Operation device

Abstract

To reduce the influence of light of an indoor lighting system or the like to position detection accuracy of an operation device 301 including left and right held parts to be held by a user with an operation member provided on a top face, a central part 321 being a part between the left and right held parts, and a light emitting face 328c provided on the front face of the central part 321 for emitting light to be caught by an information processing device through a camera, wherein the central part 321 is located at an upper part of the light emitting face 328c and includes a part located in front of the light emitting face 328c.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 26

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an operation device used as an input device for an information processing device such as a game device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are operating devices used as input devices for information processing devices such as game devices. The operating device disclosed in Patent Document 1 below has holdable portions on the left and right sides that are held by a user. The holdable portions are provided with operating members such as operation buttons and directional keys. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 6,394,906 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] If an information processing device could detect the position of the operating device, the image displayed on the display and the movement of objects in the image could be changed depending on the position of the operating device, i.e., the position of the user, thereby increasing the enjoyment of using the information processing device and the operating device.As a method of detecting the position of the operating device, a method has been considered in which a light-emitting unit that emits light when it receives light from a light source such as an LED is provided in the operating device, and the light from the light-emitting unit is captured by a camera connected to the information processing device.

[0005] However, if light from indoor lighting devices or the like is reflected on the surface of the light-emitting unit and mixed with the light emitted from the light-emitting unit, it becomes difficult to accurately detect the position of the operating device.

[0006] Furthermore, in order to improve the accuracy of position detection of the operation device by the information processing device, it is desirable for the entire area of the light-emitting unit to be illuminated evenly. However, when the number of light sources is small, it is difficult to illuminate the surface of the light-emitting unit evenly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The operating device according to the present invention includes left and right holdable portions for a user to hold, each having an operating member provided on its upper surface, a central portion between the left and right holdable portions, and a light-emitting surface provided in front of the central portion and emitting light to be captured by an information processing device through a camera. The central portion includes a portion located above and forward of the light-emitting surface. This operating device can reduce the effect of light from indoor lighting devices and the like on the position detection accuracy of the operating device.

[0008] Another operating device according to the present invention includes left and right holdable portions for a user to hold, each having an operating member provided on its upper surface; a central portion between the left and right holdable portions; a light-emitting panel provided in front of the central portion and having a light-emitting surface on its front surface that emits light for an information processing device to capture through a camera; a light source disposed within the central portion and positioned rearwardly away from the light-emitting panel; and a light-guiding member extending from the light source toward the rear surface of the light-emitting panel. The light-guiding member has left and right side surfaces that are inclined so that its width in the left-right direction gradually increases toward the front. This operating device can reduce uneven brightness on the surface of the light-emitting panel. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the top of the first example of the operation device. [Figure 2] 2 is a perspective view of the operating device shown in FIG. 1, looking at the front side. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the operation device shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of FIG. [Figure 5]FIG. 2 is a front view of the operation device shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a side view of the operation device shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the operation device shown in FIG. [Figure 8] 2 is a diagram showing one mode of use of the operation device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 9] 9 is a cross-sectional view of the front panel taken along line IX-IX shown in FIG. [Figure 10] 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of the internal structure of the operation device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the top of a second example of an operating device. [Figure 12] 12 is a perspective view of the operating device shown in FIG. 11 as viewed from the front side. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 12 is a plan view of the operation device shown in FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 12 is a front view of the operation device shown in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 12 is a side view of the operation device shown in FIG. [Figure 16] 12 is an enlarged view showing the rear surface of the operation device shown in FIG. [Figure 17] 12 is a diagram showing one mode of use of the operation device shown in FIG. 11. FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a third example of an operation device. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the operating device shown in FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. 19 is a front view of the operation device shown in FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. 19 is a bottom view of the operation device shown in FIG. 18. [Figure 22] 1 is a perspective view of a control device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the top side of the control device is shown; [Figure 23] 23 is a perspective view of the operating device shown in Fig. 22. In this figure, the front side of the operating device is shown. [Figure 24] FIG. 23 is a plan view of the operation device shown in FIG. 22. [Figure 25] FIG. 23 is a front view of the operation device shown in FIG. 22. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXVI-XXVI shown in FIG. 24. [Figure 27] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the operation device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 28] FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of the operation device according to the modified example shown in FIG. 27. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] [First example of a control device] Examples of operation devices will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figs. 1 and 2 are perspective views of an operation device 1 that is a first example. Fig. 1 is a view looking at the top of the operation device 1, and Fig. 2 is a view looking at the front of the operation device 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the operation device 1, and Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the right side of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a front view of the operation device 1. Fig. 6 is a side view of the operation device 1. Fig. 7 is a rear view of the operation device 1. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing one mode of use of the operation device 1.

[0011] In the following description, Y1 and Y2 shown in Fig. 1 are respectively forward and backward, X1 and X2 are respectively rightward and leftward, and Z1 and Z2 are respectively upward and downward.

[0012] The operation device 1 is used as an input device for an information processing device having functions such as a game program execution function, a video image playback function, and a communication function via the Internet. The operation device 1 is capable of wired or wireless communication with the information processing device, and transmits signals to the information processing device according to operations performed by a user on the operation device 1. The operation device 1 incorporates various sensors (such as an acceleration sensor and a gyro sensor) used to detect the attitude and movement of the operation device 1, a battery, etc.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the operating device 1 has left and right holdable portions 10L, 10R on its left and right sides, respectively, for the user to hold. The holdable portions 10L, 10R are positioned apart in the left-right direction, and their front portions are connected by a central portion 21. An operating member for the user to operate is provided on the upper surface of the front portion of the holdable portions 10L, 10R. A plurality of operating buttons 11 are provided on the upper surface of the front portion of the right holdable portion 10R. The operating device 1 in this example has four operating buttons 11, which are located at the ends of a cross. A cross-shaped directional key 19 is provided on the upper surface of the front portion of the left holdable portion 10L. The holdable portions 10L, 10R have grips 12. The grips 12 extend rearward from the front portions of the holdable portions 10L, 10R.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 1, the operating device 1 has a housing 40. The housing 40 forms the outer surface of the operating device 1 and houses various components of the operating device 1. In this example, the housing 40 has an upper housing half 41 and a lower housing half 49, which are combined with each other in the vertical direction. The upper housing half 41 forms the upper portions of the held portions 10L, 10R and the central portion 21, and the lower housing half 49 forms the lower portions thereof.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 3, the operation device 1 has a plate-shaped operation member 22 on the upper surface of the central portion 21. The operation member 22 includes a touch sensor 23 and a surface panel 24 (the surface panel 24 is shaded in FIG. 3 for clarity). The surface panel 24 forms the upper surface of the central portion 21. That is, an opening 42 is formed in the upper housing half 41 to expose the upper surface (surface) of the surface panel 24. The surface panel 24 covers the entire touch sensor 23. The touch sensor 23 is attached to the lower surface (rear surface) of the surface panel 24. The touch sensor 23 is located between the operation members (i.e., the operation buttons 11 and the directional keys 19) of the left and right hold portions 10L and 10R. The touch sensor 23 is a sensor for detecting the position of a user's finger touching the operation member 22. That is, the touch sensor 23 outputs a signal corresponding to the position of the user's finger. The operation device 1 transmits the signal to an information processing device. The touch sensor 23 is, for example, a capacitance sensor. The touch sensor 23 is capable of so-called multi-touch. That is, the touch sensor 23 can detect the positions of multiple fingers simultaneously. For example, the touch sensor 23 can detect the positions of the thumb of the right hand and the thumb of the left hand simultaneously. The operation member 22 is supported so that it can move up and down in response to a pressing operation by the user. The operation device 1 has a switch that detects when the operation member 22 is pressed, and the operation member 22 functions as a button that can be turned on and off.

[0016] Because the operation member 22 is plate-shaped, the distance between the right edge 24a of the operation member 22 and the operation button 11, and the distance between the left edge 24c of the operation member 22 and the directional key 19 can be reduced (in this description, the right edge 24a and the left edge 24c are the right and left edges of the surface of the face panel 24 exposed through the opening 42 of the upper housing half 41, respectively). As a result, the user can operate the operation member 22 with their thumb while holding the hold portions 10R, 10L (see FIG. 8). As described above, the operation member 22 has both a position detection function using the touch sensor 23 and a function to detect a user's pressing operation. Therefore, for example, it can detect which position on the operation member 22 has been pressed. In particular, the touch sensor 23 has a multi-touch function, so it can detect that multiple positions have been pressed simultaneously.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 3 , the surface panel 24 in this example is larger in the left-right direction than the touch sensor 23. The touch sensor 23 is rectangular, and its width is constant in the front-to-back direction. On the other hand, the width of the surface panel 24 gradually increases toward the front. The surface panel 24 has a right protruding portion 24R that extends to the right beyond the right edge of the touch sensor 23, and a left protruding portion 24L that extends to the left beyond the left edge of the touch sensor 23. With this structure, even if the size of the touch sensor 23 must be small due to the positional relationship between other components and the touch sensor 23, the user can easily press the protruding portions 24R and 24L of the operating member 22.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3, the held part 10R has an area (hereinafter referred to as operation area) AR on the upper surface of its front part where four operation buttons 11 are arranged. Similarly, the held part 10L has an operation area AL on the upper surface of its front part where a direction key 19 is arranged. In this example, the operation areas AR, AL are substantially circular. The touch sensor 23 has a width corresponding to the distance D1 between the rightmost part of the operation area AL on the left side and the leftmost part of the operation area AR on the right side. Meanwhile, the frontmost part of the surface panel 24 has a width W1 that is larger than the distance D1.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 3, the right edge 24a of the surface panel 24 curves to surround the left side of the four operation buttons 11. That is, the right edge 24a extends while curving forward and to the right from a position to the left of the four operation buttons 11. A front end 24b of the right edge 24a (the right end of the foremost part of the operation member 22) is located in front of the operation button 11 (more specifically, the operation button 11 located most centrally in the left-right direction). The right edge 24a curves along the outer periphery of the operation area AR, forming an arc shape.

