Input device

Abstract

To allow a camera to more stably detect light-emitting parts.SOLUTION: An input device (100) disclosed herein has a tracked area having multiple light-emitting parts H arranged therein. The tracked area consists of a rear tracked portion (31A) located behind operating members (13, 14, 15) in side view, and a front tracked portion (31B) located in front of the rear tracked portion (31A) to extend in a direction different from that of the rear tracked portion (31A).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an input device having a tracked portion.

Background Art

[0002] There is a technique for tracking the position and orientation of an input device by providing a light emitting portion on the input device and detecting the light emitting portion by a camera. Patent Document 1 below discloses an input device for game operation provided with a spherical light emitting portion. The input device of Patent Document 1 is photographed by a camera attached to, for example, a television, and the position and orientation of the input device are calculated from the image.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a system such as that of Patent Document 1, it is important that the light emitting portion is not hidden by the user's hand or arm from the camera attached to the television. Further, unlike Patent Document 1, a system is being studied in which a camera for photographing the input device is mounted on a head-mounted display, and the position and orientation of the input device are calculated from the image obtained by the camera. In this system, a moving image (for example, a game image) corresponding to the position and orientation of the input device is provided to the user through the head-mounted display.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] An example of the input device proposed in the present disclosure includes a main body having a grip and at least one operating member operated by a user's finger, a tracking area in which a plurality of light emitting parts are arranged, a first part that is located behind the at least one operating member in a side view and constitutes a part of the tracking area, and a second part that is located in front of the first part, extends in a direction different from that of the first part, and constitutes another part of the tracking area. According to this structure, the detection stability of the light emitting parts by the camera can be ensured.

[0006] Another example of the input device proposed in the present disclosure is an input device having a tracking area provided with a plurality of light emitting parts. The tracking area is located at the rear part of the input device and has a first curved surface that is a part of the outer surface of the input device and a second curved surface that is located at the front part of the input device and is another part of the outer surface of the input device. The first curved surface and the second curved surface are parts of a single spherical surface. According to this structure, the calculation of the position and orientation of the input device based on the position of the detected light emitting parts can be simplified.

[0007] Another example of the input device proposed in the present disclosure is an input device having a tracking area provided with a plurality of light emitting parts. The tracking area is a part of the outer surface of the input device and has a first area in which a plurality of light emitting parts are arranged side by side and a second area that is another part of the outer surface of the input device and in which a plurality of light emitting parts are arranged side by side. The plurality of light emitting parts arranged side by side in the first area and the plurality of light emitting parts arranged side by side in the second area are located on a single virtual spherical surface. According to this structure, the calculation of the position and orientation of the input device based on the position of the detected light emitting parts can be simplified.

[0008] Another example of the input device proposed in the present disclosure includes a main body having a grip and at least one operating member operated by a user's finger, a rear portion located behind the at least one operating member and covering at least the upper side of the grip in a rear view, a tracking area including a first area in which a plurality of light emitting parts are arranged and a second area in which a plurality of light emitting parts are arranged, and a beam portion connecting the upper portion and the rear portion of the main body. The first area is provided in the rear portion, and at least a part of the second area is provided in the main body. According to this structure, a change in the relative position between the first area and the second area can be suppressed, and the calculation accuracy of the position and orientation of the input device can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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[0010] Hereinafter, examples of the input device proposed in the present disclosure will be described. In this specification, the directions indicated by Z1 and Z2 in FIG. 2 are referred to as upward and downward, respectively, the directions indicated by Y1 and Y2 in FIG. 3 are referred to as forward and backward, respectively, and the directions indicated by X1 and X2 in FIG. 2 are referred to as rightward and leftward, respectively. These directions correspond to the directions as seen from the user when the user holds and uses the input device 100 as shown in FIG. 1. Also, in FIGS. 2 to 23, the black circles represent the light emitting portion H described later.

[0011] [System Overview] As shown in FIG. 1, the input device 100 is used, for example, together with a head-mounted display (HMD) 2. The user wears the HMD 2 on the head and holds the input device 100 in the right hand and / or the left hand. The HMD 2 has a camera facing forward. The input device 100 is provided with a plurality of light-emitting parts H described later. The position of the light-emitting part H is detected through the camera. Based on the position of the light-emitting part, the position and orientation of the input device 100 (that is, the position and orientation of the user's hand) are calculated. The input device 100 has a plurality of operation members (for example, operation buttons, operation sticks, touch sensors, etc.) that the user operates with fingers, as will be described later. On the display part of the HMD 2, a moving image (for example, a game image) generated based on the position of the input device 100, its orientation, and the operations performed on the operation members is displayed.

[0012] The calculation of the position and orientation of the input device 100 may be executed by an information processing device mounted on the HMD 2, or may be executed by an external information processing device (for example, a game device separate from the HMD 2 or a personal computer). The input device 100 may have a motion sensor (for example, an acceleration sensor or a gyro sensor). The information processing device may calculate the position and orientation of the input device 100 based on not only the position of the light-emitting part H but also the output of the motion sensor. Also, the generation of the moving image may be executed by an information processing device mounted on the HMD 2, or may be executed by an external information processing device. When the calculation of the position etc. of the input device 100 and the generation of the moving image are executed by an external information processing device, the image information acquired by the camera is transmitted wirelessly or wiredly to the external information processing device. The generated moving image information is transmitted wirelessly or wiredly from the external information processing device to the HMD 2.

[0013] Note that the input device 100 may have a microphone, a speaker, etc. Further, the input device 100 may have, on its outer surface, a light-emitting part not used for tracking the position and orientation, for example, a light-emitting part indicating the operating state of the input device 100, or a light-emitting part for identifying a plurality of input devices 100.

[0014] [Overall Configuration of Input Device] Hereinafter, the right-handed input device 100 will be described in detail. The outer shape of the right-handed input device 100 and the outer shape of the left-handed input device 100 are symmetric about the left and right. Therefore, the description of the relative positions of the elements (members, parts) of the input device 100 can also be applied to the left-handed input device 100 by reversing the "right side", "right", "left side", and "left" used in the description. The number and types of operating members operated by the user's fingers may be different between the left and right input devices 100. Also, the arrangement of the operating members may not be symmetric about the left and right between the right-handed input device 100 and the left-handed input device 100.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 3, the main body 10 of the input device 100 has a grip 11B and an operating portion 11A where a plurality of operating members are arranged. The main body 10 has the operating portion 11A at its upper part, and the grip 11B extends downward from the operating portion 11A. Specifically, the grip 11B extends obliquely downward and rearward from the operating portion 11A. The operating members arranged in the operating portion 11A can be operated by the thumb while holding the grip 11B. The grip 11B is held by, for example, the thenar, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger. An operating member (button) operated by the index finger may be provided on the front surface 11f of the operating portion 11A and / or on the front surface of the grip 11B.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 3, for example, operation buttons 13 and 14 and an operation stick 15 are arranged as operating members in the operating portion 11A. The operation buttons 13 and 14 are arranged on the first upper surface 11a facing rearward and upward of the operating portion 11A and are operated by, for example, the thumb. The operation stick 15 is arranged on the second upper surface 11b of the operating portion 11A and is operated by, for example, the thumb. The second upper surface 11b is a surface located in front of the first upper surface 11a and facing upward. The operation stick 15 is an operating member that can be tilted or slid in the radial direction.

[0017] The operating members provided on the operation unit 11A are not limited to the examples described here. For example, a touch sensor, a trigger button, or a button with a touch sensor may be provided on the operation unit 11A. Also, the number of operating members provided on the operation unit 11A may be one, two, or four or more. For example, a plurality of operation buttons may be provided on the second upper surface 11b. In the following description, the operation buttons 13 and 14 and the operation stick 15 are referred to as operating members 13, 14, and 15.

[0018] The input device 100 has a tracking area on its outer surface where a plurality of light emitting portions H are provided. At positions corresponding to the light emitting portions H in the tracking area, light emitting elements (specifically, light emitting diodes (LEDs)) are provided. The outer surface of the input device 100 is constituted by, for example, an exterior member that covers the LEDs. The LEDs are arranged away from the inner surface of the exterior member, and the light of the LEDs may be guided to the exterior member (light emitting portion H) through a light guiding member. Note that the "light emitting portion H" is a portion through which light passes in the exterior member. In a structure where the exterior member is formed of an opaque material and a light-passing material or hole is formed at the position of the light emitting element, the portion where the light-passing material is formed or the portion where the light-passing hole is formed is the light emitting portion H. On the other hand, in a structure where a transparent exterior member is arranged on the outermost surface of the input device 100 and a light emitting element (LED) is arranged inside the exterior member, the portion facing the light emitting element is the light emitting portion H. Also, in a structure where a transparent exterior member is arranged on the outermost surface of the input device 100, a light guiding member is arranged inside the exterior member, and the light of the light emitting element is guided by the light guiding member, the portion facing the end face (light emitting surface) of the light guiding member is the light emitting portion H.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the input device 100 has a rear tracking portion 31A and a front tracking portion 31B. A plurality of light emitting portions H are provided on each of the rear tracking portion 31A and the front tracking portion 31B, and the outer surfaces of the tracking portions 31A and 31B constitute the tracking area. The input device 100 does not have a tracking portion located in front of the front surface 11f of the operation unit 11A.

