Game controller attachments

Abstract

To provide a highly convenient attachment for a game controller.SOLUTION: An attachment for a game controller includes: a rim part gripped by a user's two hands; a bridge part including a storage part in which a part of the game controller is detachably stored for connecting portions of the rim part opposed to each other in a right-left direction; a first region at least part of which moves in a vertical direction; and a first depressing part configured to depress a first button of the game controller by the movement of the first region in a downward direction. The first region includes a first operation surface provided at a position depressed by the user's finger, and facing upward, at least part of the first operation surface extending in at least one of right and left directions from an inner diameter side of the rim part to the rim part at the back of the rim part with respect to the front-back direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an attachment for a game controller that is used with a game controller. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are accessory devices that are fitted with game controllers and used together with the game controller (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1). For example, Non-Patent Document 1 discloses an operation method in which a game controller is attached to a handle-type accessory device and the entire accessory device is rotated to operate it. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0003] [Non-Patent Document 1] "Wii Wheel Accessory for the Wii Remote Operations Manual", Nintendo Co., Ltd., p2-4 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, there is room for improvement in the convenience of using the above-mentioned accessory devices together with the game controller.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a more convenient attachment for a game controller. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention may employ the following configurations, for example.

[0007] A first configuration example of the attachment device of the present invention is used with a game controller having at least a first button and a second button. The attachment device includes a fixed portion, a grip portion, a first movable portion, and a second movable portion. The game controller is detachably fixed to the fixed portion. The grip portion can be held with both hands of a user. The first movable portion includes a first operation portion and a first button pressing portion. The first operation portion can be pressed with one hand of a user holding the grip portion. The first button pressing portion can press the first button of the game controller fixed to the fixed portion by moving toward the first button of the game controller fixed to the fixed portion in response to a pressing operation on the first operation portion. The second movable portion includes a second operation portion and a second button pressing portion. The second operation portion can be pressed with the other hand of a user holding the grip portion. The second button pressing portion can press the second button of the game controller fixed to the fixed portion by moving toward the second button of the game controller fixed to the fixed portion in response to a pressing operation on the second operation portion.

[0008] According to the above, by holding the accessory device and moving the multiple movable parts provided on the accessory device, it is possible to operate the multiple buttons provided on the game controller fixed to the accessory device, thereby improving the convenience of the accessory device.

[0009] The first button pressing portion may be capable of pressing a first button on a game controller fixed to the fixed portion by protruding from an upper surface of the fixed portion toward a first button on the game controller fixed to the fixed portion in response to a pressing operation on the first operation portion, and the second button pressing portion may be capable of pressing a second button on the game controller by protruding from an upper surface of the fixed portion toward a second button on the game controller fixed to the fixed portion in response to a pressing operation on the second operation portion.

[0010] Based on the above, it is possible to perform a pressing operation on the first button and the second button of the game controller.

[0011] The first movable portion may be configured such that, when a first button of the game controller is changed from an un-pressed state to a pressed state by a press operation, the amount of movement of the first button press portion toward the first button of the game controller fixed to the fixed portion is smaller than the amount of movement of the first operation portion.The second movable portion may be configured such that, when a second button of the game controller is changed from an un-pressed state to a pressed state by a press operation, the amount of movement of the second button press portion toward the second button of the game controller fixed to the fixed portion is smaller than the amount of movement of the second operation portion.

[0012] Based on the above, it is possible to improve the operational feel when operating the first button and the second button.

[0013] The first movable part may further include a first shaft and a first arm. The first arm rotates around the first shaft and is connected to the first operating part and the first button press part. The second movable part may further include a second shaft and a second arm. The second arm rotates around the second shaft and is connected to the second operating part and the second button press part.

[0014] Based on the above, it is possible to operate a plurality of buttons provided on the game controller using the leverage function.

[0015] The first arm may be formed so that the distance between the first operating part and the first shaft is longer than the distance between the first button depression part and the first shaft. The second arm may be formed so that the distance between the second operating part and the second shaft is longer than the distance between the second button depression part and the second shaft.

[0016] Based on the above, the plurality of buttons provided on the game controller can be operated with a small operating force.

[0017] The first button pressing portion may have a chamfered shape with a first chamfering amount formed at an end closest to the first axial portion on a surface that can come into contact with the first button, and a chamfered shape with a chamfering amount smaller than the first chamfering amount formed at an end farthest from the first axial portion on the contactable surface.The second button pressing portion may have a chamfered shape with a second chamfering amount formed at an end closest to the second axial portion on a surface that can come into contact with the second button, and a chamfered shape with a chamfering amount smaller than the second chamfering amount formed at an end farthest from the second axial portion on the contactable surface.

[0018] Furthermore, the first button pressing portion may have a surface that can contact the first button, a chamfered shape with a first chamfering amount formed at an end that first approaches the first button when moving toward the first button of the game controller fixed to the fixed portion, and a chamfered shape with a chamfering amount smaller than the first chamfering amount formed at an opposite end that faces the end in the contactable surface.The second button pressing portion may have a surface that can contact the second button, a chamfered shape with a second chamfering amount formed at an end that first approaches the second button when moving toward the second button of the game controller fixed to the fixed portion, and a chamfered shape with a chamfering amount smaller than the second chamfering amount formed at an opposite end that faces the end in the contactable surface.

[0019] The first movable part may have a first button depression part formed at a position offset by a predetermined distance in the axial direction of the first shaft from a position where the first operation part is provided, and the second movable part may have a second button depression part formed at a position offset by a predetermined distance in the axial direction of the second shaft from a position where the second operation part is provided.

[0020] Based on the above, there is no restriction on the position of the attached game controller, and it is possible to provide a degree of freedom in designing the arrangement of the first operating unit and the second operating unit.

[0021] The first movable part may have a first button depression part formed at a position offset by a predetermined distance in a direction from the front to the back from a position where the first operation part is provided, and the second movable part may have a second button depression part formed at a position offset by a predetermined distance in a direction from the front to the back from a position where the second operation part is provided.

[0022] Based on the above, it is possible to freely arrange the first operation unit and the second operation unit without being restricted by the position of the attached game controller.

[0023] Furthermore, in a direction from the front to the back, a portion of the first operation unit that can be contacted by a user's finger and that is located closest to the front may be located closer to the back than a portion of a surface of the first button press portion that can be contacted by the first button and that is located closest to the back.In a direction from the front to the back, a portion of the second operation unit that can be contacted by a user's finger and that is located closest to the back may be located closer to the back than a portion of a surface of the second button press portion that can be contacted by the second button and that is located closest to the back.

[0024] Based on the above, there is no restriction on the position of the attached game controller, and it is possible to provide a degree of freedom in designing the arrangement of the first operating unit and the second operating unit.

[0025] Furthermore, the width of the portion where the first button is pressed in the predetermined direction may be larger than the width of the first button in the predetermined direction, and the width of the portion where the second button is pressed in the predetermined direction may be larger than the width of the second button in the predetermined direction.

[0026] Based on the above, it is possible to reduce excessive load on the first button and the second button caused by pressing the first button and the second button.

[0027] The predetermined direction may be a direction from the front to the back.

[0028] Based on the above, it is possible to reduce excessive load on the first button and the second button caused by the first button pressing part and the second button pressing part.

[0029] The fixing portion may further include at least a first biasing portion and a second biasing portion. The first biasing portion biases the game controller in a direction substantially opposite to the direction in which the first button of the game controller is pressed down by the first button pressing portion when the game controller is fixed to the fixing portion. The second biasing portion biases the game controller in a direction substantially opposite to the direction in which the second button of the game controller is pressed down by the second button pressing portion when the game controller is fixed to the fixing portion, and is located to the right of the first biasing portion.

[0030] Based on the above, it is possible to stably press the first button and the second button.

[0031] The first biasing portion may be provided in the fixed portion directly below the first button depression portion or to the left of the position directly below. The second biasing portion may be provided in the fixed portion directly below the second button depression portion or to the right of the position directly below.

[0032] Based on the above, it becomes possible to press the first button and the second button more stably.

[0033] The fixing portion may have a recess formed therein that exposes a part of the side surface of the game controller to the outside when the game controller is fixed to the fixing portion.

[0034] Based on the above, it becomes easy to remove the game controller from the accessory device.

[0035] The first and second operating units may be disposed on a rear surface of the accessory device, and the accessory device may further include a raised portion fixed to the grip portion further rearward than the positions where the first and second operating units are disposed.

[0036] Based on the above, it is possible to reduce the impact on the first operating unit and the second operating unit when the accessory device comes into contact with the floor surface or the like.

[0037] The gripping portion may have a rim portion whose periphery is formed in a substantially circular shape.

[0038] According to the above, it is easy to grip the grip portion and rotate the entire accessory device.

[0039] The rim portion may be formed by joining a front portion that forms the front of the accessory device and a rear portion that forms the rear side. The joining surface where the front portion and the rear portion are joined may be located such that the inner side of the rim portion is closer to the front than the outer side of the rim portion.

[0040] According to the above, it is possible to improve the feel when gripping the grip portion.

[0041] Furthermore, a second configuration example of the attachment device of the present invention is used with a first game controller having a protrusion on its back surface and a second game controller having a different shape from the first game controller and also having a protrusion on its back surface. The attachment device has a fixing portion. The fixing portion is detachable from either the first game controller or the second game controller, with one of them being detachably fixed. The fixing portion has a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion. The first engaging portion is provided on one side in a predetermined direction and engages with the protrusion on the back surface of the first game controller. The second engaging portion is provided on the other side in the predetermined direction and engages with the protrusion on the back surface of the second game controller.

[0042] Based on the above, it is possible to configure an accessory device that is detachable from any of game controllers of different shapes.

[0043] The first engagement portion may be a recess that engages with a protrusion formed on the back of the first game controller when the first game controller is fixed to the fixing portion, and the second engagement portion may be a recess that engages with a protrusion formed on the back of the second game controller when the second game controller is fixed to the fixing portion.

[0044] According to the above, by separately forming a recess shape that engages with a protrusion formed on the back of the first game controller and a recess shape that engages with a protrusion formed on the back of the second game controller, it is possible to create an accessory device that can be attached and detached to any game controller of different shapes.

[0045] Furthermore, the first game controller may have at least a first operation input unit. The second game controller may have at least a second operation input unit. The accessory device may have a first marker and a second marker. The first marker is provided at a position that is substantially aligned with the first operation input unit when a protrusion on the back of the first game controller engages with a first engagement unit provided on one side of the fixed unit. The second marker is provided at a position that is substantially aligned with the second operation input unit when a protrusion on the back of the second game controller engages with a second engagement unit provided on the other side of the fixed unit.

[0046] Based on the above, the user can intuitively grasp the direction and position to attach the first controller and the second game controller to the accessory device.

[0047] Furthermore, the first game controller may have at least a first button. The second game controller may have at least a second button. The accessory device may further include a first movable part and a grip part. The grip part can be held with both hands of a user. The first movable part may include a first operation part and a first button pressing part. The first operation part can be pressed with one hand of a user holding the grip part. The first button pressing part moves toward the game controller fixed to the fixed part in response to a pressing operation on the first operation part, so that when a protrusion on the back of the first game controller engages with a first engagement part of the fixed part, the first button can be pressed, and when a protrusion on the back of the second game controller engages with a second engagement part of the fixed part, the second button can be pressed.

[0048] According to the above, by holding the accessory device and moving the movable part provided on the accessory device, it is possible to operate the buttons provided on any game controller attached to the accessory device.

[0049] The first game controller may further have a third button. The second game controller may further have a fourth button. The accessory device may further include a second movable part. The second movable part includes a second operation part and a second button pressing part. The second operation part can be pressed with the other hand of the user holding the grip part. The second button pressing part moves toward the game controller fixed to the fixed part in response to a pressing operation on the second operation part, so that when the protrusion on the back of the first game controller engages with the first engagement part of the fixed part, the third button can be pressed, and when the protrusion on the back of the second game controller engages with the second engagement part of the fixed part, the fourth button can be pressed.

[0050] According to the above, by holding the accessory device and moving the multiple movable parts provided on the accessory device, it is possible to operate the multiple buttons provided on the game controller regardless of which game controller is attached to the accessory device, making it possible to perform a variety of operations using the accessory device.

[0051] Furthermore, the first game controller may have a first length defined as the length from the left end of the first game controller, which becomes the left side when the first engagement portion of the fixing part is engaged, to the first button, and a third length defined as the length from the right end of the first game controller, which becomes the right side when engaged, to the third button.The second game controller may have a second length longer than the first length defined as the length from the left end of the second game controller, which becomes the left side when the second engagement portion of the fixing part is engaged, to the second button, and a fourth length shorter than the third length defined as the length from the right end of the second game controller, which becomes the right side when engaged, to the fourth button. In this case, the fixing portion may have a second length defined as the length from the left end surface that can abut against the left end of the second game controller when the protruding portion on the back of the second game controller engages with the second engagement portion of the fixing portion to the position where the first button pressing portion protrudes, and a third length defined as the length from the right end surface that can abut against the right end of the first game controller when the protruding portion on the back of the first game controller engages with the first engagement portion of the fixing portion to the position where the second button pressing portion protrudes.

[0052] According to the above, even if the positions of the buttons are different, by attaching the game controllers with the buttons shifted to the left or right, it is possible to press the buttons with the same plurality of movable parts.

[0053] The first movable part may further include a first shaft and a first arm. The first arm rotates around the first shaft and is connected to the first operating part and the first button press part. The second movable part may further include a second shaft and a second arm. The second arm rotates around the second shaft and is connected to the second operating part and the second button press part.

[0054] Based on the above, it is possible to operate a plurality of buttons provided on the game controller using the leverage function.

[0055] The first arm may be formed so that the distance between the first operating part and the first shaft is longer than the distance between the first button depression part and the first shaft. The second arm may be formed so that the distance between the second operating part and the second shaft is longer than the distance between the second button depression part and the second shaft.

[0056] Based on the above, the plurality of buttons provided on the game controller can be operated with a small operating force.

[0057] The first movable part may have a first button depression part formed at a position offset by a predetermined distance in the axial direction of the first shaft from a position where the first operation part is provided, and the second movable part may have a second button depression part formed at a position offset by a predetermined distance in the axial direction of the second shaft from a position where the second operation part is provided.

[0058] Based on the above, there is no restriction on the position of the attached game controller, and it is possible to provide a degree of freedom in designing the arrangement of the first operating unit and the second operating unit.

[0059] The first movable part may be configured such that, when a first button of a first game controller is changed from an un-pressed state to a pressed state by a press operation, the amount of movement of the first button press part toward the first button of the first game controller engaged with the first engagement part of the fixed part is smaller than the amount of movement of the first operation part when pressed.The second movable part may be configured such that, when a second button of a second game controller is changed from an un-pressed state to a pressed state by a press operation, the amount of movement of the second button press part toward the second button of the second game controller engaged with the second engagement part of the fixed part is smaller than the amount of movement of the second operation part when pressed.