[0020] The left edge 24c of the face panel 24 curves to surround the right side of the directional key 19. That is, the left edge 24c extends while curving forward and leftward from a position on the right side of the directional key 19. A front end 24d of the left edge 24c (the left end of the foremost part of the operating member 22) is located forward of the rightmost part 19a of the directional key 19. The left edge 24c curves along the outer periphery of the operation area AL, forming an arc shape.

[0021] When a user slides their thumb forward or backward while holding the holdable portions 10R and 10L, the thumb's trajectory is generally an arc. The edges 24a and 24c of the surface panel 24 are located at positions where the user's thumb can reach when holding the holdable portions 10R and 10L. The curvature of the edges 24a and 24b generally matches the trajectory of the thumb. This allows the user to easily slide their thumb forward along the edges 24a and 24c from inside the operation areas AR and AL, as shown by the arrows ER and EL in FIG. 8. Even if the user's thumb slides beyond the left and right edges of the touch sensor 23, the user can press the protruding portions 24R and 24L.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the upper surfaces of the operation areas AR and AL are located slightly higher than the surrounding areas. A step 10b is formed on the outer periphery of the operation areas AR and AL, surrounding the operation areas AR and AL. The edges 24a and 24c of the surface panel 24 are formed along the step 10b. Therefore, the user can move their finger along the edges 24a and 24c without looking at the operation member 22. The surface (upper surface) of the step 10b is inclined downward toward the outside of the operation areas AR and AL. Therefore, the user can smoothly move their finger from the operation areas AR and AL toward the operation member 22. In the example described here, the step 10b is formed in a substantially annular shape surrounding the operation areas AR and AL. The step 10b does not necessarily have to be formed.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2 , the front edge of the operation member 22, i.e., the front edge 24e of the surface panel 24, forms the front edge of the upper surface of the central portion 21. In other words, the upper surface of the upper housing half 41 of the operation device 1, which forms the outer shape of the central portion 21, does not have an edge located further forward than the front edge 24e of the surface panel 24. The front edge 24e of the surface panel 24 is located on the front surface 21a of the central portion 21. With this structure, there is no portion in front of the front edge 24e of the surface panel 24 that a user's finger can catch, allowing the user to smoothly slide their finger forward over the front edge 24e. Furthermore, the user can easily press the front edge 24e of the surface panel 24. Note that the structure of the operation member 22 is not limited to this; for example, the rear side may be supported by a shaft so that only the front side of the operation member 22 is lowered.

[0024] As described above, the operation member 22 forms the upper surface of the central portion 21. The operation member 22 also includes, at its frontmost portion, a portion that extends from the portion that forms the upper surface of the central portion 21 and forms the front surface of the central portion 21. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the surface panel 24 taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 9, the frontmost portion of the surface panel 24 in this example has a substantially L-shaped cross section. That is, the surface panel 24 has a front portion 24f that extends from a front edge 24e and forms the front surface of the central portion 21. An opening 42 that exposes the surface of the surface panel 24 is formed in the upper housing half 41 of the operation device 1. A front edge 42b of the opening 42 is located below the surface panel 24, more specifically, below the lower edge of the front portion 24f.

[0025] The upper housing half 41 is formed with stopper portions that restrict the forward movement of the operating member 22. The stopper portions are formed, for example, on the left and right sides of the operating member 22. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of the internal structure of the operating device 1. The figure shows the back (bottom) surfaces of the upper housing half 41 and the operating member 22. As described above, an opening 42 is formed in the upper housing half 41. Two stopper portions 43 are formed on the bottom surface of the upper housing half 41. The stopper portions 43 are formed on the left and right sides of the operating member 22. In this example, the two stopper portions 43 are wall-shaped and extend along the right end surface 24m and the left end surface 24n of the front panel 24, respectively. The front panel 24 has stoppered portions 24p that protrude outward in the left-right direction from the end surfaces 24m and 24n. The stoppered portions 24p are located behind the rear ends 43a of the stopper portions 43. When the operating member 22 attempts to move forward, the stopped portion 24p comes into contact with the rear end 43a of the stopper portion 43, and as a result, the forward movement of the operating member 22 is restricted by the stopper portion 43.

[0026] In this manner, the stopper portion 43 is formed on the upper housing half 41 that constitutes the outer surface of the operation device 1. This reduces the positional tolerance of the operation member 22 relative to the upper housing half 41, thereby improving the appearance of the operation device 1. In addition, in this example, the stoppered portion 24p is formed on the surface panel 24 that constitutes the outer surface of the operation device 1. This reduces the positional tolerance of the surface panel 24 relative to the upper housing half 41, thereby further improving the appearance of the operation device 1. Furthermore, in a structure in which the stoppered portions 24p are formed on the left and right edges of the surface panel 24, the contact area between the stoppered portions 24p and the upper housing half 41 can be reduced compared to, for example, a structure in which the lower edge of the front surface portion 24f provided at the forefront of the surface panel 24 functions as the stoppered portion. As a result, resistance to the user's pressing operation of the operation panel 50 can be reduced. Note that the positions of the stopper portion 43 and the stoppered portions 24p are not limited to this. For example, the stoppered portions 24p may be provided at the front ends of the right end surface 24m and the left end surface 24n of the surface panel 24.

[0027] The operating member 22 is supported so that it can move up and down regardless of which position on the operating member 22 is pressed. That is, when any of the front edge 24e, rear edge 24g, right edge 24a, left edge 24c, or their inner portions on the surface panel 24 is pressed, the pressed portion moves down. On the back side of the operating member 22, multiple elastic members (e.g., springs or rubber) are arranged that generate a reaction force when the operating member 22 is pressed.

[0028] 10, two elastic members 61 that urge the operating member 22 upward are arranged on the back surface side of the operating member 22. The elastic members 61 are attached to a circuit board 70 (described later) that is arranged on the back surface side of the operating member 22. Alternatively, a frame may be arranged between the circuit board 70 and the operating member 22, and the elastic members 61 may be attached to this frame.

[0029] In this example, the elastic member 61 is made of rubber. The elastic member 61 has a cylindrical contact portion 61a having an upper surface that contacts the lower surface of the operating member 22. The elastic member 61 has an annular elastic portion 61b that surrounds the lower surface of the contact portion 61a. When the front portion of the operating member 22 is pressed, the contact portion 61a tilts forward, and when the rear portion of the operating member 22 is pressed, the contact portion 61a tilts rearward. When the contact portion 61a tilts in this manner, the elastic portion 61b exerts a force that resists the tilt. In addition, the two elastic members 61 are arranged apart in the left-right direction. Therefore, the two elastic members 61 generate a reaction force regardless of which position of the operating member 22 is pressed. The operating member 22 in the example shown in FIG. 10 has a frame 25 that covers the back surface (lower surface) of the touch sensor 23. The contact portion 61a contacts the lower surface of the frame 25. The rightmost and leftmost portions of the surface panel 24 are located below the left and right edges 24a of the opening 42. The upward movement of the operating member 22 due to the elastic force of the elastic member 61 is restricted by the left and right edges 24a.

[0030] Instead of the elastic member 61, a plurality of springs may be arranged on the back surface of the operating member 22 to urge the operating member 22 upward. Even in this case, these springs are arranged so as to generate a reaction force regardless of which position on the operating member 22 is pressed. For example, the springs are arranged so as to urge the operating member 22 upward at four points spaced apart in the front-rear and left-right directions.

[0031] A protrusion is formed on one of the lower surface of the operating member 22 and the elastic member 61, and a hole into which the protrusion fits is formed on the other. In the example shown in Fig. 10, a protrusion 25b is formed on the lower surface of the frame 25, and a hole into which this protrusion 25b fits is formed in the contact portion 61a of the elastic member 61. With this structure, even if the position of the operating member 22 is slightly shifted as a result of the user sliding their finger on the surface of the operating member 22, the elastic force of the elastic member 61 will return the operating member 22 to its initial position.

[0032] A circuit board 70 is disposed on the back side of the operation member 22. A switch 71 to be pressed by the operation member 22 is disposed on the circuit board 70. The operation member 22 has a pressing portion 25a in the center of its underside (more specifically, the underside of the frame 25). The above-mentioned elastic members 61 are disposed on the left and right sides of the pressing portion 25a. When a part of the outer periphery of the operation member 22 is pressed, the operation member 22 tilts. For example, when the right side of the operation member 22 is pressed, the right side moves down, causing the operation member 22 to tilt. When the operation member 22 tilts in this way, the position of the pressing portion 25a moves down, and the pressing portion 25a presses the switch 71. In other words, the operation member 22 can press the switch 71 no matter where on its surface it is pressed. In other words, no matter where on the operation member 22 the user presses, the operation device 1 can detect the user's operation by the output signal of the switch.

[0033] As described above, the surface panel 24 has a front portion 24f. The front portion 24f increases the rigidity of the frontmost portion of the surface panel 24, thereby preventing the surface panel 24 from bending when the user presses it. As a result, even if the user presses a portion of the outer periphery of the surface panel 24, the pressing operation is clearly transmitted to the switch 71. The surface panel 24 in this example has portions that extend downward on its right and left sides. More specifically, the surface panel 24 has side portions 24r that extend downward at the front end of the right end surface 24m and the front end of the left end surface 24n. This further increases the rigidity of the surface panel 24. In addition, the operating member 22 has a frame 25 on its back side. This frame 25 further improves the rigidity of the operating member 22.

[0034] The operation device 1 has left and right operation sticks 31 at the rear of the central portion 21 (see FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 1, the operation stick 31 extends upward from the central portion 21 and has a circular operated portion 31b at its upper end for contact with the user's finger. The height of the operation members (i.e., the operation buttons 11 and the directional keys 19) provided on the upper surfaces of the held portions 10R and 10L is shorter than the height (length) of the operation stick 31. The operation stick 31 can be tilted, for example, in its radial direction or rotated while tilted. The operation device 1 detects the direction and amount of tilt of the operation stick 31 and transmits a signal corresponding to the tilt to the information processing device. The operation stick 31 may also be slidable in its radial direction. In this case, the operation device 1 detects the amount of movement of the operation stick 31 in two predetermined orthogonal directions (e.g., the amount of movement in the forward / backward direction and the amount of movement in the left / right direction) and transmits a signal corresponding to the detected amount to the information processing device.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3, the operation member 22 is provided at the front of the upper surface of the central portion 21. The left and right operation sticks 31 are located behind the operation member 22. The right edge 24a and left edge 24c of the surface panel 24 are located in front of the operation stick 31. This layout prevents the operation stick 31 from interfering with the sliding of a finger along the edges 24a and 24c (see FIG. 8). In this example, the front end of the right edge 24a, i.e., the right edge 24b at the forefront of the surface panel 24, is located to the right of the center C of the right operation stick 31. The front end of the left edge 24c, i.e., the left edge 24d at the forefront of the surface panel 24, is located to the left of the center C of the left operation stick 31.

[0036] As shown in Figure 6, the grip 12 extends obliquely backward and downward from the front of the held portions 10R, 10L. The held portions 10R, 10L have protruding portions 10c that protrude forward and downward from their front surfaces. The protruding portions 10c are provided with operation buttons 15, 16. This shape makes it easy to hold the grip 12 by placing the index finger on the operation buttons 15, 16 and the thumb on the operation member 22 while gripping the grip 12.

[0037] The operation device 1 may be formed so that the operation member 22 is horizontal when the operation device 1 is placed on a horizontal surface. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the shape of the protrusion 10c (the height of the lower end 10d) and the shape of the grip 12 (the height of the lower end 12b) may be set so that a plane including the lower end 12b of the rearmost part of the grip 12 and the lower end 10d of the protrusion 10c is parallel to the operation member 22. This allows the finger to easily slide on the operation member 22 even when the operation device 1 is placed on a horizontal surface. The lower end 12b of the grip 12 and the lower end 10d of the protrusion 10c may be provided with a member (e.g., rubber) to protect them. This prevents the lower ends 12b and 10d from being scratched.

[0038] Operation buttons 15 and 16 provided on protrusion 10c are aligned vertically. Operation button 15 is, for example, a button that can be turned on and off, and operation button 16 is, for example, an analog button that can detect the amount of pressure applied by the user. As shown in FIG. 3, a front edge 24e of operation member 22 is located behind operation buttons 15 and 16.

[0039] The central portion 21 has a built-in speaker. The speaker is located between the left and right operation sticks 31. As shown in FIG. 1, the top surface of the central portion 21 has sound holes 21c at positions corresponding to the speakers. This layout of the speakers and sound holes 21c makes it easy to hear the sounds output by the operation device 1. Note that a microphone may be placed at the position of the sound holes 21c instead of the speakers.

[0040] 1, an operation button 21f that is used relatively infrequently is disposed between the left and right operation sticks 31. The operation button 21f is used, for example, to return the display device connected to the information processing device to a home image (for example, a menu image for selecting software executed by the information processing device).

[0041] As described above, a plurality of (four in this example) operation buttons 11 are arranged on the upper surface of the front part of the hold portion 10R. As shown in FIG. 4, the hold portion 10R incorporates a plurality of (four in this example) light-emitting bodies 13 corresponding to the plurality of operation buttons 11, respectively (the light-emitting bodies 13 are indicated by black circles in FIG. 4 for clarity). The light-emitting bodies 13 are, for example, light-emitting diodes. In one example, the operation device 1 changes the lighting state of the light-emitting bodies 13 depending on the operating state of the information processing device and the operation device 1. For example, when the information processing device requests the user to press an operation button 11, the operation device 1 lights or blinks the light-emitting body 13 corresponding to the operation button 11 that is requested to be pressed. The plurality of light-emitting bodies 13 light up in, for example, different colors. The color of the light-emitting body 13 may change depending on the operating state of the operation device 1 and the information processing device. The operation device 1 may keep the light-emitting body 13 constantly lit while the operation device 1 is operating (when the power is on).

[0042] As shown in FIG. 4 , the light emitters 13 are arranged adjacent to the operation buttons 11, rather than on the operation buttons 11 themselves. Specifically, the multiple light emitters 13 are arranged spaced apart from one another so as to surround the entirety of the multiple operation buttons 11. This layout of the light emitters 13 allows the user to see the light of the light emitters 13 even when the operation buttons 11 are hidden by the user's fingers. In this example, the four light emitters 13 are arranged on a circumference surrounding the four operation buttons 11. More specifically, the light emitters 13 are arranged on the outer periphery of the operation area AR. Each light emitter 13 is located radially outward of the corresponding operation button 11 from the operation area AR. This layout of the light emitters 13 makes the correspondence between the light emitters 13 and the operation buttons 11 clear to the user.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 4, the held portion 10R has a light-guiding member 14 on its upper surface (the light-guiding member 14 is shaded in FIG. 4 for clarity). The light emitter 13 is disposed below (on the back side of) the light-guiding member 14, and the light-guiding member 14 transmits light from the light emitter 13 to the upper surface of the held portion 10R. The light-guiding member 14 is a single member having a shape that surrounds multiple operation buttons 11. A structure that includes the light-guiding member 14 can reduce the number of parts compared to a structure in which independent light-guiding members are provided for each light emitter 13. The light-guiding member 14 in this example is substantially annular and is disposed on the outer periphery of the operation area AR. More specifically, the light-guiding member 14 is disposed inside the step 10b.

[0044] The light emitting body 13 and the light guiding member 14 may also be provided on the left held portion 10L. In this case, the multiple light emitting bodies 13 are arranged to surround the direction key 19 and correspond to the four ends of the direction key 19, respectively.

[0045] As described above, the held portions 10R, 10L have protruding portions 10c on their front surfaces. As shown in FIG. 2, the light-emitting portion 28 is provided on the front surface 21a of the central portion 21. The light-emitting portion 28 is located between the left and right protruding portions 10c. This layout of the light-emitting portion 28 prevents the light-emitting portion 28 from being hidden by the user's hands or fingers when the user is holding the held portion 10R, 10L.

[0046] The information processing device acquires light from the light-emitting unit 28 through a camera connected to the information processing device. The information processing device performs image processing on the image acquired through the camera and detects the position of the operation device 1 based on the position and size of the light-emitting unit 28 in the acquired image. For example, when multiple users use multiple operation devices 1 and respectively operate multiple objects (characters) displayed on the display screen, the positions of the objects can be associated with the positions of the operation devices 1. For example, the objects of the user operating the right operation device 1 can be displayed on the right, and the objects of the user operating the left operation device 1 can be displayed on the left. The light-emitting unit 28 can emit any color. For example, the light-emitting unit 28 includes red, green, and blue light-emitting elements (e.g., light-emitting diodes), and by adjusting the brightness of each light-emitting element, it emits light in a color specified by the information processing device or in a color corresponding to the operating state of the operation device 1. Therefore, even when multiple operation devices 1 are used simultaneously, the information processing device can detect the position of each operation device 1.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the light-emitting unit 28 has a shape that is elongated in the left-right direction. This makes it easier to distinguish the light from the light-emitting unit 28 from other light in the image captured by the camera. As a result, the position detection performance of the operation device 1 can be improved. In the example of FIG. 2, the light-emitting unit 28 has a rod shape that extends linearly. This shape can prevent the shape of the light-emitting unit 28 in the image captured by the camera from changing depending on the attitude of the operation device 1. In other words, if the operation device 1 is placed at an angle to the camera, the length of the light-emitting unit 28 in the image captured by the camera changes, but the shape does not change. This improves the position detection performance of the operation device 1 through the camera. Note that the shape of the light-emitting unit 28 is not limited to this, and it may be, for example, V-shaped or curved like an arc.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 2, the light-emitting unit 28 has a light diffusion member 28a that is elongated in the left-right direction and is located in front of the central unit 21. The left-right length of the light diffusion member 28a is greater than the up-down width (see FIG. 5). The above-mentioned light emitters are located behind the light diffusion member 28a. The light diffusion member 28a transmits light from the light emitters to the front of the central unit 21. As a result, even when one light emitter is located behind the light diffusion member 28a or when multiple light emitters are located dispersed in the left-right direction, the entire light-emitting unit 28 emits light approximately evenly.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 2, the light diffusion member 28a protrudes forward from the front surface 21a of the central portion 21. Therefore, the light diffusion member 28a has an emitting surface that includes not only a portion facing forward but also a portion facing upward and a portion facing downward. This makes it easier for the camera to capture light from the light-emitting unit 28. Because the light diffusion member 28a protrudes from the front surface 21a of the central portion 21, the light diffusion member 28a is visible when the operation device 1 is viewed from above, as shown in FIG. 3. Therefore, the user can check the light-emitting state (whether or not the light-emitting unit 28 is emitting light and its color) while holding the operation device 1. As described above, the front edge of the plate-shaped operation member 22 (more specifically, the front edge 24e of the surface panel 24) forms the front edge of the top surface of the central portion 21 of the operation device 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the light-emitting unit 28 is located forward of the front edge 24e of the surface panel 24. Therefore, the user can see the light from the light-emitting unit 28 even when pressing the front edge 24e of the surface panel 24. Furthermore, the camera is able to capture the light from the light emitting unit 28 without being blocked by the user's finger. Note that the light diffusing member 28a does not necessarily have to protrude forward.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 2, the protrusion of the light diffusion member 28a is smaller than the protrusion of the protruding portion 10c on which the operation buttons 15 and 16 are provided. This prevents external forces from acting on the light diffusion member 28a from the right or left side of the light diffusion member 28a. That is, the light diffusion member 28a is protected by the protruding portion 10c. The front surface 21a of the central portion 21 has convex portions 21d located on the left and right sides of the light diffusion member 28a. The light diffusion member 28a and the convex portions 21d form a series of protruding portions extending in the left-right direction. This series of protruding portions is connected to the bases of the left and right protruding portions 10c on which the operation buttons 15 and 16 are provided. This more effectively prevents external forces from acting on the light diffusion member 28a. The central portion 21 may not have such convex portions 21d, and the ends of the light diffusion member 28a may be connected to the bases of the protruding portions 10c.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 2, a connector 33 is provided on the front surface of the central portion 21. A cable that connects, for example, the operating device 1 and an information processing device is connected to the connector 33. The connector 33 is located below the light diffusing member 28a. As described above, the light diffusing member 28a has a shape that extends in the left-right direction and protrudes forward. Therefore, when the cable is connected to the connector 33, the end of the cable can be protected by the light diffusing member 28a.

[0052] 1 and 7, a connector 34 is provided on the rear surface of the central portion 21. A cable for headphones, earphones, or the like is connected to the connector 34. Other devices that extend the functions of the operating device 1 may also be connected to the connector 34.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 1, the held portions 10R, 10L each have an operation button 17R, 17L behind the operation members (the operation button 11 and the directional key 19) provided in the operation areas AR, AL. The operation buttons 17R, 17L are less frequently used than operation members such as the operation stick 31, the operation button 11, and the directional key 19. For example, the operation buttons 17R, 17L function as a select button for selecting an option displayed on a menu image or a start button for instructing the start of a game. The operation buttons 17R, 17L may also be shortcut buttons for instructing the execution of a specific function. The specific function is, for example, a function for transmitting game data or user comments to a specific server on a network.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 3, the right operation button 17R is located outward in the left-right direction (i.e., to the right) from the right operation stick 31. In other words, the operation button 17R intersects with a line L2 in the left-right direction that passes through the operation stick 31. Similarly, the left operation button 17L is located outward in the left-right direction (i.e., to the left) from the left operation stick 31. The height of the operation buttons 17R, 17L is lower than that of the operation stick 31. This prevents the finger operating the operation stick 31 from accidentally pressing the operation buttons 17R, 17L.

[0055] The operation buttons 17R, 17L are located further outside the step 10b formed on the outer periphery of the operation areas AR, AL. In other words, the operation buttons 17R, 17L are located behind the step 10b. As shown in FIG. 7, the height of the operation buttons 17R, 17L is lower than the height of the step 10b, i.e., the height of the upper surfaces of the front parts of the held portions 10R, 10L relative to the upper surface of the grip 12. This prevents fingers operating the operation members provided in the operation areas AR, AL from accidentally pressing the operation buttons 17R, 17L. In this example, the upper surfaces of the operation buttons 17R, 17L are flush with the upper surface of the grip 12.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 3, the operation buttons 17R, 17L have a shape that is elongated in the left-right direction. This allows the user to easily press the operation buttons 17R, 17L. The front edges 17a of the operation buttons 17R, 17L are curved along the outer peripheries of the operation areas AR, AL (see FIG. 4). This reduces the distance between the operation buttons 17R, 17L and the step 10b. As a result, the user can easily press the operation buttons 17R, 17L when necessary.

[0057] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the operation buttons 17R and 17L are offset toward the center in the left-right direction with respect to a center line L3 of the grip 12 along the extension direction of the grip 12, i.e., toward the operation stick 31. In other words, the right operation button 17R is offset leftward with respect to the center line L3, and the left operation button 17L is offset rightward with respect to the center line L3. This makes it difficult for the hand holding the grip 12 or the fingers operating the operation stick 31 to touch the operation buttons 17R and 17L. As shown in FIG. 1, the rear of the central portion 21 has a cylindrical portion 21e that houses the base of the operation stick 31. The inner edges 17b of the operation buttons 17R and 17L (the left edge of the right operation button 17R and the right edge of the left operation button 17L) are close to the cylindrical portion 21e and curved along the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 21e. 3, the outer edges 17c of the operation buttons 17R and 17L (the right edge of the right operation button 17R and the left edge of the left operation button 17L) are inclined more sharply with respect to the center line L3 than the inner edges 17b, making it even more difficult for the hand holding the grip 12 to touch the operation buttons 17R and 17L.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, operation buttons 35 are provided on the left and right grips 12. The operation buttons 35 are provided on the inner surfaces of the left and right grips 12. That is, the operation buttons 35 are provided on the right side surface of the left grip 12 and the left side surface of the right grip 12. This layout of the operation buttons 35 allows the user to press the operation buttons 35 with, for example, the fingers gripping the grips 12 (for example, the ring finger). The operation buttons 35 have a shape that is elongated in the vertical direction. This allows the user to press the operation buttons 35 even more easily.

[0059] [Second example of a control device] 11 and 12 are perspective views of a second example of an operation device 101. FIG. 11 is a view looking at the top of the operation device 101, and FIG. 12 is a view looking at the front of the operation device 101. FIG. 13 is a plan view of the operation device 101, and FIG. 14 is a front view of the operation device 101. FIG. 15 is a side view of the operation device 101. FIG. 16 is a rear view of the operation device 101. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing one mode of use of the operation device 101. In these figures, the same parts as those in the operation device 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The following will mainly explain the differences from the operation device 1, and matters not explained are the same as those in the operation device 1.

[0060] 11, the operating device 101 has hold portions 110L, 110R and a central portion 121, similar to the operating device 1. An operating stick 31 is provided on the upper surface of the front of the hold portions 110L, 110R, instead of the operating buttons 11 and the directional key 19. The operating buttons 11 and the directional key 19 are provided on the rear of the upper surface of the central portion 121, and are positioned rearward of the operating stick 31.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 13 , the operating device 101 has an operating member 122 corresponding to the operating member 22 described above on the upper surface of the central portion 121. The operating member 122 includes a touch sensor 23 and a surface panel 124. In this example, the surface panel 124 is rectangular like the touch sensor 23 and has approximately the same width as the touch sensor 23. The operating member 122 is located between the operating members (in this example, the operating sticks 31) of the left and right held portions 110L and 110R. The operating member 122 is supported so that it can move up and down in response to a user's pressing operation, and also functions as a button that can be operated to turn on and off. Like the operating member 22, the operating member 122 is supported so that it can move up and down regardless of which position on the operating member 122 is pressed. Note that the structure of the operating member 122 is not limited to this. For example, the front edge of the operating member 122 may be supported by a shaft so that only the rear portion is lowered.

[0062] Because the operation member 122 is plate-shaped, it is possible to reduce the distance between the right edge 124a of the operation member 122 and the right operation stick 31, and the distance between the left edge 124d of the operation member 122 and the left operation stick 31. It is also possible to reduce the distance between the operation member 122 and the operation members (specifically, the operation button 11 and the directional key 19) arranged behind it. As a result, the user can easily operate the operation member 122 while holding the held portions 110R, 110L.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 13 , the central portion 121 has, on the upper surface of its rear portion, operation areas BR and BL, in which the operation buttons 11 and the directional keys 19 are respectively arranged. The operation areas BR and BL are located behind the operation members 122. The rightmost portion 124i of the rear edge 124g of the surface panel 124 is formed along the outer periphery of the operation area BR. The leftmost portion 124h is formed along the outer periphery of the operation area BL. The rear edge 124g of the surface panel 124, i.e., the rear edges of the operation members 122, are close to the outer peripheries of the operation areas BR and BL. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 17 , a user can easily touch the operation members 122 by extending their fingers placed on the operation areas BR and BL diagonally toward the center of the operation device 101 in the left-right direction. In this way, because the low-height operation members (the operation buttons 11 and the directional keys 19) are arranged behind the operation members 122, the user can easily touch the rear portions of the operation members 122 in particular. As described above, the front edge of the operating member 122 may be supported by a shaft so that only the rear portion of the operating member 122 is lowered.

[0064] Similar to the operation member 22, the front edge of the operation member 122, i.e., the front edge 124e of the surface panel 124, forms the front edge of the upper surface of the central portion 121. That is, as shown in FIG. 12, the upper surface of the upper housing half 141 of the operation device 101 that forms the central portion 21 does not have an edge located further forward than the front edge 124e of the surface panel 124. The front edge 124e of the surface panel 124 is located on the front surface 121a of the central portion 121. Similar to the surface panel 24, the frontmost portion of the surface panel 124 in this example has a substantially L-shaped cross section. That is, the surface panel 124 has a front surface portion 124f that slopes downward from the front edge 124e. The front edge of the opening formed in the upper housing half 141 that exposes the surface panel 124 is located below the front surface portion 124f, similar to the example shown in FIG. 9.

