OPERATING DEVICE INCLUDING A TOUCH SENSOR

• US 20170239559A1
• Filed: 05/08/2017
• Published: 08/24/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: IGARASHI, Takeshi, MORITA, Masaho, ENOMOTO, Kazuyoshi, AOKI, Toshimasa
• Granted Patent: US 10,603,576 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/21 characterised by their sensors, purposes or types
• 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 13/214 for locating contacts on a surface, e.g. floor mats or touch pads
• 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 13/22 Setup operations, e.g. calibration, key configuration or button assignment
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1006 having additional degrees of freedom
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/105 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04105 Pressure sensors for measuring the pressure or force exerted on the touch surface without providing the touch position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means

Abstract

An operating device includes: right and left hold sections to be held by a user, the right and left hold sections provided with first operating members; and a central section interconnecting the right and left hold sections. The operating device has a second operating member forming an upper surface of the central section. The second operating member includes a touch sensor located between the first operating members of the right and left hold sections, and is so supported as to be capable of vertical movement in response to a user'"'"'s pressing-down operation. The second operating member is plate-like in shape, so that user'"'"'s fingers can easily reach the second operating member in a condition where the user is holding the hold sections. As a result, operability of the operating device can be enhanced.

Claims

1. An operating device comprising:

a grip to be held by a user;

a first operating button disposed on a side surface of the grip;

a plate-like operating member disposed on an upper surface of the operating device, the plate-like operating member being configured to be operated by any finger of one hand of the user in a state where the one hand holds the grip, the plate-like operating member being configured to sense a position therein on which a finger of the one hand touches.

2. The operating device according to claim 1, further comprising an objective portion being detected by an external device by means of light for calculating a position of the operating device, wherein the objective portion is located further forward than the plate-like operating member.

3. The operating device according to claim 1, further comprising a second operating button located on a surface rather than the upper surface, the second operating button being configured to sense a user'"'"'s pressing amount.

4. The operating device according to claim 1, further comprising a third operating button located rearward of the plate-like operating member.

5. The operating device according to claim 1, further comprising a fourth operating button located further forward than the plate-like operating member.