Retractable Key Assemblies for Real-Time Action Availability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Players in computer games face distraction and inefficiency due to the need to manually track cooldown periods for actions and resources, requiring continuous attention to timer graphics or repeated key presses to determine availability.
Innovation Solution
Implementing retractable key assemblies in user input devices that automatically extend or retract based on real-time availability, using electro-permanent magnets and software orchestration to monitor game events and player preferences, allowing users to intuitively sense key availability through tactile feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If players manually track cooldown periods using timer graphics or repeated key presses, then they can determine action availability, but their attention is diverted from the game and cognitive load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides immediate tactile feedback through haptic actuators that vibrate when an action becomes available. This feedback mechanism eliminates the need for players to continuously check timer graphics or repeatedly press keys, as the haptic signal directly communicates action availability, thereby reducing attention diversion and cognitive load while maintaining accurate information delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces visual timer tracking mechanisms with a haptic feedback system. Instead of relying on players to visually monitor and mentally track cooldown timers, the system uses mechanical vibration through haptic actuators to convey the same information, substituting a passive visual monitoring system with an active tactile communication system that requires less cognitive effort
2Loss of information
If haptic feedback vibrates the entire game controller, then it conveys game events to the player, but it creates broad distraction rather than focused information delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the haptic feedback function into separate, independently controllable actuators positioned at specific key locations rather than using a single vibration mechanism for the entire controller. This segmentation allows the system to provide focused haptic feedback only at the relevant key when an action becomes available, delivering precise information without creating broad distraction across the entire controller
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements localized haptic feedback by positioning actuators at specific key locations and activating only the actuator corresponding to the key whose action has become available. This creates a localized vibration sensation at the precise location of interest, providing focused information delivery to the player's finger while avoiding the broad distraction that would result from vibrating the entire controller
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 player awareness of action and resource availability without distracting them from the game, reducing cognitive load and improving gameplay efficiency by providing active feedback on key readiness.
Implementation Method 1
Implementing retractable key assemblies in user input devices that automatically extend or retract based on real-time availability, using electro-permanent magnets and software orchestration
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed that may be implemented to indicate real time availability of individual key assemblies for user input to an information handling system. In one embodiment, the disclosed systems and methods may be implemented to retract an individual key assembly of a user input device (e.g., such as keyboard matrix, game controller, game pad, computer mouse, etc.) when the key assembly is, or becomes, unavailable for input to a user application (e.g., such as a computer game) that is executing on a host programmable integrated circuit (e.g., such as host CPU) of an information handling system. Such a retracted key assembly may then be extended when it becomes available for input to the user application.