Game controller

Abstract

To provide a new game controller that can be mounted on a main body device in a freely detachable manner.SOLUTION: A game controller is detachably mounted on a main body device capable of executing game processing, which has a recess and is equipped with a first magnet and a second magnet at the bottom of the recess. The game controller includes a first input part, a convex part, a first button, and a second button. The first input part is provided on the front face. The convex part projects from a first side face and extends along a longitudinal direction of the first side face. The convex part is configured to be fitted into the recess. The first button and the second button are provided along the longitudinal direction on the top face of the convex part. The first button and the second button are depressed by a user. The first button is adsorbed to the first magnet by magnetic force. The second button is adsorbed to the second magnet by magnetic force.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present disclosure relates to a game controller.

Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-000757 (Patent Document 1) discloses a game controller.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a novel game controller that is detachably attached to a main body device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The game controller according to the present disclosure has a recess, and is detachably attached to a main body device capable of executing game processing provided with a first magnet and a second magnet at the bottom of the recess. The game controller includes a first input unit, a convex portion, a first button, and a second button. The first input unit is provided on the front surface. The convex portion protrudes from the first side surface and extends along the longitudinal direction of the first side surface. The convex portion is configured to fit into the recess. The first button and the second button are provided along the longitudinal direction on the top surface of the convex portion. The first button and the second button are pressed by a user. The first button is attracted by the first magnet by magnetic force. The second button is attracted by the second magnet by magnetic force.

[0006] According to the game controller according to the above, the first button and the second button may be made of a magnet, a soft magnetic material, or a combination of a magnet and a soft magnetic material.

[0007] According to the game controller described above, the first and second buttons may include a magnet or soft magnetic material in at least part of them.

[0008] According to the game controller described above, the first and second buttons may have portions exposed from the top surface of the protrusions made of magnets or soft magnetic materials.

[0009] According to the game controller described above, the first and second buttons may have magnets or soft magnetic materials that are located on the back of the exposed parts and move integrally with those parts.

[0010] According to the game controller described above, the exposed parts may be painted with a non-magnetic material.

[0011] According to the game controller described above, the conductive parts of the first and second buttons, which are made of magnets or soft magnetic material, may each be connected to the ground of the electronic circuit inside the game controller.

[0012] According to the game controller described above, the first and second buttons may be made of a soft magnetic material.

[0013] According to the game controller described above, the first and second buttons may include a soft magnetic material in at least part of their structure, but may not include a magnet.

[0014] According to the game controller described above, the first button and the second button may be configured to move from their initial position, which is the position when they are not pressed by the user, in the direction opposite to the direction in which they are pressed, by the magnetic force of the first magnet and the second magnet, respectively.

[0015] According to the game controller described above, the protrusion may have a first opening and a second opening on its top surface that expose the top surfaces of the first button and the second button, respectively. The first button and the second button may each have a side wall extending from the top surface of the button through the first opening and the second opening into the interior of the protrusion, and a flange extending outward from the portion of the button side wall located inside the protrusion. The game controller may further include a first biasing component and a second biasing component disposed below the first button and the second button, respectively, which bias the first button and the second button in at least opposite directions when pressed, and a first elastic deformable body and a second elastic deformable body disposed between the flanges of the first button and the second button and a first inner surface which is the interior surface of the protrusion facing the upper surface of the flange, allowing the first button and the second button to move in opposite directions from their initial positions.

[0016] According to the game controller described above, the first elastic deformable body and the second elastic deformable body may be fixed to the first inner surface.

[0017] According to the game controller described above, the first elastic deformable body and the second elastic deformable body may be provided on the side closer to the second inner surface, which is the inner surface of the protrusion facing the side wall, than to the side wall.

[0018] According to the game controller described above, a portion of the first elastic deformable body and the second elastic deformable body may protrude from an opening provided on the outer circumferential surface of the convex portion.

[0019] According to the game controller described above, the height of the top surface of the first button and the second button from the first side in the initial position may be lower than the maximum height of the top surface of the protrusion from the first side. The first button and the second button may each be configured to be movable up to or above the maximum height from the first side of the top surface of the button.

[0020] According to the game controller related above, the height of each button top surface of the first button and the second button at the initial position from the first side surface may be lower than the highest height of the top surface of the convex portion from the first side surface. Each of the first button and the second button may be configured such that the height of the button top surface can move up to near the highest height of the top surface of the convex portion.

[0021] According to the game controller related above, the height of each button top surface of the first button and the second button at the initial position from the first side surface may be lower than the highest height of the top surface of the convex portion from the first side surface. Each of the first button and the second button may be configured such that when the game controller is attached to the main body device, the height of the button top surface can move in a direction approaching the bottom of the recess by the magnetic force of the first magnet and the second magnet.

[0022] According to the game controller related above, each of the first button and the second button may be configured such that when the game controller is attached to the game device, the height of the button top surface can move until it contacts the bottom of the recess by the magnetic force of the first magnet and the second magnet.

[0023] According to the game controller related above, it further includes a raised portion provided integrally on the top surface of the convex portion or provided by placing a separate part on the top surface of the convex portion, and the highest height may be the highest height including the raised portion.

[0024] According to the game controller related above, the convex portion may have a width of the top surface that narrows toward the end at least in the end region in the longitudinal direction.

[0025] According to the game controller related above, among the top surface of the convex portion, the height from the first side surface of at least one end region in the longitudinal direction may be higher than the height from the first side surface of the region where the first button and the second button are respectively provided.

[0026] According to the game controller related above, a terminal accommodating portion for accommodating terminals may be open on the top surface of the convex portion. Among the top surface of the convex portion, the height from the first side surface of the region where the terminal accommodating portion is open may be higher than the height from the first side surface of the region where the first button and the second button are provided respectively.

[0027] According to the game controller related above, a terminal accommodating portion for accommodating terminals may be open on the top surface of the convex portion. Among the top surface of the convex portion, the height from the first side surface of at least one end region in the longitudinal direction may be higher than the height from the first side surface of the region where the terminal accommodating portion is open.

[0028] According to the game controller related above, the maximum height from the first side surface of the top surface of the convex portion may be higher than the depth of the recess.

[0029] According to the game controller related above, a device with an engaging element may be detachably attached to the game controller. Among the outer peripheral surface of the convex portion, an engaging hole to which the engaging element can be engaged may be provided on at least one end surface in the longitudinal direction.

[0030] According to the game controller related above, among the outer peripheral surface of the convex portion, a first engaging hole may be provided on at least one end surface in the longitudinal direction. A device provided with a first engaging element corresponding to the first engaging hole may be detachably attached.

[0031] According to the game controller related above, among the outer peripheral surface of the convex portion, a second engaging hole may be provided on the other end surface in the longitudinal direction. A device further provided with a second engaging element corresponding to the second engaging hole may be detachably attached.

[0032] According to the game controller related above, the first engaging hole and the second engaging hole may have different shapes.

[0033] According to the game controller related above, an elastic deformable body may be further provided on the back surface side among the outer peripheral surface of the convex portion.

[0034] The game controller described above may further include an elastic deformable body on the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion. This elastic deformable body may be provided adjacent to the first side surface.

[0035] The game controller described above may further include an operating section operated by the user, and a pusher that protrudes from a third opening provided on the top surface of a protrusion in response to the operation of the operating section.

[0036] According to the game controller described above, the control unit may be located on the back. The game controller described above may further have a protrusion extending from the back. The control unit may be located on the first side surface of the protrusion.

[0037] According to the game controller described above, the operating direction of the control unit may be opposite to the protruding direction of the convex portion. The control unit may be embedded in the protruding portion when operated.

[0038] According to the game controller described above, the direction of operation may be opposite to the direction of the protrusion of the convex part, and may also be in the direction toward the back.

[0039] According to the game controller described above, the maximum height from the back of the control section may be lower than the maximum height from the back of the protruding section.

[0040] According to the game controller described above, shoulder buttons may be placed on the protruding portion.

[0041] According to the game controller described above, the operating direction of the control unit may be in the opposite direction to the protruding direction of the convex part.

[0042] According to the game controller described above, the first button may be positioned on one end of the top surface of the protrusion in the longitudinal direction from the center. The second button may be positioned on the other end of the center. The third opening may be provided in the longitudinal direction on either one end of the first button or on the other end of the second button.

[0043] According to the game controller described above, the third opening may be provided above the button that is located on the upper side of the first and second buttons when the game controller is attached to a game device.

[0044] According to the game controller described above, the third opening may be provided in the area of ​​the top surface of the protrusion that has the highest height from the first side surface.

[0045] The game controller described above may further include a rotating shaft to which an operating unit is connected, and a pusher actuator connected to the rotating shaft, which contacts a pusher and causes the pusher to extend in response to operation on the operating unit.

[0046] According to the game controller described above, the length from the rotation axis to the end of the operating part may be longer than the distance from the rotation axis to the contact point between the pusher actuator and the pusher.

[0047] According to the game controller described above, the distance from the rotation axis to the contact point between the pusher actuator and the pusher may be longer when the amount of pusher protrusion is large than when it is small.

[0048] According to the game controller described above, the main unit may further include a terminal on the main unit side provided in a recess. The terminal may be provided between the first button and the second button when viewed from the direction of the top surface of the protrusion, and may be electrically connected to the terminal on the main unit side.

[0049] According to the game controller described above, the upper end of the terminal may be positioned at a height lower than the top surface of the protrusion from the first side surface.

[0050] According to the game controller described above, the main unit may further include a terminal on the main unit side provided in the recess. The protrusion may have a fourth opening between the first button and the second button. The game controller may further include a terminal inside the protrusion, accessible from the fourth opening, that electrically connects to the terminal on the main unit side.

[0051] According to the game controller described above, the main unit may further include a terminal on the main unit side provided in a recess. The protrusion may have a fourth opening, which is an opening in the terminal housing, between the first button and the second button. The game controller may further include a terminal provided along the inner circumferential surface of the terminal housing, which is electrically connected to the terminal on the main unit side.

[0052] The game controller described above may further include a light-emitting section on the front side of the outer surface of the protrusion.

[0053] According to the game controller described above, the light-emitting section may be provided between the first button and the second button in the longitudinal direction.

[0054] The game controller described above may further include a light-emitting section on the front side of the outer surface of the protrusion. The light-emitting section may be provided in a position that overlaps with the fourth aperture in the longitudinal direction.

[0055] According to the game controller described above, the terminals may be provided along the inner surface of the terminal housing, specifically along the inner surface on the rear side, rather than along the inner surface on the front side.

[0056] According to the game controller described above, a fifth opening may be provided on the top surface of the protrusion. The game controller may further include a light-emitting unit that emits light outward from the fifth opening, and a light-receiving sensor that receives light from the fifth opening and detects the reflected light from the light-emitting unit, which changes with relative movement to the ground surface.

[0057] According to the game controller described above, the protrusion may have a first opening and a second opening on its top surface that expose the top surfaces of the first button and the second button, respectively.

[0058] According to the game controller described above, the fifth opening may be provided between the first opening and the second opening.

[0059] According to the game controller described above, the main unit may further include a terminal on the main unit side provided in a recess. A fourth opening may be provided on the top surface of the protrusion between the first button and the second button. The game controller may further include a terminal inside the protrusion, accessible from the fourth opening, that electrically connects to the terminal on the main unit side. A fifth opening may be provided between the first opening and the fourth opening.

[0060] According to the game controller described above, the protrusion may have a sixth opening between the second and fourth openings that exposes buttons operated by the user.

[0061] According to the game controller described above, the height from the first side surface of the area on the top surface of the protrusion where the fifth opening is provided may be higher than the height from the first side surface of the area where the first and second buttons are provided.

[0062] The game controller described above may further include mouse feet that make contact with the ground surface when the game controller is placed on the top surface of the protrusion and the top surface of the protrusion faces the ground surface.

[0063] The game controller described above may further include a mouse sole having a through hole and an operating part operated by the user, and a pusher that protrudes from a third opening provided on the top surface of a protrusion in response to the operation of the operating part. The mouse sole may be placed so that the through hole communicates with the third opening.

[0064] The game controller described above may further include a second input section on a side different from the first side.

[0065] The game controller described above may further include a third input section on its back. According to the game controller described above, the first input unit may include a directional pad or a set of four buttons and a joystick.

[0066] According to the game controller described above, the first input section may include a third button pressed by the user and a joystick. A second input section may be further provided on a side different from the first side.

[0067] According to the game controller described above, when viewed in a usage configuration with the first side facing upwards, the first and second buttons are arranged symmetrically, the joystick is provided to the left of the third button, and the second input section may be provided on a side continuous with the right end of the first side.

[0068] According to the game controller described above, when viewed in a usage configuration with the first side facing upwards, the first and second buttons are arranged symmetrically, the joystick is provided to the left of the third button, and the second input section may be provided on a side continuous with the left end of the first side.

[0069] According to the game controller described above, the main unit has a horizontal shape, and it may be attached to or detached with the first side facing the side of the main unit.

[0070] According to the game controller described above, the recesses may be provided on both the first and second sides of the main unit. The protrusions may be configured to fit into the recesses on the first and second sides, respectively.

[0071] The game controller according to this disclosure has a recess, a first magnet and a second magnet at the bottom of the recess, and is detachably attached to a main unit capable of executing game processing. The game controller comprises an input section, a protrusion, a first press section, and a second press section. The input section is provided on the front. The protrusion protrudes from a first side and extends along the longitudinal direction of the first side. The protrusion is configured to fit into the recess. The first press section and the second press section are provided along the longitudinal direction on the top surface of the protrusion. The first press section and the second press section move when pressed by the user. The first press section is attracted to the first magnet by magnetic force. The second press section is attracted to the second magnet by magnetic force.

[0072] The game controller according to this disclosure is detachably attached to a game device having a recess and a first magnet and a second magnet at the bottom of the recess. The game controller comprises a first input section, a first protrusion, a second protrusion, a first button, and a second button. The first input section is provided on the front. The first and second protrusions protrude from a first side and are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the first side. The first and second protrusions are configured to fit into the recess.

[0073] The first button is located on the top surface of the first protrusion. The first button is pressed by the user. The first button is attracted to the first magnet by magnetic force. The second button is located on the top surface of the second protrusion. The second button is pressed by the user. The second button is attracted to the second magnet by magnetic force. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0074] [Figure 1] This is a schematic front view showing an example of the configuration of an information processing device according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic front view showing the first game controller and the second game controller detached from the main unit. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of how to hold and operate an information processing device. [Figure 4]This figure shows an example of how the controller is held and operated horizontally. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of how the controller is held and operated vertically. [Figure 6] This is a schematic perspective view diagram showing the configuration of the right side of the main unit. [Figure 7] This is an exploded perspective schematic diagram showing the configuration of the right side of the main unit. [Figure 8] This is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the first and second magnetic elements. [Figure 9] This is a six-sided schematic diagram showing the configuration of a first embodiment of the first game controller. [Figure 10] This is a schematic perspective view showing a detailed configuration of a first embodiment of the first game controller. [Figure 11] This is an exploded perspective schematic diagram including the convex portion. [Figure 12] Figure 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view along the line XII-XII. [Figure 13] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the top button (right) being attracted to the first magnetic element. [Figure 14] This is a schematic plan view showing the structure of the first elastic deformed body. [Figure 15] This is a schematic front view showing the configuration of a first embodiment of a game controller. [Figure 16] Figure 15 is an enlarged schematic diagram of region XVI. [Figure 17] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the game controller attached to the main unit. [Figure 18] Figure 17 is an enlarged schematic diagram of region XVIII. [Figure 19] Figure 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view along line XIX. [Figure 20] This is a schematic cross-sectional view along the line XX-XX in Figure 17. [Figure 21] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example configuration of the first terminal. [Figure 22] This is a schematic top view showing the configuration of a first embodiment of a game controller. [Figure 23]This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing only the convex portion along the line XXIII-XXIII in Figure 22. [Figure 24] This is a schematic diagram of the lower side showing a game controller being used as a mouse. [Figure 25] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the use of a mouse with both hands. [Figure 26] This is a schematic rear view showing the configuration of a first embodiment of a game controller. [Figure 27] This is a schematic cross-sectional view along the line XXVII-XXVII in Figure 26. [Figure 28] This is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a pusher operating member. [Figure 29] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state when the control unit is being operated. [Figure 30] This is a schematic diagram showing the state of the control unit before it is operated. [Figure 31] This is a schematic diagram showing the state of the control unit when it is being operated. [Figure 32] This is a schematic rear view showing the state of the first game controller before it is removed from the main unit. [Figure 33] This is a schematic rear view showing the first state in which the first game controller is being removed from the main unit. [Figure 34] This is a schematic cross-sectional view along the line XXXIV-XXXIV in Figure 22. [Figure 35] This is a six-sided schematic diagram showing the configuration of the first embodiment of the second game controller. [Figure 36] This is a schematic front view showing an example configuration of the main unit. [Figure 37] This is a conceptual schematic diagram showing the connection state of the terminals in the first connection state. [Figure 38] This is a schematic front view showing the configuration of the information processing device in the first connection state. [Figure 39] This is a conceptual schematic diagram showing the terminal arrangement in the first connection state. [Figure 40] This is a conceptual schematic diagram showing a second example of the terminal connection state. [Figure 41]This is a schematic front view showing the configuration of the information processing device in the second connection state. [Figure 42] This is a conceptual schematic diagram showing the terminal arrangement in the second connection state. [Figure 43] This is a schematic top view of the main unit showing the state before the first game controller is removed from the main unit. [Figure 44] This is a schematic top view of the main unit showing the second state, in the process of removing the first game controller from the main unit. [Figure 45] This is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the main unit. [Figure 46] This is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of an information processing device. [Figure 47] This is a schematic front view showing the configuration of a second embodiment of a game controller. [Figure 48] This is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of a third aspect of a game controller. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0075] Embodiments of this disclosure (also referred to as these embodiments) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, identical or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will not be repeated. [First aspect] <Information Processing Device> First, an example configuration of the information processing device 1000 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 1 is a schematic front view showing an example configuration of the information processing device 1000 according to this embodiment.

[0076] As shown in Figure 1, the information processing device 1000 according to this embodiment includes a first game controller 1, a second game controller 2, and a main unit 3. Hereafter, the first game controller 1 or the second game controller 2 will be collectively referred to simply as the game controller. The main unit 3 has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape, with the top and bottom sides being longer than the right and left sides. The main unit 3 is capable of executing game processing. Game processing is performed based on input to the game controllers. The first game controller 1 and the second game controller 2 are detachable from the main unit 3. In the mounting state shown in Figure 1, the first game controller 1 is mounted on the right side of the main unit 3, and the second game controller 2 is mounted on the left side of the main unit 3.

[0077] Figure 2 is a schematic front view showing the first game controller 1 and the second game controller 2, respectively, detached from the main unit 3.

[0078] As shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5, the game controller can be used both when attached to the main unit 3 and when detached from the main unit 3.

[0079] As shown in Figure 3, when the game controller is attached to the main unit 3, it is used with its longitudinal direction oriented vertically. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 4, when the game controller is detached from the main unit 3, it is used with its longitudinal direction oriented horizontally (or, from another perspective, parallel to the ground).

[0080] In the example shown in Figure 4, the first game controller 1 and the second game controller 2 are being operated by different users.

[0081] In the following explanation, when referring to the orientation of the game controller (up, down, left, and right directions), the orientation will be based on the usage state in which the game controller is detached from the main unit 3 and its long side is in the left-right direction. On the other hand, in the following explanation, when referring to the orientation of the main unit 3 and the orientation of the information processing device 1000 to which the game controller is attached to the main unit 3, the orientation will be based on the usage state in which the direction connecting the sides to which the game controller is attached relative to the main unit 3 is in the left-right direction.

[0082] As shown in Figure 5, the game controller can also be used with its longitudinal direction oriented vertically (or, from another perspective, perpendicular to the ground) when detached from the main unit 3. In the example shown in Figure 5, one user is operating both the first game controller 1 and the second game controller 2. However, each controller may be operated by a different user.

[0083] Hereafter, the usage state shown in Figure 3 will also be referred to as the integrated gripping state, the usage state shown in Figure 4 as the horizontal holding state, and the usage state shown in Figure 5 as the vertical holding state.

[0084] As shown in Figure 2, the first game controller 1 has a protrusion 100 on its upper surface 11 that protrudes from the surface. The upper surface 11 of the first game controller 1 is a surface that extends along the longitudinal direction of the first game controller 1. The protrusion 100 extends along the longitudinal direction of the upper surface 11. Similarly, the second game controller 2 has a protrusion 200 on its upper surface 211 that protrudes from the surface and extends along the longitudinal direction of the surface. The upper surface 211 of the second game controller 2 is a surface that extends along the longitudinal direction of the second game controller 2. The protrusion 200 extends along the longitudinal direction of the upper surface 211.

[0085] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the main body device 3 has a recess 310 on its right side surface 313. The recess 310 extends in the longitudinal direction of the right side surface 313. The recess 310 extends along the vertical direction of the right side surface 313. The left side surface 314 of the main body device 3 has a recess 320. The recess 320 extends in the longitudinal direction of the left side surface 314. The recess 320 extends along the vertical direction of the left side surface 314 of the main body device 3. The recesses 310 and 320 are elongated recesses that extend along the longitudinal direction of the right side surface 313 or the left side surface 314 of the main body.

