Hair trigger travel stop with on-demand switching

• US 10,446,344 B2
• Filed: 05/27/2015
• Issued: 10/15/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Tsai, Jason Victor, Jasinski, Kenneth Dennis, Robinson, Jonathan Shea, Gassoway, Gabriel Michael Rask
• Primary Examiner(s): Saeed, Ahmed M
• Application Number:
  US14/723,185
• Publication Number:
  US 20160351362A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,602 Days
• Field of Search: 200341, 200344, 200336, 200 11 R, 200564, 463 37, 463 16, 463 30, 463 36
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/22 Setup operations, e.g. calibration, key configuration or button assignment
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0489 using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 21/22 Operating parts, e.g. handle
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/016 Lever; Rocker
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/008 Video game
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/032 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2235/00 Springs

Abstract

Methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer program products are provided for a user input device, such as a game controller. The user input device includes a finger depressible trigger button, a trigger travel path adjustment assembly that resides in an internal cavity of a housing of the user input device, and a finger switch configured to be switched between a plurality of selectable positions in real-time (e.g., during game play). A first selectable position of the finger switch enables the trigger button to be depressed a first distance. A second selectable position of the finger switch enables the trigger button to be depressed a second distance that is greater than the first distance.

Claims

1. A user input device, comprising:

a finger depressible trigger button;

a trigger travel path adjustment assembly that resides in an internal cavity of a housing of the user input device; and

a finger switch having a portion that extends outside a housing of the user input device the finger switch configured to be switched between a plurality of selectable positions in real-time without repositioning the trigger button, a first selectable position of the finger switch causing the adjustment assembly to position a stop barrier into a travel path to limit the trigger button with the stop barrier to being depressible a first distance and a second selectable position of the finger switch causing the adjustment assembly to position the stop barrier out of the travel path to limit the trigger button to being depressible a second distance that is greater than the first distance, the stop barrier repositionable in a plane different from a plane of the travel path.

2. The user input device of claim 1, wherein the adjustment assembly comprises:

a cam defined by

a body,

a central cylindrical opening in the body that receives a post extending from an inner surface of the housing, the cam configured to be rotatable at least partially around the post, and

an arm that extends from an outer surface of the body to be coupled to the finger switch and that enables the cam to be rotated by movement of the finger switch,

wherein the stop barrier extends from the outer surface of the body;

the trigger button having a finger receiving surface and a backside opposed to the finger receiving surface;

the finger switch in the first selectable position causing the stop barrier to be rotated into the travel path of the trigger button, to receive the trigger backside; and

the finger switch in the second selectable position causing the stop barrier to be rotated out of a travel path of the trigger button.

3. The user input device of claim 2, wherein the adjustment assembly further comprises:

a slot cover; and

an elongated connection member that connects the slot cover, the arm, and the finger switch;

the finger switch having a first portion extending outside of the housing through a slot in the housing and a second portion inside the housing to which the elongated connection member connects; and

the slot cover configured to rotate around the post with the arm to cover an open portion of the slot in the first and second selectable positions of the finger switch.

4. The user input device of claim 3, wherein the finger switch has a first portion extending outside of the housing through a slot in the housing and a second portion inside the housing to which the elongated connection member connects;

and

the arm includes a slot cover that rotates around the post with the arm to cover an open portion of the slot in the first and second selectable positions of the finger switch.

5. The user input device of claim 2, wherein the housing comprises a base that extends from the inner surface of the housing, the post extending from the base;

and

the cam further comprises

a tab that extends from a second outer surface of the body of the cam towards the inner surface of the housing, the tab configured to contact a side surface of the base to prevent the cam from being over-rotated.

6. The user input device of claim 2, wherein the adjustment assembly further comprises:

a spring that resides in a cylindrical recess in the body, and

a cap that holds the spring at least partially compressed in the cylindrical recess;

the cam further comprises

a first mating features at a second outer surface of the body of the cam;

the housing comprises

a base that extends from the inner surface of the housing, the base having a surface that includes a second mating feature configured to mate with the first mating feature in the first selectable position of the finger switch, and a third mating feature configured to mate with the first mating feature in the second selectable position of the finger switch; and

the spring is configured to stabilize a position of the cam into one of the first and second selectable positions of the finger switch by forcing rotation of the cam into mating the first and second mating features or mating the first and third mating features.

