 B2
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`

`Case 1:16-cv-04110-TWT Document 1-3 Filed 11/02/16 Page 12 of 19
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 22,2016
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`Sheet 9 of 10
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`US 9,289,688 B2
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`Case 1:16-cv-04110-TWT Document 1-3 Filed 11/02/16 Page 13 of 19
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 22,2016
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`Sheet 10 of 10
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`US 9,289,688 B2
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`Case 1:16-cv-04110-TWT Document 1-3 Filed 11/02/16 Page 14 of 19
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`US 9,289,688 B2
`
`2
`
`1
`GAMES CONTROLLER
`
`PRIORITY
`
`This application is a continuation of Intl. App. No. PCT/
`EP2015/058096 filed onApr. 14, 2015, which claims priority
`from U.S. Ser. No. 61/979,124 filed on Apr. 14, 2014. The
`entire contents of PCT/EP2015/058096 and 61/979,124 are
`
`incorporated herein by reference.
`FIELD
`
`The invention relates to controllers for controlling the play
`of computerized games; more particularly, but not exclu-
`sively, the invention relates to an actuator system of a game
`controller for a gaming console.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`There are many different types of gaming consoles cur-
`rently available for operating a video game. For example,
`Microsoft®, Sony® and Nintendo® manufacture the
`Xbox®, PlayStation® and Wii® gaming consoles, respec-
`tively. The gaming consoles typically include a game control-
`ler so that a user can control the operation of the video game.
`Controllers for most current games consoles are generally
`intended to be held and operated by the user using both hands.
`A conventional controller will generally comprise a hard
`outer case with a plurality of controls mounted about the
`controller. Typically, the controls include buttons, analogue
`control sticks, bumpers and triggers.
`Some known game controllers include a form of actuator
`system for the operation of control of the functions of the
`video games. Actuators, buttons or other depressible or manu-
`ally operable devices are typically used for controlling dis-
`crete actions such as the firing of a weapon or issuing an
`attack command. It is known to provide a button, actuator, or
`other control on the front and top of the controller. Controls
`mounted on the front of the controller are intended to be
`
`operable by the index fingers of a user; such buttons are
`commonly known as triggers or bumpers. Controls mounted
`on the top of the controller are intended to be operable by the
`thumbs of a user; such controls may include left and right
`analogue thumb sticks, which normally control movement
`and are intended to be operated by the user’s left and right
`thumbs respectively. There may be additional buttons located
`on a front right portion of the top of the controller, which
`normally control additional actions and are intended to be
`operated by the user’s right thumb. There may be provided a
`direction pad located on the rear left portion of the top of the
`controller. The direction pad is intended to be operated by the
`user’s left thumb, typically either as an alternative to the left
`thumb stick or to provide additional actions. The controllers
`typically have a pair of handles or grip portions to enable a
`user to hold the controller; typically, the user will employ the
`middle, ring and/or little finger ofeach hand to grasp a respec-
`tive handle.
`
`Due to the rapidly expanding gaming market and develop-
`ment ofinvolved games invoking considerable player input, it
`is desirable for players to be able to customize their control-
`lers in order to gain increased control in a variety of gaming
`circumstances.
`
`The present invention seeks to improve upon, or at least
`mitigate, some of the problems associated with controllers of
`the prior art by providing a game controller which includes
`additional actuators on the bottom of the controller, which
`
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`allow a user to employ the middle, ring or little finger of the
`hand for operation of control ofthe functions ofa video game.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`A first aspect ofthe present invention provides an apparatus
`for supplying user inputs to a computer program, such as a
`game program, for controlling the game program, compris-
`ing:
`a case; and
`a plurality of controls located on a front end and top of the
`controller;
`the controller being shaped to be held in both hands of a
`user such that the user’s thumbs are positioned to operate
`controls located on the top of the controller and the user’s
`index fingers are positioned to operate controls located on the
`front of the controller; wherein
`the controller further comprises at least one first additional
`control located on a back of the controller in a position oper-
`able by a middle, ring or little finger of a user, the at least one
`additional control comprising a first elongate member which
`is inherently resilient and flexible such that it can be sulfi-
`ciently displaced by a user to activate a control function,
`wherein the or each first elongate member comprises a first
`surface disposed proximate an outer surface of the controller
`and the or each first elongate member comprises a second
`surface opposing said first surface, the second surface being
`configured and arranged to be non-parallel with a portion of
`the outer surface of the back of the controller to which said
`
`first elongate member is mounted.
