Controller

Abstract

The invention provides a controller, which can enable a sound device expanded in space to reach the ear of an operator from a sound generating part of a shell held and operated by a hand. The upper surface (11) of the housing (10) of a controller (1) used in video game and VR operation is provided with a main sound-generating unit (20), and the lower surface (12) is provided with a sub sound-generating unit (25). Effective sound reaches the ears of the operator from the main sound-generating unit (20) in the shortest time, and the effect sound reaches the operator from the sub-sound-generating unit (25) with a time difference. By generating a difference in transfer function between the sound emitted from the main sound-emitting unit (20) and the sound emitted from the sub-sound-emitting unit (25), a sound effect with a sense of expansion in space can be obtained.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a controller for holding and operating video games or VR by hand. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a game controller that can be held by hand. This game controller includes a stereo reproduction miniature speaker unit with two small speakers. Regarding the sound effect of the stereo reproduction miniature speaker unit, paragraph

[0032] describes that "by electrosynthesizing a head transfer function corresponding to a desired angle and distance in three-dimensional space, a virtual sound source is configured at any position in space, i.e., processing for adding sound localization is performed simultaneously."

[0003] In the controller device described in Patent Document 2, a woofer and a tweeter are mounted together with various buttons. According to paragraph

[0044] below, the analog circuit corresponding to the woofer includes: a first filter that removes frequency components exceeding a predetermined cutoff frequency; and a first amplifier that amplifies the signal after passing through the first filter and outputs it to the woofer. The analog circuit corresponding to the tweeter includes: a second filter that allows at least a predetermined frequency band to pass; and a second amplifier that amplifies the signal after passing through the second filter and outputs it to the tweeter.

[0004] The controller described in Patent Document 3 has a left speaker adjacent to a left handle held by the user's left hand and a right speaker adjacent to a right handle held by the user's right hand. The user can control the audio characteristics of the audio content output from the left and right speakers by touching the left and right speakers. For example, by touching the left or right speaker with a finger, a specific audio characteristic can be disabled, enabled, or adjusted.

[0005] Existing technical documents Patent documents Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-128669 Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-156441 Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-514961 Summary of the Invention

[0006] In the controllers described in the aforementioned patent documents, both speakers are mounted only on the upper surface of the controller. Therefore, the spatial coefficient of the sound delivered to the operator's ears by the two speakers is not different, making it difficult for the operator to perceive sound expansion or a sense of stereo. The controller described in Patent Document 1 attempts to reproduce stereo sound using two closely spaced speakers in a stereo dipole configuration. However, it is difficult to achieve stereo sound with two speakers positioned extremely close to a small device like the controller, and it also requires complex combinations of digital filters, resulting in an expensive audio device.

[0007] The present invention was made to solve the above-mentioned prior art problems, and its purpose is to provide a controller that can realize stereo sound by means of multiple sound-emitting parts disposed in a small housing.

[0008] The controller of the present invention comprises: a housing having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a side surface, which can be held by hand; and an operating part disposed on at least the upper surface of the housing, characterized in that, A main sound-emitting part is provided on the upper surface of the housing, and a secondary sound-emitting part is provided on at least one of the side surface and the lower surface. The angle between the sound center line of the main sound-emitting part and the sound center line of the secondary sound-emitting part is 90 degrees or more.

[0009] The controller of the present invention preferably has the secondary sound-emitting part disposed on the lower surface. The angle between the sound center line of the main sound source and the sound center line of the secondary sound source, which are directed toward the operator, is less than 180 degrees.

[0010] The controller of the present invention preferably imparts a spatially processed sound signal to the secondary sound source.

[0011] For example, spatial effects are processed using delay processing. Or, spatial effects are processed using reverb processing.

[0012] Invention Effects The controller of this invention has a main sound-emitting part on the upper surface of the housing and a secondary sound-emitting part on the side or lower surface of the housing. The angle between the sound emission center line of the main sound-emitting part and the sound emission center line of the secondary sound-emitting part is 90 degrees or more. The sound delivered to the operator's ear from the secondary sound-emitting part is delayed relative to the sound delivered from the main sound-emitting part, thus allowing the operator to hear the sound with a spatially extended range. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the controller of the first embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the top surface side.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the controller according to the first embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the lower surface side.

[0015] Figure 3 Sectioned using line III-III Figure 1 The controller shown is a cross-sectional view.

[0016] Figure 4 Cut with IV-IV line Figure 1 The controller shown is a cross-sectional view.

[0017] Figure 5 The controller, representing the second embodiment of the present invention, is a controller that is connected to... Figure 4 A cross-sectional view viewed from the same direction as shown.

[0018] Figure 6 This is a circuit block diagram illustrating an example of an audio circuit provided in the controller of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0019] exist Figures 1 to 4 In the controller 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention shown, the Z1-Z2 direction is the up-down direction towards the direction of gravity, with Z1 being upward and Z2 being downward. The Y1-Y2 direction is the front-back direction as observed by the operator, and is orthogonal to the Z1-Z2 direction. Y1 is forward and Y2 is backward. The X1-X2 direction is the left-right direction as observed by the operator, and is orthogonal to both the Z1-Z2 and Y1-Y2 directions. X1 is the left direction and X2 is the right direction.

