Operating device

Abstract

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

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been an operation device used as an input device for an information processing device such as a game device. The operation device of Patent Document 1 below has a held portion held by a user on its left and right sides. Operation members such as operation buttons and direction keys are provided on the held portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] If the information processing device can detect the position of the operation device, the image displayed on the display and the movement of the object in the image can be changed according to the position of the operation device, that is, the position of the user. Therefore, the enjoyment of using the information processing device and the operation device can be increased. As a method for detecting the position of the operation device, a method has been studied in which a light-emitting portion that emits light by receiving light from a light source such as an LED is provided on the operation device, and the light of the light-emitting portion is captured through a camera connected to the information processing device.

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

[0006] In addition, in order to increase the position detection accuracy of the operation device by the information processing apparatus, it is desirable that the entire area of the light emitting portion emits light evenly. However, when the number of light sources is small, it is difficult to evenly illuminate the surface of the light emitting portion.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The operation device according to the present invention includes left and right held portions for the user to hold, on which an operation member is provided on the upper surface, a central portion that is a portion between the left and right held portions, and a light emitting surface provided on the front surface of the central portion for emitting light to be captured by the information processing apparatus through a camera. The central portion includes a portion that is located above the light emitting surface and in front of the light emitting surface. According to this operation device, the influence of light such as an indoor lighting device on the position detection accuracy of the operation device can be reduced.

[0008] Another operation device according to the present invention includes left and right held portions for the user to hold, on which an operation member is provided on the upper surface, a central portion that is a portion between the left and right held portions, a light emitting panel having a light emitting surface for emitting light to be captured by the information processing apparatus through a camera on the front surface, a light source disposed inside the central portion and at a position away from the rear surface of the light emitting panel, and a light guiding member extending from the light source toward the rear surface of the light emitting panel. The light guiding member has left and right side surfaces that are inclined such that the width thereof in the left-right direction gradually increases toward the front. According to this operation device, unevenness in luminance on the surface of the light emitting panel can be suppressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] [First Example of Operation Device] Hereinafter, an example of the operation device will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of an operation device 1 which is a first example. FIG. 1 is a view facing the upper side of the operation device 1, and FIG. 2 is a view facing the front side of the operation device 1. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the operation device 1, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged view on the right side of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a front view of the operation device 1. FIG. 6 is a side view of the operation device 1. FIG. 7 is a rear view of the operation device 1. FIG. 8 is a view showing one form of the use of the operation device 1.

[0011] In the following description, Y1 and Y2 shown in FIG. 1 are the front and the rear respectively. Also, X1 and X2 are the right direction and the left direction respectively. Also, Z1 and Z2 are the upper and the lower respectively.

[0012] The operation device 1 is used as an input device for an information processing device having functions such as an execution function of a game program, a moving image reproduction function, and a communication function through the Internet. The operation device 1 can communicate with the information processing device either wired or wirelessly, and transmits a signal corresponding to the operation performed by the user on the operation device 1 to the information processing device. The operation device 1 incorporates various sensors (such as an acceleration sensor and a gyro sensor) used for detecting the posture and movement of the operation device 1, and a battery and the like.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the operation device 1 has left and right held portions 10L and 10R for the user to hold on its left and right portions respectively. The held portions 10L and 10R are located apart in the left-right direction, and their front portions are connected by a central portion 21. On the upper surfaces of the front portions of the held portions 10L and 10R, operation members for the user to operate are provided. On the upper surface of the front portion of the right held portion 10R, a plurality of operation buttons 11 are provided. The operation device 1 in this example has four operation buttons 11, and they are located at the ends of a cross. On the upper surface of the front portion of the left held portion 10L, a direction key 19 having a cross shape is provided. The held portions 10L and 10R have grips 12. The grips 12 extend rearward from the front portions of the held portions 10L and 10R.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the operation device 1 has a housing 40. The housing 40 constitutes the outer surface of the operation device 1 and houses various components provided in the operation device 1. The housing 40 in this example has an upper housing half 41 and a lower housing half 49, and these are combined with each other in the up-down direction. The upper housing half 41 constitutes the upper side portions of the held portions 10L and 10R and the central portion 21, and the lower housing half 49 constitutes their lower side portions.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 3, the operation device 1 has a plate-shaped operation member 22 on the upper surface of the central portion 21. The operation member 22 includes a touch sensor 23 and a surface panel 24 (in FIG. 3, the surface panel 24 is hatched for clarity). The surface panel 24 constitutes the upper surface of the central portion 21. That is, an opening 42 for exposing the upper surface (front surface) of the surface panel 24 is formed in the upper housing half 41. The surface panel 24 covers the entire touch sensor 23. The touch sensor 23 is attached to the lower surface (back surface) of the surface panel 24. The touch sensor 23 is located between the operation members (that is, the operation buttons 11 and the direction keys 19) of the left and right held portions 10L and 10R. The touch sensor 23 is a sensor for detecting the position of the finger of the user who touches the operation member 22. That is, the touch sensor 23 outputs a signal corresponding to the position of the user's finger. The operation device 1 transmits the signal to the information processing device. The touch sensor 23 is, for example, a capacitance type sensor. The touch sensor 23 enables so-called multi-touch. That is, the touch sensor 23 can simultaneously detect the positions of multiple fingers. For example, the touch sensor 23 can simultaneously detect the position of the thumb of the right hand and the position of the thumb of the left hand. The operation member 22 is supported so as to be able to move up and down in response to the pressing operation of the user. The operation device 1 has a switch for detecting that the operation member 22 has been pressed, and the operation member 22 functions as a button capable of on / off operation.

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

[0017] As shown in FIG. 3, the surface panel 24 in this example has a larger size in the left - right direction than the touch sensor 23. The touch sensor 23 is rectangular, and its horizontal width is constant in the front - rear direction. On the other hand, the horizontal width of the surface panel 24 gradually increases toward the front. The surface panel 24 has a right overhang portion 24R that extends rightward beyond the right edge of the touch sensor 23, and a left overhang portion 24L that extends leftward beyond the left edge of the touch sensor 23. According to this structure, even when the size of the touch sensor 23 has to be reduced due to the positional relationship between the touch sensor 23 and other components, the user can easily press the operation member 22 against the overhang portions 24R and 24L.

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

[0019] As shown in FIG. 3, the right edge 24a of the surface panel 24 is curved so as to surround the left - hand part of the four operation buttons 11. That is, the right edge 24a extends while curving forward and rightward from the left - hand position of the four operation buttons 11. The front end (the right end of the front - most part of the operation member 22) 24b of the right edge 24a is located in front of the operation button 11 (more specifically, the operation button 11 located at the center in the left - right direction). The right edge 24a is curved along the outer peripheral edge of the operation area AR and has an arc shape.

[0020] The left edge 24c of the surface panel 24 is curved so as to surround the right side portion of the direction key 19. That is, the left edge 24c extends while curving forward and leftward from the position on the right side of the direction key 19. The front end (the left end of the foremost part of the operation member 22) 24d of the left edge 24c is positioned forward with respect to the rightmost portion 19a of the direction key 19. The left edge 24c is curved along the outer peripheral edge of the operation area AL and has an arc shape.

[0021] When the user slides the thumb in the front - rear direction while holding the held portions 10R and 10L, the trajectory of the thumb is generally an arc. The edges 24a and 24c of the surface panel 24 are provided at positions reachable by the thumb while the user is holding the held portions 10R and 10L. Also, the curvature of the edges 24a and 24b generally coincides with the trajectory of the thumb. As a result, the user can easily slide the thumb forward along the edges 24a and 24c from the inside of the operation areas AR and AL as shown by the arrows ER and EL in FIG. 8. Even when the thumb slides beyond the left and right edges of the touch sensor 23, the user can press the protruding portions 24R and 24L.

