Source: http://www.patentsencyclopedia.com/app/20110306424
Timestamp: 2016-07-26 05:29:25
Document Index: 363776695

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 21', 'art 21', 'art 21', 'art 22', 'art 22', 'art 21', 'art 21', 'art 21', 'art 21', 'art 21', 'art 21', 'art 21', 'art 21', 'art 21', 'art 21', 'art 21', 'art 21', 'art 21', 'art 21', 'art 21', 'art 21', 'art 21', 'art 21', 'art 21', 'art\n22', 'art 21', 'arts 42', 'art 22', 'art 50', 'art 50', 'art 21', 'art 21', 'art 21', 'art 21', 'art 21', 'art 21', 'art 21', 'art 21', 'art 21', 'art 50', 'art 42', 'arts 50', 'arts 50', 'art 21', 'arts 50', 'art 21', 'art 50', 'art 42', 'art 50', 'art 42', 'art 21', 'art 21', 'art 21', 'art 21', 'art 21', 'art 21', 'art 50', 'art 42', 'art 21', 'art 21', 'art 21', 'art 21', 'art 21', 'art 22']

Attachment for Game Controller and Controller Assembly - Patent application
Patent application title: Attachment for Game Controller and Controller Assembly
Kouichi Kazama (Saitama, JP)
Ryo Fukikoshi (Saitama, JP)
Sayuri Goto (Kanagawa, JP)
Patent application number: 20110306424
An attachment (4) comprises an attached portion (42) that is attachable
to, and detachable from, the outer circumferential surface of a game
controller (2) and a grip (41) to be held by a user. The attached portion
(42) is formed such that the front end (42e) thereof is positioned
further rearward than the light emitting part (21) when the attached
portion (42) is attached to the game controller (20). According to the
attachment (4), it is possible to prevent deterioration in recognition of
the light emitting part by the image capturing unit.Claims:
1. An attachment for a bar-shaped game controller including a light
emitting part at a front end thereof, comprising: a grip for being held
by a user; and an attached portion attachable to, and detachable from, an
outer circumferential surface of the game controller, wherein the
attached portion is formed such that a front end thereof is positioned
more rearward than the light emitting part when the attached portion is
attached to the game controller.
2. The attachment according to claim 1, wherein the grip is formed to
extend in a bending direction relative to a longitudinal direction of the
game controller when the attached portion is attached to the game
3. The attachment according to claim 1, wherein the attached portion is
formed to extend forward along the outer circumferential surface of the
4. The attachment according to claim 3, wherein the light emitting part
of the game controller is substantially spherical, and the front end of
the attached portion is formed in an arc shape that surrounds a central
line of the game controller.
5. The attachment according to claim 3, further comprising: a cover
arranged opposite the attached portion, for covering the game controller,
wherein the attached portion and the cover are formed to together have a
cylindrical shape capable of accommodating the game controller.
6. The attachment according to claim 5, wherein a front part of the cover
and a front part of the attached portion are formed to together have a
cylindrical shape becoming thinner toward the front.
7. The attachment according to claim 5, wherein the cover is formed
separately from the attached portion and so as to be attachable to, and
detachable from, the attached portion.
8. The attachment according to claim 3, wherein the game controller
includes a bar-shaped main body, and a coupling portion positioned
between the main body and the light emitting part and coupling the main
body and the light emitting part, and the attached portion is formed such
that the front end thereof is positioned more rearward than the coupling
portion when the attached portion is attached to the main body.
9. The attachment according to claim 5, wherein the game controller
includes a bar-shaped main body, and the cover and the attached portion
extend along an outer circumferential surface of the main body to a
foremost part of the outer circumferential surface.
10. The attachment according to claim 1, wherein the attached portion has
a projection formed thereon to be inserted in a concave formed on the
outer circumferential surface of the game controller.
11. The attachment according to claim 1, wherein the game controller
incorporates a built-in sensor for detecting movement of the game
controller, and the grip is formed to be positioned more rearward than
the sensor when the attached portion is attached to the main body.
12. A controller assembly, comprising: a bar-shaped game controller
including a light emitting part at a front end thereof; and an attachment
for the game controller, wherein the attachment includes a grip for being
held by a user, and an attached portion attachable to, and detachable
from, an outer circumferential surface of the game controller, and the
attached to the game controller.Description:
[0002] The present invention relates to an attachment for a game
controller and a controller assembly comprising the attachment and the
[0004] There have been available game controllers operated by a user while
being held with his/her hand when the user plays a television game and so
forth (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,231,444). Some of the conventional
controllers are formed in a gun shape or a steering shape. Use of a
controller shaped as such can increase the realism of the game. Moreover,
in recent years, bar-shaped game controllers designed to be operated
while being held by a user with his/her single have been used.
[0005] As a game system that utilizes a bar-shaped controller, there has
been developed a game system which includes a controller having a light
emitting part at the front end thereof and an image capturing unit (a
camera) for continuously capturing the light from the light emitting part
and recognizes the position of the light emitting part through the image
capturing unit. In this type of game system, a user can play a game not
only by operating a button but also by moving the controller itself.
[0006] If an attachment is attached to a bar-shaped controller or the like
so that the controller can be used as a gun-shaped controller or the
like, the realism of the game can be enhanced and the number of
situations where a bar-shaped controller is used can be increased.
However, an attachment attached to a controller may possibly hinder
appropriate capturing of light from the light emitting part by the image
capturing unit when the controller is in some orientation.
an attachment for a bar-shaped game controller having a light emitting
part arranged at a front end thereof, the attachment including a grip for
being held by a user; and an attached portion attachable to, and
detachable from, an outer circumferential surface of the game controller.
The attached portion is formed such that a front end thereof is
positioned more rearward than the light emitting part when the attached
portion is attached to the game controller.
provided a controller assembly, comprising a bar-shaped game controller
for the game controller. The attachment includes a grip for being held by
a user, and an attached portion attachable to, and detachable from, an
outer circumferential surface of the game controller. The attached
portion is formed such that a front end thereof is positioned more
rearward than the light emitting part when the attached portion is
[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent
deterioration in recognition of the light emitting part by the image
[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a game system including a
controller assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the above described
controller assembly;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the above described controller
[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a game controller that is a
component of the above described controller assembly;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an attachment main body that is a
[0015] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the above described attachment main body;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view along the line VII-VII shown in
FIG. 6, showing the attachment main body attached to the game controller;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the above described attachment main
body, showing a structure for fixedly attaching a cover, which is a
component of the attachment, to the attachment main body; and
[0018] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the above mentioned cover.
[0019] In the following, one embodiment of the present invention will be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a
schematic diagram of a game system 1 including a controller assembly 10
that is an example of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is
an exploded perspective view of the controller assembly 10. Hereafter, a
gun-shaped controller assembly will be described below as the controller
[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the game system 1 comprises, in addition to the
controller assembly 10, a game device 2, and an image capturing unit
(camera) 3.
[0021] The game device 2 is, e.g., a consumer game device to be mainly
used for a game or a personal computer. The game device 2 is connected to
a display device 6 so that a game image produced by the game device 2 is
shown on the display device 6.
[0022] The controller assembly 10 is an operating device designed to be
operated by a user while being held with his/her hand for inputting an
operation to the game device 2. Specifically, the controller assembly 10
sends a signal in accordance with a user operation to the game device 2.
In this example, the controller assembly 10 includes a game controller 20
incorporating a radio communication interface (see FIG. 2). The game
controller 20 sends a signal in accordance with a user operation to the
game device 2 through the radio communication interface. The game
controller 20 further includes a sensor 39 employing an accelerator
sensor or the like (see FIG. 2), as to be described later, and sends
information output from the sensor 39 to the game device 2 through the
radio communication interface. The game controller 20 still further
includes a light emitting part 21. The image capturing unit 3
continuously captures the light from the light emitting part 21, and
sends motion image information to the game device 2. The game device 2
specifies the position and posture of the controller assembly 10, based
on the information output from the sensor 39 and the motion image
information from the image capturing unit 3. This configuration allows a
user to input an operation to the game device 2 not only by operating a
button but also by moving the controller assembly 10 itself.
[0023] In the following, the controller assembly 10 will be described in
detail. As shown in FIG. 2, the controller assembly 10 comprises the game
controller 20 and the attachment 4. The attachment 4 in this example
includes an attachment main body 40 and a cover 50 attached to the
attachment main body 40.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the controller assembly 10. FIG. 4
is a perspective view of the game controller 20. FIG. 5 is a perspective
view of the attachment main body 40. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the
attachment main body 40. FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view along the line
VII-VII shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the attachment
main body 40, and in this figure, an inside wall 42L to be described
later removed from the attachment main body 40 so that a structure for
attaching the cover 50 to the attachment main body 40 are shown. FIG. 9
is a perspective view of the cover 50.
[0025] In the description below, the longitudinal direction of the game
controller 20 is defined as the front-back direction (the Y1-Y2 direction
in the diagram (the Y1 direction corresponds to a forward direction));
the direction orthogonal to the front-back direction, in which the grip
41 of the attachment main body 40 is elongated is defined as the up-down
direction (the Z1-Z2 direction in the diagram); and the direction
orthogonal to both of the front-back and up-down directions is defined as
the left-right direction (the X1-X2 direction in the diagram).
[0026] Initially, the game controller 20 will be described. As shown in
FIG. 2 or 4, the game controller 20 comprises a light emitting part 21
and a bar-shaped controller main body 22. In this example, the controller
main body 22 is formed in a substantial column shape. In detail, the
controller main body 22 has a diameter that changes gradually in the
longitudinal direction so as to be smaller in the middle part thereof in
the longitudinal direction than in the front and rear parts. The foremost
part 22a of the controller main body 22 is shaped in a substantial
frustum of circular cone, becoming thinner toward the front. That is, the
diameter of the foremost part 22a becomes gradually smaller toward the
light emitting part 21. Meanwhile, the rear end surface (an end surface
opposite from the light emitting part 21) 22b of the controller main body
22 is formed substantially hemispherical.
[0027] A plurality of press buttons 31 to 35 are formed on the outer
circumferential surface of the controller main body 22 so that a user can
operate the buttons 31 to 35 while holding the controller main body 22
with his/her single hand. That is, a user can attach the game controller
20 to the attachment 4 and use those as the controller assembly 10, and
the user can use only the game controller 20 without the attachment 4.
