JP4521298B2 - Input device and electronic device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device for inputting operation information and an electronic apparatus including the same.

  Conventionally, there is an electronic apparatus having an input device for controlling an operation target as intended by an operator.

  For example, in a game such as a video game or a computer game, operation information is transmitted to the game machine main body by separately pressing a plurality of operation switches arranged on a controller (input device) with a finger, thereby displaying the display device The operation target displayed on the screen is controlled as the operator intends (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Also, in a computer game, by pressing a plurality of operation switches arranged on a keyboard (input device) with fingers separately, operation information input by the keyboard is transmitted to the computer main body, and thereby the screen of the display device The operation target displayed on the screen is controlled as intended by the operator.

  Furthermore, in recent games such as a video game or a computer game, for example, an operator can enjoy various games by using a dedicated controller such as a steering wheel of a car or a control stick type of an airplane. .

Special table 2003-519547 gazette

  Incidentally, in recent years, there has been a demand for higher performance of various devices, and as one of the higher performance of various devices, improvements in versatility and operability are also required in input devices and electronic devices.

  For example, in recent games, the contents of game software, such as the movement of objects such as image display and characters, are becoming more precise and realistic, and the themes that are themes are diversified. In the conventional method of operating the movement of the operation target or selecting the menu by pressing the digital switch or tilting the stick volume switch, the operation keys are limited, and the software configuration or game development is limited. Since it can be performed only within the range restricted by operability, it is not always possible to draw out the game performance and software entertainment sufficiently, and it is unsatisfactory and inconvenient in terms of realism, force and operability. Has come to be felt.

  Therefore, there is a demand for an input device that can easily improve versatility and operability.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide an input device and an electronic apparatus that can easily improve versatility and operability.

In order to achieve the above-described object, the input device according to the present invention is characterized in that an input means for inputting operation information by an operator's hand is used to control an operation target as intended by the operator. The input device is arranged so that the input means detects the distortion of the casing caused by the operation of the operator, and thereby the force applied to the casing and the direction thereof are intended by the operator. A pressure-sensitive analog sensor for detecting operation information is provided, and a grip portion that an operator grips is provided on the casing, and at least a part of the grip portion is formed of an elastomer or a bellows-shaped soft sensor. The pressure-sensitive analog sensor is arranged on the inner surface of this part .

Before SL pressure sensitive analog sensor is preferably a load sensor capable of analog output.

The input means includes a circular operation body rotatably disposed on the casing, and has a rotation operation input switch for detecting rotation operation by an operator of the circular operation body as operation information. It is preferable that the circular operation body is disposed in an operation unit provided in the casing .

  The electronic device according to the present invention is characterized by having the input device according to the present invention.

According to the input device of the present invention, pressure sensitivity for detecting the force applied to the casing and its direction as the operation information intended by the operator by detecting distortion of the casing caused by the operation of the operator. Since the analog sensor is provided, it is possible to reliably and easily detect operation information based on the strength and direction of the force applied to the casing by the operator's hand. In addition, according to the input device of the present invention, the casing is provided with a gripping portion to be gripped by the operator, and at least a part of the gripping portion is formed of an elastomer or a bellows-like flexible structure. Since the pressure-sensitive analog sensor is disposed on the inner surface of this part, it is possible to achieve an excellent effect that the gripper itself can be a pressure-sensitive analog sensor. Furthermore, according to the input device according to the present invention, as the operation information, the direction of twisting the casing and the operation force thereof, for example, the steering operation of the vehicle and the fuselage in the car racing game and the flight simulation game and the control of the operation amount thereof Control of the movement of the character's viewpoint and the amount of movement in a shooting game can be performed easily, reliably, and quickly, so that the game performance and software entertainment can be fully exploited, as well as realistic and powerful. In addition, an excellent effect of improving operability and the like can be achieved. Furthermore, according to the input device according to the present invention, it is possible to detect the distortion of the casing caused by the operation of the operator swinging or tilting the input device. By using the input, for example, it is possible to achieve an excellent effect that it can be used as an input of a sound in a music game or an input of a gear change in a car racing game. Further, according to the input device according to the present invention, since the pressure-sensitive analog sensor is a load sensor capable of analog output, the operation information based on the strength and direction of the force applied to the casing by the operator's hand can be further increased. An excellent effect that it can be easily detected can be achieved. Furthermore, according to the input device according to the present invention, the input means includes a circular operation body rotatably disposed on the casing, and detects a rotation operation by an operator of the circular operation body as operation information. Therefore, for example, it is possible to quickly select a menu from a plurality of menus displayed on the screen by a simple and quick operation of rotating a circular operation body. Can play. Furthermore, according to the input device according to the present invention, since the circular operation body is disposed in the operation unit provided in the housing, the operability by the operator's fingertips can be improved. There is an effect. Therefore, according to the input device and an electronic apparatus according to the present invention exhibits extremely excellent effects such can be easily improved in versatility and operability.

