Game Input Device Swing Strength Calculation via Acceleration Accumulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional game apparatuses cannot accurately calculate the strength of a swing based on an input device's movement, as they only consider maximum speed without accounting for the duration and distance of the swing, leading to inconsistent game reflections.

Innovation Solution

A game program that calculates the swing strength by obtaining and processing acceleration data from the input device in multiple axial directions, accumulating change amounts over a predetermined period, and using these values to determine the swing strength, ensuring that both the duration and speed of the swing are reflected.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If only the maximum moving speed of the input device is used to determine ball movement, then the game processing is simple, but the swing strength cannot be accurately calculated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegame processing complexityVSAvoidswing strength calculation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from using only speed (one dimension) to using both speed and time (two dimensions) for swing strength calculation. By accumulating speed values over the swing period, the system creates a temporal dimension that captures both how fast the device moved and how long it moved, resolving the contradiction between simple processing and accurate measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter from单一的 maximum speed to a composite parameter combining speed and time (accumulated speed × swing period). This parameter transformation allows the system to capture swing strength more accurately while maintaining computational simplicity through straightforward multiplication and accumulation operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If the swing period is extended to capture longer stroke duration, then the swing strength calculation improves, but the measurement time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswing strength calculation accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent continuously accumulates speed values throughout the entire swing period rather than taking discrete measurements. This continuous accumulation ensures that no part of the swing motion is missed, capturing the full duration and intensity of the stroke while efficiently utilizing the available measurement time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 approach allows for accurate calculation of swing strength, enhancing game realism by differentiating between varying swing lengths and speeds, thereby improving player interaction and game feedback.

Implementation Method 1

a baseball bat-shaped input device including an acceleration sensor using a piezoelectric beeper or the like

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcceleration sensor detection: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentEP1923108B1Game apparatus and storage medium having game program stored thereon
Publication Date: 2019.05.22 NINTENDO CO LTD
  • EP1923108B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1923108B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1923108B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A game apparatus obtains acceleration data representing an acceleration vector in at least two predetermined axial directions of the input device repeatedly, then calculates a change amount of each of the acceleration vectors represented by acceleration data obtained during a predetermined swing period, and then calculates an accumulated value obtained by accumulating the calculated change amounts. A swing strength of the input device is calculated based on the accumulated value. The game processing is executed using the calculated swing strength.