JP2002222042A - controller - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] It is possible to intuitively perform an operation for instructing a change of direction to the left and right, and moreover, the operation amount matches the actual operation amount as compared with an alternative on / off operation. Provide a controller capable of performing an operation. A grip portion (2) gripped by one hand (H1), a grip portion (3) rotatably attached to the grip portion (2) and gripped by the other hand (H2), and a portion between the grip portion (2) and the grip portion (3). And a detection device 8 for detecting a change amount of the relative rotation of the controller 1. Assembling of the grip portion 2 and the grip portion 3 such that the normal direction of the palm of the hand H1 gripping the grip portion 2 and the normal direction of the palm of the hand H2 gripping the grip portion 3 intersect each other, for example, at right angles. The position is defined.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a controller used for a game device, a simulation device, and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as a game device, for example, a home game device, a device which projects an image on a television screen under the control of a computer has been widely known. This type of game apparatus generally includes a controller as operation input means, and a game is played by operating the controller while watching an image displayed on a television screen. As such a game, for example, a role playing game, a shooting game, a racing game, and the like are known.

Here, in the role playing game, a game such as selecting YES / NO in response to a message displayed on the screen, or alternatively, advancing a character in any direction is performed. . In a shooting game, a game is performed in which a target image is projected on a television screen and a simulated shooting is performed aiming at the target image. In a racing game, a game in which a changing road image is projected on a television screen and a car image is steered in accordance with the road image is performed.

Conventionally widely used controllers include:
In many cases, the input operation is performed by selectively turning on / off the operation button. Such an on / off type controller did not cause much problem with the role playing game, but had problems with a shooting game, a racing game, and the like.

That is, in a role playing game, an alternative operation is often performed as an input operation.
A conventional off-type controller was sufficient. On the other hand, in a shooting game, for example, the direction of attack cannot be dealt with by an alternative selection of up, down, left, or right, and it is necessary to perform a quantitative operation steplessly, for example, slightly upward in the right direction.

[0006] When an input operation is performed using a controller capable of performing only an alternative operation in such a game requiring a stepless quantitative operation, it is difficult to perform a game calculation by a computer, and There is a problem that the game lacks interest because the player's feeling does not match the actual operation amount.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-103567 has proposed a controller utilizing a twisting operation.
According to this controller, a relatively large amount of operation can be input to the game device in a stepless manner by relatively twisting the pair of grip portions. As a controller capable of twisting operation, a technique disclosed as an information input device in JP-A-6-190145 is conventionally known.

[0008] However, in the conventional controller capable of twisting operation, since the rotation of the gripping portion is performed by twisting the wrist in the front-rear direction, it is necessary to change the image on the television screen in the left-right direction. Was instructed to change the direction to the left or right on the image by twisting the controller back and forth. For this reason, the conventional torsion-type controller has a problem that it is difficult for the player to intuitively change the image on the television screen to a desired direction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and allows an intuitive operation for instructing a left-right direction change. An object of the present invention is to provide a controller capable of performing an operation corresponding to an actual operation amount as compared with an off operation.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, a controller according to the present invention comprises a grip portion to be gripped by one hand, and a rotatably mounted grip on the grip portion to be gripped by the other hand. A gripper to be gripped, and detection means for detecting an amount of change in relative rotation between the gripper and the gripper, and gripping the gripper with the normal direction of the palm of the hand gripping the gripper. The normal direction of the palm of the hand is crossed with each other. In this configuration, the “detection unit” can be configured using, for example, a detection unit using a rotary variable resistor as a detection element, a so-called volume.

In this controller, the player performs a direction change operation by gripping the grip portion and rotating the grip portion attached to the grip portion left and right. For this reason, the direction change of the image in the left-right direction matches the operation direction of the controller, and the direction of the image can be changed to a desired direction by an intuitive operation of the player. As a result, in a game such as a ski game, a drive game, a flight simulator, or the like, in which a character on a video is frequently changed in the left-right direction, the player can perform an intuitive operation.