[0060] Based on the above, it is possible to improve the operational feel when operating each button.

[0061] Furthermore, the first game controller and the second game controller may have a fifth length in the up-down direction, which is the vertical direction when fixed to the fixing part, and a sixth length in the left-right direction, which is the horizontal direction when fixed to the fixing part. The fixing part may be formed with a length that allows an object having a fifth length in the up-down direction to which the first game controller or the second game controller is attached to be fixed. The fixing part may be formed with a length that is relatively longer than the sixth length in the left-right direction to which the first game controller or the second game controller is attached.

[0062] According to the above, it is possible to accommodate dimensional differences due to different shapes and to attach game controllers of different shapes.

[0063] The fixing part may further include at least two biasing parts that bias the first game controller from above and below when the protrusion on the back of the first game controller engages with the first engagement part of the fixing part, and when the protrusion on the back of the second game controller engages with the second engagement part of the fixing part, thereby fixing the game controllers in place.

[0064] Based on the above, the game controller can be stably attached to the accessory device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0065] According to the present invention, the convenience of the accessory device can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0066] [Figure 1] A diagram showing the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 attached to the main unit 2. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 shows an example of a state in which the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 are detached from the main unit 2. [Figure 3] Six-sided views showing an example of the main unit 2 [Figure 4] Six-sided diagram showing an example of the left controller 3 [Figure 5] Six-sided diagram showing an example of the right controller 4 [Figure 6] A block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the main unit 2. [Figure 7] A block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the main unit 2, the left controller 3, and the right controller 4. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a steering wheel-type attachment 200. [Figure 9] Six-sided views showing an example of the appearance of the steering wheel-type attachment 200 [Figure 10] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a steering wheel-type attachment 200 as seen from cross section AA. [Figure 11] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a steering wheel-type attachment 200 as seen from cross section BB. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a state in which the left controller 3 or the right controller 4 is attached to the steering wheel-type attachment 200. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example of a state in which the left controller 3 is attached to the steering wheel-type attachment 200. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example of a state in which the right controller 4 is attached to the steering wheel-type attachment 200. [Figure 15] An internal structural diagram showing an example of the movement of the left movable part 202L and the right movable part 202R in the steering wheel type attachment 200. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the right movable portion 202R. [Figure 17] 1 is a three-view diagram showing an example of the appearance of the right movable part 202R. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a user holding a steering wheel-type attachment 200 to which a left controller 3 or a right controller 4 is attached and operating a game. [Figure 19] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing an example of the structure of a movable part 302 provided in a steering wheel-type attachment. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing an example of the structure of a movable part 303 provided in a steering wheel-type attachment. [Figure 21] An internal structural diagram showing an example of the structure of the movable part 304 provided in the steering wheel type attachment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0067] An information processing system according to an example of this embodiment will be described below. This example of the information processing system according to this embodiment is composed of a main unit (information processing device; in this embodiment, it functions as a game device main unit) 2, a left controller 3, a right controller 4, and a steering wheel-type attachment 200. The left controller 3 and the right controller 4 are detachable from the main unit 2, and the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 can be attached to the main unit 2 and used as an integrated device. Alternatively, the main unit 2 can be used as a separate unit from the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 (see FIG. 2). The information processing system can be used in two ways: to display images on the main unit 2, or to display images on another display device such as a television (for example, a stationary monitor). In the former mode, the information processing system can be used as a portable device (for example, a portable game console). In the latter mode, the information processing system can be used as a stationary device (for example, a stationary game console). Furthermore, the steering wheel type attachment 200 in the information processing system can be used as an extended operation device by attaching one of the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 to a part of it. As will be made clear later, either the left controller 3 or the right controller 4 can be detachably attached to the steering wheel type attachment 200. Furthermore, the term "accessory device" in this application also includes devices such as so-called extended devices and attachments.

[0068] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a left controller 3 and a right controller 4 attached to a main unit 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 are each attached to and integrated with the main unit 2. The main unit 2 is a device that executes various processes (e.g., game processes) in an information processing system. The main unit 2 is equipped with a display 12. The left controller 3 and the right controller 4 are devices equipped with operation units that allow the user to perform inputs.

[0069] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the state in which the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 have been detached from the main unit 2. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 are detachable from the main unit 2. The left controller 3 can be attached to the left side surface of the main unit 2 (the side surface on the positive x-axis direction shown in FIG. 1) and can be attached to and detached from the main unit 2 by sliding it along the left side surface of the main unit 2 in the y-axis direction shown in FIG. 1. The right controller 4 can be attached to the right side surface of the main unit 2 (the side surface on the negative x-axis direction shown in FIG. 1) and can be attached to and detached from the main unit 2 by sliding it along the right side surface of the main unit 2 in the y-axis direction shown in FIG. 1. In the following description, the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 may be collectively referred to as "controllers." In this embodiment, the "operation device" operated by one user may be one controller (e.g., one of the left controller 3 and the right controller 4) or multiple controllers (e.g., both the left controller 3 and the right controller 4, or may further include other controllers), and the "operation device" can be configured with one or more controllers. Also, in this embodiment, by attaching one controller (e.g., the right controller 4) to an accessory device (e.g., the steering wheel-type attachment 200), the user can control information processing (e.g., game processing) being executed in the main unit 2 by operating the accessory device. An example of a specific configuration of the main unit 2, the left controller 3, and the right controller 4 will be described below.

[0070] FIG. 3 is a six-sided view showing an example of the main unit 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the main unit 2 includes a substantially plate-shaped housing 11. In this embodiment, the main surface of the housing 11 (in other words, the front surface, i.e., the surface on which the display 12 is provided) is generally rectangular. In this embodiment, the housing 11 is assumed to have a horizontally elongated shape. That is, in this embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the main surface of the housing 11 (i.e., the x-axis direction shown in FIG. 1) is referred to as the horizontal direction (also referred to as the left-right direction), the lateral direction of the main surface (i.e., the y-axis direction shown in FIG. 1) is referred to as the vertical direction (also referred to as the up-down direction), and the direction perpendicular to the main surface (i.e., the z-axis direction shown in FIG. 1) is referred to as the depth direction (also referred to as the front-back direction). The main unit 2 can be used in a horizontally elongated orientation. Alternatively, the main unit 2 can be used in a vertically elongated orientation. In this case, the housing 11 may be considered to have a vertically elongated shape.

[0071] The shape and size of the housing 11 are arbitrary. As an example, the housing 11 may be of a portable size. Furthermore, the main unit 2 alone or an integrated device in which the left controller 3 and right controller 4 are attached to the main unit 2 may be a portable device. Furthermore, the main unit 2 or the integrated device may be a handheld device. Furthermore, the main unit 2 or the integrated device may be a portable device.

[0072] As shown in Fig. 3, the main unit 2 includes a display 12 provided on the main surface of the housing 11. The display 12 displays images (which may be still images or moving images) acquired or generated by the main unit 2. In this embodiment, the display 12 is a liquid crystal display (LCD). However, the display 12 may be any type of display device.

[0073] The main device 2 also includes a touch panel 13 on the screen of the display 12. In this embodiment, the touch panel 13 is of a type that allows multi-touch input (for example, a capacitance type). However, the touch panel 13 may be of any type, and may be of a type that allows single-touch input (for example, a resistive type).

[0074] The main unit 2 is provided with a speaker (i.e., speaker 88 shown in FIG. 6) inside the housing 11. As shown in FIG. 3, speaker holes 11a and 11b are formed on the main surface of the housing 11. The output sound of the speaker 88 is output from these speaker holes 11a and 11b, respectively.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 3, the main unit 2 is provided with a left rail member 15 on the left side surface of the housing 11. The left rail member 15 is a member for detachably attaching the left controller 3 to the main unit 2. The left rail member 15 is provided on the left side surface of the housing 11 so as to extend in the vertical direction. The left rail member 15 has a shape that allows it to engage with the slider of the left controller 3 (i.e., the slider 40 shown in FIG. 4), and the left rail member 15 and the slider 40 form a slide mechanism. This slide mechanism allows the left controller 3 to be slidably and detachably attached to the main unit 2.

[0076] The main unit 2 also includes a left side terminal 17. The left side terminal 17 is a terminal that allows the main unit 2 to communicate with the left controller 3 via a wire. The left side terminal 17 is located in a position that will come into contact with a terminal of the left controller 3 (terminal 42 shown in FIG. 4 ) when the left controller 3 is attached to the main unit 2. The specific position of the left side terminal 17 is arbitrary. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 , the left side terminal 17 is located on the bottom surface of the left rail member 15. In this embodiment, the left side terminal 17 is located near the lower end of the bottom surface of the left rail member 15, and is positioned so that it is not exposed to the outside by a part of the left rail member 15.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 3, the right side surface of the housing 11 is provided with a configuration similar to that provided on the left side surface. That is, the main unit 2 is provided with a right rail member 19 on the right side surface of the housing 11. The right rail member 19 is provided on the right side surface of the housing 11 so as to extend in the up-down direction. The right rail member 19 has a shape that can engage with the slider of the right controller 4 (i.e., the slider 62 shown in FIG. 5), and the right rail member 19 and the slider 62 form a slide mechanism. This slide mechanism allows the right controller 4 to be slidably and detachably attached to the main unit 2.

[0078] The main unit 2 also includes a right-side terminal 21. The right-side terminal 21 is a terminal that allows the main unit 2 to communicate with the right controller 4 via a wire. The right-side terminal 21 is provided in a position that makes contact with a terminal of the right controller 4 (terminal 64 shown in FIG. 5 ) when the right controller 4 is attached to the main unit 2. The specific position of the right-side terminal 21 is arbitrary. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 , the right-side terminal 21 is provided on the bottom surface of the right rail member 19. In this embodiment, the right-side terminal 21 is provided near the lower end of the bottom surface of the right rail member 19, and is positioned so that it is not exposed to the outside by a part of the right rail member 19.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 3, the main unit 2 includes a first slot 23. The first slot 23 is provided on the upper side of the housing 11. The first slot 23 has a shape that allows a first type of storage medium to be attached thereto. The first type of storage medium is, for example, a storage medium (e.g., a dedicated memory card) dedicated to an information processing system and the same type of information processing device. The first type of storage medium is used, for example, to store data used by the main unit 2 (e.g., application save data, etc.) and / or programs executed by the main unit 2 (e.g., application programs, etc.). The main unit 2 also includes a power button 28. As shown in FIG. 3, the power button 28 is provided on the upper side of the housing 11. The power button 28 is a button for turning the power of the main unit 2 on and off.

[0080] Main unit 2 includes an audio input / output terminal (specifically, an earphone jack) 25. That is, main unit 2 allows a microphone or earphones to be attached to audio input / output terminal 25. As shown in FIG. 3 , audio input / output terminal 25 is provided on the upper side of housing 11.

[0081] The main unit 2 includes volume buttons 26a and 26b. As shown in Fig. 3, the volume buttons 26a and 26b are provided on the upper side of the housing 11. The volume buttons 26a and 26b are buttons for issuing an instruction to adjust the volume output by the main unit 2. That is, the volume button 26a is a button for issuing an instruction to lower the volume, and the volume button 26b is a button for issuing an instruction to increase the volume.

[0082] Further, exhaust hole 11c is formed in housing 11. As shown in Fig. 3, exhaust hole 11c is formed on the upper side surface of housing 11. Exhaust hole 11c is formed to exhaust (in other words, release) heat generated inside housing 11 to the outside of housing 11. In other words, exhaust hole 11c can also be said to be a heat exhaust hole.

[0083] The main unit 2 includes a lower terminal 27. The lower terminal 27 is a terminal through which the main unit 2 communicates with the cradle. As shown in FIG. 3 , the lower terminal 27 is provided on the lower surface of the housing 11. When the main unit 2 is attached to the cradle, the lower terminal 27 is connected to a terminal on the cradle. In this embodiment, the lower terminal 27 is a USB connector (more specifically, a female connector). The cradle can accommodate only the main unit 2 with the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 detached from the main unit 2. As another example, the cradle can also accommodate an all-in-one device with the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 attached to the main unit 2. The cradle can communicate with a stationary monitor (e.g., a stationary television), which is an example of an external display device separate from the main unit 2 (either via wired communication or wireless communication). When the all-in-one device or the main unit 2 alone is placed in the cradle, the information processing system can display images acquired or generated by the main unit 2 on the stationary monitor. In this embodiment, the cradle has a function of charging the placed all-in-one device or the main device 2. The cradle also has a function of a hub device (specifically, a USB hub).

[0084] The main unit 2 also includes a second slot 24. In this embodiment, the second slot 24 is provided on the lower surface of the housing 11. However, in other embodiments, the second slot 24 may be provided on the same surface as the first slot 23. The second slot 24 has a shape that allows a second type of storage medium different from the first type to be attached. The second type of storage medium may be, for example, a general-purpose storage medium. For example, the second type of storage medium may be an SD card. Like the first type of storage medium, the second type of storage medium is used to store data used in the main unit 2 (e.g., application save data, etc.) and / or programs executed on the main unit 2 (e.g., application programs, etc.).

[0085] Furthermore, an intake hole 11d is formed in the housing 11. As shown in Fig. 3, the intake hole 11d is formed on the lower side of the housing 11. The intake hole 11d is formed to draw (in other words, introduce) air from outside the housing 11 into the inside of the housing 11. In this embodiment, the intake hole 11d is formed on the surface opposite to the surface on which the exhaust hole 11c is formed, so that heat can be dissipated efficiently from inside the housing 11.

[0086] The shape, number, and installation position of each of the components (specifically, buttons, slots, terminals, etc.) provided on housing 11 as described above are arbitrary. For example, in other embodiments, power button 28 and some of slots 23 and 24 may be provided on other sides or the back of housing 11. Also, in other embodiments, main unit 2 may be configured without some of the above components.

[0087] FIG. 4 is a six-sided view showing an example of the left controller 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the left controller 3 includes a housing 31. In this embodiment, the housing 31 is substantially plate-shaped. The main surface of the housing 31 (in other words, the front surface, i.e., the surface on the negative z-axis side shown in FIG. 1) is substantially rectangular. In this embodiment, the housing 31 is vertically long, that is, long in the up-down direction (i.e., the y-axis direction shown in FIG. 1). The left controller 3 can also be held in a vertical orientation when detached from the main unit 2. The housing 31 has a shape and size that allows it to be held in one hand, particularly the left hand, when held in a vertical orientation. The left controller 3 can also be held in a horizontal orientation. When the left controller 3 is held in a horizontal orientation, it may be held with both hands. The shape of the housing 31 is arbitrary, and in other embodiments, the housing 31 does not have to be substantially plate-shaped. Furthermore, the housing 31 does not have to be rectangular, but may be, for example, semicircular, etc. Furthermore, the housing 31 does not have to be elongated.

