(19) Japan Patent Office
`(JP)
`
`(12) Unexamined Japanese Patent
`Application Publication (A)
`
`(51) Int. Cl.6
`G05G 9/06
`A63F
`9/22
`G05G 9/08
`G06F
`3/033
`
`ID Code
`
`JPO Ref. No.
`
`310
`
`FI
`G05G 9/06
`A63F 9/22 F
`G05G 9/08
`G06F 3/033 310 Y
`
`(11) Publication No.:
`JP-A H10-020951
`(43) Publication date:
`January 23, 1998
`Theme code (reference):
`
`(22) Filing date:
`
`July 2, 1996
`
`Examination request status: not yet requested; No. of claims: 5; Online application (6 pages total)
`(21) Application No.: H08-172412
`(71) Applicant:
`000132471
`Sega Enterprises, Ltd.
`2-12 Haneda 1-chome, Ota-ku, Tokyo-to
`Koji TSUCHIYA
`Sega Enterprises, Ltd.
`2-12 Haneda 1-chome, Ota-ku, Tokyo-to
`Yoshihito KITANO, patent agent
`
`(72) Inventor:
`
`(74) Agent:
`
`(54) [Title of the Invention] MULTISTAGE TRIGGER DEVICE
`
`(57) [Abstract]
`[Problem] To provide a multistage trigger device that utilizes a conventional controller to enable
`pseudo-analog input similar to that of an analog stick without the need for practice in operating.
`[Solution] A multistage trigger device 10 is provided with a controller mounting part 4 capable
`of gripping a steering wheel 2 from above and below, and a plate-shaped lever 6 that is hingeably
`mounted to an upper part 4a of the controller mounting part 4 via a hinge 5. A tightening screw 7
`is attached to a lower part 4b of the controller mounting part 4. A concave curved part 6a is
`formed on an upper surface of the lever 6, and the rear side thereof is partially thickened to form
`a button-pressing part 6b so as to enable reliable pressing of trigger buttons 3. When the lever 6
`is pressed, trigger buttons A, B, C therebeneath are continuously pressed, allowing a feel similar
`to analog stick input to be obtained.
`
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`COLLECTIVE EX1006 Page 1
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`

`

`JP-A H10-020951
`
`[Claims]
`[Claim 1]
`A multistage trigger device for mounting on a controller provided with a plurality of trigger
`buttons, the device being characterized in comprising a controller mounting part capable of being
`mounted on a part of the controller near the plurality of trigger buttons, and a trigger button
`pressing means that is capable of moving relative to the controller mounting part, and is capable,
`through said movement, of pressing the plurality of trigger buttons of the controller in at least
`two manners.
`[Claim 2]
`The multistage trigger device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of trigger button rows
`each constituted by a plurality of trigger buttons is provided on the controller, and the trigger
`button pressing means is provided for each of the plurality of trigger button rows.
`[Claim 3]
`The multistage trigger device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the trigger button pressing
`means is a lever that is hingeably mounted on the controller mounting part, and is capable of
`moving in a direction so as to press the plurality of trigger buttons.
`[Claim 4]
`The multistage trigger device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the trigger button pressing
`means is a slide knob that is attached the controller mounting part, and is capable of sliding in a
`direction along which the plurality of trigger buttons is arranged.
`[Claim 5]
`The multistage trigger device according to claim 4, further comprising a biasing means that urges
`the slide knob back to an initial position.
`[Detailed Description of the Invention]
`[0001]
`[Field of the invention]
`The present invention relates to a multistage trigger device that is mounted on, for example, a
`video game controller, and, in particular, to a multistage trigger device that is mounted on a
`controller provided with a plurality of trigger buttons and is capable of expanding the functions
`thereof.
`[0002]
`[Prior art]
`With the recent spread of home video game devices, game software has tended to become
`increasingly complex and diverse, and video game devices that utilize so-called analog
`controllers, which are controllers capable not only of simply turning trigger buttons on and off,
`but also of analog signal input, have appeared.
`[0003]
`However, analog controllers are not only more expensive than typical “digital” controllers,
`which only allow for trigger button on/off input, but also require complex processing on the part
`of the game software in order to allow for use with other game software. Therefore, attempts
`have been made to realize multiple input patterns (pseudo-analog input) using the existing trigger
`buttons of conventional digital controllers. For example, in a fighting game, three trigger buttons
`each for weak, medium, and strong may be assigned to the punches and kicks thrown by a
`character, or two trigger buttons each for weak and medium may be assigned to slashing and
`kicking actions, wherein, in addition to the buttons being pressed one at a time, the weak and
`medium buttons can be pressed simultaneously to yield a stronger attack.
