JP2002123365A - Operation device and image processor using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve such a problem that a conventional operation device of a game machine, etc., has been difficult to give a variety of movements to a body displayed on a screen since the number of operation input items is small. SOLUTION: A 1st detecting means detects an operation body 1 rotating and an acceleration sensor 16 of a 2nd detecting means detects acceleration applied to the operation body 1. On the basis of the current rotation and acceleration inputs, for example, and ball displayed on the screen can be curved in the air. A person who is operating a game machine can, therefore, freely control the ball, etc., displayed on the screen by adjusting a shock (acceleration) given to the operation body 1 and the input direction and degree of rotation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an operating device used for a game machine or the like, and more particularly, to a game device or the like having excellent operating ability by detecting rotation and acceleration given to an operating body as input elements. The present invention relates to an operation device with increased possibility and an image processing device using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is an operation device for a game machine using a trackball. In the operation device, a spherical operation body is rotatably supported inside the operation device, and outputs the rotation given to the operation body to the game machine main body as, for example, pulse outputs in the X and Y directions. In the game machine main body, a control unit provided therein converts the pulse output into coordinate data and outputs the coordinate data to a TV monitor screen. Then, it is displayed as a movement of a ball moving on the TV monitor screen.

For example, in a soccer game or the like, there is a case where the operation body is regarded as a soccer ball and operating the operation body 1 is an operation of a character in the game kicking the ball. When the operating tool 1 is continuously rotated at short time intervals, the mode is set to a mode in which the character dribbles the ball. When the operating tool 1 is rotated for a long time, the mode is set to a long ball mode in which the ball is greatly kicked. It is possible. Therefore, the operator can control the soccer ball as desired by inputting various modes of input to the operating tool.

[0004] As described above, by operating the operating body 1, a character or a ball can be freely operated.
It is possible to enjoy various sports games.

[0005]

In actual soccer or the like, for example, at the moment of kicking, the ball is rotated by rubbing the surface of the ball with the side of the shoe, and the kicked ball is curved in the air (banana shoot). ) Is often used. Alternatively, in the case of golf, techniques such as slice ball, hook ball, and top spin or back spin are used by rubbing the surface of the ball in various directions with a club face at the moment of hitting the ball.

However, in the conventional operation device, a combination of different input means such as a moving direction of a character or a ball, a moving direction of a kicked (hit) ball, and a size (distance) at which the ball flies, or The operation was performed by sequentially inputting with one input means.

That is, in the conventional operation device, it is impossible to simultaneously detect the acceleration and the rotation applied at the moment when the operator operates the operation body, and control the ball based on the acceleration, the magnitude and the direction of the rotation. there were.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and the acceleration, rotation, and direction applied when an operator operates an operating body are simultaneously detected, thereby further expanding the range of operation capability. It is an object of the present invention to provide an operation device capable of increasing the possibility of a game and an image processing device using the same.

[0009]

An operating device according to the present invention comprises a frame, a rotatable operating body provided on the frame,
A first detection unit that detects a rotation direction and / or a rotation speed of the operation body; and a second detection unit that detects acceleration in at least one direction applied to the operation body. Is what you do.

[0010] Further, a support for supporting the frame is provided, and the operating body, the first detection means and the second detection means, together with the frame, are provided on the support with the second detection means. And a third detecting means for detecting a moving direction and / or a moving amount of the frame is provided on the support. Is what it is.

For example, the first detecting means is provided in the frame, and the support is provided with a slider which moves in at least one direction orthogonal to an acceleration detecting direction of the second detecting means. The operating body, the first detecting means and the second detecting means are supported by the slider together with the frame, and the moving direction and / or the moving amount of the slider are detected by the third detecting means. Is what is done.

Further, the support is provided with a pair of sliders which move in directions orthogonal to each other in a plane orthogonal to the acceleration detection direction of the second detecting means, and the operating body and the first slider are provided. And the second detecting means are movable in each direction in the plane along with the movement of the sliders together with the frame, and the moving direction and / or the moving amount of the two sliders are set to the second direction. 3 can be configured to be detected by the detecting means.

In the above, the second detecting means is, for example, a piezoelectric or capacitance type acceleration sensor.

