Virtual Controller for Touch Display Resolving Button Space Trade-off
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable gaming devices face challenges in size constraints due to hard button controls, which are difficult to actuate during fast-paced gameplay and detract from the device's multifunctional usability and appearance for non-gaming consumers.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a virtual controller on a touch-sensitive display that detects user inputs to generate controller input parameters, allowing for intuitive game control without physical buttons, and repositions itself to prevent misstrikes and border interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hard button controls are used, then tactile feedback and correct finger positioning are provided, but device size increases and display space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes physical hard buttons from the device and extracts their control functionality to a virtual controller interface on the touch display. This extraction eliminates the space-occupying physical buttons while preserving the control capabilities through software-based virtual buttons that respond to touch inputs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the physical button controls as software elements on the display screen. These virtual buttons replicate the functionality of physical buttons without requiring the physical hardware, allowing users to interact with the same control interface through touch gestures on the display surface.
2Area of stationary object
If hard buttons are reduced in size, then device size is reduced, but ease of actuation during fast-paced gameplay deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical physical button system with a software-based touch interface. Instead of relying on mechanical actuation of small physical buttons, users interact through touch gestures on the display, eliminating the size-action tradeoff inherent in physical buttons while maintaining responsive control for fast-paced gameplay.
3Ease of operation
If dedicated buttons are added to the front of the device, then game play control is improved, but device appearance and multifunctional usability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal virtual controller interface that serves multiple functions: it provides dedicated game control capabilities when needed while maintaining full compatibility with standard touch interactions for browsing, messaging, and other applications. The same touch display handles both gaming controls and general device operations, eliminating the need for separate dedicated buttons.
4Device complexity
If virtual controller neutral position is fixed, then implementation is simplified, but misstrikes and border interference increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the fixed neutral position from a static parameter to a dynamic one that automatically adjusts based on the user's hand position and device orientation. The neutral position is continuously recalculated based on detected touch characteristics, allowing the virtual controller to adapt to different usage scenarios and prevent misstrikes without adding significant implementation complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for use with a computing device having a touch sensitive display including a touch sensor configured to detect touches of a digit of a user. The method may include detecting an initial digit down position on the display via the touch sensor, and establishing a neutral position for a virtual controller at the digit down position. The method may further include detecting a subsequent movement of the digit relative to the initial digit down position, and determining a controller input parameter based on the subsequent movement of the digit relative to the initial digit down position. The method may further include generating a controller input message indicating the determined controller input parameter.