Patents by Inventor Brian David Hensley

Brian David Hensley has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10888776
    Abstract: Described herein are, among other things, handheld controllers that include one or more touchpads (i.e., touch-sensitive controls) configured to detachably couple to one or more overlays that effectively transform the respective touchpad into a different control. For instance, one example handheld controller may include a circular trackpad that is configured to detect a position of a finger on a top surface of the trackpad. This position may be used to control a cursor or avatar, for scrolling, or for any other type of command. In general, most or all of the top surface may be usable by a user for providing input to the controller and/or a remote system coupled to the controller. As described herein, however, one or more different overlays may detachably couple to a housing of the controller and/or the trackpad itself to effectively change the use of the trackpad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Valve Corporation
    Inventors: Austin Palmer, Cheang Tad Yoo, Brian David Hensley, Michael J. Goerz, Scott Dalton, Ian Campbell, Christopher Lee Bjordhal, Jeffrey Peter Bellinghausen
  • Patent number: 10806993
    Abstract: Described herein are, among other things, handheld controllers that include housings having one or more receiver portions for detachably coupling to one or more controls. For example, a housing of one such controller may include, on a front surface of the housing, a receiver that is configured to detachably couple to one or more joysticks, one or more D-pads, one or more track pads, one or more buttons, and/or the like. In some instances, a user may swap a first control for a second control based on a current application (e.g., game title) that the user is playing, based on comfort of the user, and/or for any other reason.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Valve Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Goerz, Ian Campbell, Jeffrey Peter Bellinghausen, Brian David Hensley, Scott Dalton, Christopher Lee Bjordhal, Gregory Martin Matelich, II
  • Patent number: 10790823
    Abstract: An electronic device may include a proximity sensor, a touch sensor, and one or more light emitting elements. The touch sensor may be configured to detect touch input provided on a surface of the electronic device at a location in front of the touch sensor for purposes of powering on the electronic device. Prior to powering on the electronic device, a location of the touch sensor may remain inconspicuous. When the proximity sensor detects an object, such as a user, which moves within a threshold distance from a surface of the electronic device, the location of the touch sensor can be made conspicuous. After the power switch is made conspicuous, the user is able to see where to provide touch input on the electronic device to power on the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Valve Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Scott Keyzer, Michael Jacob Goerz, Jeffrey Peter Bellinghausen, Brian David Hensley, Jason Beach
  • Publication number: 20200164269
    Abstract: Described herein are, among other things, handheld controllers that include one or more touchpads (i.e., touch-sensitive controls) configured to detachably couple to one or more overlays that effectively transform the respective touchpad into a different control. For instance, one example handheld controller may include a circular trackpad that is configured to detect a position of a finger on a top surface of the trackpad. This position may be used to control a cursor or avatar, for scrolling, or for any other type of command. In general, most or all of the top surface may be usable by a user for providing input to the controller and/or a remote system coupled to the controller. As described herein, however, one or more different overlays may detachably couple to a housing of the controller and/or the trackpad itself to effectively change the use of the trackpad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Austin Palmer, Cheang Tad Yoo, Brian David Hensley, Michael J. Goerz, Scott Dalton, Ian Campbell, Christopher Lee Bjordhal, Jeffrey Peter Bellinghausen
  • Patent number: 10639543
    Abstract: Described herein are, among other things, handheld controllers having touch-sensitive controls, as well as methods for use of the touch-sensitive controls and methods for assembling the handheld controllers. An example handheld controller may include a top-surface control (e.g., a “trigger button”) that includes a switch, a pressure sensor, and a touch sensor for detecting a presence, location, and/or gesture of a finger on the top-surface control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Valve Corporation
    Inventors: Ian Campbell, Jeffrey Peter Bellinghausen, Brian David Hensley, Scott Dalton, Michael Jacob Goerz, Cheang Tad Yoo
  • Publication number: 20200086211
    Abstract: Described herein are, among other things, handheld controllers that include housings having one or more receiver portions for detachably coupling to one or more controls. For example, a housing of one such controller may include, on a front surface of the housing, a receiver that is configured to detachably couple to one or more joysticks, one or more D-pads, one or more track pads, one or more buttons, and/or the like. In some instances, a user may swap a first control for a second control based on a current application (e.g., game title) that the user is playing, based on comfort of the user, and/or for any other reason.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Michael J. Goerz, Ian Campbell, Jeffrey Peter Bellinghausen, Brian David Hensley, Scott Dalton, Christopher Lee Bjordhal
  • Patent number: D873845
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Valve Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Scott Keyzer, Jeffrey Peter Bellinghausen, Brian David Hensley, Michael J. Goerz, Jason Beach