  The present invention will be described below with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings.

  1 to 3 show an embodiment of an electronic apparatus using an input device according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the main part, and FIG. 2 is a front view of the main part of the embodiment of the input device. 3 and 3 are side views of FIG.

  The input device and the electronic device of this embodiment exemplify those used in existing game devices, specifically, home game devices.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a game apparatus 1 as an electronic apparatus according to the present embodiment has a system composed of a controller 2 as an input device, a game machine main body 3, and a television 4 as a display device, as in the prior art. It is configured. The controller 2 and the game machine main body 3 and the game machine main body 3 and the television 4 are both connected by a cable such as a connection cord or by radio such as infrared rays or radio waves. .

  The controller 2 is for inputting operation information by an operator and transmitting the input operation information to the game machine main body 3. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the controller 2 includes a controller main body 5. Yes. The controller body 5 includes an operation portion 5a formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a pair of left and right grip portions 5b formed on both ends of the operation portion 5a and capable of being gripped by fingers of both hands of the operator. Have.

  That is, the controller 2 is configured to be hand-held so that the operator can hold it in his hand.

  The controller body 5 has a case 6 as a housing formed of a material such as resin. The case 6 is divided into two in the thickness direction shown in the left-right direction in FIG. 3, and one shown on the left in FIG. 3 is an upper case 6a, and the other shown on the right in FIG. 3 is the upper case 6a. The lower case 6b is fitted into the lower case 6b.

  The case 6 is provided with a plurality of input means 7 for inputting operation information by the operator's hand in order to control the operation object as intended by the operator.

  The input means 7 of the present embodiment is provided at a pair of left and right pressure-sensitive analog sensors 8 disposed on each gripping part 5b and both ends of the side surface of the gripping part 5b shown in the upper part of FIG. 2 (right side of FIG. 3). The left / right pair of rotation operation input switches 9 and the operation switch 10 disposed on the surface of the upper case 6a of the operation portion 5a are provided.

  The pressure-sensitive analog sensor 8 is for detecting, as operation information, a force applied to the case 6 as a housing by an operator's hand, and the upper case 6a and the lower case 6b in the outer peripheral portion of each gripping part 5b. It is arrange | positioned so that it may be pinched | interposed between. This pressure-sensitive analog sensor 8 converts the strength of the operation force when the operator grips or twists the case 6, specifically the grip portion 5 b, and analog data in the direction thereof into a digital value such as 8 bits. It functions as an analog switch that outputs information.

  As an element of the pressure-sensitive analog sensor 8, a strain gauge line (strain gauge), a semiconductor strain gauge, a piezoelectric element, a configuration in which the output is changed by increasing / decreasing capacitance, and an output by increasing / decreasing the contact area by a conductive member. It is possible to select from various types capable of analog output such as a configuration to be changed.

  Note that the position where the pressure-sensitive analog sensor 8 is disposed may be, for example, the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the operation portion 5a, the boundary portion between the operation portion 5a and the grip portion 5b, or the like. Any position where force can be detected is acceptable.

