UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`____________
`
`BEFORE THE PATENT TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`
`____________
`
`VALVE CORPORATION,
`
`Petitioner,
`
`v.
`
`IRONBURG INVENTIONS LTD.,
`
`Patent Owner.
`
`____________
`
`Case IPR2017-00136
`
`Patent 8,641,525
`
`____________
`
`
`
`DECLARATION OF ROBERT BECKER
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`
`IPR2017-00137
`Patent 9,089,770 B2
`
`
`I, Robert Becker, hereby declare as follows:
`
`1. I am an attorney representing Ironburg Inventions, Ltd. (“Ironburg”) on
`
`various district court and other matters.
`
`2. I make this declaration bases on my own personal knowledge.
`
`3. Attached hereto as Appendix A is a true and correct copy of the letter, claim
`
`chart, and copy of U.S. Patent No. 9,352,229 that was sent to Valve’s
`
`counsel on June 13, 2016.
`
`
`
`
`
`Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. Section 1746, I declare under penalty of perjury that
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`the foregoing is true and correct.
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`
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`Executed on : November 23, 2016
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`1
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`

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`IPR2017-00137
`Patent 9,089,770 B2
`
`
`CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
`
`Pursuant to 37 C.F.R. §§ 42.6(e) and 42.105(b), the undersigned certifies
`
`
`
`that on November 23, 2016, a complete and entire electronic copy of this
`
`DECLARATION OF ROBERT BECKER, was served via email to
`
`Petitioner’s counsel of record at the following address:
`
`
`
`
`Joshua C. Harrison, Reg. No. 45,686, josh@bhiplaw.com
`Reynaldo C. Barcelo, Reg. No. 42,290, rey@bhiplaw.com
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`Respectfully submitted,
`
`By: /s/ Ehab Samuel
`
`Ehab Samuel
`
`Attorney for Patent Owner
`
`Reg. No. 57,905
`
`
`
`
`
`Danielle Mihalkanin
`Attorney for Patent Owner
`Reg. No. 69,506
`
`Date: November 23, 2016
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`317986393.1
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`2
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`

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`
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`APPENDIX A
`
`APPENDIX A
`
`
`
`
`

`
`Robert D. Becker
`Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP
`Direct Dial: (650) 812-1370
`E-mail: rbecker@manatt.com
`
`manatt
`
`manatt | phelps | phillips
`
`June 13,2016
`
`VIA MAIL AND E-MAIL
`
`Patrick A. Lujin
`Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP
`2555 Grand Blvd
`Kansas City, MO 64108
`PLUJlN(a).shb.coi-n
`Attorney for Valve Corporation
`
`Re:
`
`Infringement of U.S. Patent No. 9,352,229
`
`Dear Mr. Lujin:
`
`As you know, we represent Ironburg Inventions, an IP Company that licenses gaming
`technology to Scuf Gaming, which makes and sells tactical gear for elite gamers.
`
`In prior correspondence with and in the pending litigation against your client Valve
`Corporation, Ironburg has:
`
`(i) identified its ownership of patents and pending patent applications directed to gaming
`controllers, including now issued U.S. Patent Nos. 8,641,525 (the '525 patent) issued on 4
`February 2014; 9,089,770 (the '770 patent) issued on 28 July 2015; and 9,289,688 (the '688
`patent) issued on 22 March 2016; and
`
`(ii) notified Valve that certain game controllers sold by Valve, including the Steam
`Controller, infringe the above-identified patents.
`
`Despite multiple notifications of infringement, it is our understanding that Valve
`continues to make, market and/or sell infringing Valve controllers. We are writing today to
`notify Valve that it is also infringing U.S. Patent No. 9,352,229 (the '229 Patent) issued on 31
`May 2016. More specifically. Valve continues to make, market and sell certain game
`controllers, including the Steam Controller, that incorporate inventions set forth in one or more
`claims of the '229 patent. Infringement of Claim 3 is illustrative of Valve's infringement.
