`
`EXHIBIT A1
`
`IPR2016—01187
`
`Rubicon Communications, LP V. LEGO A/S
`
`LEGO A/S EX. 2101
`
`

`

`||l|l|llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllIllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
`
`U5008894066B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`US 8,894,066 32
`(10) Patent No.:
`*Nov. 25, 2014
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Sternberg
`
`METHOD OF li'AClLI'l‘A'l'LVG USER
`PREFERENCE I.\' CREATIVE DESIGN OFA
`CONTROLLER
`
`Applicant: IPPASA, 1,1.C, Scottsdale. A7. (US)
`
`(72)
`
`Inventor: Aaron B. Sternberg, Scottsdale, AZ
`(US)
`
`33/086 (2013.01); 2163/: 2300/1043 (2013.01);
`.4631: 2300/1062 (2013.01)
`USPC ...................................................... 273/148 8
`
`(58)
`
`Field ofClassitication Search
`USPC .......... 273/148 B; 463/36. 37; D21/333, 324;
`D14/401
`
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`Assignee:
`
`IPPASA, LLC, Scottsdale. AZ (US)
`
`(56)
`
`Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent
`is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`This patent is subject
`claimer.
`
`to a terminal dis-
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4.712.184 A “
`5.046.739 A
`
`12/l987 Haugertitl
`9/1991 Reichow
`
`......................... 701/1
`
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(21)
`
`1\ppl.No.: 14/155,013
`
`Filed:
`
`Jan. 14, 2014
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2014/0125009A1
`
`May 8. 2014
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`(63)
`
`Continuation nfapplication No. 13/347,414, filed on
`Jan. 10. 2012, now Pat. No. 8,628,085, which is a
`continuation oliapplication No. 12/795,540. filed on
`Jun. 7, 2010, now Pat. No. $091,892. which is a
`continuation of application No. 12/278,102. filed as
`application No. PCT/U32007/003462 on Feb. 9, 2007,
`now Pat. No. 7.731.191.
`
`Provisional application No. 60/772,.43, filed on Feb.
`10, 2006.
`
`Int. Cl.
`A631: 7/00
`A631: 11/00
`.463F 13/20
`.4631] 33/04
`.4631] 33/08
`US. Cl.
`CPC ................. A631’ 11/00 (2013.01): A6313 13/06
`(2013.01);.4631133/04(2013.01):.x16311
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2014.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`(52)
`
`El)
`.1 P
`
`1334500 Al
`20041-129704
`
`1/2004
`4/2004
`
`(Continued)
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`"Apple MAILIIG/A Ntmo Tubes for iPod Nano Isl Generation
`(5~pack)".
`[onlineL Sep. 17. 2005 [retrieved on Oct. 5, 2007],
`Retrieved from the 1ntemet<URLz http://wuwnmazoneom/gp/
`product/B00089PXNIZ/rel'=s9__asin_image_0105-2671613-
`6265246‘1pI‘_rd_m=.»\'l'\7PDK1KXODER&pt'_rd_s=center- l
`&pt‘_rd,r=0QD20NDS9XMAGS9HN?ME&pf_rd_t=|01&pf_
`r(1_p=27824070l&pl‘_rd_i=507x46>, 15. pages,
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primarjv Iii-aminer — Raleigh W Chiu
`(74) .AI/Iurney. Agent. or Finn —— Stoel Rives LLP
`
`(5 7)
`
`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 desigi preferences.
`
`8 Claims. 20 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`A1
`
`31‘
`Bl
`El
`31‘
`131
`Bl
`131'
`B1‘
`B1
`133‘
`E m
`S 4|
`
`D338.053
`5.250.000
`5.476.261
`5.645277
`
`5.976018
`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. I92
`7,063,321
`RE39.409
`D572.255
`
`(D
`
`
`
`US 8,894,066 B2
`Page 2
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`o
`
`.
`
`8/1993
`10/1993
`12/ 1995
`7/1997
`9/1997
`12/1997
`1 1/1999
`2’2001
`6/2001
`9/2001
`9/2002
`3/2004
`7/2005
`8/2005
`'/2005
`/2005
`6/2006
`1 1/2006
`7/2008
`
`D14/454
`
`.. 463/37
`
`L'nderhill el al.
