Controller device

A controller device to be worn on a hand of a user includes a plurality of sensor sections that detect the fingers of the user and a sensor support section for supporting the sensor sections. The sensor support section supports the sensor sections in such a manner that the distance between mutually adjacent sensor sections is changeable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a controller device that is to be worn on a hand of a user.

BACKGROUND ART

Controller devices used, for example, with a home video game console detect the motion of a hand of a user and transmit information indicating the detected user motion to the main body, for example, of a video game console.

Further, studies have been conducted in recent years on a controller device that is regarded as one of the above-mentioned controller devices and worn on a hand of a user to detect the motion of each finger of a user (bending and stretching of each finger) by using a plurality of sensors disposed on the surface of the controller device.

SUMMARY

Technical Problems

However, the size of hands varies from one user to another. In reality, therefore, it is difficult to determine which one of a plurality of sensors disposed on the surface of the controller device has detected which finger of a user is bent or stretched.

Further, parts of the controller device that are reachable by the fingertips of a user vary with the size of user's hands. Therefore, if, for example, the sensors are disposed so as to match users having relatively large hands in a situation where a user has bent a finger (brought the finger into contact with the main body of the controller device) while the controller device is worn on a small hand of the user, there may arise a case where the finger does not reach a certain sensor and is determined to be stretched (not brought into contact with the main body of the controller device). As described above, there may be a case where the controller device fails to detect the motion of fingers of a user with sufficient accuracy depending on the variation of the size of user's hands.

That is, it is desired that the user be able to adjust the positional relationship between the sensors and the fingers according to, for example, the size of the user's hands.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. An object of the present invention is to provide a controller device that is capable of adjusting the positional relationship between the sensors and each finger of the user.

Solution to Problems

According to an aspect of the present invention for solving the above conventional problems, there is provided a controller device to be worn on a hand of a user. The controller device includes a plurality of sensor sections that detect the fingers of the user and a sensor support section for supporting the sensor sections. The sensor support section supports the sensor sections in such a manner that a distance between the sensor sections that are mutually adjacent is changeable.

Further, according to another aspect of the present invention for solving the above conventional problems, there is provided a controller device to be worn on a hand of a user. The controller device includes a controller device main body and adjustment means. The adjustment means adjusts a distance between the controller device main body and the palm of the user.

Advantageous Effect of Invention

The present invention is able to adjust the positional relationship between sensors and each finger of a user.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. As illustrated inFIG.1, a controller device1according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a controller main body10and a fixing implement20, and is communicatively connected in a wired or wireless manner to an information processing device2. In the following description of the present embodiment, for example, the size and arrangement of various sections and the size ratio between the various sections are merely illustrative and not restrictive. The present embodiment is not limited, for example, to depicted sizes, ratios, and arrangements.

The fixing implement20of the controller device1includes, for example, a ring-shaped belt member both ends of which are fastened to the controller main body10. A user inserts four fingers, namely, the index finger to the little finger, between the fixing implement20and the controller main body10, and tightens the belt member of the fixing implement20(narrows a ring-shaped portion) so as to fasten the controller main body10to a hand of the user. As a result, even if the user stretches a finger so that the controller main body10gripped by the user is no longer gripped, the controller main body10does not fall off the user's hand.

The controller main body10includes a grip section11and an operating section12. The grip section11can be gripped by at least some fingers of the user (the middle to small fingers in the present example) inserted into the fixing implement20. The grip section11is formed substantially in a polygonal column shape. The operating section12is formed continuously from the grip section11.

A plurality of finger sensor sections21arranged along a longitudinal direction of the grip section11are mounted on a surface of the grip section11. The finger sensor sections21are disposed at positions reached by the middle to small fingers of the user (the individual fingers gripping the grip section11) when the user grips the grip section11(bends the user's fingers to bring them into contact with the grip section11), and at the positions where the fingers leave when the user stretches the fingers.

The finger sensor sections21each include, for example, an electrostatic sensor or an infrared sensor, detect the proximity or contact of a finger, and output a finger detection signal indicating the proximity or contact of the finger. In an example of the present embodiment, the finger sensor sections21are supported by a sensor support section22. Here, as illustrated inFIG.2, the sensor support section22includes a rail member221, a plurality of supports222, a plurality of end fixing sections223, and a plurality of elastic bodies224. The rail member221is linear in shape and disposed along the longitudinal direction of the controller main body10. The supports222and the end fixing sections223are movable along the rail member221. The elastic bodies224are each disposed between the mutually adjacent supports222and between the end fixing sections223and the supports222adjacent to the end fixing sections223.

