WO2020049340A1

WO2020049340A1 - Game controller

Info

Publication number: WO2020049340A1
Application number: PCT/IB2018/056814
Authority: WO
Inventors: Adam COE
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-09-06
Filing date: 2018-09-06
Publication date: 2020-03-12
Anticipated expiration: 2021-03-06

Abstract

A game controller for operation with an electronic game. The game controller includes a controller housing that in turn includes an upper housing and a lower housing. The game controller further includes a dedicated button disposed on the lower housing. The dedicated button is movable in at least two dimensions. A game controller with removable thumb sticks also is disclosed, as are embodiments that combine these features.

Description

GAME CONTROLLER

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of The Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to game controllers for use in video or electronic games, for example, using a game console or personal computer.

2. Description of Related Art

[0002] Electronic gaming has become extremely popular. As their popularity has increased and their technological sophistication has improved, games have become highly interactive and in some cases highly competitive. The skills of the user are challenged, e.g., to rapidly recognize a condition and take quick action. The abilities of the user to react quickly and precisely are of critical importance. Correspondingly, an important measure of the quality of a game controller is its amenability to quickly, accurately and reliably translate hand, finger and thumb movements into desired game inputs.

[0003] Modern game controllers typically include a plurality of controls, one form of which includes buttons. Another form of controls typically found on known game controllers involves thumb sticks. In an attempt to increase the user’s ability to input commands to the game console, PC or other gaming platform, some controller designers have added one or more controls to the bottom face of the controller. These bottom-control devices are configured so that the user can depress them with his or her second (middle) or third fingers. Examples of such a bottom-control device are provided in U.S. Patent No. 8,932,135, issued to Adam Coe on January 13, 2015.

[0004] Bottom-control devices as generally described above can enable the user to use otherwise marginally used or unused fingers to significantly add speed or functionality or both. In many known commercial embodiments, however, they have not worked well for certain users, or they have otherwise failed to meet their potential. There have been multiple reasons for this shortcoming, but one of the most important limitations has been the common misalignment between the fingertip on the control and the non-longitudinal force applied by the finger on the control. Such misalignment can be attributable to a number of factors, for example, such as differences in the hand and finger sizes of various users, differences in hand and finger positioning, especially during vigorous game activity or competition, and differences in user hand and finger dynamics.

[0005] Similarly with thumb sticks, they typically are provided in a standard size, regardless of the size of the user or the user’s hand. Therefore, many users whose hands, fingers, reach, etc. are not compatible with the size or configuration of the thumb stick experience impaired difficulty or performance degradation or impairment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] To address these limitations and to advance the art, and in accordance with the purposes of the invention as embodied and broadly described in this document, a game controller is provided for operation with an electronic game. The game controller comprises a controller housing comprising an upper housing and a lower housing. A dedicated button is disposed on the lower housing, and the dedicated button is movable in at least two dimensions. A“dedicated button” or equivalently a“dedicated button device” as these terms are used herein is a discrete action device, button or control that functions only as a discrete action device, button or control, and not as a continuous action control.

[0007] According to another aspect of the invention, a game controller is provided that comprises removable thumb sticks or joysticks. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute an integral part of the specification, illustrate presently preferred embodiments and methods of the invention and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments and methods given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention. Of the drawings:

[0009] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a game controller according to a presently preferred embodiment of one aspect of the invention;

[0010] Fig. 2 is a top or plan view of the game controller shown in Fig. 1 , and shows the upper housing of that controller;

[0011] Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the game controller of Fig. 1 , and shows the lower housing of that controller together with lower housing controls according to a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention;

[0012] Fig. 4 is a front view of the game controller of Fig. 1 , and shows the front or distal housing, including front or shoulder triggers and the lower housing controls of Fig. 3;

[0013] Fig. 5 is a side cross sectional diagram of a dedicated button disposed on the lower housing of the game controller shown in Fig. 1 ;

[0014] Fig. 6 is a top view of the dedicated button and lower housing shown in Fig. 5 ;

[0015] Fig. 7 is another side cross sectional cutaway view of the dedicated button and lower housing of the game controller shown in Fig. 5;

[0016] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a dedicated button used in the game controller of Figs. 1-4;

[0017] Fig. 9 is a bottom view of a game controller according to another presently preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0018] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of two dedicated buttons with associated paddles for the game controller shown in Fig. 9; and

[0019] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a game controller according to a presently preferred embodiment of another aspect of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION,

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS AND METHODS

[0020] Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments and methods of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the drawings. It should be noted, however, that the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative devices and methods and illustrative examples shown and described in this section in connection with the preferred embodiments and methods. The invention according to its various aspects is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the attached claims read in view of this specification, and appropriate equivalents.

