Abstract: A hand-held controller is enables a user to manipulate objects in a VR environment with hand movement. The hand-held controller includes a handle, a ring attached to an end of the handle and one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs). The handle has appropriate shape and dimensions so that it can be grasped by the user's hand. The ring has an outer body that includes an inner surface that is formed with one or more concave dome and an outer surface facing away from the inner surface. Each of the one or more LED is mounted under a concaved dome. Light emitted from the LED spreads at the concaved dome to form uniform illuminous intensity. The light transmits out of the body through the outer surface of the outer body. The light can be captured by a camera for tracking the hand-held controller.

Abstract: A thumbstick assembly is configured to receive user input. The thumbstick assembly receives input through depression of a thumbstick, lateral rotation of the thumbstick, or some combination thereof. The thumbstick comprises a first surface, a rod, a spherical magnet. The first surface receives contact with a user's skin. The rod comprises a first end coupled to the first surface and a second end coupled to the spherical magnet. The thumbstick assembly further comprises a cup and a ring magnet. The cup is configured to receive the spherical magnet, wherein the spherical magnet is configured to move about a pivot point within the cup. The ring magnet is positioned about an outer surface of the cup and is configured to provide a restoring torque to the movement of the spherical magnet. The thumbstick assembly comprises one or more sensors that detect movement of the thumbstick relative to the cup.

Abstract: A hand-held controller includes a handle extending in a longitudinal direction. The handle is shaped and dimensioned to be grasped by a user's hand. A ring is attached to an end of the handle and surrounds a thumb of the user when the handle is grasped by the user's hand. The ring has an annular surface that defines a plane that forms a predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal direction, and a curved outer surface. Light sources are mounted on the curved outer surface and configured to emit light to be captured by an imaging device for tracking a position or orientation of the hand-held controller. The light is emitted in a direction normal to the curved outer surface.

Abstract: A hand-held controller includes a handle extending in a longitudinal direction. The handle is shaped and dimensioned to be grasped by a user's hand. A ring is attached to an end of the handle and surrounds a thumb of the user when the handle is grasped by the user's hand. The ring has an annular surface that defines a plane that forms a predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal direction, and a curved outer surface. Light sources are mounted on the curved outer surface and configured to emit light to be captured by an imaging device for tracking a position or orientation of the hand-held controller. The light is emitted in a direction normal to the curved outer surface.

Abstract: A head-mounted-display adjustment apparatus may include a strap with a distal section coupled to a distal area of a head-mounted display. The adjustment apparatus may also include a pinion rotatably coupled to a proximal area of the head-mounted display in a manner that holds the head-mounted display against a user's face when a user is wearing the head-mounted display. In addition, the adjustment apparatus may include a rack that is coupled to a proximal section of the strap and includes a plurality of teeth in mesh with the pinion such that (1) rotation of the pinion repositions the rack relative to the head-mounted display and (2) repositioning the rack adjusts an area between the strap and the head-mounted display. Various other head-mounted-display adjustment apparatuses, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hand-held controller for a head-mounted-display system may include (1) a printed circuit board, (2) an electronic component that is separate from the printed circuit board, and (3) at least one conductive spring. The at least one conductive spring may include (1) a circuit-board connection portion electrically coupled to the printed circuit board and (2) a component connection portion electrically coupled to the electronic component. The at least one conductive spring may include an electrically conductive material that electrically couples the electronic component to the printed circuit board. Various other apparatuses, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hand-held controller is enables a user to manipulate objects in a VR environment with hand movement. The hand-held controller includes a handle, a ring attached to an end of the handle and one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs). The handle has appropriate shape and dimensions so that it can be grasped by the user's hand. The ring has an outer body that includes an inner surface that is formed with one or more concave dome and an outer surface facing away from the inner surface. Each of the one or more LED is mounted under a concaved dome. Light emitted from the LED spreads at the concaved dome to form uniform illuminous intensity. The light transmits out of the body through the outer surface of the outer body. The light can be captured by a camera for tracking the hand-held controller.

Abstract: A head-mounted-display adjustment apparatus may include a spring assembly that includes a spring with a restoring force. The adjustment apparatus may also include a strap with a distal section coupled to a head-mounted display and a proximal section coupled to the spring assembly such that (i) the strap is extendable, via deflection of the spring, away from the head-mounted display, and (ii) when a user is wearing the head-mounted display, the restoring force of the spring holds, via the strap, the head-mounted display against the user's face. The adjustment apparatus may additionally include a projection assembly that couples the spring assembly to the head-mounted display and via which the spring assembly is extendable away from the head-mounted display. The adjustment apparatus may further include a mount that couples the projection assembly to the head-mounted display. Various other apparatuses, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hand-held controller includes a handle extending in a longitudinal direction. The handle is shaped and dimensioned to be grasped by a hand of a user. A ring is attached to an end of the handle and surrounds a thumb of the user when the handle is grasped by the hand of the user. The ring has an annular surface defining a plane that forms a predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal direction. The ring also has a curved outer surface. A sensor is embedded within the ring or mounted on a side surface of the handle to detect whether the hand of the user grasping the handle is a right hand of the user or a left hand of the user.

