Load Sensor Action Determination for Game Controllers

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing information processing apparatuses inaccurately determine user intentions due to transient movements of the center-of-gravity position, leading to incorrect character movements.

Innovation Solution

A computer-readable storage medium with an information processing program that includes load information acquisition, center-of-gravity information acquisition, load determination, and action determination means, which analyze signals from an input device with a load sensor to accurately determine user actions based on load and center-of-gravity position changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the center-of-gravity position is used to determine user action, then the character movement responds to user input, but transient movements cause inaccurate determination of user intention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse speedVSAvoidaccuracy of user intention determination
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of load information before determining center-of-gravity position. By checking whether load information satisfies a predetermined condition first, the system filters out transient movements before they affect the final action determination, ensuring only intentional movements are recognized.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The determination process is divided into separate stages: first acquiring and evaluating load information, then acquiring center-of-gravity position, and finally determining user action. This segmentation allows the system to apply different criteria at different stages, improving overall accuracy by filtering out transient movements in the load evaluation stage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If load sensor information is acquired and analyzed, then accurate user action determination is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of user action determinationVSAvoidcomplexity of information processing
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The load sensor serves multiple functions: it detects both the presence of user input and the intensity of the input. By making the load sensor multi-functional, the system avoids adding separate sensors for different detection purposes, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high measurement precision.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system combines load information analysis with center-of-gravity position analysis in a unified determination process. By merging these two types of information processing, the system achieves accurate user action determination without requiring separate independent systems, thus managing complexity efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 precise determination of user actions by distinguishing intended movements from transient changes, ensuring accurate character movement in response to user inputs.

Implementation Method 1

an input device which includes a load sensor for detecting a load of a user

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLoad sensing: Force

Data Source

PatentEP2308574B1Computer-readable storage medium having information processing program stored therein and information processing apparatus
Publication Date: 2021.01.20 NINTENDO CO LTD
  • EP2308574B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2308574B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2308574B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A game apparatus calculates a load value detected by a load controller, and a center-of-gravity position of a player, at predetermined time intervals. Based on the calculated center-of-gravity position, the game apparatus firstly determines whether or not the center of gravity moves, and determines the direction of the movement. Then, the game apparatus determines a change of the load of the player within a predetermined time period. When the amount of increase of the load is equal to or higher than a threshold value, the game apparatus determines that the player swings his/her hip in the direction in which the center of gravity moves.