MXPA01000083A - Operating device - Google Patents

Abstract

It is an object of the present invention to allow both a digital operation and an analog operation by using pressing operation continuously. An operating device has detecting elements (e.g., pressure-sensitive elements (12)) for outputting analog signals according to pressing operations of operators (11), and is configured such that analog signals output from the detecting elements are subjected to level dividing by a level dividing unit (15) and converted into multi-bit digital signals corresponding to the output levels thereof by an A/D converting unit (16), and is also configured so as to output single-bit digital signals according to change in analog signals output from the detecting element. A switching unit (18) output one or the other of the multi-bit digital signals and single-bit digital signals.

Description

OPERATING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an operating device (also known as a "controller") used as a peripheral equipment for entertainment apparatus such as video game apparatus and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED TECHNIQUE In general, with entertainment apparatuses such as video game apparatus and the like, various operations are executed using an operating device. In this way, multiple operating buttons are provided on the operating device, and the user controls the entertainment apparatus by operating said buttons in various ways, for example by moving a character shown on a television with said buttons. Conventionally, many such operating devices are configured in the form of a cross or a round direction indicating an operating button placed on the left side at the front of the device.

HlMk same, and several multi-objective buttons on the right side of the front of it. These operating buttons and multi-objective buttons are configured with rubber switch touch switches, and the characters move digitally or the character states change digitally by performing an on / off operation of these switches. As described above, with conventional entertainment devices, the operating buttons that indicate the direction and the multi-objective buttons only have functions to digitally change the characters displayed on a television, so the movement and the change of state of the characters becomes non-continuous, and in this way the problem has arisen that it has an unstable appearance. To solve this problem, with the operating device of the game apparatus described in the Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. H7-88252, analogue input devices configured of a dial, a joystick are added. control, etc., so that the character shown on the TV screen can be controlled in a similar way. Another example of the conventional technique as an analogous add-on input device is described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-90042. > . . ,,. ^^ A ^^. ".-...» ... ......,, - «. a = Agasild ^ However, the operating capacity of the analog input devices configured of a dial, joystick, etc., differs greatly from the operating buttons and multi-objective buttons that indicate the direction described in previous paragraphs, so that users require some time to fully learn how to operate such analog input devices, since they are accustomed to using operational buttons, direction indicators and multi-objective buttons, which can greatly diminish the fun which can provide the entertainment apparatus for what was created. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been developed taking into account such aspects, and in this way, it is an objective thereof to enable the operation digital and analog operation, using pressure operated operators used in conventional digital operations. To achieve the front objective, the operating device according to the present invention comprises: an operator operating with pressure; a detection element to emit analog signals corresponding to the operator's pressure operation; first means of transmitting digital signal to convert the emission of analog signals from the detection element corresponding to the operation of pressure of the operator into digital signals comprising several bits in accordance with the emission level of it; second digital signal emission means for emitting digital signals comprising a single bit in accordance with the change in analog signal emissions from the detection element; and switching means for emitting the changes between the emission of digital signals from the first of digital signal emission and the emission of digital signals from the second means of digital signal emission. In accordance with the configuration of the present invention, with a single operation of pressure of the operator, a digital signal is emitted comprising several bits that enable analog control from the first means of digital signal emission, and on the other hand a digital signal which comprises a single bit that enables the digital control to be emitted from the second means of digital signal emission. In this way, the arrangement of such digital signals is selected and emitted by means of those switching which perform the digital operation and the analogous operation with a single operator. Now, the detection element can be a pressure sensitive element placed in a position where the pressure force acting on the operator is transferred. Examples of such pressure sensitive elements include pressure sensitive resistor elements formed of pressure sensitive electroconductive rubber. In the same way, Hall devices or electrostatic devices that emit analogous signals in accordance with the pressure force exerted on the operator can be applied.

Also, the sensing element may comprise an electroconductive element that moves together with the operator and has elasticity, and a resistor placed in a position, where the electroconductive element contacts and breaks the contact, where the resistor emits analog signals of conformity with the contact area of the electroconductive element. In this way, the positional relationship of the electroconductive element and the resistor can be interchanged. The electroconductive element preferably has a configuration that deforms on the surface thereof facing the resistor in accordance with the contact pressure applied to the resistor, so that the contact area with the resistor changes and may have shapes such as those are indicated below: (1) a longitudinal-shaped section with a mountain shape. (2) a longitudinal-shaped trapezoidal section. (3) a shape in which the cross-sectional area gradually becomes smaller towards the apex facing the resistor. (4) The surface facing the resistor has a spherical shape. On the other hand. The resistor may be formed to have a shape where the cross-sectional area thereof becomes smaller towards the apex than the electroconductive element sees. Also, the resistor may be configured so as to divide the contact area of the electroconductive element into a plurality of contact areas in ^^^^^^ I ^^^ j- - «- ft -'- ^ ifflÍBififalff - '^ flrt fc, ^^ .. ^ - ..... ¡^^ ¡¿HM ^? Á at intervals , and to increase the pitch the contact area of the electroconductive element together with the deformation thereof. According to a second aspect of the present invention, an operative device comprises: an operator operating with pressure; a sensing element for emitting analogous signals corresponding to the operator pressing operation; first means for transmitting analog signals from the detection element corresponding to the operation of pressure of the operator in digital signals comprising several bits in accordance with the level of emission thereof; a digital switch 10 for switching on and off according to the operator's pressure operation; second digital signal emission means for detecting the ON / OFF state of the digital switch and emitting digital signals comprising a single bit; and switching means for changing the emission between the emission of digital signals from the first means of transmitting digital signal and digital signals emitted from the second means of digital signal emission. With the configuration of this aspect of the present invention also, with a single operator pressure operation, a digital signal comprising several bits that enables analog control is output from the first digital signal transmission means, and on the other hand a digital signal comprising a single bit that enables digital control is output from the second means of digital signal emission. In this way, the arrangement so that said digital signals are selected and issued through -fatrfí? t? r? f r ntr? rtf "a?" - - '- - z ** > * ^ ~ ^ ~ - ~ ¿* * * * ~. . . . .. ^ ^ ^^^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ Switching means performs the digital operation and the analogous operation with a single operator. Next, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, multi-bit digital signals and single bit digital signals are generated from the emission of analog signals from the detection element, in accordance with another aspect of the present invention. Multi-bit digital signals are being generated from the emission of analog signals from the sensing element while the digital signals of a single bit are emitted by detecting the on / off status of a digital switch. Also, with the operating device in accordance with the present invention, the digital switch can be configured having first and second fixed terminals, and an electrically conductive movable element that contacts and breaks the contact with the first and second fixed terminals together with the movement of the operator. Also, in the aforementioned aspects, the first means of digital signal emission may comprise: level dividing means for dividing in a plurality of levels the emission level of the emission of analog signals from the detection element, together with the operation of operator pressure, and A / D conversion means to convert the analog signals into digital signals, in accordance with each level emitted divided by the level dividing means. In this way, the digital signals of several ^^^^^^^ M ^ M ^ ü ^^ ¡Üa¡BM ^ m «^ iati? ln, -n-, r- - f a r-bits can be easily emitted based on the emission level of the emission of analog signals from the detection element. Now, the level dividing means preferably uniformly divide into a plurality of levels the emission level of the 5 analog signal emissions from the sensing element together with the operator pressing operation. By making a uniform division of the emission level of the analog signal emissions from the detection element, a natural and uniform operating capacity can be provided which can be obtained corresponding to the pressure force applied by the operator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a plan view illustrating in general a video game apparatus with which the operating device according to one embodiment of the present invention is used; Figure 2 is an enlarged plan view of the operative device shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating the main portions of the operating device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the properties of the pressure sensitive element shown in Figure 3; j _J ^ _____ íg ^ llÍ ^ ^^ ¡tfctf ** »*» ** »*» ^ - - - .. ^ ..... ^. ".

Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the general configuration of the operating device according to the first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a first configuration example for regulating the level division unit; Figure 7 is a block diagram illustrating a second example of configuration for regulating the division unit, Figure 8 is a flow chart illustrating an example of an establishment program for regulation, applied to the second configuration example which it is shown in figure 7; Fig. 9 is a flowchart illustrating another example of an establishment program for regulation, applied to the second configuration example shown in Fig. 7; Fig. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a third configuration example for regulating the level dividing unit; Figure 11 is a diagram for describing the regulation action with the third configuration example shown in Figure 10; Fig. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a fourth configuration example for regulating the level dividing unit; Figure 13 is a view with the parts separated in perspective of the operating buttons (operators) provided in the second operating unit according to the first embodiment; Figure 14 is a view with the parts separated in perspective of a first example of configuration of the second operating unit according to the first embodiment; Figure 15 is a front cross-sectional view of the first configuration example of the second operating unit according to the first embodiment; Figure 16 is a view with the parts separated in perspective of a second example of configuration of the second operating unit according to the first embodiment; Figure 17 is a front cross-sectional view of the second configuration example of the second operating unit according to the first embodiment; Figure 18 is a view with the parts separated in perspective of a third configuration example of the second operating unit 15 according to the first embodiment, Figure 19 is a front cross-sectional view of the third configuration example of the second unit operative in accordance with the first modality; Figure 20 is a view with the parts separated in perspective of a configuration example of the first operating unit according to the first embodiment, Figure 21 is a front cross-sectional view of an example configuration of the first operating unit according to the first embodiment; Figure 22 is a view with the parts separated in perspective of a configuration example of the third operating unit according to the first embodiment; Figure 23 is a front cross-sectional view of a configuration example of the third operative unit according to the first embodiment; Figure 24 is a block diagram illustrating major portions of the operating device in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 25 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a general configuration of the operating device according to the second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 26 is a block diagram illustrating another example of general configuration of the operating device according to the second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 27 is a view with the parts separated in perspective of a first example of configuration of the second operating unit according to the second embodiment; Figure 28 is a front cross-sectional view of the first configuration example of the second operating unit according to the second embodiment; Figure 29 is a view with the parts separated in perspective of a second configuration example of the second operating unit according to the second embodiment; Figure 30 is a front cross-sectional view of the second configuration example of the second operating unit according to the second embodiment; Figure 31A is a plan view of a third configuration example of the second operating unit according to the second embodiment; Figure 31 B is a bottom view of a third configuration example of the second operating unit according to the second embodiment; Figure 32 is a front cross-sectional view of a third configuration example of the second operating unit according to the second embodiment; Figure 33 is a front cross-sectional view of a fourth configuration example of the second operating unit according to the second embodiment; ..? s .. ~ * ¿- "S» tt 1? r. ,, - ..- "• - - - ^ JJj ^ teaMaMJtf ^ aij ^ iiat ^^. A. ^ aaAa .. ^ .. A. *. .. • »... ^^«. ¿¿? S? ^ L & M ..

