IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,602,104
Granted Patent B2
US 12,602,104 · App. 17/436,232 · Granted Apr 14, 2026

Input device

Inventors: Takanori Minamino (Kanagawa, JP); Kenzo Nishikawa (Tokyo, JP); Takeshi Igarashi (Kanagawa, JP); Yoshiaki Kawamura (Chiba, JP)
Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.
G06F3/01
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,602,104
App. No.
17/436,232
Granted
Apr 14, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Two light-emitting units are to be prevented from overlapping each other in an image obtained through a camera. A tracked unit ( 30 ) has a first outer surface (A 1 ) provided with a first light-emitting unit (H 1 ), a second outer surface (A 2 ) provided with a second light-emitting unit (H 2 ), and a light shield portion (B). The second outer surface (A 2 ) faces a second direction different from that of the first outer surface (A 1 ). The light shield portion (B) is located further outside than the first light-emitting unit (H 1 ) and the second light-emitting unit (H 2 ).

Claims (40)

1 . An input device comprising:

a main body, including: (i) a grip having comprising a first end, a second end that is opposite to the first end, wherein the grip comprises and a light-emitting unit; (ii) an operation region disposed proximate to the first end of the grip of the main body, and including a plurality of operation units for manipulation by a user's fingers while holding the grip; and

a tracked unit including:

a plurality of light-emitting units;

a curved member extending from a first position proximate to the operation region at the first end of the grip to a second position at the second end of the grip;

a first outer surface provided with a first light-emitting unit disposed along the tracked unit between the first position and the second position, the first outer surface extending in an extending direction of the tracked unit;

a second outer surface provided with a second light-emitting unit disposed along the tracked unit between the first position and the second position, the second outer surface extending in the extending direction of the tracked unit; and

a light shield portion having an outward facing surface and an opposing inward facing surface, and including an outwardly curved section located between the first light-emitting unit and the second light-emitting unit, which are adjacent to one another, wherein:

the first outer surface and the second outer surface are arranged side by side such that respective normal directions thereof are substantially perpendicular to one another and substantially transverse to the extending direction of the tracked unit,

the first light-emitting unit faces a first direction corresponding to the respective normal direction of the of the first outer surface, the second light-emitting unit faces a second direction corresponding to the respective normal direction of the of the second outer surface, and the first direction and the second direction are substantially orthogonal to one another, and

a distance from an apex portion of the light shield portion to a line extending between the first light-emitting unit and the second light-emitting unit is greater than a diameter of at least one of the first light-emitting unit and the second light-emitting unit.

2 . The input device according to claim 1 , wherein the light shield portion includes a portion located further outside than an arc that is in contact with the first outer surface and the second outer surface.

3 . The input device according to claim 1 , wherein the light shield portion includes a portion located at a position outside a virtual arc that is in contact with the first outer surface at a position of the first light-emitting unit and in contact with the second outer surface or a plane including the second outer surface.

4 . The input device according to claim 1 , wherein

the first outer surface is provided with a plurality of first light-emitting units arranged side by side in the extending direction of the tracked unit, and

the second outer surface is provided with a plurality of second light-emitting units arranged side by side in the extending direction of the tracked unit.

5 . The input device according to claim 4 , wherein positions of the plurality of first light-emitting units and positions of the plurality of second light-emitting units are offset from each other in the extending direction of the tracked unit.

6 . The input device according to claim 1 , wherein, in a cross section perpendicular to the extending direction of the tracked unit, a distance from an apex portion between the first outer surface and the second outer surface to the first light-emitting unit is larger than a distance from the apex portion to the second light-emitting unit.

7 . The input device according to claim 1 , wherein, in a cross section perpendicular to the extending direction of the tracked unit, a width of the first outer surface is larger than a width of the second outer surface.

8 . The input device according to claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the tracked unit including a boundary between the first outer surface and the second outer surface is configured to function as the light shield portion.

9 . The input device according to claim 1 , further comprising: an exterior member that includes the first outer surface and the second outer surface, the exterior member including a portion configured to function as the light shield portion.

10 . The input device according to claim 1 , wherein the tracked unit includes a frame disposed inside the first outer surface and the second outer surface and supporting the plurality of light-emitting units, the frame including a portion configured to function as the light shield portion.

11 . The input device according to claim 1 , wherein

the first outer surface is provided with a plurality of first light-emitting units arranged side by side in the extending direction of the tracked unit,

the second outer surface is provided with a plurality of second light-emitting units arranged side by side in the extending direction of the tracked unit, and

the light shield portion extends in the extending direction of the tracked unit.

12 . The input device of claim 1 , wherein, in a cross section perpendicular to the extending direction of the tracked unit, the first light-emitting unit is located within a range corresponding to two-thirds of a width of the first outer surface from a rear end portion of the first outer surface.

13 . The input device of claim 1 , wherein the tracked unit further comprises:

a substrate disposed between the first outer surface and the second outer surface;

a first light guide between the first outer surface and the substrate; and

a second light guide between the second outer surface and the substrate;

wherein the first light-emitting unit is on the substrate, and the first light guide is configured to guide light from the first light-emitting unit, and

wherein the second light-emitting unit is on the substrate, and the second light guide is configured to guide light from the second light-emitting unit.

14 . The input device of claim 13 , wherein the substrate comprises a first surface facing the first outer surface and a second surface facing the second outer surface, and

wherein the first light guide is between the first outer surface and the first surface of the substrate, and

wherein the second light guide is between the second outer surface and the second surface of the substrate.

15 . The input device of claim 14 , wherein the tracked unit further comprises a transparent exterior member that includes the first outer surface and the second outer surface.

16 . The input device of claim 13 , wherein the tracked unit further comprises:

a transparent exterior member comprising the first outer surface and the second outer surface; and

a wall member between the exterior member and the substrate, comprising a light shield portion.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 3, 2021
From: MINAMINO, TAKANORI; NISHIKAWA, KENZO; IGARASHI, TAKESHI; KAWAMURA, YOSHIAKI
To: SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT INC.
Reel/Frame 057384/0649 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2019-050278 · Mar 18, 2019 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220155848A1 · May 19, 2022
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