JP2019202117A - Game controller - Google Patents

Abstract

To appropriately dispose components in a spherical controller.SOLUTION: A game controller includes: a spherical casing; a vibration part; an inertia sensor; an operation part; and a transmission part. The vibration part is provided in the casing and vibrates the casing by generating vibration. The inertial sensor is within the casing and is provided in a position in which distance from the center of the casing is shorter than the distance from the center of the casing to the vibration part. The operation part has an operation surface. The operation surface can be pressed down and is provided in a position on the casing in the opposite side of the vibration part relative to the center of the casing. The transmission part transmits information regarding operation to the operation part and information outputted from the inertia sensor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 27

Description

  The present invention relates to a game controller.

  Conventionally, a spherical controller has been provided (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2005-339088 A

  There was room for improvement with regard to component placement in the spherical controller.

  The object of the present invention is therefore to properly place the components in a spherical controller.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following configurations (1) to (46).

(1)
An example of the present invention is a game controller including a spherical casing, a vibration unit, an inertial sensor, an operation unit, and a transmission unit. The vibration unit is provided inside the housing and generates vibration to vibrate the housing. The inertial sensor is provided inside the housing at a position where the distance from the center of the housing is shorter than the distance from the center of the housing to the vibration unit. The operation unit has an operation surface. The operation surface can be pushed down, and is provided at a position on the casing opposite to the vibration portion with respect to the center of the casing. A transmission part transmits the information regarding the operation to an operation part, and the information output from an inertial sensor outside.

  According to the configuration of (1) above, by disposing the inertial sensor away from the vibration part, the inertial sensor is not easily affected by vibrations from the vibration part. Thereby, the detection accuracy by the inertial sensor can be improved. In addition, by disposing the operation unit and the vibration unit on the opposite sides with respect to the center of the casing, it is possible to make it difficult for the vibration of the vibration unit to be transmitted to the operation unit. Thereby, the operativity of operation with respect to an operation part can be improved. Thus, according to the configuration of (1) above, the components (that is, the vibration unit, the inertial sensor, and the operation unit) can be appropriately arranged in the spherical game controller.

(2)
The position of the center of gravity of the game controller may be located between the center of the housing and a predetermined part on the surface of the housing.

(3)
The vibration part may be provided between the center of the housing and a predetermined part.

  According to the configuration of (3) above, the position of the center of gravity of the game controller can be set to a position between the center of the housing and the predetermined portion depending on the weight of the vibration unit.

(4)
The vibration part may be provided at a position facing the part on the back side of the predetermined part in the inner wall of the housing.

  According to the configuration (4), the position of the center of gravity of the game controller can be brought close to the predetermined part. Accordingly, when the game controller is placed on a horizontal surface in a state where no external force is applied, the game controller is easily stabilized in a state where the game controller is grounded at the predetermined portion.

(5)
The game controller may include a rechargeable battery and a terminal. The rechargeable battery is provided inside the housing. The terminal is provided at a position different from the predetermined part and is electrically connected to the rechargeable battery.

  According to the configuration of (5) above, the terminal does not face downward when the game controller is placed on a horizontal surface in a state where no external force is applied. Thereby, for example, it becomes easy for the user to find the terminal, and it becomes easy to connect a charging device or the like to the terminal. Thus, according to the configuration of (5) above, the convenience of the game controller can be improved.

(6)
The game controller may include a rechargeable battery and a terminal. The rechargeable battery is provided inside the housing. The terminal is provided at a position recessed with respect to the surface of the housing and is electrically connected to the rechargeable battery.

  According to the configuration of (6) above, since the terminal is provided at a position recessed with respect to the spherical surface of the housing, the possibility that the terminal contacts the surface on which the game controller is placed can be reduced.

(7)
The vibration unit may be provided on a linear extension extending from the center of the operation surface of the operation unit to the center of the housing.

  With configuration (7) above, when the game controller is placed on a horizontal surface in a state where no external force is applied, the side on which the operation unit is provided is unlikely to face downward. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the operation unit will be operated although the user does not intend.

(8)
The housing may have an attachment portion on the back side of the front surface of the housing. The vibration part may be directly fixed to the attachment part.

  With configuration (8) above, it is possible to efficiently transmit the vibration generated by the vibration unit to the housing.

(9)
The position of the center of gravity of the controller may be located on the vibration part side with respect to the center of the housing.

  According to the configuration of (9) above, the position of the center of gravity of the game controller can be set to a position closer to the vibration part than the center of the housing depending on the weight of the vibration part. According to this, since the position of the center of gravity of the game controller can be set without using a weight, the configuration of the game controller can be simplified.

(10)
The vibration unit may generate sound according to the input signal.

  According to the configuration of (10) above, the game controller can output sound by the vibration unit.

(11)
The game controller may include a sensor electronic board on which an inertial sensor is provided. The vibration unit may be provided at a distance from the sensor electronic substrate.

  According to the configuration of (11), the inertial sensor is not easily affected by the vibration by the vibration unit, and therefore the detection by the inertial sensor can be accurately performed.

(12)
The game controller may include a sensor electronic board on which an inertial sensor is provided, and a board holding unit that holds the sensor electronic board. The vibration unit may be directly fixed to the housing. The substrate holding part may be directly fixed to the housing.

  According to the configuration of (12), the inertial sensor is less susceptible to the influence of vibration by the vibration section, so that the detection by the inertial sensor can be performed accurately.

(13)
The vibrating part may have a cylindrical outer shape.

  According to the configuration of (13) above, the space in the housing can be used efficiently.

(14)
The transmission unit may have an antenna. The position of the antenna in the direction parallel to the straight line passing through the center of the casing and the center of the operation surface may be between the position of the center of the casing with respect to the direction and the position of the operation unit with respect to the direction. Good.

(15)
The operation unit may include a movable unit that moves in response to the operation surface being pushed down. The transmission unit may have an antenna. The game controller may include an electronic board. The electronic board is provided with a contact for detecting a pressing operation on the operation surface according to the movement of the movable part and an antenna.

(16)
The transmission unit may have an antenna. The housing may include a hemispherical first partial housing and a hemispherical second partial housing. The operation unit may be provided in the first partial housing. The antenna may be provided inside the first partial housing.

(17)
The operation unit may be a first input device. The game controller may include a second input device. The second input device is provided at a different position from the first input device, and is the same or different type of input device as the first input device. In the first input device, a straight line passing through the center of the casing and the center of the operation surface of the first input device is substantially orthogonal to a straight line passing through the center of the casing and the center of the operation surface of the second input device. It may be provided at a position where The antenna may be provided closer to the first input device than a plane that is perpendicular to a straight line passing through the center of the housing and the center of the operation surface of the second input device and includes the center.

(18)
The operation unit may be a first input device. The game controller may include a second input device. The second input device is provided at a different position from the first input device, and is the same or different type of input device as the first input device. The first input device may be provided at the upper end of the housing. The second input device may be provided at the front end of the housing. The transmission unit may have an antenna. The antenna may be provided in front of and above the center of the housing.

(19)
The transmission unit may have an antenna. The housing may have a first hemisphere part and a second hemisphere part. The operation unit may be provided in the first hemisphere unit. The antenna may be provided inside the first hemisphere.

(20)
The operation unit may be a first input device. The game controller may include a second input device. The second input device is provided at a different position from the first input device, and is the same or different type of input device as the first input device. The transmission unit may have an antenna. The antenna may be provided so that at least a part of the antenna is disposed in the sector area. The fan-shaped region is an operation surface of the first input device among circular regions having a cross section passing through the center of the operation surface of the first input device, the center of the operation surface of the second input device, and the center of the housing. And a line segment that passes through the center of the casing and the center of the operation surface of the second input device and a line segment that passes through the center of the casing. is there.

(21)
The operation unit may include a movable unit that can move in response to the operation surface being pushed down. The game controller may include a detection unit that detects an operation on the operation surface of the operation unit according to the movement of the movable unit.

  According to the configuration of (21) above, the game controller can detect that the operation surface has been pushed down with a simple configuration.

(22)
The operation surface may be formed integrally with the surface of the housing.

  With configuration (22) above, the appearance of the game controller can be made closer to a sphere.

(23)
The operation surface of the operation unit and the portion around the operation surface of the surface of the housing may be configured by an elastic body. The housing may have an inner wall portion. An inner wall part is provided inside the surface comprised with an elastic body, and is harder than the said elastic body.

  According to the configuration of (23) above, the operation surface formed integrally with the surface of the housing can be configured to be pushed down.

(24)
The movable part may be covered with an operation surface of the casing and the operation unit in the casing.

  With configuration (24) above, the appearance of the game controller can be made closer to a sphere.

(25)
A sign indicating the position of the operation surface may be provided on the operation surface of the housing and / or the operation unit.

  According to the configuration of (25) above, the user can easily recognize where the operation surface of the surface of the housing is.

(26)
The operation surface of the operation unit may have a spherical shape.

  With configuration (26) above, the appearance of the game controller can be made closer to a sphere.

(27)
A button hole may be formed in the housing. The operation surface may be exposed from the button hole.

  According to the configuration of (27) above, the position of the operation surface can be easily understood by the user.

(28)
The movable part may be rotatable about a rotation axis substantially perpendicular to a straight line connecting the center of the housing and the center of the operation surface of the operation part. The game controller may include a detection unit that detects an operation on the operation surface of the operation unit according to the rotation of the movable unit.

  According to the configuration of (28), the detection unit can easily detect the pressing operation regardless of the position where the pressing is performed on the operation surface. This can reduce the possibility that an operation on the operation surface is not detected.

(29)
The game controller may include a restart button for restarting the game controller. The operation surface of the restart button may be provided at a position recessed with respect to the surface of the housing.

  According to the configuration of (29) above, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the restart button is erroneously operated.

(30)
The housing may include a plurality of partial housings connected to each other. At least one of the plurality of partial housings may have a spherical first surface. The game controller may include a recessed surface provided at a position recessed with respect to the first surface. A hole to which a partial housing having a first surface and a screw for fixing the recessed surface are attached may be formed in the recessed surface. The game controller may include a cover unit. The cover portion covers the recessed surface and has a spherical second surface.

  According to the configuration of (30) above, the external appearance of the game controller can be made closer to a sphere by providing screw holes at locations different from the surface of the housing.

(31)
The game controller may include a rechargeable battery provided inside the housing. The rechargeable battery may be provided at a position where the length from the center of the housing to the rechargeable battery is shorter than the length from the center of the housing to the vibrating portion.

  According to the configuration of (31) above, the rechargeable battery can be safely protected.

(32)
Another example of the present invention is a game controller including a spherical casing, a first operation unit, a second operation unit, and a transmission unit. The spherical housing has a first hemisphere portion and a second hemisphere portion. The first operation part is provided in the first hemisphere part. The second operation part is provided on the boundary between the first hemisphere part and the second hemisphere part. A transmission part transmits the information regarding the operation to a 1st operation part, and the information regarding the operation to a 2nd operation part to the exterior. The center of gravity of the game controller is located inside the second hemisphere so that the first hemisphere faces upward when placed on a horizontal plane.

  With configuration (32) above, when the game controller is placed on a horizontal surface in a state where no external force is applied, the side on which each operation unit is provided is unlikely to face downward. Therefore, the user can easily hold the game controller in the correct orientation when picking up and operating the placed game controller. Therefore, according to the configuration of (32) above, the components can be appropriately arranged in the spherical game controller.

(33)
The first operation unit may be input by depressing an operation surface provided on the surface of the housing.

(34)
The first operation unit may include a movable unit that moves in response to the operation surface being pushed down. The transmission unit may have an antenna. The game controller may include an electronic board. The electronic board is provided with a contact for detecting a pressing operation on the operation surface according to the movement of the movable part and an antenna.

(35)
The first operation unit may include a movable unit that moves in response to the operation surface being pushed down. The movable part is rotatable around a predetermined axis, and may be rotated according to the operation surface being pushed down. The game controller may include a detection unit that detects an operation on the operation surface in accordance with the rotation of the movable unit.

  According to the configuration of (35) above, the detection unit can easily detect the push-down operation regardless of the pressed position on the operation surface. This can reduce the possibility that an operation on the operation surface is not detected.

(36)
In the housing, an opening may be formed on the boundary between the first hemisphere and the second hemisphere. The second operation unit may be a joystick protruding from the opening.

  With configuration (36) above, the user can perform a direction input operation with a joystick using a spherical game controller. Thereby, a game controller capable of detailed operation can be provided.

(37)
The transmission unit may have an antenna. The antenna may be provided inside the first hemisphere.

(38)
The game controller may further include a vibration unit. The vibration unit is provided inside the second hemisphere, and generates vibration to vibrate the housing.

  With the configuration (38) above, the game controller can output vibrations from the vibration unit.

(39)
The housing may include a first hemispherical housing corresponding to the first hemispherical portion and a second hemispherical housing corresponding to the second hemispherical portion.

  With configuration (39) above, the game controller can cause the user to recognize the orientation of the game controller based on the positional relationship between the two hemispherical casings.

(40)
The housing may further include a ring-shaped housing provided between the first hemispherical housing and the second hemispherical housing.

(41)
The ring-shaped housing may have an annular portion surrounding the opening. The second operation unit may be a joystick protruding from the opening.

  According to the configuration (41), the user can easily recognize an appropriate input direction with respect to the joystick by the positional relationship between the first hemispherical housing and the second hemispherical housing.

(42)
In the first operation unit, a straight line passing through the center of the housing and the center of the operation surface of the first operation unit is substantially orthogonal to a straight line passing through the center of the case and the center of the operation surface of the second operation unit. It may be provided at a position where

  According to the configuration of (42) above, the user can easily operate the operation surface of the first operation unit and the operation surface of the second operation unit with two fingers of one hand (for example, with the thumb and index finger). it can. Thereby, the operability of the game controller can be improved.

(43)
The operation surface of the first operation unit may be formed integrally with the surface of the housing.

(44)
A sign indicating the position of the operation surface may be provided on the operation surface of the housing and / or the first operation unit.

  With configuration (44) above, the user can easily recognize where the operation surface is on the surface of the housing.

(45)
The game controller may include a restart button for restarting the game controller. The operation surface of the restart button may be provided at a position recessed with respect to the surface of the housing.

  According to the configuration of (45) above, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the restart button is erroneously operated.

(46)
Another example of the present invention is a game controller including a spherical casing, operation buttons, and a joystick. The spherical housing includes a hemispherical first partial housing, a hemispherical second partial housing, and a spherical belt-shaped third partial housing located between the first partial housing and the second partial housing. Have a body. The operation button has an operation surface provided at the apex of the hemispherical first partial housing. The joystick is provided on the spherical third partial housing. The third belt-shaped partial housing has a ring-shaped portion surrounding the joystick, a band-shaped first band-shaped portion extending from the ring-shaped portion toward the predetermined direction, and a band-shaped extending from the ring-shaped portion toward the direction opposite to the predetermined direction The second belt-shaped portion.

  According to the configuration of (46) above, the joystick and the operation buttons can be arranged at positions that are easy for the user to operate. In addition, the user can easily recognize an appropriate input direction with respect to the joystick by the third partial housing. Accordingly, the components can be appropriately arranged in the spherical controller.

  Note that another example of the present invention may be an information processing system including the game controller in the above (1) to (46) and an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with the game controller.

  According to the present invention, components can be appropriately arranged in a spherical controller.

The figure which shows an example of the state which mounted | wore the main body apparatus with the left controller and the right controller The figure which shows an example of the state which each removed the left controller and the right controller from the main body apparatus Six views showing an example of the main unit Six views showing an example of the left controller Six-sided view showing an example of the right controller Block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the main unit Block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the main unit, the left controller and the right controller A perspective view showing an example of a spherical controller A perspective view showing an example of a spherical controller Six-sided view showing an example of the controller body A figure showing an example of a housing The figure which shows an example of a mode that the user hold | maintained the controller main-body part. The figure which shows an example of the positional relationship of a joystick and an operation surface The figure which shows an example of the positional relationship of a joystick and an operation surface An exploded perspective view of an example of the upper unit An exploded perspective view of an example of the upper unit Cross section of an example of the upper unit Sectional drawing of an example of an upper unit in the state by which the operation surface was pushed down An exploded perspective view of an example of the middle unit An exploded perspective view of an example of the middle unit Cross section of an example of the middle unit The perspective view which shows an example of the positional relationship of a middle part housing | casing, a light guide part, and a main board | substrate. An exploded perspective view of an example of the lower unit An exploded perspective view of an example of the upper unit and an example of the middle unit An exploded perspective view of an example of the controller body An exploded perspective view of an example of the controller body Sectional view of an example of the controller body The figure which shows typically the front end part vicinity of an example of a spherical controller Rear view of an example of the controller main body with the cover removed The figure which shows an example of a mode that a controller main-body part light-emits The perspective view which shows an example of a light guide part Six views showing an example of the light guide The figure which shows an example of a mode that light passes the inside of a left extending part typically The figure which shows an example of the back side surface of a circumference part Sectional drawing which shows typically an example of the cross section of a surrounding part The figure which shows an example of arrangement | positioning of the light emitting element in a light emission part Block diagram showing an example of electrical connection of spherical controller

[1. Game system using spherical controller]
Before describing a spherical controller according to an example of the present embodiment, first, a game system using the spherical controller will be described. An example of the game system 1 in the present embodiment includes a main device (information processing device; functions as a game device main body in the present embodiment) 2, a left controller 3, and a right controller 4. The main body device 2 is detachably attachable to the left controller 3 and the right controller 4. That is, the game system 1 can be used as an apparatus in which the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 are respectively attached to the main body apparatus 2 and integrated. The game system 1 can also use the main body device 2, the left controller 3, and the right controller 4 as separate bodies (see FIG. 2). Below, the hardware constitutions of the game system 1 of this embodiment are demonstrated, and the control of the game system 1 of this embodiment is demonstrated after that.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 are mounted on the main body device 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 are each attached to and integrated with the main body device 2. The main device 2 is a device that executes various processes (for example, game processes) in the game system 1. The main device 2 includes a display 12. The left controller 3 and the right controller 4 are devices including an operation unit for a user to input.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 are removed from the main body device 2. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 are detachable from the main body device 2. Hereinafter, the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 may be collectively referred to as “controller”.

  FIG. 3 is a six-sided view illustrating an example of the main device 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the main device 2 includes a substantially plate-shaped housing 11. In the present embodiment, the main surface of the housing 11 (in other words, the surface on the front side, that is, the surface on which the display 12 is provided) is generally rectangular.

  The shape and size of the housing 11 are arbitrary. As an example, the housing 11 may be a portable size. Further, the main body device 2 alone or the integrated device in which the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 are attached to the main body device 2 may be a portable device. Further, the main body device 2 or the integrated device may be a handheld device. Further, the main body device 2 or the integrated device may be a portable device.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the main device 2 includes a display 12 provided on the main surface of the housing 11. The display 12 displays an image generated by the main device 2. In the present embodiment, the display 12 is a liquid crystal display (LCD). However, the display 12 may be any type of display device.

  The main device 2 also includes a touch panel 13 on the screen of the display 12. In the present embodiment, the touch panel 13 is a type capable of multi-touch input (for example, a capacitance type). However, the touch panel 13 may be of any type, and may be of a type capable of single touch input (for example, a resistance film type).

  The main device 2 includes a speaker (that is, the speaker 88 shown in FIG. 6) inside the housing 11. As shown in FIG. 3, speaker holes 11 a and 11 b are formed in the main surface of the housing 11. And the output sound of the speaker 88 is output from these speaker holes 11a and 11b, respectively.

  The main device 2 includes a left terminal 17 that is a terminal for the main device 2 to perform wired communication with the left controller 3, and a right terminal 21 for the main device 2 to perform wired communication with the right controller 4.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the main body device 2 includes a slot 23. The slot 23 is provided on the upper side surface of the housing 11. The slot 23 has a shape in which a predetermined type of storage medium can be mounted. The predetermined type of storage medium is, for example, a storage medium (for example, a dedicated memory card) dedicated to the game system 1 and the same type of information processing apparatus. The predetermined type of storage medium stores, for example, data (eg, application save data) used by the main device 2 and / or a program (eg, application program) executed by the main device 2. Used to do. The main device 2 also includes a power button 28.

  The main device 2 includes a lower terminal 27. The lower terminal 27 is a terminal for the main device 2 to communicate with the cradle. In the present embodiment, the lower terminal 27 is a USB connector (more specifically, a female connector). When the integrated device or the main device 2 alone is placed on the cradle, the game system 1 can display an image generated and output by the main device 2 on the stationary monitor. Further, in the present embodiment, the cradle has a function of charging the mounted integrated device or the main body device 2 alone. The cradle has a function of a hub device (specifically, a USB hub).

  FIG. 4 is a six-sided view illustrating an example of the left controller 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the left controller 3 includes a housing 31. In the present embodiment, the housing 31 has a vertically long shape, that is, a shape that is long in the vertical direction (that is, the y-axis direction shown in FIGS. 1 and 4). The left controller 3 can also be held in a vertically long orientation when removed from the main unit 2. The housing 31 has a shape and size that can be gripped with one hand, particularly the left hand, when gripped in a vertically long orientation. Further, the left controller 3 can be held in a landscape orientation. When the left controller 3 is gripped in a landscape orientation, it may be gripped with both hands.

  The left controller 3 includes an analog stick 32. As shown in FIG. 4, the analog stick 32 is provided on the main surface of the housing 31. The analog stick 32 can be used as a direction input unit capable of inputting a direction. By tilting the analog stick 32, the user can input a direction corresponding to the tilting direction (and an input corresponding to the tilted angle). Note that the left controller 3 may include a cross key or a slide stick capable of slide input, as a direction input unit, instead of the analog stick. In the present embodiment, an input for pressing the analog stick 32 is possible.

  The left controller 3 includes various operation buttons. The left controller 3 includes four operation buttons 33 to 36 (specifically, a right direction button 33, a down direction button 34, an up direction button 35, and a left direction button 36) on the main surface of the housing 31. Further, the left controller 3 includes a recording button 37 and a − (minus) button 47. The left controller 3 includes a first L button 38 and a ZL button 39 on the upper left of the side surface of the housing 31. In addition, the left controller 3 includes a second L button 43 and a second R button 44 on the side surface of the housing 31 that is attached when the housing 31 is attached to the main body device 2. These operation buttons are used to give instructions according to various programs (for example, OS programs and application programs) executed by the main body device 2.

  The left controller 3 also includes a terminal 42 for the left controller 3 to perform wired communication with the main body device 2.

  FIG. 5 is a six-sided view illustrating an example of the right controller 4. As shown in FIG. 5, the right controller 4 includes a housing 51. In the present embodiment, the housing 51 has a vertically long shape, that is, a shape that is long in the vertical direction. The right controller 4 can also be gripped in a portrait orientation when removed from the main device 2. The housing 51 has a shape and size that can be gripped with one hand, particularly the right hand, when gripped in a portrait orientation. The right controller 4 can also be held in a landscape orientation. When the right controller 4 is gripped in a landscape orientation, it may be gripped by both hands.

  Similar to the left controller 3, the right controller 4 includes an analog stick 52 as a direction input unit. In the present embodiment, the analog stick 52 has the same configuration as the analog stick 32 of the left controller 3. Further, the right controller 4 may include a cross key or a slide stick capable of slide input, instead of the analog stick. Similarly to the left controller 3, the right controller 4 has four operation buttons 53 to 56 (specifically, an A button 53, a B button 54, an X button 55, and a Y button 56) on the main surface of the housing 51. Is provided. Further, the right controller 4 includes a + (plus) button 57 and a home button 58. The right controller 4 includes a first R button 60 and a ZR button 61 on the upper right side of the side surface of the housing 51. The right controller 4 includes a second L button 65 and a second R button 66 as in the left controller 3.

  A window portion 68 is provided on the lower side surface of the housing 51. As will be described in detail later, the right controller 4 includes an infrared imaging unit 123 and an infrared light emitting unit 124 disposed inside the housing 51. The infrared imaging unit 123 images the periphery of the right controller 4 through the window unit 68 with the downward direction of the right controller 4 (the negative y-axis direction shown in FIG. 5) as the imaging direction. The infrared light emitting unit 124 has a predetermined range centered on the downward direction of the right controller 4 (the negative y-axis direction shown in FIG. 5) as an irradiation range, and the imaging target imaged by the infrared imaging unit 123 via the window unit 68. Irradiate with infrared light. The window unit 68 is for protecting the lens of the camera of the infrared imaging unit 123, the light emitter of the infrared light emitting unit 124, and the like, and emits light of a wavelength detected by the camera or light emitted by the light emitter. A transparent material (for example, a transparent material) is used. Note that the window 68 may be a hole formed in the housing 51. In the present embodiment, the infrared imaging unit 123 itself has a filter member that suppresses transmission of light having a wavelength other than light detected by the camera (in this embodiment, infrared light). However, in other embodiments, the window 68 may have a filter function.

