Input devices

Abstract

To provide an input device enabling various operations.SOLUTION: A plurality of operation buttons 11 and a direction key 12 are arranged on an upper surface 17g, and lower surface buttons 31R and 31L are arranged on a lower surface 17a. The lower surface buttons 31R and 31L project downward from the lower surface 17a, have a pressed surface 31a to be pressed by the finger of a user, and are arranged such that the pressed surface 31a is inclined to a front edge 10a of an input device 1. The lower surface buttons 31R and 31L can move when the pressed surface 31a is pressed behind the button in a direction along the lower surface 17a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to input devices. [Background technology]

[0002] Among the input devices used to operate game devices, there are some that have multiple operation members such as a stick, buttons, directional keys, etc. The input device in WO 2014 / 061362 has a right grip and a left grip, and such operation members are arranged on the top surface and front surface of the front part of each grip. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In recent years, with the improvement of the processing power of game devices, it has become possible to diversify the movements of game characters. Accordingly, there is a demand for input devices of game devices to enable a variety of operations.

[0004] An example of an input device proposed in the present disclosure has a first operating member arranged on the upper surface and a second operating member arranged on the lower surface. The second operating member protrudes downward from the lower surface. The second operating member has a pressed surface that is pressed by a user's finger, and is arranged so that the pressed surface is inclined with respect to the extension direction of the front edge of the input device. The second operating member can move when the pressed surface is pressed in a first direction that is a direction along the lower surface. According to this input device, the presence of the second operating member enables a variety of operations compared to conventional ones. In addition, the orientation of the pressed surface can be adapted to the movement of the user's finger. As a result, the user can smoothly operate the second operating member. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0005] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an input device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a battery, a battery holder that holds the battery, and a bottom button (operation button). [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the relative positions of the battery and the bottom button (operation button), showing a corner of the battery and the pressed surface of the bottom button located below it. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a side view of the input device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0006] The input device proposed in this disclosure will be described below. As an example, the input device 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described below. In the following description, the directions indicated by Y1 and Y2 in FIG. 1 are referred to as forward and backward, respectively, and the directions indicated by Z1 and Z2 in FIG. 1 are referred to as upward and downward, respectively. In addition, the directions indicated by X1 and X2 in FIG. 2 are referred to as right and left, respectively.

[0007] [Overview] The input device 1 is used to operate a game device, for example. The input device 1 is capable of communicating with the game device via wired or wireless communication, and transmits a signal to the game device in response to an operation (such as a button operation) performed on the input device 1. The game device controls the game based on the signal received from the input device 1. The input device 1 may be used as an input device for an information processing device different from the game device.

[0008] As shown in FIG. 1, the input device 1 has a right part 10R and a left part 10L. An operation member is arranged in a front region of the upper surface of the right part 10R and a front region of the upper surface of the left part 10L. Specifically, a plurality of (specifically, four) operation buttons 11 are arranged on the upper surface of the right part 10R. The four operation buttons 11 are arranged at the ends of a cross shape. Also, a direction key 12 that can be tilted in a radial direction or slid in a radial direction is arranged on the upper surface of the left part 10L. Also, the input device 1 has an operation stick 13 located between the right part 10R and the left part 10L. The operation stick 13 can be tilted in a radial direction or pressed down. The input device 1 has an operation pad 18 located between the operation button 11 and the direction key 12. The operation pad 18 has a touch sensor. The input device 1 has a central portion 10E located between the front of the right portion 10R and the front of the left portion 10L, and an operation pad 18 is provided in the central portion 10E. Operation buttons 14, 15 arranged vertically are arranged on the front surface of the right portion 10R. Similarly, operation buttons 14, 15 arranged vertically are arranged on the front surface of the left portion 10L. The type and arrangement of the operation members and the shape of the input device are not limited to the example of the input device 1.

[0009] Each of the right part 10R and the left part 10L has a grip part 10B. The grip part 10B is located behind an area (horizontal area) in which operation members such as the operation buttons 11 and the directional key 12 are provided. In the example of the input device 1, the grip part 10B extends rearward beyond the rear edge of the central part 10E. The shape of the input device is not limited to the example shown in the input device 1. For example, the grip part 10B does not have to extend rearward beyond the rear edge of the central part 10E.

