Amusement devices: games – Including means for processing electronic data – Player-actuated control structure
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-02
2002-01-29
Harrison, Jessica J. (Department: 3713)
Amusement devices: games
Including means for processing electronic data
Player-actuated control structure
C463S036000, C463S037000, C463S046000, C463S047000, C273S14800B, C273S14800B, C345S156000, C345S184000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06342009
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an input device for a computerized game machine. In particular, the input device permits a player of the game machine to enjoy a game with a sense of presence in a real-time manner on a display screen of the game machine by operating operating members such as operating keys, operating buttons, or operating levers.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, computerized game machines (hereinafter referred to simply as “game machine”) have become more and more popular and increasingly quick tempoed. The game player can enjoy a game on a display screen of the game machine by operating various operating members such as operating keys, operating buttons and operating levers that correspond to a game software program prestored or inputted for each game. Software programs for use in such a game machine have heretofore been provided, including roll play type programs, speed game type programs, fight-interaction type, and creation-upbringing type.
For example, in the case where an ordinary general-purpose computer is used as a game machine by storing a game software program in advance or by inputting it for every game, a keyboard or a mouse is typically used as an input device. However, in the case of a game machine dedicated to game playing an input device to be operated by a game operator that is separated from the game machine, such as a controller exclusive for games or one called a joy stick, is typically used.
This input device is a controller having a multi-surface switch in which cross keys, key tops and selection keys are provided on the upper surface of a case having a shape of a generally rectangular parallelepiped, and one or more button keys are provided on each of right- and left-hand sides of the front surface. Further, on the inner side of the case upper surface is typically disposed a printed circuit board having contact patterns connected to the cross keys, key tops and selection keys. On the inner side of the front surface is typically disposed a second printed circuit board having contact patterns connected to the button keys. These printed circuit boards are electrically connected with each other and are each connected to the game machine by a cable through a connector. There also is available a type of input device in which such printed circuit boards are connected to the game machine by wireless without using cable (i.e. wireless).
For operating this input device, the game player is required to hold both sides of the case with the palms of both right and left hands, placing the thumb of the right hand on a cross key (or a key top), and the thumb of the left hand on a key top (or a cross key). The forefinger and the middle finger of both right and left hands are placed on button keys. The various keys are manipulated with the fingers as the game proceeds, whereby the game player can enjoy the game projected on the display screen.
In the above conventional input device, because the printed circuit boards are disposed on both upper and front surfaces of the case, there are limitations in the thickness of each printed circuit board, thus giving rise to the problem that a further reduction in the thickness of the printed circuit board is difficult.
There also has been the problem that the reduction in size, thickness and weight of the input device is difficult because a number of fixing means are necessary for fixing the printed circuit boards to the case.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been accomplished in view of the above-mentioned problems and it is an object of the invention to provide an input device for a game machine that overcomes the above-mentioned problems and is capable of being reduced in size, thickness and weight.
The input device according to the present invention inputs signals to a computerized game machine. The input device is characterized in that one or more operating members are provided on each of a plurality of outer surfaces of a housing, that a filmy substrate having flexibility is bent in conformity with the insides of the plural surfaces of the housing, that contact portions adapted to perform an ON-OFF operation in response to operations of the operating members are formed respectively on the bent surfaces of the substrate at positions corresponding to the operating members, and that when the operating members are operated, signals corresponding respectively to operations of the operating members are inputted to the game machine.
According to this construction, it is possible to make the substrate smaller in thickness and weight than the conventional printed circuit boards and it becomes possible to reduce the size, thickness and weight of the entire device.
In addition, since it suffices to use only one filmy substrate having flexibility, it is, unlike the prior art, no longer necessary to connect plural printed circuit boards electrically and hence the number of portions to be connected decreases. As a result, failures based on electrical connections decrease and reliability is improved.
In the input device for a game machine according to the present invention, a positioning means for positioning the substrate may be provided on the inner surface of the housing. According to this construction, it becomes easy to effect positioning of the substrate relative to the housing and there no longer is any fear of a positional deviation of the substrate.
In the input device for a game machine according to the present invention, the positioning means may comprise one or more projections formed on the inner surface of the housing, and holes for insertion therein of the projections may be formed in the substrate at positions corresponding to the projections. According to this construction, it becomes easier to effect positioning of the substrate. In the input device for a game machine according to the present invention, there may be provided a fixing member for urging and fixing the substrate to the inner surface of the housing. According to this construction, the substrate is fixed to the housing inner surface by the fixing member and hence there no longer is any fear of a positional deviation of the substrate.
In the input device for a game machine according to the present invention, any one of the housing, the flexible filmy substrate and the fixing member may be removably provided with support members which support one or more bent surfaces of the substrate substantially perpendicular to the other surfaces adjacent thereto. According to this construction, it is possible to support one or more bent surfaces of the substrate at predetermined positions in a nearly perpendicular condition relative to the other surfaces adjacent thereto.
In the input device for a game machine according to the present invention, the other surfaces of the substrate may be formed with anti-rebound lugs extending toward the lower portions of the one or more bent surfaces of the substrate and toward the lower portions of the support members for supporting the bent surfaces. According to this construction, the one or more bent surfaces of the substrate and the support members which support them are prevented by the aforesaid lugs from returning to a single plane under the action of the elastic force which the substrate possesses and are thereby prevented from rebounding.
In the input device for a game machine according to the present invention, the housing may comprise a first case member and a second case member which are divided from each other, and a wall portion for preventing the influence of static electricity on a wiring portion of the substrate may be provided inside a connection between the first and second case members. According to this construction, the substrate wiring portion can be prevented from being affected by static electricity and hence it is possible to prevent a malfunction attributable to static electricity.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4401304 (1983-08-01), Hamano
patent: 4469330 (1984-09-01), Asher
patent: 4820908 (1989-04-01), Wei
patent:
Alps Electric Co. ,Ltd.
Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione
Harrison Jessica J.
Nguyen Binh-An D.
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