JP2010017388A - Operating system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operating system in which a fourth connector is hard to detach from a third connector by hanging and retaining a lid with a hook. <P>SOLUTION: This operating system has a controller 14 including a first controller 34, a gyro sensor unit 100 and a second controller (36), wherein a connector 40 of the second controller (36) is connected to the first controller 34 via the gyro sensor unit 100 or directly. The first controller 34 includes a strap attaching portion 82c to which a strap (24) is attached. The gyro sensor unit 100 includes a connector (108) connected to the connector 40 and a lid 116 for covering the connector, wherein the lid 116 is captive from the gyro sensor unit 100 even in a state that it is removed from the connector (108). The connector 40 is provided with a hook 144 hanging and retaining the strap (24) attached to the first controller 34 and the lid 116 removed from the connector (108) is hung and retained by the hook 144. Thus, the connector is hard to remove. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation system, and more particularly to an operation system that allows a plurality of operation devices to be connected to perform an operation.

  An example of this type of device is disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1. In this background art, a “Wii remote controller” (Wii: registered trademark) includes a three-axis motion sensor that detects changes in its tilt and movement. “Nunchaku” also has a 3-axis motion sensor. The Wii remote controller, which is the main controller, is provided with an expansion connector, and the nunchaku, which is the expansion controller, is connected to the Wii remote controller via this expansion connector.

  In a certain game, the player performs an operation by holding the Wii remote controller with one hand and moving the Wii remote controller. In another game, the Wii remote controller is operated with one hand, the nunchaku is held with the other hand, and the Wii remote controller and the nunchaku are moved respectively.

A strap can be attached to the Wii remote controller, and the strap ring attached to the Wii remote controller is passed through the wrist of the hand holding the Wii remote controller. In addition, the nunchaku connector is provided with a hook, and the strap string attached to the Wii remote control is hooked on the nunchaku connector hook. Thereby, the connector of Nunchaku and the expansion connector of Wii remote control are being fixed more firmly.
http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/controllers/index.html

  However, since only an acceleration sensor is mounted as a motion sensor in the Wii remote controller or nunchaku, it is not easy to detect a motion involving rotation in a horizontal plane. Specifically, for example, when trying to realize a slice shot in a tennis game, it is necessary to detect the angular velocity or rotation angle around the axis of the Wii remote controller with high accuracy. These variables can be calculated from the acceleration in the three-axis direction detected by the acceleration sensor, but each of the accelerations in the three-axis direction also includes an acceleration component due to gravity, so that the angular velocity or the rotation angle can be calculated with high accuracy. Requires complex calculations.

  Therefore, it is necessary to incorporate such a calculation routine into each game program, which is a heavy burden on the developer. Further, by repeatedly executing such calculation, a large processing load is applied to the CPU of the game apparatus.

  Therefore, it is conceivable to connect a gyro sensor for detecting angular velocity to the Wii remote controller via an expansion connector. In this case, it is desirable to provide another expansion connector on the gyro sensor so that the game can be played using the nunchaku even when the gyro sensor is connected to the expansion connector of the Wii remote controller.

  However, when the nunchaku connector is connected to the expansion connector on the gyro sensor side, that is, when the gyro sensor is interposed between the Wii remote control and the nunchaku connector, the strap string is hooked on the nunchaku connector hook. It was difficult to do.

  Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to provide a novel operating system.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an operation system in which a connector is difficult to come off.

  The present invention employs the following configuration in order to solve the above problems. Note that reference numerals in parentheses, supplementary explanations, and the like indicate correspondence with embodiments to be described later in order to help understanding of the present invention, and do not limit the present invention.

  The first invention comprises a first operating device, a second operating device, and a third operating device, wherein the first operating device, the second operating device, and the third operating device are connected to or connected to the first operating device. In the operation system that performs the operation by connecting the operation device and the third operation device, the first operation device includes a motion sensor that detects the movement of the operation device itself, a strap attachment unit that can attach the strap, A second connector that can be connected to the first connector; a third connector; the third connector; and the third connector. A lid that is moored to the second operating device even in a detached state, and the third operating device includes a fourth connector that can be selectively connected to the first and third connectors, 4 near the connector A hook provided, the hook is capable of hooking the strap when the first operating device and the third operating device are connected by connection of the first connector and the fourth connector, and The operating system is characterized in that the lid can be hooked when the second operating device and the third operating device are connected by connecting the third connector and the fourth connector.

  In the first invention, the operating system (14) includes a first operating device (34), a second operating device (100), and a third operating device (36). The user performs an operation by connecting the first operating device, the second operating device, and the third operating device, or by connecting the first operating device and the third operating device. Specifically, the first operating device is the first connector (42), the second operating device is the second connector (106) and the third connector (108), and the third operating device is the fourth connector. Each connector (40) is provided. The second connector can be connected to the first connector, and the fourth connector can be selectively connected to the first and third connectors. When the user connects the second connector to the first connector and further connects the fourth connector to the third connector, the first operating device, the second operating device, and the third operating device are mutually connected. Connected. When the user connects the fourth connector to the first connector, the first operating device and the third operating device are connected to each other.

  The first operating device further includes a motion sensor (84), and the motion sensor detects the movement of the first operating device.

  The first operating device further includes a strap mounting portion (82c), to which the strap (24) is mounted. The second operating device further comprises a lid (116), which closes the third connector. Even when the lid is detached from the third connector, the lid is anchored to the second operating device. The third operating device further includes a hook (144) provided in the vicinity of the fourth connector. The hook is connected to the first operating device when the third operating device is connected to the first operating device. When the attached strap connects the third operating device to the second operating device, the lids moored to the second operating device are respectively latched.

  According to the first invention, the fourth connector is unlikely to be detached from the third connector because the lid is hooked on the hook.

  2nd invention is an operating device (100) provided with a 2nd connector, a 3rd connector, and a lid | cover used as a 2nd operating device in 1st invention.

  Also according to the second invention, similarly to the first invention, it is difficult to disconnect the connector.

  A third invention is an operation system according to the first invention, wherein the motion sensor is an acceleration sensor.

  In the third invention, acceleration is detected by the acceleration sensor.

  In general, the motion of an object is expressed by variables such as acceleration, velocity, and angular velocity, but the velocity and angular velocity can be calculated from the acceleration. According to the third aspect, since acceleration is detected, an operation using the movement of the operation device itself can be performed.

  A fourth invention is an operation system subordinate to the first invention, and the second operation device further includes a gyro sensor (104).

  According to the fourth invention, a gyro sensor can be added as necessary. By adding the gyro sensor, it is not necessary to calculate the angular velocity in the processing device (application) that processes the operation data from the operation system, and the processing load is reduced.

  A fifth invention is an operation system according to the first invention, and the third operation device further includes an acceleration sensor (90) and a stick (88a) capable of inputting a direction.

  According to the fifth invention, the first operating device and the third operating device are each provided with the acceleration sensor, so that the user can independently move the first operating device and the third operating device. Can do. Further, since the third operating device is provided with a stick, the user can input a direction with the stick while moving the third operating device itself. As a result, various operations are possible.

  According to the present invention, since the connector of the third operating device (nunchaku) is unlikely to be detached from the expansion connector of the second operating device (gyro sensor unit), the first operating device (Wii remote controller) and the third operation Even if a second operating device is added between the devices, the safety of the operating system can be maintained.

  The above object, other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

  Referring to FIG. 1, a game system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a game device 12 and a controller 14. The game device 12 is a stationary game device. The controller 14 is a user or player input device or operation device. The game apparatus 12 and the controller 14 are connected by radio.

  The game apparatus 12 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 16, and a disk slot 18 and a memory card slot cover 20 are provided on the front surface of the housing 16. An optical disk 66 (FIG. 10), which is an example of an information storage medium storing a game program and data, is inserted from the disk slot 18 and attached to the disk drive 54 (FIG. 10) in the housing 16. An external memory card connector 62 (FIG. 10) is provided inside the memory card slot cover 20, and an external memory card (not shown) is inserted therein. The external memory card loads and temporarily stores a game program read from the optical disc 66 (FIG. 10), or game data (result data or intermediate data) of a game played using the game system 10. It is used to save (save). The game data may be stored in an internal memory such as a flash memory instead of the external memory card.

