JPH09164270A - Controller pack - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To play a game to which vibrations are added only by exchanging a controller pack. SOLUTION: This controller pack 50 is provided with a case 501 and a rear lid 502, which is fitted onto that case 501, and freely attachably and detachably mounted at the opening part of controller. A vibration source 507 is fixed onto the rear lid 502. When a specified CPU address A15 and specified data D0-D2 are received from a terminal 506, a driving circuit 505 applies the power of battery 504 to the vibration source 507 and the vibration source 507 generates vibrations. The vibrations generated at the vibration source 507 are transmitted from the rear lid 502 to a controller and accordingly transmitted to the hand of player grasping the controller.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a controller pack. More specifically, the present invention relates to a novel controller pack that is removably attached to a game machine controller and that causes the controller to vibrate.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional so-called commercial video game machine, a so-called sensation game machine in which a seat on which a player sits is vibrated or the seat is tilted to further enhance the interest of the game. Has already been put to practical use. There is also known a computer game in which a joystick is provided with a vibration generation source and, for example, in a shooting game machine, a vibration is generated when the own machine is attacked by an enemy machine.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned computer game, the joystick is simply vibrated, which is not enough. In particular, in a home video game machine such as "Super Nintendo" or "Nintendo 64", since the player plays with the controller, even if the joystick only vibrates, the player holding the controller vibrates the vibration. Is hard to be transmitted.

Therefore, it is considered that such a vibration source is built in the housing of the controller, but in this case, the controller itself needs to be changed, and a person who is going to play a game to which vibration is added. Need to buy a special controller, not economical. Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a novel controller pack that can give a player a sensation even in a home video game machine.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a controller pack removably mounted on a controller connected to a video game machine, wherein the controller pack is mounted on the case and generates vibration by a power source. And a drive circuit for applying the power source to the vibration source in response to a command signal from the game machine.

[0006]

Operation: The video game machine includes a game processor,
This game processor has a predetermined address space.
When the game processor outputs a command signal to a specific address in the predetermined address space, a predetermined terminal provided on the controller pack receives the command signal. In response, the drive circuit provides power to the vibration source, for example from a battery housed in the controller pack. Therefore, a vibration source such as a motor generates vibration. Since the vibration source is attached to the controller pack case,
The vibration generated by the vibration source is transmitted from the case to the controller in which the controller pack is mounted. Since the controller is held by the player's hand, the vibration of the vibration source is eventually transmitted to the player's hand.

[0007]

According to the present invention, since the controller pack, that is, the controller can be vibrated by the command signal from the game machine, the so-called sensation game can be enjoyed even in the home video game machine. Further, according to the present invention, when it is desired to generate vibration in a specific game, the controller pack is
Vibration can be generated in the controller simply by mounting the controller pack having the built-in vibration source on the controller, and it is not necessary to replace the entire controller.

Moreover, since the vibration generated in the controller pack is directly transmitted from the controller pack to the controller, a relatively strong vibration can be applied to the hand of the player holding the controller. The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

[0009]

1 is an external view showing a system configuration of a three-dimensional image processing system which is an example of a video game machine to which a controller pack of the present invention can be applied. The image processing system is, for example, a video game system, and includes an image processing apparatus body 10, a ROM cartridge 20 as an example of an external storage device, a monitor 30 as an example of display means connected to the image processing apparatus body 10, and an operation. It is configured to include a controller 40 as an example of a means and a controller pack 50 (which will be described in detail later) detachably attached to the controller 40. The external storage device stores image data and program data for image processing of games and the like, and also stores voice data such as music and sound effects as necessary. Instead of the ROM cartridge, a CD is used.
-ROM or magnetic disk may be used. The operation means is
When the image processing system of this embodiment is applied to a personal computer, an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse is used.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the image processing system of this embodiment. The image processing apparatus 10 includes a central processing unit (hereinafter “CPU”) 11 and a bus control circuit 12. To the bus control circuit 12, a cartridge connector 13 for detachably mounting the ROM cartridge 20 is connected, and also a RAM 14 is connected. Further, the bus control circuit 12 is connected to a music signal generation circuit 15 for outputting a sound signal processed by the CPU 11 and an image signal generation circuit 16 for outputting an image signal, and further one or more controllers. A controller control circuit 17 for serially transferring the operation data of 40 and / or the data of the controller pack 50 is connected. Controller control circuit 17
Is a controller connector (hereinafter abbreviated as “connector”) 181 provided on the front surface of the image processing apparatus 10.
184 is connected. The controller 40 is detachably connected to the connector 18 via a connection jack 41 and a cable 42. In this way, the connectors 181-
By connecting the controller 40 to 184, the controller 40 is electrically connected to the image processing apparatus 10,
It is possible to send and receive data between each other.

