Patch Type Controller for One-Handed Smartphone Gaming

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Large-sized smartphones with touch screens are difficult to control with one hand, especially during gaming, as the buttons on the screen obstruct the display and precise handling is challenging.

Innovation Solution

A patch-type controller with a separate input unit, including direction and function buttons, that can be attached to a smartphone or wireless communication device, allowing for one-handed operation and supporting the device, thus enhancing user convenience and reducing manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for additional pressure sensors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the size of the smartphone display is increased, then visual comfort is improved, but one-handed control becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay sizeVSAvoidone-handed control
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The input unit is separated from the main smartphone body and placed on a detachable patch-type controller. This segmentation allows the display size to be increased while the input unit remains accessible and operable with one hand through the separate controller.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A patch-type controller serves as an intermediary device between the user's hand and the smartphone. This intermediary contains the input unit and can be attached to or detached from the smartphone, enabling one-handed operation while supporting the larger device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If touch screen buttons are used for input, then device integration is improved, but precise handling during gaming becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice integrationVSAvoidhandling precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The input unit is segmented from the touch screen and placed on a separate patch-type controller. This physical separation provides tactile feedback and precise mechanical buttons for gaming, while the touch screen remains integrated for other functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different input methods are provided for different use cases: the touch screen for general integration and the mechanical buttons on the patch-type controller for precise gaming control. Each input method has optimized local quality for its specific purpose.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If touch screen buttons are used for input, then device simplicity is improved, but display obstruction occurs during operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoiddisplay area
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The input unit is extracted from the display area and placed on a separate patch-type controller. This extraction eliminates display obstruction during input operations while maintaining device simplicity through the detachable design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patch-type controller acts as an intermediary that provides physical buttons outside the display area. This mediator enables input operations without obstructing the display, as the buttons are located on the separate controller rather than on the screen itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3518084B1Patch type controller
Publication Date: 2021.05.19 ITVERS
  • EP3518084B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3518084B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3518084B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A patch type controller according to the present invention comprises: a main body having a connection unit formed on the bottom surface or a side surface thereof, enabling connection to a mobile phone, a mobile phone case or a wireless communication device, and an input unit formed on the upper surface thereof, enabling control by a user; and a control unit for controlling the mobile phone or the wireless communication device by means of the input unit. The connection unit is formed such that the main body is detachable, and is an adhesive member one side surface of which is disposed on the bottom surface of the main body and the other side surface of which adhered to one side of the mobile phone, mobile phone case or wireless communication device. The input unit comprises: a direction input unit that implements at least one directional user interface (UI) function from among a direction key function, a mouse function and a scroll function; and a function input unit that drives a specific function that the mobile phone or wireless communication device is equipped with. The main body comprises a battery which provides power to the input unit and/or the control unit. The control unit can simultaneously control the mobile phone and a drive device driven via the mobile phone and wireless communication.