Peripheral apparatus and system
The peripheral device addresses usability and functionality issues by offering a detachable attachment mechanism with magnetic engagement and light-based tracking, enhancing input device performance and versatility.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2025127939
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-31
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-22
Smart Images

Figure 2025160403000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present disclosure relates to peripheral devices and systems. [Background technology]
[0002] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2018-57650 (Patent Document 1) discloses a peripheral device that is attached to an input device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-57650 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a novel peripheral device that is attached to an input device. [Means for solving the problem]
[0005] The peripheral device according to the present disclosure is a peripheral device to which an input device is detachably attached, and includes a mounting portion and an abutment portion. The input device includes an input portion provided on the front surface, a convex portion protruding from the side and detachably attached to a game device mounting portion provided on a game device, and a mouse operation sensor that outputs a signal related to relative movement of the input device with respect to the tracking surface based on light reflected from the tracking surface that passes through a first opening provided in the top surface of the convex portion. The convex portion is attached to the mounting portion so that at least a portion of the first opening is exposed. When the input device attached to the peripheral device is placed on the tracking surface so that the exposed first opening faces the tracking surface, at least a portion of the abutment portion abuts against the tracking surface outside the top surface in the planar direction of the tracking surface.
[0006] According to the peripheral device described above, the mounting portion may include a hole into which the protrusion fits.
[0007] According to the peripheral device described above, the mounting portion may include a recess into which the protrusion fits. A bottom surface of the recess may have a hole facing the first opening.
[0008] According to the peripheral device described above, the protrusion may include a magnetic button that can be attracted by magnetic force, and the attachment portion may include a magnet that is provided at the bottom of the recess and to which the magnetic button is attracted.
[0009] According to the peripheral device described above, the input device may include a pusher that protrudes from the top surface of the protrusion in response to a user's operation. The bottom surface of the recess may include a pusher contact portion with which the pusher comes into contact.
[0010] According to the peripheral device described above, the recess may have a size such that the entire top surface of the protrusion is not exposed from the recess even when the pusher protrudes.
[0011] In the peripheral device according to the above, the top surface may have a top surface first region that is highest from the side surface and a top surface second region that is lower than the top surface first region. The recessed bottom surface may have a bottom surface first region that faces the top surface first region and a bottom surface second region that faces the top surface second region and is shallower than the bottom surface first region.
[0012] According to the peripheral device described above, the mounting part may include a lower surface facing the tracking surface and an upper surface opposite the lower surface. The length of the lower surface may be greater than the length of the upper surface.
[0013] The peripheral device according to the above may have a support portion having an abutment portion on one surface thereof, and a wall protruding from the surface opposite to the one surface of the support portion and covering at least a part of the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion.
[0014] According to the peripheral device described above, the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion may include a first engagement hole provided on one longitudinal end face of the protrusion and a second engagement hole provided on the other longitudinal end face of the protrusion. The first engagement hole may have a different shape from the second engagement hole. The mounting portion may include a claw that engages with at least one of the first engagement hole and the second engagement hole.
[0015] According to the peripheral device described above, the mounting portion may include a first non-movable claw that engages with at least the first engagement hole, and a second movable claw that engages with at least the second engagement hole.
[0016] According to the peripheral device described above, the first claw may engage with the first engagement hole but not the second engagement hole. The second claw may engage with the second engagement hole but not the first engagement hole. The peripheral device may include a strap attachment portion on the opposite side of the first claw from the second claw.
[0017] The peripheral device according to the above may have a peripheral device main body. The peripheral device main body may have an internal space in which the second claw is movable and a second opening communicating with the internal space. The second opening may be closed by a mouse sole member that forms at least a part of the contact portion.
[0018] According to the peripheral device described above, the second claw may be movable. The second claw may have a claw portion that engages with the second engagement hole and a second claw end portion on the opposite side of the claw portion. The peripheral device may have a third opening through which the second claw end portion is exposed.
[0019] According to the peripheral device described above, at least one button may be provided on the top surface of the protrusion. The mounting part may be configured so that the protrusion is mounted on the mounting part so that the at least one button is exposed.
[0020] According to the peripheral device described above, the at least one button may include a first button and a second button aligned in a longitudinal direction of the protrusion. The peripheral device may have notches at the front-to-rear positions of the first button and the second button when the input device is attached to the peripheral device.
[0021] According to the peripheral device described above, the contact portion may include a portion that contacts the tracking surface on an outer side than the side surface in the surface direction.
[0022] According to the peripheral device described above, the area of the contact portion of the peripheral device may be larger than the area of the portion where the top surface of the convex portion contacts the tracking surface when the input device is not attached to the peripheral device.
[0023] According to the above-described peripheral device, the mouse-operating sensor may be capable of outputting a signal reflecting relative movement with respect to the tracking surface when the distance between the mouse-operating sensor and the tracking surface is within a range from a first distance to a second distance greater than the first distance. The mouse-operating sensor may be provided in the input device such that a first separation distance between the mouse-operating sensor and the tracking surface when the input device is placed with the first opening facing the tracking surface is between the first distance and a median of the first and second distances. The mouse-operating sensor may be configured such that a second separation distance between the mouse-operating sensor and the tracking surface when the input device is attached to the peripheral device is equal to or shorter than the second distance.
[0024] According to the peripheral device described above, an input device mouse sole member may be provided on the top surface of the protrusion. When the input device is attached to the peripheral device, an end of the abutment portion may be located outside an end of the input device mouse sole member in the longitudinal direction of the top surface of the protrusion.
[0025] According to the peripheral device described above, the end of the contact portion may be located outside the end of the mouse sole member of the input device in the short direction of the top surface of the convex portion.
[0026] According to the peripheral device described above, when the input device is attached to the peripheral device, the contact portion contacts the tracking surface, but the mouse sole member of the input device does not need to contact the tracking surface.
[0027] A system according to the present disclosure includes the peripheral device according to the above, and an input device attached to the peripheral device using an attachment unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0028] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of a peripheral device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the peripheral device according to the first embodiment, viewed from a direction different from that of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic front view showing the configuration of an example of a game device. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic front view showing a state in which the first input device and the second input device are detached from the main body device. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which the information processing device is held and operated. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the controller is held and operated laterally. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which the controller is held and operated vertically. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic assembly perspective view showing the configuration of the right side of the main unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the right side of the main unit. [Figure 10] 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams showing six sides of the configuration of the first input device. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of a first input device. [Figure 12] FIG. [Figure 13] 13 is a partial cross-sectional schematic view taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG. 11. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which the top button (right) is attracted to the magnetic element of the first game device. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of a first elastic deformation body as viewed from inside a convex portion toward the top surface. [Figure 16]FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which the input device is attached to the main body device. [Figure 17] 1 is a schematic rear view showing the configuration of a first mode of an input device. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVIII-XVIII in FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state when an operation unit is being operated. [Figure 20] 12 is a cross-sectional view showing only the protrusions taken along the line XX-XX in FIG. 11. FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is a front view showing a configuration of the input device. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is an enlarged schematic view of region XXII in FIG. 21. [Figure 23] 1A and 1B are schematic six-sided diagrams showing the configuration of peripheral devices according to the first embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a peripheral device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 25] FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXV-XXV in FIG. 23. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is an enlarged schematic view of region XXVI in FIG. 25. [Figure 27] FIG. 26 is an enlarged schematic view of region XXVII in FIG. 25. [Figure 28] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the state in which the second mouse sole member has been removed. [Figure 29] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a second state. [Figure 30] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing a second state. [Figure 31] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a state before a peripheral device is attached to an input device. [Figure 32] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a state after a peripheral device is attached to the input device. [Figure 33] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which a peripheral device is attached to the input device. [Figure 34] FIG. 34 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of region XXXIV in FIG. 33. [Figure 35]FIG. 34 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of region XXXV in FIG. 33. [Figure 36] 1 is a schematic front view showing the configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 37] FIG. 2 is a schematic right side view showing the configuration of the system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 38] FIG. 2 is a schematic bottom view illustrating the configuration of the system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 39] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams showing the relationship between the detection accuracy of the mouse operation sensor and the distance between the mouse operation sensor and the tracking surface. [Figure 40] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing a state in which the input device is used as a mouse. [Figure 41] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a mounting portion for a peripheral device according to a first modified example. [Figure 42] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a mounting portion for a peripheral device according to a second modified example. [Figure 43] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a peripheral device having an attachment unit according to a second modified example is being detached from an input device. [Figure 44] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a mounting portion for a peripheral device according to a third modified example. [Figure 45] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a mounting portion for a peripheral device according to a fourth modified example. [Figure 46] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of a peripheral device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 47] 10A and 10B are schematic six-sided diagrams showing the configuration of peripheral devices according to a second embodiment. [Figure 48] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of a peripheral device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 49] 10A and 10B are schematic six-sided diagrams showing the configuration of peripheral devices according to a third embodiment. [Figure 50] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of a peripheral device according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 51] 10A and 10B are schematic six-sided diagrams showing the configuration of peripheral devices according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 52] FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of a peripheral device according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 53] FIG. 11 is a schematic bottom view showing the configuration of a peripheral device according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 54] FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a peripheral device according to a fifth embodiment is attached to an input device. [Figure 55] FIG. 11 is a schematic front view showing a state in which a peripheral device according to a fifth embodiment is attached to an input device. [Figure 56] FIG. 11 is a schematic bottom view showing a state in which a peripheral device according to a fifth embodiment is attached to an input device. [Figure 57] FIG. 55 is a cross-sectional view taken along line LVII-LVII in FIG. 54. [Figure 58] FIG. 53 is a cross-sectional view taken along line LVIII-LVIII in FIG. 54. [Figure 59] FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the periphery of a second claw of a peripheral device according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 60] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a peripheral device according to a modified example is attached to an input device. [Figure 61] FIG. 61 is a cross-sectional view taken along line LXI-LXI in FIG. 60. [Figure 62] 61 is a cross-sectional view showing only the plate member and the peripheral device main body taken along line LXII-LXII in FIG. 60. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] An embodiment of the present disclosure (also referred to as the present embodiment) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the same or corresponding parts in the drawings are designated by the same reference numerals and description thereof will not be repeated.
[0030] (First embodiment)
[0031] <Summary>
[0032] First, an overview of an example of a peripheral device according to the present disclosure will be described. Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the peripheral device according to the first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the peripheral device according to the first embodiment when viewed from a different direction than in Fig. 1.
[0033] 1 and 2, the peripheral device 500 according to the first embodiment includes, for example, a peripheral device main body 530, a first light guide path 551, a second light guide path 552, a first claw 510, a second claw 520, a first mouse sole member 531, and a second mouse sole member 532. The peripheral device main body 530 is provided with a hole 507.
[0034] An input device 1, which will be described later, is detachably attached to the peripheral device according to the first embodiment. As shown in Figures 31 and 32, the peripheral device 500 can be attached to the input device 1 and can also be detached from the input device 1.
[0035] <Game Device>
[0036] Next, the configuration of an example of a game device having an input device to which peripheral devices can be attached will be described. Figure 3 is a schematic front view showing the configuration of an example of the game device.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 3, the game device 1000 has a first input device 1, a second input device 2, and a main unit 3. Hereinafter, the first input device 1 or the second input device 2 will be collectively referred to simply as the input device. Each of the first input device 1 and the second input device 2 is, for example, a game controller. The main unit 3 is capable of executing game processing. The game processing is executed based on input to the input devices. The first input device 1 and the second input device 2 are detachable from the main unit 3. In the attached state shown in FIG. 3, the first input device 1 is attached to the right side of the main unit 3, and the second input device 2 is attached to the left side of the main unit 3.
[0038] FIG. 4 is a schematic front view showing a state in which the first input device 1 and the second input device 2 are detached from the main device 3. As shown in FIG.
[0039] As shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the input device can be used both when it is attached to the main unit 3 and when it is detached from the main unit 3.
[0040] As shown in Fig. 5, when the input device is attached to the main unit 3, it is used with its longitudinal direction oriented, for example, in the up-down direction. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 6, when the input device is detached from the main unit 3, it is used with its longitudinal direction oriented in the left-right direction (from another perspective, parallel to the ground).
[0041] In the example shown in FIG. 6, the first input device 1 and the second input device 2 are operated by different users.
[0042] In the following description, when referring to the directions (up, down, left, and right directions) of the input device, the directions will be based on the state of use in which the input device is detached from the main unit 3 and the longitudinal direction is the left-right direction. On the other hand, in the following description, when referring to the directions of the main unit 3 and the game device 1000 in which the input device is attached to the main unit 3, the directions will be based on the state of use in which the direction connecting the sides of the input device attached to the main unit 3 is the left-right direction.
[0043] 7, the input device can also be used such that the longitudinal direction of the input device is, for example, vertical (from another perspective, perpendicular to the ground) when detached from the main unit 3. In the example shown in FIG. 7, one user operates both the first input device 1 and the second input device 2. Separate users may operate the respective controllers.
[0044] Hereinafter, the usage state shown in FIG. 5 will be referred to as the integrally held state, the usage state shown in FIG. 6 as the horizontally held state, and the usage state shown in FIG. 7 as the vertically held state.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 4 , the first input device 1 has a protrusion 100 on an upper side surface 11 that protrudes from the side surface. The upper side surface 11 of the first input device 1 is a side surface that extends along the longitudinal direction of the first input device 1. The protrusion 100 extends in the longitudinal direction of the upper side surface 11. The protrusion 100 is attached to the controller housing 10. Similarly, the second input device 2 has a protrusion 200 on an upper side surface 211 that protrudes from the side surface and extends in the longitudinal direction of the side surface. The upper side surface 211 of the second input device 2 is a side surface that extends along the longitudinal direction of the second input device 2. The protrusion 200 extends in the longitudinal direction of the upper side surface 211. The protrusion 200 is attached to the controller housing 20.
[0046] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the main unit 3 has a game device side recess 310 on its right side surface 313. The game device side recess 310 extends in the longitudinal direction of the main unit right side surface 313. The game device side recess 310 extends along the up-and-down direction of the main unit right side surface 313. The left side surface 314 of the main unit 3 has a game device side recess 320. The game device side recess 320 extends in the longitudinal direction of the main unit left side surface 314. The game device side recess 320 extends along the up-and-down direction of the left side surface 314 of the main unit 3. The game device side recesses 310, 320 are elongated recesses that extend along the longitudinal direction of the main unit right side surface 313 or the main unit left side surface 314.
[0047] The game device recesses 310, 320 are game device mounting portions provided on the main unit 3 of the game device. As shown in FIG. 3 , the first input device 1 is attached to the main unit 3 so that the protrusion 100 fits into the game device recess 310. The first input device 1 is attached to the main unit 3 so that the upper surface 11 of the first input device 1 faces the right side surface 313 of the main unit 3 and the longitudinal direction of the upper surface 11 of the first input device 1 is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the right side surface 313 of the main unit 3. Similarly, the second input device 2 is attached to the main unit 3 so that the protrusion 200 fits into the game device recess 320. The second input device 2 is attached to the main unit 3 so that the upper surface 211 of the second input device 2 faces the left side surface 314 of the main unit 3 and the longitudinal direction of the upper surface 211 of the second input device 2 is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the left side surface 314 of the main unit 3.
[0048] The first input device 1 and the second input device 2 each include a joystick and a set of four buttons, and when attached to the main device 3, the first input device 1 is attached so that the four buttons are on the upper side and the joystick is on the lower side. On the other hand, the second input device 2 is attached to the main device 3 so that the joystick is on the upper side and the four buttons are on the lower side.
[0049] The game device may be capable of executing functions other than games. The game device may also include a case capable of housing devices capable of executing games. The first input device 1 and the second input device 2 may be attached to components other than the main body 3 of the game device. For example, the first input device 1 and the second input device 2 may be attachable to each other.
[0050] <Main unit>
[0051] 3, a display 305 is provided on a front surface 315 of the main body 3. The display 305 may be any display device. A touch panel may be provided on the display surface of the display 305.
[0052] The main unit 3 has a lower terminal 303. The lower terminal 303 is provided on a lower surface 317 of the main unit 3. The lower terminal 303 may be provided at the center in the left-right direction on the lower surface 317 of the main unit. The lower terminal 303 is, for example, a terminal for communicating with an external device. The lower terminal 303 constitutes, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector. The main unit 3 may receive power from an external source via the lower terminal 303. The main unit 3 may output an image to an external device via the lower terminal 303. When the main unit 3 is placed on a cradle with the lower surface of the main unit facing up, the lower terminal 303 may be connected to a terminal of the cradle.
[0053] The main unit 3 has an upper terminal 302 on an upper side surface 316 of the main unit. The main unit 3 may also have a power button 307, a storage medium slot 304, and an audio input / output terminal 301 on the upper side surface 316 of the main unit. The main unit 3 may execute a game application stored on a storage medium inserted into the storage medium slot 304, thereby executing game processing.
[0054] Fig. 8 is an assembled perspective view showing the configuration of the right side of the main unit 3. Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the right side of the main unit 3. The main unit 3 also has a similar configuration on the left side.
[0055] As shown in FIG. 8 , a game device-side recess 310 is provided on the main body right side surface 313 of the main body 3. The game device-side recess 310 is a recessed portion on the main body right side surface 313. The game device-side recess 310 has a game device-side bottom surface 3121 and a game device-side inner peripheral surface 3120 that surrounds the game device-side bottom surface 3121. In this embodiment, the portion of the main body housing 306 that forms the right side surface of the main body 3 is recessed, thereby forming the game device-side inner peripheral surface 3120 and a base surface (base surface 311 described below) that serves as the base of the bottom surface. A cover member 338 is placed on the base surface, and the surface of the cover member 338 forms the game device-side bottom surface 3121 of the game device-side recess 310. The cover member 338 may be omitted, in which case the bottom surface formed by the main body housing 306 becomes the game device-side bottom surface 3121 of the game device-side recess 310.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 8 , the game device side bottom surface 3121 of the game device side recess 310 extends in the longitudinal direction of the main body right side surface 313. The front side edge and the rear side edge of the game device side bottom surface 3121 are each substantially straight and extend substantially parallel to each other. In this embodiment, the upper and lower regions of the game device side bottom surface 3121 each narrow in width toward the end. More specifically, the upper and lower regions of the game device side bottom surface 3121 narrow in width in a curved manner. Note that the upper and lower regions of the game device side bottom surface 3121 may narrow in width in a linear manner. Alternatively, the upper and lower regions of the game device side bottom surface 3121 may have a constant width. Alternatively, only one of the upper and lower regions of the game device side bottom surface 3121 may narrow in width toward the end.
