Handheld Controller Motion Control Using Finger Presence Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing game controllers with motion control features face issues such as difficulty in maintaining a centered position due to sensor drift and require users to manually recalibrate, disrupting seamless gameplay.
Innovation Solution
A handheld controller that activates and deactivates a motion control feature based on the presence or absence of a finger on a movable control, using touch and pressure sensors to provide seamless input and adjust sensitivity on-demand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a dedicated camera reset button is provided to recalibrate the motion sensor, then the virtual camera can be reset to a centered position, but the user must remove a finger from a primary control to press the reset button, which disrupts seamless gameplay
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the camera reset function with the existing right stick control. When the user centers the right stick, the system automatically detects this position and resets the virtual camera to center, eliminating the need for a separate reset button. This merging of functions allows camera recalibration without removing the finger from the control, maintaining gameplay continuity while achieving precise camera centering
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the right stick's centered position as a self-calibrating reference point. By detecting when the stick is centered through sensor input, the system automatically performs the camera reset function without requiring a separate user action. The control itself serves as both the input device and the calibration reference, enabling self-service recalibration during gameplay
2Adaptability or versatility
If motion sensor data is continuously mapped to virtual camera rotation rate, then the user can control camera movement by moving the controller, but it becomes very difficult to prevent the virtual camera from rotating during gameplay
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic sampling of motion sensor data rather than continuous mapping. By updating the virtual camera position at discrete intervals based on right stick centering events, the system prevents unintended continuous rotation while maintaining motion control capability. This periodic action allows the user to control camera movement intentionally without the camera rotating uncontrollably during gameplay
3Measurement precision
If the dead zone is made small to improve camera control precision, then the virtual camera rotation can be better controlled, but the user must constantly inch the controller around a small space to find the dead zone, which is difficult and distracting
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides feedback by detecting when the right stick is centered and automatically resetting the virtual camera to center at these moments. This feedback mechanism eliminates the need for the user to manually position the controller within a small dead zone, as the system automatically identifies and responds to the centered position, maintaining precision while reducing positioning effort
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary calibration by establishing the right stick's centered position as the reference point before gameplay begins. This preliminary action sets up the automatic camera centering function, eliminating the need for continuous manual adjustment during gameplay and reducing the effort required to maintain precise camera control
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
Enables seamless gameplay by allowing users to toggle motion control with familiar PC-like input methods, improving accuracy and reducing distractions by integrating touch and pressure sensors for real-time sensitivity adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
the touch sensor may include one or more capacitive sensors configured to measure capacitance values based on the proximity of the finger
Data Source
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AI summary
A handheld controller may include a movable control that is usable for activating and deactivating a motion control feature of the handheld controller based on a detection of, or a failure to detect, a finger contacting a surface of the movable control. For example, a touch sensor associated with the movable control may provide touch sensor data indicative of a proximity of a finger relative to the movable control, and based on this touch sensor data, the motion control feature of the handheld controller can be toggled on and off, depending on whether the finger is contacting the movable control or not. When the motion control feature is activated, motion sensor data from a motion sensor(s) is sent to an application (e.g., a video game) as application input. When the motion control feature is deactivated, the motion sensor data is not used as application input.