Dual-Screen Video Game Device Touch Input Accuracy

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional video game devices using touch panels for control inputs face challenges in accurately specifying movements of small objects and maintaining player visibility of the player character, leading to decreased playability due to the potential hiding of the character by the player's hand and limited flexibility in control key arrangements.

Innovation Solution

A video game device with a first display screen for the game image and a second display screen covered by a touch panel, where the player character's appearance is changed based on inputs detected on the touch panel, with the character pattern displayed on the second screen on a larger scale to enhance accuracy and visibility, allowing for varied and intuitive control inputs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a touch panel is used for control inputs, then control flexibility is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol flexibilityVSAvoidinput accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a single display screen to a dual display screen configuration. The first display screen shows the game image while the second display screen covered by a touch panel shows an enlarged character pattern for input. This dimensional change separates the display function from the input function, allowing the touch panel to accurately detect input positions on the enlarged character pattern while the game image remains visible on the first screen.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the display system into two separate display screens: a first display screen for showing the game image and a second display screen covered by a touch panel for showing the character pattern. This segmentation allows each screen to serve its specific function optimally - the first screen maintains game visibility while the second screen provides accurate input detection through the enlarged character pattern.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a touch panel is used for control inputs, then control flexibility is improved, but player visibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol flexibilityVSAvoidcharacter visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the display system into two separate display screens: a first display screen for showing the game image and a second display screen covered by a touch panel for showing the character pattern. This segmentation allows each screen to serve its specific function optimally - the first screen maintains game visibility while the second screen provides accurate input detection through the enlarged character pattern.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a single display screen to a dual display screen configuration. The first display screen shows the game image while the second display screen covered by a touch panel shows an enlarged character pattern for input. This dimensional change separates the display function from the input function, allowing the touch panel to accurately detect input positions on the enlarged character pattern while the game image remains visible on the first screen.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If control keys are arranged flexibly on a touch panel, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol key arrangement flexibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a simplified copy of the character pattern on the second display screen that is optimized for touch input. Instead of implementing complex gesture recognition systems or multiple touch zones, the system uses a direct copy of the character pattern that can be touched at specific locations corresponding to different control keys. This copying approach maintains adaptability while avoiding the complexity of sophisticated touch analysis algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS7578742B2Recording medium storing video game program and video game device

Publication Date: 2009.08.25 NINTENDO CO LTD

AI summary

The player gives a change in the input through a touch operation to a character pattern P2 displayed on a second display screen 12a covered by a touch panel. The character pattern P2 is associated with a player character P1 displayed on a first display screen 11a, and is displayed on a larger scale than the player character P1. The player character P1 is moved according to the change in the input. Thus, a video game is provided that is played on a dual-screen video game device with a novel operation in which the player can accurately specify an intended position.