Input devices

Abstract

The present invention reduces the influence of a hand holding an input device or a finger operating an operating member on the sound collection of a microphone. The input device (10) has: a right holding part (10R) having a top surface, on which an operation button (11) operated by a right hand finger is arranged; a left holding part (10L) having a top surface, on which a direction key (12) operated by a left hand finger is arranged; and a middle part (10M) located between the right holding part (10R) and the left holding part (10L). A first microphone (21) and a second microphone (22) are arranged in the middle part (10M). The first microphone (21) is located behind the center of the middle part (10M) in the front-rear direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an input device having a microphone. Background Art

[0002] Most input devices for game operation have multiple operating members, such as operating sticks, buttons, cross keys (direction keys) and trigger buttons. PTL 1 discloses an input device having such operating members and having an audio input function. The input device has a microphone array including multiple microphones. In PTL 1, adaptive beamforming processing is performed on the user's voice by using audio data obtained from multiple microphones.

[0003] Reference List

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] PTL 1

[0006] Patent Publication WO2005 / 022951 Summary of the invention

[0007] Technical issues

[0008] When holding the input device, the user places a finger on the operating member or extends a finger to operate the operating member. Depending on the position of the microphone, the hand holding the input device or the finger operating the operating member may interfere with the sound collection of the microphone, which may hinder the generation of appropriate audio data.

[0009] Solution to the problem

[0010] The input device proposed in the present disclosure comprises: a right holding part having an upper surface, on which a first right operating member operated by fingers of the right hand is arranged; a left holding part having an upper surface, on which a first left operating member operated by fingers of the left hand is arranged, located in the middle part between the right holding part and the left holding part; a first microphone arranged inside the middle part and located behind the center of the middle part in the front-to-back direction; and a second microphone arranged inside the middle part.

[0011] According to the input device, the influence of the hand holding the input device and the finger operating the operation member on the sound collection of the first microphone and the sound collection of the second microphone can be reduced. In addition, according to the input device, the acquisition performance of the user's voice through the first microphone can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1A is a plan view showing an example of an input device proposed in the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 1B yes Figure 1A Magnified image of .

[0014] Figure 2 is a rear view of the input device.

[0015] Figure 3A It is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II shown in FIG. 1 .

[0016] Figure 3B yes Figure 3A A magnified view of .

[0017] Figure 4 is a block diagram of a system including an input device.

[0018] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the microphone mounting structure.

[0019] Figure 6 is a plan view showing another example of the input device proposed in the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The input device proposed in the present disclosure will be described below. In this specification, Figure 1A The input device 10 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 will be described as an example of the input device proposed in the present disclosure. For example, the structure of the input device proposed in the present disclosure is used to operate an information processing device used as a game device.

[0021] In the following description, Figure 1A The directions indicated by X1 and X2 represent right and left directions, respectively, and the directions indicated by Y1 and Y2 represent forward and backward directions, respectively. Figure 2 The directions indicated by Z1 and Z2 in FIG. 8 represent upward and downward directions, respectively.

[0022] (Arrangement of operating members)

[0023] like Figure 1A As shown, the input device 10 has a right holding part 10R held by the right hand and a left holding part 10L held by the left hand. Operating members are arranged on the upper surface of the right holding part 10R and the upper surface of the left holding part 10L. For example, four operating buttons 11 respectively located at the vertices of the rhombus are arranged on the upper surface of the right holding part 10R. A cross-shaped direction key 12 is arranged on the upper surface of the left holding part 10L. The shape of the direction key 12 does not need to be a cross. For example, the direction key 12 can be circular. These operating members are located at the front of the holding parts 10R and 10L. The operating button 13 and the trigger button 14 located below the operating button 13 (see Figure 3A) is also arranged on each of the front surfaces of the right holding portion 10R and the left holding portion 10L. Each of the right holding portion 10R and the left holding portion 10L has a protrusion G extending rearward from an area Ra in which operating members (the direction key 12 and the four operating buttons 11 in the example of the input device 10) on the upper surface are arranged.

[0024] like Figure 1A As shown, the input device 10 has a middle portion 10M located between the right holding portion 10R and the left holding portion 10L. In the present specification, the middle portion 10M is a portion between the operating member (specifically, the four operating buttons 11) arranged on the upper surface of the right holding portion 10R and the operating member (specifically, the direction key 12) arranged on the upper surface of the left holding portion 10L. That is, the middle portion 10M is a portion between a straight line passing through the left end of the four operating buttons 11 of the right holding portion 10R and a straight line passing through the right end of the direction key 12 of the left holding portion 10L. The protrusion G of the holding portions 10R and 10L extends further backward than the rear end of the middle portion 10M, but the shape of the input device 10 is not limited thereto. In other words, the rear end of the middle portion 10M can reach the rear ends of the holding portions 10R and 10L.

[0025] like Figure 1A As shown in FIG. 1 , the middle portion 10M has a plate-shaped operation pad 16 constituting the front portion of its upper surface. The operation pad 16 has a touch sensor that detects the position of the portion touched by the user's finger. In addition, the operation pad 16 can be moved up and down and also functions as a button. A switch 51 (see FIG. 1 ) for detecting a pressing operation on the operation pad 16 Figure 3A ) is arranged below the operation pad 16. In addition, the middle part 10M may have an operation button 18 arranged behind the operation pad 16. The operation button 18 is used as, for example, a power button or a home button for displaying an initial screen. In addition, the middle part 10M has operation buttons 19R and 19L divided into right and left. The operation buttons 19R and 19L are shortcut buttons for executing specific functions such as displaying various selection items or sending game images. In the example of the input device 10, the right operation button 19R is located on the right side of the operation pad 16, and the left operation button 19L is located on the left side of the operation pad 16.

