Device sets, systems and peripherals

Abstract

To provide a user with novel operations using a game controller.SOLUTION: An apparatus includes a ring-shaped portion, a detector and a main portion. At least a part of the ring-shaped portion is elastically deformable. The detector detects deformation of the ring-shaped portion. The main portion is secured to the ring-shaped portion. The main portion includes an attachment portion, a terminal and a transmitter. A game controller can be attached to the attachment portion. The terminal is for electrical connection with the game controller . The transmitter transmits data regarding a detection result of the detector to the game controller through the terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a device to which a game controller can be attached, and to a system, game system, or device set including such a device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are devices (eg, attachments) to which a game controller can be attached (eg, see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-099430 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventional attachments are only capable of performing the same types of operations as those performed on the game controller itself (for example, pressing a button), and are unable to provide the user with new operating methods.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus capable of performing a novel operation using a game controller, and a system, game system, or apparatus set including such an apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following configurations (1) to (27).

[0007] (1) One example of the present invention is a device comprising an annular portion, a detection portion, and a main body portion. At least a portion of the annular portion is elastically deformable. The detection portion detects deformation of the annular portion. The main body portion is fixed to the annular portion. The main body portion comprises a mounting portion, a terminal, and a transmission portion. The mounting portion is capable of mounting a game controller. The terminal is for electrically connecting to the game controller. The transmission portion is for transmitting data relating to the detection result of the detection portion to the game controller via the terminal.

[0008] According to the above configuration (1), the deformation of the annular portion by the user's operation is transmitted to the game controller attached to the device as data on the detection result of the detection unit. Therefore, the user can perform a novel operation of deforming the device using the device and the game controller attached to it.

[0009] (2) The mounting portion may be provided on the main body portion on the central axis side of a ring formed by the annular portion.

[0010] According to the above configuration (2), the game controller attached to the device is located on the central axis side of the ring in the main body, so that it is possible to reduce the possibility that the game controller will come into contact with other objects.

[0011] (3) The mounting portion may be provided on a surface of the main body facing the center of the ring formed by the annular portion so that the game controller can be mounted toward the inside of the annular portion.

[0012] According to the above configuration (3), since the game controller is attached to the main body facing inwardly of the annular portion, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the game controller will come into contact with other objects.

[0013] (4) At least a portion of the mounting portion may be located inside an outer edge of the ring formed by the annular portion when viewed from the front.

[0014] According to the above configuration (4), when the ring is viewed from the front, at least a portion of the game controller attached to the device is located inside the annular portion, thereby reducing the possibility of the game controller coming into contact with other objects.

[0015] (5) The main body may further include a protruding portion that protrudes in a direction parallel to the central axis of the ring beyond the annular portion. The mounting portion may be provided on the protruding portion.

[0016] According to the above configuration (5), when the annular portion is deformed, it is possible to make it difficult for the annular portion to come into contact with the mounting portion, thereby reducing the possibility of the game controller coming off the device due to the annular portion coming into contact with the mounting portion.

[0017] (6) The annular portion may include a plate-shaped elastic member. The elastic member may form part of a ring such that a longitudinal direction of the elastic member coincides with a circumferential direction of the annular portion.

[0018] (7) The main body may have a protrusion. The protrusion protrudes beyond the annular portion in a short side direction of the elastic member forming the ring. The attachment portion may be provided on the protrusion.

[0019] According to the above configuration (7), similarly to the above configuration (5), it is possible to make it difficult for the annular portion to come into contact with the mounting portion when the annular portion is deformed.

[0020] (8) The mounting portion may have a rail portion. The rail portion allows the game controller to be mounted by inserting the game controller into one end of the rail portion and sliding the game controller to the other end. The terminal may be provided on the other end of the rail portion.

[0021] According to the above configuration (8), it is possible to reduce the chance of the terminal coming into contact with the game controller when the game controller is attached to the rail portion.

[0022] (9) The loop may have two gripping portions for direct or indirect gripping by a user, and the rail portion may extend in a direction substantially parallel to a direction from one of the two gripping portions to the other.

[0023] According to the above configuration (9), the user can mount the game controller on the device by sliding the game controller horizontally while holding the two gripping parts horizontally. In other words, it is possible to make it easier for the user to mount the game controller while holding the device.

[0024] (10) The mounting portion may have a rail portion. The rail portion allows the game controller to be mounted by inserting the game controller into one end of the rail portion and sliding the game controller to the other end. The direction in which the rail portion extends may be perpendicular to the short side direction.

[0025] According to the above configuration (10), the rail portion can be arranged compactly.

[0026] (11) The main body may have a protruding portion. The protruding portion protrudes to one side or the other side in a front view direction beyond the annular portion when the ring formed by the annular portion is viewed from the front. The attachment portion may be provided on the protruding portion.

[0027] According to the above configuration (11), when the annular portion is deformed, it is possible to make it difficult for the annular portion to come into contact with the mounting portion, thereby reducing the possibility of the game controller coming off the device due to the annular portion coming into contact with the mounting portion.

[0028] (12) The mounting portion may be configured so that the direction in which a directional input portion provided on the game controller faces when the game controller is attached to the main body portion corresponds to the protruding direction relative to the annular portion of the protrusion on which the mounting portion is provided.

[0029] According to the above configuration (12), the direction input section of the game controller attached to the device is oriented in a direction that is easy for the user to operate.

[0030] (13) The main body may include a housing having a hole formed therein. The main body may be formed such that the housing covers a part of the annular portion while the annular portion passes through the hole. The attachment portion may be provided on one side or the other side in a front view direction of the hole of the housing when the ring formed by the annular portion is viewed from the front.

[0031] According to the above configuration (13), similarly to the above configuration (5), it is possible to make it difficult for the annular portion to come into contact with the mounting portion when the annular portion is deformed.

[0032] (14) When the ring formed by the annular portion is viewed from the front, the mounting portion may be provided outside an area through which the annular portion passes when the annular portion deforms so as to extend in a first direction connecting the center of the mounting portion and the center of the ring, and shrink in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0033] According to the above configuration (14), similarly to the above configuration (5), it is possible to make it difficult for the annular portion to come into contact with the mounting portion when the annular portion is deformed.

[0034] (15) The mounting section may have a rail section into which the game controller can be inserted from one end and slid to the other end for mounting. The main body section may include a housing having a hole formed therein. The main body section may be formed such that the housing covers a portion of the annular section when the annular section passes through the hole. The housing may have a protruding section on which the rail section is provided, and a non-protruding section that covers only a portion of the annular section. In the direction in which the rail section extends, the length of the protruding section may be shorter than the length of the non-protruding section.

[0035] According to the above configuration (15), the protruding portion of the housing can be made shorter than the non-protruding portion, thereby making the housing compact.

[0036] (16) The game controller may include a joystick that is a direction input unit. The joystick has a tiltable shaft. When the shaft of the joystick is tilted upward to give an upward instruction to the joystick of the game controller in a state where the game controller is attached to the device, the attachment unit may be provided in the annular portion at a position above the center of a ring formed by the annular portion.

[0037] According to the above configuration (16), when the user uses the expansion device by holding the gripping part, the game controller is disposed on the upper side of the expansion device. Therefore, even if the user accidentally drops the expansion device during use, the impact is unlikely to be transmitted to the game controller, and the possibility of the game controller coming off the expansion device can be reduced.

[0038] (17) The detection portion may include a strain gauge.

[0039] According to the above configuration (17), the deformation of the annular portion can be identified based on the strain detected by the strain gauge.

[0040] (18) The annular portion may include an elastic member and a pedestal portion. The elastic member has a first end and a second end, and at least a portion of the elastic member is elastically deformable. The pedestal portion holds the first end and the second end of the elastic member such that the pedestal portion and the elastic member form a ring. The strain gauge may be provided on the pedestal portion and detect strain generated in the pedestal portion due to deformation of the elastic member.

[0041] According to the above configuration (18), it is possible to reduce the possibility that the strain gauge will be damaged due to deformation of the annular portion.

[0042] (19) The base may be made of a material having a rigidity higher than the rigidity of the elastically deformable portion of the elastic member.

[0043] According to the above configuration (19), the possibility of the strain gauge being damaged can be further reduced.

[0044] (20) The elastic member may have a straight shape in an unstressed state. The seat may hold the elastic member in a stressed state.

[0045] According to the above configuration (20), the shape of the elastic member when no stress is applied can be simplified, thereby facilitating manufacture.

[0046] (twenty one) The main body may include a housing that is fixed to the annular portion and covers only a portion of the annular portion. The strain gauge may be provided within the housing.

[0047] According to the above configuration (21), the strain gauge can be protected by the housing of the main body.

[0048] (twenty two) The detection unit may be operated by power supplied via a terminal from the game controller when it is attached to the device.

[0049] According to the above configuration (22), the detection unit can be operated even if the device itself does not have a power source.

[0050] (twenty three) The transmitter may be operated by power supplied via a terminal from the game controller when it is attached to the device.

[0051] According to the above configuration (23), the transmission section can be operated even if the device itself does not have a power source.

[0052] (twenty four) The game controller may include an operation unit. The device may further include a marker. The marker is provided in a position aligned with the operation unit of the game controller when the game controller is attached to the device.

[0053] According to the above configuration (24), the position of the game controller when it is correctly attached to the device can be indicated by the marker, making it easier for the user to attach the game controller to the device.

[0054] (twenty five) The game controller may further include a light emitting unit. The main body may include a light guiding unit. The light guiding unit guides light incident from the light emitting unit of the game controller to an entrance provided on a predetermined surface of the rail unit when the game controller is attached to the device, to an exit provided on another surface of the main body different from the predetermined surface of the rail unit.

[0055] According to the above configuration (25), even when the game controller is supported by the extension device, the user can check the light emission state of the light emitting section of the game controller by the light from the light outlet.

[0056] (26) Another example of the present invention is a device including a first gripping body, a second gripping body, a deformation unit, a detection unit, and a main body. The first gripping body is held by one hand of a user. The second gripping body is held by the other hand of the user. The deformation unit is deformed by a force applied to the first gripping body and the second gripping body. The detection unit detects the deformation of the deformation unit. The main body is provided between the first gripping body and the second gripping body. The main body includes a mounting unit, a terminal, and a transmission unit. The mounting unit is capable of mounting a game controller. The terminal is for electrically connecting to the game controller. The transmission unit is for transmitting data related to the detection result of the detection unit to the game controller via the first terminal. The main body has a protruding portion. The protruding portion protrudes to one side or the other side in the front view direction beyond the first gripping body and the second gripping body when the device is viewed from the front. The mounting portion is provided on the protruding portion.

[0057] According to the above configuration (26), the deformation of the annular portion by the user's operation is transmitted to the game controller attached to the device as data on the detection result of the detection unit. Therefore, the user can perform a novel operation of deforming the device using the device and the game controller attached to it.

[0058] (27) The main body may include a housing having a hole formed therein. The main body is formed such that the housing covers a portion of the first gripper and the second gripper while the first gripper and the second gripper pass through the hole. The mounting portion may be provided on one side or the other side of the hole in a front view direction when the device is viewed from the front.

[0059] According to the above configuration (27), when the deformation part is deformed, it is possible to make it difficult for the deformation part to come into contact with the attachment part, thereby reducing the possibility of the game controller coming off the device due to the deformation part coming into contact with the attachment part.

[0060] Another example of the present invention may be a system including the device shown in (1) to (27) above and a game controller, or a game system including the device shown in (1) to (27) above, a game controller, and a main unit. The main unit includes a display unit and a main unit-side mounting unit to which the game controller can be attached.

[0061] Another example of the present invention may be a device set of a first game controller attachable to a main unit and an extension device attachable to a second game controller. The device set includes a first extension device attachable to the first game controller and a second extension device attachable to the second game controller. The first extension device is the device shown in (1) to (27) above. The second extension device includes an attachment section attachable to the second game controller and a belt for fastening the second extension device to the user's body. Effect of the Invention

[0062] The above-described device, system, game system, and device set can provide the user with a novel operation of transforming the device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0063] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows an example of each device included in a game system. [Diagram 2] A diagram showing an example of a state in which a left controller and a right controller are attached to a main unit. [Diagram 3] A diagram showing an example of the state when the left controller and the right controller are removed from the main unit. [Figure 4] Six-sided views showing an example of a main unit [Diagram 5] Six-sided diagram showing an example of the left controller [Figure 6] Six-sided diagram showing an example of the right controller [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of a main unit. [Figure 8] A block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the main unit, the left controller, and the right controller. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a ring-type expansion device. [Figure 10] Six-sided diagram showing an example of a ring-type expansion device [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the main body in the ring-type expansion device shown in FIG. [Figure 12] A diagram showing an example of a state in which a right controller is attached to a ring-type expansion device. [Figure 13] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the main body shown in FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the main body shown in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of how a user uses an extension device; [Figure 16] A diagram showing an example of a left grip cover [Figure 17] An explanatory diagram for attaching the left grip cover to another part of the annular part. [Figure 18]A diagram showing a part of the annular portion [Figure 19] A diagram showing a part of the annular portion [Figure 20] FIG. 19 is a partial cross-sectional view of the annular portion shown in FIG. 18 . [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between deformation of an elastic member and a force applied to a base portion due to the deformation. [Figure 22] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a base part in a first modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 23] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a base part in a first modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a base part in a second modified example of the embodiment. [Diagram 25] FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a ring-shaped expansion device with a portion of the annular portion and a portion of the main body cut away. [Figure 26] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical connections of the components of the ring expansion device. [Figure 27] FIG. 1 shows an example of a belt-type expansion device. [Figure 28] FIG. 1 shows an example of a belt-type expansion device fastened to a user's foot. [Figure 29] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a game image displayed in the game processing in the main unit. [Diagram 30] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of an extension device according to a modified example of the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0064] [1. Game system configuration] Hereinafter, a game system according to an example of the present embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of each device included in the game system. As shown in Fig. 1, the game system 1 includes a main unit 2, a left controller 3, a right controller 4, a ring-type expansion device 5, and a belt-type expansion device 6.

[0065] The main unit 2 is an example of an information processing device, and functions as a game console in this embodiment. The left controller 3 and the right controller 4 are detachable from the main unit 2 (see Figs. 1 and 3). That is, the user can use the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 as an integrated device by attaching them to the main unit 2 (see Fig. 2). The user can also use the main unit 2 and the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 as separate entities (see Fig. 3). In the following, the main unit 2 and the controllers 3 and 4 may be collectively referred to as a "game device."

[0066] The ring-type expansion device 5 is an example of an expansion device used for the right controller 4. The ring-type expansion device 5 is used in a state where the right controller 4 is attached to the ring-type expansion device 5. The belt-type expansion device 6 is an example of an expansion device used for the left controller 3. The belt-type expansion device 6 is used in a state where the left controller 3 is attached to the belt-type expansion device 6. In this way, in this embodiment, the user can also use each of the controllers 3 and 4 in a state where each of the controllers is attached to the respective expansion device (see FIG. 15). Note that the ring-type expansion device 5 is not limited to the right controller 4, and may be capable of being attached to the left controller 3 by the user. The belt-type expansion device 6 is not limited to the left controller 3, and may be capable of being attached to the right controller 4 by the user.

[0067] [1-1. Game device configuration] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a left controller 3 and a right controller 4 are attached to a main unit 2. As shown in Fig. 2, the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 are each attached to and integrated with the main unit 2. The main unit 2 is a device that executes various processes (e.g., game processes) in the game system 1. The main unit 2 includes a display 12. The left controller 3 and the right controller 4 are devices that include an operation unit that allows the user to perform input.

[0068] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 have been removed from the main unit 2. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 are detachable from the main unit 2. In the following, the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 may be collectively referred to as "controller."

[0069] Fig. 4 is a six-sided view showing an example of the main unit 2. As shown in Fig. 4, the main unit 2 includes a substantially plate-shaped housing 11. In this embodiment, the main surface of the housing 11 (in other words, the front surface, i.e., the surface on which the display 12 is provided) is generally rectangular in shape.

[0070] The shape and size of the housing 11 are arbitrary. As an example, the housing 11 may be of a size that is portable. Furthermore, the main unit 2 alone or an integrated device in which the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 are attached to the main unit 2 may be a portable device. Furthermore, the main unit 2 or the integrated device may be a handheld device. Furthermore, the main unit 2 or the integrated device may be a portable device.

[0071] 4, the main unit 2 includes a display 12 provided on a main surface of a housing 11. The display 12 displays an image generated by the main unit 2. In this embodiment, the display 12 is a liquid crystal display (LCD). However, the display 12 may be any type of display device.

[0072] The main unit 2 is provided with a rail portion as an example of a slide portion for detachably mounting the controller to the main unit 2. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 4, the main unit 2 is provided with a left rail portion 15 on the left side surface of the housing 11, and a right rail portion 19 on the right side surface of the housing 11. Each of the rail portions 15 and 19 can be slidably engaged with a slider (slider 40 or 62 shown in Fig. 5) provided on the controller.

[0073] The main unit 2 also includes a left side terminal 17, which is a terminal through which the main unit 2 performs wired communication with the left controller 3, and a right side terminal 21 through which the main unit 2 performs wired communication with the right controller 4. The left side terminal 17 is provided on the left rail portion 15 (more specifically, near the lower end of the left rail portion 15). The right side terminal 21 is provided on the right rail portion 19 (more specifically, near the lower end of the right rail portion 19).

[0074] As shown in FIG. 4, the main unit 2 includes a slot 23. The slot 23 is provided on the upper side of the housing 11. The slot 23 has a shape that allows a predetermined type of storage medium to be attached thereto. The predetermined type of storage medium is, for example, a storage medium (e.g., a dedicated memory card) dedicated to the game system 1 and the same type of information processing device. The predetermined type of storage medium is used, for example, to store data used in the main unit 2 (e.g., application save data, etc.) and / or programs executed in the main unit 2 (e.g., application programs, etc.). The main unit 2 also includes a power button 28.

[0075] FIG. 5 is a six-sided view showing an example of the left controller 3. As shown in FIG. 5, the left controller 3 includes a housing 31. In this embodiment, the housing 31 has a vertically long shape, that is, a shape that is long in the up-down direction (i.e., the y-axis direction shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5). The left controller 3 can also be held in a vertically long orientation when removed from the main unit 2. The housing 31 has a shape and size that allows it to be held in one hand, particularly the left hand, when held in a vertically long orientation. The left controller 3 can also be held in a horizontally long orientation. When the left controller 3 is held in a horizontally long orientation, it may be held with both hands.

[0076] The left controller 3 includes an analog stick (also called a joystick) 32. As shown in FIG. 5, the analog stick 32 is provided on the main surface of the housing 31. The analog stick 32 can be used as a direction input unit capable of inputting a direction. The user can input a direction according to the tilt direction (and input a magnitude according to the tilt angle) by tilting the shaft portion of the analog stick 32. Note that the left controller 3 may include a cross key or a slide stick capable of slide input, instead of an analog stick, as the direction input unit. In this embodiment, an input can be made by pressing the analog stick 32.

[0077] The left controller 3 includes various operation buttons. The left controller 3 includes four operation buttons 33 to 36 (specifically, a right button 33, a down button 34, an up button 35, and a left button 36) on the main surface of the housing 31. Furthermore, the left controller 3 includes a record button 37 and a - (minus) button 47. The left controller 3 includes a first L button 38 and a ZL button 39 on the upper left of the side of the housing 31. The left controller 3 also includes a second L button 43 and a second R button 44 on the side of the housing 31 that is attached when the left controller 3 is attached to the main unit 2. These operation buttons are used to give instructions according to various programs (for example, OS programs and application programs) executed on the main unit 2.

