# US 9,839,842 B2 · Computing device and game controller with flexible bridge supporting a keyboard module

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- Number: US 9,839,842 B2
- Document ID: US9839842B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/657,632
- Filed: 2017-07-24
- Published: 2017-11-09
- Granted: 2017-12-12
- Earliest claimed: 2011-12-20
- Assignees: Wikipad, Inc.
- Applicants: Wikipad, Inc.
- Inventors: Fraser Townley; Kelly D. Gamble; Daniel P. Dooley
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9839842B2

## CPC

- A63F 13/235: using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
- A63F 13/20: Input arrangements for video game devices
- A63F 13/2145: the surface being also a display device, e.g. touch screens
- A63F 13/23: for interfacing with the game device, e.g. specific interfaces between game controller and console
- A63F 13/24: Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
- A63F 13/31: Communication aspects specific to video games, e.g. between several handheld game devices at close range
- A63F 13/50: Controlling the output signals based on the game progress
- A63F 13/90: Constructional details or arrangements of video game devices not provided for in groups A63F13/20 or A63F13/25, e.g. housing, wiring, connections or cabinets
- A63F 13/92: Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
- 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 1/1692: {the I/O peripheral being a secondary touch screen used as control interface, e.g. virtual buttons or sliders}
- G06F 3/0219: {Special purpose keyboards}
- G06F 13/102: {where the program performs an interfacing function, e.g. device driver (G06F13/105 takes precedence; contention policies within device drivers G06F9/4881; scheduling within device drivers G06F9/52)}
- G06F 13/4022: {using switching circuits, e.g. switching matrix, connection or expansion network (G06F13/4009 takes precedence)}
- G06F 13/4068: {Electrical coupling}
- G06F 13/409: {Mechanical coupling (back panels H05K7/1438)}
- A63F 2009/2457: {Display screens, e.g. monitors, video displays}
- 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

A device directed to a combination computing and input device. The computing device providing a plurality of sides, each of the plurality of sides are disposed between an electronic display screen and a back of the computing device. The input device communicates with the computing device and provides a pair of control modules adjacent to and confining the computing device on at least two opposing sides of the computing device. The input device further provides a structural bridge securing the pair of control modules one to the other, a touch sensitive input module, and a transaction system configured for point of sale use. The structural bridge adaptively and snugly accommodate the length of the computing device. A first of the pair of control modules features a retention mechanism communicating with the structural bridge, which snugly accommodates the length of the computing device.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A device comprising:
a computing device, the computing device providing a plurality of sides, each of the plurality of sides are disposed between an electronic display screen of the computing device and a back of the computing device, the computing device having a length greater than a width of the computing device;
an input device in electronic communication with the computing device, the input device providing a pair of control modules, the pair of control modules adjacent to and confining the computing device on at least two opposing sides of the plurality of sides of the computing device, the pair of control modules are configured such that the pair of control modules adaptively and snugly accommodate the length of the computing device, while the width of the computing device extends above and below the confines of a length of the pair of control modules, wherein each of the pair of control modules provides a front side and a back side;
a structural bridge securing the pair of control modules one to the other, the structural bridge in conjunction with the pair of control modules form a controller, the controller providing a front side and a back side, the structural bridge configured such that the structural bridge adaptively and snugly accommodates the length of the computing device, wherein a first of the pair of control modules comprising a retention mechanism communicating with the structural bridge, wherein the retention mechanism secures the structural bridge to the first of the pair of control modules, such that the structural bridge snugly accommodates the length of the computing device, wherein the structural bridge provides a front side and a back side;
a communication link facilitating communication between the pair of control modules and the computing device, and wherein the structural bridge masks a mid-portion of the back of the computing device; and
a keyboard module integrated within at least one of the control modules, the keyboard module configured to provide full keyboard functionality.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, further comprising a touch sensitive input module attached to the back side of the controller, in which the touch sensitive input module attached to the back side of the controller is attached to the back side of the structural bridge, else the touch sensitive input module attached to the back side of the controller is attached to the back side of a selected control module of the pair of control modules, and in which the first of the pair of control modules further comprises a bottom cover, the bottom cover provides a position guide, and in which the tensioning mechanism comprises:
an attachment boss communicating with the structural bridge;
an attachment support cooperating with the attachment boss, the attachment support in cooperation with the attachment boss secures the structural bridge, the structural bridge disposed between the attachment boss and the attachment support; and
a biasing structure communicating with the attachment support, the biasing structure provides tension between the structural bridge and the second of the pair of control modules.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The device of claim 2, in which the touch sensitive input module is a touch screen, the touch screen relays instructions to the computing device to alter an image displayed on the electronic display, and in which the attachment support comprises a guide aperture interacting with the position guide, the interaction of the guide aperture with the position guide maintains alignment between the structural bridge and the second of the pair of control modules.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The device of claim 3, in which the guide aperture is a slotted aperture.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The device of claim 4, in which the biasing structure is a coiled spring.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The device of claim 5, in which the structural bridge provides a width less than its length, the back of the computing device extending above and below the width of the structural bridge.

### Claim 7 (depends on 2)

The device of claim 2, further comprising a data storage device confined within the input device and communicating with the computing device.

### Claim 8 (depends on 2)

The device of claim 2, further comprising an auxiliary power source confined within the input device and communicating with the computing device.

### Claim 9 (depends on 2)

The device of claim 2, in which the input device is a game control module, and in which the game control module passes signals to the computing device, the signals control images displayed on the electronic display screen of the computing device.

### Claim 10 (depends on 2)

The device of claim 2, in which the input device provides a keyboard module, and in which the keyboard module passes signals to the computing device, the signals control images displayed on the electronic display screen of the computing device.

### Claim 11 (depends on 2)

The device of claim 2, in which the structural bridge is a ridged structure.

### Claim 12 (depends on 2)

The device of claim 2, in which the structural bridge is a flexible structure.

### Claim 13 (depends on 2)

The device of claim 2, in which the communication link is a signal pathway.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The device of claim 13, in which the signal pathway is a metallic pathway.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The device of claim 13, in which the signal pathway is a fiber optic pathway.

### Claim 16 (depends on 2)

The device of claim 2, in which the communication link provides a communication platform.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The device of claim 16, in which the communication platform is a wired communication module.

### Claim 18 (depends on 16)

The device of claim 16, in which the communication platform is a wireless communication platform.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The device of claim 18, in which the wireless communication platform operates in a frequency range of 2.4 GHz.

### Claim 20 (depends on 18)

The device of claim 18, in which the wireless communication platform is a personal area network.

### Claim 21 (depends on 18)

The device of claim 18, in which the wireless communication platform utilizes infrared technology for data transactions.