Game apparatus

Abstract

Provided is a game apparatus with which noise included in sound passing through a microphone opening can be reduced. This game apparatus according to the present disclosure comprises: a housing; a microphone disposed inside the housing; and air circulation ports, a microphone opening, an operation button, and a card slot opening each provided on a first side surface of the housing. The air circulation ports are provided between the microphone opening and the card slot opening, and an input button in the longitudinal direction of the first side surface. The card slot opening is provided between the microphone opening and the air circulation ports in the longitudinal direction of the first side surface.

Description

Game consoles

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a gaming device with a microphone opening.

[0002] An electronic device having a microphone opening that functions as a sound collection hole for a microphone built into a main body case is disclosed in Patent Document 1. An example of such an electronic device is a gaming device.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-115662

[0004] In gaming devices, there is still room for improvement in terms of reducing noise contained in sounds that pass through the microphone opening and are input to the microphone.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to solve the above-mentioned problem and to provide a game device that can reduce noise contained in sounds that pass through a microphone opening.

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the gaming device of the present disclosure comprises: a housing having a front surface on which a display unit is arranged, a back surface that is spaced apart from the front surface in a depth direction perpendicular to the front surface and faces away from the front surface, a first side surface connecting the front surface and the back surface, and a second side surface that connects the front surface and the back surface, is spaced apart from the first side surface in a height direction perpendicular to the depth direction and faces away from the first side surface; a microphone arranged inside the housing; an air circulation port that is provided on the first side surface or the back surface and allows air to circulate between the inside and outside of the housing; a microphone opening that is provided on the first side surface and connects the outside of the housing with the microphone; operation buttons that are provided on the first side surface; and a card slot opening that is provided on the first side surface, wherein the air circulation port is provided between the microphone opening, the card slot opening, and the operation buttons in the longitudinal direction of the first side surface, and the card slot opening is provided between the microphone opening and the air circulation port in the longitudinal direction of the first side surface.

[0007] According to the gaming device according to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce noise contained in sounds that pass through the microphone opening.

[0008] FIG. 7 is a perspective view schematically showing a gaming device set according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a front view schematically showing a gaming device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a perspective view schematically showing a gaming device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically showing a gaming device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a side view schematically showing a gaming device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 12 is a plan view schematically showing a gaming device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 6. FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a dashed line in FIG. 10. FIG. 15 is a plan view schematically showing a cradle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a gaming device comprising: a housing having a front surface on which a display unit is arranged, a back surface that is spaced apart from the front surface in a depth direction perpendicular to the front surface and faces away from the front surface, a first side surface connecting the front surface and the back surface, and a second side surface that connects the front surface and the back surface, is spaced apart from the first side surface in a height direction perpendicular to the depth direction and faces away from the first side surface; a microphone arranged inside the housing; an air circulation port that is provided on the first side surface or the back surface and allows air to circulate between the inside and outside of the housing; a microphone opening that is provided on the first side surface and connects the outside of the housing with the microphone; operation buttons that are provided on the first side surface; and a card slot opening that is provided on the first side surface, wherein the air circulation port is located between the microphone opening, the card slot opening, and the operation buttons in the longitudinal direction of the first side surface, and the card slot opening is located between the microphone opening and the air circulation port in the longitudinal direction of the first side surface.

[0010] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a gaming device as described in the first aspect, in which no operating unit that is a button different from the operation button is provided between the microphone opening and the air circulation opening in the longitudinal direction of the first side surface.

[0011] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a gaming device as described in the first or second aspect, wherein the microphone has an intake hole for taking in sound, and further comprises a path connecting the microphone opening and the intake hole, and when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the first side surface, the intake hole is located away from the microphone opening, and when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the first side surface, a portion of an outer opening which is the opening of the path on the microphone opening side and a portion of an inner opening which is the opening of the path on the intake hole side overlap.

[0012] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a gaming device described in any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the microphone has an intake hole for taking in sound, and in the longitudinal direction of the first side surface, the intake hole is located on the opposite side of the microphone opening from the air circulation opening.

[0013] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a gaming device described in any one of the first to fourth aspects, further comprising a first connector opening provided on the first side surface and connected to an external connector, wherein the first connector opening is provided between the air circulation port and the card slot opening in the longitudinal direction of the first side surface.

[0014] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a gaming device as described in any one of the first to fifth aspects, further comprising an audio terminal insertion port provided on the first side surface into which an audio input / output terminal is inserted, and in the longitudinal direction of the first side surface, the audio terminal insertion port is provided between the air circulation port and the card slot opening.

[0015] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a gaming device described in any one of the first to sixth aspects, further comprising an optical sensor provided on the first side surface, wherein the optical sensor is provided between the operation button and the air vent in the longitudinal direction of the first side surface.

[0016] According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a gaming device as described in any one of the first to seventh aspects, further comprising a stand member rotatably supported by the back surface, the stand member being rotatable to an open position in which a pivoting tip of the stand member is separated from the back surface, and when the stand member is in the open position, the second side surface and the pivoting tip of the stand member are in contact with the mounting surface and the gaming device stands independently on the mounting surface.

[0017] According to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a game device described in any one of the first to eighth aspects, further comprising a first operating device and a second operating device that can be attached to and detached from the housing, wherein the housing further comprises: a third side that connects the front surface and the back surface and connects one longitudinal end of the first side surface to one longitudinal end of the second side surface; and a fourth side that connects the front surface and the back surface and connects the other longitudinal end of the first side surface to the other longitudinal end of the second side surface, wherein the first operating device is attachable to and detachable from the third side surface, and the second operating device is attachable to and detachable from the fourth side surface, wherein the first operating device has a first operating button on a first adjacent surface that is adjacent to one end of the first side surface when attached to the third side surface, and the second operating device has a second operating button on a second adjacent surface that is adjacent to the other end of the first side surface when attached to the fourth side surface.

[0018] According to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the gaming device according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, further comprising a second connector opening provided on the second side surface to which a cradle is connected.

[0019] According to an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a gaming device as described in the tenth aspect, in which, when the cradle is equipped with a cradle air vent through which air circulates between the inside and the outside, when the cradle is connected to the second connector opening, the microphone opening is located away from the cradle air vent in the short direction of the first side surface.

[0020] According to a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a gaming device as described in the eleventh aspect, wherein when the cradle is connected to the second connector opening, the first side faces in the same direction as the cradle air circulation port.

