Amusement devices: games – Including means for processing electronic data – Player-actuated control structure
Reexamination Certificate
2001-04-09
2002-10-08
Chiu, Raleigh W. (Department: 3711)
Amusement devices: games
Including means for processing electronic data
Player-actuated control structure
C463S037000, C345S161000, C345S156000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06461242
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to an operating device for an imaging processing apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to an operating device which is, while in use, connected to an image processor which generates image data of an image to be displayed on a display screen such as a television receiver or the like, and outputs operation signals which can modify the image data, that is, the image according to an operation by an operator.
BACKGROUND AND BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A conventional game machine controller
1
(first prior art controller) shown in
FIG. 1
includes a rectangular housing
1
a,
a select switch
3
for selecting a game content, a start switch
2
for designating a start of the game, a cross direction switch
4
for designating a moving direction of a game character during the game, and two action switches
5
a
and
5
b
for selecting or designating an action of the character, all the switches being provided on an upper surface of the housing
1
a.
Since a processing capability (a processing capability of a CPU) of a conventional game machine was relatively low in comparison with a present game machine, it was possible to sufficiently enjoy the game using first prior art controller
1
. However, as the game content became more complex, it became impossible to sufficiently control the action of the character by using only the two action switches
5
a
and
5
b.
Therefore, a game machine controller
1
(second prior art controller) shown in
FIG. 2
has been proposed and put into practical use. In the second prior art controller
1
, various kinds of switches are provided on an upper surface of a housing
1
a′
having a circular surface. More specifically, in the second prior art controller
1
, in addition to the select switch
3
, the start switch
2
and the cross direction switch
4
, four action switches
5
a,
5
b,
5
c
and
5
d
are provided on the surface of the housing
1
a′,
and two switches
6
a
and
6
b
are provided on a rear surface of the housing
1
a′
at positions that index fingers or middle fingers of both hands can reach while the palms of both hands are brought into contact with left and right side surfaces of the housing
1
a′.
In the second prior art controller
1
, an outer shape of the housing is designed in a manner that the side surfaces of the housing
1
a′
fit to the palms of both hands when grasping the housing
1
a′
. Accordingly, the switches can be operated without large movements of the fingers. The action switches
5
c
and
5
d,
and the left and right switches
6
a
and
6
b
are newly provided. Therefore, the operator can operate the respective switches without looking at them and then watch the screen of the monitor only. However, in a case of a game that it is required to frequently and rapidly operate a plurality of switches, there was a possibility that a positional relationship between the controller and the hands, i.e. a positional relationship between the respective switches and the fingers might change from an original positional relationship.
Therefore, a controller
1
(third prior art controller) shown in
FIG. 3
, in which no change occurs in the positional relationship between the controller and the hands has been proposed and put into practical use. In the third prior art controller
1
, a cross direction switch
4
a
and action switches
5
a
and
5
b,
and a cross direction switch
4
b
and action switches
5
c
and
5
d
are arranged on left and right housings
1
a
and
1
b,
respectively. Furthermore, two grips
7
a
and
7
b
extended from the housings
1
a
and
1
b
are provided, and grooves
8
a
and
8
b
are formed on rear surfaces of the grips
7
a
and
7
b.
By firmly holding the grips
7
a
and
7
b
by inserting fingers into the grooves
8
a
and
8
b,
it is possible to securely restrict the hands of an operator, i.e. maintain the fingers at constant positions, and therefore, the respective switches can be surely operated.
On the other hand, in the prior art controllers shown in
FIG. 1
to
FIG. 3
, a direction signal for designating a direction that an image on the monitor is to be moved is outputted by utilizing the cross direction switch
4
or
4
a
(and
4
b
). However, in the conventional cross direction switch, switch contacts are provided at four directions of upper (North), lower (South), left (West) and right (East) on the monitor screen, that is, at four directions of front, rear, left and right in a case where the controller is viewed in plane view. According to a switch contact being turned-on, the direction signal which designates one of the four directions can be outputted. That is, the cross switches provided in the conventional controllers are a kind of digital joystick. Therefore, there was a problem that the operator could not designate an arbitrary direction other than one of the four directions.
Accordingly, it is possible to consider that an analog joystick is provided on such a game machine controller. “Analog joystick” refers to a device which is provided with a lever, and which can output a direction signal determined by a direction in which the lever is inclined. In such an analog joystick, there is an advantage that it is possible to designate all directions in 360 degrees. However, there is a further disadvantage to be solved that an operation of the lever is insecure.
More specifically, if a finger is detached from the lever to release the operation of the lever, the lever returns to its home position (normally, a position that the lever stands upright). Although the lever is secure at the home position, a position of a finger of the operator primarily defines a direction that the lever is inclined or an amount that the lever is inclined. Therefore, it is difficult for a person who can not finely control the position of the finger to stably operate the lever. A controller for television game machine for home use is normally held by hands of the operator to operate respective switches or keys provided on the controller. In a case where the analog joystick is provided on such a hand-holdable controller, the above described problem that the operation of the lever can not be securely performed becomes more significant.
Therefore, in a case where a controller with an analog joystick is used in a home video game machine, for example, it is possible to easily determine that there is a problem wherein a movable character cannot be moved in a desired direction when the direction that the movable character (image) displayed on the monitor screen is to be finely controlled on the screen with the analog joystick. Especially, in the video game, there are a relatively large number of scenes wherein the movable character is continuously moved in one direction without zigzagging, and in such a scene, stable operation of the analog joystick is especially required.
Therefore, a principal object of the present invention is to provide a novel operating device with an analog joystick, which is capable of being securely operated while being held by hands.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an operating device with an analog joystick, which is capable of securely outputting a direction signal in a desired direction.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an operating device with analog joystick, which is capable of continuously and securely outputting the direction signal even if it is desired that a designated direction is to be finely changed.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, an operating device is, while in use, connected to an image processor which generates image data of an image to be displayed on a monitor, and outputs an operation signal by which the image data can be changed according to an operation by an operator, the operating device comprising: a hand-holdable housing; and an analog joystick provided on the housing, wherein the analog joystick includes a lever having a tip end which protrudes from a hole of the housing and is inclined
Ashida Ken'ichiro
Miyamoto Shigeru
Nishida Yasunari
Takeda Genyo
Chiu Raleigh W.
Nintendo Co. Ltd.
Nixon & Vanderhye P.C.
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