Extendible User Input Device

Abstract

A portable electronic gaming device including a user input device including an extendible support having at a first end a tactile member for user actuation and mounted at a second end for pivotal movement, wherein the user input device has a first configuration in which the extendible support is retracted and a second configuration in which the extendible support is extended, wherein in the second configuration the user input device is operable as a joystick game controller or wherein the user input device functions as an input device in both first and second operational configurations.

1 . A portable electronic gaming device comprising:
 a user input device comprising an extendible support having at a first end a tactile member for user actuation and mounted at a second end for pivotal movement, wherein the user input device has a first configuration in which the extendible support is retracted and a second configuration in which the extendible support is extended, wherein in the second configuration the user input device is operable as a joystick game controller.   
   
   
       2 . An electronic gaming device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein pivotal movement of the user input device is restricted in the first configuration and the user input device pivots freely in the second configuration. 
   
   
       3 . An electronic gaming device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the input device functions as an input device in both first and second configurations. 
   
   
       4 . An electronic gaming device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the input device is operable as a navigation device in the first configuration. 
   
   
       5 . An electronic gaming device as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising means for extending the extendible support in response to a first user action and for retracting the extendible support in response to a reversal of the first user action. 
   
   
       6 . An electronic gaming device as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising means for extending the extendible support in response to a twisting motion applied to the tactile member about an axis of extension of the extendible support. 
   
   
       7 . An electronic gaming device as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the means for extending comprise a bias mechanism for biasing the support towards its extended configuration and a user releasable locking mechanism for retaining the extendible support in its retracted configuration. 
   
   
       8 . An electronic gaming device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the means for extending further comprises a user releasable locking mechanism for retaining the extendible support in its extended configuration. 
   
   
       9 . An electronic gaming device as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the means for extending further comprises a guide mechanism for guiding the extendible member between its retracted configuration and its extended configuration. 
   
   
       10 . An electronic gaming device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the tactile member is raised approximately 3-8 mm in the second configuration compared to the first configuration. 
   
   
       11 . An electronic gaming device as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising discrimination means for discriminating the current configuration of the user input device and control means for controlling the operation of the gaming device in dependence upon said discrimination. 
   
   
       12 . An electronic gaming device as claimed in  claim 1  that is pocket sized and for handheld use. 
   
   
       13 . An electronic device as claimed in  claim 12 , further operable as a mobile cellular telephone. 
   
   
       14 . A user input device for an electronic gaming device as claimed in  claim 1 . 
   
   
       15 . A user input device, for a portable electronic gaming device, comprising:
 an extendible support having at a first end a tactile member for user actuation and mounted for pivotal movement about a second end, wherein the user input device has a first configuration in which the extendible support is retracted and a second configuration in which the extendible support is extended, wherein in the second configuration the user input device is operable as a joystick.   
   
   
       16 . An electronic device comprising:
 a user input device comprising an extendible support having at a first end a tactile member for user actuation and mounted at a second end for pivotal movement, wherein the user input device has a first operational configuration in which the extendible support is retracted and a second operational configuration in which the extendible support is extended, wherein the user input device functions as an input device in both first and second operational configurations.   
   
   
       17 . An electronic device as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein pivotal movement of the user input device is restricted in the first operational configuration and the user input device pivots freely in the second operational configuration. 
   
   
       18 . An electronic device as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the input device is operable as a navigation device in the first operational configuration. 
   
   
       19 . An electronic device as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the input device is operable as a joystick device in the second operational configuration. 
   
   
       20 . An electronic device as claimed in  claim 16 , comprising means for extending the extendible support in response to a first user action and for retracting the extendible support in response to a reversal of the first user action. 
   
   
       21 . An electronic device as claimed in  claim 16 , comprising means for extending the extendible support in response to a twisting motion applied to the tactile member about an axis of extension of the extendible support. 
   
   
       22 . An electronic device as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the means for extending comprise a bias mechanism for biasing the support towards its extended configuration and a user releasable locking mechanism for retaining the extendible support in its retracted configuration. 
   
   
       23 . An electronic device as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the means for extending further comprises a user releasable locking mechanism for retaining the extendible support in its extended configuration. 
   
   
       24 . An electronic device as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the means for extending further comprises a guide mechanism for guiding the extendible member between its retracted configuration and its extended configuration. 
   
   
       25 . An electronic device as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the tactile member is raised approximately 3-8 mm in the second configuration compared to the first configuration. 
   
   
       26 . An electronic device as claimed in  claim 16 , further comprising discrimination means for discriminating the current configuration of the user input device and control means for controlling the operation of the electronic device in dependence upon said discrimination. 
   
   
       27 . An electronic device as claimed in  claim 16  that is pocket sized and for handheld use. 
   
   
       28 . An electronic device as claimed in  claim 27 , further operable as a mobile cellular telephone. 
   
   
       29 . A user input device for an electronic device as claimed in  claim 16 . 
   
   
       30 . A user input device, for an electronic device, comprising:
 an extendible support having at a first end a tactile member for user actuation and mounted for pivotal movement about a second end, wherein the user input device has a first operational configuration in which the extendible support is retracted and a second operational configuration in which the extendible support is extended, wherein the user input device functions as an input device in both first and second operational configurations.