Force feedback trigger for handheld device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12405668-B2
Application number	US-202318334247-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 13, 2023
Priority date	Jun 13, 2022
Publication date	Sep 2, 2025
Grant date	Sep 2, 2025

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.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. A system, comprising:
a controller;
a handheld device in electronic communication with the controller, wherein the handheld device comprises a housing, wherein the housing defines an internal cavity, and wherein the housing defines an orifice providing access to the internal cavity;
a trigger comprising an external surface and an internal surface, wherein the trigger is oriented to cover the orifice providing access to the internal cavity;
a transfer member oriented in the internal cavity and coupled to the internal surface of the trigger;
a force sensor oriented in the internal cavity and engaged to a distal end of the transfer member and the internal surface of the trigger;
a transfer roller oriented in the internal cavity and coupled to the distal end of the transfer member;
a cam oriented in the internal cavity and configured to indirectly engage the transfer member; and
a motor oriented in the internal cavity and coupled to the cam.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the motor comprises a rotational motor configured to cause the cam to rotate about an axis.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the transfer member comprises a proximal end, wherein the proximal end is coupled to the internal surface of the trigger, and wherein a coupling interface between the transfer member and the trigger is configured to permit a rotation at the coupling interface.

4. The transfer member of claim 3 , wherein a first section of the distal end of the transfer member engages the force sensor and a second section of the distal end of the transfer member is coupled to the transfer roller.

5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising an encoder, wherein the encoder is configured to convert at least rotary position to electronic signals.

6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a gear train coupled to the motor and the cam, wherein the gear train is configured to adjust a rotational speed or a torque applied to the cam by the motor.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the trigger comprises a Hall effect sensor, wherein the Hall effect sensor provides data regarding a simulated action in an augmented reality/virtual reality environment.

8. A system, comprising:
a handheld device, wherein the handheld device comprises a housing, wherein the housing defines an internal cavity, and wherein the housing defines an orifice providing access to the internal cavity;
a trigger comprising an external surface and an internal surface, wherein the trigger is oriented to cover the orifice providing access to the internal cavity;
a transfer member oriented in the internal cavity and coupled to the internal surface of the trigger;
a force sensor oriented in the internal cavity and engaged to a distal end of the transfer member and the internal surface of the trigger;
a transfer roller oriented in the internal cavity and coupled to the distal end of the transfer member;
a cam oriented in the internal cavity and configured to indirectly engage the transfer member;
a motor oriented in the internal cavity and coupled to the cam; and
a controller in electronic communication with the handheld device, wherein the controller is configured to:
receive, via the force sensor, a force input from the trigger;
determine, based on the force input, a response force to be applied to the transfer member; and
cause the motor to initiate a first rotation, transferring a rotational force through the cam and applying the response force to the transfer member.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the motor comprises a rotational motor configured to cause the cam to rotate about an axis.

10. The system of claim 8 , wherein the transfer member comprises a proximal end, wherein the proximal end is coupled to the internal surface of the trigger, and wherein a coupling interface between the transfer member and the trigger is configured to permit a second rotation at the coupling interface.

11. The transfer member of claim 10 , wherein a first section of the distal end of the transfer member engages the force sensor and a second section of the distal end of the transfer member is coupled to the transfer roller.

12. The system of claim 8 , further comprising an encoder, wherein the encoder is configured to convert at least rotary position to electronic signals.

13. The system of claim 8 , further comprising a gear train coupled to the motor and the cam, wherein the gear train is configured to adjust a rotational speed or a torque applied to the cam by the motor.

14. The system of claim 8 , wherein the trigger comprises a Hall effect sensor, wherein the Hall effect sensor provides data regarding a simulated action in an augmented reality/virtual reality environment.

15. A system, comprising:
a handheld device, wherein the handheld device comprises a housing, wherein the housing defines an internal cavity, and wherein the housing defines an orifice providing access to the internal cavity;
a trigger comprising an external surface and an internal surface, wherein the trigger is oriented to cover the orifice providing access to the internal cavity;
a transfer member oriented in the internal cavity and coupled to the internal surface of the trigger;
a force sensor oriented in the internal cavity and engaged to a distal end of the transfer member and the internal surface of the trigger;
a transfer roller oriented in the internal cavity and coupled to the distal end of the transfer member;
a cam oriented in the internal cavity and configured to indirectly engage the transfer member;
a motor oriented in the internal cavity and coupled to the cam;
a gear train coupled to the motor and the cam, wherein the gear train is configured to adjust a rotational speed or a torque applied to the cam by the motor; and
a controller in electronic communication with the handheld device, wherein the controller is configured to:
receive, via the force sensor, a force input from the trigger;
determine, based on the force input, a response force to be applied to the transfer member; and
cause the motor to initiate a first rotation, transferring a rotational force through the cam and applying the response force to the transfer member.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the motor comprises a rotational motor configured to cause the cam to rotate about an axis.

17. The system of claim 15 , wherein the transfer member comprises a proximal end, wherein the proximal end is coupled to the internal surface of the trigger, and wherein a coupling interface between the transfer member and the trigger is configured to permit a second rotation at the coupling interface.

18. The transfer member of claim 17 , wherein a first section of the distal end of the transfer member engages the force sensor and a second section of the distal end of the transfer member is coupled to the transfer roller.

19. The system of claim 15 , further comprising an encoder, wherein the encoder is configured to convert at least rotary position to electronic signals.

20. The system of claim 15 , wherein the trigger comprises a Hall effect sensor, wherein the Hall effect sensor provides data regarding a simulated action in an augmented reality/virtual reality environment.

Assignees

• Meta Platforms Tech Llc

Inventors

• Warner Michelle
• Aby Madeline Blair
• Pieron Rémy O'Leary
• Wang Tzu-Yuan
• Jentz Lorenz Henric
• Higgins Jason Andrew
• Robb Walker
• Allison Michael
• Yasbek Joshua
• Harriman Douglas

Classifications

• A63F13/285

  Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback · CPC title

• A63F13/218

  using pressure sensors, e.g. generating a signal proportional to the pressure applied by the player · CPC title

• A63F13/24

  Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles · CPC title

• G06F3/016 Primary

  Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user · CPC title