MXPA01004631A

MXPA01004631A - Entertainment device having operation device types detecting function, operating device, and entertainment device main body

Info

Publication number: MXPA01004631A
Application number: MXPA/A/2001/004631A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Murasawa Osamu
Original assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc
Priority date: 1999-09-09
Filing date: 2001-05-08
Publication date: 2002-05-09

Abstract

An entertainment device which enables discrimination between the types of interchangeable operating devices. The connector (221) of an operating device is provided with a plurality of recesses (802, 803, 804) in the outer peripheral surface, and the connecting portion of the main body has disposed therein a plurality of metal projections respectively engaging the recesses (802, 803, 804). The connector (221) has a metal plate (805), which is exposed to the insides of the recesses (803, 802). The feeding portion of the main body feeds a predetermined potential to a first metal projection engaging the recess (803), thereby feeding the potential to the metal plate (805). Further, the detecting portion of the main body detects whether or not the potential of a second metal projection engaging the recess (802) is equal to the first-mentioned potential, thereby discriminating whether or not the connected device is the above-mentioned operating device.

Description

EQUIPMENT FOR ENTERTAINMENT WITH FUNCTION THAT DETECTS THE TYPES OF OPERATING DEVICES, OPERATING DEVICE AND MAIN BODY OF THE APPLIANCE FOR ENTERTAINMENT.

Technical Field The present invention relates to an entertainment system that uses a connected operating device. PRIOR ART An entertainment system to be used when connecting to the external display is described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.7-313730. The entertainment system comprises, as illustrated in Figure 1, a machine body 10 having an optical disc reproduction section 1, and an operating device 20 for accepting the operations of the connected user. A processing unit within the machine body 10 receives a game program and image information etc. recorded on the optical disc of the optical disc reproduction section 1 and presents the image on the external display. The processing unit communicates with the operating device 20, to accept contents of the user's operations, executes a game program according to the accepted user controls and changes the displayed images, etc.

