One-Handed Game Control via Motion Sensor Gesture Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current game control methods, such as multi-button controllers and smartphone-based games, require complex button and actuator sequences, are not intuitive, and often necessitate holding the device with both hands, limiting the fidelity and naturalness of game control, especially for sports games.
Innovation Solution
A control system using a smartphone or similar device with a touch screen and motion sensors, allowing for one-handed control with thumb motions on the screen and tilting gestures to control game avatars, enabling high-fidelity sports game control without buttons or video capture, and providing real-time biofeedback for skill-based gameplay.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multi-button controllers and smartphone-based games are used, then game control functionality is provided, but the control complexity increases and intuitiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical button presses and actuator operations with motion sensor-based gesture recognition. The control system detects natural hand movements, wrist rotations, and device orientations through accelerometers, gyroscopes, and other motion sensors, translating these physical gestures directly into game commands without requiring users to learn complex button sequences.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the user's natural body movements and the device's own motion sensors to automatically generate control inputs. The gesture recognition system processes raw motion data from accelerometers and gyroscopes to directly produce game control signals, eliminating the need for intermediate button presses or complex control mappings.
2Ease of operation
If two-handed control is required, then comprehensive game control is achieved, but operational convenience and accessibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single hand perform multiple control functions that traditionally required both hands. The gesture recognition system detects various hand gestures, wrist rotations, and device orientations to control multiple game aspects including character movement, action commands, menu navigation, and camera control, all through one hand holding the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds spatial dimensions to control by utilizing three-axis accelerometer data and three-axis gyroscope data. Instead of two-dimensional button presses, the patent captures motion in three-dimensional space including device orientation, rotation rates, and acceleration vectors, providing comprehensive control functionality through extended spatial degrees of freedom.
3Measurement precision
If traditional control methods are used, then game control is achieved, but motion fidelity and naturalness are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes multiple motion sensor parameters including three-axis acceleration, three-axis rotation rate from gyroscopes, and device orientation data. By processing these multiple parameters simultaneously, the system achieves high-fidelity motion capture that accurately represents natural hand movements and gestures, translating subtle variations in motion into precise game control inputs.
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 method offers intuitive, high-fidelity game control with reduced complexity, overcoming limitations of previous technologies by allowing one-handed operation and natural gesture-based control, enhancing the gaming experience with precise motion control and biofeedback.
Implementation Method 1
important aspect of the present invention is tilting the control device, causing an angular rotation velocity, which can trigger throwing, kicking, shooting or other action of the game
Implementation Method 2
U.S. Pat. No. 9,101,812 to Jeffery et al. entitled 'Method and System to Analyze Sports Motions Using Motion Sensors of a Mobile Device' describes a technique to analyze a sports motion using the sensors of a control device
Data Source
AI summary
A control device with a touch screen and motion sensors is held in one hand with the screen facing the user. Preferably, thumb motion of the hand holding the control device on the touch screen sensor of the control device is the input to control the motion and animations of an avatar, wherein the avatar motion is displayed on the control device touch screen or, in an embodiment, on an external display device. An important aspect of the present invention is tilting the control device, causing an angular rotation velocity, which can trigger a game event such as throwing, kicking, shooting or other action of the game.