More specifically, the bus control circuit 12 has a C
The command output from the PU 11 via the bus as a parallel signal is received, parallel-serial conversion is performed, and the command is output to the controller control circuit 17 as a serial signal.
In addition, the data of the serial signal input from the controller control circuit 17 is converted into a parallel signal and output to the bus.
The data output from the bus is processed by the CPU 11, stored in the RAM 14, and the like. In other words, the RAM 14 is a memory for temporarily storing the data processed by the CPU 11,
Data can be read and written via the bus control circuit 12.

The bus control circuit 12 included in the image processing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 2 is specifically as shown in FIG.
RCP (Reality Co-Processor), a RISC processor
Configured as, I / O control 121, signal processor 12
2 and a drawing processor 123. I / O control 121
Controls not only the data transfer between the CPU 11 and the RAM 14, but also the data flow between the signal processor 122 and the drawing processor 123 and the RAM 14 and the CPU 11. That is, the data from the CPU 11 is given to the RAM 14 via the I / O control 121, and the data from the RAM 14 is further sent to the signal processor 122 and the drawing processor 123 for processing. The signal processor 122 and the drawing processor 123 process the music signal data and the image signal data sent from the RAM 14, and store them in the RAM 14 again. And I / O
The control 121 reads the music signal data and the image signal data from the RAM 14 according to the instruction of the CPU 11, and gives them to the music signal generating circuit (D / A converter) 15 and the image signal generating circuit (D / A converter) 16. The music signal is given to the speaker 31 included in the TV monitor 30 through the connector 195. The image signal is provided to the display 32 included in the TV monitor 30 through the connector 196.

As shown in FIG. 3, the external ROM 20
Alternatively, or together with the external ROM 20, a disk drive 21 capable of reading data from or writing data to an optical disk or a magnetic disk may be connected to the image processing apparatus 10. In this case, the disk drive 21 sends the RCP1 through the connector 197.
2 or I / O control 121.

FIG. 4 is an illustration showing an area of each memory allocated to the memory space of the CPU 11. The RAM 14, which the CPU 11 can access via the bus control circuit, that is, the RCP 12, has an image data area 201 in which image data necessary for causing the image processing apparatus 10 to generate an image signal for a game is stored, and the CPU 11 performs a predetermined operation. And a program data area 202 storing program data necessary for execution. In the program area 202, an image display program for displaying an image based on the image data 201, a timing program for performing a timing process, a cartridge 20, and an expansion device 50 described later have a predetermined relationship. A judgment program for judging is fixedly stored. RAM14 is also
It includes a controller data area 141 for temporarily storing data indicating the operation state from the control pad, and a speed data area 142 for storing data on the moving speed of the object (the moving amount of the object moving in one frame of the display). .

The controller control circuit 17 is provided for serially transmitting and receiving data between the bus control circuit, that is, the RCP 12 and the connectors 181 to 184, as shown in FIG.
, The data transfer control circuit 171, the transmission circuit 1
72, a receiving circuit 173, and a RAM 174 for temporarily storing transmission / reception data. Data transfer control circuit 17
1 includes a parallel-serial conversion circuit and a serial-parallel conversion circuit for converting the data format at the time of data transfer, and controls the writing and reading of the RAM 174. The serial-parallel conversion circuit converts the serial data supplied from the bus control circuit 12 into parallel data and supplies the parallel data to the RAM 174 or the transmission circuit 172. The parallel-serial conversion circuit is a RAM 174,
Alternatively, the parallel data supplied from the receiving circuit 173 is converted into serial data and given to the bus control circuit 12.
The transmission circuit 172 converts the data for controlling the signal reading of the controller 40 supplied from the data transfer control circuit 171 and the write data (parallel data) to the RAM cartridge 50 into serial data, and converts the data into parallel data. Channels CH1 to C corresponding to each
Send from H4. The receiving circuit 173 receives data indicating the operation state of each controller 40 input from the channels CH1 to CH4 corresponding to each controller 40 and R.
The read data from the AM cartridge 50 is received as serial data, converted into parallel data, and given to the data transfer control circuit 171.

RAM 174 of controller control circuit 17
Is a storage area 174 as shown in the memory map of FIG.
a to 174h are included. Specifically, the command for one channel is stored in the area 174a, and the area 174b
In, transmission data and reception data for one channel are stored. Area 174c stores commands for two channels, and area 174d stores transmission data and reception data for two channels. Area 174
The command for 3 channels is stored in e, and the area 1
74f stores transmission data and reception data for 3 channels. Area 174g stores commands for 4 channels, and area 174h stores transmission data and reception data for 4 channels.

Therefore, the data transfer control circuit 171
The RAM 1 stores the data transferred from the bus control circuit 12, the operation state data of the controller 40 received by the receiving circuit 173, and the read data of the RAM cartridge 50.
The write control of the RAM 74 is performed, and the data of the RAM 174 is read based on an instruction from the bus control circuit 12 and transferred to the bus control circuit 12.