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`JP-A H10-020951
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`[0004]
`[Problem to be solved by the invention]
`Of the controller operation schemes described above, the former, in which separate trigger
`buttons are assigned to a plurality of inputs, assigns one action to one trigger button as a rule, and
`thus can be considered an operation method that is intuitive for players and comparatively well-
`suited for action games such as fighting games. However, such action games do not inherently
`require analog controllers; thus, when attempting to play games that require an analog controller,
`such as car racing games in which vehicle speed is variable, or shooting games in which a
`variable number of shots can be fired per unit of time, using such an operation scheme, a trigger
`button is needed for the variable element, with the result that such controllers cannot be used as-
`is.
`[0005]
`The latter operation scheme, in which a separate function is assigned to the simultaneous
`pressing of multiple buttons, enables more actions than the number of buttons, but requires
`players to both individually operate two trigger buttons and to operate the buttons simultaneously,
`which requires practice. An object of the present invention is to provide a multistage trigger
`device that utilizes a conventional controller to enable pseudo-analog input similar to that of an
`analog stick without the need for practice in operating.
`[0006]
`[Means for solving the problem]
`The object proposed above is achieved through a multistage trigger device for mounting on a
`controller provided with a plurality of trigger buttons, the device being characterized in
`comprising a controller mounting part capable of being mounted on a part of the controller near
`the plurality of trigger buttons, and a trigger button pressing means that is capable of moving
`relative to the controller mounting part, and is capable, through said movement, of pressing the
`plurality of trigger buttons of the controller in at least two manners.
`[0007]
`In the multistage trigger device described above, it is preferable that a plurality of trigger button
`rows each constituted by a plurality of trigger buttons be provided on the controller, and the
`trigger button pressing means be provided for each of the plurality of trigger button rows. In the
`multistage trigger device described above, it is preferable that the trigger button pressing means
`be a lever that is hingeably mounted on the controller mounting part, and is capable of moving in
`a direction so as to press the plurality of trigger buttons. This enables a plurality of trigger
`buttons to be pressed by means of the simple act of moving the lever up and down, allowing for
`input similar to that of an analog stick.
`[0008]
`In the multistage trigger device described above, it is preferable that the trigger button pressing
`means be a slide knob that is attached the controller mounting part, and is capable of sliding in a
`direction along which the plurality of trigger buttons is arranged. This enables a plurality of
`trigger buttons to be pressed by means of the simple act of sliding the slide knob, allowing for
`input similar to that of an analog stick.
`[0009]
`It is preferable that the multistage trigger device described above further comprise a biasing
`means that urges the slide knob back to an initial position.
`[0010]
`[Embodiments of the invention]
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`JP-A H10-020951
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`A multistage trigger device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be
`described with reference to FIGS. 1–3. Before describing the multistage trigger device according
`to the present embodiment, the structure of a specific example of a home video game device
`controller on which the multistage trigger device is mounted will be described.
`[0011]
`FIG. 1 is an exterior view of a racing game controller that is connected to a video game device
`body (not shown) and is operated by a player. In FIG. 1, a controller 1 is provided with a
`butterfly-shaped steering wheel 2 capable of producing analog input according to its rotational
`position, provided with a total of six trigger buttons 3 capable of being pressed by a player’s
`finger, usually the thumb, near grip parts 2a thereof. The trigger buttons 3 control specific signals
`that are turned on and off by being pressed and released by the player, and provide digital input.
`[0012]
`In the description of the present application, the letters shown in the drawings (A, B, C, X, Y, Z)
`are used to indicate specific buttons out of the six trigger buttons 3. In accordance with the
`present embodiment, the multistage trigger device shown in FIG. 2 is prepared for this steering
`wheel controller 1, and is mounted on the portions of the steering wheel indicated by dotted lines
`in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an exterior view of a multistage trigger device according to the present
`embodiment.
`[0013]
`A multistage trigger device 10 is provided with a controller mounting part 4 capable of gripping
`the steering wheel 2 from above and below, and a plate-shaped lever 6 that is hingeably mounted
`to an upper part 4a of the controller mounting part 4 via a hinge 5. A tightening screw 7 for
`firmly anchoring the controller mounting part 4 to the steering wheel 2 after the former has
`gripped the steering wheel 2 is attached to a lower part 4b of the controller mounting part 4.
