阅读说明：本技术 具有手指感应和可调节的手固定器的电子控制器 (Electronic controller with finger sensing and adjustable hand holder ) 是由 W·彼得森 P·布赖恩 C·S·康利四世 J·W·穆哈 S·D·尼特菲尔德 E·范威克 于 2020-04-16 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供了一种电子控制器,所述电子控制器包括控制器主体,所述控制器主体具有头部,所述头部在颈部区域处毗邻手柄并且包括至少一个拇指操作控件。所述控制器包括手固定器,所述手固定器在闭合位置中被构造成物理地偏置用户的手掌使其抵靠所述手柄的外表面。所述手固定器包括弹性构件,所述弹性构件将所述手固定器朝向打开位置偏置。调节机构将所述弹性构件联接到所述头部并且允许在多个离散位置之间调节所述弹性构件,以朝向或远离所述用户的食指拇指圈调节所述弹性构件。所述调节机构可包括锚定件,所述锚定件能够围绕所述头部的周边在所述多个离散位置之间移动并且利用两部分紧固件能够枢转地附接到所述弹性构件,其中摩擦构件被插入在所述弹性构件和所述锚定件之间。(An electronic controller includes a controller body having a head adjacent a handle at a neck region and including at least one thumb-operated control. The controller includes a hand retainer configured to physically bias a palm of a user against an outer surface of the handle in a closed position. The hand holder includes a resilient member that biases the hand holder toward an open position. An adjustment mechanism couples the elastic member to the head and allows adjustment of the elastic member between a plurality of discrete positions to adjust the elastic member toward or away from the user's index finger thumb circle. The adjustment mechanism may include an anchor movable about a periphery of the head between the plurality of discrete positions and pivotally attached to the resilient member with a two-part fastener, wherein a friction member is interposed between the resilient member and the anchor.)

1. A controller for an electronic system, the controller being operable by a user having a hand with a thumb, an index finger, an index thumb turn between the thumb and the index finger, and a palm, the controller comprising:

a controller body having a head and a handle, the head abutting the handle at a neck region, the head including at least one thumb-operated control;

a tracking member fixed to the controller body; and

a hand holder configured to physically bias the palm against an outer surface of the handle in a closed position, the hand holder comprising an elastic member adjustably attached to the head by an adjustment mechanism that allows adjustment of the elastic member between a plurality of discrete positions including at least a first position closest to the index thumb turn when the user grips the controller and a second position furthest from the index thumb turn when the user grips the controller.

2. The controller of claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises an anchor that:

a head coupled to the anchor at a first end of the anchor;

extends through a passage defined in the head;

attaching to the resilient member at a second end of the anchor; and

is movable around the periphery of the head between the plurality of discrete positions.

3. The controller of claim 2, wherein the adjustment mechanism further comprises a collar portion disposed on the head portion, and wherein:

defining a plurality of detents in the collar portion, the plurality of detents corresponding to the plurality of discrete positions; and is

A projection on or attached to an underside of the anchor engages the collar portion at a detent of the plurality of detents to lock the anchor in a discrete position of the plurality of discrete positions.

4. The controller of claim 3, wherein the adjustment mechanism further comprises a biasing member for physically biasing the anchor in a radially outward direction from a center of the head, wherein the protrusion is physically biased into engagement with the collar portion based at least in part on the biasing member.

5. The controller of claim 1, wherein the plurality of discrete positions comprises one or more intermediate positions between the first position and the second position.

6. The controller of claim 2, wherein the anchor is pivotably attached to the resilient member with a two-part fastener, and wherein a friction member is interposed between the resilient member and the anchor.

7. The controller of claim 6, wherein the two-part fastener exerts a compressive force on the friction member when assembled.

8. The controller of claim 6, wherein the friction member is a rubber washer.

9. A controller for an electronic system, the controller being operable by a user having a hand with a thumb, fingers including at least an index finger, an index thumb turn between the thumb and the index finger, and a palm, the controller comprising:

a controller body having a head and a handle, the head coupled to the handle at a neck region, the head including at least one thumb-operated control;

a hand retainer configured to physically bias the palm against an outer surface of the handle in a closed position, the hand retainer comprising a resilient member; and

an adjustment mechanism coupling the resilient member to the head and allowing adjustment of the resilient member between a plurality of discrete positions including at least a first position closest to the thumb turn of the index finger when the user grips the controller and a second position furthest from the thumb turn of the index finger when the user grips the controller.

10. The controller of claim 9, wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a radial arm that:

a first end of the radial arm coupled to the head;

extends through a passage defined in the head;

attached to the resilient member at a second end of the radial arm; and

is movable around the periphery of the head between the plurality of discrete positions.

11. The controller of claim 10, wherein the adjustment mechanism further comprises:

a plurality of detents on the head, the plurality of detents corresponding to the plurality of discrete positions; and

a tab on or attached to an underside of the radial arm that engages a detent of the plurality of detents to lock the radial arm in a discrete position of the plurality of discrete positions.

12. The controller of claim 11, wherein the adjustment mechanism further comprises a biasing member that physically biases the radial arm in a radially outward direction from a center of the head such that the tab engages the detent.