  Further, the number of the pressure-sensitive analog sensors 8 may be singular or plural depending on the design concept.

  Furthermore, at least a part of the gripping part 5b of the case 6 is formed of an elastomer, or at least a part of the gripping part 5b has a flexible structure such as a bellows, and the pressure-sensitive analog sensor 8 is disposed on the inner surface of these parts. Thus, the grip portion 5b itself may be configured as the pressure-sensitive analog sensor 8.

  The rotation operation input switch 9 is for detecting a rotation operation by an operator as operation information, and includes a circular operation body 11 that is rotatably disposed on the case 6. The circular operating body 11 is located at a position where the operator can easily touch his fingertip when the operator grips the grip portion 5b. In the present embodiment, the circular operation body 11 is located above the operation portion 5a in FIG. 3 right side) are disposed between the upper case 6a and the lower case 6b at both ends of the side surface. Of course, it is good also as a structure which provides the rotation operation input switch 9 in the holding part 5b.

  The rotation operation input switch 9 can be selected from various types such as a jog dial, jog shuttle, potentiometer, and rotary encoder capable of analog output, and a multi-contact rotary switch.

  The operation switch 10 is for detecting operation information by an operator's pressing operation on the operation switch 10, and has a substantially cross shape arranged on the left side of FIG. 2 on the surface of the upper case 6a of the operation unit 5a. An operation switch (cross key) 10a is formed, and four operation switches 10b, 10c, 10d, and 10e are formed in a set of four so as to form a substantially cross shape on the right side of FIG.

  The operation switch 10 is selected from a digital switch that outputs only on / off digital information, an analog switch that digitally converts analog data of an operation force that indicates how strong it is operated, and outputs it as multi-value information. Can do. Further, a stick volume switch can be used as the operation switch 10. This stick volume switch is located in the center when the operator's hand is not touching and maintains a neutral state, and can be moved vertically and horizontally by the operator's operation. Multi-valued data values can be output in accordance with the direction, that is, the amount of movement in the four directions of up, down, left, and right.

  Inside the controller, a circuit board provided with output terminals of the input means 7 is disposed. When the controller 2 and the game machine body 3 are connected to each other wirelessly, a transmission / reception device for performing wireless communication is disposed inside the case 6. When the controller 2 and the game machine main body 3 are connected to each other by wire, one end of the connection cord is connected to the output terminal of each input means 7.

  The game machine main body 2 is loaded with game applications, and includes a control unit constituted by a CPU, a memory, and the like, a game program, and game data stored in a storage medium such as a game cartridge, CD, and DVD. It has an input device used for reading.

  Other configurations of the controller 2, the game machine main body 3, and the television 4 are the same as those conventionally known, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the operation of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described.

  According to the controller 2 and the game apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to easily improve versatility and operability.

  That is, according to the controller 2 of the game apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, when the operator grips the case 6 or twists the case 6, the case 6 is distorted. The distortion of the case 6 is detected by the pressure sensitive analog sensor 8. As a result, the force applied to the case 6 by the operator's hand can be detected as operation information. The operation information detected by the pressure-sensitive analog sensor 8 is converted into a multi-value electric signal according to the operation force and its direction, and transmitted to the game machine body 2. In addition, the game machine body 2 controls an operation target displayed on the screen of the television 4 based on the received operation force, an electric signal corresponding to the direction, and a game program and game data. .

  Therefore, according to the controller 2 of the game apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the case 6 is provided with the grip portion 5b gripped by the operator, and the pressure-sensitive analog sensor 8 is disposed on the grip portion 5b. The operation information based on the strength and direction of the force applied to the case 6 by the operator's hand can be reliably and easily detected. Such a configuration in which the force applied to the case 6 is input as the operation information is a novel one that is not found in the conventional input device.

  Further, according to the controller 2 of the game apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the case 6 is provided with a pair of left and right grips 5b that the operator grips with both hands, and each of these grips 5b has a pressure-sensitive analog sensor. Since 8 is disposed, it is possible to more reliably and easily detect operation information based on the strength and direction of the force applied to the case 6 by the operator's hand.

