United States Patent [19]
`Armstrong
`
`US006102802A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`6,102,802
`Aug. 15, 2000
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`[54] GAME CONTROLLER WITH ANALOG
`PRESSURE SENSOR(S)
`
`[76] Inventor: Brad A. Armstrong, PO. Box 1419,
`Paradise, Calif. 95967
`
`[21] Appl' NO': 08/942’450
`[22]
`Filed:
`Oct. 1, 1997
`[51] Int. c1.7 ..................................................... .. G09G 5/00
`[52] US. Cl. .............................................................. .. 463/37
`[58] Field of Search ................. .. 463/36, 37; 273/143 B;
`345/156, 159
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U_S_ PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4/1996 O’Mara et al. ....................... .. 345/161
`5,510,812
`5 689 285 11/1997 Asher _____________ __
`345/161
`5,764,219
`6/1998 Rutledge et a1,
`345/159
`AIIIlStIOIlg ............................ ..
`Primary Examiner—Valencia Martin-Wallace
`Assistant Examiner—John Paradiso
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A game controller of the type held in tWo hands simulta
`neously for controlling electronic games, including a
`housing, a plurality of depressible surfaces at least in-part
`exposed on the housing With the depressible surfaces in
`operational association With electricity manipulating devices
`contained Within the housing and controlled by depression
`of the depressible Surfaces for manipulating electrical out‘
`Puts at leastuseful for Controlling electronic games-At least
`one of the electricity manipulating devices is a Pressure
`sensitive variable-conductance sensor for creating an analog
`electrical output proportional to varying physical pressure
`applied to at least one depressible surface. The analog
`electrical output is output as a signal at least representational
`
`of the analog electrical Output to an image generation
`machine for controlling electronic imagery. Also disclosed
`are methods of use and manufacture of game controllers
`having at least one pressure_sensitive analog Sensor~
`
`19 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets
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`Sheet 7 0f 8
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`Depressive Pressure
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`Conduc’rivi’ry of Sensor
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`Acrron In’rensr’ry of Imagery
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`1
`GAME CONTROLLER WITH ANALOG
`PRESSURE SENSOR(S)
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`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to controllers of the type
`used and held by tWo hands simultaneously to control visual
`imagery shoWn on a visual display. More speci?cally, the
`present invention pertains to a tWo hand held controller With
`analog pressure sensor(s) for controlling video game
`machines and imagery thereof, and other electronically
`generated imagery. Methods of use and manufacturing are
`also disclosed.
`2. Description of the Related Prior Art
`There are many prior art game controllers for use in
`controlling imagery. A typical prior art game controller is
`shoWn in US. Pat. No. 5,207,426 issued May 4, 1993 to Y.
`Inoue et al and assigned to Nintendo Co. Ltd. The Nintendo
`controller is a typical example of a game controller having
`multiple inputs capable of manipulating multiple-axes, such
`as With the included cross-shaped rocker key pad, and
`numerous buttons and depressible surfaces. The Nintendo
`controller includes a housing siZed to be grasped and held
`simultaneously by tWo hands of a human user With thumbs
`of the grasping hands remaining free of grasping responsi
`bilities; the housing including a right-hand area and a
`left-hand area, the right-hand area being an area for grasping
`by the user’s right hand, the left-hand area being an area for
`grasping by the user’s left hand; a plurality of depressible
`surfaces (e.g., buttons and cross-shaped key pad) each at
`least in-part supported by the housing and each at least
`in-part exposed on the housing in at least one area for
`operation by the user’s thumbs and ?ngers. The plurality of
`depressible surfaces (most of the depressible surfaces) are
`positioned on the housing to be Within reach of the user’s
`thumbs With the user’s hands grasping the housing; each
`depressible surface or member of the plurality of depressible
`surfaces or members is individually operatively associated
`With an individual electricity manipulating device (e.g., a
`simple momentary-On sWitch to close an opening in a
`circuit), one electricity manipulating device per each
`depressible surface of the plurality of depressible surfaces.
