Game console

Abstract

A portable, handheld game console includes a main body incorporating a touch-sensitive display screen and a variety of input devices. The input devices can include shoulder buttons located on a peripheral side surface of the main body, as well as input devices located on the main body adjacent the touch-sensitive display screen.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A handheld electronic device, comprising:
 a main body incorporating a touch-sensitive panel on a face of the main body, wherein the touch-sensitive panel comprises a touch-sensitive surface configured to generate position related data in response to a user's touch input;   first and second input devices located on a peripheral side surface of the main body.   
     
     
         2 . The handheld device of  claim 1 , wherein the touch-sensitive panel comprises a touch-sensitive display screen. 
     
     
         3 . The handheld device of  claim 2 , further comprising image processing circuitry that is configured to cause a three-dimensional image to be displayed on the touch sensitive display screen. 
     
     
         4 . The handheld device of  claim 1 , wherein the touch-sensitive panel is located at approximately a center of a top surface of the main body with respect to first and second opposite sides surfaces of the main body. 
     
     
         5 . The handheld device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second input devices comprise control buttons. 
     
     
         6 . The handheld device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second input devices are located such that when a user holds the device with at least one hand, a finger of the at least one hand can operate one of the first and second input devices. 
     
     
         7 . The handheld device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second input devices are located such that when a user holds the device with both hands, a finger of a first one of the user's hands can operate the first input device and the other of the user's hands can operate the second input device. 
     
     
         8 . The handheld device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second input devices are located such that when a user holds the device with both hands, the index finger of the user's first hand can operate the first input device, and the index finger of the user's second hand can operate the second input device. 
     
     
         9 . The handheld device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second input devices are located on opposite end portions, respectively, of the peripheral side surface of the main body. 
     
     
         10 . The handheld device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second input devices are located on a peripheral rear surface of the main body that joins top and bottom surfaces of the main body, wherein the first input device is located on a first corner of the main body that joins the rear surface to a first side surface of the main body, and wherein the second input device is located on a second corner of the main body that joins the rear surface to a second side surface of the main body that is opposite the first side surface. 
     
     
         11 . The handheld device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second input devices are arranged laterally symmetrically with respect to a center of the main body. 
     
     
         12 . The handheld device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a third input device disposed on a first side of a top surface of the main body; and   a fourth input device disposed on a second side of the top surface of the main body opposed to the first side, the third and fourth input devices both being structured to allow a user to provide inputs.   
     
     
         13 . The handheld device of  claim 12 , wherein the third input device and the fourth input device are arranged symmetrically on the main body with respect to an axis bisecting the top surface of the main body. 
     
     
         14 . The handheld device of  claim 12 , wherein the third input device and the fourth input device are located such that when a user holds the holds the device with both hands, the thumb of the user's first hand can operate one of the third and fourth input devices, and the thumb of the user's second hand can operate the other of the third and fourth input devices. 
     
     
         15 . The handheld device of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the third and fourth input devices is structured to allow a user to provide directional inputs in each of two different axes. 
     
     
         16 . The handheld device of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the third and fourth input devices comprises a cross-key. 
     
     
         17 . The handheld device of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the third and fourth input devices comprises a cross-shaped arrangement of buttons. 
     
     
         18 . The handheld device of  claim 12 , wherein one of the third and fourth input devices comprises a cross-key, and the other of the third and fourth input devices comprises a cross-shaped arrangement of buttons. 
     
     
         19 . The handheld device of  claim 12 , wherein the first, second, third and fourth input devices can be operated at the same time by different fingers of the user's hands when a user holds the device with both hands. 
     
     
         20 . The handheld device of  claim 1 , further comprising an audio input device located on the main body and configured to generate an audio input signal in response to received audio input. 
     
     
         21 . The handheld device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one speaker located on the main body and configured to generate audio output. 
     
     
         22 . The handheld device of  claim 1 , further comprising an indicator light located on the main body and configured to indicate an on/off power status of the device. 
     
     
         23 . The handheld device of  claim 1 , further comprising a third input device located on the main body and configured to allow a user to perform at least one of a start operation and a select operation. 
     
     
         24 . The handheld device of  claim 1 , further comprising a battery charging terminal provided on the main body. 
     
     
         25 . The handheld device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one memory card slot located on the main body and that is configured to receive a memory card. 
     
     
         26 . The handheld device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second input devices are located on opposite sides of a rear surface of the main body. 
     
     
         27 . The handheld device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second input devices are located at first and second lateral corners, respectively, of the main body. 
     
     
         28 . A handheld electronic device, comprising:
 a main body configured to be held in both hands of a user;   a touch-sensitive panel located on a top surface of the main body, the touch-sensitive panel comprising a touch-sensitive surface configured to generate position related data in response to the user's touch input;   a first shoulder button configured to receive input from a finger of the user's first hand; and   a second shoulder button configured to receive input from a finger of the user's second hand.   
     
     
         29 . A handheld electronic device, comprising:
 a laterally elongated housing configured to be held in both hands of a user;   a touch-sensitive panel located on a top surface of the housing, the touch-sensitive panel comprising a touch-sensitive surface configured to generate position related data in response to the user's touch input;   a first input device located on a rear surface of the housing, the first input device being operable with a finger of the user's first hand when the user holds the housing in both hands; and   a second input device located on the rear surface of the housing, the second input device being operable with a finger of the user's second hand when the user holds the housing in both hands.   
     
     
         30 . A handheld electronic device, comprising:
 a main body having a top surface, a bottom surface, a rear surface, a left side surface, a right side surface and a front surface;   a touch-sensitive panel located on the top surface of the main body and configured to generate position related data in response to a user's touch input; and   first and second input devices that are located at opposite end portions, respectively, of the rear surface of the main body.