[0021] According to a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a gaming device described in any one of the tenth to twelfth aspects, wherein when the cradle is connected to the second connector opening, at least a portion of the front surface, at least a portion of the back surface, and at least a portion of the second side surface are covered by the cradle.

[0022] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. In addition, substantially the same components in the drawings are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0023] Furthermore, for the sake of convenience, the following uses terms indicating directions such as "up," "down," "horizontal," "vertical," and "height," assuming a state of normal use, but these terms are not intended to limit the state of use of the game device and game device set according to the present invention.

[0024] (Embodiment) The configuration of a gaming machine set and a gaming machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The gaming machine is a roughly rectangular parallelepiped-shaped device equipped with a display unit. In particular, in this embodiment, the gaming machine is a portable device that is used while placed on a surface such as a floor or tabletop, or while held by a user. The gaming machine may have functions other than gaming. For example, the gaming machine may be a personal computer capable of executing games, such as a portable gaming PC. Furthermore, game processing is not limited to being executed on the gaming machine itself, but may also be executed on a console or cloud separate from the gaming machine. In this case, for example, images or videos resulting from execution on the separate console or cloud are displayed on the display unit of the gaming machine.

[0025] Fig. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a gaming device set according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 1, the gaming device set 1 according to this embodiment includes a gaming device 2 and a cradle 3. The gaming device 2 is attachable to and detachable from the cradle 3. However, the gaming device 2 does not have to be attachable to and detachable from the cradle 3. Details of the gaming device 2 are described below. Details of the cradle 3 are described later.

[0026] For convenience of explanation, in this specification and the drawings, the depth direction of the game machine set 1 is referred to as the X direction, the width direction of the game machine set 1 is referred to as the Y direction, and the height direction of the game machine set 1 is referred to as the Z direction. The X direction, Y direction, and Z direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a front view schematically illustrating a gaming device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a gaming device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a gaming device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 , a gaming device 2 according to this embodiment includes a housing 4, a display unit 5, a first operating device 61, a second operating device 62, and a stand member 7. Note that the gaming device 2 may include only one of the first operating device 61 and the second operating device 62, or may not include the first operating device 61 or the second operating device 62. The gaming device 2 may not include the stand member 7.

[0028] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the housing 4 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing 4 may be formed as a single member by integral molding, or may be formed by combining multiple members. The housing 4 has an internal space. As will be described later, various members are disposed in the internal space. The housing 4 has a front surface 4A, a back surface 4B, and four side surfaces (a first side surface 4C, a second side surface 4D, a third side surface 4E, and a fourth side surface 4F).

[0029] The front surface 4A and the back surface 4B are spaced apart from each other in the X direction perpendicular to the front surface 4A. The front surface 4A and the back surface 4B face opposite to each other.

[0030] Each of the four side surfaces connects the front surface 4A to the back surface 4B.

[0031] The first side surface 4C and the second side surface 4D are spaced apart from each other in the Z direction and face opposite each other. The longitudinal direction of the first side surface 4C and the second side surface 4D is the Y direction, and the lateral direction of the first side surface 4C and the second side surface 4D is the X direction.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 2, the third side surface 4E connects one end 4Ca of the first side surface 4C in the Y direction to one end 4Da of the second side surface 4D in the Y direction. The fourth side surface 4F connects the other end 4Cb of the first side surface 4C in the Y direction to the other end 4Db of the second side surface 4D in the Y direction. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the third side surface 4E and the fourth side surface 4F are spaced apart from each other in the Y direction. The third side surface 4E and the fourth side surface 4F face opposite each other.

[0033] The display unit 5 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is disposed in the internal space of the housing 4. The display unit 5 displays images, videos, etc. using means such as liquid crystal and organic electroluminescence (EL). As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an opening is formed in the front surface 4A of the housing 4 except for the outer edge. The display unit 5 is exposed to the outside of the housing 4 through this opening. This allows images, videos, etc. displayed on the display unit 5 to be viewed from outside the game device 2. The game device 2 may also be capable of displaying images, videos, etc. on an external display such as a television. In this case, for example, the game device 2 is equipped with an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface (registered trademark)) terminal, and the game device 2 and the external display are connected via an HDMI cable.

[0034] The first operating device 61 and the second operating device 62 shown in FIG. 2 are used to operate the game device 2. One user may use at least one of the first operating device 61 and the second operating device 62 to play a game executed on the game device 2. Two users may play a game executed on the game device 2, with one using the first operating device 61 and the other using the second operating device 62. Operating devices other than the first operating device 61 and the second operating device 62 may be used to operate the game device 2. In this case, three or more users can play a game executed on the game device 2. For example, a first user may use the first operating device 61, a second user may use the second operating device 62, and a third user may use another operating device, so that three users can play a game executed on the game device 2. The first operating device 61, the second operating device 62, and the other operating devices may be capable of remotely operating the game device 2 via a network such as the Internet. In this case, multiple users in different locations can play a game executed on the game device 2.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 2 , in this embodiment, the first operating device 61 includes a stick 611, a front operating button 612, and a side operating button 613 for operation, and the second operating device 62 includes a stick 621, a front operating button 622, and a side operating button 623 for operation. The stick 611 and the front operating button 612 are provided on a front surface 61B of the first operating device 61. The side operating button 613 is provided on a side surface 61A of the first operating device 61. The side operating button 613 is an example of a first operating button. The side surface 61A is an example of a first adjacent surface. The stick 621 and the front operating button 622 are provided on a front surface 62B of the second operating device 62. The side operating button 623 is provided on a side surface 62A of the second operating device 62. The side operating button 623 is an example of a second operating button. The side surface 62A is an example of a second adjacent surface.

[0036] The first operating device 61 and the second operating device 62 are attachable to and detachable from the housing 4, which is the main body of the game device 2. The first operating device 61 is attachable to and detachable from the third side surface 4E of the housing 4. The second operating device 62 is attachable to and detachable from the fourth side surface 4F of the housing 4. A configuration for attaching and detaching the first operating device 61 and the second operating device 62 to and from the housing 4 in this embodiment will be described below. Note that the configuration for attaching and detaching the first operating device 61 and the second operating device 62 to and from the housing 4 is not limited to the configuration described below. Furthermore, the first operating device 61 and the second operating device 62 do not have to be attachable to and detachable from the housing 4, and may be fixed to the housing 4.

