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A project log for Modular Gamepad: swappable controls, any console

A video game controller that allows you to swap control modules (analog sticks, buttons, D-pads, knobs, etc.) and works with any console

pointyointmentPointyOintment 08/21/2014 at 03:420 Comments

Patents relevant to this project are:

Luckily for me, I live in Canada and Valve only has a US patent, so I don't have to worry about that one. Theirs also has some limitations on placement of modules that I don't expect mine will have. The Act Labs patent is a bit more worrisome, but I think I can work around it because its claims are quite specific to the system architecture they chose. As long as I don't have an active adapter module between the controller base unit and the console that is connected to the controller using metal contacts, I should be fine. That rules out the middle option in the diagram, but the radio option should still be fine, and passive adapters with the protocol handled by the controller's processor should also be fine.

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