Input device

Abstract

The present invention makes it easier to recognize, in the appearance of an input device, the correspondence between the tilt direction of an operation stick and a direction of instruction to an application. An input device (1) may comprise a top member (40) which has an upper surface that is touched by a user's finger and a base member (50) to which the top member (40) is attached. One from among the base member (50) and an insertion part (42) of the top member (40) may have a plurality of engagement parts (70) that surround the axis (L1) of the insertion part (42), and the other one may have at least one engagement part (80) that engages with at least one of the plurality of engagement parts (70) and that restricts movement of the insertion part (42) in a direction around the axis (L1). A mark (45) that indicates a direction intersecting the axis (L1) may be formed in an outer surface of the top member (40).

Description

Input devices

[0001] The present disclosure relates to input devices.

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses an input device used to operate applications such as games. The input device described in Patent Document 1 below has an operation stick. A user can operate the operation stick while holding the input device with both hands. Patent Document 2 below also discloses an input device that can be used while placed on the floor, a desk, or the user's thigh. The input device described in Patent Document 2 below has a portion where multiple operation buttons are arranged and a portion where the operation stick is arranged.

[0003] International Publication No. 2019 / 244995 U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2023 / 0147235

[0004] The way in which a user holds the input device described in Patent Document 1 (in other words, the orientation of the input device) when using the device is predetermined. Therefore, the correspondence between the tilt direction of the control stick and the direction of an instruction given to an application is fixed. For example, tilting the control stick forward means giving the application an upward or forward direction instruction (for example, an instruction to move an object forward in the game space), and tilting the control stick to the right means giving the application a rightward direction instruction (for example, an instruction to move an object rightward in the game space). When using the input device described in Patent Document 1, such correspondence is fixed.

[0005] In contrast, the orientation of the input device described in Patent Document 2 can be freely changed by the user. For example, the portion of the input device where the operation stick is located can be positioned on the user's right hand side, or conversely, the portion where the operation stick is located can be positioned on the user's left hand side. Therefore, it is desirable to be able to change the correspondence between the tilt direction of the operation stick and the instruction direction to the application in accordance with the orientation of the input device. However, if such a change in correspondence is possible, a problem arises in that it becomes difficult for the user to recognize the current correspondence from the appearance of the input device.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to make it easier to recognize the correspondence between the tilt direction of the operation stick and the direction of instruction to an application from the appearance of the input device.

[0007] An input device according to the present disclosure may include a control stick including a top member having an upper surface that can be touched by a user's finger and a base member to which the top member is attached. The top member may have an insertion portion extending downward and inserted into the base member. One of the base member and the insertion portion may have a plurality of first engagement portions surrounding the axis of the insertion portion, and the other may have at least one second engagement portion that engages with at least one of the plurality of first engagement portions and restricts movement of the insertion portion in a circumferential direction of the axis. A mark indicating a direction intersecting the axis may be formed on the outer surface of the top member. This makes it easy to recognize the correspondence between the tilt direction of the control stick and the direction of instruction to an application from the appearance of the input device.

[0008] 10 is a perspective view of an input device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a front view showing components of an operation stick. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of components of an operation stick obtained by cross-sectioning along line III-III in FIG. 2. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the upper side of a top member. FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the lower side of a top member. FIG. 15 is a plan view of a base member. FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the base member cut by a plane along line VII-VII in FIG. 6. FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 3, showing an enlarged view of an engagement portion of the top member. FIG. 18 is a front view of the engagement portion of the base member shown in FIG. 15. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of hardware implemented in an input device. FIG. 19 is a functional block diagram showing an example of functions implemented in an input device (input system).

[0009] An input device 1, which is an example of an input device proposed in the present disclosure, will be described below with reference to the drawings. The input device 1 can be used, for example, as an input device for an information processing device (e.g., a game device or a video playback device) that has a function for executing an application (e.g., a game application). The input device 1 is capable of wired or wireless communication with the information processing device, and transmits a signal corresponding to an operation performed by a user on the input device 1 to the information processing device.

[0010] [1. Overview of the Input Device] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the input device 1. In the following description, the X1 and X2 directions of the X axis (the direction in which a first unit 10 and a second unit 20, described later, are aligned) shown in FIG. 1 and elsewhere are defined as the rightward and leftward directions, respectively. The Y1 and Y2 directions of the Y axis perpendicular to the X axis are defined as the forward and backward directions, respectively. The Z1 and Z2 directions of the Z axis (the extension direction of an operating stick 22, described later), perpendicular to the X and Y axes, are defined as the upward and downward directions, respectively. However, these directions and positions are defined to explain the shapes and relative positional relationships of the elements (components, members, and parts) of the input device 1, and do not limit the orientation of the input device 1.

