Electronic controller with finger detection and adjustable hand restraints
The controller design with an adjustable hand restraint and tracking transducers addresses ease of use and grip security, enabling precise finger movement detection for improved VR interaction.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- VALVE CORPORATION
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-04
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-15
Smart Images
Figure 0007860207000001 
Figure 0007860207000002 
Figure 0007860207000003
Abstract
Description
Cross - reference to related applications
[0001] This is a PCT application claiming priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 392,497, filed on April 23, 2019, entitled "ELECTRONIC CONTROLLER WITH FINGER SENSING AND AN ADJUSTABLE HAND RETAINER". This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 as a partial continuation of U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 834,372, filed on December 7, 2017, entitled "ELECTRONIC CONTROLLER WITH FINGER SENSING AND AN ADJUSTABLE HAND RETAINER". U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 834,372 itself claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 as a partial continuation of U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 679,521, filed on August 17, 2017, entitled "ELECTRONIC CONTROLLER WITH HAND RETAINER AND FINGER MOTION SENSING". U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 679,521 itself claims priority as a partial continuation of U.S. Patent Application No. 29 / 580,635, filed on October 11, 2016, now Patent No. D806,173, and claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 520,958, filed on June 16, 2017. Application Nos. 16 / 392,497, 15 / 834,372, 15 / 679,521, 29 / 580,635, and 62 / 520,958 are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The video game industry has grown large and significant, giving rise to numerous inventions in both software and related hardware. Various handheld video game controllers are designed, manufactured, and sold for a wide range of gaming applications. Some of these inventions have applicability outside the video game industry, such as in industrial machinery, defense systems, and robotics controllers. Virtual reality (VR) systems are an application of great contemporary interest and rapid technological advancement, both within and outside the video game industry. Controllers for VR systems often need to perform several different functions while optimizing specific desired characteristics, such as ease of use, and satisfying strict (and sometimes conflicting) design constraints. Therefore, there is a need in this field for improved controller designs that can enhance VR systems and / or make user operation easier. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0003] [Figure 1] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a controller in which the hand restraint is in the open position, is shown.
[0004] [Figure 2] Figure 1 illustrates the controller located in the open hand of a user with their palm facing upwards.
[0005] [Figure 3] Figure 1 illustrates the controller held in the user's closed hand.
[0006] [Figure 4] Figure 1 illustrates the controller in the user's hand, with the palm facing down.
[0007] [Figure 5] A pair of controllers according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention are shown, with the hand restraints in the open position.
[0008] [Figure 6A] A front view of a right-hand controller according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.
[0009] [Figure 6B] Figure 6A shows a rear view of the right-hand controller.
[0010] [Figure 7A] An illustration shows a window for an infrared sensor according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] [Figure 7B] A window for an infrared sensor according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown.
[0012] [Figure 8] Figure 6A shows a side view of the right-hand controller, where the outer shell partially enclosing the tubular housing of the controller's handle has been disassembled, revealing the instrumentation on its inner surface.
[0013] [Figure 9A] Figure 6A shows a cross-section of the right-hand controller, with the outer shell that partially encloses the tubular housing of the controller handle disassembled.
[0014] [Figure 9B] Figure 9A shows a cross-section that differs in that the outer shell is positioned in its normal operating position.
[0015] [Figure 10A] A front view of a right-hand controller according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, with a partially closed hand restraint, is shown.
[0016] [Figure 10B] Figure 10A shows a front view of the controller, which differs in that the hand restraint is fully open.
[0017] [Figure 11A]A front view of the head and handle components of a controller according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated and includes a hand fixture anchor that can move around the head.
[0018] [Figure 11B] Figure 11A illustrates the head and handle components, which differ in that the faceplate has been removed from the head to expose a locking collar portion that can facilitate selective adjustment of the hand fixture anchor around the head.
[0019] [Figure 12A] Figure 12A illustrates a partially assembled controller according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, with the hand fixture components removed.
[0020] [Figure 12B] Figure 12A illustrates an enlarged view of the channel features of the controller.
[0021] [Figure 12C] Figure 12B is a cross-sectional view of the channel shown in Figure 12A.
[0022] [Figure 13A] A front view of the head and handle components of a controller according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated and includes a hand fixture anchor that can move around the head.
[0023] [Figure 13B] Figure 13A illustrates the head and handle components, which differ in that the faceplate has been removed from the head to expose a collar portion that can facilitate selective adjustment of the hand fixture anchor around the head.
[0024] [Figure 13C] Figure 13A illustrates an example of a pivotal or rotatable attachment between the hand fixture anchor and the elastic member of the hand fixture.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0025] Figures 1-4 illustrate a controller 100 for an electronic system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The controller 100 may be used by electronic systems such as VR video game systems, robots, weapons, or medical devices. The controller 100 may include a controller body 110 having a handle 112 and a hand restraint 120 for holding the controller 100 in the user's hand (e.g., the user's left hand). The handle 112 comprises a tubular housing which may optionally be substantially cylindrical. In this context, the substantially cylindrical shape does not need to have a constant diameter or a perfectly circular cross-section.
[0026] In the embodiments shown in Figures 1-4, the controller body 110 may include a head (between the handle 112 and the distal end 111) which may optionally include one or more thumb control units 114, 115, 116. For example, a tilt button, or any other button, knob, wheel, joystick, or trackball, may be considered a thumb control unit if it can be easily operated by the user's thumb during normal operation while the controller 100 is held in the user's hand.
[0027] The controller 100 preferably includes a tracking member 130 fixed to the controller body 110 and optionally including two noses 132, 134, each of which protrudes from a corresponding one of two opposing distal ends of the tracking member 130. In the embodiments shown in Figures 1-4, the tracking member 130 is preferably, but not required, a tracking arc having an arc shape. The tracking member 130 includes a plurality of tracking transducers disposed therein, preferably at least one tracking transducer disposed within each protruding nose 132, 134. Additional tracking transducers may also be disposed within the controller body 110, preferably at least one distal tracking transducer disposed adjacent to the distal end 111.