[0086] As shown in Figure 1, the first game controller 1 is attached to the main unit 3 such that the protrusion 100 fits into the recess 310. The first game controller 1 is attached to the main unit 3 such that its upper side surface 11 faces the right side surface 313 of the main unit 3, and the longitudinal direction of the upper side surface 11 of the first game controller 1 aligns with the longitudinal direction of the right side surface 313 of the main unit 3. Similarly, the second game controller 2 is attached to the main unit 3 such that the protrusion 200 fits into the recess 320. The second game controller 2 is attached to the main unit 3 such that its upper side surface 211 faces the left side surface 314 of the main unit 3, and the longitudinal direction of the upper side surface 211 of the second game controller 2 aligns with the longitudinal direction of the left side surface 314 of the main unit 3.

[0087] The first game controller 1 and the second game controller 2 each have a joystick and a set of four buttons. When attached to the main unit 3, the first game controller 1 is attached so that the four buttons are on the top and the joystick is on the bottom. On the other hand, the second game controller 2 is attached to the main unit 3 so that the joystick is on the top and the four buttons are on the bottom. <Main unit> As shown in Figure 1, a display 305 is provided on the front surface 315 of the main unit 3. The display surface of the display 305 is exposed through an opening provided in the front surface 315 of the main unit. The display 305 may also be mounted on the surface of the front surface 315 of the main unit. The display 305 may be any display device, such as a liquid crystal display or an OLED. A touch panel may be provided on the display surface of the display 305. Any touch detection method may be used for the touch panel. The display 305 displays, for example, an image acquired or generated by the main unit 3. The image may be a still image or a moving image.

[0088] The main unit 3 has an audio input / output terminal 301. The audio input / output terminal 301 is located on the upper side surface 316 of the main unit 3. The audio input / output terminal 301 is, for example, an earphone jack. Earphones or a microphone can be connected to the audio input / output terminal 301. The main unit 3 may also have a volume button next to the audio input / output terminal 301. The volume button is used to give instructions to adjust the volume output by the main unit 3.

[0089] The main unit 3 has a lower terminal 303. The lower terminal 303 is provided on the lower side surface 317 of the main unit 3. The lower terminal 303 may be provided in the center in the left-right direction on the lower side surface 317 of the main unit. The lower terminal 303 is a terminal for communicating with an external device, for example. The lower terminal 303 constitutes, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector. The main unit 3 may be supplied with power from an external source via the lower terminal 303. The main unit 3 may output images to an external source via the lower terminal 303. When the main unit 3 is placed on the cradle from the lower side, the lower terminal 303 may be connected to a terminal on the cradle.

[0090] These components of the main unit 3 are just examples. These components may be provided on other sides of the main unit 3. Multiple components may be provided. For example, in addition to the lower terminal 303, the main unit 3 may have an upper terminal 302 on the upper side 316 of the main unit. The upper terminal 302 may be provided at a position that is not symmetrical with respect to the front surface 315 of the main unit. The main unit 3 does not have to have these components. The main unit 3 may also have other components in addition to or instead of these components. For example, the main unit 3 may have a power button 307 and a storage medium slot 304 on the upper side 316 of the main unit. The main unit 3 may perform game processing by executing a game application stored on a storage medium inserted in the storage medium slot 304. The main unit 3 may also have a stand on the back of the main unit for supporting the main unit 3. The stand allows the main unit 3 to stand on a mounting surface with the upper side 316 facing upwards. For example, the stand may be rotatably connected to the main housing 306 and rotated away from the main housing 306 when in use.

[0091] Figure 6 is an assembled perspective schematic diagram showing the configuration of the right side of the main unit 3. Figure 7 is an exploded perspective schematic diagram showing the configuration of the right side of the main unit 3. The main unit 3 also has a similar configuration on its left side.

[0092] As shown in Figure 6, a recess 310 is provided on the right side surface 313 of the main body of the main unit 3. The recess 310 is a recessed portion on the right side surface 313 of the main body. The recess 310 has a bottom surface 3121 and an inner circumferential surface 3120 surrounding the bottom surface 3121. In this embodiment, the inner circumferential surface 3120 and a base surface (the base surface 311 described later) that serves as the base of the bottom surface are formed by the recessing of the portion of the main body housing 306 that forms the right side of the main unit 3. When the cover 338 is placed on the base surface, the surface of the cover 338 constitutes the bottom surface 3121 of the recess 310. The cover 338 is not required, in which case the bottom surface formed by the main body housing 306 becomes the bottom surface 3121 of the recess 310.

[0093] As shown in Figure 6, the bottom surface 3121 of the recess 310 extends in the longitudinal direction of the right side surface 313 of the main body. The front side and the back side of the bottom surface 3121 are substantially straight lines and extend substantially parallel to each other. In this embodiment, the upper and lower regions of the bottom surface 3121 narrow in width towards the ends. More specifically, the upper and lower regions of the bottom surface 3121 narrow in a curved manner. The upper and lower regions of the bottom surface 3121 may also narrow linearly. Furthermore, the upper and lower regions of the bottom surface 3121 may have a constant width. Also, only one of the upper or lower regions of the bottom surface 3121 may narrow in width towards the ends.

[0094] As shown in Figure 7, the main body device 3 includes a first plug connector 330, a cover 338, a pair of stepped screws 334, and two magnetic elements 410 and 420 provided along the longitudinal direction of the recess 310. The first magnetic element 410 is positioned on the upper side, and the second magnetic element 420 is positioned on the lower side. The first magnetic element 410 is positioned in a region above the longitudinal center of the right side surface 313 of the main body, and the second magnetic element 420 is positioned in the lower region. Both magnetic elements 410 and 420 may be positioned in either the upper or lower region. The material of the cover 338 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, an insulating material. The material of the cover 338 may also be, for example, a material that does not attract to magnets. The material of the cover 338 may be, for example, plastic.

[0095] Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the first magnetic element 410 and the second magnetic element 420. A magnetic element is a component that is attracted to a magnet by magnetic force. A magnetic element includes a component made of a magnet or a material that is not a magnet but is attracted to a magnet, such as a soft magnetic material. As shown in Figure 8, the first magnetic element 410 has a pair of yokes 411 and a magnet 413. That is, the first magnetic element 410 includes a magnet. The material of the magnet 413 is not particularly limited. The magnet 413 is, for example, a neodymium magnet. The material of the yoke 411 is not particularly limited. For example, a soft magnetic material can be used for the material of the yoke 411, for example, iron can be used. In other embodiments, the magnetic element 410 may have a magnet 413 without a yoke 411. Also, the magnetic element 410 may have a component made of a soft magnetic material without a magnet 413.

[0096] The magnet 413 is sandwiched between a pair of yokes 411. The magnet 413 and the pair of yokes 411 are fixed together, for example, by adhesive. The magnet 413 is a rectangular parallelepiped. Each of the pair of yokes 411 has a body portion 414 and a pair of flange portions 415. The magnet 413 is sandwiched between the body portions 414. One of the pair of flange portions 415 protrudes from the lower region of one end surface of the body portion 414 (more specifically, the longitudinal end surface of the first body portion 414). The other of the pair of first flange portions 415 protrudes from the lower region of the other end surface of the first body portion 414 (more specifically, the longitudinal end surface of the first body portion 414). The second magnetic element 420 is configured similarly.

[0097] As shown in Figure 7, the portion of the main housing 306 that forms the right side is recessed, thereby forming a base surface 311 that serves as the bottom surface of the recess 310 and an inner circumferential surface 3120. As described above, the surface of the cover 338 placed on the base surface 311 constitutes the bottom surface 3121. The cover 338 is fixed to the base surface 311. The method of fixing the cover 338 is not particularly limited, but for example, the cover 338 may be fixed to the base surface 311 with an adhesive. Alternatively, the cover 338 may be fixed to the base surface 311 with adhesive tape. When adhesive or adhesive tape is used, the material is not limited, but for example, it may be an insulating material or a material that does not attract magnets. In this embodiment, the shape of the base surface 311 and the shape of the cover 338 are substantially the same. In other embodiments, the shape of the base surface 311 and the shape of the cover 338 may be different. For example, the cover 338 may be shaped to cover at least the first magnetic element 410, the second magnetic element 420, the first hole 401, and the second hole 402. Also, the cover 338 may consist of multiple cover parts, not just one. In this embodiment, the inner circumferential surface 3120 surrounds the entire circumference of the base surface 311, but it does not have to surround the entire circumference. The inner circumferential surface 3120 is connected to the base surface 311 and the right side surface 313 of the main body. The upper end of the inner circumferential surface 3120 (the right end in the main body device 3) is connected to the right side surface 313 of the main body. From another point of view, the recess 310 is recessed more than the right side surface 313 of the main body. In this embodiment, the shape of the inner circumferential surface 3120 is generally that of a truncated pyramid with the base surface 3121 as the upper base. That is, the inner circumferential surface 3120 widens from the base surface towards the upper end. As will be described later, the end region in the longitudinal direction may be rounded. From another perspective, when the recess 310 is viewed from the opening side (i.e., the right side), the bottom surface 3121 and the inner circumferential surface 3120 surrounding the bottom surface 3121 are visible. In other embodiments, the inner circumferential surface 3120 may extend parallel to the left-right direction. Note that the shape of the recess 310 is not limited to the outer surface shape of a truncated pyramid. For example, the shape of the recess 310 may be the outer surface shape of a truncated cone, or the outer surface shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. The opposite side of the main body device 3 is configured similarly.

[0098] The base surface 311 has a first hole 401 and a second hole 402 for accommodating magnetic elements 410 and 420. The first hole 401 and the second hole 402 are aligned in the longitudinal direction of the right side surface 313 of the main body. That is, the first hole 401 and the second hole 402 are aligned in the longitudinal direction of the base surface 311. As will be described in detail later, the first game controller 1 also has magnetic elements, and the game controller is attached to the main unit 3 by the magnetic elements on the first game controller 1 side being attracted to the magnetic elements 410 and 420. By having all or part of the magnetic elements 410 and 420 enter the holes 401 and 402 from inside the main unit housing 306, the distance between the magnetic elements on the first game controller 1 side that is attached to the main unit 3 and the magnetic elements 410 and 420 becomes shorter, and the magnetic force of attraction can be increased.

[0099] The portion of the first magnetic element 410 above the flange portion 415 is housed in the first hole 401. The top surface of the first magnetic element 410 is substantially flush with the base surface 311. The portion of the first magnetic element 410 that is not housed in the first hole 401 (i.e., the flange portion 415 and the portion of the main body portion 414 below the upper end of the flange portion 415) is located inside the main body housing 306. The length of the portion of the first magnetic element 410 including the flange portion 415 is longer than the length of the opening of the first hole 401 on the inside side of the main body housing 305. Therefore, the flange portion 415 prevents the entire first magnetic element 410 from entering the first hole 401 and prevents it from detaching to the outside of the main body housing 306. The top surface of the first magnetic element 410 may be located recessed from the base surface 311. Alternatively, the top surface of the first magnetic element 410 may protrude from the base surface 311. The same applies to the second magnetic element 420.

[0100] The first magnetic element 410, the second magnetic element 420, the first hole 401, and the second hole 402 are covered by the cover 338. That is, the first magnetic element 410 and the second magnetic element 420 are covered by the cover 338 which constitutes the bottom surface 3121 of the recess 310. In this embodiment, as an embodiment in which the magnetic elements are provided at the bottom of the recess 310, the magnetic elements are embedded in the bottom of the recess 310 by the cover 338. In other embodiments in which the magnetic elements are provided at the bottom of the recess 310, the magnetic elements may be arranged on the bottom surface 3121 of the recess 310. Alternatively, the magnetic elements may be arranged in a manner that exposes them on the surface of a hole provided in the bottom surface 3121 of the recess 310 or in a recessed position. The first magnetic element 410, the second magnetic element 420, the first hole 401, and the second hole 402 are covered by the cover 338 together with the base surface 311. This prevents, for example, objects attracted to a magnet from unintentionally being attracted directly to the first magnetic element 410 or the second magnetic element 420, or from entering the first hole 401 or the second hole 402. Furthermore, even if such an object is attracted to the first magnetic element 410 with the cover 338 in between, it can be moved along the cover 338 in a direction away from the first magnetic element 410. By moving sufficiently away from the first magnetic element 410, such an object can be easily moved away from the cover 338.

[0101] The second magnetic element 420 has the same configuration as the first magnetic element 410. Furthermore, like the first magnetic element 410, a portion of the second magnetic element 420 is housed in the second hole 402. The magnetic elements 430 and 440, and the holes in the recess 320 on the left side that house the magnetic elements 430 and 440, respectively, also have the same configuration.

[0102] As shown in Figure 7, the first plug connector 330 has a support portion 333, a first tongue 332 protruding from the support portion 333, and a main body first terminal 331 provided along the surface of the first tongue 332. The support portion 333 and the first tongue 332 may be an integrated unit or separate.

[0103] The first plug connector 330 is provided between the first magnetic element 410 and the second magnetic element 420 in the longitudinal direction of the right side surface 313 of the main body, as viewed from the bottom surface direction of the recess 310. Therefore, the first terminal 331 of the main body is provided between the first magnetic element 410 and the second magnetic element 420 in the longitudinal direction of the right side surface 313 of the main body. Furthermore, the tip of the first tongue 332 (the right end of the first tongue 332) does not protrude from the recess 310. That is, the first tongue 332 does not protrude outward from the right side surface 313 of the main body, but is provided within the recess 310. Therefore, the first terminal 331 of the main body provided on the first tongue 332 is also provided within the recess 310. In other embodiments, the first tongue 332 and the first terminal 331 of the main body may protrude higher than the right side surface 313 of the main body.

[0104] The first plug connector 330 is attached to the base surface 311 by a pair of stepped screws 334. Because the first plug connector 330 is attached to the base surface 311 using a pair of stepped screws 334, it is possible for it to move slightly relative to the base surface 311. In other words, the first plug connector 330 is a floating connector. Because the first plug connector 330 is a floating connector, it is easy to maintain the connection of the connector even if the first game controller 1 attached to the main unit 3 moves slightly relative to the main unit 3. The first plug connector 330 may be freely movable around the axial direction of the stepped screws 334, or it may be movable only in the axial direction. The pair of stepped screws 334 and the support part 333 are covered by a cover 338. The first tongue 332 and the main unit first terminal 331 are exposed by passing through a through hole 337 provided in the cover 338. <Controller> Figure 9 is a six-sided schematic diagram showing the configuration of the first embodiment of the first game controller 1. The second game controller 2 will be described later.

[0105] As shown in Figure 9, the first game controller 1 of this embodiment has, on its front, a joystick 31 which is an example of a directional input unit, a set of four buttons 32, a + button 33(1), and a home button 33(2). The set of four buttons 32 are arranged in a cross shape, but they may be arranged in other ways. The first game controller 1 also has a top button (right) 110 and a top button (left) 120, a sync button 50, a shoulder button (right) 130, and a Z shoulder button (right) 140. As will be described in detail later, the top button (right) 110 and the top button (left) 120 and the sync button 50 are provided on the protrusion 100. These are just examples of input units, and it is not necessary to have all of them. In addition, the first game controller 1 may have other input units such as a touchpad or a pressure sensor instead of or in addition to these input units.

[0106] When the first game controller 1 is attached to the main unit 3, the operation information from the input unit is transmitted to the main unit's first terminal 331 via the first terminal 160 (described later), and the CPU of the main unit 3 processes the information according to the program. In usage modes where the game controller is not attached to the main unit 3, the operation information from the input unit is transmitted to the CPU of the main unit 3 via the wireless chip of the game controller and the wireless chip of the main unit 3. The information processing device 1000 does not necessarily have to have the first terminal 160 and the main unit's first terminal 331; in that case, even when the game controller is attached to the main unit 3, information transmission is performed via the wireless chip.

[0107] As shown in Figure 9, the first game controller 1 has a front surface 15, a back surface 16, an upper side surface 11, a right side surface 12, a lower side surface 13, and a left side surface 14. The front surface 15 is the surface that faces the user using the first game controller 1 in the integrated gripping state, the horizontal gripping state, and the vertical gripping state. The back surface 16 is on the opposite side of the front surface 15. The front surface 15 and the back surface 16 are connected to the upper side surface 11, the right side surface 12, the lower side surface 13, and the left side surface 14, respectively.

[0108] The direction normal to the upper surface 11 is also referred to as the first direction R1. The first direction R1 is the direction in which the protrusion 100 protrudes, and is also referred to as the upper side, the convex direction, or the upward direction. The protrusion 100 is located on the side of the upper surface 11 in the first direction R1. The direction opposite to the first direction R1 is also referred to as the third direction R3. The third direction R3 is also referred to as the lower side or the downward direction. The first direction R1 and the third direction R3 are collectively referred to as the up and down direction.

[0109] The direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and toward the right side 12 is also called the second direction R2. The second direction R2 is also called the right side or right direction. The opposite direction of the second direction R2 is also called the fourth direction R4. The fourth direction R4 is also called the left side or left direction. The second direction R2 and the fourth direction R4 are collectively referred to as the left-right direction.

[0110] The normal direction of the front 15 is also called the fifth direction R5. The fifth direction R5 is also called the front side or front direction. The opposite direction of the fifth direction is also called the sixth direction R6. The sixth direction R6 is also called the rear side or rear direction. The fifth direction R5 and the sixth direction R6 are collectively called the front-to-back direction.

[0111] As described above, the upper side surface 11 is on the side above the front surface. The upper side surface 11 is a side surface that extends in the longitudinal direction of the front surface 15. In this embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the front surface 15 is the left-right direction of the front surface 15. The upper side surface 11 extends in the left-right direction. The lower side surface 13 is located on the opposite side of the upper side surface 11. The lower side surface 13 is on the third direction R3 side of the upper side surface 11. The lower side surface 13 extends in the left-right direction. The right side surface 12 is connected to the right end of the upper side surface 11 and extends in the direction away from the upper side surface 11. The end of the right side surface furthest from the upper side surface 11 is connected to the right end of the lower side surface 13. The left side surface 14 is connected to the left end of the upper side surface 11 and extends in the direction away from the upper side surface 11. The end of the left side surface furthest from the upper side surface 11 is connected to the left end of the lower side surface 13. The right side surface is on the second direction R2 side of the left side surface.

[0112] As shown in Figure 9, the front surface 15 of the first controller is provided with, from right to left, a + button 33(1), a pair of four buttons 32, a joystick 31, and a home button 33(2). The pair of four buttons 32 and the joystick 31 are adjacent to each other. In the vertical direction, the joystick 31 is positioned between the upper and lower buttons of the pair of four buttons 32. In the horizontal direction, the joystick 31 is positioned approximately on the extension of the straight line connecting the right button and the left button of the pair of four buttons 32.

[0113] The joystick 31 is tiltable in 360 degrees and may be tiltable in any direction, including the first direction R1 to the fourth direction R4. The joystick 31 may be tiltable in only some directions. The joystick 31 may be pressable. The joystick 31 may slide in each direction instead of tilting. The main unit 3 may perform processing in a program executed by the user's operation of the joystick 31 according to the signal indicating the direction of operation. The game controller may have other input units as a direction input unit, either in place of or in addition to the joystick 31. For example, it may have a directional pad or buttons arranged in a cross shape.

[0114] The main unit 3 may perform a predetermined process in the program being executed based on the pressing of the + button 33(1) and a set of four buttons 32. The main unit 3 may also call up the home menu in response to input to the home button 33(2).

[0115] The right shoulder button 130 is a button used, for example, in a one-piece gripping state, and is located on the upper right part of the first game controller 1 in a one-piece gripping state. The right shoulder button 130 may also be used in a vertical gripping state. The right shoulder button 130 has a curved operating surface. The right shoulder button 130 extends away from the upper surface 11. The right shoulder button 130 is generally located on the lower right part of the first game controller 1 in a horizontal gripping state. At least a portion of the right shoulder button 130 may be located on the right side surface 12. The operating surface of the right shoulder button 130 is generally curved along the lower right part of the first game controller 1. The main unit 3 performs predetermined processing based on the pressing of the right shoulder button in the program being executed.

[0116] The Z-shoulder button (right) 140 is a button used, for example, in a one-piece gripping state, and is provided on the back side of the shoulder button (right) 130. The Z-shoulder button (right) 140 may also be used in a vertical gripping state. The Z-shoulder button (right) 140 has a curved operating surface. The shoulder button (right) 130 extends away from the upper surface 11. The Z-shoulder button (right) 140 is generally provided in the lower right portion of the first game controller 1 in a horizontal gripping state. At least a part of the Z-shoulder button (right) 140 may be provided on the right side 12. At least a part of the Z-shoulder button (right) 140 may be provided on the back 16. The operating surface of the Z-shoulder button (right) 140 is generally curved along the lower right portion of the first game controller 1. The entire Z-shoulder button (right) 140 may be provided on the back. The main unit 3 performs predetermined processing based on the pressing of the Z-shoulder button (right) 140 in the program being executed.

[0117] Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view showing a detailed configuration of a first embodiment of the first game controller 1. Figure 11 is an exploded schematic perspective view including the protrusion 100.

[0118] As shown in Figure 10, in addition to the configuration already described, the first game controller 1 includes a light-emitting unit 150 that notifies the game controller's identification number, a first terminal 160 connected to the first terminal 331 of the main unit 3, a mouse sensor aperture 170 for guiding light to the mouse operation sensor 174 (described later), a mouse sole 191, a mouse sole 192, and an operation unit 182 that constitutes a removal mechanism for removing the protrusion 100 from the main unit 3.

[0119] As shown in Figure 10, the protrusion 100 projects upward from the upper surface 11. From another perspective, the protrusion 100 projects in the first direction R1 from the upper surface 11. The protrusion 100 extends along the longitudinal direction of the upper surface 11 (i.e., its length in this longitudinal direction is longer than in other directions). Note that the protrusion 100 does not need to extend in a way that strictly coincides with the longitudinal direction of the upper surface 11; it is sufficient that it extends along the longitudinal direction. In other words, the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100 is along the longitudinal direction of the upper surface 11. Note that the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100 does not need to strictly coincide with the longitudinal direction of the upper surface 11. The protrusion 100 is an elongated protrusion that extends along the longitudinal direction of the upper surface 11. Note that the protrusion 200 of the second controller 2 has a similar configuration to the protrusion 100. The following explanation will focus on the configuration of the protrusion 100 of the first controller 1.

