JP5834735B2 - Input device and game device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device for operating a game application being executed by a computer, and more particularly to a handheld input device, and to a game device including the input device.

  An input device used for operation of a game application (hereinafter simply referred to as “game”) generally includes an operation input unit such as a push button, and a user's operation input state by the operation input unit (in the case of a push button, a pressed state) ) To generate an electrical signal in accordance with.

  FIG. 1 shows a first configuration example of a conventional input device. In this input device, a conductive rubber member is provided below the button 3 as a contact portion 2 that can be brought into contact with and separated from the electrode portion 1a of the electric wiring 1 on a substrate (not shown). As shown in FIG. 1A, when the button 3 is not pressed and the contact portion 2 is separated from the electrode portion 1a, electrical signal conduction cannot be obtained in the electrical wiring 1. Therefore, the operation input is determined to be off. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1B, when the button 3 is pressed and the contact portion 2 is in contact with the electrode portion 1a, electrical signal conduction is obtained, so that the operation input is determined to be on. . That is, this input device has a two-step resolution for the operation input state, and can discriminate between two states: a state where the button 3 is pressed and a state where the button 3 is not pressed.

  An input device having multi-step resolution is also known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 2 shows a second configuration example of a conventional input device having multi-stage resolution. In this input device, the electrode part 1b which contacts the conductive rubber member as the contact part 2 provided at the lower part of the button 3 has a comb shape as shown in FIG. The number of comb teeth that come into contact with the button changes depending on the strength of the force of pressing the button 3. As shown in FIG. 2B, when the button 3 is pressed weakly, the range of the electrode portion 1b that contacts the contact portion 2 is narrow, and the number of comb teeth that contact the contact portion 2 is small. Therefore, although electrical signal conduction is obtained, the resistance value between the contact portion 2 and the electrode portion 1b is increased, and the signal level of the electrical signal is decreased. Therefore, the operation input is determined to be on and the operation input level is determined to be weak, for example. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2C, when the button 3 is pressed strongly, the range of the electrode portion 1b that contacts the contact portion 2 is wide, and the number of comb teeth that contact the contact portion 2 is large. Therefore, the resistance value between the contact part 2 and the electrode part 1b becomes low, and the signal level of the electric signal becomes high. Therefore, the operation input level is determined to be strong, for example.

Special table 2003-512142 gazette

  In the input device of the second configuration example, since the resolution of the operation input state depends on the number of comb teeth formed on the electrode portion, the resolution can be improved by increasing the number of comb teeth formed on the electrode portion. It seems possible.

  However, for example, in the case of a push button, the operation input unit is required to have a small size, such as a size that can be operated with one finger. Along with this, it is necessary to form the electrode portion in contact with the contact portion in a narrow region. Therefore, actually, the number of comb teeth that can be formed in the electrode portion is limited to about several. In other words, the resolution of the operation input state is usually about several steps, and it is difficult to dramatically improve from there.

  The objective of this invention is providing the input device which can improve the resolution about an operation input state, and a game device provided with the same.

The input device of the present invention is
A pressure sensor for detecting the pressure of the fluid;
A deformable member that is arranged apart from the pressure sensor and elastically deforms by the action of an operation input;
A pressure generating space is formed between the pressure sensor and the deformable member, and the pressure of the fluid in the space is changed in accordance with the degree of elastic deformation of the deformable member. And
The pressure sensor outputs a signal indicating a detection result of a pressure of the fluid in the space ;
The pressure generating portion is a hollow member having a hollow portion forming the space, and is formed of a hollow member formed integrally with the deformable member disposed so as to cover the hollow portion from above.
The hollow portion opens downward,
The hollow member is disposed over the pressure sensor such that the opening of the cavity is closed by the pressure sensor;
The fluid in the space is air;
The pressure sensor detects a differential pressure between the pressure of air in the space and atmospheric pressure,
The hollow member further forms a gap that communicates the space with the atmosphere,
The gap is crushed by the operation input to seal the space .

