|l||||llllllllIlllllllIllllIiiilllllllllll|||||lllllIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
`U8005551693A
`
`United States Patent
`
`[19]
`
`Goto et a1.
`
`5,551,693
`[11] Patent Number:
`Sep. 3, 1996
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`[54] CONTROLLER UNIT FOR ELECTRONIC
`DEVICES
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Teiyu Goto, Saitama; Hiroki Ogata,
`Chiba, both of Japan
`
`[73] Assignee: Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan
`
`[21] App]. No.: 436,728
`
`[22]
`
`Filed:
`
`May 8, 1995
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`[30]
`May 9, 1994
`[JP]
`Japan .................................... 6-094988
`Oct. 3, 1994
`[JP]
`Japan
`6238898
`
`A63F 9/22
`Int. Cl.6
`[51]
`
`.. 463/37; 345/169
`[52] U.S. Cl.
`........
`
`................................ 273/148 B, 438,
`[58] Field of Search
`273/85, 434, DIG. 28; 345/156, 161
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`273/148 B
`9/1984 Asher ...................
`4,469,330
`
`.. 273/148 B
`5/1993 Inoue et al.
`5,207,426
`3/1994 Chiang ................................ 273/148 B
`5,294.121
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5-87778
`6-23148
`6—17070
`6—38137
`
`11/1993
`2/1994
`3/1994
`5/1994
`
`Japan .
`Japan
`Japan .
`Japan .
`
`273/438
`
`Primary Examiner—Raleigh W. Chiu
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Hill, Steadman & Simpson, A
`Professional Corporation
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A controller unit for controlling an electronic device such as
`a video: game. The controller unit comprises a housingewith
`a pair of handles diverging toward a user and gripped by the
`palms of the user, first and second control sections arranged
`on the top of the housing and each including a plurality of
`key elements, and third and fourth control sections arranged
`on the front side of the housing and each including upper and
`lower key elements. The first control section comprises a
`key body having a first semispherical recess on its bottom
`and a second semispherical recess on its top, a spherical
`fulcrum member located below the key body and engageable
`with the first recess, a base plate mounted in the housing and
`including fixed contacts, a resilient body disposed between
`the key body and the base plate and including movable
`contacts, and a key support centrally located at the key body
`and having a semispherical projection engageable with the
`second recess.
`
`61—194231
`
`12/1986
`
`Japan.
`
`22 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
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`US. Patent
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`Sep. 3, 1996
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`Sheet 1 of 10
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`5,551,693
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`US. Patent
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`Sep. 3, 1996
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`Sheet 2 of 10
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`5,551,693
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`US. Patent
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`Sep.3,1996
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`Sheet 3 of 10
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`5,551,693
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`US. Patent
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`Sep. 3, 1996
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`Sheet 4 of 10
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`5,551,693
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`F l G. 5
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`,320(34a)
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`32b(34b)
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`2A
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`28
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`33A(338)
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`3 I
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`US. Patent
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`Sep. 3, 1996
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`Sheet 5 of 10
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`5,551,693
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`US. Patent
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`Sep.3,1996
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`Sheet 6 of 10
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`5,551,693
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`2 5": 17
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`"MKQ
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`US. Patent
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`Sep. 3, 1996
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`Sheet 7 of 10
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`5,551,693
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`198
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`19A
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`FIG. 11
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`(PRIOR ART)
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`38/c
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`300 30b 38b
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`US. Patent
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`Sep. 3, 1996
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`Sheet 8 of 10
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`5,551,693
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`F1012 (PRIORART)
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`FIG. 13 (PRIOR ART)
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`36
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`/32
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`35
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`FIG. 14(PRIORART)
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`US. Patent
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`Sep. 3, 1996
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`Sheet 9 of 10
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`5,551,693
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`FIG. 15 (PRIOR/ART)
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`US. Patent
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`Sep. 3, 1996
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`Sheet 10 of 10
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`5,551,693
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`5,551,693
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`1
`CONTROLLER UNIT FOR ELECTRONIC
`DEVICES
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`The present invention relates to a controller for use in
`game machines and more particularly, to a controller unit
`adapted for three dimensional game applications.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`A known controller unit for game machines is disclosed,
`for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,426 and adapted for two
`dimensional game applications.
