JP2000235822A - Multi-directional switch and portable electronic apparatus using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the thickness of a switch by setting dimension of an operating body provided freely to be moved in the horizontal direction inside a hole provided in a case smaller than that of the hole of the case, and integrally providing a slide plate with the operating body, and forming dimension of the slide plate larger than that of the hole of the case. SOLUTION: Outer diameter L1 of an operating body 7A is formed smaller than the inner diameter L2 of a case hole 1C. All parts of the multi-direction switch device (an operating body 7A, a slide body 7C, a first contact 7D, a base board 7E) are assembled, and finally, the operating body 7A can be seen through the hole 1C of the case 1. With this structure, thickness of the switch can be reduced, and assembling work is facilitated. Furthermore, the slide plate 7C is integrally provided with the operating body 7, and the outer diameter L3 of the slide plate 7C is formed larger than the inner diameter L2 of the case hole 1C so as to prevent the entrance of the dust from outside, and generation of contact failure and deterioration of the switch device can be lowered.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multi-directional switch device capable of being reduced in thickness, and more particularly to a multi-directional switch useful as an input means for a portable device such as a portable game machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a multi-directional switch device of this type aimed at thinning, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-94 as shown in FIG.
No. 053 is known.

[0003] Such a multidirectional switch device is made thinner from the following demands.

That is, in recent years, various types of portable electronic devices have been proposed which can be carried and carried in personal computers, telephones, games, and the like. However, in the above portable device, the internal control circuit and the like can be miniaturized / thinned by making the internal control circuit or the like into one chip. It is necessary to reduce the thickness.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 7-94053 has proposed the above-mentioned demand. The structure of this multi-directional switch device is, as apparent from FIG. , And a plate-shaped operating body B ′ is fastened with screws. The operating body A 'has a larger diameter than the hole D' formed in the case C '. Further, the operating body slides by the operation of the operating body A ', and the end face of the operating body A' comes into contact with a contact switch E 'arranged in the sliding direction, and the contact switch E is turned ON / OFF. Things.

[0006]

However, in the above-described conventional multidirectional switch device, the operating body A as a key head is used.
And a flat operating body B are fastened with screws, and the operating body A ′ is formed with a diameter larger than a hole D ′ drilled in the case C ′. When assembling the multi-directional switch device, there is a problem that the assembling work becomes very troublesome. To elaborate,
Since it is necessary to screw the operation body A 'and the operation body B' while holding the case therebetween, there is a problem that the assembling work becomes complicated.

As another problem, since the input of the contact switch E 'is completed only when the end face of the operating body B' comes into contact with the contact switch E, the sliding operation is not sufficiently performed. In such a case, even if the operator intends to input, there is a problem that the contact switch E is not turned ON / OFF and is not input.

Further, when the multi-directional switch device is employed in a portable electronic device, when the portable electronic device is moved in a bag or a breast pocket, input is performed to the multi-directional switch device as much as possible. You need to be careful not to get rid of it. This is because if the multidirectional switch device has a configuration in which inputs are performed very frequently, there is a problem that the durability of the switch itself is reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve all of the above problems, and to provide a multidirectional switch device capable of achieving a reduction in thickness and an electronic apparatus using the same.

[0010]

In view of the above problems (problems), the present invention employs the following construction in the claims.