[0010] As shown in Fig. 1, the input device 1 has a housing 17 that constitutes its exterior. The above-mentioned multiple operation members (operation buttons 11, 14, 15, operation stick 13, and directional key 12) are arranged in openings formed in the housing 17. A circuit board 52 (see Fig. 3) on which a control circuit for controlling the input device 1 and the like are mounted is arranged inside the housing 17. In the example of the input device 1, the housing 17 is symmetrical with respect to a center line C1 of the input device 1 in the left-right direction. Unlike the example of the input device 1, the shape of the housing 17 does not have to be symmetrical.

[0011] [Bottom button] As shown in Fig. 2, operation buttons 31R and 31L are provided on the bottom surface 17a of the input device 1. In the example of the input device 1, a right operation button 31R and a left operation button 31L are provided on the bottom surface 17a. Hereinafter, the operation buttons 31R and 31L are referred to as "bottom buttons." In addition, in a description common to both the two bottom buttons 31R and 31L, the reference symbol 31 is used for both the two bottom buttons 31R and 31L.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 3, the bottom button 31 protrudes downward from the bottom surface 17a (the bottom surface of the housing 17) of the input device 1. The bottom button 31 has a pressable surface 31a on its front side that is pressed by a user's finger. In the example of the input device 1, the pressable surface 31a has an angle θ1 that is approximately perpendicular to the bottom surface 17a. The angle θ1 (see Fig. 4) may be greater than 90 degrees or less than 90 degrees.

[0013] The lower button 31 moves when the pressed surface 31a is pressed with a finger in a direction D1 (see FIG. 4) along the lower surface 17a. In other words, when viewed from below the input device 1, the lower button 31 moves in the direction D1 along the lower surface 17a. As will be described later, the lower button 31 is supported via a support shaft portion 32 (see FIG. 5) and moves along an arc centered on an axis line Ax1 (see FIG. 4) of the support shaft portion 32.

[0014] The presence of such bottom button 31 enables a wider variety of operations than ever before. For example, it becomes possible to operate bottom button 31 with the middle finger while operating an operation member (e.g., operation stick 13) arranged on the top surface of input device 1 with the thumb, or while operating an operation member (e.g., operation buttons 14, 15) arranged on the front surface of input device 1 with the index finger. As a result, the operability of an operation target in a game (e.g., a game character) can be improved.

[0015] [Bottom button orientation] As shown in FIG. 2, the pressed surface 31a faces in a direction inclined with respect to both the left-right direction and the front-back direction of the input device 1, and the lower button 31 moves in a direction inclined with respect to both the left-right direction and the front-back direction. In detail, the pressed surface 31a of the lower button 31 operated with the right hand (the lower button 31R on the right side) faces diagonally forward and leftward in the bottom view of the input device 1. That is, a straight line perpendicular to the pressed surface 31a extends diagonally forward and leftward in the bottom view of the input device 1. Then, when the pressed surface 31a is pressed with a finger, the lower button 31R on the right side moves diagonally backward and rightward in the bottom view of the input device 1. Similarly, the pressed surface 31a of the lower button 31 operated with the left hand (the operation button 31L on the left side) faces diagonally forward and rightward in the bottom view of the input device 1. When the pressable surface 31a is pressed with a finger, the left lower button 31L moves diagonally backward and leftward when viewed from below the input device 1. In the following description, the direction in which the pressable surface 31a faces (the direction of D2 in FIG. 4) is referred to as the "button forward," and the direction in which the lower button 31 moves when pressed (the direction of D1 in FIG. 4) is referred to as the "button backward."

