Motion Determining Apparatus Gravity-Relative Trajectory Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motion determining apparatuses for input devices with acceleration sensors are limited in determining motion accurately due to dependence on the posture of the input device, leading to restricted freedom in how the device can be held, especially when the device's shape does not differentiate between upright and inverted positions.

Innovation Solution

A motion determining apparatus that uses data from a triaxial acceleration sensor to determine motion direction relative to gravity, incorporating circulation direction and inclination analysis, allowing for accurate motion detection regardless of the input device's posture by evaluating acceleration data in a two-dimensional coordinate system and outputting motion data that includes moving and rotation directions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If motion determination is based on acceleration sensor output in fixed coordinate directions, then motion type can be identified, but the system becomes sensitive to input device posture and limits user freedom

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotion determination accuracyVSAvoidinput device posture freedom
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the problem from analyzing acceleration in fixed device coordinates to analyzing the circulation pattern in the acceleration trajectory plane. By plotting acceleration components (e.g., X vs Y) and analyzing the circular/elliptical pattern formed, the system determines motion direction relative to gravity rather than device orientation, enabling posture-independent motion recognition

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter space from direct acceleration values in fixed directions to derived parameters including circulation direction, ellipse orientation, and gravity-relative angles. This transformation allows the system to extract motion information that is invariant to device posture while maintaining accurate motion type identification

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If the controller shape is symmetric (indistinguishable when flipped), then manufacturing is simplified, but motion determination becomes unreliable when held in different orientations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontroller shape symmetryVSAvoidmotion determination accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent computes parameters such as the major axis angle of the acceleration ellipse and the circulation direction of the acceleration trajectory. These parameters are inherently reference-free and can be compared against predetermined thresholds regardless of how the symmetric controller is held, maintaining measurement precision while allowing manufacturing simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If motion determination depends on device posture, then accurate punch typing can be achieved, but user freedom and natural motion input are restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepunch type determination accuracyVSAvoiduser freedom in holding device
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent analyzes the circulation pattern of acceleration trajectories in a plane rather than examining fixed-direction components. By determining the direction of circulation (clockwise vs counter-clockwise) and the orientation of the elliptical path, the system identifies punch types based on motion dynamics rather than static device orientation, freeing the user to hold the device naturally

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

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of asking 'what direction is the device held?', the patent inverts the approach by asking 'what is the circulation direction of the acceleration pattern?' This inversion makes the determination independent of device orientation while preserving the ability to distinguish between different punch types

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

This solution enables accurate determination of motion directions and inclinations, significantly increasing the freedom in how the input device can be held and used, allowing for more natural and varied motion inputs without posture constraints.

Implementation Method 1

an acceleration sensor for detecting an acceleration in each of at least two axial directions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcceleration sensor detection: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentEP1832321B1Motion determining apparatus and storage medium having motion determining program stored thereon
Publication Date: 2020.10.07 NINTENDO CO LTD
  • EP1832321B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1832321B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1832321B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Acceleration data representing accelerations in at least two axial directions which is output from an acceleration sensor included in an input device is obtained. Based on a shift of the acceleration data, a motion direction of the input device with respect to the direction of the acceleration of gravity acting upon the input device is determined. Motion data including at least the determined motion data is output.