DIRECTIONAL PADS COMPRISING A SUSPENSION SYSTEM AND CONTROLLERS INCLUDING THE SAME

A directional pad for a controller can comprise a shell, a suspension system, and a haptic actuator. The shell can include a top that has opposing upper and lower surfaces. The suspension system can be coupled to the shell and include three or more elastic arms. Each of the arms can extend between a first end that is coupled to the shell and a second end that is disposed lower than the shell and the first end of the arm. The haptic actuator can be configured to vibrate the shell.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to directional pads for use on a controller and, more specifically, to directional pads that employ a touch sensor.

BACKGROUND

Users commonly employ controllers to issue commands that cause actions to occur in a variety of applications, such as in software applications like gaming applications. For example, a controller may be in communication with an information handling system (e.g., a personal computer or a gaming console) that is running a gaming application, and user inputs into the controller may be translated into commands that cause in-game actions like character movement, menu selections, and/or the like.

Handheld controllers may offer better mobility than other user interfaces like a keyboard and mouse, but the constrained form factor of a handheld controller may impose limitations on its performance. For example, handheld controllers may not have as many user-inputs (e.g., buttons, thumbsticks, and/or the like) as other user interfaces like a keyboard and mouse, which may in turn limit the amount of commands that can be readily issued using the handheld controller. To illustrate, handheld controllers often include a directional pad that only allows for four directional inputs (e.g., up, down, left, and right), which limits the extent to which the directional pad can be used to cause movement, scroll through options in a software application, and/or the like. While additional buttons can provide more user inputs, doing so in a handheld controller with a small form factor can result in confusion and lead a user to make incorrect input selections when the controller is used.

Additionally, user interfaces sometimes include haptic actuators to provide haptic feedback (e.g., a vibration) to a user when the user interacts with the interface, thereby signaling to the user that, for example, an input has been registered. Implementing haptic-feedback mechanisms in handheld controllers can be challenging. With the small form factor of handheld controllers, a haptic vibration directed to a particular user-input may undesirably also be transmitted to the remainder of the controller, which decreases the effectiveness of the haptic vibration. While damping mechanisms may mitigate the transmission of haptic vibrations to the remainder of the controller, they can also absorb vibrational energy at the touch surface to reduce the effectiveness of the haptic vibration.

SUMMARY

Some of the present directional pads can be used to make inputs on a controller and can comprise a shell, a haptic actuator, and a suspension system that is coupled to the shell. The haptic actuator can be configured to vibrate the shell (e.g., when an input is made on the directional pad) to provide haptic feedback to a user signaling that the user successfully made the input. For example, the vibration from the haptic actuator can simulate the feel of a button press that may be lacking in a user-input mechanism like a touch sensor that the directional pad may employ. The suspension system can enhance the haptic feedback that the haptic actuator provides. To do so, the suspension system can comprise three or more elastic arms that each extend from a first end that is coupled to the shell and a second end that can be coupled to a body of the controller and disposed lower than the shell and the first end of the arm. The arms can thus mitigate the transmission of vibrations from the haptic actuator to the controller body with minimal damping of the vibrations imparted on the directional pad's shell. Additionally, pressing on the upper surface of the directional pad's upper surface can compress the arms to allow downward movement of the shell relative to the controller from a first position to a second, lower position, which can further enhance the haptic feedback that the haptic actuator provides.

The directional pad is preferably coupled to the body of the controller such that, without a user pressing on the upper surface of the shell, the arms are in their resting position (e.g., with no compressive pre-loading of the arms), which can best mitigate the transmission of vibrations from the haptic actuator to the controller body. Additionally, each of the arms preferably extends angularly in addition to downwardly such that there is an angular separation between the first and second ends of the arms. With such arms, downward compression of the arms can also cause rotational movement of the shell—the rotation of the shell relative to a user's finger can further enhance the haptic feedback provided by the vibrations of the haptic actuator, such as by making the simulated button press more perceivable to the user.