7 and 8 are perspective views of the front and back surfaces of the controller 40. The controller 40 has a shape that can be gripped with both hands or one hand, and a plurality of buttons that generate electrical signals when pressed and a vertically upright operation portion are formed to protrude outside the housing. Specifically, the controller 40 is composed of an upper housing and a lower housing. The housing of the controller 40 has an operation portion region formed on an upper surface having a horizontally long planar shape. In the operation unit area of the controller 40,
A cross-shaped digital direction switch (hereinafter referred to as “cross switch”) 403 is provided on the left side, and a plurality of button switches (hereinafter simply referred to as “switch”) 404 on the right side.
A to 404F are provided, a start switch 405 is provided at a substantially central portion in the horizontal direction, and a joystick 45 capable of analog input is provided at a lower portion of the center. The cross switch 403 is a direction switch for designating the moving direction of the main character or the cursor, and has up, down, left, and right push points, and is used for designating the movement in four directions. The switches 404A to 404F are used for instructing various operations such as a missile launch button in a shooting game, a jump, a kick, and picking up an object in an action game, for example, depending on the game software. The joystick 45 is used instead of the cross switch 403 to instruct the moving direction and the moving speed of the object, but since it can direct the direction in the entire angular range of 360 degrees, it is used as an analog directional switch. .

In the housing of the controller 40, three grips 402L, 402C and 402R are formed so as to project downward at three places in the operation portion area. The grips 402L, 402C, and 402R are rod-shaped formed by the palm, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger when gripped with a hand, and have a slightly thin base and a thick center, and open ends (lower side in FIG. 7). It is formed thin toward. An insertion opening 409 for detachably mounting the RAM cartridge 50, which is an expansion device, is formed in the upper center of the lower housing of the controller 40 so as to project from the back surface. On the left and right of the upper side surface of the housing, a button switch 406L is located at a position corresponding to the position where the player extends the left and right index fingers.
And a button 406R are provided. Central grip 4
When the joystick 45 is used instead of the cross switch 403, the switch 40 has a function as a switch to replace the switch 406L on the rear surface of the base of the 02C.
7 are provided.

The back side of the lower half of the housing extends in the direction of the bottom surface, and an opening 408 is formed at the tip thereof. A connector (not shown) to which the controller pack 50 is connected is provided at the back of the opening 408. A lever 409 for ejecting the controller pack 50 inserted in the opening 408 is formed in the opening 408. And the above-mentioned controller pack 5
A notch 410 is formed on the opposite side of the lever 409 of the opening 408 into which 0 is inserted.
A space for pulling out the controller pack 50 is formed when the controller pack 50 is pulled out using 09.

FIG. 9 is a detailed circuit diagram of the controller 40 and the controller pack 50. In this embodiment, the controller pack 50 includes a RAM 51 functioning as an external storage device and a battery 52 for backing up the RAM 51, in addition to the vibration generating circuit 50A which is a feature of this embodiment. In the housing of the controller 40, an operation signal processing circuit 44 is provided in order to detect an operation state of each of the switches 403 to 407 or the joystick 45 and transfer the detection data to the controller control circuit 17.
The electronic circuit such as is built in. The operation signal processing circuit 44
Reception circuit 441, control circuit 442, switch signal detection circuit 443, counter circuit 444, transmission circuit 445, joyport control circuit 446, reset circuit 447 and N
An OR gate 448 is included.

The receiving circuit 441 controls the control signal transmitted from the controller control circuit 17 and the controller pack 50.
A serial signal such as write data to be written into is converted into a parallel signal and given to the control circuit 442. When the control signal transmitted from the controller control circuit 17 is a reset signal of the X and Y coordinates of the joystick 45, the control circuit 442 generates a reset signal and outputs the reset signal to the X axis included in the counter 444 via the NOR gate 448. The count values of the counter 444X and the Y-axis counter 444Y are reset (0). The joystick 45 includes photointerrupts for the X-axis and the Y-axis so that the levers are decomposed in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction to generate a pulse number proportional to the tilt amount. To the counters 444X and 444Y. When the joystick 45 is tilted in the X-axis direction, the counter 444X counts the number of pulses generated according to the tilt amount. Counter 4
The 44Y counts the number of pulses generated according to the tilt amount when the joystick 45 is tilted in the Y-axis direction. Therefore, as will be described later, the X-axis and the Y-axis determined by the count values of the counters 444X and 444Y.
The moving vector and moving speed of the object or the cursor are determined by the combined vector of the axes.

The counter 444X and the counter 4
The count value of 44Y is also obtained by the reset signal given from the reset signal generation circuit 447 when the power is turned on, or the reset signal given from the switch signal detection circuit 443 when two switches predetermined by the operator are simultaneously pressed. Will be reset. The switch signal detection circuit 443 receives a fixed period (for example, from the control circuit 442).
In response to the switch state output command signal given at 1/30 second intervals of the television frame period), the cross switch 403, the switches 404A to 404F, 405,
A signal that changes depending on the pressed state of 406L, 406R, and 407 is read and applied to the control circuit 442.

