Games controller

TECHNICAL FIELD

0001The invention relates to controllers for controlling the play of computerised games. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to an actuator system of a game controller for a gaming console.

BACKGROUND

0002There are many different types of gaming consoles currently available for operating a video game. For example, Microsoft®, Sony® and Nintendo® manufacture the Xbox®, Playstation® and Wii® gaming consoles respectively. The gaming consoles typically include a game controller so that a user can control the operation of the video game.

0003Some known game controllers include a form of actuator system for the operation of control of the functions of the video games. Actuators, buttons or other depressible or manually operable devices are typically used for controlling discrete actions such as the firing of a weapon or an attack command. It is known to provide a button or actuator which is intended to be operable by the index finger of a user; such buttons are commonly known as triggers.

0004US Patent publications <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="US20120322555A"><text>US2012/0322555</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="US20130147610A"><text>US2013/0147610</text></patcit>, and <patcit id="pcit0003" dnum="US20120142418A"><text>US2012/0142418</text></patcit> disclose game controllers comprising trigger buttons, some of them being adjustable.

0005At times, dependent upon the video game being played, it can be necessary to depress the trigger a distance before the trigger initiation point is reached and the command actually acknowledged. This renders part of the depressing action futile. Likewise, after the command has been operated, it is often possible to carry out further depression of the trigger past the trigger initiation point. This further depression is unnecessary and may also be disadvantageous.

0006Furthermore, in other situations in some video games, the strength of a command is increased or decreased in dependence upon how frequently the trigger is depressed. As such, depressing the trigger the whole distance is unnecessary and excessive for the command or operation required.

0007It is desirable to have a controller, particularly for gaming applications, that is more responsive or has less scope for allowing unnecessary over-movement by the user of the controller. Due to the rapidly expanding gaming market and development of involved games invoking considerable player input, it is desirable for players to be able to customise their controllers in order to gain increased control in a variety of gaming circumstances.

0008The present invention is defined in the appended claims and seeks to improve upon or at least mitigate some of the problems associated with controllers of the prior art by providing a game controller which includes an adjustable trigger system that has a mechanism to allow the end user to control or recalibrate the maximum and/or minimum trigger positions.

SUMMARY

0009There are a variety of different commands available for the trigger functions of a game controller and the adjustable trigger system of the present invention now provides the option to customise the trigger settings in order to suit the individual game at the time of operation.

0010In some embodiments the trigger system includes adjustments to the depressible range of the trigger so that effectively the trigger is already, to some degree, "depressed", before any contact is actually made with the trigger by the operator (player).

0011In some embodiments the trigger system includes adjustments to the extent that the trigger is depressible such that no further motion can be effected by the operator. This removes any unnecessary distance travelled by the trigger.

0012The present invention provides a method of controlling both of the above features simultaneously regarding the amount of depression inflicted on the trigger without contact, and the range of available motion to give the optimum performance in any gaming circumstances.

0013According to an aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for supplying user inputs to a computer program, such as a game program, for controlling the game program, the apparatus comprising an outer case, at least one depressible trigger mechanism and having a mechanism for manual adjustment of the range motion of the trigger mechanism, the mechanism being disposed within an internal volume defined by an outer case of the apparatus.

0014According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for supplying user inputs to a computer program, such as a game program, for controlling the game program, the apparatus comprising at least one depressible trigger mechanism and having a first mechanism for adjustment of the stop position of the trigger mechanism.

0015Optionally, the apparatus comprises a second mechanism for manual adjustment of the stop position of the trigger mechanism.

0016According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a game controller for controlling electronic games, including a housing, at least one depressible trigger at least in part exposed relative to the housing, said at least one depressible trigger being in operational association with electrical circuitry contained within the housing which electrical circuitry is controlled by depression of the or each depressible trigger for manipulating electrical outputs of the circuitry for controlling electronic games and having a mechanism for manual adjustment of the depressible range of the trigger mechanism.

0017According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a game controller for controlling electronic games comprising: <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>a controller chassis and an actuator system including: <ul id="ul0002" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>an actuator body pivotally mounted to the controller chassis;</li><li>a strike plate coupled to the actuator body;</li><li>a trigger adjustment system having an arm;</li><li>an actuator adjustment control screw received in a screw thread disposed within said arm;</li></ul></li><li>wherein a portion of the actuator adjustment control screw engages with a portion of the strike plate and said portion of the actuator adjustment control screw creates an end stop to limit the actuator movement.</li></ul>

0018Optionally, a portion of said arm forms a second end stop to limit the actuator movement.

0019Optionally, the game controller comprises an outer case defining a void and wherein the trigger adjustment system is mounted within the void.

0020In some embodiments, the game controller comprises a removable cover panel for accessing and adjusting the trigger adjustment system.

