Adaptive Virtual Gamepad Layout for Small-Screen Ergonomics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile communication devices face challenges in providing an ergonomic gaming experience due to the small screen size and lack of ergonomic game controls, limiting the gaming experience when compared to traditional game consoles.
Innovation Solution
A virtual gamepad is presented on a touch screen display, customizable based on game-specific usage patterns, with controls adjusted in size and position to enhance ergonomics, and a network system aggregates usage data to distribute tailored gamepads across devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If virtual controls are crowded onto the virtual gamepad to provide equivalent functionality to physical controllers, then control functionality is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficult accessibility on small screens
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual gamepad configuration is made dynamic and adjustable rather than fixed. The system allows repositioning and resizing of virtual controls based on user preferences and gaming scenarios, enabling the interface to adapt to different operational needs and improve accessibility on small touch screens
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the touch screen are utilized to place virtual controls in ergonomically optimal positions. The system distributes controls across available screen space rather than crowding them into a single area, making frequently used controls more accessible while maintaining full functionality
2Device complexity
If a fixed virtual gamepad configuration is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates as it cannot accommodate different user preferences or gaming scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically tracks user interactions with the virtual gamepad and autonomously reconfigures control positions and sizes based on observed usage patterns. This self-adjusting capability provides adaptability without requiring complex manual configuration interfaces from the user
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures multiple virtual gamepad layouts optimized for different gaming scenarios and user preferences, allowing users to quickly switch between pre-defined configurations rather than manually adjusting each control, thus balancing adaptability with simplicity
3Ease of operation
If controls are made larger and more spaced out for better ergonomics, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to customization requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically monitors and analyzes user interaction patterns with virtual controls, then autonomously optimizes control size and positioning to improve ergonomics. This eliminates the need for complex manual customization interfaces while still achieving personalized, ergonomic configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts key parameters of virtual controls including size, position, and spacing based on detected usage frequency and success rates. By automatically optimizing these parameters, the system improves ergonomics without burdening users with complex customization settings
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device, method, and computer program product support automatically modifying a virtual gamepad presented on a mobile electronic device based on frequency of use of particular controls for a game. The electronic device executes a game application to present, via an external display, a game screen. The electronic device identifies a virtual gamepad configuration having virtual controls including at least first and second virtual controls. The electronic device presents the virtual gamepad configuration on a touch screen display. The electronic device monitors frequency of input to each of the virtual controls. The electronic device defines a second virtual gamepad configuration associated with the game application that spatially adjusts at least one of the first and the second virtual controls in relation to a respective frequency of input to facilitate use of the touch screen display as a game controller to control the game application.