13. The controller of claim 9, wherein the plurality of discrete positions comprises one or more intermediate positions between the first position and the second position.

14. The controller of claim 10, wherein the radial arm is pivotably attached to the resilient member with a two-part fastener with a friction member interposed between the resilient member and the radial arm.

15. A controller for an electronic system, the controller being operable by a user having a hand with a thumb, fingers including at least an index finger, an index thumb turn between the thumb and the index finger, and a palm, the controller comprising:

a controller body having a head and a handle, the head coupled to the handle at a neck region, the head including at least one thumb-operated control;

a hand retainer configured to physically bias the palm against an outer surface of the handle in a closed position, the hand retainer comprising a resilient member; and

an anchor attached to the resilient member, the anchor movable about a periphery of the head between a plurality of discrete positions to adjust the resilient member toward or away from the thumb turn, the plurality of discrete positions including at least a first position closest to the thumb turn when the user grips the controller and a second position furthest from the thumb turn when the user grips the controller.

16. The controller of claim 15, wherein the anchor:

a head coupled to the anchor at a first end of the anchor;

extends through a passage defined in the head; and

attached to the resilient member at a second end of the anchor.

17. The controller of claim 15, further comprising a collar portion disposed on the head below a face plate of the head, and wherein:

defining a plurality of detents in the collar portion, the plurality of detents corresponding to the plurality of discrete positions; and is

A projection on or attached to an underside of the anchor engages the collar portion at a detent of the plurality of detents to lock the anchor in a discrete position of the plurality of discrete positions.

18. The controller of claim 17, wherein the adjustment mechanism further comprises a biasing member for physically biasing the anchor in a radially outward direction from a center of the head, wherein the protrusion is physically biased into engagement with the collar portion based at least in part on the biasing member.

19. The controller of claim 17, wherein the plurality of stops defined in the collar portion include a first stop corresponding to the first position, a second stop corresponding to the second position, and one or more intermediate stops corresponding to one or more intermediate positions between the first position and the second position.

20. The controller of claim 15, wherein the anchor is pivotably attached to the resilient member with a two-part fastener with a friction member interposed between the resilient member and the anchor.

Background

The electronic gaming industry has become large and important and has spawned many innovations in software and related hardware. Various hand-held electronic game controllers have been designed, manufactured, and sold for various gaming applications. Some of these innovations are also applicable outside the electronic gaming industry, such as controllers for industrial machinery, defense systems, robots, and the like. The use of Virtual Reality (VR) systems is receiving widespread attention in the present day, both within and outside the electronic gaming industry, and technological development is on the rise. Controllers for VR systems must perform several different functions and often must meet stringent (and sometimes even conflicting) design constraints while optimizing certain desired characteristics (e.g., ease of use, etc.). Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved controller design that can improve VR systems and/or better facilitate user operation.

Drawings

Fig. 1 depicts a controller according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the hand-holder is in an open position.

Fig. 2 depicts the controller of fig. 1 in a hand with the palm of the user open upward.

FIG. 3 depicts the controller of FIG. 1 in a user's gripping hand.

Fig. 4 depicts the controller of fig. 1 in a hand with the palm of the user open downward.

Fig. 5 depicts a pair of controls according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention with the hand holder in an open position.

Fig. 6A depicts a front view of a right hand controller according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6B depicts a rear view of the right hand controller of fig. 6A.

Fig. 7A depicts a window for an infrared light sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7B depicts a window for an infrared light sensor according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a side view of the right hand control of FIG. 6A with the housing of the tubular housing partially enclosing the handle of the control removed to reveal instruments on its inner surface.

FIG. 9A depicts a cross section of the right hand control of FIG. 6A with the outer shell of the tubular housing partially encasing the handle of the control removed.

Fig. 9B depicts the cross-section of fig. 9A, except that the housing is mounted in its normal operating position.

Fig. 10A depicts a front view of a right hand controller with a partially closed hand holder according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 10B depicts a front view of the controller of fig. 10A, except that the hand holder is fully open.

Fig. 11A depicts a front view of a head and handle member of a controller, including a hand-fixator anchor movable around a periphery of the head, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 11B depicts the head and handle components of fig. 11A, except that the face plate is removed from the head to expose lockable collar portions that can facilitate selective adjustment of the hand fixator anchor around the periphery of the head.

Fig. 12A depicts a partially assembled controller with the hand holder components removed, according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12B depicts a close-up view of the channel features of the controller of FIG. 12A.

Fig. 12C is a cross-sectional view of the channel depicted in fig. 12B.

Fig. 13A depicts a front view of a head and handle member of a controller, including a hand-fixator anchor movable around a periphery of the head, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 13B depicts the head and handle components of fig. 13A, except that the face plate is removed from the head to expose collar portions that can facilitate selective adjustment of the hand fixation anchor around the periphery of the head.

Fig. 13C depicts an example of a pivotal or rotatable attachment between a hand fixator anchor and a resilient member of a hand fixator.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 through 4 depict a controller 100 for an electronic system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The controller 100 may be utilized by an electronic system such as a VR electronic gaming system, a robot, a weapon, or a medical device. The controller 100 may include a controller body 110 having a handle 112, and a hand holder 120 that holds the controller 100 in a hand of a user (e.g., the user's left hand). The handle 112 includes a tubular housing, which may optionally be substantially cylindrical. In this case, the substantially cylindrical shape does not necessarily have a constant diameter or a perfectly circular cross-section.

