Technical descriptions – Anthony Argueta ENGL profile

Technical Description

Sazid Hossain, Daniel Shi, Anthony Argueta

The City College Of New York (CCNY)

ENGL 21007: Writing for Engineering

Prof. Sara Jacobson

First Draft: Monday, April 1, 2024

Technical Description

The Wii was a console that was popular during the early 2000s and 2010s, a key component to gaming was the motion sensor remote that would pair to the TV and allow the user to play the game using the motion of the controller. A Wii remote’s outer components give the remote such an iconic look partly due to the buttons, which consist of its unique layout that are uniquely placed to adhere to the gaming experience making the controller easy to get used to and play; The family aspect of the controller was so appealing at the time as it made the controller easy to use. Sensors played a huge role in the experience of the Wii which made the console unique as a concept; the Wii remote solely relies on its sensors to play any game as you would have to aim the controller at the TV to select anything in the Video game you were playing. Many games on the Wii also required the sensor to be active and working so that the live and interactive parts of games such as “Wii Sports” required the player to perform some sort of active motion depending on the sport so that they could play it well. The battery compartment is like any run of the mil controller, it is on the back of the Wii remote, and it powers the controller using two double A batteries. The strap was a part of the controller’s iconic design and it had to do with the safety of the users and device control. It is important to note that before you would start any game there would be a guideline or instructions detailing how to equip the wrist strap to your hand whilst showing you what may happen if you were to not wear one when playing and if you were; they would do this by showing someone without a wrist strap breaking a vase. For the level of use that comes out of the controller, it is rather simple when torn apart the components don’t exceed expectations and the controller is very “basic” but at the time it was extremely transformative as it combined the reclusiveness of a video game console, but it also involved the family which made it such a great seller.

Parts

Buttons

The buttons on the Wii controller played a crucial role in enhancing the players gaming experience. The button layout contributes to this factor by giving a distinct layout which the players appreciated due to the simplistic and easy to use design. The buttons are used for general tasks like selecting and confirming tasks in video games, whilst allowing the back-out of video games to the home screen. The simplistic nature of the controller shows with its buttons that are labeled “A” in the front and “B” (the trigger button) on the back, “1” and “2” buttons on the front, the “+” and “-” button for accessibility and finally the home button for quick menu access. Ergonomics were achieved with this design while also making sure the users immersed into the gaming experience without issues.

Sensors

The Wii Remote consisted of many sensors that revolutionized the gaming experience and the gaming industry. The inferred IR sensor, accelerometer and the gyroscope intertwined harmoniously to give the player a full sensory gaming experience. The focus of the Wii console and the Wii Remote is to get the players to be interactive using gestures and motions breaking the two-dimensional barrier of video games. Aiming the Wii remote at the screen or TV became one-to-one connected with the gameplay, this was used for navigation and menu selections. Application/games like “Wii Sports” brought the most out of the sensor technology in the controller, since gestures and specific movements were needed for gameplay that imitated real-life actions. The sensors of the Wii Remote tied together the entire gaming experience of the Wii Console.

Battery Compartment

This remote has a simple battery compartment positioned in the back of the remote which requires two AA batteries to power the device. The battery compartment is a technological standard, and every piece of technology needs a source of power. The design is also simple, which is aimed at ensuring uninterrupted gameplay and making the thought of batteries the last thing the player thinks about while using the Wii.

Strap

A safety wrist strap is attached to the end of the controller to ensure the user’s safety when using the controller, primarily used during the gaming aspect to prevent injury and damage to the remote. In addition, this feature also secures the player’s hands to the controller, adding grip and stability. When certain games require specific high range of motion gestures like for example golfing in Wii Sports, it keeps the controller from being launched out of the player’s hands.

Subparts

Body

Front Face

The front face of the Wii remote is the first half of the controller casing, the front face has specific shapes grooved into the shell to provide space for the buttons when placing it on the controller. These two parts of the controller hold all the buttons in place.

Back Panel

Like the front piece; the back piece of the controller is the second half of the casing and is made to have room for the battery compartment and the back trigger. These two parts of the controller hold all the buttons in place.

