Patent Publication Number: US-9833701-B2

Title: Gaming device with an inclined surface

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/085,126, filed Nov. 20, 2013, now allowed, which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-174092, filed on Aug. 26, 2013, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The technology shown here relates to an information processing apparatus and an information processing system, and in particular, relates to a portable information processing apparatus and an information processing system including a portable input apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY 
     Conventionally, there is a handheld game apparatus having a lower housing and an upper housing connected to each other so as to be openable and closable in a folding manner (foldable). In the game apparatus, display screens are provided in the lower housing and the upper housing, and various operation buttons are provided in the lower housing. Further, near the connection portion of the lower housing and the upper housing, operation buttons (an L button and an R button) are provided at the left and right ends of the upper side surface of the lower housing. 
     In the game apparatus, the lower housing is almost cuboid, except for the connection portion of the lower housing and the upper housing. Then, the operation buttons at the left and right ends of the upper side surface are merely placed on a certain surface of the cuboid. Thus, there is room for improvement in the operability of the operation buttons when they are operated. 
     Therefore, it is an object of an exemplary embodiment to provide a novel information processing apparatus and a novel information processing system. Further, it is another object of the exemplary embodiment to provide an information processing apparatus and an information processing system that have excellent operability. 
     To achieve the above object, the exemplary embodiment can employ, for example, the following configurations. It should be noted that it is understood that, to interpret the descriptions of the claims, the scope of the claims should be interpreted only by the descriptions of the claims. If there is a conflict between the descriptions of the claims and the descriptions of the specification, the descriptions of the claims take precedence. 
     An exemplary configuration of an information processing apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment is a portable information processing apparatus for performing predetermined processing in accordance with a user operation. The information processing apparatus includes a plate-like housing and at least one operation button. The housing is so shaped that a thickness of an upper side surface of the housing is greater than a thickness of a lower side surface of the housing such that the closer to the lower side surface, the thinner the housing. The operation button is provided on the upper side surface of the housing. 
     Based on the above, it is possible to achieve a novel information processing apparatus. 
     In addition, a length of a press surface of the operation button in a thickness direction of the upper side surface may be almost the same as the thickness of the upper side surface. 
     Based on the above, the pressing of the operation button provided on the upper side surface is facilitated. 
     In addition, an inclined surface may be formed on at least a part of the upper side surface, the inclined surface having a slope that is inclined outward and extends toward a front surface of the housing. 
     Based on the above, a user can stably hold the information processing apparatus. This makes it possible to prevent the user from dropping the information processing apparatus while operating it. 
     In addition, an inclined surface may be formed on the operation button, the inclined surface having a slope that is inclined outward and extends toward a front surface of the housing. 
     Based on the above, it is possible to operate the operation button at a press position that facilitates the operation, and therefore possible to improve the operability of the operation button. 
     In addition, inclined surfaces may be formed on at least part of a left side surface and a right side surface of the housing, the inclined surfaces having slopes that are inclined outward and extend toward a front surface of the housing. 
     Based on the above, a user can stably hold the information processing apparatus. This makes it possible to prevent the user from dropping the information processing apparatus while operating it. 
     In addition, the inclined surfaces formed on the at least part of the left side surface and the right side surface of the housing may be formed on almost an entirety of the left side surface and the right side surface of the housing. 
     Based on the above, the user can hold the information processing apparatus more stably. Further, the visibility of the front surface of the housing (for example, the visibility of a display screen provided on the front surface) is improved. 
     In addition, the information processing apparatus may further include at least one operation section. The operation section is provided on an upper side surface side on a front surface of the housing and different from the operation button. 
     Based on the above, even when both the operation button and the operation section are operated, it is possible to prevent the reduction in the operability. 
     In addition, a center of gravity of the information processing apparatus may be set on an upper side surface side of the housing. 
     Based on the above, a user can stably hold the information processing apparatus. This provides an excellent operation feeling when moving the information processing apparatus while holding it. 
     In addition, the at least one operation button may be two operation buttons provided on left and right of the upper side surface of the housing. 
     In addition, the two operation buttons may be provided in left and right end portions of the upper side surface of the housing. 
     Based on the above, the operability of the two operation buttons provided on the left and right of the upper side surface is improved. 
     In addition, the information processing apparatus may further include a plurality of display screens. The display screens are provided on a front surface of the housing. 
     Based on the above, it is possible to operate the information processing apparatus while viewing images displayed on the plurality of display screens provided on the front surface of the housing. 
     In addition, the plurality of display screens may be formed using a plurality of portions of a single display screen. 
     Based on the above, it is possible to greatly reduce the component costs and the production costs of the apparatus. 
     In addition, the operation button provided on the left may be configured to be pressed at least in a direction from the upper side surface to the lower side surface and in a direction from left to right. The operation button provided on the right may be configured to be pressed at least in a direction from the upper side surface to the lower side surface and in a direction from right to left. 
     Based on the above, an operation of pressing the operation buttons is facilitated. 
     In addition, in the operation button provided on the left, a press surface to be pressed by a user may be formed into a curved surface that connects the upper side surface and a left side surface of the housing. In the operation button provided on the right, a press surface to be pressed by the user may be formed into a curved surface that connects the upper side surface and a right side surface of the housing. 
     Based on the above, each of the press surfaces is formed into a curved surface, and therefore is suitable for an operation of pressing the operation button from various directions. 
     In addition, each of the curved surfaces may be formed into a quadrant arc. 
     Based on the above, each of the press surfaces is formed into a quadrant arc, and therefore is suitable for an operation of pressing the operation button from various directions such as a vertical direction, a horizontal direction, and an oblique direction. 
     In addition, the exemplary embodiment may be implemented also in the form of an information processing system including an input apparatus having the above components. 
     Based on the exemplary embodiment, it is possible to achieve a novel information processing apparatus, a novel input apparatus, and the like. 