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

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the front edge of the operation member 22, i.e., the front edge 24e of the surface panel 24, constitutes the front edge of the upper surface of the central portion 21. That is, the upper surface of the upper housing half 41 of the operation device 1 that constitutes the outer shape of the central portion 21 does not have an edge located further forward than the front edge 24e of the surface panel 24. The front edge 24e of the surface panel 24 is located on the front surface 21a of the central portion 21. According to this structure, since there is no portion where a finger can be caught in front of the front edge 24e of the surface panel 24, the user can smoothly slide a finger across the front edge 24e forward. Also, the user can easily press the front edge 24e of the surface panel 24. Note that the structure of the operation member 22 is not limited to this, and for example, only the front side thereof may be lowered and the rear side may be supported by a shaft.

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

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

[0026] Thus, the stopper portion 43 is formed on the upper housing half 41 that constitutes the outer surface of the operation device 1. Thereby, the positional tolerance of the operation member 22 with respect to the upper housing half 41 is reduced, and the appearance of the operation device 1 can be improved. Also, in this example, the stoppered portion 24p is formed on the surface panel 24 that constitutes the outer surface of the operation device 1. Thereby, the positional tolerance of the surface panel 24 with respect to the upper housing half 41 is reduced, and the appearance of the operation device 1 can be further improved. Further, in the structure where the stoppered portion 24p is formed at the left and right edges of the surface panel 24, the contact area between the stoppered portion 24p and the upper housing half 41 can be made smaller compared to a structure in which, for example, the lower edge of the front portion 24f provided at the foremost part of the surface panel 24 functions as the stoppered portion. As a result, the resistance to the pressing operation of the operation panel 50 by the user can be reduced. Note that the positions of the stopper portion 43 and the stoppered portion 24p are not limited to this. For example, the stoppered portion 24p may be provided at the foremost parts of the right end face 24m and the left end face 24n of the surface panel 24.

[0027] The operating member 22 is supported so that it can move up and down regardless of which position of the operating member 22 is pushed. That is, regardless of whether the front edge 24e, the rear edge 24g, the right edge 24a, the left edge 24c of the surface panel 24, or a portion inside thereof is pushed, the pushed portion moves downward. On the back surface side of the operating member 22, a plurality of elastic members (for example, springs or rubbers) that generate a reaction force when the operating member 22 is pushed are arranged.

[0028] In the example of FIG. 10, two elastic members 61 that bias the operating member 22 upward are arranged on the back surface side of the operating member 22. The elastic member 61 is attached to, for example, a circuit board 70 described later that is arranged on the back surface side of the operating member 22. Also, a frame may be arranged between the circuit board 70 and the operating member 22, and the elastic member 61 may be attached to this frame.

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

[0030] On the back side of the operation member 22, instead of the elastic member 61, a plurality of springs that bias the operation member 22 upward may be arranged. Even in this case, these springs are arranged so as to generate a reaction force regardless of which position of the operation member 22 is pushed. For example, the springs are arranged to bias four points separated in the front-rear direction and left-right direction of the operation member 22 upward.

[0031] Protrusions are formed on one of the lower surface of the operation member 22 and the elastic member 61, and holes into which the protrusions fit are formed on the other. In the example shown in FIG. 10, a protrusion 25b is formed on the lower surface of the frame 25, and a hole into which the protrusion 25b fits is formed in the contact portion 61a of the elastic member 61. With this structure, even if the position of the operation member 22 is slightly displaced as a result of the user sliding a finger on the surface of the operation member 22, the operation member 22 returns to its initial position due to the elastic force of the elastic member 61.

[0032] A circuit board 70 is arranged on the back side of the operation member 22. A switch 71 that is pushed by the operation member 22 is arranged on the circuit board 70. The operation member 22 has a push portion 25a at the center of its lower surface (more specifically, the lower surface of the frame 25). The above-described elastic member 61 is arranged on the left and right of the push portion 25a. When a part of the outer peripheral portion of the operation member 22 is pushed, the operation member 22 tilts. For example, when the right side portion of the operation member 22 is pushed, the right side portion descends, so the operation member 22 tilts. When the operation member 22 tilts in this way, the position of the push portion 25a descends, so the push portion 25a presses the switch 71. That is, the operation member 22 can press the switch 71 regardless of which position on its surface is pushed. That is, no matter which position on the operation member 22 is pushed by the user, the operation device 1 can detect the user's operation based on the output signal of the switch.

[0033] As described above, the surface panel 24 has a front portion 24f. The front portion 24f can increase the rigidity of the foremost part of the surface panel 24, and can prevent the surface panel 24 from flexing when the user presses the surface panel 24. As a result, even when the user presses a part of the outer peripheral portion of the surface panel 24, the pressing operation is clearly transmitted to the switch 71. The surface panel 24 in this example has portions extending downward on its right and left sides. Specifically, the surface panel 24 has side surface portions 24r extending downward at the front ends of the right end surface 24m and the left end surface 24n. Thereby, the rigidity of the surface panel 24 can be further increased. Further, the operation member 22 has a frame 25 on its back surface side. The rigidity of the operation member 22 can be further improved by this frame 25.

[0034] The operation device 1 has left and right operation sticks 31 at the rear of the central portion 21 (see FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 1, the operation stick 31 extends upward from the central portion 21 and has a circular operated portion 31b at its upper end for the user's finger to touch. The height of the operation members (that is, the operation buttons 11 and the direction keys 19) provided on the upper surfaces of the held portions 10R and 10L is lower than the height (length) of the operation stick 31. The operation stick 31 can be tilted, for example, in its radial direction or rotated in a tilted state. The operation device 1 detects the direction and the amount of tilt of the operation stick 31 and transmits a signal corresponding thereto to the information processing device. Further, the operation stick 31 may be slidable in its radial direction. In this case, the operation device 1 detects the amounts of movement of the operation stick 31 in two prescribed orthogonal directions (for example, the amount of movement in the front-rear direction and the amount of movement in the left-right direction) and transmits a signal corresponding thereto to the information processing device.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3, the operation member 22 is provided at the front part of the upper surface of the central part 21. The left and right operation sticks 31 are located behind the operation member 22. The right edge 24a and the left edge 24c of the surface panel 24 are located in front of the operation stick 31. According to this layout, it is possible to prevent the operation stick 31 from getting in the way of the finger sliding along the edges 24a and 24c (see FIG. 8). In this example, the front end of the right edge 24a, that is, the right end 24b of the foremost part of the surface panel 24, is located to the right of the center C of the right operation stick 31. The front end of the left edge 24c, that is, the left end 24d of the foremost part of the surface panel 24, is located to the left of the center C of the left operation stick 31.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 6, the grip 12 extends obliquely rearward and downward from the front parts of the held parts 10R and 10L. The held parts 10R and 10L have projecting parts 10c that project forward and downward from their front surfaces. Operation buttons 15 and 16 are provided on the projecting parts 10c. According to this shape, it becomes easy to hold the operation buttons 15 and 16 with the index finger while holding the grip 12 and place the thumb on the operation member 22.

[0037] Note that the operation device 1 may be formed such that the operation member 22 is horizontal when the operation device 1 is placed on a horizontal plane. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the shape of the projecting part 10c (the height of the lower end 10d) and the shape of the grip 12 (the height of the lower end 12b) may be set such that the plane including the lower end 12b of the rearmost part of the grip 12 and the lower end 10d of the projecting part 10c is parallel to the operation member 22. By doing so, even when the operation device 1 is placed on a horizontal plane, the finger can be easily slid on the operation member 22. A member (for example, rubber) for protecting these may be provided at the lower end 12b of the grip 12 and the lower end 10d of the projecting part 10c. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the lower ends 12b and 10d from being damaged.

