Controller

Abstract

A controller 10 includes: a base part 21 that has a first surface 21a facing a front side to be a user side and a second surface 21b extending from an end part in an upper direction of the first surface 21a toward a rear side in an operation posture supported and operated by a user; two projection parts 23 that projects downward respectively on both sides in a lateral direction of the base part when viewed from the user in the operation posture supported and operated by the user; and an operation stick 37 that is provided at an end part in a lower direction of the first surface 21a and configured to be operable by being tilted in a direction of 360° with respect to the first surface 21a. The second surface 21b is formed in a mountain shape from an end part in a lateral direction to a center part on both sides in the lateral direction so that the center part in the lateral direction is recessed.

Description

controller

[0001] The present invention relates to a controller for an electronic game.

[0002] Controllers that are operated by a user while holding them in both hands are typically used as input devices for electronic games. Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose controllers that include protruding portions (handle portions, grip portions) that protrude downward to be held with both hands, and operation portions such as an operation stick operated by the user. These controllers are designed to be held or supported by the protruding portions in the palms or at the bases of the thumbs, and to operate the sticks with the thumbs extended diagonally upward.

[0003] JP 2024-014825 A JP 2024-036455 A

[0004] With the recent rise of e-sports and other factors, opportunities requiring precise operation for long periods of time are increasing, and controllers are therefore required to have improved operability. For example, a control stick is an operating part that allows 360-degree control input and often plays an important role in game operation.

[0005] The present invention has been made in light of the above technical background, and has as its object to provide a controller for an electronic game that can improve operability.

[0006] (Aspect 1) In order to achieve the above object, a controller according to aspect 1 of the present invention is a controller that a user operates while holding with both hands and that transmits operation information, and that, in an operation posture in which the controller is supported and operated by the user, has a base having a first surface that faces the front side toward the user and a second surface that extends from an upper end of the first surface toward the rear side, two protrusions that protrude downward on both left and right sides of the base when viewed from the user in the operation posture, and an operation stick that is provided on the downward end of the first surface and is configured to be operable by tilting it in a 360° direction relative to the first surface, and the second surface is formed in an arch shape from the left and right ends to the center on both sides in the left and right direction so that the center in the left and right direction is concave.

[0007] (Aspect 2) In Aspect 1, the device may further include an operation surface formed in a convex shape along the second surface, and an operation button provided on the second surface.

[0008] (Aspect 3) In Aspect 2 above, in the left-right direction, a first end of the operation button may be located closer to the center of the base than the operation stick, and a second end of the operation button opposite the first end may be located closer to the end of the base than the operation stick.

[0009] (Aspect 4) In Aspect 3, the second end may be fixed to the base, and the first end may be deformed so as to bend starting from the second end when pressed down.

[0010] (Aspect 5) In Aspect 1 above, the controller may include a main body composed of the base and the protrusion, the rear side of the protrusion being recessed forward relative to the base, and the main body may be formed with a connection surface facing downward from the rear side toward the center in the left-right direction, connecting the base and the protrusion, the connection surface facing downward as it moves from the rear side toward the center in the left-right direction.

[0011] (Aspect 6) In Aspect 5 above, the protrusion may be provided with a protrusion that protrudes toward the rear side, faces downward of the main body, and has a surface that extends downward as it moves toward the center of the base in the left-right direction.

[0012] (Aspect 7) In order to achieve the above object, a controller according to Aspect 7 of the present invention is a controller that a user operates while holding with both hands and that transmits operation information, and includes: a main body having a base on which a plurality of operation buttons are provided; and two protrusions that protrude downward on both left and right sides of the base as seen from the user in an operation posture in which the controller is supported and operated by the user; and an operation stick that is provided on the downward end of the base and is configured to be operable by tilting it in a 360° direction relative to the base, wherein the rear side of the protrusion that faces away from the user in the operation posture is recessed forward relative to the base, and the main body is formed with the downward facing surface that connects the base and the protrusion from the rear side of the protrusion toward the center in the left-right direction, and the surface that faces downward as it moves from the rear side toward the center in the left-right direction in the operation posture.