[0028] In this example, as shown in FIG. 2, the upper side in the front
part of the controller main body 22 is provided with a first button 31
elongated in the front-back direction and a plurality of (four in this
example) second buttons 32 positioned on the left and right sides of the
first button 32. Further, a power button 33 of the game controller 20 is
provided at the rear of the first button 31. Still further, side buttons
34 are provided on the left and right sides in the front part of the
controller main body 22. These side buttons 34 may function as, e.g., a
start button to start a game and/or a select button to select a menu
[0029] As shown in FIG. 4 or 7, an analog button 35 is provided on the
opposite side (a lower side in the front part of the controller main body
22) from the first button 31 relative to the central line C along the
longitudinal direction of the controller main body 22. The game
controller 20 sends, to the game device 2, a signal indicating the press
amount of the analog button 35. The analog button 35 in this example is
movable diagonally rearward toward the central line C around the fulcrum
P formed inside the controller main body 22, as indicated by the arrow D
in FIG. 7, and a signal according to a press amount of the analogue
button 35 is sent to the game device 2.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 2 or 7, the controller main body 22 includes a
built-in sensor 39 for detecting a movement and a posture of the game
controller 20. For example, the controller main body 22 includes, as the
sensor 39, one or more of an accelerator sensor for outputting a signal
in accordance with acceleration applied to the game controller 20, a
geomagnetic sensor for outputting a signal in accordance with
geomagnetism, and a gyro sensor for outputting a signal in accordance
with an angular speed. As described above, an output signal from the
sensor 39 is sent to the game device 2, so that the game device 2
calculates a movement and a posture (orientation) of the game controller
20, based on the output signal. In this example, the sensor 39 is mounted
in the front part of the controller main body 22.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 2 or 7, the light emitting part 21 is mounted on
the front end surface 22c of the controller main body 22. That is, the
light emitting part 21 is positioned further forward than the front end
surface 22c of the controller main body 22. The light emitting part 21 in
this example is formed substantially spherical with the center thereof
positioned on the central line C of the controller main body 22. The
diameter R1 of the light emitting part 21 is substantially equal to the
diameter R2 of the foremost part of the controller main body 22 (see FIG.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 7, the light emitting part 21 is hollow part and
is made using light transmitting and light diffusing material (e.g.,
silicon resin). A light source 23 is held inside the front end of the
controller main body 22 so as to emit light toward inside of the light
emitting part 21. The light from the light source 23 toward inside of the
light emitting part 21 spreads radially through the outer surface of the
light emitting part 21. Three LED s (a light emitting diode)
corresponding to, e.g., the optical three primary colors are provided as
the light source 23, and emit light with an intensity directed by the
game device 2. Therefore, the light emitting part 21 glows in various
[0033] The light emitting part 21 has a part on the outer surface thereof,
which is connected to the front end surface 22c of the controller main
body 22. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the light emitting part 21 has,
between itself and the front end surface 22c of the controller main body
22, a coupling portion 21a coupling the light emitting part 21 and the
front end surface 22c. The width W of the coupling portion 21a in the
direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (the front-back
direction in this example) of the controller main body 22 is smaller than
that of the light emitting part 21 (that is, the width W is smaller than
the diameter R1 of the light emitting part 21), and thereby, light from
the light emitting part 21 spreads partially diagonally rearward as well.
This can ensure better recognition of the light emitting part 21 by the
image capturing unit 3.
[0034] In the following, the attachment 4 will be described. As shown in
FIG. 2 or 3, the attachment main body 40 can be attached to the game
controller 20, and the cover 50 can be attached to the attachment main
body 40 while covering the controller main body 22.
[0035] The attachment main body 40 includes a grip 41 to be held by a
user. Further, the attachment main body 40 includes an attached portion
42 formed along the controller main body 22 and attachable to, and
detachable from, the controller main body 22. As shown in FIG. 2 or 5,
the attached portion 42 is formed elongated along the outer
circumferential surface of the controller main body 22 toward the light
emitting part 21. Specifically, in this example, the attached portion 42
extends from the upper portion of the grip 41 toward the foremost part
22a of the outer circumferential surface of the controller main body 22.
The attached portion 42 has a shape that can cover the lower side of the
outer circumferential surface of the controller main body 22 and matches
the outer shape of the controller main body 22. In this example, as the
controller main body 22 is formed in a substantial column shape, the
inner surface of the attached portion 42 is formed in a shape of
substantially halved a cylinder, of which cross section presents a
substantially arc open upward. This structure allows the attached portion
42 and the controller main body 22 to be assembled together in the
up-down direction (that is, the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal
direction of the controller main body 22). Further, since the middle part
of the controller main body 22 is thinner than the front and rear parts
thereof, as described above, the middle part of the inner surface of the
attached portion 42 is resultantly positioned slightly higher than the
front and rear parts thereof (see FIG. 7). This makes the controller main
body 22 hardly move forward relative to the attached portion 42.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 5, the attached portion 42 has a rear wall 42g
positioned at the rear of the controller main body 22 for covering the
rear end surface 22b of the controller main body 22. In this example, as
the rear end surface 22b is formed substantially hemispherical, the inner
surface of the rear wall 42g is formed curved, forming a part of the
hemisphere in accordance with the rear end surface 22b.