A user input device, such as a gaming controller, including one of the present directional pads and as disclosed in embodiments of this disclosure may be used by a user to provide user input to an information handling system. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. A user input device may be coupled to such an information handling system through wires and/or wireless connections, such as a universal serial bus (USB) connection or a Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or other local area or personal area network connection. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such a gaming application, financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In one example embodiment, an information handling system may execute a gaming application for processing user inputs from the gaming controller to generate an audio/visual (AV) stream for presentation to the user that includes a world generated based on the user input. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computers systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.

Some of the present directional pads for a controller comprise a shell, a suspension system, and a haptic actuator. Some of the present controllers comprise a body, a plurality of buttons coupled to the body, and a directional pad comprising a shell, a suspension system, and a haptic actuator. The shell of the directional pad, in some embodiments, includes a top that has opposing upper and lower surfaces.

In some embodiments, the suspension system of the directional pad is coupled to the shell. The suspension system, in some embodiments, includes three or more elastic arms. Each of the arms, in some embodiments, extends between a first end that is coupled to the shell and a second end that is disposed lower than the shell and the first end of the arm. In some controllers, the second end of each of the arms is coupled to the body of the controller.

In some embodiments, in a planform of the suspension system, for each of the arms, an angular separation, taken about a center of the planform of the suspension system, between the first and second ends is at least 10°, optionally at least 30°. In some embodiments, in the planform of the suspension system and as taken about a center of the planform of the suspension system, for each of the arms, an angular separation between the second end of the arm and the second end of a first angularly adjacent one of the arms is approximately the same as an angular separation between the second end of the arm and the second end of a second angularly adjacent one of the arms.

In some embodiments, each of the arms has opposing upper and lower surfaces and an edge connecting the upper surface to the lower surface. For each of the arms, a first segment of the arm, in some embodiments, includes the first end and a first portion of the edge that subtends an angle that is greater than or equal to 90°. In some embodiments, for each of the arms, the first segment of the arm is disposed on the shell, a second segment of the arm includes the second end of the arm and is disposed lower than the first segment of the arm, and a third segment of the arm extends from the first segment to the second segment. For each of the arms, in some embodiments, the second segment of the arm includes a second portion of the edge and the third segment of the arm includes a third portion of the edge that extends from the first portion of the edge to the second portion of the edge and is linear.

In some controllers, the shell of the directional pad is movable relative to the body of the controller between first and second positions and the shell is lower when the shell is in the second position than when the shell is in the first position. In some controllers, for each of the arms, a difference between a height of the first end of the arm and a height of the second end of the arm when the shell is in the first position is within 5% of a difference between the height of the first end of the arm and the height of the second end of the arm when the arms are in a resting position. In some controllers, a force the arms exert on the shell when the shell is in the first position is less than or approximately equal to a weight of the directional pad.

In some controllers, a shell of the directional pad is disposed in an opening of the body of the controller. The body, in some controllers, includes, for each of the arms of the suspension system, a shelf disposed at a periphery of the opening. In some controllers, the second end of each of the arms is coupled to a respective one of the shelves of the body such that the shelf is disposed between the second end of the arm and the shell.

In some embodiments, the haptic actuator of the directional pad is configured to vibrate the shell. The haptic actuator, in some embodiments, comprises a linear resonant actuator configured to vibrate the upper surface of the top of the shell in a direction that is substantially parallel with a vertical axis that extends through the upper surface of the top of the shell.

Some embodiments comprise a capacitive touch sensor that is configured to measure a position at which an electrically-conductive object touches the upper surface of the top of the shell.

In some embodiments, the upper surface of the top of the shell has a circular planform.

In some controllers, the body of the controller has a main portion disposed between first and second gripping portions. Each of the gripping portions, in some controllers, project rearwardly away from the main portion. The directional pad, in some controllers, is disposed closer to the first gripping portion than to the second gripping portion. In some controllers, the directional pad is disposed closer to the front of the body than to a rearmost point of the first gripping portion. In some controllers, the buttons include four buttons that are each disposed closer to the second gripping portion than to the first gripping portion and closer to the front of the body than to a rearmost point of the second gripping portion. Some controllers comprise two thumbsticks. Each of the thumbsticks, in some controllers, is coupled to the main portion of the body. In some controllers, each of the thumbsticks is disposed closer to a rear of the main portion of the body than to the front of the body.