The game device of the present invention
The above input device;
A game device main body having a calculation unit for executing a game application,
The input device notifies the game device main body of the detection result,
The calculation unit calculates a control parameter of the game application from the detection result, and controls the game application based on the calculated control parameter.

  According to the present invention, the resolution of the operation input state can be improved.

It is a figure which shows the 1st structural example of the conventional input device, (a) shows the state by which the button is not pushed, (b) shows the state by which the button was pushed. It is a figure which shows the 2nd structural example of the conventional input device, (a) shows the state where the button is not pushed, (b) shows the state where the button was pushed weakly, (c) shows the button It shows a strongly pressed state. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the input device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the principal part structure of the operation input part shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit structure containing the pressure sensor shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the rubber member shown in FIG. 4, (a) is a top perspective view, (b) is a bottom perspective view, (c) is a top view, (d) is sectional drawing. is there. 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining operation input by the operation input unit of FIG. 4, in which FIG. 4A shows a state where the rubber member is pressed weakly, and FIG. 5B shows a state where the rubber member is pressed strongly. It is a flowchart which shows the data acquisition procedure from each pressure sensor shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a timing diagram of data acquisition according to the procedure of FIG. 8. It is a figure which shows the structure of the game device containing the input device of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the game control procedure in the game device of FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a first modification of the configuration of the operation input unit in FIG. 4, (a) is a top perspective view, (b) is a bottom perspective view, and (c) is a top view. d) is a sectional view. It is a figure which shows the 2nd modification of a structure of the operation input part of FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a third modification of the configuration of the operation input unit in FIG. 4, (a) is a top perspective view, (b) is a bottom perspective view, and (c) is a top view. d) is a sectional view. It is a figure which shows the 4th modification of a structure of the operation input part of FIG. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the input device which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the data acquisition from the illumination intensity sensor shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 3 shows the appearance of the input device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The input device 100 is a handheld input device used as a controller or a remote controller in a game device 150 (see FIG. 10) that executes a game.

  The input device 100 includes operation input units 102A, 102B, 102C, and 102D at positions that can be operated with the left thumb when the left and right sides 101L and 101R of the housing 101 are held with both hands. In addition, the input device 100 includes operation input units 102E and 102F at positions that can be operated with the thumb of the right hand when the left and right sides 101L and 101R are held with both hands. The operation input units 102A to 102F are all push button type, and their arrangement is suitable for operation input for selection, determination, direction instruction, and the like. In the following description, when the individual operation input units 102A to 102F are described without distinction, they are referred to as “operation input units 102”.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a main configuration of the operation input unit 102.

  The operation input unit 102 includes a pressure sensor 110 and a rubber member 120. In the following description, when the pressure sensors 110 assigned to the operation input units 102A to 102F are separately described, they are referred to as “pressure sensors 110A to 110F”.

  The pressure sensor 110 is disposed on a substrate (not shown) held in the housing 101. On this substrate, as shown in FIG. 5, the pressure sensors 110 </ b> A to 110 </ b> F are electrically connected to the microcomputer MC (signal processing unit) via the electrical wiring TR.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the pressure sensor 110 covers the base 111 mounted on the substrate, the sensor chip 112 and the control IC (Integrated Circuit) 113 fixed on the base 111, and the sensor chip 112 and the control IC 113. And a cover 114 fixed on the pedestal 111.

  The sensor chip 112 uses a MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) process technology to form a gauge resistor or the like (not shown) on a silicon diaphragm (hereinafter simply referred to as “diaphragm”) 112a at the center of the chip. It is constituted by.

  Diaphragm 112a has a pressure of air introduced into pressure sensor 110 through hole 111a formed in pedestal 111, a pressure of air introduced into pressure sensor 110 through hole 114a formed in cover 114, and Deforms in response to the differential pressure. Here, the hole 111a communicates with the atmosphere, and the hole 114a communicates with a cavity 121 described later. Therefore, the diaphragm 112a has an atmospheric pressure PA and a pressure of air in the cavity 121 (hereinafter referred to as “internal pressure”). It responds to the differential pressure PD with PI.

