Synchronized Game System Using Touch Panel Input

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing game systems do not effectively enable multiple players to play the same game together, with limitations in cooperative gameplay and differing player inputs affecting game progression and outcomes.

Innovation Solution

A game program and system utilizing a portable display device with a touch panel and additional input devices, allowing for synchronized gameplay by generating identical game images on different displays, where one player can assist or obstruct the other through touch panel inputs, influencing game events and object movements without direct visual interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple players operate while watching the same screen, then cooperative gameplay is enabled, but visual interference and operational conflict occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooperative gameplay capabilityVSAvoidoperational clarity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The game system divides the display into separate screens for each player. The first player views a first screen while the second player views a second screen, eliminating visual interference. Each player can independently operate without seeing the other's inputs, resolving the contradiction between enabling cooperation and maintaining operational clarity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If one player assists the other in gameplay, then cooperative progression is achieved, but direct visual interference occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegame progression efficiencyVSAvoidvisual interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces a spatial dimension by providing separate display screens for each player. The first player sees events from the first screen perspective while the second player sees events from the second screen perspective. This dimensional separation allows both players to assist each other's game progression without direct visual interference, as each operates in their own visual dimension.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If separate displays are used for each player, then visual interference is eliminated, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational independenceVSAvoiddisplay system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The game system uses a single game apparatus that generates and manages multiple game images simultaneously. This multi-functional approach allows the system to provide separate displays for each player while maintaining a unified control architecture, reducing the complexity that would arise from using completely separate gaming systems for each player.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of operation

If touch panel input is used for assistance, then intuitive interaction is achieved, but direct influence on game outcome is created

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinteraction intuitivenessVSAvoidgame outcome fairness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system assigns different operational qualities to each player's interface. The first player uses conventional input devices for primary game control, while the second player uses touch panel input for assistance. Each input method is optimized for its specific purpose, with the touch panel providing intuitive interaction for assistance while the system maintains overall game fairness through differentiated but balanced mechanics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2527017B1Game program, game system, and game processing method
Publication Date: 2018.01.03 NINTENDO CO LTD
  • EP2527017B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2527017B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2527017B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A main player operates a controller while viewing a monitor game image displayed on a monitor. A sub player operates a terminal device while viewing a terminal game image displayed on an LCD of the terminal device. A game image that is substantially identical to the monitor game image viewed by the main player is displayed on the LCD. By touching a touch panel provided on a screen of the LCD of the terminal device, the sub player can generate various events at a position in a game world corresponding to a touched position.