[0037] The first operating device 61 has a protrusion 614 extending along the longitudinal direction of the side surface 61C on a side surface 61C other than the side surface 61A. The second operating device 62 has a protrusion 624 extending along the longitudinal direction of the side surface 62C on a side surface 62C other than the side surface 62A. Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 1 , a groove 4Ea extending in the Z direction is formed on the third side surface 4E of the housing 4, and a groove 4Fa extending in the Z direction is formed on the fourth side surface 4F of the housing 4. The first operating device 61 is attached to the third side surface 4E of the housing 4 by inserting the protrusion 614 into the groove 4Ea while sliding it along one side of the Z direction. The second operating device 62 is attached to the fourth side surface 4F of the housing 4 by inserting the protrusion 624 into the groove 4Fa while sliding it along the other side of the Z direction. The first operating device 61 and the second operating device 62 are removed from the housing 4 by sliding them along the other side of the Z direction.

[0038] 2 , when the first operating device 61 is attached to the third side surface 4E of the housing 4, the side surface 61A on which the side operation button 613 of the first operating device 61 is provided is adjacent to one end 4Ca of the first side surface 4C of the housing 4. When the second operating device 62 is attached to the fourth side surface 4F of the housing 4, the side surface 62A on which the side operation button 623 of the second operating device 62 is provided is adjacent to the other end 4Cb of the first side surface 4C of the housing 4.

[0039] The first operating device 61 and the second operating device 62 are electrically connected wirelessly to the main body of the game device 2 (more specifically, to a circuit board 81 (see FIG. 7 ) within the main body). Note that the first operating device 61 and the second operating device 62 may also be electrically connected to the main body of the game device 2 via a wire.

[0040] FIG. 5 is a side view schematically illustrating a gaming device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the stand member 7 is supported by the rear surface 4B of the housing 4 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis 7A. The stand member 7 is rotatable between a closed position shown in FIG. 4 and an open position shown in FIG. 5 . As shown in FIG. 4 , when the stand member 7 is in the closed position, the pivot tip 71 of the stand member 7 contacts the rear surface 4B of the housing 4. As a result, the stand member 7 forms part of the rear surface 4B. As shown in FIG. 5 , when the stand member 7 is in the open position, the pivot tip 71 of the stand member 7 is separated from the rear surface 4B of the housing 4. As a result, when the stand member 7 is in the open position, the gaming device 2 stands on its own on the mounting surface 93 with the second side surface 4D of the housing 4 and the pivot tip 71 of the stand member 7 in contact with the mounting surface 93. Note that the gaming device 2 does not have to be self-standing.

[0041] Fig. 6 is a plan view schematically showing a gaming device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in Fig. 6.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 6 , the first side surface 4C of the housing 4 has multiple openings. For example, the multiple openings include an air vent 41, a first connector opening 42, an audio terminal insertion opening 43, a card slot opening 44, a microphone opening 45, an opening for exposing the operation buttons 82 to the outside, and an opening for exposing the optical sensor 83 to the outside. The multiple openings communicate with the interior and exterior of the housing 4. Note that each of the multiple openings does not necessarily have to be provided on the first side surface 4C, and may be provided on other surfaces (the front surface 4A, the back surface 4B, the second side surface 4D, the third side surface 4E, and the fourth side surface 4F). Furthermore, the game device 2 may not have some of the multiple openings.

[0043] 7 , in addition to the display unit 5, a number of components are arranged in the internal space of the housing 4. For example, the multiple components include a circuit board 81, operation buttons 82, an optical sensor 83, a fan 84, an internal connector 85, an audio terminal connector 86, a card slot 87, and a sound collection unit 88.

[0044] Below, we will explain each of the multiple components arranged in the internal space of the housing 4. Note that the relative positional relationship in the Y direction between the multiple components and the multiple openings provided on the first side surface 4C of the housing 4 will be explained after explaining each of the multiple components.

[0045] Various electronic components such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memory are mounted on the board 81. These various electronic components control the game device 2. The board 81 is electrically connected to the display unit 5, the first operating device 61, and the second operating device 62.

[0046] The operation buttons 82 are buttons that are pressed by the user to operate the game device 2. In this embodiment, the operation buttons 82 include a power button 821 and volume buttons 822 and 823. The power button 821 and the volume buttons 822 and 823 are electrically connected to the substrate 81 via a flexible printed circuit (FPC) 89.

[0047] 6, the power button 821 and the volume buttons 822 and 823 are exposed to the outside of the game device 2 through openings provided in the first side surface 4C. In other words, the operation button 82 is provided on the first side surface 4C. This allows the power button 821 and the volume buttons 822 and 823 to be pressed by the user.

[0048] When the power button 821 is pressed while the power of the game device 2 is off, the game device 2 starts up. When the power button 821 is pressed while the power of the game device 2 is on, the game device 2 shuts down.

[0049] Pressing the volume button 822 decreases the volume output from a speaker (not shown) built into the game device 2. Pressing the volume button 823 increases the volume output from the speaker.

[0050] There is no restriction on the number and type of operation buttons 82. For example, the operation buttons 82 may include a power button 821 and volume buttons 822 and 823, as well as a button for adjusting the brightness of the display unit 5.

[0051] The optical sensor 83 is exposed to the outside of the game device 2 through an opening provided in the first side surface 4C. In other words, the optical sensor 83 is provided on the first side surface 4C. The optical sensor 83 detects light from outside the game device 2. As shown in FIG. 7 , the optical sensor 83 is electrically connected to the substrate 81 via a flexible printed circuit board 89.

[0052] 7 is driven to circulate air in the interior space of the housing 4. The fan 84 is electrically connected to the board 81 via a connector 841.

[0053] The fan 84 is disposed next to three air vents 41 provided on the first side surface 4C of the housing 4. Air in the interior space of the housing 4 circulated by the fan 84 is discharged to the outside of the housing 4 through the three air vents 41. In this embodiment, the fan 84 performs exhaust, and the three air vents 41 function as exhaust ports. Note that the fan 84 may also perform intake, drawing air from outside the housing 4 into the interior. In this case, the three air vents 41 can function as intake ports. In other words, air circulates between the inside and outside of the housing 4 through the three air vents 41. The number of air vents 41 is not limited to three.

[0054] 7 is connected to an external connector 91 via a first connector opening 42 provided on a first side surface 4C of the housing 4. The internal connector 85 is electrically connected to the board 81. In this embodiment, the internal connector 85 is a Type-C connector of the Universal Serial Bus (registered trademark) USB, but may be a connector other than a USB. The internal connector 85 is electrically connected to the board 81.

