`US008641525B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Burgess et al.
`
`(IO) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,641,525 B2
`Feb.4,2014
`
`D393,291 S *
`5,853,326 A *
`5,874,906 A *
`D409,183 S *
`5,984,548 A *
`5,984,785 A *
`6,001,014 A *
`6,019,680 A *
`6,102,803 A *
`D431,604 S *
`6,135,886 A *
`6,171,191 Bl*
`6,186,896 Bl*
`6,231,444 Bl*
`6,241,611 Bl*
`6,261,180 Bl*
`6,267,673 Bl*
`6,280,327 Bl *
`
`........................... D14/401
`4/1998 Kung
`12/1998 Goto et al. ...................... 463/37
`2/1999 Willner et al. .................. 341/22
`5/1999 Chen ............................ D14/401
`11/1999 Willner et al. ................ 400/472
`11/1999 Takeda et al. ................... 463/38
`12/1999 Ogata et al. ..................... 463/37
`2/2000 Cheng ............................. 463/37
`8/2000 Takeda et al. ................... 463/38
`10/2000 Chan ............................ D21/329
`10/2000 Armstrong
`...................... 463/37
`1/2001 Ogata et al. ..................... 463/38
`2/2001 Takeda et al. ................... 463/38
`5/2001 Goto et al. ...................... 463/37
`6/2001 Takeda et al. ................... 463/38
`7/2001 Lebensfeld et al.
`............ 463/49
`7/2001 Miyamoto et al. .............. 463/31
`8/2001 Leifer et al.
`.................... 463/39
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`GB
`
`2481633
`
`4/2012
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`"Review: ScufXbox 360 Controller" by Dave Burns, published Oct.
`20, 2010. Source http://www.xboxer360.com/features/review-scuf(cid:173)
`xbox-360-controller/ Accessed Oct. 22, 2010.*
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner - Steven J Hylinski
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm - Parks IP Law LLC
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`An improved controller (10) for a game console that is
`intended to be held by a user in both hands in the same manner
`as a conventional controller (1), which has controls on the
`front operable by the thumbs (2), (3), (4), (5), and has two
`additional controls (11) located on the back in positions to be
`operated by the middle fingers of a user.
`
`20 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets
`
`(54) CONTROLLER FOR VIDEO GAME
`CONSOLE
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Simon Burgess, Loughborough (GB);
`Duncan Ironmonger, Atlanta, GA (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Ironburg Inventions Ltd. (GB)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by O days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 13/162,727
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jun. 17, 2011
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2012/0322553 Al
`
`Dec. 20, 2012
`
`(51)
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`Int. Cl.
`A63F 9/24
`A63F 13/00
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`................... 463/37; 463/36; 463/46; 463/47;
`USPC
`200/5 R; 200/5 A; 200/329; 200/341; 200/345
`( 58) Field of Classification Search
`463/37
`USPC
`............................................................
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,552,360 A *
`5,531,443 A *
`5,551,693 A *
`D376,826 S *
`D377,198 S *
`D384,112 S *
`5,670,988 A *
`5,716,274 A *
`
`11/1985 Bromley et al .................
`463/38
`7 I 1996 Cruz
`............................... 463/37
`9/ 1996 Goto et al. ...................... 463/37
`12/1996 Ashida ......................... D14/401
`1/1997 Oikawa et al. ............... D14/401
`9/1997 Riley et al. ................... D14/401
`9/1997 Tickle ........................... 345/157
`2/ 1998 Goto et al. ...................... 463/37
`
`9
`
`1~
`
`5
`
`IPR2018-00354
`COLLECTIVE EX1001 Page 1
`
`
`
`US 8,641,525 B2
`Page 2
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`6,288,709 Bl *
`6,342,009 Bl *
`6,394,906 Bl *
`D464,349 S *
`6,512,511 B2 *
`6,524,186 B2 *
`6,524,187 B2 *
`6,682,426 B2 *
`6,760,013 B2 *
`6,887,158 B2 *
`7,235,012 B2 *
`D547,763 S *
`7,377,851 B2 *
`D572,710 S *
`7,407,439 Bl*
`7,471,216 B2 *
`7,473,180 B2 *
`7,488,254 B2 *
`7,596,466 B2 *
`7,753,786 B2 *
`D620,939 S *
`7,774,155 B2 *
`
`9/2001 Willner et al. ................ 345/169
`1/2002 Soma .............................. 463/38
`5/2002 Ogata
`............................. 463/38
`10/2002 Loughnane et al.