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the input device 1 has a front edge 10a along the left-right direction and a rear edge 10b along the left-right direction. In the example of the input device 1, the front edge 10a and the rear edge 10b are edges provided at a center portion 10E located between a right portion 10R and a left portion 10L of the input device 1. In a bottom view of the input device 1, the pressed surface 31a is inclined with respect to the front edge 10a. The pressed surface 31a is also inclined with respect to the rear edge 10b. Furthermore, the pressed surface 31a is also inclined with respect to a center line C1 of the input device 1 (a line passing through the center in the left-right direction and along the front-rear direction). In detail, the distance between the pressed surface 31a and the front edge 10a of the right lower surface button 31R increases as it approaches the center line C1 of the input device 1. Similarly, the distance between the pressed surface 31a and the front edge 10a of the left lower surface button 31L increases as it approaches the center line C1 of the input device 1.

[0017] Such an inclined arrangement of the lower button 31 allows the movement of the pressed surface 31a to match the movement of a finger (e.g., a middle finger) operating the lower button 31, allowing the user to easily operate the lower button 31. When viewed from below the input device 1, the lower button 31 can move in a direction inclined with respect to both the left-right direction and the front-back direction toward the grip portion 10B.

[0018] As described above, the operation buttons 14, 15 (see FIG. 1) are provided on the front surface of the input device 1. The operation buttons 14, 15 are located forward of the lower surface button 31. The pressed surfaces (front surfaces) of the operation buttons 14, 15 face straight forward, unlike the pressed surfaces 31a of the lower surface buttons 31R, 31L.

[0019] [Bottom button position] As described above, the input device 1 has the bottom button 31R arranged on the right side of the center line C1 and the bottom button 31L arranged on the left side of the center line C1. As shown in FIG. 2, the bottom buttons 31R and 31L are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center line C1. More specifically, the pressable surfaces 31a of the two bottom buttons 31R and 31L face inward when viewed from below the input device 1. That is, a straight line perpendicular to the pressable surfaces 31a extends toward the center line C1. This arrangement of the bottom buttons 31R and 31L allows the user to operate the two bottom buttons 31R and 31L with, for example, the middle finger of the right hand and the middle finger of the left hand, respectively.

[0020] As described above, a plurality of operation members are arranged on the upper surface 17g of the input device 1. In the example of the input device 1, as shown in FIG. 1, an operation stick 13, an operation button 11, and a direction key 12 are arranged. These operation members are operation members for operating an operation target (for example, a game character) during execution of a game. The left and right bottom buttons 31R, 31L are located on the opposite sides in the up-down direction to these operation members. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the right bottom button 31R is located on the opposite side of the right operation stick 13, and the left bottom button 31L is located on the opposite side of the left operation stick 13. More specifically, the right bottom button 31R is located below the support mechanism 13a located at the base of the right operation stick 13. Similarly, the left bottom button 31L is located below the support mechanism 13a located at the base of the left operation stick 13. This arrangement of the bottom buttons 31R, 31L can improve the stability of holding the input device 1 by the user.

[0021] The positional relationship between the bottom buttons 31R, 31L and other operation members is not limited to the example of the input device 1. For example, on the top surface 17g of the input device 1, the operation stick 13 may be disposed forward of the operation button 11 and the directional key 12. In this case, for example, the right bottom button 31R may be located below the operation button 11. Similarly, the left bottom button 31L may be located below the directional key 12.

[0022] [Relative position of bottom button and grip part] As shown in FIG. 2, the right bottom button 31R and the left bottom button 31L are disposed on the inside of the left and right grip parts 10B. In other words, the bottom buttons 31R and 31L are spaced away from the left and right grip parts 10B toward the center line C1. In the example of the input device 1, the bottom buttons 31R and 31L are shifted toward the center line C1 with respect to the straight line L2 passing through the inner side surface of the grip part 10B when viewed from below the input device 1. According to this arrangement of the bottom buttons 31R and 31L, since the bottom buttons 31R and 31L are spaced away from the left and right grip parts 10B, it is easy to hold the grip part 10B when operating the bottom buttons 31R and 31L with, for example, the middle finger.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 2, grip portion 10B is also inclined with respect to center line C1. That is, extension direction D3 of grip portion 10B (direction along the side surface of grip portion 10B) is inclined with respect to center line C1. Pressable surface 31a of lower button 31 is inclined more than grip portion 10B. That is, angle θ2 (see Fig. 2) between a straight line perpendicular to pressable surface 31a and center line C1 is larger than the angle between extension direction D3 of grip portion 10B and center line C1.