Further, the image processing apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that the operating device having the first detecting means and the second detecting means and the first detecting means and the second detecting means of the operating device are provided. A processing unit to which a detection signal is given, and a display unit for displaying an image based on the data processed by the processing unit, and an object displayed on a screen of the display unit by the data processing of the processing unit. , Image processing is controlled so as to operate based on a detection signal from the first detection means and a detection signal from the second detection means.

Also, the image processing apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that the operating device having first detecting means, second detecting means, and third detecting means, the first detecting means of the operating device, and A processing unit to which detection signals from the second detection unit and the third detection unit are supplied; and a display unit for displaying an image based on data processed by the processing unit. Thus, the object displayed on the screen of the display means is based on the detection signal from the first detection means, the detection signal from the second detection means, and the detection signal from the third detection means. The image processing is performed so as to operate.

For example, the object is displayed so as to rotate according to a detection signal from the first detecting means. Alternatively, image processing is performed so that the moving direction of the object on the screen is determined based on a detection signal from the first detection unit.

Also, for example, the moving direction of the object is determined by a detection signal from the second detecting means, or the object performs an operation accompanied by acceleration by a detection signal from the second detecting means. Image processing.

Further, the object is displayed so as to rotate by the detection signal from the first detecting means, and the moving direction of the object is determined in a predetermined direction by the detecting signal from the second detecting means. Or the object performs an operation accompanied by acceleration in a predetermined direction, and a detection signal from the third detection means determines that the moving direction of the object is different from the predetermined direction or the object moves in the predetermined direction. The image processing is performed so that an operation involving acceleration in a direction different from the above is performed.

[0019] The object may be displayed so as to perform an operation combining operations based on detection signals from a plurality of detection means.

In the operating device according to the present invention, it is possible to input elements different in rotation, acceleration, and moving direction applied to the operating body just by operating the operating body, and it is possible to perform an operation corresponding to various application software. Become.

Further, the image processing apparatus of the present invention can display, on the screen, a subtle movement of the character or the ball after the impact is applied, based on the detection signal obtained from the operation device. Therefore, for example, in a soccer game, a banana shoot can be released, and in a golf game,
The ball can be controlled using any technique desired by the operator, such as slicing, hooking or backspin. Therefore, various games can be enjoyed with a feeling closer to actual soccer or golf.

In the image processing apparatus, various movements can be given to a character, a ball, and the like by combining data. Therefore, since the operator can freely control the character and the ball, the operability of the operation device is widened, and it is possible to execute game software that is closer to the feeling of actual sports or the like.

[0023]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an operating device for a game machine or a personal computer as a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein A is a front view of the operating device, B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line bb of FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view schematically showing the internal structure of the operation device.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the operating device 10 according to the first embodiment, a spherical operating body 1 called a trackball is rotatable in a three-dimensional direction inside a frame 12. It is supported by. In the operating device 10, a part of the operating body 1 is exposed to the outside of the frame 12, so that an operator can operate a part of the operating body 1 as the exposed part from the outside.

The frame 12 is provided with the elastic body 1 on the support 11.
4 and 14, and three axes (X axis, Y axis,
It is elastically supported so that it can move in the (Z-axis) direction.
The elastic body 14 is made of a member having excellent elasticity such as a coil spring, a cushion material made of rubber or synthetic resin, and is capable of absorbing shocks in three axial directions applied to the operating body 1.

An acceleration sensor (second detecting means) 15 is fixed to the frame 12. The acceleration sensor 1
Numeral 5 is based on a piezoelectric or capacitance type strain gauge, and is capable of detecting acceleration in at least one axial direction (for example, X-axis direction) among accelerations in three axial directions applied to the operating body 1, for example. Have been. Note that the acceleration sensor 15
It may be possible to detect acceleration in a direction more than the axis at a time. Since the acceleration sensor 15 is fixed to the outside of the operating tool 1 and is not attached to the operating tool 1 itself, the movement of the operating tool 1 is not restricted. Therefore, in the operating device 10, it is possible to prevent the operability of the operating tool 1 from being lowered. In the case of the acceleration sensor 15 that detects two or more axes, strain gauges may be separately provided for each axial direction, but the strain gauges that detect acceleration in all directions are provided in one package. A packaged configuration can also be used.