[0057] As shown in FIG. 9 , the main unit 3 includes a first plug connector 330, a cover member 338, a pair of shoulder screws 334, and two game device magnetic elements 410, 420 arranged along the longitudinal direction of the game device recess 310. The first game device magnetic element 410 is arranged on the upper side, and the second game device magnetic element 420 is arranged on the lower side. The first game device magnetic element 410 is arranged in an area above the longitudinal center of the main unit right side surface 313, and the second game device magnetic element 420 is arranged in a lower area. The game device magnetic elements 410, 420 each include a magnet and a yoke that sandwiches the magnet. The game device magnetic elements 410, 420 do not necessarily have to include a yoke. The game device magnetic elements 410, 420 may both be arranged on the upper or lower side.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 9 , a portion of the main body housing 306 that forms the right side surface is recessed to form a base surface 311, which serves as the base for the bottom surface of the game device-side recess 310, and a game device-side inner peripheral surface 3120. As described above, the surface of the cover member 338 placed on the base surface 311 forms the game device-side bottom surface 3121. The shape of the base surface 311 and the shape of the cover member 338 are substantially the same. In this embodiment, the game device-side inner peripheral surface 3120 surrounds the entire periphery of the base surface 311, but this does not have to be the case. The game device-side inner peripheral surface 3120 is continuous with the base surface 311 and the main body right side surface 313. The upper end of the game device-side inner peripheral surface 3120 (the right end portion in the main body 3) is connected to the main body right side surface 313. From another perspective, the game device-side recess 310 is recessed further than the main body right side surface 313.
[0059] The base surface 311 has a first hole 401 and a second hole 402 for accommodating the game apparatus magnetic elements 410 and 420. The first hole 401 and the second hole 402 are aligned in the longitudinal direction of the main body right side surface 313. That is, the first hole 401 and the second hole 402 are aligned in the longitudinal direction of the base surface 311. As will be described in detail later, the first input device 1 also has magnetic elements, and the input device is attached to the main body 3 by the magnetic elements of the first input device 1 being attracted to the game apparatus magnetic elements 410 and 420. When all or part of the game apparatus magnetic elements 410 and 420 enter the holes 401 and 402 from inside the main body housing 306, the distance between the magnetic elements of the first input device 1 attached to the main body 3 and the game apparatus magnetic elements 410 and 420 becomes shorter, thereby increasing the magnetic force of attraction.
[0060] The first game device magnetic element 410, the second game device magnetic element 420, the first hole 401, and the second hole 402 are covered by the cover member 338. That is, the first game device magnetic element 410 and the second game device magnetic element 420 are covered by the cover member 338 that forms the game device-side bottom surface 3121 of the game device-side recess 310. In this embodiment, as an aspect in which the first game device magnetic element 410 and the second game device magnetic element 420 are provided at the bottom of the game device-side recess 310, the first game device magnetic element 410 and the second game device magnetic element 420 are embedded in the game device-side bottom surface 3121 of the game device-side recess 310 by the cover member 338. As an alternative to providing the first game device magnetic element 410 and the second game device magnetic element 420 at the bottom of the game device recess 310, the first game device magnetic element 410 and the second game device magnetic element 420 may be disposed on the game device side bottom surface 3121 of the game device recess 310. Alternatively, the first game device magnetic element 410 and the second game device magnetic element 420 may be disposed in an exposed manner on the surface or in a recessed position of a hole provided in the game device side bottom surface 3121 of the game device recess 310.
[0061] The second game device magnetic element 420 has the same configuration as the first game device magnetic element 410. Similarly to the first game device magnetic element 410, the second game device magnetic element 420 is partially housed in the second hole 402.
[0062] 9, the first plug connector 330 has a support portion 333, a first tongue body 332 protruding from the support portion 333, and a main body first terminal 331 provided along the surface of the first tongue body 332. The support portion 333 and the first tongue body 332 may be integral or separate.
[0063] The first plug connector 330 is provided in the longitudinal direction of the main body right side surface 313 between the first game device magnetic element 410 and the second game device magnetic element 420 when viewed from the bottom surface of the game device recess 310.
[0064] <controller>
[0065] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing six sides of the configuration of the first input device 1. As shown in FIG.
[0066] As shown in FIG. 10 , the first input device 1 of this embodiment includes, on its front surface, a joystick 31, which is an example of a directional input unit, a set of four buttons 32 arranged in a cross shape, a + button 33(1), and a home button 33(2). The first input device 1 also includes a top button (right) 110 (hereinafter also referred to as the first button 110), a top button (left) 120 (hereinafter also referred to as the second button 120), a synchronization button 50, a shoulder button (right) 130, and a Z shoulder button (right) 140. As will be described in detail later, the top button (right) 110, the top button (left) 120, and the synchronization button 50 are provided on the protrusion 100. These are examples of input units, and not all of them need to be included. The first input device 1 may also include other input units, such as a touchpad or a pressure sensor, instead of or in addition to these input units.
[0067] When the first input device 1 is attached to the main unit 3, operation information of the input unit is transmitted to the main unit first terminal 331 of the main unit 3 through the first terminal 160 described below, and the information is processed by the CPU of the main unit 3 according to a program. In a usage mode in which the input device is not attached to the main unit 3, operation information of the input unit is transmitted to the CPU of the main unit 3 via a wireless chip provided in the input device and a wireless chip provided in the main unit 3. The game device may not have the first terminal 160 and the main unit first terminal 331, in which case information is transmitted via the wireless chip even when the input device is attached to the main unit 3.
[0068] As shown in Fig. 10, the first input device 1 has a front surface 15, a rear surface 16, an upper surface 11, a right surface 12, a lower surface 13, and a left surface 14. The front surface 15 is the surface that faces the user using the first input device 1 in the integrated grip state, horizontally held state, and vertically held state. The rear surface 16 is located on the opposite side of the front surface 15. The front surface 15 and the rear surface 16 are connected to the upper surface 11, right surface 12, lower surface 13, and left surface 14, respectively.
[0069] The normal direction of the upper surface 11 is also referred to as the first direction R1. The first direction R1 is the direction in which the convex portion 100 protrudes, and is also referred to as the upper side, convex direction, or upward direction. The convex portion 100 is located on the first direction R1 side of the upper surface 11. The direction opposite to the first direction R1 is also referred to as the third direction R3. The third direction R3 is also referred to as the lower side or downward direction. The first direction R1 and the third direction R3 are collectively referred to as the up-down direction.
[0070] The direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and toward the right side surface 12 is also referred to as the second direction R2. The second direction R2 is also referred to as the right side or rightward direction. The direction opposite the second direction R2 is also referred to as the fourth direction R4. The fourth direction R4 is also referred to as the left side or leftward direction. The second direction R2 and the fourth direction R4 are collectively referred to as the left-right direction.
[0071] The normal direction of the front surface 15 is also referred to as the fifth direction R5. The fifth direction R5 is also referred to as the front side or front direction. The opposite direction to the fifth direction is also referred to as the sixth direction R6. The sixth direction R6 is also referred to as the rear side or rear direction. The fifth direction R5 and the sixth direction R6 are collectively referred to as the front-to-rear direction.
[0072] As described above, the upper side surface 11 is located on the upward side of the front surface. The upper side surface 11 is a side surface that extends in the longitudinal direction of the front surface 15. In this embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the front surface 15 is the left-right direction of the front surface 15. The upper side surface 11 extends in the left-right direction. The lower side surface 13 is located opposite the upper side surface 11. The lower side surface 13 is on the third direction R3 side of the upper side surface 11. The right side surface 12 is connected to the right end of the upper side surface 11 and extends in a direction away from the upper side surface 11. The end of the right side surface far from the upper side surface 11 is connected to the right end of the lower side surface 13. The left side surface 14 is connected to the left end of the upper side surface 11 and extends in a direction away from the upper side surface 11. The end of the left side surface far from the upper side surface 11 is connected to the left end of the lower side surface 13. The right side surface is on the second direction R2 side of the left side surface.
[0073] As shown in Fig. 10, on the front surface 15 of the first input device, from right to left, there are provided a + button 33(1), a set of four buttons 32, a joystick 31, and a home button 33(2). The set of four buttons 32 and the joystick 31 are adjacent to each other. In the vertical direction, the joystick 31 is located between the upper and lower buttons of the set of four buttons 32. In the horizontal direction, the joystick 31 is located approximately on an extension of a straight line connecting the right button and the left button of the set of four buttons 32.
[0074] The joystick 31 is tiltable in 360 degrees and may be tiltable in any direction including the first direction R1 to the fourth direction R4. The joystick 31 may be tiltable in only some directions. The joystick 31 may be pushable. Instead of tilting, the joystick 31 may be slidable in each direction. The main unit 3 may perform processing in accordance with a signal indicating the operation direction in a program executed by a user operating the joystick 31. Note that the input device may have another input unit as a direction input unit instead of or in addition to the joystick 31. For example, it may have a cross key or a set of buttons.
[0075] In the executed program, the main unit 3 may perform a corresponding predetermined process based on pressing the + button 33(1) and the set of four buttons 32. The main unit 3 may call up a home menu in response to an input to the home button 33(2).
[0076] The right shoulder button 130 is a button that is used, for example, in the integrally held state, and is a button that is located in the upper right portion of the first input device 1 in the integrally held state. The right shoulder button 130 may also be used in the vertically held state. The right shoulder button 130 has a curved operation surface. The right shoulder button 130 extends in a direction away from the upper side surface 11. The right shoulder button 130 is provided approximately in a portion that would be the lower right portion of the first input device 1 in the horizontally held state. At least a portion of the right shoulder button 130 may be provided on the right side surface 12. The operation surface of the right shoulder button 130 curves approximately along the lower right portion of the first input device 1. The main unit 3 performs a predetermined process in an executed program based on the depression of the right shoulder button.
[0077] The Z shoulder button (right) 140 is a button used, for example, in a unitary grip state, and is provided on the back side of the shoulder button (right) 130. The Z shoulder button (right) 140 may also be used in a vertically held state. The Z shoulder button (right) 140 has a curved operation surface. The shoulder button (right) 130 extends in a direction away from the upper surface 11. The Z shoulder button (right) 140 is provided approximately in a portion that would be the lower right of the first input device 1 in a horizontally held state. At least a portion of the Z shoulder button (right) 140 may be provided on the right surface 12. At least a portion of the Z shoulder button (right) 140 may be provided on the back surface 16. The operation surface of the Z shoulder button (right) 140 curves approximately along the lower right portion of the first input device 1. Note that the Z shoulder button (right) 140 may be provided entirely on the back surface. The main unit 3 performs a predetermined process in an executed program based on the depression of the Z shoulder button (right) 140.
[0078] Fig. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the first input device 1. Fig. 12 is an exploded schematic perspective view including the protrusion 100.
[0079] 11, in addition to the components already described, the first input device 1 has a light emitting unit 150 that notifies the identification number of the input device, a first terminal 160 that is connected to a first main terminal 331 of the main device 3, a first cushion member 191, a second cushion member 192, and an operation unit 182 that constitutes a removal mechanism for removing the convex portion 100 from the main device 3. The first cushion member 191 and the second cushion member 192 are input device mouse sole members.
[0080] As shown in FIG. 11 , the protrusion 100 protrudes upward from the upper surface 11. From another perspective, the protrusion 100 protrudes from the upper surface 11 in the first direction R1. The protrusion 100 extends along the longitudinal direction of the upper surface 11 (i.e., the length in the longitudinal direction is longer than in other directions). Note that the protrusion 100 does not have to extend in a direction strictly aligned with the longitudinal direction of the upper surface 11, as long as it extends along the longitudinal direction. In other words, the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100 is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the upper surface 11. Note that the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100 does not have to strictly match the longitudinal direction of the upper surface 11. The protrusion 100 is an elongated protrusion extending in a direction strictly aligned with the longitudinal direction of the upper surface 11. Note that the protrusion 200 of the second input device 2 also has a configuration similar to the protrusion 100. The following description will focus on the configuration of the convex portion 100 of the first input device 1.
[0081] The protrusion 100 has a top surface (hereinafter also referred to as the top surface 106) and a peripheral surface (hereinafter also referred to as the outer peripheral surface 107) extending downward from the top surface. The top surface 106 is spaced apart from the upper side surface 11. The outer peripheral surface 107 is provided between the top surface 106 and the upper side surface 11 and extends from the top surface 106 to the upper side surface 11. The outer peripheral surface 107 is continuous with the top surface 106 so as to surround the outer edge of the top surface 106. The top surface 106 extends along the longitudinal direction of the upper side surface 11. When viewed from the direction of the top surface 106, the protrusion 100 extends along the longitudinal direction of the upper side surface 11. The length of the top surface 106 in the left-right direction is longer than the length of the top surface 106 in the front-to-rear direction. The surface of the top surface 106 may or may not be flat, for example, by applying a textured finish.
[0082] In this embodiment, the protrusion 100 has a truncated pyramid shape whose cross section becomes smaller toward the top surface 106. As will be described later, the end regions in the longitudinal direction may be rounded. From another perspective, when the protrusion 100 is viewed from the top surface 106 side (i.e., from above), the top surface 106 and the outer peripheral surface 107 surrounding the top surface 106 are visible. The shape of the protrusion 100 is not limited to a truncated pyramid. As an example, the protrusion 100 may be a truncated cone or a rectangular parallelepiped.
[0083] The left-right length of the protrusion 100 (i.e., the length in the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100) may be, for example, two or more times the length of the protrusion 100 in the front-to-rear direction, or five or more times the length. The left-to-right length of the protrusion 100 may be, for example, 50% or more of the length of the upper side surface 11 in the left-to-right direction, or 70% or more of the length. The left-to-right length of the protrusion 100 may be, for example, 25 times or less, or 15 times or less the length of the protrusion 100 in the front-to-rear direction.
[0084] By increasing the horizontal length of the protrusion 100, the horizontal length of the top surface (operation surface) of the top surface button (right) 110 and the top surface button (left) 120 can be increased, improving operability. It also becomes easy to arrange the first cushion member 191, the second cushion member 192, etc. on the top surface of the protrusion 100.
[0085] 11, the protrusion 100 is sandwiched between the front housing 61 and the rear housing 62 that make up the controller housing 10. The upper surface 11 is provided with a housing opening 17 that is formed by the end surfaces of the front housing 61 and the rear housing 62. The protrusion 100 protrudes from inside the controller housing 10, passing through the housing opening 17.
[0086] As shown in FIG. 12 , the protrusion 100 has a protrusion flange 19. The protrusion flange 19 extends outward (more specifically, in the left-right and front-rear directions) from the lower end of the wall portion that constitutes the outer circumferential surface 107. The region of the protrusion 100 above the protrusion flange 19 is exposed from the housing opening 17. The lower region of the protrusion 100, including the protrusion flange 19, is located inside the controller housing 10. The protrusion flange 19 functions to prevent the protrusion 100 from coming off. Note that in another embodiment, the protrusion 100 may be composed of multiple parts. Also, in another embodiment, the protrusion 100 may be part of the controller housing 10. For example, the protrusion 100 may be formed by at least one of the front housing 61 and the rear housing 62.
[0087] The protrusion 100 is detachably attached to a game device attachment portion provided on the game device. Specifically, the protrusion 100 is configured to fit into the game device recess 310 from the front direction of the recess (toward the right side of the main unit 3). The shape of the protrusion 100 is configured to match the shape of the game device recess 310. From another perspective, the top surface 106 and outer peripheral surface 107 of the protrusion match the shapes of the game device bottom surface 3121 and game device inner peripheral surface 3120 of the game device recess 310. When the first input device 1 is attached to the main unit 3, the top surface 106 abuts or faces the game device bottom surface 3121 in close proximity, and the outer peripheral surface 107 abuts or faces the game device inner peripheral surface 3120 in close proximity. Therefore, for example, when a user attaches the first input device 1 to the main unit 3, the first input device 1 is guided to an appropriate attachment position. Furthermore, for example, the first input device 1 attached to the main device 3 is prevented from being displaced in the up-down or front-back direction on the main device 3. As an example, even if a force is applied to the input device in the front-back or up-down direction in response to an operation input by the user in the integrally held state, the input device is prevented from being displaced significantly in position relative to the main device 3.
[0088] As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12 , the outer peripheral surface 107 of the protrusion 100 has a first engagement hole 193 and a second engagement hole 194. The first engagement hole 193 is provided on one longitudinal end face of the protrusion 100. The second engagement hole 194 is provided on the other longitudinal end face of the protrusion 100. The shape of the first engagement hole 193 is different from the shape of the second engagement hole 194. The length of the first engagement hole 193 may be different from the length of the second engagement hole 194 in the front-rear direction. The length of the first engagement hole 193 may be different from the length of the second engagement hole 194 in the up-down direction.
[0089] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 , the top surface button (right) 110 and the top surface button (left) 120 are provided on the convex portion 100. The top surface button (right) 110 and the top surface button (left) 120 are buttons that are pressed by the user and are components that move downward when pressed. A ground connection part 51 is connected to the underside of the top surface button (right) 110. A tactile switch 117 is provided below the top surface button (right) 110. When the top surface button (right) 110 moves downward when pressed by the user, the tactile switch 117 is pressed by the top surface button (right) 110. The top surface button (right) 110 and the tactile switch 117 form a button switch. The top surface button (left) 120 and the tactile switch 127 form a button switch.
[0090] The top surface button (right) 110 is exposed from a fifth opening 197 provided in the top surface 106. The exposed portions of the top surface buttons 110 and 120 (110 and 120 in FIG. 10 ) form operation units that are pressed by the user. A ground connection unit 53 is connected to the underside of the top surface button (left) 120. A tactile switch 127 is provided on the underside of the top surface button (left) 120. The tactile switch 127 is pressed by the top surface button (right) 120. The on signals of the tactile switches 117 and 127 are transmitted to the main device 3, and a program that is executed performs processing in response to the pressing of the top surface button (right) 110 and the top surface button (right) 120.
[0091] The synchronization button 50 is provided on the protrusion 100. The synchronization button 50 is pressed by a user. The synchronization button 50 is provided between the top surface button (right) 110 and the top surface button (left) 120 in the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100. More specifically, the synchronization button 50 is provided between the first terminal 160 and the top surface button (left) 120 in the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100. The synchronization button 50 may be used to instruct a setting process related to wireless communication between the first input device 1 and the main device 3.
[0092] The first input device 1 has a terminal accommodating portion 167. The first terminal 160 is provided along the inner peripheral surface of the terminal accommodating portion 167. The first terminal 160 extends in the up-down direction. A terminal opening 196 is provided in the top surface 106. The terminal accommodating portion 167 communicates with the terminal opening 196. That is, the terminal accommodating portion 167 opens to the top surface 106. Therefore, the first terminal 160 is accessible from outside the top surface 106.