[0020] The light emitting unit H may also be provided on the main body 10 including the operation unit 11A and the grip 11B. That is, a part of the outer surface of the main body 10 may also constitute a tracked area. In the example of the input device 100, the grip 11B has a relatively large width. As shown in FIG. 2, when the user holds the grip 11B with the right hand, the left side surface 11c of the main body 10 is not covered by the user's hand. Therefore, a plurality of light emitting units H may be provided on the left side surface 11c. Also, a plurality of light emitting units H may be provided on the front surface 11f of the operation unit 11A (see FIG. 1). The light emitting unit H is not provided in other areas on the outer surface of the main body 10, for example, the rear surface or the front surface of the grip 11B.

[0021] [Position of the rear tracking unit] As shown in FIG. 3, the rear tracking unit 31A is located behind the operating members arranged on the operation unit 11A. In the example of the input device 100, the rear tracking unit 31A is located behind all the operating members 13, 14, and 15 arranged on the operation unit 11A. According to this arrangement of the rear tracking unit 31A, for example, compared with a structure in which the tracked unit is located in front of the operation unit 11A, the moment acting on the input device 100 when the input device 100 is shaken is reduced, and the burden on the user's wrist and arm can be reduced.

[0022] In the side view of the input device 100, the grip 11B is inclined forward with respect to the rear tracking unit 31A. The rear tracking unit 31A is located behind the front portion of the grip 11B. The position of the rear tracking unit 31A in the front-rear direction coincides with the position of the rear end of the grip 11B. The rear end of the grip 11B is located below the rear tracking unit 31A. According to this positional relationship between the grip 11B and the rear tracking unit 31A, it is possible to prevent the wrist and the rear tracking unit 31A from interfering when the wrist is bent inward or outward while holding the grip 11B.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 3, the uppermost part of the rear cover tracking unit 31A is located at a position higher than the upper surface 11b of the operation unit 11A and is separated rearward from the operation unit 11A. That is, the uppermost part of the rear cover tracking unit 31A is located at a position higher than the operation member (operation stick 15 in the example shown in the figure) at the highest position among the operation members on the upper surface 11b and is separated rearward from this operation member. A space is secured between this operation member and the rear cover tracking unit 31A to allow movement of the thumb in the front-rear direction.

[0024] [Shape of the rear cover tracking unit] As shown in FIG. 6, the rear cover tracking unit 31A is arc-shaped in a rear view of the input device 100. In the rear view of the input device 100, the upper part of the main body 10 is located inside the rear cover tracking unit 31A. In the rear view of the input device 100, the left end 31i inside the rear cover tracking unit 31A is located to the left of the left side surface 11c of the grip 11B. The right end 31k inside the rear cover tracking unit 31A is located to the right of the right side surface 11g of the grip 11B. The user can put a hand inside the rear cover tracking unit 31A and grip the grip 11B. The plurality of light emitting units H are arranged in the circumferential direction of the rear cover tracking unit 31A. As shown in FIG. 5, the light emitting units H are dispersed over the entire rear cover tracking unit 31A.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 6, in a rear view of the input device 100, at least a part of the outer shape of the rear cover tracking portion 31A may be curved to fit a perfect circle Sp centered on a center line Pc along the front-rear direction. More preferably, in a rear view of the input device 100, in half or a range larger than half of the outer shape of the rear cover tracking portion 31A, the outer shape of the rear cover tracking portion 31A may be curved to fit the perfect circle Sp. Most of the outer shape of the rear cover tracking portion 31A may be curved to fit the perfect circle Sp. In the example of the input device 100, the entire outer shape of the rear cover tracking portion 31A is a part of the perfect circle Sp. The rear cover tracking portion 31A is formed over 180 degrees in the circumferential direction centered on the center line Pc. When the outer shape of the rear cover tracking portion 31A is curved at least partially along the perfect circle Sp in this way, the calculation process of the position and orientation of the input device 100 can be simplified. When the entire outer shape of the rear cover tracking portion 31A is curved along the perfect circle Sp, the calculation process can be further simplified.

[0026] In a plan view of the input device 100, the center line Pc (see FIG. 6) is parallel to the extending direction of the grip 11B (the direction indicated by the line P2 in FIG. 5). Also, in a side view of the input device 100, the center line Pc may be perpendicular to the center line Pv3 (see FIG. 4) of the operation stick 15. Different from the input device 100, the center line Pc may be inclined with respect to the extending direction of the grip 11B (the direction indicated by the line P2 in FIG. 5) in a plan view. Also, the center line Pc may be inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the center line Pv3 (see FIG. 4) of the operation stick 15 in a side view.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 6, the distances between the plurality of light emitting portions H provided in the rear cover tracking portion 31A and the center line Pc are the same. In the example of the input device 100, the distances L1 from the center line Pc to the plurality of light emitting portions H provided on the rear inclined surface 31b described later may be the same. Also, the distances from the center line Pc to the plurality of light emitting portions H provided on the front inclined surface 31a described later may be the same.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, the rear cover tracking unit 31A may extend straight in the vertical direction in a side view of the input device 100. According to this, the shape of the rear cover tracking unit 31A becomes simple, and the calculation process of the position and orientation of the input device 100 based on the position of the light emitting unit H can be simplified. The grip 11B extends obliquely downward and rearward from the operation unit 11A. Therefore, the rear cover tracking unit 31A is inclined with respect to the grip 11B in a side view of the input device 100.

[0029] Also, as shown in FIG. 5, the rear cover tracking unit 31A may extend straight in the left-right direction in a plan view of the input device 100. According to this, the shape of the rear cover tracking unit 31A becomes simple, and the calculation process of the position and orientation of the input device 100 based on the position of the light emitting unit H can be simplified. In a plan view of the input device 100, the left part of the rear cover tracking unit 31A is located behind the operation unit 11A and does not overlap with any operation member.

[0030] When the input device 100 is in use, the rear cover tracking unit 31A surrounds the upper side of the user's wrist. Since the rear cover tracking unit 31A is not easily covered by the user's body, the detection stability of the light emitting unit H by the camera mounted on the HMD2 can be improved. Note that the rear cover tracking unit 31A may not be arc-shaped, but may be annularly formed over 360 degrees in the circumferential direction centered on the center line Pc. Further, as another example, the rear cover tracking unit 31A may be a polygon (for example, a quadrilateral or a pentagon), or a part of the polygon may be formed in an arc shape.

[0031] The front tracking part 31B is connected to the upper part of the rear tracking part 31A. The upper part of the rear tracking part 31A is connected to the main body 10 via the front tracking part 31B. As shown in FIG. 5, the rear tracking part 31A has a right part 31e located to the right of the connection part 31d between the rear tracking part 31A and the front tracking part 31B and extending downward, and a left part 31f located to the left of the connection part 31d and extending downward. The parts 31e and 31f are curved in an arc shape centered on the center line Pc.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, the position of the connection part 31d may be higher than the horizontal plane P1 passing through the center line Pc in the rear view of the input device 100. Also, the position of the connection part 31d may be on the right side of the vertical plane P2 passing through the center line Pc. That is, the connection part 31d may be in a region higher than the horizontal plane P1 and on the right side of the vertical plane P2. In this way, the main body 10 and the rear tracking part 31A can be connected via the front tracking part 31B without hindering the movement of the thumb and the index finger.

[0033] [Inclined surface of the rear tracking part] As shown in FIG. 3, the outer surface of the rear tracking part 31A includes a front inclined surface 31a and a rear inclined surface 31b. The rear inclined surface 31b is located behind the front inclined surface 31a. The two inclined surfaces 31a and 31b may be adjacent in the front-rear direction. The inclined surfaces 31a and 31b may be connected to each other.

