Input device with linear geared feedback trigger

1. A user-input device comprising:

a user-actuatable trigger configured to pivot about a trigger axis and including an externally-oriented finger-interface portion and an internally-oriented motor-interface portion that opposes the externally-oriented finger-interface portion;

a rack gear interfacing with the internally-oriented motor-interface portion of the user-actuatable trigger below the trigger axis; and

a force-feedback motor including a drive gear interfacing with the rack gear, the force-feedback motor configured to drive the user-actuatable trigger via the rack gear.

2. The user-input device of claim 1 , further comprising:

a posture sensor configured to determine a posture of the user-actuatable trigger about the trigger axis; and

a communication subsystem communicatively coupled to a computing device and configured to:

send the posture of the user-actuatable trigger to the computing device; and

receive from the computing device a force-feedback signal determined based on the posture, and wherein the force-feedback motor is configured to drive the user-actuatable trigger via the rack gear based on the force-feedback signal.

3. The user-input device of claim 1 , wherein the user-actuatable trigger interfaces with the rack gear via a guided connection that allows the user-actuatable trigger to move relative to the rack gear.

4. The user-input device of claim 3 , wherein the user-actuatable trigger and the rack gear collectively include a pin-in-slot mechanism that forms the guided connection.

5. The user-input device of claim 1 , wherein the rack gear directly physically connects to the internally oriented motor-interface portion of the user-actuatable trigger.

6. The user-input device of claim 5 , wherein the rack gear directly physically connects to the internally oriented motor-interface portion of the user-actuatable trigger behind the externally-oriented finger interface portion inside the user-input device.

7. The user-input device of claim 1 , further comprising:

a trigger return spring configured to forward bias the user-actuatable trigger toward an extended posture.

8. The user-input device of claim 7 , wherein the trigger return spring is operatively intermediate the user-actuatable trigger and the rack gear.

9. The user-input device of claim 7 , wherein the trigger return spring is operatively intermediate the user-actuatable trigger and a frame.

10. The user-input device of claim 1 , wherein the rack gear includes a plurality of gear teeth meshing with gear teeth of the drive gear, and wherein force-feedback motor activation causes drive gear rotation that laterally translates the rack gear and thereby adjusts the trigger.

11. A user-input device comprising:

a user-actuatable trigger configured to pivot about a trigger axis;

a rack gear interfacing with the user-actuatable trigger;

a posture sensor configured to determine a posture of the user-actuatable trigger about the trigger axis;

a force sensor configured to determine an actuation force applied to the user-actuatable trigger; and

a force-feedback motor including a drive gear interfacing with the rack gear, the force-feedback motor configured to drive the rack gear based on the posture of the user-actuatable trigger determined by the posture sensor and the force applied to the user actuatable trigger determined by the force sensor.

12. The user-input device of claim 11 , further comprising:

a communication subsystem communicatively coupled to a computing device and configured to:

send the posture of the user-actuatable trigger to the computing device;

send the actuation force to the computing device; and

receive from the computing device a force-feedback signal determined based on the posture, the force, and a parameter of the computing device, and wherein the force-feedback motor is configured to drive the user-actuatable trigger via the rack gear based on the force-feedback signal.

13. The user-input device of claim 11 , wherein the user-actuatable trigger interfaces with the rack gear via a guided connection that allows the user-actuatable trigger to move relative to the rack gear.

14. The user-input device of claim 13 , wherein the user-actuatable trigger and the rack gear collectively include a pin-in-slot mechanism that forms the guided connection.

15. The user-input device of claim 11 , wherein the force-feedback motor is configured to drive the user-actuatable trigger to provide a hard stop at a designated posture within a pivot range of the user-actuatable trigger.

16. The user-input device of claim 11 , wherein the force-feedback motor is configured to drive the user-actuatable trigger to provide a user-perceived resistance.

17. The user-input device of claim 16 , wherein the force-feedback signal is determined based at least on a parameter of the computing device to dynamically change the user-perceived resistance.

18. The user-input device of claim 11 , wherein the force-feedback motor is configured to drive the user-actuatable trigger in an outward direction toward an extended posture based on the actuation force becoming less than a threshold force.

19. A user-input device comprising:

a user-actuatable trigger configured to pivot about a trigger axis and including an externally-oriented finger-interface portion and an internally-oriented motor-interface portion that opposes the externally-oriented finger-interface portion,

a rack gear guidedly connected with the internally-oriented motor-interface portion of the user-actuatable trigger below the trigger axis via a pin-in-slot mechanism collectively formed by the rack gear and the user-actuatable trigger that allows the user-actuatable trigger to move relative to the rack gear; and

a force-feedback motor including a drive gear interfacing with the rack gear, the force-feedback motor configured to drive the user-actuatable trigger via the rack gear.

20. The user-input device of claim 19 , wherein the rack gear directly physically connects to the internally-oriented motor-interface portion of the user-actuatable trigger behind the externally-oriented finger-interface portion inside the user-input device.