# US 10,307,669 B2 · Electronic controller with finger sensing and an adjustable hand retainer > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,307,669 B2 - Document ID: US10307669B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/834,372 - Filed: 2017-12-07 - Published: 2018-04-12 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2016-10-11 - Assignees: Valve Corporation - Applicants: Valve Corporation - Inventors: Eric James Hope; Scott Nietfeld; Carl Conlee; Scott Richard Britt; Jeffrey Walter Mucha; Jeffrey George Leinbaugh; Jeremy Slocum - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10307669B2 ## CPC - A63F 13/24: Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles - A63F 13/213: comprising photodetecting means, e.g. cameras, photodiodes or infrared cells (A63F13/219 takes precedence) - A63F 13/218: using pressure sensors, e.g. generating a signal proportional to the pressure applied by the player - A63F 13/428: involving motion or position input signals, e.g. signals representing the rotation of an input controller or a player's arm motions sensed by accelerometers or gyroscopes - G06F 3/014: {Hand-worn input/output arrangements, e.g. data gloves} - A63F: CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract A controller for an electronic system includes a tracking member fixed to a controller body. The controller body has a head that adjoins a handle at a neck region, and that includes at least one thumb-operated control. The controller includes a hand retainer that in a closed position is configured to physically bias the user's palm against an outer surface of the handle. The hand retainer includes a resilient member that biases the hand retainer towards an open position. The resilient member is attached to an anchor that is attached to the head by an adjustment mechanism that permits the resilient member to be moved towards or away from the user's purlicue. The tracking member includes transducers that are coupled to the electronic system by electromagnetic radiation. Proximity sensors, spatially distributed on the handle, are responsive to a proximity of the user's fingers to the outer surface of the handle. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A controller for an electronic system, for operation by a user having a hand with a thumb, fingers, a purlicue between the thumb and the fingers, and a palm, the controller comprising: a controller body having a head and a handle, the head adjoining the handle at a neck region, the head including at least one thumb-operated control; a tracking member that is fixed to the controller body; a hand retainer that in a closed position is configured to physically bias the user's palm against an outer surface of the handle, the hand retainer including a resilient member that biases the hand retainer towards an open position, the resilient member being adjustably attached to the head by a first adjustment mechanism that permits the resilient member to be adjusted towards or away from the user's purlicue; a first plurality of tracking transducers disposed in the tracking member, the first plurality of tracking transducers being coupled with the electronic system via electromagnetic radiation; and an array of proximity sensors that are spatially distributed on the handle, the array of proximity sensors being responsive to a proximity of the user's fingers to the outer surface of the handle. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The controller of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of tracking transducers comprises a plurality of tracking sensors that are responsive to electromagnetic radiation that is emitted by the electronic system. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The controller of claim 2, wherein the plurality of tracking sensors are infrared light sensors that are responsive to pulsed infrared light emitted by the electronic system. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The controller of claim 3, wherein each of the infrared light sensors is covered by infrared-transmissive polycarbonate plastic. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The controller of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of tracking transducers comprises a plurality of tracking beacons that emit electromagnetic radiation for reception by the electronic system. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The controller of claim 1, wherein the tracking member is a tracking arc having an arcuate shape. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The controller of claim 1, wherein the hand retainer comprises a hand-retention strap that is disposed between the handle and the tracking member. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The controller of claim 7, wherein the hand-retention strap is configured to contact a back of the user's hand, and is adjustable in length by a second adjustment mechanism. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The controller of claim 7, wherein the resilient member is a curved metal strip. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The controller of claim 7, wherein the hand-retention strap includes a draw cord, and the second adjustment mechanism includes a cord lock that selectively prevents sliding motion by the draw cord at the cord lock. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The controller of claim 10, wherein the cord lock is disposed adjacent a distal end of the handle. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The controller of claim 1, wherein the first adjustment mechanism comprises a channel in the controller body that is disposed adjacent the neck region, the resilient member including a projection that extends into and can be moved longitudinally within the channel. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The controller of claim 12, wherein the projection includes a catch that prevents longitudinal movement of the projection within the channel when the hand retainer is in the closed position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The controller of claim 13, wherein the catch is a cam that increases friction with an interior surface of the channel when a relative angle of the projection corresponds to the closed position. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The controller of claim 1, wherein the first adjustment mechanism comprises an anchor that can move about the head along an arcuate path that is peripheral to the head, towards and away from the purlicue of the user, with the resilient member being attached to the anchor. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The controller of claim 15, wherein the anchor is rotatably mounted on the head by a lockable collar portion that can be selectively locked by the user to prevent further movement of the anchor along the arcuate path. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The controller of claim 16, wherein the resilient member is pivotably attached to the anchor. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The controller of claim 1, wherein the tracking member is fixed to the controller body by being joined to the controller body at two locations, and the hand retainer biases the user's palm against the handle between the two locations. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The controller of claim 1, further comprising a second plurality of tracking transducers disposed in the controller body, the second plurality of tracking transducers including at least one distal tracking transducer that is disposed adjacent a distal end of the head. ### Claim 20 (depends on 6) The controller of claim 6, wherein the tracking arc includes two noses, each protruding from a corresponding one of two opposing distal ends of the tracking arc, each nose including at least one of the first plurality of tracking transducers. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The controller of claim 1, wherein the array of proximity sensors is a plurality of capacitive sensors. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The controller of claim 1, further comprising a printed circuit board (PCB) mounted within the handle, the PCB including a force sensing resistor (FSR), and a plunger that conveys a compressive force applied to the outer sruface of the handle inward to the FSR.