[0078] The left controller 3 is equipped with a slider 40 as an example of a sliding portion for mounting the left controller 3 on another device (for example, the main unit 2). As shown in Fig. 5, the slider 40 is provided on the right side surface of the housing 31. The slider 40 can be slidably engaged with the left rail portion 15 provided on the main unit 2.

[0079] The left controller 3 also includes a terminal 42 for wired communication between the left controller 3 and the main unit 2. The terminal 42 is provided on the slider 40, more specifically, near the lower end of the slider 40 (see FIG. 5). The terminal 42 is provided on the surface of the slider 40 that faces the housing 31.

[0080] FIG. 6 is a six-sided view showing an example of the right controller 4. As shown in FIG. 6, the right controller 4 includes a housing 51. In this embodiment, the housing 51 has a vertically long shape, that is, a shape that is long in the up-down direction. The right controller 4 can also be held in a vertically long orientation when removed from the main unit 2. The housing 51 has a shape and size that allows it to be held in one hand, particularly the right hand, when held in a vertically long orientation. The right controller 4 can also be held in a horizontally long orientation. When the right controller 4 is held in a horizontally long orientation, it may be held with both hands.

[0081] The right controller 4, like the left controller 3, includes an analog stick 52 as a direction input unit. In this embodiment, the analog stick 52 has the same configuration as the analog stick 32 of the left controller 3. The right controller 4 may include a cross key or a slide stick capable of slide input, instead of the analog stick. The right controller 4, like the left controller 3, includes four operation buttons 53 to 56 (specifically, an A button 53, a B button 54, an X button 55, and a Y button 56) on the main surface of the housing 51. The right controller 4 further includes a + (plus) button 57 and a home button 58. The right controller 4 also includes a first R button 60 and a ZR button 61 on the upper right of the side surface of the housing 51. The right controller 4 also includes a second L button 65 and a second R button 66, like the left controller 3.

[0082] The right controller 4 includes a slider 62 as an example of a sliding portion for mounting the right controller 4 to another device (for example, the main device 2 or the ring-type expansion device 5). As shown in FIG. 6, the slider 62 is provided on the left side surface of the housing 51. The slider 62 can slidably engage with the left rail portion 16 of the main device 2, and can also slidably engage with the rail portion of the ring-type expansion device 5.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 6, the right controller 4 includes a notification LED 67. The notification LED 67 is a notification unit for notifying the user of predetermined information. The notification LED 67 is provided on the slider 62, specifically, on the mounting surface of the slider 62 (i.e., the surface facing the x-axis positive direction shown in FIG. 6). The mounting surface of the slider 62 is the surface that faces the bottom surface of the right rail portion 19 when the right controller 4 is mounted on the main unit 2. In this embodiment, the right controller 4 includes four LEDs as the notification LED 67. The predetermined information is, for example, a number assigned to the right controller 4 by the main unit 2 and information on the remaining battery level of the right controller 4. The left controller 3 also includes four notification LEDs 45, similar to the right controller 4 (see FIG. 5).

[0084] The right controller 4 also includes a terminal 64 for wired communication between the right controller 4 and the main unit 2. The terminal 64 is provided on the slider 62, more specifically, near the lower end of the slider 62 (see FIG. 6). In this embodiment, the terminal 64 is provided on the surface of the slider 62 that faces the housing 51 (more specifically, the left side surface of the housing 51).

[0085] When attaching a controller to the main unit 2, the user first engages the slider of the controller with the rail portion of the main unit 2 by inserting the slider into the rail portion of the main unit 2. Then, the user can attach the controller to the main unit 2 by sliding the slider all the way to the back of the rail portion.

[0086] In addition, a window portion 68 is provided on the lower side of the housing 51. The right controller 4 includes an infrared imaging unit 123 and an infrared light emitting unit 124 disposed inside the housing 51, which will be described in detail later. The infrared imaging unit 123 captures an image of the periphery of the right controller 4 through the window portion 68, with the downward direction of the right controller 4 (the negative y-axis direction shown in FIG. 6) as the imaging direction. The infrared light emitting unit 124 irradiates infrared light through the window portion 68 to an imaging target imaged by the infrared imaging unit 123, with a predetermined range centered on the downward direction of the right controller 4 (the negative y-axis direction shown in FIG. 6). The window portion 68 is for protecting the lens of the camera of the infrared imaging unit 123 and the light emitter of the infrared light emitting unit 124, and is made of a material (for example, a transparent material) that transmits light of a wavelength detected by the camera and light emitted by the light emitter. The window portion 68 may be a hole formed in the housing 51. In this embodiment, the infrared imaging unit 123 itself has a filter member that suppresses the transmission of light of wavelengths other than the light detected by the camera (infrared light in this embodiment). However, in other embodiments, the window 68 may have a filter function.

[0087] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the game system 1. As shown in FIG. 7, the main unit 2 includes a processor 70, a slot interface (I / F) 73, a slot 23, a flash memory 75, and a DRAM 76. The processor 70 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 71 and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) 72. The CPU 71 can execute a game program, processes operation data from a controller, performs game processing based on the operation data, and transmits a command to the GPU 72 to generate an image. The GPU 72 is a processor for performing image processing. The CPU 71 and the GPU 72 may be implemented on separate chips, or may be implemented on a single chip as a SoC (System-on-a-chip).

[0088] The processor 70 is connected to a slot I / F 73, a flash memory 75, a DRAM 76, and a display 12. The processor 70 is also connected to a left controller 3 via a left interface (I / F) having the above-mentioned left side terminal 17, and to a right controller 4 via a right interface (I / F) having the above-mentioned right side terminal 21. The above-mentioned predetermined type of storage medium is removably inserted into the slot 23. The programs and / or data stored in the above-mentioned storage medium may be stored in advance in the flash memory 75, or may be downloaded from a network (e.g., the Internet) and stored in the flash memory 75.

[0089] A program (e.g., a game program) and / or data stored in a storage medium (or flash memory 75) is loaded into DRAM 76 before game processing is started. Game processing is performed by CPU 71 executing the program. CPU 71 also sends a command to GPU 72 for displaying an image on display 12, and GPU 72 draws an image in accordance with the command and displays the image on display 12. Note that main unit 2 may be connected to an external display device different from display 12, and an image generated by GPU 72 may be displayed on the external display device.

[0090] Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the main unit 2, the left controller 3, and the right controller 4. Note that details of the internal configuration of the main unit 2 are omitted in Fig. 8 because they are shown in Fig. 7.

[0091] The left controller 3 includes a communication control unit 101 that communicates with the main unit 2. As shown in FIG. 8, the communication control unit 101 is connected to each component including the terminal 42. In this embodiment, the communication control unit 101 can communicate with the main unit 2 by both wired communication via the terminal 42 and wireless communication not via the terminal 42. The communication control unit 101 controls the communication method by which the left controller 3 communicates with the main unit 2. That is, when the left controller 3 is attached to the main unit 2, the communication control unit 101 communicates with the main unit 2 via the terminal 42. Also, when the left controller 3 is detached from the main unit 2, the communication control unit 101 performs wireless communication with the main unit 2 (specifically, the controller communication unit 83). The wireless communication between the controller communication unit 83 and the communication control unit 101 is performed according to, for example, the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard.

[0092] The left controller 3 also includes a memory 102, such as a flash memory. The communication control unit 101 is configured with, for example, a microcomputer (also called a microprocessor), and executes firmware stored in the memory 102 to perform various processes.

[0093] The left controller 3 includes buttons 103 (specifically, buttons 33 to 39, 43, 44, and 47). The left controller 3 also includes an analog stick (referred to as "stick" in FIG. 8) 32. Each button 103 and analog stick 32 repeatedly outputs information relating to operations performed on them to the communication control unit 101 at appropriate timing.

[0094] The left controller 3 includes an inertial sensor. Specifically, the left controller 3 includes an acceleration sensor 104. The left controller 3 also includes an angular velocity sensor 105. In this embodiment, the acceleration sensor 104 detects the magnitude of acceleration along three predetermined axes (for example, the x, y and z axes shown in FIG. 5). The acceleration sensor 104 may detect acceleration in one or two axial directions. In this embodiment, the angular velocity sensor 105 detects angular velocity around three predetermined axes (for example, the x, y and z axes shown in FIG. 5). The angular velocity sensor 105 may detect angular velocity around one or two axes. The acceleration sensor 104 and the angular velocity sensor 105 are each connected to the communication control unit 101. The detection results of the acceleration sensor 104 and the angular velocity sensor 105 are repeatedly output to the communication control unit 101 at appropriate timing.

[0095] The communication control unit 101 acquires information related to the input (specifically, information related to the operation, or the detection results by the sensors) from each input unit (specifically, each button 103, analog stick 32, each sensor 104 and 105). The communication control unit 101 transmits operation data including the acquired information (or information obtained by performing a specified process on the acquired information) to the main unit 2. The operation data is repeatedly transmitted once every specified time. The interval at which the information related to the input is transmitted to the main unit 2 may or may not be the same for each input unit.

[0096] By transmitting the above operation data to the main unit 2, the main unit 2 can obtain the input performed on the left controller 3. That is, the main unit 2 can determine the operations on the buttons 103 and the analog stick 32 based on the operation data. In addition, the main unit 2 can calculate information regarding the movement and / or attitude of the left controller 3 based on the operation data (specifically, the detection results of the acceleration sensor 104 and the angular velocity sensor 105).

[0097] The left controller 3 includes a vibrator 107 for notifying the user by vibration. In this embodiment, the vibrator 107 is controlled by a command from the main unit 2. That is, when the communication control unit 101 receives the command from the main unit 2, it drives the vibrator 107 according to the command. Here, the left controller 3 includes a codec unit 106. When the communication control unit 101 receives the command, it outputs a control signal according to the command to the codec unit 106. The codec unit 106 generates a drive signal for driving the vibrator 107 from the control signal from the communication control unit 101 and provides the drive signal to the vibrator 107. This causes the vibrator 107 to operate.

[0098] More specifically, the vibrator 107 is a linear vibration motor. Unlike a normal motor that performs rotational motion, a linear vibration motor is driven in a predetermined direction according to an input voltage, and therefore can vibrate at an amplitude and frequency according to the waveform of the input voltage. In this embodiment, the vibration control signal transmitted from the main unit 2 to the left controller 3 may be a digital signal representing a frequency and an amplitude for each unit time. In another embodiment, the main unit 2 may transmit information indicating the waveform itself, but the amount of communication data can be reduced by transmitting only the amplitude and frequency. In addition, in order to further reduce the amount of data, only the difference from the previous value may be transmitted instead of the numerical values ​​of the amplitude and frequency at that time. In this case, the codec unit 106 converts the digital signal indicating the amplitude and frequency values ​​acquired from the communication control unit 101 into an analog voltage waveform, and drives the vibrator 107 by inputting a voltage according to the waveform. Therefore, the main unit 2 can control the amplitude and frequency at which the vibrator 107 vibrates by changing the amplitude and frequency transmitted for each unit time. The amplitude and frequency transmitted from the main unit 2 to the left controller 3 are not limited to one, and may be two or more. In this case, the codec unit 106 can generate a voltage waveform for controlling the vibrator 107 by synthesizing the waveforms indicated by the multiple amplitudes and frequencies received.

[0099] The notification LED 45 described above is connected to the communication control unit 101. In this embodiment, the notification LED 45 is controlled by a command from the main unit 2. That is, when the communication control unit 101 receives the command from the main unit 2, the communication control unit 101 outputs a control signal to the notification LED 45 for controlling the lighting of the notification LED 45 in accordance with the command.

[0100] The left controller 3 is equipped with a power supply unit 108. In this embodiment, the power supply unit 108 has a battery and a power control circuit. Although not shown, the power control circuit is connected to the battery and to each part of the left controller 3 (specifically, each part that receives power from the battery).

[0101] As shown in FIG. 8, the right controller 4 includes a communication control unit 111 that communicates with the main unit 2. The right controller 4 also includes a memory 112 that is connected to the communication control unit 111. The communication control unit 111 is connected to each component including the terminal 64. The communication control unit 111 and the memory 112 have the same functions as the communication control unit 101 and the memory 102 of the left controller 3. Therefore, the communication control unit 111 can communicate with the main unit 2 by both wired communication via the terminal 64 and wireless communication (specifically, communication in accordance with the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard) that does not go through the terminal 64, and controls the method of communication that the right controller 4 uses with the main unit 2.

[0102] The right controller 4 has input units similar to those of the left controller 3. Specifically, it has buttons 113, an analog stick 52, and inertial sensors (an acceleration sensor 114 and an angular velocity sensor 115). These input units have the same functions as those of the left controller 3, and operate in the same manner.

[0103] The right controller 4 also includes a vibrator 117 and a codec unit 116. The vibrator 117 and the codec unit 116 operate in the same manner as the vibrator 107 and the codec unit 106 of the left controller 3. That is, the communication control unit 111 operates the vibrator 117 using the codec unit 116 in accordance with a command from the main unit 2.

[0104] The notification LED 67 of the right controller 4 operates in the same manner as the notification LED 45 of the left controller 3. That is, when the communication control unit 111 receives a command from the main unit 2, it outputs a control signal to the notification LED 67 to control the lighting of the notification LED 67 in accordance with the command.

[0105] The right controller 4 also includes an infrared imaging unit 123. The infrared imaging unit 123 has an infrared camera that captures images of the surroundings of the right controller 4. As an example, the main unit 2 and / or the right controller 4 calculates captured information (for example, information related to the brightness of a plurality of blocks obtained by dividing at least a part of the entire area in the captured image), and determines a change in the surroundings of the right controller 4 based on the information. The infrared imaging unit 123 may also capture images using ambient light, but in this embodiment, it has an infrared light emitting unit 124 that irradiates infrared rays. The infrared light emitting unit 124 irradiates infrared rays, for example, in synchronization with the timing at which the infrared camera captures an image. Then, the infrared light irradiated by the infrared light emitting unit 124 is reflected by the imaging target, and the reflected infrared light is received by the infrared camera, thereby acquiring an infrared image. This allows the infrared imaging unit 123 to obtain a clearer infrared image. The infrared imaging unit 123 and the infrared emission unit 124 may be provided in the right controller 4 as separate devices, or may be provided in the right controller 4 as a single device provided in the same package. In the present embodiment, the infrared imaging unit 123 having an infrared camera is used, but in other embodiments, a visible light camera (a camera using a visible light image sensor) may be used as the imaging means instead of the infrared camera.

[0106] The right controller 4 includes a processing unit 121. The processing unit 121 is connected to the communication control unit 111. The processing unit 121 is also connected to an infrared imaging unit 123 and an infrared emission unit .

[0107] The processing unit 121 includes a CPU, a memory, and the like, and executes management processing for the infrared imaging unit 123 in response to a command from the main unit 2 based on a predetermined program (e.g., an application program for performing image processing or various calculations) stored in a storage device (e.g., a non-volatile memory, etc.) not shown in the right controller 4. For example, the processing unit 121 causes the infrared imaging unit 123 to perform an imaging operation, acquires and / or calculates information based on the imaging result (information on the captured image, or information calculated from the information, etc.), and transmits the information to the main unit 2 via the communication control unit 111. The processing unit 121 also executes management processing for the infrared emission unit 124 in response to a command from the main unit 2. For example, the processing unit 121 controls the emission of the infrared emission unit 124 in response to a command from the main unit 2. Note that the memory used by the processing unit 121 when performing processing may be provided in the processing unit 121 or may be the memory 112.

[0108] The right controller 4 is equipped with a power supply unit 118. The power supply unit 118 has the same functions as the power supply unit 108 of the left controller 3, and operates in the same manner.

[0109] [1-2. Ring type expansion device configuration] Next, the configuration of the ring type expansion device 5 will be described. Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing an example of a ring type expansion device. Fig. 10 is a six-sided view showing an example of a ring type expansion device. In Fig. 10, (a) is a front view, (b) is a right side view, (c) is a left side view, (d) is a plan view, (e) is a bottom view, and (f) is a rear view.

[0110] In this embodiment, the ring-type expansion device 5 is an expansion device to which the right controller 4 can be attached. Although details will be described later, in this embodiment, the user performs a new operation of applying force to the ring-type expansion device 5 to deform it (see FIG. 15). The user can operate the ring-type expansion device 5 by performing fitness movements using the ring-type expansion device 5 as if exercising, for example. That is, the ring-type expansion device 5 expands conventional operation methods and provides the user with a new operation method. In this embodiment, the ring-type expansion device 5 is a device that expands the functions of the right controller 4, and more specifically, a device that expands the operation functions of the right controller 4. That is, by using the ring-type expansion device 5 to which the right controller 4 is attached, the user can perform operations that cannot be performed by the right controller 4 alone.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the ring-type expansion device 5 includes an annular portion 201 and a main body portion 202. The annular portion 201 has an annular shape. In this embodiment, the annular portion 201 is formed into an annular shape by an elastic member 241 and a base portion 242 (see FIG. 18) described later. In this embodiment, the annular portion 201 is annular. In other embodiments, the shape of the annular portion 201 is arbitrary, and may be, for example, an elliptical annular shape. In this embodiment, the diameter of the ring formed by the annular portion 201 is 30 [cm]. The annular portion 201 may be large enough that a user can hold one side portion with the left hand and hold the other side portion symmetrical to the one side portion with the right hand with the center of the ring as a reference. The size of the annular portion 201 may be set according to the physique and age group of the user who is expected to use it, and the diameter may be, for example, 20 to 50 [cm]. In this embodiment, the annular portion 201 is a shape in which a band-like member having a width of a predetermined length (for example, 3 to 10 cm) is formed into an annular shape. In this specification, the substantially cylindrical space inside the annular portion 201 (roughly, a cylindrical space with two circular regions R1 and R2 in FIG. 9 as its bottom surface) is called the "space surrounded by the annular portion 201". The circular region R1 is a circular region having a circumference on the edge of the front side (i.e., the Z-axis negative direction side shown in FIG. 9) of the elastic member 241, and the circular region R2 is a circular region having a circumference on the edge of the rear side (i.e., the Z-axis positive direction side shown in FIG. 9) of the elastic member 241. At least a part of the annular portion 201 (the elastic member in this embodiment) is elastically deformable. In this embodiment, a member is "elastically deformable" means that the member is elastically deformed with a deformation amount that can be perceived by humans.

[0112] The main body 202 can be fitted with the right controller 4. The state where "the right controller 4 is fitted to the main body 202" refers to a state where the right controller 4 is attached to the main body 202. As an example, it can be said that the right controller 4 is fixed integrally to the main body 202. Alternatively, it can be said that the right controller 4 and the main body 202 cannot be separated without a special operation or a certain amount of load. Note that "fixed" means that the right controller 4 and the main body 202 basically do not move relative to each other, although some movement may occur.

[0113] The main body portion 202 is provided on the annular portion 201. Note that "the main body portion 202 is provided on the annular portion 201" means that the main body portion 202 is fixed to the annular portion 201.

[0114] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the main body 202 in the ring-type expansion device 5 shown in FIG. 9. As shown in FIG. 11, the main body 202 has a rail portion 211. The rail portion 211 is an example of a mounting portion to which the right controller 4 can be mounted. In this embodiment, the rail portion 211 slidably engages with the slider 62 of the right controller 4. The rail portion 211 is an example of an expansion device side engaging portion that engages with a game controller side engaging portion (specifically, the slider 62). It can also be said that the rail portion 211 is an example of an expansion device side sliding portion that engages with a game controller side sliding portion.

[0115] The rail portion 211 is similar to the rail portion of the main unit 2 in that it can slidably engage with the slider of the controller. Therefore, the rail portion 211 may have a configuration similar to that of the rail portion of the main unit 2. The right controller 4 is attached to the main unit 202 by the rail portion 211. Note that, although details of the configuration of the rail portion 211 will be described later, the rail portion 211 is provided to extend in one direction (specifically, the left-right direction described later).

[0116] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the right controller 4 is attached to the ring-type expansion device 5. Here, in this embodiment, the up-down, left-right, and front-rear directions of the ring-type expansion device 5 are defined as follows. First, in this embodiment, the direction parallel to the direction in which the ring formed by the annular portion 201 is viewed from the front (referred to as the "front viewing direction") is defined as the front-rear direction of the ring-type expansion device 5 (i.e., the Z-axis direction shown in FIG. 12). The "front viewing direction (of the ring)" is, for example, the direction in which the area of ​​the shape represented by the outer edge of the ring appears to be the largest. If the ring is a circular ring, the "front viewing direction" can also be said to be the direction in which the ring appears circular.

[0117] 11, the rail portion 211 is provided on one side of the annular portion 201 in the front-rear direction with respect to the annular portion 201. Specifically, in this embodiment, the rail portion 211 is provided on the Z-axis positive direction side of the annular portion 201 as shown in FIG. 12. In this embodiment, the one side is the front side of the ring-type expansion device 5 (in other words, the front side), and the opposite side is the rear side of the ring-type expansion device 5 (in other words, the back side).

[0118] The rail portion 211 of the main body 202 is provided so as to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and substantially parallel to the direction in which the rail portion 211 extends is the left-right direction of the ring-type expansion device 5 (i.e., the X-axis direction shown in FIG. 12).

[0119] Here, in this specification, "substantially (in a certain state)" means both a case where the state is strictly the same and a case where the state is generally the same. For example, "substantially parallel (to the rail portion 211)" means that the left-right direction may be strictly parallel to the rail portion 211, or may be generally parallel even if not strictly parallel.

[0120] 11, the rail portion 211 has a shape in which one end of both ends in the left-right direction is open and the other end is closed. In this embodiment, the open end is the right side of the ring-type expansion device 5, and the other end is the left side of the ring-type expansion device 5. In other words, when the ring-type expansion device 5 is viewed from the front side, the direction in which the right controller 4 is inserted into the rail portion 211 of the main body 202 (i.e., the positive X-axis direction shown in FIG. 12) is the left direction of the ring-type expansion device 5, and the opposite direction is the right direction of the ring-type expansion device 5 (see FIG. 12).

[0121] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the left-right direction is the up-down direction of the ring-type expansion device 5 (i.e., the Y-axis direction shown in FIG. 12). Also, the direction from the main body 202 to the center of the annular part 201 when the ring-type expansion device 5 is viewed from the front side is the downward direction of the ring-type expansion device 5 (i.e., the negative Y-axis direction shown in FIG. 12), and the opposite direction is the upward direction of the ring-type expansion device 5.

[0122] When the direction of the ring-type expansion device 5 is defined as above, it can be said that the main body 202 is provided at the upper end of the annular part 201. Note that, in this embodiment, the upward direction when the direction of the ring-type expansion device 5 is defined as above is the same as the direction in which the shaft part of the analog stick 52 is tilted to give an upward instruction to the analog stick 52 of the right controller 4 in a state where it is attached to the ring-type expansion device 5 (i.e., the positive direction of the x-axis in FIG. 6).

[0123] [1-2-1.Main body] As shown in FIG. 11, the main body 202 includes a housing 212. The housing 212 is fixed to the annular portion 201 by, for example, a screw (details will be described later). In this embodiment, the housing 212 is fixed to the annular portion 201 so as to cover a part of the annular portion 201 (specifically, a part near the upper end of the annular portion 201). As shown in FIG. 11, the housing 212 has a shape that protrudes forward from the annular portion 201. Note that, in this embodiment, the housing 212 has a shape that protrudes also rearward from the annular portion 201. In this embodiment, the amount by which the housing 212 protrudes forward from the annular portion 201 is greater than the amount by which the housing 212 protrudes rearward from the annular portion 201.

[0124] 11, rail portion 211 is provided on housing 212. A groove extending in the left-right direction (in other words, the sliding direction) is formed in rail portion 211. As shown in FIG 11, the right end (i.e., the end on the X-axis negative direction side) of the groove of rail portion 211 is open.

[0125] The groove of the rail portion 211 has a shape that can slidably engage with the slider 62 of the right controller 4. Specifically, the slider 62 of the right controller 4 has a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the sliding direction (i.e., the y-axis direction shown in FIG. 6) that is roughly T-shaped. The slider 62 has a top surface (i.e., the surface on the x-axis positive side shown in FIG. 6) on the side away from the side of the right controller 4, and has protruding parts that protrude on both sides in a direction parallel to the top surface (i.e., the z-axis direction shown in FIG. 6) when viewed from the sliding direction. On the other hand, the rail portion 211 has two opposing parts 215 that face the bottom surface 214 of the groove and protrude inward from the side surface of the groove when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction (i.e., the x-axis direction shown in FIG. 11). The slider 62 is inserted into the rail member 211 so that the protruding portion of the slider 62 is between the bottom surface 214 and the opposing portion 215 of the rail portion 211, thereby engaging the slider 62 with the rail member 211. As described above, the slider 62 is inserted into the rail member 211 in a predetermined linear direction (i.e., the sliding direction), and the rail member 211 engages with the slider 62 in a state in which the slider 62 can slide in the linear direction relative to the rail member 211. The slider 62 engaged with the rail member 211 is restricted in its movement relative to the rail member 211 in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction (or in a direction different from the sliding direction) so as not to come off.

[0126] Further, a stop portion 213 for stopping the sliding movement of the slider 62 inserted from the right end of the rail portion 211 is provided at the left end of the rail portion 211 (see FIG. 11). The stop portion 213 is a part of the facing portion 215. The stop portion 213 is provided at the left end of the groove of the rail portion 211. Here, the facing portion 215 protrudes from the side surface of the groove by a predetermined length in a portion other than the left end of the groove, and protrudes longer than the predetermined length in the left end portion of the groove. In this embodiment, the portion of the facing portion 215 that protrudes longer than the predetermined length is called the stop portion 213 (see FIG. 11). Note that the dotted line shown in FIG. 11 is drawn to make the position of the stop portion 213 easier to understand, and the rail portion 211 is not actually provided with a dotted line. As described above, when the slider 62 is inserted from the right end of the rail portion 211 and slid toward the left end of the rail portion 211, it abuts against the stop portion 213. The lower end portion of the slider 62 (i.e., the end portion on the y-axis negative side shown in FIG. 6) is parallel to the top surface and has a shape such that the protruding portion on the side away from the side surface of the right controller 4 protrudes more than the base portion on the side closer to the side surface (i.e., the side in contact with the side surface) (see FIG. 6) when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction (i.e., the z-axis direction shown in FIG. 6). When the slider 62 is slid in the insertion direction (i.e., the direction from the right end to the left end of the rail portion 211), the stop portion 213 abuts against the base portion. When the stop portion 213 abuts against the base portion, the protruding portion may or may not abut against the wall surface on the left side of the groove of the rail portion 211 (i.e., the back side when the slider 62 is inserted from the right end of the groove). As described above, the slider 62 abuts against the stop portion 213, and thus the sliding movement of the slider 62 is stopped. In addition, in other embodiments, when the slider 62 is slid in the insertion direction, the sliding movement of the slider 62 may be stopped by the protruding portion abutting against the left side wall surface of the groove of the rail portion 211 before the stop portion 213 abuts against the base portion.

[0127] In this embodiment, the right controller 4 has a locking portion 63 (see FIG. 6). The locking portion 63 is provided so as to protrude laterally from the slider 62 (i.e., in the positive direction of the z-axis shown in FIG. 6). The locking portion 63 is movable toward the inside of the slider 62 and is biased (for example, by a spring) in a direction in which it protrudes laterally. Also, as shown in FIG. 11, a notch 219 is provided in the opposing portion 215 of the rail portion 211. The notch 219 is provided at a position opposing the locking portion 63 in a state in which the slider 62 is inserted all the way into the rail portion 211 (specifically, a state in which the slider 62 abuts against the stop portion 213. Note that the slider 62 does not need to be in strict contact with the stop portion 213, and a state in which there may be a small gap between the slider 62 and the stop portion 213). Therefore, when the slider 62 is inserted all the way into the rail portion 211, the locking portion 63 enters the notch 219. That is, the locking portion 63 locks into the notch 219. The locking portion 63 locks into the notch 219, thereby restricting the slider 62 from sliding in a direction in which the slider 62 comes off the rail portion 211 (that is, a direction in which the slider 62 moves away from the stop portion 213). Therefore, when the locking portion 63 locks into the notch 219, the slider 62 does not come off the rail portion 211 even when a certain degree of force is applied. As described above, the right controller 4 is attached to the main body 202 by the locking portion 63 locking into the notch 219 with the slider 62 engaged with the rail portion 211.

[0128] In addition, in a state where the locking portion 63 is locked in the notch 219, the sliding movement of the slider 62 relative to the rail portion 211 is restricted by the locking portion 63 both in the insertion direction and in the direction opposite to the insertion direction. Therefore, in the above state, it can be said that the sliding movement in the insertion direction is restricted by the stop portion 213, or that the locking portion 63 is restricted. In other embodiments, the sliding movement in the insertion direction may be restricted by either the stop portion 213 or the locking portion 63.

[0129] Although not shown, in this embodiment, the upper surface of the locking portion 63 (i.e., the y-axis positive direction side shown in FIG. 6) is provided substantially perpendicular to the sliding direction, whereas the lower surface of the locking portion 63 is an inclined surface provided obliquely to the sliding direction. The reason why the lower surface is inclined is to prevent the locking portion 63 from getting caught by the facing portion 215 when the slider 62 is inserted into the rail portion 211 and moved in the insertion direction, so that the sliding movement can be performed smoothly. Since the upper and lower surfaces of the locking portion 63 are configured as described above, when the locking portion 63 is locked in the notch 219, the movement of the slider 62 in the opposite direction to the insertion direction is restricted by a relatively large force because the upper surface abuts against the notch 219 of the facing portion 215. On the other hand, the movement of the slider 62 in the insertion direction is restricted by a relatively small force because the inclined surface abuts against the notch 219 of the facing portion 215. However, in other embodiments, in order to increase the force with which the locking portion 63 restricts sliding movement in the insertion direction, the lower surface of the locking portion 63 may be configured to be substantially perpendicular to the sliding direction, similar to the upper surface.

[0130] As described above, in this embodiment, "a state in which the right controller 4 is attached to the main body unit 202" refers to a state in which the respective engagement portions (i.e., the rail portion 211 and the slider 62) are engaged with each other and the sliding movement is restricted. In this way, the right controller 4 is attached to the main body unit 202. Conversely, in this embodiment, the locking portion 63 is retracted toward the inside of the slider 62 (by operating the release button 64 described later), and the state in which the locking portion 63 is locked to the notch 219 is released. This releases the state in which the right controller 4 is attached to the main body unit 202, that is, the attached state. Then, the slider 62 is slid in the direction opposite to the insertion direction, and the engagement between the slider 62 and the rail portion 211 is also released, and the right controller 4 is removed from the main body unit 202.

[0131] In this embodiment, the sliding movement is restricted by the locking portion 63 and the notch 219, but the method of restricting the sliding movement is arbitrary. For example, in another embodiment, the rail portion 211 may have a portion that abuts against the slider 62 so as to press the slider 62 with a force including a component perpendicular to the sliding direction when the slider 62 is inserted all the way into the rail portion 211, and the sliding movement may be restricted by a frictional force generated between the portion and the slider 62.

[0132] As described above, when attaching the right controller 4 to the ring-type expansion device 5, the user first inserts the slider 62 of the right controller 4 into the rail portion 211 from the right end of the rail portion 211. Then, by sliding the inserted slider 62 all the way to the left end of the rail portion 211, the locking portion 63 locks into the notch 219, and the right controller 4 is attached to the main body portion 202. In this manner, the user can attach the right controller 4 to the ring-type expansion device 5.

[0133] The right controller 4 is provided with a release button 64 that can be pressed (see FIG. 6). When the release button 64 is pressed, the locking portion 63 moves toward the inside of the slider 62 and does not protrude from the slider 62 (or does not protrude at all). Therefore, when the release button 64 is pressed in a state in which the right controller 4 is attached to the main body 202 of the ring-type expansion device 5, the locking portion 63 is no longer locked to the notch 219 (or is hardly locked at all), as described above. As described above, when the right controller 4 is attached to the main body 202 of the ring-type expansion device 5, the user can easily remove the right controller 4 from the ring-type expansion device 5 by pressing the release button 64.

[0134] As described above, the housing 212 is provided so as to protrude forward with respect to the annular portion 201. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the inner surface 216 of the housing 212 (i.e., the surface facing the central axis of the ring formed by the annular portion 201) has a portion that protrudes forward with respect to the annular portion 201 more than the rear side. The rail portion 211 is provided in the above-mentioned portion of the inner surface 216. In this manner, the rail portion 211 is provided outside the space surrounded by the annular portion 201. Note that the region "outside the space surrounded by the annular portion 201" includes at least a region forward of the front end of the annular portion 201 in the front view direction and a region rearward of the rear end of the annular portion 201 in the front view direction. In this embodiment, the rail portion 211 is provided in such a region. More specifically, when the ring formed by the annular portion 201 is viewed from the front, the rail portion 211 is provided on one side in the front view direction of the hole of the housing 212 (i.e., the hole through which the annular portion 201 passes). It can also be said that the rail portion 211 is provided in a direction in which the sliding direction is substantially perpendicular to the front view direction, and is provided at a position shifted in the front view direction with respect to the annular portion 201. In this way, the rail portion 211 is provided at a position away from the annular portion 201 in the front view direction (specifically, on the front side of the annular portion 201 when viewed from the front).

[0135] According to the above, it is possible to make it difficult for the annular portion 201 deformed by the user's operation to come into contact with the rail portion 211. This makes it possible to reduce the possibility that the right controller 4 will come off from the ring-type expansion device 5 due to the annular portion 201 coming into contact with the rail portion 211. Also, it is possible to increase the diameter of the annular portion 201 in order to make it difficult for the annular portion 201 to come into contact with the rail portion 211 when it is deformed, but in this embodiment, the need to make the annular portion 201 large is reduced (since it is possible to make it difficult for the annular portion 201 to come into contact by providing the rail portion 211 at a position shifted in the front view direction from the annular portion 201). Also, when the user attaches the right controller 4 to the ring-type expansion device 5 by inserting the slider 62 of the right controller 4 into the rail portion 211, the right controller 4 is unlikely to come into contact with the annular portion 201. This makes it easier for the user to perform the operation of attaching the right controller 4 to the ring-type expansion device 5.

[0136] In this embodiment, the rail portion 211 is provided outside a region through which the annular portion 201 passes when the annular portion 201 expands in the up-down direction (i.e., in a direction parallel to a straight line connecting the center of the rail portion 211 and the center of the ring formed by the annular portion 201) and deforms so as to contract in the left-right direction. This makes it possible to make the rail portion 211 less likely to come into contact with the annular portion 201.

[0137] In this embodiment, the sliding direction of the rail portion 211 is perpendicular to the front view direction. Therefore, the rail portion 211 can be arranged compactly so as not to protrude in the front view direction. In addition, in this embodiment, the rail portion 211 is provided so that, when the ring formed by the annular portion 201 is viewed from the front, a straight line connecting the center of the rail portion 211 in the sliding direction and the center of the ring is perpendicular to the sliding direction. This makes it possible to arrange the rail portion 211 close to the annular portion 201 while making it difficult for the rail portion 211 to come into contact with the annular portion 201 (in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the rail portion 211 is arranged near the inner circumference of the annular portion 201 when viewed from the front view direction). Therefore, the ring-type expansion device 5 can be made compact as a whole.

[0138] Also, as shown in FIG. 11, the rail portion 211 is provided on the central axis side of the ring formed by the annular portion 201 of the main body portion 202 (i.e., at a position on the central axis side of the ring with respect to the center of the main body portion 202). Specifically, the rail portion 211 is provided on a surface of the main body portion 201 facing the center of the ring (specifically, the inner surface 216) so that the right controller 4 can be attached toward the inside of the annular portion 201. The rail portion 211 (specifically, the bottom surface 214 of the rail portion 211) is located in a position within the space surrounded by the annular portion 201 and faces the central axis of the ring formed by the annular portion 201. Note that the "central axis of the ring" is an axis that passes through the center of the ring when viewed from the front and extends parallel to the front view direction of the ring. Also, "the rail portion 211 faces the central axis of the ring" is not limited to a mode in which the normal to the bottom surface of the rail portion 211 strictly intersects with the central axis of the ring.

[0139] Moreover, when the ring formed by the annular portion 201 is viewed from the front, the rail portion 211 is provided at a position inside the outer edge of the ring (see the dashed line shown in FIG. 12. However, in FIG. 12, the dashed line is drawn slightly outside the outer edge of the ring for the purpose of making the drawing easier to see). In this embodiment, the right controller 4 is attached to the main body portion 202 so that the bottom surface of the rail portion 211 faces the center of the ring, the left side surface of the right controller 4 is parallel to the bottom surface of the rail portion 211, and the main surface of the right controller 4 is perpendicular to the left side surface, so that the above-mentioned front viewing direction is a direction perpendicular to the main surface. Therefore, in this embodiment, it can be said that "when the ring formed by the annular portion is viewed from the front" means when the ring is viewed from a direction perpendicular to the main surface of the right controller 4 attached to the main body portion 202. As described above, the right controller 4 is attached to the main body portion 202 so that ... as to be located inside the outer edge of the ring when the ring formed by the annular portion 201 It can also be said that the right controller 4 is attached to the main body unit 202 so that the right controller 4 is located toward the center of the ring formed by the annular portion 201 with respect to the main body unit 202. Note that "inside the outer edge of the ring formed by the annular portion 201" refers to an area that appears inside the outer edge of the ring when viewed from the above-mentioned front view direction. Therefore, the rail portion 211 may be located at a different position from the annular portion 201 in the front view direction.

[0140] According to the above-mentioned configuration in which the rail portion 211 faces the central axis of the ring, or the rail portion 211 is located inside the outer edge of the ring, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the right controller 4 will come into contact with other objects when a user uses the ring-type expansion device 5 to which the right controller 4 is attached. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the right controller 4 will come off the ring-type expansion device 5 or be damaged due to the right controller 4 coming into contact with other objects.

[0141] In addition, in other embodiments, at least a part of the rail portion 211 may be provided at a position inside the outer edge of the ring formed by the annular portion 201. In other words, the right controller 4 may be attached to the main body portion 202 so that at least a part of the right controller 4 is located inside the outer edge of the ring formed by the annular portion 201. This also reduces the possibility that the right controller 4 attached to the ring-type expansion device 5 will come into contact with another object.

[0142] In this embodiment, the main surface of the right controller 4 attached to the main body 202 faces the front side when the ring formed by the annular part 201 is viewed from the front (see FIG. 12). The direction in which the analog stick 52 faces is the protruding direction of the part of the main body 202 where the rail part 211 is provided (i.e., the part protruding forward) relative to the annular part 201. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the user holds the ring-type expansion device 5 in a direction facing the ring-type expansion device 5, the main surface of the right controller 4 attached to the ring-type expansion device 5 faces the user. This makes it easier for the user to operate the operation parts (i.e., the analog stick 52 and the buttons 53 to 56) provided on the main surface of the right controller 4 attached to the ring-type expansion device 5.