[0028] The tracking transducers described above may be tracking sensors that respond to electromagnetic radiation (e.g., infrared radiation) emitted by an electronic system, or they may, alternatively, be tracking beacons that emit electromagnetic radiation (e.g., infrared radiation) that is received by an electronic system. For example, the electronic system may be a VR game system that broadly broadcasts, i.e., depicts, pulsed infrared radiation toward a controller 100, and the multiple tracking transducers of the tracking member 130 are infrared sensors that can receive or be blocked from the broadcasted pulsed infrared radiation. The tracking transducers in each nose 132, 134 (e.g., three sensors in each nose) are preferably better exposed (around the user's hand) to receive or transmit electromagnetic radiation emitted by the electronic system at a wider angle, without an unacceptable amount of shadowing, on each distal end of the tracking member 130, beyond the user's hand.
[0029] Preferably, the tracking member 130 and the controller body 110 are made of a substantially rigid material such as hard plastic and are firmly fixed together so that they do not translate or rotate relative to each other to a degree that they can be sensed. In this way, it is preferable that the translational and rotational tracking of the arrangement of the tracking transducers in space is not complicated by the movement of the tracking transducers relative to each other. For example, as shown in Figures 1-4, the tracking member 130 can be fixed to the controller body 110 by being joined to the controller body 110 at two locations. A hand restraint 120 can be attached to the controller 100 (either the controller body 110 or the tracking member 130) adjacent to those two locations to bias the user's palm against the outer surface of the handle 112 between the two positions.
[0030] In certain embodiments, the tracking member 130 and the controller body 110 may not be assembled together but rather comprise a single monolithic component with material continuity. For example, the tracking member 130 and the controller body 110 may be molded together in a single injection molding process, resulting in a single, integrated rigid plastic component containing both the tracking member 130 and the controller body 110. Alternatively, the tracking member 130 and the controller body 110 may be manufactured separately first and then assembled together. In either case, the tracking member 130 can be considered fixed to the controller body 110.
[0031] The hand restraint 120 is shown in the open position in Figure 1. The hand restraint 120 is optionally biased in the open position by a curved elastic member 122 to facilitate the insertion of the user's left hand between the hand restraint 120 and the controller body 110 when the user grasps the controller in a field of view obstructed by VR goggles. For example, the curved elastic member 122 may optionally be an elastically bendable flexible metal piece, or it may include an alternative plastic material such as nylon that is substantially elastically bendable. For user comfort, the curved elastic member 122 may optionally be partially or completely inside or covered by a cushion or fabric material 124 (e.g., a neoprene sheath). Alternatively, the cushion or fabric material 124 may be disposed (e.g., bonded) only on the side of the curved elastic member 122 facing the user's hand.
[0032] The hand restraint 120 may optionally be adjustable in length by including, for example, a drawstring 126 that is tightened by a spring-biased stopper 128. The drawstring 126 may optionally have an extra length that can be used as a lanyard. A sheath 124 may optionally be attached to the drawstring. In certain embodiments, a curved elastic member 122 may be preloaded by the tension of the tightened drawstring 126. In such embodiments, the tension that the curved elastic member 122 imparts to the hand restraint 120 (for biasing the hand restraint 120 in the open position) causes the hand restraint to open automatically when the drawstring 126 is not tightened. The disclosure also considers alternative conventional methods for adjusting the length of the hand restraint 120, such as fasteners, elastic bands (which temporarily stretch when a hand is inserted to apply elastic tension so as to press against the back of the hand), and hook-and-loop strap attachments that allow for length adjustment.
[0033] The hand restraint 120 may be positioned between the handle 112 and the tracking member 130 and configured to contact the back of the user's hand. Figure 2 shows the controller 100 in operation, with the user's left hand inserted into the controller 100 but not grasping the controller body 110. In Figure 2, the hand restraint 120 is closed and covers and tightens the hand, physically biasing the user's palm against the outer surface of the handle 112. In this way, the hand restraint 120 can hold the controller 100 in the hand even when the hand is not grasping the controller body 110 when closed. Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the controller 100 in operation when the hand restraint 120 is closed, the hand is grasping the controller body 110, and the thumb is operating one or more of the thumb operation control units (e.g., trackpad 116).
[0034] The handle 112 of the controller body 110 preferably includes an array of proximity sensors partially or completely spatially distributed around its outer surface. The proximity sensors in the array may include a grid, although they are not necessarily of equal size and are not necessarily equally spaced apart. The array of proximity sensors preferably responds to the proximity of the user's fingers to the outer surface of the handle 112. For example, the array of proximity sensors may be a plurality of capacitive sensors embedded beneath the outer surface of the handle 112, the outer surface of which includes an electrically insulating material. The capacitance between such an array of capacitive sensors and a portion of the user's hand is inversely correlated with the distance between them. Capacitance can be detected by connecting an RC oscillator circuit to the elements of the capacitive sensor array and noting that the time constant of the circuit (and therefore the period and frequency of oscillation) will change with the capacitance. In this way, the circuit can detect the release of the user's fingers from the outer surface of the handle 112.
[0035] When the hand restraint 120 (e.g., a hand restraint strap) is securely closed, it not only prevents the controller 100 from falling from the hand, but can also function to more reliably detect finger movements by preventing excessive translation of the fingers relative to the proximity sensor array of the handle 112. The electronic system may include algorithms that embody anatomically possible finger movements in order to better utilize detections from the proximity sensor array to render the controlled character opening its hand, the orientation of its fingers, or other finger movements toward or toward the controller. In this way, the movements of the user's controller 100 and / or fingers can help control a VR game system, defense system, medical system, industrial robot or machine, or another device. In VR system applications (e.g., games, training, etc.), the system may render a throwing motion based on the movement of a tracking transducer, and may render the release of a thrown object based on the detected release of the user's fingers from the outside of the controller's handle.
