Patent ID: 10768718

Abstract:
A spherical input device 105 for navigating a virtual environment 102 is activated for touch sensitivity at any point on its surface 801 by a capacitive touch sensor 709 that includes first and second capacitance-sensing elements 710 and 711. A first variable capacitance 806 is formed between a first capacitance-sensing element and a first area of the user's hands through a first hemisphere 802. A second variable capacitance 807 is formed between a second capacitance-sensing element and a second area of the user's hands through the second hemisphere 803. A touch-responsive capacitance 805 includes the first variable capacitance in series with the second variable capacitance. Gestural data is derived from the touch-responsive capacitance and device rotations, and transmitted in gestural radio signals 108 to a receiver 109. One or both of the capacitance-sensing elements is configured to minimize attenuation of the gestural radio signals passing through the surface.