Operation Scheme Registration for Input Devices

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional information processing systems, such as game systems, face usability challenges during the registration of operation schemes for input devices, particularly when multiple operation schemes are available, leading to complex and confusing procedures.

Innovation Solution

An information processing system that registers operation schemes based on operation data from different portions of an input device, allowing for intuitive selection and management of schemes, including the ability to register multiple devices as a set, thereby simplifying the registration process and improving usability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If successive registration is performed for each game controller, then all controllers can be registered, but the registration procedure becomes complex and usability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAbility to register multiple operation schemesVSAvoidRegistration procedure simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple controllers into a set that can be registered simultaneously through a single operation. When controllers are connected, the system automatically groups them as a set and performs unified registration, eliminating the need for successive individual registration and simplifying the procedure while maintaining support for multiple operation schemes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides universal registration functionality that works for both single controllers and sets of controllers. The same registration process adapts to different scenarios (individual or grouped registration), making the system versatile while maintaining ease of operation across different use cases.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple operation schemes are registered for different surfaces, then operation flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveOperation scheme selectionVSAvoidRegistration system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by associating different operation schemes with different surfaces (first surface, second surface) of the controller. Each surface can have its own registered operation scheme, allowing the system to handle multiple schemes without requiring a complex centralized management structure. The complexity is distributed locally to each surface rather than centrally managed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If controllers are registered individually, then each controller can be configured separately, but registration time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIndividual controller configurationVSAvoidRegistration time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary grouping of controllers into sets based on their connection status before registration begins. By pre-organizing controllers that should be registered together, the system eliminates the need for sequential individual registration, significantly reducing registration time while still allowing individual configuration options within each set.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3318310B1Information processing apparatus, method of controlling information processing apparatus, information processing program, and information processing system
Publication Date: 2021.04.21 NINTENDO CO LTD
  • EP3318310B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3318310B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3318310B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An information processing system includes an operation apparatus (3,4) and a main body apparatus (2) which can communicate with the operation apparatus. The operation apparatus includes a transmission unit (101, 111) which transmits operation data (500, 510, 520) representing an operation by a user to the main body apparatus (2). The main body apparatus includes a storage unit (84) in which an operation scheme of the operation apparatus is registered, a reception unit (310) which receives the operation data transmitted from the transmission unit, a registration unit (304) which registers the operation scheme of the operation apparatus in the storage unit as a first operation scheme when the operation data (510, 520) received by the reception unit indicates a first operation and registers the operation scheme of the operation apparatus in the storage unit as a second operation scheme when the operation data (500) received by the reception unit indicates a second operation, and a processing unit (302) which performs processing based on the operation scheme registered in the storage unit onto the operation data received by the reception unit.