  An AV cable connector (not shown) is provided on the rear surface of the housing 16 of the game apparatus 12, and the game apparatus 12 is connected to a monitor (display) 30 via the AV cable 28 using the connector. The monitor 30 is typically a color television receiver, and the AV cable 28 inputs a video signal from the game apparatus 12 to a video input terminal of the color television and inputs an audio signal to the audio input terminal. Therefore, for example, a game image of a 3D video game is displayed on the screen of the color television (monitor) 30, and stereo game sounds such as game music and sound effects are output from the built-in speaker 32.

  In addition, a marker unit 22 including two infrared LEDs (markers) 22a and 22b is provided around the monitor 30 (in this embodiment, on the upper side of the monitor 30). The markers 22 a and 22 b each output infrared light toward the front of the monitor 30.

  The game apparatus 12 is powered by a general AC adapter (not shown). The AC adapter is connected to a standard household wall socket and converts the household power source into a low DC voltage signal suitable for driving the game device 12. In other embodiments, a battery may be used as the power source. The marker unit 22 is connected to the game apparatus 12 through a power line (not shown) and receives power supply from the game apparatus 12.

  As will be described in detail later, the controller 14 includes a first controller 34 and a second controller 36 that can be held with one hand, and a gyro sensor unit 100 attached to the first controller 34. The connector 42 (FIGS. 2A and 11) is provided on the rear end surface of the first controller 34, and the connector 40 (FIG. 4A and FIG. 4) is attached to the tip of the cable 38 extending from the rear end of the second controller 36. 11), and connectors 106 and 108 (FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7 and 11) are provided on the front end surface and the rear end surface of the gyro sensor unit 100, respectively. The connector 106 on the front end surface side of the gyro sensor unit 100 can be connected to the connector 42 of the first controller 34, and the connector 40 of the second controller 36 is connected to the connector 42 of the first controller 34 or the rear end surface side of the gyro sensor unit 100. The connector 108 can be connected.

  By connecting the connector 106 to the connector 42, the gyro sensor unit 100 is physically and electrically coupled to the first controller 34. Angular velocity data indicating the angular velocity of the first controller 34 is output from the gyro sensor unit 100 attached (integrated) to the first controller 34 in this manner.

  When the gyro sensor unit 100 is thus attached to the first controller 34, the connector 40 of the second controller 36 is connected to the connector 108 on the rear end face side of the gyro sensor unit 100. In other words, the connector 42 has a structure that can selectively connect both the connector 106 and the connector 40, and the connector 40 has a structure that can selectively connect to both the connector 42 and the connector 108. Therefore, although the connector 106 and the connector 108 provided in the gyro sensor unit 100 are provided in the same housing and cannot be actually connected, the shape of the connector is a shape that can be connected to each other. Input data of the second controller 36 is given to the first controller 34 via the cable 38 and the gyro sensor unit 100. The first controller 34 transmits controller data including input data of the first controller 34 itself, angular velocity data from the gyro sensor unit 100, and input data of the second controller 36 to the game apparatus 12.

  When the connector 40 is connected to the connector 42, operation data or input data of the second controller 36 is given to the first controller 34 via the cable 38, and the first controller 34 has its own controller 34 itself. Controller data including the input data and the input data of the second controller 36 is transmitted to the game apparatus 12.

  At this time, the system that transmits the input data of the first controller 34 and the input data of the second controller 36 may be designed so that the amount of data to be transmitted at one time cannot be added. When 100 is added, the angular velocity data from the gyro unit 100 and the input data from the second controller 36 are alternately output to the first controller 36, whereby both data can be transmitted. Since this data control can be performed by the gyro unit 100, the first controller 34 and the second controller 36 need not be changed in design.

  Thus, the gyro sensor unit 100 is an expansion unit for adding a gyro function to the first controller 34 while using the existing first controller 34 and second controller 36 as they are.

  In this game system 10, to play a game (or other application), the user first turns on the game device 12, and then the user stores the video game (or other application that he / she wishes to run). The appropriate optical disk 66 is selected, and the optical disk 66 is loaded from the disk slot 18 of the game apparatus 12 into the disk drive 54. In response to this, the game apparatus 12 starts to execute the video game or other application based on the software stored in the optical disc 66. The user operates the controller 14 to give an input to the game apparatus 12.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the appearance of the first controller 34. FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the first controller 34 as viewed from the upper rear side, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the first controller 34 as viewed from the lower front side.

  The first controller 34 has a housing 78 formed by plastic molding, for example. The housing 78 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape whose longitudinal direction is the front-rear direction (Z-axis direction), and is a size that can be gripped with one hand of an adult or child as a whole. As an example, the housing 78 is sized to have approximately the same length or width as a human palm. The player can perform a game operation by pressing a button provided on the first controller 34 and changing the position and orientation of the first controller 34 itself.

  The housing 78 is provided with a plurality of operation buttons. That is, on the top surface of the housing 78, a cross key 80a, an X button 80b, a Y button 80c, an A button 80d, a select switch 80e, a menu switch 80f, and a start switch 80g are provided. On the other hand, a recess is formed on the lower surface of the housing 78, and a B button 80h is provided on the rear inclined surface of the recess. Each of these buttons (switches) 80a-80h is assigned an appropriate function according to the game program executed by the game apparatus 12. In addition, a power switch 80 i is provided on the upper surface of the housing 78 to remotely turn on / off the game apparatus 12 main body. Each button (switch) provided in the first controller 34 may be indicated by a general reference numeral 80.

  In the housing 78, there is provided an acceleration sensor 84 (FIG. 11) that detects accelerations in the X, Y, and Z axis directions (that is, the left-right direction, the up-down direction, and the front-rear direction) shown in FIG. The acceleration sensor 84 is a biaxial acceleration that detects acceleration in any one of the up-down direction, the left-right direction, and the front-rear direction depending on the shape of the housing 78 or the limitation of how the first controller 34 is held. A sensor may be used. In some cases, a single-axis acceleration sensor may be used.

  A light incident port 78 b is formed in the front surface of the housing 78, and an imaging information calculation unit 81 is further provided in the housing 78. The imaging information calculation unit 81 includes a camera that captures infrared rays and a calculation unit that calculates coordinates in the image to be captured. The imaging information calculation unit 81 captures the object scene including the above-described markers 22a and 22b with infrared rays, and detects the marker 22a. And 22b in the field are calculated.

  Further, the connector 42 described above is provided on the rear surface of the housing 78. The connector 42 is used for connecting other devices to the first controller 34. In this embodiment, the connector 42 is connected to the connector 40 of the second controller 36 or the connector 106 of the gyro sensor unit 100.

  On the rear surface of the housing 78, a pair of holes 82a and 82b are formed at positions facing the connector 42 in the left and right direction (X-axis direction). Hooks 112Fa and 112Fb (FIG. 6A) for fixing the gyro sensor unit 100 to the rear surface of the housing 78 are inserted into the pair of holes 82a and 82b. A hole 82c for attaching the strap 24 (FIG. 4B) is further formed on the rear surface of the housing 78.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the appearance of the main body of the second controller 36. FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the second controller 36 viewed from the upper rear side, and FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the second controller 36 viewed from the lower front side. In FIG. 3, the cable 38 of the second controller 36 is omitted.

  The second controller 36 has a housing 86 formed by plastic molding, for example. The housing 86 has an elliptical shape that is substantially elongated in the front-rear direction (Z-axis direction) in plan view, and the width in the left-right direction (X-axis direction) on the rear end side is narrower than that on the front-end side. Further, the housing 86 has a curved shape as a whole in a side view, and is curved so as to descend from the horizontal portion on the front end side toward the rear end side. Similar to the first controller 34, the housing 86 is sized so that it can be grasped with one hand of an adult or child as a whole, but the length in the longitudinal direction (Z-axis direction) is larger than that of the housing 78 of the first controller 34. Slightly shorter. Even in the second controller 36, the player can perform game operations by operating buttons and sticks and changing the position and orientation of the controller itself.

