JP3975904B2 - Transmitter and input device provided with transmitter - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a transmitter configured to transmit a radio signal with vertical polarization as a main polarization, and an input device including the transmitter.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, as an input device having a transmitter that wirelessly transmits a signal, a video game controller with a built-in transmitter will be described as an example.
[0003]
In a video game machine, when a disc (disc-shaped recording medium) on which a game control program is recorded is loaded and a control signal from a controller operated by a player is input, the disc is generated according to the control signal. The game image is displayed on a monitor (television device).
[0004]
This type of game machine is generally configured to connect a cable from the controller to the connector of the game machine main body. For example, a plurality of players proceed with a game while operating a plurality of controllers at the same time. In such a case, a plurality of cables connecting each controller and the game machine main body cross each other, which may hinder the operation of the controller. In particular, when a child operates the controller, the child may move during the game, and the cables may be entangled with each other.
[0005]
In order to eliminate such inconvenience, it has been studied to transmit a control signal from a controller wirelessly. In this wireless transmission / reception method, a configuration in which a transmitter for transmitting a control signal wirelessly is provided in the controller and a receiver for receiving the transmitted control signal is provided in the game machine main body is considered.
[0006]
In this type of transmitter, it is considered to increase productivity by adopting a configuration in which an antenna pattern and a high-frequency circuit are formed on the same substrate (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-114992 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the transmitter configured as described above, since the antenna pattern and the high-frequency circuit are formed on the same substrate, the substrate is mounted horizontally inside the housing of the controller formed in a box shape. In this case, the main polarization transmitted from the antenna is a horizontal polarization having an amplitude in the horizontal direction. For this reason, it is necessary to provide a horizontal antenna that receives horizontal polarized waves in a receiver attached to the game machine body.
[0009]
On the front surface of the game machine main body, for example, connectors to which cables from four controllers are connected are provided at predetermined intervals. However, the horizontal dimension of a receiver having a horizontal antenna becomes larger than the distance between the connectors, and four receivers cannot be attached to the game machine body.
[0010]
On the other hand, it is possible to attach four receivers to the game machine body by providing a vertical antenna for receiving vertically polarized waves in the receiver. However, a space for providing a transmitter board vertically in the controller. There is a risk that the transmitter side cannot cope with this.
[0011]
Then, an object of this invention is to provide the input device provided with the transmitter and transmitter which solved the said subject.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following features.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, an antenna pattern and a high frequency circuit are formed on a substrate, a signal generated by the high frequency circuit is supplied to the antenna pattern, and a main polarized wave corresponding to an antenna pattern mounting direction is transmitted A first substrate on which an antenna pattern is formed and a second substrate on which a high-frequency circuit is formed , and is fitted to an edge of the first substrate and the second substrate. forming a notch by Rukoto coupled so as to intersect with notches fitting of the second substrate is fitted against notch fitting of the first substrate, an antenna pattern is formed Only the first substrate can be attached in the vertical direction for transmitting vertically polarized waves, and can be attached to a limited space in a miniaturized casing.
[0013]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the fitting is performed so that the first substrate has a direction extending in a vertical direction with respect to an edge portion of the second substrate arranged in a direction extending in the horizontal direction. By fitting the fitting notches together, it is possible to attach only the first substrate on which the antenna pattern is formed in the vertical direction for transmitting vertical polarization, and the limited space in the miniaturized housing Attached to.
[0015]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the notch for fitting is formed so as to be positioned in the vicinity of the power supply terminal of the antenna pattern, and only the first substrate on which the antenna pattern is formed transmits vertical polarization. The antenna pattern can be attached in the vertical direction, and the antenna pattern and the high frequency circuit can be easily electrically connected.
[0016]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input device including the transmitter according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein only the first substrate on which the antenna pattern is formed transmits vertical polarization. It can be mounted vertically and is installed in a limited space within the input device.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a video game device to which an embodiment of a transmitter and an input device including the transmitter according to the present invention is applied.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 1, the video game apparatus 10 includes a game machine body 12 and a controller (input device) 14 that wirelessly transmits a control signal to the game machine body 12. The game machine body 12 is provided with a power switch 15 and a disk mounting portion 16 on which a disk (CD-ROM) storing a video game control program is mounted on the upper surface. In addition, the game machine body 12 has four connectors 18 in a horizontal row on the front surface.
[0019]
The connector 18 is connected to a receiver 20 that receives a control signal (radio wave) transmitted from the controller 14. Since up to four receivers 20 are attached, up to four people can simultaneously operate the controller 14 and participate in the game. The connector 18 is for cable connection, and a cable type controller can also be connected.
[0020]
The game machine body 12 is connected to the television device 24 via the cable 22. The television device 24 has a built-in television tuner so that a normal television broadcast can be viewed, and displays a game image (moving image) transferred from the game machine body 12 on the screen by switching to the video channel.