In the above example of the present embodiment, as described later, the rail member221is sufficiently longer than the length between the middle and small fingers of a common user gripping the grip section11.

The supports222correspond to the respective finger sensor sections21. The number of disposed supports222is the same as the number of disposed finger sensor sections21. Further, the end fixing sections223are disposed closer to the ends of the rail member221than the supports222aand222nat both ends (upper and lower ends), which are among the supports222a,222b, . . . ,222nmoving on the rail member221.

Moreover, the end fixing sections223are switchable between two different states. In one state, the end fixing sections223move on the rail member221. In the other state, the end fixing sections223are secured to the rail member221. More specifically, the end fixing sections223may be securable to the rail member221by using, for example, screws. The user loosens the screws for securing the end fixing sections223to the rail member221, moves the end fixing sections223to desired positions on the rail member221, tightens the screws when the end fixing sections223are moved to the desired positions, and secures the end fixing sections223placed at the desired positions to the rail member221. In this example of the present embodiment, the end fixing sections223function as restriction means for restricting an arrangement range of the finger sensor sections21.

The elastic bodies224are each disposed between the mutually adjacent finger sensor sections21, and in the present example, disposed between the supports222supporting the finger sensor sections21and between the supports222and the end fixing sections223. The elastic bodies224exert pressure in the direction of increasing the interval between the mutually adjacent supports222or the interval between the mutually adjacent supports222and the end fixing sections223. Consequently, the elastic bodies224each function as means for exerting pressure in the direction of moving the finger sensor sections21away from each other.

It is assumed in an example of the present embodiment that the elastic bodies224have a common elastic modulus (hook coefficient). This ensures that the individual elastic bodies224receive the same force and contract when the terminal pair of end fixing sections223is secured to the rail member221. Therefore, the supports222moving on the rail member221(and the finger sensor sections21supported by the supports222) are evenly distributed between the terminal pair of end fixing sections223.

In the present embodiment, it is preferable that the finger sensor sections21each detect the proximity or contact of one of the user's fingers. Therefore, the range within which the supports222for supporting the finger sensor sections21are disposed is equivalent to at least the length L between the middle and small fingers of the user. It is assumed in the present example of the present embodiment that the supports222are evenly distributed between the pair of end fixing sections223. Accordingly, when the number of supports222(finger sensor sections21) is N, the length between the end fixing sections223is L×(N+1)/(N−1), which is calculated by multiplying (N+1) by the distance L/(N−1) between the mutually adjacent supports222. Consequently, the length of the rail member221is determined to be at least L max×(N+1)/(N−1) by using the maximum length L max between the middle and small fingers of a user having possibly the largest hands and the number N of disposed finger sensor sections21. In the present example, it is necessary that the longitudinal length of the grip section11sufficiently exceed the length of the rail member221.

The operating section12includes a button operation section15and a rocker button16. The button operation section15is mounted on the front surface of the operating section12. The rocker button16is mounted on the rear surface of the operating section12. Further, a control circuit19is included in this operating device10.

The button operation section15is disposed at a position that is reached by the thumb of the user when the user grips the grip section11(bends the user's fingers to bring them into contact with the grip section11).

The rocker button16is disposed at a position that is reached by the index finger of the user when the user grips the grip section11(bends the user's fingers to bring them into contact with the grip section11). The axis of rotation of the rocker button16is along the width direction of the operating section12. The rocker button16is swing-operated between a first position and a second section. When swing-operated around the axis of rotation, the rocker button16is protruded in the first position, and is depressed in the second position.

The control circuit19acquires descriptions of an operation performed to press the button operation section15and an operation of the rocker button16, and transmits information describing the operations to the information processing device2. Further, the control circuit19converts the output of each of the finger sensor sections21to a digital value, and transmits the digital value to the information processing device2as the information indicating the result of finger detection. It is assumed that the information indicating the result of finger detection is pre-adjusted to remain “0” before the distance between a finger and the finger sensor section21is shorter than a predetermined distance R, increase as the distance between the finger and the finger sensor section21decreases and becomes shorter than the predetermined distance R, and reach the maximum value (e.g., “255”) when the distance is “0” (a state where the finger is in contact with the finger sensor section21).