The figures from 34A to 34C are front cross-sectional views of an example configuration of the second operating unit in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 35 is a diagram illustrating the circuit configuration of the resistor shown in Figure 34; Fig. 36 is a diagram illustrating the properties of the emission of analog signals from the emitter terminal of the resistor shown in Fig. 35; Figure 37 is a block diagram illustrating the major portions relative to the second operating unit according to the third embodiment; Fig. 38 is a diagram for describing the functions of the division margin setting unit for the second operating unit according to the third embodiment, Fig. 39 is a front cross-sectional view of an example configuration of the first operating unit according to the third embodiment of the present invention, Figure 40 is a diagram illustrating the circuit configuration of the resistor shown in Figure 39; Figure 41 is a diagram illustrating the properties of the emission of analog signals from the resistor emission terminal shown in Figure 40; *** "* - '-«. * «« * »- - - - * .- &&** Wk ^. ^ ^? ^. ^. - * £.

Figure 42 is a block diagram illustrating the major portions in relation to the first operating unit according to the third embodiment; Fig. 43 is a diagram for describing the functions of the division margin setting unit for the first operating unit according to the third embodiment; Figures 44A to 44D are diagrams illustrating an example variation of the detection element, wherein Figure 44A is a front cross-sectional view of the operating unit including the sensing element; Figure 44B is a front view of the electroconductive element; Figure 44C is a view of the electroconductive element from below, and Figure 44D is a diagram representative of the emission of 15 analog signals from the emitter terminal of the resistor; The figures from 45A to 45D are diagrams illustrating another example of variation of the detection element, wherein Figure 45A is a front cross-sectional view of the operating unit including the sensing element; Figure 45B is a front view of the electroconductive element; Figure 45C is a view of the electroconductive element from below, and Figure 45D is a diagram representative of the emission of analog signals from the emitter terminal of the resistor; Figures 46A to 46D are diagrams illustrating another example of variation of the detection element, wherein Figure 46A is a front cross-sectional view of the operating unit including the sensing element; Figure 46B is a front view of the electroconductive element; Figure 46C is a view of the electroconductive element from below, and Figure 46D is a diagram representative of the emission of analog signals from the emitter terminal of the resistor; The figures from 47A to 47D are diagrams illustrating another example of variation of the detection element, wherein Figure 47A is a front cross-sectional view of the operating unit including the sensing element; Figure 47B is a front view of the electroconductive element; Figure 47C is a view of the electroconductive element from below, and Figure 47D is a diagram representative of the emission of analog signals from the emitter terminal of the resistor; The figures from 48A to 48D are diagrams illustrating another example of variation of the detection element, wherein Figure 48A is a front cross-sectional view of the operating unit including the sensing element; Figure 48B is a front view of the electroconductive element; Figure 48C is a view of the electroconductive element from above, and Figure 48D is a diagram representative of the emission of analog signals from the emitter terminal of the resistor; Figures 49A to 49D are diagrams illustrating another example of variation of the detection element, wherein Figure 49A is a front cross-sectional view of the operating unit including the sensing element; Figure 49B is a front view of the electroconductive element; Figure 49C is a view of the electroconductive element from below, and Figure 49D is a representative diagram for the emission of analog signals from the emitter terminal of the resistor; The figures from 50A to 50D are diagrams illustrating another example of variation of the detection element, wherein FIG. 50A is a front cross-sectional view of the operating unit including the detection element; Figure 50B is a front view of the electroconductive element; Figure 50C is a view of the electroconductive element from above, and Figure 50D is a diagram representative of the emission of analog signals from the emitter terminal of the resistor; The figures from 51 A to 51 D are diagrams illustrating another example of variation of the detection element, wherein Figure 51 A is a front cross-sectional view of the operating unit including the sensing element; Figure 51 B is a front view of the electroconductive element; Figure 51 C is a view of the electroconductive element from above, and Figure 51 D is a diagram representative of the emission of analog signals from the emitter terminal of the resistor; The figures from 52A to 52D are diagrams illustrating another example of variation of the detection element, wherein Figure 52A is a front cross-sectional view of the operating unit including the sensing element; Figure 52B is a plan view of the resistor; Figure 52C is a plan view of another example of the shape of the resistor, and Figure 52D is a plan view of a further example of the shape of the resistor; and Figure 53 is a front cross-sectional view of another example of variation of the detection element. < - ^^ • 3 ^ ¿* # £ '^ DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the figures. The operating device according to the embodiment of the present invention is connected to a video game apparatus that functions as an entertainment device, and is capable of digitally or analogously controlling the characters displayed on a television screen .

General description of the device Figure 1 is a plan view generally illustrating a video game apparatus with which the operating device is used in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1 the video game apparatus has a main game unit 100 connected to a television to be used as a screen, and an operating device 200 connected to the main game unit 100. In the main game unit 100 a drive 101 is integrated to play optical discs where game programs are registered, an image processing device for displaying characters together with background screens on the television screen in accordance with the game programs registered on the discs optical, etc. Also provided in the main game unit 100 is a reset switch 102 to reset a game, a power source switch 103, and an operating button 105 that opens a lid to open the lid 104 that opens and closes the disk mounting unit for the disk drive 101. The connection from the operating device 200 to the main game unit 100 is made by a connecting cable 202 that extends from the main unit of the device 201. A connector 203 is provided at the tip of the connecting cable 202 and the operating device 200 is connected to the main game unit 100 by connecting this connector 203 to a pin 206 that is provided on the side of the main game unit 100. Figure 2 is a plan view illustrating the external part of the operating device. In the main unit of the device 201 of the operating device 200 are provided the first and second operating units, 210 and 220, in the upper plane thereof, and the third and fourth operating units 230 and 240 on the same side thereof. The first operating unit 210 has a cross-shaped operating element 211 operating by pressure, with operating keys 211a forming operators extending towards the four directions from the operating element 211. This first operating unit 210 is for providing movement to the characters that are displayed on the television screen, and has functions to move the character vertically or horizontally by pressing the operation keys 211a of the operation element 211. * &&J: The second operating unit 220 has four cylindrical operating buttons 221 (operators) to operate by pressure, each operating button 221 having identification marks such as "O", "?", "D" and "X" inscribed in the upper portion thereof, so that each operating button 221 can be easily identified These functions of the second operating unit 220 are established by the game program registered in the optical disc, for example the functions to change the character status of the game are matched to each operational button 221. For example, the functions to move the left arm, arm, right, left leg and right leg of the character are matched to the operating buttons 221. The third and third operating units fourth 230 and 240 generally have the same structure, and each has two vertically operative operating buttons 231 and 241 (operators) for operation by pressure. e third and fourth operating units 230 and 240 are also established by the game program registered in the optical disc, for example, the functions belong to the special movements for the character of the game. In addition, a control lever 251 for performing analogous operations is provided in the main unit of the device 201 shown in Fig. 2. The user switches between the control lever 251 and the first and second operating units 210 and 220 to enable the use of one or the other. This change is made by an analog selection switch 252 provided in the main unit of the device 201. Once the control lever 251 is selected, the display unit 253 that is provided in the main unit of the device 201 is turned on, indicating that the status of the control lever 251 has been selected. A start switch 254 is also provided in the main unit of the device 201 to indicate the start of the game, a selection switch 255 to select the degree of difficulty and similar options of the game at the time of starting the game, etc.

First Mode Next, the configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating the main components of the operating device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The operation units 210, 220, 230 and 240 in the operating device 200 described above are provided with the operation keys 221a of the operation element 211, the operators 11 which are formed of the operation buttons 221, 231 and 241, and elements sensitive to pressure 12 (detector elements). The pressure sensitive element 12 may be formed of electroconductive pressure-sensitive rubber, and has a configuration in which the electrodes 12a and 12b are formed in two edge portions in symmetrical positions. An electrode 12a is connected to the supply line of energy 13, and predetermined voltages are applied to it from the electric power source (Vcc). The electrical resistance value between the electrodes 12a and 12b changes in accordance with the magnitude of the pressure applied in the pressure sensitive element 12. In general, the pressure sensitive element 12 formed of pressure sensitive electroconductive rubber exhibits the lowest values of resistance in a state where there is no force applied to it, as indicated by the dashed line in Figure 4, and the resistance values increase when the pressure force applied to it increases. In this way, as illustrated by the solid line in Figure 4, the other electrode 12b emits analog signals (voltage) which are the highest in a state where there is applied pressure force and the emission of signals (voltage). Analogous decreases when the pressure force increases. The pressure sensitive element 12 is placed in the depressed path of the operator 11, and when the user performs a pressing operation with the operator 11 the resistance value changes under the pressure force, and analogous signals corresponding to the pressure force are applied. emit to the side of the electrode 12b. Also, a microprocessor unit (abbreviated hereinafter as "MPU") 14 for controlling the operating device 200 is provided on a card within it. This MPU 14 comprises the functions of a level dividing unit (LS) 15 for dividing the emission level of the analog signal emission from the pressure sensitive element 12 into multiple levels, an A / D conversion unit 16 for converting the analog signals emitted from the pressure sensitive element 12 into digital signals in accordance with the emission levels divided by the level division unit 15, and the switching device 18 described later, with the electrode 12b of the sensing element pressure 12 connected to the input side of the division unit level 15. As shown in figure 4 the division unit 15 has the basic function of dividing the level range of analog signals (voltage) that have been presented, in widths uniforms The number of divisions can be set arbitrarily, and in the examples shown in Figure 4, the level margin of the analog signal (voltage) is evenly divided into eight. Each of the individual emission levels L1 to L8 thus uniformly divided is transferred to the A / D conversion unit 16. Incidentally, the level range of the analog signals 15 which were evenly divided by the division unit of level 15 can be changed arbitrarily. The A / D conversion unit 16 converts the analog signals into digital signals and outputs, in accordance with the level of emission of the analog signals subject to level division by the 20 level 15 division unit. That is, the digital signals of several bits are emitted from the A / D conversion unit 16, in accordance with the previous emission levels L1 to L8. Now, the functions of the level 15 division unit and the A / D conversion unit 16 will be described with a specific example. By «. Aifee »-. «Jy» - -. _,) t? »ÜM3? t? ¡? * - - < £ .- - - i - - - ^ < aMriH »tfWMMIfiBi > faith «Jlfctt < ? u < _ • »4k * d? J < '- ». rjn -c ?. > s J &lRbt, vitJe & i? -s example, the operating device 200 is driven with the power source with a voltage of 3.5 V, and that the emission of analog signals from the pressure sensitive element 12 change in a range from 0 V to 2.4 V. In the event that the level 15 split unit divides the emission level margin 0 V to 2.4 V uniformly by eight degrees, the level width of each degree is 0.3 V In this way, the level dividing unit 15 performs the level division so that the emission level of the analog signals emitted from the pressure sensitive element 12 from 2.4 V to 2.1 V is level 1 (L1), the emission level from 2.1 V to 1.8 V is level 2 (L2), the emission level from 1.8 V to 1.5 V is level 3 (L3), etc., through the emission level of 0.3 V to 0 V being the level (L8). The A / D conversion unit 16 adapts the multi-valued digital signals suitable for the split level emission levels, and outputs them. The digital signals of several bits, for example 16 bits, are adapted to the previous emission levels, so that if level 1 is "1f" in an extradecimal notation, level 2 is "3f", etc., through "ff" for level 8. The multi-bit digital signals emitted from the conversion unit AD 16 are sent to the main game unit 100 via an interface 17 which is provided in the internal card of the operating device 200 , and the action and similar ones of the character of the game are executed based on these digital signals. i -t-átejafei & w .I .., .. '..' Jté -. ^ j.