`Each electricity manipulating device (momentary-On
`sWitch) is contained at least in-part Within the housing and
`capable of electrical output manipulation upon physically
`applied depressive pressure on the associated depressible
`surface. The sWitches (electricity manipulating devices) are
`either on or Off and provide corresponding all or nothing
`outputs. These simple On/Off sWitches are not used to
`provide the user proportional or analog control.
`Although there have been tens of millions of such prior art
`controllers as described above sold by numerous manufac
`turers despite the signi?cant disadvantages of simple On/ Off
`controls, I believe such a controller can be improved, so does
`Nintendo Co. Ltd. In a more recent game controller sold by
`Nintendo, referred to as the N64 controller, the controller
`has incorporated in a center portion a proportional joystick
`having rotary optical encoders to achieve the proportional
`effect. The proportional joystick is applied in an attempt to
`overcome the signi?cant disadvantages of the four simple
`On/Off sWitches located under the typical cross-shaped
`rocker pad. The proportional joystick includes at least tWo
`major disadvantages Which are overcome by the present
`invention. The ?rst disadvantage is cost of manufacture, and
`the second is confusion of the user. In an controller to be
`made in millions of units, tWo relatively expensive optical
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`encoders, a complex gimble, multiple mechanical parts
`speci?c for the joystick, etc. creates an additional substantial
`cost Which is very high. The second disadvantage is confu
`sion of the user in that the typical user has become com
`monly accustomed to use of the cross-shaped key pad With
`the left thumb. The presentation of the option of the pro
`portional joystick With the N64 controller often leads to
`confusion as Whether to use the cross-shaped key pad or the
`joystick, especially for beginning users and potential buyers.
`Clearly there is great advantage to the user’s enjoyment of
`the game by alloWing the user proportional or variable
`control.
`The primary emphasis of this disclosure is to teach analog
`pressure sensor(s) embodiment in a controller having only a
`single housing structured to be held in the user’s tWo hands
`simultaneously. Nevertheless, a joystick type of controller
`can be greatly advantaged by embodiment of analog sensors
`as described herein. The joystick type controller may be held
`in tWo hands simultaneously but it is not a single housing
`held in tWo hands. Rather, a joystick includes tWo housings,
`a base housing and a handle housing neither of Which are
`designed to be held in tWo hands simultaneously. The
`joystick type controller may be greatly advantaged by inclu
`sion of depressible surfaces (buttons and/or triggers) oper
`ating analog sensors as described herein. Such embodiments
`Will become apparent to those skilled in the art With a study
`of this disclosure. On the other hand, mouse type controllers
`have a single housing but the single housing is not designed
`to be held in tWo hands simultaneously and therefore such
`type controllers are not considered relevant to the present
`invention.
`Other related prior art of Which I am aWare and believe to
`be cumulative to the aforementioned includes the following
`US. Pat. No. 4,687,200 issued Aug. 18, 1987; US. Pat. No.
`5,644,113 issued Jul. 1, 1997; US. Pat. No. 5,602,569 issued
`Feb. 11, 1997; US. Pat. No. 4,469,330 issued Sep. 4, 1984;
`US. Pat. No. 5,459,487 issued Oct. 17, 1995. Also US. Pat.
`No. 5,565,891 issued Oct. 15, 1996 and US. Pat. No.
`5,589,828 issued Dec. 31, 1996 to the present Inventor.
`The present invention solves the aforementioned disad
`vantages and provides signi?cant additional bene?ts and
`advantages.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The folloWing summary and detailed description is of
`preferred structures and best modes for carrying out the
`invention, and although there are clearly variations Which
`could be made to that Which is speci?cally herein described
`and shoWn in the included draWings, for the sake of brevity
`of this disclosure, all of these variations and changes Which
`fall Within the true scope of the present invention have not
`been herein detailed, but Will become apparent to those
`skilled in the art upon a reading of this disclosure.