  Since the resistance value of the gauge resistor on the diaphragm 112a that deforms in response to the differential pressure PD changes due to the deformation, the sensor chip 112 generates an analog signal whose signal level changes according to the change in the differential pressure PD. be able to. In this way, the sensor chip 112 generates an analog signal indicating the differential pressure PD as a detection result for the internal pressure PI, and outputs this to the control IC 113.

  The control IC 113 performs signal processing such as amplification and AD (analog-digital) conversion on the analog signal input from the sensor chip 112. As a result, the control IC 113 generates a digital signal (hereinafter referred to as “data”) indicating the differential pressure PD as a detection result for the internal pressure PI, and outputs this to the microcomputer MC.

  The rubber member 120 is a member that can be elastically deformed, and is formed in a hollow shape so as to have a cap-like shape as a single unit, and is disposed so as to cover the pressure sensor 110.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, a space above the pressure sensor 110 is surrounded from a bottom portion 122 extending in a planar shape on a substrate (not shown) in the housing 101. A wall portion 123 is erected. An opening 122 a is formed at a position corresponding to the pressure sensor 110 on the bottom 122. That is, the cavity 121 has a shape that opens downward (on the substrate side). Since the rubber member 120 is arranged so that the opening of the cavity 121 (that is, the opening 122a) is closed by the pressure sensor 110, the air in the cavity 121 is caused to flow from below by the upper surface of the cover 114 of the pressure sensor 110. Can be confined.

  Moreover, since the top part 124 extended from the upper end part of the wall part 123 is arrange | positioned so that the cavity part 121 may be covered from upper direction, the air in the cavity part 121 can be confined by this top part 124 from upper direction.

  The top portion 124 is disposed so as to be exposed to the outside so that it can be pressed directly from the outside of the housing 101. The top 124 bends downward when pressed with a finger from the outside, and returns upward when the finger is released.

  That is, the top portion 124 is disposed away from the pressure sensor 110 and constitutes a deformable member that is elastically deformed by the action of an operation input.

  The wall 123 is formed so that the cavity 121 has a stepped shape, the cavity 121 on the upper stage side is narrow (narrow part 121a), and the cavity 121 on the lower stage is wide ( Wide portion 121b).

  In the wide portion 121b, a void portion that allows the hollow portion 121 to communicate with the atmosphere when the top portion 124 is not pressed from the outside is formed between the top surface 121c of the wide portion 121b and the upper surface of the cover 114. When the top portion 124 is pressed from the outside, the wall portion 123 that has received the pressing force is compressed downward by elastic deformation, and the top surface 121c is moved downward to adhere to the upper surface of the cover 114. As a result, the gap is crushed and a part of the cavity 121, specifically, the narrow part 121a is sealed.

  When the narrow portion 121a is sealed, as described below, it is possible to compress the narrow portion 121a and to generate a differential pressure PD between the internal pressure PI of the cavity 121 and the atmospheric pressure PA. In other words, when the operation input for pressing the top portion 124 is not performed and the cavity 121 is not sealed, these are impossible. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the generation of the differential pressure PD that does not depend on the operation input. Therefore, malfunction can be prevented in game device 150 (see FIG. 10) configured to operate by recognizing that an operation input has been performed when differential pressure PD is generated.

  When the top portion 124 is further pressed from the outside, the top portion 124 that has received the pressing force bends downward due to elastic deformation and moves the top surface 121d of the narrow portion 121a downward to compress the narrow portion 121a. Thereby, the internal pressure PI of the cavity 121 becomes higher than the atmospheric pressure PA, and a differential pressure PD is generated.

  Here, when the strength of the pressing force is relatively low, the elastic deformation of the top portion 124 is small, and the increase in the internal pressure PI is small, but when the strength of the pressing force is high, the elastic deformation of the top portion 124 is large. The increase of the internal pressure PI is significant. That is, the rubber member 120 forms a space (cavity portion 121) that deforms along with the elastic deformation of the top portion 124 between the pressure sensor 110 and the top portion 124, and the internal pressure PI of the cavity portion 121 is caused by the elastic deformation of the top portion 124. The pressure change part to change according to the degree is configured.