The level change of the analog signals emitted from the pressure sensitive element 12 corresponds to the change in the pressure force received from the operator 11 as described above. In this way, the multi-bit digital signals from the A / D conversion unit 16 correspond to the force applied by the user to the operator 11. The control of the action and the like of the game character by means of such digital signals of several related bits with the operation of pressure by the user allows the realization of more uniform movements analogously when compared to the control of the digital signals of a single bit of "1" or "0". Also, with the present modality, the conversion unit A / D 16 is configured to also function as a means of issuing single-bit digital signals to emit digital signals of a single bit (ie 1 -bit) (ie, "1" or "0"), according to the change in the analog signals emitted from the pressure sensitive element 12, and outputs one or the other of the digital signals of several bits and digital signals of a single bit from the conversion unit A / D 16 by means of an operation of switch of the interruption device 18. With the present mode, the switching device 18 is controlled by control signals sent from the main game unit 100 based on game programs registered on the optical disc. That is, control signals to give instructions if the A / D conversion unit 16 is to be operated as a means to emit digital signals of several bits or to function as means to emit digital signals of a single bit are issued in accordance with the contents of a game program that is executed from an optical disc mounted on the main game unit 100. Based on these control signals, the switching device 18 selects and changes the functions of the A / D conversion unit 16 The A / D conversion unit 16 follows the functions selected by the switching device 18, and converts the analog signals emitted from the pressure sensitive element 12 into one or the other of multi-bit digital signals or single bit digital signals, and emit the same. In the case where the operation as a means for emitting multi-bit digital signals is selected the emission levels uniformly divided by the level division unit 15 as described above are converted into corresponding digital signals, and are emitted to the main game unit 100. On the other hand, in the case that the operation as a means to emit digital signals of a single bit is selected, the digital signals of a single bit "1" or "0" emitted to the main unit of play 100, in accordance with the change in the analog signals emitted from the pressure sensitive element 12. Incidentally, the switching device 18 can be configured so that it can be changed by manual operations performed by the user. For example, an arrangement may be made wherein the functions for changing the switching device 18 are suitable for the analog selection switch 252 provided in the operating device 200, so that the switching device 18 operates with manual operation of the switch 252 thereby changing the functions of the A / D conversion unit 16. As shown in FIG. 5, in the present embodiment, the operation units of the first to fourth 210, 220, 230 and 240 have the configuration shown in Figure 3. In this way, these operation units 210, 220, 230 and 240 have a configuration that can be used for digital operations and for similar operations . Incidentally, a configuration in which only one arbitrarily selected operating unit or the arbitrarily selected operating units of the first to fourth operating units 210, 220, 230 and 240 have or have the configuration shown in Fig. 3 Now, as already described, the level 15 division unit evenly divides the level of emission of analog signals emitted from the pressure sensitive element 12 at pre-set margins, but in the event of a misalignment between the margin of level of the analog signals (voltage) actually emitted from the pressure sensitive element 12 and this setting varies, a situation may arise where the digital signals that conform to the operating state of the operator 11 can not be emitted. However, there are individual differences in the pressure sensitive elements 12, and there is also irregularity in the voltage of the power source, whereby the variations of the signal emission or analogous signals emitted from the pressure sensitive elements 12 that are provided in the operation units 210, 220, 230 and 240 of each operating device 200 also differ. In this way, the operating device 200 in accordance with the present embodiment is provided with a function to regulate (means to establish the division margin) to individually establish the emitted level margins of the analog signals divided by the division unit. of level 15. Figure 6 is a block diagram illustrating a first configuration example for regulating the level division unit. With the configuration shown in the figure, the MPU 14 is provided with memory 20, and the configuration of the memory 20 is such that the emission level margin of the analog signals divided by the level division unit 15 is stored in this memory 20. For example, in the manufacturing line of the operating device 200, a constant load such that the resistance value of the pressure sensitive element 12 is maximal is applied to the operating device 200, and the emission level of the analog signal emitted from the pressure sensitive element 12 at that time is stored in the memory 20. Describing based on the specific example mentioned, it is assumed that a voltage level margin of 0V to 2.4V was established so that it is evenly divided by 8 degrees, for the default value of division unit 15, and that a 2.0V analog signal was emitted from the pressure sensitive element 12 at the time when the previous constant load was applied, a digital signal "3f" corresponding to level 2 is emitted from the conversion unit A / D16, as It was mentioned above. This digital signal "3f" is stored in the memory 20, and the emission margin of the analog signals that will have level division is adjusted to the level 15 division unit, based on the establishment value. Incidentally, the digital signal "3f" is equivalent to the analog signal emission level of 2.1V to 1.8V, and it is preferable to stipulate in advance what voltage value within this range the establishment should be made. For example, the stipulation can be made in advance so that a maximum voltage value is established for each emission level (2.1 V in the previous example) as the upper limit of the emission level margin of the analog signals that will be divided by the level dividing unit 15. Fig. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a second configuration example for performing the regulation of the level dividing unit. With the configuration shown in the figure, memory is not provided in the operating device 200, and instead the configuration is such that the emission level range of the analog signals in which the level division unit 15 divides is stored in the built-in memory 111 in the gaming master unit 100 to which the operating device 200 is connected or on a detachable memory card 112. To perform the regulation of the level division unit 15 using this configuration, an establishment program for performing the &; The regulation is preferably assembled in the control program stored in ROM 110 of the main game unit 100. Figure 8 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of such an establishment program. First, the power of the main game unit 100 is turned on (S1), and the sensitivity setting (regulation) of the operating unit is selected by the user selection of the menu (S2), where a display screen is displayed. setting on TV 120 (S3). The setup screen displays a message that instructs the user to firmly press the operator 11 provided in a certain operating unit, for example. When the user firmly presses the operator 11 in accordance with this display, the level of emission of the analog signal from the pressure sensitive element 12 detected at this time is emitted to the main game unit 100 (S4), and stored in the built-in memory 111 (S5). The above procedure is repeated for each level 15 division unit of the operating device 200 (S6) and the sensitivity setting for the operating unit is completed in this manner. Each level 15 division unit that is provided in the operating device 200 adjusts the emission level range of the analog signals to be divided, based on the value stored in the built-in memory 111 in the main game unit 100. Each level division unit 15 provided in operating device 200 adjusts the range of emission of the analog signals ii ^ S & ^^^ ii ^^ - ^ to be divided, based on the set value stored in the built-in memory 111 in the main game unit 100. Also, an establishment program can be assembled to execute the regulation operation in the game program on the optical disc. Figure 9 is a flow chart for an example of such an establishment program. First, after mounting the optical disc in the main game unit 100 (S10), a confirmation is made whether a memory card 112 is to be mounted or not in the main game unit 100 (S11), and in the case of that the memory card 112 is not mounted, under the condition that the user selects the sensitivity setting (regulation) of the operating unit by selecting from the menu (S12), the setting screen is displayed on the television 120 ( S13). The setup screen displays a message that tells the user to firmly press the operator 11 that is provided in a certain operating unit, for example. When the user firmly presses the operator 11 in accordance with this screen, the level of emission of the analog signal from the pressure sensitive element 12 detected at this moment is emitted to the main game unit 100 (S14), and stored in the built-in memory 111 (S15). The above procedure is repeated for each level 15 division unit of the operating device 200 (S16), and the sensitivity setting for the operating unit is completed in this manner.

