Virtual Joystick on Touch Screen for Precise Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional touch screen devices lack an effective method to replicate the functionality of a physical joystick for user interaction in electronic devices, particularly in applications requiring precise control and orientation, such as gaming and navigation, using only touch screen inputs.

Innovation Solution

A virtual joystick generator is implemented on a touch screen device, processing touch data to create a visual representation of a joystick and generate corresponding joystick data, allowing users to interact with virtual joysticks for controlling on-screen objects, with features like boundary detection, orientation feedback, and adjunct buttons, using processing resources like microprocessors and graphics generators.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a physical joystick is used for user interaction, then precise control and orientation are achieved, but device complexity and portability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of a physical joystick on the touch screen display. This virtual joystick replica provides the same control functionality and precision as a physical joystick without adding physical complexity to the device. The virtual joystick is rendered as a graphical interface element that responds to touch inputs, effectively copying the essential functionality of a physical joystick in a software-based solution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical joystick system with a software-based virtual joystick interface. Instead of using physical mechanical components (joystick stem, base, springs, potentiometers), the system uses touch screen detection and software processing to achieve the same control objectives. This substitution eliminates mechanical complexity while maintaining control precision through digital signal processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If a virtual joystick is implemented on touch screen, then device portability is maintained, but control precision and user experience are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice portabilityVSAvoidcontrol precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements visual feedback mechanisms where the virtual joystick display element responds dynamically to touch inputs. The joystick indicator shows the direction and magnitude of user input in real-time, providing tactile-like feedback through visual cues. This feedback loop enhances the user's perception of control precision and makes the interaction more intuitive, compensating for the lack of physical tactile feedback.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes color changes and visual transformations of the virtual joystick interface to indicate different states, directions, and input levels. The virtual joystick may change color intensity, saturation, or hue based on the direction and pressure of touch inputs, providing rich visual feedback that enhances control precision and user experience without requiring physical components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Ease of manufacture

If touch data processing is used to generate joystick data, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent leverages the existing multi-functional touch screen capability to perform both display and input detection functions. The same touch screen hardware that displays the virtual joystick interface also detects touch inputs and generates control signals. This universal use of the touch screen eliminates the need for separate physical joystick hardware while the processing complexity is managed through integrated software routines that are part of the device's existing operating system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10646779B2Touch screen with virtual joystick and methods for use therewith

Publication Date: 2020.05.12 HOWARD JOHN W

AI summary

Joystick display data is generated for display on a touch screen of an electronic device. The joystick display data creates a visual representation of a virtual joystick when displayed on the touch screen. Touch data from the touch screen is processed to determine when the touch data indicates user interaction with the virtual joystick. When the touch data indicates user interaction with the virtual joystick, the joystick display data is adjusted to reflect the user interaction with the virtual joystick, based on the touch data, and joystick data is generated based on the user interaction with the virtual joystick. The display of at least one other element on the touch screen can be adjusted based on the joystick data.