`Optionally, the second surface of the or each first elongate
`member is configured and arranged to be non-parallel with
`the first surface of said first elongate member.
`Optionally, at least a portion of the or each first elongate
`member is configured and arranged to have a substantially
`triangular cross section.
`Optionally, the controller further comprises at least one
`second additional control located on the back ofthe controller
`
`in a position operable by a middle, ring or little finger of a
`user, the at least one second additional control comprising a
`second elongate member which is inherently resilient and
`flexible such that it can be sufficiently displaced by a user to
`activate a control function, wherein the at least one second
`additional control is disposed adjacent to the at least one first
`additional control, wherein the second surface of the first
`elongate member of the at least one first additional control is
`configured and arranged to direct a user’s finger towards the
`second elongate member disposed adjacent thereto.
`Optionally, the or each second elongate member comprises
`a first surface disposed proximate an outer surface of the
`controller and the or each second elongate member comprises
`a second surface opposing said first surface, the second sur-
`face of the first elongate member being configured and
`arranged to be non-parallel with the second surface of said
`second elongate member.
`Optionally, the or each first elongate member is disposed
`outermost.
`
`Optionally, the or each first elongate member is disposed in
`closer proximity to a handle than a respective adjacent second
`elongate member.
`Optionally, the or each first elongate member comprises a
`first side edge and a second side edge opposing the first side
`edge, the first side edge being disposed in closer proximity to
`a respective adjacent second elongate member than the sec-
`ond side edge, and the second side edge being disposed in
`closer proximity to a respective adjacent handle than the first
`side edge, and wherein the first side edge is disposed in closer
`
`

`

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`3
`proximity to a portion of the outer surface of the back of the
`controller to which the first elongate member is mounted than
`the second side edge.
`Optionally, the apparatus is a hand held controller for a
`games console and comprises a hard outer case wherein the or
`each elongate member is at least partially disposed in a
`respective charmel formed in a rear surface of the controller.
`Optionally, the or each elongate member is at least partially
`disposed in a respective channel formed in a rear surface of
`the controller, the channel being configured and arranged to
`form a close fit to at least a portion of the elongate member so
`as to provide lateral support thereto.
`Optionally, the or each elongate member comprises a first
`dimension and the controller comprises a cover portion form-
`ing a conduit enclosing the elongate member within the
`respective channel along a portion of the first dimension of
`the elongate member.
`Optionally, the or each elongate member comprises a lon-
`gitudinal dimension and the controller comprises a cover
`portion forming a conduit enclosing the elongate member
`within the respective channel along a portion of the longitu-
`dinal dimension of the elongate member.
`Optionally, the or each elongate member comprises a first
`part of a complementary locking mechanism.
`Optionally, the or each conduit comprises a second part of
`a complementary locking mechanism.
`Optionally, the first or second part of a complementary
`locking mechanism comprises a catch or barb which is dis-
`placeable so as to release the elongate member from the
`conduit.
`
`Optionally, the first or second part of a complementary
`locking mechanism comprises an aperture or recess having an
`engaging edge.
`Optionally, the or each elongate member is formed from
`material having a thickness less than 10 mm.
`Optionally, the or each elongate member is formed from
`material having a thickness less than 5 mm.
`Optionally, the or each elongate member is formed from
`material having a thickness between 1 mm and 3 mm.
`Optionally, the or each of the elongate members are paral-
`lel with respect to one another.
`Optionally, the or each of the elongate members converge
`towards the front end of the controller with respect to one
`another.
`
`Optionally, a portion of the or each elongate member is in
`registry with a switch mechanism disposed within the con-
`troller, such that displacement of the elongate member acti-
`vates the switch mechanism.
`
`Optionally, a switch mechanism is disposed between the or
`each elongate member and an outer surface of the base of the
`controller.
`
`Optionally, a switch mechanism is mounted to a rear panel
`ofthe controller wherein the switch mechanism comprises an
`engaging surface, the engaging surface being disposed in an
`aperture in an outer surface of the rear panel and arranged
`flush with an outer surface of the rear panel.
`Optionally, a switch mechanism is mounted to a rear panel
`ofthe controller wherein the switch mechanism comprises an
`engaging surface, the engaging surface being recessed within
`an aperture defined in an outer surface of the rear panel.
`Optionally, the additional controls are paddle levers.
`Optionally, the additional controls are substantially verti-
`cally orientated with respect to the controller.