In the case where a memory card 112 will be mounted in step S11, it is determined whether an establishment value with respect to the regulation has been stored or not in the memory card 112 (S17), and in case this happens , the sensitivity setting of the operating unit ends here. If necessary, the level 15 division units that are provided in the operating device 200 adjust the emission level range of the analog signals that will be divided based on the set values stored in the memory card 112. On the other hand , in the event that a value established with respect to the regulation has not been stored in the memory card 112, the flow continues to step S12, and the regulation operation described above is performed. By the way, the output level of the analog signals from the sensitive element pressure 12 detected in step S15 is stored in the memory card 112 (S16). The level 15 division units provided in the operating device 200 adjust the output level range of the analog signals which will be divided based on the values set in the memory of the main game unit 100 or on the memory card 112 Figure 10 is a block diagram illustrating a third configuration example for regulating the level division unit. In the configuration shown in the figure, two volume elements 21 and 22 are inserted in series in the power supply line to which the pressure sensitive element 12 of the operating device 200 is connected, -jgjj. ». '' á- t. *.,. *. * Ij-j- 't so that the intermediate voltage of the line of the energy source 13 can be adjusted by these volume elements 21 and 22. Then, the configuration is such that the level dividing unit 15 establishes the emission level margin of the analog signals that will be divided based on the intermediate voltages V1 and V2 of the power supply line 13 adjusted by these volume elements 21 and 22, as shown in figure 11. This is the level 15 division unit takes the intermediate voltage V1 detected in the volume element 21 closest to the power source Vcc as the maximum value of the emission level margin of the signals Analogous to be divided, it takes the intermediate voltage V2 detected in the other volume element 22 as the minimum value of the emission level margin of the analog signals to be divided, and uniformly divides the emission level of the analog signals emitted by the analog signals. from the pressure sensitive element 12, within the range between these intermediate voltages V1 and V2. The adjustment of the volume elements 21 and 22 must be made at the time of embarking of the operating device 200, for example. Also, a configuration can be used wherein the functions for checking the intermediate voltages V1 and V2 are added to the level dividing unit 15, so that in the event that these intermediate voltages V1 and V2 change over time or something else similar the emission level margin of the analog signals to be divided can be adjusted in accordance with the changed intermediate voltages V1 and V2. By adding such automatic regulation function an optimum setting state is enabled so that it is constantly maintained even in the case where the intermediate voltages V1 and V2 change due to the aging of the pressure sensitive element 12 and the volume elements or irregularities in the voltage at the power source, since the emission level margin of the analog signals to be divided is adjusted in accordance with the changed intermediate voltages V1 and V2. However, in the event that the level division unit 15 constantly performs such automatic regulation, the emission to the main game unit 100 can be delayed. In such cases, a configuration can be made, wherein the division unit 15 level checks the intermediate voltages V1 and V2 of the line of the power source 13 only at the time of energizing the operating device 200 and adjusts the range of emission level of the analog signals to be divided. Figure 12 is a block diagram illustrating a fourth configuration example for regulating the level division unit. In the configuration shown in the figure, two volume elements 21 and 22 are inserted in series in the power supply line 13 to which the pressure sensitive element 12 of the operating device 200 is connected, and in addition the MPU 14 it includes a comparator 23 and a memory 24. The memory 24 stores in advance the limit value range of the emission level of the analog signals that the division unit of level 15 will divide. For example, the tolerance voltage of the MPU 14 is stored in 3B6 = Baau =. e? tS * w »afew ~. the memory 24 as the limit value. The comparator 23 constantly checks the intermediate voltages V1 and V2 detected by the volume elements 21 and 22, compares the intermediate voltages V1 and V2 (particularly V1) with the limit value stored in the memory 24, and functions to notify mandatory to the level dividing unit 15 over the limit value, in the event that the intermediate voltage has exceeded the limit value. In case the level division unit 15 receives the limit value from the comparator 23, the level division unit 15 adjusts the emission level range of the analog signals that will be divided based on this limit value. With such configuration, even in the case that analog signals with very large emission levels exceeding the processing capabilities of the MPU 14 are emitted from the pressure sensitive element 12, a normal operation of the MPU 14 can be compensated. Next, a detailed description will be made with respect to an example configuration of the operating units provided in the operating device 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention described above, with reference to the figures. The figures from 13 to 15 are diagrams illustrating a first example of configuration of the second operating unit. As shown in Figure 14, the second operating unit 220 has four operating buttons 221 which are operators 11, an elastic member 222, and a sheet member 223 on which elements are provided. ^ á &^ ^ ák - & * # - é * a *. pressure sensitive 12. The operating buttons 221 are mounted from the back side of the mounting holes 201a provided on the upper side of the main unit 201, as shown in Figure 13. The operating buttons 221 mounted in the holes Assembly 201a can be moved in the axial direction. The elastic element 222 is formed of insulating rubber or the like, has elastic portions 222a projecting upwards, and supports the lower edges of the operating buttons 221 with the upper walls of the elastic portions 222a. In the event that an operating button 221 is depressed, the inclined portion of the elastic portion 222a flexes and the top wall moves together with the operating button 221. On the other hand, in the case where the applied pressure force on the the operating button 221 is released, the inclined portion of the elastic portion 222a which has been bent is restored by elastic force, thereby pressing the operating button 221 upwards. That is, the elastic element 222 functions as a pressure means for restoring an operating button 221 that has been pressed by force of pressure, to the original position. The sheet member 223 is formed of a thin sheet material that is flexible and has insulating properties, such as a membrane or the like. The pressure sensitive elements 12 are provided in suitable positions on this sheet element 223, and as shown in FIG. 15, the pressure sensitive elements 12 are positioned so that they face the operating buttons 221 through the elastic element 222 Also, with the present example, projections 221a are formed on the lower surface of the operating buttons 221 which are the operators 11, and also depressions 222b to support the projections 221a are formed in the elastic portions 222a of the elastic element 222. When an operating button 221 is depressed, the projection 221a presses the pressure sensitive element 12 through the depression 222b of the elastic portion 222a. As described above, the electrical resistance values of the pressure sensitive element 12 change in accordance with the pressure force applied from the operating button 221. Providing a projection 221a on the lower plane of the operating button 221 and pressing the pressure sensitive element 12 with this projection 221a enables the pressing force to be transferred to the pressure sensitive element 12 with high precision. However, as a result of the pressure of the pressure sensitive element 12 with the projection portion 221a, it can not be denied that the pressing force of the pressure sensitive element 12 and the elastic element 222 acting on the depression 222b become excessive, thus reducing the resistance of the pressure sensitive element 12 and the elastic element 222. In this way, with the second example of configuration shown in figures 16 and 17, the lower plane of the operating button 221 which -jnut > Bs3fc ttfí i &agiÉtf- t'j ". is an operator 11 is formed as a plane, so that the entire lower plane is used to press the pressure sensitive element. A depression is also formed in the elastic portion 222a of the elastic member 222 and the arrangement is made so that the plane supports the lower plate of the operating button 221. In accordance with such configuration, even the sensitivity properties of the transmission of the pressure force from the operating button 221 towards the pressure sensitive element 12 decreases, there is the advantage that the duration of the pressure sensitive element 12 and the elastic element 222 improves. Figures 18 and 19 are diagrams illustrating a third configuration example of the second operating unit. With the third configuration example shown in these diagrams, the pressure sensitive elements 12 are provided directly in suitable positions in the internal card 204 integrated in the operating device 200. Providing the pressure sensitive elements 12 in the internal card 204 allows that the sheet element is omitted and the number of parts is reduced. Of course, pressure sensitive elements 12 must be provided in positions where the pressing force from operating buttons 221 can be transmitted. Figures 20 and 21 are diagrams illustrating an example configuration of the first operating unit. As shown in Figure 20, the operating unit 210 comprises a cross-shaped operating element 211, a spacer 212 to place the operative element 211, and an elastic member 213 to elastically support the operative element 211, and further, as shown in Figure 21, the pressure sensitive elements 12 are provided in positions going to the operative keys 221a (operators 11) of the operative element 211 by means of the elastic element 213. The general construction of the first operative unit 210 is already known from Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 8- 163,672 and so forth, so the detailed description is omitted of the same, but the operative element 211 is assembled in a half-sphere projection 212a formed in the center of the separator 212 that functions as a fulcrum thereof, wherein the operative keys 221 a (operators) can be pressed to the side of the elements pressure sensitive 12 (see figure 21). Then, in the event that the operating keys 221a which are the operators 11 are pressed, the pressing force thereof acts on the pressure sensitive elements 12 via the elastic element 213, so that the electrical resistance values of the Pressure sensitive elements 12 change in accordance with the magnitude of the pressing force. In the configuration example shown in the figure, a configuration is illustrated in which the pressure sensitive elements 12 are provided directly in suitable positions in the internal card 204 integrated in the operating device 200, but the pressure sensitive elements 12 can be provided on a sheet material 223 as with the example of configuration of the second operating unit 220 shown in figures 14 and 15. Figures 22 and 23 are diagrams illustrating an example configuration of the third operating unit. The third operating unit 230 comprises two operating buttons 231, a separator 232 for positioning these operating buttons 231 within the operating device 200, a support 232 for supporting the operating buttons 231, an elastic member 234, and an internal substrate 235, with the pressure sensitive elements 12 provided at suitable positions on the internal substrate 235. The general construction of the third operating unit 230 is also known from Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 8-163672 and so forth, so that the detailed description thereof will be omitted, but the operating buttons 231 are configured so that they are pressed to work, being guided by the separator 232, and the pressing force causes the pressure sensitive elements 12 to operate by means of pressure. the elastic element 234. The electrical resistance values of the pressure sensitive elements 12 change in accordance with the with the magnitude of the pressure force applied from the operating buttons 231. In the configuration example shown in the figure, a configuration is illustrated wherein the pressure sensitive elements 12 are provided directly in the appropriate positions on the card internal 235 integrated in the operating device 200, but the pressure-sensitive elements 12 can be provided on a sheet material 223 as with the configuration example of the second operating unit 220 shown in figures 14 and 15. Note that the fourth operating unit 240 is configured in the same manner as the third operating unit described above 230. The foregoing has been a description of application configuration examples of the operating units from the first to the fourth 210, 220, 230 and 240 of the present invention, but it should be noted that the present invention is not restricted to an arrangement wherein all the units operational ades apply to the present invention; instead, the operating units that will be applied in the present invention can be selected arbitrarily, with the remaining operating units being configured in a conventional manner.