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

[0039] The central portion 21 incorporates a speaker. The speaker is located between the left and right operation sticks 31. As shown in FIG. 1, the upper surface of the central portion 21 has a sound passage hole 21c at a position corresponding to the speaker. According to this layout of the speaker and the sound passage hole 21c, the sound output from the operation device 1 can be easily heard. Note that a microphone may be arranged at the position of the sound passage hole 21c instead of the speaker.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 1, an operation button 21f with a relatively low usage frequency is arranged between the left and right operation sticks 31. The operation button 21f is used, for example, to return the display device connected to the information processing device to a home image (for example, a menu image for selecting software executed by the information processing device).

[0041] As described above, a plurality (four in this example) of operation buttons 11 are arranged on the upper surface of the front portion of the held portion 10R. As shown in FIG. 4, the held portion 10R incorporates a plurality (four in this example) of light emitters 13 corresponding to the plurality of operation buttons 11 (in FIG. 4, the light emitters 13 are shown as black circles for clarity). The light emitter 13 is, for example, a light emitting diode. In one example, the operation device 1 changes the lighting state of the light emitter 13 according to the information processing device or the operating state of the operation device 1. For example, when the information processing device requests the user to press an operation button 11, the operation device 1 lights or blinks the light emitter 13 corresponding to the operation button 11 for which the press operation is requested. The plurality of light emitters 13 emit light in different colors, for example. The color of the light emitter 13 may change according to the operating state of the operation device 1 or the information processing device. The operation device 1 may keep the light emitter 13 constantly lit when the operation device 1 is operating (when the power is on).

[0042] As shown in FIG. 4, the light emitters 13 are arranged adjacent to the operation buttons 11, rather than on the operation buttons 11 themselves. Specifically, the plurality of light emitters 13 are arranged apart from each other so as to surround the entire plurality of operation buttons 11. According to this layout of the light emitters 13, even when the operation buttons 11 are hidden by the user's finger, the user can see the light of the light emitters 13. In this example, the four light emitters 13 are arranged on the circumference surrounding the four operation buttons 11. More specifically, the light emitters 13 are arranged on the outer peripheral edge of the operation area AR. Each light emitter 13 is located outward in the radial direction of the operation area AR with respect to the corresponding operation button 11. According to this layout of the light emitters 13, the correspondence relationship between the light emitters 13 and the operation buttons 11 becomes clear to the user.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 4, the held portion 10R has a light guide member 14 on its upper surface (the light guide member 14 is hatched in FIG. 4 for clarity). The light emitter 13 is arranged below (on the back side of) the light guide member 14, and the light guide member 14 transmits the light of the light emitter 13 to the upper surface of the held portion 10R. The light guide member 14 is a single member having a shape surrounding the plurality of operation buttons 11. According to the structure having the light guide member 14, the number of parts can be reduced as compared with a structure in which independent light guide members are provided for each of the light emitters 13. The light guide member 14 in this example is substantially annular and is arranged on the outer peripheral edge of the operation area AR. More specifically, the light guide member 14 is arranged inside the step 10b.

[0044] The light emitters 13 and the light guide member 14 may also be provided on the left held portion 10L. In this case, the plurality of light emitters 13 are arranged so as to surround the direction keys 19 and correspond to the four ends of the direction keys 19 respectively.

[0045] As described above, the held parts 10R and 10L have the protruding parts 10c on their front surfaces. As shown in FIG. 2, a light emitting part 28 is provided on the front surface 21a of the central part 21. The light emitting part 28 is located between the left and right protruding parts 10c. According to this layout of the light emitting part 28, it is possible to prevent the light emitting part 28 from being hidden by the user's hand or finger while the user is holding the held parts 10R and 10L.

[0046] The information processing apparatus acquires the light of the light emitting part 28 through a camera connected to the information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus performs image processing on the image acquired through the camera, and detects the position of the operation device 1 based on the position and size of the light emitting part 28 in the acquired image. For example, when a plurality of users each use a plurality of operation devices 1 and operate a plurality of objects (characters) displayed on the display screen, the positions of the objects and the operation devices 1 can be made to correspond. For example, the object of the user operating the right operation device 1 can be displayed on the right, and the object of the user operating the left operation device 1 can be displayed on the left. The light emitting part 28 can emit light in an arbitrary color. For example, the light emitting part 28 includes light emitters (for example, light emitting diodes) of red, green, and blue, and emits light in a color specified by the information processing apparatus or a color corresponding to the operating state of the operation device 1 by adjusting the luminance of each light emitter. Therefore, even when a plurality of operation devices 1 are used simultaneously, the information processing apparatus can detect the positions of the respective operation devices 1.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the light emitting unit 28 has an elongated shape in the left-right direction. This makes it easier to distinguish the light of the light emitting unit 28 from other light in the image acquired through the camera. As a result, the position detection performance of the operation device 1 can be improved. In the example of FIG. 2, the light emitting unit 28 is in the shape of a rod extending linearly. According to this shape, it is possible to suppress the change in the shape of the light emitting unit 28 in the image acquired by the camera due to the posture of the operation device 1. That is, when the operation device 1 is arranged obliquely with respect to the camera, although the length of the light emitting unit 28 in the image acquired by the camera changes, its shape does not change. Thereby, the position detection performance of the operation device 1 through the camera can be improved. Note that the shape of the light emitting unit 28 is not limited to this, and for example, it may be in a V shape or may be curved in an arc shape.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 2, the light emitting unit 28 has a light diffusing member 28a that is located on the front surface of the central portion 21 and is elongated in the left-right direction. The length of the light diffusing member 28a in the left-right direction is larger than the width in the up-down direction (see FIG. 5). The above-described light emitter is arranged on the rear side of the light diffusing member 28a. The light diffusing member 28a transmits the light of the light emitter to the front surface of the central portion 21. Thereby, even when one light emitter is arranged on the rear side of the light diffusing member 28a, or when a plurality of light emitters are arranged dispersedly in the left-right direction, the entire light emitting unit 28 emits light substantially evenly.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 2, the light diffusing member 28a protrudes forward from the front surface 21a of the central portion 21. Therefore, the light diffusing member 28a includes not only the portion facing forward but also the portion facing upward and the portion facing downward on its light emitting surface. This makes it easier for the camera to acquire the light of the light emitting unit 28. Since the light diffusing member 28a protrudes from the front surface 21a of the central portion 21, the light diffusing member 28a can also be seen when the operation device 1 is viewed in plan view as shown in FIG. 3. Therefore, the user can observe the light emission state of the light emitting unit 28 while holding the operation device 1. (Whether it is emitting light or not, and its color) can be confirmed. As described above, the front edge of the plate-shaped operation member 22 (more specifically, the front edge 24e of the surface panel 24) constitutes the front edge of the upper surface of the central portion 21 of the operation device 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the light emitting portion 28 is located in front of the front edge 24e of the surface panel 24. Therefore, even when the user presses the front edge 24e of the surface panel 24, the light of the light emitting portion 28 can be visually recognized. Also, the camera can capture the light of the light emitting portion 28 without being blocked by the user's finger. Note that the light diffusing member 28a does not necessarily have to protrude forward.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 2, the protruding amount of the light diffusing member 28a is smaller than the protruding amount of the protruding portion 10c provided with the operation buttons 15, 16. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an external force from acting on the light diffusing member 28a from the right side or the left side thereof. That is, the light diffusing member 28a can be protected by the protruding portion 10c. On the front surface 21a of the central portion 21, convex portions 21d are formed on the left and right of the light diffusing member 28a. The light diffusing member 28a and the convex portions 21d form a series of protruding portions extending in the left-right direction. This series of protruding portions is connected to the bases of the left and right protruding portions 10c provided with the operation buttons 15, 16. Thereby, it is possible to more effectively prevent an external force from acting on the light diffusing member 28a. Note that such convex portions 21d may not be provided in the central portion 21, and the end portion of the light diffusing member 28a may be connected to the base of the protruding portion 10c.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 2, a connector 33 is provided on the front surface of the central portion 21. For example, a cable connecting the operation device 1 and the information processing device is connected to the connector 33. The connector 33 is located below the light diffusing member 28a. As described above, the light diffusing member 28a has a shape extending in the left-right direction and protrudes forward. Therefore, in a state where the cable is connected to the connector 33, the end portion of the cable can be protected by the light diffusing member 28a.

