JPH0819663A - Control pad provided with manifold operating means - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make a control pad used for video game machine, and the like, serve a double purpose of cross key controller and a paddle controller. CONSTITUTION:A control pad comprises an operating key 1, a universal joint 2 inclinablly and pivotally supporting the operating key 1, push button switches 6 detecting an inclining direction of the operating key 1, a detecting means 3 detecting a pivotting angle and a pivotting speed of the operating key 1 and a switching means 8 projecting or retracting the operating key 1 as well as the detecting means 3. When the operating key 1 is retracted as a fig. (A), the push button switches 6 send on-off signals, respectively by pushing down the operating key 1 in plural directions. When the operating key 1 is projected over a surface of the control pad as a fig.(B), a finger of the operating key 1 is pivotted so as to output signals of operating angle and pivotting speed of the operating key 1.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a control pad used in a home TV game machine or the like, and more particularly, it is provided with a composite operation means which can be used as a button type cross key controller and a handle type paddle controller. Regarding control pad.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an example of the outer appearance of a general game machine control pad. The operating portion of the control pad (controller) is a cross key 21.
And 6 operation buttons 22. Four-way controller 21
Is used, for example, to move the cursor and the character.
Two operation buttons 22 are used to open windows and select / select items.
Used to make decisions. In the car race game, pressing the up and down buttons of the cross key 21 causes a shift change operation (shift up, shift down), pressing the left and right buttons of the cross key 21 to operate the steering wheel, and further pressing the six operation buttons 22 Usage of each operation key is set according to the type and content of the game, such as performing a brake operation or an accelerator operation. Generally, in TV game consoles,
A digitally operated control pad as shown in the figure is standard equipment.

[0003]

By the way, in the past, when merging games of different genres, the operation method is within a range that can be operated only by the control pad, and one of the operation conditions of the other genres is It was done in a sacrificial way. In other words, originally, even in a game that requires both digital operation and analog operation, there was no choice but to take a method of replacing analog operation with digital operation. For example, in the case of a game such as a car race that requires a steering wheel operation, a general control pad is a button type operation as described above, and there is a drawback that the feeling of steering wheel operation cannot be experienced.

The game from now on is C.I. Both G and sound tend to completely cover human vision and hearing.
However, the environment for operating it, whether it is for business use or not, will be a large-scale environment close to business use, if an operability similar to business use is to be realized at home. , It was necessary to prepare a plurality of dedicated controllers for each application such as an analog specification handle type paddle controller, and the distributor also had to develop and sell a dedicated controller. Also, when it comes to exclusive use for racing games, it is thought that the penetration rate will be sluggish,
Software developers, especially third parties (game makers with license contracts other than their own) also need to consider whether or not to support it, and there is a problem that development cannot be done unless consideration is given to the penetration rate.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a control pad provided with a composite operation means that can be used as both a button type cross key controller and a handle type paddle controller. Especially. Further, another object of the present invention is to provide the above control pad without significantly changing the appearance of the conventional control pad.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a control pad used in a TV game machine or the like, and the above object of the present invention is to provide an operation key arranged on the upper surface of the case of the control pad; A universal joint coupled to the bottom surface of the operation key and pivotally supporting the operation key; a plurality of push buttons circumferentially provided below the bottom surface of the operation key for detecting the tilt direction of the operation key A switch; a rotation angle / speed detection means coupled to a bearing portion of the universal joint for detecting a rotation angle and a rotation speed of the operation key;
When the operation key is connected to the bottom surface of the speed detection means, the universal joint, and a switching means for advancing / retreating the rotation angle / speed detection means, and the operation key is moved backward by the switching means. When the upper surface of the operation key is pressed down in a plurality of directions to output an ON / OFF signal of each push button switch, and the operation key is advanced to the upper surface of the control pad by the switching means. Is achieved by rotating the knob portion of the operation key protruding to the surface of the case, and outputting the operation angle and rotation speed signals of the operation key by the rotation angle / speed detection means. To be done.

Alternatively, an operation key disposed on the upper surface of the case of the control pad and internally contacted with a rotation angle / speed detecting means for detecting the rotation angle and the rotation speed of the operating portion; A universal joint coupled to a rotary shaft to pivotally and rotatably support the operation key; and a peripheral joint provided below a bottom surface of the operation key,
A plurality of push button switches for detecting a tilting direction of the operation key; and a switching means coupled to a bearing portion of the universal joint for moving the operation key and the universal joint forward and backward. When the operation key is moved backward by
When the upper surface of the operation key is pressed down in a plurality of directions to output an ON / OFF signal of each push button switch, and the operation key is advanced to the upper surface of the control pad by the switching means. Rotating the knob portion of the operation key projecting on the surface of the case, and outputting the operation angle and rotation speed signals of the operation key by the rotation angle / speed detection means inscribed in the operation key. It is achieved by The above-mentioned other object of the present invention is achieved by the operation portion of the operation means being a cylindrical structure whose upper surface is formed in a cross shape.

