JP3466414B2 - Game console operating device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine operating device, and more particularly to a game machine operating device used as a controller of a video game machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an operation device for a game machine, there are a controller for a home video game machine, an operation device and a control device for a large video game machine for a playground, and the like.

Such a conventional operating device is mainly used to make an appropriate input according to the screen development of the game machine. As the contents of the game have become more sophisticated, the number of switches mounted on the operating device has increased, and improvements have been made in the shape of the operating device and the arrangement of the switches that are suitable for fully using the switches.

[0004]

Nowadays, with the sophistication of games, there has been a demand for more realistic ones that allow users to experience the game contents. In particular, if the game content has an action scene, etc., the operator of the game machine (hereinafter referred to as the "player") is impacted by this action, for example, a collision in a car race, an attack from the opponent side in a fighting scene, etc. It is expected that the sense of presence will be transmitted to the player in a more realistic manner to enhance the realism of the game.

Therefore, in the present invention, an operating device for a game machine in which the operating device itself can vibrate in response to the contents displayed on the screen of the game machine in order to enhance the realism of the game and further enhance the reality. The challenge is to provide.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the operating device for a game machine according to claim 1 of the present invention is characterized in that a magnet is attached to a rotating shaft of a motor, and the motor and the magnetic member are elastic. A vibrating device, which is connected by a member, in which the magnetic member and the magnet are arranged in proximity to each other, and the magnetic member or the motor vibrates via the elastic member by the rotation of the magnet, is incorporated therein. is there.

Further, a feature of the operating device for a game machine described in claim 2 is that the magnetic member in claim 1 is a magnet.

A game machine operating device according to a third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that a magnet is attached to a rotating shaft of a motor, and the motor and the weight are connected by an elastic member made of a magnetic metal plate. A vibrating device in which a part of an elastic member is disposed close to the magnet and the weight or the motor vibrates via the elastic member by the rotation of the magnet is incorporated inside.

Further, a feature of the operating device for a game machine according to a fourth aspect is that the vibrating device is incorporated into an arm portion in the first, second or third aspect.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of a game machine operating device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a game machine operating device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The operating device imitates the shape of a steering wheel of an automobile or a motorcycle, or the shape of a control device of an airplane. In this example, a steering wheel like a motorcycle is cited.

The player of the game machine operates the game by gripping the arm portions 1b protruding from both sides of the main body 1a of the operating device 1. Various switches 1c for operation are attached to the main body 1a. The player grasps the arm portion 1b and appropriately turns on these switches 1c with his finger,
While turned off, the operation device 1 is further rotated right and left by an appropriate angle to operate the game.

The vibrating device 2 is fixed inside the arm portion 1b of the operating device 1 by screwing or the like (not shown). Then, according to the development of the screen display contents of the game machine, an electric signal is input to the vibration device 2 at an appropriate timing, and the vibration device 2 vibrates. This vibration is caused by the arm 1b.
And the arm portion 1b vibrates. In this way, this vibration is transmitted to the player holding the arm portion 1b,
The presence of the player can be enhanced in response to the display of the game screen and the sound effects.

Although only one vibrating device 2 is shown in FIG. 1, the vibrating device 2 is not limited to one in particular, and a plurality of vibrating devices 2 may be used depending on the content of the game and the taste of the player.
Can be incorporated into the operating device 1. Further, it is preferable to fix the vibration device 2 to the arm portion 1b as shown in this figure because strong vibration is transmitted to the player while the vibration is little damped. Furthermore, when the player grips the arm portion 1b, the portion (the arm portion 1b) facing the palm of the player is held.
It is preferable to fix the vibrating device 2 on the upper surface side) so that a strong vibration is surely transmitted to the player.

Next, FIG. 2 is a schematic side view illustrating the vibrating device 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 (a)
The configuration will be described with reference to FIG. 3A. The center of a cylindrical rotating body 4 made of a metal material such as iron or brass or a plastic material is fixed to the tip of the rotating shaft 3a of the motor 3 by press fitting or screwing. .

Next, the magnets 5 are attached to the circumferential surface of the rotating body 4 at appropriate intervals. For example, as shown in the vibration device 2 in FIG. 1 above, the two magnets 5 are curved plate-like, and are fixed facing each other in the diametrical direction of the rotating body 4 (separated by 180 degrees). For this fixing, adhesion with an adhesive, screwing, or embedding in the rotating body is possible.

The number of magnets 5 may be one or several as long as the vibration mechanism described later can be achieved, and the rotating body 4 itself may be composed of the magnets 5. Further, a magnet having a strong magnetic force is used as the magnet 5, and a magnet made of Nd-Fe-B or the like is suitable.