0021In some embodiments, the game controller comprises an aperture in the outer case for receiving an adjustment tool for adjusting the trigger adjustment system.

0022Optionally, the actuator system is a trigger button.

0023According to a still further aspect of the invention there is provided an actuator adjustment system for adjusting the range of travel of an actuator in a game controller comprising: <ul id="ul0003" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>a base plate for mounting the actuator adjustment system to a controller body;</li><li>a riser coupled to the base plate;</li><li>an arm extending from the riser;</li><li>wherein the arm comprises a screw thread for receiving an actuator adjustment control screw for adjusting the range of travel of the actuator and a strike plate for arresting motion of the actuator.</li></ul>

0024According to a still yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of adjusting the range of movement of a button on a game controller for controlling electronic games comprising: <ul id="ul0004" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>providing a game controller including: <ul id="ul0005" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>a controller chassis;</li><li>a trigger body pivotally mounted to the controller chassis;</li><li>a strike plate coupled to the actuator body;</li><li>a trigger adjustment system having an arm;</li><li>an actuator adjustment control screw received in a screw thread disposed within said arm; wherein a portion of the trigger adjustment control screw engages with a portion of the strike plate and said portion of the actuator adjustment control screw creates an end stop to limit the actuator movement;</li></ul></li><li>rotating said trigger adjustment control screw to adjust the position of the end stop.</li></ul>

0025Optionally, the game controller includes a removable cover panel, and the method comprises: removing the removable cover panel to gain access to the trigger adjustment control screw.

0026Within the scope of this application it is envisaged and intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples, features and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings may be taken independently or in any combination thereof. For example, features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments unless there is incompatibility of features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0027Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: <ul id="ul0006" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li><figref idref="f0001">FIGURE 1</figref> is a plan view of a controller for a games console;</li><li><figref idref="f0002">FIGURE 2</figref> is a front view of the controller of <figref idref="f0001">Figure 1</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0003">FIGURE 3</figref> is a side view of a controller of <figref idref="f0001">Figure 1</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0004">FIGURE 4</figref> is an exploded side view of the controller of <figref idref="f0001">Figure 1</figref> showing a removable cover portion;</li><li><figref idref="f0005">FIGURE 5</figref> is a perspective view from below of a portion of the controller of <figref idref="f0001">Figure 1</figref> in which the removable cover portion has been removed to expose the trigger mechanism;</li><li><figref idref="f0006">FIGURE 6</figref> is a cross sectional view of the trigger mechanism of <figref idref="f0005">Figure 5</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0007">FIGURE 7</figref> is a cross sectional view of the trigger mechanism of <figref idref="f0005">Figure 5</figref> showing the range of motion of the trigger mechanism in an exemplary implementation of the use of the range of motion;</li><li><figref idref="f0008">FIGURE 8</figref> is a perspective view from below of a portion of the controller of <figref idref="f0001">Figure 1</figref> in which the removable cover portion has been removed to expose a trigger adjustment mechanism according to an embodiment of the invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0009">FIGURE 9A</figref> is an exploded perspective view of the mechanism for adjusting trigger travel motion;</li><li><figref idref="f0009">FIGURE 9B</figref> is a perspective view of the mechanism for adjusting trigger travel motion;</li><li><figref idref="f0010">FIGURE 10</figref> is a cross sectional view of the trigger mechanism of <figref idref="f0005">Figure 5</figref> including the mechanism for adjusting trigger travel motion wherein the trigger body is illustrated in a first position;</li><li><figref idref="f0011">FIGURE 11</figref> is a cross sectional view of the trigger mechanism of <figref idref="f0005">Figure 5</figref> including the mechanism for adjusting trigger travel motion wherein the trigger body is illustrated in a second position; and</li><li><figref idref="f0012">FIGURE 12</figref> is a bottom view of a portion of the controller of <figref idref="f0005">Figure 5</figref> including the removable cover portion.</li></ul>

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

0028Detailed descriptions of specific embodiments of the games controller and its trigger mechanisms are disclosed herein. It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the way in which certain aspects of the invention can be implemented and do not represent an exhaustive list of all of the ways the invention may be embodied. Indeed, it will be understood that the games controller and its trigger mechanisms described herein may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The Figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimised to show details of particular components. Well-known components, materials or methods are not necessarily described in great detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Any specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the invention.

0029Referring to <figref idref="f0001">Figure 1</figref> there is shown a controller 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The controller 1 comprises a mechanism for adjusting trigger travel motion; both the start position and end position of the trigger movement are adjusted by the mechanism.