[0021] A game controller 10 according to a presently preferred embodiment of one aspect of the invention is shown in Figs. 1-4. Game controller 10 may be configured to be used with one or more of the various popular game platforms, e.g., such as Nintendo’s Switch, Microsoft’s Xbox, Sony’s PlayStation, and the like. These platforms may comprise dedicated game consoles, personal computers (PCs), mobile devices, hand-held games, and the like. In this illustrative but presently preferred embodiment, game controller 10 is designed for use with a Microsoft Xbox game console, although the console is not shown in the drawing figures. [0022] Game controller 10 comprises a housing 12 that in turn comprises an upper housing l2a, a lower housing l2b, a front or distal housing l2c, a base or proximal housing l2d, a right side housing l2e, and a left side housing l2f. Housing 12 also includes a power housing l2g that houses a power source for the controller, such as a battery pack (not shown). In this embodiment, housing 12 comprises a contoured but continuous set of surfaces, and each of these housing components l2a-f represents a section, region or portion of it.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 1, upper housing l2a may be considered the top of the controller as one would typically hold it during normal use. The user of the controller would grip it in a manner typical of this type of controller, i.e., with the user’s right hand gripping right side housing l2e and his or her left hand gripping left side housing l2f. The user’s thumb normally would be positioned on or about the right-hand portion of upper housing l2a generally adjacent to right side housing l2e, and the left thumb would be positioned on or about the left-hand portion of upper housing l2a generally adjacent to left side housing l2f.

[0024] Lower housing l2b is opposite upper housing l2a. It may be considered the bottom of the controller as one would typically hold it during normal use. When held by a user in normal operation, the fingertips of the user’s third and fourth fingers typically would contact or be proximate to the surface of lower housing l2b.

[0025] Incidentally, as to finger or digit designations as used in this document, the first finger or digit refers to the finger adjacent to the thumb, sometimes referred to as the index finger; the second finger or digit refers to the finger adjacent to the first finger, sometimes referred to as the middle finger; the third finger refers to the finger adjacent to the second finger distal from the thumb, sometimes referred to in U.S. colloquialism to the ring finger; and the fourth finger is the finger most distal from the thumb, sometimes referred to in U.S. colloquialism as the little finger.

[0026] Front or distal housing l2c is the portion or region of housing 12 that constitutes the front surface of the controller, distal from the user, conventionally where the triggers or shoulder controls are positioned. The user’s index fingers typically are positioned at the front housing and are used to operate controls on this surface, for example, such as triggers.

[0027] Base or proximal housing l2d is the portion or region of controller 10 that is proximate the user and opposite front housing l2c. This surface may receive the cable from the gaming console, PC, etc. for wired controllers.

[0028] Game controller 10 includes multiple input devices or controls that the user can selectively actuate or disengage to communicate commands, responses or other inputs to the console. Examples of such input devices include thumb sticks or joysticks and buttons.

Joysticks as noted above typically are used to control continuous actions, such as steering, running, pointing, aiming and the like. Buttons typically are used to control discrete actions, such as firing a weapon, kicking, throwing a punch, jumping, and the like. The specific functioning of each of these controls may vary from game or application to game or application. They also may be programmed or customized.

[0029] There have been instances in which a thumb stick or joystick includes a dual function feature of being usable as a continuous action control and also as functioning in a discrete action or button role. An example would be a joystick that can be depressed to actuate as a button or switch. A discrete action device, button or control that functions only as a discrete action device, button or control, and not as a continuous action control, is referred to herein as a

“dedicated button” or a“dedicated button device.” [0030] A number of these inputs are disposed on the upper housing. These include a right analog joystick 14, a left analog joystick 16, a 4-way directional control pad 18, four “action” buttons l20a-d, and a toggle switch 22. Each of these input devices in this embodiment is“disposed on” upper housing l2a in that it is affixed on or more typically extends through the surface of housing l2a and can be pressed, moved or otherwise actuated by the user at the exterior surface of housing l2a.