[0120] The protrusion 100 has a top surface (hereinafter also referred to as the top surface 106) and a circumferential surface (hereinafter also referred to as the circumferential surface 107) extending downward from the top surface. The top surface 106 is spaced apart from the upper surface 11. The circumferential surface 107 is provided between the top surface 106 and the upper surface 11 and extends from the top surface 106 to the upper surface 11. The circumferential surface 107 is connected to the top surface 106 so as to surround its outer edge. The top surface 106 extends along the longitudinal direction of the upper surface 11. When viewed from the direction of the top surface 106, the protrusion 100 extends along the longitudinal direction of the upper surface 11. The length of the top surface 106 in the left-right direction is longer than the length of the top surface 106 in the front-back direction. The surface of the top surface 106 does not have to be flat due to texturing or the like, or it may be flat.

[0121] In this embodiment, the protrusion 100 has a truncated pyramidal shape, with its cross-section becoming smaller towards the top surface 106. As will be described later, the longitudinal end region may be rounded. From another perspective, when the protrusion 100 is viewed from the top surface 106 side (i.e., from above), the top surface 106 and the outer peripheral surface 107 surrounding the top surface 106 are visible. The shape of the protrusion 100 is not limited to a truncated pyramidal shape. For example, the protrusion 100 may be a truncated cone or a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0122] The length of the protrusion 100 in the left-right direction (i.e., the length of the protrusion 100 in the longitudinal direction) may be, for example, more than twice or more than five times the length of the protrusion 100 in the front-back direction. The length of the protrusion 100 in the left-right direction may be, for example, more than 50% or more than 70% of the length of the upper surface 11 in the left-right direction. The length of the protrusion 100 in the left-right direction may be, for example, less than 25 times or less than 15 times the length of the protrusion 100 in the front-back direction.

[0123] By increasing the length of the protrusion 100 in the left-right direction, the length of the top surface (operating surface) of the upper right button 110 and the upper left button 120 can be increased in the left-right direction, improving operability. In addition, it becomes easier to place the mouse sensor opening 170, mouse feet 191, mouse feet 192, etc. on the top surface of the protrusion 100.

[0124] As shown in Figure 10, the protrusion 100 is sandwiched between the front housing 61 and the rear housing 62 that constitute the controller housing 10. The upper surface 11 is provided with a housing opening 17 formed by the end face of the front housing 61 and the end face of the rear housing 62. The protrusion 100 protrudes from inside the controller housing 10, passing through the housing opening 17.

[0125] As shown in Figure 11, the protrusion 100 has a protrusion flange 19. The protrusion flange 19 extends outward (more specifically in the left-right and front-back directions) from the lower end of the wall portion constituting the outer peripheral surface 107. The portion of the protrusion 100 above the protrusion flange 19 is exposed from the housing opening 17. The lower portion of the protrusion 100, including the protrusion flange 19, is located inside the controller housing 10. The protrusion flange 19 functions as a retainer for the protrusion 100. In other embodiments, the protrusion 100 may be composed of multiple parts. Also, in other embodiments, the protrusion 100 may be part of the controller housing 10. For example, the protrusion 100 may be formed by at least one of the front housing 61 and the rear housing 62.

[0126] The protrusion 100 is configured to fit into the recess 310 from the front direction of the recess (towards the right side of the main unit 3). The shape of the protrusion 100 is configured to match the shape of the recess 310. From another perspective, the shapes of the top surface 106 and outer peripheral surface 107 of the protrusion and the bottom surface 3121 and inner peripheral surface 3120 of the recess 310 are compatible. When the first game controller 1 is mounted on the main unit 3, the top surface 106 is in contact with or close to the bottom surface 3121, and the outer peripheral surface 107 is in contact with or close to the inner peripheral surface 3120. Therefore, for example, when a user mounts the first game controller 1 on the main unit 3, the first game controller 1 is guided to the appropriate mounting position. Also, for example, displacement of the first game controller 1 mounted on the main unit 3 in the vertical and horizontal directions on the main unit 3 is suppressed. For example, in the integrated gripping state, even if force is applied to the game controller in the forward / backward or up / down direction in response to user input, the game controller is prevented from shifting significantly relative to the main unit 3.

[0127] Note that the shape of the protrusion 100 and the shape of the recess 310 do not have to be exactly the same. For example, in this embodiment, the shape of the protrusion 100 and the shape of the recess 310 do not exactly match. For example, in this embodiment, the angle of inclination of the outer peripheral surface 107 with respect to the top surface 106 and the angle of inclination of the inner peripheral surface 3120 with respect to the bottom surface 3121 are different. Specifically, the angle of inclination of the outer peripheral surface 107 with respect to the top surface 106 is smaller than the angle of inclination of the inner peripheral surface 3120 with respect to the bottom surface 3121. This creates clearance when fitting the protrusion 100 into the recess 310, allowing for a margin in the approach angle. Note that the angle of inclination of the outer peripheral surface 107 with respect to the top surface 106 and the angle of inclination of the inner peripheral surface 3120 with respect to the bottom surface 3121 may be the same. Furthermore, when the first game controller 1 is attached to the main unit 3, the top surface 106 and the bottom surface 3121, and the outer surface 107 and the inner surface 3120 do not necessarily have to be in contact, or they may always be in contact.

[0128] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the width of the protrusion 100 decreases in the front-to-back direction towards the longitudinal end. From another point of view, in the region including at least the longitudinal end (hereinafter referred to as the end region), the width of the top surface 106 of the protrusion 100 decreases towards the end. For example, the longitudinal end of the protrusion 100 is rounded. Therefore, when the first game controller 1 is mounted diagonally to the main unit 3 (i.e., when the upper side 11 (the side with the protrusion 100) of the first game controller 1 is tilted relative to the right side of the main unit 3), it is inserted into the recess 310 from the narrower end. This makes it easier to mount the first game controller 1. The protrusion 100 may have a bulging region in areas other than the longitudinal end region where the width in the front-to-back direction increases. Also, only one of the longitudinal ends of the first protrusion 100 (for example, only the end that is on the bottom when mounted) may be rounded.

[0129] As shown in Figures 9 to 11, the outer circumferential surface 107 of the protrusion 100 has a first engagement hole 193 and a second engagement hole 194 on each of its longitudinal end faces. The first engagement hole 193 is provided on the first end face of the protrusion 100. The second engagement hole 194 is provided on the second end face of the protrusion 100. The shape of the first engagement hole 193 is different from the shape of the second engagement hole 194. In the front-rear direction, the length of the first engagement hole 193 may differ from the length of the second engagement hole 194. In the up-down direction, the length of the first engagement hole 193 may differ from the length of the second engagement hole 194.

[0130] Peripheral devices (not shown) can be detachably attached to the first game controller 1. For example, a strap attachment consisting of a strap worn on the wrist when using the first game controller 1 and a housing to which the strap is connected. Such peripheral devices are provided with recesses similar to the recess 310 of the main unit 3. Magnetic elements may be provided within the recesses. With such a configuration, peripheral devices are attached to the first game controller 1 (similar to the main unit 3). Here, by providing an engaging element corresponding to the first engaging hole 193 on the inner circumferential surface of one end of the recess in the longitudinal direction of the peripheral device, and / or providing an engaging element corresponding to the second engaging hole 194 on the inner circumferential surface of the other end, the peripheral devices can be firmly attached to the first game controller 1. Note that peripheral devices do not need to have magnetic elements; in that case, attachment can be performed using the engaging holes and engaging elements.

[0131] Furthermore, because the engagement holes 193 and 194 are located on the longitudinal end faces, when the first game controller 1 is inserted diagonally into the recess of the peripheral device from the engagement holes 193 and 194 side, the peripheral device can be easily attached to the first game controller 1 while engaging the engaging element with the engagement holes. In particular, if the longitudinal end of the protrusion 100 is rounded, it is easy to insert it into the recess from the longitudinal end. Also, if the shapes of the first engagement hole 193 and the second engagement hole 194 are different, the shape of the engaging element on the peripheral device side can be used to make it so that it can only be attached in a predetermined direction (or difficult to attach in the other direction). Note that the shapes of the first engagement hole 193 and the second engagement hole 194 may be the same. Also, the first game controller 1 may have only one of the first engagement hole 193 and the second engagement hole 194. In other embodiments, the first game controller 1 may not have engagement holes, or it may have engaging elements. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the main body device 3 does not have an engaging element, but in other embodiments, the main body device 3 may have an engaging element.

[0132] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the top button (right) 110 and the top button (left) 120 are provided on the protrusion 100. The top button (right) 110 and the top button (left) 120 are buttons that the user presses down and are components that move downward when pressed. A ground connection part 51 is connected to the underside of the top button (right) 110. A tact switch 117 is provided on the underside of the top button (right) 110. When the top button (right) 110 moves downward due to the user's press operation, the tact switch 117 is pressed down by the top button (right) 110. The top button (right) 110 and the tact switch 117 constitute a button switch. Furthermore, the top button (left) 120 and the tact switch 127 constitute a button switch.

[0133] The top right button 110 is exposed through a first opening 197 provided on the top surface 106. The exposed portions of the top buttons 110 and 120 (110 and 120 in Figure 9) form an operating section that is pressed by the user. A ground connection 53 is connected to the underside of the top left button 120. A tact switch 127 is provided on the underside of the top left button 120. The tact switch 127 is pressed by the top left button 120. The ON signals from the tact switches 117 and 127 are transmitted to the main unit 3, and the program executed there performs processing corresponding to the pressing of the top right button 110 and the top left button 120.

[0134] The sync button 50 is provided on the protrusion 100. The sync button 50 is pressed by the user. The sync button 50 is provided between the top button (right) 110 and the top button (left) 120 in the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100. More specifically, the sync button 50 is provided between the first terminal 160 and the top button (left) 120 in the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100. The sync button 50 may be used to instruct setting processes related to wireless communication between the first game controller 1 and the main unit 3.

[0135] The first game controller 1 has a terminal housing section 167. The first terminal 160 is provided along the inner circumferential surface of the terminal housing section 167. The first terminal 160 extends in the vertical direction. A terminal opening 196 is provided on the top surface 106. The terminal housing section 167 communicates with the terminal opening 196. That is, the terminal housing section 167 opens to the top surface 106. Therefore, the first terminal 160 is accessible from outside the top surface 106.

[0136] The terminal opening 196 is provided on the top surface 106 between the top button (right) 110 and the top button (left) 120. Therefore, the terminal housing portion 167 opens on the top surface 106 between the top button (right) 110 and the top button (left) 120. The first terminal 160 is provided between the top button (right) 110 and the top button (left) 120 in the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100. Note that at least a portion of the first terminal 160 needs to be between the top button (right) 110 and the top button (left) 120 in the left-right direction, but does not need to be between the top button (right) 110 and the top button (left) 120 in the front-back and up-down directions. From another point of view, the terminal is provided between the top button (right) 110 and the top button (left) 120 when viewed from the direction of the top surface of the protrusion 100. The first terminal 160 is provided within the protrusion 100. The first terminal 160 is positioned such that, in the direction of protrusion of the protrusion 100, at least its upper end is below or below the top surface 106, or below the top surface 106. The upper end of the first terminal 160 may be provided between the top surface 106 and the upper side surface 11. The lower end of the first terminal 160 may be located below the upper side surface 11, i.e., inside the controller housing 10.

[0137] The mouse operation sensor 174 is provided in a housing that opens in a mouse sensor opening 170 provided on the top surface 106. The mouse sensor opening 170 is provided between the top button (right) 110 and the top button (left) 120 in the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100. More specifically, the mouse sensor opening 170 is provided between the first terminal 160 and the top button (right) 110 in the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100.

[0138] The light-emitting section 150 is provided on the outer circumferential surface 107 of the protrusion 100. More specifically, the light-emitting section 150 is provided on the front side of the outer circumferential surface 107. From another perspective, the area of ​​the outer circumferential surface 107 on which the light-emitting section 150 is provided faces forward. The user can see the light from the light-emitting section 150 when looking at the front 15 of the first game controller 1. The light-emitting section 150 typically emits light from an LED to the outside.

[0139] The light-emitting unit 150 can notify the user of predetermined information. When the main unit 3 communicates with multiple game controllers, the light-emitting unit 150 may show the user information that identifies each game controller. The light-emitting unit 150 may also show the user other information. The number of light-emitting units 150 is not particularly limited, but for example, it is four. In this embodiment, the four light-emitting units 150 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. For example, of the four light-emitting units 150, a portion or number of light-emitting units 150 corresponding to the identification number assigned to the game controller may be lit.

[0140] The light-emitting section 150 is located between the top button (right) 110 and the top button (left) 120 in the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100. The light-emitting section 150 is located between the synchronization button 50 and the mouse sensor opening 170 in the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100. The light-emitting section 150 is located in a position that overlaps with the first terminal 160 in the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100. From another point of view, when viewed from the front, the light-emitting section 150 is located below the terminal opening 196.

[0141] The first mouse sole 191 and the second mouse sole 192, which are mouse feet, are placed on the top surface 106 of the protrusion 100. The height of the top surfaces of the first mouse sole 191 and the second mouse sole 192 from the upper surface 11 is higher than the height of the top surface 106 of the protrusion 100 from the upper surface 11. From another point of view, the mouse soles 191 and 192 raise the height of the top surface of the protrusion 100. Note that the mouse soles 191 and 192 are optional.

[0142] The first game controller 1 can be used as a mouse when placed so that the top surface of the protrusion 100 faces a surface such as a desk. In this case, the mouse feet 191 and 192 themselves make contact with the surface, preventing the portion of the top surface 106 of the protrusion 100 that does not have mouse feet from directly contacting the surface. In addition, the top surfaces of the mouse feet 191 and 192 come into contact with the bottom surface 3121 of the recess 310 when the first game controller 1 is attached to the main unit 3.

[0143] With respect to the height from the upper surface 11, the height of the top surfaces of the mouse soles 191 and 192 is equal to or greater than the maximum height of the top surface 106 of the protrusion 100. From another point of view, the top surfaces of the mouse soles 191 and 192 are located at the uppermost position in the first game controller 1. The shape of the mouse sole 191 is not particularly limited and may be any shape, such as circular, elliptical, or rectangular. The mouse sole 191 may have through holes. The shapes of the mouse soles 191 and 192 may be the same or different.

[0144] In the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100, the mouse sole 191 is located on the right side 12 side of the top button (right) 110. In the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100, the top button (right) 110 is located between the first terminal 160 and the mouse sole 191. More specifically, in the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100, the top button (right) 110 is located between the mouse sensor opening 170 and the mouse sole 191.

[0145] In the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100, the mouse sole 192 is located on the left side 14 side of the top button (left) 120. In the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100, the top button (left) 120 is located between the first terminal 160 and the mouse sole 192. More specifically, in the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100, the top button (left) 120 is located between the synchronization button 50 and the mouse sole 192.

[0146] In the first game controller 1, the top right button 110 and the top left button 120 are arranged symmetrically. For example, the top right button 110 and the top left button 120 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the left-right center of the controller housing 10. For example, the top right button 110 and the top left button 120 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the left-right center of the upper surface 11. Also, for example, the top right button 110 and the top left button 120 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the left-right center of the protrusion 100. Also, for example, the top right button 110 and the top left button 120 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the left-right center of the terminal opening 196. In this embodiment, the center of the controller housing 10, the center of the upper surface 11, the center of the protrusion 100, and the center of the terminal opening 196 coincide in the left-right direction. In other embodiments, these center positions may all be different, or some may be different.

[0147] Figure 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view along the line XII-XII in Figure 10. The structure of the top button (right) 110 and its surrounding area will be described in detail below. In this embodiment, the structure of the top button (left) 120 and its surrounding area is substantially symmetrical with the structure of the top button (right) 110 and its surrounding area in the left-right direction.

[0148] As shown in Figure 12, the portion of the top button (right) 110 that is exposed from the top surface of the protrusion 100 forms an operating surface 115, which is the surface operated by the user. The top button (right) 110 has a main body 114 including the operating surface 115, a side wall 118, a flange 113, a first projection 111, and a second projection 112. The operating surface 115 extends along the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100 on the top surface 106 of the protrusion 100. In other words, the longitudinal direction of the operating surface 115 is the left-right direction. From another point of view, the longitudinal direction of the operating surface 115 coincides with the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100.

[0149] In this embodiment, the top button (right) 110 is a single component, and its entirety is made of a material that is not a magnet but is attracted to magnets. The material of the top button (right) 110 is not particularly limited, but may be made of a soft magnetic material. The material of the top button (right) 110 may be iron, for example, and may be cold-rolled steel sheet (SPCC). The material of the top button (right) 110 may also contain iron. For example, the material of the top button (right) 110 may be iron with silicon and / or nickel added. Also, as an example, the top button (right) 110 may be a single component in which resin is molded into a soft magnetic material.

[0150] In other embodiments, the top button (right) 110 may be made of a magnet, or a combination of a magnet and a soft magnetic material.

[0151] In another embodiment, the top button (right) 110 may be made of a soft magnetic material or magnet in only a portion thereof. In this case, at least the portion exposed from the top surface 106 of the protrusion 100 may be made of a soft magnetic material or magnet. Also, at least the portion forming the operating surface 115 may be made of a soft magnetic material or magnet. Note that the top button (right) 110 may not contain a magnet, and only a portion thereof may be made of a soft magnetic material.

[0152] In another embodiment, the top button (right) 110 may be composed of multiple parts, at least some of which may be made of a soft magnetic material or a magnet. In this case, the multiple parts constituting the top button (right) 110 are fixed to each other by methods such as adhesive or crimping, and are movable as a single unit. Of the multiple parts, at least the part exposed from the top surface 106 of the protrusion 100 may be made of a soft magnetic material or a magnet. Also, the part forming the operating surface 115 may be made of a soft magnetic material or a magnet. In yet another embodiment, a part made of a magnet or a soft magnetic material may be placed on the back side of the part exposed from the top surface 106 of the protrusion 100 so that it moves integrally with the part exposed from the top surface 106 of the protrusion 100. Also, a part made of a magnet or a soft magnetic material may be placed on the back side of the part forming the operating surface 115 so that it moves integrally with the part forming the operating surface 115. In this case, the part forming the operating surface 115 does not have to be made of a soft magnetic material. Furthermore, a component made of a magnet or soft magnetic material may be fixed to the surface of the operating surface 115. Note that the top button (right) 110 does not include a magnet and is composed of multiple components, of which at least some of the components may be made of a soft magnetic material.

[0153] For example, the top button (right) 110 may have a first component (roughly shaped like component 110 shown in Figure 11) having a main body with an operating surface, a side wall extending from the main body into the controller housing, and a flange extending outward from the side wall, and a second component arranged so as to be surrounded on the top and sides by the first component (in other words, arranged inside the first component). The second component is configured to move integrally with the first component. This can be done by gluing the second component to the first component, or by, for example, placing a cover on the lower end of the first component and arranging the second component in the space surrounded by the first component and the cover. Both the first and second components may be made of soft magnetic material or magnets. The thickness of the first component may be thinner than the thickness of the second component. The shape of the part including the operating surface may be defined by the thin first component, and a block-shaped second component may be placed inside to enhance the magnetic force. The first component may be made of a non-magnetic material such as resin.

[0154] As another example, the top button (right) 110 may be rectangular in shape and have a first component whose outer surface is part of the operating surface, a second component disposed inside the first component, and a flange component provided so as to extend outward from the opening of the cylinder of the first component. Both the first and second components may be made of soft magnetic materials or magnets. The thickness of the first component may be thinner than the thickness of the second component. The flange component may be made of a non-magnetic material such as resin. The first component may also be made of a non-magnetic material such as resin.

[0155] The remaining parts of the multiple components may be made of non-magnetic material, soft magnetic material, or magnets. Furthermore, the operating surface 115 of the top button (right) 110 may be covered with a non-magnetic sheet or the like, or coated with a non-magnetic paint.

[0156] In all of the embodiments described above, at least a portion of the top button (right) 110 or the top button (left) 120 contains a magnet or soft magnetic material. As a result, when the first game controller 1 is attached to the main unit 3, the magnet or soft magnetic material of the first game controller 1 is located close to the magnetic elements 410 and 420 of the main unit 3, making it possible to attach the first game controller 1 to the main unit 3 with a strong magnetic force.

[0157] If the top buttons 110 and 120 do not contain magnets or soft magnetic materials, then it would be necessary to provide a separate magnetic element on the top surface 106 of the protrusion 100 or the upper side surface 11 of the first game controller 1 that magnetically attracts to the magnetic elements 410 and 420 provided in the recess 310 of the main unit 3. In that case, the size and position of the operating surfaces of the top buttons 110 and 120 would be restricted. That is, the operating surfaces of the top buttons 110 and 120 would need to avoid positions corresponding to the magnetic elements 410 and 420 provided in the recess 310. As described above, by including magnetic elements in the top buttons 110 and 120, the degree of design freedom regarding the position and size of the operating surfaces of the top buttons 110 and 120, while considering operability, can be increased.