[0088] The vertical length of the housing 31 is approximately the same as the vertical length of the housing 11 of the main unit 2. In addition, the thickness of the housing 31 (i.e., the length in the front-to-rear direction, in other words, the length in the z-axis direction shown in FIG. 1) is approximately the same as the thickness of the housing 11 of the main unit 2. Therefore, when the left controller 3 is attached to the main unit 2 (see FIG. 1), the user can hold the main unit 2 and the left controller 3 as if they were a single unit.

[0089] 4, the left corner of the main surface of the housing 31 is more rounded than the right corner. That is, the connection between the upper and left sides of the housing 31 and the connection between the lower and left sides of the housing 31 are more rounded than the connection between the upper and right sides and the connection between the lower and right sides (in other words, the radius of curvature is larger). Therefore, when the left controller 3 is attached to the main unit 2 (see FIG. 1), the left side of the integrated unit has a rounded shape, making it easier for the user to hold.

[0090] The left controller 3 includes an analog stick 32. As shown in FIG. 4, the analog stick 32 is provided on the main surface of the housing 31. The analog stick 32 is an example of a directional input unit capable of inputting directions. The analog stick 32 has a stick member that can be tilted in all directions parallel to the main surface of the housing 31 (i.e., 360°, including up, down, left, right, and diagonal directions). By tilting the stick member, the user can input a direction corresponding to the tilt direction (and an input magnitude corresponding to the tilt angle). The directional input unit may be a cross key, a slide stick, or the like. In this embodiment, an input can be made by pressing the stick member (in a direction perpendicular to the housing 31). In other words, the analog stick 32 is an input unit that can input a direction and magnitude corresponding to the tilt direction and tilt amount of the stick member, and can also input by pressing the stick member.

[0091] The left controller 3 has four operation buttons 33 to 36 (specifically, a right button 33, a down button 34, an up button 35, and a left button 36). As shown in FIG. 4, these four operation buttons 33 to 36 are provided below the analog stick 32 on the main surface of the housing 31. In this embodiment, the main surface of the left controller 3 is provided with four operation buttons, but the number of operation buttons is arbitrary. These operation buttons 33 to 36 are used to issue instructions in accordance with various programs (e.g., OS programs and application programs) executed on the main unit 2. In this embodiment, the operation buttons 33 to 36 may also be used to input directions, and therefore are referred to as the right button 33, the down button 34, the up button 35, and the left button 36. However, the operation buttons 33 to 36 may also be used to issue instructions other than direction input.

[0092] The left controller 3 also has a record button 37. As shown in FIG. 4, the record button 37 is located on the main surface of the housing 31, more specifically, in the lower right region of the main surface. The record button 37 is a button for issuing a command to save an image displayed on the display 12 of the main unit 2. For example, when a game image is displayed on the display 12, the user can press the record button 37 to save the game image displayed at the time the button was pressed to, for example, a memory unit of the main unit 2.

[0093] The left controller 3 also has a minus (-) button 47 shaped like the letter "-." As shown in FIG. 4, the minus (-) button 47 is located on the main surface of the housing 31, more specifically, in the upper right region of the main surface. The minus (-) button 47 is used to issue instructions in accordance with various programs (e.g., OS programs and application programs) executed on the main unit 2. The minus (-) button 47 is used, for example, as a select button in a game application (e.g., a button used to switch between selection items).

[0094] When the left controller 3 is attached to the main unit 2, the operation units (specifically, the analog stick 32 and the above-mentioned buttons 33 to 37, 47) provided on the main surface of the left controller 3 are operated by, for example, the thumb of the left hand of the user holding the all-in-one device. When the left controller 3 is detached from the main unit 2 and held sideways with both hands, the above-mentioned operation units are operated by, for example, the thumbs of the left and right hands of the user holding the left controller 3. Specifically, in this case, the analog stick 32 is operated by the thumb of the user's left hand, and the operation buttons 33 to 36 are operated by the thumb of the user's right hand.

[0095] The left controller 3 includes a first L button 38. The left controller 3 also includes a ZL button 39. Like the operation buttons 33 to 36, these operation buttons 38 and 39 are used to issue instructions according to the various programs executed on the main unit 2. As shown in FIG. 4, the first L button 38 is provided in the upper left portion of the side of the housing 31. The ZL button 39 is provided in the upper left portion extending from the side to the back of the housing 31 (strictly speaking, in the upper left portion when the housing 31 is viewed from the front). In other words, the ZL button 39 is provided behind the first L button 38 (on the positive z-axis direction shown in FIG. 1). In this embodiment, since the upper left portion of the housing 31 has a rounded shape, the first L button 38 and the ZL button 39 have rounded shapes corresponding to the roundness of the upper left portion of the housing 31. When the left controller 3 is attached to the main unit 2, the first L button 38 and the ZL button 39 are located in the upper left part of the integrated unit.

[0096] The left controller 3 is equipped with the slider 40 described above. As shown in FIG. 4, the slider 40 is provided on the right side surface of the housing 31 so as to extend in the vertical direction. The slider 40 has a shape that allows it to engage with the left rail member 15 of the main unit 2 (more specifically, the groove of the left rail member 15). Therefore, the slider 40 engaged with the left rail member 15 is fixed and will not come off in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction (in other words, the direction in which the left rail member 15 extends).

[0097] The left controller 3 also includes a terminal 42 for wired communication between the left controller 3 and the main unit 2. The terminal 42 is located in a position that will come into contact with the left terminal 17 (FIG. 3) of the main unit 2 when the left controller 3 is attached to the main unit 2. The specific location of the terminal 42 is arbitrary. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the terminal 42 is located in a position that is not exposed to the outside due to the attachment surface of the slider 40. In this embodiment, the terminal 42 is located near the lower end of the attachment surface of the slider 40.

[0098] The left controller 3 also includes a second L button 43 and a second R button 44. Like the other operation buttons 33 to 36, these buttons 43 and 44 are used to issue instructions in accordance with the various programs executed on the main unit 2. As shown in FIG. 4, the second L button 43 and the second R button 44 are provided on the mounting surface of the slider 40. The second L button 43 is provided above the center in the up-down direction (the y-axis direction shown in FIG. 1) on the mounting surface of the slider 40. The second R button 44 is provided below the center in the up-down direction on the mounting surface of the slider 40. The second L button 43 and the second R button 44 are located in positions that cannot be pressed when the left controller 3 is mounted on the main unit 2. In other words, the second L button 43 and the second R button 44 are buttons that are used when the left controller 3 is detached from the main unit 2. The second L button 43 is operated, for example, with the index finger or middle finger of the user's left hand when the left controller 3 is removed from the main unit 2 and held in a landscape orientation with the mounting surface of the slider 40 facing up. The second R button 44 is operated, for example, with the index finger or middle finger of the user's right hand when the left controller 3 is removed from the main unit 2 and held in a landscape orientation with the mounting surface of the slider 40 facing up. When the left controller 3 is attached to the steering wheel-type attachment 200, the second L button 43 and the second R button 44 can each be operated by operating operating units provided on the steering wheel-type attachment 200 with the index finger or middle finger of the user's left or right hand holding the steering wheel-type attachment 200.

[0099] The left controller 3 is equipped with a pairing button 46. In this embodiment, the pairing button 46 is used to instruct the setting (also called pairing) process for wireless communication between the left controller 3 and the main unit 2, and to instruct the reset process for the left controller 3. Note that in other embodiments, the pairing button 46 may have only one of the functions of the setting process and the reset process. For example, when the pairing button 46 is short-pressed (specifically, when the pairing button 46 is pressed for a period shorter than a predetermined period), the left controller 3 executes the setting process. When the pairing button 46 is long-pressed (specifically, when the pairing button 46 is pressed for a period longer than the predetermined period), the left controller 3 executes the reset process. In this embodiment, the pairing button 46 is provided on the mounting surface of the slider 40, as shown in FIG. 4 . In this way, the pairing button 46 is located in a position that is not visible when the left controller 3 is mounted on the main unit 2. In other words, the pairing button 46 is used when the left controller 3 is detached from the main unit 2.

[0100] In this embodiment, the buttons provided on the mounting surface of the slider 40 (specifically, the second L button 43, the second R button 44, and the pairing button 46) are provided so as not to protrude from the mounting surface. That is, the upper surfaces of the buttons (in other words, the pressing surfaces) are located on the same surface as the mounting surface of the slider 40, or are located in a position recessed from the mounting surface. This allows the slider 40 to slide smoothly along the left rail member 15 when the slider 40 is mounted on the left rail member 15 of the main unit 2.

[0101] FIG. 5 is a six-sided view showing an example of the right controller 4. As shown in FIG. 5, the right controller 4 includes a housing 51. In this embodiment, the housing 51 is substantially plate-shaped. The main surface of the housing 51 (in other words, the front surface, i.e., the surface on the negative z-axis side shown in FIG. 1) is substantially rectangular. In this embodiment, the housing 51 is vertically long, that is, long in the up-down direction. The right controller 4 can also be held in a vertical orientation when detached from the main unit 2. The housing 51 has a shape and size that allows it to be held in one hand, particularly the left hand, when held in a vertical orientation. The right controller 4 can also be held in a horizontal orientation. When the right controller 4 is held in a horizontal orientation, it may be held with both hands.

[0102] Like the housing 31 of the left controller 3, the housing 51 of the right controller 4 has a vertical length that is approximately the same as the vertical length of the housing 11 of the main unit 2, and a thickness that is approximately the same as the thickness of the housing 11 of the main unit 2. Therefore, when the right controller 4 is attached to the main unit 2 (see FIG. 1), the user can hold the main unit 2 and the right controller 4 as if they were a single device.

[0103] 5, the right corner of the main surface of the housing 51 is more rounded than the left corner. That is, the connection portion between the upper side and right side of the housing 51 and the connection portion between the lower side and right side of the housing 51 are more rounded than the connection portion between the upper side and left side and the connection portion between the lower side and left side (in other words, the radius of curvature is larger in the chamfer). Therefore, when the right controller 4 is attached to the main unit 2 (see FIG. 1), the right side of the integrated unit has a rounded shape, making it easier for the user to hold.

[0104] Like the left controller 3, the right controller 4 is equipped with an analog stick 52 as a directional input unit. In this embodiment, the analog stick 52 has the same configuration as the analog stick 32 of the left controller 3. Also, like the left controller 3, the right controller 4 is equipped with four operation buttons 53 to 56 (specifically, an A button 53, a B button 54, an X button 55, and a Y button 56). In this embodiment, these four operation buttons 53 to 56 have the same mechanism as the four operation buttons 33 to 36 of the left controller 3. As shown in FIG. 5 , the analog stick 52 and the operation buttons 53 to 56 are provided on the main surface of the housing 51. Note that in this embodiment, four operation buttons are provided on the main surface of the right controller 4, but the number of operation buttons is arbitrary.

[0105] In this embodiment, the positional relationship between the two types of operation units (analog stick and operation buttons) on the right controller 4 is opposite to the positional relationship between these two types of operation units on the left controller 3. That is, on the right controller 4, the analog stick 52 is located above the operation buttons 53 to 56, whereas on the left controller 3, the analog stick 32 is located below the operation buttons 33 to 36. This arrangement allows the left controller 3 and right controller 4 to be used with a similar operational feel when detached from the main unit 2.

[0106] The right controller 4 also has a + (plus) button 57 in the shape of the letter "+." As shown in FIG. 5, the + button 57 is provided on the main surface of the housing 51, more specifically, in the upper left region of the main surface. Like the other operation buttons 53 to 56, the + button 57 is used to issue instructions in accordance with various programs (e.g., OS programs and application programs) executed on the main unit 2. The + button 57 is used, for example, as a start button in a game application (e.g., a button used to instruct the start of a game).

[0107] The right controller 4 includes a home button 58. As shown in FIG. 5 , the home button 58 is provided on the main surface of the housing 51, more specifically, in the lower left region of the main surface. The home button 58 is a button for displaying a predetermined menu screen on the display 12 of the main unit 2. The menu screen is, for example, a screen on which a user can launch an application specified by the user from one or more applications executable on the main unit 2. The menu screen may be displayed, for example, when the main unit 2 is started up. In this embodiment, when the home button 58 is pressed while an application is being executed on the main unit 2 (i.e., while an image of the application is being displayed on the display 12), a predetermined operation screen may be displayed on the display 12 (at this time, a menu screen may be displayed instead of the operation screen). The operation screen is a screen on which, for example, an instruction to terminate the application and display a menu screen on the display 12 and an instruction to resume the application can be given.

[0108] When the right controller 4 is attached to the main unit 2, the operation units (specifically, the analog stick 52 and the above-mentioned buttons 53 to 58) provided on the main surface of the right controller 4 are operated by, for example, the thumb of the right hand of the user holding the all-in-one device. When the right controller 4 is detached from the main unit 2 and held sideways with both hands, the above-mentioned operation units are operated by, for example, the thumbs of the left and right hands of the user holding the right controller 4. Specifically, in this case, the analog stick 52 is operated by the thumb of the user's left hand, and the operation buttons 53 to 56 are operated by the thumb of the user's right hand.

[0109] The right controller 4 includes a first R button 60. The right controller 4 also includes a ZR button 61. As shown in FIG. 5, the first R button 60 is provided in the upper right portion of the side surface of the housing 51. The ZR button 61 is provided in the upper right portion extending from the side surface to the back surface of the housing 51 (strictly speaking, in the upper right portion when the housing 51 is viewed from the front). In other words, the ZR button 61 is provided behind the first R button 60 (on the positive z-axis direction shown in FIG. 1). In this embodiment, since the upper right portion of the housing 51 has a rounded shape, the first R button 60 and the ZR button 61 have rounded shapes corresponding to the roundness of the upper right portion of the housing 51. When the right controller 4 is attached to the main unit 2, the first R button 60 and the ZR button 61 are located in the upper right portion of the all-in-one device.

[0110] The right controller 4 has a slider mechanism similar to that of the left controller 3. That is, the right controller 4 has the slider 62 described above. As shown in FIG. 5, the slider 62 is provided on the left side surface of the housing 51 so as to extend in the vertical direction. The slider 62 has a shape that allows it to engage with the right rail member 19 of the main unit 2 (more specifically, the groove of the right rail member 19). Therefore, the slider 62 engaged with the right rail member 19 is fixed and will not come off in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction (in other words, the direction in which the right rail member 19 extends).