     These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the exemplary embodiments will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front view showing a non-limiting example of a game apparatus  1 ; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view, a top view, and a bottom view showing a non-limiting example of the game apparatus  1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view, a rear view, a left side view, and a right side view showing a non-limiting example of the game apparatus  1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram showing a non-limiting example of the state where a user holds the game apparatus  1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram showing a non-limiting example of the internal configuration of the game apparatus  1 ; 
         FIG. 6A  is a diagram showing a non-limiting example of the internal structure of an R button  14 H as viewed from the front surface side in the state where the R button  14 H is not pressed; 
         FIG. 6B  is a diagram showing a non-limiting example of the internal structure of the R button  14 H as viewed from the front surface side in the state where the R button  14 H has been pressed; and 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram showing a non-limiting example where a lower LCD  12  and an upper LCD  22  are formed using a single liquid crystal display apparatus  200 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF NON-LIMITING EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 to 4 , an information processing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment is described. Although the information processing apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment can execute any program, an example of the information processing apparatus is described using a handheld game apparatus  1  that executes a game program. It should be noted that  FIGS. 1 to 4  are diagrams showing examples of the appearance of the game apparatus  1 .  FIG. 1  is a front view showing an example of the game apparatus  1 . In  FIG. 2 , (a) is a front view of the game apparatus  1 , (b) is a top view of the game apparatus  1 , and (c) is a bottom view of the game apparatus  1 . In  FIG. 3 , (a) is a front view of the game apparatus  1 , (b) is a rear view of the game apparatus  1 , (c) is a left side view of the game apparatus  1 , and (d) is a right side view of the game apparatus  1 .  FIG. 4  is a diagram showing an example of the state where a user holds the game apparatus  1 . The game apparatus  1  includes capturing sections, and for example, can capture an image using the capturing sections, display the captured image on a screen, and store data of the captured image. Further, the game apparatus  1  can execute a program (for example, a game program) stored in an exchangeable memory card or received from a server or another game apparatus, and can also display on the screen an image generated by computer graphics processing, such as an image captured by a virtual camera set in a virtual space. 
     In  FIGS. 1 to 4 , the game apparatus  1  includes a housing  11  that can be held by a user. The housing  11  is formed into a plate shape such that the main surface (front surface) of the housing  11  is rectangular (for example, approximately square). Normally, the user uses the game apparatus  1  while viewing the front surface of the game apparatus  1 . Then, when not using the game apparatus  1 , the user stores away the game apparatus  1  by putting the game apparatus  1  into a power-off state or a sleep state. 
     As an example, the following are provided outside or inside the housing  11 : a lower LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)  12 ; a touch panel  13 ; operation buttons  14 A to  14 K; an analog stick  15 ; a sound volume slider  16 ; a sleep slider  17 ; LEDs  18 A to  18 D; a first card connector  19 ; an infrared light receiving/emitting section  20 ; a second card connector  21 ; an upper LCD  22 ; an outer capturing section  23  including two capturing sections (a left outer capturing section  23   a  and a right outer capturing section  23   b ); an inner capturing section  24 ; a touch pen  28 ; a microphone  43 ; a loudspeaker  44 ; and the like. The details of these components are described below. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the upper LCD  22  and the upper LCD  22  are accommodated in the housing  11 . The lower LCD  12  has a horizontally long shape and is placed such that the long side direction of the lower LCD  12  coincides with the left-right direction of the housing  11 . The lower LCD  12  is provided on the front surface (main surface) of the housing  11  and in the lower center of the housing  11 . As an example, the lower LCD  12  is a display device that displays an image in a planar manner (not in a stereoscopically visible manner). The upper LCD  22  has a horizontally long shape and is placed such that the long side direction of the upper LCD  22  coincides with the left-right direction of the housing  11 . Then, the upper LCD  22  is provided on the front surface (main surface) of the housing  11  and in the upper center of the housing  11 . As an example, the area of the screen of the upper LCD  22  is set to be greater than that of the lower LCD  12 . Specifically, the screen of the upper LCD  22  is set to be horizontally longer than the screen of the lower LCD  12 . That is, the proportion of the width in the aspect ratio of the screen of the upper LCD  22  is set to be greater than that of the lower LCD  12 . Then, similarly to the lower LCD  12 , the upper LCD  22  is a display device that displays an image in a planar manner. It should be noted that although an LCD is used as a display device in the exemplary embodiment, any other display device may be used, such as a display device using electroluminescence (EL). Further, a display device having any resolution may be used as the lower LCD  12  and the upper LCD  22 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the game apparatus  1  includes the touch panel  13  as an input device. The touch panel  13  is mounted so as to cover the screen of the lower LCD  12 . It should be noted that in the exemplary embodiment, the touch panel  13  may be, for example, a resistive touch panel. The touch panel, however, may be not only a resistive touch panel but also a touch panel of any pressure type, such as an electrostatic capacitance type. For example, the touch panel  13  may have the same resolution (detection accuracy) as that of the lower LCD  12 . The resolutions of the touch panel  13  and the lower LCD  12 , however, may not necessarily need to coincide with each other. Further, as shown in (b) and (d) of  FIG. 3 , an insertion slot for accommodating the touch pen  28  is provided on the back surface of the housing  11 , and the touch pen  28  is accommodated in the insertion slot. An input on the touch panel  13  is normally provided using the touch pen  28 , but an input can be provided on the touch panel  13  not only by the touch pen  28  but also by a finger of the user. 
     The operation buttons  14 A to  14 K are each an input device for the user to provide an input by performing a pressing operation. As shown in  FIG. 1 , among the operation buttons  14 A to  14 K, the directional button  14 A (the direction input button  14 A), the operation button  14 B, the operation button  14 C, the operation button  14 D, the operation button  14 E, the power button  14 F, the select button  14 I, the home button  14 J, and the start button  14 K are provided on the front surface (main surface) of the housing  11 . The directional button  14 A has a cross-shaped button for indicating up, down, left, and right directions, and is provided near a central portion at the left end of the housing  11 . The operation button  14 B (for example, an A button), the operation button  14 C (for example, a B button), the operation button  14 D (for example, an X button), and the operation button  14 E (for example, a Y button) are placed in a cross formation and provided in an upper portion at the right end of the housing  11  (at a position to the right of the upper LCD  22 ). The operation buttons  14 A to  14 E, the select button  14 I, the home button  14 J, and the start button  14 K are appropriately assigned functions based on the program to be executed by the game apparatus  1 . The directional button  14 A is used for, for example, a selection operation. The operation buttons  14 B to  14 E are used for, for example, a determination operation or a cancellation operation. The power button  14 F is used to turn on/off the game apparatus  1 . 