[0034] Each of the front inclined surface 31a and the rear inclined surface 31b extends in the circumferential direction centered on the center line Pc (see FIG. 6). Each of the front inclined surface 31a and the rear inclined surface 31b is curved along the perfect circle Sp over its entire length in the rear view of the input device 100. The boundary (ridge line N) between the two inclined surfaces 31a and 31b is also curved along the perfect circle Sp in a range larger than half of them.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of light emitting units H are provided on each of the front inclined surface 31a and the rear inclined surface 31b. On each of the front inclined surface 31a and the rear inclined surface 31b, the plurality of light emitting units H are arranged in the circumferential direction centered on the center line Pc. That is, the plurality of light emitting units H in the rear tracking portion 31A are arranged in two rows.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3, the direction in which the front inclined surface 31a faces (the direction of the normal line D1) and the direction in which the rear inclined surface 31b faces (the direction of the normal line D2) are different. The normal line D1 of the front inclined surface 31a is inclined forward with respect to the direction orthogonal to the center line Pc (the plane Pv1 orthogonal to the center line Pc), and the normal line D2 of the rear inclined surface 31b is inclined rearward with respect to the direction orthogonal to the center line Pc. According to this structure, the detection stability of the light emitting unit H by the camera mounted on the HMD2 can be further improved.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 5, the width Wb of the rear inclined surface 31b is larger than the width Wa of the front inclined surface 31a. When the user is using the input device 100, the frequency with which the rear inclined surface 31b faces the camera mounted on the user's head is higher than the frequency with which the front inclined surface 31a faces the camera. According to the structure in which the width Wb of the rear inclined surface 31b is larger than the width Wa of the front inclined surface 31a, when the input device 100 is photographed by the camera, the background of the light emitting unit H arranged on the rear inclined surface 31b becomes larger than the background of the light emitting unit H arranged on the front inclined surface 31a. As a result, the detection accuracy of the light emitting unit H arranged on the rear inclined surface 31b can be improved.

[0038] The width Wb of the rear inclined surface 31b and the width Wa of the front inclined surface 31a of the input device 100 are constant in the circumferential direction centered on the center line Pc. Different from this, the width Wb of the rear inclined surface 31b and the width Wa of the front inclined surface 31a may change depending on the position in the circumferential direction. Different from the input device 100, the width Wb of the rear inclined surface 31b and the width Wa of the front inclined surface 31a may be the same.

[0039] [Position and Shape of Front Tracking Portion] As shown in FIG. 4, the front tracking unit 31B is located in front of the rear tracking unit 31A and extends in a direction different from that of the rear tracking unit 31A. Specifically, in a side view of the input device 100, the rear tracking unit 31A extends in the vertical direction, while the front tracking unit 31B extends in the front-rear direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, in a plan view of the input device 100, the rear tracking unit 31A extends in the left-right direction, while the front tracking unit 31B extends in the diagonally front-rear direction. Thus, since the input device 100 has the tracking units 31A and 31B extending in two different directions, the detection stability of the light emitting unit H by the camera can be improved.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 3, the front tracking unit 31B is located above the grip 11B. The front tracking unit 31B extends from one of the upper part of the rear tracking unit 31A and the upper part of the main body 10 (more specifically, the operation unit 11A) to the other. According to this arrangement of the front tracking unit 31B, it is possible to prevent the light emitting unit H provided in the front tracking unit 31B from being covered by the user's body. As shown in FIG. 2, the front tracking unit 31B is connected to the upper part of the main body 10 and the upper part of the rear tracking unit 31A.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 5, in a plan view of the input device 100, the front tracking unit 31B is located on the right side of the upper part (operation unit 11A) of the main body 10 and extends in the direction from the upper part of the main body 10 toward the rear tracking unit 31A. More specifically, the front tracking unit 31B extends obliquely rearward from the right side of the upper part (operation unit 11A) of the main body 10 and is connected to the rear tracking unit 31A. The front tracking unit 31B may extend obliquely rearward while curving or extend linearly obliquely rearward from the right side of the upper part of the main body 10.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 2, when the user holds the grip 11B, the side part of the palm is located below the front tracking part 31B. In a front view of the input device 100, a space S1 surrounded by the main body 10 and the rear tracking part 31A is secured below the front tracking part 31B. A part of the palm of the user holding the grip 11B is arranged in this space S1.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 2, in a front view of the input device 100, the main body 10 is shifted to the left with respect to a plane P2 passing through the center of the input device 100 in the left - right direction. According to the arrangement of the main body 10, a sufficient space S1 for arranging the palm of the right hand can be secured, and it becomes easy to hold and operate the main body 10 with the right hand.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 4, a space for moving the thumb is secured above the front tracking part 31B. When the user opens the hand holding the grip 11B, the front tracking part 31B is located between the user's thumb and the base of the index finger (the end of the pulp of the fingertip). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the input device 100 from falling from the hand when the user spreads the hand. That is, the front tracking part 31B can function as a hanger part that catches on the base of the index finger.

[0045] Also, as shown in FIG. 4, when the user spreads the hand, the thumb will be located between the upper part of the rear tracking part 31A and the front tracking part 31B. Therefore, the input device 100 being separated from the hand forward is suppressed by the upper part of the rear tracking part 31A and the front tracking part 31B. That is, the rear tracking part 31A can function as a hanger part that catches on the thumb. The user can, for example, grasp the HMD2 and adjust its position with the input device 100 held in the hand.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 5, the connection portion 31d between the front tracking portion 31B and the rear tracking portion 31A is located to the right of the operation portion 11A and away from the grip 11B in the plan view of the input device 100. The connection portion 31d is located on the right side of the plane P2. In the plan view of the input device 100, a gap G1 is secured between the right side surface of the grip 11B and the front tracking portion 31B. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the thumb from interfering with the connection portion 31d or the front tracking portion 31B while the user is holding the grip 11B.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 2, the front tracking portion 31B is connected to the rear tracking portion 31A at a position lower than the upper end of the rear tracking portion 31A (the uppermost part of the perfect circle Sp). The connection portion 31d between the front tracking portion 31B and the rear tracking portion 31A may be located above the operation portion 11A or at the same height as the operation portion 11A.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 2, in the front view of the input device 100, a space S1 surrounded by the front tracking portion 31B, the main body 10, and the rear tracking portion 31A is secured. A part of the user's palm is arranged in this space S1. A space where the thumb can move is secured above the front part of the front tracking portion 31B and above the operation portion 11A. That is, in the front view of the input device 100, the front tracking portion 31B constitutes a partition between the space S1 where the palm, middle finger, etc. are arranged and the space where the thumb can move.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 5, the front tracking unit 31B has an upper surface 31g. The upper surface 31g is connected to the upper surface 11b of the operation unit 11A. When the user does not operate the operation members 13, 14, and 15 provided on the upper surfaces 11a and 11b of the operation unit 11A, the user can retract the thumb to the upper surface 31g of the front tracking unit 31B. In the example of the input device 100, the upper surface 11b of the operation unit 11A is a horizontal surface. Different from this, the upper surface 11b of the operation unit 11A may be formed obliquely like the upper surface 31g of the front tracking unit 31B, and the upper surfaces 11b and 31g may extend continuously to the right and upward. Thereby, the movement of the thumb for operating the operation members 14 and 15 can be smoothed.

[0050] [Light emitting part] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the front tracking unit 31B has a side surface (front surface) 31h and an upper surface 31g. One or a plurality of light emitting parts H may be provided on each of the side surface 31h and the upper surface 31g. According to this structure, the detection stability of the light emitting part H by the camera can be improved.

[0051] The light emitting part H may be provided on the side surface 31h (FIG. 2) of the front tracking unit 31B (hanger part), the front surface 11f (FIG. 2) of the operation unit 11A, the left side surface 11c (FIG. 3) of the grip 11B, and the rear inclined surface 31b of the rear tracking unit 31A (hanger part). The grip 11B has a relatively large width in the left-right direction. Even when the user holds the grip 11B with the right hand, the left side surface 11c of the grip 11B is not covered by fingers (specifically, the middle finger and the ring finger).

[0052] The light emitting part H is provided on the upper surface 31g (FIG. 5) of the front tracking unit 31B, the upper surface 11b of the operation unit 11A, and the front inclined surface 31a of the rear tracking unit 31A. The light emitting part H is not provided on the upper surfaces 11b and 11a of the operation unit 11A and the rear surface 11e (see FIG. 5) of the grip 11B.