[0111] The right controller 4 also has a terminal 64 for wired communication between the right controller 4 and the main unit 2. The terminal 64 is provided at a position that will come into contact with the right terminal 21 (FIG. 3) of the main unit 2 when the right controller 4 is attached to the main unit 2. The specific position of the terminal 64 is arbitrary. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the terminal 64 is provided at a position that is not exposed to the outside by the attachment surface of the slider 62. In this embodiment, the terminal 64 is provided near the lower end of the attachment surface of the slider 62.

[0112] Similarly to the left controller 3, the right controller 4 also includes a second L button 65 and a second R button 66. Like the other operation buttons 53 to 56, these buttons 65 and 66 are used to issue instructions in accordance with the various programs executed on the main unit 2. As shown in FIG. 5, the second L button 65 and the second R button 66 are provided on the mounting surface of the slider 62. The second L button 65 is provided below the center in the up-down direction (the y-axis direction shown in FIG. 1) on the mounting surface of the slider 62. The second R button 66 is provided above the center in the up-down direction on the mounting surface of the slider 62. Similar to the second L button 43 and the second R button 44 of the left controller 3, the second L button 65 and the second R button 66 are located in positions that cannot be pressed when the right controller 4 is attached to the main unit 2, and are used when the right controller 4 is detached from the main unit 2. The second L button 65 is operated, for example, with the index finger or middle finger of the user's left hand when the right controller 4 is removed from the main unit 2 and held in a landscape orientation with the mounting surface of the slider 62 facing up. The second R button 66 is operated, for example, with the index finger or middle finger of the user's right hand when the right controller 4 is removed from the main unit 2 and held in a landscape orientation with the mounting surface of the slider 62 facing up. When the right controller 4 is attached to the steering wheel-type attachment 200, the second L button 65 and the second R button 66 can each be operated by operating the operating units provided on the steering wheel-type attachment 200 with the index finger or middle finger of the user's left or right hand holding the steering wheel-type attachment 200.

[0113] The right controller 4 is equipped with a pairing button 69. Like the pairing button 46 on the left controller 3, the pairing button 69 is used to instruct the setting (also called pairing) process for wireless communication between the right controller 4 and the main unit 2, and to instruct the reset process for the right controller 4. The setting process and reset process are the same as those for the left controller 3, so a detailed description will be omitted. In this embodiment, the pairing button 69 is provided on the mounting surface of the slider 62, as shown in FIG. 5. In other words, for the same reason as the pairing button 46 on the left controller 3, the pairing button 69 is located in a position that cannot be seen when the right controller 4 is mounted on the main unit 2.

[0114] Furthermore, in the right controller 4, similar to the left controller 3, the buttons provided on the mounting surface of the slider 62 (specifically, the second L button 65, the second R button 66, and the pairing button 69) are arranged so as not to protrude from the mounting surface. This allows the slider 62 to slide smoothly along the right rail member 19 when the slider 62 is mounted on the right rail member 19 of the main unit 2.

[0115] In addition, a window 68 is provided on the underside of the housing 51. The right controller 4 is equipped with an infrared imaging unit 123 and an infrared light emitting unit 124 that are arranged inside the housing 51. The infrared imaging unit 123 captures an image of the surroundings of the right controller 4 through the window 68, with the imaging direction being the downward direction of the right controller 4 (the negative y-axis direction shown in FIG. 5). The infrared light emitting unit 124 irradiates infrared light through the window 68 onto the imaging target member that is imaged by the infrared imaging unit 123, with an irradiation range that is a predetermined range centered on the downward direction of the right controller 4 (the negative y-axis direction shown in FIG. 5).

[0116] The right controller 4 also includes an NFC communication unit 122. The NFC communication unit 122 performs short-range wireless communication based on the NFC (Near Field Communication) standard. The NFC communication unit 122 includes an antenna 122a used for short-range wireless communication and a circuit (e.g., an NFC chip) that generates a signal (radio wave) to be transmitted from the antenna 122a. For example, when another wireless communication device (e.g., an NFC tag) that is a target for the short-range wireless communication is placed on another device in proximity to or in contact with a lower region of the main surface of the housing 51, the antenna 122a is provided at a position inside the housing 51 that enables short-range wireless communication with the wireless communication device. Note that short-range wireless communication is not limited to that based on the NFC standard, and may be any proximity communication (also referred to as non-contact communication). Proximity communication includes, for example, a communication method in which one device generates an electromotive force in another device by radio waves from the other device (e.g., by electromagnetic induction).

[0117] In the left controller 3 and right controller 4, the shape, number, and installation position of each component (specifically, slider, stick, button, etc.) provided on the housing 31 or 51 are arbitrary. For example, in other embodiments, the left controller 3 and right controller 4 may be provided with a direction input unit of a type other than an analog stick. Furthermore, the slider 40 or 62 may be located in a position corresponding to the position of the rail member 15 or 19 provided on the main unit 2, and may be located on, for example, the main surface or back surface of the housing 31 or 51. Furthermore, in other embodiments, the left controller 3 and right controller 4 may be configured to not include some of the above-mentioned components.

[0118] Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of main unit 2. In addition to the configuration shown in Fig. 3, main unit 2 includes components 81 to 98 shown in Fig. 6. Some of these components 81 to 98 may be mounted on an electronic circuit board as electronic components and housed in housing 11.

[0119] The main unit 2 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 81. The CPU 81 is an information processing unit that executes various types of information processing executed in the main unit 2. The CPU 81 executes various types of information processing by executing an information processing program (for example, a game program) stored in a storage unit (specifically, an internal storage medium such as a flash memory 84, or an external storage medium inserted in each of the slots 23 and 24).

[0120] The main device 2 includes a flash memory 84 and a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) 85 as examples of internal storage media built into the main device 2. The flash memory 84 and the DRAM 85 are connected to the CPU 81. The flash memory 84 is a memory used primarily to store various types of data (which may be programs) saved in the main device 2. The DRAM 85 is a memory used to temporarily store various types of data used in information processing.

[0121] The main device 2 includes a first slot interface (hereinafter abbreviated as "I / F") 91. The main device 2 also includes a second slot I / F 92. The first slot I / F 91 and the second slot I / F 92 are connected to the CPU 81. The first slot I / F 91 is connected to the first slot 23, and reads and writes data from and to a first type of storage medium (e.g., an SD card) attached to the first slot 23 in response to instructions from the CPU 81. The second slot I / F 92 is connected to the second slot 24, and reads and writes data from and to a second type of storage medium (e.g., a dedicated memory card) attached to the second slot 24 in response to instructions from the CPU 81.

[0122] The CPU 81 executes the above information processing by appropriately reading and writing data from and to the flash memory 84, the DRAM 85, and the above storage media.

[0123] The main unit 2 includes a network communication unit 82. The network communication unit 82 is connected to the CPU 81. The network communication unit 82 communicates with external devices via a network (specifically, wireless communication). In this embodiment, the network communication unit 82 connects to a wireless LAN and communicates with external devices using a method conforming to the Wi-Fi standard as a first communication mode. The network communication unit 82 also performs wireless communication with other main units 2 of the same type using a predetermined communication method (e.g., communication using a proprietary protocol or infrared communication) as a second communication mode. Note that the wireless communication using the second communication mode enables wireless communication with other main units 2 located within a closed local network area, and realizes a function that enables so-called "local communication," in which data is transmitted and received by direct communication between multiple main units 2.

[0124] The main unit 2 is equipped with a controller communication unit 83. The controller communication unit 83 is connected to the CPU 81. The controller communication unit 83 performs wireless communication with the left controller 3 and / or right controller 4. Any communication method may be used between the main unit 2 and the left controller 3 and right controller 4, but in this embodiment, the controller communication unit 83 performs communication with the left controller 3 and right controller 4 in accordance with the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard.

[0125] The CPU 81 is connected to the above-mentioned left terminal 17, right terminal 21, and lower terminal 27. When performing wired communication with the left controller 3, the CPU 81 transmits data to the left controller 3 via the left terminal 17 and receives operation data from the left controller 3 via the left terminal 17. When performing wired communication with the right controller 4, the CPU 81 transmits data to the right controller 4 via the right terminal 21 and receives operation data from the right controller 4 via the right terminal 21. When communicating with a cradle, the CPU 81 transmits data to the cradle via the lower terminal 27. As described above, in this embodiment, the main unit 2 can perform both wired and wireless communication with the left controller 3 and the right controller 4. When an integrated device in which the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 are attached to the main unit 2 or when the main unit 2 alone is attached to the cradle, the main unit 2 can output data (e.g., image data and audio data) to a stationary monitor or the like via the cradle.

[0126] Here, the main unit 2 can communicate simultaneously (in other words, in parallel) with multiple left controllers 3. The main unit 2 can also communicate simultaneously (in other words, in parallel) with multiple right controllers 4. Therefore, the user can make inputs to the main unit 2 using multiple left controllers 3 and multiple right controllers 4.

[0127] The main device 2 includes a touch panel controller 86, which is a circuit that controls the touch panel 13. The touch panel controller 86 is connected between the touch panel 13 and the CPU 81. Based on a signal from the touch panel 13, the touch panel controller 86 generates data indicating, for example, the position where a touch input has been made, and outputs the data to the CPU 81.

[0128] The display 12 is also connected to the CPU 81. The CPU 81 displays on the display 12 an image generated (for example, by executing the above-described information processing) and / or an image acquired from the outside.

[0129] The main unit 2 includes a codec circuit 87 and speakers (specifically, a left speaker and a right speaker) 88. The codec circuit 87 is connected to the speaker 88 and the audio input / output terminal 25, and is also connected to the CPU 81. The codec circuit 87 is a circuit that controls the input and output of audio data to the speaker 88 and the audio input / output terminal 25. That is, when the codec circuit 87 receives audio data from the CPU 81, it performs D / A conversion on the audio data and outputs the resulting audio signal to the speaker 88 or the audio input / output terminal 25. As a result, sound is output from an audio output unit (e.g., earphones) connected to the speaker 88 or the audio input / output terminal 25. When the codec circuit 87 receives an audio signal from the audio input / output terminal 25, it performs A / D conversion on the audio signal and outputs audio data in a predetermined format to the CPU 81. The volume button 26 is also connected to the CPU 81. The CPU 81 controls the volume output from the speaker 88 or the audio output unit based on an input to the volume button 26.

[0130] The main unit 2 includes a power control unit 97 and a battery 98. The power control unit 97 is connected to the battery 98 and the CPU 81. Although not shown, the power control unit 97 is also connected to each unit of the main unit 2 (specifically, each unit that receives power from the battery 98, the left terminal 17, and the right terminal 21). The power control unit 97 controls the power supply from the battery 98 to each unit based on a command from the CPU 81. The power control unit 97 is also connected to the power button 28. The power control unit 97 controls the power supply to each unit based on an input to the power button 28. That is, when the power button 28 is operated to turn off the power, the power control unit 97 stops the power supply to all or some of the units. When the power button 28 is operated to turn on the power, the power control unit 97 starts the power supply to all or some of the units. The power control unit 97 also outputs information indicating the input to the power button 28 (specifically, information indicating whether the power button 28 is pressed or not) to the CPU 81.

[0131] Furthermore, battery 98 is connected to lower terminal 27. When an external charging device (e.g., a cradle) is connected to lower terminal 27 and power is supplied to main device 2 via lower terminal 27, battery 98 is charged with the supplied power.

[0132] The main unit 2 also includes a cooling fan 96 for dissipating heat inside the main unit 2. When the cooling fan 96 is operated, air outside the housing 11 is introduced through the air intake 11d and air inside the housing 11 is discharged through the air exhaust 11c, thereby dissipating heat inside the housing 11. The cooling fan 96 is connected to the CPU 81, and the operation of the cooling fan 96 is controlled by the CPU 81. The main unit 2 also includes a temperature sensor 95 for detecting the temperature inside the main unit 2. The temperature sensor 95 is connected to the CPU 81, and the detection result of the temperature sensor 95 is output to the CPU 81. The CPU 81 controls the operation of the cooling fan 96 based on the detection result of the temperature sensor 95.

[0133] Figure 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the main unit 2, left controller 3, and right controller 4. Note that details of the internal configuration of the main unit 2 are omitted in Figure 7 because they are shown in Figure 6.

[0134] The left controller 3 is equipped with a communication control unit 101 that communicates with the main unit 2. As shown in FIG. 7 , the communication control unit 101 is connected to each component, including the terminal 42. In this embodiment, the communication control unit 101 can communicate with the main unit 2 both via wired communication via the terminal 42 and via wireless communication without using the terminal 42. The communication control unit 101 controls the method of communication between the left controller 3 and the main unit 2. That is, when the left controller 3 is attached to the main unit 2, the communication control unit 101 communicates with the main unit 2 via the terminal 42. When the left controller 3 is detached from the main unit 2, the communication control unit 101 communicates wirelessly with the main unit 2 (specifically, with the controller communication unit 83). Wireless communication between the controller communication unit 83 and the communication control unit 101 is performed in accordance with, for example, the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard.

[0135] The left controller 3 also includes a memory 102, such as a flash memory. The communication control unit 101 is configured, for example, by a microcomputer (also called a microprocessor), and executes firmware stored in the memory 102 to perform various processes.

[0136] The left controller 3 includes buttons 103 (specifically, buttons 33 to 39, 43, 44, and 46). The left controller 3 also includes an analog stick (referred to as "stick" in FIG. 7) 32. Each button 103 and analog stick 32 repeatedly outputs information related to operations performed on the button 103 and analog stick 32 to the communication control unit 101 at appropriate timing.

[0137] The left controller 3 is equipped with an acceleration sensor 104. In this embodiment, the acceleration sensor 104 detects the magnitude of linear acceleration along three predetermined axes (for example, the x, y, and z axes shown in FIG. 4). The acceleration sensor 104 may detect acceleration along one or two axes. The left controller 3 is also equipped with an angular velocity sensor 105. In this embodiment, the angular velocity sensor 105 detects angular velocity around three predetermined axes (for example, the x, y, and z axes shown in FIG. 4). The angular velocity sensor 105 may detect angular velocity around one or two axes. The acceleration sensor 104 and the angular velocity sensor 105 are each connected to the communication control unit 101. The detection results of the acceleration sensor 104 and the angular velocity sensor 105 are repeatedly output to the communication control unit 101 at appropriate timing.

[0138] The communication control unit 101 acquires information about the input (specifically, information about the operation or the detection results by the sensors) from each input unit (specifically, each button 103, analog stick 32, and each sensor 104 and 105). The communication control unit 101 transmits operation data including the acquired information (or information obtained by performing a predetermined process on the acquired information) to the main unit 2. The operation data is repeatedly transmitted once every predetermined time. The interval at which the information about the input is transmitted to the main unit 2 may or may not be the same for each input unit.