[0021]
The controller 14 is provided with an operation key 28 in the XY direction and three types of operation buttons 30 on an upper surface of a resin casing 26 formed in a box shape. Further, a transmitter is housed in the housing 26 of the controller 14 as will be described later.
[0022]
Here, the configuration of the controller 14 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the controller 14. FIG. 3 is a plan view in which the central portion of the controller 14 is cut away.
[0023]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the controller 14 includes a circuit board (not shown) for generating a control signal corresponding to the operation of the operation key 28 and the operation button 30 in the internal space 32 of the housing 26. A transmitter 34 for transmitting a control signal wirelessly is housed.
[0024]
The transmitter 34 is attached so as to be positioned at the substantially central front end of the internal space 32. The transmitter 34 is held in a state where the antenna substrate 36 that transmits vertically polarized waves is close to the front inner wall of the housing 26. The antenna board 36 has a lower front edge formed in an inclined shape corresponding to the inclined portion 26 a of the front inner wall of the housing 26.
[0025]
4A and 4B are diagrams showing the configuration of the transmitter 34, where FIG. 4A is a front view, FIG. 4B is a side view, and FIG. 4C is a bottom view.
As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the transmitter 34 includes an antenna substrate (first substrate) 36 and a high-frequency circuit substrate (second substrate) 38. The high frequency circuit board 38 is covered with a shield case 40 formed in a box shape so that the high frequency circuit cannot be seen from the surroundings.
[0026]
The high frequency circuit board 38 is attached in a direction extending in the horizontal direction. The antenna substrate 36 is coupled in a direction that intersects the vertical direction orthogonal to the high-frequency circuit substrate 38.
[0027]
The antenna substrate 36 is formed in a relatively thin plate shape, but the high-frequency circuit substrate 38 has a plane area larger than a side area. For this reason, when the high-frequency circuit board 38 is housed in the housing 26 in a direction extending in the vertical direction, it interferes with other components arranged in the lower space. Since only the upper space is vacant inside the housing 26, interference with other components can be prevented by mounting the high-frequency circuit board 38 horizontally.
[0028]
As described above, the transmitter 34 is attached in a direction in which the high-frequency circuit board 38 extends in the horizontal direction, and the antenna board 36 is coupled in a direction intersecting the vertical direction perpendicular to the high-frequency circuit board 38. The installation space in the vertical direction of the high-frequency circuit board 38 is smaller than in the case where the high-frequency circuit board 38 is provided in the vertical direction, and the installation space inside the housing 26 can be secured.
[0029]
Here, the configuration of the antenna substrate 36 will be described.
5A and 5B are diagrams showing the configuration of the antenna substrate 36, where FIG. 5A is a left side view, FIG. 5B is a front view, and FIG. 5C is a right side view.
[0030]
As shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C, the antenna substrate 36 uses a double-sided substrate made of an epoxy material, and an antenna pattern 42 formed in an inverted F shape on the substrate (FIG. 5). (A) and (C) are indicated by broken lines). The antenna pattern 42 includes a first pattern 42b having a power supply terminal 42a at one end, a second pattern 42c formed in an inverted U shape upward from the other end of the first pattern 42b, and a first pattern 42b. And a third pattern 42d extending downward.
[0031]
A notch 44 for fitting the high frequency circuit board 38 is provided in the vicinity of the tip of the first pattern 42b connected to the power supply terminal. That is, the notch 44 is provided at a position to be a power feeding terminal. Further, the width of the notch 44 is formed to be slightly larger than the thickness dimension of the high-frequency circuit board 38. Furthermore, the tip of the second pattern 42c is connected to a ground terminal (GND) 42e through a through hole 42j.
[0032]
The extension length of the third pattern 42d is set to a length corresponding to the amplitude of the transmitted radio wave.
[0033]
Further, the tip portion of the third pattern 42 d is inclined inward so as not to contact the inclined portion 26 a of the front inner wall of the housing 26. In addition, when the front inner wall of the housing 26 is formed vertically, the shape of the tip portion of the third pattern 42c may be formed linearly without being inclined.
[0034]
As shown in FIG. 5A, on one surface 36a of the antenna substrate 36, a ground terminal (GND) 42f communicating with the tip portion of the second pattern 42c and a substrate fixing portion 42g are formed. . The ground terminal 42 f is formed in the upper part of the notch 44, and the substrate fixing part 42 g is formed in the lower part of the notch 44.
[0035]
Further, as shown in FIG. 5C, a power feeding terminal 42a and a ground terminal 42e are provided on the other surface 36b on the opposite side of the antenna substrate 36. The power supply terminal 42 a is formed below the notch 44, and the ground terminal 42 e is formed above the notch 44. The power supply terminal 42a and the ground terminals 42e and 42f are electrically connected to the antenna pattern 42 through through holes 42h and 42i.