[0020] exist Figures 1 to 4 The diagram shows the centerline O extending along the front-rear direction (Y1-Y2 direction) with controller 1 as the reference. (As shown...) Figure 3 As shown, the center line O is parallel to the upper surface 11 of the housing 10. The controller 1 is a device for operating video games or VR (virtual reality), but the operator sometimes operates the controller 1 in a horizontal posture with the center line O facing the Y1-Y2 direction, and sometimes in a raised posture with the front of the center line O slightly tilted upward relative to the Y1-Y2 direction.

[0021] The controller 1 has a housing 10. The housing 10 has an upper surface 11 facing upwards (Z1 direction) and a lower surface 12 facing downwards (Z2 direction). The housing 10 has a left side surface 13 facing left (X1 direction) and a right side surface 14 facing right (X2 direction). Furthermore, the housing 10 has a front side surface 15 facing forwards (Y1 direction) and a rear side surface 16 facing backwards (Y2 direction). The housing 10 has a left retaining portion 17 extending rearwards from the left portion of the rear side surface 16 and a right retaining portion 18 extending rearwards from the right side portion of the rear side surface 16. Figure 1As shown, a plurality of operating components 2 are arranged on the upper surface 11 of the housing 1. An operating mechanism operated by each operating component 2 is arranged inside the housing 1.

[0022] like Figure 1 As shown, a main sound-emitting part 20 is provided on the upper surface 11 of the housing 1. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the main sound-emitting part 20 consists of a small speaker unit 21 fixed to the inner side of the upper surface 11 of the housing 10 and a sound-emitting hole 22 formed on the upper surface 11 of the housing 10. Figure 2 As shown, a secondary sound-emitting part 25 is provided on the lower surface 12 of the housing 10. (As indicated...) Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the auxiliary sound-emitting part 25 includes: a small speaker unit 26 fixed inside the lower surface 12 of the housing 10, and a sound-emitting hole 27 formed on the lower surface 12 of the housing 10. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The diagram shows the sound emission center line V1 of the main sound-emitting unit 20 and the sound emission center line V2 of the auxiliary sound-emitting unit 25. The sound emission center line V1 is a virtual line that passes through the center of the diaphragm of the speaker unit 21 and extends along the vibration direction of the diaphragm. The sound emission center line V2 is a virtual line that passes through the center of the diaphragm of the speaker unit 26 and extends along the vibration direction of the diaphragm.

[0023] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the controller 1 cut by a plane orthogonal to the center line O (the upper surface 11 is the XZ plane when in a horizontal position). In this cross-sectional view, the angle between the sound emission center line V1 of the main sound-emitting unit 20 and the sound emission center line V2 of the auxiliary sound-emitting unit 25 is 180 degrees. Figure 4 When viewed in the cross-sectional view, both the sound-generating center lines V1 and V2 are orthogonal to the center line O. Furthermore, the sound-generating center line V1 extends perpendicularly to the upper surface 11 of the housing 10. Figure 3 It is a cross-sectional view of the controller cut by a plane (YZ plane) that includes the center line O and extends vertically (a cross-sectional view that includes the center line O and is orthogonal to the upper surface 11). However, in this cross-sectional view, the angle α formed by the sound emission center line V1 of the main sound-emitting part 20 and the sound emission center line V2 of the auxiliary sound-emitting part 25 toward the operator (towards the rear) is less than 180 degrees (more than 90 degrees).

[0024] Figure 5 This describes a controller 101 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In this controller 101, a main sound-emitting unit 20 is provided on the upper surface 11 of the housing 10, and auxiliary sound-emitting units 25 are respectively provided on the left side 13 and the right side 14. Figure 4 Similarly, in the first embodiment shown, Figure 5In the main sound-emitting part 20, the sound-emitting center line V1 is also orthogonal to the center line O and extends perpendicularly to the upper surface 11 of the housing 10. Figure 5 In the cross-sectional view, the angle between the sound emission center line V1 of the main sound-emitting part 20 and the sound emission center line V2 of each of the auxiliary sound-emitting parts 25 is 90 degrees.

[0025] The controller of the present invention is as follows Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, in the cross-sectional view cut by a plane perpendicular to the center line O, the angle between the sound emission center line V1 of the main sound-emitting part 20 and the sound emission center line V2 of the auxiliary sound-emitting part 25 is 90 degrees or more and 180 degrees or less.

[0026] The sound effects of the controllers 1 and 101 in the above embodiments will be described below.

[0027] The controllers 1 and 101 of this invention are used for operating video games and VR by holding the left holding part 17 of the housing 10 with the left hand and the right holding part 18 with the right hand. During operation, when various operating components 2 provided on the housing 10 are operated, sound effects corresponding to the operation are emitted from the main sound-emitting part 20 and the auxiliary sound-emitting part 25. Examples of sound effects include shooting sounds from shooting games, voices or footsteps of game characters, engine sounds of vehicles or aircraft in games, and other sound effects. In VR, these include ambient sounds, mechanical operating sounds, etc.