Abstract: A head-mounted-display adjustment apparatus may include a spring with a restoring force that is, within an elastic limit of the spring, substantially disproportional to deflection of the spring. The adjustment apparatus may also include a mount that couples the spring to a head-mounted display. In addition, the adjustment apparatus may include a strap with a distal section coupled to the head-mounted display and a proximal section coupled to the spring such that (1) the strap is extendable, via deflection of the spring, away from the head-mounted display and (2) when a user is wearing the head-mounted display, the restoring force of the spring holds, via the strap, the head-mounted display against the user's face. Various other head-mounted-display adjustment devices, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hand-held controller includes a handle extending in a longitudinal direction. The handle is shaped and dimensioned to be grasped by a user's hand. A trigger protrudes from an outer surface of the handle and moves relative to the handle responsive to pressing of the trigger by a finger of the user's hand. The trigger includes a touch surface that comes into contact with the finger of the user's hand to detect sliding of the finger of the user's hand on the touch surface.

Abstract: A hand-held controller includes a handle extending in a longitudinal direction. The handle is shaped and dimensioned to be grasped by a user's hand. A ring is attached to an end of the handle and surrounds a thumb of the user when the handle is grasped by the user's hand. The ring has an annular surface that defines a plane that forms a predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal direction, and a curved outer surface. Light sources are mounted on the curved outer surface and configured to emit light to be captured by an imaging device for tracking a position or orientation of the hand-held controller. The light is emitted in a direction normal to the curved outer surface.

Abstract: A hand-held controller includes a handle extending in a longitudinal direction. The handle is shaped and dimensioned to be grasped by a user's hand. A trigger protrudes from an outer surface of the handle and moves relative to the handle responsive to pressing of the trigger by a finger of the user's hand. The trigger includes a touch surface that comes into contact with the finger of the user's hand to detect sliding of the finger of the user's hand on the touch surface.

Abstract: A hand-held controller includes a handle extending in a longitudinal direction. The handle is shaped and dimensioned to be grasped by a user's hand. A ring is attached to an end of the handle and has an annular surface. The annular surface defines a plane that forms a predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal direction. A capacitive touch pad is attached to the end of the handle and has a touch surface to receive haptic input from a finger of the user's hand. The capacitive touch pad generates sensor signals responsive to receiving the haptic input from the finger of the user's hand.

Abstract: Pivot mechanisms for tracking cameras are disclosed herein. A tracking camera assembly includes a camera head having a housing and a pivot joint disposed within the housing. The pivot joint fitting is configured to rotate with respect to the housing. A cable is in electrical communication with the camera head and is fixedly coupled to the pivot joint fitting and extends away from the camera head. A stand pole is fixedly coupled to the pivot joint fitting and extends away from the camera head.

Abstract: Remote control units with lanyard attachment mechanisms are disclosed. A handheld remote control assembly can include an anchor member, a lanyard coupled to the anchor member, and a device to be carried by the lanyard. The device includes a body and a receptacle formed in the body, the receptacle configured to receive the anchor member therein. A housing can removably cover the receptacle to secure the anchor member in place, and a notch in the housing receives a portion of the lanyard therethrough.

Abstract: Handheld remote control assemblies with battery retention mechanisms are disclosed. An assembly can include a body and with a substantially cylindrical aperture formed in the body and defined by a sidewall. A substantially cylindrical battery is disposed within the aperture, and a latch arm is disposed on one side of the aperture, the latch arm urging the battery toward an opposite side of the aperture. A first tab extends from an upper portion of the latch arm towards the aperture such that the first tab extends partially over an upper surface of the battery. A second tab extends from an upper portion of the sidewall at a position diametrically opposed to the latch arm such that the second tab extends partially over the upper surface of the battery.

Abstract: Handheld remote control assemblies with battery isolation tabs are disclosed. An assembly includes a body and a battery pocket formed in the body and defined by a sidewall and a lower surface. An electrical connection terminal is disposed on the lower surface, and a battery is disposed within the battery pocket. The body includes a channel formed therein and extending between the battery pocket and an edge of the body. A battery isolation tab includes a head portion disposed between the battery and the electrical connection terminal, a handle portion disposed external to the body, and a neck portion extending between the head portion and the handle portion, the neck portion at least partially received within the channel formed in the body.

Abstract: Pivot mechanisms for tracking cameras are disclosed herein. A tracking camera assembly includes a camera head having a housing and a pivot joint disposed within the housing. The pivot joint fitting is configured to rotate with respect to the housing. A cable is in electrical communication with the camera head and is fixedly coupled to the pivot joint fitting and extends away from the camera head. A stand pole is fixedly coupled to the pivot joint fitting and extends away from the camera head.