Multidirectional controller and multidirectional controlling...

Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C345S159000, C345S157000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06181323

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multidirectional controller and a multidirectional controlling device using the multidirectional controller. Specifically, the present invention relates to a multidirectional controller which is manipulated in horizontal (circumferential) and vertical directions with respect to a surface of a main substrate of the controller. The multidirectional controlling device is used, for example, as a controlling device for a portable electronic apparatus, a pointing device for a personal computer or a remote controller for various electronic apparatuses.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, a controlling device for a portable electronic apparatus or the like includes a controller which is manipulated in a direction horizontal to a surface of a main substrate of the controller. Hereinafter, a conventional controller will be described.
In a conventional controller, a rotational electronic part with a control knob is soldered to one end of a main substrate. Electric signals output from the rotational electronic part are led to a connecting terminal via a line pattern provided on the main substrate. The electric signals are then transmitted through a flexible substrate connected to the connecting terminal, and to a circuit of an apparatus including the controller.
However, such a conventional controller is controlled only in directions horizontal to the main substrate of the apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention, a multidirectional controller includes: a substrate having a first end portion and a second end portion, which sways via a supporting point provided at the first end portion; an electronic part provided at the second end portion, which includes a control portion which is manipulated in a predetermined direction in which the electronic part causes the substrate to sway when the electronic part is manipulated; a supporting member for supporting the substrate; and a switch provided so as to be switched in response to the sway of the substrate, when the electronic part is manipulated in the predetermined direction.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the substrate has a thin portion which functions as the supporting point.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the substrate and the supporting member are integrally formed by a resin molding.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the substrate includes a top surface and a bottom surface and the switch is provided on at least one of the surfaces of the substrate; the supporting member includes opposing supporting portions which are provided so as to sandwich the surfaces of the substrate therebetween; and at least one of the opposing supporting portions has a pressing portion for pressing the switch in response to the sway of the substrate in a direction toward at least one of the surfaces of the substrate.
In still yet another embodiment of the present invention, the substrate includes an insulative flexible substrate portion and the flexible substrate portion is provided with a line pattern. The flexible substrate portion is adhered to at least one of the surfaces of the substrate.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the line pattern includes an electric signal lead portion for leading electric signals from the electronic part and outputting electric signals from the switch to elements which are outside of the multidirectional controller; and the electric signal lead portion is provided at a position extending in sideways from the top surface or bottom surface of the substrate.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the electronic part and the switch are provided on the line pattern.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the control portion has a movable contact portion which makes contact with a first securing contact portion which is provided on the flexible substrate; and the switch includes a movable dome-like contact portion made from an deformable metal thin plate on a second securing contact portion which is provided on the flexible substrate portion.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the substrate includes a pressing portion for pressing the switch; and the pressing portion is on at least one of the surfaces of the substrate.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, a multidirectional controller further includes a joint between the substrate and the supporting member. At least a part of the joint functions as the supporting point.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the supporting member has an opening for inserting the substrate into the supporting member. A portion where the opening and the substrate make contact with each other functions as the supporting point.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the substrate includes a sway shaft and the supporting member supports the substrate such that the substrate is swayable substantially about the sway shaft.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the switch is provided on at least one of a position lower than the top surface of the substrate and a position higher than the bottom surface of the substrate; the substrate includes a pressing portion for pressing the switch; and the pressing portion is provided at a different level from a level of the substrate and is provided at a position extending sideways from the substrate.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the substrate is an insulative substrate and the substrate includes a line pattern.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, a first securing contact portion is formed on the line pattern; the supporting member includes an elastic contact portion which deformably makes contact with the first securing contact portion; and the elastic contact portion transmits electric signals from the electronic part and electric signals from the switch to elements which are outside of the multidirectional controller.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the switch includes a movable dome-like contact portion which is made from an deformable metal thin plate; a second securing contact portion is formed on the line pattern; and the movable dome-like contact portion is on the second securing contact portion.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the electronic part includes a rotation-type or a sliding-type encoder.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the electronic part includes a rotation-type or a sliding-type switch.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the electronic part includes a click adjustment at a predetermined position.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the control portion further includes a switch which is switched when the control portion is pressed toward the supporting point.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the present invention is a multidirectional controlling device including a multidirectional controller. The multidirectional controller includes: a substrate having a first end portion and a second end portion, which sways via a supporting point provided at the first end portion; an electronic part provided at the second end portion, which includes a control portion which is manipulated in a predetermined direction. The electronic part causes the substrate to sway when the electronic part is manipulated; a supporting member for supporting the substrate; and a switch provided so as to be switched in response to the sway of the substrate, when the electronic part is manipulated in the predetermined direction. The multidirectional controller is mounted in a main body of the multidirectional controlling device such that a part of the control portion projects out from the main body.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a predetermined operation is executed or halted by manipulating the control portion in a predetermined direction.
Thus, the invention described herein makes po

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