JP3223939U - Controller for game device - Google Patents

Abstract

A highly versatile controller for a game device that can be used by connecting to a plurality of game machines of different models. A housing having a grip portion that can be gripped by a hand, a plurality of operation switches that can be operated while gripping the grip portion, an input / output interface that communicates with a game device, and input / output Identification means 24 for identifying a game device communicated via an interface, setting information storage means 22 for storing setting information corresponding to a plurality of game devices of different models, and functions for a plurality of operation switches based on the setting information The function setting means 23 for setting the control signal is set, and the function setting means sets the control signal output by the plurality of operation switches based on the setting information for the game device identified by the identification means 24. Is output. [Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a controller for a game device.

There is a video game apparatus that is connected to a display such as a television and enjoys by operating an image displayed on the display. Such a game apparatus is used by connecting a controller as described in Patent Document 1. The controller is provided as an input device dedicated to the game device, and is connected to the game device by a wired or wireless system. The controller is provided with a plurality of various operation switches so that the game device can be controlled to play a game in accordance with the operation of each switch.
In such a game device, the controller is made as a dedicated input device attached to the game device, and the game device recognizes the operation of each operation switch as an appropriate input and proceeds with the game. Yes.

JP 2001-269487 A

Since the dedicated controller attached to the game device is designed according to the specification of the game device, communication can be performed between the two devices without any trouble and game play can be performed. However, there are some users who are not satisfied with the dedicated controller such as feeling of operation and reaction to the operation with the dedicated controller attached to the game device. There was a need for a controller with improved usability and improved operability, but with controllers for game machines of different manufacturers and models, the communication method and the channels and output signals set for the operation switches differ, so a dedicated controller Is required.
In addition, there are cases where a user has a plurality of game devices of different models, and there are cases where he / she wants to use a plurality of game devices using a familiar controller. There was no controller.
Furthermore, when a plurality of game devices of different models are owned, it is inefficient to purchase an additional controller for each game device from the viewpoint of cost and space.

  The present invention has been devised in view of the above circumstances, and is a controller with improved usability and operability, which can be used for a plurality of different game machines or computer devices. The problem is to provide a controller.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
A controller for a game device that changes an image displayed on a display by a user's operation, and includes a housing having a grip portion that can be gripped by a hand, and a plurality of devices that can be operated while gripping the grip portion. Operation switches, an input / output interface for communicating with the game device, an identification means for identifying the game device communicated via the input / output interface, and setting information corresponding to a plurality of game devices of different models Based on the setting information for the game device identified by the identification means, the function setting means for setting functions for the plurality of operation switches based on the setting information. By setting the control signal output by the plurality of operation switches, the set control signal is output. Characterized in that the configuration was.

  Further, the invention is characterized in that, in the game device, the communication means is connected to the game device by wired communication.

  Further, the invention is characterized in that in the above game device, the identification means and the function setting means are constituted by a calculation device that executes a program or a set sequence.

  Further, the invention is characterized in that in the above game device, the identification means and the function setting means are constituted by a calculation device that executes a program or a set sequence.

  The controller according to the present invention has an effect that it can be used for a plurality of game devices of different models. There is an individual difference in the switch response and the feeling of use, and when the dedicated controller attached to the game machine is not satisfactory, it is possible to provide a controller according to the user's preference.

It is an external appearance perspective view of the controller which is one form of this invention. It is a circuit block diagram of a controller which is one form of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a controller 1 representing an embodiment of the present invention.
The controller 1 is used by being connected to a game device 100 that displays an image on a display, and is formed as a means for performing an operation and information input for changing the image displayed on the display. . The controller 1 is not a dedicated controller for the game apparatus 100 but has versatility that can be used for game apparatuses of different models, and has means and functions that can be used by connecting to the game apparatus regardless of the model. Is.

  The controller 1 has a housing 3 provided with a pair of grip portions 2 (2a, 2b) that can be gripped by hand. A plurality of switches including key tops, levers and the like of various shapes for operating the game apparatus 100 are provided on the surface of the housing 3. These switches are formed so that an operation such as pressing or tilting can be performed with a fingertip such as a thumb or an index finger while the gripping portions 2a and 2b are gripped by the left and right hands.

An example of the switch will be described. The switch 5a is a so-called cross key. It is often used as an execution key for an action (command) given to a character image active in a game image displayed on a display. The switch 5b is a joystick type input switch, and is formed as a lever that tilts in all directions of 360 degrees. In addition to tilting in the direction of 360 degrees, the top of the lever is also detected. Yes. It is used as a switch suitable for control such as movement direction and movement speed such as up and down (front and rear) and left and right directions.
In addition, it is also suitable for pressing with a joystick type input switch 6, a pressure switch 7 (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) in which four switches are arranged in a diamond shape, various small button switches 8, 9, 10, and forefinger A push switch 11 (11a, 11b) and the like are provided. Further, a microphone MC and a speaker SP are arranged inside the slit 12 which is a through hole.