`BOllIin ct 111.
`Hullslmnd
`Cheng
`Cheng
`Ritkin ............................. 463/37
`|)nlckm:Ln
`D‘Achm‘d Van Enschut
`Stemberg e1 :11.
`Galyean. 111 el :11.
`Shackclford .................... 446/91
`Ogam
`Best
`273/148 B
`Hughes. 1V
`273/148 B
`Kenyon ........
`Munch e1 .11.
`Hussaini el al.
`..
`. 273/148 B
`Slernberg el :11
`. 273/148 B
`
`Li
`Dl4/401
`
`
`
`
`7.731.191 B2 "
`8,091,892 B2 "
`2002/0180148 A1 ‘
`2002/0195771 A1"
`200310109314 .—'\1*
`2005/0075172 A1 "‘
`2005/0255915 A1
`200510275165 A1"
`2008/0122173 A1 "
`2009/0118012 A1 "‘
`
`
`
`6/2010 Sternberg
`.. 273/148 B
`1/2012 Sternberv ,
`273/148 B
`
`.
`12/2002 Koziel
`273/148 B
`
`12/2002 Ku
`273/148 B
`6/2003 Ku
`. 463/47
`
`/2005 Coleman ..
`463/47
`11/2005 Riggs elal.
`12/2005 Hussaini et a1.
`273/1488
`
`5/2008 HaIris .........
`273/148 B
`
`5/2009 Stcrnbcrg
`463/37
`
`FORElGN PAI‘EN’I' DOCUMENTS
`
`W0
`WO
`
`WO 99/36136
`WO 01/36915 A1
`
`7/1999
`5/2001
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`lnlcmalional Search chon= Lniernmionul Application No. PCT/US
`07/031162. dated Feb, 12, 2008. 2 pages.
`
`" cited by examiner
`
`S
`
`AAAA.
`
`'\
`
`

`

`Nov. 25, 2014
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`Sheet] 0f20
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`US. Patent
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`US 8,894,066 32
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`

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`US. Patent
`
`Nov. 25, 2014
`
`Sheet 2 0f 20
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`US 8,894,066 82
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`
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`
`
`I
`
`
`
`
`97/
`
`87
`
`/®
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`
`
`

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`US. Patent
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`Nov. 25, 2014
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`Sheet 3 of 20
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`US 8,894,066 32
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`US. Patent
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`Nov. 25, 2014
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`U.S. Patent
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`NOV. 25, 2014
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`U.S. Patent
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`US 8,894,066 82
`
`1
`METHOD OF I7.-\CILI'I‘.-\TING USER
`PREFERENCE IN CREATIVE DESIGN OF A
`CONTROLLER
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`'lhis application is a continuation of US. patent applica-
`tion Ser. No. 13/347,414, filed Jan. 10, 2012, now US. Pat.
`No. 8.628.085. which is a continuation of US. patent appli-
`cation Ser. No. 12/795540, filed Jun. 7, 2010. now US. Pat.
`No. 8,091.892, which is a continuation of US. patent appli-
`cation Ser. No. 12/278, 102, filed Aug. 1.2008, now US. Pat.
`No. 7,731,191 . which isa 371 ofl’CT/USO7/03462. filed Feb.
`9, 2007, which claims benefit of US. Provisional Patent
`Application No. (SO/772.343, filed Feb. 10. 2006.
`
`COPYRIGHT NOTICE
`
`©2014 IPPASA, 1,1.C. A portion of the disclosure ofthis
`patent document contains material that is subject to copyright
`protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the fac-
`simile reproduction by anyone ofthe patent doctunent or the
`patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark
`Ollice patent file or records. btrt otherwise reserves all copy-
`rigltt rights whatsoever. 37 CFR §1.71(d).
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`This disclosure relates to a manual controller for manipu-
`lating images or symbols on a visual display and, in particu-
`lar, to a controller that can be constructed with user—arranged
`utatable building elements to exhibit a customized shape and
`style depending on user game~inspired, ergonomic, or
`appearance preferences.