[0139] By transmitting the above operation data to the main unit 2, the main unit 2 can obtain the input made to the left controller 3. That is, the main unit 2 can determine the operation of each button 103 and analog stick 32 based on the operation data. The main unit 2 can also calculate information about the movement and / or attitude of the left controller 3 based on the operation data (specifically, the detection results of the acceleration sensor 104 and the angular velocity sensor 105).

[0140] The left controller 3 is equipped with a vibrator 107 for notifying the user by vibration. In this embodiment, the vibrator 107 is controlled by commands from the main unit 2. That is, when the communication control unit 101 receives the command from the main unit 2, it drives the vibrator 107 in accordance with the command. Here, the left controller 3 is equipped with an amplifier 106. When the communication control unit 101 receives the command, it outputs a control signal according to the command to the amplifier 106. The amplifier 106 amplifies the control signal from the communication control unit 101 to generate a drive signal for driving the vibrator 107 and provides it to the vibrator 107. This causes the vibrator 107 to operate.

[0141] The left controller 3 is equipped with a power supply unit 108. In this embodiment, the power supply unit 108 has a battery and a power control circuit. Although not shown, the power control circuit is connected to the battery and to each part of the left controller 3 (specifically, each part that receives power from the battery). The power control circuit controls the power supply from the battery to each of the above parts. The battery is also connected to a terminal 42. In this embodiment, when the left controller 3 is attached to the main unit 2, the battery is charged by power supplied from the main unit 2 via the terminal 42 under certain conditions.

[0142] As shown in FIG. 7, the right controller 4 is equipped with a communication control unit 111 that communicates with the main unit 2. The right controller 4 also has a memory 112 that is connected to the communication control unit 111. The communication control unit 111 is connected to each component, including the terminal 64. The communication control unit 111 and memory 112 have the same functions as the communication control unit 101 and memory 102 of the left controller 3. Therefore, the communication control unit 111 can communicate with the main unit 2 both via wired communication via the terminal 64 and via wireless communication that does not use the terminal 64 (specifically, communication in accordance with the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard), and controls the method of communication between the right controller 4 and the main unit 2.

[0143] The right controller 4 has input sections similar to those of the left controller 3 (specifically, the buttons 113, the analog stick 52, the acceleration sensor 114, and the angular velocity sensor 115). These input sections have the same functions as those of the left controller 3, and operate in the same manner.

[0144] The right controller 4 also includes a vibrator 117 and an amplifier 116. The vibrator 117 and the amplifier 116 operate in the same manner as the vibrator 107 and the amplifier 106 of the left controller 3. That is, the communication control unit 111 operates the vibrator 117 using the amplifier 116 in accordance with instructions from the main unit 2.

[0145] The right controller 4 is equipped with a power supply unit 118. The power supply unit 118 has the same functions as the power supply unit 108 of the left controller 3 and operates in the same manner. That is, the power supply unit 118 controls the supply of power to each component that receives power from the battery. Furthermore, when the right controller 4 is attached to the main unit 2, the battery is charged by power supplied from the main unit 2 via the terminal 64 under certain conditions.

[0146] The right controller 4 is equipped with an NFC communication unit 122 that performs short-range wireless communication based on the NFC standard. The NFC communication unit 122 has the functionality of a so-called NFC reader / writer. Here, in this specification, short-range wireless communication includes a communication method in which radio waves from one device (here, the right controller 4) are used (for example, by electromagnetic induction) to generate an electromotive force in another device (here, a device in close proximity to the antenna 122a). The other device can operate using the generated electromotive force and may or may not have a power source. The NFC communication unit 122 becomes capable of communicating with a communication target when the right controller 4 (antenna 122a) and the communication target come close to each other (typically, when the distance between them is less than 10 centimeters). The communication target is any device capable of short-range wireless communication with the NFC communication unit 122, such as an NFC tag or a storage medium with NFC tag functionality. However, the communication target may also be another device with NFC card emulation functionality.

[0147] The right controller 4 also has an infrared imaging unit 123. The infrared imaging unit 123 has an infrared camera that captures images of the area around the right controller 4. The infrared imaging unit 123 may capture images using ambient light, but in this embodiment, it has an infrared light emitting unit 124 that radiates infrared light. The infrared light emitting unit 124 radiates infrared light, for example, in synchronization with the timing at which the infrared camera captures an image.

[0148] The right controller 4 includes a processing unit 121. The processing unit 121 is connected to the communication control unit 111 and the NFC communication unit 122. The processing unit 121 executes management processing for the NFC communication unit 122 in response to commands from the main unit 2. For example, the processing unit 121 controls the operation of the NFC communication unit 122 in response to commands from the main unit 2. The processing unit 121 also controls the activation of the NFC communication unit 122 and controls the operation (specifically, reading, writing, etc.) of the NFC communication unit 122 with respect to a communication target (e.g., an NFC tag). The processing unit 121 also receives information to be transmitted to the communication target from the main unit 2 via the communication control unit 111 and passes the information to the NFC communication unit 122, and obtains information received from the communication target from the NFC communication unit 122 and transmits the information to the main unit 2 via the communication control unit 111.

[0149] The processing unit 121 also includes a CPU, memory, etc., and executes management processing for the infrared image capture unit 123 in response to commands from the main unit 2, based on a predetermined program (e.g., an application program for performing image processing or various calculations) stored in a storage device (e.g., a non-volatile memory, a hard disk, etc.) not shown in the right controller 4. For example, the processing unit 121 causes the infrared image capture unit 123 to perform an image capture operation, acquires and / or calculates information based on the image capture result (e.g., information about the captured image, or information calculated from that information, etc.), and transmits the information to the main unit 2 via the communication control unit 111. The processing unit 121 also executes management processing for the infrared light emitting unit 124 in response to commands from the main unit 2.

[0150] Next, a steering wheel type attachment 200, which is an example of an accessory device, will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the steering wheel type attachment 200. FIG. 9 is a six-view diagram showing an example of the appearance of the steering wheel type attachment 200. In FIG. 9, (a) is a front view of the steering wheel type attachment 200, (b) is a top view of the steering wheel type attachment 200, (c) is a right side view of the steering wheel type attachment 200, (d) is a bottom view of the steering wheel type attachment 200, (e) is a left side view of the steering wheel type attachment 200, and (f) is a rear view of the steering wheel type attachment 200. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the steering wheel type attachment 200 as seen from cross section AA. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the steering wheel type attachment 200 as seen from cross section BB.

[0151] 8 to 11, a steering wheel type attachment 200 has at least a main body grip portion 201, a movable portion 202, and a biasing portion 203.

[0152] The main body grip portion 201 has a steering wheel-shaped rim portion (also called a steering portion or a wheel portion) with a substantially circular periphery. In the example shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the main body grip portion 201 has a circular rim portion. The shape of the rim portion does not have to be circular, and may be any shape that allows a user to grip and steer, such as a shape with a portion of the ring removed, a shape with a portion of the ring deformed, an ellipse, a drop handle shape, or a shape with multiple protrusions on the outer periphery. The cross-sectional shape of the rim portion does not have to be circular, and may be other cross-sectional shapes such as an ellipse, an oval shape, a polygon, a polygon with rounded corners, a deformed circle, or the like. The main body grip portion 201 has a recessed fixing portion 201a formed near the center of the rim portion (for example, near the center of the substantially circle). The fixed part 201a is formed in a recessed shape that can engage with the left controller 3 or the right controller 4 laterally, and the upper and lower walls of the recessed shape are provided with a plurality of biasing parts 203 (in this embodiment, three biasing parts 203a, 203b, and 203c). In addition, a pair of movable parts 202 are provided on the upper wall of the recessed shape of the fixed part 201a.

[0153] The main body grip portion 201 is formed by joining a front portion 201f, which is the front side portion where the fixed portion 201a is formed, and a rear portion 201r, which is the rear side portion (the portion where operation portions 202Le and 202Re of the movable portion 202, which will be described later, are provided). As is clear from Fig. 11 and other figures, the joint surface between the front portion 201f and the rear portion 201r is provided approximately in the center of the front and rear sides on the outer periphery of the rim, but is provided closer to the front than the center of the front and rear sides on the inner periphery of the rim. By forming the joint surface between the front portion 201f and the rear portion 201r in this manner, when the user grips the rim, the user is less likely to come into contact with the joint surface provided on the inner periphery of the rim, thereby improving the tactile feel during operation. The front side of the steering wheel type attachment 200 on which the fixed part 201a is formed is the front side of the user operating the steering wheel type attachment 200, and the rear side on which the operation parts 202Le and 202Re of the movable part 202 are provided is the rear side as seen from the user. Therefore, in the following description, the side of the steering wheel type attachment 200 that faces the user when the user grips it for operation will be referred to as the "front", and the side behind the "front" will be referred to as the "rear". From another perspective, the side of the steering wheel type attachment 200 on which the fixed part 201a is formed may be considered to be the "front", and the side on which the operation parts 202Le and 202Re of the movable part 202 are provided may be considered to be the "rear".

[0154] As shown in FIG. 10 , a pair of left and right recesses 201aL and 201aR are formed on the bottom surface (rear surface) of the fixed part 201a of the main body grip part 201. As will be apparent from the following description, the recess 201aL engages with a rear protrusion formed by the ZL button 39 or the like provided on the rear surface of the left controller 3 when the left controller 3 is attached to the fixed part 201a. Furthermore, the recess 201aR engages with a rear protrusion formed by the ZR button 61 or the like provided on the rear surface of the right controller 4 when the right controller 4 is attached to the fixed part 201a. The engagement between the rear protrusions and the recesses 201aL or 201aR may be such that the entire respective portions are not in contact with each other, or the respective portions are not in contact with each other. A removal window 201b is formed by cutting out a portion of the center of the bottom wall of the fixed part 201a of the main body grip part 201 in an arc shape.

[0155] The movable unit 202 is composed of a pair of left and right movable units 202L and 202R. The left movable unit 202L has a left operation unit 202Le, a left button pressing unit 202Lw, and a left shaft unit 202Lp (see FIG. 15). The left operation unit 202Le protrudes from the left side of the rear surface of the main body grip unit 201 and is configured to be pressed downward with the index finger, middle finger, or the like of the user's left hand when holding the steering wheel-type attachment 200. The left button pressing unit 202Lw protrudes from the upper left wall of the fixed unit 201a of the main body grip unit 201 and can also function as a left protruding unit. Here, "protruding" refers not only to a state in which it protrudes from the upper left wall only when moved in response to a user operation, but also to a state in which it protrudes from the upper left wall before the user operation and moves further away from the upper left wall in response to the user operation. When the left operation part 202Le is pressed, the left movable part 202L rotates about the left shaft part 202Lp, causing the left button pressing part 202Lw to protrude into the fixed part 201a. When the left operation part 202Le is not pressed, the left movable part 202L is biased to rotate in the opposite direction about the left shaft part 202Lp, causing the left button pressing part 202Lw to retract from inside the fixed part 201a. The position in the fixed part 201a where the left button pressing part 202Lw is provided will be described later.

[0156] The right movable part 202R has a right operation part 202Re, a right button pressing part 202Rw, and a right shaft part 202Rp (see FIGS. 15 to 17). The right operation part 202Re protrudes from the right side of the rear surface of the main body grip part 201 to the outside and is configured to be pressable downward with the index finger, middle finger, or the like of the right hand of a user holding the steering wheel-type attachment 200. The right button pressing part 202Rw is configured to be protrudable from the upper right wall of the fixed part 201a of the main body grip part 201 and can also function as a right protruding part. Here, being protrudable not only refers to a state in which it protrudes from the upper right wall only when moved in response to a user operation, but also includes a state in which it protrudes from the upper right wall before the user operation is performed and moves further away from the upper right wall in response to the user operation. When the right operation part 202Re is pressed, the right movable part 202R rotates about the right shaft part 202Rp, causing the right button pressing part 202Rw to protrude into the fixed part 201a. When the right operation part 202Re is not pressed, the movable part 202R is biased in the opposite direction to rotate about the right shaft part 202Rp, causing the right button pressing part 202Rw to retract from within the fixed part 201a. The position in the fixed part 201a where the right button pressing part 202Rw is provided will be described later.

[0157] As shown in FIG. 9, the left operating portion 202Le of the left movable portion 202L, the right operating portion 202Re of the right movable portion 202R, and the rear portion 201r of the main body grip portion 201 are arranged on the rear side of the rim portion of the steering wheel type attachment 200. Of the three components arranged on the rear side, the rear portion 201r of the main body grip portion 201 is provided at the rearmost position of the steering wheel type attachment 200. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the rear portion 201r is formed to protrude further rearward by a distance X from the rearmost ends of the left operating portion 202Le and the right operating portion 202Re. In this way, by arranging a portion of the main body grip portion 201 at the rearmost position of the steering wheel type attachment 200, that portion can function as a guard portion for the movable portion 202. For example, when the steering wheel type attachment 200 is placed with its back side facing down on a flat surface, the guard portion can mitigate unexpected impact or pressure that may be applied to the movable portion 202 from the surface on which it is placed.

[0158] The biasing unit 203 is composed of, for example, three biasing units 203a, 203b, and 203c, each made of an elastic member (e.g., a rubber member such as silicone rubber) that holds the left controller 3 or the right controller 4 attached to the fixed unit 201a so that it does not come off the fixed unit 201a. As shown in FIG. 9, biasing unit 203a is fixed to the center of the upper wall of the fixed unit 201a of the main body grip unit 201, protruding downward from the upper wall. Biasing unit 203b is fixed to the left lower wall of the fixed unit 201a of the main body grip unit 201, directly below or outside (on the left side) of the left button depression area 202Lw, protruding upward from the lower wall. Biasing unit 203c is fixed to the right lower wall of the fixed unit 201a of the main body grip unit 201, directly below or outside (on the right side) of the right button depression area 202Rw, protruding upward from the lower wall.

[0159] The elastic member constituting the biasing units 203a, 203b, and 203c may be a spring member (such as a leaf spring or a coil spring) or a foam member (such as a sponge). The biasing units 203a, 203b, and 203c do not have to be made of an elastic member, but may be made of weakly adhesive tape, hook-and-loop fasteners, or the like. The biasing units 203a, 203b, and 203c may be integrally formed with the wall surface of the fixed unit 201a. The biasing units 203a, 203b, and 203c do not have to protrude from the wall surface of the fixed unit 201a, but may be made of recesses formed in the wall surface. For example, the left controller 3 or right controller 4 attached to the fixed unit 201a can be held in place by engaging a recess formed in the wall surface with the side surface of the left controller 3 or right controller 4.

