Operation device

Abstract

An operation device 6 comprises a holding part held by the hand of a user, and an input unit operated by the user. In the operation device 6, a plurality of photovoltaic elements 110 are arranged in a housing, and a power storage unit 112 stores electric power generated by the plurality of photovoltaic elements 110.

Description

operating device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an operation device having an input unit operated by a user.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a game controller equipped with a directional key, an analog stick, and operation buttons. A user operates the game controller by holding the left grip with the left hand and the right grip with the right hand. The game controller described in Patent Document 1 has a built-in battery.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-289529

[0004] Battery-powered game controllers require battery replacement or charging when the battery runs out. Therefore, if there is no replaceable battery or no charger or external power source to charge the battery, the game controller will not have enough power and will not be able to function.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide technology relating to operating devices such as game controllers that do not have secondary batteries that are charged by an external power source or primary batteries (disposable batteries).

[0006] An operating device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an operating device that includes a gripping portion that is held by a user's hand and an input portion that is operated by the user, and also includes a plurality of photovoltaic elements arranged in a housing, and a storage portion that stores the electricity generated by the plurality of photovoltaic elements.

[0007] Any combination of the above components, or conversion of the expression of the present disclosure into a method, device, system, computer program, recording medium on which a computer program is readably recorded, data structure, etc., is also valid as an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0008] 1 is a diagram showing an information processing system according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a top view of an operating device; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an operating device; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing functional blocks related to the operation of the operating device; FIG. 5 is a diagram showing functional blocks related to power generation of the operating device; FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a plurality of photovoltaic elements arranged in a housing; FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another example of a plurality of photovoltaic elements arranged in a housing; FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example of a plurality of photovoltaic elements arranged in a housing.

[0009] 1 illustrates an information processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The information processing system 1 includes an information processing device 10, which is a user terminal device, an auxiliary storage device 2, an output device 4, and an operation device 6. The operation device 6 includes a gripper that a user holds in his or her hand and an input unit that the user operates. An access point (hereinafter referred to as "AP") 8 functions as a wireless access point and a router, and the information processing device 10 connects to the AP 8 wirelessly or via a wired connection. The information processing device 10 connects to an external network such as the Internet via the AP 8 and is communicatively connected to a server device (not shown).

[0010] The information processing device 10 is connected wirelessly or via a wire to an operation device 6 operated by a user, and the operation device 6 transmits information operated by the user to the information processing device 10. When the information processing device 10 receives operation information from the operation device 6, it reflects the information in the processing of the system software and game program, and outputs the processing results from the output device 4.

[0011] In the embodiment, the information processing device 10 is a game device (game console) that executes a game program, and the operation device 6 is an electronic device that supplies operation information of a user operating an input unit to the information processing device 10. The operation device 6 may be a game controller. The information processing device 10 executes the game program based on the user's operation information, generates game images and sounds, and outputs them from the output device 4. Note that in the information processing system 1, the server device may execute the game program based on the user's operation information and generate game images and sounds. In this case, the information processing device 10 operates as a client device that transmits the user's operation information to the server device, receives the images and sounds generated by the server device, and outputs them from the output device 4.

[0012] The auxiliary storage device 2 is a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD (hard disk drive) or an SSD (solid state drive), and may be an internal storage device or an external storage device connected to the information processing device 10 via a USB (universal serial bus) or the like. The output device 4 may be a television having a display device for outputting images and a speaker for outputting sound. The output device 4 may be connected to the information processing device 10 by a wired cable or wirelessly.

[0013] The camera 7, which is an imaging device, is provided near the output device 4 and captures images of the space around the output device 4. While Fig. 1 shows an example in which the camera 7 is attached to the top of the output device 4, it may be placed on the side or bottom of the output device 4, and in either case, it is placed in a position where it can capture an image of a user positioned in front of the output device 4. The camera 7 may be a stereo camera.

[0014] Fig. 2 shows a top view of the operating device, and Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the operating device. The operating device 6 includes a housing 80 composed of a left grip portion 80a, a right grip portion 80b, and a housing main body portion 80c. The left grip portion 80a and the right grip portion 80b are provided on either side of the housing main body portion 80c, with the left grip portion 80a being held by the user's left hand and the right grip portion 80b being held by the user's right hand. Vibrators for presenting tactile sensations to the user's hands are provided in the internal spaces at the ends of the left grip portion 80a and the right grip portion 80b, respectively.