[0053] [Second example] The input device proposed in the present disclosure is not limited to the input device 100 described above. Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, as another example of the input device proposed in the present disclosure, the input device 300 will be described. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the differences between the input device 300 and the input device 100. Matters not described may be the same as those of the input device 100.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 7, the main body 310 of the input device 300 has a grip 311B and an operation unit 311A on which a plurality of operation members are arranged. For example, operation buttons 13 and 14 and an operation stick 15 are arranged as operation members on the operation unit 311A.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 7, the input device 300 has a rear tracking unit 331A and a front tracking unit 331B. A plurality of light emitting units H are provided in each of the rear tracking unit 331A and the front tracking unit 331B, and their outer surfaces constitute a tracking area.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 8, the rear tracking unit 331A is annular and surrounds the center line Pc along the front-rear direction over the entire circumference. According to this shape of the rear tracking unit 331A, the restrictions on the posture of the input device 100 required to ensure the detection stability of the light emitting unit H can be reduced. The shape of the rear tracking unit 331A is hexagonal in a rear view of the input device 300 and surrounds the center line Pc. The shape of the rear tracking unit 331A may be circular or square.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 8, the front tracking unit 331B is connected to the upper part 331e of the rear tracking unit 331A. The rear tracking unit 331A has an upper part 331e, a right part 331f extending downward from the right side of the upper part 331e, a left part 331g extending downward from the left side of the upper part 331e, and a lower part 331h extending between the right part 331f and the left part 331g. These four parts surround the center line Pc.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 7, in a side view of the input device 300, the grip 311B is inclined forward with respect to the rear tracking unit 331A. The lower part of the rear tracking unit 331A overlaps with the rear part of the grip 311B. According to such a positional relationship, when the wrist is bent inward or outward while holding the grip 11B, it is possible to prevent interference between the wrist and the rear tracking unit 31A. In the example of the input device 300, the lower part of the rear tracking unit 31A overlaps with the rearmost part 311d (see FIG. 7) of the grip 311B.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 8, the lower part 331h of the rear tracking unit 331A is connected to the grip 311B. More specifically, the lower part 331h of the rear tracking unit 331A is connected to the lower end (rear end) of the grip 311B. The upper part 331e of the rear tracking unit 331A is connected to the main body 10 via the front tracking unit 331B. According to this, since the lower part 331h and the upper part 331e of the rear tracking unit 331A are supported, sufficient rigidity of the rear tracking unit 331A can be ensured. As a result, for example, when an unintended external force acts on the rear tracking unit 331A, it is possible to prevent the posture of the rear tracking unit 331A, in other words, the position of the light emitting unit H provided on the rear tracking unit 331A, from changing with respect to the main body 10.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 7, the outer surface of the rear tracking unit 331A includes a forward inclined surface 331a and a rearward inclined surface 331b, similar to the example of the input device 100. On each of the forward inclined surface 331a and the rearward inclined surface 331b, a plurality of light emitting units H are arranged in their extending directions.

[0061] The rear tracking unit 31A may have a rearward inclined surface 31b and a forward inclined surface 31a on each of the upper part 331e, the right part 331f, the left part 331g, and the lower part 331h. And light emitting units H may be provided on the rearward inclined surface 31b and the forward inclined surface 31a of each part. Also, similar to the example of the input device 100, the width (Wb in FIG. 5) of the rearward inclined surface 331b may be larger than the width (Wa in FIG. 5) of the forward inclined surface 331a.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of light emitting portions H may be provided on the left side surface 311c of the grip 311B. Further, a plurality of light emitting portions H may also be provided on the front surface 311f of the operation portion 311A. The light emitting portion H is not provided in other regions on the outer surface of the main body 10, for example, the rear surface or the front surface of the grip 11B.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 8, a space S1 surrounded by the main body 310 and the rear tracking portion 331A is secured below the front tracking portion 331B. More specifically, a space S1 surrounded by the right portion 331f, the lower portion 331h, the main body 310, the upper portion 331e, and the front tracking portion 331B of the rear tracking portion 331A is secured. The main body 310 is shifted to the left with respect to a plane P2 passing through the center in the left-right direction of the input device 300. With this arrangement of the main body 310, the space S1 can be enlarged, and it becomes easy to hold and operate the main body 310 with the right hand.

[0064] The front tracking portion 331B extends rearward from the right side of the operation portion 311A and is shifted to the right with respect to the plane P2. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the front tracking portion 331B from becoming an obstacle to the movement of the thumb.

[0065] [Third Example] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12, the input device 400 will be described as another example of the input device proposed in the present disclosure. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the differences between the input device 400 and the input device 100. Matters not described may be the same as those of the input device 100.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 10, the main body 410 of the input device 400 has a grip 411B and an operation portion 411A in which a plurality of operation members are arranged. For example, operation buttons 13 and 14 and an operation stick 15 are arranged as operation members in the operation portion 411A.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 9, the input device 400 has a rear tracking portion 431A and a front tracking portion 431B. A plurality of light emitting portions H are provided in each of the rear tracking portion 431A and the front tracking portion 431B, and their outer surfaces constitute a tracking region.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 12, the rear tracking portion 431A is annular and surrounds the center line Pc along the front-rear direction over the entire circumference. That is, the rear tracking portion 431A is formed over 360 degrees in the circumferential direction centered on the center line Pc.

[0069] As shown in the rear view of the input device 400 in FIG. 12, at least a part of the outer shape of the rear tracking portion 431A may be curved to conform to a perfect circle Sp centered on the center line Pc along the front-rear direction. When the outer shape of the rear tracking portion 431A is curved at least partially along the perfect circle Sp in this way, the calculation process of the position and orientation of the input device 400 can be simplified. Desirably, most of the outer shape of the rear tracking portion 431A may be curved to conform to the perfect circle Sp. In the example of the input device 400, the entire rear tracking portion 431A is curved to conform to the perfect circle Sp. The distance L1 (see FIG. 12) between the plurality of light emitting portions H provided in the rear tracking portion 431A and the center line Pc may be the same.

[0070] A part of the rear tracking portion 431A (for example, the connection portion 431d between the rear tracking portion 431A and the front tracking portion 431B, or the connection portion between the rear tracking portion 431A and the grip 411B) may be located outside the perfect circle Sp. Even in this case, the distance L1 (see FIG. 12) between the plurality of light emitting portions H provided in the rear tracking portion 431A and the center line Pc may be the same.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 10, the rear cover tracking unit 431A may extend straight in the vertical direction in a side view of the input device 400. According to this, the shape of the rear cover tracking unit 431A becomes simple, and the calculation process of the position and orientation of the input device 400 based on the position of the light emitting unit H can be simplified. The rear cover tracking unit 431A is inclined with respect to the grip 411B in a side view of the input device 400.

[0072] Also, as shown in FIG. 11, the rear cover tracking unit 431A may extend straight in the left - right direction in a plan view of the input device 400. According to this, the shape of the rear cover tracking unit 31A becomes simple, and the calculation process of the position and orientation of the input device 400 based on the position of the light emitting unit H can be simplified.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 10, the outer surface of the rear cover tracking unit 431A includes a front inclined surface 431a and a rear inclined surface 431b, similar to the example of the input device 100. A plurality of light emitting units H are provided on each of the front inclined surface 431a and the rear inclined surface 431b. The plurality of light emitting units H are arranged in the circumferential direction on the front inclined surface 431a and the rear inclined surface 431b.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 11, similar to the example of the input device 100, the width Wb of the rear inclined surface 431b may be larger than the width Wa of the front inclined surface 431a. The front inclined surface 431a and the rear inclined surface 431b are preferably formed over the entire circumference of the rear cover tracking unit 431A. Different from this, the front inclined surface 431a and the rear inclined surface 431b may be formed only on a part of the rear cover tracking unit 431A (for example, the upper part of the rear cover tracking unit 431A).

[0075] As shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of light emitting units H may be provided on the left side surface 411c of the grip 411B. Also, a plurality of light emitting units H may be provided on the front surface 411f of the operation unit 411A. No light emitting units H are provided in other regions on the outer surface of the main body 10, for example, on the rear surface or the front surface of the grip 11B.

[0076] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the front tracked portion 431B extends rearward and upward from the right side of the operation portion 411A and is connected to the upper portion of the rear tracked portion 431A. As shown in FIG. 10, the front tracked portion 431B may extend rearward and upward while being curved.

[0077] The light emitting portion H may be provided on two surfaces of the front tracked portion 431B. By doing so, as a result, the detection accuracy of the light emitting portion H disposed on the front tracked portion 431B can be improved. In the example of the input device 400, the light emitting portion H may be provided on the upper surface (front surface) 431h (see FIG. 11) and the right side surface 431i (see FIG. 11) of the front tracked portion 431B.

[0078] The lower portion of the rear tracked portion 431A is connected to the rearmost portion (lowermost portion) of the grip 411B. On the other hand, the upper portion of the rear tracked portion 431A is connected to the main body 410 via the front tracked portion 431B. According to this, since the lower portion and the upper portion of the rear tracked portion 431A are supported, sufficient rigidity of the rear tracked portion 431A can be ensured. As a result, for example, when an unintended external force acts on the rear tracked portion 431A, it is possible to prevent the posture of the rear tracked portion 431A from changing with respect to the main body 10. In this description, the upper portion of the rear tracked portion 431A is a portion above the horizontal plane P1 (see FIG. 9) passing through the center in the vertical direction of the rear tracked portion 431A, and the lower portion of the rear tracked portion 31A is a portion below the horizontal plane P1.

[0079] The tracked region on the outer surface of the input device 400 has curved surfaces that form one spherical surface Sr (the same spherical surface) at at least two positions separated from each other. According to this shape, the calculation process of the position and posture of the input device 100 based on the position of the light emitting portion H detected by the camera can be facilitated. The tracked portions 431A and 431B and the main body 410 are located inside this spherical surface Sr.