     The analog stick  15  is an input device for indicating a direction, and is provided in an upper portion at the left end of the front surface (main surface) of the housing  11  (at a position to the left of the upper LCD  22 ). As shown in  FIG. 1 , the analog stick  15  is provided above the directional button  14 A. The analog stick  15  and the directional button  14 A are provided so as to be operated with the thumb of the left hand holding the housing  11  (see  FIG. 4 ). Further, the provision of the analog stick  15  in an upper portion on the left locates the analog stick  15  at a position where the thumb of the left hand holding the housing  11  is naturally placed, and also locates the directional button  14 A at a position where the thumb of the left hand shifted slightly downward from the analog stick  15  is placed. The key top of the analog stick  15  is configured to slide parallel to the front surface of the housing  11 . The analog stick  15  functions in accordance with the program to be executed by the game apparatus  1 . For example, when a game where a predetermined object appears in a three-dimensional virtual space is executed by the game apparatus  1 , the analog stick  15  functions as an input apparatus for causing the predetermined object to move in the three-dimensional virtual space. In this case, the predetermined object is caused to move in the direction in which the key top of the analog stick  15  has slid. It should be noted that the analog stick  15  may be a component capable of providing an analog input by being tilted by a predetermined amount in any one of up, down, right, left, and diagonal directions. 
     In addition, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a hole for inputting a sound to the microphone  43  is provided on the front surface of the housing  11 . The microphone  43  is provided under the hole and detects a sound outside the game apparatus  1 . Further, holes for outputting the sound of the loudspeaker  44  to the outside of the game apparatus  1  are provided on the front surface of the housing  11 . The loudspeaker  44  is provided under the holes and outputs a sound to the outside of the game apparatus  1  through the holes. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the inner capturing section  24  is provided on the front surface of the housing  11  and functions as a capturing section of which the capturing direction is the direction normal to the front surface and extending therefrom to the near side. The inner capturing section  24  includes an imaging device (for example, a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor) having a predetermined resolution, and a lens. The lens may have a zoom mechanism. 
     The inner capturing section  24  is placed above the upper end of the screen of the upper LCD  22  and in the center of the housing  11  in the left-right direction (on the line dividing the housing  11  (the screen of the upper LCD  22 ) into two equal left and right parts). Then, the inner capturing section  24  captures an image in the direction opposite to that of the outer capturing section  23  described later. For example, when the user views the upper LCD  22  or the lower LCD  12  from the front thereof, the inner capturing section  24  can capture the user&#39;s face from the front. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the first LED  18 A is provided to the right of the power button  14 F on the front surface of the housing  11 . The first LED  18 A notifies the user of the on/off state of the power supply of the game apparatus  1 . Further, the second LED  18 B is provided above the first LED  18 A on the front surface of the housing  11 . The second LED  18 B notifies the user that the game apparatus  1  is being charged. Further, the third LED  18 C is provided in a right end portion of the housing  11 . The third LED  18 C notifies the user of the establishment state of wireless communication of the game apparatus  1 . For example, the game apparatus  1  can communicate wirelessly with other devices, and the third LED  18 C lights up when wireless communication is established between the game apparatus  1  and other devices. The game apparatus  1  has the function of establishing connection with a wireless LAN by, for example, a method based on the IEEE 802.11.b/g/n/ac/ad standard. Further, the fourth LED  18 D is provided on the front surface of the housing  11 . The fourth LED  18 D lights up when the user of the game apparatus  1  is notified of something. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  and (c) of  FIG. 2 , the sleep slider  17  is provided in a lower end portion of the housing  11 . The sleep slider  17  is an input apparatus that is operated when the user causes the game apparatus  1  to transition from a normal operation mode to a sleep mode, or to transition from the sleep mode to the normal operation mode. For example, the user may perform an operation of sliding the sleep slider  17  while a game is being performed in the normal operation mode in the game apparatus  1 . This makes it possible to suspend the game and cause the game apparatus  1  to transition to the sleep mode, which reduces the power consumption of the game apparatus  1 . Further, the user may perform an operation of sliding the sleep slider  17  while the game apparatus  1  is in the sleep mode. This makes it possible to return the game apparatus  1  to the normal operation mode and resume the game suspended by the transition to the sleep mode. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , (b) of  FIG. 2 , and (c) and (d) of  FIG. 3 , the L button  14 G and the R button  14 H are provided on the upper side surface of the lower housing  11 . The L button  14 G is provided at a position that is the corner of a left end portion of the upper side surface and an upper end portion of the left side surface of the housing  11 . Further, the R button  14 H is provided at a position that is the corner of a right end portion of the upper side surface and an upper end portion of the right side surface of the housing  11 . The L button  14 G and the R button  14 H are each an input apparatus for the user to provide an input by performing a pressing operation, and are appropriately assigned functions based on the program to be executed by the game apparatus  1 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , in the L button  14 G a press surface to be pressed by the user is formed into a curved surface that connects the upper side surface and the left side surface of the housing  11 . As an example, the curved surface is formed into a quadrant arc. Further, in the R button  14 H, a press surface to be pressed by the user is formed into a curved surface that connects the upper side surface and the right side surface of the housing  11 . As an example, the curved surface is formed into a quadrant arc. Then, the L button  14 G and the R button  14 H are configured to be pressed at least in an up-down direction (the direction from the upper side surface to the lower side surface of the housing  11 ) and in a left-right direction (the direction from the left side surface to the right side surface of the housing  11  or the direction from the right side surface to the left side surface of the housing  11 ). It should be noted that the structures and the detailed shapes of the L button  14 G and the R button  14 H will be described later. 
