Virtual Steering Wheel Touch Control for Driving Games
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle simulation technologies face challenges in providing realistic control interfaces, especially on cost-effective and compact platforms like handheld game devices, where simulating a steering wheel using joysticks or other input devices is not intuitive and lacks the ergonomic feel of a real steering wheel.
Innovation Solution
A touch-sensitive screen is used to display a virtual steering wheel, allowing users to control the vehicle's direction by determining vectors from the center to the touch point, with the angle and direction of rotation simulating the steering wheel's movement, and providing visual feedback for a more immersive experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a real steering wheel is used for vehicle simulation, then the realism and ergonomic feel are improved, but the cost and device size increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a two-dimensional graphical representation of a steering wheel displayed on a touch-sensitive screen to simulate the three-dimensional physical steering wheel. This copying approach allows users to interact with a visual replica that mimics the appearance and basic functionality of a real steering wheel without requiring the actual physical device, thereby reducing cost and size while maintaining visual realism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical steering wheel mechanism with a software-based simulation on a touch-sensitive display. Instead of physical rotation and mechanical feedback, the system uses touch input detection and graphical rendering to simulate steering wheel behavior, substituting mechanical systems with electronic and software-based solutions.
2Device complexity
If a joystick is used to simulate steering wheel control, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation and realism deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the touch-sensitive screen serve multiple functions: it displays the graphical steering wheel, detects touch inputs to simulate steering wheel rotation, and provides visual feedback. This multi-functionality allows the same device to replace both the visual display and the physical control interface, eliminating the need for separate joystick hardware while maintaining operational intuitiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a traditional joystick that requires learning and adaptation, the patent inverts the approach by making the display screen itself the input device. Users interact with the graphical steering wheel directly through touch, which feels more intuitive and ergonomic because it mirrors the visual representation they see, rather than requiring translation to a different control paradigm.
3Ease of operation
If a touch-sensitive screen with virtual steering wheel is used, then the ease of operation and cost-effectiveness are improved, but the measurement precision and control accuracy may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements visual feedback by displaying the graphical steering wheel that responds to touch inputs in real-time. The system provides immediate visual confirmation of steering input through the movement and positioning of the graphical wheel, allowing users to see the direct result of their touch actions. This feedback loop helps users achieve accurate control by visually verifying their input magnitude and direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the touch-sensitive screen's ability to detect precise touch coordinates and converts these into rotational parameters for the virtual steering wheel. By changing the parameter representation from linear touch position to angular steering rotation, the system maintains control accuracy while preserving the intuitive touch-based interaction model.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle simulation such as for example a driving game can be provided by displaying an image of a steering wheel on a touch sensitive screen. Touch inputs are used to control the rotational orientation of displayed steering wheel. The rotational orientation of the displayed steering wheel is used to apply course correction effects to a simulated vehicle. Selective application of driver assist and different scaling of touch inputs may be provided.