[0080] The input device 400 has such curved surfaces at the rear and front portions of the input device 400. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a rearward-inclined surface 431b of the rear tracking portion 31A is provided at the rear portion of the input device 400. The rearward-inclined surface 431b is a part of a virtual spherical surface Sr and is curved along the spherical surface Sr. The rearward-inclined surface 431b is located behind the operation members 13, 14, and 15 operated by the thumb in a plan view of the input device 400. The rearward-inclined surface 431b is annular and surrounds the grip 411B in a rear view of the input device 400 (see FIG. 12). Different from the input device 400, the rear tracking portion 431A may be arc-shaped.

[0081] The rearward-inclined surface 431b is located at the rearmost part of the input device 100. Due to such an arrangement of the rearward-inclined surface 431b, it becomes easier for the camera mounted on the HMD2 to capture the light from the light-emitting portion H of the rearward-inclined surface 31b.

[0082] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a front surface 411f of the operation portion 411A is provided at the front portion of the input device 400. The front surface 411f of the operation portion 411A is a surface located in front of the operation members 13, 14, and 15. The front surface 411f of the operation portion 411A is a part of the spherical surface Sr and is curved along the spherical surface Sr.

[0083] Instead of the front surface 411f of the operation portion 411A, or together with the front surface 411f of the operation portion 411A, the front surface (upper surface) 431h of the front tracking portion 431B may also constitute a part of the spherical surface Sr.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 9, in a front view of the input device 400, a space S1 surrounded by the main body 410 and the rear tracking portion 431A is secured below the front tracking portion 431B. The palm of the user is placed in this space S1. The main body 410 is shifted to the left with respect to a plane P2 passing through the center of the input device 400 in the left-right direction.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 11, the connection portion 431d between the front tracking portion 31B and the rear tracking portion 31A is located on the right side of the plane P2. In a plan view of the input device 100, the front tracking portion 431B is separated to the right from the right side surface of the grip 411B. In a plan view of the input device 100, a gap G1 is secured between the right side surface of the grip 411B and the front tracking portion 431B. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the thumb from interfering with the connection portion 431d and the front tracking portion 431B while the user is holding the grip 11B. The front tracking portion 431B may extend obliquely rightward and rearward from the right side of the operation portion 411A. By doing so, the gap G1 can be made larger.

[0086] [Fourth Example] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 13 to 19, as another example of the input device proposed in the present disclosure, the input device 500 will be described. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the differences between the input device 500 and the input device (particularly, the input device 400) described so far. Matters not described may be the same as those of the input device described so far.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 13, the main body 510 of the input device 500 has a grip 511B and an operation portion 511A in which a plurality of operation members are arranged. In the operation portion 511A, for example, operation buttons 13 and 14 and an operation stick 15 are arranged as operation members. Also, operation buttons 16 and 17 may be arranged in the operation portion 511A.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 13, the input device 500 has a rear tracking portion 531A and a front tracking portion 531B. The rear tracking portion 531A is annular (see FIG. 16). The front tracking portion 531B is connected to the upper portion of the main body 510 (specifically, the operation portion 511B) and the rear tracking portion 531A.

[0089] [Front Tracking Portion] As shown in FIG. 17, the front tracking part 531B extends rightward from the upper part (operation part 511A) of the main body 510. The front tracking part 531B is higher than the position of the center line Pc (see FIG. 16) of the rear tracking part 531A. A space S1 for placing four fingers excluding the thumb is secured below the front tracking part 531B.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 17, at the front part of the front tracking part 531B, the upper surface 531h of the front tracking part 531B is connected to the upper surface 511b of the operation part 511A. There is no step between them. As a result, the user can smoothly move their finger on the upper surface of the operation part 511A.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 17, the front part of the front tracking part 531B and the upper surfaces 531h and 511b of the operation part 511A may be substantially parallel to the horizontal plane P4. This also contributes to the smooth movement of the user's finger. Here, the horizontal plane P4 is, for example, a plane perpendicular to the center line Pv3 of the operation stick 15. The straight line Pv3 may be the pressing direction of the operation buttons 13 and 14.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 14, at the rear part of the front tracking part 531B, the upper surface 531h of the front tracking part 531B extends obliquely rearward and upward. As a result, the width of the front tracking part 531B in the vertical direction increases. Consequently, the connection strength between the front tracking part 531B and the rear tracking part 531A increases. Also, since the height of the upper surface 531h is relatively low at the front part of the front tracking part 531B, sufficient space to allow the movement of the thumb for operating the operating member arranged on the operation part 511A can be secured between the operation part 511A (or the front part of the front tracking part 531B) and the rear tracking part 531A.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 17, at the front portion of the front tracking unit 531B, the lower surface 531j of the front tracking unit 531B may also be substantially parallel to the horizontal plane P4. According to this, when the user presses the trigger button 18 (described later) with the index finger, the index finger can be smoothly moved along the lower surface 531j of the tracking unit 531A.

[0094] As shown in FIGS. 14 and 17, at the rear portion of the front tracking unit 531B, the lower surface 531j of the front tracking unit 531B extends obliquely rearward and downward. As a result, the width of the front tracking unit 531B in the vertical direction increases. Consequently, the connection strength between the front tracking unit 531B and the rear tracking unit 531A increases. Also, at the front portion of the front tracking unit 531B, since the height of the lower surface 531j becomes relatively high, sufficient space for allowing the movement of the index finger for operating the operating member (the trigger button 18 described later) disposed on the front side of the operation unit 511A can be secured below the front portion of the front tracking unit 531B.

[0095] The lower portion of the rear tracking unit 531A is connected to the rearmost (lowermost) portion of the grip 511B. Also, as described above, the upper surface 531h of the front tracking unit 531B extends obliquely rearward and upward, and the lower surface 531j of the front tracking unit 531B extends obliquely rearward and downward. Therefore, the size in the vertical direction of the connection portion between the front tracking unit 531B and the rear tracking unit 531A becomes large. As a result, the rigidity of the rear tracking unit 531A can be increased. And, for example, when an unintended external force acts on the rear tracking unit 531A, a change in the relative position between the rear tracking unit 531A and the front tracking unit 531B (or the operation unit 511A) can be suppressed.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 14, the lower surface 531j of the front tracking portion 531B overlaps with the grip 511B in a side view of the input device 500. As a result, when the input device 500 is in use, the back of the hand holding the grip 511B and the rear portion of the front tracking portion 531B face each other in the left - right direction. Therefore, for example, when the user temporarily releases the grip 511B, the area where the rear portion of the front tracking portion 531B contacts the back of the hand increases. As a result, the relative posture between the input device 500 and the hand is more likely to be maintained.

[0097] Note that the shape and arrangement of the front tracking portion 531B are not limited to the example of the input device 500. The front tracking portion 531B may extend obliquely rearward and upward from the operation portion 511A. In this case, the upper surface 531h of the front tracking portion 531B and the upper surface 511b of the operation portion 511A may also be inclined.

[0098] [Orientation of the rear tracking portion] As shown in FIGS. 14 and 16, the rear tracking portion 531A is an annular shape that opens toward the rear. The rear tracking portion 531A is annular and surrounds the center line Pc2 over the entire circumference. That is, the rear tracking portion 531A is formed over 360 degrees in the circumferential direction centered on the center line Pc2.

[0099] In the example of the input device 500, the center line Pc2 is a line extending obliquely rearward. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, in a plan view of the input device 500, the center line Pc2 is inclined with respect to the vertical plane P5. The vertical plane P5 may be a plane substantially along the grip 511B. Further, the vertical plane P5 may include the center line Pv3 of the operation stick 15. When the user holds the grip 511B, the center of the rear covering tracking portion 531A is offset / positioned toward the side where the range of motion in the left-right bending motion of the wrist with respect to the grip 511B is wider. That is, the area of the opening of the annular rear covering tracking portion 531A becomes larger on the side where the range of motion of the wrist with respect to the grip 511B is large. According to this relative position between the grip 511B and the rear covering tracking portion 531A, when the user holds the grip 511B, interference between the user's wrist or arm and the rear covering tracking portion 531A can be prevented, and comfortable operation can be realized.

[0100] As shown in FIG. 13, the grip 511B is shifted to the left with respect to the vertical plane P2 passing through the center of the input device 500 in the left-right direction. The center line Pc2 of the rear covering tracking portion 531A is a straight line extending obliquely rearward and to the right. In other words, when the user holds the grip 511B with respect to the center of the input device 500, the grip 511B is offset / positioned toward the side where the range of motion in the left-right bending motion of the wrist is narrow, and with respect to the grip 511B, the center of the rear covering tracking portion 531A is offset / positioned toward the side where the range of motion in the left-right bending motion of the wrist is wide. That is, the area of the opening of the annular rear covering tracking portion 531A becomes larger on the side where the range of motion of the wrist with respect to the grip 511B is large. According to this inclination of the rear covering tracking portion 531A, when the user holds the grip 511B with the right hand, interference between the user's wrist or arm and the rear covering tracking portion 531A can be prevented, and comfortable operation can be realized.

