Game controller

Abstract

To improve operability of a game controller.SOLUTION: One example of a game controller includes a housing body composed by connecting a housing member in a front side and a housing member in a rear side. The housing body includes grasping parts on the right and left sides. A pair of grip parts for covering the whole of the grasping parts is connected to the right and left grasping parts. A boundary part of the two housing members is covered with a grip part, thus easily fitted to hands when a user grips the grip part and hence improving operability.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a game controller. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there have been game controllers that are held with both hands for performing game operations. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2013 / 157052 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, conventional game controllers leave room for improvement. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following configuration.

[0006] One example of the present invention is a game controller comprising a housing and left and right grip portions attached to the housing, wherein a front view is when a user holds the left and right grip portions and looks at the game controller from the front, and in this front view, the boundary portions between the left and right grip portions and the housing are each formed to extend upward from the center of the game controller in a lateral direction, and a rear view is when a user holds the right grip portion with his left hand and the left grip portion with his right hand and looks at the game controller from the rear, and in this rear view, the boundary portions between the left and right grip portions and the housing are each formed to extend upward from the center of the game controller in a lateral direction, and the shape of the boundary portion on the front side is different from the shape of the boundary portion on the rear side.

[0007] In another configuration, the boundary portion on the front side may extend in a straight line from the center of the game controller toward the side, and the boundary portion on the rear side may extend in a curved line from the center of the game controller toward the side.

[0008] In another configuration, the boundary portion on the rear side may be shaped to bulge more toward the center of the game controller than the boundary portion on the front side.

[0009] In another configuration, the boundary portion on the front side may extend in a straight line when viewed from the front, and the boundary portion on the rear side may have a vertical portion extending in an approximately vertical direction and a horizontal portion extending in an approximately horizontal direction when viewed from the rear.

[0010] In another configuration, the left and right grip portions have an opening, and the boundary portion is formed by inserting the housing into the opening, and the openings of the left and right grip portions may be approximately oval in shape and have a shape that is more pointed toward the center of the game controller than toward the side of the game controller.

[0011] In another configuration, the left and right grip portions have an opening, and the boundary portion is formed by inserting the housing into the opening, the openings of the left and right grip portions have a central portion located toward the center of the game controller and a side portion located toward the side of the game controller, and the central portion of the openings of the left and right grip portions may have a greater curvature than the side portion of the openings of the left and right grip portions.

[0012] In another configuration, the boundary portion on the front side may extend in a straight line when viewed from the front, and the boundary portion on the rear side may have a first portion having a first angle with respect to the horizontal direction and a second portion having a second angle with respect to the horizontal direction that is smaller than the first angle when viewed from the rear. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, a novel game controller having a grip portion can be provided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a game system including a game controller 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] Appearance of game controller 1 [Diagram 3] A diagram showing an example of the top surface of the left analog stick 4a and the right analog stick 4b. [Figure 4] A diagram showing a state in which a user holds a game controller 1 with both hands. [Diagram 5] An exploded perspective view of the game controller 1. [Figure 6] Appearance of button frame 30 [Figure 7] Appearance of the ZR button 7b key top [Figure 8A] Enlarged view of the R button 6b from the front [Figure 8B] Partially enlarged view of the R button 6b from above [Figure 8C] Enlarged view of the R button 6b from the right side [Figure 9] A diagram of the game controller 1 when placed on a flat surface and viewed from a direction parallel to the surface. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a structure for fixing the ZR button 7b to the button frame 30. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a top view of the button frame 30 when the key tops of the R button 6b and the ZR button 7b are removed. [Figure 12] A diagram showing the movement of the index finger when the user operates the ZR button 7b and the R button 6b. [Figure 13] Partially enlarged view of (c) in Figure 6 [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is an external view of the game controller 1 with the grip portion 8 removed. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 shows a state in which the right grip portion 8b of the game controller 1 is being removed. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is an external view of a grip portion 8a that is fitted into a first grip portion 18a of a housing 10. [Figure 17A] Sectional view of line AA in Figure 16 [Figure 17B] Cross section of line BB in Figure 16 [Figure 18A] Front view of the first substrate 20 [Figure 18B] Rear view of the first substrate 20 [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a front view of the first substrate 20, showing the NFC antenna 26 disposed on the rear surface of the first substrate 20 projected onto the front surface. [Figure 20] FIG. 2 shows the position of the NFC antenna 26 on the game controller 1. [Figure 21] Cross-sectional view of line XX in Figure 20 [Figure 22] Sectional view of line YY in Figure 20 [Figure 23] Front view of second substrate 40 [Figure 24] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the first substrate 20 and the second substrate 40. [Diagram 25] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of a vibration motor provided in a grip portion 8 of a game controller 1. [Figure 26] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the vibration direction of a vibration motor 50. [Figure 27] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the operation principle of the vibration motor 50. [Figure 28] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a grip portion 8b incorporating a vibration motor 50b, showing an example of the internal structure of the grip portion 8b. [Figure 29] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the second housing 10b on the rear side of the game controller 1, and is an enlarged view of a second gripping portion 18b on the right side of the second housing 10b. [Diagram 30] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a holder 51b for fixing a vibration motor 50b in a housing 10. [Diagram 31] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the grip portion 8b. [Diagram 32] A diagram showing an example of the structure of a home button 3d [Diagram 33] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a recess in a light guide section 91 provided directly above two LEDs 95. [Diagram 34] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an integrally molded member 93 in which a light guide portion 91 and a light blocking portion 92 are integrally formed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] A game controller 1 according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a game system including a game controller 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the game system includes a game controller 1, a game device 100, and a display device 200. The game device 100 includes a CPU, a RAM, and a storage device (non-volatile memory, optical disk, magnetic disk, etc.) not shown. The CPU of the game device 100 can execute game processing based on a predetermined game program, and outputs the result of the game processing to the display device 200. For example, a liquid crystal display device or an organic EL display device may be used as the display device 200. The game device 100 may be a stationary game device, or may be a portable game device integrated with the display device 200. The game device 100 is not limited to a device dedicated to games, and may be an information processing device capable of executing any program other than a game program, such as a personal computer or a smartphone.

[0017] The game device 100 and the game controller 1 are connected by wire or wirelessly, and operation data corresponding to operations performed on the game controller 1 is output to the game device 100. For example, the game controller 1 and the game device 100 may be connected by Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0018] The game controller 1 will be described in detail below. FIG. 2 is an external view of the game controller 1. FIG. 2(a) is a front view of the game controller 1. FIG. 2(b) is a left side view of the game controller 1. FIG. 2(c) is a right side view of the game controller 1. FIG. 2(d) is a top view of the game controller 1. FIG. 2(e) is a bottom view of the game controller 1. FIG. 2(f) is a rear view of the game controller 1. The xyz coordinate system in FIG. 2 is a coordinate system based on the game controller 1, in which the direction perpendicular to the front surface of the game controller 1 (e.g., the direction in which the A button 2a is pressed) is defined as the z-axis direction, the left-right direction of the game controller 1 (e.g., the direction connecting the A button 2a and the Y button 2y) is defined as the x-axis direction, and the up-down direction of the game controller 1 (e.g., the direction connecting the B button 2b and the X button 2x) is defined as the y-axis direction.

[0019] 2(a), an A button 2a, a B button 2b, an X button 2x, and a Y button 2y are arranged in a right area on the front surface of the game controller 1. A plus button 3b and a home button 3d are arranged on the right side in a central area on the front surface of the game controller 1. A right analog stick 4b is arranged below the Y button 2y and the home button 3d.

[0020] Additionally, a minus button 3a and a capture button 3c are disposed on the left side of the central area on the front side of the game controller 1. Additionally, a left analog stick 4a is disposed on the left side of the front side of the game controller 1. Additionally, a cross key 5 is disposed below the minus button 3a and the capture button 3c.

[0021] The A button 2a, the B button 2b, the X button 2x, and the Y button 2y are buttons that can be pressed in the direction toward the back (positive direction of the z-axis) of FIG. 2(a) and are used for game operations. The minus button 3a, the plus button 3b, the capture button 3c, and the home button 3d are buttons that can be pressed in the positive direction of the z-axis. The home button 3d may be used for operations other than game operations, and a menu screen or a setting screen of the game device 100 may be displayed when the home button 3d is pressed. For example, the user may press the home button 3d at any timing while the game device 100 is executing a game program, and when the home button 3d is pressed while the game program is being executed, the game program being executed is interrupted and a predetermined menu screen is displayed. The power ON / OFF of the game device 100 and the sleep ON / OFF of the game device 100 may be controlled by pressing the home button 3d. The capture button 3c is a button that is used for capturing an image displayed on the display device 200, for example. The capture button 3c and the home button 3d are not used for normal game operations, and therefore are used less frequently during the game than other game operation buttons (A button 2a, B button 2b, X button 2x, Y button 2y, L button 6a, R button 6b, ZL button 7a, ZR button 7b, etc.). The structure of the home button 3d will be described in detail later.

[0022] The left analog stick 4a and the right analog stick 4b are devices for indicating directions, and are configured so that the stick portion operated by the user's fingers can be tilted in any direction (any angle up, down, left, right, and diagonal). The left analog stick 4a and the right analog stick 4b may be pressed in the positive direction of the z axis. The cross key 5 is a device for indicating the up, down, left, and right directions.

[0023] The positions of the left analog stick 4a, the cross key 5, the right analog stick 4b, the A button 2a, the B button 2b, the X button 2x, and the Y button 2y are not limited to those shown in Fig. 2. For example, the left analog stick 4a may be provided at the position of the cross key 5 shown in Fig. 2, and the cross key 5 may be provided at the position of the left analog stick 4a shown in Fig. 2. Also, the right analog stick 4b may be provided at the position of the A, B, X, and Y buttons shown in Fig. 2, and the A, B, X, and Y buttons may be provided at the position of the right analog stick 4b shown in Fig. 2.

[0024] Also, the cross key 5 may not be an integrated key top, but may be configured as four independent buttons. That is, the button corresponding to the up direction of the cross key 5, the button corresponding to the right direction, the button corresponding to the down direction, and the button corresponding to the left direction may each be provided as an independent button.

[0025] The key tops of the left analog stick 4a and the right analog stick 4b have the same shape, size, and material, but the weight when tilting (the amount of force required to tilt by the same angle) is different between the left analog stick 4a and the right analog stick 4b. Specifically, an elastic member (spring) is provided inside the left analog stick 4a and the right analog stick 4b, and when the key top is tilted, the restoring force of this elastic member causes the key top to return to its original position. By making the characteristics (spring constant) of the elastic member provided inside this analog stick different, the weight is made different between the left analog stick 4a and the right analog stick 4b.

[0026] Specifically, the left analog stick 4a is lighter than the right analog stick 4b. Although it depends on the game program executed by the game device 100, for example, the left analog stick 4a is used to move the game character. On the other hand, the right analog stick 4b is used to move the virtual camera and the aim for the user to aim. When moving an object using the analog stick, if the analog stick is too light, the analog stick will tilt significantly with a small force, and the user will not be able to move the object as intended. For this reason, by making the right analog stick 4b heavier than the left analog stick 4a, for example, when moving the virtual camera using the right analog stick 4b, the virtual camera can be moved more precisely, improving operability.

[0027] The left analog stick 4a and the right analog stick 4b may be the same weight, or the right analog stick 4b may be lighter than the left analog stick 4a. The left analog stick 4a and the right analog stick 4b may be of different shapes, sizes, or materials.

[0028] In addition to the weight of the left analog stick 4a and the right analog stick 4b, the following configuration may be used to make the operation feel different. For example, the tilt range (movable range) of the key top of the left analog stick 4a and the right analog stick 4b may be made different. Also, the sensitivity (resolution) of the left analog stick 4a and the right analog stick 4b may be made different. For example, by making the tilt range of the right analog stick 4b larger than that of the left analog stick 4a, more precise operation can be performed when moving the virtual camera or the aim. Also, by making the sensitivity of the right analog stick 4b lower than that of the left analog stick 4a, precise operation is possible and unintended input can be prevented. Conversely, the tilt range of the left analog stick 4a may be made larger than that of the right analog stick 4b, or the sensitivity of the left analog stick 4a may be made lower than that of the right analog stick 4b. Also, the left analog stick 4a and the right analog stick 4b may be made different in any one of the three, "weight", "tilt range", and "sensitivity", or two or more may be made different.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the top surface portion of the left analog stick 4a and the right analog stick 4b. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the top surface portion (the portion touchable by the user) of the analog stick 4a or 4b seen from the side. As shown in FIG. 3, the top surface of the left analog stick 4a and the right analog stick 4b has a concave portion in the center. The concave portion is circular when the analog stick is seen from above. The concave portion is slightly bulged upward, and the height of the highest part of the concave portion is approximately the same as the height of the highest part of the outer periphery of the concave portion. In addition, a plurality of ribs (convex and concave portions) are formed concentrically on the side of the top surface portion of the left analog stick 4a and the right analog stick 4b. This makes it easy for the user's finger to get caught on the side of the top surface portion of the analog stick. In other words, the user's finger is less likely to slip when tilting the analog stick in any direction, improving operability. In addition, by not providing a rib in the center part of the top surface of the analog stick, the tactile feel when the user's finger operates the analog stick is improved.

[0030] 2(e), four LEDs 9 are provided on the bottom surface of the game controller 1. When multiple game controllers 1 are connected to the game device 100, the LEDs 9 emit light so that the user can distinguish each game controller 1. For example, when four game controllers 1 are connected to the game device 100, only the first from the left of the four LEDs 9 emits light in the first game controller 1, only the second from the left of the four LEDs 9 emits light in the second game controller 1, only the third from the left of the four LEDs 9 emits light in the third game controller 1, and only the fourth from the left of the four LEDs 9 emits light in the fourth game controller 1. Note that the multiple game controllers may be distinguished from one another by the number of the four LEDs 9 that emit light.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 2, grip portions 8a and 8b protruding downward (in the negative direction of the y-axis) are provided on the left and right sides of the center of the game controller 1. Grip portion 8a is held by the user's left hand, and grip portion 8b is held by the user's right hand. As shown in Fig. 2(b) and (c), grip portions 8a and 8b are formed so as to curve toward the back of the game controller 1 (in the positive direction of the z-axis).

[0032] 2(d), an L button 6a, a ZL button 7a, an R button 6a, and a ZR button 7a are provided on the top surface of the game controller 1. Specifically, the L button 6a is provided at the left end of the top surface of the game controller 1. The ZL button 7a is provided on the back side (positive z-axis direction) of the game controller 1 from the L button 6a. The R button 6b is provided at the right end of the top surface of the game controller 1. The ZR button 7b is provided on the back side (positive z-axis direction) of the game controller 1 from the R button 6b.

[0033] The L button 6a, the R button 6b, the ZL button 7a, and the ZR button 7b are buttons used for game operations. The ZL button 7a and the ZR button 7b may be trigger buttons.

[0034] In addition, although each button (A, B, X, Y, L, R, ZL, and ZR buttons) in this embodiment is a button that can output a signal (ON / OFF signal) indicating whether the button is pressed or not, in other embodiments, the ZL button 7a and the ZR button 7b may be a button that can output an analog value corresponding to the amount of depression of the button. For example, when the user presses the ZL button 7a or the ZR button 7b to a first position, an analog value corresponding to the first position may be output, and when the user presses the button to a second position lower than the first position, an analog value corresponding to the second position may be output.

[0035] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state where a user holds the game controller 1 with both hands. As shown in FIG. 4, when a user holds the grip portion 8a with the left hand and the grip portion 8b with the right hand, the user can operate the left analog stick 4a and the cross key 5 with the thumb of the left hand. The user can also operate the minus button 3a and the capture button 3c with the thumb of the left hand. The user can also operate the L button 6a and the ZL button 7a with the index finger (or middle finger) of the left hand. The user can also operate the A button 2a, the B button 2b, the X button 2x, the Y button 2y, the right analog stick 4b, the plus button 3b, and the home button 3d with the thumb of the right hand. The user can also operate the R button 6b and the ZR button 7b with the index finger (or middle finger) of the right hand. Note that FIG. 4 shows a typical way of holding the game controller 1, and different ways of holding may be used depending on the user.

[0036] [Details on L / R and ZL / ZR buttons] Next, the L button 6a, the ZL button 7a, the R button 6b, and the ZR button 7b provided on the top surface of the game controller 1 will be described in detail.

[0037] Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the game controller 1. As shown in Fig. 5, the housing 10 of the game controller 1 is formed by connecting a first housing 10a on the front side of the game controller 1 and a second housing 10b on the back side of the game controller 1. A button frame 30 is housed inside the housing 10. Also, a first board 20 and a second board 40 are housed inside the housing 10.

[0038] FIG. 6 is an external view of the button frame 30. (a) of FIG. 6 is a front view of the button frame 30 (a view of the button frame 30 seen from the front of the game controller 1). (b) of FIG. 6 is a left side view of the button frame 30. (c) of FIG. 6 is a right side view of the button frame 30. (d) of FIG. 6 is a top view of the button frame 30. (e) of FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the button frame 30. The x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis in FIG. 6 correspond to the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis in FIG. 2, respectively.

[0039] FIG. 7 is an external view of the key top of the ZR button 7b. (a) of FIG. 7 is a front view of the key top of the ZR button 7b (a view of the key top of the ZR button 7b from the front of the game controller 1). (b) of FIG. 7 is a right side view of the key top of the ZR button 7b. (c) of FIG. 7 is a top view of the key top of the ZR button 7b. (d) of FIG. 7 is a rear view of the key top of the ZR button 7b. (e) of FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the key top of the ZR button 7b. (f) of FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the key top of the ZR button 7b. The x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis in FIG. 7 correspond to the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis in FIG. 2, respectively.

[0040] The ZL button 7a and the ZR button 7b are symmetrical, and the ZL button 7a and the ZR button 7b have the same shape. The L button 6a and the R button 6b are symmetrical, and the L button 6a and the R button 6b have the same shape. In the following, only one of the ZL button 7a and the ZR button 7b will be described, but the other button is similar. In the following, only one of the L button 6a and the R button 6b will be described, but the other button is similar. In the following, the L button 6a and the R button 6b will be collectively referred to as the L / R button 6, and the ZL button 7a and the ZR button 7b will be collectively referred to as the ZL / ZR button 7.

[0041] 6, the L button 6a, the R button 6b, the ZL button 7a, and the ZR button 7b are configured as one unit with the frame portion 33 that is housed inside the housing 10. In addition, as described later, the button detection portions of the respective buttons are also configured as one unit. When the button frame 30 is housed in the housing 10, the L button 6a, the R button 6b, the ZL button 7a, and the ZR button 7b are exposed from the top surface of the housing 10.

[0042] (L / R button explanation) 6(d), the R button 6b has a horizontally elongated shape (long in the x-axis direction). That is, the R button 6b is formed so that its length in the side direction of the game controller 1 is longer than its length in the rear direction of the game controller 1. Also, the width of the R button 6b narrows from the center of the game controller 1 toward the side direction (positive direction of the x-axis).

[0043] Also, as shown in FIG. 6(a), the R button 6b is generally inclined downward from the center toward the side in the left-right direction of the game controller 1.

[0044] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 6(a), a downwardly inclined inclined portion 61b is provided at the end of the R button 6b on the central side (x-axis negative direction side) in the left-right direction of the game controller 1. Fig. 8A is a partial enlarged view of the R button 6b as viewed from the front. Fig. 8B is a partial enlarged view of the R button 6b as viewed from above. Fig. 8C is a partial enlarged view of the R button 6b as viewed from the right side.