[0013] (Aspect 8) In order to achieve the above object, a controller according to Aspect 8 of the present invention is a controller that a user operates while holding with both hands and that transmits operation information, and that, in an operating posture in which the controller is supported and operated by the user, includes: a base having a first surface facing the front, which is toward the user, and a second surface extending rearward from an upper end of the first surface; a main body having two protrusions that protrude downward on both sides of the base in the left-right direction as seen from the user; an operation stick that is provided on the downward end of the first surface and is configured to be operable by tilting it in a 360° direction relative to the first surface; and an operation button that is provided on the second surface, and the operation button has a first end that is located closer to the center of the base than the operation stick in the left-right direction, and a second end that is located closer to the end of the base than the operation stick and is fixed to the base, and when the first end is pressed down, it deforms so as to bend from the second end as a starting point.

[0014] (Aspect 9) In Aspect 8, the operation button may be bifurcated and extend from the second end toward the center of the base in the left-right direction.

[0015] The configurations of the above aspects may be combined as much as possible.

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a controller for an electronic game that can improve operability.

[0017] Fig. 1 is an external view of a controller according to an embodiment; Fig. 2 is an external perspective view of a controller according to an embodiment; Fig. 3 is an explanatory view of operation buttons according to an embodiment; Fig. 4 is a view showing a state in which a controller according to an embodiment is being held; Fig. 5 is an external perspective view of a controller according to a modified example;

[0018] The following describes in detail exemplary embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. The dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative positions of the components described in the embodiments may be changed as appropriate depending on the configuration and various conditions of the device to which the invention is applied. In other words, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0019] A controller 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described. The controller 10 is an input device that is connected to an information processing device such as a game console or a personal computer, and transmits operation information regarding operation inputs by a user to the information processing device. The controller 10 according to this embodiment is configured to be selectively connectable to the information processing device wirelessly or via a wire, but may also be configured to be connectable via only one of these methods.

[0020] In the following explanation, directions are defined based on the posture in which the controller 10 is held by the user for operation. The posture in which the controller 10 is held by the user is referred to as the operating posture, and the left-right direction when the controller 10 is in the operating posture is illustrated as the X direction, the up-down direction as the Y direction, and the front-to-back direction as the Z direction. Specifically, when the controller 10 is in the operating posture, the front side is the user side (the side that faces the user), the rear side is the side facing away from the user, and the left-to-right direction is the left-to-right direction as seen from the user.

[0021] (Configuration of Controller) First, the configuration of a controller 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figures 1(a) to 1(e) are diagrams showing the external appearance of the controller 10. Figure 1(a) is a top view of the controller 10 as seen from above in the Y direction. Figure 1(b) is a front view of the controller 10 as seen from the front (front side) in the Z direction. Figure 1(c) is a side view of the controller 10 as seen from the right side in the X direction. Figure 1(d) is a bottom view of the controller 10 as seen from the bottom (bottom side) in the Y direction. Figure 1(e) is a rear view of the controller 10 as seen from the rear (rear side) in the Z direction.

[0022] 2(a) and 2(b) are perspective views showing the appearance of the controller 10. Fig. 2(a) is a perspective view of the controller 10 seen from the front right side, and Fig. 2(b) is a perspective view of the controller 10 seen from the rear right side.

[0023] The controller 10 is composed of a main body 20 and a plurality of operation buttons and operation sticks provided on the main body 20. The main body 20 has a base 21 on which a plurality of operation buttons and operation sticks are arranged, and two protrusions 23 that protrude downward from both left and right sides of the base 21. The main body 20 has a shape that is approximately symmetrical in the left-right direction, and there are no significant differences between the left and right sides except for the type of operation buttons provided on the first surface 21a and the internal configuration. In this embodiment, the base 21 and the protrusions 23 are integrally configured.