[0160] Next, with reference to Figures 12 to 14, a state in which the left controller 3 or the right controller 4 is attached to the steering wheel type attachment 200 will be described. Note that Figure 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a state in which the left controller 3 or the right controller 4 is attached to the steering wheel type attachment 200. Figure 13 is a front view showing an example of a state in which the left controller 3 is attached to the steering wheel type attachment 200. Figure 14 is a front view showing an example of a state in which the right controller 4 is attached to the steering wheel type attachment 200.

[0161] 12, either the left controller 3 or the right controller 4 can be detachably attached to the steering wheel-type attachment 200, and either one can be attached. For example, when attaching the left controller 3 to the steering wheel-type attachment 200, the housing 31 of the left controller 3 is engaged with the fixing part 201a so that the right side surface of the left controller 3 (the side surface formed on the negative x-axis direction in FIG. 4) that is joined to the main unit 2 is aligned with the upper wall of the fixing part 201a of the main unit grip part 201, and the back surface of the left controller 3 (the back surface formed on the positive z-axis direction in FIG. 4) abuts against the bottom surface of the fixing part 201a. Furthermore, when attaching the right controller 4 to the steering wheel-type attachment 200, the housing 51 of the right controller 4 is engaged with the fixing portion 201a so that the left side surface (the side surface formed on the positive x-axis side in Figure 5) of the right controller 4 that is joined to the main unit 2 is aligned with the upper wall of the fixing portion 201a of the main unit gripping portion 201, and the back surface of the right controller 4 (the back surface formed on the positive z-axis side in Figure 5) abuts against the bottom surface of the fixing portion 201a.

[0162] As shown in Fig. 13, when the left controller 3 is attached to the steering wheel-type attachment 200, the left controller 3 is engaged in the fixing part 201a so that the bottom surface of the fixing part 201a of the steering wheel-type attachment 200 abuts against the back surface of the left controller 3. In this case, a recess 201aL (see Fig. 10) formed on the left side of the bottom surface of the fixing part 201a engages with a back surface protrusion (see Fig. 4) formed by the ZL button 39 or the like provided on the back surface of the left controller 3. In addition, a portion near the center of the right side surface of the left controller 3 (the side surface formed on the negative x-axis direction in Fig. 4, which faces upward when attached to the fixing part 201a) is supported by the biasing part 203a. A portion of the left side surface of the left controller 3 (the side surface formed on the positive x-axis direction in FIG. 4, which faces downward when attached to the fixed part 201a) near a position facing the second L button 43 is supported by the biasing part 203b. A portion of the left side surface of the left controller 3 near a position facing the second R button 44 is supported by the biasing part 203c. In this way, when the left controller 3 is attached to the fixed part 201a, both side surfaces of the left controller 3 (both side surfaces facing up and down when attached to the fixed part 201a) are supported by the three biasing parts 203a, 203b, and 203c, respectively.

[0163] Furthermore, the width of the fixed part 201a is greater than the width of the left controller 3 (the length in the y-axis direction in FIG. 4) by a length S1. Therefore, the left controller 3 can be attached to the fixed part 201a in a state in which it abuts against the left wall of the fixed part 201a, or in a state in which it abuts against the right wall of the fixed part 201a, or in a state in which it does not abut against either the left or right wall of the fixed part 201a. However, in this embodiment, when attaching the left controller 3 to the fixed part 201a, the left-right positions of the indicator ML marked on the main body grip part 201 and the - button 47 on the left controller 3 are aligned, and the housing 31 of the left controller 3 is engaged with the fixed part 201a so that the right side surface of the left controller 3 (the lower surface formed on the negative y-axis side in FIG. 4) abuts against the right wall of the fixed part 201a. By positioning the left controller 3 in the fixed part 201a in this way, the left-right positions of the second L button 43 and the left button press portion 202Lw of the left movable part 202L match, and the left-right positions of the second R button 44 and the right button press portion 202Rw of the right movable part 202R match. Therefore, if the left button press portion 202Lw protrudes into the fixed part 201a with the left controller 3 attached in the above position within the fixed part 201a, the left button press portion 202Lw will press the second L button 43. Also, if the right button press portion 202Rw protrudes into the fixed part 201a with the left controller 3 attached in the above position within the fixed part 201a, the right button press portion 202Rw will press the second R button 44. In other words, by attaching the left controller 3 to the fixed part 201a so that it matches the position of the mark ML written on the main body grip part 201, the user can easily recognize the direction in which to attach the left controller 3 to the steering wheel-type attachment 200, and can also grasp the exact position in which to attach it within the fixed part 201a.

[0164] As described above, biasing portion 203b is provided at a position directly below or outside of left button depression portion 202Lw, and biasing portion 203c is provided at a position directly below or outside of right button depression portion 202Rw. In other words, when second left button 43 is depressed by left button depression portion 202Lw protruding into fixed portion 201a, biasing portion 203b supports second left button 43 at a position slightly to the left of directly below it, or biasing portions 203b and 203c support second left button 43 at positions on both sides below it, allowing second left button 43 to be stably depressed. Furthermore, when the second R button 44 is pressed because the right button pressing portion 202Rw protrudes into the fixed portion 201a, the second R button 44 is supported by the biasing portion 203c at a position slightly to the right of directly below it, or by the biasing portions 203b and 203c at positions on both sides below it, so that the second R button 44 can be pressed stably.

[0165] Furthermore, the width of the left button pressing region 202Lw in the front-to-rear direction (i.e., the direction from the front to the back) is greater than the width of the second L button 43 in that direction (the z-axis direction shown in FIG. 4). Furthermore, the width of the right button pressing region 202Rw in the front-to-rear direction is greater than the width of the second R button 44 in that direction. As a result, even if the attachment depth of the left controller 3 attached to the fixing part 201a varies in the front-to-rear direction, this can be absorbed by the relatively large widths of the left button pressing region 202Lw and the right button pressing region 202Rw in the front-to-rear direction, and it becomes possible to reliably press the second L button 43 and the second R button 44 with the left button pressing region 202Lw and the right button pressing region 202Rw. Furthermore, a portion of the left button pressing area 202Lw or the right button pressing area 202Rw comes into contact with a portion of the slider 40 of the left controller 3 located around the second L button 43 and the second R button 44, thereby restricting the second L button 43 and the second R button 44 from being pressed excessively, thereby preventing excessive load from being applied to the second L button 43 and the second R button 44.

[0166] As shown in Fig. 14, when the right controller 4 is attached to the steering wheel-type attachment 200, the right controller 4 is engaged in the fixing part 201a so that the bottom surface of the fixing part 201a of the steering wheel-type attachment 200 abuts against the back surface of the right controller 4. In this case, a recessed part 201aR (see Fig. 10) formed on the right side of the bottom surface of the fixing part 201a is engaged with a back surface protrusion (see Fig. 5) formed by the ZR button 61 or the like provided on the back surface of the right controller 4. In addition, a portion near the center of the left side surface of the right controller 4 (the side surface formed on the positive x-axis direction in Fig. 5, which faces upward when attached to the fixing part 201a) is supported by the biasing part 203a. A portion of the right side surface of the right controller 4 (the side surface formed on the negative x-axis direction in FIG. 5, which faces downward when attached to the fixed part 201a) near a position facing the second L button 65 is supported by the biasing part 203b. A portion of the right side surface of the right controller 4 near a position facing the second R button 66 is supported by the biasing part 203c. In this way, when the right controller 4 is attached to the fixed part 201a, both side surfaces of the right controller 4 (both side surfaces facing up and down when attached to the fixed part 201a) are supported by the three biasing parts 203a, 203b, and 203c, respectively.

[0167] Furthermore, the width of the fixed part 201a is greater than the width of the right controller 4 (the length in the y-axis direction in FIG. 5) by a length S2. Therefore, the right controller 4 can also be attached to the fixed part 201a while abutting against the left wall of the fixed part 201a, while abutting against the right wall of the fixed part 201a, or while not abutting against either the left or right wall of the fixed part 201a. However, in this embodiment, when the right controller 4 is attached to the fixed part 201a, the left-right positions of the mark MR written on the main body grip part 201 and the + button 57 on the right controller 4 are aligned, and the housing 51 of the right controller 4 is engaged with the fixed part 201a so that the left side surface of the right controller 4 (the lower surface formed on the negative y-axis direction in FIG. 5) abuts against the left wall of the fixed part 201a. By positioning the right controller 4 in the fixed part 201a in this way, the left-right positions of the second L button 65 and the left button press portion 202Lw of the left movable part 202L match, and the left-right positions of the second R button 66 and the right button press portion 202Rw of the right movable part 202R match. Therefore, if the left button press portion 202Lw protrudes into the fixed part 201a when the right controller 4 is attached in the above position within the fixed part 201a, the left button press portion 202Lw will press the second L button 65. Also, if the right button press portion 202Rw protrudes into the fixed part 201a when the right controller 4 is attached in the above position within the fixed part 201a, the right button press portion 202Rw will press the second R button 66. In other words, by attaching the right controller 4 to the fixed part 201a so that it matches the position of the marking MR written on the main body grip part 201, the user can easily recognize the direction in which to attach the right controller 4 to the steering wheel type attachment 200, and can also grasp the exact position in which to attach it within the fixed part 201a.

[0168] As described above, the biasing portion 203b is provided at a position that is outward (to the left) from directly below the left button depression portion 202Lw, and the biasing portion 203c is provided at a position that is outward (to the right) from directly below the right button depression portion 202Rw. In other words, when the second L button 65 is depressed by the left button depression portion 202Lw protruding into the fixed portion 201a, the biasing portions 203b and 203c support the second L button 65 from both positions below the left button depression portion 202Lw, allowing the second L button 65 to be stably depressed. Furthermore, when the right button depression portion 202Rw protruding into the fixed portion 201a, the biasing portions 203b and 203c support the second R button 66 from both positions below the right button depression portion 202Rw, allowing the second R button 66 to be stably depressed.

[0169] As described above, the biasing portion 203b may be provided in a position directly below the left button depression portion 202Lw, and the biasing portion 203c may be provided in a position directly below the right button depression portion 202Rw. In other words, when the second L button 65 is depressed because the left button depression portion 202Lw protrudes into the fixed portion 201a, the biasing portion 203b supports the position directly below the left button depression portion 202Lw, so it is possible to stably press the second L button 65 in this case as well. Furthermore, when the right button depression portion 202Rw protrudes into the fixed portion 201a, the biasing portion 203b supports the position directly below the right button depression portion 202Rw, so it is possible to stably press the second R button 66 in this case as well.

[0170] Furthermore, the width of the left button pressing region 202Lw in the front-to-rear direction (i.e., the direction from the front to the back) is greater than the width of the second L button 65 in that direction (the z-axis direction shown in FIG. 4). Furthermore, the width of the right button pressing region 202Rw in the front-to-rear direction is greater than the width of the second R button 66 in that direction. As a result, even if the mounting depth of the right controller 4 attached to the fixing part 201a varies in the front-to-rear direction, this can be absorbed by the relatively large widths of the left button pressing region 202Lw and the right button pressing region 202Rw in the front-to-rear direction, and therefore it becomes possible to reliably press the second L button 65 and the second R button 66 using the left button pressing region 202Lw and the right button pressing region 202Rw. Furthermore, a portion of the left button pressing area 202Lw or the right button pressing area 202Rw comes into contact with a portion of the slider 40 of the left controller 3 located around the second L button 65 and the second R button 66, thereby restricting the second L button 65 and the second R button 66 from being pressed excessively, thereby preventing excessive load from being applied to the second L button 65 and the second R button 66.

[0171] 13 and 14, the length T1 from the left side surface (i.e., the upper surface formed on the positive y-axis side in FIG. 4) to the second L button 43 when the left controller 3 is attached to the fixed part 201a is different from the length T3 from the left side surface (i.e., the lower surface formed on the negative y-axis side in FIG. 5) to the second L button 65 when the right controller 4 is attached to the fixed part 201a. Therefore, if the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 are attached in the same position within the fixed part 201a, the position at which the second L button 43 is located and the position at which the second L button 65 is located will be different within the fixed part 201a, and it will be impossible to press both the second L button 43 and the second L button 65 using one left button pressing region 202Lw. However, by attaching the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 within the fixed part 201a with a shift to the left or right by length S1, the position within the fixed part 201a at which the second L button 43 and the second L button 65 are located will be the same, and it will be possible to press the second L button 43 and the second L button 65 using a single left button pressing region 202Lw. In other words, the difference S1 between the width of the fixed part 201a and the width of the left controller 3 and right controller 4 (the length in the y-axis direction in Figures 4 and 5) can be set to the difference between the above-mentioned length T3 and the above-mentioned length T1.

[0172] Furthermore, the length T2 from the right side surface (i.e., the lower surface formed on the negative y-axis side in FIG. 4) to the second R button 44 when the left controller 3 is attached to the fixed part 201a and the length T4 from the right side surface (i.e., the upper surface formed on the positive y-axis side in FIG. 5) to the second R button 66 when the right controller 4 is attached to the fixed part 201a are different lengths. Therefore, if the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 are attached in the same position within the fixed part 201a, the position at which the second R button 44 is located and the position at which the second R button 66 is located will be different within the fixed part 201a, and it will be impossible to press both the second R button 44 and the second R button 66 using a single right button pressing region 202Rw. However, by attaching the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 within the fixed part 201a, each shifted left or right by length S1, the position within the fixed part 201a at which the second R button 44 is located and the position within the fixed part 201a at which the second L button 65 is located become the same, and it becomes possible to press the second R button 44 and the second R button 66 using a single right button pressing region 202Rw. In other words, by configuring the above-mentioned length T1 and the above-mentioned length T4 to be the same length, and the above-mentioned length T2 and the above-mentioned length T3 to be the same length, the difference S1 between the width of the fixed part 201a and the width of the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 (the length in the y-axis direction in FIGS. 4 and 5) makes it possible to simultaneously press the second R button 44 and the second R button 66 using a single right button pressing region 202Rw.

[0173] When removing the left controller 3 or the right controller 4 attached to the steering wheel-type attachment 200, a removal window 201b formed in the lower wall of the fixing part 201a is used. As described above, the removal window 201b is formed by cutting out a central portion of the lower wall of the fixing part 201a in an arc shape. This removal window 201b exposes a portion of the downward-facing side of the left controller 3 or right controller 4 attached to the steering wheel-type attachment 200 (the side of the left controller 3 formed on the positive x-axis side in FIG. 4 or the side of the right controller 4 formed on the negative x-axis side in FIG. 5) to the outside of the fixing part 201a. Therefore, with the entire steering wheel-type attachment 200 fixed, the user can easily remove the left controller 3 or right controller 4 attached to the fixing part 201a by hooking their finger(s) on the side of the left controller 3 or right controller 4 exposed through the removal window 201b and pulling it toward themselves. The removal window 201b may be formed in a wall separate from the bottom wall of the fixed portion 201a, or may be formed in a plurality of locations on the bottom wall and / or the separate wall of the fixed portion 201a.