  Although details will be described later, the right controller 4 includes an NFC communication unit 122. The NFC communication unit 122 performs near field communication based on NFC (Near Field Communication) standards. The NFC communication unit 122 includes an antenna 122a used for short-range wireless communication and a circuit (for example, an NFC chip) that generates a signal (radio wave) to be transmitted from the antenna 122a. Note that the NFC communication unit 122 may perform short-range wireless communication by arbitrary short-range communication (also referred to as non-contact communication) instead of short-range wireless communication based on the NFC standard. Here, the NFC standard can be used for proximity communication (non-contact communication), and “an arbitrary proximity communication may be used to perform short-range wireless communication” means that the proximity according to the NFC standard is used. It is intended that short-range wireless communication may be performed by other proximity communication excluding communication.

  The right controller 4 includes a terminal 64 for the right controller 4 to perform wired communication with the main body device 2.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the internal configuration of the main device 2. The main unit 2 includes the components 81 to 91, 97, and 98 shown in FIG. 6 in addition to the configuration shown in FIG. Some of these components 81 to 91, 97, and 98 may be mounted on the electronic circuit board as electronic components and housed in the housing 11.

  The main device 2 includes a processor 81. The processor 81 is an information processing unit that executes various types of information processing executed in the main device 2, and may be composed of, for example, only a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a CPU function, or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). ) May be composed of SoC (System-on-a-chip) including a plurality of functions such as functions. The processor 81 executes an information processing program (for example, a game program) stored in a storage unit (specifically, an internal storage medium such as the flash memory 84 or an external storage medium attached to the slot 23). As a result, various types of information processing are executed.

  The main device 2 includes a flash memory 84 and a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) 85 as an example of an internal storage medium built therein. The flash memory 84 and the DRAM 85 are connected to the processor 81. The flash memory 84 is a memory mainly used for storing various data (may be programs) stored in the main device 2. The DRAM 85 is a memory used for temporarily storing various data used in information processing.

  The main device 2 includes a slot interface (hereinafter abbreviated as “I / F”) 91. The slot I / F 91 is connected to the processor 81. The slot I / F 91 is connected to the slot 23 and reads and writes data from and to a predetermined type of storage medium (for example, a dedicated memory card) attached to the slot 23 in accordance with an instruction from the processor 81.

  The processor 81 appropriately reads and writes data between the flash memory 84, the DRAM 85, and each storage medium, and executes the above information processing.

  The main device 2 includes a network communication unit 82. The network communication unit 82 is connected to the processor 81. The network communication unit 82 performs communication (specifically, wireless communication) with an external device via a network. In the present embodiment, the network communication unit 82 communicates with an external device by connecting to a wireless LAN by a method based on the Wi-Fi standard as a first communication mode. Moreover, the network communication part 82 performs radio | wireless communication between the other main body apparatuses 2 of the same kind with a predetermined | prescribed communication system (For example, communication by an original protocol, infrared communication) as a 2nd communication mode. The wireless communication according to the second communication mode can be wirelessly communicated with other main body devices 2 arranged in the closed local network area, and directly communicates between the plurality of main body devices 2. This realizes a function that enables so-called “local communication” in which data is transmitted and received.

  The main device 2 includes a controller communication unit 83. The controller communication unit 83 is connected to the processor 81. The controller communication unit 83 performs wireless communication with the left controller 3 and / or the right controller 4. The communication method between the main device 2 and the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 is arbitrary, but in this embodiment, the controller communication unit 83 communicates with the left controller 3 and between the right controller 4 and the Bluetooth ( Performs communication according to the registered trademark standard.

  The processor 81 is connected to the left terminal 17, the right terminal 21, and the lower terminal 27 described above. When performing wired communication with the left controller 3, the processor 81 transmits data to the left controller 3 through the left terminal 17 and receives operation data from the left controller 3 through the left terminal 17. Further, when performing wired communication with the right controller 4, the processor 81 transmits data to the right controller 4 via the right terminal 21 and receives operation data from the right controller 4 via the right terminal 21. Further, the processor 81 transmits data to the cradle via the lower terminal 27 when communicating with the cradle. Thus, in the present embodiment, the main device 2 can perform both wired communication and wireless communication with the left controller 3 and the right controller 4, respectively. When the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 are mounted on the main body device 2 or the single body device 2 is mounted on the cradle, the main body device 2 receives data (for example, image data or sound) via the cradle. Data) can be output to a stationary monitor or the like.

  Here, the main device 2 can perform communication simultaneously with the plurality of left controllers 3 (in other words, in parallel). Further, the main body device 2 can perform communication simultaneously with the plurality of right controllers 4 (in other words, in parallel). Accordingly, a plurality of users can simultaneously input to the main device 2 using the set of the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 respectively. As an example, the first user performs input to the main body device 2 using the first set of the left controller 3 and the right controller 4, and at the same time, the second user uses the second set of the left controller 3 and the right controller 4. Thus, it becomes possible to input to the main device 2.

  The main device 2 includes a touch panel controller 86 that is a circuit that controls the touch panel 13. The touch panel controller 86 is connected between the touch panel 13 and the processor 81. The touch panel controller 86 generates data indicating, for example, a position where touch input is performed based on a signal from the touch panel 13 and outputs the data to the processor 81.

  The display 12 is connected to the processor 81. The processor 81 displays the generated image and / or the image acquired from the outside (for example, by executing the above information processing) on the display 12.

  The main device 2 includes a codec circuit 87 and a speaker (specifically, a left speaker and a right speaker) 88. The codec circuit 87 is connected to the speaker 88 and the audio input / output terminal 25 and to the processor 81. The codec circuit 87 is a circuit that controls input / output of audio data to / from the speaker 88 and the audio input / output terminal 25.

  The main body device 2 includes an acceleration sensor 89. In the present embodiment, the acceleration sensor 89 detects the magnitude of acceleration along predetermined three axis directions (for example, the xyz axis shown in FIG. 1). Note that the acceleration sensor 89 may detect an acceleration in a uniaxial direction or a biaxial direction.

  The main body device 2 includes an angular velocity sensor 90. In the present embodiment, the angular velocity sensor 90 detects angular velocities about predetermined three axes (for example, the xyz axis shown in FIG. 1). Note that the angular velocity sensor 90 may detect an angular velocity around one axis or around two axes.

  The acceleration sensor 89 and the angular velocity sensor 90 are connected to the processor 81, and the detection results of the acceleration sensor 89 and the angular velocity sensor 90 are output to the processor 81. The processor 81 can calculate information related to the movement and / or posture of the main device 2 based on the detection results of the acceleration sensor 89 and the angular velocity sensor 90.

  The main device 2 includes a power control unit 97 and a battery 98. The power control unit 97 is connected to the battery 98 and the processor 81. Although not shown, the power control unit 97 is connected to each part of the main body device 2 (specifically, each part that receives power supply from the battery 98, the left terminal 17, and the right terminal 21). The power control unit 97 controls power supply from the battery 98 to each of the above parts based on a command from the processor 81.

  The battery 98 is connected to the lower terminal 27. When an external charging device (for example, a cradle) is connected to the lower terminal 27 and electric power is supplied to the main body device 2 via the lower terminal 27, the supplied electric power is charged to the battery 98.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the main body device 2, the left controller 3, and the right controller 4. The details of the internal configuration related to the main unit 2 are shown in FIG. 6 and are not shown in FIG.

  The left controller 3 includes a communication control unit 101 that performs communication with the main device 2. As shown in FIG. 7, the communication control unit 101 is connected to each component including the terminal 42. In the present embodiment, the communication control unit 101 can communicate with the main device 2 by both wired communication via the terminal 42 and wireless communication not via the terminal 42. The communication control unit 101 controls a communication method performed by the left controller 3 for the main body device 2. That is, when the left controller 3 is attached to the main body device 2, the communication control unit 101 communicates with the main body device 2 via the terminal 42. Further, when the left controller 3 is disconnected from the main body device 2, the communication control unit 101 performs wireless communication with the main body device 2 (specifically, the controller communication unit 83). Wireless communication between the controller communication unit 83 and the communication control unit 101 is performed, for example, according to the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard.

  The left controller 3 includes a memory 102 such as a flash memory. The communication control unit 101 is configured by, for example, a microcomputer (also referred to as a microprocessor), and executes various processes by executing firmware stored in the memory 102.

  The left controller 3 includes buttons 103 (specifically, buttons 33 to 39, 43, 44, and 47). The left controller 3 includes an analog stick 32 (described as “stick” in FIG. 7). Each button 103 and the analog stick 32 repeatedly outputs information related to operations performed on itself to the communication control unit 101 at an appropriate timing.

  The left controller 3 includes an inertial sensor. Specifically, the left controller 3 includes an acceleration sensor 104. The left controller 3 includes an angular velocity sensor 105. In the present embodiment, the acceleration sensor 104 detects the magnitude of acceleration along predetermined three axes (for example, the xyz axis shown in FIG. 4). Note that the acceleration sensor 104 may detect an acceleration in a uniaxial direction or a biaxial direction. In the present embodiment, the angular velocity sensor 105 detects angular velocities about predetermined three axes (for example, the xyz axis shown in FIG. 4). The angular velocity sensor 105 may detect an angular velocity around one axis or around two axes. The acceleration sensor 104 and the angular velocity sensor 105 are each connected to the communication control unit 101. The detection results of the acceleration sensor 104 and the angular velocity sensor 105 are repeatedly output to the communication control unit 101 at appropriate timing.

  The communication control unit 101 receives information related to input (specifically, information related to an operation or a detection result by a sensor) from each input unit (specifically, each button 103, analog stick 32, and each sensor 104 and 105). To get. The communication control unit 101 transmits operation data including the acquired information (or information obtained by performing predetermined processing on the acquired information) to the main body device 2. The operation data is repeatedly transmitted at a rate of once every predetermined time. Note that the interval at which the information related to the input is transmitted to the main device 2 may or may not be the same for each input unit.

  By transmitting the operation data to the main device 2, the main device 2 can obtain an input made to the left controller 3. That is, the main body device 2 can determine the operation on each button 103 and the analog stick 32 based on the operation data. Further, the main device 2 can calculate information related to the movement and / or posture of the left controller 3 based on operation data (specifically, detection results of the acceleration sensor 104 and the angular velocity sensor 105).

  The left controller 3 includes a vibrator 107 for notifying the user by vibration. In the present embodiment, the vibrator 107 is controlled by a command from the main device 2. That is, when the communication control unit 101 receives the command from the main device 2, the communication control unit 101 drives the vibrator 107 according to the command. Here, the left controller 3 includes a codec unit 106. Upon receiving the command, the communication control unit 101 outputs a control signal corresponding to the command to the codec unit 106. The codec unit 106 generates a drive signal for driving the vibrator 107 from the control signal from the communication control unit 101 and supplies the drive signal to the vibrator 107. As a result, the vibrator 107 operates.

  More specifically, the vibrator 107 is a linear vibration motor. Since a linear vibration motor is driven in a predetermined direction in accordance with an input voltage, unlike a normal motor that rotates, the linear vibration motor can be vibrated with an amplitude and a frequency in accordance with the waveform of the input voltage. In the present embodiment, the vibration control signal transmitted from the main device 2 to the left controller 3 may be a digital signal that represents a frequency and an amplitude for each unit time. In another embodiment, information indicating the waveform itself may be transmitted from the main device 2, but the amount of communication data can be reduced by transmitting only the amplitude and frequency. In order to further reduce the data amount, only the difference from the previous value may be transmitted instead of the numerical values of the amplitude and frequency at that time. In this case, the codec unit 106 converts the digital signal indicating the amplitude and frequency values acquired from the communication control unit 101 into an analog voltage waveform, and inputs the voltage in accordance with the waveform, thereby causing the vibrator 107 to operate. Drive. Therefore, the main body device 2 can control the amplitude and frequency at which the vibrator 107 is vibrated at that time by changing the amplitude and frequency to be transmitted every unit time. The amplitude and frequency transmitted from the main device 2 to the left controller 3 are not limited to one, and two or more may be transmitted. In that case, the codec unit 106 can generate a waveform of a voltage for controlling the vibrator 107 by synthesizing the waveforms indicated by the received plurality of amplitudes and frequencies.

  The left controller 3 includes a power supply unit 108. In the present embodiment, the power supply unit 108 includes a battery and a power control circuit. Although not shown, the power control circuit is connected to the battery and is connected to each part of the left controller 3 (specifically, each part that receives power from the battery).

  As illustrated in FIG. 7, the right controller 4 includes a communication control unit 111 that performs communication with the main body device 2. The right controller 4 includes a memory 112 connected to the communication control unit 111. The communication control unit 111 is connected to each component including the terminal 64. The communication control unit 111 and the memory 112 have the same functions as the communication control unit 101 and the memory 102 of the left controller 3. Therefore, the communication control unit 111 communicates with the main body device 2 both in wired communication via the terminal 64 and wireless communication not through the terminal 64 (specifically, communication in accordance with the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard). Communication is possible, and the right controller 4 controls a communication method performed with respect to the main body device 2.

  The right controller 4 includes input units similar to the input units of the left controller 3. Specifically, each button 113, the analog stick 52, and an inertial sensor (acceleration sensor 114 and angular velocity sensor 115) are provided. Each of these input units has the same function as each input unit of the left controller 3 and operates in the same manner.

  The right controller 4 includes a vibrator 117 and a codec unit 116. The vibrator 117 and the codec unit 116 operate in the same manner as the vibrator 107 and the codec unit 106 of the left controller 3. That is, the communication control unit 111 operates the vibrator 117 using the codec unit 116 in accordance with a command from the main body device 2.

  The right controller 4 includes an NFC communication unit 122 that performs short-range wireless communication based on the NFC standard. The NFC communication unit 122 has a so-called NFC reader / writer function. Here, short-range wireless communication in this specification refers to the other device (here, the device close to the antenna 122a) by radio waves from one device (here, the right controller 4) (for example, by electromagnetic induction). A communication method for generating electromotive force is included. The other device can operate by the generated electromotive force, and may or may not have a power source. The NFC communication unit 122 communicates with the communication target when the right controller 4 (antenna 122a) and the communication target are close to each other (typically, when the distance between the two is less than ten centimeters). It becomes possible. The communication target is an arbitrary device capable of short-range wireless communication with the NFC communication unit 122, for example, an NFC tag or a storage medium having an NFC tag function. However, the communication target may be another device having an NFC card emulation function.

  The right controller 4 includes an infrared imaging unit 123. The infrared imaging unit 123 includes an infrared camera that captures an image around the right controller 4. As an example, the main device 2 and / or the right controller 4 calculates captured information (for example, information related to the luminance of a plurality of blocks obtained by dividing at least a part of the entire captured image). Based on this information, the surrounding change of the right controller 4 is determined. In addition, the infrared imaging unit 123 may perform imaging with ambient light, but in the present embodiment, the infrared imaging unit 123 includes an infrared light emitting unit 124 that irradiates infrared rays. For example, the infrared light emitting unit 124 emits infrared rays in synchronization with the timing at which the infrared camera captures an image. Then, the infrared light irradiated by the infrared light emitting unit 124 is reflected by the imaging target, and the reflected infrared light is received by the infrared camera, whereby an infrared image is acquired. Thereby, the infrared imaging unit 123 can obtain a clearer infrared image. The infrared imaging unit 123 and the infrared light emitting unit 124 may be provided in the right controller 4 as separate devices, or may be provided in the right controller 4 as a single device provided in the same package. It may be provided. In this embodiment, an infrared imaging unit 123 having an infrared camera is used. However, in other embodiments, a visible light camera (a camera using a visible light image sensor) is used instead of the infrared camera as an imaging unit. ) May be used.

  The right controller 4 includes a processing unit 121. The processing unit 121 is connected to the communication control unit 111. The processing unit 121 is connected to the NFC communication unit 122, the infrared imaging unit 123, and the infrared light emitting unit 124. The processing unit 121 executes management processing for the NFC communication unit 122 in response to a command from the main device 2. For example, the processing unit 121 controls the operation of the NFC communication unit 122 in accordance with a command from the main device 2. Further, the processing unit 121 controls the activation of the NFC communication unit 122, and controls the operation (specifically, reading and writing) of the NFC communication unit 122 with respect to a communication target (for example, an NFC tag). In addition, the processing unit 121 receives information to be transmitted to the communication target via the communication control unit 111 from the main body device 2 and passes the information to the NFC communication unit 122, or receives information received from the communication target to the NFC communication unit 122. Or transmitted to the main device 2 via the communication control unit 111.

  The processing unit 121 includes a CPU, a memory, and the like, and performs a predetermined program (for example, image processing and various calculations) stored in a storage device (not illustrated) provided in the right controller 4 (for example, a nonvolatile memory). Management processing for the infrared imaging unit 123 is executed in accordance with a command from the main body device 2. For example, the processing unit 121 causes the infrared imaging unit 123 to perform an imaging operation, and acquires and / or calculates information based on the imaging result (information on the captured image or information calculated from the information). Or transmitted to the main device 2 via the communication control unit 111. In addition, the processing unit 121 executes management processing for the infrared light emitting unit 124 in accordance with a command from the main device 2. For example, the processing unit 121 controls the light emission of the infrared light emitting unit 124 in accordance with a command from the main device 2. Note that the memory used when the processing unit 121 performs processing may be provided in the processing unit 121 or the memory 112.

  The right controller 4 includes a power supply unit 118. The power supply unit 118 has the same function as the power supply unit 108 of the left controller 3 and operates in the same manner.

[2. Spherical controller]
Next, a spherical controller according to an example of this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the spherical controller can be used in place of the controllers 3 and 4 as an operating device for instructing the main body device 2, or the controllers 3 and / or 4 can be used. It can also be used together. Details of the spherical controller will be described below.

  8 and 9 are perspective views showing an example of a spherical controller. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the spherical controller 200 as viewed from the front upper side, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the spherical controller 200 as viewed from the rear lower side. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the spherical controller 200 includes a spherical controller main body 201 and a strap 202. For example, the user uses the spherical controller 200 while holding the controller body 201 while holding the strap 202 on the arm.

  Here, in the following description of the spherical controller 200 (specifically, the controller main body 201), the vertical direction, the horizontal direction, and the front-back direction are defined as follows (see FIGS. 8 and 9). That is, the direction from the center of the spherical controller body 201 to the joystick 212 is the forward direction (ie, the negative z-axis direction shown in FIG. 8), and the opposite direction is the backward direction (ie, the positive z-axis direction shown in FIG. 8). ). Further, when viewed from the front-rear direction, the direction that coincides with the direction from the center of the controller body 201 to the center of the operation surface 213 is the upward direction (that is, the positive y-axis direction shown in FIG. 8), and the opposite direction is the downward direction. The direction (that is, the negative y-axis direction shown in FIG. 8). Further, the direction from the center of the controller body 201 to the right end when the controller body 201 is viewed from the front side is the right direction (that is, the x-axis positive direction shown in FIG. 8), and the opposite direction is the left direction ( That is, the x-axis negative direction shown in FIG. In addition, the up-down direction, the left-right direction, and the front-back direction are orthogonal to each other.

[2-1. Appearance configuration of controller main unit]
FIG. 10 is a six-sided view illustrating an example of the controller main body. 10, (a) is a front view, (b) is a right side view, (c) is a left side view, (d) is a plan view, and (e) is a bottom view. (F) is a rear view.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the controller main body 201 has a spherical shape. Here, the “spherical shape” means a shape that looks almost like a sphere. The spherical shape may be a true spherical shape, or a shape having a portion lacking with respect to the spherical surface of the true sphere and / or a portion protruding with respect to the spherical surface of the true sphere. Good. The spherical shape may be a shape in which a part of the surface is not spherical. The spherical shape may be a shape in which a true sphere is slightly distorted.

(Casing)
As shown in FIG. 10, the controller main body 201 includes a spherical housing 211. In the present embodiment, the controller main body 201 (in other words, the casing 211) is sized so that the user can hold it with one hand (see FIG. 12). The diameter of the housing | casing 211 is set, for example in the range of 4 cm-10 cm.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the housing 211. In the present embodiment, of the surface of the housing 211, the surface other than the portion provided with a hole or notch described later is substantially spherical. In other embodiments, the housing 211 may have a portion that protrudes or is recessed relative to the spherical surface. Such a portion may be provided for design reasons, for example.

  Here, in the present specification, “substantially (becomes a certain state)” means to include both a case where the state is exactly the state and a case where the state is approximately the state. For example, “the surface is substantially spherical” may be an aspect in which the surface is strictly spherical, or an aspect in which the surface is not substantially spherical but is provided substantially along the spherical surface. It means you may.

  In the present embodiment, the casing 211 has a shape in which a part of a sphere is cut out and a hole is provided in part. Although details will be described later, an operation unit (for example, a joystick 212 and a restart button 214 described later) is provided on the housing 211, or other components (for example, the strap unit 202) are attached to the housing 211. For the purpose, the housing 211 is provided with a hole.

  Specifically, in the present embodiment, the front end portion of the housing 211 is a flat surface (see FIGS. 10B to 10E). Hereinafter, the plane of the front end portion of the casing 211 is referred to as a “front end surface”. It can be said that the housing 211 has a shape in which a sphere is cut along a plane including the front end surface and a front end portion of the sphere is cut off. As shown in FIG. 11, an opening 211 a is provided on the front end surface of the housing 211. Although details will be described later, the joystick 212 is provided so as to be exposed from the opening 211a. In the present embodiment, the shape of the opening 211a is circular, but in other embodiments, the shape of the opening 211a is arbitrary. For example, the opening 211a may have a polygonal shape (specifically, a triangle, a quadrangle, a pentagon, etc.), an ellipse, or a star shape.

  As shown in FIG. 11, in the present embodiment, the casing 211 includes an upper partial casing 221, a middle partial casing 222, and a lower partial casing 223. The upper partial housing 221 and the lower partial housing 223 have a hemispherical shape. The middle casing 222 is a portion including the front end surface and provided with the opening 211a. A spherical casing 211 is formed by connecting these three partial casings 221 to 223.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the upper housing 221 has a hemispherical shape. The lower case 223 also has a hemispherical shape, similar to the upper case 221. The upper partial housing 221 and the lower partial housing 223 can each be referred to as a hemispherical housing. Here, the “hemispherical shape” means a shape whose appearance looks almost like a hemisphere. The spherical shape may be an accurate hemispherical shape, or a shape having a portion lacking with respect to the hemispherical surface and / or a portion protruding with respect to the hemispherical surface. The hemispherical shape may be a shape in which a part of the surface is not spherical. Also, the hemispherical shape may be a half of a shape in which a true sphere is slightly distorted.

  As shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 19 to be described later, the middle housing 222 has a ring shape (or may be an annular shape). The middle partial casing 222 is provided between the upper partial casing 221 and the lower partial casing 223. In the present embodiment, the middle casing 222 has a shape of a spherical band (that is, a spherical belt-shaped portion sandwiched between two spherical surfaces when the spherical surface is cut in two parallel planes).

  Thus, in this embodiment, the housing | casing 211 is comprised by three partial housing | casing. In other embodiments, the number of partial housings constituting the housing 211 may be any number, two, or four or more. Further, the entire casing 211 may be integrally formed.

(About the appearance of the housing)
As shown in FIG. 11, in the present embodiment, a seam is formed on the surface of the housing 211 by connecting two partial housings. That is, the upper partial housing 221 and the middle partial housing 222 form a seam, and the middle partial housing 222 and the lower partial housing 223 form a seam. Here, the joint is a spherical controller in a direction from the center of the operation surface 252c (see FIG. 13) of the joystick 212 to the center of the housing 211 (that is, a direction from the front side to the rear side, see FIG. 10A). Line portions (for example, lines L1 and L2 shown in FIG. 11) that appear linear when viewing 200 are included. The seam is a boundary between a first hemispherical part (for example, the upper partial casing 221) and a second hemispherical part (for example, the middle partial casing 222 and the lower partial casing 223) included in the casing 211. Can be said.

  Here, since the controller body 201 is spherical, the orientation of the controller body 201 may be difficult for the user to recognize only from the outer shape of the controller body 201. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, by forming the above-described line portion, the orientation of the controller main body 201 can be easily recognized by the user. For example, in the present embodiment, the user can recognize that the direction in which the line portion extends is the left-right direction of the controller main body 201.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the joystick 212 is an extension line of the line portion when the spherical controller 200 is viewed in the direction from the joystick 212 to the center of the housing 211 (that is, the direction from the front side to the rear side). (See FIG. 10A). According to this, the user can determine the direction of the joystick 212 based on the direction of the line portion. For example, in the present embodiment, the user can recognize that the direction along the line portion is a left-right input to the joystick 212.

  In the present embodiment, the line portion of the seam is formed on both sides of the joystick 212 (see FIG. 10a). According to this, the joystick 212 and the line portion can be presented to the user in an easy-to-view manner, and the relationship between the joystick 212 and the line portion becomes easier to understand. For example, the user recognizes the relationship between the joystick 212 and the line portion, whether the joystick 212 is viewed from one side (for example, the left side) or the other side (for example, the right side). Can do.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the casing 211 includes the first partial casing (that is, the upper partial casing 221), the second partial casing (that is, the lower partial casing 223), and the first partial casing. It has a 3rd partial case (namely, middle partial case 222) of a ball belt shape provided between a case part and the 2nd case part. Here, since the third partial housing has a spherical band shape, the third partial housing has a belt-shaped portion extending along a spherical band defined by two parallel planes intersecting the housing 211 (see FIG. 11). This strip portion has the same effect as the line portion in the seam. That is, in the present embodiment, the direction of the controller main body 201 can be easily recognized by the user by the band-shaped portion. For example, in the present embodiment, the user can recognize that the direction in which the belt-like portion extends is the left-right direction of the controller main body 201.

