# US 12,005,347 B2 · In or relating to gaming controllers > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,005,347 B2 - Document ID: US12005347B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/258,363 - Filed: 2021-12-17 - Published: 2023-12-14 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2020-12-17 - Assignees: Sinden Technology Ltd - Applicants: Sinden Technology Ltd - Inventors: Garry Brown; Andrew James Sinden - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12005347B2 ## CPC - A63F 13/245: specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels - A63F 13/219: for aiming at specific areas on the display, e.g. light-guns - A63F 13/285: Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback - A63F 13/837: Shooting of targets - H01F 7/081: {Magnetic constructions} - A63F 13/23: for interfacing with the game device, e.g. specific interfaces between game controller and console - A63F: CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - H01F: MAGNETS; INDUCTANCES; TRANSFORMERS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR MAGNETIC PROPERTIES ## Abstract An electronic device for discharging a pulse of current includes an energy storage medium for receiving and storing electric energy supplied from a power source, a solenoid and a control switch connectable with the energy storage medium and the power source and configured to discharge a pulse of current for energising the solenoid when the control switch is activated, whereby the solenoid moves from a first position when the solenoid is not energised, into a second position when the solenoid is energised, and the energised solenoid generates and supplies a current back to the energy storage medium, a processor configured to process the time taken to energise the solenoid, monitor the current drawn by the solenoid from the energy storage medium, and control at least one parameter of a discharged pulse; and an output module to control the discharge of the current from the energy storage medium to the solenoid. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A gaming controller configured to provide a recoil effect when a trigger is pulled, the gaming controller comprising: a solenoid including a plunger movable between a first non-energised position and a second energised position when a current pulse is applied in response to pulling the trigger; a capacitor configured to draw and hold current; a current measuring device configured to monitor the current drawn by the solenoid when the trigger is pulled; a switch configured to enable the harvesting of energy from the energised solenoid back into the capacitor; and a control circuitry configured to control at least one parameter of the current pulse and to terminate the current pulse based on the monitored current drawn. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The gaming controller according to claim 1, wherein the parameter of the pulse is the duration, voltage or current of the current pulse. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The gaming controller according to claim 1, wherein the capacitor draws current from an external power source. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The gaming controller according to claim 3, wherein the external power source is a USB port. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The gaming controller according to claim 3, wherein the control circuitry further comprises a de-surging circuit configured to prevent a current surge from being drawn from the power source. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The gaming controller according to claim 5, wherein the de-surging circuit is an inrush control circuit. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The gaming controller according to claim 3, further comprising a decoupling capacitor configured to prevent excessive ripple in the current drawn from the power source. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The gaming controller according to claim 7, wherein the decoupling capacitor is further configured to prevent damage to the power supply in the event that surges of current are drawn by the gaming controller. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The gaming controller according to claim 1, further comprising a transistor configured to interrupt the current drawn from the power source. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The gaming controller according to claim 1, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to route the power from the solenoid into the capacitor. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The gaming controller according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to measure the current flow through the solenoid. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The gaming controller according to claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor positioned within the solenoid, wherein the temperature sensor is configured to take into account the reading of the temperature sensor when controlling the at least one parameter of the current pulse. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The gaming controller according to claim 1, wherein the solenoid further comprises a spring and wherein the energy stored in the spring due to the plunger depressing the spring is converted back to electrical energy and recovered to the capacitor. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The gaming controller according to claim 1, wherein the movement of the plunger from the first non-energised position to the second energised position results in inductance inside the solenoid, which is also converted to electrical energy and recovered to the capacitor. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The gaming controller according to claim 1, wherein the gaming controller is a lightgun. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The gaming controller according to claim 1, wherein the control circuitry is configured to: identify a time indicative of the plunger having sufficient momentum to reach the second, energised position; and terminate the current pulse at the identified time. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The gaming controller according to claim 16, wherein the second energised position corresponds to an end point of the plunger within the solenoid.