In the controller having the above-mentioned structure, it is preferable that the grip is attached to a tip of the grip. This makes it easier for the player to grip the grip portion.

[0013] In the controller having the above configuration,
It is desirable that the grip portion has a wide flat shape or a spherical surface in a direction perpendicular to its own rotation axis. These make it easier for the player to grip the grip portion.

Further, in the controller having the above configuration,
Preferably, the grip has a convex curved surface that matches the palm. Thereby, the operability by the player can be further improved.

Further, in the controller having the above configuration,
It is desirable to provide an operation switch on the grip.
This makes it possible to output the operation amount according to the operation switch in addition to the operation amount due to the rotation of the grip portion.

In the controller having the above configuration,
The outer shape of the grip portion may be a cylindrical shape or a rectangular tube shape. Further, the surface may be formed by adding an uneven surface corresponding to a finger to the surface of the cylinder or the surface of the square tube. With these shapes, it is possible to improve the grip of the grip portion by the player.

In the controller having the above configuration,
When a cable including wiring or the like extending from the detection means is provided, it is desirable that the cable be drawn out of the grip portion to the outside. This can prevent the cable from hindering the rotation of the gripper that rotates with respect to the gripper.

In the controller having the above configuration,
Preferably, the grip is held at a neutral position by an elastic force. Here, the “elastic force” can be provided by a coil spring or another type of spring. According to this configuration, the controller is always placed in the neutral position in a natural state in which no force is applied to the grip portion, so that the reliability of the operation by the player is ensured.

In the above-mentioned controller, it is preferable that a bottom surface of the grip portion is a flat surface and a cable is drawn out from a portion other than the bottom surface of the grip portion. The controller according to the present invention can be operated with the grip portion suspended in the air, or can be operated with the bottom surface of the grip portion placed on the floor. For children and girls with small hands and weak power, it is considered that the operation is easier if the operation is performed with the bottom surface of the grip portion placed on the floor.

In this case, if the bottom surface of the grip portion is flat, the operation becomes easier. Also,
If the cable extending from the controller to the outside extends from the bottom surface of the grip portion, the cable may hinder the mounting of the bottom surface of the grip portion on the floor. On the other hand, if the position where the cable extends to the outside of the controller is set to a part other than the bottom of the grip,
When the bottom surface of the grip portion is placed on the floor surface, the cable does not become an obstacle.

[0021]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below based on embodiments. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a controller according to the present invention. The controller 1 has a grip portion 2 that is gripped by one hand H1 of the player, and a grip portion 3 attached to the tip of the grip portion 2 (that is, the upper end in FIG. 1). The grip part 3 has a substrate 4 attached to the grip part 2 and a cover 6 attached to the substrate 4. The cover 6 of the grip portion is gripped by the other hand H2 of the player.

The grip portion 2 has an external shape, for example,
It is formed in a cylindrical shape, and an uneven pattern 16 for preventing slip is formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof. Gripping part 3
Is attached to the tip of the grip portion 2 so as to be rotatable about the central axis X0 of the grip portion 2 as shown by an arrow A. Note that the rotation center of the grip portion 3 does not necessarily have to coincide with the central axis of the grip portion 2.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the grip 3 is formed in a flat shape that is wide in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis X0. The top surface of the grip portion 3, that is, the surface of the cover 6 is a convex curved surface suitable for the palm of the hand H2, for example, a part of a sphere surface, a part of an ellipsoid surface, a part of a dome-shaped surface other than a sphere and an ellipse, or a plurality. It is formed by one of various surfaces, such as a three-dimensional surface combining various types of curved surfaces.

With the above structure, when the player holds the controller 1 with both hands in a natural state, the normal direction of the palm of the hand H1 having the grip portion 2 is the axis X in FIG.
The normal direction of the palm of the hand H2 gripping the grip portion 3 is parallel to the axis X0.
In other words, the normal direction of the palm of the hand H1 holding the grip portion 2 and the normal direction of the palm of the hand H2 holding the grip portion 3 intersect each other, and in the present embodiment, intersect at a substantially right angle. The crossing angle between both palms does not necessarily have to be a right angle as in the present embodiment, and may be set to an appropriate crossing angle other than a right angle by inclining the grip portion 2 at an appropriate angle.

