Game Controller Haptic Control With Wide-Band Vibration Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current game controllers with eccentric motors provide limited tactile feedback, lacking the ability to freely control drive frequency and strength, and are not responsive enough to express detailed vibrations such as latch feeling or rough textures, leading to a less immersive gaming experience.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus and method that includes a control section capable of changing control on a tactile feedback apparatus based on recognized feedback types, utilizing a wide-band vibrating device externally attached to the game controller, which can independently control vibration amplitude and frequency, enhancing tactile feedback beyond what eccentric motors can provide.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple applications are operated simultaneously in a smartphone, then functional versatility is improved, but memory resources are depleted and processing speed deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional versatilityVSAvoidprocessing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors memory usage and application states, using this feedback to dynamically adjust resource allocation. The processor determines whether to suspend or terminate applications based on real-time memory status, creating a closed-loop control system that balances versatility and performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic resource management where application states can change between active, suspended, and terminated based on system conditions. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt memory allocation in real-time, maintaining processing speed while supporting multiple applications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If memory resources are allocated to multiple simultaneous applications, then functional versatility is improved, but available memory for current operations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional versatilityVSAvoidavailable memory
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments memory resources by creating distinct memory spaces for active and suspended applications. This segmentation allows the system to maintain multiple applications in memory simultaneously while isolating their resource usage, enabling versatility without permanently reducing available memory for current operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a mechanism where suspended application memory can be recovered when no longer needed. The system discards memory allocations from suspended applications and makes them available for active operations, dynamically reconciling versatility with available memory quantity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Quantity of substance

If application execution is suspended to conserve memory, then available memory is improved, but user convenience deteriorates due to restart requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveavailable memoryVSAvoiduser convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary suspension of applications in low-memory conditions, preserving their state in memory rather than fully terminating them. This preliminary action allows rapid resumption when memory becomes available, maintaining user convenience while temporarily conserving memory resources

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution enables users to experience more detailed and immersive tactile feedback, allowing for a wider range of haptic sensations, including collision and friction feedback, by integrating a wide-band vibrating device with the game controller, improving the overall gaming experience.

Implementation Method 1

a wide-band vibrating device 508, instead of including an eccentric motor 322, in each of the left and right grip sections 10L, 10R

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

an eccentric motor 322, in each of the left and right grip sections 10L, 10R

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEccentric rotation: Eccentric

Data Source

PatentEP3263195B1Information processing device, information processing method, information processing system
Publication Date: 2024.08.14 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3263195B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3263195B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3263195B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[Object] Tactile feedback that a user can acquire is limited because a game controller includes only a specific vibrating device and game software supports only the specific vibrating device. [Solution] An information processing apparatus including: a control section configured to generate a control signal that controls an operation of a tactile feedback apparatus including a tactile feedback section. The control section changes control on the tactile feedback apparatus on the basis of a type of the tactile feedback section which is recognized by the control section.