[0036]
Here, a method for coupling the antenna substrate 36 and the high-frequency circuit substrate 38 configured as described above will be described.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the state before the antenna substrate 36 and the high-frequency circuit substrate 38 are joined, as viewed obliquely from above. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the state before the antenna substrate 36 and the high-frequency circuit substrate 38 are joined, as viewed obliquely from below.
[0037]
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the high-frequency circuit board 38 is provided with a fitting recess (notch) 46 for fitting the notch 44 of the antenna board 36 to the front edge portion 38a. The fitting recess 46 is formed to be slightly wider than the thickness dimension of the antenna substrate 36 and extends in a direction orthogonal to the front edge portion 38a.
[0038]
A pair of ground connection terminals 48 and 50 soldered to the ground terminals 42 e and 42 f of the antenna substrate 36 are formed on both sides of the fitting recess 46 on the upper surface of the high-frequency circuit board 38. A pair of connection terminals 52 and 54 to be soldered to the power supply terminal 42 a and the board fixing part 42 g are formed on both sides of the fitting recess 46 on the lower surface of the high-frequency circuit board 38.
[0039]
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the state in which the antenna substrate 36 and the high-frequency circuit substrate 38 are coupled together as seen obliquely from above. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the state in which the antenna substrate 36 and the high-frequency circuit substrate 38 are coupled together as seen obliquely from below.
[0040]
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, when the antenna board 36 and the high frequency circuit board 38 are coupled, the notch 44 of the antenna board 36 and the fitting recess 46 of the high frequency circuit board 38 are fitted. combine. As a result, the antenna substrate 36 and the high-frequency circuit substrate 38 can be easily aligned relative to each other and are fitted in directions orthogonal to each other.
[0041]
In this orthogonal state, the ground connection terminals 48 and 50 formed on the upper surface of the high-frequency circuit board 38 are close to the ground terminals 42e and 42f of the antenna board 36 in the vicinity of the intersection and formed on the lower surface of the high-frequency circuit board 38. The connection terminals 52 and 54 are close to the feeding terminal 42a and the board fixing part 42g of the antenna board 36 in the vicinity of the intersection.
[0042]
Next, the ground connection terminals 48 and 50 formed on the upper surface of the high-frequency circuit board 38 and the ground terminals 42e and 42f of the antenna board 36 are soldered. Further, the connection terminals 52 and 54 formed on the lower surface of the high-frequency circuit board 38 are soldered between the power supply terminals 42a and the board fixing portion 42g of the antenna board 36.
[0043]
As a result, the antenna substrate 36 is disposed on both sides of the upper surface and the lower surface of the high-frequency circuit substrate 38 by the solder 56, as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, in the vicinity of the intersection of the substrates 36 and 38. It is fixed at 4 places. As a result, the antenna substrate 36 is firmly held in the direction extending in the vertical direction with respect to the high-frequency circuit substrate 38 attached so as to extend in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the antenna substrate 36 fixed to the high-frequency circuit substrate 38 is held in a vertical state, so that it is possible to transmit vertically polarized waves having an amplitude in the vertical direction.
[0044]
As described above, the transmitter 34 provided in the controller 14 transmits a control signal according to the operation of the operation key 28 and the operation button 30 in the vertical polarization. Therefore, the receiver 20 connected to the connector 18 of the game machine body 12 is also attached to a vertical type extending in the vertical direction so as to receive vertical polarization.
[0045]
Further, the ground connection terminals 48 and 50 and the connection terminals 52 and 54 formed on the high-frequency circuit board 38 are mechanically soldered to the ground terminals 42e and 42f, the power supply terminal 42a, and the board fixing portion 42g of the antenna board 36. In addition, it is possible to connect the substrates 36 and 38 electrically.
[0046]
Therefore, for example, the number of work steps can be reduced and productivity can be increased and the substrates can be firmly bonded as compared with the case where both substrates are fixed with an adhesive and the terminals of both substrates are connected with lead wires. Become. Therefore, even if the child drops or throws the controller 14, the antenna substrate 36 can be prevented from dropping and the impact resistance can be improved.
[0047]
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which four receivers 20 are attached to the game machine body 12.
As shown in FIG. 10, since the receivers 20 _{1 to} 20 ₄ are vertical so as to receive vertical polarization, it is possible to attach four connectors 18 to the front surface of the game machine body 12. Become. Therefore, four players can participate in the video game by operating the _four controllers 14 _{1 to} 14 ₄ .
[0048]
When a plurality of controllers 14 are used, a channel changeover switch (not shown) provided in the controller 14 is operated so as not to have the same frequency so that signals from the controllers 14 do not interfere with each other.