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, a connector 34 is provided on the rear surface of the central portion 21. The connector 34 is connected to a cable of, for example, headphones or earphones. Further, another device that extends the functions of the operation device 1 may be connected to the connector 34.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 1, the held portions 10R and 10L each have operation buttons 17R and 17L behind the operation members (operation buttons 11 and direction keys 19) provided in the operation areas AR and AL. The operation buttons 17R and 17L are buttons with a lower usage frequency compared to operation members such as the operation stick 31, the operation buttons 11, and the direction keys 19. For example, the operation buttons 17R and 17L function as select buttons for selecting options displayed in the menu image or start buttons for instructing the start of a game. Further, the operation buttons 17R and 17L may be shortcut buttons for instructing the execution of a specific function. The specific function is, for example, a function of transmitting game data or a user's comment to a specific server on the network.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 3, the right operation button 17R is located outward in the left - right direction (i.e., in the right direction) with respect to the right operation stick 31. That is, the operation button 17R intersects the left - right straight line L2 passing through the operation stick 31. Similarly, the left operation button 17L is located outward in the left - right direction (i.e., in the left direction) with respect to the left operation stick 31. The height of the operation buttons 17R and 17L is lower than that of the operation stick 31. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the finger operating the operation stick 31 from accidentally pressing the operation buttons 17R and 17L.

[0055] The operation buttons 17R and 17L are located further outside the step 10b formed on the outer peripheral edge of the operation areas AR and AL. That is, the operation buttons 17R and 17L are located behind the step 10b. As shown in FIG. 7, the height of the operation buttons 17R and 17L is lower than the height of the step 10b, that is, the height of the upper surface of the front portions of the held portions 10R and 10L with respect to the upper surface of the grip 12. Thereby, it is possible to prevent a finger operating an operating member provided in the operation areas AR and AL from accidentally pressing the operation buttons 17R and 17L. The upper surfaces of the operation buttons 17R and 17L in this example are flush with the upper surface of the grip 12.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 3, the operation buttons 17R and 17L have an elongated shape in the left-right direction. Thereby, the user can easily press the operation buttons 17R and 17L. The front edges 17a of the operation buttons 17R and 17L are curved along the outer periphery of the operation areas AR and AL (see FIG. 4). Thereby, the distance between the operation buttons 17R and 17L and the step 10b can be narrowed. As a result, when the user needs to operate the operation buttons 17R and 17L, these buttons can be easily pressed.

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

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

[0059] [Second Example of the Operation Device] Figures 11 and 12 are perspective views of the operation device 101 in the second example. Figure 11 shows the upper side of the operation device 101, and Figure 12 shows the front side of the operation device 101. Figure 13 is a plan view of the operation device 101, Figure 14 is a front view of the operation device 101, Figure 15 is a side view of the operation device 101, and Figure 16 is a rear view of the operation device 1. Figure 17 shows a form of use of the operation device 101. The same reference numerals are used for the same parts as those of the operation device 1 in these figures. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the differences from the operation device 1, and matters not described are the same as those of the operation device 1.

[0060] As shown in Figure 11, similar to the operation device 1, the operation device 101 has the held portions 110L, 110R and the central portion 121. On the upper surface of the front portions of the held portions 110L, 110R, an operation stick 31 is provided instead of the operation buttons 11 and the direction keys 19. The operation buttons 11 and the direction keys 19 are provided at the rear portion of the upper surface of the central portion 121 and are located behind the operation stick 31.

[0061] As shown in Figure 13, the operation device 101 has an operation member 122 corresponding to the above-described operation member 22 on the upper surface of the central portion 121. The operation member 122 includes a touch sensor 23 and a surface panel 124. The surface panel 124 in this example is rectangular like the touch sensor 23 and has substantially the same width as the touch sensor 23. The operation member 122 is located between the operation members (in this example, the operation stick 31) of the left and right held portions 110L, 110R. The operation member 122 is supported so as to be able to move up and down in response to a pressing operation by the user and also functions as a button capable of on / off operation. Similar to the operation member 22, the operation member 122 is supported so as to be able to move up and down regardless of which position of the operation member 122 is pressed. Note that the structure of the operation member 122 is not limited to this, and for example, the front edge of the operation member 122 may be supported by a shaft so that only the rear portion goes down.

[0062] Since the operation member 122 is plate-shaped, the distances between the right edge 124a of the operation member 122 and the right operation stick 31, and between the left edge 124d of the operation member 122 and the left operation stick 31 can be reduced. Also, the distance between the operation member 122 and the operation members (specifically, the operation buttons 11 and the direction keys 19) arranged behind it can be reduced. As a result, the user can easily operate the operation member 122 while holding the held portions 110R, 110L.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 13, the central portion 121 has operation regions BR, BL on the upper surface of its rear portion, where the operation buttons 11 and the direction keys 19 are respectively arranged. The operation regions BR, BL are located behind the operation member 122. The rightmost portion 124i of the rear edge 124g of the surface panel 124 is formed along the outer peripheral edge of the operation region BR. The leftmost portion 124h is formed along the outer peripheral edge of the operation region BL. The rear edge 124g of the surface panel 124, that is, the rear edge of the operation member 122, is close to the outer peripheral edges of the operation regions BR, BL. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 17, the user can easily touch the operation member 122 by obliquely extending the finger placed on the operation regions BR, BL toward the center of the operation device 101 in the left-right direction. Thus, since operation members (operation buttons 11 and direction keys 19) with a low height are arranged behind the operation member 22, the user can particularly easily touch the rear portion of the operation member 122. The operation member 122 may be supported by a shaft at its front edge such that only the rear portion of the operation member 122 descends as described above.

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

[0065] As shown in FIG. 12, the front surface 121a of the central portion 121 has an upper portion 121d that protrudes significantly forward compared to its lower portion 121e. By doing so, the width of the upper surface of the central portion 121 in the front-rear direction can be increased. As a result, the width of the operating member 122 in the front-rear direction can be increased.

[0066] On the outer peripheral edges of the operation regions BR and BL, steps 121j are formed in the same manner as the operation regions AR and AL of the operating device 1 (see FIGS. 11 and 14). The rear edge 124g of the surface panel 124 is located in front of the step 121j. Therefore, the user can recognize that their finger is at a position where it touches the operating member 122 without seeing the operating member 122. That is, the user can recognize that their finger is placed at the rear part of the operating member 122. The surface (upper surface) of the step 121j is inclined so as to descend outward from the operation regions BR and BL. Inside the step 121j of the operation region BR where the operation button 11 is provided, an annular light guide member 14 and a light emitter (not shown) are provided in the same manner as the operating device 1.