[0026] like Figure 1AAs shown, the input device 10 has operating rods 17R and 17L arranged separately in the left-right direction. In the example of the input device 10, the operating rod 17R on the right side is located behind the four operating buttons 11 provided on the right holding part 10R, and is closer to the center P1 of the input device 10 in the left-right direction relative to the four operating buttons 11. The operating rod 17L on the left side is located behind the direction key 12 provided on the left holding part 10L, and is closer to the center P1 of the input device 10 in the left-right direction relative to the direction key 12. The operating rods 17R and 17L can be tilted in the radial direction of the operating rods 17R and 17L, and can be rotated in a tilted state. The operating rods 17R and 17L can slide in the radial direction. The height of the operating rods 17R and 17L is higher than the height of other operating members such as the direction key 12 and the operating button 11.

[0027] The operation rods 17R and 17L, the four operation buttons 11, and the direction key 12 are operation members that are frequently used, especially during game play. More specifically, the operation rods 17R and 17L, the four operation buttons 11, and the direction key 12 are used more frequently than the operation button 18 and the operation buttons 19R and 19L. In the example of the input device 10, the four operation buttons 11 arranged on the right holding portion 10R correspond to the "first right operation member" in the claims, and the direction key 12 arranged on the left holding portion 10L corresponds to the "first left operation member" in the claims. Figure 1A As shown in the figure, the "first right operating member" is an operating member that intersects with the straight line L5 along the side surface of the right holding portion 10R. The "first left operating member" is an operating member that intersects with the straight line L6 along the side surface of the left holding portion 10L. In addition, in the example of the input device 10, the right operating lever 17R corresponds to the "second right operating member" in the claims, and the left operating lever 17L corresponds to the "second left operating member" in the claims.

[0028] The type and arrangement of the operating member are not limited to the example of the input device 10. For example, the operating rod 17R can be arranged at the front of the right holding part 10R (the position of the four operating buttons 11). That is, the "first right operating member" can be the operating rod 17R. Similarly, the operating rod 17L can be arranged at the front of the left holding part 10L (the position of the direction key 12). That is, the "first left operating member" can be the operating rod 17L. In addition, the operating buttons 11 and the direction keys 12 can be arranged at the positions of the operating rods 17R and 17L on the input device 10. The "second right operating member" and the "second left operating member" can be the operating button 11 and the direction key 12. In addition, the middle part 10M does not have to have a plate-shaped operating pad 16.

[0029] (microphone)

[0030] like Figure 1B and 3A As shown, the input device 10 includes a first microphone 21 and a second microphone 22 for acquiring user voice. For example, the audio data acquired by the microphones 21 and 22 is transmitted to a game device 90 (see FIG. 1 ) connected to the input device 10. Figure 4 ) and is provided for voice recognition processing. In addition, audio data acquired by microphones 21 and 22 can be transmitted to gaming device 90 and used for voice chat (voice call) with another user. In order to realize voice recognition processing or voice chat, input device 10 has audio input / output circuit 27 (see Figure 4 ) to perform beamforming processing for forming directivities with respect to the sensitivity of the microphones 21 and 22. The audio input / output circuit 27 will be described later.

[0031] like Figure 1B and 3A As shown, the first microphone 21 and the second microphone 22 are arranged in the middle part 10M. Therefore, the positions of the microphones 21 and 22 are away from the operating members on the upper surface of the right holding part 10R (the four operating buttons 11 in the example of the input device 10) and the operating members on the upper surface of the left holding part 10L (the direction key 12 in the example of the input device 10). The input device 10 has an external member 30, which contains a resin (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) resin, polycarbonate, etc.) and forms the outer surface of the input device 10. The external member 30 has a portion constituting the outer surface of the middle part 10M, a portion constituting the outer surface of the right holding part 10R, and a portion constituting the outer surface of the left holding part 10L. The microphones 21 and 22 are arranged in the portion constituting the middle part 10M. On the outer surface of the portion constituting the middle part 10M, a first sound hole 31 (see Figure 3A ) and a second sound hole 32 (see Figure 3A ).

[0032] In this way, the microphones 21 and 22 are arranged in the middle portion 10M and are separated from the operating members arranged in the right holding portion 10R and the left holding portion 10L, so that during playing a game using the input device 10, the influence of the user's fingers on the sound collection of the first microphone 21 and the influence of the user's fingers on the sound collection of the second microphone 22 can be reduced. In other words, the user's fingers can be prevented from blocking the user's voice (target sound) from reaching the first microphone 21, and the user's fingers can be prevented from blocking the voice from reaching the second microphone 22.

[0033] like Figure 1AAs shown, the microphone is not arranged on the area Rm1 behind the operating member (the four operating buttons 11 in the example of the input device 10) arranged on the upper surface of the right holding part 10R, nor is it arranged on the area Rh1 behind the operating member (the direction key 12 in the example of the input device 10) arranged on the upper surface of the left holding part 10L. In addition, in the example of the input device 10, the microphone is not placed on the area Rm2 in front of the operating member arranged on the upper surface of the right holding part 10R, nor is it placed on the area Rh2 in front of the operating member arranged on the upper surface of the left holding part 10L. That is, the microphones used for beamforming processing (i.e., the microphones 21 and 22) are arranged at positions where the user's fingers are highly unlikely to block the user's voice from reaching the microphones.

[0034] In addition, when the input device 10 is held by the user, the microphones 21 and 22 are arranged closer to the user relative to the operation button 18 and the operation pad 16. That is, the microphones 21 and 22 are arranged at positions where the user's voice reaching the microphones is less likely to be blocked by the user's fingers. In the example of the input device 10, the microphones 21 and 22 are arranged on the user side of all input devices arranged on the upper surface of the input device 10 and operated by fingers.