  An analog joystick 88 a is provided on the top end side of the upper surface of the housing 86. A tip surface that is slightly inclined rearward is provided at the tip of the housing 86, and a C button 88b and a Z button 88c are provided on the tip surface in the vertical direction (Y-axis direction shown in FIG. 3). . An appropriate function is assigned to the analog joystick 88a and the buttons 88b and 88c in accordance with the game program executed by the game apparatus 12. The analog joystick 88a and the buttons 88b and 88c provided in the second controller 36 may be indicated by using a reference numeral 88 in a comprehensive manner.

  An acceleration sensor 90 (FIG. 11) is provided in the housing 86 of the second controller 36. As the acceleration sensor 90, an acceleration sensor similar to the acceleration sensor 84 of the first controller 34 is applied. Specifically, in this embodiment, a three-axis acceleration sensor is applied, and the second controller 36 is moved in the vertical direction (Y-axis direction), the horizontal direction (X-axis direction), and the front-rear direction (Z-axis direction). Each detects acceleration. Accordingly, as in the case of the first controller 34, the inclination and rotation of the second controller 36, the attitude of the acceleration sensor 90 with respect to the direction of gravity, and the like can be calculated by performing appropriate arithmetic processing on the detected acceleration. . Further, the movement applied to the first controller 34 by swinging or the like can be similarly calculated.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the appearance of the connector 40 of the second controller 36. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the connector 40 as seen from the lower front side. Note that the cable 38 is also omitted here. The connector 40 has a housing 142 formed by plastic molding, for example. A hook 144 is provided on the lower surface of the housing 142. As shown in FIG. 5, this hook 144 is essentially provided with the strap 24 attached to the first controller 34 when the connector 40 is directly connected to the first controller 34 (the connector 42 thereof). It is for hanging. The first controller 34 and the second controller 36 are firmly fixed by hooking the strap 24 on the hook 144.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of the appearance of the gyro sensor unit 100. FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the gyro sensor unit 100 as viewed from the upper front side, and FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the gyro sensor unit 100 as viewed from the lower rear side.

  The gyro sensor unit 100 has a housing 110 formed by plastic molding, for example. The housing 110 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and its length is about 1/5 of the length of the housing 78 of the first controller 34, and its width and thickness are substantially the same as the width and thickness of the housing 78. Even in a state where the gyro sensor unit 100 is attached to the first controller 34, the player can perform a game operation by changing the position and orientation of the first controller 34 itself.

  The connectors 106 and 108 are provided on the front and rear surfaces of the housing 110, a pair of release buttons 112a and 112b are provided on both sides of the housing 110, and a lock switch 114 is provided on the lower surface of the housing 110, respectively. A substantially spherical recess 110a is provided from the front lower end to the lower end of the housing 110 so that the hole 82c for the strap 24 is exposed when the gyro sensor unit 100 is mounted on the first controller 34 (FIG. 8). ing.

  A pair of hooks 112Fa and 112Fb connected to the pair of release buttons 112a and 112b, respectively, are provided on the front surface of the housing 110 at positions facing the lateral direction (X-axis direction) with the connector 106 interposed therebetween. When the connector 106 is connected to the connector 42 in order to mount the gyro sensor unit 100 on the first controller 34, the pair of hooks 112Fa and 112Fb are inserted into the pair of holes 82a and 82b (FIG. 2A) on the rear surface of the housing 78. The claws of the hooks 112Fa and 112Fb are caught on the inner wall of the housing 78. As a result, the gyro sensor unit 100 is fixed to the rear surface of the first controller 34.

  The gyro sensor unit 100 thus attached to the first controller 34 is shown in FIG. When the pair of release buttons 112a and 112b are pressed in this state, the hook of the claws is released and the gyro sensor unit 100 can be detached from the first controller 34.

  The lock switch 114 is a slide switch for locking the release buttons 112a and 112b. The release buttons 112a and 112b cannot be pressed (locked) when the lock switch 114 is in the first position (for example, backward), and can be pressed (released) when the lock switch 114 is in the second position (for example, forward). State). Lock springs 118a and 118b (FIG. 7) are provided in the housing 110, and are configured to repel when the release buttons 112a and 112b are pressed, and are configured to maintain the state where the claws are caught when not pressed. Has been. For this reason, in order to remove the gyro sensor unit 100, the user needs to slide the lock switch 114 from the first position to the second position and then press the release buttons 112a and 112b.

  Thus, since the gyro sensor unit 100 is mounted on the rear surface of the first controller 34, the centrifugal force applied to the gyro sensor unit 100 during the game operation exclusively presses the gyro sensor unit 100 against the first controller 34. Works. Further, while the gyro sensor unit 100 is fixed to the rear surface of the first controller 34 with the hooks 112Fa and 112Fb, the release buttons 112a and 112b are provided with the lock switch 114 to open the hooks 112Fa and 112Fb. The sensor unit 100 is not detached from the first controller 34.

  Thus, since the gyro sensor unit 100 is mounted on the rear surface of the first controller 34, the centrifugal force applied to the gyro sensor unit 100 during the game operation exclusively presses the gyro sensor unit 100 against the first controller 34. Works. In addition, the gyro sensor unit 100 is fixed to the rear surface of the first controller 34 with the hooks 112Fa and 112Fb, while the release buttons 112a and 112b are provided with the lock switch 114 to open the hooks 112Fa and 112Fb. Even in this case, the gyro sensor unit 100 and the first controller 34 can be firmly fixed.

  The connector cover 116 also has a thick (that is, difficult to bend) projection 116b that is long in the left and right (X-axis direction) at the other end of the main surface thereof. The thickness (the height in the Z-axis direction) of the protrusion 116 b is substantially the same as the thickness (the height in the Y-axis direction) of the hook 144 (FIG. 4) provided on the connector 40 of the second controller 36. When the second controller 36 is connected to the first controller 34 via the gyro sensor unit 100, the connector cover 116 has a horizontal main surface and the projection 116b is a side surface of the hook 144 as shown in FIG. Is engaged. By integrating the connector cover 116 removed from the connector 108 with the connector 40 in this way, not only the operability and appearance are improved, but the connector 40 and the gyro sensor unit 100 are firmly fixed.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of the configuration of the gyro sensor unit 100. The gyro sensor unit 100 includes a gyro substrate 120 and a support member 122 in addition to the housing 110, the connectors 106 and 108, the release buttons 112a and 112b, the hooks 112Fa and 112Fb, the lock switch 114, the connector cover 116, and the lock springs 118a and 118b. Prepare. The gyro substrate 120 is connected to each of the connectors 106 and 108 by signal lines, and the support member 122 supports the gyro substrate 120 and the connectors 106 and 108.

  A gyro sensor 104 is provided on the gyro substrate 120. The gyro sensor 104 is composed of two chips, a one-axis gyro sensor 104a and a two-axis gyro sensor 104b. The gyro sensor 104a is for detecting an angular velocity related to the yaw angle (angular velocity around the Y axis), and the gyro sensor 104b is two angular velocities related to the roll angle and the pitch angle (angular velocity around the Z axis and angular velocity around the X axis). It is for detecting. The gyro sensors 104 a and 104 b are provided horizontally on the upper surface 120 a of the gyro substrate 120.

  The arrangement of the gyro sensors 104a and 104b is not limited to that shown in FIG. In another embodiment, the gyro sensor 104a is horizontally provided on one of the upper surface 120a and the lower surface 120b of the gyro substrate 120, and the gyro sensor 104b is horizontally disposed on the other of the upper surface 120a and the lower surface 120b of the gyro substrate 120. It is provided so as to face the gyro sensor 104a with 120 therebetween. In another embodiment, the gyro sensor 104a is provided vertically on one of the upper surface 120a and the lower surface 120b of the gyro substrate 120, and the gyro sensor 104b is provided horizontally on the other of the upper surface 120a and the lower surface 120b of the gyro substrate 120.

