WO1995032776A1

WO1995032776A1 - Controller for game machine

Info

Publication number: WO1995032776A1
Application number: PCT/JP1995/001051
Authority: WO
Inventors: Satoru Kuriyama; Koji Matsuoka; Hideyuki Fujiwara; Katsuhiro Miura
Original assignee: Namco Ltd.
Priority date: 1994-05-31
Filing date: 1995-05-31
Publication date: 1995-12-07
Also published as: JPH0847581A

Abstract

A controller for game machines, which can readily operate an operating button while simultaneously performing a plurality of stepless operations. The controller comprises an operating body (12) which can be grasped by one hand, a push-in-type manipulating portions (14, 16) and a rotary-type manipulating portion (18) provided on the operating body (12). The push-in-type manipulating portions (14, 16) are formed to be operated such that they can be protruded predetermined distances by biasing forces of biasing means and pushed in against the biasing forces in a stepless manner at locations where any one of the fingers of one hand are positioned. The rotary-type manipulating portion (18) is formed such that rotating manipulation relative to the operating body (12) can be performed at locations where it can be manipulated by the other hand. Operating buttons (26, 28) are provided at locations where any one of the fingers of the other hand are positioned.

Description

Specification

Game console controller

[Technical field]

The present invention relates to a controller used for a game machine. [Background technology]

As a home video game machine, there is a video game machine for home use that displays an image on a television screen by a convenience store. In this type of game machine, a projected image is operated by a controller to enjoy a role playing game, a shooting game, a drive simulation game, or the like.

In addition, a controller used in a conventional home-use game machine is provided with a plurality of operation buttons, and video is operated by selectively turning on / off the operation buttons. .

However, according to the conventional controller described above, since it is only possible to perform an alternative operation of turning on / off the operation button, this is not likely to cause a problem in a single-playing game. The game was problematic.

In other words, in the role playing game, an alternative operation is to select YES or 対応 in response to the message displayed on the screen, or to advance the character in either direction. Is sufficient.

On the other hand, in a shooting game, the direction of attack cannot be dealt with by an alternative choice of up, down, left, or right, and a quantitative operation is performed steplessly, for example, slightly upward in the right direction. There is a need. Also, even in a drive simulation game, the operation of the steering wheel, accelerator, or brake must be performed steplessly and quantitatively, and cannot be handled by alternative operation.

Therefore, it is not only difficult to operate such a game that requires a stepless quantitative operation with a controller that can only perform alternative operations, but it is also difficult to operate the game and the actual amount of operation. There was a problem that the game would be boring. Therefore, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,469,330, a rotary knob may be provided on the controller, and the knob may be used to perform stepless operation. However, with such a controller, it is difficult to operate other buttons while operating the knob. In addition, since the stepless quantitative operation is performed only by the knob, if the steering wheel operation is performed by the knob in, for example, a drive simulation game, the operation of the accelerator and the brake must be performed by the button. Then, the above problem that the stepless quantitative operation must be performed by the alternative operation cannot be solved yet.

Alternatively, a controller for radio control operation is applied to a video game, and a quantitative operation is performed by a wheel and a hammer lever as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 56-16695. Is also possible. However, even with such a controller, stepless quantitative operation can only be performed by using the wheel and the hammer lever, so that another quantitative operation cannot be performed. For example, in a drive simulation game, you can operate the steering wheel and accelerator, but not the brakes. This is a unique problem when applied to video games, since a model radio control car does not need to operate the brake because the brakes are applied when the accelerator is released.

In addition, since the content of recent games has become complicated, it is necessary to perform many operations, and it is preferable to be able to perform a plurality of stepless quantitative operations simultaneously and also operate buttons. However, with the above-described conventional controller, it was difficult to simultaneously perform button operations while performing a plurality of stepless quantitative operations.

Furthermore, in recent years, the technology of virtual reality has been advanced, and the emergence of arcade game machines using appliances such as head-mounted displays can be considered. In this case, since the view of the player is obstructed, a device simulating a real cockpit is not always necessary, and a controller similar to a home game machine may be sufficient. In this case, a controller that can solve the above-described problems is also desired as a controller for a business game machine.