[0049]
In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which up to four controllers 14 _{1 to} 14 _{4 are} operated is given as an example. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and the number of receivers 20 mounted on the front surface of the game machine body 12 is not limited thereto. Depending on the situation, it is possible to use 5 or more or less than 4.
[0050]
Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the transmitter 34 provided in the controller 14 which transmits a signal to the game machine main body 12 was mentioned as an example, it is not restricted to this, Input devices other than this (for example, other electric products) Of course, the present invention can also be applied to a wireless remote controller used for the wireless communication, a wireless keyboard provided with a plurality of operation keys, and the like.
[0051]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the antenna pattern and the high-frequency circuit are formed on the substrate, the signal generated by the high-frequency circuit is supplied to the antenna pattern, and the main bias corresponding to the mounting direction of the antenna pattern is supplied. A transmitter for transmitting a wave, comprising a first substrate on which an antenna pattern is formed and a second substrate on which a high-frequency circuit is formed, and an edge of the first substrate and the second substrate part forming a notch for fitting in, since the coupled so as to intersect with notches fitting of the second substrate is fitted against notch fitting of the first substrate, an antenna pattern is formed Only the first substrate thus formed can be attached in the vertical direction for transmitting vertically polarized waves, and can be attached in a limited space in a miniaturized casing.
[0052]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the first substrate is oriented in the direction extending in the vertical direction with respect to the edge portion of the second substrate arranged in the direction extending in the horizontal direction. Since the fitting notches are fitted together, it is possible to attach only the first substrate on which the antenna pattern is formed in the vertical direction for transmitting the vertically polarized wave, and the size of the housing that is reduced in size is limited. Mounted in space.
[0054]
According to the invention of claim 3 , since the notch for fitting is formed so as to be positioned in the vicinity of the feeding terminal of the antenna pattern, only the first substrate on which the antenna pattern is formed transmits vertical polarization. The antenna pattern can be attached in the direction, and the antenna pattern and the high-frequency circuit can be easily electrically connected.
[0055]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input device including the transmitter according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein only the first substrate on which the antenna pattern is formed is vertically polarized. It can be mounted vertically in the transmitting direction and can be mounted in a limited space within the input device.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a video game device to which an embodiment of a transmitter and an input device including the transmitter according to the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a controller 14;
FIG. 3 is a plan view in which a central portion of the controller 14 is cut away.
4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating a configuration of a transmitter 34, in which FIG. 4A is a front view, FIG. 4B is a side view, and FIG. 4C is a bottom view.
5A and 5B are diagrams showing a configuration of an antenna substrate 36, where FIG. 5A is a left side view, FIG. 5B is a front view, and FIG. 5C is a right side view.
6 is a perspective view of the state before the antenna substrate 36 and the high-frequency circuit substrate 38 are joined, as viewed obliquely from above. FIG.
7 is a perspective view of the state before the antenna substrate 36 and the high-frequency circuit substrate 38 are joined, as viewed obliquely from below. FIG.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the antenna substrate 36 and the high-frequency circuit substrate 38 coupled to each other as viewed obliquely from above.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the antenna substrate 36 and the high-frequency circuit substrate 38 coupled together as seen obliquely from below.
10 is a perspective view showing a state in which four receivers 20 are attached to the game machine main body 12. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 TV game apparatus 12 Game machine main body 14 Controller 18 Connector 20 Receiver 22 Cable 24 Television apparatus 26 Case 28 Operation key 30 Operation button 32 Space 34 Transmitter 36 Antenna board 38 High frequency circuit board 40 Shield case 42 Antenna pattern 42a Power supply Terminal 42b First pattern 42c Second pattern 42d Third pattern 42e, 42f Ground terminal 42g Substrate fixing part 44 Notch 46 Fitting recess 48, 50 Ground connection terminal 52, 54 Connection terminal 56 Solder

Claims (4)

A transmitter that forms an antenna pattern and a high-frequency circuit on a substrate, supplies a signal generated by the high-frequency circuit to the antenna pattern, and transmits a main polarization according to a mounting direction of the antenna pattern,
The first substrate on which the antenna pattern is formed and the second substrate on which the high-frequency circuit is formed are separated, and a notch for fitting is formed at the edge of the first substrate and the second substrate. formed, the transmitter characterized in that coupled so as to intersect by fitting the notch fitting of the second substrate to the first-out fitting notch of the substrate. The first substrate is configured to fit the notches for fitting so that the first substrate is oriented in a direction perpendicular to the edge of the second substrate arranged in a direction extending in the horizontal direction . The transmitter according to claim 1. 3. The transmitter according to claim 2, wherein the fitting notch is formed so as to be positioned in the vicinity of a power feeding terminal of the antenna pattern . An input device comprising the transmitter according to any one of claims 1 to 3 .

Images