[0101] Unlike the example shown in the figure, the input device 500 may be for the left hand. In this case, the grip 511B is shifted to the right with respect to the plane P2 passing through the center of the input device 500 in the left-right direction. On the other hand, the center line Pc2 of the rear tracking unit 531A is a straight line extending obliquely rearward and leftward.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 14, the center line Pc2 of the rear tracking unit 531A may be inclined with respect to the horizontal plane P4. More specifically, the center line Pc2 may extend obliquely rearward and upward with respect to the horizontal plane P4. In other words, when the user is holding the grip 511B, the center of the rear tracking unit 531A is offset / positioned to the side where the movable range in the up-down bending operation of the wrist with respect to the grip 511B is wider. That is, the area of the annular opening becomes larger on the side where the movable range of the wrist with respect to the grip 511B is large. This inclination of the rear tracking unit 531A also prevents the user's wrist or arm from interfering with the rear tracking unit 531A when the user is holding the grip 511B, and can realize a comfortable operation. Note that the horizontal plane P4 may be a plane substantially orthogonal to the center line Pv3 of the operation stick 15.

[0103] Unlike the input device 500, the rear tracking unit 531A does not have to be formed over 360 degrees in the circumferential direction centered on the center line Pc2. For example, the rear tracking unit 531A may be arc-shaped and cover only the upper side of the grip 511B in a rear view of the input device 500. Even in this case, the center line Pc2 of the rear tracking unit 531A may be inclined with respect to the horizontal plane P4 and / or the vertical plane P5, similar to the input device 500.

[0104] [Arrangement of Light Emitting Unit] As shown in FIG. 17, a plurality of light emitting units H are provided side by side in the left-right direction on the front surface 511f of the operation unit 511A and the front surface (side surface) 531i of the front tracking unit 531B. In the example of the input device 500, two light emitting units H are provided on the front surface 511f of the operation unit 511A, and one light emitting unit H is provided on the front tracking unit 531B. The number of light emitting units H provided on the front tracking unit 531B may be two or more.

[0105] As shown in FIG. 17, the light emitting units H provided on the front surfaces 511f and 531i may be arranged along the horizontal plane P4. Alternatively, the direction in which the light emitting units H are arranged may be inclined with respect to the horizontal plane P4.

[0106] Also, the front tracking unit 531B may not be provided with the light emitting unit H. For example, when the size of the operation unit 511A in the left-right direction is large, more light emitting units H are provided on the front surface 511f of the operation unit 511A, while the front tracking unit 531B may not be provided with the light emitting unit H. In this case, although the front tracking unit 531B does not function as a tracking unit, it can function as a beam unit that connects the operation unit 511A and the rear tracking unit 531A and ensures the strength of the rear tracking unit 531A.

[0107] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 15, the outer surface of the rear tracking unit 531A includes a front inclined surface 531a and a rear inclined surface 531b, similar to the rear tracking unit 431A of the input device 400. A plurality of light emitting units H are provided on each of the front inclined surface 531a and the rear inclined surface 531b. The plurality of light emitting units H are arranged along the extending direction (circumferential direction centered on the center line Pc2) of the rear tracking unit 531A. Similar to the rear tracking unit 431A of the input device 400, the width (Wb in FIG. 5) of the rear inclined surface 531b may be larger than the width (Wa in FIG. 5) of the front inclined surface 531a.

[0108] The positions of the light emitting portions H provided on the front inclined surface 531a and the positions of the light emitting portions H provided on the rear inclined portion 531b may be shifted in the extending direction (circumferential direction centered on the center line Pc2) of the rear tracking portion 531A. According to this, the distance between the light emitting portions H increases, and it becomes easier to identify the positions of two adjacent light emitting portions H. As a result, the detection accuracy of the position and orientation of the input device 500 by the camera mounted on the HMD2 (see FIG. 1) can be improved.

[0109] The tracked area on the outer surface of the input device 500 includes a curved surface that forms one spherical surface Sr in front of the operation member (such as the operation stick 15) and behind the operation member (such as the operation stick 15). Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 15, the rear inclined surface 531b located at the rear of the input device 500 is a part of the virtual spherical surface Sr and is curved along the spherical surface Sr. Also, as shown in FIG. 14, the front surface 511f of the operation portion 511A is also a part of the spherical surface Sr and is curved along the spherical surface Sr. Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the front surface 531i of the front tracking portion 531B also constitutes a part of the spherical surface Sr. According to this shape, the calculation process of the position and orientation of the input device 500 based on the position of the light emitting portion H detected by the camera mounted on the HMD2 can be facilitated.

[0110] In this way, the plurality of light emitting units H are provided on the rear inclined surface 531b of the rear tracking unit 531A, the front tracking unit 531B, and the front surfaces 531i and 511f of the main body 510. These surfaces 531b, 531i, and 511f are curved surfaces that form part of the spherical surface Sr. Therefore, the plurality of light emitting units H arranged on the rear inclined surface 531b and the plurality of light emitting units H arranged on the front surfaces 531i and 511f are located on a single virtual spherical surface Sr. According to this arrangement of the light emitting units H, the calculation process of the position and orientation of the input device 500 based on the position of the light emitting units H detected by the camera mounted on the HMD2 can be facilitated. Also, the grip 511B and the operating member are arranged inside the virtual spherical surface Sr. For this reason, when the user holds the grip 511B and uses the input device, the user's hand does not block the light emitting units H. Also, since the light emitting units H are located on the virtual spherical surface Sr where the user's hand is arranged inside, the calculation process of the position of the hand can be facilitated.

[0111] Note that, unlike the input device 500, one or both of the rear inclined surface 531b of the rear tracking unit 531A, the front tracking unit 531B, and the front surfaces 531i and 511f of the main body 510 do not have to be curved surfaces. For example, the front surfaces 531i and 511f may be flat surfaces extending obliquely upward and rearward. Also, the rear inclined surface 531b may be a flat surface extending obliquely rearward toward the center line Pc2. Even in this case, the plurality of light emitting units H in front of the operating member (such as the operating stick 15) and the plurality of light emitting units H behind the operating member may be located on a single spherical surface Sr. Specifically, the plurality of light emitting units H arranged on the rear inclined surface 531b and the plurality of light emitting units H arranged on the front surfaces 531h and 511f may be located on a single virtual spherical surface Sr. By doing so, the calculation process of the position and orientation of the input device 500 based on the position of the light emitting units H detected by the camera mounted on the HMD2 can be facilitated.

[0112] As shown in FIG. 15, the front inclined surface 531a of the front tracking part 531B is a surface that extends obliquely rearward toward the center line Pc2. As shown in FIG. 14, the front surface of the front tracking part 531B extends rearward while curving and is connected to the rear inclined part 531b on the right part of the rear tracking part 531A. Therefore, the front inclined surface 531a is not formed on the right part of the rear tracking part 531A.

[0113] In the input device 500, the light emitting part H is not provided except for the rear tracking part 531A, the front tracking part 531B, and the front surfaces 531h and 511f of the main body 510. Different from the input device 500, for example, the light emitting part H may be provided on the left side surface 511c (see FIG. 15) of the grip 511B. Also, different from the input device 500, the light emitting part H may be provided on the upper surface 531h and the front surface (side surface) 531i of the front tracking part 531B. By doing so, the detection accuracy of the light emitting part H arranged in the front tracking part 531B can be further improved.

[0114] [Operating member] As described above, the input device 500 has, as its operating members, operation buttons 13, 14, 16, 17 and an operation stick 15 (see FIG. 13). The operation buttons 13 and 14 are buttons for selecting and operating, for example, game characters or objects. On the other hand, the operation button 16 is a function button for sharing game play. It captures the game screen during game play or captures a still image during video playback and saves the captured image to the HMD2 or a server device connected to the HMD2. The operation button 17 is a button for displaying various functions that can be selected by the user. For example, by operating the operation button 17, the user can select the game application to play among a plurality of game applications in progress.

[0115] As shown in FIG. 13, the operation buttons 13 and 14 and the operation button 16 may be arranged on opposite sides of the operation stick 15. For example, the operation buttons 13 and 14 may be arranged to the left of the operation stick 15, and the operation button 16 may be arranged to the right of the operation stick 15. According to this arrangement, the user can set the initial position of the thumb as the operation stick 15 and smoothly move it from the operation stick 15 to the operation buttons 13 and 14 and the operation button 16 as needed.

