Portable Display Game System Controller Orientation Freedom

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional game systems limit the degree of freedom in operations for the controller device due to the need for it to be pointed towards a fixed, non-portable display device, restricting the orientation and positioning of the controller.

Innovation Solution

A game system comprising a home-console type game device, a portable display device, and a controller device that allows wireless transmission of operation data, enabling the controller to be used at arbitrary orientations and positions, with the portable display device emitting infrared light for image detection and displaying the game image.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixedly-installed display device is used, then the game system can display game images, but the controller device must always be pointed toward the display device, limiting operational freedom

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedegree of freedom in controller operationsVSAvoidsystem configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into separate functional components: a game device that generates game images, a portable display device that shows the images, and a controller device that inputs commands. This segmentation allows each component to operate independently, enabling the controller to be used in any orientation while the display can be positioned conveniently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The portable display device acts as an intermediary between the game device and the controller. It receives game images from the game device and displays them, while the controller sends commands to the game device wirelessly. This intermediary role allows the controller to point at the display without requiring a direct line-of-sight communication link.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the portable display device processes and displays game images locally, then operational freedom is improved, but computational load and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveportability and positioning flexibilityVSAvoidcomputational load on display device
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The computationally intensive game processing functions are extracted from the portable display device and placed in the home-console type game device. The portable display device only needs to receive and display pre-processed game images, significantly reducing its computational requirements and power consumption while maintaining portability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The portable display device performs only the minimal necessary function of displaying game images, while the game device performs the excessive or complete processing of game logic and image generation. This division ensures the display device remains lightweight and portable without sacrificing game functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Ease of operation

If the controller device points toward the portable display device for image detection, then operational flexibility is improved, but the system requires infrared light emission and detection capabilities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontroller positioning flexibilityVSAvoidinfrared emission and detection system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces complex mechanical positioning and alignment systems with infrared light emission and detection. The portable display device emits infrared light that the controller's image-capturing section can detect, automatically establishing the spatial relationship between devices without requiring manual alignment or complex mechanical guides.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enhances the degree of freedom in controller operations by allowing the controller to be used at arbitrary orientations and positions, improving gameplay flexibility and reducing the computational load on the portable display device, which maintains a compact and lightweight design.

Implementation Method 1

The portable display device includes an infrared light-emitting portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared light emission: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP2392391B1Display device, game system, and game processing method
Publication Date: 2017.06.28 NINTENDO CO LTD
  • EP2392391B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2392391B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2392391B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A game system includes a home-console type game device, a controller device, and a portable display device. The portable display device includes an infrared light-emitting portion capable of emitting infrared light. The controller device wirelessly transmits to the game device operation data including data representing a detection result by an image-capturing section, data representing a detection result by an inertia sensor, and data representing an operation performed on an operation button. The game device receives the operation data from the controller device, and performs a game process based on the operation data. Moreover, the game device successively compresses a first game image, which is successively generated based on the game process, to generate compressed image data. The compressed image data is successively wirelessly transmitted to the portable display device. The portable display device successively receives the compressed image data from the game device, successively expands the compressed image data to obtain the game image, and successively displays the game image.