The present invention has been made to solve these problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to easily operate operation buttons while performing a plurality of stepless operations at the same time. It is an object of the present invention to provide a controller for a game machine capable of performing the following. [Disclosure of the Invention]

The present invention provides a controller of a game machine, comprising: an operation body that can be gripped by one hand; and a push-type operation unit and a rotary operation unit provided in the operation body. At a position where one of the fingers of one hand is arranged, the finger is protruded by a predetermined length by the urging force of the urging means, and is formed so as to be operable by being pushed steplessly against the urging force; Is formed so as to be rotatable relative to the operation main body at a position operable with the other hand, and has an operation button at a position where any finger of the other hand is arranged. I do.

According to the present invention, a stepless quantitative operation is performed by holding the operation main body with one hand and rotating the rotary operation unit with the other hand.

Further, the operation main body is provided with a push-in operation section, and is operated with a finger of one hand that grips the operation main body. More specifically, the push-in operation section is designed to push with a finger against the biasing force, and returns to the original state by the biasing force when the finger is released. Therefore, by this pushing or loosening operation, a stepless quantitative operation becomes possible.

Further, in the present invention, the rotary operation unit is provided with an operation button, so that the operation button can be pressed while rotating the rotary operation unit with the other hand. Thus, the rotary operation unit, the push-in operation unit, and the operation buttons can perform not only a plurality of stepless quantitative operations but also an alternative operation.

According to the present invention, in a controller of a game machine, one gripping operation part grippable by one hand and the other gripping operation part grippable by the other hand are formed to be relatively rotatable. The one gripping operation unit or the other gripping operation unit is provided with a push-type operation unit and an operation button at a position where a finger of the corresponding hand is arranged, and the push-type operation unit is provided with It is characterized in that it protrudes by a predetermined length by the urging force of the means, and is operably formed by being pushed steplessly against the urging force.

According to the present invention, a stepless quantitative operation can be performed by relatively rotating one grip operation unit and the other grip operation unit. Then, one of the grip operation units A recessed operation unit and operation buttons are provided. The push-type operation unit is described in claims

A stepless quantitative operation can be performed in the same manner as described in 1, and the operation button can perform an alternative operation.

Thus, not only a plurality of stepless quantitative operations but also an alternative operation can be performed by the grip operation unit, the push-in operation unit, and the operation buttons.

[Brief description of drawings]

1A and 1B are explanatory diagrams of a controller according to an embodiment, FIG. 1A is an overall perspective view, and FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating a use state.

2A and 2B are views showing a modification of the embodiment, FIG. 2A is an overall perspective view, and FIG. 2B is a view showing an operation state.

3A and 3B are perspective views showing other modified examples, FIG. 3A is a perspective view seen from above, and FIG. 3B is a perspective view seen from below.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing still another modified example.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a home video game device.

[Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, FIG. 5 shows a home video game device. In the same figure, a game power cartridge 110 containing a game program is attached to a game machine main body 120, and a controller 10 is connected to the game machine main body 120, and the game machine main body 120 is connected to the game machine main body 120. The main body 120 is connected to the display 140. When the player plays a game, a CPU (not shown) for game calculation built in the game machine main body 120 is provided with an input signal from the controller 10 and a game power storage 110. The game calculation is performed according to the game program. See Controller 1

The rotation angle transmitted as an analog signal from 0 is converted into a digital signal in an AD converter (not shown) of the game machine main body 120, and is used for a game operation configured in combination with a memory, a CPU, and the like. Transmitted to the circuit. Then, the arithmetic circuit for the game calculates the game based on the rotation angle and the game program. The game image is displayed on the display 140.