  Further, the gyro sensor 104 is not limited to the two-chip configuration, and may be configured by three single-axis gyro sensors (three chips) or may be configured by one three-axis gyro sensor (one chip). . In either case, the position and orientation of each chip are determined so that the above three angular velocities can be detected appropriately. Furthermore, depending on the case, the gyro sensor 104 may be composed of one two-axis gyro sensor or may be composed of two or one single-axis gyro sensor.

  The shape of the first controller 34 shown in FIG. 2, the second controller 36 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and the gyro sensor unit 100 shown in FIG. 6, and the shape and number of buttons (switches, sticks, etc.) The installation position and the like are merely examples, and can be appropriately changed to other shapes, numbers, installation positions, and the like.

  In the preferred embodiment, the sensor is a gyro sensor (angular velocity sensor), but may be another motion sensor such as an acceleration sensor, a velocity sensor, a displacement sensor, or a rotation angle sensor. In addition to the motion sensor, there are an inclination sensor, an image sensor, an optical sensor, a pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, a temperature sensor, and the like. Even when any sensor is added, an operation using a detection target of the sensor becomes possible. Regardless of which sensor is used, the sensor can be added to the operating device while using another device that has been conventionally connected to the operating device.

  Moreover, the power supply of the controller 14 is given by the battery (not shown) accommodated in the 1st controller 34 so that replacement | exchange is possible. The power is supplied to the second controller 36 via the connector 40 and the cable 38. When the gyro sensor unit 100 is connected to the first controller 34, this power is supplied to the gyro sensor unit 100 via the connectors 42 and 106. Further, if the second controller 36 is connected to the gyro sensor unit 100, a part of the power supplied from the first controller 34 to the gyro sensor unit 100 is supplied to the second controller via the connector 108, the connector 40 and the cable 38. 36 is also given.

  FIG. 10 shows an electrical configuration of the game system 10. Although not shown, each component in the housing 16 is mounted on a printed circuit board. As shown in FIG. 10, the game apparatus 12 is provided with a CPU 44 and functions as a game processor. A system LSI 64 is connected to the CPU 44. An external main memory 46, ROM / RTC 48, disk drive 54 and AV IC 56 are connected to the system LSI 64.

  The external main memory 46 stores a program such as a game program or stores various data, and is used as a work area or a buffer area for the CPU 44. The ROM / RTC 48 is a so-called boot ROM, in which a program for starting up the game apparatus 12 is incorporated, and a clock circuit for counting time is provided. The disk drive 54 reads programs, texture data, and the like from the optical disk 66 and writes them in an internal main memory 64e or an external main memory 46 described later under the control of the CPU 44.

  The system LSI 64 is provided with an input / output processor 64a, a GPU (Graphics Processor Unit) 64b, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) 64c, a VRAM 64d, and an internal main memory 42e, which are not shown, but are connected to each other by an internal bus. The

  The input / output processor (I / O processor) 42a executes data transmission / reception or data download.

  The GPU 64 forms part of the drawing means, receives a graphics command (drawing command) from the CPU 44, and generates game image data according to the command. However, the CPU 40 gives an image generation program necessary for generating game image data to the GPU 64 in addition to the graphics command.

  Although not shown, the VRAM 64d is connected to the GPU 64 as described above. Data (image data: data such as polygon data and texture data) necessary for the GPU 64 to execute the drawing command is acquired by the GPU 64 accessing the VRAM 64d. However, the CPU 44 writes image data necessary for drawing into the VRAM 64d via the GPU 64. The GPU 64 accesses the VRAM 64d and creates game image data for drawing.

  In this embodiment, the case where the GPU 64 generates game image data will be described. However, when executing any application other than the game application, the GPU 64 generates image data for the arbitrary application.

  The DSP 64c functions as an audio processor and corresponds to sound, voice, or music output from the speaker 32 using sound data or sound waveform (tone) data stored in the internal main memory 64e or the external main memory 46. Generate audio data.

  The game image data and audio data generated as described above are read by the AV IC 56 and output to the monitor 30 and the speaker 32 via the AV connector 58. Therefore, the game screen is displayed on the monitor 30 and the sound (music) necessary for the game is output from the speaker 32.

  The input / output processor 64a is connected to the flash memory 43, the wireless communication module 50, and the wireless controller module 52, and to the expansion connector 60 and the memory card connector 62. An antenna 50 a is connected to the wireless communication module 50, and an antenna 52 a is connected to the wireless controller module 52.

  The input / output processor 64a can communicate with other game devices and various servers connected to a network (not shown) via the wireless communication module 50. However, it is also possible to communicate directly with other game devices without going through a network. The input / output processor 64a periodically accesses the flash memory 43, detects the presence or absence of data that needs to be transmitted to the network (referred to as “transmission data”), and if there is such transmission data, the wireless communication module 50 and the antenna 50a. Further, the input / output processor 64a receives data transmitted from other game devices (referred to as “received data”) via the network, the antenna 50a, and the wireless communication module 50, and receives the received data in the flash memory 43. Remember. However, if the received data does not satisfy a certain condition, the received data is discarded as it is. Further, the input / output processor 64 a receives data (downloaded data) downloaded from a download server (not shown) via the network, the antenna 50 a and the wireless communication module 50, and stores the downloaded data in the flash memory 43. You can also

  The input / output processor 64a receives the input data transmitted from the controller 14 via the antenna 52a and the wireless controller module 52, and stores (temporarily stores) the data in the buffer area of the internal main memory 64e or the external main memory 46. The input data is erased from the buffer area after being used by the processing of the CPU 44 (for example, game processing).

  In this embodiment, as described above, the wireless controller module 52 communicates with the controller 14 in accordance with the Bluetooth standard. For this reason, not only can data be acquired from the controller 14, but a predetermined command can be transmitted from the game apparatus 12 to the controller 14 to control the operation of the controller 14 from the game apparatus 12.

  Further, an expansion connector 60 and a memory card connector 62 are connected to the input / output processor 64a. The expansion connector 60 is a connector for an interface such as USB or SCSI, and connects a medium such as an external storage medium or connects a peripheral device such as another controller different from the controller 14. Can do. Also, a wired LAN adapter can be connected to the expansion connector 60 and the wired LAN can be used instead of the wireless communication module 50. An external storage medium such as the memory card 38 can be connected to the memory card connector 62. Therefore, for example, the input / output processor 64a can access the external storage medium via the expansion connector 60 and the memory card connector 62, and can store and read data.

  Although not described in detail, as shown in FIG. 1, the game apparatus 12 (housing 16) is provided with a power button 20a, a reset button 20b, and an eject button 20c. The power button 20a is connected to the system LSI 64. When the power button 20a is turned on, the system LSI 64 is set to a mode in which power is supplied to each component of the game apparatus 12 via an AC adapter (not shown) and an energized state is set.

  The reset button 20b is also connected to the system LSI 64. When the reset button 20b is pressed, the system LSI 64 restarts the boot program for the game apparatus 12. The eject button 20 c is connected to the disk drive 54. When the eject button 20c is pressed, the optical disk 66 is ejected from the disk drive 54.

  FIG. 11 shows an example of the electrical configuration of the entire controller 14 when the first controller 34 and the second controller 36 are connected via the gyro sensor unit 100.

  The first controller 34 includes a communication unit 92 therein, and an operation unit 80, an imaging information calculation unit 81, an acceleration sensor 84, and a connector 42 are connected to the communication unit 92. The operation unit 80 shows the above-described operation buttons or operation switches 80a-80i. When the operation unit 80 is operated, data indicating the operation is output to the communication unit 92. From the imaging information calculation unit 81, data indicating the position coordinates of the markers 22 a and 22 b in the object scene is output to the communication unit 92. Data indicating the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 84 is also output to the communication unit 92. The acceleration sensor 84 has a sampling period of about 200 frames / second at the maximum, for example.

