Touchscreen Video Game Combat System with Real-Time Animation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional role-playing games lack immersive and interactive gameplay, as players rely solely on button inputs to control avatars, limiting the physical connection between player actions and avatar movements.

Innovation Solution

A system and method utilizing a touchscreen to display avatars and graphical user input elements, where user input is received and matched to predefined actions, resulting in real-time animations that emulate physical actions, enhancing the immersive and interactive experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional button-based control methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but immersion and interactivity of gameplay deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimmersion and interactivityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical button inputs with touchscreen-based graphical user input elements that display visual representations of actions. This substitution allows players to interact with the game through visual selection and touch gestures, significantly enhancing immersion and interactivity while maintaining manageable system complexity through software-based implementation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces real-time animation playback as an intermediary between player input and avatar action. When a player selects a graphical input element, the system plays a predefined animation that visually demonstrates the action before execution, creating a more immersive and intuitive control experience that bridges the gap between simple button presses and complex avatar movements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If real-time animation playback is implemented, then interactivity and immersion are improved, but processing requirements and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveinteractivityVSAvoidprocessing system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-defines animations for various player actions before gameplay begins. These animations are created and stored in advance, allowing the system to simply playback predetermined motion sequences rather than generating complex real-time physics simulations. This approach significantly enhances interactivity and immersion while keeping processing requirements manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses visual copies of actions through animation playback rather than simulating the full physical complexity of each movement. When a player selects an action, a visual copy (animation) of that action is played back, providing immersive feedback without requiring the computational resources needed for full physics-based real-time simulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Ease of operation

If touchscreen interface with graphical input elements is used, then user immersion is enhanced, but device complexity and interface complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser immersionVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic interface where graphical user input elements are displayed based on player selection and game state. The interface adapts to show relevant actions and options contextually, enhancing immersion by presenting only necessary controls rather than a static complex menu system. This dynamic approach maintains user immersion while managing interface complexity through contextual relevance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8556720B2System and method for touchscreen video game combat
Publication Date: 2013.10.15 DISNEY ENTERPRISES INC
  • US8556720B2 patent drawing
  • US8556720B2 patent drawing
  • US8556720B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An interactive computerized game system including a visual display, one or more user input devices, and a processor executing software that interacts with the display and input device(s) is disclosed. The software displays images of avatars. At least one of the user input devices is a touchscreen. During gameplay, the gameplayer may touch the touchscreen to provide input. An animation is displayed in response to user input matching a predefined input.