`
`BACKGROUND INFORMATION
`
`Manual controllers for manipulating images or symbols on
`a visual display of a computer device include. for example,
`joysticks. game pads, steering wheels. guns. mice. remote
`devices for television.'stored multi-media display and record-
`ing machines. cellular telephones, portable video game sys-
`tems, and portable multi«media devices. One prevalent type
`of manual controller comprises a control section having a
`plurality of buttons that the user presses to enter commands
`and hand grips that the user holds when the ttser operates the
`manual controller. Conventional manual controllers are dis-
`tributed with a predetermined appearance and ergonomic
`structure Manual controllers are operated by a variety of
`users with difi'erent hand sizes. Moreover, each user has dif-
`ferent ergonomic and style preferences.
`
`SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE
`
`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 fonns
`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 exoskcl-
`eton having an interior region and a pattemed surface portion.
`The interior region is configured to confine intemal electrical
`components that are operatively connected to and cooperate
`with control actuators to produce signals for manipulating
`images or symbols on the display. The control actuators are
`positioned for tactile manipulation by a user to cause produc—
`
`10
`
`20
`
`m u.
`
`40
`
`3;u.
`
`u. u.
`
`at)
`
`2
`
`lion ofthe signals. The pattemed surface portion is configured
`to support a set ofbttilding elements. The building elements in
`the set are configurable for mating to the pattemed surface
`portion ofthe exoskeleton and to one another. This enables a
`user to customize the controller to an arbitrary shape and
`omamental appearance, according to the user’s game-in-
`spired. ergonomic. or style preferences.
`In a first embodiment, the exoskeleton ofa controller corn-
`prises a main section and a hand grip section, either or both of
`which include at least one pattemed 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
`attachment and add-on tecluriques. In a second embodiment,
`the cxoskelcton 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 detennined by a user cart 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.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is an exploded view ofa first preferred embodiment
`ofa configurable manual controller.
`FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the matable building ele-
`ments assembled to fonn a hand grip that attaches to an
`exoskeleton surface oftlre manual controller of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 3 is a top plan view ofa patterned surface portion of
`the exoskeleton of the rnanttal controller of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a second embodiment ofa
`manual controller that includes a unitary ruain and hand grip
`section.
`FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the manual
`controller of FIG. 4 shown with two building elements with
`different top side mating featttres.
`FIGS. 6A, 613. 6C, and 6D are, respectively, plan, side
`elevation, isometric, and exploded views ofa first example of
`a customized controller built in the fomr ofa golfclub around
`the type ofremote controller shown in FIG. 4.
`FIGS. 7:\, 7B. 7C, and 7D are, respectively, plan, side
`elevation. isometric, and partly assembled views ofa second
`example of a customized controller built
`in the fonn of a
`baseball bat around the type of remote controller shown in
`FIG. 4.
`FIGS. 8A. 8B, 8C. and 8D are. respectively. plan. side
`elevation, isometric. and partly exploded views of a third
`example ofa 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 custorniZed
`controller built with two matable. styled half-section building
`elements that partly enclose the type of remote controller of
`FIG. 4 to fomi a baseball bat.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`FIG. I is an exploded view ofa first preferred embodiment
`of a configurable mantral controller 10 that is used with a
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`
`
`US 8,894,066 82
`
`3
`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 ofa
`main housing 14 and a main casing 16 that confonnahly fits
`around the side surface of main housing 14. Main housing 14
`fits inside ofbttt 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
`pattemed surface portion 20 that
`in part covers hand grip
`ntottttting plates 22 (one shown) to which removable hand
`grips 30 and 32 cart be attached as described below. Skilled
`persons will appreciate that exoskeleton 12 can be altema-
`tively made as a unitary structure having a surface on which
`patterned surface portion 20 is fonned.
`As shown in FIG. 1, cxoskcleton 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 ofthe user‘s right hand.
`A selection button 64 and a stan button 66 are positioned
`between hand grips 30 and 32. Skilled persons will appreciate
`that the above-described number ofcontrol actuators. control
`actuator layout pattem, and hand grip arrangement represent
`only one of ntttnerotts possible control actuator and hand grip
`configurations. The internal electrical components include
`the actual electronic circttits, controls, and corresponding
`switch elements forconlrol pads 34 and 44 and btttlons 64 and
`66.