2 (a) and 2 (b), a circuit board 7 fixed to the board 4 and a volume attached to the
That is, the rotary variable resistor 8 is provided. On the front surface of the cover 6, two operation switches 12 each composed of a switching element 9 and an operation piece 11 are provided side by side. By pressing the operation piece 11 toward the inside of the cover 6, the electrical connection state of the switching element 9 can be switched.

The number of operation switches 12 is not limited to two, but may be one or three or more. Further, an operation switch may not be provided.
The switching element 9 is formed by a mechanical switch such as a micro switch.

In FIG. 2B, the substrate 4 of the grip portion 3 is rotatably connected to the tip of the grip portion 2 by an arbitrary rotary connection structure. Further, a coil spring 13 as an elastic force generating member is provided between the grip part substrate 4 and the tip of the grip part 2. The place where the coil spring 13 is in the natural state is the neutral position of the substrate 4, that is, the grip portion 3.

In FIG. 2A, a control circuit 16 is mounted at an appropriate position on the circuit board 7. This control circuit 16
The output signals of the switching elements 9 and 9 are input, processed and output if necessary. Further, the control circuit 16 inputs the analog output signal of the variable resistor 8, converts the analog output signal into a digital signal, and outputs the digital signal. The number of stages of digitization is appropriately set as needed.

In FIG. 2B, a hollow hole penetrating in the direction of the axis X0 is provided inside the grip portion 2, and the cable 14 is inserted into the hollow hole. The distal end of the cable 14 penetrates a hole (not shown) provided in the gripper substrate 4, enters the inside of the gripper 3, and is connected to an output terminal of the control circuit 16. As a result, the output signal of the variable resistor 8 and the output signal of the operation switch 12 are guided to the outside through the cable 14 as an operation amount by the player. Since the grip portion 3 rotates about the axis X0, a hole provided in the substrate 4 for allowing the cable 14 to pass therethrough has a shape that allows relative movement between the substrate 4 and the cable 14, for example, a long hole. It is desirable.

Since the controller 1 of the present embodiment is configured as described above, for example, when this controller 1 is connected to a game device and used as an operation input device, as shown in FIG. The grip part 2 is gripped by one hand H1, and the cover 6 of the grip part 3 is further gripped by the other hand H2. Then, when it is desired to input an operation amount to the game device, the user operates the operation switch 12 or moves the grip portion 3 to the grip portion 2 in either a forward or counterclockwise direction indicated by an arrow A. Operation is performed by rotating at a desired angle and at a desired speed in a direction to be performed.

When the grip 3 is rotated by an appropriate angle with respect to the grip 2, the resistance value of the variable resistor 8 changes in accordance with the rotation angle. It is read as a change or the like, and the analog change amount is digitized as necessary. The read amount of electricity is the amount of operation of the operation performed by the player, and the amount of operation is transmitted to the game device or the like via the cable 14 and used as the amount of operation for advancing the game.

In the controller 1 of this embodiment, the player performs an operation by gripping the grip portion 2 and rotating the grip portion 3 attached to the grip portion 2 right and left. Therefore, for example, the direction change of the image on the display screen of the game device in the left-right direction matches the operation direction of the controller, and the image can be changed in the desired direction by the player's intuitive operation. As a result, in a game such as a ski game, a drive game, a flight simulator, or the like, in which a character on a video is frequently changed in the left-right direction, the player can perform an intuitive operation.

FIG. 3 shows an example of use when the controller 1 described above is used as an operation input device of a video game device. TV game device 21 shown here
Is a television receiver 26 provided with a game device main body 22, a display 28 and a speaker 29, an external storage device 27 such as a ROM cartridge, a CD-ROM, an IC cartridge and the like, and a controller 1 as an operation input device.
And As the controller 1, the controller 1 shown in FIG. 1 can be used. The television receiver 26 includes a video terminal 23 and an audio terminal 24.