[0045] 8A and 8B, the inclined portion 61 of the R button 6b at the central end of the game controller 1 is inclined in two stages, with the angle of inclination being greater at the portion closer to the central end of the R button 6b at the game controller 1. That is, the inclined portion 61b of the R button 6b has a side portion and a central portion, and the angle of inclination of the central portion is greater than the angle of inclination of the side portion with respect to the horizontal direction (x-axis direction in the xyz coordinate system).

[0046] Also, as shown in FIG. 6(a), the R button 6b has a downwardly inclined portion 62b at the end on the side surface (x-axis positive direction) in the left-right direction of the game controller 1.

[0047] 8A and 8B, the end of the R button 6b on the side of the game controller 1 is inclined in two stages, with the angle of inclination being greater at a portion closer to the end of the R button 6b on the side of the game controller 1. That is, the inclined portion 62b of the R button 6b has a portion on the side and a portion on the central side, and the angle of inclination of the portion on the side is greater than the angle of inclination of the portion on the central side with respect to the horizontal direction (the x-axis direction in the xyz coordinate system).

[0048] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6(c), the R button 6b has a downwardly inclined portion 63b at the end on the front side (the negative z-axis direction side) of the game controller 1.

[0049] 8C, the inclined portion 63b of the R button 6b at the front end of the game controller 1 is inclined in two stages, with the angle of inclination being greater at a portion closer to the front end of the R button 6b at the game controller 1. That is, the inclined portion 63b of the R button 6b has a front portion and a rear portion, and the angle of inclination of the front portion is greater than the angle of inclination of the rear portion with respect to the horizontal direction (z-axis direction in the xyz coordinate system).

[0050] In this way, even people with long fingers can easily operate the R button 6b by providing the inclined portion 61b on the central side of the R button 6b on the game controller 1. That is, if a user has long fingers, when operating the R button 6b, the fingertip reaches the end of the R button 6b on the central side of the game controller 1, but by providing the inclined portion 61b on the end on the central side, the inclined portion 61b fits the finger, making it easier for the user to operate the R button 6b.

[0051] In addition, by providing the inclined portion 62b at the end of the R button 6b on the side of the game controller 1, the R button 6b can be easily operated by both people with long fingers and people with short fingers. That is, a user with short fingers can operate the R button 6b by placing the fingertip on the end of the R button 6b on the side of the game controller 1. On the other hand, for a user with long fingers, when operating the R button 6b, the tip of the index finger hits the end of the center of the R button 6b, and the end of the side of the R button 6b hits the base of the finger or the vicinity of the second joint. By providing the inclined portion 62b at this end of the side, when pressing the end of the center of the R button 6b with the tip of the index finger, the force (force due to reaction) applied to the base of the finger or the vicinity of the second joint can be reduced, making it easier for the user to press the R button 6b.

[0052] Further, by providing the inclined portion 63b at the end of the R button 6b on the front side of the game controller 1, the user can easily operate the R button 6b. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, some users hold the game controller 1 by covering the front side of the game controller 1 with their hands, instead of holding the grip portion 8 with both hands. By providing the inclined portion 63b on the R button 6b, such users can easily operate the R button 6b and the ZR button 7b. Specifically, such users do not access the L / R button 6 and the ZL / ZR button 7 with their fingers (index finger and / or middle finger) from the side of the housing 10, but access the L / R button 6 and the ZL / ZR button 7 with their fingers from the front side of the housing 10. Here, if the inclined portion 63(a, b) is not provided at the end of the front side of the L / R button 6, the user's fingers will hit the corners on the front side of the L / R button 6, making it difficult for the user to operate the L / R button 6. Furthermore, when such a user operates the ZL / ZR button 7 on the rear side, their fingers may hit the corners on the front side of the L / R button 6, causing them to accidentally press the L / R button 6. In this embodiment, since the inclined portion 63 is provided on the front side of the L / R button 6, even when the user holds the game controller 1 with their hands over the front of the game controller 1, it is easy to operate the L / R button 6 and the ZL / ZR button 7, and it is possible to prevent the L / R button 6 from being accidentally pressed when operating the ZL / ZR button 7.

[0053] 6(a), the L button 6a and the R button 6b are configured to be rotatable about the shafts 32a and 32b arranged at the center of the button frame 30. The shafts 32a and 32b are arranged to extend in the z-axis direction (toward the back of the game controller 1). The L button 6a extends from the shaft 32a toward the side of the game controller 1 (negative x-axis direction), and the R button 6b extends from the shaft 32b toward the side of the game controller 1 (positive x-axis direction). The L button 6a and the R button 6b are configured to be pressed downward (negative y-axis direction) on the game controller 1 by rotating about the shafts 32a and 32b, respectively.

[0054] In this way, the L button 6a and the R button 6b rotate around the shaft 32a and shaft 32b arranged at the center of the game controller 1 as a fulcrum, are generally inclined toward the side direction, and have the above-mentioned inclined parts 61(a,b) and 62(a,b), so that the user can easily operate them. For example, in the case of a user with long fingers, the tip of the index finger rests on the inclined part 61b at the center, and the finger touches the R button 6b from the tip to the base along the right-downward curve of the R button 6b. In this case, the user can easily press the R button 6b with the entire index finger, and in particular, when the inclined part 61b (see FIG. 8A) is pressed in a direction perpendicular to the inclined surface, the R button 6b rotates around the shaft 32b as a fulcrum due to the force. Therefore, even a user with long fingers can easily operate the R button 6b. In addition, in the case of a user with short fingers, the tip of the index finger rests on the inclined part 62b on the side surface. In this case, the user can easily press the R button 6b with the tip of the index finger, and in particular, when the inclined portion 62b (see FIG. 8A) is pressed in a direction perpendicular to the inclined surface, the force of the press causes the R button 6b to rotate around the axis 32b as a fulcrum. This makes it easy for users with short fingers to operate the R button 6b.

[0055] (ZR / ZL button explanation) Next, the ZR / ZL buttons will be described. As shown in Fig. 6, the ZL button 7a is arranged on the rear side of the game controller 1 from the L button 6a. The ZR button 7b is arranged on the rear side of the game controller 1 from the R button 6b. The ZL button 7a and the ZR button 7b are horizontally elongated (long in the x-axis direction). That is, the ZL button 7a and the ZR button 7b are formed so that their length in the side direction of the game controller 1 is longer than their length in the rear direction of the game controller 1.

[0056] 6, the ZR button 7b has a protrusion 71b that protrudes toward the rear of the game controller 1 (positive z-axis direction) and toward the side of the game controller 1 (positive x-axis direction: rightward). Similarly, the ZL button 7a has a protrusion 71a that protrudes toward the rear of the game controller 1 (positive z-axis direction) and toward the side of the game controller 1 (negative x-axis direction: leftward).

[0057] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7B, the ZR button 7b is composed of an upper portion 72b including a protruding portion 71b, and a lower portion 73b below the upper portion 72b. The upper portion 72b of the ZR button 7b is a portion that is directly touched when the user presses the button. When the ZR button 7b is integrated with the button frame 30 and the button frame 30 is housed in the housing 10, the upper portion 72b of the ZR button 7b is exposed to the outside, while the lower portion 73b of the ZR button 7b is almost hidden by the housing 10 (see FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 7E, the protruding portion 71b protrudes in the positive z-axis direction (toward the back of the game controller 1) and the positive x-axis direction (toward the side of the game controller 1) beyond the outer edge of the upper end of the lower portion 73b.

[0058] More specifically, the protrusion 71b extends continuously from the rear side to the side of the game controller 1. The portion of the protrusion 71b extending from the rear side to the side of the game controller 1 (the portion in the diagonal direction between the z-axis and the x-axis shown in (e) of FIG. 7) has an arc shape (R-shape). As shown in (e) of FIG. 7, the protrusion length L2 in the positive z-axis direction and the positive x-axis direction is longer than the protrusion length L1 in the positive z-axis direction. That is, the protrusion 71b is configured such that the length L2 in the diagonal direction between the z-axis and the x-axis is longer than the length L1 along the z-axis. Also, the protrusion 71b protrudes less toward the side. Specifically, the length L3 in (e) of FIG. 7 is shorter than the length L2. At the side end of the ZR button 7b, the protrusion 71b protrudes slightly in the positive x-axis direction (rightward) than the lower portion 73b.

[0059] In this way, the ZL button 7a and the ZR button 7b have protruding parts 71 (a and b) that protrude both in the back direction and in the side direction. This allows the area of ​​the key top upper surface of the ZL button 7a and the ZR button 7b to be increased, making it easier for the user to operate the ZL button 7a and the ZR button 7b. If the entire ZL button 7a and the ZR button 7b (the entire button including the upper part 72b and the lower part 73b) were to be enlarged, the area of ​​the key top upper surface of the ZL button 7a and the ZR button 7b could also be increased, but the entire button would be enlarged, and the housing 10 would also be enlarged. However, by providing the above-mentioned protruding parts 71 to the ZL button 7a and the ZR button 7b as in this embodiment, the area of ​​the key top upper surface of the button can be increased without enlarging the entire button. This allows the key top of the ZL button 7a and the ZR button 7b to be enlarged without enlarging the entire housing, making it easier for the user to operate the ZL button 7a and the ZR button 7b.

[0060] In this embodiment, the ZL button 7a and the ZR button 7b protrude not only in the rear direction but also in the side direction, so that even a user with short fingers can easily operate them. That is, since the ZL / ZR button 7 protrudes not only in the rear direction but also in the side direction, the user can, for example, place his / her finger on the part of the ZL / ZR button 7 protruding in the side direction to operate the button. For example, since the ZR button 7b protrudes in the side direction (to the right), the user can access the ZR button 7b with the fingers of the right hand from the right side of the game controller 1 and press the ZR button 7b by placing his / her finger on the part of the ZR button 7b protruding in the side direction. Since the ZR button 7b is provided with a protruding part 71b protruding in the right side direction, even a user with short fingers can easily place his / her finger on the right side of the ZR button 7b, and can easily operate the ZR button 7b. In addition, the user can, for example, place his / her finger on the R-shaped part of the ZL / ZR button 7 between the side direction and the rear direction to operate the button. This allows the user to operate the ZL / ZR button 7 without having to stretch his or her finger all the way to the central portion of the ZL / ZR button 7 (for example, the portion that protrudes only toward the rear).

[0061] Moreover, the protruding portion 71 of the ZL / ZR button 7 extends continuously from the rear side to the side, and the portion of the ZL / ZR button 7 extending from the rear side to the side is R-shaped. Therefore, the ZL / ZR button 7 looks more natural and is easier to operate than a button having a portion protruding only in the rear direction and a portion protruding only in the side direction. If the protruding portion 71 of the ZL / ZR button 7 is divided into a portion protruding only in the rear direction and a portion protruding only in the side direction, and the portion extending from the rear side to the side does not protrude in the rear direction or the side direction, the button will have a discontinuous shape and will be unnatural. Furthermore, with a button of such a shape, the user will operate the button by placing his / her finger on the portion protruding only in the rear direction or the portion protruding only in the side direction, and if the finger is placed between the portions (between the rear direction and the side direction), the button will not be able to be operated. In contrast, the protruding portion 71 of the ZL / ZR button 7 is formed continuously from the rear side to the side, and the portion extending from the rear side to the side is R-shaped, so that the button will have a natural shape. Furthermore, game controller 1 of this embodiment has an overall curved shape, and the R-shaped portion of protrusion 71 of ZL / ZR button 7 matches the overall shape of game controller 1, so there is no visual discomfort. Furthermore, protrusion 71 of ZL / ZR button 7 is formed continuously from the back side to the side side, so the user can press the button at any position within this continuously formed portion, making it easy to operate ZL / ZR button 7.

[0062] 7, the upper surface of the protruding portion 71b of the ZR button 7b forms an integral surface with the upper surface of the portion of the ZR button 7b other than the protruding portion 71b. That is, the upper surface of the ZR button 7b forms a continuous surface from the portion other than the protruding portion 71b (the portion that does not protrude toward the back or side) to the protruding portion 71b, and there is no step at the boundary between the protruding portion 71b and the portion other than the protruding portion 71b on the upper surface of the ZR button 7b. Therefore, the user does not feel uncomfortable when operating the ZR button 7b.

[0063] 7(b), the rear end of the protrusion 71b has a rounded R shape when viewed from the side of the game controller 1. That is, the portion extending from the upper surface of the protrusion 71b to the surface in the rear direction has an R shape. Although the ZR button 7b curves upward toward the rear direction as shown in the figure, the rear end is not sharp but has an R shape, so that the user does not feel uncomfortable when pressing the rear end of the ZR button 7b with his / her finger.

[0064] 7(d), a downwardly inclined portion 74b is provided at the end of the ZR button 7b on the central side (negative x-axis side) in the left-right direction of the game controller 1. Specifically, the inclined portion 74b at the central end of the ZR button 7b on the game controller 1 is inclined in two stages, with the inclination angle of the portion closer to the central end of the ZR button 7b on the game controller 1 being slightly larger. In other words, the inclined portion 74b of the ZR button 7b has a side portion and a central portion, and the inclination angle of the central portion is larger than the inclination angle of the side portion with respect to the horizontal direction (x-axis direction in the xyz coordinate system).

[0065] 7(d), a downwardly inclined portion 75b is provided at the end of the ZR button 7b on the side surface (positive x-axis direction) in the left-right direction of the game controller 1. Specifically, the inclined portion 75b at the end of the ZR button 7b on the side surface of the game controller 1 is inclined in two stages, with the angle of inclination of the portion of the ZR button 7b closer to the end of the side surface of the game controller 1 being slightly larger. In other words, the inclined portion 75b of the ZR button 7b has a side portion and a central portion, and the angle of inclination of the side portion is larger than the angle of inclination of the central portion with respect to the horizontal direction (x-axis direction in the xyz coordinate system).

[0066] In this way, even people with long fingers can easily operate the ZR button 7b by slanting the end of the ZR button 7b toward the center of the game controller 1. That is, if a user has long fingers, when operating the ZR button 7b, the fingertip reaches the end of the ZR button 7b toward the center of the game controller 1, but by providing the slanted portion 74b at the end toward the center, the slanted portion 74b fits the finger, making it easier for the user to operate the ZR button 7b (see FIG. 4).

[0067] In addition, since the end of the ZR button 7b on the side of the game controller 1 is inclined, the ZR button 7b can be easily operated by both people with long fingers and people with short fingers. That is, a user with short fingers can operate the ZR button 7b by placing the tip of the finger on the end of the ZR button 7b on the side of the game controller 1. On the other hand, for a user with long fingers, when operating the ZR button 7b, the end of the side of the ZR button 7b hits the base or the vicinity of the second joint of the index finger, and the tip of the finger hits the end of the center of the ZR button 7b. By providing the inclined portion 75d on this end of the side, when pressing the end of the center of the ZR button 7b with the tip of the index finger, the force (force due to reaction) applied to the base or the vicinity of the second joint of the finger can be reduced, making it easier to press the ZR button 7b.

[0068] 2(c), the tip of the ZR button 7b on the rear side of the game controller 1 (the end in the positive z-axis direction) is located closer to the front of the game controller 1 than the outer edge (plane parallel to the rear) of the central part of the rear of the housing 10. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2(d), the tip of the ZR button 7b on the rear side protrudes slightly rearward from the outer edge of the rear of the housing 10 at the position of the ZR button 7b, but is located closer to the front than the outer edge of the central part of the rear of the housing 10. For this reason, when the game controller 1 is placed on a flat surface, the central part of the rear of the housing 10 supports the game controller 1.

[0069] FIG. 9 is a diagram of the game controller 1 when it is placed on a flat surface and viewed from a direction parallel to the flat surface. As shown in FIG. 9, when the game controller 1 is placed on a flat surface, the grip portion 8a, the grip portion 8b, and the center of the back surface of the housing 10 come into contact with the flat surface, and the load of the game controller 1 is applied to these three points. When the game controller 1 is placed on a flat surface, at least one of the ZL button 7a and the ZR button 7b may come into contact with the flat surface, but the load is mainly applied to the center of the back surface of the housing 10, the grip portion 8a, and the grip portion 8b, and the ZL button 7a and the ZR button 7b are not pressed even when the game controller 1 is placed on a flat surface. Even when a large load is applied to the game controller, such as when the game controller 1 placed on a flat surface is accidentally stepped on, a large load is applied to the center of the back surface of the housing 10, the grip portion 8a, and the grip portion 8b, and no large load is applied to the ZL / ZR button 7. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the ZL / ZR button 7, which is structurally weaker than the housing 10, from being damaged due to a large load being applied thereto.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 7B, the ZR button 7b curves upward toward the rear side of the game controller 1. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6C and FIG. 7B, the ZR button 7b curves downward from the end on the front side of the game controller 1 toward its center, and curves upward near the end on the rear side. The ZR button 7b curves gradually from the end on the front side toward the end on the rear side, and is inclined downward at the end on the rear side (the inclined portion 75d wraps around to the rear side). More specifically, as shown in FIG. 7B, the curvature r1 of the upper surface of the ZR button 7b on the rear side of the game controller 1 is greater than the curvature r2 on the front side of the game controller 1. That is, the curvature of the front end (point A) of the top surface of the ZR button 7b, the center of the ZR button 7b (point B halfway between points A and C in FIG. 7(b)), and the front portion of the downwardly sloping end on the rear side of the ZR button 7b (point C) are different, and the curvature gradually increases as one approaches points A, B, and C. Furthermore, the change in curvature from point B to point C is greater than the change in curvature from point A to point B.

[0071] In this way, in the game controller 1 of this embodiment, the ZR button 7b is curved upward toward the rear side, the degree of curvature of the ZR button 7b gradually increases, and the end on the rear side is inclined downward, so that the user can easily operate the ZR button 7b. For example, if the degree of curvature of the ZR button 7b suddenly changes, it becomes an obstacle for a user with long fingers and makes it difficult to operate the button. For example, if the index finger is placed on the rear side of the game controller 1 instead of on the ZR button 7b when not operating the ZR button 7b, the user needs to move the finger from the rear side to the ZR button 7b when operating the ZR button 7b, but if the degree of curvature of the ZR button 7b suddenly changes, the finger will hit the top part of the curved part. However, in the game controller 1 of this embodiment, the degree of curvature of the ZR button 7b gradually increases, so that the user's finger is less likely to hit the top part of the curved part, making it easy to operate the ZR button 7b. In addition, the end of the ZR button 7b on the rear side of the game controller 1 is inclined downward, so that the user's fingers are less likely to come into contact with the curved portion.

[0072] Specifically, the ZR button 7b has an inclined portion 71b on its rear side, and the upper end of the second housing 10b does not protrude toward the rear side, so that when the user places his / her fingers on the rear side of the housing 10, the ZR button 7b and the R button 6b can be easily accessed. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 7, the tip of the ZR button 7b on the rear side protrudes slightly toward the rear side from the outer edge of the second housing 10b at the position of the ZR button 7b, but the inclined portion 71b is provided, and the upper end of the second housing 10b does not protrude toward the rear side. Therefore, when the user moves his / her finger from the rear side of the housing 10 to the position of the ZR button 7b or the R button 6b, the finger is unlikely to hit the tip of the ZR button 7b on the rear side or the upper end of the housing 10 on the rear side, so that the finger can be moved smoothly from the rear side to the position of the ZR button 7b or the R button 6b.

