# US 2013/0154943 A1 · Combination game controller and information input device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0154943 A1 - Document ID: US20130154943A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/681,153 - Filed: 2012-11-19 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-20 - Assignees: Wikipad, Inc. - Inventors: Matthew R. Joynes; James Bower; Daniel P. Dooley - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130154943A1 ## CPC - A63F 13/24: Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles - A63F 13/213: comprising photodetecting means, e.g. cameras, photodiodes or infrared cells (A63F13/219 takes precedence) - A63F 13/2145: the surface being also a display device, e.g. touch screens - A63F 13/92: Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing - A63F 13/95: Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges - A63F 13/98: Accessories, i.e. detachable arrangements optional for the use of the video game device, e.g. grip supports of game controllers - G06F 1/1632: {External expansion units, e.g. docking stations} - G06F 3/0219: {Special purpose keyboards} - A63F 2300/1043: being characterized by constructional details - A63F 2300/204: the platform being a handheld device - A63F: CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract An apparatus generally directed to a combination game controller and information input device. The combination preferably includes a tablet computer providing a plurality of sides, in which each of the sides are disposed between an electronic display screen and a back of the tablet computer. The combination further preferably includes an input device in electronic communication with the tablet computer, the input device providing side structures adjacent to and confining the tablet computer on at least two opposing sides of the tablet computer. The input device further preferably providing input module apertures, each input module aperture selectively accepts either a game control module or a removable keyboard module. The input module apertures are preferably adjacent each of the at least two opposing sides of the tablet computer, and a camera communicating with each the input device and the tablet computer, the camera selectively capturing either still or video images. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device comprising: a tablet computer, the tablet computer providing a plurality of sides, each of the plurality of sides are disposed between an electronic display screen of the tablet computer and a back of the tablet computer; an input device in electronic communication with the tablet computer, the input device providing side structures, the side structures adjacent to and confining the tablet computer on at least two opposing sides of the plurality of sides of the tablet computer, the input device further providing input module apertures, each input module aperture selectively accepts either a game control module or a removable keyboard module, wherein said input module apertures are adjacent each of the at least two opposing sides of the plurality of sides of the tablet computer; and a camera communicating with each the input device and the tablet computer, the camera selectively capturing either still or video images. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, in which the keyboard module provides an auxiliary electronic display screen having at least the functionality of the electronic display screen. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary power source communicating with each the input device and the tablet computer. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary data storage device communicating with each the input device and the tablet computer. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, in which the camera is a first camera, and further comprising a second camera, the first camera having a lens facing the user while the user is facing the electronic display screen, and the second camera having a lens facing in a direction opposite that of the first camera. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, in which the removable keyboard module is a pair of touch responsive electronic display screens, each of the touch responsive electronic display screens having at least the functionality of the electronic display screen, includes the functionality of a mouse pad, and selectively presents virtual keys of a keyboard for information entry. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, further comprising an auxiliary power source communicating with each the input device and the tablet computer. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The device of claim 7, further comprising an auxiliary data storage device communicating with each the input device and the tablet computer. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The device of claim 8, in which the camera is a first camera, and further comprising a second camera, the first camera having a lens facing the user while the user is facing the electronic display screen, and the second camera having a lens facing in a direction opposite that of the first camera. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The device of claim 9, in which the auxiliary electronic display screen includes the functionality of a mouse pad, the mouse pad controlling a pointer device of the electronic display screen. ### Claim 11 An apparatus comprising: a tablet computer, the tablet computer providing a plurality of sides, each of the plurality of sides are disposed between an electronic display screen of the tablet computer and a back of the tablet computer; an application displayed on the electronic display screen of the tablet computer; and means for a user's interaction with the application displayed on the electronic display screen of the tablet computer. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, in which the means for controlling the movement of the object displayed on the electronic display screen is provided by an input device, the input device comprises: a plurality of side structures, the side structures adjacent to and confining the tablet computer on at least two opposing sides of the plurality of sides of the tablet computer, the input device further providing input module apertures, each input module aperture selectively accepts either a game control module or a removable keyboard module, wherein said input module apertures are adjacent each of the at least two opposing sides of the plurality of sides of the tablet computer; and a camera communicating with each the input device and the tablet computer, the camera selectively capturing either still or video images, in which the camera is responsive to the removable keyboard module when said keyboard module is operatively installed within the input module aperture. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12, in which the removable keyboard module is a pair of touch responsive electronic display screens, each of the touch responsive electronic display screens having at least the functionality of the electronic display screen, includes the functionality of a mouse pad, and selectively presents virtual keys of a keyboard for information entry. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising an auxiliary power source communicating with each the input device and the tablet computer. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising an auxiliary data storage device communicating with each the input device and the tablet computer. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15, in which the camera is a first camera, and further comprising a second camera, the first camera having a lens facing the user while the user is facing the pair of touch responsive electronic display screens, and the second camera having a lens facing in a direction opposite that of the first camera. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The apparatus of claim 16, in which said first and second cameras are fully functional when the tablet computer is either attached or detached from the input device. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising an auxiliary power source communicating with each the input device and the tablet computer, the auxiliary power source is fully functional when the tablet computer is either attached or detached from the input device. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising an auxiliary data storage device communicating with each the input device and the tablet computer, the data storage device is fully functional when the tablet computer is either attached or detached from the input device. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The apparatus of claim 16, in which said first and second cameras are fully functional when the tablet computer is either attached or detached from the input device, and further comprising: an auxiliary power source communicating with each the input device and the tablet computer, the auxiliary power source is fully functional when the tablet computer is either attached or detached from the input device; and an auxiliary data storage device communicating with each the input device and the tablet computer, the data storage device is fully functional when the tablet computer is either attached or detached from the input device.