`Optionally, the additional controls are formed separately
`from the outer case of the controller.
`
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`Further features and advantages of the present invention
`will be apparent from the specific embodiment illustrated in
`the drawings and discussed below.
`Within the scope of this application it is envisaged and
`intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples,
`features and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs,
`in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings
`may be taken independently or in any combination thereof.
`For example, features described in connection with one
`embodiment are applicable to all embodiments unless there is
`incompatibility of features.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be
`described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
`which:
`
`FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the top of a games
`console controller according to one embodiment;
`FIG. 2 is a front view of the games console controller of
`FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration from below of the rear
`
`panel of the games controller of FIG. 1 showing a user’s
`hands;
`FIG. 4 is a perspective view from below ofthe rear panel of
`the games controller of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 5 is a plan view from below of the rear panel of the
`games controller of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of additional actua-
`tors mounted to the rearpanel ofthe games console controller
`of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 7 is an enlarged front view of the games controller of
`FIG. 1 showing the relationship between the paddles and the
`rear panel and handles;
`FIG. 8 is an enlarged rear view of the games console
`controller of FIG. 1 showing the paddles in use by a user;
`FIG. 9A is a perspective view from below of the actuators
`of the games controller of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 9B is a plan view from below of one of the actuators
`of the games controller of FIG. 9A;
`FIG. 9C is a plan view from above ofthe actuator of FIG.
`9B;
`FIG. 9D is a first side view of the actuator of FIG. 9B;
`FIG. 9E is a second side view of the actuator of FIG. 9B;
`FIG. 9F is a first end view of the actuator of FIG. 9B; and
`FIG. 9G is a second end view of the actuator of FIG. 9B.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`Detailed descriptions of specific embodiments of game
`controllers and actuators are disclosed herein. It will be
`
`the disclosed embodiments are merely
`understood that
`examples ofthe way in which certain aspects of the invention
`can be implemented and do not represent an exhaustive list of
`all ofthe ways the invention may be embodied. Indeed, it will
`be understood that
`the game controllers and actuators
`described herein may be embodied in various and alternative
`forms. The Figures are not necessarily to scale and some
`features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of
`particular components. Well-known components, materials
`or methods are not necessarily described in great detail in
`order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Any specific
`structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be
`
`interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and
`as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to
`variously employ the invention.
`
`

`

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`5
`Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a controller 10 accord-
`ing to an embodiment of the invention. The controller 10
`comprises a mechanism for adjusting trigger travel motion;
`both the start position and the end position of the trigger
`movement are adjusted by the mechanism.
`The controller 10 comprises an arrangement of game con-
`trols that are mounted on the front and top ofthe controller 1 0.
`The controller 10 comprises a left analogue thumb stick 2 and
`a right analogue thumb stick 3. The left analogue thumb stick
`2 and the right analogue thumb stick 3 normally control
`movement actions and are intended to be operated by the
`user’s left and right thumbs respectively. The controller 10
`comprises four buttons 4, located on a front right portion of
`the controller 10, which normally control additional in-game
`actions and that are intended to be operated by the user’ s right
`thumb. The controller 10 comprises a direction pad 5 located
`on the lower portion of the front left of the controller 10. The
`direction pad 5 is intended to be operated by the user’s left
`thumb, and typically is used either as an alternative to the left
`thumb stick 2, or to provide additional actions. The controller
`10 also comprises a left trigger body 6, a right trigger body 7,
`a left bumper 8 and a right bumper 9 located on the front edge
`of the controller 10. The left and right trigger bodies 6, 7 are
`typically operated by a user’s index fingers or forefingers. The
`left and right bumpers 8, 9 may also be operated by a user’s
`index fingers or forefingers. It will be understood that the
`arrangement of game controls illustrated in respect of the
`present embodiment is optional and may vary in other game
`controllers embodying the present invention, which may be
`applied to a variety of actuators as described below.
`FIG. 2 illustrates a front view ofthe controller 10 of FIG. 1.
`
`It can be seen that the left trigger body 6 is mounted below the
`left bumper 8 and the right trigger body 7 is mounted below
`the right bumper 9.
`The only way to operate the four buttons 4 is for a user to
`remove their right thumb from the right thumb stick 3. This
`takes time and, in some games, can cause the loss of control.
`This is a particular problem in games where the right thumb
`stick 3 is used for aiming. A similar problem may arise in
`games where the direction pad 5 provides additional actions
`and the user has to remove their thumb from the left thumb
`
`stick 2 in order to operate the direction pad 5.