In the embodiment of fig. 1-4, the controller body 110 can include a head (between the handle 112 and the distal end 111) that can optionally include one or more thumb-operated controls 114, 115, 116. For example, a tilt button or any other button, knob, scroll wheel, joystick or trackball may be considered a thumb-operated control if they can be conveniently manipulated by the user's thumb during normal operation when the controller 100 is held in the user's hand.

The controller 100 preferably includes a tracking member 130 fixed to the controller body 110, and optionally includes two noses 132, 134, each protruding from a corresponding one of two opposing distal ends of the tracking member 130. In the embodiment of fig. 1-4, the tracking member 130 is preferably, but not necessarily, a tracking arc having an arcuate shape. The tracking member 130 includes a plurality of tracking transducers disposed therein, preferably at least one tracking transducer disposed in each protruding nose 132, 134. Additional tracking transducers may also be provided in the controller body 110, preferably at least one distal tracking transducer near the distal end 111.

The aforementioned tracking transducers may be tracking sensors that are responsive to electromagnetic radiation (e.g., infrared light) emitted by the electronic system, or these tracking transducers may alternatively be tracking beacons that emit electromagnetic radiation (e.g., infrared light) received by the electronic system. For example, the electronic system may be a VR gaming system that broadly broadcasts (i.e., applies) pulsed infrared light to the controller 100, and the plurality of tracking transducers of the tracking member 130 are infrared light sensors that may receive the broadcast pulsed infrared light or are shielded from receiving the broadcast pulsed infrared light. The tracking transducers in each nose 132, 134 (e.g., 3 sensors in each nose) preferably hang over the user's hand on each distal end of the tracking member 130, thus better exposing (around the user's hand) to receive or transmit electromagnetic radiation emitted by or to the electronic system at more angles without creating unacceptable shielding.

Preferably, the tracking member 130 and the controller body 110 are made of a substantially rigid material, such as hard plastic, and are securely fixed together so that they do not significantly translate or rotate relative to each other. In this way, tracking of the translation and rotation of the series of tracking transducers in space is preferably not complicated by the motion of the tracking transducers relative to each other. For example, as shown in fig. 1 to 4, the tracking member 130 may be fixed to the controller main body 110 by being engaged to the controller main body 110 at two positions. Hand holder 120 may be attached to controller 100 (controller body 110 or tracking member 130) near these two locations to bias the user's palm against the outer surface of handle 112 between these two locations.

In certain embodiments, the tracking member 130 and the controller body 110 may comprise a unitary, monolithic piece with material continuity, rather than being assembled together. For example, the tracking member 130 and the controller body 110 may be molded together by a single injection molding process step, resulting in one unitary hard plastic part that includes both the tracking member 130 and the controller body 110. Alternatively, the tracking member 130 and the controller body 110 may be first manufactured separately and then assembled together. Either way, the tracking member 130 may be considered to be fixed to the controller body 110.

The hand retainer 120 is shown in an open position in fig. 1. The hand holder 120 is optionally biased in the open position by a curved resilient member 122 to facilitate insertion of the left hand of a user between the hand holder 120 and the controller body 110 when the user visually obscured the VR glasses grasps the controller. For example, the curved resilient member 122 may optionally be a resiliently curved flexible metal strip, or may comprise an alternative plastic material that is substantially resiliently bendable, such as nylon. The curved elastic member 122 may optionally be partially or completely inside or covered by a pad or fabric material 124 (e.g., a neoprene sock) for the comfort of the user. Alternatively, the pad or fabric material 124 may be disposed on (e.g., adhered to) only the side of the curved elastic member 122 that faces the user's hand.

The length of the hand holder 120 optionally may be adjustable, for example by including a pull cord 126 that is tied by a spring-biased cord guide 128. The drawstring 126 may optionally have excess length that can be used as a lanyard. A sheath 124 is optionally attachable to the pull cord. In certain embodiments, the curved elastic member 122 may be pre-tensioned by the tension of a cinched draw cord 126. In such embodiments, the tension applied by the curved elastic member 122 to the hand holder 120 (to bias it in the open position) causes the hand holder to automatically open when the draw cord 126 is not tightened. The present disclosure also contemplates alternative conventional methods of adjusting the length of hand holder 120, such as cleats, elastic bands (which temporarily stretch when the hand is inserted, thereby applying elastic tension to press against the back of the hand), adjustable length hook and loop strap attachments, and the like.

Hand holder 120 may be disposed between handle 112 and tracking member 130 and configured to contact the back of a hand of a user. Fig. 2 shows the controller 100 during operation with the user's left hand inserted therein, but without gripping the controller body 110. In fig. 2, hand retainer 120 is closed and tightened on the hand to physically bias the palm of the user's hand against the outer surface of handle 112. In that way, the hand holder 120 can hold the controller 100 on the hand when closed even if the hand does not hold the controller main body 110. Fig. 3 and 4 depict the controller 100 during operation, when the hand holder 120 is closed, and the hand is gripping the controller body 110 and the thumb is operating one or more thumb-operated controls (e.g., the trackpad 116).