  In the present embodiment, the joystick 212 is provided in the third partial housing (see FIG. 10A). That is, when the spherical controller 200 is viewed in the direction from the joystick 212 to the center of the casing 211 (that is, the direction from the front side to the rear side), the joystick 212 is provided on the extension line of the band-shaped portion (FIG. 10). (See (a)). According to this, the user can determine the direction of the joystick 212 based on the direction in which the band-like portion extends. For example, in the present embodiment, the user can recognize that the direction in which the belt-like portion extends is an input in the left-right direction with respect to the joystick 212.

  In the present embodiment, the band-shaped portion is provided on both sides of the joystick 212 (see FIG. 10A). According to this, the joystick 212 and the belt-like portion can be presented to the user in an easy-to-see manner, and the relationship between the joystick 212 and the belt-like portion becomes easier to understand. For example, the user visually recognizes the relationship between the joystick 212 and the belt-like portion, regardless of whether the joystick 212 is viewed from one side (for example, the left side) or the other side (for example, the right side). Can do.

In the present embodiment, the housing 211 includes a hemispherical first partial housing (ie, the upper partial housing 221) and a hemispherical second partial housing (ie, the lower partial housing 223). .
According to this, the user can recognize the orientation of the controller body 201 based on the positional relationship between the two hemispherical partial housings. For example, in this embodiment, the user recognizes that the side on which one partial housing is provided is the upper side of the controller body 201 and the side on which the other partial housing is provided is the lower side of the controller body 201. can do.

  In the present embodiment, the hemispherical upper casing 221 and the hemispherical lower casing 223 have different colors. Specifically, the surface of the upper partial housing 221 is red (in FIG. 11, red is indicated by dots), and the surface of the lower partial housing 223 is white. In other embodiments, the pattern of the upper casing 221 and the pattern of the lower casing 223 may be made different, or both the color and the pattern may be made different. In this way, by making at least one of the color and the pattern of the upper partial housing 221 and the lower partial housing 223 different from each other, the user can easily recognize the top and bottom of the spherical controller 200.

(Joystick)
The controller main body 201 includes a joystick 212 which is an example of a direction input unit (see (a) to (e) of FIG. 10). In the present embodiment, the joystick 212 has a shaft portion (that is, a shaft portion 252 shown in FIG. 19 described later) that the user can tilt in an arbitrary direction. Although details will be described later, in the present embodiment, the joystick 212 is a type of joystick that can be operated to push down the shaft portion in addition to the operation of tilting the shaft portion. In other embodiments, the joystick 212 may be another type of input device (see “[3. Modification]” described later).

  In the present embodiment, the joystick 212 is provided at the front end portion of the casing 211. As shown in FIG. 10, the joystick 212 is provided so that a part (specifically, a shaft portion) of the joystick 212 is exposed from the opening 211 a of the housing 211. The position of the joystick 212 is the center of the spherical controller body 201 in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction (see FIG. 10A).

  In the present embodiment, the joystick 212 is provided such that the shaft portion is disposed on a straight line that passes through the center of the housing 211 and is parallel to the front-rear direction (specifically, a straight line L4 shown in FIG. 13 described later). . In the present embodiment, the joystick 212 is provided so that the axis of the shaft portion is parallel to the front-rear direction. In the present embodiment, the front-rear direction of the spherical controller 200 is a direction from the center of the housing 211 to the center of the front end surface of the shaft portion (that is, the front side surface of the front end portion 252b shown in FIG. 21 described later). And

  In the present specification, in the description of the spherical controller 200, for example, a description may be given using a straight line passing through a certain component, such as the above-mentioned “straight line passing through the center of the casing 211”. Similarly, in the present embodiment, a plane (for example, the plane P1 shown in FIG. 13) or a region (for example, the region R shown in FIG. 27) may be defined and described in association with a certain component. . Here, the straight line, the plane, and the region are virtually defined for the sake of explanation, and need to be components that actually exist (in other words, the spherical controller 200 is provided). There is no.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a part of the joystick 212 (more specifically, a part of the shaft part) protrudes from the plane at the front end part of the housing 211 (FIGS. 10B and 10C). )reference). Therefore, the user can easily perform an operation of tilting the shaft portion. In other embodiments, the joystick 212 may be exposed from the opening 211a provided in the plane and may not be provided protruding from the plane.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the spherical controller 200 includes the spherical casing 211 having the opening 211a on the surface and the shaft portion 252 that can be tilted, and at least a part of the spherical controller 200 extends from the opening 211a. And an exposed joystick 212. According to this, the user can perform a direction input operation for tilting the shaft using the game controller having a spherical outer shape. That is, according to this embodiment, a more detailed operation can be performed using a game controller having a spherical outer shape.

(Operation side)
As shown in FIG. 10D, an operation surface 213 is provided at the upper end portion of the housing 211. The position of the operation surface 213 is the center of the spherical controller body 201 in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction (see (d) of FIG. 10). In the present embodiment, the operation surface 213 (in other words, the outer periphery of the operation surface 213) is a circular shape formed on the spherical surface of the housing 211. However, in other embodiments, the shape of the operation surface 213 is arbitrary, and may be, for example, a quadrangle or a triangle. Although details will be described later, the operation surface 213 is configured to be pressed from above.

  In the present embodiment, the operation surface 213 is formed integrally with the surface of the housing 211. The operation surface 213 is a part of an operation unit (also referred to as an operation button) that can be pressed down. However, since the operation surface 213 is formed integrally with a portion other than the operation surface 213 in the housing 211, it can be said that it is a part of the housing 211. In addition, although mentioned later for details, in this embodiment, the operation surface 213 can be deform | transformed by pushing down. The operation unit having the operation surface 213 is input by depressing the operation surface 213 (that is, input is performed).

(About arrangement of joystick and operation surface)
Hereinafter, the positional relationship between the joystick 212 and the operation surface 213 will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state where the user grips the controller main body. As shown in FIG. 12, the user can operate the joystick 212 with the thumb and the operation surface 213 with the index finger while holding the controller main body 201 with one hand. In FIG. 12, a case where the user holds the controller main body 201 with the left hand is shown as an example. However, the user can operate the joystick 212 with the thumb of the right hand and operate the operation surface 213 with the index finger of the right hand, as in the case of holding the controller main body 201 with the right hand. .

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the operation surface 213 that can be pushed down is provided. According to this, the user can perform both a direction input operation using a joystick and a push-down operation on the operation surface 213 using a game controller having a spherical outer shape. This makes it possible to perform various operations using a game controller having a spherical outer shape.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a positional relationship between the joystick and the operation surface. As shown in FIG. 13, in the present embodiment, the operation surface 213 includes a center C of the casing 211 and a straight line L3 passing through the operation surface 213, and a straight line L4 passing through the center C and the joystick 212. It is provided at a position orthogonal.

  Based on the above, the user can easily operate the joystick 212 and the operation surface 213 with two fingers of one hand (for example, with the thumb and index finger). Specifically, according to the present embodiment, the user can easily bend the thumb that operates the joystick 212 and the index finger that operates the operation surface 213 in the direction toward the center C of the housing 211. The main body 201 can be gripped (see FIG. 12). Therefore, the user can easily apply a force to the joystick 212 and the operation surface 213, so that the user can easily operate the joystick 212 and the operation surface 213.

  The “straight line passing through the operation surface 213” is a straight line L3 passing through the center of the operation surface 213 (see FIG. 13). The “straight line passing through the joystick 212” is the straight line L4 passing through the center of the operation surface 252c of the joystick 212. Although details will be described later, the operation surface 252c is a surface on the front side (in other words, the front end side) of the shaft portion (more specifically, the front end portion 252b) of the joystick 212.

  The operation surface 213 is a straight line that is substantially orthogonal to the straight line L4 that passes through the center C of the housing 211 and the joystick 212, and is provided at a position that intersects the straight line L3 that is a straight line that passes through the center C. It can also be said. Thus, the operation surface 213 is not limited to the position where the straight line L3 and the straight line L4 are strictly orthogonal to each other, and may be provided so as to intersect the straight line L3 at any position on the operation surface 213, for example. . Even in this case, it becomes easy to perform operations on the joystick 212 and the operation surface 213.

  In the present embodiment, the operation surface 213 is provided at a position where the direction from the center C of the housing 211 to the operation surface 213 substantially coincides with the upward direction in the direction input (in other words, the housing It can be said that it is provided at a position intersecting with a straight line extending upward from the center C of the body 211 in the direction input). Here, the “upward direction in the direction input” is a direction in which the shaft portion of the joystick 212 is tilted to give an upward instruction (see FIG. 13). More specifically, the “upward direction in the direction input” is a direction in which the shaft portion of the joystick 212 is tilted in order to give an upward instruction in a state where the operation on the joystick 212 is not performed. That is, in the present embodiment, the “upward direction in the direction input” is a direction perpendicular to the direction from the center of the operation surface 252 c of the joystick 212 to the center C of the housing 211. For example, in a game application operated using the spherical controller 200, an instruction for moving an object (for example, a game character or a cursor) displayed on the screen upward is the “upward instruction”. I can say that. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the “upward direction in the direction input” is the above-described upward direction. Note that “downward direction input”, “leftward direction input”, and “rightward direction input” are defined in the same manner as “upward direction input”.

  According to the above, the operation surface 213 is provided in a direction in which an upward input to the joystick 212 is performed. As a result, when the joystick 212 is operated with the thumb, the operation surface 213 can be arranged at a position where it can be easily operated with the index finger. That is, the operability of the operation with respect to the joystick 212 and the operation surface 213 can be improved.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a positional relationship between the joystick and the operation surface. As shown in FIG. 14, in the present embodiment, it can be said that the operation surface 213 is provided above the joystick 212 in the above direction input (that is, above the dotted line shown in FIG. 14). it can. In another embodiment, the operation surface 213 may be provided at a position that is not the upper end of the controller main body 201 as in the present embodiment, and on the “upward direction in the direction input” side of the joystick. . At this time, when operating the joystick 212 with the thumb, the user can easily operate the operation surface 213 with a finger other than the thumb (for example, the index finger or the middle finger). Therefore, by providing the operation surface 213 on the upper side in the direction input with respect to the joystick, the operability of the operation on the joystick 212 and the operation surface 213 can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the operation surface 213 can be pushed down in a direction substantially opposite to the upward direction in the direction input (that is, the downward direction). That is, in the present embodiment, the direction in which the shaft portion is tilted in order to give an upward instruction to the joystick 212 is substantially opposite to the direction in which the operation surface 213 is pushed down. As a result, the operation surface 213 can be easily pushed down.

  The “direction substantially opposite to the upward direction in the direction input” does not have to be strictly “a direction opposite to the upward direction in the direction input”, but “a direction opposite to the upward direction in the direction input”. It is meant to include a direction that roughly matches. In addition, although mentioned later for details, in this embodiment, the operation surface 213 moves downward as a whole, deform | transforming according to being pushed down. Further, the key top 235 described later rotates in response to the operation surface 213 being pushed down. As described above, even if the operation surface 213 and / or the key top 235 does not strictly move in the “direction opposite to the upward direction in the direction input”, the operation surface 213 is substantially in the “upward direction in the direction input”. Can be pushed down in the opposite direction. "

  As shown in FIG. 13, in the present embodiment, at least a part of the operation surface 213 (in the present embodiment, the front half) is a direction (specifically, from the joystick 212 to the center C of the casing 211. Are located on the joystick 212 side of the plane P1 that is perpendicular to the center of the operation surface 252c of the joystick 212 (the direction from the center C of the casing 211) and includes the center C of the casing 211. According to this, when the joystick 212 is operated with the thumb, the operation surface 213 can be arranged at a position where it can be easily operated with the index finger, so that the joystick 212 and the operation surface 213 can be easily operated. In another embodiment, the operation surface 213 may be provided at an arbitrary position on the joystick 212 side from the plane P1. In another embodiment, the operation surface 213 may be provided at a position opposite to the joystick 212 with respect to the plane P1.

  In the present embodiment, the joystick 212 is provided between the upper partial casing 221 and the lower partial casing 223 (that is, the middle partial casing 222) on the surface of the casing 211, and the operation surface 213 is The upper casing 221 is provided near the zenith (in other words, near the center of the upper casing). In other words, the joystick 212 has a boundary (for example, the middle partial housing) between the first hemisphere portion (for example, the upper partial housing 221) and the second hemispherical portion (for example, the lower partial housing 223) of the spherical housing 211. The operation surface 213 is provided on the zenith which is the apex of the first hemisphere. Based on the above, the joystick 212 and the operation surface 213 can be arranged so as to be easily operated with the thumb and index finger as described above. The “zenith” of a hemisphere is a vertical line from the center of the hemisphere (that is, the center of the sphere that is part of the hemisphere) when the hemisphere is placed on a horizontal plane with the bottom of the hemisphere down. Is the point where the vertical line and the spherical surface of the hemisphere intersect. (However, “zenith” is sometimes simply called “vertex”.)

  Here, in the present embodiment, the “boundary between the first hemisphere part and the second hemisphere part” refers to the first hemisphere part (for example, the upper part housing 221) and the second hemisphere part (for example, the lower part). This is a component (for example, the middle housing 222) provided between the housing 223). As described above, the boundary between the first hemisphere part and the second hemisphere part may be an area having a certain area. However, the boundary is not limited to a component provided between two hemispherical portions. For example, in another embodiment, the boundary may be a seam between two hemispherical parts, or may be a line formed on the casing 211 (for example, a line drawn in a casing shape). Good.

  Note that the position of the operation surface 213 is arbitrary, and in other embodiments, the operation surface 213 is provided at other positions of the upper portion of the casing 211 (that is, the upper partial casing 221), for example. Alternatively, it may be provided in a lower part of the casing 211 (that is, the lower part casing 223).

  As shown in FIG. 11, in the present embodiment, the casing 211 is provided with a sign 211 b that indicates the position of the operation surface 213. In the present embodiment, the sign 211b indicates a position corresponding to the outer periphery of the operation surface 213. Specifically, the sign 211b is provided near the boundary between the casing 211 and the operation surface 213. Note that the sign 211b may be provided on the housing 211, may be provided on the operation surface 213, or may be provided across both the housing 211 and the operation surface 213. According to this embodiment, the sign 211b allows the user to recognize an area (that is, a pressable area) that becomes the operation surface 213 in the casing 211.

  In the present embodiment, the sign 211b is a linear groove (in other words, a depression) formed on the surface of the housing 211. However, the sign 211b may be any display that allows the user to identify the position of the operation surface 213. In another embodiment, for example, the marker 211b may be a protrusion (or a depression) provided at the center of the operation surface 213. As described above, by forming protrusions and / or depressions on the surface of the housing 211 as the sign, the user can grasp the position of the operation surface 213 by touch. In other embodiments, the sign 211b may represent the region of the operation surface 213 in a color different from the region other than the operation surface 213 in the housing 211. However, in other embodiments, the sign 211b may be drawn on the surface of the housing 211 with a paint. Also in this manner, as in the present embodiment, the user can recognize the area that is the operation surface 213 (that is, the area that can be pressed) in the casing 211 by the sign 211b.

(Strap hole)
As shown in FIG. 10 (f), a strap hole 211 c for attaching the strap portion 202 is provided in the rear end portion of the housing 211. The position of the strap hole 211c is the center of the spherical controller body 201 in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction (see (f) of FIG. 10). Although details will be described later, the strap 202 is attached to the controller main body 201 by passing the strap string of the strap 202 through the strap hole 211c. In other embodiments, the position of the strap hole 211c is arbitrary. For example, the strap hole 211c may be provided at an arbitrary position on the rear side of the casing 211, or provided at the lower end portion of the casing 211. Also good.

(Restart button)
The controller main body 201 includes a restart button 214. Although details will be described later, the restart button 214 is a button for instructing to restart the spherical controller 200.

  As shown in FIGS. 10C and 10F, a restart button 214 is provided at a position on the left side of the rear end of the casing 211. The position of the restart button 214 in the vertical direction is the center of the spherical controller main body 201. The position of the restart button 214 in the front-rear direction is a position after the center of the spherical controller main body 201. In other embodiments, the position of the restart button 214 is arbitrary, and may be provided at an arbitrary position on the rear side of the casing 211, for example.

(Cover part)
As shown in FIG. 10 (f), a cover portion 215 is provided below the strap hole 211 c of the housing 211. Although details will be described later, the cover portion 215 can be opened and closed with respect to a portion other than the cover portion 215 of the controller main body portion 201. Although details will be described later, a recessed surface (that is, a recessed surface 245d shown in FIG. 20) is provided inside the cover portion 215. Cover portion 215 is provided so as to cover the recessed surface in the closed state. On the other hand, when the cover part 215 is in the open state, the recessed surface is exposed to the outside of the controller main body part 201. As shown in FIGS. 10B, 10 </ b> C, and 10 </ b> E, the surface of the cover 215 is a spherical surface that constitutes a part of the spherical surface of the spherical controller main body 201. Therefore, it can be said that the cover portion 215 is a part of the housing 211.

[2-2. Internal structure of controller body]
Next, the internal configuration of the controller body 201 will be described. In the present embodiment, the controller main body 201 includes an upper unit including the above-described upper partial casing 221, a middle unit including the above-described middle partial casing 222, and a lower unit including the above-described lower partial casing 223. (See FIGS. 24 and 25 described later). Hereinafter, the internal configuration will be described for each unit.

[2-2-1. Upper unit]
15 and 16 are exploded perspective views of an example of the upper unit. FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the upper unit as viewed from the upper front side, and FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of the upper unit as viewed from the lower rear side. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of an example of the upper unit. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a cross section that passes through the center of the controller main body 201 and is perpendicular to the left-right direction.

(Upper housing)
As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the upper unit 230 includes an upper partial housing 221. As described above, the upper partial housing 221 has a hemispherical shape. As shown in FIG. 16, the upper partial housing 221 has an opening on the lower side and does not have a surface corresponding to the bottom surface of the hemisphere. Therefore, it can be said that the upper partial housing 221 has a hemispherical shape. It can also be said that the upper partial housing 221 has a shape of a spherical crown (that is, a side surface portion of a solid (that is, a spherical notch) obtained by cutting a sphere by a plane).

  As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, in the present embodiment, the upper part housing 221 has a shape in which a front end portion of a hemispherical surface is cut out. Specifically, the upper partial housing 221 has a shape obtained by cutting the front end portion of a hemispherical surface in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The upper partial housing 221 includes a side 221a that forms the circumference of the bottom surface of the hemisphere, and a side 221b that is generated by cutting the front end portion of the hemispherical surface on the plane. The side 221b has a shape that looks like a semicircle when the upper housing 221 is viewed from the front side. In addition, the shape of the notch in the upper partial housing 221 is a shape corresponding to the shape of the above-described front end surface of the middle partial housing 222 (specifically, a shape that substantially matches the upper side of the front end surface) Specifically, it is semicircular. However, the shape of the notch is arbitrary, and in other embodiments, it may be a shape other than a semicircle.

  As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the upper partial housing 221 has a surface portion 231 and an inner wall portion 232. The surface portion 231 is a component constituting the outer surface of the upper partial housing 221. That is, the surface portion 231 has a hemispherical shape similar to that of the upper partial housing 221. In the present embodiment, the surface portion 231 is formed integrally with the operation surface 213. Similarly to the upper case 221, the surface portion 231 has a shape in which a front end portion of a hemispheric surface is cut out.

  In the present embodiment, the surface portion 231 is made of a material that is relatively soft (specifically, softer than the inner wall portion 232 or softer than the middle casing 222). Specifically, the material of the surface portion 231 in the present embodiment is an elastomer. The operation surface 213 formed integrally with the surface portion 231 is also made of the same material as the surface portion 231. In addition, although mentioned later for details, in this embodiment, the surface part 272 which comprises the surface of the lower part housing | casing 223 is also comprised with the elastic body similarly to the said surface part 231. FIG. Thus, in this embodiment, since at least a part of the surface of the housing 211 is formed of an elastic body, the user can easily hold the housing 211. In addition, it is possible to improve the feel when the user holds the casing 211. Further, it is possible to easily absorb the impact on the controller main body 201, and the influence of the impact on the internal configuration of the housing 211 can be reduced.

  As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the inner wall portion 232 is a component constituting the inner wall of the upper partial housing 221. The inner wall portion 232 has a hemispherical shape similar to that of the upper partial housing 221. More specifically, the inner wall portion 232 has a shape in which a front end portion of a hemispherical surface is cut out, similarly to the upper housing 221. In the present embodiment, the inner wall portion 232 is made of a material harder than the surface portion 231. For example, the material of the inner wall portion 232 is a resin that is harder than the elastomer constituting the surface portion 231. The inner wall portion 232 is connected to the inside of the surface portion 231 (see FIG. 17). The inner wall portion 232 is bonded to the inside of the surface portion 231 by, for example, an adhesive or heat fusion. The inner wall portion 232 has a size such that the outer surface of the inner wall portion 232 matches the inner surface of the surface portion 231.

  Here, in the inner wall portion 232, a hole is formed in the upper end portion of the hemispherical surface. Specifically, in the inner wall portion 232, a hole is formed in a portion corresponding to the operation surface 213. The hole formed in the inner wall portion 232 has a circular shape that is substantially the same size as the circular operation surface 213. Of the inner surfaces of the surface portion 231 and the operation surface 213, a region other than the back side of the operation surface 213 is joined to the inner wall portion 232, and a region on the back side of the operation surface 213 is not joined to the inner wall portion 232. Therefore, since the surface portion 231 is reinforced by the inner wall portion 232, it is not greatly deformed even if a certain amount of force is applied. On the other hand, since the operation surface 213 is not reinforced by the inner wall portion 232, the operation surface 213 is deformed by applying a certain amount of force. For example, the operation surface 213 is deformed by being pushed down from above and moves downward. As described above, in the present embodiment, the region of the operation surface 213 among the integrally formed surface portion 231 and the operation surface 213 can be pressed.

  In the present embodiment, the inner wall portion 232 is black. Although details will be described later, in the present embodiment, a light emitting unit (that is, the light emitting unit 248 shown in FIG. 19) is provided inside the housing 211, and light is emitted from the opening 211 a of the housing 211 to the outside of the housing 211. Emitted. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the inner wall portion 232 is made of a black material so that light from the light emitting portion does not pass through the inner wall portion 232 as much as possible.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the inner wall portion 232 is provided with a bearing portion 231 a. The bearing portion 231a has a groove into which a rotation shaft 235b of a key top 235 described later can be inserted.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the upper partial housing 221 has a cushioning material 233. Although details will be described later, the cushioning material 233 is provided in a portion of the inner surface of the inner wall portion 232 that contacts a rotation shaft of a key top described later.

(Key top)
As shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, the upper unit 230 includes a key top 235. The key top 235 is an example of a movable part that can move in response to the operation surface 213 being pushed down. Although details will be described later, in the present embodiment, the key top 235 rotates in response to the operation surface 213 being pushed down. Therefore, it can be said that the key top 235 is an example of a rotating portion that rotates in response to the operation surface 213 being pushed down.

  As shown in FIGS. 15 and 17, the key top 235 includes a disk-shaped disk portion 235a and a rotation shaft 235b. In the present embodiment, the rotation shaft 235b is provided on the front side of the disc portion 235a. Although details will be described later, the key top 235 is provided so as to be rotatable about the rotation shaft 235b. Further, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, a protrusion 235c is provided on the lower side of the disk portion 235a.

(Key rubber)
As shown in FIG. 15, the upper unit 230 includes a key rubber 236. The key rubber 236 is made of an elastic body such as rubber. Although details will be described later, the key rubber 236 is deformed in response to the key top 235 (specifically, the protruding portion 235c) moving downward.

  As shown in FIGS. 15 and 17, the key rubber 236 has a disk-shaped disk portion 236a. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 17, the key rubber 236 has a cylindrical cylindrical portion 236b provided on the upper side of the disc portion 236a. The cylindrical portion 236b is provided so as to extend upward from the vicinity of the center of the disc portion 236a. Although details will be described later, the cylindrical portion 236b is provided for the purpose of deforming the key rubber 236 in accordance with the movement of the key top 235.

  As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the key rubber 236 has an annular portion 236c protruding downward at the outer peripheral portion of the disc portion 236a. Further, the key rubber 236 has a protruding portion 236d protruding downward near the center of the disc portion 236a. As shown in FIG. 17, in a state where no force is applied to the key rubber 236, the annular portion 236c protrudes below the protruding portion 236d.