[0065] 12, front surface 121a of central portion 121 has upper portion 121d that protrudes forward more than lower portion 121e. This increases the width of the top surface of central portion 121 in the front-to-rear direction, thereby increasing the width of operating member 122 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0066] A step 121j is formed on the outer periphery of the operation areas BR, BL, similar to the operation areas AR, AL of the operation device 1 (see FIGS. 11 and 14). The rear edge 124g of the surface panel 124 is located in front of the step 121j. Therefore, the user can recognize that their finger is in a position to touch the operation member 122 without looking at the operation member 122. In other words, the user can recognize that their finger is placed on the rear part of the operation member 122. The surface (top surface) of the step 121j is inclined downward toward the outside of the operation areas BR, BL. Note that, similar to the operation device 1, an annular light-guiding member 14 and a light emitter (not shown) are provided inside the step 121j of the operation area BR, where the operation button 11 is provided.

[0067] Similar to the operation device 1, the operation device 101 has a light-emitting unit 128 on the front surface 121a of the central portion 121. The light-emitting unit 128 is located between the left and right protrusions 10c formed on the front surfaces of the held portions 110R and 110L (see FIG. 14). Similar to the light-emitting unit 28, the light-emitting unit 128 in this example has a rod shape that extends linearly in the left-right direction.

[0068] The light diffusing member 128a of the light emitting unit 128 protrudes forward relative to the lower portion 121e of the front surface 121a of the central portion 121. Specifically, the upper portion 121d of the front surface 121a of the central portion 121 protrudes forward more than the lower portion 121e. As shown in FIG. 12, the light diffusing member 128a forms the lowermost portion of the upper portion 121d. That is, a recess is formed in the lowermost portion of the upper portion 121d, and the light emitting unit 128 is fitted into this recess. The light diffusing member 128a of the light emitting unit 128 includes, as its light emitting surface, a lower surface that emits light downward and a front surface that emits light forward. This increases the area of the light emitting surface, making it easier for a camera to capture the light from the light emitting unit 128.

[0069] The front surface of the light-emitting unit 128 is flush with the front surface of the upper portion 121d of the central portion 121. This prevents force from being applied to the light diffusion member 128a from above. Furthermore, since the protrusions 10c are located on the right and left sides of the light diffusion member 128a, it is possible to prevent force from being applied to the light diffusion member 128a in the left-right direction.

[0070] 14, a connector 33 is provided on a lower portion 121e of a front surface 121a of the central portion 121. The connector 33 is located below the light-emitting portion 128. Therefore, the upper side of the end of the cable connected to the connector 33 can be protected by the light-emitting portion 128.

[0071] 15 and 16, the housing 140 of the operating device 101 has an upper housing half 141 that opens downward and a lower housing half 142 that opens upward, which are combined in the vertical direction. The held portions 110R and 110L and the central portion 121 are formed by the housing halves 141 and 142. The held portions 110R and 110L have a strip-shaped wall member 143 (the wall member 143 is shaded in FIGS. 15 and 16 for clarity). The wall member 143 is disposed between a lower edge 141a of the upper housing half 141 and an upper edge 142a of the lower housing half 142, and forms part of the side surface of the held portions 110R and 110L. In the right-side held portion 110R, the wall member 143 extends from the right side surface (outer surface in the left-right direction) of the front of the held portion 110R, passing through the right side surface and rear end of the grip 112, and reaching the left side surface (inner surface in the left-right direction) of the grip 112. In the left-side held portion 110L, the wall member 143 extends from the left side surface (outer surface in the left-right direction) of the front of the held portion 110L, passing through the left side surface and rear end of the grip 112, and reaching the right side surface (inner surface in the left-right direction) of the grip 112. This prevents the edges 141a and 142a of the housing halves 141 and 142 from being positioned in a position that is easily touched by the hand of a user gripping the held portions 110R and 110L. As a result, the feel obtained when holding the held portions 110R and 110L can be improved.

[0072] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 16 , operation buttons 135 are provided on the inner surfaces of the left and right grips 112. Like the wall member 143, the operation buttons 135 are located between the lower edge 141 a of the upper housing half 141 and the upper edge 142 a of the lower housing half 142. The operation buttons 135 have approximately the same width in the up-down direction as the wall member 143, and are located relative to the wall member 143 in the extension direction of the wall member 143. This makes the operation buttons 135 less noticeable, improving the appearance of the operating device 101. The operation buttons 135 are also flush with the housing halves 141 and 142. This prevents fingers gripping the grips 112 from accidentally pressing the operation buttons 135.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 11, the held portions 110R, 110L are provided with operation buttons 117R, 117L corresponding to the above-mentioned operation buttons 17R, 17L. The operation buttons 117R, 117L are located behind an operation member (in this example, the operation stick 31) provided at the front of the held portions 110R, 110L. The operation buttons 117R, 117L are also located outward in the left-right direction from an operation member (in this example, the operation button 11 and the directional key 19) provided at the rear of the central portion 121. As shown in FIG. 13, the operation buttons 117R, 117L are offset forward from the operation button 11 and the directional key 19. That is, the operation buttons 117R, 117L are located forward of the center C of the operation button 11 and the directional key 19.

[0074] 16, the positions of the top surfaces of the operation button 11 and the direction key 19 are lower than the position of the top surface of the operation stick 31. The positions of the top surfaces of the operation buttons 117R and 117L are even lower than the positions of the top surfaces of the operation button 11 and the direction key 19. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the operation buttons 117R and 117L from being pressed accidentally while the operation button 11 or the direction key 19 is being operated.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 11 , the held portions 110R, 110L in this example have a slightly recessed recess 110f on the upper surface of their front portions. That is, an arc-shaped frame portion 110g is formed around the operation stick 31 so as to surround the operation stick 31. The inside of this frame portion 110g is recessed. The operation buttons 117R, 117L are provided in this recess 110f. Therefore, while the position of the upper surfaces of the operation buttons 117R, 117L is lower than the position of the upper surfaces of the operation button 11 and the directional key 19, the height of the operation buttons 117R, 117L, i.e., the amount of protrusion from the recess 110f, can be ensured.

[0076] [Third example of a control device] 18 to 21 are diagrams showing an operation device 101 as a third example. Fig. 18 is a plan view. Fig. 19 is a perspective view. Fig. 20 is a front view. Fig. 21 is a bottom view. In these figures, the same parts as those in the operation device 1 are given the same reference numerals. The following will mainly explain the differences from the operation device 1, and matters not explained are the same as those in the operation device 1.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 18, the operation device 201 has a plate-shaped operation member 222 on the upper surface of the central portion 21. Like the operation member 22, the operation member 222 includes a touch sensor 223 and a surface panel 224. The touch sensor 223 is located between the operation members (i.e., the operation buttons 11 and the directional keys 19) of the left and right hold portions 10L and 10R. The operation member 222 is supported so as to be able to move up and down in response to a user's pressing operation. The surface panel 224 in this example is rectangular and has approximately the same width as the touch sensor 223. In this example, the surface panel 224 and the surfaces of the operation areas CR and CL in which the operation buttons 11 and the directional keys 19 are respectively arranged are located on the same plane. That is, unlike the operation device 1, the operation device 201 does not have steps around the operation areas CR and CL.

[0078] 19, like the operating member 22, the operating member 222 includes a portion that forms the upper surface of the central portion 21 and a portion that forms the front surface 21a of the central portion 21. In other words, the front edge of the operating member 222 (i.e., the front edge of the surface panel 224) forms the front edge of the upper surface of the central portion 21. In this example, the frontmost portion of the surface panel 224 has a substantially L-shaped cross section, and the surface panel 224 has a front surface portion 224f that extends downward from the front edge.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 18 , the operation device 201 has operation buttons 217R and 217L on the right and left sides of the operation member 222, which have the same functions as the above-described operation buttons 17R and 17L. The operation buttons 217R and 217L are located between the four operation buttons 11 and the directional key 19 and are located forward of the four operation buttons 11 and the directional key 19. Therefore, while holding the hold portion 10R, the user can operate the operation button 217R by extending a finger placed on one of the operation buttons 11. Similarly, while holding the hold portion 10L, the user can operate the operation button 217L by extending a finger placed on the directional key 19. The top surfaces of the operation buttons 217R and 217L do not protrude beyond the surface of the face panel 224. In this example, the top surfaces of the operation buttons 217R and 217L are located flush with the surface of the face panel 224. Therefore, when the user operates the operation member 22, it is possible to prevent the user from accidentally pressing the operation buttons 217R and 217L.

[0080] As described above, the held portions 10R, 10L have protruding portions 10c on their front surfaces. As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 , the operation device 201 has a light-emitting portion 228 on the front surface 21a of the central portion 21. The light-emitting portion 228 is located between the left and right protruding portions 10c. The light-emitting portion 228 has a rectangular shape that is elongated in the left-right direction when viewed from the front. The left and right edges of the light-emitting portion 228 are spaced farther from the protruding portion 10c than the light-emitting portion 28 described above. Therefore, when the user operates the operation buttons 15, 16 provided on the protruding portions 10c, it is possible to more effectively prevent the light from the light-emitting portion 228 from being blocked by the user's fingers.

[0081] In this example, the width of the light-emitting unit 228 in the left-right direction is smaller than the width of the operation member 22, as shown in FIG. 20 . The rightmost and leftmost portions of the operation member 22 are located to the right and left, respectively, of the light-emitting unit 228. When a user presses the rightmost or leftmost portion of the operation member 22 while holding the operation device 201 with its front side lowered, the tip of the user's finger may extend beyond the front edge of the operation member 22. Even in such a case, the width of the light-emitting unit 228 in the left-right direction is smaller than that of the operation member 22, so that the user's finger is prevented from blocking the light from the light-emitting unit 228. As shown in FIG. 19 , the operation device 201, like the operation device 1, has a protrusion 21d on the front surface 21a of the central portion 21. The light-emitting unit 228 and the protrusion 21d form a series of protrusions 221e extending in the left-right direction. This series of protrusions 221e is connected to the left and right protrusions 10c.

[0082] The protruding portion 221e protrudes forward beyond the front edge of the operation member 222 (more specifically, the front surface 224f of the surface panel 224). As shown in FIG. 18 , the rear edge 228d of the light-emitting portion 228 is located forward of the front edge of the operation member 222. In other words, the front edge of the operation member 222 is located rearward of the rear edge 228d of the light-emitting portion 228. Therefore, even when the user's finger is placed on the front edge of the operation member 222, the user's finger can be prevented from interfering with the camera's capture of light from the light-emitting portion 228. Particularly in this example, in a plan view of the operation device 201, the base 221f of the protruding portion 221e is also located forward of the front edge of the operation member 222. Therefore, the user's finger can be more effectively prevented from interfering with the camera's capture of light from the light-emitting portion 228. Note that the front edge of the operation member 222 may be arranged to overlap the base 221f of the protruding portion 221e in a plan view.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 20 , the light-emitting unit 228 has a larger width W2 in the vertical direction than the light-emitting unit 28. In this example, the width W2 of the light-emitting unit 228 corresponds to the vertical width of the front surface 21a of the central portion 21. More specifically, the width W2 of the light-emitting unit 228 corresponds to the distance between the lower edge of the front surface 21a of the central portion 21 (i.e., the front edge 221L of the lower surface 221g, which will be described later) and the front edge of the operation member 22 (in this example, the lower edge of the front surface 224f of the surface panel 224). In other words, the light-emitting unit 28 makes maximum use of the vertical width of the front surface 21a. In this example, the protruding portion 221e has a vertical width corresponding to the vertical width of the front surface 21a of the central portion 21, more specifically, a vertical width that is approximately equal to the vertical width of the front surface 21a. The light-emitting unit 228 is provided from the upper edge (base portion 221f) of the protruding portion 221e to the lower edge. As described above, light-emitting unit 228 has a relatively large vertical width, which makes it easier for a camera provided in an information processing device to capture light from light-emitting unit 228. Light-emitting unit 228 has, on its front surface, a light diffusion member that has the same function as light diffusion member 28a of light-emitting unit 28. Therefore, the entire front surface of light-emitting unit 228 emits light.

[0084] The light-emitting unit 228 is provided on the protruding portion 221e and protrudes forward from the front surface 21a of the central portion 21. As shown in FIG. 18 , the protruding width of the light-emitting unit 228 in this example is approximately equal to the protruding width W3 of the protruding portion 10c provided on the held portions 10R and 10L. In other words, when the operating device 201 is viewed from above, the position of the front end of the light-emitting unit 228 in the front-to-rear direction approximately coincides with that of the front end 10e of the protruding portion 10c. Therefore, even when the user holds the operating device 201 tilted to the right or left, it is possible to prevent the light from the light-emitting unit 228 from being blocked by the protruding portion 10c. The front surface of the light-emitting unit 228 is curved in an arc shape. In this example, the cross section of the light-emitting unit 228 perpendicular to the extension direction of the light-emitting unit 228 is semicircular. Therefore, even when the operating device 201 is held at an angle, it is possible to prevent the shape of the light-emitting unit 228 recognized by the camera from changing.

[0085] As shown in FIGS. 19 and 21 , the central portion 21 of the operating device 201 has a lower surface 221g. The central portion 21 has a connector 233 on the lower surface 221g, into which a cable connector can be inserted from the front side of the operating device 201. That is, the central portion 21 has the connector 233 on its lower side, and the insertion port of the connector 233, into which the cable is inserted, opens toward the front. The front portion 221j of the lower surface 221g protrudes forward beyond the insertion port of the connector 233 (the front end of the connector 233). This effectively prevents the progression of light from the light-emitting unit 228 from being blocked by the cable connected to the connector 233 or the connector at the front end of the cable. The insertion port of the connector 233 may face diagonally downward. This makes it possible to ensure a greater distance between the cable connected to the connector 233 and the light-emitting unit 228.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 19, the lower surface 221g of the central portion 21 has a bulging portion 221h that bulges downward. The connector 233 is housed in this bulging portion 221h, and its insertion opening is exposed forward from the front surface of the bulging portion 221h. As shown in FIG. 20, the lowermost portions (in this example, the lower ends of the rearmost portions) of the held portions 10R and 10L and the lower end 10d of the protruding portion 10c are located lower than the bulging portion 221h. Therefore, even if a user places the operating device 201 on a flat surface for storage, for example, the connector provided at the end of the cable is prevented from coming into contact with the flat surface. As a result, it is possible to prevent a load from being applied to the connector 233.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 19 , a front portion 221j of the lower surface 221g is formed at an angle and extends forward and upward. Therefore, when a user inserts a cable connector into the connector 233, the cable connector can be guided into the connector 233 by the front portion 221j. As a result, the cable connector can be inserted smoothly. In this example, the front portion 221j is gently curved. Note that the front portion 221j may also be an inclined plane. A groove 221k having a width corresponding to the width of the cable connector is formed in the front portion 221j. When the cable connector is inserted into the connector 233, the end of the cable is positioned in the groove 221k. Therefore, even if the operating device 201 moves during use, the load acting in the left-right direction on the connector 233 can be reduced.

[0088] 20, the light-emitting unit 228 and the connector 233 are positioned apart in the vertical direction when viewed from the front. The operation device 201 has a circuit board inside. One of the light source (e.g., an LED) of the light-emitting unit 228 and the connector 233 is mounted on the circuit board, and the other is positioned apart in the vertical direction from the circuit board. The other is connected to the circuit board via a cable or the like.

[0089] 20, the light source of the light-emitting unit 228 is mounted on a circuit board 251. The operating device 201 in this example is arranged below the circuit board 251 and further includes a circuit board 252 facing the circuit board 251. The connector 233 is mounted on the circuit board 252. The circuit boards 251 and 252 are connected via an electric wire (not shown). A control circuit that controls the operating device 201 is mounted on the circuit board 251, and data transmitted and received via the connector 233 is input to the control circuit of the circuit board 251 via the circuit board 252 and the electric wire.

[0090] Connector 233 is mounted on the lower surface of circuit board 252. Meanwhile, the light source of light-emitting unit 228 is mounted on, for example, the upper surface of circuit board 251. This ensures a large distance between connector 233 and light-emitting unit 228 in the vertical direction. As a result, it is possible to effectively prevent a cable connected to connector 233 from interfering with the light from light-emitting unit 228. Note that circuit board 252 does not necessarily have to be provided. For example, connector 233 may be connected to circuit board 251 by an electric wire without going through a circuit board.

[0091] As described above, the operation device 201 has an upper surface on which the first operation member (the operation button 11 and the directional key 19 in the above description) is provided, and includes left and right holdable portions 10R, 10L to be held by a user, the holdable portions being positioned apart from each other in the left-right direction. The operation device 201 also includes a central portion 21 connecting the left and right holdable portions 10R, 10L, a light-emitting portion 228 provided on the front surface 21a of the central portion 21, a connector 233 provided on the bottom surface 221g of the central portion 21 and into which a cable can be inserted from the front side, and the bottom surface 221g of the central portion 21 that is provided on the front portion of the central portion 21 and protrudes forward beyond the connector 233. This operation device 201 can prevent the cable connected to the connector 233 from interfering with the progression of light from the light-emitting portion 228.

[0092] The operation device can be modified in various ways.

[0093] For example, the operation button 135 of the grip 12, 112 does not necessarily have to be provided on the operation device.

[0094] Furthermore, the positions of the operation buttons 17R, 17L do not have to be behind the operation members (operation button 11 and directional key 19) provided in the front of the held portions 10R, 10L. The operation buttons 17R, 17L may be disposed between the left and right operation sticks 31, for example.

[0095] Furthermore, the light emitting portion 28 provided on the front surface of the central portion 21 does not necessarily have to protrude forward.

[0096] Furthermore, in the operating device 101, the upper portion 121d of the front surface 121a of the central portion 121 does not have to protrude forward relative to the lower portion 121e.

[0097] Furthermore, the upper surface of the housing that constitutes the operating device 1, 101, 201 may have an edge located in front of the operating member 22, 122, 222.

[0098] Furthermore, a plurality of light emitting portions may be provided on the front surface 21a of the central portion 21. In this case, the plurality of light emitting portions may be arranged side by side in the left-right direction.

[0099] [Embodiments of the present invention] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figs. 22 and 23 are perspective views of an operation device 301, which is an example of an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 22 is a view looking at the top of the operation device 301, and Fig. 23 is a view looking at the front of the operation device 301. Fig. 24 is a plan view of the operation device 301, and Fig. 25 is a front view of the operation device 301. Fig. 26 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXVI-XXVI shown in Fig. 24. In these figures, the same parts as in the operation devices described so far are denoted by the same reference numerals. The following description will focus on differences from the operation devices described so far, and matters not described are the same as those in the operation devices described so far.

[0100] As shown in FIG. 22, the operating device 301 has holdable portions 310L and 310R on its left and right sides, respectively, for the user to hold. The operating device 301 also has a central portion 321 between the holdable portions 310L and 310R. Operating members (specifically, operation buttons 11 and directional keys 19) for the user to operate are provided on the upper surfaces of the front portions of the holdable portions 310L and 310R. The operating device 301 has a housing 340. The housing 340 forms the outer surface of the operating device 301 and houses various components provided in the operating device 301. The housing 340 in this example has an upper housing half 341 and a lower housing half 349, which are combined with each other in the vertical direction.