[0011] The input device 1 may be placed, for example, on the top surface of a desk, the top surface of a chair armrest, or the top surface of a user's thigh. As shown in FIG. 1 , the input device 1 may have a first unit 10, which is its main body, and a second unit 20 connected thereto. The second unit 20 may be placed next to the first unit 10 in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction (e.g., the left-right direction). A connecting portion 30 extending in the left-right direction (first direction) and connected to the first unit 10 may be fixed to the second unit 20.

[0012] 1, a plurality of operation buttons 11 (seven in the example shown in FIG. 1) may be arranged on the top surface of the first unit 10. The number of operation buttons 11 arranged on the first unit 10 may be one, or may be a number other than seven. In addition to or instead of the operation button 11, the first unit 10 may have an operation member such as an operation stick or a touch panel.

[0013] 1 , the second unit 20 may have a dome-shaped cover member 21 that bulges upward as a whole, and an operation stick 22. The operation stick 22 may be disposed in the center of the second unit 20 and may pass through a hole formed in the top of the cover member 21. The second unit 20 may also have a profile button 23, which will be described later. The second unit 20 may also have an operation button different from the profile button 23.

[0014] [2. Structure of the Operation Stick] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the components of the operation stick 22. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the components of the operation stick 22 taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation stick 22 may include a top member 40 having an upper surface 40U that is touchable by a user's finger, and a base member 50 to which the top member 40 is attached. The operation stick 22 may include a support member 60 to which the base member 50 is attached and which supports the base member 50. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the support member 60 has a support protrusion 61 that protrudes upward. The support protrusion 61 may be tiltable with respect to a center line along the up-down direction. The support member 60 may include a sensor that detects the angle of tilt of the support protrusion 61. The support member 60 may include a sensor that detects the angle of tilt of the support protrusion 61 in the front-to-back direction and a sensor that detects the angle of tilt of the support protrusion 61 in the left-to-right direction.

[0015] 3, the base member 50 has a dome-shaped cover portion 51, a column portion 52 extending in the vertical direction, and a cylindrical peripheral wall portion 53 surrounding the outer periphery of the column portion 52. An upwardly recessed recess 54 is formed on the bottom surface of the column portion 52. An upwardly extending support protrusion 61 of the support member 60 is inserted into this recess 54. In this way, the base member 50 including the column portion 52 is supported by the support protrusion 61.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 3 , the top member 40 may have a disk-shaped top portion 41 including an upper surface 40U. The top member 40 may also have an insertion portion 42 that extends downward from the top portion 41 and is inserted into the base member 50. This allows the top member 40 to be attached to the base member 50. In the example shown in FIG. 3 , the insertion portion 42 can be inserted into a space 56 between a column portion 52 and a peripheral wall portion 53 of the base member 50. In the example shown in FIG. 3 , the insertion portion 42 is formed in a cylindrical shape and has a recess 43 that opens downward. The column portion 52 of the base member 50 is fitted into this recess 43, thereby attaching the top member 40 to the base member 50.

[0017] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the upper side of the top member 40. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the lower side of the top member 40. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the base member 50. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the base member 50 cut along the plane along line VII-VII in Fig. 6.

[0018] One of the base member 50 and the insertion portion 42 of the top member 40 may have a plurality of first engagement portions (e.g., a plurality of engagement portions 70 or a plurality of engagement portions 80 described below) that surround the axis L1 of the insertion portion 42 extending in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the other of the base member 50 and the insertion portion 42 of the top member 40 may have at least one second engagement portion (e.g., a plurality of engagement portions 70 or a plurality of engagement portions 80 described below) that engages with at least one of the plurality of first engagement portions and restricts movement of the insertion portion 42 in the circumferential direction of the axis L1.

[0019] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, the insertion portion 42 of the top member 40 has a plurality of engagement portions 70. The plurality of engagement portions 70 may be formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical insertion portion 42. Also, in this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6, the base member 50 has a plurality of engagement portions 80. As shown in Fig. 7, the engagement portions 80 may be formed on a column portion 52 extending in the up-down direction (the Z-axis direction in Fig. 7) on the base member 50.

[0020] The multiple engaging portions 70 provided on the top member 40 are an example of "first engaging portions," and the multiple engaging portions 80 provided on the base member 50 are an example of "second engaging portions." In this case, the number of engaging portions 80 provided on the base member 50 may be one. Furthermore, the multiple engaging portions 70 are also an example of "second engaging portions," and the multiple engaging portions 80 are also an example of "first engaging portions." In this case, the number of engaging portions 70 provided on the top member 40 may be one.

