JP6666954B2 - Game controller - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a game controller having a light emitting unit.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a game controller that emits light from a light emitting unit provided inside the game controller to the outside of the game controller so as to partially emit light (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP-A-2017-220185

  Conventionally, there are restrictions on the position of a light emitting unit provided inside a game controller and the position where light is emitted to the outside of the game controller, and it has been difficult in some cases to freely arrange a structure for light emission.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a game controller capable of improving a degree of freedom regarding a structure for light emission.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following configurations (1) to (35).

(1)
One example of the present invention is a game controller including a housing, an operation unit, a light emitting unit, and a light guide unit. An opening is formed in the housing. At least a part of the operation unit is exposed from the opening. The light emitting unit is provided inside the housing and emits light. The light guide unit has an incident surface on which light generated from the light emitting unit is incident, and an exit surface for emitting light incident on the incident surface to the outside of the housing. The light guide has a peripheral part and an extending part. The peripheral part has an emission surface and is provided so as to surround the operation part. The extending portion is provided to extend from a peripheral portion, and has an incident surface at a distal end portion.

  According to the configuration of the above (1), since the light guide section includes the extending section, the incident surface can be arranged at a position different from the exit surface. Thereby, the degree of freedom regarding the arrangement of the light emitting units can be improved.

(2)
The extension portion may have a portion extending from the peripheral portion and warping toward the inside of the housing.

  According to the above configuration (2), the incident surface can be arranged on the inner side of the housing than the emission surface.

(3)
The extending portion may have an arm shape extending from the peripheral portion.

  According to the configuration of the above (3), it is possible to make it difficult for the extending portion to become a hindrance when arranging other components inside the housing.

(4)
The peripheral portion may have a plate shape. The extension may extend from a side surface of the peripheral portion.

  According to the above configuration (4), it is possible to easily arrange other components at a position different from the surrounding portion.

(5)
The extension may be provided to extend toward the light emitting unit.

  According to the above configuration (5), the incident surface of the extension portion can be easily arranged at a position where light from the light emitting portion can be efficiently received.

(6)
The extending portion may have at least one of a curved portion and a bent portion.

  According to the above configuration (6), the incidence surface can be arranged at a position different from the emission surface, so that the degree of freedom regarding the arrangement of the light emitting units can be improved.

(7)
The entrance surface may be oriented in a direction different from the direction in which the exit surface is oriented.

(8)
The entrance surface may be oriented in a direction other than parallel to the direction in which the exit surface is oriented.

(9)
The incident surface may be provided in a direction in which a plane along the incident surface intersects with a plane along the exit surface.

(10)
The incident surface may be provided in a direction in which the angle between the normal direction of the incident surface and the normal direction of the emission surface is an angle other than 180 degrees.

  According to any one of the configurations (7) to (10), the light emitting unit can be arranged in a direction different from the emission surface, so that the degree of freedom in the direction in which the light emitting unit is arranged can be improved.

(11)
The entrance plane may be provided substantially perpendicular to the exit plane.

  According to the configuration of (11), the light emitting unit can be arranged such that the light emitting direction of the light emitting unit is perpendicular to the light emitting surface.

(12)
The game controller may include an electronic board on which the light emitting unit is provided. The electronic substrate may be provided inside the housing in a direction different from the emission surface.

  According to the above configuration (12), the degree of freedom of arrangement of the electronic substrate on which the light emitting unit is provided can be improved.

(13)
The electronic substrate may be provided substantially perpendicular to the emission surface.

  According to the above configuration (13), the degree of freedom of arrangement of the electronic substrate on which the light emitting unit is provided can be improved.

(14)
The extending portion may extend from the outer periphery of the peripheral portion in a direction outward from the outer periphery of the peripheral portion and in a direction toward the inside of the housing.

  According to the configuration (14), since the light-emitting unit can be arranged outside the peripheral part, the degree of freedom in arranging components in the game controller can be improved. For example, a component different from the light emitting unit can be arranged on the back side of the emission surface in the peripheral part.

(15)
The peripheral portion may have, on the back side of the emission surface in the peripheral portion, a reflection surface that reflects light incident on the incident surface and guided through the extending portion toward the emission surface.

  According to the configuration of (15), the game controller can increase the light emitted from the emission surface by the reflection surface.

(16)
One or more notches may be formed in the reflective surface.

  According to the configuration of (16), it is possible to increase the amount of light reflected from the reflection surface and emitted from the emission surface.

(17)
The notch may be formed in a straight line.

  According to the configuration of (17), it is possible to increase the amount of light reflected on the reflection surface and emitted from the emission surface.

(18)
The cutout formed in a straight line may be formed in a direction intersecting with the traveling direction of the light that has entered the incident surface and has been guided to the surrounding portion through the extension portion.

(19)
The peripheral portion may have a plate shape. The extension may extend from a side surface of the peripheral portion. The cutout formed in a straight line may be formed in a direction crossing a straight line perpendicular to the side surface of the peripheral portion.

  According to any one of the constitutions (18) and (19), light from the extending portion can be efficiently reflected on the slit.

(20)
The reflection surface may include a first region in which the notch is formed at a first interval, and a second region in which the notch is formed at a second interval smaller than the first interval.

  According to the configuration of (20), the amount of light emitted from the emission surface can be adjusted for each region.

(21)
The distance from the second region to the extension may be shorter than the distance from the first region to the extension.

  According to the configuration of (21), the game controller easily emits light uniformly from the emission surface.

(22)
The game controller may include a white reflective portion provided on a surface of the peripheral portion facing the inside of the housing.

  According to the configuration of (22), the game controller can increase the light emitted from the emission surface.

(23)
The extending portion may include a first light guide portion, a second light guide portion, and a third light guide portion. The first light guide portion is a portion from the incident surface to a cross section of the extending portion perpendicular to the direction of the incident surface. The second light guide portion is continuous with the first light guide portion. The third light guide portion has one end continuous with the second light guide portion, the other end continuous with the surrounding portion, and the width in the direction parallel to the direction of the incident surface increases from the one end to the other end. ing. The second light guide portion may have, on a wall surface opposite to the direction of the incident surface, a wall surface having an interior angle of less than 90 ° with respect to the cross section.

  According to the configuration of the above (23), light entering the peripheral portion from the third light guide portion of the extension portion can be made to approach uniformly in a direction parallel to the direction of the incident surface.

(24)
A hole that can change the path of light incident from the incident surface may be formed in the extension.

  According to the configuration of (24), it is possible to adjust the path of light entering the peripheral portion from the extending portion.

(25)
The hole formed in the extended portion may be formed in a light guide portion of the extended portion, the width of which in the direction perpendicular to the incident surface increases as approaching the peripheral portion.

  According to the configuration of (25), the light that enters the peripheral portion from the light guide portion can be made uniform by the hole.

(26)
The hole may have a shape in which an end remote from the periphery becomes thinner toward the tip.

  According to the configuration (26), the possibility that light reflected on the wall surface of the hole proceeds toward the incident surface can be reduced.

(27)
The housing may have an engaging portion that engages with the hole.

  According to the configuration of the above (27), it is possible to make the light entering the peripheral portion from the third light guide portion uniform, and to reduce the possibility that the position of the light guide portion is shifted with respect to the housing. it can.

(28)
The game controller may include, as the light emitting unit, a first light emitting unit and a second light emitting unit provided at a position different from the first light emitting unit. The light guide section may have a first extension section and a second extension section as extension sections. The first extending portion is provided to extend from a peripheral portion, and a first incident surface is provided at a position facing the first light emitting portion. The second extending portion is provided to extend from a peripheral portion, and a second incident surface is provided at a position facing the second light emitting portion.

  According to the configuration (28), the game controller can increase the amount of light emitted from the emission surface by emitting the light from the two extending portions from one emission surface.

  When the configuration of (28) is combined with another configuration (that is, any of the configurations of (2) to (27) and (31) to (35)), the first extending portion and the second Both of the extending portions may have the characteristics of the extending portion in the above other configuration, or one of the first extending portion and the second extending portion may have the characteristics of the extending portion in the above other configuration. It may be. When the configuration of (28) is combined with another configuration (that is, any of the configurations of (2) to (27) and (31) to (35)), the first light emitting unit and the second Both of the light emitting units may have the features of the light emitting unit in the above other configuration, or one of the first light emitting unit and the second light emitting unit may have the features of the light emitting unit in the above other configuration. It may be.

(29)
The first extending portion may be provided to extend from one side of the peripheral portion in a predetermined direction, and the second extending portion may be provided to extend from the other side of the peripheral portion in the predetermined direction.

  According to the configuration of (29), it is possible to reduce the possibility that the light emitted from the emission surface is biased.

(30)
The first extension section and the second extension section may be provided such that the operation section is located between the first extension section and the second extension section.

  According to the configuration of (30), the extension section and the operation section can be efficiently arranged in the housing.

(31)
The game controller may include an electronic board on which the light emitting unit is provided. The incident surface may be provided at a position facing the light emitting unit. The light guide may have a contact. When the incident surface is moved in a direction approaching the light emitting unit, the contact unit contacts the substrate before the incident surface contacts the light emitting unit.

  According to the configuration of (31), it is possible to reduce a possibility that the light guide unit contacts the light emitting unit and damages the light emitting unit.

(32)
The game controller may include an electronic board on which the light emitting unit is provided. The incident surface may be provided at a position facing the light emitting unit. The light guide may have a protrusion protruding from the side of the incident surface with respect to the incident surface. The length of the protruding portion protruding from the incident surface may be longer than the length of the light emitting portion protruding from the electronic substrate.

  According to the configuration of (32), it is possible to reduce a possibility that the light guide unit contacts the light emitting unit and damages the light emitting unit.

(33)
The game controller may further include a diffusion unit. The diffusion unit is provided on the emission surface so as to overlap at least a part of the emission surface, and diffuses light emitted from the emission surface.

  According to the configuration of (33), light emitted to the outside of the game controller can be made uniform.

(34)
The light emitting unit may include a first light emitting element that emits light of a first color, and a second light emitting element that emits light of a second color different from the first color. The light guide unit may emit, from the exit surface, light in which the first color light and the second color light that have entered the incident surface are mixed.

  According to the configuration of (34), the game controller can increase the color variation of light emitted from the emission surface.

(35)
The extending portion may have at least one of a curved portion and a bent portion when viewed from a predetermined direction. The first light emitting element and the second light emitting element may be arranged side by side in a predetermined direction.

  According to the configuration of the above (35), it is possible to reduce the possibility that the color emitted from the emission surface looks different depending on the position of the emission surface.

  Note that another example of the present invention may be an information processing system including the game controller in the above (1) to (35) and an information processing device capable of communicating with the game controller. Further, another example of the present invention may be the light guide unit in the above (1) to (35).

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the flexibility regarding the structure for light emission in a game controller can be improved.

Diagram showing an example of a state in which a left controller and a right controller are mounted on a main device. Diagram showing an example of a state in which the left controller and the right controller have been removed from the main unit Six views showing an example of the main unit Six views showing an example of the left controller Six views showing an example of the right controller Block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the main device FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of a main device, a left controller, and a right controller. Perspective view showing an example of a spherical controller Perspective view showing an example of a spherical controller Six views showing an example of the controller body The figure which shows an example of a housing FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which a user holds a controller body. Diagram showing an example of a positional relationship between a joystick and an operation surface Diagram showing an example of a positional relationship between a joystick and an operation surface Exploded perspective view of an example of an upper unit Exploded perspective view of an example of an upper unit Sectional view of an example of the upper unit Sectional view of an example of the upper unit in a state where the operation surface is pressed down Exploded perspective view of an example of the central unit Exploded perspective view of an example of the central unit Sectional view of an example of the central unit The perspective view which shows an example of the positional relationship of a middle part housing | casing, a light guide part, and a main board. Exploded perspective view of an example of a lower unit Exploded perspective view of an example of an upper unit and an example of a middle unit Exploded perspective view of an example of the controller main body Exploded perspective view of an example of the controller main body Sectional view of an example of the controller body The figure which shows typically near the front end part of an example of a spherical controller Rear view of an example of the controller main body with the cover removed Diagram showing an example of how the controller body emits light A perspective view showing an example of a light guide section. Six views showing an example of the light guide section The figure which shows typically an example of the mode that the light passes in the left extension part The figure which shows an example of the back side of the circumference Sectional view schematically showing an example of a section of a peripheral portion FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an arrangement of light emitting elements in a light emitting unit. The block diagram which shows an example of the electrical connection relation of a spherical controller

[1. Game system using spherical controller]
Before describing the spherical controller according to an example of the present embodiment, first, a game system using the spherical controller will be described. An example of the game system 1 in the present embodiment includes a main body device (information processing device; which functions as a game device main body in the present embodiment) 2, a left controller 3, and a right controller 4. The main device 2 has a left controller 3 and a right controller 4 which are detachable. That is, the game system 1 can be used as an integrated device by attaching the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 to the main device 2 respectively. Further, the game system 1 can use the main device 2 and the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 as separate bodies (see FIG. 2). Hereinafter, the hardware configuration of the game system 1 of the present embodiment will be described, and then control of the game system 1 of the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 are mounted on the main device 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 are mounted on the main unit 2 and integrated. The main device 2 is a device that executes various processes (for example, game processes) in the game system 1. The main device 2 includes a display 12. The left controller 3 and the right controller 4 are devices including an operation unit for a user to perform an input.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 have been removed from the main device 2. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 are detachable from the main unit 2. In the following, the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 may be collectively referred to as “controller”.

  FIG. 3 is a six-view drawing showing an example of the main device 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the main body device 2 includes a housing 11 having a substantially plate shape. In the present embodiment, the main surface of the housing 11 (in other words, the front surface, that is, the surface on which the display 12 is provided) has a substantially rectangular shape.

  The shape and size of the housing 11 are arbitrary. As an example, the housing 11 may have a portable size. Further, the main body device 2 alone or an integrated device in which the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 are mounted on the main body device 2 may be a portable device. Further, the main body device 2 or the integrated device may be a hand-held device. Further, the main body device 2 or the integrated device may be a portable device.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the main device 2 includes a display 12 provided on a main surface of a housing 11. The display 12 displays an image generated by the main device 2. In the present embodiment, the display 12 is a liquid crystal display (LCD). However, the display 12 may be any type of display device.

  Further, main device 2 includes a touch panel 13 on a screen of display 12. In the present embodiment, the touch panel 13 is of a type capable of multi-touch input (for example, a capacitance type). However, the touch panel 13 may be of any type, and for example, may be of a type that allows a single touch input (for example, a resistive film type).

  The main body device 2 includes a speaker (that is, a speaker 88 shown in FIG. 6) inside the housing 11. As shown in FIG. 3, speaker holes 11a and 11b are formed in the main surface of the housing 11. The output sound of the speaker 88 is output from the speaker holes 11a and 11b, respectively.

  The main device 2 also includes a left terminal 17 that is a terminal for the main device 2 to perform wired communication with the left controller 3 and a right terminal 21 for the main device 2 to perform wired communication with the right controller 4.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the main device 2 includes a slot 23. The slot 23 is provided on the upper surface of the housing 11. The slot 23 has a shape in which a predetermined type of storage medium can be mounted. The predetermined type of storage medium is, for example, a storage medium (for example, a dedicated memory card) dedicated to the game system 1 and an information processing apparatus of the same type. The predetermined type of storage medium stores, for example, data used by the main device 2 (for example, save data of an application) and / or a program executed by the main device 2 (for example, a program of an application). Used to The main device 2 includes a power button 28.

  The main device 2 includes a lower terminal 27. The lower terminal 27 is a terminal for the main unit 2 to communicate with the cradle. In the present embodiment, the lower terminal 27 is a USB connector (more specifically, a female connector). When the integrated device or the main body device 2 alone is placed on the cradle, the game system 1 can display an image generated and output by the main body device 2 on a stationary monitor. In the present embodiment, the cradle has a function of charging the integrated device or the main device 2 alone. Further, the cradle has a function of a hub device (specifically, a USB hub).

  FIG. 4 is a six-view drawing showing an example of the left controller 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the left controller 3 includes a housing 31. In the present embodiment, the housing 31 has a vertically long shape, that is, a shape that is long in the up-down direction (that is, the y-axis direction shown in FIGS. 1 and 4). The left controller 3 can also be gripped in a vertically long orientation when detached from the main device 2. The housing 31 has a shape and a size that can be gripped with one hand, particularly the left hand, when gripped in a vertically elongated direction. Further, the left controller 3 can be held in a horizontally long direction. When the left controller 3 is gripped in a horizontally long direction, the left controller 3 may be gripped with both hands.

  The left controller 3 includes an analog stick 32. As shown in FIG. 4, the analog stick 32 is provided on the main surface of the housing 31. The analog stick 32 can be used as a direction input unit that can input a direction. By tilting the analog stick 32, the user can input a direction corresponding to the tilt direction (and input a size corresponding to the tilt angle). Note that the left controller 3 may include, as the direction input unit, a cross key or a slide stick capable of performing a slide input, instead of the analog stick. In the present embodiment, an input for pressing the analog stick 32 is possible.

  The left controller 3 has various operation buttons. The left controller 3 includes four operation buttons 33 to 36 (specifically, a right button 33, a down button 34, an up button 35, and a left button 36) on the main surface of the housing 31. Further, the left controller 3 includes a recording button 37 and a-(minus) button 47. The left controller 3 includes a first L button 38 and a ZL button 39 on the upper left side of the housing 31. Further, the left controller 3 includes a second L button 43 and a second R button 44 on a side surface of the housing 31 on a side to be mounted when mounted on the main device 2. These operation buttons are used for giving an instruction according to various programs (for example, an OS program or an application program) executed on the main device 2.

  Further, the left controller 3 includes a terminal 42 through which the left controller 3 performs wired communication with the main device 2.

  FIG. 5 is a six-view drawing showing an example of the right controller 4. As shown in FIG. 5, the right controller 4 includes a housing 51. In the present embodiment, the housing 51 is vertically long, that is, vertically long. The right controller 4 can also be gripped in a vertically long orientation when detached from the main device 2. The housing 51 has a shape and a size that can be gripped with one hand, particularly the right hand, when gripped in a vertically elongated direction. Further, the right controller 4 can be held in a horizontally long direction. When the right controller 4 is held in a horizontally long direction, the right controller 4 may be held with both hands.

  Like the left controller 3, the right controller 4 includes an analog stick 52 as a direction input unit. In the present embodiment, the analog stick 52 has the same configuration as the analog stick 32 of the left controller 3. Further, the right controller 4 may include a cross key or a slide stick capable of sliding input, instead of the analog stick. Similarly to the left controller 3, the right controller 4 has four operation buttons 53 to 56 (specifically, an A button 53, a B button 54, an X button 55, and a Y button 56) on the main surface of the housing 51. Is provided. Further, the right controller 4 includes a + (plus) button 57 and a home button 58. Further, the right controller 4 includes a first R button 60 and a ZR button 61 on the upper right side of the side surface of the housing 51. Further, the right controller 4 includes a second L button 65 and a second R button 66, similarly to the left controller 3.

  A window 68 is provided on the lower surface of the housing 51. Although details will be described later, the right controller 4 includes an infrared imaging unit 123 and an infrared light emitting unit 124 arranged inside the housing 51. The infrared imaging unit 123 takes an image of the periphery of the right controller 4 through the window 68 with the downward direction of the right controller 4 (the y-axis negative direction shown in FIG. 5) as the imaging direction. The infrared light emitting unit 124 sets the irradiation range to a predetermined range centered on the downward direction of the right controller 4 (negative y-axis direction shown in FIG. 5) via the window 68 to the imaging target imaged by the infrared imaging unit 123. To irradiate infrared light. The window section 68 is for protecting the camera lens of the infrared imaging section 123, the illuminant of the infrared light emitting section 124, and the like, and emits light of a wavelength detected by the camera and light emitted by the illuminant. It is made of a transparent material (for example, a transparent material). The window 68 may be a hole formed in the housing 51. In the present embodiment, the infrared imaging unit 123 itself has a filter member that suppresses transmission of light having a wavelength other than light detected by the camera (in the present embodiment, infrared light). However, in other embodiments, the window 68 may have a function of a filter.

  As will be described later in detail, the right controller 4 includes an NFC communication unit 122. The NFC communication unit 122 performs near field communication based on NFC (Near Field Communication) standards. The NFC communication unit 122 includes an antenna 122a used for short-range wireless communication, and a circuit (for example, an NFC chip) that generates a signal (radio wave) to be transmitted from the antenna 122a. Note that the NFC communication unit 122 may perform short-range wireless communication by arbitrary short-range communication (also referred to as non-contact communication) instead of performing short-range wireless communication based on the NFC standard. Here, the NFC standard can be used for short-range communication (non-contact communication). It is intended that near field communication other than communication may be used for short range wireless communication.

  The right controller 4 includes a terminal 64 for the right controller 4 to perform wired communication with the main device 2.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the internal configuration of the main device 2. The main device 2 includes the components 81 to 91, 97, and 98 shown in FIG. 6 in addition to the configuration shown in FIG. Some of these components 81 to 91, 97, and 98 may be mounted on an electronic circuit board as electronic components and housed in the housing 11.

  The main device 2 includes a processor 81. The processor 81 is an information processing unit that executes various types of information processing executed in the main body device 2. For example, the processor 81 may include only a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a CPU function, and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). ) It may be constituted by a SoC (System-on-a-chip) including a plurality of functions such as functions. The processor 81 executes an information processing program (for example, a game program) stored in a storage unit (specifically, an internal storage medium such as the flash memory 84 or an external storage medium mounted in the slot 23). Thereby, various types of information processing are executed.

  The main device 2 includes a flash memory 84 and a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) 85 as an example of an internal storage medium built therein. The flash memory 84 and the DRAM 85 are connected to the processor 81. The flash memory 84 is a memory mainly used for storing various data (which may be programs) stored in the main device 2. The DRAM 85 is a memory used to temporarily store various data used in information processing.

  The main device 2 includes a slot interface (hereinafter abbreviated as “I / F”) 91. The slot I / F 91 is connected to the processor 81. The slot I / F 91 is connected to the slot 23, and reads and writes data from and to a predetermined type of storage medium (for example, a dedicated memory card) mounted in the slot 23 in accordance with an instruction from the processor 81.

  The processor 81 executes the above-described information processing by appropriately reading and writing data between the flash memory 84 and the DRAM 85 and each of the storage media.

  The main device 2 includes a network communication unit 82. The network communication unit 82 is connected to the processor 81. The network communication unit 82 performs communication (specifically, wireless communication) with an external device via a network. In the present embodiment, the network communication unit 82 communicates with an external device by connecting to a wireless LAN by a method based on the Wi-Fi standard as a first communication mode. In addition, the network communication unit 82 performs wireless communication with another main unit 2 of the same type using a predetermined communication method (for example, communication using a unique protocol or infrared communication) as a second communication mode. In the wireless communication according to the second communication mode, wireless communication is possible with another main device 2 disposed in a closed local network area, and direct communication between a plurality of main devices 2 is performed. This realizes a function that enables so-called “local communication” in which data is transmitted and received.

  The main device 2 includes a controller communication unit 83. The controller communication unit 83 is connected to the processor 81. The controller communication unit 83 performs wireless communication with the left controller 3 and / or the right controller 4. The communication method between the main device 2 and the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 is arbitrary, but in the present embodiment, the controller communication unit 83 communicates between the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 via Bluetooth (Bluetooth). (Registered trademark).