[0036] Therefore, the function of the hand restraint 120 (to allow the user to “let go” of the controller 100 without the controller 100 actually separating from the user’s hand or being thrown or dropped on the floor) may enable additional functions of the controlled electronic system. For example, if the user’s release and return of the handle 112 of the controller body 110 is detected, such release or grab may be incorporated into the game to display the object being thrown or grabbed (e.g., in VR). The hand restraint 120 may allow such functions to be achieved repeatedly and safely. For example, the location of the hand restraint 120 in the embodiments of Figures 1-4 may help the tracking member 130 protect the back of the user’s hand from impacts in the real world, for example, when the user moves in response to a prompt detected in a VR environment (e.g., while substantially blinded by VR goggles).
[0037] In certain embodiments, the controller 100 may include a rechargeable battery disposed within the controller body 110, and the hand restraint 120 (e.g., a hand restraint strap) may include conductive charging wiring electrically connected to the rechargeable battery. The controller 100 also preferably includes a radio frequency (RF) transmitter for communicating with the rest of the electronic system. Such an RF transmitter may be powered by the rechargeable battery and may respond to thumb control units 114, 115, 116, proximity sensors in the handle 112 of the controller body 110, and / or tracking sensors in the tracking member 130.
[0038] As shown in Figure 5, in certain embodiments, controller 100 may be the left controller of a pair of controllers, including a similar right controller 200. In certain embodiments, controllers 100 and 200 may simultaneously (together) track the movements and grips of the user's hands, for example, to enhance the VR experience.
[0039] Figure 6A shows a front view of a right-hand controller 600 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6B shows a rear view of the right-hand controller 600. The controller 600 has a controller body including a head 610 and a handle 612. In the embodiments of Figures 6A and 6B, the head 610 includes at least one thumb-operated control unit A, B, 608 and may also include a control unit (e.g., trigger 609) configured to be operated by the index finger. The handle 612 comprises a tubular housing partially encased by an outer shell 640.
[0040] In the embodiments of Figures 6A and 6B, the tracking member 630 is fixed to the controller body at the head 610 and at one end of the handle 612. The hand restraint 620 is configured to physically bias the user's palm against an outer shell 640 between the head 610 and one end of the handle 612. The hand restraint 620 may preferably include a hand restraint strap, which is disposed between the handle 612 and the tracking member 630, is adjustable in length, and is configured to contact the back of the user's hand. In the embodiments of Figures 6A and 6B, the hand restraint 620 optionally includes a pull cord 628, which can optionally be adjusted in length by a cord locking portion 626 (adjacent to the distal end of the handle 612), and the cord locking portion 626 selectively prevents sliding movement by the pull cord 628 at the location of the cord locking portion 626.
[0041] In the embodiments of Figures 6A and 6B, the tracking transducers 632 and 633 are disposed on the tracking member 630, with the tracking transducer 633 disposed on the protruding nose of the opposing distal end of the tracking member 630. An additional tracking transducer 634 is optionally disposed on the distal region of the head 610. The tracking transducers 632, 633, and 634 may be tracking sensors that respond to electromagnetic radiation (e.g., infrared) emitted by an electronic system (e.g., a virtual reality game system), or they may be tracking beacons that emit electromagnetic radiation (e.g., infrared) that is received by an electronic system. For example, the electronic system may be a VR game system that broadly broadcasts, i.e., depicts, pulsed infrared towards the controller 600, and the tracking transducers 632, 633, and 634 are infrared sensors capable of receiving the broadcasted pulsed infrared. The response of such tracking sensors may be sent back to the electronic system, which can interpret such response to effectively track the location and orientation of the controller 600.
[0042] One or more of the tracking transducers 632, 633, and 634 may optionally be structured in a conventional manner not shown, as shown in the embodiment of Figure 7A, or alternatively as shown in the embodiment of Figure 7B. The lower portion of Figure 7A illustrates an exploded perspective view of an infrared sensor 750 electrically connected to a flexible circuit 751, shown below a rectangular portion of a windowed housing wall 755 provided above, which includes infrared-impermeable plastic. The windowed housing wall 755 includes a window 756. The window 756 preferably includes infrared-transparent polycarbonate plastic and may include a lower recess for accommodating the thickness of the infrared sensor 750.
[0043] According to the embodiment in Figure 7A, the housing wall with a window (e.g., the outer structure of the tracking member 630, or the head 610 in Figure 6A) is made of infrared-impermeable plastic for the majority of the housing wall, but infrared-transparent plastic can be manufactured in a so-called "double-shot" injection molding process so that it is positioned within the window 756 above the infrared sensor 750.
[0044] The upper portion of Figure 7A illustrates a cross-sectional view of the assembled infrared sensor 750, flexible circuit 751, and housing wall 755 with a window. Infrared light, shown in Figure 7A as three downward-pointing arrows, enters the window 756 from above and passes through the window 756 so that it is received by the infrared sensor 750 below. Because the housing wall 755 contains infrared-impermeable plastic, the infrared light that hits it does not pass through, and a portion is reflected back to the window and received by the infrared sensor 750. In this way, the window 756 allows infrared light to affect the infrared sensor 750 despite the fact that most of the housing wall 755 contains infrared-impermeable plastic, so that the infrared sensor 750 receives infrared light only from a preferred angular range.
[0045] Alternatively, one or more of the tracking transducers 632, 633, and 634 may optionally be structured as shown in the embodiment of Figure 7B. The lower portion of Figure 7B illustrates an exploded perspective view of an infrared sensor 750 electrically connected to a flexible circuit 751, shown below a rectangular portion of an upper housing wall 758, which includes IR-transparent plastic. The housing wall 758 is covered with an infrared-impermeable film 757 that is patterned to include a window 759 (where the infrared-impermeable film 757 is absent).
[0046] The upper portion of Figure 7B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the assembled infrared sensor 750, flexible circuit 751, housing wall 758, and IR opaque film 757. Infrared light, shown in Figure 7B as three downward-pointing arrows, incident on the housing wall 758 from above, passes through a window 759 in the infrared opaque film 757, where it passes through the housing wall 758 and is received by the infrared sensor 750 below. Because the housing wall 758 contains infrared-transparent plastic, infrared light hitting it can pass through it and be lost, possibly reaching nearby sensors unintentionally and undesirably via internal reflection. In this way, the window 759 in the infrared opaque film 757 allows the infrared light to primarily affect the infrared sensor 750.
