Two-handed controller for video games and simulations

A controller for a video game or simulation providing both analog and digital capabilities with a single actuating member, the controller comprising:

• an housing;
• an analog/digital mode switch for selecting between an analog mode and a digital mode;
• and
• an analog/digital x-y directional actuator located within the housing, the analog/digital x-y directional actuator being configured to perform either analog or digital functions depending on the selected mode, the analog/digital x-y directional actuator comprising:
• an actuating member comprising a body, a plurality of contacting members interspersed along the periphery of the body, and a plurality of disengagement slots located along the periphery of the body between the contacting members;
• a plurality of digital contact points;
• the contacting members actuating the digital contact points according to a movement of the actuating member, when in digital mode;
• said disengagement slots being located over the digital contact points when the mode switch is set to analog mode;
• and
• an analog sensor.

A dual-mode directional actuator, configured to perform either analog or digital functions or both, as selected, the dual-mode directional actuator comprising:

• an analog/digital mode switch for selecting either an analog mode or a digital mode;
• an actuating member comprising a body, a plurality of contacting members interspersed along the periphery of the body, and a plurality of disengagement slots located along the periphery of the body between the contacting members, the disengagement slots for selecting between the digital or analog mode;
• a digital contact member in communication with said actuating member when in digital mode;
• and
• an analog sensor.

A dual-mode directional actuator configured to perform either analog or digital functions or both, as selected, the dual-mode directional actuator comprising:

• an analog/digital mode switch for selecting either an analog mode or a digital mode;
• an actuating member comprising a body, a plurality of contacting members interspersed along the periphery of the body, and a plurality of disengagement slots located along the periphery of the body between the contacting members;
• a plurality of digital contact points positioned to be contacted by the contacting members according to a movement of the actuating member when in digital mode,
• said digital contact points being located within the disengagement slots when in analog mode;
• and an analog sensor.

A controller for a video game or simulation comprising:

• an housing having a top, a bottom, a right sidewall, a left sidewall, a front, and a back;
• said left and right sidewalls having a semicircular shape;
• said housing comprising a pair of gripping members extending along the right and left sidewalls;
• said gripping members being three dimensionally wedge-shaped, tapered from back to front, upward and outward;
• an analog/digital x-y directional actuating member located on the top of the housing comprising a body, a plurality of contacting members interspersed along the periphery of the body, and a plurality of disengagement slots located along the periphery of the body between the contacting members, the disengagement slots for selecting either an analog mode or a digital mode;
• an analog/digital mode switch;
• a concave recess located on the top of the housing;
• a grouping of signal actuators located within the concave recess;
• and
• a trigger button located on the top of the housing.