JP2000284902A - Signal inputting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a signal inputting device for performing plural inputs even by buttons provided at a lever with excellent operability. SOLUTION: This signal inputting device is provided with a lever 3 to be operated by a player, a device body 2 for supporting the lever 3 so that the lever 3 can be inclined, and for detecting the inclination of the lever 3, a cross key 13 provided at the lever 3 for performing the input of plural kinds of input signals according to the operation of one operation button, and a substrate for detecting the input performed by the cross key 13.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a signal input device which is a so-called joystick device provided in, for example, a video game machine and operated by tilting a rod-shaped lever in a plurality of directions.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Hitherto, a joystick device has been used in a video game machine or the like in which a rod-shaped lever is operated by tilting a lever in a plurality of directions. In the joystick device, tilting in four directions can be detected by tilting the lever in the front-back direction or the left-right direction.

Recently, a joystick device that connects to a home game machine or a personal computer and determines the movement of an airplane in a simulation flight game has been proposed and sold. In this simulated flight game or the like, the lever can be regarded as a control stick of an airplane or a fighter, and the movement of the airplane or the like can be determined by tilting the lever. There is also a joystick device in which a push button is provided on an upper end surface of a lever, and for another use, for example, the push button can be used as a missile launch button.

Since one push button is generally provided on the upper end surface of the lever, the player can input the push button while holding the lever with one hand, and the game proceeds smoothly without using another hand. Can be done. However, only one input can be made with one push button.

Therefore, an analog joystick has been proposed in which a plurality of push-button switches are arranged at various positions on a lever. In such a joystick,
The operation of the push buttons is complicated. For example, when the plurality of push buttons are quickly pressed in a predetermined order while the lever is tilted in a predetermined direction, the operation is difficult. Also, for example, 2
It is also difficult to press the push buttons simultaneously.

On the other hand, when the lever is provided with a push button as in the joystick device, there is a case where the operation of the lever is not required and only the input from the push button is valid depending on the game content. In this case, it is not necessary to tilt the lever at all, but the lever is tilted with the operation of the push button. In particular, when a plurality of push buttons are provided on the lever, if the lever is carelessly tilted in accordance with the operation of the push button, there is a possibility that rapid operation of the push button may be hindered.

[0007]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been conceived in view of the above circumstances, and provides a signal input device which is capable of performing a plurality of inputs with a button provided on a lever and which is excellent in operability. The task is to provide.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a signal input device capable of restricting the inclination of the lever when only the button is used.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention takes the following technical measures.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lever for operation by a player, a main body for supporting the lever in a tiltable manner, and first detecting means for detecting a direction of inclination of the lever with respect to the main body. , Provided on the lever, input means capable of inputting a plurality of types of input signals by operating one operation button, and second detection means for detecting an input by the input means. An input device is provided.

According to a preferred embodiment, the input means comprises a cross switch capable of inputting in four directions.

According to the present invention, if the lever is tilted by the player, any direction of the tilted lever is detected. In addition, if the input is made by the input means by the player, any of the input signals is detected. Therefore, if the direction of the lever and the input of the input means are suitably used by, for example, software incorporated in an external device, the movement of the character in the game can have many variations, thereby increasing the fun of the game. Can be. Moreover, since a plurality of types of input signals can be input by operating one operation button, the player must re-grip the lever to operate the operation button, or change the finger for operating the operation button as appropriate. It is not necessary to move the finger to press the operation button while holding down the lever, or to move the finger greatly, thereby improving the operability.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a lever for operation by a player, a main body for supporting the lever in a tiltable manner, a first detecting means for detecting a direction of inclination of the lever with respect to the main body, An input unit provided on the lever and capable of inputting an input signal by operating an operation button; a second detection unit for detecting an input by the input unit; and restricting a tilt of the lever in at least one direction. A signal input device, comprising: a regulating unit.

According to a preferred embodiment, the restricting means comprises a U-shaped restricting member in a plan view, and restricts the inclination of the lever by fitting a concave portion of the restricting member into the lever.

According to another preferred embodiment, the regulating means comprises a plurality of regulating members, and the plurality of regulating members regulate directions different from each other.

According to another preferred embodiment, the restricting means comprises a locking member provided below the main body and locking the lever pushed into the main body.

According to another preferred embodiment, a projection is formed at the lower end of the lever, and the regulating means regulates the inclination of the lever by locking the projection.

According to the present invention, the tilting of the lever in any direction or all directions can be restricted by the restricting means. For example, when only the button provided on the lever by the player is used, ,
The lever can be prevented from being inadvertently tilted, and in particular, when a plurality of input signals are input by the buttons provided on the lever, the lever can be prevented from becoming unstable, and the risk of hindering the operation of the button can be eliminated.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description given below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an external view of a joystick device which is a signal input device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an outline view of a main part of the joystick device, (a) is a plan view,
(b) is a side view. The joystick device includes a substantially rectangular case 1, a main body 2 fixed to the case 1, and a lever 3 that is supported to be tiltable with respect to the main body 2 and operated by a player.

A connector 4 for connecting to an external device such as a home game machine is provided on a side surface of the case 1, and a connection cable 5 is connected to the connector 4.
Of course, a connector is also used to connect the connection cable 5 to an external device. The connector 4 may be omitted and the connector may be used only for connecting the connection cable 5 to an external device.

When the joystick device is mounted on a video game machine or the like, the case 1 is removed and the lever 3 is mounted inside the housing of the video game machine so as to protrude from the housing surface.

The main body 2 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape, and has a decorative plate 6 and a rubber sheet 7 on the upper surface.

The lever 3 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, is supported by a well-known rolling bearing so as to be tiltable with respect to the main body 2, and is normally urged to be stationary in the vertical direction. . A substantially spherical grip 8 is formed at the upper end of the lever 3. In addition, the lever 3 is provided with an annular contact 9 on a peripheral surface facing the inside of the main body 2 as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, the main body 2 has an annular contact 9 of the lever 3.
, And a plurality of contacts 10 are respectively provided in four directions of front and rear and left and right. The contact 10
The external terminal 11 of the main body 2 is connected to the connector 4 via a signal line (not shown).

With this configuration, when the lever 3 is tilted in any direction, the annular contact 9 comes into contact with the contact 10 located in any direction. Then, a detection signal due to the contact is output to the outside via the connector 4, and the inclination direction of the lever 3 is detected.

When the lever 3 is released from the state in which the lever 3 is tilted by the player, the lever 3 returns to the upright state by the action of a spring (not shown).

The grip 8 of the lever 3 comprises a lower hemisphere 8a formed integrally with the lever 3 and an upper hemisphere 8b which can be mounted on the lower hemisphere 8a. The upper hemisphere portion 8b is provided with a cross key 13 for a player to operate on a horizontal surface 12 formed by cutting out the upper part. In order to facilitate the operation of the cross key 13, rotation of the lever 3 around the axis is restricted by a rotation preventing mechanism (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 4, the cross key 13 is provided with a rubber pad 15 on a substrate 14 housed in the upper hemisphere 8b.
Has been implemented via The cross key 13 is
And an action portion 17 extending in the front-rear and left-right directions therefrom, and is integrally formed in a substantially cross shape.
Is supported by the shaft 16 so as to be able to be pressed. As shown in FIG. 5, a common contact 21 that is in communication is provided on the lower surface of each action section 17.

On the other hand, a plurality of contacts 22 are provided on the substrate 14 at positions opposed to the respective action portions 17 in four directions of front, rear, left and right. The contact 22 is connected to a terminal 23 of the board 14, and the terminal 23 is connected to the connector 4 via a signal line 24.

With this configuration, when any one of the operation portions 17 of the cross key 13 is pressed by the player, the contact 22 located in the direction corresponding to any one of the operation portions 17 comes into contact with the common contact 21. Then, a detection signal due to the contact is output to the outside via the signal line 24 and the connector 4, and an input signal from the pressed action unit 17 is detected. The cross key 13 returns to the horizontal state when the action unit 17 is released from the pressed state by the player.

As described above, according to the present joystick device, as shown in FIG. 6, it is possible to detect the inclination of the lever 3 in four directions (see white arrow A) and to detect the inclination in four directions (see white arrow B). Can be detected when the operation unit 17 of the cross key 13 is pressed. In other words, the lever 3 allows input in four directions, and the cross key 13 allows input in four directions. Further, since the lever 3 and the cross key 13 are independent from each other in terms of wiring, it is possible to simultaneously detect input signals from both.

Since the joystick device can perform such a plurality of inputs, for example, the following usage methods can be considered. For example, when this joystick device is used in a fighting game, it can be used when two types of characters are operated at the same time, such as operating a character by inputting with the lever 3 and operating an alter ego character by inputting with the cross key 13.