That is, the multidirectional switch device of the present invention includes a case and a hole provided in the case.
An operating body movably provided in a horizontal direction, a slide plate integrally provided with the operating body, and a switch for opening and closing electrical contacts by a sliding operation of the slide plate; The size is set smaller than the size of the hole of the case. The operating body is directly operated with the thumb of the user, or a key head provided with a concave depression so as to be easily operated by touching the thumb, after incorporating the multidirectional switch device into the case, It is also possible to use a fastening member such as a screw or a means such as caulking to be detachably provided. However, it is important that the multi-directional switch device provided with the key head separately be configured so as not to be disassembled without the key head. That is, in the case of a multidirectional switch device which is assembled by fastening the operating body A ′ with a fastening member such as a screw as in the conventional example of FIG. 5, if the screw is removed, the spring or the like will be separated.
Removing the cover C ′ and performing, for example, maintenance of the portable electronic device is also a complicated operation.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect of the present invention, a slide plate housed in the case is provided integrally with the operating body, and the size of the slide plate is equal to the size of the case. It is characterized in that it is formed larger than the hole.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the multidirectional switch device, the switch includes a first contact as a common contact and a plurality of second contacts that are in electrical contact with the first contact. The first contact is provided on at least one of the front and back surfaces of the slide plate so as to be integrally slidable with the slide plate, and is opposed to the slide plate, and the first contact is provided. A base substrate provided with the second contact is provided on the surface side of the slide plate provided with the contact, and the first contact is brought into contact with the first contact when the first contact slides integrally with the slide plate. In which a second contact is provided. If the first contact and the second contact are configured to contact and slide by magnetic force, the problem of wear of both contacts can be reduced to some extent, which is convenient. In addition, when a switch that does not require a sliding portion is adopted as in claim 10, the problem of deterioration due to wear can be avoided.

The switches of the multidirectional switch device according to the first and second aspects of the present invention are not limited to the above-described switches, but also include switches capable of switching (opening / closing) an electric circuit using light such as infrared light, The switch is not limited to the switches exemplified below, such as a switch that performs switching by a change in capacitance or a switch that performs switching by interrupting a magnetic field. be able to.

According to the invention of claim 5, in the multi-directional switch device, the operating body is electrically independent on a virtual circumference centered on a neutral state position at which an electrical contact is opened. A plurality of the second contacts are radially provided on the base substrate, and the second contacts are formed in a belt shape having a predetermined length extending from the virtual circumference to the virtual center.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the multi-directional switch device, the operation body is directly or indirectly returned to a neutral position for opening a switch for opening and closing an electrical contact by a sliding operation of a slide plate. A member is provided. The invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that in the multidirectional switch device, the operating body is provided so as not to protrude outside from a hole of the case.

According to the invention of claim 8, in the portable electronic device provided with the multidirectional switch device, an electric circuit is built in the case, and an internal power supply for driving the electric circuit is provided. A portable electronic device wherein an electric circuit is configured to be input by opening and closing the multi-directional switch device.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the portable electronic device, the electric circuit is an electric circuit for controlling a game, is detachably connected to the electric circuit, and is necessary for advancing a game such as a game program. A game data storage unit (a game ROM cartridge or the like) for appropriately supplying important information.

Further, the multidirectional switch device includes:
In addition to the above-mentioned first contact and the second contact which are provided integrally with the slide plate, a magnetic material is integrally provided on the slide plate, and the slide of the slide It is also possible to adopt a system that opens and closes an electromagnetic switch provided on the back side of the slide body by operation. In short, any switch that can be opened and closed by the slide operation (operation) of the slide plate can be used. It is possible to adopt. Examples of such a sensor that opens and closes by magnetism include a Hall element, which is introduced in “Applied Sensor Technologies in 100 Examples” by Mr. Usami Akira, published by the Industrial Research Institute, Ltd., pages 26 to 31. A magnetoresistive element, a junction element, and the like can be considered. Such a magnetic sensor can perform switching, for example, by detecting that a magnetic body provided on the slide plate approaches the magnetic sensor and changes the magnetic field.

[0020]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a switch device according to the present invention applied to a portable game machine. FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the portable game machine shown in FIG.

A portable game machine to which the switch device of the present invention is applied will be described below by taking a portable game machine as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to such a portable game machine and other portable electronic machines (for example, Notebook PC).

However, it is preferable to employ the switch device of the present invention in a game requiring complicated key input. For example, in a fighting game, when performing a certain technique, it may be necessary to perform an input such that all switches in all directions are sequentially turned on. The complicated input can be easily achieved by rotating the operation tool once while drawing a circle.

In other words, such a complicated game input becomes possible, and an effect other than the reduction in thickness can be enjoyed such that the necessity of purchasing an optional joystick or the like is reduced.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a case, and a game control unit 2 is provided on the inside and outside surfaces 1A of the case.
, A speaker 3 and a game ROM detachably provided
A cassette 10, a liquid crystal display device 4, a liquid crystal controller 4A, a decision switch 5, a volume switch 6 for sound and the like, and a multidirectional switch device 7 according to the present invention are provided.