[0024] The base 21 has a first surface 21a facing forward in the operating position, a second surface 21b extending rearward from the upper end of the first surface 21a, and a third surface 21c connecting the lower end of the first surface 21a to the rear end of the second surface 21b. These surfaces are continuously connected in a direction along the outer periphery of the base 21 that is perpendicular to the left-right direction, and constitute the outer periphery of the base 21. For convenience, the first surface 21a, the second surface 21b, and the third surface 21c are obtained by dividing the outer periphery of the base 21 along its circumferential direction.

[0025] The first surface 21a is a surface that includes a flat portion that is perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction, and constitutes the front surface of the controller 10. Four circular operation buttons 31, four operation buttons 33 arranged in a cross shape, two circular operation buttons 35, and two operation sticks 37 are provided on the first surface 21a.

[0026] The four operation buttons 31 are arranged at the right end of the first surface 21 a. Two of the operation buttons 31 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction, and the other two are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction. The four operation buttons 31 are arranged so that the line connecting the operation buttons 31 arranged side by side in the vertical direction is perpendicular to the line connecting the operation buttons 31 arranged side by side in the horizontal direction.

[0027] The four operation buttons 33 arranged in a cross shape are located on the left end of the first surface 21 a. The operation button 33 is pentagonal and includes two parallel sides that face each other, one side that connects the two parallel sides, and two sides that connect to the two parallel sides and form acute angles.

[0028] The two operation buttons 35 are arranged between the operation button 31 and the operation button 33 in the left-right direction and at the same position as each other in the up-down direction. One operation button 35 is arranged on the right side of the first surface 21a (the part to the right of the center line in the left-right direction), and the other operation button 35 is arranged on the left side of the first surface 21a (the part to the left of the center line in the left-right direction).

[0029] The two operation sticks 37 each have a support portion 37a extending forward from the base 21 and a disk portion 37b provided at the tip of the support portion 37a. The operation stick 37 is configured to be operable by tilting it 360° relative to the base 21 (first surface 21a). For example, the user can rotate the operation stick 37 by tilting it relative to the base 21 by operating the disk portion 37b of the operation stick 37 with the pad of their thumb.

[0030] The two operation sticks 37 are provided at the lower end of the first surface 21a and are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. One operation stick 37 is arranged on the right side of the first surface 21a and is located between the left operation button 31 and the right operation button 35 in the left-right direction. The other operation stick 37 is arranged on the left side of the first surface 21a and is located between the right operation button 33 and the left operation button 35 in the left-right direction.

[0031] The second surface 21b is a convex surface that is formed from the left-right ends to the center so that the center is concave in the left-right direction, and constitutes the upper part of the controller 10. In other words, the second surface 21b has convex portions formed on both left-right sides. Furthermore, the second surface 21b slopes downward from the front to the rear.

[0032] The second surface 21b is provided with two operation buttons 39 and two operation buttons 41 on the right and left sides, respectively. On the second surface 21b, these operation buttons are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center line in the left-right direction.

[0033] The operation button 39 has an operation surface (surface) that is pressed with a finger and is formed along the second surface 21b. In this embodiment, the operation surface is formed on approximately the same plane as the second surface 21b so as to be continuous with the second surface 21b. The operation button 39 is formed so as to extend from the left-right end to the center of the second surface 21b. Specifically, in the left-right direction, one left-right end of the operation button 39 is located closer to the center of the base 21 in the left-right direction than the operation stick 37, and the other end is located closer to the left-right end of the base 21 than the operation stick 37.

[0034] The operation surface of the operation button 39 is rectangular in shape with two sides that extend rearward from the left and right ends toward the center when viewed from above. That is, the operation button 39 extends along the second surface 21b in a direction inclined relative to the left and right so that it extends rearward toward the center. Furthermore, when viewed in a cross section perpendicular to the extension direction, the operation surface is formed in a recessed shape with a concave center.