[0143] As shown in FIG. 12, a marker 218 is provided on the housing 212 at a position aligned with the plus button 57 of the right controller 4 when the controller is attached to the main body 202. Specifically, the position of the marker 218 is a position that gradually approaches the plus button 57 as the right controller 4 is slid in the insertion direction while engaged with the rail portion 211. The position of the marker 218 is a position that is perpendicular to the sliding direction with respect to the plus button 57 when the right controller 4 is attached to the main body 202. The position of the marker 218 is a position that is symmetrical to the plus button 57 with respect to the boundary between the main surface of the right controller 4 and the housing 212 (here, the gap between the main surface of the right controller 4 and the housing 212). In other words, the length of a perpendicular line extending from the boundary to the position of the marker 218 is approximately the same as the length of a perpendicular line extending from the boundary to the position of the plus button 57. Furthermore, when the right controller 4 is attached to the main body 202, the distance between the marker 218 and the Plus button 57 is shorter than the distance between the Plus button 57 and the operation part of the right controller 4 (here, the X button 55) that is closest to the Plus button 57. Furthermore, when the right controller 4 is attached to the main body 202, the operation part that is closest to the marker 218 among the operation parts of the right controller 4 is the price button 57.

[0144] As shown in FIG. 12, the sign 218 represents the plus button 57. The sign 218 may be a (three-dimensional) member provided on the housing 212, or may be a pattern drawn on the housing 212. In this embodiment, the sign 218 has the same shape as the plus button 57, but the sign 218 may be any shape that represents the plus button 57. The "shape of the sign" means that the sign may be a three-dimensional shape represented by the outer shape of a member, or a two-dimensional shape represented by a pattern. The sign 218 does not directly represent the plus button 57, but may be a shape that recalls the plus button 57 or a shape related to the plus button 57 (excluding a shape that represents a minus sign). The sign 218 allows the user to recognize that the right controller 4 having the plus button 57 should be attached to the ring-type expansion device 5, rather than the left controller 3 having the minus button 47. In addition, depending on the position where the sign 218 is provided, the user can recognize that when attaching the right controller 4 to the ring-type expansion device 5, the right controller 4 should be inserted into the rail portion 211 until the plus button 57 is aligned with the sign 218. In this case, the sign 218 may have a shape other than that of the plus button 57, for example, an arrow-like shape. In this way, the sign 218 can facilitate the user's operation of attaching the right controller 4 to the ring-type expansion device 5. The shape and position of the sign 218 are not limited to the shape and position described above, and may be appropriately changed as long as the user can recognize that the right controller 4, not the left controller 3, is attached to the ring-type expansion device 5, and / or how far the right controller 4 should be inserted into the rail portion 211 when attaching the right controller 4 to the ring-type expansion device 5.

[0145] The ring-type expansion device 5 also includes a terminal (terminal 294 shown in FIG. 26) for electrically connecting with the right controller 4. The terminal 294 is provided on the rail portion 211 at a position corresponding to the terminal 64 of the right controller 4 when the right controller 4 is attached to the ring-type expansion device 5. Here, the terminal 64 of the right controller 4 is provided on the surface facing the housing 51 near the lower end (i.e., the end on the insertion direction side) of the slider 62 (see FIG. 6). Therefore, the terminal 294 is provided on the back surface of the stop portion 213 (i.e., the surface facing the bottom surface 214 of the rail portion 211). Therefore, when the right controller 4 is attached to the ring-type expansion device 5 (i.e., when the slider 62 of the right controller 4 is engaged with the rail portion 211 and the locking portion 63 of the right controller 4 is locked in the notch 219 of the rail portion 211), the terminal 294 of the ring-type expansion device 5 and the terminal 64 of the right controller 4 come into contact with each other. This electrically connects the terminal 294 of the ring-type expansion device 5 and the terminal 64 of the right controller 4. In this embodiment, the terminal 294 is provided on the rail portion 211 on the side opposite to the side where the right controller 4 is inserted (i.e., the left side). This reduces the chance that the terminal 294 will come into contact with the right controller 4 when attaching the right controller 4 to the rail portion 211, and reduces the possibility that the terminal 294 will be damaged.

[0146] Fig. 13 and Fig. 14 are exploded perspective views of the main body shown in Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is an exploded perspective view of main body 202 seen from inside (specifically, the Y-axis negative direction side) of the ring formed by annular portion 201, and Fig. 14 is an exploded perspective view of main body 202 seen from outside (specifically, the Y-axis positive direction side) of the ring formed by annular portion 201.

[0147] As shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, in this embodiment, the housing 212 is composed of an inner housing 221 and an outer housing 222. The inner housing 221 is generally disposed inside the ring formed by the annular portion 201. The outer housing 222 is generally disposed outside the ring formed by the annular portion 201. The inner housing 221 and the outer housing 222 are fixed to each other, for example, by screws. Note that in this embodiment, the method of fixing the two members (i.e., preventing one member from coming off from the other member) is arbitrary, and may be a method in which the two members are connected by fastening with screws or the like, a method in which the two members are bonded with an adhesive, or a method in which one member is fitted into the other member.

[0148] 13 and 14, the annular portion 201 is fixed to the housing 212 in a state where it is sandwiched between the inner housing 221 and the outer housing 222. In this embodiment, the inner housing 221 and a base portion of the annular portion 201 are fastened with a screw, thereby fixing the annular portion 201 to the inner housing 221. The annular portion 201 is fixed to the housing 212 in a state where it passes through a hole that is generated when the inner housing 221 and the outer housing 222 are fixed. In this way, a part of the annular portion 201 (specifically, a part including a base portion described later) is covered by the housing 212.

[0149] 13, the rail portion 211 is fixed to the inner housing 221 by, for example, a screw. The inner housing 221 has a recessed portion 217 recessed from the inner side surface 216, and the rail portion 211 is fixed to this recessed portion 217. In this embodiment, the depth of the recessed portion 217 is slightly longer than the thickness of the rail portion 211. Therefore, when the rail portion 211 is fixed to the recessed portion 217 of the inner housing 221, the stop portion 213 and the facing portion 215 of the rail portion 211 are disposed at a position slightly recessed with respect to the inner side surface 216.

[0150] As described above, in this embodiment, the rail portion 211 is disposed at a position recessed from the surface (i.e., the inner surface 216) of the housing 212. With this, when the right controller 4 is attached to the ring-type expansion device 5, the inner surface 216 of the housing 212 abuts against the right controller 4 and applies a pushing force to the right controller 4. This reduces rattling between the ring-type expansion device 5 and the right controller 4.

[0151] In this embodiment, the rail portion 211 is provided on the housing 212 with a part of the rail portion 211 exposed to the outside of the housing 212 so that the slider 62 can be inserted into the rail portion 211. Here, as shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, with respect to the length of the rail portion 211 in the sliding direction (i.e., the X-axis direction), the length of the non-protruding portion of the housing 212 that covers the annular portion 201 (L1 shown in FIG. 11) is shorter than the length of the protruding portion of the housing 212 where the rail portion 211 is provided (L2 shown in FIG. 11). Therefore, according to this embodiment, the rail portion 211 can be securely protected by the housing 212, and the housing 212 can be made compact by making the portion of the housing 212 that covers the annular portion 201 relatively small. Here, when designing the shape of the housing 212, first, the length of the protruding portion is determined according to the length of the slider 62 of the right controller 4. Considering simplifying the external shape of the housing 212 after the length of the protruding portion is determined, it is conceivable to make the length of the housing 212 in the sliding direction constant at the length of the housing 212 at the protruding portion, and to make the surfaces of the housing 212 on both sides in the sliding direction flat. However, if the first portion where the housing 212 covers the annular portion 201 becomes long in the above direction, there is a risk that the annular portion 201 may easily come into contact with the housing 212 when the annular portion 201 is deformed, or that the load applied to the housing 212 may increase due to the annular portion 201 coming into contact with the housing 212. In contrast, according to this embodiment, by making the non-protruding portion compact, it is possible to make the annular portion 201 less likely to come into contact with the housing 212, and also to reduce the load on the housing 212 caused by the annular portion 201 coming into contact, compared to the case where the length of the housing 212 in the sliding direction is constant.

[0152] 13 and 14, the ring-type expansion device 5 includes a substrate 223. The substrate 223 is provided with circuits functioning as a processing unit, a signal conversion unit, and a power conversion unit (see FIG. 26), which will be described later. The substrate 223 is provided inside the housing 212, and is fastened to the housing 212 by, for example, screws. Although not shown, the circuit on the substrate 223 is electrically connected to the above-mentioned terminal 294, and is electrically connected to a strain gauge, which will be described later.

[0153] 13 and 14 , main body 202 includes light guiding portion 224 and holder 225. Holder 225 holds light guiding portion 224 inside housing 212. That is, in the present embodiment, holder 225 that holds light guiding portion 224 is fixed to housing 212.

[0154] Here, as described above, the right controller 4 is provided with the notification LED 67 on the mounting surface of the slider 62 (see FIG. 6). When the right controller 4 is mounted on the ring-type expansion device 5, the mounting surface of the slider 62 faces the bottom surface of the rail portion 211 and is not exposed. Therefore, in this embodiment, a light guide portion 224 is provided so that the user can visually recognize the light emitted by the notification LED 67 from outside the housing 212 even in the above state.

[0155] The light guide unit 224 has light guide paths in the same number as the number of the notification LEDs 67 (four in this example). One end of each light guide path is an incident surface, and the other end is an exit surface. The light guide path is a transparent member made of, for example, resin. The light guide path may be any component that has the function of guiding light from the incident surface to the exit surface. The shape of the light guide path may be any shape in which the incident surface is located near the incident port described later, and the exit surface is located near the exit port described later.

[0156] As shown in FIG. 13, an entrance H1 is provided in the recess 217 of the inner housing 221, and an entrance H2 is provided in the bottom surface 214 of the rail portion 211. The positions of the entrances H1 and H2 are positions that substantially face the positions of the notification LEDs 67 of the right controller 4 attached to the ring-type expansion device 5. Specifically, the positions of the entrances H1 and H2 are positions that overlap with the positions of the notification LEDs 67 in the left-right direction (i.e., the X-axis direction) and the front-rear direction (i.e., the Z-axis direction) of the ring-type expansion device 5. The holder 225 holds the light guiding unit 224 at a position where each entrance surface of the light guiding unit 224 is exposed from these entrances H1 and H2.

[0157] 14, the outer housing 222 is provided with an emission port H3. In this embodiment, four emission ports H3 are provided, the same number as the number of notification LEDs 67. The holder 225 holds the light guiding unit 224 at a position where each emission surface of the light guiding unit 224 is exposed from each emission port H3. Therefore, when light from the notification LED 67 of the right controller 4 is incident on the entrance H2, the light is guided by the light guiding unit 224 and emitted from the emission port H3.

[0158] According to the above, the light guiding unit 224 guides the light incident from the notification LED 67 of the right controller 4 in a state where the right controller 4 is attached to the ring-type expansion device 5 to the light exit H3 provided on another surface of the main body 202 different from the predetermined surface of the rail part 211, from the light for the notification LED 67. In addition, the information notified by the notification LED 67 of the right controller 4 can be presented to the user by a simple configuration using the light guiding unit 224.

[0159] In this embodiment, the light outlet H3 is provided at a position visible from the front and upper sides of the ring-type expansion device 5 (see FIG. 10). Therefore, in this embodiment, the user can see the light from the light outlet H3 not only when the ring-type expansion device 5 is used at a relatively high height with the front side facing forward (see FIG. 15), but also when the ring-type expansion device 5 is used at a relatively low height, or when the ring-type expansion device 5 is placed without being held and the user sees the ring-type expansion device 5 from outside the ring formed by the annular portion 201. In other words, the light outlet H3 can be arranged at a position where the light from the light outlet H3 can be easily seen by the user.

[0160] In other embodiments, the position of the emission port H3 is arbitrary, and the emission port H3 may be provided at any position that is visible from outside the housing 212. For example, the emission port H3 may be provided at any position of the outer housing 222.

[0161] [1-2-2. Grip cover] As shown in Fig. 10 and Fig. 12, the ring-type expansion device 5 has grip covers 206 and 207. The grip covers 206 and 207 are parts for a user to hold. In this embodiment, the grip covers 206 and 207 make it easier for a user to hold the ring-type expansion device 5. The grip covers 206 and 207 will be described in detail below.

[0162] As shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 12, in this embodiment, two grip covers 206 and 207 are provided on the annular part 201. Here, in this embodiment, the grip covers 206 and 207 are detachable from the annular part 201. The grip covers 206 and 207 are attached to gripping parts of the annular part 201. Here, the gripping parts are parts of the annular part 201 that are gripped by the user. In this embodiment, the gripping parts are a part near the right end of the annular part 201 and a part near the left end of the annular part 201. That is, when the main body part 202 is at a position of a central angle of 0 degrees with respect to the center of the annular part 201, it can be said that gripping parts are provided at positions of +90 degrees and -90 degrees. Hereinafter, the gripping part near the right end of the annular part 201 is referred to as a right gripping part, and the gripping part near the left end of the annular part 201 is referred to as a left gripping part. Although details will be described later, the gripping portion is provided with a structure (fourth surface fastener 233 described later) for attaching grip cover 206 or 207. When grip cover 206 or 207 is detachable from annular portion 201 as in this embodiment, it can be said that the portion where the structure for attaching grip cover 206 or 207 is provided is the gripping portion.

[0163] The gripping portion may have any configuration that can be distinguished from other portions of the annular portion 201 other than the gripping portion. For example, if a portion of the annular portion 201 (specifically, a portion near the left end and the right end of the annular portion 201) has a different color and / or pattern from the other portions, the portion can be called the gripping portion (because it has a function of making the user recognize that the portion is to be gripped and operated). Also, if a portion of the annular portion 201 (specifically, a portion near the left end and the right end of the annular portion 201) is formed thicker than the other portions, the portion can be called the gripping portion (because it has a function of making the user recognize that the portion is to be gripped and operated). For example, if a member similar to the grip cover is fixed to the annular portion 201 in an unremovable manner, the member can be called the gripping portion. As described above, the ring-type expansion device 5 can allow the user to perform an operation while gripping an appropriate place by the gripping portion.

[0164] In this embodiment, the user indirectly holds the grip portion by holding the grip covers 206 and 207 attached to the grip portion of the annular portion 201. In contrast, in other embodiments, the ring-type expansion device 5 may be configured without a grip cover, and in this case, the user may directly hold the grip portion of the annular portion 201. In other words, the grip portion may be a portion that the user holds directly or indirectly.

[0165] In this embodiment, a left grip cover 206 is provided on a left grip portion near the left end of the annular portion 201, and a right grip cover 207 is provided on a right grip portion near the right end of the annular portion 201. In this manner, in this embodiment, the annular portion 201 is provided with grip portions at two locations, left and right, on the assumption that the user will grip the two grip portions with both hands. The number of grip portions is arbitrary, and three or more grip portions may be provided, or only one grip portion may be provided, depending on the assumed operation method. Also, depending on the content of the game (or the content of the fitness motion performed by the user in the game), only a specific grip portion among the multiple grip portions may be held with one hand or both hands. Also, in other embodiments, a grip portion that can be distinguished from other portions of the annular portion 201 may not be provided.

[0166] Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of how a user uses the expansion device. As shown in Fig. 15, when using the ring-type expansion device 5, the user can hold the left grip cover 206 attached to the left grip part with the left hand and hold the right grip cover 207 attached to the right grip part with the right hand. Although details will be described later, the user can also use the ring-type expansion device 5 in a manner different from the manner shown in Fig. 15.

[0167] In this embodiment, the two gripping parts are provided at positions symmetrical with respect to the center of the circle (or ellipse) of the annular part 201 (see FIG. 12). This allows the user to grip the position where it is easy to apply force to the annular part 201, so that an input device that is easy to operate can be provided.

[0168] In addition, in this embodiment, the two gripping parts are provided parallel to the left-right direction. Therefore, the rail part 211 of the main body part 202 is provided in a direction in which the direction from one of the two gripping parts to the other and the sliding direction (of the rail part 211) are substantially parallel. Here, it is assumed that the user holds the two gripping parts horizontally when using the ring-type expansion device 5 (see FIG. 15). Therefore, in the state in which the user holds the ring-type expansion device 5 as described above, the user can attach the right controller 4 to the ring-type expansion device 5 by moving the right controller 4 horizontally and inserting it into the rail part 211. That is, according to this embodiment, it is possible to easily attach the right controller 4 to the ring-type expansion device 5 in a state in which the user holds the ring-type expansion device 5.

[0169] In this embodiment, when the axis of the analog stick 52 of the right controller 4 attached to the ring-type expansion device 5 is tilted in the upward direction to give an upward instruction to the analog stick 52 of the right controller 4, the main body 202 is provided in the annular part 201 above the center of the ring formed by the annular part 201 (see FIG. 12). At this time, it is assumed that the user uses the ring-type expansion device 5 in an orientation in which the main body 202 is located on the upper side (see FIG. 15). Therefore, if the user uses the ring-type expansion device 5 in such an orientation, even if the user accidentally drops the ring-type expansion device 5 during use, the impact is unlikely to be transmitted to the right controller 4, and the possibility of the right controller 4 coming off the ring-type expansion device 5 can be reduced.

[0170] In this embodiment, since the annular portion 201 is elastically deformable, even if the user accidentally drops the ring-type expansion device 5 during use, the impact is absorbed by the annular portion 201. Therefore, even in the above case, the right controller 4 is less likely to come off the ring-type expansion device 5.

[0171] In addition, while using the ring-type expansion device 5, the user may change the state of holding the two gripping parts to operate the right controller 4 by releasing one hand from the gripping part. In such a case, in this embodiment, the main body part 202 is provided above the gripping parts, so that the right controller 4 can be placed in a position that is easy to operate.

[0172] Fig. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the left grip cover 206. Fig. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing the case where the left grip cover 206 is attached to the left gripping portion of the annular portion 201. Note that in the following, the grip cover will be described using the left grip cover 206 as an example, and since the right grip cover 207 has the same configuration as the left grip cover 206, a detailed description of the right grip cover 207 will be omitted.

[0173] The left grip cover 206 is flat and made of cloth. As shown in FIG. 16, the left grip cover 206 is generally rectangular in shape. As shown in FIG. 17, the left grip cover 206 is attached to the annular part 201 in a cylindrical state (in other words, with the left grip cover 206 wrapped around the annular part 201). The left grip cover 206 may be made of any material that can be rolled into a cylindrical shape by fixing one end to the other end. The left grip cover 206 may have a cushioning material such as a sponge inside so that it is easy for the user to hold it.

[0174] FIG. 16 shows the inner surface of the left grip cover 206. The inner surface of the left grip cover 206 is the surface that is on the inside when the left grip cover 206 is wrapped around the annular portion 201 and attached. As shown in FIG. 16, the inner surface of the left grip cover 206 is provided with a first hook fastener 231 at one end and a second hook fastener 232 at the other end. In this specification, the term "end" refers to a portion including the tip in the strict sense and a portion near the tip. Although not shown, a third hook fastener is provided in an area behind the first hook fastener 231 on the outer surface of the left grip cover 206. The second hook fastener 232 and the third hook fastener are detachable from each other. For example, the second hook fastener 232 is a hook fastener with a hook surface, and the third hook fastener is a hook fastener with a loop surface.

[0175] As shown in FIG. 17, the annular portion 201 has a fourth hook-and-loop fastener 233 at the gripping portion. The fourth hook-and-loop fastener 233 is attached to the gripping portion of the annular portion 201 by, for example, an adhesive. In this embodiment, the fourth hook-and-loop fastener 233 is provided on the inner surface of the belt-shaped annular portion 201. This makes it difficult for the fourth hook-and-loop fastener 233 to come into contact with other objects. Although not shown, a fifth hook-and-loop fastener is provided on the inner surface of the annular portion 201 at the right gripping portion near the right end of the annular portion 201. The fourth hook-and-loop fastener 233 is for attaching the left grip cover 206 to the annular portion 201, and the fifth hook-and-loop fastener is for attaching the right grip cover 207 to the annular portion 201.