  The connector 42 is connected to the connector 106 of the gyro sensor unit. The gyro sensor unit 100 includes a microcomputer 102 and a gyro sensor 104 therein. The gyro sensor 104 shows the above-described gyro sensors 104a and 104b, and has a sampling period similar to that of the acceleration sensor 84, for example. The microcomputer 102 outputs data indicating the angular velocity detected by the gyro sensor 104 to the communication unit 92 via the connector 106 and the connector 42.

  A connector 40 of a cable 38 extending from the second controller 36 is connected to the connector 108 of the gyro sensor unit 100. The connector 40 is connected to the operation unit 88 of the second controller 36 and the acceleration sensor 90. The operation unit 88 shows the above-described stick 88a and operation buttons 88b and 88c. When the operation unit 88 is operated, data indicating the operation is given to the microcomputer 102 of the gyro sensor unit 100 via the cable 38, the connector 40 and the connector 42. The microcomputer 102 outputs this data to the communication unit 92 via the connector 106 and the connector 42. The acceleration sensor 90 also has the same sampling period as that of the acceleration sensor 84, and data indicating the acceleration detected thereby is also output to the communication unit 92 by the microcomputer 102.

  In addition, each output to the communication part 92 mentioned above is performed by a 1/200 second period, for example. Therefore, in an arbitrary 1/200 second, operation data from the operation unit 80, position coordinate data from the imaging information calculation unit 81, acceleration data from the acceleration sensor 84, angular velocity data from the gyro sensor 104, Operation data from the operation unit 88 and acceleration data from the acceleration sensor 90 are output to the communication unit 92 once each.

  FIG. 12 shows a main configuration of the gyro sensor unit 100 in the overall configuration shown in FIG. The above-described connector 42, connector 106, connector 108, and connector 40 are each a 6-pin connector, for example, and an Attach pin for controlling a variable “Attach” indicating a connection state between the connectors is included in these 6 pins. include. Attach changes between “Low” indicating that the connectors are disconnected and “High” indicating that the connectors are connected. Hereinafter, the Attach between the connector 42 and the connector 106, that is, between the first controller 34 and the gyro sensor unit 100 is referred to as “Attach 1”, and the Attach between the connector 108 and the connector 40, that is, between the gyro sensor unit 100 and the second controller 36 is referred to as “Attach 1”. Called “Attach2”.

  Attach 1 is configured such that, even if the gyro sensor unit 100 is mounted on the first controller 34, the application is non-gyro compatible and the second controller 36 is not connected to the gyro sensor unit 100. It is controlled to “Low” by the microcomputer 102 of the gyro sensor unit 100 so that the gyro sensor unit 100 cannot be seen from the corresponding application (standby mode: see FIG. 14). In the standby mode, power supply to the gyro sensor 104 is stopped, and the gyro function is stopped. The microcomputer 102 exclusively performs mode switching based on Attach 2 and power management based on an instruction from the gyro compatible application.

  The other two of the six pins are assigned I2C buses, and the gyro sensor unit 100 connects / disconnects the I2C bus on the first controller 34 side and the I2C bus on the second controller 36 side to each other. The bus switch SW is further included. The bus switch SW is turned on by the microcomputer 102 when a gyro-incompatible application is executed in a state where the second controller 36 is connected to the first controller 34 via the gyro sensor unit 100. Thereafter, the data from the second controller 36 is output to the communication unit 92 through the I2C bus without passing through the microcomputer 102 (bypass mode: see FIG. 14). Therefore, the microcomputer 102 may perform mode switching and power management as in the standby mode, and power consumption is suppressed. Further, a gyro-incompatible application can be executed even with the gyro sensor unit 100 attached. When the bus switch SW is off, the bus is connected to the microcomputer 102, and data output to the first controller 34 is controlled by the microcomputer 102.

  The bus switch SW is also turned on in the standby mode. As a result, the gyro compatible application can attach the gyro sensor unit 100 to the first controller 34 by referring to the special address of the I2C bus even if Attach 1 is controlled to “Low” as described above. You can check whether

  The gyro sensor unit 100 is provided with a total of four modes of “gyro” and “gyro & second controller” in addition to the above-described “standby” and “bypass”. In the latter two modes, the bus switch SW is turned off.

  The microcomputer 102 of the gyro sensor unit 100 includes two types of A / D conversion circuits 102a and 102b. The angular velocity signals around the three axes output from the gyro sensor 104 are output from the A / D conversion circuits 102a and 102b. Given to each. The A / D conversion circuit 102a executes A / D conversion processing in the high angular velocity mode for the entire detection range (eg, ± 360 degrees / second) of the gyro sensor 104, and the A / D conversion circuit 102b performs gyro A / D conversion processing in the low angular velocity mode for a part of the detection range of the sensor 104 (for example, ± 90 degrees / second) is executed. The microcomputer 102 outputs one of these two types of A / D conversion results as angular velocity data.

  Specifically, when two types of angular velocity data corresponding to a certain time are output from the A / D conversion circuits 102a and 102b, the microcomputer 102 first sets the value A for the angular velocity data in the low angular velocity mode. Whether it is within the range from the first threshold value Th1 to the second threshold value Th2 (> Th1), that is, whether the condition “Th1 ≦ A ≦ Th2” is satisfied, for each axis, that is, yaw, roll and pitch Determine for each. Next, based on these three determination results, one of the low angular velocity mode and the high angular velocity mode is selected. For example, regarding each of the three determination results, if YES, the low angular velocity mode is selected, and if NO, the high angular velocity mode is selected for each axis. And the angular velocity data according to the mode selected for every axis | shaft is each output with the mode information which shows the selected mode. That is, by changing the accuracy of the data according to the angular velocity, even if the data amount is the same, more accurate data can be output at a low speed.

  FIG. 13 shows a data format handled by the gyro sensor unit 100. FIG. 13A shows the format of data for the gyro sensor unit 100, and FIG. 13B shows the format of data for the second controller. The data for the gyro sensor unit 100 includes yaw angular velocity data, roll angular velocity data and pitch angular velocity data, yaw angular velocity mode information, roll angular velocity mode information and pitch angular velocity mode information, second connector connection information, and a gyro / second controller. Including identification information.

  The yaw angular velocity data, roll angular velocity data, and pitch angular velocity data are, for example, 14-bit data obtained by A / D converting the yaw angular velocity signal, roll angular velocity signal, and pitch angular velocity signal output from the gyro sensor 104, for example. The yaw angular velocity mode information, the roll angular velocity mode information, and the pitch angular velocity mode information are each 1-bit information indicating the corresponding angular velocity data mode, and correspond to “0” corresponding to the high angular velocity mode and the low angular velocity mode. It changes between “1”.

  The second controller connection information is 1-bit information indicating whether or not the second controller 36 is connected to the connector 106, and changes between “0” indicating non-connection and “1” indicating connection. To do. The gyro / second controller identification information is 1-bit information for identifying whether the data is data output from the gyro sensor unit 100 or data output from the second controller 36, and the gyro sensor unit 100 It changes between “1” indicating that the data is from “1” and “0” indicating that the data is from the second controller 36.

  On the other hand, the data for the second controller 36 includes X-stick operation data and Y-stick operation data indicating the stick operation in the left-right direction (X-axis direction) and the stick operation in the front-rear direction (Z-axis direction), respectively, X acceleration data, Y acceleration data and Z acceleration data indicating acceleration, Y-axis direction acceleration, and Z-axis direction acceleration, button operation data, second connector connection information, and gyro / second controller identification information, respectively. Including.

  The gyro sensor unit 100 alternately outputs the gyro data conforming to the format shown in FIG. 13A and the second controller data conforming to the format shown in FIG. To do. Therefore, one format is output at a 1/100 second cycle, but this is sufficiently shorter than the 1/60 second cycle, which is a general processing period in game processing, etc. Even if output alternately, both data can be used simultaneously in one frame in the game processing.

