Game Controller Vibration Control for Surface Contact Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems equipped with vibrators struggle to effectively allow players to recognize and localize the vibration source in virtual spaces, as the existing methods do not provide clear feedback on the vibration source's location.
Innovation Solution
A game program that controls a vibrator to perform specific vibrations based on the player's actions within a virtual space, such as vibrating when the operation object is in contact with a surface and stopping when it leaves, allowing players to recognize the surface's vibration and its location through varying vibration strengths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the vibrator is caused to vibrate according to the location of a vibration source, then the system can provide vibration feedback, but the player cannot easily recognize or localize the vibration source
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by controlling the vibrator to alternate between vibration and non-vibration states based on the operation object's contact status with the surface. When the operation object contacts the surface, the vibrator is activated; when it leaves, the vibrator stops. This periodic on/off pattern creates clear temporal distinctions that help players localize the vibration source and understand the virtual space dynamics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by making the vibrator's state directly responsive to the operation object's interaction with the virtual surface. The vibration provides tactile feedback that confirms contact, while the cessation of vibration signals separation. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enhances the player's ability to recognize and interpret the vibration source location and contact status in real-time.
2Loss of information
If the vibrator continuously vibrates to provide feedback, then the player receives constant information, but the player cannot distinguish the vibration source from other vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
By using periodic action with clear on/off transitions, the patent creates distinct vibration events that stand out against silence. This temporal separation prevents vibration masking and allows players to easily identify the vibration source location and timing, resolving the issue of distinguishing vibration sources.
3Ease of operation
If the vibrator is controlled based on contact status, then the player can recognize surface vibration, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback principle simplifies the control mechanism by using a direct conditional relationship: contact detected → vibrator on; contact lost → vibrator off. This straightforward feedback loop avoids complex control algorithms while effectively conveying surface vibration information to the player through intuitive tactile cues.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an example system in which a vibrator continues to vibrate when a player character is in contact with a ground object in a virtual space. When the player character performs a jumping motion in the virtual space according to an operation performed by a player, the player character leaves the ground object. While the player character is performing a jumping motion, the vibration of the vibrator is temporarily stopped. When the player character drops on the ground object again, the vibration of the vibrator is resumed.