`Referring specifically to FIG. 11, a controller unit 30 for
`game machines comprises, among others, a housing 31, a
`direction control section 32 as a first control means, a first
`action control section 37 as a second control means, a
`second action control section 39 as a third control means, a
`selector switch 30a, and a game start switch 3017.
`In order to enable a user to readily hold the housing 31 by
`his hands, the housing 31 is ellipsoidal in shape with an
`elongated central recess in the lower or long side and is in
`the form of eyeglasses as viewed in plan.
`The housing 31 has right and left arcuate portions. The
`direction control section or first control means 32 is situated
`at one of the arcuate portions (left side in FIG. 11) of the
`housing 31. The first action control section or second control
`means 37 is situated at the other arcuate portion (right side
`in FIG. 11) of the housing 31. The second action control
`section or third control means 39 is situated at one side of the
`housing 31 upwardly of the direction control section 32 and
`the first action control section 37.
`The direction control section or first control means 32 is
`an integral switch and has four cross-shaped contacts, that is,
`upper, lower, right and left contacts.
`The direction control section 32 is cross-shaped and has
`four ends on which triangular directional marks 33 are
`provided to enable the user to feel by his fingers in which
`direction an object is moved when each end is depressed.
`As shown in FIG. 12, the direction control section 32
`includes upper, lower, right and left ends or key elements 34
`and corresponding contacts located below the key elements.
`Alternatively, the direction control section 32 may include a
`base 35, a plurality of mutually perpendicular key elements
`36 on the base 35, and corresponding contacts below the key
`elements 36 through the base 35, as shown in FIG. 13. These
`arrangements are both known in the art.
`As shown in FIG. 11, the first action control section or
`second control means 37 has four key elements 38a, 38b,
`38c and 38d provided at the quandrants of a circle. Each of
`the key elements 38a, 38b, 38c and 38d is cylindrical in
`shape and extends from its base. These key elements 38a,
`38b, 38c and 38d control action of the object in accordance
`with a program rather than the unit per se and are referred
`to as action switches to control A to D actions. To this end,
`marks A to D are present on the surfaces of the switches.
`As shown in FIG. 11, the second action control section or
`third control means 39 includes a pair of elongated key
`elements 40a and 40b provided at one side of the housing
`and located upwardly of the direction control section 32 and
`the first action control section 37. The key elements 40a and
`40b have a width smaller than the thickness of the housing.
`The key elements 40a and 401) have one ends (adjacent to
`the central portion of the housing 31) supported by corre-
`sponding bearings (not shown)in the housing 31 and the
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`other or free ends (at the right and left sides of the housing
`31). The key elements 40:: and 40b are curved from their one
`ends toward the other or free ends and extend along the
`arcuate sides of the housing 31.
`In this controller unit 30, the key elements 38a, 3812, 380
`and 38d of the first action control section 37 may be
`positioned mutually perpendicular to one another to selec—
`tively control up and down and right and left movement of
`the object in response to a given program.
`That is, the controller unit 30 can be used to control
`movement in two different directions.
`
`When the object in a game is, for example, a battle tank,
`the second action control section 39 is actuated to shoot a
`gun or launch a missile.
`The first action control section 37 maybe used as direc-
`tion control means, whereas the up and down and right and
`left points of the direction control section 32 may be used as
`action control means. This arrangement enables a left-
`handed user to readily manipulate the controller unit if a
`game requires movement only in one direction.
`The direction control section 32 includes a plrnality of
`key elements (34 and 36) arranged in an integral fashion.
`Various other switches have also been proposed as follows.
