DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0017] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an input device 100 used for providing commands to an associated processing device. The input device 100 comprises pressure sensors 110 and 120 in addition to input buttons 130. The input device 100 is an example of a controller, as it may be used to control processing performed by an associated processing device, and as such the terms `input device` and `controller` may be used interchangeably in the following description.
[0018] An input device 100 according to the present disclosure may comprise any number of input buttons 130; indeed, this number could be zero in the case of an input device that provides inputs based upon a user's motion rather than button presses.
[0019] The location and number of pressure sensors 110 and 120 are also exemplary; only one of these sensors may be provided, or a greater number could be present on the input device. The sensors 110 and 120 could cover only a front or rear portion of the controller, instead of covering the whole surface of the arms. Rather than being located on the arms of the controller, the sensors may be provided on any region of the controller in which it is convenient for the user to provide a pressure to the sensor.
[0020] Each of the pressure sensors 110 and 120 may comprise a single pressure-sensitive region in the case in which only one sensing element is provided. However, in some embodiments it is considered advantageous to provide a number of individual sensing elements in each pressure sensor 110 and 120.
[0021] This could allow a greater ability to determine which pressure was intended to be applied by the user; for example, it may be possible to determine a direction from which the pressure is applied or it may simply increase the area in which a user may apply a pressure. Alternatively, or in addition, a plurality of sensing elements may be provided for each pressure sensor to allow a user to provide localised pressure inputs in different places that may be interpreted as different inputs.