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AssigneeSony Computer Entertainment Inc.
InventorsHiroki Ogata, Kazusato Tagawa, Hiroyuki Nakazawa, Youtaro Sakakura, Koji Mita
Estimating the term…
An operating device is capable of both digital operation and analog operation by using a pressing operation continuously. The operating device has detecting elements (e.g., pressure-sensitive elements) for outputting analog signals according to the pressing operations of operators, and is configured such that the analog signals output from the detecting elements are subjected to level dividing by a level dividing unit and converted into multi-bit digital signals corresponding to the output levels thereof by an A/D converting unit. The operating device is also configured so as to output single-bit digital signals according to a change in the analog signals output from the detecting element. A switching unit outputs one or the other of the multi-bit digital signals and single-bit digital signals.
An operating device, comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.
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Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry: signal control means within the pointing device
Input arrangements for video game devices: constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user , e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor: with detection of limited…
Characterised by the contacts or the contact sites: characterised by the material of the contacts, e.g. conductive polymers
Term end not estimated
The present invention relates to an operating device (also called a “controller”) used as peripheral equipment for entertainment apparatuses such as video game apparatuses and the like.
Generally, with entertainment apparatuses such as video game apparatuses and the like, various operations are executed using an operating device. Accordingly, multiple operating buttons are provided on the operating device, and the user controls the entertainment apparatus by operating these buttons in various ways, thereby moving a character displayed on a television set, for example.
Conventionally, many of such operating devices have been configured with a cross-shaped or round direction indicating operating button positioned on the left side of the front thereof, and multiple multi-purpose buttons on the right side of the front thereof.
FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating the overview of a video game apparatus with which the operating device according to an embodiment of the present invention is used;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the operating device shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the principal portions of the operating device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
The embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the drawings.
The operating device according to the embodiment of the present invention is connected to a video game apparatus serving as an entertainment apparatus, and is capable of digital or analog control of characters displayed on the display screen of a television set.
(Overview of the Device)