As shown in FIG. 2, inside the frame 12, two encoders (first detecting means) orthogonal to each other are provided so as to be circumscribed on the outer surface of the operating body 1. One of the encoders is an X encoder 2 having an axis in the X direction, and the other is a Y encoder 3 having an axis in the Y direction. The axes of the encoders are set to intersect at 90 °.

The X encoder 2 has a roller 2a that rotates about an axis extending in the Y direction, and a disk 2b that rotates together with the roller 2a. A slit-shaped notch (not shown) is formed in the outer peripheral portion of the disc 2b, and the notch and a portion where the notch is not formed are alternately arranged at a constant pitch in the circumferential direction. Is formed. A photocoupler 2c is provided on the outer periphery of the disk 2b.
The photocoupler 2c is provided with a light emitting element and a light receiving element opposed to each other, and a disc 2b is provided between the light emitting element and the light receiving element.
Is interposed. When the roller 2a and the disc 2b rotate, the notch and the portion other than the notch pass between the light emitting element and the light receiving element.
From c, a pulse signal output corresponding to the rotation speed of the disk 2b is obtained as a detection signal.

Similarly, the Y encoder 3 includes a roller 3a that rotates around an axis extending in the X direction,
The disk 3b includes a disk 3b that rotates together with a, and a photocoupler 3c that faces the outer periphery of the disk 3b. The disk 3
A notch and a portion where the notch is not formed are repeatedly formed at a constant pitch in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral portion of the roller b. From the photocoupler 3c, the rotation of the roller 3a and the disk 3b is performed. A pulse signal output corresponding to the speed is obtained as a detection signal.

When the operation device is connected to the game machine main body, the following operation is performed. When the operating body 1 is rotated about an axis extending in the Y direction, the roller 2a and the disk 2b of the X encoder 2 rotate, and a detection signal in the X direction is obtained as a pulse output from the photocoupler 2c. When the operating tool 1 is rotated around an axis extending in the X direction,
The roller 3a and the disk 3b of the Y encoder 3 rotate,
A detection signal in the Y direction is obtained as a pulse output from the photocoupler 3c.

As shown in FIG. 5, the detection signal in the X direction and the detection signal in the Y direction are transmitted to a game machine body or a computer (not shown). The central processing means (processing means) 41 of the game machine body or the computer converts the detection signal in the X direction into coordinate data in the X direction via application software stored in the main memory 42, and detects the signal in the Y direction. The signal is converted into coordinate data in the Y direction. Then, based on the coordinate data, image processing is performed on the screen of the display means 51 so that the display of an object such as a ball or a character rotates in the x direction and / or the y direction on the screen.

When the operating body 1 is rotated in, for example, the α direction (see FIG. 2) having angles in both the X axis and the Y axis, both the rollers 2a and 3a are rotated, and the photocoupler 2c and the photocoupler are rotated. The detection signals in the X direction and the Y direction from both 3c are converted into coordinate data, and image processing is performed on the screen so that the object rotates in the α direction.

On the other hand, the acceleration sensor 15 is
Is detected from at least one axis or more, and is output as an analog signal. The analog signal is supplied to an A / D (not shown) provided in the operation device 10.
The signal is converted into a digital signal having a predetermined number of bits by an (analog / digital) conversion means, and is output to the central processing means 41 as a detection signal of the acceleration in the axial direction.

The central processing means 41 grasps the detection signal of the instantaneous acceleration applied to the operating body 1 as the instantaneous acceleration applied to the operating body 1. Then, the direction of the impact applied to the operating body 1 (the direction of kicking out), the magnitude of the impact (impact force) and the time are analyzed from the detection signal of the acceleration, and, for example, the soccer ball displayed on the screen The movement direction and speed of the ball itself are calculated in a vector, and this is converted into coordinate data. That is, the main body of the game machine determines, based on the detection signals, a direction, a speed, and the like of a display object (such as a ball) to which an impact is applied, and reflects these as movement of the object on the screen.

For example, in the above-mentioned soccer game or the like, a ball kicked out into the air based on the X-direction and Y-direction detection signals and the acceleration detection signal when the operator operates the operating tool 1 moves in the middle thereof. It is possible to shoot a banana shoot that curves. In the golf game, the operation given to the operating tool 1 by the operator is regarded as the moment when the club face hits the ball (the moment of impact), and based on the respective detection signals generated in the operating tool 1 at this time. ,
A slice ball or a hook ball can be hit against the golf ball displayed on the screen, or a back spin or a top spin can be applied to the ball.

Alternatively, in the operating device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the operating tool 1 is rotated, the ball or character displayed on the screen is displayed so as to move in accordance with the rotating direction of the operating tool 1. You may. Further, based on the detection signal detected by the acceleration sensor 15, the ball or the character displayed on the screen may be displayed so as to perform an operation involving acceleration, for example, an operation such as bouncing.

That is, the game operator can freely control the object on the screen by finely adjusting the operation direction and the operation amount given to the operation body 1. By adding an acceleration component to the rotation components in the X direction and the Y direction when the operating body 1 is operated, these components can be combined to provide an operating device having more excellent operability. Then, on the software of the game, the possibility of possessing the game can be increased by adding the acceleration detection signal.

FIG. 3 shows an operating device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein A is a cross-sectional view from the front, and B is a plan view showing the internal structure of a support of the operating device. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a frame and an operating body of the operating device.

The operating device 20 shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 4
In this embodiment, the internal structure of the frame 22 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and an operation body (trackball) 21 rotatably held inside the frame 22 is provided. , Two X, Y encoders (first detection means) orthogonal to each other are provided.

In this operating device 20, when the operating body 21 rotates, the rotation direction of the operating body 21 about the X axis and the number of rotations per unit time detected by the X encoder are detection signals in the X direction. , The rotation direction of the operating body 21 around the Y axis detected by the Y encoder and the number of rotations per unit time are Y
It is a direction detection signal.

A movable body 23 is provided inside a support 31 which is a box-shaped case so as to be movable along an XY plane. A ball-shaped operating body 2 is provided inside the frame 22.
1 is provided, and a rotation support member 24 having a hemispherical shell shape is provided, and an acceleration sensor 25 as second detection means is provided between the moving body 23 and the rotation support member 24. . The frame body 22 and the operating body 21 and the acceleration sensor 25 and the moving body 23 are integrally movable in the XY plane.

The acceleration sensor 25 is a one-axis detection sensor capable of detecting acceleration only in the illustrated Z1-Z2 direction orthogonal to the XY plane.

As shown in FIG. 3A, a lid member 32 for covering the inside of the support 31 is provided above the support 31. An opening 32a is formed at the center of the lid member 32. The moving body 23 and the acceleration sensor 25 and the frame 22 provided thereon are provided with the opening 3
It is movable along the XY plane within the range of the opening area 2a.

A first slide member 34 and a second slide member 35 are provided inside the support 31 so as to be overlapped in the vertical (Z) direction. Inside the support 31, there are provided a guide member 33 for guiding the first slide member 34 in the Y direction, and a linear sensor 36 facing the guide member 33 and extending in the Y direction. Further, a guide member 37 for guiding the second slide member 35 in the X direction and a linear sensor 38 extending in the X direction in opposition to the guide member 37 are provided inside the support 31.

The first slide member 34 is formed with a guide elongated hole 34a extending in the X direction, and a pair of pressing members 26, 26 are slidably provided in the first slide member 34 in the X direction. Further, compression coil springs 27, 27 for urging the pressing members 26, 26 in a direction approaching each other are provided inside the guide elongated holes 34a. Similarly, a guide slot 35a extending in the Y direction is formed in the second slide member 35, and a pair of pressing members 28, 28 are provided inside the second slide member 35 so as to be slidable in the Y direction. The pressing member 28,
Compression coil springs 29, 29 for biasing the motors 28 toward each other are provided.

The moving body 23 includes a first sliding member 3
4 and the guide hole 35a of the second slide member 35, and the moving body 23
Are located between a pair of opposing pressing members 26 and 26 and between the pressing members 28 and 28.

The operating body 21 or the frame 22 is urged toward the center of the support 31 by the urging force of the compression coil springs 27, 27 and the compression coil springs 29, 29. When a moving force in the XY plane is applied to the frame 22, the first slide member 34 moves in the Y direction and the second slide member 35 moves in the X direction. . The direction and amount of movement of the first slide member 34 in the Y direction are determined by the linear sensor 3.
The direction and amount of movement of the second slide member 35 in the X direction are detected by the linear sensor 38.

