U.S. patent application number 13/224728 was filed with the patent office on 2012-06-07 for directional pad rotating mechanism.
Invention is credited to Hiroaki Muramatsu.
Application Number | 20120142419 13/224728 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46053175 |
Filed Date | 2012-06-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120142419 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Muramatsu; Hiroaki |
June 7, 2012 |
Directional Pad Rotating Mechanism
Abstract
A game console controller characterized with a function for
adjusting the key angles and key arrangements is disclosed. The
game console controller comprises a main body configured to be held
by a player performing a game, a plurality of operational input
parts arranged on the main body, and a plurality of arrangement
changing parts for changing the arrangement of the plurality of
operational input parts. The plurality of operational input parts
and the plurality of arrangement changing parts are configured to
adjust keys and key angles of the game console controller to
provide an ease of use to the player. The game console controller
allows the player to change the arrangements of the keys in
accordance with the differences in the size of the hands, length
and thickness of the fingers.
Inventors: |
Muramatsu; Hiroaki;
(Yokohama, JP) |
Family ID: |
46053175 |
Appl. No.: |
13/224728 |
Filed: |
September 2, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/37 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 13/22 20140902;
A63F 2300/1043 20130101; A63F 2300/1018 20130101; A63F 13/24
20140902 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/37 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 3, 2010 |
JP |
2010-198244 |
Claims
1. A game console controller for controlling a game by a player,
the game console controller comprising: a main body configured to
be held by the player; a plurality of operational input parts
arranged on the main body; and a plurality of arrangement changing
parts for changing the arrangement of the plurality of operational
input parts; whereby the plurality of operational input parts and
the plurality of arrangement changing parts are configured to
adjust keys and key angles of the game console controller to
provide an ease of use to the player.
2. The game console controller of claim 1 wherein the plurality of
operational input means comprises a cross key means, a button means
and an analog stick means.
3. The game console controller of claim 2 wherein the cross key
means is configured to generate operation information in the up,
down, left and right cross key directions.
4. The game console controller of claim 2 wherein the button means
consists of a plurality of buttons to generate operational
information.
5. The game console controller of claim 2 wherein the analog stick
means is configured for direction specifying operations.
6. The game console controller of claim 1 wherein the plurality of
operational input parts is configured to be operated by a finger of
the player.
7. The game console controller of claim 1 wherein the plurality of
arrangement changing parts comprises a cross changing means, a
button changing means and a standing orientation changing
means.
8. The game console controller of claim 7 wherein the cross
changing means is configured to change the positions of the top,
bottom, left and right pushing operations of the cross key
means.
9. The game console controller of claim 7 wherein the button
changing means is configured to change the arrangement of the
plurality of buttons by in-plane rotation around approximate center
of the plurality of buttons.
10. The game console controller of claim 7 wherein the standing
orientation changing means is configured to change the standing
orientation of the analog stick means utilizing a stopper.
11. The game console controller of claim 1 wherein the plurality of
arrangement changing parts is configured with respect to the main
body so as to suit the hands of the player.
12. A game console controller for controlling a game by a player,
the game console controller comprising: a main body configured to
be held by the player; a plurality of operational input parts
arranged on the main body; the plurality of operational input parts
comprises a cross key means, a button means and an analog stick
means; and a plurality of arrangement changing parts having a cross
changing means, a button changing means and a standing orientation
changing means, the plurality of arrangement changing parts being
configured to change the arrangement of the plurality of
operational input parts; whereby the plurality of operational input
parts and the plurality of arrangement changing parts are
configured to adjust keys and key angles of the game console
controller to provide an ease of use to the player.
13. The game console controller of claim 12 wherein the plurality
of operational input parts is configured to be operated by a finger
of the player.
14. The game console controller of claim 12 wherein the cross key
means is configured to generate operation information in the up,
down, left and right cross key directions.
15. The game console controller of claim 12 wherein the button
means consists of a plurality of buttons to generate operational
information.
16. The game console controller of claim 12 wherein the analog
stick means is configured for direction specifying operations.
