Operating device for game machine

• US 20050176506A1
• Filed: 03/09/2005
• Published: 08/11/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Goto, Teiyu, Ogata, Hiroki
• Granted Patent: US 7,377,851 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/37
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/28 responding to control signals received from the game device for affecting ambient conditions, e.g. for vibrating players' seats, activating scent dispensers or affecting temperature or light controlling the output signals based on the game progress A63F13/50
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/98 Accessories, i.e. detachable arrangements optional for the use of the video game device, e.g. grip supports of game controllers
• 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 2300/302 specially adapted for receiving control signals not targeted to a display device or game input means, e.g. vibrating driver's seat, scent dispenser
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 2009/0474 characterised by means converting mechanical movement into electric signals
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 9/047 the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks for switches H01H25/04
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 9/04788 comprising additional control elements

Abstract

An operating device used in a game machine for playing a television game includes a main body portion and first and second grip portions protruding from one side of the main body portion. A first operating unit is mounted on one end of the main body portion and a second operating unit is mounted on the opposite end of the main body portion. The first and second operating units are each provided with at least one signal input element operable to generate a signal. A third operating unit and a fourth operating unit are mounted to the main body portion adjacent the first and second grip portions. Each of the third and fourth operating units has at least one signal input element operable to generate a signal. When the first and second grip portions are gripped, the third and fourth operating units can be manipulated by the thumb of the hand gripping the first or second grip portion, respectively. The operating device further includes a vibration imparting mechanism for imparting vibrations to the user'"'"'s hands.

Claims

1. An operating device for a game machine, comprising:

a main body;

first and second grips projecting at spaced positions from the main body, the first and second grips and the main body collectively generally defining a U-shape in a plane when viewed in a direction normal to the plane, the U-shape defining an empty space between the first and second grips when viewed in the direction normal to the plane;

a first operating unit mounted to the main body adjacent one of the spaced positions, the first operating unit having an input element operable to generate a signal;

a second operating unit mounted to the main body adjacent another one of the spaced positions, the second operating unit having an input element operable to generate a signal; and

third and fourth operating units mounted to the main body so as protrude into the empty space, each of the third and fourth operating units having an input element operable to generate a signal.

2. The operating device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a vibration-imparting element arranged in the first grip.

3. The operating device as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a vibration-imparting unit arranged in the second grip.

4. The operating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main body has front and rear sides, the first and second grips protruding from the rear side of the main body, the operating device further comprising fifth and sixth operating units arranged on the front side of the main body, each of the fifth and sixth operating units having an input element operable to generate a signal.

5. The operating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fourth operating unit includes a rotation member, whereby the input element of the fourth operating unit is operable to generate a signal in response to an operation of the rotation member.

6. A game machine, comprising:

a main unit for reading a game program; and

an operating device interconnected with the main unit, the operating device including;

a main body;

first and second grips projecting at spaced positions from the main body, the first and second grips and the main body collectively generally defining a U-shape in a plane when viewed in a direction normal to the plane, the U-shape defining an empty space between the first and second grips when viewed in the direction normal to the plane;

a first operating unit mounted to the main body adjacent one of the spaced positions, the first operating unit having an input element operable to generate a signal;

a second operating unit mounted to the main body adjacent another of the spaced positions, the second operating unit having an input element operable to generate a signal; and

third and fourth operating units mounted to the main body so as to protrude into the empty space, each of the third and fourth operating units having an input element operable to generate a signal.

7. An operating device for a game machine, comprising:

a main body;

first and second grips protruding at spaced positions from the main body;

a first operating unit mounted to the main body adjacent one of the spaced positions, the first operating unit having an input element operable to generate a signal;

a second operating unit mounted to the main body adjacent another one of the spaced positions, the second operating unit having an input element operable to generate a signal;

third and fourth operating units mounted to the main body, the third operating unit being positioned adjacent the first operating unit and having an input element operable to generate a signal, and the fourth operating unit being positioned adjacent the second operating unit and having an input element operable to generate a signal; and

a vibration-imparting unit arranged in at least one of the first and second grips.

8. An operating device for a game machine, comprising:

a main body;

first and second grips protruding at spaced positions from the main body;

a first operating unit mounted to the main body adjacent one of the spaced positions, the first operating unit having an input element operable to generate a signal;

a second operating unit mounted to the main body adjacent another one of the spaced positions, the second operating unit having an input element operable to generate a signal;

third and fourth operating units mounted to the main body so as to be positioned between the first and second grips, each of the third and fourth operating units having an input element operable to generate a signal; and

a vibration-imparting unit arranged in at least one of the first and second grips.

9. An operating device for a game machine, comprising:

a main body;

first and second grips protruding at spaced positions from the main body;

a first operating unit mounted to the main body adjacent one of the spaced positions, the first operating unit having an input element operable to generate a signal;

a second operating unit mounted to the main body adjacent another one of the spaced positions, the second operating unit having an input element operable to generate a signal;

third and fourth operating units mounted to the main body, the third operating unit being positioned adjacent the one of the spaced positions and having an input element operable to generate a signal, and the fourth operating unit being positioned adjacent the another one of the spaced positions and having an input element operable to generate a signal; and

a vibration-imparting unit arranged in at least one of the first and second grips.

10. An operating device for a game machine, comprising:

a main body having front and rear sides;

first and second grips protruding at spaced positions from the rear side of the main body;

a first operating unit mounted to the main body adjacent one of the spaced positions, the first operating unit having an input element operable to generate a signal;

a second operating unit mounted to the main body adjacent another one of the spaced positions, the second operating unit having an input element operable to generate a signal;

third and fourth operating units mounted to the main body, each of the third and fourth operating units having an input element operable to generate a signal, the third and fourth operating units projecting from the main body between the first and second grips; and

a vibration-imparting unit arranged in at least one of the first and second grips.