Some of the present methods of making a controller comprise inserting a directional pad into an opening of a portion of a body of the controller. The directional pad, in some methods, comprises a shell, a suspension system, and a haptic actuator. The shell, in some methods, includes a top that has opposing upper and lower surfaces. The suspension system, in some methods, is coupled to the shell and includes three or more clastic arms. Each of the arms, in some methods, extends between a first end that is coupled to a shell and a second end that is disposed further from the shell than is the first end. The haptic actuator, in some methods, is configured to vibrate the shell.

In some methods, the portion of the body of the controller comprises, for each of the arms of the suspension system, a shelf at a periphery of the opening and a space angularly disposed between two of the shelves. In some methods, the inserting is performed such that a segment of each of the arms that includes the second end of the arm passes through a respective one of the spaces. Some methods comprise rotating the inserted directional pad such that the segment of each of the arms is disposed on a respective one of the shelves and the shelf is disposed between the shell and the segment. Some methods comprise fixing the segment of each of the arms to the shelf that the segment is disposed on.

Some details associated with the embodiments described above and others are described below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIGS.1A-1I, shown is an embodiment 10 of the present directional pads that has an upper surface30a. Directional pad10can comprise a shell14having a top18. Top18can define upper surface30aand an opposing lower surface30b, and a sidewall22can be disposed along at least a majority (up to and including substantially all) of a periphery34of the top and project downwardly away from the lower surface of the top. Shell14can also include a bottom26coupled to sidewall22such that the bottom, sidewall, and top18define an interior space that can house other components of directional pad10; in other embodiments, however, the shell need not include an enclosing sidewall or bottom (e.g., with at least a portion of a controller body that the directional pad is coupled to defining a space with the top that houses other components of the directional pad).

Upper surface30aof directional pad10can serve as the interface that a user interacts with to make user inputs with the directional pad. Directional pad10can include, for example, a touch sensor66(e.g., on a printed circuit board) that is configured to measure a position—such as an angular and/or radial position—at which an electrically-conductive object—such as the user's finger—touches upper surface30aof the directional pad. As shown, touch sensor66can be coupled to lower surface30bof shell14's top18, such as with an adhesive70.

Touch sensor66can be a capacitive touch sensor having a plurality of electrodes to perform this touch-location determination. When a voltage is applied to an electrode of touch sensor66, an electrostatic field can be generated; the electrostatic field can be distorted at a point where an electrically-conductive object like the user's finger touches upper surface30a, thereby creating a change in a capacitance of the touch sensor at a location underlying that point. The change in capacitance be monitored (e.g., by a processor) to determine the touch location.

As one example, touch sensor66can be a self-capacitance touch sensor in which a voltage can be applied to each of the electrodes and a self-capacitance of the electrode (e.g., the capacitance between the electrode and a ground) can be monitored (e.g., by measuring a current through the electrode); when the electrically-conductive object touches a portion of upper surface30athat overlies the electrode, the self-capacitance of the electrode can increase such that the touch sensor conveys a signal (e.g., a correspondingly higher current) indicating that the electrically-conductive object is touching the portion of the upper surface overlying the electrode. The electrodes can follow different paths to allow touch sensor66to measure when different portions of directional pad10's upper surface30aare touched. For example, the electrodes can be arranged in a grid with a first set of the electrodes extending in a widthwise direction at different positions along a lengthwise direction that is perpendicular to the widthwise direction, and a second set of electrodes can extend along the lengthwise direction at different positions along the widthwise direction. A change in capacitance in one of the electrodes of the first set and one of the electrodes of the second set can thus indicate a position in the lengthwise direction and on the widthwise direction, respectively, where a touch occurs.

As another example, touch sensor66can be a mutual-capacitance touch sensor in which the electrodes include a first set of electrodes overlapping a second set of electrodes to define a plurality of junctions where the electrodes cross over one another (e.g., in the above-described grid pattern). A voltage can be applied to each of the electrodes of the first set and, at each of the junctions, a capacitance between the electrode of the first set and the electrode of the second set at the junction can be monitored (e.g., by measuring a voltage on the electrode of the second set); when the electrically-conductive object touches a portion of upper surface30athat overlies the junction, the capacitance can decrease such that the touch sensor conveys a signal (e.g., a changed voltage on the electrode of the second set) indicating that the electrically-conductive object is touching the portion of the upper surface overlying the junction.