`[0014]
`A concave curved part 6a is formed on an upper surface of the lever 6 so as to conform to the
`player’s finger, and the rear side thereof is partially thickened to form a button-pressing part 6b
`so as to enable reliable pressing of the trigger buttons 3. FIG. 3 is a side exterior view of the
`multistage trigger device 10 mounted to the part of the steering wheel at which trigger buttons A,
`B, C are disposed. Signal input patterns based on the manner in which the lever is operated will
`now be described with reference to FIG. 3.
`[0015]
`When a player depresses the lever 6 toward the steering wheel (in the direction indicated by
`arrow D) with the controller mounting part 4 of the multistage trigger device 10 anchored to the
`steering wheel 2 by the tightening screw 7, the tilting of the button-pressing part 6b of the lever 6
`causes the trigger buttons 3 labeled A, B, C to be gradually depressed starting from the trigger
`button 3 nearest the hinge 5, in the order A → A+B → A+B+C.
`[0016]
`As a result, the steering wheel controller 1 on which the multistage trigger device 10 is mounted
`allows for multistage key input via a single operation on the part of the player, instead of the key
`input patterns yielded by individual operation of the trigger buttons as before. Specifically, it is
`thus possible, in a racing game or the like, to perform delicate operation of a race car, such as
`half-throttle (equivalent to the accelerator pedal being only partially depressed) short of full-
`throttle. This enables the substantial expansion of the function of a controller 1 in which one
`trigger button apiece is assigned to the accelerator and the brakes. In addition, the mode of
`operation, i.e., operating a lever, is comparatively similar to the operation of an accelerator
`
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`JP-A H10-020951
`
`pedal; thus, applying this form of key input to the accelerator of a vehicle enables the provision
`of a controller that is intuitive for players.
`[0017]
`Next, a multistage trigger device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will
`be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is an exterior view of a multistage trigger
`device, and FIG. 5 is an illustration for describing the mounting and operation thereof. Elements
`identical or similar to those of the multistage trigger device shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 will be
`identically labeled, and description thereof will be omitted or shortened. In the first embodiment,
`three-stage continuous key input using three trigger buttons 3 is possible, whereas the second
`embodiment enables five-stage key input using three trigger buttons 3.
`[0018]
`A multistage trigger device 20 according to the present embodiment is provided with a controller
`mounting part 11 similar to that of the previous embodiment. The controller mounting part 11
`has a somewhat elongated form so as to cover the three trigger buttons 3 to be operated. A
`longitudinal slit 12 is formed in a top plate 11a, and a hole 13 for admitting the trigger buttons 3
`is formed in a middle plate 11b. A tightening screw 7 for firmly anchoring the controller
`mounting part 11 to the steering wheel 2 is attached to a bottom plate 11c that is positioned to the
`rear of the steering wheel 2 when the device is mounted on the controller 1.
`[0019]
`A slide knob 14 constituting a trigger button pressing means is slidably mounted within the slit
`12. The slide knob 14 comprises an operated part 14a that projects above the top plate 11a and is
`contacted by the player’s finger, and a trigger button contacting part 14b that is integral with the
`operated part 14a through the slit 12 and moves along the rear side of the top plate 11a to press
`the trigger buttons 3. As shown in FIG. 5, the right and left contact surfaces of the trigger button
`contacting part 14b are chamfered so as to allow the trigger buttons 3 projecting through the
`middle plate 11b to be depressed straight down without resistance.
`[0020]
`The slide knob 14 is provided with a spring 14c that applies force so as to urge the slide knob 14
`back to its original position. Thanks to the action of the spring 14c, the slide knob 14 will always
`return to its original position when released by the player after the slide knob 14 has been moved
`by the player, or even when being operated by the player. As a result, the player need only
`operate the knob in one direction, thereby improving ease of operation.
`[0021]
`Next, signal input patterns yielded by operation of the slide knob will be described with
`reference to FIG. 5. When the player slides the slide knob 14 toward the trigger buttons (in the
`direction indicated by arrow E) with the controller mounting part 11 of the multistage trigger
`device 20 being anchored to the steering wheel 2 by the tightening screw 7, the trigger buttons 3
`designated A, B, C are pressed in the order A → B → C through the movement of the trigger
`button contacting part 14b. Because the contacting part 14b is larger than the spaces between
`buttons A, B and buttons B, C, the contacting part 14b simultaneously presses both buttons,
`yielding key inputs A+B and B+C, respectively, at these positions.
`[0022]
`As a result, the steering wheel controller 1 on which the multistage trigger device 20 is mounted
`allows for a total of five stages of key input, namely, A → A+B → B → B+C → C, via a single
`operation on the part of the player, instead of the key input patterns yielded by individual
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`JP-A H10-020951
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`operation of the trigger buttons as before. For example, in a racing game or the like, even more
`delicate pseudo-analog operation than in the previous embodiment is possible.