[0055] An audio input / output terminal 921 is connected to the audio terminal connector 86 shown in Fig. 7 via an audio terminal insertion port 43 provided on the first side surface 4C of the housing 4. That is, the audio input / output terminal 921 is inserted into the audio terminal insertion port 43. In this embodiment, the audio input / output terminal 921 is a terminal for headphones 92, but is not limited to this. For example, the audio input / output terminal 921 may be a terminal for earphones or a terminal for a headset. The audio terminal connector 86 is electrically connected to the board 81.

[0056] 7, a card is inserted into the card slot 87 through a card slot opening 44 provided on the first side surface 4C of the housing 4. In this embodiment, the card is, for example, a game card storing a game program to be executed by the game device 2, but is not limited to this. For example, the card may be a memory card such as an SD memory card capable of storing any data. The card slot 87 is electrically connected to the circuit board 81.

[0057] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6 , a lid 441 capable of covering the card slot opening 44 is provided on the first side surface 4C. The lid 441 is supported by the first side surface 4C so as to be rotatable about a rotation shaft 44A. The lid 441 is rotatable between a closed position (position shown in Fig. 6 ) in which the card slot opening 44 is covered and an open position in which the card slot opening 44 is exposed to the outside of the housing 4.

[0058] 7 is disposed next to the microphone opening 45 provided on the first side surface 4C of the housing 4. The sound collection unit 88 includes a microphone 881. The configuration of the sound collection unit 88 will be described in detail later. Sound from outside the housing 4 is collected by the microphone 881 via the microphone opening 45. In other words, the microphone opening 45 is used to connect the outside of the housing 4 with the microphone 881.

[0059] 6 , the relative positional relationship in the Y direction of the multiple components and multiple openings provided on the first side surface 4C of the housing 4 will be described. The multiple components are the operation buttons 82 (power button 821 and volume buttons 822, 823) and the optical sensor 83. The multiple openings are the air vent 41, the first connector opening 42, the audio terminal insertion opening 43, the card slot opening 44, and the microphone opening 45.

[0060] 6 , the multiple members and multiple openings are arranged in the following order along the Y direction: That is, the multiple members and multiple openings are arranged in the following order from the side closest to the one end 4Ca: operation button 82, optical sensor 83, air vent 41, first connector opening 42, audio terminal insertion opening 43, card slot opening 44, and microphone opening 45. The operation buttons 82 are arranged in the following order along the Y direction from the side closest to the one end 4Ca: power button 821, volume button 822, and volume button 823. Arranging the multiple members and multiple openings in the above order achieves the following.

[0061] In the Y direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the first side surface 4C, the air vent 41 is provided between the microphone opening 45 and the operation button 82. The air vent 41 is also provided between the card slot opening 44 and the operation button 82. In other words, the air vent 41 is provided between the microphone opening 45, the card slot opening 44, and the operation button 82. The air vent 41 may also be provided on the back surface 4B. In this case, the air vent 41 is located so as not to overlap with the microphone opening 45 when viewed along the Z direction. In this case, the operation button 82 is provided on one side of the air vent 41 in the Y direction, and the microphone opening 45 is provided on the other side of the air vent 41.

[0062] In the Y direction, the card slot opening 44 is provided between the microphone opening 45 and the air vent 41. The card slot opening 44 does not have to be provided between the microphone opening 45 and the air vent 41. Instead of the card slot opening 44, a functional element, such as an opening for exposing the optical sensor 83 to the outside, may be provided between the microphone opening 45 and the air vent 41. Furthermore, in addition to the card slot 87, another slot (e.g., the aforementioned slot for an SD memory card) may be provided between the microphone opening 45 and the air vent 41. Furthermore, functional elements including the card slot 87 (in other words, the aforementioned multiple components and multiple openings) do not have to be provided between the microphone opening 45 and the air vent 41. In this case, the functional element may be provided between the air vent 41 and the one-side end 4Ca on the first side surface 4C, or may be provided on a surface other than the first side surface 4C (the front surface 4A, the back surface 4B, the second side surface 4D, the third side surface 4E, and the fourth side surface 4F).

[0063] In the Y direction, the first connector opening 42 is provided between the air vent 41 and the card slot opening 44. The first connector opening 42 may be provided between the card slot opening 44 and the microphone opening 45.

[0064] In the Y direction, the audio terminal insertion opening 43 is provided between the air vent 41 and the card slot opening 44. The audio terminal insertion opening 43 may also be provided between the card slot opening 44 and the microphone opening 45.

[0065] In the Y direction, the optical sensor 83 is provided between the operation button 82 and the air vent 41. The optical sensor 83 may be provided between the air vent 41 and the microphone opening 45. The operation button 82 or a speaker opening (not shown) may be provided between the air vent 41 and the microphone opening 45.

[0066] In this embodiment, no operation unit is provided in the Y direction between the microphone opening 45 and the air vent 41. Here, the operation unit is a button different from the operation button 82, for example, a button for adjusting the brightness of the display unit 5. Note that the operation unit may be provided on at least one of the front surface 4A, the back surface 4B, the third side surface 4E, and the fourth side surface 4F.

[0067] The configuration of the sound collection unit 88 will be described in detail below with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of the portion surrounded by the dashed line in Fig. 7.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 8, the sound collection unit 88 includes a microphone 881 , a sealing rubber 882 , a dustproof mesh 883 , and a flexible printed circuit board 884 .

[0069] The microphone 881 has an intake hole 881A for taking in sound from the outside. The flexible printed circuit board 884 has a through-hole 884A that penetrates the flexible printed circuit board 884 in the thickness direction. The microphone 881 is mounted on the flexible printed circuit board 884 so that the intake hole 881A and the through-hole 884A overlap.

[0070] The dustproof mesh 883 is attached to the surface of the flexible printed circuit board 884 opposite to the surface on which the microphone 881 is mounted. The dustproof mesh 883 is attached to the flexible printed circuit board 884 so as to overlap with the through-hole 884A. This reduces the intrusion of foreign matter from outside the sound collection unit 88 into the interior of the microphone 881 through the through-hole 884A and the intake hole 881A.

[0071] The sealing rubber 882 has a path 882A and a microphone accommodating space 882B. The path 882A communicates with the outside of the sealing rubber 882 via an outer opening 882Aa and communicates with the microphone accommodating space 882B via an inner opening 882Ab. The microphone accommodating space 882B communicates with the outside of the sealing rubber 882 via the path 882A.