`D14/401
`1/2003 Willner et al. ................ 345/169
`2/2003 Takatsuka et al. .............. 463/37
`2/2003 Kornata
`.......................... 463/37
`1/2004 Goto et al. ...................... 463/37
`7/2004 Willner et al. ................ 345/169
`5/2005 Goto et al. ...................... 463/37
`6/2007 DiDato
`........................... 463/38
`7/2007 Hayes et al.
`D14/454
`5/2008 Goto et al. ...................... 463/37
`7/2008 Li
`D14/401
`8/2008 Ochoa ............................. 463/37
`12/2008 Chen et al. ...................... 341/20
`1/2009 Himoto et al. .................. 463/37
`2/2009 Himoto et al. .................. 463/37
`9/2009 Ohta
`............................. 702/152
`7/2010
`Ishimaru et al. ................ 463/36
`8/2010 Suetake et al.
`D14/401
`8/2010 Sato et al. ..................... 702/127
`
`D623,649 S *
`7,794,326 B2 *
`7,804,484 B2 *
`7,859,514 Bl*
`7,927,216 B2 *
`7,942,745 B2 *
`D659,140 S *
`2004/0063502 Al*
`2004/0224768 Al*
`2005/0215321 Al*
`2005/0269769 Al*
`2006/0025217 Al*
`2006/0040740 Al*
`2006/0116204 Al*
`2007/0021209 Al*
`2008/0261695 Al*
`
`D14/401
`9/2010 Claussen .
`9/2010 Wu et al. ......................... 463/37
`9/2010 Martinez et al ............... 345/156
`12/2010 Park .............................. 345/156
`4/2011
`Ikeda et al.
`..................... 463/38
`5/2011
`Ikeda et al.
`..................... 463/38
`5/2012
`Ikeda et al.
`D14/401
`4/2004 Hussaini et al. ................ 463/56
`11/2004 Hussaini et al. ................ 463/37
`9/2005 Hussaini et al. ................ 463/37
`12/2005 Naghi et al.
`273/148 B
`2/2006 Hussaini et al. ................ 463/36
`2/2006 DiDato
`........................... 463/37
`6/2006 Chen et al. ...................... 463/37
`1/2007 Hussaini et al. ................ 463/36
`10/2008 Coe ................................. 463/37
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`http://benchmarkreviews.com/index. php?option~com_content
`&task~view&id~235&Itemid~65&limit~l&limitstart~2
`Benchmarkreviews.com-
`Thurstmaster
`Run-N-Drive
`Wireless Gampad-Written
`by Oline Coles, Apr. 8, 2009.
`
`PC/PS3
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`IPR2018-00354
`COLLECTIVE EX1001 Page 2
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.4,2014
`
`Sheet 1 of 2
`
`US 8,641,525 B2
`
`9
`
`7
`
`4
`
`3
`
`Figure 1
`
`6
`I
`
`7 I
`
`... i 10
`
`Figure 2
`
`IPR2018-00354
`COLLECTIVE EX1001 Page 3
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.4,2014
`
`Sheet 2 of 2
`
`US 8,641,525 B2
`
`Figur~ 3
`
`IPR2018-00354
`COLLECTIVE EX1001 Page 4
`
`
`
`US 8,641,525 B2
`
`1
`CONTROLLER FOR VIDEO GAME
`CONSOLE
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`2
`Preferably, each elongate member has a thickness less than
`10 mm thick, more preferably less than 5 mm thick, and most
`desirably between 1 mm and 3 mm.
`Preferably, there are two additional controls which are
`5 elongate members that are parallel to each another. In another
`embodiment, the elongate members converge towards the
`front end of the controller with respect to one another.
`Optionally, a portion of each of the elongate members is in
`registry with a switch mechanism disposed within the con(cid:173)
`IO trailer, such that displacement of the elongate member acti(cid:173)
`vates the switch mechanism.
