Rear Paddle Levers for Game Controllers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional game controllers require users to remove their thumbs from thumb sticks to operate additional actions, leading to loss of control, especially in games that require aiming or using direction pads for additional actions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating additional actuators, such as paddle levers, on the bottom of the controller that can be operated by the middle, ring, or little fingers, allowing users to activate control functions without removing their thumbs from the thumb sticks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional controls are mounted on the front and top of the controller, then control functions can be operated by index fingers and thumbs, but users must remove their thumbs from thumb sticks to operate these additional controls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces additional controls on the bottom surface of the controller, utilizing the previously underutilized fourth dimension (bottom surface) to place paddle levers. This allows users to operate additional controls with their pinky fingers while maintaining thumb contact with the thumb sticks, thereby resolving the contradiction between control versatility and thumb stick stability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If users remove their thumbs from thumb sticks to operate additional controls, then additional actions can be activated, but control precision and aiming accuracy are lost
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning paddle levers on the bottom surface of the controller, the patent enables users to activate additional controls with their pinky fingers without disturbing their thumb position on the thumb sticks. This spatial separation preserves aiming accuracy while enabling additional actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the control operations into separate finger zones: thumbs handle directional control and aiming on the top surface, while pinky fingers handle additional actions on the bottom surface. This segmentation allows simultaneous operation of both functions without interference.
3Ease of operation
If conventional controller layout is used, then controls are easily accessible by index fingers and thumbs, but middle, ring, or little fingers cannot contribute to control operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the bottom surface of the controller to place paddle levers that can be operated by the middle, ring, or little fingers. This extends control accessibility to all five fingers, with each finger type having its designated control zone, thereby maximizing finger utilization while maintaining ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides an improved controller (10) for a games console. The invention is a games controller (10) that is intended to be held by a user in both hands in the same manner as a conventional controller (1). Additionally, the controller of the invention (10) may comprise the same controls (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) as a conventional controller (1). The controller of the present invention (10) is advantageous as it additionally comprises two additional controls (11A, 11B, 11C, 11D) located on the rear of the controller (10) in a position to be operated by the middle fingers of a user (12). The additional controllers (11A, 11B, 11C, 11D) may be paddle levers and may replicate the functions of one or more of the controls (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) located on the front or top of the controller (10).