[0021] The multiple engaging portions 70 provided on the top member 40 may have the same shape. Similarly, the multiple engaging portions 80 provided on the base member 50 may have the same shape. Each engaging portion 70 provided on the top member 40 may have a shape corresponding to each engaging portion 80 provided on the base member 50. This allows each engaging portion 70 provided on the top member 40 to be fitted into any of the multiple engaging portions 80 provided on the base member 50. Furthermore, each engaging portion 80 provided on the base member 50 can be fitted into any of the multiple engaging portions 70 provided on the top member 40.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 4, a mark 45 indicating a direction intersecting with the axis L1 of the insertion portion 42 may be formed on the outer surface of the top member 40. In the example shown in Fig. 4, the mark 45 is formed in a direction intersecting with the axis L1 (for example, the Y1 direction in Fig. 4) at a position away from the axis L1. This allows the mark 45 to indicate the direction intersecting with the axis L1.

[0023] In the example shown in FIG. 4 , the mark 45 is formed on the upper surface 40U of the top member 40. The mark 45 is formed at a position away from the intersection P1 between the upper surface 40U of the top member 40 and the axis L1 in a direction intersecting the axis L1 (e.g., the Y1 direction in FIG. 4 ). As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the upper surface 40U of the top member 40 may include a central portion 40a that includes the intersection P1 with the axis L1 and bulges slightly dome-shaped, an inner peripheral portion 40b that surrounds the central portion 40a in the circumferential direction of the axis L1 and faces upward, and an outer peripheral portion 40c that surrounds the inner peripheral portion 40b in the circumferential direction of the axis L1 and faces upward and in a diagonal direction away from the axis L1. In the example shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the mark 45 is formed on the central portion 40a. However, the mark 45 may also be formed on the inner peripheral portion 40b or the outer peripheral portion 40c. 3 and 4, the mark 45 is a recess that is recessed downward from the upper surface 40U. However, the mark 45 may be a protrusion that protrudes from the upper surface 40U. The shape of the mark 45 may be an arrow or the like that indicates a direction that intersects with the axis L1.

[0024] As described above, a plurality of first engaging portions (e.g., a plurality of engaging portions 70 formed on the top member 40) formed on one of the top member 40 and the base member 50 can be engaged with at least one second engaging portion (e.g., a plurality of engaging portions 80 formed on the base member 50) formed on the other of the top member 40 and the base member 50. This allows the mark 45 to indicate a plurality of directions intersecting the axis L1. For example, the mark 45 can indicate the forward direction relative to the axis L1 (the Y1 direction in FIGS. 1 and 4 ), or conversely, the rearward direction relative to the axis L1 (the Y2 direction in FIGS. 1 and 4 ).

[0025] In the input device 1 shown in FIG. 1 , the correspondence between the tilt direction of the operation stick 22 and the direction of instruction to an application (e.g., the movement direction of an object in a game space) may be changed according to the orientation of the input device 1. This allows the second unit 20, on which the operation stick 22 is disposed, to be positioned on the user's right hand side or the user's left hand side. The top member 40 can be attached to the base member 50 so that the mark 45 points forward (in the Y1 direction in FIG. 1 ) with respect to the axis L1 of the operation stick 22 (the axis L1 of the insertion portion 42 extending vertically in the top member 40), or so that the mark 45 points backward (in the Y2 direction in FIG. 1 ) with respect to the axis L1. This makes it easier to recognize the correspondence between the tilt direction of the operation stick 22 and the direction of instruction to an application from the exterior of the input device 1.

[0026] The plurality of first engaging portions provided on one of the insertion portion 42 of the top member 40 and the base member 50 may include a first engaging portion located in a first direction (e.g., forward) with respect to the axis L1 of the insertion portion 42 and a first engaging portion located in a second direction (e.g., rearward) with respect to the axis L1, the second direction being opposite to the first direction. In the example shown in FIG. 5 , the plurality of engaging portions 70 formed on the insertion portion 42 of the top member 40 include an engaging portion 70N located forward with respect to the axis L1 (Y1 direction in FIG. 5 ) and an engaging portion 70S located rearward with respect to the axis L1 (Y2 direction in FIG. 5 ). In the example shown in FIG. 6 , the plurality of engaging portions 80 formed on the base member 50 include an engaging portion 80N located forward with respect to the axis L1 (Y1 direction in FIG. 6 ) and an engaging portion 80S located rearward with respect to the axis L1 (Y2 direction in FIG. 6 ).