`In light of the above, there is a need for an improved
`controller which removes the requirement for a user to
`remove their thumbs from the left or right thumb stick 2, 3 in
`order to operate additional actions controlled by the four
`buttons 4 and/or the direction pad 5.
`The rear of the games controller 10 is illustrated in FIGS. 3
`to 8. The controller 10 comprises four paddle levers 11A,
`11B, 11C, 11D located on the rear of the controller. The
`paddle levers 11A, 11B are substantially orientated in parallel
`with respect to a first handle portion H1 of the controller 10
`and are positioned to be operated by the middle, ring or little
`fingers of a user 12, as shown in FIG. 3. The paddle levers
`11C, 11D are substantially orientated in parallel with respect
`to a second handle portion H2 of the controller 10 and are
`positioned to be operated by the middle, ring or little fingers
`ofa user 12, as shown in FIG. 3.
`In one embodiment the paddles 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D are
`formed from a thin, flexible material such as a plastics mate-
`rial, for example polyethylene. Optionally, the paddles 11A,
`11B,11C,11D are less than 10 mm thick, but may be less than
`5 mm thick.
`
`The paddles 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D are inherently resilient,
`that is to say that they return to an unbiased position when not
`under load. A user may displace or depress any one of the
`paddles 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D by engaging an outer surface
`
`10
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`15
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`6
`thereof; such displacement causes the actuated paddle 11A,
`11B, 11C, 11D to activate a switch mechanism (not shown)
`mounted in vertical registry with a portion of each paddle
`within the body of the controller 10. A portion of the switch
`mechanism may extend through the controller body and be
`disposed in close proximity to, or in contact with, an inner-
`most surface ofthe paddles 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D.
`The paddles 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D are mounted between the
`first handle portion H1 and the second handle portion H2
`located on the base of the controller 10, and are disposed in
`close proximity to the outer surface of the controller body.
`It is envisaged that the paddles 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D could
`be fitted to an existing controller 10. In such embodiments,
`the paddles would be mounted onto an outer surface of the
`controller body. In the illustrated embodiment, the paddles
`are fixed by a screw mechanism. A screw 15, having an
`external screw thread, is received in each of a pair ofapertures
`provided in each of the paddles 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D. The
`apertures for receiving the screws 15 are provided at one end
`ofthe paddles 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D; this is a fixed end. The
`other end ofthe paddles 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D is moveable. In
`this way, the paddles 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D can be bent or
`deformed temporarily. The inherent resilience of the paddles
`11A,11B,11C,11D returns the paddles 11A,11B,11C,11D
`substantially to their starting position when released, and
`allows the switch mechanism to do the same. The screws 15
`
`are received in the base of the controller 10 in a respective
`aperture having an internal screw thread. It is envisaged that
`the internal screw thread may be pre-tapped into the base
`portion ofthe controller body, or may be created when driving
`the screws 15 into the base portion of the controller body, for
`example by using a self-tapping screw 15. It is also envisaged
`that the internal screw thread may be provided directly in the
`material forming the base portion of the controller body or
`may be provided in a separate insert or nut secured to, or in,
`the controller body. In alternative embodiments other fixing
`means are envisaged, for example the paddles 11A, 11B, 11C,
`11D may be bonded or adhesively secured to the controller
`body; in other embodiments the paddles 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D
`may comprise an integrally formed clip or locking device
`such as a detent or barb for being engaged with a receiver
`located on the controller body. In still further embodiments,
`the paddles 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D may be integrally formed
`with a cover panel orportion ofthe rear panel ofthe controller
`such as, but not limited to, a battery hatch.
`Optionally, the base of the controller 10 is provided with
`four charmels 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, best shown in FIG. 4.
`Each channel 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D receives a respective one
`ofthe paddles 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D. In the illustrated embodi-
`ment the channels 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D are arranged to
`receive an end portion of the respective paddle 11A, 11B,
`11C, 11D. This is achieved by reducing the depth of the
`channels 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D towards one end to nothing,
`such that the channels 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D are tapered. This
`provides that one end of each of the paddles 11A, 11B, 11C,
`11D stands proud of the base of the controller 10, best shown
`in FIG. 6. In this way, a user can readily engage with the
`paddles 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D. The channels 13A, 13B, 13C,
`13D provide stability to the paddles 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D.
`This increases the durability of the paddles and of the fixing
`means.
