One-Handed Game Controller with Infrared Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional game controllers require both hands for operation, limiting user flexibility and convenience, as they restrict both hands during use and reduce the number of available keys, making it difficult to perform complex game actions.
Innovation Solution
A game operating device designed to be held by one hand, featuring a unique layout with operating switches on both the upper and lower surfaces, allowing for stable operation and increased flexibility with the use of a concave portion for finger placement and an infrared imaging device for enhanced input methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the controller is designed to be held by both hands, then the stability and support during operation is improved, but the user's hand freedom and flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is divided into a right half and a left half that can be separated. The right half contains direction keys operated by the right hand, while the left half contains action keys operated by the left hand. This segmentation allows users to hold only the necessary half for one-handed operation while maintaining access to all controls, resolving the contradiction between holding stability and hand freedom.
2Ease of operation
If the controller is divided into right and left parts for one-handed operation, then hand freedom is improved, but the number of available keys is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Each half of the controller is designed with universal functionality - both the right half and left half contain complete sets of direction keys and action keys. This allows either half to independently provide full control capability, ensuring that users always have access to all necessary keys regardless of which half they are holding, thus maintaining hand freedom without reducing key availability.
3Ease of operation
If operating keys are arranged on the upper surface and side surfaces, then one-handed operation capability is improved, but the stability of holding state is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The controller employs asymmetric key arrangement where direction keys are positioned on the upper surface and action keys on the lower surface, creating an optimized layout for one-handed operation. The asymmetric design allows the thumb to naturally access direction keys while fingers reach action keys, maintaining holding stability through this ergonomic configuration rather than distributing keys symmetrically across all surfaces.
Data Source
Figure 1(A)~1(B)
Figure 2(A)~2(E)
Figure 3
AI summary
A game operating device (controller) (10) includes a longitudinal housing (12), and a holding portion (18) formed in the housing which is to be held in the palm of the hand. A direction switch (26) is provided on an upper surface at a position where it can be operated by thumb of the hand holding the holding portion (18), and a start switch (30) and a select switch (32) arc provided backward thereof. An X button (44) and a Y button (46) are further arranged in line on the upper surface of the housing. An imaging information arithmetic unit (54) is provided at a front end of the housing in a longitudinal direction in such a manner that an imaging device (56) thereof is exposed from a front-end surface. A concave portion (34) is formed on a lower surface at a position corresponding to the direction switch (26). The concave portion (34) includes a valley (36) and two inclined surfaces (38,40). An A button (42) capable of being operated by index finger of the hand holding the holding portion (18) is provided on the backward inclined surface. By processing an image signal obtained by imaging an infrared ray from LED modules by the imaging device (56), it is possible to obtain an operation signal varying according to a position and/or attitude of the controller.