[0028] Figures 1 to 4 In the controller 1 of the first embodiment shown, since the main sound-emitting unit 20 is provided on the upper surface 11 of the housing 10, the sound emitted from the main sound-emitting unit 20 reaches the operator's ear in the shortest possible time. In contrast, the auxiliary sound-emitting unit 25 is provided on the lower surface 12 of the housing 10, so the sound emitted from the auxiliary sound-emitting unit 25 bypasses the outer surface of the housing 10 and reaches the operator's ear slightly later than the sound emitted from the main sound-emitting unit 20. Even when the main sound-emitting unit 20 and the auxiliary sound-emitting unit 25 emit sounds based on the same sound signal, a difference in the sound transfer function is generated between the sounds emitted from the main sound-emitting unit 20 and the sounds emitted from the auxiliary sound-emitting unit 25, thereby allowing the operator to hear a sound that is spatially extended.

[0029] The controller 1 in the first embodiment is as follows: Figure 4 As shown, the sound emission center lines V1 of the main sound-emitting section 20 and V2 of the auxiliary sound-emitting section 25 are orthogonal to the extended center line O, and are positioned 180 degrees vertically. Because the sound emission center lines V1 and V2 intersect with the center line O, the sound emitted by the main sound-emitting section 20 and the sound emitted by the auxiliary sound-emitting section 25 symmetrically travel through space towards the operator. Figure 3As shown, the sound-emitting center lines V1 and V2 have an angle α slightly smaller than 180 degrees, and both sound-emitting center lines V1 and V2 face the operator. Therefore, even when the front of the housing 10 is facing upwards during operation, the sound emitted from the auxiliary sound-emitting section 25 bypasses the outer surface of the rear side 16 of the housing 10 and reaches the operator's ear later than the sound from the main sound-emitting section 20. The sound emitted from the main sound-emitting section 20 and the sound emitted from the auxiliary sound-emitting section 25 are well balanced left and right, producing a moderate difference in the transfer function that is perceived by the operator's ear.

[0030] exist Figure 5 In the controller 101 of the second embodiment shown, the sound emission center line V1 of the main sound-emitting unit 20 faces upward, and the sound emission center lines V2, V2 of the two auxiliary sound-emitting units 25, 25 provided on the left side 13 and right side 14 of the housing 10 are symmetrically facing each other in the left-right direction. The sound emitted from the main sound-emitting unit 20 reaches the operator's ears in the shortest time, and the sounds emitted from the two auxiliary sound-emitting units 25, 25 are emitted symmetrically from left to right, with the sound emitted from each auxiliary sound-emitting unit 25, 25 arriving at the operator's ears delayed compared to the sound from the main sound-emitting unit 20. Therefore, even when the main sound-emitting unit 20 and the auxiliary sound-emitting units 25 emit sounds based on the same sound signal, a stereo sound effect with an extension in the left-right space can be obtained.

[0031] Figure 6 The present invention represents a more preferred audio circuit 30. In the audio circuit 30, the sound signal generated by the effect sound signal generation unit 31 is applied to the speaker unit 21 of the main sound-emitting unit 20. The same sound signal generated by the effect sound signal generation unit 31 and applied to the main sound-emitting unit 20 is spatially processed by the spatial effects processor 32 and applied to the speaker unit 26 of the secondary sound-emitting unit 25. The spatial effects processing in the spatial effects processor 32 is any one of delay processing, reverberation processing, compression processing, equalizer processing, or a combination of two or more of them.

[0032] If using Figure 6 The audio circuit 30 shown delivers sound effects to the operator's ears from the main sound output 20, and spatially processes the same sound effects from the secondary sound output 25 to reach the operator's ears, thus achieving a further spatially expanded sound effect.

[0033] In addition, in this invention, auxiliary sound-emitting parts 25 may also be provided on the lower surface 12 and both sides 13, 14 of the housing 10.

[0034] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures 1. 101: Controller 10: Shell 11: Upper surface 12: Lower surface 13: Left side 14: Right side 20: Main vocal part 21: Speaker unit 22: Sound hole 25: Secondary vocal part 26: Speaker unit 27: Sound hole 30: Audio circuit 31: Sound Effects Signal Generation Department 32: Spatial Effects V1: Center line of vocalization V2: Center line of vocalization.

Claims

1. A controller comprising: a housing having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a side surface, capable of being held by hand; and an operating part disposed on at least the upper surface of the housing, characterized in that, A main sound-emitting part is provided on the upper surface of the housing, and a secondary sound-emitting part is provided on at least one of the side surface and the lower surface. The angle between the sound center line of the main sound-emitting part and the sound center line of the secondary sound-emitting part is 90 degrees or more.

2. The controller according to claim 1, wherein, The secondary sound-emitting part is disposed on the lower surface. The angle between the sound center line of the main sound source and the sound center line of the secondary sound source, which are directed toward the operator, is less than 180 degrees.

3. The controller according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The secondary sound source is given a spatially processed sound signal.

4. The controller according to claim 3, wherein, Spatial effects are processed using a delayed method.

5. The controller according to claim 3, wherein, Spatial effects processing involves reverberation processing.

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