     As shown in (c) of  FIG. 3 , the sound volume slider  16  is provided on the left side surface of the housing  11 . The sound volume slider  16  is used to adjust the volume of the sound output from the loudspeaker  44  of the game apparatus  1 . 
     As shown in (d) of  FIG. 3 , a cover section is provided on the right side surface of the housing  11  such that the second card connector  21  is placed inside the cover section. The second card connector  21  electrically connects the game apparatus  1  and a data storage external memory  46 . The data storage external memory  46  is detachably attached to the second card connector  21  by opening the cover section. The data storage external memory  46  is used to, for example, store (save) various types of data such as data of an image captured by the game apparatus  1 . 
     As shown in (b) of  FIG. 2 , an insertion slot is formed on the upper side surface of the housing  11  such that the first card connector  19  is provided within the insertion slot. An external memory  45  having stored therein a game program is inserted into the insertion slot, and the external memory  45  and the first card connector  19  are electrically and detachably connected to each other. The external memory  45  is connected to the game apparatus  1 , whereby the program stored in the external memory  45  is executed. It should be noted that in the example shown in (b) of  FIG. 2 , the first card connector  19  is provided in an area to the left of the center of the upper side surface of the housing  11 . 
     In addition, as shown in (b) of  FIG. 2 , the infrared light receiving/emitting section  20  is provided on the upper side surface of the housing  11 . When the game apparatus  1  communicates wirelessly with a game apparatus of the same type by a predetermined communication method (for example, infrared communication), the infrared light receiving/emitting section  20  emits and receives infrared light to and from the other game apparatus. It should be noted that in the example shown in (b) of  FIG. 2 , the infrared light receiving/emitting section  20  is provided in an area to the left of the center of the upper side surface of the housing  11  and is provided next to the first card connector  19  in a depth direction (the direction from the front surface to the back surface of the housing  11 ). Further, a rechargeable battery that serves as the power supply of the game apparatus  1  is accommodated in the housing  11 . The battery can be charged through a terminal provided on the upper side surface of the housing  11 . 
     As shown in (b) of  FIG. 3 , the left outer capturing section  23   a  and the right outer capturing section  23   b  are provided on the back surface of the housing  11 . The left outer capturing section  23   a  and the right outer capturing section  23   b  are each set such that the capturing direction is the depth direction (that is, the direction normal to the front surface of the housing  11  and extending backward therefrom). Thus, the left outer capturing section  23   a  and the right outer capturing section  23   b  are each set such that the capturing direction is 180 degrees opposite to the direction normal to the display surface of the upper LCD  22  (and the lower LCD  12 ). Further, the capturing direction of the left outer capturing section  23   a  and the capturing direction of the right outer capturing section  23   b  are parallel to each other. Depending on the program to be executed by the game apparatus  1 , the left outer capturing section  23   a  and the right outer capturing section  23   b  can be used as a stereo camera. Alternatively, depending on the program to be executed by the game apparatus  1 , either one of the left outer capturing section  23   a  and the right outer capturing section  23   b  may be used solely so that the outer capturing section  23  can also be used as a non-stereo camera. Yet alternatively, depending on the program to be executed by the game apparatus  1 , images captured by the left outer capturing section  23   a  and the right outer capturing section  23   b  may be combined together, or may be used to compensate for each other, so that images can be captured in an extended capturing range. As an example, the left outer capturing section  23   a  and the right outer capturing section  23   b  each include an imaging device (for example, a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor) having a predetermined common resolution, and a lens. It should be noted that the lens may have a zoom mechanism. Further, in the exemplary embodiment, the outer capturing section  23  is composed of two capturing sections, namely the left outer capturing section  23   a  and the right outer capturing section  23   b . Alternatively, the outer capturing section  23  may be composed of one capturing section. Further, the capturing directions of the left outer capturing section  23   a  and the right outer capturing section  23   b  may be set to be the direction normal to the back surface of the housing  11 . 
     The left outer capturing section  23   a  and the right outer capturing section  23   b  are placed next to each other in the left-right direction of the game apparatus  1 . That is, the left outer capturing section  23   a  and the right outer capturing section  23   b  are placed such that a straight line connecting the left outer capturing section  23   a  and the right outer capturing section  23   b  is parallel to the horizontal direction of the screen of the upper LCD  22 . Then, the left outer capturing section  23   a  and the right outer capturing section  23   b  are placed symmetrically to each other with respect to the center of the upper LCD  22  in the left-right direction. That is, when the user views the screen of the upper LCD  22  from the front thereof, the left outer capturing section  23   a  is placed on the left, and the right outer capturing section  23   b  is placed on the right. Thus, when a program is being executed that causes the outer capturing section  23  to function as a stereo camera, the left outer capturing section  23   a  can capture a left-eye image, which is to be viewed with the user&#39;s left eye, and the right outer capturing section  23   b  can capture a right-eye image, which is to be viewed with the user&#39;s right eye. 
     Next, the detailed shape of the housing  11  is described. As described above, the housing  11  is formed into a plate shape such that the front surface of the housing  11  is approximately square. More specifically, as shown in (b) and (c) of  FIG. 2  and (c) and (d) of  FIG. 3 , the front surface and the back surface of the housing  11  are not parallel to each other, and inclined surfaces and curved surfaces are formed on the left and right side surfaces and the upper side surface of the housing  11 . 