Next, one end of a magnetic member 6 made of a magnetic metal block such as iron or nickel is arranged near the outer periphery of the rotating body 4, and the other end of the magnetic member 6 and the motor 3 are arranged.
And were connected and fixed by the elastic member 7. As the elastic member 7, a leaf spring made of stainless steel or a plate material made of hard rubber or plastic was used. The connecting and fixing are performed between one end of the elastic member 7 and the case of the motor 3 and between the other end of the elastic member 7 and the other end of the magnetic member 6 depending on respective materials. Then, welding, adhesion, screwing, or the like is used.

Now, the mechanism by which the vibrating device 2 having the above structure vibrates will be described. As shown in FIG. 2A, when the magnet 5 and the magnetic member 6 are close to each other, the magnetic field of the magnet 5 exerts an attractive force between them.
The magnetic member 6 approaches the magnet 5 against the elastic force of the elastic member 7. However, due to the rotation of the motor 3, the rotating body 4
When is rotated 90 degrees further, as shown in Fig. 2 (b),
Since the magnet 5 moves away from the magnetic member 6, the attraction force suddenly weakens. Therefore, the magnetic member 6 returns to its original position by the elastic force of the elastic member 7. In this way, the magnetic member 6 is repeatedly attracted and released by the rotation of the rotating body 4 (that is, the rotation of the magnet 5) and vibrates with respect to the motor 3.

Another structure of the rotating body 4 and the magnet 5 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the schematic plan view of FIG. 5. The rotating body 4 is made of a magnetic material such as iron, and the magnet 5 has a thickness direction. And magnets of two poles that are bonded to each other so that the magnetic poles are different from each other in the adjacent direction, and these magnets of the two poles are fixed to the circumferential surface of the rotating body 4 by 180 degrees apart. With this configuration,
The magnetic force line (magnetic flux) 5a emitted from the N pole on the surface side of the magnet 5 enters the adjacent S pole and the magnetic path can be shortened, so that the attractive force to the magnetic member 6 can be increased. Further, the magnetic force line 5b emitted from the N pole on the back surface side of the magnet 5 bends toward the rotating body 4 and easily returns to the S pole of the magnet 5, so that the attractive force can be further enhanced.

Since the vibration thus occurs between the motor 3 and the magnetic member 6 via the elastic member 7, when the vibrating device 2 is fixed to the operating device 1, the fixing portion may be the motor 3. Alternatively, the magnetic member 6 may be used.
That is, in the former case, the magnetic member 6 becomes a movable part and vibrates, and in the latter case, the motor 3 itself becomes a movable part and vibrates. Further, since the magnetic member 6 and the motor 3 each have a relatively large mass, strong vibration can be applied. Further, the vibrating device 2 may be fixed to the operating device 1 so that the movable part directly collides with the inner wall of the arm part 1b. In this case, stronger vibration can be given. In addition, screwing or welding is preferably used for the above fixing.

Next, FIG. 3 is a schematic side view illustrating a vibrating device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The structure will be described. The rotating body 4 is attached to the rotating shaft 3a of the motor 3, and the magnet 5 is partially attached to the circumferential surface of the rotating body 4. The materials and mounting method of the rotor 4 and the magnet 5 are the same as in the case of FIG.

In this embodiment, the magnetic member 6 is composed of a support plate 6b having a magnet 6a having a strong magnetic force and made of Nd-Fe-B or the like bonded to each other with an adhesive or a screw. The support plate 6b is a metal material such as iron or a plastic material, and is made of a material having high rigidity. The magnetic member 6 and the motor 3 are connected to each other as shown in FIG.
Similar to the above case, the elastic member 7 is connected and fixed. That is, the magnet 6a is provided near the outer periphery of the rotating body 4.
End portions of the support plate 6b and the elastic member 7 are arranged so as to face each other.
Between the other end of the motor 3 and one end of the elastic member 7 and the motor 3
The cases are combined with each other.

Now, the mechanism by which the vibrating device 2 having the above structure vibrates will be described. That is, when the magnet 5 and the magnet 6a come close to each other, a stronger attraction force or repulsive force acts between them due to the magnetic fields provided in each. Other than that, the same mechanism as that described in FIG. 2 is used, and the rotation of the rotating body 4 (that is, the rotation of the magnet 5) resists the elastic force of the elastic member 7 to cause the magnet 6 to rotate.
a is repeatedly sucked and released, or repulsed and released, and therefore the magnetic member 6 vibrates with respect to the motor 3.