`Pattented surface portion 20. which in this embodiment
`covers the exterior side surface of tnain casing 16, includes a
`surface pattern in the form of an array of mutually spaced-
`apan cylindrical mating features or bosses 80. Each of hand
`grips 30 and 32 has a handle mount 82 on which is fomted an
`array ofmutually spacedapan cylindrical mating features or
`recesses 84. The diameter and depdt 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 attachment of each
`of hand grips 30 and 32 to main casirtg 16.
`FIG. 2 shows the matable building elements that when
`assembled form left-hand grip 30 shown in FIG. 1. Left
`hand-grip 30 is tnade up of five building elements, of which
`some have different matable features and some have smooth
`
`finished surfaces that contribute to the omamental 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 tnate 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 ofa center section 98 ofbody element
`90. A lateral side eletnent 100 has nine recesses (not shown)
`that mate with nine corresponding bosses 80 ofa distal sec-
`tion 102 of body element 90. Side elements 96 and 100
`contribute to the shape and appearance ofthe gripping surface
`ofleft-hand grip 30. An end piece 104 has two bosses 80 that
`mate with two corresponding recesses (not shown) of a tip
`
`4
`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. 1 with its side elements 96 and 100 removed.
`
`u.
`
`Right-hand grip 32 cart be assembled in a corresponding
`manner to that described above.
`
`10
`
`30
`
`30
`
`La u.
`
`40
`
`J:u.
`
`FIG. 3 shows a pattcmed surface portion 120 covering
`tnost ofthe top surface ofmain housing 14 (FIG. 1), except for
`the actuators on control pads 34 and 44. Patterned surface
`portion 120 includes a surface pattem in the fomt ofan array
`of ruutually spaced-apart bosses 80 in the same array pattern
`as that ofpalterned surface portion 20 (FIG. 1).
`Pattemed surface ponion 120 is configured to receive mat-
`able building elements 122. Bttilding elements 122 in this
`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
`tnating features that would enable stacking ofanother layer of
`building elements.) Building elements 122 can be ol'ditlerertt
`colors. Suitable building elements 122 include LEGO toy
`bricks, available front lnterlego AG, Zug, Switzerland.
`A preferred building element 122 has on its bottom side
`recesses 84 that are sized to mate with spatially correspond-
`ing bosses 80 so that building element 122 can be affixed to
`and thereby cover part of pattemed 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
`pattemed surface ponion 120. The spacedapart bonom side
`recesses 84 of building element 122 that are sized to mate
`with spatially corresponding bosses 80 ofpatterned surface
`portion 120 define a recess feature pattern that is complemen-
`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 oftwo adjacent bosses 80 to mate with them in
`an operational manner. Building element 1220 defines a sur-
`face feature that is tnatable to bosses 80 in, bttt not is comple-
`mentary to= pattemed surface ponion 120.
`Either building eletnent 122 or 122a has on its top side the
`absence or presence of a matable featttre. FIG. 3 shows
`attached to main housing 14 (FIG. 1)a building element 122:
`having a smooth top surface that can be ofa 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 1225a building element 122b hav-
`ing on its top side two bosses 80 to which another building
`element 122/7 could mate at its bottom surface.
`
`u.u.
`
`60
`
`For purposes of simplicity and unifomtity, a user prefer-
`ably constructs a manual controller with a set of stackable
`building elements in which the bottom side feature and the top
`side feantre mates with and operationally matches, respec-
`tively.
`the leatures 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, 8B, 8C, and 8D below. A user con-
`structing a manual controller with building elements 122
`stacked to fonn a specific shape could do so, however. by
`assembling a set of stackable building elements that are
`included in subsets. A first subset ofbttilding elements could
`be one in which the bottom side feature mates with, but the top
`' side feature does not operationally match, the features ofa
`patterned surface portion ofthe manual controller. A second
`subset ofbttilding elements could be one itt which the bottom
`
`

`

`US 8,894,066 82
`
`5
`side feature mates with, and the top side leature operationally
`matches. the top side feature of the building elements in the
`first subset.