     For example, as shown in (c) and (d) of  FIG. 3 , the front surface and the back surface of the housing  11  are placed so as to form a wedge shape such that the front surface and the back surface intersect with each other at an angle W°. Specifically, the housing  11  is so shaped that the upper side surface is thicker than the lower side surface (a thickness Tu of the upper side surface and a thickness Tl of the lower side surface shown in (b) and (c) of  FIG. 2 ; Tu&gt;Tl) such that the closer to the lower side surface, the thinner the housing  11 . Based on this, when the game apparatus  1  is placed on a horizontal surface such as a desk with the back surface of the housing  11  in contact with the horizontal surface, the front surface of the housing  11  is positioned such that the upper end side is higher than the lower end side. This facilitates viewing images displayed on the upper LCD  22  and the lower LCD  12 . Further, the housing  11  is formed into a wedge shape such that the upper side surface is thicker than the lower side surface such that the closer to the lower side surface, the thinner the housing  11 . This facilitates holding the housing  11 , and therefore improves the operability of the game apparatus  1  (see  FIG. 4 ). 
     In addition, the thick formation of the upper end surface side of the housing  11  allows the arrangement of many components on the upper end surface side and also places the center of gravity of the game apparatus  1  on the upper end surface side (the upper LCD  22  side). For example, as shown in (b) of  FIG. 3 , the first card connector  19  and the infrared light receiving/emitting section  20  are placed one on top of the other near the upper end surface of the housing  11 , and the left outer capturing section  23   a  is placed on top of the first card connector  19  and the infrared light receiving/emitting section  20 . Further, in the exemplary embodiment, also the rechargeable battery that serves as the power source of the game apparatus  1  is placed on the upper end surface side of the housing  11 . Thus, the center of gravity of the game apparatus  1  is placed on the upper end surface side. The center of gravity of the game apparatus  1  is thus placed on the upper end surface side of the housing  11 , whereby the user can stably hold the game apparatus  1 . This provides an excellent operation feeling when moving the game apparatus  1  while holding it. 
     In addition, the thick formation of the upper end surface side of the housing  11  makes it possible to provide the L button  14 G and the R button  14 H such that the L button  14 G and the R button  14 H placed on the upper end surface are large. For example, as shown in (b) of  FIG. 2  and the like, the press surfaces of the L button  14 G and the R button  14 H are provided almost entirely in the thickness direction of the upper end surface. This improves the operability of the L button  14 G and the R button  14 H. It should be noted that the L button  14 G and the R button  14 H may not be provided almost entirely in the thickness direction of the upper end surface. The size of each press surface in the thickness direction may be two thirds of the thickness of the upper end surface. The size of each press surface in the thickness direction may be half the thickness of the upper end surface. Any of these press surfaces can improve the operability of the L button  14 G and the R button  14 H. 
     In addition, as shown in (c) and (d) of  FIG. 3 , the upper end surface of the housing  11  is placed so as to intersect with the front surface at an acute angle (an angle S2°). Specifically, the upper end surface of the housing  11  is an inclined surface having a slope that is inclined outward and extends toward the front surface of the housing at an angle 90−S2°. This enables the user to stably hold the game apparatus  1  by, as shown in  FIG. 4 , placing their fingers along the upper end surface when holding the game apparatus  1 . This makes it possible to prevent the user from dropping the game apparatus  1  while operating it. Further, when the user views an image displayed on the upper LCD  22  or the lower LCD  12  from the front thereof by placing the game apparatus  1  on a horizontal surface such as a desk with the back surface of the housing  11  in contact with the horizontal surface, the upper end surface cannot be viewed. This improves the visibility of the upper LCD  22  and the lower LCD  12 . Further, as shown in (b) of  FIG. 2  and (c) and (d) of  FIG. 3 , the inclined surface may include the press surfaces of the L button  14 G and the R button  14 H. In this case, when the user presses the L button  14 G and the R button  14 H in the up-down direction (the direction from the upper side surface to the lower side surface of the housing  11 ), the user presses the press surfaces formed in the inclined surface. In this case, when the pressing of the inclined surface on the front surface side is compared with the pressing of the inclined surface on the back surface side, the press positions in the up-down direction are different by the amount of slope of the inclined surface. Thus, when, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the user presses the L button  14 G and the R button  14 H with their index fingers while causing both palms to abut left and right end portions of the game apparatus  1 , the user can adjust the length from the position of each palm to the press position by the slope of the inclined surface, and therefore can operate the L button  14 G and the R button  14 H at press positions (lengths) that facilitate the operation. 
     In addition, as shown in (b) and (c) of  FIG. 2 , each of the left and right side surfaces of the housing  11  is placed so as to intersect with the front surface at an acute angle (an angle S1°). Specifically, the left and right side surfaces of the housing  11  are inclined surfaces having slopes that are inclined outward in a V-shaped manner and extend toward the front surface of the housing at an angle 90−S1°. This enables the user to stably hold the game apparatus  1  by, as shown in  FIG. 4 , by placing their palms or the like along the left and right side surfaces when holding the game apparatus  1 . This makes it possible to prevent the user from dropping the game apparatus  1  while operating it. Further, when the user views an image displayed on the upper LCD  22  or the lower LCD  12  from the front thereof by placing the game apparatus  1  on a horizontal surface such as a desk with the back surface of the housing  11  in contact with the horizontal surface, the left and right side surfaces cannot be viewed. This improves the visibility of the upper LCD  22  and the lower LCD  12 . 
     It should be noted that in the example described above, the inclined surfaces are formed on the entirety of the upper end surface and the left and right side surfaces of the housing  11 . It goes without saying, however, that even if the inclined surfaces are formed on part of the upper end surface and the left and right side surfaces, it is possible to provide similar effects. For example, the upper end surface and the left and right side surfaces may be so shaped that middle portions between the back surface and the front surface protrude, and the surfaces from the back surface side to the protruding portions are formed into inclined surfaces having the above slopes (for example, elliptical or race-track-shaped cross-sections). 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the above shape of the housing  11  and the above arrangement of the input apparatuses in the housing  11  enable the user to hold the inclined surfaces formed on both side surfaces of the housing  11  and the back surface of the housing  11  with both palms, middle fingers, ring fingers, and little fingers, such that the front surface of the housing  11  (that is, the lower LCD  12  and the upper LCD  22 ) faces the user. By thus holding the housing  11 , the user can perform operations on the operation buttons  14 A to  14 E and the analog stick  15  with their thumbs, and perform operations on the L button  14 G and the R button  14 H with their index fingers, while holding the housing  11 . Particularly, the four buttons, namely the buttons  14 B,  14 C,  14 D, and  14 E, are placed on the upper end surface side of the housing  11  where the thumb of the right hand holding the lower housing  11  is naturally placed. The analog stick  15  is placed on the upper end surface side of the housing  11  where the thumb of the left hand holding the housing  11  is naturally placed. Further, these four buttons and the analog stick  15  are placed symmetrically to each other with respect to the upper LCD  22  in the left-right direction and are disposed at positions suitable for operating the four buttons and the analog stick  15  while viewing the upper LCD  22 . Further, since these four buttons and the analog stick  15  are placed symmetrically to each other with respect to the upper LCD  22  in the left-right direction, for example, a left-handed person can also provide a direction indication input using these four buttons, depending on the game program. 