  The processor 81 is connected to the left terminal 17, the right terminal 21, and the lower terminal 27 described above. When performing wired communication with the left controller 3, the processor 81 transmits data to the left controller 3 via the left terminal 17 and receives operation data from the left controller 3 via the left terminal 17. When performing wired communication with the right controller 4, the processor 81 transmits data to the right controller 4 via the right terminal 21 and receives operation data from the right controller 4 via the right terminal 21. When communicating with the cradle, the processor 81 transmits data to the cradle via the lower terminal 27. As described above, in the present embodiment, the main device 2 can perform both wired communication and wireless communication with the left controller 3 and the right controller 4, respectively. When the integrated device in which the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 are mounted on the main device 2 or the main device 2 alone is mounted on the cradle, the main device 2 transmits data (for example, image data or audio data) via the cradle. Data) can be output to a stationary monitor or the like.

  Here, the main body device 2 can communicate with the plurality of left controllers 3 simultaneously (in other words, in parallel). Further, the main body device 2 can perform communication simultaneously with the plurality of right controllers 4 (in other words, in parallel). Therefore, a plurality of users can simultaneously perform input to the main unit 2 by using the sets of the left controller 3 and the right controller 4. As an example, a first user performs an input to the main unit 2 using the first set of the left controller 3 and the right controller 4, and at the same time, a second user uses the second set of the left controller 3 and the right controller 4. Thus, an input can be made to the main unit 2.

  The main device 2 includes a touch panel controller 86 that is a circuit that controls the touch panel 13. The touch panel controller 86 is connected between the touch panel 13 and the processor 81. The touch panel controller 86 generates, for example, data indicating a position where a touch input has been performed, based on a signal from the touch panel 13, and outputs the data to the processor 81.

  The display 12 is connected to the processor 81. The processor 81 displays the generated image (for example, by executing the above information processing) and / or the image obtained from the outside on the display 12.

  The main device 2 includes a codec circuit 87 and a speaker (specifically, a left speaker and a right speaker) 88. The codec circuit 87 is connected to the speaker 88 and the audio input / output terminal 25 and to the processor 81. The codec circuit 87 is a circuit that controls input / output of audio data to / from the speaker 88 and the audio input / output terminal 25.

  The main body device 2 includes an acceleration sensor 89. In the present embodiment, the acceleration sensor 89 detects the magnitude of acceleration along three predetermined axes (for example, the xyz axes shown in FIG. 1). Note that the acceleration sensor 89 may detect acceleration in a uniaxial direction or a biaxial direction.

  The main device 2 also includes an angular velocity sensor 90. In the present embodiment, the angular velocity sensor 90 detects angular velocities around three predetermined axes (for example, xyz axes shown in FIG. 1). The angular velocity sensor 90 may detect an angular velocity around one axis or two axes.

  The acceleration sensor 89 and the angular velocity sensor 90 are connected to the processor 81, and the detection results of the acceleration sensor 89 and the angular velocity sensor 90 are output to the processor 81. The processor 81 can calculate information on the movement and / or posture of the main device 2 based on the detection results of the acceleration sensor 89 and the angular velocity sensor 90 described above.

  Main device 2 includes power control unit 97 and battery 98. The power control unit 97 is connected to the battery 98 and the processor 81. Although not shown, the power control unit 97 is connected to each unit of the main body device 2 (specifically, each unit that receives power supply from the battery 98, the left terminal 17, and the right terminal 21). The power control unit 97 controls power supply from the battery 98 to each of the above units based on a command from the processor 81.

  The battery 98 is connected to the lower terminal 27. When an external charging device (for example, a cradle) is connected to the lower terminal 27 and power is supplied to the main unit 2 via the lower terminal 27, the supplied power is charged to the battery 98.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the main device 2 and the left controller 3 and the right controller 4. The details of the internal configuration of the main device 2 are shown in FIG. 6 and are not shown in FIG.

  The left controller 3 includes a communication control unit 101 that performs communication with the main device 2. As shown in FIG. 7, the communication control unit 101 is connected to each component including the terminal 42. In the present embodiment, the communication control unit 101 can communicate with the main device 2 by both wired communication via the terminal 42 and wireless communication via the terminal 42. The communication control unit 101 controls a communication method performed by the left controller 3 with respect to the main device 2. That is, when the left controller 3 is attached to the main device 2, the communication control unit 101 communicates with the main device 2 via the terminal 42. When the left controller 3 is detached from the main device 2, the communication control unit 101 performs wireless communication with the main device 2 (specifically, the controller communication unit 83). Wireless communication between the controller communication unit 83 and the communication control unit 101 is performed according to, for example, the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard.

  The left controller 3 includes a memory 102 such as a flash memory. The communication control unit 101 includes, for example, a microcomputer (also referred to as a microprocessor), and executes various processes by executing firmware stored in the memory 102.

  The left controller 3 includes the buttons 103 (specifically, the buttons 33 to 39, 43, 44, and 47). In addition, the left controller 3 includes an analog stick (described as “stick” in FIG. 7) 32. Each of the buttons 103 and the analog stick 32 repeatedly outputs information on an operation performed on itself to the communication control unit 101 at an appropriate timing.

  The left controller 3 includes an inertial sensor. Specifically, the left controller 3 includes an acceleration sensor 104. Further, the left controller 3 includes an angular velocity sensor 105. In the present embodiment, the acceleration sensor 104 detects the magnitude of acceleration along three predetermined axes (for example, xyz axes shown in FIG. 4). Note that the acceleration sensor 104 may detect acceleration in a uniaxial direction or a biaxial direction. In the present embodiment, the angular velocity sensor 105 detects angular velocities around three predetermined axes (for example, xyz axes shown in FIG. 4). Note that the angular velocity sensor 105 may detect an angular velocity around one axis or two axes. The acceleration sensor 104 and the angular velocity sensor 105 are connected to the communication control unit 101, respectively. The detection results of the acceleration sensor 104 and the angular velocity sensor 105 are repeatedly output to the communication control unit 101 at appropriate timing.

  The communication control unit 101 receives input-related information (specifically, operation-related information or a detection result by a sensor) from each input unit (specifically, each button 103, the analog stick 32, and each of the sensors 104 and 105). To get. The communication control unit 101 transmits operation data including the acquired information (or information obtained by subjecting the acquired information to predetermined processing) to the main device 2. The operation data is repeatedly transmitted once a predetermined time. Note that the interval at which the information regarding the input is transmitted to the main device 2 may or may not be the same for each input unit.

  By transmitting the operation data to the main device 2, the main device 2 can obtain an input made to the left controller 3. That is, the main device 2 can determine the operation on each button 103 and the analog stick 32 based on the operation data. The main device 2 can calculate information on the movement and / or posture of the left controller 3 based on the operation data (specifically, the detection results of the acceleration sensor 104 and the angular velocity sensor 105).

  The left controller 3 includes a vibrator 107 for notifying a user by vibration. In the present embodiment, the vibrator 107 is controlled by a command from the main device 2. That is, upon receiving the command from the main device 2, the communication control unit 101 drives the vibrator 107 according to the command. Here, the left controller 3 includes a codec unit 106. Upon receiving the command, the communication control unit 101 outputs a control signal corresponding to the command to the codec unit 106. The codec unit 106 generates a drive signal for driving the vibrator 107 from a control signal from the communication control unit 101 and provides the drive signal to the vibrator 107. As a result, the vibrator 107 operates.

  The vibrator 107 is more specifically a linear vibration motor. The linear vibration motor is driven in a predetermined direction according to an input voltage, unlike a normal motor that performs a rotary motion, and thus can vibrate at an amplitude and a frequency corresponding to a waveform of the input voltage. In the present embodiment, the vibration control signal transmitted from the main device 2 to the left controller 3 may be a digital signal representing a frequency and an amplitude per unit time. In another embodiment, the information indicating the waveform itself may be transmitted from the main device 2, but the communication data amount can be reduced by transmitting only the amplitude and the frequency. Also, in order to further reduce the data amount, only the difference from the previous value may be transmitted instead of the amplitude and frequency values at that time. In this case, the codec unit 106 converts the digital signal indicating the amplitude and frequency values acquired from the communication control unit 101 into an analog voltage waveform, and inputs the voltage in accordance with the waveform, thereby causing the vibrator 107 to operate. Drive. Therefore, main device 2 can control the amplitude and frequency at which vibrator 107 vibrates at that time by changing the amplitude and frequency to be transmitted for each unit time. The amplitude and frequency transmitted from the main device 2 to the left controller 3 are not limited to one, and two or more may be transmitted. In this case, the codec unit 106 can generate a waveform of a voltage for controlling the vibrator 107 by synthesizing the waveforms indicated by the plurality of received amplitudes and frequencies.

  The left controller 3 includes a power supply unit 108. In the present embodiment, the power supply unit 108 has a battery and a power control circuit. Although not shown, the power control circuit is connected to the battery and to each unit of the left controller 3 (specifically, each unit that receives power supply from the battery).

  As shown in FIG. 7, the right controller 4 includes a communication control unit 111 that communicates with the main device 2. The right controller 4 includes a memory 112 connected to the communication control unit 111. The communication control unit 111 is connected to each component including the terminal 64. The communication control unit 111 and the memory 112 have the same functions as the communication control unit 101 and the memory 102 of the left controller 3. Therefore, the communication control unit 111 communicates with the main device 2 both in the wired communication via the terminal 64 and in the wireless communication without the terminal 64 (specifically, communication conforming to the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard). Communication can be performed, and the right controller 4 controls a communication method performed with respect to the main device 2.

  The right controller 4 includes input units similar to the input units of the left controller 3. Specifically, it includes each button 113, analog stick 52, and inertial sensors (acceleration sensor 114 and angular velocity sensor 115). These input units have functions similar to those of the input units of the left controller 3 and operate similarly.

  The right controller 4 includes a vibrator 117 and a codec unit 116. The vibrator 117 and the codec unit 116 operate similarly to the vibrator 107 and the codec unit 106 of the left controller 3. That is, the communication control unit 111 operates the vibrator 117 using the codec unit 116 in accordance with a command from the main device 2.

  The right controller 4 includes an NFC communication unit 122 that performs short-range wireless communication based on the NFC standard. The NFC communication unit 122 has a so-called NFC reader / writer function. Here, in the present specification, the short-range wireless communication refers to a radio wave (for example, by electromagnetic induction) from one device (here, the right controller 4) and the other device (here, a device close to the antenna 122a). A communication method for generating an electromotive force is included. The other device can operate by the generated electromotive force and may or may not have a power supply. The NFC communication unit 122 communicates with the communication object when the right controller 4 (antenna 122a) and the communication object approach each other (typically, when the distance between the two becomes less than ten and several centimeters). It becomes possible. The communication target is any device capable of short-range wireless communication with the NFC communication unit 122, and is, for example, an NFC tag or a storage medium having the function of an NFC tag. However, the communication target may be another device having an NFC card emulation function.

  The right controller 4 includes an infrared imaging unit 123. The infrared imaging unit 123 includes an infrared camera that captures an image around the right controller 4. As an example, the main device 2 and / or the right controller 4 calculates the captured information (for example, information related to the brightness of a plurality of blocks obtained by dividing at least a part of the entire region in the captured image). Then, a change in the surroundings of the right controller 4 is determined based on the information. In addition, the infrared imaging unit 123 may perform imaging using ambient light. However, in the present embodiment, the infrared imaging unit 123 includes an infrared light emitting unit 124 that emits infrared light. The infrared light emitting unit 124 emits infrared light, for example, in synchronization with the timing at which an infrared camera captures an image. Then, the infrared light emitted by the infrared light emitting unit 124 is reflected by the imaging target, and the reflected infrared light is received by the infrared camera, whereby an infrared image is obtained. Thereby, the infrared imaging unit 123 can obtain a clearer infrared image. The infrared imaging unit 123 and the infrared light emitting unit 124 may be provided in the right controller 4 as separate devices, or may be provided in the right controller 4 as a single device provided in the same package. It may be provided. In the present embodiment, an infrared imaging unit 123 having an infrared camera is used. However, in other embodiments, a visible light camera (a camera using a visible light image sensor instead of an infrared camera) is used as an imaging unit. ) May be used.

  The right controller 4 includes a processing unit 121. The processing unit 121 is connected to the communication control unit 111. Further, the processing unit 121 is connected to the NFC communication unit 122, the infrared imaging unit 123, and the infrared light emitting unit 124. The processing unit 121 performs a management process on the NFC communication unit 122 in response to a command from the main device 2. For example, the processing unit 121 controls the operation of the NFC communication unit 122 according to a command from the main device 2. Further, the processing unit 121 controls the activation of the NFC communication unit 122, and controls the operation (specifically, reading and writing, etc.) of the NFC communication unit 122 with respect to a communication target (for example, an NFC tag). The processing unit 121 receives information to be transmitted to the communication target via the communication control unit 111 from the main device 2 and passes the information to the NFC communication unit 122, and transmits information received from the communication target to the NFC communication unit 122. And transmits it to the main unit 2 via the communication control unit 111.

  Further, the processing unit 121 includes a CPU, a memory, and the like, and performs a predetermined program (for example, image processing and various calculations) stored in a storage device (for example, a nonvolatile memory or the like) provided in the right controller 4 (not shown). The management process is performed on the infrared imaging unit 123 in response to a command from the main device 2 based on an application program for the infrared imaging unit 123. For example, the processing unit 121 causes the infrared imaging unit 123 to perform an imaging operation, and obtains and / or calculates information based on an imaging result (information of a captured image or information calculated from the information). The data is transmitted to the main device 2 via the communication control unit 111. In addition, the processing unit 121 performs a management process on the infrared light emitting unit 124 according to a command from the main device 2. For example, the processing unit 121 controls light emission of the infrared light emitting unit 124 according to a command from the main device 2. The memory used when the processing unit 121 performs the processing may be provided in the processing unit 121 or may be the memory 112.

  The right controller 4 includes a power supply unit 118. The power supply unit 118 has the same function as the power supply unit 108 of the left controller 3 and operates similarly.

[2. Spherical controller]
Next, a spherical controller according to an example of the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the spherical controller can be used as an operating device for giving an instruction to the main unit 2 instead of the controllers 3 and 4, or the controllers 3 and / or 4 can be used. It is also possible to use with. Hereinafter, the spherical controller will be described in detail.

  8 and 9 are perspective views illustrating an example of a spherical controller. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the spherical controller 200 as viewed from the upper front, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the spherical controller 200 as viewed from the lower rear. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the spherical controller 200 includes a spherical controller main body 201 and a strap 202. For example, the user uses the spherical controller 200 while holding the controller main body 201 while hanging the strap 202 on the arm.

  Here, in the following description of the spherical controller 200 (specifically, the controller main body 201), the vertical direction, the horizontal direction, and the front-back direction are defined as follows (see FIGS. 8 and 9). That is, the direction from the center of the spherical controller main body 201 to the joystick 212 is the forward direction (that is, the negative z-axis direction shown in FIG. 8), and the opposite direction is the backward direction (that is, the positive z-axis direction shown in FIG. 8). ). In addition, when viewed from the front-back direction, a direction that coincides with the direction from the center of the controller main body 201 to the center of the operation surface 213 is defined as an upward direction (that is, the positive direction of the y-axis illustrated in FIG. Direction (ie, the y-axis negative direction shown in FIG. 8). Further, the direction from the center of the controller main body 201 to the position on the right end when the controller main body 201 is viewed from the front side is the right direction (that is, the positive x-axis direction shown in FIG. 8), and the opposite direction is the left direction ( That is, it is set to the x-axis negative direction shown in FIG. Note that the up-down direction, the left-right direction, and the front-back direction are orthogonal to each other.

[2-1. External configuration of controller body]
FIG. 10 is a six-view drawing showing an example of the controller main body. 10, (a) is a front view, (b) is a right side view, (c) is a left side view, (d) is a plan view, and (e) is a bottom view. , (F) is a rear view.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the controller main body 201 has a spherical shape. Here, the “spherical shape” means a shape that looks like a sphere in appearance. The spherical shape may be a true spherical shape, a portion lacking with respect to the spherical surface of the true sphere, and / or a shape having a portion projecting with respect to the spherical surface of the true sphere. Good. The spherical shape may be a shape in which a part of the surface is not spherical. Further, the spherical shape may be a shape in which a true sphere is slightly distorted.

(Housing)
As shown in FIG. 10, the controller main body 201 includes a spherical housing 211. In the present embodiment, the controller main body 201 (in other words, the housing 211) is large enough for the user to hold it with one hand (see FIG. 12). The diameter of the housing 211 is set, for example, in a range of 4 cm to 10 cm.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the housing 211. In the present embodiment, of the surface of the housing 211, a surface other than a portion where a hole or a notch described later is provided is substantially spherical. In another embodiment, the housing 211 may have a portion that protrudes from the spherical surface or is depressed. Such portions may be provided, for example, for design reasons.

  Here, in the present specification, “substantially (become a certain state)” includes both a case in which the state is strictly in the state and a case in which the state is in the general state. For example, "the surface is substantially spherical" means that the surface is strictly spherical, or that the surface is not strictly spherical but is provided substantially along the spherical surface. Means that you may.

  In the present embodiment, the housing 211 has a shape in which a part of a sphere is cut out and a hole is partially formed. Although details will be described later, an operation unit (for example, a joystick 212 and a restart button 214 to be described later) is provided on the housing 211, or another component (for example, the strap unit 202) is attached to the housing 211. For purposes, the housing 211 is provided with holes.

  Specifically, in the present embodiment, the front end portion of the housing 211 is flat (see (b) to (e) of FIG. 10). Hereinafter, the plane of the front end portion of the housing 211 is referred to as a “front end surface”. The housing 211 can be said to have a shape obtained by cutting a sphere on a plane including the front end face and cutting off the front end portion of the sphere. As shown in FIG. 11, an opening 211a is provided in the front end surface of the housing 211. Although details will be described later, the joystick 212 is provided so as to be exposed from the opening 211a. In this embodiment, the shape of the opening 211a is circular, but in other embodiments, the shape of the opening 211a is arbitrary. For example, the opening 211a may have a polygonal shape (specifically, a triangle, a quadrangle, a pentagon, or the like), an ellipse, or a star shape.

  As shown in FIG. 11, in the present embodiment, the housing 211 includes an upper housing 221, a middle housing 222, and a lower housing 223. The upper partial housing 221 and the lower partial housing 223 have a hemispherical shape. The middle part housing 222 is a part including the front end face and provided with the opening 211a. By connecting these three partial housings 221 to 223, a spherical housing 211 is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the upper partial housing 221 has a hemispherical shape. The lower part housing 223 also has a hemispherical shape, like the upper part housing 221. The upper partial housing 221 and the lower partial housing 223 can each be referred to as hemispherical housings. Here, the “hemispherical shape” means a shape whose appearance looks like a hemisphere. The spherical shape may be an exact hemisphere, or a shape having a portion missing from the hemisphere and / or a portion protruding from the hemisphere. The hemispherical shape may be a shape in which a part of the surface is not spherical. Further, the hemispherical shape may be a half shape of a shape in which a true sphere is slightly distorted.

  As shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 19 described later, the middle part housing 222 has a ring-like (or ring-like) shape. The middle housing 222 is provided between the upper housing 221 and the lower housing 223. In the present embodiment, the middle portion housing 222 has a shape of a spherical band (that is, a spherical band portion sandwiched between two parallel planes when the spherical surface is cut).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the housing 211 is configured by three partial housings. In another embodiment, the number of partial housings constituting the housing 211 may be any number, may be two, or may be four or more. Further, the housing 211 may be integrally formed as a whole.

(Appearance of housing)
As shown in FIG. 11, in the present embodiment, a seam is formed on the surface of the housing 211 by connecting the two partial housings. In other words, a seam is formed by the upper housing 221 and the middle housing 222, and a seam is formed by the middle housing 222 and the lower housing 223. Here, the joint is a spherical controller in the direction from the center of the operation surface 252c (see FIG. 13) of the joystick 212 to the center of the housing 211 (that is, the direction from the front side to the rear side; see FIG. 10A). 11 includes line portions that appear to be linear when the user sees 200 (for example, lines L1 and L2 shown in FIG. 11). The seam is a boundary between the first hemispherical portion (for example, the upper partial housing 221) and the second hemispherical portion (for example, the middle partial housing 222 and the lower partial housing 223) included in the housing 211. Can be said.

  Here, since the controller main body 201 is spherical, there is a possibility that the orientation of the controller main body 201 is difficult for a user to recognize only from the outer shape of the controller main body 201. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, by forming the above-mentioned line portion, it is possible to make it easy for the user to recognize the direction of the controller main body 201. For example, in the present embodiment, the user can recognize that the direction in which the line portion extends is the left-right direction of the controller main body 201.

  In the present embodiment, when the joystick 212 is viewed from the joystick 212 toward the center of the housing 211 (that is, from the front side to the rear side), the joystick 212 extends along the line extending from the line portion. (See FIG. 10A). According to this, the user can determine the direction of the joystick 212 based on the direction of the line portion. For example, in the present embodiment, the user can recognize that the direction along the line portion is a left-right input to the joystick 212.

  In the present embodiment, the line portions of the joint are formed on both sides of the joystick 212 (see FIG. 10A). According to this, the joystick 212 and the line portion can be presented to the user in an easily viewable manner, and the relationship between the joystick 212 and the line portion can be more easily understood. For example, the user recognizes the relationship between the joystick 212 and the line portion regardless of whether the joystick 212 is viewed from one side (for example, left side) or the other side (for example, right side). Can be.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the housing 211 includes the first partial housing (that is, the upper partial housing 221), the second partial housing (that is, the lower partial housing 223), It has a spherical partial third housing (that is, a middle housing 222) provided between the housing and the second housing. Here, since the third partial housing has a spherical band shape, it has a band-shaped portion extending along a spherical band defined by two parallel planes intersecting with the housing 211 (see FIG. 11). This band portion has the same effect as the line portion at the seam. That is, in the present embodiment, the direction of the controller main body 201 can be easily recognized by the user by the band-shaped portion. For example, in the present embodiment, the user can recognize that the direction in which the belt-shaped portion extends is the left-right direction of the controller main body 201.

  In the present embodiment, the joystick 212 is provided in the third partial housing (see FIG. 10A). That is, when the spherical controller 200 is viewed in the direction from the joystick 212 to the center of the housing 211 (that is, from the front side to the rear side), the joystick 212 is provided on an extension of the strip portion (FIG. 10). (A)). According to this, the user can determine the direction of the joystick 212 based on the direction in which the strip portion extends. For example, in the present embodiment, the user can recognize that the direction in which the strip portion extends is an input to the joystick 212 in the left-right direction.

  In the present embodiment, the band-shaped portion is provided on both sides of the joystick 212 (see FIG. 10A). According to this, the joystick 212 and the strip can be presented to the user in an easily viewable manner, and the relationship between the joystick 212 and the strip can be more easily understood. For example, the user can visually recognize the relationship between the joystick 212 and the strip portion regardless of whether the joystick 212 is viewed from one side (for example, the left side) or the other side (for example, the right side). Can be.

In the present embodiment, the housing 211 includes a hemispherical first partial housing (that is, an upper partial housing 221) and a hemispherical second partial housing (that is, a lower partial housing 223). .
According to this, the user can recognize the orientation of the controller main unit 201 based on the positional relationship between the two hemispherical partial housings. For example, in the present embodiment, the user recognizes that the side on which one partial housing is provided is above the controller main body 201, and the side on which the other partial housing is provided is below the controller main body 201. can do.