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

[0068] The light diffusing member 128a of the light emitting portion 128 protrudes forward with respect to the lower portion 121e of the front surface 121a of the central portion 121. Specifically, the upper portion 121d of the front surface 121a of the central portion 121 protrudes significantly further forward than the lower portion 121e. As shown in FIG. 12, the light diffusing member 128a constitutes the lowermost portion of the upper portion 121d. That is, a concave portion is formed in the lowermost portion of the upper portion 121d, and the light emitting portion 128 is fitted into this concave portion. The light diffusing member 128a of the light emitting portion 128 includes a lower surface that emits light downward and a front surface that emits light forward as its light emitting surface. Therefore, the area of the light emitting surface becomes larger, facilitating the acquisition of the light of the light emitting portion 128 by the camera.

[0069] The front surface of the light emitting portion 128 is flush with the front surface of the upper portion 121d of the central portion 121. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a force from being applied to the light diffusing member 128a from above. Also, since the above-described protruding portions 10c are located on the right and left sides of the light diffusing member 128a, it is possible to prevent a force in the left-right direction from acting on the light diffusing member 128a.

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

[0071] As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the housing 140 of the operation device 101 has an upper housing half 141 that is open downward and a lower housing half 142 that is open upward, and these are combined in the vertical direction. The held portions 110R, 110L, and the central portion 121 are constituted by the housing halves 141, 142. The held portions 110R, 110L have strip-shaped wall members 143 (in FIGS. 15 and 16, the wall members 143 are shaded for clarity). The wall member 143 is disposed between the lower edge 141a of the upper housing half 141 and the upper edge 142a of the lower housing half 142, and constitutes a part of the side surfaces of the held portions 110R, 110L. In the right held portion 110R, the wall member 143 extends from the right side surface (the outer surface in the left-right direction) of the front portion of the held portion 110R, passes through the right side surface and the rear end of the grip 112, and reaches the left side surface (the inner surface in the left-right direction) of the grip 112. In the left held portion 110L, the wall member 143 extends from the left side surface (the outer surface in the left-right direction) of the front portion of the held portion 110L, passes through the left side surface and the rear end of the grip 112, and reaches the right side surface (the inner surface in the left-right direction) of the grip 112. By doing so, it is possible to avoid the edges 141a, 142a of the housing halves 141, 142 being located at positions where the hands of the user holding the held portions 110R, 110L are likely to touch. As a result, the feel obtained when holding the held portions 110R, 110L can be improved.

[0072] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 16, operation buttons 135 are provided on the inner surfaces of the left and right grips 112. The operation buttons 135 are located between the lower edge 141a of the upper housing half 141 and the upper edge 142a of the lower housing half 142, similar to the wall member 143. Also, the operation buttons 135 have a vertical width that is approximately equal to that of the wall member 143 and are located in the extending direction of the wall member 143 with respect to the wall member 143. Thereby, the operation buttons 135 are less likely to be conspicuous, and the appearance of the operation device 101 can be improved. Further, the operation buttons 135 are flush with the housing halves 141, 142. Thereby, it is possible to avoid the fingers holding the grip 112 accidentally pressing the operation buttons 135.

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

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

[0075] As shown in FIG. 11, the held portions 110R and 110L in this example have slightly recessed portions 110f on the upper surfaces of their front portions. That is, around the operation stick 31, an arc-shaped frame portion 110g surrounding the operation stick 31 is formed. And the inside of this frame portion 110g is recessed. The operation buttons 117R and 117L are provided in this recessed portion 110f. Therefore, while making the positions of the upper surfaces of the operation buttons 117R and 117L lower than the positions of the upper surfaces of the operation button 11 and the direction keys 19, the height of the operation buttons 117R and 117L, that is, the protruding amount from the recessed portion 110f can be ensured.

[0076] [Third Example of the Operation Device] Figures 18 to 21 are diagrams showing the operation device 101 in the third example. Figure 18 is a plan view. Figure 19 is a perspective view. Figure 20 is a front view. Figure 21 is a bottom view. In these figures, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those of the operation device 1. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the differences from the operation device 1, and matters not described are the same as those of the operation device 1.

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

[0078] As shown in FIG. 19, the operation member 222 includes a portion constituting the upper surface of the central portion 21 and a portion constituting the front surface 21a of the central portion 21, similar to the operation member 22. That is, the front edge of the operation member 222 (i.e., the front edge of the surface panel 224) constitutes the front edge of the upper surface of the central portion 21. The foremost part of the surface panel 224 in this example has a substantially L-shaped cross section, and the surface panel 224 has a front surface portion 224f extending downward from its front edge.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 18, the operation device 201 has operation buttons 217R and 217L having the same functions as the above-described operation buttons 17R and 17L on the right and left sides of the operation member 222. The operation buttons 217R and 217L are located between the four operation buttons 11 and the direction keys 19, and are located in front of the four operation buttons 11 and the direction keys 19. Therefore, the user can operate the operation button 217R by extending the finger placed on any of the operation buttons 11 while holding the held portion 10R. Similarly, the user can operate the operation button 217L by extending the finger placed on the direction keys 19 while holding the held portion 10L. The upper surfaces of the operation buttons 217R and 217L do not protrude from the surface of the surface panel 224. The upper surfaces of the operation buttons 217R and 217L in this example are located in the same plane as the surface of the surface panel 224. Therefore, when the user operates the operation member 22, it is possible to prevent the operation buttons 217R and 217L from being accidentally pressed.

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

[0081] As shown in FIG. 20, the width of the light emitting portion 228 in the left - right direction in this example is smaller than the width of the operation member 22 in the left - right direction. The right - most part and the left - most part of the operation member 22 are located in the right direction and the left direction respectively, relative to the light emitting portion 228. When the user holds the operation device 201 with the front side thereof being lowered and presses the right - most part or the left - most part of the operation member 22, the tip of the finger may extend beyond the front edge of the operation member 22. Even in such a case, since the width of the light emitting portion 228 in the left - right direction is smaller than that of the operation member 22, it is possible to prevent the user's finger from blocking the light of the light emitting portion 228. As shown in FIG. 19, the operation device 201 has a convex portion 21d on the front surface 21a of the central portion 21, similar to the operation device 1. The light emitting portion 228 and the convex portion 21d form a series of protruding portions 221e that extend in the left - right direction. This series of protruding portions 221e is connected to the left and right protruding portions 10c.

[0082] The protruding portion 221e protrudes forward from the front edge of the operation member 222 (more specifically, the front portion 224f of the surface panel 224). The rear edge 228d of the light emitting portion 228 is located forward of the front edge of the operation member 222, as shown in FIG. 18. In other words, the front edge of the operation member 222 is located behind the rear edge 228d of the light emitting portion 228. Therefore, even when the user's finger is placed on the front edge of the operation member 222, it is possible to prevent the user's finger from obstructing the acquisition of the light of the light emitting portion 228 by the camera. Particularly in this example, in the plan view of the operation device 201, the base 221f of the protruding portion 221e is also located forward of the front edge of the operation member 222. Therefore, it is possible to more effectively prevent the user's finger from obstructing the acquisition of the light of the light emitting portion 228 by the camera. Note that the front edge of the operation member 222 may be provided so as to overlap the base 221f of the protruding portion 221e in the plan view.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 20, the light emitting portion 228 has a larger vertical width W2 compared to the light emitting portion 28. The width W2 of the light emitting portion 228 in this example corresponds to the vertical width of the front surface 21a of the central portion 21. More specifically, the width W2 of the light emitting portion 228 corresponds to the interval between the lower edge of the front surface 21a of the central portion 21 (i.e., the front edge 221L of the lower surface 221g described later) and the front edge of the operation member 22 (in this example, the lower edge of the front portion 224f of the surface panel 224). That is, the light emitting portion 28 utilizes the vertical width of the front surface 21a to the maximum extent. In this example, the protruding portion 221e has a vertical width corresponding to the vertical width of the front surface 21a of the central portion 21, more specifically, a vertical width approximately equal to the vertical width of the front surface 21a. The light emitting portion 228 is provided from the upper edge (base portion 221f) to the lower edge of the protruding portion 221e. Since the light emitting portion 228 has a relatively large vertical width in this way, it becomes easier for the camera provided in the information processing apparatus to acquire the light of the light emitting portion 228. The light emitting portion 228 has a light diffusing member on its front surface that has the same function as the light diffusing member 28a of the light emitting portion 28. Therefore, the entire front surface of the light emitting portion 228 emits light.