17. The game console controller of claim 13 wherein the plurality
of arrangement changing parts is configured with respect to the
main body so as to suit the hands of the player.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] This invention relates to a play station controller, and
more particularly to an improved controller used for game play with
a game console, with which the angles of keys can be adjusted.
DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART
[0004] Conventionally, when playing games using a game console, it
is common to hold a controller which is connected to the game
console and play the game by operating keys provided on the
controller. Standard game console controllers are generally
designed by a maker, and have a fixed shape. The users who hold
these uniformly designed controllers have entirely different body
types and habits. For example, in terms of body type, there will be
differences in the size of the hands, and the length and thickness
of the fingers, while in terms of habits, there will be differences
in the way in which the controller is held, as well as in the
particular fingers and the specific parts of the fingers with which
the keys and buttons are pressed.
[0005] U.S. Pat. Application No. 20100041480 entitled to Wong on
Feb. 18, 2010, describes a game console controller that includes a
hand-holdable housing and a touch sensitive liquid crystal display
(LCD) on the housing. The LCD is caused to present, depending on
what type of game console a user has selected, a controller key
layout for a first type of game console or a controller key layout
for a second type of game console. A key layout includes plural
keys selectable by a user to input commands to a game console.
However, the plural keys cannot be adjusted or rearranged according
to the needs of the user. Further, the structure and arrangement of
controller will not necessarily be suitable for every user.
[0006] In addition, U.S. Pat. Application No. 20090280899 issued to
Cox on Nov. 12, 2009,discloses a method and system for utilizing a
game console and an input device. The method and system comprises
mapping commands to system directives of the game console and
generating an input signal having predefined characteristics
corresponding to the input device being utilized to engage the
system directives. The method and system also includes performing
system functions using an input controller associated with the
input device after the system directives are engaged. However, this
system does not disclose any method for adjusting the angles and
arrangements of various components.
[0007] Similarly, as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,722,984 issued to
Sweeney on Apr. 20, 2004 discloses a hand-held controller having a
plurality of console command buttons that, in response to
activation, cause the transmission of commands for the purpose of
controlling the operation of a video game console. Parental control
is provided by preventing the transmission of commands to the video
game console in response to activation of a console command button
as a function of a parental control parameter that is provided to
the hand-held controller. However, the system is not user friendly.
Moreover, the arrangement of the keys cannot be changed in
accordance with the needs of the user.
[0008] Therefore, there is a need for a device that provides a user
friendly game console controller. Such a needed device would allow
the player to change the arrangements of the keys in accordance
with the differences in the size of the hands, length and thickness
of the fingers. The device would not require any additional means
for adjusting the angle or the inclination of the key according to
the player's need. The present invention accomplishes these
objectives.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention is a game console controller
characterized by a function for adjusting the angle of a key
arranged on the controller. More specifically, the game console
controller is as follows. The game console controller comprises a
main body configured to be held by a player performing a game, a
plurality of operational input parts arranged on the main body, and
a plurality of arrangement changing parts for changing the
arrangement of the plurality of operational input parts. The
plurality of operational input parts and the plurality of
arrangement changing parts are configured to adjust keys and key
angles of the game console controller to provide an ease of use to
the player.
[0010] The plurality of operational input parts comprises a cross
key means, a button means and an analog stick means. The plurality
of operational input parts are arranged on the main body. The cross
key means is configured for generating operation information in the
up, down, left and right cross key directions. The button means
consists of a plurality of buttons to generate operational
information. The analog stick means is configured for direction
specifying operations. The plurality of operational input parts is
configured to be operated by a finger of the player.
[0011] The plurality of arrangement changing parts comprises a
cross changing means, a button changing means and a standing
orientation changing means. The cross changing means whereby the
up, down, left and right pushing operation positions of the cross
key means can be changed by way of in-plane rotation around the
approximate center of the cross key means. The button changing
means is configured to change the arrangement of the plurality of
buttons by way of in-plane rotation around the approximate center
of the plurality of buttons. The plurality of operational input
parts comprises an analog stick means that is operated by way of
the direction in which the stick is inclined so as to perform input
in any direction through 360.degree., around a neutral position,
which is a no-operation position; and the plurality of arrangement
changing parts comprises a standing orientation changing means that
changes the standing orientation of the stick in the neutral
position, which is the no-operation position, with respect to the
main body.