[0027] 4, the mark 45 formed on the top member 40 may be located forward (in the Y1 direction in FIG. 4) with respect to the axis L1 of the insertion portion 42, similar to the engaging portion 70N formed on the top member 40 and the engaging portion 80N formed on the base member 50. As will be described later, the user can attach the top member 40 to the base member 50 so that the direction indicated by the mark 45 is a forward or upward indicating direction for the application.

[0028] For example, when setting the correspondence between the tilt direction of the operation stick 22 and the direction of instruction to an application so that the second unit 20 on which the operation stick 22 is arranged is positioned on the user's left hand side, the user may engage the engagement portion 70N (see FIG. 5) of the top member 40 with the engagement portion 80N (see FIG. 6) of the base member 50, and may also engage the engagement portion 70S (see FIG. 5) of the top member 40 with the engagement portion 80S (see FIG. 6) of the base member 50. This allows the top member 40 to be attached to the base member 50 so that the mark 45 points forward (in the Y1 direction in FIG. 1) with respect to the axis L1 of the operation stick 22. Furthermore, when setting the correspondence between the tilt direction of the operation stick 22 and the direction of instruction to an application so that the second unit 20 on which the operation stick 22 is disposed is positioned on the user's right hand side, the user may engage the engagement portion 70N (see FIG. 5) of the top member 40 with the engagement portion 80S (see FIG. 6) of the base member 50, and also engage the engagement portion 70S (see FIG. 5) of the top member 40 with the engagement portion 80N (see FIG. 6) of the base member 50. This allows the top member 40 to be attached to the base member 50 so that the mark 45 points backward (in the Y2 direction in FIG. 1 ) with respect to the axis L1 of the operation stick 22. The user can easily recognize the correspondence between the tilt direction of the operation stick 22 and the direction of instruction to an application from the appearance of the input device 1, which is positioned in multiple positions.

[0029] Furthermore, the plurality of first engagement portions provided on one of the base member 50 and the insertion portion 42 of the top member 40 may further include a first engagement portion located in a third direction (e.g., rightward or leftward) that intersects with the first direction (e.g., forward) and the second direction (e.g., rearward) with respect to the axis L1 of the insertion portion 42. In the example shown in FIG. 5 , the plurality of engagement portions 70 formed on the insertion portion 42 of the top member 40 include an engagement portion 70E located to the right of the axis L1 (the X1 direction in FIG. 5 ) and an engagement portion 70W located to the left of the axis L1 (the X2 direction in FIG. 5 ). In the example shown in FIG. 6 , the plurality of engagement portions 80 formed on the base member 50 include an engagement portion 80E located to the right of the axis L1 (the X1 direction in FIG. 6 ) and an engagement portion 80W located rearward of the axis L1 (the Y2 direction in FIG. 6 ).

[0030] For example, when setting the correspondence between the tilt direction of the operation stick 22 and the instruction direction to the application so that the second unit 20 on which the operation stick 22 is disposed is positioned closer to the user, the user may engage the engagement portion 70N of the top member 40 (see FIG. 5 ) with the engagement portion 80E of the base member 50 (see FIG. 6 ). This allows the top member 40 to be attached to the base member 50 so that the mark 45 points to the right (the X1 direction in FIG. 1 ) with respect to the axis L1 of the operation stick 22. Furthermore, when setting the correspondence between the tilt direction of the operation stick 22 and the instruction direction to the application so that the second unit 20 on which the operation stick 22 is disposed is positioned farther from the user, the user may engage the engagement portion 70N of the top member 40 with the engagement portion 80W of the base member 50. This allows the top member 40 to be attached to the base member 50 so that the mark 45 points to the left (the X2 direction in FIG. 1 ) with respect to the axis L1 of the operation stick 22. The user can easily recognize the correspondence between the tilt direction of the operation stick 22 and the direction of instruction to the application from the appearance of the input device 1, which is placed in various positions.

[0031] Furthermore, one of the plurality of first engaging portions and the at least one second engaging portion (for example, one of the plurality of engaging portions 70 formed on the top member 40 and the plurality of engaging portions 80 formed on the base member 50) may include a convex portion extending along the extension direction of the insertion portion 42 of the top member 40. Furthermore, the other of the plurality of first engaging portions and the at least one second engaging portion may include a groove portion extending along the extension direction of the insertion portion 42.