     Next, with reference to  FIG. 5 , the internal configuration of the game apparatus  1  is described. It should be noted that  FIG. 5  is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the game apparatus  1 . 
     In  FIG. 5 , the game apparatus  1  includes electronic components such as an information processing section  31 , a main memory  32 , an external memory interface (external memory I/F)  33 , data storage external memory I/F  34 , a data storage internal memory  35 , a local communication module  37 , an acceleration sensor  39 , an angular velocity sensor  40 , and an interface circuit (I/F circuit)  42 , in addition to the components described above. These electronic components are implemented on an electronic circuit board and accommodated in the housing  11 . 
     The information processing section  31  is information processing means including a CPU (Central Processing Unit)  311  that executes a predetermined program, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)  312  that performs image processing, and the like. As an example, a program to be executed by the CPU  311  is stored in a memory (for example, an external memory  45  connected to the external memory I/F  33  or the data storage internal memory  35 ) included in the game apparatus  1 . The CPU  311  executes the program, thereby performing information processing such as image processing and game processing. It should be noted that a program to be executed by the CPU  311  may be acquired from another apparatus by communication with said another apparatus. The information processing section  31  also includes a VRAM (Video RAM)  313 . The GPU  312  generates an image in accordance with a command from the CPU  311  and draws the generated image in the VRAM  313 . Then, the GPU  312  outputs the image drawn in the VRAM  313  to the upper LCD  22  and/or the lower LCD  12 . This causes the image to be displayed on the upper LCD  22  and/or the lower LCD  12 . 
     The information processing section  31  is connected to the main memory  32 , the external memory I/F  33 , the data storage external memory I/F  34 , and the data storage internal memory  35 . The main memory  32  is volatile storage means used as a work area or a buffer area of the CPU  311 . That is, the main memory  32  temporarily stores various types of data used for information processing, and also temporarily stores a program acquired from the outside (the external memory  45 , another device, or the like) of the game apparatus  1 . The external memory I/F  33  is an interface for detachably connecting the external memory  45 . Further, the data storage external memory I/F  34  is an interface for detachably connecting the data storage external memory  46 . 
     The external memory  45  is non-volatile storage means for storing a program to be executed by the CPU  311 . The external memory  45  is composed, for example, of a read-only semiconductor memory. The connection of the external memory  45  to the first card connector  19  enables the CPU  311  to load a program stored in the external memory  45 . The data storage external memory  46  is composed of a readable/writable non-volatile memory (for example, a NAND flash memory) and is used to store predetermined data. For example, the data storage external memory  46  stores images captured by the outer capturing section  23  and the like. If the data storage external memory  46  has been connected to the second card connector  21 , the CPU  311  can load an image stored in the data storage external memory  46 , and cause the image to be displayed on the upper LCD  22  and/or the lower LCD  12 . 
     The data storage internal memory  35  is composed of a readable/writable non-volatile memory (for example, a NAND flash memory) and is used to store predetermined data. For example, the data storage internal memory  35  stores data and programs acquired from another apparatus. 
     In addition, the acceleration sensor  39  is connected to the information processing section  31 . The acceleration sensor  39  detects the magnitudes of accelerations (linear accelerations) in the directions of straight lines along three axial directions set in the game apparatus  1 . The acceleration sensor  39  is provided within the housing  11 . It should be noted that the acceleration sensor  39  may be an acceleration sensor for detecting an acceleration in one axial direction, or accelerations in two axial directions. The CPU  311  can calculate the orientation and the motion of the game apparatus  1  using data (acceleration data) representing the accelerations detected by the acceleration sensor  39 . 
     In addition, the angular velocity sensor  40  is connected to the information processing section  31 . The angular velocity sensor  40  detects the angular velocities generated about three axes set in the game apparatus  1 . The angular velocity sensor  40  is provided within the housing  11 . The CPU  311  can calculate the orientation and the motion of the game apparatus  1  using angular velocity data output from the angular velocity sensor  40 . 
     The I/F circuit  42  is connected to the information processing section  31 . The microphone  43 , the loudspeaker  44 , and the touch panel  13  are connected to the I/F circuit  42 . The I/F circuit  42  includes: a sound control circuit that controls the input from the microphone  43  and the output to the loudspeaker  44 ; and a touch panel control circuit that controls the touch panel  13 . For example, the sound control circuit performs A/D conversion or D/A conversion on a sound signal and converts the sound signal into sound data in a predetermined format. The touch panel control circuit generates touch position data in a predetermined format on the basis of a signal from the touch panel  13  and outputs the touch position data to the information processing section  31 . 
     The operation buttons  14 A to  14 K (the operation button  14 ), the analog stick  15 , the sound volume slider  16 , and the sleep slider  17  are connected to the information processing section  31 . Then, the operation button  14 , the analog stick  15 , the sound volume slider  16 , and the sleep slider  17  each output an operation signal representing the state of the input to the input apparatus (whether or not the input apparatus has been pressed, the position of the slider, or the like). 
     The lower LCD  12  and the upper LCD  22  are connected to the information processing section  31 . The lower LCD  12  and the upper LCD  22  display images in accordance with the instructions from the GPU  312 . Further, the LEDs  18  are connected to the information processing section  31 . The LEDs  18  light up or go out in accordance with the instructions from the information processing section  31 . 