[0047] Figure 8 shows a side view of the right-hand controller 600, in which the outer shell 640, which partially encloses the tubular housing of the handle 612, is disassembled to reveal the instrument on its inner surface. In the embodiment of Figure 8, the instrument may include an array of proximity sensors 800 spatially distributed on the inner surface of the outer shell 640, which responds to the proximity of the user's fingers to the outer shell 640. The proximity sensors 800 in the array are not necessarily equal in size and do not need to be regularly or evenly spaced from one another. In certain embodiments, the array of proximity sensors 800 may preferably be a plurality of capacitive sensors that can be connected to a flexible circuit coupled to the inner surface of the outer shell 640. In the embodiment of Figure 8, the outer shell 640 includes a first electrical connector portion 805 (as shown in more detail in Figures 9A and 9B) that can be connected to a second electrical connector portion that mates with the handle 612.
[0048] Figures 9A and 9B illustrate cross-sections of the right-hand controller 600 of Figure 6A, showing that the controller handle optionally includes tubular housing portions 612a and 612b that are longitudinally divided by a joint 613, and that the tubular housing portions 612a and 612b are adjacent. In Figure 9A, the outer shell 640 is shown disassembled from the rest of the handle. Figure 9B illustrates a cross-section of Figure 9A, differing in that the outer shell 640 is positioned in its normal operating position. In the embodiments of Figures 9A and 9B, the first electrical connector portion 805 of the outer shell 640 is shown to be mated with and connectable to the second electrical connector portion 905 of the controller handle.
[0049] In the embodiments of Figures 9A and 9B, the outer shell 640 preferably partially encloses the tubular housings 612a, 612b so as to overlap a longitudinal seam 613, and as a result the longitudinal seam 613 may be positioned to optimize the manufacturing process rather than adapting to a desired circumferential location of the proximity sensor array 800. In certain embodiments, the outer shell 640 overlaps with the circumferential portion C of the tubular housings 612a, 612b of the handle, and the circumferential portion C extends angularly by at least 100 degrees, but not more than 170 degrees, of the entire circumference of the tubular housings 612a, 612b of the handle. Such a circumferential overlap may, in certain embodiments, allow the proximity sensor array 800 to detect the proximity of a desired portion of the user's fingers or palm, for example, an area of the hand that best indicates grasping.
[0050] The tubular housings 612a, 612b of the handles do not need to have a circular cross-section, and the word “circumference” is used herein regardless of whether the tubular housings 612a, 612b of the handles have a circular cross-section. herein, the term “circumference” means the entire circumference around the tubular housings 612a, 612b of the handles, which may be circular if the tubular housings 612a, 612b are straight cylinders, but may be a closed shape other than a circle if the tubular housings are formed as non-cylindrical or hollow prisms.
[0051] In the embodiments of Figures 9A and 9B, the printed circuit board (PCB) 920 may be mounted within the tubular housings 612a, 612b of the handle, and the second electrical connector portion 905 is electrically connected to the PCB 920. The PCB 920 optionally includes a force sensing resistor (FSR) 922, and the controller may further include a plunger 924 that transmits a compressive force applied via the outer shell 640 inward to the FSR 922 toward the outside of the tubular housings 612a, 612b of the handle. In certain embodiments, the FSR 922, in conjunction with a proximity sensor array 800, may facilitate the detection of both the initiation of a grab by the user and the relative strength of such a grab by the user, which may facilitate certain gameplay features.
[0052] In certain embodiments, the outer shell 640 has a shell thickness (measured radially in Figures 9A and 9B) that is less than one-third of the housing wall thickness of the tubular housing portion 612a or 612b of the handle. In these embodiments, such thickness inequality may improve the sensitivity of the proximity sensor array 800 compared to alternative embodiments in which the proximity sensor array 800 is disposed on or inside the tubular housing 612a, 612b of the handle.
[0053] Figure 10A illustrates a front view of a right-hand controller 200 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, with a partially closed hand restraint 220 (e.g., a hand restraint strap). Figure 10B illustrates a front view of the controller 200, which differs in that the hand restraint 220 is fully open. In the embodiments of Figures 10A and 10B, the controller 200 includes a controller body having a head 210 and a handle 212. The head 210 is adjacent to the handle 212 in the neck region 211 of the controller 200. The handle 212 preferably includes an array of proximity sensors spatially distributed just below its outer surface, which preferably respond to the proximity of the user's fingers to the outer surface of the handle 212.
[0054] In the embodiments of Figures 10A and 10B, the head 210 includes thumb control units A, B, and 208. The controller 200 also includes a tracking member 230, which is attached to the head 210 and preferably fixed to the controller body at one end of the handle 212. The tracking member 230 preferably includes a plurality of tracking transducers, which may be sensors that respond to electromagnetic radiation emitted by an electronic system (e.g., pulsed infrared radiation emitted by a virtual reality game system) or tracking beacons that emit electromagnetic radiation received by an electronic system. In the embodiments of Figures 10A and 10B, the tracking member 230 is preferably, but not required, a tracking arc having an arc shape. A hand restraint 220 is preferably disposed between the handle 212 and the tracking member 230.
[0055] In the embodiments of Figures 10A and 10B, the controller 200 includes a pull cord 228 and a cord locking portion 226 adjacent to the distal end of the handle 212. The cord locking portion 226 can selectively prevent sliding movement by the pull cord 228 within the cord locking portion 226. In the embodiment of Figure 10A, as the pull cord 228 is progressively pulled further beyond the cord locking portion 226, the hand restraint 220 is pulled more strongly to the closed position (as indicated by the movement arrows illustrated in Figure 10A). The closed position physically biases the user's palm against the outer surface of the handle 212.