  In the present embodiment, the hemispherical upper housing 221 and the hemispherical lower housing 223 have different colors. Specifically, the surface of the upper housing 221 is red (in FIG. 11, red is indicated by dots), and the surface of the lower housing 223 is white. In another embodiment, the pattern of the upper housing 221 and the pattern of the lower housing 223 may be different, or both the color and the pattern may be different. As described above, by making at least one of the color and the pattern of the upper partial housing 221 and the lower partial housing 223 different from each other, the user can easily recognize the upper and lower sides of the spherical controller 200.

(Joystick)
The controller main unit 201 includes a joystick 212 that is an example of a direction input unit (see FIGS. 10A to 10E). In the present embodiment, the joystick 212 has a shaft portion that the user can tilt in an arbitrary direction (that is, a shaft portion 252 shown in FIG. 19 described later). Although details will be described later, in the present embodiment, the joystick 212 is a type of joystick that can perform an operation of pushing down the shaft in addition to an operation of tilting the shaft. In another embodiment, the joystick 212 may be another type of input device (see “[3. Modification]” described later).

  In the present embodiment, the joystick 212 is provided at a front end portion of the housing 211. As shown in FIG. 10, the joystick 212 is provided such that a part (specifically, a shaft) of the joystick 212 is exposed from the opening 211 a of the housing 211. The position of the joystick 212 is in the center of the spherical controller main body 201 in the vertical and horizontal directions (see FIG. 10A).

  In the present embodiment, the joystick 212 is provided such that the shaft portion is arranged on a straight line passing through the center of the housing 211 and parallel to the front-rear direction (specifically, a straight line L4 shown in FIG. 13 described later). . In the present embodiment, the joystick 212 is provided such that the axis of the shaft is parallel to the front-rear direction. In the present embodiment, the front-back direction of the spherical controller 200 is a direction from the center of the housing 211 to the center of the front end surface of the shaft portion (that is, the front surface of the front end portion 252b shown in FIG. 21 described later). And

  In the present specification, in the description of the spherical controller 200, for example, the description may be made using a straight line passing through a certain component, such as the “straight line passing through the center of the housing 211”. Similarly, in the present embodiment, a description will be given by defining a plane (for example, the plane P1 shown in FIG. 13) and an area (for example, the area R shown in FIG. 27) in association with a certain component. . Here, the straight line, the plane, and the region are virtually defined for the sake of explanation, and need to be components that actually exist (in other words, are provided in the spherical controller 200). There is no.

  In the present embodiment, a part of the joystick 212 (more specifically, a part of the shaft) protrudes from a plane at the front end of the housing 211 (FIGS. 10B and 10C). )reference). Therefore, the user can easily perform the operation of tilting the shaft. In another embodiment, the joystick 212 may be exposed from the opening 211a provided on the plane and may not be provided so as to protrude from the plane.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the spherical controller 200 has the spherical housing 211 provided with the opening 211a on the surface, and the tiltable shaft portion 252, and at least a part thereof extends from the opening 211a. And a joystick 212 that is exposed. According to this, the user can perform a direction input operation of tilting the shaft using the game controller having a spherical outer shape. That is, according to the present embodiment, a more detailed operation can be performed using a game controller having a spherical outer shape.

(Operation surface)
As shown in FIG. 10D, an operation surface 213 is provided on an upper end portion of the housing 211. The position of the operation surface 213 is at the center of the spherical controller main body 201 in the left-right direction and the front-back direction (see FIG. 10D). In the present embodiment, the operation surface 213 (in other words, the outer periphery of the operation surface 213) has a circular shape formed on the spherical surface of the housing 211. However, in other embodiments, the shape of the operation surface 213 is arbitrary, and may be, for example, a square or a triangle. Although details will be described later, the operation surface 213 is configured to be able to be pressed from above.

  In the present embodiment, the operation surface 213 is formed integrally with the surface of the housing 211. The operation surface 213 is a part of an operation unit (also referred to as an operation button) that can be pressed down. However, since the operation surface 213 is formed integrally with a part of the housing 211 other than the operation surface 213, it can be said that the operation surface 213 is a part of the housing 211. Although details will be described later, in the present embodiment, the operation surface 213 can be deformed by being pushed down. The operation unit having the operation surface 213 is input by depressing the operation surface 213 (that is, the input is performed).

(About the arrangement of the joystick and the operation surface)
Hereinafter, the positional relationship between the joystick 212 and the operation surface 213 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which the user holds the controller main body. As shown in FIG. 12, the user can operate the joystick 212 with the thumb and operate the operation surface 213 with the index finger while holding the controller main body 201 with one hand. FIG. 12 shows a case where the user holds the controller main body 201 with the left hand as an example. However, the user can operate the joystick 212 with the thumb of the right hand and operate the operation surface 213 with the forefinger of the right hand in the same manner as when the user holds the controller main body 201 with the right hand. .

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the operation surface 213 that can be pressed down is provided. According to this, the user can perform both the direction input operation using the joystick and the push-down operation on the operation surface 213 using the game controller having a spherical outer shape. Thus, various operations can be performed using a game controller having a spherical outer shape.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the positional relationship between the joystick and the operation surface. As shown in FIG. 13, in the present embodiment, the operation surface 213 is substantially formed by a straight line L3 passing through the center C of the housing 211 and the operation surface 213, and a straight line L4 passing through the center C and the joystick 212. They are provided at orthogonal positions.

  According to the above, the user can easily operate the joystick 212 and the operation surface 213 with two fingers of one hand (for example, with the thumb and the index finger). Specifically, according to the present embodiment, the user can control the joystick 212 and the index finger operating the operation surface 213 in a state where the controller can easily bend in the direction toward the center C of the housing 211. The main body 201 can be gripped (see FIG. 12). Therefore, the user can easily apply a force to the joystick 212 and the operation surface 213, and thus can easily operate the joystick 212 and the operation surface 213.

  The “straight line passing through the operation surface 213” is a straight line L3 passing through the center of the operation surface 213 (see FIG. 13). The “straight line passing through the joystick 212” is a straight line L4 passing through the center of the operation surface 252c of the joystick 212. Although details will be described later, the operation surface 252c is a surface on the front side (in other words, the distal end side) of the shaft portion (more specifically, the distal end portion 252b) of the joystick 212.

  The operation surface 213 is provided at a position that intersects a straight line L3 that is a straight line that is substantially orthogonal to the center C of the housing 211 and the straight line L4 that passes through the joystick 212 and that passes through the center C. You can also say. As described above, the operation surface 213 is not limited to a position where the straight line L3 and the straight line L4 are strictly orthogonal, and may be provided to intersect the straight line L3 at any position on the operation surface 213, for example. . Even in this case, it is easy to perform operations on the joystick 212 and the operation surface 213.

  In the present embodiment, the operation surface 213 is provided at a position where the direction from the center C of the housing 211 to the operation surface 213 substantially coincides with the upward direction in the direction input (in other words, the housing surface 213). From the center C of the body 211 at a position intersecting with a straight line extending upward in the direction input). Here, the “upward direction in the direction input” is a direction in which the axis of the joystick 212 is tilted in order to give an upward instruction (see FIG. 13). More specifically, the “upward direction in the direction input” is a direction in which the shaft of the joystick 212 is tilted in order to give an upward instruction in a state where the operation on the joystick 212 is not performed. That is, in the present embodiment, the “upward direction in the direction input” is a direction perpendicular to the direction from the center of the operation surface 252c of the joystick 212 to the center C of the housing 211. For example, in a game application in which an operation is performed using the spherical controller 200, an instruction to move an object (for example, a game character or a cursor) displayed on a screen upward is the above-described “upward instruction”. I can say. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the “upward direction in the direction input” is the above-described upward direction. Note that “downward direction in direction input”, “left direction in direction input”, and “right direction in direction input” are defined in the same manner as “upward direction input in direction”.

  According to the above, the operation surface 213 is provided in a direction in which an upward input is performed on the joystick 212. Thus, when the joystick 212 is operated with the thumb, the operation surface 213 can be arranged at a position where it can be easily operated with the index finger. That is, the operability of the operation on the joystick 212 and the operation surface 213 can be improved.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a positional relationship between the joystick and the operation surface. As shown in FIG. 14, in the present embodiment, the operation surface 213 is provided on the upper side of the joystick 212 in the direction input (ie, above the dotted line shown in FIG. 14). it can. In another embodiment, the operation surface 213 may be provided at a position other than the upper end of the controller main body 201 as in the present embodiment, and at a position on the “upward direction in the direction input” with respect to the joystick. . At this time, when operating the joystick 212 with the thumb, the user can easily operate the operation surface 213 with a finger other than the thumb (for example, the index finger or the middle finger). Therefore, by providing the operation surface 213 on the upper side in the direction input than the joystick, the operability of the operation on the joystick 212 and the operation surface 213 can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the operation surface 213 can be pushed down in a direction substantially opposite to the upward direction in the direction input (that is, downward). That is, in the present embodiment, the direction in which the shaft portion is tilted in order to issue an upward instruction to the joystick 212 is substantially opposite to the direction in which the operation surface 213 is pressed down. This makes it possible to make the operation surface 213 easy to push down.

  The “direction substantially opposite to the upward direction in the direction input” does not need to be strictly “the direction opposite to the upward direction in the direction input”, but “the direction opposite to the upward direction in the direction input”. This is a meaning including a direction substantially matching with Although details will be described later, in the present embodiment, the operation surface 213 moves downward as a whole while being deformed in response to being pushed down. Further, a key top 235 described later rotates in response to the operation surface 213 being pressed down. In this manner, even in a mode in which the operation surface 213 and / or the key top 235 do not strictly move in the “direction opposite to the upward direction in the direction input”, the operation surface 213 does not substantially move in the “upward direction in the direction input”. Can be pushed down in the opposite direction. "

  As shown in FIG. 13, in the present embodiment, at least a part of the operation surface 213 (in the present embodiment, the front half) is directed from the joystick 212 to the center C of the housing 211 (specifically, as shown in FIG. 13). Is located perpendicular to the center of the operation surface 252c of the joystick 212 (from the center of the housing 211 to the center C of the housing 211) and closer to the joystick 212 than the plane P1 including the center C of the housing 211. According to this, when operating the joystick 212 with the thumb, the operation surface 213 can be arranged at a position where it can be easily operated with the index finger, so that the operation on the joystick 212 and the operation surface 213 can be easily performed. In another embodiment, the operation surface 213 may be provided at an arbitrary position on the joystick 212 side from the plane P1. In another embodiment, the operation surface 213 may be provided at a position on the opposite side of the joystick 212 with respect to the plane P1.

  In the present embodiment, the joystick 212 is provided between the upper housing 221 and the lower housing 223 (that is, the middle housing 222) on the surface of the housing 211, and the operation surface 213 is , Near the zenith of the upper housing 221 (in other words, near the center of the surface of the upper housing). In other words, the joystick 212 is connected to the boundary between the first hemisphere (for example, the upper housing 221) and the second hemisphere (for example, the lower housing 223) of the spherical housing 211 (for example, the middle housing). The operation surface 213 is provided on the body 222), and the operation surface 213 is provided on the zenith which is the apex of the first hemisphere. According to the above, the joystick 212 and the operation surface 213 can be arranged so as to be easily operated with the thumb and the index finger as described above. The “zenith” of a hemisphere is defined as a vertical line from the center of the hemisphere (that is, the center of a sphere that is a part of the hemisphere) when the hemisphere is placed on a horizontal surface with the bottom surface of the hemisphere down. Is the point at which the vertical line intersects the spherical surface of the hemisphere. (However, "zenith" is sometimes simply called "apex.")

  Here, in the present embodiment, the “boundary between the first hemispherical portion and the second hemispherical portion” refers to the first hemispherical portion (for example, the upper housing 221) and the second hemispherical portion (for example, the lower portion). (For example, the middle part housing 222). As described above, the boundary between the first hemisphere and the second hemisphere may be an area having a certain area. However, the boundary is not limited to a component provided between the two hemispheres. For example, in another embodiment, the boundary may be a joint between two hemispheres, or a line formed on the housing 211 (for example, a line drawn in a housing shape). Good.

  Note that the position of the operation surface 213 is arbitrary, and in other embodiments, the operation surface 213 is provided, for example, at another position on the upper part of the housing 211 (that is, the upper partial housing 221). Alternatively, it may be provided in a lower portion of the housing 211 (that is, the lower partial housing 223).

  As shown in FIG. 11, in the present embodiment, a sign 211b indicating the position of the operation surface 213 is provided on the housing 211. In the present embodiment, the marker 211b indicates a position corresponding to the outer periphery of the operation surface 213. Specifically, the marker 211b is provided near a boundary between the housing 211 and the operation surface 213. The marker 211b may be provided on the housing 211, may be provided on the operation surface 213, or may be provided across both the housing 211 and the operation surface 213. According to this embodiment, the user can recognize the area (that is, the area that can be pressed) that becomes the operation surface 213 in the housing 211 by the sign 211b.

  In the present embodiment, the marker 211b is a linear groove (in other words, a depression) formed on the surface of the housing 211. However, the marker 211b may be any display that allows the user to identify the position of the operation surface 213. In another embodiment, for example, the marker 211b may be a protrusion (or depression) provided at the center of the operation surface 213. As described above, by forming a protrusion and / or a depression on the surface of the housing 211 as the marker, the user can grasp the position of the operation surface 213 by touch. In another embodiment, the marker 211b may indicate the region of the operation surface 213 in the housing 211 with a color different from that of the region other than the operation surface 213. However, in another embodiment, the marker 211b may be drawn on the surface of the housing 211 with paint. In this manner, similarly to the present embodiment, the user can recognize the area (that is, the area that can be pressed) of the housing 211 that will be the operation surface 213 by the marker 211b.

(Strap hole)
As shown in FIG. 10F, a strap hole 211 c for attaching the strap portion 202 is provided at a rear end portion of the housing 211. The position of the strap hole 211c is at the center of the spherical controller main body 201 in the up-down direction and the left-right direction (see (f) of FIG. 10). Although details will be described later, the strap portion 202 is attached to the controller main body 201 by passing the strap string of the strap portion 202 through the strap hole 211c. In other embodiments, the position of the strap hole 211c is arbitrary. For example, the strap hole 211c may be provided at an arbitrary position on the rear side of the housing 211 or provided at a lower end portion of the housing 211. Is also good.

(Restart button)
The controller main body 201 includes a restart button 214. Although details will be described later, the restart button 214 is a button for giving an instruction to restart the spherical controller 200.

  As shown in FIGS. 10C and 10F, a restart button 214 is provided at a position on the left side of the rear end of the housing 211. The position of the restart button 214 in the vertical direction is the center of the spherical controller main body 201. The position of the restart button 214 in the front-back direction is a position after the center of the spherical controller main body 201. In another embodiment, the position of the restart button 214 is arbitrary, and for example, may be provided at an arbitrary position on the rear side of the housing 211.

(Cover)
As shown in FIG. 10F, a cover 215 is provided below the strap hole 211c of the housing 211. Although details will be described later, the cover 215 can be opened and closed with respect to a portion other than the cover 215 of the controller main body 201. Although details will be described later, a concave surface (that is, a concave surface 245d shown in FIG. 20) is provided inside the cover portion 215. The cover part 215 is provided so as to cover the concave surface in the closed state. On the other hand, when the cover 215 is in the open state, the recessed surface is exposed outside the controller main body 201. As shown in (b), (c), and (e) of FIG. 10, the surface of the cover 215 is a spherical surface that forms a part of the spherical surface of the spherical controller main body 201. Therefore, it can be said that the cover part 215 is a part of the housing 211.

[2-2. Internal configuration of controller body]
Next, the internal configuration of the controller main body 201 will be described. In the present embodiment, the controller body 201 includes an upper unit including the above-described upper housing 221, a middle unit including the above-described middle housing 222, and a lower unit including the above-described lower housing 223. (See FIGS. 24 and 25 described later). Hereinafter, the internal configuration of each unit will be described.

[2-2-1. Upper unit]
15 and 16 are exploded perspective views of an example of the upper unit. FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the upper unit viewed from the front upper side, and FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of the upper unit viewed from the rear lower side. FIG. 17 is a sectional view of an example of the upper unit. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a cross section that passes through the center of the controller main body 201 and is perpendicular to the left-right direction.

(Upper case)
As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the upper unit 230 includes an upper partial housing 221. As described above, the upper housing 221 has a hemispherical shape. As shown in FIG. 16, the upper part housing 221 has an opening on the lower side and does not have a surface corresponding to the bottom surface of the hemisphere. Therefore, it can be said that the upper partial housing 221 has a hemispherical shape. The upper partial housing 221 can also be said to have a shape of a crown (that is, a side surface portion of a solid (that is, a ball segment) obtained by cutting a sphere in a plane).

  As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, in the present embodiment, the upper housing 221 has a shape in which the front end portion of a hemisphere is cut out. Specifically, the upper partial housing 221 has a shape in which a front end portion of a hemisphere is cut on a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The upper partial housing 221 includes a side 221a that is the circumference of the bottom surface of the hemisphere, and a side 221b that is formed by cutting the front end portion of the hemisphere on the plane. The side 221b has a shape that looks like a semicircle when the upper partial housing 221 is viewed from the front side. The shape of the notch in the upper partial housing 221 is a shape corresponding to the shape of the above-described front end face of the middle partial housing 222 (specifically, a shape substantially matching the upper side of the front end face). ), Specifically, in a semicircular shape. However, the shape of the notch is arbitrary, and in other embodiments, may be a shape other than a semicircle.

  As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the upper housing 221 has a surface portion 231 and an inner wall portion 232. The surface portion 231 is a component that forms the outer surface of the upper housing 221. That is, the surface portion 231 has a hemispherical shape similar to that of the upper housing 221. In the present embodiment, the surface portion 231 is formed integrally with the operation surface 213. Further, the surface portion 231 has a shape in which a front end portion of a hemispherical surface is cut out similarly to the upper portion housing 221.

  In the present embodiment, the surface portion 231 is made of a relatively soft material (specifically, softer than the inner wall portion 232 or softer than the middle housing 222). Specifically, the material of the surface portion 231 in the present embodiment is an elastomer. The operation surface 213 formed integrally with the surface portion 231 is also made of the same material as the surface portion 231. Although details will be described later, in the present embodiment, the surface portion 272 constituting the surface of the lower partial housing 223 is also formed of an elastic body like the surface portion 231. As described above, in the present embodiment, at least a part of the surface of the housing 211 is made of an elastic body, so that the user can easily grip the housing 211. In addition, the feeling when the user holds the housing 211 can be improved. Further, it is possible to easily absorb the impact on the controller main body 201, and it is possible to reduce the influence of the impact on the internal configuration of the housing 211.

  As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the inner wall portion 232 is a component that forms the inner wall of the upper housing 221. The inner wall 232 has a hemispherical shape similar to that of the upper housing 221. More specifically, the inner wall portion 232 has a shape in which a front end portion of a hemispherical surface is cut out, like the upper partial housing 221. In the present embodiment, the inner wall portion 232 is made of a material harder than the surface portion 231. For example, the material of the inner wall portion 232 is a resin harder than the elastomer forming the surface portion 231. Further, the inner wall portion 232 is connected to the inside of the surface portion 231 (see FIG. 17). The inner wall portion 232 is joined to the inside of the surface portion 231 by, for example, an adhesive or heat fusion. The inner wall portion 232 has a size such that the outer surface of the inner wall portion 232 coincides with the inner surface of the surface portion 231.

  Here, in the inner wall portion 232, a hole is formed at an upper end portion of the hemispherical surface. Specifically, a hole is formed in the inner wall portion 232 at a portion corresponding to the operation surface 213. The hole formed in the inner wall portion 232 has a circular shape substantially the same size as the circular operation surface 213. Of the inner surface of the surface portion 231 and the operation surface 213, a region other than the back side of the operation surface 213 is joined to the inner wall portion 232, and the region behind the operation surface 213 is not joined to the inner wall portion 232. Therefore, since the surface portion 231 is reinforced by the inner wall portion 232, the surface portion 231 is not greatly deformed even when a certain amount of force is applied. On the other hand, since the operation surface 213 is not reinforced by the inner wall portion 232, the operation surface 213 is deformed by applying a certain amount of force. For example, the operation surface 213 is deformed by being pushed down from above and moves downward. As described above, in the present embodiment, the area of the operation surface 213 of the surface portion 231 and the operation surface 213 formed integrally can be pressed.

  In the present embodiment, the inner wall 232 is black. Although details will be described later, in the present embodiment, a light emitting unit (that is, a light emitting unit 248 shown in FIG. 19) is provided inside the housing 211, and light is transmitted from the opening 211a of the housing 211 to the outside of the housing 211. Is emitted. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the inner wall portion 232 is made of a black material so that the light from the light emitting section is not transmitted through the inner wall portion 232 as much as possible.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the inner wall 232 is provided with a bearing 231a. The bearing portion 231a has a groove into which a rotation shaft 235b of a key top 235 described later can be inserted.

  As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the upper housing 221 has a cushioning material 233. Although details will be described later, the cushioning material 233 is provided on a portion of the inner side surface of the inner wall portion 232 where a rotating shaft of a key top described later contacts.

(Key top)
As shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, the upper unit 230 includes a key top 235. The key top 235 is an example of a movable unit that can move in response to the operation surface 213 being pressed down. Although details will be described later, in the present embodiment, the key top 235 rotates in response to the operation surface 213 being pressed down. Therefore, it can be said that the key top 235 is an example of a rotating unit that rotates in response to the operation surface 213 being pressed down.

  As shown in FIGS. 15 and 17, the key top 235 has a disk-shaped disk portion 235a and a rotation shaft 235b. In the present embodiment, the rotation shaft 235b is provided on the front side of the disk portion 235a. Although the details will be described later, the key top 235 is provided so as to be rotatable around a rotation shaft 235b. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, a protruding portion 235c is provided below the disk portion 235a.

(Key rubber)
As shown in FIG. 15, the upper unit 230 includes a key rubber 236. The key rubber 236 is made of, for example, an elastic body such as rubber. Although details will be described later, the key rubber 236 is deformed in response to the downward movement of the key top 235 (specifically, the protruding portion 235c).

  As shown in FIGS. 15 and 17, the key rubber 236 has a disk-shaped disk portion 236a. Further, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 17, the key rubber 236 has a cylindrical portion 236b provided above the disk portion 236a. The cylindrical portion 236b is provided to extend upward from near the center of the disk portion 236a. Although details will be described later, the cylindrical portion 236b is provided for the purpose of deforming the key rubber 236 in accordance with the movement of the key top 235.

  As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the key rubber 236 has an annular portion 236c protruding downward at the outer peripheral portion of the disk portion 236a. The key rubber 236 has a protruding portion 236d protruding downward near the center of the disk portion 236a. As shown in FIG. 17, when no force is applied to the key rubber 236, the annular portion 236c protrudes below the protruding portion 236d.

(Sub board)
As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the upper unit 230 includes a sub board 237. In the present embodiment, the sub-substrate 237 is a plate-shaped substrate. However, the sub board 237 may be a flexible printed circuit board that can be bent. Although details will be described later, the sub-board 237 includes a contact 237a that contacts the key rubber 236 when the operation on the operation surface 213 is performed, and a detection circuit that detects that the key rubber 236 contacts the contact 237a. Provided. The specific configuration of the contact 237a is arbitrary. For example, the contact 237a may be configured to have a movable contact that moves in response to the key rubber 236 moving downward, and a fixed contact that contacts the movable contact when the movable contact moves. In this specification, a component having a movable contact and a fixed contact is referred to as a contact, but the component may be referred to as a switch. Also, as shown in FIG. 17, an antenna 291 is provided on the sub-board 237. In the present embodiment, the antenna 291 is provided on the front side of the sub board 237.