  In the operation input unit 102 having the above configuration, when the top portion 124 is pressed down weakly, as shown in FIG. 7A, the top portion 124 is deformed slightly and the narrow portion 121a is slightly compressed, so that the internal pressure PI is small. To rise. The diaphragm 112a responds to the fact that the pressure of air introduced through the hole 114a (that is, the internal pressure PI) is slightly higher than the pressure of air introduced through the hole 111a (that is, the atmospheric pressure PA). Deforms a little. As a result, the analog signal input to the control IC 113 indicates that the differential pressure PD is low, and the control IC 113 outputs data indicating that the low differential pressure PD has been detected. Therefore, the microcomputer MC or the CPU (Central Processing Unit) 162 (see FIG. 10) of the game apparatus main body 160 can determine that the operation input level is weak.

  Further, when the top portion 124 is pressed down strongly, as shown in FIG. 7B, the top portion 124 is greatly deformed and the narrow portion 121a is greatly compressed, so that the internal pressure PI is significantly increased. The diaphragm 112a is greatly deformed in response to the internal pressure PI becoming significantly higher than the atmospheric pressure PA. As a result, the analog signal input to the control IC 113 indicates that the differential pressure PD is high, and the control IC 113 outputs data indicating that the high differential pressure PD has been detected. Therefore, the microcomputer MC or the CPU 162 (see FIG. 10) can determine that the operation input level is strong.

In general, in a pressure sensor that uses a diaphragm to detect the pressure of a fluid, in particular, to detect the differential pressure between the air pressure in a specific space and the atmospheric pressure, the signal level has a linear characteristic with respect to the magnitude of the diaphragm distortion. An analog signal can be obtained. Therefore, the pressure detection resolution in such a pressure sensor is determined by the performance of the built-in or external AD converter, that is, the number of bits. For example, when the AD converter performs AD conversion with 4 bits, the resolution is 2 ⁴ = 16 steps, with 8 bits, 2 ⁸ = 256 steps, and with 12 bits, 2 ¹² = 4096 steps. As described above, the resolution of pressure detection can be remarkably improved even if an AD converter having normal performance is incorporated in the pressure sensor or used together with the pressure sensor. Therefore, in this embodiment, if such a pressure sensor is employed as the pressure sensor 110, the resolution of the operation input state can be improved as compared with the conventional case.

  In the present embodiment, the air in the cavity 121 is a target for pressure detection. In other words, the fluid whose pressure is to be detected is air. A configuration may be adopted in which a gas or liquid other than air is introduced into the cavity 121 and the gas or liquid is used as a pressure detection target. However, in this case, the configuration of the operation input unit 102 becomes complicated. Is preferably the object of pressure detection.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a case where a diaphragm type configuration that generates an analog signal that changes in response to a pressure change and changes in signal level in accordance with the change is applied to the pressure sensor 110 is described as an example. Other configurations may be applied to the pressure sensor 110. For example, instead of the diaphragm type configuration, a capacitance type configuration may be adopted as the configuration of the pressure sensitive unit.

  In the present embodiment, the differential pressure PD between the atmospheric pressure PA and the internal pressure PI of the cavity 121 is detected. However, the internal pressure PI itself of the cavity 121 may be detected. In this case, an absolute pressure sensor may be employed. In both the diaphragm type and the capacitance type, the absolute pressure sensor has a reference chamber pressure (zero pressure due to vacuum) formed by vacuum-sealing one side of the pressure sensing part and the other side. It has a configuration for detecting a difference from an applied pressure (in this embodiment, an internal pressure PI). Note that, since the internal pressure PI can vary due to the variation of the atmospheric pressure PA, in the above configuration, it is preferable to perform a calculation that removes the influence of the variation of the atmospheric pressure PA from the detected value.