[0093] The terminal opening 196 is provided on the top surface 106 between the top surface button (right) 110 and the top surface button (left) 120. Therefore, the terminal accommodating portion 167 opens on the top surface 106 between the top surface button (right) 110 and the top surface button (left) 120. The first terminal 160 is provided between the top surface button (right) 110 and the top surface button (left) 120 in the longitudinal direction of the convex portion 100. Note that it is sufficient that at least a portion of the first terminal 160 is between the top surface button (right) 110 and the top surface button (left) 120 in the left-right direction, and it is not necessary for it to be between the top surface button (right) 110 and the top surface button (left) 120 in the front-rear direction or the up-down direction. From another perspective, the terminal is provided between the top surface button (right) 110 and the top surface button (left) 120 when viewed from the direction of the top surface of the convex portion 100. The first terminal 160 is provided inside the protrusion 100. The first terminal 160 is arranged so that, in the protruding direction of the protrusion 100, at least its upper end is not higher than the top surface 106 or is lower than the top surface 106. The upper end of the first terminal 160 may be provided between the top surface 106 and the upper side surface 11. The lower end of the first terminal 160 may be arranged lower than the upper side surface 11, i.e., inside the controller housing 10.
[0094] The light emitting unit 150 is provided on the outer peripheral surface 107 of the convex portion 100. More specifically, the light emitting unit 150 is provided on the front side of the outer peripheral surface 107. From another perspective, the area of the outer peripheral surface 107 where the light emitting unit 150 is provided faces the front side. When the user looks at the front surface 15 of the first input device 1, the user can see the light from the light emitting unit 150. The light emitting unit 150 typically emits light emitted by an LED to the outside.
[0095] The light-emitting unit 150 can notify the user of predetermined information. When the main body device 3 communicates with multiple input devices, the light-emitting unit 150 may display information identifying each input device to the user. The light-emitting unit 150 may display other information to the user. The number of light-emitting units 150 is not particularly limited, but is, for example, four. In this embodiment, the four light-emitting units 150 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. For example, among the four light-emitting units 150, a portion or number of light-emitting units 150 may light up according to the identification number assigned to the input device.
[0096] The light emitting portion 150 is provided between the top surface button (right) 110 and the top surface button (left) 120 in the longitudinal direction of the convex portion 100. The light emitting portion 150 is provided at a position overlapping the first terminal 160 in the longitudinal direction of the convex portion 100. From another perspective, the light emitting portion 150 is located below the terminal opening 196 when viewed from the front side.
[0097] A first cushion member 191 and a second cushion member 192 are placed on the top surface 106 of the convex portion 100. The height of the top surfaces of the first cushion member 191 and the second cushion member 192 from the upper side surface 11 is higher than the height of the top surface 106 of the convex portion 100 from the upper side surface 11. From another perspective, the first cushion member 191 and the second cushion member 192 increase the height of the top surface of the convex portion 100. Note that the first cushion member 191 and the second cushion member 192 may be omitted.
[0098] The input device 1 may be placed so that the top surface of the protrusion 100 faces a ground surface such as a desk. In this case, the first cushion member 191 and the second cushion member 192 themselves contact the ground surface, thereby preventing the cushion-free portion of the top surface 106 of the protrusion 100 from directly contacting the ground surface. Furthermore, when the first input device 1 is attached to the main unit 3, the top surfaces of the first cushion member 191 and the second cushion member 192 contact the game device-side bottom surface 3121 of the game device-side recess 310.
[0099] With respect to the height from the upper side surface 11, the height of the top surfaces of the first cushion member 191 and the second cushion member 192 is equal to or higher than the maximum height of the top surface 106 of the convex portion 100. From another perspective, the top surfaces of the first cushion member 191 and the second cushion member 192 are located at the uppermost positions in the first input device 1. The shape of the first cushion member 191 is not particularly limited and may be any shape, such as a circle, an ellipse, or a rectangle. The first cushion member 191 may have a through hole. The shapes of the first cushion member 191 and the second cushion member 192 may be the same or different.
[0100] In the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100, the first cushion member 191 is located closer to the right side surface 12 than the top surface button (right) 110. In the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100, the top surface button (right) 110 is located between the first terminal 160 and the first cushion member 191.
[0101] In the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100, the second cushion member 192 is located closer to the left side surface 14 than the top surface button (left) 120. In the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100, the top surface button (left) 120 is located between the first terminal 160 and the second cushion member 192. More specifically, in the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100, the top surface button (left) 120 is located between the synchronization button 50 and the second cushion member 192.
[0102] The protrusion 100 may be divided. The protrusion 100 may be composed of, for example, a plurality of protrusion members. The mounting structure of the input device 1 is not limited to the protrusion 100. The input device 1 may have a mounting part other than the protrusion 100. In a mounting part other than the protrusion 100, the first opening 170 for mouse operation may be open in the direction in which the upper surface 11 faces.
[0103] Figure 13 is a partial cross-sectional schematic view taken along line XIII-XIII in Figure 11. The structure of the top surface button (right) 110 and its surroundings will be described in detail below. In this embodiment, the structure of the top surface button (left) 120 and its surroundings is substantially symmetrical in the left-right direction to the structure of the top surface button (right) 110 and its surroundings.
[0104] As shown in FIG. 13 , the portion of the top button (right) 110 that is exposed from the top surface of the convex portion 100 forms an operation surface 115, which is the surface operated by the user. The top button (right) 110 has a main body 114 including the operation surface 115, a side wall 118, a flange 113, a first protrusion 111, and a second protrusion 112. The operation surface 115 extends along the longitudinal direction of the convex portion 100 on the top surface 106 of the convex portion 100. In other words, the longitudinal direction of the operation surface 115 is the left-right direction. From another perspective, the longitudinal direction of the operation surface 115 coincides with the longitudinal direction of the convex portion 100.
[0105] In this embodiment, the top button (right) 110 is a single component, and is made of a material that is not magnetic in its entirety but is attracted to a magnet. The material of the top button (right) 110 is not particularly limited, but may be made of a soft magnetic material. The material of the top button (right) 110 may be, for example, iron, and as an example, cold-rolled steel plate (SPCC). The material of the top button (right) 110 may also contain iron. As an example, the material of the top button (right) 110 may be, for example, iron with added silicon and / or nickel. As an example, the top button (right) 110 may be a single component in which resin is molded into a soft magnetic material.
[0106] In another embodiment, the top button (right) 110 may be made of a magnet, or may be made of a combination of a magnet and a soft magnetic material.
[0107] In another embodiment, only a portion of top button (right) 110 may be made of a soft magnetic material or a magnet. In this case, at least the portion exposed from top surface 106 of convex portion 100 may be made of a soft magnetic material or a magnet. Also, at least the portion forming operation surface 115 may be made of a soft magnetic material or a magnet.
[0108] The operation surface 115 is an operation surface for the top surface button (right) 110, which is exposed from the fifth opening 197 and is pressed by the user. The operation surface 115 faces the first direction R1. The operation surface 115 extends in the left-right direction. The length of the operation surface 115 in the left-right direction may be 10% or more, or 20% or more, of the length of the top surface 106 of the convex portion 100 in the left-right direction. Furthermore, the length of the operation surface 115 in the left-right direction may be 10% or more, or 20% or more, of the length of the upper side surface 11 of the convex portion 100 in the left-right direction.
[0109] 13, a tactile switch 117 is provided below the first protrusion 111. The tactile switch 117 is disposed on a flexible printed circuit 90 (hereinafter also referred to as FPC 90). The upper part of the tactile switch 117 is a leaf spring.
[0110] When the top button (right) 110 is not pressed by the user, the first protrusion 111 is supported from below by the tactile switch 117. When the top button (right) 110 is pressed by the user, the top button (right) 110 moves downward from its initial position. The first protrusion 111 of the top button (right) 110, which is moving downward, presses the upper part of the tactile switch 117. When pressed, the upper part of the tactile switch 117 deforms so that it sinks downward. This turns on a switch inside the tactile switch. When the user releases the top button (right) 110, the upper part of the tactile switch 117 returns to its original shape. The return of the shape of the upper part of the tactile switch 117 pushes the first protrusion 111 back upward. Therefore, the top button (right) 110 returns to its initial position. That is, when the top surface button (right) 110 is pressed, the tactile switch 117 is biased in the direction opposite to the pressing direction of the top surface button (right) 110. Note that the tactile switch 117 may also be biased in the direction opposite to the pressing direction of the top surface button (right) 110 when the top surface button (right) 110 is not pressed.
[0111] In another embodiment, the top button (right) 110 may be biased upward by a biasing body such as a spring. That is, when the top button (right) 110 is not pressed by the user, the top button (right) 110 may be biased upward by a biasing body such as a spring and may be separated from the tactile switch 117. In another embodiment, a rubber switch may be used instead of the tactile switch 117.
[0112] The second protrusions 112 protrude from the rear surface of the main body 114 in the third direction R3. The number of second protrusions 112 is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, two second protrusions 112 are provided on either side of the first protrusion 111 in the left-right direction. A ground electrode is provided below the second protrusions 112 on the FPC 90. A ground connection portion 51 is provided between the second protrusions 112 and the ground electrode in the up-down direction. The ground connection portion 51 is conductive. The shape and material of the ground connection portion 51 are not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, it is an iron coil spring. The upper end of the ground connection portion 51 contacts the rear surface of the main body 114 and is electrically connected to the main body. The lower end of the second protrusion 112 is surrounded by the ground connection portion 51, which is a coil spring. The lower end of the ground connection portion 51 contacts the ground electrode.
[0113] In this embodiment, the top button (right) 110 is a soft magnetic material, for example, made of iron, which is conductive. Therefore, if a charged object comes into contact with the top button (right) 110, the potential of the top button (right) 110 changes, which may affect the convex portion 100 and the internal electronic components of the controller housing 10. However, in this embodiment, the potential of the top button (right) 110 is set to ground potential because the top button (right) 110 is electrically connected to a ground electrode by the ground connection portion 51. Therefore, even if a charged object comes into contact with the top button (right) 110, the possibility of affecting the internal electronic components is reduced.
[0114] In this embodiment, the ground connection portion 51 is a compressed coil spring, and therefore the top surface button (right) 110 is biased upward by the coil spring. In this embodiment, the biasing force of the coil spring is small, and therefore the top surface button (right) 110 is in contact with the top of the tactile switch 117 in the initial position. In another aspect, the top surface button (right) 110 may be separated from the tactile switch 117 in the initial position by the biasing force of the coil spring, which is the ground connection portion 51. In another aspect, the first input device 1 may not have the ground connection portion 51.
[0115] As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 , the top button (right) 110 has a main body 114 whose surface constitutes the operation surface, a side wall 118 extending from the bottom surface of the main body 114, and a flange 113 extending outward from the side wall 118. The side wall 118 extends into the protrusion 100 through a fifth opening 197. The flange 113 extends outward from the side wall 118 inside the protrusion 100. The flange may also extend outward from the bottom end of the side wall 118. The flange 113 has a flange portion that protrudes rightward from the right end of the side wall 118 and a flange portion that extends leftward from the left end of the side wall 118. The top surface of the flange 113 faces a part of the inner surface of the protrusion 100 (hereinafter referred to as the first inner surface 71) in the direction opposite to the pressing direction of the top button (right) 110. The first inner surface 71 does not have to be the inner surface of the protrusion 100 itself. The upper surface of the flange 113 is located in the pressing direction of the top surface button (right) 110 relative to the first inner surface 71. Therefore, the flange 113 has the function of preventing the top surface button (right) 110 from coming off by being caught on the first inner surface 71 directly or indirectly.
[0116] Additionally, the outer peripheral surface of the side wall 118 faces a part of the inner surface of the convex portion 100 (hereinafter referred to as the second inner surface 72) in the left-right direction. Note that the second inner surface 72 does not have to be the inner surface of the convex portion 100 itself. The outer peripheral surface of the side wall 118 is positioned relative to the second inner surface 72 in a direction perpendicular to the pressing direction of the top surface button (right) 110.
[0117] The first input device 1 has a first elastically deformable body 52 between the upper surface of the flange 113 and the first inner surface 71. The first elastically deformable body 52 elastically deforms when a force is applied thereto and elastically returns to its original shape when the force is removed. The material of the first elastically deformable body 52 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, rubber.
[0118] The first elastic deformation body 52 may be fixed to the first inner surface 71. The first elastic deformation body 52 may be fixed to the first inner surface 71 using, for example, an adhesive, or may be fixed to the first inner surface 71 by being fitted into a hole formed in the first inner surface 71.
[0119] When the top surface button (right) 110 is in the initial position, the first elastic deformation body 52 is in contact with the first inner surface 71 and the flange 113. At this time, the top surface button (right) 110 may be maintained in the initial position by a balance between the biasing force in the direction opposite to the pressing direction by the tactile switch 117 or the ground connection part 51 and the biasing force in the pressing direction by the first elastic deformation body 52. Note that when the top surface button (right) 110 is in the initial position, the first elastic deformation body 52 may be in contact with only one of the first inner surface 71 and the flange 113, or may not be in contact with both.
[0120] The first elastic deformation body 52 is provided between the outer peripheral surface of the side wall 118 and the second inner surface 72 in the left-right direction, on a side closer to the second inner surface 72. The first elastic deformation body 52 is spaced apart from the side wall 118. The first elastic deformation body 52 may be in contact with the second inner surface 72. The first elastic deformation body 52 may also be spaced apart from the second inner surface 72. In this case, the distance between the second inner surface 72 and the first elastic deformation body 52 in the left-right direction is smaller than the distance between the side wall 118 and the first elastic deformation body 52. In another aspect, the first elastic deformation body 52 may be provided on a side closer to the side wall 118.
[0121] When the first input device 1 is attached to the main unit 3, the top button (right) 110 is attracted to the first game device magnetic element 410. Figure 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state in which the top button (right) 110 is attracted to the first game device magnetic element 410.
[0122] As shown in FIG. 14 , when the first input device 1 is attached to the main unit 3, the top surface button (right) 110 and the first game device magnetic element 410 face each other. In this embodiment, the top surface button (right) 110 is made of a soft magnetic material. Therefore, when the first game device magnetic element 410 approaches the top surface button (right) 110, the top surface button (right) 110 is attracted by the magnetic force of the first game device magnetic element 410. This applies a force to the top surface button (right) 110 in a direction opposite to the pressing direction. At this time, the first elastic deformation body 52 provided between the flange 113 and the first inner surface 71 is pressed toward the first inner surface 71 by the flange 113, and elastically deforms to contract in a direction opposite to the pressing direction. As a result, the top surface button (right) 110 moves in a direction opposite to the pressing direction. That is, the top surface button (right) 110 moves in a direction opposite to the pressing direction from an initial position, which is a position when the top surface button (right) 110 is not pressed by the user, in a direction opposite to the pressing direction. The pressing direction is, for example, the third direction R3, and the direction opposite to the pressing direction is, for example, the first direction R1.
[0123] The top surface button (left) 120 has a configuration similar to that of the top surface button (right) 110. A tactile switch 127 is provided below the top surface button (left) 120, and when the top surface button (left) 120 is pressed, the tactile switch 127 biases the top surface button (left) 120 in a direction opposite to the pressing direction. The top surface button (left) 120 has a main body 124, a side wall 128, and a flange 123 (see FIG. 16 ). The second elastic deformation body 54 is disposed between the upper surface of the flange 123 and the first inner surface 73. The second elastic deformation body 54 may be fixed to the first inner surface 73. The second elastic deformation body 54 may be provided between the outer peripheral surface of the side wall 128 and the second inner surface 74, on a side closer to the second inner surface 74, in the left-right direction.
[0124] 15 is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of the first elastic deformation body 52 when viewed from inside the convex portion 100 toward the top surface 106. FIG. 15 shows the first elastic deformation body 52 and the convex portion 100. The first elastic deformation body 52 has a first elastic portion 52a and a second elastic portion 52b. The second elastic portion 52b is spaced apart from the first elastic portion 52a. In the left-right direction, the first elastic portion 52a is located on the second direction R2 side with respect to the fifth opening 197. In the left-right direction, the second elastic portion 52b is located on the fourth direction R4 side with respect to the fifth opening 197.
[0125] A part of the first elastic deformation body 52 protrudes from the outer peripheral surface 107 of the convex portion 100. Specifically, the first elastic portion 52a is provided so as to protrude from the inside to the outside of the convex portion 100 through an opening formed in the outer peripheral surface 107 of the convex portion 100. The second elastic portion 52b may be provided inside the convex portion 100 and not protrude to the outside. Note that the opening through which the first elastic deformation body 52 protrudes may be formed in the outer peripheral surface 107 of the convex portion 100 by a notch formed in the convex portion 100 and the upper side surface 11.
[0126] The first elastic portion 52a has a first elastic region 52c and a second elastic region 52d. In the up-down direction, the first elastic region 52c is located lower than the second elastic region 52d. In the left-right direction, the first elastic region 52c may be located closer to the second direction R2 than the second elastic region 52d. A portion of the first elastic region 52c protrudes from the outer peripheral surface 107 of the protrusion 100. The second elastic region 52d is located inside the protrusion 100.
[0127] 10 and 12 , the first elastic deformation body 52 is provided on the outer peripheral surface 107 on the rear surface 16 side. From another perspective, the first elastic deformation body 52 protrudes from the outer peripheral surface 107 of the convex portion 100 in the sixth direction R6. Therefore, when the first input device 1 is held vertically or horizontally, the first elastic deformation body 52 is difficult to see from a user facing the front surface 15 of the first input device 1. Note that the first elastic deformation body 52 may be provided on the outer peripheral surface 107 on the front surface 15 side as well, or may be provided only on the front surface 15 side.
[0128] When the protrusion 100 fits into the game apparatus-side recess 310, the outer peripheral surface 107 and the game apparatus-side inner peripheral surface 3120 face each other. At this time, the first elastic deformation bodies 52 provided on the outer peripheral surface 107 may come into contact with the opposing game apparatus-side inner peripheral surface 3120. This allows the protrusion 100 to be more firmly attached to the game apparatus-side recess 310. More specifically, when the first elastic deformation bodies 52 come into contact with the game apparatus-side inner peripheral surface 3120 that faces the back side of the outer peripheral surface 107, the protrusion 100 is urged forward by the game apparatus-side inner peripheral surface 3120 via the first elastic deformation bodies 52. As a result, the front side of the outer peripheral surface 107 of the protrusion 100 is pressed against the opposing game apparatus-side inner peripheral surface 3120, making the attachment more secure.
[0129] Furthermore, because the first elastically deformable body 52 is elastically deformable, when the protrusion 100 is fitted into the game apparatus recess 310, it elastically deforms so as to contract in the front-to-rear direction, thereby preventing a decrease in fit. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first elastically deformable body 52 is exposed from the base of the outer circumferential surface 107. That is, the protruding first elastically deformable body 52 is adjacent to the upper surface 11. From another perspective, the upper end of the first elastically deformable body is positioned lower than the top surface of the protrusion 100. Therefore, when the protrusion 100 is inserted into the game apparatus recess 310, it first enters the game apparatus recess 310 from a portion of the outer circumferential surface 107 where the first elastically deformable body 52 is not provided. That is, at the beginning of insertion, the first elastically deformable body 52 does not come into contact with the game apparatus inner circumferential surface 3120. Therefore, a decrease in fit is prevented.
[0130] Like the first elastic deformation body 52, a portion of the second elastic deformation body 54 may also protrude from an opening provided in the outer peripheral surface of the convex portion 100. The second elastic deformation body 54 may protrude from the same surface of the outer peripheral surface 107 as the surface from which the first elastic deformation body 52 protrudes. Both the first elastic deformation body 52 and the second elastic deformation body 54 may protrude from the back surface side of the outer peripheral surface 107.
[0131] 10 to 13, the top surface 106 of the protrusion 100 has regions that are each at a different height from the upper side surface 11. The top surface 106 of the protrusion 100 has a first region 101, a second region 102, a third region 103, a fourth region 104, and a fifth region 105.
[0132] The first region 101 is a region of the housing that forms the top surface 106 of the convex portion 100 where an upper surface button (right) 110 is provided. The upper surface button (right) 110 is provided so as to pass through a fifth opening 197 formed in the first region 101. Similarly, the second region 102 is a region where an upper surface button (left) 120 is provided. The upper surface button (left) 120 is provided so as to pass through a sixth opening 198 formed in the second region 102.
[0133] 11 , the third region 103 is a region of the housing that forms the top surface 106 of the protrusion 100, including the top surface 106 at one end region of the protrusion 100. From another perspective, the third region 103 is continuous with an end face of the outer circumferential surface 107 of the protrusion 100 on the second direction R2 side. The third region 103 is a region that is located closer to the first direction R1 than each of the first region 101 and the second region 102. In the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100, the length of the third region 103 may be shorter than the lengths of each of the first region 101 and the second region 102.
[0134] A first cushion member 191 is provided in the third region 103. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, the first cushion member 191 is disposed in a recess provided in the third region 103. A portion of the first cushion member 191 is exposed from the recess. Note that the third region 103 may be flat without a recess. The first cushion member 191 may be placed on the flat surface of the third region.
[0135] 11 , the fifth region 105 is a region of the housing that forms the top surface 106 of the protrusion 100, including the top surface 106 at the other end region of the protrusion 100. From another perspective, the fifth region 105 is continuous with the end face of the outer circumferential surface 107 of the protrusion 100 on the fourth direction R4 side. The fifth region 105 is a region that is located closer to the first direction R1 than each of the first region 101 and the second region 102. In the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100, the length of the fifth region 105 may be shorter than the lengths of each of the first region 101 and the second region 102.
[0136] A second cushion member 192 is provided in the fifth region 105. The second cushion member 192 is disposed in a recess provided in the fifth region 105. A portion of the second cushion member 192 is exposed from the recess. The fifth region 105 may be flat without a recess. The second cushion member 192 may be placed on the flat surface of the fifth region. It can also be said that the first cushion members 191, 192 increase the height of the convex portion 100 from the upper side surface 11.
[0137] The fourth region 104 is a region of the housing that forms the top surface 106 of the protrusion 100, and is located between the first region 101 and the second region 102 in the longitudinal direction of the top surface 106. The fourth region is provided with a terminal opening 196 and a synchronization button opening 195.
[0138] The third region 103 is located on the convex side of the fourth region 104. The fifth region 105 is located on the convex side of the fourth region 104.
[0139] In the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100, the first region 101 is located between the third region 103 and the fourth region 104. In the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100, the second region 102 is located between the fifth region 105 and the fourth region 104. In the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100, each of the first region 101, the second region 102, and the fourth region 104 is located between the third region 103 and the fifth region 105.
[0140] As shown in FIG. 13 , the height of the first region 101 from the upper side surface 11 is a first height T1. From another perspective, the distance from the upper side surface 11 to the first region 101 in the vertical direction is the first height T1. Similarly, the height of the second region 102 from the upper side surface 11 is a second height T2. From another perspective, the distance from the upper side surface 11 to the second region 102 in the vertical direction is the second height T2. In this embodiment, the first height T1 and the second height T2 are the same, but they may be different. Note that the first region 101 and the second region 102 may be provided from one end to the other end of the top surface 106 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100.
[0141] The height of the third region 103 from the upper side surface 11 is a third height T3. From another perspective, the distance from the upper side surface 11 to the third region 103 in the vertical direction is the third height T3. Similarly, the height of the fifth region 105 from the upper side surface 11 is a fifth height T5. From another perspective, the distance from the upper side surface 11 to the fifth region 105 in the vertical direction is the fifth height T5.
[0142] In this embodiment, the third height T3 and the fifth height T5 are the same, but may be different. In this embodiment, the third height T3 and the fifth height T5 are higher than the first height T1 and the second height T2, but may be the same or lower. The third region 103 and the fifth region 105 may be provided from one end to the other end of the top surface 106 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100.
[0143] The height of the fourth region 104 from the upper surface 11 is a fourth height T4. From another perspective, the distance from the upper surface 11 to the fourth region 104 in the up-down direction is the fourth height T4. In this embodiment, the fourth height T4 is higher than the first height T1 and the second height T2, but may be the same as or lower than them. In this embodiment, the fourth height T4 is lower than the third height T3 and the fifth height T5, but may be the same as or higher than them. The fourth region 104 may be provided from one end to the other end of the top surface 106 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100.
[0144] The height of the top surface of the first cushion member 191 from the upper side surface 11 is a sixth height T6. From another perspective, the distance in the vertical direction from the upper side surface 11 to the top surface of the first cushion member 191 is the sixth height T6. Similarly, the height of the top surface of the second cushion member 192 from the upper side surface 11 is a seventh height T7. From another perspective, the distance in the vertical direction from the upper side surface 11 to the top surface of the second cushion member 192 is the seventh height T7.
[0145] When the top surface button (right) 110 is in the initial position, the height of the operation surface 115 from the upper surface 11 is an eighth height T8. From another perspective, the distance from the upper surface 11 to the operation surface 115 in the vertical direction is an eighth height T8. Similarly, when the top surface button (left) 120 is in the initial position, the height of the operation surface 125 from the upper surface 11 is a ninth height T9. From another perspective, the distance from the upper surface 11 to the operation surface 125 in the vertical direction is a ninth height T9.
[0146] 13 and 14, the top button (right) 110 can move upward. As shown in Fig. 14, when the top button (right) 110 is attracted to the first game device magnetic element 410 and in contact with the game device bottom surface 3121, the height of the operation surface 115 from the upper side surface 11 is a tenth height T10. Similarly, when the top button (left) 120 is attracted to the second game device magnetic element 420 and in contact with the game device bottom surface 3121, the height of the operation surface 125 from the upper side surface 11 is an eleventh height T11.
[0147] <Connection structure>
[0148] Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the input device is attached to the main unit 3. The cross-sectional view shown in Fig. 16 is parallel to both the left-right direction and the up-down direction.
[0149] As shown in FIG. 16 , the protrusion 100 of the first input device 1 fits into the game device recess 310 of the main unit 3. The right top button 110 is attracted to the first game device magnetic element 410 by magnetic force. In the left-right direction, the length of the top surface of the right top button 110 (third length W3) is longer than the length of the first game device magnetic element 410 (first length W1). The right top button 110 is attracted to the first game device magnetic element 410 by magnetic force. The left top button 120 is attracted to the second game device magnetic element 420 by magnetic force. In the left-right direction, the length of the top surface of the left top button 120 (fourth length W4) is longer than the length of the second game device magnetic element 420 (second length W2). The left top button 120 further has a first protrusion 121 and a second protrusion 122.
[0150] <Removal mechanism>
[0151] FIG. 17 is a schematic rear view showing the configuration of the input device. FIG. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line XVIII-XVIII in FIG. 17. As shown in FIG. 18, the first input device 1 has a pusher 181, a pusher operating member 186, and a biasing member 183. These constitute a removal mechanism. The pusher operating member 186 has an operating member 182, a pusher operating member 185, and a rotation shaft 184.
[0152] When the user operates the operation unit 182, the pusher 181 protrudes from the top surface 106 of the protrusion 100. When the first input device 1 is attached to the main unit 3, the protruding pusher 181 presses against the game device-side bottom surface 3121 of the game device-side recess 310. When the pusher 181 presses against the game device-side bottom surface 3121, the top surface 106 of the protrusion 100 moves in a direction away from the game device-side bottom surface 3121. The first input device 1 rotates around the end opposite to the end where the pusher 181 is provided as a fulcrum. As described above, the first input device 1 can be easily removed from the main unit 3.
[0153] The pusher 181 may protrude from the right side of the operating portion 182 in the longitudinal direction of the convex portion 100. The center of the pusher 181 may be located to the right of the center of the operating portion 182 in the longitudinal direction of the convex portion 100. The pusher 181 may protrude from the right side of the first elastic deformation body 52 in the longitudinal direction of the convex portion 100. The center of the pusher 181 may be located to the right of the center of the first elastic deformation body 52 in the longitudinal direction of the convex portion 100.
[0154] Furthermore, the amount of protrusion of the pusher 181 may be such that the operation surface 115 of the top button (right) 110 is separated from the surface of the cover member 338 that constitutes the bottom surface 3121 of the recess 310 due to the protrusion of the pusher 181. From another perspective, the amount of protrusion of the pusher 181 may be such that the operation surface 115 of the top button (right) 110 is separated from the surface of the cover member 338 that constitutes the bottom surface 3121 of the recess 310 even when the top button (right) 110 is attracted to the first game device magnetic element 410 and moves upward to its maximum extent. This allows the first input device 1 to be easily removed from the main unit 3. The amount of protrusion of the pusher 181 may be such that at least a portion of the operation surface 125 of the top button (left) 120 does not separate from the surface of the cover member 338. This prevents the first input device 1 from being suddenly removed from the main unit 3.
[0155] The amount of protrusion of the pusher 181 may be such that the right end of the top surface 106 of the convex portion 100 (the end on the second direction R2 side in FIG. 11 ) is exposed from the opening of the recess 310 due to the protrusion of the pusher 181. The amount of protrusion of the pusher 181 may be such that the right end of the top surface 106 is not exposed from the opening of the recess 310 even when the pusher 181 protrudes. The amount of protrusion of the pusher 181 may be such that the entire first elastic deformation body 52 exposed from the outer peripheral surface 107 of the convex portion 100 is exposed from the opening of the recess 310 due to the protrusion of the pusher 181. On the other hand, only a portion of the second elastic deformation body 54 exposed from the outer peripheral surface 107 may be exposed from the opening of the recess 310. The amount of protrusion of the pusher 181 may be such that the light emitting unit 150 provided on the outer peripheral surface 107 is not exposed from the opening of the recess 310 even when the pusher 181 protrudes. The amount of protrusion of the pusher 181 may be such that the right end of the upper surface 11 (the end on the second direction R2 side in FIG. 11) and the top end of the main body right side surface 313 are spaced apart by a distance of, for example, 0.5 mm to 1 cm. The distance may be, for example, 1 mm to 5 mm. The distance may also be, for example, 2 mm.
[0156] As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 , the operation unit 182 is provided on, for example, the rear surface 16. The operation unit 182 is arranged so as to be exposed from an opening provided on the rear surface 16. The operation unit 182 is operated by a user. The operation unit 182 is operated in the direction of arrow A3. The direction of arrow A3 is a rotation direction from the main body right side surface 313 to the right and from the rear side to the front side of the main body device 3. From another perspective, the direction of arrow A3 is a rotation direction in the first input device 1 toward the third direction R3 and the fifth direction R5. Note that the operation unit 182 may be configured to be operated in a direction parallel to the third direction R3. FIG. 18 shows a state (natural state) before the operation of the operation unit 182.
[0157] 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state when operation unit 182 is being operated. Rotation shaft 184 rotates together with pusher operating unit 185 when operation unit 182 is operated. Pusher operating unit 185 causes pusher 181 to protrude.
[0158] Before the operation unit 182 is operated, the pusher 181 is disposed inside the protrusion 100. The biasing unit 183 biases the pusher 181 in the third direction R3. The biasing unit 183 is, for example, a coil spring. When the user operates the operation unit 182 in the third direction R3, the rotation shaft 184 rotates together with the operation unit 182 and the pusher actuation unit 185, and the pusher actuation unit 185 pushes the pusher 181 in the first direction R1. A portion of the pusher 181 protrudes from the protrusion 100. When the user releases the operation unit 182, the biasing unit 183 extends, causing the pusher 181 to move in the third direction R3. This returns the pusher 181 to its natural position.
[0159] As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the operating unit 182 is operated at least in the third direction R3. In this embodiment, the operating unit 182 is rotated in a direction including the third direction R3 and the fifth direction R5. That is, the operating direction of the operating unit 182 is the third direction R3 (a direction moving away from the upper surface 11) when viewed from the rear of the first input device 1, and is the fifth direction R5 (a direction moving closer to the rear) when viewed from the side. When the operating unit 182 is operated in the third direction R3, the pusher 181 moves in the first direction R1. From another perspective, the pusher 181 moves in the opposite direction to the operating direction of the operating unit 182.
[0160] <Mouse>
[0161] 20 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing only the convex portion taken along line XX-XX in FIG. 11. As shown in FIG. 20, the first input device 1 has a mouse operation sensor 174. The mouse operation sensor 174 is disposed inside the convex portion 100. The mouse operation sensor 174 is, for example, an optical sensor. The mouse operation sensor 174 has, for example, a light source 171 and a light receiving sensor 172. Note that the input device 1 may have a lens in the first opening 170 for collecting light emitted from the light source 171 and / or light guided to the light receiving sensor 172.
[0162] As shown in FIG. 20 , the light source 171 emits light. The light may be, for example, red light, blue light, or laser light. The wavelength of the light is not particularly limited. The light from the light source 171 is irradiated onto the tracking surface F through the first opening 170. The light receiving sensor 172 detects reflected light from the tracking surface F of the light emitted from the light source 171, which enters through the first opening 170 and changes in accordance with the relative movement of the input device 1 with respect to the tracking surface F. A second input device 2, which will be described later, has a similar configuration.
[0163] FIG. 21 is a front view showing the configuration of the input device 1. FIG. 21 shows the orientation of the input device 1 when used as a mouse. FIG. 22 is an enlarged view of region XXII in FIG. 21. As shown in FIG. 22, when the input device 1 is placed on the tracking surface F with the top surface 106 of the convex portion 100 facing the tracking surface F, the first cushion member 191 contacts the tracking surface F. Although not shown, the second cushion member 192 also contacts the tracking surface F. Each of the first cushion member 191 and the second cushion member 192 functions as a mouse sole. The material of the first cushion member 191 may be the same as or different from the material of the second cushion member. The first button 110 is spaced apart from the tracking surface F. The top surface of the first button 110 is located closer to the third direction R3 than the top surface of the first cushion member 191. The tracking surface F is not particularly limited, but may be the surface of a desk, for example. The input device 1 is movable on a tracking surface F.
[0164] The first cushion member 191 is provided in the third region 103. The first button 110 is provided in the first region 101. The thickness of the portion of the first cushion member 191 protruding from the third region 103 in the vertical direction is, for example, 0.2 mm. The third region 103 is spaced apart from the tracking surface F. The distance between the tracking surface F and the third region 103 in the vertical direction is, for example, 0.2 mm. Meanwhile, the distance G between the tracking surface F and the operation surface of the first button 110 is, for example, 0.3 mm. In other words, the distance from the tracking surface F to the operation surface of the first button 110 may be longer than the distance from the tracking surface F to the third region 103. Although not shown in FIG. 22 , the fourth region 104 in which the terminal opening 196 is provided is also spaced apart from the tracking surface F.
[0165] The input device 1 can also be used as a mouse by including a mouse operation sensor 174. A first opening 170 is provided in the top surface 106. Therefore, when the input device 1 is placed on the tracking surface F so that the top surface 106 of the convex portion 100 faces the tracking surface F, the first opening 170 is positioned close to the tracking surface F. Therefore, the first opening 170 can effectively capture reflected light from the tracking surface F. The mouse operation sensor outputs a signal related to the relative movement of the input device with respect to the tracking surface, based on the reflected light from the tracking surface that passes through the first opening 170.
[0166] Based on the output result from the mouse operation sensor 174, the information processing unit of the main unit 3 may calculate movement parameters (e.g., movement direction and movement distance) related to the movement of the input device 1 relative to the tracking surface F. Furthermore, the main unit 3 may execute predetermined game processing based on the movement parameters determined in the program being executed. The movement parameters may be calculated within the input device 1 (by the mouse operation sensor 174 or an information processing unit provided in the input device 1), and the calculated parameters may be transmitted to the main unit 3. Note that, when the input device 1 moves relative to the tracking surface F while being spaced apart from the tracking surface F, the movement of the input device 1 relative to the tracking surface F may not be accurately measured. For example, the input device 1 may be configured so that, when the top surface 106 of the convex portion 100 is spaced apart from the tracking surface F by 1 cm or more, 5 mm or more, or 1 mm or more, the input device 1 cannot properly detect reflected light from the tracking surface F to measure movement relative to the tracking surface F. As an example, the mouse operation sensor 174 may be designed so that the distance from the tracking surface F of the input device 1 at which the direction and distance of movement relative to the tracking surface F of the input device 1 can be accurately detected is within 1 cm, or within 5 mm, or within 1 mm.
[0167] <Peripheral devices>
[0168] Next, the configuration of the peripheral device according to the first embodiment will be described in detail. Fig. 23 is a six-sided schematic diagram showing the configuration of the peripheral device according to the first embodiment. Fig. 24 is an exploded perspective schematic diagram showing the configuration of the peripheral device according to the first embodiment.
[0169] 23 and 24, the peripheral device 500 according to the first embodiment is a peripheral device 500 to which the input device 1 is detachably attached, and includes an attachment section 509, a peripheral device main body 530, a first mouse sole member 531, a second mouse sole member 532, a first light guide path 551, a second light guide path 552, a torsion spring 533, a stopper plate 534, and a strap 506. The attachment section 509 includes a hole 507 into which the protrusion fits, a first claw 510, and a second claw 520.
[0170] The peripheral device main body 530 has a main body top surface 501, a main body bottom surface 502, a main body outer peripheral surface 503, and a main body inner peripheral surface 504. An abutment portion 7 is provided on the main body bottom surface 502. The abutment portion 7 is a portion that abuts against the tracking surface F when the main body bottom surface 502 is placed facing the tracking surface F. In this embodiment, the bottom surfaces of the first mouse sole member 531 and the second mouse sole member 532 form the abutment portion 7. The main body top surface 501 is located on the opposite side of the main body bottom surface 502. The main body outer peripheral surface 503 is continuous with both the main body top surface 501 and the main body bottom surface 502. The main body inner peripheral surface 504 is located inside the main body outer peripheral surface 503. The main body inner peripheral surface 504 is continuous with both the main body top surface 501 and the main body bottom surface 502. 507 is formed by the inner peripheral surface 504 of the main body.
[0171] The main body inner circumferential surface 504 has a first inner circumferential surface region 504a, a second inner circumferential surface region 504b, a third inner circumferential surface region 504c, and a fourth inner circumferential surface region 504d. The first inner circumferential surface region 504a and the second inner circumferential surface region 504b each extend along the longitudinal direction of the peripheral device main body 530. The first inner circumferential surface region 504a and the second inner circumferential surface region 504b face each other. The third inner circumferential surface region 504c and the fourth inner circumferential surface region 504d are located on one side and the other side of the longitudinal direction of the peripheral device main body 530, respectively. The third inner circumferential surface region 504c and the fourth inner circumferential surface region 504d face each other. The third inner circumferential surface region 504c is continuous with the first inner circumferential surface region 504a and the second inner circumferential surface region 504b. Similarly, the fourth inner circumferential surface region 504d is continuous with both the first inner circumferential surface region 504a and the second inner circumferential surface region 504b.
[0172] The main body outer surface 503 has a first outer peripheral surface region 503a, a second outer peripheral surface region 503b, a third outer peripheral surface region 503c, and a fourth outer peripheral surface region 503d. The first outer peripheral surface region 503a and the second outer peripheral surface region 503b each extend along the longitudinal direction of the peripheral device main body 530. The first outer peripheral surface region 503a is located opposite the first inner peripheral surface region 504a. The second outer peripheral surface region 503b is located opposite the second inner peripheral surface region 504b. The third outer peripheral surface region 503c and the fourth outer peripheral surface region 503d are located on one and the other sides of the longitudinal direction of the peripheral device main body 530, respectively. The third outer peripheral surface region 503c is located opposite the third inner peripheral surface region 504c. The fourth outer peripheral surface region 503d is located opposite the fourth inner peripheral surface region 504d. The third outer peripheral surface region 503c is continuous with both the first outer peripheral surface region 503a and the second outer peripheral surface region 503b. Similarly, the fourth outer peripheral surface region 503d is continuous with both the first outer peripheral surface region 503a and the second outer peripheral surface region 503b.
[0173] The peripheral device main body 530 is formed with a first light guide member arrangement portion 551a and a second light guide member arrangement portion (not shown). Each of the first light guide member arrangement portion 551a and the second light guide member arrangement portion is formed by a recess formed in the peripheral device main body 530 and a hole provided in the bottom surface of the recess. Note that each of the first light guide member arrangement portion 551a and the second light guide member arrangement portion may be formed by a simple hole. The first light guide member 551b is arranged in the first light guide member arrangement portion 551a. The first light guide member 551b and the first light guide member arrangement portion 551a form a first light guide path 551. The second light guide member 552b is arranged in the second light guide member arrangement portion. The second light guide member 552b and the second light guide member arrangement portion form a second light guide path 552. The first light guide member arrangement portion 551a is formed in the first inner circumferential surface region 504a. A portion of the first light guide member arrangement portion 551a opens to the first outer peripheral surface region 503a. The first light guide member 551b and the second light guide member 552b each have a protrusion. The protrusion is inserted into a hole in the first light guide member arrangement portion 551a and the second light guide member arrangement portion, respectively. The second light guide member arrangement portion is formed in the second inner peripheral surface region 504b. A portion of the second light guide member arrangement portion opens to the second outer peripheral surface region 503b. The first light guide member arrangement portion 551a and the second light guide member arrangement portion, and the peripheral device main body 530 may be formed by two-color molding.
[0174] When the first input device 1 is attached to the peripheral device 500, the user can see the light from the light-emitting unit 150 of the first input device 1 through the second light guide path 552. When the second input device 2 is attached to the peripheral device 500, the user can see the light from the light-emitting unit 250 of the second input device 2 through the first light guide path 551. Because the peripheral device 500 has the first light guide path 551 and the second light guide path 552, the user can see the light from the light-emitting unit whether the peripheral device 500 is attached to the first input device 1 (right controller) or the second input device 2 (left controller). Because the light from the light-emitting unit is guided forward by the first light guide path 551 and the second light guide path 552, the user can see the light from the light-emitting unit whether the peripheral device 500 is held vertically, horizontally, or like a mouse.
[0175] FIG. 25 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line XXV-XXV in FIG. 23. The cross section shown in FIG. 25 is parallel to both the up-down direction and the left-right direction. The direction from the main body top surface 501 toward the main body bottom surface 502 corresponds to the up-down direction. The longitudinal direction of the peripheral device main body 530 corresponds to the left-right direction. The longitudinal direction of the hole 507 corresponds to the left-right direction. The short-side direction of the peripheral device main body 530 corresponds to the front-rear direction. FIG. 26 is an enlarged schematic view of region XXVI in FIG. 25. As shown in FIG. 26, the mounting portion 509 has a first claw 510. The first claw 510 is provided on the peripheral device main body 530. The first claw 510 engages with the second engagement hole 194. The first claw 510 may engage with both the first engagement hole 193 and the second engagement hole 194. The first claw 510 is formed by raising the main body inner circumferential surface 504. The first claw 510 is immovable relative to the peripheral device main body 530. The first claw 510 is provided on the third inner circumferential surface region 504c of the peripheral device main body 530. The first claw 510 protrudes from the third inner circumferential surface region 504c into the hole 507. The first claw 510 may have a convex shape. Note that the first claw 510 may be separate from the peripheral device main body 530 and fixed so as not to move relative to the peripheral device main body 530.
[0176] The peripheral device main body 530 has a strap attachment portion 505. The strap attachment portion 505 is a hole into which a strap 506 is inserted. The strap attachment portion 505 is located outward in the longitudinal direction (outward in the left-right direction) from the hole 507, on the side where the first hook 510 is provided. The strap attachment portion 505 is located on the opposite side of the first hook 510 from the second hook 520. The strap attachment portion 505 opens to the third outer circumferential surface region 503c (see FIG. 23).
[0177] As shown in FIG. 26 , in cross sections parallel to the up-down and left-right directions, the third outer peripheral surface region 503c is inclined with respect to a line perpendicular to the main body bottom surface 502 so that the further away from the main body bottom surface 502 it is, the closer it is to the hole 507. In the left-right direction, the width of the main body bottom surface 502 is greater than the width of the main body top surface 501. A first mouse sole member placement portion 571 is provided on the main body bottom surface 502. The first mouse sole member placement portion 571 is a recess provided in the main body bottom surface 502. The first mouse sole member 531 is placed in the first mouse sole member placement portion 571.
[0178] Figure 27 is an enlarged schematic view of region XXVII in Figure 25. As shown in Figure 27, the peripheral device main body 530 has a second claw arrangement portion 525. The second claw arrangement portion 525 is a hole in which the second claw 520 is arranged. The second claw arrangement portion 525 extends in the left-right direction. The second claw arrangement portion 525 has a third opening 523 and a fourth opening 524. The third opening 523 is an opening portion of a hole provided in the fourth outer peripheral surface region 503d. The fourth opening 524 is an opening portion of a hole provided in the fourth inner peripheral surface region 504d.
[0179] The second claw 520 engages with the first engagement hole 193. The second claw 520 is movable or deformable. The second claw 520 has a claw portion 521 that engages with at least the other of the first engagement hole 193 and the second engagement hole 194, and a second claw end portion 522 on the opposite side of the claw portion 521. The second claw 522 is exposed in the third opening 523 and the fourth opening 524. More specifically, the second claw end portion 522 is exposed in the third opening 523. The claw portion 521, which is the portion opposite the second claw end portion 522, is exposed in the fourth opening 524. The second claw 520 has a notch 526. The notch 526 is located between the claw portion 521 and the second claw end portion 522 in the left-right direction. The stopper plate 534 is disposed in the notch 526.
[0180] 27, in cross sections parallel to the up-down direction and the left-right direction, fourth outer peripheral surface region 503d is inclined with respect to a line perpendicular to main body bottom surface 502 so as to approach hole 507 the further away from main body bottom surface 502. Second claw end portion 522 extends along fourth outer peripheral surface region 503d. From another perspective, second claw end portion 522 is inclined with respect to a line perpendicular to main body bottom surface 502 so as to approach hole 507 the further away from main body bottom surface 502.
[0181] As shown in FIG. 27, the peripheral device main body 530 has a third hole 560. A torsion spring 533 and a stopper plate 534 are disposed in the third hole 560. A second mouse sole member arrangement portion 572 is provided on the main body bottom surface 502. The second mouse sole member arrangement portion 572 is a recess provided on the main body bottom surface 502. The second mouse sole member 532 is disposed in the second mouse sole member arrangement portion 572.
[0182] FIG. 28 is a perspective schematic diagram showing the state with the second mouse sole member 532 removed. As shown in FIG. 27, the peripheral device main body 530 has a second opening 561. The second opening 561 is an opening of the third hole 560. The second opening 561 opens to a second mouse sole member arrangement portion 572 provided on the bottom surface 502 of the main body. The second opening 561 is closed by the second mouse sole member 532. The third hole 560 communicates with the second claw arrangement portion 525. The second claw arrangement portion 525 is an internal space in which the second claw 520 can move. The second opening 561 communicates with the second claw arrangement portion 525. The torsion spring 533 has a first spring end portion 533a, a second spring end portion 533b, and a coil spring portion 533c. The second spring end 533b is located on the opposite side to the first spring end 533a. The first spring end 533a is connected to one end of the coil spring portion 533c. The second spring end 533b is connected to the other end of the coil spring portion 533c.
[0183] The coil spring portion 533c is disposed at a position away from the second claw 520 in the front-rear direction. The first spring end portion 533a abuts against the second claw 520 at the cutout portion 526. The stopper plate 534 is substantially U-shaped. The stopper plate 534 is attached to the second claw 520 at the cutout portion 526. The stopper plate 534 sandwiches the second claw 520. In the left-right direction, the stopper plate 534 is located between the first spring end portion 533a and the second spring end portion 533b. The second spring end portion 533b abuts against the inner circumferential surface of the third hole 560.
[0184] 27 and 28 show a state (also referred to as a first state) in which no external force is applied to the second claw 520. As shown in FIG. 27, the third hole 560 has a first side wall surface portion 560a and a second side wall surface portion 560b. The first side wall surface portion 560a and the second side wall surface portion 560b are each substantially perpendicular to the left-right direction. In the left-right direction, the first side wall surface portion 560a is located between the second side wall surface portion 560b and the fourth inner circumferential surface region 504d. In the left-right direction, the second side wall surface portion 560b is located between the first side wall surface portion 560a and the fourth outer circumferential surface region 503d. The second spring end portion 533b abuts against the second side wall surface portion 560b.
[0185] In the first state, the stopper plate 534 is spaced apart from the first side wall surface portion 560a and the second side wall surface portion 560b. In the left-right direction, the stopper plate 534 is located closer to the first side wall surface portion 560a than the midpoint between the first side wall surface portion 560a and the second side wall surface portion 560b.
[0186] In the first state, at least a portion of the claw portion 521 is located outside the second claw arrangement portion 525. The claw portion 521 protrudes toward the hole 507. The claw portion 521 passes through the fourth opening 524. The second claw end portion 522 is located in the third opening 523. The second claw end portion 522 may be located inside the second claw arrangement portion 525.
[0187] Next, the operation of second claw 520 will be described. The state shown in Figs. 29 and 30 is a state in which an external force is applied to second claw 520 (also referred to as the second state). For example, while convex portion 100 of input device 1 is being fitted into hole 507, second claw 520 is temporarily pushed outward in the left-right direction by convex portion 100. Fig. 29 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the second state. Fig. 30 is a schematic perspective view showing the second state. The display areas in Figs. 29 and 30 correspond to the display areas in Figs. 27 and 28, respectively.
[0188] As shown in Figures 29 and 30, when an external force is applied to the claw portion 521 of the second claw 520, the second claw 520 moves in a direction from the fourth inner circumferential surface region 504d toward the fourth outer circumferential surface region 503d. The claw portion 521 moves in a direction from the outside toward the inside of the second claw arrangement portion 525. The second claw end portion 522 moves in a direction from the inside toward the outside of the second claw arrangement portion 525. The stopper plate 534 moves in a direction from the first side wall surface portion 560a toward the second side wall surface portion 560b. The stopper plate 534 abuts against the second side wall surface portion 560b, thereby stopping the movement of the second claw 520.
[0189] 29 , when the stopper plate 534 is in contact with the second side wall surface portion 560b, the second claw end portion 522 is located outside the second claw arrangement portion 525. When the stopper plate 534 is in contact with the second side wall surface portion 560b, the claw portion 521 is located inside the second claw arrangement portion 525. Note that the entire claw portion 521 may be located inside the second claw arrangement portion 525, or a large portion of the claw portion 521 may be located inside the second claw arrangement portion 525 with only the tip of the claw portion 521 located outside the second claw arrangement portion 525.
[0190] As shown in Figures 29 and 30, in the second state, the first spring end 533a moves from the fourth inner circumferential surface region 504d toward the fourth outer circumferential surface region 503d. In the second state, the first spring end 533a is elastically deformed. Therefore, when external force is no longer applied to the second claw 520, the first spring end 533a returns to the position in the first state. The second claw 520 moves from the fourth outer circumferential surface region 503d toward the fourth inner circumferential surface region 504d (see Figures 27 and 28).
[0191] Even in the second state, the second spring end portion 533b abuts against the second side wall surface portion 560b.
[0192] Although the above description has been given of the case where the second claw end portion 522 is exposed to the fourth outer peripheral surface region 503d, the second claw end portion 522 does not have to be exposed to the fourth outer peripheral surface region 503d. Specifically, the third opening 523 of the second claw arrangement portion 525 may be filled. The second claw arrangement portion 525 has the fourth opening 524, but does not have to have the third opening 523.
[0193] <How to wear>
[0194] Next, a method for attaching the peripheral device 500 to the input device 1 will be described. Fig. 31 is a schematic perspective view showing the state before the peripheral device 500 is attached to the input device 1. Fig. 32 is a schematic perspective view showing the state after the peripheral device 500 has been attached to the input device 1.
[0195] 31 , the first claw 510 of the peripheral device 500 is inserted into the second engagement hole 194 of the input device 1 along the direction of the first arrow S1. In this state, the longitudinal direction of the hole of the peripheral device 500 is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the convex portion 100 of the input device 1. A part of the convex portion 100 of the input device 1 is inserted into the hole of the peripheral device 500.
[0196] While the first claw 510 of the peripheral device 500 remains inserted into the second engagement hole 194 of the input device 1, the peripheral device 500 rotates in a plane perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction of the input device 1. The end of the peripheral device main body 530 opposite the peripheral device main body 530 to which the strap 506 is attached moves toward the input device 1 along the direction of the second arrow S2. As a result, the protrusion 100 of the input device 1 fits into the hole of the peripheral device 500. During insertion, the inclined surface of the claw portion 521 of the second claw 520 abuts against the protrusion 100, applying an external force in a direction that pushes the second claw 520 into the second claw arrangement portion 525, thereby entering the second state (see FIG. 29 ). In the second state, the second claw end portion 522 protrudes outside the second claw arrangement portion 525. Thereafter, the first engagement hole 193 and the claw portion 521 of the second claw 520 face each other, so that the second claw 521 returns to the first state (see FIG. 27 ) and the second claw 520 engages with the first engagement hole 193. In the first state, the second claw end portion 522 returns to the vicinity of the third opening 523 of the second claw arrangement portion 525. The second claw 520 of the peripheral device 500 is inserted into the first engagement hole 193 of the input device 1. The peripheral device 500 is thereby attached to the input device 1. When the end of the peripheral device main body 530 opposite to the peripheral device main body 530 to which the strap 506 is attached is moved along the direction of the third arrow S3, which is the opposite direction to the second arrow S2, the peripheral device 500 is detached from the input device 1.
[0197] <Wearing state>
[0198] Next, a state in which the peripheral device 500 is attached to the input device 1 will be described. FIG. 33 is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram showing a state in which the peripheral device 500 is attached to the input device 1. The cross section shown in FIG. 33 is perpendicular to the front-rear direction of the input device 1. In FIG. 33, the internal structure of the input device 1 is omitted. FIG. 34 is an enlarged cross-sectional schematic diagram of region XXXIV in FIG. 33.
[0199] 33, in the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100 of the input device 1, the entire protrusion 100 is fitted into the hole 507 of the peripheral device 500. The protrusion 100 of the input device 1 is attached to the controller housing 10. The peripheral device 500 is attached to the input device 1 so that the longitudinal direction of the hole 507 of the peripheral device 500 and the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100 of the input device 1 are aligned.
[0200] As shown in FIG. 34, when the peripheral device 500 is attached to the input device 1, the claw portion 521 of the second claw 520 is disposed inside the first engagement hole 193 of the input device 1. The first engagement hole 193 has a first engagement hole bottom surface 193c, a first engagement hole upper surface 193a, and a first engagement hole lower surface 193b. The first engagement hole bottom surface 193c is continuous with each of the first engagement hole upper surface 193a and the first engagement hole lower surface 193b. The claw portion 521 is in contact with the first engagement hole bottom surface 193c. The claw portion 521 is in contact with the first engagement hole lower surface 193b. The claw portion 521 is spaced from the first engagement hole upper surface 193a. The upper surface 11 of the controller housing 10 is in contact with the main body upper surface 501 of the peripheral device 500.
[0201] The claw portion 521 does not have to be in contact with the first engagement hole bottom surface 193c. The claw portion 521 does not have to be in contact with the first engagement hole lower surface 193b. The claw portion 521 may be in contact with the first engagement hole upper surface 193a.
[0202] In the vertical direction, the top surface 106 of the convex portion 100 of the input device 1 may be at the same position as the bottom surface 502 of the main body of the peripheral device 500. When the peripheral device 500 is attached to the input device 1, the first cushion member 191 is spaced apart from the tracking surface F. In the vertical direction, the top surface of the first cushion member 191 is located closer to the main body top surface 501 than the contact surface of the second mouse sole member 532 that contacts the tracking surface F.