[0035] In the example of the input device 10, the second microphone 22 is located below the first microphone 21. The first microphone 21 points upwards and the second microphone 22 points downwards. Figure 3A As shown, the position of the first sound hole 31 of the first microphone 21 and the position of the second sound hole 32 of the second microphone 22 are separated in the vertical direction. The second sound hole 32 is separated downward from the first sound hole 31. Note that in the example of the input device 10, the sound holes 31 and 32 include not only the portion formed on the outer surface of the outer member 30, but also the portion (tubular portion) extending from the outer surface toward the microphones 21 and 22.

[0036] When the user holds the input device 10, the sound source of the voice (the user's mouth) is generally located diagonally behind and above the input device 10. Therefore, according to the above-mentioned two sound holes 31 and 32 separated in the vertical direction, the distance from the sound source of the voice (the user's mouth) holding the input device 10 to the first microphone 21 via the first sound hole 31 and the distance from the same sound source to the second microphone 22 via the second sound hole 32 may be different. In the example of the input device 10, the distance from the user's mouth to the second microphone 22 may be greater than the distance from the user's mouth to the first microphone 21. As a result, the beam directions of the microphones 21 and 22 (the directions in which the sensitivity of the microphones is high) can be set to the direction toward the mouth of the user as the sound source, and the audio data of the voice can be obtained with high accuracy.

[0037] Note that, unlike the example of the input device 10, the position of the first sound hole 31 and the position of the second sound hole 32 may be separated in the front-to-back direction. Even in this case, the distance from the sound source of the voice to the first microphone 21 via the first sound hole 31 and the distance from the same sound source to the second microphone 22 via the second sound hole 32 may be different. Incidentally, by adjusting the positions of the sound holes 31 and 32 without changing the positions of the microphones 21 and 22, the distance from the sound source to the first microphone 21 via the first sound hole 31 and the distance from the same sound source to the second microphone 22 via the second sound hole 32 can be changed, and the directivity in the beamforming process can be changed. Conversely, by adjusting the positions of the microphones 21 and 22 without changing the positions of the sound holes 31 and 32, the distance from the sound source to the first microphone 21 via the first sound hole 31 and the distance from the same sound source to the second microphone 22 via the second sound hole 32 can be changed, so that the directivity in the beamforming process can be changed.

[0038] In yet another example, both microphones 21 and 22 may face upward. Then the positions of the two microphones 21 and 22 may be separated in at least one of the front-to-back direction and the up-down direction. Even in this case, the distance from the sound source (user's mouth) of the voice input device 10 to the first microphone 21 via the first sound hole 31 and the distance from the same sound source to the second microphone 22 via the second sound hole 32 may be different.

[0039] like Figure 1B As shown, the first microphone 21 and the second microphone 22 intersect with a plane P1 extending in the front-to-back direction and the up-down direction. That is, the first microphone 21 and the second microphone 22 intersect with the plane P1 perpendicular to the left-to-right direction. The first sound hole 31 is formed above the first microphone 21, and the second sound hole 22 is formed above the second microphone 22. Therefore, the sound holes 31 and 32 also intersect with the P1 plane. According to the arrangement of the sound holes 31 and 32 and the microphones 21 and 22, the ambient sound from the sound source on the left or right side of the input device 10 can be effectively reduced by beamforming processing.

[0040] Plane P1 is ideally a plane that passes through the sound source of speech (user's mouth) and through the center extending in the front-to-back direction when the user holds the input device 10. In the example of the input device 10, plane P1 is a plane passing between the right operating rod 17R and the left operating rod 17L. More specifically, plane P1 is a plane passing through the center of the input device 10 in the left-right direction. In other words, plane P1 is a plane passing through the middle of the space between the right and left surfaces of the input device 10. In other words, plane P1 is a plane passing through the middle of the space between the right holding part 10R and the left holding part 10L. The center of the first microphone 21 and the center of the first sound hole 31 can be located on the P1 plane or can deviate from the P1 plane. Similarly, the center of the second microphone 22 and the center of the second sound hole 32 can be located on the P1 plane or can deviate from the P1 plane. In addition, plane P1 can deviate from the center of the input device 10 in the left-right direction. The input device 10 does not need to have a symmetrical shape. In this case, although the plane P1 is not a plane passing through the center of the input device 10 in the left-right direction, the plane P1 ideally passes through the middle of the space between the right holding part 10R and the left holding part 10L. In this way, the plane P1 becomes a plane passing through the sound source of the voice (the user's mouth) when the user holds the input device 10 and passing through the center extending in the front-rear direction.

[0041] like Figure 3A As shown, the input device 10 has a circuit board 20. For example, a switch 51 for detecting a pressing operation on the above-mentioned operation pad 16, a connector 52 for connecting a charging cable, etc. are mounted on the circuit board 20. In addition, a circuit board 27 (see FIG. 2 ) for use as an audio input / output circuit Figure 6 ), control unit 26 (see Figure 6 ) and the like are mounted on the circuit board 20.

[0042] like Figure 3A As shown, the first microphone 21 is arranged on the upper side of the circuit board 20, and the second microphone 22 is arranged on the lower side of the circuit board 20. Therefore, the position of the second microphone 22 is lower than that of the first microphone 21. In the example of the input device 10, the first microphone 21 is directly attached to the upper surface of the circuit board 20. In addition, the second microphone 22 is directly attached to the lower surface of the circuit board 20.

[0043] Therefore, the directions facing the two microphones 21 and 22 are different from each other. Specifically, the first microphone 21 points upward, and the second microphone 22 points downward. As a result, the distance from the sound source of the voice (the user's mouth) to the second microphone 22 via the second sound hole 32 becomes greater than the distance from the same sound source to the first microphone 21 via the first sound hole 31.