[0176] The first hook-and-loop fastener 231 and the fourth hook-and-loop fastener 233 are detachable from each other. For example, the first hook-and-loop fastener 231 is a hook-and-loop fastener with a loop surface, and the fourth hook-and-loop fastener 233 is a hook-and-loop fastener with a hook surface. The fifth hook-and-loop fastener is a hook-and-loop fastener similar to the fourth hook-and-loop fastener 233 (here, a hook-and-loop fastener with a hook surface).

[0177] When attaching the left grip cover 206 to the annular portion 201, first, the first hook-and-loop fastener 231 of the left grip cover 206 is adhered to the fourth hook-and-loop fastener 233 of the annular portion 201. Then, with the left grip cover 206 wrapped around the annular portion 201, the second hook-and-loop fastener 232 and the third hook-and-loop fastener of the left grip cover 206 are adhered. In this manner, the left grip cover 206 can be attached to the annular portion 201.

[0178] In this embodiment, the left grip cover 206 is wrapped around the annular portion 201, so it is difficult to come off from the annular portion 201. In addition, the first hook-and-loop fastener 231 and the fourth hook-and-loop fastener 233 are bonded, so the left grip cover 206 is difficult to slip off from the annular portion 201. According to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the grip covers 206 and 207 will come off or slip off from the annular portion 201 when the user is holding the grip covers 206 and 207, and it is possible to improve the operability of the ring-type expansion device 5.

[0179] The right grip cover 207 can be attached to the annular portion 201 in a manner similar to that of attaching the left grip cover 206 to the annular portion 201 .

[0180] As described above, in this embodiment, the grip covers 206 and 207 are detachable from the annular portion 201. This allows the user to wash the grip covers 206 and 207 or replace them with new ones when the grip covers 206 and 207 become dirty or damaged after long-term use.

[0181] [1-2-3. Annular part] Fig. 18 and Fig. 19 are diagrams showing a part of the annular portion. Fig. 18 and Fig. 19 show a part of the annular portion 201 in a state where the main body portion 202 is not attached, specifically, a part of the annular portion 201 near the base portion 242. Fig. 18 is a perspective view of a part of the annular portion 201 seen from the outside of the ring formed by the annular portion 201. Fig. 19 is a perspective view of a part of the annular portion 201 seen from the inside of the ring formed by the annular portion 201.

[0182] 18 and 19, the annular portion 201 has an elastic member 241 and a base portion 242. The elastic member 241 is made of an elastically deformable material. Although details will be described later, a core portion 243 of the elastic member 241 is made of resin (specifically, FRP (Fiber Reinforced Plastics)). The elastic member 241 is a portion of the annular portion 201 that elastically deforms in response to an operation by a user.

[0183] The pedestal portion 242 holds both ends of the elastic member 241 so that a ring is formed by the pedestal portion 242 and the elastic member 241. Here, "the pedestal portion 242 holds the elastic member 241" means that the elastic member 241 is fixed so as not to come off while maintaining a certain shape (here, a shape that forms a ring integrally with the pedestal portion 242). However, as described below, when another force is applied to the elastic member 241 while the pedestal portion 242 holds the elastic member 241, the elastic member 241 may be deformed, and such a case is also included in the meaning of "the pedestal portion 242 holds the elastic member 241". The pedestal portion 242 is made of a material having a higher rigidity than the elastic member 241. In this embodiment, the pedestal portion 242 is made of metal. Therefore, when the same force is applied to the pedestal portion 242 and the elastic member 241, the amount of distortion of the pedestal portion 242 is smaller than the amount of distortion of the elastic member 241.

[0184] In this embodiment, the elastic member 241 has a plate-like (or strip-like) shape having two surfaces as shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 18, and the base portion 242 holds the elastic member 241 in a state in which one surface of the elastic member 241 faces the outside of the ring and the other surface faces the inside of the ring. The elastic member 241 forms a part of the ring so that the longitudinal direction of the elastic member 241 is the circumferential direction of the annular portion 201. The longitudinal direction of the elastic member 241 is the longitudinal direction when the surface of the elastic member 241 is made flat, and the short side direction of the elastic member 241 is the short side direction (front-rear direction in this embodiment) when the surface of the elastic member 241 is made flat. In this embodiment, the above-mentioned surface of the elastic member 241 is rectangular when flattened, so it can also be said that the longitudinal direction of the elastic member 241 is the direction along the longer side of the surface, and the short side direction of the elastic member 241 is the direction along the shorter side of the surface.

[0185] In this embodiment, the elastic member 241 is linear when not held by the base 242. The base 242 holds the elastic member 241, which is linear when no force is applied, in a bent state to form a ring. In this way, by using the linear elastic member 241, the ring-type expansion device 5 can be easily manufactured.

[0186] In other embodiments, the shape of the elastic member 241 is arbitrary, and may be a curved shape when not held by the pedestal portion 242. For example, the elastic member 241 may be a shape that becomes a part of a ring (i.e., a ring that matches the ring of the annular portion 201 in this embodiment) when not held by the pedestal portion 242. In this embodiment, the elastic member 241 is held by the pedestal portion 242 in a state in which stress is applied by bending the elastic member into a ring shape, but in other embodiments, the elastic member 241 may have a shape that becomes a part of a ring when no force is applied, and may be held by the pedestal portion 242 in a state in which stress due to bending is not applied. In this embodiment, the elastic member 241 is strip-shaped, but in other embodiments, the elastic member 241 may be columnar (for example, a shape in which a cross section perpendicular to the circumferential direction is circular).

[0187] Fig. 20 is a partial cross-sectional view in which a part of the annular portion shown in Fig. 18 is cut away. Fig. 20 shows an annular portion 201 cut away by a cross section passing through half line AB in Fig. 18 and perpendicular to the Z axis, and a cross section passing through half line BC and perpendicular to the X axis.

[0188] As shown in Figs. 18 and 20, the elastic member 241 has a core portion 243 and a cover portion 244. The core portion 243 is made of an elastically deformable material. In this embodiment, the core portion 243 is made of resin, and more specifically, FRP (Fiber Reinforced Plastics). The core portion 243 has a degree of rigidity that allows it to be deformed by human force. For example, the bending rigidity of the core portion 243 is 0.33 to 0.50 [Pa·m 4 In this embodiment, the core portion 243 has a band-like shape, and is held by the base portion 242 with one surface facing the outside of the ring and the other surface facing the inside of the ring.

[0189] The cover portion 244 is cylindrical and is provided so as to cover the core portion 243 (see FIG. 20). In this embodiment, the cover portion 244 is made of a material softer than the core portion 243 (i.e., a material with a low indentation hardness). Specifically, in this embodiment, the cover portion 244 is a silicone resin. The cover portion 244 can improve the feel of the elastic member 241 when it comes into contact with the user. In addition, the cover portion 244 can soften the impact when the elastic member 241 hits another object.

[0190] In this embodiment, the cover portion 244 has a circumferential length (in other words, the longitudinal length when not held by the base portion 242) shorter than the core portion 243. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 20, portions near both ends of the rod-shaped core portion 243 are exposed and not covered by the cover portion 244.

[0191] In this embodiment, the core portion 243 is fixed to the base portion 242 at both ends of the core portion 243 while passing through the inside of the cylindrical cover portion 244. This prevents the cover portion 244 from slipping off the core portion 243. Note that in this embodiment, the cover portion 244 is not fixed to the core portion 243. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the elastic member 241 is deformed by the user's operation, unnecessary force caused by the core portion 243 being fixed to the cover portion 244 is not applied, and therefore the durability of the cover portion 244 can be improved.

[0192] As shown in Figs. 18 to 20, the base portion 242 is cylindrical. In this embodiment, the base portion 242 has a flat shape in appearance, and includes a flat plate-shaped outer plate portion 251 and an inner plate portion 252 (strictly speaking, the outer plate portion 251 and the inner plate portion 252 are curved to be part of the circumference of the annular portion 201) (see Figs. 18 and 19). The outer plate portion 251 is a portion of the flat plate-shaped portion of the base portion 242 that is disposed on the side farther from the center of the ring formed by the annular portion 201. The inner plate portion 252 is a portion of the flat plate-shaped portion of the base portion 242 that is disposed on the side closer to the center of the ring formed by the annular portion 201. The base portion 242 also has two side plate portions 253 that connect the outer plate portion 251 and the inner plate portion 252 on both sides in the front-rear direction. As described above, the base portion 242 is formed into a cylindrical shape by the outer plate portion 251, the inner plate portion 252, and the side plate portion 253. In this specification, the term "cylindrical" refers to a shape having a side surface that is continuous in the circumferential direction, and the inside of the side surface is hollow. In addition, the base portion 242 in this embodiment has a slit 258 as shown in FIG. 18, but has a surface that is continuous in the circumferential direction in a part (a surface formed by the outer plate portion, the side plate portion, and the inner plate portion described later), so it can be said to be cylindrical. In addition, "an object is cylindrical" does not mean that the cross section of the object along the circumferential direction is limited to a shape that is a ring, but means that the shape of the cross section does not matter.

[0193] Note that the dotted lines shown in Figures 18 and 19 are drawn to make it easier to understand the positions of the outer plate portion 251, the inner plate portion 252, and the side plate portion 253 on the base portion 242, and dotted lines are not actually provided on the base portion 242.

[0194] As shown in Figs. 18 to 20, the cylindrical base portion 242 has a left opening 254 and a right opening 255. Each of the openings 254 and 255 has a shape and size that allows the core portion 243 to be inserted. The elastic member 241 is held by the base portion 242 in a state in which a first end portion (specifically, an end portion on one side of the core portion 243) is inserted into the left opening 254 and a second end portion (specifically, an end portion on the other side of the core portion 243) is inserted into the right opening 255. At this time, the tip of the elastic member 241 is located near the center in the left-right direction of the base portion 242 and contacts the cylindrical inner surface of the outer plate portion 251 (see Fig. 20). Although the details will be described later, by the cylindrical base portion 242 holding the elastic member 241 in the above-mentioned state, the force that the base portion 242 receives from the elastic member 241 can be dispersed.

[0195] In this embodiment, the cover portion 244 is not inserted into the openings 254 and 255 of the base portion 242. That is, in this embodiment, a part of the core portion 243 is exposed from the cover portion 244 at the first end and the second end, and the base portion 242 holds the part of the core portion 243 exposed at the first end and the second end (see FIG. 20). This can reduce the possibility that the cover portion 244, which is softer than the core portion 243, will come into contact with the base portion 242 and be damaged.

[0196] In this embodiment, the elastic member 241 (more specifically, the core portion 243) is fastened to the base portion 242 by a rivet. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 20, the core portion 243 is fastened to the base portion 242 by rivets 261 and 262 near one end portion inserted into the left opening 254. More specifically, the core portion 243 has holes at two locations near one end portion, the outer plate portion 251 of the base portion 242 has holes at two locations near the left opening 254, and the inner plate portion 252 of the base portion 242 has holes at two locations near the left opening 254. The rivets 261 and 262 are fastened so as to pass through the holes in the outer plate portion 251, the holes in the core portion 243, and the holes in the inner plate portion 252 (see FIG. 20). Further, the vicinity of the other end of core portion 243 inserted into right opening 255 is fastened to base portion 242 by rivets 263 and 264. Core portion 243 is fastened to base portion 242 by rivets in right opening 255 as in left opening 254. As described above, in this embodiment, when base portion 242 holds elastic member 241, the annular shape formed by elastic member 241 and base portion 242 is maintained, and elastic member 241 is not detached from base portion 242.

[0197] As described above, in this embodiment, the base portion 242 has an inner portion (specifically, the inner plate portion 252) provided on the side closer to the center of the ring formed by the base portion 242 and the elastic member 241, and an outer portion (specifically, the outer plate portion 251) provided opposite the inner portion and provided on the side farther from the center of the ring. The elastic member 241 is held by the base portion 242 with one end and the other end of the elastic member 241 sandwiched between the outer portion and the inner portion. In this embodiment, one end of the elastic member 241 is sandwiched between the outer portion and the inner portion at one end of the base portion 242 in the left-right direction, and the other end of the elastic member 241 is sandwiched between the outer portion and the inner portion at the other end of the base portion 242 in the left-right direction.

[0198] Here, consider a configuration in which the base portion 242 is in the shape of a single plate (without an outer portion or an inner portion), and the elastic member 241 is fastened to the base portion 242 by a rivet. In such a configuration, the stress of the elastic member 241 is applied to the rivet, so that a large load is applied to the rivet, and there is a risk of the rivet being damaged. In addition, the force is concentrated on one portion of the elastic member 241 that is fixed by the rivet, so there is a risk of the elastic member 241 also being damaged.

[0199] In contrast to this, in this embodiment, the base portion 242 has an outer portion and an inner portion, and the base portion 242 holds the elastic member 241 with the elastic member 241 inserted between the outer portion and the inner portion. As a result, the stress of the elastic member 241 is mainly applied to the outer portion and the inner portion of the base portion 242 (see FIG. 21), so the load applied to the rivet can be reduced. This reduces the possibility of the rivet breaking.

[0200] In addition, in this embodiment, the elastic member 241 and the outer and inner parts of the base 242 come into contact with each other, so that the forces that the elastic member 241 and the base 242 receive from each other are dispersed. Specifically, the tip part of the elastic member 241 applies a pressing force to the surface of the outer part facing the inner part, and at the same time, the parts of each end of the elastic member 241 that are different from the tip part apply a pressing force to both ends in the left-right direction of the surface of the inner part facing the outer part (i.e., the inner edge of the opening of the base 242, which will be described later) (see FIG. 21). This makes it possible to reduce the load applied to one point of the elastic member 241, and to reduce the possibility of the elastic member 241 being damaged. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the elastic member 241 and the outer and inner parts of the base 242 come into contact with each other in a line, so that it is possible to reduce the possibility of the load concentrating on one point of the elastic member 241. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce the possibility of the elastic member 241 being damaged.

[0201] In this embodiment, the base portion 242 has a cylindrical shape with openings 245 and 255 formed with the end of the outer portion and the end of the inner portion as part of the edge. The two ends of the elastic member 241 are inserted into the openings 245 and 255, respectively. Here, in other embodiments, the base portion 242 may have a configuration in which the openings are not formed (see Figs. 23 and 24). Specifically, the base portion 242 may have a shape obtained by bending a single plate into a cylindrical shape (however, this shape is not a shape having a side surface that is continuous in the circumferential direction, and therefore is not "cylindrical" in this embodiment). Even with such a configuration, the base portion has an outer portion and an inner portion, and the elastic member 241 is inserted between the outer portion and the inner portion, so that the above effect (i.e., the effect of reducing the possibility of the rivet and the elastic member being damaged) can be achieved. It should be noted that by forming the base portion 242 in a cylindrical shape, the base portion 242 can be manufactured more easily (compared to the shape shown in FIG. 23, for example).

[0202] In other embodiments, the shape of the base portion 242 is arbitrary, and may be, for example, a single plate shape as described above.

[0203] As described above, in this embodiment, the elastic member 241 is fixed to the base portion 242 at at least two points on the side of the first end portion (specifically, the end portion on one side of the core portion 243), and is fixed to the base portion 242 at at least two points on the side of the second end portion (specifically, the end portion on the other side of the core portion 243). According to this, the elastic member 241 is fixed to the base portion 242 so as not to rotate around an axis in the vertical direction (i.e., the Y-axis direction shown in the figure). Therefore, for example, when using the ring-type expansion device 5, the possibility that the elastic member 241 will come into contact with the opening of the base portion 242 by rotating in the above direction can be reduced, and the possibility that the elastic member 241 will come into contact with the base portion 242 and be damaged can be reduced.

[0204] It should be noted that any method may be used to fasten the elastic member 241 to the base portion 242. For example, the elastic member 241 may be fastened to the base portion 242 by a penetrating part such as a rivet, a screw, and / or a bolt. This allows the elastic member 241 to be firmly fastened (or fixed) to the base portion 242.

[0205] 19 and 20, the ring-type expansion device 5 includes a left protective member 256 and a right protective member 257 as an example of a protective member. The protective members are provided to reduce the possibility that the elastic member 241 is damaged by contacting the base part 242, which is harder than the elastic member 241, while the user is using the ring-type expansion device 5. The protective members will be described in detail below.

[0206] 19 and 20, the left protective member 256 is provided on the inner edge of the left opening 254 of the base portion 242. Moreover, the right protective member 257 is provided on the inner edge of the right opening 255 of the base portion 242. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 19, each of the protective members 256 and 257 is provided on a portion of the inner edge of the opening of the base portion 242 that is closer to the center of the ring formed by the annular portion 201. That is, each of the protective members 256 and 257 is provided on the cylindrical inner surface of the inner plate portion 252 of the base portion 242. The left protective member 256 and the right protective member 257 are generally plate-shaped.

[0207] In this manner, in this embodiment, the protective members 256 and 257 prevent direct contact between the inner plate portion 252 and the elastic member 241. The protective members 256 and 257 may have any shape, and may have any shape that can be disposed between the inner plate portion 252 and the elastic member 241.

[0208] Each of the protective members 256 and 257 is made of a material softer than the base portion 242. In this embodiment, each of the protective members 256 and 257 is made of POM (polyoxymethylene). Note that each of the protective members 256 and 257 may be made of the same material as the core portion 243 (i.e., FRP). Also, each of the protective members 256 and 257 may be made of a material harder or softer than the core portion 243.

[0209] In addition, the corners of the portions of the protection members 256 and 257 that come into contact with the elastic member 241 (more specifically, the core portion 243 in this embodiment) are rounder than the corners of the inner edges of the openings 254 and 255 of the base portion 242 (see FIG. 20). As shown in FIG. 20, the left protection member 256 is provided extending from a space above the inner surface of the cylinder of the inner plate portion 252 of the base portion 242 to a space to the left of the left end of the inner plate portion 252. That is, the left protection member 256 is provided protruding from the inside of the cylinder of the base portion 242 through the left opening 254. The portion of the left protection member 256 that protrudes from the left opening 254 is drooping along the edge of the left opening 254. By being drooping in this manner, the left protection member 256 forms a corner in the upper left portion. This corner is rounder than the corner of the inner edge of the left opening 254. In this embodiment, since the right protective member 257 comes into contact with the left protective member 256 configured as described above, the elastic member 241 is less likely to be damaged than when the inner edge corner of the base portion 242 comes into contact with the elastic member 241. Although not shown in FIG. 20, the right protective member 257 also has a shape similar to that of the left protective member 256.

[0210] In this embodiment, the protective members 256 and 257 are provided so as to protrude outward in the left-right direction from the inner plate portion 252. In contrast to this, in other embodiments, the protective members do not have to be provided so as to protrude outward in the left-right direction from the inner plate portion 252, and may be provided only in the space above the inner plate portion 252. In this case, the portion of the protective member that comes into contact with the elastic member 241 (for example, the corners if the protective member is plate-shaped) is rounded more than the corners of the inner edges of the openings 254 and 255, thereby reducing the possibility of damaging the elastic member 241.

