Game controller

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9724601-B2
Application number	US-201615178991-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 10, 2016
Priority date	Jun 12, 2015
Publication date	Aug 8, 2017
Grant date	Aug 8, 2017

Abstract

An example game controller is removably attachable to a main unit having a main unit-side slide member and configured to execute a game process. The game controller having a front surface and at least first and second side surfaces relative to the front surface. The game controller includes a controller-side slide member. The controller-side slide member protrudes from the second side surface and is configured for slidably engaging with the main unit-side slide member in a slide direction. The controller-side slide member includes a lower surface and an upper surface. The lower surface extends from the first end to the second end of the controller-side slide member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the slide direction. The game controller includes a first operation control. The first operation control is provided on the lower surface.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A game controller which is removably attachable to a main unit having a main unit-side slide member and configured to execute a game process, the game controller comprising:
a controller-side slide member protruding from a first surface of the game controller and being configured for slidably engaging with the main unit-side slide member in a slide direction,
the controller-side slide member having first and second ends and including, as surfaces facing substantially in the same direction as the first surface, a lower surface and an upper surface, a first distance between the lower surface and the first surface being less than a second distance between the upper surface and the first surface, the lower surface extending from the first end to the second end of the controller-side slide member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the slide direction; and
the game controller includes a first operation control on the lower surface, wherein the first operation control is configured to be actuated by a user.

2. The game controller according to claim 1 , wherein:
the first operation control is configured so as not to protrude past the upper surface.

3. The game controller of claim 1 wherein the first operation control extends away from the first surface by a distance greater than the first distance and less than or equal to the second distance.

4. The game controller according to claim 1 , wherein:
the controller-side slide member includes a first lower surface on one end side of a center of the controller-side slide member in the slide direction, and a second lower surface on the other end side of the center of the controller-side slide member in the slide direction; and
the first operation control includes a first input section on the first lower surface, and a second input section on the second lower surface.

5. The game controller according to claim 4 , further comprising a light-emitter on the upper surface between the first input section and the second input section configured for notifying a user of information.

6. The game controller according to claim 1 , wherein the controller-side slide member defines a sloped surface connecting the lower surface and the upper surface.

7. The game controller according to claim 1 , wherein:
the game controller is configured to be attached to the main unit by engaging the controller-side slide member with the main unit-side slide member, the game controller comprising:
a light-emitter on the upper surface configured for notifying a user of information; and
a light emission controller configured for controlling the light emitter to emit light at least on a condition that the game controller is not attached to the main unit, and for controlling the light emitter not to emit light when the game controller is attached to the main unit.

8. The game controller according to claim 1 , further comprising a second operation control on a surface of the game controller that is different from the first surface.

9. The game controller according to claim 8 , wherein:
the second operation control is on a front surface of the game controller; and
the first surface is a side surface relative to the front surface.

Assignees

• Nintendo Co Ltd

Inventors

• Fujita Kumpei
• Hirose Shinji

Classifications

• A63F13/843

  involving concurrently two or more players on the same game device, e.g. requiring the use of a plurality of controllers or of a specific view of game data for each player · CPC title

• A63F13/24 Primary

  Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles · CPC title

• A63F13/23 Primary

  for interfacing with the game device, e.g. specific interfaces between game controller and console · CPC title

• A63F13/21

  characterised by their sensors, purposes or types · CPC title

• A63F2300/1043

  being characterized by constructional details · CPC title