[0056] In the embodiments of Figures 10A and 10B, the hand restraint 220 preferably includes an elastic member (e.g., an internal or external elastically deformable piece, such as a metal piece) that biases the hand restraint 220 toward the open position shown in Figure 10B. In the embodiment of Figure 10B, when the user selectively releases and allows the relative sliding of the pull cord 228 to the cord locking portion 226, the biasing of the preload toward the straightening of the elastically deformed elastic member causes the hand restraint 220 to open naturally (as indicated by the movement arrows illustrated in Figure 10B). The open position can facilitate inserting or withdrawing the user's hand into or from the controller 200, in particular when the user's field of view may be obstructed by wearing virtual reality goggles.
[0057] Figure 11A shows a front view of the components of the head 210 and handle 212 of the controller 200, including a hand restraint anchor 302 that can be adjusted to move around the head 210. Figure 11B shows the components of the head 210 and handle 212, differing in that the faceplate has been removed from the head 210 to expose a lockable collar portion 311 that facilitates selective adjustment of the hand restraint anchor 302 around the head 210.
[0058] In the embodiment of Figure 11B, the lockable collar portion 311 can translate along an arc path defined by the internal arc guide 315. The lockable collar portion 311 can be selectively locked by the user to prevent further movement of the anchor 302 around the head 210. Referring here to Figures 4 and 10A-11B, the elastic member of the hand restraint 220 is attached to the hand restraint anchor 302 of the head 210, thereby allowing the hand restraint 220 to be adjusted toward or away from the user's first interdigital space (purlicue) (between the user's thumb and other fingers). In certain embodiments, the elastic member of the hand restraint 220 is preferably attached to the hand restraint anchor 302 of the head 210 by a pivotable or rotatable attachment, thereby allowing the hand restraint 220 to pivot relative to the hand restraint anchor 302 at the location of the attachment. Such degrees of freedom are additional to the adjustability of the position of the hand restraint anchor 302 around the head 210.
[0059] Figures 12A, 12B, and 12C illustrate alternative embodiments of a partially assembled controller 400, having a controller body including a head 410 and a handle 412 joined to a head in a neck region 411. In the alternative embodiments of Figures 12A-12C, the controller body includes a channel 414 disposed adjacent to the neck region 411. A hand restraint, not shown in Figure 12A so as not to partially obscure the channel 414, includes an elastic member 420 terminating in a projection 425 extending into the channel 414.
[0060] In the embodiments of Figures 12B and 12C, the projection 425 includes a catch 427 that prevents longitudinal movement of the projection within the channel 414 when the hand restraint is in the closed position. For example, in the embodiment of Figure 12C, the catch 427 is a cam that increases friction with the inner surface of the channel 414 when the relative angle of the projection 425 of the hand restraint corresponds to the closed position of the hand restraint, i.e., when the closed position of the hand restraint results in tension on the elastic member 420 (for example, in the downward direction shown in the cross-section of Figure 12C).
[0061] In contrast, when the projection 425 of the hand restraint is rotated to a relative angle corresponding to the open position of the hand restraint (for example, in the upward direction shown in the cross-section of Figure 12C), friction between the catch 427 and the channel 414 is reduced, and the projection 425 of the hand restraint can translate within the channel 414 (as indicated by the movement arrows shown in Figure 12B). The channel 414 is preferably oriented so that the translation of the projection of the hand restraint along the channel 414 adjusts the relative position of the projection 425 of the hand restraint, preferably toward or away from the first interdigital space of the user's hand, for example, so that the controller 400 can adapt to different hand sizes or finger lengths. In an alternative embodiment, the projection 425 of the hand restraint may be pivotably attached to the rest of the hand restraint by a conventional pivot joint. Such rotational degrees of freedom are additional to the adjustable translation of the hand restraint projection 425 along the channel 414.
[0062] Figure 13A illustrates a front view of the components of the controller 200, specifically the head 210 and the handle 212. The head 210 is adjacent to the handle 212 in the neck region 211 of the controller 200. The head 210 includes thumb control units (e.g., A, B, and 208). The controller 200 may further include a hand restraint anchor 1302 (sometimes referred to herein as the “radial arm 1302” and / or abbreviated herein as the “anchor 1302”) which can be adjusted to move around the head 210. Figure 13B illustrates the same components of the head 210 and the handle 212, differing in that the faceplate has been removed from the head 210 to expose a collar portion 1311 having multiple detents defined internally. The detents defined within the collar portion 1311 may be defined by multiple teeth within the collar portion 1311. As used herein, “teeth” of the collar portion 1311 refers to projections that extend radially inward toward the center of the head 210, and “detents” of the collar portion 1311 refers to notches or grooves interposed between a pair of adjacent teeth of the collar portion 1311. The collar portion 1311 may be made of metal, plastic (e.g., hard and durable plastic), or another preferred material.
[0063] The anchor 1302 may have a projection located on its underside, or may be attached to a projection. This projection (e.g., teeth) may be oriented radially outward from the center of the head 210 to engage with a specific detent of the collar portion 1311. In other words, the projection located on or attached to the underside of the anchor 1302 can be selectively positioned between a pair of adjacent teeth of the collar portion 1311, thereby locking the anchor 1302 in a specific position, and as a result, the anchor 1302 cannot move around the head 210 while locked in place. A biasing member 1304, such as a torsion spring, can physically bias the anchor 1302 radially outward from the center of the head 210, thereby causing the projection located on or attached to the underside of the anchor 1302 to remain engaged with the collar portion 1311 at a specific detent. Therefore, the hand restraint anchor 1302 is not only movable around the head 210, but also movable radially inward and outward (as indicated by the radially oriented movement arrows shown in Figure 13B) toward and away from the center of the head 210. For example, a user of the controller 200 can push the anchor 1302 radially inward, and while doing so, move the anchor 1302 around the head 210 to a different position among several distinct positions corresponding to several detents of the collar portion 1311. This is because pushing the anchor 1302 radially inward causes a projection on or attached to the underside of the anchor 1302 to sweep the teeth of the collar portion 1311, thereby enabling the circumferential movement of the anchor 1302 around the head 210. This circumferential movement of the anchor 1302 is indicated by the circumferentially oriented movement arrows shown in Figure 13B.