[0158] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the top buttons 110 and 120 are made of a soft magnetic material. That is, the top buttons 110 and 120 do not contain magnets. On the other hand, because the magnetic elements 410 and 420 of the main unit 3 contain magnets, the top buttons 110 and 120 are attracted to the magnetic elements. Since the top buttons 110 and 120 are provided on the top surface 106 of the protrusion 100, when the first game controller 1 is detached from the main unit 3, it may come into close proximity to or come into contact with objects around the first game controller 1. At this time, since the top buttons 110 and 120 do not contain magnets, they will not unintentionally attract surrounding objects that are attracted to magnets. On the other hand, the magnetic elements 410 and 420 of the main unit 3 are provided at the bottom of the recess 310. Therefore, even if there are objects around the main unit 3 that are attracted to magnets, there is a distance from the right side surface 313 of the main unit to the bottom of the recess 310, so such objects will be separated from the main unit 3, and the unintentional attraction of surrounding objects will be suppressed. Furthermore, the right side surface 313 of the main body surrounding the recess 310 prevents such objects from entering the recess 310.

[0159] The operating surface 115 is the operating surface of the top button (right) 110, which is exposed from the first opening 197 and pressed by the user. The operating surface 115 faces the first direction R1. The operating surface 115 extends in the left-right direction. The left-right length of the operating surface 115 may be 10% or more, or 20% or more, of the left-right length of the top surface 106 of the protrusion 100. Also, the left-right length of the operating surface 115 may be 10% or more, or 20% or more, of the left-right length of the upper surface 11 of the protrusion 100.

[0160] As shown in Figure 12, a tact switch 117 is provided below the first projection 111. The tact switch 117 is positioned on a flexible printed circuit 90 (hereinafter also referred to as FPC90). The upper part of the tact switch 117 is a leaf spring.

[0161] When the top button (right) 110 is not pressed by the user, the first projection 111 is supported from below by the tact switch 117. When the top button (right) 110 is pressed by the user, the top button (right) 110 moves downward from its initial position. The first projection 111 of the top button (right) 110, as it moves downward, presses the upper part of the tact switch 117. The upper part of the tact switch 117 deforms so that it sinks downward when pressed. This turns on the switch inside the tact switch. When the user releases their hand from the top button (right) 110, the upper part of the tact switch 117 returns to its original shape. As the upper part of the tact switch 117 returns to its shape, the first projection 111 is pushed upward. Therefore, the top button (right) 110 moves to its initial position. In other words, when the top button (right) 110 is pressed, the tact switch 117 biases the top button (right) 110 in the opposite direction to the direction of the press. The tact switch 117 may also bias the top button (right) 110 in the opposite direction to the direction of the press even when the top button (right) 110 is not pressed.

[0162] In another embodiment, the top button (right) 110 may be biased upward by a biasing element such as a spring. That is, the top button (right) 110 may be biased upward by a biasing element such as a spring, at least when pressed by the user (and even when not pressed by the user), thereby separating it from the tact switch 117. In yet another embodiment, a rubber switch may be used instead of the tact switch 117.

[0163] The second projection 112 protrudes from the back surface of the main body 114 in a third direction R3. The number of second projections 112 is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, two second projections 112 are provided flanking the first projection 111 in the left-right direction. A ground electrode is provided below the second projections 112 on the FPC 90. A ground connection portion 51 is provided between the second projections 112 and the ground electrode in the up-down direction. The ground connection portion 51 is conductive. The shape and material of the ground connection portion 51 are not particularly limited, but in this embodiment it is an iron coil spring. The upper end of the ground connection portion 51 is in contact with the back surface of the main body 114 and is electrically connected to the main body. The lower end of the second projection 112 is surrounded by the ground connection portion 51, which is a coil spring. The lower end of the ground connection portion 51 is in contact with the ground electrode. The method of fixing the ground connection portion 51 is not particularly limited, but it may be fixed to the ground electrode by solder. On the other hand, the upper end of the ground connection portion 51 does not have to be fixed to the back of the main body portion 114. However, the ground connection portion 51 may be assembled in a compressed state so that it is always in contact with the back of the main body portion 114 even if the main body portion 114 moves up and down. Also, the ground connection portion 51 may be connected to the ground electrode of an electronic circuit different from the FPC 90. Furthermore, the ground connection portion 51 may be in contact with other areas of the top button (right) 110.

[0164] In this embodiment, the top button (right) 110 is made of a soft magnetic material, for example, iron, and is conductive. Therefore, if a charged object comes into contact with the top button (right) 110, the potential of the top button (right) 110 will change, which may affect the protrusion 100 and the internal electronic components of the controller housing 10. However, in this embodiment, the potential of the top button (right) 110 becomes the ground potential because the top button (right) 110 is electrically connected to the ground electrode by the ground connection part 51. Therefore, even if a charged object comes into contact with the top button (right) 110, the possibility of affecting the internal electronic components is suppressed. In this embodiment, the top button (right) 110 itself does not provide electrical functions such as signal transmission or power exchange with the outside through the top button (right) 110. In other embodiments, the top button (right) 110 may provide such functions.

[0165] In this embodiment, since the ground connection portion 51 is a compressed coil spring, the top button (right) 110 is biased upward by the coil spring. In this embodiment, since the biasing force by the coil spring is small, the top button (right) 110 is in contact with the upper part of the tact switch 117 in its initial position. In other embodiments, the top button (right) 110 may be separated from the tact switch 117 in its initial position by the biasing force of the coil spring which is the ground connection portion 51. Also, in other embodiments, the first game controller 1 does not need to have the ground connection portion 51.

[0166] As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the top button (right) 110 has a main body 114 whose surface constitutes the operating surface, a side wall 118 extending from the lower surface of the main body 114, and a flange 113 extending outward from the side wall 118. The side wall 118 extends into the protrusion 100 through the first opening 197. The flange 113 extends outward from the side wall 118 inside the protrusion 100. The flange may also extend outward from the lower end of the side wall 118. The flange 113 has a flange portion that protrudes to the right from the right end of the side wall 118 and a flange portion that extends to the left from the left end of the side wall 118. The upper surface of the flange 113 faces a part of the surface inside the protrusion 100 (hereinafter referred to as the first inner surface 71) in the direction opposite to the pressing direction of the top button (right) 110. Note that the first inner surface 71 does not necessarily have to be the inner surface of the protrusion 100 itself. The upper surface of the flange 113 is positioned relative to the first inner surface 71 in the direction in which the upper button (right) 110 is pressed. Therefore, the flange 113 has the function of preventing the upper button (right) 110 from coming off by directly or indirectly catching on the first inner surface 71.

[0167] Furthermore, the outer circumferential surface of the side wall 118 faces a portion of the interior surface of the protrusion 100 (hereinafter referred to as the second inner surface 72) in the left-right direction. Note that the second inner surface 72 does not have to be the inner surface of the protrusion 100 itself. The outer circumferential surface of the side wall 118 is positioned relative to the second inner surface 72 in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the upper button (right) 110 is pressed.

[0168] The first game controller 1 has a first elastic deformable body 52 between the upper surface of the flange 113 and the first inner surface 71. The first elastic deformable body 52 elastically deforms when a force is applied and elastically returns to its original shape when the force is removed. The material of the first elastic deformable body 52 is not particularly limited, but may be rubber, for example.

[0169] The first elastic deformable body 52 may be fixed to the first inner surface 71. The first elastic deformable body 52 may be fixed to the first inner surface 71 by, for example, using an adhesive, or by being fitted into a hole formed in the first inner surface 71.

[0170] When the top button (right) 110 is in its initial position, the first elastic deformable body 52 is in contact with the first inner surface 71 and the flange 113. At this time, the top button (right) 110 may be maintained in its initial position by the balance between the biasing force in the opposite direction to the pressing direction by the tact switch 117 or the ground connection part 51 and the biasing force in the pressing direction by the first elastic deformable body 52. ​​When the top button (right) 110 is in its initial position, the first elastic deformable body 52 may be in contact with only one of the first inner surface 71 and the flange 113, or it may not be in contact with both.

[0171] The first elastic deformable body 52 is located between the outer circumferential surface of the side wall 118 and the second inner surface 72 in the left-right direction, and is provided on the side closer to the second inner surface 72. The first elastic deformable body 52 is spaced apart from the side wall 118. The first elastic deformable body 52 may be in contact with the second inner surface 72. Alternatively, the first elastic deformable body 52 may be spaced apart from the second inner surface 72. In this case, the distance between the second inner surface 72 and the first elastic deformable body 52 in the left-right direction is smaller than the distance between the side wall 118 and the first elastic deformable body 52. ​​In other embodiments, the first elastic deformable body 52 may be provided on the side closer to the side wall 118.

[0172] When the first game controller 1 is attached to the main unit 3, the top button (right) 110 is attracted to the first magnetic element 410. Figure 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state in which the top button (right) 110 is attracted to the first magnetic element 410.

[0173] As shown in Figure 13, when the first game controller 1 is attached to the main unit 3, the top button (right) 110 and the first magnetic element 410 face each other. In this embodiment, since the top button (right) 110 is made of a soft magnetic material, when the first magnetic element 410 approaches the top button (right) 110, the top button (right) 110 is pulled by the magnetic force of the first magnetic element 410. As a result, a force is applied to the top button (right) 110 in the direction opposite to the pressing direction. At this time, the first elastic deformable body 52, which is provided between the flange 113 and the first inner surface 71, undergoes elastic deformation that contracts in the direction opposite to the pressing direction as it is pushed by the flange 113 toward the first inner surface 71. As a result, the top button (right) 110 moves in the direction opposite to the pressing direction. That is, the top button (right) 110 moves from its initial position, which is the position when it is not pressed by the user, in the direction opposite to the pressing direction. The direction of pressing is, for example, the third direction R3. The direction opposite to the direction of pressing is, for example, the first direction R1.

[0174] The top button (left) 120 has the same configuration as the top button (right) 110. A tact switch 127 is provided below the top button (left) 120, and the tact switch 127 biases at least in the opposite direction to the pressing direction when the top button (left) 120 is pressed. The top button (left) 120 has a main body 124, a side wall 128, and a flange 123. The second elastic deformable body 54 is positioned between the upper surface of the flange 123 and the first inner surface 73. The second elastic deformable body 54 may be fixed to the first inner surface 73. In the left-right direction, the second elastic deformable body 54 may be provided between the outer peripheral surface of the side wall 128 and the second inner surface 74, on the side closer to the second inner surface 74.

[0175] As shown in Figure 13, when the top button (right) 110 is attracted to the first magnetic element 410, the operating surface 115 moves until it contacts the surface of the cover 338 that constitutes the bottom surface 3121 of the recess 310. By moving the operating surface 115 until it contacts the bottom surface 3121 of the recess 310, the magnetic force acting between the top button (right) 110 and the first magnetic element 410 increases, and a strong attraction force can be obtained. The size and elastic modulus of the first elastic deformable body 52 are designed so that the operating surface 115 moves until it contacts the bottom surface 3121 of the recess (or even further in this embodiment). However, the operating surface 115 does not have to move until it contacts the bottom surface 3121 of the recess 310. At least by approaching the bottom surface 3121 of the recess 310, the magnetic force increases, and a strong attraction force can be obtained.

[0176] Furthermore, even if another component (specifically, the cover 338) is interposed between the top button (right) 110 and the first magnetic element 410, it is still said that "the top button (right) 110 and the first magnetic element 410 are attracted to each other." In other embodiments, for example, if the base surface 311 is not covered by the cover 338, the operating surface 115 may be in direct contact with the first magnetic element 410 provided on the base surface 311. Alternatively, the operating surface 115 may be in contact with the bottom surface 3121 while moving away from the first magnetic element 410, so as to close the opening provided on the bottom surface 3121 through which the first magnetic element 410 is exposed. In yet another embodiment, the operating surface 115 may not be in contact with the cover 338, but may be at least closer than its initial position.

[0177] As the top right button 110 moves upward, it becomes closer to the first magnetic element 410 compared to when it is in its initial position. Since the top right button 110 and the first magnetic element 410 are attracted to each other by magnetic force, the shorter the distance between them, the greater the attractive force. Therefore, by making the top right button 110 movable in the direction opposite to the pressing direction, the attachment between the first game controller 1 and the main unit 3 can be made more secure.

[0178] When the top button (right) 110 and the first magnetic element 410 are attracted to each other, that is, when the first game controller 1 is attached to the main unit 3, the first elastic deformable body 52 is compressed in the vertical direction. When the attached first game controller 1 is removed from the main unit 3, the top button (right) 110 tries to move away from the first magnetic element 410, but because they are attracted by magnetic force, the top button (right) 110 moves further upward, and the first elastic deformable body 52 is compressed further in the vertical direction. From another perspective, when the first game controller 1 is removed from the main unit 3, the top button (right) 110 tries to move further upward instantaneously while maintaining attraction with the first magnetic element 410. As a result, when the first game controller 1 is removed from the main unit 3, stickiness or resistance is created, and the sudden detachment of the top button (right) 110 from the first magnet is suppressed.

[0179] When the top button (right) 110 returns to its initial position from the position where it was attracted, the first elastic deformable body 52 restores its shape and extends vertically. If the vertical length of the first elastic deformable body 52 in its natural state is shorter than the distance between the flange 113 and the inner surface 71, the first elastic deformable body 52 may move downward while remaining attached to the flange 113. The same applies when the top button (right) 110 moves downward from its initial position. In this case, if the first elastic deformable body 52 comes into contact with, for example, the inner surface 72, the vertical movement of the top button (right) 110 may be hindered. In this embodiment, since the first elastic deformable body 52 is fixed to the first inner surface 71, the downward movement of the first elastic deformable body 52 together with the top button (right) 110 is suppressed. Therefore, the obstruction of the vertical movement of the top button (right) 110 is suppressed. In addition to or instead of fixing, if the upper surface of the flange 113 is surface-treated, for example, by mirror polishing, the adhesion of the first elastic deformation body 52 to the flange 113 is suppressed.

[0180] When the first elastic deformable body 52 is compressed in the vertical direction, depending on the material of the first elastic deformable body 52, the first elastic deformable body 52 may stretch in the horizontal direction. At this time, the first elastic deformable body 52 may come into contact with the side wall 118. This may hinder the vertical movement of the top button (right) 110. In this embodiment, the first elastic deformable body 52 is provided on the side closer to the second inner surface 72 than to the side wall 118 in the horizontal direction. Therefore, contact between the first elastic deformable body 52 and the side wall 118 is suppressed. Consequently, the obstruction of the vertical movement of the top button (right) 110 is suppressed. The top button (left) 120 and the second elastic deformable body 54 have a similar effect.

[0181] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first elastic deformable body 52, viewed from inside the protrusion 100 towards the top surface 106. In Figure 14, the first elastic deformable body 52 and the protrusion 100 are shown. The first elastic deformable body 52 has a first elastic portion 52a and a second elastic portion 52b. The second elastic portion 52b is spaced apart from the first elastic portion 52a. In the left-right direction, the first elastic portion 52a is located on the second direction R2 side with respect to the first opening 197. In the left-right direction, the second elastic portion 52b is located on the fourth direction R4 side with respect to the first opening 197.

[0182] A portion of the first elastic deformable body 52 protrudes from the outer circumferential surface 107 of the protrusion 100. Specifically, the first elastic portion 52a is provided to protrude from the inside to the outside of the protrusion 100 through an opening formed in the outer circumferential surface 107 of the protrusion 100. The second elastic portion 52b is provided inside the protrusion 100 and does not need to protrude to the outside. The opening through which the first elastic deformable body 52 protrudes may be formed in the outer circumferential surface 107 of the protrusion 100 by a notch formed in the protrusion 100 and the upper surface 11.

[0183] The first elastic portion 52a has a first elastic region 52c and a second elastic region 52d. In the vertical direction, the first elastic region 52c is located below the second elastic region 52d. In the horizontal direction, the first elastic region 52c may be located towards the second direction R2 than the second elastic region 52d. A portion of the first elastic region 52c protrudes from the outer circumferential surface 107 of the protrusion 100. The second elastic region 52d is located inside the protrusion 100.

[0184] As shown in Figures 9 and 11, the first elastic deformable body 52 is provided on the back surface 16 side of the outer peripheral surface 107. From another point of view, the first elastic deformable body 52 protrudes in the sixth direction R6 from the outer peripheral surface 107 of the convex portion 100. Therefore, in the vertical and horizontal holding positions, the first elastic deformable body 52 is difficult to see from the user facing the front surface 15 of the first game controller 1. The first elastic deformable body 52 may also be provided on the front surface 15 side of the outer peripheral surface 107, or it may be provided only on the front surface 15 side.

[0185] When the protrusion 100 fits into the recess 310, the outer circumferential surface 107 and the inner circumferential surface 3120 face each other. At this time, the first elastic deformable body 52 provided on the outer circumferential surface 107 may come into contact with the opposing inner circumferential surface 3120. This firmly secures the protrusion 100 to the recess 310. More specifically, when the inner circumferential surface 3120 and the first elastic deformable body 52 come into contact on the back side of the outer circumferential surface 107, the protrusion 100 is biased in the forward direction by the inner circumferential surface 3120 via the first elastic deformable body 52. ​​As a result, the front side of the outer circumferential surface 107 of the protrusion 100 is pressed against the opposing inner circumferential surface 3120, resulting in a firm attachment.

[0186] Furthermore, since the first elastic deformable body 52 is elastically deformable, when fitting the convex portion 100 into the recess 310, it elastically deforms to contract in the front-rear direction, thereby suppressing a decrease in ease of attachment. Moreover, in this embodiment, the first elastic deformable body 52 is exposed from the base of the outer peripheral surface 107. That is, the protruding first elastic deformable body 52 is adjacent to the upper surface 11. From another point of view, the position of the upper end of the first elastic deformable body is lower than the top surface of the convex portion 100. Therefore, when the convex portion 100 is inserted into the recess 310, it first enters the recess 310 from the portion of the outer peripheral surface 107 that does not have the first elastic deformable body 52. ​​That is, at the beginning of insertion, the first elastic deformable body 52 does not touch the inner peripheral surface 3120. Thus, a decrease in ease of attachment is suppressed.

[0187] The second elastic deformable body 54 may also protrude in part from an opening provided on the outer circumferential surface of the convex portion 100, similar to the first elastic deformable body 52. ​​The second elastic deformable body 54 may protrude from the same surface of the outer circumferential surface 107 from which the first elastic deformable body 52 protrudes. Both the first elastic deformable body 52 and the second elastic deformable body 54 may protrude from the back side of the outer circumferential surface 107.

[0188] The elastic deformable body provided on the outer circumferential surface 107 may be separate from the elastic deformable bodies 52 and 54 provided on the upper surface of the flange 113. In this case, the materials of each may be different. In this case as well, the elastic deformable body may be provided on the back side of the outer circumferential surface 107. In this embodiment, focusing on the function of both being elastically deformable, these elastic members are made into a single part. This suppresses an increase in the number of parts. On the other hand, by making them separate, the degree of freedom in their arrangement and material is improved. Note that while an elastic deformable body is provided on the outer circumferential surface 107, an elastic deformable body is not required to be provided inside the protrusion 100.

[0189] As shown in Figures 9 to 12, the top surface 106 of the protrusion 100 has regions with different heights from the upper surface 11. The top surface 106 of the protrusion 100 has a first region 101, a second region 102, a third region 103, a fourth region 104, and a fifth region 105.

[0190] The first region 101 is the area of ​​the housing that forms the top surface 106 of the protrusion 100, where the top button (right) 110 is provided. The top button (right) 110 is provided so as to pass through the first opening 197 formed in the first region 101. Similarly, the second region 102 is the area where the top button (left) 120 is provided. The top button (left) 120 is provided so as to pass through the second opening 198 formed in the second region 102.

[0191] As shown in Figure 10, the third region 103 is the region of the housing that forms the top surface 106 of the protrusion 100, including the top surface 106 at one end region of the protrusion 100. From another perspective, the third region 103 is connected to the end surface of the outer peripheral surface 107 of the protrusion 100 on the second direction R2 side. The third region 103 is located on the first direction R1 side of each of the first region 101 and the second region 102. In the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100, the length of the third region may be shorter than the lengths of each of the first region 101 and the second region 102.

[0192] A mouse sole 191 is provided in the third region 103. More specifically, as shown in Figure 12, the mouse sole 191 is positioned in a recess provided in the third region 103. A portion of the mouse sole 191 is exposed from the recess. The third region 103 may be flat without a recess. The mouse sole 191 may be placed on a flat surface of the third region.

[0193] As shown in Figure 10, the fifth region 105 is the region of the housing that forms the top surface 106 of the protrusion 100, including the top surface 106 at the other end region of the protrusion 100. From another perspective, the fifth region 105 is connected to the end surface of the outer peripheral surface 107 of the protrusion 100 on the fourth direction R4 side. The fifth region 105 is located on the first direction R1 side of each of the first region 101 and the second region 102. In the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100, the length of the fifth region 105 may be shorter than the lengths of each of the first region 101 and the second region 102.

[0194] A mouse sole 192 is provided in the fifth region 105. The mouse sole 192 is positioned in a recess provided in the fifth region 105. A portion of the mouse sole 192 is exposed from the recess. The fifth region 105 may be flat without a recess. The mouse sole 192 may be placed on the flat surface of the fifth region. It can also be said that the mouse soles 191 and 192 raise the height from the upper surface 11 of the convex portion 100.

[0195] The fourth region 104 is a region of the housing that forms the top surface 106 of the protrusion 100, located between the first region 101 and the second region 102 in the longitudinal direction of the top surface 106. The fourth region is provided with an opening 170 for the mouse sensor, an opening 196 for the terminals, and an opening 195 for the synchronization button.

[0196] The third region 103 is located on the convex side of the fourth region 104. The fifth region 105 is located on the convex side of the fourth region 104.

[0197] In the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100, the first region 101 is located between the third region 103 and the fourth region 104. In the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100, the second region 102 is located between the fifth region 105 and the fourth region 104. In the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100, each of the first region 101, the second region 102, and the fourth region 104 is located between the third region 103 and the fifth region 105.