`The present invention involves the use of structures
`(pressure sensors) having pressure-sensitive variable
`conductance material across proximal circuit traces in order
`to provide variable output. Such variable output is useful for
`control of action intensity of electronic imagery in propor
`tion to applied physical pressure in the depression of famil
`iar control surfaces of a tWo hand held game controller.
`Improved methods pertaining to using and manufacturing
`game controllers are also herein disclosed.
`Applied physical pressure is provided by a user of the
`present controller depressing a button or like depressible
`surface (e.g., cross-shaped key pad or ?nger depressible
`trigger) Which applies pressure onto pressure-sensitive
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`variable-conductance material Which, dependant upon the
`applied pressure, alters its conductivity (i.e., resistive or
`rectifying properties dependant on pressure sensor material
`utiliZed) and thereby provides analog electrical output pro
`portional to the applied pressure. The analog electrical
`output of the variable-conductance material is output to an
`image generation machine as a signal at least representa
`tional of the analog electrical output for controlling elec
`tronic imagery.
`Examples of use of the invention (controller) in a game
`for control of action intensity of the electronic imagery can
`be to simply have a simulated character Walk With loW
`depressive pressure applied, Walk faster With increased
`depressive pressure applied, and run With a relatively high
`depressive pressure applied to a single depressible surface
`(depressible individual button) of the controller in accor
`dance With the present invention. The user can choose the
`action intensity of imagery by applying appropriate depres
`sive pressure to depressible surfaces (depressible individual
`buttons) of the controller. In a second example, a race car
`can veer slightly With a loW depressive pressure and turn
`sharply With a high depressive pressure. In an example of
`typical right thumb use (or ?nger of the right hand as is
`typical in joystick use) of the controller, variable depressive
`pressure can control variable ?re rate of a gun or variable
`jumping height of a character, etc.
`The present invention in one embodiment involves a
`game controller siZed and shaped to be grasped and held
`simultaneously by tWo hands of a human user With thumbs
`of the grasping hands remaining substantially free of grasp
`ing responsibilities. The thumbs are used in depressing a
`plurality of depressible surfaces, the depressible surfaces
`each at least in-part exposed on the housing outer surface. A
`plurality of electricity manipulating devices are contained
`Within the housing in operable association With the plurality
`of depressible surfaces for manipulating electrical outputs
`With depression by the thumbs (or ?ngers) of the plurality of
`depressible surfaces and physical pressure applied by the
`depression. One or more of the electricity manipulating
`devices are analog pressure-sensitive variable-conductance
`electrical devices (sensors) for varying electrical output
`proportional to varying physical pressure applied by the
`user’s thumb or ?ngers.
`The controller of this disclosure, Which can be used and
`manufactured as herein described, is a controller Which the
`user holds or grasps in both hands simultaneously during
`operation (depressing of depressible surfaces) of the
`controller, and the tWo handed holding provides advantages
`for certain imagery manipulations Which cannot be obtained
`With single hand held controllers such as a mouse. The
`ability to use and the actual use of tWo hands simultaneously
`on a controller alloWs What I call “full involvement” of the
`user, Wherein the user can involve both hands in the control
`of imagery and utiliZing, in general terms, the specialiZed
`abilities of the differentiated halves of his or her brain.
`Typically the left half of the brain of a user mostly controls
`the right arm and hand, and the right half of the brain mostly
`controls the left arm and hand. Generally speaking, for most
`users of a controller, it is much more intuitive and natural to
`use the right hand digits for certain types of control
`functions, such as for example, critical timing of functions
`such as those associated With ?ring a simulated gun, or
`precise timing in jumping of a simulated character of an
`electronic game. Typically, the left hand and digits are used
`to control functions Which are more spatial in nature, such
`as for aiming functions Which might be associated With
`steering a simulated car, airplane or controlling directional
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`movement of a character such as the running direction of a
`simulated person. The present tWo hand held controller
`alloWs for placement of depressible control surfaces for
`certain functions in areas of the controller Which are gen
`erally most suitable for typical human users. Additionally, a
`tWo handed controller provides the user the advantageous
`ability to hold the controller in both hands With the controller
`in the user’s lap or held in front of the user and free of the
`constraints of needing a desk top or like surface on Which to
`rest the controller.
`An object of the present invention is to provide a game
`controller having thumb or ?nger (digit) depressible
`pressure-sensitive proportional (i.e. analog) control(s), thus
`the user can control the action intensity of the game imagery
`by the degree of pressure exerted on a depressible surface.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide the
`above in a structural arrangement familiar to current game
`controller users, thus no secondary expensive proportional
`joystick is required When proportional controls are applied
`to a cross-shaped rocker key pad.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide an
`inexpensive to manufacture analog input controller.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide a
`game controller in Which right hand thumb buttons may also
`be pressure-sensitive proportional (analog input) control(s).
`Another object of the present invention is to provide an
`improved method of using a game controller connected to an
`image generation machine With visual display, in Which a
`user depresses depressible surfaces using hand digits on a
`game controller to manipulate imagery on the display,
`Wherein depressing of at least one of the depressible surfaces
`With varying degrees of pressure manipulates imagery of the
`display in proportion to the degree of depressive pressure.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide a
`method of controlling action intensity of imagery Within a
`visual display of the type associated With an electronic game
`alloWing user manipulation of action of imagery Within the
`visual display by Way of depressing a depressible surface
`onto a pressure-sensitive variable-conductance sensor con
`nected to electronics Within a tWo hand held game controller
`linked to an image generation machine such as a game
`console or computer Which in turn is linked to the display,
`and Wherein depressing of a depressible surface With vary
`ing degrees of pressure varies the conductance of the
`pressure-sensitive variable-conductance sensor, thereby the
`action intensity of the imagery can be proportional to the
`degree of depressive pressure.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide an
`improved method of manufacturing a tWo hand held type
`game controller including installing pressure-sensitive
`variable-conductance material for varying electrical output
`of circuitry in proportion to user applied pressure to a
`depressible surface.
`These, as Well as additional objects and advantages Will
`become increasingly appreciated With continued reading and
`With a revieW of the included draWings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 shoWs a traditional prior art game controller
`commonly referred to as a game pad having a left hand area
`and a right hand area With the left hand area having a
`cross-shaped rocker pad depressible in four codependant
`areas, under each area is an associated On/Off momentary
`On sWitch (electricity manipulating devices), four sWitches,
`one under each depressible area. The right hand area has
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`depressible individual buttons located over On/Off
`momentary-On switches (electricity manipulating devices).
`FIG. 2 shoWs a Nintendo N64 prior art game controller.
`This controller illustrates the growing need for variable or
`analog input control in the incorporation of the complex
`rotary encoder joystick. This controller has typical tradi
`tional right hand area depressible buttons and also a typical
`cross-shaped depressible rocker pad in the left hand area.
`FIG. 3 shoWs a cross section vieW of a resilient dome cap
`mounted over a circuit board having a ?rst and a second
`circuit trace including pressure-sensitive variable
`conductance material in a sensor arrangement in accordance
`With the present invention.
`FIG. 4 shoWs a top vieW of ?rst and second conductive
`traces With ?nger-like traces laying opposed in proximity
`With one another.
`FIG. 5 shoWs a cross sectional vieW of a resilient dome
`cap operatively associated With pressure-sensitive variable
`conductance material atop interdigitated traces on a circuit
`board in accordance With the present invention.
`FIG. 6 shoWs a top vieW of ?rst and second interdigitated
`circuit traces.
`FIG. 7 shoWs a cross sectional vieW of a resilient dome
`cap supporting and operatively associated With pressure
`sensitive variable-conductance material above interdigitated
`traces on a circuit board in accordance With the present
`invention.
`FIG. 8 shoWs the sensor of FIG. 7 in a depressed or
`activated state.
`FIG. 9 shoWs an exploded vieW of one controller in
`accordance With the present invention.
`FIG. 10 is a graph illustrating depressive pressure in
`relation or in proportion to the conductivity of a pressure
`sensor, Which typically corresponds to action intensity of
`imagery on the game display.
`FIG. 11 shoWs a game controller of a traditional format in
`accordance With the present invention for example. The
`game controller is shoWn connected by Wires to an image
`generation machine (game console or personal computer)
`Which drives a display such as a television or computer
`monitor.
`
`BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE
`INVENTION
`Referring noW to draWing FIGS. 3—11 for descriptions of
`preferred embodiments and best modes for carrying out the
`invention. As previously mentioned, the present invention
`includes a game controller Which is a tWo hand held con
`troller siZed and shaped to be grasped and held simulta
`neously by tWo hands of a human user With thumbs of the
`grasping hands remaining substantially free of grasping
`responsibilities so as to be available and useful in depressing
`a plurality of depressible surfaces 22 each at least in-part
`exposed on housing 20 to be accessible by the user’s digits.
`A plurality of electricity manipulating devices 24 are con
`tained (or at least in part contained) Within housing 20 in
`operable association With the plurality of depressible sur
`faces 22 for manipulating electrical outputs With depression
`by the user’s hand digits (thumbs or ?ngers) of the plurality
`of depressible surfaces 22. Electricity manipulating devices
`24 in this disclosure can be any electrical device such as
`simple Off/On (momentary-On) sWitches as are commonly
`used in prior art game controllers, but With the present
`invention at least one of the electricity manipulating devices
`24 is an analog pressure-sensitive variable-conductance sen
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`sor 26 for varying electrical output proportional to varying
`physical pressure applied by the user’s thumb or ?ngers on
`a depressible surface 22 positioned to apply pressure to
`pressure-sensitive variable-conductance material 36 of sen
`sor 26 as Will be detailed.
`ShoWn in FIG. 3 is a pressure-sensitive variable
`conductance sensor 26 or analog sensor as it may installed
`by a manufacturer Within a game controller in accordance
`With the present invention. Resilient dome cap 28 is shoWn
`made of rubbery material, such as injection molded silicone
`rubber, mounted over a circuit board 30 having a ?rst circuit
`trace 32 and a second circuit trace 34 and including pressure
`sensitive variable-conductance material 36 contacting both
`traces 32, 34, and an electrically conductive plate 38 is
`shoWn atop pressure-sensitive variable-conductance mate
`rial 36. An underside portion of depressible surface 22 is
`shoWn atop dome cap 28. Dome cap 28 is a resilient dome
`providing a return spring lifting depressible surface 22 and
`provides or serves the purpose in this example of supporting
`depressible surface 22 raised upWard until manually
`depressed to cause the loWer or inner surface of dome cap 28
`to press against plate 38 Which in turn presses against
`pressure-sensitive variable-conductance material 36 Which,
`as Will be detailed, changes its conductivity With applied
`pressure to alter the conductance of the electrical path
`provided thereby betWeen the ?rst and second conductive
`traces 32 and 34 Which are in close proximity to one another
`yet separated. Sensor 26 can be used in replacement of a
`simple momentary-On sWitch Within a game controller
`Wherein a momentary-On sWitch simply closes the circuit
`across the ?rst and second traces 32 and 34 While the user
`presses on depressible surface 22 and the closed circuit
`outputs a knoWn and ?xed output (On or Off, or open or
`closed), While With the application of sensor 26 depressing
`of depressible surface 22 provides variable electrical ?oW
`across the ?rst and second circuit traces 32, 34 varying in
`proportion to the degree of depressive pressure applied by
`the user’s thumb or ?nger on the top or upper exposed
`portion of depressible surface 22. Such an arrangement
`alloWs a voltage/current to be applied to ?rst circuit trace 32
`Wherein current ?oWs from ?rst circuit trace 32 through
`pressure-sensitive variable-conductance material 36 into
`conductive plate 38 through pressure-sensitive variable
`conductance material 36 and into second circuit trace 34.
