JP3796447B2 - Game controller - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a game controller used for performing various operations in a game computer, a personal computer, or the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the conventional game controller 10 includes a horizontally long casing 11, and a cross-shaped key switch 12 and four operation switches 13 provided on the left and right sides of the top surface of the casing 11. The operation switch 14 provided in the central portion of the upper surface of the housing 11 and a connection cable 15 for connecting to a game computer or the like.
[0003]
The user holds both ends of the housing 11 with both hands and presses the cross-shaped key switch 12 and the operation switch 13 as appropriate to perform various game operations. The operation switch 14 is for performing an operation other than the normal game operation such as a reset switch, for example.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, the conventional game controller 10 is adapted to perform various operations following complicated game contents as the game software advances, so that a variety of games can be enjoyed. Furthermore, in order to further enhance the sense of reality corresponding to the game software, a vibration motor (not shown) is built in the housing 11, and when there is a collision in a car racing game, for example, the vibration motor is vibrated to vibrate the housing. There is also a device in which vibration is transmitted from the body 11 to the user's hand so that a sense of reality can be experienced. However, such a vibration motor is insufficient to give a sense of reality to the operation of the game controller 10.
[0005]
An object of the present invention is to provide a game controller that can fully experience the sense of presence during game operation.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has been made to achieve the above object, and includes a housing capable of gripping both ends with both hands, and a switch provided in the housing and operated with a left hand or a right hand, the housing, the first weight, a first guide means for guiding slidably said first weight between both ends of the housing, for moving said first weight to the sliding direction the characterized in that a first operation feeling generating mechanism having a first drive means.
[0007]
As a result, for example, when the weight is driven with acceleration in a predetermined direction, the reaction force in the direction opposite to the driving direction can be transmitted to the housing, so that the user can have a sufficient experience and the game software There is an effect that a sense of reality can be improved during operation.
[0008]
The present invention also provides the invention, the said housing in the body, and a second weight, said second guide and across the direction of the housing which guides slidably said second weight in a direction perpendicular means, wherein the provided second second for moving the weight in the orthogonal direction of the further second operating feeling generating mechanism and a drive means.
[0009]
Thereby, since the weight is driven in each of the front, rear, left and right directions of the game controller, the reaction force generated in the housing can be obtained in the front, rear, left and right, so that a sense of sensation that can improve the sense of reality can be obtained. There is an effect that can.
[0010]
Further, the present invention provides the first or second weight according to the above-mentioned invention, wherein wall members are provided on both end sides of the first or second guide means in the sliding direction of the first or second weight, respectively. Is characterized by colliding with the wall member when moving to one end side or the other end side.
[0011]
As a result, for example, by driving the weight in a predetermined direction at a predetermined speed and causing it to collide with the wall member, an impact force can be generated in the housing, and an impact sound can be generated. A bodily sensation can be obtained, and a sense of reality can be further improved when operating the game software.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0013]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view for explaining a game controller 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The game controller 100 includes a casing 101 composed of a horizontally long upper case 101a and a lower case 101b, a cross-shaped key switch 102 provided on the left side of the upper surface of the upper case 101a, four operation switches 103 provided on the right side, And an operation switch 104 provided in the center, a connection cable 105 for connection to a game computer or the like (not shown), and an operation feeling generating mechanism 106 provided in the lower case 101b. Yes.
[0014]
Furthermore, gripping portions 101c and 101d are formed on both sides of the housing 101 so as to protrude forward (rearward), so that both ends of the housing 101 can be gripped with both hands. The cross-shaped key switch 102 performs input in the corresponding direction by depressing each tip of the cross-shaped, and the operation switch 103 performs corresponding input by depressing each. Further, the operation switch 104 is for performing an operation that is not a normal operation, such as a reset switch.
[0015]
Although not shown, the upper case 101a accommodates a substrate on which a processing circuit for generating a corresponding operation signal when the cross key switch 102 and the operation switches 103 and 104 are operated is configured. . Further, the terminal on the game controller 100 side of the connection cord 105 is connected to this board, and signals are transmitted to the board and a game computer (not shown).
[0016]
Next, as shown in FIG. 1, the operation feeling generating mechanism section 106 has a shaft 108 (guide means) having a length over both ends in the longitudinal direction of the lower case 101b, and a bearing 107a through which the shaft 108 is inserted. A rectangular parallelepiped weight 107 slidable in the longitudinal direction of the shaft 108, and a support plate 109 having an L-shaped cross section that supports both ends of the shaft 108 and is fixed to the bottom surface of the lower case 101 b with screws 110, 110, 109 (wall member), push-type detection switches 111 and 111 having push levers 111a and 111a fixed to the bottom surface of the lower case 101b adjacent to each support plate 109, and fixed and rotated at the right end of the lower case 101b A drive motor 112 having a pulley 113 rotatably attached to a shaft and a support base 114 fixed to the left end are rotatably supported. Pulley 115, pulley 113, wire 116 hung on pulley 115, connecting member 117 that connects part of wire 116 and weight 107, and push lever fixed to the center of the back side wall of lower case 101 b And a push-type detection switch 118 having 118a. The pulley 113, the drive motor 112, the support base 114, the pulley 115, and the wire 116 constitute drive means. The wire 116 may be a rubber belt.
