Method of facilitating user preference in creative design of a manual controller

Abstract

A configurable manual controller for manipulating images or symbols on a display is adapted for construction with matable building elements arranged by a user. The user forms the manual controller to exhibit a customized ornamental appearance reflecting the user's creative design preferences.

1 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A reconfigurable electronic device having a control interface for manipulating images or symbols on a display that is configured to display a computer software game, the reconfigurable electronic device being configured to be mated with user-arranged matable building elements, the reconfigurable electronic device comprising:
 a) an exoskeleton having an interior region and a removable patterned surface portion, wherein:
 i) at least a portion of the removable patterned surface portion is disposed on an upper portion of the electronic device proximate a control interface for operating the electronic device; 
 ii) an outwardly facing surface of the removable patterned surface portion defines thereon a plurality of areas that define raised rounded bosses uniformly spaced from each other in a two dimensional grid pattern; 
 iii) the interior region is configured to confine internal electrical components, the internal electrical components being operatively connected to the control interface to produce signals for manipulating images or symbols on the display; and 
 iv) the removable patterned surface portion is configured to support a set of building elements that are configurable for mating to the removable patterned surface portion of the exoskeleton and for mating to one another, thereby to enable a user to establish a desired shape and ornamental appearance of the reconfigurable electronic device. 
   
     
     
         8 . The reconfigurable electronic device of  claim 7 , wherein the set of building elements includes a subset of the building elements having first and second matable features that are matable to each other so that the building elements in the subset are configurable for mated joining to one another for assembly in stacked relationship. 
     
     
         9 . The reconfigurable electronic device of  claim 7 , wherein the reconfigurable electronic device is configured to connect to a computing device through a wireless connection. 
     
     
         10 . The reconfigurable electronic device of  claim 7 , wherein the control interface includes a control pad. 
     
     
         11 . The reconfigurable electronic device of  claim 7 , wherein the reconfigurable electronic device includes motion sensors. 
     
     
         12 . The reconfigurable electronic device of  claim 7 , wherein the reconfigurable electronic device includes a receptacle for connecting to a second electronic device by way of a data cable. 
     
     
         13 . A system including the reconfigurable electronic device of  claim 7  and a display screen, wherein the reconfigurable electronic device is operably coupled to the display screen. 
     
     
         14 . A reconfigurable electronic device having a control interface for operably coupling with a computing device, the reconfigurable electronic device being configured to be mated with user-arranged matable building elements, the reconfigurable electronic device comprising:
 a) an exoskeleton having an interior region and a patterned surface portion, wherein:
 i) the patterned surface portion is disposed on an upper portion of the electronic device proximate a control interface for operating the electronic device; 
 ii) an upwardly facing surface of the patterned surface portion defines thereon a plurality of areas that each define raised rounded bosses uniformly spaced from each other in a two dimensional grid pattern; 
 iii) the interior region is configured to confine internal electrical components, the internal electrical components being operatively connected to the control interface to produce signals that are directed to the computing device; and 
 iv) the patterned surface portion is configured to support a set of building elements that are configurable for mating to the removable patterned surface portion of the exoskeleton and for mating to one another, thereby to enable a user to establish a desired shape and ornamental appearance of the reconfigurable electronic device. 
   
     
     
         15 . The reconfigurable electronic device of  claim 14 , wherein the set of building elements includes a subset of the building elements having first and second matable features that are matable to each other so that the building elements in the subset are configurable for mated joining to one another for assembly in stacked relationship. 
     
     
         16 . The reconfigurable electronic device of  claim 14 , wherein the reconfigurable electronic device is configured to connect to a second electronic device by way of a wireless connection. 
     
     
         17 . The reconfigurable electronic device of  claim 14 , wherein the control interface includes a control pad. 
     
     
         18 . The reconfigurable electronic device of  claim 14 , wherein the reconfigurable electronic device includes a receptacle for connecting to a second electronic device by way of a data cable. 
     
     
         19 . A system including the reconfigurable electronic device of  claim 14  and a second electronic device, wherein the reconfigurable electronic device is operably coupled to the second electronic device by way of a wireless connection.