The control circuit 442 responds to the read command signal of the operation state data from the controller control circuit 17,
The operation state data of the switches 403 to 407 and the count values of the counters 444X and 444Y are given to the transmission circuit 445 in the order of a predetermined data format. Transmission circuit 44
5 converts these parallel signals output from the control circuit 442 into serial data, and transfers the serial data to the controller control circuit 17 via the conversion circuit 43 and the signal line 42.

A port control circuit 446 is connected to the control circuit 442 via an address bus, a data bus, and a port connector 46. Port control circuit 4
Reference numeral 46 denotes a controller pack 50 which is an example of an expansion device.
Is connected to the port connector 46, the CPU 1
Input / output control (or transmission / reception control) of data is performed according to the instruction 1. The controller pack 50 is configured to include a battery 52 for connecting the RAM 51 to the address bus and the data bus and supplying power to the RAM 51. R
The AM 51 is a RAM having a capacity less than half the maximum memory capacity accessible using the address bus, and is composed of, for example, a 256 kbit RAM. This RAM51
Is for storing backup data related to the game, and the controller pack 50 is the port connector 4
Even if it is extracted from the power supply 6, the power supply from the battery 52 is received and the stored data is held. The controller pack 50
The vibration generating circuit 50A included in will be described later.

FIG. 10 illustrates a data format when the image processing apparatus reads data indicating the operation states of the switches 403 to 407 and the joystick 45 from the controller 40. Controller 40
The data generated by consists of 4 bytes of data. The data of the first byte is B, A, G, STAR
T, up, down, left and right, ie switch 404B,
404A, 407, 405 and each of the up, down, left and right push points of the cross switch 403 are pressed. For example, when the B button, that is, the switch 404B is pressed, the most significant bit of the first byte becomes "1". . Similarly, the second byte is JSRST, 0 (not used in the embodiment), L, R, E, D, C and F, that is, switches 409, 406L, 406R, 404E, 404D ,.
It indicates that 404C and 404F are pressed. Third
The byte indicates the X coordinate (count value of the X counter 444X), which is a value corresponding to the tilt angle of the joystick 45 in the X direction, in a binary number. The fourth byte is a Y coordinate (Y coordinate, which is a value corresponding to the tilt angle of the joystick 45 in the Y direction).
The count value of the counter 444Y) is indicated by a binary number. Each X, Y
Since each coordinate value is represented by an 8-bit binary number, when converted into a decimal number, the tilt angle of the joystick 45 can be represented by a numerical value from 0 to 255. Also, if the most significant bit is used for a signature indicating a negative value, the tilt angle of the joystick 45 will be -128 to 12
It can be represented by a numerical value up to 7.

Next, the image processing apparatus 10 and the controller 4
An operation relating to transmission / reception of data to / from 0 and movement control of an object according to data from the controller 40 will be described. First, the CP of the image processing apparatus 10 of FIG.
The image processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of U11. In step S11, the CPU 11 performs initial setting based on the initial value (not shown) stored in the program data area 202 of FIG. This step S1
In 1, the CPU 11 sets the initial value of the moving speed of the object in the speed data area 142 (FIG. 4) of the RAM 14, for example.

Next, in step S12, the CPU 11
The control pad data request command stored in the program data area 202 is output to the RCP or the bus control circuit 12. Therefore, in this step S12, the CPU 11 receives the command as shown in FIG. 10 from the controller 40 at that time and stores it in the command storage locations 174a to 174d of each channel. Therefore, at this time, the count values of the X counter 444X and the Y counter 444Y are given to the CPU 11 as XY coordinate data.

Next, in step S13, the CPU 11
Predetermined image processing is performed based on the program stored in the program data area 202 of FIG. 4 and the image data area 201. Further, while the CPU 11 is executing step S13, the bus control circuit 12 is executing steps S21 to S24 shown in FIG. Next, in step S14, the CPU 11 outputs image data based on the control pad data stored in the control pad data area 141 of FIG. Step S1
After finishing 4, the CPU 11 repeatedly executes steps S12 to S14.

The operation of the RCP or bus control circuit 12 will be described with reference to FIG. In step S21, the bus control circuit 12 determines whether the CPU 11 has output a controller data request command (a request command for the switch data of the controller 40 or the data of the controller pack 50, etc.). If the controller data request command is not output, wait until it is output. If the controller data request command is output, the process proceeds to step S22. In step S22, the bus control circuit 12
Outputs a command for reading the data of the controller 40 to the controller control circuit 17. Next, in step S23, the bus control circuit 12 causes the controller control circuit 17 to receive data from the controller 40
It is determined whether or not it is stored in M174. Bus control circuit 1
If the controller control circuit 17 receives the data from the controller 40 and does not store the data in the RAM 174, the controller 2 waits in step S23, and the controller control circuit 1
7 receives the data from the controller 40 and RAM 17
If it is stored in 4, the process proceeds to step S24. In step S24, the bus control circuit 12 controls the controller 40 stored in the RAM 174 of the controller control circuit 17.
Data is transferred to the RAM 14. Bus control circuit 12
When the data transfer to the RAM 14 ends, step S2
Returning to step 1, the operation of step S21-step S24 is repeated.

