JP2006149985A - Game controller - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game controller for realizing a more suitable game operation environment by using a touch panel in a game device including the touch panel. <P>SOLUTION: The game controller is mounted on the game device which includes the touch panel for outputting position information corresponding to a pressurized position, so as to perform a game processing, based on the position information to be outputted from the touch panel. The game controller comprises: a pressurizing part (22) for pressurizing the touch panel; support parts (12, 20) for supporting the pressurizing part so as to change the position to pressurize the touch panel; and an operation part (18) for performing an operation to move the pressurizing part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a game controller that is mounted on a game device that includes a touch panel that outputs position information corresponding to a pressed position, and that executes game processing based on the position information output from the touch panel.

  There is known a game device that includes a touch panel that outputs position information corresponding to a pressed position and that executes a game process based on position information output from the touch panel. For example, a portable game machine having two liquid crystal displays and a touch panel provided on one of the two liquid crystal displays is known.

  In such a game apparatus, it is strongly desired to realize a more suitable game operation environment using a touch panel.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a game controller capable of realizing a more suitable game operating environment using a touch panel in a game device including a touch panel. It is in.

  In order to solve the above problems, a game controller according to the present invention includes a touch panel that outputs position information corresponding to a pressed position, and executes a game process based on the position information output from the touch panel. A game controller to be mounted on the touch panel, wherein a press part for pressing the touch panel, a support part for supporting the press part so that a position for pressing the touch panel can be changed, and the press part are moved. And an operation unit for performing an operation.

  The present invention relates to a game controller that is mounted on a game device that includes a touch panel that outputs position information corresponding to a pressed position and that performs game processing based on position information output from the touch panel. The game controller according to the present invention includes a pressing unit for pressing the touch panel, a support unit for supporting the pressing unit so that a position for pressing the touch panel can be changed, and an operation unit for performing an operation of moving the pressing unit. And comprising. ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, in the game device containing a touch panel, it becomes possible to implement | achieve a more suitable game operation environment using a touch panel.

  In the aspect of the invention, the pressing portion may include a spherical protrusion, and the protrusion may press the touch panel. If it carries out like this, it will become possible to narrow down the range where a touch panel is pressed, and a touch panel will come to be pressed appropriately.

  Moreover, in one aspect of the present invention, the support portion includes a construction portion constructed so as to cover the touch panel from one end portion side to the other end portion side of the game apparatus, and the operation portion includes Further, it may be provided on the front surface side of the erection part, and the pressing part may be provided on the rear surface side of the erection part. In this way, the player can enjoy a game by holding the left and right ends of the game apparatus, and can realize a more suitable game operation environment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of a game controller 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a plan view, FIG. 3 is a bottom view, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the game controller 10 as seen from the upper right side of the front. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the game controller 10 as seen from the lower right side of the front. The game controller 10 shown in these figures is designed so that a car moving in a game space can be suitably steered, and is mounted on a portable game machine 30 as shown in FIG. 7 as shown in FIG. The

  First, the portable game machine 30 to which the game controller 10 is attached will be described.

  The portable game machine 30 is a known computer system that includes a microprocessor and a memory. In the portable game machine 30, the game program is executed by the microprocessor so that the player can enjoy the game.

  The portable game machine 30 includes a first housing 32 and a second housing 34. The first housing 32 and the second housing 34 are coupled via a hinge portion 36. The portable game machine 30 has a play state in which the player can see the surfaces of the first housing 32 and the second housing 34 as shown in FIG. 7, and the surface of the first housing 32 and the second housing 34. It is designed to be in a folded state.

  The first housing 32 includes a first display unit 38. The first display unit 38 is mainly composed of a known liquid crystal display and displays a game screen. The first housing 32 has a built-in speaker and outputs various sounds such as game music.

  The second housing 34 includes a ROM cartridge slot 40, a direction button 42, a command button group 44, and a second display unit 46.

