Game controller

Abstract

The present application discloses a game controller, comprising a housing, a plurality of basic buttons, a plurality of directional buttons, and at least one first shortcut button. The housing has an operating surface, and the operating surface has a basic button area and a directional button area; the plurality of basic buttons are arranged in the basic button area; the plurality of directional buttons are arranged in the directional button area; and the first shortcut button is provided beside the directional buttons and is in the shape of an arc extending in a circumferential direction of the directional buttons. The technical solution of the present application reduces finger moving distance when pressing a shortcut button, thereby improving the speed of operation.

Description

Game controller

[0001] The present application claims priority to the Chinese patent application No. 2024220686145, filed on August 23, 2024, and entitled "Game controller", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the field of electronic game input devices, in particular to a game controller. BACKGROUND

[0003] A game controller is a device used to control a video game. Traditional game controllers generally use a joystick or cross key to control the moving direction of a game character. However, in fighting games, the joystick or cross key operation experience is not good. Currently, a hitbox controller has appeared on the market, which mainly uses four independent direction keys of up, down, left and right to replace the traditional joystick or cross key to control the moving direction of a game character. On this basis, some hitbox controllers set shortcut keys (usually custom keys) beside some direction keys, so that the operation can be conveniently operated nearby during game operation. However, the current shortcut keys and direction keys are circular, and generally need to move the fingers to the center area of the shortcut key to effectively press and trigger the shortcut key, resulting in a large moving distance of the fingers when pressing the shortcut key, a large adjustment amplitude of the hand, and thus affecting the operation speed, especially in fighting games that require a reaction and operation within a very short time. TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[0004] The main purpose of the present application is to provide a game controller, which aims to reduce the moving distance of the fingers when pressing the shortcut key, so as to improve the operation speed. TECHNICAL SOLUTION

[0005] To achieve the above purpose, the game controller provided by the present application comprises a shell, a plurality of basic keys, a plurality of direction keys and at least one first shortcut key. The shell has an operation surface, and the operation surface has a basic key area and a direction key area. A plurality of basic keys are arranged in the basic key area. A plurality of direction keys are arranged in the direction key area. The first shortcut key is arranged beside the direction key and in an arc shape extending along the circumference of the direction key. ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS

[0006] The technical scheme of the present application sets the first shortcut key beside the at least one direction key and makes the first shortcut key extend in an arc shape along the circumference of the direction key. On one hand, the surface area of the first shortcut key is increased, and on the other hand, the edge of the first shortcut key towards the corresponding direction key is in a concave arc shape. Compared with the circular shortcut key, when the finger is moved to the concave arc edge of the first shortcut key, the contact area between the finger and the first shortcut key is larger, and the finger can fully contact and effectively press the first shortcut key without moving to the center area of the first shortcut key. The moving distance of the finger when pressing the first shortcut key is effectively reduced, thereby reducing the adjustment range of the hand when pressing the first shortcut key, improving the operation speed, and effectively improving the operation speed when playing the fighting game. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0007] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or the prior art, the drawings needed to be used in the embodiments or prior art description will be briefly introduced. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and other drawings can be obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor based on the drawings shown.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the game controller of the present application.

[0009] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the game controller in FIG. 1.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a structural schematic diagram of the back of the game controller in FIG. 1.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a structural schematic diagram of the support leg in a supporting state and the receiver taken out of the containing groove in FIG. 3.

[0012] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the support leg in FIG. 3.

[0013] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of A in FIG. 5.

[0014] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the game controller in FIG. 3.

[0015] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of B in FIG. 7.

[0016] Explanation of reference numerals: 10, housing; 101, operation surface; 102, upper side; 103, lower side; 104, accommodating groove; 105, back surface; 106, receiving groove; 101a, basic key area; 101b, direction key area; 101c, system key area; 101d, mapping key area; 11, housing body; 111, mounting groove; 112, bottom shell; 113, face shell; 12, front panel; 121, via hole; 122, magnetic attraction plate; 123, contact panel; 13, magnet; 21, basic key; 22, direction key; 221, up key; 222, down key; 223, left key; 224, right key; 23, first shortcut key; 24, second shortcut key; 25, third shortcut key; 26, function key; 27, mapping key; 30, receiver; 40, support leg; 41, insertion slot; 50, rubber pad; 51, insertion part; 52, anti-skid part. Embodiments of the present application

[0017] The present application provides a game controller.