0030The controller 1 comprises controls that are mounted on the front and top of the controller 1. The controller 1 comprises a left analogue thumb stick 2 and a right analogue thumb stick 3. The left analogue thumb stick 2 and the right analogue thumb stick 3 normally control movement actions and are intended to be operated by the user's left and right thumbs respectively. The controller 1 comprises 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. The controller 1 comprises 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. The controller 1 also comprises a left trigger 6, a right trigger 7, a left bumper 8 and a right bumper 9 located on the front edge of the controller 1. The left and right triggers 6, 7 are typically operated by a user's index or fore fingers. The left and right bumpers 8, 9 may also be operated by a user's index or fore fingers.

0031<figref idref="f0002">Figure 2</figref> illustrates a front view of the controller of <figref idref="f0001">Figure 1</figref>. It can be seen that the left trigger 6 is mounted below the left bumper 8 and the right trigger 7 is mounted below the right bumper 9.

0032Referring now to <figref idref="f0003">Figures 3</figref>, <figref idref="f0004">4</figref> and <figref idref="f0005">5</figref> the controller 1 comprises a removable cover portion 10 which is detachably coupled to a base chassis member 14. The base chassis member 14 is coupled to a top panel 12.

0033The base chassis member 14 and the top panel 12 define a void V in which a printed circuit board (not shown) is located. The printed circuit board comprises control electronics (not shown) to which the controls 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 of the controller 1 are coupled. An inner chassis member (not shown) is provided in the void; the printed circuit board is fixed to the inner chassis member.

0034The base chassis member 14 comprises a cutaway or recess 16 (see <figref idref="f0004">Figure 4</figref>) disposed at a front edge thereof. The recess 16 is adjacent to, or facing at least in part, a rear edge 17 of the left trigger 6. A fixing device 13, in the form of a screw, is disposed in the recess 16 and secures the base chassis member 14 to the top panel 12. Preferably, the printed circuit board and the inner chassis member are disposed between the base chassis member 14 and the top panel 12 and are secured in position by the fixing device 13. The fixing device 13 passes through an aperture or cutaway provided in the recess 16, through apertures in each of the printed circuit board and the inner chassis member, and into a concealed bore defined within the top panel 12 (that is to say, the bore does not pass through the top panel 12).

0035A limb 18 extends from the rear of the left trigger 6 into the void V between the base chassis member 14 and the top panel 12. The limb 18 comprises a magnet 30 (see <figref idref="f0006">Figure 6</figref>) attached thereto. The controller 1 determines or senses the position of the magnet 30 relative to a sensor (not shown) provided on the printed circuit board (or in the void) to determine the position or orientation, or to sense movement of, the left trigger body 6.

0036A front edge 15 of the base chassis member 14 defines an end stop limiting the movement of the left trigger 6. The front edge 15 of the base chassis member 14 may comprise a cushion member 60 to soften the impact of the left trigger body 6 at the end stop. The left trigger 6 is pivotally or rotationally mounted to the inner chassis member or, in alternative embodiments, to the top panel 12. The left trigger 6 is resiliently biased to return to a start position.

0037<figref idref="f0007">Figure 7</figref> illustrates a typical use of the range of motion of the trigger mechanism in a gaming application such as a combat style game. The trigger body 6 has a start position S. The trigger body 6 must be moved through a first zone Dz, a dead zone in which no commands are initiated. Once the trigger body 6 reaches the position C_I a command action is initiated. The trigger body 6 then moves through an active region A_R in which the command actions are carried out. Once the trigger body reaches the position C_T, no further commands are initiated. The trigger body 6 then enters an over-travel zone O_T in which no commands are initiated until the trigger body 6 reaches the end stop E at which point the movement of the trigger body 6 is arrested by the front edge 15 of the base chassis member 14.

0038Referring now to <figref idref="f0008 f0009 f0010 f0011">Figures 8 to 11</figref> there is shown a trigger adjustment system 20 that has a mechanism to allow the end user to control or recalibrate the range of motion of the trigger body of the left trigger 6. It will be appreciated that the trigger body of the right trigger 7 can be controlled or recalibrated by employing a system substantially similar to that described in relation to the left trigger mechanism 6, albeit a mirror image thereof.

0039The trigger adjustment system 20 comprises a base plate 44 in which a bore or aperture 46 is defined. The aperture 46 is configured to receive a fixing device 13 in the form of a screw or bolt. The trigger adjustment system 20 comprises a side wall or riser 48. The riser 48 and the base plate 44 are configured to be received in the recess 16 defined in the base chassis member 14. The trigger adjustment system 20 comprises an arm 50 which extends from the riser 48; preferably the arm 50 extends from an upper end of the riser 48.

0040The arm 50 is arranged such that it extends between the rear edge 17 of the left trigger body 6 and the front edge 15 of the base chassis member 14.

0041The arm 50 comprises an aperture 52 which defines a bore. Optionally, the bore comprises an internal screw thread for receiving a control screw 24, also referred to as a trigger adjustment control screw. In some embodiments, control screw 24 takes the form of a grub screw, in the other embodiments the control screw 24 comprises a head preventing the entire control screw 24 from passing through the arm 50.