7. The user input device of claim 2, wherein the adjustment assembly further comprises:

a foam pad attached to a surface of the stop barrier, the foam pad configured to cushion an impact of the trigger backside into the stop barrier.

8. The user input device of claim 2, wherein the arm extends outside of the housing through a slot, and an end of the arm is the finger switch.

9. The user input device of claim 2, wherein the finger switch is configured to slide on an outer side surface of the housing, wherein the finger switch includes a backside post that extends into the housing through a slot, and an end of the backside post is coupled to an end of the arm.

10. The user input device of claim 2, further comprising:

a leaf spring that extends from the inner surface of the housing and has a first mating feature at an end; and

the cam further comprising

a retainer ring that extends from the outer surface of the body and that includes second and third mating features, and that is configured to stabilize a position of the cam into one of the first and second selectable positions of the finger switch by forcing rotation of the cam into mating the first mating feature with one of the second or third mating features.

11. The user input device of claim 2, wherein the adjustment assembly further comprises:

a spring coupled between a first mount feature of the cam and a second mount feature extending from the inner surface of the housing, the spring configured as an over center toggle to stabilize a position of the cam into one of the first and second selectable positions of the finger switch.

12. The user input device of claim 1, wherein the finger switch extends through a slot in the housing to extend outside of the housing.

13. A trigger travel path adjustment assembly configured to reside in an internal cavity of a housing of a user input device, the trigger path adjustment assembly comprising:

a cam defined by

a body,

a central cylindrical opening in the body that receives a post extending from an inner surface of the housing, the cam configured to be rotatable at least partially around the post,

an arm that extends from an outer surface of the body to be coupled to a finger switch of the user input device and that enables the cam to be rotated by movement of the finger switch, and

a stop barrier that extends from the outer surface of the body; and

wherein a trigger button has a finger receiving surface and a trigger backside opposed to the finger receiving surface;

the finger switch in a first selectable position causing the stop barrier to be rotated into the travel path of the trigger button, to receive the trigger backside and limit movement of the trigger button to a first distance; and

the finger switch in a second selectable position causing the stop barrier to be rotated out of a travel path of the trigger button to enable the trigger button to be depressed a second distance that is greater than the first distance.

14. The trigger path adjustment assembly of claim 13, further comprising:

a slot cover; and

an elongated connection member that connects the slot cover, the arm, and the finger switch;

the finger switch having a first portion extending outside of the housing through a slot in the housing and a second portion inside the housing to which the elongated connection member connects; and

the slot cover configured to rotate around the post with the arm to cover an open portion of the slot in the first and second selectable positions of the finger switch.

15. The trigger path adjustment assembly of claim 14, wherein the finger switch has a first portion extending outside of the housing through a slot in the housing and a second portion inside the housing to which the elongated connection member connects;

and

the arm includes a slot cover that rotates around the post with the arm to cover an open portion of the slot in the first and second selectable positions of the finger switch.

16. The trigger path adjustment assembly of claim 13, wherein the adjustment assembly further comprises:

a spring that resides in a cylindrical recess in the body, and

a cap that holds the spring at least partially compressed in the cylindrical recess;

the cam further comprises

a first mating feature at a second outer surface of the body of the cam;

the housing comprises

a base that extends from the inner surface of the housing, the base having a surface that includes a second mating feature configured to mate with the first mating feature in the first selectable position of the finger switch, and a third mating feature configured to mate with the first mating feature in the second selectable position of the finger switch; and

the spring is configured to stabilize a position of the cam into one of the first and second selectable positions of the finger switch by forcing rotation of the cam into mating the first and second mating features or mating the first and third mating features.