Alternatively, the input by the lever 3 may be used for the movement of the character, and the input by the cross key 13 may be used as an input of a predetermined command for performing a so-called “special technique”. In this case, by pressing the four action parts 17 of the cross key 13, four types of “special moves” can be input. Of course, the four working parts 1 of the cross key 13
Including the case where two of the seven are pressed at the same time, further various types of “special moves” can be input.

When the joystick device is used in a judo game, the input from the lever 3 may be used to move the character, and the input from the cross key 13 may be used to break the balance of the opponent character.

For example, when the lever 3 is tilted in the depth direction by the player, the character moves forward,
Is inclined forward, the character retreats. Also, the operation unit 1 on the front side of the cross key 13
When the character 7 is pressed, the character pulls the opponent character toward the user, and when the action unit 17 on the right side of the cross key 13 is pressed, the character performs an operation such as pressing the opponent character right.

Therefore, if the lever 3 is tilted in the depth direction while the player presses the action portion 17 on the near side, the opponent character falls forward. Here, when the separately provided “foot skill” button is pressed, the character performs “tomoe throw” on the opponent character. Alternatively, when a separately provided “manipulation” button is pressed, the character performs a “shoulder throw” on the opponent character.

When another player operates an opponent character who is fighting, the lever 3
Is tilted or the cross key 13 is pressed,
By tilting the lever 3 toward the front by another player, the opponent character may be prevented from turning forward.

When the joystick device is used for a soccer game, the input from the lever 3 is used to move the character, and the input from the cross key 13 is used to move the center of gravity of the character. In this way, the character leans in one direction and then runs in the other direction.
A so-called feint movement can be performed.

The above-mentioned method of use is merely an example, and if the input by the lever 3 and the cross key 13 is suitably used by software incorporated in an external device, in addition to the above, the character can be sophisticated and various. You can have a variety of movements. For this reason, the game is more interesting for the player, and the effect of promoting the repetition of the game is obtained.

Further, since the cross key 13 is provided on the upper end surface of the lever 3, the operation for performing the complicated operation of the character described above can be easily performed with one hand. Equipment can be provided.

When the software is set so that the respective inputs in the same direction among the inputs by the lever 3 and the cross key 13 have the same meaning, either of the lever 3 or the cross key 13 is used. To play the game can be selected according to the player's preference.

That is, since the video game machine is mainly provided with the lever 3, if the player is accustomed to the video game machine, the lever 3 may be used.
On the other hand, in the home game machine, the cross key 13 is mainly provided in the input device. Therefore, when the player is used to the home game machine, the cross key 13 may be used.

By the way, according to the joystick device, the player can select an input using the lever 3 or an input using the cross key 13. In this case, when the cross key 13 is selected and operated by the player, the lever 3 can be tilted and thus becomes unstable, which may hinder the operation of the cross key 13 by the player.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the following method is used in order to restrict the inclination of the lever 3 with respect to the main body 2.

FIG. 7 is an external view of a restricting piece for restricting the inclination of the lever 3, and FIG. 8 is an external view of a base plate for attaching the restricting piece. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the restricting piece and the base plate are assembled to the joystick device. 7A to 9, (a) is a plan view, and (b) is a side view. The configuration of the cross key 13 is omitted for convenience.

In this regulation method, two regulation pieces 31a,
31b (hereinafter collectively referred to as "regulation piece 31")
Is used. The restriction piece 31 is formed in a substantially U-shape in plan view, and has a concave portion 32. A projection 33 is formed in the center of the upper surface of the regulating piece 31.

The base plate 34 is for supporting the restricting piece 31 so as to be fitted into the lever 3 and has a substantially flat shape, and has a pair of lower surfaces for guiding the restricting pieces 31a and 31b on its lower surface. Guide pieces 38 and 39 are respectively attached. Both guide pieces 38 and 39 have a cross section substantially L
It is formed in a character shape, and extends along the front-back direction and the left-right direction. Each of the guide pieces 38 and 39 is formed such that one guide piece is shorter than the other guide piece for the sake of installation space. In FIG. 8B, the guide piece 39 is omitted for convenience of explanation.

Further, a hole 35 through which the lever 3 passes is formed in the center of the base plate 34. Further, two long holes 36 and 37 are formed along the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, respectively.

The regulating piece 31 has projections 33 fitted into the elongated holes 36 and 37, and both elongated pieces are supported by guide pieces 38 and 39 of the base plate 34 so as to be slidable with respect to the base plate 34. It is attached. Specifically, one restriction piece 31a
Is slidable in the front-rear direction (see white arrow C). The other regulating piece 31b is slidable in the left-right direction (see white arrow D).