[0084] The light emitting portion 228 is provided on the protruding portion 221e and protrudes forward from the front surface 21a of the central portion 21. As shown in FIG. 18, the protruding width of the light emitting portion 228 in this example is approximately equal to the protruding width W3 of the protruding portions 10c provided on the held portions 10R, 10L. In other words, when the operation device 201 is viewed in plan, the position of the front end of the light emitting portion 228 in the front-rear direction substantially coincides with that of the front end 10e of the protruding portion 10c. Therefore, even when the user holds the operation device 201 while tilting it to the right or left side, it is possible to suppress the light of the light emitting portion 228 from being blocked by the protruding portion 10c. Note that the front surface of the light emitting portion 228 is curved in an arc shape. In this example, the cross section of the light emitting portion 228 perpendicular to the extending direction of the light emitting portion 228 is a semi-circle. Therefore, even when the operation device 201 is held obliquely, it is possible to suppress a change in the shape of the light emitting portion 228 recognized by the camera.

[0085] As shown in FIGS. 19 and 21, the central portion 21 of the operation device 201 has a lower surface 221g. The central portion 21 has a connector 233 on the lower surface 221g through which a cable connector can be inserted from the front side of the operation device 201. That is, the central portion 21 has the connector 233 on its lower side, and the insertion port of the connector 233 into which the cable is inserted is open forward. The front portion 221j of the lower surface 221g protrudes forward of the insertion port of the connector 233 (the front end of the connector 233). Thereby, it is possible to effectively suppress the light progress of the light emitting portion 228 from being blocked by the cable connected to the connector 233 or the connector at its front end. Note that the insertion port of the connector 233 may be directed obliquely downward. By doing so, it is possible to secure a larger distance between the cable connected to the connector 233 and the light emitting portion 228.

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

[0087] As shown in FIG. 19, the front portion 221j of the lower surface 221g is formed obliquely and extends forward and upward. Therefore, when the user inserts the cable connector into the connector 233, the cable connector can be guided to the connector 233 by the front portion 221j. As a result, the cable connector can be inserted smoothly. The front portion 221j in this example is gently curved. Note that the front portion 221j may be an inclined plane. A groove 221k having a width corresponding to the width of the cable connector is formed in the front portion 221j. In a state where the cable connector is inserted into the connector 233, the end of the cable is disposed in the groove 221k. Therefore, even when the operation device 201 moves during use of the operation device 201, the lateral load acting on the connector 233 can be reduced.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 20, the light emitting portion 228 and the connector 233 are separated from each other in the vertical direction in a front view. The operation device 201 has a circuit board inside thereof. One of the components of the light source (for example, an LED) of the light emitting portion 228 and the connector 233 is mounted on the circuit board, and the other component is separated from the circuit board in the vertical direction. Then, the other component is connected to this circuit board via a cable or the like.

[0089] In the example shown in FIG. 20, the light source of the light emitting portion 228 is mounted on the circuit board 251. The operation device 201 in this example is disposed below the circuit board 251 and further has a circuit board 252 facing the circuit board 251. The connector 233 is mounted on the circuit board 252. The circuit board 251 and the circuit board 252 are connected through a wire (not shown). A control circuit for controlling the operation device 201 is mounted on the circuit board 251, and data transmitted and received through the connector 233 is input to the control circuit of the circuit board 251 through the circuit board 252 and the wire.

[0090] The connector 233 is mounted on the lower surface of the circuit board 252. On the other hand, the light source of the light emitting unit 228 is mounted on the upper surface of the circuit board 251, for example. Thereby, a large distance can be secured between the connector 233 and the light emitting unit 228 in the vertical direction. As a result, it is possible to effectively prevent the cable connected to the connector 233 from obstructing the light of the light emitting unit 228. Note that the circuit board 252 does not necessarily have to be provided. For example, the connector 233 may be connected to the circuit board 251 by an electric wire without passing through a circuit board.

[0091] As described above, the operation device 201 has left and right held portions 10R and 10L for the user to hold, which have an upper surface provided with the first operation members (the operation button 11 and the direction keys 19 in the above description) and are located apart from each other in the left-right direction. Further, the operation device 201 includes a central portion 21 that connects the left and right held portions 10R and 10L, a light emitting unit 228 provided on the front surface 21a of the central portion 21, a connector 233 provided on the lower surface 221g of the central portion 21 and into which a cable can be inserted from the front side, and a lower surface 221g of the central portion 21 that the front portion of the central portion 21 has and that protrudes forward of the connector 233. According to this operation device 201, it is possible to prevent the cable connected to the connector 233 from obstructing the progress of the light of the light emitting unit 228.

[0092] Note that various modifications can be made to the operation device.

[0093] For example, the operation buttons 135 of the grips 12 and 112 do not necessarily have to be provided on the operation device.

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

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

[0096] Also, in the operation device 101, the upper part 121d of the front surface 121a of the central part 121 may not protrude forward with respect to the lower part 121e.

[0097] Also, the upper surface of the housing constituting the operation devices 1, 101, 201 may have an edge located on the front side of the operation members 22, 122, 222.

[0098] Also, a plurality of light emitting parts may be provided on the front surface 21a of the central part 21. In that case, the plurality of light emitting parts may be arranged side by side in the left - right direction.

[0099] [Embodiment according to the present invention] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 22 and 23 are perspective views of an operation device 301 which is an example of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 22 is a view facing the upper side of the operation device 301, and FIG. 23 is a view facing the front side of the operation device 301. FIG. 24 is a plan view of the operation device 301, and FIG. 25 is a front view of the operation device 301. FIG. 26 is a cross - sectional view taken along line XXVI - XXVI shown in FIG. 24. In these figures, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as the operation devices described so far. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the points different from the operation devices described so far, and matters not described are the same as those of the operation devices described so far.

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

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

[0102] The operation device 301 includes a plurality of light sources G having different colors from each other (for example, red, green, and blue light sources). By adjusting the brightness of each light source G of the operation device 301, the light emitting surface 328c emits light in a color specified by the information processing device or a color corresponding to the operating state of the operation device 301. By doing so, even when a plurality of operation devices 301 are used simultaneously, the information processing device can detect the respective positions of the operation devices 301.

[0103] In the example shown in FIG. 26, a light guide member 329 is disposed inside the light diffusing member 328. The light source G is mounted on the lower surface of the circuit board 70 and is positioned above the light guide member 329. The light of the light source G diffuses within the light guide member 329 and the light diffusing member 328 and exits from the light emitting surface 328c. The position of the light source G is not limited to this. For example, it may be disposed on the left and right of the members 328 and 329.