The operating device 20 comprises an operating body 22 having switches 24-29 arranged to receive the operations of the user, a cable 23 and a connector 21. The operating unit 20 is connected to the insert the connector 21 into the connecting portions 4a and 4b of the machine body 10, as illustrated in the Figure 1, Figure 2 and Figure 3. The connector 21 comprises egg-connectors 601 as illustrated in Figures 5 (a), 5 (b), and 5 (c). In the ^ | 10 upper surface of an insertion portion 501 of the connector 21, retaining portions 502 are provided, 503, and 504 to prevent the connector 21 from detaching from the connecting portions 4a and 4b of the machine body 10 as illustrated in Figure 4. The holding portions 502, 503, and 504 are recesses for coupling with the metal projection that is provided within the connection portions 4a and 4b. A 505 earth metal is inserted into the ^^ bottom surface of retention portion recess 503 located in the center and exposed from the surface of bottom of the holding portion 503. The ground metal 505 is supplied with a ground potential when it comes in contact with the metal projection on the ground potential that is provided in the machine body 10 to be coupled. Therefore, the portion of Retention 503 located in the center, not only serves as a holding portion but also as a ground terminal. The machine body 10 is also provided with the receiving portions 3a, 3b for an external memory device type card 30 to be mounted, and the switches 11, 12. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In recent years, the development of operating device 20 has been sought to produce a new model by making improvements to the operation device 20 described above, for example by increasing the number of operations that are accepted by the switches 24-29 of the operating device body 22 or by increasing the communication speed between the operating device 20 and the machine body 10. However, since it is preferable to ensure compatibility between the operating device of the new model and that of the conventional model, in order to improve the convenience, the connector of the operating device for the new The model must have the same configuration as that of the connector of the conventional operating device 20. On the other hand, the art, the machine body can not support all modes of communication for each model, unless the machine body can discriminate whether the connected operating device is the conventional model or the new model. In general, a terminal is added to the new model to discriminate the new model ^ B of the conventional. However, adding this terminal to the operation device of the new model changes the configuration of the new connector, so that compatibility can not be established. In order to ensure compatibility as well as model discrimination, this structure is required that can discriminate model types while maintaining the configuration of the model. ^ 10 connector as it was in the conventional model. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an entertainment system that can discriminate the models between compatible operating devices. In order to achieve the above-described objective, the following entertainment system is provided in accordance with the present invention. That is, an entertainment system comprises a device • operative having a connector, and a machine body having a connection portion for the connector, wherein: the connector is. provided with a plurality of recesses in its peripheral surface, the plurality of recesses includes the first recess and the second recess; The connecting portion is provided with a plurality of metal projections to be coupled with the plurality of recesses respectively, the plurality of metal projections includes the first projection of metal to be coupled with the first recess and the second metal projection to be coupled with the metal. second recess; the connector includes a metal plate, and the metal plate is exposed within at least the first recess and the second recess; and the machine body has a supply portion, for supplying a predetermined potential to the first metal projection, to supply the predetermined potential to the metal plate and a detection portion, to detect whether or not a potential of the The second metal projection is equal to the predetermined potential, in order to detect whether or not the operating device connected to the connection portion is the operative device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS m Figure 1 is a top view showing an entire structure of the conventional entertainment system 100; Figure 2 is a side view showing a configuration of a front face of the entertainment system 100 shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view showing a configuration of one side of the entertainment system 100 shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a top view showing a structure of a connector 21 of the operating device 20 for the entertainment system 100 shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 (a) is a cross-sectional view of the connector 21 of Figure 4 taken on the line AA, Figures 5 (b) is a cross-sectional view of the connector 21 of the 'Figure 4 which is taken on line BB and Figure 5 (c) is a cross-sectional view of connector 21 of Figure 5 (a) and Figure 5 (b) taken on line CC; Figure 6 is a front view showing a machine body 210 of the entertainment system 200 and a top view showing the operating device 220 according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 is a block diagram showing the machine body 210 of the entertainment system 200 of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a top view showing a structure of the connector 221 of the operating device 220 for the entertainment system 200 shown in Figure 6; Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the connector 221 of Figure 8 taken on the line D-D; Figure 10 is a front view of a receiver portion 3a (in the state where a shutter is removed) and a connection portion 204a of the machine body 210 of the entertainment system 200 shown in Figure 6; Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the receiving portion 3a and the connecting portion 204a of the machine body 210. for the entertainment system 200 shown in Figure 6; Figure 12 is a top view showing a configuration of the metal plates 121, 122 disposed in the connection portion 204a shown in Figure 10; and Figure 13 (a) is a schematic circuit diagram showing the open state of the extraction circuit of the machine body 210 of the entertainment system 200 shown in .la1 Figure 6, Figure 13 (b) is a circuit diagram schematic showing the ground state of the extraction circuit of the machine body 210 of the entertainment system 200 shown in Figure 6. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES The entertainment system according to one embodiment of the present invention will now be described. The entertainment system 200 of this embodiment is a series of models that are systematized members of the entertainment system 100 shown in Figure 1. The entertainment system 200 of this embodiment comprises, as illustrated in Figure 6 and Figure 7, a machine body 210 and an operating device 220 detachably connected to the machine body 210. The machine body 210 comprises, as in Figure 7, the optical disc playing portion 1, an arithmetic processing unit 2, receiving portions of external memory devices of the card type 3a and 3b, operating device connection portions 204a and 204b, a switch 11 and a display connection portion 5. The operating device 220 is a device for accepting the operations of the user, one or two of which can be connected to the connection portions 204a and 204b according to a machine, 210., The operating device 220 comprises an operating device body 222 having oppression type switches 224-229, and lever type switches 218 and 219 for accepting user operations, a cable 223 and a connector 221. Machine body 210 and operating device 220 are connected by inserting the connector 221 into the connection portions 204a and 204b of the machine body 210. The operating device 220 is a high performance device wherein the switches 218, 219, 224-229 are capable of accepting a large amount of types of operations greater than the conventional operating device 20. Furthermore, the communication speed between the operating device 220 and the machine body 210 is higher than that between the conventional operating device 20 and the machine body 10, and the communication procedure is also different. The arithmetic processing unit 2 of the machine body 210 has the ability to communicate in a communication method, which is adapted to the operation device 20 and in a communication method that is adapted to the operation device 220. The connector 221 of the device of operation 220 has the same profile as the conventional connector 21 shown in Figure 4, Figures 5 (a), 5. (b) and 5 (c) and the number of connectors 601 that are provided and the spacing between the adjacent connectors It is the same as in the conventional connector. As illustrated in Figure 8, the top surface of an insertion portion 501 of the connector 221 is provided with retaining portions 802, 803 and 804 of the same configuration and in the same position as the retaining portions 502, 503. and 504 of the conventional connector 21. The connector 221 of this embodiment differs from the conventional connector 21 since the width of the grounded metal 805 is greater, and because the grounded metal 305 is inserted not only into the bottom surface of the portion of central retention 803, but also on the bottom surface of the retaining portion 802. Therefore, the grounded metal 805 is exposed on the bottom surfaces of the retention portions 802 and 803. The recess of the retention portion 802 has an elongated configuration toward the tip of the insert portion 501 and the grounded metal 805 is exposed in the retainer portion 802 to the vicinity of the tip. The grounded metal 805 is connected to the electromagnetic shield (not shown) inside the connector 221. The grounded metal 805 itself serves as a shield or electromagnetic shield for the 501 insert function., the front face of the machine body 210 is provided with connection portions 204a and 204b, for connecting the connector 221 of the operation device 220. As described above, since the connector 221 of the operation device 220 has the same configuration as the connector 21 of the conventional operating device 20, the connector 21 of the conventional operating device 20 can be connected to the connection portions 204a and 204b of the machine body. The connecting portion 204a is as illustrated in Figure 10 and Figure 11, supplied with three bases 402 within the opening 400 and nine cylindrical connectors 401 are disposed in the bases 402. The cylindrical connectors 401 are connected to the nine connectors 601 of connector 21, 221. On top of the aberture 400, is provided with metal plates 121, 122 in the manner as illustrated in Figure 12 disposed without contact with each other. The metal plate 121 is formed with lever-shaped projections 124, 125 at two points, while the metal plate 122 is formed with a lever-shaped projection 123 at a point. These projections 123, 124 and 125 project into the opening 400 in a line as illustrated in Figure 10. The central projection 124 is divided into two pieces in order to provide two points of contact. The metal plate 121 is electrically connected to the ground cable inside the machine body 210. The metal plate 122 is connected to an oppressor button circuit 131 as illustrated in Figure 13 (a). The push button circuit 131 comprises wiring 134 connected to the metal plate 122, a signal line 132 to a signal potential and a resistor 133 which connects the signal line 132 to a signal potential and the wiring 134. therefore, when the metal plate 122 is in an open state, where it is not in contact with other signal lines as illustrated in Figure 13 (a), the wiring 134 will be equal to the signal potential of the line of signal 132, thereby raising the potential of the signal line 132 to the signal potential. On the other hand, when the metal plate 122 comes into contact with the metal at ground potential as illustrated in Figure 13 (b), the potential of the signal line 134 'has fallen to a ground potential. The terminal 135 of the wiring 134 is connected to the arithmetic processing unit 2 in the machine body 210, and the processing unit 2 has a function to determine whether the potential of the terminal 135 is at the signal potential or the ground potential , when running a program inside the internal memory device at predetermined intervals. Since the structure of the connection portion 204b is the same as that of the connection portion 204a, the description with respect to the connection portion 204b will not be made here. In the entertainment system 200 of this embodiment, when the connector 221 of the operating device 220 is inserted into the connecting portion 204a of the machine body 210, the insertion portion 501 of the connector 221 is set at a spacing between the opening 400 of the. connecting portion 204a and base 402. Accordingly, projections 123, 124 and 125 engage with retaining portions 802, 803 and 804, which are provided on the upper surface of connector 221, respectively, in such a manner that the connector 221 is locked in the connection portion 204a. The nine connectors 601 of the connector 221 are connected to the nine cylindrical connectors 401 in the base 402. In this case, while the rightmost holding portion 804 of the three retaining portions 802, 803 and 804 is connected to the projection 125 only mechanically: since it does not have a grounded metal 805 exposed on its bottom surface, two other retaining portions 802 and 803, connect with projections 123 and 124 not only mechanically but also electrically since these two portions of retention 802 and 803 have metal to ground 805 exposed on their bottom surfaces. The retaining portion 802 is formed up to the vicinity of the tip of the insertion portion 501 such that the projection 123 of the metal plate 122 is electrically connected to the grounded metal 805 exposed on the bottom surface of the portion of retention 802 when the connector 221 is inserted. At this point in time, since the potential of the grounded metal 802 does not fall at ground level, the signal line 134 of the push button circuit 131 is still at signal potential. When the connector 221 is inserted deeper, the projection 124 comes into contact with the grounded metal 805 on the bottom surface of the retaining portion 803, electrically, thereby bringing the potential of the grounded metal 805 and thus the metal plate 122 connected to the grounded metal 805 falls to a ground level as illustrated in Figure 13 (b). Therefore, the signal line 134 of the oppression button circuit 131 changes from the signal potential to the ground potential. The processing unit 2 determines that the potential of the terminal 135 of the signal line 134 has dropped to ground level, thus detecting the connected operation device is the operation device 220. Therefore, the processing unit 2 can drive communications in the communication method adapted to the operation device 220, and receives the operation information from the operation device 220 via the connectors 601 and the terminals 401. As the potential of the metal to ground 805 falls to the terminal of Earth, the potential of the shield or electromagnetic shield connected to the ground metal 805 falls to ground level equally, thus functioning as an electromagnetic shield. The grounded metal 805 itself prevents electromagnetic waves from leaking through the insertion portion 501 and serves as part of an electromagnetic shield.