[0008]

In the present invention, by operating the switching means,
It is possible to move the operation mechanism portion forward and backward to switch the tilting motion and the rotating motion of the operation key, and to switch each detecting means for detecting those motions. Thus, the button type cross key controller and the handle type paddle controller can be combined into one controller. Further, by providing the rotation angle / speed means in the operation key, it is possible to realize a thin controller. Furthermore, by using a cylindrical structure having a cross-shaped upper surface as an operation key, it is possible to provide the control pad without significantly changing the appearance of the conventional control pad.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a sectional configuration view showing a first embodiment of a control pad provided with a composite operating means of the present invention. FIG. 1A is a sectional view when operating as a cross key, and FIG. Shows cross-sectional views when operating as a paddle controller. In addition, FIG.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view thereof, and a first embodiment will be described below with reference to these drawings. The control pad of the present invention includes a cylindrical operation key 1 (see FIG. 4) having a cross-shaped operation portion (cross-shaped key portion) 1a provided on the upper surface, and the operation key 1 is a conventional cross-shaped key. Both the operation keys of the controller and the paddle controller (button-type digital operation keys and handle-type analog operation keys) are combined. Here, the operation key 1 when used as a cross key controller will be described below by taking as an example a key that can be operated in a total of eight directions, the cross direction and the X-shaped direction, like the conventional cross key. It is not limited to eight directions.

The operation key 1 is a universal joint 2
And is pivotally supported so as to be tiltable with respect to the vertical direction about a fulcrum F. A paddle volume (for example, a rotary encoder) 3 that detects a rotation angle and a rotation speed of the operation key 1 is coupled to a bearing portion of a universal joint 2, and a push button in a rubber pad 6 that detects an operation direction of the operation key 1. The switch is circumferentially provided on the substrate 7 so as to face eight protrusions provided on the lower surface of the operation key 1. Also, when operating as a cross key controller,
In order to prevent the operation key 1 from rotating, a rotation preventing claw 5 that fits into a notch provided in the lower collar portion of the operation key 1 is provided. 1 and 4 show an example in which four rubber pads 6 are provided, and in this case, when the operator operates in the X direction, the two push button switches on the direction side are pressed. When it is turned on, the oblique operation direction is detected.

The switching mechanism 8 is provided on the bottom surface of the control pad, and has the operation keys 1 and universal joint 2
By moving the paddle volume 3 up and down, the cross key controller and the paddle controller are switched. The specific structure of the switching mechanism 8 will be described later. With the switching mechanism 8, FIG.
In the case of the state (B), the lower part of the operation key 1 and the inner wall of the controller case 4 are in close contact with each other, so that the operation key 1 does not tilt. Further, when the lower collar portion of the operation key 1 is separated from the rotation preventing claw 5, the operation key 1 can be rotated, and the paddle volume 3 is operated by operating the handle of the operation key 1.

A specific operation example of such a configuration will be described. As shown in FIG. 1A, when the operation key 1 is used as a cross key, the cross-shaped operation portion 1 a of the operation key 1 is in a state of protruding above the surface of the controller case 4. The external shape at that time is the same as that of the cross key 21 of the general control pad shown in FIG. 5, and the operation keys 1 can be operated in the same manner as the general cross key. . That is, when the operator presses the cross key portion 1a of the operation key 1, the operation key 1 tilts about the fulcrum F of the support shaft of the universal joint 2, and the protrusion provided on the lower surface of the operation key 1 causes the rubber pad 6 to move.
Press the push button switch inside. As a result, the switch of the direction pressed by the operator is turned on, and the information is output.

When used as a paddle controller, the operation key 1, the universal joint 2 and the paddle volume 3 are moved upward by the switching mechanism 8 to the state shown in FIG. 1 (B). That is, FIG.
In the state of (A), the lower part of the operation key 1 rises to the position where it comes into contact with the inner wall of the upper surface of the controller case 4, and the cylindrical portion 1b of the operation key 1 which becomes a "rotary knob" is on the surface of the controller case 4. It will be in a state of protruding. Thus, when the operation key 1 is rotated, the universal joint 2 can be rotated so that the rotation axis of the universal joint 2 is always perpendicular to the spindle. Then, when the operator rotates the operation key 1, the rotation angle and the rotation speed are detected by the paddle volume 3, and the detection information is A-D converted and output.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a second embodiment of a control pad provided with the composite operating means of the present invention, corresponding to FIG. The embodiment shown in the figure is an example of a configuration in which the paddle volume 3 which is the rotation angle / speed detecting means is inscribed in the hollow portion of the cylindrical operation key 1 in the configuration of FIG. In this example, the operation key 1 is tiltably and pivotally supported by a universal joint 2. The shaft portion of the universal joint 2 is provided with a guide member 8f having a notch so as not to rotate, for example, as shown in FIG. 7C, which is fitted to a protrusion provided on the bearing portion 8b of the universal joint 2. Is provided.
The switching mechanism 8 is connected to the support shaft portion of the universal joint 2. The switching mechanism 8 pushes up from the operation key 1 to the support shaft portion of the universal joint 2, and the cylindrical portion 1b of the operation key 1 of the controller case 4 moves. It projects on the surface and becomes the state of FIG. The operating principle is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the description is omitted. However, in the first embodiment, the paddle volume 3 does not rotate and the support shaft portion of the universal joint 2 rotates together with the operation key 1. However, in the second embodiment, the universal joint 2 of the universal joint 2 rotates. Paddle volume 3 without rotating the spindle
Rotates with the operation key 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a concrete example of the configuration of the switching mechanism section 8 shown in FIGS. The example of the same figure is an example in which a rotary motion is converted into a linear motion by a screw type mechanism consisting of a screw confrontation, and the switching mechanism 8 opposes the male screw 8a and the male screw 8a which are the rotational confrontation. A bearing portion 8b provided with a groove for a female screw to be connected to the paddle volume 3 or the universal joint 2 for slipping treatment, and a spring.
8c and a support member 8d that guides and supports the washer portion of the screw 8a via a spring 8c.