[0018] In the embodiments of the present application, as shown in FIGS. 1-8, the game controller comprises a housing 10, a plurality of basic keys 21, a plurality of direction keys 22, and at least one first shortcut key 23, the housing 10 has an operation surface 101, the operation surface 101 has a basic key area 101a and a direction key area 101b; the plurality of basic keys 21 are arranged in the basic key area 101a; the plurality of direction keys 22 are arranged in the direction key area 101b; the first shortcut key 23 is arranged beside the direction keys 22 and in an arc shape extending along the circumferential direction of the direction keys 22.

[0019] In the embodiments, the game controller further comprises a main control board, and the basic keys 21, the direction keys 22, and the first shortcut key 23 are electrically connected to the main control board, so that corresponding signals can be input when the basic keys 21, the direction keys 22, and the first shortcut key 23 are pressed. Optionally, the basic keys 21, the direction keys 22, and the first shortcut key 23 can be set by the user.

[0020] The number of basic keys 21 can be set according to actual needs, and can be four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, etc. Generally, the number of basic keys 21 is eight. Taking some fighting games as an example, the basic keys 21 are used as attack keys, for example, can be light punch key (LP), medium punch key (MP), heavy punch key (HP), light kick key (LK), medium kick key (MK), heavy kick key (HK), 3K key (three kick keys are pressed at the same time), and 3P key (three punch keys are pressed at the same time). The first shortcut key 23 can be set according to actual needs.

[0021] The number of the directional keys 22 can be but not limited to four, for example, an up key 221 (controlling the game character to jump or move up), a down key 222 (controlling the game character to squat or move down), a left key 223 (controlling the game character to move left), and a right key 224 (controlling the game character to move right).

[0022] It can be understood that when the circular shortcut key is adopted, the circular shortcut key is convexly curved towards the edge of the directional key 22. In actual operation, since the edge of the finger is also convexly curved, when the finger moves from the corresponding directional key 22 to the edge of the circular shortcut key, the actual contact area of the finger with the circular shortcut key is small. When the arc-shaped first shortcut key 23 extending along the circumference of the directional key 22 is adopted, the first shortcut key 23 is concavely curved towards the edge of the corresponding directional key 22. When the finger moves from the corresponding directional key 22 to the concavely curved edge of the first shortcut key 23, the finger can cover a wider area of the concavely curved edge of the first shortcut key 23, that is, when the finger moves from the corresponding directional key 22 to the concavely curved edge of the first shortcut key 23, the contact area of the finger with the first shortcut key 23 is large. In this way, the finger can effectively press and trigger the first shortcut key 23 without moving to the central area of the first shortcut key 23.

[0023] The technical scheme of the present application sets the first shortcut key 23 beside at least one directional key 22, and makes the first shortcut key 23 be arc-shaped and extend along the circumference of the directional key 22. On the one hand, the surface area of the first shortcut key 23 can be increased, and on the other hand, the first shortcut key 23 is concavely curved towards the edge of the corresponding directional key 22. Compared with the circular shortcut key, when the finger moves to the concavely curved edge of the first shortcut key 23, the contact area between the finger and the first shortcut key 23 is large. In this way, the finger can fully contact and effectively press and trigger the first shortcut key 23 without moving to the central area of the first shortcut key 23. The moving distance of the finger when pressing the first shortcut key 23 is effectively reduced, thereby reducing the adjusting amplitude of the hand when pressing the first shortcut key 23, which can improve the operation speed and effectively improve the operation speed when playing the fighting game.

[0024] In some embodiments, the plurality of directional keys 22 includes the up key 221, the down key 222, the left key 223, and the right key 224, and at least one first shortcut key 23 is arranged beside the up key 221 and the down key 222. In this way, the number of the first shortcut keys 23 is increased, which can facilitate the player to select and use, and can better combine the use of the up key 221 and the down key 222, thereby improving the operability.

[0025] In some embodiments, the operation surface 101 has opposite upper and lower sides 102 and 103, the lower key 222 is arranged close to the upper side 102, and the upper key 221 is arranged close to the lower side 103. Specifically, the left and right keys 223 and 224 are arranged on opposite sides of the lower key 222 and are spaced along the length of the upper side 102, i.e., the left and right keys 223 and 224 are arranged close to the upper side 102. The lower key 222, the left key 223, and the right key 224 can be arranged in a straight line or in an arc shape.

[0026] In some embodiments, the first shortcut key 23 beside the lower key 222 is located between the lower key 222 and the upper side 102, which can reduce the risk of accidentally touching the first shortcut key 23.