[0101] As shown in Fig. 23, the operation device 301 has a light-emitting surface 328c on the front surface of the central portion 321. The light from the light-emitting surface 328c is captured by a camera connected to an information processing device. As shown in Fig. 26, the operation device 301 has a light source G (a light-emitting diode in this example) that emits visible light, and a plate-shaped light diffusion member 328 having a front surface that functions as the light-emitting surface 328c. The light from the light source G passes through the light diffusion member 328 and is emitted from the entire light-emitting surface 328c. In other words, the light-emitting surface 328c emits light from its surface.

[0102] The operation device 301 includes a plurality of light sources G of different colors (for example, red, green, and blue light sources). The operation device 301 adjusts the brightness of each light source G, so that the light-emitting surface 328c lights up in a color specified by the information processing device or in a color corresponding to the operating state of the operation device 301. In this way, even when a plurality of operation devices 301 are used simultaneously, the information processing device can detect the position of each of the operation devices 301.

[0103] 26, a light guide member 329 is disposed inside the light diffusion member 328. The light source G is mounted on the lower surface of the circuit board 70 and is positioned above the light guide member 329. The light from the light source G is diffused within the light guide member 329 and the light diffusion member 328 and is emitted from the light emitting surface 328c. The position of the light source G is not limited to this. For example, the light source G may be disposed on the left or right of the members 328, 329.

[0104] The central portion 321 includes a portion located above the light-emitting surface 328c. The light-emitting surface 328c is arranged so as to be hidden by this portion of the central portion 321. As shown in FIG. 26 , the operation device 301, like the operation device 1 and the like described above, also has a surface panel 324 that forms the upper surface of the central portion 321. The light-emitting surface 328c is located below the surface panel 324 and is arranged so as to face diagonally forward and downward. Due to this layout of the light-emitting surface 328c, when the central portion 321 is viewed from above, the light-emitting surface 328c is hidden by the surface panel 324. More specifically, when the central portion 321 is viewed diagonally from above and from the front, the light-emitting surface 328c is hidden by the surface panel 324. This makes it possible to prevent light from lighting devices and the like in the room where the operation device 301 is used from hitting and reflecting on the light-emitting surface 328c. Note that the member located above the light-emitting surface 328c does not necessarily have to be the surface panel 324. For example, upper housing half 341 may be formed with a portion positioned above light emitting surface 328c.

[0105] The central portion 321 has a portion located above and in front of the light-emitting surface 328c. As shown in FIG. 26, this portion includes the front portion of the surface panel 324 (hereinafter referred to as the front surface portion 324c). The front portion 324c protrudes forward beyond the upper edge 328d of the light-emitting surface 328c. This more effectively prevents light from indoor lighting devices from hitting the light-emitting surface 328c. Note that the front surface portion 324c of the surface panel 324 does not necessarily have to protrude forward beyond the upper edge 328d of the light-emitting surface 328c. For example, the front surface portion 324c may be a flat plate extending upward from the upper edge 328d of the light-emitting surface 328c.

[0106] 26, light-emitting surface 328c in this example is a flat surface facing diagonally downward. That is, light-emitting surface 328c is inclined so that its upper edge 328d is located forward of its lower edge 328e. This shape of light-emitting surface 328c makes it easier for light-emitting surface 328c to be hidden by front panel 324, compared to a structure in which the light-emitting surface is curved and bulges forward. Furthermore, when the user holds operating device 301 in a state in which it is tilted slightly upward, light-emitting surface 328c can face the camera.

[0107] The lower portion of the front surface of the central portion 321 faces diagonally downward. As shown in FIG. 23, the light-emitting surface 328c is provided on the same plane as the front surface of the central portion 321. In other words, the light-emitting surface 328c and the portion surrounding the outer periphery of the light-emitting surface 328c are located on approximately the same plane. In this example, the front surface 349b of the housing 340 (more specifically, the lower housing half 349) is a sloped surface that faces diagonally downward. The front surface 349b includes a surface 349c that extends diagonally upward and forward from the upper edge of the light-emitting surface 328c. This surface 349c, together with the front portion 324c of the surface panel 324, is located forward of the light-emitting surface 328c. An opening is formed in the front surface of the housing 340 to expose the light-emitting surface 328c, and the light-emitting surface 328c is flush with the edge of the opening of the housing 340. The light-emitting surface 328c may be recessed relative to its surroundings.

[0108] 26, connector 333 is provided on the front surface of central portion 321, positioned below light-emitting surface 328c. Even if the cable terminal accidentally hits light-emitting surface 328c during the process of inserting the cable terminal into connector 333, light-emitting surface 328c, which is formed flush with the surrounding parts, can guide the cable terminal into connector 333. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent external force from acting from above on the cable terminal being inserted into connector 333.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 23 , the left and right held portions 310L and 310R each have an operation button 15 or 16 on its front surface. The operation button 15 or 16 protrudes forward from the front surface of the central portion 321. As described above, the light-emitting surface 328c is formed to face diagonally downward, and its lower edge 328e is located rearward of the upper edge 328d. The connector 333 is provided below the lower edge 328e of the light-emitting surface 328c. In particular, in this example, the connector 333 is located rearward of the lower edge 328e of the light-emitting surface 328c (see FIG. 26 ). This structure ensures a greater distance between the operation button 15 or 16 and the connector 33 than a structure in which the light-emitting surface 328c faces straight forward. As a result, when a user places a finger on the operation button 15 or 16, the finger is prevented from touching a portion close to the cable terminal, thereby preventing a load from being applied to the connector 333.

[0110] As shown in Fig. 25, the light-emitting surface 328c has a shape that is elongated in the left-right direction. In this example, the light-emitting surface 328c is substantially triangular. This shape makes it easier for the information processing device to distinguish the light from the light-emitting surface 328c from other light. As a result, the position detection accuracy of the operation device 301 can be improved. Note that the light-emitting surface 328c may also be polygonal.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 25, light-emitting surface 328c has a shape corresponding to the front surface of central portion 321. In this example, the front surface of central portion 321 has a lower edge that is bent at the center. That is, the lower edge of the front surface has portion 321a that extends obliquely upward and to the right from the center, and portion 321b that extends upward and to the left from the center. Like the lower edge of the front surface of central portion 321, lower edge 328e of light-emitting surface 328c also has a portion that extends obliquely upward and to the right from the center, and a portion that extends upward and to the left from the center. This makes it easier to ensure the size of light-emitting surface 328c.

[0112] As shown in FIG. 24, the operation device 301 has a plate-shaped operation member 322 on the upper surface of a central portion 321, similar to the operation devices of the first to third examples described so far. The operation member 322 includes a touch sensor 23 (see FIG. 26) and a surface panel 324. The touch sensor 23 is located between the operation members (i.e., the operation button 11 and the directional key 19) of the left and right hold portions 310L and 310R. A switch 71 (see FIG. 26) for detecting that the operation member 322 is pressed is disposed below the operation member 322. Therefore, the operation member 322 functions as a button that can be turned on and off. As shown in FIG. 22, the operation device 301 has operation buttons 317R and 317L on the right and left sides of the operation member 322, corresponding to the above-mentioned operation buttons 217R and 217L.

[0113] In this example, the surface panel 324 protrudes slightly upward from the portions surrounding the rear edge, left edge, and right edge of the surface panel 324 (the edges of the opening formed in the housing 340). Therefore, a step is formed around the surface panel 324. This allows the user to recognize the position of the operation member 322 with a finger placed on the center portion 321 without looking at the operation device 301.

[0114] Similar to the example in FIG. 10, a plurality of elastic members (e.g., springs or rubber) are arranged below the operating member 322. The operating member 322 is supported by these elastic members so that it can move up and down regardless of which position on the operating member 322 is pressed. As shown in FIG. 26, a circuit board 70 on which a switch 71 is mounted is arranged below the operating member 322. The operating member 322 has a pressing portion 25a for pressing the switch 71 in the center of its underside. The operating member 322 in this example has a frame 25 on its underside, and the pressing portion 25a is formed on the frame 25. The frame 25 is substantially box-shaped, and a drive circuit 26 for the touch sensor 23 is arranged inside the frame 25.

[0115] As shown in FIG. 26, the operation member 322 (specifically, the surface panel 324), like the operation member 22 and the like described above, includes a portion that forms the upper surface of the central portion 321 (hereinafter referred to as the upper surface portion 324a) and a portion that forms the front surface of the central portion 321 (the front surface portion 324c). This structure allows the user to smoothly slide their finger forward on the surface panel 324. The user can also easily press the frontmost portion of the upper surface portion 324a of the surface panel 324. Furthermore, the front surface portion 324c can increase the rigidity of the front portion of the surface panel 324.

[0116] As shown in Fig. 26, the touch sensor 23 is attached to an upper surface portion 324a of the surface panel 324. The front surface portion 324c extends beyond the front edge of the touch sensor 23 while curving downward. In this example, the front surface portion 324c has an arc-shaped cross section. An opening that exposes the surface panel 324 is formed in the housing 340. A front edge 349a of the opening in the housing 340 is located below the lower edge of the front surface portion 324c.

[0117] 25, front surface 324c of surface panel 324 extends downward beyond lower edge 341a of the front surface of upper housing half 341, and front edge 349a of the opening is provided at the upper edge of lower housing half 349. This structure of housing halves 341, 349 allows the vertical width of front surface 324c to be increased.

[0118] 26, upper housing half 341 has, at its front portion, beam portion 341b that is located inside front surface portion 324c of surface panel 324 and extends in the left-right direction. Beam portion 341b can compensate for the decrease in rigidity of upper housing half 341 that occurs when upper housing half 341 does not have a portion that is located below front surface portion 324c.