[0024] The arrangement of the bottom buttons 31R, 31L is not limited to the example of the input device 1. For example, the two bottom buttons 31R, 31L do not have to be arranged symmetrically. For example, one bottom button may be located forward of the other bottom button. In this case, the inclination of the pressable surfaces 31a of the two bottom buttons does not have to be the same. Also, the input device may be of a type that can be operated with one hand. In this case, only one bottom button may be provided on the bottom surface of the input device.

[0025] [Bottom inclination and bottom button position] As shown in Fig. 4, a space S1 is formed behind the bottom button 31 (in the direction D1). Therefore, the bottom button 31 has an exposed surface 31b exposed from the housing 17 on the side opposite to the pressed surface 31a. When the user is not using the bottom button 31, the user can place the finger (e.g., the middle finger) used to operate the bottom button 31 in this space S1. This makes it possible to prevent the middle finger from pressing the bottom button 31 when the user does not intend to operate the bottom button 31.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3, the lower surface 17c of the rear portion (grip portion 10B) of the right portion 10R and the left portion 10L extends obliquely backward and downward. In the example of the input device 1, the entire grip portion 10B is inclined downward with respect to the upper surface 17g (see FIG. 1) on which the operation button 11, the directional key 12, etc. are provided. The lowermost portion 17d of the lower surface 17c of the grip portion 10B is located below the lower end 31f of the lower button 31. As shown in FIG. 4, the lower surface 17c of the grip portion 10B is separated from the rear surface (exposed surface 31b) of the lower button 31 behind the button, and in a cross-sectional view of the input device 1, a space S1 is formed between the exposed surface 31b of the lower button 31 and the lower surface 17c of the grip portion 10B. According to this structure, when a user places a middle finger, for example, on the rear side of the lower button 31, the user can hold the grip portion 10B with the middle finger.

[0027] 4, the lower surface 17c of the grip portion 10B extends downward while curving from an edge 17e of an opening (an opening formed in the housing 17) in which the lower button 31 is disposed. The exposed surface 31b of the lower button 31 is also curved. In detail, the exposed surface 31b extends forward and downward while curving. The curvature of the lower surface 17c and the curvature of the exposed surface 31b ensure a sufficient space S1.

[0028] 3, the lower button 31 is spaced rearward from the front edge of the lower surface 17a of the input device 1. Therefore, the front part of the lower surface 17a is located in front of the lower button 31 (in the direction shown by D2 (FIG. 4)). In other words, the front part (more specifically, the central part 10E) of the input device 1 has a lower surface 17b that is located in front of the lower button 31 (in the direction shown by D2 (FIG. 4)). Due to the presence of this lower surface 17b, the user can press the pressed surface 31a by moving his / her middle finger along the lower surface 17b.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, the lower surface 17b of the central portion 10E extends obliquely forward and downward from the position of the lower button 31. As described above, the lower surface 17c of the grip portion 10B extends obliquely backward and downward from the position of the lower button 31. The lower button 31 is located between the lower surface 17c of the grip portion 10B and the lower surface 17b of the central portion 10E. In other words, the lower button 31 is located at the top of the lower surface 17c of the grip portion 10B when viewed in a cross section along the movement direction of the lower button 31 (i.e., in the cross section of FIG. 3). This arrangement of the lower button 31 makes it easy to operate the lower button 31 while gripping the grip portion 10B.

[0030] As described above, the bottom 17d of the bottom surface 17c of the grip portion 10B is located below the bottom end 31f of the bottom button 31 (see FIG. 3). The input device 1 also has a portion in its front part that is located below the bottom end 31f of the bottom button 31. For example, the bottom end 15a (see FIG. 7) of the operation button 15 provided on the front surface of the input device 1 is located below the bottom end 31f of the bottom button 31. Therefore, when the input device 1 is placed on a horizontal surface H1 (see FIG. 7), the input device 1 is supported by the bottom surface 17c and the bottom end 15a of the operation button 15, and the horizontal surface H1 does not touch the bottom button 31. As a result, it is possible to suppress the application of an external force to the bottom button 31 when the input device 1 is not in use.