[0198] As shown in Figure 12, the height of the first region 101 from the upper surface 11 is the first height T1. From another point of view, the distance from the upper surface 11 to the first region 101 in the vertical direction is the first height T1. Similarly, the height of the second region 102 from the upper surface 11 is the second height T2. From another point of view, the distance from the upper surface 11 to the second region 102 in the vertical direction is the second height T2. In this embodiment, the first height T1 and the second height T2 are the same, but they may be different. Note that the first region 101 and the second region 102 may be provided from one end to the other of the top surface 106 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100.

[0199] The height of the third region 103 from the upper surface 11 is the third height T3. From another perspective, the distance from the upper surface 11 to the third region 103 in the vertical direction is the third height T3. Similarly, the height of the fifth region 105 from the upper surface 11 is the fifth height T5. From another perspective, the distance from the upper surface 11 to the fifth region 105 in the vertical direction is the fifth height T5.

[0200] In this embodiment, the third height T3 and the fifth height T5 are the same, but may be different. In this embodiment, the third height T3 and the fifth height T5 are higher than the first height T1 and the second height T2, but may be the same or lower. The third region 103 and the fifth region 105 may be provided from one end to the other of the top surface 106 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100.

[0201] The height of the fourth region 104 from the upper surface 11 is the fourth height T4. From another point of view, the distance from the upper surface 11 to the fourth region 104 in the vertical direction is the fourth height T4. In this embodiment, the fourth height T4 is higher than the first height T1 and the second height T2, but may be the same or lower. In this embodiment, the fourth height T4 is lower than the third height T3 and the fifth height T5, but may be the same or higher. The fourth region 104 may be provided from one end to the other of the top surface 106 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100.

[0202] The height of the top surface of mouse sole 191 from the upper side surface 11 is the sixth height T6. From another perspective, the distance from the upper side surface 11 to the top surface of mouse sole 191 in the vertical direction is the sixth height T6. Similarly, the height of the top surface of mouse sole 192 from the upper side surface 11 is the seventh height T7. From another perspective, the distance from the upper side surface 11 to the top surface of mouse sole 192 in the vertical direction is the seventh height T7.

[0203] In this embodiment, the sixth height T6 and the seventh height T7 are the same, but they may be different. In this embodiment, the sixth height T6 and the seventh height T7 are higher than any of the first heights T1 to the fifth height T5. From another point of view, the sixth height T6 and the seventh height T7 are the highest heights from the upper surface 11 on the protrusion 100. Note that the sixth height T6 and the seventh height T7 may be the same as the highest height among the first heights T1 to the fifth height T5. For example, the sixth height T6 and the seventh height T7 may be the same as the third height T3 and the fifth height T5.

[0204] When the top button (right) 110 is in its initial position, the height of the operating surface 115 from the top surface 11 is the 8th height T8. From another perspective, the distance from the top surface 11 to the operating surface 115 in the vertical direction is the 8th height T8. Similarly, when the top button (left) 120 is in its initial position, the height of the operating surface 125 from the top surface 11 is the 9th height T9. From another perspective, the distance from the top surface 11 to the operating surface 125 in the vertical direction is the 9th height T9.

[0205] In this embodiment, the eighth height T8 and the ninth height T9 are the same, but may be different. The eighth height T8 and the ninth height T9 are higher than the first height T1 and the second height T2. In this embodiment, the eighth height T8 and the ninth height T9 are lower than the sixth height T6 and the seventh height T7. From another point of view, the eighth height T8 and the ninth height T9 are lower than the highest height from the upper surface 11. In this embodiment, the eighth height T8 and the ninth height T9 are lower than the third height T3 and the fifth height T5, but may be the same or higher. In this embodiment, the eighth height T8 and the ninth height T9 are the same as the fourth height T4, but may be different.

[0206] Figure 15 is a schematic front view showing the configuration of a first embodiment of the game controller. As an example, Figure 15 shows the orientation when the first game controller 1 is used as a mouse. Figure 16 is an enlarged schematic view of region XVI in Figure 15. As shown in Figure 16, when the first game controller 1 is placed on a contact surface F with the top surface 106 of the protrusion 100 facing the contact surface F, the mouse sole 191 contacts the contact surface F. Although not shown, the mouse sole 192 also contacts the contact surface F. The contact surface F is not particularly limited, but is, for example, the surface of a desk. The first game controller 1 is movable on the contact surface F. In the vertical direction, the thickness of the portion of the mouse sole 191 exposed from the third region is, for example, 0.2 mm. The third region 103 is spaced apart from the contact surface F. In the vertical direction, the distance between the contact surface F and the third region 103 is, for example, 0.2 mm.

[0207] As shown in Figure 16, the operating surface 115 of the top button (right) 110 is spaced apart from the contact surface F. The top button (right) 110 is in its initial position. In the vertical direction, the distance between the contact surface F and the first region 101 is longer than the distance between the contact surface F and the third region 103. In the horizontal direction, the distance between the contact surface F and the first region 101 is, for example, 1.2 mm.

[0208] The distance between the contact surface F and the operating surface 115 of the top right button 110 is longer than the distance between the contact surface F and the third area 103 of the top surface 106. In the vertical direction, the distance between the contact surface F and the operating surface 115 of the top right button 110 is defined as the gap G. The gap G is, for example, 0.3 mm.

[0209] In this embodiment, the third height T3 and the fifth height T5 are higher than the first height T1 and the second height T2. When the protrusion 100 is fitted diagonally into the recess 310, more specifically when inserting the protrusion 100 into the recess 310 from one longitudinal end, insertion becomes easier if the height of that end is high. By configuring it as described above, the overall height of the protrusion 100 can be suppressed while improving the ease of attachment and button operability of the first game controller 1.

[0210] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100, the lengths of the first region 101 and the second region 102 are longer than the lengths of the third region 103 and the fifth region 105. Therefore, the limited space on the top surface 106 of the protrusion 100 can be effectively utilized, achieving both ease of button operation and ease of attaching a game controller.

[0211] In this embodiment, the fourth height T4 is higher than the first height T1 and the second height T2. The fourth region 104 is provided with a terminal opening 196 through which the terminal housing portion 167 communicates. When the user holds the first game controller 1 horizontally and operates the top button (right) 110 and the top button (left) 120, the user's fingers are prevented from touching the terminal opening 196.

[0212] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the fourth height T4 is lower than the third height T3 and the fifth height T5. The fourth region 104 is provided with a terminal opening 196 through which the terminal housing portion 167 opens, so that when the first game controller 1 is operated with a mouse on a surface, the surface does not come into contact with the terminal opening 196. In addition, the protrusion of the third and fifth regions allows for improved mounting of the first game controller 1 while suppressing the vertical height.

[0213] In this embodiment, the eighth height T8 and the ninth height T9 are lower than the sixth height T6 and the seventh height T7. From another perspective, the height from the upper surface 11 at the initial position of the top surface of the top button (right) 110 and the top button (left) 120 is lower than the maximum height from the upper surface 11 of the top surface 106. Therefore, even when the first game controller 1 is carried around after being detached from the main unit 3, accidental contact of the top button (right) 110 and the top button (left) 120 with something is suppressed. Also, when the game controller is operated with a mouse on a surface, contact of the top button (right) 110 and the top button (left) 120 with the surface is suppressed.

[0214] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the eighth height T8 and the ninth height T9 are lower than the third height T3 and the fifth height T5. Therefore, even when the mouse soles 191 and 192 are removed from the third region 103 and the fifth region 105, the eighth height T8 and the ninth height T9 are lower than the maximum height.

[0215] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the top button (right) 110 is movable upward. As shown in Figure 13, when the top button (right) 110 is attracted to the first magnetic element 410 and in contact with the bottom surface 3121, the height of the operating surface 115 from the top surface 11 is the 10th height T10. Similarly, when the top button (left) 120 is attracted to the second magnetic element 420 and in contact with the bottom surface 3121, the height of the operating surface 125 from the top surface 11 is the 11th height T11.

[0216] The top button (right) 110 may be movable to a position even higher than the height T10. For example, when attempting to remove the first game controller 1 from the main unit 3 while the top button (right) 110 is attached to the first magnetic element 410, the convex portion 100 may begin to be removed from the recess 310, while the top button (right) 110 may remain attached to the first magnetic element 410. At this time, the first elastic deformable body 52 is further compressed, causing the top button (right) 110 to move further from the position of the 10th height T10 in the direction opposite to the pressing direction. The top button (right) 110 may be movable upward so as to approach the bottom surface 3121, even if the top surface of the top button (right) 110 does not touch the bottom surface 3121.

[0217] In this embodiment, the 10th height T10 and the 11th height T11 are the same, but they may be different. In this embodiment, the 10th height T10 and the 11th height T11 are higher than any of the 1st height T1 to the 5th height T5, and the same as the 6th height T6 and the 7th height T7. From another point of view, the top button (right) 110 and the top button (left) 120 are movable up to a position where the height of the operating surface is the highest height of the top surface 106. The top button (right) 110 and the top button (left) 120 may be movable above the position where the height of the operating surface is the highest height of the top surface 106. The 10th height T10 and the 11th height T11 may be lower than the 6th height T6 and the 7th height T7. Also, the 10th height T10 and the 11th height T11 may be the same as or lower than the 3rd height T3 and the 5th height T5.

[0218] When the height of the operating surface 115 is moved to a position where it is at or above the highest height of the top surface 106, it can move closer to the first magnetic element 410 and the second magnetic element 420. Therefore, the top button (right) 110 and the top button (left) 120 can exert a strong attraction force with the first magnetic element 410 and the second magnetic element 420.

[0219] Furthermore, even if the height of the top surface of the buttons does not reach the highest point of the top surface 106, the top surface buttons (right) 110 and (left) 120 can approach the first magnetic element 410 and the second magnetic element 420 by moving to near the highest point of the top surface 106. Therefore, a strong attractive force is exerted with the first magnetic element 410.

[0220] Furthermore, when the first game controller 1 is attached to the main unit 3, the top button (right) 110 and the top button (left) 120 move closer to the first magnetic element 410 and the second magnetic element 420 by the first magnetic element 410 and the second magnetic element 420, until the height of the top surface of the buttons contacts the bottom surface 3121 of the recess 310. Thus, a strong attractive force is exerted between the first magnetic element 410 and the second magnetic element 420. <Connection Structure> Figure 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the game controller attached to the main unit 3. The schematic cross-sectional view shown in Figure 17 is parallel in both the left-right and up-down directions. Figure 18 is an enlarged schematic view of region XVIII in Figure 17.

[0221] As shown in Figure 17, the protrusion 100 of the first game controller 1 fits into the recess 310 of the main unit 3. The top button (right) 110 is attracted to the first magnetic element 410 by magnetic force. The top button (left) 120 is attracted to the second magnetic element 420 by magnetic force.

[0222] As shown in Figures 17 and 18, the length of the operating surface 115 in the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100 is the third length W3. The length of the opening of the first hole 401 in the longitudinal direction of the recess 310 is the first length W1. The third length W3 is longer than the first length W1. Similarly, the fourth length W4 is longer than the second length W2.

[0223] As shown in Figure 18, in the longitudinal direction of the bottom surface 3121, the center of the first magnetic element 410 may be located on the second direction R2 side of the center of the top button (right) 110. From another point of view, in the left-right direction, the distance (fifth length W5) between the end of the opening of the first hole 401 on the second direction R2 side and the end of the operating surface 115 of the top button (right) 110 on the second direction R2 side may be smaller than the distance (sixth length W6) between the end of the opening of the first hole 401 on the fourth direction R4 side and the end of the operating surface 115 of the top button (right) 110 on the fourth direction R4 side.

[0224] The first game controller 1 according to this disclosure has an upper button (right) 110 and an upper button (left) 120 on the top surface 106 of a protrusion 100 that extends from the upper side surface 11. Therefore, when the first game controller 1 is held horizontally, for example, when operating the upper button (right) 110 with the index finger of the right hand and the upper button (left) 120 with the index finger of the left hand, it is possible to press both upper buttons while suppressing the amount of finger bending. Thus, when the first game controller 1 is held with both hands so that the top surface 106 of the protrusion 100 faces upward, it is easy to operate the two upper buttons.

[0225] Furthermore, the protrusion 100, which has two top buttons, fits into the recess 310 provided on the main unit 3. Therefore, the protrusion 100 and recess 310 make it possible to suppress misalignment of the main unit 3 and the first controller 1 when attaching or detaching them, or while they are attached.

[0226] Furthermore, the two top buttons provided on the top surface 106 can be attracted to two magnetic elements provided at the bottom of the recess 310. In other words, the two top buttons not only have the function of receiving user input, but also the function of attaching the first controller 1 to the main unit 3. Therefore, the two top buttons can be made larger within the limited space of the top surface 106 of the protrusion 100. More specifically, the length of the two top buttons can be increased in the longitudinal direction of the top surface.

[0227] Furthermore, since the two top buttons are attracted to different magnetic elements, the first game controller 1 is held to the main unit 3 in at least two places. Therefore, compared to the case where the first game controller 1 is held to the main unit 3 in only one place, rotational misalignment of the first game controller 1 relative to the main unit 3 is suppressed.

[0228] In the integrated gripping state, the top button (right) 110 and top button (left) 120 are not exposed and therefore cannot be operated by the user. In the integrated gripping state, the shoulder button (right) 130 and Z shoulder button (right) 140 are located within reach of the right index finger, and the shoulder button (left) 230 and Z shoulder button (left) 240 are located within reach of the left index finger. Therefore, the user can use the shoulder button (right) 130 and shoulder button (left) 230, or the Z shoulder button (right) 140 and Z shoulder button (left) 240, instead of the top button (right) 110 and top button (left) 120 used when, for example, the first game controller 1 is held horizontally with both hands. In other words, from another perspective, the buttons on the first game controller 1 that are not used when it is attached to the main unit 3 have the function of adhering to the main unit 3. Therefore, the game controller can be attached to the main unit 3 using the buttons without causing any operational inconvenience to the user. The second game controller 2 also produces a similar effect.

[0229] Figure 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view along line XIX in Figure 18. The schematic cross-sectional view shown in Figure 19 is parallel to the front-to-back and up-to-down directions of the game controller. In this embodiment, the maximum heights from the upper surface 11 to the top surface 106 of the protrusion 100 are T6, T7, T10, and T11. In the up-to-down direction of the game controller (left-to-right direction of the main unit 3), the height from the right side surface 313 of the main unit to the bottom surface 3121 is the sixth distance B6. T6, T7, T10, and T11 are higher than the sixth distance B6. That is, the upper surface 11 is spaced apart from the right side surface 313 of the main unit. In the left-to-right direction of the main unit, the distance B8 between the upper surface 11 and the right side surface 313 of the main unit may be, for example, 0.05 mm or more.

[0230] If, during operation of the first game controller 1, a force is applied to the main unit 3 that twists the first game controller 1 vertically or horizontally, and the upper side surface 11 and the right side surface 313 of the main unit are in contact, the contact point may act as a fulcrum, making it easier for a force to be applied in the detachment direction. In this embodiment, since the upper side surface 11 is spaced apart from the right side surface 313 of the main unit, when a force is applied to rotate the first game controller 1, the contact point between the convex portion 100 and the recess 310, or the side of the upper side surface 11 closer to the convex portion 100, acts as a fulcrum, and the force applied in the detachment direction is suppressed. The same applies to the second game controller 2.

[0231] As shown in Figure 19, in the front-to-back direction, the width of the opening of the first hole 401 is the first width C1. In the front-to-back direction, the thickness of the first magnetic element 410 is the second thickness C2. The first width C1 is greater than the second thickness C2.

[0232] The width of the recess 310 in the front-to-back direction may increase from the bottom surface 3121 toward the right side surface 313 of the main body. The width of the protrusion 100 in the front-to-back direction may increase from the top surface 106 toward the upper side surface 11.

[0233] Figure 20 is a schematic cross-sectional view along the line XX-XX in Figure 17. The schematic cross-sectional view shown in Figure 20 is parallel to both the front-to-back and up-to-down directions.

[0234] The female connector 162 has a first terminal 160 and a socket 161. The inner wall surface 166 of the socket 161 constitutes at least a part of the terminal housing portion 167. The inner wall surface 166 of the socket 161 communicates with a terminal opening 196 provided on the top surface 106 of the protrusion 100. The inner wall surface 166 of the socket 161 may be inclined such that its cross-sectional area decreases as it moves inward from the terminal opening 196 side. Note that the first game controller 1 does not have the first female connector 162, and the terminal housing portion 167 may be formed by a recess in the top surface 106 of the protrusion 100.

[0235] The inner wall surface 166 of the socket 161 may have a first rear side wall surface 165 and a first front side wall surface 164. The first front side wall surface 164 is the wall surface of the inner wall surface 166 that faces the front of the first game controller 1. The first rear side wall surface 165 is the wall surface of the inner wall surface 166 that faces the rear of the first game controller 1. The first rear side wall surface 165 faces the first front side wall surface 164.

[0236] A slit is provided in the wall portion forming the first rear side wall surface 165, extending in the vertical direction of the first game controller 1 (i.e., in the convex direction of the convex portion 100). The first terminal 160 extends along the direction in which the slit extends, with a portion of it penetrating the slit and being exposed from the first rear side wall surface 165. In other words, the first terminal 160 is provided along the first rear side wall surface 165. From another viewpoint, the first terminal 160 is provided along the inner circumferential surface of the terminal housing portion 167. The first terminal 160 is not provided along the first front side wall surface 164. In other embodiments, the first terminal 160 may be provided along the first front side wall surface 164. Furthermore, the first terminal 160 may be provided along both the first front side wall surface 164 and the first rear side wall surface 165.

[0237] The first terminal 160 may be a leaf spring. The upper end of the first terminal 160 extends to a position lower than the terminal opening 196. Therefore, in the vertical direction, the position of the upper end of the first terminal 160 is higher than the upper surface 11 and lower than the top surface 106 of the protrusion 100. The position of the lower end of the first terminal 160 may be higher or lower than the upper surface 11.

[0238] As shown in Figure 20, the first plug connector 330 of this embodiment is inserted into the terminal housing 167. More specifically, the first tongue 332, on which the main body first terminal 331 is provided, is inserted into the terminal housing 167. The main body first terminal 331 is provided on the back side of the first tongue 332. Inside the terminal housing 167, the first terminal 160 is in contact with the main body first terminal 331. The main body first terminal 331 may also be in contact with the portion of the first terminal 160 that protrudes from the slit.

[0239] When a user holds the game controller in its integrated grip state with both hands, the main unit 3 may lean slightly towards the rear side relative to the game controller due to its weight. In this case, for example, the first tongue 332 may lean towards the rear side inside the terminal housing 167, while the first terminal 160 is provided along the first rear side wall surface 165, making it easier to maintain contact between the first terminal 160 and the main unit's first terminal 331 provided on the first tongue 332. Also, when a user holds the game controller in its integrated grip state with one hand, for example, when only the first game controller 1 is held, the main unit 3 may tilt towards the rear side, with the first game controller 1 being held as the pivot point, due to its weight. In this case, the distance between the upper side surface 11 of the first game controller 1 and the right side surface 313 of the main unit 3 may be greater on the front side than on the rear side. In other words, the first game controller 1 may be further away from the main unit 3 on the front side than on the rear side. In this embodiment, since the first terminal 160 is provided along the first rear side wall surface 165, contact between the first terminal 160 and the main unit's first terminal 331 is easily maintained. Furthermore, the first terminal 160 is provided at a position on the first rear side wall surface 165 where the main unit's first terminal 331, which is provided on the first tongue 332, approaches when the main unit 3 is tilted towards the rear side relative to the first game controller 1, thereby making it easier to maintain contact with the main unit's first terminal 331.

[0240] Furthermore, since the upper end of the first terminal 160 is lower than the top surface 106 of the protrusion 100, the terminal 160 is less likely to be touched by the user when operating the first game controller 1. In addition, since the first terminal 160 is provided in the terminal housing 167 located inside the protrusion 100, it leads to effective use of the height space formed by the protrusion of the protrusion 100. On the other hand, the main body first terminal 331 needs to protrude in order to connect to the first terminal 160 in the terminal housing 167, and the main body first terminal 331 is provided in the recess 310. Therefore, the protruding main body first terminal 331 is protected by the inner circumferential surface 3120 of the recess 310.

[0241] The main body first terminal 331 may be provided extending from the side to the top surface of the first tongue 332. From another perspective, the main body first terminal 331 may be provided on the surface of the first tongue 332 extending from the rear side to the right side side of the main body device. When the first tongue 332 is inserted into the terminal housing 167, the tip of the first tongue 332 (right side) may come into contact with the first terminal 160, but even in that case, the first terminal 160 can still come into contact with the main body first terminal 331.

[0242] Figure 21 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example configuration of the first terminal 160. The schematic cross-sectional view shown in Figure 21 is parallel in both the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0243] As shown in Figure 21, the first terminal 160 may constitute a first game controller terminal group. The first game controller terminal group may have multiple terminal sections, each consisting of one or more terminals. These multiple terminal sections may be arranged, for example, in the left-right direction.

[0244] The multiple terminal sections include a first right-side terminal section 160a, a first left-side terminal section 160b, and a first intermediate terminal section 160c. The first right-side terminal section 160a is the terminal located furthest to the second direction R2 in the left-right direction. The first left-side terminal section 160b is the terminal located furthest to the fourth direction R4 in the left-right direction. The first intermediate terminal section 160c is located between the first right-side terminal section 160a and the first left-side terminal section 160b. The first intermediate terminal section 160c may have multiple terminals.