[0035] 3A and 3B are explanatory diagrams of the operation button 39. Fig. 3A is a diagram showing the appearance of the operation button 39. The operation button 39 has a pressing portion 39a having an operation surface formed thereon that is pressed by the user, a protruding portion 39b that is provided at the tip of the pressing portion 39a and protrudes downward, and a fixing portion 39c that is provided at the base side of the pressing portion 39a and is fixed to the main body 20.

[0036] The fixing portion 39c is a portion that extends in a columnar shape in the vertical direction, and has a screw hole 39d that opens downward formed therein. A screw (not shown) is inserted into the screw hole 39d from below the fixing portion 39c, thereby fixing the operation button 39 to (the interior of) the base 21 of the main body 20. However, the fixing method of the operation button 39 is not limited to this, and the operation button 39 may be fixed using other fixing members.

[0037] The pressing portion 39a is formed to extend from the upper end of the fixed portion 39c. That is, the pressing portion 39a is formed like a cantilever beam, with the end on the fixed portion 39c side being the fixed end and the tip on the opposite side being the free end. Figure 3(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Figure 3(a), showing the pressing portion 39a in a cross section perpendicular to its extension direction. As shown in Figure 3(b), the cross-sectional shape of the pressing portion 39a is recessed downward in the center to fit the curve of the finger.

[0038] A protrusion 39b that protrudes downward is provided at the tip of the free end of the pressing portion 39a. The protrusion 39b is formed in a cross shape when viewed in the protruding direction. The protrusion 39b is located at a position corresponding to a switch provided inside the main body 20.

[0039] The operation button 39 is arranged so that its first end (tip) where the protrusion 39b is provided is located toward the center of the base 21 in the left-right direction, and its second end (base) where the fixed portion 39c is provided is located toward the end of the base 21 in the left-right direction. When a user presses the operation button 39, the operation button 39 deforms, bending from the fixed portion 39c. The protrusion 39b provided at the tip then presses a switch provided inside the main body 20, and operation information is input to the controller 10. The operation button 39 can be molded from, for example, resin.

[0040] In this embodiment, the screw is provided on the outside in the left-right direction, so the portion where the fingertip is placed is the free end side (the center side in the left-right direction) of the operation button 39, and the portion where the base of the finger is placed is the fixed end side (the outside in the left-right direction) of the operation button 39. Therefore, the operation button 39 can be operated by moving the fingertip, which has a relatively wide range of motion, widely, or by moving the finger slightly closer to the base of the finger. In other words, the user can operate the operation button 39 from any position, such as the fingertip or near the base of the finger, allowing for operation according to preference, thereby improving operability.

[0041] Furthermore, when holding the controller 10, some users may not place their fingers over the operation buttons 39, but may instead bend their fingers and place only their fingertips in contact with the operation buttons 39. With the controller 10 of this embodiment, for example, the user can operate the operation buttons 39 by holding the controller 10 with their fingers in contact with the center of the operation buttons 39 in the left-right direction. In other words, the user can operate the operation buttons 39 with their fingers over the operation buttons 39, or with only the tips of their fingers in contact with the operation buttons 39, which provides a wider range of operation methods and allows for operation according to preference, thereby improving operability.

[0042] Furthermore, since the operation button 39 according to this embodiment is configured to be operated by utilizing the flexibility of the material, the operability (the feel and reaction force when pressed with a finger) changes depending on the ease of deformation. In other words, the operability can be easily changed by changing the thickness of the operation button 39 or the strength of the material. Furthermore, the operation button 39 can be easily fixed to the main body 20 with screws. Therefore, for example, in order for a user to customize the operability to their liking, multiple types of operation buttons 39 with different thicknesses and materials can be prepared, and the user can select and replace the operation button 39 of their choice. In this way, by making the operation button 39 customizable, further improvements in operability can be expected.