  The ROM cartridge slot 40 is configured such that a ROM cartridge (information storage medium) including a non-volatile memory is detachable. The game program and game data stored in the ROM cartridge installed in the ROM cartridge slot 40 are appropriately read according to instructions from the microprocessor.

  The direction button 42 is provided at the left (left in FIG. 7) end portion of the second housing 34 and has a cross shape. The command button group 44 is provided at the right (right side in FIG. 7) end of the second housing 34. The direction button 42 and the command button group 44 are used for the player to input various game operations. For example, the direction button 42 is used for instructing the moving direction of a character or cursor, and the command button group 44 is used for various game operations. An operation signal indicating an operation state of each part of the direction button 42 and the command button group 44 is supplied to the microprocessor, and the microprocessor determines the game operation content based on the operation signal, and the determination result is as follows. Based on this, game processing is executed.

  The 2nd display part 46 is comprised including a well-known liquid crystal display and the well-known touchscreen provided on the said liquid crystal display. The touch panel supplies position information (position coordinates) corresponding to the position pressed by the player's finger or pen to the microprocessor. The microprocessor executes game processing based on the position information.

  In the portable game machine 30, one game screen is displayed using the first display unit 38 and the second display unit 46, the main game screen is displayed on the first display unit 38, and the sub game screen is displayed on the second display. It can be displayed on the part 46. For example, a sub-game screen for guiding the player to input various game operations is displayed on the second display unit 46, and the touch panel is used together with the direction button 42 and the command button group 44, or instead of these buttons. It is possible to cause the player to input various game operations.

  In the portable game machine 30 having the above configuration, a predetermined drive game program is read from the ROM cartridge and executed, and a drive game for driving a car object moving in the game space is provided to the player. .

  According to the game controller 10 according to the present embodiment, the game operation environment that enhances the interest of the game operation of the drive game by being mounted on the second casing 34 of the portable game machine 30 (see FIGS. 7 and 8). Can be realized. Hereinafter, the configuration of the game controller 10 will be described in detail.

  The game controller 10 includes a housing 12 (supporting portion) and a rotation operation unit 14 provided at the center of the housing 12. The housing 12 includes a cover plate portion 12a (an erection portion), side plate portions 12b and 12c, and bottom plate portions 12d and 12e, and is formed so as to be attachable to the second housing 34 of the portable game machine 30. Is done.

  The cover plate portion 12 a has a width and depth corresponding to the width and depth of the surface of the second housing 34. Further, the cover plate portion 12a is inclined upward from both end portions toward the central portion, and when the game controller 10 is mounted on the portable game machine 30 (second housing 34), the central portion is the second portion. It is separated from the surface (touch panel) of the housing 34. The cover plate portion 12a is provided so as to cover the touch panel surface (front surface) of the second housing 34 and to bridge the left end portion and the right end portion of the second housing 34.

  The side plate portions 12 b and 12 c have a width and a height corresponding to the depth and thickness of the second housing 34. The upper end of the side plate 12b is connected to the right (right in FIG. 1) end of the cover 12a, and the upper end of the side plate 12c is the left (left in FIG. 1) end of the cover 12a. Connected to That is, the side plate portions 12b and 12c are provided so as to face each other at the right end portion or the left end portion of the cover plate portion 12a, and can hold the portable game machine 30 (second housing 34).

  The bottom plate portions 12d and 12e have a depth corresponding to the depth of the bottom surface of the second housing 34, and have a width corresponding to a part of the width of the bottom surface. The bottom plate portion 12d is connected to the lower (lower in FIG. 2) end portion of the side plate portion 12b so as to face the cover plate portion 12a. The bottom plate portion 12e is connected to the lower end portion of the side plate portion 12c so as to face the cover plate portion 12a.

  In the case 12 formed as described above, when the game controller 10 is attached to the portable game machine 30, the vertical or horizontal movement of the game controller 10 is restricted. That is, the game controller 10 is prevented from moving up and down or left and right even when an operation is performed on the rotation operation unit 14.