[0203] As shown in FIG. 34, the fourth inner peripheral surface region 504d is separated from the convex portion 100 in the left-right direction. The second mouse sole member 532 is located outside the top surface 106 of the convex portion 100 in the left-right direction. The second mouse sole member 532 includes a portion that abuts the tracking surface F outside the upper surface 11 in the planar direction of the tracking surface F. This further improves the stability of mouse operation. Note that the fourth inner peripheral surface region 504d may be in contact with the convex portion 100 in the left-right direction.
[0204] FIG. 35 is an enlarged cross-sectional schematic view of region XXXV in FIG. 33. As shown in FIG. 35, when the peripheral device 500 is attached to the input device 1, the first claw 510 is disposed inside the second engagement hole 194 of the input device 1. The second engagement hole 194 has a second engagement hole bottom surface 194c, a second engagement hole upper surface 194a, and a second engagement hole lower surface 194b. The second engagement hole bottom surface 194c is continuous with each of the second engagement hole upper surface 194a and the second engagement hole lower surface 194b. The first claw 510 is spaced apart from the second engagement hole bottom surface 194c. The first claw 510 is spaced apart from the second engagement hole lower surface 194b. The first claw 510 is in contact with the second engagement hole upper surface 194a. A part of the upper surface 11 of the controller housing 10 is spaced apart from the upper surface 501 of the main body of the peripheral device 500 .
[0205] The first claw 510 may contact the second engagement hole bottom surface 194c. The first claw 510 may contact the second engagement hole lower surface 194b. The first claw 510 does not have to contact the second engagement hole upper surface 194a.
[0206] As shown in Figures 34 and 35, when the input device 1 is attached to the peripheral device 500, the first mouse sole member 531 and the second mouse sole member 532 abut against the tracking surface F, but the first cushion member 191 and the second cushion member 192 do not abut against the tracking surface F.
[0207] As shown in FIG. 35, the third inner peripheral surface region 504c is separated from the convex portion 100 in the left-right direction. The first mouse sole member 531 is located outside the top surface 106 of the convex portion 100 in the left-right direction. The first mouse sole member 531 includes a portion that abuts the tracking surface F outside the upper surface 11 in the planar direction of the tracking surface F. This further improves the stability of mouse operation. Note that the third inner peripheral surface region 504c may be in contact with the convex portion 100 in the left-right direction.
[0208] As described above, at least a portion of the first mouse sole member 531 and the second mouse sole member 532 abuts against the tracking surface F outside the top surface 106 of the convex portion 100 in the planar direction of the tracking surface F.
[0209] 31 to 35, in the peripheral device 500 according to this embodiment, the mounting portion 509 has a first tab 510 that is immovable and a second tab 520 that is movable. This allows the peripheral device 500 to be easily and securely attached to the input device 1. Furthermore, the first tab 510 and the second tab 520 engage with the corresponding engagement holes, thereby further firmly fixing the peripheral device 500 to the input device 1.
[0210] Furthermore, the peripheral device 500 according to this embodiment has a strap attachment part 505 located longitudinally outward of the hole 507, on the side where the immovable first claw 510 is provided. The strap 506 is attached to the strap attachment part 505. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the peripheral device 500 from being detached from the input device 1 by pulling the strap 506. Furthermore, the strap 506 may be detachable from the strap attachment part 505.
[0211] Furthermore, in the peripheral device 500 according to this embodiment, a second opening 561 is provided on the bottom surface of the peripheral device main body 530. This allows the second claw 520, which is a movable member, to be attached to the peripheral device 500 using the second opening 561. Furthermore, the second opening 561 is closed by the second mouse sole member 532. This prevents unintended access to the second opening 561 and improves the stability of mouse operation.
[0212] Furthermore, according to the peripheral device 500 of this embodiment, the peripheral device main body 530 is provided with a third opening 523 through which the second claw end 522 of the second claw 520 is exposed. This makes it possible to easily observe the state of the second claw 520. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the second claw 520 is not completely locked, the second claw end 522 of the second claw 520 protrudes from the peripheral device 500. Therefore, it is easy to know that the second claw 520 is not completely locked.
[0213] Furthermore, according to the peripheral device 500 of this embodiment, the first claw 510 engages with the second engagement hole 194. The second claw 520 engages with the first engagement hole 193. The first claw 510 may engage with the second engagement hole 194 but not the first engagement hole 193. The second claw 520 may engage with the first engagement hole 193 but not the second engagement hole 194. This allows the peripheral device 500 to be attached to the input device 1 only in the intended orientation.
[0214] For example, the width of the second claw 520 in the vertical direction of the peripheral device 500 may be larger than the width of the first engagement hole 193 in the vertical direction of the input device 1, so that the second claw 520 does not have to engage with the first engagement hole 193. The geometric shape of the second claw 520 may be different from the geometric shape of the first engagement hole 193, so that the second claw 520 does not have to engage with the first engagement hole 193.
[0215] In addition, when the first claw 510 is on the lower side when the input device 1 is held vertically, the strap 506 is on the first claw 510 side, making it easier for the user to operate the input device 1 while holding it vertically while wearing the strap 506.
[0216] It is also possible for the first claw 510 to engage with the first engagement hole 193, and for the second claw 520 to engage with the second engagement hole 194. The first claw 510 and the second claw 520 may be engageable with the first engagement hole 193 and the second claw 520, respectively.
[0217] Fig. 36 is a front view showing the configuration of a system according to this embodiment. The front view shown in Fig. 36 shows a surface seen along the front-rear direction. A system 2000 according to this embodiment includes a peripheral device 500 and an input device 1. The input device 1 is attached to the peripheral device 500 using an attachment unit.
[0218] As shown in FIG. 36 , when viewed along the front-rear direction, at least a portion of each of the third outer peripheral surface region 503c and the fourth outer peripheral surface region 503d is located outside the upper side surface 11 of the controller housing 10 in the left-right direction. Specifically, in the left-right direction, the end of each of the third outer peripheral surface region 503c and the fourth outer peripheral surface region 503d on the main body bottom surface 502 side is located outside the upper side surface 11 of the controller housing 10. The distance between the third outer peripheral surface region 503c and the fourth outer peripheral surface region 503d in the left-right direction increases from the main body top surface 501 toward the main body bottom surface 502. In the left-right direction, the length of the main body bottom surface 502 (lower surface) is greater than the length of the main body top surface 501 (upper surface). In the left-right direction, the length of the main body bottom surface 502 is greater than the length of the upper side surface 11 of the controller housing 10.
[0219] FIG. 37 is a right side view showing the configuration of a system according to this embodiment. The right side view shown in FIG. 37 shows a surface viewed in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 37, when viewed in the left-right direction, at least a portion of each of the first outer peripheral surface region 503a and the second outer peripheral surface region 503b is located outside the upper side surface 11 of the controller housing 10 in the front-rear direction. Specifically, in the front-rear direction, the end portions of each of the third outer peripheral surface region 503c and the fourth outer peripheral surface region 503d on the main body bottom surface 502 side are located outside the upper side surface 11 of the controller housing 10. The distance between the first outer peripheral surface region 503a and the second outer peripheral surface region 503b in the front-rear direction increases from the main body top surface 501 toward the main body bottom surface 502. In the front-rear direction, the length of the main body bottom surface 502 (lower surface) is greater than the length of the main body top surface 501 (upper surface). In the front-rear direction, the length of the main body bottom surface 502 is greater than the length of the upper side surface 11 of the controller housing 10.
[0220] FIG. 38 is a schematic bottom view showing the configuration of a system according to this embodiment. The schematic bottom view shown in FIG. 38 shows a surface viewed in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 38, the protrusion 100 is attached to the hole 507 of the attachment portion so that at least a portion of the first opening 170 is exposed. When viewed in the vertical direction, the first opening 170 is located inside the hole 507. The first terminal 160 is exposed through the hole 507. A user can access the first terminal 160 through the first opening 170. Furthermore, the protrusion 100 is attached to the attachment portion 509 so that at least one button is exposed. Specifically, when the protrusion 100 is attached to the hole 507, the first button 110 and the second button 120 are exposed. When viewed in the vertical direction, the first button 110 and the second button 120 are located inside the hole 507. As a result, even when the peripheral device 500 is attached to the input device 1, the first button 110 and the second button 120 can be used, for example, when the device is held horizontally or vertically. That is, while the peripheral device 500 attached to the input device 1 facilitates mouse operation, it does not prevent access to the first button 110 or the second button 120 when the device is held horizontally or vertically, so the input device 1 can be used in these holding states as well. Therefore, while keeping the peripheral device 500 attached to the input device 1, it is possible to switch between using it as a mouse and when the device is held horizontally or vertically.
[0221] It should be noted that the first button 110 and the second button 120 are buttons used for games. In this embodiment, in addition to these, a synchronization button 50, which is a button used for controlling systems other than games, is also exposed from the hole 507. For example, only the buttons used for games or only the buttons used for controlling systems other than games may be exposed from the hole 507.
[0222] As shown in FIG. 38 , a first cushion member 191 and a second cushion member 192 are provided on the top surface 106 of the convex portion 100. In the longitudinal direction of the top surface 106 of the convex portion 100, the first cushion member 191 and the second cushion member 192 are each located between the first mouse sole member 531 and the second mouse sole member 532. In the longitudinal direction of the top surface 106 of the convex portion 100, the outer end of the first mouse sole member 531 is located outward from the outer end of the second cushion member 192. In the longitudinal direction of the top surface 106 of the convex portion 100, the outer end of the second mouse sole member 532 is located outward from the outer end of the first cushion member 191.
[0223] The first mouse sole member 531 and the second mouse sole member 532 are each shaped, for example, like a crescent moon. The first mouse sole member 531 is arranged so as to sandwich a portion of the second cushion member 192 in the short direction of the top surface 106 of the convex portion 100. The outer end of the first mouse sole member 531 is located further outward than the outer end of the second cushion member 192 in the short direction of the top surface 106 of the convex portion 100. Similarly, the second mouse sole member 532 is arranged so as to sandwich a portion of the first cushion member 191 in the short direction of the top surface 106 of the convex portion 100. The outer end of the second mouse sole member 532 is located further outward than the outer end of the first cushion member 191 in the short direction of the top surface 106 of the convex portion 100.
[0224] 38, when viewed in the vertical direction, the total area of the first mouse sole member 531 and the second mouse sole member 532 is larger than the total area of the first cushion member 191 and the second cushion member 192. From another perspective, the area of the abutment portion 7 of the peripheral device 500 is larger than the area of the portion where the top surface 106 of the convex portion 100 abuts against the tracking surface F when the input device 1 is not attached to the peripheral device 500. This improves the stability of mouse operation and distributes the load applied to the abutment portion 7. The area of the abutment portion 7 of the peripheral device 500 may be 1.5 times or more, or may be 2 times or more, larger than the area of the portion where the top surface 106 of the convex portion 100 abuts against the tracking surface F when the input device 1 is not attached to the peripheral device 500.
[0225] 36 and 37 show a state in which the abutment portion 7 is placed on the tracking surface F so that the first opening 170 faces the tracking surface F. When the input device 1 attached to the peripheral device 500 is placed on the tracking surface F so that the exposed first opening 170 faces the tracking surface F, at least a portion of the abutment portion 7 abuts against the tracking surface F outside the top surface 106 of the convex portion 100 in the planar direction of the tracking surface F.
[0226] 39 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the detection accuracy of the mouse operation sensor 174 and the distance between the mouse operation sensor 174 and the tracking surface F. The vertical axis of FIG. 39 represents the detection accuracy of the mouse operation sensor 174. The horizontal axis of FIG. 39 represents the distance between the mouse operation sensor 174 and the tracking surface F.
[0227] The mouse operation sensor 174 can output a highly accurate signal related to relative movement with respect to the tracking surface F when the distance between the mouse operation sensor 174 and the tracking surface F is within a range from a first distance to a second distance. The second distance is greater than the first distance. The distance between the mouse operation sensor 174 and the tracking surface F is the distance between the end face of the light-receiving sensor 172 of the mouse operation sensor 174 and the tracking surface F.
[0228] The mouse operation sensor 174 is provided on the input device 1 so that the separation distance (first separation distance) between the mouse operation sensor 174 and the tracking surface F when the input device 1 is placed so that the first opening 170 faces the tracking surface F is between the first distance and the median of the first distance and the second distance. This prevents the separation distance between the mouse operation sensor 174 and the tracking surface F from exceeding the second distance, even when, for example, the top surface 106 of the convex portion 100 is spaced apart from the tracking surface F when the input device 1 is attached to the peripheral device 500. Therefore, the input device 1 can output a signal related to movement with high accuracy. As an example, the separation distance (second separation distance) between the mouse operation sensor 174 and the tracking surface F when the input device 1 is attached to the peripheral device 500 is configured to be between the median and the second distance.
[0229] FIG. 40 is a front view showing a state in which the input device 1 is used as a mouse. As shown in FIG. 40, the palm of the user's hand is placed so as to cover the lower surface 13 of the input device 1. The thumb of the user's right hand is placed on the front surface 15. For example, the thumb of the user's right hand is placed on the joystick 31. The index finger of the user's right hand is placed on the second top surface button (right) 130.
[0230] The user can operate the second top button (right) 130 with the index finger of his right hand. The user can operate the first top button (right) 140 with the middle finger of his right hand. The user may also operate the first top button (right) 140 with the index finger of his right hand. The user can operate the input unit on the front with his right thumb. For example, the user can operate the joystick 31, the + button 33, and the set of four buttons 32 with his thumb. As described above, the input device 1 is used as a mouse when attached to the peripheral device 500. The second input device 2 may also be used as a mouse with either the left or right hand.
[0231] The input device 1 has a first opening 170 in a protrusion 100 that protrudes from the upper side surface. Therefore, the input device 1 can be used as a mouse by moving the input device 1 with the protrusion 100 placed on the tracking surface F so that the first opening 170 faces the tracking surface F. However, because the protrusion 100 has a shape that protrudes from the upper side surface, when the top surface 106 of the protrusion 100 is placed on the tracking surface F, the contact area between the input device 1 and the tracking surface F is closer to the center than when the entire upper side surface is placed on the tracking surface F, so there is room for improvement in the stability of mouse operation.
[0232] According to the peripheral device 500 of this embodiment, the bottom surfaces of the first mouse sole member 531 and the second mouse sole member 532, which are the abutment portions 7, contact the tracking surface F further outward in the planar direction than the top surface 106 of the convex portion 100. This improves the stability of mouse operation compared to when the top surface 106 of the convex portion 100 contacts the tracking surface F. In particular, the input device 1 may become unstable due to a force acting in the short-side direction of the top surface 106. However, since the mouse sole member 531 and the second mouse sole member 532 are located further outward than the first cushion member 191 and the second cushion member 192 in the short-side direction of the top surface 106 of the convex portion 100, stability against a force acting in the short-side direction can be improved.
[0233] Furthermore, according to the peripheral device 500 of this embodiment, the length of the bottom surface 502 of the main body is greater than the length of the upper surface 11 of the controller housing 10 in the left-right and up-down directions. This allows the mouse sole members 531, 532 to be located further outward on the bottom surface 502 of the main body while maintaining a compact size, thereby improving the stability of mouse operation. Furthermore, because the outer peripheral surface 503 of the main body is inclined, the peripheral device 500 is prevented from standing on the ground with its front-to-back direction facing up, i.e., with the axis of the hole 507 parallel to the ground, and is instead placed on the ground with the axis of the hole 507 facing upward. Therefore, when the peripheral device 500 is placed on the ground and a large load is applied, such as when it is stepped on, localized application of excessive force is suppressed. The outer peripheral surface 503 of the main body may have a shape other than an inclination. For example, the outer peripheral surface 503 of the main body may be shaped so that it cannot stand on its own with the outer peripheral surface 503 facing down. In particular, the shape may be such that the area of the main body outer circumferential surface 503 extending in the longitudinal direction cannot stand on its own with the area facing downward.
[0234] Furthermore, the peripheral device 500 of this embodiment is attached to the protrusion 100 for attaching the input device 1 to the main device 3. Therefore, the input device 1 does not need to have a new attachment structure, and when the input device 1 is attached to the peripheral device 500, the first opening 170 is exposed, so the mouse function can be continuously used.
[0235] The peripheral device 500 of this embodiment can also be said to be composed of a bottom surface, a mouse sole member provided on the bottom surface, a hole that penetrates the bottom surface and the top surface, and an engaging element that protrudes inside the hole.
[0236] FIG. 41 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram showing the configuration of the mounting portion of a peripheral device 500 according to a first modified example. The cross section shown in FIG. 41 is parallel to both the up-down direction and the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 41, the mounting portion of the peripheral device 500 has a hole 507 into which the protrusion 100 fits, but may not have a first claw 510 or a second claw 520. In this case, for example, the peripheral device 500 may be mounted to the input device 1 by the first elastic deformation body 52 (see FIGS. 15 and 17) and the second elastic deformation body 54 (see FIG. 17) abutting against the main body inner circumferential surface 504 that defines the hole 507 into which the protrusion 100 fits. Note that the mounting portion of the peripheral device 500 may be a notch instead of the hole 507. The main body outer circumferential surface 503 is substantially parallel to the main body inner circumferential surface 504. The main body outer circumferential surface 503 is not inclined with respect to the main body inner circumferential surface 504.
[0237] According to the peripheral device 500 of the first modification, the convex portion 100 can be easily attached to the attachment portion. Although the first mouse sole member 531 and the second mouse sole member 532 are not shown in Fig. 41, the peripheral device 500 may have these members. The same applies to the following modifications.
[0238] FIG. 42 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the mounting portion of peripheral device 500 according to the second modification. The cross section shown in FIG. 42 is parallel to both the up-down direction and the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 42, the mounting portion of peripheral device 500 includes a first claw (not shown), a second claw (not shown), and a recess 580 into which protrusion 100 fits. Recess 580 has a recess bottom surface 581 and a recess side surface 582. Recess bottom surface 581 is continuous with recess side surface 582. Recess bottom surface 581 has a pusher abutment portion 583 with which pusher 181 (described later) abuts. Recess bottom surface 581 has a hole 508 facing first opening 170. Hole 508 may be sized so that first terminal 160 and second button 120 are not exposed, and only first opening 170 is exposed. Hole 508 may have a lens. In this case, first opening 170 is exposed through hole 508 and the lens. The lens may be configured to compensate for a decrease in detectability by the mouse operation sensor caused by first opening 170 being separated from tracking surface F. Hole 508 may have a size that exposes first terminal 160. Hole 508 may have a size that exposes at least one of first button 110 and second button 120.
[0239] According to the peripheral device 500 of the second modification, the protrusion 100 can be easily attached to the recess 580 as the attachment portion. Furthermore, the top surface 106 can be protected by the bottom surface 581 of the recess.
[0240] FIG. 43 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a peripheral device 500 having an attachment portion according to the second modification is removed from the input device 1. As shown in FIG.