[0043] The operation button 41 is a protruding operation portion that protrudes from the second surface 21b. The operation button 41 is fixed to the main body 20 by a fixing portion located toward the center of the base 21 in the left-right direction. The operation button 41 is formed to extend from the fixing portion toward the end of the base 21 in the left-right direction, and when a user presses the operation button 41, it deforms so as to bend around the fixing portion. In this way, by arranging the fixing portion of the operation button 39 toward the end of the base 21 in the left-right direction and the fixing portion of the operation button 41 toward the center of the base 21 in the left-right direction, it is possible to prevent the fixing portions from interfering with each other and to suppress an increase in the size of the controller 10.

[0044] In the first embodiment, the two operation buttons 41 lined up in the left-right direction are connected to each other inside the main body 20. In other words, the two operation buttons 41 are formed from a single component, and portions extending from a fixed portion inside the main body 20 to both sides in the left-right direction are exposed to the outside of the main body 20 to form the two operation buttons 41. This configuration reduces the number of fixing portions and screws, leading to cost and weight reductions. In particular, reducing the weight of the controller 10 by preventing an increase in size of the controller 10 and reducing the number of mounted components greatly contributes to comfort and operability when holding and operating the controller 10 for long periods of time.

[0045] The two operation buttons 39 and the two operation buttons 41 are arranged alternately in the front-to-rear direction. That is, on the second surface 21b, the operation button 41, the operation button 39, the operation button 41, and the operation button 39 are arranged in this order from the front.

[0046] Furthermore, a connection terminal 43 is provided on the second surface 21b in the center in the left-right direction, between the two rear operation buttons 39. The connection terminal 43 is a socket used to charge the controller 10 and connect it to a game console.

[0047] The third surface 21c extends rearward from the lower end of the first surface 21a, then extends upward and connects to the rearward end of the second surface 21b.

[0048] The protrusions 23 are supports that allow the user to support the controller 10. The two protrusions 23 each extend downward and outward in the left-right direction (directions away from the center). As shown in FIG. 1( c) and other figures, the protrusions 23 extend in a direction inclined relative to the first surface 21 a so that they extend rearward as they extend downward.

[0049] In this embodiment, the protrusions 23 protrude downward from both left and right ends of the base 21. The base 21 and the protrusions 23 are smoothly connected by continuous surfaces on the front, right, and left sides. However, the application of the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the left and right ends of the base 21 may be configured to protrude relative to the protrusions 23.

[0050] A protrusion 23a, which protrudes rearward (rearward) and has a surface 23a1 and a surface 23a2, is provided on the rear side of the protruding portion 23. The detailed configuration of the protrusion 23a will be described later.

[0051] (Controller Holding) Next, the manner in which the user holds the controller 10 and the detailed configuration for holding it in this manner will be described. The controller 10 according to this embodiment is configured assuming that the right-side protruding portion 23 is held with the ring finger and little finger of the right hand, and the left-side protruding portion 23 is held with the ring finger and little finger of the left hand, while the operation buttons and operation stick provided on the base 21 are operated with the thumb, index finger, and middle finger. However, the holding manner of the controller 10 described below is merely an example, and is not intended to limit the holding manner of the controller 10.

[0052] Sticks such as the control stick 37 are primarily used to determine various directions in game operations, such as moving a controlled character and aiming. When precise operations are required, it is extremely important that the direction in which the stick is tilted matches the intended direction. Among these, the left-right and up-down directions are directions frequently used for input operations. Furthermore, when performing input operations in directions that intersect with the left-right and up-down directions, for example, how much the stick should be tilted relative to the left-right direction can be important from an intuitive perspective. Thus, the left-right and up-down directions are the reference directions for operation.

[0053] However, for example, when a user holds a protruding portion of the main unit in the palm of their hand and operates the control stick with their thumb extended diagonally upward, their thumb will be positioned at an angle relative to the left-right and up-down directions. Since controller operations are typically performed while looking at the display screen, i.e., without looking at the controller, it is surprisingly difficult to operate the control stick as intended. Therefore, even if a user intends to tilt the control stick left or right, the actual tilt direction may deviate from the intended direction. In particular, when a user reflexively operates the control stick after instantly grasping the game situation, the input direction is even more likely to deviate from the intended direction.

