Device support system and support device

• US 8,804,326 B2
• Filed: 08/11/2011
• Issued: 08/12/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Inventors: Ashida, Kenichiro, Kumazaki, Daisuke, Takamoto, Junji, Ibuki, Masato, Yamamoto, Shinji, Tsuchiya, Hitoshi, Suetake, Fumiyoshi, Suga, Akiko, Yamamoto, Naoya, Goto, Yositomo
• Primary Examiner(s): Estrada, Angel R
• Assistant Examiner(s): LOPEZ CRUZ, DIMARY S
• Application Number:
  US13/207,867
• Publication Number:
  US 20120106042A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,097 Days
• Field of Search: 361/601, 361/679.01, 361/679.02, 361/679.4, 361/679.41, 361/679.55, 361/679.56, 361/679.57, 361/679.59, 361/807, 361/814, 361/809, 361/686, 439/248, 439/374, 463/46, 248/346.01, 248/346.03, 248/346.04, 248/346.06, 379/446, 70/62
• US Class Current: 361/679.4
• 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 terminal device includes a housing, and a first terminal (e.g., a charging terminal). The housing is generally plate-shaped and includes an engagement hole formed therein. The first terminal is provided on a surface (e.g., a bottom surface) of the housing on which the engagement hole is formed. A stand, which is a support device, includes a support member, a second terminal (e.g., a charging terminal), and guide members which are rotating members. The second terminal can be connected to the first terminal of the terminal device. The support member supports a predetermined surface (e.g., a back surface) of the housing when the first terminal and the second terminal are connected to each other. Each of the guide members can rotate in a predetermined direction and is provided at such a position that it is received into the engagement hole when the first terminal and the second terminal are connected to each other.

Claims

1. A system comprising a portable device, and a support device for supporting the portable device, wherein:

the portable device comprises;

a generally plate-shaped housing with a hole formed therein; and

a first terminal provided on a surface of the housing in which the hole is formed; and

the support device comprises;

a second terminal configured for connection to the first terminal;

a support member configured to support a predetermined surface of the housing when the first terminal and the second terminal are connected to each other; and

a rotating member configured to rotate in a predetermined direction such that the rotating member provides a rolling engagement with the portable device when the hole and the rotating member are misaligned in the predetermined direction, and the rotating member configured to be received in the hole when the hole and the rotating member are aligned in the predetermined direction and the first terminal and the second terminal are connected to each other.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein:

the support member comprises a support surface configured to support the predetermined surface of the housing; and

the rotating member is configured to rotate in a direction parallel to the support surface.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the support member includes a groove portion, extending in a direction parallel to the support surface, configured to receive a portion of the housing when the first terminal and the second terminal are connected to each other.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the rotating member is disposed so that a portion thereof projects from a bottom surface of the groove portion.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein:

the hole is formed on a lower side surface of the housing; and

at least two rotating members are disposed side by side with each other in the predetermined direction.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein:

the portable device further comprises a display disposed on a front side of the housing;

the hole is formed on a side surface of the housing; and

the support member supports a back surface of the housing.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein:

the housing has a horizontally-elongated plate shape; and

the first terminal and the hole are provided on a side surface along a long side of the housing.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the hole is configured for engagement with an additional device which is different from the support device.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second terminal comprises a charging terminal for supplying power to the portable device.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein a surface of the housing is sloped adjacent the periphery of the hole.

11. A support device for supporting a portable device comprising:

a second terminal configured for connection to a first terminal provided on a housing of the portable device;

a support member configured to support a predetermined surface of the housing when the first terminal and the second terminal are connected to each other; and

a rotating member configured to rotate in a predetermined direction such that the rotating member provides a rolling engagement with the portable device when a hole formed in a surface of the housing on which the first terminal is disposed and the rotating member are misaligned in the predetermined direction, and the rotating member configured to be received in the hole when the hole and the rotating member are aligned in the predetermined direction and the first terminal and the second terminal are connected to each other.

12. The support device according to claim 11, wherein:

the support member comprises a support surface configured to support a predetermined surface of the housing; and

the rotating member is configured to rotate in a direction parallel to the support surface.

13. The support device according to claim 12, wherein the support member includes a groove portion, extending in a direction parallel to the support surface, configured to receive a portion of the housing when the first terminal and the second terminal are connected to each other.

14. The support device according to claim 13, wherein the rotating member is disposed so that a portion thereof projects from a bottom of the groove portion.

15. The support device according to claim 11, wherein at least two rotating members are disposed side by side with each other in the predetermined direction.

16. A support device for supporting an electronic device having a generally plate-shaped housing and including a display disposed on a front surface of the housing, a first terminal disposed on a bottom surface of the housing and an opening formed on the bottom surface of the housing, the support device comprising:

a wall portion configured for engaging at least part of a back surface of the housing of the electronic device;

a groove portion configured to receive the bottom surface of the housing;

a second terminal disposed in the groove portion and configured for connection to the first terminal; and

a rotating member disposed in the groove portion, at least a portion of the rotating member projecting from a surface of the groove portion,

wherein the rotating member is configured to provide a rolling engagement with the bottom surface of the housing, in a first direction extending along the length of the groove, when the bottom surface of the electronic device is received in the groove portion and the rotating member and the opening are misaligned in the first direction, and

wherein the rotating member is configured to be received in the opening when the bottom surface of the electronic device is received in the groove portion and the rotating member and the opening are aligned in the first direction and the first and second terminals are connected.

17. The support device according to claim 16, further comprising another rotating member disposed in the groove such the rotating member and the other rotating member are disposed on opposite sides of the second terminal.

18. The support device according to claim 16, wherein the rotating member comprises a wheel.

19. The support device according to claim 16, wherein the rotating member comprises a sphere.

20. The support device according to claim 16, wherein the second terminal comprises a power terminal.

21. The support device according to claim 16, embodied as a stand.