Joystick Dynamic Dead Zone for Cursor Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing game actuation devices, such as joysticks, face challenges in accurately controlling aiming cursors on screens due to limitations in static dead zones, lack of responsiveness, and limited amplitude, making it difficult to achieve both precision and speed in aiming tasks, especially when compared to mouse-based controllers.
Innovation Solution
A method that introduces a dynamic dead zone offset from the static dead zone, activated based on the joystick's movement speed and position, which improves aiming accuracy by stabilizing the cursor and allowing for smoother transitions, and includes a damping function to adjust sensitivity and latency times for optimal performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a static dead zone is used around the joystick's resting position, then the joystick can filter small movements and provide stability, but it becomes difficult to move the aiming cursor towards a target and achieve stable aim without returning the joystick to its resting position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic dead zone that moves and resizes based on the joystick's current position and movement characteristics. Instead of a fixed static dead zone centered at the rest position, the dead zone dynamically adapts its location and dimensions during gameplay, allowing it to follow the joystick lever's movement while maintaining appropriate filtering thresholds. This resolves the contradiction by providing both stability (through dead zone filtering) and ease of operation (through dynamic adaptation to current position).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the dead zone (position, size, shape) based on real-time joystick state. The dead zone's center point is calculated relative to the current joystick position rather than being fixed at the rest position. The radius and orientation of the dead zone are dynamically adjusted according to the lever's amplitude and direction of movement. This parameter adaptation allows the system to maintain cursor stability while facilitating smooth aiming operations across the entire joystick range.
2Speed
If the joystick lever is tilted further to increase cursor movement speed, then responsiveness improves, but precision is lost due to limited range of motion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic sensitivity adjustment where the sensitivity coefficient varies based on the current joystick position and movement state. When the joystick is near the rest position, higher sensitivity is applied for precise control. When the joystick is at larger amplitudes, the sensitivity is adjusted to optimize speed while maintaining precision. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to provide both high speed and high precision at different moments during aiming operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the sensitivity parameter dynamically during operation based on multiple factors including joystick position, movement speed, and acceleration. The sensitivity coefficient is recalculated in real-time to optimize the trade-off between speed and precision. This parameter change strategy allows players to achieve rapid cursor movement when needed while maintaining fine control precision during target acquisition and stabilization.
3Ease of operation
If the joystick mechanism uses a spring for recentering, then automatic return to rest position is achieved, but the resting position does not correspond to the central position causing constant cursor movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors the joystick's rest position and uses this information to adjust the dead zone positioning and sensitivity calibration. The system detects the actual rest position (which may drift from the mechanical center due to spring variations) and compensates for this offset by adjusting the virtual dead zone center and sensitivity parameters. This feedback loop ensures that the cursor remains stable at the desired central position even when the mechanical rest position drifts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the dead zone center position and sensitivity parameters based on the detected rest position. When the joystick's mechanical rest position drifts, the system recalibrates the virtual dead zone location and sensitivity coefficients to compensate. This parameter adaptation ensures that the cursor positioning remains accurate and stable despite variations in the mechanical spring recentering mechanism.
4Speed
If a high sampling frequency is used for joystick position detection, then responsiveness improves, but processing load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements variable sampling frequency that adapts to the current gameplay situation. During normal gameplay, a lower sampling frequency is used to reduce processing load. When rapid movement or precision aiming is detected, the sampling frequency is increased to improve responsiveness. This partial action approach applies high-frequency sampling only when necessary, optimizing the balance between response speed and processing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes the sampling frequency parameter based on movement detection, cursor position, and game state. The system monitors joystick movement characteristics and adjusts the detection frequency accordingly, using higher frequencies during active movement phases and lower frequencies during stable periods. This parameter adaptation reduces overall processing energy while maintaining responsiveness when needed.
Data Source
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AI summary
Method of controlling a aiming cursor on a screen by means of a play actuation device (10) equipped with at least one directional control element (12) arranged to occupy a rest position (X0, Y0) and to move along at least one axis (X, Y), and having a static dead zone (SDS) defined by a predetermined displacement of the directional control element along said at least one axis on either side of the rest position, comprising the following steps: detecting a position (XJ, YJ) of the directional control element along said at least one axis; calculating at least one derivative (VJ) of at least one order with respect to time of the position of the directional control element as a function of a history of detected positions; when the detected position is located outside the static dead zone, defining a dynamic offset dead zone (DODZ) on either side of the detected position, called the holding position;activate the dynamic dead zone shifted according to said at least one calculated derivative.