[0031] When the input device 1 is placed on the horizontal plane H1, it is not necessary for the operation button 15 to touch the horizontal plane H1. For example, a portion located lower than the lower end 31f of the lower surface button 31 may be formed in the front part of the housing 17.

[0032] [Bottom button support structure] As shown in FIG. 5, the bottom button 31 has a support shaft 32 at its base. The support shaft 32 is located inside the housing 17 and is held so as to be rotatable. Therefore, the bottom button 31 can move along an arc centered on the axis Ax1 of the support shaft 32. This simplifies the support structure of the bottom button 31. In the example of the input device 1, the support shaft 32 protrudes from the side of the base of the bottom button 31. The input device 1 has a stage part 54a that supports the support shaft 32. The stage part 54a is formed, for example, in a battery holder 54 that holds a battery 53. The support shaft 32 is sandwiched in the vertical direction between a holder (not shown) formed on the inner surface of the housing 17 and the stage part 54a, and is rotatable therebetween.

[0033] The movement direction of the lower button 31 (D1-D2 direction in FIG. 5) is perpendicular to the axis Ax1 of the support shaft 32. In the example of the input device 1, the axis Ax1 of the support shaft 32 is inclined with respect to both the front-rear direction and the left-right direction of the input device 1. In other words, the axis Ax1 of the support shaft 32 is inclined with respect to the front edge 10a along the left-right direction. Also, the axis Ax1 of the support shaft 32 is inclined with respect to the rear edge 10b along the left-right direction. Due to such inclination of the axis Ax1, the movement of the pressed surface 31a matches the movement of the finger (e.g., the middle finger) that operates the lower button 31, so that the user can easily operate the lower button 31. In the example of the input device 1, the axis Ax1 of the support shaft 32 of the right lower button 31R extends forward and to the right, and the axis Ax1 of the support shaft 32 of the left lower button 31L extends forward and to the left. Therefore, the axis Ax1 of the support shaft 32 of the right-side lower button 31R and the axis Ax1 of the support shaft 32 of the left-side lower button 31L are inclined so that the distance therebetween increases toward the front.

[0034] The support structure of the lower button 31 is not limited to the example of the input device 1. For example, the support shaft 32 may be held by a member different from the housing 17 and the battery holder 54. In yet another example, the support shaft (protruding portion) may be formed not on the lower button 31 but on the main body of the input device 1 supporting the lower button 31. For example, the support shaft may be formed on the battery holder 54 or the housing 17. In this case, the lower button 31 may be formed with a holding portion that is a recess or hole into which the support shaft fits. In yet another example, the lower button 31 may be slidable in the D1-D2 direction instead of moving along an arc centered on the support shaft. In this case, the input device 1 may have a guide that guides the movement of the lower button 31, and this guide may extend in a direction inclined in both the front-rear direction and the left-right direction.

[0035] [Structure for pressing the sensor] As shown in Fig. 4, the pressed surface 31a of the lower button 31 is located below the axis Ax1 of the support shaft 32 and protrudes downward from the lower surface 17a of the housing 17. The lower button 31 has a pressing surface 31c. The pressing surface 31c is located inside the housing 17 and is spaced away from the axis Ax1 of the support shaft 32 toward the rear of the button (in the direction D1). The pressing surface 31c faces upward. In other words, the pressing surface 31c faces the circuit board 52 in the up-down direction.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 4, a sensor 55 for detecting the movement of the lower button 31 is disposed in the housing 17. The sensor 55 is, for example, a sensor (for example, a pressure sensor) that outputs a signal corresponding to the movement amount or pressure of the lower button 31. In this case, an information processing device such as a game machine may execute a process corresponding to the detected movement amount or pressure. In another example, a sensor that outputs a signal corresponding to the movement amount or pressure may be used as the sensor 55, and the operation (on / off) of the lower button 31 may be detected depending on whether the movement amount or pressure is greater than a threshold value. In yet another example, instead of a sensor that outputs a signal corresponding to the movement amount or pressure of the lower button 31, a switch that outputs an on / off signal may be disposed as the sensor 55. The sensor 55 is located above the pressure surface 31c, and the pressure surface 31c and the sensor 55 face each other in the up-down direction. When the pressed surface 31a of the lower button 31 is pressed in a direction along the lower surface 17b (direction D1), the lower button 31 moves about the axis Ax1, and the pressing surface 31c presses the sensor 55 upward.