Also in the case of the present embodiment, since vibration occurs between the motor 3 and the magnetic member 6, when fixing the vibrating device 2 to the operating device 1, the fixing and adhering portion may be the motor 3 or The magnetic member 6 may be used. In the former case, the magnet 6a, which is the magnetic member 6, becomes a movable part and vibrates,
In the latter case, the motor 3 becomes a movable part and vibrates.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view illustrating a vibrating device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The structure will be described. The rotating body 4 is attached to the rotating shaft 3a of the motor 3, and the magnet 5 is partially attached to the circumferential surface of the rotating body 4. The materials and mounting method of the rotor 4 and the magnet 5 are the same as in the case of FIG. A plate-shaped elastic member 6c made of a magnetic metal plate such as iron, nickel, or a magnetic alloy near the outer periphery of the rotating body 4
A part of the elastic member 6c is fixed, and one end of the elastic member 6c is fixed to the case of the motor 3.
A weight 8 made of brass or the like is fixed to the other end of the. Although the elastic member 6c and the weight 8 are fixed to each other by pressing the other end of the elastic member 6c into the hole 8a provided in the weight 8, an appropriate means such as welding may be used.

Now, the mechanism by which the vibrating device 2 having the above structure vibrates will be described. That is, when the magnet 5 approaches a part of the elastic member 6c, the magnetic force of the magnet 5 causes an attractive force between the two, and the rotation of the rotating body 4 is performed by the same mechanism as described in FIG. As a result, the elastic member 6c itself is repeatedly sucked and released, and vibrates with respect to the motor 3. Further, the elastic member 6
Since the weight 8 is attached to one end of c, the vibration can be magnified and a large vibration can be obtained.

Also in this embodiment, if the rotating body 4 is made of a magnetic material and the magnet 5 is made of the two-pole magnet as described above, the attraction force can be further increased.
When the vibrating device 2 is fixed to the operating device 1, the fixing part may be the motor 3 or the weight 8
May be on the side.

The vibration device 2 described above can change the frequency and the magnitude of the vibration by changing the magnitude of the voltage applied to the motor 3 or the application time of the voltage. Therefore, various vibrations can be given depending on the content of the game, and more effective presence can be given to the player by increasing or decreasing the frequency and the magnitude of the vibrations with time. .

[0030]

As described above, the operating device for a game machine according to the present invention has a vibrating device incorporated therein, and the vibrating device vibrates in response to the expansion of the screen display contents of the game device. Thereby vibrating the operating device. As a result, the player holding the operation device is vibrated, and the sense of touch by the operation device of the present invention is added to the conventional visual and auditory sense of presence, and the game machine is This has the effect of greatly improving the sense of presence that is provided.

Further, since the vibrating device has a simple structure, there is an effect that the game machine operating device according to the present invention can be manufactured at low cost.

Further, since the vibrating device is configured to convert the rotational movement of the motor into vibration, it is only necessary to change the magnitude of the voltage input to the motor or the application time of the voltage to change the frequency and magnitude of the vibration. The effect is that it is possible to change the height and easily obtain various vibrations.

Further, by incorporating the vibrating device in the arm portion, the vibration is transmitted to the arm portion before being damped, and a strong vibration can be given to the player holding the arm portion.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a game machine operating device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view illustrating the vibration device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view illustrating a vibrating device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view illustrating a vibrating device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view illustrating another configuration of the rotating body and the magnet of the vibrating device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Operating device 1b Arm part 2 vibration devices 3 motor 3a rotating shaft 4 rotating body 5 magnets 6 Magnetic member 6a magnet 6b support plate 6c elastic member 7 Elastic member 8 weights

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-7-194846 (JP, A) JP-A-8-276071 (JP, A) JP-A-60-168895 (JP, A) 36692 (JP, U) Registered utility model 3012930 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A63F 13/00-13/12 A63F 9/24 A63H 1/00-37 / 00 H02K 33/00

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A magnet is attached to a rotating shaft of a motor, the motor and a magnetic member are connected by an elastic member, the magnetic member and the magnet are arranged in proximity, and the rotation of the magnet causes the elastic member to intervene. An operating device for a game machine, wherein a vibrating device for vibrating the magnetic member or the motor is incorporated therein. 2. The operating device for a game machine according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic member is a magnet. 3. A magnet is attached to a rotating shaft of a motor, the motor and the weight are connected by an elastic member made of a magnetic metal plate, and the magnet and a part of the elastic member are arranged in proximity to each other, so that the magnet rotates. Thus, a vibrating device in which the weight or the motor is vibrated via the elastic member is incorporated in the game machine operating device. 4. The game machine operating device according to claim 1, wherein the vibrating device is incorporated in an arm portion.