Hand-held controller with pressure-sensing switch for virtual-reality systems

• US 10,180,720 B2
• Filed: 01/12/2018
• Issued: 01/15/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: META Platforms Technologies LLC (Meta Platforms, Inc. (f/k/a Facebook, Inc.))
• Original Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC (Meta Platforms, Inc. (f/k/a Facebook, Inc.))
• Inventors: Higgins, Jason Andrew, Tunberg Rogoza, Benjamin E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Skaarup, Jason
• Application Number:
  US15/870,631
• Publication Number:
  US 20180164883A1
• Time in Patent Office: 368 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/212 using sensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat or leg activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/216 using geographical information, e.g. location of the game device or player using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/218 using pressure sensors, e.g. generating a signal proportional to the pressure applied by the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/014 Hand-worn input/output arrangements, e.g. data gloves
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0227 Cooperation and interconnection of the input arrangement with other functional units of a computer G06F3/023 - G06F3/037 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0325 using a plurality of light emitters or reflectors or a plurality of detectors forming a reference frame from which to derive the orientation of the object, e.g. by triangulation or on the basis of reference deformation in the picked up image
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0346 with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface

Abstract

A method is performed in a virtual-reality system that includes a head-mounted display (HMD) and a hand-held controller. The hand-held controller includes a grip and a user-input key mounted at least in part on the grip. In the method, an image of a hand is displayed on the HMD. Pressure applied to the user-input key by a user holding the hand-held controller and wearing the HMD is sensed. A degree of closing of the image of the hand is displayed on the HMD in proportion to the pressure applied to the grip.

Claims

1. A method, comprising;

in a virtual-reality system comprising a head-mounted display (HMD) and a hand-held controller, wherein;

the hand-held controller comprises a grip, a user-input surface, and a cage;

the user-input surface includes a user-input key that is mounted, at least in part, on the grip, wherein the user input key includes an analog pressure sensor; and

the cage has a ring shape that is coupled to the user-input surface at first and second points, without the grip being interposed between the cage and the first point, and without the grip being interposed between the cage and the second point, wherein

the cape includes a plurality of illumination sources on an outer surface of the cape;

the method comprising;

displaying an image of a hand on the HMD;

sensing pressure applied to the analog pressure sensor by a user holding the hand-held controller and wearing the HMD; and

displaying, on the HMD, a degree of closing of the image of the hand in proportion to the pressure applied to the analog pressure sensor.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

sensing the pressure applied to the analog pressure sensor comprises sensing an increase in the pressure being applied to the analog pressure sensor; and

the displaying comprises displaying an animation of the image of the hand at least partially closing, in accordance with the increased pressure.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein:

the increased pressure causes the user-input key to partially depress; and

the animation shows the image of the hand partially closing.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein:

the increased pressure causes the user-input key to fully depress; and

the animation shows the image of the hand fully closing.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein:

sensing the pressure applied to the analog pressure sensor comprises sensing a reduction in the pressure being applied to the analog pressure sensor; and

the displaying comprises displaying an animation of the image of the hand at least partially opening, in accordance with the reduced pressure.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein:

the reduced pressure causes the user-input key to partially release from a fully depressed state; and

the animation shows the image of the hand partially opening.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein:

the reduced pressure causes the user-input key to fully release from a fully depressed state; and

the animation shows the image of the hand fully opening.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising, in the virtual system, at respective times:

determining that the pressure applied to the analog pressure sensor corresponds to a first threshold pressure;

determining that the pressure applied to the analog pressure sensor corresponds to a second threshold pressure greater than the first threshold pressure; and

determining that the pressure applied to the analog pressure sensor is between the first threshold pressure and the second threshold pressure;

wherein the displaying comprises;

in response to determining that the pressure applied to the analog pressure sensor corresponds to the first threshold pressure, displaying the image of the hand as fully open on the HMD;

in response to determining that the pressure applied to the analog pressure sensor corresponds to the second threshold pressure, displaying the image of the hand as fully closed on the HMD; and

in response to determining that the pressure applied to the analog pressure sensor is between the first threshold pressure and the second threshold pressure, displaying the image of the hand as partially open.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein:

the first threshold pressure is zero pressure on the analog pressure sensor; and

the second threshold pressure corresponds to the user-input key being fully depressed.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the user-input key comprises;

a casing depressible by one or more fingers of the user; and

a switch coupled to the casing, wherein the switch includes the analog pressure sensor.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein:

sensing the pressure applied to the analog pressure sensor comprises detecting a range of pressure inputs applied to the casing by the user.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein:

the virtual-reality system comprises a controller, distinct from the hand-held controller, to control the HMD;

the analog pressure sensor comprises a transducer; and

the method further comprises, in the virtual-reality system;

converting the pressure inputs into respective analog electrical signals, using the transducer; and

providing the respective analog electrical signals to the controller for display as actions of the image of the hand.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the user-input key comprises a trigger.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein:

the casing is positioned within a recess of the grip; and

the switch is positioned in the casing.

15. A virtual-reality system, comprising:

a head-mounted display (HMD) configured to display an image of a hand; and

a hand-held controller, wherein;

the hand-held controller comprises a grip, a user-input surface, and a cage;

the user-input surface includes a user-input key that is mounted, at least in part, on the grip, wherein the user input key includes an analog pressure sensor;

the cage has a ring shape that is coupled to the user-input surface at first and second points, without the grip being interposed between the cage and the first point, and without the grip being interposed between the cage and the second point, wherein the cage includes a plurality of illumination sources on an outer surface of the cage; and

the hand-held controller is configured to sense pressure applied to the analog pressure sensor by a user holding the hand-held controller and wearing the HMD, wherein the HMD displays a degree of closing of the image of the hand in proportion to the pressure applied to the analog pressure sensor.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein when the analog pressure sensor senses an increase in the pressure being applied to the analog pressure sensor, the HMD displays an animation of the image of the hand at least partially closing, in accordance with the increased pressure.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the analog pressure sensor senses a reduction in the pressure being applied to the analog pressure sensor, the HMD displays an animation of the image of the hand at least partially opening, in accordance with the reduced pressure.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the hand-held controller is further configured to, at respective times:

determine that the pressure applied to the analog pressure sensor corresponds to a first threshold pressure;

determine that the pressure applied to the analog pressure sensor corresponds to a second threshold pressure greater than the first threshold pressure; and

determine that the pressure applied to the analog pressure sensor is between the first threshold pressure and the second threshold pressure;

wherein the HMD is further configured to;

in response to determining that the pressure applied to the analog pressure sensor corresponds to the first threshold pressure, display the image of the hand as fully open;

in response to determining that the pressure applied to the analog pressure sensor corresponds to the second threshold pressure, display the image of the hand as fully closed; and

in response to determining that the pressure applied to the analog pressure sensor is between the first threshold pressure and the second threshold pressure, display the image of the hand as partially open.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein:

the user-input key comprises;

a casing depressible by one or more fingers of the user; and

a switch coupled to the casing, wherein the switch includes the analog pressure sensor.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein:

the virtual-reality system comprises a controller, distinct from the hand-held controller, to control the HMD;

the analog pressure sensor comprises a transducer; and

the hand-held controller is further configured to;

convert the pressure inputs into respective analog electrical signals, using the transducer; and

provide the respective analog electrical signals to the controller for display as actions of the image of the hand.