As apparent from FIG. 2, the game controller 2, the speaker 3, the cassette 10,
A decision switch 5, a volume switch 6 for sound and the like, and a multidirectional switch device 7 are connected.

In the portable game machine described above,
A game is played by the following operation. That is, when the power switch 2A in FIG. 1 is pressed for a predetermined time, the game control unit 2 accesses the ROM cassette 10, and stores a game program stored in the ROM cassette 10, character data, background data, and sound data. Is appropriately extracted, game information is displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 4 in accordance with the extracted game program, and sound data is emitted from the speaker 3. The character data and sound data required to execute the game program are stored in the RA once connected to the bus before starting the game program.
It is configured to transfer to M2B.

The liquid crystal controller 4A performs a process required for displaying digital display information to be displayed on the liquid crystal screen 4 in a dot matrix, for example, a process of converting into analog, giving a gradation, and the like.

For a game proceeding along the above-mentioned game program, the game player operates the display screen 4
The user plays the game while operating the enter switch 5 and the multi-directional switch device 7 while listening to the sound emitted from the speaker 3.

The difference between the decision switch 5 and the multi-directional switch device 7 is that the former decision switch 5 determines, for example, when selecting an operating character of a fighting game from a plurality of characters displayed on the display screen 4 and a technique. The multidirectional switch device 7 is used as a switch for measuring the timing when the player applies a character. The latter moves the cursor when selecting an operation character on the display screen, and displays the operation character during game play. This is used for inputting a specific command when selecting a movement and a technique in the inside. In other words, the multi-directional switch 7 is used when performing a complicated game input as compared with the decision switch 5.

Next, the structure of the multidirectional switch device 7 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG.
Is an exploded perspective view in which the multidirectional switch device 7 is disassembled,
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the multidirectional switch device 7 shown in the exploded perspective view. In the figure, a finger such as a thumb of a game player is placed from above, and an operating body 7A having an outer diameter L1 for sliding in a horizontal direction (arrow A) is integrally connected to a fixed shaft 7B of the operating body 7A. Slide plate 7C, first electrode 7D as a common electrode, and disk-shaped base substrate 7
And a plurality of second electrodes 7F formed on the base substrate 7E. In the case of the multidirectional switch device 1, the first electrode 7D and the second electrode 7F described above correspond to the switch of the present invention, and the electrical connection between the first electrode 7D and the second electrode 7F. The switching operation is performed by the contact.

A plurality of strip-shaped leaf springs 7G having a thickness smaller than or substantially equal to the thickness of the slide plate 7C are arranged at a position facing the side surface of the slide plate 7C. The leaf spring 7G is configured to urge the slide plate 7C in the direction of arrow B from four directions, and to always return to the neutral position by the elasticity of the spring. The neutral position refers to a state in which the center of the circular operation body 7A is located at a position substantially coinciding with the virtual center O shown in FIG.

The second electrode 7F is connected to the base substrate 7E.
Is formed in a band shape having a predetermined length from the virtual circumference R toward the virtual center O. The length can be freely set as long as it does not reach the center electrode 7H of the base substrate 7E, but if it is too long, the first electrode 7D and the second electrode 7F are always short-circuited. Is inconvenient. That is, the length of the second electrode 7F can be freely set as long as the first electrode 7D and the second electrode 7F are not short-circuited, and the length can be adjusted by sliding the operation body 7A. It can be set freely depending on whether it is possible to input by inputting (input stroke problem).

The second electrode 7F on the base substrate 7E
When the first electrode 7D that slides integrally with the operating body 7A comes into contact with each other, the first electrode 7D
Is electrically connected to the center electrode 7H via the. The second electrode 7F and the center electrode 7H are electrically connected to the game control means 2, and detect that the second electrode 7F and the first electrode 7D are short-circuited and that the switching is performed. I can do it.