[0064] The number of detents defined within the collar portion 1311 is configurable and may depend on the desired range of adjustment. In some embodiments, the number of detents in the collar portion 1311 is in the range of approximately 2 to 6 detents. In some embodiments, the collar portion 1311 includes 5 detents, which may allow the anchor 1302 to be adjusted between 5 distinct positions. However, any preferred number of detents can be defined within the collar portion 1311 to allow the user to adjust the anchor 1302 to any of a plurality of distinct positions around the head 210. In some embodiments, these distinct positions are marked on the outer surface of the housing of the controller 200, such as by a plurality of dashed lines on the outer surface of the head 210 near the neck region 211, indicating to the user that the hand restraint 220 is adjustable toward or away from the user's first interdigital space to optimize hand comfort while holding the controller 200. The multiple individual positions of the adjustable anchor 1302 may include a first position closest to the first interdigital space of the user's hand when the user is holding the controller 200, a second position furthest from the first interdigital space when the user is holding the controller 200, and optionally one or more intermediate positions between the first and second positions. It should be understood that the collar portion 1311 and the hand restraint anchor 1302 (including the projection / teeth located on or attached to the underside of the anchor 1302 that engage with the detent of the collar portion 1311) constitute an assembly of components that are considered herein to be the “adjustment mechanism” of the controller 200. This adjustment mechanism allows the elastic member 122 of the hand restraint 220 to be adjusted between the multiple individual positions, either toward or away from the first interdigital space of the user's hand, while the user is holding the controller 200.
[0065] As shown in Figure 13B, the hand restraint anchor 1302 may be connected to the head 210 at a first end of the anchor 1302. For example, the anchor 1302 may be connected to a pivot point located at or near the center of the head 210, and there may be one or more intermediate components connected between the pivot point and the anchor 1302. The anchor 1302 may extend through a channel defined within the head 210 of the controller 200 adjacent to the neck region 211. Such a channel may be similar to the channel 414 shown in Figure 12A. The collar portion 1311 may be positioned along this channel, just below the channel, thereby allowing the anchor 1302 to move freely within the channel when the anchor 1302 is not locked in a specific position by engagement with the collar portion 1311. Since the hand restraint anchor 1302 is movable within the channel while engaged with and disengaged from the collar portion 1311, the hand restraint anchor 1302 can be translated along an arc-shaped path centered around the head 210. To do this, the user can grasp a portion of the anchor 1302 extending from the head 210 through the channel, push the anchor 1302 radially inward, and while pushing the anchor 1302 radially inward, translate the anchor 1302 to a specific position among several distinct positions along an arc-shaped path centered around the head 210. When the anchor 1302 is released or the radially inward pressure on the anchor 1302 is released, the biasing member 1304 biases the anchor 1302 radially outward from the center of the head 210. This radially outward biasing force causes the anchor 1302 to finally lock into a position via the collar portion 1311. Specifically, when the biasing force from the biasing member 1304 engages a projection located on or attached to the underside of the anchor 1302 with the collar portion 1311 at a specific detent of the collar portion 1311, the hand restraint anchor 1302, and by extension the hand restraint 220 attached thereto, are locked in place to prevent further movement of the anchor 1302 around the head 210.Referring to Figures 10A, 10B, and 13C, the elastic member of the hand restraint 220 is attached to the hand restraint anchor 1302 of the head 210, thereby allowing the hand restraint 220 itself to be adjusted toward or away from the user's first interdigital space (between the user's thumb and other fingers) by the corresponding movement of the anchor 1302.
[0066] In certain embodiments, the elastic member 122 of the hand restraint 220 is attached to the hand restraint anchor 1302 by a pivotable or rotatable attachment (for example, at the second end of the anchor 1302). In this way, the hand restraint 220 can pivot relative to the hand restraint anchor 1302 about a pivot point at the location of the attachment. Such degrees of freedom are additional to the adjustability of the position of the hand restraint anchor 1302 about the circumference of the head 210. Figure 13C illustrates an example of such a pivotable or rotatable attachment between the elastic member 122 of the hand restraint 220 and the hand restraint anchor 1302 of the head 210, which pivots the hand restraint 220 relative to the hand restraint anchor 1302.
[0067] Figure 13C illustrates a two-part fastener 1306 consisting of a top portion 1306(1) and a bottom portion 1306(2). An example of such a two-part fastener 1306 is a snap rivet fastener having two parts 1306(1) and 1306(2), where the two parts 1306(1) and 1306(2) are pressed together until they snap into a locking engagement, creating a fastener 1306 that cannot be easily disassembled by the user. Other types of fasteners 1306 are contemplated herein, such as locking nut fasteners, or any other type of fastener that allows pivotal and / or rotational movement of the hand restraint 220 around a pivot point located in an opening defined within the anchor 1302.
[0068] Where the elastic member 122 is connected to the anchor 1302, a friction member 1308 may be interposed between the elastic member 122 of the hand restraint 220 and the hand restraint anchor 1302. For example, the friction member 1308 may be positioned above the elastic member 122 of the hand restraint 220 and below the hand restraint anchor 1302 at the point of attachment, at least when the controller 200 is in an upright orientation. The friction member 1308 increases friction with the distal end of the elastic member 122, thereby holding the hand restraint 220 in the desired position. In the alternative method described above, the increase in frictional force implied by the friction member 1308 on the elastic member 122 inhibits the free rotational or pivotal movement of the hand restraint 220 unless, and until, an amount of force to overcome this frictional force is applied to the hand restraint 220 (for example, by the user rotating the hand restraint 200 around a pivot point).
[0069] The friction member 1308 may be a rubber gasket or any similar component made from any suitable material having a relatively high coefficient of friction. When the two-part fastener 1306 is assembled, a compressive (or clamping) force is applied to the friction member 1308 by the top portion 1306(1) of the fastener being pushed downward toward the friction member 1308 on the anchor 1302, and the bottom portion 1308(2) of the fastener being pushed upward toward the friction member 1308 on the elastic member 122. This compressive force applied to the component interposed between the two portions 1306(1) and 1306(2) of the fastener increases the frictional force that must be overcome to rotate the hand restraint 220 around the pivot point of the attachment. The friction member 1308, in combination with the compressive (or clamping) force applied by the two-part fastener 1306, helps to keep the hand restraint 220 in the desired position and prevents it from moving out of that position. This keeps the hand restraint 220 in a comfortable, optimized position for the user throughout gameplay. In the absence of the friction member 1308, the hand restraint 220 may, separately, be more prone to deviating from the desired position due to relatively small forces such as gravity.