  The communication unit 92 includes a microcomputer 94, a memory 96, a wireless module 76, and an antenna 98. The microcomputer 94 controls the wireless module 76 while using the memory 96 as a storage area (working area or buffer area) at the time of processing, and transmits the acquired data to the game apparatus 12 or the data from the game apparatus 12. To receive.

  Data output from the gyro sensor unit 100 to the communication unit 92 is temporarily stored in the memory 96 via the microcomputer 94. Data output from the operation unit 80, the imaging information calculation unit 81, and the acceleration sensor 84 in the first controller 34 to the communication unit 92 is also temporarily stored in the memory 96. When the transmission timing to the game apparatus 12 arrives, the microcomputer 94 outputs the data stored in the memory 96 to the wireless module 76 as controller data. The controller data includes first controller data in addition to the gyro data and / or second controller data shown in FIGS. 13 (A) and 13 (B). The first controller data includes X acceleration data, Y acceleration data and Z acceleration data based on the output of the acceleration sensor 84, position coordinate data based on the output of the imaging information calculation unit 81, and a button based on the output of the operation unit 80. Operation data.

  The wireless module 76 modulates a carrier wave of a predetermined frequency with controller data using a short-range wireless communication technology such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), and radiates the weak radio signal from the antenna 98. That is, the controller data is modulated by the wireless module 76 into a weak radio signal and transmitted from the first controller 34. The weak radio wave signal is received by the Bluetooth communication unit 74 on the game apparatus 12 side. By demodulating and decoding the received weak radio signal, the game apparatus 12 can acquire controller data. The CPU 44 of the game apparatus 12 performs game processing based on the controller data acquired from the controller 14. Note that the wireless communication between the first controller 34 and the game apparatus 12 may be executed in accordance with another standard such as a wireless LAN.

  In the game system 10, it is possible to perform an input to an application such as a game not only by button operation but also by moving the controller 14 itself. When playing the game, for example, as shown in FIG. 18, the player holds the first controller 34 (specifically, the gripping portion 78a of the housing 78: FIG. 2) with his right hand and the second controller with his left hand. It has 36. As described above, the first controller 34 includes the acceleration sensor 84 that detects the acceleration in the three-axis directions, and the second controller 36 includes the same acceleration sensor 90. When the first controller 34 and the second controller 36 are respectively moved by the player, the acceleration sensor 84 and the acceleration sensor 90 detect acceleration values in three-axis directions indicating the movements of the respective controllers themselves. When the gyro sensor unit 100 is attached to the first controller 34, angular velocity values around three axes indicating the movement of the first controller 34 itself are further detected.

  These detection values are transmitted to the game apparatus 12 in the controller data mode described above. In the game apparatus 12 (FIG. 10), the controller data from the controller 14 is received by the input / output processor 64a via the antenna 52a and the wireless controller module 52, and the received controller data is the internal main memory 64e or the external main memory. 46 buffer areas are written. The CPU 44 reads the controller data stored in the buffer area of the internal main memory 64e or the external main memory 46, and restores the detected value, that is, the acceleration and / or angular velocity value detected by the controller 14 from the controller data.

  Since the angular velocity data includes two modes, a high angular velocity and a low angular velocity, two types of angular velocity restoration algorithms corresponding to these two modes are prepared. In restoring the angular velocity value from the angular velocity data, an angular velocity restoration algorithm corresponding to the angular velocity data mode is selected based on the angular velocity mode information.

  The CPU 44 may execute a process of calculating the speed of the controller 14 from the restored acceleration in parallel with such a restoration process. In parallel, the moving distance or position of the controller 14 can be obtained from the calculated speed. On the other hand, the rotation angle of the controller 14 is obtained from the restored angular velocity. Note that the initial value (integral constant) when accumulating acceleration to obtain speed or accumulating angular velocity to obtain rotation angle is calculated based on position coordinate data from the imaging information calculation unit 81, for example. it can. The position coordinate data can also be used to correct errors accumulated by integration.

  The game process is executed based on the variables such as acceleration, speed, moving distance, angular speed, and rotation angle thus obtained. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform all of the above processing, and variables necessary for the game processing may be calculated as appropriate. The angular velocity and the rotation angle can be calculated from the acceleration in principle, but for this purpose, a complicated routine is required for the game program, and a heavy processing load is applied to the CPU 44 as well. By using the gyro sensor unit 100, program development becomes easy and the processing load on the CPU 44 is reduced.

  By the way, the game includes a game for one controller that uses only the first controller 34, and a game for two controllers that uses the first controller 34 and the second controller 36, and each game is gyro-compatible and non-gyro-compatible. It is classified into either. The first controller 34, which is the main controller, is necessary when playing any game. The second controller 36, which is an expansion controller, is connected to the first controller 34 via the gyro sensor unit 100 when playing a game for two controllers or directly, and is normally removed when playing a one-controller game.

  On the other hand, the gyro sensor unit 100, which is an expansion sensor or an expansion controller, is not necessary when playing a gyro-incompatible game, but does not have to be removed. For this reason, the gyro sensor unit 100 is normally left attached to the first controller 34 and is handled integrally with the first controller 34. The second controller 36 is attached and detached as in the case where the gyro sensor unit 100 is not interposed, except that the connection destination of the connector 40 is changed from the connector 42 to the connector 108.

  FIG. 14 shows a table in which control by the microcomputer 102 of the gyro sensor unit 100 is described for each mode. There are four types of modes prepared in the gyro sensor unit 100: “standby”, “bypass”, “gyro”, and “gyro & second controller” described above, and the control target of the microcomputer 102 is “gyro function”. , “Gyro power supply”, “Bus switch”, “Extended connector”, “Attach1” and “I2C address”.

  The gyro function is placed in the stopped state (No Active) in each of the standby and bypass modes, while being placed in the activated state (Active) in each mode of the gyro and the gyro & second controller. The power supply to the gyro power source, that is, the gyro sensor 104 is stopped (OFF) in each mode of standby and bypass, and is executed (ON) in each mode of the gyro and the gyro & second controller. The bus switch SW is connected (Connect) in each mode of standby and bypass, and disconnected (Disconnect) in each mode of the gyro and the gyro & second controller.

  The expansion connector or connector 108 is activated in the bypass and gyro & second controller modes, and is deactivated in the standby and gyro modes. Attach 1 is controlled to “Low” indicating the non-connected state in the standby mode, and is controlled to “High” indicating the connected state in each mode of the bypass, the gyro and the gyro & second controller. Regarding the I2C address, a special address is noticed only in the standby and bypass modes.

  Switching between the modes is performed as shown in FIG. FIG. 15A shows a switching process when the application is compatible with the gyro, and FIG. 15B shows a switching process when the application is not compatible with the gyro. In common with FIG. 15A and FIG. 15B, that is, regardless of whether the application is a gyro-compatible application or a gyro-incompatible application, the gyro sensor unit 100 itself is connected to the first controller 34. In response to the above, it starts and enters standby mode, which is an initial mode. Here, when the second controller 36 is connected, the standby mode shifts to the bypass mode, and when the second controller 36 is subsequently removed, the bypass mode returns to the standby mode.

  Here, the gyro compatible application calls and resets the gyro sensor unit 100 in order to acquire angular velocity data as necessary. As described above, in this embodiment, it is possible to control the controller from the game machine by communication, so it is possible to control the gyro sensor unit 100 by application. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 15A, the gyro sensor unit 100 shifts to the gyro mode when receiving a call from the application in the standby mode, and returns to the standby mode when receiving a reset from the application in the gyro mode. The gyro sensor unit 100 also shifts to the gyro & second controller mode when the second controller 36 is connected in the gyro mode, and returns to the gyro mode when the second controller 36 is removed in the gyro & second controller mode. Further, the gyro sensor unit 100 shifts to the bypass mode when receiving a reset from the application in the gyro & second controller mode, and returns to the gyro & second controller mode when receiving a call from the application in the bypass mode.

