U.S. patent application number 13/414862 was filed with the patent office on 2013-04-18 for game controller and mobile computer thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is ZHEN-WEI XU. Invention is credited to ZHEN-WEI XU.
Application Number | 20130095925 13/414862 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48061715 |
Filed Date | 2013-04-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130095925 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
XU; ZHEN-WEI |
April 18, 2013 |
GAME CONTROLLER AND MOBILE COMPUTER THEREOF
Abstract
A mobile computer includes a housing, an electrical connector
located on the housing and a game controller. The game controller
is detachably connected to housing and includes a main body, a
connection assembly and a connector. The connection assembly is
rotatably connected to the main body. The connector is located
within the connection assembly, and is electrically connected to
the electrical connector of the mobile computer, the game
controller is rotatably connected to the mobile computer through
the connection assembly, and the game controller communicates with
the mobile computer through the connector and the electrical
connector.
Inventors: |
XU; ZHEN-WEI; (Shenzhen
City, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
XU; ZHEN-WEI |
Shenzhen City |
|
CN |
|
|
Assignee: |
HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO.,
LTD.
Tu-Cheng
TW
HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD.
Shenzhen City
CN
|
Family ID: |
48061715 |
Appl. No.: |
13/414862 |
Filed: |
March 8, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/37 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/169 20130101;
A63F 13/24 20140902; G06F 1/206 20130101; G06F 1/182 20130101; A63F
13/92 20140902; G06F 3/01 20130101; G06F 1/1626 20130101; A63F
2300/1043 20130101; G06F 1/1656 20130101; A63F 13/98 20140902; G06F
1/203 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/37 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 12, 2011 |
CN |
201110308157.7 |
Claims
1. A game controller comprising: a main body comprising: a
plurality of keys arranged on the main body; a connection assembly
for rotatably connecting to a mobile computer having an electrical
connector; and a connector located within the connection assembly,
wherein when the connector of the game controller is electrically
connected to electrical connector of the mobile computer, the main
body is electrically connected to the mobile computer through the
connection assembly, and can be rotated into a desired angle
relative to the mobile computer, and the plurality of keys output
signals to the mobile computer through the connector and the
electrical connector.
2. The game controller as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main body
further comprises a handle and a fan located in the main body, the
plurality of keys are arranged on the surface of the handle, the
handle defines a ventilating slot far away from the keys to receive
the fan.
3. The game controller as claimed in claim 2, wherein the main body
further comprises a plurality of operation buttons and a plurality
of air inlets at the surface of the handle opposite to the
plurality of keys, the plurality of air inlets communicate with the
ventilating slot to provide air entrance or intake for the fan, and
the plurality of operation buttons control and adjust the
rotational speed of the fan.
4. The game controller as claimed in claim 2, wherein the
connection assembly comprises a plug and a strip, the plug is
detachably connected to the mobile computer to achieve electrical
communication between the game control and the mobile computer, the
strip is flexibly connected to one end of the handle, the plug is
fixed on the strip, when is electrically connected to the mobile
computer, the connection assembly is mechanically connected to the
mobile computer, and the game controllers can be bent into a
desired angle relative to the mobile computer along the strip.
5. The game controller as claimed in claim 4, wherein when the plug
is inserted in the mobile computer, and is aligned with the
ventilating slot, the air flow from the fan enters inside the
mobile computer via the plug and the ventilating slot to expel warm
air from inside the mobile computer and draw cooler air into the
mobile computer; when the main body rotates along the strip to a
desired angle relative to the mobile computer, the plug is
electrically connected between the game controller and the mobile
computer, and the game controller is implemented as bracket to
support and secure the mobile computer in a manner convenient for
viewing the mobile computer.
6. The game controller as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a
control system, wherein the control system comprises a
microcontroller, a motor driver and a motor electrically connected
to the fan, the motor driver is electrically connected between the
microcontroller and the motor, the motor driver transmits power to
the motor to control and adjust the rotational speed of the motor
under the control of the microcontroller, the motor imparts motion
or power to the fan to control and adjust the rotational speed of
the fan, and the dust in the ventilating slot and the mobile
computer is conducted and expelled out.