[0017]
When the weight 107 is positioned at the approximate center of the shaft 108, the push lever 118a of the detection switch 118 is pushed by the side surface on the back side of the weight 107, and the switch is turned on. When either end position moves and abuts against the side wall of the support base 109, the push lever 111a of the detection switch 111 is pushed on either side of the weight 107 so that the switch is turned on. .
[0018]
Although not shown, the wiring from the detection switches 111, 111, 118 and the drive motor 112 is connected to the substrate housed in the upper case 101a, and ON / OFF detection of the detection switches 111, 111, 118 is detected. A voltage for transmitting to the substrate or rotating the drive motor 112 from the substrate is applied.
[0019]
Next, the function of the operation feeling generation mechanism unit 106 will be described.
[0020]
First, the weight 107 is placed at the center position of the shaft 108 (detection switch 118 is ON). Next, when the drive motor 112 is rotated in accordance with a predetermined command from the board described above, the pulley 113 is rotated and the wire 116 is driven, for example, in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1, and the weight 107 is also pulled by the wire 116. Similarly, the movement proceeds in the direction A and collides with the side wall of the right support plate 109 to stop the movement. At this time, the push lever 111a of the detection switch 111 on the right side is pushed and turned ON, and the substrate that has received this ON signal stops the rotation of the drive motor 112.
[0021]
Thereafter, the weight 107 is returned to the center position, and when the predetermined command is issued again from the substrate, the weight 107 is similarly driven in the A or B direction.
[0022]
In this way, when the weight 117 is driven from the center position with acceleration in the A or B direction, the reaction in the direction opposite to the driving direction is transmitted to the housing 101. Moreover, when it is made to collide with the side wall of the support plate 109, an impact force is transmitted to the housing | casing 101 on the colliding side, and an impact sound can also be generated in connection with it. In addition, when the weight 107 is driven at a constant speed in the A or B direction and collides with the side wall of the support plate 109, only the impact force and the impact sound can be generated without generating the reaction force described above. It is possible to create a rich sense of operation.
[0023]
As described above, the weight 107 is not driven in the A or B direction from the central position, but is driven in the other direction from the state where both ends of the shaft 108 (one of the detection switches 111 and 111 is ON). It may be. In this case, a larger reaction force, impact force, or impact sound can be obtained.
[0024]
The game controller 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured as described above. The user holds the vicinity of the grip portions 101c and 101d of the housing 101 with both hands, and uses the cross-shaped key switch 102 and the operation switch 103. , The corresponding operation signal is generated by the processing circuit configured on the substrate accommodated in the housing 101, and various game software operations on the game computer or the like are performed via the connection cord 105. It is like that.
[0025]
At this time, by operating the operation feeling generating mechanism unit 106 according to the situation of the game software, when the weight 117 is driven with acceleration in the A or B direction, the reaction force in the opposite direction to the driving direction is applied to the housing 101. Further, when the weight 107 is driven in the A or B direction at a constant speed, for example, and collides against the side wall of the support plate 109, an impact force can be generated in the casing 101 on the colliding side.
[0026]
Thus, for example, in the case of a car racing game or the like, when the game controller 100 is assumed to be a handle, the handle is taken in a direction contrary to one's will by generating reaction force in the housing 101. It is possible to obtain a sense of experience, and at the time of the collision of the vehicle body, a large impact force is transmitted to the handle by generating an impact force or an impact sound on the casing 101 on the side of the collision, and as if there was an actual collision due to the impact sound. A bodily sensation can be obtained, a sufficient bodily sensation can be obtained, and a sense of reality can be improved when operating the game software.
[0027]
Depending on the type of game software, a more complex bodily sensation may be obtained by combining the reaction force generated by the operation sensation generating mechanism 106 and the impact force or collision sound.
[0028]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
[0029]
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the lower case 101b for explaining the operational feeling generating mechanism 200 according to the present embodiment.
[0030]
This embodiment shows an operation feeling generating mechanism unit 200 in which the drive means is a coil movable linear motor. The configuration in FIG. 2 is the same as that in the first embodiment except for the driving means, and common parts are denoted by common numbers. Further, parts other than the driving means, the weight 107, the shaft 108, the support plates 109 and 109, and the screws 110 and 110 are omitted for simplification.