[0015] The main body 80c of the housing is provided with various controls operated by the user. The top surface of the main body 80c is provided with a directional key 70, an action button 71, a left analog stick 72a, a right analog stick 72b, a touchpad 73, a create button 74, an options button 75, a home button 76, a mute button 77, a speaker 78, and a microphone 79. The directional key 70 is composed of an up key 70a, a right key 70b, a down key 70c, and a left key 70d. The action buttons 71 are composed of a triangle button 71a, a circle button 71b, an x ​​button 71c, and a square button 71d. The left analog stick 72a doubles as an L3 button that is turned on when pressed, and the right analog stick 72b doubles as an R3 button that is turned on when pressed. The touchpad 73 also functions as a touchpad button that is turned on when pressed.

[0016] The back surface of the main housing 80c is provided with a USB terminal 81, an L1 button 82a, an R1 button 82b, an L2 button 83a, and an R2 button 83b. The L2 button 83a and the R2 button 83b are trigger-type buttons connected to actuators that dynamically change the resistance when a user presses the trigger-type buttons with their fingers. For example, the pressing resistance of the L2 button 83a and / or the R2 button 83b can be dynamically changed depending on the action in the game, thereby enhancing the sense of realism of the game.

[0017] 4 shows functional blocks related to the operation of the controller device 6. The controller device 6 includes, inside a housing 80, a wireless communication unit 86, a processing unit 90, a motion sensor 84, a speaker 78, a microphone 79, a left vibrator 87a, a right vibrator 87b, a left actuator 88a, and a right actuator 88b. The wireless communication unit 86 has a function of transmitting and receiving data to and from the wireless communication unit of the information processing device 10.

[0018] The processing unit 90 has a control unit 91, an input receiving unit 92, a sensor data acquiring unit 93, an audio output unit 94, an audio input unit 95, a first driving unit 96 a, a second driving unit 96 b, a third driving unit 97 a, and a fourth driving unit 97 b. The control unit 91 performs various processes in the operation device 6.

[0019] The input acceptance unit 92 accepts user operation information from input units such as the directional keys 70, action button 71, left analog stick 72a, right analog stick 72b, touchpad 73, create button 74, option button 75, home button 76, mute button 77, L1 button 82a, R1 button 82b, L2 button 83a, and R2 button 83b, and sends the information to the control unit 91. The control unit 91 supplies the received operation information to the wireless communication unit 86, and the wireless communication unit 86 transmits the operation information to the external information processing device 10.

[0020] The motion sensor 84 has a triaxial acceleration sensor and a triaxial gyro sensor. The triaxial acceleration sensor detects acceleration in three axes (x, y, and z), and the triaxial gyro sensor detects angular velocities in the xz, zy, and yx planes. The triaxial acceleration sensor and the triaxial gyro sensor may be disposed near the center of the housing 80. The motion sensor 84 detects acceleration and angular velocities at a predetermined cycle. When the sensor data acquisition unit 93 acquires the sensor data detected by the motion sensor 84, the control unit 91 supplies the sensor data to the wireless communication unit 86, and the wireless communication unit 86 transmits the sensor data to the information processing device 10.

[0021] When the wireless communication unit 86 receives voice data from the information processing device 10, the control unit 91 supplies the voice data to the voice output unit 94, and the voice output unit 94 outputs the voice from the speaker 78. When the voice input unit 95 accepts user voice data from the microphone 79, the control unit 91 supplies the user voice data to the wireless communication unit 86, and the wireless communication unit 86 transmits the user voice data to the information processing device 10. The operation device 6 is provided with the speaker 78 and the microphone 79, allowing the user to enjoy voice chat with friends.

[0022] The left vibrator 87a is built into the protruding end of the left grip portion 80a, and the right vibrator 87b is built into the protruding end of the right grip portion 80b. The left vibrator 87a and the right vibrator 87b (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "vibrators 87" when no distinction is made) are built into the ends of the grip portion that is held by the user's hand, making it possible to present a tactile sensation to the user's hand. The vibrator 87 may be configured with a vibration motor having an eccentric weight.

[0023] When the wireless communication unit 86 receives a control signal for the left vibrator 87a and a control signal for the right vibrator 87b from the information processing device 10, it supplies the control unit 91, and the control unit 91 controls the first drive unit 96a based on the control signal for the left vibrator 87a and the second drive unit 96b based on the control signal for the right vibrator 87b. The first drive unit 96a and the second drive unit 96b may be configured as PWM control units that vary the duty ratios of the voltages supplied to the left vibrator 87a and the right vibrator 87b, respectively.