[0073] 7(b) and (c), a lower portion 73b of the ZR button 7b has a bearing portion 76b, and is rotatably supported by a shaft extending in the left-right direction (x-axis direction) of the game controller 1. The bearing portion 76b is provided on the front side (negative z-axis direction) of the game controller 1. The ZR button 7b is configured to be pressed downward (negative y-axis direction) of the game controller 1 by rotating around the shaft.

[0074] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a fixing structure of the ZR button 7b to the button frame 30. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the ZR button 7b as seen from above. As shown in FIG. 10, the ZR button 7b is rotatably supported by a shaft 35. A bearing portion 34 for receiving the shaft 35 is provided at the right end of the button frame 30. The shaft 35 is inserted from the center of the game controller 1 toward the side, and is not inserted from the side. Since the shaft 35 is configured to be inserted only from the center of the game controller 1, the ZR button 7b can be extended to the vicinity of the side end of the game controller 1. In addition, the entrance of the bearing portion 34 is slightly larger than the diameter of the shaft 35, and becomes narrower toward the back, and for example, a cushioning material 36 is applied to the inner back of the bearing portion 34. This allows the shaft 35 to be firmly fixed to the button frame 30 when the shaft 35 is inserted. The position of the cushioning material 36 is not limited to that illustrated in the figure, and the cushioning material may be provided at any position where the ZR button 7b comes into contact with a part of the button frame 30.

[0075] (Relationship between L / R buttons and ZL / ZR) Next, the relationship between the L / R buttons and the ZL / ZR buttons will be described. As shown in (d) of Fig. 6, the length of the L button 6a in the left-right direction (x direction) is longer than that of the ZL button 7a in the left-right direction. Also, the length of the ZL button 7a in the vertical direction (z direction: toward the front of the game controller 1) is longer than that of the L button 6a. In other words, the ZL button 7a is formed longer toward the back of the game controller 1 than the L button 6a.

[0076] Also, the L / R button 6 is inclined downwards as it goes toward the side of the game controller 1. This allows the user to easily operate the ZL / ZR button 7 located on the rear side, and prevents the user from accidentally pressing the L / R button 6 when pressing the ZL / ZR button 7. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, when the user presses the ZL / ZR button 7 on the rear side with his / her index finger, for example, the part of the index finger that extends from the first joint to the second joint may touch the L / R button 6. At this time, if the L / R button 6 does not incline downwards as it goes from the center of the game controller 1 toward the side, the finger is likely to come into contact with the L / R button 6. However, since the L / R button 6 is inclined downwards, the finger is unlikely to hit the end of the side of the L / R button 6, and it is possible to prevent the user from accidentally pressing the L / R button 6 when pressing the ZL / ZR button 7.

[0077] Furthermore, the end of the side of the L / R button 6 is provided with an inclined portion 62 (a and b) that is inclined in two stages. Therefore, when a user operates the ZL / ZR button 7, the user's finger is unlikely to hit the end of the side of the L / R button 6, and it is possible to prevent the user from accidentally pressing the L / R button 6. For example, a user with long fingers places his / her finger on the end of the center of the ZL / ZR button 7 to operate the ZL / ZR button 7. At this time, the base of the finger may hit the end of the side of the L / R button 6. In this embodiment, since the end of the side of the L / R button 6 is inclined downward, the base of the finger is unlikely to hit the end of the side of the L / R button 6, and it is possible to prevent the user from accidentally pressing the L / R button 6 when operating the ZL / ZR button 7.

[0078] Furthermore, the width (width in the z direction) of the L / R button 6 narrows toward the side of the game controller 1. This makes it possible to prevent the user from accidentally pressing the L / R button 6 when pressing the ZL / ZR button 7. For example, if the width of the L / R button 6 is wide at the end of the side, when the user moves his / her finger from the position of the L / R button 6 to the position of the ZL / ZR button 7 to operate the ZL / ZR button 7, the finger may touch the end of the side of the L / R button 6, causing the user to accidentally press the L / R button 6. However, since the width of the L / R button 6 narrows toward the side, it is possible to prevent the user from accidentally pressing the L / R button 6.

[0079] Furthermore, the L / R button 6 has inclined portions 63 (a and b) at the end on the front side. This allows the user to easily access the L / R button 6 when the user places his / her finger on the front side of the housing 10, and also allows the user to easily access the ZL / ZR button 7. That is, since the end on the front side of the L / R button 6 is inclined, it is possible to prevent the user's finger from touching the L / R button 6 when moving the finger from the front side of the housing 10 to the ZL / ZR button 7. Furthermore, as described above, since the end on the front side of the L / R button 6 is inclined, it is easy for a user who does not grasp the grip portion 8 of the game controller 1 but holds the front side of the game controller 1 with his / her hand over it to operate the ZL / ZR button 7, and it is possible to prevent the L / R button 6 from being pressed down by mistake when operating the ZL / ZR button 7.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 6(d), the ZR button 7b is located closer to the side of the game controller 1 than the R button 6b. Specifically, the left end of the ZR button 7b (the end closer to the center in the left-right direction of the game controller 1) is located closer to the side of the game controller 1 (the positive x-axis direction) than the left end of the R button 6b (the end closer to the center in the left-right direction of the game controller 1). On the other hand, the right end of the ZR button 7b (the end closer to the side of the game controller 1 in the left-right direction) is approximately aligned with the right end of the R button 6b (the end closer to the side of the game controller 1 in the left-right direction). Therefore, as the center positions of the buttons, the ZR button 7b is located closer to the side of the game controller 1 than the R button 6b. The button detection units provided below the ZR button 7b and the R button 6b have the same positional relationship.

[0081] FIG. 11 is a top view of the button frame 30 when the key tops of the R button 6b and the ZR button 7b are removed.

[0082] As shown in Fig. 11, an R button detector 69b for detecting an operation on the R button 6b is disposed below the key top of the R button 6b. Similarly, an L button detector 69a for detecting an operation on the L button 6a is disposed below the key top of the L button 6a. Also, a ZR button detector 79b for detecting an operation on the ZR button 7b is disposed below the key top of the ZR button 7b. Similarly, a ZL button detector 79a for detecting an operation on the ZL button 7a is disposed below the key top of the ZL button 7a.

[0083] Specifically, the R button detector 69b is disposed approximately in the center of the key top of the R button 6b in the left-right direction (x-axis direction) and the front-back direction (z-axis direction). The ZR button detector 79b is disposed approximately in the center of the key top of the ZR button 7b in the front-back direction (z-axis direction), and is disposed slightly toward the center of the game controller 1 from the center of the key top of the ZR button 7b in the left-right direction.

[0084] Comparing the R button detection unit 69b and the ZR button detection unit 79b, the ZR button detection unit 79b is located closer to the side of the game controller 1 than the R button detection unit 69b. Similarly, comparing the L button detection unit 69a and the ZL button detection unit 79a, the ZL button detection unit 79a is located closer to the side of the game controller 1 than the L button detection unit 69a. In other words, the ZL button detection unit 79a and the ZR button detection unit 79b are located on the outer side of the game controller 1, and the L button detection unit 69a and the R button detection unit 69b are located on the inner side of the game controller 1.

[0085] The ZL button 7a and ZR button 7b (ZL button detection unit 79a and ZR button detection unit 79b) on the rear side are positioned further outboard in this manner in order to align them with the trajectory of the user's finger when operating the ZR button 7b and R button 6a, for example, with the index finger.

[0086] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the movement of the index finger when the user operates the ZR button 7b and the R button 6b. As shown in FIG. 12, when the index finger moves from the position of the R button 6b to the position of the ZR button 7b, the user's finger moves in an arc around the base of the finger. For example, when the user holds the grip part 8b with the right hand, the base of the index finger is typically located on an extension of the R button 6b on the right side surface of the game controller 1 (see FIG. 4). When the user operates the ZR button 7b while placing the index finger on the R button 6b, the user moves the finger in the rear direction while keeping the base of the index finger almost fixed. Therefore, the user's index finger moves in an arc around the base, and the more the finger moves in the rear direction of the game controller 1, the more the tip of the finger moves in the side direction of the game controller 1. Therefore, the tip of the index finger is located in the side direction (outside) of the game controller 1 after moving to the position of the ZR button 7b than when the finger is in the position of the R button 6a.

[0087] Considering such a user's finger movement, in the game controller 1 of this embodiment, the ZR button 7b is arranged outside the R button 6b. Similarly, the ZR button detection unit 79b is also arranged outside the R button detection unit 69b. This button arrangement makes it easier for the user to operate the ZR button 7b and the R button 6a. Also, by arranging the detection units of each button in the same way, the detection unit of each button can be arranged almost directly under the finger when the user presses each button, and the user's operation can be detected reliably.

[0088] Returning to FIG. 6, a partition wall 31b (a predetermined surface) is provided between the R button 6b and the ZR button 7b to separate these buttons. The partition wall 31b is a part of the button frame 30. Here, the height of the partition wall 31b and the heights of the R button 6b and the ZR button 7b will be described. Note that the "height" of the R button 6b, the ZR button 7b, and the partition wall 31b referred to here refers to the distance from a surface parallel to the z-axis (axis parallel to the pressing direction of the A button 2a, etc. provided on the front surface of the game controller 1) and the x-axis (axis parallel to the left-right direction when the game controller 1 is viewed from the front) based on the game controller 1. In other words, the "height" of the R button 6b, the ZR button 7b, and the partition wall 31b refers to the height based on the z-axis and the x-axis, and refers to the distance in the y-axis direction.

[0089] FIG. 13 is a partial enlarged view of (c) in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 13, the height of the partition 31b is lower than that of the R button 6b. Even when the R button 6b is pressed, the height of the partition 31b is lower than that of the R button 6b. That is, whether the R button 6b is pressed or not pressed, if a straight line is extended from any point on the upper surface of the R button 6b in the z-axis direction, the straight line does not hit the partition 31b. Also, when the ZR button 7b is not pressed, the height of the end 311b of the partition 31b on the rear side of the game controller 1 is slightly lower than the height of the end 77b of the ZR button 7b on the front side of the game controller 1. That is, when the ZR button 7b is not pressed, if a straight line is extended from the end 77b of the ZR button 7b in the z-axis negative direction, the straight line does not hit the end 311b of the partition 31b on the rear side. Even when the ZR button 7b is pressed, the height of the end 311 on the rear side of the partition 31b is slightly lower or approximately the same height as the end 77b of the ZR button 7b on the front side of the game controller 1. In other words, when the ZR button 7b is pressed, if a straight line is extended in the negative direction of the z axis from the end 77b of the ZR button 7b, the straight line will not hit the end 311b on the rear side of the partition 31b or will pass through the end 311b of the partition 31b.

[0090] By providing the partition 31b between the R button 6b and the ZR button 7b, the user can place his / her finger on the partition 31b when not operating the R button 6b or the ZR button 7b, and can prevent the user from operating the R button 6b or the ZR button 7b by mistake. In addition, even when the ZR button 7b is pressed or not pressed, the height of the end 77b of the ZR button 7b on the front side of the game controller 1 is higher (or substantially the same) than the height of the end 311b on the rear side of the partition 31b, so that the finger is less likely to be caught between the ZR button 7b and the partition 31b. The ZR button 7b rotates about the shaft 35 (see FIG. 10) located on the partition 31b side in FIG. 13 as a fulcrum, so that when the ZR button 7b is pressed, a gap is generated between the ZR button 7b and the partition 31b. However, even when the ZR button 7b is pressed, if the partition 31b is lower than (or substantially the same as) the ZR button 7b at the boundary between the ZR button 7b and the partition 31b, it is difficult for a finger to enter the gap between the ZR button 7b and the partition 31b and the finger is unlikely to become pinched.

[0091] Also, when comparing the height of the R button 6b on the front side and the ZR button 7b on the back side, the end 68b of the R button 6b on the back side of the game controller 1 is higher than the end 77b of the ZR button 7b on the front side of the game controller 1. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, the R button 6b is higher overall than the ZR button 7b from the front end 67b to the back end 68b of the game controller 1. That is, if a straight line is extended in the z-axis direction from any point on the top surface of the R button 6b, the straight line will not hit the ZR button 7b. Therefore, the user can recognize whether it is the R button 6b or the ZR button 7b just by touching the R button 6b and the ZR button 7b with his / her finger.

[0092] Since the R button 6b is inclined downwards toward the side, its height at the end on the side (the end toward the front of the paper in FIG. 13) is approximately the same as that of the ZR button 7b. That is, as shown in FIG. 2(f), when the game controller 1 is viewed from the rear side, the heights of the end on the side of the L / R button 6 and the ZL / ZR button 7 are approximately the same. Therefore, when the user moves their finger in the front-rear direction of the game controller 1, their finger is unlikely to hit the end on the side of the L / R button 6 and the ZL / ZR button 7, and it is possible to prevent the ZL / ZR button 7 from being accidentally pressed when pressing the L / R button 6, or conversely, to prevent the L / R button 6 from being accidentally pressed when pressing the ZL / ZR button 7.

[0093] As described above, in this embodiment, the ZL / ZR button 7 is provided on the rear side of the L / R button 6 on the game controller 1. The ZL / ZR button 7 has the protrusions 71 protruding in the rear and side directions, so that the user can easily operate the ZL / ZR button 7 located on the rear side. Also, since the L / R button 6 and the ZL / ZR button 7 have the above-mentioned features (sloping portions at the ends in the left-right direction (x-axis direction), sloping portions at the ends in the front-back direction (z-axis direction), left-right positions, height in the y-axis direction, etc.), the user is unlikely to confuse the L / R button 6 and the ZL / ZR button 7, and can easily operate them.

[0094] In this embodiment, the L / R button 6, the ZL / ZR button 7, the shafts supporting these buttons, and the detectors that detect when these buttons are pressed are integrally formed as the button frame 30. This makes it possible to reduce manufacturing errors for each button compared to when each button is fixed to the housing 10, and prevents rattling when the buttons are operated.

[0095] [Grip section description] Next, the grip portion 8 of the game controller 1 will be described. FIG. 14 is an external view of the game controller 1 when the grip portion 8 is removed. FIG. 14(a) is a front view of the game controller 1 when the grip portion 8 is removed. FIG. 14(b) is a left side view of the game controller 1 when the grip portion 8 is removed. FIG. 14(c) is a rear view of the game controller 1 when the grip portion 8 is removed. FIG. 15 is a view showing the state in the middle of removing the right grip portion 8b of the game controller 1. Note that the x, y, and z axes in FIG. 14 correspond to the x, y, and z axes in FIG. 2, respectively.

[0096] 14 and 15, the grip portions 8a and 8b of the game controller 1 are each configured to be separable from the housing 10 (main body housing). As described above, the housing 10 is formed by connecting the first housing 10a on the front side of the game controller 1 and the second housing 10b on the rear side (FIG. 5).

[0097] As shown in FIG. 14, the housing 10 formed by connecting the first housing 10a and the second housing 10b has a controller main body provided with various operation buttons and analog sticks for game operation, a first gripping portion (first protrusion) 18a, and a second gripping portion (second protrusion) 18b. The first gripping portion 18a protrudes downward (y-axis negative direction) from the left side of the center of the controller main body, and is curved toward the back (z-axis positive direction) as shown in FIG. 14(b). The second gripping portion 18b protrudes downward (y-axis negative direction) from the right side of the center of the controller main body, and is curved toward the back (z-axis positive direction). The first gripping portion (first protrusion) 18a is a portion that is held by the user's left hand (through the grip portion 8a) when the grip portion 8a is connected. Here, the first gripping portion (first protruding portion) 18a is not a portion that is directly gripped by the user, but is a portion that is indirectly gripped, and therefore will be referred to as the "first gripping portion." The same will be said for the second gripping portion (second protruding portion) 18b.

[0098] A guide 181a is provided on the front side of the first gripping portion 18a. The guide 181a is a long and narrow concave groove, and is used to guide the gripping portion 8a to a predetermined position in the process of fitting the gripping portion 8a into the first gripping portion 18a. The guide 181a extends from the tip (lower in FIG. 14) to the base (upper) of the first gripping portion 18a, and is formed so that the tip side is wider than the base side.

[0099] 14(c), a guide 182a is provided on the back side of the first gripping portion 18a. The guide 182a is a long and narrow concave groove, and is used to guide the gripping portion 8a to a predetermined position in the process of fitting the gripping portion 8a into the first gripping portion 18a. The guide 182a extends from the tip (lower) to the base (upper) of the first gripping portion 18a, and is formed so that the tip side is wider than the base side.

[0100] 14(b), a screw hole 183a for inserting a screw is provided at the tip of the first holding portion 18a. The grip portion 8a is fixed to the first holding portion 18a by fitting the grip portion 8a into the first holding portion 18a and screwing it in. Note that the screw hole does not necessarily have to be provided at the tip of the first holding portion 18a, and the screw hole may be provided in the tip portion including the tip (including the tip and its vicinity).

[0101] The same is true for second gripping portion 18b. That is, guides 181b and 182b are provided on the front and back sides of second gripping portion 18b. Also, a screw hole 183b for inserting a screw is provided at the tip of second gripping portion 18b.

[0102] Next, the grip portion 8 will be described in detail. FIG. 16 is an external view of the grip portion 8a fitted into the first grip portion 18a of the housing 10. FIG. 16(a) is a front view of the grip portion 8a, and is a view of the grip portion 8a seen from the same direction as FIG. 2(a). FIG. 16(b) is a left side view of the grip portion 8a, FIG. 16(c) is a right side view of the grip portion 8a, FIG. 16(d) is a top view of the grip portion 8a, FIG. 16(e) is a bottom view of the grip portion 8a, and FIG. 16(f) is a rear view of the grip portion 8a. FIG. 17A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 16. FIG. 17B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 16.

[0103] 16, 17A, and 17B omit a structure for fixing the vibration motor 50, which will be described later. The structure for fixing the vibration motor 50 will be described in detail later.

[0104] In addition, the left grip portion 8a and the right grip portion 8b are symmetrical. In the following, only the left grip portion 8a will be described, but the same applies to the right grip portion 8b. In the following, the grip portions 8a and 8b may be collectively referred to as "grip portion 8," and the first grip portion 18a and the second grip portion 18b may be collectively referred to as "grip portion 18."

[0105] As shown in Fig. 16, the grip portion 8a is a hollow member that protrudes in a predetermined direction (downward), and when cut along a plane perpendicular to the predetermined direction, the outer periphery of the cross section is approximately elliptical. Specifically, the outer periphery of the cross section is a deformed ellipse, and is approximately egg-shaped with a blunt end and a pointed end (Fig. 17B). Note that the cross-sectional shape is not limited to an approximately ellipse, and may be any shape, such as a polygon with rounded corners (e.g., a triangle, a rectangle, a pentagon, etc.).

[0106] The upper end of the grip portion 8a is open, and the lower end is closed (except for the screw hole). The left side of the grip portion 8a is longer in the vertical direction than the right side, and the left side of the grip portion 8a has a larger area than the right side. When the user holds the grip portion 8a with the left hand, the center of the palm touches the left side of the grip portion 8a, the base of the thumb touches the front side of the grip portion 8a, and the middle finger, ring finger, and little finger touch the grip portion 8a from the back side to the right side. That is, the left side of the grip portion 8a, which has a larger area, touches the center of the palm of the user, and the right side of the grip portion 8a, which has a smaller area, touches the middle finger, ring finger, little finger, etc.

[0107] Grip portion 8a is not two housing components (10a and 10b) connected by screws or the like as in housing 10, but is molded as a single unit. The surface of grip portion 8a is smooth and has no steps like those at the boundary between two components when they are connected as in housing 10. Note that although the boundaries between multiple components may be visible from the outside depending on the molding method of grip portion 8a, there are no steps like those that are formed at the boundaries between components when multiple separate components are assembled and connected by screws or the like, and the surface is almost smooth.

