Card-Based NFC Interface for Portable Game Device Input

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable game machines and other terminal devices face challenges in providing a simple and intuitive user interface, especially when used outdoors or in environments where external interfaces are not readily available, leading to difficulties in manipulation for users, including children and adults.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing a recording medium, such as a card, with NFC technology that allows users to perform manipulation inputs by holding the card up to an information processing apparatus, enabling intuitive interaction through various card types (friend, content, URL calling, function setting, and wallet cards) that trigger specific software actions without needing external interfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If external user interfaces (keyboard, mouse) are connected to portable game machines, then application manipulation becomes easier, but the device complexity increases and external interfaces are not readily available when used outdoors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication manipulationVSAvoidexternal interface connection
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the input function from external interfaces (keyboard, mouse) and integrates it into the portable terminal itself through touch panel operations. The selection determination unit identifies user intent through touch operations on the display screen, eliminating the need for external input devices while maintaining ease of application manipulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a software-based intermediary system consisting of the operation receiving unit, selection determination unit, and application execution unit. This intermediary layer processes touch panel inputs and translates them into application-specific commands, serving as a mediator between the user and the application without requiring external hardware interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If traditional user interfaces are used in portable game machines, then the device structure remains simple, but it takes a lot of time for users to perform inexperienced manipulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanipulation speedVSAvoidtime for inexperienced manipulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-defining application groups and their associated operations in the storage unit. When a user touches an application icon, the system has already prepared the corresponding operation set, allowing immediate execution without requiring users to learn complex manipulation sequences. This reduces manipulation time while maintaining simple device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides self-service by automatically determining the appropriate operation based on the touched application icon and executing it without requiring user configuration or learning. The selection determination unit autonomously matches the touched icon with predefined operations, enabling users to perform tasks quickly without experiencing the time loss associated with learning complex interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If multiple application operations are assigned to single icons, then the user interface becomes more intuitive, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser interface intuitivenessVSAvoidoperation management system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing application icons that represent multiple related operations simultaneously. Each icon corresponds to a predefined group of operations relevant to that application type. When touched, the icon triggers the associated operation group, allowing a single interface element to serve multiple functions without increasing visual or structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the operation management system into distinct functional units: the storage unit holds predefined operation groups, the operation receiving unit captures touch inputs, the selection determination unit matches icons with operations, and the application execution unit carries out the selected operations. This segmentation allows multiple operations to be associated with single icons while managing complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system provides a simple and intuitive user interface, allowing users to easily access and control applications, perform friend registrations, download content, activate URLs, set functions, and make purchases, thereby enhancing usability and reducing complexity in manipulating the device.

Implementation Method 1

an information reading/writing section (30) that reads out information recorded on the card (20)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNear Field Communication (NFC): Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3591520B1Information processing device and software processing method
Publication Date: 2024.03.27 SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT LLC
  • EP3591520B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3591520B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3591520B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An information acquiring section 60 acquires identification information recorded in a card. A behavior DB 72 stores a kind-of-card ID, and software associated with the kind-of-card ID. A processing section 62, when the identification information is acquired by the information acquiring section 60, specifies software associated with a kind of card by referring to storage contents of the behavior DB 72. Incidentally, the behavior DB 72 stores the kind-of-card ID and processing for software with the kind-of-card ID and the processing being associated with each other. The processing section 62 executes the processing stored in the behavior DB 72 for the specified software.