JPH04120138U - input device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] By attaching a strain sensor to the side of a joystick made of an elastic material that changes its own electrical resistance according to its elongation in a certain direction, we developed a joystick method with a simple mechanism. Realize an analog controller. [Structure] A strain sensor 12 that changes its own electrical resistance according to elongation in a certain direction is attached to the side surface of a joystick 11 made of an elastic material, and by bending the joystick 11, the electrical resistance of the strain sensor 12 is changed. Control the analog value by changing.

Description

[Detailed explanation of the idea]

0001

[Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to input devices, and in particular, to manipulating analog values using a joystick. Related to analog controllers.

0002

[Conventional technology]

Figure 4 shows a conventional joystick-type analog controller. This figure shows a system configuration diagram of a TV game. Traditional joystick analog The gaming controller 10 includes a rigid joystick 1 that tilts in the direction of operation, and an optical sensor. joystick by using devices such as sensors and rotary variable resistors 4. Connect the unit that converts the tilt angle of 1 into an electrical analog quantity and use the joystick. It is possible to manipulate the electrical analog values by tilting the pick 1. Change Joystick 1 automatically returns to the neutral position when no operation is performed. In order to return to the original position, the joystick should be equipped with an appropriate automatic return mechanism using a coil spring, etc. It is provided in the first part of the rack. In addition, the electrical contacts of the optical sensor and rotary variable resistor 4 are A/D converter, which is a unit that converts analog values into electrical digital values. The display 2 is connected to the TV game machine main body 21 etc. via the data controller 7. It can be used to operate the cursor on the screen of 2 or the character of the game.

0003 An outline of the joystick type analog controller 10 according to the prior art. A schematic configuration diagram is shown in FIG. In Figure 3, the tilt of joystick 1 in the X direction is By rotating the rotating shaft 3a through the hook 2a, the resistance of the rotary variable resistor 4a is Expressed as resistance value. Similarly, the tilt of joystick 1 in the Y direction is determined by link 2. By rotating the rotary shaft 3b via b, the resistance value of the rotary variable resistor 4b is changed. It is expressed as These resistance values are each digitalized by the A/D converter 7. By converting it into a value and using it as an input value to the TV game side, the display It is used for controlling characters on the screen. In other words, move joystick 1 in the X direction. If you knock down the character, the character will move left and right, if you knock it down in the Y direction, the character will move up and down, and The character moves slowly when the defeat is small, and quickly when the defeat is large. Operations such as this are possible. Furthermore, when there is no input, joystick 1 is pressed Automatic return mechanism that uses the restoring force of a spring to automatically return to the neutral position 6 is provided on the joystick 1. Moreover, the bearing 5a and the bearing 5b are each The substrate 8 serves as the foundation for these structures. It is something that

0004

[Problem that the idea aims to solve]

The conventional joystick-type analog controller described above uses a rotary variable resistor. Since the analog value is based on the amount of rotation of the shaft of the resistor, even if the joystick needs to be returned to the neutral position. , it is necessary to provide a separate automatic return mechanism. All of these mechanisms are small parts of the controller. It can be an obstacle to type/simplification.

[0005]

[Means to solve the problem]

This invention solves the above problems, and uses an elastic body that curves in the direction of operation as a material. A rod-shaped operating lever and a sensor that indicates electrical resistance according to the extension in a certain direction. A plurality of these sensors are attached at equal intervals to the side surface of the operating lever, and this The special feature is that the electrical resistance value of the sensor can be changed by operating the operating lever. be a sign.

[0006]

[Effect]

With the above configuration, the present invention uses a sensor to detect the degree of bending of the operating lever in the operating direction. The electrical resistance of the sensor changes depending on the degree of bending of the control lever detected by this sensor. Manipulate resistance value.

[0007]

【Example】

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 2 shows the introduction of the present invention. Using a joystick-style analog controller to demonstrate one embodiment of a force device FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a TV game system.

[0008] A joystick is a rod-shaped operating lever made of an elastic material that curves in the operating direction. 11 and a strain sensor, which is a sensor that indicates an electrical resistance value according to elongation in a certain direction. strain sensor 12 and an A/D that converts the electrical resistance value of this strain sensor 12 into a digital value. converter 13, and connects the strain sensor 12 to the joystick 11. By affixing it to the side of the joystick 11 and operating this joystick 11, you can read the analog value. In one embodiment of the present invention, by changing the A certain joystick type analog controller 20 is connected to the TV game console itself. 21, etc., and display the cursor and game characters on the screen of the display 22. used for operations.

[0009] Next, we will discuss a joystick type analog input device, which is an embodiment of the input device of the present invention. A schematic configuration diagram of the controller 20 is shown in FIG. Joystick 11 has one end attached to the board. 14, and is operated by bending the joystick 11 in any direction. To do this. Strain sensors 12a and 12b are installed on the side of the joystick 11. , 12c, and 12d are attached to the required positions, and bend the joystick 11. As a result, the strain sensor 12 affixed to the corresponding position is stretched and its electricity is Resistance value changes. In the example, four strain sensors are used to perform operations in the cross direction. 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d are attached at right angles to each other. A/D co The inverter 13 supplies electricity to each of the strain sensors 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d. Interface section of the TV game machine main body 21 that connects the resistance value from the analog value It is converted into a digital value corresponding to , and output to the TV game machine main body 21.

0010 This allows the display to change depending on the direction and degree of bending of the joystick 11. 22, the characters of the TV game can be operated. Also, Joyce Tick 11 uses an elastic material, so if there is no input, the mechanism It will automatically return to the neutral position without having to provide it.

[0011] In this embodiment, a joystick type analog controller for the TV game machine main body 21 is used. Although it has been explained as a controller 20, it can also be used for radio control, for example. It can also be used as a joystick for moving the computer's cursor or as a joystick for moving the computer's cursor. I can do that.

0012

[Effect of the idea]

As explained above, the present invention uses a strain sensor to measure the degree of bending of the joystick. according to the degree of bending of the joystick detected by this strain sensor. First, the mechanism for analog value manipulation is simple. Also, the joystick itself has a function to return to the neutral position. Therefore, the device itself does not require a complicated mechanism, and can be used for smaller and simpler jobs than conventional technology. A stick-type analog controller can be realized.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing one embodiment of the input device of the present invention, and (a) is a joystick type analog input device.
An outline of the controller, (b) is a side view of the joystick 11 in (a), and (c) is a view of the joystick 11 in (a) seen from the top.

[Figure 2] TV using the analog controller in Figure 1
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a game system.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a joystick-type analog controller according to the prior art.

[Figure 4] TV using the analog controller in Figure 3
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a game system.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 Operation lever (joystick) 12 Sensor (strain sensor) 12a to 12d Sensor (strain sensor) 13 Input device (A/D converter) 14 Input device (board) 20 Input device (joystick type analog controller) 21 Input device ( TV game machine body) 22 Input device (display)

Claims (2)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A rod-shaped operating lever made of an elastic material that curves in the operating direction, and a sensor that indicates an electrical resistance value according to elongation in a certain direction, the sensor being attached to a side surface of the operating lever. An input device characterized in that the electric resistance value of the sensor is changed by attaching the sensor and operating the operating lever. 2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of sensors are attached at equal intervals to a side surface of the operating lever.