GAME CONTROLLER

• US 20130281212A1
• Filed: 05/25/2012
• Published: 10/24/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Inventors: Tsuchiya, Hitoshi, Kitano, Yasuhisa
• Application Number:
  US13/640,867
• Publication Number:
  US 20130281212A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/38
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/218 using pressure sensors, e.g. generating a signal proportional to the pressure applied by the player
• 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 13/235 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 13/50 Controlling the output signals based on the game progress
• 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

A both-handed game controller having grips is provided. A stick is provided at each of an upper left position and an upper right position viewed from a front surface of the controller, so that a player is allowed to operate the sticks with his/her thumbs when the player holds the grips. A direction key and a plurality of first type operation buttons are provided at positions inside the sticks, so that the player is allowed to operate them with the thumbs. Further, a second type operation button is provided between the two sticks, and a third type operation button is provided between the direction key and the plurality of first type operation buttons. Further, fourth type operation buttons are provided at both ends of an upper surface of the controller, respectively.

Claims

1. A game controller that transmits, to a predetermined game apparatus, an operation input performed by a user, the game controller comprising:

grips held with left and right hands of a player, respectively;

an operation section provided on an outer surface of a housing of the game controller, the operation section causing the player holding the grips to perform an operation input; and

a communication section that wirelessly communicates with the predetermined game apparatus, wherein

the operation section comprises;

a first stick that is provided at an upper left position in a front surface of the housing of the game controller, which position allows the player to operate the first stick with a thumb of his/her left hand when the player holds the grips;

a second stick that is provided at an upper right position in the front surface of the housing of the game controller, which position allows the player to operate the second stick with a thumb of his/her right hand when the player holds the grips;

a direction key that is provided at a position close to the center of the housing relative to the first stick on the front surface of the housing, which position allows the player to operate the direction key with the thumb of the left hand when the player holds the grips;

a plurality of first type operation buttons that are provided at a position close to the center of the housing relative to the second stick on the front surface of the housing, which position allows the player to operate the first type operation buttons with the thumb of the right hand when the player holds the grips;

one or more second type operation button(s) that is provided at a position close to the center of the housing relative to the first stick and the second stick on the front surface of the housing, and above the direction key and the plurality of first type operation buttons;

a third type operation button that is provided at a position beneath the second type operation button(s) on the front surface of the housing, and between the direction key and the plurality of first type operation buttons; and

a plurality of fourth type operation buttons provided at positions in the vicinity of left and right ends of an upper surface of the housing of the game controller, respectively, which positions allow the player to operate the fourth type operation buttons with his/her left and right index fingers, respectively, when the player holds the grips.

2. The game controller according to claim 1, wherein

the direction key is provided at a position to the right side of and beneath the first stick, which position allows the player to operate the direction key with the thumb of the left hand when the player holds the grips, and

the plurality of first type operation buttons are provided at a position to the left side of and beneath the second stick, which position allows the player to operate the first type operation buttons with the thumb of the right hand when the player holds the grips.

3. The game controller according to claim 1, wherein

the second type operation button(s) is used for system operation of the predetermined game apparatus, and

the third type operation button is used for power control of the game apparatus.

4. The game controller according to claim 1, further comprising a first light emitting section including a plurality of LEDs, which is positioned at the center and lower end of the front surface of the housing, wherein

the first light emitting section turns on one of the plurality of LEDs in accordance with information that distinguishes the game controller from another game controller, when the game controller is connected to the predetermined game apparatus.

5. The game controller according to claim 1, further comprising a second light emitting section that is positioned substantially in the center of the front surface of the housing, and above the second type operation button(s), wherein

the second light emitting section is used for indicating information relating to a battery stored in the game controller.

6. The game controller according to claim 1, further comprising a vibration section that generates vibration based on a control signal supplied from the predetermined game apparatus, the vibration section being provided inside the grips.

7. The game controller according to claim 6, wherein

the vibration section is provided inside the grip on the side where the direction key is provided.

8. The game controller according to claim 1, wherein

at least one of the first stick and the second stick is a push-button type analog stick that is pushed to be operated.

9. The game controller according to claim 1, wherein

the game controller is configured so that a predetermined battery is stored in a center area of a back surface of the housing, and a portion of the housing where the battery is stored is thinner than the grips, and flat.