As shown in the figure, the controller 10 includes an operation body 12 that can be gripped by one hand, push-in operation sections 14 and 16 provided in the operation body 12, and a rotary operation section 18. And

The operation body 12 is large enough to be gripped by the palm of one hand, has a shape similar to a flat rectangular parallelepiped, and has a rounded side on which the cord 20 for connection to the game machine body (not shown) is provided. It is formed with. In addition to this, the corners are rounded overall. Therefore, since the palm does not hit the corner, the shape is easy to grasp. In addition, the operation main body 12 is provided with a game start button 12a.

Push-in operation units 14 and 16 are provided on a surface arranged on the fingertip side when the operation body 12 is gripped. The push-type operation sections 14 and 16 are configured such that operation rods 14a and 16a each having a pad formed at the tip protrude so as to be able to be pushed in against a biasing force of a spring or the like (not shown). The length of the push is detected in a stepless manner by a variable resistor (not shown), and the corresponding signal is transmitted to the game console itself. Therefore, the push-in operation sections 14 and 16 can perform stepless quantitative operation. It is preferable that the push-in operation sections 14 and 16 be configured so that the pushed-in length is about 20 to 30 mm.

In addition, a rotary operation unit 18 is provided on the upper surface when the operation body 12 is gripped. The rotary operation unit 18 is configured such that the thick operation disk 18a can be rotated by being gripped by the finger of the other hand, and the angle of this rotation is detected by a variable resistor or the like. The corresponding signal is transmitted to the game machine body. Therefore, the stepless quantitative operation can be performed also by the rotary operation unit _18. Further, the rotary operation unit 18 has a rough surface formed by a circumferential portion gripped by a finger. It is hard to slip. In addition, center marks 22 and 24 are drawn on the operation disk 18a and the operation main body 12 to indicate the center position where the rotation angle is 0 degree. However, this operation disk 18a is returned to a predetermined rotation position by a spring. Therefore, if you release your finger, it will return to the center position where the rotation angle is 0 degrees. Preferably, the rotation angle is about 120 degrees for each of the left and right sides.

The operation disk 18 a is provided with operation buttons 26 and 28. These operation buttons 26, 28 are provided at the positions where the fingertips are arranged when the operation disk 18a is gripped with a finger, so that the operation buttons 26, 2 are operated while operating the operation disk 18a. 8 can also be operated at the same time. That is, in the rotary operation unit 18, the stepless quantitative operation by the operation disk 18 a and the selective operation by the operation buttons 26 and 28 can be simultaneously performed.

In view of the above, in this controller 10, three push-in operation units 14 and 16 and a rotary operation unit 18 (operation disk 18a and operation buttons 26 and 28) provide three It can perform quantitative operation in two stages and two alternative operations.

To perform a drive simulation game using the controller 10, for example, an accelerator operation is performed by the push-in operation unit 14, a brake operation is performed by the push-in operation unit 16, and a steering wheel is operated by the operation disk 18 a. Perform the operation. The operation button 26 changes the gear. Each time the button is pressed, the gear is raised (high speed), and the operation button 28 is pressed each time the gear is lowered (low speed). I do. By doing so, all of these operations can be performed simultaneously, and the operation can be performed with a feeling close to actual driving of a car, which further enhances the fun of the game.

Next, FIGS. 2A and 2B are views showing a modification of the embodiment, FIG. 2A is an overall perspective view, and FIG. 2B is a view showing an operation state.

As shown in the figure, the controller 30 includes an operation body 32 that can be gripped by one hand, push-in operation sections 34 and 36 provided in the operation body 32, and a rotary operation section 38. And

The operation body 32 has a rod-like shape large enough to be gripped by the palm of one hand, and has a rounded corner as a whole so that it can be easily gripped. The operation body 32 is also provided with a start button 32a.

Push-in operation units 34 and 36 are provided on a surface on which a fingertip is arranged when the operation body 32 is gripped. Configuration of this push-in operation unit 34, 36 Are the same as those of the push-in operation units 14 and 16, and therefore the description is omitted.

A rotary operation section 38 is provided on the upper end surface of the operation main body 32. The rotary operation section 38 has an operation disk 38a and operation buttons 40 and 42. Yes, these configurations are the same as the configurations in the embodiment of FIGS.