[0037] According to the above-mentioned support structure of the lower button 31, the force pressing the lower button 31 (force in the D1 direction) can be converted into a force pressing the sensor 55 (force directed upwards). In addition, by adjusting the distance from the pressed surface 31a to the pressing surface 31c, both the position of the pressed surface 31a that the user presses with his / her finger and the position of the sensor 55 can be optimized.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 4, in the example of the input device 1, when the lower button 31 is in the initial position (the position shown in FIG. 4), the pressing surface 31c is in contact with the sensor 55. Also, when the lower button 31 is in the initial position, the end 31g of the lower button 31 is located above the edge 17e of the opening formed in the housing 17. This allows the lower button 31 to be held in the initial position. When the lower button 31 is pressed by the user and then released, the lower button 31 returns to the initial position, for example, due to the force of an elastic member of the sensor 55. The input device 1 may have a dedicated elastic member (for example, a spring or rubber) that returns the lower button 31 to the initial position.

[0039] [Relative position of the battery and bottom buttons] The input device 1 has a circuit board 52 (see FIG. 3) and a battery 53 (see FIG. 3) that stores electricity to be supplied to various components of the input device 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the pressable surface 31a of the lower button 31 is located below the battery 53. In other words, as shown in FIG. 6, in a plan view of the battery 53 and the operation button 31, the corner 53a of the battery 53 and the pressable surface 31a overlap. This arrangement of the battery 53 and the operation button 31 allows the position of the pressable surface 31a to be optimized while ensuring the size of the battery 53.

[0040] 4, the pressing surface 31c of the lower button 31 is located away from the pressed surface 31a in the radial direction of the support shaft 32, in other words, behind the button (direction D1, along the circuit board 52), and is located beyond the corner 53a of the battery 53. The sensor 55 is located at a position higher than the lower surface 53b of the battery 53. The pressing surface 31c is also located at a position higher than the lower surface 53b of the battery 53.

[0041] 3, in the example of the input device 1, a plate-shaped battery holder 54 is disposed below the circuit board 52. The battery 53 is disposed further below the battery holder 54 and is held by the battery holder 54. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, a corner 53a of the battery 53 is located between the pressable surface 31a of the lower button 31 and the circuit board 52.

[0042] In the example of the input device 1, as shown in FIG. 4, the sensor 55 is attached to the battery holder 54 and is spaced downward from the circuit board 52. The sensor 55 and the circuit board 52 are connected to each other via an electric cable 55b (e.g., a flexible flat cable) shown in FIG. 5. Such a support structure for the sensor 55 allows the distance between the sensor 55 and the operation button 31 to be smaller than a structure in which the sensor 55 is directly mounted on the circuit board 52, for example. Unlike the example of the input device 1, the sensor 55 may be directly mounted on the circuit board 52. The sensor 55 is attached to the lower surface of the battery holder 54 by a mounting member 57 (see FIG. 4).

[0043] As described above, the two support shafts 32 are formed on the lower button 31. As shown in FIG. 6, the corner 53a of the battery 53 is located between the two support shafts 32. In detail, a recess 31e is formed on the base 31d of the lower button 31. The recess 31e opens upward and toward the front of the button (the D2 direction in FIG. 4). In other words, the recess 31e opens toward the battery 53. The two support shafts 32 of the lower button 31 are formed on opposite sides of the recess 31e. The corner 53a of the battery 53 fits into the recess 31e.

[0044] The axis Ax1 of the support shaft portion 32 intersects with a corner 53a of the battery 53 (see FIG. 4). This positional relationship between the axis Ax1 and the battery 53 makes the position of the axis Ax1 higher than when, for example, the axis Ax1 is located below the battery 53. As a result, the distance between the pressed surface 31a and the axis Ax1 can be increased, and the moment generated in the lower button 31 when the user presses the lower button 31 can be increased.

