Self-Calibrating Joystick Assembly for Precise Game Controller Input

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional joystick assemblies require extensive calibration after installation in game controllers due to structural discrepancies between actual and designed configurations, leading to significant deviations in user control inputs.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a processor, memory, and movement sensing device within the joystick assembly to store calibration data and determine output signals, allowing for pre-factory calibration and reducing the need for extensive post-installation checks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If calibration is performed after joystick assembly is installed in game controller (entire equipment calibration), then comprehensive system-level calibration is achieved, but calibration time and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidcalibration time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary calibration by integrating a processor and memory directly into the joystick assembly. The processor performs self-calibration using calibration data stored in the memory before the joystick assembly is installed in the game controller. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming post-installation calibration, while ensuring reliability through pre-validated calibration parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the calibration function from the entire game controller system and embeds it directly into the joystick assembly. By giving the joystick assembly its own processor and memory, the calibration capability is separated into an independent modular unit. This segmentation allows the joystick to be calibrated separately and independently, reducing the overall calibration time while maintaining system-level accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If structural discrepancies between actual and designed configurations are not corrected, then manufacturing is simpler and faster, but control position deviation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshaft alignment accuracyVSAvoidassembly tolerance

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by using the processor to read calibration data from memory and adjust output signals based on predetermined correction values. These calibration parameters compensate for structural discrepancies such as shaft misalignment without requiring physical rework or tighter manufacturing tolerances. The system dynamically adjusts operational parameters to offset manufacturing variations, achieving high precision while maintaining ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11599137B2Joystick assembly and game controller

Publication Date: 2023.03.07 DEXIN CORP

AI summary

A joystick assembly applicable to a game controller includes a base, a shaft, a movement sensing device, a memory and a processor. The shaft is pivotally disposed at the base. The movement sensing device is disposed in the base and configured to sense the movement of the shaft relative to the base to generate a movement signal. The memory is disposed in the base and stores an identification number of the joystick assembly and pieces of calibration data. The processor is disposed in the base and configured to determine whether to output the movement signal according to the calibration data.