7. The game controller as claimed in claim 6, wherein the control
system further comprises a first sensor and a second sensor which
are electrically connected the microcontroller, the first sensor is
positioned in the handle and uses to measure the strain upon the
handle due to applied pressure, the first sensor sends a control
signal to the microcontroller due to pressure on the handle, the
microcontroller controls the motor to activate the fan to output
air flow to the mobile computer, the second sensor is positioned in
the mobile computer, and measures current temperature inside the
mobile computer, and the microcontroller controls and adjusts the
rotational speed of the fan according to the current temperate
inside the mobile computer.
8. A mobile computer comprising: a housing; an electrical connector
located on the housing; and a game controller detachably connected
to housing, the game controller comprising: a main body; a
connection assembly rotatably connected to the main body; and a
connector located within the connection assembly, wherein the
connector is electrically connected to the electrical connector of
the mobile computer, the main body is electrically connected to the
mobile computer through the connection assembly and is rotated into
a desired angle relative to the housing, and the game controller
communicates with the mobile computer through the connector and the
electrical connector.
9. The mobile computer as claimed in claim 8, wherein the housing
defines a mounting slot corresponding to the game controller, the
mounting slot defines a ventilation hole adjacent to the electrical
connector, the electrical connector is a universal serial bus (USB)
port and is received in the mounting hole and is electrically
connected to internal circuits of the mobile computer, and the
housing further defines a plurality of air outlets at the side of
the housing far away from a corresponding mounting slot.
10. The mobile computer as claimed in claim 8, wherein the main
body comprises a handle and a fan, the handle comprises a plurality
of keys arranged on the surface of the handle, the main body
defines a ventilating slot far away from the keys, and the fan is
received within the ventilating slot.
11. The mobile computer as claimed in claim 10, wherein the main
body further comprises a plurality of operation buttons and a
plurality of air inlets at the surface of the handle opposite to
the plurality of keys, the plurality of air inlets communicate with
the ventilating slot to provide air entrance for the fan, and the
plurality of operation buttons control and adjust the rotational
speed of the fan.
12. The mobile computer as claimed in claim 9, wherein the
connection assembly comprises a plug and a strip, the plug is
detachably inserted and connected to the mounting slot of the
mobile controller to achieve electrical communication between the
game controllers and the mobile computer, and the strip is flexibly
connected to one end of the handle, the plug is fixed on the strip,
when is electrically connected to the mobile computer, the
connection assembly is mechanically connected to the mobile
computer, and the game controllers can be bent into a desired angle
relative to the mobile computer along the strip.
13. The mobile computer as claimed in claim 12, wherein when the
plug is inserted in the mounting slot and is aligned with the
ventilating slot, the air flow from the fan enters inside the
mobile computer via the plug and the ventilating slot to expel warm
air from inside the mobile computer and draw cooler air into the
mobile computer; when the main body rotates along the strip to a
desired angle relative to the mobile computer, the plug is
electrically connected between the game controller and the mobile
computer, and the game controller is implemented as bracket to
support and secure the mobile computer in a manner convenient for
viewing the mobile computer.
14. The mobile computer as claimed in claim 10, further comprising
a control system, wherein the control system comprises a
microcontroller, a motor driver and a motor electrically connected
to the fan, the motor driver is electrically connected between the
microcontroller and the motor, the motor driver transmits power to
the motor to control and adjust the rotational speed of the motor
under the control of the microcontroller, the motor imparts motion
or power to the fan to control and adjust the rotational speed of
the fan, and the dust in the ventilating slot and the mobile
computer is conducted and expelled out.
15. The mobile computer as claimed in claim 14, wherein the control
system further comprises a first sensor and a second sensor
electrically connected the microcontroller, the first sensor is
positioned in the handle and uses piezoelectric effect to measure
the strain upon the handle due to applied pressure, the first
sensor sends a control signal to the microcontroller due to applied
pressure on the handle, the microcontroller controls the motor to
activate the fan to output air flow to the mobile computer, the
second sensor is positioned in the mobile computer, and measures
current temperature inside the mobile computer, and the
microcontroller controls and adjusts the rotational speed of the
fan according to the current temperate inside the mobile
computer.