[0211] The method of fixing the protective members 256 and 257 to the base portion 242 is arbitrary. In this embodiment, each of the protective members 256 and 257 is fastened to the base portion 242 by the rivets 261 to 264. That is, each of the protective members 256 and 257 is provided with holes at two locations. The rivets 261 and 262 are fastened to the base portion 242 so as to pass through the holes of the left protective member 256. The rivets 263 and 264 are fastened to the base portion 242 so as to pass through the holes of the right protective member 257. In this manner, in this embodiment, the protective members 256 and 257 are fastened to the base portion 242 together with the elastic member 241 by the rivets 261 to 264.

[0212] In this embodiment, two holes 283 are provided in the inner plate portion 252 of the base portion 242 (see FIG. 19). The left protective member 256 is fastened to the base portion with its own protrusion 285 inserted into one of the holes 283 (see FIG. 25 described later). The right protective member 257 is fastened to the base portion 242 with its own protrusion (not shown) inserted into the other hole 283. Therefore, each of the protective members 256 and 257 is fastened to the base portion 242 while being positioned by the protrusion and hole 283.

[0213] As described above, in this embodiment, the ring-type expansion device 5 includes the left protection member 256 sandwiched between the end of one side (specifically, the left side) of the inner plate portion 252 and the elastic member 241, and the right protection member 257 sandwiched between the end of the other side of the inner plate portion 252 and the elastic member 241. The left protection member 256 has a corner that is more rounded than the corner of the inner plate portion 252 that contacts the left protection member 256 (see FIG. 20). In addition, the right protection member 257 has a corner that is more rounded than the corner of the inner plate portion 252 that contacts the right protection member 257. Here, although details will be described later, the above-mentioned corner portion of the inner plate portion 252 is a portion to which a large force is applied when a user performs an operation to deform the elastic member 241 during use of the ring-type expansion device 5 (see FIG. 21). Therefore, by providing protective members at the above-mentioned portions and preventing the elastic member 241 (more specifically, the core portion 243) from directly contacting the base portion 242, it is possible to efficiently protect the elastic member 241. Note that the elastic member 241 may contact the corners of the protective members 256 and 257 only in the steady state, may contact the corners only in the deformed state, or may contact the corners in both states.

[0214] In addition, when protective members 256 and 257 are made of a material softer than base portion 242, the possibility that elastic member 241 will be damaged is lower than when protective members 256 and 257 are not present, or when protective members 256 and 257 are made of a material harder than base portion 242. Therefore, in the above case, the portions of protective members 256 and 257 that come into contact with elastic member 241 do not need to have a shape that is rounder than the corners of the inner edges of the opening of base portion 242.

[0215] In other embodiments, the two protective members 256 and 257 may be integral (ie, a single piece).

[0216] In another embodiment, the protective member may be provided on the inner edge of the opening of the base portion 242, in addition to (or instead of) the cylindrical inner side surface of the inner plate portion 252, on the cylindrical inner side surface of the outer plate portion 251. This can reduce the possibility that the elastic member 241 will come into direct contact with the base portion 242.

[0217] As shown in FIG. 18, the ring-type expansion device 5 includes a strain gauge 245. The strain gauge 245 is provided on the base 242 and detects the strain of the base 242. That is, in this embodiment, the base 242 functions as a strain generating body. Although details will be described later, when the ring-type expansion device 5 is operated by a user and the elastic member 241 is deformed, the force from the elastic member 241 causes strain in the base 242. In this embodiment, the strain caused in the base 242 is detected by the strain gauge 245, and the direction and degree of deformation of the elastic member 241 are calculated based on the detection result.

[0218] In this embodiment, the base portion 242 is provided inside the housing 212 of the main body portion 202 (see FIG. 14). That is, the strain gauge 245 is provided inside the housing 212. This allows the strain gauge 245 to be protected by the housing 212.

[0219] In the present embodiment, the strain gauge 245 is provided in a portion of the annular portion 201 other than the gripping portions 206 and 207. This reduces the possibility that the strain gauge 245 detects unnecessary strain when the user grips the position of the strain gauge 245, and allows the strain due to the deformation of the elastic member 241 to be detected with high accuracy.

[0220] 18, in this embodiment, the strain gauge 245 is provided on the outer plate portion 251 of the base portion 242. More specifically, the strain gauge 245 is provided on the outer surface of the outer plate portion 251 (i.e., the surface facing the outside of the ring formed by the annular portion 201). The strain gauge 245 is provided substantially in the center of the base portion 242 in the left-right direction (i.e., the X-axis direction shown in the figure). The strain gauge 245 is provided substantially in the center of the base portion 242 in the front-rear direction (i.e., the Z-axis direction shown in the figure).

[0221] In this embodiment, strain gauge 245 detects the strain of base part 242 in the left-right direction (i.e., the X-axis direction shown in the figure) and the strain of base part 242 in the front-back direction (i.e., the Z-axis direction shown in the figure). That is, strain gauge 245 includes a sensor that detects the strain in the left-right direction and a sensor that detects the strain in the front-back direction. Although details will be described later, in this embodiment, strain gauge 245 performs temperature compensation by detecting the strain in the above two directions.

[0222] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the deformation of the elastic member 241 and the force applied to the base part 242 by the deformation. FIG. 21(a) shows a state (called "steady state") in which no operation is performed on the ring-type expansion device 5 (i.e., an operation to deform the elastic member 241). FIG. 21(b) shows a state (called "pushed state") in which an operation is performed to push the gripping parts 206 and 207 of the ring-type expansion device 5 inward (i.e., toward the center of the ring). FIG. 21(c) shows a state (called "pulled state") in which an operation is performed to pull the gripping parts 206 and 207 of the ring-type expansion device 5 outward.

[0223] In the steady state shown in FIG. 21(a), the elastic member 241 is not deformed by the user's operation. However, in this embodiment, the elastic member 241 is deformed into an annular shape by the pedestal portion 242 holding the elastic member 241, and thus stress due to this deformation is generated in the elastic member 241. Therefore, the pedestal portion 242 receives a force due to the stress (i.e., a force with which the elastic member 241 presses the pedestal portion 242) from the elastic member 241. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 21, the inner plate portion 252 of the pedestal portion 242 receives a force F1 directed toward the center of the ring formed by the annular portion 201 from the elastic member 241 (through a protective member) in the vicinity of the left opening 254. In addition, the outer plate portion 251 of the pedestal portion 242 receives a force F2 directed toward the outside of the ring formed by the annular portion 201 from the elastic member 241 in the vicinity of the center in the left-right direction. 21 only shows the force applied from the elastic member 241 to the left of the center of the base portion 242, but in reality, a similar force is applied to the right of the center of the base portion 242. These forces F1, F2, etc. cause tensile strain in the left-right direction in the outer plate portion 251 of the base portion 242 (i.e., strain in the direction in which the outer plate portion 251 extends in the left-right direction).

[0224] In the pressed-in state shown in FIG. 21(b), the portions of the elastic member 241 near the openings 254 and 255 of the seating portion 242 are deformed from the steady state toward the inside of the ring formed by the annular portion 201 (see black arrows). Therefore, the forces F1, F2, etc. that the seating portion 242 receives from the elastic member 241 are greater than in the steady state (see FIG. 21(b)). Therefore, the amount by which the outer plate portion 251 of the seating portion 242 is distorted in the left-right direction is greater than in the steady state. Note that in the pressed-in state, the greater the amount by which the elastic member 241 is deformed in the pressing direction, the greater the amount of tensile strain of the outer plate portion 251.

[0225] In the tensile state shown in FIG. 21(c), the portions of the elastic member 241 near the openings 254 and 255 of the seat portion 242 are deformed from the steady state toward the outside of the ring formed by the annular portion 201 (see black arrows). Therefore, the forces F1 and F2, etc. that the seat portion 242 receives from the elastic member 241 are smaller than in the steady state (see FIG. 21(c)). Therefore, the amount by which the outer plate portion 251 of the seat portion 242 is distorted in the left-right direction is smaller than in the steady state. Note that in the tensile state, the amount of tensile distortion of the outer plate portion 251 decreases as the amount by which the elastic member 241 is deformed in the tensile direction increases.

[0226] In addition, in the tensile state, when the amount of deformation of the elastic member 241 becomes greater than a certain amount, unlike the state shown in Fig. 21, the elastic member 241 presses the outer plate portion 251 upward near the opening and presses the inner plate portion 252 downward (through the protective member) near the center of the base portion 242. The elastic member 241 may be deformable to such a state. In the above case, compressive strain is generated in the outer plate portion 251 in the left-right direction (i.e., strain in the direction in which the outer plate portion 251 contracts in the left-right direction). In other words, in the above case, the magnitude of the tensile strain of the outer plate portion 251 becomes negative.

[0227] As described above, by detecting the distortion (specifically, tensile distortion) in the left-right direction in the base 242, the direction in which the elastic member 241 deforms and the amount of deformation can be calculated, and the operation content for the ring-type expansion device 5 can be known. That is, based on the detection result of the strain gauge 245 provided in the base 242, the operation content for the ring-type expansion device 5 (specifically, the direction of the operation of pushing or pulling the gripping part and the magnitude of the operation) can be identified. In this embodiment, the process of identifying the operation content for the ring-type expansion device 5 is executed by the main device 2.

[0228] In this embodiment, in the steady state, stress is generated in the elastic member 241, and therefore tensile strain is generated in the base portion 242, but in other embodiments, the elastic member 241 may have a shape that does not generate stress in the steady state (i.e., a shape that forms a part of a ring when no force is applied). Even if the elastic member 241 has the above-mentioned shape, the direction in which the elastic member 241 deforms and the amount of deformation can be calculated by detecting the direction in which the strain of the base portion 242 has changed from the steady state (i.e., whether it is tensile strain or compressive strain) and the amount of change, and the operation content for the ring-type expansion device 5 can be known.

[0229] As described above, in this embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which strain gauge 245 is attached to pedestal portion 242 and the strain of pedestal portion 242 functioning as a strain generating body is detected. That is, in this embodiment, by providing strain gauge 245 not in elastic member 241 which is subject to greater deformation than pedestal portion 242, but in pedestal portion 242 which is subject to smaller deformation than elastic member 241, it is possible to reduce the possibility of strain gauge 245 being damaged by deformation.

[0230] As described above, in this embodiment, the strain gauge 245 detects strain in the front-rear direction in addition to strain in the left-right direction. This is for the purpose of performing temperature compensation. That is, the strain gauge 245 outputs a detection result (i.e., a value indicating strain in the left-right direction) in which the influence of changes in sensor characteristics due to temperature is suppressed based on the difference between the output of the sensor detecting strain in the left-right direction and the output of the sensor detecting strain in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, temperature compensation is performed by a bridge circuit provided together with the strain gauge 245. Note that the method of performing temperature compensation based on strain in two directions is arbitrary, and a method similar to that used in the past may be used.

[0231] As described above, in this embodiment, strain in the front-rear direction is detected to perform temperature compensation. Here, in this embodiment, slits 258 are provided in the base portion 242 in the front-rear direction of the strain gauge 245 (see FIG. 18). The slits 258 are an example of a hole, and generally have a shape having short sides and long sides. In this embodiment, the hole that is the rivet 258 is different from the hole for passing the rivet described above. The reason for providing the slits 258 will be explained below.

[0232] First, let us consider a case where no slit is provided in the base. In this case, it has been found that when the force shown in FIG. 21 is applied to the base by an elastic member, tensile strain is generated in the outer plate of the base not only in the left-right direction but also in the front-rear direction. This is because the base 242 has a shape in which the outer plate and the inner plate are continuous via the side plate, and when a bending force is applied in a direction in which both ends of the outer plate are lowered, the outer plate receives a force in a direction in which it is pulled by the side plate due to the deformation of the inner plate and the side plate that occurs simultaneously with the deformation of the outer plate. Here, if distortion occurs in the left-right direction but not in the front-rear direction, the difference between the detection results of the strain gauge in these two directions can be taken to offset the fluctuation of the output value in the left-right direction due to temperature change by the fluctuation of the output value in the front-rear direction due to temperature change, so that a strain value that takes temperature compensation into consideration can be obtained. On the other hand, when tensile strain occurs in both the left-right and front-to-back directions as described above, the difference between the detection results for the left-right direction and the front-to-back direction becomes small (or almost nonexistent), so it may not be possible to obtain an accurate value for the left-right strain value taking temperature compensation into account.

[0233] In contrast, in this embodiment, the slit 258 is provided in the base portion 242, so that the generation of tensile strain in the front-rear direction at the position where the strain gauge 245 is provided can be reduced. Specifically, the portion where the strain gauge 245 is provided and the side plate portion 253 are separated by the slit 258. Therefore, when a force that bends both the left and right ends of the outer plate portion 251 in a downward direction is applied to the outer plate portion 251, the portion where the strain gauge 245 is provided is less likely to receive a force that is pulled by the side plate portion 253 located outside it, and as a result, the tensile strain in the front-rear direction is reduced. In this embodiment, the slit 258 can make the tensile strain in the front-rear direction almost zero, so that a difference occurs between the detection result regarding the left-rear direction and the detection result regarding the front-rear direction, and an accurate value can be obtained as the strain value in the front-rear direction taking temperature compensation into consideration. Even if the tensile strain in the front-rear direction becomes almost zero by the slit 258, the change in the strain value in the front-rear direction due to temperature change still occurs, so that temperature compensation based on the difference as described above is possible. Of course, the temperature compensation method is arbitrary, and in addition to the method of simply taking the difference, appropriate correction may be performed.

[0234] As described above, in this embodiment, the strain gauge 245 detects the strain of the base portion 242 in the left-right direction from the left opening 254 to the right opening 255, and the strain of the base portion 242 in the front-rear direction perpendicular to the left-right direction. The slit 258 is formed in the base portion 242 at a position in the front-rear direction from the strain gauge 245 (see FIG. 18). This makes it possible to perform temperature compensation based on the difference between the strains in the two directions, and to accurately detect the amount of strain.

[0235] In this embodiment, the length of slit 258 in the left-right direction is longer than the length of strain gauge 245 in the left-right direction (see FIG. 18). Both ends of slit 258 in the left-right direction are located outward in the left-right direction than both ends of strain gauge 245 in the left-right direction. That is, in the left-right direction, the length from the center of strain gauge 245 to the left end of slit 258 is longer than the length from the center to the left end of strain gauge 245, and the length from the center of strain gauge 245 to the right end of slit 258 is longer than the length from the center to the right end of strain gauge 245. This can sufficiently reduce the influence of the portion of base 242 where strain gauge 245 is provided being pulled in the front-rear direction by other portions, so that an accurate amount of strain due to temperature compensation can be detected.

[0236] In this embodiment, the slits 258 are formed on both sides of the strain gauge 245 in the front-rear direction in the outer plate portion 251 on which the strain gauge 245 is provided. Therefore, when a bending force in a direction in which the outer plate portion 251 is warped is applied to the outer plate portion 251, the force with which the portion on which the strain gauge 245 is provided is pulled by the side plate portion 253 can be effectively suppressed. This makes it possible to reduce the influence of the strain in the front-rear direction and to accurately detect the amount of strain. Note that the slits 258 may be formed on both sides of the strain gauge 245 in the front-rear direction in the side plate portion 253 in addition to (or instead of) the outer plate portion 251. This also makes it possible to reduce the influence of the strain in the front-rear direction, as in this embodiment.

[0237] In this embodiment, the pedestal portion 242 is provided with a slit 258, which is an example of a hole. In other embodiments, the pedestal portion 242 may be provided with a notch instead of a hole. In this embodiment, a space surrounded by a plate-like member (for example, an outer plate portion) on the entire circumference is called a hole, and a space not surrounded by the member on the entire circumference (i.e., open in one direction) is called a notch. In other embodiments, a notch extending from one end of the outer plate portion in the left-right direction to a position in the front-rear direction of the strain gauge 245 may be provided. In this case, even if the outer plate portion 251 is bent, the portion where the strain gauge 245 is provided is less likely to receive a pulling force from the side plate portion 253 located outside it. This makes it possible to reduce the influence of distortion in the front-rear direction, as in this embodiment, and to accurately detect the amount of distortion.

[0238] The position and size of the notch and / or hole provided in the front-rear direction of the strain gauge 245 are arbitrary. For example, in other embodiments, the notch and / or hole may be provided in the side plate portion 253 of the base portion 242, or may be provided in the inner plate portion 252. Even with such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the tensile strain in the front-rear direction that occurs in the portion where the strain gauge 245 is provided. This is considered to be because, when a bending force is applied in a direction in which both the left and right ends of the outer plate portion 251 are bent downward, the influence on the outer plate portion 251 of the deformation of the inner plate portion 252 and the side plate portion 253 that occurs simultaneously with the deformation of the outer plate portion 251 is reduced.

[0239] 22 and 23 are diagrams showing an example of a base part in a first modified example of this embodiment. FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the base part 271 according to the first modified example seen from above, and FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the base part 271 seen from below. The hatched area shown in FIG. 22 indicates the position where the strain gauge 245 is provided. The dotted lines shown in FIG. 22 and FIG. 23 (as well as FIG. 24 described later) are drawn to make it easier to understand the positions of the outer plate part 273, the side plate part 274, and the inner plate part 275 in the base part 271, and the dotted lines are not actually provided on the base part 271. In addition, in FIG. 22 and FIG. 23 (as well as FIG. 24 described later), holes for passing rivets and screw holes for fastening the base part 271 to the housing are omitted. In addition, the base portion 271 in the first modified example has a side surface that continues around the circumference, and the inside of the side surface is hollow, so that it can be said to be cylindrical. Like the base portion 242 in this embodiment, the base portion 271 in the first modified example has two side plate portions 274 that connect the inner plate portion 275 and the outer plate portion 273 on both sides in the front-rear direction, and the inner plate portion 275, the outer plate portion 273, and the side plate portion 274 surround two ends of the elastic member 241. Therefore, like this embodiment, it has an effect of reducing the possibility of the rivet and the elastic member being damaged. In addition, since the base portion 242 surrounds each end of the elastic member 241, it is possible to reduce the possibility of the elastic member 241 being displaced or removed from the base portion 242.

[0240] As shown in FIG. 22 and FIG. 23, a notch 272 is provided in a cylindrical base portion 271 instead of the slit 258 in the present embodiment. The notch 272 is provided in a position in the front-rear direction of the position where the strain gauge 245 is provided, similar to the slit 258 in the present embodiment. That is, the notch 272 is provided in the same position as the strain gauge 245 in the left-right direction. In other words, the notch 272 is provided across the side plate portion 274 and the inner plate portion 275 in the center portion in the left-right direction of the base portion 271. In this modification, when a bending force is applied in a direction in which both the left and right ends of the outer plate portion 251 are lowered, the side plate portion 274 and the inner plate portion 275 are absent (cut out) in the center portion of the base portion 271, so that the portion where the strain gauge 245 is provided is less susceptible to the deformation of the inner plate portion 252 and the side plate portion 253. Therefore, in the first modified example as well, similarly to the above embodiment, the tensile strain occurring in the front-rear direction at the position where the strain gauge 245 is provided can be reduced, and the same effect as in this embodiment can be achieved.

[0241] FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of a pedestal portion in a second modified example of this embodiment. FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a pedestal portion 276 according to the second modified example, seen from below. As shown in FIG. 24, the pedestal portion 276 in the second modified example is different from the pedestal portion 271 in the first modified example in that a gap 277 extending in the left-right direction is provided in the inner plate portion 275. In this way, the pedestal portion 276 has a shape that can be manufactured by bending a single metal plate (however, the pedestal portion 276 is not limited to being manufactured by bending). Even if the gap 277 is not provided, the provision of the notch 272 can reduce the tensile strain in the front-rear direction that occurs in the portion where the strain gauge 245 is provided.

[0242] In other embodiments, the base portion may not have a hole or a notch. For example, when the base portion is a single plate, even if a bending force is applied to both the left and right ends of the base portion, it is considered that no tensile strain occurs in the front-rear direction, so the base portion may not have a hole or a notch. Also, for example, when temperature compensation is not performed by detecting strain in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction (that is, when the strain gauge detects only strain in the left-right direction), the base portion may not have a hole or a notch.

[0243] Fig. 25 is a partial cross-sectional view in which a part of the annular part 201 and the main body part 202 in the ring-type expansion device 5 is cut out. Fig. 25 shows the ring-type expansion device 5 in a state in which the outer housing 222 of the main body part 202 is removed. Fig. 25 also shows the annular part 201 and the main body part 202 cut out by a cross section that is parallel to the cross section passing through the half line AB in Fig. 18 and perpendicular to the Z axis, and that passes through the center of the base part 242 in the Z axis direction.

[0244] 25, the annular portion 201 and the main body portion 202 are fixed to each other by fastening the base portion 242 of the annular portion 201 to the inner housing 221 of the main body portion 202. Specifically, the base portion 242 and the main body portion 202 are fastened to each other by screwing a screw 284 into a screw hole of the inner housing 221 while passing through a hole 282 (see FIG. 19) provided in the inner plate portion 252 of the base portion 242. In this embodiment, the holes 282 are provided at two locations, one in front of the center of the inner plate portion 252 and one in rear of the center of the inner plate portion 252 (see FIG. 19), and the base portion 242 and the main body portion 202 are fastened to each other by the screws at the two locations.

[0245] 25, base portion 242 and main body portion 202 are fastened together in a state in which protrusion 286 of inner housing 221 is inserted into hole 281 (see FIG. 19) provided in inner plate portion 252. In this manner, base portion 242 and main body portion 202 are fastened together in a state in which they are positioned by protrusion 286 and hole 281.

[0246] In this embodiment, the hole 282 provided in the inner plate portion 252 of the base portion 242 is provided at a position facing the slit 258 provided in the outer plate portion 251 of the base portion 242. In addition, the portion of the slit 258 facing the hole 282 has a slightly enlarged slit distance, and is large enough to allow the screw 284 to pass through. Therefore, when fastening the base portion 242 and the inner housing 221 with the screw 284, the screw 284 can be passed through the slit 258 to perform screw fastening. This makes it possible to easily attach the inner housing 221 to the base portion 242.

[0247] As described above, in this embodiment, the strain gauge 245 is provided on the outer plate portion 251. Moreover, the housing 212 is fixed to the inner plate portion 252 and covers at least the strain gauge 245. Thus, in this embodiment, in the base portion 242, the position where the strain gauge 245 is provided and the position where the strain gauge 245 is fixed to the housing are disposed apart from each other (i.e., on the surfaces facing each other in the cylindrical base portion 242). Here, when the base portion 242 is fixed to another member (for example, fastened by a screw), stress is generated in the base portion 242, and the strain caused by this stress may be detected as noise by the strain gauge 245. Therefore, if the base portion 242 and the other member are fixed to each other at a position near the strain gauge 245, the noise detected by the strain gauge 245 may become large, and the accuracy of detecting the strain caused by the deformation of the elastic member 241 may be reduced. In contrast, according to the present embodiment, the strain gauge 245 is less likely to detect distortion (noise) occurring in the base portion 242 due to the fixation of the base portion 242 to the housing, and therefore the accuracy with which the strain gauge 245 detects distortion due to deformation of the elastic member 241 can be improved.

[0248] 25, in this embodiment, the position where the base 242 and the main body 202 are fixed is substantially the center of the base 242 in the left-right direction. Here, for example, if the fixing position of the base 242 and the main body 202 is offset in the left-right direction, the distortion caused by the fixing is not symmetrical in the left-right direction, and when the distortion is detected by the strain gauge 245, the accuracy of detecting the distortion caused by the deformation of the elastic member 241 may decrease. In contrast, in this embodiment, the possibility of asymmetric distortion occurring in the left-right direction can be reduced, thereby improving the accuracy of the strain gauge 245 detecting the distortion caused by the deformation of the elastic member 241.

[0249] [1-2-4. Electrical configuration] FIG. 26 is a block diagram showing the electrical connection relationship of the components included in the ring-type expansion device 5. As shown in FIG. 26, the ring-type expansion device 5 includes a distortion detection unit 291. The distortion detection unit 291 is an example of a detection unit that detects the deformation of the annular part 201. In this embodiment, the distortion detection unit 291 includes the above-mentioned strain gauge 245 and a bridge circuit. The distortion detection unit 291 outputs a signal indicating the distortion of the base part 242 corresponding to the deformation of the elastic member 241 (in other words, a signal indicating the magnitude and direction of the deformation of the elastic member 241). Note that in this embodiment, the output signal of the distortion detection unit 291 indicates a distortion value that has been temperature compensated by the bridge circuit.

[0250] The ring type expansion device 5 includes a signal conversion unit 292. In this embodiment, the signal conversion unit 292 includes an amplifier and an AD converter. The signal conversion unit 292 is electrically connected to the distortion detection unit 291, and amplifies an output signal of the distortion detection unit 291 by the amplifier and performs AD conversion by the AD converter. The signal conversion unit 292 outputs a digital signal indicating the distortion value. Note that in other embodiments, the signal conversion unit 292 does not include an AD converter, and a processing unit 293 described later may include an AD converter.

[0251] The ring type expansion device 5 includes a processing unit 293. The processing unit 293 is a processing circuit including a processor and a memory, for example, an MCU (Micro Controller Unit). The processing unit 293 is electrically connected to the signal conversion unit 292, and the output signal of the signal conversion unit 292 is input to the processing unit 293. The ring type expansion device 5 also includes a terminal 294. The terminal 294 is electrically connected to the processing unit 293. When the right controller 4 is attached to the ring type expansion device 5, the processing unit 293 transmits information indicating the distortion value indicated by the output signal of the signal conversion unit 292 (in other words, the above-mentioned ring operation data) to the right controller 4 via the terminal 294. In this specification, the term "terminal" includes a terminal having one pin (i.e., a single terminal) and a terminal having multiple pins (i.e., a multiple terminal).

[0252] The processing unit 293 may execute processing in response to an operation on the ring type expansion device 5. For example, the processing unit 293 may count and store the number of times an operation is performed on the ring type expansion device 5. In addition, the processing unit 293 may execute processing in response to an instruction transmitted from an external device (i.e., the main device 2 or the right controller 4) via the terminal 294.

[0253] The ring type expansion device 5 includes a power conversion unit 295. The power conversion unit 295 is electrically connected to the above-mentioned respective units 291 to 294. The power conversion unit 295 supplies power supplied from the outside (i.e., the right controller 4) via a terminal 294 to the above-mentioned respective units 291 to 294. The power conversion unit 295 may adjust the voltage, etc. of the supplied power and supply it to the above-mentioned respective units 291 to 294.

[0254] As described above, in this embodiment, the ring-type expansion device 5 operates with power supplied from the right controller 4. That is, the distortion detection unit 291 operates with power supplied from the right controller 4 via the terminal 294 in a state where it is attached to the ring-type expansion device 5. Also, a transmission unit (i.e., the processing unit 293) that transmits data related to the detection result of the distortion detection unit 291 (i.e., ring operation data) to the right controller 4 operates with power supplied from the right controller 4 via the terminal 294 in a state where it is attached to the ring-type expansion device 5. According to this, the ring-type expansion device 5 does not need to have its own power source, and therefore the weight of the ring-type expansion device 5 can be reduced.

[0255] The "data on the detection result of the distortion detection unit" transmitted by the ring-type expansion device 5 to another device may be data indicating the detection result itself (in this embodiment, the output signal of the distortion detection unit 291 indicating the distortion of the base 242), or may be data obtained by performing some processing on the detection result (for example, data format conversion and / or calculation processing on the distortion value, etc.). For example, the processing unit 293 may perform a process of calculating the deformation amount of the elastic member 241 based on the distortion value that is the detection result, and in this case, the "data on the detection result of the distortion detection unit" may be data indicating the deformation amount.

[0256] In another embodiment, the ring-type expansion device 5 may include a battery and operate using the power of the battery. The battery included in the ring-type expansion device 5 may be a rechargeable battery that can be charged using the power supplied from the right controller 4.

[0257] [1-3. Belt-type expansion device] Next, the configuration of the belt-type expansion device 6 will be described. Fig. 27 is a diagram showing an example of a belt-type expansion device. The belt-type expansion device 6 is used by fastening it to the user's foot with the left controller 3 stored in the belt-type expansion device 6 (see Fig. 15). In this embodiment, the belt-type expansion device 6 is made of cloth and has a flat shape.

[0258] As shown in FIG. 27, the belt-type expansion device 6 includes a storage section 301 and a belt section 302. The storage section 301 has a planar shape and can store the left controller 3. Specifically, the storage section 301 has a pocket section 303. The pocket section 303 is formed in a bag shape with a size capable of storing the left controller 3. Note that the pocket section 303 does not need to be capable of storing the entire left controller 3, but only needs to be capable of storing a part of the left controller 3 (it may be capable of storing the entire left controller 3). The pocket section 303 is open at the top, and the left controller 3 can be inserted from the top to store the left controller 3 inside the pocket section 303. In this way, in this embodiment, the storage section 301 stores the left controller, and the left controller 3 is attached to the belt-type expansion device 6. Note that in other embodiments, the configuration for attaching the left controller 3 to the belt-type expansion device 6 is arbitrary.

[0259] 27, the storage section 301 is provided with a through hole 304 on the side (specifically, on the left side in FIG. 27) of the pocket section 303. The through hole 304 is a hole for passing the belt section 302 when fastening the belt-type extension device 6 to the user's foot, as will be described in detail later.

[0260] The belt portion 302 is provided in the storage portion 301 on the side of the pocket portion 303, on the opposite side (specifically, on the right side) of the through-hole 304 with respect to the pocket portion 303. The belt portion 302 is in a belt-like shape, and one end thereof is fixed to the storage portion 301. In this embodiment, the belt portion 302 is made of a stretchable material (for example, woven rubber).

[0261] 27, a first hook-and-loop fastener 305 and a second hook-and-loop fastener 306 are provided on the surface of the belt portion 302 on the same side as the surface on which the pocket portion 303 is provided in the storage portion 301. The first hook-and-loop fastener 305 is provided near the end opposite the side fixed to the storage portion 301. The second hook-and-loop fastener 306 is provided on the same surface as the first hook-and-loop fastener 305, on a side closer to the storage portion 301 than the first hook-and-loop fastener 305. In this embodiment, the second hook-and-loop fastener 306 is provided in the region between the first hook-and-loop fastener 305 and the end fixed to the storage portion 301.

[0262] The first hook-and-loop fastener 305 and the second hook-and-loop fastener 306 are detachable from each other. For example, the first hook-and-loop fastener 305 is a hook-and-loop fastener with a hook surface, and the second hook-and-loop fastener 306 is a hook-and-loop fastener with a loop surface.

[0263] FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example of a belt-type expansion device fastened to a user's foot. When fastening the belt-type expansion device 6, the user passes the belt part 302 through the through hole 304 while wrapping the belt part 302 around the foot, and adheres the first hook-and-loop fastener 305 and the second hook-and-loop fastener 306. Note that the user may store the left controller 3 in the belt-type expansion device 6 and then fasten the belt-type expansion device 6 containing the left controller 3 to the foot, or may store the left controller 3 in the belt-type expansion device 6 after fastening the belt-type expansion device 6 to the foot. In this way, the user can fasten the belt-type expansion device 6 containing the left controller 3 to the foot, as shown in FIG. 28.

[0264] [2. Operation and usage examples] Next, an example of operation and use of the game system using the two extension devices 5 and 6 will be described. In this embodiment, a user can play a game using the two extension devices 5 and 6 in addition to the game device (i.e., the main unit 2 and the controllers 3 and 4). For example, a user can use the ring-type extension device 5 and the belt-type extension device 6 as a set.

[0265] 15, for example, the user holds the ring-type expansion device 5 with the right controller 4 attached with both hands and fastens the belt-type expansion device 6 with the left controller 3 housed therein to the foot. At this time, the user can play the game by operating the ring-type expansion device 5 (for example, bending the ring-type expansion device 5 and moving the ring-type expansion device 5) and moving the foot to which the belt-type expansion device 6 is fastened.

[0266] When the game process is executed in the main unit 2, the right controller 4 receives ring operation data from the ring type expansion device 5. The ring operation data includes information indicating the distortion value. Specifically, the processing unit 293 of the ring type expansion device 5 transmits the ring operation data to the right controller 4 via the terminal 294. For example, the processing unit 293 repeatedly transmits the ring operation data at a rate of once per predetermined time. Thus, in this embodiment, even if the ring type expansion device 5 is not deformed, the ring operation data is transmitted from the right controller 4 to the main unit 2. In other words, when the ring type expansion device 5 is not deformed, the ring operation data including information indicating a distortion value indicating that the ring type expansion device 5 is not deformed is transmitted from the right controller 4 to the main unit 2.

[0267] In the above case, the communication control unit 111 of the right controller 4 transmits the ring operation data received from the ring type expansion device 5 via the terminal 64 to the main unit 2. The communication control unit 111 also transmits right controller operation data including information acquired from each input unit (specifically, each button 113, the analog stick 52, each sensor 114 and 115) included in the right controller 4 to the main unit 2. In the above case, the communication from the right controller 4 to the main unit 2 is performed by wireless communication. The communication control unit 111 may transmit the right controller operation data and the ring operation data together to the main unit 2, or may transmit them separately to the main unit 2. In addition, the communication control unit 111 may transmit the received ring operation data as it is to the main unit 2, or may transmit the received ring operation data to the main unit 2 after performing some processing (for example, converting the data format and / or performing calculation processing on the distortion value, etc.) on the received ring operation data.

[0268] As described above, the main unit 2 can obtain data indicating operations on the ring-type expansion device 5 and can execute game processing based on the data. That is, the main unit 2 can identify operations for bending the ring-type expansion device 5 (specifically, an operation for pushing the gripping parts 206 and 207 of the ring-type expansion device 5 inward and an operation for pulling the gripping parts 206 and 207 outward) based on information indicating the distortion value included in the ring operation data.

[0269] In addition, since the right controller 4 is attached to the ring-type expansion device 5, the acceleration sensor 114 of the right controller 4 can detect the acceleration of the ring-type expansion device 5, and the angular velocity sensor 115 of the right controller 4 can detect the angular velocity of the ring-type expansion device 5. Therefore, the main unit 2 can specify an operation for moving the ring-type expansion device 5 based on the right controller operation data including information indicating the detection results of each of the sensors 114 and 115. Note that the "operation for moving the ring-type expansion device 5" includes an operation for setting the ring-type expansion device 5 to a specific position and / or posture, and an operation for changing the position and / or posture of the ring-type expansion device 5.

[0270] Furthermore, the main unit 2 may execute game processing based on inputs to the buttons 113 and / or analog stick 52 of the right controller 4 attached to the ring-type expansion device 5. As described above, in this embodiment, when the user holds the right grip portion 207 with the right hand and holds the left grip portion 206 with the left hand, the right controller 4 is disposed above the grip portions 206 and 207 (see FIG. 15). Therefore, when the user holds the grip portions 206 and 207 with both hands and then releases one hand from the grip portion 206 or 207 to operate the right controller 4, the user can easily operate the right controller 4.

[0271] Furthermore, the right controller 4 may include an image captured by the infrared imaging unit 123 in the right controller operation data. For example, when the user places a finger on the window 68, the user's heart rate can be calculated based on the image captured by the infrared imaging unit 123. For example, when the main unit 2 has the user perform a fitness movement as a game operation using the ring-type extension device 5 (and the belt-type extension device 6), the main unit 2 may calculate the heart rate before and after the fitness movement based on the right controller operation data.

[0272] On the other hand, when game processing is executed in the main unit 2, the communication control unit 101 of the left controller 3 transmits left controller operation data including information acquired from each input unit (specifically, each button 103, analog stick 32, each sensor 104 and 105) included in the left controller 3 to the main unit 2. In the above case, communication from the right controller 4 to the main unit 2 is performed by wireless communication.

[0273] Here, since the left controller 3 is fastened to the user's feet by the belt-type extension device 6, the acceleration sensor 104 of the left controller 3 can detect the acceleration of the user's feet, and the angular velocity sensor 105 of the left controller 3 can detect the angular velocity of the user's feet. Therefore, the main unit 2 can identify an operation to move the user's feet based on the left controller operation data including information indicating the detection results of each of the sensors 104 and 105. Note that the "operation to move the user's feet" includes an operation to put the user's feet in a specific position and / or posture (for example, an operation to make the user take a specific pose), and an operation to change the position and / or posture of the user's feet (for example, an operation in which the user steps on the spot).

[0274] When executing the game processing, the main unit 2 accepts, as game operations, an operation to move the ring type expansion device 5, an operation on the right controller 4 attached to the ring type expansion device 5, and an operation to move the user's feet, and executes the game processing based on these operations. Specifically, the main unit 2 executes the game processing based on each operation data (i.e., ring operation data, right controller operation data, and left controller operation data) received from each controller 3 and 4. The content of the game processing is arbitrary. For example, the main unit 2 generates a game image representing the result of the game processing and displays it on the display device.

[0275] Fig. 29 is a diagram showing an example of a game image displayed in the game processing in the main unit 2. In Fig. 29, a game image showing a virtual space in which a player character 311 operated by a user is placed is displayed on a display device. The player character 311 is holding a ring object 312 that imitates the ring-type expansion device 5. The display device on which the game image is displayed may be the above-mentioned display 12 or an external display device connected to the main unit 2.

[0276] In the game processing, the main unit 2 controls the movement of the player character 311 in response to an operation of deforming the ring-type expansion device 5. For example, the main unit 2 calculates the direction and amount of deformation of the ring-type expansion device 5 based on information indicating a distortion value included in the ring operation data. Then, the main unit 2 controls the movement of the player character 311 so that the player character 311 deforms the ring object 312 in accordance with the deformation of the ring-type expansion device 5.

[0277] Furthermore, the main unit 2 controls the movement of the player character 311 in response to an operation of moving the ring-type expansion device 5. For example, the main unit 2 calculates the attitude of the ring-type expansion device 5 based on information indicating the detection results of the sensors 114 and 115 included in the right controller operation data. Then, the main unit 2 controls the movement of the player character 311 to move the ring object 312 so that the ring object 312 in the virtual space assumes an attitude corresponding to the attitude of the ring-type expansion device 5 in the real space.

[0278] Furthermore, the main unit 2 controls the movement of the player character 311 in response to an operation of moving the user's feet. For example, the main unit 2 calculates the inclination of the user's feet based on information indicating the detection results of the sensors 114 and 115 included in the left controller operation data. The main unit 2 then controls the movement of the player character 311 so that the feet of the player character 311 match the calculated inclination of the user's feet.

[0279] According to the above game processing, when the user performs fitness movements such as bending the ring-type expansion device 5 or doing squats, the main body device 2 can control the player character 311 to perform the same fitness movements as the user.

[0280] In the above, the ring-type expansion device 5 is used by holding it with both hands as an example, but the ring-type expansion device 5 can be used in other ways. For example, the user can hold one of the two gripping parts 206 and 207 against the abdomen and hold the other with both hands, and perform an operation of bending the ring-type expansion device 5 in a direction that brings the two gripping parts 206 and 207 closer to each other. By such an operation, the user can perform a fitness movement for training the arm muscles and abdominal muscles as a game operation. Also, for example, the user can use the ring-type expansion device 5 in a state where the two gripping parts 206 and 207 are placed against the inner thighs of the left and right legs, respectively, and the ring-type expansion device 5 is sandwiched between them. At this time, the user moves both legs to close, and performs an operation of bending the ring-type expansion device 5 in a direction that brings the two gripping parts 206 and 207 closer to each other. By such an operation, the user can perform a fitness movement for training the leg muscles as a game operation. In this way, the ring-type expansion device 5 can be used to perform fitness exercises to train muscles in various parts of the user's body.