[0037] A substantially round opening is formed open rearward on the rear
wall 42g, and a lid 45 is attached to the opening, as shown in FIGS. 5
and 7. Meanwhile, a connector (not shown) (e.g., a connector for an
expansion device, such as a USB) is provided on the rear end surface 22b
of the controller main body 22. With the lid 45 removed, a cable or the
like can be connected to the connector of the controller main body 22 to
charge the game controller 20 while the attachment main body 40 is kept
attached to the controller main body 22. In addition, the rear wall 42g
has a long slit 42i formed thereon and extending downward from an edge of
the opening. Meanwhile, a hole 22g is formed on the rear end surface 22b
of the controller main body 22 for threading a strap (not shown) or the
like through (see FIG. 4). A strap threaded in the opening 22g can be
pulled outside of the rear wall 42g via the slit 42i.
[0038] The attached portion 42 has a double structure. In detail, as shown
in FIGS. 5, 7, and 8, the attached portion 42 has an inside wall 42L and
outside walls 42m, 42n. The inside wall 42L is shaped curved to match the
outer shape of the controller main body 22, and forms the inner surface
of the attached portion 42. Meanwhile, the outside walls 42m, 42n forms
the outer surface of the attached portion 42. This arrangement can
improve rigidity of the attached portion 42 while reducing the weight of
the attachment main body 40.
[0039] In this example, the outer surface of the attachment main body 40
is composed of three resin members each molded integral. Specifically, as
shown in FIG. 3, the attachment main body 40 has a rear wall 40R
including the outside wall 42n and a grip rear wall 41b. The outside wall
42n forms the outer surface in the rear part of the attached portion 42.
The grip rear wall 41b extends downward from the outside wall 42n to form
the outer surface in the rear part of the grip 41. In addition, the
attachment main body 40 has left and right front walls 40F defining the
front part of the attachment main body 40. Each front wall 40F includes a
grip front wall 41c and an outside wall 42m. The grip front wall 41c
forms an outer surface in the front part of the grip 41. The outside wall
42m extends forward from the upper part of the grip front wall 41c to
form the outer surface in the front part of the attached portion 42. The
left and right front walls 40F and the rear wall 40R are respectively
formed integral using resin, and assembled together to thereby constitute
the outer surface of the attachment main body 40. Specifically, the left
and right front walls 40F are assembled together in the left-right
direction using a screw 61 (see FIG. 7), and the rear wall 40R is
assembled to the front walls 40F such that the front edges 40a thereof
match the rear edges of the front walls 40F. As shown in FIG. 7 or 8,
prongs 40c, 40f are formed on the rear edges of the front walls 40F to be
hooked on the edges 40a of the rear wall 40R.
[0040] The outside wall 42m of the front wall 40F is aligned to the
outside wall 42n of the rear wall 40R in the front-back direction, both
forming the outer surface of the attached portion 42. The inside wall 42L
is placed inside the outside wall 42m and the outside wall 42n. In this
example, as shown in FIG. 7, the inside wall 42L has an annular fixing
portion 42z formed on the lower surface thereof and the fixing portion
42z accepts a boss into which a screw 61 is inserted. With the above, the
inside wall 42L is fixed to the outside walls 42m, 42n.
[0041] The attached portion 42 and the controller main body 22 of the game
controller 20A have a concave and a convex to be engaged with each other
when the controller main body 22 is mounted on the attached portion 4. In
this example, a plurality of holes 22d, 22f are formed open downward on
the outer circumferential surface of the controller main body 22, as
shown in FIG. 4. Specifically, the plurality of (two in this example)
holes 22d are formed on the left and right sides in the front part of the
controller main body 22, while the plurality of (two in this example)
holes 22f are formed on the left and right sides in the rear part of the
controller main body 22. Meanwhile, a plurality of (two in this example)
projections (engagement portion) 42a are formed projecting upward on the
inner surface (the inside wall 42L in this example) of the attached
portion 42, as shown in FIG. 5. Specifically, the projections 42a are
formed in the foremost part of the attached portion 42, and their
positions correspond to the holes 22d. Therefore, when the controller
main body 22 assembled to the attached portion 42 in the up-down
direction, the projection 42a is inserted into the hole 22d to thereby
regulate forward movement of the controller main body 22 and rotation of
the same around the central line C. In this example, no such projection
42a is formed in the rear part of the attached portion 42. This makes it
easier for a user to remove the controller 20 from the attached portion
42 by pulling up the front part (e.g., the light emitting part 21) of the
game controller 20. However, the projection 42a may be formed in the rear
part of the attached portion 42 as well. Such an arrangement can ensure
more stable mounting of the game controller 20 on the attached portion
[0042] The attached portion 42 additionally has fitting portions 42b for
sandwiching the controller main body 22 from left and right sides of the
controller main body 22. In this example, as shown in FIG. 5, the fitting
portions 42b are formed as prongs on the left and right sides of the
attached portion 42, projecting inward of the attached portion 42.
Meanwhile, concaves 22e are formed on the right and left sides of the
outer circumferential surface of the controller main body 22, as shown in
FIG. 2. The concave 22e in this example is a groove extending in the
longitudinal direction of the controller main body 22. When the
controller main body 22 is mounted on the attached portion 42, the left
and right fitting portions 42b are fit in the concaves 22e, to thereby
together sandwich the controller main body 22. This makes it unlikely
that the controller main body 22 is separated from the attached portion
42 in the up-down direction.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 5, the inner surface of the attached portion 42,
that is, the inside wall 42L, has, on the left and right sides of the
inside wall 42L, plate-like moving portions 42c elongated along the outer
circumferential surface of the controller main body 22. Specifically, the
moving portion 42c extends upward from the lower edge thereof that is
connected to the other part of the inside wall 42L along the outer
circumferential surface of the controller main body 22. Accordingly, the
left and right moving parts 42c can be slightly elastically deformed,
widening outward in the left-right direction. The fitting portion 42b is
formed on the upper edge of the moving portion 42c. When the controller
main body 22 is being assembled into the attached portion 42 in the
up-down direction, the fitting portion 42b hits on the outer
circumferential surface of the controller main body 22, and thereby the
left and right moving portions 42c are caused to widen outward.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of cushions 43a, 43b are provided
on the inner surface of the inside wall 42L. The cushions 43a, 43b are
made using, e.g., seat-shaped rubber or resin or damping material such as
fiber. Specifically, the cushion 43a is mounted on the bottom in the
foremost part of the inside wall 42L. The cushion 43b is mounted on the
bottom in the rearmost part of the inside wall 42L. Further, left and
right cushions 43c are mounted at the almost middle of the attached
portion 42 in the longitudinal direction. This cushion 43c as well is
fiber. The cushion 43c is positioned in a lower part of the moving
portion 42c. When the controller main body 22 is mounted on the attached
portion 42, the outer circumferential surface of the controller main body
22 abut mainly on the cushions 43a, 43b, 43c, but not on the other parts
of the inner surface of the attached portion 42.
[0045] The controller assembly 10 has the cover 50, as described above. As
shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cover 50 is arranged opposite the attached
portion 42 in the up-down direction, and covers the upper side of the
controller main body 22. Similar to the attached portion 42, the cover 50
is formed elongated along the outer circumferential surface of the
controller main body 22 to the foremost part 22a of the outer
circumferential surface, covering the controller main body 22. This
configuration can prevent the game controller 20 from being separated
from the attachment main body 40. In this example, the attached portion
42 and the cover 50 are separately formed to be assembled together in the
up-down direction. A structure for attaching the cover 50 to the attached
portion 42 will be described later in detail.
[0046] Similar to the attached portion 42, the cover 50 has a shape of
substantially a halved cylinder. The cover 50 is placed on the attached
portion 42 such that the respective left and right ends thereof are
placed on respective those of the attached portion 42 so that the
attached portion 42 and the cover 50 together constitute a cylindrical
enclosure as a whole for accommodating the controller main body 22. The
attached portion 42 has the rear wall 42g at the rear of the controller
main body 22 that covers the rear end surface 22b, as described above.
Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 9, the cover 50 has a rear wall 50g that
covers, together with the rear wall 42g, the rear end surface 22b of the
controller main body 22. The rear end surface 22b is formed substantially
hemispherical, and the inner surface of the rear wall 42g and the rear
wall 50g as well are both formed substantially spherical in accordance
with the rear end surface 22b. As a result, the attached portion 42 and
the cover 50 together present a bottomed cylindrical shape as a whole.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 2 or 3, an opening 50a is formed on the cover 50,
through which the buttons 31 to 33 arranged on the upper side of the
controller main body 22 are exposed. Further, a lower wall 50d is formed
in an area surrounding the opening 50a, the lower wall 50d being concave
relative to the foremost part 50b and rear part 50c of the cover 50. The
lower wall 50d is positioned lower in height than the buttons 31 to 33,
which makes it easier for a user to operate the buttons 31 to 33.
[0048] The game controller 20 has the light emitting part 21 at the front
end thereof, as described above. When the attachment main body 40 is
attached to the game controller 20, as shown in FIG. 3, the light
emitting part 21 is positioned beyond the front end 42e of the attached
portion 42 in the longitudinal direction of the controller main body 22.
In other words, the attached portion 42 is formed such that the front end
(that is, the front end of the attachment main body 40) thereof is
positioned more rearward than the light emitting part 21. In this
example, as shown in FIG. 7, the front end 42e of the attached portion 42
is positioned more rearward than the coupling portion 21a positioned
between the light emitting part 21 and the front end surface 22c of the
controller main body 22. This leaves the entire light emitting part 21 to
be positioned more forward than the front end 43e of the attached portion
[0049] Further, as shown in FIG. 3, when the cover 50 is attached to the
attached portion 42, the front end 50e of the cover 50 is positioned more
rearward than the light emitting part 21. In other words, the light
emitting part 21 is positioned outside the cylindrical enclosure
constituted by the attached portion 42 and the cover 50.
[0050] The front end 42e of the attached portion 42 is formed in an arc
shape surrounding the central line C of the game controller 20. In this
example, the front end 50e of the cover 50 and the front end 42e of the
attached portion 42 together constitute an annular shape as a whole, not
covering the front end surface 22c of the controller main body 22. That
is, the front end surface 22c of the controller main body 22 is exposed
forward inside the front end 50e of the cover 50 and the front end 42e of
the attached portion 42. This structure can enlarge the space behind the
light emitting part 21, compared to a design with the front end surface
22c covered by the attached portion 42 and the cover 50. And thus, the
structure makes it less likely that progress of light from the light
emitting part 21 is hindered by the attached portion 42 and the cover 50.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 3, the outer circumferential surface of the
foremost part 50b of the cover 50 is formed inclined to extend forward
and inward. In addition, the outer circumferential surface of the
foremost part 42f of the attached portion 42 as well is formed inclined
to extend forward and inward. Accordingly, the outer circumferential
surface of the cover 50 and that of the attached portion 42 together
define, in the foremost parts 50b, 42f, a tapered shape that gradually
becomes thinner toward the light emitting part (that is, forward). That
is, the diameter of the cylinder constituted by the foremost parts 50b,
42f becomes gradually smaller toward the light emitting part 21. This
makes it less likely that the foremost parts 50b, 42f hinder the light
from the light emitting part 21 from proceeding. Further, the foremost
part 50b of the cover 50 is formed inclined to extend forward and inward.
And, the foremost part 42f of the attached portion 42 as well is formed
inclined to extend forward and inward. According to this structure, the
foremost part 50b and the foremost part 42f can surly prevents the
forward movement of the controller main body 22.
[0052] The attachment 4 includes the grip 41 to be held by a user, as
described above. In this example, as shown in FIG. 2 or 3, the grip 41
extends downward from the rear part of the attached portion 42 so as to
present, together with the attached portion 42, a substantially L-shape.
That is, when the attached portion 42 is attached to the controller main
body 22 of the game controller 20, the grip 41 extends in a bending
direction relative to the longitudinal direction (the front-back
direction in this description) of the controller main body 22. In other
words, the grip 41 extends in a direction of going farther away from the
central line C of the controller main body 22 so that the grip 41 and the
controller main body 22 are arranged to together present a substantially
[0053] In this example, as shown in FIG. 7, the rear part of the
controller main body 22 is positioned above the grip 41. Moreover, since
the attached portion 42 is formed swollen rearward beyond the upper part
of the grip 41, the controller main body 22 can be positioned more
rearward than it would be with a design without such a swell. This
achieves the center of gravity of the controller main body 22 defined in
a position closer to the grip 41. Such positioning can reduce a moment to
be caused around the grip 41 when a user changes the orientation of the
controller assembly 10, which makes it easier for a user to move the
controller assembly 10.
[0054] The game controller 20 has the built-in sensor 39 arranged inside
the controller main body 22 for detecting movement and posture of the
game controller 20, as described above. As shown in FIG. 7, when the
attachment 4 attached to the game controller 20, the sensor 39 is
positioned more forward than the grip 41, in detail, more forward than
the front surface of the grip 41. This makes it easier for the sensor 39
to detect a movement that changes the orientation of the controller
[0055] In the following, a structure for attaching the cover 50 to the
attachment main body 40 will be described. The cover 50 is attached to be
placed on the attached portion 42 such that the left and right edges
thereof are respectively placed on the left and right upper edges of the
attached portion 42. In detail, as shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of (two
in this example) engagement portions 51 are formed on the left and right
edges of the cover 50, and a hook 51a is formed on each engagement
portion 51. In this example, the engagement portion 51 is formed as a
plate elongated downward from the respective left and right edge of the
cover 50, and the hook 51a is formed on the outer surface of each
engagement portion 51. The two engagement portions 51 are positioned
apart from each other in the front-back direction. Meanwhile, a plurality
of engagement portions 46a are formed on the left and right upper edges
of the mount 4 to be hooked at the hooks 51a, as shown in FIG. 8. When
the hook 51a is hooked at the engagement portion 46a, the cover 50 is
fixed to the attached portion 42. Moreover, the attached portion 42 has
sliders 46 on the respective left and right sides thereof. The plurality
of (two in this example) engagement portions 46a are formed on each
slider 46. In this regard, the slider 46 is a plate-like member and
disposed between the inside wall 42L and the outside walls 42m, 42n,
which constitute the double structure of the attached portion 42
[0056] Each slider 46 is slidable in the direction along the left and
right upper edges of the attached portion 42 (that is, the front-back
direction). Specifically, the slider 46 can slide rearward from the
position where the engagement portion 46a hits on the hook 51a
(hereinafter referred to as an engaged position (the position of the
slider 46 shown in FIG. 8)). Therefore, when the hook 51a of the
engagement portion 51 hits on the engagement portion 46a, the slider 46
resultantly moves rearward from the engaged position. As shown in FIG. 8,
a spring 47 is provided at the rear of the slider 46 for urging the
slider 46 toward the engaged position. This makes the slider 46 to be
pushed back toward the engaged position by the spring 47 after the hook
51a has gone downward beyond the engagement portion 46a. This causes the
hook 51a to be hooked at the engagement portion 46a. In this regard, the
slider 46 is guided for movement by the inner surfaces of the outside
walls 42m, 42n.
