Game Controller Underside Button Layout for Simultaneous Input

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing input devices for game devices lack the capability to facilitate diverse and efficient operations due to limited design and arrangement of operating members, which hinders the enhanced control and movement of game characters with improved user operability.

Innovation Solution

The input device incorporates lower surface buttons that are inclined and movable, allowing for various operations, including simultaneous use with upper surface operating members, and are designed to match finger movements, enhancing user interaction and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If operating members are arranged only on the upper surface and front surface of the grips, then the device structure remains simple, but the operational versatility is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational versatilityVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces operating members on the lower surface of the grips, adding a new spatial dimension for operations. This allows the user to access buttons on both the upper and lower surfaces simultaneously, effectively doubling the operational capacity without increasing the footprint of the device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The operating members are segmented into different groups: upper surface buttons for primary operations and lower surface buttons for secondary operations. This segmentation allows independent usage of each group, enabling versatile gameplay strategies while maintaining clear functional separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple operating members are arranged on the upper surface, then operational diversity increases, but the ease of simultaneous operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational diversityVSAvoidsimultaneous operation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By placing additional operating members on the lower surface, the patent creates two separate operational zones that the user's fingers can access simultaneously. This spatial separation allows complex combinations of operations to be performed at the same time without crowding or interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If the lower surface buttons are made movable to match finger movements, then the ease of operation improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefinger movement matchingVSAvoidbutton mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lower surface buttons are designed with movable characteristics that allow them to follow the natural arc of finger movement. This dynamic design adapts to the user's finger trajectory, making operations more intuitive and comfortable while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical implementation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4477285B1Input device
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT LLC
  • EP4477285B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4477285B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4477285B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An input device that enables various operations is proposed. A plurality of operating buttons (11) and direction keys (12) are arranged in an upper surface (17g). Lower surface buttons (31R, 31L) are arranged in a lower surface (17a). The lower surface buttons (31R, 31L) project downward from the lower surface (17a), have pressing target surfaces (31a) to be pressed by a finger of a user, and are arranged such that the pressing target surfaces (31a) are inclined with respect to a front edge (10a) of the input device (1). The lower surface buttons (31R, 31L) can be moved when the pressing target surfaces (31a) are pressed in a button rearward direction as a direction along the lower surface (17a).