`
`The charmels 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D reduce the likelihood of
`the paddles 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D rotating about the fixing end
`when engaging with the moveable end. The charmels serve to
`restrict movement of the paddles 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D in a
`direction substantially perpendicular to the base of the con-
`troller as indicated by direction arrow D1 in FIG. 7.
`
`

`

`Case 1:16-cv-04110-TWT Document 1-3 Filed 11/02/16 Page 17 of 19
`Case 1:16-cv-O4110-TWT Document 1-3 Filed 11/02/16 Page 17 of 19
`
`US 9,289,688 B2
`
`7
`In this way, a user may engage the paddles 11A, 11B, 11C,
`11D with the tips ofthe fingers, optionally the middle fingers,
`without compromising the user’s grip on the controller 10.
`However, it is envisaged that a user could use the ring or little
`finger. The index fingers may simultaneously engage trigger
`style controls mounted on the forward end ofthe controller 1 0
`whilst the thumbs may be used to activate controls on the top
`of the controller 10.
`
`The paddles 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D are elongate in shape and
`substantially extend in a direction from the front to the rear of
`the controller 10. In one embodiment, the pair of paddles
`11A, 11B are orientated such that they converge towards the
`forward end with respect to the pair of paddles 11C, 11D; the
`pair of paddles 11A, 11B are orientated parallel with respect
`to one another, and the pair of paddles 11C, 11D are orien-
`tated parallel with respect to one another. In an alternative
`embodiment, the paddles 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D are orientated
`parallel with respect to one another. The elongate shape ofthe
`paddles allows a user to engage the paddles with any of the
`middle, ring or little fingers; it also provides that different
`users, having different sized hands, can engage with the
`paddles in a comfortable position.
`Each of the four paddle levers 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D can
`replicate the function of one of the four buttons 4 located on
`the front of the controller 10, and thereby allow a user to
`operate the functions of the relevant buttons using their
`middle fingers 12, without the need to remove either of their
`thumbs from the left or right thumb stick 2, 3. In alternative
`embodiments, the paddle levers 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D may
`activate a new function not activated by the controls on the top
`of the controller 10.
`
`The handles H1, H2 comprise an inner surface SH, best
`shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The inner surface SH is engaged by
`the middle, ring and little fingers of a user’s hands. The ring
`and little fingers are increasingly important for grip of the
`controller when the middle fingers are employed actuating
`the paddles 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D. The inner surface SHofeach
`the handles H1, H2 meets an inner surface SB ofa region ofthe
`base of the controller 10 upon which the paddles 11A, 11B,
`11C, 11D are mounted. The inner surface SH is inclined at a
`steep angle 6 (best shown in FIG. 7) with respect to the inner
`surface SB of the controller base. This angle is equal to or
`greater than 45 degrees; optionally it may be between about
`50 degrees to about 60 degrees. The handles H1, H2 have a
`substantially flat upper portion T. The flat portion meets the
`inner surface SB to define an internal comer or edge; the
`corner or edge is sharp, that is to say the comer or edge has a
`small radius of curvature. In this way, the handles H1, H2
`provide an ergonomic shape for being grasped by the ring and
`little fingers of a user’s hands.
`The outermost paddles 11A, 11D are shaped such that
`when a user 12 engages with a respective one ofthe outermost
`paddles 11A, 11D their engaging finger, that is to say the
`finger or fingers they use to interact with said respective one
`of the outermost paddles 11A, 11D, is directed towards the
`respective adjacent paddle 11B, 11C. In this way, the user 12
`can readily find the adjacent paddle 11B, 11C. The user 12
`need not disengage or lift off the outermost paddle 11A, 11D
`but maintain touching contact therewith whilst actuating one
`ofthe inner paddles 1 1B, 1 1C. It is envisaged that the user will
`not depress (so as to actuate the switch mechanism) both of an
`outermost paddle 11A, 11D and an adjacent neighbor simul-
`taneously but will actuate the paddles independently. How-
`ever, it will be appreciated that simultaneous actuation of the
`outermost paddle 11A, 11B and its adjacent neighbor 11B,
`11C is facilitated by the shape and/or orientation of the low-
`ermost surface of the outermost paddles 11A, 11D.
`
`5
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`8
`FIG. 8 illustrates a user 12 holding a controller 10. The
`user’s finger M, in this illustration a middle finger of the left
`hand, is in touching contact with both the paddle 11D and the
`paddle 11C. The