The external storage device 27 stores the game device main body 22.
Is connected to the CPU 31 via the input / output interface 25 by being mounted on a mounting location provided at a predetermined location, for example, a mounting recess. The controller 1 is connected to the connector 20 provided at an appropriate position on the game device main body 22 by inserting the cable 14 of the controller 1 (see FIG.
31. The output cable 38 of the game device main body 22 is connected to the video terminal 23 and the audio terminal 24 of the television receiver 26.

The game apparatus main body 22 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs various calculations relating to the game.
nit) 31 and temporarily store programs and data
RAM (Random Acces) used as a work area for PU28, a temporary file file, etc.
s (Memory) 32 and a VDC (video / video) for processing image data read from the external storage device 27 or image data created by a program so that they can be displayed on the display 28.
A display controller) 33, a VRAM 34 that temporarily stores data processed by the VDC 33, and a VCE that incorporates color pallet information and converts a digital color image signal sent from the VDC 33 into color pallet information, and thus into an RGB signal and a video signal. (Video color
An encoder 36) and a PSG (program sound generator) 37 for generating an audio signal integrated with the image.

The data processing performed by the VDC 33 includes, for example, dividing image data into backgrounds (that is, background images) and sprites (that is, characters), display patterns, display positions and display colors on a display, and the like. A process of adding information to image data can be considered.

The television receiver 26 is a device that receives a television signal distributed from a commercial television station at an ordinary home, displays an image on a screen of a display 28, and reproduces sound through a speaker 29. Usually, this television receiver 26
Are purchased at ordinary households irrespective of the game apparatus main body 22.

The game apparatus main body 22 is usually put on the merchandise distribution process as a single unit. Further, the external storage device 27 is usually placed in the merchandise distribution process as one unit itself, and various games are individually stored in the external storage device 27, and the external storage device 27 is exchanged. By being mounted on the game apparatus main body 22, the player can play a game as desired.

Since the video game device according to the present embodiment is constructed as described above, the external storage device 27 storing the desired game program is mounted at a predetermined mounting position of the game device main body 22, and the controller 1 is connected to the connector. 20, the output cable 38 is plugged into the television receiver 26, and the power switch (not shown) of the game apparatus main body 22 is turned on, the game is started, and the game image is displayed on the screen of the display 28. At the same time, a sound is generated from the speaker 29.

For example, when a driving game is considered as a game, the screen of the display 28 includes, for example, the display 2 as shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b).
The vehicle image 39 and the road image 41 are displayed in the screen 8. The direction of the road image 41 changes in accordance with the game program, and FIG. 4A shows a curve to the left, and FIG. 4B shows a curve to the right.

The own vehicle image 39 is displayed so that its traveling direction changes to either the left or right direction according to the operation of the controller 1 by the player. For example, FIG.
As shown in (a), when the grip part 3 is rotated counterclockwise as indicated by an arrow B by the operation of the player, the own vehicle image 39 turns left in the screen. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the gripper 3 is turned clockwise as indicated by arrow C by the operation of the player, the own vehicle image 39 turns rightward in the screen.

When the above operation is performed, if the controller 1 according to the present invention is used, the player performs the operation by gripping the grip portion 2 and rotating the grip portion 3 attached to the grip portion 2 left and right. The direction change of the vehicle image 39 in the left-right direction matches the operation direction of the controller, and the image can be changed in the desired direction by the player's intuitive operation.

Further, it is possible to perform an operation corresponding to an actual operation amount such as an actual operation of a steering wheel of an automobile.
This can give a greater satisfaction to the player as compared to a controller that can only perform alternative on / off operations.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the controller according to the present invention. The controller according to the present invention,
As in the controller 1 shown in FIG. 5A, the grip portion 2 can be formed in a rectangular tube shape, and further, the grip portion 2 can be provided with an uneven surface 42 adapted to a finger. Also, like the controller 1 shown in FIG.
The grip 3 may be formed in a spherical shape.