[0044] In addition, according to the structure in which the first microphone 21 is arranged on the upper side of the circuit board 20 and the second microphone 22 is arranged on the lower side of the circuit board 20, the positions of the two microphones 21 and 22 can be brought together, and the arrangement of the microphones 21 and 22 becomes easy. Figure 1B As shown, when the input device 10 is viewed in a direction perpendicular to the circuit board 20, that is, in a plan view of the input device 10, the two microphones 21 and 22 at least partially overlap each other. In one example, the center position of the first microphone 21 and the center position of the second microphone 22 coincide with each other. Different from this, a structure in which the center position of the second microphone 22 deviates from the center position of the first microphone 21 is acceptable, and in a plan view of the input device 10, the first microphone 21 and the second microphone 22 only partially overlap each other.

[0045] like Figure 1A As shown, in the plan view of the input device 10, the first microphone 21 is located behind the center L1 of the middle part 10M in the front-to-back direction. Due to this arrangement of the first microphone 21, the distance between the sound source of the voice (the user's mouth) and the first microphone 21 becomes shorter, so that the user's voice can easily reach the first microphone 21. In addition, in the plan view of the input device 10, the second microphone 22 is also located behind the center L1. As a result, the distance between the sound source of the voice and the second microphone 22 is also shortened, so that the voice can easily reach the second microphone 22. As a result, the directivity of the microphones 21 and 22 can be strengthened toward the sound source of the voice.

[0046] The directions, positions, and mounting structures of the microphones 21 and 22 are not limited to the example of the input device 10. The first microphone 21 may be attached at a position separated upward from the circuit board 20. For example, the first microphone 21 may be attached to a frame 40 (see FIG. 1 ) disposed on the upper side of the circuit board 20 or the inner surface of the external member 30. Figure 3A ). Then, the first microphone 21 may be electrically connected to the circuit board 20 via a wire. In this way, the distance between the first microphone 21 and the first sound hole 31 may be reduced.

[0047] Similarly, the second microphone 22 may be installed at a position spaced apart downward from the circuit board 20. For example, the second microphone 22 may be attached to the inner surface of the lower housing 30L. Then, the second microphone 22 may be electrically connected to the circuit board 20 via a wire. In this way, the distance between the second microphone 22 and the second sound hole 32 may be reduced. In this case, the second microphone 22 preferably faces downward.

[0048] In yet another example, the input device 10 may have two circuit boards separated in the vertical direction. Then, the first microphone 21 may be mounted on the upper circuit board, and the second microphone 22 may be mounted on the lower circuit board.

[0049] As yet another example, in a plan view of the input device 10, the first microphone 21 does not necessarily have a portion overlapping with the second microphone 22. For example, one of the two microphones 21 and 22 may be located in front of the other microphone.

[0050] As yet another example, while the first microphone 21 may be arranged to face upward, the second microphone 22 may be arranged to face backward.

[0051] (Positional Relationship Between Microphone and Operation Member)

[0052] like Figure 1B As shown, the first microphone 21 is located on the left side of the right operating rod 17R and the right side of the left operating rod 17L. In addition, the first microphone 21 is located behind the front end 17c of the operating rods 17R and 17L. That is, the first microphone 21 is located between the right operating rod 17R and the left operating rod 17L. According to this arrangement of the first microphone 21, the influence of the user's fingers used to manipulate the operating rods 17R and 17L or the operating members (in the example of the input device 10, the operating pad 16 and the four operating buttons 11) arranged in front of the operating rods 17R and 17L on the sound collection of the first microphone 21 can be reduced. In the example of the input device 10, the first microphone 21 is located behind the center 17d of the right operating rod 17R and the left operating rod 17L.

[0053] As described above, a plurality of operating members are arranged on the upper surface of the middle portion 10M. The first microphone 21 is located behind all the operating members arranged on the upper surface of the middle portion 10M. Figure 1A As shown, the operation pad 16, the operation button 18, and the operation buttons 19R and 19L are arranged on the upper surface of the middle part 10M. Among these operation members 16, 18, 19R and 19L, the operation button 18 is located at the rearmost position. The first microphone 21 is located behind the operation button 18.

[0054] like Figure 3A As shown, the middle part 10M has a speaker 53 inside. The middle part 10M has a speaker sound hole 34 on its upper surface for emitting the sound of the speaker 53 to the outside. The speaker sound hole 34 is located above the speaker 53. In the plan view of the input device 10, the first microphone 21 and the first sound hole 31 are located behind the speaker 53 and the speaker sound hole 34.

[0055] As described above, the second microphone 22 is located on the side of the circuit board 20 opposite to the first microphone 21. Figure 1BAs shown, similar to the first microphone 21, the second microphone 22 is located on the left side of the right operating rod 17R and the right side of the left operating rod 17L. In addition, in the plan view of the input device 10, the second microphone 22 is located behind the center 17d of the operating rods 17R and 17L. That is, the second microphone 22 is located between the right operating rod 17R and the left operating rod 17L. In the example of the input device 10, the first microphone 21 is located behind the center 17d of the right operating rod 17R and the left operating rod 17L.

[0056] In the plan view of the input device 10, the second microphone 22 is also located behind all the operating members arranged on the upper surface of the middle portion 10M. In the example of the input device 10, similar to the first microphone 21 (see Figure 1B ), the second microphone 22 is located behind the operation button 18.

[0057] The input device 10 has a battery 54. Figure 3A As shown, in the example of the input device 10, the battery 54 is arranged inside the middle part 10M. The battery 54 is located below the circuit board 20. The second microphone 22 arranged on the lower side of the circuit board 20 is arranged not to overlap with the battery 54 in the plan view of the input device 10. That is, in the plan view of the input device 10, the second microphone 22 is located outside the outer peripheral edge of the battery 54. Due to this arrangement of the second microphone 22, the second sound hole 32 can be located on the lower side in the vertical direction relative to the second microphone 22. In the example of the input device 10, the second microphone 22 is located behind the rear edge 54a of the battery 54.