[0054] Therefore, in order to make it easier for the user to tilt the operating stick 37 as intended and improve operability, the controller 10 according to this embodiment is configured so that the thumb for operating the operating stick 37 is positioned parallel to the left-right direction when holding the controller 10.

[0055] 4(a) and (b) are diagrams showing how the controller 10 is being held, with dotted lines depicting some of the fingers of a person holding the controller 10. Fig. 4(a) is a front view of the controller 10 as seen from the front (front side) in the Z direction. Fig. 4(b) is a rear view of the controller 10 as seen from the rear (rear side) in the Z direction.

[0056] When the thumb is positioned parallel to the left-right direction, the hand is tilted to the side so that the palm faces more downward than when the thumb is positioned upward. In this case, if the user attempts to relax the fingers and assume a natural posture, the fingers other than the thumb will be positioned in a convex arc upward, with the fingertips pointing downward. In this embodiment, as described above, both left-right sides of the second surface 21b are arched, allowing the user to run their fingers over the second surface 21b of the controller 10 without exerting excessive force, thereby allowing the user to hold the controller 10 comfortably and reducing fatigue. This configuration allows the user to operate the controller 10 as intended for a longer period of time.

[0057] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the operation surfaces of the operation buttons 39 provided on the second surface 21b are formed along the second surface 21b. Therefore, the user can operate the buttons by positioning their fingers, such as placing their index finger over the front operation button 39 and their middle finger over the rear operation button 39. The operation surfaces of the operation buttons 39 are formed with a recessed shape in the center in the front-to-rear direction, allowing each finger to be positioned comfortably. By configuring the operation surfaces so that the fingers can be positioned comfortably, misalignment of the fingers when supporting the controller 10 is reduced, allowing for stable support.

[0058] As described above, with this configuration, the user can quickly operate the operation button 39 and the operation button 41 adjacent to the operation button 39 without moving their index and middle fingers significantly. Furthermore, the user can operate the operation button 39 by positioning their index and middle fingers in a naturally curved position along the arched shape of the second surface 21b. Furthermore, the operation button 39 is configured to be deformable from the fixed portions on the left-right ends of the base 21, allowing the user to operate the operation button 39 in a preferred position or orientation. These features improve the operability of not only the operation stick 37 but also the operation button 39, leading to improved operability of the entire controller 10.

[0059] Furthermore, in this configuration, the thumbs are positioned parallel to the left-right direction, so the index fingers and middle fingers of both hands are positioned closer to each other than in a configuration in which the thumbs are positioned upward. Therefore, for example, if the second surface 21b were configured as a flat surface, the controller 10 would need to be enlarged in the left-right direction to prevent the fingers of both hands from hitting each other. However, in this configuration, the second surface 21b and the operation buttons 39 are formed so that the fingers can be bent and positioned, thereby preventing an increase in the size of the controller 10. Furthermore, because the operation buttons 39 are formed to extend to the center of the controller 10 in the left-right direction, they can be easily operated with the tips of the index and middle fingers.

[0060] Next, a detailed configuration of the protrusion 23 will be described. As shown in Fig. 1(c) and other figures, the rear side of the protrusion 23 is recessed forward relative to the base 21. The main body 20 is formed with a connection surface 25 extending from the rear side to the center in the left-right direction, connecting the protrusion 23 and the base 21.

[0061] The connection surface 25 faces downward, and the direction perpendicular to the connection surface 25 is tilted rearward with respect to the downward direction. The connection surface 25 is formed so as to face downward from the rear side of the protrusion 23 toward the center in the left-right direction. In other words, the connection surface 25 is formed so as to describe part of a spiral, going around the protrusion 23 for about a quarter of the way around.