[0070] While the present invention is described herein with reference to certain exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to these exemplary embodiments. Various features and aspects of the present invention are intended to be used individually or together, and possibly in different environments or applications. For example, features shown in relation to a right-hand controller may be implemented in a left-hand controller, and vice versa. Accordingly, this specification and the drawings should be considered descriptive and illustrative, not restrictive. For example, the words “preferred” and “preferred but not required” are used herein as synonyms to consistently include the meaning of “not required” or “optional.” “Comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be open-ended terms. The invention described in the original claims of this application is listed below. [Note 1] A controller for an electronic system to be operated by a user having a hand including a thumb, an index finger, a first interdigital space (purlicue) between the thumb and the index finger, and a palm, wherein the controller is A controller body having a head and a handle, wherein the head is adjacent to the handle in the neck region, and the head includes at least one thumb operation control unit, A tracking member fixed to the controller body, A controller comprising a hand restraint, wherein the hand restraint is configured to physically bias the palm against the outer surface of the handle in a closed position, the hand restraint includes an elastic member, the elastic member being adjustablely mounted to the head by an adjustment mechanism that allows the elastic member to be adjusted between a plurality of separate positions, the plurality of separate positions including at least a first position closest to the first interdigital space when the user is holding the controller, and a second position furthest from the first interdigital space when the user is holding the controller. [Note 2] The adjustment mechanism includes an anchor, and the anchor is The first end of the anchor is connected to the head, Extending through a channel defined within the head, The second end of the anchor is attached to the elastic member, The controller described in Appendix 1, which is movable around the head between the aforementioned plurality of individual positions. [Note 3] The adjustment mechanism further comprises a collar portion disposed on the head, Multiple detents are defined within the colored portion, and these multiple detents correspond to the multiple individual positions. The controller according to Appendix 2, wherein a projection located below or attached to the anchor engages with the collar portion in one of the plurality of detents to lock the anchor in one of the plurality of individual positions. [Note 4] The controller according to Appendix 3, wherein the adjustment mechanism further comprises a biasing member for physically biasing the anchor radially outward from the center of the head, and the projection is physically biased to engage with the collar portion, at least partially based on the biasing member. [Note 5] The controller according to Appendix 1, wherein the plurality of individual positions include one or more intermediate positions between the first position and the second position. [Note 6] The controller as described in Appendix 2, wherein the anchor is pivotably attached to the elastic member by a two-part fastener, and a friction member is interposed between the elastic member and the anchor. [Note 7] The controller described in Appendix 6 applies a compressive force to the friction member when the two-component fastener is assembled. [Note 8] The controller as described in Appendix 6, wherein the friction member is a rubber gasket. [Note 9] A controller for an electronic system to be operated by a user having a hand including a thumb, at least an index finger, a first interdigital space between the thumb and the index finger, and a palm, wherein the controller A controller body having a head and a handle, wherein the head is connected to the handle in the neck region, and the head includes at least one thumb operation control unit, A hand restraint, wherein the hand restraint is configured to physically bias the palm against the outer surface of the handle when in the closed position, and the hand restraint includes an elastic member, A controller comprising an adjustment mechanism, the adjustment mechanism connecting the elastic member to the head and enabling adjustment of the elastic member between a plurality of separate positions, the plurality of separate positions including at least a first position closest to the first interdigital space when the user is holding the controller, and a second position furthest from the first interdigital space when the user is holding the controller. [Note 10] The adjustment mechanism comprises a radial arm, and the radial arm is The first end of the radial arm is connected to the head, Extending through a channel defined within the head, The second end of the radial arm is attached to the elastic member, The controller described in Appendix 9, which is movable around the head between the aforementioned plurality of individual positions. [Note 11] The adjustment mechanism, A plurality of detents on the head, wherein the plurality of detents correspond to the plurality of individual positions, The controller according to Appendix 10, further comprising a projection located on or attached to the lower side of the radial arm, wherein the projection engages with one of the plurality of detents to lock the radial arm in one of the plurality of individual positions. [Note 12] The controller according to Appendix 11, wherein the adjustment mechanism further comprises a biasing member for physically biasing the radial arm radially outward from the center of the head, thereby causing the projection to engage with the detent. [Note 13] The controller according to Appendix 9, wherein the plurality of individual positions include one or more intermediate positions between the first position and the second position. [Note 14] The controller according to Appendix 10, wherein the radial arm is pivotably attached to the elastic member by a two-part fastener, and a friction member is interposed between the elastic member and the radial arm. [Note 15] A controller for an electronic system to be operated by a user having a hand including a thumb, at least an index finger, a first interdigital space between the thumb and the index finger, and a palm, wherein the controller A controller body having a head and a handle, wherein the head is connected to the handle in the neck region, and the head includes at least one thumb operation control unit, A hand restraint, wherein the hand restraint is configured to physically bias the palm against the outer surface of the handle when in the closed position, and the hand restraint includes an elastic member, A controller comprising: an anchor attached to the elastic member, wherein the anchor is movable around the head between a plurality of separate positions to adjust the elastic member toward or toward the first interdigital space, the plurality of separate positions including at least a first position closest to the first interdigital space when the user is holding the controller, and a second position furthest from the first interdigital space when the user is holding the controller. [Note 16] The aforementioned anchor, The first end of the anchor is connected to the head, Extending through a channel defined within the head, The controller described in Appendix 15, which is attached to the elastic member at the second end of the anchor. [Note 17] Below the head's faceplate, a color portion is further provided which is disposed on the head. Multiple detents are defined within the colored portion, and these multiple detents correspond to the multiple individual positions. The controller according to Appendix 15, wherein a projection located below or attached to the anchor engages with the collar portion in one of the plurality of detents to lock the anchor in one of the plurality of individual positions. [Note 18] The controller according to Appendix 17, wherein the adjustment mechanism further comprises a biasing member for physically biasing the anchor radially outward from the center of the head, and the projection is physically biased to engage with the collar portion, at least partially based on the biasing member. [Note 19] The controller according to Appendix 17, wherein the plurality of detents defined within the color portion include a first detent corresponding to the first position, a second detent corresponding to the second position, and one or more intermediate detents corresponding to one or more intermediate positions between the first position and the second position. [Note 20] The controller according to Appendix 15, wherein the anchor is pivotably attached to the elastic member by a two-part fastener, and a friction member is interposed between the elastic member and the anchor.
