Controller for game machine

• US 6,325,719 B1
• Filed: 02/17/1999
• Issued: 12/04/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Namco Bandai Games Inc.
• Original Assignee: Namco Limited (BANDAI NAMCO Holdings Inc.)
• Inventors: Onoda, Hiroyuki, Fukawa, Takashi
• Primary Examiner(s): HARRISON, JESSICA
• Application Number:
  US09/251,518
• Time in Patent Office: 1,021 Days
• Field of Search: 463/36-39, 463/30, 463/46, 345/161, 345/163, 345/158, 345/184, 345/169, 273/148.B
• US Class Current: 463/37
• 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 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/803 Driving vehicles or craft, e.g. cars, airplanes, ships, robots or tanks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/818 Fishing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1006 having additional degrees of freedom
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1031 using a wireless connection, e.g. Bluetooth, infrared connections
• 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 2300/8017 Driving on land or water; Flying
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8035 Virtual fishing

Abstract

It is an object of the present invention to provide a general purpose controller for a game machine by which a car game of a fishing game can be more enjoyed. A controller for a game machine comprises a jog dial 5 rotatably mounted on a controller main body 1 as a part of an input operating part, a data input system 20 driven according to and connected to the jog dial 5 to input data in accordance with the rotation of the jog dial and a counterforce urging means having a driving motor 17 or the like driving connected to the jog dial 5 for urging a counterforce opposite to the rotation thereof.

Claims

1. A controller for a game machine provided with an input operating part to be operated by a player, said controller for a game machine comprising:

a circular operating part rotatably mounted on a controller main body as a part of said input operating part;

a data input means driven according to and connected to said circular operating part to input data in accordance with the rotation of the circular operating part; and

a counterforce urging means driving and connected to the circular operating part to urge a counterforce opposite to the rotation thereof wherein said counterforce urging means includes a driving motor driving and connected to the circular operating part and a motor control part for controlling the rotation of the driving motor.

2. A controller for a game machine according to claim 1, wherein said counterforce urging means includes means for turning on and off the counterforce.

3. A controller for a game machine according to claim 1, wherein said counterforce urging means includes means for varying the magnitude of the counterforce to be urged to said circular operating part.

4. A controller for a game machine according to claim 1, wherein the controller is connected to the game machine through a wired connection.

5. A controller for a game machine according to claim 1, where in the controller is connected to the game machine through a wireless connection.

6. A method of operating a controller for a game machine of the type having an input operating part to be operated by a player comprising the steps of:

a). grasping an inclined part of a rotatable jog dial circular input operating part mounted on a controller main body;

b). rotating the jog dial to input data via a data input means in accordance with rotation of the circular input operating part; and

c). applying a counterforce to the circular input operating part to urge a counterforce opposite to the rotation of the circular input operating part using a driving motor driving and connected to the circular operating part and a motor control part for controlling the rotation of the driving motor.

7. A method of operating a controller for a game machine of the type having an input operating part to be operated by a player comprising the steps of:

a). inserting a finger into a depression in a rotatable jog dial circular input operating part mounted on a controller main body;

b). rotating the jog dial to input data via a data input means in accordance with rotation of the circular input operating part; and

c). applying a counterforce to the circular input operating part to urge a counterforce opposite to the rotation of the circular input operating part using a driving motor driving and connected to the circular operating part and a motor control part for controlling the rotation of the driving motor.