[0062] Furthermore, the protrusion 23 is provided with a protrusion 23a that protrudes rearward. The protrusion 23a is formed along the outer periphery of the protrusion 23 from the rear side of the protrusion 23 toward the center in the left-right direction. The protrusion 23a has a surface 23a1 facing downward and a surface 23a2 that is adjacent to the surface 23a1 and curves along the surface on which the protrusion 23a is provided. The surface 23a1 is a surface that is approximately parallel to the connection surface 25 and, like the connection surface 25, is formed to extend downward as it approaches the center in the left-right direction of the base 21.

[0063] When the hand is tilted so that the thumb extends parallel to the left and right, and the user maintains a natural posture without exerting unnecessary force, the ring finger and little finger point downward. The connection surface 25 and the surface 23a1 of the protrusion 23a are formed along the direction in which the ring finger and little finger naturally extend, respectively, allowing the user to hold the controller 10 without forcing their hand into an awkward position.

[0064] Furthermore, the upper end of surface 23a2 of protrusion 23a is connected to connection surface 25, and this connection portion is formed as a concave curved surface. In other words, the user can comfortably position their ring finger along this curved surface. Similarly, the boundary between surface 23a1 and the surface from which surface 23a1 protrudes is formed as a curved surface, allowing the user to comfortably position their little finger. In other words, protrusion 23 can be considered to have a recess for placing the ring finger and a recess for placing the little finger formed side by side in the vertical direction.

[0065] With this configuration, the user can stably hold the controller 10 whether the controller 10 is in a position where the up-down direction is close to the vertical direction (the direction of gravity) or the front-to-back direction of the controller 10 is close to the vertical direction. For example, when holding the controller 10 in a position where the up-down direction of the controller 10 is close to the vertical direction, the user can support the connection surface 25 with their ring finger and the surface 23a1 of the protrusion 23a with their little finger. When holding the controller 10 in a position where the front-to-back direction of the controller 10 is close to the vertical direction, the user can support the surface 23a2 with their ring finger and the protrusion 23 with their little finger.

[0066] As described above, the controller 10 according to this embodiment is configured so that the thumb naturally extends parallel to the left-right direction when the ring finger and little finger support the rear side of the protrusion 23, the index finger and middle finger are aligned along the second surface 21b, and the palm of the thumb is placed on the disk portion 37b of the operation stick 37. With this configuration, the operation stick 37 can be tilted left and right by extending and retracting the thumb, making it easier for the user to operate the operation stick 37 as intended. Furthermore, because the various components of the controller 10 are configured to be easily supported and operated with the thumb extended left and right, the operability of the controller 10 is improved.

[0067] It should be noted that the above-described embodiment is merely an example to which the present invention can be applied, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described configuration. For example, even in a configuration in which the positions of the left operation stick 37 and the four operation buttons 33 are interchanged, the operability of at least the right operation stick 37 can be improved.

[0068] (Modification) A modification of the above-described embodiment will now be described in detail. In the embodiment, two operation buttons 39 are provided on each side of the second surface 21b in the left-right direction, but in this modification, one operation button 49 is provided on each side. In the following description, the same components as in the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0069] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a controller 10 according to a modified example, as viewed from the rear and right side. The operation button 49 according to the modified example is shaped as if the outer (opposite center) ends of the two operation buttons 39 of the embodiment are connected in the left-right direction. That is, the operation button 49 is formed by bifurcating and extending from the end fixed to the base 21 toward the center of the base 21 in the left-right direction, forming a V-shape when viewed from above. The operation button 49 is configured so that two operation surfaces extending from the end, i.e., two sides constituting the V-shape, can be operated (pressed). That is, the operation button 49 is configured to have two first ends provided with protrusions and one second end provided with a fixed portion. One operation button 41 is located between the two sides constituting the V-shape.

[0070] The operation button 49 has a fixing portion at the intersection of the V shape, i.e., at the outer end in the left-right direction. The fixing portion is fixed to the main body 20 with a fixing member such as a screw. Therefore, when each of the two sides constituting the V shape is pressed, it bends and deforms starting from the fixing portion. In this way, by consolidating the two operation buttons 39 in the embodiment into a single operation button 49, the number of fixing portions and screws can be reduced, leading to cost and weight reductions.