  Communication between the pressure sensors 110A to 110F mounted on the operation input units 102A to 102F having the above-described configurations and the microcomputer MC is performed according to the procedure shown in FIG.

  In step S11, the microcomputer MC simultaneously transmits a data acquisition command to the pressure sensors 110A to 110F via the electric wiring TR. In step S12, the control ICs 113A to 115F (see FIG. 5) of the pressure sensors 110A to 110F respectively receive the analog signals generated in the sensor chips 112A to 112F (see FIG. 5) when the data acquisition command is received. It is converted into a digital signal (data) by an AD converter. And in step S13, each pressure sensor 110A-110F transmits the acquired data to the microcomputer MC. Note that the above-described AD conversion may be performed using an external AD converter.

  In the above procedure, since a data acquisition command for the pressure sensors 110A to 110F is issued simultaneously, the microcomputer MC can simultaneously acquire data from the pressure sensors 110A to 110F as shown in FIG. Therefore, compared with the case where the microcomputer MC sequentially transmits data acquisition commands to the pressure sensors 110A to 110F, the time required to acquire data from all the pressure sensors 110A to 110F can be shortened. The operability can be improved.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the input device 100 is used as a controller or a remote controller in the game device 150. The input device 100 can control the game by transmitting data via a wired or wireless transmission path 170 to the game device main body 160 including a CPU 162 (arithmetic unit) that executes the game. For example, image processing based on data indicating the differential pressure PD can be performed on the game image displayed on the display device 180 connected to the game apparatus main body 160.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a game control procedure in game device 150. Here, a case where the process to be controlled is an image process for a display image of the display device 180 is taken as an example, and a case where the game is a driving game is taken as an example.

  First, each of the pressure sensors 110A to 110F generates an analog signal indicating the differential pressure PD (step S21), and generates data indicating the differential pressure PD from this signal by AD conversion (step S22). The microcomputer MC that has acquired the data of each of the pressure sensors 110A to 110F transmits this data to the game apparatus main body 160 using a communication module (not shown) (step S23), whereby the differential pressure PD is transmitted to the game apparatus main body 160. Notify

  In the game apparatus main body 160 that has received the notification of the differential pressure PD by receiving data from the input device 100 (step S24), the CPU 162 calculates a driving game control parameter from the differential pressure PD (step S25). The control parameters calculated in this example are an accelerator pedal depression amount, a brake pedal depression amount, and a steering wheel steering angle.

  For example, the steering wheel steering angle can be calculated from the combination of the differential pressure PD shown in the data of the pressure sensors 110A to 110D included in the four operation input units 102A to 102D constituting the direction key. Further, the accelerator pedal depression amount can be calculated from the differential pressure PD shown in the data of the pressure sensor 110F included in the right operation input unit 102F among the two operation input units 102E and 102F arranged in parallel. Further, the brake pedal depression amount can be calculated from the differential pressure PD shown in the data of the pressure sensor 110E included in the left operation input unit 102E.

  Then, the CPU 162 performs vector calculation (vehicle traveling direction and traveling speed) based on the calculation result to calculate the moving distance of the vehicle (step S26). Then, the CPU 162 displays an image based on the calculation result on the display device 180 (step S27).

  In this way, the game control parameters can be obtained from the differential pressure PD that represents the strength of the press at the operation input units 102A to 102F, and control of game image processing and the like can be performed using the control parameters. . Therefore, the strength of the press at the operation input units 102A to 102F can be reflected in the game being executed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the cavity 121 is provided between the top portion 124 that is elastically deformed by the action of the operation input and the pressure sensor 110, and the cavity 121 is the elasticity of the top portion 124. The inner pressure PI changes in accordance with the degree of elastic deformation of the top portion 124. Therefore, the operation input state can be determined by obtaining the detection result for the internal pressure PI by the pressure sensor 110. Here, the pressure sensor 110 is a pressure sensor for detecting fluid pressure. As described above, by adopting a general fluid pressure detection pressure sensor as the pressure sensor 110, the resolution of the operation input state can be easily remarkably improved. Since the operation input state can be reflected in the game operation in detail, a comfortable game operation environment can be provided to the user.

