Manual controller for video system

Claim 2

For use in conjunction with a video game controller system which includes a pair of input ports, each being adapted for coupling to a manual controller unit which includes a base enclosure, a joystick member pivotally mounted at one end thereof in the base enclosure, means for producing indications representative of the pivot position of said joystick member, and means including a cable and connector for communicating joystick member pivot position indications to said controller system when said connector is coupled to an input port; an adapter for increasing the manual inputs that can be communicated from a manual controller unit to said video game controller system, comprising: a shell open at one end and adapted to fit over and envelop said joystick member, such that said joystick member can be moved by manually moving said shell; a switch mounted in said shell; an auxiliary connector adapted for coupling to an input port of said video game controller system; and conductive means for coupling the contacts of said switch to elements of said auxiliary connector; whereby said manual controller unit with said adapter can be used to convey adapter switch information, as well as joystick member pivot position indications, from a player to the video game controller system.

Claim 3

The adapter as defined by claim 1, wherein said auxiliary connector includes an auxiliary input port for receiving the connector of the manual controller unit, such that joystick member pivot position indications, as well as adapter switch information, is coupled through said auxiliary connector to said input port.

Claim 4

The adapter as defined by claim 2, further comprising a second switch mounted in said shell and further conductive means for coupling the contacts of said second switch to elements of said auxiliary connector.

Claim 5

The adapter as defined by claim 3, wherein said conductive means and further conductive means comprise wires passing through an opening in said adapter shell.

Claim 6

The adapter as defined by claim 3, wherein said switch is activated by a thumb-operated switch actuator mounted at the other end of said shell.

Claim 7

The adapter as defined by claim 5, wherein said shell is pistol-grip shaped with finger indentations, and wherein said second switch is activated by a finger-operated switch actuator located at a finger indentation position.

Claim 8

The adapter as defined by claim 6, wherein said thumb-operated switch actuator and said finger-operated switch actuator are both biased to normally inactive positions by opposite ends of a single wire spring.

Claim 9

The adapter as defined by claim 6, wherein said thumb-activated switch and said finger-activated switch are membrane-type switches mounted on a common printed circuit board.

Claim 10

The adapter as defined by claim 6, wherein said manual controller unit includes a button switch on said base enclosure, said button switch being coupled to said first connector via said cable.

Claim 11

The adapter as defined by claim 1, wherein said connector is coupleable to one of the pair of input ports and said auxiliary connector is coupleable to the other of said input ports.

Claim 12

The adapter as defined by claim 10, further comprising a second switch mounted in said shell and further conductive means for coupling the contacts of said second switch to elements of said auxiliary connector.

Claim 13

The adapter as defined by claim 11, wherein said switch is activated by a thumb-operated switch actuator mounted at the other end of said shell.

Claim 14

The adapter as defined by claim 12, wherein said conductive means and further conductive means comprise wires passing through an opening in said adapter shell.

Claim 15

The adapter as defined by claim 12, wherein said shell is pistol-grip shaped with finger indentations, and wherein said second switch is finger-operated by a switch actuator located at a finger indentation position.

Claim 16

The adapter as defined by claim 14, wherein said thumb-operated switch actuator and said finger-operated switch actuator are both biased to normally inactive positions by opposite ends of a single wire spring.

Claim 17

The adapter as defined by claim 14, wherein said thumb-activated switch and said finger-activated switch are membrane-type switches mounted on a common printed circuit board.

Claim 18

For use in conjunction with a video game controller system which includes a pair of input ports each adapted for coupling to a manual controller unit which includes a base enclosure, a joystick member pivotally mounted at one end thereof in the base enclosure, means for producing indications representative of the pivot position of said joystick member, and means including a cable and connector for communicating joystick member pivot position indications to said controller system when said connector is coupled to an input port; a pair of adapters for increasing the manual inputs that can be communicated from each of said manual controller units to said video game controller system, each adapter comprising: a shell open at one end and adapted to fit over and envelop the joystick member of the respective manual controller unit such that said joystick member can be moved by manually moving said shell; a switch mounted in said shell; an auxiliary connector adapted for coupling to one of said input ports; conductive means for coupling the contacts of said switch to elements of said auxiliary connector; said auxiliary connector including an auxiliary input port for receiving the connector of the respective manual controller unit to couple elements thereof the respective input port; whereby each of said manual controller units, with its respective adapter can be used to convey adapter switch information, as well as joystick member pivot position indications, from a player to the video game controller system.

Claim 19

For use in conjunction with a video game controller system which includes a pair of input ports each adapted for coupling to a manual controller unit which includes a base enclosure, a joystick member pivotally mounted at one end thereof in the base enclosure, means for producing indications representative of the pivot position of said joystick member, and means including a cable and connector for communicating joystick member pivot position indications to said controller system when said connector is coupled to an input port; a pair of adapters for increasing the manual inputs that can be communicated from each of said manual controller units to said video game controller system, each adapter comprising: a shell open at one end and adapted to fit over and envelop the joystick member of the respective manual controller unit such that said joystick member can be moved by manually moving said shell; a switch mounted in said shell; an auxiliary connector adapted for coupling to one of said input ports; conductive means for coupling the contacts of said switch to elements of said auxiliary connector; said auxiliary connector including an auxiliary input port for receiving the connector of the respective manual controller unit to couple elements thereof the respective input port; whereby each of said manual controller units, with its respective adapter can be used to convey adapter switch information, as well as joystick member pivot position indications, from a player to the video game controller system.

Claim 20

The adapters as defined by claim 17, wherein each adapter further comprises a second switch mounted in said shell and further conductive means for coupling the contacts of said second switch to elements of said auxiliary connector.

Claim 21

The adapters as defined by claim 18, wherein said switch is activated by a thumb-operated switch actuator mounted at the other end of said shell.

Claim 22

The adapters as defined by claim 19, wherein said shell is pistol-grip shaped with finger indentations, and wherein said second switch is activated by a finger-operated switch actuator located at a finger indentation position.

Claim 23

The adapters as defined by claim 20, wherein said thumb-operated switch actuator and said finger-operated switch actuator are both biased to normally inactive positions by opposite ends of a single wire spring.

Claim 24

The adapters as defined by claim 20, wherein said thumb-operated switch and said finger-operated switch are membrane-type switches mounted on a common printed circuit board.