     The outer capturing section  23  and the inner capturing section  24  are connected to the information processing section  31 . The outer capturing section  23  and the inner capturing section  24  capture images in accordance with the instructions from the information processing section  31  and output the captured image data to the information processing section  31 . 
     Next, with reference to  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the structures of the L button  14 G and the R button  14 H are described. It should be noted that  FIG. 6A  is a diagram showing an example of the internal structure of the R button  14 H as viewed from the front surface side in the state where the R button  14 H is not pressed.  FIG. 6B  is a diagram showing an example of the internal structure of the R button  14 H as viewed from the front surface side in the state where the R button  14 H has been pressed. To illustrate the internal structure of the R button  14 H,  FIGS. 6A and 6B  show the housing  11  by omitting a part of the housing  11 . Further, the internal structure of the L button  14 G is symmetrical to that of the R button  14 H in the left-right direction. 
     In  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the R button  14 H includes a press member  140 , a spring  142 , and a switch  112 . The press member  140  is formed into a quadrant arc. Then, the arcuate outer peripheral surface of the press member  140  is exposed to the outside of the housing  11  and is disposed at a corner portion connecting the upper end surface and the right side surface of the housing  11 . It should be noted that the press member  140  does not need to be a quadrant arc, so long as the press surface of the press member  140  is formed into a curved surface connecting the upper side surface and the right side surface of the housing  11 . The press member  140  may be formed into an approximate quadrant arc, or a quarter-elliptical arc, or an arc obtained by cutting a race-track-shaped outer edge vertically and horizontally into quarters. 
     In an inner portion of the press member  140 , which is not exposed to the outside, a pivotal shaft  141 , a spring support shaft  143 , a switch abutment portion  144 , a non-pressed-state abutment piece  145 , and the like are formed. The pivotal shaft  141  is axially supported in the housing  11  such that the axial direction is the depth direction of the game apparatus  1  (the direction from the front surface to the back surface of the housing  11 ). The press member  140  is supported in the housing  11  so as to be pivotable about the pivotal shaft  141 . As shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the pivotal shaft  141  is provided at a position to the left of an upper end portion of the press member  140 , and above a lower end portion of the press member  140 , and above the midpoint of the upper end portion and the lower end portion. Based on this, clockwise moment of force is applied to the press member  140  about the pivotal shaft  141  even if the outer peripheral surface of the press member  140  has been pressed in any direction, for example, if the outer peripheral surface of the press member  140  has been pressed from above (pressed in the direction from the upper end surface to the lower end surface; a direction A shown in  FIG. 6B ), or if the lower end side of the outer peripheral surface has been pressed from the side (in the direction from the right side surface to the left side surface; a direction B shown in  FIG. 6B ), or if the outer peripheral surface has been pressed from obliquely above (in the direction from the corner of the upper end surface and the right side surface to the corner of the lower end surface and the left end surface; a direction C shown in  FIG. 6B ). Thus, even if the press member  140  has been pressed in any direction, the press member  140  pivots clockwise about the pivotal shaft  141 . 
     The spring support shaft  143  is provided so as to stand downward on the inner surface of the press member  140 , and the spring  142  is provided around the outer periphery of the spring support shaft  143 . The spring  142  is supported in the housing  11  by being loosely inserted into a spring support case  111  while being provided around the spring support shaft  143 . The spring support case  111  is provided fixedly within the housing  11 . Based on this, the press member  140  is urged upward by the spring  142  and is also urged counterclockwise about the pivotal shaft  141 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6A , when the press member  140  is not being subjected to a pressing operation, the upper end portion of the press member  140 , while being urged counterclockwise by the spring  142 , abuts the right end of the upper end surface of the housing  11  and is also placed at a position where the non-pressed-state abutment piece  145  formed at the lower end of the press member  140  abuts an abutment portion  113  formed near the upper end of the right side surface of the housing  11 . At this time, the switch abutment portion  144  provided so as to stand downward on the inner surface of the press member  140  is not in contact with the switch  112  provided fixedly within the housing  11 . 
     If the outer peripheral surface of the press member  140  in a non-pressed state as shown in  FIG. 6A  has been pressed from above (in the direction A shown in  FIG. 6B ), or pressed from the side (in the direction B shown in  FIG. 6B ), or pressed from obliquely above (in the direction C shown in  FIG. 6B ), the press member  140  pivots clockwise about the pivotal shaft  141 . Then, when the press member  140  is being subjected to a pressing operation, the press member  140  is urged counterclockwise by the spring  142  and pivots clockwise to a position where the lower end of the press member  140  abuts the upper end of the right side surface of the housing  11 . At this time, the switch abutment portion  144  comes into contact with the switch  112 , and in accordance with the contact, the switch  112  outputs to the information processing section  31  an operation signal indicating that the R button  14 H has been pressed. 
     As described above, in addition to the fact that the press surface of the R button  14 H is formed into a quadrant arc connecting the upper end surface and the right side surface of the housing  11 , the pivotal shaft that pivots when the button  14 H has been subjected to a pressing operation is provided at a position shifted to the left from the upper end of the press surface and also at a position above the midpoint of the upper end and the lower end of the press surface. Thus, the R button  14 H can be subjected to a press operation in various directions such as the vertical direction from the upper side surface to the lower side surface, the horizontal direction from right to left, and the oblique direction from upper right to lower left. It should be noted that the L button  14 G and the R button  14 H may be configured to be pressed in the vertical direction, the horizontal direction, and the oblique direction with other structures. Alternatively, the game apparatus  1  may include only either one of the L button  14 G and the R button  14 H. 
     It should be noted that the above embodiment describes an example of a liquid crystal display section including two screens, using the case where the lower LCD  12  and the upper LCD  22 , physically separated from each other, are placed above and below each other (the case where the two screens correspond to upper and lower screens). The game apparatus  1 , however, may include a single display screen, or the structure of a display screen corresponding to two screens may be another structure. 