[0241] First, the user operates the operation unit 182 (see FIGS. 18 and 19). This causes the pusher 181 to protrude from the top surface 106 of the convex portion 100 of the input device 1. The protruding pusher 181 presses the pusher contact portion 583 (see FIG. 42).
[0242] 43 , when the pusher 181 presses the pusher contact portion 583, the portion of the peripheral device 500 facing the pusher 181 moves in a direction away from the top surface 106 of the convex portion 100. The peripheral device 500 rotates in the direction of the third arrow S3, with the vicinity of the first claw 510 as a fulcrum. As a result, the recess 580 of the peripheral device 500 disengages from the convex portion 100 of the input device 1. After the recess 580 of the peripheral device 500 has disengaged from the convex portion 100 to a certain extent, the peripheral device 500 is moved so that the first claw 510 is disengaged from the second engagement hole 194, thereby allowing the recess 580 on the first claw 510 side to disengage from the convex portion 100. Therefore, the peripheral device 500 can be easily removed from the input device 1.
[0243] 43, recess 580 may have a size such that even when pusher 181 protrudes, top surface 106 of protrusion 100 is not entirely exposed from recess 580. Specifically, recess 580 may have a depth such that, as pusher 181 protrudes, the right end (upper end in FIG. 43) of top surface 106 of protrusion 100 is exposed from the opening of recess 580, but the left end (lower end in FIG. 43) of top surface 106 of protrusion 100 is not exposed from the opening of recess 580. This allows peripheral device 500 to be easily attached to input device 1 even if pusher 181 is protruded but the user subsequently changes his mind and decides to reattach it.
[0244] Although the case where the peripheral device 500 is removed from the input device 1 using the operation unit 182 has been described above, the peripheral device 500 may be removed from the input device 1 without using the operation unit 182.
[0245] FIG. 44 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the mounting portion of a peripheral device 500 according to a third modification. The cross section shown in FIG. 44 is parallel to both the up-down direction and the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 44, the top surface 106 of the protrusion 100 has a top surface first region 103a and a top surface second region 101a. The top surface first region 103a is highest from the upper side surface 11. The top surface second region 101a is located lower than the top surface first region 103a. The protrusion 100 has a first button 110, a second button 120, and a mouse operation sensor 174.
[0246] The recess bottom surface 581 has a bottom surface first region 581a and a bottom surface second region 581b. The bottom surface first region 581a faces the top surface first region 103a. The bottom surface second region 581b faces the top surface second region 101a. The depth of the bottom surface second region 581b is shallower than the depth of the bottom surface first region 581a. The bottom surface second region 581b has a hole 508 facing the first opening 170.
[0247] Each of the first button 110 and the second button 120 is a magnetic button that can be attracted by magnetic force. The attachment portion of the peripheral device 500 has a fifth magnet 595 and a sixth magnet 596. Each of the fifth magnet 595 and the sixth magnet 596 is provided at the bottom of the recess 580. Each of the fifth magnet 595 and the sixth magnet 596 may be embedded in the bottom surface 581 of the recess, or may be exposed at the bottom surface 581 of the recess. The first button 110 is attracted to the fifth magnet 595. The second button 120 is attracted to the sixth magnet 596. This allows the peripheral device 500 to be easily attached to and detached from the input device 1.
[0248] When the input device 1 is attached to the attachment portion of the peripheral device 500, the top surface first area 103a is in contact with the bottom surface first area 581a. The top surface second area 101a is spaced apart from the bottom surface second area 581b. The first button 110 and the second button 120 may each face the bottom surface second area 581b. The mouse operation sensor 174 is exposed through a hole 508 formed in the bottom surface second area 581b.
[0249] FIG. 45 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the mounting portion of the peripheral device 500 according to the fourth modification. The cross section shown in FIG. 45 is parallel to both the up-down direction and the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 45, the mounting portion of the peripheral device 500 has a support portion 590 and a wall 593. The support portion 590 has a first support portion surface 591 and a second support portion surface 592. The support portion 590 has an abutment portion on the first support portion surface 591. The second support portion surface 592 is located on the opposite side of the first support portion surface 591. The wall 593 protrudes from the second support portion surface 592. The wall 593 covers at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface 107 of the protrusion 100. The wall 593 may cover the entire outer peripheral surface 107 of the protrusion 100.
[0250] According to the peripheral device 500 of the fourth modification, the configuration of the peripheral device 500 can be made compact, and the stability of mouse operation can be improved.
[0251] As described above, the protrusion 100 may be attached to the peripheral device 500 by using a locking claw, an elastically deformable member provided on the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 100, a magnet, or the like, in addition to the hole or recess. Note that if the input device 1 and the peripheral device 500 move together during mouse operation, there may be a case where the dimensions of the recess 580 are slightly larger than the dimensions of the protrusion 100, so that almost no friction occurs between them and the input device 1 can be removed from the peripheral device 500 without resistance when the input device 1 is lifted.
[0252] <Other variations>
[0253] Each of the first cushion member 191 and the second cushion member 192 provided on the top surface 106 of the convex portion 100 may contact the tracking surface F together with the abutment portion 7. One of the first cushion member 191 and the second cushion member 192 and the abutment portion 7 may contact the tracking surface F, while the other of the first cushion member 191 and the second cushion member 192 may not contact the tracking surface F.
[0254] The peripheral device 500 may have a first movable part (not shown) that can press the first button 110 while covering the first button 110, or may have a second movable part (not shown) that can press the second button 120 while covering the second button 120.
[0255] The peripheral device 500 may have an operation unit (not shown) that switches the second claw 520 between movable and immovable states.
[0256] The peripheral device 500 may have an operating portion (not shown) that, when operated, causes the second claw 520 to be pressed into the second claw arrangement portion 525. The operating portion releases the lock between the second claw 520 and the engagement hole.
[0257] The second claw 520 may be a claw that moves by deformation. Furthermore, the first claw 510 and the second claw 520 may both be movable, or may both be non-movable.
[0258] The peripheral device 500 may be configured with a bottom surface, a mouse sole member provided on the bottom surface, a hole penetrating the bottom surface and the top surface, and an engaging element protruding into the hole.
[0259] (Second embodiment)
[0260] Next, the configuration of a peripheral device 600 according to the second embodiment will be described. The peripheral device 600 according to the second embodiment differs from the peripheral device 500 according to the first embodiment mainly in that the peripheral device 600 according to the second embodiment has cutouts located in the front-to-rear direction of each of the first button 110 and the second button 120, but is otherwise substantially the same as the peripheral device 500 according to the first embodiment. The following description will focus on the configuration that differs from the peripheral device 500 according to the first embodiment.
[0261] Fig. 46 is a perspective schematic diagram showing the configuration of a peripheral device 600 according to the second embodiment. Fig. 47 is a six-sided schematic diagram showing the configuration of a peripheral device 600 according to the second embodiment.
[0262] As shown in FIGS. 46 and 47 , two first notches 691 and two second notches 692 are formed in the peripheral device main body 630. The notches 691 and 692 are shaped like portions of the main body bottom surface 602 being cut out, and are recessed relative to the main body bottom surface 602. The main body bottom surface 602 is located between and outside the notches 691 and 692 in the longitudinal direction of the hole 607. The light guides 551 and 552 are located between the notches 691 and 692 in the longitudinal direction of the hole 607. The first mouse sole member 631 and the second mouse sole member 632 are located outside the notches 691 and 692 in the longitudinal direction of the hole 607. The two first cutouts 691 and the two second cutouts 692 are each arranged along the short side direction of the hole 607 into which the protrusion 100 fits.
[0263] Each of the two first cutouts 691 has a first cutout bottom surface 691a and a first cutout side surface 691b. The first cutout side surface 691b is continuous with both the first cutout bottom surface 691a and the main body bottom surface 602. The first cutout side surface 691b is inclined with respect to both the first cutout bottom surface 691a and the main body bottom surface 602. In the direction in which the hole 607 penetrates, the first cutout bottom surface 691a is located between the main body bottom surface 602 and the main body top surface 601. The first cutout bottom surface 691a is continuous with both the main body inner circumferential surface 604 and the main body outer circumferential surface 603. The depth of the first cutout bottom surface 691a from the main body bottom surface 602 may be uniform in the front-to-rear direction. First cutout side surface 691b is continuous with both main body inner circumferential surface 604 and main body outer circumferential surface 603. Second cutout 692 has a similar structure.
[0264] When the input device 1 is attached to the peripheral device 600, the two first cutouts 691 are located in the front-rear direction of the first button 110, and the two second cutouts 692 are located in the front-rear direction of the second button 120. From another perspective, when the input device 1 is attached to the peripheral device 600, the first button 110 is located between the two first cutouts 691, and the second button 120 is located between the two second cutouts 692. When the input device 1 is attached to the peripheral device 600, the top surface of the first button 110 is located closer to the main body bottom surface 602 than the first cutout bottom surface 691a. Note that the top surface of the first button 110 may be located between the first cutout bottom surface 691a and the main body bottom surface 602. When the input device 1 is attached to the peripheral device 600, the first region 101 of the top surface 106 of the protrusion 100 and the first cutout bottom surface 691a may be substantially flush with each other. The second button 120 and the second cutout bottom surface 692a have a similar structure. Therefore, when the input device 1 is attached to the peripheral device 600 and held by a user in a horizontal position, for example, the user can easily press down each of the first button 110 and the second button 120.
[0265] (Third embodiment)
[0266] Next, the configuration of a peripheral device 700 according to the third embodiment will be described. The peripheral device 700 according to the third embodiment differs from the peripheral device 500 according to the first embodiment mainly in that the contact portion 7 has an annular shape, but is substantially the same as the peripheral device 500 according to the first embodiment in other respects. The following description will focus on the configuration that differs from the peripheral device 500 according to the first embodiment.
[0267] Fig. 48 is a perspective schematic diagram showing the configuration of a peripheral device 700 according to the third embodiment. Fig. 49 is a six-sided schematic diagram showing the configuration of a peripheral device 700 according to the third embodiment.
[0268] As shown in Figures 48 and 49, the peripheral device 700 has an annular mouse sole member 731. The peripheral device main body 730 has a main body top surface 701, a main body bottom surface 702, a main body outer peripheral surface 703, and a main body inner peripheral surface 704. The annular mouse sole member 731 is disposed in an annular groove 772 provided in the main body bottom surface 702. When viewed in the direction in which the hole 707 into which the protrusion 100 fits penetrates, the hole 707 is surrounded by the annular mouse sole member 731. The bottom surface of the annular mouse sole member 731 forms an annular contact portion 7.
[0269] (Fourth embodiment)
[0270] Next, the configuration of a peripheral device 800 according to a fourth embodiment will be described. The peripheral device 800 according to the fourth embodiment differs from the peripheral device 700 according to the third embodiment mainly in that the shape of the peripheral device 800 is asymmetric with respect to a straight line along the longitudinal direction of the hole 607 into which the protrusion 100 fits, but is substantially the same as the peripheral device 700 according to the third embodiment in other respects. The following description will focus on the configuration that differs from the peripheral device 700 according to the third embodiment.
[0271] Fig. 50 is a perspective schematic diagram showing the configuration of a peripheral device 800 according to the fourth embodiment. Fig. 51 is a six-sided schematic diagram showing the configuration of a peripheral device 800 according to the fourth embodiment.
[0272] 50 and 51, peripheral device 800 has a first outer peripheral surface region 803a and a second outer peripheral surface region 803b that form the outer peripheral surface of the main body and extend linearly in the longitudinal direction of hole 807. First outer peripheral surface region 803a and second outer peripheral surface region 803b are connected at both ends to third outer peripheral surface region 803c and fourth outer peripheral surface region 803d, respectively.
[0273] When viewed in the penetrating direction of the hole 807 into which the protrusion 100 fits, the length of the first outer peripheral surface region 803a is greater than the length of the second outer peripheral surface region 803b. In the longitudinal direction of the hole 607 into which the protrusion 100 fits, the boundary between the first outer peripheral surface region 803a and the third outer peripheral surface region 803c is located outside the boundary between the second outer peripheral surface region 803b and the third outer peripheral surface region 803c. Similarly, in the longitudinal direction of the hole 607 into which the protrusion 100 fits, the boundary between the first outer peripheral surface region 803a and the fourth outer peripheral surface region 803d is located outside the boundary between the second outer peripheral surface region 803b and the fourth outer peripheral surface region 803d. When viewed in the penetrating direction of the hole 607 into which the protrusion 100 fits, the shape of the peripheral device 800 is asymmetric with respect to a straight line along the longitudinal direction of the hole 607 into which the protrusion 100 fits. With this shape, the peripheral device 800 can be attached along the shape of the upper surface 11 of the first input device 1.
[0274] (Fifth embodiment)
[0275] Next, the configuration of the peripheral device 900 according to the fifth embodiment will be described. The peripheral device 900 according to the fifth embodiment has some configuration differences from the peripheral device 600 according to the second embodiment. The following description will focus on the configuration differences from the peripheral device 600 according to the second embodiment.
[0276] FIG. 52 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of a peripheral device 900 according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 53 is a schematic bottom view showing the configuration of a peripheral device 900 according to the fifth embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 52 and 53 , a peripheral device main body 930 has a main body inner circumferential surface 904, a main body outer circumferential surface 903, a main body top surface 901, and a main body bottom surface 902. Each of the two first cutouts 991 is exposed to the main body inner circumferential surface 904 but is not exposed to the main body outer circumferential surface 903. Similarly, each of the two second cutouts 992 is exposed to the main body inner circumferential surface 904 but is not exposed to the main body outer circumferential surface 903.
[0277] Each of the two first cutout portions 991 has a shape formed by cutting out a corner formed by the main body inner circumferential surface 904 and the main body bottom surface 902. Each of the two first cutout portions 991 has a first cutout side surface 991a and a second cutout side surface 991b that is connected to both ends of the first cutout side surface 991a in the longitudinal direction of the hole 907 (the left-right direction of the peripheral device main body 930). The second cutout side surface 991b is connected to the first cutout side surface 991a and the corner formed by the main body inner circumferential surface 904 and the main body bottom surface 902. The first cutout side surface 991a is connected to each of the main body inner circumferential surface 904, the main body bottom surface 902, and the second cutout side surface 991b, but is not connected to the main body outer circumferential surface 903. The first cutout side surface 991a is continuous with the main body inner circumferential surface 904 and the main body bottom surface 902 in the short direction of the hole 907. The first cutout side surface 991a is inclined so as to face the hole 907 side. The first cutout side surface 991a is inclined toward each of the main body bottom surface 902, the main body inner circumferential surface 904, and the second cutout side surface 992b. The second cutout side surface 991b is continuous with each of the main body inner circumferential surface 904 and the main body bottom surface 902, but is not continuous with the main body outer circumferential surface 903. The second cutout side surface 991b is also inclined so as to face the hole 907 side. The two second cutouts 992 have a similar structure.
[0278] Because the first notch 991 has the above-described structure, the peripheral device 900 can have high strength, and when the input device 1 is attached to the peripheral device 900, the user can easily press down each of the first button 110 and the second button 120.
[0279] The shapes of the first cutout 991 and the second cutout 992 are merely examples, and other shapes may be used. For example, the first cutout 991 and the second cutout 992 may not be independent, but may be a continuous cutout. As an example, the first cutout side surface 991a and the second cutout side surface 992a may be continuous.
[0280] 52, a recess 945 is provided on the main body outer peripheral surface 903. The main body outer peripheral surface 903 extends in a direction perpendicular to the main body bottom surface 902. That is, the recess 945 is not inclined relative to a line perpendicular to the main body bottom surface 902. Therefore, while the peripheral device 900 can be made compact, it may be difficult for a user to place their fingers on the main body outer peripheral surface 903, making it difficult to remove. In this regard, when a user removes the peripheral device 500 from the input device 1, the user can place their fingers on the recess 945, making it easy to remove. Note that the recess 945 is exposed on the main body top surface 901 but not on the main body bottom surface 902. The recess 945 does not have to be exposed on the main body top surface 901. The recess 945 is provided closer to the second claw 920 than the first claw 910. The outer circumferential surface 903 of the main body may be inclined and may have a recess 945 formed therein.
[0281] 53, the first mouse sole member 931 and the second mouse sole member 932 are each substantially semicircular when viewed in the direction through which the hole 907 penetrates. In the short direction of the hole 907, the outer edge of the first mouse sole member 931 is located further outward than the outer edges of the two second cutouts 992. Similarly, in the short direction of the hole 907, the outer edge of the second mouse sole member 932 is located further outward than the outer edges of the two first cutouts 991.
[0282] Fig. 54 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a peripheral device according to the fifth embodiment is attached to an input device. Fig. 55 is a schematic front view showing a state in which a peripheral device according to the fifth embodiment is attached to an input device. As shown in Fig. 54, the first button 110 is disposed between two first cutout portions 991, and the second button 120 is disposed between two second cutout portions 992. When the peripheral device 900 is attached to the input device 1, the recessed portion 945 is disposed so as to face the front.
[0283] As shown in FIG. 54, the recess 945 is located at the same position as the pusher 181 in the longitudinal direction of the top surface 106 of the convex portion 100. The recess 945 and the pusher 181 are located side by side in the lateral direction of the top surface 106 of the convex portion 100. As shown in FIG. 55, the recess 945 and the + button 33 are located side by side in the vertical direction. FIG. 56 is a schematic bottom view showing a peripheral device according to the fifth embodiment attached to an input device. In the lateral direction of the top surface 106 of the convex portion 100, the outer end of the first mouse sole member 931 is located further outward than the outer end of the second cushion member 192. In the longitudinal direction of the top surface 106 of the convex portion 100, the first mouse sole member 931 is located further outward than the second cushion member 192. Similarly, in the short direction of the top surface 106 of the convex portion 100, the outer end of the second mouse sole member 932 is located further outward than the outer end of the first cushion member 191. In the long direction of the top surface 106 of the convex portion 100, the first mouse sole member 931 is located further outward than the second cushion member 192.
[0284] Fig. 57 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line LVII-LVII in Fig. 54. As shown in Fig. 57, in the vertical direction, fourth region 104 of top surface 106 of protrusion 100 is located above the respective lower ends of two first cutout portions 991 and below the respective upper ends of two first cutout portions 991. In the vertical direction, first region 101 may be located at the same level as or below the respective lower ends of two first cutout portions 991.
[0285] FIG. 58 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line LVIII-LVIII in FIG. 54. FIG. 59 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the second claw and its periphery of the peripheral device according to the fifth embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 58 and 59, the second claw arrangement portion 925 opens in the boundary region between the main body upper surface 901 and the main body outer peripheral surface 903. The second claw 920 has a claw portion 921, a second claw main body portion 927, and a second claw bending portion 928. The second claw main body portion 927 is connected to each of the claw portion 921 and the second claw bending portion 928. The claw portion 921 and the second claw main body portion 927 are aligned in the left-right direction. The second claw bending portion 928 and the second claw main body portion 927 are aligned in the up-down direction. The second claw end portion 922 is formed by the second claw bending portion 928 and the second claw main body portion 927. A second claw bent portion 928 extends in the vertical direction from the end of a second claw main body portion 927 extending in the left-right direction, so that the second claw end portion 922 has a bent shape.