The above-described configurations of touch sensor66are illustrative and are not limiting; any suitable touch sensor configuration can be used to allow the touch sensor to be used to determine where an electrically-conductive object touches directional pad10's upper surface30a. For example, in some embodiments, touch sensor66can be a resistive touch sensor instead of a capacitive touch sensor. And, in other embodiments, directional pad10can employ a different mechanism to determine where on the directional pad the user is making inputs, such as with a plurality of piezoelectric sensors that can each measure when a respective portion of the directional pad is pressed.

Directional pad10can comprise a haptic actuator62to provide haptic feedback to a user when the user interfaces with the directional pad, such as to signal that an input onto upper surface30ahas been successfully registered. The use of haptic actuator62may be particularly advantageous when directional pad10employs touch sensor66, which-unlike pressable buttons-might not itself provide haptic feedback. To provide haptic feedback, haptic actuator62can be configured to vibrate shell14(e.g., the shell's top18), and particularly the shell's upper surface30a, such as in a direction that is substantially parallel with a vertical axis extending through the upper surface (e.g., in z-direction64), which can simulate the feel of a button press. As shown, haptic actuator62comprises a linear resonant actuator; however, any suitable haptic actuator can be used, such as a piezoelectric actuator, an eccentric rotating mass actuator, and/or the like. Haptic actuator62can underlie shell14's top18and, when directional pad10includes touch sensor66, the touch sensor such that the haptic actuator does not interfere with the touch sensor's position-measuring functionality.

To promote the effectiveness of haptic actuator62, directional pad10can comprise a suspension system38that is coupled to shell14and comprises arms42that can be used to couple the directional pad to a controller (e.g.,106) as described in further detail below; the suspension system's arms can, for example, mitigate the transmission of the haptic actuator's vibrations to the remainder of the controller and enhance the haptic feedback that the vibrations provide. As shown, suspension system38comprises three arms42; however, in other embodiments, the suspension system can use more arms, such as greater than or equal to any one of, or between any two of, four, five, six, seven, or eight arms.

Each of arms42can be clastic and, referring additionally toFIGS.2A-2G, can extend from a first end46athat is coupled to shell14(e.g., to the shell's bottom26) and a second end46bthat is disposed lower than the first end and the shell (and, as described in further detail below, can be coupled to the body of a controller). As shown, first ends46aof arms42can be coupled to shell14via a main body50of suspension system38that is coupled to the first ends (e.g., is integral with the first ends) and to the shell (e.g., with fasteners54, such as to bottom30); in other embodiments, however, the arms can be independently coupled to the shell (e.g., with no main body extending between them). With arms42being elastic and extending downwardly away from shell14, the arms can act as springs that help mitigate vibration transfers from haptic actuator62to the remainder of a controller, and can also allow downward movement of shell14when a user presses on the shell's upper surface30a(e.g., to enhance haptic feedback) and restore the shell to its original position when the user releases the upper surface. Arms42can each comprise any suitable material and have any suitable thickness48, measured between opposing upper and lower surfaces82aand82bof the arm, to yield an elasticity that allows the arms to support directional pad10while also facilitating vibration isolation and permitting downward movement of shell14. For example, each of arms42can comprise a metal like steel (e.g., stainless steel) and can have a thickness48that is less than or equal to any one of, or between any two of, 0.8, 0.7, 0.6, 0.5, 0.4, 0.3, 0.2, or 0.1 millimeters (mm) (e.g., between 0.1 and 0.5 mm, such as about 0.3 mm).