The information processing device2, which is, for example, a home video game console, operates in accordance with a program such as a game program. The information processing device2receives information describing a button operation and information indicating the result of finger detection from the controller main body10, and performs processing, for example, to execute the game program by using the received information.

The present embodiment has the above-described configuration and operates as described below. Before using the controller main body10, the user sets the positions of the end fixing sections223according to the size of the hands of the user. It should be noted in the following example that, when the grip section11is gripped by the user, the side toward the little finger on the rail member221is referred to as a lower side while the side toward the middle finger is referred to as an upper side.

More specifically, as illustrated inFIG.3(a), a user having relatively small hands secures the lower end fixing section223at a position P on the rail member221that is shifted upward from the lower end F of the rail member221. It should be noted that the upper end fixing section223is secured to the upper end C of the rail member221. Further, it is assumed in the present example that the number N of finger sensor sections21is the number of fingers to be detected (that is, N=3 because the middle, ring, and little fingers are to be detected in the present example).

In the above instance, the elastic bodies224exert pressure in the direction of moving the mutually adjacent finger sensor sections21away from each other. Therefore, when the end fixing section223is secured at the above-mentioned position P, the elastic bodies224receive the same force and contract. As a result, the finger sensor sections21are evenly distributed between the terminal pair of end fixing sections223, that is, between the position C at the upper end of the rail member221and the position P to which the lower end fixing section223is secured (the length between the position C and the position P is assumed to be “1”).

Consequently, the position P of the lower end fixing section223can be determined so as to ensure, when a user having relatively small hands grips the grip section11(with the middle to little fingers) in a state where the rocker button16is operable by the index finger, that the middle finger (the interval between the index finger and the middle finger does not significantly vary) comes into contact with the finger sensor section21aclosest to the upper end of the rail member221, and that the little finger comes into contact with the finger sensor section21cclosest to the upper end of the rail member221.

Meanwhile, a user having relatively large hands secures the lower end fixing section223to the lower end F of the rail member221as illustrated inFIG.3(b). It should be noted that the upper end fixing section223is secured to the upper end C of the rail member221.

Consequently, as for the user having relatively large hands, the intervals between the finger sensor sections21are adjusted so as to ensure, when the user grips the grip section11(with the middle to little fingers) in a state where the rocker button16is operable by the index finger, that the middle finger comes into contact with the finger sensor section21aclosest to the upper end of the rail member221, and that the little finger comes into contact with the finger sensor section21cclosest to the upper end of the rail member221.

It is assumed in the foregoing examples that one upper end fixing section223and one lower end fixing section223are disposed to be movable on the rail member221. However, in a case where the upper end fixing section223is to be secured to the upper end of the rail member221as indicated in the above example, the upper end fixing section223may be pre-secured to the rail member221. Further, when such a configuration is adopted, the upper end fixing section223need not always be disposed. As regards the upper end, the support222for supporting the finger sensor section21associated with the middle finger (the support222afor supporting the uppermost finger sensor section21a) may be secured at a predetermined position on the rail member221.

If the length between the finger sensor section21ain the uppermost position and the lower end fixing section223is L in a case where the above-mentioned configuration is adopted, the finger sensor sections21within the length L−L/N between the finger sensor section21aand the uppermost finger sensor section21nare disposed at intervals of L/N.

Further, the lower end fixing section223need not always be disposed. Alternatively, at least either one of the supports222associated with the lowermost and uppermost finger sensor sections21may be made switchable (e.g., by using a screwing method) between two different states, namely, a state where the support222is movable on the rail member221and a state where the support222is secured to the rail member221. Furthermore, the supports222associated with the respective lowermost and uppermost finger sensor sections21may be both secured to the rail member221.

In the above example, when the length between the uppermost finger sensor section21aand the lowermost finger sensor section21nis L, N finger sensors within the length L are disposed at intervals of L/(N−1).

Moreover, it is assumed in the foregoing description that the finger sensor sections21are evenly distributed within a prescribed length for arranging the finger sensor sections21. However, the present embodiment is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the elastic modulus may vary from one elastic body224to another. More specifically, for example, the elastic body224between the finger sensor section21associated with the middle finger and the finger sensor section21associated with the ring finger may be more unlikely to contract than the elastic body224between the finger sensor section21associated with the ring finger and the finger sensor section21associated with the little finger.

