Game operating device

• US 10,661,183 B2
• Filed: 12/06/2018
• Issued: 05/26/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Inventors: Ikeda, Akio, Kuroda, Ryoji, Urata, Masahiro, Ito, Kuniaki
• Primary Examiner(s): D'Agostino, Paul A
• Application Number:
  US16/212,431
• Publication Number:
  US 20190111348A1
• Time in Patent Office: 537 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/213 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. cameras, photodiodes or infrared cells A63F13/219, A63F13/655 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/23 for interfacing with the game device, e.g. specific interfaces between game controller and console
• 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 13/533 for prompting the player, e.g. by displaying a game menu
• 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 2300/1006 having additional degrees of freedom
• 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 2300/1087 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. a camera
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/308 Details of the user interface
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/558 by assessing the players' skills or ranking

Abstract

A game operating device (controller) includes a longitudinal housing, and a holding portion held by hand to be wrapped by its palm it is formed in the housing. A direction switch is provided on an upper surface at a position where it can be operated by thumb of the hand holding the holding portion, and a start switch and a select switch are provided backward thereof. An X button 46 and a Y button are further arranged in line on the upper surface of the housing. An imaging information arithmetic unit is provided at a front end of the housing in a longitudinal direction in such a manner that an imaging device thereof is exposed from a front-end surface. A concave portion is formed on a lower surface at a position corresponding to the direction switch. The concave portion includes a valley and two inclined surfaces. An A button capable of being operated by index finger of the hand holding the holding portion is provided on the backward inclined surface. By processing an image signal obtained by imaging an infrared ray from LED modules by the imaging device, it is possible to obtain an operation signal varying according to a position and/or attitude of the controller.

Claims

1. A gaming device for use with an electronic device of the type that includes an input device configured to receive manual user input, the electronic device having a control surface, the input device being located on the control surface of the electronic device,

the gaming device comprising:

a support comprising left and right hand portions, the support configured to detachably hold the electronic device such that the control surface of the electronic device is visible while a user is holding the left and right hand portions of the gaming device;

an interface that enables circuitry in the gaming device to communicate with circuitry in the electronic device;

a first input device disposed on the left hand portion and configured to receive first manual user input; and

a second input device disposed on the right hand portion and configured to receive second manual user input;

wherein the support is configured such that when the support is detachably holding the electronic device, at least a portion of the control surface of the electronic device is located and manually accessible between the first and second input devices.

2. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the first input device comprises a thumbstick.

3. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the first input device comprises a cross key.

4. The gaming device of claim 1 wherein the second input device comprises a thumb stick.

5. The gaming device of claim 1 wherein the second input device comprises an array of push buttons.

6. The gaming device of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second input devices comprises a trigger button.

7. The gaming device of claim 1 wherein the left and right hand portions are dimensioned and shaped to be grasped by left and right hands, respectively, so that a palm of the left hand is capable of wrapping around and holding the left hand portion and a palm of the right hand is capable of wrapping around and holding the right hand portion.

8. The gaming device of claim 1 wherein the left and right hand portions are connected.

9. The gaming device of claim 1 wherein the left and right hand portions comprise a unitary structure.

10. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the support is configured to detachably hold opposite sides of the electronic device.

11. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the interface comprises an electrical connector that is configured to mate with a corresponding electrical connector of the electronic device.

12. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the input device located on the control surface of the electronic device comprises a button.

13. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the input device protrudes in at least in one direction from the left hand portion and the right hand portion.

14. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the support is configured to surround at least a portion of a back surface of the electronic device and at least portions of two opposite side surfaces of the electronic device.

15. The gaming device of claim 1 wherein the gaming device is configured to control an electronic game.

16. The gaming device of claim 1 wherein the gaming device is configured control a view point of a virtual camera in a game.

17. The gaming device of claim 1 wherein the first input device comprises a cross switch and a first thumbstick, and the second input device comprises an array of push buttons and a second thumb stick, the first and second input devices being configured and spaced so that when a left hand of the user grasps the left hand portion and a right hand of the user grasps the right hand portion, a thumb of the left hand is capable of alternately operating the cross switch and the first thumbstick and a thumb of the right hand is capable of alternately operating the array of push buttons and the second thumbstick.

18. The gaming device of claim 1 wherein the support defines a slot dimensioned and configured to slidably accept and retain a distal portion of the electronic device.

19. The gaming device of claim 1 wherein the left hand portion is configured so that the electronic device control surface is flush with a first surface of the left hand portion on which the first input device is disposed and/or with a second surface of the right hand portion on which the second input device is disposed.

20. The gaming device of claim 1 wherein the support is configured to support a center of gravity of the electronic device.