11. An operating device for a game machine, comprising:

a main body;

first and second grips protruding at spaced positions from the main body;

a first operating unit mounted to the main body adjacent one of the spaced positions, the first operating unit having an input element operable to generate a signal;

a second operating unit mounted to the main body adjacent another one of the spaced positions, the second operating unit having an input element operable to generate a signal;

a third operating unit projecting from the first operating unit to a position between the first and second grips, the third operating unit having an input element operable to generate a signal;

a fourth operating unit projecting from the second operating unit to a position between the first and second grips, the fourth operating unit having an input element operable to generate a signal; and

a vibration-imparting unit arranged in at least one of the first and second grips.

12. An operating device for a game machine, comprising:

a main body;

first and second grips protruding at spaced positions from the main body;

a first operating unit mounted to the main body adjacent one of the spaced positions, the first operating unit having an input element operable to generate a signal;

a second operating unit mounted to the main body adjacent another one of the spaced positions, the second operating unit having an input element operable to generate a signal;

third and fourth operating units mounted to the main body, the third operating unit being positioned adjacent the first grip and having an input element operable to generate a signal, and the fourth operating unit being positioned adjacent the second grip and having an input element operable to generate a signal; and

a vibration-imparting unit arranged in at least one of the first and second grips.

13. A game machine, comprising:

a main unit for reading a game program; and

an operating device interconnected with the main unit, the operating device including;

a main body;

first and second grips protruding at spaced positions from the main body;

a first operating unit mounted to the main body adjacent one of the spaced positions, the first operating unit having an input element operable to generate a signal;

a second operating unit mounted to the main body adjacent another one of the spaced positions, the second operating unit having an input element operable to generate a signal;

third and fourth operating units mounted to the main body, the third operating unit being positioned adjacent the first operating unit and having an input element operable to generate a signal, and the fourth operating unit being positioned adjacent the second operating unit and having an input element operable to generate a signal; and

a vibration-imparting unit arranged in at least one of the first and second grips.

14. A game machine, comprising:

a main unit for reading a game program; and

an operating device interconnected with the main unit, the operating device including;

a main body;

first and second grips protruding at spaced positions from the main body;

a first operating unit mounted to the main body adjacent one of the spaced positions, the first operating unit having an input element operable to generate a signal;

a second operating unit mounted to the main body adjacent another one of the spaced positions, the second operating unit having an input element operable to generate a signal;

third and fourth operating units mounted to the main body so as to be positioned between the first and second grips, each of the third and fourth operating units having an input element operable to generate a signal; and

a vibration-imparting unit arranged in at least one of the first and second grips.

15. A game machine, comprising:

a main unit for reading a game program; and

an operating device interconnected with the main unit, the operating device including;

a main body;

first and second grips protruding at spaced positions from the main body;

a first operating unit mounted to the main body adjacent one of the spaced positions, the first operating unit having an input element operable to generate a signal;

a second operating unit mounted to the main body adjacent another one of the spaced positions, the second operating unit having an input element operable to generate a signal;

third and fourth operating units mounted to the main body, the third operating unit being positioned adjacent the one of the spaced positions and having an input element operable to generate a signal, and the fourth operating unit being positioned adjacent the another one of the spaced positions and having an input element operable to generate a signal; and

a vibration-imparting unit arranged in at least one of the first and second grips.

16. A game machine, comprising:

a main unit for reading a game program; and

an operating device interconnected with the main unit, the operating device including;

a main body having front and rear sides;

first and second grips protruding at spaced positions from the rear side of the main body;

a first operating unit mounted to the main body adjacent one of the spaced positions, the first operating unit having an input element operable to generate a signal;

a second operating unit mounted to the main body adjacent another one of the spaced positions, the second operating unit having an input element operable to generate a signal;

third and fourth operating units mounted to the main body, each of the third and fourth operating units having an input element operable to generate a signal, the third and fourth operating units projecting from the main body between the first and second grips; and

a vibration-imparting unit arranged in at least one of the first and second grips.

17. A game machine, comprising:

a main unit for reading a game program; and

an operating device interconnected with the main unit, the operating device including;

a main body;

first and second grips protruding at spaced positions from the main body;

a first operating unit mounted to the main body adjacent one of the spaced positions, the first operating unit having an input element operable to generate a signal;

a second operating unit mounted to the main body adjacent another one of the spaced positions, the second operating unit having an input element operable to generate a signal;

a third operating unit projecting from the first operating unit to a position between the first and second grips, the third operating unit having an input element operable to generate a signal;

a fourth operating unit projecting from the second operating unit to a position between the first and second grips, the fourth operating unit having an input element operable to generate a signal; and

a vibration-imparting unit arranged in at least one of the first and second grips.

18. A game machine, comprising:

a main unit for reading a game program; and

an operating device interconnected with the main unit, the operating device including;

a main body;

first and second grips protruding at spaced positions from the main body;

a first operating unit mounted to the main body adjacent one of the spaced positions, the first operating unit having an input element operable to generate a signal;

a second operating unit mounted to the main body adjacent another one of the spaced positions, the second operating unit having an input element operable to generate a signal;

third and fourth operating units mounted to the main body, the third operating unit being positioned adjacent the first grip and having an input element operable to generate a signal, and the fourth operating unit being positioned adjacent the second grip and having an input element operable to generate a signal; and

a vibration-imparting unit arranged in at least one of the first and second grips.