Further, each of the supports222associated with the respective finger sensor sections21may be switchable between two different states, namely, a state where the support222is movable on the rail member221and a state where the support222is secured to the rail member221. For example, in a case where the supports222are secured to the rail member221with screws or other fasteners, the user may loosen the screws of the supports222, move the supports222to desired positions, and secure the supports222at the desired positions on the rail member221by using the screws.

Furthermore, the foregoing description deals with a case where the supports222or the end fixing sections223, which are switchable between the movable state and the secured state, are moved on or secured to the rail member221by using screws. However, the present embodiment is not limited to such a method. For example, an alternative method is to form either one of male/female engaging parts on the rail member221, form the other one of male/female engaging parts on targets, namely, the supports222or end fixing sections223switchable between the movable state and the secured state, disengage the male/female engaging parts in the movable state (e.g., form the engaging parts with an elastic member to disengage the engagement when a force is applied), and allow the male/female engaging parts to engage with each other to secure the targets to the rail member221in the secured state.

The configuration described in the above example is also able to support the finger sensor sections21in a state where the distance between the mutually adjacent finger sensor sections21can be changed.

[Example of Operating Together with Fixing Implement]

Additionally, in an example of the present embodiment, the arrangement range of the finger sensor sections21may be adjusted in conjunction with the fixing implement20. In this example, as illustrated inFIG.4, the fixing implement20includes a rail member31, a belt terminal32, a belt fixing section33, a belt34, and a buckle35. The belt terminal32is movable on the rail member31. For the sake of explanation, the grip section11depicted inFIG.4is partially broken.

The rail member31is disposed within a predetermined range of the lower end of the grip section11and extends along the longitudinal direction of the grip section11. The belt terminal32, which is movable on the rail member31, includes a column-shaped support rod32B. The support rod32B extends in the width direction of the grip section11, and the belt34is wound around the support rod32B.FIG.4depicts only the bottom surface of the support rod32B because it is viewed from a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the support rod32B.

The belt fixing section33is disposed on the side relatively toward the upper end of the grip section11, and one end of the belt34is secured to the belt fixing section33. The one end of the belt34is secured to the belt fixing section33, which is positioned on the side relatively toward the upper end of the grip section11. Meanwhile, the other end of the belt34is wound around the support rod32B of the belt terminal32and secured by the buckle35disposed on the belt34.

The user inserts the index to little fingers between the belt34and the controller main body10until the base of the thumb approximately reaches the controller main body10. In the resulting state, the user tightens the belt34. In this instance, the belt terminal32around which the belt34is wound moves on the rail member31toward the upper portion of the grip section11. The movement of the belt terminal32is then restricted when the belt34comes into contact with the hypothenar region of a hand of the user (a position corresponding to the fifth metacarpal bone). In this state, the user fixes the length of the belt34by using the buckle35.

The present example of the present embodiment is characteristic in that the belt terminal32and the lower end fixing section223operate together so as to move the lower end fixing section223on the rail member221according to the movement of the belt terminal32.

As an example, the belt terminal32may be coupled to the lower end fixing section223by using a link disposed in the grip section11so that the amount of movement of the belt terminal32is conveyed directly as the amount of movement of the lower end fixing section223. When this configuration is adopted, the lower end fixing section223is disposed at the end of the little finger. In this case, the lower end fixing section223need not always be secured to the rail member221.

Further, it is assumed in the above example that the lower end fixing section223is disposed and moved according to the movement of the belt terminal32. However, if the lower end fixing section223is not disposed in the present embodiment, the support222ndisposed at the lower end may move according to the movement of the belt terminal32. In this case, the support222nshould be coupled to the belt terminal32by using the link disposed in the grip section11.

According to the above example, the belt34of the fixing implement20, which secures the main body of the controller device1to a hand of the user, is configured such that the perimeter of a ring formed by the belt34can be adjusted according to the size of the hand of the user. Therefore, the lower end fixing section223(or a lower end support222), which functions as the restriction means, moves according to the perimeter of the ring formed by the belt34, and thus restricts the arrangement range of the finger sensor sections21. Consequently, in the present example, when the user merely winds the fixing implement20around the user's hand without having to make adjustments, the finger sensor sections21are evenly distributed within the width range of the user's hand and disposed at respective positions corresponding to the user's fingers.

