Game Device Shadow Movement Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing game control technologies do not effectively provide a novel and entertaining experience by allowing a character to move along the shadow of an object in a three-dimensional space, limiting the potential for enhanced entertainment value.

Innovation Solution

A game system comprising a game device, input device, and imaging device that uses a light-emitting body to capture positional and orientation information, allowing the character to move along the shadow of an object in a three-dimensional space by controlling the light source's position and orientation, enabling novel gameplay mechanics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a character is moved along a shadow of an object in a three-dimensional space, then entertainment value is improved, but device complexity increases due to requiring light source control and shadow rendering systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveentertainment valueVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses shadow rendering to create a two-dimensional shadow copy of three-dimensional objects. The shadow rendering unit generates shadow images based on light source position and object geometry, allowing character movement along these shadow representations without requiring full three-dimensional navigation systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a shadow as an intermediary element between the light source and the character movement path. The shadow acts as a mediator that translates three-dimensional spatial relationships into two-dimensional movement guidance, simplifying the control system while maintaining entertainment value.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If light source position and orientation are controlled to move character along shadow, then gameplay uniqueness is improved, but measurement precision requirements increase for capturing position and orientation information

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegameplay uniquenessVSAvoidmeasurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The input device serves multiple functions: it acts as both a light source simulator and a positioning device. The imaging device captures both the position and orientation information from the same input device, reducing the need for separate high-precision measurement systems for each parameter.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical positioning and lighting systems with an optical-capture approach. Instead of using separate mechanical devices to control light source position and measure orientation, the system uses an imaging device to optically capture the input device's position and orientation, simplifying the measurement system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP2441503B1Game device, game control method, system, and game control program
Publication Date: 2021.08.04 SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT LLC
  • EP2441503B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2441503B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP2441503B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A game device comprises: a light source control unit (112) for, in a game field in which an object is disposed, changing the position of a light source or an irradiation direction of light irradiated from the light source according to a player's operation instruction; a shadow drawing unit (116) for drawings a shadow of the object, which is projected by the light irradiated from the light source, on a projection plane provided in the game field; and a character control unit (118) for moving a character along the shadow of the object.