[0024] The left actuator 88a is connected to the L2 button 83a, and the right actuator 88b is connected to the R2 button 83b. The left actuator 88a and the right actuator 88b (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "actuators 88" unless otherwise specified) provide resistance to the user's finger pressing the L2 button 83a and the R2 button 83b, respectively. The actuators 88 are structured to provide resistance against the pressing force of the L2 button 83a and the R2 button 83b.

[0025] When the wireless communication unit 86 receives a control signal for the left actuator 88a and a control signal for the right actuator 88b from the information processing device 10, it supplies the control signal to the control unit 91, and the control unit 91 controls the third drive unit 97a based on the control signal for the left actuator 88a and the fourth drive unit 97b based on the control signal for the right actuator 88b. The third drive unit 97a and the fourth drive unit 97b may be configured as PWM control units that vary the duty ratios of the voltages supplied to the left actuator 88a and the right actuator 88b, respectively.

[0026] The operating device 6 of the embodiment includes a plurality of photovoltaic elements having a solar power generation function. The configuration (electronic components) shown as functional blocks in Fig. 4 is driven by the power generated by the photovoltaic elements.

[0027] 5 shows functional blocks related to power generation of the operating device. The operating device 6 has a power generation control unit 100, a power storage unit 112, and a connection circuit 114 inside a housing 80, and has a plurality of photovoltaic elements 110 on the surface of the housing 80. The photovoltaic elements 110 may form the outer surface of the housing 80, or may be provided inside the transparent resin that forms the outer periphery of the housing 80. In either case, the photovoltaic elements 110 are provided in the housing 80 so that they are irradiated with light.

[0028] The operating device 6 includes a computer, and various functions are realized by the computer executing a program. The computer includes hardware such as a memory into which the program is loaded, one or more processors that execute the loaded program, an auxiliary storage device, and other LSIs. The processor is composed of multiple electronic circuits including semiconductor integrated circuits and LSIs, and the multiple electronic circuits may be mounted on a single chip or multiple chips. The functional blocks shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are realized by cooperation between hardware and software. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that these functional blocks can be realized in various ways using hardware alone, software alone, or a combination thereof.

[0029] The operating device 6 of the embodiment is not equipped with a secondary battery that is charged by an external power source, such as a commercial power source, or a primary battery. In the operating device 6, the photovoltaic element 110 has a solar power generation function and generates the power used in the operating device 6. The power storage unit 112 is a capacitor that stores the power generated by the multiple photovoltaic elements 110. The configuration (electronic components) shown as functional blocks in Figures 4 and 5 is driven using the power stored in the power storage unit 112. By including multiple photovoltaic elements 110, the operating device 6 has the advantage of not needing to be equipped with a secondary battery or primary battery that is charged by an external power source.

[0030] Fig. 6 shows an example of a plurality of photovoltaic elements arranged in a housing. In the example shown in Fig. 6, a plurality of photovoltaic elements 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, 110e, and 110f (hereinafter, simply referred to as "photovoltaic elements 110" unless otherwise specified) are arranged on the top surface of a housing 80 so as to be efficiently irradiated with light. One photovoltaic element 110 is a single, integrally formed component, and the plurality of photovoltaic elements 110 are arranged on the top surface of the housing 80 so as not to overlap one another.

[0031] The multiple photovoltaic elements 110 may include photovoltaic elements with different power generation characteristics. At least one of the multiple photovoltaic elements 110 may be a photovoltaic cell or a photovoltaic module, and at least one may be a photovoltaic string. Here, a photovoltaic cell is the basic unit of a solar cell, and a photovoltaic module is configured by connecting multiple photovoltaic cells in parallel. Note that a photovoltaic cell may have a shape depending on the location where it is installed, and all of the multiple photovoltaic cells do not need to have the same shape. On the other hand, a photovoltaic string is configured by connecting multiple photovoltaic cells or multiple photovoltaic modules in series. The photovoltaic modules and photovoltaic strings in the embodiments are each integrally configured components, and the connections between the photovoltaic cells in the photovoltaic modules and the photovoltaic strings are fixed and not dynamically changed.