0042As shown in <figref idref="f0010">Figure 10</figref>, the control screw 24 adjusts the start position of the trigger body 6 as indicated by direction narrow D1. The control screw 24 can be rotated to adjust the extent to which the control screw 24 passes through the arm 50. The lower end of the control screw 24 is brought into contact with the upper surface of the limb 18. As the control screw 24 is tightened into the aperture 52 the left trigger 6 is pivoted about the pivot point 34 and is prevented from returning to the start position shown in <figref idref="f0006">Figure 6</figref>.

0043The arm 50 comprises a front edge 15A which provides an end stop for the range of motion of the left trigger 6. <figref idref="f0010">Figure 10</figref> illustrates the trigger body 6 in a first position; the first position is an initial start position in which the trigger body 6 is in an undepressed state. The left trigger 6 is resiliently biased by a bias mechanism such as a spring to return to the first position. The front edge 15A is disposed closer to the rear edge 17 of the left trigger 6 than the front edge 15 of the base chassis member 14. In this way the range of motion of the trigger body 6 is reduced or shortened. In this way the trigger adjustment system 20 adjusts the extent to which the left trigger 6 can be depressed by a user. Hence, the degree of rotation of the left trigger 6 about the pivot point 34 is restricted or reduced.

0044<figref idref="f0011">Figure 11</figref> illustrates the trigger body 6 in a second position; the second position is a terminal position in which the trigger body 6 is in a depressed state. The motion, indicated by direction arrow D2, of the trigger body 6 has been arrested or ceased by the front edge 15A of the arm 50. Optionally, the arm 50 comprises a cushion member 56 for softening the impact between the trigger body 6 and the trigger adjustment system 20.

0045In this embodiment the thread for receiving the control screw 24 is cut into the arm 50 of the trigger adjustment system 20. In other embodiments it would be possible to use a threaded insert in the arm 50.

0046Preferably, the position of the left trigger 6 would be adjusted by use of a specified tool that would be provided to turn the control screws 24.

0047One advantage of the present invention is that it allows adjustments to be made to the trigger response; such adjustment could be customised to suit the nature of the video game that is in use at the time of operation and/or the skill of the operator. For example, in combat style games involving a shooting function it is often the case that the trigger needs to be depressed by a certain amount before any command is prompted. The control screw 24 can be adjusted so that the command is prompted within a desired amount of depression of the trigger body 6. This adjustment can be made by using the required tool (for example an Allen key, or hex or star driver, cross head or flat head screwdriver, spanner or wrench) to turn the control screw 24 thereby driving it into or out of the arm 50 by virtue of the threaded insert or screw thread located therewithin.

0048After reaching or passing the command initiation point C_I no further commands are initiated by further movement of the trigger body 6. The width of the arm 50 controls the degree of trigger body depression beyond the command initiation point C_I. The arm 50 restricts the amount of travel available to the trigger body 6. The arm 50 impedes the movement of the trigger body 6, since the rear edge 17 of the trigger body 6 strikes the front edge 15A of the arm 50 or cushion member 56 when present.

0049Such an adjustment to the range of motion of the trigger body 6 would directly relate to the majority of combat style games or other varieties of firing operations in video games.

0050The present invention could find application in a variety of other video game genres but for the simplicity of this disclosure reference is made to combat style games.

0051A further advantage of the present invention is that it minimises the amount of motion an operator's finger must travel, therefore minimising the recovery time after a trigger initiation command has been made, allowing the operator to commence the command prompt again and again more rapidly, or to operate different commands quicker. As the movement that is required to operate commands by depressing the trigger body is reduced, the risks of any related repetitive strain injury acquired due to the repeated movement of the finger when operating the trigger function may be greatly reduced.

0052In one embodiment, as illustrated in <figref idref="f0012">Figure 12</figref>, the cover portion 10 comprises an access device in the form of an aperture 22 or through hole which passes through the cover portion. The aperture 22 is configured such that it aligns with the control screw 24. In this way the operator can insert a tool through the aperture 22 and engage the control screw 24 to adjust the range of movement of the trigger body without the need to remove the cover portion 10. In other embodiments the cover portion 10 clips onto the base chassis member 14 by mechanical clips integrally formed therewith, the clips having a barb at one end to engage with a receiver. The cover portion 10 may be detached to adjust the control screw 24 or to remove trigger adjustment system 20 to restore the full range of motion of the trigger body 6.

0053It will be recognized that as used herein, directional references such as "top", "bottom", "front", "back", "end", "side", "inner", "outer", "upper" and "lower" do not necessarily limit the respective features to such orientation, but may merely serve to distinguish these features from one another.

0054While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, numerous variations and alternative embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.