Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device – Cursor mark position control device
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-29
2002-12-03
Shankar, Vijay (Department: 2673)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
Cursor mark position control device
C345S156000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06489946
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF ARTS
The present invention relates to an operating device with analog joystick. More specifically, the present invention relates to an operating device with analog joystick, which is, while in use, connected to an image processor which generates image data of an image to be displayed on a monitor such as a television receiver and etc., and outputs operation signals which can modify the image data, that is, the image according to an operation by an operator.
PRIOR ARTS
A conventional game machine controller
1
(first prior art) shown in
FIG. 1
includes a rectangular housing
1
a,
and 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 ability (a processing ability 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 with using the first prior art controller
1
. However, as the game content becomes more complex, it became impossible to sufficiently control the action of the character with using only the two action switches
5
a
and
5
b.
Therefore, a game machine controller
1
(second prior art) shown in
FIG. 2
has been proposed, and put into practical use. In the second prior art controller
1
, a 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 palms of the 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′
can be fit to the palms of the both hands grasping the housing
1
a′,
and therefore, the switches can be operated without large movements of the fingers while 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 watching the respective switches on the housing
1
a′
and with seeing only a screen of the monitor. 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 be deviated from an original positional relationship.
Therefore, a controller
1
(third prior art) shown in
FIG. 3
, in which no deviation 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, there are provided with two grips
7
a
and
7
b
extended from the housings
1
a
and
1
b,
and grooves
8
a
and
8
b
are formed on rear surfaces of the grips
7
a
and
71
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 surely restrict hands of an operator, i.e. 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 with 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 plain, and 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 is a kind of digital joysticks. Therefore, there was a problem that the operator cannot designate an arbitrary direction other than the four directions.
Accordingly, it is possible to consider that there is provided with an analog joystick on such a game machine controller. Meanwhile, a term “analog joystick” means a device which is provided with a lever, and can determined by a direction that 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, and 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 remarkable.
Therefore, in a case where a controller with analog joystick is adopted in the video game machine for home use, for example, it is possible to easily estimate that there occurs a problem that a movable character can not be moved in a desired direction when a direction that the movable character (image) displayed on the monitor screen is to be finely controlled on the screen with utilizing the analog joystick. Especially, in the video game, there occur a relatively larger number of scenes that the movable character is continuously moved in one direction without zigzagging, and in such a scene, a stability of the operation of the analog joystick is especially required.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, a principal object of the present invention is to provide a novel operating device with 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 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.
An operating device for image processor according to the present invention 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 provide on the housing, wherein the analog joystick includes a lever having a tip end which is protruded from
Ashida Ken'ichiro
Miyamoto Shigeru
Nishida Yasunari
Takeda Genyo
Nintendo Co. Ltd.
Nixon & Vanderhye P.C.
Patel Nitin
Shankar Vijay
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