Game Console Controller with Mouse and Keyboard Interface

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Users experience stress when transitioning from their familiar input devices, such as game console controllers or keyboards, to unfamiliar ones, limiting game compatibility and vendor accessibility.

Innovation Solution

A game console controller system that combines a mouse and a main body with a compact key layout, allowing users to input data via a standardized interface, enabling the use of preferred mice and reducing stress by allowing key assignments for intuitive input.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If users switch from their familiar input device to an unfamiliar one to play games on a different platform, then game compatibility is improved, but user stress increases and ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegame compatibilityVSAvoiduser stress
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal input system that works across both game consoles and personal computers. The controller combines a keyboard with game console connectivity, enabling it to function as both a standard keyboard for PC and a game controller for consoles, thus eliminating the need for users to switch between different input devices for different platforms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The controller acts as an intermediary device that bridges the gap between different gaming platforms. By incorporating a keyboard - a familiar input device for PC users - into a form factor that connects to game consoles, it mediates between the user's familiar input habits and the requirements of different gaming platforms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If users become accustomed to using an unfamiliar input device to avoid stress, then ease of operation is improved, but the burden on the user increases and productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser stressVSAvoiduser burden
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller serves itself by being a standalone device that connects directly to game consoles while maintaining keyboard functionality. Users don't need to learn new input methods or undergo training - the device automatically provides familiar keyboard input capabilities for console gaming, eliminating the burden of adaptation while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If a controller follows the dominant design of official game console controllers, then ease of operation is improved for console users, but adaptability to personal computers deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconsole user familiarityVSAvoidPC compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The controller is designed with dual functionality, serving both as a game console controller and a PC keyboard. It maintains the familiar layout and button configuration of official game console controllers for console users, while simultaneously providing full keyboard functionality for PC compatibility, thus achieving universality across both platforms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3470124B1Dedicated game device controller and dedicated game device controller system
Publication Date: 2022.05.04 HORI CO LTD
  • EP3470124B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3470124B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3470124B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(f)

AI summary

To allow users who usually play games on a personal computer to enter input to game consoles for domestic use without being stressed. A controller system for game consoles is made up of a game console controller 100 and a mouse 200. The mouse 200 is identical to an ordinary mouse. The game console controller 100 has a structure resembling a part of a keyboard that is used for common personal computers and equipped with at least six keys 120 in a 2-by-3 array. The mouse 200 and the game console controller 100 can be attached to and removed from each other via a cable 210 extending from the mouse 200. The connection between them is an USB connection.