[0072] The sealing rubber 882 is disposed in the internal space of the housing 4 so that the surface on which the outer opening 882Aa is formed is pressed against the inner surface 4Cc, which is the back surface of the first side surface 4C of the housing 4. Note that in Fig. 8, the sealing rubber 882 and the inner surface 4Cc are depicted as overlapping, which indicates that the sealing rubber 882 is pressed against the inner surface 4Cc.

[0073] When viewed along the Z direction perpendicular to the first side surface 4C, the outer opening 882Aa overlaps with the microphone opening 45. In other words, the outer opening 882Aa is the opening of the path 882A on the microphone opening 45 side. The path 882A communicates with the outside of the housing 4 via the microphone opening 45.

[0074] The microphone 881 and dustproof mesh 883 are housed in the microphone housing space 882B. The dustproof mesh 883 covers the inner opening 882Ab. When viewed in the Z direction, the inner opening 882Ab overlaps with the through-hole 884A and the intake hole 881A. In other words, the inner opening 882Ab is the opening on the intake hole 881A side of the path 882A.

[0075] As described above, the outside of the housing 4 and the microphone 881 are in communication via the microphone opening 45, the path 882A, the dustproof mesh 883, the through-hole 884A, and the intake hole 881A.

[0076] Foreign matter such as dust that has entered the interior of the housing 4 from the outside through the microphone opening 45 can enter the interior of the microphone 881 through the path 882A, the dustproof mesh 883, the through-hole 884A, and the intake hole 881A. However, most of the foreign matter is prevented from entering the interior of the microphone 881 by the dustproof mesh 883.

[0077] When viewed along the Z direction, the intake hole 881A is positioned away from the microphone opening 45. In other words, when viewed along the Z direction, the intake hole 881A does not overlap with the microphone opening 45. In the Y direction, the intake hole 881A is positioned on the opposite side of the microphone opening 45 from the air vent 41 (see FIG. 7 ). In other words, when viewed along the Z direction, the microphone opening 45 is positioned between the intake hole 881A and the air vent 41.

[0078] When viewed along the Z direction, a portion of the outer opening 882Aa and a portion of the inner opening 882Ab overlap in an overlap range Rge. When viewed along the Z direction, a portion of the outer opening 882Aa overlaps only a portion of the inner opening 882Ab.

[0079] The flexible printed circuit board 884 is provided across the inside and outside of the sealing rubber 882. The portion of the flexible printed circuit board 884 on which the microphone 881 is mounted is located inside the sealing rubber 882. The portion of the flexible printed circuit board 884 excluding the portion on which the microphone 881 is mounted penetrates the sealing rubber 882 in the X direction and extends to the outside of the sealing rubber 882. The flexible printed circuit board 884 that extends to the outside of the sealing rubber 882 extends in the Z direction from the sealing rubber 882 to the substrate 81. As a result, the microphone 881 is electrically connected to the substrate 81 via the flexible printed circuit board 884.

[0080] The configuration of the sound collection unit 88 is not limited to the configuration shown in Fig. 8. For example, the shape of the microphone accommodating space 882B may be different from the shape shown in Fig. 8. Also, for example, a microphone box that accommodates the microphone 881 and has a hole may be arranged on the inner circumferential surface of the housing 4 so that the hole communicates with the microphone opening 45.

[0081] As shown in Fig. 3, a second connector opening 46 is provided on the second side surface 4D of the housing 4. In this embodiment, the second connector opening 46 is recessed in the Z direction from the second side surface 4D. The second connector opening 46 is for electrically connecting the game device 2 to the cradle 3 described below. The second connector opening 46 is electrically connected to the board 81. Note that the game device 2 does not necessarily have to have the second connector opening 46.

[0082] 9 is a plan view schematically illustrating a cradle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The cradle 3 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure supports the attached game device 2 and is electrically connected to the supported game device 2. The cradle 3 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can function as a charger that charges the supported game device 2. The cradle 3 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can also expand the functionality of the supported game device 2. For example, the functionality of the game device 2 can be expanded by connecting the game device 2 to a wired local area network (LAN) via the cradle 3. Another example of the functionality of the game device 2 can be expanded by displaying an image displayed on a display unit 5 provided on the game device 2 on an external display, such as a television, connected to the cradle 3.

[0083] 1 and 9, the cradle 3 has a recess 3B recessed in the Z direction from an upper surface 3A. The recess 3B extends along the Y direction from one end to the other end of the cradle 3 in the Y direction. The recess 3B is composed of side surfaces 3Ba and 3Bb facing each other in the X direction, and a bottom surface 3Bc connecting the side surfaces 3Ba and 3Bb.

[0084] 9 , a connection terminal 31 is provided on the bottom surface 3Bc that constitutes the recess 3B of the cradle 3. In this embodiment, the connection terminal 31 protrudes from the bottom surface 3Bc in the Z direction. The connection terminal 31 is used to electrically connect the cradle 3 to the game device 2.

[0085] As shown in Figures 1 and 9, a cradle air vent 3Aa is provided on the top surface 3A of the cradle 3. The cradle air vent 3Aa connects the outside and the inside of the cradle 3. That is, air circulates between the inside and the outside of the cradle 3 via the cradle air vent 3Aa. In this embodiment, the cradle air vent 3Aa functions as an exhaust port that exhausts air inside the cradle 3 to the outside. Note that the cradle air vent 3Aa may also function as an intake port that draws air outside the cradle 3 into the inside. In Figures 1 and 9, the cradle 3 has one cradle air vent 3Aa, but the number of cradle air vents 3Aa is not limited to one.

[0086] The game device 2 can be inserted into the recess 3B. As shown in FIG. 1 , when the game device 2 is inserted into the recess 3B, a portion of the front surface 4A of the housing 4, a portion of the back surface 4B of the housing 4, and the entire second side surface 4D of the housing 4 are covered by the cradle 3. In other words, when the game device 2 is inserted into the recess 3B, the first side surface 4C is not covered by the cradle 3. In this embodiment, the portion of the front surface 4A of the housing 4 is the portion excluding the upper part of the front surface 4A, and the portion of the back surface 4B of the housing 4 is the portion excluding the upper part of the back surface 4B. Note that only a portion of the second side surface 4D of the housing 4 may be covered by the cradle 3.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 1 , when the game device 2 is inserted into the recess 3B, the front surface 4A of the housing 4 and the side surface 3Ba of the recess 3B of the cradle 3 face each other in the X direction. When the game device 2 is inserted into the recess 3B, the back surface 4B of the housing 4 and the side surface 3Bb of the recess 3B of the cradle 3 face each other in the X direction. When the game device 2 is inserted into the recess 3B, the second side surface 4D of the housing 4 and the bottom surface 3Bc of the recess 3B of the cradle 3 face each other in the Z direction. When the game device 2 is inserted into the recess 3B, the connection terminal 31 of the cradle 3 (see FIG. 9 ) is inserted into the second connector opening 46 (see FIG. 3 ) provided on the second side surface 4D of the game device 2. In other words, when the game device 2 is inserted into the recess 3B, the second connector opening 46 of the game device 2 and the connection terminal 31 of the cradle 3 are connected.