The handle 112 of the controller body 110 preferably includes an array of proximity sensors spatially distributed partially or completely around the outer surface of the handle. Although the array may include a grid, the proximity sensors in the array need not be of equal size and need not have equal spacing between them. The proximity sensor array preferably responds to the proximity of a user's finger to the outer surface of the handle 112. For example, the proximity sensor array may be a plurality of capacitive sensors embedded beneath an outer surface of the handle 112, wherein the outer surface comprises an electrically insulating material. The capacitance between such a capacitive sensor array and a portion of a user's hand is inversely proportional to the distance between them. Capacitance can be sensed by connecting an RC oscillator circuit to the elements in the capacitive sensor array, and noting that the time constant of the circuit (and the period and frequency of oscillation) will vary with capacitance. In this manner, the circuit can detect the release of the user's finger from the outer surface of the handle 112.

When hand holder 120 (e.g., a hand strap) is tightly closed, not only can controller 100 be prevented from falling out of the hand, but excessive translation of the finger relative to the proximity sensor array of handle 112 can also be prevented, thereby more reliably sensing finger motion. The electronic system may include algorithms embodying anatomically possible movements of the fingers to better use sensing from the proximity sensor array to present splaying of the hands of the controlled character, finger pointing, or other movements of the fingers relative to the controller or to each other. In this manner, a user causing movement of the controller 100 and/or fingers may help control a VR gaming system, a defense system, a medical system, an industrial robot, or a machine or other device. In VR system applications (e.g., for gaming, training, etc.), the system may present a throwing motion based on tracking the movement of the transducer, and may present a release of the thrown object based on a sensed release of the user's finger from an outer surface of the controller handle.

Thus, the functionality of the hand holder 120 (allowing the user to "let go" of the controller 100 without the controller 100 actually becoming detached from the hand or being thrown or dropped onto the floor) may enable additional functionality of the controlled electronic system. For example, if release and resumption of the user's grip on the handle 112 of the controller body 110 is sensed, such release or grip may be incorporated into the game to display (e.g., in VR) the object being thrown or gripped. Hand holder 120 may allow this function to be accomplished repeatedly and safely. For example, the position of the hand holder 120 in the embodiments of fig. 1-4 may help the tracking member 130 protect the back of the user's hand from real-world impacts, such as when the user moves in response to a prompt sensed in the VR environment (e.g., when actually occluded by VR glasses).

In certain embodiments, the controller 100 can include a rechargeable battery disposed within the controller body 110, and the hand holder 120 (e.g., hand holder strap) can include a conductive charging wire electrically coupled to the rechargeable battery. The controller 100 preferably also 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 be responsive to the thumb-operated controls 114, 115, 116, a proximity sensor in the handle 112 of the controller body 110, and/or a tracking sensor in the tracking member 130.

As shown in fig. 5, in certain embodiments, the controller 100 may be the left controller of a pair of controllers including a similar right controller 200. In certain embodiments, the controllers 100 and 200 may (together) track the motion and grip of both hands of the user simultaneously, for example to enhance the VR experience.

Fig. 6A depicts a front view of a right hand controller 600 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6B depicts a rear view of the right hand controller 600. The controller 600 has a controller body that includes a head 610 and a handle 612. In the embodiment of fig. 6A-6B, the head 610 includes at least one thumb-operated control A, B, 608, and may also include a control (e.g., trigger 609) configured to be operated by an index finger. The handle 612 comprises a tubular housing partially enclosed by a shell 640.

In the embodiment of fig. 6A-6B, the tracking member 630 is secured to the controller body at the head 610 and at the end of the handle 612. Hand retainer 620 is configured to physically bias the palm of the user's hand against housing 640 between head 610 and the end of handle 612. Hand holder 620 is preferably disposed between handle 612 and tracking member 630, and may include a hand securing strap that is adjustable in length and configured to contact the back of a user's hand. In the embodiment of fig. 6A-6B, hand fixator 620 optionally includes a pull cord 628, and optionally is adjustable in length by a cord lock 626 (near the distal end of handle 612) that selectively prevents pull cord 628 from sliding at the location of cord lock 626.

In the embodiment of fig. 6A-6B, tracking transducers 632, 633 are disposed on tracking member 630, with tracking transducer 633 disposed on a protruding nose at the opposite distal end of tracking member 630. Additional tracking transducers 634 are optionally provided on the distal region of the head 610. Tracking transducers 632, 633 and 634 may be tracking sensors that respond to electromagnetic radiation (e.g., infrared light) emitted by an electronic system (e.g., a virtual reality gaming system), or may be tracking beacons that emit electromagnetic radiation (e.g., infrared light) received by an electronic system. For example, the electronic system may be a VR gaming system that broadly broadcasts (i.e., applies) pulsed infrared light to the controller 600, and the tracking transducers 632, 633 and 634 are infrared light sensors that can receive the broadcast pulsed infrared light. The response of such tracking sensors may be transmitted back to the electronic system, and the system may interpret such response to effectively track the position and orientation of the controller 600.