(Sub board holding part)
As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the upper unit 230 includes a sub-substrate holding section 238 that holds the sub-substrate 237. The sub-substrate holding section 238 has a planar upper surface to which the sub-substrate 237 is attached. Further, the sub-substrate holding section 238 has a protruding section 238a protruding from the upper surface. The protruding portion 238a is provided at a front end of the upper surface of the sub-substrate holding portion 238.

(Arrangement of each component)
As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the components included in the upper unit 230 are, in order from the top, an upper partial housing 221, a key top 235, a key rubber 236, a sub board 237, and a sub board holding section 238. Be placed. In the present embodiment, each component included in the upper unit 230 is fixed to each other by screws 239 (three screws 239 in this embodiment). Specifically, a screw hole whose lower side is open is provided on the inner side surface of the inner wall portion 232 of the upper partial housing 221. Also, holes are provided in the sub-substrate 237 and the sub-substrate holding portion 238 at positions corresponding to the screw holes. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the screw 239 is screwed into the screw hole of the upper housing 221 while passing through the hole of the sub-board 237 and the hole of the sub-board holding portion 238, so that 221, sub-substrate 237, and sub-substrate holder 238 are fixed.

  The key top 235 is held by being sandwiched between the upper partial housing 221 and the sub-board 237. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 17, the rotation shaft 235b of the key top 235 is sandwiched between the upper housing 221 and the protruding portion 238a of the sub-board holding portion 238. As a result, the rotation shaft 235b is fixed in the vertical direction. The key top 235 is provided in a direction in which the rotation shaft 235b is parallel to the left-right direction. The rotating shaft 235b is inserted into the groove of the bearing 231a. With this groove, the rotating shaft 235b is fixed in the left-right direction. As described above, the key top 235 is held rotatably about the rotation shaft 235b with respect to the upper partial housing 221.

  In the present embodiment, a cushioning material 233 is provided on a portion of the inner surface of the upper casing 221 where the rotating shaft 235b contacts. Therefore, the rotating shaft 235b sandwiched between the upper partial housing 221 and the sub-board 237 is held in a state where the rotating shaft 235b is pressed and deformed. Thereby, the rattling of the rotating shaft 235b can be reduced.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the key top 235 is provided inside the upper partial housing 221. At this time, the upper surface of the disk portion 235a of the key top 235 contacts the back side of the operation surface 213 that is continuous with the surface portion 231 of the upper partial housing 221.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the key rubber 236 is attached to the lower side of the key top 235. The key rubber 236 is provided between the key top 235 and the sub board 237. Specifically, the protrusion 235c of the key top 235 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 236b of the key rubber 236 (see FIG. 17). As a result, the key top 235 and the key rubber 236 are connected. Therefore, when the key top 235 moves, the cylindrical portion 236b moves integrally with the key top 235, and the key rubber 236 is deformed. As shown in FIG. 17, the key rubber 236 is provided such that the annular portion 236c abuts on the sub-board 237 with the protrusion 235c inserted into the cylindrical portion 236b. The protrusion 236d is arranged at a position facing the contact 237a of the sub-board 237.

  Here, in a state where no operation is performed on the operation surface 213 (for example, a state shown in FIG. 17), the key rubber 236 is kept in a basic shape (that is, a shape that is not deformed). That is, in the above state, the annular portion 236c contacts the sub-board 237, and the protrusion 236d does not contact the contact point 237a of the sub-board 237.

  FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of an example of the upper unit in a state where the operation surface 213 is pressed down. As shown in FIG. 18, when the operation surface 213 is pressed down, the operation surface 213 is deformed and moves downward (see the arrow shown in FIG. 18). In response to the operation surface 213 moving downward, the key top 235 rotates about the rotation shaft 235b, and the disk portion 235a moves downward. In response to the downward movement of the disk portion 235a, the key rubber 236 is deformed, and the protrusion 236d is moved downward. As a result, the protrusion 236d contacts the contact point 237a of the sub-board 237. The detection circuit of the sub-board 237 detects that the protrusion 236d has contacted the contact point 237a. As described above, the spherical controller 200 can detect that the operation on the operation surface 213 has been performed.

  When the operation of pressing down the operation surface 213 is stopped, the key rubber 236 returns to the basic shape by its own elasticity. As a result, the protrusion 236d and the contact 237a do not come into contact with each other.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the spherical controller 200 includes the movable unit (that is, the key top 235) and the detection unit (that is, the detection circuit provided on the sub-board 236). The movable section is rotatable about a rotation axis substantially perpendicular to a straight line connecting the center of the housing 211 and the operation surface 213 (specifically, a rotation axis 235b parallel to the left and right directions). Is rotated in response to that is depressed. The detection unit detects an operation on the operation surface 213 according to the rotation of the movable unit. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, regardless of which position of the operation surface 213 is pressed down, the movable unit rotates in one direction, and the detection unit detects an operation by the rotation of the movable unit. According to this, even if any position of the operation surface 213 is pressed down, the detection unit can easily detect the operation. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the operation on the operation surface 213 is not detected. Can be.

  In the present embodiment, the rotation shaft 235b of the key top 235 is provided on the front side of the disk portion 235a (see FIG. 17). In other words, the rotation shaft 235b is provided on the front side of the center of the operation surface 213. Therefore, it can be said that the rotation shaft 235b is provided at a position where the distance from the joystick 212 to the rotation shaft 235b is shorter than the distance from the joystick 212 to the operation surface 213.

  By providing the rotation shaft 235b at the position as described above, when the operation surface 213 is pressed down, the key top 235 moves more rearward than frontward. Therefore, for the user, the amount of depression is greater when the rear position of the operation surface 213 is pushed down than when the front position is pushed down, so that the depression operation is easier. On the other hand, when it is assumed that the user operates the joystick 212 with the thumb and operates the operation surface 213 with the index finger (see FIG. 12), the user operates the joystick 212 on the rear side rather than pushing down the position on the front side of the center of the operation surface 213. It is considered that there is a high possibility that an operation of pushing down the position of is performed. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to easily perform the press-down operation at the position on the operation surface 213 that is likely to be operated by the user (that is, the position on the rear side). Performance can be improved.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the rotation shaft 235b of the key top 235 is provided in parallel in the left-right direction. Here, in other embodiments, the direction of the rotation shaft 235b is not limited to the left-right direction, and may be another direction. For example, in another embodiment, the rotation shaft 235b may be provided to be parallel to the front-back direction. At this time, the rotation shaft 235b may be provided on the left side of the center of the operation surface 213, or may be provided on the right side of the center of the operation surface 213. For example, when it is assumed that the spherical controller 200 is operated by being gripped with the left hand, the rotation shaft 235b is provided on the left side of the center of the operation surface 213 so that the right side of the operation surface 213 can be easily pressed. Is also good. Further, for example, when it is assumed that the spherical controller 200 is operated by being gripped with the right hand, the rotation shaft 235b is provided on the right side of the center of the operation surface 213 so that the left side of the operation surface 213 can be easily pressed. You may.

  Note that the configuration for detecting that the operation surface 213 has been pressed down is arbitrary, and is not limited to the configuration in the present embodiment. For example, in another embodiment, the key top and the key rubber may be formed integrally by, for example, an elastic body. Further, in another embodiment, the spherical controller 200 may be configured not to have a key top and a key rubber. At this time, the contact 237a of the sub-board 237 is configured such that the depressed operation surface 213 has the contact 237a. May be provided at a position in direct contact with. In another embodiment, the sphere controller 200 includes a movable part that can move in a vertical direction in place of the rotatable movable part (that is, the key top 235 and the key rubber 236). Is also good.

[2-2-2. Chubu Unit]
19 and 20 are exploded perspective views of an example of the middle unit. FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of the central unit as viewed from the front upper side, and FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view of the central unit as viewed from the rear upper side. FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of an example of the middle unit. FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of a cross section that passes through the center of the controller main body 201 and is perpendicular to the left-right direction.

(Middle part housing)
As shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, the middle unit 240 includes a middle housing 222. The middle housing 222 has a ring-like shape with a part of the rear end cut out. Specifically, the middle housing 222 has a front portion 241, a left band portion 242, and a right band portion 243.

  The front portion 241 is provided at a front end portion of the middle housing 222. The front part 241 has a flat part on the front side. The front surface of the front portion 241 is the above-described front end surface (that is, the plane of the front end portion of the housing 211). The above-described opening 211 a is provided on the front end surface of the front portion 241. Therefore, it can be said that the front part 241 is an annular part surrounding the periphery of the opening 211a. In the present embodiment, the shape of the front end face is circular. However, in other embodiments, the shape of the front end surface is arbitrary, and may be, for example, a square.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the front part 241 has a mounting part 241a extending inside the housing 211 above the front end surface. The attachment portion 241a is provided with a hole for passing a screw for fixing a main board support portion described later to the middle housing 222.

  The two belt-shaped portions 242 and 243 are provided so as to extend from both left and right ends of the front portion 241. That is, the left band-shaped portion 242 has a band shape, and is provided so as to extend from the left end of the front portion 241. In other words, the left belt-shaped portion 242 extends from the front portion 241 to the left in the direction input of the joystick 212. Further, the right belt-shaped portion 243 has a belt-like shape, and is provided so as to extend from the right end of the front portion 241. In other words, the right belt-shaped portion 243 extends from the front portion 241 to the right in the direction input of the joystick 212. Each of the strips 242 and 243 forms a part of the spherical surface of the spherical housing 211. Specifically, each of the band-shaped portions 242 and 243 is a spherical band when the spherical surface of the housing 211 is cut by two planes perpendicular to the vertical direction (that is, when the spherical surface is cut by two parallel planes, (A band portion of a spherical surface to be sandwiched). Note that “the band portion is provided along the spherical band” includes a mode in which the surface of the band portion matches the spherical band and a mode in which the surface of the band portion does not exactly match the spherical band. . For example, in another embodiment, the surface of the band portion may be a curved surface similar to the side surface of a cylinder, instead of a spherical surface.

  In the present embodiment, the rear end of the left band 242 and the rear end of the right band 243 are not continuous. Although details will be described later, a space generated between the rear end of the left band-shaped portion 242 and the rear end of the right band-shaped portion 243 is the above-described strap hole 211c (FIG. 10). Further, holes are provided near the rear ends of the belt-shaped portions 242 and 243 for passing screws for fixing a main board supporting portion, which will be described later, to the middle housing 222 (see FIGS. 19 and 20).

  As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the right belt-shaped portion 243 has a locked portion 243a. Although not shown, the left belt-shaped portion 242 has a locked portion similar to the locked portion 243a of the right belt-shaped portion 243. Although details will be described later, when the middle housing 222 and the lower housing 223 are connected, the claw portions of the lower housing 223 (that is, the claw portions 273e shown in FIG. 23) are locked. To the part. In the present embodiment, the locked portion is provided on the front side of the center of the controller main body 201, but the position where the locked portion is provided is arbitrary.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the right belt-shaped part 243 has a claw part 243b. The claw portion 243b is provided so as to extend upward from the right band-shaped portion 243 and further extend inside the housing 211. Further, the left belt-shaped portion 242 has a claw similar to the claw 243b of the right belt-shaped portion 243. Although details will be described later, the claw portion is engaged with a hole provided in the light guide portion 254 (that is, a hole 257c shown in FIG. 31).

  As shown in FIG. 20, the left belt-shaped portion 242 is provided with a hole 242a. In the present embodiment, the hole 242a is provided behind the center of the controller main body 201. The hole 242a is provided to expose the above-described restart button 214 to the outside of the housing 211.

  In the present embodiment, the middle housing 222 is made of a material harder than the surface portion 231 of the upper housing 221 (and the lower housing 223). For example, the material of the middle housing 222 is a resin that is harder than the surface portion 231 (here, an elastomer). Therefore, in the present embodiment, the housing 211 is provided around the first portion (that is, the middle housing 222) provided around the joystick 212, and is provided around the first portion. Also has a second portion (that is, the upper partial housing 221 and the lower partial housing 223) whose surfaces are made of a soft material. According to this, a portion (that is, the first portion) around the joystick 212 in the housing 211 is made of a hard material. Therefore, for example, when the user is operating the joystick 212, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the user's finger and / or the joystick 212 hits the above-mentioned portion, causing the portion to be damaged or worn.

  Similarly to the inner wall portion 232 of the upper housing 221, the middle housing 222 is made of, for example, a black material so that light from the light emitting unit is not transmitted through the middle housing 222 as much as possible.

(Main board holder)
As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the middle unit 240 includes a main board holding unit 245. The main board holding unit 245 holds some components (for example, the rechargeable battery 244 and the main board 246) included in the middle unit 240.

  As shown in FIGS. 19 and 21, the main board holding section 245 has a frame section 245a for mounting the rechargeable battery 244. The frame portion 245a has a shape capable of storing the rechargeable battery 244 inside itself. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the frame portion 245a has four walls that come into contact with the side surfaces of the rectangular parallelepiped rechargeable battery 244.

  As shown in FIGS. 19 and 21, the main board holding section 245 has a stick attachment section 245b for attaching the joystick 212. The stick attachment part 245b is provided on the front side of the frame part 245a. The front surface of the stick attachment portion 245b is formed in a flat shape perpendicular to the front-rear direction. A screw hole having an open front side is provided on a front flat surface of the stick mounting portion 245b. This screw hole is a screw hole for attaching the joystick 212 to the main board holding portion 245.

  In addition, a screw hole having an open upper side is provided between the frame portion 245a and the stick attachment portion 245b (see FIG. 19). This screw hole is a screw hole for fixing the main board holding section 245 and the middle housing 222.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the main board holding section 245 has a strap mounting shaft 245c for mounting the strap section 202. The strap mounting shaft 245c is provided on the rear side of the frame 245a. The strap mounting shaft 245c has a tubular shape extending in the up-down direction. Although details will be described later, a hole provided in the center of the strap mounting shaft 245c is a hole for passing a screw for fixing the main board holding portion 245 and the upper partial housing 221. As described above, the strap portion 202 can be attached to the controller main body 201 by passing the strap string of the strap portion 202 through the strap attachment shaft 245c.

  Note that, on the left and right sides of the strap mounting shaft 245c behind the frame portion 245a, screw holes having upper openings are provided (see FIG. 20). This screw hole is a screw hole for fixing the main board holding section 245 and the middle housing 222.

  As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the main board holding section 245 has a recessed surface 245d. The recessed surface 245d is provided on the rear side of the frame 245a and below the strap mounting shaft 245c. In the present embodiment, the depression surface 245d is provided so as to be substantially perpendicular to the front-rear direction. Although details will be described later, a hole for exposing the charging terminal provided on the main board 246 to the outside of the concave surface 245d is provided in the concave surface 245d (see FIG. 29). Further, a hole for passing a screw for fixing the main board holding portion 245 and the lower housing 223 is provided in the recessed surface 245d (see FIG. 26). Further, a mounting hole (that is, a hole 245f shown in FIG. 29) for mounting the above-described cover portion 215 (see FIG. 10) is provided in the concave surface 245d.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the main board holding section 245 has a detection circuit mounting section 245e for mounting a button detection section 258 described later. The detection circuit attachment portion 245e is provided on the outer surface of the frame portion 245a at a position corresponding to the hole 242a of the middle housing 222. The detection circuit attachment portion 245e is provided at a left rear corner on the outer surface of the frame portion 245a.

  As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the main board holding section 245 is fixed to the middle housing 222. The main board holding section 245 is provided at a position surrounded by the annular middle housing 222. In the present embodiment, the main board holding part 245 and the middle part housing 222 are fixed to each other by screws 261 (three screws 261 in the present embodiment). As described above, the main board holding portion 245 is provided with three screw holes that are open on the upper side. In addition, a hole is provided in the middle housing 222 at a position corresponding to the screw hole. As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the screw 261 is screwed into the screw hole of the main board holding portion 245 in a state of passing through the hole of the middle housing 222 so that the middle housing 222 and the main board holding portion are screwed. 245 are fixed.

(Rechargeable battery)
As shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, middle unit 240 includes rechargeable battery 244. The rechargeable battery 244 supplies power to each electronic component included in the spherical controller 200. The rechargeable battery 244 is electrically connected to a main board 246 described later. The rechargeable battery 244 is provided in the frame part 245a of the main board holding part 245. The rechargeable battery 244 is fixed to the frame portion 245a with, for example, a double-sided tape or an adhesive.

(Main board)
As shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, the middle unit 240 includes a main board 246. In the present embodiment, the main substrate 246 is a plate-shaped substrate. However, the main board 246 may be a flexible printed circuit board that can be bent.

  An acceleration sensor 247 is provided on the main board 246 (see FIG. 19). The acceleration sensor 247 is an example of an inertial sensor, and detects, for example, movement and rotation in three axial directions (specifically, up and down directions, left and right directions, and front and rear directions). In another embodiment, a gyro sensor may be provided as an example of the inertial sensor. Although details will be described later, the acceleration sensor 247 is provided near the center on the upper surface of the main board 246 so as to be arranged near the center of the controller main body 201 (see FIGS. 19 and 21).

  The main substrate 246 is provided with a light emitting unit that generates light. In the present embodiment, the spherical controller 200 includes two light emitting units 248a and 248b (see FIG. 19). Specifically, left light emitting section 248a is provided near the left end on the upper surface of main board 246, and another right light emitting section 248b is provided near the right end on the upper surface of main board 246. Note that, in this specification, the left light emitting unit 248a and the right light emitting unit 248b may be collectively referred to as “light emitting unit 248”. In the present embodiment, each light emitting unit 248 is provided outside the joystick 212 in the left-right direction. That is, each light emitting unit 248 is provided at a position that does not overlap with the joystick 212 when viewed from the front-back direction.

  The main board 246 is provided with a charging terminal 249 (see FIG. 20). The charging terminal 249 is a terminal for receiving power supply for charging the rechargeable battery 244 from outside the spherical controller 200. In the present embodiment, the charging terminal 249 is provided at the rear end on the lower surface of the main board 246. The charging terminal 249 is provided such that the rear end of the charging terminal 249 projects from the rear end of the main board 246.

  Although not shown, the main board 246 is provided with a control unit (in other words, a processor) for controlling the operation of the spherical controller 200. The main board 246 is provided with a hole for passing a screw for fixing the main board 246 to the main board holding section 245 (see FIGS. 19 and 20).

  As shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, the main board 246 is provided below the main board holding section 245. In the present embodiment, the main board 246 and the main board holding section 245 are fixed to each other by screws 262 (three screws 262 in the present embodiment). Specifically, a screw hole whose lower side is opened is provided below the main board holding section 245. Further, as described above, holes are provided in the main board 246 at positions corresponding to the screw holes. As shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, the main board 246 and the main board holding section 245 are fixed by screwing the screws 262 into the screw holes of the main board holding section 245 while passing through the holes of the main board 246. Is done.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 21, when the main board 246 is fixed to the main board holding section 245, the charging terminal 249 is exposed from the hole of the concave surface 245d of the main board holding section 245. As shown in FIG. 21, the rear end of the charging terminal 249 is provided so as not to protrude beyond the concave surface 245d (that is, on the front side of the concave surface 245d).

(Joystick)
As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the middle unit 240 includes the joystick 212 described above. The joystick 212 has a base 251 and a shaft 252. The base 251 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a shaft 252 is provided in front of the base 251. As shown in FIG. 21, the shaft portion 252 has a rod-shaped portion 252a and a tip portion 252b. Specifically, the rod-shaped part 252a has a rod-like shape extending in the front-rear direction, and is connected to the base part 251 on the rear end side. The tip portion 252b has a disk shape and is provided on the front end side of the rod portion 252a. The front surface of the tip 252b is the operation surface of the joystick 212 (that is, the operation surface 252c shown in FIG. 13). In a state where the shaft portion 252 is not operated, the distal end portion 252b is arranged such that the operation surface is substantially perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The shaft portion 252 is provided so as to be tiltable with respect to the base portion 251 according to a tilting operation by a user. Further, the shaft portion 252 is provided so as to be movable in accordance with a pushing operation by a user. The configuration of the joystick 212 may be the same as that of a conventional analog stick unit.

  As shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, the joystick 212 is provided on the front side of the main board holding section 245. Specifically, the joystick 212 is attached to the stick attachment part 245b of the main board holding part 245. In the present embodiment, the joystick 212 and the main board holding portion 245 are fixed to each other by screws 263 (two screws 263 in the present embodiment). As described above, the stick mounting portion 245b is provided with the screw hole whose front side is opened. Further, a hole is provided in the base portion 251 of the joystick 212 at a position corresponding to the screw hole. As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the joystick 212 and the main board holding section 245 are fixed by screwing the screw 263 into the screw hole of the stick mounting section 245b while passing through the hole of the base section 251. .

  In the present embodiment, the joystick 212 is attached so that the rear surface of the base portion 251 faces the stick attachment portion 245b. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 19, the joystick 212 is provided such that the shaft 252 (specifically, the axial direction of the shaft 252 or the operation surface of the distal end 252b) faces forward. The joystick 212 is provided such that the bar-shaped portion 252a is substantially parallel to the front-back direction when no operation is performed on the shaft portion 252 (see FIG. 21).

  As described above, the shaft 252 of the joystick 212 is provided so as to substantially face the center of the housing 211 when the shaft 252 is not operated. According to this, the user can easily apply force to the joystick 212, and thus can easily operate the joystick 212. Further, in the present embodiment, the shaft 252 of the joystick 212 can be pushed down along the axial direction of the shaft 252. Therefore, in the present embodiment, in addition to the direction input operation, the operation of pushing down the shaft portion 252 can be easily performed. That is, the operability of the joystick 212 can be improved.

(Light guide, etc.)
As shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, the middle unit 240 includes a reflection unit 253, a light guide unit 254, and a diffusion sheet 255. These units 253 to 255 are configured to emit light emitted from the light emitting unit 248 from the opening 211a of the housing 211.

  The light guide 254 is made of a transparent material, and functions as a light guide path that receives light emitted from the light emitting unit 248 from an incident surface and emits light that has passed through the light guide 254 from an emission surface. Specifically, the light guide 254 has a plate-shaped peripheral portion 256 having a hole formed in the center. The peripheral part 256 is provided around the joystick 212. In the present embodiment, the front surface of the peripheral portion 256 functions as an emission surface. Further, the light guide 254 has two extending portions 257. The left extension 257a is provided to extend from the left end of the peripheral portion 256, and the other right extension 257b is provided to extend from the right end of the peripheral portion 256. In addition, in this specification, the left extension part 257a and the right extension part 257b may be collectively referred to as “extension part 257”. Further, each end of each extending portion 257 extending from the peripheral portion 256 functions as an incident surface. The details of the light guide unit 254 will be described later in “[2-3.

  The reflecting portion 253 has an annular shape and is made of a white material. Although the details will be described later, the reflecting portion 253 is provided on the rear side of the peripheral portion 256 of the light guide portion 254 (in other words, on the back side of the emission surface), and reflects the light emitted from the back side of the emission surface to emit the light. It is provided so that more light is emitted from the surface. In the present embodiment, the reflection section 253 is formed of a microcell polymer sheet, and also functions as a buffer.

  The diffusion sheet 255 is made of a translucent sheet material, and has a property of diffusing light passing through the diffusion sheet 255. Since the diffusion sheet 255 has a thin sheet shape, the diffusion sheet 255 is not shown in the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. The diffusion sheet 255 diffuses the light emitted from the emission surface of the light guide 254 and emits the light forward. In the present embodiment, the diffusion sheet 255 has an annular shape. The diffusion sheet 255 is provided around a hole provided on the emission surface of the light guide 254.