[0032] Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 3 , showing the engaging portion 70 of the top member 40. Fig. 9 is a front view of the engaging portion 80 of the base member 50 shown in Fig. 8 . In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 8 , each engaging portion 70 formed on the top member 40 has a protrusion 71 that protrudes from the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical insertion portion 42 and extends along the extension direction of the insertion portion 42. Also, as shown in Figs. 7 and 9 , each engaging portion 80 formed on the base member 50 includes a groove portion 81 that is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the column portion 52 and extends along the extension direction of the insertion portion 42.

[0033] Furthermore, one of the multiple first engagement portions and at least one second engagement portion (for example, one of the multiple engagement portions 70 formed on the top member 40 and the multiple engagement portions 80 formed on the base member 50) may include a guide slope that slopes from the end of the groove portion into which the convex portion formed on the other portion fits, in the extension direction of the insertion portion 42 and diagonally in the circumferential direction of the insertion portion 42.

[0034] 7 and 9 , the engagement portion 80 is formed with a guide slope 82L extending obliquely upward from the left edge of the upper end of the groove 81 in the circumferential direction of the column portion 52 (the circumferential direction of the insertion portion 42, the clockwise direction), and a guide slope 82R extending obliquely upward from the right edge of the upper end of the groove 81 in the circumferential direction of the column portion 52 (the circumferential direction of the insertion portion 42, the counterclockwise direction). When the top member 40 is attached to the base member 50, the top member 40 moves downward (in the Z2 direction in FIG. 9 ) due to gravity, and the lower end 73 (see FIG. 8 ) of the convex portion 71 of the top member 40 abuts on the guide slope 82L or the guide slope 82R, so that the convex portion 71 is guided inside the groove 81.

[0035] 8 , a stopper portion 72 protruding from the inner circumferential surface of the insertion portion 42 may be formed above the protrusion 71 of the engagement portion 70. The width of the stopper portion 72 in the circumferential direction of the insertion portion 42 may be greater than the width of the protrusion 71 in the same direction. The stopper portion 72 abuts against the guide slope 82L or the guide slope 82R, thereby restricting the top member 40 from moving downward relative to the base member 50.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 8 , the lower outer surface of the lower end 73 of the protrusion 71 of the engagement portion 70 may be curved. The lower end 73 may be tapered so that its width in the circumferential direction of the column portion 52 gradually narrows toward the lower end. This reduces resistance when the lower end 73 of the protrusion 71 moves along the guide slope 82L or the guide slope 82R, making it easier to insert the protrusion 71 into the groove 81. The lower outer surface of the lower end 73 of the protrusion 71 may be an inclined surface that faces downward and obliquely toward the axis L1 of the insertion portion 42. This also reduces resistance when the lower end 73 moves along the guide slope 82L or the guide slope 82R, making it easier to insert the protrusion 71 into the groove 81.

[0037] One of the top member 40 and the base member 50 may have a magnet. Alternatively, the other of the top member 40 and the base member 50 may have a magnet or a magnetic material that is attracted to a magnet. This makes it easier to attach the top member 40 to the base member 50. For example, the user can attach the top member 40 to the base member 50 by releasing the top member 40 above the base member 50.

[0038] In the example shown in FIG. 3 , the base member 50 has a magnet 91, and the top member 40 has a magnetic material 92 that is attracted to the magnet 91. As shown in FIG. 9 , a recess 55 that opens upward may be formed in the upper end of the column portion 52 of the base member 50. The magnet 91 may be fixed to this recess 55. Furthermore, a recess 43 that opens downward and into which the column portion 52 of the base member 50 is fitted may be formed in the insertion portion 42 of the top member 40, and the magnetic material 92 may be fixed inside this recess 43. Alternatively, the top member 40 may have a magnet, and the base member 50 may have a magnetic material. Alternatively, both the top member 40 and the base member 50 may have magnets that attract each other. This also makes it easier to attach the top member 40 to the base member 50.

[0039] As described above, the operation stick 22 (see FIG. 1 ) of the input device 1 may include a top member 40 having an upper surface 40U that is touchable by a user's finger, and a base member 50 to which the top member 40 is attached, as shown in FIG. 2 . The top member 40 may include an insertion portion 42 that extends downward and is inserted into the base member 50. As shown in FIG. 5 , the insertion portion 42 may include multiple engagement portions 70 (e.g., engagement portions 70N, 70S, 70E, and 70W) that surround the axis L1 of the insertion portion 42. Also, as shown in FIG. 6 , the base member 50 may include multiple engagement portions 80 (e.g., engagement portions 80N, 80S, 80E, and 80W) that surround the axis L1 and engage with the multiple engagement portions 70 of the insertion portion 42. Here, as shown in FIG. 4 , a mark 45 indicating a direction intersecting the axis L1 of the insertion portion 42 may be formed on the outer surface of the top member 40. This makes it easier to recognize the correspondence between the tilt direction of the operation stick 22 and the direction of instruction to the application on the exterior of the input device 1.