[0088] 1 , when the game device 2 is inserted into the recess 3B, that is, when the cradle 3 is connected to the second connector opening 46, the microphone opening 45 of the game device 2 is positioned away from the cradle airflow port 3Aa of the cradle 3 in the X direction. In other words, when the cradle 3 is connected to the second connector opening 46, the position of the microphone opening 45 of the game device 2 in the X direction is different from the position of the cradle airflow port 3Aa of the cradle 3 in the X direction. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the cradle 3 is connected to the second connector opening 46, the microphone opening 45 of the game device 2 is also positioned away from the cradle airflow port 3Aa of the cradle 3 in the Y direction. When the cradle 3 is connected to the second connector opening 46, the microphone opening 45 of the game device 2 is positioned away from the cradle airflow port 3Aa of the cradle 3 at least in the X and Y directions. Furthermore, when the cradle 3 is connected to the second connector opening 46, the top surface 3A of the cradle 3 on which the cradle air vent 3Aa is provided and the first side surface 4C of the game device 2 face in the same direction.

[0089] The game device 2 can achieve the following effects.

[0090] A gaming device includes one or more functional elements, such as an air vent, a microphone opening, operation buttons, and a card slot opening. Arranging multiple functional elements on one side of the housing of the gaming device is desirable from the perspective of space utilization and user convenience. A display unit is typically located on the front of the housing. When functional elements are located on the front of the housing, the display unit is smaller than when the functional elements are located on the side of the housing. Arranging multiple operation buttons on the back or bottom of the housing may reduce operability. The gaming device may be attached to a cradle. In this case, some of the multiple side surfaces of the housing are located within the cradle. Therefore, if functional elements are located on these side surfaces, they may be covered by the cradle. Therefore, in this embodiment, the functional elements of the gaming device are located on one of the side surfaces of the housing excluding the other side surface. According to the configuration of this embodiment, functional elements such as the air vent 41, the microphone opening 45, the operation buttons 82, and the card slot opening 44 are provided on the first side surface 4C. In other words, the functional elements are concentrated on the first side surface 4C.

[0091] In many gaming devices that are held by a user, the user holds both longitudinal ends of the gaming device with their right and left hands, and therefore, there is a high possibility that the user's hands will be positioned near both ends of the sides of the gaming device.

[0092] According to this embodiment, the operation button 82 is provided between one of the two end portions (one end portion 4Ca) of the first side surface 4C and the air vent 41, and the microphone opening 45 and the card slot opening 44 are provided between the other end portion (the other end portion 4Cb) of the first side surface 4C and the air vent 41. Therefore, the air vent 41 can be positioned away from the one end portion 4Ca and the other end portion 4Cb. As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility that exhaust air from the air vent 41 will hit the user's hands.

[0093] According to this embodiment, the operation button 82 is provided between the one side end 4Ca and the air vent 41. This allows the operation button 82 to be located closer to the one side end 4Ca than in a configuration in which the air vent 41 is provided between the operation button 82 and the one side end 4Ca. As a result, the user's hand can more easily reach the operation button 82, making it easier for the user to operate the operation button 82.

[0094] According to this embodiment, the card slot opening 44 is provided between the microphone opening 45 and the air vent 41. This allows the microphone opening 45 to be located away from the air vent 41. As a result, it is possible to reduce the input of noise generated at the air vent 41, such as the sound of air flow and the driving sound of the fan 84, into the microphone 881.

[0095] According to this embodiment, the card slot opening 44 and the air vent 41 are provided between the microphone opening 45 and the operation button 82. This allows the microphone opening 45 to be located away from the operation button 82. As a result, noise generated by the operation button 82, such as the operation sound of the operation button 82, input to the microphone 881 can be reduced. Furthermore, since the microphone opening 45 is located far from the operation button 82, the possibility that the user's hand operating the operation button 82 will block the microphone opening 45 is reduced. This will be described in detail below. In this embodiment, the operation button 82 is provided on one side of the center of the first side surface 4C in the Y direction, and the microphone opening 45 is provided on the other side of the center. Therefore, when a user operates the operation button 82 with a finger on one side of the center while holding the game device 2, it is unlikely that the finger on that side will reach the microphone opening 45 located on the other side of the center, and therefore the microphone opening 45 is unlikely to be blocked by the finger on that side. Furthermore, since it is unlikely that a user will operate the operation button 82 on one side of the center with the fingers on the other side of the center while holding the game device 2, it is also unlikely that the fingers on the other side will block the microphone opening 45.

[0096] According to this embodiment, the card slot opening 44 is located between the microphone opening 45 and the air vent 41. That is, the card slot opening 44 is located near the microphone opening 45. The card slot opening 44 is less likely to emit noise than the air vent 41 and the operation buttons 82. This will be described in detail below. The card slot opening 44 emits noise when a card is inserted into or removed from the card slot opening 44. However, for example, card insertion and removal are not performed frequently while a user is playing a game on the game device 2 (during the game). In particular, when communication is performed via the microphone 881 during a game, it is assumed that the frequency of card insertion and removal is lower than the frequency of operation of the operation buttons 82, etc., or the frequency of ventilation noise generated from the air vent 41. For the reasons described above, during the game, noise caused by the card slot opening 44 is lower than noise caused by the air vent 41 and the operation buttons 82. As a result, the increase in noise contained in the sound passing through the microphone opening 45 can be suppressed overall.

[0097] According to this embodiment, no operation unit is provided near the microphone opening 45. Therefore, noise generated in the operation unit, for example, operation sounds of the operation unit, input to the microphone 881 can be reduced.

