Operating device for game machine

• US 20080311991A1
• Filed: 03/06/2008
• Published: 12/18/2008
• 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 8,360,883 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 and first and second finger-manipulatable operating units positioned symmetrically on the main body. The operating device may include first and second grips projecting at spaced positions from the main body, with the first and second operating units being positioned adjacent the first and second grips. The operating device may further include vibration-imparting units 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; and

first and second finger-manipulatable operating units mounted on the main body, each of the first and second operating units having an operating shaft which is pivotable relative to the main body so that, when the first grip is gripped by a right hand of a user and the second grip is gripped by a left hand of the user, the first and second operating units can be manipulated simultaneously by the thumb fingers of the user.

2. The operating device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a vibration-imparting unit 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 first and second operating units are positioned symmetrically on the main body relative to a centerline of the main body passing between the first and second grips.

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

a main body; and

first and second finger-manipulatable operating units mounted on the main body, each of the first and second operating units having an operating shaft which is pivotable relative to the main body, the first and second operating units being manipulatable simultaneously by thumb fingers of a user when the user is using the operating device.

6. The operating device as claimed in claim 5, further comprising first and second grips projecting at spaced positions from the main body.

7. The operating device as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a vibration-imparting unit arranged in the first grip.

8. The operating device as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a vibration-imparting unit arranged in the second grip.

9. The operating device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first and second operating units are positioned symmetrically on the main body relative to a centerline of the main body passing between the first and second grips.

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

a main body;

first and second grips projecting at spaced positions from the main body, each of the first and second grips having a first end connected to the main body and a free end;

first and second finger-manipulatable operating units mounted to the main body between the first and second grips, each of the first and second operating units having an operating shaft which is pivotable relative to the main body, the first operating unit being positioned adjacent the first end of the first grip and the second operating unit being positioned adjacent the first end of the second grip.

11. The operating device as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a vibration-imparting unit arranged in the first grip.

12. The operating device as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a vibration-imparting unit arranged in the second grip.

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

a main body having a top surface which is in a substantially horizontal orientation when the operating device is in a use condition;

first and second grips projecting at spaced positions from the main body, each of the first and second grips having a first end connected to the main body and a free end, each of the first and second grips being inclined downwardly relative to the top surface from the first end to the free end when the operating device is in the use condition; and

first and second finger-manipulatable operating units mounted to the main body, each of the first and second operating units having an operating shaft which is pivotable relative to the main body, and each of the operating shafts having an operating end positioned higher than the top surface when the operating device is in the use condition so that, when the first grip is gripped by a right hand of a user and the second grip is gripped by a left hand of the user in the use condition, the thumbs of the user can be raised to operate the first and second operating units.

14. The operating device as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a vibration-imparting unit arranged in the first grip.

15. The operating device as claimed in claim 14, further comprising a vibration-imparting unit arranged in the second grip.

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;

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

first and second finger-manipulatable operating units mounted on the main body, each of the first and second operating units having an operating shaft which is pivotable relative to the main body so that, when the first grip is gripped by a right hand of a user and the second grip is gripped by a left hand of the user, the first and second operating units can be manipulated simultaneously by the thumb fingers of the user.

17. The game machine as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first and second grips and the main body collectively generally define 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.

18. The game machine as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first and second operating units are positioned symmetrically on the main body relative to a centerline of the main body passing between the first and second grips.

19. 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; and

first and second finger-manipulatable operating units mounted on the main body, each of the first and second operating units having an operating shaft which is pivotable relative to the main body, the first and second operating units being manipulatable simultaneously by thumb fingers of a user when the user is using the operating device.

20. The game machine as claimed in claim 19, wherein the operating device further includes first and second grips projecting at spaced positions from the main body.

21. The game machine as claimed in claim 20, wherein the first and second grips and the main body collectively generally define 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.

22. The game machine as claimed in claim 20, wherein the first and second operating units are positioned symmetrically on the main body relative to a centerline of the main body passing between the first and second grips.

23. 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, each of the first and second grips having a first end connected to the main body and a free end; and

first and second finger-manipulatable operating units mounted to the main body between the first and second grips, each of the first and second operating units having an operating shaft which is pivotable relative to the main body, the first operating unit being positioned adjacent the first end of the first grip and the second operating unit being positioned adjacent the first end of the second grip.

24. The game machine as claimed in claim 23, wherein the first and second grips and the main body collectively generally define 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.

25. 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 a top surface which is in a substantially horizontal orientation when the operating device is in a use condition;

first and second grips projecting at spaced positions from the main body, each of the first and second grips having a first end connected to the main body and a free end, each of the first and second grips being inclined downwardly relative to the top surface from the first end to the free end when the operating device is in the use condition; and

first and second finger-manipulatable operating units mounted to the main body, each of the first and second operating units having an operating shaft which is pivotable relative to the main body, and each of the operating shafts having an operating end positioned higher than the top surface when the operating device is in the use condition so that, when the first grip is gripped by a right hand of a user and the second grip is gripped by a left hand of the user in the use condition, the thumbs of the user can be raised to operate the first and second operating units.

26. The game machine as claimed in claim;

25, wherein the first and second grips and the main body collectively generally define 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.