[0031] Right joystick 14 is positioned on upper housing l2a adjacent to right side housing l2e so it can be controlled by the user’s right hand, and more specifically in most applications, by the user’s right thumb. Left analog joystick 16 is positioned on upper housing l2a at the corner defined by the left side and the front or distal side, corresponding to left side housing l2f and front or distal side l2c. Joystick 16 is located on upper housing l2a so it can be controlled by the user’s left hand, and more specifically in most applications, by the user’s left thumb.

[0032] The 4- way directional control pad 18 is disposed on upper housing l2a proximate to left joystick 16 so it can be controlled by the user’s left hand, and more specifically in most applications by the user’s left thumb. Control pads such as pad 18 generally are used for navigating menus directionally. Some games, however, utilize such pads for game features. Fighting games such as Street Fighter require the directional pad to input directions or movements in the game. The pad’s design allows users to quickly press up, down, left, or right and sometimes in combination with other buttons, to perform complex macros for fighting games.

[0033] The four“action” buttons 20a-d are disposed on upper housing l2a at the corner defined by the intersection of right side housing l2e and front or distal housing l2c, proximate to right joystick 14. These actions buttons are commonly designated as“X”,“Y”,“A” and“B”, respectively, in various commercially-available game controllers. . The action buttons also are used for navigating game menus, but are mainly for performing actions in a game such as jumping, reloading, switching weapons, and many other actions, depending on game.

[0034] Toggle switch 22 is an electrical switch manually set by the user to activate or deactivate a selective one or ones of the other inputs of game controller 10. Further information and details regarding this toggle switch are provided in U.S. Patent No. 8,932,135 (Coe), the entire contents of which are incorporated herein as if fully set forth herein.

[0035] Front or distal housing l2c also includes inputs or controls in the form of a set of triggers. More specifically, a pair of right triggers 24 comprising top right trigger 24a and bottom right trigger 24b is disposed on the right side of front housing l2c, and a pair of left triggers 26 comprising top left trigger 26a and bottom left trigger 26b is disposed on the right side of front housing l2c. The user typically uses index fingers to operate the controls on this surface.

[0036] In accordance with this aspect of the invention, the game controller comprises one or more dedicated buttons disposed on the lower housing, wherein the one or more lower housing dedicated buttons are movable in at least two dimensions, and preferably in three dimensions.

[0037] The term“dimension” in this context warrants some discussion and explanation. The term is used in this document according to its common and ordinary meaning, but with the following clarifications. Button controls on known game controllers often use a pin plunger-type switch or piston-type design in which a shaft is slidably contained in a cylindrical housing. The shaft is biased upwardly so that the switch is normally off. When a user depresses the shaft to actuate the control, the shaft is pushed downwardly in the cylindrical housing, whereupon the bottom end of the shaft closes an electrical contact and allows current to flow through the switch, thus turning it on. The direction of this movement of the shaft within the cylindrical housing, along the longitudinal axis of the cylinder, constitutes a dimension. In known pin plunger designs, the cylindrical housing is rigidly affixed to the controller via its internal structure, often being disposed on a printed circuit board.

[0038] Such designs are limited, for example, in that the user’s finger during controller use rarely is properly aligned with this longitudinal dimension so that the force applied by the user’s fingertip is collinear with it. As noted herein above, misalignment may be caused by such factors as differences in the hand and finger sizes of various users, differences in hand and finger positioning, especially during vigorous game activity or competition, and differences in user hand and finger dynamics. This misalignment causes a tangential or non-axial force to be applied to the shaft, for example, which causes the shaft to be pressed against the interior walls of the cylindrical housing and to experience frictional or even tangential bending forces on the shaft.

[0039] Lower housing dedicated buttons are controls that are movable in at least two dimensions mitigate or overcome these limitations by enabling the input device to be movable in two or more dimensions. This enables the dedicated button, or a component or components of it, to move into alignment with the user’s fingertip and thereby reduce or eliminate these frictional or bending forces. Examples of such movable dedicated buttons would include, without limitation, movable switch housings, wherein the entire switch assembly is movable; movable cylindrical housings; flexible, bendable, rotatable or jointed shafts; and so on.