(Sub board)
As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the upper unit 230 includes a sub-board 237. In the present embodiment, the sub board 237 is a plate-like board. However, the sub-board 237 may be a flexible printed circuit board that can be bent. Although details will be described later, the sub-board 237 has a contact 237a that the key rubber 236 contacts when the operation surface 213 is operated, and a detection circuit that detects that the key rubber 236 contacts the contact 237a. Provided. The specific configuration of the contact 237a is arbitrary. For example, the contact 237a may have a movable contact that moves in response to the key rubber 236 moving downward, and a fixed contact that contacts the movable contact when the movable contact moves. In this specification, a part having a movable contact and a fixed contact is called a contact, but the part can also be called a switch. In addition, as shown in FIG. 17, the sub-substrate 237 is provided with an antenna 291. In the present embodiment, the antenna 291 is provided on the front side of the sub board 237.

(Sub-board holding part)
As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the upper unit 230 includes a sub-board holding part 238 that holds the sub-board 237. The sub substrate holding part 238 has a planar upper surface to which the sub substrate 237 is attached. Further, the sub-board holding part 238 has a protruding part 238a protruding from the upper surface. The protruding portion 238 a is provided at the front end portion of the upper surface of the sub-substrate holding portion 238.

(Arrangement of each component)
As shown in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, the constituent elements included in the upper unit 230 are, in order from the top, the upper part housing 221, the key top 235, the key rubber 236, the sub board 237, and the sub board holding unit 238. Be placed. In the present embodiment, the constituent elements included in the upper unit 230 are fixed to each other by screws 239 (three screws 239 in the present embodiment). Specifically, a screw hole whose lower side is opened is provided on the inner side surface of the inner wall portion 232 of the upper partial housing 221. The sub board 237 and the sub board holding portion 238 are provided with holes at positions corresponding to the screw holes. As shown in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, by screwing a screw 239 into a screw hole of the upper casing 221 while passing through the hole of the sub board 237 and the hole of the sub board holding portion 238, 221, sub-board 237, and sub-board holder 238 are fixed.

  The key top 235 is held by being sandwiched between the upper partial housing 221 and the sub board 237. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 17, the rotation shaft 235 b of the key top 235 is sandwiched between the upper partial housing 221 and the protruding portion 238 a of the sub substrate holding portion 238. Thereby, the rotating shaft 235b is fixed in the vertical direction. The key top 235 is provided in a direction in which the rotation shaft 235b is parallel to the left-right direction. The rotating shaft 235b is inserted into the groove of the bearing portion 231a. The rotation shaft 235b is fixed in the left-right direction by this groove. Thus, the key top 235 is held so as to be rotatable about the rotation shaft 235b with respect to the upper partial housing 221.

  In the present embodiment, a cushioning material 233 is provided on a portion of the inner surface of the upper partial housing 221 where the rotary shaft 235b abuts. Accordingly, the rotating shaft 235b sandwiched between the upper partial housing 221 and the sub board 237 is held in a state where the buffer material 233 is pressed and deformed. Thereby, rattling of the rotating shaft 235b can be reduced.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the key top 235 is provided inside the upper partial housing 221. At this time, the upper surface of the disk portion 235 a of the key top 235 comes into contact with the back side of the operation surface 213 continuous with the surface portion 231 of the upper partial housing 221.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the key rubber 236 is attached to the lower side of the key top 235. The key rubber 236 is provided between the key top 235 and the sub board 237. Specifically, the protruding portion 235c of the key top 235 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 236b of the key rubber 236 (see FIG. 17). As a result, the key top 235 and the key rubber 236 are connected. Therefore, when the key top 235 moves, the cylindrical portion 236b moves integrally with the key top 235, and the key rubber 236 is deformed. As shown in FIG. 17, the key rubber 236 is provided so that the annular portion 236c abuts on the sub-board 237 in a state where the protruding portion 235c is inserted into the cylindrical portion 236b. The protrusion 236d is disposed at a position facing the contact 237a of the sub-board 237.

  Here, in a state where the operation surface 213 is not operated (for example, the state shown in FIG. 17), the key rubber 236 is maintained in a basic shape (that is, a shape that is not deformed). That is, in the above state, the annular portion 236 c contacts the sub substrate 237, and the projecting portion 236 d does not contact the contact 237 a of the sub substrate 237.

  FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of an example of the upper unit in a state where the operation surface 213 is pushed down. As shown in FIG. 18, when the operation surface 213 is pushed down, the operation surface 213 deforms and moves downward (see the arrow shown in FIG. 18). In response to the downward movement of the operation surface 213, the key top 235 rotates about the rotation shaft 235b, and the disk portion 235a moves downward. In response to the disc portion 235a moving downward, the key rubber 236 is deformed, and the protruding portion 236d moves downward. As a result, the protruding portion 236d contacts the contact 237a of the sub-board 237. The detection circuit of the sub-board 237 detects that the protrusion 236d has come into contact with the contact 237a. As described above, the spherical controller 200 can detect that the operation on the operation surface 213 has been performed.

  Note that when the pressing operation on the operation surface 213 is lost, the key rubber 236 returns to the basic shape due to its own elasticity. As a result, the protruding portion 236d and the contact point 237a are not in contact with each other.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the spherical controller 200 includes the movable part (that is, the key top 235) and the detection part (that is, the detection circuit provided on the sub board 236). The movable portion can be rotated by a rotation axis substantially perpendicular to a straight line connecting the center of the casing 211 and the operation surface 213 (specifically, a rotation axis 235b parallel to the left-right direction). Rotates in response to being pushed down. The detection unit detects an operation on the operation surface 213 according to the rotation of the movable unit. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the movable part rotates in one direction regardless of which position on the operation surface 213 is pushed down, and the detection unit detects the operation by the rotation of the movable part. According to this, since any detection position of the operation surface 213 is pushed down, the detection unit can easily detect the operation. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the possibility that the operation on the operation surface 213 is not detected is reduced. Can do.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the rotating shaft 235b of the key top 235 is provided in the front side of the disc part 235a (refer FIG. 17). In other words, the rotation shaft 235b is provided in front of the center of the operation surface 213. Therefore, it can be said that the rotation shaft 235b is provided at a position where the distance from the joystick 212 to the rotation shaft 235b is shorter than the distance from the joystick 212 to the operation surface 213.

  By providing the rotation shaft 235b at the position as described above, when a pressing operation is performed on the operation surface 213, the key top 235 moves more largely on the rear side than on the front side. Therefore, for the user, when the position on the rear side of the operation surface 213 is pushed down, the amount to be pushed down becomes larger than when the position on the front side is pushed down. On the other hand, when it is assumed that the user operates the joystick 212 with the thumb and operates the operation surface 213 with the index finger (see FIG. 12), It is considered that there is a high possibility of performing an operation of pushing down the position of. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to easily perform the push-down operation at a position on the operation surface 213 that is highly likely to be operated by the user (that is, the rear position). Can be improved.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the rotation shaft 235b of the key top 235 is provided in parallel in the left-right direction. Here, in other embodiments, the direction of the rotation shaft 235b is not limited to the left-right direction, and may be other directions. For example, in another embodiment, the rotation shaft 235b may be provided so as to be parallel to the front-rear direction. At this time, the rotation shaft 235b may be provided on the left side of the center of the operation surface 213, or may be provided on the right side of the center of the operation surface 213. For example, when it is assumed that the spherical controller 200 is held and operated by the left hand, the rotation shaft 235b is provided on the left side from the center of the operation surface 213, so that the right side of the operation surface 213 can be easily pressed. Also good. Also, for example, when the spherical controller 200 is assumed to be operated by being gripped with the right hand, the rotation shaft 235b is provided on the right side from the center of the operation surface 213 so that the left side of the operation surface 213 can be easily pressed. May be.

  In addition, the structure for detecting that the operation surface 213 was pushed down is arbitrary, and is not restricted to the structure in this embodiment. For example, in other embodiments, the key top and the key rubber may be integrally formed by, for example, an elastic body. In another embodiment, the spherical controller 200 may have a configuration without a key top and a key rubber. At this time, the contact surface 237a of the sub-board 237 has the operation surface 213 pushed down as the contact point 237a. It may be provided at a position in direct contact with respect to. In another embodiment, the sphere controller 200 includes a movable portion that can move in parallel in the vertical direction instead of the movable portion that can rotate (that is, the key top 235 and the key rubber 236). Also good.

[2-2-2. Central unit]
19 and 20 are exploded perspective views of an example of the middle unit. FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of the middle unit as viewed from the front upper side, and FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view of the middle unit as viewed from the rear upper side. FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of an example of the middle unit. FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of a cross section that passes through the center of the controller main body 201 and is perpendicular to the left-right direction.

(Middle housing)
As shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, the middle unit 240 includes a middle housing 222. The middle housing 222 has a ring shape with a part of the rear end cut out. Specifically, the middle partial housing 222 includes a front part 241, a left belt part 242, and a right belt part 243.

  The front portion 241 is provided at the front end portion of the middle partial housing 222. The front part 241 has a planar part on the front side. The front side surface of the front part 241 is the above-described front end surface (that is, the plane of the front end portion of the casing 211). The above-described opening 211 a is provided on the front end surface of the front portion 241. Therefore, it can be said that the front part 241 is an annular part surrounding the opening 211a. In the present embodiment, the shape of the front end surface is circular. However, in other embodiments, the shape of the front end face is arbitrary, and may be, for example, a quadrangle.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the front part 241 has a mounting part 241 a extending inward of the housing 211 on the upper side of the front end face. The mounting portion 241a is provided with a hole for passing a screw for fixing a main board support portion described later to the middle housing 222.

  The two strips 242 and 243 are provided so as to extend from the left and right ends of the front part 241. That is, the left belt portion 242 has a belt shape and is provided so as to extend from the left end portion of the front portion 241. In other words, the left belt-like part 242 extends from the front part 241 toward the left in the direction input of the joystick 212. The right belt portion 243 has a belt shape and is provided so as to extend from the right end portion of the front portion 241. In other words, the right belt-like portion 243 extends from the front portion 241 toward the right in the direction input of the joystick 212. Each of the strip portions 242 and 243 constitutes a part of the spherical surface of the spherical casing 211. Specifically, each of the belt-like portions 242 and 243 has a spherical band when the spherical surface of the casing 211 is cut by two planes perpendicular to the vertical direction (that is, when the spherical surface is cut by two parallel planes, A spherical belt-like portion sandwiched between them). Note that “the band-shaped portion is provided along the spherical band” includes a mode in which the surface of the band-shaped portion coincides with the ball band and a mode in which the surface of the band-shaped portion does not exactly match the ball band. . For example, in another embodiment, the surface of the belt-like portion may be a curved surface similar to the side surface of the cylinder, instead of the spherical surface.

  In the present embodiment, the rear end of the left belt portion 242 and the rear end of the right belt portion 243 are not continuous. Although details will be described later, a space formed between the rear end of the left belt-like portion 242 and the rear end of the right belt-like portion 243 becomes the above-described strap hole 211c (FIG. 10). Further, in the vicinity of the rear ends of the belt-like portions 242 and 243, holes for passing screws for fixing a main board support portion to be described later to the middle partial housing 222 are provided (see FIGS. 19 and 20).

  As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the right belt-like portion 243 has a locked portion 243a. Although not shown, the left belt portion 242 has a locked portion similar to the locked portion 243a of the right belt portion 243. Although details will be described later, when the middle casing 222 and the lower casing 223 are connected, the claw portion of the lower casing 223 (that is, the claw 273e shown in FIG. 23) is locked. Lock to the part. In the present embodiment, the locked portion is provided in front of the center of the controller main body 201, but the position where the locked portion is provided is arbitrary.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the right belt portion 243 has a claw portion 243b. The claw portion 243 b is provided so as to extend upward from the right belt portion 243 and further extend to the inside of the housing 211. The left belt portion 242 has a claw portion similar to the claw portion 243b of the right belt portion 243. Although details will be described later, the claw portion is engaged with a hole provided in the light guide portion 254 (that is, a hole 257c shown in FIG. 31).

  As shown in FIG. 20, the left belt-like portion 242 is provided with a hole 242a. In the present embodiment, the hole 242a is provided on the rear side of the center of the controller main body 201. The hole 242a is provided to expose the restart button 214 described above to the outside of the casing 211.

  In the present embodiment, the middle partial housing 222 is made of a material harder than the surface portion 231 of the upper partial housing 221 (and the lower partial housing 223). For example, the material of the middle casing 222 is a resin harder than the surface portion 231 (here, elastomer). Therefore, in the present embodiment, the housing 211 is provided around the first part (that is, the middle part housing 222) provided around the joystick 212 and the first part, and from the surface of the first part. And a second part whose surface is made of a soft material (that is, the upper part housing 221 and the lower part housing 223). According to this, the part (namely, the said 1st site | part) around the joystick 212 in the housing | casing 211 is comprised with a hard material. Therefore, when the user operates the joystick 212, for example, the possibility that the user's finger and / or the joystick 212 hits the above-described part may be damaged or worn.

  The middle partial housing 222 is made of, for example, a black material so that light from the light emitting unit does not pass through the middle partial housing 222 as much as possible, like the inner wall 232 of the upper partial housing 221.

(Main board holder)
As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the middle unit 240 includes a main board holding part 245. The main board holding unit 245 holds some components (for example, the rechargeable battery 244 and the main board 246) included in the middle unit 240.

  As shown in FIGS. 19 and 21, the main substrate holding part 245 has a frame part 245 a for attaching the rechargeable battery 244. The frame part 245a has a shape capable of accommodating the rechargeable battery 244 inside itself. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the frame portion 245a has four walls that come into contact with the side surfaces of the rectangular parallelepiped rechargeable battery 244.

  As shown in FIGS. 19 and 21, the main board holding part 245 has a stick attachment part 245 b for attaching the joystick 212. The stick attachment portion 245b is provided on the front side of the frame portion 245a. The front side surface of the stick attachment portion 245b is configured in a planar shape perpendicular to the front-rear direction. A screw hole whose front side is open is provided in the front plane of the stick mounting portion 245b. This screw hole is a screw hole for attaching the joystick 212 to the main board holding part 245.

  Further, a screw hole whose upper side is opened is provided between the frame portion 245a and the stick attachment portion 245b (see FIG. 19). This screw hole is a screw hole for fixing the main board holding part 245 and the middle housing 222.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the main board holding part 245 has a strap attachment shaft 245c for attaching the strap part 202. The strap attachment shaft 245c is provided on the rear side of the frame portion 245a. The strap attachment shaft 245c has a cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction. Although details will be described later, the hole provided in the center of the strap attachment shaft 245c is a hole through which a screw for fixing the main board holding part 245 and the upper part housing 221 passes. As described above, the strap portion 202 can be attached to the controller main body portion 201 by passing the strap string of the strap portion 202 through the strap attachment shaft 245c.

  In addition, on the rear side of the frame portion 245a, screw holes that are open on the upper side are provided on both the left and right sides of the strap attachment shaft 245c (see FIG. 20). This screw hole is a screw hole for fixing the main board holding part 245 and the middle housing 222.

  As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the main substrate holding part 245 has a recessed surface 245d. The recess surface 245d is provided on the rear side of the frame portion 245a and below the strap attachment shaft 245c. In the present embodiment, the recessed surface 245d is provided so as to be substantially perpendicular to the front-rear direction. Although details will be described later, the recess surface 245d is provided with a hole for exposing a charging terminal provided on the main substrate 246 to the outside of the recess surface 245d (see FIG. 29). In addition, the recess surface 245d is provided with a hole through which a screw for fixing the main substrate holding part 245 and the lower part housing 223 is passed (see FIG. 26). Further, the recess surface 245d is provided with an attachment hole (that is, a hole 245f shown in FIG. 29) for attaching the above-described cover portion 215 (see FIG. 10).

  As shown in FIG. 20, the main board holding part 245 has a detection circuit attachment part 245e for attaching a button detection part 258 described later. The detection circuit attachment portion 245e is provided on the outer surface of the frame portion 245a and at a position corresponding to the hole 242a of the middle partial housing 222. The detection circuit attachment portion 245e is provided at a corner portion on the left rear side on the outer surface of the frame portion 245a.

  As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the main board holding part 245 is fixed to the middle partial housing 222. The main substrate holding part 245 is provided at a position surrounded by the annular middle partial housing 222. In the present embodiment, the main board holding part 245 and the middle housing 222 are fixed to each other by screws 261 (three screws 261 in the present embodiment). As described above, the main substrate holding part 245 is provided with three screw holes opened on the upper side. Further, the middle housing 222 is provided with a hole at a position corresponding to the screw hole. As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the screw 261 is screwed into the screw hole of the main board holding part 245 while passing through the hole of the middle part case 222, so that the middle part case 222 and the main board holding part are 245 is fixed.

(Rechargeable battery)
As shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, the middle unit 240 includes a rechargeable battery 244. The rechargeable battery 244 supplies power to each electronic component included in the spherical controller 200. The rechargeable battery 244 is electrically connected to a main board 246 described later. The rechargeable battery 244 is provided in the frame part 245 a of the main board holding part 245. The rechargeable battery 244 is fixed to the frame portion 245a with, for example, a double-sided tape or an adhesive.

(Main board)
As shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, the middle unit 240 includes a main board 246. In the present embodiment, the main board 246 is a plate-like board. However, the main board 246 may be a flexible printed circuit board that can be bent.

  An acceleration sensor 247 is provided on the main board 246 (see FIG. 19). The acceleration sensor 247 is an example of an inertial sensor, and detects, for example, movement and rotation in three axis directions (specifically, up and down directions, left and right directions, and front and rear directions). In other embodiments, a gyro sensor may be provided as an example of the inertial sensor. Although details will be described later, the acceleration sensor 247 is provided near the center of the upper surface of the main board 246 so as to be disposed near the center of the controller main body 201 (see FIGS. 19 and 21).

  The main substrate 246 is provided with a light emitting unit that generates light. In the present embodiment, the spherical controller 200 includes two light emitting units 248a and 248b (see FIG. 19). Specifically, the left light emitting unit 248 a is provided near the left end on the upper surface of the main substrate 246, and the other right light emitting unit 248 b is provided near the right end on the upper surface of the main substrate 246. In this specification, the left light emitting unit 248a and the right light emitting unit 248b may be collectively referred to as “light emitting unit 248”. In the present embodiment, each light emitting unit 248 is provided outside the joystick 212 in the left-right direction. That is, each light emitting unit 248 is provided at a position that does not overlap with the joystick 212 when viewed from the front-rear direction.

  The main board 246 is provided with a charging terminal 249 (see FIG. 20). The charging terminal 249 is a terminal for receiving power supply for charging the rechargeable battery 244 from the outside of the spherical controller 200. In the present embodiment, the charging terminal 249 is provided at the rear end on the lower surface of the main board 246. The charging terminal 249 is provided so that the rear end of the charging terminal 249 protrudes from the rear end of the main board 246.

  Although not shown, the main board 246 is provided with a control unit (in other words, a processor) for controlling the operation of the spherical controller 200. Further, the main board 246 is provided with a hole for passing a screw for fixing the main board 246 to the main board holding portion 245 (see FIGS. 19 and 20).

  As shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, the main board 246 is provided below the main board holding part 245. In the present embodiment, the main board 246 and the main board holding portion 245 are fixed to each other by screws 262 (three screws 262 in this embodiment). Specifically, a screw hole having an opening on the lower side is provided below the main substrate holding part 245. In addition, as described above, the main board 246 is provided with holes at positions corresponding to the screw holes. As shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, the main board 246 and the main board holding part 245 are fixed by screwing screws 262 into the screw holes of the main board holding part 245 while passing through the holes of the main board 246. Is done.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 21, in the state where the main board 246 is fixed to the main board holding part 245, the charging terminal 249 is exposed from the hole of the recessed surface 245 d of the main board holding part 245. As shown in FIG. 21, the rear end of the charging terminal 249 is provided so as not to protrude from the recessed surface 245d (that is, at the front side of the recessed surface 245d).

(Joystick)
As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the middle unit 240 includes the joystick 212 described above. The joystick 212 has a base portion 251 and a shaft portion 252. The base portion 251 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a shaft portion 252 is provided on the front side of the base portion 251. As shown in FIG. 21, the shaft portion 252 has a rod-like portion 252a and a tip portion 252b. Specifically, the rod-like portion 252a has a rod-like shape extending in the front-rear direction, and is connected to the base portion 251 on the rear end side. The front end portion 252b has a disk shape and is provided on the front end side of the rod-like portion 252a. The front surface of the tip 252b is the operation surface of the joystick 212 (that is, the operation surface 252c shown in FIG. 13). When the shaft portion 252 is not operated, the operation surface of the tip portion 252b is arranged substantially perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The shaft portion 252 is provided to be tiltable with respect to the base portion 251 in accordance with a tilting operation by the user. Further, the shaft portion 252 is provided so as to be movable in accordance with a pushing operation by the user. The configuration of the joystick 212 may be the same as that of a conventional analog stick unit.

  As shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, the joystick 212 is provided on the front side of the main board holding part 245. Specifically, the joystick 212 is attached to the stick attachment portion 245b of the main board holding portion 245. In the present embodiment, the joystick 212 and the main board holding part 245 are fixed to each other by screws 263 (in the present embodiment, two screws 263). As described above, the stick attachment portion 245b is provided with a screw hole whose front side is open. In addition, the base portion 251 of the joystick 212 is provided with a hole at a position corresponding to the screw hole. As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the joystick 212 and the main board holding part 245 are fixed by screwing the screw 263 into the screw hole of the stick mounting part 245b in a state where the hole of the base part 251 is passed. .

  In the present embodiment, the joystick 212 is attached so that the rear surface of the base portion 251 faces the stick attachment portion 245b. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 19, the joystick 212 is provided such that the shaft portion 252 (specifically, the axial direction of the shaft portion 252 or the operation surface of the tip portion 252b) faces the front direction. The joystick 212 is provided so that the rod-shaped portion 252a is substantially parallel to the front-rear direction when the shaft portion 252 is not operated (see FIG. 21).

  As described above, the shaft portion 252 of the joystick 212 is provided so as to substantially face the center of the housing 211 in a state where the shaft portion 252 is not operated. According to this, since it is easy for the user to apply force to the joystick 212, it is easy to perform an operation on the joystick 212. Further, in the present embodiment, the shaft portion 252 of the joystick 212 can be pushed down along the axial direction of the shaft portion 252. Therefore, in this embodiment, in addition to the direction input operation, an operation of pushing down the shaft portion 252 can be easily performed. That is, the operability of the joystick 212 can be improved.

(Light guide part, etc.)
As shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, the middle unit 240 includes a reflection part 253, a light guide part 254, and a diffusion sheet 255. Each of these parts 253 to 255 is configured to emit the light emitted from the light emitting part 248 from the opening 211 a of the housing 211.

  The light guide unit 254 is made of a transparent material, and functions as a light guide path through which light emitted from the light emitting unit 248 is incident from the incident surface and light that has passed through the light guide unit 254 is emitted from the output surface. Specifically, the light guide unit 254 has a plate-like peripheral portion 256 having a hole formed in the center. The peripheral portion 256 is provided around the joystick 212. In the present embodiment, the front surface of the peripheral portion 256 functions as an emission surface. In addition, the light guide unit 254 includes two extending portions 257. The left extending portion 257a is provided so as to extend from the left end of the surrounding portion 256, and the other right extending portion 257b is provided so as to extend from the right end of the surrounding portion 256. In this specification, the left extending portion 257a and the right extending portion 257b may be collectively referred to as “extended portion 257”. Moreover, each front-end | tip of each extending | stretching part 257 extended from the surrounding part 256 functions as an entrance plane. The details of the light guide unit 254 will be described later in “[2-3. Configuration relating to light emission]”.

  The reflecting portion 253 has an annular shape and is made of a white material. Although details will be described later, the reflecting portion 253 is provided on the rear side of the peripheral portion 256 of the light guide portion 254 (in other words, on the back side of the emission surface), reflects light emitted from the back side of the emission surface, and emits the light. It is provided so that more light is emitted from the surface. Moreover, in this embodiment, the reflection part 253 is comprised with the microcell polymer sheet, and functions also as a buffer material.

  The diffusion sheet 255 is made of a translucent sheet-like material and has a property of diffusing light that passes through the diffusion sheet 255. Since the diffusion sheet 255 is a thin sheet, the diffusion sheet 255 is not shown in the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. The diffusion sheet 255 diffuses the light emitted from the emission surface of the light guide unit 254 and emits the light to the front side. In the present embodiment, the diffusion sheet 255 has an annular shape. The diffusion sheet 255 is provided around a hole provided on the light exit surface of the light guide unit 254.

  As shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, the reflection unit 253, the light guide unit 254, and the diffusion sheet 255 are provided on the front side of the base unit 251 of the joystick 212. Specifically, the reflective portion 253 is provided in front of the base portion 251, the peripheral portion 256 of the light guide portion 254 is provided in front of the reflective portion 253, and the diffusion sheet 255 is provided in front of the peripheral portion 256. In addition, as shown in FIG. 21, the reflecting portion 253, the surrounding portion 256, and the diffusion sheet 255 are sandwiched and fixed between the base portion 251 and the front portion 241 of the middle partial housing 222. Therefore, the reflection part 253 and the surrounding part 256 are in contact, and the surrounding part 256 and the diffusion sheet 255 are in contact.