[0245] In the vertical direction, the lengths of the first right terminal portion 160a and the first left terminal portion 160b may each be longer than the length of the first intermediate terminal portion 160c. From another point of view, in the vertical direction, the distance from the fourth region 104 to the first right terminal portion 160a and the distance from the fourth region 104 to the first left terminal portion 160b may each be shorter than the distance from the fourth region 104 to the first intermediate terminal portion 160c.

[0246] In this embodiment, the first right-side terminal portion 160a and the first left-side terminal portion 160b are ground terminals. Therefore, even if the main body first terminal 331 (which may constitute a group of terminals similar to the first terminal 160) inserted into the terminal housing portion 167 is slightly tilted, there is a high probability that it will come into contact with the first right-side terminal portion 160a or the first left-side terminal portion 160b, which is close to the terminal opening 196. Therefore, when the terminals are electrically connected to each other, the ground terminals can be made to contact first. <mouse> As shown in Figures 15 and 16, the first game controller 1 is also used as a mouse. Figure 22 is a schematic top view showing the configuration of the first embodiment of the game controller. Figure 23 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing only the protrusion along line XXIII-XXIII in Figure 22. As shown in Figures 22 and 23, an opening 170 for a mouse sensor is provided on the top surface 106 of the protrusion 100. The first game controller 1 has a mouse operation sensor 174. The mouse operation sensor 174 is located inside the protrusion 100. The mouse operation sensor 174 is, for example, an optical mouse sensor. The mouse operation sensor 174 has, for example, a light source 171 and a light receiving sensor 172. The first game controller 1 may also include a lens for focusing the light emitted from the light source 171 and / or the light guided to the light receiving sensor 172.

[0247] As shown in Figure 23, the light source 171 emits light. The light may be, for example, red light, blue light, or laser light. The wavelength of the light is not particularly limited. The light from the light source 171 is shone onto the ground surface through the aperture 170 for the mouse sensor. The light receiving sensor 172 detects the reflected light from the ground surface of the light emitted from the light source 171, which enters through the aperture 170 for the mouse sensor and changes with the relative movement of the first game controller 1 to the ground surface. The second game controller 2 has a similar configuration.

[0248] The first game controller 1 can also be used as a mouse by being equipped with a mouse operation sensor 174. Since the mouse sensor opening 170 is provided on the top surface 106 of the protrusion 100 that extends from the upper side surface 11, when the first game controller 1 is placed on a surface so that the top surface 106 of the protrusion 100 faces the surface, the mouse sensor opening 170 is in close proximity to the surface. Therefore, the mouse sensor opening 170 can effectively capture reflected light from the surface.

[0249] Based on the detection results of the mouse operation sensor 174, the information processing unit of the main unit 3 may calculate movement parameters (e.g., direction of movement and distance of movement) related to the movement of the first game controller 1 relative to the ground surface. The main unit 3 may also execute predetermined game processing based on the determined movement parameters in the program being executed. The movement parameters may be calculated within the first game controller 1 (by the mouse operation sensor 174 or the information processing unit provided in the first game controller 1), and the calculated parameters may be transmitted to the main unit 3. If the first game controller 1 moves relative to the ground surface while separated from the ground surface, the movement of the first game controller 1 relative to the ground surface may not be accurately measured. For example, the first game controller 1 may be configured so that it cannot properly detect reflected light from the ground surface for measuring movement relative to the ground surface when the top surface 106 of the protrusion 100 is separated from the ground surface by 1 cm or more, 5 mm or more, or 1 mm or more. For example, the mouse operation sensor 174 may be designed so that it can accurately detect the direction and distance of movement of the first game controller 1 relative to the ground surface of the first game controller 1, and the distance from the ground surface of the first game controller 1 is within 1 cm, or within 5 mm, or within 1 mm.

[0250] Furthermore, when the first game controller 1 is attached to the main unit 3, the protrusion 100 fits into the recess 310, so the top surface 106 of the protrusion 100 is not exposed to the outside. Therefore, when the controller is integrated and not used as a mouse, the opening 170 for the mouse sensor is not exposed, thus preventing the user from unnecessarily touching it.

[0251] Figure 24 is a schematic diagram showing a game controller being used as a mouse. As shown in Figure 24, the user's palm is positioned to cover the lower side 13 of the first game controller 1. The user's right thumb is positioned on the front side 15. For example, the user's right thumb rests on the joystick 31. The user's right index finger is positioned on the right shoulder button 130. The user's right middle finger is positioned on the right Z shoulder button 140.

[0252] The user can operate the right shoulder button 130 with their right index finger. The user can operate the right Z shoulder button 140 with their right middle finger. The user may also operate the right Z shoulder button 140 with their right index finger. The user can operate the front input area with their right thumb. For example, the user can operate the joystick 31, the + button 33(1), and a set of four buttons 32 with their thumb. The second game controller 2 may also be used as a mouse with the left hand.

[0253] Figure 25 is a schematic diagram showing the use of a mouse with both hands. As shown in Figure 25, the first game controller is operated with the right hand, and the second game controller 2 is operated with the left hand.

[0254] Note that the user may use one of the first game controller 1 and the second game controller 2 as a mouse and the other as a vertically-held game controller. Also, the first user may use the first game controller 1 as a mouse and the second user may use the second game controller 2 as a mouse. Note that the first game controller 1 may be operated as a mouse with the left hand. The second game controller 2 may be operated as a mouse with the right hand.

[0255] In this way, the user can also use the input part on the front of the game controller mainly used in the vertically-held or horizontally-held state when using the game controller as a mouse. Also, the user can use the shoulder buttons and Z shoulder buttons of the game controller mainly used in the vertically-held and integrated grip states in the same way as the right click button and left click button on the mouse.

[0256] In this embodiment, when the game controller is removed from the main body device 3, it is used as a vertically-held game controller with the upper surface facing sideways, used as a horizontally-held game controller with the upper surface facing up, and used as a mouse with the upper surface facing down. That is, although it is one game controller, by changing the gripping direction in three directions, three usage methods are possible.

[0257] Note that as shown in FIG. 22, in this embodiment, the mouse sensor opening 170 is located between the upper surface button (right) 110 and the upper surface button (left) 120 in the longitudinal direction of the top surface 106 of the convex portion 100. That is, it is located relatively close to the center in the longitudinal direction of the first game controller 1. Therefore, mouse operation according to the user's intention becomes easy.

[0258] Also, as shown in FIG. 22, in the present embodiment, on the top surface 106 of the convex portion 100, a synchronization button 50 is provided between the upper surface button (left) 120 and the terminal opening 196 in the longitudinal direction of the convex portion 100, and a mouse sensor opening is provided between the terminal opening 196 and the upper surface button (right) 110.

[0259] When the game controller is operated in the horizontally held state, since the terminal opening 196 is sandwiched between the upper surface button (right) 110 and the mouse sensor opening 170 on one side and the synchronization button 50 and the upper surface button (left) 120 on the other side, it is difficult for the user's finger to touch the terminal opening 196. Also, when the user tries to operate the synchronization button 50, since the mouse sensor opening 170 is located on the opposite side across the terminal opening 196, it is difficult for the user's finger to touch the mouse sensor opening 170.

[0260] <Removal mechanism> FIG. 26 is a rear schematic view showing the configuration of the first aspect of the game controller. FIG. 27 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line XXVII-XXVII of FIG. 26. As shown in FIG. 27, the first game controller 1 has a pusher 181, a pusher operating member 186, and a biasing portion 183. These constitute a removal mechanism. The pusher operating member 186 has an operating portion 182, a pusher operating portion 185, and a rotating shaft 184.

[0261] When the operating portion 182 is operated by the user, the pusher 181 protrudes from the top surface 106 of the convex portion 100. When the first game controller 1 is attached to the main body device 3, the protruding pusher 181 presses the bottom surface 3121 of the recess 310. By the pusher 181 pressing the bottom surface 3121, the top surface 106 of the convex portion 100 moves in a direction away from the bottom surface 3121. The first game controller 1 rotates with an end opposite to the end where the pusher 181 is provided as a fulcrum. From the above, the first game controller 1 can be easily removed from the main body device 3.

[0262] As shown in Figures 26 and 27, the operating unit 182 is provided, for example, on the rear surface 16. The operating unit 182 is positioned to be exposed through an opening provided on the rear surface 16. The operating unit 182 is operated by the user. The operating unit 182 is operated in the direction of the third arrow A3. The direction of the third arrow A3 is a rotational direction that goes from the right side surface 313 of the main body to the right, and from the rear side to the front side of the main body device 3. From another point of view, the direction of the third arrow A3 is a rotational direction in the first controller 1 that goes toward the third direction R3 and toward the fifth direction R5. The operating unit 182 may also be configured to be operated in a direction parallel to the third direction R3. Figure 27 shows the state before the operating unit 182 is operated (natural state).

[0263] Figure 28 is a schematic perspective view showing an example configuration of a pusher operating member 186. As shown in Figure 28, the operating part 182 and the pusher operating part 185 are each connected to the rotating shaft 184. The pusher operating member 186 is a single component. However, the pusher operating member 186 may be composed of multiple components. The rotating shaft 184 rotates together with the operating part 182 and the pusher operating part 185. From another perspective, the pusher operating member 186 rotates around the rotating shaft 184. The pusher operating part 185 contacts the pusher 181.

[0264] Figure 29 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state when the operating part 182 is being operated. The rotating shaft 184 rotates together with the pusher operating part 185 when the operating part 182 is operated. The pusher operating part 185 causes the pusher 181 to protrude.

[0265] Before the operating part 182 is operated, the pusher 181 is positioned inside the protrusion 100. The biasing part 183 biases the pusher 181 in a third direction R3. The biasing part 183 is, for example, a coil spring. When the user operates the operating part 182 toward the third direction R3, the rotation axis 184 rotates together with the operating part 182 and the pusher operating part 185, and the pusher operating part 185 pushes the pusher 181 toward the first direction R1. A portion of the pusher 181 protrudes from the protrusion 100. When the user releases their hand from the operating part 182, the biasing part 183 extends, causing the pusher 181 to move toward the third direction R3. This returns the pusher 181 to its natural position.

[0266] As shown in Figure 28, in the radial direction of the rotating shaft 184, the distance from the rotating shaft 184 to the end of the operating part 182 (first distance B1) is longer than the distance from the rotating shaft 184 to the end of the pusher operating part 185 (second distance B2). Therefore, the torque of the pusher operating part that extends the pusher can be increased. The operating part 182 and the pusher operating part 185 are arranged side by side along the direction in which the rotating shaft 184 extends.

[0267] As shown in Figures 27 and 29, the distance from the rotation axis 184 to the contact point between the pusher 181 and the pusher operating part 185 is longer when the amount of protrusion of the pusher 181 is large than when it is small. For example, the distance from the rotation axis 184 to the contact point between the pusher 181 and the pusher operating part 185 after operating the operating part 182 is longer than the distance from the rotation axis 184 to the contact point between the pusher 181 and the pusher operating part 185 in the initial state. Also, for example, the distance from the rotation axis 184 to the contact point between the pusher 181 and the pusher operating part 185 may increase as the pusher 181 protrudes. In this case, the contact point between the pusher operating part 185 and the pusher 181 moves as the pusher operating member 186 rotates. Note that in the initial state, the pusher 181 and the pusher operating part 185 do not need to be in contact.

[0268] When the first game controller 1 is attached to the main unit 3, the distance between the top surface 106 of the protrusion 100 and the bottom surface 3121 of the recess 310 is short, and the magnetic force between the top button (right) 110 and the first magnetic element 410, and the magnetic force between the top button (left) 120 and the second magnetic element 420 are strong. Therefore, in the initial stage of extending the pusher 181, the contact point between the pusher operating part 185 and the pusher 181 is brought closer to the rotation axis 184, thereby increasing the force exerted by the pusher operating part 185 against the force applied to the operating part 182. On the other hand, after the pusher 181 has protruded to a certain extent, the distance between the top surface 106 of the convex portion 100 and the bottom surface 3121 of the recess 310 also increases to a certain extent, and the magnetic force between the top button (right) 110 and the first magnetic element 410, and the magnetic force between the top button (left) 120 and the second magnetic element 420 (especially the magnetic force between the button and the magnet on the side closer to the pusher 181) also weakens. Therefore, by moving the contact portion between the pusher operating part 185 and the pusher 181 away from the rotation axis 184, the acting force can be reduced while increasing the amount of movement of the pusher operating part 185 relative to the amount of rotation of the rotation axis 184. In this way, by changing the acting force and the amount of protrusion of the pusher 181 according to the pusher protrusion state, the first game controller 1 can be easily removed.

[0269] As shown in Figures 27 and 29, the operating unit 182 is operated in at least the third direction R3. In this embodiment, the operating unit 182 is rotated in a direction that includes the third direction R3 and the fifth direction R5. That is, the operating direction of the operating unit 182 is the third direction R3 (away from the upper side surface 11) when viewed from the back of the first game controller 1, and the fifth direction R5 (towards the back) when viewed from the side. When the operating unit 182 is operated in the third direction R3, the pusher 181 moves in the first direction R1. From another point of view, the pusher 181 moves in the opposite direction to the operating direction of the operating unit 182.

[0270] Figures 30 and 31 are schematic diagrams showing the operation of the control unit. As shown in Figures 30 and 31, the back surface 16 has a protrusion 18. The protrusion 18 is located on the third direction R3 side relative to the control unit 182. The protrusion 18 protrudes in the sixth direction R6 on the back surface 16. When the control unit 182 is operated, it moves in the third direction R3 and the fifth direction R5 and is embedded in the protrusion 18 (Figure 31). Note that the entire control unit 182 does not have to be completely embedded. A part of the control unit 182 is exposed from the protrusion 18. Note that the maximum height of the control unit 182 from the back surface 16 when not being operated is lower than the maximum height of the protrusion 18 from the back surface 16. When the first game controller 1 is placed on a ground surface with the back surface 16 facing the ground surface, the end of the protrusion 18 makes contact with the ground surface while preventing the control unit 182 from making contact with the ground surface.

[0271] Figure 32 is a schematic rear view showing the state before the first game controller 1 is removed from the main unit 3. Figure 33 is a schematic rear view showing the first state during the process of removing the first game controller 1 from the main unit 3.

[0272] Since the operating section 182 is located on the back surface 16 on the second direction R2 side (upper side in the integrated gripping state), when a user operates the operating section 182, the user can operate the operating section 182 by gripping the main unit 3 and the first game controller 1 with their right index finger and right middle finger, which are located on the back side for gripping the main unit 3 and the first game controller 1.

[0273] Furthermore, the direction in which the operating unit 182 is operated is the direction in which the first game controller 1 is detached. Therefore, the removal of the first game controller 1 can be done in an intuitive manner.

[0274] Furthermore, when the operating part 182 is fully pushed in the third direction R3, the operating part 182 is embedded in the protruding part 18, and the user's fingers operating the operating part 182 come into contact with the protruding part 18. The user can then apply force to the protruding part 18 by continuing to apply force in the third direction R3, which is the direction in which the first game controller 1 is detached. Thus, the force required for removal can be applied as part of a series of operations starting from the operation of the operating part 182. In addition, since the user's fingers are in contact with the protruding part 18 surrounding the embedded operating part 182, the first game controller 1 can be removed while firmly gripping it.

[0275] The protruding portion 18 extends from the back surface 16 toward the rear so as to cover the Z shoulder button (right) 140 from below. For example, when the first game controller 1 is placed with the back surface 16 facing the ground, the protruding portion 18 may be configured so that it touches the ground and the Z shoulder button (right) 140 does not touch the ground. By embedding the operating portion 182 in relation to the protruding portion 18 that covers the Z shoulder button (right) 140 from below, it is possible to save space compared to, for example, a case where a separate protruding portion is provided to embed the operating portion 182.

[0276] The pusher 181 may protrude from the outside of the top button (right) 110 (to the right of the top button (right) 110) in the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100. In another embodiment, the pusher 181 may protrude from the outside of the top button (left) 120 (to the left of the top button (left) 120) in the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100. This increases the distance between the pusher 181 and the part opposite to the end on which the pusher 181 is provided (for example, the end of the top surface 106, or the upper side surface 11 that is outside the protrusion 100), which serves as a fulcrum when removing it. This allows the pusher 181 to be used as leverage, so that the first game controller 1 can be removed from the main unit 3 with less force.

[0277] The pusher 181 may protrude from the right side of the operation part 182 in the longitudinal direction of the convex part 100. In the longitudinal direction of the convex part 100, the center of the pusher 181 may be located on the right side of the center of the operation part 182. The pusher 181 may protrude from the right side of the first elastic deformable body 52 in the longitudinal direction of the convex part 100. In the longitudinal direction of the convex part 100, the center of the pusher 181 may be located on the right side of the center of the first elastic deformable body 52.

[0278] In addition, the pusher 181 may protrude from the outside of the button that is on the upper side in the integrally gripped state, among the upper surface button (right) 110 and the upper surface button (left) 120. Thereby, the pusher 181 presses the side surface of the main body device 3 from the side of the first game controller 1 while using the lower side of the main body device 3 as the fulcrum of the lever, so it is easy to remove.

[0279] Also, as shown in FIG. 22, the pusher 181 protrudes from the third region 103 of the top surface 106. A mouse sole 191 having a through hole is provided on the top surface 106. The pusher 181 is provided so as to protrude from the through hole of the mouse sole 191. Therefore, on the top surface 106 of the convex part 100, the region where the pusher 181 protrudes and the region where the mouse sole 191 is provided do not have to be separated. Thus, the space on the top surface 106 can be effectively utilized.

[0280] Also, the pusher 181 may be configured to protrude from the region having the highest height on the top surface 106. Thereby, the tip of the pusher 181 can contact the bottom surface 3121 immediately after the pusher 181 protrudes from the top surface 106. Thus, the protrusion amount until the pusher 181 contacts the bottom surface 3121 can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to miniaturize the pusher 181 and reduce the operation amount of the operation part 182.

[0281] Furthermore, the amount of protrusion of the pusher 181 may be such that, when the pusher 181 protrudes, the operating surface 115 of the top button (right) 110 is separated from the surface of the cover 338 that constitutes the bottom surface 3121 of the recess 310. From another perspective, the amount of protrusion of the pusher 181 may be such that, even when the top button (right) 110 moves to its maximum upward position due to attraction to the first magnetic element 410, the operating surface 115 of the top button (right) 110 is separated from the surface of the cover 338 that constitutes the bottom surface 3121 of the recess 310. This allows the first game controller 1 to be easily removed from the main unit 3. The amount of protrusion of the pusher 181 may also be such that at least a portion of the operating surface 125 of the top button (left) 120 is not separated from the surface of the cover 338. This prevents the first game controller 1 from being suddenly removed from the main unit 3.

[0282] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 33, the amount of protrusion of the pusher 181 may be such that, when the pusher 181 protrudes, the right end of the top surface 106 of the convex portion 100 (the end on the second direction R2 side in Figure 33) is exposed from the opening of the recess 310. Alternatively, the amount of protrusion of the pusher 181 may be such that, even when the pusher 181 protrudes, the right end of the top surface 106 is not exposed from the opening of the recess. Also, as shown in Figure 33, the amount of protrusion of the pusher 181 may be such that the entire first elastic deformable body 52 exposed from the outer peripheral surface 107 of the convex portion 100 is exposed from the opening of the recess 310. On the other hand, only a part of the second elastic deformable body 54 exposed from the outer peripheral surface 107 may be exposed from the opening of the recess 310. Furthermore, the amount of protrusion of the pusher 181 may be such that, even when the pusher 181 protrudes, the light-emitting opening 154 provided on the outer peripheral surface 107 is not exposed from the opening of the recess 310. Furthermore, the amount of protrusion of the pusher 181 may be such that, when the pusher 181 protrudes, the right end of the upper surface 11 (the end on the second direction R2 side in Figure 33) and the upper end of the right side surface 313 of the main body are separated by a distance between, for example, 0.5 mm and 1 cm. The separation distance may also be, for example, between 1 mm and 5 mm. The separation distance may also be, for example, 2 mm.

[0283] <Indicator> Figure 34 is a schematic cross-sectional view along the line XXXIV-XXXIV in Figure 22. As shown in Figure 34, the first game controller 1 has a light-emitting element 152 and a light-emitting section 150 that emits light outward. The light-emitting section 150 is a user indicator. The light-emitting section 150 includes, for example, a light-emitting aperture 154 and a part of a lens 151. The light-emitting section 150 may be provided on the front outer peripheral surface 1071.

[0284] The light-emitting aperture 154 is, for example, an opening provided on the outer peripheral surface 107 of the convex portion 100. The projection of the lens 151 is located within the light-emitting aperture 154. The user can see the light emitted outward from the light-emitting aperture 154 through the lens 151. The light-emitting portion 150 does not necessarily have a lens 151. The light-emitting portion 150 may be provided on the outer peripheral surface portion 1072 on the back side.

[0285] The light-emitting element 152 is, for example, located on the FPC 90. The light-emitting element 152 is, for example, a light-emitting diode (LED). The light-emitting diode emits, for example, visible light. The light emitted by the light-emitting diode is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, red, blue, or green.

[0286] Furthermore, the light-emitting element 152 itself may be the light-emitting portion 150. That is, the light-emitting element 152 may be provided on the outer circumferential surface 107 of the protrusion 100.

[0287] Since the protrusion 100 has a certain protrusion height, by providing the light-emitting portion 150 on the outer peripheral surface 107, the space in the protrusion direction of the outer peripheral surface 107 can be effectively utilized.

[0288] Furthermore, the light from the light-emitting section 150 is emitted from the outer surface 107 in a forward direction. Therefore, the light is easily visible when the user is operating the first game controller 1 facing forward. On the other hand, when the first game controller 1 is attached to the main unit 3, the outer surface 107 is not exposed, so the user can concentrate on playing the game, for example.