  As shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, the reflection unit 253, the light guide unit 254, and the diffusion sheet 255 are provided on the front side of the base unit 251 of the joystick 212. Specifically, a reflector 253 is provided in front of the base 251, a periphery 256 of the light guide 254 is provided in front of the reflector 253, and a diffusion sheet 255 is provided in front of the periphery 256. Further, as shown in FIG. 21, the reflection part 253, the peripheral part 256, and the diffusion sheet 255 are fixed by being sandwiched between the base part 251 and the front part 241 of the middle housing 222. Therefore, the reflection portion 253 is in contact with the peripheral portion 256, and the peripheral portion 256 is in contact with the diffusion sheet 255.

  The reflecting portion 253, the peripheral portion 256, and the diffusion sheet 255 are each arranged such that the shaft portion 252 passes through a hole provided therein. As described above, the reflecting portion 253, the peripheral portion 256, and the diffusion sheet 255 are provided around the shaft portion 252. Although details will be described later, in the present embodiment, when the controller main body 201 is viewed from the front side, the diffusion sheet 255 provided around the shaft portion 252 via the opening 211a (and the surrounding peripheral portions 256 and The reflecting portion 253) is visible.

  In the present embodiment, the peripheral portion 256 (the same applies to the reflection portion 253 and the diffusion sheet 255) is provided on the entire circumference of the joystick 212. Here, in another embodiment, the peripheral portion 256 does not need to be provided so as to completely surround the entire circumference of the joystick 212. For example, in another embodiment, the peripheral portion 256 (the same applies to the reflection portion 253 and the diffusion sheet 255) may have a shape in which a part of a ring shape is cut out.

  FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing an example of the positional relationship between the middle housing, the light guide, and the main board. In FIG. 22, a part of the middle housing is omitted for the purpose of making it easy to see the positional relationship between these components. As shown in FIG. 22, the incident surface, which is the tip of the right extension 257 b of the light guide 254, is provided near (specifically, directly above) the right light emitting unit 248 b provided on the main substrate 246. Similarly, the incident surface, which is the tip of the left extending portion 257a of the light guide 254, is provided near (specifically, directly above) the left light emitting portion 248a provided on the main substrate 246.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 22, a hole 257d is provided in the right extension 257b. When the light guide 254 is attached to the middle housing 222, the claw portion 243b provided on the right belt-shaped portion 243 of the middle housing 222 is locked in the hole 257d. Also, a hole (a hole 257c shown in FIG. 31 described later) is provided in the left extending portion 257a as in the right extending portion 257b. When the light guide 254 is attached to the middle housing 222, the claw provided on the left belt-shaped portion 242 of the middle housing 222 is locked in the hole. As described above, the light guide section 254 is provided such that each claw section is engaged with the hole of each extension section 257. The light guide 254 can be firmly fixed by the claw engaging with the hole.

(Restart button)
As shown in FIG. 20, the central unit 240 includes the restart button 214 described above. The restart button 214 is made of an elastic material such as rubber, for example, and can be deformed in response to the operation surface being pressed down. The restart button 214 is provided such that the operation surface is exposed from the hole 242a of the middle housing 222 (see FIG. 10 (f)). In the present embodiment, the restart button 214 is provided such that the operation surface is at a position depressed with respect to the surface of the middle housing 222.

  Further, the central unit 240 includes a button detection unit 258 for detecting a pressing operation on the restart button 214. Although not shown, the button detection unit 258 is provided with a contact for detecting an operation on the restart button 214 and a detection circuit for detecting that the restart button 214 has contacted the contact. The button detection unit 258 is attached to the detection circuit attachment unit 245e of the main board holding unit 245.

  The button detection unit 258 is provided inside the restart button 214. Specifically, the button detection unit 258 is arranged such that the contact point is located on the back side of the operation surface of the restart button 214. Therefore, when the restart button 214 is deformed in response to a pressing operation performed on the restart button 214, a part of the restart button 214 comes into contact with a contact point of the button detection unit 258. The detection circuit of the button detection unit 258 detects that the restart button 214 has come into contact with the contact. Although not shown, the detection circuit of the button detection unit 258 is electrically connected to the main board 246.

(Cover)
As shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, the middle unit 240 includes the above-mentioned cover 215. In the present embodiment, the cover portion 215 is made of a material (for example, an elastomer similar to the surface portion) that is softer than the middle portion housing 222, like the surface portions of the upper and lower housings 221 and 223. You.

  As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the cover portion 215 has a spherical surface and a rod portion 259 provided on the back side of the surface. When attaching the cover part 215 to the main board holding part 245, the rod-shaped part 259 is inserted into a mounting hole (that is, a hole 245f shown in FIG. 29) provided in the concave surface 245d of the main board holding part 245. In addition, the tip part of the rod-shaped part 259 is slightly thicker than parts other than the tip. For this reason, the rod-like portion 259 inserted into the mounting hole does not come off from the mounting hole with a certain force. The cover portion 215 is attached so as to cover the recessed surface 245d with the rod portion 259 inserted into the attachment hole.

[2-2-3. Lower unit]
FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view of an example of the lower unit. FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view of the lower unit 270 as viewed from the front upper side.

(Lower housing)
As shown in FIG. 23, the lower unit 270 includes a lower partial housing 223. As described above, the lower partial housing 223 has a hemispherical shape, similarly to the upper partial housing 221. As shown in FIG. 23, the lower partial housing 223 is open at the upper side and does not have a surface corresponding to the bottom surface of the hemisphere. Therefore, it can be said that the lower partial housing 223 has a hemispherical shape. It can be said that the lower partial housing 223 has a spherical crown shape similarly to the upper partial housing 221.

  As shown in FIG. 23, in the present embodiment, the lower partial housing 223 has a shape in which a front end portion of a hemisphere is cut out. Specifically, the lower partial housing 223 has a shape obtained by cutting a front end portion of a hemispheric surface on a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction. That is, the lower partial housing 223 includes a side 223a that is the circumference of the bottom surface of the hemisphere, and a side 223b that is formed by cutting the front end portion of the hemisphere on the plane. The side 223b has a shape that looks like a semicircle when the lower partial housing 223 is viewed from the front side. In addition, the shape of the notch in the lower housing 223 is a shape corresponding to the shape of the front end face of the middle housing 222 (specifically, it substantially matches the lower side of the front end face). And specifically, a semicircular shape. However, the shape of the notch is arbitrary, and in other embodiments, may be a shape other than a semicircle.

  The lower housing 223 has a shape in which the rear end of the hemisphere is cut out in addition to the front end of the hemisphere. Therefore, the lower part housing 223 includes the side 223c generated by the notch in the rear end part. The shape of the notch at the rear end portion substantially matches the shape of the surface of the cover portion 215. That is, the cover 215 is provided so as to cover the cutout portion at the rear end of the lower housing 223.

  As shown in FIG. 23, the lower partial housing 223 has a surface portion 272 and an inner wall portion 273 as in the upper partial housing 221. The surface portion 272 is a component constituting the outer surface of the lower partial housing 223. The inner wall portion 273 is a component that forms an inner wall of the lower housing 223. The surface portion 272 and the inner wall portion 273 have a hemispherical shape similar to that of the lower housing 223, and, like the lower housing 223, have a shape in which a front end portion and a rear end portion of the hemisphere are cut out. . The inner wall 273 is connected to the inside of the surface 272. For example, the inner wall 273 is bonded to the inside of the surface 272 with an adhesive. The inner wall 273 has a size such that the outer surface of the inner wall 273 coincides with the inner surface of the surface 272.

  The surface part 272 of the lower part housing 223 is made of an elastic body (for example, an elastomer) that is softer than the middle part housing 222 and the inner wall part 273, like the surface part 231 of the upper part housing 221. The inner wall 273 of the lower housing 223 is made of a material (for example, resin) harder than the inner wall 273, similarly to the inner wall 232 of the upper housing 221.

  The inner wall portion 273 is made of, for example, a black material so that light from the light emitting section 248 is not transmitted through the inner wall portion 273 as much as possible, like the inner wall portion 232 of the upper partial housing 221.

  As shown in FIG. 23, the inner wall portion 273 is provided with a rib 273a. The rib 273 a is provided so as to protrude from the spherical inner wall of the lower partial housing 223. The rib 273a is provided so as not to contact the vibrating part 271 (in other words, avoiding the position where the vibrating part 271 is provided). The position and number of the ribs 273a are arbitrary. By providing the rib 273a, the strength (in other words, rigidity) of the lower partial housing 223 can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the number of ribs provided on the inner wall of the upper housing 221 is smaller than the number of ribs provided on the inner wall of the lower housing 223 (the inner wall of the upper housing 221 has no ribs). ) Is included. This is because the strength of the upper housing 221 can be improved by fixing the sub-board 237 and the sub-board holding portion 238 to the upper housing 221. That is, in the present embodiment, the upper portion housing 221 has a smaller number of ribs than the lower portion housing 223, so that many components can be stored and the stored components (that is, the sub-board 237 and the The strength is improved by fixing the sub-board holding portion 238) to the upper housing 221.

  As shown in FIG. 23, the vibration wall mounting portion 273b is provided on the inner wall portion 273. Note that FIG. 23 shows only two vibrating portion mounting portions 273b, but the inner wall portion 273 is provided with four vibrating portion mounting portions 273b. The vibrating part mounting part 273b is provided with a screw hole whose upper side is opened. This screw hole is a screw hole for attaching a vibration part 271 described below to the lower partial housing 223.

  As shown in FIG. 23, a housing attachment portion 273c is provided on the inner wall portion 273. The housing attachment portion 273c is provided with two screw holes that pass through the housing attachment portion 273c in the front-rear direction. This screw hole is a screw hole for attaching the lower partial housing 223 (in other words, the lower unit 270) to the main board holding portion 245 (in other words, the middle unit 240).

  As shown in FIG. 23, a protruding claw portion 273d is provided on the inner wall portion 273. The protruding claw portion 273d is provided so as to protrude above the side 223a of the lower partial housing 223. In the present embodiment, one protruding claw portion 273d is provided on each of the right rear portion and the left rear portion of the side 223 of the lower housing 223. Although details will be described later, when the middle housing 222 and the lower housing 223 are connected, the protruding claw portion 273d is locked to the middle housing 222.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 23, a claw portion 273e is provided on the inner wall portion 273. The claw portion 273e is provided so as not to protrude beyond the side 223a of the lower partial housing 223. The claw portion 273e is provided at a front right portion of the lower housing 223. Although not shown, a claw similar to the claw 273e is also provided on the left front part of the lower housing 223. Although details will be described later, when the middle housing 222 and the lower housing 223 are connected, the claw portion 273e engages with the locked portion 243a of the middle housing 222 (see FIG. 19). Stop.

(Vibrating part)
As shown in FIG. 23, the lower unit 270 includes a vibration unit 271. The vibration unit 271 is a vibrator that generates vibration and vibrates the housing 211. Although not shown, the vibration unit 271 is electrically connected to the main board 246 (more specifically, a control unit provided on the main board 246).

  In the present embodiment, the vibration unit 271 is a voice coil motor. That is, the vibration unit 271 can generate vibration in accordance with a signal input to itself, and can generate sound in accordance with the signal. For example, when a signal having a frequency in the audible range is input to the vibration unit 271, the vibration unit 271 generates vibration and generates sound (that is, audible sound). For example, when a voice signal indicating the voice (or barking) of the character appearing in the game is input, the vibrating unit 271 outputs the voice (or barking) of the character. When a signal having a frequency outside the audible range is input to the vibration unit 271, the vibration unit 271 generates vibration. Note that the signal input to the vibration unit 271 may be a signal indicating a waveform of a vibration to be performed by the vibration unit 271, or may be a sound signal indicating a waveform of a sound to be output by the vibration unit 271. The signal input to the vibration unit 271 may be a vibration signal intended to cause the vibration unit 271 to vibrate with a desired waveform, or a sound intended to cause the vibration unit 271 to output a desired sound. It may be a signal. As described above, in the present embodiment, since the vibration unit 271 can output vibration and sound, the vibration and sound can be output from the spherical controller 200 and the internal configuration of the controller main unit 201 can be simplified. Can be

  As shown in FIG. 23, the vibrating section 271 has a columnar outer shape. In the present embodiment, since the columnar vibrating portion is arranged in the spherical housing 211, the space in the housing 211 can be efficiently used. Generally, the larger the vibration part 271 is, the stronger the vibration can be generated. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is easy to arrange the vibration part that can generate the strong vibration.

  In the present embodiment, the vibrating portion 271 has a protruding portion 271a that protrudes from a side surface of the vibrating portion 271 having a columnar shape. In the present embodiment, four protruding portions 271a are provided at the upper end of the side surface of the vibrating portion 271. The protruding portion 271a protrudes from a side surface of the vibrating portion 271 in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction. Each projecting portion 271a is provided with a hole for passing a screw for fixing the vibrating portion 271 to the lower housing 223 (see FIG. 23).

  As shown in FIG. 23, the vibration part 271 is attached inside the lower partial housing 223. In the present embodiment, the vibrating section 271 and the lower partial housing 223 are fixed to each other by screws 274 (four screws 274 in the present embodiment). As described above, the vibrating portion mounting portion 273b of the lower partial housing 223 is provided with four screw holes that are open on the upper side. Further, a hole is provided in the protruding portion 271a of the vibrating portion 271 at a position corresponding to the screw hole. As shown in FIG. 23, by screwing a screw 274 into a screw hole of the lower housing 223 while passing through the hole of the vibration unit 271, the vibration unit 271 and the lower housing 223 are fixed. In the present embodiment, the vibrating section 271 is provided in a direction in which the central axis of the cylinder (in other words, the central axis of the vibrating section 271) is substantially parallel to the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, the vibrating section 271 is provided in a direction in which its own vibration direction is substantially parallel to the vertical direction.

  In the present embodiment, the vibrating portion 271 is in contact with the lower partial housing 223 only at the position of the protruding portion 271a that is screwed to the lower partial housing 223. That is, the bottom and side surfaces of the cylindrical vibrating portion 271 do not contact the lower partial housing 223. As described above, by limiting the portion where the vibrating portion 271 contacts the lower partial housing 223, the variation in the vibration characteristics when the vibration by the vibrating portion 271 is transmitted to the lower partial housing 223 (that is, the product) (Variation for each time) can be reduced.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the four connection portions (that is, the four protruding portions 271a) between the vibration portion 271 and the lower partial housing 223 are arranged substantially symmetrically in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. In other words, the four connection points are arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to an axis passing through the center of the four connection points and parallel to the left and right direction. The four connection points are arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to an axis passing through the center of the four connection points and parallel to the front-rear direction. According to this, the vibration by the vibration part 271 can be transmitted to the housing 211 in a well-balanced manner.

[2-2-4. Connection of each unit]
The controller main unit 201 is configured by connecting the above-described upper unit 230, middle unit 240, and lower unit 270, respectively.

  FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of an example of the upper unit 230 and an example of the middle unit 240. As shown in FIG. 24, the upper unit 230 and the middle unit 240 are fixed to each other by screws 281 (in the present embodiment, three screws 281). Specifically, three screw holes whose lower sides are opened are provided on the inner surface of the upper part housing 221 (specifically, the inner wall portion 232) of the upper unit 230 (see FIG. 16). Further, three holes are provided in the main board holding portion 245 of the middle unit 240 at positions corresponding to the three screw holes (see FIG. 19). Specifically, one hole is provided on each of the left and right sides of the frame 245a, and a hole is provided on the strap mounting shaft 245c (see FIG. 19). As shown in FIG. 24, the upper unit 230 and the middle unit 240 are fixed by screwing the screws 281 into the screw holes of the upper housing 221 while passing through the holes of the main board holding unit 245.

  When the upper unit 230 and the middle unit 240 are connected, the side 221a of the upper case 221 contacts the belt-shaped portions 242 and 243 of the middle case 222, and the side 221b of the upper case 221 is connected. It contacts the upper side of the front part 241 of the middle housing 222. As a result, the upper part housing 221 and the middle part housing 222 are connected such that there is substantially no gap between them. However, since the rear end of the left band-shaped part 242 and the rear end of the right band-shaped part 243 of the middle housing 222 are not continuous, the rear end of the upper housing 221 does not contact the middle housing 222.

  FIGS. 25 and 26 are exploded perspective views of an example of the controller main body 201. FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the upper middle unit 290 to which the upper unit 230 and the middle unit 240 are connected, and the lower unit 270 as viewed from the front lower side. On the other hand, FIG. 26 shows an upper middle unit 290 viewed from the front lower side and a lower unit 270 viewed from the front upper side.

  As shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, a lower unit 270 is further connected to an upper middle unit 290 to which the upper unit 230 and the middle unit 240 are connected. In the present embodiment, the lower unit 270 is connected to the upper middle unit 290 by a claw and a screw.

  As described above, the lower part housing 223 is provided with four claw portions (that is, two protruding claw portions 273d and two claw portions 273e). These claws are locked to the middle housing 222. Specifically, the protruding claw portion 273d is locked inside each of the band portions 242 and 243 of the middle housing 222. The claw portion 273e is locked to the locked portion 243a (see FIG. 19) of the middle housing 222. As a result, the lower housing 223 and the middle housing 222 are fixed.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 26, the upper middle unit 290 and the lower unit 270 are fixed to each other by screws 282. Specifically, two screw holes penetrating the housing attachment portion 273c in the front-rear direction are provided in the housing attachment portion 273c of the lower unit. Further, two holes are provided at positions corresponding to the two screw holes on the recessed surface 245d of the main board holding portion 245 included in the upper middle unit 290. As shown in FIG. 26, the upper middle unit 290 and the lower unit 270 are fixed by screwing the screws 282 into the screw holes of the lower housing 223 while passing through the holes of the recessed surface 245d.

  Note that, in the present embodiment, when the upper middle unit 290 and the lower unit 270 are connected, the side 223a of the lower housing 223 contacts the belt-shaped portions 242 and 243 of the middle housing 222, and The side 223b of the housing 223 contacts the lower side of the front portion 241 of the middle housing 222 (see FIG. 25). As a result, the lower housing 223 and the middle housing 222 are connected so that no gap is substantially formed between them. However, since the rear end of the left band-shaped portion 242 and the rear end of the right band-shaped portion 243 of the middle housing 222 are not continuous, the rear end of the lower housing 223 does not contact the middle housing 222. In the present embodiment, the rear end of the left band 242, the rear end of the right band 243, the upper housing 221, and the lower housing 223 of the middle housing 222 are connected to the rear of the housing 211. A hole is formed at the end. This hole becomes the above-described strap hole 211c (see FIG. 10).

  In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the components of the controller main body 201 are connected with screws and claws, but the method of connecting the components is arbitrary. The position and number of screws used to connect (in other words, fix) each component are arbitrary.

[2-2-5. Internal arrangement]
(About antenna arrangement)
FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of an example of the controller main body. FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of a cross section that passes through the center of the controller main body 201 and is perpendicular to the left-right direction. As described above, the antenna 291 is provided on the sub-board 237. In the present embodiment, the antenna 291 is disposed above the center C of the housing 211 and in front of the center C (see FIG. 27).

  As shown in FIG. 27, in the present embodiment, the position of the antenna 291 is between the center C of the housing 211 and the operation surface 213. More specifically, the position of the antenna 291 with respect to a direction parallel to a straight line passing through the center C of the housing 211 and the operation surface 213 (that is, the straight line L3 shown in FIG. 13) (that is, the vertical direction) is related to the direction. The position is between the position of the center C of the housing 211 (that is, the y-axis coordinate of the center C) and the position of the operation surface 213 in the direction (that is, the y-axis coordinate of the operation surface 213). In other words, in the present embodiment, the antenna 291 is provided on the above-mentioned “upward direction in the direction input” with respect to the center C of the housing 211, and the operation surface 213 is more “in the direction input” than the antenna 291. It is provided on the “upward” side. When the antenna 291 is arranged at the above position, a finger operating the operation surface 213 is unlikely to hinder communication by the antenna 291, and the spherical controller 200 can perform communication by the antenna 291 satisfactorily.

  In the present embodiment, the spherical controller 200 includes an electronic board (that is, a sub-board 237) provided with a contact 237a for detecting a pressing operation on the operation surface 213 and an antenna 291. As described above, by sharing the substrate on which the contact 237a is provided and the substrate on which the antenna 291 is provided, it is possible to efficiently arrange components in the housing 211, and to reduce the weight and space of the spherical controller 200. Can be achieved. Further, according to the above, the antenna 291 can be arranged below the operation surface 213 and separated from the operation surface 213 to some extent. Therefore, a finger operating the operation surface 213 can be less likely to interfere with communication by the antenna 291, and the spherical controller 200 can perform communication by the antenna 291 satisfactorily.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the operation surface 213 is provided on the hemispherical upper housing 221, and the antenna 291 is provided inside the upper housing 221 (in other words, the first hemispherical portion). . As described above, in the present embodiment, the antenna 291 is provided in the partial housing where the operation surface 213 is provided. According to this, the antenna 291 can be arranged on the same side as the operation surface 213 in the spherical housing 211. This makes it difficult for the finger operating the operation surface 213 to interfere with the communication by the antenna 291, and the spherical controller 200 can perform the communication by the antenna 291 satisfactorily.

  In the present embodiment, the operation surface 213 is provided at the upper end of the housing 211, the joystick 211 is provided at the front end of the housing 211, and the antenna 291 is located on the front side of the center C of the housing 211. It is provided on the upper side (see FIG. 27). In other words, the antenna 291 is perpendicular to a straight line passing through the center C of the housing 211 and the opening 211a (ie, the straight line L4 shown in FIG. 13) and including the center C (ie, a plane shown in FIG. 13). P1) is provided on the joystick 212 side. That is, the antenna 291 is provided on the same side (specifically, the front side) as the joystick 212 with respect to the plane. Note that “the antenna 291 is provided on the front side” means that at least a part of the antenna 291 is provided on the front side.

  Here, assuming that the joystick 212 is operated with the thumb and the operation surface 213 is operated with the index finger, as shown in FIG. 12, on the surface of the housing 211, there is a space between the joystick 212 and the operation surface 213. Fingers are not placed. Therefore, as described above, by arranging the antenna 291 on the same side as the joystick 212, the antenna 291 can be arranged at a position where a finger is unlikely to be arranged. Thus, the finger holding the spherical controller 200 can be less likely to interfere with the communication by the antenna 291, and the communication by the antenna 291 can be performed well.

  In the present embodiment, the antenna 291 includes a line segment passing through the operation surface 213 and the center C in a circular region having a cross section passing through the operation surface 213, the opening 211a, and the center C of the housing 211; At least a part of the antenna 291 is arranged in a fan-shaped region where the central angle is a sub-angle (that is, a region R surrounded by a dashed line shown in FIG. 27), where a radius is a line segment passing through the center C. It is provided as follows. By arranging at least a part of the antenna 291 in the above-described region, a finger holding the spherical controller 200 can be less likely to hinder communication by the antenna 291, and communication by the antenna 291 is performed well. be able to

  In the present embodiment, the joystick 212 and the operation surface 213 are arranged such that the central angle of the sector is 90 °. In other words, the joystick 212 and the operation surface 213 are arranged such that a straight line passing through the joystick 212 (in other words, the opening 211a) and the center C of the housing 211 is orthogonal to a straight line passing through the operation surface 213 and the center C. Was placed in. Here, in another embodiment, the central angle of the sector need not be 90 °. Even when the central angle of the sector is not 90 °, by disposing the antenna 291 so that at least a part of the antenna 291 is included in the sector, the spherical controller 200 can be used similarly to the present embodiment. Can be prevented from hindering communication by the antenna 291.