  On the other hand, the gyro-incompatible application does not have a function of calling or resetting the gyro sensor unit 100. For this reason, when the gyro-incompatible application is executed, the mode of the gyro sensor unit 100 is only switched between the standby mode and the bypass mode as shown in FIG.

  Such mode switching of the gyro sensor unit 100 is realized by the microcomputer 102 executing the processing shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 16 and 17 with reference to the table shown in FIG. The program corresponding to this flowchart and the table of FIG. 14 are stored in the nonvolatile memory 102c (FIG. 12).

  When the user attaches the gyro sensor unit 100 to the first controller 34, the microcomputer 102 is activated upon receiving power supply from the first controller 34, and executes the processing shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. This process is executed over a period until the gyro sensor unit 100 is removed from the first controller 34.

  Referring to FIG. 16, when startup is completed, microcomputer 102 first performs mode update to the standby mode in step S1. Specifically, the microcomputer 102 suspends the gyro function according to the “standby” rule described in the table (FIG. 14) in the memory 102c, stops the power supply to the gyro sensor 104, and sets the bus switch SW. Connect, pause connector 108, control Attach 1 to "Low", and start paying attention to special address on I2C bus. When the gyro sensor unit 100 thus shifts to the standby mode, the process enters a loop of steps S3 and S5.

  That is, the microcomputer 102 determines whether or not Attach2 is “1” in step S3, and if “NO” here, further determines whether or not a call is made from the application in step S5. If again NO here, the process returns to step S3. In this mode, since the gyro is not used, no operation data is output to the first controller 34, or only the fact that there is no operation data is output. If Attach2 changes from “0” to “1” in response to the second controller 36 being connected to the first controller 34 via the gyro sensor unit 100, the determination result in step S3 is YES, and the process is Control goes to step S17. On the other hand, when a call is made from the application to the gyro sensor unit 100, the determination result of step S5 is YES, and the process proceeds to step S7.

  In step S7, mode update to the gyro mode is performed. Specifically, the microcomputer 102 activates the gyro function, starts supplying power to the gyro sensor, disconnects the bus switch SW, and disconnects the connector 108 according to the “gyro” specification described in the table (FIG. 14). And Attach 1 is controlled to “High”. When the gyro sensor unit 100 shifts to the gyro mode in this way, the process enters a loop of steps S9 to S13.

  In step S9, it is determined whether or not Attach2 is “1”, whether or not the application has been reset in step S11, and whether or not the current time corresponds to the data output timing in step S13. . When Attach2 changes from “0” to “1”, the determination result of step S9 becomes YES, and the process proceeds to step S23. When the gyro sensor 100 is reset from the application, the determination result in step S11 is YES, and the process returns to step S1. When the predetermined time has elapsed from the previous data output, the determination result of step S13 is YES, and the process proceeds to step S15. In step S15, the microcomputer 102 outputs the gyro data (FIG. 13A) to the first controller 34 side. After the output, the process returns to the loop of steps S9 to S13.

  Referring to FIG. 17, in step S17, mode update to the bypass mode is performed. Specifically, the microcomputer 102 stops power supply to the gyro sensor 104, stops the gyro function, and sets the bus switch SW according to the “bypass” rule described in the table (FIG. 14) in the memory 102c. Connect, activate connector 108, and set Attach1 to "High". Attention to the special address of the I2C bus is stopped. When the gyro sensor unit 100 thus shifts to the bypass mode, the process enters a loop of steps S19 and S21.

  In step S19, it is determined whether or not Attach2 is “0”, and in step S21, it is determined whether or not a call is made from an application. When Attach2 changes from “1” to “0”, the determination result of step S19 becomes YES, and the process returns to step S1. When a call is made from the application to the gyro sensor unit 100, the determination result of step S21 is YES, and the process proceeds to step S23. Here, in the bypass mode, the second controller data (FIG. 13B) is directly output from the second controller 36 to the first controller 34, so that nothing is output from the microcomputer 102.

  In step S23, mode update to the gyro & second controller mode is performed. Specifically, the microcomputer 102 starts power supply to the gyro sensor 104 in accordance with the definition of “gyro & second controller” described in the table (FIG. 14) in the memory 102c, and activates the gyro function. The bus switch SW is disconnected, the connector 108 is activated, and Attach 1 is controlled to “High”. Attention to the special address of the I2C bus is stopped. When the gyro sensor unit 100 thus shifts to the gyro & second controller mode, the process enters a loop of steps S25 to S29.

  In step S25, it is determined whether or not Attach2 is “0”, whether or not the application has been reset in step S27, and whether or not the current time corresponds to the data output timing in step S29. . When Attach2 changes from “1” to “0”, the determination result of step S25 becomes YES, and the process returns to step S7. When the gyro sensor 100 is reset from the application, the determination result of step S27 becomes YES, and the process returns to step S17. When the predetermined time has elapsed from the previous data output, the determination result of step S29 is YES, and the process proceeds to step S31. In step S31, the microcomputer 102 alternately outputs the gyro data (FIG. 13A) and the second controller data (FIG. 13B) to the first controller 34 side. After the output, the process returns to the loop of steps S25 to S29.

  As apparent from the above, in this embodiment, the gyro sensor unit 100 includes the housing 110, the connectors 106 and 108, and the gyro sensor 104. The connector 106 has a first shape that can be physically and electrically connected to a connector 42 provided in the first controller 34. Therefore, by connecting the connector 106 to the connector 42 of the first controller 34, the gyro sensor unit 100 is physically and electrically connected to the first controller 34 via these two connectors 42 and 106, and the gyro sensor unit 100 is connected. The sensor unit 100 can be used integrally with the first controller 34. That is, the gyro sensor 104 is added to the first controller 34.

  On the other hand, the connector 108 has a second shape to which a connector having the first shape can be connected. For this reason, a connector of another device that has been conventionally connected to the connector 42, for example, the connector 40 of the second controller 36 can be connected to the connector 108. Therefore, if the connector 40 is connected to the connector 108 in a state where the connector 106 is connected to the connector 42, the second controller 36 is connected to the first controller 34 via the gyro sensor unit 100.

  Accordingly, the gyro sensor 104 can be added to the first controller 34 while using another device such as the second controller 36 that is conventionally connected to the first controller 34 as it is. Since the gyro sensor as a means for detecting the angular velocity is located near the wrist, the angular velocity is often detected near the rotation axis, the angular velocity is easy to detect, and the acceleration sensor is located ahead of the wrist. Therefore, it becomes easy to detect the centrifugal force. In other words, since the acceleration sensor is in front and the gyro sensor is in the rear when viewed from the whole operation device, it is possible to provide an operation system capable of more accurately detecting the movement of the player's hand. By adding the gyro sensor 104 for detecting the angular velocity, it is not necessary to incorporate a routine for calculating the angular velocity or the rotation angle in each game program, thereby reducing the burden on the developer. Further, the processing load on the CPU 44 of the game apparatus 12 is also reduced. By adding the gyro sensor 104 for detecting the angular velocity, it is not necessary to incorporate a routine for calculating the angular velocity or the rotation angle in each game program, thereby reducing the burden on the developer. Further, the processing load on the CPU 44 of the game apparatus 12 is also reduced.

  In this embodiment, the first controller 34 includes a longitudinal housing 78 having a thickness that can be grasped with one hand. A first operation part (operation buttons 80a, 80d, etc.) is provided on the upper surface of the housing 78 at a position where it can be operated with the thumb of one hand, and the thumb of one hand is placed on the first operation part on the lower surface of the housing 78. Sometimes, the second operation unit (operation button 80h) is provided at a position that can be operated with the index finger of the one hand. The housing 78 is also formed with a gripping portion 78a at a position that can be gripped by the palm of one hand and other fingers when a thumb is placed on the first operation portion and an index finger is placed on the second operation portion. Accordingly, the first operation portion and the second operation portion are located on the front end side of the housing 78, and the gripping portion 78a is located on the rear end side of the housing 78, and the user can hold the housing 78 with one hand. A thumb is placed on the first operation portion on the upper surface, an index finger is placed on the second operation portion on the lower surface, and the grip portion 78a is gripped by the palm and other fingers.