Further, as is apparent from FIGS. 3 and 4, the outer diameter L1 of the operating body 7A is equal to the inner diameter L2 of the case hole 1C.
It is formed smaller than the size. Since the outer diameter L1 of the operating body 7A is smaller than the inner diameter L2 of the case hole 1C in this manner, the multidirectional switch device portion (the operating body 7A, the slide body 7C, the first body) shown in an exploded perspective view in FIG. It is possible to assemble all the electrodes 7D and the base substrate 7E) and arrange them so that the operation body 7A can be seen through the hole 1C of the case 1 finally. If the L1
> L2, it is difficult to make the operating body 7A look through the case hole 1C after assembling as described above.
There is a problem that the assembly work becomes complicated. Further, the outer diameter L3 of the slide plate 7C is equal to the case hole 1.
It is formed larger than the inner diameter L2 of C. By forming in this manner, the effects described above are achieved.

In the above embodiment, the base board 7E has been described as being separated from the circuit board (not shown) on which the game control section 2 is formed.
The game control unit 2 and the base substrate 7E may be formed integrally.

Although the invention of each of the above-mentioned claims is not limited to this, the slide plate and the base substrate
It is preferable that both are slid while making surface contact. In FIG. 4, the electrodes 7H, 7F, and 7D are drawn to have a considerable thickness for convenience of explanation, but are actually formed as thin films.

The reason is that, in order to prevent the base substrate and the slide plate from being in surface contact with each other, the operating tool A 'is brought into contact with the case C' as in the conventional example shown in FIG.
N) to make the slide plate B 'float in the air, the operating body A' needs to be larger than the hole D 'of the case C' as described above, or the slide plate B ' When sliding the ', it is necessary to provide a sliding groove for regulating the vertical direction in the case C'.
In the former case, not only the problem that the assembling work becomes complicated as described above may occur, but also in the latter case, the input direction of the operating body is regulated by the slide groove. There is another problem that is difficult to achieve with a configuration that allows the rotation input of the operating tool as shown by M.
The possibility that such a problem occurs can be avoided by using the surface-contacting configuration of the present invention.

However, in the case of the method in which the electrodes slide as described above, it is necessary to consider the deterioration of the electrodes (switches) due to wear. Therefore, one of the slide plate 7C and the base substrate 7E is made of a magnetic material so as to attract each other by a magnetic force, and the other is made of a built-in magnetic material such as iron. May be provided with a spring 7K for absorbing a force for pushing the operating body 7A into the case 1 (FIG. 4).
reference). In this case, it is better to select the spring 7K whose elastic coefficient has a small problem of abrasion even if the two electrodes slide. In a normal use state, the biasing force of the spring 7K does not affect the sliding of the two electrodes,
The length of the spring 7K is adjusted so that the slide plate 7C can be slid by only the magnetic force.

Next, with reference to FIG. 6, a description will be given of a modified example of a multidirectional switch device which employs a sensor which performs a switching operation by blocking light, which is different from the above-described switch. In FIG. 6, the same configuration as that of the above-described multidirectional switch device 7 is not described again,
The same reference numerals are given. In this modification, a reflective photosensor 7J is employed as a sensor as a switch, while the slide plate 7C is formed of a transparent material, and a reflective layer such as an aluminum vapor-deposited layer is formed on the surface thereof.

The sensor 7J has a light emitting portion 7J1 and a light receiving portion 7J2. When the light emitted from the light emitting portion 7J1 is reflected by the reflection layer 7C1 of the slide plate 7C and returns to the light receiving portion 7J2, a switching operation is performed. Is configured to be performed. Therefore, in the case of a multi-directional switching device capable of switching in eight directions, eight of the sensors 7J are provided on the base substrate 7E. When the switch (sensor) according to this embodiment is employed, there is an advantage that it is not necessary to consider deterioration due to wear as compared with the switch in which the two electrodes slide. In this embodiment, the reflection layer 7
Although C1 is provided on the entire surface of the slide plate 7C, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to such a configuration and may be provided partially.

Next, another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, as in the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 6, another example using another sensor as a switch is shown. The same reference numerals are given and the description is omitted.