[0098] To remove foreign matter in the path 882A, for example, air may be blown into the path 882A through the microphone opening 45. At this time, there is a risk that high-pressure air will enter the microphone 881 through the intake hole 881A of the microphone 881. According to the present embodiment, when viewed along the Z direction orthogonal to the first side surface 4C, the intake hole 881A of the microphone 881 is located away from the microphone opening 45. This makes it possible to prevent the high-pressure air from hitting the intake hole 881A of the microphone 881.

[0099] According to this embodiment, when viewed along the Z direction perpendicular to the first side surface 4C, a portion of the outer opening 882Aa and a portion of the inner opening 882Ab of the path 882A overlap. This makes it easier for the air to reach the inner opening 882Ab when blowing air from the microphone opening 45 into the path 882A. This makes it easier for the air to spread throughout the entire path 882A. As a result, it is possible to reduce the amount of foreign matter remaining in the path 882A after the air is blown.

[0100] According to this embodiment, in the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the first side surface 4C, the intake hole 881A of the microphone 881 is located on the opposite side of the microphone opening 45 from the air vent 41. In this case, compared to a configuration in which the intake hole 881A of the microphone 881 is located on the air vent 41 side of the microphone opening 45 in the Y direction, the intake hole 881A of the microphone 881 can be located farther away from the air vent 41. This makes it possible to reduce the input of noise generated at the air vent 41 to the microphone 881.

[0101] According to this embodiment, the card slot opening 44 is provided between the microphone opening 45 and the first connector opening 42. This allows the microphone opening 45 to be spaced apart from the first connector opening 42. As a result, it is possible to reduce input of noise generated at the first connector opening 42, for example, noise generated when the external connector 91 is inserted into or removed from the first connector opening 42, into the microphone 881.

[0102] According to this embodiment, the card slot opening 44 is provided between the microphone opening 45 and the audio terminal insertion opening 43. This allows the microphone opening 45 to be located away from the audio terminal insertion opening 43. As a result, it is possible to reduce input of noise generated at the audio terminal insertion opening 43, for example, noise generated when headphones 92 or earphones are inserted or removed from the audio terminal insertion opening 43, into the microphone 881.

[0103] When the optical sensor 83 is provided on the opposite side of the operation button 82 from the air vent 41, the optical sensor 83 is located between the one side end 4Ca and the operation button 82. In this case, the optical sensor 83 is more likely to be blocked by the hand of a user operating the operation button 82. According to the present embodiment, the optical sensor 83 is provided between the operation button 82 and the air vent 41. In this case, the operation button 82 is located between the optical sensor 83 and the one side end 4Ca. This reduces the possibility that the optical sensor 83 will be blocked by the hand of a user operating the operation button 82, compared to when the optical sensor 83 is located between the one side end 4Ca and the operation button 82.

[0104] According to this embodiment, when the game device 2 stands on its own, the first side surface 4C is located at the top of the game device 2. This reduces noise input to the microphone 881 provided on the first side surface 4C when the game device 2 stands on its own, such as noise generated when the stand member 7 comes into contact with the mounting surface 93. Furthermore, if the microphone opening 45 were provided on the second side surface 4D, which is the bottom surface of the game device 2 when it stands on its own, the mounting surface 93 would prevent the microphone 881 from collecting sound through the microphone opening 45. However, in this embodiment, the microphone opening 45 is provided on the first side surface 4C, which is the top surface of the game device 2 when it stands on its own. Therefore, the microphone 881 can collect sound more easily than if the microphone opening 45 were provided on the second side surface 4D.

[0105] According to this embodiment, the microphone opening 45 is provided on the first side surface 4C, which is located opposite to the second side surface 4D on which the second connector opening 46 to which the cradle 3 is connected is provided. This reduces input of noise generated at the second connector opening 46 to the microphone 881 of the game device 2 when the game device 2 is attached to the cradle 3. Furthermore, if the microphone opening 45 were provided on the second side surface 4D, which is the bottom surface when the game device 2 is attached to the cradle 3, the cradle 3 would block sound collection by the microphone 881 through the microphone opening 45. However, in this embodiment, the microphone opening 45 is provided on the first side surface 4C, which is the top surface when the game device 2 is attached to the cradle 3. Therefore, the microphone 881 can collect sound more easily than if the microphone opening 45 were provided on the second side surface 4D.

[0106] The game device 2 of this embodiment includes a housing 4, which is the main device, and a first operating device 61 and a second operating device 62 that can be attached to and detached from the housing 4. The microphone 881 is provided on the main device (housing 4). This configuration of the game device 2 of this embodiment facilitates voice communication, as exemplified below, compared to a configuration in which the microphone 881 is provided on the first operating device 61 and the second operating device 62. For example, when multiple people are playing a game with the game device 2 displaying images, videos, etc. on an external display such as a television, it is easy to connect with one or more people in another location and engage in voice communication. In the configuration described above in which the microphone opening 45 is provided on the first side surface 4C, the microphone 881 easily picks up surrounding sounds, making the above-described voice communication easier.

[0107] Furthermore, when a user is playing a game while the game device 2 is displaying images, videos, etc. on an external display such as a television, the following can be said. When the microphone 881 is provided on the control devices (the first control device 61 and the second control device 62), there is a large variation in the distance between each of the multiple users and the control devices. Furthermore, when the control devices are connected to the main device via wireless communication, there is a risk of audio degradation due to communication delays and packet loss. On the other hand, when the microphone 881 is provided on the main device, the variation in the distance between each of the multiple users and the main device is smaller than the variation that occurs when the microphone 881 is provided on the control device. For example, when a person using a control device with a microphone 881 and a person not using a control device (or using a control device without a microphone 881) are in the same space, the distance between each person and the control device with the microphone 881 is likely to vary. On the other hand, when the main device is provided with the microphone 881, there is less variation in the distance between the main device and the control device between the person using the control device and people around them (regardless of whether they are using a control device or not). Therefore, it is possible to easily pick up the voices of people around the main device. Furthermore, in a configuration in which the microphone 881 is provided in the main device, the operation device and the main device are connected by wire, so audio degradation due to communication delays and packet loss is less likely to occur compared to a configuration in which the microphone 881 is provided in the operation device.

[0108] Furthermore, in the above-described configuration in which the microphone opening 45 is provided on the first side surface 4C, the microphone 881 can easily pick up surrounding sounds, so that, for example, the microphone 881 can easily pick up the voices of all the people around the game device 2.

[0109] The microphone 881 does not need to have directionality. If the microphone 881 does not have directionality, the microphone 881 can pick up the voices of people in the vicinity regardless of the relative direction of the people with respect to the microphone 881. For example, when multiple people are playing a game while the game device 2 is displaying images, videos, etc. on an external display such as a television, the microphone 881 can pick up the voices of all of the people.