[0108] 16, 17A, and 17B, inside grip portion 8a, guide 81a is provided on the front side of game controller 1, and guide 82a is provided on the rear side. Guide 81a and guide 82a are provided in opposing positions. In other words, guide 81a and guide 82a are provided on a straight line that divides grip portion 8a into approximately two equal parts.

[0109] The guide 81a and the guide 82a are elongated convex portions. Specifically, the guide 82a is formed so as to extend from the opening (base) of the grip portion 8a to the lower end (tip) of the grip portion 8a. The guide 81a is formed so as to extend from the opening (base) of the grip portion 8a to just before the lower end (tip) of the grip portion 8a. The guides 81a and 82a are narrow at the opening (base) and become wider toward the tip.

[0110] The grip portion 8a can be fitted into the first gripping portion 18a of the housing 10 by aligning the convex guide 81a of the grip portion 8a with the concave guide 181a of the first gripping portion 18a, and by aligning the convex guide 82a of the grip portion 8a with the concave guide 182a of the first gripping portion 18a, and sliding the grip portion 8a (upward as shown in Figure 15).

[0111] As described above, the width of the guides 81a and 82a of the grip portion 8a is wider toward the tip, and the width of the guides 181a and 182a of the first grip portion 18a is wider toward the tip. Therefore, when fitting the grip portion 8a into the first grip portion 18a, the narrow portions (convex) of the guides 81a and 82a of the grip portion 8a are first matched with the wide portions (concave grooves) of the guides 181a and 182a of the first grip portion 18a, making it easy to fit the grip portion 8a into the first grip portion 18a. In addition, the guides 81a and 82a extend to the vicinity of the tip of the grip portion 8a, making it easy to insert and remove the grip portion 8a.

[0112] Further, a screw hole 83a is provided at the tip of the grip portion 8a. The screw 183a is inserted into this screw hole 83a and screwed to connect the first holding portion 18a and the grip portion 8a. Since the grip portion 8a is screwed to the first holding portion 18a at the tip of the grip portion 8a, the screw hole is difficult for the user to touch during game operation. That is, when the user holds the grip portion 8 as shown in FIG. 4, the hand is difficult to touch the tip of the grip portion 8, and the sense of incongruity when holding the grip portion 8 can be eliminated. The screw hole 83a may be a hole with a thread or a hole without a thread.

[0113] As is clear from FIG. 15, the grip portion 8 covers the entire outer periphery of the grip portion 18 of the housing 10. When the grip portion 18 is cut along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the grip portion 8 covers the entire outer periphery of the cross section of the grip portion 18. That is, the entire grip portion 18, including the boundary portion between the first housing 10a and the second housing 10b, is covered by the grip portion 8. Therefore, when the user grips the grip portion 8, it is possible to prevent the user from feeling uncomfortable. That is, when the housing 10 is formed by connecting the first housing 10a and the second housing 10b, a step is generated at the boundary portion between the two members, and the user may feel uncomfortable when gripping the grip portion 18, which may interfere with game operation. In this embodiment, by covering the boundary portion between the first housing 10a and the second housing 10b with the grip portion 8, the game controller 1 fits comfortably in the hand when the user grips it, and the feeling when gripping the grip portion can be improved.

[0114] Furthermore, when the housing 10 and the grip portion 8a are connected, the boundary portion (see FIG. 15) is smoothly connected. Specifically, the height of the surface on the grip portion 8a side at the boundary portion between the housing 10 and the grip portion 8a is substantially the same height as the surface of the housing 10 on the controller main body side at the boundary portion. In other words, there is no step at the boundary portion between the grip portion and the controller main body. Since the surface height of the boundary portion between the controller main body and the grip portion 8 is the same, it is possible to improve the feel when the user holds the game controller 1.

[0115] The above-described configuration of the grip portion 8 and the holding portion 18 is merely an example, and the following configuration may also be used.

[0116] For example, in the above, convex guides 81 and 82 are provided on the grip portion 8 side, and concave guides 181 and 182 are provided on the holding portion 18 side, but a concave guide may be provided on the grip portion 8 side, and a convex guide may be provided on the holding portion 18 side. Also, the above guides 81a, 82a, 181a, and 182a do not necessarily have to be provided.

[0117] In the above, screws are used to connect the grip portion 8 and the housing 10, but the fixing structure for fixing the grip portion 8 to the housing 10 is not limited to this. For example, a locking portion (hook) may be provided on one of the grip portion 8 and the housing 10, and a locked portion may be provided on the other, and the grip portion 8 may be fixed to the housing 10 by mating the locking portion and the locked portion. For example, instead of fixing the grip portion 8 to the holding portion 18 with a screw, a locking portion (hook) may be provided on the tip of a guide for fitting the grip portion 8 into the holding portion 18, and the guide may guide the grip portion 8, and when the grip portion 8 is fully fitted, the locking portion (hook) may be caught by the locked portion of the holding portion 18. Also, for example, a rubber member (other cushioning material, elastic member, etc. may be used) may be provided on the inside of the grip portion 8 or on the outside of the grip portion 18, and the grip portion 8 may be press-fitted into the holding portion 18 to fix the grip portion 8 to the holding portion 18. Also, for example, grip portion 8 and holding portion 18 may be provided with threads, and grip portion 8 may be fixed to holding portion 18 by screwing grip portion 8 into holding portion 18 .

[0118] Furthermore, the color and material of the grip portion 8 may be the same as or different from those of the housing 10. For example, the grip portion 8 and the housing 10 may be made of the same material and the same color, the same material but different colors, or different materials but the same color. For example, the grip portion 8 may be made of a softer or harder material than the housing 10.

[0119] In addition, although the grip portion 8 covers the entirety of the grip portion 18 in the above, a portion of the grip portion 18 does not have to be covered by the grip portion 8. For example, the grip portion 8 may cover at least a portion of the boundary portion of the grip portion 18 between the first housing 10a and the second housing 10b. Furthermore, the grip portion 8 does not have to cover the entire circumference of the grip portion 18, but may cover the boundary portion between the first housing 10a and the second housing 10b and cover at least a portion of the outer periphery of the grip portion 18.

[0120] In the above description, the left and right grip portions 8 are fitted into the housing 10 (main housing) of the game controller 1, but for example, the above-mentioned grip portions may be connected to the grip portions of a portable game device in which a processing device (such as a CPU) that performs game processing and a display device are integrated. The portable game device may include a main housing having a grip portion formed by connecting a first housing and a second housing, and a grip portion that covers the grip portion. The grip portion is configured to cover at least the boundary portion between the first housing and the second housing on the grip portion.

[0121] The above-mentioned grip portion may be used not only in the game controller 1 held in both hands, but also in a controller held in one hand. For example, a controller held in one hand may include a main body housing having a grip portion formed by connecting a first housing and a second housing, and a grip portion covering the grip portion. The grip portion is configured to cover at least the boundary portion between the first housing and the second housing in the grip portion of the controller held in one hand.

[0122] [Explanation of NFC and internal circuit board] Next, the boards inside the game controller 1 will be described. As shown in Fig. 5, a first board 20 and a second board 40 are housed inside the housing 10. The first board 20 is located on the front side of the game controller 1, and the second board 40 is located on the rear side of the game controller 1. In other words, the game controller 1 has a two-layer structure having the first board 20 and the second board 40.

[0123] Specifically, when the game controller 1 is viewed from the front (front face), the first board 20 and the second board 40 disposed inside the housing 10 overlap. That is, when the first board 20 and the second board 40 are projected (parallel projection) onto a plane parallel to the front face of the game controller 1, the first board 20 after projection overlaps at least a portion of the second board 40 after projection. The first board 20 and the second board 40 will be described below.

[0124] Fig. 18A is a front view of the first substrate 20. Fig. 18B is a rear view of the first substrate 20.

[0125] As shown in Fig. 18A, a switch (contact point) 22a corresponding to the A button 2a, a switch 22b corresponding to the B button 2b, a switch 22x corresponding to the X button 2x, and a switch 22y corresponding to the Y button 2y are arranged in the right region on the front surface of the first substrate 20. When the first substrate 20 is housed in the housing 10, the switches 22a, 22b, 22x, and 22y are located directly below the A button 2a, the B button 2b, the X button 2x, and the Y button 2y, respectively. For example, when the A button 2a is pressed while the first substrate 20 is housed in the housing 10, the switch 22a is also pressed, and the press on the A button 2a is detected. The same applies to the B button 2b, the X button 2x, and the Y button 2y.

[0126] Also, in the center region on the front surface of the first substrate 20, there are provided a switch 23a corresponding to the minus button 3a, a switch 23b corresponding to the plus button 3b, a switch 23c corresponding to the capture button 3c, and a switch 23d corresponding to the home button 3d. Also, LEDs 95 are arranged above and below the switch 23d corresponding to the home button 3d. The detailed structure of the home button 3d will be described later.

[0127] When the first board 20 is housed in the housing 10, the switches 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d are located directly below the minus button 3a, the plus button 3b, the capture button 3c, and the home button 3d, respectively. For example, when the minus button 3a is pressed while the first board 20 is housed in the housing 10, the switch 23a is also pressed, and the press of the minus button 3a is detected. The same applies to the plus button 3b, the capture button 3c, and the home button 3d.

[0128] Additionally, switches 25 (25a to 25d) corresponding to the cross key 5 are arranged in the lower left region on the front surface of the first substrate 20. Specifically, the upward direction of the cross key 5 corresponds to switch 25a, the right direction of the cross key 5 corresponds to switch 25b, the downward direction of the cross key 5 corresponds to switch 25c, and the left direction of the cross key 5 corresponds to switch 25d. For example, when the upward direction of the cross key 5 is pressed, switch 25a is also pressed, and a press of the upward direction of the cross key 5 is detected. The same is true for the other directions of the cross key 5.

[0129] 18B, an NFC antenna 26 is disposed in a central area on the rear surface (the surface on the rear side of the game controller 1) of the first substrate 20. The NFC antenna 26 is an antenna used for non-contact communication. A spiral antenna or a loop antenna is used as the NFC antenna 26.

[0130] Here, "non-contact communication" in this specification means a communication technology that performs communication at an extremely short distance (for example, several centimeters to several tens of centimeters, typically 10 cm or less). In other words, "non-contact communication" in this specification does not mean a communication technology that allows communication even when the device is several meters to several tens of meters away, such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or wireless LAN, but means a communication technology that performs communication by holding up an external storage device (IC tag). For example, non-contact communication may be NFC (Near Field Communication) or RFID at the extremely short distance. In this embodiment, non-contact communication is assumed to be NFC. Note that the communication standard is not limited to the NFC standard, and may be another communication standard that performs non-contact communication at the extremely short distance.

[0131] When an external storage device is present within a predetermined communication range, the game controller 1 can read data from the external storage device and write data to the external storage device. The predetermined communication range is typically within an area surrounded by the NFC antenna 26, and the distance from the NFC antenna 26 in the z-axis direction (both positive and negative directions) shown in FIG. 18B is within the extremely short distance. Communication is possible even with an external storage device that does not have a battery. When an external storage device is placed within the predetermined communication range, an electromotive force is generated in the external storage device by the electromagnetic waves sent from the NFC antenna 26, and the game controller 1 can communicate with the external storage device. The external storage device may have a power source and be operable even without an electromotive force from the game controller 1. The external storage device may be in any form, such as a card, a figure in the shape of a predetermined character, or an electronic device such as a mobile phone or a smartphone.

[0132] Fig. 19 is a front view of the first substrate 20, and is a diagram in which the NFC antenna 26 arranged on the rear surface of the first substrate 20 is projected onto the front surface. In Fig. 19, the NFC antenna 26 arranged on the rear surface is indicated by a dashed line.

[0133] As shown in Fig. 19, the switch 23c corresponding to the capture button 3c and the switch 23d corresponding to the home button 3d are arranged in the area surrounded by the NFC antenna 26. That is, the switch 23c corresponding to the capture button 3c and the switch 23d corresponding to the home button 3d are arranged in the front side area corresponding to the rear side area surrounded by the NFC antenna 26. In other words, when the game controller 1 is viewed from the front, the NFC antenna 26 (the area occupied by the NFC antenna 26), the capture button 3c, and the home button 3d overlap. Specifically, the switch 23c corresponding to the capture button 3c and the switch 23d corresponding to the home button 3d are provided in a second area around a first area near the center of the area surrounded by the NFC antenna 26.

[0134] In addition, a switch 23b corresponding to the plus button 3b is disposed on the NFC antenna 26. The other switches are disposed outside the area surrounded by the NFC antenna 26.

[0135] When an external storage device (IC tag) is placed within the area surrounded by the NFC antenna 26, the game controller 1 can communicate with the external storage device, but cannot communicate with the external storage device even if the external storage device is placed outside the area surrounded by the NFC antenna 26. The "area surrounded by the antenna" is an area including the antenna line and the inside of the antenna. Therefore, when an external storage device is placed (held over) the capture button 3c and the home button 3d located in the center of the game controller 1, the game controller 1 can read data stored in the external storage device and write data to the external storage device. On the other hand, even if an external storage device is placed on the A button 2a, the B button 2b, or the cross key 5, for example, the game controller 1 cannot communicate with the external storage device.

[0136] Fig. 20 is a diagram showing the position of the NFC antenna 26 on the game controller 1. The center shown in Fig. 20 indicates the center of the area surrounded by the NFC antenna 26 shown in Fig. 19. As shown in Fig. 20, the NFC antenna 26 is disposed in the center of the game controller 1 in the left-right direction.

[0137] As shown in FIG. 20, the capture button 3c and the home button 3d are arranged in the central area on the front side of the game controller 1, and a predetermined area including the positions of these buttons 3c and 3d is the area surrounded by the NFC antenna 26. Therefore, the external storage device is placed in the area indicated by the dashed line in the figure. This area is substantially flat, and has a shape that makes it easy to place an external storage device. Note that the game controller 1 may be able to communicate with an external storage device even outside the dashed area in FIG. 20. For example, as shown in FIG. 19, the vicinity of the plus button 3b (switch 23b) is included in the area surrounded by the NFC antenna 26, so that even if the external storage device is placed near the plus button 3b, the game controller 1 may be able to communicate with the external storage device. However, the dashed area including the center of FIG. 20 is the area that is easiest to communicate with an external storage device.

[0138] Fig. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in Fig. 20. Fig. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along line YY in Fig. 20.

[0139] 21, the first board 20 is disposed on the front side of the game controller 1. That is, the first board 20 is provided on the front side of the center in the front-rear direction of the game controller 1 inside the housing 10. Therefore, the NFC antenna 26 is disposed in a position closer to the front side of the game controller 1. Therefore, when an external storage device is placed on the front side, the game controller 1 can easily communicate with the external storage device.

[0140] A second board 40 is disposed on the rear side of the game controller 1. A battery 11 is disposed on the rear side of the second board 40. A light-guiding material 12 for guiding light from the LEDs of the second board 40 is provided on the lower side of the housing 10. The light-guiding material guides the light from the LEDs to the outside, causing the LEDs 9 to emit light.

[0141] 22, the top surfaces of the key tops of the capture button 3c and the home button 3d are substantially flush with the surface of the first housing 10a. Since the top surfaces of the key tops of the capture button 3c and the home button 3d are substantially flush with the surface of the first housing 10a, the capture button 3c and the home button 3d will not be pressed even if an external storage device is placed on the capture button 3c and the home button 3d.

[0142] Here, "the upper surface of the key top is substantially the same height as the surface of the housing" means that even if an external storage device is placed on the key top, the button is not pressed (the press is not detected). In other words, the upper surfaces of the key tops of the capture button 3c and the home button 3d may be slightly higher than the surface of the first housing 10a so that the capture button 3c and the home button 3d are not pressed (the press is not detected) when an external storage device is placed on them.

[0143] The upper surfaces of the key tops of the capture button 3c and the home button 3d may be lower than the surface of the first housing 10a.

[0144] On the other hand, the key tops of the Y button 2y and the A button 2a (as well as the B button 2b and the X button 2x) protrude above the surface of the first housing 10a. If an external storage device is placed on the Y button 2y, the Y button 2y is pressed by the external storage device.

[0145] As is clear from FIG. 22, FIG. 2, and the like, the capture button 3c and the home button 3d are smaller than the Y button 2y, the A button 2a, and the like.

[0146] As with the capture button 3c and the home button 3d, the top surfaces of the key tops of the plus button 3b and the minus button 3a may be configured to be at substantially the same height as the surface of the first housing 10a. Also, the top surfaces of the key tops of the plus button 3b and the minus button 3a may be lower than the surface of the first housing 10a. In this way, by making the top surfaces of the key tops of the plus button 3b and the minus button 3a not protrude from the surface of the first housing 10a, it is possible to prevent these buttons from being pressed accidentally when placing the external storage device in the area surrounded by the NFC antenna 26.

[0147] In addition, the top surfaces of the key tops of the plus button 3b and the minus button 3a may be slightly higher than the top surfaces of the key tops of the capture button 3c and the home button 3d when compared with the capture button 3c and the home button 3d. By making the top surfaces of the key tops of the plus button 3b and the minus button 3a slightly higher than the top surfaces of the key tops of the capture button 3c and the home button 3d, the user can distinguish between the plus button 3b, the minus button 3a, the plus button 3b and the minus button 3a just by touching them without looking at his / her hand, and erroneous operation can be prevented. In addition, by making the capture button 3c and the home button 3d lower than the plus button 3b and the minus button 3a, erroneous operation of the capture button 3c and the home button 3d close to the center of the reading area of ​​the external storage device can be further prevented. In other words, by making the capture button 3c, the home button 3d, the plus button 3b, and the minus button 3a not protrude from the surface of the first housing 10a, it is possible to prevent erroneous operation of these buttons when placing the external storage device in the reading area, and by making the capture button 3c and the home button 3d lower than the plus button 3b and the minus button 3a, it is possible to make these buttons easier to distinguish and to further prevent erroneous operation of the capture button 3c and the home button 3d.

[0148] In this way, the capture button 3c, the home button 3d, the plus button 3b, and the minus button 3a may not protrude from the surface of the first housing 10a. The top surfaces of the key tops of these buttons may be lower than the surface of the first housing 10a when the buttons are pressed, or the buttons may be invisible when viewed from the side (horizontally) of the surface of the first housing 10a when the buttons are not pressed. Furthermore, these buttons may be configured so that pressing of the buttons is not detected when the top surfaces of the buttons and the surface of the housing are at the same height (for example, when the top surface of the button slightly protrudes from the surface of the housing and is slightly pressed down to be at the same height as the surface of the housing).

[0149] 23 is a front view of the second board 40. As shown in FIG. 23, on the front surface of the second board 40 (the surface on the front side of the game controller 1), a left analog stick 4a is arranged on the left side, and a right analog stick 4b is arranged on the right side. Four LEDs are arranged near the bottom end of the center in the left-right direction of the second board 40. A connection part 41 is arranged below the left analog stick 4a. The first board 20 and the second board 40 are connected via the connection part 41.

[0150] Fig. 24 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the first substrate 20 and the second substrate 40. As shown in Fig. 24, the second substrate 40 is provided with various control circuits for controlling the game controller 1 in addition to the analog sticks 4a and 4b. For example, the second substrate 40 is provided with, as control circuits, an operation control circuit 42 for generating and packetizing operation data indicating whether each button (2a, 2b, 2x, 2b, 3a-d, 5, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b) has been pressed, a communication module (communication circuit and antenna) 43 for transmitting the operation data to the game device 100, an NFC circuit 44 for controlling NFC communication, a power control circuit 45 for controlling the power supply, and the like.