In this embodiment, a magnetic body 7C2 is attached to the back surface of the slide plate 7C, and a magnetic field detection sensor 7K for detecting a change in a magnetic field is provided as a switch. According to this multidirectional switch device, the sensor 7K
When the magnetic body 7C2 (for example, a permanent magnet) of the slide plate 7C approaches the surface of the device, a change in the magnetic field due to the magnetic force of the magnetic body 7C2 is detected, and the switching operation is performed. The above-mentioned “the magnetic body (for example, a permanent magnet) of the slide plate 7C approaches the surface of the sensor 7K” is a phenomenon resulting from the slide operation of the slide plate 7C by the operating body 7A. The magnetic body 7C2 is
A plurality is partially and radially located on the back surface of the slide plate 7C.

[0043]

According to the present invention having the above configuration, the following effects can be obtained.

That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the case, the operating body provided in the case, and provided in the hole provided in the case so as to be movable in the horizontal direction, and the operating body integrated with the operating body. And a switch for opening and closing electrical contacts by sliding operation of the slide plate, wherein the size of the operation body is set smaller than the size of the hole of the case. Therefore, it is possible to provide a switch device that achieves a reduction in thickness and that can be easily assembled.

Further, in the above description, the operating body and the slide plate are described as separate bodies, but it is needless to say that they may be integrally formed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the multi-directional switch device, a slide plate housed in the case is provided integrally with the operating body, and the size of the slide plate is equal to that of the case. Since it is formed larger than the hole, it is possible to prevent entry of dust and dirt from the outside, and to reduce the possibility of poor contact or deterioration in the switch device.

Further, in the invention according to claims 3 and 5, in the multidirectional switch device, the switch includes a first contact as a common contact and a plurality of second contacts electrically connected to the first contact. The first contact is provided on at least one of the front and back surfaces of the slide plate so as to be slidable integrally with the slide plate, and faces the slide plate, and A base substrate provided with the second contact is provided on the surface side of the slide plate provided with the first contact, and when the first contact slides integrally with the slide plate, the first contact is provided. Because the second contact is arranged so as to be in contact with the contact,
Because the two contacts can be opened and closed by surface contact,
The opening / closing sensitivity is improved as compared with a conventional switch, for example, as disclosed in JP-A-7-94053, in which the opening / closing operation does not end unless the operating body is slid to the slide end.

In particular, as in the multidirectional switch device according to the fifth aspect, the operating body is formed on a virtual circumference centered on a neutral state position at which an electrical contact is opened, and each is electrically independent radially. A plurality of the second contacts are provided on the base substrate, and the second contacts are formed in a band shape having a predetermined length extending from the virtual circumference to the virtual center, so that the second contacts are formed in the band shape. If the length of the contact is appropriately increased or the surface area of the first contact is increased, the contact area of the first and second contacts is increased, and the switching sensitivity can be improved.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the operating member of the multi-directional switch device is provided with a spring member for directly or indirectly returning the electrical contact of the slide plate to the neutral position where the slide plate is opened. When carrying a portable electric device employing the multi-directional switch device, it is possible to reduce a problem that a switch is input carelessly or an operator searches for a neutral position during game play or the like. it can. It is preferable that the spring member is configured to use a spring having substantially the same thickness as the operating body or the slide plate in order to achieve a thinner shape, and to return to the neutral state in contact with the side surface of the operating body or the slide plate. In this case, as the spring to be used, the strip-shaped leaf spring or the flat-plate spiral spring described in the above embodiment can be appropriately adopted.

Further, if the first contact and the second contact are configured to contact and slide by magnetic force, the user of the multi-directional switch device can move in the vertical direction. When excessive force is applied, problems such as the need for excessive force to slide the operating body, and durability problems such as wear of the contact itself due to repeated use are eliminated, and It is possible to slide against a frictional force due to a substantially constant force (force pressed by a magnetic force), and since only a substantially constant frictional force is generated, wear is extremely severe depending on the use condition of the user. It is possible to eliminate the fear of becoming. In this case, as described above, either one of the first contact and the second contact may be configured to be pressed against the other contact by magnetic force, but instead of using such magnetic force, , Can also be configured using spring force.