In the flow charts of FIGS. 11 and 12, the bus control circuit 12 determines that the RAM 174 through the RAM 1 are connected to each other.
Although the example in which the CPU 11 processes the data stored in the RAM 14 after transferring the data to 4 is shown, the CPU 11 may directly process the data in the RAM 174 via the bus control circuit 12. FIG. 13 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the controller control circuit 17. In step S31, it is determined whether there is a write wait from the bus control circuit 12. If not waiting for writing, the data transfer control circuit 171 waits until waiting for writing from the bus control circuit 12. If waiting for writing, in the next step S32, the data transfer control circuit 171 stores the command and / or data (hereinafter abbreviated as “command / data”) for the first to fourth channels in the RAM 17
Store in 4. In step S33, the command / data of the first channel is transmitted to the controller 40 connected to the connector 181. Control circuit 442
Performs a predetermined operation based on the command / data, and outputs the data to be transmitted to the image processing apparatus 10. The contents of this data will be described later in the description of the operation of the control circuit 442.
In step S34, the data transfer control circuit 171 receives the data output from the control circuit 442 and stores the data in the RAM.

Thereafter, the first of steps S33 and S34
Similar to the operation of the channel, the command / data of the second channel is transmitted to the controller 40 in step S35. The control circuit 442 uses this command /
The image processing apparatus 10 performs a predetermined operation based on the data.
Output data to be sent to. In step S36, the data transfer and writing process of the second channel is performed. Further, in step S37, the command / data of the third channel is transmitted to the controller 40.
The control circuit 442 performs a predetermined operation based on this command / data and outputs data to be transmitted to the image processing apparatus 10. In step S38, the data transfer and writing process of the second channel is performed. Further, in step S39, the command / data of the fourth channel is transmitted to the controller 40. Controller 40
The control circuit 442 performs a predetermined operation based on this command / data, and outputs the data to be transmitted to the image processing apparatus 10. In step S40, the data transfer and write processing of the fourth channel is performed. In the following step S41, the data transfer control circuit 171 transfers the data received in steps S34, S36, S38 and S40 to the bus control circuit 12 in a lump.

As described above, the data of the first to fourth channels, that is, the connectors 181 to 18
The command for each controller 40 connected to the No. 4 and the operation state data to be read from each controller 40 are transferred between the data transfer control circuit 171 and the control circuit 442 in each controller 40 by time division processing.

Next, the controller pack 50 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Controller pack 50
Includes a case 501 and a case back 502 attached to the case 501. This case 501 and back cover 50
The controller pack 50 formed in 2 is detachably attached to the opening 408 of FIG. A substrate 503 is housed in the case 501. On the substrate 503, in addition to the RAM 51 and the backup battery 52 described above, FIG.
The battery 504 and the drive circuit 505 that constitute the vibration generation circuit 50A are mounted. A plurality of terminals 506 connected to a connector (not shown) formed in the opening 408 of the controller 40 of FIG. 8 are formed on the front edge of the substrate 503. This terminal 506 is the game machine 10.
CPU 11 (FIG. 2), that is, controller control circuit 1
Receive data and address from 7.

A vibration source 507 constituting the vibration generating circuit 50A is fixed to the back cover 502. In the embodiment, a vibration generating motor is used as the vibration source 507. However, in addition to the motor, it is of course possible to use a solenoid or another element that generates a vibration when supplied with power. As an example of the vibration generating motor, "FM16, FM23, FM25 or FM29" and "CM-5" manufactured by Tokyo Parts Industry Co., Ltd. can be used.
In the "FM" motor, an eccentric member is attached to a rotating shaft built in a cylindrical case, and the eccentric member rotates in accordance with the rotation of the rotating shaft, so that the case vibrates. "C
In the "M" motor, the armature coil itself is eccentrically mounted, and the armature rotates to generate vibration. When a solenoid is used, the magnetic core in the solenoid reciprocates to generate vibration.

In any case, such a vibration source 507
Is driven by the drive circuit 505 upon receiving power from the battery 504, and generates vibration. The power consumption of the vibration source 507 is relatively high, so in this embodiment, RA
A battery 504 was provided separately from the backup battery 52 of M51. Therefore, when the battery 504 is exhausted, the battery lid 50 detachably provided on the back lid 502.
8 can be opened and the battery 504 can be replaced with a new battery. However, as the two batteries 52 and 504,
It is also possible to use the same battery in common.