The linear sensors 36 and 38 function as third detecting means. The linear sensors 36 and 38
Is a linear-variable variable resistor, a linear-variable magnetic detector, or a linear-variable optical detector.

A / D conversion means (not shown) is provided in the operation device 20, and the two encoders (first detection means) for detecting the rotation direction and the rotation amount of the operation body 21 in two axial directions. , A detection signal from the acceleration sensor 25 (second detecting means), and the linear sensor 3
6, 38 (third detection means)
The digital signal is converted into a digital signal of a predetermined number of bits by the / D conversion means. The digitized detection signals are supplied to a central processing unit 41 of a game machine or computer apparatus main body 40 as shown in FIG.

Each of the detection signals (digital signals) is transmitted from the operation device 20 to a device main body 40 such as a game machine or a personal computer through a cable line or a wireless line such as infrared rays or radio waves.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the apparatus main body 40, C
A central processing unit 41 mainly composed of a PU and a main memory 42 are provided, and a detection signal from the operating device 10 or 20 is given to the central processing unit 41 via a predetermined bus. A display unit 51 having a screen is connected to the game machine or the personal computer.
The display means 51 is a liquid crystal display, a CRT, or the like. In addition to the display means 51, an audio output unit such as a speaker is provided.

The main memory 42 stores application software. The apparatus main body 40 is provided with a reproducing unit (not shown) for reproducing a recording medium such as a CD or a DVD, and a transmitting / receiving unit (not shown) for performing data communication through an electric communication line such as the Internet. . The software for the game is reproduced by the reproducing means on the recording medium, downloaded via an electric communication line, and stored in the main memory 42.

The central processing means 41 performs processing for downloading the application software and executing the contents of the software. This processing operation includes display image processing and audio output processing based on the detection signal obtained from the operation device 10 or 20.

Next, an image processing operation when the operation device 20 is operated will be described. 6 to 8 show the display means 51.
3 shows an example of the screen display. The space displayed on this screen is a virtual three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system (xyz coordinate system).
The x-axis indicates the axis in the width direction on the screen, the y-axis indicates the axis in the depth direction on the screen, and the z-axis indicates the axis in the height direction on the screen. The y2 side is the front side of the screen, and the y1 side is the back side of the screen. Operation device 2
When 0 is in the initial state, that is, when no input is given to the operation device 20, the ball (object) 60 on the screen is positioned at the origin O of the virtual three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system (x = 0, x = 0, y = 0, z = 0). The setting of the position of the origin O differs depending on the type of the game and the situation during the game. For example, in the case of putting in a golf game or hitting a ball placed on a plane as in a billiard game, the position of the origin O is set on a plane such as the ground on the image, and in a soccer game. In a scene where a ball located in the air is directly hit back, such as in a game or a tennis game, the position of the origin O is set in the air.

When the operating body 21 is rotated, the X-axis and the Y-axis detected by the X encoder and the Y encoder (the same structure as shown by reference numerals 2 and 3 in FIG. 2) as the first detecting means.
Information about the number of rotations per unit time around the axis and the direction of rotation is provided to the central processing unit 41 as a detection signal. A detection signal detected by the acceleration sensor 25 as the second detecting means when the operating body 21 is hit or the like is given to the central processing means 41 as acceleration information. When the frame 22 is further moved in the XY plane, the detection signals from the linear sensors 36 and 38, which are the third detecting means, are used as information on the moving direction and the moving speed.
Given to one.

The detection signal of the rotation of the X, Y encoder in the α1, α2, β1, or β2 direction as the first detection means is represented by α1, α2, β1, or β2 of the ball 60 on the screen.
Used as a rotation in the direction.

The acceleration sensor 2 as the second detecting means
The detection signal detected at 5 is used as an initial speed when the ball starts moving. Further, the detection signals from the linear sensors 36 and 38 as the third detection means are used as the direction of the acceleration applied to the operating body 21.

For example, when an acceleration in the Z2 direction is given to the operation body 21, the frame 22 moves to the neutral position (X
If the frame 22 is moved in the X1 or X2 direction, the screen is processed as if the acceleration was applied in the y1 direction. Above, the acceleration is processed as being given in the x1 or x2 direction, respectively.