[0031]
As shown in FIG. 2, the linear motor which is a driving means has a U-shaped yoke 201, a flat plate yoke 202, a flat plate magnet 203, and a coil bobbin 204 on which coil winding is applied. Then, the open side of the U-shaped yoke 201 is assembled so as to be closed by the flat yoke 202, and a flat magnet 203 is attached to the U-shaped bottom surface of the U-shaped yoke 201 to constitute a magnetic circuit. A flat yoke 202 is inserted into the coil bobbin 204 so that it can slide in the direction of arrow C in the figure. Further, the coil bobbin 204 is connected to the weight 107 by a connecting member (not shown). Note that a coil terminal (not shown) of the coil bobbin 204 is connected to the above-described substrate so that a current flows from the substrate to the coil at a predetermined time.
[0032]
The weight 107 is driven by causing a current in a predetermined direction to flow through the coil terminal of the coil bobbin 204, and causing the coil bobbin 204 to be applied in any of the C directions by the interaction with the magnetic flux from the N pole of the flat magnet 203 toward the flat yoke 202. This is done by generating a driving force in the direction. Note that the reaction force and impact force transmission to the housing 101 or the generation of impact sound are the same as in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted here.
[0033]
According to the present embodiment, since the height from the bottom surface of the lower case 101b of the linear motor, which is the driving means, can be arranged at the same height as the weight 107, the operation feeling generating mechanism unit 200 can be easily thinned. There is a merit that can be.
[0034]
In this embodiment, the coil bobbin 204 and the weight 107 are connected. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the coil bobbin 204 itself may be used as a weight. Thereby, the number of parts can be reduced. In this embodiment, the linear motor is a coil movable type. However, the present invention is not limited to this and may be a magnet movable type.
[0035]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
[0036]
FIG. 3 is a plan view for explaining the game controller 300 according to the present embodiment. In the figure, parts common to the first embodiment are given common numbers.
[0037]
The game controller 300 according to the present embodiment has a case 301 having a shape in which the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the case 101 in the first and second embodiments protrudes in the vertical direction (Y direction). The operation feeling generating mechanism unit 106 according to the first embodiment is arranged on the body 301 in the X direction and the Y direction, respectively. Therefore, the weights 107 and 107 included in each operation feeling generation mechanism unit 106 are driven in the X direction and the Y direction, respectively.
[0038]
By doing in this way, the reaction force, impact force, or impact sound which arises in the housing | casing 301 can be obtained by the drive of the weights 107 and 107 in right and left, and the bodily sensation which can improve a sense of reality more is obtained. There is an effect that can. Further, a more complex operational feeling may be obtained by combining these reaction power and impact force or impact sound.
[0039]
The cross-shaped key switch 102 and the operation switches 103 and 104 are provided on the top surfaces of the casings 101 and 301 in the first to third embodiments described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other types of switches such as a joystick are provided. It may be arranged or a combination thereof.
[0040]
The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes design changes and the like within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention. It is.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, there are a casing that can be held by both hands, and a key switch that is provided on both sides of the upper surface of the casing and that can be operated with the left hand or the right hand. In the housing, there is provided an operation feeling generating mechanism section having a weight, guide means for slidably guiding the weight between both ends of the housing, and driving means for moving the weight in the sliding direction. For example, when the weight is driven with acceleration in a predetermined direction, reaction force in the direction opposite to the driving direction can be transmitted to the housing, so that a sufficient experience can be obtained and when operating the game software There is an effect that it is possible to improve the sense of reality.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view for explaining a game controller 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of a lower case 101b for explaining an operational feeling generating mechanism unit 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a plan view for explaining a game controller 300 according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a conventional game controller 10;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Game controller 101, 301 Case 102 Cross-shaped key switch 103, 104 Operation switch 106, 200 Operation feeling generation mechanism part 107 Weight 108 Shaft 109 Support plate 112 Drive motor 113, 115 Pulley 116 Wire

Claims (3)

A housing capable of gripping both ends with both hands, and a switch provided in the housing and operated with a left hand or a right hand, the housing includes a first weight and both ends of the housing a first guide means for slidably guiding the first weight between the first operation feeling generating mechanism having a first drive means for moving said first weight to the sliding direction A game controller characterized by being provided. Wherein the housing in the body, perpendicular to the second weight, the a second guide means and both ends, of the housing which guides slidably said second weight in a direction perpendicular, the second weight 2. The game controller according to claim 1, further comprising a second operation feeling generating mechanism section having a second driving means for moving in the direction. Wall members are provided on both end sides of the first or second guide means in the sliding direction of the first or second weight, respectively, and the first or second weight is on one end side or the other end side. The game controller according to claim 1, wherein the game controller collides with the wall member when moved.

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