16. A mobile computer, comprising: a housing defining a mounting
slot defined at one side thereof; an electrical connector port
located within the mounting slot; a game controller detachably
connected to the housing, and comprising: a main body; a connection
assembly connected between the main body and the housing, the
connection assembly comprising: a strip flexibly connected to the
main body; and a plug connected to the strip; and a connector
located within the plug, wherein the plug is detachably inserted to
the mounting slot, the connector is electrically connected to the
electrical connector of the mobile computer, and the game
controller communicates with the mobile computer through the
connector and the electrical connector, the main body is rotatably
connected to the housing through the connection assembly, when the
main body is bent to a predetermined angle relative to the housing,
the game controller is used as a bracket to support and secure the
mobile computer.
17. The mobile computer as claimed in claim 16, wherein the
mounting slot defines a ventilating hole adjacent to the electrical
connector, the electrical connector is electrically connected to
internal circuits of the mobile computer, and the housing further
defines a plurality of air outlets at the side of the housing far
away from a corresponding mounting slot, and the main body
comprises a handle and a fan, the main body defines a ventilating
slot far away from the keys, and the fan is received within the
ventilating slot.
18. The mobile computer as claimed in claim 17, wherein the main
body further comprises a plurality of air inlets on the surface of
the main body, the plurality of air inlets communicate with the
ventilating slot to provide air entrance for the fan, when the plug
inserts into the mounting slot and is aligned with the ventilating
slot, the air flow from the fan enters inside the mobile computer
via the plug and the ventilating slot to expel warm air from inside
the mobile computer and draw cooler air into the mobile
computer.
19. The mobile computer as claimed in claim 17, further comprising
a control system, wherein the control system comprises a
microcontroller, a motor driver and a motor electrically connected
to the fan, the motor driver is electrically connected between the
microcontroller and the motor, the motor driver transmits power to
the motor to control and adjust the rotational speed of the motor
under the control of the microcontroller, the motor imparts motion
or power to the fan to control and adjust the rotational speed of
the fan, and the dust in the ventilating slot and the mobile
computer is conducted and expelled out.
20. The mobile computer as claimed in claim 19, wherein the control
system further comprises a first sensor and a second sensor
electrically connected to the microcontroller, the first sensor is
positioned in the handle and uses piezoelectric effect to measure
the strain upon the handle due to applied pressure, the first
sensor sends a control signal to the microcontroller due to applied
pressure on the handle, the microcontroller controls the motor to
activate the fan to output air flow to the mobile computer, the
second sensor is positioned in the mobile computer, and measures
current temperature inside the mobile computer, and the
microcontroller controls and adjusts the rotational speed of the
fan according to the current temperate inside the mobile computer.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Technical field
[0002] The disclosure generally relates to a game controller and a
mobile computer employing the game controller.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Mobile computers such as tablet computers or tablets are
widely used and are operable to play games, send e-mails, and edit
images by a touch screen and a virtual keyboard. For example, touch
function of the tablet computer makes navigation easier than the
use of keyboard and mouse when users are playing games. However,
when the users need to frequently operate the touch screen or the
virtual keypad, the fingers of the users may block part of the
screen of the tablet computer, thus, affecting the viewing and
operating experience.
[0005] Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Many aspects of a game controller and a mobile computer
thereof can be better understood with reference to the following
drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn
to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly
illustrating the principles of the game controller and mobile
computer thereof. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference
numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several
views. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used
throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like elements of an
embodiment.
[0007] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an assembled mobile computer
including two game controllers, according to an exemplary
embodiment of the disclosure.
[0008] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the mobile computer shown in
FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 1, but viewed from another
angle.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a block view of a control system of the game
controller shown in FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the mobile computer, showing
the game controllers rotated to a suitable position for support the
mobile computer.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an assembled mobile computer
200 including two game controllers 100, according to an embodiment
of the disclosure. In the embodiment, the two game controllers 100
can be detachably assembled to opposite sides of a housing 220 of
the mobile computer 200. Each game control 100 can be rotated to a
suitable angle or position relative to the housing 220 for holding
the mobile computer 200 and forming a desired viewing angle.
