Game Controller Speaker Layout for Sound and Vibration Compatibility

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional controller devices for home gaming consoles cannot emit sounds, limiting the ability to provide realistic audio experiences while maintaining compatibility with vibration instructions in existing application programs.

Innovation Solution

A controller device equipped with a woofer speaker for low-frequency sound production and a tweeter speaker for higher frequency sound production, connected to an information processing apparatus that generates sound signals based on vibration instructions and outputs them to the speakers for realistic sound emission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a speaker is installed in the controller device to emit sounds, then realistic sound experience is improved, but space for installing a vibrating motor cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound emission capabilityVSAvoidspace for vibrating motor

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The speaker is designed to serve dual functions: emitting sound signals and producing vibration through low-frequency sound waves. This multi-functionality allows the controller to provide both audio output and vibration feedback without requiring separate components, thereby resolving the space constraint contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the sound emission function and vibration function into a single speaker component. By merging these two previously separate functions into one device, the controller achieves both capabilities while maintaining a compact form factor that fits within existing controller dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Device complexity

If a single speaker is used in the controller device, then device complexity is reduced, but realistic sound experience across different frequency ranges cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeaker configurationVSAvoidsound quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The audio frequency range is segmented into low-frequency and high-frequency components, with dedicated speakers for each range. This segmentation allows each speaker to be optimized for its specific frequency range, achieving realistic sound quality while maintaining manageable device complexity through specialized rather than generalized components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different speakers are assigned to different frequency ranges based on their optimal performance characteristics. The first speaker is optimized for low-frequency sounds while the second speaker handles high-frequency sounds, creating local quality optimization where each component performs best in its designated frequency domain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Illumination intensity

If the controller device is designed for sound emission, then compatibility with conventional vibration-based application programs is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound emission functionVSAvoidcompatibility with vibration instructions

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The speaker is programmed to respond to vibration instruction commands by generating low-frequency sound waves that produce vibration. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware component to serve both sound emission purposes and vibration feedback purposes, ensuring backward compatibility with existing applications while enabling new audio capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical vibration motor with an electroacoustic system where the speaker generates vibration through low-frequency sound waves. This substitution maintains the vibration feedback function while adding sound emission capability, thereby preserving compatibility with vibration-based applications while expanding functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables the emission of realistic sounds to players while maintaining compatibility with conventional application programs, allowing for immersive audio experiences without compromising vibration functionality.

Implementation Method 1

a first speaker for producing sound signals in a low frequency range

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroacoustic transduction:

Implementation Method 2

a second speaker for producing sound signals in a frequency range that is higher in comparison with the first speaker

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroacoustic transduction:

Implementation Method 3

means for generating a sound signal on the basis of a vibrating instruction command that is to be outputted to a controller provided with a vibrating device, and means for outputting the generated sound signal to the controller device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSignal generation and electroacoustic conversion:

Data Source

PatentUS8249276B2Information processor and controller device

Publication Date: 2012.08.21 SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT LLC

AI summary

A controller device is provided whereby players can experience realistic sounds. The controller device is connected to the main body of an information processing apparatus, wherein the controller device comprises a first speaker for emitting a sound signal in a low frequency range, and a second speaker for emitting a sound signal in a frequency range that is higher in comparison with the first speaker.