Modular peripheral device assembly

Abstract

A modular peripheral device assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a handheld controller and an assembly base. The handheld controller includes a first haptic actuator configured to generate a haptic effect at the handheld controller. The assembly base includes an attachment component that is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the handheld controller, and a second haptic actuator configured to generate haptic a effect at the assembly base or at the handheld controller when it is attached to the attachment component. The assembly further includes a control unit configured to select, based on whether the handheld controller is attached to or detached from the assembly base, at least one of the first and second haptic actuators to generate a haptic effect.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A modular peripheral device assembly, comprising:
 a handheld controller that includes,
 a user input component, 
 a sensor configured to track at least one of motion or orientation of the handheld controller, and 
 a first magnet of the handheld controller, located at an attachment region of the handheld controller; and 
   an assembly base attachable to and detachable from the handheld controller, the assembly base comprising
 a first attachment region of the assembly base, forming a receiving portion at a surface of the assembly base, 
 a first magnet of the assembly base, disposed at the receiving portion, 
   wherein the receiving portion is shaped to receive the attachment region of the handheld controller,   wherein the handheld controller is attachable to the assembly base via the first magnet of the handheld controller and the first magnet of the assembly base, and   wherein the handheld controller is pivotable about the receiving portion such that the assembly is operable as a joystick when the handheld controller is attached to the assembly base.   
     
     
         23 . The modular peripheral device assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the handheld controller is a first handheld controller, the assembly further comprising a second handheld controller,
 wherein the assembly base further comprises a second magnet disposed at a second attachment region, and comprises a third magnet disposed at a third attachment region,   wherein the first handheld controller is attachable to the second attachment region of the assembly base via the second magnet of the assembly base, and is also detachable from the second attachment region, and   wherein the second handheld controller is attachable to the third attachment region of the assembly base via the third magnet of the assembly base, and is detachable from the third attachment region.   
     
     
         24 . The modular peripheral device assembly of  claim 23 , wherein the second attachment region and the third attachment region of the assembly base are on opposite sides of the assembly base. 
     
     
         25 . The modular peripheral device assembly of  claim 24 , wherein the first handheld controller comprises a second magnet located at a side thereof, and is attachable to the second attachment region of the assembly base via the second magnet of the first handheld controller. 
     
     
         26 . The modular peripheral device assembly of  claim 25 , wherein the second handheld controller comprises a first magnet located at attachment region thereof and comprises a second magnet located at a side thereof, wherein the second handheld controller is attachable to the first attachment region of the assembly base via the first magnet of the second handheld controller and the first magnet of the assembly base, and is attachable to the third attachment region of the assembly base via the second magnet of the second handheld controller and the third magnet of the third attachment region. 
     
     
         27 . The modular peripheral device assembly of  claim 23 , wherein a base of the first handheld controller curves in a first direction away from the assembly base, and a base of the second handheld controller curves in a second direction away from the assembly base, the first direction being opposite the second direction. 
     
     
         28 . The modular peripheral device assembly of  claim 23 , wherein at least one of the first handheld controller, or second handheld controller, and the assembly base is configured to generate a haptic effect utilizing at least one of its magnets. 
     
     
         29 . The modular peripheral device assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the assembly base includes a strap adapted for attachment to a body of a user. 
     
     
         30 . The modular peripheral device assembly of  claim 24 , wherein the assembly base is a first assembly base, the peripheral device assembly further comprising:
 a second assembly base that comprises a first magnet and a second magnet located at opposite sides of the second assembly base,   wherein the second assembly base is attachable to the first assembly base via the first magnet of the second assembly base, and   wherein the second assembly base is attachable to the second handheld controller via the second magnet of the second assembly base.   
     
     
         31 . The modular peripheral device assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the handheld controller has a semi-circular end or elliptical end that forms the attachment region of the handheld controller, and wherein the assembly base has a recess that forms the receiving portion and that fits around the semi-circular end or elliptical end of the handheld controller. 
     
     
         32 . The modular peripheral device assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the user input component is at least one of a thumbstick, a trigger button, or a push button. 
     
     
         33 . The modular peripheral device assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the handheld controller comprises a haptic actuator separate from the first magnet of the handheld controller. 
     
     
         34 . The modular peripheral device assembly of  claim 33 , further comprising a control unit located in at least one of the handheld controller or the assembly base, and configured to control a haptic effect generated by the haptic actuator based on whether the handheld controller is attached to the assembly base. 
     
     
         35 . A modular peripheral device assembly, comprising:
 a handheld controller that includes,
 a user input component, 
 a sensor configured to track at least one of motion or orientation of the handheld controller, 
 a first magnet of the handheld controller, located at an attachment region of the handheld controller, and 
 a haptic actuator of the handheld controller; 
   an assembly base attachable to and detachable from the handheld controller, the assembly base comprising
 a first attachment region of the assembly base, forming a receiving portion at a surface of the assembly base, 
 a first magnet of the assembly base, disposed at the receiving portion; and 
   a control unit located in at least one of the handheld controller or the assembly base, and configured to control a haptic effect generated by the modular peripheral device assembly based on whether the handheld controller is attached to the assembly base, and   wherein the handheld controller is attachable to the assembly base via the first magnet of the handheld controller and the first magnet of the assembly base.   
     
     
         36 . The modular peripheral device assembly of  claim 35 , wherein the control unit is configured to control an intensity of the haptic effect based on whether the handheld controller is attached to the assembly base. 
     
     
         37 . The modular peripheral device assembly of  claim 35 , further comprising a haptic actuator of the assembly base, wherein the control unit is configured to select, based on whether the handheld controller is attached to the assembly base, at least one of the haptic actuator of the handheld controller or the haptic actuator of the assembly base to generate the haptic effect, and to activate the selected at least one haptic actuator to generate the haptic effect. 
     
     
         38 . The modular peripheral device assembly of  claim 35 , wherein the handheld controller is pivotable about the receiving portion such that the assembly is operable as a joystick when the handheld controller is attached to the assembly base. 
     
     
         39 . A modular peripheral device assembly, comprising:
 a handheld controller that includes,
 a user input component, 
 a sensor configured to track at least one of motion or orientation of the handheld controller, and 
 a first magnet of the handheld controller, located at an attachment region of the handheld controller; and 
   an assembly base attachable to and detachable from the handheld controller, the assembly base comprising
 a first attachment region of the assembly base, forming a receiving portion at a surface of the assembly base, 
 a first magnet of the assembly base, disposed at the receiving portion; and 
   a control unit located in at least one of the handheld controller or the assembly base,   wherein the receiving portion is shaped to receive the attachment region of the handheld controller,   wherein the handheld controller is attachable to the assembly base via the first magnet of the handheld controller and the first magnet of the assembly base,   wherein at least one of the first magnet of the assembly base or the first magnet of the handheld controller is an electromagnet, and wherein the control unit is configured to generate a haptic effect via the electromagnet by varying an amount of current that is applied to the electromagnet.   
     
     
         40 . The modular peripheral device assembly of  claim 39 , wherein the handheld controller is pivotable about the receiving portion such that the assembly is operable as a joystick when the handheld controller is attached to the assembly base.