[0040] [3. Hardware and System Configuration] An example of hardware and a system implemented in the input device 1 will be described below. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of hardware implemented in the input device 1. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the input device 1 may include a processor 101, a storage unit 102, an operation unit 103, and a communication unit 104. The processor 101 is a device that executes data processing, such as a central processing unit (CPU). The storage unit 102 is a memory element such as a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a solid-state drive (SSD), or a hard disk drive (HDD). The storage unit 102 may store data such as programs executed by the processor 101. The operation unit 103 accepts a user's operation input and outputs a signal indicating the operation content to the processor 101. The operation unit 103 includes, for example, the operation buttons 11, the operation stick 22, and the profile button 23 described above. The communication unit 104 is a communication interface that controls communication with external devices. The input device 1 may also include a data input / output terminal such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) and an audio output terminal such as a microphone or speaker.

[0041] 11 is a functional block diagram showing an example of functions implemented in the input device 1 (input system). As shown in FIG. 11, the input device 1 may include, as functions, a profile storage unit 111, a profile setting unit 112, an operation detection unit 113, an operation information generation unit 114, a correction unit 115, and an operation information transmission unit 116. The profile storage unit 111 may be realized mainly by the storage unit 102. The profile setting unit 112, the operation detection unit 113, the operation information generation unit 114, the correction unit 115, and the operation information transmission unit 116 may be realized mainly by the processor 101.

[0042] The profile storage unit 111 stores profile information including information on the orientation of the input device 1. The profile information may include the ID and name of the profile, information on functions such as actions and commands assigned to the operation buttons 11, and information on the sensitivity of the operation stick 22. "Information on the orientation of the input device 1" is, for example, information indicating the positional relationship between the first unit 10 and the second unit 20 shown in FIG. 1. The profile storage unit 111 may store multiple pieces of profile information. The profile storage unit 111 may store profile information corresponding to each of multiple users.

[0043] The profile setting unit 112 sets profile information based on a user's input operation on the input device 1 or an instruction from an information processing device such as a game device that communicates with the input device 1. The profile setting unit 112 changes, for example, information about the attitude of the input device 1 included in the profile information. The profile setting unit 112 may change information about functions assigned to the operation buttons 11 or information about the sensitivity of the operation stick 22. When the profile storage unit 111 stores multiple pieces of profile information, the profile setting unit 112 may determine the profile information to be enabled in the input device 1 based on the user's input operation on the input device 1. When the profile button 23 shown in FIG. 1 is operated by the user, the profile setting unit 112 may switch the profile information to be enabled in the input device 1 to another profile information stored in the profile storage unit 111.

[0044] The profile setting unit 112 may present the user with a plurality of options (e.g., images) indicating the positional relationship between the first unit 10 and the second unit 20 shown in FIG. 1 and set the positional relationship of the option selected by the user. The profile setting unit 112 may present the user with, for example, an option indicating an orientation in which the second unit 20, on which the operation stick 22 is provided, is disposed to the left of the first unit 10, which is the main body; an option indicating an orientation in which the second unit 20 is disposed to the right of the first unit 10; an option indicating an orientation in which the second unit 20 is disposed in front of the first unit 10; and an option in which the second unit 20 is disposed behind the first unit 10. The user selects from the four options an option that matches the orientation of the input device 1 during use. The profile setting unit 112 sets the orientation of the input device 1 indicated in the option selected by the user in the profile information.

[0045] The operation detection unit 113 detects user operations input to the operation unit 103, such as the operation buttons 11 and the operation stick 22. The user operations include, for example, tilting the operation stick 22. The operation detection unit 113 detects analog values ​​associated with the operation of the operation stick 22, performs analog-to-digital conversion, and outputs the converted digital values ​​to the operation information generation unit 114.

[0046] The operation information generation unit 114 generates user operation information to be transmitted to an information processing device such as a game device, based on the user operation detected by the operation detection unit 113 and the profile information stored in the profile storage unit 111 (if the profile storage unit 111 stores multiple pieces of profile information, the profile information enabled by the profile setting unit 112). The operation information transmission unit 116 transmits the operation information generated by the operation information generation unit 114 to the information processing device.

[0047] The correction unit 115 corrects a value based on the user's operation input to the operation stick 22 based on the profile information stored in the profile storage unit 111 (if the profile storage unit 111 stores multiple pieces of profile information, the profile information enabled by the profile setting unit 112). For example, the correction unit 115 calculates a value to be output to the information processing device by correcting a value based on the user's operation input to the operation stick 22 based on information about the attitude of the input device 1 included in the profile information (information indicating the positional relationship between the first unit 10 and the second unit 20).