When the frame 22 is moved in the Y1 or Y2 direction when an acceleration in the Z2 direction is given to the operating body 21, the acceleration is displayed on the screen as z1 or z2.
Treated as given in each direction. Therefore, the direction in which the ball 60 on the screen starts to move can be freely determined by operating the operation body 21 while the operator moves the frame 22 freely in the XY directions. it can.

In the application software, when the ball after movement is affected by other external forces, for example, the influence of gravity, the effect of air resistance such as the direction and strength of wind, or the case where the ball comes into contact with the ground or a wall surface, etc. When the ball 60 on the screen is affected by the influence of the frictional resistance and the elastic force of the ball, the image processing is performed so that the ball 60 on the screen performs an operation in consideration of the influence. For example, in the case of a golf game, when the direction and strength of the wind are image-processed so that the flying direction and the flying distance of the ball 60 are different, and the green in the golf course has undulations Or whether the condition of the green grass is in order,
Image processing is performed so that the degree of rolling of the ball differs depending on whether it is a reverse eye or the like.

Hereinafter, specific image processing will be described. FIGS. 6 and 7 show a case where a ball is displayed as an example of an object displayed on the screen of the display means 51.

The operation body 21 has α1, α of the first detection means.
When only the rotation in any of the 2, β1 and β2 directions is given and the detection outputs of the other second and third detection means are not given, the X and Y encoders as the first detection means Is supplied to the central control means 41. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, in the virtual three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system on the screen, when the position of the origin O is set in the air, the ball stays in place (the position of the origin O). α
The display is performed such that the lens rotates in any direction of 1, α2, β1, or β2 and falls in the z2 direction under the influence of gravity.

On the other hand, when the position of the origin O is set to the ground or the like, the rotation direction given to the operating body 21 is α
When it is 1 or α2, the ball 60 is rotated to α1 or α2 on the spot (the position of the origin O). In addition. When the ball 60 is placed on the ground, β1 or β
In the case where the rotation of 2 is given, image processing may be performed such that the ball 60 rolls in the y1 direction or the y2 direction due to friction between the ball 60 and the ground.

Next, without rotating the operating body 21, the frame 2
2 is moved linearly in the X direction, and
When hit in two directions, the result is as follows. The central processing unit 41 is provided with a detection signal from the acceleration sensor 25 as the second detection unit and a detection signal from the linear sensors 36 and 38 as the third detection unit.
In accordance with the amount of movement of the frame 22 in the X direction, the ball 60 on the screen
Moves in the x direction or the vector synthesis direction in the x and y directions. At this time, when the operation body 21 is given rotation in the α1 or α2 direction, the ball 60 moves in the x direction or the vector synthesis direction in the x direction and the y direction,
Further, a locus that curves rightward or leftward is drawn. The amount by which the ball 60 curves depends on the number of rotations given to the operating body 21 per unit time.

When the operating body 21 is hit straight down (Z2 direction) from above in a state where the frame body 22 is at the neutral position in the XY directions and is not rotating, the second detecting means A detection signal from a certain acceleration sensor 25 is given to the central processing unit 41. When the initial state of the ball 60 is set to be on the ground by the image processing of the central processing unit 41 at this time, the ball 60 displayed on the screen moves in the y1 direction as shown in FIG. Will be displayed.

In a state where the frame body 22 is moved to the back in the Y1 direction and is not rotated,
When the operating body 21 is hit straight downward from above,
As shown in FIG. 7, the ball 60 on the screen is displayed so as to move in the z1 direction.

The initial state of the ball 60 when the operating body 21 is hit straight down from above while the frame body 22 is at a position moved to the back in the Y2 direction and no rotation is applied. Is set in the air, the ball 60 on the screen is displayed so as to move in the z2 direction as shown in FIG. The ball 60 hits the ground or the like, but is displayed so as to jump in the z1 direction due to the elastic force of the ball 60 itself at this time. When the bouncing ball 60 reaches the highest point while bouncing under the influence of gravity, the ball 60 is again dropped on the ground in the z2 direction, and the bouncing operation of bouncing off the ground is repeated. Then, during this bouncing operation, the display is made such that the amount of jumping is gradually attenuated.