(About the configuration of the operation surface)
As described above, in the present embodiment, the spherical controller 200 includes the operation unit having the operation surface 213 formed integrally with the surface of the housing 211. According to this, it is possible to eliminate a gap between the operation surface 213 and a portion other than the operation surface 213 of the housing 211, so that the appearance of the controller main body 201 is made to have a shape closer to a sphere. Can be. Thereby, the feeling of gripping the controller main body 201 can be improved. In addition, it is possible to reduce a possibility that the operation surface 213 is unintentionally operated by another object being caught on the operation surface 213.

  Note that “the operation surface is formed integrally with the surface of the housing” means that a groove (that is, the marker 211b) is formed between the operation surface and the surface of the housing as in the present embodiment. It is meant to include embodiments. Note that the depth and width of the groove are arbitrary. Further, “the operation surface is formed integrally with the surface of the housing” means that at least a part of the operation surface is integrally formed with the surface of the housing. For example, in the present embodiment, the entire circumference of the operation surface 213 is configured to be continuous with the surface of the housing 211, but in other embodiments, only a part of the circumference of the operation surface 213 is It may be configured to be continuous with the surface of 211. Therefore, for example, a cut is formed between a part of the periphery of the operation surface 213 and the surface of the housing 211 and is not continuous, and the other part of the periphery of the operation surface 213 and the surface of the housing 211 are not continuous. Are integrally formed (in other words, continuous), it can be said that "the operation surface is formed integrally with the surface of the housing".

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the operation surface 213 and the surface of the housing 211 (that is, the surface portion 231) are made of an elastic body. The housing 211 is provided inside a surface formed of an elastic body, and has an inner wall portion 232 that is harder than the elastic body. According to the above, the operation surface 213 formed integrally with the surface of the housing 211 can be configured to be able to be pushed down. Further, according to the above, by providing the inner wall portion, it is possible to prevent a portion other than the operation surface 213 of the housing 211 from being significantly deformed when the user grips the housing 211 with a normal force. it can. In the present embodiment, the surfaces of the upper and lower housings 221 and 223 are made of an elastic material. However, in another embodiment, of the surface of the housing 211, only a portion around the operation surface 213 may be made of an elastic body.

  In the present embodiment, the operation unit having the operation surface 213 has a movable unit (specifically, a key top 235). In addition, the spherical controller 200 includes a detection unit (specifically, a detection circuit 322). The movable portion is covered by the housing 211 and the operation surface 213, and can move in response to the operation surface 213 being pressed down. The detection unit detects an operation on the operation surface 213 according to the movement of the movable unit. According to the above, the spherical controller 200 can detect that the operation surface has been pressed down with a simple configuration.

  In the present embodiment, the operation surface 213 has a spherical shape. Specifically, the operation surface 213 has a spherical shape having substantially the same radius as the radius of the housing 211. Therefore, in the present embodiment, one spherical surface is formed by the housing 211 and the operation surface 213. At this time, it can be said that the operation surface 213 is provided along the surface of the housing 211. According to the present embodiment, the appearance of the controller main body 201 can be formed into a shape closer to a sphere. The operation surface 213 is different from (a) an embodiment in which the housing 211 and the operation surface 213 are integrated as in the present embodiment, and (b) a housing and an operation surface are different from the embodiment. It may be any of the embodiments that are a body. For example, even when the operation surface separate from the housing is a spherical surface of the same sphere as the surface of the housing, the appearance of the controller main body 201 is made closer to a sphere as in the present embodiment. be able to.

  In another embodiment, the operation surface 213 may be provided to protrude from the surface of the housing 211. According to this, the position of the operation surface can be easily understood by the user. Even in this case, it can be said that the controller main body 201 is spherical as a whole.

  In another embodiment, the operation surface 213 may be separate from the housing 211. For example, the operation surface may be a part of operation buttons separate from the housing 211. Specifically, the housing 211 is provided with a button hole different from the opening 211a, and the operation surface (in other words, the operation button) may be provided so as to be exposed from the button hole. According to this, the position of the operation button can be easily understood by the user. Note that, at this time, the operation surface may be provided along the housing 211, may be provided so as to protrude from the housing 211, or may be provided so as to be depressed with respect to the housing 211.

  In the present embodiment, the area of the operation surface 213 is larger than the area of the operation surface 252c of the joystick 212. According to this, the operation surface 213 can be easily pressed by the user. In other embodiments, the size and shape of the operation surface 213 are arbitrary, and may be smaller than the operation surface 252c of the joystick 212.

(About joystick placement)
FIG. 28 is a diagram schematically illustrating the vicinity of the front end portion of an example of the spherical controller. FIG. 28 is a view of the vicinity of the front end portion of the sphere controller 200 viewed from the left and right directions, and schematically shows a relationship between the joystick 212, the housing 211, and the opening 211a. In FIG. 28, the shaft 252 indicated by a solid line indicates the shaft 252 in a state where it is not operated, and the shaft 252 indicated by a dotted line indicates the shaft 252 in a state where the shaft 252 is tilted to the limit.

  As shown in FIG. 28, the housing 211 has a spherical surface 211d and a front end surface 211e. The spherical surface 211d is provided at a position that is a predetermined distance (referred to as a radial distance) from the center of the housing 211. The front end surface 211e is an opening surface where the opening 211a is formed. The joystick 211 projects out of the housing 211 from the opening 211a.

  The front end surface 211e is provided at a position where the distance from the center of the housing 211 is shorter than the radial distance. In other words, the front end surface 211e is provided at a position recessed from the reference spherical surface (in other words, at a position inside the reference spherical surface). Here, the reference spherical surface is a spherical surface in a spherical region whose center is the center of the housing 211 and whose radius is the above-mentioned radial distance (dotted line shown in FIG. 28). That is, the spherical surface 211d of the housing 211 is provided along the reference spherical surface, and the front end surface 211e is provided to be recessed from the reference spherical surface.

  According to the above, the portion where the joystick 212 is provided (that is, the front end surface 211 e) can be provided at a position closer to the center of the housing 211 than the spherical surface 211 d of the housing 211. Thus, the amount by which the joystick 212 projects from the reference spherical surface can be suppressed, and the joystick 212 can be easily operated by the user.

  As shown in FIG. 28, in this embodiment, the tip 252b of the joystick 212 is provided at a position overlapping the reference spherical surface. In other words, the distal end portion 252b is provided at a position where the distance from the center of the housing 211 is the radial distance. At this time, the operation surface 252c of the joystick 212 is provided at a position along the reference spherical surface (more specifically, at a position slightly outside the reference spherical surface).

  According to the above, although there is a difference depending on the thickness (for example, 3 mm to 10 mm) of the distal end portion 252b, the finger for operating the joystick 212 is arranged at substantially the same position as the spherical surface. Therefore, the user can hold the spherical controller 200 as if the finger for operating the joystick 212 is placed on the spherical surface, and thus the joystick 212 can be more easily operated.

  As shown in FIG. 28, in the present embodiment, the tip portion 252b is located at a position overlapping the reference spherical surface regardless of whether the joystick 212 is operated or not. In other words, the distal end portion 252b is provided at a position where the distance from the center of the housing 211 is the above-mentioned radial distance regardless of whether the joystick 212 is operated or not. Note that, in the present embodiment, the tip 252b is located at a position overlapping the reference spherical surface even when the shaft 252 is at any tilt angle within the movable range. According to this, the user can operate the joystick 212 as if the finger for operating the joystick 212 was placed on a spherical surface regardless of the tilted state of the shaft portion 252. Thereby, the operational feeling of the joystick 212 can be further improved.

(About placement of acceleration sensor)
As shown in FIG. 27, in this embodiment, the spherical controller 200 includes an inertial sensor (for example, an acceleration sensor 247) provided near the center of the housing 211. According to this, the inertial sensor can perform detection under the same conditions in the three axial directions of the up-down direction, the left-right direction, and the front-back direction. Thereby, the detection accuracy of the inertial sensor can be improved.

(About the arrangement of the rechargeable battery)
As shown in FIG. 27, in the present embodiment, the rechargeable battery 244 is provided inside the housing 211, and specifically, the distance from the center C of the housing 211 to the rechargeable battery 244 is Is provided at a position shorter than the distance from the center to the vibrating part 271. Thus, the rechargeable battery 244 is provided near the center of the housing 211. Thus, transmission of an impact from the outside of the controller main body 201 to the rechargeable battery 244 can be reduced, and as a result, the rechargeable battery 244 can be safely protected.

  In this embodiment, the main board holding section 245 is provided with a hole for passing a screw for connecting the main board holding section 245 to the middle housing 222 (see FIG. 19). Here, these holes are provided outside the frame portion 245a that houses the rechargeable battery 244. Therefore, in the present embodiment, transmission of an impact from the outside of the controller main body 201 to the rechargeable battery 244 can be further reduced.

(About the arrangement of the vibrating part)
In the present embodiment, the spherical controller 200 has the following configuration.
・ Spherical housing 211
A vibration unit 271 that is provided inside the housing 211 and generates vibration to cause the housing 211 to vibrate;
An inertial sensor (specifically, an acceleration sensor 247) provided inside the housing 211 at a position closer to the center of the spherical housing than the vibrating part.
It is possible to push down, and the opposite side of the vibration part 271 with respect to the center C of the housing 211 (specifically, the center C is perpendicular to a straight line passing through the center C of the housing 211 and the vibration part 271, An operation on an operation unit / operation unit having an operation surface 213 provided at a position on the housing 211 that is on the opposite side of the vibration unit 271 in the housing 211 with reference to a plane including the xz plane. A transmitting unit (a communication unit 323 to be described later) that transmits information and information output from the inertial sensor to the outside.
The “position on the opposite side of the vibration part 271 with respect to the center C of the housing 211” is perpendicular to a straight line passing through the center of the vibration part 271 and the center of the housing 211 and includes the center of the housing 211. This means a position on the opposite side of the vibration part 271 with respect to a plane (that is, an xz plane).

  In the above description, “the (inertial sensor) is provided at a position closer to the center of the spherical housing than the vibrating part” means that the distance from the center C of the housing 211 to the inertial sensor is In other words, the distance from the lower end of the inertial sensor to the center C of the housing 211 is defined as a distance from the upper end of the vibration unit 271 to the center of the housing 211. It means shorter than the distance to C.

  According to the above configuration, by arranging the inertial sensor near the center of the housing 211, the detection accuracy of the inertial sensor can be improved as described above. In addition, by disposing the inertial sensor away from the vibrating section 271, the inertial sensor is less affected by the vibration of the vibrating section 271. Thereby, the detection accuracy of the inertial sensor can be improved. In addition, by disposing the operation unit and the vibration unit 271 on opposite sides with respect to the center of the housing 211, it is possible to make it difficult for the vibration of the vibration unit 271 to be transmitted to the operation unit. Thus, the operation on the operation unit is less likely to be affected by the vibration, and the operability of the operation on the operation unit can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the “operation unit” has a movable unit (specifically, a key top 235) that can move in response to the operation surface 213 being pressed down. That is, in the present embodiment, the input device includes the movable unit. However, the “operation unit” may be any input device. For example, in another embodiment, the operation unit may be an analog stick similar to the joystick 212, a cross key, or a push button.

  In the present embodiment, the spherical controller 200 includes a first input device including the key top 235 as the operation unit, and a second input device (specifically, the joystick 212) in addition to the first input device. It was the composition provided with. Here, in another embodiment, the sphere controller 200 may be configured to include the first input device and not include the second input device. For example, in another embodiment, an opening (that is, an opening similar to the opening 211a) is provided at the position of the operation surface 213 in the present embodiment, and the joystick 212 is exposed from the opening as the operating unit. It may be provided. At this time, the spherical controller 200 may be configured not to include the operation surface 213 and the key top 235.

  When the sphere controller 200 includes the first input device as the operation unit and the second input device, the first input device and the second input device may be the same type of input device. However, different types of input devices as in the present embodiment may be used. For example, in another embodiment, the spherical controller 200 may have the operation surface 213 on the housing 211 and a second operation surface at a position different from the operation surface 213. At this time, the spherical controller 200 includes, as the operation unit, a first input device including a key top 235, and a second input device of the same type as the first input device (that is, the second operation surface is Input device that includes a keytop that can move in response to being pressed down.

  In the present embodiment, the term “send to the outside” refers to transmission to the main body device 2, but may refer to transmission to an arbitrary device (see “[3. Modifications]” described later). ).

  As shown in FIG. 27, the vibration section 271 is provided between the center C and the lower end B of the housing 211. The vibration section 271 is disposed below the center C of the housing 211. Here, in the present embodiment, the vibrating portion 271 is provided for each component (specifically, the key top 235, the key rubber 236, the sub-substrate 237, and the sub-substrate holding member) disposed above the center C of the housing 211. Section 238, the rechargeable battery 244, and the joystick 212). Further, the vibrating section 271 may be heavier than the sum of the weights of the components.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the center of gravity of the spherical controller 200 (specifically, the controller main body 201) is located between the center C of the housing 211 and the lower end B on the surface of the housing 211. . Note that, in the present embodiment, the lower end B of the housing 211 can be referred to as a ground portion on the surface of the housing 211. Note that “the center of gravity is located between the center C and the lower end B” means that the position of the center of gravity in the direction of the straight line connecting the communication C and the lower end B (that is, the vertical direction) is the center of the center C in the direction. It means between the position and the position of the lower end B in the direction. That is, the position of the center of gravity does not need to be located on the line segment connecting the center C and the lower end B. Therefore, in other embodiments, the lower end B of the housing 211 does not necessarily have to be the grounding part, and a position shifted from the lower end B may be the grounding part.

  According to the above, when the spherical controller main body 201 is mounted on a horizontal surface without applying an external force, the controller main body 201 is mounted in a posture where the lower end B is in contact with the horizontal surface. In other words, when the controller main body unit 201 is placed on a horizontal surface in a state where no external force is applied, the controller main unit 201 is configured to be in the downward direction in the direction input (that is, the direction opposite to the “upward direction in the direction input”) and the gravity direction. Are placed in a posture that substantially matches. When the user places the controller main body 201 on a horizontal surface in a posture in which a position different from the lower end B in the housing 211 contacts, the controller main body 201 automatically (in other words, The posture is changed (naturally) so that the ground contact portion (that is, the lower end B) comes into contact with the horizontal plane.

  Here, since the controller main body 201 is spherical, there is a possibility that the user cannot easily recognize the vertical direction only from the outer shape of the controller main body 201. On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, the user can confirm the up-down direction by placing the controller main unit 201 on the horizontal surface, so that the user can easily understand the up-down direction of the spherical controller 200. can do.

  In the present embodiment, the position of the center of gravity of the spherical controller 200 can be adjusted by using the vibrating part 271 which is heavier than each of the above components. Specifically, by providing the vibrating portion 271 between the center of the housing 211 and the grounding portion, the position of the center of gravity can be arranged below the center. As described above, in the present embodiment, since the position of the center of gravity of the spherical controller 200 can be set without using a weight, the configuration of the spherical controller 200 can be simplified.

  In the present embodiment, it can be said that the position of the center of gravity of the controller main body 201 is located on the vibration part 271 side with respect to the center C of the housing 211. That is, the position of the center of gravity of the controller main body 201 is perpendicular to a straight line (that is, a vertical straight line) passing through the center C of the housing 211 and the center of the vibrating portion 271 (that is, xz). (Plane) with respect to the vibration part 271 side. In another embodiment, the position of the center of gravity of the controller main body 201 does not have to be on the line connecting the center C and the lower end B of the housing 211, and may be any position closer to the vibration unit 271 than the plane. It may be. In this manner, similarly to the present embodiment, the user can check the up-down direction by placing the controller main body 201 on a horizontal surface.

  In the present embodiment, the grounding portion is a position different from the position where the joystick 212 is provided on the housing 211, and is a position opposite to the operation surface 213 with respect to the center of the housing 211. Here, “the position on the opposite side of the operation surface 213 with respect to the center of the housing 211” is perpendicular to a straight line passing through the center of the operation surface 213 and the center of the housing 211 and includes the center of the housing 211. This means a position on the opposite side to the operation surface 213 with respect to a plane (that is, an xz plane). In addition, it can be said that the vibrating unit 271 is provided on a linear extension extending from the operation surface 213 to the center of the housing 211.

  According to the above, when the controller main body 201 is placed on a horizontal surface in a state where no external force is applied, the controller main body 201 is placed with the operation surface 213 facing upward. According to this, when the controller main unit 201 is placed on a horizontal surface, the position of the operation surface 213 can be easily understood by the user. Further, according to the above, the possibility that the operation surface 213 contacts the horizontal surface is reduced. For this reason, as a result of the operation surface 213 hitting the horizontal plane, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the operation surface 213 is operated even when the user does not intend. Further, when the controller main body 201 is placed on a horizontal surface in a state where no external force is applied, the controller main body 201 is placed in a posture in which the operation surface 213 can be operated. It can be easier.

  In the present embodiment, the vibrating unit 271 is provided at a position on the inner wall of the housing 211 opposite to a part on the back side of the grounding part (see FIG. 27). According to this, since the position of the center of gravity of the controller main body 201 can be made closer to the grounding portion, when the controller main body 201 is placed on a horizontal surface without applying an external force, the controller main body 201 is grounded at the grounding portion. It becomes easy to stabilize in the state where it does.

  In the present embodiment, the spherical controller 200 includes a rechargeable battery 244 provided inside the housing 211 and a charging terminal 249 provided at a position different from the grounded portion and electrically connected to the rechargeable battery 244. Prepare. According to this, when the controller main body 201 is placed on a horizontal surface in a state where no external force is applied, the charging terminal 249 does not face downward, so that the user can easily find the charging terminal 249 and charge the charging terminal 249. It becomes easier to connect devices and the like. As described above, in the present embodiment, the user can easily charge the spherical controller 200, and the convenience of the spherical controller 200 can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the charging terminal 249 is provided at a position depressed with respect to the surface of the housing 211 (that is, the depressed surface 245d). Thus, the possibility that the charging terminal 249 contacts the floor on which the controller main body 201 is placed can be reduced. For example, even when the controller main unit 201 placed on the floor rolls, the possibility that the charging terminal 249 contacts the floor is reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the housing 211 has a vibrating portion mounting portion 273b on the back side of the housing 211, and the vibrating portion 271 is directly fixed to the vibrating portion mounting portion 273b (see FIG. 23). According to this, since the vibration unit 271 is directly fixed to the housing 211 (specifically, the lower partial housing 223), the vibration by the vibration unit 271 can be efficiently transmitted to the housing 211. . Further, when the controller main body 201 is placed on a horizontal surface, it is possible to easily transmit the vibration generated by the vibration unit 271 to the horizontal surface via the housing 211.

  In the present embodiment, the vibrating section 271 is provided at a distance from the sensor electronic board (that is, the main board 246) on which the acceleration sensor 247 is provided (see FIG. 27). That is, the vibration unit 271 does not directly contact the substrate on which the acceleration sensor 247 is provided. According to this, the acceleration sensor 247 is less likely to be affected by the vibration of the vibrating section 271. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the acceleration sensor 247 cannot accurately detect the acceleration of the controller main unit 201 by detecting the vibration.

  In the present embodiment, the vibration unit 271 is directly fixed to the housing 211 (specifically, the lower partial housing 223) and holds a sensor electronic board (that is, a main board 246) on which the acceleration sensor 247 is provided. The main board holding portion 245 is directly fixed to the housing 211 (specifically, the middle housing 222 and the lower housing 223). Therefore, the vibration unit 271 is indirectly connected to the substrate on which the acceleration sensor 247 is provided, and is not directly connected. This makes it possible to make the acceleration sensor 247 less susceptible to the influence of the vibration of the vibrating section 271, and to reduce the possibility that the acceleration sensor 247 will not be able to accurately detect the acceleration of the controller main body 201.

(About the configuration on the rear side of the housing)
FIG. 29 is a rear view of an example of the controller main body with the cover 215 removed. As shown in FIG. 29, the above-described recessed surface 245d is provided inside the cover part 215. Although not shown in FIG. 29, the cover 215 is attached to the recessed surface 245d by inserting the above-described bar-shaped portion 259 into a hole 245f provided in the recessed surface 245d. As shown in FIG. 29, a recess 222a is provided at a position adjacent to the cover portion 215 of the middle housing 222. The depression 222a is provided for the purpose of facilitating a user to hook a finger or a nail on the cover 215 when removing the cover 215 from a state of covering the depression 245d.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 29, a charging terminal 249 is provided on the concave surface 245d. That is, as described above, the charging terminal 249 is provided so as to be exposed from the hole of the concave surface 245d. The recessed surface 245d is screwed with the upper middle unit 290 (specifically, the main board holding portion 245 having the recessed surface 245d) and the lower unit 270 (specifically, the lower partial housing 223). A hole 245g is provided for mounting by using.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the spherical controller 200 is provided at a position depressed with respect to the spherical first surface of the partial housing (specifically, the surface of the lower partial housing 223). It has a concave surface 245d. The concave surface 245d is formed with a lower housing 223 having the first surface and a hole 245g to which a screw for fixing the concave surface 245d is attached (see FIG. 29). Further, the spherical controller 200 includes a cover portion 215 that covers the concave surface 245d and has a spherical second surface.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the screw holes for connecting the upper middle unit 290 and the lower unit 270 are covered by the cover 215. According to this, the controller main body 201 can be configured to have no screw hole on the surface. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to make the appearance of the controller main body 201 closer to a sphere.

  As shown in FIG. 29, a strap hole 211c to which a strap can be attached is formed at the rear end of the housing 211. That is, the strap hole 211c is formed at a position on a straight line extending from the center of the housing 211 to a direction opposite to the direction from the center of the housing 211 to the center of the operation surface 252c of the joystick 212. According to this, the strap can be attached to a position that does not easily interfere with the operation of the joystick 212. Thereby, the operability of the spherical controller 200 can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the operation surface of the restart button 214 shown in FIG. 29 is provided at a position depressed with respect to the surface of the housing 211. Thus, the possibility that the restart button 214 is operated by mistake can be reduced. In another embodiment, the operation surface of the restart button 214 may be provided along the surface of the housing 211, or may be provided so as to protrude from the surface of the housing 211.

[2-3. Configuration relating to light emission]
Next, a configuration regarding light emission in the controller main body 201 will be described. FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating an example of how the controller body emits light. As shown in FIG. 30, in the present embodiment, the joystick 212 (specifically, the shaft portion 252) is provided so as to be exposed from the opening 211a of the housing 211, and the diffusion sheet 255 (provided around the joystick 212). In addition, the surrounding part 256 and the reflecting part 253) behind it are provided so as to be visible from the outside of the housing 211. When the light emitting section 248 inside the housing 211 emits light, the light that has passed through the light guide section 254 is emitted from the emission surface of the light guide section 254. As a result, as shown in FIG. 30, the periphery of the joystick 212 looks shiny. In FIG. 30, the appearance of light emission around the joystick 212 is indicated by oblique lines. Hereinafter, the details of the light emission in the controller main body 201 will be described focusing on the configuration of the light guide 254.

  FIG. 31 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a light guide unit. FIG. 32 is a six-view drawing showing an example of the light guide. Here, in this specification, for convenience of description, the light guide portion 254 will be described by dividing it into a plurality of portions. In FIGS. 31 and 32, a cross section serving as a boundary of each portion is indicated by a dotted line. I have. In the present embodiment, the light guide 254 is formed integrally, and the above-mentioned parts are not separate bodies. However, in other embodiments, each part of the light guide 254 may be configured separately.