`
`Claim 3 of the '229 patent, which depends on Claim 1, provides the following:
`
`1. A hand held controller for a games console comprising:
`
`1841 Page Mill Road, Suite 200, Palo Alto, California 94304 Telephone: 650.812,1300 Fax: 650.213.0260
`Albany | Los Angeles | New York | Orange County 1 Palo Alto | Sacramento | San Francisco | Washington, D.C.
`
`

`
`manatt
`
`manatt | phelps | phillips
`
`June 13,2016
`Page 2
`
`an outer case;
`
`a plurality of controls located on a front and a top of the outer case,
`
`wherein the outer case is shaped to be held in both hands of a user such that the
`user's thumbs are positioned to operate controls located on the front of the outer case and
`
`the user's index fingers are positioned to operate controls located on the top of the
`outer case; and
`
`at least one additional control located on a back of the outer case in a position
`operable by the user's middle finger,
`
`the additional control comprising an elongate member which is inherently
`resilient and flexible such that it can be displaced by the user to activate a control
`function,
`
`wherein the elongate member is at least partially disposed in a respective channel
`located on the back of the outer case, the channel being elongated along a longitudinal
`dimension of the elongate member.
`
`3. The controller according to claim 1 wherein the elongate member comprises a
`first dimension and the controller comprises a cover portion forming a conduit enclosing
`the elongate member within the respective channel along a portion of the first dimension
`of the elongate member.
`
`Correspondence between the Steam Controller and the above-referenced claim of the
`'229 patent is shown in claim chart. A copy of the '229 patent is also attached to this letter.
`
`In light of the identified infringement of multiple patents, Ironburg insists that you
`immediately cease and desist from the marketing and sale of the Steam Controller, and all other
`activities that violate Ironburg's patent rights.
`
`We also note that since this letter creates a reasonable anticipation of litigation, you
`should implement all appropriate measures as the result of such anticipation, i.e. a litigation hold
`to preserve relevant documents (including emails and other electronic files) related to the game
`controller technologies discussed in this letter.
`
`///
`
`///
`
`

`
`manatt
`
`manatt | phelps | phillips
`
`June 13,2016
`Page 3
`
`Please note that because you have requested that correspondence be sent to you and that
`we not contact your client directly, we have not sent a copy of this letter to Valve. We ask,
`however, that you confirm that you have shared the contents of this letter with Valve.
`
`Sincerely,
`
`RDB
`
`Enclosures: Copies of '229 patent and claim chart
`
`317121678.4
`
`

`
`US Patent No. 9,352,229
`
`Valve’s Steam Controller
`
`1. A hand held controller for a games
`console comprising:
`
`an outer case;
`
`Valve Corporation’s (“Valve”) Steam controller, as shown in the
`following picture, is a hand held controller for a games console with
`an outer case.1
`
`a plurality of controls located on a front
`and a top of the outer case,
`
`Valve’s Steam controller’s outer case has: a plurality of controls
`located on a front and a top of the outer case, as shown in the
`following pictures.2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1http://store.steampowered.com/app/353370/
`2Id.
`
`

`
`US Patent No. 9,352,229
`
`Valve’s Steam Controller
`
`wherein the outer case is shaped to be
`held in both hands of a user such that the
`user's thumbs are positioned to operate
`controls located on the front of the outer
`case and the user's index fingers are
`positioned to operate controls located on
`the top of the outer case; and
`
`Valve’s Steam controller is shaped to be held in both hands of a user
`such that the user's thumbs are positioned to operate controls located
`on the front of the outer case and the user's index fingers are
`positioned to operate controls located on the top of the outer case, as
`shown in the following picture.3
`
`at least one additional control located on a
`back of the outer case in a position
`operable by the user's middle finger,
`
`Valve’s Steam controller has at least one additional control located on
`a back of the outer case in a position operable by the user's middle
`finger, as shown in the following pictures.4
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`3Id.
`4Id.