Claims
1. A controller for an electronic system to be operated by a user having a hand including the palm, wherein the controller is A controller body having a head and a handle, wherein the head is adjacent to the handle in the neck region, and the head includes at least one thumb operation control unit, A tracking member fixed to the controller body, The controller comprises a hand restraint, wherein the hand restraint is configured to physically bias the palm of the hand against the outer surface of the handle in a closed position, the hand restraint includes an elastic member, and the elastic member is adjustable to the head by an adjustment mechanism that allows the elastic member to be adjusted between a plurality of separate positions while the user holds the controller with their hand, the plurality of separate positions corresponding to the positions of a plurality of parts of the head along the circumference of the head, and the adjustment mechanism is operated by the hand. Herein, the adjustment mechanism includes an anchor, and the anchor is The first end of the anchor is connected to the head, Extending through a channel defined within the head, The second end of the anchor is attached to the elastic member, It is movable around the head between the plurality of individual positions, and Herein, the anchor is pivotably attached to the elastic member by a two-part fastener, and a friction member is interposed between the elastic member and the anchor, in the controller.
2. The adjustment mechanism further comprises a collar portion disposed on the head, Multiple detents are defined within the colored portion, and these multiple detents correspond to the multiple individual positions. The controller according to claim 1, wherein a projection located below or attached to the anchor engages with the collar portion in one of the plurality of detents to lock the anchor in one of the plurality of individual positions.
3. The controller according to claim 2, wherein the adjustment mechanism further comprises a biasing member for physically biasing the anchor radially outward from the center of the head, and the projection is physically biased to engage with the collar portion, at least partially based on the biasing member.
4. The controller according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of individual positions include a first position, a second position, and one or more intermediate positions between the first position and the second position.
5. The controller according to claim 1, wherein the two-component fastener applies a compressive force to the friction member when assembled.
6. The controller according to claim 1, wherein the friction member is a rubber gasket.
7. A controller for an electronic system to be operated by a user having a hand including the palm, wherein the controller is A controller body having a head and a handle, wherein the head is connected to the handle in the neck region, and the head includes at least one thumb operation control unit, A hand restraint, wherein the hand restraint is configured to physically bias the palm against the outer surface of the handle when in the closed position, and the hand restraint includes an elastic member, The device comprises an adjustment mechanism, the adjustment mechanism which connects the elastic member to the head and allows the elastic member to be adjusted between a plurality of separate positions while the user holds the controller with their hand, the plurality of separate positions which correspond to the positions of a plurality of parts of the head along the circumference of the head, and the adjustment mechanism which is operated by the hand. Herein, the adjustment mechanism includes an anchor, and the anchor is The first end of the anchor is connected to the head, Extending through a channel defined within the head, The second end of the anchor is attached to the elastic member, A controller that is movable around the head between the plurality of individual positions, wherein the anchor is pivotably attached to the elastic member by a two-part fastener, and a friction member is interposed between the elastic member and the anchor.
8. The adjustment mechanism, A plurality of detents on the head, wherein the plurality of detents correspond to the plurality of individual positions, The controller according to claim 7, further comprising a projection located below or attached to the anchor, wherein the projection engages with one of the plurality of detents to lock the anchor at one of the plurality of individual positions.
9. The controller according to claim 8, wherein the adjustment mechanism further comprises a biasing member for physically biasing the anchor radially outward from the center of the head, thereby causing the projection to engage with the detent.
10. The controller according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of individual positions include a first position, a second position, and one or more intermediate positions between the first position and the second position.
11. The controller according to claim 7, wherein the anchor is pivotably attached to the elastic member by a two-part fastener, and a friction member is interposed between the elastic member and the anchor.
12. A controller for an electronic system to be operated by a user having a hand including the palm, wherein the controller is A controller body having a head and a handle, wherein the head is connected to the handle in the neck region, and the head includes at least one thumb operation control unit, A hand restraint is provided, wherein the hand restraint is configured to physically bias the palm against the outer surface of the handle when in the closed position, and the hand restraint includes an elastic member, The system comprises an adjustment mechanism including an anchor attached to the elastic member, wherein the anchor is movable around the head between a plurality of distinct positions to adjust the elastic member while the user holds the controller with their hand, the plurality of distinct positions corresponding to the positions of a plurality of parts of the head along the circumference of the head, and the adjustment mechanism is operated by the hand. Here, the anchor is The first end of the anchor is connected to the head, Extending through a channel defined within the head, The second end of the anchor is attached to the elastic member, and Herein, the anchor is pivotably attached to the elastic member by a two-part fastener, and a friction member is interposed between the elastic member and the anchor, in the controller.
13. Below the head's faceplate, a color portion is further provided which is disposed on the head. Multiple detents are defined within the colored portion, and these multiple detents correspond to the multiple individual positions. The controller according to claim 12, wherein a projection located below or attached to the anchor engages with the collar portion in one of the plurality of detents to lock the anchor in one of the plurality of individual positions.
14. The controller according to claim 13, wherein the adjustment mechanism further comprises a biasing member for physically biasing the anchor radially outward from the center of the head, and the projection is physically biased to engage with the collar portion, at least partially based on the biasing member.
15. The controller according to claim 13, wherein the plurality of detents defined within the color portion include a first detent corresponding to a first position of the plurality of individual positions, a second detent corresponding to a second position of the plurality of individual positions, and one or more intermediate detents corresponding to one or more intermediate positions of the plurality of individual positions between the first position and the second position.