Operation device for game machine and hand-held game machine

• US 20060267928A1
• Filed: 03/07/2006
• Published: 11/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Inventors: Kawanobe, Naoya, Sakiyama, Tomoyuki
• Application Number:
  US11/368,694
• Publication Number:
  US 20060267928A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/204 the platform being a handheld device

Abstract

A hand-held game machine (10) includes a horizontally-long rectangular housing (12), and the housing is covered with a cover (14) almost entirely. Each of top main surfaces of the housing and the cover has a plane shape of pincushion, and thus, the top main surface of the housing forms a lower inclined surface (26) connecting a lower side surface (22) and the top main surface of the housing. At right and left edges of an upper side surface of the housing (20), a left switch (32L) and a right switch (32R) are arranged as a first operating means. On the top main surface of the housing, a cross key (16), and an A button (18a) and a B button (18b) are arranged as a second operating means, and on the lower inclined surface, a start switch (28) and a select switch (30) are arranged as a third operating means.

Claims

1. An operation device for game machine, comprising:

a first operating means to be arranged in at least one of right and left areas on an upper side surface of a housing;

a second operating means to be arranged at a position corresponding to at least one area on a main surface of said housing;

an inclined surface formed between said main surface and a lower side surface of said housing; and

a third operating means provided on said inclined surface.

2. An operation device for game machine according to claim 1, wherein said third operating means is a depressing-type operating means having a keytop movable in a direction vertical to said inclined surface.

3. An operation device for game machine according to claim 1, wherein said third operating means is arranged at a center area of said inclined surface in a horizontal direction of said housing.

4. An operation device for game machine according to claim 1, wherein said third operating means is arranged at an area corresponding to said one area on said inclined surface.

5. An operation device for game machine according to claim 1, wherein said first operating means includes respective operating means provided at the right and left of said upper side surface, and

said second operating means includes respective operating means provided at the right and left of the main surface of said housing.

6. An operation device for game machine according to claim 5, wherein said third operating means includes two operating means arranged in a unity manner in a center area of said inclined surface in a horizontal direction of said housing.

7. An operation device for game machine according to claim 5, wherein said third operating means includes two operating means separately arranged at the right and left of said inclined surface.

8. An operation device for game machine according to claim 1, wherein said inclined surface is formed such that it becomes wider at the center area of said housing in the horizontal direction, and becomes narrower away from the center area to the right and left edges.

9. An operation device for game machine according to claim 8, wherein said main surface of said housing is curved so as to be heightened nearer to the center portion from the right and left edges, and is formed such that at least a lower side is inwardly curved when viewed in plane.

10. An operation device for game machine according to claim 9, further comprising;

a transparent window provided at said center area of said main surface of said housing; and

a display means provided below said transparent window.

11. An operation device for game machine according to claim 1, wherein said third operating means has a keytop at least a part of which can transmit light, further comprising:

a light-emitting element provided below said keytop; and

a driving circuit for turning on or off said light-emitting element.

12. An operation device for game machine, comprising:

a housing provided with an inclined surface between a front and a lower side surface, and to be held with both hands of a player;

a front operating means for, at least one area of a left side area and a right side area of the front of said housing, being operable with a thumb of at least one hand corresponding to said one area out of right and left hands holding said housing; and

an inclined surface operating means to be arranged at a position operable with at least a thumb of at least one hand on said inclined surface.

13. A hand-held game machine, comprising:

a first operating means to be arranged in at least one of right and left areas on an upper side surface of a housing;

a second operating means to be arranged at a position corresponding to at least one area on a main surface of said housing;

an inclined surface formed between said main surface and a lower side surface of said housing; and

a third operating means provided on said inclined surface.

14. A hand-held game machine according to claim 13, wherein said third operating means is a depressing-type operating means having a keytop movable in a direction vertical to said inclined surface.

15. A hand-held game machine according to claim 13, wherein said third operating means is arranged at a center area of said inclined surface in a horizontal direction of said housing.

16. A hand-held game machine according to claim 13, wherein said third operating means is arranged at an area corresponding to said one area on said inclined surface.

17. A hand-held game machine according to claim 13, wherein said first operating means includes respective operating means provided at the right and left of said upper side surface, and

said second operating means includes respective operating means provided at the right and left of the main surface of said housing.

18. A hand-held game machine according to claim 17, wherein said third operating means includes two operating means arranged in a unity manner in a center area of said inclined surface in a horizontal direction of said housing.

19. A hand-held game machine according to claim 17, wherein said third operating means includes two operating means separately arranged at the right and left of said inclined surface.

20. A hand-held game machine according to claim 13, wherein said inclined surface is formed such that it becomes wider at the center area of said housing in the horizontal direction, and becomes narrower away from the center area to the right and left edges.

21. A hand-held game machine according to claim 20, wherein said main surface of said housing is curved so as to be heightened nearer to the center portion from the right and left edges, and is formed such that at least a lower side is inwardly curved when viewed in plane.

22. A hand-held game machine according to claim 21, further comprising:

a transparent window provided at said center area of said main surface of said housing; and

a display means provided below said transparent window.

23. A hand-held game machine according to claim 13, wherein said third operating means has a keytop at least a part of which can transmit light, further comprising:

a light-emitting element provided below said keytop; and

a driving circuit for turning on or off said light-emitting element.

24. A hand-held game machine, comprising:

a housing provided with an inclined surface between a front and a lower side surface, and to be held with both hands of a player;

a front operating means for, at least one area of a left side area and a right side area of the front of said housing, being operable with a thumb of at least one hand corresponding to said one area out of right and left hands holding said housing; and

an inclined surface operating means to be arranged at a position operable with at least a thumb of at least one hand on said inclined surface.