One or more of the tracking transducers 632, 633, 634 may optionally be constructed as shown in the embodiment of fig. 7A, or alternatively as shown in the embodiment of fig. 7B, or alternatively in a conventional manner not shown. The lower portion of fig. 7A depicts an exploded perspective view of infrared light sensor 750 electrically connected to flex circuit 751, shown below the rectangular portion of upper cover fenestrated housing wall 755 comprising infrared light-opaque plastic. Fenestration housing wall 755 includes a window 756. Window 756 preferably comprises a polycarbonate plastic that is transmissive to infrared light and may include an underside recess to accommodate the thickness of infrared light sensor 750.

According to the embodiment of fig. 7A, the fenestrated housing wall (e.g., the outer structure of tracking member 630, or head 610 of fig. 6A) may be made by a so-called "two-shot" injection molding process, whereby a majority of the housing wall is made of infrared-opaque plastic, but infrared-transmissive plastic is disposed in window 756 above infrared light sensor 750.

The upper portion of fig. 7A depicts a cross-sectional view of the assembled infrared light sensor 750, flex circuit 751, and fenestration housing wall 755. The infrared light of the three downward arrows shown in fig. 7A as being incident on the window 756 from above passes through the window 756 to be received by the infrared light sensor 750 below. Because housing wall 755 comprises an infrared-opaque plastic, infrared light that strikes the housing wall does not pass through, and a portion of it can be reflected back into the window for reception by infrared light sensor 750. In this manner, although a majority of housing wall 755 comprises an infrared-opaque plastic, window 756 allows infrared light to affect infrared light sensor 750 such that infrared light sensor 750 only receives infrared light from a preferred angular range.

Alternatively, one or more of the tracking transducers 632, 633, 634 may optionally be configured as shown in the embodiment of fig. 7B. The lower portion of fig. 7B depicts an exploded perspective view of infrared light sensor 750 electrically connected to flex circuit 751, which is shown below the rectangular portion of upper cover housing wall 758 comprising IR transmissive plastic. The housing wall 758 is coated with an infrared opaque film 757 that is patterned to include a window 759 (there is no infrared opaque film 757 at the window).

The upper portion of fig. 7B depicts a cross-sectional view of assembled infrared light sensor 750, flex circuit 751, housing wall 758, and IR-opaque film 757. Infrared light, shown in fig. 7B as three downward arrows impinging on housing wall 758 from above, passes through window 759 in infrared light opaque film 757, through housing wall 758 there, and is received by infrared light sensor 750 below. Because the housing wall 758 comprises plastic that is transmissive to infrared light, infrared light striking the housing wall may enter it and be lost, and may inadvertently and undesirably reach nearby sensors via internal reflection. In this manner, window 759 in infrared light opaque film 757 allows infrared light to primarily affect infrared light sensor 750.

Fig. 8 shows a side view of the right hand controller 600 with the housing 640 partially encasing the tubular housing of the handle 612 removed to reveal the instruments on its inner surface. In the embodiment of fig. 8, the instrument may include an array of proximity sensors 800 spatially distributed on an interior surface of the housing 640, the array of proximity sensors 800 being responsive to the proximity of a user's finger to the housing 640. The proximity sensors in the array 800 need not be of equal size, nor need they be regularly or equally spaced from one another. In certain embodiments, the proximity sensor array 800 may preferably be a plurality of capacitive sensors that may be connected to a flexible circuit that is bonded to the inner surface of the housing 640. In the embodiment of fig. 8, the housing 640 includes a first electrical connector portion 805 that is connectable to a mating second electrical connector portion of the handle 612 (as shown in more detail in fig. 9A-9B).

Fig. 9A-9B depict cross-sections of the right hand controller 600 of fig. 6A, showing that the controller handle optionally may include tubular housing portions 612a, 612B longitudinally separated by a seam 613, wherein the tubular housing portions 612a and 612B are contiguous. In fig. 9A, the housing 640 is shown detached from the rest of the handle. Fig. 9B depicts the cross-section of fig. 9A, except that the housing 640 is mounted in its normal operating position. In the embodiment of fig. 9A-9B, the first electrical connector portion 805 of the housing 640 is shown mated and connectable to the second electrical connector portion 905 of the controller handle.

In the embodiment of fig. 9A-9B, housing 640 partially wraps tubular shells 612a, 612B, preferably overlapping longitudinal seam 613, so that longitudinal seam 613 can be positioned to optimize the manufacturing process, rather than to accommodate the desired circumferential position of proximity sensor array 800. In certain embodiments, the outer shell 640 overlaps a circumferential portion C of the tubular housing 612a, 612b of the handle, and the circumferential portion C angularly spans at least 100 degrees but no more than 170 degrees of the entire circumference of the tubular housing 612a, 612b of the handle. In certain embodiments, such circumferential overlap may enable the proximity sensor array 800 to sense the proximity of a desired portion of a user's finger or palm (e.g., the region of the hand most indicative of grasping).

The tubular housing 612a, 612b of the handle need not have a circular cross-section, and the word "circumference" is used herein regardless of whether the tubular housing 612a, 612b of the handle has a circular cross-section. As used herein, the term "circumference" refers to the entire circumference of the tubular housing 612a, 612b around the handle, which may be circular if the tubular housing 612a, 612b is a right circular hollow cylinder, but closed shapes other than circular if the tubular housing is non-cylindrical or hollow prismatic in shape.

