Abstract: A handheld controller configured to be held by a user's hand. The handheld controller comprising a main body, and a handle extending from the main body, wherein the handle has a palm side and a finger side. A control button is positioned on the main body or handle, and a detection sensor is on the handle. The detection sensor is positioned to detect the presence of the finger or palm of a user's hand engaging the handle. The detection sensor can be a capacitive touch sensor, a proximity sensor or other detection sensor operative to detect the touch or spatial presence of the user's hand or fingers.

Abstract: A handheld controller configured to be held by a user's hand. The handheld controller comprising a main body, and a handle extending from the main body, wherein the handle has a palm side and a finger side. A control button is positioned on the main body or handle, and a detection sensor is on the handle. The detection sensor is positioned to detect the presence of the finger or palm of a user's hand engaging the handle. The detection sensor can be a capacitive touch sensor, a proximity sensor or other detection sensor operative to detect the touch or spatial presence of the user's hand or fingers.

Abstract: As disclosed herein, a system may comprise a handheld device in electronic communication with a controller. The handheld device may comprise a housing defining an internal cavity and an orifice providing access to the internal cavity. A trigger may comprise an external and an internal surface. The trigger may be oriented to cover the orifice. A transfer member may be oriented in the internal cavity and coupled to the internal surface of the trigger. A force sensor may be oriented in the internal cavity and may engage a distal end of the transfer member and the internal surface of the trigger. A transfer roller may be oriented in the internal cavity and coupled to the distal end of the transfer member. A cam may be oriented in the internal cavity and may engage the transfer member. A motor may be oriented in the internal cavity and coupled to the cam.

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 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 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 method is performed at a virtual-reality system that includes a head-mounted display (HMD) and a hand-held controller. The hand-held controller includes a grip, a user-input surface, and a tracking ring. the user-input surface includes a user-input key that is mounted on the grip, and the user input key includes an analog pressure sensor. The tracking ring is coupled to the user-input surface and the tracking ring includes a plurality of illumination sources on an outer surface of the tracking ring. The method displays an image of a hand on the HMD, and senses pressure applied to the analog pressure sensor by a user holding the hand-held controller and wearing the HMD. The method displays, on the HMD, the degree of closing the image of the hand in proportion to the pressure applied to the analog pressure sensor.

Abstract: A hand-held controller for a virtual-reality system includes an antenna, a grip, a cage coupled to the grip, and a plurality of LEDs on an outer surface of the cage. Wireless signals are received from a remote camera via the antenna. The plurality of LEDs is duty-cycled, which includes turning on the plurality of LEDs at times determined using the wireless signals. The times when the plurality of LEDs is turned on correspond to times when the remote camera captures images of the hand-held controller.

Abstract: A stylus may include an elongated housing, at least one sensor that is configured to detect manipulation of the stylus by a user, and a tracking component that enables the stylus to be tracked in a virtual, augmented, or mixed reality environment. A corresponding head-mounted display system may include a stylus with an elongated housing and a tracking component, a tracking subsystem that is configured to track manipulation of the stylus using the tracking component, and a display subsystem configured to display the manipulation of the stylus within a virtual, augmented, or mixed reality environment. A related method of assembling a stylus including coupling at least one sensor to an elongated housing and coupling a tracking component to the elongated housing.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus may include a support structure that holds a portion of the apparatus in physical contact with a user's fingertip, a feedback mechanism that provides tactile feedback to the user's fingertip, a position tracking element that facilitates tracking the position of the user's fingertip, and a communication component that facilitates communication between the apparatus and a control device. Various other apparatuses, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Handheld controllers are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the controller includes a main body and a sensor assembly at least partially disposed in the main body. The sensor assembly can include a control surface (e.g., a button) configured to receive at least a portion of a user's finger. A sensor portion can be disposed between the control surface and a rear member. The sensor portion can comprise a foam layer, a backing layer and a sensor layer between the foam layer and the backing layer. The foam layer can be compressed toward the control surface to minimize an air gap between the sensor layer and the control surface.

Abstract: Handheld controllers having flexible thumbstick guards are disclosed herein for use with a handheld controller having a thumbstick or other pivotal control member. A representative guard has a tubular neck that sealably connects to a shaft portion of the thumbstick, and a skirt that sealably connects to an interior portion of the handheld controller around the control opening. The guard has a flexible joint portion interconnecting the neck and the skirt to allow the neck to move relative to the skirt upon pivoting the control member relative to the body.

Abstract: A method is performed at a virtual-reality system that includes a head-mounted display (HMD) and a hand-held controller. The hand-held controller includes a grip, a user-input surface, and a tracking ring. the user-input surface includes a user-input key that is mounted on the grip, and the user input key includes an analog pressure sensor. The tracking ring is coupled to the user-input surface and the tracking ring includes a plurality of illumination sources on an outer surface of the tracking ring. The method displays an image of a hand on the HMD, and senses pressure applied to the analog pressure sensor by a user holding the hand-held controller and wearing the HMD. The method displays, on the HMD, the degree of closing the image of the hand in proportion to the pressure applied to the analog pressure sensor.

Abstract: A method is performed in a virtual-reality system that includes a head-mounted display (HMD) and a hand-held controller. The hand-held controller includes a grip and a user-input key mounted at least in part on the grip. In the method, an image of a hand is displayed on the HMD. Pressure applied to the user-input key by a user holding the hand-held controller and wearing the HMD is sensed. A degree of closing of the image of the hand is displayed on the HMD in proportion to the pressure applied to the grip.

Abstract: A method is performed in a virtual-reality system that includes a head-mounted display (HMD), a camera, and a hand-held controller having a plurality of illumination sources to provide light that is detectable by the camera. The method includes displaying, on the HMD, an image of a hand and using the camera to detect movement of the hand-held controller by tracking positions of respective illumination sources of the plurality of illumination sources. The method further includes displaying, on the HMD, motion of the image of the hand corresponding to the detected movement.

Abstract: There is provided a hand-held controller for a virtual-reality system. The hand-held controller includes a user-input surface and a grip coupled to the user-input surface. The user-input surface includes a first user-input key situated on the user-input surface. The first user-input key includes a first capacitive touch sensor to detect a finger of a user hovering above the first user-input key and contacting the first user-input key.

Abstract: A method is performed in a virtual-reality system that includes a head-mounted display (HMD) and a hand-held controller. The hand-held controller includes a grip and a user-input key mounted at least in part on the grip. In the method, an image of a hand is displayed on the HMD. Pressure applied to the user-input key by a user holding the hand-held controller and wearing the HMD is sensed. A degree of closing of the image of the hand is displayed on the HMD in proportion to the pressure applied to the grip.

Abstract: A hand-held controller includes a user-input surface, a grip coupled to the user-input surface, and a cage coupled to the user-input surface at two points without the grip interposed between the user-input surface and the cage. The hand-held controller includes may further include a plurality of illumination sources on an outer surface of the cage.

Abstract: A virtual-reality system includes a head-mounted display (HMD), a forward-looking camera coupled to the HMD and a hand-held controller communicatively coupleable to the HMD. The hand-held controller includes a first user-input key, a grip, and an outward-facing surface coupled to the grip. The outward-facing surface includes a plurality of illumination sources which provide light that is detectable by the camera for sensing a position of the controller based on a user motion.