However, the controller cable 42 (FIG. 2) may include a power supply line, and the power supply line may supply power to the vibration source 507 from the main body of the image processing apparatus, that is, the game machine 10 through the terminal 506. In that case, it goes without saying that the capacity of the power supply line is appropriately selected in consideration of the required power of the vibration source 507. Further, in this embodiment, the vibration source 507 is attached to the back cover 502 so that the vibration generated by the vibration source 507 can be easily transmitted from the controller 40 to the player's hand without being attenuated. That is, the vibration generated by the vibration source 507 is
02 to the opening 408 (FIG. 8) of the controller 40 which is in contact with its case back 502, thus
The controller 40 itself vibrates. Therefore, the vibration source 507 is placed in the hand of the player holding the controller 40.
The generated vibration will be transmitted. Therefore,
As long as the vibration of the vibration source 507 can be transmitted to the player's hand through the controller 40, the vibration source 507 can be installed in the case 50.
It can be attached at any position within 1. However, mounting the vibration source 507 on the substrate 503 is
You should avoid it. The reason is that the vibration of the vibration source 507 adversely affects the components mounted on the substrate 503.
Since the terminal 506 and the connector are elastically in contact with each other, the vibration of the vibration source 507 may be attenuated by the elastic contact.

Next, referring to FIG. 15, drive circuit 505
Will be described in detail. The drive circuit 505 includes a decoder including a NAND gate 510.
10 receives the address data A2 to A14 from the CPU 11 (FIG. 2) of the game machine 10 through the address bus, that is, the terminal 506 (FIG. 14). In the game system of the embodiment, the address A15 of the CPU 11 is normally not used. Therefore, when all of the address A15 and the addresses A2 to A14 are "1", that is, the range of the address FFFC to FFFF is set by the CPU 11. When designated, the vibration mode is set, and the data for driving the vibration source 507 is output from the CPU 11. That is, when the CPU addresses FFFC to FFFF are designated, the output of the decoder, that is, the NAND gate 510 becomes "0". The output of NAND gate 510 is applied to NAND gate 511. NAND gate 5
Further, since the write signal -WE and the chip enable signal CE from the CPU 11 are given to 11,
AND gate 511 provides a latch 512i latch signal in response to the output of NAND gate 510 and the signals -WE and CE. Therefore, the latch 512 is
When U11 specifies FFFC to FFFF address 5, that is, in the vibration mode, the CPU data D0
Latch D2 through the data bus or terminal 506.

The CPU data D0 to D2 are generated by the vibration source 5
This is data for setting the strength of vibration to be generated at 07, and the strength level of "1 to 8" can be set by 3 bits. That is, D0 to D2 are "100"
When, the strength is set to "1", and when it is "111", the strength is set to "8". That is, the latch 512 has three outputs, and each output has resistors 513a and 513b.
And 513c to the base of the drive transistor 514. Resistors 513a, 513b and 51
The resistance values of 3c are 4R, 2R and R, respectively. Therefore, when "1" is output to all three outputs, the largest base voltage is applied to the transistor 514, and when three outputs are "1", "0" and "0", the smallest base voltage is applied to the transistor 514. Base voltage is applied. Therefore, the collector-emitter current of the transistor 514 changes, and the drive current flowing from the battery 504 to the vibration source 507 (vibration motor) changes accordingly. That is, by appropriately setting data in the data bits D0 to D2 of the data bus of the CPU 11, the intensity of vibration generated in the drive source 507 can be variably set.

The embodiment of FIG. 15 can be modified as shown in FIG. 16 embodiment, the decoder 51 of FIG.
15 in that 0 is not used. That is, in the embodiment shown in FIG.
The address bit A15 of U11 is given directly. Therefore, the NAND gate 511 outputs the write signal of the CPU 11-
A latch signal is provided to the latch 512 in response to WE.
Therefore, also in the embodiment shown in FIG. 16, when the address bit A15 of the CPU 11 becomes "1", the vibration mode is set and the CPU data bits D0 to D2 are latched.
12 latches and controls the drive transistor 514 according to the data.

The vibration source 507 may be controlled by using only the data bit D0 of the data bus of the CPU 11, for example. In this case, the latch 512 of FIG. 15 or 16 latches the data of the data bit D0 in the vibration mode. And, the latch 512 has only one output, which provides a voltage to the base of transistor 514. Therefore, in this case, the transistor 514 is only turned on or off by "1" or "0" of the data D0, and the vibration intensity of the vibration source 507 is constant.

FIG. 17 shows an example of vibration generation patterns in the "fishing game". In the "fishing game",
By generating vibrations in each scene, such as "bait pecking" in which the fish pecks, "bite" when the fish is caught by the needle, or "pull up" in which the fish is pulled up, it is possible to further enhance the player's "fishing game". It can give a feeling.