`
`

`
`US Patent No. 9,352,229
`
`Valve’s Steam Controller
`
`the additional control comprising an
`elongate member which is inherently
`resilient and flexible such that it can be
`displaced by the user to activate a control
`function,
`
`Each of the two elongate members on the back of Valve’s Steam
`controller is inherently resilient and flexible such that it can be
`displaced by the user to activate a control function, as shown in the
`following pictures.5
`
`
`
`
`
`wherein the elongate member is at least
`partially disposed in a respective channel
`located on the back of the outer case, the
`channel being elongated along a
`longitudinal dimension of the elongate
`member.
`
`Each of the two elongate members on the back of Valve’s Steam
`controller is at least partially disposed in a respective channel located
`on the back of the outer case, the channel being elongated along a
`longitudinal dimension of each elongate member, as shown in the
`following illustration.
`
`
`5Id. (second picture only)
`
`
`
`

`
`US Patent No. 9,352,229
`
`Valve’s Steam Controller
`
`3 The controller according to claim 1
`wherein the elongate member comprises a
`first dimension and the controller
`comprises a cover portion forming a
`conduit enclosing the elongate member
`within the respective channel along a
`portion of the first dimension of the
`elongate member.
`
`Each of the two elongate members on the back of Valve’s Steam
`controller has a first dimension and the controller has a cover portion
`that forms a conduit enclosing each of the elongate members within
`the respective channel along a portion of the first dimension of each
`elongate member, as shown in the following illustration.
`
`
`
`
`
`317121664.3
`
`
`
`

`
`US009352229B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Burgess et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 9,352,229 B2
`May 31, 2016
`
`(54)
`
`(71)
`
`(72)
`
`CONTROLLER FOR A GAMES CONSOLE
`
`Applicant: Ironburg Inventions Ltd., Wincanton,
`Somerset (GB)
`
`Inventors: Simon Burgess, Cossington (GB);
`Duncan Ironmonger, Atlanta, GA (US)
`
`(73)
`
`Assignee:
`
`Ironburg Inventions Ltd., Wincanton
`(GB)
`
`(*)
`
`Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. No.: 14/736,771
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Jun. 11, 2015
`
`(65)
`
`(63)
`
`(60)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2015/0283458 A1
`
`Oct. 8,2015
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`application No. PCT/EP2014/
`Continuation of
`060587, filed on May 22, 2014.
`
`Provisional application No. 61/882,171, filed on Sep.
`25, 2013, provisional application No. 61/826,087,
`filed on May 22, 2013.
`
`Int. Cl.
`
`(51)
`
`A63F 9/24
`A63F 13/23
`
`U.S. Cl.
`
`(52)
`
`(2006.01)
`(2014.01)
`(Continued)
`
`CPC ............... .. A63F 13/23 (2014.09); A63F 13/02
`(2013.01); A63F 13/08 (2013.01);A63F 13/24
`(2014.09); A63F 13/98 (2014.09); A63F
`2300/1043 (2013.01)
`
`Field of Classification Search
`None
`
`(58)
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`6,251,015 B1*
`
`7,510,477 B2 *
`
`6/2001 Caprai
`
`.................. .. A63F 13/06
`273/148 B
`3/2009 Argentar ............... .. A63F 13/02
`345/156
`
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`EP
`EP
`
`2 479 636
`2 698 185
`
`7/2012
`2/2015
`
`(Continued)
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Review: ScufXb0x 360 Controller, Dave Burns, pp. 5, Oct. 20, 2010
`SOUICCZ
`archive.0rg/web20/20101022215104/http://www.
`xb0xer360 .com/features/review-scuf-xbox-3 60 -c0ntr0ller/ .*
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner — Paul A D’Agostino
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Walters & Wasylyna LLC
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A hand held controller for a games console including an outer
`case and a plurality of controls located on a front end and top
`ofthe controller, the controller being shaped to be held in both
`hands of a user such that the user’s thumbs are positioned to
`operate controls located on the top of the controller and the
`user’ s index fingers are positioned to operate controls located
`on the front of the controller, wherein the controller further
`includes at least one additional control located on a back of
`
`the controller in a position operable by the middle finger of a
`user, the at least one additional control including an elongate
`member that is inherently resilient and flexible such that it can
`be displaced by a user to activate control function wherein the
`elongate member is at least partially disposed in a respective
`channel formed in a rear surface of the controller.