  Furthermore, according to the controller 2 of the game apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, since the pressure-sensitive analog sensor 8 is a load sensor capable of analog output, the strength and direction of the force applied to the case 6 by the operator's hand The operation information by can be detected more easily.

Thus, according to the pressure-sensitive analog sensor 8 of the controller 2 of the game apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, for example, a vehicle in a car racing game, a flight simulation game, It is possible to easily, reliably, and quickly control the steering wheel operation of the airframe and the amount of operation thereof, and the control of the movement and amount of movement of the character viewpoint in the shooting game. As a result, game performance, it is possible to draw sufficiently the entertainment software, realism, since Ru can be improved and powerful and operability can be easily improved versatility and operability .

  Further, according to the pressure-sensitive analog sensor 8 of the controller 2 of the game apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the distortion of the case 6 caused by the operation of the operator swinging or tilting the controller 2 can be detected. 6 can be detected as input of operation information. By using such vibration and inclination of the case 6 as input of operation information, for example, it can be used as input of sound in a music game or input of gear change in a car racing game.

  Further, according to the controller 2 of the game apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the input means 7 includes the circular operation body 11 that is rotatably disposed on the case 6, and the circular operation body 11 can be rotated by an operator. Since the rotation operation input switch 9 for detecting as operation information is provided, for example, the menu selection from a plurality of menus (commands) displayed on the screen can be performed by a simple operation of rotating the circular operation body 11. Can be done quickly.

  According to the controller 2 of the game apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, since the rotation operation input switches 9 are provided in a pair of left and right, menu selection from a plurality of parent menus by one rotation operation input switch 9 and the other Menu selection from a plurality of child menus can be performed by the rotation operation input switch 9. As a result, for example, the operability of command selection in a role playing game or a simulation game can be easily improved.

  Furthermore, according to the controller 2 of the game apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, since the circular operation body 11 is disposed close to the grip portion 5b, the rotation operation with the fingertip of the operator can be easily performed. Note that the operability of the operator's fingertips can be improved by disposing the circular operating body 11 in the grip portion 5b.

  In addition, since both the pressure-sensitive analog sensor 8 and the rotation operation input switch 9 of the controller 2 of the game apparatus 1 of the present embodiment can be easily incorporated into the existing controller 2, the usability of the existing controller 2 is improved. It can be easily achieved.

  The input device of the present invention can be used for input devices of a wide variety of existing electronic devices such as computer keyboards and mice, and music devices (including portable music devices).

  In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, A various change is possible as needed.

The block diagram which shows the principal part of embodiment of the electronic device using the input device which concerns on this invention Front view showing the main part of an embodiment of the input device Side view of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Game device 1
2 controller 3 game machine body 4 television 5 controller body 5a operation part 5b gripping part 6 case 6a upper case 6b lower case 7 input means 8 pressure sensitive analog sensor 9 rotary operation input switch 10 operation switch 11 circular operation body

Claims (5)

In order to control the operation target as intended by the operator, an input device in which operation information is input by the operator's hand is provided in the housing,
A pressure-sensitive analog sensor for detecting the force applied to the casing and the direction thereof as operation information intended by the operator by detecting distortion of the casing caused by an operation of the operator by the input means. Have
The casing is provided with a gripping part to be gripped by an operator, and at least a part of the gripping part is formed of an elastomer or a bellows-like flexible structure, and the pressure-sensitive analog sensor is formed on the inner surface of the part. There input device you characterized in that it is arranged.   The input device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure-sensitive analog sensor is a load sensor capable of analog output. The input means includes a circular operation body rotatably disposed on the casing, and has a rotation operation input switch for detecting rotation operation by an operator of the circular operation body as operation information. The input device according to claim 1 , wherein:   The input device according to claim 3, wherein the circular operation body is disposed in an operation unit provided in the casing.   An electronic apparatus comprising the input device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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