  In the present embodiment, the operation input unit 102 is configured by covering the pressure sensor 110 with the rubber member 120. The rubber member 120 is a hollow member in which a cavity portion 121 that opens downward is formed. A top portion 124 of the rubber member 120 covers the cavity portion 121 from above, and is elastically deformed by the action of an operation input to be hollow. It constitutes a member that causes the deformation of 121 and the change of the internal pressure PI. Therefore, only by covering the pressure sensor 110 with the rubber member 120 so that the opening of the cavity 121 is closed by the pressure sensor 110, the operation input of the configuration in which the cavity 121 is disposed between the pressure sensor 110 and the top 124 is performed. The portion 102 can be easily formed.

  Note that the configuration of the operation input unit 102 can be changed as appropriate.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the rubber member 120 is formed with a plurality of cavities 121 so as to cover all the pressure sensors 110A to 110D included in the four operation input portions 102A to 102D constituting the direction key. May be.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13, a raised portion 125 may be formed on the upper surface of the integral rubber member 120 having a plurality of hollow portions 121 so as to be easily pressed with a finger.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 14, the outer surface of the wall part 123 may be a constricted shape (constricted part 126). In this case, since the constricted portion 126 expands in the vertical direction when the top portion 124 is pressed, the top portion 124 is easily bent downward.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the rubber member 120 may be covered with a cover 130. In this case, even if the user does not directly press the top portion 124 of the rubber member 120, if the cover 130 is pressed, the top portion 124 of the rubber member 120 can be pressed by the action. In this case, since the rubber member 120 is not exposed to the outside, the rubber member 120 can be protected.

  Further, the number of operation input units 102 included in the input device 100 may be more or less than six. In addition, at least one of the operation input units 102 </ b> A to 102 </ b> F may be provided at a place other than the top surface of the housing 101.

(Embodiment 2)
Hereinafter, an input device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. Note that the input device of the present embodiment has basically the same configuration as the input device of the above-described embodiment. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the same components as those described in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted, and differences from the above embodiment are mainly described. Explained.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the input device 200 according to the present embodiment includes an optical operation input unit that includes an LED (Light Emitting Diode) 201 as a light emitting unit, and an illuminance sensor 202 arranged adjacent to the LED 201. This is different from the input device 100 according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the LED 201 emits light that diffuses in a certain range toward the outside of the housing 101 in accordance with a light emission control signal input from the microcomputer MC. This light has a predetermined wavelength λ and a predetermined luminance. When any reflector R is close to the LED 201, at least a part of the light emitted from the LED 201 is reflected by the reflector R and enters the illuminance sensor 202.

  The illuminance sensor 202 detects the illuminance of incident light having the same wavelength λ as the light emitted from the LED 201, generates a digital signal (illuminance data) indicating the illuminance, and transmits the illuminance data to the microcomputer MC.

  With the above configuration, for example, when the user holds the input device 200 with his / her hand, the user's hand becomes the reflector R, and the light emitted from the LED 201 can be reflected and incident on the illuminance sensor 202.

  In the above configuration, it is preferable that the light emitted from the LED 201 does not directly enter the illuminance sensor 202.

  Here, some control examples using the above configuration will be described.

  As a first example, when the power of the game apparatus main body 160 is off, the input apparatus 200 instructs the game apparatus main body 160 to turn on the power in response to the illuminance of the wavelength λ increasing by a predetermined level or more. A signal to be transmitted may be transmitted. In this case, even if the user does not press the power button, the user can automatically turn on the power to the game apparatus body 160 simply by holding the input device 200 in his / her hand. In the case of this example, it is preferable to arrange the optical operation input unit in a place that the user holds by hand when using the input device 200, such as the left and right sides 101L and 101R of the housing 101, for example.