In the embodiment of fig. 9A-9B, a Printed Circuit Board (PCB)920 may be mounted within the tubular housing 612a, 612B of the handle, with the second electrical connector portion 905 electrically coupled to the PCB 920. The PCB920 optionally includes a Force Sensing Resistor (FSR)922 and the controller may further include a plunger 924 that transfers compressive forces applied via the housing 640 inwardly to the FSR 922 toward the outside of the tubular housings 612a, 612b of the handle. In certain embodiments, the FSR 922 in combination with the proximity sensor array 800 may facilitate sensing the onset of a user's grip and the relative strength of such grip by the user, which may be advantageous for certain gaming functions.

In certain embodiments, the shell 640 has a shell thickness (measured radially in fig. 9A-9B) that is less than one third of the shell wall thickness of the tubular shell portion 612a or 612B of the handle. In those embodiments, such thickness disparity may improve the sensitivity of the proximity sensor array 800 relative to alternative embodiments in which the proximity sensor array 800 is disposed on or in the tubular housing 612a, 612b of the handle.

Fig. 10A depicts a front view of a right hand controller 200 having a partially closed hand retainer 220 (e.g., a hand securing strap) according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 10B depicts a front view of the controller 200, except that the hand holder 220 is fully open. In the embodiment of fig. 10A-10B, the controller 200 includes a controller body having a head 210 and a handle 212. The head 210 abuts the handle 212 at a neck region 211 of the controller 200. The handle 212 preferably includes an array of proximity sensors spatially distributed just below the outer surface of the handle and preferably responsive to the proximity of a user's finger to the outer surface of the handle 212.

In the embodiment of fig. 10A-10B, head 210 includes thumb-operated controls A, B and 208. The controller 200 also includes a tracking member 230 that is preferably fixed to the controller body at the head 210 and at the distal end of the handle 212. Tracking member 230 preferably includes a plurality of tracking transducers, which may be sensors responsive to electromagnetic radiation emitted by the electronic system (e.g., pulsed infrared light emitted by a virtual reality gaming system), or tracking beacons that emit electromagnetic radiation to be received by the electronic system. In the embodiment of fig. 10A-10B, the tracking member 230 is preferably, but not necessarily, a tracking arc having an arcuate shape. Hand holder 220 is preferably disposed between handle 212 and tracking member 230.

In the embodiment of fig. 10A-10B, the controller 200 includes a pull cord 228 and a cord lock 226 near the distal end of the handle 212. The cord lock 226 may selectively prevent the draw cord 228 from sliding at the cord lock 226. In the embodiment of fig. 10A, as the draw cord 228 is pulled progressively further past the cord lock 226, the hand retainer 220 is pulled tighter into a closed position (as indicated by the motion arrows depicted in fig. 10A). The closed position physically biases the palm of the user against the outer surface of the handle 212.

In the embodiment of fig. 10A-10B, the hand retainer 220 preferably includes a resilient member (e.g., an inner or outer resiliently deformable strip, such as a metal strip) that biases the hand retainer 220 toward the open position shown in fig. 10B. In the embodiment of fig. 10B, when the user selectively releases the cord lock 226 and allows the pull cord 228 to slide relative thereto, the pre-load bias that straightens towards the elastically deformed elastic member causes the hand holder 220 to naturally open (as shown by the motion arrows depicted in fig. 10B). This open position may facilitate insertion or extraction of the user's hand from the controller 200, particularly when the user's line of sight may be obstructed by wearing virtual reality glasses.

Fig. 11A depicts a front view of the head 210 and handle 212 components of the controller 200, including a hand-fixator anchor 302 that can be adjusted to move around the perimeter of the head 210. Fig. 11B depicts the same head 210 and handle 212 components, except that a faceplate has been removed from the head 210 to expose lockable collar portions 311 that can facilitate selective adjustment of the hand fixator anchor 302 around the perimeter of the head 210.

In the embodiment of fig. 11B, lockable collar portion 311 is translatable along an arcuate path defined by inner arcuate guide 315. The user may selectively lock the lockable collar portion 311 to prevent further movement of the anchor 302 around the periphery of the head 210. Referring now to fig. 4 and 10A-11B, the resilient member of hand retainer 220 is attached to hand retainer anchor 302 of head 210, which allows hand retainer 220 to be adjusted toward or away from the user's index thumb circle (between the user's thumb and fingers). In certain embodiments, the resilient member of hand fixator 220 is attached to hand fixator anchor 302 of head 210, preferably by a pivoting or rotatable attachment, such that hand fixator 220 may pivot relative to hand fixator anchor 302 at the location of the attachment. This degree of freedom is an addition to the adjustability of the position of the hand fixator anchor 302 around the perimeter of the head 210.

Fig. 12A, 12B, and 12C depict an alternative embodiment of a partially assembled controller 400 having a controller body that includes a head 410 and a handle 412 joined to the head in a neck region 411. In an alternative embodiment of fig. 12A-12C, the controller body includes a channel 414 disposed near the neck region 411. The hand holder (not shown in fig. 12A, so that the channel 414 will not be partially obscured) includes a resilient member 420 that terminates in a protrusion 425 that extends into the channel 414.

