Microsoft Patent | Controller Button Having a Simulated Axis of Rotation

Patent: Controller Button Having a Simulated Axis of Rotation

Publication Number: 20190038969

Publication Date: 2019-02-07

Applicants: Microsoft

Abstract

A user input device is provided that includes a button-based control mechanism. The button-based control mechanism includes a button, the button including a user-depressible button top and a button stem, and a button depression guide disposed within an internal cavity of the user input device that engages with the button stem to cause the button to move from a default position and along a substantially arc-shaped path when pressure is applied to the button top. The substantially arc-shaped path may be around an axis of rotation that is external to the user input device. The button-based control mechanism further includes a button biasing mechanism disposed within the internal cavity that returns the button to the default position when the pressure is removed from the button top and at least one sensor that detects actuation of the button responsive to the movement of the button away from the default position.

Background

Various types of handheld controllers exist, including handheld game controllers. A game controller is a type of user input device that is designed to facilitate user interaction with a video game, virtual reality simulation, or other application executing on a computer, video game console, or other platform. For example, a game controller may provide a means by which a user can control a character or object within a video game, interact with a virtual reality simulation, navigate a graphical user interface, or the like. A variety of different types of game controllers exist and each game controller type may include one or more user-actuatable control elements via which a user can provide input. For example, a game controller may include one or more buttons that a user can actuate manually, such as by pressing on or squeezing the button(s) with one or more fingers, to provide input.

Summary
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

A user input device, such as a game controller, that includes a button-based control mechanism is described herein. The user input device includes a housing that defines an internal cavity of the user input device and includes an aperture. The button-based control mechanism includes a button comprising a button top and a button stem, where the button top extends into or through the aperture in the housing such that the button top is externally accessible with respect to the housing and the button stem is disposed within the internal cavity of the user input device. The button-based control mechanism further includes a button depression guide disposed within the internal cavity of the user input device that engages with the button stem to cause the button to move from a default position and along a substantially arc-shaped path when pressure is applied to the button top. In an embodiment, the substantially arc-shaped path is around an axis of rotation that is external to the user input device. The button-based control mechanism further includes a button biasing mechanism disposed within the internal cavity that returns the button to the default position when the pressure is removed from the button top and at least one sensor that detects actuation of the button responsive to movement of the button away from the default position.

Further features and advantages of various embodiments of the disclosure, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the disclosure, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is noted that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein. Such embodiments are presented herein for illustrative purposes only. Additional embodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein.