Optical Gesture Joystick Control Without Mechanical Fatigue
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mechanical joysticks suffer from mechanical fatigue due to limited operation gestures, leading to user discomfort during long-term use, as they are designed for specific directional movements and do not effectively read various gestures.
Innovation Solution
A joystick with a deformable bottom surface equipped with an image sensor that captures patterns of dots, allowing for the generation of control signals based on user gestures, including pinching and other motions, thereby eliminating mechanical fatigue and enabling more versatile user interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional mechanical joystick uses a solid handle and lever arm mechanism, then it can provide directional control, but it results in mechanical fatigue due to limited gestures and long-term usage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical lever arm and trackball system with an optical sensing system. A deformable bottom surface with a pattern replaces the mechanical components, and an image sensor captures pattern deformation to determine gestures. This substitution eliminates mechanical fatigue while enabling diverse gesture recognition including pinching, twisting, and pressing motions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a mechanical joystick is designed for designated directional movements, then it provides stable control, but it limits the variety of gestures that can be recognized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a deformable bottom surface that can dynamically change shape in response to various user gestures. The pattern on this surface deforms accordingly, allowing the system to capture and distinguish between multiple gesture types such as pinching, twisting, pressing, and sliding motions, thereby providing both adaptability and operational flexibility.
3Measurement precision
If an image sensor is disposed inside the inner space of the hollow sunken structure, then the pattern can be effectively monitored, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the image sensor within the hollow sunken structure of the body, utilizing the existing internal space. The deformable bottom surface with the pattern is positioned above the image sensor, creating a compact nested arrangement that enables effective pattern monitoring while minimizing additional structural complexity.
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
The solution allows for a wide range of gestures to be recognized, enhancing user experience by reducing mechanical fatigue and providing a more intuitive control method without the limitations of traditional joysticks.
Implementation Method 1
identifying characteristics of a plurality of dots on the deformable bottom surface from the received frame, and generating a displayed object control signal for determining whether the joystick is pinched or operated by other gestures according to characteristics of the plurality of dots within the frame
Data Source
AI summary
A joystick has a related control method to provide displayed object control function. The joystick includes a body, an image sensor and a processor. The body has a deformable bottom surface whereon a pattern is disposed. The image sensor is disposed under the body and adapted to capture a frame about the pattern. The processor is electrically connected with the image sensor and adapted to generate a displayed object control signal according to pattern variation within the frame.