  The cover plate 12 a is provided with an opening 16 at a position corresponding to the position of the command button group 44. The opening 16 allows the player to perform an operation on the command button group 44 even when the game controller 10 is mounted on the portable game machine 30.

  The rotation operation unit 14 includes an operation unit 18, a shaft 20 (support unit), and a pressing unit 22. The shaft 20 passes through a through hole provided in the central portion of the cover plate portion 12 a perpendicular to the touch panel surface of the second housing 34 and is supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the housing 12. The operation unit 18 has a shape imitating a handle, and is fixed to one end of the shaft 20 (the surface side of the cover plate 12a).

  The pressing unit 22 is provided so as to press the touch panel of the portable game machine 30. The pressing portion 22 is fixed to the other end of the shaft 20 (the back side of the cover plate portion 12a). The pressing portion 22 is formed in a circular shape, and a protruding portion 22a is provided at a position away from the axis. Specifically, the pressing portion 22 is provided with a bottomed cylindrical accommodating portion 22b at a position away from the axis. And in the accommodating part 22b, the coil spring 24 which urges | biases the protrusion part 22a toward the opening part of the accommodating part 22b, and the spherical protrusion part 22a are accommodated in this order. The accommodating portion 22b has an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the protruding portion 22a, and the protruding portion 22a is movable in the inside. In addition, a claw portion 22c is provided at the opening of the accommodating portion 22b so that only a part of the protruding portion 22a can protrude outside the accommodating portion 22b, and the protruding portion 22a is retained in the accommodating portion 22b. Here, the coil spring 24 is used as an elastic urging member that urges the protrusion 22a toward the opening of the accommodating portion 22b. However, another elastic urging member may be used.

  The length of the shaft 20 (the length of the portion protruding to the back side of the cover plate portion 12a) and the thickness of the pressing portion 22 are determined when the game controller 10 is mounted on the portable game machine 30 (second housing 34). Further, only the protrusion 22a of the pressing part 22 is adjusted so as to press the touch panel.

  In the game controller 10 having the above-described configuration, when the player operates the operation unit 18 (rotates left and right), the pressing unit 22 similarly rotates. That is, according to the operation content (rotation direction and rotation amount) on the operation unit 18, the pressing position (contact position) of the touch panel by the protrusion 22 a is “centering on the position on the touch panel corresponding to the axis of the pressing unit 22. It changes on a circle “with a radius of the separation distance from the axial center of the pressing portion 22 to the protruding portion 22a”. Further, in the game controller 10, the protrusion 22a is formed in a spherical shape and the coil spring 24 is provided so that the touch panel is not excessively pressed.

  When playing a drive game on the portable game machine 30 to which the game controller 10 is attached, the player operates the operation unit 18 (rotates left and right) while viewing the game screen displayed on the first display unit 38. The moving direction of the car object is instructed, and the moving speed of the car object is instructed by pressing the command button group 44 (accelerator button or brake button).

  In this case, in a game process (game process for providing a drive game) that is executed every predetermined time (for example, 1/60 seconds) by the microprocessor, a pressed position (contact position of the protrusion 22a) on the touch panel is acquired. The Then, based on the previous acquisition position (previous pressing position) and the current acquisition position (current pressing position), the operation content for the operation unit 18 is determined. That is, the rotation direction and rotation angle of the operation unit 18 are determined based on the change content from the previous pressing position to the current pressing position. Further, the operation state of each part of the command button group 44 is acquired, and the operation content for the command button group 44 is determined. And based on the operation content with respect to the operation part 18 and the command button group 44, the position, attitude | position, and moving speed of the motor vehicle object which are operation objects of a player are updated, and a drive game advances.

  According to the game controller 10 described above, the player can enjoy a more realistic handle operation than when the direction button 42 is used to perform an operation (handle operation) for instructing the moving direction of the car object. It becomes like this. In addition, it can be realized with a relatively simple configuration.

  Next, a game controller 10a according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described. The game controller 10a has a part of the configuration in common with the game controller 10 described above. In the following, the same components as those of the game controller 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 9 is a front view of a game controller 10a according to another embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a plan view, and FIG. 11 is a bottom view. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the game controller 10a as viewed from the upper right on the front side. FIGS. 13 to 18 are diagrams showing the configuration of the push-in operation unit 52 provided in the game controller 10a. 13 to 15 are side views showing a state in which the pushing operation unit 52 is viewed from the right side (side plate part 12b side) in FIG. In these drawings, only the configuration related to the push-in operation unit 52 is shown, and the other configurations are omitted. 16 to 18 are perspective views showing the pushing operation unit 52 as viewed from the upper right side of the front. In these drawings, among the configurations related to the push-in operation unit 52, the operation unit 54, the motion conversion unit 58, and the pressing unit 64 are particularly shown, and the other configurations are omitted. 13 and 16 show a state in which the push operation is not performed on the push operation unit 52 (operation unit 54). 14 and 17 show a state where the push operation is performed on the push operation unit 52, and FIGS. 15 and 18 show a state where the operation unit 54 is completely pushed. The game controller 10a is also mounted on the second casing 34 of the portable game machine 30 in the same manner as the game controller 10 (see FIGS. 7 and 8).

  The game controller 10 a includes a housing 12 and a push operation unit 52 provided at the center of the housing 12. Similar to the game controller 10, the housing 12 is formed so as to be attachable to the second housing 34 of the portable game machine 30.

  The cover plate 12a of the game controller 10a is provided with a mounting hole 15 for mounting the push-in operation unit 52 (operation unit 54) in the center. The mounting hole 15 has a shape corresponding to the shape of the operation portion 54. In addition, plate-like guide plate portions 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d are provided around the mounting hole 15 on the back surface side of the cover plate portion 12a. The guide plate portions 50c and 50d are provided in parallel to the side plate portions 12b and 12c. The guide plate portions 50a and 50b are provided so as to face each other, and one end side of each is fixed to the guide plate portion 50c, and the other end side is fixed to the guide plate portion 50d.

  Further, the cover 17a of the game controller 10a is provided with an opening 17 at a position corresponding to the direction button 42 when the game controller 10a is attached to the portable game machine 30 (second housing 34). The opening 17 allows the player to perform an operation on the direction button 42 even when the game controller 10 a is attached to the portable game machine 30.

  The push operation unit 52 includes an operation unit 54, a motion conversion unit 58, and a pressing unit 64. The operation unit 54 has a shape imitating a pedal. One end of the operation portion 54 is pivotally attached to the cover plate portion 12a by a shaft 56 provided in the mounting hole 15 of the cover plate portion 12a in parallel with the touch panel surface of the second housing 34. In other words, the operation portion 54 is supported by the cover plate portion 12a so as to be rotatable around the axis 56 (the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIGS. 13 to 15).

  The motion converting unit 58 moves the pressing unit 64 in the front-rear direction (in the direction indicated by the arrow C in FIGS. 13 to 15) in parallel with the touch panel surface of the second housing 34 according to the rotational motion around the axis 56 of the operation unit 54. ) To slide. That is, the motion conversion unit 58 converts the rotational motion around the axis 56 of the operation unit 54 into a linear motion parallel to the touch panel of the pressing unit 64.

  The motion converter 58 includes a ball part 58a, a cup part 58b, and a slide base part 58c.

  The ball part 58a is accommodated in the cup part 58b, and is supported so that rolling is possible. A concave portion 54a is formed on the back side of the operation portion 54, and the upper portion of the ball portion 58a is in contact with the concave portion 54a. The cup part 58b is placed on the slide base part 58c.

  The slide base 58 c is provided such that its bottom surface 58 e is inclined with respect to the touch panel surface of the portable game machine 30. The roller part 64c provided in the press part 64 is contact | abutted to this inclined surface (bottom surface 58e).