`Optionally, a switch mechanism is disposed between the
`elongate members and an outer surface of the controller.
`The controller of the present invention may be very similar
`to controllers according to the prior art. In particular, the outer
`case of the controller and the type, number and positioning of
`the controls located on the front and top edge of the controller
`may be the same as a controller according to the prior art, as
`20 described above and as illustrated in the figures.
`The controller of the present invention is particularly
`advantageous over controllers according to the prior art as it
`comprises one or more additional controls located on the back
`of the controller in a position to be operated by middle fingers
`25 of a user. The additional controls may either replicate the
`functions of one or more of the controls located on the front or
`top edge of the controller or provide additional functionality.
`In a preferred embodiment of the invention the additional
`controls replicate the function of a control located on the front
`30 of the controller. This means that a user does not need to
`remove his or her thumb from one of the thumb sticks in order
`to operate the buttons and/ or direction pad located on the front
`of the controller and can instead perform the function by
`manipulating an additional control located on the back of the
`controller with a finger.
`Alternatively, the additional controls may provide addi(cid:173)
`tional functionality in that they do not replicate the function of
`controls located on the front or top of the controller but may
`perform different functions. In this manner a controller
`40 according to the present invention may provide more func(cid:173)
`tions than prior art controllers.
`Preferably, the controls located on the back of the control(cid:173)
`ler are paddle levers. Suitable paddle levers may be formed
`integrally with the outer case of the controller or may be
`45 substantially separate from the outer case. This may be done
`in any manner apparent to the person skilled in the art. How(cid:173)
`ever, it is to be appreciated that the additional controls may
`comprise any other control suitable for use by a hand held
`controller.
`if the additional controls are paddle
`Advantageously,
`levers, they will be formed such that they are substantially
`vertically aligned with respect to the controller. This may
`allow the most ergonomically efficient activation of the
`paddle levers by the middle fingers of the user.
`Further features and advantages of the present invention
`will be apparent from the specific embodiment illustrated in
`the drawings and discussed below.
`
`15
`
`The present invention relates to video game consoles, in
`particular to hand held controllers for video game consoles.
`Conventional controllers for most game consoles are
`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(cid:173)
`ventional controller is shown in FIG. 1.
`As can be seen in FIG. 1, all of the controls are mounted on
`the front and top edge of the 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 thumb respectively. There are four but(cid:173)
`tons 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. There is a left trigger
`6, a right trigger 7, a left bumper 8, and a right bumper 9
`located on the top edge of the controller 1. The left and right
`triggers 6, 7 are typically operated by the user's index fingers.
`The left and right bumpers 8, 9 may also be operated by the
`user's index fingers.
`The only way to operate the four buttons 4 is for the user to
`remove his or her right thumb from the right thumb stick 3.
`This takes time and, in some games, can cause a loss of 35
`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 his or her 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 need for a user to remove his or
`her 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.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention provides a hand held controller for a
`video game console having a hard outer case and a plurality of 50
`controls located on the front and top edge of the controller.
`The controller is shaped to be held in both hands of the 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 55
`edge of the controller. The controller further includes one or
`more additional controls located on the back of the controller
`in a position to be operated by the user's other fingers.
`In one embodiment, each additional control is an elongate
`member which is inherently resilient and flexible such that it 60
`can be displaced by a user to activate control function.
`Preferably, each elongate member is mounted within a
`respective recess located in the case of the controller.
`Preferably, each elongate member comprises an outermost
`surface which is disposed in close proximity to the outermost 65
`surface of the controller such that the user's finger may be
`received in said respective recess.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the front of a conven(cid:173)
`tional game controller according to the prior art.
`FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the back of a game
`controller according to the present invention.
`FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the back of a game
`controller according to the present invention as held and
`operated by a user.
`
`IPR2018-00354
`COLLECTIVE EX1001 Page 5
`
`
`
`3
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`US 8,641,525 B2
`
`The particular embodiment described below and illustrated
`by FIGS. 2 and 3 serves to further illustrate the invention, to
`provide those of ordinary skill in the art with a complete
`disclosure and description of the devices claimed herein, and
`is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. For
`example, the additional controls are described below as two
`paddle levers but the term "control" as used in the claims,
`unless otherwise made clear in the claim, refers to paddle 10
`levers as well as other controls such as buttons, analogue
`control sticks, bumpers, and triggers.