[0048] The operation information generation unit 114 generates operation information indicating, for example, values ​​from Xmin to Xmax (Xmin < Xmax) corresponding to tilting of the operation stick 22 in the left-right direction, and values ​​from Ymin to Ymax (Ymin < Ymax) corresponding to tilting of the operation stick 22 in the forward-backward direction. For example, when the profile information indicates that the second unit 20 on which the operating stick 22 is provided is positioned to the left of the first unit 10, the correction unit 115 does not correct the value generated in response to the tilt of the operating stick 22; when the profile information indicates that the second unit 20 is positioned to the right of the first unit 10, the correction unit 115 corrects the value (e.g., Xa) generated in response to the tilt of the operating stick 22 in the left-right direction to a value (e.g., -Xa) opposite to a value between Xmin and Xmax (e.g., 0), and corrects the value (e.g., Ya) generated in response to the tilt of the operating stick 22 in the front-back direction to a value (e.g., -Ya) opposite to a value between Ymin and Ymax (e.g., 0). Furthermore, when the profile information sets an attitude in which the second unit 20 on which the operating stick 22 is provided is positioned in front of or behind the first unit 10, the correction unit 115 may correct a value (e.g., Xa) generated in response to tilting the operating stick 22 in the left-right direction to a value (e.g., Ya or -Ya) generated in response to tilting the operating stick 22 in the front-back direction, and may correct a value (e.g., Ya) generated in response to tilting the operating stick 22 in the front-back direction to a value (e.g., Xa or -Xa) generated in response to tilting the operating stick 22 in the left-right direction.

[0049] The input device 1 has the above functions, so that the portion of the input device 1 where the operation stick is located can be positioned on the user's right-hand side, left-hand side, front side, or back side. As shown in FIG. 5 , the insertion portion 42 of the top member 40 may have multiple engagement portions 70 (e.g., engagement portions 70N, 70S, 70E, and 70W) surrounding the axis L1 of the insertion portion 42. As shown in FIG. 6 , the base member 50 may have multiple engagement portions 80 (e.g., engagement portions 80N, 80S, 80E, and 80W) surrounding the axis L1 and engaging with the multiple engagement portions 70 of the insertion portion 42. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4 , a mark 45 indicating a direction intersecting the axis L1 may be formed on the outer surface of the top member 40. This makes it easier to recognize the correspondence between the tilt direction of the operation stick 22 and the direction of instruction to the application from the exterior of the input device 1.

[0050] [4. Modifications] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the insertion portion 42 of the top member 40 has four engagement portions 70N, 70S, 70E, and 70W, and as shown in FIG. 6, the base member 50 has four engagement portions 80N, 80S, 80E, and 80W. However, the number of engagement portions 70 formed on the insertion portion 42 may be five or more. Similarly, the number of engagement portions 80 formed on the base member 50 may be five or more. In this manner, the top member 40 can be attached to the base member 50 so that the mark 45 indicates a direction other than the four directions (front, back, left, and right) relative to the axis L1 of the operation stick 22.

[0051] The number of engagement portions 70 formed on the insertion portion 42 of the top member 40 may be a plurality of three or less, or may be one. In this case, the engagement portion 70 of the top member 40 corresponds to an example of a "second engagement portion," and the engagement portion 80 of the base member 50 corresponds to an example of a "first engagement portion." In this case, one or more engagement portions 70 engage with one or more of the plurality of engagement portions 80 (e.g., four engagement portions 80N, 80S, 80E, and 80W) formed on the base member 50, thereby enabling the mark 45 to indicate directions intersecting the axis L1 of the operation stick 22 (e.g., four directions: front, back, left, and right). This also makes it easier to recognize the correspondence between the tilt direction of the operation stick 22 and the direction of instruction to an application from the exterior of the input device 1.

[0052] The number of engaging portions 80 formed on the base member 50 may be three or less, or may be one. In this case, the engaging portion 70 of the top member 40 corresponds to an example of a "first engaging portion," and the engaging portion 80 of the base member 50 corresponds to an example of a "second engaging portion." In this case, one or more engaging portions 80 engage with one or more of the engaging portions 70 (e.g., four engaging portions 70N, 70S, 70E, and 70W) formed on the top member 40, thereby enabling the mark 45 to indicate directions intersecting the axis L1 of the operation stick 22 (e.g., four directions: front, back, left, and right). This also makes it easier to recognize the correspondence between the tilt direction of the operation stick 22 and the direction of instruction to an application from the exterior of the input device 1.

