Wireless Gaming Headset Interface with Single Control Input

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current gaming headsets require users to become familiar with an increasing number of physical controls due to their enhanced functionality, which can be cumbersome and distracting during gameplay.

Innovation Solution

A wireless headset with a simplified user interface that uses a single control input, such as a depressible button, to manage multiple functions like power and volume, and provides audio and visual cues for status and input confirmation, reducing the complexity of control inputs and enhancing user experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple physical controls are added to the headset to provide increased functionality, then the headset capabilities are improved, but the device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheadset functionalityVSAvoidcontrol complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A single control input on the headset is configured to perform multiple functions including power control, volume adjustment, and mode switching. This multi-functional control reduces the number of physical controls while maintaining comprehensive headset capabilities, directly resolving the contradiction between functionality and control complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides audio and visual feedback cues to confirm control input status and headset state. This feedback mechanism allows users to understand what the single control input is doing without needing multiple physical controls or complex interfaces, improving ease of operation while maintaining full functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple physical controls are added to the headset to provide increased functionality, then the headset capabilities are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheadset functionalityVSAvoidcontrol input quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple control functions that would traditionally require separate physical controls are merged into a single control input. This consolidation reduces device complexity by minimizing the number of control elements while preserving all necessary headset functionalities through intelligent control logic

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8064972B2User interface for wireless headset on a gaming console

Publication Date: 2011.11.22 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

A wireless headset having a user interface configured to allow the user to utilize the full functionality of the headset while minimizing the number of physical control inputs necessary is described. The user interface may have a user input control that is configured to control more than one function of the headset. The user interface may also provide audio as well as visual outputs to the user to indicate a particular functionality of the headset being controlled by the user or a particular status of the headset.