[0058] (Sound hole details)

[0059] As mentioned above, the first microphone 21 faces upward. Figure 3B As shown, the first sound hole 31 for the first microphone 21 is located above the first microphone 21 and is formed on the upper surface of the middle part 10M. In addition, the second microphone 22 faces downward. Therefore, the second sound hole 32 for the second microphone 22 is formed on the lower surface of the middle part 10M and is located below the second microphone 22. The external member 30 has an upper shell 30U covering the upper side of the components of the input device 10 and a lower shell 30L covering the lower side of the components and combined with the upper shell 30U. The first sound hole 31 is formed in the upper shell 30U, and the second sound hole 32 is formed in the lower shell 30L.

[0060] like Figure 3BAs shown, the first sound hole 31 has a tubular shape extending downward from the outer surface of the outer member 30 (the upper surface of the middle part 10M) toward the first microphone 21. The lower end 31b of the first sound hole 31 is preferably in direct or indirect contact with the first microphone 21. In the example of the input device 10, an annular member 35 is arranged between the lower end 31b of the first sound hole 31 and the first microphone 21, and the annular member 35 includes a material having a lower rigidity than the material of the outer member 30 (for example, an elastic material such as rubber). Thereby, the stress acting on the first microphone 21 and the circuit board 20 can be reduced. The first sound hole 31 is connected to the first microphone 21 through the opening of the annular member 35.

[0061] like Figure 3B As shown, the size (diameter, width in the front-to-rear direction, or width in the left-to-right direction) of the upper end of the first sound hole 31 is smaller than the size of the first microphone 21. The size of the first sound hole 31 gradually increases toward the first microphone 21, and the size of the lower end 31b corresponds to the size of the first microphone 21. Unlike the example of the input device 10, the size of the first sound hole 31 may be constant from the upper end to the lower end 31b of the first sound hole 31.

[0062] like Figure 3A As shown, the upper surface of the middle part 10M has a relatively high high area R1 and a relatively low low area R2. The first sound hole 31 is formed in the low area R2. As a result, the first sound hole 31 is effectively prevented from being blocked by the user's finger. In the example of the input device 10, the high area R1 is formed at the front of the middle part 10M. The low area R2 is formed behind the high area R1 and is inclined so as to gradually decrease backwards. Unlike the example of the input device 10, the low area R2 does not need to be inclined. That is, a step can be formed between the low area R2 and the high area R1.

[0063] like Figure 2 As shown, the exterior member 30 has base covers 33R and 33L that cover the bases 17b of the operating rods 17R and 17L, respectively. The base covers 33R and 33L are annular in a plan view, and the operating rods 17R and 17L are arranged inside the base covers 33R and 33L. The first sound hole 31 is located between the right base cover 33R and the left base cover 33L, and the position of the first sound hole 31 is lower than the upper end 33a of the base covers 33R and 33L.

[0064] like Figure 3BAs shown, the second sound hole 31 has a tubular shape extending upward from the outer surface of the outer member 30 (the lower surface of the middle part 10M) toward the second microphone 22. The upper end 32b of the second sound hole 32 is preferably in direct or indirect contact with the second microphone 22. In the example of the input device 10, an annular member 36 is arranged between the upper end 32b of the second sound hole 32 and the second microphone 22, and the annular member 36 includes a material having a lower rigidity than the material of the outer member 30 (for example, an elastic material such as rubber). Thereby, the stress acting on the second microphone 22 and the circuit board 20 can be reduced. The second sound hole 32 is connected to the second microphone 22 through the opening of the annular member 36.

[0065] In the example of input device 10, Figure 3B As shown, the size (diameter, width in the front-to-rear direction, or width in the left-to-right direction) of the lower end of the second sound hole 32 is smaller than the size of the second microphone 22. The size of the second sound hole 32 gradually increases toward the second microphone 22, and the size of the upper end 32b of the second sound hole 32 corresponds to the size of the second microphone 22. Unlike the example of the input device 10, the size of the second sound hole 32 may be constant from the lower end to the upper end 32b of the second sound hole 32.

[0066] like Figure 3A As shown, the lower surface of the middle part 10M has an inclined surface 30b which becomes higher toward the rear at the rear. The second sound hole 32 is formed on the inclined surface 30b. Therefore, the position of the second sound hole 32 becomes higher than the flat portion 30c on the lower surface of the middle part 10M. Therefore, for example, in the case where the user puts the input device 10 on the thigh, the second sound hole 32 can be prevented from being blocked by the thigh.

[0067] (Other parts)

[0068] The input device 10 has a terminal 55 for the microphones 21 and 22 and a switch 56. For example, an earphone, a headphone, or the like having a microphone is connected to the terminal 55. The switch 56 has a light emitting unit (e.g., a light emitting diode (LED)) built in its peripheral portion, and can also be used as an indicator indicating the operating state of the input device 10. Figure 2 As shown, in the example of the input device 10, the terminal 55 and the indicator 56 are mounted on the rear edge of the circuit board 20 and arranged in the left-right direction. The terminal 55 and the indicator 56 are located between the base covers 33R and 33L covering the base 17b of the operating levers 17R and 17L.

[0069] For example, the light emitting unit of the switch 56 emits a signal corresponding to the audio input / output circuit 27 (see Figure 4) of the operating state. For example, the audio input / output circuit 27 has three states as its operating state. The first state is a state in which, for example, the audio data acquired by the microphones 21 and 22 is converted into data for voice recognition in the game device 90 and is sent to the game device 90. The second state is a state in which, for example, the audio data acquired by the microphones 21 and 22 is converted into data for voice chat (voice call) with another user and is sent to the game device 90. The third state is, for example, a state in which both the data for voice chat (voice call) with another user and the data for voice recognition in the game device 90 are sent to the game device 90. The state indicated by the light-emitting unit of the switch 56 is not limited to the example described here.