[0032] When the power generation output of a photovoltaic cell is 0.5 [V], the power generation output of a photovoltaic module is also 0.5 [V]. Therefore, in terms of output characteristics, a photovoltaic module can be regarded as a large-area photovoltaic cell. Therefore, for ease of explanation, hereinafter, a photovoltaic cell and a photovoltaic module may be referred to as a "photovoltaic cell" without distinction. If the number of photovoltaic cells connected in series in a photovoltaic string is N, the power generation output of the photovoltaic string is N × 0.5 [V]. When N = 6, the power generation output of the photovoltaic string is 3 [V]. In this way, a photovoltaic cell and a photovoltaic string have different power generation outputs.

[0033] Because photovoltaic cells generate electricity by electrons excited by irradiated light, the current they can pass depends on the amount of light irradiated on the cell. Therefore, the larger the surface area of ​​a photovoltaic cell, the greater the current they can pass. A photovoltaic string, which consists of multiple photovoltaic cells connected in series, can generate electricity efficiently if all the cells are evenly irradiated with light. However, if a portion of a photovoltaic cell is shaded, the amount of current generated in that portion decreases, resulting in a decrease in the power generation efficiency of all the photovoltaic cells. For this reason, it is preferable to place a photovoltaic string in an area that is less likely to be shaded.

[0034] Therefore, in the embodiment, the photovoltaic power generation string is provided in an area that is unlikely to be hidden by a user's hand, and the photovoltaic power generation cells are provided in an area that is likely to be hidden by a user's hand. Because a user holds the two left and right grip portions 80a and 80b with both hands, the central area of ​​the housing 80 is relatively unlikely to be hidden by the user's hand, and the areas on both sides of the housing 80 are relatively likely to be hidden by the user's hand. Therefore, in the embodiment, the photovoltaic elements 110a and 110f may be configured as photovoltaic power generation strings, and the photovoltaic elements 110b, 110c, 110d, and 110e may be configured as photovoltaic power generation cells (or photovoltaic power generation modules). Note that the photovoltaic element 110f may be configured as a photovoltaic power generation cell (or photovoltaic power generation module) instead of a photovoltaic power generation string.

[0035] The power generation control unit 100 may generate a relatively low voltage using a DCDC converter that converts the voltage output from the photovoltaic power generation cell, and may generate a relatively high voltage using a DCDC converter that converts the voltage output from the photovoltaic power generation string. Specifically, the power generation control unit 100 may use a DCDC converter for the photovoltaic power generation cell to store in the power storage unit 112 a voltage for a configuration (electronic component) that operates at a relatively low voltage, and may use a DCDC converter for the photovoltaic power generation string to store in the power storage unit 112 a voltage for a configuration (electronic component) that operates at a relatively high voltage. In this way, the operating device 6 can easily generate a plurality of different voltages by mounting photovoltaic power generation elements with different power generation outputs.

[0036] In the above embodiments, photovoltaic power generation cells and photovoltaic power generation strings with different power generation outputs are shown as examples of photovoltaic power generation elements with different power generation characteristics. However, photovoltaic power generation elements with different power generation characteristics may also be used from a different perspective. For example, of the multiple photovoltaic power generation elements arranged in the housing 80, at least one may be a photovoltaic power generation element with relatively low power generation efficiency, and at least one may be a photovoltaic power generation element with relatively high power generation efficiency. Generally, photovoltaic power generation elements with high power generation efficiency are expensive, and photovoltaic power generation elements with low power generation efficiency are inexpensive. In this case, it is preferable to arrange the photovoltaic power generation elements with high power generation efficiency in the central region of the housing 80, and arrange the photovoltaic power generation elements with low power generation efficiency in the regions on both sides of the housing 80.

[0037] The power generation control unit 100 monitors the power generation status of the multiple photovoltaic elements 110. The power generation control unit 100 may monitor the voltage and / or current of the multiple photovoltaic elements 110. As described above, when a shadow falls on the photovoltaic elements 110, the amount of power generation decreases, and therefore the power generation control unit 100 can estimate whether or not a shadow falls on the photovoltaic elements 110 by monitoring the amount of power generation.