[0110] According to this embodiment, when the cradle 3 is connected to the second connector opening 46, the microphone opening 45 is positioned away from the cradle airflow port 3Aa of the cradle 3 in the short direction (X direction) of the first side surface 4C. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the microphone opening 45 is also positioned away from the cradle airflow port 3Aa of the cradle 3 in the long direction (Y direction) of the first side surface 4C. This makes it possible to reduce input of noise generated when air flows through the cradle airflow port 3Aa of the cradle 3, such as the driving noise of a fan disposed inside the cradle 3, into the microphone 881 of the game device 2.

[0111] If the game device set 1 is configured so that the first side surface 4C of the game device 2 is covered by the cradle 3 when the game device 2 is attached to the cradle 3, noise generated at the air vent 41 or the like is likely to be guided to the microphone opening 45 while being reflected by the surface of the cradle 3 that faces the first side surface 4C. According to this embodiment, the first side surface 4C of the game device 2 can be prevented from being covered by the cradle 3 when the game device 2 is attached to the cradle 3. This makes it possible to reduce the input of noise generated at the air vent 41 or the like into the microphone opening 45 compared to when the first side surface 4C of the game device 2 is covered by the cradle 3.

[0112] According to this embodiment, among the surfaces of the cradle 3, surfaces covering the front 4A, back 4B, and second side surface 4D of the game device 2 (the side surface 3Ba, side surface 3Bb, and bottom surface 3Bc of the recess 3B) can be provided with a functional section that guides the game device 2 when the game device 2 is attached to the cradle 3. This allows the game device 2 to be attached to the cradle 3 smoothly.

[0113] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 Game device 3 Cradle 3Aa Cradle air vent 4 Housing 4A Front 4B Back 4C First side 4Ca One side end 4Cb Other side end 4D Second side 4E Third side 4F Fourth side 41 Air vent 42 First connector opening 43 Audio terminal insertion opening 44 Card slot opening 45 Microphone opening 46 Second connector opening 5 Display unit 61 First operating device 61A Side 613 Side operating button 62 Second operating device 62A Side 623 Side operating button 7 Stand member 71 Pivoting tip 82 Operating button 83 Optical sensor 881 Microphone 881A Intake hole 882A Path 882Aa Outer opening 882Ab Inner opening

Claims

1. A gaming device comprising: a housing having a front surface on which a display unit is arranged, a back surface that is spaced apart from the front surface in a depth direction perpendicular to the front surface and faces away from the front surface, a first side surface connecting the front surface and the back surface, and a second side surface that connects the front surface and the back surface, is spaced apart from the first side surface in a height direction perpendicular to the depth direction and faces away from the first side surface; a microphone arranged inside the housing; an air circulation port that is arranged on the first side surface or the back surface and allows air to circulate between the inside and outside of the housing; a microphone opening that is arranged on the first side surface and connects the outside of the housing to the microphone; operation buttons that are arranged on the first side surface; and a card slot opening that is arranged on the first side surface, wherein the air circulation port is arranged between the microphone opening, the card slot opening, and the operation buttons in the longitudinal direction of the first side surface, and the card slot opening is arranged between the microphone opening and the air circulation port in the longitudinal direction of the first side surface.

2. The game device according to claim 1, wherein no operation part that is a button different from the operation button is provided between the microphone opening and the air circulation opening in the longitudinal direction of the first side surface.

3. The game device of claim 1, wherein the microphone has an intake hole for taking in sound, and further comprises a path connecting the microphone opening and the intake hole, and when viewed along a direction perpendicular to the first side, the intake hole is located away from the microphone opening, and when viewed along a direction perpendicular to the first side, a portion of an outer opening which is the opening of the path on the microphone opening side and a portion of an inner opening which is the opening of the path on the intake hole side overlap.

4. The game device according to claim 1, wherein the microphone has an intake hole for taking in sound, and in the longitudinal direction of the first side surface, the intake hole is located on the opposite side of the air vent from the microphone opening.

5. The game device according to claim 1, further comprising a first connector opening provided on the first side surface for connection to an external connector, the first connector opening being provided between the air circulation port and the card slot opening in the longitudinal direction of the first side surface.

6. The game device according to claim 1, further comprising an audio terminal insertion port provided on the first side surface into which an audio input / output terminal is inserted, the audio terminal insertion port being provided between the air circulation port and the card slot opening in the longitudinal direction of the first side surface.

7. The game device according to claim 1, further comprising an optical sensor provided on the first side surface, the optical sensor being provided between the operation button and the air vent in the longitudinal direction of the first side surface.

8. The game device according to claim 1, further comprising a stand member rotatably supported by the back surface, the stand member being rotatable into an open position in which a pivot tip of the stand member is separated from the back surface, and when the stand member is in the open position, the stand member stands independently on the placement surface with the second side surface and the pivot tip of the stand member in contact with the placement surface.

9. The game device of claim 1, further comprising a first operating device and a second operating device which are attachable to and detachable from the housing, wherein the housing further comprises: a third side surface connecting the front surface to the back surface and connecting one longitudinal end of the first side surface to one longitudinal end of the second side surface; and a fourth side surface connecting the front surface to the back surface and connecting the other longitudinal end of the first side surface to the other longitudinal end of the second side surface, wherein the first operating device is attachable to and detachable from the third side surface, and the second operating device is attachable to and detachable from the fourth side surface, wherein the first operating device comprises a first operating button on a first adjacent surface adjacent to one end of the first side surface when attached to the third side surface, and wherein the second operating device comprises a second operating button on a second adjacent surface adjacent to the other end of the first side surface when attached to the fourth side surface.

10. The game device according to claim 1, further comprising a second connector opening provided on said second side to which a cradle is connected.

11. A gaming device as described in claim 10, wherein when the cradle is provided with a cradle air ventilation port through which air circulates between the inside and the outside, when the cradle is connected to the second connector opening, the microphone opening is located away from the cradle air ventilation port in the short direction of the first side surface.

12. The gaming device according to claim 11, wherein when said cradle is connected to said second connector opening, said first side surface faces the same direction as said cradle air circulation opening.

13. The gaming device according to claim 10, wherein when said cradle is connected to said second connector opening, at least a portion of said front surface, at least a portion of said back surface, and at least a portion of said second side surface are covered by said cradle.

Images