[0070] (Signal Processing)

[0071] The configuration of the system 1 including the input device 10 and the processing performed by the input device 10 will be described. Figure 4 As shown, system 1 includes input device 10 and game device 90. Game device 90 can be a device dedicated to games, or can be an information processing device such as a personal computer that executes a game program. Input device 10 and game device 90 send and receive data through standard wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard. Input device 10 and game device 90 can be connected by wires for communication according to standards such as universal serial bus (USB). Display 92 and speaker 91 are connected to game device 90.

[0072] The input device 10 includes an audio input / output circuit 27, a control unit 26, a speaker 53 (see Figure 3A ), terminal 55 (see Figure 2 ), microphones 21 and 22, and a plurality of operating members. Specifically, the plurality of operating members are the above-mentioned operating buttons 11, 13, 14, 18, and 19, the operating pad 16, and the operating rods 17R and 17L. Figure 4 In the present invention, these components are referred to as operating components 11 to 19.

[0073] The audio input / output circuit 27 is an integrated circuit for controlling audio input / output, and has a built-in digital signal processor that performs audio signal processing. The audio input / output circuit 27 outputs audio from the earphone Hd connected to the terminal 55 or the speaker 53 based on the audio data received by the control unit 26 from the game device 90. In addition, the audio input / output circuit 27 performs necessary audio signal processing on the audio data obtained through the microphones 21 and 22, and then outputs the audio data to the control unit 26.

[0074] The control unit 26 is an integrated circuit for controlling each part of the input device 10. The control unit 26 has a communication circuit 26a. The communication circuit 26a controls wireless communication for exchanging information with the game device 90 via the antenna 26b. Specifically, the communication circuit 26a receives audio data for reproduction with the speaker 53 or the earphone Hd from the game device 90. In addition, the control unit 26 transmits audio data obtained by applying audio signal processing to audio data from the microphones 21 and 22, data indicating the user operation content of the operation members 11 to 19, and the like to the game device 90.

[0075] The speaker 53 reproduces sound in monaural mode based on audio data received from the game device 90. When the earphone Hd is connected to the terminal 55, the audio input / output circuit 27 reproduces sound based on the audio signal received from the game device 90 using the earphone Hd instead of the speaker 53.

[0076] Hereinafter, audio data acquired by microphones 21 and 22 is referred to as microphone audio data, and audio data received from game device 90 for reproduction by speaker 53 or earphone Hd of input device 10 is referred to as reproduced audio data.

[0077] Game device 90 performs voice recognition processing on microphone audio data received from input device 10. Furthermore, in order to perform reproduction of audio data from a microphone in another place, the audio data is transmitted to another game device (information processing device) (voice call).

[0078] like Figure 4 As shown, the audio input / output circuit 27 has a beamforming processing section 27a, an echo canceling section 27b, and a noise canceling section 27c as its functions.

[0079] The beamforming processing section 27a generates microphone audio data having directivity. In other words, the beamforming processing section 27a generates data in which data (signal) representing the user's voice is emphasized in the microphone audio data obtained from the microphones 21 and 22. The beamforming processing section 27a compensates for the propagation delay of the microphone audio data obtained from the second microphone 22, for example, and adds the compensated microphone audio data to the microphone audio data obtained from the first microphone 21.

[0080] The echo canceling section 27b performs an echo canceling process on the microphone audio data generated by the beamforming processing section 27a. This is a process of canceling, from the microphone audio data, acoustic echoes generated by the microphones 21 and 22 that acquire the sound reproduced with the speaker 53. The echo canceling section 27b cancels, for example, the reproduced audio data output by the audio input / output circuit 27 to the speaker 53 from the microphone audio data generated by the beamforming processing section 27a.

[0081] The noise elimination part 27c performs noise elimination processing for eliminating noise from microphone audio data after echo cancellation. The noise elimination part 27c performs noise elimination processing by utilizing the user's operation input to a part or all of the operating members 11 to 19. When the operation input is performed to the operating members 11 to 19, an operation sound is generated, and the operation sound is included in the microphone audio data as noise. In the case where the user performs an operation input to a part or all of the operating members 11 to 19, the control unit 26 inputs a signal indicating that the operation input has been performed to the audio input / output circuit 27. When the signal is received, the noise elimination part 27c performs a process for eliminating noise under the assumption that the audio data obtained at this moment contains noise (operation sound). For example, when the operating members 11 to 19 are operated, the microphone audio data is subjected to a filtering process preset according to the operation sound of the operating members 11 to 19.

[0082] (Summarize)

[0083] As described above, the input device 10 has: a right holding portion 10R having an upper surface on which an operation button 11 (first right operating member) operated by fingers of the right hand is arranged; and a left holding portion 10L having an upper surface on which a direction key 12 (first left operating member) operated by fingers of the left hand is arranged; and a middle portion 10M located between the right holding portion 10R and the left holding portion 10L. In addition, the input device 10 has a first microphone 21 arranged in the middle portion 10M and a second microphone 22 also arranged in the middle portion 10M. The first microphone 21 is located at the center of the middle portion 10M in the front-to-rear direction (straight line L1 (see Figure 1A )) behind.

[0084] According to this structure, the processing of the beamforming processing part 27a can be performed by using the audio data obtained by the two microphones 21 and 22. In addition, since the distance between the sound source (user's mouth) of the voice of the user holding the input device 10 and the first microphone 21 becomes closer, the user's voice can easily reach the first microphone 21.

[0085] In addition, in the example of the input device 10, the position of the first sound hole 31 and the position of the second sound hole 32 are separated in the vertical direction. According to this arrangement, the distance from the mouth of the user holding the input device 10 to the first microphone 21 via the first sound hole 31 and the distance from the mouth of the user to the second microphone 22 via the second sound hole 32 can be different from each other. As a result, the beams of the microphones 21 and 22 can be directed to the mouth of the user as the sound source, and the user's voice can be obtained with high accuracy. The position of the first sound hole 31 and the position of the second sound hole 32 can be separated in the front-to-back direction. Even in this case, the distance from the user's mouth to the first microphone 21 and the distance from the user's mouth to the second microphone 22 can be different.

[0086] During the execution of the game, a sound (game sound) is output from a speaker 91 connected to the game device 90. The speaker 91 may be arranged in front of the user together with the display 92. According to the structure in which the position of the first sound hole 31 (or the first microphone 21) and the position of the second sound hole 32 (or the second microphone 22) are separated in at least one of the front-back direction and the up-down direction, not only the user's voice but also the sound output from the speaker 91 arranged in front of the user can reach the microphones 21 and 22, and the sound can be mixed with the microphone audio data processed by the beamforming processing section 27a (hereinafter, the sound output from the speaker 91 is referred to as "interference sound"). In this case, the echo cancellation section 27b of the game device 90 or the input device 10 can perform a process of eliminating the interference sound from the microphone audio data processed by the beamforming processing section 27a. For example, the audio data output to the speaker 91 by the game device 90 can be eliminated from the microphone audio data processed by the beamforming processing section 27a.

[0087] (Modified example)

[0088] Incidentally, the input device proposed in the present disclosure is not limited to the example shown in the above-mentioned input device 10 .

[0089] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the mounting structure of the microphones 21 and 22. The position of the cutting plane in this figure is Figure 3A and 3B The following will mainly describe Figure 3A and 3B The structure of the input device 10 shown is different. Figure 5 Matters not described in this document may Figure 3A and 3B The structure is the same as described in .

[0090] exist Figure 5, the first microphone 21 and the second microphone 22 are arranged on opposite sides of the circuit board 20 and are separated from the circuit board 20 in the vertical direction. The first microphone 21 is separated upward from the circuit board 20. The second microphone 22 is separated downward from the circuit board 20. The depth (length) of the first sound hole 31 and the second sound hole 32 can be shortened, and the sound acquisition of the microphones 21 and 22 can be made more effective. As a result, for example, the size (width in the vertical and horizontal directions) of the sound holes 31 and 32 can be reduced. The microphones 21 and 22 and the circuit board 20 are electrically connected by wires (not shown).

[0091] As described above, the frame 40 is arranged on the upper side of the circuit board 20. The frame 40 supports, for example, a sensor (switch) for detecting movement of an operation member (for example, the operation button 11 or the direction key 12) provided on the upper surface of the input device 10. Figure 5 In the example of , the first microphone 21 is supported by the frame 40. The frame 40 has a microphone supporting portion 40a to which the first microphone 21 is attached at its rearward portion. The first microphone 21 is held by a holder 37 including a material having a buffering property, and is attached to the microphone supporting portion 40a together with the holder 37.

[0092] As described above, the battery 54 is arranged below the circuit board 20. The battery 54 has a battery holder 49. The battery holder 49 is fixed to, for example, the inner surface of the circuit board 20 or the external member 30 (specifically, the lower housing 30L). The second microphone 22 is supported by the battery holder 49. The battery holder 49 has a microphone support 49a to which the second microphone 22 is attached at its rearmost portion. The second microphone 22 is held by a holder 38 containing a material having a buffering property, and is attached to the microphone support 49a together with the holder 38.

[0093] The frame 40 and the battery holder 49 are components made of resin. In this way, the microphones 21 and 22 are supported by a molded product arranged in the exterior member 30. Thus, a high degree of freedom regarding the position and posture of the microphones 21 and 22 can be ensured. Incidentally, the microphones 21 and 22 may be supported by components other than the frame 40 and the battery holder 49.

[0094] The first microphone 21 is arranged along the inner surface of the exterior member 30 (specifically, the upper housing 30U). The first microphone 21 is parallel to the inner surface of the upper housing 30U and Figure 5In the example shown, the first microphone 21 faces upward and is diagonally backward. The holder 37 holding the first microphone 21 is annular, and its peripheral edge is pressed against the inner surface of the upper shell 30. Therefore, the sound passing through the first sound hole 31 can be effectively picked up by the first microphone 21. The second microphone 22 is arranged along the inner surface of the outer member 30 (specifically, the lower shell 30L). The second microphone 22 is parallel to the inner surface of the lower shell 30L, and Figure 5 In the example shown, the second microphone 22 faces downward and obliquely rearward. The holder 38 holding the second microphone 22 is annular, and its peripheral edge is pressed against the inner surface of the lower housing 30L. Therefore, the sound passing through the second sound hole 32 can be effectively picked up by the second microphone 22.

[0095] The first sound hole 31 and the second sound hole 32 are formed obliquely with respect to the inner surface of the outer member 30. Specifically, the portion of the outer member 30 facing the first microphone 21 extends downward and rearward, while the first sound hole 31 is formed in a vertical direction (a direction perpendicular to the circuit board 20). In addition, the portion of the outer member 30 facing the second microphone 22 extends upward and rearward, while the second sound hole 32 is formed in a vertical direction. This makes it easy to ensure the distance to the microphones 21 and 22 through the sound holes 31 and 32.

[0096] Figure 6 1 is a plan view of an input device 110, which is another example of an input device proposed in the present disclosure. Hereinafter, the input device 110 will be described focusing on points different from the input device 10. The structure of the input device 10 can be applied to matters not described for the input device 110.

[0097] The input device 110 is different from the above-described input device 10 in terms of the positions of the second microphone 22 and the second sound hole 32. In the input device 110, the second microphone 22 is arranged on the upper side of the circuit board 20 like the first microphone 21. Then, the second microphone 22 is located in front of the first microphone 21. The first microphone 21 and the second microphone 22 intersect with a plane P1 extending in the front-rear direction and the up-down direction.

[0098] The second sound hole 32 is formed above the second microphone 22. In the input device 110, the external member 30 has a frontmost portion 30g that is located in front of the operation pad 16 and extends in the left-right direction. The second sound hole 22 is formed in the frontmost portion 30g. In this case, the second microphone 22 may be directly attached to the frontmost portion of the circuit board 20. In another example, the second microphone 22 may be attached to the inner surface of the external member 30 near the second sound hole 22, or may be attached to the frame 40 (see Figure 3AEven with such a structure of the input device 110, the distance from the mouth of the user holding the input device 110 to the first microphone 21 via the first sound hole 31 and the distance from the mouth of the user to the second microphone 22 via the second sound hole 32 may be different.

[0099] The input devices 10 and 110 are equipped with the two microphones 21 and 22 described above. The number of microphones is preferably two or three. By doing so, an excellent beamforming process can be performed while suppressing the increase in cost due to the installation of the microphones. In the case of three microphones, the third microphone may also be located in the above-mentioned P1 plane ( Figure 1A ). In this case, Figure 3A As shown in FIG. 1 , the second microphone 22 can be located below the circuit board 20, and the third microphone can be located below the circuit board 20. Figure 6 The position of the second microphone 22 is shown.

[0100] It should be noted that, for example, the right holding portion 10R on which the operating member operated by the fingers of the right hand is arranged and the left holding portion 10L on which the operating member operated by the fingers of the left hand is arranged may be separated in the front-rear direction like a gun controller. In this case, the plane P1 ( Figure 1A ) can be a plane passing through the middle of the space between the right surface and the left surface of the controller.

[0101] In addition, the sound holes 31 and 32 do not need to be tubular. That is, although the sound holes 31 and 32 penetrate the outer surface of the outer member 30, they do not need to have a portion extending toward the microphones 21 and 22.

Claims

1. An input device, comprising: a right holding portion having an upper surface on which a first right operating member operated by a finger of a right hand is arranged; a left holding portion having an upper surface on which a first left operating member operated by a finger of a left hand is arranged; a middle portion between the right holding portion and the left holding portion; a first microphone arranged inside the middle portion and located behind the center of the middle portion in the front-rear direction; and a second microphone arranged inside the middle section, The input device further comprises: A circuit board is arranged inside the middle part, wherein The first microphone is arranged above the circuit board, and The second microphone is placed under the circuit board. or The first microphone points upwards. The second microphone points downward, and The middle portion has an outer surface having a first sound hole formed above the first microphone and a second sound hole formed below the second microphone.

2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein The position of the first microphone and the position of the second microphone are separated in at least one of the front-rear direction and the up-down direction.

3. The input device according to claim 1, further comprising: an external member housing the first microphone and the second microphone, wherein The outer member has a first sound hole that allows sound to propagate to the first microphone and a second sound hole that allows sound to propagate to the second microphone, and The position of the first sound hole and the position of the second sound hole are separated in at least one of the front-rear direction and the up-down direction.

4. The input device according to claim 3, wherein The first sound hole and the second sound hole intersect with a plane along the front-rear direction and the up-down direction, or The first microphone and the second microphone intersect a plane along the front-rear direction and the up-down direction.

5. The input device according to claim 4, further comprising: a second right operating member located behind the first right operating member of the right holding portion and on the right side of the center in the left-right direction of the input device; and The second left operating member is located behind the first left operating member of the left holding portion and on the left side of the center in the left-right direction of the input device, wherein The plane is a plane passing between the second right operating member and the second left operating member.

6. The input device according to claim 4, wherein The plane is a plane passing through the center of the input device in the left-right direction.

7. The input device according to claim 1, wherein The first microphone and the second microphone are located behind the center of the middle portion in the front-rear direction.

8. The input device according to claim 1, wherein No microphone is arranged behind the first right operating member, and no microphone is arranged behind the first left operating member.

9. The input device according to claim 1, further comprising: a second right operating member located behind the first right operating member of the right holding portion and on the right side of the center in the left-right direction of the input device; and The second left operating member is located behind the first left operating member of the left holding portion and on the left side of the center in the left-right direction of the input device, wherein At least one of the first microphone and the second microphone is located between the second right operating member and the second left operating member.

10. The input device according to claim 1, wherein The direction facing the first microphone is different from the direction facing the second microphone.

11. The input device according to claim 10, wherein The first microphone points upward, and The second microphone points downward.

12. The input device according to claim 10, wherein In a plan view of the input device, the first microphone and the second microphone at least partially overlap each other.

13. The input device according to claim 1, wherein The first microphone and the second microphone are arranged at a rear end of the circuit board.

14. The input device according to claim 1, further comprising: an external member housing the first microphone and the second microphone, wherein The outer member has a first sound hole that allows sound to propagate to the first microphone, The upper surface of the middle portion has high areas and low areas, The upper surface of the middle portion is formed obliquely so as to descend rearward from a high area in a low area, and The first sound hole is formed in the low area.

15. The input device according to claim 1, further comprising: an external member housing the first microphone and the second microphone, wherein The outer member has an upper member and a lower member vertically connected to the upper member. A first sound hole is formed in the upper member, and A second sound hole is formed in the lower member.

16. The input device according to claim 1, wherein At least one of the first microphone and the second microphone is vertically spaced apart from the circuit board.

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