Abstract: A controller is provided with an artificial retina chip. The artificial retina chip is connected to a display unit via a game machine body. Before starting the game, the artificial retina chip is instructed to recognize an image of frame of the display unit to store such image as the reference image. After starting the game, the controller is moved to recognize the image of frame of the display unit in order to detect the designated position by comparing the coordinate position data after the movement and the coordinate position data of the reference image.

Abstract: An operation unit is provided with an operation body operated by hand, a first detection unit for detecting the inclination operation of the operation body, and a second detection unit for detecting the pushing-down operation of the operation body. Any of 26 alphabetical characters “A, B, C, . . . , X, Y, and Z” is selected corresponding to the inclination direction of the operation body. The displayed character is changed successively by rotating the operation body in X-Y coordinate plane. The selected character is finalized by pushing down the operation unit in Z-direction.

Abstract: A control apparatus includes a pressure-sensitive device for providing an analog signal responsive to an applied pressure, a level segmenting unit for segmenting the analog signal into output levels and an analog-to-digital (A/D) converting unit for converting the segmented analog signal into a digital signal having a plurality of bits.

Abstract: An analog operation is possible by a pressing operation of a controller which is normally used for conventional digital operation. A detecting device (e.g., a pressure-sensitive device) for outputting an analog signal corresponding to the pressing operation by the controller is provided, the analog signal which is outputted by the detecting device is segmented into levels by a level segmenting unit, and the segmented analog signal is converted into a digital signal having a plurality of bits corresponding to the output level by an A/D converting unit. A segmenting-range setting unit (such as a memory) for setting the range of output levels of the analog signal which is segmented by the level segmenting unit is also provided. The level segmenting unit segments the output level of the analog signal which is outputted by the detecting device within the range which is set by the segmenting-range setting unit.

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

Abstract: An arithmetic unit for correcting a detection output of a detector for a mechanical error of the detector in accordance with a predetermined input/output characteristic (straight line) is provided. When a digital output of the detector exceeds an upper limit value stored in a main memory, the digital output becomes a new upper limit value. From a virtual line which passes through the new upper limit value and which is parallel to the straight line, a new lower limit value is obtained. A corrected operation output is obtained in accordance with a new input/output characteristic of the detector based on the new upper limit value and the new lower limit value. Thus, the correction accuracy is improved.

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

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) outputs one or the other of the multi-bit digital signals and single-bit digital signals.

Abstract: A detector with plural variable resistors, each having a resistance member and an elastically deformable element connected to common fixed resistors, and midpoints between the variable resistors and the fixed resistors connected to an A/D converting circuit as common output paths. Connection parts connected to the variable resistors are switched in order to a ground potential, whereby voltage outputs based on changes in resistance values of the variable resistors can be obtained in order from the common output paths.

Abstract: An arithmetic unit for correcting a detection output of a detector for a mechanical error of the detector in accordance with a predetermined input/output characteristic (straight line) is provided. When a digital output of the detector exceeds an upper limit value stored in a main memory, the digital output becomes a new upper limit value. From a virtual line which passes through the new upper limit value and which is parallel to the straight line, a new lower limit value is obtained. A corrected operation output is obtained in accordance with a new input/output characteristic of the detector based on the new upper limit value and the new lower limit value. Thus, the correction accuracy is improved.

Abstract: In the case where a game controller is provided with plural elements for obtaining outputs by changes in resistance values, currents also flow through some of the elements not detected, increasing current consumption. Also, the number of input lines to a CPU increases, putting a heavy load on the CPU. Plural variable resistors each comprising a resistance member and an elastically deformable element are connected to common fixed resistors, and midpoints between the variable resistors and the fixed resistors are connected to an A/D converting circuit as common output paths. Connection parts connected to the variable resistors are switched in order to a ground potential, whereby voltage outputs based on changes in resistance values of the variable resistors can be obtained in order from the common output paths.

Abstract: Encoders as first detecting means detect rotations of a control body, and an acceleration sensor as second detecting means detects an acceleration applied to the control body. Based on the rotations and the acceleration, a ball displayed on a screen can be curved in the air. Consequently, an operator of a game can control the ball displayed on the screen or the like by controlling an impact, that is, an acceleration, a rotational direction, and a rotational speed.

Abstract: A controller has an operation member, a speaker as sound emission unit, and a support member. The operation member is rotatably supported by the support member, and the speaker is provided in a rotation central portion of the operation member. In this arrangement, a sound source can be provided near an operator. Further, a sound outputted from the speaker is transmitted as a vibration source to a grip.

Abstract: An operation unit is provided with an operation body operated by hand, a first detection unit for detecting the inclination operation of the operation body, and a second detection unit for detecting the pushing-down operation of the operation body. Any of 26 alphabetical characters “A, B, C, . . . , X, Y, and Z” is selected corresponding to the inclination direction of the operation body. The displayed character is changed successively by rotating the operation body in X-Y coordinate plane. The selected character is finalized by pushing down the operation unit in Z-direction.

Abstract: A character input device includes a first manipulator for selecting columns “A”, “KA”, “SA”, . . . in the row direction, a second manipulator for selecting rows “A”, “I”, . . . in the column direction, and a third manipulator for setting a candidate of data of characters or symbols which is selected by the first and second manipulators. The first manipulator, the second manipulator, and the third manipulator are disposed adjacent each other. The first manipulator and the second manipulator are disc-shaped rotary-type input devices. The candidates of characters and the like are quickly transferred in the row and column directions by rotating the first and second manipulators, and are set by operating the third manipulator.

Abstract: A controller is provided with a steering wheel, a support, and an actuator served as the driving means. The steering wheel is provided with a slide body that is slidable in the body of the support, and the slide body is supported slidably in the direction perpendicular to the rotational direction of the steering wheel. A fixed member of the actuator is fixed to the body, and a movable member of the actuator is fixed to back side of the slide body. The steering wheel is reciprocated in the direction perpendicular to the rotational direction of the steering wheel by controlling the actuator correspondingly to the control signal supplied from the control unit.

Abstract: A controller is provided with an artificial retina chip. The artificial retina chip is connected to a display unit via a game machine body. Before starting the game, the artificial retina chip is instructed to recognize an image of frame of the display unit to store such image as the reference image. After starting the game, the controller is moved to recognize the image of frame of the display unit in order to detect the designated position by comparing the coordinate position data after the movement and the coordinate position data of the reference image.