In addition, since the operating body is configured so that the operating body does not protrude from the hole of the case as in claim 7, the portable electric device employing the multidirectional switch device as described above is carried. In this case, it is possible to further reduce inadvertent input of a switch, and when the multidirectional switch device of the present invention is employed in a notebook computer or the like, a state in which the lid of the notebook computer is closed, that is, a display is provided. When the multi-directional switch device is brought into contact with the main body while the cover side is brought into close contact with the main body, it is possible to reduce a possibility that the thickness of the multi-directional switch device must be increased due to a problem such as contact with the display.

Next, by adopting the multi-directional switch device in a portable electronic device, a thinner portable electronic device, in particular, a portable game machine can be provided. Not only is it possible, but also
Since there is no need to provide a plurality of expensive contact switches as in No. 053, there is an advantage that the cost of parts can be reduced.

Finally, by using an optical sensor as the switch, it is possible to eliminate a portion that frictionally affects the switching operation of the multi-directional switch device. Thus, it is possible to avoid the risk of deterioration of the multidirectional switch device due to wear.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view in which a switch device of the present invention is applied to a portable game machine.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the portable game machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the multidirectional switch device, showing an example of the multidirectional switch device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled multi-directional switch device of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional multidirectional switch device.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing a modification of the multi-directional switch device.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a modification of the multi-directional switch device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... case, 7 ... multi-directional switch device, 7A
..Operation body, 7C slide plate, 7G spring member, 7D first contact point, 7E base board 7E
··· Second electrode, O: virtual center, R: virtual circumference.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C001 BA05 BA07 CA00 CA03 CA04 CA06 CA08 CB01 CB05 CC03 CC08 9A001 BB06 JJ76 KK45

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A case, an operation body movably provided in a horizontal direction in a hole provided in the case, a slide plate integrally provided on the operation body, and a sliding operation of the slide plate. And a switch capable of performing a switching operation, wherein the size of the operating body is set smaller than the size of the hole of the case. 2. The multidirectional switch device according to claim 1, wherein a slide plate housed in the case is provided integrally with the operating body, and the size of the slide plate is larger than a hole of the case. It is characterized by doing. 3. The multidirectional switch device according to claim 1, wherein the switch is in contact with a first contact as a common contact and electrically contacts the first contact. A switch comprising a plurality of second contacts, and performing a switching operation by opening and closing two electrical contacts of the first contact and the second contact, wherein at least one of the front and back of the slide plate The first contact is provided on the front side of the slide plate so as to be slidable integrally with the slide plate, and the first contact is provided on the front side of the slide plate provided with the first contact and facing the slide plate. Providing a base substrate provided with a second contact, wherein when the first contact slides integrally with the slide plate, the first contact comes into contact with the second contact and closes the electrical contact. The second contact point It is characterized by being provided. 4. The multidirectional switch device according to claim 3, wherein the first contact and the second contact are configured to contact and slide by magnetic force. 5. The multidirectional switch device according to claim 3, wherein the operating body is on a virtual circumference centered on a neutral state position at which an electrical contact is opened. A plurality of the second contacts are provided on the base substrate radially independently of each other, and the second contacts are formed in a band shape having a predetermined length extending from the virtual circumference to the virtual center. Features. 6. The multidirectional switch device according to claim 1, wherein a switch that opens or closes an electrical contact by directly or indirectly sliding an operation of a slide plate is opened on the operation body. A spring member that returns to a neutral position. 7. The multidirectional switch device according to claim 1, wherein the operation body is provided so as not to protrude outside from a hole of the case. 8. A portable electronic device provided with the multidirectional switch device according to claim 1, wherein an electric circuit is built in the case, and the electric circuit is installed in the case. A portable electronic device comprising: an internal power source to be driven; and wherein the electric circuit is configured to be input by opening and closing the multidirectional switch device. 9. The portable electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the electric circuit is an electric circuit for controlling a game, the electric circuit is detachably connected to the electric circuit, and information necessary for a game progress such as a game program. , A game data storage unit (a game ROM cartridge or the like) that appropriately supplies the game data. 10. The multidirectional switch device according to claim 1, wherein the switch performs a switching operation by blocking light. It is characterized by being a sensor.