[0119] The central portion 321 is configured to allow light from the light source G to leak from its upper surface. Specifically, the surface panel 324 is formed of a light-transmitting material. The surface panel 324 has a portion that extends beyond the front edge of the touch sensor 23. Below the portion that extends beyond the front edge of the touch sensor 23, the light source G, a member that reflects light from the light source G, and a member that receives light from the light source G and emits light are disposed. This allows light to leak from the portion that extends beyond the front edge of the touch sensor 23. In the example shown in FIGS. 24 and 26, the upper surface portion 324a of the surface panel 324 has a portion 324d that extends slightly forward beyond the front edge of the touch sensor 23. The front surface portion 324c extends downward from the portion 324d while curving. The light diffusion member 328 and the light guide member 329 are located below the portion 324d and the front surface portion 324c. Therefore, light emitted upward from the light diffusion member 328 leaks upward through the portion 324d. The light source G may be disposed below the portion 324d of the surface panel 324. The upper or lower surface of the surface panel 324 may be colored to define the position from which light leaks.

[0120] The user can recognize the color of the light from the light source G by looking at the light emitted from the portion 324d. This is particularly effective when multiple operation devices 301 are used simultaneously. That is, in one example of processing by the information processing device, the operation devices 301 are identified by the color of the light-emitting surface 328c, and objects corresponding to each operation device 301 are displayed. The user can recognize the object being moved through the operation device 301 by the light leaking from the top surface of the central portion 321.

[0121] As shown in Figure 23, the bottom 349e of the housing 340 (more specifically, the lower housing half 349) bulges downward at its left-right center. That is, the bottom 349e has a slope on its right side that faces diagonally rightward and downward, and a slope on its left side that faces diagonally leftward and downward. This shape of the bottom 349e increases the rigidity of the bottom 349e.

[0122] As shown in Figure 25, connector 333, circuit board 336 with connector 333 attached to its underside, and battery 337 are arranged inside lower housing half 349. Connector 333 is arranged at the bottom of lower housing half 349, and connector 333, circuit board 336, and battery 337 are arranged in this order from the bottom. The width of these three components in the left-right direction increases as the components are arranged higher. This prevents unnecessary space from being generated inside bottom 349e.

[0123] 22, a connector 334 is provided on the rear surface of the central portion 321. A cable for headphones, earphones, or the like is connected to the connector 34. Other devices that extend the functions of the operating device 1 may also be connected to the connector 34.

[0124] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible.

[0125] For example, the light emitting surface 328c may face straight forward. In this case, the frontmost part of the surface panel 324 may have a canopy shape that extends forward from the light emitting surface 328c.

[0126] Additionally, the edge 349 a of the housing 340 located below the surface panel 324 may be formed on the upper housing half 341 .

[0127] 27 and 28 are diagrams showing modified examples of the operation device 301 shown in Fig. 22 to Fig. 26. In the examples shown in these figures, the layout of the light source G is mainly different from the examples shown in Fig. 22 to Fig. 26. Fig. 27 is a perspective view showing the light source G and the light-guiding member 327. Fig. 28 is a cross-sectional view, and the cut surface is the same as Fig. 26.

[0128] In these examples, the central portion 321 also has a light-emitting panel 328. The light-emitting panel 328 is a light diffusion member that diffuses light therein. The light source G is disposed at a position spaced rearward from the light-emitting panel 328. More specifically, the light source G is disposed at a position spaced rearward from the center of the light-emitting panel 328 in the left-right direction. As described above, the central portion 321 has a circuit board 336 that is disposed below and spaced apart from the circuit board 70 on which the switch 71 is mounted. The light source G in the example described here is mounted on the upper surface of the circuit board 336. The light source G is mounted on the circuit board 336 so that its light is emitted forward.

[0129] In the example shown here, the central portion 321 has a light guide plate 327. The light guide plate 327 is disposed so as to extend forward from the light source G toward the rear surface of the light-emitting panel 328 (see FIG. 28). As shown in FIG. 27, the light guide plate 327 has left and right side surfaces 327a that are inclined so that the width of the light guide plate 327 in the left-right direction gradually increases toward the front. With this shape of the light guide plate 327, light emitted from the light source G travels forward while being reflected by the left and right side surfaces 327a, the top surface 327b, and the bottom surface 327c of the light guide plate 327, and spreads in the left-right direction in the process. As a result, the entire light-emitting panel 328, which is elongated in the left-right direction, can be illuminated. The light source G is disposed at a position rearward from the portion between the left and right ends of the light-emitting panel 328. In the example described here, the light source G is disposed at a position rearward from the center of the light-emitting panel 328 in the left-right direction. Therefore, the light guide plate 327 has a left-right symmetrical shape. The light source G is located behind the rear end of the light guide plate 327.

[0130] By increasing the distance from light-emitting panel 328 to light source G, i.e., the distance from light-emitting panel 328 to the rear end of light-guiding plate 327, light traveling within light-guiding plate 327 is more likely to be reflected by side surface 327a. For this reason, it is desirable to increase the distance from light-emitting panel 328 to light source G. In the example shown in FIG. 28 , light source G is disposed at the rear end of circuit board 336.

[0131] As shown in FIG. 28 , the circuit board 336 is disposed at a lower position than the light-emitting panel 328. More specifically, the circuit board 336 is disposed at a lower position than the lower edge 328e of the light-emitting panel 328. In the example described here, the light source G is also disposed at a lower position than the lower edge 328e of the light-emitting panel 328. The light guide plate 327 has a first plate portion 327A extending forward from the light source G. The first plate portion 327A is disposed along the circuit board 336. That is, the first plate portion 327A is disposed horizontally. The light guide plate 327 also has a second plate portion 327B disposed along the back surface of the light-emitting panel 328. The light guide plate 327 has a curved portion 327d formed between the first plate portion 327A and the second plate portion 327B. Light entering the second plate portion 327B from the first plate portion 327A is necessarily reflected by the surface of the curved portion 327d. Therefore, by providing the curved portion 327d on the light guide plate 327, the number of times light is reflected increases. As a result, light traveling through the light guide plate 327 is more likely to spread in the left-right direction. As described above, the battery 337 is disposed between the circuit board 336 and the circuit board 70. In the example described here, the curvature of the light guide plate 327 also makes it possible to avoid interference between the light guide plate 327 and the battery 337. A light-reflecting member may be attached to the surface of the curved portion 327d (for example, the surface facing diagonally downward). Furthermore, the surface of the curved portion 327d may be processed to reflect light. In other words, a member that totally reflects light, such as a mirror surface, may be attached to the surface of the curved portion 327d, or the surface may be processed.

[0132] As described above, the light-emitting panel 328 is disposed so as to face diagonally downward. As shown in FIG. 28, the second plate portion 327B is disposed along the back surface of the light-emitting panel 328 and is inclined similarly to the light-emitting panel 328. On the other hand, the first plate portion 327A is disposed along the circuit board 336 and is horizontal. That is, the first plate portion 327A is disposed perpendicular to the up-down direction. Therefore, an obtuse angle θ is formed between the first plate portion 327A and the second plate portion 327B. This allows the curved portion 327d to be curved gently. As a result, it is possible to prevent light traveling inside the light guide plate 327 from passing through the surface of the curved portion 327d without traveling to the second plate portion 327B.

[0133] As shown in FIG. 27, the back surface of the second plate portion 327B (the surface opposite the light-emitting panel 328) is textured (a plurality of recesses 327e are depicted in FIG. 27 to clarify the texture). This texture makes it easier for light that strikes the back surface of the second plate portion 327B to be reflected forward. As a result, the brightness of the light-emitting panel 328 can be increased. The texture is applied to an area on the back surface of the second plate portion 327B that corresponds to the light-emitting panel 328. In the example described here, a reflecting plate 326 is attached to the back surface of the second plate portion 327B as shown in FIG. 28. This makes it even easier for light traveling within the second plate portion 327B to be reflected forward.

[0134] Electronic components are disposed on the upper surface of the circuit board 336. The first plate portion 327A is disposed above the electronic components. In the example described here, as shown in FIG. 28, a connector 336a is mounted on the upper surface of the circuit board 336 to which a cable electrically connecting the circuit board 336 and the circuit board 70 is connected, and the first plate portion 327A is disposed above the connector 336a. The lower surface of the first plate portion 327 has an inclined surface 327f to avoid interference between the first plate portion 327A and the connector 336a. The light source G is disposed rearward and away from the connector 336a. Therefore, the inclination of the inclined surface 327f of the first plate portion 327A can be made gentle. As a result, light transmission through the inclined surface 327f can be suppressed. In other words, light is more likely to be totally reflected by the inclined surface 327f.

[0135] 27, an attachment portion 327g protruding in the left-right direction is formed at the rear of the first plate portion 327A. A protrusion 349f protruding from a bottom portion 349e of the central portion 321 is fitted into a hole formed in this attachment portion 327g. In this way, the light guide plate 327 is attached to the bottom portion 349e.

[0136] 27 and 28, the light source G is attached to the circuit board 336. However, the light source G may also be attached to the circuit board 70. In this case, the light source G may be disposed rearward and away from the light-emitting panel 328, and the above-described light guide plate 327 may be disposed therebetween.

[0137] Furthermore, if no components such as the battery 337 are disposed between the circuit board 336 and the circuit board 70, the light guide plate 327 does not necessarily have to have the curved portion 327d.

Claims

[Claim 1] A method for manufacturing a manipulation device, comprising: a plate-shaped operating member having a touch sensor, an operating button, a lower housing half, and an upper housing half including a first operating area and a second operating area positioned on opposite sides of a center line along a front-rear direction passing through the center of the operating device in the left-right direction; The plate-shaped operation member is positioned between the first operation area and the second operation area, and the upper housing half and the lower housing half are combined together while the operation button is positioned between one of the first operation area and the second operation area and the plate-shaped operation member in a plan view. A method for manufacturing an operating device.

Images