FIG. 6 shows still another embodiment of the controller according to the present invention. This embodiment differs from the previous embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in that the cable 14 extends to the outside from a portion other than the bottom surface 2 a of the grip portion 2, in this embodiment, a lower portion of the grip area of the grip portion. That is, the bottom surface 2a of the portion 2 is formed as a flat surface, and the area D of the bottom surface 2a of the grip portion 2 is increased. In FIG. 6, the same components as those shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

According to the present embodiment, since the cable 14 extends to the outside from a portion other than the bottom surface 2a of the grip portion 2, the grip portion 2 is not obstructed by the cable 14.
The operation of the gripping part 3 can be performed in a state where the bottom surface 2a is placed on the floor surface 18. Further, since the bottom surface 2a of the grip portion 2 is a flat surface, the bottom surface 2a can be easily placed on the floor surface 18. Further, since the area D of the bottom surface 2a is wider than in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the controller 1 can be stably placed on the floor surface 18.

(Other Embodiments) The present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments, and various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims. Can be modified.

For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a rotary variable resistor is used as the detecting means. However, instead of this, a linear moving variable resistor or a rotation angle detecting device other than the variable resistor is used. Elements can be used.

Further, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2B, the cable 14 is drawn out from the bottom surface of the grip portion 2, but the cable 14 is drawn out from another portion of the grip portion 2 or the grip portion 3 is pulled out. It can also be pulled out from outside. However, the rotation of the grip 3 is controlled by the cable 14.
Cable 1 so that it is not disturbed by
It is desirable to pull 4 out of the grip portion 2.

[0050]

According to the controller of the present invention, the player can perform the operation for changing the direction by gripping the grip and rotating the grip attached to the grip to the left and right. The direction change in the left-right direction matches the operation direction of the controller, so that the image can be changed in the desired direction by the player's intuitive operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing an embodiment of a controller according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the controller of FIG. 1;
Is a top view, and (b) is a partially cutaway side view.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electric control system of an example of a video game device which is an example of use of the controller according to the present invention.

4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a game content displayed on a display screen of the video game device in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the controller according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing still another embodiment of the controller according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Controller 2 Grip part 3 Grip part 4 Substrate 6 Cover 7 Circuit board 8 Variable resistor (detection means) 12 Operation switch 13 Coil spring (elastic member) 14 Cable 39 Own vehicle image 41 Road image 42 Irregular surface

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Yoshitaka Fukao 2-8-5 Tamagawa, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term (reference) 2C001 AA09 CA00 CA01 CA04 CB01 CB06 CC02 CC08 5B087 AA09 AB02 BC02 BC11 BC16 5E030 CB04

Claims (9)

[Claims] A grip portion gripped by one hand; a grip portion rotatably attached to the grip portion and gripped by the other hand; and a relative rotation between the grip portion and the grip portion. Detecting means for detecting the amount of change of the hand, wherein the normal direction of the palm of the hand gripping the grip portion and the normal direction of the palm of the hand gripping the grip portion intersect each other. . 2. The controller according to claim 1, wherein the grip is attached to a tip of the grip. 3. The controller according to claim 1, wherein the grip portion has a wide flat shape or a spherical shape in a direction perpendicular to its own rotation axis. 4. The controller according to claim 1, wherein the grip portion has a convex curved surface suitable for a palm. 5. The controller according to claim 1, wherein an operation switch is provided on the grip portion. 6. The at least one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the outer shape of the grip portion is a cylindrical shape, a rectangular tube shape, or a shape having an uneven surface adapted to a finger. Controller that features. 7. The controller according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a cable that is pulled out from the grip portion to the outside. 8. The controller according to claim 1, wherein the grip is held at a neutral position by an elastic force. 9. The grip according to claim 1, wherein a bottom surface of the grip portion is a flat surface, and a cable that is drawn out from a portion other than the bottom surface of the grip portion to the outside. And controller.