[0012] The present invention provides a user friendly game console
controller. Such a needed device would allow the player to change
the arrangements of the keys in accordance with the differences in
the size of the hands, length and thickness of the fingers.
Further, the device does not require any additional means for
adjusting the angle or the inclination of the key according to the
player's need. Other features and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from the following more detailed
description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention,
illustrating a game console controller in accordance with a first
mode of embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention,
illustrating an example of adjusting the angles of operational
input parts on the game console controller in accordance with the
first mode of embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the present invention,
illustrating an example of adjusting the angle of a cross means on
the game console controller in accordance with the first mode of
embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the present invention,
illustrating an example of a characteristic portion of the internal
structure of a cross changing means in the game console controller
in accordance with the first mode of embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 4A is a perspective view illustrating an example of
adjusting the angle of a button means on the game console
controller in accordance with the first mode of embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 4B is a perspective view illustrating an example of a
characteristic portion of the internal structure of a button
changing means in the game console controller in accordance with
the first mode of embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 5A is an perspective view illustrating an example of
adjusting the angle of a standing orientation means on the game
console controller in accordance with the first mode of embodiment;
and
[0020] FIG. 5B is a perspective view illustrating an example of a
characteristic portion of the internal structure of a standing
orientation changing means in the game console controller in
accordance with the first mode of embodiment;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention,
illustrating a game console controller in accordance with a first
mode of embodiment. The game console controller comprises a main
body 101 configured to be held by a player performing a game, a
plurality of operational input parts (0102, 0103, 0104) arranged on
the main body 101, and a plurality of arrangement changing parts
(0105, 0106, 0107) for changing the arrangement of the plurality of
operational input parts (0102, 0103, 0104). The plurality of
operational input parts and the plurality of arrangement changing
parts are configured to adjust keys and key angles of the game
console controller to provide an ease of use to the player. The
game console controller is provided with a function whereby the
arrangements of each of these means can be changed.
[0022] The plurality of operational input parts comprises a cross
key means 0102, a button means 0103 and an analog stick means 0104.
The plurality of operational input parts are arranged on the main
body 0101. The cross key means 0102 is configured for generating
operation information in the up, down, left and right cross key
directions. The button means 0103 consists of a plurality of
buttons to generate operational information. The analog stick means
0104 is configured for direction specifying operations. The
plurality of operational input parts (0102, 0103, 0104) is
configured to be operated by a finger of the player.
[0023] The plurality of arrangement changing parts comprises a
cross changing means 0105, a button changing means 0106 and a
standing orientation changing means 0107. The cross changing means
0105 may be used to change the up, down, left and right pushing
operation positions of the cross key means 0102 by way of in-plane
rotation around the approximate center of the cross key means 0102.
The button changing means 0106 is configured to change the
arrangement of the plurality of buttons by way of in-plane rotation
around the approximate center of the plurality of buttons. The
analog stick means 0104 is operated by way of the direction in
which the stick is inclined so as to perform input in any direction
through 360.degree., around a neutral position, which is a
no-operation position, and the arrangement changing part comprises
a standing orientation changing means that changes the standing
orientation of the stick in the neutral position, which is the
no-operation position, with respect to the main body 0101.
[0024] The plurality of arrangement changing parts (0105, 0106,
0107) have arrangement changing functions, which serve to change
the arrangements of the plurality of operational input parts
(0102,0103,0104) with respect to the main body 0101, so as to suit
the hands of the player carrying out the game. Specifically, the
arrangement changing parts (0105, 0106, 0107) allows the player to
manually change the arrangement of the operational input means (for
example, a cross key, various buttons, an analog stick or the like)
which are arranged on a controller for playing a game with a game
console, to an arbitrary arrangement.
[0025] The cross changing means 0105 has a function whereby the
positions of the top, bottom, left and right pushing operations for
the cross key means 0102 can be changed by way of in-plane rotation
around the approximate center of the cross key means 0102.