`The game controller 10 according to the present invention
`is illustrated in FI GS. 2 and 3. The front of the game controller 15
`10 of FIGS. 2 and 3 is the same as a conventional controller 1,
`as illustrated in FIG. 1 and as discussed above. Therefore,
`where appropriate the same reference numerals have been
`used to indicate the features of the controller according to the
`present invention 10 that are identical to the features of a 20
`conventional controller 1.
`Game controller 10 differs from the conventional control-
`ler 1 in that it additionally comprises two paddle levers 11
`located on the back of the controller. The paddle levers 11 are
`vertically orientated with respect to the controller 10 and are 25
`positioned to be operated by the middle fingers of a user 12, as
`shown in FIG. 3.
`In one embodiment the paddles 11 are formed from a thin
`flexible material such as a plastics material for example poly(cid:173)
`ethylene. Preferably, the paddles 11 are less than 10 mm 30
`thick, but may be less than 5 mm thick, and more preferably
`are 3 mm thick or less.
`The paddles 11 are inherently resilient, which means that
`they return to an unbiased position when not under load. A
`user may displace or depress either of the paddles 11 by
`engaging an outer surface thereof; such displacement causes
`the paddle 11 to activate a switch mechanism mounted within
`the body of the controller 10. The paddles 11 are mounted
`within recesses located on the case of the controller 10; and 40
`are disposed in close proximity to the outer surface of the
`controller body. In this way a user may engage the paddles 11
`with the tips of the fingers, preferably the middle fingers,
`without compromising the user's grip on the controller 10.
`While the example shows the paddles 11 engaged by the 45
`middle fingers, they could also be engaged by the index, ring,
`or little fingers. The index fingers may also engage trigger
`style controls mounted on the top edge of the controller 10
`while the thumbs may be used to activate controls on the front
`of the controller 10.
`The paddles 11 are elongate in shape and substantially
`extend in a direction from the top edge to bottom edge of the
`controller 10. In one embodiment the paddles are orientated
`parallel with each other. In an alternative embodiment the
`paddles are orientated such that they converge towards the top 55
`edge with respect to each other. This elongate shape allows a
`user to engage the paddles with any of the middle, ring, or
`little finger; it also provides that different users having differ(cid:173)
`ent size hands can engage with the paddles in a comfortable
`position thereby reducing the effects of prolonged or repeated 60
`use such as repetitive strain injury.
`In one embodiment, the paddle levers 11 replicate the
`functions of two of the four buttons 4 located on the front of
`the controller 10 and thereby allow a user to operate the
`functions of the relevant buttons using his or her middle
`fingers 12, without the need to remove either of his or her
`thumbs from the left or right thumb stick 2, 3. In alternative
`
`50
`
`5
`
`4
`embodiments a paddle lever 11 may activate a new function
`not activated by a control on the front or top edge of the
`controller 10.
`It is envisaged that the paddles 11 could be fitted to an
`existing controller 10. In such embodiments the paddles
`would be mounted on the outer surface of the controller body
`by means of a mechanical fixing such as a screw or bolt or
`alternatively bonded or welded to the controller body by
`adhesive or other suitable means. A switch mechanism would
`be mounted within the controller in vertical registry with a
`portion of each paddle. A portion of the switch mechanism
`may extend through the controller body and be disposed in
`close proximity or in contact with an innermost surface of the
`paddle 11.
`In alternative embodiments it is envisaged that the paddles
`11 would be integrally formed with the controller body, the
`paddles 11 being configured to be resilient and flexible such
`that they can be depressed by a user to activate a switch
`mechanism. This could be achieved by moulding the control(cid:173)
`ler body to have a U-shaped slot extending through the con-
`troller body; alternatively a U-shaped slot could be cut into
`the controller body after the moulding process.
