Toy controller for providing input to a computing device

摘要

A toy for providing input to a computing device includes a main body sized and shaped to fit within a grasp of a user of the toy. The toy also includes input switches mounted to the main body. Each of the input switches can switch between a first position and a second position responsive to an action performed on the input switch. The toy also includes a removable outer covering that is configured to substantially encapsulate the main body. A top surface of the covering includes openings sized and shaped to receive a portion of each of the input switches. The toy includes a programmable processing circuit enclosed within the main body. The circuit includes input ports coupled to the input switches. The circuit includes an output port coupled to a communications port to transmit output signals and programmable processing circuitry configured to operate in a plurality of operating modes.

主权项

1. A toy for providing input to a computing device, comprising:
a main body sized and shaped to fit within a grasp of a user of the toy; a plurality of input switches mounted to the main body, each of the input switches configured to switch between at least a first position and a second position responsive to an action performed on the input switch; a removable outer covering configured to substantially encapsulate the main body, the outer covering having a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface comprising a plurality of openings sized and shaped to receive a portion of each of the plurality of input switches; a programmable processing circuit enclosed within the main body, the processing circuit including a plurality of input ports coupled to the plurality of input switches; an output port coupled to a communications port to transmit output signals; and programmable processing circuitry configured to operate in a plurality of operating modes, wherein
a first operating mode includes generating a first output signal responsive to receiving an input signal via a first input port coupled to a first input switch of the plurality of input switches and generating a second output signal responsive to receiving an input signal via a second input port coupled to a second input switch of the plurality of input switches;a second operating mode includes generating the first output signal responsive to receiving an input signal via the first input port coupled to the first input switch and generating the first output signal responsive to receiving an input signal via the second input port coupled to the second input switch; anda third operating mode includes generating the first output signal responsive to receiving an input signal via the first input port coupled to the first input switch and generating the first output signal responsive to receiving an input signal via any of the remaining input ports coupled to a remaining portion of the plurality of input switches; and a wireless communications port configured to transmit the generated output signals to a communicatively coupled computing device.