Specifically, together with a structure that allows for free
in-plane rotation around an axis at the center of the cross key
means 0102, a stopper is provided for fixing the cross key means
0102 in place. Thus, the arrangement of the cross key means 0102
can be changed by way of in-plane rotation of the cross key means
0102 and fixing the cross key means 0102 in place using the
stopper.
[0026] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the present invention,
illustrating an example of adjusting the angle of a cross means on
the game console controller in accordance with the first mode of
embodiment. FIG. 3B shows a characteristic portion of the internal
structure of the cross changing means 0106 in accordance with the
first mode of embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3B, the cross changing
means 0105 allows for in-plane rotation of the cross key means
0102, by providing a structure 0308 for rotating the cross key
means 0102 in-plane, and by providing a stopper 309, for fixing the
cross key means 0102 in place, on the left side of the controller.
Consequently, when adjusting the cross key means 0102, in a
situation in which the stopper is fixed in place (FIG. 3B (a)), the
user can use the stopper to release the lock and rotate the cross
key means 0102 to an arbitrary angle (FIG. 3B (b)), and then once
again fix the cross key means 0102 in place, using the stopper
(FIG. 3B (a)), so as to change the angle of the cross key means as
shown in FIG. 3A.
[0027] The button changing means 0106 has a function that allows
the arrangement of the buttons to be changed by rotating the button
means 0103 in-plane around the approximate center of the plurality
of buttons. Specifically, together with a structure that allows for
free in-plane rotation around an axis at the center of the button
means, a stopper is provided for fixing the button means in place.
Thus, the arrangement of the button means 0103 can be changed by
way of in-plane rotation of the button means 0103, and fixing the
button means 0103 in place using the stopper.
[0028] FIG. 4A is a perspective view illustrating the adjustment of
the angle of a button means on the game console controller and FIG.
4B is a perspective view illustrating an example of a
characteristic portion of the internal structure of a button
changing means. As shown in FIG. 4B, the button changing means
allow for in-plane rotation of the button means, by providing a
structure 0410 for rotating the button means 0103 in-plane, and by
providing a stopper 0411, for fixing the button changing means in
place, on the right side of the controller. Consequently, when
adjusting the button means, a situation appears which the stopper
is fixed in place as shown in FIG. 4B (a), the user can use the
stopper to release the lock and a rotate the button means to an
arbitrary angle FIG. 4B (b), and then once again fix the button
means in place, using the stopper FIG. 4B (a), so as to change the
angle of the button means as shown in FIG. 4A.
[0029] The standing orientation changing means 0107 has a function
for changing the standing orientation of the stick, with respect to
the main body, in the position that is the no-operation position
for the stick. Specifically, together with a structure that allows
for changing the inclination of the analog stick means 0104, a
stopper is provided for fixing the analog stick means 0104 in
place. Thus, the inclination of the analog stick means 0104 can be
changed by way of changing the inclination of the analog stick
means 0104, and fixing the analog stick means 0104 in place using
the stopper.
[0030] FIG. 5A is a perspective view illustrating an example of
adjusting the angle of the standing orientation means 0107 on the
game console controller. FIG. 5B shows a perspective view and a
characteristic portion of the internal structure of a standing
orientation changing means in the game console controller in
accordance with the first mode of embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5B
(a), the analog stick means 0104 of the controller in this mode of
embodiment are connected to the controller main body 0101 by way of
a rotational shaft 0512, and a stopper 0513 that serves to fix in
place the analog stick means 0104, which rotates around the
rotational shaft, is provided on the back side (FIG. 5B (a)) of the
analog stick means (sectional views: 5B (b), (c)). Consequently,
when changing the inclination of the analog stick means 0104, the
player can use the stopper to release the lock and a rotate the
analog stick means 0104 to an arbitrary inclination (FIG. 5B (b)),
and then once again fix the analog stick means 0104 in place, using
the stopper. Consequently, it is possible to change the standing
orientation of the analog stick means as shown in FIG. 5A.
[0031] While a particular form of the invention has been
illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various
modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. For example, the game console controller
can be applied to any input interface operational input part
provided on any game controller. Accordingly, it is not intended
that the invention be limited, except as by the appended
claims.
* * * * *