[0057] As shown in FIG. 5, edge plates 42q, 42r are provided on the
respective left and right upper edges of the attached portion 42. The
edge plates 42q, 42r are formed as substantially horizontal plates, and
placed perpendicular to the direction in which the cover 50 is attached
(the up-down direction). Holes are formed open upward on the edge plate
42q, 42r. In the engaged position, the engagement portions 46a are
positioned below the holes formed on the edge plates 42q, 42r. The
engagement portion 46a moves rearward from the position of the hole as
the slider 46 moves.
[0058] In this regard, the edge plates 42q, 42r are formed integral with
the respective outside walls 42m, 42n. The rear edge plate 42r formed
integral with the outside wall 42n is positioned higher than the front
edge plate 42q formed integral with the outside wall 42m. Further, an
additional hole 42y is formed on the edge plate 42r. As shown in FIG. 9,
a convex 52 is formed on the respective left/right edge of the cover 50
to be inserted in the hole 42y to thereby regulate the position of the
cover 50 relative to the attached portion 42.
[0059] A part of the slider 46 is exposed outside in the left-right
direction through an opening 42p formed on the outside wall 42n. In
detail, an operating portion 46b elongated in the front-back direction is
formed on the slider 46 to swell slightly outward in the left-right
direction in a position inside the opening 42p. The opening 42p is longer
than the operating portion 46b in the front-back direction to allow the
above described front-back movement of the slider 46. A user can move the
operating portions 46b of the left and right sliders 46 rearward while
holding the operating portions 46b, to thereby release engagement between
the engagement portion 46a and the hook 51a to remove the cover 50 from
the attached portion 42.
[0060] In this regard, the operating portion 46b is positioned between the
two engagement portions 46a provided apart from each other in the
front-back direction. In detail, as shown in FIG. 8, the slider 46 has a
rod 46c extending forward from the operating portion 46b and positioned
below the edge plate 41g, and the front engagement portion 46a is
positioned on the side of the front end of the rod 46c. The rear
engagement portion 46a is positioned more rearward than the operating
portion 46b.
[0061] As shown in FIG. 7, the attachment main body 40 has an operating
member 49 provided below the inside wall 42L. The operating member 49 has
a trigger 49a formed in a rear part thereof, in particular, in a position
in front of the upper part of the grip 41. Further, an opening is formed
on the front surface of the grip 41 so that the rear part of the trigger
49a is inserted into the opening. The operating member 49 is movable in
the front-back direction, so that a user can pull the trigger 49a
backward. A spring 48 is provided above the operating member 49 so that
the operating member 49 is urged forward by the spring 48.
[0062] As shown in FIG. 7, the controller main body 22 is placed such that
the analog button 35 faces the bottom of the attached portion 42 in the
up-down direction. When the controller main body 22 is mounted on the
attached portion 42, the analog button 35, formed in the front part of
the controller main body 22, is resultantly positioned apart forward from
the trigger 49a. The trigger 49a is provided with an arm 49b extending
forward from the trigger 49a, and movement of the trigger 49a is
transmitted to the analog button 35 through the arm 49b. In detail, the
arm 49b extends forward from the upper part of the trigger 49a and has a
wall-shaped projection 49c on the front end thereof. The projection 49c
projects upward through a hole 42u formed on the inside wall 42L (see
FIG. 5) to be positioned in front of the analog button 35. Therefore,
when the trigger 49a moves rearward, the rear surface (hereinafter
referred to an abutment surface) 49d of the projection 49c hits on, and
thereby presses, the analog button 35.
[0063] As shown in FIG. 7, the tip end of the analog button 35 projects
downward beyond the outer circumferential surface of the controller main
body 22 (that is, projects toward outside of the controller main body 22
in the radial direction), thus being inserted in the hole 42u and
abutting on a lower part of the abutment surface 49d. The analog button
35 is adapted to diagonally rearward and upward movement around the
fulcrum P, as described above. Therefore, when the analog button 35 is
pressed by the abutment surface 49d and thereby moves diagonally rearward
and upward, the tip end of the analog button 35 moves up while sliding on
the abutment surface 49d.
[0064] Further, since the analog button 35 moves diagonally rearward and
upward around the fulcrum P, the movement amount of the analog button 35
in diagonally upward direction relative to the movement amount of the
operating member 49 in rearward direction is changing to be gradually
larger. In this example, since the abutment surface 49d is formed curved
so that such a change in the movement amount of the analog button 35
relative to that of the operating member 49 become reduced. Specifically,
the abutment surface 49d is curved such that the distance from the analog
button 35 to the abutment surface 49d become larger toward the above.
That is, the abutment surface 49d is formed inclined forward and curved
while swelling diagonally rearward and upward.
[0065] The front surface of the analog button 35 is formed inclined so as
to extend diagonally upward and forward. Meanwhile, the abutment surface
49d is formed inclined forward, as described above. Therefore, the analog
button 35 buts on the abutment surface 49d only on the tip end thereof
but not on other parts thereof as the analog button 35 moves.