[0174] Next, the operation and structure of the movable part 202 will be described with reference to Figures 15 to 17. Figure 15 is an internal structural view showing an example of the operation of the left movable part 202L and the right movable part 202R in the steering wheel type attachment 200. Figure 16 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the right movable part 202R. Figure 17 is a three-sided view showing an example of the appearance of the right movable part 202R.

[0175] In FIG. 15, the left movable part 202L is provided on the rear part 201r of the main body grip part 201 so as to be rotatable around the left shaft part 202Lp. When the left operation part 202Le is pressed downward, the left movable part 202L rotates counterclockwise around the left shaft part 202Lp, causing the left button pressing part 202Lw to rotate in the same downward direction. The left movable part 202L is biased by the spring 204L in the direction opposite to the rotation direction caused by the above-mentioned pressing (i.e., clockwise), and is supported so that the left operation part 202Le is positioned at a predetermined operation standby position (for example, a position where the left operation part 202Le is substantially horizontal) when the left operation part 202Le is not pressed. Note that the example shown in FIG. 15 shows a state in which the left movable part 202L is positioned at the above-mentioned standby position.

[0176] In FIG. 15, the right movable part 202R is provided on the rear part 201r of the main body grip part 201 so as to be rotatable about the right shaft part 202Rp. When the right operation part 202Re is pressed downward, the right movable part 202R rotates clockwise about the right shaft part 202Rp, causing the right button pressing part 202Rw to rotate in the same downward direction. The right movable part 202R is biased by the spring 204R in the direction opposite to the rotation direction caused by the pressing (i.e., counterclockwise). When the right operation part 202Re is not pressed, the right movable part 202R is supported so that it is positioned in a predetermined operation standby position (for example, a position where the right operation part 202Re is approximately horizontal). Note that the example shown in FIG. 15 illustrates a state in which the right movable part 202R is pressed down, causing the right button pressing part 202Rw to protrude into the fixed part 201a.

[0177] For example, the left movable portion 202L and the right movable portion 202R are configured to have a symmetrical shape. In the following explanation, the structure of the movable portion 202 will be explained using the right movable portion 202R as a representative.

[0178] 16 and 17, right movable part 202R generally has right operation part 202Re, right button pressing part 202Rw, arm part 202Ra, and right shaft part 202Rp, and is formed, for example, by integral molding. Right shaft part 202Rp is rotatably supported on main body grip part 201 with the front-to-rear direction as its axial direction. Right operation part 202Re and right button pressing part 202Rw are both provided on the right side of right shaft part 202Rp, and are fixed to right shaft part 202Rp via arm part 202Ra that connects right shaft part 202Rp and right operation part 202Re. Furthermore, the distance in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction from the right operation portion 202Re to the right shaft portion 202Rp (the length of the arm portion 202Ra of the right operation portion 202Re) is longer than the distance in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction from the right button pressing portion 202Rw to the right shaft portion 202Rp (the length of the arm portion 202Ra of the right button pressing portion 202Rw). Therefore, when the right operation portion 202Re is pressed, the right button pressing portion 202Rw also rotates in the same direction. Furthermore, the amount of movement of the right button pressing portion 202Rw caused by the rotation is smaller than the amount of movement caused by pressing the right operation portion 202Re. Here, the amount of movement is the amount of movement of the right button pressing portion 202Rw and the right operation portion 202Re caused by the rotation, and indicates the length of the arc described when the right movable portion 202R rotates around the right shaft portion 202Rp.

[0179] In this way, the right movable part 202R functions as a lever with the right shaft part 202Rp as the fulcrum, the right operation part 202Re as the point of force, and the right button pressing part 202Rw as the point of application. Specifically, the right movable part 202R functions as a lever with the fulcrum (right shaft part 202Rp) as the center, such that in response to movement of the point of force (movement of the right operation part 202Re due to a pressing operation), the point of application moves in the same direction as the point of force but a shorter distance (protruding movement of the right button pressing part 202Rw) than the point of force. Therefore, when the right operation part 202Re is pressed, the second R button 44 or the second R button 66 is pressed by an amount of movement smaller than the amount of movement of the pressing operation, making it possible to press the operation buttons of the attached left controller 3 or right controller 4 with less force, allowing for delicate adjustments to the amount of force used on the operation buttons.

[0180] As described above, the left movable part 202L is configured with a symmetrical shape to the right movable part 202R. Therefore, the left movable part 202L also functions as a lever with the left shaft part 202Lp as the fulcrum, the left operation part 202Le as the point of force, and the left button pressing part 202Lw as the point of application. In other words, the left movable part 202L functions as a lever with the fulcrum (left shaft part 202Lp) as the center, such that in response to movement of the point of force (movement of the left operation part 202Le due to a pressing operation), the point of application moves in the same direction as the point of force but a shorter distance (protruding movement of the left button pressing part 202Lw) than the point of force. Therefore, when the left operation part 202Le is pressed, the second L button 43 or the second L button 65 is pressed with a smaller amount of movement than the amount of movement of the pressing operation, making it possible to press the operation buttons of the attached left controller 3 or left controller 4 with less force, allowing for delicate adjustments to the amount of force used on the operation buttons.

[0181] The above-mentioned "amount of movement" is a concept that includes the amount of keystroke of the right operation area 202Re (and the right button pressing area 202Rw) and the left operation area 202Le (and the left button pressing area 202Lw), the amount of keystroke of the right button pressing area 202Rw pressing the second R button 44 or the second R button 66, and the amount of keystroke of the left button pressing area 202Lw pressing the second L button 43 or the second L button 65.

[0182] Note that the arm 202Ra connecting the right shaft 202Rp and the right operation portion 202Re and connecting the right shaft 202Rp and the right button pressing portion 202Rw may be a single arm as shown in Figures 16 and 17, or these arms may be provided as separate bodies. That is, if these separate arms share the right shaft 202Rp and the right operation portion 202Re and the right button pressing portion 202Rw move in conjunction with each other, these separate arms may be considered as a single arm connecting the right operation portion 202Re and the right button pressing portion 202Rw. Furthermore, the right shaft 202Rp may be integral with or separate from the right movable portion 202R, and may be configured so that the arm of the right operation portion 202Re and the arm of the right button pressing portion 202Rw rotate around the fixed right shaft 202Rp.

[0183] Additionally, the edge of the underside of the right button pressing portion 202Rw that abuts against the second R button 44 or the second R button 66 has a chamfered shape. Specifically, a curved surface with a predetermined curvature is generated at the edge of the underside of the right button pressing portion 202Rw. The curvature R1 of the curved surface at the end closest to the right shaft portion 202Rp is relatively larger than the curvature R2 of the curved surface at the end farthest from the right shaft portion 202Rp (for example, R1 = 1.5R, R2 = 0.5R). In this way, by forming a relatively large R shape (a curved surface with curvature R1) at the end closest to the right shaft portion 202Rp, when the right button pressing portion 202Rw protrudes toward the fixed portion 201a, the flat portion of the right button pressing portion 202Rw is more likely to come into contact first with the second R button 44 or the second R button 66, preventing a deterioration in the operability caused by the end first coming into contact with the second R button 44 or the second R button 66. Furthermore, by forming a relatively large R shape at the end closest to the right shaft portion 202Rp, excessive load applied by the right button pressing portion 202Rw to the second R button 44 or the second R button 66 can be reduced.

[0184] The chamfered shape of the edge of the underside of the right button depression region 202Rw does not have to be curved, as long as it does not have a right-angled corner. For example, the edge of the underside of the right button depression region 202Rw may be beveled or may be rounded with multiple curvatures. Regardless of the chamfered shape, the edge of the underside of the right button depression region 202Rw closest to the right shaft portion 202Rp is formed with a greater amount of chamfering than the edge farthest from the right shaft portion 202Rp.

[0185] As described above, the left movable part 202L and the right movable part 202R are configured in a symmetrical shape, and in the above explanation, the structure of the movable part 202 is explained using the right movable part 202R as a representative. However, the edge of the underside of the left button pressing part 202Lw is also formed with a chamfered shape similar to that of the right button pressing part 202Rw. That is, a curved surface with a predetermined curvature is generated at the edge of the underside of the left button pressing part 202Lw that abuts against the second left button 43 or the second left button 65. Of the edges of the underside, the curvature R3 of the end curved surface closest to the left shaft part 202Lp is formed to be relatively larger than the curvature R4 of the end curved surface farthest from the left shaft part 202Lp, similar to the curvature R1 (for example, R3 = 1.5R, R4 = 0.5R). In this way, by forming a relatively large R shape (a curved surface with curvature R3) at the end closest to the left shaft portion 202Lp, when the left button pressing portion 202Lw protrudes toward the fixed portion 201a, the flat portion of the left button pressing portion 202Lw is likely to come into contact first with the second L button 43 or the second L button 65, preventing a deterioration in the operability caused by the end first coming into contact with the second L button 43 or the second L button 65. Furthermore, by forming a relatively large R shape at the end closest to the left shaft portion 202Lp, excessive load applied by the left button pressing portion 202Lw to the second L button 43 or the second L button 65 can be reduced.

[0186] The chamfered shape of the end of the underside of the left button depression portion 202Lw does not have to be curved, as long as it does not have a right-angled corner. For example, the end of the underside of the left button depression portion 202Lw may be beveled or may be rounded with multiple curvatures. Regardless of the chamfered shape, the end of the underside of the left button depression portion 202Lw closest to the left shaft portion 202Lp is formed with a greater amount of chamfering than the end farthest from the left shaft portion 202Lp.

[0187] 16 and 17, the right movable part 202R has the right operation part 202Re and the right button pressing part 202Rw provided at different positions in the axial direction of the right shaft part 202Rp. For example, in the direction from the front to the rear of the steering wheel-type attachment 200, the part of the right operation part 202Re that is closest to the front among the parts that can be contacted by the user's finger is located further rearward than the part of the right button pressing part 202Rw that is closest to the rear among the surfaces that can be contacted by the second R button 44 or the second R button 66. Specifically, the right button pressing region 202Rw is provided on the front of the steering wheel type attachment 200, the right operation region 202Re is provided on the back of the steering wheel type attachment 200, and the right operation region 202Re and the right button pressing region 202Rw are provided at positions where they do not overlap in the direction from the front to the back (in the example of FIG. 17 , the frontmost portion of the right operation region 202Re that can be contacted by the user's finger and the rearmost portion of the right button pressing region 202Rw that can be contacted by the second R button 44 or the second R button 66 are located at positions separated by a distance Y in that direction). In other words, the axial direction of the right shaft portion 202Rp is set in the front-to-rear direction of the steering wheel type attachment 200, and the right operation region 202Re is provided rearward of the right button pressing region 202Rw. In this way, by having a lever structure in which the force point and the action point are located at different positions in the axial direction rather than being located on the same straight line in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the fulcrum, it is possible to freely position the right operating part 202Re without being restricted by the positions of the left controller 3 and right controller 4 to which they are attached.

[0188] As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the right operating part 202Re and the right button pressing part 202Rw are provided at different positions in the axial direction of the right shaft part 202Rp. However, for example, if the entire right movable part 202R is constructed by integral molding, it can be considered that the right shaft part 202Rp is formed on one side of one arm, and the operating part 202Re and the right button pressing part 202Rw are formed on the other side of the same arm.

[0189] Next, operations using the steering wheel type attachment 200 to which the left controller 3 or right controller 4 is attached will be described with reference to Fig. 18. Fig. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a user holds the steering wheel type attachment 200 to which the left controller 3 or right controller 4 is attached with both hands (i.e., the right hand and the left hand) and performs game operations. In this embodiment, based on data transmitted from the left controller 3 or right controller 4 attached to the steering wheel type attachment 200, processing corresponding to the operation content for the steering wheel type attachment 200 is executed in the main unit 2.

[0190] 18, the user grips the rim of the steering wheel attachment 200 with both hands and rotates the entire steering wheel attachment 200 or presses down on the left operating part 202Le or the right operating part 202Re to operate the steering wheel attachment 200. In another example, the user can also operate the steering wheel attachment 200 by moving the entire steering wheel attachment 200 in the up / down direction, left / right direction, front / rear direction, etc., changing the orientation of the steering wheel attachment 200, or operating the operating part of the left controller 3 or right controller 4 exposed on the front side of the steering wheel attachment 200.

[0191] Information processing (e.g., game processing) is performed in the main unit 2 in response to operations using the steering wheel type attachment 200. As an example, the main unit 2 operates a virtual object displayed on a display screen (e.g., the display 12 or a display device to which the main unit 2 is connected) in response to operations using the steering wheel type attachment 200, and displays an image of a virtual space reflecting the operation of the virtual object on the display screen. For example, the main unit 2 changes the movement direction of a virtual object in response to a rotation operation on the steering wheel type attachment 200, or changes the movement speed of a virtual object in response to a press operation on the left operation part 202Le or the right operation part 202Re.

[0192] Here, the left controller 3 and right controller 4 attached to the steering wheel type attachment 200 are equipped with inertial sensors (acceleration sensor 104, angular velocity sensor 105, acceleration sensor 114, and angular velocity sensor 115), and data indicating the detection results of the inertial sensors can be wirelessly transmitted from the left controller 3 and right controller 4 to the main unit 2. The main unit 2 can then use the detection results of the inertial sensors to calculate the attitude and / or movement of the left controller 3 and right controller 4 (i.e., the attitude and / or movement of the steering wheel type attachment 200). In this embodiment, it is possible to control the movement of a virtual object according to the attitude and / or movement of the steering wheel type attachment 200.

[0193] Furthermore, in response to a pressing operation on the left operation part 202Le, the second L button 43 or the second L button 65 is pressed, and data corresponding to the pressing operation of the operation buttons can be wirelessly transmitted from the left controller 3 or the right controller 4 to the main unit 2. Furthermore, in response to a pressing operation on the right operation part 202Re, the second R button 44 or the second R button 66 is pressed, and data corresponding to the pressing operation of the operation buttons can be wirelessly transmitted from the left controller 3 or the right controller 4 to the main unit 2. The main unit 2 can then control the movement of a virtual object in response to a pressing operation of the operation buttons. It is also possible to operate various buttons and analog sticks provided on the front of the left controller 3 or the right controller 4 fixed to the steering wheel-type attachment 200, and it is also possible to control the movement of a virtual object in response to such an operation.