When the head of the male screw 8a is rotated while pushing in the manner of removing the screw, the bearing 8b provided with the groove of the opposing female screw is moved forward and backward instead of the screw 8a coming off. Further, a stopper 8e is provided at a portion of the washer and the supporting member 8d fixed to the head of the male screw 8a, which is shown by an arrow S, as shown in a partial plan view of FIG.
It is designed to prevent the four-way controller from dropping when it is pressed down or rotated frequently.

In the above embodiment, the example applied to the TV game machine has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied to an input device such as a personal computer or a word processor. . Further, the switching mechanism for switching between the cross key controller and the paddle controller may be any mechanism (such as a rack / pinion gear type mechanism) for vertically moving the operation mechanism section, and is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. is not. Further, if importance is attached to operability rather than cost reduction or size reduction, a switching mechanism capable of switching with one touch can be used.

[0018]

As described above, according to the control pad having the composite operation means of the present invention, the cross key controller and the paddle controller can be provided as one controller without changing the appearances. Therefore, unlike the conventional case, it is not necessary to prepare a plurality of dedicated controllers for each use, and problems such as cost and installation place are solved. Also, if this control pad is installed as standard equipment on a game console, it is not necessary to consider the penetration rate of the control pad alone as in the past, so developers should be careful when developing software. Will be able to.

Furthermore, the race game and the game of other genres can be smoothly fused, and the possibility of a new game can be expanded. Further, when the present invention is applied to an input device such as a personal computer or a word processor, it can be used as an input means for various purposes.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of a control pad provided with a composite operating means of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram showing a second embodiment of a control pad provided with the composite operating means of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a specific configuration example of the switching mechanism section of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the control pad of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an example of an external configuration of a general game machine control pad.

[Explanation of symbols] 1 Operation key 1a Cross-shaped operation part 1b Cylindrical part 2 Universal joint 3 Paddle volume 4 Controller case 5 Rotation prevention claw 6 Rubber pad 7 Board 8 Switching mechanism 8a Male screw 8b Bearing 8c Spring 8d Supporting member 8e Stopper 8f Guide member 21 Four-way controller 22 Operation button

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An operation key disposed on a top surface of a case of a control pad; coupled to a bottom surface of the operation key,
A universal joint for tiltably supporting the operation key; a plurality of push button switches provided around the bottom surface of the operation key for detecting the tilt direction of the operation key; and a bearing portion of the universal joint. Rotation angle / speed detection means for detecting the rotation angle and rotation speed of the operation key; and the operation key, the universal joint, and the rotation angle / speed connected to the bottom surface of the rotation angle / speed detection means. When the operation key is moved backward by the switching means, the upper surface of the operation key is depressed in a plurality of directions to operate the push button switches. When an ON / OFF signal is output and the operation key is advanced to the upper surface of the control pad by the switching means. The rotation angle / speed detection means outputs a signal of the operation angle and the rotation speed of the operation key by rotating the knob portion of the operation key protruding to the surface of the case. A control pad equipped with a combined operation means. 2. An operation key disposed on the upper surface of the case of the control pad and internally contacted with a rotation angle / speed detecting means for detecting a rotation angle and a rotation speed of the operating portion; A universal joint coupled to a rotary shaft for tiltably and rotatably supporting the operation key; a plurality of pushes provided around a bottom surface of the operation key for detecting a tilting direction of the operation key A button switch; and a switching means coupled to the bearing portion of the universal joint, for moving the operation key and the universal joint forward and backward, and when the operation key is moved backward by the switching means, The upper surface of the operation key is depressed in a plurality of directions to output an ON / OFF signal for each push button switch, and the operation key is operated by the switching means. When the lever is advanced to the upper surface of the control pad, the knob portion of the operation key protruding to the surface of the case is rotated to rotate the rotation angle / speed detecting means inscribed in the operation key. A control pad provided with a composite operation means, characterized in that it outputs a signal of an operation angle and a rotation speed of the operation key. 3. The control pad provided with the composite operation means according to claim 1, wherein the operation key is a cylindrical structure having an upper surface formed in a cross shape. 4. The switching device is configured by a screw type mechanism including a screw counter, and the operation keys are moved forward and backward by a rotational operation of turning counter.
A control pad provided with the composite operation means described in.