     For example, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the lower LCD  12  and the upper LCD  22  may be formed using different areas in a single display apparatus (for example, a single liquid crystal display apparatus  200 ). For example, the front surface of the housing  11  that serves as outer frames of the lower LCD  12  and the upper LCD  22  is placed on a single liquid crystal display apparatus  200 , and display screens of the liquid crystal display apparatus  200  to be located within these two outer frames function as the lower LCD  12  and the upper LCD  22 . Alternatively, an LCD having a display size of two screens in the vertical direction may be disposed on the front surface of the housing  11 , and images to be displayed on the lower LCD  12  and the upper LCD  22  may be displayed in the upper and lower portions (that is, displayed adjacent to each other without a boundary portion between the upper and lower portions). Further, when two images are displayed using two divided portions in what is physically a single screen, the touch panel  13  may be provided on the entire screen. Generally, the provision of a plurality of physically separated display apparatuses may increase the component costs and the production costs. In contrast, different areas set in a single display apparatus may function as a plurality of display screens, whereby it is possible to greatly reduce the component costs and the production costs of the apparatus. 
     In addition, the lower LCD  12  and the upper LCD  22  may be placed on the left and right of the front surface of the housing  11 . Alternatively, a horizontally long LCD having the same vertical length as that of the lower LCD  12  and having a horizontal length twice that of the lower LCD  12  may be provided on the front surface of the housing  11 , and images to be displayed on the lower LCD  12  and the upper LCD  22  may be displayed in the left and right portions (that is, displayed adjacent to each other without a boundary portion between the left and right portions). 
     In addition, in the above embodiment, the touch panel  13  is integrated with the game apparatus  1 . It goes without saying, however, that the exemplary embodiment can be achieved also with the structure where a game apparatus and a touch panel are separated from each other. Further, the touch panel  13  may be provided on the surface of the upper LCD  22 . 
     In addition, the exemplary embodiment describes an example of the information processing apparatus, using the handheld game apparatus  1 . Alternatively, the exemplary embodiment may be applied to a portable apparatus that does not perform information processing, or performs a part of information processing, in combination with a stationary game apparatus. For example, the portable apparatus can be provided with a display screen and can output operation data based on a user operation. Then, the stationary game apparatus performs information processing based on the operation data acquired from the portable apparatus, and outputs an image based on the result of the information processing to the portable apparatus. The exemplary embodiment can be applied also to an apparatus that functions as a so-called thin client terminal, which does not perform information processing as described above. 
     In addition, the information processing apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment may be not only a game apparatus but also any handheld electronic device such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a mobile telephone, a personal computer, or a camera. 
     It should be noted that another apparatus may perform at least some of the processing steps in the information processing to be performed by the information processing apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment. For example, if the game apparatus  1  is further configured to communicate with another apparatus (for example, another server, another game apparatus, or another mobile terminal), the other apparatus may cooperate to perform the processing steps in the information processing. Further, in the above embodiment, the information processing is performed by the CPU  311  of the game apparatus  1  executing a predetermined game program. Alternatively, some or all of the information processing may be performed by a dedicated circuit included in the game apparatus  1 . 
     Here, the above variations make it possible to achieve the exemplary embodiment also by a system form such as cloud computing, or a system form such as a distributed wide area network or a local area network. For example, in a system form such as a distributed local area network, it is possible to execute the processing between a stationary information processing apparatus (a stationary game apparatus) and a handheld information processing apparatus (the information processing apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment) by the cooperation of the apparatuses. It should be noted that, in these system forms, there is no particular limitation on which apparatus performs the process of each step of the information processing. Thus, it goes without saying that it is possible to achieve the exemplary embodiment by sharing the processing in any manner. 
     In addition, the shape of the game apparatus  1  described above, and the shapes, the numbers, the installation positions, and the like of the display apparatus and the input apparatus provided in the game apparatus  1  are merely illustrative. Thus, it goes without saying that the exemplary embodiment can be achieved also with other shapes, other numbers, and other installation positions. 
     In addition, the program to be executed by the game apparatus  1  may be supplied to the game apparatus  1  not only through an external storage medium such as the external memory  45 , but also through a wired or wireless communication link. Further, the program may be stored in advance in a non-volatile storage device included in the game apparatus  1 . It should be noted that examples of an information storage medium having stored therein the program may include CD-ROMs, DVDs, optical disk storage media similar to these, flexible disks, hard disks, magneto-optical disks, and magnetic tapes, as well as non-volatile memories. Alternatively, an information storage medium having stored therein the program may be a volatile memory for storing the program. It can be said that such a storage medium is a storage medium readable by a computer or the like. For example, it is possible to provide the various functions described above by causing a computer or the like to load a program from the storage medium and execute it. 
     While some exemplary systems, exemplary methods, exemplary devices, and exemplary apparatuses have been described in detail above, the above descriptions are merely illustrative in all respects, and do not limit the scope of the systems, the methods, the devices, and the apparatuses. It goes without saying that the systems, the methods, the devices, and the apparatuses can be improved and modified in various manners without departing the spirit and scope of the appended claims. It is understood that the scope of the systems, the methods, the devices, and the apparatuses should be interpreted only by the scope of the appended claims. Further, it is understood that the specific descriptions of the exemplary embodiment enable a person skilled in the art to carry out an equivalent scope on the basis of the descriptions of the exemplary embodiment and general technical knowledge. It should be understood that, when used in the specification, the components and the like described in the singular with the word “a” or “an” preceding them do not exclude the plurals of the components. Furthermore, it should be understood that, unless otherwise stated, the terms used in the specification are used in their common meanings in the field. Thus, unless otherwise defined, all the jargons and the technical terms used in the specification have the same meanings as those generally understood by a person skilled in the art in the field of the exemplary embodiment. If there is a conflict, the specification (including definitions) takes precedence. 
     The exemplary embodiment can provide a novel information processing apparatus and a novel information processing system, and is useful as a portable information processing apparatus, an information processing system including a portable input apparatus, and the like.