Spherical Game Controller With Integrated Operation Surface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional game controllers lack versatility in operation types, making them less intuitive and efficient for various gaming interactions.

Innovation Solution

A game controller with a spherical housing featuring a joystick and an operation surface that can be depressed, integrated with the housing, allowing for both direction input and depressing operations, enhancing operability through orthogonal positioning and easy finger operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional game controller design is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the operation types are limited and versatility is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation typesVSAvoidcontroller structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spherical housing integrates multiple operation surfaces (first operation surface with directional buttons, second operation surface with action buttons, and third operation surface with additional controls) that can all be operated simultaneously or independently, allowing a single controller to perform multiple function types without requiring separate devices or complex mode switching

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a spherical housing with multiple operation surfaces is used, then various operations are enabled, but the controller size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation typesVSAvoidcontroller size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The controller utilizes the three-dimensional surface of a sphere to arrange multiple operation surfaces on different faces (first, second, and third operation surfaces), effectively using spatial dimensions rather than expanding linearly. This allows multiple functional areas to be packed into a compact spherical volume, with each operation surface accessible from different angles without requiring a larger overall footprint

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Shape

If the operation surface is integral with the spherical housing, then the spherical shape is maintained and aesthetics are improved, but the depressing operation may be less precise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespherical shapeVSAvoiddepressing operation precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

While the overall housing maintains a spherical shape for aesthetics and ergonomics, the operation surfaces incorporate localized precision features including defined button regions, tactile feedback mechanisms, and distinct tactile boundaries that provide precise operational feedback without compromising the global spherical form. The integral construction ensures structural rigidity while localized surface features enable accurate input detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3572130B1Game controller

Publication Date: 2025.06.25 NINTENDO CO LTD

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AI summary

An example game controller includes a spherical housing, a joystick, an operation section, and a transmission section. The joystick protrudes from a surface of the spherical housing. The operation section includes an operation surface. The operation surface is capable of being depressed and is integral with the surface of the spherical housing. The transmission section transmits, to outside, information regarding an operation on the joystick and information regarding an operation on the operation section. Thus, it is possible to provide a game controller that allows for various types of operations.