[0194] In the above description, an example was used in which the steering wheel type attachment 200 is provided with the movable part 202, but a movable part that performs other rotational movements may also be provided. Examples of steering wheel type attachments provided with a movable part that performs other rotational movements will be described below with reference to Figs. 19 to 21. Fig. 19 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an example of the structure of movable part 302 provided in a steering wheel type attachment. Fig. 20 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an example of the structure of movable part 303 provided in a steering wheel type attachment. Fig. 21 is an internal structural view showing an example of the structure of movable part 304 provided in a steering wheel type attachment.

[0195] In FIG. 19, the movable unit 302 is provided at the rear of the attached controller so as to be rotatable around a fulcrum provided at the rear of the steering wheel-type attachment. As shown in FIG. 19, the axial direction of the fulcrum of the movable unit 302 is set as the left-right direction of the steering wheel-type attachment. The fulcrum of the movable unit 302 is provided below and behind the operation button of the controller that is pressed by the movable unit 302. The operation portion (point of force) and protruding portion (point of action) of the movable unit 302 are provided in front of the fulcrum, and the operation portion is provided behind the protruding portion. As a result, when the operation portion of the movable unit 302 is pressed downward, the protruding portion also rotates downward around the fulcrum. Furthermore, the amount of movement of the protruding portion that moves in response to the press is greater than the amount of movement of the operation portion when pressed. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of operation required to press the operation buttons of the attached left controller 3 and right controller 4. In this way, the movable part 302 functions as a lever provided in the front-rear direction behind the steering wheel type attachment.

[0196] In FIG. 20 , the movable unit 303 is provided on the top of the attached controller so as to be rotatable around a fulcrum provided at the front of the steering wheel-type attachment. As shown in FIG. 20 , the axial direction of the fulcrum of the movable unit 303 is set in the left-right direction of the steering wheel-type attachment. The fulcrum of the movable unit 303 is also provided in front of and above the operation button of the controller that is pressed by the movable unit 303. The operation portion (point of force) and protruding portion (point of action) of the movable unit 303 are respectively provided behind the fulcrum on the same line perpendicular to the axial direction of the fulcrum, with the operation portion being provided behind the protruding portion. As a result, when the operation portion of the movable unit 303 is pressed downward, the protruding portion also rotates downward around the fulcrum. Furthermore, the amount of movement of the protruding portion due to the pressing is smaller than the amount of movement of the operation portion due to the pressing. In this way, the movable unit 303 functions as a lever provided in the front-rear direction above the steering wheel-type attachment.

[0197] In FIG. 21 , the movable unit 304 is provided above the attached controller so as to be rotatable around a fulcrum provided above the steering wheel-type attachment. As shown in FIG. 21 , the axial direction of the fulcrum of the movable unit 304 is set to the front-rear direction of the steering wheel-type attachment. The fulcrum of the movable unit 304 is provided above and to the left of the operation button of the controller pressed by the movable unit 304. The operation portion (point of force) and protruding portion (point of action) of the movable unit 304 are both provided to the right of the fulcrum, directly above the operation button of the controller pressed by the movable unit 304, and the operation portion is provided directly above the protruding portion. As a result, when the operation portion of the movable unit 304 is pressed downward, the protruding portion provided directly below the operation portion also rotates downward around the fulcrum. The amount of movement of the protruding portion that moves when pressed is the same as the amount of movement of the operation portion when pressed. Therefore, the operating force required to press the operating part is the same as the force required to press the operation button on the attached left controller 3 or right controller 4, and since there is no leverage function, it is possible to operate the operating part of the movable part 304 with the same operating feel as when pressing the operation button on the left controller 3 or right controller 4 without an attachment. In this way, the movable part 304 is provided directly above the steering wheel-type attachment, and functions as an operating means without a leverage function.

[0198] As described above, in this embodiment, the steering wheel type attachment 200, which is an example of an accessory device, is detachable from either the left controller 3 or the right controller 4, and by attaching either one, processing according to operations performed while holding the steering wheel type attachment 200 becomes possible. Furthermore, the steering wheel type attachment 200 is capable of operation according to the attitude and movement of the steering wheel type attachment 200 itself, and is provided with a plurality of movable parts for operating the operating units provided on the left controller 3 and the right controller 4. Therefore, the user can operate the steering wheel type attachment 200 by moving the plurality of movable parts provided on the steering wheel type attachment 200 while moving the entire steering wheel type attachment 200, enabling a variety of operations.

[0199] It should be noted that in the above-described embodiment, the method for detecting the movement and posture of the left controller 3 and right controller 4 attached to the steering wheel-type attachment 200 is merely an example, and the movement and posture may be detected using other methods or other data. For example, the movement and posture may be calculated using only the angular velocity occurring in the left controller 3 and right controller 4, or calculated using only the angular velocity occurring in the left controller 3 and right controller 4, or calculated by combining the angular velocity and acceleration occurring in the left controller 3 and right controller 4. Even when only the acceleration occurring in the left controller 3 and right controller 4 is detected, it is possible to calculate the direction in which gravitational acceleration occurs in the left controller 3 and right controller 4, and it goes without saying that the movement and posture can be calculated by sequentially calculating the x, y, and z-axis directions based on the gravitational acceleration.

[0200] Furthermore, the main unit 2, the left controller 3, and the right controller 4 may be any type of device, such as a portable game device or any portable electronic device (PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), mobile phone, personal computer, camera, tablet, etc.). Furthermore, the device attached to the steering wheel type attachment 200 and transmitting operation data to the main unit 2 does not have to be a game controller. For example, the device attached to the steering wheel type attachment 200 may be a remote control device for remotely operating / controlling a device located at a distance, and a remote control device for operating / controlling a device other than a game device may be attached. For example, a remote control device for operating / controlling other devices, such as a monitor, personal computer, camera, tablet, mobile phone, other household appliances, outdoor appliances, or vehicles, may be configured to be detachably attached to the steering wheel type attachment 200.

[0201] Furthermore, the images displayed on the main unit 2 are displayed as game images generated by the CPU 81 executing information processing (game processing) in response to operations on the steering wheel-type attachment 200. That is, the images displayed on the main unit 2 are generated by the CPU 81 of the main unit 2 performing information processing (e.g., game processing), but at least a portion of the image generation process may be performed by another device. For example, if the main unit 2 is configured to be able to communicate with another device (e.g., a server, another image display device, another game device, another mobile terminal, or another information processing device), the above process may be performed in cooperation with the other device. In this way, performing at least a portion of the above process in another device enables processing similar to the above-described process. Furthermore, the above-described information processing may be performed by one processor or by cooperation between multiple processors included in an information processing system configured with at least one information processing device. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the CPU 81 of the main unit 2 can perform information processing by executing a predetermined program, but some or all of the above process may be performed by a dedicated circuit provided in the main unit 2.

[0202] According to the above-described modified example, the present invention can also be realized in a so-called cloud computing system configuration, or in a distributed wide area network or local network system configuration. For example, in a distributed local network system configuration, the above processing can be performed cooperatively between a stationary information processing device (stationary game device) and a portable information processing device (portable game device). Note that in these system configurations, there is no particular limitation on which device performs the above processing, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be realized regardless of the processing division.

[0203] The program may be supplied to the main unit 2 not only through an external storage medium such as an external memory, but also through a wired or wireless communication line. The program may also be pre-recorded in a nonvolatile storage device within the main unit. The information storage medium for storing the program may be a nonvolatile memory, a CD-ROM, a DVD, or similar optical disk-type storage media, a flexible disk, a hard disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a magnetic tape. The information storage medium for storing the program may also be a volatile memory for storing the program. Such a storage medium may be a recording medium readable by a computer or the like. For example, the various functions described above can be provided by having a computer or the like read and execute the program from such a recording medium.

[0204] Although the present invention has been described in detail above, the above description is merely illustrative of the present invention in all respects and is not intended to limit its scope. It goes without saying that various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is understood that the scope of the present invention should be interpreted solely by the claims. Furthermore, it is understood that those skilled in the art can implement equivalent scopes based on the description of the present invention and common technical knowledge from the description of specific embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, it should be understood that the terms used in this specification are used in the same sense as commonly used in the art unless otherwise specified. Therefore, unless otherwise defined, all technical and technical terms used in this specification have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. In the event of a conflict, the present specification (including definitions) shall prevail. [Industrial Applicability]

[0205] As described above, the present invention can be used as a more convenient attachment for a game controller, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0206] 2...Main unit 3...Left controller 4...Right controller 11, 31, 51…Housing 12...Display 43, 65...Second Left button 44, 66...2nd R button 81...CPU 83...Controller communication section 85...DRAM 200...Steering wheel type attachment 201...Main body gripping part 202, 302, 303, 304...Movable part 203…Fixed part 204...Spring 101, 111...Communication control unit

Claims

1. a rim portion to be held by both hands of a user; a bridge portion that connects the rim portions at locations that face each other in the left-right direction, the bridge portion including a storage portion that is recessed rearward so that at least a portion thereof opens forward and that detachably stores at least a portion of the game controller; a first portion at least a portion of which moves in the vertical direction; a first depression portion configured to depress a first button of the game controller at least a portion of which is housed in the housing portion by the first portion moving downward; the first portion is provided at a position to be pressed by a finger of a user holding the rim portion and includes a first operation surface facing upward; An attachment for a game controller, wherein the first operating surface extends in at least one of the left and right directions from a position rearward of the rim portion in the front-to-back direction, closer to the center of the rim portion than the inner circumference of the rim portion, to a position within the range from the inner circumference to the outer circumference of the rim portion.

2. the bridge portion has a first hole at an upper portion thereof, the first hole being at least partially positioned rearward of the rim portion; The attachment for a game controller according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the first portion passes through the first hole.

3. 3. The attachment for a game controller according to claim 1, wherein the first operation surface extends downward toward the rear.

4. The first portion is a first flange portion including the first operation surface and a first back surface opposite to the first operation surface; 4. The attachment for a game controller according to claim 1, further comprising: a first shaft portion extending from the first rear surface.

5. The first portion is a first flange portion including the first operation surface and a first back surface opposite to the first operation surface; a first shaft portion extending from the first back surface, 2. An attachment for a game controller as described in claim 1, wherein the bridge portion has a first hole at the top, at least a portion of which is located rearward of the rim portion, and at least a portion of the first axis portion passes through the first hole.

6. The game controller attachment according to claim 5 , wherein the first flange portion extends from the inside to the outside of the first hole in at least one of the left and right directions.

7. 7. The attachment for a game controller according to claim 5, wherein a rear end of the first flange portion is located rearward of a rear end of the first shaft portion exposed through the first hole.

8. 8. The attachment for a game controller according to claim 5, wherein the first portion and the first depression portion are configured as an integrated part.

9. 9. The attachment for a game controller according to claim 1, wherein the rim portion is annular.

10. the first portion is provided to the left of the center of the rim portion in the left-right direction, the first operation surface is provided at a position where it is pressed by the fingers of the user's left hand, and the first operation surface extends leftward in the left-right direction from a position rearward of the rim portion in the front-rear direction, the position being closer to the center of the rim portion than an inner periphery of the rim portion, to a position within a range from the inner periphery to the outer periphery of the rim portion; The game controller attachment further includes: a second portion provided to the right of the center of the rim portion in the left-right direction, at least a portion of which moves in the up-down direction; a second depression portion configured to depress a second button of the game controller at least a portion of which is housed in the housing portion when the second portion moves downward, the second portion is provided at a position to be pressed by a finger of the user's right hand and includes a second operation surface facing upward; 10. An attachment for a game controller as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the second operating surface extends to the right in the left-right direction from a position rearward of the rim portion in the front-to-rear direction, closer to the center of the rim portion than the inner circumference of the rim portion, to a position within the range from the inner circumference to the outer circumference of the rim portion.

11. The first portion is provided to the left of the center of the rim portion in the left-right direction, the first operation surface is provided at a position where it is pressed by the fingers of the user's left hand, and the first operation surface extends leftward in the left-right direction from a position rearward of the rim portion in the front-rear direction, the position being closer to the center of the rim portion than an inner periphery of the rim portion, to a position within a range from the inner periphery to the outer periphery of the rim portion; The game controller attachment further includes: a second portion provided to the right of the center of the rim portion in the left-right direction, at least a portion of which moves in the up-down direction; a second depression portion configured to depress a second button of the game controller at least a portion of which is housed in the housing portion when the second portion moves downward, the second portion is provided at a position to be pressed by a finger of the user's right hand and includes a second operation surface facing upward; the second operation surface extends in the right-left direction from a position closer to the center of the rim portion than an inner periphery of the rim portion, to a position within a range from the inner periphery to the outer periphery of the rim portion, at a rear of the rim portion in the front-rear direction, the bridge portion has a first hole and a second hole at an upper portion thereof, the first hole and the second hole being at least partially located rearward of the rim portion; the first portion at least partially passes through the first hole; the second portion at least partially passes through the second hole; 2. The attachment for a game controller according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the bridge portion is provided between the first portion and the second portion and above the first hole and the second hole.

12. The first portion is provided to the left of the center of the rim portion in the left-right direction, the first operation surface is provided at a position where it is pressed by the fingers of the user's left hand, and the first operation surface extends leftward in the left-right direction from a position rearward of the rim portion in the front-rear direction, the position being closer to the center of the rim portion than an inner periphery of the rim portion, to a position within a range from the inner periphery to the outer periphery of the rim portion; The game controller attachment further includes: a second portion provided to the right of the center of the rim portion in the left-right direction, at least a portion of which moves in the up-down direction; a second depression portion configured to depress a second button of the game controller at least a portion of which is housed in the housing portion when the second portion moves downward, the second portion is provided at a position to be pressed by a finger of the user's right hand and includes a second operation surface facing upward; the second operation surface extends in the right-left direction from a position closer to the center of the rim portion than an inner periphery of the rim portion, to a position within a range from the inner periphery to the outer periphery of the rim portion, at a rear of the rim portion in the front-rear direction, The first portion is a first flange portion including the first operation surface and a first back surface opposite to the first operation surface; a first shaft portion extending from the first back surface, The second portion is a second flange portion including the second operation surface and a second back surface opposite to the second operation surface; a second shaft portion extending from the connection to the second back surface; the first flange portion extends leftward from the first shaft portion, The attachment for a game controller according to claim 1 , wherein the second flange portion extends rightward from the second shaft portion.

13. the first portion moves in the up-down direction by rotating around a first fulcrum located to the right of the first operation surface; 13. The attachment for a game controller according to claim 10, wherein the second portion moves in the up and down direction by rotating around a second fulcrum located to the left of the second operation surface.

14. 14. The attachment for a game controller according to claim 1, further comprising a first biasing portion that biases the first portion upward.

15. An attachment for a game controller as described in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein at least a portion of the rim portion and the bridge portion are formed by joining a first integrated part that forms the front portion of the rim portion and the front portion of the bridge portion, and a second integrated part that forms the rear portion of the rim portion and the rear portion of the bridge portion.

Images