Force-Sensing XR Thumbstick With Position-Specific Haptic Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing controllers with thumbsticks use switches and capacitive sensors, which increase complexity, manufacturing costs, and points of failure, while limiting input recognition to a narrow range, hindering dynamic user interaction in artificial-reality environments.

Innovation Solution

A force-sensing thumbstick controller that uses a force sensor to detect downward forces, eliminating the need for switches and capacitive sensors, allowing for dynamic user interaction and responsive haptic feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If switches and capacitive sensors are used in the thumbstick, then input recognition capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinput recognition capabilityVSAvoidcontroller design complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple sensing functions (capacitive sensing, switch detection, and force sensing) into a single force sensor assembly. The force sensor simultaneously detects pressing actions, wakeup contacts, and force magnitude, eliminating the need for separate capacitive sensors and switches, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining input recognition capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The force sensor serves multiple functions: it detects initial contact (wakeup function), recognizes pressing actions, measures force magnitude, and determines thumbstick position. This multi-functional sensor replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate components, reducing both complexity and manufacturing cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If switches and capacitive sensors are used in the thumbstick, then input detection is improved, but reliability decreases due to additional points of failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinput detection capabilityVSAvoidcontroller reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary components (capacitive sensors and mechanical switches) from the thumbstick assembly, retaining only the essential force sensing capability. By removing redundant sensing elements, the system reduces the number of potential failure points while maintaining adequate input detection capability through the force sensor alone

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If switches and capacitive sensors are used in the thumbstick, then input recognition range is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinput recognition rangeVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a cost-effective force sensor that provides sufficient input recognition capability without requiring expensive capacitive sensors and mechanical switches. The force sensor delivers the necessary functionality at a lower manufacturing cost, making the controller more economically viable while maintaining adequate input recognition range

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The force-sensing thumbstick provides a cost-effective, reliable, and dynamic input mechanism for controlling artificial-reality environments, enhancing user interaction with reduced manufacturing costs and improved input recognition.

Implementation Method 1

one or more force sensors configured to sense a magnitude of a first force applied to the thumbstick in a substantially downward direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForce sensing: Force

Implementation Method 2

a haptic-feedback generator configured to provide haptic feedback to the user in response to the one or more processors determining that the magnitude of the first force or the magnitude of the second force satisfies the predefined force value

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHaptic feedback: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS12504834B2Extended-reality controller for providing different haptic feedback events based on positions and magnitudes of user inputs, and systems, devices, and methods of use thereof

Publication Date: 2025.12.23 META PLATFORMS TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is provided that includes instructions that, when executed by a computing device in electronic communication with an extended-reality device controller, cause the computing device to detect, via one or more force sensors of the controller, an input that includes a magnitude of force being applied in a direction generally normal to a plane defined by a portion of a housing of the controller. And the computing device detects a position of the input relative to the plane defined by the portion of the housing. The computing device, based on a determination that the magnitude of force of the input and the position of the input satisfy a positionally-specific predefined force value, causes a haptic feedback to be provided. The haptic feedback is selected from among a set of available haptic feedback events based on both the magnitude of force and the position of the input.