[0116] The operation button 17 may be arranged behind the operation stick 15. The operation buttons 13, 14, 16, and 17 provided on the upper surface 511b of the operation unit 511A are buttons for operation with the thumb. These are arranged in the circumferential direction around the operation stick 15. Therefore, the user can set the initial position of the thumb as the operation stick 15 and smoothly move it from the operation stick 15 to any of the operation buttons 13, 14, 16, and 17 as needed.

[0117] As shown in FIG. 15, a trigger button 18 may be arranged below the front surface 511f of the operation unit 511A. The main body 510 may have a driving device for moving the trigger button 18. The driving device generates a reaction force against the movement of the trigger button 18 when the trigger button 18 is pressed, for example. The driving device may include, for example, an electric motor as its driving source.

[0118] As shown in FIG. 15, the main body 510 may have an operation button 19 on the grip 511B. The operation button 19 may be provided on the side surface of the grip 511B. The input device 500 is a device for the right hand, and the operation button 19 may be provided on the left side surface 511c of the grip 511B, for example. According to this arrangement of the operation button 19, the user can operate the operation button 19 with the middle finger.

[0119] One or more of the operation buttons 13, 14, 16 to 18 described so far may have a touch sense function for detecting contact or proximity of the user's finger to the button surface. Also, the operation stick 15 may also have a touch sense function for detecting contact or proximity of the user's finger to the upper surface of the operation stick 15.

[0120] [Summary] As described above, in the input devices 100, 300, 400, 500, the main bodies 10, 110, 310, 410, 510 have grips 11B, 311B, 411B, 511B and at least one operation member 13 to 19 operated by the user's finger. The input devices 100, 300, 400, 500 include a rear tracking portion 31A, 331A, 431A, 531A located behind at least one operation member and constituting a part of the tracked area, and a front tracking portion 31B, 331B, 431B, 531A located in front of the rear tracking portion and extending in a direction different from that of the rear tracking portion. Thus, since the input devices 100, 300, 400, 500 have two tracked portions extending in different directions, the detection stability of the light emitting portion H by the camera mounted on the HMD2 can be improved.

[0121] The front tracking portions 31B, 331B, 431B, 531B extend from one of the upper part of the main body and the rear tracking portions 31A, 331A, 431A, 531A to the other. According to this, even when the user releases the grip, the front tracking portions 31B, 331B, 431B, 531B can catch on the hand and suppress the fall of the input device.

[0122] The front tracking portions 31B, 331B, 431B, 531B connect the upper part of the main bodies 10, 110, 310, 410, 510 and the rear tracking portions 31A, 331A, 431A, 531A. According to this, the rigidity of the input device can be increased, and the change in the relative position between the rear tracking portion 331A and the main bodies 10, 110, 310, 410, 510 can be suppressed.

[0123] The front tracking portions 31B, 331B, 431B, and 531B are shaped to be located between the user's thumb and the edge of the palm when the user opens the hand holding the grip.

[0124] In a plan view of the input device, the front tracking portions 31B, 331B, 431B, and 531B are located on the upper right side of the main bodies 10, 110, 310, 410, and 510 and extend from the upper part of the main bodies toward the rear tracking portions 31A, 331A, 431A, and 531A.

[0125] In a plan view of the input device, the main bodies 10, 110, 310, 410, and 510 are shifted toward the left with respect to a plane P2 passing through the center of the input device in the left-right direction, and the front tracking portions 31B, 331B, 431B, and 531A are shifted toward the right with respect to the plane P2. According to this, it becomes easy to hold and operate the main body with the right hand, and it is possible to suppress the front tracking portion from becoming an obstacle to the movement of the thumb.

[0126] The front tracking portions 31B, 331B, 431B, and 531B extend rearward from the upper part of the main body toward the right side and are connected to the rear tracking portions 31A, 331A, 431A, and 531A on the right side of the plane P2. According to this structure, it becomes easy to secure a space for allowing the movement of the finger.

[0127] In a plan view of the input device, the connection portion between the front tracking portions 31B, 331B, 431B, and 531B and the rear tracking portions 31A, 331A, 431A, and 531A is separated from the grip toward the right. According to this, a gap G1 is secured between the right side surface of the grip and the front tracking portion. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the thumb from interfering with the connection portion between the front tracking portion and the rear tracking portion and the front tracking portion.

[0128] In a plan view of the input device, the main bodies 10, 110, 310, 410, 510 are shifted to the left with respect to a plane P2 passing through the center of the input device in the left-right direction, and the front tracking portions 31B, 331B, 431B, 531B extend from the upper part of the main bodies 10, 110, 310, 410, 510 toward the right in a front view of the input device.

[0129] The rear tracking portions 31A, 431A, 531A include an arcuate upper portion that surrounds at least the upper side of the grip in a rear view of the input device. According to this, since it is difficult for the light emitting portion H to be hidden from the camera mounted on the HMD2 by the rear tracking portions 31A, 431A, 531A, the detection accuracy of the posture and position of the input device can be improved.

[0130] The rear tracking portions 331A, 431A, 531A are annular in a rear view of the input device. According to this, for example, even when the posture of the input device is inverted in the vertical direction, the detection accuracy of the posture and position of the input device can be ensured.

[0131] The rear tracking portion 531A is annular and surrounds a center line Pc2 extending obliquely rearward. According to this, interference between the user's wrist and the rear tracking portion can be suppressed. The rear tracking portion 531A may be arcuate and surround a center line Pc2 extending obliquely rearward.

[0132] The rear tracking portions 431A, 531A are substantially perfect circles. According to this, the calculation process of the position and posture of the input device based on the position of the light emitting portion H detected by the camera can be facilitated.

[0133] The rear tracking portions 431A, 531A are connected to the lower part of the grip. The connection portion between the rear tracking portions 431A, 531A and the grip is less likely to interfere with the use of the input device.

[0134] The rear tracking parts 31A, 331A, 431A, and 531A are located behind the front part of the grip in a side view of the input device.

[0135] The rear tracking part 531A is annular, surrounding a center line Pc2 that extends obliquely rearward and upward in a side view of the input device. According to this, interference between the user's wrist and the rear tracking part can be suppressed. The rear tracking part 531A may be arc-shaped surrounding the center line Pc2.

[0136] The grip is shifted to the left with respect to the center of the input device in the left-right direction. The rear tracking part 531A is annular, surrounding a center line Pc2 that extends obliquely rearward and rightward in a plan view of the input device. According to this, interference between the user's wrist and the rear tracking part can be suppressed. The rear tracking part 531A may be arc-shaped surrounding the center line Pc2.

[0137] In the input devices 400 and 500, the tracking area has rear inclined surfaces 431b and 531b formed at the rear parts of the rear input devices 400 and 500, and front surfaces 411f, 511f, and 531i formed at the front parts of the input devices 400 and 500. The rear inclined surfaces 431b and 531b and the front surfaces 411f, 511f, and 531i are part of a single spherical surface Sr. The calculation process of the position and orientation of the input devices 400 and 500 based on the position of the light emitting part H detected by the camera can be facilitated.

[0138] In a plan view of the input devices 400 and 500, the rear inclined surfaces 431b and 531b are located behind at least one operating member (for example, the operating stick 15), and the front surfaces 411f, 511f, and 531i are located in front of at least one operating member (for example, the operating stick 15). According to this, the constraints on the orientation of the input devices 400 and 500 required to ensure the detection stability of the light emitting part H can be reduced.

[0139] In input devices 400 and 500, the rear inclined surfaces 431b and 531b are arc-shaped or annular and at least surround the upper sides of the grips 411B and 511B. Since the rear tracking portions 431A and 531A mounted on the HMD2 make it difficult for the light emitting portion H to be hidden from the camera, the detection accuracy of the posture and position of the input device can be improved.

[0140] In input devices 400 and 500, the tracking area has the rear inclined surfaces 431b and 531b where a plurality of light emitting portions H are arranged, and the front surfaces 411f, 511f, and 531i where a plurality of light emitting portions H are arranged. The plurality of light emitting portions H arranged on the rear inclined surfaces 431b and 531b and the plurality of light emitting portions H arranged on the front surfaces 411f, 511f, and 531i are located on a virtual spherical surface Sr. The calculation process of the position and posture of the input devices 400 and 500 based on the position of the light emitting portion H detected by the camera can be facilitated.

[0141] In a plan view of the input devices 400 and 500, the plurality of light emitting portions H arranged on the rear inclined surfaces 431b and 531b are located behind at least one operation member (for example, the operation stick 15), and the plurality of light emitting portions H arranged on the front surfaces 411f, 511f, and 531i are located in front of at least one operation member (for example, the operation stick 15). According to this, the constraints on the posture of the input devices 400 and 500 required to ensure the detection stability of the light emitting portion H can be reduced.