[0027] In some embodiments, the first shortcut key 23 beside the upper key 221 is located on the left or right side of the upper key 221. Specifically, the key positions on the game controller can be adjusted according to the dominant hand of different users. For example, for right-handed users, the first shortcut key 23 beside the upper key 221 can be arranged on the left side of the upper key 221. For left-handed users, the first shortcut key 23 beside the upper key 221 can be arranged on the right side of the upper key 221 (not shown in the figure). In this way, the basic key 21 can be given space, and accidental touch can be reduced. Of course, in other embodiments, for right-handed key positions, the first shortcut key 23 beside the upper key 221 can also be arranged on the right side of the upper key 221.

[0028] In some embodiments, the game controller further comprises a second shortcut key 24 arranged beside the basic key 21 and in an arc shape extending along the circumference of the basic key 21. Specifically, the number of second shortcut keys 24 can be one or more, and the second shortcut keys 24 can be custom set. In this way, the second shortcut key 24 is arranged, on the one hand, the surface area of the second shortcut key 24 can be increased, and on the other hand, the second shortcut key 24 can be arranged in a concave arc shape towards the edge of the corresponding basic key 21. The movement distance of the finger when pressing the second shortcut key 24 can be reduced, thereby reducing the adjustment amplitude of the hand when pressing the second shortcut key 24, and improving the operation speed. Moreover, the second shortcut key 24 can be added to facilitate user settings and use, thereby improving the operation experience.

[0029] In some embodiments, the basic key area 101a is arranged in an arc shape, the plurality of basic keys 21 are arranged in an arc shape in the basic key area 101a, and the game controller further comprises a third shortcut key 25 located on the concave side of the basic key area 101a and arranged in an arc shape matching the basic key area 101a. In this way, the third shortcut key 25 can be added to facilitate user settings and use, thereby improving the operation experience. Moreover, the second shortcut key 24 is arranged in an arc shape, which can increase the surface area of the second shortcut key 24 and facilitate user pressing.

[0030] The operation surface 101 has opposite upper and lower sides 102 and 103, and in use, the lower side 103 is close to the operator, and the upper side 102 is away from the operator.

[0031] In some embodiments, the operation surface 101 has a system key area 101c close to the upper side 102 compared with the basic key area 101a or the direction key area 101b, and the system key area 101c is provided with a plurality of (at least two) function keys 26 arranged in sequence along the length direction of the upper side 102. Optionally, the number of the function keys 26 is five, of which the left two are rotary knobs, which can be three-stage rotary knobs for adjusting three-mode connection, or endless rotary knobs for adjusting volume, etc., or two-stage rotary knobs for locking / unlocking the system function keys 26 to avoid misoperation during playing. The right three are ordinary keys, which can be configured as home keys, wake-up keys, pairing keys, screenshot keys, etc. In this way, by arranging a plurality of function keys 26 close to the upper side 102, on the one hand, it is convenient for users to operate and use, and on the other hand, it can reduce the risk of misoperation of the function keys 26 during playing.

[0032] In some embodiments, the operation surface 101 has a mapping key area 101d close to the upper side 102 compared with the basic key area 101a or the direction key area 101b, and the system key area 101c is provided with a plurality of (at least two) mapping keys 27 arranged in sequence along the length direction of the upper side 102. Specifically, the plurality of mapping keys 27 can be used to map the select key and the start key of the handle, or be configured as macro keys, light control keys, etc. In this way, the functionality of the game controller can be increased, and the risk of misoperation of the mapping keys 27 during playing can be reduced.

[0033] That is, the operation surface 101 has at least one of the system key area 101c and the mapping key area 101d, for example, it can only be provided with the system key area 101c, or only be provided with the mapping key area 101d, or be provided with both the system key area 101c and the mapping key area 101d.

[0034] In some embodiments, when the operation surface 101 has the system key area 101c and the mapping key area 101d, the system key area 101c and the mapping key area 101d are arranged in the length direction of the upper side 102. In this way, the space of the game controller in the length direction of the upper side 102 can be fully utilized, the space utilization rate is improved, and at the same time, the system key area 101c and the mapping key area 101d can be separated to reduce the risk of misoperation. Of course, in other embodiments, the system key area 101c and the mapping key area 101d can also be arranged at the upper left corner or the upper right corner of the operation surface 101.

