Operation input device and character input device

• US 8,188,977 B2
• Filed: 07/30/2009
• Issued: 05/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bayer Intellectual Property GmbH (Bayer AG)
• Original Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Kuwaki, Osamu, Shimada, Munenori
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Kimnhung
• Application Number:
  US12/512,158
• Publication Number:
  US 20100045607A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,034 Days
• Field of Search: 345168-169, 345/161, 341 21- 23, 463 36- 39
• US Class Current: 345/169
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/021 Arrangements integrating additional peripherals in a keyboard, e.g. card or barcode reader, optical scanner
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface

Abstract

Provided is an operation input device to be attached to a base having a recessed portion including a side surface that faces one end of the base. The operation input device includes: a side surface portion formed into a shape corresponding to the side surface of the recessed portion; and first and second holding portions which fix the operation input device to the base by sandwiching the base, in which: a surface of one of the holding portions, which contacts the base, is bent toward the other holding portion; a tip end portion of the first holding portion moves toward an opposite side to the second holding portion, whereby the operation input device is attached to or detached from the base; and the side surface portion contacts with the side surface of the recessed portion, when the operation input device is attached to the base.

Claims

1. An operation input device to be used by being attached to a base having a surface on which a recessed portion including a side surface that faces one end of the base is formed, the operation input device comprising:

a side surface portion, at least a part of which is formed into a shape corresponding to the side surface of the recessed portion facing the one end; and

first and second holding portions which protrude from the operation input device so as to be opposed to each other, and fix the operation input device to the base by sandwiching the base respectively from the one end and an opposite side to the one end, wherein;

a surface of at least one of the first and second holding portions, which is brought into contact with the base, is formed to be bent toward another one of the first and second holding portions;

at least a tip end portion of the first holding portion is configured to be movable toward an opposite side to the second holding portion, and the tip end portion of the first holding portion moves toward the opposite side to the second holding portion, whereby the operation input device is attached to or detached from the base; and

the side surface portion is brought into contact with the side surface of the recessed portion facing the one end, in a state where the operation input device is attached to the base,

wherein the first holding portion is coupled to a bottom surface of the operation input device, is configured to be rotatable about a rotation shaft as a rotation center provided on a portion thereof that is coupled to the bottom surface, and has a tip end portion moving to the opposite side to the second holding portion by rotation of the first holding portion.

2. An operation input device according to claim 1, wherein the first holding portion is urged so as to rotate in a direction such that the tip end portion thereof approaches the second holding portion.

3. A character input device to be used by being attached to a base having a surface on which a recessed portion including a side surface that faces one end of the base is formed, the character input device comprising:

character inputting keys provided on a surface of the character input device;

a side surface portion, at least a part of which is formed into a shape corresponding to the side surface of the recessed portion facing the one end; and

first and second holding portions which protrude from the character input device so as to be opposed to each other, and fix the character input device to the base by sandwiching the base respectively from the one end and an opposite side to the one end, wherein;

a surface of at least one of the first and second holding portions, which is brought into contact with the base, is formed to be bent toward another one of the first and second holding portions;

at least a tip end portion of the first holding portion is configured to be movable toward an opposite side to the second holding portion, and the tip end portion of the first holding portion moves toward the opposite side to the second holding portion, whereby the character input device is attached to or detached from the base; and

the side surface portion is brought into contact with the side surface of the recessed portion facing the one end, in a state where the character input device is attached to the base,

wherein the first holding portion is coupled to a bottom surface of the character input device, is configured to be rotatable about a rotation shaft as a rotation center provided on a portion thereof that is coupled to the bottom surface, and has a tip end portion moving to the opposite side to the second holding portion by rotation of the first holding portion.

4. An operation input device to be used by being attached to a base having a surface on which a recessed portion including a side surface that faces one end of the base is formed, the operation input device comprising:

a side surface portion, at least a part of which is formed into a shape corresponding to the side surface of the recessed portion facing the one end; and

first and second holding portions which protrude from the operation input device so as to be opposed to each other, and fix the operation input device to the base by sandwiching the base respectively from the one end and an opposite side to the one end, wherein;

a surface of at least one of the first and second holding portions, which is brought into contact with the base, is formed to be bent toward another one of the first and second holding portions;

at least a tip end portion of the first holding portion is configured to be movable toward an opposite side to the second holding portion, and the tip end portion of the first holding portion moves toward the opposite side to the second holding portion, whereby the operation input device is attached to or detached from the base; and

the side surface portion is brought into contact with the side surface of the recessed portion facing the one end, in a state where the operation input device is attached to the base, wherein;

a rib having a shape corresponding to a curved shape of the side surface of the recessed portion facing the one end is formed on the side surface portion in a protruding manner; and

a tip end portion of the rib is brought into contact with the side surface of the recessed portion facing the one end, in the state where the operation input device is attached to the base.