Arms42can have a geometry that also yields rotational movement of shell14when the shell is pressed downward—the rotation of the shell's upper surface30arelative to a user's finger can enhance the haptic feedback provided by haptic actuator62's vibrations, such as by promoting the simulated button-press feeling. To do so, in addition to extending downwardly from shell14, each of arms42can extend angularly about a center of the shell. As a result, in a planform of suspension system38, for each of arms42, there can be an angular separation78between first end46aand second end46b, which as taken about the center of the suspension system can be greater than or equal to any one of, or between any two of, 10°, 20°, 30°, 40°, 50°, 60°, 70°, 80°, or 90° (e.g., greater than or equal to 30°, such as between 30° and 80°). Compression of each arm42may accordingly cause at least some of the arm's downward displacement (e.g., with a difference102between a height of first end46aand a height of second end46bdecreasing) to translate to angular displacement (e.g., with angular separation78between the first and second ends being larger when the arm is compressed) to cause shell14to rotate.

In the embodiment shown, to extend downwardly from and angularly about shell14, each arm42can have a first segment58athat includes first end46aand a second segment58bthat includes second end46b. In first segment58a, which can be coupled to shell14, a first portion90aof an edge86that connects arm42's upper surface82ato its lower surface82bcan—whether the first portion is curved and/or includes a plurality of angularly-disposed linear segment—subtend an angle94athat is greater than or equal to any one of, or between any two of, 90°, 95°, 100°, 105°, 110°, 115°, 120°, or 125° (e.g., between 95° and 120°) such that the arm is directed in an angular direction. In second segment58b, which can be disposed lower than first segment58a, a second portion90bof edge86can, but need not, be shaped so that the arm is directed further in an angular direction. For example, second portion90bof edge86can-whether the second portion is curved and/or includes a plurality of angularly-disposed linear segments-subtend an angle94bthat is greater than or equal to any one of, or between any two of, 10°, 15°, 20°, 25°, 30°, 35°, or 40° (e.g., between 20° and 35°). A third segment58cof arm42can extend between first segment58aand second segment58band can include a third portion90cof edge86that extends from the edge's first portion90ato the edge's second portion90b. With first and second segments58aand58bdisposed at different heights (e.g., with a portion of upper surface82ain the first segment substantially parallel with a portion of upper surface82bin the second segment), arm42can be directed downwardly in its connecting third segment58c(e.g., with the portion of the third segment at the first segment higher than the portion of the third segment at the second segment); the third segment can thus permit compression of the arm. Third portion90cof edge86can be linear such that, in a planform of suspension system38, third segment58calso continues along the direction set by first segment58a, thereby facilitating the rotational movement that occurs with compression of arm42. This arm geometry is provided by way of illustration; in other embodiments, an arm42can have any suitable geometry to position the arm's second end46blower than and angularly separated from the arm's first end46a.

Each of arms42can be equiangularly disposed about the center of the planform of suspension system38, with the arms extending in the same angular direction to facilitate rotational movement of shell14when the arms are compressed. With such positioning, in the planform of suspension system38and as taken about the center of the planform, for each of arms42, an angular separation98between second end46bof the arm and the second end of a first angularly adjacent arm (e.g., one of the two closest arms, taken in an angular direction) can be approximately the same as angular separation98between the second end of the arm and the second end of a second angularly adjacent one of the arms (e.g., the other of the two closest arms, taken in the angular direction) (FIG.2C). As shown, with three arms42, angular separation98between second ends46bof each angularly adjacent pair of arms can be approximately 120°. The angular separations between first ends46aof angularly-adjacent arms42can likewise be approximately the same.

Directional pad10can also comprise one or more bumpers74coupled to shell14(e.g., to the shell's bottom26), which as described in further detail below can help support and thus stabilize the directional pad when it is coupled to a controller. Bumper(s)74can comprise a resilient material such as foam to permit downward movement of shell14when it is pressed. However, bumper(s)74are optional, as suspension system38can itself provide sufficient stability to directional pad10when the directional pad is coupled to a controller.

Directional pad10can have any suitable geometry to facilitate a user's interaction with the directional pad. For example, because an action to be controlled can depend on the angular position of the input into directional pad10(e.g., whether a top, right, bottom, or left portion of upper surface30ais selected), the upper surface of shell14's top18can have a circular planform that is consonant with such angular-position-based control; however, in other embodiments, the top's upper surface can have a planform of any suitable shape, such as a polygonal (e.g., hexagonal, octagonal, or the like) shape. Additionally, to fit on a handheld controller, directional pad10can be relatively compact. For example, a transverse dimension (e.g., diameter) of upper surface30aof shell14's top18can be less than or equal to any one of, or between any two of, 55, 50, 45, 40, or 35, 30, 25, or 20 mm (e.g., between 20 and 40 mm). Upper surface30aof shell14's top18can also be smooth, and optionally concave, to facilitate a user's ability to scroll across the upper surface to make different inputs (e.g., without lifting a finger); such a configuration may be particularly well-suited with a directional pad10including a touch sensor66as described above, with haptic actuator62vibrating the shell each time a different input is registered.

Referring additionally toFIGS.3A-3D, shown is a controller106that can comprise a body110and directional pad10(e.g., any of the directional pads described above) coupled to the body such that the directional pad's upper surface30afaces upward to allow a user to interact with it. Controller106can also comprise a plurality of buttons114a-114ecoupled to the body, which can be used to make inputs other than those made using directional pad10.

As shown, suspension system38of directional pad10can be used to couple the directional pad to controller106's body110. While first end46a(and first segment58a) of each of arms42can be coupled to directional pad10's shell14, second end46b(and second segment58b) of each of the arms can be coupled to body110of controller106(FIGS.3C and3D). For example, body110can include an opening142that receives directional pad10's shell14and a plurality of shelves150(e.g., one for each arm42) that are each at a periphery146of the opening; the second end (and second segment) of each of the arms can be coupled to a respective one of the shelves (e.g., using one or more fasteners154), optionally such that the shelf is disposed between the second end of the arm and the shell. Arms42of suspension system38can thus suspend directional pad10's shell14relative to controller106's body110such that there is a space158disposed between the shell (e.g., the shell's bottom26) and the body. This can in turn mitigate vibration transfers from haptic actuator62to body110with little dampening of the vibrations imparted on shell14to promote the haptic feedback provided by haptic actuator62. The presence of space158between shell14and body110can also allow the above-described downward (and rotational) movement of shell14relative to the body (e.g., between first and second positions, where the shell is positioned lower when the shell is in the second position than when the shell is in the first position) to enhance the haptic feedback provided by haptic actuator62. Shell14can move only a small distance when pushed from the first position to the second position to enhance the haptic feedback (e.g., the simulated button press) of haptic actuator62; for example, the shell can move downward by less than or equal to any one of, or between any two of, 1.2, 1.1, 1.0, 0.9, 0.8, 0.7, 0.6, 0.5, 0.4, or 0.3 mm (e.g., between 0.4 and 1.0 mm).

Arms42of suspension system38are preferably not compressed (or are at least subject to minimal compression) beyond a resting position-which is the position the arms assume when second ends46bof the arms rest on a surface to support the weight of directional pad10without additional forces being exerted on the directional pad—to best mitigate the transmission of vibrations to body110and thereby enhance the haptic feedback provided by haptic actuator62. For example, for each of arms42, a difference102between the height of first end46aof the arm and the height of second end46bof the arm (FIG.2D) when shell14is in the first position can be within 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, or 1% of the difference between the heights of the first end of the arm and the second end of the arm when the arms are in the resting position. As a result, a force that arms42exert on shell14when the shell is in the first position can be less than or approximately equal to a weight of directional pad10.

If directional pad10includes bumper(s)74, the bumper(s) can extend from shell14to controller106's body110to contribute to the support of the shell. In the embodiment shown, there can be a plurality of bumpers74(e.g., one for each arm42), and each can extend from shell14to a respective one of shelves150of body110. As described above, bumper(s)74can each comprise a resilient material such that the bumper is compressible, thereby allowing movement of the shell between the first and second positions.