  Each of the reflecting portion 253, the surrounding portion 256, and the diffusion sheet 255 is arranged in a state where the shaft portion 252 passes through a hole provided in itself. As described above, the reflecting portion 253, the surrounding portion 256, and the diffusion sheet 255 are provided around the shaft portion 252. Although details will be described later, in the present embodiment, when the controller main body 201 is viewed from the front side, the diffusion sheet 255 (and the rear peripheral portion 256 and the rear thereof) provided around the shaft portion 252 through the opening 211a. The reflection part 253) is visible.

  In the present embodiment, the peripheral portion 256 (the same applies to the reflection portion 253 and the diffusion sheet 255) is provided on the entire circumference of the joystick 212. Here, in other embodiments, the peripheral portion 256 need not be provided so as to completely surround the entire circumference of the joystick 212. For example, in other embodiments, the peripheral portion 256 (the same applies to the reflection portion 253 and the diffusion sheet 255) may have a shape in which a part of the ring shape is cut out.

  FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing an example of the positional relationship among the middle casing, the light guide, and the main board. In FIG. 22, a part of the middle casing is omitted for easy understanding of the positional relationship between these components. As shown in FIG. 22, the incident surface that is the tip of the right extending portion 257 b of the light guide portion 254 is provided in the vicinity (specifically, directly above) of the right light emitting portion 248 b provided on the main substrate 246. Similarly, the incident surface, which is the tip of the left extending portion 257a of the light guide portion 254, is provided in the vicinity (specifically, directly above) the left light emitting portion 248a provided on the main substrate 246.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the right extension 257b is provided with a hole 257d. In a state where the light guide portion 254 is attached to the middle partial housing 222, the claw portion 243b provided in the right belt-like portion 243 of the middle partial housing 222 is locked in the hole 257d. Similarly to the right extending portion 257b, the left extending portion 257a is also provided with a hole (a hole 257c shown in FIG. 31 described later). In a state where the light guide portion 254 is attached to the middle partial housing 222, the claw portion provided on the left belt-like portion 242 of the middle partial housing 222 is locked in the hole. As described above, the light guide portion 254 is provided so that each claw portion is locked in the hole of each extending portion 257. The light guide unit 254 can be firmly fixed by locking the claw portion into the hole.

(Restart button)
As shown in FIG. 20, the middle unit 240 includes the restart button 214 described above. The restart button 214 is made of an elastic body such as rubber, and can be deformed in response to the operation surface being pushed down. The restart button 214 is provided so that the operation surface is exposed from the hole 242a of the middle casing 222 (see FIG. 10F). In the present embodiment, the restart button 214 is provided such that the operation surface is in a recessed position with respect to the surface of the middle partial housing 222.

  Further, the middle unit 240 includes a button detection unit 258 for detecting a pressing operation on the restart button 214. Although not shown, the button detection unit 258 is provided with a contact for detecting an operation on the restart button 214 and a detection circuit for detecting that the restart button 214 is in contact with the contact. The button detection unit 258 is attached to the detection circuit attachment unit 245e of the main board holding unit 245.

  The button detection unit 258 is provided inside the restart button 214. Specifically, the button detection unit 258 is arranged so that the contact point is located on the back side of the operation surface of the restart button 214. Therefore, when the restart button 214 is deformed in response to the depression operation performed on the restart button 214, a part of the restart button 214 comes into contact with the contact of the button detection unit 258. The detection circuit of the button detection unit 258 detects that the restart button 214 has contacted the contact. Although not shown, the detection circuit of the button detection unit 258 is electrically connected to the main board 246.

(Cover part)
As shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, the middle unit 240 includes the cover portion 215 described above. In the present embodiment, the cover part 215 is made of a material softer than the middle part housing 222 (for example, an elastomer similar to the surface part), like the surface parts of the upper part case 221 and the lower part case 223. The

  As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the cover portion 215 has a spherical surface and a rod-like portion 259 provided on the back side of the surface. When the cover portion 215 is attached to the main substrate holding portion 245, the rod-like portion 259 is inserted into an attachment hole (that is, a hole 245f shown in FIG. 29) provided in the recessed surface 245d of the main substrate holding portion 245. The tip portion of the rod-like portion 259 is slightly thicker than the portion other than the tip. Therefore, the rod-like portion 259 inserted into the attachment hole is prevented from being detached from the attachment hole with a certain amount of force. The cover portion 215 is attached so as to cover the recessed surface 245d in a state where the rod-like portion 259 is inserted into the attachment hole.

[2-2-3. Lower unit]
FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view of an example of the lower unit. FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view of the lower unit 270 as viewed from the front upper side.

(Lower housing)
As shown in FIG. 23, the lower unit 270 includes a lower partial housing 223. As described above, the lower partial housing 223 has a hemispherical shape like the upper partial housing 221. As shown in FIG. 23, the lower partial housing 223 is open on the upper side and does not have a surface corresponding to the bottom surface of the hemisphere. Therefore, it can be said that the lower partial housing 223 has a hemispherical shape. It can be said that the lower part housing 223 has a spherical crown shape like the upper part housing 221.

  As shown in FIG. 23, in the present embodiment, the lower partial housing 223 has a shape in which a front end portion of a hemispherical surface is cut out. Specifically, the lower partial housing 223 has a shape obtained by cutting the front end portion of a hemispherical surface in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. That is, the lower partial housing 223 includes a side 223a that becomes the circumference of the bottom surface of the hemisphere, and a side 223b that is generated by cutting the front end portion of the hemisphere on the plane. The side 223b has a shape that looks like a semicircle when the lower partial housing 223 is viewed from the front side. In addition, the shape of the notch in the lower housing 223 corresponds to the shape of the front end surface of the middle housing 222 (specifically, substantially coincides with the lower side of the front end surface) Specifically, it is a semicircular shape. However, the shape of the notch is arbitrary, and in other embodiments, it may be a shape other than a semicircle.

  The lower casing 223 has a shape in which the rear end portion of the hemispherical surface is cut out in addition to the front end portion of the hemispherical surface. Therefore, the lower partial housing 223 includes a side 223c generated by a notch in the rear end portion. The shape of the notch in the rear end portion substantially matches the shape of the surface of the cover portion 215. That is, the cover portion 215 is provided so as to cover the cutout portion at the rear end of the lower partial housing 223.

  As shown in FIG. 23, the lower partial housing 223 has a surface portion 272 and an inner wall portion 273, similarly to the upper partial housing 221. The surface portion 272 is a component that constitutes the outer surface of the lower partial housing 223. The inner wall portion 273 is a component that forms the inner wall of the lower partial housing 223. The surface portion 272 and the inner wall portion 273 have a hemispherical shape similar to that of the lower partial housing 223, and have a shape in which the front end portion and the rear end portion of the hemispherical surface are cut out, similarly to the lower partial housing 223. . Further, the inner wall portion 273 is connected to the inside of the surface portion 272. For example, the inner wall portion 273 is bonded to the inside of the surface portion 272 with an adhesive. The inner wall portion 273 has a size such that the outer surface of the inner wall portion 273 matches the inner surface of the surface portion 272.

  Similar to the surface portion 231 of the upper partial housing 221, the surface portion 272 of the lower partial housing 223 is formed of an elastic body (for example, an elastomer) that is softer than the middle partial housing 222 and the inner wall portion 273. The inner wall part 273 of the lower part housing 223 is made of a material (for example, resin) harder than the inner wall part 273, like the inner wall part 232 of the upper part housing 221.

  Further, the inner wall portion 273 is made of, for example, a black material so that light from the light emitting portion 248 is not transmitted through the inner wall portion 273 as much as possible, like the inner wall portion 232 of the upper housing 221.

  As shown in FIG. 23, the inner wall portion 273 is provided with ribs 273a. The rib 273a is provided so as to protrude with respect to the spherical inner wall of the lower partial housing 223. Note that the rib 273a is provided so as not to contact the vibration part 271 (in other words, avoiding the position where the vibration part 271 is provided). Note that the position and number of the ribs 273a are arbitrary. By providing the rib 273a, the strength (in other words, rigidity) of the lower partial housing 223 can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the number of ribs provided on the inner wall of the upper partial casing 221 is smaller than the number of ribs provided on the inner wall of the lower partial casing 223 (the inner wall of the upper partial casing 221 has no ribs. Includes an embodiment in which is not provided). This is because the strength of the upper partial housing 221 can be improved by fixing the sub substrate 237 and the sub substrate holding portion 238 to the upper partial housing 221. In other words, in the present embodiment, the upper partial housing 221 can accommodate many components by reducing the number of ribs compared to the lower partial housing 223, and can accommodate the stored components (that is, the sub-board 237 and the sub-board 237). The strength is improved by fixing the sub-board holding part 238) to the upper partial housing 221.

  As shown in FIG. 23, the inner wall portion 273 is provided with a vibration portion mounting portion 273b. In FIG. 23, only two vibration part mounting parts 273b are shown, but the inner wall part 273 is provided with four vibration part mounting parts 273b. The vibration part mounting part 273b is provided with a screw hole whose upper side is open. This screw hole is a screw hole for attaching a vibration part 271 described later to the lower housing 223.

  As shown in FIG. 23, the inner wall portion 273 is provided with a housing attachment portion 273c. The housing mounting portion 273c is provided with two screw holes that penetrate the housing mounting portion 273c in the front-rear direction. This screw hole is a screw hole for attaching the lower partial housing 223 (in other words, the lower unit 270) to the main board holding part 245 (in other words, the middle unit 240).

  As shown in FIG. 23, the inner wall portion 273 is provided with a protruding claw portion 273d. The protruding claw portion 273d is provided so as to protrude above the side 223a of the lower partial housing 223. In the present embodiment, one protruding claw portion 273d is provided in each of the right rear portion and the left rear portion in the side 223 of the lower partial housing 223. Although details will be described later, when the middle partial housing 222 and the lower partial housing 223 are connected, the protruding claw portion 273d is locked to the middle partial housing 222.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 23, the inner wall portion 273 is provided with a claw portion 273e. The claw portion 273e is provided so as not to protrude from the side 223a of the lower partial housing 223. The claw portion 273e is provided in a right front portion of the lower partial housing 223. Although not shown, a claw portion similar to the claw portion 273e is also provided in the left front portion of the lower part housing 223. As will be described in detail later, when the middle casing 222 and the lower casing 223 are connected, the claw portion 273e is engaged with the locked portion 243a (see FIG. 19) of the middle casing 222. Stop.

(Vibration part)
As shown in FIG. 23, the lower unit 270 includes a vibration unit 271. The vibration unit 271 is a vibrator that generates vibration and vibrates the casing 211. Although not shown, the vibration unit 271 is electrically connected to the main board 246 (more specifically, a control unit provided on the main board 246).

  In the present embodiment, the vibration unit 271 is a voice coil motor. That is, the vibration unit 271 can generate vibration according to a signal input to itself, and can generate sound according to the signal. For example, when a signal having an audible frequency is input to the vibration unit 271, the vibration unit 271 generates vibration and sound (that is, audible sound). For example, when an audio signal indicating a voice (or cry) of a character appearing in the game is input, the vibration unit 271 outputs the voice (or cry) of the character. When a signal having a frequency outside the audible range is input to the vibration unit 271, the vibration unit 271 generates vibration. Note that the signal input to the vibration unit 271 can also be referred to as a signal indicating the waveform of vibration to be performed by the vibration unit 271 or an audio signal indicating the waveform of sound to be output by the vibration unit 271. The signal input to the vibration unit 271 may be a vibration signal intended to cause the vibration unit 271 to vibrate a desired waveform, or a sound intended to cause the vibration unit 271 to output a desired sound. It may be a signal. As described above, in the present embodiment, since the vibration unit 271 can output vibration and sound, the spherical controller 200 can output vibration and sound and the internal configuration of the controller main body 201 can be simplified. Can be

  As shown in FIG. 23, the vibration part 271 has a cylindrical outer shape. In the present embodiment, since the columnar vibrating portion is arranged in the spherical casing 211, the space in the casing 211 can be used efficiently. In general, the larger the vibration part 271 is, the stronger vibration can be generated. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is easy to arrange a vibration part that can generate strong vibration.

  In the present embodiment, the vibration part 271 has a protruding part 271a that protrudes from a side surface of the vibration part 271 having a columnar shape. In the present embodiment, four projecting portions 271 a are provided at the upper end of the side surface of the vibrating portion 271. The protruding portion 271a protrudes from the side surface of the vibrating portion 271 in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. Each projecting portion 271a is provided with a hole for passing a screw for fixing the vibrating portion 271 to the lower housing 223 (see FIG. 23).

  As shown in FIG. 23, the vibration part 271 is attached to the inside of the lower partial housing 223. In the present embodiment, the vibration part 271 and the lower partial housing 223 are fixed to each other by screws 274 (four screws 274 in the present embodiment). As described above, the vibration portion attaching portion 273b of the lower partial housing 223 is provided with four screw holes opened on the upper side. In addition, the protrusion 271a of the vibration part 271 is provided with a hole at a position corresponding to the screw hole. As shown in FIG. 23, the vibration part 271 and the lower part housing 223 are fixed by screwing screws 274 into the screw holes of the lower part housing 223 while passing through the holes of the vibration part 271. In the present embodiment, the vibration part 271 is provided in a direction in which the central axis of the cylinder (in other words, the central axis of the vibration part 271) is substantially parallel to the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, the vibration part 271 is provided in a direction in which its own vibration direction is substantially parallel to the vertical direction.

  In the present embodiment, the vibrating portion 271 is in contact with the lower partial housing 223 only at the location of the protruding portion 271a screwed to the lower partial housing 223. That is, the bottom surface and the side surface of the columnar vibrating portion 271 are not in contact with the lower partial housing 223. In this way, by limiting the portion where the vibration part 271 contacts the lower part housing 223, variation in vibration characteristics when the vibration by the vibration part 271 is transmitted to the lower part housing 223 (that is, the product) (Variation for each) can be reduced.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the four connection portions (that is, the four protruding portions 271a) between the vibrating portion 271 and the lower partial housing 223 are disposed substantially symmetrically with respect to the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. In other words, the four connection locations are arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to an axis that passes through the center of the four connection locations and is parallel to the left-right direction. Further, the four connection points are arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to an axis passing through the center of the four connection points and parallel to the front-rear direction. According to this, the vibration by the vibration part 271 can be transmitted to the housing | casing 211 with sufficient balance.

[2-2-4. Connection of each unit]
The controller main body 201 is configured by connecting the upper unit 230, the middle unit 240, and the lower unit 270 described above.

  FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of an example of the upper unit 230 and an example of the middle unit 240. As shown in FIG. 24, the upper unit 230 and the middle unit 240 are fixed to each other by screws 281 (three screws 281 in the present embodiment). Specifically, three screw holes whose lower side is opened are provided on the inner side surface of the upper casing 221 (specifically, the inner wall portion 232) of the upper unit 230 (see FIG. 16). In addition, the main board holding part 245 of the middle unit 240 is provided with three holes at positions corresponding to the three screw holes (see FIG. 19). Specifically, one hole is provided on each of the left and right sides of the frame portion 245a, and a hole is provided on the strap attachment shaft 245c (see FIG. 19). As shown in FIG. 24, the upper unit 230 and the middle unit 240 are fixed by screwing screws 281 into the screw holes of the upper housing 221 while passing through the holes of the main board holding part 245.

  When the upper unit 230 and the middle unit 240 are connected, the side 221a of the upper partial housing 221 is in contact with the strips 242 and 243 of the middle partial housing 222, and the side 221b of the upper partial housing 221 is It contacts the upper side of the front part 241 of the middle casing 222. Thereby, the upper partial housing 221 and the middle partial housing 222 are connected so that there is substantially no gap between them. However, since the rear end of the left belt-like portion 242 and the rear end of the right belt-like portion 243 of the middle partial housing 222 are not continuous, the rear end portion of the upper partial housing 221 does not contact the middle partial housing 222.

  25 and 26 are exploded perspective views of an example of the controller main body 201. FIG. FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the upper middle unit 290 to which the upper unit 230 and the middle unit 240 are connected and the lower unit 270 as viewed from the front lower side. On the other hand, FIG. 26 shows an upper middle unit 290 viewed from the front lower side and a lower unit 270 viewed from the front upper side.

  As shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, the lower unit 270 is further connected to the upper middle unit 290 to which the upper unit 230 and the middle unit 240 are connected. In the present embodiment, the lower unit 270 is connected to the upper middle unit 290 by claw portions and screws.

  As described above, the lower housing 223 is provided with four claw portions (that is, two protruding claw portions 273d and two claw portions 273e). These claw portions are locked to the middle partial housing 222. Specifically, the projecting claw portion 273d is locked inside the belt-like portions 242 and 243 of the middle partial housing 222. Further, the claw portion 273e is locked to the locked portion 243a (see FIG. 19) of the middle partial housing 222. As a result, the lower partial housing 223 and the middle partial housing 222 are fixed.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 26, the upper middle unit 290 and the lower unit 270 are fixed to each other by screws 282. Specifically, the housing mounting portion 273c of the lower unit is provided with two screw holes that penetrate the housing mounting portion 273c in the front-rear direction. In addition, two holes are provided at positions corresponding to the two screw holes in the recessed surface 245d of the main substrate holding part 245 included in the upper middle unit 290. As shown in FIG. 26, the upper middle unit 290 and the lower unit 270 are fixed by screwing the screw 282 into the screw hole of the lower housing 223 while passing the hole of the recess surface 245d.

  In the present embodiment, when the upper middle unit 290 and the lower unit 270 are connected, the side 223a of the lower housing 223 comes into contact with the strips 242 and 243 of the middle housing 222, and the lower portion The side 223b of the housing 223 contacts the lower side of the front portion 241 of the middle partial housing 222 (see FIG. 25). As a result, the lower partial casing 223 and the middle partial casing 222 are connected so that there is substantially no gap between them. However, since the rear end of the left belt-like portion 242 and the rear end of the right belt-like portion 243 of the middle partial housing 222 are not continuous, the rear end portion of the lower partial housing 223 does not contact the middle partial housing 222. In the present embodiment, the rear end of the left casing 242, the rear end of the right casing 243, the upper casing 221, and the lower casing 223 are rear parts of the casing 211. A hole is formed at the end. This hole becomes the strap hole 211c (see FIG. 10) described above.

  In the present embodiment, the example in which the constituent elements of the controller main body 201 are connected by screws, claws, and the like has been described, but the method of connecting the constituent elements is arbitrary. Further, the position and the number of screws used for connecting (in other words, fixing) each component are arbitrary.

[2-2-5. Internal arrangement]
(About antenna placement)
FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of an example of a controller main body. FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of a cross section that passes through the center of the controller main body 201 and is perpendicular to the left-right direction. As described above, the antenna 291 is provided on the sub board 237. In the present embodiment, the antenna 291 is disposed above the center C of the casing 211 and in front of the center C (see FIG. 27).

  As shown in FIG. 27, in the present embodiment, the position of the antenna 291 is between the center C of the housing 211 and the operation surface 213. More specifically, the position of the antenna 291 in the direction (that is, the vertical direction) parallel to the straight line (that is, the straight line L3 shown in FIG. 13) passing through the center C of the housing 211 and the operation surface 213 is related to the direction. It is between the position of the center C of the casing 211 (that is, the y-axis coordinate of the center C) and the position of the operation surface 213 related to the direction (that is, the y-axis coordinate of the operation surface 213). In other words, in the present embodiment, the antenna 291 is provided on the “upward direction in the direction input” side from the center C of the casing 211, and the operation surface 213 is in the “direction input direction” than the antenna 291. It is provided on the “upward” side. When the antenna 291 is disposed at the position as described above, the finger operating the operation surface 213 is unlikely to obstruct communication using the antenna 291, and the spherical controller 200 can perform communication using the antenna 291 well.

  In the present embodiment, the spherical controller 200 includes an electronic board (that is, a sub board 237) provided with a contact 237a for detecting a pressing operation on the operation surface 213 and an antenna 291. Thus, by making the board on which the contact point 237a and the board on which the antenna 291 are provided in common, it is possible to improve the efficiency of component placement in the housing 211, and to reduce the weight and space of the spherical controller 200. Can be achieved. Further, according to the above, the antenna 291 can be arranged below the operation surface 213 and separated from the operation surface 213 to some extent. Therefore, it is possible to make it difficult for the finger operating the operation surface 213 to interfere with the communication by the antenna 291, and the spherical controller 200 can perform the communication by the antenna 291 well.

  In the present embodiment, the operation surface 213 is provided in the hemispherical upper partial housing 221, and the antenna 291 is provided in the upper partial housing 221 (in other words, the first hemispherical portion). . Thus, in the present embodiment, the antenna 291 is provided in the partial housing where the operation surface 213 is provided. According to this, the antenna 291 can be arranged on the same side as the operation surface 213 in the spherical casing 211. Accordingly, it is possible to make it difficult for a finger operating the operation surface 213 to obstruct communication by the antenna 291, and the spherical controller 200 can perform communication by the antenna 291 well.

  In the present embodiment, the operation surface 213 is provided at the upper end of the casing 211, the joystick 211 is provided at the front end of the casing 211, and the antenna 291 is located on the front side of the center C of the casing 211 and Provided on the upper side (see FIG. 27). In other words, the antenna 291 is a plane perpendicular to a straight line passing through the center C of the housing 211 and the opening 211a (that is, the straight line L4 shown in FIG. 13) and including the center C (ie, a plane shown in FIG. 13). It is provided closer to the joystick 212 than P1). In other words, the antenna 291 is provided on the same side (specifically, the front side) as the joystick 212 with respect to the plane. “The antenna 291 is provided on the front side” means that at least a part of the antenna 291 is provided on the front side.

  Here, when the joystick 212 is operated with the thumb and the operation surface 213 is operated with the index finger, as shown in FIG. 12, between the joystick 212 and the operation surface 213 on the surface of the housing 211, The finger is not placed. Therefore, by arranging the antenna 291 on the same side as the joystick 212 as described above, the antenna 291 can be arranged at a position where there is a low possibility that a finger is arranged. Accordingly, it is possible to make it difficult for the finger holding the spherical controller 200 to obstruct the communication by the antenna 291 and to perform the communication by the antenna 291 satisfactorily.

  In the present embodiment, the antenna 291 includes a line segment passing through the operation surface 213 and the center C in the circular area of the cross section passing through the operation surface 213, the opening 211a, and the center C of the housing 211, and the opening 211a. And at least a part of the antenna 291 is arranged in a fan-shaped region (that is, a region R surrounded by a one-dot chain line shown in FIG. 27) having a radius that is a line segment passing through the center C and a central angle that is a subordinate angle. It is provided as follows. As described above, by arranging at least a part of the antenna 291 in the above-described region, it is possible to make it difficult for a finger holding the spherical controller 200 to obstruct communication using the antenna 291 and to perform communication using the antenna 291 satisfactorily. be able to

  In the present embodiment, the joystick 212 and the operation surface 213 are arranged so that the central angle of the sector is 90 °. In other words, the joystick 212 and the operation surface 213 are arranged such that a straight line passing through the joystick 212 (in other words, the opening 211a) and the center C of the housing 211 is orthogonal to a straight line passing through the operation surface 213 and the center C. Arranged. Here, in other embodiments, the central angle of the sector may not be 90 °. Even in the case where the central angle of the sector does not become 90 °, the spherical controller 200 is arranged as in the present embodiment by arranging the antenna 291 so that at least a part of the antenna 291 is included in the sector-shaped region. It is possible to make it difficult for a finger gripping the hindrance of communication by the antenna 291.

(About the configuration of the operation surface)
As described above, in the present embodiment, the spherical controller 200 includes an operation unit having the operation surface 213 formed integrally with the surface of the housing 211. According to this, since it is possible to prevent a gap from being formed between the operation surface 213 and a portion of the casing 211 other than the operation surface 213, the appearance of the controller body 201 is made closer to a sphere. Can do. As a result, the feeling of gripping the controller body 201 can be improved. Further, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the operation surface 213 is operated unintentionally due to another object caught on the operation surface 213.

  Note that “the operation surface is formed integrally with the surface of the housing” means that a groove (that is, a sign 211b) is formed between the operation surface and the surface of the housing as in the present embodiment. It is the meaning including an aspect. The depth and width of the groove are arbitrary. Further, “the operation surface is formed integrally with the surface of the housing” means that at least a part of the operation surface is formed integrally with the surface of the housing. For example, in the present embodiment, the entire circumference of the operation surface 213 is configured to be continuous with the surface of the housing 211, but in other embodiments, only a part of the circumference of the operation surface 213 is the housing. It may be configured to be continuous with the surface of 211. Therefore, for example, a notch is formed between a part of the circumference of the operation surface 213 and the surface of the housing 211, and the other part of the circumference of the operation surface 213 and the surface of the housing 211 are not continuous. Is formed integrally (in other words, is continuous), it can be said that “the operation surface is formed integrally with the surface of the housing”.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the operation surface 213 and the surface of the casing 211 (that is, the surface portion 231) are configured by an elastic body. Moreover, the housing | casing 211 is provided inside the surface comprised with an elastic body, and has the inner wall part 232 harder than the said elastic body. According to the above, the operation surface 213 formed integrally with the surface of the housing 211 can be configured to be pushed down. Further, according to the above, by providing the inner wall portion, it is possible to prevent a portion of the casing 211 other than the operation surface 213 from being greatly deformed when the user grips the casing 211 with a normal force. it can. In the present embodiment, the surfaces of the upper partial casing 221 and the lower partial casing 223 are formed of an elastic body. However, in other embodiments, only the portion around the operation surface 213 of the surface of the housing 211 may be formed of an elastic body.