[0151] Each switch arranged on the first substrate 20 is connected to an operation control circuit 42. When each switch arranged on the first substrate 20 is pressed, a signal corresponding to the press flows to the second substrate 40. Then, operation data is generated and packetized by the operation control circuit 42 arranged on the second substrate 40, and the operation data is output to the game device 100 via the communication module. In addition, the NFC circuit 44 controls the transmission of radio waves using the NFC antenna 26, the reading of data from an external storage device, the writing of data to an external storage device, and the like.

[0152] In this way, by including the first board 20 and the second board 40, the game controller 1 can have more functions without increasing the size of the controller itself. That is, the first board 20 and the second board 40 overlap when viewed from the front (or rear) of the game controller 1. Since the board has a two-layer structure in this way, the area of ​​the board does not need to be increased, and the game controller 1 can be made smaller. In addition, by arranging the NFC antenna 26 on the first board 20 on the front side of the first board 20 and the second board 40, the distance between the front surface of the housing 10 and the NFC antenna 26 can be shortened. This allows the distance to the external storage device to be shortened, making it easier to communicate with the external storage device.

[0153] Also, by arranging a switch on the front surface of the first substrate 20 and arranging the NFC antenna 26 on the rear side of the first substrate 20 at the position where the switch is arranged, a button can be arranged in the area where the external storage device is placed (held over). This allows the game controller 1 to have an NFC communication function and to arrange various buttons. Usually, a reading area (antenna) for reading the external storage device is arranged at a position where there is no button to prevent erroneous operation when reading the external storage device, but in this case, the game controller becomes large. In this embodiment, the upper surface of the button is lowered, so that the reading area (antenna) can be arranged at the position of the button while preventing erroneous operation of the button, thereby realizing space saving. That is, by lowering the upper surface of the button, the problem of erroneous operation of the button when the button and the reading area of ​​the external storage device are arranged overlapping each other can be solved, and the game controller can be made smaller. Also, the smaller the area of ​​the NFC antenna, the narrower the range in which communication is possible, so a certain amount of area is required. If the NFC antenna 26 is arranged on one substrate, it becomes difficult to arrange other circuits in the area surrounded by the NFC antenna 26. For this reason, when the NFC antenna 26 is arranged on one board while various buttons are arranged on it, the board becomes large. Conversely, when various buttons are arranged without making the board large, the area for the NFC antenna 26 becomes narrow. In this embodiment, the board has a two-layer structure, and the NFC antenna 26 is arranged on the first board 20, while the control circuit is arranged on the second board 40. Therefore, the NFC antenna 26 can be separated from other circuits, and the degree of freedom in design is increased. In addition, by providing a switch for the operation button on the front side of the first board 20 and the NFC antenna 26 on the back side, the NFC antenna 26 can be arranged regardless of the position of the operation button.

[0154] In this embodiment, the analog sticks 4a and 4b are disposed on the second substrate 40 on the rear side. The analog sticks are used to input directions by tilting the operation part, and therefore require a certain degree of height. For this reason, if the second substrate 40 having the analog sticks is disposed on the front side of the game controller 1, the thickness of the game controller 1 increases. In this embodiment, the second substrate 40 is disposed on the rear side of the game controller 1, thereby making it possible to configure the game controller 1 thin. In addition, by mounting the analog sticks 4a and 4b on the substrate (second substrate 40) and integrating them with the substrate, the number of parts can be reduced compared to when the analog sticks 4a and 4b are separate parts.

[0155] Furthermore, by forming the board into a two-layer structure and arranging the NFC antenna 26 on the first board 10 located near the front surface of the housing 10, the degree of freedom in arranging the second board 40 is improved. For example, the second board 40 can be arranged to match the height of the analog stick. Note that the analog stick may be mounted on a board different from the second board 40.

[0156] The above-described configuration of the game controller 1 may be applied not only to a game controller 1 held in both hands, but also to a controller held in one hand. For example, a controller held in one hand may have a first substrate on the front side and a second substrate on the rear side, with a button switch provided on the surface of the first substrate (the surface on the front side of the controller) and an NFC antenna provided on the rear side of the first substrate. The switch on the front side of the first substrate is provided in an area corresponding to the area surrounded by the NFC antenna provided on the rear side. The controller held in one hand may also have an analog stick, and the analog stick may be provided on the second substrate.

[0157] [Vibration motor explanation] Next, there will be described the vibration motor provided in the game controller 1. Fig. 25 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the vibration motor provided in the grip portion 8 of the game controller 1. Note that, hereinafter, the vibration motors 50a and 50b will be collectively referred to as vibration motor 50.

[0158] 25, vibration motors 50a and 50b are respectively disposed inside grip portions 8a and 8b of the game controller 1. Vibration motor 50a is disposed on the left side in the left-right direction of the game controller 1 inside grip portion 8a. Vibration motor 50b is disposed on the right side in the left-right direction of the game controller 1 inside grip portion 8b. In other words, vibration motor 50 is provided on the side of grip portion 8 where the user's hand comes into contact.

[0159] FIG. 26 is a diagram for explaining the vibration direction of the vibration motor 50. As shown in FIG. 26, the vibration motor 50 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape having a first surface and a second surface perpendicular to each other. The vibration motor 50 can vibrate in a first direction (left-right direction) perpendicular to the first surface, and can also vibrate in a second direction (up-down direction) perpendicular to the first direction. That is, the vibration motor 50 is a vibration motor called a "linear vibration actuator" (or a "linear vibration motor"). Specifically, the vibration motor 50 is configured to vibrate linearly in the first direction at a first resonance frequency and to vibrate linearly in the second direction at a second resonance frequency different from the first resonance frequency. For example, the first resonance frequency may be 320 Hz and the second resonance frequency may be 160 Hz.

[0160] Here, the operation principle of the vibration motor 50 will be briefly described. FIG. 27 is a diagram showing the operation principle of the vibration motor 50. As shown in FIG. 27, the vibration motor 50 has a coil, a magnet, and a spring. When a current flows through the coil, a magnetic force is generated in the upward direction, and the coil moves upward, and the coil moves downward due to the reaction force of the spring. By repeating this operation, the vibration motor 50 vibrates at a predetermined resonance frequency in the vertical direction of FIG. 27. The vibration motor 50 is configured such that the spring has two resonance frequencies and vibrates at different resonance frequencies in the vertical direction of FIG. 27 and in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 27. The vibration motor 50 can also vibrate in an oblique direction by a composite wave that combines vibrations in a first direction and vibrations in a second direction.

[0161] FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of the grip portion 8b with the vibration motor 50b built in, and shows an example of the internal structure of the grip portion 8b. FIG. 29 shows an example of the second housing 10b on the rear side of the game controller 1, and is an enlarged view of the second grip portion 18b on the right side of the second housing 10b. FIG. 29 shows the second grip portion 18b of the second housing 10b as seen from the right side. FIG. 30 shows an example of a holder 51b for fixing the vibration motor 50b in the housing 10.

[0162] As shown in FIG. 28, a vibration motor 50b is provided inside the grip portion 8b. Specifically, the vibration motor 50b is accommodated in a holder 51b. The holder 51b is for fixing the vibration motor 50b inside the housing 10, and is made of an elastic material that easily absorbs vibrations of the vibration motor 50b. For example, the holder 51b is made of a relatively soft material (a material softer than the housing 10), such as silicone rubber or synthetic rubber. For example, the material of the holder 51b may be ABS resin. In contrast, the housing 10 (the first housing 10a and the second housing 10b) is made of a relatively hard material. The holder 51b is fitted (pressed) into and fixed to a vibration motor fixing portion 15b (see FIG. 29), which is a part of the second housing 10b.

[0163] 28 and 29, the vibration motor fixing part 15b has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and has an opening 151b on the right side of the game controller 1, an opening 152b on the back side of the game controller 1, and an opening 153b on the center side of the game controller 1. The vibration motor fixing part 15b is configured to be substantially the same size as the holder 51b or slightly smaller than the holder 51b. The holder 51b is press-fitted into the vibration motor fixing part 15b, whereby the holder 51b is fixed to the second housing 10b.

[0164] As shown in FIG. 30, the holder 51b has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and has a surface 521b (the surface at the back of the figure), a surface 522b (the surface at the top of the figure), a surface 523b (the surface at the left of the figure), a surface 524b (the surface at the right of the figure), and a surface 525b (the surface at the bottom of the figure). The surface at the front side of the holder 51b facing the surface at the back side 521b is open (opening 511b in FIG. 30). The surface at the bottom side of the holder 51b facing the surface at the top 522b is partially open (opening 512b in FIG. 30). The opening 511b of the holder 51b is a portion corresponding to the first surface of the vibration motor 50b, and the opening 512b of the holder 51b is a portion corresponding to the second surface of the vibration motor 50b. That is, when the vibration motor 50b is fitted into the holder 51b, the first surface of the vibration motor 50b is exposed from the opening 511b, and the second surface of the vibration motor 50b is exposed from the opening 512b. The holder 51b has a part of the surface 521b open (opening 513b). When the holder 51b is fitted into the vibration motor fixing part 15b of the second housing 10b, the opening 513b of the holder 51b and the opening 153b of the vibration motor fixing part 15b are configured to match. The opening 513b of the holder 51b and the opening 153b of the vibration motor fixing part 15b are openings for passing the wiring of the vibration motor 50b.

[0165] FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the grip portion 8b. As shown in FIG. 31, a surface 81b is provided on the right side of the inside of the grip portion 8b. In addition, two protruding ribs 82b are provided on the lower side of the inside of the grip portion 8b. The surface 81b is a substantially flat surface, and is inclined at a predetermined angle when the grip portion 8b is viewed from the direction of the figure. This is to make it easier to pull the grip portion 8b out of the mold in the manufacturing process of the grip portion 8b, and has a gradient of several degrees with respect to the pulling direction, for example. The surface 81b contacts the first surface of the vibration motor 50b. In addition, the rib 82b contacts the second surface of the vibration motor 50b. Note that the part of the grip portion 8b that contacts the second surface of the vibration motor 50b may not be a rib, but may be a substantially flat surface like the surface 81b.

[0166] With this configuration, as shown in FIG. 28, when the vibration motor 50b is fixed in the housing 10, the first surface of the vibration motor 50b directly contacts the right surface 81b of the grip portion 8b. Also, the second surface of the vibration motor 50b directly contacts the lower rib 82b of the grip portion 8b. That is, the vibration motor 50b directly contacts the grip portion 8b on its first surface (surface corresponding to the first direction in which the motor vibrates at the first resonance frequency) and second surface (surface corresponding to the second direction in which the motor vibrates at the second resonance frequency). On the other hand, the vibration motor 50b does not directly contact the housing 10 (10b) but contacts it via the holder 51b, because the surface of the vibration motor 50b facing the housing 10 (10b) is surrounded by the holder 51b.

[0167] Here, a thin sheet (e.g., a sheet having a thickness of about 0.1 mm) may be sandwiched between the first and second surfaces of the vibration motor 50b and the grip portion 8b. In other words, "the first and second surfaces of the vibration motor 50b directly contact the grip portion 8b" also includes the case where a thin sheet (e.g., a sheet having a thickness of about 0.1 mm to 1 mm) is present between the first and second surfaces of the vibration motor 50b and the grip portion 8b. Such a sheet is for firmly contacting the vibration motor with the housing 10 to prevent rattling, and is not for making it difficult for the vibration of the vibration motor 50b to be transmitted to the grip portion 8b. On the other hand, the holder 51b is made of a material that is thicker and softer than the above-mentioned sheet, and the vibration of the vibration motor 50b is difficult to transmit to the grip portion 8b.

[0168] The left grip portion 8a is symmetrical to the right grip portion 8b and is the same as the right grip portion 8b. That is, the left grip portion 8a is provided with a vibration motor 50a and a holder 51a, just like the right grip portion 8b. The vibration motor 50a vibrates in a first direction and a second direction, and is in direct contact with the grip portion 8a on a first surface corresponding to the first direction and a second surface corresponding to the second direction, and is in contact with the housing 10 via the holder 51a.

[0169] In this way, by directly contacting the grip portion 8 with the first surface corresponding to the first direction and the second surface corresponding to the second direction, the vibration of the vibration motor 50 can be easily transmitted to the grip portion 8, and the vibration can be easily transmitted to the user's hand that contacts the grip portion 8. In other words, the user can feel the vibration more. On the other hand, the vibration motor 50 contacts the housing 10 via the holder 51. Since the holder 51 is made of a relatively soft material, it is easy to absorb the vibration of the vibration motor 50, and the vibration of the vibration motor 50 is not easily transmitted to the housing 10. For this reason, for example, the vibration of the right vibration motor 50b can be made difficult to transmit to the left grip portion 8a, and it is possible to give vibration only to the right hand of the user, or to give vibration with different vibration patterns to the left and right hands. In addition, it is possible to prevent the vibrations of the left and right vibration motors from mixing with each other, and it is possible to separate the left vibration from the right vibration.

[0170] For example, when the housing of the game controller and the left and right grip parts are integrally formed and vibration motors are provided inside the left and right grip parts, for example, the vibration of the left grip part may be transmitted to the right grip part through the housing. In that case, even if only the vibration motor provided inside the left grip part is vibrated to add vibration only to the left hand of the user, the vibration may also be transmitted to the right grip part, and the intended vibration may not be transmitted to the user. In addition, for example, when a first pattern of vibration is applied to the left hand of the user and a second pattern of vibration different from the first pattern is applied to the right hand of the user, the vibration of the vibration motor provided inside one grip part may also be transmitted to the other grip part, and the two vibrations may be mixed together, making it impossible to transmit the intended vibration to the user.

[0171] In this embodiment, the left and right grip parts 8 are connected to the housing 10, and vibration motors 50 are provided inside the left and right grip parts 8. The left and right vibration motors are in direct contact with the grip parts 8, and in contact with the main body housing via a holder. That is, in this embodiment, the game controller includes a main body housing (housing 10), a first grip member (8a) connected to the main body housing and held by one hand of the user, and a second grip member (8b) which is a member separate from the first grip member, is connected to the main body housing, and is held by the other hand of the user. A first vibrator is provided inside the first grip member, and a second vibrator is provided inside the second grip member. The first vibrator is configured to be in direct contact with the first grip member and in contact with the main body housing via a first cushioning member, and the second vibrator is configured to be in direct contact with the second grip member and in contact with the main body housing via a second cushioning member.

[0172] Thus, in this embodiment, the first vibrator is in direct contact with the first grip member, while it is in contact with the main body housing via a buffer member. Also, the second vibrator is in direct contact with the second grip member, while it is in contact with the main body housing via a buffer member. As a result, for example, the vibration of the first vibrator is easily transmitted to the first grip member, while the vibration is absorbed by the buffer member, so that the vibration of the first vibrator is difficult to transmit to the main body housing. The same is true for the vibration of the second vibrator. Therefore, the vibration of the first grip member and the vibration of the second grip member can be separated, and for example, the vibrations for the two grip members can be prevented from crossing each other, making it easier to transmit the intended vibration to the user. Also, for example, when only one vibrator (grip member) is vibrated, the vibration can be made difficult to transmit to the other grip member, and vibration can be applied to only one hand of the user. Thus, in this embodiment, the vibrations of the two grip parts can be separated from each other, and various patterns of vibration can be transmitted to the user as intended.

[0173] In this embodiment, the vibration motor 50 has two different resonance frequencies, so that two vibrations that are felt differently can be given to the user, and various vibration patterns can be produced.

[0174] 28, a first surface of the vibration motor 50 contacts the inside of the right side surface of the grip portion 8b. A second surface of the vibration motor 50 contacts the inside of the rear surface of the grip portion 8b (the surface on the lower side in FIG. 28).

[0175] The first direction, which is the vibration direction of the vibration motor 50, is the substantial left-right direction (x-axis direction) of the game controller 1. As shown in FIG. 4, when the user holds the game controller 1 with both hands, for example, the right side surface of the grip portion 8b comes into contact with approximately the center of the palm of the user's right hand. Therefore, the first direction, which is the vibration direction of the vibration motor 50b, is approximately perpendicular to the palm of the user. For this reason, vibration in the first direction is easily transmitted to the palm of the user.

[0176] Moreover, the second direction, which is the vibration direction of the vibration motor 50, is substantially the front-rear direction of the game controller 1 (z-axis direction: up-down direction in FIG. 28). As shown in FIG. 4, when the user holds the game controller 1 with both hands, the back surface of the grip portion 8 comes into contact with the user's middle finger, ring finger, and little finger. Therefore, the second direction, which is the vibration direction of the vibration motor 50, is approximately perpendicular to the user's middle finger, ring finger, and little finger, and vibration in the second direction is easily transmitted to the user's fingers.

[0177] In this embodiment, the resonance frequency in the second direction is set lower than the resonance frequency in the first direction. This allows the user to feel different types of vibration. In this embodiment, the first surface of the vibration motor 50b contacts the right side surface inside the grip portion 8b, and the second surface of the vibration motor 50b contacts the lower side surface inside the grip portion 8b, so that vibrations with high resonance frequencies are easily transmitted to the right side surface of the grip portion 8b, and vibrations with low resonance frequencies are easily transmitted to the lower side surface of the grip portion 8b. Since the right side surface of the grip portion 8b contacts the center part of the palm of the user, and the lower side surface of the grip portion 8b contacts the user's fingers, it is possible to give vibrations with high resonance frequencies to the center part of the palm of the user, and vibrations with low resonance frequencies to the user's fingers. In this way, by making the resonance frequencies different between the first direction and the second direction, it is possible to give vibrations of different frequencies to each part of the user's hand. Note that the resonance frequency in the second direction may be higher than the resonance frequency in the first direction.

[0178] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 28, the right side surface of grip portion 8b is configured to be thinner than the bottom surface. That is, grip portion 8 has a first portion (right side surface portion) and a second portion (bottom surface portion) that is thicker than the first portion, and the first surface of vibration motor 50 contacts the first portion of grip portion 8. Since vibration motor 50 contacts the thinner first portion of grip portion 8, vibration in the first direction is more easily transmitted to the user's hand.

[0179] The above-mentioned configuration is merely an example, and other configurations may be used. For example, the vibration motor 50 (holder 51) is fixed to the second housing 10b on the rear side, but may be fixed to the first housing 10a. The vibration motor 50 may be fixed by being sandwiched between the first housing 10a and the second housing 10b. The vibration motor 50 may be fixed to the grip portion 8, not to the second housing 10b. When the vibration motor 50 is fixed to the grip portion 8, it is possible to prevent the vibration motor 50 from contacting the housing 10 directly or indirectly.

[0180] In addition, as a configuration for making it difficult for the vibrations of the vibration motor 50 to be transmitted to the housing 10, a rib (protrusion) may be provided on the inside of the holder 51 (the surface with which the vibration motor 50 comes into contact) to make it easier to dampen the vibrations of the vibration motor 50.

[0181] Furthermore, when the holder 51 is fixed to the second housing 10b, the holder 51 may have a floating structure in which the holder 51 partially contacts the second housing 10b, rather than contacting all four faces (four faces excluding the opening) of the holder 51. For example, the second housing 10b may be provided with a plurality of ribs (projections) so that the holder 51 is fixed to the second housing 10b in a floating manner.