`FIG. 4 is an isometric view ofa second preferred embodi-
`tnent of a configurable portable manual controller I40 that
`includes a unitary main and hand grip section. Manttal con-
`troller 140 is built around a retnote controller in the fomi ofa
`WiiTM 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
`ttser movement of manttal controller 140. Mantra] controller
`140 includes an exoskeleton I42 that is a main housing that
`houses in its ittterior the electrical components necessary for
`controlling symbols or images on a display associated with a
`computer device. As shown in FIG. 47 exoskeleton I42 has a
`control actuator I44 located hetx‘veen a control pad 146
`including fottr pressahle control members I48 and a menu
`button I50 and two control actuator buttons ISZ and [54. A
`power button 156 is located near the front end, two control
`actuator buttons [58 and 160 are located near the back end.
`and ajoystick connector receptacle I62 is located in the back
`surface of numual controller I40. 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 I42 has pattemed sttrface portions 170 and
`I72 that together cover most ofthe exterior of exoskeleton
`I42. Sintilarto pattcmed surface portion 20 oftnain casing 16
`of manual controller 10 shown in FIG. I. patterned surface
`portion I70 covering the top surface ofmanual controller I40
`includes a surface pattern in the form of an array of mutually
`spaced-apart cylindrical mating features or bosses 80. Pat-
`terned surface ponion I72 covering a side surface of manual
`controller I40 includes a surface pattern in the fornt of an
`array of mutually spaced-apart square mating features 174.
`For purposes ofsimplicity, it is preferable to cover exoskel-
`eton I42 with patterned surface portions including arrays of
`the same mating features
`FIGS. 4 and 5 show two examples ofhttilding elements that
`are matable to manual controller I40. A building element 176
`shown positioned above (but not mated to) a building element
`I78 has top side cylindrical features 80 in a surface pattem
`that is less densely packed than features 80 in the surface
`patient of patterned surface ponion I70. Building element
`178 shown mated to bosses 80 of patterned surface portion
`I70 has top side square features 174 of patterned surface
`ponion I72. Building element
`I78 may have bottom side
`features that are matable to either cylindrical features 80 or
`square features I74. depending on the surface of manual
`controller I40 on which a user intends to build.
`FIGS. 6A. 6B. 6C. and 6]) show a customized controller
`built in the fonn ofa golfclub I90 around a remote controller
`in the fortn of a WiiTM remote controller. Golf club I90
`includes an exoskeleton I92 that has a surface portion 170.
`which is described above with reference to FIG. 4. As best
`shown in FIG. 6]), golfclttb 190 includes live building ele-
`ments. ofwhich adjacent ones tnate with each other zuid all of
`which collectively mate with exoskeleton 192. A mounting
`eletnent 194 includes two side sections 196 and I98 having
`recesses 84 that mate with corresponding bosses 80 on
`respective sides 200 and 202 of exoskelcton I92. Golfclub
`shaft components 204, 206, 208, and 210 mate in series
`connection to form an assembled golfclttb I90.
`FIGS. 7A. 7B. 7C. and 7D show a customized controller
`built in the fomt ofa baseball bat 220 around a remote con-
`troller in theffomt ofa WiiTM remote controller. Baseball bat
`220 includes an exoskeleton 222 that has a surface portion
`
`2:.
`
`IO
`
`20
`
`40
`
`J;u.
`
`u.9
`
`u. '1.
`
`60
`
`6
`I70, which is described above with reference to FIG. 4. As
`best shown in FIG. 7D. 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
`exoskeleton 222 to form a bat handle 224 and eleven building
`elements (several ofwhich partly cut away to show mating
`bosses 80 on adjacent bttilding 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,
`and a building element 230 mates with the front end ofexosk-
`eleton 222 to interconnect it with bat barrel 226.
`FIGS. 8A. SB. 8C. and 8D show a customized controller
`built in the form ofa baseball bat 240 around a remote con-
`troller in the form ofa WiiTM remote controller. Baseball but
`240 includes an exoskeleton 242 that has a surface portion
`I70. which is described above with reference to FIG. 4. As
`best shown in FIG. 8D, baseball hat 240 is formed oftwo
`multi-laycr stacks 244'and 246 of building elements posi-
`tioned on and mated to either side ofa bat barrel core section
`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 ofexosk-
`eleton 242 at its tapered end to connect bat barrel core section
`248 to exoskeleton 240. Unlike baseball bat 220 ofFIGS. 7A.