[0066] The side buttons 34 are provided on the respective left and right
sides on the outer circumferential surface of the game controller 20, as
described above. Moreover, the respective left and right upper edges of
the attached portion 42 has through-holes formed thereon which penetrates
the attached portion 42 in the left-right direction. An operating member
62 is arranged inside the through-hole and movable in the left-right
directions relative to the attached portion 42. The position of the
operating member 62 corresponds to the position of the side button 34, so
that a user can operate the side button 34 by pressing the operating
[0067] As described above, the controller assembly 10 comprises a game
controller 20 and an attachment 4. The game controller 20 has a
bar-shaped controller main body 22 and a light emitting part 21 provided
at the front end 22c of the controller main body 22. The attachment 4 has
the attached portion 42 formed along the outer circumferential surface of
the controller main body 22 and attachable to, and detachable from, the
controller main body 22. Further, the attachment 4 includes a grip 41 for
being held by a user. The attached portion 42 is formed such that the
front end 42e thereof is positioned more rearward than the light emitting
part 21 when the attached portion 42 is attached to the game controller
20. This structure can prevent deterioration in recognition of the light
emitting part 21 by the image capturing unit 3.
[0068] The grip 41 is formed to extend in a bending direction relative to
the longitudinal direction of the game controller 20 when the attached
portion 42 is attached to the game controller 20. According to this
arrangement, the controller assembly 10 can have a gun shape. Further,
this structure makes it possible for a user to readily direct the light
emitting part 21 forward while holding the grip 41.
[0069] The attached portion 42 is formed to extend forward along the outer
circumferential surface of the game controller 20 when the attached
portion 42 is attached to the game controller 20. This structure ensures
stable attachment of the attached portion 42 to the game controller 20.
[0070] The light emitting part 21 of the game controller 20 is formed
substantially spherical, and the front end 42e of the attached portion 42
is formed in an arc shape that surrounds the central line of the game
controller 20. This structure makes it unlikely that the light from the
light emitting part 21 is blocked by the attached portion 42.
[0071] The attachment 4 has a cover 50 arranged opposite the attached
portion 42 and covering the game controller 20. The attached portion 42
and the cover 50 are formed to together have a cylindrical shape capable
of accommodating the game controller 20. This structure ensures stable
holding of the game controller 20 by the attached portion 42 and the
cover 50. Alternately, the cover 50 may be formed either integral with or
separately from the attached portion 42.
[0072] The foremost part 50b of the cover 50 and the foremost part 42f of
the attached portion 42 are formed to have a cylindrical shape becoming
thinner toward the front. This structure makes it unlikely that the light
from the light emitting part 21 toward diagonally rearward is blocked by
the attached portion 42 and the cover 50.
[0073] The cover 50 is formed separately from the attached portion 42 and
so as to be attachable to, and detachable from, the attached portion.
This structure makes it easier to attach the attached portion 42 to the
game controller 20 compared to a design in which the cover 50 and the
attached portion 42 are formed integral with each other to together have
a cylindrical shape so that the game controller 20 is inserted into the
cylinder from either the front or rear side thereof. In addition, when
the light emitting part 21 is designed larger, the attached portion 42
can be attached to the game controller 20.
[0074] The game controller 20 includes a bar-shaped controller main body
22, and a coupling portion 21a positioned between and coupling the
controller main body 22 and the light emitting part 21. The attached
portion 42 is formed such that the front end 42e of the attached portion
42 is positioned more rearward than the coupling portion 21a when the
attached portion 42 is attached to the controller main body 22. With this
structure, the entire light emitting part 21 is positioned more forward
than the front end 42e of the attached portion 42, which further improves
recognition of the light emitting part 21 by the image capturing unit 3.
[0075] The game controller 20 includes a bar-shaped main body 22. The
cover 50 and the attached portion 42 are formed so as to extend along the
outer circumferential surface of the controller main body 22 to the
foremost part 22a of the outer circumferential surface. This structure
enables stable holding of the controller main body 22 by the attached
portion 42 and the cover 50.
[0076] The attached portion 42 has a projection 42a formed thereon to be
inserted in the concave 22d formed on the outer circumferential surface
of the game controller 20. This structure can regulate relative movement
of the game controller 20 relative to the attachment 4.
[0077] The game controller 20 incorporates a built-in sensor 39 for
detecting movement of the game controller 20. The grip 41 is positioned
more rearward than the sensor 39 when the attached portion 42 is attached
to the controller main body 22. This structure facilitates detection of
movement that changes the orientation of the game controller assembly 10.
[0078] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above
described controller assembly 10, and can be modified in various manners.
[0079] For example, although the cover 50 and the attached portion 42 are
separately formed in the above description, the cover 50 and the attached
portion 42 may be formed integral with each other so as to together
constitute a cylindrical shape as a whole. In this case, the controller
main body 22 is inserted into the cylindrical enclosure from the front
[0080] Further, although the rear part of the controller main body 22 is
positioned above the grip 41 in the above description, the controller
main body 22 may be positioned apart forward from the grip 41.
[0081] Further, although the controller main body 22 is formed in a
substantial column shape, and the attached portion 42 and the cover 50
are formed to have a substantial cylindrical shape as a whole in the
above description, the controller main body 22 may be formed in a
substantially rectangular solid shape, and the attached portion 42 and
the cover 50 may be formed in a rectangular barrel shape as a whole.
[0082] Further, although the controller assembly 10 has the cover 50
attached thereto, the controller assembly 10 may not have the cover 50.
Patent applications by Kouichi Kazama, Saitama JP
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