Touch Panel Scroll Control with Dynamic Peripheral Area

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional video game devices using touch panels for input struggle with operability, as the fixed peripheral areas do not adapt to the game's status, leading to suboptimal scrolling experiences.

Innovation Solution

A video game device with a computer-readable storage medium that includes display control, storage, movement control, and scroll control means, where the scroll process is adjusted based on the presence of player input, varying the scroll speed and area depending on whether the player is moving an object or not, to enhance operability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the peripheral area is fixed for scrolling, then the device structure is simple, but the operability is insufficient under different game circumstances

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveoperabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the peripheral area dynamic rather than fixed. The control unit determines whether to expand the peripheral area based on the current game status, specifically whether the player character is in a moving state. When moving, the peripheral area is expanded to allow scrolling without interfering with movement operations, while when stationary, the normal smaller peripheral area is used. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between maintaining simple device structure and achieving good operability under different circumstances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the peripheral area is expanded to allow scrolling during movement, then the operability improves, but the risk of unintended scrolling increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveoperabilityVSAvoidscrolling accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the player character's movement state and using this information to control the peripheral area size. The control unit receives input from the determination unit about whether the player character is moving, and based on this feedback, dynamically adjusts the peripheral area. This feedback mechanism ensures that scrolling is only enabled when appropriate (when the player is moving), preventing unintended scrolling while maintaining good operability when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If scrolling is enabled during movement, then the player can navigate the game world more freely, but the movement control may be interfered with

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenavigation flexibilityVSAvoidmovement control
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the dynamics principle to dynamically adjust the peripheral area size based on the player character's movement state. When the player character is moving, the peripheral area is expanded to enable scrolling and improve navigation flexibility. When the player character is stationary, the peripheral area returns to its normal size, ensuring that movement control is not interfered with. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between navigation flexibility and movement control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8137196B2Game device and game program that performs scroll and move processes
Publication Date: 2012.03.20 NINTENDO CO LTD
  • US8137196B2 patent drawing
  • US8137196B2 patent drawing
  • US8137196B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A video game program and a video game device are disclosed. If there is no move instruction from the player through a touch panel, the game image displayed on the display screen is scrolled if the position indicated by an input position from the touch panel is included within a first peripheral area along the periphery of the display screen. If there is a move instruction from the player through the touch panel, the game image displayed on the display screen is scrolled if the position indicated by the input position from the touch panel is included within a second peripheral area, larger than the first peripheral area, along the periphery of the display screen. Thus, in a video game device using a touch panel, an appropriate scroll process according to the status of the game is established, thereby improving the operability of the device.