Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.

Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Ryo Fukikoshi

Masaho Morita

Kenji Kawashima

Takeshi Igarashi

Kouichi Kazama

Sayuri Goto

An improvement is achieved in workability in an operation of assembling an operation input device having a function of applying a reaction force in response to a movement of an operation button. An input device () has an operation button (), a movable member () capable of pushing the operation button () toward an initial position, and an electric motor () that moves the movable member (). The input device () has a holder () that holds the electric motor (). The holder () supports the operation button () and the movable member () so as to permit movement of the operation button () and the movable member ().

Operation input device and button driving unit

A manipulation input device includes: a manipulation button having a support rotatable about a rotation center line when a side of the manipulation button is pushed by a user in a push direction, and having a contact portion on an opposite side to the side pushed by the user; an actuator having a support rotatable about the rotation center line, and having a post that engages the contact portion and applies a force to the manipulation button in an opposite direction to the push direction; and a rack disposed on the actuator, which includes teeth located along an arc at a radial distance from the center line, where the teeth and engaged by and receive controlled drive from a rotating drive gear, thereby controlling the rotation of the actuator about the rotation center line.

Manipulation input device

Sliding movements between a button drive member and a manipulation button are reduced in a manipulation input device having a function of providing the haptic sense. Manipulation buttons (R,L) individually have contact portions () on sides opposite to sides to be pushed by a user, and are movable about rotation center lines (Ax). Actuators (R,L) and () have button drive members () that contact the contact portions () of the manipulation buttons (L,R), and apply, to the manipulation buttons (L,R), forces in opposite directions to directions in which the manipulation buttons (L,R) are pushed. In addition, the actuators (R,L,) have guides () that define the directions in which the button drive members () move, and the button drive members () are slidable along the guides ().

An attachment includes an attached portion that is attachable to, and detachable from, the outer circumferential surface of a game controller and a grip to be held by a user. The attached portion is formed such that the front end thereof is positioned further rearward than the light emitting part when the attached portion is attached to the game controller. According to the attachment, it is possible to prevent deterioration in recognition of the light emitting part by the image capturing unit.

Growing community of inventors

Saitama, Japan

Ryo Fukikoshi