Valve Corporation

Brian David Hensley

Jeffrey Peter Bellinghausen

Michael Jacob Goerz

Scott Dalton

Ian Campbell

Jeffrey Scott Keyzer

Cheang Tad Yoo

Jason Beach

Christopher Lee Bjordhal

Austin Palmer

Gregory Martin Matelich, Ii

Described herein are, among other things, handheld controllers that include one or more touchpads (i.e., touch-sensitive controls) configured to detachably couple to one or more overlays that effectively transform the respective touchpad into a different control. For instance, one example handheld controller may include a circular trackpad that is configured to detect a position of a finger on a top surface of the trackpad. This position may be used to control a cursor or avatar, for scrolling, or for any other type of command. In general, most or all of the top surface may be usable by a user for providing input to the controller and/or a remote system coupled to the controller. As described herein, however, one or more different overlays may detachably couple to a housing of the controller and/or the trackpad itself to effectively change the use of the trackpad.

Handheld controllers with detachable overlays

Described herein are, among other things, handheld controllers that include housings having one or more receiver portions for detachably coupling to one or more controls. For example, a housing of one such controller may include, on a front surface of the housing, a receiver that is configured to detachably couple to one or more joysticks, one or more D-pads, one or more track pads, one or more buttons, and/or the like. In some instances, a user may swap a first control for a second control based on a current application (e.g., game title) that the user is playing, based on comfort of the user, and/or for any other reason.

Handheld controllers with swappable controls

An electronic device may include a proximity sensor, a touch sensor, and one or more light emitting elements. The touch sensor may be configured to detect touch input provided on a surface of the electronic device at a location in front of the touch sensor for purposes of powering on the electronic device. Prior to powering on the electronic device, a location of the touch sensor may remain inconspicuous. When the proximity sensor detects an object, such as a user, which moves within a threshold distance from a surface of the electronic device, the location of the touch sensor can be made conspicuous. After the power switch is made conspicuous, the user is able to see where to provide touch input on the electronic device to power on the electronic device.

Proximity-based power switch appearance

Described herein are, among other things, handheld controllers having touch-sensitive controls, as well as methods for use of the touch-sensitive controls and methods for assembling the handheld controllers. An example handheld controller may include a top-surface control (e.g., a 'trigger button') that includes a switch, a pressure sensor, and a touch sensor for detecting a presence, location, and/or gesture of a finger on the top-surface control.

Handheld controllers with touch-sensitive controls

Display screen or portion thereof with an animated graphical user interface

Growing community of inventors

Seattle, WA, United States of America

Brian David Hensley