[0104] The central portion 321 includes a portion located above the light emitting surface 328c. The light emitting surface 328c is arranged so as to be hidden by this portion of the central portion 321. As shown in FIG. 26, the operation device 301 also has a surface panel 324 that constitutes the upper surface of the central portion 321, similar to the operation device 1 and the like described above. The light emitting surface 328c is located below the surface panel 324 and is arranged to face obliquely forward and downward. Due to this layout of the light emitting surface 328c, when the central portion 321 is viewed from above, the light emitting surface 328c is hidden by the surface panel 324. More specifically, when the central portion 321 is viewed obliquely upward and forward, the light emitting surface 328c is hidden by the surface panel 324. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the light of an indoor lighting device or the like when the operation device 301 is used from hitting and reflecting on the light emitting surface 328c. Note that the member located above the light emitting surface 328c does not necessarily have to be the surface panel 324. For example, a portion located above the light emitting surface 328c may be formed on the upper housing half 341.

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

[0106] As shown in FIG. 26, the light emitting surface 328c of this example is a flat surface facing obliquely downward. That is, the light emitting surface 328c is inclined such that its upper edge 328d is located in front of its lower edge 328e. According to this shape of the light emitting surface 328c, compared with a structure in which the light emitting surface is curved so as to bulge forward, the light emitting surface 328c is more likely to be hidden by the surface panel 324. Further, when the user holds the operation device 301 in a state where it is slightly inclined upward, the light emitting surface 328c can face the camera.

[0107] The lower portion of the front surface of the central portion 321 faces obliquely downward. As shown in FIG. 23, the light emitting surface 328c is provided in a plane common to the front surface of the central portion 321. In other words, the light emitting surface 328c and the portion surrounding the outer periphery of the light emitting surface 328c are located in substantially the same plane. In this example, the front surface 349b of the housing 340 (more specifically, the lower housing half 349) is an inclined surface facing obliquely downward. The front surface 349b includes a surface 349c that extends obliquely upward and forward from the upper edge of the light emitting surface 328c. This surface 349c is located in front of the light emitting surface 328c together with the front portion 324c of the surface panel 324. An opening for exposing the light emitting surface 328c is formed in the front surface of the housing 340, and the light emitting surface 328c is flush with the edge of the opening of the housing 340. Note that the light emitting surface 328c may be recessed with respect to the surrounding portion.

[0108] As shown in FIG. 26, a connector 333 is provided below the light emitting surface 328c on the front surface of the central portion 321. Even when the terminal of the cable accidentally hits the light emitting surface 328c in the process of inserting the terminal of the cable into the connector 333, the terminal of the cable can be guided by the connector 333 by the light emitting surface 328c formed flush with the surrounding portion. Further, it is possible to suppress an external force from acting on the terminal of the cable inserted into the connector 333 from above.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 23, each of the left and right held portions 310L and 310R has operation buttons 15 and 16 on its front surface. The operation buttons 15 and 16 protrude forward from the front surface of the central portion 321. As described above, the light emitting surface 328c is formed so as to face obliquely downward, and its lower edge 328e is located behind the upper edge 328d. The connector 333 is provided below the lower edge 328e of the light emitting surface 328c. In particular, in this example, the connector 333 is located behind the lower edge 328e of the light emitting surface 328c (see FIG. 26). According to such a structure, a larger distance is secured between the operation buttons 15 and 16 and the connector 33 as compared with a structure in which the light emitting surface 328c is arranged to face straight ahead. As a result, when the user places a finger on the operation buttons 15 and 16, it is possible to prevent the finger from touching a portion close to the terminal of the cable, and to prevent a load from being applied to the connector 333.

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

[0111] As shown in FIG. 25, the light emitting surface 328c has a shape corresponding to the front surface of the central portion 321. The front surface of the central portion 321 in this example has a lower edge bent at the center. That is, the lower edge of the front surface has a portion 321a extending obliquely rightward and upward from the center and a portion 321b extending obliquely leftward and upward from the center. The lower edge 328e of the light emitting surface 328c also has a portion extending obliquely rightward and upward from its center and a portion extending obliquely leftward and upward from its center, similar to the lower edge of the front surface of the central portion 321. By doing so, it becomes easier to secure the size of the light emitting surface 328c.

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

[0113] The surface panel 324 of this example slightly protrudes upward from the portion surrounding the trailing edge, left edge, and right edge of the surface panel 324 (the edge of the opening formed in the housing 340). Therefore, a step is formed around the surface panel 324. Thereby, the user can recognize the position of the operation member 322 with the finger placed on the central portion 321 without looking at the operation device 301.

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

[0115] As shown in FIG. 26, the operation member 322 (specifically, the surface panel 324) includes a portion (hereinafter referred to as the upper surface portion 324a) that constitutes the upper surface of the central portion 321 and a portion (front surface portion 324c) that constitutes the front surface of the central portion 321, similar to the operation member 22 and the like described above. According to this structure, the user can smoothly slide a finger on the surface panel 324 forward. Also, the user can easily press the foremost part of the upper surface portion 324a of the surface panel 324. Furthermore, the front surface portion 324c can increase the rigidity of the front portion of the surface panel 324.

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

[0117] In this example, as shown in FIG. 25, the front surface portion 324c of the surface panel 324 extends downward beyond the lower edge 341a of the front surface of the upper housing half 341, and the front edge 349a of the opening is provided at the upper edge of the lower housing half 349. Due to the structure of such housing halves 341 and 349, the vertical width of the front surface portion 324c can be increased.

[0118] As shown in FIG. 26, the upper housing half 341 has a beam portion 341b that is located inside the front surface portion 324c of the surface panel 324 and extends in the left-right direction at its front portion. This beam portion 341b can compensate for the reduction in rigidity of the upper housing half 341 caused by the fact that the upper housing half 341 does not have a portion located below the front surface portion 324c.

[0119] The central portion 321 is configured such that light from the light source G leaks from its upper surface. Specifically, the surface panel 324 is formed of a material that allows light to pass through. The surface panel 324 has a portion that extends beyond the front edge of the touch sensor 23. Below the portion that extends beyond the front edge of the touch sensor 23, a light source G, a member that reflects the light of the light source G, and a member that emits light upon receiving the light of the light source G are arranged. As a result, light leaks from the portion that extends beyond the front edge of the touch sensor 23. In the examples shown in FIGS. 24 and 26, the upper surface portion 324a of the surface panel 324 has a portion 324d that extends slightly forward beyond the front edge of the touch sensor 23. The front surface portion 324c extends downward while curving from the portion 324d. The light diffusing member 328 and the light guide member 329 are located below the portion 324d and the front surface portion 324c. Therefore, the light emitted upward from the light diffusing member 328 leaks upward through the portion 324d. Note that the light source G may be arranged below the portion 324d of the surface panel 324. Coloring for defining the position where light leaks may be applied to the upper surface or the lower surface of the surface panel 324.

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

[0121] As shown in FIG. 23, the bottom portion 349e of the housing 340 (more specifically, the lower housing half 349) has a center in the left-right direction that bulges downward. That is, the bottom portion 349e has an inclined surface that faces diagonally rightward and downward on its right side, and an inclined surface that faces diagonally leftward and downward on its left side. This shape of the bottom portion 349e enables an increase in the rigidity of the bottom portion 349e.

[0122] As shown in FIG. 25, inside the lower housing half 349, a connector 333, a circuit board 336 to which the connector 333 is attached to the lower surface, and a battery 337 are arranged. The connector 333 is arranged at the lowermost part of the lower housing half 349, and the connector 333, the circuit board 336, and the battery 337 are arranged in this order from the bottom. Also, the lateral width of these three components becomes larger for the components arranged on the upper side. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of wasteful space inside the bottom 349e.