Controller106can have any suitable shape and any suitable configuration of buttons114a-114efor control in a variety of applications, such as in software applications like gaming applications. As shown, controller106can be a handheld controller; the controller's body110can include a main portion118disposed between first and second gripping portions122aand122b, which can each project rearwardly away from the main portion to provide an area that allows a user to comfortably hold the controller. Directional pad10and buttons114a-114ecan be positioned such that a user has ready access to both the directional pad and the buttons to make inputs while holding controller106. For example, directional pad10can be disposed closer to first gripping portion122athan to second gripping portion122b, while four buttons114a(e.g., A-, B-, X-, and Y-buttons) can be disposed closer to the second gripping portion than to the first gripping portion. Additionally, directional pad10and buttons114acan each be positioned in a front portion of controller106's body110to facilitate access thereto, e.g., with the directional pad disposed closer to a front126of the body than to a rearmost point130aof first gripping portion122a(e.g., the point on the first gripping portion that is furthest from the body's front) and the four buttons each disposed closer to the front of the body than to a rearmost point130bof second gripping portion122b(e.g., the point on the second gripping portion that is furthest from the body's front).

Controller106's buttons can also include two bumpers114b, two triggers114c, a power button114d(e.g., to power the controller on and off), and a plurality of accessory buttons114e(e.g., for menu selection, muting a microphone, initiating a voice command, and/or the like) to provide a user more control options. While directional pad10and buttons114a,114d, and114ccan be coupled to a top-facing surface of body110(e.g., with buttons114dand114ecoupled to the body's main portion118), bumpers114band triggers114ccan be coupled to a front-facing surface of the body's front126to allow controller106's buttons to be packaged in a readily-holdable form factor that permits ready access to the buttons. As shown, for example, each of bumpers114band each of triggers114ccan be disposed closer to a respective one of first and second gripping portions122aand122bthan to the other of the first and second gripping portions, with each bumper disposed over a respective one of the triggers.

Controller106can also include two thumbsticks138, which can each be pivotably coupled to a top-facing surface of body110(e.g., such that the thumbstick can pivot about multiple axes) to allow a user to make, for example, directional inputs based on the pivoting angle and direction of the thumbstick. Thumbsticks138can be positioned such that a user can readily control them with the user's thumbs. For example, each of thumbsticks138can be coupled to body110's main portion118and can be disposed closer to a rear134of the main portion of the body than to the body's front126.

As shown, controller106can be a wireless controller (e.g., comprising a transceiver configured to transmit commands) to promote mobility. To power the components of controller106, the controller can include a battery. Suspension system38's ability to improve the haptic feedback provided by haptic actuator62can be particularly advantageous with a battery-powered controller106, as the more-efficient haptic feedback allows for the use of a haptic actuator with lower power requirements to reduce power draw from the battery and thereby extend battery life. In other embodiments, however, controller106can be a wired controller (e.g., with a wire configured to be coupled to an information handling system such that commands can be transmitted to the information handling system over the wire and power can be supplied to the controller over the wire).

Referring toFIGS.4A-4D, shown is one of the present methods of making a controller (e.g.,106) that includes a directional pad (e.g.,10) (e.g., any of the controllers and directional pads described above). Some methods comprise inserting the directional pad into an opening (e.g.,162) of a portion of a body (e.g.,110) of the controller (FIG.4A). The portion of the body of the controller can comprise, for each of the arms (e.g.,42) of the suspension system (e.g.,38) of the directional pad, a shelf (e.g.,150) at a periphery (e.g.,146) of the opening and a space (e.g.,162) that is disposed between two of the shelves; as shown, the suspension system includes three arms and the portion of the body thus includes three shelves and three spaces that angularly separate the shelves. With the second end (e.g.,46b) of each of the arms disposed further from the shell (e.g.,14) of the directional pad than is the first end of the arm, when the directional pad is inserted into the opening of the portion of the body of the controller, the segment (e.g.,58b) of each arm that includes the second end can pass through a respective one of the spaces (FIG.4B).

The inserted directional pad can then be rotated such that the segment of each of the arms that includes the second end is disposed on a respective one of the shelves of the portion of the body and the shell is disposed between the shell and the segment (FIG.4C). With the segments of the arms that include the arms' second ends disposed on the shelves, the segment of each of the arms can be fixed to the shelf that the segment is disposed on, such as with one or more fasteners (e.g.,154) like one or more screws (FIG.4D).

This method of assembly can minimize or avoid compression of the arms when the directional pad is coupled to the controller body, and may be particularly well-suited when the directional pad includes arms that each extend along a downward and angular path to permit the downward-and-rotational movement of the shell that enhances the haptic feedback of the directional pad's haptic actuator (e.g.,62).