  The first controller 34 further includes an acceleration sensor 84. The housing 78 further includes an imaging information calculation unit 81 at an end opposite to the grip 78a, and a connector 42 at an end on the grip 78a. Are provided. On the other hand, the gyro sensor unit 100 includes a housing 110, a connector 106 that can be connected to the connector 42, and a gyro sensor 104. Therefore, when the user connects the connector 106 to the connector 42, the gyro sensor unit 100 is connected to the first controller 34. The gyro sensor unit 100 thus connected to the first controller 34 is positioned on the rear end side of the first controller 34, that is, near the wrist of the hand that holds the first controller 34 (FIG. 18). The acceleration value and the angular velocity value output from the acceleration sensor 84 and the gyro sensor 104 indicate the acceleration and the angular velocity of the first controller 34 and the gyro sensor unit 100, respectively.

  Thus, by arranging the gyro sensor unit 100 on the rear end side of the first controller 34, the position of the center of gravity of the integrated controller moves rearward and approaches the position of the palm. For this reason, the increase in centrifugal force due to the connection of the gyro sensor unit 100 to the first controller 34 is less than that in the case where the gyro sensor unit 100 is disposed on the front end side of the first controller 34. Further, the centrifugal force acting on the gyro sensor unit 100 acts to press the gyro sensor unit 100 against the first controller 34, so that the gyro sensor unit 100 and the first controller 34 can be firmly fixed. Further, since the gyro sensor 104 is located near the wrist, the angular velocity is often detected near the rotation axis, and the accuracy of detecting the angular velocity is increased. On the other hand, since the acceleration sensor 84 is located in front of the wrist, it is easy to detect acceleration caused by rotation.

  In this embodiment, the first controller 34 further includes a strap mounting portion (hole 82c), to which the strap 24 is mounted. The gyro sensor unit 100 further includes a lid 116, and the connector 108 is closed by the lid 116. The lid 116 is moored to the gyro sensor unit 100 even when it is removed from the connector 108. The second controller 36 further includes a hook 144 provided in the vicinity of the connector 40, and the strap 144 attached to the first controller 34 when the second controller 36 is connected to the first controller 34. When the second controller 36 is connected to the gyro sensor unit 100, the lids 116 moored to the gyro sensor unit 100 are respectively latched.

  Therefore, the strap 24 can be hung on the wrist of the hand holding the first controller 34. Further, when the gyro sensor unit 100 is added between the first controller 34 and the second controller 36, the hook 144, which has been conventionally latched with the strap 24, is detached from the connector 108 and moored to the gyro sensor unit 100. By latching the lid 116, the connector 40 is unlikely to be detached from the connector 108. Accordingly, the gyro sensor unit 100 can be added to the first controller 34 while using the second controller 36 that has been conventionally connected to the first controller 34 as it is.

  In this embodiment, the gyro sensor unit 100 and the second controller 36 are connected by the cable 38, but may be connected by wireless communication. An example is shown in FIG. In the embodiment of FIG. 19, the gyro sensor unit 100 includes a wireless module 108a and an antenna 108b instead of the connector 108 described above, and the second controller 36 includes a wireless module 40a and an antenna 40b instead of the connector 40 described above. . The wireless modules 40a and 108a transmit and receive data through the antennas 40b and 108b using a short-range wireless communication technology such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), wireless LAN, and infrared communication. In the embodiment of FIG. 19, the first controller 36 remains the same, and the second controller 36 and the first controller 34 are completely connected by adding the gyro sensor unit 100 and the second controller 36 using radio. Since it can be moved independently, it is possible to perform operations with a higher degree of freedom. Further, the gyro sensor unit 100 not only can add a gyro but also functions as an adapter that can connect a variety of expansion controllers wirelessly.

  In the above description, the game system 10 is used as an example. However, the present invention can be applied to a computer system that executes processing according to an application such as a game based on the movement of the operation device itself.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of one Example of this invention. FIG. 2 is an illustrative view showing an appearance of a first controller applied to the embodiment in FIG. 1, FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the first controller as viewed from the upper rear, and FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating the first controller. It is the perspective view seen from the lower surface front. FIG. 3 is an illustrative view showing an appearance of a main body of a second controller applied to the embodiment of FIG. 1, FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the second controller main body as viewed from the rear upper surface, and FIG. It is the perspective view which looked at 1 controller main body from the lower surface front. It is an illustration figure which shows the external appearance of the connector of a 2nd controller. It is an illustration figure which shows a mode that the string of the strap with which the 1st controller was mounted | worn was latched on the hook of the connector in the state which connected the connector of the 2nd controller to the 1st controller. FIG. 6 is an illustrative view showing an appearance of a gyro sensor unit applied to the embodiment in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 (A) is a perspective view of the gyro sensor unit as viewed from the upper front, and FIG. 6 (B) is a diagram of the gyro sensor unit. It is the perspective view seen from the lower surface back. It is an illustration figure which shows the structure of a gyro sensor unit. It is an illustration figure which shows the state which connected the gyro sensor unit to the 1st controller. It is an illustration figure which shows the state which connected the 2nd controller to the 1st controller via the gyro sensor unit. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the embodiment in FIG. 1. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of the whole controller applied to the FIG. 1 Example. FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a gyro sensor unit interposed between the first controller and the second controller in the controller of FIG. 11. FIG. 13A is an illustrative view showing a format of data handled by the gyro sensor unit, FIG. 13A is an illustrative view showing a format of gyro data, and FIG. 13B is an illustrative view showing a format of data for the second controller. It is. It is an illustration figure which shows the table which described the control by the microcomputer of a gyro sensor unit for every mode. FIG. 15A is an illustrative view showing mode switching applied to the gyro sensor unit, FIG. 15A is an illustrative view showing mode switching when the application is a gyro compatible type, and FIG. It is an illustration figure which shows mode switching in the case of a correspondence type. It is a flowchart which shows a part of microcomputer operation | movement of a gyro sensor unit. It is a flowchart which shows another part of microcomputer operation | movement of a gyro sensor unit. It is an illustration figure which shows a mode that a player operates a controller. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of the whole controller applied to another Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Game system 12 ... Game device 14 ... Controller 34 ... 1st controller 36 ... 2nd controller 40, 42, 106, 108 ... Connector 80, 88 ... Operation part 84, 90 ... Acceleration sensor 92 ... Communication part 94, 102 ... Microcomputer 100 ... Gyro sensor unit 104 ... Gyro sensor

Claims (5)

The first operating device, the second operating device, and the third operating device are connected to the first operating device, the second operating device, and the third operating device, or the first operating device and the third operating device. In an operation system for performing an operation by connecting an operation device,
The first operating device includes:
A motion sensor that detects the movement of the operating device itself;
A strap attachment part capable of attaching a strap;
A first connector;
The second operating device includes:
A second connector connectable to the first connector;
A third connector;
A lid capable of closing the third connector and being tethered to the second operating device even when detached from the third connector;
The third operating device includes:
A fourth connector selectively connectable to the first and third connectors;
A hook provided in the vicinity of the fourth connector,
The hook can hook the strap when the first operating device and the third operating device are connected by connection of the first connector and the fourth connector, and the hook The operating system is characterized in that the lid can be hooked when the second operating device and the third operating device are connected by connecting the third connector and the fourth connector.   The operating device comprising the second connector, the third connector, and the lid used as the second operating device in the operating system according to claim 1.   The operation system according to claim 1, wherein the motion sensor is an acceleration sensor.   The operation system according to claim 1, wherein the second operation device further includes a gyro sensor.   The operation system according to claim 1, wherein the third operation device further includes an acceleration sensor and a stick capable of inputting a direction.

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