It should be noted that, if an operation is performed, for example, to severely shake the controller device1in a case where the supports222are coupled together with the elastic body224, the elastic body224may deform to vary the intervals between the finger sensor sections21. In view of such circumstances, an acceleration sensor may be disposed in the controller device1and used to detect the acceleration of the controller device1, and then information regarding the detected acceleration may be transmitted to the information processing device2together with the information indicating the result of detection of the finger sensor sections21.

It is assumed that the information processing device2receives, for example, the information indicating the result of detection of the finger sensor sections21on a periodic basis, and stores the last received information. However, if the information regarding the acceleration of the controller device1indicates an acceleration greater than a predetermined threshold value, the information processing device2does not store but discards the information that is indicative of the result of detection of the finger sensor sections21and received while the acceleration is greater than the predetermined threshold value.

Consequently, the information obtained immediately before the movement is greatly accelerated is used as is. In a case where the acceleration is great, it is highly conceivable that the controller device1is gripped by the user. Therefore, in a case where the information regarding the acceleration of the controller device1indicates an acceleration greater than the predetermined threshold value, the information processing device2may assume that the user's fingers are closed (to grip the controller device1), and perform processing without regard to the result of detection of the finger sensor sections21.

[Example of Making Palm-to-Finger Sensor Section Distance Adjustable]

Additionally, in the present embodiment, an attachment40may be attachable to a portion of the controller device1that comes into contact with the palm of the user (the thenar surface of the user's hand). The attachment40is integral with the housing of the controller device1.

The attachment40adjusts the interval between the grip section11and the user's palm (thenar surface), and may be of any shape. However, the attachment40is preferably integral with the housing of the controller device1. Therefore, it is preferred that the attachment40have a surface shaped to match the curved surface of the housing of the controller device1. Attaching or detaching the attachment40adjusts the distance between the user's palm (thenar surface) and the finger sensor sections21.

That is, in the present example, an attachment mount41is disposed on a surface of the grip section11of the controller device1on which the fixing implement20is mounted. As illustrated, for example, inFIG.5, the attachment mount41includes a rail member411that is disposed on the face of the grip section11. Further, in this case, a slide groove412is formed on the side of the attachment40. The slide groove412engages with the rail member411and is able to slide on the rail member411.

Moreover, a protrusion413is disposed on the attachment mount41. According to a user operation, the protrusion413is able to move between two different states, for example, a protruded state and a retracted state. A notch414may be formed on the side of the attachment40. The notch414engages with the protrusion413(i.e., the movement of the attachment40is restricted by the notch414) while the attachment40is mounted on the attachment mount41.

The user secures the attachment40by engaging the slide groove412of the attachment40with the rail member411of the controller device1, sliding the attachment40on the rail member411to dispose the attachment40at a predetermined position, and placing the protrusion413in the protruded state.

As a result, the outer perimeter of the grip section11is extended by the width of the attachment40. This ensures that the grip section11is easily operated by a user having relatively large hands (e.g., the finger sensor sections21are just reachable by the user's fingertips).

Further, the grip section11is easily operated by a user having relatively small hands when the user removes the attachment40(moves the protrusion413into the retracted state, moves the slide groove412of the attachment40along the rail member411to disengage the slide groove412from the rail member411, and removes the attachment40). The outer perimeter of the grip section11is then restored to its original state (a state where the attachment40is still not attached). In this state, the grip section11is easily operated by the user.

Although the above example describes the attachment and detachment of the attachment40, the perimeter of the grip section11of the controller device1may alternatively be changed by deforming the grip section11of the controller device1. An example alternative is to prepare a balloon that inflates when air is introduced into it, dispose the balloon on a surface of the grip section11that is on the side where the fixing implement20is mounted, and inflate or deflate the balloon as needed to change the outer perimeter of the grip section11.

It should be noted that, in the example of the present embodiment in which the distance between the palm and the finger sensor sections are made adjustable, the intervals between the individual finger sensor sections need not always be adjusted. That is, the individual finger sensor sections21may be fixed at predetermined positions on the grip section11.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST