EXHIBIT A2
`
`EXHIBIT A2
`
`
`
`

`
`FILE HISTORY
`US 8,894,066
`
`PATENT:
`INVENTORS:
`
`8,894,066
`Sternberg, Aaron B.
`
`TITLE:
`
`Method of facilitating user preference
`in creative design of a controller
`
`APPLICATION
`NO:
`FILED:
`ISSUED:
`
`US14155013A
`
`14 JAN 2014
`25 NOV 2014
`
`COMPILED:
`
`03 JUN 2015
`
`

`
`8,894,066
`
`METHOD OF FACILITATING USER PREFERENCE IN CREATIVE
`DESIGN OF A CONTROLLER
`
`Transaction History
`
`Transaction Description
`Date
`01-14-2014 Oath or Declaration Filed (Including Supplemental)
`01-14-2014
`Incoming Letter Pertaining to the Drawings
`01-14-2014
`IFW Scan & PACR Auto Security Review
`Initial Exam Team nn
`01-14-2014
`01-17-2014 Cleared by OIPE CSR
`FITF set to NO - revise initial setting
`01-28-2014
`01-28-2014 Application Is Now Complete
`01-28-2014 Application Dispatched from OIPE
`01-28-2014 Applicant Has Filed a Verified Statement of Small Entity Status in Compliance
`with 37 CFR 1.27
`01-29-2014 Application Is Now Complete
`01-29-2014
`Filing Receipt
`03-01-2014 Case Docketed to Examiner in GAU
`03-05-2014 Change in Power of Attorney (May Include Associate POA)
`03-23-2014 Non-Final Rejection
`03-25-2014 Mail Non-Final Rejection
`PG-Pub Issue Notification
`05-08-2014
`PARALEGAL OR ELECTRONIC TERMINAL DISCLAIMER APPROVED
`08-13-2014
`08-13-2014 Terminal Disclaimer Filed
`09-24-2014 Response after Non-Final Action
`09-24-2014 Request for Extension of Time - Granted
`Information Disclosure Statement (IDS) Filed
`09-24-2014
`09-26-2014 Date Forwarded to Examiner
`Information Disclosure Statement considered
`09-30-2014
`10-01-2014 Notice of Allowance Data Verification Completed
`10-01-2014 Document Verification
`10-03-2014 Mail Notice of Allowance
`Issue Fee Payment Verified
`10-24-2014
`Issue Fee Payment Received
`10-24-2014
`10-27-2014 Application Is Considered Ready for Issue
`Filing Receipt - Corrected
`10-27-2014
`10-29-2014 Dispatch to FDC
`11-05-2014
`Issue Notification Mailed
`11-25-2014 Recordation of Patent Grant Mailed
`Patent Issue Date Used in PTA Calculation
`11-25-2014
`04-01-2015 Mail Pre-Exam Notice
`
`

`
`Application/Control No.
`Issue Classification 14155013
`Examiner
`
`Applicant(s)/Patent Under Reexamination
`
`STERNBERG, AARON B.
`
`Art Unit
`
`RALEIGH W CHIU
`
`3711
`
`CPC
`
`Symbol
`
`A63F
`
`A63F
`
`A63H
`
`A63H
`
`A63F
`
`A63F
`
`11
`
`13
`
`33
`
`33
`
`2300
`
`2300
`
`>' 00
`
`i 06
`1
`
`04
`
`<
`.
`
`086
`
`1043
`
`i 1062
`
`:IX
`
`Type
`
`Version
`
`F
`
`I
`
`I
`
`I
`
`A
`
`A
`
`2013-01-01
`
`2013-01-01
`
`2013-01-01
`
`2013-01-01
`
`2013-01-01
`
`2013-01-01
`
`CPC Combination Sets
`Symbol
`Symbol
`
`iii~liiiil
`
`iii/
`
`Type
`Type
`
`Set
`Set
`
`Ranking
`Ranking
`
`Version
`Version
`
`NONE
`
`(Assistant Examiner)
`/RALEIGH W CHIU/
`Primary Examiner.Art Unit 3711
`
`(Primary Examiner)
`
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`(Date)
`
`09/29/14
`
`(Date)
`
`Total Claims Allowed:
`
`8
`
`O.G. Print Claim(s)
`
`O.G. Print Figure
`
`1
`
`1
`
`Par of Paper No. 20140929
`
`

`
`Application/Control No.
`Issue Classification 14155013
`IIII Examiner
`
`RALEIGH W CHIU
`
`Applicant(s)/Patent Under Reexamination
`
`STERNBERG, AARON B.
`
`Art Unit
`
`3711
`
`US ORIGINAL CLASSIFICATION
`
`INTERNATIONAL CLASSIFICATION
`
`CLASS
`
`SUBCLASS
`
`CLAIMED
`
`NON-CLAIMED
`
`273
`
`148B
`
`A
`
`6
`
`3
`
`F
`
`7/ 00 (2006.01.01)
`
`CROSS REFERENCE(S)
`
`CLASS
`
`SUBCLASS (ONE SUBCLASS PER BLOCK)
`
`_____I
`
`_____t____
`
`I _____
`
`L . ...I........I I
`
`________ I
`
`.... .... -
`
`[Z ________
`
`NONE
`
`(Assistant Examiner)
`/RALEIGH W CHIU/
`Primary Examiner.Art Unit 3711
`
`(Primary Examiner)
`
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`Total Claims Allowed:
`
`8
`
`(Date)
`
`09/29/14
`
`O.G. Print Claim(s)
`
`O.G. Print Figure
`
`(Date)
`
`1
`
`1
`
`Part of Paper No. 20140929
`
`

`
`Application/Control No.
`Issue Classification 14155013
`III II Examiner
`II II
`
`RALEIGH W CHIU
`
`Applicant(s)/Patent Under Reexamination
`
`STERNBERG, AARON B.
`Art Unit
`3711
`
`0
`
`Claims renumbered in the same order as presented by applicant
`
`0
`
`CPA
`
`0
`
`T.D.
`
`Q
`
`R.1.47
`
`Final
`
`Original
`
`Final
`
`Original
`
`Final
`
`Original
`
`Final
`
`Original
`
`Final
`
`Original
`
`Final
`
`Original
`
`Final
`
`Original
`
`Final
`
`Original
`
`NONE
`
`(Assistant Examiner)
`/RALEIGH W CHIU/
`Primary Examiner.Art Unit 3711
`
`(Primary Examiner)
`
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`(Date)
`
`09/29/14
`
`(Date)
`
`Total Claims Allowed:
`
`8
`
`O.G. Print Claim(s)
`
`O.G. Print Figure
`
`1
`
`1
`
`Part of Paper No. 20140929
`
`

`
`Application/Control No.
`
`Index of Claims
`l11UlIll1D
`
`| III Examiner
`IIII ||III
`
`14155013
`
`RALEIGH W CHIU
`
`Applicant(s)/Patent Under
`Reexamination
`STERNBERG, AARON B.
`
`Art Unit
`
`3711
`
`Rejected
`
`=
`
`Allowed
`
`-
`
`-
`
`Cancelled
`
`N Non-Elected
`
`Restricted
`
`I
`
`Interference
`
`A
`
`O
`
`Appeal
`
`Objected
`
`O Claims renumbered in the same order as presented by applicant
`
`0 CPA
`
`O T.D.
`
`O R.1.47
`
`DATE
`
`CLAIM
`Final
`Original
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`
`03/23/2014
`/
`~
`~
`
`~
`/
`~
`
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`Part of Paper No. : 20140323
`
`

`
`Index of Claims
`
`Application/Control No.
`
`14155013
`
`II Examiner
`
`RALEIGH W CHIU
`
`Applicant(s)/Patent Under
`Reexamination
`STERNBERG, AARON B.
`
`Art Unit
`
`3711
`
`/
`
`=
`
`Rejected
`
`Allowed
`
`-
`
`-
`
`Cancelled
`
`N Non-Elected
`
`Restricted
`
`I
`
`Interference
`
`A
`
`O
`
`Appeal
`
`Objected
`
`Q CPA
`
`® T.D.
`
`O R.1.47
`
`DATE
`
`® Claims renumbered in the same order as presented by applicant
`CLAIM
`Final
`Original
`1
`
`03/23/2014 09/30/2014
`,/
`/
`
`"
`
`/
`
`/
`/
`
`=
`
`-
`
`=
`
`2
`
`3
`
`4
`
`5
`
`6
`
`7 8
`
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`Part of Paper No. : 20140929
`
`

`
`Application/Control No.
`
`Search Notes
`II II I
`IIIIII
`
`14155013
`
`Examiner
`
`RALEIGH W CHIU
`
`Applicant(s)/Patent Under
`Reexamination
`STERNBERG, AARON B.
`
`Art Unit
`
`3711
`
`CPC- SEARCHED
`
`Symbol
`
`Date
`
`Examiner
`
`CPC COMBINATION SETS - SEARCHED
`
`Symbol
`
`Date
`
`Examiner
`
`Class
`273
`463
`D21
`D14
`
`148B
`36, 37
`333,324
`401
`
`US CLASSIFICATION SEARCHED
`
`Subclass
`
`Date
`3/23/2014
`3/23/2014
`3/23/2014
`3/23/2014
`
`Examiner
`/RC/
`/RC/
`/RC/
`/RC/
`
`PALM inventor name search
`
`Search Notes
`
`Date
`3/23/2014
`
`Examiner
`/RC/
`
`SEARCH NOTES
`
`INTERFERENCE SEARCH
`
`US Class/
`CPC Symbol
`
`US Subclass / CPC Group
`
`Date
`
`Examiner
`
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`Part of Paper No. : 20140323
`
`

`
`Application/Control No.
`
`Search Notes
`
`llll II IIII Examiner
`
`14155013
`
`RALEIGH W CHIU
`
`CPC- SEARCHED
`
`Applicant(s)/Patent Under
`Reexamination
`STERNBERG, AARON B.
`
`Art Unit
`
`3711
`
`Symbol
`
`Date
`
`Examiner
`
`CPC COMBINATION SETS - SEARCHED
`
`Symbol
`
`Date
`
`Examiner
`
`Class
`273
`463
`D21
`D14
`updated
`
`148B
`36, 37
`333,324
`401
`as above
`
`US CLASSIFICATION SEARCHED
`
`Subclass
`
`Date
`3/23/2014
`3/23/2014
`3/23/2014
`3/23/2014
`09/29/14
`
`Examiner
`/RC/
`/RC/
`/RC/
`/RC/
`/RC/
`
`PALM inventor name search
`
`Search Notes
`
`Date
`3/23/2014
`
`Examiner
`/RC/
`
`SEARCH NOTES
`
`US Class/
`CPC Symbol
`same as
`
`above
`
`INTERFERENCE SEARCH
`
`US Subclass / CPC Group
`
`Date
`
`Examiner
`
`09/29/14
`
`/RC/
`
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`Part of Paper No. : 20140929
`
`

`
`(12) United States Patent
`Sternberg
`
`(10o) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,894,066 B2
`*Nov. 25, 2014
`
`(54) METHOD OF FACILITATING USER
`PREFERENCE IN CREATIVE DESIGN OF A
`CONTROLLER
`
`(71) Applicant: IPPASA, LLC, Scottsdale, AZ (US)
`
`(72)
`
`Inventor: Aaron B. Sternberg, Scottsdale, AZ
`(US)
`
`(73) Assignee:
`
`IPPASA, LI,
`
`Scottsdale, AZ (US)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis-
`claimer.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 14/155,013
`
`Filed:
`
`Jan. 14, 2014
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2014/0125009 Al
`
`May 8. 2014
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation of application No. 13/347,414, filed on
`Jan. 10, 2012, now Pat. No. 8,628,085, which is a
`continuation of application No. 12/795,540, filed on
`Jun. 7, 2010, now Pat. No. 8,091,892, which is a
`continuation of application No. 12/278.102, filed as
`application No. PCT/US2007/003462 on Feb. 9. 2007,
`now Pat. No. 7,731.191.
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/772,343, filed on Feb.
`10. 2006.
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`A63F 7/00
`A63F 11/00
`A63F 13/20
`A6311 33/04
`A6311 33/08
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC ............. A63F 11/00 (2013,01): A63F 13/06
`(2013.01); A631133/04 (2013.01): A6311
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2014.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`33/086 (2013.01); A63F 2300/1043 (2013.01):
`A63F 2300/1062 (2013.01)
`USPC ........................................ 273/148 B
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`.......... 273/148 B; 463/36, 37; D21/333. 324:
`USPC
`D14/401
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,712,184 A * 12/1987 Haugerud ........
`5,046,739 A
`9/1991 Reichow
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`1384500 Al
`2004-129704
`
`1/2004
`4 2004
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`"Apple MA241G/A Nano Tubes for iPod Nano Ist Generation
`(5-pack)". [online], Sep, 17. 2005 [retrieved on Oct. 5, 2007].
`Retrieved from the Internet<URL: http:iiwww.amazon.comigp/
`product B000B9PXNE/ref=s9 asin
`imrage 1/105-2671613-
`6265246?pf rd_m=. [VPDKIKXODER&pf rd_s=center-
`&pf rdr=OQD20ND59XMAG39HN7ME&pf
`t= I0 &pf_
`rd
`i-507846>. 15 pages.
`rd p-278240701&pf rd
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner Raleigh W Chin
`(74) Attorne; Agent, or Finrm - Stoel Rives LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A configurable manual controller for manipulating images or
`symbols on a display is adapted for construction with matable
`building elements arranged by a user. The user forms the
`manual controller to exhibit a customized ornamental appear-
`ance reflecting the user's creative design preferences.
`
`8 Claims, 20 Drawing Sheets
`
`

`
`US 8,894,066 B2
`Page 2
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`.................. 463137
`
`Underhill et al ............ D14/454
`Boutin et al
`Hulistrand
`Cheng
`Cheng
`Rifkin ........
`Druckman
`D'Achard Van Enschut . 463137
`Sternberg et al.
`Galyean. III et al.
`Shackelford ................. 446/91
`Ogata
`Best
`Hughes. IV .......... 273/148 B
`Kenyon ............... 273/148 B
`Munch el a!
`.......... 273 148 B
`Hussaini et al.
`Sternberg et al. ......... 273/148 B
`Li
`............................... D 14/401
`
`7,731,191 B2*
`8,091,892 B2*
`2002/0180148 Al *
`2002/0195771 Al*
`2003/0109314 Al*
`2005/0075172 Al*
`2005/0255915 Al
`2005/0275165 Al*
`2008/0122173 Al*
`2009/0118012 Al*
`
`6/2010
`1/2012
`12/2002
`12/2002
`6/2003
`4/2005
`11/2005
`12/2005
`5/2008
`5/2009
`
`Sternberg ................
`273/148 B
`273/148 B
`Sternberg ................
`273/148 B
`Koziel
`.....................
`273148 B
`Ku .........
`......
`..... 463/47
`Ku .............................
`Coleman ....................
`..... 463/47
`Riggs et al.
`Hussaini ct al .
`.........
`Harris .......................
`Sternberg ..................
`
`273/148 B
`273/148 B
`.... 463/37
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`WO 99/36136
`WO01/36915 Al
`
`7/1999
`5/2001
`
`OTHER PUBLICAIONS
`
`International Search Report. International Application No. PCT!US
`07/03462, dated Feb 12, 2008. 2 pages.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`D338,053
`5,250,000
`5,476.261
`5,645.277
`5,667,220
`5,692,956
`5,976,018
`6,193,609
`6.241,247
`6.290,565
`6,443,796
`6,710.766
`6,921.336
`6,923,443
`6,932,341
`6,939,192
`7,063,321
`RE39,409
`D572,255
`
`*
`
`8/1993
`10/1993
`12/1995
`7/1997
`9/1997
`* 12/1997
`11/1999
`2/2001
`6/2001
`9/2001
`9/2002
`3/2004
`7,2005
`8/2005
`8/2005
`9'2005
`*
`6/2006
`* 112006
`*
`7/2008
`
`*
`
`*
`
`*
`*
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 25, 2014
`
`Sheet 1 of 20
`
`US 8,894,066 B2
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`Nov. 25, 2014
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`Nov. 25, 2014
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`Nov. 25, 2014
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`Nov. 25, 2014
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`Nov. 25, 2014
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`Nov. 25, 2014
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`Sheet 19 of 20
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`Nov. 25, 2014
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`Sheet 20 of 20
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`US 8,894,066 B2
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`1
`METHOD OF FACILITATING USER
`PREFERENCE IN CREATIVE DESIGN OF A
`CONTROLLER
`
`RELATED APPI.ICAlIONS
`
`5
`
`hIis application is a continuation of U.S. patent applica-
`tion Ser. No. 13/347,414, filed Jan, 10, 2012, now U.S. Pat.
`No. 8,628,085. which is a continuation of U.S. patent appli-
`cation Ser. No. 12/795,540. filed Jun, 7, 2010, now U.S. Pat. 10
`No. 8,091,892, which is a continuation of U.S. patent appli-
`cation Ser. No. 12/278,102, filed Aug. 1, 2008, now U.S. Pat.
`No. 7.731.191 , which is a 371 of PCTIUS07/03462. filed Feb.
`9, 2007, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent
`Application No. 60/772,343, filed Feb. 10, 2006.
`
`15
`
`COPYRIGHT NOTICE
`
`02014 IPPASA, LLC. A portion of the disclosure of this
`patent document contains material that is subject to copyright 21
`protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the fac-
`simile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the
`patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark
`Office patent file or records. but otherwise reserves all copy-
`right rights whatsoever. 37 CFR §1.71(d).
`
`25
`
`tion ofthe signals. The patterned surface portion is configured
`to support a set of building elements. T'he building elements in
`the set are configurable for mating to the patterned surface
`portion of the exoskeleton and to one another. This enables a
`user to customize the controller to an arbitrary shape and
`ornamental appearance, according to the user's game-in-
`spired, ergonomic, or style preferences.
`In a first embodiment, the exoskeleton ofa controller com-
`prises a main section and a hand grip section, either or both of
`which include at least one patterned surface portion on which
`a user can build with the building elements to create a con-
`troller of various shapes and appearances according to the
`user's preference. This can be accomplished by one or both of
`attachmnent and add-on techniques. In a second embodiment,
`the exoskeleton ofa controller comprises a unitary main and
`hand grip section that includes at least one patterned surface
`portion on which a user can build with the building elements
`to create a customized controller. The resulting arbitrary con-
`troller configuration determined by a user can be a recreation
`equipment item, for example as described below, a golf club
`or a baseball bat.
`Additional aspects and advantages will be apparent from
`the following detailed description of preferred embodiments.
`which proceeds with reference to the accompanying draw-
`ings.
`
`TECHINICAIL FIE I)
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TIE DRAWINGS
`
`This disclosure relates to a manual controller for manipu-
`lating images or symbols on a visual display and, in particu- 30
`lar, to a controller that can be constructed with user-arranged
`matable building elements to exhibit a customized shape and
`style depending on user game-inspired, ergonomic, or
`appearance preferences.
`
`35
`
`BACKGROUND INFORMATION
`
`FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a first preferred embodiment
`ofa configurable manual controller.
`FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the matable building ele-
`ments assembled to form a hand grip that attaches to an
`exoskeleton surface of the manual controller of FIG, 1,
`FIG. 3 is a top plan view ofa patterned surface portion of
`the exoskeleton of the manual controller of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of a
`manual controller that includes a unitary main and hand grip
`section.
`Manual controllers for manipulating images or symbols on
`FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the manual
`a visual display of a computer device include, for example,
`joysticks, game pads, steering wheels, guns, mice, remote 40
`controller of FIG. 4 shown with two building elements with
`different top side mating features.
`devices for television, stored multi-media display and record-
`FIGS. 6A, 68. 6C, and 61) are, respectively, plan, side
`ing machines, cellular telephones, portable video game sys-
`elevation, isometric, and exploded views ofa first example of
`tems, and portable multi-media devices. One prevalent type
`a customized controller built in the form of a golf club around
`of manual controller comprises a control section having a
`plurality of buttons that the user presses to enter commands 45
`the type of remote controller shown in FIG. 4.
`FIGS. 7A, 71B, 7C, and 7D are, respectively, plan, side
`and hand grips that the user holds when the user operates the
`elevation. isometric. and partly assembled views of a second
`manual controller, Conventional manual controllers are dis-
`tributed with a predetermined appearance and ergonomic
`example of a customized controller built in the form of a
`baseball bat around the type of remote controller shown in
`structure. Manual controllers are operated by a variety of
`
`users with different hand sizes. Moreover, each user has dif s50FIG. 4.
`ferent ergonomic and style preferences.
`FIGS. 8A, 8B. 8C, and 8D are, respectively, plan, side
`elevation, isometric, and partly exploded views of a third
`example of a customized controller built with several layers
`of mated building elements around the type of remote con-
`troller shown in FIG. 4 to form a baseball bat with an unfin-
`ished surface.
`FIGS. 9A. 9B, and 9C are, respectively, side elevation. end,
`and exploded views of a fourth example of a customized
`controller built with two matable, styled half-section building
`elements that partly enclose the type of remote controller of
`FIG. 4 to form a baseball bat,
`
`SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE
`
`A configurable manual controller for manipulating images 55
`or symbols on a display is adapted for construction with
`matable building elements arranged by a user. The user forms
`the manual controller to exhibit a customized shape and orna-
`mental appearance reflecting the user's game-inspired, ergo-
`nomic, or style preferences.
`The configurable manual controller comprises an exoskel-
`eton having an interior region and a patterned surface portion.
`The interior region is configured to confine internal electrical
`components that are operatively connected to and cooperate
`with control actuators to produce signals for manipulating 65
`images or symbols on the display. The control actuators are
`positioned for tactile manipulation by a user to cause produc-
`
`60
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a first preferred embodiment
`of a configurable manual controller 10 that is used with a
`
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`US 8,894,066 B2
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`computing device (not shown) for manipulating images or
`symbols on a display (not shown). Although it does not show
`a cable, this embodiment can be connected to a computing
`device through a cable or a wireless communication link.
`Manual controller 10 includes an exoskeleton 12 formed of a
`main housing 14 and a main casing 16 that confonnrmably fits
`around the side surface of main housing 14. Main housing 14
`fits inside of but is readily separable from main casing 16.
`Main housing 14 houses in its interior the electrical compo-
`nents necessary for controlling symbols or images on a dis-
`play associated with a computer device. Main casing 16 has a
`patterned surface portion 20 that in part covers hand grip
`mounting plates 22 (one shown) to which removable hand
`grips 30 and 32 can be attached as described below. Skilled
`persons will appreciate that exoskeleton 12 can be alterna-
`tively made as a unitary structure having a surface on which
`patterned surface portion 20 is formed.
`As shown in FIG. 1, exoskeleton 12 has an attachable
`left-hand grip 30 and an attachable right-hand grip 32 for
`two-handed gripping by a user. A left-side control pad 34,
`including four pressable control members 36, and a left-side
`analog stick control 38 are positioned for access by digits of
`the user's left hand; and a right-side control pad 44, including
`four control buttons 46, and a right-side analog stick control
`48 are positioned for access by digits of the user's right hand.
`A selection button 64 and a start button 66 are positioned
`between hand grips 30 and 32. Skilled persons will appreciate
`that the above-described number of control actuators, control
`actuator layout pattern, and hand grip arrangement represent
`only one of numerous possible control actuator and hand grip
`configurations. The internal electrical components include
`the actual electronic circuits, controls, and corresponding
`switch elements for control pads 34 and 44 and buttons 64 and
`66.
`Patterned surface portion 20, which in this embodiment
`covers the exterior side surface of main casing 16, includes a
`surface pattern in the form of an array of mutually spaced-
`apart cylindrical mating features or bosses 80. Each of hand
`grips 30 and 32 has a handle mount 82 on which is formed an
`array of mutually spaced-apart cylindrical mating features or
`recesses 84. The diameter and depth ofeach recess 84 and the
`spacing distances between adjacent ones of recesses 84 are
`established so that recesses 84 mate with corresponding
`bosses 80 and provide a snug, releasable attachunent of each
`of hand grips 30 and 32 to main casing 16.
`FIG. 2 shows the matable building elements that when
`assembled formn
`left-hand grip 30 shown in FIG.
`Left
`hand-grip 30 is made up of five building elements, of which
`some have different Imatable features and some have smooth
`finished surfaces that contribute to the ornamental appear-
`ance and ergonomic quality of the hand grip.
`Left-hand grip 30 includes a five-section body element 90
`to which the remaining building elements attach. A mounting
`element 92 has three recesses (not shown) that mate with
`three corresponding bosses 80 of a mounting section 94 of
`body element 90 to form handle mount 82 (FIG. 1) having
`eight recesses 84. Handle mount 82 fits over and attaches to
`hand grip mounting plate 22 (FIG. 1), with eight recesses 84
`and eight corresponding bosses 80 in mating relationship. A
`medial side element 96 has nine bosses 80 that mate with nine
`corresponding recesses of a center section 98 of body element
`90. A lateral side element 100 has nine recesses (not shown)
`that mate with nine corresponding bosses 80 of a distal sec-
`tion 102 of body element 90. Side elements 96 and 100
`contribute to the shape and appearance of the gripping surface
`of left-hand grip 30. An end piece 104 has two bosses 80 that
`mate with two corresponding recesses (not shown) of a tip
`
`3o
`
`section 106 of body element 90 to form a rounded terminal
`end of left-hand grip 30. The assembled left-hand grip 30 is
`shown in FIG. I with its side elements 96 and 100 removed.
`Right-hand grip 32 can be assembled in a corresponding
`s manner to that described above.
`FIG. 3 shows a patterned surface portion 120 covering
`most of the top surface of main housing 14 (FIG. 1), except for
`the actuators on control pads 34 and 44. Patterned surface
`portion 120 includes a surface pattern in the form of an array
`of mutually spaced-apart bosses 80 in the same array pattern
`as that of patterned surface portion 20 (FIG. 1).
`Patterned surface portion 120 is configured to receive mat-
`able building elements 122. Building elements 122 in this
`15 embodiment are preferably small molded plastic components
`that are stackable upon one another, like small bricks, to
`create a desired object. (Building elements 122 intended to
`provide a finished surface typically do not have top surface
`mating features that would enable stacking ofanother layer of
`2u building elements.) Building elements 122 can be of different
`colors. Suitable building elements 122 include LEGO toy
`bricks, available from Interlego AG, Zug. Switzerland.
`A preferred building element 122 has on its bottom side
`recesses 84 that are sized to mate with spatially correspond-
`25 ing bosses 80 so that building element 122 can be affixed to
`and thereby cover part of patterned surface portion 120.
`Skilled persons will appreciate that a building element 122
`having multiple recesses 84 on its bottom side is configured
`so that adjacent recesses 84 are separated by the same dis-
`tance as that separating corresponding adjacent bosses 80 in
`patterned surface portion 120. The spaced-apart bottom side
`recesses 84 of building element 122 that are sized to mate
`with spatially corresponding bosses 80 of patterned surface
`portion 120 define a recess feature pattern that is complemen-
`35 tary to patterned surface portion 120. FIG. 3 shows a building
`element 122a that has an open rectangular bottom side recess
`124 that is sized to fit over and against lateral arcuate periph-
`eral portions of two adjacent bosses 80 to mate with them in
`an operational manner. Building element 122a defines a sur-
`40 face feature that is matable to bosses 80 in, but not is comple-
`mentary to, patterned surface portion 120.
`Either building element 122 or 122a has on its top side the
`absence or presence of a matable feature. FIG. 3 shows
`attached to main housing 14 (FIG. 1) a building element 122s
`45 having a smooth top surface that can be of a color or that
`contributes to a finished decorative pattern selected by a user.
`FIG. 3 also shows attached to main housing 14 and positioned
`adjacent building element 122s a building element 122b hav-
`ing on its top side two bosses 80 to which another building
`so element 122b could mate at its bottom surface.
`For purposes of simplicity and uniformity, a user prefer-
`ably constructs a manual controller with a set of stackable
`building elements in which the bottom side featureand the top
`side feature mates with and operationally matches, respec-
`5s tively, the features
`in a patterned surface portion of the
`manual controller. Operationally match is defined to mean
`that a top side feature is matable to the bottom side feature of
`the same building element. This is the situation illustrated in
`FIG. 3 and FIGS. 8A, 813, 8C, and 8D below. A user con-
`60 structing a manual controller with building elements 122
`stacked to form a specific shape could do so, however, by
`assembling a set of stackable building elements that are
`included in subsets. A first subset of building elements could
`be one in which the bottom side feature mates with, but the top
`65 side feature does not operationally match, the features of a
`patterned surface portion of the manual controller. A second
`subset of building elements could be one in which the bottom
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`US 8,894,066 B2
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`side feature mates with, and the top side feature operationally
`matches, the top side feature of the building elements in the
`first subset.
`FIG. 4 is an isometric view ofa second preferred embodi-
`ment of a configurable portable manual controller 140 that
`includes a unitary main and hand grip section. Manual con-
`troller 140 is built around a remote controller in the form of a
`Wii TM remote controller, which is available from Nintendo of
`America, Inc., Redmond. Wash., and is implemented with
`motion sensors that move images on a display in response to
`user movement of manual controller 140. Manual controller
`140 includes an exoskeleton 142 that is a main housing that
`houses in its interior the electrical comnpoents necessary for
`controlling symbols or images on a display associated with a
`computer device. As shown in FIG. 4, exoskeleton 142 has a
`control actuator 144 located between a control pad 146
`including four pressable control members 148 and a menu
`buntton 150 and two control actuator buttons 152 and 154. A
`power button 156 is located near the front end, two control
`actuator buttons 158 and 160 are located near the back end,
`and a joystick connector receptacle 162 is located in the back
`surface of manual controller 140. Exoskeleton 142 has a
`tapered front end bottom surface on which a user can rest his
`fingers to grasp the controller and operate a trigger device (not
`shown).
`Exoskeleton 142 has patterned surface portions 170 and
`172 that together cover most of the exterior of exoskeleton
`142. Similar to patterned surface portion 20 of main casing 16
`of manual controller 10 shown in FIG. 1, patterned surface
`portion 170 covering the top surface of manual controller 140
`includes a surface pattern in the form of an array of mutually
`spaced-apart cylindrical mating features or bosses 80. Pat-
`terned surface portion 172 covering a side surface of manual
`controller 140 includes a surface pattern in the form of an
`array of mutually spaced-apart square mating features 174.
`For purposes of simplicity, it is preferable to cover exoskel-
`eton 142 with patterned surface portions including arrays of
`the same mating features.
`FIGS.4 and 5 show two examples of building elements that
`are matable to manual controller 140. A building element 176
`shown positioned above (but not mated to) a building element
`178 has top side cylindrical features 80 in a surface pattern
`that is less densely packed than features 80 in the surface
`pattern of patterned surface portion 170. Building element
`178 shown mated to bosses 80 of patterned surface portion
`170 has top side square features 174 of patterned surface
`portion 172. Building element 178 may have bottom side
`features that are matable to either cylindrical features 80 or
`square features 174, depending on the surface of manual
`controller 140 on which a user intends to build.
`FIGS. 6A. 6B. 6C, and 6D show a customized controller
`built in the form of a golf club 190 around a remote controller
`in the form of a Wii'M remote controller. Golf club 190
`includes an exoskeleton 192 that has a surface portion 170,
`which is described above with reference to FIG. 4. As best
`shown in FIG. 6D, golf club 190 includes five building ele-
`ments, of which adjacent ones mate with each other and all of
`which collectively mate with exoskeleton 192. A mounting
`element 194 includes two side sections 196 and 198 having
`recesses 84 that mate with corresponding bosses 80 on
`respective sides 200 and 202 of exoskeleton 192. Golf club
`shaft components 204, 206, 208, and 210 mate in series
`connection to fonn an assembled golf club 190.
`FIGS. 7A. 7B,. 7C. and 7D show a customized controller
`built in the form of a baseball bat 220 around a remote con-
`troller in the form of a Wii'M remote controller. Baseball bat
`220 includes an exoskeleton 222 that has a surface portion
`
`170, which is described above with reference to FIG. 4. As
`best shown in FIG. 7D1) baseball bat 220 includes five building
`elements (two of which are partly or completely removed to
`illustrate mating bosses 80 of exoskeleton 222) mated to
`s exoskeleton 222 to form a bat handle 224 and eleven building
`elements (several of which partly cut away to show mating
`bosses 80 on adjacent building elements) mated in series
`connection to form a bat barrel 226. A building element 228
`mates to the rear end of exoskeleton 222 to provide a bat heel,
`1o and a building element 230 mates with the front end of exosk-
`eleton 222 to interconnect it with bat barrel 226.
`FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D show a customized controller
`built in the form of a baseball bat 240 around a remote con-
`troller in the form ofa WiiTm remote controller. Baseball bat
`is 240 includes an exoskeleton 242 that has a surface portion
`170, which is described above with reference to FIG. 4. As
`best shown in FIG. 8D, baseball bat 240 is formed of two
`multi-layer stacks 244 and 246 of building elements posi-
`tioned on and mated to either side of a bat barrel core section
`2 248. Rectangular building elements 250 and 252 included in
`respective multi-layer stacks 244 and 246 have recesses 84
`(not shown) that mate with bosses 80 on the sides of exosk-
`eleton 242 at its tapered end to connect bat barrel core section
`248 to exoskeleton 240. Unlike baseball bat 220 of FIGS. 7A,
`25 7B, 7C, and 7D, baseball bat 240 has substantially large
`unfinished surface portions.
`FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C show a customiz