  As an example, the controller 1 is connected to a computer terminal such as a game apparatus 100 or a personal computer by a cable 13 provided with a USB terminal. Note that the connection means (communication means) with the game device is not limited to the cable connection by the USB terminal, but may be a communication method using radio waves or infrared rays.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the system included in the controller 1 as a functional block diagram. The electrical specifications of the controller 1 will be described. The controller 1 has an input / output interface (connection means including communication means) 21 in addition to the various switches (operation means) described above. Furthermore, it has the game device identification means 24 which identifies the connected game device, and the function setting means 23 which sets a function to each switch (operation means) according to the identified game device.

The controller 1 is configured for use in a plurality of game devices of different models, and has a function different from a controller dedicated to the game device in addition to the basic function provided as a controller. Hereinafter, description of the known configuration will be omitted, and the description will focus on a specific configuration different from a general controller dedicated to the game device.
Control of each means provided in the controller 1 is performed by an arithmetic unit 20 having an arithmetic function such as a CPU as an example. Control of each means by the arithmetic unit 20 is performed according to a program or sequence stored in the arithmetic unit 20.
Note that such a program or sequence may be stored in a storage unit configured by an IC device separately provided on the control circuit. Further, as the arithmetic unit 20, a logic type IC device holding a program to be executed and a sequence may be used.

The controller 1 includes an input / output interface 21 in addition to the arithmetic unit 20, the various switches described above, setting information storage means 22 that stores setting information for setting functions in these various switches, and switches based on the setting information. A function setting means 23 for setting a function, and a game device identification means 24 for identifying a connected game device. Each of these means operates under the control of the arithmetic unit 20.
When connected to the game apparatus 100, the controller 1 communicates with the game apparatus 100 via the input / output interface 21. The communication method may be a wired method using a connection cable 13 provided with a USB terminal or the like, may be a wireless method using electromagnetic waves or infrared rays, and may have both communication functions.

The controller 1 acquires identification information for specifying the model of the game apparatus 100 through communication with the game apparatus 100. This identification information identifies the model of the game device according to the difference in the manufacturer, model, control program, control program version, etc. of the game device. Since the control method and the control signal to be transmitted differ depending on the model of the game device and the like, the game device is identified for the purpose of setting the controller 1 with a function corresponding to the model of the game device and the like. The game device is identified by a game device identification means 24 configured by a program executed by the arithmetic device 20.
The game device identification unit 24 has a data table in which information related to control of the game device such as a control method and a control signal associated with the identification information is recorded. The game device identification means 24 can transmit a signal to the game device 100 and specify a difference in the model or version of the game device 100 by a signal from the game device 100 corresponding to the signal. When a game device corresponding to the identification information is found in the data table, setting information corresponding to the game device is acquired from the setting information storage means 22. When the setting information is acquired, the function setting unit 23 sets various functions of the controller 1 and control signals output from the switches.
If no game device corresponding to the identification information is found in the data table, the default setting information is set in the controller 1 as a default.

By obtaining the above process, the controller 1 can operate the connected game device in the same manner as the dedicated controller for the game device.
For example, when the signal output from the controller 1 is fixed-length data consisting of a plurality of bits, the header information and footer information included in the data are set to output a signal having the same content as the output signal of the dedicated controller. To do. By doing so, the game apparatus can recognize the signal output from the controller 1 as information output from the dedicated controller, and the game can proceed.

  As described above, the controller according to the present invention can be configured to output the same control signal as when a controller dedicated to the game device is used, even when used for a game device of a different model. . As a result, even if the game device is of a different model, the game play can be enjoyed in the same manner as when a controller dedicated to the game device is used.

  The present invention relates to a controller for a game machine that can be used for a plurality of game devices of different models.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Controller 2 (2a, 2b) Grasping part 3 Case 5a Switch 5b Switch 20 Arithmetic device 21 Input / output interface 23 Function setting means 24 Game device identification means 100 Game device

Claims (4)

A controller for a game device that changes an image displayed on a display by a user operation,
A housing having a gripper that can be gripped by hand;
A plurality of operation switches that can be operated with the gripping part held;
An input / output interface for communicating with the game device;
An identification means for identifying the game device communicated via the input / output interface;
Setting information storage means for storing setting information corresponding to a plurality of game devices of different models;
Having function setting means for setting functions for the plurality of operation switches based on the setting information;
The function setting means is configured to output the set control signal by setting the control signal output by the plurality of operation switches based on the setting information for the game device identified by the identifying means. A controller for a game device.   The game device controller according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit is connected to the game device by wired communication.   2. The game device controller according to claim 1, wherein the communication means is connected to the game device by wireless communication. 4. The game device controller according to claim 1, wherein the identification unit and the function setting unit are configured by an arithmetic device that executes a program or a set sequence.