When the first detecting means (encoder), the second detecting means (acceleration sensor 25), and the third detecting means (linear sensors 36, 38) operate simultaneously, the signals from each of the detecting means are output. The detection signals are simultaneously provided to the central processing unit 41, and the central processing unit 41 performs image processing in which information from each detection signal is combined.

For example, when the frame 22 is set at the neutral position in the XY plane in FIG.
When the rotation in one direction and the acceleration in the Z2 direction are given simultaneously, the rotation information from the first detection means (encoder)
The acceleration information from the second detection means and the movement information from the linear sensors 36 and 38 of the third detection means are combined with the central processing means 4.
Given to one. At this time, when the position of the origin O in the initial state of the ball 60 is on the ground, the ball 60 on the screen rolls at high speed from the origin O to the y1 direction while rotating in the β1 direction. Go.

When the operation body 21 is simultaneously rotated and accelerated in the β2 direction while the frame 22 is set at the neutral position in the XY plane, the ball 60 on the screen once moves in the y1 direction, and then moves to the β2 direction. An operation to return to the y2 direction by the backspin in the direction is displayed.

In the above description, depending on the environment of the application, a display such that the ball 60 on the screen advances while rolling and bouncing in the y1 direction, or the ball 60 bounces backspin while returning in the y2 direction while bouncing. it can.

Various display operations can be performed by combining the detection signals from the first to third detection means. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the frame 22 is provided between the X1 direction and the Y1 direction. When the acceleration in the Z2 direction is given to the operating body 21 while giving the pushing force in the direction of the arrow, the ball on the screen corresponds to the pushing amount of the frame 22 in the middle direction between the X1 direction and the Y1 direction. At an angle, it protrudes from the origin O onto the y1-z1 plane (reference numeral 60a). At this time, when the operation body 21 is simultaneously rotated in the α1 direction, image processing is performed such that the ball 60 curves leftward in the direction of reference numeral 60b in the x1-y1-z1 space. Ball 60
Is the α2 direction, image processing is performed so that the ball 60 curves rightward in the direction of the sign 60c in the x2-y1-z1 space. The amount by which the ball 60 curves varies depending on the number of rotations, the direction of the wind, and the size thereof. The trajectory drawn by the ball 60 is a parabola, and after reaching the highest point, image processing is performed under the influence of gravity to approach the x1-x2 plane. Therefore, it is possible to represent a state in which a banana shoot is kicked in a soccer game, and a state in which a hook ball or a slice ball is hit with a club such as a driver or an iron in a golf game.

That is, the object displayed on the screen by the detection signal from the first detecting means may be displayed so as to rotate in accordance with the rotation direction of the operating body 21, or the rotation of the operating body 21 The display may be such that the object moves according to the direction. The moving direction of the object displayed on the screen is determined by the detection output from the second detecting means, or the direction of the speed or acceleration is determined, or the object performs an operation accompanied by acceleration such as bouncing. You may. Further, the moving direction, the velocity direction, or the acceleration direction of the object may be set to a direction different from the direction set by the second detecting means according to the detection signal from the third detecting means. Alternatively, the third detection means may cause the object to perform an operation involving acceleration in the X direction or the Y direction.

As described above, by detecting the detection signals in combination with the three detection means, various screen displays corresponding to the application software can be performed.

Thus, it is possible to cause the character on the screen to perform various operations.

[0077]

According to the present invention described in detail above, by simultaneously detecting the acceleration, rotation, and direction applied to the operating body, the operability of the operating device can be improved, and the operating width of game input and the like can be increased. it can.

Further, by the image processing using the operating device, it is possible to freely control a character, a ball and the like projected on the screen in a three-dimensional coordinate system. Therefore, it becomes possible to enjoy the game with a feeling closer to the actual sports.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an operating device for a game machine or a personal computer as a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein A is a front view of the operating device, B is a cross-sectional view taken along line bb of A,

FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing the internal structure of the operating device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows an operating device according to a second embodiment of the present invention,
A is a cross-sectional view from the front direction, B is a plan view showing the internal structure of the support of the operating device,

4 is a perspective view showing a frame and an operating body of the operating device shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a system configuration diagram of a game device using the operation device,

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen display of a display unit;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen display of a display unit;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen display of a display unit;