  On both side surfaces of the slide base 58c, guide rail portions 58d extending in a direction perpendicular to the touch panel surface of the portable game machine 30 (a direction indicated by an arrow B in FIGS. 13 to 15) are formed. These guide rail portions 58d are engaged with guide grooves 62 formed in the guide plate portion 50c or 50d. The guide rail portion 58d and the guide groove 62 play a role of sliding the slide base portion 58c in a direction perpendicular to the touch panel surface of the portable game machine 30.

  The heights of the ball portion 58a, the cup portion 58b, and the slide base portion 58c are the same as the cover plate portion 12a when the controller 10a is attached to the portable game machine 30 and the push operation portion 52 is not pushed. The operation unit 54 is adjusted so as to incline upward in the opposite direction from the end portion pivotally attached to the head.

  The pressing unit 64 is provided to press the touch panel of the portable game machine 30. The pressing portion 64 is provided with a protruding portion 64a. The protrusion 64a is provided with the same structure as that in FIG. 4 so that the touch panel is not excessively pressed.

  Guide rail portions 64 b are formed on both side surfaces of the pressing portion 64. Guide grooves 66 extending in parallel with the touch panel surface of the portable game machine 30 are formed on the inner side surfaces of the guide plate portions 50c and 50d. The guide rail portion 64b is engaged with the guide groove 66. The guide rail portion 64 b and the guide groove 66 play a role of sliding the pressing portion 64 parallel to the touch panel surface of the portable game machine 30. Note that the positions of the guide rail portion 64b and the guide groove 66 are adjusted so that only the protrusion 64a of the pressing portion 64 presses the touch panel when the controller 10a is mounted on the portable game machine 30.

  A roller portion 64c is attached to the pressing portion 64 by a shaft 64d. That is, the pressing portion 64 is provided with a roller portion 64c that can rotate around the shaft 64d. The roller portion 64c is in contact with the bottom surface 58e of the slide base portion 58c. When the slide base 58c slides toward the touch panel surface of the portable game machine 30, the roller 64c causes the pressing portion 64 to slide parallel to the touch panel surface of the portable game machine 30 and toward the guide plate 50b. Moving.

  A coil spring 68 is connected to the pressing portion 64 to urge the pressing portion 64 in the direction from the guide plate portion 50b to the guide plate portion 50a. One end of the coil spring 68 (the end not connected to the pressing portion 64) is connected to the inner surface of the guide plate portion 50b. Here, the coil spring 68 is used as the elastic urging member, but another elastic urging member may be used.

  In the push operation unit 52 having the above configuration, when the operation unit 54 is pushed by the player (turned in the direction of arrow A), the motion conversion unit 58 (slide base 58 c) guides the guide groove 62. Accordingly, it slides and moves toward the touch panel surface in a direction perpendicular to the touch panel surface of the portable game machine 30 (in the direction of arrow B). When the motion conversion unit 58 (slide base 58c) slides in a direction perpendicular to the touch panel surface of the portable game machine 30, the pressing unit 64 slides in parallel with the touch panel surface of the portable game machine 30 according to the guide of the guide groove 66. To do.

  When the pushing operation on the operation portion 54 is released, the pressing portion 64 is slid in the direction from the guide plate portion 50b to the guide plate portion 50a by the coil spring 68. In addition, the motion conversion unit 58 (slide base 58 c) slides and moves away from the touch panel surface in a direction perpendicular to the touch panel surface of the portable game machine 30. Thus, the push-in operation unit 52 returns to the state shown in FIGS.

  In the game controller 10 a having the above-described configuration, when a push operation is performed on the operation unit 54, the rotation motion of the operation unit 54 is linear motion of the pressing unit 64 parallel to the touch panel surface of the portable game machine 30. Thus, the pressing position of the touch panel by the projection 64a is changed.

  When playing a drive game on the portable game machine 30 to which the game controller 10a is attached, the player operates the direction button 42 while viewing the game screen displayed on the first display unit 38, thereby changing the moving direction of the automobile object. By instructing and operating the operation unit 54 and the command button group 44, the moving speed of the automobile object is instructed.

