Common Controller Driver for Multi-Platform Game Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of general-purpose processors face challenges in interpreting data from various game controllers, leading to a diminished gaming experience, as there is no standard for interpreting data across different controllers, and game developers often only support keyboards and mice.
Innovation Solution
A common controller with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) compatible interface and wireless capabilities, such as Bluetooth, that is compatible with multiple platforms, including XBOX 360 and PCs, allowing for consistent game experiences and enabling game software to utilize all available data from the controller, with a driver that interprets and translates data from various controllers to provide a unified interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If game developers support multiple types of controllers on general purpose processors, then user control options are improved, but data interpretation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a driver as an intermediary layer between the controller and the game application. This driver receives data from various controller types (joysticks, game pads, steering wheels, etc.) and translates it into a standardized format that the game application can understand. This mediator approach allows multiple controller types to be supported without increasing the complexity of the game application itself, as all the translation and interpretation logic is centralized in the driver layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal controller interface that can handle multiple types of control devices through a single standardized API. The driver is designed to be multi-functional, supporting various controller types (joysticks, game pads, steering wheels, flight yokes, gloves, head trackers, and first-person-shooter controllers) through a unified data interpretation mechanism. This universality allows game developers to write code once that works with any controller type, eliminating the need for separate support code for each device.
2Device complexity
If only keyboards and mice are supported as control devices, then development complexity is reduced, but gaming experience quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The driver acts as an intermediary that enables sophisticated gaming controllers to work seamlessly with general purpose processors. By handling the complex data interpretation in the driver layer, the system can support specialized gaming controllers (steering wheels, flight yokes, etc.) without requiring the game application to become complex. This allows developers to maintain simple code while providing users with access to high-quality gaming experiences using specialized controllers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the need for specialized gaming hardware with a software-based solution (the driver). Instead of requiring different hardware implementations for different controller types, the system uses a software driver to translate and interpret data from various physical controllers. This substitution allows the same hardware platform (general purpose processor) to support diverse controller types through software rather than requiring specialized gaming hardware.
3Reliability
If multiple platform-specific controllers are used, then platform optimization is improved, but user learning curve increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal controller interface that works across multiple platforms (XBOX 360 and PC with various operating systems). The same controller hardware and the same driver can be used on different platforms, providing a consistent user experience. Users only need to learn one controller layout and operation mode, and the driver ensures consistent behavior across platforms. This universality maintains platform optimization while eliminating the need for users to learn multiple different controller systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A common game controller is compatible with multiple platforms including game devices and general purpose processors. The common controller can be utilized by both developers and users. Game software can easily be implemented on multiple platforms. Common source code can be developed and compiled to run on multiple systems, for example XBOX 360®, WINDOWS XP®, and WINDOWS® VISTA. Users only have to learn and get familiar with a single game controller. The common controller includes a Universal Serial Bus (USB) compatible interface allowing the controller to be coupled to multiple types of platforms. The common controller can also include a wireless interface.