[0040] Designs that provide this feature of movement in two or more dimensions may vary. Similarly, the dimensions of movement also may vary. As in standard geometric or trigonometric analysis, there are multiple coordinate systems that may define or describe a three- dimensional space, e.g., rectilinear coordinate systems (e.g., x, y and z), spherical coordinate systems (e.g., r, al, a2 where as to the individual dimensions r is radius, al is longitude and a2 is latitude), cylindrical coordinate systems (e.g., r, Q, L where as to the individual dimensions r is cylinder radius, Q is the angle in the radial plane, and L is the position along the longitudinal axis of the radial plane), and others. This same variation of coordinate systems and corresponding dimensions may apply.

[0041] To illustrate the optional range of movements that the lower housing dedicated buttons may be designed to provide in various applications according to this aspect of the invention, Fig. 5 shows a side cross sectional view of the lower housing (inverted for clarity of illustration) with a dedicated button (button 30 or 32) disposed on the surface. A longitudinal line L passes vertically through the button 30/32. Button 30/32 includes a post or shaft 30a/32a that is centered about longitudinal line L. In addition to the ability of post 30a/32a to move up and down along longitudinal line L (a first dimension), button 30/32 (e.g., the entire button or post within the button), is able to move in a lateral direction or dimension indicated by arrows Lat.

[0042] Fig. 6 shows a top cross sectional view of button 30/32 with post 30a/32a disposed on lower housing l2b. An orthogonal set of reference axes x and y centered on longitudinal axis L is provided, as is a reference circle C centered on longitudinal axis L. The dimension of movement indicated in Fig. 5 could be along the line in Fig. 6 corresponding to the 0° to 180° or x axis, or it could be along the line in Fig. 6 corresponding to the 90° to 270° or y axis, or any similar line that passes through the longitudinal axis L. Optionally but preferably, dedicated button 30/32 is movable in three dimensions, for example, so that in addition to moving longitudinally it can move within the circle C of Fig. 6. [0043] In preferred embodiments there is a maximum angle Q to which the angular movement of button 30/32 or post 30a/32a can extend. This is illustrated in Fig. 7 by the outer envelope defined by cone Cmax. Fig. 7 shows dedicated button 30/32 including post 30a/32a on lower housing l2b. Longitudinal axis L passes through the center of the button and post. Outer line M corresponds to the maximum angle 0 to which button 30/32 and/or post 30a/32a may traverse. In Fig. 7, outer line M has been rotated 360° about axis L, thus constructing reference cone Cmax that represents the envelope of angles relative to longitudinal axis L through which button 30/32 and/or post 30a/32a may move. One may note incidentally that the conical shape assumes that the maximum angular range is relatively uniform or symmetrical about the longitudinal axis L. If this assumption does not hold, a surface still may be constructed but it would not be conical.

[0044] It should be noted that the angular range of movement of the button 30/32 and/or post 30a/32a is not limited only to the single linear dimension suggested by Fig. 5 or to the full 360° range or envelope shown in Figs. 6 and 7. Rather, the range and its corresponding envelope may assume any one of a variety of shapes, depending on the freedoms and restrictions of angular movement that may be assumed for a given application or design objective. Restrictions on such movement may be achieved, for example, by button or post design, by physical obstacle or obstruction, e.g., from use of a shoulder that restricts movement, and the like.

[0045] It should be noted that the movability in two or more dimensions in input devices according to this aspect of the invention does not include movements that are limited to the de minimus movements associated with the natural physical variation or so-called“play” in devices of this type attributable to the natural limitations on the rigidity, flexibility, unwanted stretching, deformation or wear of the materials such as the shaft of cylindrical housing wall at its opening, etc. Such de minimus and often unintended movement can be difficult or expensive and often impractical to eliminate, but generally is limited in scope.

[0046] This angular range of play may be illustrated by the reference cone Cp in Fig. 7. Cone Cp is constructed by joining the lines representing the angles of play for the button or post. Assuming a relatively uniform or symmetric angle of play about the longitudinal axis L, rotation of these lines of play 360° about the longitudinal axis L yields cone Cp.

