OPERATING DEVICE AND INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM

• US 20110263328A1
• Filed: 06/23/2010
• Published: 10/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Inventors: YAMASHITA, Toru, Shimohata, Yasuyuki, Hosoi, Kazuhiro, Kuroda, Ryoji
• Granted Patent: US 8,870,653 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/36
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/213 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. cameras, photodiodes or infrared cells A63F13/219, A63F13/655 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• 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 13/837 Shooting of targets
• 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 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details

Abstract

An operating device has a narrow housing, and in this housing, an acceleration sensor and/or a gyro sensor are accommodated. Operation data inclusive of acceleration data and/or angular velocity data acquired from the acceleration sensor and/or the gyro sensor is transmitted by an operation data transmitter. Then, at a lower end of the housing, an elastic member having a spherical surface or substantially a spherical surface is provided.

Claims

1. An operating device, comprising:

a narrow housing;

an acceleration sensor and/or a gyro sensor accommodated in or coupled to said housing;

an operation data transmitter which transmits operation data inclusive of at least acceleration data and/or angular velocity data respectively acquired from said acceleration sensor and/or said gyro sensor; and

an elastic member which is provided at one end or in proximity to the one end of said housing, wherein

said elastic member has a spherical surface or substantially a spherical surface.

3. An operating device according to claim 1, wherein said elastic member is detachably attached to the one end of said housing.

4. An operating device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a camera provided to said housing at an end being opposite to the end attached with said elastic member, and

a position information calculator which calculates position information of an object within an image imaged by said camera, wherein

said operation data further includes the position information calculated by said position information calculator.

5. An operating device according to claim 4, further comprising a first button toward said camera on a top surface of said housing, wherein

said operation data further includes operation information of said first button.

6. An operating device according to claim 5, further comprising a second button provided at a position being opposed to said first button on a bottom surface of said housing, wherein

said operation data further includes operation information of said second button.

7. An information processing system including an operating device and an information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

said information processing apparatus comprises

a receiver which receives operation data from said operating device,

an attitude calculator which calculates an attitude of said operating device on the basis of the acceleration data and/or the angular velocity data included in the operation data received by said receiver, and

an information processor which performs predetermined information processing in correspondence with the attitude calculated by said attitude calculator.

8. An information processing system including an operating device and an information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

said information processing apparatus comprises

a receiver which receives operation data from said operating device,

a vibration detector which detects vibrations of said operating device on the basis of the acceleration data and/or the angular velocity data included in the operation data received by said receiver, and

an information processor which performs the predetermined information processing in correspondence with the vibration detected by said vibration detector.

9. An information processing system according to claim 8, wherein

said information processing apparatus further comprises an attitude calculator which calculates an attitude of said operating device on the basis of the acceleration data and/or the angular velocity data included in the operation data received by said receiver, and

said information processor performs predetermined information processing in correspondence with the vibrations detected by said vibration detector and the attitude calculated by said attitude calculator.

2. An operating device, comprising:

a narrow housing;

an acceleration sensor and/or a gyro sensor which are accommodated in or coupled to said housing;

an operation data transmitter which transmits operation data inclusive of at least acceleration data and/or angular velocity data respectively acquired from said acceleration sensor and/or said gyro sensor; and

an elastic member which is provided at one end or in proximity to the one end of said housing, wherein

said elastic member has a curved surface on a side being opposite to a side attached to said housing, and positions a center of gravity of said operating device entire including said elastic member between a center of curvature of said curved surface and said curved surface by being attached to said housing.

12. An operating device according to claim 2, wherein said elastic member is detachably attached to the one end of said housing.

13. An operating device according to claim 2, further comprising:

a camera provided to said housing at an end being opposite to the end attached with said elastic member, and

a position information calculator which calculates position information of an object within an image imaged by said camera, wherein

said operation data further includes the position information calculated by said position information calculator.

14. An information processing system including an operating device and an information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein

said information processing apparatus comprises

a receiver which receives operation data from said operating device,

an attitude calculator which calculates an attitude of said operating device on the basis of the acceleration data and/or the angular velocity data included in the operation data received by said receiver, and

an information processor which performs predetermined information processing in correspondence with the attitude calculated by said attitude calculator.

15. An information processing system including an operating device and an information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein

said information processing apparatus comprises

a receiver which receives operation data from said operating device,

a vibration detector which detects vibrations of said operating device on the basis of the acceleration data and/or the angular velocity data included in the operation data received by said receiver, and

an information processor which performs the predetermined information processing in correspondence with the vibration detected by said vibration detector.

10. An elastic member provided at one end or in proximity to the one end of an operating device having a narrow housing, an acceleration sensor and/or a gyro sensor accommodated in or coupled to said housing, an operation data transmitter which transmits operation data inclusive of at least acceleration data and/or angular velocity data respectively acquired from said acceleration sensor and/or said gyro sensor,

said elastic member has a spherical surface or substantially a spherical surface, and is formed with an concave having a shape substantially the same as that of the one end of said housing on said spherical surface or substantially the spherical surface.

11. An elastic member provided at one end or in proximity to the one end of an operating device having a narrow housing, an acceleration sensor and/or a gyro sensor accommodated in or coupled to said housing, an operation data transmitter which transmits operation data inclusive of at least acceleration data and/or angular velocity data respectively acquired from said acceleration sensor and/or said gyro sensor,

said elastic member has a curved surface on a side being opposite to a side attached to said housing, and brings a center of gravity of said operating device entire including said elastic member between a center of curvature of said curved surface and said curved surface by being attached to said housing.