  In the present embodiment, the operation unit having the operation surface 213 includes a movable unit (specifically, a key top 235). In addition, the spherical controller 200 includes a detection unit (specifically, a detection circuit 322). The movable portion is covered with the casing 211 and the operation surface 213, and can move in response to the operation surface 213 being pushed down. The detection unit detects an operation on the operation surface 213 according to the movement of the movable unit. Based on the above, the spherical controller 200 can detect that the operation surface is pushed down with a simple configuration.

  In the present embodiment, the operation surface 213 has a spherical shape. Specifically, the operation surface 213 has a spherical shape having substantially the same radius as the radius of the housing 211. Therefore, in this embodiment, one spherical surface is formed by the casing 211 and the operation surface 213. At this time, it can be said that the operation surface 213 is provided along the surface of the housing 211. According to the present embodiment, the appearance of the controller main body 201 can be made closer to a sphere. The operation surface 213 includes (a) an embodiment in which the casing 211 and the operation surface 213 are integrated as in this embodiment, and (b) different from this embodiment, the casing and the operation surface are different. Any of the aspects which are bodies may be sufficient. For example, even when the operation surface separate from the casing is a spherical surface of the same sphere as the surface of the casing, the appearance of the controller main body 201 is made closer to the sphere as in the present embodiment. be able to.

  In other embodiments, the operation surface 213 may be provided so as to protrude from the surface of the housing 211. According to this, the position of the operation surface can be easily understood by the user. Even in this case, the controller body 201 can be said to be spherical as a whole.

  In other embodiments, the operation surface 213 may be separate from the casing 211. For example, the operation surface may be a part of an operation button that is separate from the housing 211. Specifically, the casing 211 may be provided with a button hole different from the opening 211a, and an operation surface (in other words, an operation button) may be provided so as to be exposed from the button hole. According to this, the position of the operation button can be easily understood by the user. At this time, the operation surface may be provided along the housing 211, may be provided so as to protrude from the housing 211, or may be provided so as to be recessed with respect to the housing 211.

  In the present embodiment, the area of the operation surface 213 is larger than the area of the operation surface 252c of the joystick 212. According to this, the operation surface 213 can be easily pushed for the user. In other embodiments, the size and shape of the operation surface 213 are arbitrary and may be smaller than the operation surface 252c of the joystick 212.

(About joystick placement)
FIG. 28 is a diagram schematically showing the vicinity of the front end portion of an example of a spherical controller. FIG. 28 is a diagram of the vicinity of the front end portion of the sphere controller 200 as viewed from the left and right directions, and schematically shows the relationship between the joystick 212, the housing 211, and the opening 211a. In FIG. 28, the shaft portion 252 indicated by a solid line indicates the shaft portion 252 in a state where it is not operated, and the shaft portion 252 indicated by a dotted line indicates the shaft portion 252 in a state where it is tilted to the limit.

  As shown in FIG. 28, the housing 211 has a spherical surface 211d and a front end surface 211e. The spherical surface 211d is provided at a position that is a predetermined distance (referred to as a radial distance) from the center of the housing 211. The front end surface 211e is an opening surface on which the opening 211a is formed. The joystick 211 protrudes outside the housing 211 from the opening 211a.

  The front end surface 211e is provided at a position where the distance from the center of the housing 211 is shorter than the radial distance. In other words, the front end surface 211e is provided at a position recessed from the reference spherical surface (in other words, a position inside the reference spherical surface). Here, the reference spherical surface is a spherical surface of a spherical region whose center is the center of the casing 211 and whose radius length is the above-described radial distance (a chain line shown in FIG. 28). That is, the spherical surface 211d of the housing 211 is provided along the reference spherical surface, and the front end surface 211e is provided so as to be recessed from the reference spherical surface.

  According to the above, the portion where the joystick 212 is provided (that is, the front end surface 211e) can be provided at a position closer to the center of the housing 211 than the spherical surface 211d of the housing 211. Thereby, the amount of the joystick 212 protruding from the reference spherical surface can be suppressed, and the user can easily operate the joystick 212.

  As shown in FIG. 28, in the present embodiment, the tip 252b of the joystick 212 is provided at a position overlapping the reference spherical surface. In other words, the tip 252b is provided at a position where the distance from the center of the casing 211 is the radial distance. At this time, the operation surface 252c of the joystick 212 is provided at a position along the reference spherical surface (more specifically, a position slightly outside the reference spherical surface).

  According to the above, although there is a difference according to the thickness (for example, 3 mm to 10 mm) of the distal end portion 252b, the finger operating the joystick 212 is disposed at substantially the same position as the spherical surface. Therefore, since the user can hold the spherical controller 200 as if the finger operating the joystick 212 is placed on the spherical surface, the user can operate the joystick 212 more easily.

  As shown in FIG. 28, in the present embodiment, the distal end portion 252b is located at a position overlapping the reference spherical surface both in the state where the joystick 212 is operated and in the state where it is not operated. In other words, the tip 252b is provided at a position where the distance from the center of the housing 211 is the radial distance in both the joystick 212 operated state and the non-operated state. In the present embodiment, the tip 252b is located at a position overlapping the reference spherical surface in any state where the shaft 252 is at any tilt angle within the movable range. According to this, the user can operate the joystick 212 as if the finger operating the joystick 212 is placed on the spherical surface, regardless of the tilted state of the shaft portion 252. Thereby, the operational feeling of the joystick 212 can be further improved.

(About the placement of the acceleration sensor)
As shown in FIG. 27, in the present embodiment, the spherical controller 200 includes an inertial sensor (for example, an acceleration sensor 247) provided near the center of the housing 211. According to this, the inertial sensor can perform detection under the same conditions for the three axial directions of the vertical direction, the horizontal direction, and the front-back direction. Thereby, the detection accuracy by the inertial sensor can be improved.

(About the arrangement of the rechargeable battery)
As shown in FIG. 27, in the present embodiment, the rechargeable battery 244 is provided inside the housing 211, and specifically, the distance from the center C of the housing 211 to the rechargeable battery 244 is the housing 211. Is provided at a position that is shorter than the distance from the center to the vibrating portion 271. Thus, the rechargeable battery 244 is provided near the center of the housing 211. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the impact transmitted from the outside of the controller body 201 to the rechargeable battery 244, and as a result, the rechargeable battery 244 can be safely protected.

  In the present embodiment, the main board holding portion 245 is provided with a hole through which a screw for connecting the main board holding portion 245 to the middle housing 222 is passed (see FIG. 19). Here, these holes are provided outside the frame portion 245 a that houses the rechargeable battery 244. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to further reduce the transmission of an impact from the outside of the controller body 201 to the rechargeable battery 244.

(About the placement of the vibration part)
In the present embodiment, the spherical controller 200 has the following configuration.
・ Spherical housing 211
A vibration unit 271 that is provided inside the housing 211 and generates vibration to vibrate the housing 211.
An inertial sensor (specifically, an acceleration sensor 247) provided inside the casing 211 and closer to the center of the spherical casing than the vibrating portion
It can be pushed down and is opposite to the vibration part 271 with respect to the center C of the casing 211 (specifically, the center C is perpendicular to a straight line passing through the center C of the casing 211 and the vibration part 271). Operation with respect to an operation unit / operation unit having an operation surface 213 provided at a position on the casing 211 on the plane including the plane (that is, the xz plane) on the opposite side of the vibration section 271 in the casing 211 Transmitter for transmitting information and information output from inertial sensor to outside (communication unit 323 described later)
Note that “the position on the opposite side of the vibration portion 271 with respect to the center C of the housing 211” is perpendicular to a straight line passing through the center of the vibration portion 271 and the center of the housing 211 and includes the center of the housing 211. This means a position on the opposite side of the vibration part 271 with respect to the plane (that is, the xz plane).

  In the above, “(the inertial sensor) is provided at a position closer to the center of the spherical casing than the vibrating portion” means that the distance from the center C of the casing 211 to the inertial sensor is the vibration from the center C. This means that the distance from the lower end of the inertial sensor to the center C of the casing 211 is the center of the casing 211 from the upper end of the vibrating section 271. Means shorter than the distance to C.

  According to said structure, the detection accuracy by an inertial sensor can be improved as mentioned above by arrange | positioning an inertial sensor near the center of the housing | casing 211. FIG. In addition, by disposing the inertial sensor away from the vibration unit 271, the inertial sensor is less susceptible to the vibration caused by the vibration unit 271. Thereby, the detection accuracy by the inertial sensor can be improved. In addition, by disposing the operation unit and the vibration unit 271 on the opposite sides with respect to the center of the casing 211, the vibration of the vibration unit 271 can be hardly transmitted to the operation unit. Accordingly, the operation on the operation unit is not easily affected by vibration, and the operability of the operation on the operation unit can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the “operation unit” has a movable unit (specifically, a key top 235) that can move in response to the operation surface 213 being pushed down. That is, in the present embodiment, the input device includes the movable part. However, the “operation unit” may be any input device. For example, in another embodiment, the operation unit may be an analog stick similar to the joystick 212, a cross key, or a push button.

  In the present embodiment, the spherical controller 200 includes a first input device including the key top 235 as the operation unit, and a second input device (specifically, a joystick 212) in addition to the first input device. It was the composition provided with. Here, in other embodiments, the sphere controller 200 may include a first input device and may not include a second input device. For example, in another embodiment, an opening (that is, an opening similar to the opening 211a) is provided at the position of the operation surface 213 in the present embodiment, and the joystick 212 is exposed from the opening as the operation portion. It may be provided. At this time, the spherical controller 200 may be configured not to include the operation surface 213 and the key top 235.

  When the spherical controller 200 includes the first input device as the operation unit and the second input device, the first input device and the second input device may be the same type of input device. However, different types of input devices may be used as in the present embodiment. For example, in another embodiment, the spherical controller 200 may have the operation surface 213 on the casing 211 and a second operation surface at a position different from the operation surface 213. At this time, the spherical controller 200 includes a first input device including the key top 235 as the operation unit, and a second input device of the same type as the first input device (that is, the second operation surface is An input device including a key top that can move in response to being depressed.

  In the present embodiment, the above-mentioned “sending to the outside” means sending to the main device 2 but may be sending to any device (see “[3. Modification]” described later). ).

  As shown in FIG. 27, the vibration part 271 is provided between the center C and the lower end B of the housing 211. The vibration part 271 is disposed below the center C of the housing 211. Here, in the present embodiment, the vibration unit 271 includes each component (specifically, the key top 235, the key rubber 236, the sub board 237, and the sub board holding) disposed above the center C of the casing 211. Part 238, rechargeable battery 244 and joystick 212). Moreover, the vibration part 271 may be heavier than the sum of the weight of each said component.

  From the above, in the present embodiment, the gravity center position of the spherical controller 200 (specifically, the controller main body 201) is located between the center C of the casing 211 and the lower end B on the surface of the casing 211. . In the present embodiment, the lower end B of the casing 211 can be said to be a ground contact portion on the surface of the casing 211. Note that “the position of the center of gravity is located between the center C and the lower end B” means that the position of the center of gravity in the direction of the straight line connecting the communication C and the lower end B (that is, the vertical direction) It means between the position and the position of the lower end B in the direction. That is, the position of the center of gravity does not have to be located on a line segment connecting the center C and the lower end B. Therefore, in another embodiment, the lower end B of the housing 211 does not necessarily have to be a grounding part, and a position shifted from the lower end B may be a grounding part.

  According to the above, when the controller body 201 having a spherical shape is placed on a horizontal plane without applying an external force, the controller body 201 is placed in a posture in which the lower end B is in contact with the horizontal plane. In other words, when the controller main body 201 is placed on a horizontal plane in a state where no external force is applied, the controller main body 201 has a downward direction in the direction input (that is, a direction opposite to the above “upward direction in the direction input”), and the direction of gravity. Are placed in a substantially matching posture. In addition, when the user places the controller main body 201 on the horizontal plane in a posture in which a position different from the lower end B in the casing 211 is in contact, the controller main body 201 automatically (in other words, The posture is changed naturally (ie, the lower end B) is in contact with the horizontal plane.

  Here, since the controller main body 201 is spherical, there is a possibility that it is difficult for the user to recognize the vertical direction only from the outer shape of the controller main body 201. On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, the user can confirm the vertical direction by placing the controller main body 201 on a horizontal plane, so that the vertical direction of the spherical controller 200 can be easily understood by the user. can do.

  In the present embodiment, the position of the center of gravity of the spherical controller 200 can be adjusted using the vibrating portion 271 that is heavier than the above-described components. Specifically, by providing the vibration unit 271 between the center of the housing 211 and the ground contact portion, the center of gravity position can be disposed below the center. Thus, in this embodiment, since the gravity center position of the spherical controller 200 can be set without using a weight, the configuration of the spherical controller 200 can be simplified.

  In the present embodiment, it can also be said that the position of the center of gravity of the controller body 201 is located on the vibration part 271 side with respect to the center C of the housing 211. That is, the position of the center of gravity of the controller main body 201 is a plane that is perpendicular to a straight line passing through the center C of the casing 211 and the center of the vibration part 271 (ie, a straight line in the vertical direction) and includes the center C (ie, xz). It is located closer to the vibration part 271 than the plane. In another embodiment, the position of the center of gravity of the controller main body 201 does not have to be on the line segment connecting the center C and the lower end B of the casing 211, and is an arbitrary position on the vibration unit 271 side with respect to the plane. It may be. As in this embodiment, the user can confirm the vertical direction by placing the controller main body 201 on the horizontal plane.

  In the present embodiment, the ground contact portion is a position different from the position where the joystick 212 is provided in the casing 211, and is a position opposite to the operation surface 213 with respect to the center of the casing 211. Here, the “position opposite to the operation surface 213 with respect to the center of the housing 211” is perpendicular to a straight line passing through the center of the operation surface 213 and the center of the housing 211 and includes the center of the housing 211. This means a position opposite to the operation surface 213 with respect to the plane (that is, the xz plane). It can also be said that the vibration part 271 is provided on a linear extension extending from the operation surface 213 to the center of the housing 211.

  According to the above, when the controller main body 201 is placed on a horizontal surface in a state where no external force is applied, the controller main body 201 is placed with the operation surface 213 facing upward. This makes it easier for the user to understand the position of the operation surface 213 when the controller body 201 is placed on a horizontal plane. Further, according to the above, the possibility that the operation surface 213 comes into contact with the horizontal plane is reduced. Therefore, as a result of the operation surface 213 hitting the horizontal plane, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the operation surface 213 is operated regardless of the intention of the user. In addition, when the controller main body 201 is placed on a horizontal surface in a state where no external force is applied, the controller main body 201 is placed in a posture in which the operation surface 213 can be operated. It can be made easier.

  In this embodiment, the vibration part 271 is provided in the position facing the site | part used as the back side of a grounding site | part among the inner walls of the housing | casing 211 (refer FIG. 27). According to this, since the center of gravity of the controller main body 201 can be brought close to the grounding portion, the controller main body 201 is grounded at the grounding portion when the controller main body 201 is placed on a horizontal surface without applying external force. It becomes easy to stabilize in the state to do.

  In the present embodiment, the spherical controller 200 includes a rechargeable battery 244 provided inside the housing 211 and a charging terminal 249 that is provided at a position different from the grounding portion and is electrically connected to the rechargeable battery 244. Prepare. According to this, the charging terminal 249 does not face downward when the controller main body 201 is placed on a horizontal surface in a state where no external force is applied, so that the user can easily find the charging terminal 249 and the charging terminal 249 is charged. It becomes easy to connect equipment. Thus, in this embodiment, the user can easily charge the spherical controller 200, and the convenience of the spherical controller 200 can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the charging terminal 249 is provided at a position that is recessed with respect to the surface of the housing 211 (that is, the recessed surface 245d). Thereby, the possibility that the charging terminal 249 contacts the floor on which the controller main body 201 is placed can be reduced. For example, even when the controller main body 201 placed on the floor rolls, the possibility that the charging terminal 249 contacts the floor is reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the housing 211 has a vibration portion mounting portion 273b on the back side of the housing 211, and the vibration portion 271 is directly fixed to the vibration portion mounting portion 273b (see FIG. 23). According to this, since the vibration part 271 is directly fixed to the housing 211 (specifically, the lower part housing 223), the vibration by the vibration part 271 can be efficiently transmitted to the housing 211. . In addition, when the controller main body 201 is placed on a horizontal plane, the vibration by the vibration unit 271 can be easily transmitted to the horizontal plane via the casing 211.

  In the present embodiment, the vibration unit 271 is provided at a distance from the sensor electronic board (that is, the main board 246) on which the acceleration sensor 247 is provided (see FIG. 27). That is, the vibration unit 271 does not directly contact the substrate on which the acceleration sensor 247 is provided. According to this, the acceleration sensor 247 is not easily affected by the vibration by the vibration unit 271. Therefore, the possibility that the acceleration sensor 247 cannot detect the acceleration of the controller main body 201 accurately by detecting the vibration can be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the vibration unit 271 is directly fixed to the casing 211 (specifically, the lower partial casing 223) and holds a sensor electronic board (that is, the main board 246) on which the acceleration sensor 247 is provided. The main board holding part 245 is directly fixed to the casing 211 (specifically, the middle partial casing 222 and the lower partial casing 223). Therefore, the vibration unit 271 is indirectly connected to the substrate on which the acceleration sensor 247 is provided, and is not directly connected. As a result, the acceleration sensor 247 can be made less susceptible to the vibration of the vibration unit 271, and the possibility that the acceleration sensor 247 cannot accurately detect the acceleration of the controller main body 201 can be reduced.

(About the configuration on the rear side of the chassis)
FIG. 29 is a rear view of an example of the controller main body with the cover 215 removed. As shown in FIG. 29, the above-described recessed surface 245 d is provided inside the cover portion 215. Although not shown in FIG. 29, the cover portion 215 is attached to the recessed surface 245d by inserting the rod-shaped portion 259 described above into the hole 245f provided in the recessed surface 245d. As shown in FIG. 29, a recess 222 a is provided at a position adjacent to the cover portion 215 of the middle partial housing 222. The recess 222a is provided for the purpose of making it easier for the user to hook a finger or a nail onto the cover portion 215 when the cover portion 215 is removed from a state of covering the recess surface 245d.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 29, the charging terminal 249 is provided in the hollow surface 245d. That is, as described above, the charging terminal 249 is provided so as to be exposed from the hole of the recessed surface 245d. Further, the upper middle unit 290 (specifically, the main board holding part 245 having the concave surface 245d) and the lower unit 270 (specifically, the lower partial housing 223) are screwed onto the concave surface 245d. A hole 245g is provided for mounting.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the spherical controller 200 is provided at a position recessed with respect to the spherical first surface (specifically, the surface of the lower partial housing 223) of the partial housing. It has a recessed surface 245d. The recess surface 245d is formed with a lower housing 223 having the first surface and a hole 245g to which a screw for fixing the recess surface 245d is attached (see FIG. 29). The spherical controller 200 includes a cover portion 215 that covers the recessed surface 245d and has a spherical second surface.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the screw hole for connecting the upper middle unit 290 and the lower unit 270 is covered by the cover portion 215. According to this, the controller body 201 can be configured such that no screw hole is provided on the surface. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the appearance of the controller main body 201 can be made closer to a sphere.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 29, a strap hole 211c in which a strap can be attached is formed at the rear end of the casing 211. That is, the strap hole 211c is formed at a position on a straight line extending from the center of the casing 211 in the direction opposite to the direction from the center of the casing 211 to the center of the operation surface 252c of the joystick 212. According to this, the strap can be attached at a position where it is difficult to interfere with the operation on the joystick 212. Thereby, the operability of the spherical controller 200 can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the operation surface of the restart button 214 shown in FIG. 29 is provided at a position recessed with respect to the surface of the housing 211. As a result, the possibility that the restart button 214 is erroneously operated can be reduced. In other embodiments, the operation surface of the restart button 214 may be provided along the surface of the housing 211 or may be provided so as to protrude from the surface of the housing 211.

[2-3. Configuration related to light emission]
Next, a configuration related to light emission in the controller main body 201 will be described. FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating an example of how the controller main body emits light. As shown in FIG. 30, in the present embodiment, a joystick 212 (specifically, a shaft portion 252) is provided so as to be exposed from the opening 211a of the housing 211, and a diffusion sheet 255 ( In addition, a rear peripheral portion 256 and a reflecting portion 253) are provided so as to be visible from the outside of the housing 211. When the light emitting unit 248 inside the housing 211 emits light, the light that has passed through the light guide unit 254 described above is emitted from the emission surface of the light guide unit 254. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 30, the periphery of the joystick 212 appears to shine. In FIG. 30, the appearance of light emission around the joystick 212 is indicated by hatching. Hereinafter, the details of light emission in the controller main body 201 will be described focusing on the configuration of the light guide 254.

  FIG. 31 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the light guide unit. FIG. 32 is a hexahedral view showing an example of the light guide section. Here, in this specification, for convenience of explanation, the light guide unit 254 is described by being divided into a plurality of parts, and in FIGS. 31 and 32, a cross section serving as a boundary between the parts is indicated by a dotted line. Yes. In the present embodiment, the light guide unit 254 is integrally formed, and the above parts are not separate. However, in other embodiments, each part of the light guide unit 254 may be configured separately.

  As described above, the light guide portion 254 includes the peripheral portion 256, the left extension portion 257a, and the right extension portion 257b. As shown in FIG. 31, the peripheral portion 256 has a quadrangular plate shape. Further, the left extending portion 257 a is provided so as to extend from the left side surface of the surrounding portion 256, and the right extending portion 257 b is provided so as to extend from the right side surface of the surrounding portion 256. In the present embodiment, a cross section serving as a boundary between the peripheral portion 256 and the left extended portion 257a is referred to as a third cross section S3.

  In the present embodiment, in the light guide portion 254, a flat plate-like portion provided perpendicularly to the front-rear direction is the surrounding portion 256, and a portion that curves and extends backward from the flat plate portion is the extending portion 257. (See FIG. 31). However, in other embodiments, the peripheral portion 256 may not be formed of only a flat portion, or may not be flat as a whole.

  In the present embodiment, the light guide unit 254 is symmetrically configured. Therefore, the configuration of the right extending portion 257b is the same except that the left extending portion 257a is reversed left and right. Therefore, in the following, the left extending portion 257a will be described in detail, and the detailed description of the right extending portion 257b will be omitted.

[2-3-1. Stretched part]
As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, the left extending portion 257a has an arm shape. Note that “the extending portion has an arm shape” means that the extending portion is narrower than the surrounding portion 256 in at least a predetermined direction. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the left extending portion 257a extends narrower than the surrounding portion 256 in the vertical direction. The extending portion 257 has a shape having a portion in which the width in the vertical direction becomes gradually narrower as it extends from the surrounding portion 256 (in other words, as it gets away from the surrounding portion 256). Therefore, it can be said that the extending portion 257 is an arm portion provided in the peripheral portion 256. In the present embodiment, since the left extension 257a has an arm shape, the left extension 257a can be made difficult to get in the way when other components are arranged inside the housing 211. In other embodiments, the left extension portion 257a may not be configured to become thinner as it extends from the peripheral portion 256. For example, the cross-sectional area of the cross section perpendicular to the direction extending from the peripheral portion 256 is constant. There may be.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 31 and FIG. 32 (d), the left extending portion 257 a extends from the peripheral portion 256 and warps toward the inside of the housing 211. As a result, the incident surface 306 can be disposed inside the casing 211 relative to the peripheral portion 256. In the present embodiment, the entire left extending portion 257a is warped toward the inside of the casing 211. However, in other embodiments, a part of the left extending portion 257a is a portion of the casing 211. The shape may be warped inward. That is, the left extending portion 257a may have a configuration that extends from the peripheral portion 256 and has a portion that warps toward the inside of the housing 211.

  In the present embodiment, the left extension portion 257a has a portion that extends from the peripheral portion 256 and warps toward the inside of the housing 211 and has an arm shape. However, in other embodiments, the left extension portion 257a may have an arm shape without the warped portion, or a shape having the warped portion instead of the arm shape. Good. Further, the shape of the left extension portion 257a is arbitrary, and in other embodiments, the left extension portion 257a does not have the warped portion and may not have an arm shape.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the left extension 257a is provided so as to extend toward the left light emitting portion 248a. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the distal end portion of the left extending portion 257a extends to the vicinity of the left light emitting portion 248a (more specifically, the vicinity above the left light emitting portion 248a). Therefore, the incident surface 306 provided at the distal end portion is disposed in the vicinity of the left light emitting portion 248a. Accordingly, the incident surface 306 can be easily disposed at a position where the light from the left light emitting unit 248a can be efficiently received.

  As illustrated in FIG. 31, the left extension 257 a includes a first light guide 301, a second light guide 302, and a third light guide 303. The first light guide 301 is a portion from the incident surface 306 to the first cross section S1 shown in FIG. 32 in the left extension portion 257a. The second light guiding path 302 is a portion from the first cross section S1 to the second cross section S2 in the left extending portion 257a. The third light guide 303 is a portion from the second cross section S2 to the third cross section S3 in the left extending portion 257a.