[0013] Referring to FIG. 2, the housing 220 defines two mounting
slots 210 at opposite sides thereof corresponding to the game
controllers 100. A USB port 230 and a ventilation hole 250 adjacent
to the USB port 230 are defined in each mounting slot 210. The USB
port 230 is electrically connected to internal circuits in the
mobile computer 200. The game controllers 100 are electrically and
mechanically connected to the mobile computer 200 through the USB
port 230. The housing 220 further defines a number of spaced air
outlets 270 at each side of the housing 220 far away from a
corresponding mounting slot 210.
[0014] Each game controller 100 can be used to control an object or
a playable character in the mobile computer 200. Each game
controller 100 includes a main body 10 and a connection assembly
30. The main body 10 includes a handle 11 and a fan 15 located
within the main body 10. In order to facilitate operators to hold
and operate the game controller 100, the handle 11 has a
substantially convex curved shape or the like, and defines a curved
groove 17.
[0015] The handle 11 can be a game pad and used to provide input. A
number of keys 111 are arranged on the handle 11. The handle 11 can
further be combined with one or more omnidirectional control sticks
or buttons. A ventilating slot 131 is defined in the handle 11 far
away from the keys 111. The fan 15 is detachably received within
the ventilating slot 131.
[0016] Referring to FIG. 3, the main body 10 defines a plurality of
air inlets 16 at the other surface of the handle 11 opposite to the
keys 111. The air inlets 16 communicate with the ventilating slot
131 to provide air flow for the fan 15. The main body 10 further
includes a plurality of operation buttons 19 that are used to
control the fan 15 such as turning on/off, and rotational
speed.
[0017] The connection assembly 30 include a plug 31 and a strip 33.
The plug 31 can be inserted in the mounting slot 210 of the mobile
controller 200 to electrically connect the game controllers 100 to
the mobile computer 200. The strip 33 is flexibly connected to one
end of the handle 11, and the plug 31 is fixed on the strip 33. In
this embodiment, the strip 33 can be made of flexible material that
can bend or deform into a suitable shape and angle and maintain the
deformed shape. Thus, when the plug 31 is inserted into the
mounting slot 210, the main body 10 can connect the housing 220
through the flexible strip 33, the game controller 100 can be bent
into a desired angle relative to the mobile computer 200 along the
strip 33.
[0018] When the plug 31 inserts into the mounting slot 210 of the
mobile computer 200, and the two game controllers 100 and the
mobile computer 200 are coplanar. The plug 31 is aligned with the
ventilating slot 131, and the fan 15 provides air flow that enters
inside the mobile computer 200 through the plug 31 and the
ventilating slot 131, to draw cooler air into the mobile computer
200 and remove warm air from inside.
[0019] Referring to FIG.5, when the main bodies 10 rotate along the
strip 33 to desired angles (e.g., 90 degrees) relative to the
mobile computer 200, the two game controllers 100 can be
implemented as two brackets to support and secure the mobile
computer 200.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a block view of a control system 50 of the game
controller 100. The control system 50 includes a microcontroller
51, a USB connector 52, a motor driver 53, a motor 54, a first
sensor 55, and a second sensor 56. The keys 111, the operation
buttons 19, the USB connector 52, the motor driver 53, the first
sensor 55, and the second sensor 56 are electrically connected to
the microcontroller 51.
[0021] The microcontroller 51 is a multipurpose and programmable
device that can accept and process input signals, and provide
results as output to control the connected peripheral devices, such
as the USB connector 52, the motor driver 53, the first sensor 55,
and the second sensor 56. The USB connector 52 is received within
the plug 31, and is electrically connected to the internal circuits
of the mobile computer 200 through the USP port 230. Thus, the
mobile computer 200 can transmit various instructions and receive
input signals from the game controllers 100.
[0022] The motor driver 53 is electrically connected to the fan 15
through the motor 54. The motor driver 53 can transmit power to the
motor 54 to control and adjust the rotational speed of the motor 54
under the control of the microcontroller 51. The motor 54 can
produce or impart motion or power to the fan 15 to control the fan
15, such as start, stop, and speed control. Thus, when the
different operation buttons 19 are operated, the microcontroller 51
controls the motor driver 53 to activate the motor 54 in accordance
with corresponding command signals from the microcontroller 51, to
further activate or stop the fan 15 or adjust the rotational speed
of the fan 15.
