Magnetic user input assembly of a controller device

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.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.