`Referring firstly to FIG. 14, Japanese laid-open utility
`model publication No. 61-19423] published on Dec. 3, 1986
`discloses a direction control section 32A mounted to a
`housing 31A at a suitable position (for example, at 32 in
`FIG. 11). The direction control section 32A includes a key
`element 36A having key faces 42, a semispherical fulcrum
`member 41 extending centrally from the lower surface of the
`key element 36A, and a resilient body 44 connected to one
`side of the key element 36A opposite the key faces 42 and
`adapted to make electrical contact with the contact of a base
`plate 43. The key faces 42 of the key element 36A normally
`extend out of the top surface of the housing 31A under the
`action of the resilient body 44. When one of the key faces 42
`is depressed, the fulcrum member 41 is brought into point
`contact with the base plate 43. Further depression of the key
`face 42 causes the key element 36A to pivot about the
`fulcrum member 41 in a selected direction. As a result, the
`resilient body 44 is flexed to cause a movable contact 45
`adjacent to that key face to make electrical contact with a
`fixed contact 46 on the base plate 43. Thus, when any one
`of the key faces 42 is depressed, the key element is swung
`about the fulcrum member 41 in a selected direction to make
`electrical contact.
`
`Referring secondly to FIG. 15, Japanese laid-open utility
`model publication No. 587778 published on Nov. 26, 1993
`discloses a direction control section 32B mounted to a
`housing 31B at a suitable position (for example, at 32 in
`FIG. 11). The direction control section 323 includes a key
`element 36B with a semispherical recess 47 centrally formed
`in the bottom of the key element 363, a semispherical recess
`48 formed in the bottom of the housing 31B, a spherical
`body or ball bearing 49 received in the recesses 47 and 48,
`and a resilient body 44A having rubber contacts 50 at
`locations corresponding to key faces 42A of the key element
`36B. With this arrangement, when the key face 42A of the
`key element 36B is depressed, the key element 36B is swung
`about the ball bearing 49 in a selected direction to press the
`rubber contact 50 of the resilient body 44A so as to make
`electrical contact.
`
`Referring thirdly to FIG. 16, Japanese laid—open utility
`model publication No. 6-017070 published on Mar, 4, 1994
`discloses a direction control section 32C mounted to a
`housing 31C at a suitable position (for example, at 32 in
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`FIG. 11). The direction control section 32C includes a key
`element 36C having a central fiat portion 51 at its bottom, a
`spherical ball 52 adapted to make contact with the flat
`portion 51, a base plate 43A mounted on the bottom of the
`housing 31C and having fixed contacts 46A, and a resilient
`body 44B disposed between the base plate 43A and the key
`element 36C and having movable contacts 45A. With such
`a switch mechanism, when a key face of the key element 36c
`is depressed, the flat portion 51 of the key element 36C is
`brought into contact with the ball 52.
`Further depression causes the key element SEC to be
`swung about the ball 52 and inclined in a selected direction.
`As a result, the resilient body 443 is flexed to provide an
`electrical contact between the movable contact 45A and the
`fixed contact 46A. When the key element 36C is released,
`the key element 36C is returned to its home position under
`the action of the resilient body 44B and extends out of the
`housing 31C.
`Referring fourthly to FIG. 17, Japanese laid—open utility
`model publication No. 6-38137 published on May 20, 1994
`discloses a direction control section 32D mounted to a
`housing 31D at a suitable position (for example, at 32 in
`FIG. 11). The direction control section 32D includes a key
`element 36D with a semispherical recess 47D formed cen-
`trally in the bottom of the key element 36D, a base plate 43B
`mounted on the bottom of the housing 31D and having fixed
`contacts 468, a resilient body 443 disposed between the key
`element 36D and the base plate 43B and having movable
`contacts 45B, and a spherical ball 52B placed centrally in the
`resilient body 44B and adapted to engage with the recess
`47A of the key element 36D.
