Virtual Game Controller for Mobile Cloud Gaming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cloud-based video games played on mobile devices using touchscreens are hindered by the impracticality of concurrently manipulating multiple virtual buttons with thumbs, limiting player input and gaming experience due to the need for multiple fingers or touchpoints.
Innovation Solution
A virtual game controller is displayed on the touchscreen, configured with virtual buttons and a view panning area, allowing players to control avatar actions with just their thumbs by tapping or dragging, emulating the functionality of a physical game controller, converting single or dual touch inputs into control signals for aiming, moving, and adjusting the avatar's view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple virtual buttons are displayed on the touchscreen for cloud-based gaming, then the gaming functionality and control options are improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because players cannot concurrently manipulate multiple buttons with their thumbs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple control functions into a single virtual joystick interface. Instead of requiring separate buttons for movement directions and actions, the system integrates these controls into one unified joystick that can be manipulated with a single thumb, resolving the contradiction between comprehensive gaming functionality and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual joystick serves multiple functions simultaneously - it can control character movement, adjust camera angles, and trigger actions depending on the game context. This multi-functional design allows comprehensive gaming control to be achieved through a single interface element, maintaining versatility while improving ease of operation
2Measurement precision
If a virtual game controller is displayed on the touchscreen, then the control precision for avatar actions is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for virtual buttons and view panning area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a simplified copy of physical controller functionality by displaying a virtual joystick that replicates the essential control mechanics of physical game controllers. This virtual copy provides sufficient control precision for avatar actions without requiring the full complexity of physical button layouts and mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts only the essential control functions needed for gameplay from a full physical controller interface, implementing just the critical movement and action controls through the virtual joystick. This extraction maintains control precision for key actions while reducing overall interface complexity by omitting less essential controls
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method of displaying, on a touchscreen display of a mobile device, a virtual game controller having at least one virtual button configured to control multiple actions of an avatar representing a player within a video game executed by a remote gaming server. The player's interaction with the at least one virtual button is received through the touchscreen display and used to generate a control signal based on the received player interaction, the control signal being interpretable by the video game as an instruction to perform multiple actions in the video game. The control signal is transmitted from the mobile device for receipt by the remote gaming server executing the video game.