Dual-Input Activation Logic for Faster SOCD Direction Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current user input devices, such as keyboards, face challenges in quickly and accurately resolving simultaneous opposing cardinal direction (SOCD) inputs, leading to delays and disadvantages in fast-paced gaming scenarios where rapid changes in direction are desired.

Innovation Solution

The user input device determines activation based on the degree of operation of one input element relative to another, allowing for quicker detection of direction changes and deactivation thresholds adjusted according to the other input element's operation, enabling faster and more accurate resolution of ambiguous inputs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the video game uses traditional SOCD resolution to handle simultaneous opposing key presses, then the system can deal with ambiguous inputs, but the user experiences delays when quickly changing direction during fast-paced gaming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinput resolution accuracyVSAvoiddirection change delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by proactively detecting the intent to change direction before the user actually releases the first key. The system monitors the degree of operation of both keys simultaneously and identifies when the second key is being pressed with sufficient force to indicate intended direction change. By triggering the direction change output before the first key is released, the system eliminates the delay inherent in traditional SOCD resolution that waits for one key to be fully released before recognizing the direction change.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the system waits for one key to be released before recognizing direction change, then traditional SOCD resolution can operate, but the user's rapid direction changes are delayed and performance is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinput operation simplicityVSAvoiddirection change speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the deactivation threshold for the first input element dynamic rather than static. Instead of waiting for a fixed condition (complete key release) to deactivate the first direction output, the system continuously evaluates the degree of operation of the second key. When the second key reaches a threshold indicating intended direction change, the first direction output is deactivated immediately, even if the first key is still physically pressed. This dynamic threshold adjustment enables rapid direction changes while maintaining simple operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4451095A1User input device and method for operation the same
Publication Date: 2024.10.23 WOOTING TECH BV
  • EP4451095A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4451095A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP4451095A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a user input comprising, a first and second input element, an output and processing means. The processing means determines for at least one of the input elements whether it is activated based on its degree of operation, and provides an output signal at the output corresponding to the determined activation. The determination for one of the input elements is based also on the degree of operation of the other input element. The invention also relates to a method comprising these steps.