  As a second example, when the input device 200 is in the normal operation mode, the microcomputer MC performs control for shifting the input device 200 to the sleep mode in response to the illuminance of the wavelength λ increasing by a predetermined level or more. You may make it do. In this case, the user who stops using the input device 200 can place the input device 200 on the floor or a table or the like, and can automatically shift the input device 200 to the sleep mode. Therefore, unlike the conventional mode control in which the mode is shifted to the sleep mode when a certain time elapses from the last operation input, it is possible to eliminate the need to wait for a certain time elapse. In the case of this example, it is preferable to arrange the optical operation input unit at a location facing the floor surface when the user places the input device 200 on the floor, for example, as in the lower part of the housing 101.

  As a third example, the CPU 162 of the game apparatus body 160 estimates a change in the distance between the input device 200 and a surrounding object or a change in the tilt of the input device 200 based on the change in the illuminance at the wavelength λ. You may make it control a game based on a result. In this case, assuming that the flight game is being executed, when the user brings the input device 200 close to his / her chest, it can be determined that the operation of pulling the control stick of the airplane toward the front has been performed. Assuming that a fishing game is being executed, when the user moves the input device 200 from a laid state to a standing state, it can be determined that an operation to raise a fishing rod has been performed. That is, the operation input can be performed by a pseudo operation close to an actual operation in airplane operation and fishing. In the case of this example, it is preferable to arrange optical operation input units on all six surfaces of the housing 101 in order to cope with all operations.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the LED 201 and the illuminance sensor 202 are disposed adjacent to each other on the housing 101, the wavelength λ is emitted from the LED 201, and the wavelength that is incident on the illuminance sensor 202. The illuminance of λ light is detected. This makes it possible to perform various controls based on the positional relationship between the input device 200 and an external object that reflects the emitted light.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

100, 200 Input device 101 Housing 102A-102F Operation input unit 110, 110A-110F Pressure sensor 111 Base 111a, 114a Hole 112, 112A-112F Sensor chip 112a Diaphragm 113, 113A-113F Control IC
114 Cover 120 Rubber member 121 Hollow portion 121a Narrow portion 121b Wide portion 121c, 121d Top surface 122 Bottom portion 122a Opening portion 123 Wall portion 124 Top portion 150 Game device 160 Game device main body 162 CPU
170 Transmission path 180 Display device 201 LED
202 Illuminance sensor MC Microcomputer TR Electrical wiring R Reflector

Claims (4)

A pressure sensor for detecting the pressure of the fluid;
A deformable member that is arranged apart from the pressure sensor and elastically deforms by the action of an operation input;
A pressure generating space is formed between the pressure sensor and the deformable member, and the pressure of the fluid in the space is changed in accordance with the degree of elastic deformation of the deformable member. And
The pressure sensor outputs a signal indicating a detection result of a pressure of the fluid in the space ;
The pressure generating portion is a hollow member having a hollow portion forming the space, and is formed of a hollow member formed integrally with the deformable member disposed so as to cover the hollow portion from above.
The hollow portion opens downward,
The hollow member is disposed over the pressure sensor such that the opening of the cavity is closed by the pressure sensor;
The fluid in the space is air;
The pressure sensor detects a differential pressure between the pressure of air in the space and atmospheric pressure,
The hollow member further forms a gap that communicates the space with the atmosphere,
The gap is crushed by the action of the operation input to seal the space ;
Input device. A light emitting unit that emits light having a predetermined wavelength to the outside;
An illuminance sensor that detects illuminance of light having the predetermined wavelength incident from the outside, and
The light emitting unit and the illuminance sensor are disposed adjacent to each other.
The input device according to claim 1 . A signal processing unit for processing the signal;
A plurality of operation input units,
Each of the plurality of operation input units includes the pressure sensor, the deformation member, and the pressure generation unit,
The signal processing unit performs control to simultaneously transmit the signal to the signal processing unit for each of the plurality of operation input units.
The input device according to claim 1 or 2 . The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
A game device main body having a calculation unit for executing a game application,
The input device notifies the game device main body of the detection result,
The calculation unit calculates a control parameter of the game application from the detection result, and controls the game application based on the calculated control parameter.
Game device.

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