On the other hand, when the connector 21 of the operating device 20 for the conventional model is inserted into the connecting portion 204a, since the connector 21 is the same as the connector 221 in configuration, the insertion portion 501 of the connector 21 is it fits into a spacing between the opening 400 of the connecting portion 204a and the base 402, such that the nine connectors 601 of the connector 221 can be connected to the nine cylindrical terminals 401 of the base 402. Projections 123, 124 and 125 of the connecting portion 204a engage the holding portions 502, 503 and 504 of the conventional connector 21 and the connector 221 is retained in the connecting portion 204a. Since the grounded metal 503 is exposed on the bottom surface of the central retaining portion 50 it comes into electrical contact with the projection 124 of the metall plate 12¿ at ground potential, the potential of the metal to ground 505 falls to the ground level. Accordingly, the potential of the electromagnetic shield connected to the metal to ground 505 falls to the ground level equally, thus serving as an electromagnetic shield. The grounded metal 505 itself serves as an electromagnetic shield protecting the connector 21. However, the projection 123 connected to the push button circuit 131 engages with the retaining portion 502, only mechanically because the metal to ground 505 is not exposed to the bottom surface of retaining portion 502, whereby it can not be connected to ground metal 505, electrically. Therefore, the signal line 134 of the oppression button circuit 131 remains at the signal potential. The processing unit 2 determines that the terminal 135 of the signal line 134 is still at the signal potential, in this way detecting that the connected operation device is the operation device 20. Then, the processing unit 2, can driving communications in the communication mode adapted to the operation device 20 and receiving operation information from the operation device 20 via the connectors 601 and the terminals 401. In this way, in the operation device 220 of this mode, the configuration of the connector 221 is the same as conventional connector 21, but ground metal 805 is exposed from a plurality of retaining portions 802 and 803. Therefore, if the model of the connected operating device is operating device 220 or conventional operating device 20, can be determined depending on whether the machine body 210 can detect the ground potential in one of the as exposed portions of metal a, ground 805 or not. In this way, since the operation device 220 is improved only in that the number of exposed metal-to-ground locations 805 is increased, and thus the number of connectors 601 is not increased, the configuration of the connector 221 can be maintained as in the conventional connector 21, in this way ensuring compatibility between the operation device 20 and the operation device 220. In addition, the machine body 210 can detect the model of the operating device connected by the metal plate 122 and the circuit pressure button 131, with which communications can be conducted in the communication mode that is adapted to the performance of the operating device. Since the push button circuit 131 and the metal plate 122 are simple in construction, they can be arranged or arranged in the machine body 210, easily at low cost. Now, the structures and operations of the other components of the entertainment system 200 will be briefly described. The optical disc reproduction section 1 of the machine body 210 comprises a disk tray 201a, a switch lb, a rotation axis, a rotary unit, a reproduction head and a reproduction circuit. The disc tray 201a is, as illustrated in Figure 6, disposed on the front face of the machine body 210 and ejected to the front by pressing the switch lb. By placing the optical disk where a game program and images or the like to be displayed are recorded in advance on the disk tray 201a, and then retracting the disk tray 201a within the machine body 210, the optical disk is loaded into the machine body 210. The rotary unit moves the axis of rotation to allow the playback head to read the information recorded therein. The switch lb is a switch for removing the disc tray 201a. The reset switch 11 is also provided on the front face of the machine body 210. On the connection portions 204a and 204b on the front face of the machine body 201, receiving portions 3a and 3b are provided for mounting the external memory device card type 30, as illustrated in Figure 6. Receiving portions 3a and 3b are provided with terminals 1501, as illustrated in Figure 10 and Figure 11. Terminals 1501 are brought into contact with a connection terminal in the memory device. external mounted card type 30. At the entrance to the receiving portion 3a, 3b there is provided a shutter 1402 which is closed by a spring force 1403 when the card-type external memory device 30 is not mounted.

