Touch-Sensitive Trigger Controls for Compact Handheld Controllers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current handheld controllers lack the ability to effectively detect and interpret a wide range of gestures and inputs from user fingers, limiting the richness and complexity of interactions in gaming and other applications.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of touch-sensitive top-surface controls with capacitive touch sensors and pressure sensors that detect finger presence, location, and gestures, combined with switch-based selection, to enhance input detection and interpretation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical buttons and mechanical switches are used for controller inputs, then the controls are reliable and provide tactile feedback, but the device complexity increases and the surface area required for controls increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical buttons and switches with capacitive touch sensors that detect changes in electrical capacitance when a conductor (such as a coin or metal object) is placed on the touch surface. This substitution eliminates moving mechanical parts while maintaining control functionality, thereby reducing device complexity while preserving control reliability through the tactile interaction of placing conductive objects on designated touch zones.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple physical buttons are added to provide additional controls, then the adaptability and functionality increase, but the area of the controller surface increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple control functions into a single touch-sensitive surface by defining different conductive touch zones that can be activated by placing conductive objects. Instead of requiring separate physical buttons for each function, the system combines multiple control inputs into one integrated touch surface, allowing various game controls to be accessed without increasing the overall controller surface area.
3Volume of moving object
If the controller is made compact to reduce size, then portability improves, but the number of controls that can be accommodated decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional physical button layouts to a touch-sensitive surface that utilizes electrical field detection in the third dimension. By detecting capacitance changes caused by conductive objects placed on the surface, the system effectively adds a new dimension of control input, allowing multiple control functions to be accommodated within a compact form factor without requiring proportional increases in surface area.
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
Enriches the range and interpretation of user gestures, providing more nuanced control options for gaming and other applications, enhancing user experience.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor is a capacitive sensor and the identification of the object is based on a change in capacitance
Data Source
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AI summary
Described herein are, among other things, handheld controllers having touch-sensitive controls, as well as methods for use of the touch-sensitive controls and methods for assembling the handheld controllers. An example handheld controller may include a top-surface control (e.g., a "trigger button") that includes a switch, a pressure sensor, and a touch sensor for detecting a presence, location, and/or gesture of a finger on the top-surface control.