[0281] Furthermore, the game content executed by the game processing by the main unit 2 is arbitrary. The game executed may be, for example, a game in which the user performs fitness movements and an evaluation result of the fitness movements (for example, the number of times or time the fitness movements were performed, whether the movements were close to a standard, and / or calories burned, etc.) is displayed. Also, for example, the game executed may be a game in which damage is inflicted on an enemy character or an item can be obtained depending on the evaluation result of the fitness movements.

[0282] As described above, according to the present game system 1, by having the user perform fitness movements in the game, it is possible to play a game in which fitness movements are used as game operations.

[0283] In addition, only one of the two expansion devices 5 and 6 may be used for game operation, or both may be used for game operation. For example, in a certain game, both the ring-type expansion device 5 and the belt-type expansion device 6 may be used for game operation at the same time. Also, for example, in a certain game, the ring-type expansion device 5 may be used for game operation, and in another game, the belt-type expansion device 6 may be used for game operation. Also, for example, in a certain scene in the game (for example, a battle scene), the ring-type expansion device 5 may be used for game operation, and in another scene in the game (for example, a scene moving on a map), the belt-type expansion device 6 may be used for game operation.

[0284] In the game processing, the main body device 2 may issue output instructions to each of the controllers 3 and 4. In other words, the main body device 2 may vibrate the vibrator 107 or 117 of the controller, or may cause the controller to output sound in response to vibrations caused by the vibrator 107 or 117.

[0285] In addition, the expansion devices 5 and 6 may be available during a period when the main body device 2 is not executing a game process. For example, when the right controller 4 is attached to the ring-type expansion device 5 during the above period, the ring-type expansion device 5 may detect an operation to deform the ring-type expansion device 5 based on the information indicating the distortion value, and may store information indicating the operation content (for example, the number of times an operation to deform the ring-type expansion device 5 was performed, or the time during which the operation was performed, etc.). The above information may be stored in the ring-type expansion device 5 or in the right controller 4. In addition, the right controller 4 may generate vibrations or output sounds using the vibrator 117 in response to the operation to deform the ring-type expansion device 5 being performed.

[0286] When the information indicating the operation content is stored as described above, the main unit 2 may acquire the information in the game processing executed thereafter and execute the game processing based on the information. For example, the main unit 2 may progress the game based on the information (e.g., enable the user to play the next game stage, or grow the player character), or may grant the user a privilege in the game.

[0287] [3. Effects and Modifications of the Present Embodiment] In the above embodiment, the ring type expansion device 5 has the following configuration. At least a portion of the annular portion 201 is elastically deformable. A detector for detecting deformation of the annular portion 201 (i.e., a strain gauge 245) A main body portion 202 fixed to the annular portion 201 Moreover, the main body 202 has the following configuration. A mounting portion (i.e., rail portion 211) on which a game controller (i.e., right controller 4) can be mounted A terminal for electrically connecting to a game controller (i.e., terminal 294) A transmission unit (i.e., the processing unit 293) for transmitting data related to the detection result of the detection unit to the game controller via the terminal.

[0288] According to the above configuration, the deformation of the annular part by the user's operation is transmitted to the game controller attached to the device as data on the detection result of the detection unit. This allows the game system 1 to use the operation of deforming the annular part 201 of the ring-type expansion device 5 as a game operation, so that the user can perform a novel operation of deforming the expansion device using the game controller attached to the expansion device.

[0289] In the above embodiment, the ring type expansion device 5 can be said to be an input device having the following configuration. A ring-shaped portion 201, at least a part of which is elastically deformable A detector for detecting deformation of the annular portion (i.e., strain gauge 245) Grip portions 206 and 207 provided on the annular portion for a user to grip A transmitter that transmits data related to the detection result of the detector to another device (e.g., the right controller 4).

[0290] Even with the above configuration, the game system 1 can use the operation of deforming the annular portion 201 of the ring-type expansion device 5 as a game operation, so that the user can perform a novel operation of deforming the expansion device using a game controller attached to the expansion device.

[0291] The transmission unit of the input device may transmit data to the right controller 4, or may transmit data to the main unit 2. For example, in another embodiment, the ring type expansion device 5 may communicate directly with the main unit 2 without going through the right controller 4. The transmission unit of the input device may transmit data to another device by wire, or may transmit data wirelessly.

[0292] In addition, the input device may not have a mounting portion (e.g., rail portion 211) for mounting a game controller. In other embodiments, an input device without a mounting portion may be used instead of the ring-type expansion device 5 and the right controller 4 in the above embodiment. In this case, the transmission unit may transmit the data to the main unit 2.

[0293] In the above embodiment, the ring type expansion device 5 can be said to be an input device having the following configuration. An elastic member 241 having a first end and a second end, at least a portion of which is elastically deformable. A base portion 242 that holds both ends of the elastic member 241 so that the base portion 242 and the elastic member 241 form a ring. A strain gauge 245 that is provided on the base 242 and detects a strain generated in the base 242 due to deformation of the elastic member 241 in response to a user input.

[0294] According to the above configuration, in response to the user deforming the elastic member 241 of the input device, the distortion caused in the base part 242 by the deformation of the elastic member 241 is detected. This allows the game system 1 to use the operation of deforming the elastic member 241 of the input device as a game operation, so that the user can perform a novel operation of deforming the input device. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, since the strain gauge 245 is provided on the base part 242, the possibility of the strain gauge 245 being damaged by the deformation of the elastic member 241 can be reduced.

[0295] (Modifications regarding the shape of the annular portion) In the above embodiment, the part bent by the user's operation was the annular part 201. Here, the shape of the part bent by the user's operation is not limited to annular and may be any shape. For example, in a modified example of the above embodiment, the extension device for the user to perform the bending operation may be configured as follows.

[0296] Fig. 30 is a diagram showing an example of an expansion device in a modified example of this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 30, an expansion device 321 according to the modified example does not have an annular shape as a whole. The expansion device 321 includes a main body 322, a first elastic member 323, and a second elastic member 324.

[0297] The configuration of main body 322 in this modification is the same as the configuration of main body 202 in the above embodiment. Also in this modification, as in the above embodiment, a pedestal is provided inside main body 322. The pedestal holds elastic members 323 and 324. The configuration of the pedestal in this modification is the same as the configuration of main body 202 in the above embodiment.

[0298] Each of the elastic members 323 and 324 has a plate-like (or rod-like) shape similar to that of the above embodiment. Each of the elastic members 323 and 324 is made of an elastically deformable material (for example, the above-mentioned FRP). The first elastic member 323 is held by the base in a state where it is inserted into the left opening of the base. The second elastic member 324 is held by the base in a state where it is inserted into the right opening of the base. Note that the method by which the base holds each of the elastic members 323 and 324 in this modification is the same as that in the above embodiment.

[0299] As described above, the extension device 321 in this modified example differs from the above embodiment in that the shape of the elastic member is different. In the extension device 321 in this modified example, as in the above embodiment, the user can perform an operation to bend the elastic member. The extension device 321 can detect the distortion caused in the base by the bending operation using a strain gauge provided in the base. Therefore, the main unit 2 can receive information indicating the distortion value detected by the extension device 321 via the right controller 4 attached to the extension device 321, and identify the above bending operation based on the distortion value.

[0300] The extension device 321 may further include a grip cover provided on each of the elastic members 323 and 324. That is, each of the elastic members 323 and 324 may be provided with a grip cover at the end opposite to the side held by the base. In this modification, as in the above embodiment, the grip cover may be detachable from the elastic member, or may be adhered to the annular portion in a non-detachable manner.

[0301] From the above, it can be said that the extension device 321 in the above modification is an input device having the following configuration. ·Strain gauges - Base with strain gauge attached A first elastic member 323 that is held by one hand of the user A second elastic member 324 that is separate from the first elastic member 323 and is held by the other hand of the user. The base portion has a first portion (the outer plate portion 251 in the above embodiment) and a second portion (the inner plate portion 252 in the above embodiment) provided opposite to the first portion. The base portion holds the first elastic member and the second elastic member with one end of the first elastic member and one end of the second elastic member sandwiched between the first portion and the second portion, respectively. As in the above embodiment, the above configuration allows the user to perform a novel operation of transforming the expansion device using a game controller attached to the expansion device.

[0302] In the above modification, the first elastic member 323 is capable of elastically deforming in a direction approaching the first portion (i.e., upward) and in a direction approaching the second portion (i.e., downward) at a portion of the first elastic member 323 sandwiched between an end of the first portion and an end of the second portion. The second elastic member 324 is capable of elastically deforming in a direction approaching the first portion and in a direction approaching the second portion at a portion of the second elastic member 324 sandwiched between an end of the first portion and an end of the second portion. Therefore, in the above modification, as in the above embodiment, when the elastic members 323 and 324 are deformed, the force that the base receives from the elastic members can be distributed to the first portion and the second portion.

[0303] In the above modification, the two elastic members 323 and 324 are rod-shaped and extend from the base in a direction slightly lower than the horizontal direction (i.e., the X-axis direction). In other embodiments, the shape of the elastic members may be any shape. For example, in other embodiments, the two elastic members may extend in a straight line, or the two elastic members and the main body may be U-shaped. Furthermore, the two elastic members 323 and 324 may be connected to each other at the end opposite to the side held by the main body 322, and the extension device may be configured in a bow shape as a whole. At this time, the user can also perform an operation of pulling the member connecting the two elastic members 323 and 324 (which may be made of the same material as the elastic members 323 and 324 or may be made of a different material) like a bowstring. In another modification, the elastic member may extend in two directions, upward and downward, from the left end of the main body 322, and the elastic member may extend in two directions, upward and downward, from the right end of the main body 322, so that the extension device is configured to be H-shaped as a whole. In this case, the user can grasp any of the elastic members extending in the four directions and perform an operation to deform it.

[0304] In another embodiment, the two elastic members 323 and 324 in the above modification may be integrally configured. That is, the extension device 321 may be an input device having the following configuration. At least a part of the elastic member is elastically deformable. A base portion that holds an elastic member so that the elastic member extends from one end of the base portion and the elastic member extends from the other end of the base portion. A strain gauge is installed on the base and detects the strain generated on the base due to deformation of the elastic member in response to user input. As in the above embodiment, the above configuration allows the user to perform a novel operation of transforming the expansion device using a game controller attached to the expansion device.

[0305] Moreover, it can be said that the extension device 321 in the above modification is a device having the following configuration. A first gripping body that is gripped by one hand of the user (for example, a portion of the elastic member 323 that is gripped by the user's left hand) A second gripping body that is gripped by the other hand of the user (for example, a portion of the elastic member 324 that is gripped by the user's right hand) A deformation portion that is deformed by a force applied to the first gripping body and the second gripping body (for example, a portion of the elastic members 323 and 324 other than the first gripping body and the second gripping body). A detector that detects the deformation of the deformation part (e.g., a strain gauge) A main body 322 provided between the first gripping body and the second gripping body Here, the main body 322 has the following configuration. A mounting portion (i.e., rail portion 211) on which a game controller (i.e., right controller 4) can be mounted A terminal for electrically connecting to a game controller (i.e., terminal 294) A transmission unit (i.e., the processing unit 293) for transmitting data related to the detection result of the detection unit to the game controller via the terminal. Furthermore, the main body 322 has a protruding portion that protrudes further to one side or the other in the front view direction than the first gripping body and the second gripping body when the extension device is viewed from the front, and the mounting portion is provided on the protruding portion. As in the above embodiment, the above configuration allows the user to perform a novel operation of transforming the device using the game controller attached to the device. Furthermore, the above configuration makes it difficult for the transformation unit to come into contact with the mounting unit when the transformation unit is transformed, thereby reducing the possibility that the game controller will come off the device due to the transformation unit coming into contact with the mounting unit.

[0306] In the above configuration, the "front view direction" is a direction perpendicular to a plane including the direction in which the deformation part deforms (for example, the Z-axis direction shown in FIG. 30). In addition, when the deformation part is deformable in any direction, not limited to a specific direction and its opposite direction, the "direction in which the deformation part deforms" is, for example, a direction in which the deformation amount is maximum when a certain force is applied to the deformation part, among the directions in which the deformation part can deform. Alternatively, the "direction in which the deformation part deforms" may be said to be the most natural deformation direction when a user applies force to the expansion device while holding the expansion device to deform it.

[0307] In the above configuration, the main body includes a housing with a hole formed therein, as in the above embodiment, and is formed so that the housing covers a part of the first gripper and the second gripper when the first gripper and the second gripper pass through the hole. Also, the mounting portion is provided on one side or the other side of the hole in the front view direction when the device is viewed from the front. Therefore, the possibility that the deformation portion comes into contact with the mounting portion can be further reduced.

[0308] (Modification regarding the method of attaching the game controller to the expansion device) In the above embodiment and modified example, the right controller 4 is attached to the extension device by slidably engaging the slide portion (i.e., rail portion or slider) of each of the extension device and the right controller 4. Here, in other embodiments, the configuration (in other words, the method) for attaching the right controller 4 to the extension device is arbitrary. For example, in other embodiments, the extension device may have a claw portion, and the right controller 4 may be detachably attached to the extension device by hooking the claw portion to the right controller 4. At this time, the claw portion that hooks to the right controller 4 can be said to be the above-mentioned attachment portion. Also, for example, in other embodiments, the main body portion may have a clamping portion that clamps the main surface and the back surface of the right controller 4. At this time, the clamping portion that clamps the right controller 4 can be said to be the above-mentioned attachment portion.

[0309] (Modifications regarding communication between game controller and expansion device) In the above embodiment and modified example, the extension device transmits information to the right controller 4 via a terminal (i.e., by wire). Here, in other embodiments, the extension device may include a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with the right controller 4, and the above information may be transmitted to the right controller 4 by the wireless communication unit.

[0310] (Modification of the method for detecting bending operations) In the above embodiment and modified example, the game system 1 uses a strain sensor as a detection unit for detecting the deformation of the annular portion (in other words, the elastic member). Here, in other embodiments, the configuration of the detection unit is arbitrary, and other types of sensors may be used. For example, the extension device may include a pressure sensor and / or a bending sensor as the detection unit. The pressure sensor detects, for example, the pressure that the base receives from the elastic member. At this time, the amount of bending of the elastic member can be calculated based on the detected pressure value. In addition, the bending sensor is provided on the elastic member and detects the amount of bending of the elastic member. As described above, the detection unit for detecting the deformation of the annular portion may detect the amount of deformation, or may detect other physical quantities (for example, the amount of distortion or pressure) caused by the deformation. [Industrial Applicability]

[0311] The above embodiment can be used, for example, as an extension device for a game controller for the purpose of performing new operations, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0312] 1. Game System 2. Main Unit 3 Left Controller 4 Right Controller 5 Ring Expansion Unit 6 Belt-type expansion device 201 Circular section 202 Main body 206 Left grip 207 Right grip part 211 Rail section 212 Case 218 signs 224 Light guide section 241 Elastic Members 242 Pedestal 243 Core 244 Cover part 245 Strain Gauge 256 Left protective member 257 Right protective member 293 Processing section 294 Terminals

Claims

1. A device set of peripheral devices used for a first controller and a second controller that are simultaneously detachably attached to a main unit, a first peripheral device to which the first controller having a sensor for detecting information regarding a movement and / or a posture is detachably attached and which is operated with both hands of a user; a second peripheral device removably attached to the second controller, the second peripheral device having a sensor for detecting information regarding a movement and / or a posture, and removably attached to the body of the user; The first peripheral device is An annular portion, at least a portion of which is elastically deformable; a housing covering a portion of the annular portion, When a direction in which a ring formed by the annular portion is viewed from the front is defined as a front-rear direction, the housing has a central portion overlapping with the annular portion in the front-rear direction, a rear portion rearward of the annular portion, and a front portion forward of the annular portion, with respect to a length in a direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction and perpendicular to a direction from a center of the ring formed by the annular portion to a portion of the annular portion covered by the housing, at least a portion of the forward portion is longer than the central portion and longer than the rearward portion; A device set, wherein the front portion has a mounting portion to which the first controller can be detachably mounted.

2. The device set according to claim 1 , wherein the front portion is positioned so as to overlap the annular portion when viewed in the front-rear direction.

3. 3. The device set of claim 1, wherein the front portion is provided with an entrance facing the light-emitting portion of the first controller attached to the attachment portion, and an exit port for emitting light incident on the entrance port.

4. The device set according to claim 1 , wherein a length in the front-to-rear direction from a front end of the forward portion to a front end of the central portion is longer than a length in the front-to-rear direction from a rear end of the rear portion to a rear end of the central portion.

5. 5. The device set of claim 1, wherein the length of the central portion increases as it approaches the front portion in a direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction and perpendicular to a direction from the center of the ring formed by the annular portion to a portion of the annular portion covered by the housing.

6. A system including a main unit, a first controller, a second controller, a first peripheral device, and a second peripheral device, the first controller and the second controller are simultaneously detachably attached to the main unit and are capable of detecting information relating to a movement and / or a posture; the first peripheral device being a first peripheral device to which the first controller is detachably attached and which is operated with both hands of a user; the second peripheral device is detachably attached to the second controller and detachably attached to a body of the user; the main body receives data transmitted from the first controller or the first peripheral device and data transmitted from the second controller or the second peripheral device, and executes information processing based on the received data; The first peripheral device is An annular portion, at least a portion of which is elastically deformable; a housing covering a portion of the annular portion, When a direction in which a ring formed by the annular portion is viewed from the front is defined as a front-rear direction, the housing has a central portion overlapping with the annular portion in the front-rear direction, a rear portion rearward of the annular portion, and a front portion forward of the annular portion, with respect to a length in a direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction and perpendicular to a direction from a center of the ring formed by the annular portion to a portion of the annular portion covered by the housing, at least a portion of the forward portion is longer than the central portion and longer than the rearward portion; A system, wherein the front portion has a mounting portion to which the first controller can be detachably attached.

7. A peripheral device in which a controller having a sensor for detecting information regarding a movement and / or a posture is detachably attached to a main device, An annular portion, at least a portion of which is elastically deformable; a housing covering a portion of the annular portion, When a direction in which a ring formed by the annular portion is viewed from the front is defined as a front-rear direction, the housing has a central portion overlapping with the annular portion in the front-rear direction, a rear portion rearward of the annular portion, and a front portion forward of the annular portion, with respect to a length in a direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction and perpendicular to a direction from a center of the ring formed by the annular portion to a portion of the annular portion covered by the housing, at least a portion of the forward portion is longer than the central portion and longer than the rearward portion; A peripheral device, wherein the front portion has a mounting portion to which the controller can be detachably attached.

8. The peripheral device according to claim 7 , wherein the front portion is provided at a position overlapping with the annular portion when viewed from the front-rear direction.

9. The peripheral device according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the front portion is provided with an entrance facing the light-emitting portion of the controller attached to the attachment portion, and an exit port for emitting light incident on the entrance port.

10. The peripheral device according to claim 7 , wherein a length in the front-to-rear direction from a front end of the front portion to a front end of the central portion is longer than a length in the front-to-rear direction from a rear end of the rear portion to a rear end of the central portion.

11. A peripheral device as described in any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein, with respect to a length in a direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction and perpendicular to a direction from the center of the ring formed by the annular portion to a portion of the annular portion covered by the housing, the length of the central portion increases as it approaches the front portion.

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