[0038] The connection circuit 114 is a circuit that has the function of connecting any two or more photovoltaic elements 110 in series. For example, when the user is not holding the operation device 6 and the operation device 6 is placed face up on a desk and exposed to light, all of the photovoltaic elements 110 generate electricity smoothly. At this time, the power generation control unit 100 controls the connection circuit 114 to dynamically connect two or more photovoltaic elements 110 in series. Specifically, the connection circuit 114 connects specified multiple photovoltaic elements 110 in series in response to instructions from the power generation control unit 100. Two or more photovoltaic elements 110 dynamically connected in series constitute a solar power generation string, which can output a higher voltage than a single photovoltaic element 110. In this way, the power generation control unit 100 may connect two or more photovoltaic elements 110 in series depending on the power generation status being monitored. The photovoltaic elements 110 to be connected in series are limited to those that are generating electricity efficiently, and if the amount of power generated by a certain photovoltaic element 110 is lower than normal, the power generation control unit 100 will not connect that photovoltaic element 110 in series.

[0039] For example, the power generation control unit 100 connects four photovoltaic elements 110b, 110c, 110d, and 110e in series by controlling the connection circuit 114. In this case, the power generation control unit 100 can treat the series-connected photovoltaic elements 110b, 110c, 110d, and 110e as a four-stage solar power generation string, and the power generation output is 2 (=4×0.5) [V].

[0040] 7 shows another example of multiple photovoltaic elements arranged in a housing. In the example shown in FIG. 7, multiple photovoltaic elements 110g, 100h, 100i, 100j, 100k, 100l, 100m, 100n, 100o, 100p, 100q, 100r, 100s, 100t, 100u, 100v, 100w, 100x, 100y, and 100z (hereinafter, simply referred to as "photovoltaic elements 110" unless otherwise specified) are arranged on the top surface of a housing 80 so as to be efficiently irradiated with light. Each photovoltaic element 110 is an integrally formed component, and the multiple photovoltaic elements 110 are arranged on the top surface of the housing 80 so as not to overlap each other.

[0041] The multiple photovoltaic elements 110 shown in Fig. 7 may include photovoltaic elements with different power generation characteristics, but in this example, the multiple photovoltaic elements 110 may be photovoltaic cells or photovoltaic modules. As described above, a photovoltaic module is configured by connecting multiple photovoltaic cells in parallel, so the power generation output (voltage) of the photovoltaic module is equal to the power generation output of the photovoltaic cells. In Fig. 7, the light-receiving areas (surface areas) of the multiple photovoltaic elements 110 are not uniform, but the photovoltaic elements 110 may be formed so that the light-receiving areas are equal.

[0042] The power generation control unit 100 monitors the power generation status of the multiple photovoltaic elements 110. The power generation control unit 100 may control the connection circuit 114 to dynamically connect two or more photovoltaic elements 110 that are efficiently generating power in series. By connecting two or more photovoltaic elements 110 in series, it becomes possible to output a higher voltage than a single photovoltaic element 110. When the power generation status changes, the power generation control unit 100 may dynamically change the combination of two or more photovoltaic elements 110 that are connected in series.

[0043] FIG. 8 shows another example of multiple photovoltaic elements arranged in a housing. Each photovoltaic element 110 is an integrally formed component, and multiple photovoltaic elements 110 are arranged on the top surface of the housing 80 so as not to overlap one another. In the example shown in FIG. 8 , the photovoltaic element 110 is an inverted U-shaped solar power generation cell or module extending from near the end of the left grip portion 80a to near the end of the right grip portion 80b. When a user holds the left grip portion 80a and the right grip portion 80b, part of the light-receiving area is covered by the user's hand. However, since it is unlikely that the entire light-receiving area is covered by the user's hand, a photovoltaic element 110 with a long and narrow light-receiving area has the advantage of being able to maintain power generation output (voltage). The power generation control unit 100 may control the connection circuit 114 to connect two or more photovoltaic elements 110 in series.

[0044] Another method of connecting two or more photovoltaic elements 110 in series will be described below. The server device collects operation information of the controller device 6 for each game from information processing devices 10 used by multiple users. By collecting the operation information of the controller device 6, the server device can distinguish between controllers that are frequently used during game play and controllers that are infrequently used. Here, the area around a frequently used controller means an area that is likely to be hidden by the user's hand during game play (an area that is difficult to generate electricity), and the area around an infrequently used controller means an area that is unlikely to be hidden by the user's hand during game play (an area that is easy to generate electricity).