[0023] Moreover, the microcontroller 51 can control and increase
the rotational speed (e.g., twice or three times than the normal
speed) of the motor 54 by pressing the corresponding operation
buttons 19. Thus, the dust or other debris in the ventilating slot
131 and the mobile computer 200 can be conducted and expelled out
through the air outlets 270. After a predetermined period of
high-speed rotation of the fan 15 (e.g., 3-5 seconds), the
microcontroller 51 automatically controls the motor 54 and the fan
15 to slow down and return to a normal rotational speed.
[0024] The first sensor 55 can be a piezoelectric pressure
indicator which is positioned in the handle 11, and use
piezoelectric effect to measure the strain upon the handle 11 due
to applied pressure. When the game controllers 100 and the computer
controller 200 are assembled together in coplanar, and the handles
11 are pressed to activate the first sensor 55, the first sensor 55
then sends a first control signal (e.g., electrical signal) to the
microcontroller 51, the microcontroller 51 controls the motor 54 to
activate the fan 15 and cool the mobile computer 200. When one or
two game controllers 100 are used as brackets to support and secure
the mobile computer 200 in a manner convenient for viewing the
mobile computer 200, the first sensor 55 then sends a second
control signal (e.g., electrical signal) to the microcontroller 51
to enable the fan 15 to stop rotating.
[0025] The second sensor 56 can be a temperature transducer or
thermoelectric device that can measure temperature and convert the
temperature to an output signal such as voltage signal. The second
sensor 56 is positioned within the mobile computer 200. For
example, the second sensor 56 can be located on the motherboard and
close to the CPU or power supply, to detect the current temperature
inside the mobile computer 200 in real-time. The microcontroller 51
controls and adjusts the rotational speed of the fan 15 in
real-time according to the current temperature.
[0026] For example, when the second sensor 56 detects that the
current temperature inside the mobile computer 200 gradually
increases, the microcontroller 51 controls the motor 54 to increase
the rotational speed of the fan 15. When the second sensor 56
detects that the internal temperature of the mobile computer
gradually decreases, the microcontroller 51 controls the motor 54
to reduce the rotational speed of the fan 15 in real-time.
[0027] The rotational speed of the fan 15 can also be selectively
controlled by the various operation buttons 19, and the operation
buttons 19 can be implemented to start and stop the rotation of the
fan 15. Moreover, one or more magnetic components (e.g., magnets)
can be positioned on the handle 13 adjacent to the strip 33, and
one or more magnetic components can be positioned on the housing
220 of the mobile computer 200 and aligned with the magnetic
components on the main body 10. Thus, when the plug 31 is inserted
into the mounting slot 210, the game controllers 100 are
attractablly connected to the mobile computer 200 by the magnetic
components on the main body 10 and the housing 220.
[0028] In summary, the game controllers 100 are electrically
connected to the mobile computer 200 through the USB port 230 and
the USB connector 52 to provide input to the mobile computer 200,
and there is no need to frequency operate the touch screen or the
virtual keypad using the fingers of the users, which cannot block
part of operable and useful screen and/or virtual keyboard of the
mobile computer 200. In addition, the fans 15 of the game
controllers 100 can provide air flow to the mobile computer 200 and
expel out warm air to cool the mobile computer 200. Moreover, the
game controllers 100 can be rotatably connected to the mobile
computer 200 through the connection assembly 30, so the game
controllers 100 can be acted as brackets to support and secure the
mobile computer 200 in a manner convenient for viewing the mobile
computer 200, thus it is convenient for viewing the mobile computer
200.
[0029] In the present specification and claims, the word "a" or
"an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a
plurality of such elements. Further, the word "comprising" does not
exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those
listed.
[0030] It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous
characteristics and advantages of the exemplary disclosure have
been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details
of the structure and function of the exemplary disclosure, the
disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail,
especially in the matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts
within the principles of this exemplary disclosure to the full
extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which
the appended claims are expressed.
* * * * *