[0289] The light-emitting portion 150 provided on the outer peripheral surface 107 may be provided between the upper button (right) 110 and the upper button (left) 120 in the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100.

[0290] When the first game controller 1 is held horizontally, and the upper right button 110 and upper left button 120 located on the top surface 106 of the protrusion 100 are operated with the left and right fingers, the left and right fingers are likely to move along the top surface 106. Therefore, the fingers are less likely to grip the front side of the outer peripheral surface 107, and the light-emitting part 150 is less likely to be covered by the fingers. Consequently, the light from the light-emitting part 150 is easily visible.

[0291] Within the protrusion 100, the light-emitting element 152 faces the light-emitting section 150. More specifically, the light-emitting element 152 faces the light-emitting aperture 154. The user can see the light emitted by the light-emitting element 152 through the light-emitting aperture 154. The lens 151 may be attached to the inner wall surface of the protrusion 100 using double-sided tape 155. In the front-to-back direction, the light-emitting element 152 is located between the FPC 90 and the light-emitting section 150.

[0292] In the front-to-back direction, the light-emitting section 150 is located on the fifth direction R5 side of the first terminal 160. The light-emitting section 150 is positioned so as to overlap with the first terminal 160 in the longitudinal direction of the protrusion 100. From another perspective, the first terminal 160 is located on the inner surface on the rear side of the inner surface of the terminal housing section 167, and the light-emitting section 150 is located on the front side of the terminal housing section 167, and on the front side of the outer surface 107.

[0293] Since the first terminal 160 is provided to protrude through a slit in the wall forming the first rear side wall surface 165, space is required inside the protrusion 100 on the back side of the inner wall surface 166. This space includes space to prevent the terminal 160 from interfering with the surrounding components when the first terminal 160 is pushed significantly into the protrusion 100. On the other hand, the light-emitting section 150 also requires space inside the protrusion 100 to accommodate, for example, a lens 151 or a light-emitting element 152. Therefore, by providing the first terminal 160 and the light-emitting section 150 on opposite sides in the front-to-back direction, the internal space of the protrusion 100 can be effectively utilized.

[0294] Up to this point, we have mainly explained the configuration of the first game controller 1. The basic configuration of the second game controller 2 is the same as that of the first game controller 1. Below, we will only give a brief overview of the second game controller 2.

[0295] Figure 35 is a hexagonal schematic diagram showing the configuration of the first embodiment of the second game controller 2. As shown in Figure 35, the second game controller 2 includes, for example, a joystick 41 which is an example of a directional input section, and a set of four buttons 42 arranged in a cross shape. In addition, while the first game controller 1 had a + button 33(1) and a home button 33(2), the second game controller 2 has a - button 43(1) and a capture button 43(2). The second game controller 2 also has a top right button 210 and a top left button 220, a sync button, a shoulder button (left) 230, and a Z shoulder button (left) 240. The top right button 210 and the top left button 220 and the sync button are provided on the protrusion 200. Furthermore, the second game controller 2 includes a light-emitting unit 250, a second terminal 260 connected to the second terminal 341 of the main unit 3, a mouse sensor aperture 270 for guiding light to the mouse operation sensor 274, mouse feet 253 and 254, and an operation unit 282 that constitutes a removal mechanism for removing the protrusion 200 from the main unit 3. The structure and function of each component are substantially the same as those of the first game controller 1. However, some functions may differ. For example, the capture button 43(2) may be used to save the image output to the display 305.

[0296] Furthermore, in the horizontal grip position, the positional relationship between the joystick 31 and the set of four buttons 32 on the first game controller 1 is the same as the positional relationship between the joystick 41 and the set of four buttons 42 on the second game controller 2. That is, on the first game controller 1, the joystick 31 is located to the left of the set of four buttons 32. Similarly, on the second game controller 2, the joystick 41 is located to the left of the set of four buttons 42. On the other hand, in the horizontal grip position, the shoulder button (right) 130 and the Z shoulder button (right) 140 are on the right side on the first game controller 1, while the shoulder button (left) 230 and the Z shoulder button (left) 240 are on the left side on the second game controller 2. From another perspective, in the integrated grip position, the joystick 31 on the first game controller 1 is located below the set of four buttons 32, while the joystick 41 on the second game controller 2 is located above the set of four buttons 42. On the other hand, in the integrated gripping state, the shoulder button (right) 130 and Z shoulder button (right) 140 of the first game controller 1, and the shoulder button (left) 230 and Z shoulder button (left) 240 of the second game controller 2 are both located on the upper side.

[0297] <Terminal arrangement> Figure 36 is a schematic front view showing an example configuration of the main unit 3. As shown in Figure 36, the left side 314 of the main unit is on the opposite side from the right side 313 of the main unit to the front of the main unit 3. The left side 314 of the main unit has the same configuration as the right side 313 of the main unit. For example, a recess 320 is provided on the left side 314 of the main unit. A second plug connector 340, a third magnetic element 430, and a fourth magnetic element 440 are provided in the recess 320. The third magnetic element 430 and the fourth magnetic element 440 contain magnets. In the longitudinal direction of the recess 320, the second plug connector 340 is positioned between the third magnetic element 430 and the fourth magnetic element 440.

[0298] The protrusion 100 is shaped to fit into recesses 310 and 320, respectively. Similarly, the protrusion 200 is shaped to fit into recesses 310 and 320, respectively. Recess 310 may be substantially symmetrical in its longitudinal direction. Recess 320 may be substantially symmetrical in its longitudinal direction. Recess 100 may be substantially symmetrical in its longitudinal direction. Recess 200 may be substantially symmetrical in its longitudinal direction.

[0299] The longitudinal direction of recess 310 may be parallel to the longitudinal direction of recess 320. The longitudinal direction of recess 310 and the longitudinal direction of recess 320 may each be parallel to the vertical direction. The width direction of recess 310 may be parallel to the width direction of recess 320. The width direction of recess 310 and the width direction of recess 320 may each be parallel to the front-back direction.

[0300] Figure 37 is a conceptual schematic diagram showing the connection state of the terminals in the first connection state. Figure 37 shows the connection state of each terminal as viewed from above in the mounted state in a simplified manner. For clarity, the terminals are shown spaced apart. Figure 37 shows at least a portion of the main body first terminal 331, the first tongue 332, the main body device side second terminal 341, and the second tongue 342 in a simplified manner.

[0301] The first terminal 160 is provided along the first rear side wall. The first terminal 160 does not necessarily have to be provided on the first front side wall.

[0302] The second terminal 260 is provided along the second rear side wall. The second terminal 260 does not necessarily have to be provided on the second front side wall.

[0303] Furthermore, the main body's first terminal 331 is provided along the back surface of the first tongue 332. The main body's first terminal 331 does not necessarily have to be provided on the front surface of the first tongue 332. Also, the main body's second terminal 341 is provided along the back surface of the second tongue 342. The main body's second terminal 341 does not necessarily have to be provided on the front surface of the second tongue 342.

[0304] Figure 38 is a schematic front view showing the configuration of the information processing device 1000 in the first connection state.

[0305] Figure 39 is a conceptual schematic diagram showing the terminal arrangement in the first connection state. Figure 39 simply shows the connection state of each terminal as viewed from the front in the mounted state. For clarity, the terminals are shown spaced apart. As shown in Figure 39, the main body first terminal 331 (also called the third terminal 331) may constitute the first main body terminal group. The first main body terminal group may have multiple third terminal sections, each consisting of one or more terminals. The multiple third terminal sections are arranged in the vertical direction. The functions of the multiple third terminal sections do not have to be symmetrical in the vertical direction.

[0306] The main body's second terminal 341 (also called the fourth terminal 341) may constitute a second main body terminal group. The second main body terminal group 341 may have multiple fourth terminal sections, each consisting of one or more terminals. The multiple fourth terminal sections are arranged vertically. The arrangement of functions of the multiple third terminal sections and the arrangement of functions of the multiple fourth terminal sections may be reversed with respect to the vertical direction.

[0307] As shown in Figure 39, the second terminal 260 may also constitute a second game controller terminal group, similar to the first terminal 160. The second game controller terminal group has multiple second terminal sections, each consisting of one or more terminals. The multiple second terminal sections are arranged vertically.

[0308] The arrangement of functions of the multiple first terminals 160 and the arrangement of functions of the multiple third terminals 331 may be the same with respect to the vertical direction in the main unit. The functions of the multiple first terminals 160 may be, in order from top to bottom with respect to the vertical direction in the main unit, ground, connection detection from one to the other, signal, power supply from one to the other, empty, power supply from the other to one, signal, connection detection from the other to one, and ground. Similarly, the functions of the multiple third terminals 331 may be, in order from top to bottom, ground, connection detection from one to the other, signal, power supply from one to the other, empty, power supply from the other to one, signal, connection detection from the other to one, and ground.

[0309] The arrangement of functions of the multiple second terminals 260 and the arrangement of functions of the multiple fourth terminals 341 may be the same with respect to the vertical direction in the main unit. The functions of the multiple second terminals 260 may be, in order from top to bottom with respect to the vertical direction in the main unit, ground, connection detection from one to the other, signal, power supply from one to the other, empty, power supply from the other to one, signal, connection detection from the other to one, and ground. Similarly, the functions of the multiple fourth terminals 341 may be, in order from top to bottom, ground, connection detection from one to the other, signal, power supply from one to the other, empty, power supply from the other to one, signal, connection detection from the other to one, and ground.

[0310] Similar to the multiple first terminal sections, the multiple second terminal sections include a second left terminal section 260a, a second right terminal section 260b, and a second intermediate terminal section 260c. The second left terminal section 260a is located furthest to the left in the left-right direction. The second right terminal section 260b is located furthest to the right in the left-right direction. The second intermediate terminal section 260c is located between the second left terminal section 260a and the second right terminal section 260b.

[0311] The multiple third terminal sections include a third upper terminal section 331a, a third lower terminal section 331b, and a third intermediate terminal section 331c. The third upper terminal section 331a is located at the uppermost position in the vertical direction of the main unit 3. The third lower terminal section 331b is located at the lowermost position in the vertical direction of the main unit 3. The third intermediate terminal section 331c is located between the third upper terminal section 331a and the third lower terminal section 331b.

[0312] The multiple fourth terminal sections include a fourth upper terminal section 341a, a fourth lower terminal section 341b, and a fourth intermediate terminal section 341c. The fourth upper terminal section 341a is located at the uppermost position in the vertical direction of the main unit 3. The fourth lower terminal section 341b is located at the lowermost position in the vertical direction of the main unit 3. The fourth intermediate terminal section 341c is located between the fourth upper terminal section 341a and the fourth lower terminal section 341b.

[0313] <Connection Status> As shown in Figure 39, in the first connection state, the first terminal 160 is connected to the first terminal 331 of the main body. The first right terminal portion 160a is electrically connected to the third upper terminal portion 331a. The first left terminal portion 160b is electrically connected to the third lower terminal portion 331b. The first intermediate terminal portion 160c is electrically connected to the third intermediate terminal portion 331c.

[0314] In the first connection state, the second terminal 260 is connected to the second terminal 341 of the main unit. The second left terminal section 260a is electrically connected to the fourth upper terminal section 341a. The second right terminal section 260b is electrically connected to the fourth lower terminal section 341b. The second intermediate terminal section 260c is electrically connected to the fourth intermediate terminal section 341c.

[0315] Figure 40 is a conceptual schematic diagram showing a second example of the terminal connection state. Figure 41 is a front schematic diagram showing the configuration of the information processing device 1000 in the second connection state.

[0316] In the second connection state, the first game controller 1 is attached to the left side of the main unit 3. The right side of the first game controller 1 is oriented in the same direction as the bottom side of the main unit 3. The front side of the first game controller 1 is oriented in the same direction as the front side of the main unit 3. The second game controller 2 is attached to the right side of the main unit 3. The left side of the second game controller 2 is oriented in the same direction as the bottom side of the main unit 3. The front side of the second game controller 2 is oriented in the same direction as the front side of the main unit 3.

[0317] Figure 42 is a conceptual schematic diagram showing the terminal arrangement in the second connection state. In the second connection state, the second game controller terminal group is connected to the main unit's first terminal group. The second left terminal section 260a is electrically connected to the third lower terminal section 331b. The second right terminal section 260b is electrically connected to the third upper terminal section 331a. The second intermediate terminal section 260c is electrically connected to the third intermediate terminal section 331c.

[0318] In the second connection state, the first game controller terminal group is connected to the second main unit terminal group 341. The first right terminal section 160a is electrically connected to the fourth lower terminal section 341b. The first left terminal section 160b is electrically connected to the fourth upper terminal section 341a. The second intermediate terminal section 260c is electrically connected to the fourth intermediate terminal section 341c.

[0319] In the controller set of this embodiment, both the first terminal 160 and the second terminal 260 are provided on the rear side of the inner wall surface. On the other hand, the first terminal 331 and the second terminal 341 of the main unit 3 are both provided on the rear side of the tongue body. Therefore, even if the first game controller 1 and the second game controller 2 are mounted on the main unit 3 on opposite sides in the left-right direction while being inverted vertically, the game controllers can still be electrically connected to the main unit 3. For example, if the main unit 3 has audio input / output terminals only on the upper side, the user can mount the game controller so that the audio input / output terminals face upwards or downwards. Therefore, for example, the user can insert earphones into the audio input / output terminals from their preferred direction. The main unit 3 may also reverse the top and bottom of the image displayed on the display 305 depending on the mounting direction of the game controller. That is, the image may be output so that the top side in the integrated gripping state matches the top side of the image displayed on the display 305. In this embodiment, the arrangement of the first terminals 160 is reversed in the left-right direction compared to the arrangement of the second terminals 260, but the arrangement of the terminals may be in other configurations.

[0320] Furthermore, either game controller can be attached to the recesses 310 on both sides such that the front of the game controller faces the back of the main unit. However, according to the terminal arrangement of this embodiment, the terminals will not be connected to each other in this case. <Other removal methods> Figure 43 is a schematic top view of the main unit showing the state before the first game controller 1 is removed from the main unit 3. Figure 44 is a schematic top view of the main unit showing the second state during the removal of the first game controller 1 from the main unit 3.

[0321] Here, as shown in Figure 33, in this embodiment, the first game controller 1 can be easily removed from the main unit 3 by the user operating the control unit 182. In other embodiments, the game controller does not need to include a removal mechanism. Even in that case, the first game controller 1 may still be configured to be removable. For example, as shown in Figure 33, the first game controller 1 may be removed from the main unit 3 by the user rotating the first game controller 1 along the direction of the first arrow A1, using the longitudinal end of the first protrusion 100 as a pivot point. Even if the first game controller 1 has a removal mechanism, it may still be removed from the main unit 3 without operating the control unit 182.

[0322] Furthermore, the first game controller 1 may be removed by rotating it in a direction different from that described above. As shown in Figure 44, the first game controller 1 may be removed from the main unit 3 by rotating it along the direction of the second arrow A2, using the back side of the protrusion 100 (for example, the back side of the outer peripheral surface 107 or the back side region of the upper surface 11) as a pivot point. After rotating along the direction of the second arrow A2, the first game controller 1 may be pulled out along the left-right direction.

[0323] Note that these removal directions are merely examples. The method for removing the first game controller 1 according to this embodiment is not limited to those described above. The first game controller 1 may be removed from the recess 310 simply by being pulled along the left-right direction without being rotated. The method for removing the second game controller 2 is substantially the same as the method for removing the first game controller 1. <Internal configuration of information processing device> Figure 45 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the main unit 3. The main unit 3, as an example, comprises the components 2081 to 2098 shown in Figure 45. These components 2081 to 2098 are mounted as electronic components on an electronic circuit board and housed within the housing of the main unit 3.

[0324] The main unit 3 is equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 2081. The CPU 2081 is an information processing unit that performs various information processing tasks within the main unit 3. The CPU 2081 performs various information processing tasks by executing information processing programs stored in memory units it can access (specifically, internal storage media such as flash memory 2084, or external storage media installed in the first slot 304 and the second slot 2024).

[0325] The main unit 3 includes, as an example of an internal storage medium built into itself, a flash memory 2084 and a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) 2085.

[0326] The main unit 3 is equipped with multiple slots. A storage medium is installed in each slot. The CPU 2081 performs the above information processing by appropriately reading and writing data between the flash memory 2084, the DRAM 2085, and each of the above storage mediums.

[0327] The main unit 3 includes a network communication unit 2082. The network communication unit 2082 is connected to the CPU 2081. The network communication unit 2082 communicates with external devices via a network (specifically, wirelessly). In this embodiment, the network communication unit 2082 is, for example, a Wi-Fi certified communication module, and in addition to (or instead of) having the function of communicating with external devices via a wireless LAN, it may also have the function of connecting to a mobile communication network (in other words, a cellular communication network) and communicating. That is, the communication module may include a wireless chip.

[0328] The main unit 3 includes a controller communication unit 2083. The controller communication unit 2083 is connected to the CPU 2081. The controller communication unit 2083 communicates wirelessly with the first controller 1 and / or the second controller 2. The communication method between the main unit 3 and each controller is arbitrary, but in this embodiment, the controller communication unit 2083 communicates with each controller in accordance with the Bluetooth® standard.

[0329] The CPU 2081 is connected to the left terminal 341, the right terminal 331, and the lower terminal 303. When the CPU 2081 communicates with the second controller 2 via a wired connection, it sends and receives data to and from the second controller 2 via the left terminal 341. When the CPU 2081 communicates with the first controller 1 via a wired connection, it sends and receives data to and from the first controller 1 via the right terminal 331. When the CPU 2081 communicates with the cradle 5, it sends and receives data to and from the cradle 5 via the lower terminal 303.

[0330] Thus, in this embodiment, the main unit 3 can perform both wired and wireless communication with the first controller 1 and the second controller 2, respectively. (Configuration related to input / output to the main unit) The display 305 is connected to the CPU 2081. The CPU 2081 displays images generated (for example, by performing the information processing described above) and / or images acquired from an external source on the display 305.

[0331] The main unit 3 comprises a power control unit 2097 and a battery 2098. The power control unit 2097 is connected to the battery 2098 and the CPU 2081. Although not shown in the diagram, the power control unit 2097 is also connected to various parts of the main unit 3 (specifically, the parts that receive power from the battery 2098, the left terminal 341, and the right terminal 331). Based on commands from the CPU 2081, the power control unit 2097 controls the power supply from the battery 2098 to the aforementioned parts.

[0332] Figure 46 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the information processing device 1000. Note that the details of the internal configuration of the main unit 3 of the information processing device 1000 are shown in Figure 45 and are therefore omitted in Figure 46.

[0333] The second controller 2 includes a communication control unit 2101 that communicates with the main unit 3. As shown in Figure 46, the communication control unit 2101 is connected to each component, including the second terminal 260 described above. In this embodiment, the communication control unit 2101 can communicate with the main unit 3 both by wired communication via the second terminal 260 and by wireless communication without using the second terminal 260. That is, the communication control unit 2101 may include a wireless chip. The communication control unit 2101 controls the method of communication that the second controller 2 performs with the main unit 3. That is, when the second controller 2 is installed in the main unit 3, the communication control unit 2101 communicates with the main unit 3 via the second terminal 260. Also, when the second controller 2 is removed from the main unit 3, the communication control unit 2101 performs wireless communication with the main unit 3 (specifically, the controller communication unit 2083). Wireless communication between the controller communication unit 2083 and the communication control unit 2101 is performed in accordance with the Bluetooth® standard.

[0334] Furthermore, the second controller 2 includes a memory 2102, such as flash memory. The communication control unit 2101 is composed of, for example, a microcontroller (also called a microprocessor) and performs various processes by executing firmware stored in the memory 2102. In other words, the communication control unit 2101 functions as an information processing unit.

[0335] Each button 2103 and joystick 2032 repeatedly outputs information about the operation performed on it to the communication control unit 2101 at appropriate intervals. The second controller 2 may also have various other sensors. For example, it may have a mouse operation sensor 274. Information from the various sensors is output to the communication control unit 2101 and transmitted to the main unit 3.

[0336] Furthermore, commands may be transmitted from the communication control unit 2101 to various sensors. For example, the communication LED 2045 located in the second light-emitting unit 250 is controlled by a command from the main unit 3.

[0337] The second controller 2 includes a power supply unit 2108. In this embodiment, the power supply unit 2108 includes 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 second controller 2 (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.

[0338] Furthermore, the battery is connected to the second terminal 260. In this embodiment, when the second controller 2 is mounted on the main unit 3, under predetermined conditions, the battery is charged by power supplied from the main unit 3 via the second terminal 260.

[0339] The first controller 1 has the same configuration as the second controller 2, so its description is omitted. The first controller 1 may include an NFC communication unit 2122. The second controller 2 does not need to include an NFC communication unit 2122. The NFC communication unit 2122 performs short-range wireless communication based on the NFC (Near Field Communication) standard. The first controller 1 may also include a processing unit 2121 that performs management processing for the NFC communication unit 2122 in response to commands from the main unit 3. [Second aspect] Other embodiments are shown below. Note that if only one controller is illustrated, the other controller may have a similar configuration. Also, if the example shows only one controller mounted on the device, the other controller may also be mounted.

[0340] Figure 47 is a schematic front view showing the configuration of a second embodiment of the game controller 1. The configuration of the game controller 1 according to this embodiment differs from the first embodiment mainly in that the protrusions are divided into multiple parts. Of the multiple protrusions, at least two or more are configured to fit collectively into the recesses. The following description will focus on the configuration that differs from the first embodiment.