In the embodiment of fig. 12B and 12C, the protrusion 425 includes a catch 427 that prevents the protrusion from moving longitudinally within the channel 414 when the hand retainer is in the closed position. For example, in the embodiment of fig. 12C, the catch 427 is a cam that increases friction with the inner surface of the channel 414 when the relative angle of the hand holder projections 425 corresponds to the closed position of the hand holder, i.e., when the closed position of the hand holder creates tension on the elastic member 420 (e.g., downward as shown in the cross-section of fig. 12C).

Conversely, when the hand holder protrusion 425 is rotated to a relative angle corresponding to the open position of the hand holder (e.g., upward as shown in the cross-section of fig. 12C), the friction between the catch 427 and the channel 414 may be reduced, and the hand holder protrusion 425 may translate within the channel 414 (as shown by the motion arrows shown in fig. 12B). The channel 414 is preferably oriented such that translation of the hand holder protrusion along the channel 414 preferably adjusts the relative position of the hand holder protrusion 425 toward or away from the direction of the user's index thumb turn, e.g., such that the controller 400 can accommodate different hand sizes or finger lengths. In an alternative embodiment, the hand holder protrusion 425 may be pivotably attached to the rest of the hand holder by a conventional pivot joint. This rotational degree of freedom is an addition to the adjustable translation of hand holder protrusion 425 along channel 414.

Fig. 13A depicts a front view of the head 210 and handle 212 components of the controller 200. The head 210 abuts the handle 212 at a neck region 211 of the controller 200. The head 210 includes thumb-operated controls (e.g., A, B and 208). The controller 200 may also include a hand-fixator anchor 1302 (sometimes referred to herein as a "radial arm 1302," and/or sometimes simply referred to herein as an "anchor 1302") that may be adjusted to move around the periphery of the head 210. Fig. 13B depicts the same head 210 and handle 212 components, except that a face plate has been removed from the head 210 to expose a collar portion 1311 having a plurality of stops as defined herein. The stops defined in collar portion 1311 may be defined by a plurality of teeth in collar portion 1311. As used herein, the "teeth" of collar portion 1311 are projections that project radially inward toward the center of head portion 210, while the "detents" of collar portion 1311 are recesses or grooves that are inserted between a pair of adjacent teeth of collar portion 1311. Collar portion 1311 may be made of metal, plastic (e.g., a hard, durable plastic), or other suitable material.

The anchor 1302 may have or be attached to a tab on the underside of the anchor 1302. The projections (e.g., teeth) may be oriented radially outward from the center of the head portion 210 to engage with a particular detent of the collar portion 1311. That is, protrusions on or attached to the underside of the anchor 1302 may be selectively positioned between a pair of adjacent teeth of the collar portion 1311 to lock the anchor 1302 in a particular position such that the anchor 1302, when locked in place, cannot move around the perimeter of the head 210. A biasing member 1304 (such as a torsion spring) may physically bias the anchor 1302 in a radially outward direction from the center of the head 210, which allows protrusions on or attached to the underside of the anchor 1302 to remain engaged with the collar portion 1311 at certain stops. Thus, the hand fixation anchor 1302 is not only able to move around the periphery of the head 210, but is also able to move radially inward and outward from the center of the head 210, toward and away from the center of the head (as indicated by the radially oriented motion arrows depicted in fig. 13B). For example, a user of the controller 200 can push the anchor 1302 radially inward and, in so doing, can move the anchor 1302 around the circumference of the head 210 to different ones of a plurality of discrete positions corresponding to the plurality of stops of the collar portion 1311. This is because pushing the anchor 1302 radially inward allows protrusions on or attached to the underside of the anchor 1302 to jump over the teeth of the collar portion 1311, allowing the anchor 1302 to move circumferentially around the head 210. The circumferential movement of the anchor 1302 is illustrated by the circumferentially oriented motion arrows depicted in fig. 13B.

The number of stops defined in collar portion 1311 is configurable and may depend on the desired range of adjustment. In some embodiments, the number of stops of collar portion 1311 is in the range of about 2 to 6 stops. In some embodiments, collar portion 1311 includes five stops, which will allow adjustment of anchor 1302 between five discrete positions. However, any suitable number of stops can be defined in collar portion 1311 to allow a user to adjust anchor 1302 to any of a plurality of discrete positions around the circumference of head 210. In some embodiments, these discrete locations are marked on the outer surface of the controller 200 housing, such as by a plurality of dashed lines on the outer surface of the head 210 near the neck region 211 that indicate to the user that the hand holder 220 can be adjusted toward or away from the user's index finger thumb circle to optimize comfort on the hand while holding the controller 200. The plurality of discrete positions between which the anchor 1302 is adjustable can include: a first position closest to the index thumb turn of the user's hand when the user is holding the controller 200, a second position furthest from the index thumb turn when the user is holding the controller 200, and optionally, one or more intermediate positions between the first position and the second position. It should be understood that collar portion 1311 and hand fixator anchor 1302 (including projections/teeth on or attached to the underside of anchor 1302 that engage with stops of collar portion 1311) comprise an assembly of components that is considered herein as an "adjustment mechanism" of controller 200. The adjustment mechanism allows the resilient member 122 of the hand holder 220 to be adjusted between a plurality of discrete positions toward and away from the index thumb turn of the user's hand when the user is holding the controller 200.

