Patent ID: 7623934

Claim:
A hand-held controller for connection to a control device for controlling an operating mechanism unit of a machine, and employed by being gripped by an operator when the operating mechanism unit is manually operated, the controller comprising: a control section for inputting to the control device control signals relating to operational control of the operating mechanism unit; and an illumination light source for emitting light directed outward of the hand-held controller, wherein: the hand-held controller is formed boxlike; said control section is provided on the front side of the hand-held controller; said light source is provided in an outer peripheral surface of the hand-held controller on a portion thereof oriented toward the operating mechanism unit when an operator grips the controller to operate the controller and operates the control section in a manner facing the operating mechanism unit of the machine to input a control signal to the control device; and said light source is configured so as to light only when the control signal can be input to the control device from the control section and a lighting switch provided either on the machine or on the hand-held controller is turned on.