Second Mode Next, a configuration in relation to the second embodiment of the present invention is described in detail. Its components that are the same as those of the first modality described in previous paragraphs will be denoted with the same reference numbers, and the detailed description of said parts will be omitted. With the operative device described above 200 in accordance with the first embodiment, the configuration involves analog signals emitted from the pressure sensitive elements 12 generating digital signals of several bits and digital signals of a single bit, but in the second mode then the The configuration is such that digital signals of several bits are generated from analog signals emitted from the pressure sensitive element 12 and digital signals of a single bit emitted by detection of the ON / OFF state of the digital switch. Figure 24 is a block diagram illustrating the main portions of the operating device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. With the present embodiment, the operating units 210, 220, 230 and 240 of the operative device 200 comprise the operative keys 211a of the operative element 211 and the operative buttons 221, 231, and 241 that integrate the operators 11, the pressure-sensitive elements 12 (detection elements) and a digital switch 30. these, the configuration of the operator 11 and the pressure sensitive element 12 is the same as those provided in the operating device 200 of the first embodiment described above. The digital switch 30 has first and second fixed terminals 31 and 32 and a movable element 33 which contacts or breaks contact with the fixed terminals 31 and 32 so as to make or break contact. The movable member 33 moves in accordance with the pressing operation of the operator 11 and makes or breaks contact between the first and second fixed terminals 31 and 32. Furthermore, the first fixed terminal 31 of the digital switch is • «Jifa» irfMfeafcM »< Y ? connected to the line of electric power source 13 and a predetermined voltage is applied from the electric power source (Vcc), as shown in Fig. 24. The MPU 14 mounted on the internal card within the operating device 200 comprises, in addition to the functions of the level dividing unit (LS) 15 and A / D conversion unit 16, the functions of a digital signal generating unit 35 for detecting the on / off state of the previous digital switch 30 and emitting signals digital single-bit, a switching switch 18a to switch between the emission of this unit digital signal generator 35 and the A / D conversion unit 16 and emit it externally, and a switching unit 18 to operate this switch switch 18a. The A / D conversion unit 16 in the present embodiment only has the function of converting the emission of analog signals from the pressure sensitive element 12 in digital signals of several bits and emit them. In addition, the digital signal generator unit 35 is connected on the input side thereof to the second fixed terminal 32 of the digital switch 30 and monitors the voltage change occurring in the terminal fixed 32. That is, in case the digital switch 30 is in the on state, the potential of the second fixed terminal 32 is the same as the electric power source line 13, and on the other side, in if the digital switch 30 is in the off state, the voltage of the second fixed terminal 32 is zero. The digital signal generating unit 35 thus outputs digital signals of a single bit "0" or "1" according to the change in voltage occurring in the second fixed terminal 32. Also in this mode, the switching unit 18 5 is configured to be controlled by control signals sent from the main game unit 100, based on game programs recorded on an optical disc. That is, at the time of executing the game program recorded on the optical disc, the control signals are emitted from the main game unit 100 to order, either the switch connection of switching 18a to the side of the conversion unit A D 16, or to connect the switching switch 18a to the side of the digital signal generating unit 35, according to the content of the game program. The switching unit 18 operates the switching switch 18a based on these control signals. By the way, a configuration can be made in which the switching unit 18 is controlled by manual operation. For example, a configuration can be made in which an analog selection switch 252 provided in the operating device 200 is suitable with a function to change the switching switch 18, so that the manual operation of analog selection switch 252 operate switch switch 18a. With respect to the operating device 200 according to the second embodiment of the previous configuration, the movable element 33 of the digital switch 30 is conducted between the first and second fixed terminals 31 and 32 together with the pressure operation of the operator 11, and analog signals are emitted from the pressure sensitive element 12 according to the pressure force applied from the operator 11. Then, the digital signal generating unit 35 outputs digital signals of a single bit according to the change of state of the digital switch 30 and multi-bit digital signals are output from the A / D conversion unit 16 to a transmission level of According to the pressure force applied to the pressure sensitive element 12. Accordingly, one or other digital signals 10 of a single bit and digital signals of several bits can be output from the operating device 200 to the main game unit 100, by means of the selection made by the switching switch 18a. As shown in Figure 25, the present embodiment has a configuration in which of the first to fourth operational units 210, 15 220, 230 and 240 have the configuration shown in Figure 24. In this regard, these operating units are capable of being used selectively for digital operations and for similar operations. Incidentally, as shown in Figure 16, an arrangement can be made where only the operational units arbitrarily selected from the first to the fourth operational units 210, 220, 230 and 240 are configured as shown in Figure 24. In addition, the operating device 200 according to the present embodiment also has a calibration function (means of • fteBM? T.v. -. »& ' < - • < = - '.' 9 Í'Í? SM ~ "j-,,? . «Ai» í6Bfaw'MÍito? - »iÍKteft < »» »» - * & *** & • '* **** JO **. *. > . _., »-j» m &Jfc, ¿a »t. establishment of division margin) to individually establish the margins of the level of emission of analog signals divided by the division unit of level 15, as shown in figures 6, 7, 10 and 12. Next, a detailed description will be given with respect to an example of configuration of the second operating unit provided in the operating device 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention described above, with reference to the drawings. Figures 27 and 28 are diagrams illustrating a first configuration example of the second operating unit of the present embodiment. As shown in Figure 27, the second operating unit 220 comprises four operating buttons 221 serving as operators 11, an elastic member 222, a sheet element 224 provided with pressure sensitive elements 12 and a sheet element 225 provided with the first and second fixed terminals 31 and 32 of the digital switch 30 Each of the operating buttons 221 is mounted from the rear side to mounting holes 201a formed in the upper plane of the main operating unit 201, as in the case of the first embodiment described above (see Figure 13). The operating buttons 221 mounted in the mounting holes 301a are movable in the axial direction. The elastic element 222 is formed of insulating rubber or the like, has elastic portions 222a that protrude upwards and supports the lower edges of the operating buttons 221 with the upper walls of the elastic portions 222a. In the case where an operational button 221 is press, the tilting portion of the elastic portion 222a is flexed and the top wall moves together with the operating button 221. On the other hand, in the case where the pressing force placed on the operating button 221 is released, the portion of inclination of the elastic portion 222a, which had been flexed is restored by elastic force, thereby pushing up the operating button 221. That is, the elastic member 222 functions as a pressure means for resetting an operating button 221 on the which has been pressed by the pressure operation, to the original position. In addition, the movable element 33 of the digital switch 30 is formed in the upper plane of the inner side of the upper wall of the elastic portion 222a (see figure 28). This movable member 33 is formed of material having electroconductivity, and is moved downward by bending deformation of the elastic portion 222a together with the pressing operation of the operating button 221. The sheet member 225 is formed of a thin sheet material which is flexible and has insulating properties, such as a membrane or the like. The first and second fixed terminals 31 and 32 are provided in suitable positions in this sheet element 225, and as shown in Figure 28, the first and second fixed terminals 31 and 32 are positioned to face the moving element 33. According to this configuration, the movable element 33 formed in the upper wall of the elastic portion 222a moves together with the pressing operation of the operating button 221, which is an operator 11, makes contact with the first and second fixed terminals 31 and 32 and conducts electrical conduction between the fixed terminals 31 and 32. Furthermore, the sheet member 224 is also formed of a thin sheet material, which has insulating properties. The pressure sensitive elements 12 are provided in suitable portions in this sheet element 224, and as shown in Figure 28, the pressure sensitive elements 12 are positioned facing the operating buttons 221 through the elastic material 222 and the sheet element 225. As described above, the sheet member 225 is formed of a thin sheet which is flexible, so that the pressing force of the operating button 221 transferred through the upper wall of the elastic portion 222a and the movable element 33 can be transferred to the pressure sensitive elements 12 almost without any change. Figures 29 and 30 are diagrams illustrating a second "configuration example of the second operating unit of the present embodiment." The second embodiment shown in these drawings is a configuration wherein the pressure sensitive elements 12 are directly provided in suitable positions. in the internal card 204 incorporated in the operating device 200. Providing the pressure sensitive elements 12 to the inner board 204 allows the sheet element 224 to be omitted and the number of parts be reduced. .. ^ tobfa ^. .. . • V l t? "MI *" 8 **** 1 * - - .-. A .. ^^^ .. - ^. ^ ^^ sensitive to pressure 12 will be provided in positions to which the pressure force can be transmitted from operating buttons 221 .. Figures 31 and 32 are diagrams illustrating a third configuration example of the second operating unit of the present embodiment. With the third embodiment shown in these drawings, the first and second fixed terminals 31 and 32 of the digital switch 30 are provided in the front plane of the sheet element 225 and the pressure sensitive element 12 is provided on the rear side of the same element of the same. sheet. Of course, the positions of the first and second fixed terminals 31 and 32 and the pressure sensitive element 12 are disposed so as to face each other through the sheet element 225. In addition, the sheet element 225 is placed so that the pressure sensitive element 12 is supported in a flat manner by the inner wall 200a of the operating device 200 and the wiring circuit (see figure 32). According to this configuration, a sheet element can be dispensed with. Figure 33 is a diagram illustrating a fourth configuration example of the second operating unit of the present embodiment. With the fourth configuration example shown in the figure, the movable element 33 of the digital switch 30 is provided on the side of the back plane of the sheet element 224 to which the pressure sensitive element 12 on the front side has been provided. Then, the position of the sheet elements 224 and 225 is changed, so that the former sheet element ÍÁ ^^^ j ^^ e »¿xa» sy'dtefc. 224 is positioned between the sheet element 225 to which the first and second fixed terminals 31 and 32 have been provided, and the elastic element 222. The sheet element 225 is positioned so as to be supported in a flat manner by the inner wall. 200a of the operating device 200 and the wiring circuit (see figure 33). Note that although several configuration examples have been described in the present embodiment with respect to the second operating unit 220, similar configurations can also be made for the other operating units 210, 230 and 240. 10 Third embodiment Next, it will be described in detail a configuration relating to the third embodiment of the present invention. Its components which are the same as those in the first embodiment described above, will be indicated with the same reference numbers, and a detailed description of such parts will be omitted. With the above-described operating device 200 according to a first embodiment, the configuration involved uses a pressure sensitive element 12 as the detection element thereof, but with the third embodiment described below, the detection element is configured to a resistor 40 and an electroconductive material 50. Figure 34 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of the second operating unit according to the present invention.

A III 7U lUfÉffl II 7"II ^ ff ^^ f ^^^^^^ ,, ^; ^^^^^^ t." VU? Tt ^? Ti ** invention. By the way, although the figure only one operating button 221 and the related settings are shown, but the different operating buttons 221 provided in the second operating unit 220 may be of the same configuration, and also the operating buttons 221 may be arbitrarily selected and configured as shown in Figure 2. The second operating unit 220 according to the present embodiment comprises operating buttons 221 that serve as operators 11, an elastic element 222, an electroconductive element 50, and a resistor 40. The electroconductive element 50 is formed of electroconductive rubber having elasticity for example, and in the configuration example shown in figure 34, it is configured in a mountain-like shape with the apex thereof in the center. This electroconductive element 50 is applied by adhesion to the upper plane of the inner side of the elastic portion 222a formed in the elastic element 222. In addition, the resistor 40 is provided in the internal card 204 for example, being facing the electroconductive element 50, and is configured so that the electroconductive element 50 is in contact with the resistor 40 by pressing operation of the operating button 221. The The electroconductive element 50 is deformed according to the pressing force of the operating button 221 (i.e., contact pressure with the resistor 40), and the contact area to the resistor 40 changes as shown in Figures 34B and 34C. That is, in the event that the pressing force of the operating button 221 ^^^ g ^^^? ^^^ g? ^^ | ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ «iM ^^^ tota ^^^^ s ^^ be weak, the area near the apex portion of the mountain-shaped electroconductive element 50 is in contact as shown in Figure 34B. In the event that the operator increases the pressing force on the button 221, the electroconductive element 50 deforms gradually from the apex and the contact area increases. Figure 35 is a diagram illustrating the circuit configuration of a resistor. As shown in the figure, the resistor 40 is inserted in series in the electric power source line 13, and voltage is applied between the electrodes 40a and 40b. A model representation of the internal resistance of this resistor 40 shows it divided into a fixed resistor 41 and a variable resistor 42, as shown in the figure. Of these, the portion of the variable resistor 42 is equivalent to the contact portion of the electroconductive element 50., and the resistance value changes according to the contact area of the electroconductive element 50. That is, when the electroconductive element 50 is in contact with the resistor 40, the electroconductive element 50 serves as a bridge and the current flows through that. portion, so that the resistance value of the contact portion becomes small. Accordingly, the larger the contact area of the electroconductive element 50, the more the resistance value of the resistor 40 is reduced. With the present embodiment, an emitting terminal 40c is provided in the central portion of the resistor 40, and signals are emitted analogous M * J: * M "- - -" i iíif ÜfffrilIB? fT - ^ - ^^ - ^ - - *. »& ~ Md. ^. ^ 1 corresponding to the pressing force of the operating button 21 (operator 11) from the transmitting terminal 40c. Fig. 36 is a diagram illustrating the emission properties of analog signals (voltage) from the emitting terminal of the resistor 40. First, voltage is applied to the resistor 40 at the time the power is turned on, so even if the operating button 221 is not pressed, a constant analogue signal (voltage) Vmin is output from the sending terminal 40c (position "a" in the figures). Then, even in the case that the operating button 221 is pressed, the resistance value of the resistor 40 does not change until the electroconductive element 50 is in contact with the resistor 40, so that the emission of the resistor 40 remains unchanged in Vmin . Further, in the case where the operating button 221 is pressed and the electroconductive element 50 is in contact with the resistor 40 (the pressure position indicated by "b" in the figure), the contact area of the electroconductive element 50 with with respect to the resistor 40 it subsequently increases according to the pressing force of the operating button 221, so that the internal resistance of the resistor 40 decreases and the emission of the analog signals (voltage) of the emitting terminal 40c of the resistor 40 increases. Then, at the point where the electroconductive element 50 has deformed as much as possible, the emission of the analog signals (voltage) from the emission terminal 40c of the resistor 40 reaches a maximum Vmax (the pressure position indicated by "c" in the figure).

