Retractable Stylus Tip for HID Controller XR Interaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face challenges when interacting with virtual surfaces in extended reality (XR) environments due to the lack of haptic feedback, making it difficult to determine contact and non-contact with the surface, leading to frustrating writing experiences.
Innovation Solution
A human interface device (HID) controller with a fully retractable stylus tip that provides consistent writing reference and feedback, allowing users to easily transition between traditional and XR computing activities, and includes mechanisms for one-handed actuation and pressure-sensitive tips for varying line thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a stylus tip is permanently protruding from the controller, then writing functionality is always available, but it interferes with hand positioning and comfort when using the controller as a mouse or XR controller
Solution Approach 1:
The stylus tip is designed to be retractable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically change position between extended and retracted states. This enables the controller to adapt its form factor based on the current usage mode, providing comfort for mouse/XR control when retracted and writing capability when extended.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller is designed to serve multiple functions: it can be used as a traditional mouse controller, an XR controller, or a writing stylus. The retractable stylus tip enables the device to transition between these different usage modes, making it a universal controller that adapts to various interaction scenarios.
2Ease of operation
If the stylus tip is fully retractable, then it does not interfere with controller usage modes, but users need additional actuation effort to extend the tip
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation mechanism is extracted and integrated into the end cap of the controller, allowing users to easily extend or retract the stylus tip by manipulating the end cap itself. This separates the actuation function from the main controller body and provides a dedicated, ergonomic interface for stylus control.
Solution Approach 2:
The end cap serves as an intermediary element between the user's hand and the stylus tip actuation mechanism. By providing a deformable or movable end cap, the system mediates the force application, allowing easy one-handed actuation without requiring direct manipulation of the stylus tip or complex mechanical components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If virtual surfaces lack haptic feedback, then XR display flexibility is maintained, but users cannot determine contact with the surface accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by using the physical contact of the stylus tip with the controller surface to generate detectable signals. When the stylus tip contacts the controller, this contact state is detected and communicated to the XR system, providing users with tactile feedback about surface contact in the virtual environment while maintaining XR display flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical writing experience on the controller surface is copied to the virtual XR environment. The contact detection mechanism replicates the tactile sensation of writing by detecting stylus-tip contact with the controller and translating it into corresponding virtual surface interaction, allowing users to experience haptic feedback through visual or other sensory channels in the XR display.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a human-interface-device (HID) controller that includes at least one of an extended reality (XR) controller or a mouse controller. The apparatus further includes an undetachable, fully retractable stylus pointed tip configured to extend from the HID controller, configured so that the stylus tip does not protrude beyond an exterior of the HID controller when in a fully retracted position.