[0142] In input devices 400 and 500, at least a part of the plurality of light emitting portions H arranged on the rear inclined surfaces 431b and 531b are provided on a surface facing the rear side and the upper side of the input device. Also, the front surfaces 411f, 511f, and 531i where the plurality of light emitting portions H are provided face the front side of the input devices 400 and 500. According to this, the constraints on the posture of the input devices 400 and 500 required to ensure the detection stability of the light emitting portion H can be reduced.

[0143] The input devices 100, 300, 400, and 500 each have a main body 10, 110, 310, 410, 510 having a grip and at least one operating member (e.g., operating stick 15) that is operated by a user's finger. Further, the input devices 100, 300, 400, and 500 each have a rear tracking portion 31A, 331A, 431A, 531A that is located behind at least one operating member and covers at least the upper side of the grip in a rear view. Further, the input devices 100, 300, 400, and 500 each have a beam portion that is connected to the upper portion of the main body 10, 110, 310, 410, 510 and the rear tracking portion 31A, 331A, 431A, 531A. (In the above input device, the "beam portion" is the front tracking portion 31B, 331B, 431B, 531B.) In the rear tracking portion and the main body 10, 110, 310, 410, 510, a change in the relative position between the light emitting portion H provided in the rear tracking portion and the light emitting portion H provided in the main body can be suppressed, and the calculation accuracy of the position and orientation of the input device can be improved.

[0144] Note that in the example of the input devices 100, 300, 400, and 500, the front tracking portion 31B, 331B, 431B, 531B does not necessarily have to be connected to both the main body 10, 110, 310, 410, 510 and the rear tracking portion 31A, 331A, 431A, 531A. That is, the front tracking portion 31B, 331B, 431B, 531B may be connected to only one of the main body 10, 110, 310, 410, 510 and the rear tracking portion 31A, 331A, 431A, 531A. Even in this case, when the user opens the hand holding the grip 11B, the front tracking portion 31B is located between the user's thumb and the base of the index finger (the end of the fingertip ball). By doing so, it is possible to prevent the input device 100 from falling out of the hand when the user spreads the hand.

[0145] [Example 5] Figures 19 to 23 are diagrams showing another example of the input device proposed in the present disclosure. Hereinafter, the input device 200 for the right hand will be described in detail. The outer shapes of the input device 200 for the right hand and the input device 200 for the left hand are symmetrical about the left and right. The number and types of the operating members arranged in the operation unit 211A described later may be different between the left and right input devices 200. Also, regarding the arrangement of the operating members, the input device 200 for the right hand and the input device 200 for the left hand do not have to be symmetrical about the left and right.

[0146] As shown in FIG. 19, the input device 200 has a main body 210 having a grip 211B and an operation unit 211A in which a plurality of operating members are arranged. The main body 210 has the operation unit 211A at its upper part, and the grip 211B is formed below the operation unit 211A. The operating members arranged in the operation unit 211A can be operated by the thumb or index finger while holding the grip 211B. As the operating members, for example, operation buttons 213 and 214 and an operation stick 215 are arranged in the operation unit 211A. The operation button 213 is arranged on the front surface 211a of the operation unit 211A and is operated by, for example, the index finger. The operation button 214 and the operation stick 215 are arranged on the upper surface of the operation unit 211A and are operated by, for example, the thumb. In the input device 200, a plurality of operation buttons 216 are arranged on the grip 211B.

[0147] As shown in FIG. 22, the input device 200 has a tracking area in which a plurality of light emitting parts H are arranged. The tracking area is constituted by the outer surface of the rear curved part 231A and the outer surface of the front connecting part 231B (see FIG. 23).

[0148] As shown in FIG. 22, the rear curved portion 231A has an inner wall portion 231a and an outer wall portion 231c. The inner wall portion 231a extends rearward from the main body 210. The outer wall portion 231c is separated from the inner wall portion 231a toward the right. The user can put the right hand between the inner wall portion 231a and the outer wall portion 231c and grip the grip 211B. When the user is gripping the grip 211B, the inner wall portion 231a is positioned on the inner side of the hand, and the outer wall portion 231c is positioned on the outer side of the hand. The rear connecting portion 231b is located on the rear side of the inner wall portion 231a and the outer wall portion 231c and connects their upper portions. The lower portions of the inner wall portion 231a and the outer wall portion 231c are not connected. Therefore, the rear curved portion 231A has a substantially U-shaped opening downward in a rear view of the input device 200. When the input device 200 is in use, the rear curved portion 231A surrounds the upper side of the user's wrist.

[0149] As shown in FIG. 22, a plurality of light emitting portions H are arranged on each of the inner wall portion 231a, the outer wall portion 231c, and the rear connecting portion 231b. According to this shape of the rear curved portion 231A, the light emitting portion H provided on the rear curved portion 231A is difficult to be covered by the user's body, so the detection stability of the light emitting portion H by the camera mounted on the HMD2 can be improved.

[0150] As shown in FIG. 22, the front connecting portion 231B is located in front of the rear curved portion 231A. In a plan view of the input device 100, the rear connecting portion 231b extends in the left-right direction above the user's wrist. The outer wall portion 231c extends forward while curving from the rear connecting portion 231b. The front connecting portion 231B further curves and extends obliquely forward and to the left. In the example of the input device 100, the inner wall portion 231a, the outer wall portion 231c, the rear connecting portion 231b, and the front connecting portion 231B extend in different directions from each other, and in a plan view, they have an elongated elliptical shape in the front-rear direction.

[0151] As shown in FIG. 23, the front connecting portion 231B is located between the upper portion of the outer wall portion 231c and the upper portion of the main body 210 (operation portion 211A), and connects them. As shown in FIG. 21, the front connecting portion 231B is located on the right side of the upper portion of the main body 210 (see FIG. 23), extends rearward while curving from the upper portion of the main body 210, and is connected to the upper portion of the outer wall portion 231c. According to this arrangement of the front connecting portion 231B, when the user opens the hand holding the grip 211B, the front connecting portion 231B is located between the user's thumb and the base of the index finger (the end of the fingertip ball). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the input device 100 from falling off the hand when the user spreads the hand.

[0152] As shown in FIG. 22, the main body 210 is shifted to the left with respect to the plane P3 passing through the center of the input device 200 in the left - right direction. On the other hand, the front connecting portion 231B is shifted to the right with respect to the same plane P3. According to this arrangement, it is easy to hold and operate the main body 210 with the right hand.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0153] 10 Main body, 11A Operation portion, 11B Grip, 11a·11b Upper surface, 11c Left side surface, 11e Rear surface, 11f Front surface, 11g Right side surface, 13 Operation button (operation member), 14 Operation button (operation member), 15 Operation stick, 31A Rear tracking portion, 31B Front tracking portion, 31a Front inclined surface, 31b Rear inclined surface, 31d Connecting portion, 100 Input device, 200 Input device, 210 Main body, 211A Operation portion, 211B Grip, 211a Front surface, 213 Operation button, 214 Operation button, 215 Operation stick, 216 Operation button, 231A Rear curved portion, 231B Front connecting portion, 231a Inner wall portion, 231b Rear connecting portion, 231c Outer wall portion, 300 Input device, 310 Main body, 311A operation part, 311B grip, 311c left side, 311d rearmost part, 311f front, 331A rear tracking part, 331B front tracking part, 331a front inclined surface, 331b rear inclined surface, 331e upper part, 331f right part, 331g left part, 331h lower part, 400 input device, 410 main body, 411A operation part, 411B grip, 411c left side, 411f front, 431A rear tracking part, 431B front tracking part, 431a front inclined surface, 431b rear inclined surface, 431d connection part, 431h front, 431i right side.

Claims

1. An input device, comprising: a main body having a grip at a lower portion and at least one operating member at an upper portion; a rear portion located behind the at least one operating member and including an arcuate portion surrounding at least an upper side of the grip in a rear view of the input device; a tracking area provided with a plurality of light emitting portions; and the main body has a first curved surface that is a part of an outer surface of the input device and constitutes a part of the tracking area; the rear portion has a second curved surface that is another part of the outer surface of the input device and constitutes another part of the tracking area; the first curved surface and the second curved surface are parts of a single spherical surface Input device.

2. The rear portion is annular and surrounds the grip in a rear view of the input device The input device according to claim 1.

3. The main body has an operating portion where the at least one operating member is disposed, The first curved surface is the front surface of the operating portion The input device according to claim 1.

4. In a rear view of the input device, the position of the grip is offset to a first side in the left-right direction with respect to the center of the rear portion. The input device according to claim 2.

5. The rear portion is open obliquely rearward and inclined to a second side opposite to the first side with respect to a vertical plane along the grip. The input device according to claim 4.

6. The main body has an operating portion where the at least one operating member is disposed at an upper portion, The input device has a beam portion connecting the rear portion and the operating portion. The input device according to claim 1.

7. The beam portion has an outer surface constituting a part of the spherical surface. The input device according to claim 6.

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