  The first cross section S1 is a cross section that includes a position (position p shown in FIG. 31) in which the normal line direction on the upper outer surface of the left extending portion 257a is the upper direction and is substantially perpendicular to the incident surface 306. is there. In the present embodiment, the incident surface 306 is provided substantially parallel to the vertical direction. The second cross section S2 is a cross section between the first cross section S1 and the third cross section S3 in the left extending portion 257a and substantially perpendicular to the incident surface 306.

  The first light guide 301 has a downward incident surface 306 (see FIG. 32). In this specification, the direction of a surface refers to the direction of the normal direction of the surface. In the present embodiment, the incident surface 306 is provided at a position facing the left light emitting unit 248a provided on the main substrate 246 (see FIG. 22). Specifically, the incident surface 306 is provided above the left light emitting unit 248a and spaced from the left light emitting unit 248a.

  In the present embodiment, the left extending portion 257a has a protruding portion 304. As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, the protrusion 304 protrudes from the side of the incident surface 306 (here, the right side) with respect to the incident surface 306. Here, the protruding amount of the protruding portion 304 is larger than the protruding amount of the left light emitting portion 248a. That is, the length by which the protruding portion 304 protrudes from the incident surface 306 is longer than the length by which the left light emitting portion 248a protrudes from the main substrate 246. The protrusion 304 may be in contact with the main substrate 246 or may not be in contact with it.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, if the light guide unit 254 moves in the housing 211 and the incident surface 306 moves in a direction approaching the left light emitting unit 248a, the protrusion 304 contacts the main substrate 246. Thus, the incident surface 306 does not come into contact with the left light emitting portion 248a. That is, in this embodiment, if the incident surface 306 is moved in a direction approaching the left light emitting unit 248a, the contact surface as the contact unit that contacts the main substrate 246 before the incident surface 306 contacts the left light emitting unit 248a. The protrusion 304 plays a role. According to this, even if the light guide unit 254 is displaced in the casing 211 for some reason, the possibility that the light guide unit 254 contacts the light emitting unit 248 and damages the light emitting unit 248 is reduced. Can do.

  As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, the first light guide path 301 has a curved bar shape. Specifically, the first light guide 301 extends upward from the incident surface 306 while bending forward. In other words, the first light guide 301 has a shape that curves upward from the incident surface 306 while being curved upward. Therefore, the inner wall surface 307 on the upper side surface among the side surfaces of the first light guide path 301 (that is, the surface connecting the incident surface 306 and the first cross section S1) is the front side and faces downward (FIG. 33 described later). reference). The cross-sectional area of the first light guide 301 (specifically, the cross-sectional area in a cross section parallel to the normal direction of the side surface of the first light guide 301. In other words, the direction extending from the incident surface 306 to the first cross section S1. The cross-sectional area in a cross section perpendicular to) is substantially constant. The cross section is substantially the same quadrangle as the incident surface 306.

  As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, the second light guide path 302 has a curved rod-like shape. Specifically, the second light guide path 302 extends in the forward direction from the first cross section S1 while being bent slightly downward. In other words, the second light guide path 302 has a shape that curves downward from the first cross section S1 while extending in the forward direction. Therefore, among the side surfaces of the second light guide path 302 (that is, the surface connecting the first cross section S1 and the second cross section S2), the inner wall surface 308 on the upper side surface is the lower side and faces rearward (a diagram to be described later). 33). The cross-sectional area of the second light guide 302 (specifically, the cross-sectional area in a cross section parallel to the normal direction of the side surface of the second light guide 302. In other words, it extends from the first cross section S1 to the second cross section S2. (Cross-sectional area in a cross section perpendicular to the direction) is substantially constant. The cross section is substantially the same quadrangle as the incident surface 306.

  As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, the third light guide path 303 has a shape in which the width in the vertical direction becomes wider as it extends forward. It can be said that the third light guide path 303 has a plate shape with a wide front side. The third light guide path 303 is bent to the right as it extends forward.

  Further, a hole 257 c is formed in the third light guide path 303. The hole 257c is a hole that penetrates the plate-shaped third light guide path 303 in the left-right direction (also referred to as the front-rear direction). As shown in FIG. 31, in the present embodiment, the hole 257c has a shape with a sharp rear side.

  FIG. 33 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of how light passes through the left extension portion. In the present specification, “schematically shown” means the size and shape of the constituent element and the constituent element for the purpose of making the constituent element (for example, the left extension portion in FIG. 33) easy to see. It means that the positional relationship between them is shown differently from other drawings. In the present embodiment, the left extending portion 257a extends forward from the incident surface 306 and is bent to the right. In FIG. 33, for the purpose of explaining how light travels in the vertical direction and the front-rear direction, The description will be made ignoring the bending of light in the left-right direction (in other words, assuming that the left extending portion 257a is not bent in the left-right direction).

  As shown in FIG. 33, the light emitted from the left light emitting portion 248a enters the first light guide 301 of the left extending portion 257a via the incident surface 306 (see the arrow shown in FIG. 33). In FIG. 33, the light traveling direction is indicated by a dotted arrow, but the light traveling direction in the left extending portion 257a is not uniform, and is different from the dotted arrow illustrated in FIG. There is also light going forward.

  Light incident from the incident surface 306 travels generally upward in the first light guide 301. Here, in the inner wall surface 307 on the upper side of the first light guide 301, the normal direction (see the arrow shown in FIG. 33) is forward and downward (more specifically, gradually downward as it goes upward). Facing). Therefore, when light is reflected on the inner wall surface 307, the reflected light changes the traveling direction to the front side (in other words, approaches the front direction) (see the dotted arrow shown in FIG. 33). Since the first light guide 301 is curved by 90 ° (in other words, the incident surface 306 and the first cross section S1 are substantially perpendicular), the first light guide 301 is incident from the incident surface 306 of the first light guide 301. Most of the light is reflected at some position on the inner wall surface 307 to change the traveling direction. As described above, in the first light guide 301, the light incident from the incident surface 306 travels in the first light guide 301 while changing the traveling direction from the upper direction to the front direction. Then, the light in the first light guide 301 enters the second light guide 302 via the first cross section S1.

  In the second light guide 302, the light that has entered from the first cross section S1 travels generally in the forward direction. Here, the inner wall surface 308 on the upper side of the second light guide path 302 has a normal direction (see an arrow shown in FIG. 33) downward and faces rearward. Therefore, when light is reflected on the inner wall surface 308, the reflected light changes its traveling direction downward (in other words, close to the downward direction) (see the dotted arrow shown in FIG. 33). . As described above, in the second light guide path 302, the light incident from the first cross section S1 generally travels forward, and a part of the light is reflected by the inner wall surface 308 and travels downward. And proceed through the second light guide 302. Then, the light in the second light guide 302 enters the third light guide 303 through the second cross section S2.

  In the third light guide path 303, since the vertical width is widened, light is emitted from the third cross section S3 that is longer in the vertical direction than the second cross section S2. Here, the third light guide path 303 is provided with a hole 257c. Therefore, the light reflected on the inner wall surface around the hole 257c changes the traveling direction to the upper side or the lower side of the hole 257c (see the dotted arrow shown in FIG. 33). The light traveling in the third light guide path 303 is divided into light that passes through the upper side of the hole 257c and light that passes through the lower side of the hole 257c, and enters the peripheral portion 256 through the third cross section S3. In FIG. 33, a dotted arrow pointing in a direction perpendicular to the third cross section S3 is shown, but the traveling direction of light passing through the third cross section S3 is not limited to the direction of the arrow.

  Here, when the light travels in the curved light guide path like the left extending portion 257a, the amount of light traveling outside the curved light guide path is larger than the amount of light traveling inside. Therefore, if the upper inner wall surface 308 of the second light guide 302 is configured not to face rearward (that is, directly downward or forward), the upper side of the third light guide 303 The more light that travels, the less light that travels down. As a result, a large amount of light enters the peripheral portion from the upper side of the third cross section S3, and only a small amount of light enters the peripheral portion 256 from the lower side of the third cross section S3. At this time, on the emission surface of the peripheral portion 256, the light emission amount differs between the upper side and the lower side. As a result, there is a possibility that only the upper side of the emission surface shines strongly, and the emission surface cannot be emitted uniformly.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the upper inner wall surface 308 in the second light guide path 302 is configured to be lower and face rearward. Accordingly, light traveling downward in the third light guide path 303 can be increased, so that the amount of light emitted from the lower side on the emission surface of the peripheral portion 256 can be increased.

  In addition, when the upper inner wall surface 308 in the second light guide 302 is downward and faces the rear, the amount of light traveling on the lower side in the third light guide 303 increases, resulting in relatively less light traveling on the upper side. There is a risk. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the hole 257c is provided in the third light guide path 303. Thereby, the light reflected on the inner wall surface on the upper side of the hole 257c in the third light guide path 303 changes the traveling direction upward, so that the light traveling on the upper side in the third light guide path 303 can be secured. Therefore, in this embodiment, as a result of allowing light to uniformly enter the peripheral portion 256 from the upper side and the lower side of the third cross section S3, the emission surface can emit light uniformly.

[2-3-2. Surrounding area]
As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, the peripheral portion 256 is formed with a hole 256 a that penetrates the peripheral portion 256 in the front-rear direction. In the present embodiment, the area around the hole 256a in the surface of the peripheral portion 256 (that is, the front surface) is visible from the outside of the controller main body 201, so that the region is the emission surface.

  FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating an example of the back side surface of the peripheral portion 256. As shown in FIG. 34, a notch (specifically, a slit 309) is formed on the back side surface (that is, the rear surface) of the peripheral portion 256. In the present embodiment, the slit 309 is formed in an annular region that is within a predetermined distance from the hole 256a. Specifically, the slit 309 is a linear groove extending in the vertical direction. Although details will be described later, the slit 309 is provided for the purpose of increasing the light emitted from the emission surface.

  FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of a cross section of a peripheral portion. FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a cross section perpendicular to the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 35, the light that has entered the peripheral portion 256 from the third cross section S3 is emitted from the emission surface 256b. Specifically, among the light that has entered the peripheral portion 256 from the third cross section S3, the light that travels forward is emitted as it is (that is, not reflected) from the emission surface 256b (dotted arrow shown in FIG. 35). A). On the other hand, of the light that has entered the peripheral portion 256 from the third cross section S3, the light traveling backward is reflected by the back side surface 256c. Here, in the present embodiment, slits 309 (slits 309a and 309b in FIGS. 34 and 35) are formed in the back side surface 256c. Therefore, among the light that has entered the peripheral portion 256 from the third cross section S3, the light that travels backward is reflected by the slit 309 so that it is easily reflected forward (see dotted arrows B and C shown in FIG. 35). . Therefore, by providing the slit 309, the light emitted from the emission surface 256b can be increased.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, in the peripheral portion 256, the light that is incident on the incident surface and guided through the extending portion 257 is reflected toward the exit surface 256b by the back side surface 256c of the exit surface 256b. To do. In other words, the peripheral portion 256 has a reflection surface on the back side of the emission surface 256b in the peripheral portion 256 that reflects the light incident on the incident surface and guided through the extending portion 257 toward the emission surface 256b. be able to. The spherical controller 200 can increase the light emitted from the emission surface by the reflection surface. In other embodiments, the reflective surface may not necessarily be provided with a notch. Even when the cutout is not provided, the reflection surface has a function of reflecting light toward the emission surface 256b.

  In the present embodiment, one or more notches (specifically, slits 309) are formed on the reflecting surface. Thereby, the light reflected from the reflection surface and emitted from the emission surface 256b can be increased. In the present embodiment, a plurality of linear slits 309 are formed as the notches, but the shape and number of the notches are arbitrary. For example, in another embodiment, the notch may be a dot-like notch (specifically, a hemispherical notch having a semicircular cross section), and the dot-like notch is reflected. A plurality of surfaces may be formed.

  In the present embodiment, the extending portions 257a and 257b are provided on both the left and right sides of the peripheral portion 256. Therefore, in the peripheral portion 256, light enters from both the left and right sides, and the light is emitted from the emission surface 256b.

  Here, the slit 309 is formed in a direction that intersects the traveling direction (here, the left-right direction) of the light incident on the incident surface and guided to the peripheral portion 256 via the extending portion 257. Specifically, the extending portion 257 extends from a predetermined portion (that is, left and right end portions) on the outer side surface of the peripheral portion 256, and the slit 309 is perpendicular to the direction from the center of the peripheral portion 256 to the predetermined portion. It is formed in a direction having a component in a certain direction (that is, the vertical direction). According to this, the light from the extending portion 257 can be efficiently reflected by the slit 309, and as a result, the light emitted from the emission surface 256b can be increased.

  In this embodiment, the slit 309 is formed so as to extend substantially parallel to a direction parallel to the side surface of the peripheral portion 256 (specifically, the vertical direction). However, in other embodiments, the slit 309 is formed. Further, it may be formed in any direction that intersects with a straight line perpendicular to the side surface of the peripheral portion 256 (that is, a straight line extending in the left-right direction). In other words, the slit 309 may be formed so as to extend in an arbitrary direction having a vertical component. For example, the slit 309 may be formed to extend obliquely upward. This also increases the light emitted from the emission surface 256b, as in the present embodiment.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 34 and 35, the interval between the slits 309a provided in the outer region of the emission surface is wider than the interval between the slits 309b provided in the inner region. The outer region is a region near the extending portion (more precisely, the extending portion closer to the extending portions 257a and 257b provided on the left and right sides of the peripheral portion 256) on the emission surface. Specifically, the region is within a predetermined distance from the stretched portion. In the present embodiment, since the extending portions are provided on both the left and right sides of the peripheral portion 256, the region near the left and right sides of the surface of the peripheral portion 256 is the outer region. The inner region is a region sandwiched between two left and right outer regions on the emission surface.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the density at which the slits 309 are formed in the inner region away from the left and right extending portions 257a and 257b of the peripheral portion 256 is greater than the outer region closer to one of the extending portions 257a and 257b. Is expensive. Here, since the light from the extending portion is less likely to reach the inner region than the outer region, if the density of the slits 309 is the same between the inner region and the outer region, the outer region is more than the inner region. A lot of light is emitted. As a result, the amount of light emission differs between the outer region and the inner region, and it becomes difficult to uniformly emit light on the exit surface. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the density of the slits 309b in the inner region is made higher than the density of the slits 309a in the outer region, so that the light reflected by the slits 309b and emitted from the emission surface 256b (FIG. 35). Is increased with respect to the light (see arrow B shown in FIG. 35) reflected from the slit 309a and emitted from the exit surface 256b. As a result, the light emission amount of the outer region and the light emission amount of the inner region can be brought close to each other, and the emission surface can easily emit light uniformly.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the reflecting surface includes the first region in which the notches are formed at the first interval (specifically, the region in which the slit 309b is formed) and the notch in the first region. 2nd area | region (specifically, area | region in which the slit 309a is formed) formed in the 2nd space | interval narrower than 1 space | interval. Thereby, the amount of light emitted from the emission surface can be adjusted for each region. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the distance from the second region to the extending portion 257 is shorter than the distance from the first region to the extending portion 257. This makes it easier for the spherical controller 200 to emit light uniformly on the exit surface.

  In the present embodiment, the density at which the notches are formed in the peripheral portion 256 is divided into two stages, the first region and the second region. Here, in other embodiments, the density at which the notches are formed in the peripheral portion 256 may be divided into three or more stages. In other embodiments, slits may be formed so that the density changes continuously. In the aspect in which the density is divided into three or more stages, one of the three or more regions having different densities corresponds to the first region, and the other corresponds to the second region. In the aspect in which the density continuously changes, the position where the density is a certain value (in other words, the region) corresponds to the first region, and the position where the density is lower than the certain value is It corresponds to the second region. That is, “the reflecting surface includes the first region and the second region” means that the density is divided into three or more stages and the density is continuously changed.

  Although not shown in FIG. 35, in the present embodiment, a white reflecting portion 253 is provided on the back side surface of the peripheral portion 256 (in other words, the surface facing the inside of the casing 211) (see FIG. 19). ). Therefore, the light reflected from the back side surface of the peripheral portion 256 to the back of the peripheral portion 256 and the light absorbed by the reflective portion 253 can be reduced by the white reflective portion 253. As a result, the light emitted from the emission surface 256b can be increased.

  FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating an example of the arrangement of the light emitting elements in the light emitting unit. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 36, the left light emitting unit 248a includes three light emitting elements (for example, LEDs) 311 to 313. Each light emitting element 311 to 313 emits light of different colors. Specifically, the light emitting element 311 emits red light, the light emitting element 312 emits green light, and the light emitting element 313 emits blue light. Light from each of the light emitting elements 311 to 313 of the left light emitting unit 248a travels through the light guide unit 254 via the incident surface 306, and is emitted from the output surface 256b. At this time, since the light of each color by each light emitting element 311 to 313 is mixed and emitted from the emission surface 256b, the mixed light is emitted from the emission surface 256b. Thereby, the spherical controller 200 can emit light of various colors.

  In the present embodiment, the left light emitting unit 248a is provided such that the light emitting elements 311 to 313 are arranged side by side along the lateral direction of the incident surface 306 (see FIG. 36). Here, the lateral direction of the incident surface is a direction closer to the left-right direction in the controller main body 201 among the directions of the two sides of the rectangular incident surface. In this embodiment, the horizontal direction of the incident surface does not coincide with the horizontal direction of the controller main body 201. However, in other embodiments, the horizontal direction of the incident surface is the horizontal direction of the controller main body 201. May match.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the left extending portion 257a of the light guide portion 254 has a shape that is curved when viewed from the lateral direction of the incident surface 306 (see FIG. 35). Therefore, if the light emitting elements 311 to 313 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the incident surface 306 (that is, the direction perpendicular to the lateral direction of the incident surface 306), the light of each color by the light emitting elements 311 to 313 is arranged. Are likely to be incident from different positions in the longitudinal direction of the incident surface 306. At this time, light of each color easily passes through different paths with respect to the vertical direction in the second light guide path 302 and the third light guide path 303, and thus is not sufficiently mixed in the left extending portion 257a. As a result, light of different colors may be emitted from the upper side and the lower side in the third cross section S3, and the color of the emitted light may also appear to be different between the upper side and the lower side on the emission surface 256b of the peripheral portion 256. is there.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the light emitting elements 311 to 313 are arranged side by side in the lateral direction of the incident surface 306. That is, the light emitting elements 311 to 313 are arranged at substantially the same position in the longitudinal direction of the incident surface 306, so that the light of each color by the light emitting elements 311 to 313 is the second light guide path 302 and the third light guide path 303. As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the color of light emitted from the emission surface 256b of the peripheral portion 256 looks different between the upper side and the lower side.

  36, the arrangement of the light emitting elements 311 to 313 in the left light emitting unit 248a has been described. However, the arrangement of the light emitting elements in the right light emitting unit 248b is the same as that of the left light emitting unit 248a. That is, the right light emitting unit 248b includes three light emitting elements that emit red, green, and blue light, and the three light emitting elements are arranged side by side in the incident surface of the right extending portion 257b. Accordingly, when light from the right light emitting unit 248b is emitted from the emission surface 256b, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the color of the light looks different between the upper side and the lower side.

[2-3-3. Configuration related to light emission]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the spherical controller 200 has the following configuration.
A housing 211 in which the opening 211a is formed
An operation unit (specifically, a joystick 212) at least a part of which is exposed from the opening 211a
A light emitting unit 248 that is provided inside the housing 211 and generates light.
An incident surface (for example, the incident surface 306) on which light generated from the light emitting unit 248 is incident, and an exit surface (that is, the exit surface 256b) that emits the light incident on the incident surface to the outside of the housing 211. A light guide 254 having
Here, the light guide unit has an emission surface, and is provided with a peripheral portion 256 provided so as to surround the operation portion, and extended from the peripheral portion 256, and a tip end portion (more specifically, the peripheral portion). And an extending portion 257 having an incident surface at the end opposite to the side continuous with 256.

  According to said structure, when the light guide part 254 is provided with the extending | stretching part 257, an entrance plane can be arrange | positioned in the position different from an output surface. Thereby, the freedom degree regarding arrangement | positioning of the light emission part 248 can be improved. For example, it is possible to dispose the light emitting unit at a position away from the operation unit.

  The phrase “provided so that the (peripheral part) surrounds the operation part” is not limited to a mode in which the peripheral part completely surrounds the entire circumference of the operation part, and a gap is formed around the operation part. The meaning includes an aspect in which a peripheral portion is provided. In addition, the phrase “provided so that the (peripheral part) surrounds the operation part” does not mean that the interval between the peripheral part and the operation part is defined, and the aspect in which the peripheral part and the operation part are in contact with each other. And the aspect in which the peripheral portion and the operation portion are not in contact with each other.

  In the present embodiment, the extending portion 257 has a curved portion (for example, the first light guide path 301 and the second light guide path 302), but may have a configuration having a refracted portion. That is, the extending portion 257 may have a configuration having at least one of a curved portion and a refracting portion. According to this, since the incident surface can be arranged at a position different from the emission surface, the degree of freedom regarding the arrangement of the light emitting units can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the incident surface faces a direction (that is, a downward direction) different from the direction opposite to the direction that the light-emitting surface faces (that is, the front direction) (see FIG. 32). In other words, the incident surface faces in a direction other than parallel to the direction in which the outgoing surface faces. It can also be said that the entrance surface is provided in a direction in which a plane along the entrance surface intersects with a plane along the exit surface. Further, the incident surface is provided in an orientation in which an angle formed by the normal direction (that is, the downward direction) of the incident surface and the normal direction (that is, the forward direction) of the output surface is an angle other than 180 degrees. It can also be said. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the exit surface is provided substantially perpendicular to the entrance surface. That is, in the present embodiment, the exit surface is provided in the forward direction, while the entrance surface is provided in the downward direction. In other embodiments, the entrance surface is not necessarily provided substantially perpendicular to the exit surface. For example, in another embodiment, the normal direction of the incident surface may be 45 ° or 120 ° with respect to the normal direction of the exit surface.

  Based on the above, the degree of freedom in the direction in which the light emitting unit 248 is arranged can be improved. For example, when the light is emitted in the forward direction as in the present embodiment, the light emitting unit 248 can be disposed so as to emit the light in the upward direction.

  In the present embodiment, the spherical controller 200 includes an electronic board (that is, the main board 246) on which the light emitting unit 248 is provided, and the electronic board has a direction (that is, different from the emission surface) inside the housing 211 (that is, (See FIG. 19). Specifically, in the present embodiment, the electronic substrate is provided substantially perpendicular to the emission surface. Thus, when the light emission part 248 is provided in an electronic board | substrate, the freedom degree of arrangement | positioning of an electronic board | substrate can be improved with the said light guide part. In the present embodiment, the emission surface faces the front direction, whereas the electronic substrate can be provided so as to face the vertical direction.

  In the present embodiment, the extending portion 257 extends from the outer periphery (specifically, the left and right side surfaces) of the peripheral portion 256 in a direction toward the outside of the outer periphery and toward the inside of the housing 211. (See FIG. 19 and FIG. 31). In other words, the extending portion 257 extends from the outer periphery of the peripheral portion 256 to the outside of the outer periphery and extends in the direction toward the inner side of the housing 211. According to this, on the back side of the peripheral portion 256 (in other words, the back side of the emission surface), a component different from the light emitting portion 248 can be arranged. In the present embodiment, a base portion 251 of the joystick 212 is provided on the back side of the peripheral portion 256. As described above, according to the present embodiment, the degree of freedom of arrangement of components in the housing 211 can be further improved.

In the present embodiment, the extending portion 257 has the following portions (a) to (c).
(A) A first light guide portion (for example, the first light guide 301) from the incident surface to a cross section (for example, the first cross section S1) of the extending portion that is perpendicular to the direction of the incident surface.
(B) A second light guide part (for example, the second light guide path 302) continuous to the first light guide part.
(C) One end is continuous with the second light guide portion, the other end is continuous with the peripheral portion, and the width in the direction parallel to the direction of the incident surface (that is, the vertical direction) from the one end toward the other end. The third light guide part (for example, the third light guide path 303) where
Further, the second light guide portion is a wall surface (for example, an inner wall surface shown in FIG. 33) whose inner angle formed by the cross section is less than 90 ° on the wall surface opposite to the direction of the incident surface (that is, the upper wall surface). 308).

  According to said structure, the advancing direction of light can be changed to the same side as the direction of an entrance plane with the said wall surface in a 2nd light guide part. Thereby, the light that enters the peripheral portion from the third light guide portion can be made to approach uniformly in the direction parallel to the direction of the incident surface.

  In the present embodiment, the extending portion 257 is formed with a hole (for example, a hole 257c) that can change the path of light incident from the incident surface. With this hole, it is possible to adjust the path of light entering the peripheral portion 256 from the extending portion 257. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the hole includes a light guide portion (for example, the third light guide path 303) that spreads in the extending portion 257 as the width in the direction perpendicular to the incident surface approaches the peripheral portion 256. Have. According to this, the light traveling through the light guide portion can be divided into light passing through one side of the hole and light passing through the other side by the hole. As a result, light entering from the third light guide portion to the peripheral portion can be made to approach uniformly.

  In the present embodiment, the hole (for example, hole 257c) formed in the light guide portion has a shape in which an end portion on the side far from the peripheral portion 256 becomes thinner as it approaches the tip (see FIG. 33). ). According to this, the possibility that the light reflected on the wall surface of the hole travels toward the incident surface can be reduced. As a result, the amount of light emitted from the emission surface can be increased.

  In the present embodiment, the housing 211 has an engaging portion (for example, a claw portion 243b shown in FIG. 19) that engages with the hole (for example, the hole 257c) formed in the light guide portion. According to this, the light that enters the peripheral portion from the third light guide portion can be made uniformly close by the hole, and the possibility that the position of the light guide portion 254 is shifted with respect to the housing 211 is reduced. Can do.

  In the present embodiment, the spherical controller 200 includes, as the light emitting unit 248, a first light emitting unit (that is, the left light emitting unit 248a) and a second light emitting unit that is provided at a position different from the first light emitting unit (that is, the right light emitting unit 248a). Light-emitting portion 248b). Moreover, the light guide part 254 has a 1st extending part (namely, left extending part 257a) and a 2nd extending part (namely, right extending part 257b) as the extending part 257. The first extending portion is provided extending from the peripheral portion 256, and the first incident surface (that is, the incident surface 306) is provided at a position facing the first light emitting portion. The second extending portion is provided extending from the peripheral portion 256, and the second incident surface is provided at a position facing the second light emitting portion (see FIG. 22). Thus, in this embodiment, since the extending | stretching part corresponding to each of two light emission parts is provided and the light from two extending | stretching parts can be radiate | emitted from one output surface, it is radiate | emitted from an output surface. The amount of light can be increased.

  In the present embodiment, the first extending portion is provided by extending from one side (specifically, the left side) of the peripheral portion 256 in a predetermined direction, and the second extended portion is the predetermined portion of the peripheral portion 256. It extends from the other side in the direction (specifically, the right side). According to this, the possibility that the light emitted from the emission surface is biased can be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the first extending portion and the second extending portion are provided with an operation unit (that is, a joystick 212) interposed therebetween (see FIG. 19). That is, the first extending portion and the second extending portion are provided such that the operation unit is positioned between the first extending portion and the second extending portion. According to this, in the housing | casing 211, an extending | stretching part and an operation part can be arrange | positioned efficiently. For example, in the present embodiment, the extending portion 257 can be disposed at a position where it does not obstruct other components while avoiding the joystick 212.

  In the present embodiment, the spherical controller 200 is provided on the emission surface so as to overlap at least a part of the emission surface, and diffuses the light emitted from the emission surface (specifically, a diffusion sheet). Is provided. As a result, the light emitted from the emission surface can be made close to uniform. For example, in this embodiment, the portion of the slit 309 provided on the back side of the exit surface may appear brighter than other portions other than the slit 309, but this possibility can be reduced by the diffusion portion. it can.

  In the present embodiment, the light emitting unit 248 includes a first light emitting element that generates light of a first color and a second light emitting element that generates light of a second color different from the first color. The light guide unit 254 emits light, which is a mixture of the first color light and the second color light incident on the incident surface, from the emission surface. Therefore, the spherical controller 200 can increase variations in the color of light emitted from the emission surface. In the present embodiment, one light emitting unit 248 has three light emitting elements. However, in another embodiment, one light emitting unit 248 includes any number of light emitting elements equal to or greater than two. You may have and you may have only one light emitting element.

  In the present embodiment, the extending portion 257 has a curved portion (which may be a refracting portion) as seen from a predetermined direction (that is, the lateral direction of the incident surface). At this time, the first light emitting element and the second light emitting element are arranged side by side in the predetermined direction. According to this, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the color emitted from the emission surface looks different depending on the position of the emission surface.

[2-4. Configuration of strap section]
Next, the strap portion 202 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the strap unit 202 has a strap string 401. The strap string 401 is a rope-like or belt-like string-like member, and is configured in an annular shape. The strap string 401 is used to pass the strap portion 202 through the wrist when the user grips the controller main body portion 201.

  In the present embodiment, the strap portion 202 is fixedly attached to the controller main body portion 201. Although details will be described later, a strap attachment shaft (that is, the strap attachment shaft 245c in FIG. 20) is provided inside the controller body 201. Further, as shown in FIG. 10F, a strap hole 211c is provided on the surface of the housing 211 of the controller main body 201. The strap string 401 is provided so as to extend from the strap hole 211c to the outside of the housing 211 in a state where the strap string 401 is passed through the strap attachment shaft. Thereby, in the present embodiment, the strap portion 202 can be fixedly attached to the controller main body portion 201. According to the present embodiment, the strap portion 202 can be firmly attached to the controller main body portion 201.

  In other embodiments, the spherical controller 200 may be configured such that the strap portion can be detachably attached. For example, in other embodiments, a strap string may be detachably attached to the strap attachment shaft.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the strap unit 202 has an adjustment unit 403. The adjustment unit 403 is a member for adjusting the size of the ring formed by the strap string 401. Specifically, the adjustment unit 403 is provided with two holes, and the strap string 401 is passed through each hole. The adjustment unit 403 fixes the strap string 401 to the adjustment unit 403 by pressing a portion of the strap string 401 that passes through the hole of the adjustment unit 403. Accordingly, a ring is formed by the strap string 401 on the side opposite to the side attached to the controller main body 201 with the adjustment unit 403 as a reference. When using the spherical controller 200, the user holds the controller main body 201 with his hand passing through the wheel.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the adjustment unit 403 includes an adjustment button 403a (see FIG. 9). Although the specific mechanism of the adjustment unit 403 is arbitrary, in the present embodiment, the adjustment unit 403 presses a portion of the strap string 401 that passes through the hole when the adjustment button 403a is not pressed. In a state where the adjustment button 403a is pressed, the strap string 401 is not pressed. Therefore, the user can easily move the adjustment unit 403 with respect to the strap string 401 when the adjustment button 403a is pressed, and the adjustment unit 403 with respect to the strap string 401 when the adjustment button 403a is not pressed. Can be fixed (in other words, difficult to move).

  As described above, the user can adjust the size of the ring formed by the strap string 401. For example, the user uses the adjustment unit 403 to adjust the size of the ring formed by the strap string 401 so that the strap unit 202 does not come off from the wrist of the hand holding the controller main body 201.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the strap portion 202 has a finger hook portion 404. The finger hook portion 404 has a shape in which a part of the ring shape is cut out. The finger hook portion 404 is attached to the strap string 401. Specifically, the finger hook portion 404 is provided between a portion attached to the controller main body portion 201 and a portion attached to the adjustment portion 403 in the strap string 401. The finger hook 404 is attached so as to be movable between the two parts.

  The user passes any finger (for example, the middle finger or the ring finger) of the hands holding the controller main body 201 through the finger hook unit 404. As a result, even if the user accidentally removes his / her hand from the controller main body 201, the possibility that the controller main body 201 will be released from the hand can be reduced by having his finger on the finger hook 404. .

[2-5. Electrical configuration]
FIG. 37 is a block diagram showing an electrical connection relationship of the spherical controller 200. As shown in FIG. 37, the spherical controller 200 includes a control unit 321. The control unit 321 is provided on the main board 246. The control unit 321 includes a processor and a memory that stores data. In the present embodiment, the control unit 321 controls communication processing with the main device 2 and controls power supply to each electrical component shown in FIG. Note that data used for the control operation may be stored in the memory, or data used in an application using the spherical controller 200 (for example, a game application) executed in the main body device 2 may be stored. Good.

  The control unit 321 is electrically connected to input means provided in the spherical controller 200. In the present embodiment, the spherical controller 200 includes the joystick 212, the detection circuit 322, the acceleration sensor 247, and the button detection unit 258 as input means. The detection circuit 322 is a detection circuit that detects that the key rubber 236 has contacted the contact point 237a when the operation on the operation surface 213 is performed. The control unit 321 acquires information (in other words, data) related to an operation performed on the input unit from each input unit.

  The control unit 321 is electrically connected to the communication unit 323. The communication unit 323 includes the above-described antenna 291 and performs wireless communication with the main device 2. That is, the control unit 321 transmits information (in other words, data) to the main body device 2 using the communication unit 323 (in other words, via the communication unit 323), or uses the communication unit 323 to transmit the main body. Information (in other words, data) is received from the device 2. For example, the control unit 321 transmits information acquired from the joystick 212, the detection circuit 322, and the acceleration sensor 247 to the main body device 2 via the communication unit 323. In the present embodiment, the communication unit 323 (and / or the control unit 321) functions as a transmission unit that transmits information related to operations on the joystick 212 to the main body device 2. In addition, the communication unit 323 (and / or the control unit 321) functions as a transmission unit that transmits information related to the operation on the operation surface 213 to the main body device 2. Further, the communication unit 323 (and / or the control unit 321) functions as a transmission unit that transmits information output from the acceleration sensor 247 to the main device 2. In the present embodiment, the communication unit 323 communicates with the main body device 2 in accordance with the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard.

  Note that in another embodiment, the communication unit 323 may perform wired communication with the main body device 2 instead of wireless communication. The communication unit 323 may have both a function of performing wireless communication with the main body device 2 and a function of performing wired communication.

  The control unit 321 is electrically connected to output means provided in the spherical controller 200. In the present embodiment, the spherical controller 200 includes the vibration unit 271 and the light emitting unit 248 as output means. The control unit 321 controls the operation by the output unit. For example, the control unit 321 may control the operation by the output unit according to an operation on the input unit by referring to the information acquired from the input unit. For example, the control unit 321 may vibrate the vibration unit 271 or cause the light emitting unit 248 to emit light in response to the operation surface 213 being pressed. Further, for example, the control unit 321 may control the operation by the output unit based on information received from the main body device 2 via the communication unit 323. That is, the control unit 321 may vibrate the vibration unit 271 or cause the light emitting unit 248 to emit light in accordance with a control command from the main body device 2. Further, the main body device 2 may transmit a signal indicating a waveform for vibrating the vibration unit 271 to the spherical controller 200, and the control unit 321 may vibrate the vibration unit 271 according to the waveform. That is, the antenna 291 of the communication unit 323 receives a signal for vibrating the vibration unit 271 from the outside (that is, the main body device 2), and the vibration unit 271 vibrates based on the signal received by the antenna 271. Also good. In the present embodiment, since the vibration unit 271 is a voice coil motor capable of outputting sound, the control unit 321 can also output sound from the vibration unit 271 according to the waveform.

  The control unit 321 is electrically connected to the rechargeable battery 244. The control unit 321 controls power supply from the rechargeable battery 244 to each input unit, each output unit, and the communication unit. The rechargeable battery 244 may be directly connected to each input unit, each output unit, and the communication unit. In the present embodiment, the control unit 321 controls the power supply based on information acquired from the button detection unit 258 (that is, information indicating whether or not the restart button 214 is pressed). Specifically, when the restart button 214 is pressed (in other words, while pressed), the power supply from the rechargeable battery 244 to each input unit, each output unit, and the communication unit is stopped. In addition, when the restart button 214 is not pressed (in other words, when the restart button 214 is not pressed), the control unit 321 supplies power from the rechargeable battery 244 to each input unit, each output unit, and the communication unit. . Thus, in this embodiment, the restart button 214 is a button for giving an instruction for restarting (in other words, resetting) the spherical controller 200. It can also be said that the restart button 214 is a button for instructing the spherical controller 200 to control power on / off.

  Further, the rechargeable battery 244 is electrically connected to the above-described charging terminal 249. The charging terminal 249 is a terminal for connecting a charging device (not shown) (for example, an AC adapter). In the present embodiment, the charging terminal 249 is a USB connector (more specifically, a female connector). In the present embodiment, when a charging device to which commercial power is supplied is electrically connected to the charging terminal 249, power is supplied to the rechargeable battery 244 via the charging terminal 249, thereby charging the rechargeable battery 244. Is done.

[3. Modified example]
(Variations regarding joysticks)
In the embodiment described above, the spherical controller 200 has a configuration including a joystick having a tiltable shaft portion as a direction input portion. Here, in other embodiments, the spherical controller 200 may include an arbitrary input device capable of performing direction input as the direction input unit. For example, in the modification in the embodiment, the direction input unit may be an input device (specifically, a slide stick) having a slide unit that can slide. In other words, the spherical controller 200 may include a slidable slide portion, and may include a direction input portion that is at least partially exposed from the opening 211a. According to the modified example, the user can perform a direction input operation of sliding the slide unit using the game controller having a spherical outer shape. Thereby, also in the modified example, the convenience of the game controller having a spherical outer shape can be improved as in the above embodiment. In another embodiment, the direction input unit may be a cross key. In the present embodiment, the opening 211a of the housing 211 can be reduced by using a joystick having a tiltable shaft portion. As a result, the appearance of the controller body 201 can be made closer to a sphere.

(Modification regarding game controller shape)
In the above-described embodiment, the game controller (that is, the spherical controller 200) whose outer shape is spherical has been described as an example. Here, in other embodiments, the outer shape of the game controller may be an arbitrary shape. For example, the configuration in which light is emitted to the outside of the game controller by the light guide unit 254 described above can be applied to a game controller having an arbitrary shape. That is, even when the light guide unit is used in an arbitrary game controller whose outer shape is not spherical, there is an effect that the degree of freedom regarding the arrangement of the light emitting units can be improved as in the above embodiment.

(Variation related to communication)
In the embodiment described above, the spherical controller 200 includes a transmission unit (that is, the communication unit 323) that transmits information (for example, information related to operation on the joystick and information related to operation on the operation surface) to the outside. Here, “transmitting information to the outside” includes a mode of transmitting information to any other device different from the spherical controller 200, not limited to the device 2. That is, in the modification in the above embodiment, the spherical controller 200 may be able to communicate with another type of information processing apparatus different from the main body apparatus 2. For example, the spherical controller 200 may be capable of wireless communication with a smartphone and / or tablet, or wireless communication with another type of portable game machine different from the main device 2. May be. The spherical controller 200 may communicate with another game controller (for example, the left controller 3 or the right controller 4 described above). At this time, the information from the sphere controller 200 may be transmitted to the information processing device (for example, the main device 2) via the other game controller. In the above modification, communication between the spherical controller 200 and another device may be wireless communication or wired communication.

(Modifications related to the controller)
In the above embodiment, the spherical controller 200 has been described as an example of a game controller used for game purposes. Here, the spherical controller 200 is not limited to a game application but may be used for other applications. For example, when an information processing program (for example, a browser) different from the game program is executed in the main body device 2, the spherical controller 200 is a controller (in other words, an operation for operating the information processing program). Device).

  The above embodiment can be used for, for example, a game controller or the like for the purpose of appropriately arranging components in a substantially spherical controller.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 Main body apparatus 200 Spherical controller 201 Controller main-body part 202 Strap part 211 Case 211a Opening 212 Joystick 213 Operation surface 214 Restart button 215 Cover part 221 Upper part case 222 Middle part case 223 Lower part case 235 Key top 237 Sub Substrate 241 Front portion 242 Left belt portion 243 Right belt portion 244 Rechargeable battery 245 Main substrate holder 246 Main substrate 247 Acceleration sensor 248 Light emitting portion 249 Charging terminal 252 Shaft portion 253 Reflection portion 254 Light guide portion 255 Diffusion sheet 256 Surrounding portion 257 Extension Part 271 Vibration part 291 Antenna

Claims (46)

A spherical housing;
A vibration unit that is provided inside the housing and generates vibration to vibrate the housing;
An inertial sensor provided in a position within the casing, the distance from the center of the casing being shorter than the distance from the center of the casing to the vibrating portion;
An operation unit that can be pushed down and has an operation surface provided at a position on the casing opposite to the vibration unit with respect to the center of the casing;
A game controller comprising: a transmission unit that transmits information related to an operation on the operation unit and information output from the inertial sensor to the outside.   The game controller according to claim 1, wherein the position of the center of gravity of the game controller is located between a center of the casing and a predetermined portion on a surface of the casing.   The game controller according to claim 2, wherein the vibration unit is provided between a center of the housing and the predetermined portion.   4. The game controller according to claim 2, wherein the vibration section is provided at a position facing an area on the back side of the predetermined area in the inner wall of the housing. 5. The game controller
A rechargeable battery provided inside the housing;
The game controller according to claim 2, further comprising: a terminal that is provided at a position different from the predetermined part and is electrically connected to the rechargeable battery. The game controller
A rechargeable battery provided inside the housing;
The game controller according to claim 1, further comprising a terminal provided at a position recessed with respect to the surface of the housing and electrically connected to the rechargeable battery.   The game controller according to claim 1, wherein the vibration unit is provided on a straight extension line extending from a center of the operation surface of the operation unit to a center of the housing. The housing has a mounting portion on the back side of the surface of the housing,
The game controller according to claim 1, wherein the vibration part is directly fixed to the attachment part.   The game controller according to claim 8, wherein the position of the center of gravity of the controller is located on the vibration part side with respect to the center of the housing.   The game controller according to claim 8, wherein the vibration unit generates a sound according to an input signal. The game controller
A sensor electronic board provided with the inertial sensor;
The game controller according to claim 1, wherein the vibration unit is provided at a distance from the sensor electronic board. The game controller
A sensor electronic board on which the inertial sensor is provided;
A substrate holding unit for holding the sensor electronic substrate,
The vibrating portion is directly fixed to the housing,
The game controller according to claim 1, wherein the substrate holding unit is directly fixed to the housing.   The game controller according to claim 1, wherein the vibration unit has a cylindrical outer shape. The transmitter has an antenna,
The position of the antenna in a direction parallel to a straight line passing through the center of the casing and the center of the operation surface is between the position of the center of the casing with respect to the direction and the position of the operation unit with respect to the direction. The game controller according to any one of claims 1 to 13. The operation unit is
A movable portion that moves in response to the operation surface being pushed down;
The transmitter has an antenna,
The game controller
14. The game controller according to claim 1, further comprising: an electronic board provided with a contact for detecting a push-down operation on the operation surface according to the movement of the movable part and the antenna. . The transmitter has an antenna,
The housing has a hemispherical first partial housing and a hemispherical second partial housing,
The operation unit is provided in the first partial housing,
The game controller according to claim 1, wherein the antenna is provided inside the first partial housing. The operation unit is a first input device,
The game controller
A second input device that is provided at a different position from the first input device and is the same or different type of input device as the first input device;
The first input device has substantially a straight line passing through the center of the casing and the center of the operation surface of the first input device, and a straight line passing through the center of the casing and the center of the operation surface of the second input device. Provided at orthogonal positions,
The antenna is provided on a side closer to the first input device than a plane perpendicular to and including a center passing through the center of the casing and the center of the operation surface of the second input device. The game controller according to claim 16. The operation unit is a first input device,
The game controller
A second input device that is provided at a different position from the first input device and is the same or different type of input device as the first input device;
The first input device is provided at an upper end portion of the housing,
The second input device is provided at a front end of the housing;
The transmitter has an antenna,
The game controller according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the antenna is provided in front of and above the center of the casing. The transmitter has an antenna,
The housing has a first hemisphere portion and a second hemisphere portion,
The operation part is provided in the first hemisphere part,
The game controller according to claim 1, wherein the antenna is provided inside the first hemisphere. The operation unit is a first input device,
The game controller
A second input device that is provided at a different position from the first input device and is the same or different type of input device as the first input device;
The transmitter has an antenna,
The antenna operates the first input device in a circular area having a cross section passing through the center of the operation surface of the first input device, the center of the operation surface of the second input device, and the center of the housing. A fan-shaped region having a radius that is a line segment that passes through the center of the surface and the center of the housing and a line segment that passes through the center of the operation surface of the second input device and the center of the housing, and whose center angle is an inferior angle. The game controller according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the antenna is arranged. The operation unit is
Having a movable part capable of moving in response to the operation surface being pushed down;
The game controller according to claim 1, further comprising a detection unit that detects an operation of the operation unit on the operation surface according to the movement of the movable unit.   The game controller according to claim 21, wherein the operation surface is formed integrally with a surface of the housing. The operation surface of the operation unit and a portion around the operation surface of the surface of the housing are configured by an elastic body,
The game controller according to claim 22, wherein the housing is provided inside a surface constituted by the elastic body and has an inner wall portion harder than the elastic body.   The game controller according to any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein the movable unit is covered with the operation surface of the case and the operation unit in the case.   The game controller according to any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein a sign indicating a position of the operation surface is provided on the operation surface of the casing and / or the operation unit.   The game controller according to any one of claims 1 to 25, wherein the operation surface of the operation unit has a spherical shape. A button hole is formed in the housing,
The game controller according to claim 1, wherein the operation surface is exposed from the button hole. The movable part is rotatable about a rotation axis substantially perpendicular to a straight line connecting the center of the housing and the center of the operation surface of the operation part,
27. The game controller according to claim 21, further comprising a detection unit that detects an operation of the operation unit with respect to the operation surface in accordance with the rotation of the movable unit. The game controller
It has a restart button to restart the game controller,
The game controller according to any one of claims 1 to 28, wherein an operation surface of the restart button is provided at a position recessed with respect to a surface of the housing. The housing includes a plurality of partial housings connected to each other,
At least one of the plurality of partial housings has a spherical first surface;
The game controller
Comprising a recessed surface provided at a position recessed with respect to the first surface;
The recessed surface is formed with a hole to which a screw that fixes the partial housing having the first surface and the recessed surface is attached,
The game controller
30. The game controller according to any one of claims 1 to 29, further comprising a cover portion that covers the hollow surface and has a spherical second surface. The game controller
A rechargeable battery provided inside the housing,
The said rechargeable battery is provided in the position where the length from the center of the said housing | casing to the said rechargeable battery becomes shorter than the length from the center of the said housing | casing to the said vibration part. A game controller according to claim 1. A spherical housing having a first hemisphere portion and a second hemisphere portion;
A first operation portion provided in the first hemisphere portion;
A second operating portion provided on a boundary between the first hemispherical portion and the second hemispherical portion;
A transmission unit that transmits information related to the operation to the first operation unit and information related to the operation to the second operation unit to the outside,
A game controller in which a center of gravity is located inside the second hemisphere so that the first hemisphere faces upward when placed on a horizontal plane.   The game controller according to claim 32, wherein the first operation unit is input by pushing down an operation surface provided on a surface of the housing. The first operation unit includes:
A movable portion that moves in response to the operation surface being pushed down;
The transmitter has an antenna,
The game controller
34. The game controller according to claim 33, further comprising: an electronic board on which a contact for detecting a push-down operation on the operation surface according to the movement of the movable portion and the antenna are provided. The first operation unit includes:
A movable portion that moves in response to the operation surface being pushed down;
The movable part is rotatable around a predetermined axis, and is rotated according to the operation surface being pushed down.
The game controller
34. The game controller according to claim 33, further comprising a detection unit that detects an operation on the operation surface in accordance with the rotation of the movable unit. In the housing, an opening is formed on a boundary between the first hemisphere portion and the second hemisphere portion,
The game controller according to any one of claims 32 to 35, wherein the second operation unit is a joystick protruding from the opening. The transmitter has an antenna,
The game controller according to any one of claims 32 to 36, wherein the antenna is provided inside the first hemisphere.   38. The game controller according to any one of claims 32 to 37, further comprising a vibration unit that is provided inside the second hemisphere unit and generates vibrations to vibrate the housing. The housing is
A first hemispherical housing corresponding to the first hemispherical portion;
The game controller according to any one of claims 32 to 35, 37, and 38, comprising a second hemispherical housing corresponding to the second hemispherical portion.   40. The game controller according to claim 39, wherein the casing further includes a ring-shaped casing provided between the first hemispherical casing and the second hemispherical casing. The ring-shaped housing has an annular portion surrounding the opening,
41. The game controller according to claim 40, wherein the second operation unit is a joystick protruding from the opening.   The first operation unit has a straight line passing through the center of the casing and the center of the operation surface of the first operation unit, and a straight line passing through the center of the case and the center of the operation surface of the second operation unit. The game controller according to any one of claims 32 to 41, which is provided at a position orthogonal to each other.   43. The game controller according to claim 32, wherein an operation surface of the first operation unit is formed integrally with a surface of the housing.   44. The game controller according to claim 43, wherein a sign indicating a position of the operation surface is provided on the operation surface of the housing and / or the first operation unit. The game controller
It has a restart button to restart the game controller,
The game controller according to any one of claims 32 to 44, wherein an operation surface of the restart button is provided at a position recessed with respect to a surface of the housing. A spherical shape having a hemispherical first partial housing, a hemispherical second partial housing, and a spherically shaped third partial housing located between the first partial housing and the second partial housing. A housing of
An operation button having an operation surface provided at an apex portion of the hemispherical first partial housing;
A joystick provided on the third belt-shaped third casing,
The spherical belt-shaped third partial housing is
An annulus surrounding the joystick;
A belt-like first belt-shaped portion extending in a predetermined direction from the annular portion;
A game controller comprising: a second belt-like band-like part extending from the annular part in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction.

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