Acco Brands

The lone AI & Machine Learning patent describes a game controller with an embedded virtual assistant that goes well beyond simple voice recognition. The system uses a camera to visually identify what game is being played, listens to in-game Audio, and interprets spoken commands from the player, allowing it to offer real-time strategic tips and guidance without any manual input. The assistant can also translate voice commands directly into complex in-game actions, with all of this processing handled from within the controller Hardware itself.

Two Hardware patents take aim at the physical and configurability limitations of traditional game controllers. The first, from ACCO Brands, covers a controller equipped with dual USB-C ports that can accept incoming power while simultaneously supplying power to connected accessories, with a battery fallback to maintain continuity if the primary power source is interrupted. This replaces the conventional 3.5mm port with a USB-C connection that handles both data and power, effectively turning the controller into a passthrough hub. The second patent covers interchangeable faceplates embedded with NFC chips, where physically swapping one faceplate for another automatically triggers the controller to load a corresponding settings profile, removing the need to manually switch configurations through software.