Topic: So how does the controller work, anyway?

[NotSoStu]

As far as I know, the gyro works very much like an analog stick, with a central object and two potentiometers. But has there been any word on how the console detects the controller's location in 3D space? I've been racking my brain about this since it was unveiled, and I can't think of a (cheap) way for it to be done, excluding the route Microsoft took with the Xwand project.  

[Switchblade Cross]

Seing as how you must place a reciver bar by your TV, it is likley that Nintendo is using a modified GPS type system to loacte the 3D position of the controller.  Two transmitters send a signal to the controller, and judging by the split-second delay, derive its position.

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

Witt and Magick.  These don't take up much space.

360 relies on teknologikal muscle, and therefore its AC adaptor is larger than REVOLUTION.

[mantidor]

yeah, most likely triangulation.

[wandering]

except, wouldn't that require a third sensor?

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

err n/m

[BigJim]

Yep, triangulation. The 3rd sensor would be the controller itself.

[RABicle]

You need a receiver bar near the TV? What? This is the first I heard of that. I figured those were just stylish speakers and unrelated to the Rev.

The things that's got me is how, say for games that'll use it for light gun esque functions, it will know the borders of your television set. Do we calibrate it for different TVs or what?

[trip1eX]

Yeah my guess is the Revolution can measure the signal response times from the controller to the sensors on the sensor bar to calculate your location in 3d space.    It can also measure the tilt/rotation of the controller.  

So it always knows where you are in 3d space and it knows in which direction you are pointed.  Combine this with some type of calibration in order to account for various TV sizes and the various relative placements of  the sensor bar to the tv screen and it can calculate where are you pointing to on the screen.  

The calibration would really only be a one time setup as long as you don't move your TV or the sensor bar.   IT would probably involve pointing at the center and four corners of the screen like calibrating  a joystick on the pc and pressing a button each time.  And maybe repeating it a few times until it feels right.  


edit:  perhaps they'll make it a requirement to center the sensor bar over or under your TV.   I can see this helping calibration.

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

I remember reading about 2 sensors, one on each side of the TV.