From timing t1 to t4 in FIG.
The vibration mode at the time of "bait pecking" is shown. "Bait pecking"
Then, since the fish is poking the needle bait, it does not require a large vibration. Therefore, in this embodiment, at timing t1, the CPU 11 outputs "1" to the address A15 and "110" to the data D0, D1 and D2. According to the data of "110",
The lowest output of the latch 512 is "0", for example 0V, and the upper two outputs are "1", for example 3V. Therefore, at this timing t1, the transistor 514 is turned on so as to apply a drive current of a magnitude corresponding to the vibration level “3” to the vibration source (motor) 507. Therefore, at the timing t1, the vibration of level “3” is generated from the vibration source 507, and the vibration is transmitted to the player's hand as described above. Therefore, the player can feel from the vibration that "bait plucking" is being performed at that time.

Then, the CPU 11 sets the address A15 and the data D0 to D2 to "0" at the timing t2. In response, the transistor 514 turns off,
The drive current of the vibration source 507 is turned off, and the vibration of the controller pack, that is, the controller is stopped. Once again, in order to inform the player that there is "bait pecking", CP
At timing t3, U11 outputs "1" to the address A15 and "11" to the data D0 to D2.
"0" is output. for that reason,. At this timing t3,
The vibration of level “3” is generated from the vibration source 507, and the vibration is transmitted to the player's hand as described above. Therefore, the player can feel from the vibration that "bait plucking" is being performed at that time.

Then, the CPU 11 sets the address A15 and the data D0 to D2 to "0" at the timing t4. In response, the transistor 514 turns off,
The drive current of the vibration source 507 is turned off, and the vibration of the controller pack, that is, the controller is stopped. The next timings t5 to t14 are vibration patterns of “clinging”, and in this case, the CPU 11 outputs the address A15 as “1” at the timing t5 and also outputs the data D0.
"010" is output to D2. According to the data of "010", "1", for example, 3V is output to the middle output of the latch 512, and "0", for example, 0 is output to the upper and lower two outputs.
V is output. Therefore, at this timing t5,
The transistor 514 is turned on so as to apply a drive current of a magnitude corresponding to the vibration level “2” to the vibration source (motor) 507. Therefore, at the timing t5, the vibration of level "2" is generated from the vibration source 507, and the vibration is transmitted to the player's hand. Therefore, the player can feel from the vibration that "sticking" is being performed at that time. Similarly, the CPU 11 causes the timing t
The address A15 is output as "1" at 6 and
"101" is output to the data D0 to D2. "001"
3V is output from only the lowermost output of the latch 512 in accordance with the data of FIG. Therefore, at this timing t6, the transistor 514 has the vibration level “4”.
A driving current of a magnitude corresponding to
Turn to give to. Therefore, the timing t6
Then, the vibration of level “4” is generated from the vibration source 507, and the vibration is transmitted to the player's hand. Further, the CPU 11
Outputs the address A15 as "1" at timing t7 and outputs "111" as the data D0 to D2. For example, 3V is output from all the outputs of the latch 512 according to the data of "111". Therefore, at this timing t7, the transistor 514 is turned on so as to give the vibration source (motor) 507 a drive current having a magnitude corresponding to the vibration level “7”. Therefore, at the timing t7, the vibration of level “7” is generated by the vibration source 50.
7 is generated and the vibration is transmitted to the player's hand.

Further, the CPU 11 outputs the address A15 as "1" at timing t8 and also outputs "011" as the data D0 to D2. For example, 3V is output from the lower two outputs of the latch 512 according to the data of "011". Therefore, this timing t
At 8, the transistor 514 is turned on so as to supply the vibration source (motor) 507 with a drive current having a magnitude corresponding to the vibration level “6”. Therefore, at the timing t8, the vibration of level “6” is generated from the vibration source 507, and the vibration is transmitted to the player's hand.

In the same manner, the CPU is used during the "biting" period.
11 is timing t9, t10, t11, t12, t
At 13 and t14, data "10"
1 "," 001 "," 110 "," 010 "and" 1 "
00 ”is output. Accordingly, the vibration source 507 causes the timings t9, t10, t11, t12, t13 and t14.
At levels “5”, “4”, “3”,
Vibrations are generated by "2" and "1", and those vibrators are transmitted to the player. Therefore, the player can feel that the “clinging” is being performed by the vibration level that gradually increases and gradually decreases during the period from timing t5 to t14.