[0071] Furthermore, when two operation buttons 39 are arranged on each side of the base 21 in the left-right direction, the two operation buttons 39 are preferably arranged so that they approach each other as they move outward in the left-right direction of the base 21, in order to be positioned along the index finger and middle finger. However, if the length of the operation buttons 39 in the left-right direction is long, there is a risk that the two operation buttons 39 and the members for fixing them will interfere with each other. On the other hand, by forming the operation button 49 in a shape that is bifurcated from a single fixing part, there is no risk of interference, and the operation button 49 can be made long in the left-right direction.

[0072] 10...controller, 21...base, 21a...first surface, 21b...second surface, 23...projection, 37...operation stick

Claims

1. A controller that is operated by a user while held with both hands and transmits operation information, comprising: a base having a first surface facing the front, which is toward the user, when held and operated by the user, and a second surface extending from an upper end of the first surface toward the rear; two protrusions that protrude downward on both left and right sides of the base when viewed from the user in the operating position; and an operation stick that is provided on the lower end of the first surface and is configured to be operable by tilting it in a 360° direction relative to the first surface; and the second surface is formed in an arch shape from the left and right ends to the center on both sides of the left and right direction, so that the center in the left and right direction is concave.

2. The controller according to claim 1, further comprising an operation surface formed in a convex shape along said second surface, and an operation button provided on said second surface.

3. The controller described in claim 2, characterized in that in the left-right direction, a first end of the operation button is located closer to the center of the base than the operation stick, and a second end of the operation button opposite the first end is located closer to the end of the base than the operation stick.

4. The controller described in claim 3, characterized in that the second end of the operation button is fixed to the base, and when the first end is pressed, the operation button deforms so as to bend from the second end as a starting point.

5. The controller according to claim 1, characterized in that the controller comprises a main body constituted by the base and the protrusion, the rear side of the protrusion is recessed forward relative to the base, and the main body is formed with a connection surface facing downward from the rear side to the center in the left-right direction, connecting the base and the protrusion, the connection surface facing downward as it moves from the rear side to the center in the left-right direction.

6. A controller as described in claim 5, characterized in that the protruding portion is provided with a protrusion that protrudes toward the rear side, faces downward of the main body, and has a surface that extends downward as it moves toward the center of the base in the left-right direction.

7. A controller for a user to operate while holding with both hands and for transmitting operation information, comprising: a main body having a base on which a plurality of operation buttons are provided, and two protrusions that protrude downward on both left and right sides of the base as seen by the user when in an operation posture in which the controller is supported and operated by the user; and an operation stick that is provided at the downward end of the base and is configured to be operable by tilting it in a 360° direction relative to the base, wherein the rear side of the protrusion that faces away from the user in the operation posture is recessed forward relative to the base, and the main body has a downward facing surface that connects the base and the protrusion from the rear side of the protrusion toward the center in the left-right direction, and the surface that faces downward as it moves from the rear side toward the center in the left-right direction when in the operation posture.

8. A controller for operation by a user while held with both hands and for transmitting operation information, comprising: a main body having a base with a first surface facing the front, which is toward the user, and a second surface extending rearward from an upper end of the first surface when held and operated by the user; two protrusions protruding downward on both sides of the base in the left-right direction as seen by the user; an operation stick provided on the downward end of the first surface and configured to be operable by tilting in a 360° direction relative to the first surface; and an operation button provided on the second surface, wherein the operation button has a first end located closer to the center of the base than the operation stick in the left-right direction, and a second end located closer to the end of the base than the operation stick and fixed to the base, and wherein when the first end is pressed down, the controller deforms so as to bend from the second end as a starting point.

9. The controller according to claim 8, wherein the operation button is bifurcated and extends from the second end toward the center of the base in the left-right direction.

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