As shown in fig. 13B, a hand-fixator anchor 1302 may be coupled to the head 210 at a first end of the anchor 1302. For example, the anchor 1302 may be coupled to a pivot point located at or near the center of the head 210, and there may be one or more intermediate members coupled between the pivot point and the anchor 1302. The anchor 1302 may extend through a channel defined in the head 210 of the controller 200 and located near the neck region 211. Such a channel may be similar to channel 414 shown in fig. 12A. Collar portion 1311 may be positioned along the passageway directly below the passageway to allow anchor 1302 to move freely within the passageway when anchor 1302 is not locked in discrete positions by engagement with collar portion 1311. Because the hand fixator anchor 1302 is moveable within the channel when disengaged from the collar portion 1311, the hand fixator anchor 1302 may translate along an arcuate path around the circumference of the head 210. To do so, a user can grasp a portion of the anchor 1302 extending from the head 210 via the channel, push the anchor 1302 radially inward, and translate the anchor 1302 along an arcuate path around a periphery of the head 210 to a particular location of the plurality of discrete locations as the anchor 1302 is pushed radially inward. Upon release of the anchor 1302, or upon release of radially inward pressure on the anchor 1302, the biasing member 1304 biases the anchor 1302 radially outward from the center of the head 210. As a result of this radially outward biasing force, anchor 1302 is eventually locked in place via collar portion 1311. Specifically, when the biasing force from biasing member 1304 causes a protrusion on or attached to the underside of anchor 1302 to engage collar portion 1311 at a particular stop of collar portion 1311, hand fixator anchor 1302 (and thus hand fixator 220 attached thereto) is locked in place to prevent further movement of anchor 1302 around the periphery of head 210. Referring to fig. 10A-10B and 13C, the resilient member 122 of the hand retainer 220 is attached to the hand retainer anchor 1302 of the head 210, which allows the hand retainer 220 itself to be adjusted toward or away from the user's index thumb circle (between the user's thumb and fingers) by virtue of corresponding movement of the anchor 1302.

In certain embodiments, the resilient member 122 of the hand-fixator 220 is attached to the hand-fixator anchor 1302 by a pivoting or rotatable attachment (e.g., at a second end of the anchor 1302). In this manner, the hand-fixator 220 can pivot relative to the hand-fixator anchor 1302 about a pivot point at the location of the attachment. This degree of freedom is an addition to the adjustability of the position of the hand fixator anchor 1302 around the perimeter of the head 210. Fig. 13C depicts an example of such a pivoting or rotatable attachment between the resilient member 122 of the hand fixator 220 and the hand fixator anchor firmware 1302 of the head 210, allowing the hand fixator 220 to pivot relative to the hand fixator anchor firmware 1302.

Fig. 13C depicts a two-part fastener 1306 comprised 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) that are pressed together until they snap in locking engagement to create a fastener 1306 that is not easily removable by a user. Other types of fasteners 1306 (such as lock nut fasteners) or any other type of fastener that allows for pivotal and/or rotational movement of the hand holder 220 about a pivot point located at an aperture defined in the anchor 1302 are contemplated herein.

The friction member 1308 can be inserted between the resilient member 122 of the hand fixation device 220 and the hand fixation device anchor 1302 at a location where the resilient member 122 is coupled to the anchor 1302. For example, the friction member 1308 may be disposed above the resilient member 122 of the hand fixator 220 and below the hand fixator anchor 1302 at the attachment point, at least when the controller 200 is in an upright orientation. The friction member 1308 increases friction with the distal end of the resilient member 122, which causes the hand holder 220 to be held in a desired position. In other words, the increased friction force exerted by the friction member 1308 on the resilient member 122 inhibits the hand holder 220 from free rotational or pivotal movement until a force is exerted on the hand holder that overcomes the friction force (e.g., by a user rotating the hand holder 200 about a pivot point).

The friction member 1308 may be a rubber washer, or any similar component made of 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 virtue of the top portion of the fastener 1306(1) pushing down on the anchor member 1302 toward the friction member 1308 and the bottom portion of the fastener 1308(2) pushing up on the resilient member 122 toward the friction member 1308. The compressive force applied to the component inserted between the two portions 1306(1) and 1306(2) of the fastener increases the frictional force to overcome to rotate the hand holder 220 about 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 hold the hand holder 220 in a desired position and inhibit movement away from the desired position. This allows the hand holder 220 to remain in a position that is optimally comfortable for the user throughout the game. Without the friction member 1308, the hand holder 220 may otherwise be more prone to being deflected from the desired position under the influence of a relatively small force (such as gravity).

The present invention is described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof, but those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to those embodiments. It is contemplated that various features and aspects of the invention may be used separately or in combination and may be used in different environments or applications. For example, features shown with reference to a right-hand controller may also be implemented in a left-hand controller, and vice versa. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative and exemplary sense rather than a restrictive sense. For example, the word "preferably" and the phrase "preferably, but not necessarily," are used synonymously herein to consistently include the meaning of "not necessarily," or "optionally. The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are intended to be open-ended terms.