Controller device and controller system

• US 8,702,514 B2
• Filed: 08/10/2011
• Issued: 04/22/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Inventors: Ashida, Kenichiro, Wakitani, Noboru, Hori, Yuji, Nishida, Takafumi, Ikuta, Hiroki, Takamoto, Junji, Ibuki, Masato, Yamamoto, Shinji, Tsuchiya, Hitoshi, Suetake, Fumiyoshi, Suga, Akiko, Yamamoto, Naoya, Kumazaki, Daisuke, Goto, Yositomo
• Primary Examiner(s): Elisca, Pierre E
• Application Number:
  US13/206,914
• Publication Number:
  US 20120108340A1
• Time in Patent Office: 986 Days
• Field of Search: 463/39, 463/40
• US Class Current: 463/39
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/20 Input arrangements for video game devices
• 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 13/2145 the surface being also a display device, e.g. touch screens
• 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 13/245 specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/35 Details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/428 involving motion or position input signals, e.g. signals representing the rotation of an input controller or a player's arm motions sensed by accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/5252 using two or more virtual cameras concurrently or sequentially, e.g. automatically switching between fixed virtual cameras when a character changes room or displaying a rear-mirror view in a car-driving game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/5255 according to dedicated instructions from a player, e.g. using a secondary joystick to rotate the camera around a player's character
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/803 Driving vehicles or craft, e.g. cars, airplanes, ships, robots or tanks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/812 Ball games, e.g. soccer or baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/837 Shooting of targets
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• 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 2009/2402 Input by manual operation
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/105 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1075 using a touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/24 : Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for video games A63F13/00; computerized gaming systems G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 : External expansion units, e.g. docking stations

Abstract

An example controller system includes a terminal device, and an input device as an additional device configured to be attachable to and detachable from the terminal device. The terminal device includes a generally plate-shaped housing, and an LCD 51 provided on the front side of the housing. The input device includes an operation section such as a stick, a bar-shaped first grip portion, and a support portion. The support portion detachably supports the terminal device so that the screen of the LCD is in a generally vertical direction when the first grip portion is in the vertical direction.

Claims

1. A controller system comprising a device and an additional device which is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the device, wherein:

the device comprises;

a generally plate-shaped housing; and

a display section provided on a front side of the housing; and

the additional device comprises;

an operation section;

a bar-shaped first grip portion; and

a support portion configured to detachably support the device so that a screen of the display section is in a generally vertical direction when the first grip portion is in a vertical direction.

2. The controller system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a bar-shaped second grip portion which is in a direction generally parallel to the first grip portion,

wherein the operation section is operable with a finger of a hand holding one of the first grip portion and the second grip portion.

3. The controller system according to claim 2, wherein the support portion is provided in a member which connects the first grip portion and the second grip portion to each other.

4. The controller system according to claim 3, wherein the additional device is configured so that:

the first grip portion is positioned forward of the screen when the device is attached; and

the second grip portion is positioned rearward of the screen when the device is attached.

5. The controller system according to claim 1, wherein the additional device further comprises an image-capturing section arranged in a direction for capturing an image in a backward direction of the screen when the device is attached.

6. The controller system according to claim 1, wherein:

the device comprises a projecting portion configured to project on a back side of the housing;

a first engagement hole is provided on a bottom surface of the projecting portion;

a second engagement hole is provided on a bottom surface of the housing; and

the support portion includes tab portions which are configured to be engageable with the first engagement hole and the second engagement hole, and supports a back surface of the housing when the tab portions are engaged with the first engagement hole and the second engagement hole.

7. The controller system according to claim 1, wherein the device further comprises an inertia sensor disposed inside the housing.

8. The controller system according to claim 1, wherein the screen of the display section is 5 inches or larger.

9. The controller system according to claim 1, wherein:

the additional device, when attached to the device, transmits operation data representing an operation performed on the additional device itself to the device; and

the device is configured to wirelessly communicate with a game device capable of executing a game process, and wirelessly transmits, to the game device, operation data representing an operation performed on the device itself and operation data transmitted from the additional device.

10. A device comprising:

a bar-shaped first grip portion;

a bar-shaped second grip portion;

a display section arranged so that a screen thereof is in a generally vertical direction when at least one of the first grip portion and the second grip portion is in a vertical direction; and

an operation section operable with a finger of a hand holding one of the first grip portion and the second grip portion.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the display section is provided between the first grip portion and the second grip portion.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein:

the first grip portion is provided forward of the screen;

the second grip portion is provided rearward of the screen.

13. A controller system comprising a display device and an additional device which is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the display device, wherein:

the display device comprises;

a generally plate-shaped housing;

a first operation section; and

a display provided on a front side of the housing;

the additional device comprises;

a second operation section;

first and second spaced apart and substantially parallel bar-shaped grip portions; and

a member extending between the first and second grip portions and comprising a support portion configured for detachably supporting the display device; and

the display device comprises a wireless communication circuit for wirelessly transmitting operation data for the first and second operation sections.