17. The trigger path adjustment assembly of claim 13, wherein the finger switch is configured to slide on an outer side surface of the housing, the finger switch includes a backside post that extends into the housing through a slot, and an end of the backside post is coupled to an end of the arm.

18. The trigger path adjustment assembly of claim 13, wherein a leaf spring extends from the inner surface of the housing and has a first mating feature at an end;

and

the cam further comprising

a retainer ring that extends from the outer surface of the body and that includes second and third mating features, and that is configured to stabilize a position of the cam into one of the first and second selectable positions of the finger switch by forcing rotation of the cam into mating the first mating feature with one of the second or third mating features.

19. The trigger path adjustment assembly of claim 13, wherein the adjustment assembly further comprises:

a spring coupled between a first mount feature of the cam and a second mount feature extending from the inner surface of the housing, the spring configured as an over center toggle to stabilize a position of the cam into one of the first and second selectable positions of the finger switch.

20. The trigger travel path adjustment assembly of claim 13, wherein the finger switch extends through a slot in the housing to extend outside of the housing.

21. A method for interacting with a user input device that has a trigger button, comprising:

positioning a stop barrier, without repositioning the trigger button, into a travel path of the trigger button in response to a user interacting with a finger switch having a portion that extends outside a housing of the user input device accessible on the user input device during gameplay, thereby transitioning to a first mode, the trigger button limited to being depressible a first distance with the stop barrier in the travel path in the first mode, the stop barrier repositionable in a plane different from a plane of the travel path; and

positioning the stop barrier, without repositioning the trigger button, out of the travel path of the trigger button in response to the user interacting with the finger switch during gameplay, thereby transitioning from the first mode to a second mode in which the trigger button is limited to being depressible a second distance with the stop barrier out of the travel path, the second distance greater than the first distance.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

self-stabilizing the finger switch into one of the first mode or the second mode.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the finger switch extends through a slot in the housing to extend outside of the housing.

24. A user input device, comprising:

a finger depressible trigger button;

a trigger travel path adjustment assembly, separate from the trigger button, that resides in an internal cavity of a housing of the user input device; and

a finger switch configured to be switched, without repositioning the trigger button, between a plurality of selectable positions in real-time, a first selectable position of the finger switch causing the adjustment assembly to position a stop barrier into a travel path of the trigger button to enable the trigger button to be depressed a first distance and a second selectable position of the finger switch causing the adjustment assembly to position the stop barrier out of the travel path of the trigger button to enable the trigger button to be depressed a second distance that is greater than the first distance, wherein the trigger travel path adjustment assembly includes a structure configured to be rotatable and configured to allow a distance of depression of the trigger button to be changed to the first distance or the second distance based at least in part on a degree of rotation of the structure and the finger switch being, respectively, in the first selectable position or the second selectable position.

25. The user input device of claim 24, wherein:

the structure includes a backside of the trigger button; and

the stop barrier is connected to the finger switch.

26. The user input device of claim 24, wherein the finger switch extends through a slot in the housing to extend outside of the housing.

27. The user input device of claim 26, further comprising:

a slot cover connected to the finger switch, the slot cover configured to cover an open portion of the slot in the first and second selectable positions of the finger switch.

28. A method for interacting with a user input device that has a trigger button, comprising:

limiting depression of the trigger button at a first distance by positioning a stop barrier into a travel path of the trigger button based at least on a finger switch accessible on the user input device during gameplay being positioned, without repositioning the trigger button, into a first selectable position and a first degree of rotation of a structure configured to be rotatable, the structure separate from the trigger button; and

limiting depression of the trigger button at a second distance by positioning the stop barrier out of the travel path of the trigger button based at least on the finger switch being positioned, without repositioning the trigger button, into a second selectable position and a second degree of rotation of the structure.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein:

the structure includes a backside of the trigger button; and

the stop barrier is connected to the finger switch.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the finger switch extends through a slot in a housing of the user input device to extend outside of the housing.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

covering an open portion of the slot in the first and second selectable positions of the finger switch with a slot cover connected to the finger switch.