[0286] When the claw portion 921 is engaged with the first engagement hole 193, the second claw end portion 922 is located inside the second claw arrangement portion 925. In the left-right direction, the second claw end portion 922 is located inside the main body outer peripheral surface 903. Note that, during removal of the first input device, when the claw portion 921 is pushed outward and disengaged from the first engagement hole 193, the second claw end portion 922 is located at the same position as or inside the main body outer peripheral surface 903 in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 59 , a portion of the second claw bending portion 928 is exposed from the second claw arrangement portion 925 so as not to face the upper surface 11 of the controller housing 10. This allows the second claw 920 to be moved toward the main body outer peripheral surface 903 by inserting a pointed stick or the like between the second claw bending portion 928 and the peripheral device main body 930.
[0287] <Modification>
[0288] In the example shown in FIGS. 42 and 43 , the peripheral device 500 has a recessed bottom surface 581 with a pusher contact portion 583. Here, the recessed bottom surface may be large enough to expose the first button 110 and the second button 120. As an example, the peripheral device 1100 shown in FIGS. 60 and 61 has a recessed bottom surface 1181 large enough to cover the first cushion member 191 and the pusher 181 but not the first button 110 when the input device 1 is attached to the peripheral device 1100. The recessed bottom surface 1181 is formed by a plate member 1180. The recessed bottom surface 1181 may or may not contact the first cushion member 191. The recessed bottom surface 1181 is provided outside the outer end of the first button 110 in the left-right direction of the peripheral device main body 1130. The recessed bottom surface 1181 can also be said to have holes 1108 that expose the first button 110, the second button 120, and the second cushion member 192. This allows the user to access the first button 110 and the second button 120 when the first input device 1 is attached to the peripheral device 1100, and allows the user to easily remove the first input device 1 from the peripheral device 1100 by using the pusher 181. In other words, the recessed bottom surface 1181 has a pusher abutment portion. Note that the recessed bottom surface 1181 may also have a portion that is provided outside the outer end of the second button 120 in the left-right direction and covers the second cushion member 192. This portion may be formed by the plate member 1180 or another plate member.
[0289] The plate member 1180 may be formed from a harder material than the peripheral device main body 1130. For example, the peripheral device main body 1130 may be made of resin, and the plate member 1180 may be made of metal (iron, for example). As an example, as shown in FIG. 62 , the plate member 1180 may be integrated with the peripheral device main body 1130 by insert molding. The main body bottom surface 1102 may be wider in the front-to-rear direction than the main body top surface 1101. In other words, the main body outer peripheral surface 1103 may be inclined with respect to a line perpendicular to the main body bottom surface 1102 so that the width of the main body bottom surface 1102 is wider. This ensures a sufficient thickness for providing a portion of the plate member 1180 inside the main body bottom surface 1102 by insert molding or the like.
[0290] Note that the opposing surface 1182 of the plate member 1180 that faces the tracking surface F or both surfaces thereof may be covered with resin. The plate member 1180 may also be made of a material other than metal. The plate member 1180 may also be fixed to the peripheral device main body 1130 by other means such as an adhesive. The recess bottom surface 1181 may also be formed by a part of the peripheral device main body 1130.
[0291] 60 and 61, when the peripheral device 1100 has a first mouse sole member 1131 and a second mouse sole member 1132, the first mouse sole member 1131 and the second mouse sole member 1132 may protrude further toward the tracking surface F than the opposing surface 1182. In other words, the first mouse sole member 1131 and the second mouse sole member 1132 may form contact portions, and the opposing surface 1182 may not form contact portions. The thickness of the plate member 1180 may be thinner than the thickness of the first mouse sole member 1131 and the second mouse sole member 1132.
[0292] The peripheral device 1100 may have a strap attachment portion. The strap attachment portion is provided on the outer side of the recess in the longitudinal direction (outer side in the left-right direction of the peripheral device main body 1130) and on the side where the immovable first claw is provided. From another perspective, in the left-right direction of the peripheral device main body 1130, the strap attachment portion is provided on the opposite side of the center of the peripheral device main body 1130 from the side where the pusher abutment portion is provided.
[0293] Furthermore, in the above-described modified example, second mouse sole member 1132 is provided on main body bottom surface 1102, but second mouse sole member 1132 may be provided on plate member 1180, more specifically, on opposing surface 1182. In this case, second mouse sole member 1132 provided on opposing surface 1182 forms the abutment portion. Furthermore, in this case, if plate member 1180 is fastened to main body bottom surface 1102 from the bottom surface side with screws, second mouse sole member 1132 is provided to cover the screws, thereby preventing external access to the screws.
[0294] 61 , the plate member 1180 may extend outward in the left-right direction of the peripheral device main body 1130 and cover the opening connected to the second claw placement portion. That is, the plate member 1180 may cover the opening connected to the second claw placement portion, the first cushion member 191, and the pusher 181 on the left-right outer side of the first button 110. This allows the plate member 1180 to also function as a barrier to external access to the second claw placement portion. The second mouse sole member 1132 may be provided over the entire opposing surface 1182 of the plate member 1180, thereby increasing the area of the contact portion.
[0295] The second mouse sole member 1132 may cover not only the facing surface 1182 of the plate member 1180 but also the bottom surface 1102 of the main body. For example, the second mouse sole member 1132 may be fixed to the facing surface 1182 and the bottom surface 1102 of the main body with an adhesive. The facing surface 1182 of the plate member 1180 and the bottom surface 1102 of the main body may be located at substantially the same position (height) in the up-down direction. The first mouse sole member 1131 may have a different shape from the second mouse sole member 1132, or may have the same shape. If the first mouse sole member 1131 has a different shape from the second mouse sole member 1132, it is easy for the user to know in which direction to attach the peripheral device 1100 to the input device 1.
[0296] In the present disclosure, game controllers have been exemplified as the input devices 1 and 2, but other input devices having a mouse operation sensor may also be used, such as a general-purpose controller or mouse.
[0297] In the present disclosure, the contact portion is composed of one or two mouse sole members, but the number of mouse sole members constituting the contact portion is not limited to this. Furthermore, the contact portion is not limited to being composed of mouse sole members, and as an example, the bottom surface of the main body may constitute the contact portion.
[0298] In the present disclosure, the peripheral device has been described as having a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape, but the shape of the peripheral device is not limited to this. When viewed from the top to bottom, the peripheral device may have a shape other than a rectangle, such as a trapezoid, a circle, or an oval.
[0299] In the present disclosure, the peripheral device includes a light-guiding member, but it may not include one. For example, the peripheral device may only include a hole that connects the inner peripheral surface area and the outer peripheral surface area, and this hole may function as a light-guiding path. Alternatively, the peripheral device may not include a light-guiding path. In this case, when the peripheral device is attached to the input device, light from the light-emitting portion may not be exposed.
[0300] In the present disclosure, the peripheral device has a strap attachment portion, but it may not have such a portion. In this case, a strap may not be attached to the peripheral device. Note that an item other than a strap may be attached to the peripheral device.
[0301] The peripheral device may have a transparent member. In this case, the first opening 170 may be exposed by being covered with the transparent member. That is, with respect to at least the first opening 170, being exposed includes being optically exposed.
[0302] The peripheral device may have electronic components, and may have a processor (not shown) as an example. The processor may be capable of loading an application program and executing information processing. The peripheral device may have a wireless communication unit (not shown). The peripheral device may transmit and receive data to and from an input device via the wireless communication unit. The wireless communication unit may support communication methods such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or infrared communication. The peripheral device may transmit and receive data to and from an information processing device other than the input device via the wireless communication unit.
[0303] In other embodiments, the mounting structure for the input device does not have to be a protrusion. As an example, the input device may have a slider mounting portion. The slider mounting portion is mounted by sliding along a rail provided on the main device 3. An opening for introducing light into the mouse operation sensor is provided on the top surface of the slider mounting portion, i.e., the surface that slides opposite the bottom surface of the rail. In this case, the peripheral device has a rail onto which the slider mounting portion of such an input device is slid and mounted. The peripheral device also has a hole on the bottom surface of the rail that exposes the opening for introducing light into the mouse operation sensor when the input device is mounted.
[0304] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]
[0305] 1 input device, first input device 2 Secondary Input Device 3 Main unit 7 Contact part 10,20 Controller housing 11,211 Top side 12 Right side 13 Lower side 14 Left side 15 Front 16 Back 17 Housing opening 19 Convex flange 31 Joystick 32 4 buttons 33(1) + button 33(2) Home button 50,1751 Sync button 51,53 Ground connection 52 First elastic deformation body 52a First elastic part 52b Second elastic part 52c First Elastic Region 52d Second elastic region 54 Second elastic deformation body 61 Front housing 62 Rear housing 71,73 First inner surface 72,74 Second inner surface 90 Flexible Printed Circuits 100,200 convex part 101 First area 101a Top surface second area 102 Second area 103 Third area 103a Top surface first area 104 4th area 105 5th area 106 Top 107 Outer surface 110 First Button 111,121 1st protrusion 112,122 2nd protrusion 113,123 flange 114,124 Main body 115,125 Operation surface 117,127 Tactile switches 118,128 side wall 120 Second Button 130 Second top button (right) 140 First top button (right) 150 Light emitting part 160 1st terminal 167 Terminal housing 170 First Opening 171 Light source 172 Light receiving sensor 174 Mouse operation sensor 181 Pusher 182 Operation section 183 energizing section 184 Rotational Axis 185 Pusher operating part 186 Pusher operating member 191 first cushion member 192 second cushion member 193 First engagement hole 193a Top surface of the first engagement hole 193b Bottom surface of the first engagement hole 193c Bottom of 1st engagement hole 194 Second engagement hole 194a 2nd engagement hole top surface 194b Bottom surface of second engagement hole 194c Bottom of second engagement hole 195 Sync button opening 196 Terminal opening 197 5th Aperture 198 6th Aperture 301 Audio input / output terminal 302 Upper terminal 303 Lower terminal 304 Storage Media Slot 305 Display 306 Main body housing 307 Power button 310,580 dents 310,320 Dent on the game device side 311 Base 313 Right side of the main unit 314 Left side of the main body 315 Front of the main body 316 Upper side of main body 317 Lower side of main body 330 First plug connector 331 Main body terminal 1 332 First tongue body 333,590 Support part 334 shoulder screw 337 Through Hole 338 Cover member 401 Hole 1 402 Hole 2 410 Magnetic element on game device 410 magnetic element on first game device side 420 Second game device side magnetic element 500,600,700,800,900,1100 Peripherals 501,601,701,901,1101 Main body top surface 502,602,702,902,1102 Bottom of main body 503,603,703,803,903,1103 Main body outer peripheral surface 503a,803a 1st outer peripheral surface area 503b,803b 2nd outer peripheral surface area 503c 1st side 503c,803c 3rd outer peripheral surface area 503d 2nd side 503d,803d 4th outer peripheral surface area 504,604,704,804,904 Inner surface of main body 504a, 804a 1st inner peripheral surface area 504b,804b 2nd inner peripheral surface area 504c,804c 3rd inner peripheral surface area 504d,804d 4th inner peripheral surface area 505 Strap attachment point 506 Strap 507,508,607,707,1108 hole 509 Mounting part 510,610,710,810,910 First Claw 520,620,720,820,920 Second Claw 521,921 Claw 522,922 Second claw end 523 Third Opening 524 4th Opening 525,925 2nd claw placement part 526 Notch 530,630,730,930,1130 Peripheral device main body 531, 631, 931, 1131 First mouse sole member 532,632,932,1132 Second mouse sole member 533 Torsion spring 533a First spring end 533b Second spring end 533c Coil spring part 534 Stopper Plate 551 1st light guide path 551a First light guide member arrangement portion 551b First light guiding member 552 2nd light guide path 552b Second light guiding member 560 Hole 3 560a first side wall portion 560b 2nd side wall section 561 Second Opening 571 first mouse sole member arrangement section 572 second mouse sole member arrangement section 581,1181 recessed bottom 581a Bottom 1st area 581b Bottom 2nd area 582 concave side 583 Pusher contact part 591 1st support surface 592 Second support surface 593 Wall 595 5th Magnet 596 6th Magnet 691,991 First notch 691a, 991a Side of the first notch 691b, 991b Second notch side 692,992 Second notch 731,831 Annular mouse sole member 772 Groove 927 Second claw body 928 2nd claw bending part 945 recess 1000 gaming devices 1180 Plate members 1182 Opposite surface 2000 System 3120 Inner surface of game device 3121 Bottom of the game device A3 Arrow F Tracking surface G distance R1 1st direction R2 2nd direction R3 3rd direction R4 4th direction R5 5th direction R6 6th direction S1 First Arrow S2 Second Arrow S3 Third Arrow T1 First height T2 Second height T3 Third Height T4 4th height T5 5th height T6 6th Height T7 7th Height T8 8th Height T9 9th Height T10 10th Height T11 11th Height W1 First length W2 Second length W3 Third length W4 4th length
Claims
1. A peripheral device to which an input device is detachably attached, The input device is An input unit provided on the front side; a protrusion protruding from the side surface and removably attached to a game device attachment portion provided on the game device; a mouse operation sensor that outputs a signal related to relative movement of the input device with respect to the tracking surface based on light reflected from the tracking surface that passes through a first opening provided in the top surface of the convex portion, a mounting portion to which the protrusion is mounted so that at least a portion of the first opening is exposed; a contact portion, at least a portion of which contacts the tracking surface outside the top surface in the planar direction of the tracking surface when the input device attached to the peripheral device is placed on the tracking surface so that the exposed first opening faces the tracking surface.
2. The peripheral device according to claim 1 , wherein the mounting portion includes a hole into which the protrusion fits.
3. The peripheral device according to claim 1 , wherein the mounting portion includes a recess into which the protrusion fits, and a bottom surface of the recess has a hole facing the first opening.
4. the protrusion includes a magnetic button that can be attracted by magnetic force; The peripheral device according to claim 3 , wherein the mounting portion comprises a magnet provided at the bottom of the recess and to which the magnetic button is attracted.
5. the input device includes a pusher that protrudes from the top surface of the convex portion in response to a user's operation, The peripheral device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the bottom surface of the recess is provided with a pusher abutment portion against which the pusher abuts.
6. The peripheral device according to claim 5 , wherein the recess has a size such that the entire top surface of the protrusion is not exposed from the recess even when the pusher protrudes.
7. the top surface has a top surface first region that is highest from the side surface and a top surface second region that is lower than the top surface first region, The peripheral device according to claim 3 , wherein the recessed bottom surface has a bottom surface first region facing the top surface first region, and a bottom surface second region facing the top surface second region and shallower than the bottom surface first region.
8. the mounting portion has a lower surface facing the tracking surface and an upper surface opposite the lower surface, The peripheral device according to claim 1 , wherein the length of the lower surface is greater than the length of the upper surface.
9. 9. The peripheral device according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral device has a support portion having the abutment portion on one surface thereof, and a wall protruding from the surface opposite the one surface of the support portion and covering at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the convex portion.
10. the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion includes a first engagement hole provided on one end surface of the protrusion in the longitudinal direction and a second engagement hole provided on the other end surface of the protrusion in the longitudinal direction, the first engagement hole has a different shape from the second engagement hole, The peripheral device according to claim 1 , wherein the mounting portion includes a claw that engages with at least one of the first engagement hole and the second engagement hole.
11. The peripheral device according to claim 10 , wherein the mounting portion includes a first non-movable claw that engages with at least the first engagement hole, and a second movable claw that engages with at least the second engagement hole.
12. the first claw engages with the first engagement hole but does not engage with the second engagement hole; the second claw engages with the second engagement hole but does not engage with the first engagement hole; The peripheral device according to claim 11 , further comprising a strap attachment portion on the opposite side of the first claw from the second claw.
13. the peripheral device has a peripheral device main body, the peripheral device main body has an internal space in which the second claw can move; a second opening communicating with the internal space; The peripheral device according to claim 12 , wherein the second opening is closed by a mouse sole member that forms at least a part of the abutment portion.
14. The second claw is movable, The second claw has a claw portion that engages with the second engagement hole and a second claw end portion that is located on the opposite side of the claw portion, The peripheral device according to claim 12 , wherein the peripheral device has a third opening through which the second claw end is exposed.
15. At least one button is provided on the top surface of the protrusion, The peripheral device according to claim 1 , wherein the mounting portion is configured so that the protrusion is mounted to expose at least one of the buttons.
16. At least one of the buttons includes a first button and a second button aligned in the longitudinal direction of the protrusion, The peripheral device according to claim 15 , wherein the peripheral device has cutouts at positions in the front-to-rear direction of each of the first button and the second button when the input device is attached to the peripheral device.
17. The peripheral device according to claim 1 , wherein the contact portion includes a portion that contacts the tracking surface on an outer side than the side surface in the planar direction.
18. 18. A peripheral device according to claim 1, wherein an area of the contact portion of the peripheral device is larger than an area of the portion where the top surface of the convex portion contacts the tracking surface when the input device is not attached to the peripheral device.
19. the mouse operation sensor is capable of outputting a signal reflecting a relative movement with respect to the tracking surface when a distance between the mouse operation sensor and the tracking surface is within a range from a first distance to a second distance greater than the first distance, the mouse operation sensor is provided on the input device such that a first separation distance between the mouse operation sensor and the tracking surface when the input device is placed so that the first opening faces the tracking surface is between the first distance and a median value of the first distance and the second distance; 19. A peripheral device according to claim 1, wherein a second separation distance between the mouse operation sensor and the tracking surface when the input device is attached to the peripheral device is configured to be equal to or less than the second distance.
20. an input device mouse sole member is provided on the top surface of the convex portion; 20. A peripheral device according to claim 1, wherein when the input device is attached to the peripheral device, the end of the abutment portion is positioned outside the end of the input device mouse sole member in the longitudinal direction of the top surface of the convex portion.
21. The peripheral device according to claim 20 , wherein an end of the contact portion is positioned outside an end of the mouse sole member of the input device in the short-side direction of the top surface of the convex portion.
22. 22. The peripheral device according to claim 20, wherein when the input device is attached to the peripheral device, the input device mouse sole member does not abut the tracking surface.
23. A peripheral device according to any one of claims 1 to 22; A system comprising the input device attached to the peripheral device using the attachment unit.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Attachment and operation system
JP2018057650A