  In this case, in a game process (game process for providing a drive game) executed every predetermined time (for example, 1/60 seconds) by the microprocessor, the pressed position (contact position of the protrusion 64a) on the touch panel is acquired. The Then, based on the distance from the reference position (pressing position in the state shown in FIGS. 8 and 11) to the acquisition position, the pressing amount (the degree of pressing or the pressing force) with respect to the operation unit 54 is determined. Further, the operation states of the respective parts of the direction button 42 and the command button group 44 are acquired, and the operation content for the direction button 42 and the command button group 44 is determined. And based on the operation content with respect to the operation part 54, the direction button 42, and the command button group 44, the position, attitude | position, and moving speed of the motor vehicle object which are the operation targets of a player are updated, and a drive game advances.

  According to the game controller 10a described above, the player can enjoy more realistic pedal operations (accelerator operation, brake operation, etc.). In addition, it can be realized with a relatively simple configuration.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above.

  For example, the case where the present invention is applied to a game controller for a drive game has been described above, but the present invention can also be applied to a game controller for other types of games. That is, although the example using the rotary operation unit (operation unit 18) and the push-down operation unit (operation unit 54) has been described above, other types of operation units may be used. Even when another type of operation unit is used, the pressing position by the pressing unit may be changed according to the operation content (operation amount or the like) for the operation unit.

It is a front view of the game controller which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a top view of the game controller which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a bottom view of the game controller concerning this embodiment. It is sectional drawing of a press part. It is a perspective view which shows a mode that the game controller which concerns on this Embodiment was seen from the front right upper part. It is a perspective view which shows a mode that the game controller which concerns on this Embodiment was seen from the front right lower part. It is a figure which shows a mode that the game controller which concerns on this Embodiment is mounted | worn with a portable game machine. It is a figure which shows a mode that the game controller which concerns on this Embodiment was mounted | worn with the portable game machine. It is a front view of the game controller which concerns on the other form of this embodiment. It is a top view of the game controller which concerns on the other form of this embodiment. It is a bottom view of the game controller which concerns on the other form of this embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows a mode that the game controller which concerns on the other embodiment of this embodiment was seen from the front right upper side. It is a right view of a pushing operation part. It is a right view of a pushing operation part. It is a right view of a pushing operation part. It is a perspective view which shows a mode that the pushing operation part was seen from the front right upper part. It is a perspective view which shows a mode that the pushing operation part was seen from the front right upper part. It is a perspective view which shows a mode that the pushing operation part was seen from the front right upper part.

Explanation of symbols

  10, 10a game controller, 12 housing, 12a cover plate, 12b, 12c side plate, 12d, 12e bottom plate, 14 rotation operation unit, 15 mounting hole, 16, 17 opening, 18, 54 operation unit, 20 , 56, 64d shaft, 22, 64 pressing portion, 22a, 64a protrusion, 22b housing portion, 22c claw portion, 24, 68 coil spring, 30 portable game machine, 32 first housing, 34 second housing, 36 Hinge part, 38 1st display part, 40 ROM cartridge slot, 42 direction button, 44 command button group, 46 2nd display part, 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d guide plate part, 52 push operation part, 54a recessed part, 58 motion Conversion part, 58a Ball part, 58b Cup part, 58c Slide base part, 58d, 64b Guide rail part, 58e Bottom face, 62 66 guide groove, 64c roller unit.

Claims (3)

A game controller that includes a touch panel that outputs position information corresponding to a pressed position and that executes a game process based on the position information output from the touch panel;
A pressing portion for pressing the touch panel;
A support part for supporting the pressing part so that the position for pressing the touch panel can be changed;
An operation unit for performing an operation of moving the pressing unit;
A game controller comprising: The game controller according to claim 1,
The pressing portion includes a spherical protrusion,
The protrusion presses the touch panel;
A game controller characterized by that. The game controller according to claim 1 or 2,
The support part includes a construction part constructed so as to cover the touch panel from one end side of the game device to the other end side,
The operation part is provided on the surface side of the erection part,
The pressing portion is provided on the back side of the erection portion.
A game controller characterized by that.

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