With this configuration, while the protrusion 33 of one of the restriction pieces 31a is pinched by the player, the restriction piece 31
When a is moved until the lever 3 is fitted into the concave portion 32, the lever 3 cannot be tilted in the left-right direction by the restriction piece 31a, and the tilt in the left-right direction is restricted.

Further, the other regulating piece 31 b is
When the lever 3 is moved until the lever 3 is fitted into the
Cannot be tilted in the front-rear direction by the restriction piece 31b, and the tilt in the front-rear direction is restricted.

For this reason, the inclination of the lever 3 in all directions is restricted by the two restriction pieces 31 and the upright state is maintained. As described above, since the inclination of the lever 3 is regulated by the regulating piece 31, it is possible to prevent the lever 3 from becoming unstable when the player selects to use only the cross key 13, and to operate the cross key 13. Can be eliminated.

Further, by the restriction pieces 31a and 31b,
As shown in FIG. 10, the inclination of the lever 3 in only the front-back direction or only the left-right direction can be restricted. That is,
FIG. 5A shows a state in which only the other restricting piece 31b is fitted to the lever 3, thereby restricting only in the front-back direction. FIG. 4B shows a state in which only one of the restricting pieces 31a is fitted to the lever 3, whereby the restricting in only the left and right directions can be performed.

As shown in FIG. 11, the regulating piece 31a
So that the innermost portion 40 of the concave portion 32 of the
If the regulating piece 31a is moved, the lever 3 cannot be tilted in the depth direction due to the deepest portion 40 of the concave portion 32.
Therefore, it is possible to perform a restriction such that the tilt can be made only in one direction, that is, only in the forward direction.

Similarly, in order to make only the leftward tilt effective, the other regulating piece 31b is moved so that the innermost part of the concave portion 32 of the other regulating piece 31b contacts the lever 3. I just need.

As a method for regulating the inclination of the lever, a method of regulating the inclination of the lever by pushing the lever itself into the main body 2 as described below can be considered.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are external views of a lever used in this method, in which FIG. 12A is a side view and FIG. 12B is a bottom view. 13A and 13B are diagrams showing a locking plate for locking the lever, wherein FIG. 13A is a plan view and FIG. 13B is a side view. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state before the lever is pushed into the main body and a state after the lever is pushed into the body.

The lever 41 has substantially the same structure as the lever 3 described above, except that the lever 4 is provided on the lower peripheral surface.
The point is that two projections 43 for locking 1 to the locking plate 42 are formed.

The locking plate 42 is formed in a substantially flat plate shape, and is fixed to a case (not shown) so as to be located below the main body 2. A pedestal 44 for supporting the lever 41 is provided on the upper surface of the locking plate 42. In the center of the locking plate 42 and the pedestal 44, holes 45 and 46 each having substantially the same cross-sectional shape as the lever 41 are formed.
The lever 41 is penetrated by 5,46.

With this configuration, when the lever 41 is pushed into the main body 2 as shown in FIG. 14B from the normal state of the lever 41 as shown in FIG. Is inserted into the hole 45 of the pedestal 44 and the hole 46 of the locking plate 42. In this case, a projection 43 is provided at the lower end of the lever 41.
Is formed, it is necessary to fit the projection 43 to the concave portion 47 of the holes 45 and 46 and insert it into the lever 41.

Next, when the lower end of the lever 41 projects from the hole 46 of the locking plate 42, the lever 41 is rotated by about 90 degrees in that state. Then, the projection 43 becomes the locking plate 4
2, the lever 41 is kept pressed into the body 2. Therefore, the inclination of the lever 41 is restricted.

In order to release the restricted state of the lever 41, the lever 41 is rotated by about 90 degrees, and the projection 43 is
What is necessary is just to lift up according to the recessed part 47 of 5,46. In FIG. 14, reference numeral 48 denotes a spring for preventing the lever 41 from being pulled out of the main body 2.

As described above, if the lever 41 is pushed into the main body 2 and the lever 41 is locked by the locking plate 42,
The lever 41 is inserted into the main body 2 and the lever 41 is inserted.
Can be restricted.

Further, as a method of restricting the inclination of the lever 3, there is a method of invalidating an input by the lever 3 in a signal manner by software incorporated in an external device. In this case, the input from the cross key 13 can be similarly invalidated.

As described above, by using the restricting piece 31 and the locking plate 42, the inclination of the levers 3 and 41 can be restricted. FIG. 15 shows the direction in which the input of the lever 3 and the cross key 13 is regulated for each of the various regulating methods, in which the mark “〇” indicates the effective direction and the mark “x” indicates the regulated direction.

More specifically, in order to make the input by the cross key 13 valid and restrict the input by the lever 3,
A method using both regulating pieces 31 (see FIG. 9), and a locking plate 42
(See FIG. 14), and a method of invalidating the input by the lever 3 in a signal manner by software. In this case, in the method of invalidating the input by the lever 3 in a signal manner, the lever 3 can be tilted, but the standing state can be maintained by using both the restriction pieces 31 and the locking plate 42.

Further, in order to make the tilt of the lever 3 effective only in the front-rear direction or in the left-right direction after the input by the cross key 13 is made effective, the restricting piece 31a or 31b may be used.

On the other hand, in order to make the input by the lever 3 valid and restrict the input by the cross key 13, there is a method of invalidating the input by the cross key 13 by software using a signal. If the regulating piece 31 is not used, the inclination of the lever 3 becomes effective in the front, rear, left and right directions.
To enable the tilt of the front-back or left-right direction only,
What is necessary is just to use the control piece 31a or the control piece 31b, respectively.

As described above, by using the above-described method, various use modes of the lever 3 and the cross key 13 can be realized, such as restricting the inclination of the lever 3 only in a specific direction.

Of course, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, lever 3
The direction of the inclination is not limited to the four directions, but also includes the diagonal direction.
The direction or more directions may be detected. In addition, the number of operation parts 17 of the cross key 13 is also four.
It is not limited to individuals.

The cross key 13 is not limited to the above-described configuration, and a small lever, a trackball, or the like may be provided at the upper end of the lever 3.

A proximity sensor or the like for detecting that an object has approached may be provided in the concave portion 32 of the regulating piece 31.
Thus, when the lever 3 is fitted into the regulating piece 31, the presence of the lever 3 is detected by the proximity sensor, and the detection signal based on the input of the lever 3 can be signally invalidated by software.

As a method of invalidating the detection signal by the input of the lever 3 or the cross key 13, a switch for directly cutting off the signal line may be separately provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a joystick device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view of a main part of the joystick device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of the joystick device shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an internal structural view of a lever.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of a lever and a cross key.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a tilt direction of a lever and a cross key.

FIG. 7 is an outline drawing of a regulating piece.

FIG. 8 is an outline drawing of a base plate.

FIG. 9 is an external view of the joystick device when a regulating piece is assembled.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the direction of regulation.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the direction of regulation.

FIG. 12 is an outline view of a lever according to a modification.

FIG. 13 is an outline view of a locking plate.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a regulating unit according to a modification.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a regulating method and a direction in which input of a lever and a cross key is regulated.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Body 3, 41 Lever 13 Cross key 31 Restriction piece 42 Locking plate 43 Projection

Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Hiroaki Nishiura 3-1-1, Uchihiranocho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka F-term in Capcom Corporation (reference) 2C001 CA06 5B087 AA09 AB02 BC02 BC12 BC13 BC17

Claims (7)

[Claims] A lever for operation by a player; a main body for tiltably supporting the lever; first detection means for detecting a direction of inclination of the lever with respect to the main body; A signal input device, comprising: input means capable of inputting a plurality of types of input signals by operating one operation button; and second detection means for detecting an input by the input means. 2. The signal input device according to claim 1, wherein said input means comprises a cross switch capable of inputting in four directions. A lever for operation by a player; a main body for tiltably supporting the lever; first detection means for detecting a direction of inclination of the lever with respect to the main body; An input unit capable of inputting an input signal by operating an operation button, a second detection unit that detects an input by the input unit, and a restriction unit that restricts a tilt of the lever in at least one direction. A signal input device, comprising: 4. The signal input device according to claim 3, wherein said regulating means comprises a regulating member having a U-shape in plan view, and restricting the inclination of said lever by fitting a recess of said regulating member into said lever. apparatus. 5. The regulating means comprises a plurality of regulating members, wherein the plurality of regulating members regulate directions different from each other.
The signal input device according to claim 3. 6. The signal input device according to claim 3, wherein said regulating means is provided below said main body, and comprises a locking member for locking said lever pushed into said main body. 7. The signal input device according to claim 6, wherein a protrusion is formed at a lower end of the lever, and the restricting means restricts the inclination of the lever by locking the protrusion.