`[0023]
`Next, a multistage trigger device according to a third embodiment of the present invention will
`be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 is an exterior view of a multistage trigger
`device, and FIG. 7 is an illustration of the multistage trigger device in a mounted state. The
`multistage trigger device according to the present embodiment is for mounting on a typical game
`controller 15. A multistage trigger device 30 is provided with a controller mounting part 16 for
`mounting on the controller 15 shown in FIG. 7, and two levers 6 hingeably mounted on a lever
`supporting part 16a of the controller mounting part 16, and grip tabs 16b that grip the pad 15
`from the sides extend downward from both ends of the lever supporting part 16a. Elongated belt
`holes 17 are formed in the end parts of the grip tabs 16b.
`[0024]
`When the controller mounting part 16 of the multistage trigger device 30 is anchored to the
`controller 15 by a belt 18 as shown in FIG. 7, the two levers 6 arranged in parallel are positioned
`over the trigger button row A, B, C and the trigger button row X, Y, Z on the controller 15.
`When a player depresses a lever 6 toward the controller 15, the tilting of the button-pressing part
`6b of the lower lever 6 gradually depresses the trigger buttons 3 designated A, B, C in the order
`A → A+B → A+B+C. The tilting of the button-pressing part 6b of the upper lever 6 gradually
`depresses the trigger buttons 3 designated X, Y, Z in the order X → X+Y → X+Y+Z.
`[0025]
`As a result, the controller 15 on which the multistage trigger device 30 is mounted is capable of a
`total of six stages of key input via a single operation on the part of the player, instead of the key
`input patterns yielded by individual operation of the trigger buttons as before. As a result,
`delicate operation two types of actions, such as acceleration and braking, can be performed on a
`game character in a racing game or the like, thereby allowing the game feel of an existing
`controller to be improved.
`[0026]
`The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified in
`various ways. For example, while the embodiments described above feature examples for
`mounting to controllers comprising three trigger buttons disposed in a row, the multistage trigger
`device according to the present invention is not limited with respect to the number or layout of
`trigger buttons on the controller, and can be applied to controllers of any trigger button layout by
`altering the length or number of the levers 6, or the sliding length or number of slide knobs 14.
`[0027]
`While the multistage trigger devices 10, 20, 30 of the embodiments described above grip a
`controller from above and below for from the sides, in which state the devices are anchored by a
`tightening screw 7 or belt 18, in other embodiments, mating holes, projections, or the like may be
`formed on the controller, and part of the device mated therewith to firmly combine the two into a
`single whole.
`[0028]
`[Effects of the Invention]
`In accordance with the present invention, as described above, pseudo-analog functionality
`enabling delicate operation can be imparted to a conventional controller, allowing for improved
`realism on the part of the game. In addition, the multistage trigger device according to the
`present invention is easy to mount on and remove from a controller, allowing new functionality
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`JP-A H10-020951
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`to be imparted thereto without altering the environment in which the controller has been used
`hitherto. Moreover, the multistage trigger device, being compact and having few parts, has low
`manufacturing costs, can be provided as an accessory for game software on a ROM cartridge,
`CD-ROM, or the like, and can greatly contribute to the spread of optional peripheral devices.
`[Brief Description of the Drawings]
`FIG. 1 is an exterior view of a controller to which a multistage trigger device according to a first
`embodiment of the present invention is mounted.
`FIG. 2 is an exterior perspective view of a multistage trigger device according to a first
`embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the multistage trigger device depicted in FIG.
`2 mounted on a controller, and the operation thereof.
`FIG. 4 is an exterior perspective view of a multistage trigger device according to a second
`embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the multistage trigger device depicted in FIG.
`4 mounted on a controller, and the operation thereof.
`FIG. 6 is an exterior perspective view of a multistage trigger device according to a third
`embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 7 is an external view illustrating the multistage trigger device depicted in FIG. 6 mounted
`on a controller.
`[Reference labels]
`1, 15: Controller
`2:
`Steering wheel
`3:
`Trigger button
`4:
`Controller mounting part
`5:
`Hinge
`6:
`Lever
`7:
`Fastening screw
`10, 20, 30: Multistage trigger device
`11, 16: Controller mounting part
`12:
`Slit
`14:
`Slide knob
`17:
`Elongated belt hole
`18:
`Belt
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`JP-A H10-020951
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`[FIG. 1]
`
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`[FIG. 2]
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`[FIG. 3]
`
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`[FIG. 4]
`
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`[FIG. 5]
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`JP-A H10-020951
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`[FIG. 6]
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`[FIG. 7]
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