`Preferably, the paddles 11 would comprise a raised outer(cid:173)
`most surface with respect to the surrounding area such that a
`user may locate the paddles 11. This may be achieved by
`moulding the paddle such that is thicker than the surrounding
`area. It will be recognised that as used herein, directional
`references such as "top", "bottom", "front", "back", "end",
`"side", "inner", "outer", "upper", and "lower" do not limit the
`respective features to such orientation, but merely serve to
`distinguish these features from one another.
`Modifications and variations of the present invention will
`be apparent to those skilled in the art from the forgoing
`35 detailed description. All modifications and variations are
`intended to be encompassed by the following claims. All
`publications, patents, and patent applications cited herein are
`hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
`
`The invention claimed is:
`1. A hand held controller for a game console comprising:
`an outer case comprising a front, a back, a top edge, and a
`bottom edge, wherein the back of the controller is oppo(cid:173)
`site the front of the controller and the top edge is oppo(cid:173)
`site the bottom edge; and
`a front control located on the front of the controller;
`wherein the controller is shaped to be held in the hand of a
`user such that the user's thumb is positioned to operate
`the front control; and
`a first back control and a second back control, each back
`control being located on the back of the controller and
`each back control including an elongate member that
`extends substantially the full distance between the top
`edge and the bottom edge and is inherently resilient and
`flexible.
`2. The controller of claim 1, further having a top edge
`control located on the top edge of the controller and wherein
`the controller is shaped such that the user's index finger is
`positioned to operate the top edge control.
`3. The controllerof claim 2, wherein at least one of the back
`controls replicates the function of one or more of the top edge
`control and the front control.
`4. The controllerof claim 2, wherein at least one of the back
`controls has functions in addition to the top edge control and
`65 the front control.
`5. The controller of claim 2, wherein the top edge is sub(cid:173)
`stantially perpendicular to the front.
`
`IPR2018-00354
`COLLECTIVE EX1001 Page 6
`
`
`
`US 8,641,525 B2
`
`5
`6. The controller of claim 1, wherein each of the back
`controls is positioned to be operated by a middle finger of a
`user.
`7. The controller of claim 1, wherein each elongate mem(cid:173)
`ber is mounted within a recess located in the case of the 5
`controller.
`8. The controller of claim 7, wherein each elongate mem(cid:173)
`ber 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.
`9. The controller of claim 1, wherein each elongate mem(cid:173)
`ber has a thickness between about 1 mm and 10 mm.
`10. The controller of claim 1, wherein each elongate mem(cid:173)
`ber has a thickness between about 1 mm and 5 mm.
`11. The controller of claim 1, wherein each elongate mem(cid:173)
`ber has a thickness between about 1 mm and 3 mm.
`12. The controller of claim 1, wherein the elongate mem(cid:173)
`bers are parallel to one another.
`13. The controller of claim 1, wherein the elongate mem-
`bers converge towards the front end of the controller with
`respect to one another.
`14. The controller of claim 1, wherein a portion of at least
`one of the first back control and the second back control is in
`registry with a switch mechanism disposed within the con- 25
`trailer, such that displacement of the at least one back control
`activates the switch mechanism.
`
`20
`
`10
`
`15
`
`6
`15. The controller of claim 1, wherein a switch mechanism
`is disposed between each of the elongate members and an
`outer surface of the back of the controller.
`16. The controller of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
`back controls is a paddle lever.
`17. The controller of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
`back controls is substantially parallel to the front of the con(cid:173)
`troller.
`18. The controller of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
`back controls is formed as an integral part of the outer case.
`19. The controller of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
`back controls is formed separate from the outer case of the
`controller.
`20. A hand held controller for a game console comprising:
`an outer case comprising a front, a back, a top edge, and a
`bottom edge, wherein the back of the controller is oppo(cid:173)
`site the front of the controller and the top edge is oppo(cid:173)
`site the bottom edge;
`a front control located on the front of the controller,
`wherein the controller is shaped to be held in the hand of
`a user such that the user's thumb is positioned to operate
`the front control; and
`a first back control and a second back control, each back
`control being located on the back of the controller and
`each back control including an elongate member that
`extends substantially the full distance between the top
`edge and the bottom edge.
`
`* * * * *
`
`IPR2018-00354
`COLLECTIVE EX1001 Page 7
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`