Speaker Grille

The Wii remote has a built-in speaker grille where the Wii reproduces audio from games. Audio is important to the gaming experience as it works in tandem with the rumble feature to enhance the gaming experience. The speaker is key to the game as some games have characters who directly speak through the remote to give instructions that are key to the game. The speaker also serves as a notification as it can alert you to anything happening within the game but also if your console is having any issues.

Sync Button

The sync button calibrates the remote to the Wii console after a set amount of time has passed. The sync button is important to the controller because it allows the controller to pair to the console, and without it the controller would be render useless as there’s no way that you could play without the sync button and its technology pairing the user to the console.

Buttons

A Button

The A Button primarily serves as a button to select and confirm an action in-game or menu. The A button is key when playing games on the console too as it serves as an integral piece to each game, events such as quick time events, character interaction, scene interaction are all key moments to use the A button.

B Button

The B button functions inversely to the A button, where a user would undo an action in a typical menu interface or return to the previous state. Like the A button, the B button is also an important piece to the gaming experience as it works in tandem with the A button as a secondary control in most games.

Directional Pad (D-Pad)

The directional pad allows the user to navigate the cursor or a game character in any direction the user desires with four directions: left, right, up, down; the D-pad sits directly above the A button. Gameplays wise the D-pad can help you navigate your character, camera angle, and navigate the menu; the D-pad serves as a more mechanical option to the motion sensor.

Home Button

The home button’s purpose is to quickly bring the user to the home menu of the console, allowing for a quick exit of a game to find a new game to play, restore the game to its previous state at the game’s menu, or to recalibrate additional Wii remotes.

Power Button

The power button serves a primary function to turn the system on and off. A force shutdown would involve holding the power button in the event when the console isn’t operating as intended.

Plus and minus Button

The plus and minus button are next to the home button, and it allows for many in-game and menu navigating functions. Functions such as camera zooming or character abilities in games could be used for the button along with more menu navigational abilities; creating a more versatile controller.

1 and 2 Buttons

The 1 and 2 buttons are like the plus and minus buttons as they serve a purpose in some games in which the controls may be required. The 1 and 2 buttons can be used to navigate the Wii menu, most likely when switching between user profiles and configuring controls.

Trigger Buttons (on the underside)

The trigger button on the remote serves as a B button which allows the user to deselect anything that may have accidentally been selected by the A button; it also may be used in gameplay experience.

Sensors

Infrared (IR) Sensor

The inferred Sensor in a part of the Wii motion plus technology as it intertwines with the motion sensing of the gyroscope which allows it to calculate the distance and position of the remote to the TV to properly adjust game sensitivity and play

Accelerometer

The Accelerometer works like a gyroscope as it is a sensor that reads motion on the game using lines to determine the axis. This goes hand-in-hand with the Wii Motion Plus technology as the Accelerometer allows for the motion sensor to work properly and allows the user to perform gestures and actions with the console being able to fully recognize the input.

Gyroscope

The gyroscope is the part of the controller that controls the rotation of the controller allowing for lines and data to be processed on a plane of live motion. The gyroscope fine tunes the mechanics of motion allowing for stronger control of the motion sensor and increased stabilization.

Vibration Motor

The vibration motor was a feature that would alert the player of anything happening in the game; something like the ground shaking in the game would make the controller vibrate and allow the user to feel more immersed in the experience.

Battery Cover

A cover over the battery compartment is used to protect the batteries from falling out of place.

Batteries

The batteries used in the Wii Remote need two AA batteries to power and run the device. Without the batteries, the device will not function, and the Wii console won’t be accessible.

Strap Lock

An accessory on the wrist strap that allows the user to adjust the straps length around the user’s wrist.

Whole item

Citation: The Wii Remote. (2010). amazon.com. Retrieved 2010, from https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FWii-Remote-Plus-White Nintendo%2Fdp%2FB0045FGET2&psig=AOvVaw1NmFAxPL_JuxgRLXmifDhL&ust=1711943479167000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBIQjRxqFwoTCOCg-8fMnYUDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAN.

The Wii remote fully taken apart

Citation: carlysimmons3. (2017). Wii Remote Disassembled. My First Teardown. Retrieved 2017, from https://makingstudio.blog/2017/09/18/my-first-teardown/.

Buttons

Citation: Emily, et al. (2024). The Wii Remote Buttons. Nintendo Wii Remote Main Buttons Replacement. Retrieved 2024, from https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Nintendo+Wii+Remote+Main+Buttons+Replacement/14708.