[0341] As shown in Figure 47, the multiple protrusions of the game controller 1 are divided into multiple sections in the left-right direction. As shown in Figure 47, the game controller 1 has a right protrusion 510, a left protrusion 520, and a central protrusion 530. Each protrusion is separate. In the left-right direction, the central protrusion 530 is located between the right protrusion 510 and the left protrusion 520. From another perspective, the right protrusion 510, the left protrusion 520, and the central protrusion 530 are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the upper surface 11. Also, at least the right protrusion 510 and the left protrusion 520 are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the upper surface 11.

[0342] The right protrusion 510 is provided with a top button (right) 110. The top button (right) 110 contains a magnet or a soft magnetic material. The top button (right) 110 may be positioned on the top surface of the right protrusion 510. The top button (right) 110 may be positioned so as to be exposed through an opening provided on the top surface of the right protrusion 510.

[0343] The left protrusion 520 is provided with a top button (left) 120. The top button (left) 120 contains a magnet or a soft magnetic material. The top button (left) 120 may be positioned on the top surface of the left protrusion 520. The top button (left) 120 may be positioned so as to be exposed through an opening provided on the top surface of the left protrusion 520.

[0344] A first terminal 160 is provided on the central protrusion 530. A mouse operation sensor 174 and a synchronization button 50 may also be provided on the central protrusion 530. A light-emitting section 150 may be provided on the outer surface of the central protrusion 530.

[0345] At least the right protrusion 510 and the left protrusion 520 are configured to fit together into the recess 310 provided in the main body device 3. From another perspective, the right protrusion 510 and the left protrusion 520 are configured to fit into the recess 310 in a region that includes at least the longitudinal end of the recess 310 that extends in the longitudinal direction. The central protrusion 530 may also be configured to fit into the recess 310 provided in the main body device 3. That is, the right protrusion 510, the central protrusion 530, and the left protrusion 520 may be configured to fit together into the recess 310 provided in the main body device 3.

[0346] Furthermore, the central protrusion 530 may be shorter in height from the upper surface 11 than the right protrusion 510 and the left protrusion 520. The central protrusion 530 may be thinner in width in the front-to-back direction than the right protrusion 510 and the left protrusion 520. From another point of view, the central protrusion 530 may be smaller than the right protrusion 510 and the left protrusion 520. The game controller 1 can be firmly attached to the main unit 3 by having at least an upper surface button containing a magnet or soft magnetic material, and by having the right protrusion 510 and the left protrusion 520, which are located outward in the longitudinal direction of the upper surface 11, protrude sufficiently from the upper surface 11 and fit into the recess.

[0347] The number of protrusions is not limited to three. For example, the game controller 1 may not have a central protrusion 530, but instead have two protrusions, a right protrusion 510 and a left protrusion 520. The number of protrusions may also be four or more. Furthermore, there are no particular limitations on which protrusions each component is placed on. The height of the protrusions on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the upper surface from the upper surface 11 may be greater than the height of the other protrusions from the upper surface 11. In addition, a protrusion having a button containing a magnet or soft magnetic material may be provided so as to sandwich the protrusion on which the first terminal 160 is provided in the longitudinal direction of the upper surface 11. The first terminal 160 is not required. Furthermore, the button may not contain a magnet or soft magnetic material, and the protrusion may be provided with only a button that does not contain a magnet or soft magnetic material, or with only a magnet or soft magnetic material.

[0348] In another embodiment, the outer shape of the top buttons 110 and 120 may itself form part of the protrusions 510 and 530. That is, the top buttons 110 and 120 may be configured such that when the user presses the top buttons 110 and 120 in the downward direction, the protrusions 510 and 530 themselves sink into the inside of the controller housing 10. The third protrusion 530 may be configured not to sink into the inside of the controller housing 10. [Third aspect] Next, the configuration of the third embodiment of the game controller 1 will be described. The configuration of the controller according to this embodiment differs from the first embodiment mainly in that the top buttons do not contain magnets or soft magnetic materials. The following description will focus on the configuration that differs from the first embodiment.

[0349] Figure 48 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of a third embodiment of the game controller 1. The top buttons 110 and 120 are non-magnetic. The top buttons 110 and 120 do not contain magnets or soft magnetic materials. The top buttons 110 and 120 are made of resin, for example. The top buttons 110 and 120 are provided on the upper surface 11 of the controller housing 10. The top buttons 110 and 120 are exposed through openings provided on the upper surface 11. The top buttons 110 and 120 may be mounted on the upper surface 11.

[0350] The first suction part 601 and the second suction part 602 are provided on the upper surface 11. The first suction part 601 and the second suction part 602 are not buttons. The suction parts 601 and 602 include a soft magnetic material. The first suction part 601 and the second suction part 602 are made of, for example, iron. The suction parts 601 and 602 may have non-magnetic portions. The suction parts 601 and 602 may include magnets. The suction parts 601 and 602 protrude from the upper surface 11. The suction parts 601 and 602 may or may not move in the vertical direction. In the longitudinal direction of the upper surface 11, the suction parts 601 and 602 are arranged alongside the top buttons 110 and 120. The suction part 601 may be located on the longitudinal end side of the upper surface 11. From another perspective, the top buttons 110 and 120 may be positioned between the suction parts 601 and 602 in the left-right direction. A protrusion having a first terminal 160 may be provided between the top buttons 110 and 120 in the left-right direction. The top buttons 110 and 120 may be pressed so as to move toward the upper surface 11 relative to the suction parts 601 and 602 and the protrusion.

[0351] In this embodiment, the first game controller 1 is attached to the main unit 3 by at least the suction parts 601 and 602 being attracted to the magnetic elements 410 and 420 of the main unit 3. The suction parts 601 and 602, the top buttons 110 and 120, and the first terminal 160 may have a convex shape as a whole and be configured to fit into the recess 310 as a whole. Alternatively, the suction parts 601 and 602, the top buttons 110 and 120, and the first terminal 160 may have a shape that partially conforms to the shape of the recess 310.

[0352] Furthermore, suction parts 601 and 602 may be provided on protrusions on the upper surface 11, and top buttons 110 and 120 may be provided on the upper surface 11 in positions that do not fit into recesses 310. For example, top buttons 110 and 120 may be provided behind the protrusions. Top buttons 110 and 120 may be provided behind the protrusions in a position that overlaps with the protrusions in the left-right direction, or they may be provided in a position that is outside the protrusions in the left-right direction. Also, top buttons 110 and 120 may be provided in a position that overlaps with the protrusions in the front-back direction in the left-right direction. Also, top buttons 110 and 120 may be provided in a position that protrudes upward on the upper surface 11. Also, top buttons 110 and 120 may be provided on protrusions that protrude rearward on the back surface. [Differentiation] The main unit 3 may also be capable of performing processes other than game processing. In other embodiments, the main unit 3 may only be capable of performing processes other than game processing. In other embodiments, the main unit 3 may not have a recess. For example, a device capable of fixing an electronic device equipped with a display, such as a game device, smartphone, or tablet, may have a recess, and the protrusion of a game controller may be attachable to the recess of such a device. For example, the device may be a housing that accommodates an electronic device in a manner in which the display is exposed. For example, the device may have a recess at a position that sandwiches the fixed electronic device. The device may or may not be electrically connected to the fixed electronic device.

[0353] In the first embodiment, the main unit 3 was generally rectangular in shape, but its shape is not limited thereto. For example, opposite sides may be inclined relative to the front. From another point of view, when viewed from the front, it may be a shape other than a rectangle, such as a trapezoid. In other embodiments, the main unit 3 may be foldable. For example, the main unit 3 may be equipped with a display and a keyboard, and may be configured so that the display and keyboard face each other when folded. The recess may be provided on the side that holds the display, or on the side that holds the keyboard.

[0354] In the first embodiment, the first game controller 1 did not have magnets for attracting to the magnetic elements 410 and 420 of the main unit 3, but it may have magnets.

[0355] The game controller may have additional magnetic elements other than the top buttons made of soft magnetic material. For example, the additional magnetic elements may be magnets. The additional magnetic elements may be provided on the top surface of the protrusions, on the outer circumferential surface of the protrusions, or inside the game controller. Such additional magnetic elements on the game controller side may be attracted by magnetic force, together with the top buttons, to magnetic elements provided at the bottom of the recesses of the main unit. Additional magnetic elements may also be provided at the bottom of the recess 310 on the main unit side, and the additional magnetic elements on the game controller side may be attracted to the additional magnetic elements on the main unit side.

[0356] The top button (right) and top button (left) do not need to be positioned symmetrically. The shape of the game controller is not limited to the disclosed shape. For example, the game controller may have protrusions for gripping. Also, for example, the front of the game controller may be semicircular.

[0357] Furthermore, the game controller may have a portion that protrudes from the upper side and does not fit into the recess of the main unit 3. When the game controller is used as a mouse, such a protruding portion may contact the ground surface in addition to, or instead of, the protruding portion. By increasing the area in contact with the ground surface, or by increasing the number of contact points, the stability when operating the mouse is improved.

[0358] The top button does not need to be able to move in the opposite direction to the direction it is pressed. In this case, the game controller does not need to have an elastic deformable body inside the protrusion that is compressed when the top button moves in the opposite direction to the direction it is pressed.

[0359] The initial height of the top surface of the top button from the upper side may be the same as, or greater than, the maximum height of the top surface of the protrusion from the upper side.

[0360] The top surface of the protrusion may be flat. Furthermore, a mouse foot may be placed on the flat top surface of the protrusion.

[0361] The game controller does not need to have a removal mechanism. Furthermore, the game controller may have a mechanism different from the disclosed removal mechanism. For example, the game controller may have a mechanism that causes the pusher to automatically extend when a specific input is operated. Alternatively, the pusher may automatically extend from a recess in response to an instruction from the game controller or the main unit 3. Alternatively, the removal mechanism may be configured by a mechanical or electrical mechanism different from the pusher.

[0362] The game controller does not necessarily have engagement holes. Alternatively, the game controller may have other mechanical holding means instead of engagement holes. For example, it may have a pressing member that protrudes in the direction of the outer circumferential surface of the convex portion and presses against the inner circumferential surface of the concave portion.

[0363] The elastic deformable body provided on the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion of the game controller may be provided from the upper side to the top surface of the protrusion. Alternatively, the elastic deformable body may be provided only on the top surface side of the protrusion. Furthermore, the game controller does not need to have an elastic deformable body on the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion.

[0364] A game controller does not need to be able to operate a mouse. In other words, a game controller does not need to have a sensor for mouse operation. In this case, a game controller does not need to have mouse feet. On the other hand, even in such a case, instead of mouse feet, the game controller may have some kind of cushioning material on the top surface of the protrusion (which may be the same material as a typical mouse foot). By providing such cushioning material, the stress that occurs between the top surface of the protrusion and the bottom surface of the recess when the game controller is magnetically attracted to the main unit can be alleviated.

[0365] The opening for the mouse sensor may be provided on the back of the game controller. That is, the user may place the game controller on a surface with its back facing the surface and operate the mouse. The mouse sensor may be housed inside the controller housing.

[0366] The Z shoulder button may be located in the center of the back, that is, closer to the center than the right and left edges of the back. In this case, a wall for positioning the Z shoulder button may protrude from the center of the back toward the back.

[0367] The terminals of the game controller and the main unit may have other shapes. For example, they may be pin-shaped. The pin-shaped terminals may be electrically connected by contacting each other with their tips facing each other. The terminals of the game controller may be exposed from the top surface of the protrusion. The terminals of the main unit may be provided on the bottom surface of the recess, substantially flush with the bottom surface.

[0368] The light-emitting unit may emit not only ordinary light, but also light that constitutes images such as videos and still images.

[0369] The game controller and main unit 3 related to this disclosure can also be considered as a game system. In other words, it can also be considered as a game system comprising a game device capable of executing game processing, a first game controller, and a second game controller, wherein the game device has recesses on its right and left sides, and each recess has two magnets at its bottom; the first game controller has a first input section on its front, a protrusion extending from a first side surface along the longitudinal direction of the front, configured to fit into the recess on the right side of the game device, and two buttons on the top surface of the protrusion, which are pressed by the user, each of which is attracted by magnetic force to at least one of the magnets provided in the recess on the right side; and the second game controller has a first input section on its front, a protrusion extending from a first side surface along the longitudinal direction of the front, configured to fit into the recess on the left side of the game device, and two buttons on the top surface of the protrusion, which are pressed by the user, each of which is attracted by magnetic force to at least one of the magnets provided in the recess on the left side.

[0370] In other embodiments, the game controller may not have a protrusion. In this case, the game controller may have a different mechanism for being attached to the main unit 3. The game controller may also have at least one or all of the following on its upper side or on a different mechanism: an opening for a top button, terminals, a mouse sensor, a mouse sole, and an opening for a pusher. The game controller may also have a mechanism for suppressing misalignment with the main unit 3.

[0371] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims are intended to be included. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0372] 1. First game controller, game controller 2. Second game controller 3 Device, main unit 10 Controller Housing 11 Top side 12 Right side 13 Left side 14 Lower side 15 Front 16 Back 17 Housing opening 18 Protrusion 19 Convex flange 20 Controller Housing 31 Joysticks 32, 42 buttons 33(1) + Button 33(2) Home button 41 Joystick 43(1) - Button 43(2) Capture button 50 Sync button 51 Ground connection 52 First Elastic Deformation Body 52a First elastic section 52b Second elastic section 52c First Elastic Zone 52d Second Elastic Region 53 Ground connection 54. Second Elastic Deformation Body 61 Front side housing 62 Rear side housing 63 Fastening screws 64 fastening screws 71 First Inner Self 72 Second Inner Self 73 First Inner Surface 74 Second Inner Self 90 Flexible Printed Circuits 91 Bottom plate 92 Fastening Members 100 protrusions 101 First area 102 Second area 103 Third area 104 4th area 105 5th area 106 Top surface 107 Outer surface 110 Top button (right) 111 1st protrusion 112 Second protrusion 113 Flange 114 Main body 115 Operation surface 117 Tact switch 118 Side wall 120 Top button (left) 123 Flange 124 Main body 125 Operation surface 127 Tactile Switch 128 Side wall 130 Shoulder button (right) 133 Third protrusion 134 4th protrusion 135 5th protrusion 137 First shaft hole 138 Second shaft hole 140 Z Shoulder Button (Right) 141 switches 150 Light emitting part 151 Lens 152 Light-emitting element 154 Light emitting aperture 155 Double-sided tape 160 1st terminal 160a 1st right terminal section 160b 1st left terminal section 160c 1st intermediate terminal section 161 Socket 162 Female connector 164 First front side wall 165 First rear side wall 166 Interior wall surface 167 Terminal housing section 170 Aperture for mouse sensor 171 Light source 172 Light receiving sensor 174 Mouse operation sensor 181 Pusher 182 Operation section 183. Encouraging part 184 Rotation axis 185 Pusher operating part 186 Pusher operating member 191 Mouse Soles 192 Mouse Soles 193 First engagement hole 194 Second engagement hole 195 Opening for sync button 196 Terminal opening 197 First opening 198 Second opening 200 protrusions 210 Top button (right) 211 Top side 215 Front 220 Top button (left) 230 Shoulder button (left) 240 Z Shoulder Button (Left) 250 Light emitting part 253 Mouse Soles 254 Mouse Soles 260 2nd terminal 260a 2nd left terminal section 260b 2nd right terminal section 260c 2nd intermediate terminal section 270 Aperture for mouse sensor 274 Mouse operation sensor 282 Operation section 301 Audio Input / Output Terminal 302 Upper terminal 303 Lower terminal 304 storage media slots 305 displays 306 Main Housing 307 Power button 310 Dent 311 Base 3120 Inner surface 3121 Bottom 313 Right side of the main unit 314 Left side of the main unit 315 Front view of the main unit 316 Top and side of the main unit 317 Lower side of main body 318 Controller holding part 319 External connection connector 320 dents 321 2nd bottom 322 2nd inner peripheral surface 330 First plug connector 331 Main unit 1st terminal, 3rd terminal, right side terminal 331a 3rd upper terminal section 331b 3rd lower terminal section 331c 3rd intermediate terminal section 332 First tongue body 333 Support part 334 Stepped Screw 337 Through hole 338 Cover 340 Second plug connector 341 Main unit terminal 2, terminal 4, left side terminal 341a 4th upper terminal section 341b 4th lower terminal section 341c 4th intermediate terminal section 342 Second tongue body 350 Through-holes for mouse sensors 351 Front view of the main unit 352 Rear of the main unit 380 Main Unit 381 Top side 382 Outer surface 383 Lower side 401 Hole 1 402 Hole 2 410 First magnetic element 411 Yoke member 413 First Magnet 414 Main body 415 Flange section 420 Second magnetic element 421 Yoke member 423 Magnet 424 Main body 425 Flange section 430 Third magnetic element 440 4th magnetic element 510 Right convex part 520 Left convex part 530 Central protrusion 601 1st adsorption part 602 2nd suction part 1000 Information Processing Devices 1071 Front side outer peripheral surface section 1072 Rear side outer peripheral surface section A1 First arrow A2 Second arrow A3 Third arrow B1 1st distance B2 2nd distance B6 6th distance B8 spacing C1 1st width C2 Second thickness F Ground plane G Gap R1 1st direction R2 2nd direction R3 3rd direction R4 4th direction R5 5th direction R6 6th direction T1 First Height T2 Second height T3, 3rd height T4 4th height T5 5th height T6, 6th height T7, 7th height T8, 8th height T9, 9th height T10 10th height T11, 11th height W1 First length W2 Second length W3 3rd diameter W4 4th diameter W5 5th length W6 6th length

Claims

1. A game controller that is detachably attached to a main unit capable of performing game processing, which has a recess and a magnet, A first input unit is located on the front, A protrusion extending from a first side surface that extends along the longitudinal direction of the front surface in a first direction which is the normal direction of the first side surface, and which extends along the longitudinal direction of the first side surface, and which is configured to fit into the recess, A magnetic attraction portion is provided on the aforementioned protrusion and is attracted to the magnet by magnetic force, An operating section is provided on the rear side opposite to the front side, and is operable in a direction including at least a third direction opposite to the first direction, A part of the rear surface, located on the third side of the operating section, and projecting in a sixth direction toward the rear surface from the front surface, A game controller comprising a pusher that protrudes from the top surface of the protrusion in the first direction in response to an operation on the control unit.

2. The game controller according to claim 1, wherein the operating unit is configured to rotate around the rotation axis in a direction including a fifth direction opposite to the third and sixth directions.

3. The game controller according to claim 1, wherein the operating unit is configured to be embedded in the protruding portion when operated.

4. The game controller according to claim 3, wherein the operating unit is configured to be partially exposed from the protruding portion when embedded in the protruding portion.

5. The device further comprises a second input section which is connected to the front surface and the first side surface, and at least a portion of the second side surface is provided on the second side surface which is located on the second direction side perpendicular to the first direction and the sixth direction with respect to the front surface, The game controller according to claim 3, wherein the protruding portion is configured to cover the second input portion from the fourth direction opposite to the second direction.

6. The device further comprises a second input section which is connected to the front surface and the first side surface, and at least a portion of the second side surface is provided on the second side surface which is located on the second direction side perpendicular to the first direction and the sixth direction with respect to the front surface, The game controller according to claim 1, wherein the pusher is configured to protrude from the top surface of the protrusion from a position on the second side of the longitudinal direction of the protrusion compared to the operating part.

7. The game controller according to claim 6, wherein, with respect to the longitudinal direction of the protrusion, the center of the pusher is located on the second direction side of the center of the operating part.

8. The magnetic attraction portion includes a first button that is attracted by magnetic force to a first magnet among the magnets of the main body device, which is provided on the top surface of the protrusion along the longitudinal direction, and a second button that is attracted by magnetic force to a second magnet among the magnets of the main body device. The game controller according to claim 1, wherein the pusher is configured to protrude from a position outside the first button and the second button with respect to the longitudinal direction of the protrusion.

9. The game controller according to claim 8, wherein the first button and the second button are each configured to move from an initial position, which is the position when not pressed by the user, in the direction opposite to the direction of pressing by the magnetic force of the first magnet and the second magnet.

10. The top surface of the protrusion comprises a plurality of regions, each having a different height from the first side surface. The aforementioned multiple regions are, The first region on which the first button is provided, The second area on which the second button is provided, It includes a highest region having the highest height on the top surface of the protrusion, which is higher in height than the first region and the second region, The game controller according to claim 8, wherein the pusher protrudes from the highest region.

11. The top surface of the protrusion is further provided with a first cushioning material having a through hole, The game controller according to claim 1, wherein the pusher is configured to protrude through the through-hole of the first cushioning material.

12. The game controller according to claim 11, further comprising a second cushioning material without a through hole on the top surface of the protrusion.

13. It also features a sensor for mouse operation, An opening is provided on the top surface of the protrusion, configured to allow light to enter the mouse operation sensor. The game controller according to claim 11, wherein the first cushioning material is a mouse sole.

14. The system further includes a pusher actuator connected to the rotating shaft, which contacts the pusher and causes the pusher to protrude in response to operation of the operating part, The game controller according to claim 2, wherein the distance from the rotation axis to the contact portion between the pusher actuator and the pusher is configured to be longer when the amount of protrusion of the pusher is large than when it is small.

15. The game controller according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the amount of the protrusion of the pusher from the top surface is smaller than the height from the first side surface of the position of the protrusion from which the pusher protrudes.

16. The pusher is configured to protrude from the top surface of the protrusion, from a position on one end side with respect to the longitudinal direction of the protrusion. The amount of the protrusion of the pusher from the top surface is such that even when the pusher protrudes, one end of the protrusion from the top surface does not become exposed through the opening of the recess, as described in any one of claims 1 to 14.

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