`
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`24 Claims, 48 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`

`
`US 9,352,229 B2
`Page 2
`
`(51)
`
`(56)
`
`Int. Cl.
`A63F 13/24
`A63F 13/98
`A63F 13/90
`
`(2014.01)
`(2014.01)
`(2014.01)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`7,859,514
`8,568,233
`
`B1
`B2*
`
`12/2010
`10/2013
`
`8,641,525
`
`B2*
`
`2/2014
`
`2001/0003713
`2002/0052237
`
`A1
`A1*
`
`6/2001
`5/2002
`
`2002/0128064
`
`A1*
`
`9/2002
`
`2003/0067111
`
`A1*
`
`4/2003
`
`2004/0259059
`
`A1*
`
`12/2004
`
`2005/0083297
`2005/0255918
`
`A1
`A1*
`
`4/2005
`11/2005
`
`2006/0025217
`
`A1*
`
`2/2006
`
`2009/0088250
`
`A1*
`
`4/2009
`
`2009/0258705
`
`A1*
`
`10/2009
`
`2010/0304865
`
`A1*
`
`12/2010
`
`2011/0256930
`
`A1*
`
`10/2011
`
`Park
`Block ................... .. A63F 13/02
`463/36
`Burgess ................ .. A63F 13/24
`200/329
`Willner et al.
`Magill
`.................. .. A63F 13/06
`463/38
`Sobota .................. .. A63F 13/06
`463/37
`Swan .................... .. A63F 13/02
`273/148 R
`..................... .. A63F 13/10
`434/61
`
`Aoki
`
`Duncan
`Riggs ..................... .. A47C 3/16
`463/37
`Hussaini
`............... .. A63F 13/06
`463/36
`Carlson ................. .. A63F 13/06
`463/37
`Guinchard ............ .. A63F 13/02
`463/37
`Picunko ................ .. A63F 13/06
`463/37
`Jaouen .................. .. A63F 13/06
`463/37
`
`2011/0281649 A1* 11/2011 Jaouen .................. .. A63F13/06
`463/36
`2012/0322553 A1* 12/2012 Burgess ................ .. A63F13/24
`463/37
`2014/0274397 A1*
`9/2014 Sebastian .............. .. G06F 3/014
`463/37
`8/2015 Uy ........................ .. A63F13/24
`463/37
`
`2015/0238855 A1*
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`GB
`GB
`W0
`
`2 244 546
`2 481633
`WO 2008/131249
`
`12/1991
`1/2012
`10/2008
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`International Search Report, PCT/EP2014/060587 (2014).
`International Search Report, PCT/EP2015/058096 (2015).
`Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority, PCT/
`EP2015/058096 (2015).
`Burns, “Review: Scuf Xbox 360 Controller,” Xboxer360.com
`(2010).
`Combined Search and Examination Report, GB1011078.1 (2011).
`“Rapid Fire Mod for Wireless Xbox 360 Controller,” forum on xbox-
`scene.com, (2008).
`“Thrustmaster USB game controller
`trnsticks.htrn (2002).
`Coles, Olin,
`“Thrustmaster Run-N-Drive PC/PS3 Wireless
`Gamepad” BenchmarkReViews.com (2009).
`Oflice Action, U.S. Appl. No. 14/832,211 (2015).
`Oflice Action, U.S. Appl. No. 14/805,597 (2015).
`Oflice Action, U.S. Appl. No. 14/805,641 (2015).
`Oflice Action, U.S. Appl. No. 14/805,661 (2015).