In short, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B is a controller which is grasped by being wrapped by one palm, whereas the embodiment shown by FIGS. 2A and 2B is a controller which is grasped by being grasped by one palm. Although they differ from each other in that they are identical, they are common in other respects.

Next, FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views showing other modified examples, FIG. 3A is a perspective view seen from above, and FIG. 3B is a perspective view seen from below.

As shown in the figure, the controller 50 includes one gripping operation unit 52 that can be gripped by one hand and another gripping operation unit 54 that can be gripped by the other hand. It is relatively rotatably mounted via the. A rotary variable resistor or the like (not shown) is provided inside the connection section 56 so that the rotation angle between the grip operation section 52 and the grip operation section 54 can be detected. I have. Therefore, correspondingly, stepless quantitative operation can be performed.

An operation button 58 is provided on one grip operation section 52 at a position where the thumb is arranged. By pressing either the front end 58a or the rear end 58b of the operation button 58, two types of ON-OFF operation can be performed. Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, push operation units 60 and 62 are provided in each of the grip operation units 52 and 54. The push-in operation units 60 and 62 are the same as the push-in operation units 14 and 16 in FIGS.

According to this controller 50, three stepless quantitative operations become possible by the rotation operation of the gripping operation units 52, 54 and the two push-in operation units 60, 62. Operation buttons 58 can be operated at the same time.

Then, in order to use the controller 50 in, for example, a driving simulator game, the grip operation units 52 and 54 are rotated to perform a steering operation, and the push-in operation unit 62 is operated to perform an accelerator operation. Brake operation with push-in operation unit 60 Gear change with the operation buttons 58. By pressing the front end 58a of the operation button 58, the gear lowers and becomes low speed, and by pressing the rear end 58b the gear rises and becomes high speed.

Next, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing still another modified example. In the figure, the controller 70 has one gripping operation unit 72 and the other gripping operation unit 74 that are directly rotatably connected. Specifically, for example, a rotating shaft (not shown) protrudes from one gripping operation unit 72, and this rotating shaft is inserted into the other gripping operation unit 74, and It is connected to a built-in rotary variable resistor (not shown). Thus, similarly to the controller 50 of FIGS. 3A and 3B, the rotation angle is detected and the stepless quantitative operation can be performed.

On one gripping operation unit 72, operation buttons 76 and 77 are provided at the position where the thumb is arranged, and a push-in operation unit 78 is provided at the position where the index finger is arranged. Furthermore, the other gripping operation unit 74 is provided with a push-in operation unit 80 at the position where the index finger is arranged.

The other configuration and operation of the controller 70 are the same as those of the controller 50 shown in FIGS.

Then, in order to use this controller 70 in a driving simulator game, the grip operation units 72 and 74 are turned to perform a steering operation, and the push-in operation unit 80 is operated to perform an accelerator operation. Brake operation is performed with the push-in type operation unit 78, and gear change is performed with the operation buttons 76, 77.

Claims

The scope of the claims

(1) In the game machine controller,

An operation body that can be gripped by one hand, and a push-in operation unit and a rotary operation unit provided in the operation body,

The push-type operating portion is operable by being pushed at a position where one of the fingers of the one hand is disposed by a biasing force of a biasing means and steplessly pushed against the biasing force. Formed in

The rotary operation unit is formed so as to be rotatable relative to the operation main body at a position where it can be operated with the other hand, and operates the operation button at a position where one of the fingers of the other hand is arranged. Have,

A controller for a game machine, characterized in that:

(2) In the game machine controller,

One grip operation unit that can be gripped by one hand and the other grip operation unit that can be gripped by the other hand are formed to be relatively rotatable,

The one gripping operation unit or the other gripping operation unit is provided with a push-in operation unit and an operation button at a position where a finger of a corresponding hand is arranged,

The push-in type operating portion is formed to be operable by projecting a predetermined length by an urging force of an urging means and being pushed in a stepless manner against the urging force.

A controller for a game machine, characterized in that: