Patent US4870389A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4870389A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Joystick
Assignee: ASCII Corp
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Filing: 1989-04-27
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Granted: 1989-09-26
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Expires: 2009-04-27
Abstract
Abstract A joystick for a computer game which comprises a stick lever, a trigger button and a function button. In the joystick, when the function button is pressed down while the stick lever is inclined in one of directions or the trigger button is depressed, an operation specified by the inclination direction of the stick lever or by the trigger button can be executed intermittently or continuously, so that, even if the trigger button is operated long, it is possible to enhance the operation of the joystick, to reduce the fatigue of a player and to extend the life of the joystick.
Inventors
- 👤 Takehiko Ishiwata
- 👤 Norifumi Yoshida
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 01:02
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05G; G05G9/00; G05G9/02; G05G9/04; G05G9/047; A; A63; A63F; A63F13/00; A63F13/20; A63F13/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A joystick for a video game comprising a stick lever for specifying directions and at least one trigger button which causes an operation in said video game when depressed, and a function button which is arranged and configured such that when said stick lever is inclined in one of said directions or said trigger button is depressed when said function button is pressed down and then released, a direction specified by said direction of inclination of said stick lever or said operation caused by said trigger button being depressed is continued to be performed even though the trigger button has been released or the stick lever is no longer inclined in said one of said directions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
A joystick for a video game comprising a stick lever for specifying directions and at least one trigger button which causes an operation in said video game when depressed, and a function button which is arranged and configured such that when said stick lever is inclined in one of said directions or said trigger button is depressed when said function button is pressed down and then released, a direction specified by said direction of inclination of said stick lever or said operation caused by said trigger button being depressed is continued to be performed even though the trigger button has been released or the stick lever is no longer inclined in said one of said directions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
A joystick as set forth in claim 1, wherein said trigger button comprises two trigger buttons and, when said function button is pressed down while said two trigger buttons are being depressed, two operations of said video game respectively specified by said two trigger buttons are performed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
A joystick as set forth in claim 1, wherein there is provided a speed adjust button adapted to adjust a speed at which said operation specified by said direction of inclination of said stick lever or said trigger button is performed intermittently or continously.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A joystick as set forth in claim 1, wherein there is provided a select button adapted to select a game and, when said function button is pressed down while said select button is being depressed, a cursor on a menu screen can be moved continuously.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
A joystick as set forth in claim 1, wherein there is provided a start button adapted to start a game and, when said function button is pressed down while said start button is being depressed, the video game displayed on an image display device can be moved in slow motion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A joystick as set forth in claim 1, wherein there are provided a plurality of LEDs respectively adapted to indicate one of said directions of inclination of said stick lever.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A joystick as set forth in claim 1, wherein there is provided an LED adapted to indicate that said operation is being executed intermittently or continously due to the fact that said trigger button is depressed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A joystick as set forth in claim 1, further comprising means whereby said stick lever can selectively specify 8 or 4 directions of movement for a character by said inclination of said stick lever.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-09-25 | 1993-03-27 | 1993-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-09-25 | 1997-03-27 | 1997-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-09-25 | 2001-03-27 | 2001-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |