Gaming Controller with Vertical Touch Panel for Intuitive Viewpoint Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing video game controllers lack intuitive control schemes for navigating virtual viewpoints in three-dimensional environments, often requiring non-intuitive joystick configurations that can confuse users.
Innovation Solution
A controller design featuring a vertically oriented touch panel and joysticks, where the touch panel is used to control pitch and yaw, and the joysticks control x-axis and z-axis translation, providing a more intuitive interface for navigating virtual environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional joystick configurations are used for controlling virtual viewpoints, then the controller structure remains simple, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to non-intuitive control schemes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension to the control interface by implementing a vertically oriented touch panel. This allows pitch and yaw control along the vertical axis, while joysticks handle horizontal x-axis and z-axis translation. This dimensional separation creates an intuitive mapping between physical controller orientation and virtual viewpoint direction, resolving the contradiction between operational intuitiveness and structural simplicity.
2Ease of operation
If a vertically oriented touch panel is added to control pitch and yaw, then the ease of operation improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vertically oriented touch panel serves multiple functions: it controls pitch and yaw movements, provides tactile feedback through its curved surface, and maintains structural integration with the controller body. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by consolidating multiple control capabilities into a single integrated component rather than requiring separate mechanisms for each function.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A controller for interfacing with an interactive application is provided. The controller includes a housing defined by a main body, a first extension extending from a first end of the main body, and a second extension extending from a second end of the main body, the first extension and the second extension for holding by a first hand and a second hand of a user, respectively. The controller also includes an input device positioned along a top surface of the main body, and a touch-sensitive panel defined along a first side surface of the main body.