[0182] In the above embodiment, the surface 81b is disposed on the right side of the inner surface of the grip portion 8b, and the rib 82b is disposed on the lower side, but the rib 82b may be disposed on the right side and the surface 81b may be disposed on the lower side. In addition, both the right side and the lower side may be surfaces. That is, the two surfaces of the grip portion 8 that come into contact with the vibration motor 50 may both be flat surfaces, or both may be ribs, or one may be a rib and the other may be a flat surface.

[0183] In addition, in the above embodiment, the vibration motor 50b is configured to directly contact the right side (the side surface of the game controller 1) and the bottom side of the grip portion 8b, but the vibration motor 50b may also be configured to directly contact the left side of the grip portion 8b (the central side of the game controller 1).

[0184] Furthermore, the game controller 1 may be provided with vibration motors 50 on the left and right grip portions 8, and may also be provided with another vibration motor inside the main body of the housing 10 (inside the housing 10 where a board or the like is arranged). The vibration motor provided inside the main body of the housing 10 may be a vibration motor that vibrates in the first and second directions like the vibration motor 50 provided in the grip portion 8, or may be a vibration motor that vibrates in only one direction, or may be an eccentric vibration motor.

[0185] In the above embodiment, one vibration motor 50 capable of vibrating in the first direction and the second direction is used. In another embodiment, a vibration motor that vibrates only in the first direction and a vibration motor that vibrates only in the second direction may be combined to be capable of vibrating in the first direction and the second direction.

[0186] In the above embodiment, the vibration motor is vibrated substantially in the left-right direction (x-axis direction) and the front-back direction (z-axis direction), i.e., in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the game controller 1 that the user's hand touches, because the user can feel the vibration more easily in the hand than when the vibration motor is vibrated in the up-down direction (y-axis direction) (see FIG. 28). In other embodiments, the vibration motor may be vibrated substantially in the up-down direction of the game controller 1 (y-axis direction: the longitudinal direction of the grip portion 8).

[0187] The vibration motor described above may also be provided in a one-handed controller, not limited to a two-handed game controller 1. For example, a one-handed controller has a portion that is held by a user, and a vibration motor is disposed in the portion that is held. The vibration motor is capable of vibrating in a first direction and a second direction at different resonance frequencies, and is configured to directly contact the housing on a first surface corresponding to the first direction and a second surface corresponding to the second direction.

[0188] [Details of the home button structure] Next, a detailed structure of the home button 3d will be described. The housing 10 of the game controller 1 of this embodiment is, for example, transparent or white. The home button 3d is configured to emit light around the button. The structure for illuminating the area around the home button 3d will be described below.

[0189] Fig. 32 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a home button 3d. Fig. 32(a) is a partially enlarged view of the home button 3d. Fig. 32(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line HH in Fig. 32(a), and Fig. 32(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in Fig. 32(a).

[0190] As shown in FIG. 32, the home button 3d includes a key top 90 pressed by a user and a light guide section 91 surrounding the periphery of the key top 90. The key top 90 is cylindrical and is a member that does not transmit light. The light guide section 91 is a tubular member that surrounds the outer periphery of the key top 90. Note that the "tubular member" referred to here also includes a ring-shaped member. The light guide section 91 is made of a material that transmits light, and guides the incident light to the surface of the housing 10 while diffusing the light.

[0191] 32(b) and (c), the outer periphery of light guiding section 91 is surrounded by cylindrical light shielding section 92. Light shielding section 92 is a member that does not transmit light.

[0192] A switch 23d is disposed directly below the key top 90 of the home button 3d. An elastic member 94 is provided between the key top 90 and the switch 23d. The elastic member 94 is made of a rubber-like material that transmits light.

[0193] Further, below the elastic member 94, two LEDs 95 are provided on the first substrate 20 on which the switch 23d is provided. The two LEDs 95 are disposed below the elastic member 94 at positions overlapping with the elastic member 94 (positions covered by the elastic member 94). Specifically, the two LEDs 95 are disposed inside the area surrounded by the light-shielding portion 92, and disposed immediately below the light-guiding portion 91. The two LEDs 95 are disposed symmetrically in the up and down direction (y-axis direction) with the key top 90 as the center (FIG. 32(c) or FIG. 18A).

[0194] The elastic member 94 pushes the key top 90 upward (toward the front surface of the game controller 1: negative direction of the z-axis). When the key top 90 is pressed downward, the key top 90 pushes the elastic member 94 downward, and the downward force deforms the elastic member 94, and the switch 23d is pressed via the elastic member 94. Even when the key top 90 is pressed down, the light guiding section 91 and the light blocking section 92 around the key top 90 are not pressed down.

[0195] 32(b) and (c), the upper surface of key top 90 and the upper surface of light guiding section 91 are exposed from the surface of housing 10. The upper surface of key top 90 and the upper surface of light guiding section 91 are substantially flush with the surface of housing 10. Specifically, the upper surface of key top 90 pressed by the user is slightly higher than the surface of housing 10 and slightly higher than the upper surface of light guiding section 91.

[0196] On the other hand, the upper surface of the light shielding portion 92 is lower than the upper surfaces of the key tops 90 and the light guiding portion 91, and is not exposed from the surface of the housing 10. Note that the upper surface of the light shielding portion 92 may be exposed from the surface of the housing 10.

[0197] The light emitted from the two LEDs 95 passes through the elastic member 94 and enters the light guide 91 located directly above the LEDs 95, and is guided through the inside of the light guide 91 to the surface of the first housing 10a. The light guide 91 is surrounded by a light-shielding portion 92 that does not transmit light. The key top 90 also does not transmit light. Therefore, when the two LEDs 95 emit light, the light guide 91 around the key top 90 emits light on the surface of the first housing 10a, and light does not leak around the light guide 91. Therefore, even if the housing 10 is made of a transparent or light-transmitting material such as white, it is possible to emit light only around the key top 90 in a ring shape.

[0198] 32(c), a recess is formed in a portion of the light-guiding section 91 directly above (in the negative z-axis direction) the two LEDs 95. This recess is formed so as to surround the LEDs 95, and is intended to increase the incident area onto which the light from the LEDs 95 is incident.

[0199] FIG. 33 is a diagram showing an example of a recess in the light guide 91 provided directly above two LEDs 95. FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a part including the LEDs 95 and the recess in the light guide 91 in FIG. 32(c) cut by the xz plane in FIG. 32(c) as viewed from the y-axis positive direction, and the downward direction in FIG. 33 is the z-axis positive direction in FIG. 32. As shown in FIG. 33, the light guide 91 is formed so as to surround the LEDs 95. In this way, by forming a recess in the light guide 91 so as to surround the LEDs 95, the light from the LEDs 95 can be received over a wider surface area, and the light can be easily taken into the light guide 91. Note that the shape of the recess directly above the two LEDs 95 is merely an example, and may be formed, for example, in an arc shape.

[0200] Here, the light guiding portion 91 and the light blocking portion 92 are integrally formed. FIG. 34 is a perspective view of an integrally molded member 93 in which the light guiding portion 91 and the light blocking portion 92 are integrally formed. FIG. 34(a) is an external perspective view of the integrally molded member 93, and FIG. 34(b) is a diagram showing a cross section of the integrally molded member 93 cut along a plane parallel to the y-axis. As shown in FIG. 34, the integrally molded member 93 has the light blocking portion 92 formed so as to surround the outer periphery of the light guiding portion 91. In the integrally molded member 93, the light guiding portion 91 and the light blocking portion 92 are integrally formed by two-color molding. Note that the light guiding portion 91 and the light blocking portion 92 may be molded separately, and the two members may be assembled.

[0201] In this manner, the home button 3d in the game controller 1 of this embodiment has a cylindrical light guiding section 91 that surrounds the outer periphery of the key top 90, and a cylindrical light blocking section 92 that surrounds the periphery of the light guiding section 91. This allows a configuration in which only the periphery of the home button 3d (the key top 90 pressed by the user) is illuminated in a ring shape while other parts are not illuminated.

[0202] In this embodiment, the periphery of the key top 90 can be illuminated by the above-mentioned simple structure.

[0203] In this embodiment, the key top 90 is made of a material that does not transmit light, but the key top 90 may be made of a material that transmits light. When such a key top is used, the key top of the home button 3d and the surrounding area of ​​the key top can be made to emit light.

[0204] Also, if there is a structure for pushing up the key top 90 in the direction opposite to the pressing direction, the elastic member 94 may not be provided. Also, in (c) of Fig. 32, the elastic member 94 is disposed at a position overlapping with the LED 95 (at a position covering the LED 95 from above), but the elastic member 94 may be made smaller so as not to overlap with the LED 95 (so as not to cover the LED 95).

[0205] In the above embodiment, the light guiding portion 91 is surrounded by the light blocking portion 92, but a light blocking agent may be applied to the outer periphery of the light guiding portion 91 to prevent light from leaking from the light guiding portion 91. Such an applied light blocking agent can be used as a substitute for the light blocking portion 92.

[0206] As described above, the game controller 1 of this embodiment has the above-mentioned configurations. The above-mentioned configurations are not limited to game controllers held with both hands, and may be used in other controllers.

[0207] For example, the above-mentioned configurations may be applied not only to the game controller 1 held in both hands, but also to a controller held in one hand. For example, the R button and ZR button may be provided on a controller held in one hand. Also, the configuration of the grip portion, the NFC function, the vibration motor, and the home button may be applied to a controller held in one hand.

[0208] Furthermore, each of the components provided in the game controller 1 described above may be provided in a portable game device having a display device and a processing device capable of executing game processing. For example, the portable game device may include an L / R button and a ZL / ZR button of the game controller 1. Furthermore, the above-mentioned configuration of the grip section, NFC function, vibration motor, and home button may be applied to the portable game device.

[0209] The components of the game controller 1 may also be applied to peripheral devices of any information processing device, such as a PC or a smartphone. For example, the R button and ZR button configuration may be applied to a smartphone peripheral device. The grip portion, NFC function, vibration motor, and home button configuration may also be applied to a peripheral device.

[0210] As described above, the game controller of this embodiment may have the following configuration.

[0211] (Configuration A1) A game controller, A grip portion to be gripped by a user; a first button operable by a user's finger while holding the grip portion, on an upper surface of the game controller; The first button has a protrusion that protrudes toward a rear and a side of the game controller.

[0212] According to the above configuration A1, the key top of the first button provided on the top surface of the game controller can be made larger, making it easier for the user to operate the first button. Therefore, the operability of the first button provided on the top surface of the game controller can be improved.

[0213] (Configuration A2) The game controller according to configuration A1, wherein the protrusion is formed continuously from the rear side to the side side of the game controller.

[0214] According to configuration A2, the first button has a protrusion that is continuously formed from the rear side to the side side of the game controller, making it easier for the user to operate the first button.

[0215] (Configuration A3) The game controller according to configuration A2, wherein the portion extending from the rear side to the side side of the protrusion is formed in an R shape.

[0216] According to the above configuration A3, the portion extending from the rear side to the side of the protrusion is formed in an R-shape, so that the protrusion fits comfortably in the user's finger, improving operability.

[0217] (Configuration A4) The game controller according to any one of configurations A1 to A3, wherein the protrusion is provided such that an upper surface of the protrusion forms an integral surface with an upper surface of a portion of the first button other than the protrusion.

[0218] According to the above configuration A4, the top surface of the first button is formed as an integrated surface with the protruding portion and the portion other than the protruding portion. In other words, the top surface of the first button is formed without a step at the boundary between the protruding portion and the portion other than the protruding portion. Therefore, there is no sense of discomfort when operating the first button.

[0219] (Configuration A5) The first button is provided on a side surface of the game controller, The game controller according to any one of configurations A1 to A4, wherein the side direction in which the protruding portion protrudes is a side direction on a side of the game controller on which the first button is arranged.

[0220] According to the above configuration A5, when the first button is provided on the right side of the game controller, for example, the protruding portion of the first button protrudes to the right. This allows even a user with short fingers to operate the first button by placing a finger on the protruding portion of the first button (the portion protruding to the side, for example, the portion protruding to the right) from the side (for example, the right) of the game controller.

[0221] (Configuration A6) The game controller according to any one of configurations A1 to A5, wherein an end portion of the protrusion in the rear direction is formed in an R-shape when viewed from a side surface of the game controller.

[0222] According to configuration A6, the rear end of the protrusion is formed in an R-shape, so that there is less discomfort when pressing the rear end of the first button than when, for example, the rear end of the protrusion is pointed.

[0223] (Configuration A7) The game controller according to any one of configurations A1 to A6, wherein an inclined portion is provided on an end portion of the first button toward the center of the game controller.

[0224] According to the above configuration A7, since an inclined portion is provided on the end portion of the first button that is closer to the center of the game controller, it is possible to make the first button easier to operate, even for a user with long fingers, for example.

[0225] (Configuration A8) A game controller as described in any of configurations A1 to A7, wherein an inclined portion is provided on the end portion of the first button in the side direction, the inclined portion having a portion inclined at a first inclination angle and a portion inclined at a second inclination angle larger than the first inclination angle.

[0226] According to the above configuration A8, since an inclined portion is provided at the end of the first button in the side direction, the user can easily operate the first button. For example, a user with short fingers can easily operate the first button by placing the fingertip on the inclined portion at the end of the first button in the side direction. Furthermore, since the inclined portion is inclined in two stages, it is possible to reduce the sense of discomfort when operating the first button, compared to a case where the inclined portion has a steep inclination shape with a single inclined portion.

[0227] (Configuration A9) a second button is provided on an upper surface of the game controller and is located closer to a front side of the game controller than the first button; The game controller according to any one of configurations A1 to A8, wherein the second button is inclined downward as it approaches a side surface of the game controller.

[0228] According to the above configuration A9, the second button can be provided on the front side of the game controller relative to the first button. Since the second button is inclined downwards as it approaches the side of the game controller, it is possible to prevent the user from accidentally pressing the second button when operating the first button on the rear side.

[0229] (Configuration A10) The game controller of configuration A9, wherein an inclined portion is provided at the lateral end of the second button, the inclined portion having a portion inclined at a first inclination angle and a portion inclined at a second inclination angle greater than the first inclination angle.

[0230] According to configuration A10, the second button is inclined downwards toward the side of the game controller, and furthermore, an inclined portion (two-stage inclined portion) having a portion inclined at a first inclination angle and a portion inclined at a steeper second inclination angle is provided at the end in the side direction. This makes it easier for the user to operate the first button, and prevents the second button from being pressed accidentally when operating the first button on the back side.

[0231] (Configuration A11) a second button is provided on an upper surface of the game controller and is located closer to a front side of the game controller than the first button; The game controller according to any one of configurations A1 to A10, wherein a width of an upper surface of the second button becomes narrower in a direction toward a side of the game controller.

[0232] According to the above configuration A11, the width of the second button is narrower on the side of the game controller, so that when operating the first button on the back side, it is difficult for a finger to reach the second button, and it is possible to prevent the second button from being operated by mistake.

[0233] (Configuration A12) a second button is provided on an upper surface of the game controller and is located closer to a front side of the game controller than the first button; The game controller according to any one of configurations A1 to A11, wherein the second button has an inclined portion on an end portion on the front side of the game controller.

[0234] According to the above configuration A12, the front end of the second button provided on the front surface is inclined, making it easier to access the first button and the second button from the front surface of the game controller.

[0235] (Configuration A13) a second button is provided on an upper surface of the game controller and is located closer to a front side of the game controller than the first button; The game controller according to any one of configurations A1 to A12, wherein a predetermined surface is provided between the first button and the second button.

[0236] According to configuration A13, a predetermined surface (e.g., a partition) is provided between the first button and the second button, allowing the user to place their fingers on the surface when not operating the first button and the second button, thereby preventing the first button and the second button from being operated by mistake.

[0237] (Configuration A14) The game controller of configuration A13, wherein the height of the rear end of the specified surface of the game controller is lower than the height of the front end of the first button on the game controller when the first button is pressed.

[0238] According to the above configuration A14, even when the first button is pressed, the rear end of the specified surface can be made lower than the front end of the first button, making it difficult for a finger to become pinched between the specified surface and the first button.

[0239] (Configuration A15) a second button is provided on an upper surface of the game controller and is located closer to a front side of the game controller than the first button; The game controller according to any one of configurations A1 to A14, wherein an inclined portion is provided on an end portion of the second button that is closer to the center of the game controller.

[0240] According to configuration A15, an inclined portion is provided on the end portion of the second button that is closer to the center of the game controller, making it easier for a user with long fingers to operate the second button, for example.

[0241] (Configuration A16) The game controller of configuration A15, wherein the second button is rotatably supported by a second shaft disposed in a central portion of the game controller and extends from the second shaft in a lateral direction of the game controller.

[0242] According to configuration A16, the second axis is located toward the center, so the user can press the second button by pressing a side of the game controller closer to the side than the second axis.

[0243] (Configuration A17) a second button is provided on an upper surface of the game controller and is located closer to a front side of the game controller than the first button; an operation unit that can be pressed by a user's finger is provided on a front surface of the game controller; The game controller according to any one of configurations A1 to A16, wherein a front end of the first button is lower than a rear end of the second button with respect to a straight line parallel to a pressing direction of the operation unit.

[0244] According to configuration A17, the heights of the first button and the second button are different at least at the boundary between the first button and the second button, so that the user can distinguish between the first button and the second button just by touching them with his / her finger, thereby preventing the user from pressing the wrong button.

[0245] (Configuration A18) The game controller of configuration A17, wherein the first button is lower from its front end to its back end than the second button.

[0246] According to the above configuration A18, the user can distinguish between the first button and the second button just by touching them with his / her finger, and thus can prevent pressing the wrong button.

[0247] (Configuration A19) a second button is provided on an upper surface of the game controller and is located closer to a front side of the game controller than the first button; A game controller described in any of configurations A1 to A18, wherein an end of the first button toward the center of the game controller is located closer to the side of the game controller than an end of the second button toward the center of the game controller.

[0248] According to configuration A19, the second button is located toward the center of the game controller, and the first button is located toward the side of the game controller, so that, for example, a user can move his / her finger from the position of the second button to the position of the first button by rotating the finger around the base of the finger, thereby making it easier to operate the first button and the second button.

[0249] (Configuration A20) The game controller according to any one of configurations A1 to A19, wherein when the game controller is placed on a flat surface with its front surface facing up, the game controller is supported by a rear surface of the housing of the game controller.

[0250] According to the above configuration A20, when the game controller is placed on a flat surface, the weight of the game controller can be supported by the rear surface of the housing, and the first button can be prevented from being pressed even when the game controller is placed on a flat surface.

[0251] (Configuration A21) The game controller according to any one of configurations A1 to A20, wherein the first button is curved in an upward direction such that the curvature increases toward the back side of the game controller.

[0252] According to the above configuration A21, since the first button is gradually curved upward, it is possible to make the first button easier to operate.

[0253] (Configuration A22) the first button is rotatably supported by a first shaft extending in a left-right direction of the game controller, The game controller according to any one of configurations A1 to A21, wherein the first axis can only be inserted from the center of the game controller toward a side surface.

[0254] According to the above configuration A22, the first button can be extended to the edge of the side surface of the game controller.

[0255] (Configuration A23) The game controller of configuration A22, wherein the first axis is inserted into an axis insertion port located at a lateral end of the game controller, and a cushioning material is provided inside the axis insertion port.

[0256] According to the above configuration A23, the first button can be fixed firmly and rattling can be prevented.

[0257] (Configuration A24) a second button is provided on an upper surface of the game controller and is located closer to a front side of the game controller than the first button; the first button includes a first detection unit that detects that the first button is pressed; the second button includes a second detection unit that detects that the second button is pressed; The game controller according to any one of configurations A1 to A23, wherein the first detection unit is located on a side surface of the game controller relative to the second detection unit.