`With this arrangement, when a key face of the key
`element 36D is depressed in a selected direction, the recess
`47A is brought into contact with the ball 52B to provide a
`center axis. Further depression causes the key element 36D
`to pivot about the ball SZB in the direction in which the key
`face is depressed. As a result, the resilient body 448 is flexed
`to provide an electrical contact between the movable contact
`45B and the fixed contact 46B.
`
`However, such conventional controller units for game
`machines suffer from the following problems.
`(1) The configuration of the housing is adapted for use in
`a game wherein movement is controlled in two ways. The
`key elements are mounted at a suitable position of the
`housing. In the prior art, the housing itself is supported by
`some of the fingers while the remaining fingers are used to
`manipulate the key elements. The prior art controller may
`function when a two dimensional game program is
`employed, but is unable to work with a three dimensional
`game program.
`
`(2) The structure of the key elements is not suitable for use
`in a three dimensional programmed game.
`(3) It is necessary to increase the number of key elements
`of a controller (microcomputer or similar devices) as game
`softwares become more sophisticated. If the key elements
`are arranged on the top of the controller, mainly the thumb
`is used to manipulate the key elements. This manipulation is
`complicated and cumbersome.
`(4) The key elements used to control movement are
`cross—shaped or circular and may control oblique movement.
`However, it is not possible to identify a correct key element
`and provide accurate control of movement in vertical and
`lateral directions (X— and Y-axes directions) as well as in an
`oblique direction (Z-axis direction) when a sophisticated
`software is employed
`(5) The switches are adapted to control movement in
`response to softwares used. To this end, the switches are
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`painted with diiferent colors or assigned alphabetical letters
`such as A to D so as to indicate A to D actions. It is not
`possible to immediately identify which color or alphabetical
`letter indicates “YES” or “NO”, but the “YES” and “NO"
`key elements are frequently used in a game.
`(6) A plurality of integral key elements include a plurality
`of corresponding contacts. A spherical body is used to
`support the key elements. The key elements are swung about
`the spherical body to make electrical contact. The top of
`each key element extends from the housing. As such, the
`user is unable to positively identify subtle movement by the
`feel of his finger tips.
`(7) The key elements are formed in an integral fashion.
`The key elements have a cross or circular shape. The
`fulcrum member is disposed only below the key elements.
`The key body extends from the housing and has its outer
`peripheral edge engaged with the opening in the housing.
`This arrangement makes the entire key elements shaky,
`causes offset and defamation of the key elements, and
`deteriorates the operability of the key elements.
`Thus, the configuration of the housing, and the arrange-
`ment of the key elements must be modified in order to
`properly control movement of an object in a three dimen-
`sional game in accordance with a sophisticated software,
`particularly a three dimensional game program. Also, the
`structure of the key elements must be changed in order to
`control movement in a complicated and sophisticated man-
`ner.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`In order to overcome the foregoing problems, there is
`provided a controller unit for game machines, which eom~
`prises a plurality of control sections and switches manipu-
`latable by fingers, and a vertically separable housing with
`handles diverging from the housing and contacted with and
`supported by the palms of both hands of a user.
`The housing includes first and second control sections.
`The first control section is arranged on the upper surface of
`the housing and connected to one of the handles. The second
`control section is arranged on the upper surface of the
`housing and connected to the other handle. The control
`sections are oriented substantially parallel to a surface on
`which the housing is placed. The housing also includes third
`and fourth control sections. The third and fourth control
`sections are arranged in the front side of the housing and
`located forwardly of the first and second control sections,
`respectively. The first control section includes a plurality of
`key elements in an integral fashion. The key elements each
`extend upwardly from the housing.
`for game
`Also,
`there is provided a controller unit
`machines, which includes a vertically separable housing on
`which a control section is mounted. The control section
`comprises a first recess formed centrally in the bottom of a
`plurality of integral key elements, a fulcrum member located
`below and spaced a short distance away from the integral
`key elements, a resilient body adapted to urge the integral
`key elements upwards and including electric contacts, a
`second recess formed centrally in the top of the integral key
`elements, and a projection mounted to the housing and
`corresponding in location to the second recess.
`The second recess and the projection have sernispherical
`surfaces. The first recess has a semispherical surface, and the
`fulcrum member has a spherical surface. The housing has a
`substantially cross-shaped recess which corresponds in loca—
`tion to the integral key elements. The integral key elements
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`5,551,693
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`are tapered toward the center of the substantially cross-
`shapcd recess. The
`substantially cross-shaped recess
`includes marks adapted to indicate the functions of the
`respective integral key elements. The substantially cross—
`shaped recess is centrally processed to identify its center.
`The second control section includes a plurality of key
`elements, and the housing has a substantially cross-shaped
`recess which corresponds in location to the integral key
`elements. The second control section includes different
`marks or colors to indicate its functions. The third and fourth
`control sections extend from the front side of the housing.
`Each of the third and fourth control sections includes an
`upper control key and a lower control key.
`for game
`By this arrangement,
`the controller unit
`machines according to the present invention is operated as
`follows.
`
`The controller unit comprises a plurality of control sec-
`tions and switches, and a vertically separable housing with
`a pair of handles diverging away from each other and toward
`a user and gripped by the palms of both hands of the user.
`This arrangement enables the user to freely use his fingers of
`the both hands to manipulate a plurality of key elements and
`improves die operability in a three dimensional game.
`When the housing is placed on a flat surface, the control
`sections are oriented substantially parallel to that surface.
`This arrangement insures positive depression of the key
`elements not only when the housing is held by the palms of
`the both hands, but also when the housing is placed on a
`predetermined flat surface.
`The first control section is arranged on the upper surface
`of the housing and connected to one of the handles, and the
`second control section is arranged on the upper surface of
`the housing and connected to the other handle. This arrange-
`ment enables the user to manipulate the key elements with
`the handles held by the palms of the both hands and thus,
`permits positive manipulation of the key elements.
`'
`The third and fourth control sections are mounted for-
`wardly of the first and second control sections, respectively.
`This arrangement allows direction and action control in at
`least two ways and thus, playing of a sophisticated game in
`a three dimensional space.
`The switches are provided between the first and second
`control sections. This arrangement enables the user to
`readily start a program and select the desired level of skill.
`The first control section or a plurality of integral key
`elements separately extend above the housing. This arrange»
`ment enables the user to manipulate the plurality of key
`elements as if a switch is changed from on to off or vice
`versa and also, to readily identify the position of each key
`element by the fingers when the handles are gripped by the
`palms of the both hands.
`The first control section or integral key elements extend
`separately and upwardly from the top of the housing. The
`key elements extend radially outwardly from the center or
`direction control section of the housing. A spherical or
`fulcrum member is located centrally below the bottom of the
`key body. The key elements are divided by the housing and
`are independently operable. This arrangement enables the
`user to identify the direction of movement of an object only
`by the feel of his fingers. Point contact between the fulcrum
`member and the integral key elements provides smooth
`switching operation.
`The housing has a substantially cross—shaped recess or
`step which corresponds in location to the integral key
`elements of the first control section. This arrangement
`enables
`the user
`to determine positional
`relationship
`between the key elements by the feel of his finger tips.
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`The integral key elements of the first control section are
`tapered upwardly and outwardly from the center of the
`substantially cross-shape recess. This arrangement enables
`the user to readily identify the direction of each key element
`by the feel of his finger tips.
`The substantially cross—shaped recess includes marks to
`indicate the function of each key element. This arrangement
`enables the user to identify the direction of movement of the
`object not only by the feel of his finger tips, but also visually
`by his eyes.