[0123] As shown in FIG. 22, a connector 334 is provided on the rear surface of the central portion 321. The connector 34 is connected to a cable such as a headphone or earphone, for example. Also, another device that expands the function of the operation device 1 may be connected to the connector 34.

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

[0125] For example, the light emitting surface 328c may face straight forward. In this case, the foremost part of the surface panel 324 may have an eaves shape that protrudes forward from the light emitting surface 328c.

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

[0127] FIGS. 27 and 28 are views showing a modified example of the operation device 301 shown in FIGS. 22 to 26. In the examples shown in these figures, mainly the layout of the light source G is different from the example shown in FIGS. 22 to 26. FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing the light source G and the light guide member 327. FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view, and the cutting plane is the same as that in FIG. 26.

[0128] In the examples shown here as well, the central portion 321 has a light-emitting panel 328. The light-emitting panel 328 is a light-diffusing member that diffuses light inside it. The light source G is arranged at a position behind and away from the light-emitting panel 328. More specifically, the light source G is arranged at a position behind and away from the center of the light-emitting panel 328 in the left-right direction. As described above, the central portion 321 has a circuit board 336 that is arranged below and away from the circuit board 70 on which the switch 71 is mounted. In the example described here, the light source G is mounted on the upper surface of the circuit board 336. The light source G is mounted on the circuit board 336 so that its light exits forward.

[0129] The central portion 321 in the example shown here has a light guide plate 327. The light guide plate 327 is arranged so as to extend forward from the light source G toward the back surface of the light-emitting panel 328 (see FIG. 28). As shown in FIG. 27, the light guide plate 327 has left and right side surfaces 327a that are inclined such that the width of the light guide plate 327 in the left-right direction gradually increases forward. According to such a shape of the light guide plate 327, the light emitted from the light source G travels forward while being reflected by the left and right side surfaces 327a, the upper surface 327b, and the lower surface 327c of the light guide plate 327, and spreads in the left-right direction in the process. As a result, the entire area of the light-emitting panel 328 that is elongated in the left-right direction can be made to emit light. The light source G is arranged at a position behind and away from the portion between the left and right ends of the light-emitting panel 328. In the example described here, the light source G is arranged at a position behind and away from the center of the light-emitting panel 328 in the left-right direction. Therefore, the light guide plate 327 has a bilaterally symmetric shape. The light source G is located on the rear side of the rear end of the light guide plate 327.

[0130] By increasing the distance from the light-emitting panel 328 to the light source G, that is, the distance from the light-emitting panel 328 to the rear end of the light guide plate 327, the light traveling inside the light guide plate 327 is more likely to be reflected by the side surface 327a. Therefore, it is desirable that the distance from the light-emitting panel 328 to the light source G be large. In the example shown in FIG. 28, the light source G is arranged at the rear end of the circuit board 336.

[0131] As shown in FIG. 28, the circuit board 336 is disposed at a position lower than the light emitting panel 328. More specifically, the circuit board 336 is disposed at a position lower than the lower edge 328e of the light emitting panel 328. And in the example described here, the light source G is also disposed at a position lower than the lower edge 328e of the light emitting panel 328. The light guide plate 327 has a first plate portion 327A extending forward from the light source G. The first plate portion 327A is disposed along the circuit board 336. That is, the first plate portion 327A is disposed horizontally. The light guide plate 327 also has a second plate portion 327B disposed along the back surface of the issuing panel 328. The light guide plate 327 has a curved portion 327d formed between the first plate portion 327A and the second plate portion 327B. The light entering from the first plate portion 327A into the second plate portion 327B is always reflected on the surface of the curved portion 327d. Therefore, by providing the curved portion 327d in the light guide plate 327, the number of times of light reflection increases. As a result, the light traveling inside the light guide plate 327 is more likely to spread in the left-right direction. As described above, a battery 337 is disposed between the circuit board 336 and the circuit board 70. In the example described here, due to the curvature of the light guide plate 327, interference between the light guide plate 327 and the battery 337 can be avoided. A member for reflecting light may be attached to the surface of the curved portion 327d (for example, a surface facing obliquely downward). Also, processing for reflecting light may be performed on the surface of the curved portion 327d. That is, a member that totally reflects light, such as a mirror surface, may be attached to the surface of the curved portion 327d, or surface processing may be performed.

[0132] The light-emitting panel 328 is arranged to face obliquely downward as described above. As shown in FIG. 28, the second plate portion 327B is arranged along the back surface of the light-emitting panel 328 and is inclined in the same manner as the light-emitting panel 328. On the other hand, the first plate portion 327A is arranged along the circuit board 336 and is horizontal. That is, the first plate portion 327A is arranged perpendicular to the vertical direction. Therefore, an obtuse angle θ is formed between the first plate portion 327A and the second plate portion 327B. As a result, the curved portion 327d can be gently curved. As a result, it is possible to suppress the light traveling through the light guide plate 327 from passing through the surface of the curved portion 327d without reaching the second plate portion 327B.

[0133] As shown in FIG. 27, the back surface of the second plate portion 327B (the surface opposite to the light-emitting panel 328) is subjected to embossing (in FIG. 27, a plurality of recesses 327e are drawn for clarity of the embossing). By this embossing, the light hitting the back surface of the second plate portion 327B is likely to be reflected forward. As a result, the luminance of the light-emitting panel 328 can be increased. The embossing is performed on the region corresponding to the light-emitting panel 328 on the back surface of the second plate portion 327B. Also, in the example described here, as shown in FIG. 28, a reflection plate 326 is attached to the back surface of the second plate portion 327B. As a result, the light traveling through the second plate portion 327B is more likely to be reflected forward.

[0134] Electronic components are arranged on the upper surface of the circuit board 336. The first plate portion 327A is arranged above these electronic components. In the example described here, as shown in FIG. 28, on the upper surface of the circuit board 336, a connector 336a to which a cable for electrically connecting the circuit board 336 and the circuit board 70 is connected is mounted, and the first plate portion 327A is arranged above the connector 336a. The lower surface of the first plate portion 327 has an inclined surface 327f in order to avoid interference between the first plate portion 327A and the connector 336a. The light source G is arranged at a distance rearward from the connector 336a. Therefore, the inclination of the inclined surface 327f of the first plate portion 327A can be made gentle. As a result, it is possible to suppress light from passing through the inclined surface 327f. That is, light is likely to be totally reflected by the inclined surface 327f.

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

[0136] In the example shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, the light source G is attached to the circuit board 336. However, the light source G may be attached to the circuit board 70. In this case, the light source G is arranged at a distance rearward from the light emitting panel 328, and the above-described light guide plate 327 may be arranged therebetween.

[0137] Also, when components such as the battery 337 are not arranged between the circuit board 336 and the circuit board 70, the light guide plate 327 does not necessarily have the curved portion 327d.

Claims

Claim 1 A method of manufacturing an operation device, comprising: preparing a plate-shaped operation member having a touch sensor and having a substantially L-shaped cross section at the foremost part, an operation button, a lower housing half, and an upper housing half including a first operation region and a second operation region located on opposite sides of each other with a center line along the front-rear direction passing through the center of the operation device in the left-right direction; positioning the plate-shaped operation member between the first operation region and the second operation region and on the upper surface and the front surface of the upper housing half, positioning the operation button between one of the first operation region and the second operation region and the plate-shaped operation member in a plan view, and combining the upper housing half and the lower housing half; A method of manufacturing an operation device. Claim 2 Arranging the operation button adjacent to a side edge of the plate-shaped operation member The method of manufacturing an operation device according to claim 1.

Images