[0047] For shaft or post 30a or 32a in cylindrical housing-type or pin plunger-type designs, for example, the shaft deflection from such natural play normally would not exceed, for example, about 3 to 5 degrees of angular deflection relative to the longitudinal axis. In designs according to this aspect of the invention, movement of the input device (including component movement where it is the component that moves) would be an intended movement (as opposed to play, which is usually unintended) to partially or fully compensate for the aforementioned misalignment, and thus would be greater than these natural variations or play. The amount of natural movement or play in a fixedly disposed input device with a single-dimension design, such as the pin plunger design discussed above, may be measured or estimated by calculation. That being the case, the movement range or movability of the input device (including component movement) according to this aspect of the invention is greater than this measured or estimated play for a given type of design. More preferably, the intended movement or movement range associated with this aspect of the invention is significantly greater than the natural play of the type of switch involved, which in this context“significantly” meaning at least 20 percent greater than the natural play, and more preferably at least 30 percent greater. As noted, a typical pin plunger switch may have play of about 3 to 5 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis, whereas optionally but preferably the maximum range of angular movement for the switch in presently preferred embodiments would be in the range of 15 to 30 degrees, and more preferably 20 to 25 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis.

[0048] Similarly, the angular movement of the dedicated button (or component (e.g., post) angular movement where it is the component that moves) according to this aspect of the invention extends beyond the range of the de minimus radial movements associated with elongated paddle designs with fixed pin plunger switches under the paddle. To explain, there are known game controllers that include controls on the bottom portion of the housing wherein the control comprises an elongated paddle. One end of the paddle is rotatably affixed to the controller housing by an axle, and the other end is disposed at a location near the user’s second or third fingertip position so that the user can actuate the control by depressing that adjacent end. A pin plunger essentially as described herein above with regard to known devices is disposed under the elongated paddle with the shaft of the pin plunger positioned orthogonally with respect to the paddle so that the distal end of the shaft contacts or is adjacent to the bottom surface of the paddle. When the user depresses the paddle, the bottom surface of the paddle contacts and depresses the shaft, thereby causing the shaft to move longitudinally in the cylindrical housing. The proximal end of the shaft (proximal to the contact point at the bottom of the cylindrical housing) comes into contact with the electrical contact and thereby actuates the switch. In this known design, given the hinged design of the elongated paddle, the distal end of the paddle, upon which the user’s fingertip touches, moves in a slightly radial arc, the radius being the distance from the hinge or axle to the point of the fingertip contact at the distal end of the paddle. Given the typically very short distance of movement for the distal end of the paddle where the user’s fingertip contacts it relative to the radial length of the elongated paddle, this arc has an extremely small, de minimus radial or non-linear curvature to it. The angular range of the dedicated buttons and movable components such as posts according to this aspect of the invention extend beyond these extremely limited non-linear ranges associated with the slight radial movement of such hinged elongated paddle designs.

[0049] As embodied in game controller 10, a movable input device in the form of a right lower dedicated button 30 is disposed on the right side of lower housing l2b, and a left lower dedicated button 32 is disposed on the left side of lower housing l2b, as shown, for example, in Fig. 3. Right and left lower dedicated buttons 30 and 32 are substantially identical in their design, construction and operation, and differ materially only in their locations on lower housing l2b. With reference to Fig. 8, each button comprises a switch body 30b/32b and pin, post, column, or the like, referred to herein for convenience as a post 30a/32a. Post 30a/32a is movably disposed in a cylindrical support that is part of switch body 32b. Switch body 30b/32b is fixedly disposed with respect to controller 10, and more specifically in this embodiment, is fixedly disposed on a printed circuit board (not shown) in the interior of the housing 12 that serves as the sole or main board for the controller.

[0050] A contact surface in the form of a paddle 30c/32c is disposed on the distal end of the post with respect to lower housing l2b.

[0051] In use, the user may rest his or her second or third fingers on the paddles 30c and 32c. Because those paddles are angularly mobile, they will align with the user’s fingers as they are placed on or rest on the paddles. When the user depresses one or both of the paddles 30c and 32c, the angular movement of the paddles allows the post 30a and/or 32a to remain aligned with the cylindrical cavity in switch body 30b and/or 32b.

