Software Service Button Overlay Actions for Mobile Game Controllers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile game controllers have limited physical space and default actions for user-input elements, leading to limitations in supporting additional actions without adding buttons or causing brand confusion, reduced responsiveness, and accidental invocations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a software service button that can accept sequenced hardware-initiated input events, such as double presses, to overlay additional actions on default actions, using a custom accessory communication protocol to enable these actions even when the app is in the background, allowing users to customize button functions through the platform operating service application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional buttons are added to the controller to support more actions, then the functionality and versatility are improved, but the device complexity and physical space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling existing buttons to perform multiple actions through overlay actions. A single button can trigger different actions based on input sequences (e.g., single press, double press, long press), eliminating the need for additional buttons while expanding functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension to button interactions by using sequenced input events. Instead of adding spatial dimensions (more buttons), it adds time-based differentiation where the same button produces different actions based on when and how it is pressed (sequence timing, duration).
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional buttons are added to the controller, then the versatility is improved, but the physical space and area of the controller increase
Solution Approach 1:
Existing buttons are made universal by assigning them multiple actions through overlay mechanisms. The same physical button serves multiple purposes based on input sequences, maintaining versatility without expanding the controller's physical footprint.
3Adaptability or versatility
If default button actions are changed to support additional functions, then the versatility is improved, but brand confusion and user confusion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary configuration of overlay actions through a setup interface before actual use. Users pre-assign desired actions to buttons in a controlled environment, and the system validates configurations to prevent conflicting assignments, reducing runtime confusion.
Solution Approach 2:
Actions are segmented into different layers: default actions and overlay actions. The system separates these functionally, allowing default actions to remain unchanged for basic operations while overlay actions provide additional functionality through specific input sequences, preventing confusion between action types.
4Speed
If rapid button presses are used to trigger additional actions, then the responsiveness and speed are improved, but accidental invocations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms including configurable time windows between presses and validation logic that checks whether sequenced inputs meet specific criteria before triggering overlay actions. This feedback loop prevents accidental invocations by requiring deliberate, timed sequences.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a controller with a user-input element, such as a software service button, that can be programmed to accept various sequenced hardware-initiated input events (e.g., double press) that allow for other actions to overlay on top of default actions of a software service button. This can be accomplished, by way of example, through a custom accessory communication protocol that can receive the input events in the platform operating service application, even when the app is in the background to enable the various overlay actions. Thus, the user can use the overlay actions even when the platform operating service application is not in the foreground.