Dynamic Sensor Assignment for Handheld Controllers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current handheld controllers lack dynamic adjustment capabilities to accommodate varying hand sizes and grips, leading to suboptimal user experiences in gaming and other interactive applications.
Innovation Solution
The handheld controller incorporates a touch sensor with capacitive pads that dynamically adjust and map to different fingers based on hand size and grip, using logic to associate touch sensor data with specific fingers and adapt to changing grip patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If static sensor assignment is used in handheld controllers, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different hand sizes and grips deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic sensor assignment where the mapping between touch sensors and virtual controls is not fixed but changes based on detected grip patterns. The system continuously monitors sensor data to identify grip type and hand size, then dynamically reconfigures the control layout accordingly, allowing the controller to adapt to different users and grip styles without requiring multiple physical configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The controller automatically detects grip patterns and hand characteristics through its sensors and self-configures the control mapping without user intervention. The system performs self-calibration by analyzing touch sensor data to determine grip type and automatically adjusting the virtual control positions to match the detected hand geometry, eliminating the need for manual setup or calibration procedures
2Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic sensor assignment is implemented, then adaptability to different users is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-defines multiple grip patterns and hand size categories during manufacturing, storing reference data for various user types. When a user grabs the controller, the system compares sensor readings against these pre-established patterns to quickly identify the user type and apply the corresponding configuration, avoiding the need for complex real-time calculations or machine learning algorithms
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors touch sensor data to detect grip patterns and provides feedback to the control mapping system. By analyzing the location and pressure distribution of touch points, the system determines grip type and hand size, then adjusts the virtual control positions accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to user characteristics through iterative sensor feedback
3Ease of operation
If fixed control layout is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but user experience quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The controller uses a single, universal physical design that can serve multiple user types and grip styles. By implementing software-based dynamic mapping rather than physical reconfiguration, the same hardware platform can adapt to different hand sizes, grip patterns, and user preferences, eliminating the need for multiple specialized controller variants while maintaining ease of manufacture
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter mapping between physical sensors and virtual controls based on detected user characteristics. By modifying the software parameters that define control positions and sensor associations rather than changing physical hardware parameters, the system achieves customized user experiences while maintaining a standardized manufacturing process
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
This solution enhances gameplay experiences by accurately depicting hand gestures and adapting to individual user preferences, improving interaction precision and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
The touch sensor may comprise a capacitive touch sensor
Data Source
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AI summary
A method including receiving data corresponding to one or more objects in proximity to the controller, determining scores for controller configurations of the controller, ranking the scores of controller configurations, selecting a controller configuration among the controller configurations, and configuring a touch sensor of the controller according to a selected controller configuration.