Amusement devices: games – Games accessories – All video game accessories
Patent
1988-03-03
1990-01-09
Coven, Edward M.
Amusement devices: games
Games accessories
All video game accessories
273DIG28, 273 85G, 250231SE, 74471XY, 341 6, A63B 1704, G01D 534, H03M 126, F16H 1300
Patent
active
048923125
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an operating device for a TV game machine for inputting the coordinate positions of a controlled object moving on the face of the CRT screen of the TV game machine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
TV game machines selectively use a coordinate value-input device, such as a joystick or ball controller, that is appropriate to the format of the games played thereon.
In certain games, such as block destroying games or tennis games, in which the coordinate positions of a controlled object such as a paddle or racket used to hit a moving object are moved right and left, it is well known to move the coordinate positions of the controlled object by turning a knob mounted on a variable resistor and thereby varying the resistance thereof.
Such an operating device of the type used in the above-described games has the following problem: the knob must be turned through a large angle so as to move the paddle right across the screen, which is a rather inconvenient operation.
Further, the operating device which employs the variable resistor has a very short life-span due to the frequency of operation of the knob and the excessive levels of force applied thereto by game players who become absorbed in the game.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an operating device for a TV game machine which offers good operability and which does not become worn out by frequent rotation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An operating device for a TV game machine according to the present invention is used for inputting the coordinate positions of a controlled object that moves over the face of the screen of the TV game machine. The device comprises a base assembly, a main shaft, an operating knob, a rotational number increasing mechanism, a disk, and a sensor section.
The base assembly is mounted on the control box of a game machine body. The main shaft is rotatably mounted on the base assembly. The operating knob is mounted on an end of the main shaft for rotation of the main shaft. The rotational number increasing mechanism is housed in the base assembly for increasing the rotational number of the main shaft. The disk is fixed to the output shaft of the rotational number increasing mechanism, and has a plurality of holes or notches on the periphery thereof.
The sensor section serves to detect the number of holes or notches in the disk. The sensor section may include two photosensors or magnetic sensors for distinguishing between two rotational directions of the disk.
In the present invention, the rotational number of the main shaft is increased by the rotational number increasing mechanism, and so the paddle can be moved right across the screen by rotation of the operating knob through a small angle. Further, the output shaft of the rotational number increasing mechanism is detected optically or magnetically. In consequence, the operating device can withstand hard use and hence enjoy a remarkable long life.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 1 to 3 show an embodiment of an operating device for a TV game machine according to the present invention; FIG. 1 being a cross-sectional front view thereof, FIG. 2 being a bottom view and FIG. 3 being a side-elevational view.
FIG. 4a is a view showing a pulse cam which is used in the operating device of this embodiment and which has holes, and FIG. 4b is a view showing a pulse cam which is used in the operating device of this embodiment and which has notches.
FIG. 5a is a plan view showing a photosensor used in the operating device of this embodiment and FIG. 5b is a bottom view showing the photosensor used in the operating device of this embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing mainly a detecting section of the operating device according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a side-elevational view showing the state wherein the operating device for the TV game machine is mounted on a control box.
FIG. 8a is a side-elevational view of a modified example of a base assembly according to the present invention and FIG. 8b is
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Minemoto Hideki
Yamaguchi Hisayuki
Coven Edward M.
Jackson Gary
Kabushiki Kaisha Taito
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