Gyro-Based Attitude Correction for Input Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing attitude angle detection devices require three-axis accelerometers and speed sensors, making them costly and inefficient for accurate attitude calculation, especially during acceleration or deceleration.

Innovation Solution

A computer-readable recording medium with an information processing program that calculates the attitude of an input device using only a gyro sensor, correcting the attitude to accurately reflect the device's motion in a virtual space without causing unnatural user feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If three-axis accelerometer and speed sensor are used to calculate attitude angle during acceleration or deceleration, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattitude angle calculation accuracyVSAvoidsensor configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the three-axis accelerometer and speed sensor from the attitude detection system, retaining only the three-axis gyro. This simplifies the device structure while maintaining attitude calculation accuracy through software-based correction algorithms that compensate for acceleration errors without requiring additional sensors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical sensor-based correction approach (using accelerometers and speed sensors to detect and correct attitude errors) with a computational approach. The system uses the three-axis gyro output combined with motion detection and attitude correction algorithms to achieve accurate attitude calculation during acceleration and deceleration, substituting physical sensors with signal processing methods.

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

2Measurement precision

If three-axis accelerometer and speed sensor are used for accurate attitude detection, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattitude angle calculation accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the expensive three-axis accelerometer and speed sensor components from the system, retaining only the three-axis gyro. This extraction of unnecessary components directly reduces manufacturing costs while the attitude correction algorithm maintains measurement precision during dynamic operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a cost-effective approach by using only the three-axis gyro, which is cheaper than the combination of gyro plus accelerometer plus speed sensor. The system accepts that the gyro alone has limitations during acceleration but compensates through software algorithms, achieving acceptable performance at lower cost rather than using expensive hardware combinations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Device complexity

If three-axis gyro alone is used to calculate attitude angle, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates during acceleration or deceleration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor configurationVSAvoidattitude angle calculation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the need for mechanical acceleration sensors with a computational correction system. The three-axis gyro output is processed through attitude detection and correction algorithms that mathematically compensate for acceleration-induced errors, substituting physical measurement devices with signal processing methods to maintain precision.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary correction mechanism between the three-axis gyro output and the final attitude calculation. The attitude detection unit analyzes the gyro signals and applies correction based on detected motion patterns, acting as an intermediary processing layer that eliminates acceleration errors without requiring additional sensors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Measurement precision

If attitude correction is applied during acceleration or deceleration, then measurement precision is improved, but process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattitude angle calculation accuracyVSAvoidprocessing algorithm
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal attitude correction algorithm that handles multiple operating conditions (acceleration, deceleration, turning) using a single integrated processing framework. The correction mechanism works across different motion scenarios without requiring separate specialized algorithms for each condition, reducing overall process complexity while maintaining precision.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2144141B1Computer readable recording medium recording information processing program and information processing apparatus
Publication Date: 2018.02.07 NINTENDO CO LTD
  • EP2144141B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2144141B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2144141B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A first attitude calculation means (S2) calculates a first attitude indicating an attitude of an input device itself based on a motion detection signal output from an input device equipped with a motion detection sensor. A motion calculation means (S21) calculates a motion of the first attitude. An approaching operation determination means (S22 to S24) determines whether or not the motion of the first attitude calculated by the motion calculation means is a motion of approaching a predetermined attitude. An input attitude setting means (S27, S28, S4) sets an attitude obtained by correcting the first attitude as an input attitude if the motion of the first attitude is the motion of approaching the predetermined attitude, and sets the first attitude as an input attitude if the motion of the first attitude is not the motion of approaching the predetermined attitude. A process execution means (S5) performs a predetermined information process based on the input attitude.