`
`roundup,” dansdata.com/
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`May 31,2016
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`Sheet 1 of 48
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`US 9,352,229 B2
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`May 31,2016
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`

`
`1
`CONTROLLER FOR A GAMES CONSOLE
`
`2
`controls located on the front of the controller and the user’s
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`US 9,352,229 B2
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`PRIORITY
`
`This application is a continuation of PCT/EP2014/060587
`filed on May 22, 2014, which claims priority from U.S. Ser.
`No. 61/882,171 filed on Sep. 25, 2013, and U.S. Ser. No.
`61/826,087 filed on May 22, 2013. The entire contents of
`PCT/EP2014/060587, U.S. Ser. No. 61/882,171 andU.S. Ser.
`No. 61/826,087 are incorporated herein by reference.
`
`FIELD
`
`The present invention relates to games consoles, in particu-
`lar to hand held controllers for games consoles.
`
`15
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`index fingers are positioned to operate controls located on the
`top of the controller; wherein
`the controller further comprises at least one additional
`control located on a back of the controller in a position oper-
`able by the middle finger of a user, the at least one additional
`control comprising an elongate member which is inherently
`resilient and flexible such that it can be displaced by a user to
`activate control function wherein the or each elongate mem-
`ber is at least partially disposed in a respective channel
`formed in a rear surface of the controller.
`
`5
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`10
`
`Controllers for most current games consoles are generally
`intended to be held and operated by the user using both hands.
`A conventional controller will generally comprise a hard
`outer case with a plurality of controls mounted about the
`controller. Typically the controls include buttons, analogue
`control sticks, bumpers and triggers. An example of a con-
`ventional controller is shown in FIG. 1.
`As can be seen in FIG. 1, all ofthe controls are mounted on
`the front and top ofthe controller 1. Specifically, there are left
`and right analogue thumb sticks 2, 3 which normally control
`movement and are intended to be operated by the user’s left
`and right thumbs respectively. There are four buttons 4,
`located on a front right portion of the controller 1, which
`normally control additional actions and are intended to be
`operated by the user’s right thumb. There is a direction pad 5
`located on the lower portion of the front left of the controller
`1. The direction pad 5 is intended to be operated by the user’ s
`left thumb, typically either as an alternative to the left thumb
`stick 2 or to provide additional actions. A left trigger 6, a right
`trigger 7, a left bumper 8 and a right bumper 9 are located on
`the top edge of the controller 1. The left and right triggers 6,
`7 are typically operated by a user’s index fingers. The left and
`right bumpers 8, 9 may also be operated by a user’s index
`fingers.
`The only way to operate the four buttons 4 is for a user to
`remove their right thumb from the right thumb stick 3. This
`takes time and, in some games, can cause the loss of control.
`This is a particular problem in games where the right thumb
`stick 3 is used for aiming. A similar problem may arise in
`games where the direction pad 5 provides additional actions
`and the user has to remove their thumb from the left thumb
`
`stick 2 in order to operate the direction pad 5.
`In light of the above, there is a need for an improved
`controller which removes the requirement for a user to
`remove their thumb from the left or right thumb stick 2, 3 in
`order to operate additional actions controlled by the four
`buttons 4 and/or the direction pad 5.
`The present invention seeks to overcome or at least miti-
`gate the problems of the prior art.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`A first aspect of the present invention provides a hand held
`controller for a games console comprising:
`an outer case; and
`a plurality of controls located on a front and top of the
`controller;
`the controller being shaped to be held in both hands of a
`user such that the user’s thumbs are positioned to operate
`
`Advantageously, the channels provide support to the elon-
`gate members, reducing the likelihood ofdamage and stresses
`applied to the elongate member in use.
`Optionally, the charmel forms a close fit to the elongate
`member so as to provide lateral support thereto.
`Optionally, the or each elongate member comprises a first
`dimension and the controller comprises a cover portion form-
`ing a conduit enclosing the elongate member within the
`respective charmel along a portion of the first dimension of
`the elongate member.