`7B, 7C: and 7|), baseball bat 240 has substantially large
`unfinished surface portions.
`FIGS. 9A. 9B. and 9C show a customized controller built in
`the fonn ofa baseball bat 260 around a remote controller in
`the form of a Wii"M remote controller. Baseball bat 260
`includes an exoskeleton 262 that has a surface portion I70.
`which is described above with reference to FIG. 4. As best
`shown in FIG. 9C, baseball bat 260 is fonned with two mat-
`able half-section building elements 264 and 266 that
`resemble longitudinal half-sections ofa complete bat, includ-
`ing its handle and barrel. The interior surfaces of building
`elements 264 and 266 have arrays of recesses 84 that mate
`with bosses 80 on the side surfaces of exoskeleton 262 to
`connect building elements 264 and 266 to exoskeleton 262.
`The interior surface ofhuilding element 264 has three mounts
`268 for sets of bosses 80 that mate with corresponding
`recesses 84 on the interior surface (not shown) of building
`element 266 to connect building elements 264 and 266
`together. Baseball bat 260 presents with very few building
`elements a finished replica ofa baseball bat.
`It will be obvious to those having skill in the art that many
`changes may be made to the details of the above-described
`embodiments without departing from the underlying prin-
`ciples of the invention. The scope of the present invention
`should.
`therefore. be detemtined only by the following
`claims.
`The invention claimed is:
`l. A method of facilitating user preference in creative
`design ofa controller for manipulating images or symbols on
`a display. the controller having a hottsing with an exterior
`surface and an interior region confining electrical compo-
`nents for producing signals for manipulating image or sym-
`bols on the display. comprising:
`providing a main casing configured to conformably fit
`around a portion of the exterior surface ofand thereby
`receive the housing of the controller, the main casing
`having a patterned surface portion configured to support
`a set ofhuilding elements that are configurable for mat-
`ing to the patterned surface ponion; and
`providing in the set ofbttilding elements a subset ofbuild-
`ing elements that are matable to one another and config-
`ured for a user to build on the pattemed surface portion
`of the main casing a customized replica of at
`least a
`
`
`
`

`

`US 8,894,066 B2
`
`7
`
`8
`
`portion ofa play item and thereby transform the exterior
`surface of the housing of the controller to a customized
`shape and appearance in accordance with the user‘s
`preference
`2:The method ofclaim 1, further comprising control actua-
`tors operatively connected to the electrical components, the
`control actuators including a type of actuator that responds to
`user movement of the controller to produce the signals for
`manipulating the images or symbols.
`3. The method ofclaim 2= in which the type ofactuator is a
`motion sensor
`
`m
`
`10
`
`4. The method ofclaim 1. further comprising control actua-
`tors operatively connected to the electrical components, the
`control actuators including a type ofactuator that responds to
`user tactile manipulation of the controller to produce the
`signals for manipulating the images or symbols,
`5. The method ofclaim I, further comprising a hand grip
`section having a patterned surface portion configured for
`operative coruiection to the main casing to provide a gripping
`portion on which the user can grasp during play activity.
`
`in which the set of building
`6. The method of claim 1.
`elements constitutes a first set of building elements, and fur-
`ther comprising providing a second set of building elements
`in the fonn of multiple components having matable and non-‘
`matable surfaces,
`the matable surfaces configured to mate
`with building elements in the subset and the nonmatable
`surfaces configured to not mate with the patterned surface
`portion ofthe main casing or the first setofbuilding elements.
`the multiple components of the second set of building ele-
`ments contributing to the building on the pattemed surface
`portion oftlte main casing a customized replica ofat least a
`portion ofa play item configured for use in play activity.
`7. The method ofclaim l. in which the controller comprises
`a cellular telephone and a control section, the cellular tele-
`phone being operationally responsive to user-entered com-
`mands that are delivered to the control section.
`8. The method of claim I,
`in which the set of building
`elements includes a building element in the fonn ofa play
`item having a surface that is not matable to the patterned
`surface portion.
`
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`