Dynamic Origin Touch Control for Virtual Object Manipulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing input devices for virtual space operations, such as touch panels, face issues with operability due to fixed origins, requiring players to visually check the origin's position, leading to reduced responsiveness and enjoyment, especially in games requiring quick operations.

Innovation Solution

An object processing apparatus with a detection and determination system that sets a reference coordinate set based on the player's indicated coordinate set within defined areas of an operation region, allowing for intuitive control of object movement direction and speed without needing to constantly move the finger.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed origin is predetermined on the touch panel, then the coordinate system is stable and easy to implement, but the operability is reduced because the player needs to visually check the origin position and cannot feel it with the finger

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoordinate system stabilityVSAvoidoperability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The origin is changed from a fixed predetermined position to a dynamic position that moves according to the player's finger movement. The origin is now determined by the initial touch position or a position derived from continuous touch movement, making it adaptable to the player's natural operation rather than requiring visual alignment with a fixed point.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the player's own finger movement to automatically determine the origin position, eliminating the need for visual checking. The origin serves itself by being defined through the player's natural touch interaction rather than requiring external visual reference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Device complexity

If the origin is set at a predetermined position, then the system is simple to implement, but large movements require the player to first touch the central position and then move the finger largely, reducing operability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidoperability for large movements
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The origin is preliminarily set at the initial touch position or a position derived from touch movement before the actual object manipulation begins. This preliminary positioning allows the player to perform large movements directly from the touched position without needing to first return to or touch a central origin point.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If the origin is fixed at a predetermined position, then coordinate calculation is straightforward, but slight offset from the origin causes proceeding direction to shift, reducing precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoordinate calculation simplicityVSAvoiddirection control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The reference coordinate (origin) is changed from a fixed predetermined value to a dynamic value that adapts to the player's touch position. This parameter change allows the coordinate calculation to remain straightforward while eliminating directional shifts caused by offset from a fixed origin, as the origin itself now matches the player's intended starting position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP1854519B1Object processing apparatus and storage medium having object processing program stored thereon
Publication Date: 2018.07.18 NINTENDO CO LTD
  • EP1854519B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1854519B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1854519B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An operation region (102) is defined as being divided into at least two types of areas of a first area and a second area bordering on the first area. An indicated coordinate set is detected, and it is determined whether the indicated coordinate set is encompassed in the first area or the second area. When the indicated coordinate set is encompassed in the first area, the indicated coordinate set is set as the reference coordinate set. When the indicated coordinate set is encompassed in the second area, a predetermined coordinate set closer to the first area than the indicated coordinate set is set as the reference coordinate set. Based on the positional relationship between the reference coordinate set and the indicated coordinate set, an operation on an object in a virtual space is controlled.