^ Ms ^ - Figure 37 is a block diagram illustrating the main portions of the operating device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Also in the present embodiment, the MPU 14 mounted on the internal card within the operating device 200 comprises the functions of the level division unit 15, conversion unit AD 16 and switching unit 18. With the present embodiment, the emission of analog signals (voltage) of the emitting terminal 40c of the resistor 40 enters the level dividing unit 15, the emission level of the analog signals is divided into a plurality in the level 15 division unit, and further, the A / D conversion unit 16 converts the emission of analog signals from the resistor 40 to digital signals, based on the split emission level. The functions of the division unit of level 15 and unit of conversion A / D 16 are the same as with the first modality described above, and the division unit of level 15 has the basic function of dividing the emission level margin of analog signals (voltage) of the resistor 40 at uniform widths, as shown in Figure 36. The number of divisions can be set arbitrarily, and with the example shown in Figure 36, the level range of the analog signals ( voltage) is evenly divided into eight. Each uniformly divided emission level L1 to L8 is transferred to the A / D conversion unit 16. In addition, the level range of analog signals that will be uniformly divided can be changed arbitrarily with the level 15 division unit. ^^^ - ^ - - - - - - - lir-MlM'fWi ™ ^^^^ - "^ - ^^^ 6 ^^^^ - ^ - ^ - --.- a ^? ^ -? *. The A / D conversion unit 16 converts analog signals into digital signals and outputs them, according to the level of emission of the analog signals subjected to level division in the level 15 division unit. That is, they are issued multi-bit digital signals from the unit A / D conversion 16, according to the previous emission levels L1 to L8. Then, the A / D conversion unit 16 adapts the digital signals of several suitable bits to each of the emission levels subjected to level division, and emits them. For example, multi-bit digital signals of 16 bits are suitable for the previous emission levels, so that level 1 is "1f", level 2 is "3f", and so on up to "ff" for the level 8. The emission of multi-bit digital signals from the A / D conversion unit 16 is sent to the main game unit 100 through an interface 17 provided on the internal card of the operating device 200, and means of these digital signals the action and similar that the character of the game performs. The level change of the analog signal emissions from the emission terminal 40c of the resistor 40 corresponds to the change in pressure force received from the operating button 221 (operator 11) as described above. Accordingly, the emission of multi-bit digital signals from the A / D conversion unit 16 corresponds to the pressure force applied by the user to the operating button 221 (operator 11). Control the action and similar that the game character performs through such signals Multi-bit digital signals related to the pressure operation by the user, allows performing smoother movements analogously compared to the control by digital signals of a single bit of "1" or "0". In addition, with the present modality, the A / D conversion unit 16 is configured to also function as a binary digital signal emission means for outputting single-bit digital signals (i.e., "-1" or "0"), according to the change of emission of analog signals from the terminal of emission 40c of the resistor 40, and outputs one or other digital signals of several bits and digital signals of a single bit from the A / D conversion unit 16 by a switching operation of the switching device 18. With the present embodiment, the switching device 18 is controlled by control signals sent from the main game unit 100 based on game programs recorded on the optical disc. That is, the control signals for ordering whether the A / D conversion unit 16 originates as a means to emit digital signals of several bits or that it functions as a means to emit digital signals of a sol bit are emitted according to the content of a game program that is executed from an optical disk mounted on the main game unit 100. Based on these control signals, the switching device 18 selects and changes the functions of the A / D conversion unit 16. The A / D conversion unit 16 follows the functions selected by the switching device 18 and converts the emission of Analogous signals from the transmitting terminal 40c of the resistor 40 to one or other digital signals of several bits or digital signals of a single bit and transmit them. In the case that operation is selected as a means for emitting multi-bit digital signals, the emission levels uniformly divided by the level 15 division unit as described above, are converted into corresponding digital signals, and are output to the Main game unit 100. On the other hand, in the case that the operation is selected as a means to emit digital signals of a single bit, the digital signals of a single bit of "1" or "0" are emitted to the main unit of play 100 according to the change in emission of analog signals from the emission terminal 40c of the resistor 40. That is, in the case that the A / D conversion unit 16 recognizes the emission of analog signals from the emission terminals 40c of the resistor 40 as the minimum value Vmin, it is considered that the operating button is not pressed and a digital signal "0" is emitted. On the other hand, in the case where the recognition is made based on the emission of the A / D conversion unit 16, that the emission of analog signals from the emission terminal 40c of the resistor 40 is not the minimum values Vmin, it is considered that the operating button is pressed and a digital signal "1" is emitted. Incidentally, the switching device 18 can be configured to be changed by manual operations by the user. For example, a provision can be made where the ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ H ^^ gt ^ ¡^ ^^ lj ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^ Functions for changing the switching device 18 are suitable for the analog selection switch 252 provided in the operating device 200 in order to maneuver the switching device 18 manually with the switch 252, thereby changing the functions of the A / D conversion unit 16. Now, as described above, the level 15 division unit uniformly divides the level of emission of analog signals from the resistor 40 at predetermined scales, but in the case where there is a shift between the level margin of the analog emissions (voltage) actually issued from the resistor 40 and this predetermined scale, a situation may arise where no digital signals can be output that match the operating state of the operator 11. However, there are individual differences in the resistor 40 and the electroconductive element 50, and there is also irregularity in the voltage of power source, so that the emission margins of the analog signals of the resistor 40 of each operating device 200 also differ. Accordingly, the operating device 200 according to the present embodiment is provided with a margin setting unit. division 25 to establish individually the margins of level of emission of analog signals divided by the level 15 division unit (see figure 37), so that the level range of the analog signals (voltage) that will be divided into the level 15 division unit can be regulated. . ^^^? ¡^^^^^^^ "rf á & * &gfifi |? ^^^^^ Figure 38 is a diagram to describe the functions of the unit of establishment of division margin. As shown in Fig. 38, the initial setting of the minimum value Vmin and maximum value Vmax of the emission of analog signals (voltage) of the resistor 40 is made in advance in the division setting unit 25. In addition, with respect to At the maximum value Vmax, an arbitrary tolerance value a is established in advance. This arbitrary tolerance value a is to absorb irregularities in the recognition of the resistor emission (ie, analog signals) from the information of the A / D conversion unit 16. In addition, a judgment value is established in advance ? to consider whether or not the operating button is in a pressed state around the minimum value Vmin. The division margin setting unit 25 executes the regulation operation as it proceeds under such settings. Once the power is turned on for the operating device 200, first, the division margin setting unit 25 recognizes the level Vmin (Real) of the analog signal (voltage) that is actually output from the resistor 40 based on the information of the A / D conversion unit 16, in order to establish the minimum value Vmin of the emission of the analog signals (voltage) from the resistor 40. At this time, the user may be pressing the operation button 221, so it is considered if Vmin (Real) is within the margin of the limit of the error tolerance value to centered around Vmin. At case in which Vmin (Real) is outside the range of (Vmin +?) < Vmin (Real) < (Vmin-?), An action is executed to notify the user that the regulation is working. Regarding this action, for example, a deployment portion 253 provided in the operating device 200 may be on or may be intermittent, or in the event that the operating device 200 has a built-in vibration function, this function may be activated, or similar means may be used. Then, under the condition that Vmin (Real) is within the margin of (Vmin +?) < Vmin (Real) < (Vmin-?), The value of Vmin (Real) is compared with Vmin. In the case that the comparison results in Vmin (Real) < Vmin, the initial set value Vmin is set as the minimum value of the analog signals (voltage) emission of the resistor 40. On the other hand, in the case that Vmin (Real) < Vmin persists, the actual emission value 15 Vmin (Real) is set again as the minimum value of the analog signals (voltage) emission of the resistor 40. Then, the user is made to firmly press the operation button 221 following a manual of operation or similar, and recognizes the Vmin (Real) level of the analog signal (voltage) that is actually emitted from the resistor 40 based on information emitted from the A / D conversion unit 16. In the case that Vmax (Real) is greater than (Vmax-a) which includes the tolerance value a, an that the user you have pressed the operating button 221 to the limit, and in this way, Vmax (Real) and Vmax are compared. In the event that the comparison results in Vmax (Real) and Vmax, the initial set value Vmax is set as the maximum value of the emission of analog signals (voltage) 5 from the resistor 40. On the other hand, in the case that Vmax (Real) > Vmax persists, the actual emission value Vmax (Real) is again established as the maximum value of the emission of analog signals (voltage) from the resistor 40. The division margin setting unit 25 controls the level 15 division unit. by way of evenly dividing the emission of analog signals (voltage) from the resistor 40, within the range of the minimum value Vmin to the maximum value Vmax established as described above. Figure 39 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of the first operating unit according to the present modality. With the configuration example of the first operating unit shown in the figure, the electroconductive elements 50 are applied by adhesion to the upper plane of the inner side of the elastic element 213 of the operating keys 211 a (operators 11) of the operational element in the form of cross 211 in a corresponding manner. In addition, the resistors 40 are arranged so that the particular elements are positioned in order to face each of the electroconductive elements 50.

Fig. 40 is a diagram illustrating the resistor circuit configuration. As shown in Figure 40, the resistor 40 is inserted in series in the electric power source line 13, and voltage is applied between the electrodes 40a and 40b. A representation of the model of the internal resistance of this resistor 40 shows it divided into first and second variable resistors 43 and 44, as shown in the figure. Of these, the first variable resistor 43 is arranged so that for example, the electroconductive element 50 which moves with the operative key to move the character in the upward direction (the up key) 211a, and the electroconductive element 50 that moves with the operative key to move the character in the left direction (the left key) 211a are put in contact with each other, and the resistance value changes according to the area of contact with the elements electroconductive 50. In addition, the second variable resistor 44 is arranged so that for example, the electroconductive element 50 moving with the operative key to move the character in the downward direction (the downward key) 211 a, and the electroconductive element 50 moving with the operative key to move the character in the right direction (the right key) 211a are each put in contact with them and the resistance value changes according to the contact area with the electroconductive elements 50. An emission terminal 40c is provided in the intermediate portion between the variable resistors 43 and 44, so that the signals Analogs corresponding to the pressing force of the operating keys 211a (operators 11) are emitted from this transmit terminal 40c. The emission from the emission terminal 40c can be calculated from the split ratio of the resistance values that the first and second variable resistors 43 and 44 have, and for example, with R1 representing the resistance value of the first variable resistor. 43 and R2 representing the resistance value of the second variable resistor 44, and with the voltage of the power source as Vcc, the emission voltage V manifested in the emission terminal 40c can be expressed as follows: V = Vcc x R2 / (R1 + R2) Accordingly, in the event that the resistance value of the first variable resistor 43 decreases, the emission voltage increases, and on the other hand, in the event that the resistance value of the second variable resistor 44 decreases, the emission voltage also decreases. Figure 41 is a diagram illustrating the emission properties of analog signals (voltage) from the emitter terminal of the resistor. First, voltage is applied to the resistor 40 at the time the power is turned on, so even in the event that the operating keys 211a of the operating element 211 are not pressed, a constant analogue signal (voltage) V0 is output from the terminal. emission 40c (position "o" in the figure).