`The substantially cross—shaped recess is processed to
`provide a center mark. This allows the user to identify the
`center of the key elements by the feel of his finger tips before
`depression or during operation and thus, to rapidly deter-
`mine which one of the key elements is to be depressed.
`The second control section includes a substantially cross-
`shaped recess in which a plurality of separate key elements
`are provided. Each of the key elements provides a specific
`function. This arrangement enables the user to determine
`positional relationship between the key elements only by his
`finger tips.
`The key elements of the second control section include
`different marks or colors to indicate their functions. This
`allows the user to visually identify the function of each key
`element.
`
`The third and fourth control sections project from the
`front side of the housing. This allows the user to manipulate
`the key elements by his fingers, as if he pulls the trigger of
`a gun, while his hands are gripping the handles.
`The third and fourth control sections each include upper
`and lower key elements. For example, the index and third
`fingers of the both hands may be used to simultaneously
`manipulate these key elements.
`The controller of the present invention thus constructed
`offers the following advantages.
`The controller unit comprises a plurality of control sec-
`tions and switches, and a vertically separable housing with
`a pair of handles diverging toward a user and gripped by the
`palms of both hands of the user. By this arrangement, it is
`possible ,to safely and accurately manipulate the key ele—
`ments by the thumb, index and third fingers with the housing
`supported within the palms of the user, and also, improve the
`operability of the key elements in a three dimensional game.
`When the housing is placed on a surface, the control
`sections are oriented substantially parallel to that surface. By
`this arrangement, it is possible to safely manipulate the key
`elements not only when the housing is gripped by the palms
`of the both hands, but also when the housing is placed on a
`predetermined flat surface since the key elements are sub-
`stantially parallel to the flat surface.
`The first control section is arranged on the upper surface
`of the housing and connected to one of the handles, and the
`second control section is arranged on the upper surface of
`the housing and connected to the other handle. By this
`arrangement, it is possible to manipulate the key elements by
`as many as ten fingers in a stable manner with the housing
`supported within the palms of the both hands.
`The third and fourth control sections are mounted for-
`wardly of the first and second control sections, respectively.
`By this arrangement, it is possible to sufliciently manipulate
`the key elements by as many as ten fingers with the housing
`supported within the palms of the both hands so as to control
`movement and action in at least two ways and thus, control
`movement of an object in a three dimensional space in a
`sophisticated manner.
`
`IRONBURG EX2008, Page 14
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`IRONBURG EX2008, Page 14
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`5,551,693
`
`7
`The switches are provided between the first and second
`control sections. By this arrangement,
`it
`is possible to
`readily start a program and select the desired level of skill by
`using the fingers, particularly thumb, with the housing
`supported within the palms of the both hands.
`The first control section or integral key elements sepa-
`rately extend upwardly from the top of the housing. It is thus
`possible to readily grip by the index fingers with the housing
`supported within the palms of the both hands and thus,
`provide high operability.
`The housing has a substantially cross—shaped recess in
`which the integral key elements of the first control section is
`arranged. By this arrangement, it is possible to determine
`positional relationship between the key elements by the feel
`of the finger tips due to the difl'erence in height between the
`key elements and the recess, with the housing supported
`within the palms of the both hands and thus, provide high
`operability.
`The integral key elements of the first control section
`extend radially from the center of the housing (in four
`directions). The integral key elements also extend upwardly
`from the top of the housing. A spherical body or fulcrum
`member is located centrally below the bottom of the key
`elements or base. The key elements are separately arranged
`on the housing. By this arrangement, it is possible to reduce
`shakiness, ofiset and deformation of the key body and thus,
`improve the operability of the key elements. It is also
`possible to identify the direction of movement by the feel of
`the hands. Swing motion of the key elements through point
`contact enables smoother switching operation.
`By reducing the shakiness, ofi’set and deformation of the
`key body, it is possible to increase the service life of rubber
`contacts used to effect switching operation.