Trigger

Emily, et al. (2023). Wii Remote Trigger Button. Nintendo Wii Remote B Trigger Button Replacement. Retrieved 2023, from https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Nintendo+Wii+Remote+B+Trigger+Button+Replacement/14706

IR Sensor

Citation: Lin, M., & Lee, K. (2020). The Wii Remote IR Sensor. Outdoor Target Positioning Using Wii Remote IR Camera and Signal Modulation. MDPI. Retrieved 2020, from https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/20/8/2163.

Accelerometer

Citation: Tinoco, H. A. (2016). The Wii Remote’s Accelerometer. Fig 3. ResearchGate. Retrieved 2016, from https://www.researchgate.net/figure/a-Views-of-the-Wiimote-and-b-Localization-of-IR-camera-accelerometer-and-Bluetooth_fig3_304114561.

Battery Compartment

Citation: carlysimmons3. (2017). Wii Remote Battery Compartment. My First Teardown. Retrieved 2017, from https://makingstudio.blog/2017/09/18/my-first-teardown/

Strap/Start Lock

Citation: Sinclair, B. (2006). The Wii Remote Strap. Nintendo replaces weak Wii straps. GameSpot. Retrieved 2006, from https://www.gamespot.com/articles/nintendo-replaces-weak-wii-straps/1100-6163251/

Vibration Motor/Rumble Device

Citation: carlysimmons3. (2017). Wii Remote Vibration Motor. My First Teardown. Retrieved 2017, from https://makingstudio.blog/2017/09/18/my-first-teardown/

Bibliography

The Wii Remote. (2010). amazon.com. Retrieved 2010, from

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FWii-Remote-Plus-WhiteNintendo%2Fdp%2FB0045FGET2&psig=AOvVaw1NmFAxPL_JuxgRLXmifDhL&ust=1711943479167000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBIQjRxqFwoTCOCg-8fMnYUDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAN

carlysimmons3. (2017). Wii Remote Disassembled. My First Teardown. Retrieved 2017, from

https://makingstudio.blog/2017/09/18/my-first-teardown/.

Emily, et al. (2024). The Wii Remote Buttons. Nintendo Wii Remote Main Buttons Replacement. Retrieved 2024, from

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Nintendo+Wii+Remote+Main+Buttons+Replacement/14708

Lin, M., & Lee, K. (2020). The Wii Remote IR Sensor. Outdoor Target Positioning Using Wii Remote IR Camera and Signal Modulation. MDPI. Retrieved 2020, from

https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/20/8/2163.

Tinoco, H. A. (2016). The Wii Remote’s Accelerometer. Fig 3. ResearchGate. Retrieved 2016, from

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/a-Views-of-the-Wiimote-and-b-Localization-of-IR-camera-accelerometer-and-Bluetooth_fig3_304114561

carlysimmons3. (2017). Wii Remote Battery Compartment. My First Teardown. Retrieved 2017, from

https://makingstudio.blog/2017/09/18/my-first-teardown/

Sinclair, B. (2006). The Wii Remote Strap. Nintendo replaces weak Wii straps. GameSpot. Retrieved 2006, from

https://www.gamespot.com/articles/nintendo-replaces-weak-wii-straps/1100-6163251/

carlysimmons3. (2017). Wii Remote Vibration Motor. My First Teardown. Retrieved 2017, from

https://makingstudio.blog/2017/09/18/my-first-teardown/

Emily, et al. (2023). Wii Remote Trigger Button. Nintendo Wii Remote B Trigger Button Replacement. Retrieved 2023, from

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Nintendo+Wii+Remote+B+Trigger+Button+Replacement/14706

My second technical description about a grenade

Technical Description

Anthony Argueta

The City College Of New York (CCNY)

ENGL 21007: Writing for Engineering

Prof. Sara Jacobson

Final Draft: Monday, April 12, 2024

Technical Description

The No. 5 Mills Bomb, officially known as the “Grenade, Hand, No. 5,” was a hand grenade used by the British Army during World War I and would be in many soldier’s loadouts. The grenade was developed by the British engineer William Mills in 1915, it represented a significant advancement in grenade technology at the time, and because of the timely creation of the hand grenade and the need for it; the grenade became widely used among soldiers. The grenade was made up of a cast iron or steel body similar to the looks of a honeycomb with grooves made to allow for better grip when throwing the grenade, a strike or ignition mechanism that would make the hand grenade explode with the use of a serrated lever, and a detonator assembly containing explosive compounds like TNT or Amatol. Its simple yet effective design made it a crucial weapon for infantry soldiers during the war. During World War I, the No. 5 Mills Bomb became widely used by the British in WW1. The grenade being so revolutionary at the time made it deadly to the enemy, as it provided soldiers with a powerful and reliable explosive for combat and trench warfare. The grenade’s ability to be thrown long distances and its devastating blast radius made it a fear amongst enemies if one of these grenades were even close to your trench or got into your base it would cause a lot of destruction. The grenades widespread use contributed significantly to the British’s force and power during the war.

Parts

Body

The body of the WW1 British Mills No. 5 hand grenade was typically made of iron or steel. The design of the grenade was oval-like and the circumference was approximately 3 inches which made handling many grenades easy but most importantly making the grenade light enough for soldiers to carry. The grenade’s shell was either smooth or had slight ridges or grooves for grip. These different exteriors allowed for efficient handling and throwing during combat situations. Most importantly the shell of the grenade encases all the parts and ingredients needed to make it work such as the TNT

The filling Hole

The filling hole of the grenade is self-explanatory and it’s a hole in which the TNT is inserted into the grenade so that it can be armed.

Percussion cap

The percussion cap is used to generate a fuse and it is part of the fuse assembly. The percussion cap burns the material at a controlled rate to create and help with the time delay. After the spark is generated the delay starts

Fuse Mechanism

The fuse mechanism of the grenade was a set of procedures the grenade would go through to make the fuse work such as the lever and the time delay. The grenade needed parts such as the lever to initiate the action alongside the pin which would start the timer initiating the time delay so that the soldier could throw the grenade

Detonator

the detonator assembly was located near the center. It consisted of a primer and a detonator charge. Primer was needed to get the fuse started which essentially made the primer the filling.

After the fuse mechanism is initiated the striker hits the percussion cap which lights the fuse. As the fuse burns down, it reaches the detonator cord, transmitting the ignition signal to the detonator assembly. The primer would ignite the start of the grenades timer which would trigger the detonator charge, which in turn set off the main explosive and then make the grenade explode.

Filling

The filling of a grenade was usually TNT and this would be put inside of the grenade to act as the main ingredient. The filling would make it so that the fuse mechanism had something to ignite and work off of to blow up. Without the grenade filling there would be no explosion.

Safety Pin

The point of a safety pin is so that the grenade isn’t ignited before intended use providing safety. The safety pin is typically inside a little hole in the fuse assembly which made it easy to rip off the safety pin when intended for use. To use a grenade the safety pin must be removed and this would ignite the grenade’s fuse mechanism allowing for the grenade to be thrown.

Striker Lever

Once the safety pin is pulled out the striker can be used; the striker is a spring-loaded lever in the assembly. Once the striker is oppressed the fusing starts burning, once it is pressed there is a delay and the grenade must be used within the delay time

Detonator Cord

The detonator cord is connected to the fuse mechanism and it is a wire that runs inside the grenade body. When the safety pin is pulled the detonator cord is set on fire and the fire travels down the grenade inside the body going into the grenade filler. The detonator cord is also another safety percussion because it gives the grenade a delay time like most other mechanisms and it allows for a safety period in which the grenade is not exploding.

Pictures:

Whole item

Citation: UXO News Wire Service (UXO Blog): Short History of the Mills Bomb – Grenade No. 5, UK, 1915

The WW1 British MNo.s No5 hand grenade taken apart

Citation: British “Mills Bomb” (2 of 3) – Inert-Ord.Net

Citation: Identifying WW2 Mills Hand Grenade Makers and Parts. – Dalditch Camp, History, And Finds on Woodbury Common, Devon.

The body of the grenade

Fuse Mechanism

Citation: British “Mills Bomb” (1 of 3) – Inert-Ord.Net

Detonator; the detonator is a tube inside the grenade that transports the filling of the grenade and lights the grenade

Citation: Mills bomb hi-res stock photography and images – Alamy

Filling , the percussion cap and the filling hole