Thumbstick Guiding Means for Accessible Controller Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users with motor skill issues or discomfort find it difficult to perform precise controller inputs in video games due to the high accuracy requirements and uncomfortable nature of certain controller inputs, making games inaccessible.
Innovation Solution
A user input device with a thumbstick mechanism that includes guiding means, such as interlocking elements and guiding elements, which assist users by defining distinct directions for thumbstick movement within a predetermined range, allowing for more accessible and accurate input performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional thumbstick design is used, then device complexity is low, but manufacturing precision and ease of operation are insufficient for users with motor skill issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces guiding elements as intermediary components between the thumbstick and housing. These guiding elements act as mediators that physically guide the thumbstick along predetermined paths, making precise directional input accessible to users with motor skill issues without requiring complex software solutions or external devices
Solution Approach 2:
The thumbstick mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the thumbstick itself, the base, the housing, and multiple guiding elements. Each component has a specific function, and the guiding elements are further segmented into sets that correspond to different directional paths, allowing independent optimization of each segment's contribution to overall ease of operation
2Manufacturing precision
If guiding means with interlocking elements are added, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding elements are positioned at specific local locations within the housing to provide directional guidance only where needed. Each set of guiding elements is localized to guide movement in specific directions from the neutral position, rather than constraining the entire thumbstick mechanism uniformly. This local application of guiding structures improves precision for critical directional inputs while minimizing overall structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding elements are designed to be engaged only when the thumbstick is within certain ranges of movement from the neutral position. When the thumbstick moves beyond these ranges, the guiding elements disengage, allowing free movement in other directions. This dynamic engagement and disengagement of guiding constraints provides manufacturing precision only when needed for specific directional inputs, reducing overall device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A user input device includes: a thumbstick; a housing that partially encloses a base of the thumbstick without contacting the base so as to form a clearance between at least a part of an inner surface of the housing and at least a part of the base; and a guide for guiding the motion of the thumbstick to follow one or more distinct directions when a position of the thumbstick relative to a neutral position thereof falls within a predetermined range of thumbstick positions, at least a part of the guide being disposed within the clearance, the guide including one or more sets of interlocking elements, each set of interlocking elements including: a pin disposed on one of the inner surface of the housing and the base, and a plurality of guiding elements disposed on the other of the inner surface of the housing and the base, the plurality of guiding elements being arranged so as to form one or more paths which the pin follows when the pin is engaged with the plurality of guiding elements, the one or more paths defining the one or more distinct directions.