HANDHELD CONTROLLER WITH FINGER GRIP DETECTION

• US 20170136351A1
• Filed: 11/12/2015
• Published: 05/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: META Platforms Technologies LLC (Meta Platforms, Inc. (f/k/a Facebook, Inc.))
• Original Assignee: Oculus VR, LLC (Meta Platforms, Inc. (f/k/a Facebook, Inc.))
• Inventors: Long, Clare Regimbal
• Granted Patent: US 10,130,875 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/90 Constructional details or arrangements of video game devices not provided for in groups A63F13/20 or A63F13/25, e.g. housing, wiring, connections or cabinets

Abstract

A handheld controller including a main body having a thumb surface and a thumbstick extending from the thumb surface. A trigger button is positioned on the main body and a handle extends from the main body on a side opposite the trigger button, wherein the handle has a palm side and a finger side. A third-finger button is positioned on the finger side of the handle and includes a magnet mounted thereon. A sensor operative to detect the magnet is positioned inside the handle adjacent the magnet.

Claims

1. A handheld controller, comprising:

a main body;

a handle extending from the main body, wherein the handle has a palm side and a finger side;

a trigger button positioned on the main body or handle; and

a third-finger button positioned on the finger side of the handle.

2. The handheld controller of claim 1, wherein the trigger button is positioned on the main body on a side opposite the trigger button.

3. The handheld controller of claim 1, wherein the main body includes a thumb surface and further comprising a thumbstick extending from the thumb surface.

4. The handheld controller of claim 3, wherein the thumb surface is substantially planar.

5. The handheld controller of claim 3, further comprising one or more buttons positioned on the thumb surface.

6. The handheld controller of claim 1, further comprising a surrounding ring portion extending from the main body.

7. The handheld controller of claim 1, further comprising a detection member connected to the third-finger button and configured to detect movement of third-finger button to generate a hand-gesture signal.

8. The handheld controller of claim 1, further comprising a magnet mounted on the third-finger button and a sensor operative to detect the magnet positioned inside the handle adjacent the magnet.

9. The handheld controller of claim 1, wherein the third-finger button is pivotably coupled to the controller.

11. The handheld controller of claim 9, wherein the detection feature is a magnet.

12. The handheld controller of claim 9, wherein the trigger button is positioned on the main body on a side opposite the trigger button.

13. The handheld controller of claim 9, wherein the third-finger button is pivotably coupled to the controller.

14. The handheld controller of claim 9, wherein the thumb surface is substantially planar.

15. The handheld controller of claim 14, further comprising one or more buttons positioned on the thumb surface.

10. A handheld controller, comprising:

a main body having a thumb surface;

a thumbstick extending from the thumb surface;

a surrounding ring portion extending from the main body;

a handle extending from the main body, wherein the handle has a palm side and a finger side;

a trigger button positioned on the main body or handle;

a third-finger button positioned on the finger side of the handle;

a detection feature positioned on the third-finger button; and

a sensor operative to detect the detection feature positioned inside the handle adjacent the detection feature and output a signal corresponding to movement of the third-finger button.

16. A handheld controller, comprising:

a main body;

a handle extending from the main body, wherein the handle has a palm side and a finger side;

a trigger button positioned on the main body or handle; and

a pressure sensitive pad positioned on the finger side of the handle.

17. The handheld controller of claim 16, wherein the main body includes a thumb surface and further comprising a thumbstick extending from the thumb surface.

18. The handheld controller of claim 17, wherein the thumb surface is substantially planar.

19. The handheld controller of claim 17, further comprising one or more buttons positioned on the thumb surface.

20. The handheld controller of claim 16, further comprising a surrounding ring portion extending from the main body.