The user connects the external display 40 to the connecting portion 5 of machine body 210, and the operating device 20 or 220 to the connection portions 204a and 204b, when the user practices a game in the entertainment system 200. Then , the user passes the switch of the power source, not shown to on, places an optical disk in the disk table 201 of the optical disc player section 1 to load it. Then, the processing unit 2 of the machine body 210 receives the game program or image information etc. recorded on the optical disc, from the optical disc regeneration section 1 and displayed on the external display 40. The processing unit 2 detects whether the connected operating device is the operating device 20 or the operating device 220 when determining if the potential of the terminal 135 of the push button circuit 131 is at the signal potential or the ground potential as described above, and then makes communications with the operating device in the communication mode adapted to the model of the device of state operations to receive the contents of the user's operations. The processing unit 2 changes the display image when executing a game program according to the received contents of the operations. The processing unit 2 communicates with the external memory device type card 30, when the external memory device type card 30 is mounted in the receiving portion 3a and 3b to read game information stored in the external memory device of the card type 30, in this way reflecting it to the execution of the game program. At the same time, the processing unit 2 stores game information in the card-type external memory device 30 according to the game program. As described so far, the entertainment system of this mode is very convenient for the user because any of the operating device 20 and the operating device 220, which are different in model, can be connected to the machine body 210 Furthermore, if the connected operating device is the operating device 20 or the operating device 220 can be easily detected by the machine body, whereby the machine body 210 can drive communications in the communication procedure adapted to the model. connected to the operating device 20 or 220. Therefore, the operating device and the machine body can conduct communications by making the most of the performances of the operating devices 20 and 220. As explained above, according to the present invention, the entertainment system is provided which can discriminate the model of operating devices. n compatible.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. An entertainment system comprising an operating device having a connector and a machine body having a connecting portion wherein: the connector is provided with a plurality of recesses in its peripheral surfaces, the plurality of recesses includes a first recess and a second recess; the connection portion is provided with a plurality of metal projections to engage with the plurality of recesses respectively, the plurality of metal projections includes a first metal projection that engages the first recess and a second metal projection that it engages with the second recess; the connector includes a metal plate, and the metal plate is exposed within at least the first recess and the second recess; and the machine body has a supply portion for providing a predetermined potential to the first metal projection, for supplying the predetermined potential to the metal plate and a detection portion, for detecting whether a potential of the second metal projection is equal to the predetermined potential or not in order to detect whether the operating device connected to the connection portion is the operating device or not.
2. An entertainment system according to claim 1, characterized in that the machine body comprises a processing portion that leads communications with an operation device connected to the connection portion; the processing portion is provided with a function for conducting communications in first and second communication procedures; the processing portion determines that the operation device is connected to the connection portion when the detection portion detects that the potential of the second metal projection is equal to the potential and then communicates in the first communication procedure; and the processing portion determines that an operation device other than the operation device is connected to the connection portion, when the detection portion perceives that the potential of the second metal projection is not equal to the potential and then communicates in the second process .
3. - An entertainment system according to claim 1, wherein the number of the plurality of recesses is three and the recesses are aligned on the upper surface of the connector.
4. - An entertainment system according to claim 1, characterized in that the predetermined potential is equal to a ground potential and the metal plate is part of an electromagnetic shield of the connector.
5. An operating device for an entertainment system, characterized in that it comprises: a connector for a connection portion of a machine body, wherein the connector is provided with a plurality of recesses in its peripheral surface to be coupled with projections of the connection portion, the plurality of recesses includes a first recess and a second recess; the connector includes a metal plate, the metal plate is exposed within the first recess so as to be supplied with a predetermined potential from the projection, and the metal plate is exposed within the second recess in order to be screened for potential of the metal plate by the machine body.
6. An operating device for an entertainment system according to claim 5, characterized in that the metal plate is a part of an electromagnetic shield to the connector.
7. A machine body of the entertainment system comprising a connection portion for an operation device, wherein: the connection portion is provided with a plurality of metal projections to be coupled by a plurality of recesses of a connector of the operating device, the plurality of metal projections include a first projection of 25.,, '' Metal and a second metal projection; the machine body has a supply portion for providing a predetermined potential to the first metal projection in order to supply the potential to a metal plate exposed from one of the plurality of recesses of the connector and a detection portion for sensing whether a The potential of the second metal projection is equal to the potential in order to determine whether the metal plate is exposed from another of the plurality of recesses or not. ,. , '' 8. - A machine body of the entertainment system according to claim 7, characterized in that the machine body comprises a processing portion that conducts communications with an operation device connected to the connection portion; the processing portion is provided with a function for conducting communications in a first and a second communication procedures; the processing portion communicates with an operating device connected to the connecting portion in the first communication procedure, when the sensing portion detects that the potential of the second metal projection is equal to the potential and communicates with the connected operating device. to the connection portion in the second communication method when the detection portion detects that the potential of the second metal projection is not equal to the potential