[0052] A game controller 100 according to another presently preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention will now be described. Game controller 100 is similar in all material respects to game controller 10 as previously shown and described herein above and in the previously discussed drawing figures. It differs only in that controller 100 comprises two pairs of lower housing dedicated buttons, with one pair on each side (right and left) of the controller, as opposed to the single right and left lower housing dedicated buttons of controller 10. This is illustrated in Fig. 9, which includes right dedicated buttons 130-1 and 130-2, and left dedicated buttons 132-1 and 132-2. Each of these dedicated buttons is identical in design, construction and operation as dedicated buttons 30 and 32. the buttons are disposed on lower housing 112b in the vicinity of base or proximal housing 1 l2d. Fig. 10 illustrates the components and

interconnections of buttons 130-1 and 130-2, which in view of the identical design of these buttons with buttons 132-1 and 132-2, describe them as well. Button 130-1 comprises switch body l30-lb and paddle l30-lc, and button 130-2 comprises switch body l30-2b and paddle l30-2c. These are identical to switch body 30b and 32b and to paddles 30c and 32c, respectively. Paddle l30-lc is shown turned partially over, whereas paddle l30-2c is oriented in its upright position suitable for mating with switch body l32-b, as indicated by the dashed lines in Fig. 10.

[0053] The operation of controller 100 is essentially the same as for controller 10. They differ in that the pairs of dedicated buttons permit the user to place his or her second fingers on the first of each pair of buttons and his or her third fingers on the second of each pair of buttons. This can provide more gaming input, faster response time, flexible response or input options, and other benefits. Note that the finger configuration as described here is not limiting, and that other finger placements may be used.

[0054] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a game controller 200 according to a presently preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention will now be described. Game controller 200 includes the same housing 12 (here designated 212) as controller 10, including its housing components as described above. Controller 200 also includes the same device inputs or controls, including the 4- way directional control pad 18, action buttons 20, and trigger buttons 24 and 26 (here designated 218, 220, 224 and 226, respectively). Controller 200 need not, and in this illustrative embodiment does not, include the lower housing dedicated buttons, such as buttons 30 and 32. Controller 200 includes thumb sticks in the same locations as joysticks 14 and 16, but the thumb sticks in this embodiment differ, for example, in that they are removable, as more fully shown in the drawing figures and described herein below.

[0055] Game controller 200 is shown in perspective view in Fig. 11. In addition to the components noted above, controller 200 includes a right thumb stick base, socket or assembly post 214a, a left thumb stick base, socket or assembly post 216a, at least one removable right thumb stick 214b, and at least one removable left thumb stick 216b.

[0056] Thumb sticks according to presently preferred embodiments of the invention differ from known thumb sticks, for example, in the shape of the bell or base of thumb stick. By reducing their size, the user can remove the thumb stick quickly by hand by pulling it off of the thumb stick assembly post. Since the bell of the stick is the same size as the PS4 and XB1 faceplates, it is universal and can be used on both first party controllers. Other competitors’ designs do not reduce the bell size, rather focusing on how to remove and reattach the thumb sticks. This has caused designs like magnetized thumb stick tops that secure themselves to the thumb stick bell base, or thumb stick tops that physically snap into the bell base, or scuf design in which the user must remove a plastic ring that is on the faceplate around the thumb stick so that you can expose the thumb stick assembly to replace it and then secure the plastic ring around it for it to function. [0057] In presently preferred embodiments, three thumb sticks are provided for each thumb stick socket, each having a different length with respect to the other two for that socket. Longer thumb sticks, which correspondingly extend higher from the upper housing when installed, generally provide more sensitivity and control. Shorter thumb sticks generally provide better extended or long-term control, for example, when the game involves pointing at or following a target, accurately moving positions, and so on. Thumb sticks also can be customized, for example, by tailoring them to the user’s specific hand size, hand positioning, style of play, and so on.

[0058] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a game controller 300 according to a presently preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention will now be described. Game controller 300 is identical in all material respects to game controller 100 as shown in the drawing figures and previously described, but combines or integrates the removable thumb sticks of game controller 200. Game controller 300 is shown in Fig. 9, which illustrates the lower housing of the controller comprising dedicated buttons 130-1, 130-2, 132-1 and 132-2, and in Fig. 11, which in this combined or integrated configuration, depicts the upper housing of the controller 300.

[0059] Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative devices and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described.

Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A game controller for operation with an electronic game, the game controller comprising:

a controller housing comprising an upper housing and a lower housing; and

a dedicated button disposed on the lower housing, the dedicated button being movable in at least two dimensions.