`Voltage/current can be regulated and varied by Way of
`applied physical pressure such as onto plate 38 to compress
`material 36 Which alters the conductivity of the circuit at
`least in-part de?ned by circuit traces 32 and 34.
`Pressure-sensitive variable-conductance material 36 is an
`important aspect of the present invention. Variable conduc
`tance can be achieved With materials having either variable
`resistive properties or variable rectifying properties. For the
`purpose of this disclosure and the claims, variable
`conductance means either variably resistive or variably
`rectifying. Material having these qualities can be achieved
`utiliZing various chemical compounds or formulas some of
`Which I Will herein detail for example. Additional informa
`tion regarding such materials can be found in US. Pat. No.
`3,806,471 issued to R. J. Mitchell on Apr. 23, 1974 describ
`ing various feasible pressure-sensitive variable-conductance
`material formulas Which can be utiliZed in the present
`invention. While it is generally anticipated that variable
`resistive type active materials are optimum for use in the
`pressure sensor(s) in the present invention, variable rectify
`ing materials are also usable.
`An example formula or compound having variable recti
`fying properties can be made of any one of the active
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`materials copper oxide, magnesium silicide, magnesium
`stannide, cuprous sul?de, (or the like) bound together With
`a rubbery or elastic type binder having resilient qualities
`such as silicone adhesive or the like.
`An example formula or compound having variable resis
`tive properties can be made of the active material tungsten
`carbide poWder (or other suitable material such as molyb
`denum disul?de, sponge iron, tin oxide, boron, and carbon
`poWders, etc.) bound together With a rubbery or elastic type
`binder such as silicone rubber or the like having resilient
`qualities. The active materials may be in proportion to the
`binder material typically in a rich ratio such as 80% active
`material to 20% binder by volume ranging to a ratio 98% to
`2% binder, but can be varied Widely from these ratios
`dependant on factors such as voltages to be applied, level or
`resistance range desired, depressive pressure anticipated,
`material thickness of applied material 36, surface contact
`area betWeen material 36 and conductive traces such as
`traces 32 and 34, Whether an optional conductive plate such
`as plate 38 is to be used, binder type, manufacturing tech
`nique and speci?c active material used.
`A preferred method of manufacture for portions of that
`Which is shoWn in FIG. 3 is to create a sheet of pressure
`sensitive material 36 adhered to a conductive sheet such as
`steel, aluminum or copper, for example, by applying a
`mixture of the still ?uid material 36, before the binder
`material has cured to the conductive sheet in a thin even
`layer. After the binder material (material 36) has cured and
`adhered to the conductive sheet, a hole punch is used to
`create circular disks of the lamination of the conductive
`sheet (plate 38) adhered to material 36. The disks may then
`be secured to the circuit board and in contact With circuit
`traces 32 and 34. Securing may be accomplished With the
`use of adhesives such as the same binder such as silicone
`rubber or adhesive as used in the formula to make material
`36.
`Depressible surface 22 can be a button 40 style depress
`ible member such as shoWn in FIGS. 9 and 11, or depressible
`surface 22 can be an end portion of a four-Way rocker or
`four-Way key pad 42 as shoWn in FIGS. 9 and 11. For further
`clarity, depressible surface 22 and electricity manipulating
`device 24 are herein described and shoWn as separate
`elements, but they are only necessarily separate in a func
`tional sense (i.e., physical depressing function verses elec
`trical controlling function). In practical application, depress
`ible surface 22 and electricity manipulating device 24 may
`be structured as one part. For example, the upper part of
`dome cap 28 protruding through housing 20 could itself be
`exposed to contact by a hand digit to function as the
`depressible surface 22 as shoWn for example in FIGS. 7 and
`8.
`
`FIG. 4 shoWs ?rst and second electrically conductive
`traces 32, 34 With ?nger-like traces laying in proximity With
`one another Which can be the form of the ?rst and second
`conductive traces 32, 34 of FIG. 3. The spacings betWeen the
`conductive ?nger-like trace elements shoWn in FIG. 4 alloW
`for adhesive Which can be used to adhere a layer or disk of
`pressure-sensitive variable-conductance material 36 to cir
`cuit board 30 if so desired by the manufacturer.