After the next timing t15, the vibration pattern is "pull up". In this case, the CPU 11
At timing t15, the address A15 is output as "1", and "010" is output as the data D0 to D2. According to the data of "010", "1", for example, 3V is output to the middle output of the latch 512, and "0", for example, 0V is output to the upper and lower two outputs. Therefore, at this timing t5, the transistor 514 is turned on so as to give a drive current of a magnitude corresponding to the vibration level “2” to the vibration source (motor) 507. Therefore, at the timing t5, the vibration of level "2" is generated by the vibration source 50.
7 is generated and the vibration is transmitted to the player's hand. Similarly, the CPU 11 sets the address A1 at the timing t16.
5 is output as "1" and data D0 to D2
"101" is output to. Depending on the data of "001", from the bottom output of the latch 512, for example, 3V
Is output. Therefore, at this timing t16,
The transistor 514 is turned on so as to apply a drive current having a magnitude corresponding to the vibration level “4” to the vibration source (motor) 507. Therefore, at the timing t6, the vibration of the level “4” is generated from the vibration source 507, and the vibration is transmitted to the player's hand. Further, the CPU 11 outputs the address A15 as “1” at timing t7 and outputs “111” as the data D0 to D2. "1
For example, 3V is output from all the outputs of the latch 512 according to the data of "11". Therefore, at this timing t6, the transistor 514 supplies the drive current having a magnitude corresponding to the vibration level “7” to the vibration source (motor).
Turn on to give to 507. Therefore, at the timing t7, the vibration of level “7” is generated from the vibration source 507, and the vibration is transmitted to the player's hand. In this way, the vibration source 507 follows the "pull up" vibration pattern.
Since the vibration occurs, the player can feel that the player is "pulling up" during that period.

The driving and stopping of the vibration source 507 by the CPU 11 and the control of the vibration intensity are executed according to the game program of the ROM cartridge 20 or the like. Therefore, if a game program is created so that vibrations are generated, stopped, and changed in intensity along with changes in video and audio, it is possible to enjoy extremely realistic games on a home video game machine.

In addition to the above-mentioned "fishing game", the game program creator decides which game, at what timing and at what level of vibration, such as when a "crash" occurs in a racing game. Can be set arbitrarily.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a home video game machine to which a controller pack of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the video game machine of FIG. 1 in detail.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the bus control circuit of FIG. 2 in more detail.

FIG. 4 is an illustrative view showing a memory map of the RAM of FIG.

5 is a block diagram showing the controller control circuit of FIG. 2 in detail.

FIG. 6 is an illustrative view showing a memory map of the RAM of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the controller of FIG. 2 viewed from above.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the controller of FIG. 2 viewed from below.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a controller and a controller pack in detail.

FIG. 10 is an illustrative view showing data of an analog joystick and each button of the controller.

11 is a flowchart showing an operation of the CPU of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a bus control circuit of FIG. 2, that is, RCP (R
It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of eality Co-Processor).

13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the controller control circuit of FIG.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view showing a controller pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

15 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the drive circuit of FIG.

16 is a circuit diagram showing another example of the drive circuit of FIG.

FIG. 17 is an illustrative view showing a timing at which a vibration source vibrates in an example of a game using the controller pack according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 ... Image processing apparatus main body (game machine) 11 ... CPU 17 ... Controller control circuit 20 ... ROM cartridge 40 ... Controller 50 ... Controller pack 50A ... Vibration generation circuit 501 ... Case 502 ... Back cover 503 ... Board 504 ... Battery 505 ... Drive Circuit 506 ... Terminal 507 ... Vibration source 508 ... Battery lid

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A controller pack detachably attached to a controller connected to a video game machine, comprising: a case, a vibration source which is attached to the case and generates vibration by a power source, and a command from the game machine. A drive circuit for applying the power source to the vibration source in response to a signal,
Controller pack. 2. The controller pack according to claim 1, further comprising a battery provided in the case and supplying the power source to the vibration source. 3. The controller pack according to claim 1, wherein the power is supplied by a controller cable connecting the game machine and the controller. 4. The game machine includes a game processor,
4. The controller pack according to claim 1, wherein the game processor includes a terminal that outputs the command signal to a specific address in a predetermined address space and further receives a command signal at the specific address. 5. The controller pack according to claim 1, wherein the drive circuit includes strength changing means for changing the strength of vibration generated by the vibration source. 6. The game machine includes a game processor,
The game processor outputs a plurality of bits of strength data representing the strength of vibration, and the strength changing means further comprises a plurality of terminals for receiving the strength data of a plurality of bits, and data of the plurality of terminals. A means for applying a drive current of a magnitude corresponding to the data to the vibration source based on
The controller pack according to claim 5. 7. A game machine system including a video game machine, a controller connected to the game machine, and a controller pack detachably attached to the controller, wherein the game machine system is provided in the video game machine and includes a bus. A game processor coupled to the controller pack, a vibration source that is attached to the controller pack case, and generates vibration by a power supply; a controller provided with a signal of a first specific bit of the bus and a second specific bit of the bus; A signal giving means for giving a signal to the controller pack; a terminal provided in the case for receiving the signal from the signal giving means; provided in the case for providing the vibration source to the vibration source in response to a signal from the terminal. A drive circuit for applying power,
Game console system.