`Optionally, the or each elongate member comprises a lon-
`gitudinal dimension and the controller comprises a cover
`portion forming a conduit enclosing the elongate member
`within the respective charmel along a portion of the longitu-
`dinal dimension of the elongate member.
`Optionally, the or each elongate member may comprise a
`first part of a complementary locking mechanism.
`Optionally, the or each conduit may comprise a second part
`of a complementary locking mechanism.
`Optionally, the first or second part of a complementary
`locking mechanism comprises a catch or barb which is dis-
`placeable so as to release the elongate member from the
`conduit.
`
`Optionally, the first or second part of a complementary
`locking mechanism comprises an aperture or recess having an
`engaging edge.
`In some embodiments, the controller comprises a remap
`device for enabling configuration of the or each additional
`controls whilst the controller is in use, the remap device
`including a remap initiation device for mapping the or each
`additional control function to a selected one ofthe controls on
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`the front of the controller so as to configure the or each
`additional control to replicate a function ofthe selected one of
`the controls on the front of the controller.
`
`45
`
`In some embodiments, the controller comprises a plurality
`of additional controls located on a back of the controller and
`
`wherein each of the plurality of additional controls is acti-
`vateable by a respective elongate member when present.
`In alternative embodiments, the controller comprises a plu-
`rality of additional controls located on a back ofthe controller
`and wherein each of the plurality of additional controls is
`activateable by a respective elongate member, each of the
`elongate members being detachable from the controller.
`In some embodiments, the controller may comprise at least
`two additional controls located on the back of the controller
`
`and wherein each of the plurality of additional controls is
`activateable by a respective elongate member, each of the
`elongate members comprising an outermost surface, and
`wherein the outermost surface of a first elongate member is
`orientated at an angle to the outermost surface of a second
`adjacent elongate member.
`In some embodiments, the controller comprises at least two
`additional controls located on the back of the controller and
`
`wherein each of the plurality of additional controls is acti-
`vateable by a respective elongate member, each of the elon-
`gate members comprising an outermost surface, and wherein
`
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`the outermost surface of a first elongate member is disposed
`in a first plane and the outermost surface of a second adjacent
`elongate member is disposed in a second plane, the first plane
`being orientated at an angle to the second plane.
`Optionally, the angle is between about 5 degrees and about
`90 degrees and preferably is about 45 degrees.
`Optionally, the controller may comprise at least two addi-
`tional controls located on the back of the controller and
`
`wherein each of the plurality of additional controls is acti-
`vateable by a respective elongate member, each of the elon-
`gate members comprising an outermost surface, and wherein
`at least a portion of the outermost surface of a first elongate
`member is disposed further from an external surface of the
`back of the controller than at least a portion of the outermost
`surface of a second adjacent elongate member.
`Optionally, the at least one additional control is mounted
`within a recess for receiving the gripping fingers of a user, the
`recess being located on the back of the controller.
`Optionally, each elongate member comprises an outermost
`surface which is disposed in close proximity to the outermost
`surface of the controller such that a user’s finger may be
`received in said respective recess.
`Optionally, the controller may comprise a plurality ofaddi-
`tional controls each comprising an elongate member.
`Optionally, the or each elongate member is formed from
`material having a thickness less than 10 mm thick.
`Optionally, the or each elongate member is formed from
`material having a thickness less than 5 mm thick.
`Optionally, the or each elongate member is formed from
`material having a thickness between 1 mm and 3 mm.
`Optionally, the or each of the elongate members are paral-
`lel with respect to one another.
`Optionally, the or each of the elongate members converge
`towards the front end of the controller with respect to one
`another.
`
`In some embodiments, a portion of the or each elongate
`member is in registry with a switch mechanism disposed
`within the controller, such that displacement of the elongate
`member activates the switch mechanism.
`
`Optionally, a switch mechanism is disposed between the or
`each elongate member and an outer surface of the back of the
`controller.
`
`Optionally, a switch mechanism is mounted to a rear panel
`ofthe controller wherein the switch mechanism comprises an
`engaging surface, the engaging surface being disposed in an
`aperture in an outer surface of the rear panel and arranged
`flush with an outer surface of the rear panel.
`Optionally, a switch mechanism is mounted to a rear panel
`ofthe controller wherein the switch mechanism comprises an
`engaging surface, the engaging surface being recessed within
`an aperture defined in an outer surface of the rear panel.
`In some embodiments, the additional controls are paddle
`levers.
`
`Optionally, the additional controls are substantially verti-
`cally orientated with respect to the controller.
`Optionally, the additional controls are formed separately
`from the outer case of the controller.
`
`Optionally, the elongate member of the at least one addi-
`tional control is mounted to the back of the controller by a
`mounting plate, the mounting plate being secured to the back
`ofthe controller to form a rear surface ofthe controller and the
`
`at least one additional control is secured to the mounting
`plate, wherein the mounting plate comprises at least one
`channel, each elongate member is at least partially disposed
`in a respective one of the at least one channels.
`A second aspect of the present invention provides a hand
`held controller for a games console comprising:
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`4
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`an outer case; and
`a plurality of controls located on a front and top of the
`controller;
`the controller being shaped to be held in both hands of a
`user such that the user’s thumbs are positioned to operate
`controls located on the front of the controller and the user’s
`
`index fingers are positioned to operate controls located on the
`top of the controller; wherein
`the controller further comprises at least one additional
`control located on a back of the controller in a position oper-
`able by the middle finger of a user, the at least one additional
`control comprising an elongate member which is inherently
`resilient and flexible such that it can be displaced by a user to
`activate control function;
`the controller comprising a mounting plate, the mounting
`plate being secured to the back ofthe controller; the mounting
`plate comprising at least one charmel; and
`wherein each elongate member of the at least one addi-
`tional control is at least partially disposed in a respective one
`of the at least one charmel.
`
`A third aspect ofthe present invention provides a hand held
`controller for a games console comprising:
`a hard outer case; and
`a plurality of controls located on a front and top of the
`controller;
`the controller being shaped to be held in both hands of a
`user such that the user’s thumbs are positioned to operate
`controls located on the front of the controller and the user’s
`
`index fingers are positioned to operate controls located on the
`top of the controller; wherein
`the controller further comprises a mounting mechanism for
`detachably securing at
`least one additional control,
`the
`mounting mechanism being located on a back of the control-
`ler such that the at least one additional control is in a position
`operable by the middle finger of a user, the at least one
`additional control comprising an elongate member which is
`inherently resilient and flexible such that it can be displaced
`by a user to activate control function wherein the or each
`elongate member comprises a first part of a complementary
`locking mechanism and the controller comprises a second
`part of a complementary locking mechanism such that the or
`each elongate member is detachably secured to the controller.
`Optionally, the first or second part of a complementary
`locking mechanism comprises a catch or barb which is dis-
`placeable so as to release the elongate member from the
`conduit.
`
`Optionally, the first or second part of a complementary
`locking mechanism comprises an aperture or recess having an
`engaging edge.
`Optionally, the mounting mechanism comprises a mount-
`ing plate to which the at least one additional control is detach-
`ably secured, and wherein the mounting plate is detachably
`secured to the back of the controller.
`
`Optionally, the mounting plate forms a battery cover panel.
`A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a hand
`held controller for a games console comprising:
`an outer case; and
`a plurality of controls located on a front and top of the
`controller;
`the controller being shaped to be held in both hands of a
`user such that the user’s thumbs are positioned to operate
`controls located on the front of the controller and the user’s
`
`index fingers are positioned to operate controls located on the
`top of the controller; wherein
`the controller further comprises at least two additional
`controls mounted on a back of the controller such that the at
`
`least two additional controls are in a position operable by the
`
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`US 9,352,229 B2
`
`5
`middle finger of a user, the at least two additional controls
`comprising a first body portion and at least two first elongate
`members which are inherently resilient and flexible such that
`they can be displaced by a user to activate a contr