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 21 operation body (trackball) 2 X encoder (first detection means) 3 Y encoder (first detection means) 10, 20 operating device 11, 31 support body 12, 22 frame body 14 elastic body 15, 25 Acceleration sensor (second detecting means) 34 First sliding member 35 Second sliding member 36, 38 Linear sensor (third detecting means) 40 Main body 41 Central processing means (processing means) 42 Main memory 51 Display means 60 ball (object)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 3/03 380 G06F 3/03 380L G06T 17/40 G06T 17/40 A (72) Inventor Kazushi Ohshita Person Alps Electric Co., Ltd., 1-7, Yukitani Otsuka-cho, Ota-ku, Tokyo (72) Inventor Isao Isao Alps Electric Co., Ltd., 1-7, Yukitani-Otsuka-cho, Ota-ku, Tokyo (72) Inventor Masahiro Soma Tokyo Alps Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiroshi Nakahama 1-7 Yukitani-Otsuka-cho, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term (reference) 2C001 AA00 AA04 BA02 BC01 Inside Alps Electric Co., Ltd. 1-7, Yukitani-Otsuka-cho, Ota-ku, Tokyo BC03 CA00 CA06 CB01 CB04 CB06 CB08 CC02 CC03 5B050 BA07 BA08 BA09 BA13 BA18 EA26 FA02 5B068 AA36 BD12 BD18 BE08 CC17 CD02 EE01 5B087 AA07 AA09 BB21 BB29 DD03

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A frame, an operation body provided on the frame, which is rotatable, first detection means for detecting a rotation direction and / or the number of rotations of the operation body, And a second detecting means for detecting the acceleration in at least one direction. 2. A support for supporting the frame is provided,
The operating body, the first detection means and the second detection means are supported on the support together with the frame so as to be movable in at least one direction orthogonal to the acceleration detection direction of the second detection means. The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the support is provided with third detection means for detecting a moving direction and / or a moving amount of the frame. 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first detecting means is provided in the frame, and the support is provided with a slider which moves in at least one direction orthogonal to an acceleration detecting direction of the second detecting means. The operating body, the first detecting means and the second detecting means are supported by the slider together with the frame, and the moving direction and / or the moving amount of the slider are detected by the third detecting means. 3. The operating device according to claim 2, wherein 4. A pair of sliders which move in directions orthogonal to each other in a plane orthogonal to an acceleration detection direction of the second detection means are provided on the support, and the operating body and the first slider are provided. The detecting means and the second detecting means are movable in each direction in the plane along with the movement of the two sliders together with the frame, and the moving direction and / or the moving amount of the two sliders are set in the third direction. 4. The operating device according to claim 3, wherein the operating device is detected by the detecting means. 5. The operating device according to claim 1, wherein said second detecting means is a piezoelectric or capacitive acceleration sensor. 6. The operating device according to claim 1, processing means to which detection signals from the first detecting means and the second detecting means of the operating device are provided, and data processed by the processing means. Display means for displaying an image based on the object, the data processing of the processing means, the object displayed on the screen of the display means, the detection signal from the first detection means, and the second An image processing apparatus, wherein image processing is controlled to operate based on a detection signal from a detection unit. 7. The operation device according to claim 2, wherein detection signals from the first detection unit, the second detection unit, and the third detection unit of the operation device are provided. Processing means, and a display means for displaying an image based on the data processed by the processing means. By the data processing of the processing means, the object displayed on the screen of the display means is the first object. An image processing apparatus that operates based on a detection signal from the detection unit, a detection signal from the second detection unit, and a detection signal from the third detection unit. . 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the object is displayed so as to rotate according to a detection signal from the first detection unit. 9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a moving direction of the object on a screen is determined based on a detection signal from the first detecting unit. 10. A moving direction of said object is determined by a detection signal from said second detecting means, or
10. Image processing is performed so that the object performs an operation involving acceleration according to a detection signal from the detecting means.
The image processing device according to any one of the above. 11. A detection signal from the first detection means displays the object as rotating, and a detection signal from the second detection means determines a moving direction of the object in a predetermined direction. Or, the object performs an operation accompanied by acceleration in a predetermined direction, and the detection direction from the third detection means determines that the moving direction of the object is different from the predetermined direction or the object moves with the predetermined direction. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the image processing is performed to perform an operation involving accelerations in different directions. 12. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the object is displayed so as to perform a combined operation based on detection signals from a plurality of detection units.