Joystick Coordinate Mapping for Full-Range Display Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for controlling display elements in video game consoles using levers or joysticks, which move in zones defined by mechanical stops, limit the displacement zone to a square inscribed within the stop's projection, leading to inconsistencies in coordinate measurement and interpretation by the console.

Innovation Solution

A method that projects the lever's position onto a circumscribed square centered on the stop's homothetic figure, allowing for the calculation of Cartesian coordinates that accurately represent the lever's movement, even when it exceeds the stop's edges, by using a homothety transformation and predefined conversion tables to ensure consistent and full-scale signal transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the lever displacement zone is limited by a mechanical stop (polygon, ellipse, etc.), then the mechanical structure is well-defined and reliable, but the effective measurement zone is limited to a square inscribed in the stop projection, causing loss of measurement precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoordinate measurement precisionVSAvoidcoordinate transformation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-calculates and stores conversion tables that map positions within the inscribed square to corresponding positions on the circumscribed square. This preliminary action allows the system to expand the effective measurement zone without real-time computational complexity, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a circumscribed square as an intermediary coordinate system between the mechanical stop and the console's expected input format. This intermediary allows positions beyond the inscribed square to be represented accurately while maintaining compatibility with the console's coordinate system requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the lever position is projected onto the inscribed square, then the coordinate system matches the console's expected format, but positions beyond the inscribed square cannot be accurately represented, causing loss of information

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoordinate system compatibilityVSAvoidposition information loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a limited inscribed square projection to a circumscribed square projection that encompasses the entire mechanical stop. By using conversion tables that map from the inscribed square coordinate system to the circumscribed square coordinate system, the patent expands the representable position space while maintaining coordinate system compatibility with the console.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the coordinate system on the circumscribed square that mirrors the structure of the inscribed square system. This copying approach allows positions beyond the original square to be represented using the same coordinate format expected by the console, preventing information loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Area of moving object

If the lever can move beyond the inscribed square boundaries, then the full displacement zone is utilized, but the console receives inconsistent coordinates, causing measurement reliability issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelever displacement zoneVSAvoidcoordinate consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the coordinate representation parameters by using circumscribed square coordinates instead of inscribed square coordinates. The conversion tables transform positions beyond the inscribed square into consistent coordinate values that the console can interpret reliably, maintaining coordinate consistency across the entire displacement zone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3668621B1Method for controlling a display element by a game console
Publication Date: 2021.09.08 NACON CAC
  • EP3668621B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3668621B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3668621B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A method for controlling a position of a display element, the method comprising the steps consisting of: - measuring a position of a control lever, - projecting the position of the lever into a base plane, in order to determine a first set of coordinates, - determining a homothetic figure with a mechanical stop of the lever, - determining a square circumscribed to the homothetic figure, - projecting at least one coordinate of the first set of coordinates onto the circumscribed square, - calculating a second set of coordinates in a Cartesian frame of reference, on the basis of the projection of said at least one coordinate of the first set of coordinates onto the circumscribed square.