[0053] In the embodiment, an example has been described in which the engaging portion 70 of the top member 40 has a convex portion 71 protruding from the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical insertion portion 42, as shown in FIG. 8 , and the engaging portion 80 of the base member 50 includes a groove portion 81 formed on the outer circumferential surface of the column portion 52, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 . However, the present invention is not limited to this. The engaging portion 70 of the top member 40 may include a groove portion formed on the inner circumferential surface of the insertion portion 42, and the engaging portion 80 of the base member 50 may include a convex portion protruding from the outer circumferential surface of the column portion 52. This also makes it possible to restrict movement of the insertion portion 42 of the top member 40 in the circumferential direction of the axis L1 when the top member 40 is attached to the base member 50.

[0054] Furthermore, when the engaging portion 70 of the top member 40 includes a groove extending along the insertion portion 42, the engaging portion 70 may have a guide slope for guiding the convex portion of the engaging portion 80 in this groove. For example, the engaging portion 70 may have a guide slope extending downward from the left edge of the lower end of the groove and obliquely in the circumferential direction (clockwise) of the insertion portion, and a guide slope extending downward from the right edge of the lower end of the groove and obliquely in the circumferential direction (counterclockwise) of the insertion portion. This also makes it easier to attach the top member 40 to the base member 50.

[0055] [5. Summary] (1) As described above, the input device described in this disclosure may include a control stick including a top member having an upper surface that a user's finger can touch, and a base member to which the top member is attached. The top member may have an insertion portion extending downward and inserted into the base member. One of the base member and the insertion portion may have a plurality of first engagement portions surrounding the axis of the insertion portion, and the other may have at least one second engagement portion that engages with at least one of the plurality of first engagement portions and restricts movement of the insertion portion in a circumferential direction of the axis. A mark indicating a direction intersecting the axis may be formed on the outer surface of the top member. This makes it easy to recognize the correspondence between the tilt direction of the control stick and the direction of instruction to an application from the appearance of the input device.

[0056] (2) In the input device of (1) above, the plurality of first engagement portions may include first engagement portions positioned in a first direction relative to the axis and first engagement portions positioned in a second direction relative to the axis that is opposite to the first direction.

[0057] (3) In the input device of (2) above, the plurality of first engagement portions may further include a first engagement portion positioned in a third direction that intersects with the first direction and the second direction relative to the axis.

[0058] (4) In any of the input devices described in (1) to (3) above, one of the plurality of first engagement portions and the at least one second engagement portion may include a convex portion extending along the extension direction of the insertion portion, and the other may include a groove portion extending along the extension direction of the insertion portion.

[0059] (5) In the input device of (4), the other of the plurality of first engagement portions and the at least one second engagement portion may include a guide slope that is inclined from an end of the groove in a direction oblique to the extension direction of the insertion portion and a circumferential direction of the insertion portion. This makes it easier to attach the top member to the base member.

[0060] (6) In the input device according to any one of (1) to (5), one of the top member and the base member may have a magnet, and the other may have a magnet or a magnetic body that is attracted to the magnet. This makes it easier to attach the top member to the base member.

Claims

1. An input device comprising an operating stick having a top member having an upper surface that is touchable by a user's finger, and a base member to which the top member is attached, wherein the top member has an insertion portion extending downwardly to be inserted into the base member, one of the base member and the insertion portion having a plurality of first engagement portions surrounding the axis of the insertion portion, and the other having at least one second engagement portion that engages with at least one of the plurality of first engagement portions and restricts movement of the insertion portion in a circumferential direction of the axis, and wherein a mark indicating a direction intersecting with the axis is formed on the outer surface of the top member.

2. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the plurality of first engagement portions include a first engagement portion located in a first direction relative to the axis and a first engagement portion located in a second direction relative to the axis that is opposite to the first direction.

3. An input device as described in claim 2, wherein the plurality of first engagement portions further include a first engagement portion located in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction with respect to the axis.

4. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of first engagement portions and the at least one second engagement portion includes a convex portion extending along the extension direction of the insertion portion, and the other includes a groove portion extending along the extension direction of the insertion portion.

5. An input device as described in claim 4, wherein the other of the plurality of first engagement portions and the at least one second engagement portion includes a guide slope that is inclined from the end of the groove portion in the extension direction of the insertion portion and in a circumferential direction of the insertion portion.

6. The input device according to claim 1, wherein one of the top member and the base member has a magnet, and the other has a magnet or a magnetic material that is attracted to the magnet.

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