`The integral key elements of the first control section are
`tapered from the center of the substantially cross-shape
`recess. By this arrangement, it is possible to identify each
`key element by the feel of fingers with the housing supported
`within the palms of the both hands.
`The substantially cross—shaped recess includes marks to
`indicate the function of each of the integral key elements. By
`this arrangement, it is possible to identify each key element
`by the feel of the fingers as well as by the eyes of the user.
`The substantially cross-shaped recess is processed to
`provide a center mark. By this arrangement, it is possible to
`identify the center of the key elements by the feel of the
`finger tips with the housing supported within the palms of
`the both hands.
`
`The second control section includes a substantially cross-
`shaped recess in which a plurality of separate key elements
`are arranged. By this arrangement, it is possible to readily
`determine positional relationship between the key elements
`only by the finger tips with the housing supported within the
`palms of the both hands.
`The key elements of the second control section include
`difl'erent marks or colors adapted to indicate their respective
`functions. It is thus possible to visually identify the function
`of each key element with ease, if a larger number of key
`elements are employed to control movement within a three
`dimensional space.
`The third and fourth control sections project from the
`front side of the housing. By this arrangement, it is possible
`to rapidly manipulate the key elements by free fingers with
`the handles supported within the palms of the both hands.
`The third and fourth control sections each include upper
`and lower key elements. By this arrangement, it is possible
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`3D
`
`35
`
`4o
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`8
`to rapidly manipulate the key elements by the index, third or
`other fingers with the housing supported within the palms of
`the both hands.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The present invention will now be described by way of
`example with reference to the accompanying drawings in
`which:
`
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a controller unit for game
`machines, according to the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the controller unit shown
`in FIG. 1, with the unit held by the palms of the both hands
`of a user and manipulated by the user's fingers;
`FIG. 3 is atop plan view of the controller unit shown in
`FIG. 1;
`FIG. 4 is a front view of the controller unit shown in FIG.
`
`1;
`
`FIG. 5 is a side view of the controller unit as viewed from
`a first control section;
`FIG. 6 is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale,
`showing the principal part of the first control section;
`FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line A—A in FIG.
`3 with a key element depressed in a forward direction;
`FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken on the line A—A in FIG.
`3 with the key element in a home position;
`FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line A-—A in FIG.
`3 with the key element depressed in a rearward direction;
`FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken on the line A—A in FIG.
`3 with the key element depressed in a rearward direction;
`FIG. 11 is a top plan view of a conventional controller unit
`for game machines in use;
`FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the principal part
`of a direction control section shown in FIG. 11;
`FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the principal part
`of a modified direction control section;
`FIG. 14 shows a first example of the direction control
`section;
`
`FIG. 15 shows a second example of the direction control
`section;
`FIG. 16 shows a third example of the direction control
`section; and
`FIG. 17 shows a founh example of the direction control
`section.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a controller unit 1 for
`game machines, according to one embodiment of the present
`invention. The controller unit 1 is in the form of eyeglasses
`and comprises a vertically separable housing 3 composed of
`an upper housing half 2A and a lower housing half 2B and
`including a first grip 4 and a second grip 5 extending from
`opposite longitudinal ends of the housing and held by the
`palms of the both hands of a user, a start/selector switch
`section 6 provided at the narrow center of the housing 3 and
`adapted to start a game and select the desired level of skill,
`first and second circular control sections 9 and 24 symmetri-
`cally provided at opposite ends of the housing 3 and includ~
`ing a plurality of switches, and third and fourth control
`sections 29 and 30 symmetrically provided at the front side
`of the housing 3 and including a plurality of switches
`manipulatable by the index and third fingers of the user.
`
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`9
`The first grip 4 and the second grip 5 serve as a handle to
`enable the user to hold the controller unit 1 by the palms of
`the both hands. The first grip 4 and the second grip 5 extend
`rearwardly and downwardly from opposite longitudinal ends
`of the housing 3 and diverge toward the user at an angle of
`approximate