Prior art — US Patent 9089770

Relevant Prior Art for US Patent 9,089,770

The following analysis details the most relevant prior art cited by the examiner during the prosecution of US Patent 9,089,770. Each reference is assessed for its potential to anticipate the claims of the patent under 35 U.S.C. § 102. The independent claim (Claim 1) is the primary focus, as all other claims are dependent upon it. Claim 1 of US 9,089,770 requires a video game controller with an outer case, handles, and importantly, first and second "back controls" that are "elongate members," each extending "along at least half of a distance between the top edge and the bottom edge" of the controller.

US Patent 7,753,786 B2

Full Citation: US 7,753,786 B2, "Hand held controller for games"
Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
Publication Date: July 13, 2010 (Filing Date: January 14, 2003)
Brief Description: This patent describes a game controller with additional input buttons on the rear side of the hand grips. These buttons are positioned to be operated by the user's middle or ring fingers, freeing up the thumbs and index fingers for other controls. Figure 2 shows buttons (4a, 4b) on the back of the controller's handles.
Potential Anticipation of Claims: This reference discloses the general concept of back-mounted controls. However, the controls depicted are discrete, circular buttons and are not "elongate members" that extend over a significant portion of the controller's vertical axis. Therefore, it does not appear to anticipate the specific requirement in Claim 1 that the back controls be "elongate" and extend "along at least half" the distance between the top and bottom edges.

US Patent 2008/0261695 A1

Full Citation: US 2008/0261695 A1, "Game Controller"
Inventor: Adam Wesley Coe
Publication Date: October 23, 2008 (Filing Date: April 19, 2007)
Brief Description: This patent application discloses a game controller with additional finger-actuated controls on the rear surface of the controller's grips. The invention aims to provide a more ergonomic and efficient control scheme by allowing fingers other than the thumbs and index fingers to provide inputs. Figures 2 and 3 illustrate buttons (22, 24) located on the back of the controller handles.
Potential Anticipation of Claims: Similar to US 7,753,786, this reference teaches the placement of controls on the back of the controller for operation by the middle fingers. However, the controls are shown as standard buttons, not the long, paddle-like "elongate members" required by Claim 1. The length limitation of the back controls is a key distinguishing feature of US 9,089,770 that is not met by this reference.

US Design Patent USD623649S1

Full Citation: US D623,649 S1, "Video game controller"
Assignee: S.A.C. Consultancy
Publication Date: September 14, 2010 (Filing Date: August 28, 2008)
Brief Description: This is a design patent for the ornamental design of a video game controller. The figures show a controller with two paddle-like levers on the back. These levers appear to be elongate and are located on the rear of the controller grips.
Potential Anticipation of Claims: This design patent is highly relevant. Figure 2 clearly shows two controls on the back that could be described as "elongate members." The critical question for anticipation is whether these members "extend along at least half" of the controller's vertical distance as measured along their longitudinal axis. While they are clearly elongate, their precise proportional length relative to the controller body is open to interpretation from the drawings alone. An examiner could argue that they do not meet the "at least half" limitation of Claim 1. However, this is the most visually similar prior art reference among those cited. The novelty of the '770 patent likely relies on this specific length limitation being a functional, rather than purely ornamental, aspect that is not explicitly taught or required by the design patent.

US Patent 5,551,693 A

Full Citation: US 5,551,693 A, "Controller unit for electronic devices"
Assignee: Sony Corporation
Publication Date: September 3, 1996 (Filing Date: May 9, 1994)
Brief Description: This patent, which covers the design of the original Sony PlayStation controller, discloses a controller with two handles intended to be gripped by the user's hands. The focus is on the ergonomic shape and the arrangement of controls on the front face and top edge (shoulder buttons). It does not include any controls on the back surface of the controller handles.
Potential Anticipation of Claims: This reference is cited to establish the state of a "conventional controller" at the time. It does not disclose any back-mounted controls and therefore does not anticipate Claim 1 or any of its dependent claims. Its inclusion in the examination process serves to contextualize the claimed invention's point of departure from the standard controller design of the era.

US Patent 2006/0040740 A1

Full Citation: US 2006/0040740 A1, "Video game controller"
Assignee: Brain Box Concepts, Inc.
Publication Date: February 23, 2006 (Filing Date: August 23, 2004)
Brief Description: This application describes a controller with side-mounted buttons (referred to as "Quick Look" buttons) located on the outer sides of the controller grips, intended for actuation by the user's ring or pinky fingers. It also mentions the possibility of placing switches on the rear surface.
Potential Anticipation of Claims: While this reference discusses alternative button placements, including the rear, the primary embodiment and figures focus on side-mounted buttons. The controls described are discrete buttons, not "elongate members" that extend a significant vertical distance. Therefore, it does not anticipate the specific geometry and length requirements of the back controls as claimed in Claim 1 of US 9,089,770.