`ShoWn in FIG. 5 is a second pressure-sensitive variable
`conductance sensor 26 or analog sensor embodiment as it
`may be installed by a manufacturer Within a game controller
`useful With the present invention. Resilient dome cap 28 is
`mounted over circuit board 30 having ?rst and second circuit
`traces 32, 34 and including pressure-sensitive variable
`conductance material 36 contacting both traces 32, 34.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`30
`
`45
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`8
`Optional plate 44 is shoWn atop pressure-sensitive variable
`conductance material 36. An underside portion of depress
`ible surface 22 is shoWn atop dome cap 28. Depressible
`surface 22 is shoWn in-part supported by housing 20, Which
`in this example is housing 20 providing lateral support
`against the side of surface 22 and additionally With surface
`22 including a loWer ?ange abutting the underside of hous
`ing 20 and thereby being prevented from escaping housing
`20. Optional plate 44 in this arrangement can be a stiff plate
`utiliZed as a physical load distributor to distribute compres
`sive loads received from the underside of dome cap 28 With
`depression of depressible surface 22 across material 36 and
`not be an electrical conductor, or alternatively it can also be
`an electrical conductor dependant upon the particular thick
`ness of material 36 and or spaced distance betWeen circuit
`traces 32 and 34 beneath material 36. Plate 44 does not have
`to be applied atop material 36 in all embodiments. Circum
`stances Which effect the determination as to Whether plate 44
`or conductive plate 38 for that matter are used atop material
`36 include: the particular formula of material 36; dimensions
`of the applied material 36; the siZe, shaped proximity and
`layout of the circuit traces in contact With material 36, and
`manufacturing considerations such as is material 36 directly
`applied to plate 44 or 38 in an easily handled disk and then
`adhered to the circuit board 30, or applied directly to circuit
`board 30 and traces 32, 34 such as by application in a ?uid
`mixture (uncured) using a removable mask; or directly
`injected onto circuit board 30 such as With injection mold
`ing; or a pill/disk of material 36 is sliced from a cured
`cylinder or extrusion of material 36 and the pill/disk adhered
`to circuit board 30 and/or traces 32, 34; and other manu
`facturing techniques.
`FIG. 6 shoWs a top vieW of closely interdigitated circuit
`traces 32 and 34 in a form as may likely be used in the sensor
`structures shoWn in FIGS. 5, 7 and 8.
`ShoWn in FIGS. 7 and 8 is a third pressure-sensitive
`variable-conductance sensor 26 formed as a depressible
`individual button Which is an individual button Which is an
`analog sensor embodiment as it may be installed by a
`manufacturer Within a game controller or used by a user of
`the game controller in accordance With the present inven
`tion. Rubber dome cap 28 is mounted over circuit board 30
`having ?rst and second circuit traces 32, 34 and including
`pressure-sensitive variable-conductance material 36 on the
`bottom side of resilient dome cap 28. An upper exposed
`portion of dome cap 28 is exposed exterior of housing 20 so
`that depression by a thumb or ?nger of depressible surface
`22 causes doWnWard movement or depression of dome cap
`28 to bring material 36 into contact With traces 32 and 34.
`Depressible surface 22 is shoWn in-part supported or later
`ally stabiliZed by housing 20. Material 36 is not permanently
`contacting traces 32 and 34 as is shoWn in FIGS. 3 and 5, but
`instead is on the underside of dome cap 28 in pill or disk
`form and raised or held upWard above traces 32, 34 by dome
`cap 28 until, as indicated in FIG. 8, surface 22 is depressed
`to push dome cap 28 doWnWard to bring material 36 into
`contact With traces 32, 34 Which, under pressure, establishes
`a conductive path across traces 32, 34. Also shoWn in FIGS.
`7 and 8 is the surface of material 36 Which contacts traces
`32 and 34 is convexed Which in this particular application
`provides for the apex of the