Manipulating device for an entertainment system and an entertainment system having the same manipulating device

• US 6,428,416 B1
• Filed: 10/26/2000
• Issued: 08/06/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Ogata, Hiroki
• Primary Examiner(s): Chiu, Raleigh W.
• Application Number:
  US09/697,610
• Time in Patent Office: 649 Days
• Field of Search: 273/148.B, 463/36, 463/37, 463/38, 463/46, 345/156, 345/161
• 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 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/785 characterised by the material of the contacts, e.g. conductive polymers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2201/036 Variable resistance
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 25/041 having a generally flat operating member depressible at different locations to operate different controls

Abstract

A manipulating device for an entertainment system is provided which overcomes the problems that might occur when an excessive force is applied thereto and permits smooth operation. A manipulating device 1 comprises an operating portion 10 and a stopper portion 40 that supports the operating portion 10. Leg portions 41 of the stopper portion 40 opens when depressive pressure is applied to the operating portion 10, and closes and restores the operating portion 10 to its initial position when the depressive pressure is released.

Claims

1. A manipulating device for an entertainment system, comprising:

a housing;

an operating member assembled in said housing, said operating member having a rest position and being tiltable in certain directions when depressive pressure is applied to said operating member; and

a supporting member in said housing for pivotally supporting said operating member;

wherein, when said depressive pressure is released from said operating member, said supporting member pushes said operating member to restore it to said rest position.

2. The manipulating device according to claim 1, wherein said supporting member includes a resilient member adapted to exert a biasing force opposed to said depressive pressure, whereby, when said depressive pressure is applied to said operating member, said resilient member exerts said biasing force on said operating member.

3. The manipulating device according to claim 1, wherein said supporting member has a free end and said operating member has a dent for receiving said free end of said supporting member to hold said operating member in a predetermined position.

4. The manipulating device according to claim 3, wherein said free end of said supporting member is formed in the shape of a convex curved surface, and said dent is formed in the shape of a concave curved surface so as to mate with said convex curved surface, whereby said operating member tilts over said supporting member in said certain directions as said dent slides on said free end of said supporting member.

5. The manipulating device according to claim 4, wherein

said housing includes a plurality of electrodes; and

said operating member has a plurality of depressing portions on one surface for applying said depressive pressure, and a plurality of electrically conductive portions formed on a surface opposite said one surface, each of said electrically conductive portions being in correspondence with one of said depressing portions and being spaced from an opposed one of said electrodes in said rest position of said operating member and being movable into contact with said opposed one of said electrodes upon application of said depressive pressure to said corresponding depressing portion.

6. The manipulating device according to claim 5, wherein said electrodes are pressure-sensitive elements.

7. The manipulating device according to claim 6, wherein said depressing portions include at least one pair of depressing portions, and said dent is located between said at least one pair of depressing portions.

8. The manipulating device according to claim 5, wherein each of said electrically conductive portions is disposed on a movable contact member, said movable contact member biasing said electrically conductive portion in a direction away from said opposed one of said electrodes, wherein when said movable contact member corresponding to said depressing portion is depressed by tilting said operating member, said electrode becomes conductive.

9. The manipulating device according to claim 1, wherein said supporting member includes resilient leg portions, said leg portions being moved away from one another when said depressive pressure is applied to said operating member, and when said depressive pressure is released from said operating portion, said leg portions being biased toward one another, whereby movement of said leg portions toward one another pushes said operating portion to said rest position.

10. The manipulating device according to claim 9, wherein said housing includes a substrate having a recessed groove, said supporting member being positioned on said substrate so that said leg portions are disposed in said recessed groove.

11. An entertainment system, comprising:

a processing unit; and

a manipulating device for sending a signal to said processing unit, said manipulating device including a housing, an operating member assembled in said housing, said operating member having a rest position and being tiltable in certain directions when depressive pressure is applied to said operating member, and a supporting member in said housing for pivotally supporting said operating member, wherein, when said depressive pressure is released from said operating member, said supporting member pushes said operating member to restore it to said rest position.