Touch Sensing Trackball for Mouse and Joystick Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current game controllers either excel in absolute accuracy for precise positioning, like mouse inputs, or in velocity control, like joystick inputs, but fail to combine these features effectively, limiting their versatility across different types of video games.
Innovation Solution
A game controller with a touch sensing trackball that can operate in both mouse and joystick modes, using a motion sensor to detect rotation and a touch sensor to determine offset values, allowing for incremental movement and velocity control, and switching between modes based on game requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a mouse input is used, then absolute accuracy and precise positioning are improved, but velocity control capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The trackball is designed to perform multiple functions by detecting different input types. When the user rolls the trackball, it provides mouse-like incremental movement for precise positioning. When the user pushes the trackball, it provides joystick-like absolute offset information for velocity control. This multi-functionality allows a single device to serve both purposes effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between mouse mode and joystick mode based on the type of user input detected. The controller determines whether the user is rolling or pushing the trackball and adjusts the input interpretation accordingly. This dynamic behavior allows the same physical input device to adapt its functionality in real-time based on user intent.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a joystick input is used, then velocity control is improved, but absolute accuracy and precise positioning deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The trackball is designed to perform multiple functions by detecting different input types. When the user rolls the trackball, it provides mouse-like incremental movement for precise positioning. When the user pushes the trackball, it provides joystick-like absolute offset information for velocity control. This multi-functionality allows a single device to serve both purposes effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between mouse mode and joystick mode based on the type of user input detected. The controller determines whether the user is rolling or pushing the trackball and adjusts the input interpretation accordingly. This dynamic behavior allows the same physical input device to adapt its functionality in real-time based on user intent.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate mouse and joystick devices are used, then functional versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functionality of a mouse and a joystick into a single trackball device. The trackball mechanism integrates both rolling motion (for mouse input) and pushing motion (for joystick input) detection. This merging eliminates the need for separate devices while providing both functional modes through a unified input mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The trackball is designed to perform multiple functions by detecting different input types. When the user rolls the trackball, it provides mouse-like incremental movement for precise positioning. When the user pushes the trackball, it provides joystick-like absolute offset information for velocity control. This multi-functionality allows a single device to serve both purposes effectively.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables users to play various games without compatibility issues, providing both precise positioning and velocity control, eliminating the need for a dead-zone and offering a more ergonomic and versatile gaming experience.
Implementation Method 1
a motion sensor located within the housing, that detects a rotation of the trackball
Implementation Method 2
a touch sensor, located within the housing, that detects when a user is touching the trackball
Data Source
AI summary
While one type of input, either a mouse input or a joystick input, may be preferred for one type of a game, it may not be preferred, or even compatible, for another type of a game. Introduced herein is a game controller that employs a dedicated input, which is capable of the absolute accuracy of a mouse input or trackball input, but is also capable of measuring how far off center the input is (e.g., how far off center it has moved), and can also return to center when released, as is present in a joystick input. The introduced game controller integrates a touch sensing trackball to enjoy the benefits of both the mouse type input and joystick type input, in a single dedicated input, providing a user freedom to play any type of game without worrying about the compatibility of their game controllers.