[0045] [summary] As described above, the bottom buttons 31R and 31L are arranged on the bottom surface 17a of the input device 1. The bottom buttons 31R and 31L protrude downward from the bottom surface 17a. The bottom buttons 31R and 31L have a pressed surface 31a that is pressed by the user's finger, and are arranged so that the pressed surface 31a is inclined with respect to the front edge 10a of the input device 1. The bottom buttons 31R and 31L can be moved by pressing the pressed surface 31a toward the rear of the button, which is a direction along the bottom surface 17a. This input device 1 enables more diverse operations than the conventional one. In addition, this input device 1 can adapt the orientation of the pressed surface 31a to the movement of the user's finger. As a result, the user can smoothly operate the bottom buttons 31R and 31L.

[0046] Additionally, a space S1 is formed behind the lower buttons 31R and 31L. This allows the user to place the finger (e.g., middle finger) used to operate the lower button 31 in the space S1 when not using the lower button 31. This makes it possible to prevent the middle finger from accidentally pressing the lower button 31 when not intending to operate the lower button 31.

[0047] [Variations] The input device proposed in this disclosure is not limited to the input device 1 described above.

[0048] For example, the component located above the pressable surface 31a of the lower button 31 (in other words, the component arranged in the recess 31e) may not be the battery 53. Specifically, a component such as an IC chip mounted on the circuit board 52 may be located above the pressable surface 31a. In this case, by forming the pressing surface 31c at a position beyond the IC chip, the positions of both the pressable surface 31a and the IC chip can be optimized. As another example, the recess 31e may not be formed in the lower button 31. In this case, the axis Ax1 of the support shaft portion 32 may not intersect with the battery 53. For example, the axis Ax1 may be located below the corner 53a of the battery 53, or may be separated from the corner 53a of the battery 53 in the horizontal direction (the direction along the circuit board 52).

Claims

1. 1. An input device comprising: a right portion having a grip portion; a left portion having a grip portion; left and right first front buttons respectively disposed on a front surface of the right portion and a front surface of the left portion; left and right second front buttons disposed on the front surface of the right section and the front surface of the left section, respectively, below the first front button; left and right bottom buttons located rearward of the second front button on the right and left sides and spaced apart from the left and right grip portions toward the center in the left-right direction; having the left and right bottom buttons protrude downward from a bottom surface of the input device and have a pressable surface to be pressed by a user's finger; the left and right second front buttons have a front surface facing toward the front of the input device; The pressed surfaces of the left and right bottom buttons are inclined with respect to the front surfaces of the left and right second front buttons so as to face the center of the input device in the left-right direction. Input devices.

2. When viewed from the bottom of the input device, an angle between a straight line perpendicular to the pressed surface and a center line of the input device along a front-rear direction is larger than an angle between an extension direction of the grip portion and the center line.

2. An input device according to claim 1.

3. In a bottom view of the input device, an intersection point between a straight line passing through a center of the pressable surface of the right bottom button and perpendicular to the pressable surface of the left bottom button and a straight line passing through a center of the pressable surface of the left bottom button and perpendicular to the pressable surface of the right bottom button is located behind a front edge of the input device.

2. An input device according to claim 1.

4. Further comprising a battery; When viewed from the bottom of the input device, the left and right bottom buttons have portions overlapping the battery.

2. An input device according to claim 1.

5. The battery is disposed between the left and right bottom buttons. An input device as claimed in claim 4.

6. A space is formed between the right bottom button and the right grip portion, A space is formed between the left bottom button and the left grip portion.

2. An input device according to claim 1.

7. Further comprising left and right sensors for detecting the movements of the left and right bottom buttons, The left and right bottom buttons can move around an axis; The pressed surface is located below the axis and faces a first direction along the lower surface, Each of the left and right bottom buttons has a pressing surface that presses the sensor upward, The axis and the entire pressed surface are located in the first direction relative to a contact portion between the pressing surface and the sensor.

2. An input device according to claim 1.

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