The present invention relates an input controller (100) for interacting with a virtual environment, and more specifically to an input controller comprising a first body (102) and a second body (104) connected to the first body, wherein the first body comprises a first input device (106) and the second body comprises a second input device (108). The first input device provides input control to the virtual environment with a first movement with at least 5 degrees of freedom in the virtual environment, the first movement being a relative movement, and the second input device provides input control to the virtual environment with a second movement with at least 2 degrees of freedom in the virtual environment, the second movement being an absolute movement.

An improved controller for a game console that is intended to be held by a user in both hands in the same manner as a conventional controller, which has controls on the front operable by the thumbs, and has two additional controls located on the back in positions to be operated by the middle fingers of a user.

A motion of a first unit is detected based on an output from a first acceleration sensor provided in a first unit of a controller, and a motion of a second unit is detected based on an output from a second acceleration sensor provided in a second unit separate from the first unit. A game control is performed using the detected motions. Thus, with a game apparatus using a plurality of acceleration sensors or a plurality of sensors capable of detecting a motion a dynamic play is made possible with a high degree of freedom of motion and an intuitive motion input is realized.

An operating device includes: right and left hold sections to be held by a user, the right and left hold sections provided with first operating members; and a central section interconnecting the right and left hold sections. The operating device has a second operating member forming an upper surface of the central section. The second operating member includes a touch sensor located between the first operating members of the right and left hold sections, and is so supported as to be capable of vertical movement in response to a user's pressing-down operation. The second operating member is plate-like in shape, so that user's fingers can easily reach the second operating member in a condition where the user is holding the hold sections. As a result, operability of the operating device can be enhanced.

A game operating device (controller) includes a longitudinal housing, and a holding portion held by hand to be wrapped by its palm it is formed in the housing. A direction switch is provided on an upper surface at a position where it can be operated by thumb of the hand holding the holding portion, and a start switch and a select switch are provided backward thereof. An X button 46 and a Y button are further arranged in line on the upper surface of the housing. An imaging information arithmetic unit is provided at a front end of the housing in a longitudinal direction in such a manner that an imaging device thereof is exposed from a front-end surface. A concave portion is formed on a lower surface at a position corresponding to the direction switch. The concave portion includes a valley and two inclined surfaces. An A button capable of being operated by index finger of the hand holding the holding portion is provided on the backward inclined surface. By processing an image signal obtained by imaging an infrared ray from LED modules by the imaging device, it is possible to obtain an operation signal varying according to a position and/or attitude of the controller.

A game operating device (controller) includes a longitudinal housing, and a holding portion held by hand to be wrapped by its palm it is formed in the housing. A direction switch is provided on an upper surface at a position where it can be operated by thumb of the hand holding the holding portion, and a start switch and a select switch are provided backward thereof. An X button 46 and a Y button are further arranged in line on the upper surface of the housing. An imaging information arithmetic unit is provided at a front end of the housing in a longitudinal direction in such a manner that an imaging device thereof is exposed from a front-end surface. A concave portion is formed on a lower surface at a position corresponding to the direction switch. The concave portion includes a valley and two inclined surfaces. An A button capable of being operated by index finger of the hand holding the holding portion is provided on the backward inclined surface. By processing an image signal obtained by imaging an infrared ray from LED modules by the imaging device, it is possible to obtain an operation signal varying according to a position and/or attitude of the controller.

An operating device includes: right and left hold sections to be held by a user, the right and left hold sections provided with first operating members; and a central section interconnecting the right and left hold sections. The operating device has a second operating member forming an upper surface of the central section. The second operating member includes a touch sensor located between the first operating members of the right and left hold sections, and is so supported as to be capable of vertical movement in response to a user s pressing-down operation. The second operating member is plate-like in shape, so that user s fingers can easily reach the second operating member in a condition where the user is holding the hold sections. As a result, operability of the operating device can be enhanced.

The present invention is directed to an object tracking interface device for use as a peripheral input device with personal computers and game consoles. The object tracking interface device tracks the movement of a moving object within the field of view of the interface device and provides input to the personal computer or game console on the movement of the moving object. The object tracking interface device has one or more detection means, which view a viewed space through which the moving object moves and provide an output signal, a means for receiving the output signal of the detection means and for determining the presence of a moving object within the viewed space, a means for calculating one or more parameters of the movement of the moving object, and a means for converting the parameters of the movement of the moving object into a signal which can be input into the personal computer or gaming console.

A game controller includes an image capture unit; a body; at least one input device assembled with the body, the input device manipulable by a user to register an input from the user; an inertial sensor operable to produce information for quantifying a movement of said body through space; and at least one light source assembled with the body; and a processor coupled to the image capture unit and the inertial sensor. The processor is configured to track the body by analyzing a signal from the inertial sensor and analyzing an image of the light source from the image capture unit. The processor is configured to establish a gearing between movement of the body and actions to be applied by a computer program.

An operating device includes an operating shaft, a movable body that supports the operating shaft, and a base body. The base body includes a contact surface that is in contact with the movable body so as to receive, from the movable body, forces along the plane vertical to the axial direction of the operating shaft. Further, the operating device includes a plurality of sensors adapted to detect forces acting on the base body. The operating device allows the motion of the operating shaft on the plane vertical to the axial direction of the operating shaft and the detection of the motion.