Then, even in the case that the operating key 211a is pressed, the resistance value of the resistor 40 does not change until the electroconductive element 50 is in contact with the resistor 40, so that the emission of the resistor 40 remains unchanged. VO. Further, in the case where the upward direction key or left directional key is pressed and the electroconductive element 50 is in contact with the portion of the first variable resistor 43 of the resistor 40 (the pressure position indicated by "p "in the figure), the contact area of the electroconductive element 50 with respect to the portion of the first variable resistor 43 subsequently increases according to the pressing force of the operative key 211 a (operator), so that the resistance value in that portion decreases, and the emission of analog signals (voltage) from the emitting terminal 40c of the resistor 40 is increased. Then, at the point where the electroconductive element 50 has deformed as much as possible, the emission of analog signals (voltage) from the emitting terminal 40c of the resistor 40 reaches a maximum Vmax (the pressure position indicated by "q" in the figure). On the other hand, in the case where the downward direction key or right direction key is pressed and the electroconductive element 50 is in contact with the portion of the second variable resistor 44 of the resistor 40 (the pressure position indicated by ". r "in the figure), the contact area of the electroconductive element 50 in relation to the portion of the second variable resistor 44 subsequently increases according to the pressing force of the operation key 211 a, so that the resistance value in that portion decreases, and consequently, the emission of analog signals (voltage) of the emission terminal 40c of the resistor 40 decreases. Then, at the point where the electroconductive element 50 has deformed as much as possible, the emission of analog signals (voltage) from the emitting terminal 40c of the resistor 40 reaches a minimum Vmin (the pressure position indicated by "s" in the figure). The emission of analog signals (voltage) from the emitting terminal 40c of the resistor 40 is input to the level division unit 15 as shown in FIG. 42, the emission level of the analog signals is divided into a plurality in the level 15 division unit, and subsequently, the A / D conversion unit 16 converts the emission of analog signals from the resistor 40 into digital signals according to the split emission level. The functions of the level dividing unit 15, the A / D conversion unit 16 and switching unit 18, shown in Fig. 42, are the same as those already described based on Fig. 37, so that a detailed description. As shown in Fig. 43, the initial setting of the value in the state of "no pressure" V0, minimum value Vmin and maximum value Vmax of the emission of analog signals (voltage) of the resistor 40 at the time of operation is made from beforehand in the division margin setting unit 25, to individually establish (regulate) the emission level margin of the analog signals divided by the division unit of level 15. In addition, with respect to the maximum value Vmax, an arbitrary tolerance value a is established beforehand, and with respect to the minimum value Vmin, an arbitrary tolerance value ß is established beforehand. These tolerance values a and ß are for absorbing irregularities in the recognition of the resistor emission (ie, analog signals) from the information of the A / D conversion unit 16. In addition, a value of judgment? to consider whether or not the operation button is in a pressed state around the emission of analog signal (voltage) VO in the case of operation without pressure. The division margin setting unit 25 executes the regulation operation as it proceeds under such settings. Once the power is on for the operating device, first, the division margin setting unit 25 recognizes the VO (Real) level of the analog signal (voltage) actually emitted. from the resistor 40 based on information from the A / D conversion unit 16, in order to establish the emission of analog signals (voltage) VO from the resistor 40 at the moment when the button is not being pressed. At this time, the user may be pressing an operative key, so it is considered if VO (Real) is or not within the range of the error tolerance value limit? centered around VO. In the case that VO (Real) is outside the range of (VO +?) < VO (Real < (V0 -?), An action is executed to notify the user that the regulation is working.

As for this action, for example, a deployment portion 253 provided in the operating device may be on or may be intermittent, or in the case where the operating device has a built-in vibration function, this function may be activated, or 5 similar media can be used. Then, under the condition that VO (Real) is within the range of (VO +?) < VO (Real) < (VO -?), The value of VO (Real) is compared with VO. In the case where the comparison results in VO (Real) > VO, the initial set value VO is set as the value of the emission of analog signals (voltage) from the resistor 40 at the time when there is no pressure. On the other hand, in the case that VO (Real) < VO persist, the actual emission value VO (Real) is again established as the minimum value of the emission of analog signals (voltage) from the resistor 40 at the time when there is no pressure. Then, the user is made to press the upward direction key firmly following an operation manual or the like, and the Vmax (Real) level of the analog signal (voltage) that is actually emitted from the resistor 40 is recognized based on issuing information from the A / D conversion unit 16. 20 In the case where Vmax (Real) is greater than (Vmax - a) which includes the tolerance value a, an acknowledgment is made that the user has pressed the upward direction key to the limit, and thus Vmax (Real) and Vmax are compared. In the case where the comparison ^? ^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ as a result Vmax (Real) < Vmax, the initial set value Vmax is set as the maximum value of the emission of analog signals (voltage) from the resistor 40. On the other hand, in the case where Vmax (Real) > Vmax persists, the actual emission value Vmax (Real) is again set as the maximum value of the emission of analog signals (voltage) from the resistor 40. The same operation is also performed for the left arrow key, and sets the maximum value Vmax for the emission of analog signals (voltage) from the resistor 40 at the time of pressing the direction key to the left. Then, the user is made to firmly press the downward direction key following an operation manual or the like, and the level Vmin (Real) of the analog signal (voltage) actually emitted from the resistor 40 is recognized based on information emitted from the conversion unit A / D 16. In the case where Vmin (Real) is greater than (Vmin - ß) which includes the tolerance value ß, an acknowledgment is made that the user has pressed the downward direction key to the limit, and in this way Vmin (Real) and Vmin are compared. In the case where the comparison results in Vmin (Real) > Vmin, the initial set value Vmin is set as the minimum value of the emission of analog signals (voltage) from the resistor 40. On the other hand, in the case where Vmin (Real) < Vmin persist, the actual emission value Vmin (Real) is established again as || ^ ^ mnn ^ ^^ ^^ ¡¡¡¡¡^ $ 7 ^ the minimum value of the emission of analog signals (voltage) from the resistor 40. The same operation is also performed for the right arrow key, and the minimum value Vmin is set for the emission of analog signals 5 (voltage) from the resistor 40 at the moment of pressing the direction key to the right. The division margin setting unit 25 controls the division unit of level 15 with respect to the upward direction key and the directional key to the left so as to uniformly divide the emission of analog signals (voltage) from the resistor 40, within the range of the VO emission at the time of no pressure at the maximum value Vmax, established as described above. The division margin setting unit 25 also controls the level division unit 15 with respect to the downward direction key and the 15 directional key on the right, so as to uniformly divide the emission of analog signals (voltage). from the resistor 40, within the range of the emission V0 at the moment of no pressure at the minimum value Vmin. Incidentally, in spite of the fact that in the above description, the upward direction key and the left direction key are adapted to the portion of the first variable resistor of the resistor 40, and the downward direction key and directional key to the right are appropriate to the portion of the second variable resistor, the present invention is in no way restricted to this arrangement, and it is not necessary to say that the adequacy of 'tiTi ni "' V'T '' ^ fi * ^" ^ '^ S ^ 5 * ^ * »» »-' - ^ • '. ss ^ í »l ^^ SI ^? ai £ ¡> k, yes? Aimn- *,. J - * ^ g > < *, .., ^ jy- ^ juhjt the keys and variable resistor portions can be performed arbitrarily. Further, with respect to the first operating unit 210, the individually provided resistors 40 can be placed for the electroconductive elements 50 provided for the operating keys 211a of the operating element 211, so as to have a circuit configuration such as that shown in FIG. Figure 35. In this case, the properties of the emission of analog signals (voltage) from the emitting terminal 40c of the resistor 40 are as shown in Figure 36.