[0045] When starting a game, the information processing device 10 obtains information indicating controls that are not frequently used in the game from the server device. The information processing device 10 identifies the positions on the top surface of the housing where the infrequently used controls are located and determines that the power generation efficiency around such positions is high. For example, if photovoltaic elements 110 are located on the front surface of the housing of the controller device 6 as shown in FIG. 7 , the information processing device 10 identifies two or more photovoltaic elements 110 that are predicted to have high power generation efficiency during game play and transmits an instruction to the controller device 6 to connect the identified two or more photovoltaic elements 110. This connection instruction is appropriate for the game to be played.

[0046] In the operation device 6, when the wireless communication unit 86 receives an instruction to connect two or more photovoltaic elements 110, the power generation control unit 100 connects two or more photovoltaic elements 110 in series in accordance with the received instruction. After connecting the photovoltaic elements 110 in series in accordance with the instruction, the power generation control unit 100 may dynamically change the combination of the photovoltaic elements 110 to be connected in series in accordance with the power generation status of each photovoltaic element 110, as described above.

[0047] The present disclosure has been described above based on the embodiments. The embodiments are merely examples, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in the combination of each component and each processing process, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure. The embodiments are based on the premise that a user plays a game, but applications other than games may also be implemented.

[0048] In the embodiment, the server device distinguishes between frequently used operators and infrequently used operators for each game. In a modified example, the information processing device 10 may identify frequently used and infrequently used operators for each game by the user. The information processing device 10 may also determine frequently used and infrequently used operators by a user through statistical analysis, not limited to during game play. For example, if a user uses the left analog stick 72a but does not use the directional key 70, the information processing device 10 may identify the directional key 70 as an operator that the user does not use often.

[0049] In the embodiment, the operation device 6 is not equipped with a secondary battery or a primary battery that is charged by an external power source, but in a modified example, the operation device 6 may be equipped with a secondary battery and / or a primary battery that is charged by an external power source as an auxiliary power source. For example, the power generation control unit 100 may use the power of the power storage unit 112 as long as the power storage unit 112 does not run out of power, and may use the auxiliary power source when the power storage unit 112 runs out of power.

[0050] The present disclosure can be used in the technical field of user-operated electronic devices.

[0051] 1: Information processing system, 6: Operation device, 10: Information processing device, 70: Directional key, 71: Action button, 72a: Left analog stick, 72b: Right analog stick, 73: Touchpad, 80: Housing, 80a: Left grip portion, 80b: Right grip portion, 80c: Housing main body portion, 86: Wireless communication portion, 90: Processing portion, 91: Control portion, 92: Input acceptance portion, 93: Sensor data acquisition portion, 94: Audio output portion, 95: Audio input portion, 96: Drive portion, 96a: First drive portion, 96b: Second drive portion, 97: Drive portion, 97a: Third drive portion, 97b: Fourth drive portion, 100: Power generation control portion, 110: Photovoltaic element, 112: Power storage portion, 114: Connection circuit.

Claims

1. An operating device having a gripping section that is held by a user in the hand and an input section that is operated by the user, the operating device comprising: a plurality of photovoltaic elements arranged in a housing; and a storage section that stores electricity generated by the plurality of photovoltaic elements.

2. The operating device according to claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of photovoltaic elements include solar photovoltaic elements having different power generation characteristics.

3. The operating device according to claim 2, characterized in that the plurality of photovoltaic elements include solar photovoltaic elements having different power generation outputs.

4. The operating device according to claim 3, characterized in that, among the plurality of photovoltaic elements, at least one is a photovoltaic cell or a photovoltaic module, and at least one is a photovoltaic string in which a plurality of photovoltaic cells or a plurality of photovoltaic modules are connected in series.

5. The operating device according to claim 2, characterized in that, among the plurality of photovoltaic power generation elements, at least one is a photovoltaic power generation element having a relatively low power generation efficiency, and at least one is a photovoltaic power generation element having a relatively high power generation efficiency.

6. The operating device according to claim 1, further comprising a power generation control unit that connects two or more of the photovoltaic elements in series.

7. The operating device according to claim 6, characterized in that the power generation control unit monitors the power generation status of the photovoltaic elements and connects two or more of the photovoltaic elements in series according to the power generation status.

8. The operating device according to claim 6, further comprising a communication unit that transmits operation information of a user operating the input unit to an external information processing device, the communication unit receiving instructions regarding the connection of two or more of the photovoltaic elements from the information processing device, and the power generation control unit connecting two or more of the photovoltaic elements in series in accordance with the received instructions.

9. The operating device according to claim 8, wherein the information processing device generates the instruction according to an application to be executed.

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