[0035] In some embodiments, the shell 10 comprises a shell body 11 and a front panel 12, the front panel 12 covers the shell body 11, the base key 21, the direction key 22 and the first shortcut key 23 are all mounted on the shell body 11, and the front panel 12 is provided with through holes 121 corresponding to the positions of the base key 21, the direction key 22 and the first shortcut key 23; the front panel 12 is detachably connected with the shell body 11. In this way, the user can replace the front panel 12 according to his own hobby, so that the game controller has a certain DIY space and is convenient for the user to use. The front panel 12 can completely cover the shell body 11, that is, the length and width of the front panel 12 are equal to the length and width of the shell body 11, and at this time, the surface of the front panel 12 away from the shell body 11 is the operation surface 101. The front panel 12 can also cover part of the shell body 11, that is, the length and / or width of the front panel 12 is / are less than the length and / or width of the shell body 11, and at this time, the operation surface 101 is composed of the surface of the front panel 12 away from the shell body 11 and the part of the shell body 11 not covered by the front panel 12.

[0036] In some embodiments, the shell body 11 is provided with a magnet 13, the front panel 12 comprises a magnetic plate 122 and a contact panel 123 covering the contact surface of the magnetic plate 122, the magnetic plate 122 is magnetically connected with the magnet 13, and the contact panel 123 and the magnetic plate 122 are both provided with through holes 121; specifically, the contact panel 123 is located on the side of the magnetic plate 122 away from the shell body 11 and contacts the operator's hand in use. The magnetic plate 122 and the contact panel 123 can be fixed together by adhesion or the like, and the material of the magnetic plate 122 can be steel or other ferromagnetic materials. In this way, the user can conveniently disassemble and replace. The contact panel 123 is made of tempered glass, plastic, ceramic, metal or other materials to meet the requirements of different users for hand feeling.

[0037] The contact panel 123 can be made of frosted tempered glass, so that the fingerprints and other dirt can be reduced, and the hand feeling can be improved.

[0038] Optionally, the number of the magnets 13 is multiple, and the multiple magnets 13 are sequentially and spacedly distributed along the circumference of the shell body 11.

[0039] In some embodiments, the shell body 11 is provided with a mounting groove 111, and the front panel 12 is arranged in the mounting groove 111, so that the front panel 12 can be conveniently positioned and mounted. The groove depth of the mounting groove 111 can be greater than, less than or equal to the thickness of the front panel 12.

[0040] In some embodiments, the game controller further comprises a receiver 30, the housing 10 is provided with a receiving groove 104 spaced from the operation surface 101, and the receiver 30 is detachably inserted into the receiving groove 104. Specifically, the receiving groove 104 is formed with a socket on the surface of the housing 10, and the receiver 30 is detachably inserted into the receiving groove 104 from the socket, so as to facilitate the storage of the receiver 30.

[0041] In some embodiments, the housing 10 has a back surface 105 opposite to the operation surface 101, and the upper side of the back surface 105 is provided with a receiving groove 106. The game controller further comprises a supporting leg 40 rotatably installed in the receiving groove 106 and having a storage state of being stored in the receiving groove 106 and a supporting state of being flipped to partially extend out of the receiving groove 106. That is, when the supporting leg 40 is flipped to the supporting state, the game controller can be supported in an inclined state by the supporting leg 40. When the supporting leg 40 is flipped to the storage state, the supporting leg 40 is stored in the receiving groove 106, so that the game controller can be placed flat on the table for use, and the user can adjust and use it according to actual needs.

[0042] In some embodiments, the number of supporting legs 40 can be one or more. For example, in some embodiments, the upper side of the back surface 105 is provided with two receiving grooves 106, and each receiving groove 106 is provided with one supporting leg 40. In this way, the size of the supporting leg 40 can be reduced while achieving effective support, and the occupied space of the supporting leg 40 on the housing 10 can be reduced. In other embodiments, the receiving groove 106 and the supporting leg 40 are both in the shape of a long strip extending along the length direction of the upper side edge 102 of the back surface 105.

[0043] In some embodiments, the supporting leg 40 is provided with a slot 41, and the game controller further comprises a rubber pad 50 having an insertion part 51 and an anti-skid part 52 connected to the insertion part 51. The insertion part 51 is inserted into the slot 41, and the anti-skid part 52 is at least partially located outside the slot 41. In the supporting state, the anti-skid part 52 is located on the side of the supporting leg 40 away from the operation surface 101. That is, in the supporting state, the anti-skid part 52 can contact the table, so as to reduce the risk of affecting the operation due to the sliding of the game controller during use. Moreover, by inserting the insertion part 51 into the slot 41, the contact area between the rubber pad 50 and the supporting leg 40 can be increased, and the installation stability can be improved.

[0044] In some embodiments, the housing 10 has a back surface 105 opposite to the operation surface 101, and the back surface 105 is provided with an anti-skid pad. In this way, when the game controller is placed on the table for use, the anti-skid property can be improved, and the risk of affecting the operation due to the sliding of the game controller during use can be reduced.

[0045] Optionally, the shell body 11 comprises a bottom shell 112 and a face shell 113 covering the bottom shell 112, the panel is mounted on the side of the face shell 113 away from the bottom shell 112, the bottom shell 112 is provided with screw holes, and the screws are screwed to the face shell 113 through the screw holes. When the non-slip pad is arranged, the screw holes can also be covered by the non-slip pad.

[0046] The above merely describes the preferred embodiments of the present application, and does not limit the patent scope of the present application. Any equivalent structural transformation made by using the content of the present application specification and drawings, or direct / indirect application in other related technical fields under the inventive concept of the present application is included in the patent protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A game controller, wherein, The game controller comprises: a housing having an operation surface, the operation surface having a base key area and a direction key area; a plurality of base keys arranged in the base key area; a plurality of direction keys arranged in the direction key area; and at least one first shortcut key arranged beside the direction keys and in an arc shape extending along the circumference of the direction keys. The plurality of direction keys comprises up keys, down keys, left keys and right keys, and at least one first shortcut key is arranged beside each of the up keys and the down keys.

2. The game controller of claim 1, wherein, The operation surface has opposite upper and lower side edges, the down keys are arranged close to the upper side edge, the up keys are arranged close to the lower side edge, and the first shortcut keys beside the down keys are located between the down keys and the upper side edge.

3. The game controller of claim 2, wherein, The first shortcut keys beside the up keys are located on the left or right side of the up keys.

4. The game controller of claim 2, wherein, The game controller further comprises second shortcut keys arranged beside the base keys and in an arc shape extending along the circumference of the base keys.

5. The game controller of claim 1, wherein, The base key area is arranged in an arc shape, the plurality of base keys are arranged in an arc shape in the base key area, and the game controller further comprises third shortcut keys arranged on the concave side of the base key area and in an arc shape matching the base key area.

6. The game controller of claim 1, wherein, The operation surface has opposite upper and lower side edges, the operation surface has a system key area close to the upper side edge compared with the base key area or the direction key area, the system key area is provided with a plurality of function keys, and the plurality of function keys are arranged in sequence along the length direction of the upper side edge.

7. The game controller of claim 1, wherein, The operation surface has opposite upper and lower side edges, the operation surface has a mapping key area close to the upper side edge compared with the base key area or the direction key area, the system key area is provided with a plurality of mapping keys, and the plurality of mapping keys are arranged in sequence along the length direction of the upper side edge.

8. The game controller of claim 1, wherein, The housing comprises a housing body and a front panel, the front panel covers the housing body, the base keys, the direction keys and the first shortcut keys are all mounted on the housing body, the front panel is provided with through holes corresponding to the positions of the base keys, the direction keys and the first shortcut keys, and the front panel is detachably connected with the housing body.

9. The game controller of claim 1, wherein, The housing body is provided with a magnet, the front panel comprises a magnetic attraction panel and a contact panel covering the magnetic attraction panel, the magnetic attraction panel is magnetically connected with the magnet, and the contact panel and the magnetic attraction panel are both provided with the through holes.

10. The game controller of claim 9, wherein, The housing body is provided with a mounting groove, and the front panel is arranged in the mounting groove.

11. The game controller of claim 9, wherein, The game controller further comprises a receiver, the housing is provided with a containing groove spaced from the operation surface, and the receiver is detachably inserted into the containing groove.

12. The game controller of claim 1, wherein, The housing has a back surface opposite to the operation surface, an upper side position of the back surface is provided with a receiving groove, and the game controller further comprises a supporting leg, the supporting leg is rotatably mounted in the receiving groove and has a receiving state in which the supporting leg is received in the receiving groove and a supporting state in which the supporting leg is flipped to partially extend out of the receiving groove.

13. The game controller of claim 1, wherein, ​ 14. The game controller of claim 13, wherein, The support leg is provided with a slot, and the game controller further comprises a rubber pad having a plug-in part and an anti-skid part connected to the plug-in part, the plug-in part being plugged into the slot, and the anti-skid part being at least partially located outside the slot, in the supporting state, the anti-skid part being located on the side of the support leg away from the operation surface.

15. The game controller of claim 13, wherein, The back surface is provided with an anti-skid pad.

16. The game controller of claim 1, wherein, The game controller further comprises a receiver, and the shell is provided with a containing groove spaced from the operation surface, the receiver being detachably plugged into the containing groove.

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