Variation of the detection element Next, an example of variation of the detection element composed of a resistor 40 and electroconductive element 50 will be described. Incidentally, although the following description is made with respect to an example of a detection element provided in FIG. second operating unit 220, it goes without saying that the application of the following detection element can also be done for other operating units. Figures 44 to 47 illustrate a detection element where the shape of the electroconductive element 50 has been modified. Here, Figures 44A to 47A are front cross-sectional views of the operating unit including the sensing element, Figures 44B to 47B are front views of the electroconductive element, Figures 44C to 47C are views of the electroconductive element from below and figures 44D to 47D are property diagrams for emission of analog signals from the emitter terminal of the resistor. The electroconductive elements 50 shown in these drawings are in a manner in each case, wherein the contact area with the resistor 40 is modified according to the contact pressure with the resistor 40. That is, the detection element shown in FIG. Figures 44A-44D are formed so that the electroconductive element 50 has a trapezoidal longitudinal-sectional shape (a conical trapezoidal in the figure). With an electrically conductive element 50 formed in such a manner, the apex 50a of the conductive element 50 is in contact with the resistor 40 together with the pressing operation of the operating button 221, but the apex 50a is a plane, so that the resistance value decreases greatly at the time of contact, and there is a rapid increase in emission voltage (signal analogous) as indicated by "a" in Figure 44D, followed by which the emission voltage continuously changes in a manner corresponding to the pressing force. Consequently, the digital on / off action can be performed at the moment when the electroconductive element 50 makes contact or breaks contact with the resistor 40. Now, although the example in Figures 44A-44D shows a conical trapezoid, other arrangements for the electroconductive element 50 can be used, for example, forms of ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^ ^^^^^ pyramids in longitudinal trapezium-section with a triangular base, quadrangular base or polygonal base. The detection element shown in Figures 45A-45D utilizes a formed electroconductive element 50 having vertical ribs 50b 5 formed on the perimeter of a mountain-type formation. Although the electrically conductive element 50 with a mountain-like shape shown in Figure 24 can be bent in the event that the direction of application of pressure force is inclined away from the central axis, the formation of ribs 50b towards the electroconductive element 50 as shown in Figures 45A-45D, suppress the damage of the bending of the electroconductive element 50. The combination of this form with a cross-shaped operative element 211, such as the one shown in figure 39 in particular, clearly manifests the effects thereof. The detection element shown in FIGS. 46A-46D has the surface of the electroconductive element 50 configured in a form spherical. The bending of the electroconductive element 50 can also be avoided by forming the electroconductive element 50 in a spherical configuration. The detection element shown in Figures 47A-47D has the electroconductive element 50 configured in a mountain-like manner stepped where the cross-sectional area thereof gradually becomes smaller towards the apex facing the resistor 40. With an electroconductive element 50 in such a way, the amount of deformation increases as the pressure force increases, but in the procedures, at the point where the step portion 50c is in contact with the resistor 40, the contact area suddenly increases and the resistance value decreases. Accordingly, the emission of analog signals from the emitting terminal of the resistor 40 changes gradually, as shown in FIG. 47D. Therefore, the limits at which the analog emission changes rapidly can easily be recognized, and a stable division of level can easily be made. In addition, the analogous emission changes gradually according to the pressure force, so that the user can easily adjust the pressure force. Figures 48A to 50D are diagrams illustrating an example of variation of the detection element, wherein the shape of the resistor 40 has been modified. In the drawings, Figures 48A to 50A are front cross-sectional views of the operating unit including the sensing element, Figures 48B to 50B are front views of the electroconductive element, the Figures 48C to 50C are views of the electroconductive element from above and Figures 48A to 50D are property diagrams for emission of analog signals from the emitter terminal of the resistor. The resistors 40 shown in these drawings each have a shape in which the transverse area decreases toward the apex remaining 20 facing the electroconductive element 50. With the sensing element shown in FIGS. 48A-48D, the resistor 40 is formed in FIG. a mountain-type configuration, so that in the case where the electroconductive element 50 descends in conduction with the operating button 221, the ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ X ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^ I? ^^^ A ^^^ I ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ resistor 40 and deforms. The resistor 40 is configured in a mountain-like manner, so that the contact area with the electroconductive element 50 continuously increases in accordance with the pressing force, and the emission of analog signals from the emitting terminal of the resistor 40 changes continuously as it is shown in figure 48D. The detection element shown in Figures 49A-49D is formed such that the resistor 40 has a trapezoidal longitudinal-sectional shape (a conical trapezoid in the figure). With a resistor 40 formed in such a manner, the apex 40A of the resistor 40 is first in contact with the electroconductive element 50 together with the pressing operation of the operating button 221, but the apex 40A is a plane, so that there is a rapid increase of emission voltage as indicated by "a" in Figure 49D at the time of contact, followed by which the emission voltage continuously changes in a manner corresponding to the force of pressure. Accordingly, the digital on / off action can be performed at the moment when the electroconductive element 50 contacts or breaks contact with the resistor 40. Now, although the example in Figures 49A-49D shows a conical trapezoidal, it can be use other arrangements for the resistor 40, for example, forms of pyramids in longitudinal trapezium-section with a triangular base, quadrangular base or polygonal base.

The detection element shown in Figures 50A-50D has the surface of the resistor 40 configured in a spherical shape. Thus, in forming The resistor 40 in a spherical configuration provides properties approximately similar to those of the sensing element shown in FIGS. 46A-46D. The sensing element shown in Figs. 51A-51 D has the resistor 40 formed in a stepped mountain-type configuration where the cross-sectional area thereof gradually becomes smaller towards the apex thereof and faces the electroconductive element 10. In the process of a resistor 40 in that form which is in contact while deforming the electroconductive element 50 together with the pressing operation, and at the point where the stepped portion 40c of the resistor 40 is in contact with the electroconductive element 50, the contact area suddenly increases and the resistance value decreases. As a result, the emission of analog signals from the emitter terminal of the resistor 40 changes gradually, as shown in Fig. 51 D. Therefore, the limits at which the analog signals change rapidly can be easily recognized, and You can easily make the stable division of level. In addition, the analogous emission changes gradually according to the pressing force, so that the user can easily adjust the pressure force. The detection element shown in FIGS. 52A-52D has the electroconductive element 50 configured in a mountain-like manner and ^^^^^^ g ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^ a ^^^^ ji ^^^^^ M ^^? ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ electroconductive element 50 through intervals 41, in order to gradually increase the contact area with the electroconductive element 50 together with the deformation thereof. More specifically, the resistor 40 is formed as shown in Figures 52B-52B. With the configuration detecting device shown in the figure, the apex of the electroconductive element 50 is first in contact with the central portion 40c of the resistor 40, together with the pressing operation of the operating button 221. Accordingly, according to the electroconductive element 50 is deformed with the increasing pressure force, the contact area with the electroconductive element 50 is gradually increased in the order of the perimeter portions 40d, 40e, and 40f of the resistor 40, and the resistance value decreases accordingly. The portions 40a to 40f of the resistor 40 are divided by the intervals 41, so that while the electroconductive element 50 passes through the intervals 41, there is no change in the resistance value, and consequently, the emission voltage ( analog signal) is generally constant. Accordingly, the emission of analog signals from the emitting terminal of the resistor 40 changes gradually, as shown in Fig. 52D. As a result, limits can easily be recognized in the which the analog emission changes rapidly, and a stable division of level can easily be made. Now, in the detection elements of the configurations described above, the positions of the resistor 40 and elastic element 50 in the operating unit can be inverted. For example, as shown in Figure 53, an arrangement can be made where the resistor 40 is applied by adhesion to the upper plane of the inner side of the elastic portion 222a formed in the elastic element 222, and the electroconductive element 50 is placed in a position facing the resistor 40, producing the same effects and advantages as the detection elements described above. It should be noted that the present invention is in no way restricted by the modalities described above. For example, the operating device according to the present invention is not restricted to the application to an operational arrangement 200 for use with a video game apparatus as shown in Figure 2; rather, it is not necessary to say that the present invention can be applied to different types of operative devices where the capabilities can be improved by allowing digital operation and analogous operation. According to the present invention as described above, the configuration is such that with the operation of pressure of a single operator, digital signals of several bits are emitted that allow an analogous control from means of emission of digital signal of several bits, and on the other hand, digital signals are emitted of a single bit that allow control B- ^ gi ^ 'g i £'. -. ¿^: ^ ^ ._. digital from binary digital signal transmission means, so that both digital operation and analogous operation can be performed with a single operator, simply making a selection between these digital signals with switching means and emitting them.

Claims (3)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS 1. - An operating device, comprising: an operator that can be operated by pressing; a detection element for emitting analogous signals corresponding to the pressure operation of said operator; first digital signal emission means for converting emission of analogous signals of said detection element in response to the pressure operation of said operator in digital signals comprising several bits according to the emission level thereof; second digital signal emission means for emitting digital signals comprising a single bit according to a change in the emission of analog signals from said detection element; and switching means for changing the emission between digital signal emission of said first means of digital signal emission and emission of digital signals from said second means of digital signal emission.
2. 2. The operating device according to claim 1, further characterized in that said detection element is a pressure sensitive element placed in a position where pressure force is transferred acting on said operator.
3. 3. The operating device according to claim 1, further characterized in that said detection element comprises: a ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ g ^^^^^^^ 7. The operating device according to claim 5, further characterized in that said electroconductive element is formed so as to have a trapezoidal longitudinal-sectional shape. 8. The operative device according to claim 5, further characterized in that said electroconductive element is formed so as to have a shape in which the transverse area thereof gradually becomes smaller towards the apex facing said resistor. 9. The operating device according to claim 5, further characterized in that said electroconductive element is formed so that the surface facing the said resistor has a spherical shape. 10. The operating device according to claim 3 or 4, further characterized in that said resistor is formed so as to have a shape in which the cross-sectional area thereof becomes smaller towards the apex that faces the said electroconductive element. . 11. The operating device according to claim 10, further characterized in that said resistor is formed so as to have a longitudinal-sectional mountain shape. 12. The operating device according to claim 10, further characterized in that said resistor is formed so as to have a trapezoidal longitudinal-sectional shape. ^^^^^ ¡¡gg ^ g gj ^ - .._..., ¿¿g A Au & & amp; & amp; 13. - The operating device according to claim 10, further characterized in that said resistor is formed so that the surface that faces the said electroconductive element has a spherical shape. 5 14.- The operative device in accordance with the claim 3 or 4, further characterized in that said resistor is formed so as to have a shape in which the cross-sectional area thereof gradually becomes smaller towards the apex that faces the said electroconductive element. 15. The operating device according to claim 3 or 4, further characterized in that said electroconductor is of a configuration which is deformed according to the contact pressure applied thereto with said resistor, so that the area of contact with said resistor changes; and where said resistor divides the area of 15 contact of said electroconductive element by intervals, and is configured so as to gradually increase the contact area of said electroconductive element together with the deformation thereof. 16. An operating device that comprises: an operator that can be operated when pressing; a detection element to emit signals 20 analogous to the pressure operation of said operator; first digital signal emission means for converting the emission of analogous signals of said detection element in response to the pressure operation of said operator, in digital signals comprising several bits according to the level of emission of the same; a digital switch for on and off according to the pressure operation of said operator; second digital signal emission means for detecting the on / off state of said digital switch and outputting digital signals comprising individual bits; and switching means for changing the emission between digital signal emission of said first means of digital signal emission and digital signal emission from said second means of digital signal emission. 17.- The operative device in accordance with the claim 10 16, further characterized in that said sensing element is a pressure sensitive element placed in a position in which the pressing force acting on said operator is transferred; and wherein said digital switch comprises: first and second fixed terminals; and a movable electroconductive element which makes and breaks contact with said 15 first and second fixed terminals together with the movement of said operator. 18.- The operative device in accordance with the claim 17, further characterized in that said first and second fixed terminals of said digital switch are formed in a sheet element which has flexibility, so as to transfer the pressing force from said 20 operator to said pressure sensitive element through said sheet element. 19. The operating device according to claim 17, further characterized in that said pressure sensitive element is formed on the front side of a sheet element having flexibility, the movable element of said digital switch is formed on the back side of said sheet element, and said first and second fixed terminals are positioned facing away said movable element. 20. The operating device according to claim 17, further characterized in that the first and second fixed terminals of said digital switch are formed on the front side of a sheet element having flexibility, and said pressure sensitive element is formed in the back side of said sheet element. 21. The operating device according to any of claims 1 to 20, further characterized in that said first means of digital signal emission comprise: level dividing means for dividing in a plurality of levels the level of emission of analog signals from said detection element together with the pressure operation of said operator; and A / D conversion means for converting said analog signals into digital signals, according to each emission level divided by said level dividing means. 22. The operating device according to claim 21, further characterized in that said level dividing means uniformly divide in a plurality the level of emission of said analog signals of said detection element together with the pressing operation of said operator.