  As described above, the light guide 254 includes the peripheral portion 256, the left extension 257a, and the right extension 257b. As shown in FIG. 31, the peripheral portion 256 has a square plate shape. The left extension 257a is provided to extend from the left side surface of the peripheral portion 256, and the right extension 257b is provided to extend from the right side surface of the peripheral portion 256. In the present embodiment, a cross section serving as a boundary between the peripheral portion 256 and the left extending portion 257a is referred to as a third cross section S3.

  In the present embodiment, of the light guide portion 254, a flat portion provided vertically in the front-rear direction is defined as the peripheral portion 256, and a portion that curves backward and extends from the flat portion is defined as the extension portion 257. (See FIG. 31). However, in other embodiments, the peripheral portion 256 does not need to be constituted only by a flat plate portion, and may not be entirely flat.

  In this embodiment, the light guide 254 is configured symmetrically. Therefore, the configuration of the right extension 257b is the same as that of the left extension 257a except that the left and right are inverted. Therefore, hereinafter, the left extension 257a will be described in detail, and the right extension 257b will not be described in detail.

[2-3-1. Stretching section]
As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, the left extending portion 257a has an arm shape. Note that “the extending portion has an arm shape” means that the extending portion is thinner than the peripheral portion 256 in at least a predetermined direction. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the left extending portion 257a is thinner and extends in the vertical direction than the peripheral portion 256. The extending portion 257 has a shape having a portion whose width in the vertical direction gradually becomes smaller as it extends from the peripheral portion 256 (in other words, as the distance from the peripheral portion 256 increases). Therefore, the extending portion 257 can be said to be an arm provided in the peripheral portion 256. In the present embodiment, since the left extending portion 257a has an arm shape, the left extending portion 257a can be less likely to be an obstacle when other components are arranged inside the housing 211. In another embodiment, the left extending portion 257a may not be configured to become thinner as it extends from the peripheral portion 256. For example, the cross-sectional area of a cross section perpendicular to the direction extending from the peripheral portion 256 is constant. There may be.

  As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32D, the left extending portion 257a extends from the peripheral portion 256 and warps toward the inside of the housing 211. Thus, the incident surface 306 can be disposed inside the housing 211 with respect to the surrounding portion 256. Note that, in the present embodiment, the entire left extension 257a is warped toward the inside of the housing 211, but in other embodiments, a part of the left extension 257a is The shape may be warped inward. That is, the left extending portion 257a may have a portion extending from the peripheral portion 256 and warping toward the inside of the housing 211.

  In the present embodiment, the left extending portion 257a has a portion extending from the peripheral portion 256 and warping toward the inside of the housing 211, and has an arm shape. However, in other embodiments, the left extending portion 257a may have an arm shape without the warped portion, or may have a shape having the warped portion instead of the arm shape. Good. Further, the shape of the left extending portion 257a is arbitrary, and in other embodiments, the left extending portion 257a may not have the warped portion and may not have an arm shape.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 22, the left extending portion 257a is provided so as to extend toward the left light emitting portion 248a. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the distal end of the left extending portion 257a extends to the vicinity of the left light emitting portion 248a (more specifically, the vicinity above the left light emitting portion 248a). Therefore, the incident surface 306 provided at the distal end is disposed near the left light emitting unit 248a. Accordingly, it is possible to easily arrange the incident surface 306 at a position where the light from the left light emitting unit 248a can be efficiently received.

  As shown in FIG. 31, the left extension 257a has a first light guide 301, a second light guide 302, and a third light guide 303. The first light guide path 301 is a portion of the left extending portion 257a from the incident surface 306 shown in FIG. 32 to the first section S1. The second light guide path 302 is a portion of the left extending portion 257a from the first section S1 to the second section S2. The third light guide path 303 is a portion of the left extending portion 257a from the second section S2 to the third section S3.

  The first cross section S1 is a cross section substantially perpendicular to the incident surface 306, including a position (a position p shown in FIG. 31) in which a normal direction on the upper outer surface of the left extending portion 257a is upward. is there. In the present embodiment, the incident surface 306 is provided substantially parallel to the vertical direction. The second cross section S2 is a cross section between the first cross section S1 and the third cross section S3 in the left extension 257a and substantially perpendicular to the incident surface 306.

  The first light guide path 301 has a downward incident surface 306 (see FIG. 32). In addition, in this specification, the direction of the surface refers to the direction of the normal direction of the surface. In the present embodiment, the incident surface 306 is provided at a position facing the left light emitting unit 248a provided on the main substrate 246 (see FIG. 22). Specifically, the incident surface 306 is provided above the left light emitting unit 248a and spaced from the left light emitting unit 248a.

  In the present embodiment, the left extending portion 257a has the protruding portion 304. As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, the protrusion 304 projects from the side (here, right side) of the incident surface 306 with respect to the incident surface 306. Here, the projecting amount of the projecting portion 304 is larger than the projecting amount of the left light emitting portion 248a. That is, the length of the projecting portion 304 projecting from the incident surface 306 is longer than the length of the left light emitting portion 248a projecting from the main substrate 246. Note that the protruding portion 304 may or may not be in contact with the main board 246.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, if the light guide 254 moves in the housing 211 and the incident surface 306 moves in a direction approaching the left light emitting unit 248a, the protrusion 304 contacts the main substrate 246. Then, the incident surface 306 does not contact the left light emitting unit 248a. That is, in the present embodiment, if the incident surface 306 is moved in a direction approaching the left light emitting portion 248a, the contact portion as the contact portion that contacts the main substrate 246 before the incident surface 306 contacts the left light emitting portion 248a. The role of the protruding portion 304 is fulfilled. According to this, even if the light guide 254 is displaced in the housing 211 for some reason, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the light guide 254 contacts the light emitting unit 248 and damages the light emitting unit 248. Can be.

  As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, the first light guide path 301 has a curved rod shape. Specifically, the first light guide path 301 extends upward from the incident surface 306 while bending forward. In other words, the first light guide path 301 has a shape that extends upward from the incident surface 306 and curves forward. Therefore, of the side surfaces of the first light guide path 301 (that is, the surface connecting the incident surface 306 and the first cross section S1), the inner wall surface 307 on the upper side surface is directed forward and downward (see FIG. 33 described later). reference). The cross-sectional area of the first light guide 301 (specifically, the cross-sectional area in a cross section parallel to the normal direction of the side surface of the first light guide 301; in other words, the direction extending from the incident surface 306 to the first cross section S1) Is substantially constant. Further, the cross section is a quadrangle substantially the same as the incident surface 306.

  As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, the second light guide path 302 has a curved rod shape. Specifically, the second light guide path 302 extends forward from the first cross section S1 while bending slightly downward. In other words, the second light guide path 302 has a shape that extends downward from the first cross section S1 and curves downward. Therefore, of the side surfaces of the second light guide path 302 (that is, the surface connecting the first cross section S1 and the second cross section S2), the inner wall surface 308 on the upper side surface is downward and faces rearward (FIG. 33). Note that the cross-sectional area of the second light guide path 302 (specifically, the cross-sectional area in a cross section parallel to the normal direction of the side surface of the second light guide path 302; in other words, extends from the first cross section S1 to the second cross section S2). Cross-sectional area in a cross section perpendicular to the direction) is substantially constant. Further, the cross section is a quadrangle substantially the same as the incident surface 306.

  As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, the third light guide path 303 has a shape in which the width in the vertical direction increases as it extends forward. It can be said that the third light guide path 303 has a plate-like shape whose front side is widened. Further, the third light guide path 303 is bent rightward as extending forward.

  Further, a hole 257c is formed in the third light guide path 303. The hole 257c is a hole that penetrates the plate-shaped third light guide path 303 in the left-right direction (also referred to as the front-back direction). As shown in FIG. 31, in the present embodiment, the hole 257c has a pointed rear side.

  FIG. 33 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a state in which light passes through the left extending portion. In this specification, the term “schematically shown” refers to the size and shape of the component (for example, the left extension in FIG. 33), This means that the positional relationship between them is shown differently from other drawings. In the present embodiment, the left extending portion 257a extends forward from the incident surface 306 and curves rightward. However, in FIG. 33, for the purpose of explaining how light travels in the up-down direction and the front-back direction, The description will be made ignoring the bending of light in the left-right direction (in other words, assuming that the left extension 257a is not bent in the left-right direction).

  As shown in FIG. 33, the light emitted from the left light emitting unit 248a enters the inside of the first light guide 301 of the left extension 257a via the incident surface 306 (see the arrow shown in FIG. 33). Note that, in FIG. 33, the traveling direction of light is indicated by a dotted arrow, but the traveling direction of light in the left extension 257a is not uniform, and is different from the direction of the dotted arrow shown in FIG. Some light goes on.

  Light incident from the incident surface 306 travels substantially upward in the first light guide path 301. Here, on the inner wall surface 307 on the upper side of the first light guide path 301, the normal direction (see the arrow shown in FIG. 33) is forward and downward (more specifically, gradually downward as it goes upward). Facing). Therefore, when the light is reflected on the inner wall surface 307, the reflected light changes its traveling direction to the front side (in other words, so as to approach the front direction) (see the dotted arrow in FIG. 33). Since the first light guide path 301 is curved by 90 ° (in other words, the incident surface 306 and the first section S1 are substantially perpendicular), the light enters from the incident surface 306 of the first light guide path 301. Most of the light is reflected at some position on the inner wall surface 307 to change the traveling direction. As described above, in the first light guide path 301, the light incident from the incident surface 306 travels in the first light guide path 301 while changing the traveling direction from upward to forward. Then, the light in the first light guide path 301 enters the second light guide path 302 via the first cross section S1.

  In the second light guide path 302, light that has entered from the first cross section S1 travels substantially forward. Here, the inner wall surface 308 on the upper side of the second light guide path 302 has its normal direction (see the arrow shown in FIG. 33) downward and faces rearward. Therefore, when the light is reflected on the inner wall surface 308, the reflected light changes its traveling direction to the lower side (in other words, closer to the lower direction) (see the dotted arrow in FIG. 33). . As described above, in the second light guide path 302, light that has entered from the first cross section S1 generally travels forward, and some light is reflected on the inner wall surface 308 and travels downward. Is changed and the light travels in the second light guide path 302. Then, the light in the second light guide path 302 enters the third light guide path 303 via the second section S2.

  In the third light guide path 303, since the width in the vertical direction is wide, light is emitted from the third section S3, which is longer in the vertical direction than the second section S2. Here, a hole 257c is provided in the third light guide path 303. Therefore, the light reflected on the inner wall surface around the hole 257c changes its traveling direction to an upper side or a lower side of the hole 257c (see a dotted arrow in FIG. 33). The light traveling in the third light guide path 303 is divided into light passing above the hole 257c and light passing below the hole 257c, and enters the peripheral portion 256 via the third section S3. In FIG. 33, a dotted arrow pointing in a direction perpendicular to the third section S3 is shown, but the traveling direction of light passing through the third section S3 is not limited to the direction of the arrow.

  Here, when the light travels inside the curved light guide path as in the left extension 257a, the amount of light traveling outside the curved light guide path is greater than the amount of light traveling inside the curved light guide path. Therefore, if the upper inner wall surface 308 in the second light guide path 302 is configured not to face rearward (that is, to face directly downward or to face forward), the upper side of the third light guide path 303 The light traveling on the lower side increases, and the light traveling on the lower side decreases. As a result, a large amount of light enters the peripheral portion from above the third section S3, and only a small amount of light enters the peripheral portion 256 from below the third section S3. At this time, on the emission surface of the peripheral portion 256, the light emission amount is different between the upper side and the lower side. As a result, only the upper side of the emission surface shines strongly, and the emission surface may not be able to emit light uniformly.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the upper inner wall surface 308 of the second light guide path 302 is configured to be directed downward and backward. Thus, the amount of light traveling on the lower side in the third light guide path 303 can be increased, so that the amount of light emitted from the lower side of the emission surface of the peripheral portion 256 can be increased.

  In addition, when the upper inner wall surface 308 of the second light guide path 302 is downward and faces rearward, the light traveling on the lower side in the third light guide path 303 increases, so that the light traveling on the upper side is relatively small. Could be. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, a hole 257c is provided in the third light guide path 303. Thus, the light reflected on the inner wall surface above the hole 257c in the third light guide path 303 changes its traveling direction upward, so that light traveling on the upper side in the third light guide path 303 can be secured. Therefore, in the present embodiment, light can uniformly enter the peripheral portion 256 from the upper side and the lower side of the third section S3, and as a result, the emission surface can emit light uniformly.

[2-3-2. Surrounding part]
As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, a hole 256a is formed in the peripheral portion 256 so as to penetrate the peripheral portion 256 in the front-rear direction. In the present embodiment, of the surface of the peripheral portion 256 (that is, the surface on the front side), the region around the hole 256a becomes visible from the outside of the controller main body 201, so that the region becomes the emission surface.

  FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating an example of the back side surface of the peripheral portion 256. As shown in FIG. 34, a cutout (specifically, a slit 309) is formed on the rear side surface (that is, the rear surface) of the peripheral portion 256. In the present embodiment, the slit 309 is formed in an annular region within a predetermined distance from the hole 256a. Specifically, the slit 309 is a linear groove extending in the vertical direction. Although details will be described later, the slit 309 is provided for the purpose of increasing the light emitted from the emission surface.

  FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an example of a cross section of a peripheral portion. FIG. 35 is a sectional view showing a part of a section perpendicular to the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 35, the light that has entered the peripheral portion 256 from the third section S3 is emitted from the emission surface 256b. Specifically, of the light that has entered the peripheral portion 256 from the third cross section S3, the light that proceeds forward is emitted from the emission surface 256b as it is (that is, without being reflected) (the dotted arrow shown in FIG. 35). A). On the other hand, of the light that has entered the peripheral portion 256 from the third cross section S3, the light that travels backward is reflected on the back side surface 256c. Here, in the present embodiment, a slit 309 (slits 309a and 309b in FIGS. 34 and 35) is formed in the back side surface 256c. Therefore, of the light that has entered the peripheral portion 256 from the third cross section S3, the light that travels backward is easily reflected forward by being reflected by the slit 309 (see dotted arrows B and C shown in FIG. 35). . Therefore, by providing the slit 309, light emitted from the emission surface 256b can be increased.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the peripheral portion 256 reflects the light incident on the incident surface and guided through the extending portion 257 toward the output surface 256b by the back side surface 256c of the output surface 256b. I do. That is, the peripheral portion 256 has a reflection surface on the back side of the emission surface 256b of the peripheral portion 256, which reflects light incident on the incident surface and guided through the extending portion 257 toward the emission surface 256b. be able to. The spherical controller 200 can increase the light emitted from the emission surface by the reflection surface. Note that in other embodiments, the notch may not necessarily be provided on the reflection surface. Even when no notch is provided, the reflection surface has a function of reflecting light toward the emission surface 256b.

  Further, in the present embodiment, one or more cutouts (specifically, slits 309) are formed in the reflection surface. Thus, the amount of light reflected on the reflection surface and emitted from the emission surface 256b can be increased. In this embodiment, a plurality of linear slits 309 are formed as the notches, but the shape and number of the notches are arbitrary. For example, in another embodiment, the notch may be a dot-shaped notch (specifically, a hemispherical notch having a semicircular cross section), and the dot-shaped notch may be a reflection. A plurality may be formed on the surface.

  In the present embodiment, since the extending portions 257a and 257b are provided on both left and right sides of the peripheral portion 256, light enters the peripheral portion 256 from both left and right sides, and the light is emitted from the emission surface 256b.

  Here, the slit 309 is formed in a direction that intersects with the traveling direction (here, the left-right direction) of the light that has entered the incident surface and has been guided to the peripheral portion 256 through the extending portion 257. Specifically, the extending portion 257 extends from a predetermined portion (that is, the left and right ends) on the outer side surface of the peripheral portion 256, and the slit 309 is perpendicular to the direction from the center of the peripheral portion 256 to the predetermined portion. Is formed in a direction having a component in an appropriate direction (that is, a vertical direction). According to this, the light from the extending portion 257 can be efficiently reflected to the slit 309, and as a result, the light emitted from the emission surface 256b can be increased.

  In the present embodiment, the slit 309 is formed so as to extend substantially parallel to a direction parallel to the side surface of the peripheral portion 256 (specifically, the vertical direction). However, in other embodiments, the slit 309 is formed. May be formed in any direction that intersects a straight line perpendicular to the side surface of the peripheral portion 256 (that is, a straight line extending in the left-right direction). In other words, the slit 309 may be formed to extend in any direction having a vertical component. For example, the slit 309 may be formed to extend obliquely upward. With this, similarly to the present embodiment, the light emitted from the emission surface 256b can be increased.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 34 and 35, the interval between the slits 309a provided in the outer region of the emission surface is wider than the interval between the slits 309b provided in the inner region. Note that the outer region is a region near the extended portion (more precisely, the extended portion closer to the left and right of the peripheral portion 256) in the emission surface. Specifically, it is a region within a predetermined distance from the extending portion. In the present embodiment, since the extending portions are provided on both left and right sides of the peripheral portion 256, a region near the left and right sides of the surface of the peripheral portion 256 is an outer region. The inner region is a region between the two left and right outer regions on the emission surface.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the density at which the slit 309 is formed is larger in the inner region of the peripheral portion 256 apart from the left and right extending portions 257a and 257b than in the outer region closer to one of the extending portions 257a and 257b. Is high. Here, since the light from the extending portion is harder to reach in the inner region than in the outer region, if the density of the slits 309 is the same in the inner region and the outer region, the outer region is more likely than the inner region. A lot of light is emitted. As a result, the amount of light emission differs between the outer region and the inner region, making it difficult to uniformly emit light on the emission surface. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, by making the density of the slit 309b in the inner region higher than the density of the slit 309a in the outer region, light reflected by the slit 309b and emitted from the emission surface 256b (FIG. 35) (See arrow C shown in FIG. 35) is increased with respect to light (see arrow B shown in FIG. 35) reflected by the slit 309a and emitted from the emission surface 256b. As a result, the amount of light emission in the outer region and the amount of light emission in the inner region can be made close to each other, and the light emission surface can be easily made to emit light uniformly.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the reflective surface includes the first region in which the notch is formed at the first interval (specifically, the region in which the slit 309b is formed) and the first region in which the notch is formed. And a second region (specifically, a region where the slit 309a is formed) formed at a second interval smaller than the first interval. Thus, the amount of light emitted from the emission surface can be adjusted for each region. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the distance from the second region to the extension 257 is shorter than the distance from the first region to the extension 257. This makes it easier for the spherical controller 200 to emit light uniformly on the emission surface.

  In the present embodiment, the density at which the notch is formed in the peripheral portion 256 is divided into two stages, that is, the first region and the second region. Here, in another embodiment, the density at which the notch is formed in the peripheral portion 256 may be divided into three or more stages. In another embodiment, a slit may be formed so that the density changes continuously. In the aspect in which the density is divided into three or more stages, one of the three or more regions having different densities corresponds to the first region, and the other corresponds to the second region. In the aspect in which the density continuously changes, a position where the density has a certain value (in other words, a region) corresponds to the first region, and a position where the density has a value lower than the certain value is a position where the density is lower than the certain value. This corresponds to the second region. That is, “the reflection surface includes the first region and the second region” means that the density is divided into three or more stages and that the density is continuously changed.

  Although not shown in FIG. 35, in the present embodiment, a white reflecting portion 253 is provided on the back side surface of the peripheral portion 256 (in other words, the surface facing the inside of the housing 211) (see FIG. 19). ). Therefore, the light transmitted through the rear side surface of the peripheral portion 256 to the rear of the peripheral portion 256 and the light absorbed by the reflective portion 253 can be reduced by the white reflective portion 253. As a result, light emitted from the emission surface 256b can be increased.

  FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating an example of an arrangement of light emitting elements in a light emitting unit. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 36, the left light emitting unit 248a includes three light emitting elements (for example, LEDs) 311 to 313. Each of the light emitting elements 311 to 313 emits light of a different color from each other. Specifically, the light emitting element 311 emits red light, the light emitting element 312 emits green light, and the light emitting element 313 emits blue light. Light from each of the light-emitting elements 311 to 313 of the left light-emitting unit 248a travels through the light-guiding unit 254 via the incident surface 306, and is emitted from the emission surface 256b. At this time, the light of each color by each of the light emitting elements 311 to 313 is mixed and emitted from the emission surface 256b, so that the mixed light is emitted from the emission surface 256b. Thus, the spherical controller 200 can emit light of various colors.

  In the present embodiment, the left light emitting section 248a is provided such that the light emitting elements 311 to 313 are arranged side by side along the lateral direction of the incident surface 306 (see FIG. 36). Here, the lateral direction of the incident surface is a direction closer to the left-right direction in the controller main body 201 among the directions of the two sides of the rectangular incident surface. In this embodiment, the lateral direction of the incident surface does not coincide with the left-right direction of the controller main body 201. However, in other embodiments, the lateral direction of the incident surface is the left-right direction of the controller main body 201. May be the same as

  Here, in the present embodiment, the left extending portion 257a of the light guide 254 has a shape that is curved when viewed from the lateral direction of the incident surface 306 (see FIG. 35). Therefore, if the light emitting elements 311 to 313 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction of the incident surface 306 (that is, the direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction of the incident surface 306), the light of each color by the light emitting elements 311 to 313 is provided. Are easily incident from different positions in the longitudinal direction of the incident surface 306. At this time, the light of each color easily passes through different paths in the vertical direction in the second light guide path 302 and the third light guide path 303, and is not sufficiently mixed in the left extension portion 257a. As a result, different colors of light are emitted from the upper side and the lower side in the third cross section S3, and the color of the light emitted from the emission surface 256b in the peripheral portion 256 may look different between the upper side and the lower side. is there.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the light emitting elements 311 to 313 are arranged side by side in the lateral direction of the incident surface 306. That is, since the light emitting elements 311 to 313 are arranged at substantially the same position in the vertical direction of the incident surface 306, the light of each color by the light emitting elements 311 to 313 is transmitted to the second light guide path 302 and the third light guide path 303. , It is easy to pass through the same path in the up-down direction, and as a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the color of light emitted on the emission surface 256b of the peripheral portion 256 looks different between the upper side and the lower side.

  In FIG. 36, the arrangement of each light emitting element 311 to 313 in the left light emitting section 248a has been described, but the arrangement of each light emitting element in the right light emitting section 248b is the same as that of the left light emitting section 248a. That is, the right light-emitting unit 248b includes three light-emitting elements that emit red, green, and blue light, and the three light-emitting elements are arranged side by side on the incident surface of the right extension 257b. Thereby, when the light from the right light emitting unit 248b is emitted from the emission surface 256b, the possibility that the color of the light looks different between the upper side and the lower side can be reduced.

[2-3-3. Configuration relating to light emission]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the spherical controller 200 has the following configuration.
-The housing 211 in which the opening 211a is formed
An operation unit at least partially exposed from the opening 211a (specifically, the joystick 212)
A light emitting unit 248 that is provided inside the housing 211 and generates light
An incident surface on which light generated from the light emitting unit 248 is incident (for example, the incident surface 306), and an exit surface for exiting the light incident on the incident surface to the outside of the housing 211 (that is, an exit surface 256b). Light guide 254 having
Here, the light guide section has an emission surface, and is provided with a peripheral section 256 provided so as to surround the operation section, and is provided to extend from the peripheral section 256, and is provided with a distal end section (more specifically, a peripheral section). An extension 257 having an incident surface at the end opposite to the side continuous with 256).