[0258] According to the above configuration A24, the first detection portion of the first button is positioned on the side of the game controller, and the second detection portion of the second button is positioned in the center, making it easier to operate the first button and the second button.

[0259] (Configuration A25) the first button includes a first detection unit that detects that the first button is pressed; the first button is rotatably supported by a first shaft extending in a left-right direction of the game controller, The game controller of any one of configurations A1 to A24, wherein the first button, the first detection unit, and the first axis are integrally configured.

[0260] According to configuration A25, the first button, the first axis for fixing the first button, and the first detection unit are configured as a single unit, thereby making it possible to reduce manufacturing errors in the first button and to prevent rattling when operating the first button.

[0261] (Configuration A26) A game controller, A grip portion to be gripped by a user; a first button operable by a user's finger while holding the grip portion, the first button being disposed on an upper surface of the game controller; a second button disposed on an upper surface of the game controller closer to a front side of the game controller than the first button; the first button has a protrusion that protrudes toward a rear surface of the game controller, The first button and the second button are formed so that their length in a side direction of the game controller is longer than their length in a rear direction of the game controller.

[0262] According to the above configuration A26, the key top of the first button provided on the top surface of the game controller can be made larger, making it easier for the user to operate the first button. Furthermore, since the length of the first button and the second button in the side direction is longer than the length of the first button and the second button in the back direction, switching between the operation of the first button and the second button can be performed smoothly.

[0263] (Configuration A27) A game controller, A grip portion to be gripped by a user; a first button operable by a user's finger while holding the grip portion, the first button being disposed on an upper surface of the game controller; a second button disposed on an upper surface of the game controller closer to a front side of the game controller than the first button; a first inclined portion is provided at an end portion of the first button on a central side of the game controller; a second inclined portion is provided at an end portion of the second button on a central side of the game controller; A game controller comprising: a third inclined portion provided at an end portion of the second button in the lateral direction, the third inclined portion having a portion inclined at a first inclination angle and a portion inclined at a second inclination angle greater than the first inclination angle.

[0264] According to the above configuration A27, the top surface of the game controller is provided with a first button on the rear side and a second button on the front side, the central ends of the first button and the second button are inclined, and the side end of the second button is inclined in two stages. Therefore, even a user with long fingers can easily operate the first button and the second button. For example, when a user with long fingers operates the first button, the user places his / her finger on the first inclined part of the central end of the first button to operate the first button. In this case, the finger may hit the side end of the second button and erroneously press the second button. However, since the side end of the second button is inclined, such an erroneous operation can be prevented.

[0265] (Configuration A28) A game controller, A grip portion to be gripped by a user; a first button operable by a user's finger while holding the grip portion, the first button being disposed on an upper surface of the game controller; a second button disposed on an upper surface of the game controller closer to a front side of the game controller than the first button; A predetermined surface is provided between the first button and the second button, The first button has a protrusion that protrudes at least toward a side surface of the game controller.

[0266] According to the above configuration A28, since a predetermined surface is provided between the first button and the second button, a user can place a finger between the first button and the second button when the first button and the second button are not being operated. In this case, a user with short fingers may have difficulty reaching the first button. However, since the first button has a protruding portion protruding in the lateral direction, even a user with short fingers can easily operate the first button.

[0267] (Configuration B1) A game controller for holding with both hands to perform game operations, a controller main body in which an operation unit for game operation is arranged, a main body housing having a first protrusion and a second protrusion and configured by connecting a first housing member and a second housing member; a first grip member that is held by one hand of a user, the first grip member being connected to the first protrusion of the main body housing and covering at least a portion of a boundary between the first housing member and the second housing member; A game controller comprising: a second grip member that is a member separate from the first grip member and held by the user's other hand, the second grip member being connected to the second protrusion of the main body housing and covering at least a portion of the boundary between the first housing member and the second housing member.

[0268] According to the above configuration B1, the boundary portion between the first housing member and the second housing member can be covered with the grip member, making it easier for the user to hold the protruding portion (grip portion) of the game controller and improving operability.

[0269] (Configuration B2) The game controller of configuration B1, wherein the first grip member and the second grip member are symmetrically shaped.

[0270] According to the above configuration B2, for example, it is possible to provide a game controller having symmetrical grip members.

[0271] (Configuration B3) The game controller according to configuration B1 or 2, wherein the first grip member and the second grip member are hollow members and have a shape protruding in a predetermined direction.

[0272] According to the above-mentioned configuration B3, the grip portion can be shaped to protrude in a predetermined direction, making it easy for the user to grip, and improving operability.

[0273] (Configuration B4) the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion have a shape protruding in a predetermined direction, A game controller described in any of configurations B1 to B3, wherein the first grip member and the second grip member cover the entire outer periphery of the cross section of the first protrusion and the second protrusion when the first protrusion and the second protrusion are cut along a plane perpendicular to the specified direction.

[0274] According to configuration B4, the first grip member covers the entire outer periphery of the first protrusion, and the second grip member covers the entire outer periphery of the second protrusion, making it easier for the user to hold the grip portion of the game controller and improving operability.

[0275] (Structure B5) A game controller described in any of configurations B1 to B4, wherein when a user holds the first grip member and the second grip member and views the game controller from the front, the first protrusion and the second protrusion protrude downward from the controller main body.

[0276] According to the above-mentioned configuration B5, the user can hold the grip portion that protrudes downward from the controller main body. When the user holds the grip portion, the controller main body can be seen from the front, improving the operability of the controller.

[0277] (Configuration B6) A game controller described in any of configurations B1 to B5, wherein when a user holds the first grip member and the second grip member and views the game controller from the front, the first protrusion and the second protrusion curve toward the back of the game controller.

[0278] According to the above-mentioned configuration B6, since the grip member is curved toward the rear side, it is easy for the user to hold the grip portion, and operability can be improved.

[0279] (Configuration B7) A game controller described in any of configurations B1 to B6, wherein when a user holds the first grip member and the second grip member and views the game controller from the front, the first protrusion is located to the left of the center of the controller main body, and the second protrusion is located to the right of the center of the controller main body.

[0280] According to the above configuration B7, the user can hold the game controller between his / her left and right hands.

[0281] (Configuration B8) A game controller as described in any of configurations B1 to B7, comprising a first fixing structure for fixing the first grip member to the first protruding portion, and a second fixing structure for fixing the second grip member to the second protruding portion.

[0282] According to the above configuration B8, the first and second grip members can be securely fixed to the first and second protruding portions.

[0283] (Configuration B9) the first grip member has a first guide portion that guides the first grip member to a predetermined position when the first grip member is connected to the first protrusion, the first protrusion has a second guide portion corresponding to the first guide portion, the second grip member has a third guide portion that guides the second grip member to a predetermined position when the second grip member is connected to the second protrusion, The game controller of any one of configurations B1 to B8, wherein the second protrusion has a fourth guide portion corresponding to the third guide portion.

[0284] According to the above configuration B9, the first and second grip members can be easily connected to the first and second protruding portions.

[0285] (Structure B10) A game controller as described in configuration B9, wherein the first guide portion, the second guide portion, the third guide portion, and the fourth guide portion each have a guide portion on the front side and a guide portion on the rear side of the game controller.

[0286] According to the above-mentioned configuration B10, the first and second grip members can be guided by the two guide portions, and the first and second grip members can be easily connected to the first and second protruding portions.

[0287] (Configuration B11) the first grip member and the second grip member are connected to the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion, respectively, from one side to the other side of the first grip member and the second grip member; The first guide portion of the first grip member is formed to extend from the one side of the first grip member to the other side of the first grip member, The third guide portion of the second grip member is formed to extend from the one side to the other side of the second grip member, The first guide portion of the first grip member is wider on the other side than on the one side, The game controller according to configuration B9 or B10, wherein the third guide portion of the second grip member is wider on the other side than on the one side.

[0288] According to the above configuration B11, the first and second grip members can be easily connected to the first and second protruding portions.

[0289] (Configuration B12) A game controller described in any of configurations B9 to B11, wherein the first guide portion of the first grip member and the third guide portion of the second grip member are convex guide portions, and the second guide portion of the first protrusion and the fourth guide portion of the second protrusion are concave guide portions.

[0290] According to the above configuration B12, the convex guide portion of the grip member and the concave guide portion of the protrusion make it possible to guide the grip member when connecting the grip member to the protrusion.

[0291] (Configuration B13) A game controller described in any of configurations B1 to B12, wherein the first grip member has a hole at its tip into which a screw for connecting to the first protrusion is inserted, and the second grip member has a hole at its tip into which a screw for connecting to the second protrusion is inserted.

[0292] According to the above configuration B13, since a hole for inserting a screw is provided at the tip of the grip member, the grip part can be fixed to the protruding part, and the user's hand can be prevented from touching the hole when operating the game controller, eliminating the discomfort felt when holding the grip part, thereby improving the operability of the controller.

[0293] (Configuration B14) when a user holds the first grip member and the second grip member and views the game controller from the front, the first protrusion is located to the left of the center of the controller main body, and the second protrusion is located to the right of the center of the controller main body, A game controller described in any of configurations B1 to B13, wherein the first grip member and the second grip member are formed so that, when viewed from the front, the vertical length of the left and right end sides is longer than the vertical length of the center side of the game controller.

[0294] According to the above-mentioned configuration B14, since the left and right ends of the grip members are longer, for example, the left side surface of the left grip member can be made wider, and the right side surface of the right grip member can be made wider. Since the area where the approximate center of the user's palm touches can be made wider, the user can easily grasp the grip member, and operability can be improved.

[0295] (Configuration B15) a height of a surface on the first grip member side at a boundary portion between the first grip member and the controller main body when the first grip member and the first protrusion are connected is substantially the same as a height of a surface on the controller main body side at the boundary portion; A game controller described in any of configurations B1 to B14, wherein when the second grip member and the second protrusion are connected, the height of the surface on the second grip member side at the boundary between the second grip member and the controller main body is substantially the same as the height of the surface on the controller main body side at the boundary.

[0296] According to the above-mentioned configuration B15, the boundary between the grip member and the controller body can be made smooth without any step, which improves the feel when the user holds the game controller and improves operability.

[0297] (Configuration B16) A game controller according to any one of configurations B1 to B15, wherein the first housing member is a housing member on a front side of the game controller, and the second housing member is a housing member on a rear side of the game controller.

[0298] According to the above configuration B16, the main housing can be formed by the front housing member and the rear housing member.

[0299] (Configuration B17) A vibrator is provided inside the first grip member and the second grip member, A game controller described in any one of configurations B1 to B16, wherein the vibrator directly contacts the first grip member and the second grip member, and the vibrator contacts the first protrusion and the second protrusion via a buffer member.

[0300] According to the above configuration B17, it is possible to easily transmit vibrations to the user's hand.

[0301] (Configuration B18) A pair of grip members attached to a main body housing of a game controller configured by connecting a first housing member and a second housing member, The pair of grip members includes a first grip member that is held by one hand of a user and a second grip member that is held by the other hand of the user, The first gripping member is a first protrusion connected to the main body housing and covering at least a portion of a boundary between the first housing member and the second housing member; The second gripping member is A pair of grip members that are separate from the first grip member, connected to a second protrusion of the main housing, and covering at least a portion of the boundary between the first housing member and the second housing member.

[0302] According to the above configuration B18, the two protrusions of the main body housing can be covered by a pair of grip members, making it easier for the user to hold the grip portion attached to the game controller, thereby improving the operability of the controller.

[0303] (Configuration B19) A pair of grip members attached to a main body housing of a game controller configured by connecting a front housing member and a rear housing member, The pair of grip members includes a first grip member that is held by one hand of a user and a second grip member that is held by the other hand of the user, The first gripping member is a first protrusion connected to the main body housing and covering at least a portion of a boundary between the front housing member and the rear housing member; The second gripping member is a member separate from the first grip member, connected to a second protrusion of the main housing, and covering at least a portion of a boundary between the front housing member and the rear housing member; the first gripping member and the second gripping member are hollow members; the first grip member has a hole at a tip end thereof into which a screw for connecting to the first protrusion is inserted, The second grip member has a hole at its tip into which a screw for connecting to the second protrusion is inserted.

[0304] According to the above configuration B19, the two protrusions of the main body housing can be covered by a pair of grip members, making it easier for the user to hold the grip portion attached to the game controller, thereby improving the operability of the controller.

[0305] (Configuration B20) A game controller for holding with both hands to perform game operations, A main body housing; a first grip member connected to the main body housing and held by one hand of a user; a second grip member that is a separate member from the first grip member, that is connected to the main body housing, and that is held by the other hand of the user; a first transducer provided inside the first grip member; a second transducer provided on an inner side of the second grip member; the first vibrator is in direct contact with the first grip member and in contact with the main body housing via a first buffer member; A game controller, wherein the second vibrator is in direct contact with the second grip member and in contact with the main body housing via a second cushioning member.

[0306] In the above configuration B20, the first vibrator is in direct contact with the first grip member, and is in contact with the main body housing via a buffer member. The second vibrator is in direct contact with the second grip member, and is in contact with the main body housing via a buffer member. This makes it possible to separate the vibrations of the first grip member and the second grip member, and, for example, to prevent the vibrations of the two grip members from interfering with each other.

[0307] (Configuration C1) A game controller capable of reading data from an external storage device through non-contact communication, Housing and an antenna built into the housing and used for the non-contact communication; a first operation button provided on the housing; the first operation button is disposed in a reading area on the housing where data can be read from the external storage device by using the antenna; A game controller, wherein the height of an upper surface of the first operation button is substantially the same as or lower than the surface of the housing.

[0308] According to the above configuration C1, the first operation button can be arranged in the reading area. Since the height of the upper surface of the first operation button is substantially the same as or lower than the surface of the housing, it is possible to prevent the first operation button from being pressed by mistake even when an external storage device is placed in the reading area, and the operability of the game controller having a contactless communication function can be improved. In addition, by lowering the upper surface of the first operation button and arranging the first operation button in the reading area, it is possible to prevent the first operation button from being operated by mistake and to achieve space saving.

[0309] (Configuration C2) The game controller of configuration C1, wherein when the game controller is held and viewed from the front, the first operation button is positioned so as to overlap at least a portion of an area surrounded by the antenna.

[0310] According to the above-mentioned configuration C2, the first operation button can be overlapped with the area where the antenna is arranged, and the space can be effectively utilized. Note that the area surrounded by the antenna may be on the line of the antenna or may be inside the antenna.

[0311] (Configuration C3) The housing has a first region including a position corresponding to a center of the reading region, and a second region surrounding the first region, The game controller of configuration C1 or C2, wherein the first operation button is disposed in the second region on the housing.

[0312] According to the configuration C3, the first operation button can be arranged around the center of the reading area, and for example, the first operation button can be avoided from being touched when reading data from an external storage device by non-contact communication. Also, for example, when the external storage device is small, the first operation button can be operated while performing non-contact communication with the external storage device.

[0313] (Configuration C4) The game controller of any one of configurations C1 to C3, wherein the first operation button is provided in plurality.

[0314] According to the configuration C4, a plurality of operation buttons can be arranged in the reading area.

[0315] (Configuration C5) The game controller of any of configurations C1 to C4, wherein the first operation button is a home button.

[0316] (Configuration C6) A game controller according to any of configurations C1 to C5, wherein the first operation button is a button used for capturing a screen.

[0317] According to the configurations C5 and C6, a home button and a capture button can be placed in the reading area. These buttons are used relatively infrequently during normal games, so they can perform non-contact communication with an external storage device without interfering with game operations.

[0318] (Configuration C7) a second operation button different from the first operation button is disposed on a surface of the housing on which the first operation button is provided, The game controller of any one of configurations C1 to C6, wherein the height of the first operation button from the surface of the housing is lower than the height of the second operation button from the surface of the housing.

[0319] According to the above configuration C7, the first operation button arranged in the reading area can be made lower than the second operation button, and it is possible to prevent the external storage device from coming into contact with the first operation button during contactless communication, thereby preventing erroneous operation of the first operation button, thereby improving operability.

[0320] (Configuration C8) The game controller of configuration C7, wherein the second operation button is positioned farther from the antenna than the first operation button.

[0321] According to the above configuration C8, by arranging the second operation button at a position away from the antenna, it is possible to prevent the external storage device from contacting the second operation button during contactless communication, thereby preventing erroneous operation of the second operation button. In addition, since the second operation button is higher from the housing surface than the first operation button, the second operation button has better operability.

[0322] (Configuration C9) The game controller of any one of configurations C1 to C8, wherein the antenna is positioned inside the housing, toward the front side rather than the center in the front-to-rear direction of the game controller.

[0323] According to configuration C9, the antenna is disposed in a position close to the front surface of the game controller, which makes it easier to perform non-contact communication with an external storage device placed in front of the game controller.

[0324] (Configuration C10) The game controller of any one of configurations C1 to C9, wherein the antenna is positioned in the center of the game controller in the left-right direction.

[0325] According to the configuration C10, the center in the left-right direction of the game controller can be set as the reading range.

[0326] (Configuration C11) The game controller according to any one of configurations C1 to C10, wherein the non-contact communication is communication using NFC (Near Field Communication).

[0327] (Configuration C12) The game controller according to any one of configurations C1 to C10, wherein the non-contact communication is communication using RFID.

[0328] According to the configurations C11 and C12, non-contact communication can be performed using NFC technology or RFID technology.

[0329] (Configuration C13) a first board and a second board arranged on a rear side of the game controller relative to the first board are provided within the housing; The game controller of any of configurations C1 to C12, wherein the antenna is disposed on the first substrate.

[0330] According to the above configuration C13, an antenna can be provided on the first board arranged on the front side of the game controller, making it easier to perform non-contact communication with an external storage device placed on the front side of the game controller. Also, by making the boards into a two-layer structure, the area of ​​each board can be reduced, making it possible to configure the controller smaller.

[0331] (Configuration C14) The game controller of configuration C13, wherein the second substrate is provided with a control circuit for controlling the game controller.

[0332] According to the above configuration C14, the control circuit can be provided on the second board arranged on the rear surface side.

[0333] (Configuration C15) The game controller of any one of configurations C13-C14, wherein the antenna is disposed on a back side of the first substrate.

[0334] According to the above configuration C15, it is possible to effectively utilize the limited substrate area, and it is possible to improve the degree of freedom in design.

[0335] (Configuration C16) The game controller of configuration C15, wherein a switch for detecting operation of the first operation button is disposed on the front side of the first substrate.

[0336] According to the above configuration C16, the switch of the first operation button can be arranged on the front side of the first substrate, and the antenna can be arranged on the back side, so that the first operation button can be arranged regardless of the position of the antenna.

[0337] (Configuration C17) A game controller capable of reading data from an external storage device through non-contact communication, Housing and an antenna built into the housing and used for the non-contact communication; a first operation button provided on the housing; the first operation button is disposed in a reading area on the housing where data can be read from the external storage device by using the antenna; When the game controller is held and viewed from the front, the first operation button is positioned so as to overlap at least a portion of an area surrounded by the antenna.

[0338] According to the above-mentioned configuration C17, the first operation button can be overlapped with the area where the antenna is arranged, and the space can be effectively utilized. Note that the area surrounded by the antenna may be on the line of the antenna or may be inside the antenna.

[0339] (Configuration C18) The game controller of any of configurations C1 to C17, wherein the first operation button is lower than a surface of the housing when pressed.

