Controller and expansion unit for controller

• US 20020107071A1
• Filed: 03/27/2002
• Published: 08/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Atsunori Himoto, Kenji Tosaki, Toshinori Date
• Original Assignee: Atsunori Himoto, Kenji Tosaki, Toshinori Date
• Inventors: Himoto, Atsunori, Tosaki, Kenji, Date, Toshinori
• Granted Patent: US 6,752,719 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/37
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/22 Setup operations, e.g. calibration, key configuration or button assignment
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/23 for interfacing with the game device, e.g. specific interfaces between game controller and console
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/323 between game devices with different hardware characteristics, e.g. hand-held game devices connectable to game consoles or arcade machines
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/80 Special adaptations for executing a specific game genre or game mode
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/803 Driving vehicles or craft, e.g. cars, airplanes, ships, robots or tanks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/837 Shooting of targets
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1006 having additional degrees of freedom
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1018 Calibration; Key and button assignment
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1025 details of the interface with the game device, e.g. USB version detection
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1031 using a wireless connection, e.g. Bluetooth, infrared connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1037 being specially adapted for converting control signals received from the game device into a haptic signal, e.g. using force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/105 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1062 being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/205 for detecting the geographical location of the game platform
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/206 Game information storage, e.g. cartridges, CD ROM's, DVD's, smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/403 : Connection between platform and handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/80 : specially adapted for executing a specific type of game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8017 : Driving on land or water; Flying
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8076 : Shooting

Abstract

An expansion unit 50, 60 or 70 is connected to a controller body 10 including an analog direction key 12, a digital direction key 14, command buttons 20a-20z, command levers 22l, 22r, etc. An expansion unit 50 including a photo emitting unit 52 is connected to thereby make the controller cordless. An expansion unit 60 including a photo detecting unit 65, whereby shooting games in which an enemy on a monitor screen can be shot can be played. An expansion unit 70 including a vibration unit 75 is connected, whereby a vibration is given to the controller body 10 to make a shooting game more realistic. New functions can be added to the conventional controller, and the new functions can be added freely without making no change to the controller body.

Claims

1. A controller expansion unit which is to be inserted between a controller body including an operation key and a game apparatus, and which supplies a command signal generated by the operation key of the controller body to the game apparatus body.

2. A controller expansion unit according to claim 1, comprising:

function expansion means for expanding a function of the controller body; and

conversion means for converting the command signal from the controller body, based on a function expanded by the function expansion means, and supplying the converted command signal to the game apparatus body.

3. A controller expansion unit according to claim 2, wherein

the function expansion means includes photo signal outputting means for outputting the signal to the game apparatus body as a photo signal, and

the photo signal outputted by the photo signal outputting means is detected by photo signal detecting means of the game apparatus body.

5. A controller expansion unit according to claim 2, wherein

the function expansion means includes vibration means for giving a vibration to the controller body, based on the signal from the game apparatus body or the controller body.

6. A controller expansion unit according to claim 2, wherein

the function expansion means includes an operation key for effecting a specific operation, and

the conversion means adds an operation signal generated by the specific operation key to the command signal from the controller body.

7. A controller expansion unit according to claim 2, wherein

the function expansion means includes memory means for storing information, and

the memory means stores information supplied from the game apparatus body or the controller body, or information supplied to the game apparatus body or the controller body.

8. A controller expansion unit according to claim 2, wherein

the function expansion means includes display means for displaying information, and

the display means displays information from the game apparatus body or the controller body.

9. A controller expansion unit according to claim 2, wherein

the function expansion means includes clock means for counting time, and time display means for displaying time, and

the conversion means adds time information counted by the clock means to the command signal from the controller body.

10. A controller expansion unit according to claim 2, wherein

the function expansion means includes rotation angle detecting means for detecting a rotation angle of the controller body supported thereon, and

the conversion means adds a rotation angle signal detected by the rotation angle detecting means to the command signal from the controller body.

11. A controller expansion unit according to claim 2, wherein

the function expansion means includes inclination detecting means for detecting an inclination of the controller body, and

the conversion means adds an inclination signal detected by the inclination detecting means to the command signal supplied from the controller body.

12. A controller expansion unit according to claim 11, wherein

the conversion means supplies an inclination signal given by the inclination detecting means in place of a direction command signal from the controller body.

13. A controller comprising:

a controller body including an operation key; and

a controller expansion unit according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

15. A controller according to claim 14, wherein

a part of the outer edge of the operation surface of the controller body is shaped in relation to a specific direction of the direction key so that, when the operator grips the operation surface with his hand, he can know the specific direction of the direction key.

16. A controller according to claim 14, wherein

the controller body includes lugs to be held by the operator, and

a part of a lug is shaped in relation to a specific direction of the direction key so that, when the operator grips the operation surface with his hand, he can know the specific direction of the direction key.

18. A controller according to claim 17, wherein

the direction key comprises:

a direction key operating unit;

discrete direction determining means for determining a specific direction out of a plurality of prescribed directions, based on a state of the direction key operation unit; and

continuous direction determining means for determining continuous command directions, based on a state of the direction key operation unit.

19. A controller according to claim 18, wherein

the direction key further including change-over means for changing over the discrete direction determining means and the continuous direction determining means to each other.

24. A game apparatus connected to the controller according to any one of claims 13 to 23 and executing a game to be controlled by a command from the controller.

4. A controller expansion unit according to claim 4, wherein

the function expansion means includes photo signal detecting means for detecting a photo signal from the outside, and

the conversion means adds the photo signal from the photo signal detecting means to the command signal from the controller body.

14. A controller comprising, on an operation surface of a body of the controller, a direction key for a direction command, and a plurality of command buttons for outputting a single command,

the operation surface of the controller body having a substantially circular outer edge so that an operator can grip the controller body at any positions around the outer edge of the operation surface.

17. A controller comprising:

a controller body;

a direction key disposed on a first operational surface of the controller body, and commanding a direction;

a plurality of command buttons disposed on the first operational surface and outputting one command by one operation; and

a command lever disposed on a second operational surface of the controller and outputting continuously changed command amounts by one operation.

20. A controller according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein

the command lever is a command button which outputs one command by one operation.

21. A controller according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein

the direction key and the command buttons are disposed at positions which facilitate operation with the left and the right thumbs of an operator when he holds the controller with the left and the right hands, and the command lever is disposed at a position which facilitates operation with the fingers other than the thumbs.

22. A controller according to any one of claims 17 to 21, wherein

the controller body includes two grips to be held by an operator;

and

the direction key and the command buttons are disposed at positions which facilitate operation with the left and the right thumbs of the operator when he holds the two grips with the left and the right hands, and the command lever is disposed at a position which facilitates operation with the fingers other than the thumbs.

23. A controller according to claim 22, wherein

a projection is provided on the second operational surface of the controller body;

the controller can be placed on a flat surface, supported by the projection and the two grips;

the direction key and the command buttons are disposed at positions which facilitate operation with the left and the right thumbs of an operator when the controller is placed on a flat surface, and the command lever is disposed at a position which facilitates with the fingers other than the thumbs.