  According to the above configuration, since the light guide 254 includes the extension 257, the incident surface can be arranged at a position different from the exit surface. Thereby, the degree of freedom regarding the arrangement of the light emitting unit 248 can be improved. For example, it is possible to arrange the light emitting unit at a position distant from the operation unit.

  In addition, the expression “the (surrounding portion) is provided so as to surround the operation portion” is not limited to a mode in which the surrounding portion completely surrounds the entire periphery of the operation portion, and a gap is formed around the operation portion. The meaning includes a mode in which the peripheral portion is provided. Further, the expression “(surrounding portion is provided so as to surround the operation portion)” does not mean that the interval between the surrounding portion and the operation portion is defined, but the aspect in which the surrounding portion and the operation portion are in contact with each other. And the aspect in which the peripheral portion and the operation portion are not in contact with each other.

  In the present embodiment, the extending portion 257 has a curved portion (for example, the first light guide path 301 and the second light guide path 302), but may have a configuration having a bent portion. That is, the extending portion 257 may have a configuration having at least one of a curved portion and a bent portion. According to this, the incidence surface can be arranged at a position different from the emission surface, so that the degree of freedom regarding the arrangement of the light emitting units can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the incident surface faces in a direction (ie, a downward direction) different from the direction opposite to the direction in which the emission surface faces (ie, the front direction) (see FIG. 32). In other words, the entrance surface faces in a direction other than parallel to the direction in which the emission surface faces. It can be said that the incident surface is provided in a direction in which a plane along the incident surface intersects with a plane along the exit surface. Further, the incident surface is provided in a direction in which an angle between a normal direction of the incident surface (that is, a downward direction) and a normal direction of the exit surface (that is, a forward direction) is an angle other than 180 degrees. It can also be said. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the emission surface is provided substantially perpendicular to the incidence surface. That is, in the present embodiment, the exit surface faces forward, whereas the incident surface faces downward. In other embodiments, the incident surface does not necessarily have to be provided substantially perpendicular to the exit surface. For example, in another embodiment, the normal direction of the incident surface may be 45 ° or 120 ° with respect to the normal direction of the output surface.

  According to the above, the degree of freedom in the direction in which the light emitting unit 248 is arranged can be improved. For example, when light is emitted in the forward direction as in the present embodiment, the light emitting unit 248 can be arranged so as to emit light in the upward direction.

  In the present embodiment, the spherical controller 200 includes an electronic board on which the light emitting unit 248 is provided (that is, the main board 246), and the electronic board has a direction different from the emission surface inside the housing 211 (that is, the main board 246). (See FIG. 19). Specifically, in the present embodiment, the electronic substrate is provided substantially perpendicular to the emission surface. As described above, when the light emitting unit 248 is provided on the electronic substrate, the degree of freedom of arrangement of the electronic substrate can be improved by the light guide unit. In the present embodiment, the emission surface may face forward, while the electronic substrate may be provided to face up and down.

  In the present embodiment, the extending portion 257 extends from the outer periphery (specifically, left and right side surfaces) of the peripheral portion 256 in a direction outward from the outer periphery and toward the inside of the housing 211. (See FIGS. 19 and 31). In other words, the extending portion 257 extends from the outer periphery of the peripheral portion 256 to the outside of the outer periphery and extends in the direction toward the inside of the housing 211. According to this, a component different from the light emitting unit 248 can be arranged on the back side of the peripheral part 256 (in other words, on the back side of the emission surface). In the present embodiment, a base 251 of the joystick 212 is provided behind the peripheral part 256. As described above, according to the present embodiment, the degree of freedom in arranging components in the housing 211 can be further improved.

In the present embodiment, the extending part 257 has the following parts (a) to (c).
(A) A first light guide portion (for example, the first light guide path 301) from the incident surface to a cross section (for example, the first cross section S1) of the extending portion perpendicular to the direction of the incident surface.
(B) A second light guide portion that is continuous with the first light guide portion (for example, the second light guide path 302)
(C) one end is continuous with the second light guide portion, the other end is continuous with the peripheral portion, and the width in the direction parallel to the direction of the incident surface (that is, the vertical direction) from one end to the other end. The third light guide portion (for example, the third light guide path 303) in which
In addition, the second light guide portion has a wall surface on the side opposite to the direction of the incident surface (that is, the upper wall surface) whose inner angle with the cross section is less than 90 ° (for example, the inner wall surface shown in FIG. 33). 308).

  According to the above configuration, the traveling direction of light can be changed to the same side as the direction of the incident surface by the wall surface in the second light guide portion. Thereby, the light that enters the peripheral portion from the third light guide portion can be made uniform in the direction parallel to the direction of the incident surface.

  In the present embodiment, a hole (for example, a hole 257c) that can change the path of light incident from the incident surface is formed in the extending portion 257. With this hole, it is possible to adjust the path of light entering the peripheral portion 256 from the extension portion 257. Further, in the present embodiment, the hole forms a light guide portion (for example, the third light guide path 303) of the extension 257, the width of which in the direction perpendicular to the incident surface increases as approaching the peripheral portion 256. Have. According to this, the light traveling in the light guide portion can be divided into light passing through one side of the hole and light passing through the other side by the hole. As a result, light that enters the peripheral portion from the third light guide portion can be made uniform.

  In the present embodiment, the hole (for example, the hole 257c) formed in the light guide portion has a shape in which an end farther from the peripheral portion 256 becomes thinner toward the tip (see FIG. 33). ). According to this, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the light reflected on the wall surface of the hole proceeds toward the incident surface. As a result, the amount of light emitted from the emission surface can be increased.

  In the present embodiment, the housing 211 has an engaging portion (for example, a claw portion 243b shown in FIG. 19) that engages with the hole (for example, the hole 257c) formed in the light guide portion. According to this, it is possible to make the light entering the peripheral portion from the third light guide portion uniform by the hole, and reduce the possibility that the position of the light guide portion 254 is shifted with respect to the housing 211. Can be.

  In the present embodiment, the spherical controller 200 includes, as the light emitting unit 248, a first light emitting unit (that is, a left light emitting unit 248a) and a second light emitting unit (that is, a right light emitting unit that is provided at a position different from the first light emitting unit). A light emitting unit 248b). In addition, the light guide 254 includes, as the extension 257, a first extension (that is, a left extension 257a) and a second extension (that is, a right extension 257b). The first extending portion is provided to extend from the peripheral portion 256, and a first incident surface (that is, the incident surface 306) is provided at a position facing the first light emitting portion. The second extending portion is provided to extend from the peripheral portion 256, and a second incident surface is provided at a position facing the second light emitting portion (see FIG. 22). As described above, in the present embodiment, the extending portions corresponding to each of the two light emitting portions are provided, and the light from the two extending portions can be emitted from one emission surface, so that the light is emitted from the emission surface. The amount of light can be increased.

  In the present embodiment, the first extending portion is provided to extend from one side (specifically, the left side) of the peripheral portion 256 in a predetermined direction, and the second extending portion is provided in the predetermined direction of the peripheral portion 256. It extends from the other side (specifically, the right side) in the direction. According to this, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the light emitted from the emission surface is biased.

  In the present embodiment, the first extension unit and the second extension unit are provided with the operation unit (that is, the joystick 212) interposed therebetween (see FIG. 19). That is, the first extension section and the second extension section are provided such that the operation section is located between the first extension section and the second extension section. According to this, the extension section and the operation section can be efficiently arranged in the housing 211. For example, in the present embodiment, the extension portion 257 can be disposed at a position where it does not interfere with other components while avoiding the joystick 212.

  In the present embodiment, the spherical controller 200 is provided on the emission surface so as to overlap at least a part of the emission surface, and a diffusion unit (specifically, a diffusion sheet) that diffuses light emitted from the emission surface. Is provided. Thereby, the light emitted from the emission surface can be made uniform. For example, in the present embodiment, the portion of the slit 309 provided on the back side of the emission surface may look brighter than other portions other than the slit 309, but this possibility may be reduced by the diffusion portion. it can.

  In the present embodiment, the light emitting unit 248 includes a first light emitting element that emits light of a first color, and a second light emitting element that emits light of a second color different from the first color. The light guide unit 254 emits, from the exit surface, light in which the first color light and the second color light that have entered the incident surface are mixed. Therefore, the spherical controller 200 can increase the color variation of the light emitted from the emission surface. In the present embodiment, one light emitting unit 248 has a configuration including three light emitting elements. However, in other embodiments, one light emitting unit 248 includes an arbitrary number of two or more light emitting elements. May be provided, or only one light emitting element may be provided.

  In the present embodiment, the extending portion 257 has a curved portion (a portion that may be bent) as viewed from a predetermined direction (that is, a lateral direction of the incident surface). At this time, the first light emitting element and the second light emitting element are arranged side by side in the predetermined direction. According to this, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the color emitted from the emission surface looks different depending on the position of the emission surface.

[2-4. Configuration of Strap Section]
Next, the strap portion 202 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the strap section 202 has a strap string 401. The strap string 401 is a rope-like or belt-like string-like member, and is formed in a ring shape. The strap string 401 is used to pass the strap section 202 through the wrist when the user holds the controller main body section 201.

  In the present embodiment, the strap unit 202 is fixedly attached to the controller main unit 201. Although details will be described later, a strap mounting shaft (that is, the strap mounting shaft 245c in FIG. 20) is provided inside the controller main body 201. As shown in FIG. 10F, a strap hole 211c is provided on the surface of the housing 211 of the controller main body 201. The strap string 401 is provided so as to extend from the strap hole 211c to the outside of the housing 211 with the strap string 401 passing through the strap mounting shaft. Thus, in the present embodiment, the strap section 202 can be fixedly attached to the controller main body section 201. According to the present embodiment, the strap section 202 can be firmly attached to the controller main body section 201.

  In another embodiment, the spherical controller 200 may have a configuration in which the strap portion can be detachably attached. For example, in another embodiment, a strap string may be detachably attached to the strap attachment axis.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the strap unit 202 has an adjustment unit 403. The adjustment unit 403 is a member for adjusting the size of the loop by the strap string 401. Specifically, the adjusting unit 403 is provided with two holes, and the strap string 401 is passed through each hole. The adjustment unit 403 fixes the strap string 401 to the adjustment unit 403 by pressing a portion of the strap string 401 that passes through the hole of the adjustment unit 403. As a result, a loop is formed by the strap string 401 on the side opposite to the side attached to the controller main body 201 with respect to the adjustment section 403. When using the spherical controller 200, the user holds the controller main body 201 in a state where the hand is passed through the ring.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the adjustment unit 403 has an adjustment button 403a (see FIG. 9). Although a specific mechanism of the adjustment unit 403 is arbitrary, in the present embodiment, the adjustment unit 403 presses a portion of the strap string 401 passing through the hole in the state where the adjustment button 403a is not pressed. When the adjustment button 403a is pressed, the strap string 401 is not pressed. Therefore, the user can easily move the adjustment unit 403 with respect to the strap string 401 when the adjustment button 403a is pressed, and can adjust the adjustment unit 403 with respect to the strap string 401 when the adjustment button 403a is not pressed. Can be fixed (in other words, it is difficult to move).

  As described above, the user can adjust the size of the loop formed by the strap string 401. For example, the user adjusts the size of the loop of the strap 401 using the adjustment unit 403 so that the strap unit 202 does not come off the wrist of the hand holding the controller main unit 201.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the strap unit 202 has a finger hook 404. The finger hook 404 has a shape in which a ring-shaped part is cut out. The finger hook 404 is attached to the strap string 401. Specifically, the finger hook 404 is provided between a portion of the strap string 401 that is attached to the controller main body 201 and a portion that is attached to the adjustment unit 403. Note that the finger hook 404 is movably mounted between the two parts.

  The user passes one of the fingers (for example, the middle finger or the ring finger) of the hand holding the controller body 201 through the finger hook 404. Thus, even when the user accidentally releases his / her hand from the controller main unit 201, the possibility that the controller main unit 201 separates from the hand can be reduced due to the fact that the finger is hooked on the finger hook unit 404. .

[2-5. Electrical configuration]
FIG. 37 is a block diagram showing an electrical connection relationship of the spherical controller 200. As shown in FIG. 37, the spherical controller 200 includes a control unit 321. The control unit 321 is provided on the main board 246. The control unit 321 has a processor and a memory for storing data. In the present embodiment, the control unit 321 controls communication processing with the main device 2 and controls power supply to each electrical component illustrated in FIG. The memory may store data used for the control operation, or may store data used in an application (for example, a game application) using the spherical controller 200 and executed by the main body device 2. Good.

  The control unit 321 is electrically connected to input means provided in the spherical controller 200. In the present embodiment, the spherical controller 200 includes the joystick 212, the detection circuit 322, the acceleration sensor 247, and the button detection unit 258 as input means. The detection circuit 322 is a detection circuit that detects that the key rubber 236 has contacted the contact point 237a when the operation on the operation surface 213 is performed. The control unit 321 acquires information (in other words, data) on an operation performed on the input unit from each input unit.

  The control unit 321 is electrically connected to the communication unit 323. The communication unit 323 includes the above-described antenna 291 and performs wireless communication with the main device 2. That is, the control unit 321 transmits information (in other words, data) to the main unit 2 using the communication unit 323 (in other words, via the communication unit 323), or transmits the main unit using the communication unit 323. It receives information (in other words, data) from the device 2. For example, the control unit 321 transmits information acquired from the joystick 212, the detection circuit 322, and the acceleration sensor 247 to the main device 2 via the communication unit 323. In the present embodiment, the communication unit 323 (and / or the control unit 321) functions as a transmission unit that transmits information related to an operation performed on the joystick 212 to the main device 2. Further, the communication unit 323 (and / or the control unit 321) functions as a transmission unit that transmits information related to an operation on the operation surface 213 to the main device 2. The communication unit 323 (and / or the control unit 321) functions as a transmission unit that transmits information output from the acceleration sensor 247 to the main device 2. In the present embodiment, the communication unit 323 performs communication with the main device 2 in accordance with the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard.

  In another embodiment, the communication unit 323 may perform wired communication with the main device 2 instead of wireless communication. The communication unit 323 may have both a function of performing wireless communication with the main device 2 and a function of performing wired communication.

  The control unit 321 is electrically connected to an output unit provided in the spherical controller 200. In the present embodiment, the spherical controller 200 includes the vibrating unit 271 and the light emitting unit 248 as output means. The control unit 321 controls the operation of the output unit. For example, the control unit 321 may control the operation of the output unit according to the operation on the input unit by referring to the information acquired from the input unit. For example, the control unit 321 may cause the vibration unit 271 to vibrate or cause the light emitting unit 248 to emit light in response to the pressing of the operation surface 213. Further, for example, the control unit 321 may control the operation of the output unit based on the information received from the main unit 2 via the communication unit 323. That is, the control unit 321 may vibrate the vibrating unit 271 or cause the light emitting unit 248 to emit light in accordance with a control command from the main device 2. Further, main device 2 may transmit a signal indicating a waveform for causing vibration unit 271 to vibrate to spherical controller 200, and control unit 321 may cause vibration unit 271 to vibrate according to the waveform. That is, the antenna 291 of the communication unit 323 receives a signal for causing the vibration unit 271 to vibrate from the outside (that is, the main unit 2), and the vibration unit 271 vibrates based on the signal received by the antenna 271. Is also good. In the present embodiment, since the vibration unit 271 is a voice coil motor that can output sound, the control unit 321 can also output sound from the vibration unit 271 according to the waveform.

  The control unit 321 is electrically connected to the rechargeable battery 244. The control unit 321 controls power supply from the rechargeable battery 244 to each input unit, each output unit, and the communication unit. In addition, the rechargeable battery 244 may be directly connected to each input unit, each output unit, and the communication unit. In the present embodiment, the control unit 321 controls the power supply based on information acquired from the button detection unit 258 (that is, information indicating whether or not the restart button 214 has been pressed). Specifically, when the restart button 214 is pressed (in other words, while the restart button 214 is pressed), the power supply from the rechargeable battery 244 to each input unit, each output unit, and the communication unit is stopped. When the restart button 214 is not pressed (in other words, while it is not pressed), the control unit 321 supplies power from the rechargeable battery 244 to each input unit, each output unit, and the communication unit. . As described above, in the present embodiment, the restart button 214 is a button for performing an instruction for restarting (in other words, resetting) the spherical controller 200. It can be said that the restart button 214 is a button for giving an instruction to control the power on / off of the spherical controller 200.

  The rechargeable battery 244 is electrically connected to the charging terminal 249 described above. The charging terminal 249 is a terminal for connecting a charging device (for example, an AC adapter or the like) not shown. In the present embodiment, the charging terminal 249 is a USB connector (more specifically, a female connector). In this embodiment, when a charging device supplied with commercial power is electrically connected to the charging terminal 249, power is supplied to the rechargeable battery 244 via the charging terminal 249, thereby charging the rechargeable battery 244. Is done.

[3. Modification]
(Variation of joystick)
In the above-described embodiment, the spherical controller 200 is configured to include, as the direction input unit, a joystick having a tiltable shaft. Here, in another embodiment, the spherical controller 200 may include, as the direction input unit, an arbitrary input device capable of performing a direction input. For example, in a modification of the above embodiment, the direction input unit may be an input device having a slidable slide unit (specifically, a slide stick). That is, the spherical controller 200 may include a slidable slide unit, and may include a direction input unit at least partially exposed from the opening 211a. According to the above modification, the user can perform a direction input operation of sliding the slide unit using the game controller having a spherical outer shape. Thus, in the above-described modified example, as in the above-described embodiment, the convenience of the game controller having a spherical outer shape can be improved. In another embodiment, the direction input unit may be a cross key. In the present embodiment, the opening 211a of the housing 211 can be reduced by using a joystick having a tiltable shaft. Thereby, the external appearance of the controller main body 201 can be made a shape closer to a sphere.

(Modifications related to the shape of the game controller)
In the above embodiment, the game controller having a spherical outer shape (that is, the spherical controller 200) has been described as an example. Here, in another embodiment, the external shape of the game controller may be any shape. For example, the above-described configuration in which light is emitted to the outside of the game controller by the light guide unit 254 can be applied to a game controller having an arbitrary shape. That is, even in the case where the light guide section is used in an arbitrary game controller having an outer shape that is not spherical, the effect that the degree of freedom regarding the arrangement of the light emitting sections can be improved, as in the above embodiment.

(Modifications related to communication)
In the above embodiment, the spherical controller 200 includes a transmission unit (that is, the communication unit 323) that transmits information (for example, information about an operation on the joystick and information about an operation on the operation surface) to the outside. Here, “transmitting information to the outside” includes a mode of transmitting information not only to the paired device 2 but also to any other device different from the spherical controller 200. That is, in a modification of the above embodiment, the spherical controller 200 may be able to communicate with another type of information processing device different from the main device 2. For example, the spherical controller 200 may be capable of performing wireless communication with a smartphone and / or tablet, or may be capable of performing wireless communication with another type of portable game machine different from the main device 2. You may. Further, the spherical controller 200 may communicate with another game controller (for example, the left controller 3 or the right controller 4 described above). At this time, information from the sphere controller 200 may be transmitted to the information processing device (for example, the main device 2) via the other game controller. In the above modification, communication between the spherical controller 200 and another device may be wireless communication or wired communication.

(Modification of controller)
In the above embodiment, the spherical controller 200 has been described as an example of the game controller used for the game application. Here, the spherical controller 200 is not limited to a game application, and may be used for other applications. For example, when an information processing program (for example, a browser) different from the game program is executed in the main body device 2, the spherical controller 200 is a controller used for performing an operation related to the information processing program (in other words, the operation Device).

  The above embodiment can be used for, for example, a game controller for the purpose of improving the degree of freedom regarding the structure for light emission.

2 Main unit 200 Spherical controller 201 Controller main unit 202 Strap unit 211 Housing 211a Opening 212 Joystick 213 Operation surface 214 Restart button 215 Cover unit 221 Upper partial housing 222 Middle partial housing 223 Lower partial housing 235 Key top 237 Sub Substrate 241 Front part 242 Left band part 243 Right band part 244 Rechargeable battery 245 Main substrate holding part 246 Main substrate 247 Acceleration sensor 248 Light emitting part 249 Charging terminal 252 Shaft part 253 Reflecting part 254 Light guiding part 255 Diffusion sheet 256 Peripheral part 257 Extension Part 271 vibrating part 291 antenna

Claims (12)

A housing in which an opening is formed,
An operation unit at least partially exposed from the opening,
A light-emitting unit that is provided inside the housing and generates light;
An incident surface on which light generated from the light emitting unit is incident, and a light guide unit having an exit surface for emitting light incident on the incident surface to the outside of the housing,
The light guide,
A peripheral portion having the emission surface and provided so as to surround the operation portion;
Provided extending from the periphery, have a the extending portion having the incident surface to the tip,
A game controller, wherein a hole capable of changing a path of light incident from the incident surface is formed in the extending portion .   2. The hole according to claim 1, wherein the hole formed in the extension portion is formed in the light guide portion of the extension portion, the width of which in the direction perpendicular to the incident surface increases as approaching the peripheral portion. 3. Game controller.   3. The game controller according to claim 1, wherein the hole has a shape in which an end farther from the peripheral portion becomes thinner toward a tip. 4.   4. The game controller according to claim 1, wherein the housing has an engaging portion that engages with the hole. 5.   A housing in which an opening is formed,
  An operation unit at least partially exposed from the opening,
  A light-emitting unit that is provided inside the housing and generates light;
  An incident surface on which light generated from the light emitting unit is incident, and a light guide unit having an exit surface for emitting light incident on the incident surface to the outside of the housing,
  The light guide,
    A peripheral portion having the emission surface and provided so as to surround the operation portion;
    An extending portion provided extending from the peripheral portion and having the incident surface at a tip portion,
  The stretching section,
    A first light guide portion from the incident surface to a cross section of the extending portion perpendicular to the incident surface;
    A second light guide portion that is continuous with the first light guide portion;
    A third light guide portion having one end continuous with the second light guide portion and the other end continuous with the peripheral portion;
  The game controller, wherein the second light guide portion has a wall surface on the side opposite to the direction of the incident surface, the wall angle of which is smaller than 90 ° with respect to the cross section.   The width of the third light guide portion in a direction parallel to the direction of the incident surface increases from one end continuous with the second light guide portion toward the other end continuous with the third light guide portion. The game controller according to claim 5, wherein:   A housing in which an opening is formed,
  An operation unit at least partially exposed from the opening,
  A light-emitting unit that is provided inside the housing and generates light;
  An incident surface on which light generated from the light emitting unit is incident from below, and provided substantially perpendicular to the incident surface, and transmits light incident on the incident surface from around the operation unit to the housing. A light guide having an exit surface for exiting outside
  The light guide,
    Curving 90 ° while extending so as to face the output surface side with the input surface as one end,
    A game controller having, on an upper wall surface, a portion inclined downward as approaching the emission surface from the position after the bending to the emission surface. The peripheral portion has a plate-like shape,
The stretching unit, the a arm-like shape extending from the side surface of the perimeter, the game controller according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The game controller,
An electronic substrate provided with the light emitting unit,
The game controller according to claim 7 , wherein the electronic substrate is provided inside the housing so as to face a different direction from the emission surface. The peripheral portion, on the back side of the emission surface in the peripheral portion, has a reflection surface that reflects light incident on the incident surface and guided through the extending portion toward the emission surface. The game controller according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and claim 8 . The game controller according to claim 10 , wherein one or more notches are formed in the reflection surface. Comprising a white reflective portion provided on the surface facing the inside of the housing in the peripheral part, claims 1 to 6, claim 8, claim 10, and, in any one of claims 11 The described game controller.

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