[0340] According to the above configuration C18, since the first operation button is lower than the surface of the housing when pressed, it is possible to prevent unintended pressing of the first operation button from being detected when the external storage device is placed in the reading area. That is, in this configuration, if the external storage device is placed in the reading area and touches the first operation button, the position of the first operation button may be lowered to a position substantially the same as the surface of the housing, but the first operation button is unlikely to be lower than the surface of the housing. Therefore, when the user does not intend to press the first operation button and simply places the external storage device in the reading area, it is unlikely that pressing of the first operation button will be detected, and erroneous operation can be prevented.

[0341] (Configuration D1) A game controller capable of reading data from an external storage device through non-contact communication, A first substrate provided within the housing; a second board provided within the housing and positioned closer to a rear surface of the game controller than the first board; A game controller, wherein an antenna used for the contactless communication is disposed on the first substrate.

[0342] According to the above-mentioned configuration D1, a first board and a second board arranged on the rear side of the first board are provided in the housing of the game controller, and an antenna for non-contact communication is provided on the first board. This makes it easier to perform non-contact communication with an external storage device placed in front of the game controller. In addition, by making the board into a two-layer structure, the layout of other circuits can be determined without affecting the position of the antenna, improving the degree of freedom in design.

[0343] (Configuration D2) The game controller of configuration D1, wherein the antenna is positioned on a back surface of the first substrate.

[0344] According to the above configuration D2, since the antenna is arranged on the back surface of the first substrate, other circuits can be arranged, for example, on the front surface of the first substrate, thereby making effective use of the limited substrate area.

[0345] (Configuration D3) The game controller of configuration D2, wherein a switch for detecting an operation on an operation button is provided on the front surface of the first substrate.

[0346] According to the above configuration D3, the operation button switch is placed on the front surface of the first substrate, and the antenna is placed on the back surface, so that the operation button can be placed regardless of the position of the antenna, thereby improving design freedom.

[0347] (Configuration D4) The game controller of configuration D3, wherein the switch is positioned at a position on the housing corresponding to an area surrounded by the antenna.

[0348] According to the above configuration D4, since the switch of the operation button is provided at a position corresponding to the area surrounded by the antenna, the operation button can be arranged in an area on the housing where contactless communication is possible.

[0349] (Configuration D5) A game controller according to any one of configurations D1 to D4, wherein a control circuit for controlling the non-contact communication is disposed on the second substrate.

[0350] According to the above configuration D5, an antenna is placed on a first substrate, while its control circuit is placed on a second substrate, so that the control circuit can be placed regardless of the position of the antenna, thereby improving design freedom.

[0351] (Configuration D6) A game controller described in any one of configurations D1 to D5, wherein an analog stick is disposed on the surface of the second substrate.

[0352] According to the above configuration D6, the antenna is arranged on the first board on the front side of the housing of the game controller, and the analog stick is arranged on the second board on the rear side. This makes it possible to shorten the distance between the antenna and the front side of the housing while ensuring the length of the operation part of the analog stick. In addition, by arranging the analog stick on the board, the number of parts can be reduced.

[0353] (Configuration D7) A game controller described in any of configurations D1 to D6, wherein when the first substrate and the second substrate are projected onto a plane parallel to the front of the game controller, the first substrate after projection overlaps with at least a portion of the second substrate after projection.

[0354] According to configuration D7, since the boards are stacked in two layers, the game controller can be made small.

[0355] (Configuration D8) A game controller described in any of configurations D1 to D7, wherein when the switch and the antenna are projected onto a surface parallel to the front of the game controller, the projected switch is positioned in an area surrounded by the projected antenna.

[0356] According to the above configuration D8, the operation button can be arranged in an area where non-contact communication is possible.

[0357] (Configuration E1) Housing and a vibrator disposed within the housing and capable of vibrating in a first direction and a second direction different from the first direction; The vibrator contacts the housing at least on a first surface corresponding to the first direction.

[0358] According to the above configuration E1, since the vibrator is in contact with the housing at the first surface thereof, the vibration of the vibrator in the first direction can be easily transmitted to the housing, and the user's vibration experience can be improved.

[0359] (Configuration E2) The game controller of configuration E1, wherein the vibrator contacts the housing on a first surface corresponding to the first direction and a second surface corresponding to the second direction.

[0360] According to configuration E2, the vibrator is in contact with the housing on its first and second surfaces, making it easier for the vibrations of the vibrator in the first and second directions to be transmitted to the housing, thereby improving the user's vibration experience.

[0361] (Configuration E3) The game controller of configuration E2, wherein the first surface is a surface substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and the second surface is a surface perpendicular to the second direction.

[0362] According to the above configuration E3, the surface perpendicular to the vibration direction is in contact with the housing, so that the vibration of the vibrator can be easily transmitted to the housing.

[0363] (Configuration E4) A game controller according to any of configurations E1 to E3, wherein the first direction and the second direction are substantially perpendicular.

[0364] According to the above configuration E4, the game controller can be vibrated using vibrators that vibrate in directions perpendicular to each other, allowing the user to experience vibrations in different directions.

[0365] (Configuration E5) A game controller according to any one of configurations E1 to E4, wherein the first direction is a substantial left-right direction in the game controller when viewed from the front.

[0366] According to the above configuration E5, the game controller can be vibrated in the left-right direction, allowing the user to experience left-right vibration.

[0367] (Configuration E6) A game controller according to any one of configurations E1 to E5, wherein the second direction is substantially a front-to-rear direction of the game controller when the game controller is viewed from the front.

[0368] According to the above configuration E6, the game controller can be vibrated in the forward and backward directions, allowing the user to experience forward and backward vibrations.

[0369] (Configuration E7) The game controller of any of configurations E1 to E6, wherein the vibrator is substantially rectangular shaped.

[0370] According to the above configuration E7, for example, the vibrator can be brought into contact with the surface of the housing over a wider area, making it easier to transmit vibrations to the user.

[0371] (Configuration E8) The game controller of any of configurations E1 to E7, wherein the vibrator contacts a flat portion on the inner surface of the housing.

[0372] According to the above configuration E8, the vibrator is in contact with the flat surface of the housing, so that the contact area can be increased, making it easier to transmit vibrations of the vibrator to the housing and therefore to the user.

[0373] (Configuration E9) The housing has a first portion and a second portion that is thicker than the first portion, A game controller of any of configurations E1 to E8, wherein the vibrator contacts the first portion of the housing.

[0374] According to the configuration E9, the vibrator comes into contact with the thinner portion of the housing, so that the vibration of the vibrator can be easily transmitted to the housing, and the vibration can be easily transmitted to the user.

[0375] (Configuration E10) The game controller of any of configurations E1-E9, wherein the vibrator contacts a rib portion on the inner surface of the housing.

[0376] According to the above configuration E10, the vibrator can be brought into contact with the rib portion (protrusion) inside the housing.

[0377] (Configuration E11) A game controller as described in any of configurations E1 to E10, wherein the vibrator is housed in a holder, and the holder is fixed to the housing.

[0378] According to the above configuration E11, the vibrator can be accommodated in the holder, and the holder can be fixed to the housing, thereby fixing the vibrator within the housing.

[0379] (Configuration E12) The game controller of configuration E11, wherein the holder has a shape that covers at least a portion of the vibrator and has an opening at least on a surface that corresponds to the first surface of the vibrator.

[0380] According to the above configuration E12, the first surface of the vibrator can be exposed from the opening of the holder, and the other surfaces of the vibrator can be covered by the holder. Since the first surface of the vibrator is exposed from the opening of the holder and contacts the housing, vibrations in the first direction can be easily transmitted to the housing, making it easier to transmit the vibrations to the user. Meanwhile, since the other surfaces of the vibrator are covered by the holder, the vibrations of the vibrator can be absorbed by the holder and made less likely to be transmitted to the housing.

[0381] (Configuration E13) The game controller of any one of configurations E11 to E12, wherein the holder is formed from an elastic material.

[0382] According to the above configuration E13, the vibrator can be covered with a relatively soft material, and vibrations of the vibrator can be easily absorbed by the holder.

[0383] (Configuration E14) the game controller includes a first vibrator and a second vibrator as the vibrator; the first vibrator is capable of vibrating in a first direction and a second direction different from the first direction; the second vibrator is capable of vibrating in a first direction and a second direction different from the first direction; The housing has a left grip portion to be held by a user's left hand and a right grip portion to be held by a user's right hand, The first transducer is disposed on the left grip portion, and the second transducer is disposed on the right grip portion; the first vibrator contacts the left grip portion on a first surface corresponding to the first direction and a second surface corresponding to the second direction; The game controller of any of configurations E1 to E13, wherein the second vibrator contacts the right grip portion on a first surface corresponding to the first direction and a second surface corresponding to the second direction.

[0384] According to the above configuration E14, the vibrator can be arranged on the left and right grip parts held by the user, and vibration can be applied to the left and right hands of the user. In addition, since the first surface and the second surface of the vibrator contact the left and right grip parts, respectively, the vibration is easily transmitted to the left and right grip parts. In addition, since the left and right grip parts can be vibrated respectively, the left and right vibrations can be separated to allow the user to experience various types of vibration. Note that the expression "the first vibrator can vibrate in a first direction and a second direction different from the first direction" means that the first vibrator itself can vibrate in two directions. Similarly, the expression "the second vibrator can vibrate in a first direction and a second direction different from the first direction" means that the second vibrator itself can vibrate in two directions. When the game controller is used as a reference, depending on the postures of the first vibrator and the second vibrator, the two vibration directions of the first vibrator may or may not match the two vibration directions of the second vibrator.

[0385] (Configuration E15) The housing has a grip portion to be held by a user's hand, The game controller of any one of configurations E1 to E14, wherein the first surface of the vibrator contacts a first portion of the grip portion that is contacted by a user's palm.

[0386] According to the above configuration E15, by bringing the first surface of the vibrator into contact with the first portion of the grip portion, it is possible to facilitate transmission of vibration of the vibrator in the first direction to the palm of the user.

[0387] (Configuration E16) the grip portion has a second portion different from the first portion, The first portion contacts a substantially central portion of a palm of a user, and the second portion contacts a portion of a finger of the user, a second surface of the vibrator corresponding to the second direction contacts the second portion of the grip portion; The game controller of structure E15, wherein a resonant frequency of vibration in the first direction is different from a resonant frequency of vibration in the second direction.

[0388] According to the above configuration E16, it is possible to impart vibrations of different frequencies to the central part of the user's palm and to the finger parts, allowing the user to feel different types of vibrations depending on the part of the hand.

[0389] (Configuration E17) When the game controller is viewed from the front, the first direction is a substantial left-right direction of the game controller, and the second direction is a substantial front-back direction of the game controller; The game controller of any of configurations E1-E16, wherein a resonant frequency of vibration in the first direction and a resonant frequency fraction of vibration in the second direction are different.

[0390] According to the above configuration E17, it is possible to vibrate the game controller at different resonance frequencies in the left-right direction and the front-back direction, allowing the user to feel different types of vibration in the left-right direction and the front-back direction.

[0391] (Configuration E18) The housing includes a main body housing and a grip portion to be held by a user's hand. The game controller of any of configurations E1-E17, wherein at least the first surface of the vibrator is in direct contact with the grip portion.

[0392] According to the above configuration E18, the vibrator can be in direct contact with the grip portion of the housing, making it possible to easily transmit vibrations of the vibrator to the grip portion.

[0393] (Configuration E19) The game controller according to configuration E18, wherein the vibrator contacts the main body housing via a cushioning member.

[0394] According to the above-mentioned configuration E19, the vibrator is in direct contact with the grip portion and in contact with the main body housing via the buffer member, which makes it easier to transmit the vibration of the vibrator to the grip portion and makes it difficult to transmit the vibration to the main body housing.

[0395] (Configuration E20) A game controller according to any of configurations E1 to E19, wherein a resonant frequency of vibration in the first direction is different from a resonant frequency of vibration in the second direction.

[0396] According to the above configuration E20, the game controller can be vibrated at different resonance frequencies, allowing the user to feel vibrations at different resonance frequencies.

[0397] (Configuration E21) A game controller having a vibrator, The game controller, wherein the vibrator has a first resonant frequency and a second resonant frequency different from the first resonant frequency.

[0398] According to the above configuration E21, the game controller can be vibrated at different resonance frequencies, allowing the user to feel vibrations at different resonance frequencies.

[0399] (Configuration E22) The game controller of configuration E21, wherein the vibrator is a linear vibration actuator.

[0400] According to the above configuration E22, a linear vibration actuator can be used as the vibrator that vibrates at different resonance frequencies, and the vibrator can be vibrated in a linear direction.

[0401] (Configuration F1) a housing having an opening; a key top of an operation button exposed from the opening and pressed by a user's finger; A light emitting portion; a cylindrical light guide portion that guides light from the light emitting portion and surrounds an outer periphery of the key top; a light shielding portion surrounding the outer periphery of the light guiding portion; A switch disposed below the key top, A game controller, wherein an upper surface of the keytop and an upper surface of the light guiding portion are exposed from the opening.

[0402] According to the above-mentioned configuration F1, the light guide portion is exposed from the opening of the housing and is surrounded by the light-shielding portion, so that the light can be guided to the surface of the housing without leaking from the light guide portion, and the operation button can be illuminated in, for example, a ring shape.

[0403] The light-shielding portion includes a member molded from a light-shielding material and a light-guiding portion having a light-shielding agent applied to its outer periphery.

[0404] (Configuration F2) The game controller of configuration F1, wherein the switch is located below the center of the keycap.

[0405] According to the above configuration F2, since the switch is provided below the key top, the structure of the button can be simplified.

[0406] (Configuration F3) An elastic portion is disposed below the key top and biases the key top in a direction opposite to a pressing direction, The game controller of configuration F1 or F2, wherein the key top contacts the switch via the elastic portion when the key top is pressed.

[0407] According to the above configuration F3, the key top can be pushed up with a simple structure.

[0408] (Configuration F4) The elastic portion is made of a light-guiding material, The game controller of configuration F3, wherein the light-emitting portion is positioned below the elastic portion and overlaps the elastic portion.

[0409] According to the above configuration F4, even if the elastic portion is disposed at a position overlapping the light emitting portion, the elastic portion can transmit light from the light emitting portion and cause the light to be incident on the light guiding portion.

[0410] (Configuration F5) The game controller of any one of configurations F1 to F4, wherein the light-shielding portion is cylindrical.

[0411] According to the above configuration F5, the cylindrical light guiding portion can be covered with the cylindrical light blocking portion.

[0412] (Configuration F6) A game controller according to any one of configurations F1 to F5, wherein the light-emitting portion is disposed inside an area surrounded by the light-shielding portion.

[0413] According to the above configuration F6, it is possible to prevent light from the light-emitting portion from leaking to the outside of the light-shielding portion.

[0414] (Configuration F7) A game controller according to any one of configurations F1 to F6, wherein a plurality of the light-emitting units are provided.

[0415] According to the above configuration F7, it is possible to make the light guide emit light while eliminating unevenness in the light.

[0416] (Configuration F8) A game controller according to any one of configurations F1 to F7, wherein the plurality of light-emitting units are arranged in symmetrical positions with respect to the center of the key top.

[0417] According to the above configuration F8, since the light emitting portions are arranged at positions symmetrical with respect to the key top, unevenness in light can be eliminated and the light guide portion can emit light uniformly.

[0418] (Configuration F9) A game controller according to any one of configurations F1 to F8, wherein the light-shielding portion is not exposed from a surface of the housing.

[0419] According to the above configuration F9, it is possible to make the light blocking portion less noticeable.

[0420] (Configuration F10) The game controller according to any one of configurations F1 to F9, wherein the light guiding portion is not pressed in a pressing direction of the keytop even when the keytop is pressed.

[0421] According to the above configuration F10, it is possible to provide an operation button in which only the key top is pressed, and the surrounding light-emitting light-guiding portion is not pressed.

[0422] (Configuration F11) A game controller according to any one of configurations F1 to F10, wherein the switch and the light-emitting portion are disposed on a substrate provided within the housing.

[0423] According to the above configuration F11, the number of parts can be reduced.

[0424] (Configuration F12) A game controller according to any of configurations F1 to F11, wherein an upper surface of the light guide is substantially flush with a surface of the housing.

[0425] (Configuration F13) A game controller according to any of configurations F1 to F12, wherein the top surface of the key top is substantially flush with the surface of the housing.

[0426] According to the above configurations F12 and F13, the operation button can be made substantially flat with the surface of the housing.

[0427] (Configuration F14) A game controller according to any of configurations F1 to F13, wherein the operation button is a home button.

[0428] According to the above configuration F14, the home button can be illuminated. For example, the home button is used to perform operations different from normal game operations (for example, displaying a menu screen), and the area around such a home button can be illuminated. [Explanation of symbols]

[0429] 1 Game Controller 2a A button 2b B button 2x X button 2y Y button 22a, 22b, 22x, 22y switches 3a Minus button 3b Plus button 3c Capture button 3d home button 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d Switches 4a left analog stick 4b Right Analog Stick 5 Cross key 6a L button 6b R button 7a ZL button 7b ZR button 71a, 71b protrusion 8a, 8b Grip section 10. Housing 10a 1st housing 10b Second housing 18a 1st grip part 18b 2nd grip part 20 First board 26 NFC antenna 30 Button Frame 40 Second board 50 Vibration Motor 51 Holder 90 Home button key top 91 Light guide section 92 Light shielding section 94 Elastic Members 95 LED

Claims

1. A game controller including a housing and left and right grip portions attached to the housing, when a user holds the left and right grip portions and views the game controller from the front, the front view defines boundaries between the left and right grip portions and the housing so as to extend upward from a center of the game controller toward a side surface, a rear view of the game controller taken from a rear surface of a user holding the right grip portion with a left hand and the left grip portion with a right hand, wherein in the rear view, boundaries between the left and right grip portions and the housing extend upward from a center of the game controller towards a side surface, A game controller in which the shape of the boundary portion on the front side differs from the shape of the boundary portion on the rear side.

2. the boundary portion on the front side extends linearly from a center of the game controller toward a side surface, The game controller according to claim 1 , wherein the boundary portion on the rear side extends in a curved shape from the center of the game controller toward a side surface.

3. The game controller according to claim 1 , wherein the boundary portion on the rear side bulges out more toward the center of the game controller than the boundary portion on the front side.

4. The boundary portion on the front side extends linearly in the front view, 4. The game controller according to claim 1, wherein the boundary portion on the rear side has a vertical portion extending in a substantially vertical direction and a horizontal portion extending in a substantially horizontal direction in the rear view.

5. the left and right grip portions have openings, and the housing is inserted into the openings to form the boundary portions; 5. The game controller according to claim 1, wherein the openings of the left and right grip portions are generally oval in shape and are more pointed toward the center of the game controller than toward the sides of the game controller.

6. the left and right grip portions have openings, and the housing is inserted into the openings to form the boundary portions; the openings of the left and right grip portions have a central portion located toward the center of the game controller and a side portion located toward a side of the game controller, 5. The game controller according to claim 1, wherein the central portion of the opening of each of the left and right grip portions has a larger curvature than the side portions of the opening of each of the left and right grip portions.

7. The boundary portion on the front side extends linearly in the front view, 7. A game controller as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the boundary portion on the rear side has, in the rear view, a first portion having a first angle with respect to the horizontal direction, and a second portion having a second angle with respect to the horizontal direction that is smaller than the first angle.

8. A left and right grip portion attached to a housing of a game controller, The front end portions of the left and right grip portions at the boundaries with the housing are each formed linearly, A grip portion of a game controller, wherein rear end portions of the left and right grip portions at the boundary with the housing are each formed in a curved shape.

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